Respite for Solskjaer, Man Utd against struggling Spurs

Published

4 years ago

October 31, 2021

admin

4:22 PM ET

LONDON — There was only a short handshake between the managers at the end of Manchester United’s 3-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur, but by that point, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had already passed the baton to Nuno Espirito Santo as embattled boss of the Premier League‘s crisis club.

Thousands of Tottenham supporters had already left, but many who stayed did so mainly to boo Nuno off the pitch as his opposite number strode across the turf to the section of United fans, who had been singing Solskjaer’s name for most of the second half as their club ended a difficult week with a much-needed victory.

Spurs followers opted for a more toxic repertoire, which ranged from chanting “you don’t know what you’re doing” at Nuno for his first substitution of the game, when Lucas Moura was replaced by Steven Bergwijn with the score 1-0 — to calling for club chairman Daniel Levy to quit.

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Solskjaer is hardly out of the woods and his position remains precarious with a tricky Champions League trip to Atalanta and next weekend’s Manchester derby to come, but his team’s display was a response to recent days, which have seen competing narratives emerge from Old Trafford.

On the one hand, there has been a feeling that United’s players and fanbase are losing faith in their under-fire boss, while Solskjaer himself countered that the group were working well on the training ground to right the ship knocked so badly off course by last weekend’s 5-0 humiliation at the hands of Liverpool.

Given the way this game played out, with United ending a four-game winless run in the Premier League and turning in their most complete display of the season, the 48-year-old was not about to pass up a chance to question some of the coverage, praising “brilliant” fans and calling out those who wanted to, in his words, “portray a different story.”

This performance provided vindication for Solskjaer’s belief that his squad remains sufficiently behind him and his players executed a game plan, which saw just two changes to the side that started against Liverpool, but featured a three-man defence, in which Raphael Varane made a significant difference on his return from a groin injury.

Solskjaer has use three at the back on occasions previously, but whether this is a blueprint for the future or an emergency measure designed to galvanise a beleaguered team remains to be seen. One conclusion that is difficult to escape, though, is that the success — or otherwise — of re-signing Ronaldo will be the main factor that determines the manager’s immediate.

The 36-year-old’s deployment as a lone centre-forward has largely disrupted United’s attacking rhythm, even accounting for his marvellous individual quality, but here he was paired up front with Edinson Cavani, whose presence gave United more dynamism with and without the ball.

The forward line has a combined age of 70, but Ronaldo and Cavani have scored more than 1200 career goals between them and the fact that each added to their tallies at Tottenham encapsulated their team’s display and settled the game as a contest with a third of the match to play. It was, Solskjaer said, something that had been hinted at during the week.

“Tuesday morning’s training session by Edinson Cavani is probably the best I’ve seen by an individual since I’ve come here,” Solskjaer said. “He led the line, he went as a good example for everyone, how to go about changing the mood and the two of them were told early on they were going to play up front as a two. They’ve been like two peas in a pod, really close, and it worked.”

After Cristian Romero had had a goal disallowed for offside and Son Heung-Min shot over from close range, United went ahead six minutes before half-time when Bruno Fernandes found Ronaldo with a superb angled pass. The Portuguese gambled that Ben Davies would be unable to stretch himself to intercept, then fired a right-foot volley into the far corner with devastating precision.

Ronaldo turned provider after 64 minutes, perfectly timing a through ball for Cavani, who lifted a deft shot over Hugo Lloris and into the net. Substitute Marcus Rashford, on for Ronaldo, added a late third as he ran through a chasm in the middle of Spurs’ defence to continue his promising form after returning from shoulder surgery.

Ronaldo’s exit prompted what appeared to be a prolonged explanation from Solksjaer why he was withdrawn; “OK, OK,” Ronaldo replied as he took his place on the bench. In less dramatic fashion than his Champions League winners against Villarreal and Atalanta, he had avoided further dissent or indifference that would have been another blow to Solskjaer’s credentials and provided cutting edge to a professional performance.

Contrast that with Harry Kane. While Ronaldo may be motivated by returning to his former club, Kane continues to look like he would rather be somewhere else — specifically Manchester City — after being denied a move in the summer. He managed one blocked shot and a once ruthless link-up with Son was practically non-existent.

Yet Spurs’ issues are collective, going far beyond their big two. They failed to muster a single shot on target for the first time in a home league game since December 2013 and it is two hours, 16 minutes since they forced an opposing goalkeeper into making a save.

That points to a manager yet to identity a coherent way of playing, an unappealing inertia that could hardly be further removed from the proactive Mauricio Pochettino era, in the shadow of which the club continues to live. So passive were the hosts that a wounded United side was allowed to grow into the game, rediscover confidence and eventually emerge with a comfortable victory.

Both Solskjaer and Nuno are seeking to take a team on from Jose Mourinho’s regressive style. Due to the absence of fans resulting from COVID-19 restrictions, Tottenham last permanent manager did not face the same hostility from fans at what they saw as a betrayal of the club’s attacking heritage; Nuno can be under no such illusions.

“I’m only thinking about the next training session because there are no words that are going to solve the situation,” Nuno said. “The booing and disappointment of the fans is understandable. When they don’t see the team that they expect — and I truly expect we are better than we showed today — they are going to boo. It is up to us to change the mood.”

By then, having earlier paused his media duties to sign autographs, Solskjaer was on his way to boarding the team bus, soundtracked by cheers from the few United fans still in attendance. How quickly things can change.

Sports

Quenneville back in Chicago for 1st time since ban

Published

3 hours ago

October 20, 2025

admin

Quenneville back in Chicago for 1st time since ban

ESPN News Services

Oct 19, 2025, 10:18 PM ET

CHICAGO — First-year Anaheim Ducks coach Joel Quenneville returned to the United Center on Sunday night for the first time since he and two other former Chicago Blackhawks executives were banned from the NHL in October 2021 for their mishandling of a sexual assault allegation by a former player in 2010.

Quenneville, 67, has the Ducks off to a 2-2-1 start almost four years after he was forced to resign as coach of the Florida Panthers. He was banned from the NHL for nearly three years.

“I’m grateful to be back in the game,” Quenneville said before Chicago’s 2-1 win on Ryan Donato‘s overtime goal. “I’m excited about being back in here in Chicago.”

It has been a long road for Quenneville, the second-winningest coach in NHL history. His 971 career victories entering Sunday trail only Scotty Bowman’s 1,244.

An independent investigation commissioned by the Blackhawks led to Quenneville stepping down from the Panthers in October 2021. The investigation concluded the team mishandled allegations raised by 2008 first-round draft pick Kyle Beach against video coach Brad Aldrich during the team’s first Stanley Cup run.

Former Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman and assistant GM Al MacIsaac also resigned and were prohibited from working in the NHL.

They were reinstated by the league in July 2024. Bowman became the Edmonton Oilers‘ general manager three weeks later. The Ducks signed Quenneville in May to replace Greg Cronin.

Quenneville has spent parts of 25 NHL seasons behind the benches of St. Louis, Colorado, Chicago and Florida. He guided the Blackhawks for more than 10 years and led them to championships in 2010, 2013 and 2015.

The Blackhawks fired Quenneville in November 2018 after a 6-6-3 start. He joined the Panthers for the 2019-20 season.

Quenneville returned to the United Center for the first time with Florida in January 2020 and received a video tribute from the Blackhawks and a roaring ovation from fans. He was behind the Panthers’ bench in the arena four times during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season, but no fans were present.

Quenneville seemed a little uncertain about how he might be received by United Center fans this time.

“The memories we had were all very positive here,” he said. “I’m just happy to be back in that building and hear the crowd being excited, and the crowds look like they’ve been good so far this year.”

When asked if he expected acknowledgment from fans, Quenneville responded with his signature, “We’ll see.”

The reaction turned out to be muted and mixed.

Public address announcer Gene Honda called Quenneville’s name in a routine introduction as the visiting team coach about 10 minutes before the opening faceoff. A handful of fans cheered and about the same number booed, with only about half of the United Center’s 19,717 seats occupied.

The Ducks conducted background checks and spoke with Beach before hiring Quenneville, who said he has accepted responsibility for his role in failing to properly address the allegations and has engaged in educational activities to deepen his understanding of sexual assault scenarios.

“Right from the day that we joined the Ducks, it’s been a lot of positivity,” Quenneville said. “Just getting around people that are in the game, being around the organization, having a young team, kind of reminds me of the team when we were here.”

With Anaheim, Quenneville took over a team with the NHL’s third-longest active playoff drought. The Ducks finished sixth in the Pacific Division last season at 35-37-10 after being in the bottom two for the previous four years.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Sports

AP Week 8 poll reaction: What’s next for each Top 25 team

Published

6 hours ago

October 20, 2025

admin

AP Week 8 poll reaction: What's next for each Top 25 team

Oct 19, 2025, 02:25 PM ET

Two top five teams lost in Week 8, with Miami losing to Louisville and Ole Miss blowing a multi-score lead against Georgia. Texas Tech’s first loss of the season came in a squeaker against Arizona State. Meanwhile, Ohio State looked as steady as ever in a 34-0 shutout of Wisconsin and Indiana blew out Michigan State to remain undefeated.

What does it all mean for the AP Top 25? Let’s break down the rankings.

Stats courtesy of ESPN Research.

All times Eastern.

Previous ranking: 1

2025 record: 7-0

Week 8 result: Defeated Wisconsin 34-0

Stat to know: Ohio State has won 15 straight games as the AP No. 1, the longest streak by a Big Ten team.

What’s next: Nov. 1 vs. Penn State

Previous ranking: 3

2025 record: 7-0

Week 8 result: Defeated Michigan State 38-13

Stat to know: Indiana is now 16-0 against unranked opponents under Curt Cignetti.

What’s next: Saturday vs. UCLA

Previous ranking: 4

2025 record: 7-0

Week 8 result: Defeated Arkansas 45-42

Stat to know: This is Texas A&M’s first 7-0 start since 1994.

What’s next: Saturday at LSU, 7:30 p.m., ABC

Previous ranking: 6

2025 record: 6-1

Week 8 result: Defeated Tennessee 37-20

Stat to know: With the win over Tennessee, Alabama became the first team in SEC history to win four straight games, all against ranked teams, with no bye week mixed in.

What’s next: Saturday at South Carolina, 3:30 p.m., ABC

Previous ranking: 9

2025 record: 6-1

Week 8 result: Defeated Ole Miss 43-35

Stat to know: Georgia is 2-0 at home under Kirby Smart when trailing by nine or more points entering the fourth quarter.

What’s next: Nov. 1 vs. Florida (in Jacksonville, Florida), 3:30 p.m., ABC

Previous ranking: 8

2025 record: 6-1

Week 8 result: Defeated Rutgers 56-10

Stat to know: Oregon is 6-0 following losses under Dan Lanning.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Wisconsin

Previous ranking: 12

2025 record: 7-0

Week 8 result: Defeated Duke 27-18

Stat to know: Georgia Tech had a 95-yard fumble return in the first quarter, the longest in school history.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Syracuse, noon

Previous ranking: 5

2025 record: 6-1

Week 8 result: Lost to Georgia 43-35

Stat to know: Ole Miss gained just 13 yards in the fourth quarter, tied for its third-fewest in a quarter under Lane Kiffin.

What’s next: Saturday at Oklahoma, noon, ABC

Previous ranking: 2

2025 record: 5-1

Week 8 result: Lost to Louisville 24-21

Stat to know: The loss to Louisville was Miami’s fourth home less as a double-digit favorite under Mario Cristobal, the most losses in FBS in that span (since 2022).

What’s next: Saturday vs. Stanford, 7 p.m., ESPN

Previous ranking: 17

2025 record: 6-1

Week 8 result: Defeated LSU 31-24

Stat to know: This is Vanderbilt’s first 6-1 start since 1950.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Missouri

Previous ranking: 15

2025 record: 7-0

Week 8 result: Defeated Utah 24-21

Stat to know: BYU has started 7-0 in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history.

What’s next: Saturday at Iowa State, 3:30 p.m., Fox

Previous ranking: 13

2025 record: 5-2

Week 8 result: Defeated USC 34-24

Stat to know: Notre Dame has won seven of its past eight meetings with USC.

What’s next: Nov. 1 at Boston College

Previous ranking: 14

2025 record: 6-1

Week 8 result: Defeated South Carolina 26-7

Stat to know: This was Oklahoma’s first win against South Carolina.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Ole Miss, noon, ABC

Previous ranking: 7

2025 record: 6-1

Week 8 result: Lost to Arizona State 26-22

Stat to know: The loss to Arizona State was Texas Tech’s first game of the season with 20 or more points allowed.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Oklahoma State, 4 p.m.

Previous ranking: 16

2025 record: 6-1

Week 8 result: Defeated Auburn 23-17 (2 OT)

Stat to know: Missouri has won 22 straight games against unranked opponents.

What’s next: Saturday at Vanderbilt

Previous ranking: 18

2025 record: 6-1

Week 8 result: Defeated Washington State 22-20

Stat to know: Virginia’s 6-1 start is its best through seven games since 2007.

What’s next: Saturday at North Carolina, noon, ACC Network

Previous ranking: 11

2025 record: 5-2

Week 8 result: Lost to Alabama 37-20

Stat to know: Tennessee’s 20 points against Alabama is its fewest scored in a game this season.

What’s next: Saturday at Kentucky, 7:45 p.m., SEC Network

Previous ranking: 19

2025 record: 6-1

Week 8 result: Defeated Florida Atlantic 48-13

Stat to know: The win over FAU was South Florida’s fourth straight game with at least 48 points.

What’s next: Saturday at Memphis, noon

Previous ranking: NR

2025 record: 5-1

Week 8 result: Defeated Miami 24-21

Stat to know: Louisville’s win over Miami was its second over an AP top-2 team in program history.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Boston College, 7:30 p.m., ACC Network

Previous ranking: 10

2025 record: 5-2

Week 8 result: Lost to Vanderbilt 31-24

Stat to know: Garrett Nussmeier has thrown a passing touchdown in 13 straight games, the third-longest active streak among current SEC quarterbacks.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Texas A&M, 7:30 p.m., ABC

Previous ranking: 24

2025 record: 6-1

Week 8 result: Defeated Oklahoma State 49-17

Stat to know: This is Cincinnati’s first 6-1 start to a season since 2022.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Baylor, 4 p.m.

Previous ranking: 21

2025 record: 5-2

Week 8 result: Defeated Kentucky 16-13 (OT)

Stat to know: Texas’s 179 total yards against Kentucky marked its fewest in a win in the past 30 years.

What’s next: Saturday at Mississippi State

Previous ranking: NR

2025 record: 5-2

Week 8 result: Idle

What’s next: Saturday vs. Washington

Previous ranking: NR

2025 record: 5-2

Week 8 result: Defeated Texas Tech 26-22

Stat to know: Arizona State is now 6-1 against AP-ranked opponents since the start of the 2024 season.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Houston, 8:00 p.m., ESPN2

Previous ranking: NR

2025 record: 5-2

Week 8 result: Defeated Washington 24-7

Stat to know: Michigan is on a 28-game home winning streak against AP unranked teams.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Michigan State, 7:30 p.m., NBC

Sports

Knights’ Stone leaves with apparent wrist injury

Published

6 hours ago

October 20, 2025

admin

Knights' Stone leaves with apparent wrist injury

Associated Press

Oct 19, 2025, 12:49 AM ET

LAS VEGAS — Golden Knights captain Mark Stone suffered an apparent wrist injury in the third period of Vegas’ 6-1 victory over the Calgary Flames on Saturday night.

Coach Bruce Cassidy said he would know about Stone’s status Sunday or Monday.

Stone left the ice about midway through the third period and then headed to the locker room.

He had two goals and two assists before exiting, giving him a six-game point streak with two goals and 11 assists.

When healthy, Stone has been one of the Golden Knights’ top players, but he has had trouble avoiding injuries. His 66 games last season were his most since appearing in 77 games in the 2018-19 season.