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English Football

2024/25 EFL Championship, Play-Off Final: Tommy Watson’s last-minute goal sends Sunderland back to the PL over heavy favourites Sheffield United by 2-1

by Sports Benches May 25, 2025

Wow! We thought overwhelming favourites Sheffield United would be the one to win this Play-Off final who always got straight out of the 2nd tier many times before – even though they weren’t very good in the PL before going straight back down again but that was via Top 2 automatic spots.

Nothing can be granted where it has to be decided through 90-100 mins of sheer effort on the pitch and turns out the winner wasn’t the 3rd-placed Blades.

Instead, Sunderland would be one to take home both the Play-Off Final match and the last PL promotion ticket with thanks to 19-year-old left winger Tommy Watson, who scored that last-gasp winning goal past Michael Cooper in the 95th minute.

That was enough for Sunderland to hold off just seconds later when the ref blew the final whistle with the result being 2-1.

Scenes, what scenes?

Sunderland is now a PL side again for the first time in eight years that goes back to early 2017. Yes, Watson may no longer be at the club unfortunately going into next week when he will be joining Brighton having already agreed for an undisclosed transfer, regardless of Sunderland’s league status. But again, he’s just 19 years old and just getting started hoping he will go on to thrive at the highest level as well as playing for senior England someday – could be fast tracked ahead of next year’s World Cup under coach Thomas Tuchel.

Aside from Watson, Sunderland will be able to do whatever they want to establish themselves again like it was before, especially from a financial perspective with players like forward Eliezer Mayender who got away with the 2nd half equaliser.

Meanwhile, Blades as earlier will have to spend another year in the Championship.

They’ve come from a long way when they started off the 2024/25 season being two points down amid ownership issues. Now that may have been sorted mid-season at the end of last year while flying high within the Top 2. But it was a pity Sheffield United couldn’t stop not one but two promotion-chasing clubs by May with first being Leeds United and later Burnley.

That puts up a hotly-contested Play-Offs race thinking they will be going to be too good but not quite the case today – just unlucky from an early lead to a disallowed goal and later lost the plot at full-time.

All they have to do now is just continue being the best at this level and maybe Blades could get out of jail next time.

May 25, 2025 0 comment

Football

2025 FA Cup Final: Crystal Palace now on their way to the Europa League with Eberechi Eze and head coach Oliver Glasner following their 1-0 win over Manchester City

by Sports Benches May 17, 2025

Who would’ve thought this would happen in today’s FA Cup Final for 2025?

Fantastic afternoon from Crystal Palace who not just able to hold down Man City by 1-0 thanks to Eberechi Eze but they’re also off to the Europa League next season and Oliver Glasner will be there hoping to get another European trophy like he did back in 2022 with Frankfurt v Rangers.

That was also the season where David Moyes’ West Ham fell short in the semi also by the same Glasner-led Frankfurt side – something his Palace side would like to do by bettering the Hammers and maybe play in a big Final. Although the Europa format likewise with the Conference comp and the CL has now changed into a Swiss-style format rather than see who’s best across each group & there’s no dropping down comps either…except at Play-Off Qualifying Rounds.

Too early to tell at this stage but Oliver surely loves dominating in Cup comps more than in regular week league.

And yes, West Ham would’ve surely wished that Eze was the man for their team when they went through a very tough time back in 2020 – only for Moyes to make miracles for the next number of years until 12 months ago. He’s back at Everton under their new American owners now hoping to stir up magic again next season along with that new Stadium after he helped them stay in the PL mid-table.

Other than that, despite having less ball than City, Palace did great both managing defense and attack – they’ve had the all-action No.9 Jean-Philippe Mateta harrying opposition defenders for the benefit of the whole team while Dean Henderson kept City frustrated in front of goal all day.

Even if City fans and Pep weren’t one bit happy at him about it post-game, the result is a result that isn’t their way, and yet they might be in Europa alongside Palace instead of the CL next season.

Now that one mid-table PL has secured next season’s Europa group stage berth, there will be another dreaming to play the same thing but in the big time CL ahead of Thursday morning’s Europa Final for 2024/25 in Bilbao, Spain – it’s Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham v Man United.

Both teams along with their coaches have a point to prove although this could be Ange’s last game as Spurs coach considering his dire PL record this season but maybe not if he can bring home that piece of silverware after all. If not, Ruben Amorim would be more than happy to accept the Europa title potentially as his first European trophy – he could even go back-to-back via the CL at some point.

But again, winning the PL first like it was last time that goes way back to mid-2013 under Sir Alex would help the Red Devils beat everyone in Europe with confidence – they also haven’t won CL since 2007-08.

Anyways, can’t wait for that all-English Final as make sure you better be up and early. 9Gem in simulcast with Stan Sport will be bringing you the all-important action from 4.30am AEST with host Adam Peacock alongside ex-Socceroos Craig Foster and Mark Bosnich (yes, the one who also kept goal for Man U back in his day).

Who knows? An Aussie as a coach winning one to save his job or Man U has a point to prove they’re still in it so they can win regular trophies yet again like Man City has been doing these past 10 years post Sir Alex.

May 17, 2025 0 comment

Football

2024-25 EFL Championship Play-Off 2nd leg semis: Sheffield United keep on scoring v Bristol City & Sunderland sees off Coventry following extra time

by Sports Benches May 14, 2025

It’s the overwhelmingly favourites v 2000-early 2010s PL side now on the road to Wembley for the richest game in English Football come at the early hours of Sunday 25th May, 2025 (AEST/AWST).

That’s when either one will be able to clinch that 3rd and final promotion ticket to the big time Premier League ahead of August whereas the losing team will have to spend another year in the 2nd tier.

Who could it be? Let’s find out now.

First of all, Sheffield United has been on song very easily across both legs including the 2nd leg v Bristol City.

It’s never an easy feeling from the Robins going into this stage with against a team whose always been in and then straight out of the PL over the last few years.

If Bristol handled their attacking chances right by not just hitting and missing on the buzzer, at least we could’ve seen them try to tear them up apart with a fighting chance. Instead, it led to nowhere where Blades swept those stakes all day.

Final score: Sheffield 3-0 Bristol City, 6-0 aggregate.

Meanwhile, other than that odd late GK mistake, Coventry seems to be the other better team that isn’t to do with the Play-Off Final. Although they had possession but just could’ve done any better with converting chances so Coventry can continue adding goals, especially when going into a must-win situation.

If they’ve gone up against Bristol City or even Sheffield United instead of Sunderland, maybe Coventry would be the one going to Wembley instead.

But you know, early favourites Sunderland seems to have made a huge escape that Coventry failed to do (such as safeguarding games in the same way they do defensively) like it was last time and yet again this time – right at the edge of extra time in the 122nd minute of play courtesy of centre-half Daniel Ballard.

A draw isn’t enough unfortunately and if we applied it with that away goals rule, Sunderland would be the one going into the next round which is the Play-Off Final.

Final score: Sunderland 1-1, Coventry City, 3-2 aggregate.

Don’t know what to say which one will be the last to go up, Blades or the Black Cats?

Feels like Leeds v Burnley again but in the circle of Play-Offs rather than for the 1st-place Championship trophy.

Again, Sheffield United is going to be too good to resist who always escape the 2nd tier many times before and no doubt they will do it again. Sorry Sunderland as they could give them a real shock but if not, they can always at least target Top 2.

May 14, 2025 0 comment

Football

2024-25 EFL Championship 1st leg semis: Bristol City’s hit and misses goes to favourites Sheffield United while Coventry’s late defensive mistakes gifts Sunderland the winning goal

by Sports Benches May 11, 2025

After a week of Championship-winning celebrations by Leeds and Burnley following their journey back into the PL land ahead of the next term this August, the race is still on when it comes to the Play-Offs with the final to decide later.

Bristol City could’ve done any better like that almost first goal attempt where it hit the upper woodwork by Joe Williams.

Then more silly mistakes gave Sheffield United the benefit of taking advantage with three clear goals including one penalty to lead the opening leg out of two.

Sure, Blades are overwhelmingly favourites who always get out of trouble from the 2nd tier, even though they go straight back following a couple of tough season in recent times at PL level.

If Bristol needs to stir up a surprise, they better cut those fouls and put those conversion efforts in the attacking third – especially inside the six-yard box.

Coventry City v Sunderland

Meanwhile, it was a little more tight over in the other first-leg semi the next day between Coventry and Sunderland.

Both teams chased hard to find a winner where Sunderland scored first before Coventry replied not long later. However, sloppy defending unfortunately from Coventry including the keeper itself – what was he doing getting out of his own danger zone? Both net and the box.

Didn’t take a few seconds to blink and say Sunderland won that first game by 2-1 courtesy of striker Eliezer Mayenda.

Honestly Coventry shouldn’t take that almighty risk that backfired in the worst possible way. But they’re a goal behind Sunderland though and they better not make any more silly mistakes again if they want to have another crack at the Final.

On Sunderland, they know what they’re doing by finding those right moments at the right time where Coventry hesitated as said defensively.

Now they have the perfect opportunity to cement their Play-Off Final on the home stage at the Stadium of Light where one more spot is up for grabs for the 3rd and final PL promotion ticket later this month.

The 2nd leg matches resume on Tuesday and Wednesday nice and early next week.

Meanwhile in PL land with a touch of European Football…

And yes, I hear there could be a change of PL TV rights here in Australia soon. No doubt this would make a huge difference if one takes away from Optus and I’m talking about Stan Sport via Nine.

Although as far as concerned, that arrangement will likely be a separate transaction.

For now, they got us covered which will be made available on free-to-air with the all-English Europa League Final on Thursday, May 22nd between Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United.

The ball is on Ange especially being an Aussie with his job currently on the line amid a poor PL season but so does Man Utd despite their change of coach in Ruben Amorim. Would love an Aussie win but sure passionate Man U fans want it badly too and if so, either of them could somehow play in the Champions League where the winners go there next season.

May 11, 2025 0 comment

Other Sports Football Rugby

A few quickfire sports items this week Thursday, 7th May 2025: Moana and Hurricanes stay on course Top 6 while Waratahs struggle again, great weekend from NSW in Super Netball, NRL finally has a WA team & more Soccer with the English

by Sports Benches May 7, 2025

Here’s some quickfire sports items this week:

1️⃣ Moana Pasifika and Hurricanes take wins that kept their Top 6 alive with Reds unlucky to Drua and Waratahs lose again away where they were so out of depth v Brumbies after half-time – they better pull those strings tomorrow v the Reds again.

2️⃣ Top weekend from NSW Netball – Giants finally crush champs Adelaide Thunderbirds by one goal (64-63) while Swifts still so unbeatable v Firebirds.

3️⃣ Lots of recognised NZers at the second from Grace Nweke to Kiri Wills along with Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua & the ANZ Premiership is back this weekend.

4️⃣ NRL now officially welcomes back the Bears as a WA team. Fun fact: Reds & future Wallabies coach Les Kiss used to play there back in his day.

5️⃣ More Football in the form of soccer, Leeds won the Championship at the last minute while Arsenal won’t be in the CL Final with PSG v Inter – and now we’ll see if Tottenham along with Man Utd will be up for the Europa Cup 2nd leg semi tomorrow.

May 7, 2025 0 comment

Football Other Sports

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

Other Sports Rugby

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

Other Sports Football

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

Other Sports Football

EFL Championship 2024/25: Thoughts on Cardiff City and Plymouth Argyle relegated with Wrexham ready to chase their PL dream after a 3-0 win over Charlton in League One

by Sports Benches April 26, 2025

Don’t know what to say about Cardiff to begin with but a 0-0 draw v West Brom not enough unfortunately to stay in the 2nd tier a bit longer as League One awaits to try and get back there starting August.

Even if they did win then it would still be a long shot anyway when it’s not just about winning another one but they better need a superior goal difference than others, which is something they don’t have much like Plymouth Argyle despite their 2-1 win last night against Preston North End.

It remains to be seen which head coach Cardiff want going forward as Aaron Ramsey should’ve been there or even bringing Neil Warnock back for a short spell & got rid of Omer Riza sooner as time will tell about their owner Vincent Tan.

Bummer for Plymouth also who did the best they can in the thick of it right from mid-season following another change of head coach in Milon Musric when Wayne Rooney didn’t do well yet again as next game v Leeds might not be for the survival to escape the bottom three but at least they can do any favours for Burnley.

For now, which last team between 22nd and 23rd will stay or go?

Hull City would have to go I’m afraid since they also had some issues both on and off field all along this season so no surprise there if they have to start all over again with mid-table side Portsmouth next up.

Luton, meanwhile, will do enough to earn another year in the 2nd tier since the next match v West Brom ain’t that hard where they have no permanent coach for the minute and Luton has got a astute young manager they prized away mid-season from Wycombe Matt Bloomfield.

And great to hear Wrexham going one step further just outside the biggest stage of English Football from the PL. Their 3-0 win v Charlton Athletic now enough to join Birmingham City as the next promoted League 1 side to play in the Championship next season. Even if it’s a runner-up finish, they’re all here for the journey with the help of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney – both Alpine minority shareholders too and Rob’s wife Kaitlin is currently playing Morgan on ABC’s High Potential as they’re back for fun crime-solving Season 2 this Fall following a breakout first season in the network’s record books.

Other than that, going to be an exciting Play-Off knockout race from here with Stockport, Wycombe, Charlton and either one of Leyton Orient or Reading with the final round to spare.

They all play some good attacking football but as long as Leyton don’t lose to Huddersfield, they could have their own Wrexham-like journey in front of the queue ahead of any other 2-3 teams as mentioned in this Play-Offs fight. If not, could see Stockport v Charlton instead.

April 26, 2025 0 comment

Other Sports Football

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