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Burnley

2024-25 EFL Championship Round 46 Finale: Burnley win but so does Leeds following a late Manor Solomon strike that was enough to win them the top trophy

by Sports Benches May 3, 2025

Well, congrats to Leeds with the 2024-25 EFL Championship title following a long 46 rounds & 9 months over the course between August to May.

They can count themselves championship champs thanks to Manor Solomon’s 90th minute goal and there’s no way Plymouth were toothless all along other than the Sam Bryam own goal, especially when there’s little time remaining and that’s all Plymouth could do to Burnley in the end.

Final score: Plymouth Argyle 1-2 Leeds United

For Burnley, glad they ended the season with the win 3-1 at Turf Moor, even without Zian Flemming because they were up against Millwall and Millwall still owns him at least until the end of next month.

Their 2nd half run was much better likewise with Leeds than the first 45, having witnessed Josh Coburn hit the woodwork that turned out to be an unfortunate hit & miss just in front of goal.

What’s next?

While Leeds can celebrate and party hard all weekend long now, the end goal is all about being successful in the PL (at least mid-table) and maintaining it along the way.

Yes, it all depends how strategic both clubs can be with the budget they’ve been given to spend this northern summer.

But maybe it’s going to be a slight advantage for Parker over Farke on that one regardless if he will be staying at Burnley to try be successful in the PL or even replace Australia’s own Ange Postecoglou at his old playing club Tottenham Hotspur by the start of August.

Take note of that and speaking of Leeds, I see a fellow fan right there in Tristan McManus from Ireland.

He’s known to be a professional dancer in the past on USA’s Dancing with the Stars but calls Australia home nowadays where he’s been on TV for quite a few years.

Not only he has co-hosted the former Studio 10 in the AM but he’s also good at sideline reporting with the A League which is also his current calling too.

The Play-Offs including the moneybags Final

For now, we will turn our attention to the upcoming Play-Offs as four will become one to secure the third and final promotion ticket to the top flight. Especially when there’s the richest match around the corner with that Final over in Wembley.

As we know, early title contenders Sheffield United and Sunderland are in for a second chance. They will be joined by Frank Lampard’s Coventry City who won against Middlesbrough 2-0 and now 6th-placed Bristol City following a 2-2 draw with Preston when Blackburn were held stranded by the Blades 1-1 and Millwall from earlier have lost to Burnley by 3-1.

Play-Off winner

First of all, Coventry made huge strides from their difficult decision to get rid of Mark Robins to having another crack to hopefully get that last PL promotion berth as sure they will be up for the fight.

Sunderland meanwhile based on their huge effort and investment with their rebuilding efforts over the last recent years are not to be underestimated.

Plus, Bristol City may have a smaller chance but their playing style and the way they recruit players are similar to Brentford – so they won’t back down either.

And Sheffield United is no stranger to escaping the 2nd tier and go straight back up right away despite some issues with their current ownership, etc.

If one was to make the biggest stage then it would be Sheffield United v Sunderland but with Sheffield too good to resist a la Leeds but in a Play-Offs race storyline out of the other best four after Wembley.

May 3, 2025 0 comment

A few Quickfire sports news items of the week of 30th April 2025: Les Kiss to Wallabies, Max Purcell’s doping ban, Grace Nweke & Kiri Wills reunion at Super Netball level plus many more

by Sports Benches April 29, 2025

Congratulations to Les Kiss with the Wallabies job who has done big things with the Reds past two years and sure his setup & influence on players can help them flow from dominating Super Rugby to being a Top 3 side on the global stage like the glorious Springboks at present.

Felt sorry for Max Purcell having accepted a year-and-a-half ban on doping.

Won’t be the same without him especially being a strong contributor to our Aussie doubles team both grand slams and team tournaments but we gotta put a fine line with our standards of professional sport.

After a very long Round 3 of Super Netball, we’re back again with a full weekend log with one match I’m looking to forward to is Swifts v Firebirds.

Grace Nweke will playing against Kiri Wills’ team once again and it’s not at ANZP level like it was with Mystics v Stars but in Super Netball – so yeah, bring it on.

Formula 1 is back this weekend in Miami along with the second sprint race of the year as yes happy for Oscar Piastri who is currently leading the drivers’ championship after he collected the Saudi win last time round. But here’s hoping Jack Doohan will be able to step up to the plate when there’s a short and long race opportunity, so onto the engineers here to help map out the best strategy and tire management. Not only that, he needs to turn up every post-race in order to not just be consistent but also finish races strong.

And can’t wait for final round Championship Saturday at 9.30pm AEST where Plymouth do need Burnley’s help along as long as Burnley v Millwall but can’t ignore all day from free-scoring Leeds.

April 29, 2025 0 comment

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2024-25 EFL Championship Round 45 of 46: Leeds win over Bristol City to stay within touching distance of the title after a mighty 4-0 win going into final round Saturday

by Sports Benches April 29, 2025

Looks like there’s no stopping Leeds now unless 23rd placed Plymouth Argyle can rise up to the chance to help out Burnley following their 4-0 win over Bristol City this morning at Elland Road. There were plenty of goals being scored for fun by the whole team but what stood out towards the end was a double brace by Largie Ramazani straight off the bench warmers area – all while Bristol couldn’t grasp a goal of their own across the whole 90-95 odd mins.

Speaking of Ramazani, he’s more than just a Footballer having looked back at his sensational backflips much like Carl Edwards back in the day every time he wins a race and in victory lane in NASCAR.

I mean, with Daniel Farke, he likes to see his teams keep on scoring for fun and yeah, no one else in this division can match his credibility other than himself.

Not even a defensive minded Scott Parker would able to do that when it’s all about the other way round by strengthening a rock-solid backline on top of a national-class goalkeeper of their own except Burnley’s attack can be insipid at times.

Millwall would want to better take advantage of this that could see them jump inside the playoffs bubble. So Burnley gotta make sure they cannot afford to let it slip while going all in as if it’s a Cup Final and they’ll have do it without the Millwall-owned Zian Flemming as it’s such bummer but that’s EFL rules.

Farke won two Championship titles all with Norwich and now he’s set for a third this time for the Lilywhites as long as it doesn’t turn out to be a shock defeat in which they have the best goal difference also ahead of everyone. Nothing much else to say other than bring on final round Saturday where all twelve matches will be held at the same time of 9.30pm AEST.

You never know for sure when both teams Burnley and Leeds would want to finish off the term with 100 points but a third wheel in Plymouth gotta be the one to ultimately decide this Super Bowl of EFL Championship Final race for the title despite having to go back to League One.

All in all, Burnley yes so badly but to be real, no one could stop Leeds from finishing first themselves based on today’s mighty win at home turf v Bristol City.

Also nice to see Leeds unveiling their Elland Road renovation plans too that could finally see them expand into a greater seating capacity off the back of their PL promotion berth last Monday.

April 29, 2025 0 comment

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2024-25 EFL Championship Round 45 of 46: Burnley too good over QPR 5-0 as they now keep an eye on Leeds v Bristol City going into next week before the regular finale

by Sports Benches April 26, 2025

And last but not least, Burnley were absolutely too good over QPR just now by 5-0 thanks to two goals from half 10/half nine Zian Flemming + super sub forward Jeremy Sarmiento and CM Josh Cullen.

Looks like they can breathe a bit more better now Burnley have already confirmed their promotion back to the PL ahead of the next season starting August.

All in all, they’ve simply attacked and attacked at its finest all afternoon while maintaining its solid defensive standing.

But there’s still one more hurdle left and they got Millwall to finish off as the home team now at Turf Moor at the same time next Saturday 9.30pm AEST.

As said, Burnley were able to get away with things as a PL-elect qualify team now against a side sitting below mid-table in QPR who left their home ground in West London at Loftus Road empty handed.

For Millwall though, they’re doing great things particularly as of late in their push to join the Playoffs bubble between 3rd-6th and they just def. Swansea City 1-0. Thinking of Cardiff too just now who not only couldn’t find a way to get past West Brom but leaving five points off the required three ahead of the final round game next Saturday is just a bit too late to ask unfortunately and they will be in League 1 next term.

Although it’s likely there will be two Welsh teams in the Championship joining Swansea as a straight swap for Cardiff with Wrexham set to realise their road to the PL should they defeat Charlton Athletic for the win soon.

What Burnley don’t have hand in hand going into this final tough game of the season even if the stronghold home front helps is that Zian Flemming will have to sit out since he is owned by them a bit longer – despite the fact that loan-to-obligation deal they’ve reached in the last days of the August summer window last year does not sign off until this season is fully over and then he’s yours on a permanent basis after that.

Who could replace him instead? It’s either a returning Lyle Foster from injury, Sarimiento getting an extended crack to prove he can play a valuable contribution next term or even asking Marcus Edwards to play up front. Tough call but they better keep on scoring like they did today v QPR.

And now we will have to wait until Tuesday morning when Leeds host Bristol City with Burnley fans hoping to see Bristol hold back the Lilywhites.

If so, maybe Scott Parker could finally get his hands to take home that top-placed Championship trophy on top of his runner-up and Play-Off achievements from the same level that he did with Bournemouth and Fulham in the past.

Also from the other day too, just a reminder that Leeds are even considering sacking Farke having also achieved PL promotion at the same time on Easter Monday – who doesn’t look so confident when it comes to his dire PL record – as again, advantage Parker’s Burnley over Farke’s Leeds for the best of 1st place.

April 26, 2025 0 comment

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Top 5 sports items this week 24/4/25: Rodney Childers’ shock departure at Spire, Scott Parker’s links with Tottenham after PL promotion with Burnley, Super Rugby Round 11/16, Max Verstappen and Western Bears in NRL

by Sports Benches April 24, 2025

Bummer Rodney Childers won’t be back in the No.7 pit box but Spire ain’t backing down nonetheless with all three cars in & out of Top 16 to 20 drivers’ points.

There’s always time with the win and Playoffs still a possibility as long as it’s before September where Spire has the full backing of three talented and experienced drivers in McDowell, Haley and Hocevar.

Parker back to Tottenham?

While Burnley now back to the PL, Scott Parker might not be there because of Tottenham who could get rid of Aussie Ange even if he wins the Europa final.

Maybe it’s best if Scott helps Burnley win it all and see Leeds bottle it at the same time, then he can go considering he hasn’t been successful so far at this top level.

There’s even talk about Leeds wanting to sack Farke in order to avoid his curse record at PL level – looks like it will be advantage Parker for the title then.

Super Rugby: another golden week from the Aussie sides v NZ?

Super Rugby back for another week going the Australian teams away we hope after a few brilliant games including one that ended in a draw, although not so much for the Waratahs unfortunately v Fijian Drua away in Suva.

Yet, things could get even better if Reds, Brumbies and Force all beat their respective NZ teams in Blues, Hurricanes and Chiefs this weekend.

Perfect timing (mark that down) and as of Week 11 out of 16, still no NZ side win recorded yet at least on Australian soil.

Max Verstappen wants out of Red Bull?

Also, Max frustrated behind the scenes being the cut lone figure at Red Bull when McLaren in a Mercedes customer engine are leading the way via Oscar and Lando.

Would love to see him end up at Aston Martin with Honda engines + Adrian Newey again & Franco C. be the ideal one when RB have no other choice post-Max.

NRL finally has a Perth team with assistance of the North Sydney Bears

And last but not least, Perth will finally get a NRL team in a long time with credit to the North Sydney Bears.

That means, the Bears will be expected to play top-level Rugby League once again but looks like half of the games will be played at in Perth with other still going to be at the spiritual North Sydney Oval.

National footprint is important for all of our Aussie sports including rugby despite losing a team in Melbourne but gotta accept it’s the best fight right now in the bid for championships and series trophies.

The big weekend other than the off-weekend of F1 starts tomorrow on ANZAC day Friday before the second last round’s matches is on a bright Saturday night at 9pm and we round it off with the shuffling decks of Talladega come Monday AM.

April 24, 2025 0 comment

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2024-25 EFL Championship Round 44 of 46: Leeds United and Burnley now back in the PL with the top prize still up for grabs

by Sports Benches April 22, 2025

Going to be a Super Bowl race to the finish line as if it’s the big final being decided today with Leeds & Burnley now back in the PL for the 2025-26 season.

Now time will tell with their own managers in Daniel Farke (Leeds) and Scott Parker (Burnley) later this year since they were unable to make any meaningful impact so far the top level of English Soccer.

But still, it’s a season that is a lot closer than ever before from four teams down to three by mid-season and then two lately and now only one will win it all for the Championship trophy by Saturday, May 3.

All of the final round’s matches will play at the same time of 9.30pm AEST, so better be prepared for that one unless one of the Top 2 loses the next crucial game.

For Burnley, glad they will be able to keep their star assets including James Trafford and Maxime Esteve + hopefully star player of the day Josh Brownhill following their 2-1 win over Sheffield United when Tom Cannon scored the equaliser midway in the first half- a rival that they could no longer see as a threat for now unless Blades win the Play-Offs.

All Burnley can hope now is for them to not just win the last two games but also see Leeds lose either to outside Play-Off contender Bristol City and/or even survival candidate Plymouth Argyle.

Plymouth won too earlier this morning over Coventry 3-1 and looks like they’re not losing hope just yet, although not so much for Cardiff City even with another change of manager but too little, too late sadly.

Also, look out for Derby v Luton where Derby are just hanging on the slightest of margins in a race to beat the drop as well.

But at the end of the day, Leeds would have to be the one to beat considering they’ve been scoring goals quite a lot, including today’s match of their own following a whopping 6-0 win over Stoke City.

So up to Bristol and Plymouth to help Burnley out while Burnley would need to go all in even though they should not down their tools just yet v QPR and Millwall.

Because their previous games against these two sides weren’t the best unfortunately with one draw and loss but Scott Parker would love nothing more than a 100-point season and a Championship trophy that he hasn’t touched one before – at least as head coach other than as a player back in 2000 with Charlton Athletic.

It would mean the world to JJ Watt also so he can beat the 49ers in the disguise of Leeds as a Burnley investor but in the Championship, having had a decorated career as a defensive end in the NFL with the Houston Texans & Arizona Cardinals.

April 22, 2025 0 comment

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EFL Championship Round 43 of 46: Burnley rebound v Watford 2-1 courtesy of a late Josh Brownhill strike but Leeds still holds the cards after a 1-0 win v Oxford

by Sports Benches April 18, 2025

Looks like the Championship race is getting closer and closer with only three games to go but probably assume Sheffield United to be the outsider now away from the Top 2 bubble with just Leeds v Burnley despite their win over the relegation threatened Cardiff City 2-0.

Wonder if Cardiff is going to give Neil Warnock a ring in a bid to save themselves from dropping to League One (3rd tier) before it’s too late? They may have a history of promoting first-time coaches as managers but nowhere near as anything great unfortunately.

The Blades do have Burnley next up on Easter Monday, again it’s up to Burnley who do need to shuffle their No.9 a bit more off the back of their poor start at the same time v Watford – only for them to bounce back with a 2-1 win at full-time.

Yes, Zian Flemming helps being the No.10 into a No.9 but sure the team dynamic play would hopefully be enough to get past one bit of difficulty as long as Josh Brownhill continues doing deep just behind Flemming or Foster – if Scott Parker is more than brave enough to put the South African back to play with the pain up front.

If that’s not enough to maybe at least win the Championship title, Leeds kept on winning as of late with credit to their one and only first-half goal by Manor Solomon + Oxford’s toothless fight to collect goals in attack. The current leaders have three good games including Stoke, Bristol City and Plymouth Argyle much like Burnley’s last two in QPR & Millwall after Blades.

So if Leeds draw or even lose one of the next three and Burnley win all next three, it would be amazing to see Scott Parker collect all three Championship to PL promotion honours from being Play-Off winners, 2nd place (runner-up) but no 1st place trophy though…for the time being.

Yes, would revisit Scott Parker’s PL plans later on since his record isn’t great and so does the Leeds coach Daniel Farke too when he was managing Norwich in the past but it’s all about crossing the line first ahead of everyone. So up to the players to help Scott get past that winning points edge and not both lose or draw either way.

Their players are crucial to this with PL quality price tags including keeper James Trafford despite his early 1st half mistake against Watford when he should be the one as the best shot blocker but he probably needs to calm down a bit having saw JJ Watt unable to get back on the field after James lost the season-ending bet there.

If anything was to go JJ Watt’s way, then he could probably be the one to finally taste Super Bowl victory unlike his NFL career but in the Championship over San Fran 49ers-owned Leeds – up to Scott and the Burnley players to gift that trophy for him to celebrate as an minority investor.

April 18, 2025 0 comment

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2024-25 EFL Championship Round 40 of 46: Burnley now back on top of the table with six more games to go following their 2-1 comeback win over Coventry City

by Sports Benches April 6, 2025

Look who is first on the English Championship table with six games to go?

It’s none other than Burnley thanks to their 2-1 rebound win over fellow Play-Off contenders Coventry City thanks to a Jaidon Anthony double goal on the left wing.

Not only that, their weekend has gone to an all-time high because Oxford United defeated Sheffield United 1-0 while Leeds United were stranded by relegation battlers Luton Town with a 1-1 draw.

All Burnley has to do now is win all next six games and not boring draws or even losing it out if they possibly can since they are a point ahead of The Blades (Sheffield United) and two clear up against Leeds.

That way, they could regain Premier League status straight up as the first team to do so ahead of anyone else.

Scrambled defense being led by the starting goalkeeper James Trafford?

Yes, but making the most out of attack?

It has to stay that way & Scott Parker could win all of Championship’s finest of promotions from Play-Off winners to runner-up but has yet to win a Championship trophy from 1st place.

That’s something he should be looking at right this minute and then time will tell if he is able to prove himself at the top flight.

For now, they got another game v another relegation battled side Derby County on Wednesday Morning from 4.45am AEST.

They’ve been winning quite a few games up until today where Derby lost 1-0 to Swansea but there’s a good head coach out there in John Eustace, who wants to keep this club at bay away from the bottom three, having made the sacrifice to leave top-half Blackburn following a difficult January transfer activity.

But no doubt Burnley will have to fire it up like they’ve done over these past few games if they really want to keep their top players as going back to the PL helps than having to spend another year in the 2nd tier. Also, Scott Parker has yet to have last beyond his 2nd season so far as head coach from Fulham to Bournemouth – both stable PL clubs without him for years now.

Not even the 67 days he spent in Belgium that was unfortunately cut short at Club Brugge back in early 2023 & they’re sitting third in the Champions Play-Off fight.

So up to Scott now to make things count starting next week.

April 6, 2025 0 comment

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2024/25 EFL Championship Matchday 36: Burnley win back-to-back against Luton Town with Sheffield United on shared points for top spot with Leeds United following their 1-0 win v fellow Northern team Preston North End

by Sports Benches March 9, 2025

Also from the weekend earlier this morning was Burnley winning again over the course of this week against another relegation threatened side Luton Town 4-0 who competed in the Premier League last season and was sent straight back to the 2nd tier after they finished 18th/20th.

Yes, the opening goal was a Luton error from their own half but the good news is though that chances were converted into goals on its own as it goes on following a team-effort shift at Turf Moor.

There’s a striker or two sharing the goals actually up front like starting 9 Lyle Foster from South Africa as well as veteran sub Ashley Barnes at the last few mins along with midfield goal scorer who can go a bit further afield by Josh Brownhill.

They could have made up another one at the last window or have done sooner to avoid just insipid 0-0 draws when Scott Parker used an attacking midfielder 10 in its place. But now Burnley have to kick on from here as long as the defensive record stays intact as well as improving their conversions with 10 games to go – and they’re just three if not five points behind Leeds United towards top spot should they win tomorrow for Round 36 v Portsmouth.

Their next game though will be against Play-Off hopefuls West Brom this Wednesday AM as this will certainly be a bit different indeed especially at the expense of Southampton-owned No.9 Adam Armstrong who has been back scoring goals recently which was a change of fresh air along with a coach he knows pretty thanks to Tony Mowbray.

Glad to hear Tony is back in full health and able to hold a head coaching job again following his bowel cancer diagnosis 12 months ago when his last post was at Birmingham City and had to step back over the next months – unfortunately without him, they were relegated at season’s end. However, BCFC is flying high on top of League One as no doubt they will coming straight back here sooner rather than later by having a real go at being a PL team again thanks to their American Owners Tom Wagner and NFL legend Tom Brady who also owns a minority cut of Legacy Motor Club as well.

Meanwhile, Sheffield United happy to keep 2nd thanks to a 1-0 win over Preston North End at the same time courtesy of Tyrese Campbell where they are also tied on points with Leeds not just for the championship trophy + straight promotion back to the PL ahead of August 2025.

So all in all, still a bit tight; but again, up to Leeds who still hold the cards. Although an upset win by Portsmouth would put both teams back in the running and the 24/25 regular season isn’t over just yet.

March 9, 2025 0 comment

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EFL Championship 24/25: Burnley continues to draw again this time against Preston North End from the weekend 0-0

by Sports Benches February 17, 2025

Another week, another draw other than the win last week v one of the relegation contenders Hull City via their own goal and Burnley hasn’t scored one in a while.

This goes on from the weekend following a 0-0 draw against fellow Lancashire and North side Preston North End at Deepdale.

Now they are five points behind Sheffield United who continued to keep on winning on 70 if not eight points if Leeds United go on to beat Sunderland come tomorrow morning, who has been in free-scoring form over the past 2-3 weeks, and there they are now keeping up with the Championship table after Round 32 of 46.

Although do understand how much Burnley wants to hold on their rock-solid backline that is built around star keeper James Trafford despite starting to slip away from the Top 2 automatic spots.

Maybe they want to keep that good build up base after all & not bother about the Championship table but if Burnley do miss out Top 2 & go into Play-Offs, this could turn out to be a dangerous game that could see them miss out on a last-chance promotion back to the Premier League.

However, Leeds and Sheffield United haven’t been consistent though when being tested in the top flight. So this could be one reason as to why Scott Parker (Head Coach) would may as well look to play it safe going into the 2025/26 season.

That is when his biggest test will come into play having only last two full seasons at Fulham back in 2019-21 as well as a season and a bit (2021-22) with Bournemouth – all of which were Premier League promotions during his first year in charge before things came to a crashing end. Don’t forget he did have a spell over in Belgium with Club Brugge but then his time was sadly short lived after 67 days.

It would be great if he can find a way to get them scoring again but I guess he wants to look at something long-term when it comes to stability just like Sean Dyche did throughout the past decade, even though his tactics are dull just like Parker and somehow this could pay off – both getting out of the second tier at first before going on to become a consistent Top 10-15 side in the Premier League.

For now, Burnley’s next game will be against Sheffield Wednesday on Wednesday morning not far within the North at their home ground (Turf Moor).

February 17, 2025 0 comment