11/05/2026

SPORTS MONDAY | MAY 11, 2026

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Devils had to dig deep: Carrick

Ű BY REBECCA JOHNSON

dressing room, probably in the stands as well, which is a good sign. We created probably enough chances at least to score and I think we defended well. “We conceded one shot on target just at the end against a strong squad with many good play ers and game changers – overall, the game was positive. “It’s always a balance, the way you defend and you work hard as a team to control different players and patterns. “At the same time, you want to control the game, so taking risks under pressure sometimes to create chances. “Last game at home it wasn’t a good balance. I think today it was, but we were not clinical enough in the final third.” – The Independent

MICHAEL CARRICK admitted Manchester United had to “dig deep at times” to earn a Premier League draw against Sunderland. A goalless stalemate on Wearside saw the Black Cats enjoy the best of the opportunities through out, going close through Chemsdine Talbi and Noah Sadiki early in the first half. After the break, United goalkeeper Senne Lammens was called into action to deny Brian Brobbey and the striker shortly turned provider for Lutsharel Geertruida, who hit the post. Joshua Zirkzee had nodded over for the visitors in the first half, while a late surge at the death saw efforts from Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbuemo blocked.

United sealed Champions League qualification with victory over Liverpool the previous weekend and Carrick was focused on the positives after seal ing a point. He said: “It was a tough game. Credit to Sunderland, I think we knew it was going to be a tough game. “We had to dig deep at times, it wasn’t our best, but to take something from the game when you’re not at your best is a good trait that we’re trying to build. There was obviously changes and sometimes you’re trying to find that rhythm a little bit. “I still quite liked a lot of the things to give us the

foundation to then be able play better at certain times. To take the point and the clean sheet for what it is, I think is OK.” Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris admitted there was some disappointment that his team were unable to win the game following a controlled dis play. The Black Cats’ performance was the first at the Stadium of Light since they were thrashed 5-0 by Nottingham Forest last month and a point keeps them 12th in the table, with two games remaining. Asked if he felt disappointed not to win in the end, Le Bris said: “Yes a bit. It was the mood in the

Liverpool’s Milos Kerkez (back) challenges Chelsea’s Cole Palmer during the English Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool on Saturday. – AFPPIC

Jeers for Arne … but Slot 100% convinced Liverpool will have different look next term

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Ű BY CARL MARKHAM

“We’ve also seen a lot of times this season that being the dominant team does not lead to chance after chance after chance.” On Ngumoha, Slot added: “Not injured, he had cramps before then and he went to the floor and I had contact with him. That’s why I took him off. “People don’t expect you to take that player off, it wasn’t my intention to do. He is a good player but I don’t think he is at a level yet to play at 50 or 60% to make the differ ence. “Maybe the fans have a different opinion but not being fit enough to sprint (was the reason). I knew the moment his number went up that would be the reaction but that is not the reason.” Chelsea’s caretaker coach Calum McFarlane felt his side should have got more out of the game after Enzo Fernandez’s free kick equaliser 10 minutes before half-time. “Probably being a bit biased but we could have won the game,” he said. “We had some good moments. We could have come away with three points.” On the positive side, Levi Colwill made his first start of the season after a knee injury and McFarlane said he was “definitely” in contention to start this weekend’s FA Cup final against Manchester City. “I thought he was exceptional. Really pleased for Levi, it shows his talent and qual ity and his mentality,” he added. Having avoided a club record-equalling seventh successive defeat, the interim Chelsea boss added: “This club needs to win games of football and we haven’t done that. We are not happy with the form. “It is nice to have a complete perform ance. It would have been better with the win.” – The Independent

H EAD COACH Arne Slot is “100% convinced” Liverpool will be a dif ferent team next season after a 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea was greeted with boos. The Dutchman became the personal tar get for the crowd when his substitution of 17 year-old winger Rio Ngumoha for the fit again British record signing Alexander Isak in the 67th minute received the loudest jeers of the afternoon. Slot revealed afterwards the teenager was suffering from cramp but said he knew what the reaction would be. Another disappointing performance, having taken a sixth-minute lead through Ryan Gravenberch, left Slot facing more criticism from supporters but he retains the backing of the Anfield hierarchy and pledged to win back fans next season. “Yeah, I do. Not this season, by the way,” said the Dutchman when asked whether he could turn the crowd around. “This season they will have their opinion and it will not change but if we can have the summer that we are planning to have I am 100% convinced we will be a different team next season than we are now. “Different in terms of results, different in how things look. It is really clear what we are lacking this season and we are trying. One of the things we are lacking is players that are fit. “The players we have available now, like last week (in defeat at Manchester United), showed in the second half they want to give everything and try to push but it was not enough last week or this week to find that goal which we maybe deserved.

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