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Last-minute Neil Kengni goal gives Stalybridge Celtic victory against Buxton

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STALYBRIDGE CELTIC 1, BUXTON 1

It was a game Stalybridge Celtic nearly lost, but also almost won in a dramatic finish as Buxton visited Bower Fold in Evo Stik League, premier division.

Celtic looked to be heading for defeat to an unlucky 52nd minute own goal from centre-half Michael Clarke.

But in a thrilling finish between the 88th and 94th minutes, Clarke struck the crossbar, Neil Kengni equalised and Chris Smalley almost won it for Celtic in the dying seconds.

And Celtic manager Simon Haworth praised his side’s “character” in battling to the end.

“It wasn’t our best football, but the character we showed was the biggest tick as the lads dug in to get something from the game,” he said.

Haworth added had the game gone on for another 10 minutes, he believes Celtic would have triumphed as Buxton had “run out of steam”.

In what at times was a feisty fixture, former Celtic joint managers Steve Halford and Paul Phillips returned with the Hillmen who had three ex-Celtic players in their line-up.

The deadlock in an eminently forgettable game was broken early in the second half when former Celtic player Oli Roberts’ shot deflected off Clarke and looped over keeper Paddy Wharton. It was scrambled away, but the assistant referee ruled after it had crossed the line.

It was a messy goal in keeping with what went before and, even when Buxton had Brad Roscoe sent off with half an hour left, they never looked like equalising.

Clarke, a striker in his youth, was pushed up front in the latter stages and provided the attacking bite that Celtic lacked.

From the 86th minute, Kengni and Clarke fired wide and struck the underside of the bar with another effort.

Then with the four minutes of added time being signalled, Celtic finally equalised.

A slide-rule pass from substitute Greg Wilkinson released Kengni who burst through on goal and rounded keeper Theo Roberts before slotting home.

Then in the fourth added minute, Smalley thought he had won it for Celtic with a power headed from Liam Tongue’s corner that forced a fabulous save from Roberts.

And the two teams do it all over again on Saturday at Bower Fold in the second qualifying round of The Buildbase FA Trophy.

Celtic: Wharton, Tongue, Wilson, Dent, Clarke, Smalley, Bakkor, Rule, Sharp (Wilkinson 67), Wolfenden, Kengni. Subs (not used): Marx, Brown, Hughes, Winterbottom.

Cobblers as Oldham Athletic lost first away league game of the season at Northampton Town

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NORTHAMPTON TOWN 2, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1

All good things must come to an end as Oldham Athletic suffered their first away defeat of the season.

Indeed, it was Latics’ first league loss on the road for 12 league games stretching back to Good Friday when they were beaten at Wigan Athletic.

It was an eventful match in which controversial goals from John-Joe O’Toole and Kevin Van Veen handed the Cobblers three points.

And Latics were not able to capitalise on having a one-man advantage for more than half the game after Sam Foley’s sending off for the hosts.

Latics, whose preparations were disrupted by the sacking of assistant manager Andy Rhodes the day before the game, made a positive start in which they could have won a penalty after claiming Jordan Turnbull handled.

Mohamed Maouche then had a shot blocked inside the six-yard box and Gevaro Nepomuceno dragged an effort wide before Northampton had their first chance as O’Toole also fired wide.

However, as the half entered its final 10 minutes Rob Hunt gave away a dubious free kick which the home side capitalised on.

Latics cleared the initial danger, but the ball was kept alive by the Cobblers and O’Toole headed in past goalkeeper Daniel Iversen.

Foley then saw red moments later for a late challenge on Christopher Missilou. It didn’t look a red card offence, but referee Craig Breakspear showed the Northampton midfielder his marching orders.

However, the referee topped that decision by awarding a penalty to which baffled everyone in the PTS Academy Stadium.

A free kick was delivered into the box and the referee pointed to the spot after an incident involving Peter Clarke which Van Veen stepped up to and scored low to Iversen’s left.

Manager Frank Bunn made two changes at half time as he brought on Ishmael Miller and Jose Baxter, but it was Northampton who nearly scored a third.

Matt Crooks was played through on the counter attack and he chipped an effort wide of Latics’ goal.

Miller had a shot blocked in the box, before a Nepomuceno cross was aimed towards Clarke who seemed to get a push in the back, but once again no penalty was given.

Hunt scrambled a goal back for Latics after 72 minutes following a melee in the Northampton goalmouth.

Hunt then almost turned provider as he picked out Baxter on the edge of the box, but the playmaker couldn’t get a sweet connection on the volley.

Baxter then found substitute Jonathan Benteke from a corner and he saw his header cleared off the line.

But at the opposite end Clarke had to clear a Crooks effort off the line as the Cobblers almost scored a third goal at the death.

 Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Iversen; Hamer, Clarke, Edmundson, Hunt; Maouche, Gardner (Baxter 45), Missilou, Nepomuceno (Benteke 69); O’Grady (Miller 45), Lang. Subs (not used): Taylor, Graham, Branger-Engone, McFarlane.

The goals: John-Joe O’Toole (36), Kevin Van Veen (45pen) for Northampton. Rob Hunt (72) for Oldham Athletic.

Attendance: 4,767 (351 visitors).

 

Jose Mourinho favourite to be first manager out – will he outstay Paul Pogba?

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Jose Mourinho is once again the favourite to be the first Premier league manager to leave his job this season after his side’s exit from the Carabao Cup at the hands of Derby.

William Hill make him 6/4 after a raft of bets on him leaving since Scott Carson saved Phil Jones’ penalty to knock them out of the League Cup.

“Mourinho’s odds have come in from 6/1, spent a bit of time at 3/1 however, that price has been hammered as well and he is now in to 6/4,” said William Hill spokesman Joe Crilly.

“No doubt the majority of wagers have come off the back of the results against Wolves and Derby but there must surely have been a bit of cash from Paul Pogba sympathisers.”

William Hill make Mourinho 1/3 to leave Manchester United before Paul Pogba does although the Frenchman is 5/2 to leave the club in January and 6/4 to leave in the summer.

Who will leave Manchester United first

1/3 Jose Mourinho; 9/4 Paul Pogba

6/4 Paul Pogba to leave Manchester United in the summer transfer window

5/2 Paul Pogba to leave Manchester United in the January transfer window

Next Premier League manager to leave

6/4 Jose Mourinho; 6/1 Manuiel Pellegrini; 6/1 Mark Hughes; 6/1 Neil Warnock; 7/1 Claude Puel; 8/1 Rafa Benitez; 16/1 BAR

Michael Carrick retires after 12 years at Manchester United following home win against Watford

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MAN UNITED 1, WATFORD 0

Michael Carrick made a winning send off as Manchester United defeated Watford at Old Trafford in their 1,000th Premier League game.

The 36-year-old midfielder also fittingly helped create the only goal of a forgettable game for Marcus Rashford with a sumptuous through ball.

It was a rare moment of quality in a game that will not live long in the memory as United rested many of their big guns in readiness for the final of the Emirates FA Cup.

And there was fulsome praise from Jose Mourinho towards Carrick who joins the Reds’ coaching staff next season after 12 years as a player at Old Trafford.

Embed from Getty Images

Mourinho wrote in his programme notes: “Our captain deserves a good farewell because he has been a great player for this club.

“More than this, he is a great man, a proper man and football is not full of them. Neither is society, so it was very important that we made sure we kept hold of him, and I am delighted Michael will be on my coaching staff from next season.”

Mourinho later added losing Carrick has not been so difficult as in the last two seasons he has only had a peripheral role as he had struggled to play consecutive matches.

He said: “He has been a fantastic player and Sir Alex Ferguson was the intelligent one to buy him and have him for so many years of his career.

“He has been a phenomenal player and I am not so sad as it is the end of his career. The person is more important than the player and, because of this I am not so sad as he is staying.”

Mourinho added Carrick won’t become his assistant in the wake of the departure of his No 2 Rui Faria who has been his right-hand man for 17 years.

United’s manager added he will be restructuring his staff adding “nobody in the world is ready to be my assistant manager”.

But long term, Mourinho added he could see Carrick stepping up once he has his coaching badges and has made the transition from player to coach.

Mourinho pointed out Romelu Lukaku will be fit for the FA Cup final, but Anthony Martial is a doubt after picking up a knee injury in training on Friday.

It was an emotional afternoon as long-serving Carrick played his 316th and last game before retirement after an illustrious career that saw him win the Champions League, Europa League, five Premier League titles, the FA Cup and three League Cups.

Carrick captained a side that showed nine changes from the one that was involved in a goalless draw at West Ham on Thursday.

Alexis Sanchez and Scott McTominay were the two survivors, though it was still a side packed with experience.

There was a presentation pre-match to David De Gea, winner of the Premier League’s golden gloves award.

And there was an end-of-season feel to the game that lacked the intensity had something rested on the result.

United were already assured of second spot, their highest finish since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, though 19 points behind champions City, while Watford lay comfortably lower mid-table.

After a hum-drum opening, United took a 34th minute lead with Carrick the orchestrator with a long ball over the Watford defence.

Juan Mata raced clear and, as keeper Heurelho Gomes raced out of his area, he squared the ball to Rashford to slot into an empty net from 15 yards, his 13th goal of the season.

Watford finished the opening half strongly and were desperately unlucky not to equalise.

A header from Brazilian Richarlison was brilliantly saved by Sergio Romero and from the resulting corner Gerard Deulofeu shot straight at the Argentine keeper.

United made their first change just short of the hour when Ashley Young, who had just been booked, was replaced by Luke Shaw.

And as the tedious play persisted, Mourinho made a second change as Daley Blind made way for Ander Herrera.

Carrick left the field with five minutes left for a final time as an United player to a standing ovation as Paul Pogba took his place as the game petered out.

Manchester United is world’s most valuable football brand

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–       Valued at almost USD 1.9 billion, Manchester United remain the world’s most valuable football club brand.

–       Barcelona, who won their 25th La Liga title this season, are back in possession of football’s strongest brand, reclaiming the top position they lost to Real last year.

–       Testament to their commercial prowess, Premier League (18) and Bundesliga (13) field 31 clubs in the Brand Finance Football 50 ranking.

–       Airline, automotive, and financial services brands continue to dominate shirt sponsorship, accounting for 67% of agreements with the top 40 clubs.

–       Football’s emerging markets, China, India, and the USA, have growing awareness of Europe’s top football leagues, according to new original research.

For a visual summary of findings, view the Brand Finance Football infographic here.

View the full list of the world’s most valuable football brands here.

Manchester United has retained its title as the world’s most valuable football brand, according to the latest report by Brand Finance, the world’s leading independent brand valuation and strategy consultancy.

Placed at the head of the table again this year, United’s brand value of USD 1,895 million is more than USD 300 million higher than that of either Real Madrid or Barcelona FC.

With impressive revenue streams and continued success on the field, Manchester United’s brand value increased by 9% year on year since 2017.

The club’s brand strength also grew, by 3%. After last year’s exile in the UEFA Europa League, United’s brand strength was enhanced by two trophies and a return to the Champions League this season. Like all Premier League clubs, United benefit from extraordinary broadcasting revenues, but the club’s commercial revenues, totalling USD 390 million in 2017, are far greater than domestic and most international rivals.

The composition of this year’s league table reflects the undoubted commercial power of the Premier League with 18 teams in the top 50 and six in the first 10.

Premier League clubs enjoy elevated status due to broadcasting, which accounts for 60% of all revenues and, in some cases, contributes more than 90% of club income. In terms of matchday revenues, however, many of the Premier clubs have modest income, largely due to stadium size. Even prominent clubs like Chelsea and Tottenham have had restrictive home grounds that should be remedied with the construction of new stadiums. Outside of the United Kingdom, the Premier enjoys very healthy levels of awareness – 69% – in the growth markets polled by Brand Finance.

Bryn Anderson, Director at Brand Finance, commented: “The Premier League remains the most visible and most intensely marketed football league worldwide, hence its heavy presence in the Brand Finance Football 50.

“Although all member clubs benefit from strong broadcasting revenues and high levels of stadium utilisation, there is a huge gulf between the very top and the rest of the league. Furthermore, the reliance on broadcasting creates some vulnerability for the clubs and the challenge will be to successfully introduce a more balanced revenue mix in the future.”

The correlation between on-pitch performance and brand development has improved Liverpool’s brand strength by 4% and brand value by 33%. Manchester City, Premier League champions in 2017-18, saw brand value rise by 30% and brand strength improve by 4%. Tottenham Hotspur are also experiencing positive momentum with brand strength up 7% and brand value rising 10%.

It is no coincidence that all three clubs have been widely praised for the quality of their football during 2017-18 – there has been a “feel-good factor” about these teams that contributes to strengthening the brand.