The Latics rallied from a goal and a man down to take all three points after Cedric Kipre saw red for a deliberate handball on the line.
Sheffield United’s victory over Nottingham Forest earlier in the day set the task out for Leeds before a ball was even kicked under the hot Yorkshire sun. A positive result and they would move back into second in the Championship. A loss would see them behind their Yorkshire rivals on goal difference.
Leeds got off to a hot start and threatened to breach the Wigan goal early when Jack Harrison sent in a fizzing low cross which Patrick Bamford slid to meet, but the former Chelsea forward could only watch as the ball whizzed past his outstretched leg.
The game turned with just 14 minutes on the clock when Bamford looked certain to tap home from two yards out when the ball reached him following a Hernandez low cross. However, Cedric Kipre’s goalkeeper impression saw to it that the game remained 0-0 for the time being and that Wigan would be reduced to ten men for the infringement. Pablo Hernandez stepped up to take the penalty but his weak effort was saved by Christian Walton diving to his left.
That miss would soon be forgotten, however. Luke Ayling slipped in Bamford down the right and the Leeds number nine coolly slotted the ball into the far corner from a tight angle to rock Elland Road.
Wigan were rocking in their own way as their early flashes of promise faded away and an attack against defence mentality started to foster.
Kiko Casilla served as a reminder to stay focused. The former Real Madrid goalkeeper rushed out to meet a loose ball but Leon Clarke nipped in front of him and the cheers turned to gasps. Clarke’s first touch was heavy, though, forcing him wide from 25-yards out and his effort ended up well over the open goal.
Wigan settled into a flat back five, surrendering the ball to Leeds for large spells and hoping the ball would stick when pumped up to the very isolated Clarke.
The home side threatened to double their lead before the interval. First Harrison and Ayling linked well on each flank to help tee up a Hernandez effort which was blocked. Shortly after Tyler Roberts took aim with a thunderous volley but Kai Naismith was on hand to head the ball clear.
The visitors levelled two minutes before the half to kill what was deafening noise from the home support. Ezgjan Alioski found himself out of position at left-back and allowed Gavin Massey to sprint into the penalty area and lash the ball past Casilla at his near post.
Moments later the Macedonian defender was caught out again by Massey on a Latics counter attack and had to take a yellow card for a cynical foul to stop the Wigan forward from baring down one-on-one with Casilla.
Marcelo Bielsa stressed to not overlook the lowly Lancashire outfit in his pre-match notes, and their dominant spell to end the half paid testament to that.
The Argentine threw on striker Kemar Roofe in an effort to break down the stubborn Wigan back line but it was the visitors who looked the more threatening.
A one-dimensional performance began to frustrate the home faithful, but they did greet the first bit of inventive football with roars. Mateusz Klich fizzed a pass out to Hernandez who sent a low ball in to Roofe. Leeds’ top scorer laid the ball back to the Polish midfielder and his half volley rocketed over the crossbar.
Right on the hour Wigan found the net again. And again it came through slack Leeds defending. A hopeful ball from midfield went into the Leeds penalty area and Massey peeled off Gaetano Berardi to nod the ball past Casilla and into the bottom corner to stun Elland Road silent.
The hosts cranked up the pressure thereafter but their unimaginative play was comfortable for the visitors to deal with.
James nearly caught Casilla out when he went for goal from a free-kick from an acute angle and it flicked the top of the crossbar before going out of play. The Leeds shot-stopper didn’t stand a chance as he was expecting the cross.
Ugly scenes descended after that when referee Scott Duncan had to stop proceedings to deal with coins being thrown from Leeds fans at Wigan players.
Jack Clarke was thrown on to try and give the home side some unpredictability in attack but it was all in vain.
Hernandez and Alioski tested Walton but Leeds failed to create another concrete chance to snatch a point and leapfrog Sheffield United back into second and now find their automatic promotion hopes out of their hands.
[columns]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”609″ heading=”EFL” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”1139″ heading=”Championship” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[/columns]
The hosts recovered from an underwhelming defeat at Birmingham City to record back-to-back wins and clean sheets against Preston North End and Sheffield Wednesday and due to recent slips from Sheffield United are in control of their own promotion.
However, with United playing earlier in the day they could draw level with their Yorkshire rivals on 82 points before the 3 o’clock kick-off at Elland Road.
The visitors currently sit just two points above the relegation zone and could drop into the bottom three if they fail to win and Rotherham United beat Swansea. A shock win for Wigan could propel them up to 19th and give them breathing room in the relegation battle.
The Latics haven’t won since their 5-2 thrashing of troubled Bolton Wanderers – their only win in their last six games – and have drawn three of their last four.
Marcelo Bielsa will no doubt have paid close attention to Latics youngster Reece James, who netted when the two sides last met in November and has been one of the stars of the Championship this campaign. Leeds managed to overturn that 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 victory.
The match winner that day was Kemar Roofe, who has recently returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee injury and could be in line for his first start since his recovery.
Bielsa preached taking one game at a time in the final few games of the season stating “this game will be independent of the other games” in his pre-match press conference.
The Argentine was also keen to stress that Wigan will provide a stern test of his high-flying side.
“This is a team that how they are playing is better than their position in the table,” Bielsa said. “Sometimes the teams that are on top of the table, when they are playing the teams in the worst position you don’t see this difference about the level and positions of the teams.”
Leeds could also move within one point of table-toppers Norwich should they suffer defeat at Sheffield Wednesday on Friday.
[columns]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”609″ heading=”EFL” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”1139″ heading=”Championship” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[/columns]
]]>Kane limped off after 55 minutes of Spurs’ Champions League quarter-final first leg against Manchester City when he collided with City left-back Fabian Delph.
The England captain immediately hopped off and was shaking his head and had to be helped down the tunnel to go for treatment.
Pochettino fears that his star striker could be sidelined for the remainder of the season.
“We are going to miss him – maybe for the rest of the season. We hope it is not a big issue but there is not too much time to recover. He twisted his ankle so we will see how it reacts in a few hours.”
Kane, 25, will go for a MRI on Wednesday to assess the damage to his right ankle.
He was sidelined for the best part of two month in January when he injured the same ankle in Spurs’ 1-0 Premier League defeat to Manchester United. He also missed four weeks of last season with a similar problem.
“We need to check but it looks like it is the same ankle and similar injury, Pochettino said. “It is very sad and very disappointing.”
Tottenham face Huddersfield Town in the Premier League at the weekend before travelling to Manchester for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against City.
[columns]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”1072″ heading=”News” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”79″ heading=”Tottenham” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[/columns]
]]>Spurs fostered the first half chance of the game when a swift attack ended in a 20-yard volley from Dele Alli who hammered his effort well over the crossbar.
The half threatened to be defined by an officiating decision when referee Bjorn Kuipers signalled for VAR after Danny Rose had blocked an effort from Raheem Sterling. After a moment of deliberation the Dutch ref pointed to the spot much to the bemusement of all in white.
Hugo Lloris beat away Aguero’s weak penalty to keep the contest level and send the packed Tottenham Hotspur Stadium into frenzy.
The half passed with an air of caution. City, usually the aggressors, were content to sit back and allow the hosts possession.
Harry Kane found himself free in the visiting box and forced a smart save from Ederson with 23 minutes on the clock. City’s defence fell asleep, assuming the whistle would be blown for a foul on Alli after he tricked his way past Kyle Walker and were lucky to not be punished for their uncharacteristic lapse.
The hosts ended the half with the wind in their sails and forcing more out-of-character mistakes from Pep Guardiola’s side. Walker surrendered a needless corner and Sterling gave away a dangerous free-kick when blocking Son.
Spurs asserted themselves further at the start of the second half when Son twice tested Ederson’s concentration. First the South Korean curled an effort just past the post, but it was close enough to have City’s Brazilian goalkeeper scrambling to cover it. Next the home side robbed the visitors of possession in midfield and charged on goal with Son letting fly once more. Ederson dealt with his second effort more comfortably.
With 55 minutes played came the moment which may alter the complexion of the final part of the season for Mauricio Pochettino. Kane and stand-in left-back Fabian Delph contested a 50-50 ball and the former came away from the challenge shaking his head and hopping to the bench. Even the Tottenham manager felt compelled to give the City defender an ear full following to robust collision and Kane was substituted shortly after.
Kane limped off in the second half | Photo: REUTERS.
Some 13 minutes later the pair exchanged further verbal barbs. The Argentine manager was clearly irked he may now be without his star striker for the final run-in of the season.
Yet in his absence came a familiar saviour.
with 13 minutes of normal time left Christian Eriksen clipped a delightful ball to Son on the right of the penalty box. The Korean’s first touch looked heavy and to have killed the chance but he rescued the ball before it went out of play and jinked past Delph before firing a low shot under the body of Ederson.
City protested but a quick VAR check would confirm their falling behind and Son’s 18th goal of the season.
Moments later he blasted over from 20 yards, but was clearly enjoying himself going up against Delph.
Spurs’ night would take a couple more sour turns, however. First Alli was substituted and seemed to be in some discomfort and favouring his right arm as he was withdrawn. Shortly after a pitch invader had to be detained. Thankfully that was handled with minimal fuss.
Guardiola’s last away win in the last eight or semi-finals of the competition came in 2011. He must rouse his troops once more to overturn the deficit.
[columns]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”79″ heading=”Tottenham” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”224″ heading=”Man City” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[/columns]
A Brentford season-ticket holder was arrested in the aftermath on their 3-3 draw with Derby after Rams manager Frank Lampard said midfielder Duane Holmes was abused in the dugout.
Bristol City defender Nathan Byrne was also the victim of racist abuse from a Wigan fan on Twitter following their 2-2 draw on Saturday.
— Nathan Byrne (@NathanByrne_) April 6, 2019
Wigan said they are “angered” by the racist message and have reported it to the police.
A statement released by the EFL condemned the abuse.
“It was exceptionally disappointing that this happened as clubs up and down the country were raising awareness of such issues as part of Kick It Out’s Week of Action.
“We remain fully committed to continuing to work alongside the Football Association and Premier League as well as other relevant parties to ensure that football provides a welcoming environment from supporters attending matches and those participating in them.
“We cannot, and will not, accept this type of behaviour inside our stadiums, as we know our clubs won’t.”
Another incident of racist abuse also occurred in the Premier League. Wilfried Zaha retweeted a messaged that called him a ‘diving monkey’.
There were also several tweets using racist language to describe Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.
League Two outfit Northampton Town also condemned racism when they retweeted a tweet from Timi Elsnik, who is on loan from Derby, who claimed his team-mates were racially abused outside a hotel in Nottingham.
Appalling that our players were subjected to such behaviour today. If anyone has any information please do contact the club https://t.co/VshIAxb99O
— Northampton Town (@ntfc) April 6, 2019
[columns]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”1072″ heading=”News” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”609″ heading=”EFL” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[/columns]
]]>Mourinho has been linked with a move back to Serie A with Inter Milan and Roma connected with the Portuguese.
Mourinho won the treble with Inter in 2010 and left the club on good terms.
The 56-year-old fanned the flames of a potential return by talking up the journalists in Italy. Speaking with the Portuguese Sporting Press Association he said:
“The best journalists, those who know the most about football, are in my view the Italians. They are so interested in football, they want to know, understand and perceive everything about the sport.
“They are undoubtedly also the best prepared and have a very rich language when discussing football.”
The two-time Champions League winning manager spoke highly of Spanish media and also took a subtle dig at the British press.
“The Portuguese press are very good, but there is a very clear difference in Britain between journalists and commentators, so it seems to me their tendencies are decided by who they like or don’t like.
“Spanish media adore football and the clubs they support. They live it 24 hours a day, but are often too influenced by the clubs they love.”
Mourinho has been out of work since being sacked by Manchester United on December 18 following a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool.
[columns]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”1072″ heading=”News” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”257″ heading=”Serie A” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[/columns]
]]>The England international has been hailed as “a trailblazer” and “an iconic British sports star” for speaking out about racism in football.
Sterling, 24, called receiving the award a “massive honour”.
Arun King, the founder of the awards, hailed the Manchester City winger’s impact.
“He is undoubtedly one of the UK’s most thrilling talents. He is a trailblazer in his fight against racism. We are proud that he has become an iconic British sports star who represents so much for BAME communities and the entire sporting community, and will do for generations to come.”
Sterling was presented with the award on Saturday at a ceremony in London.
[columns]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”1072″ heading=”News” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”224″ heading=”Man City” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[/columns]
]]>In a club statement Bolton said that engineers “will be working through the night to resolve the issue” and also stated that “the club will provide an update at the earliest available opportunity”.
The club was originally issued a ban by the Safety Advisory Group (SAG) on Tuesday which prohibited fans entering the University of Bolton stadium for the team’s next two home matches.
However, it was confirmed on Thursday that both games would go ahead as planned.
SAG were said to be satisfied with the adequate safety provisions in place and would allow their clash on Saturday, along with a Tuesday game against Middlesbrough, to go ahead.
It was the second time in as many months that the group had expressed concerns over safety at the venue.
[columns]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”1072″ heading=”News” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”609″ heading=”EFL” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[/columns]
]]>The 40-year-old spoke on the BBC World Service about his experiences in France and said that the racial abuse he received there was the underlying reason for his move to England in 2005.
“No one does anything about it. I wanted to run off the pitch.”
The 40-year-old had some strong suggestions for punishments should a section of fans hurl racial abuse at players.
“If the fans don’t behave, big teams, small teams – they have to be relegated or play a full season with no fans.
“You play a full season with no fans and they will start to think about it. Fans will think about how they have to behave when they come to a stadium.”
In recent weeks England internationals Danny Rose, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Rhaeem Sterling have all been abused and in Italy Moise Kean was racially abused by a section of Cagliari fans.
Rose recently stated he “can’t wait to see the back of football” in the wake of several high-profile incidents and the lack of action taken by the governing bodies.
Chimbonda also feels the frustrations at the lack of action from those in charge.
“This has been happening for so many years and you see nothing ever happens.
“They [governing bodies] have an advert, they fight against racists but it never stops. So they have to do big things now and show they really want to stop it.”
[columns]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”1072″ heading=”News” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”235″ heading=”Culture” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[/columns]
]]>The 19-year-old celebrated in front of the home crowd who were directing racial abuse in the form on monkey chants at him and team-mate Blaise Matuidi.
However, Allegri moved to defend his captain.
“With his mind still on the game, post-match, he expressed himself badly.
“He realised this and apologised. These two things are distinct.”
The Juve manager also added: “Racism must always be fought and is never justifiable.”
Bonucci backtracked on his initial comments and said he was “clearly misunderstood” and “too hasty”
[columns]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”1072″ heading=”News” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”257″ heading=”Serie A” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[/columns]
]]>