'Knew what was coming, but nothing you could do about it'
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The Independent
23 minutes ago
- The Independent
Two-goal hero Cole Palmer says Chelsea silenced doubters with Club World Cup win
Cole Palmer hit back at Chelsea's critics after firing them to Club World Cup glory in New York. The England international scored two fine goals and set up a third for Joao Pedro as the Blues claimed a stunning 3-0 win over Champions League winners Paris St Germain at the MetLife Stadium. Victory, which landed the Blues a jackpot in excess of £90million, was also a tactical triumph for manager Enzo Maresca. Asked about how the team is developing under the Italian, Palmer told DAZN: 'He's building something special, something important with a young team. 'Everyone's talked a lot of s*** about us all season, but I feel like we're going in the right direction.' Reflecting on the game, Palmer added: 'Obviously it's a great feeling, even better because everyone doubted us before the game. We knew that and to go out there and put a fight on like we did against a great team, yes, it's good. 'The gaffer put a great gameplan out. Obviously he knew where the space was going to be and he tried to free me up as much as possible, and I just had to repay him and score some goals.' Palmer – whose double and assist all came within the space of 21 first-half minutes – was also the decisive player as Chelsea beat Real Betis in the Europa Conference League final in May. Maresca said: 'These are the games where we expect Cole to appear – big games and big moments – and once again he showed how good he is.' The tournament itself has been controversial and derided in many quarters but Maresca is in no doubt of the prestige it will bring the club. As well as the significant prize money, Chelsea will be entitled to wear a badge on their shirts confirming their status as world champions for the next four years. Maresca said: 'I think it will become as important as the Champions League and we value it as much as winning the Champions League. 'It has been the (best) effort from the team and all the players. I am very happy, especially for them because they deserve the moment. 'Had you told me we were going to win 3-0 in the first half I wouldn't have expected that but we knew we were going to put up a fight and we knew our squad is really competitive against talented teams.' PSG's misery was complete five minutes from time when Joao Neves was sent off for pulling Marc Cucurella's hair. Frustration was also evident as scuffles broke out after the final whistle. PSG manager Luis Enrique became involved in one incident that ended with Pedro on the ground. Enrique said: 'I saw Maresca had pushed others (away) and we had to separate all the players. 'This is a situation we must all avoid. My intention is that I wanted to separate the footballers so the situation didn't become worse.'
South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
Five things we learned as England booked place in Euros quarter-finals
Six different scorers provided the goods for the Lionesses as Hannah Cain grabbed a late consolation for Wales. With France having triumphed 5-2 against the Netherlands in Basel it means England finish Group D in second. Here are the five key takeaways from their victory over Wales… Fate decided The three points against Wales saw England confirm their place in the quarter-finals at Euro 2025 as they finish second in Group D. It means they also now know a potential route to the final with a last-eight tie against Sweden on Thursday in Zurich confirmed. With the Netherlands falling to 5-2 defeat against France, despite leading 2-1, England finished three points behind Les Bleues but three ahead of the Dutch. It sets up a rematch of their Euro 2022 semi-final victory when they won 4-0, including a standout backheeled goal by Alessia Russo. But the Group C winners look in brilliant form, having just defeated Germany 4-1 to top their group. Should England manage to overcome that challenge, they avoid Spain on their side of the draw and will face a semi-final against Norway or Italy. Toooooone Since Sarina Wiegman left Ella Toone on the bench for England's opening loss to France, the number 10 has made it a personal mission to ensure she never ends up back there. With two goals in two games and a 100% pass completion against Wales, she certainly has the stats to back up her selection. Her goal and two assists against Wales came in just one half of football. And that has been backed up with the performances to match. Toone has looked tenacious as a key cog in the English press, closing the ball down as soon as it enters the central pockets and creating turnovers high up the pitch. She has been equally as instructive in attack, putting the ball on a plate for both Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo to finish in the first half as well as grabbing a goal herself. While she might mistake the 'Toooone' shouts for boos, there is no doubting the travelling English support only have reason to celebrate her performances in Switzerland so far. England a step above At points in the first half in St. Gallen, it appeared Wales were giving goals away as though they were bottles of Prime in Waterloo Station. The reality was that the gulf in quality just proved too stark. England were faster and stronger as they pressed Wales high up the pitch, forcing them into errors early on. Ella Toone's goal highlighted the problem. As Leah Williamson pinged a ball out to Lauren Hemp on the left, the forward saw her cross cut out, but Georgia Stanway pounced as Wales failed to clear their lines fast enough. The ball squeezed through to Alessia Russo, who took the goalkeeper out of the equation before Toone was allowed two attempts at goal before finally hitting the back of the net. At each stage England were faster to react and their six-goal total proved they were simply too much to handle for Wales. It represents the biggest margin of victory at the tournament so far, while Wales' goal difference of minus-11 is the worst on record in the group stages of a women's Euros. But Wales have reason to be proud While the performance left much to be desired on Sunday evening and saw Wales heading home from Switzerland, they have plenty to be proud of from their stint at the tournament. The debutants not only scored their first-ever major tournament goal to equalise early on against France, they managed to repeat the feat against an England side in their stride. Jess Fishlock's pass through to Cain demonstrated the levels Wales can rise to as she played the former Leicester player in behind with a perfectly weighted pass. Cain's finish was equally brilliant as she fired past Hannah Hampton into the far top corner with aplomb. For a first major tournament with a significantly smaller player pool than their opponents, they have not disgraced themselves in the 'group of death' and have given the travelling fans plenty to celebrate. A big win to secure progression from Group D! 🔒🙌 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 13, 2025 The Red Wall stands strong Despite travelling to Switzerland with a strong possibility that their side may not even win a match, Wales have brought the numbers for their first appearance at a major tournament. Nowhere was that more evident than in St. Gallen where red shirts flooded the city during the day before piling into Kybunpark for what proved to be their final game at the tournament. In fact, despite the gulf in expectations, the Welsh fans brought a 2,400-strong contingent for their allocated section, with plenty more spread out in the neutral seats, compared to the 2,100 sold for England's end. The red, yellow and green bucket hats were in full force, and the Welsh were in customarily fine voice with a goosebump-raising rendition of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau. The loudest roar of the night came in the 76th minute when Hannah Cain brilliant strike earnt a late consolation for Wales and gave the wall of red reason enough to commence celebrations.
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Chris Gotterup keeps nerve to hold off Rory McIlroy and win Scottish Open
East Lothian witnessed a David v Goliath story as Rory McIlroy was denied victory immediately before his return to Northern Ireland for the Open Championship. Chris Gotterup, who arrived at the Scottish Open as the 158th-ranked player in the world, saw off McIlroy for the biggest win of his career. McIlroy's thoughts have already turned towards Royal Portrush and the major that has carried even more significance for the 36-year-old since he completed a career grand slam at Augusta National in April. 'There is no frustration,' McIlroy said. 'I'm really happy with where everything is. Looking forward to getting to Portrush tonight, getting out on to the golf course early tomorrow and just turning my attention to that. I feel like I've gotten out of this week everything that I wanted.' Gotterup's took the title by two, at 15 under par. He closed with a 66 in McIlroy's company. McIlroy shared second with Marco Penge. 'I hung in there like a champ and finished it off in style,' Gotterup said. 'I was ready for the challenge, I knew I was playing well this week so I felt comfortable. I was a one-time winner on tour but two sounds much better. I know if I feel like I did today, I can beat the best.' McIlroy, seeking a second Scottish Open in three attempts, had entered round four in a share of the lead. Few expected Gotterup to put up much resistance but the 25-year-old was nerveless. McIlroy's inward half of level par proved problematic as Gotterup came home in two under. This was, however, McIlroy's finest tournament display since his Masters triumph. Gotterup had to withstand the extra pressure associated with being put on the clock for slow play during the closing stages of the tournament. By the 72nd tee, Gotterup was two clear. He will make his Open debut on Thursday. Nicolai Højgaard will join him in the Open after finishing fourth in Scotland. Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion At the Evian Championship in France, Lottie Woad came so close to becoming the first amateur since 1967 to win a women's major. The Englishwoman shot a final round of 64 to miss out on a playoff by one. Australia's Grace Kim saw off Jeeno Thitikul on the second sudden-death hole. So much talk, though, was of Woad; the 21-year-old had won in Ireland on the Ladies European Tour seven days earlier. She has now earned a card on the LPGA Tour, albeit it is unclear precisely when Woad will take up that option. 'I am going to take the next week and discuss with my family and coaches and then I'll make a decision after that,' Woad said. 'I have always wanted to play on the LPGA. Whenever that is, it's going to be really fun and I am looking forward to playing in all the events.'
