22/04/2026

SPORTS WEDNESDAY | APR 22, 2026

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Szoboszlai revels in last-gasp derby win

SIDENETTING

Rosenior feels Chelsea owners support LIAM ROSENIOR said yesterday that Chelsea’s owners had been “magnificent” in their support despite an alarming slump that has left their Champions League qualification hopes hanging by a thread. The Blues are seven points behind fifth-placed Liverpool after four straight Premier League defeats and their chances of finishing in the top five look bleak. Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali last week said the club were still behind Rosenior and remained optimistic about long-term success under his management. Asked yesterday if he felt that support, Blues head coach Rosenior, who replaced Enzo Maresca in January, said:“One hundred per cent. They have been supportive of me in our daily conversations, the sporting directors involved, they have been magnificent in their support of me and the team. We are aligned and we know we need to win games of football in the now. That doesn’t go against what we are trying to do, which is give consistent success to the club long term.” Konate close to new deal IBRAHIMA KONATE has revealed he is close to agreeing a new contract to stay at Liverpool beyond the end of the season. The French defender is in the final months of his current deal and there had been rumours suggesting he was going to join Real Madrid on a free transfer. However, interest in Konate cooled after a poor start to this season and he is set to extend his five-year stay at Anfield. “For a long time we have spoken with the club and we are close to an agreement,” said the 26-year-old after Liverpool’s 2-1 Merseyside derby win over Everton. “I think everyone wished for that for as long as possible but we are in a good way. For sure there is a big chance I’m here next season. This is what I always wanted. It was a tough year, Right now we focus on the end of the season and make sure we are qualified for the Champions League and after we can take the time to talk about the season because it’s going to be a big part of my story and it’s sad in one part.” Bournemouth appoint Rose on three-year deal BOURNEMOUTH have appointed Germany’s Marco Rose head coach from next season on a three-year deal, the Premier League side said yesterday, with current manager Andoni Iraola to leave in June. Bournemouth, in eighth position and unbeaten in 13 League games, are close to qualifying for a major European competition for the first time in the club’s history going back to 1899. “The 49-year-old arrives on the south coast with a wealth of experience at the highest level of European football,” Bournemouth said in a statement. Rose, who began his managerial career at Lokomotive Leipzig in 2012, led Red Bull Salzburg to two Austrian Bundesliga titles. He also helped Borussia Dortmund to a second-place finish in the German top flight, before winning the German Cup with RB Leipzig in 2023. “The club’s immediate focus remains firmly on finishing the current campaign as strongly as possible, with the players and staff continuing to show full commitment to achieving positive results and building on the current 13 game unbeaten run,“ Bournemouth added.

Ű BY CARL MARKHAM

The hard-fought victory signifi cantly bolsters Liverpool’s Champions League aspirations, opening a seven point gap over sixth-placed Chelsea with five matches remaining. This makes elite European compe tition increasingly likely, ahead of a summer expected to see significant spending and the confirmed depar tures of Salah and Andy Robertson. Despite the euphoria, the Hungary captain urged caution. “A win always changes the mood but we have to stay on the floor and keep working hard every day,” Szoboszlai commented. “We have to keep fighting for the Champions League spots and it is going to be hard

Mamardashvili, who was stretchered off, and Everton striker Beto, Virgil van Dijk headed home the decisive goal in the 11 minutes of added time. Reflecting on the thrilling conclu sion, Szoboszlai stated: “I’d rather win it like this than 3-0 or something, you know. This is more enjoyable to watch I think for the fans for both sides, actu ally. “At the end, maybe they (Everton) were the unlucky ones but we are happy to take the three points.” He added: “It felt amazing. To win a derby like this in the last second, we couldn’t ask for more. We were happy for each other to get the three points but also for the fans, because we know what it means for them.”

games ahead of us.” Szoboszlai also addressed his con tract situation, maintaining a relaxed stance. “There has been no real progres sion, so I cannot say anything new about my contract situation. We have a lot of games to go and I am focusing on that,“ he explained. “Of course I see myself here in the long term but, as I say, it is not really in my hands any more. I love being here, as I said many times. I’m completely relaxed. “We have five games to go, then I am going to rest – a big one – after my international break. Then we will see.” – The Independent

LIVERPOOL MIDFIELDER Dominik Szoboszlai admitted securing victory in the Merseyside derby during the 10th minute of added time felt more satisfying than an easy win against rivals Everton. The dramatic late goal at Hill Dickinson Stadium saw Arne Slot’s side clinch a crucial three points after a pulsating encounter. Mohamed Salah’s first-half goal had given the Reds the lead, but Beto’s equaliser just after the break threat ened to share the spoils. Following lengthy injury delays to Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi

Norwegian reminds Gunners they have ‘come up short’ before

Ű BY ANDY HAMPSON

to Poland to take on Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of their European semifinal. Palace boss Oliver Glasner insisted his decision to let his players celebrate securing their place in the final four in Florence on Thursday had no effect on their effort on Monday night. He was pleased his side disproved the belief some held before this contest that Palace’s European ambitions would draw their focus away from the domestic campaign and give West Ham an advan tage. Glasner said: “Maybe they were expecting us to be a little bit fatigued and not focused, and I (told the players), ‘It’s you who have to give the answer’. It’s not important what I want, it’s the players, and I think, yes, they showed it. “They gave the right answer that yes, they are focused, that they are committed, that they are really willing to work hard until the end.” – The Independent staying calm and thinking about what you can do.” Haaland’s 65th-minute strike settled a compelling encounter and spared Gianluigi Donnarumma’s blushes after the goalkeeper had gifted Kai Havertz an equaliser to cancel out Rayan Cherki’s brilliant opener. Haaland also hit a post but Arsenal had numerous chances too, hitting the goal frame through Eberechi Eze and Gabriel while Havertz spurned a good opportunity in stop page time. Arsenal’s defeat was their second in suc cession and the situation has changed dra matically since City’s frustrating 1-1 draw at West Ham last month left them trailing by nine points. Haaland said: “After West Ham, everybody wrote that it was over. That was the feeling. It’s boring but you have to focus game by game. Enjoy this but now you need to start thinking about (Burnley). That’s the reality of this club in this title race, because the last weeks is when things get decided.” Haaland was involved in one of the game’s main talking points when his running battle with Arsenal defender Gabriel threatened to boil over in the closing stages. Both were booked for pushing each other in a flare-up of an old rivalry but Gabriel was fortunate not to be sent off for pushing his head towards Haaland. Haaland said: “I think that is a red card. If I go down, it’s a red card but I would never do this. My father taught me this, ‘stay on your feet and don’t be a …’ – it starts with P. “That’s the reality. Maybe yes I should have gone down, maybe it would be easier, but I didn’t and I got a yellow card for it. “It’s wrestling here and there. A lot of duels and scratches. Sometimes my missus is not so happy about this, it looks a bit wrong! But that’s the reality.” – The Independent

E RLING HAALAND (pic) pointed out that Arsenal have “come up short” in previous seasons after firing Manchester City to a vital win over their title rivals on Sunday. The Norwegian struck a second-half win ner as City slashed the Gunners’ lead at the top of the Premier League to three points with a 2-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium. City also have a game in hand and, with momentum on their side, now have the chance to displace the long-time leaders by winning at struggling Burnley on Wednesday (Thurs 3am Malaysian time). Haaland acknowledged Arsenal have still been the stand-out team of the cam paign but City are determined to chase them down and deny them a first league crown since 2004.

Asked if City had got into Arsenal’s heads, Haaland said: “I don’t know, you need to ask them. The last seasons they’ve come up short. For now they

Haaland taunts Arsenal

are first and they are still there, they’ve been the best team of the season. “I don’t want to speak too much about them because they are an amazing team and

we should focus on ourselves. We know

exactly the situa tion. We’re still sec ond, we play on Wednesday. “There are a few of us who have been in this situation before, (as well as) a lot of new (players). It’s about

Nuno ‘positive’ about Hammer’s relegation fight

Ű BY RACHEL STEINBERG

“We were organised, committed, had team spirit, the basics that I consider to keep fighting until the end. The players, they are aware and they are giving it all, so I am positive about it.” West Ham could have gone into the break behind but Brennan Johnson missed a free header and it took a quick reaction from Dean Henderson to keep out Konstantinos Mavropanos’ header from point-blank range late in the first half. Nuno added: “Palace defended very well. Hard to find the gaps against that back five, but (we were) better, better, better, better, and there’s also a goal keeper that made an incredible save, so we have to credit them.” Palace are now just five points behind seventh placed Brentford with a game in hand on the Bees and everyone in between, though their more straightforward path to Europe remains via the Conference League. The Eagles next face Liverpool before travelling

NUNO ESPIRITO SANTO warned West Ham’s relega tion fight was nowhere near over after they secured an important point in a goalless draw at Crystal Palace. It moved the Hammers two clear of Tottenham while also confirming Nuno’s former club Wolves’ relegation to the Championship. Their battle resumes on Saturday with Everton’s visit to the London Stadium, and Nuno is confident his men have the mental fortitude to see out their survival bid. “Every day is important and it is going to be a fight until the end,” he said. “I think (we have the characters). “I think we’re proving that we don’t give up. We are committed. You can see today, even though it was not the perfect game for us, it was a game that we fight.