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2024-25 League Cup Final: Newcastle United break their 70 year wait for a Domestic Cup trophy following their 2-1 win over Liverpool at Wembley Stadium 

by Sports Benches

It’s been 70 years since Newcastle United won a domestic trophy that went way back as the 1954-55 FA Cup season and now that long wait has now finally come to a close thanks to their 2-1 win over Premier League leaders Liverpool in the League Cup Final at Wembley Stadium. 

They’ve been so dominant all along with two goals coming from centre-half Dan Burn and star No.9 Aleksandar Isak, although Liverpool scored one back but then that was a consolation one towards the final whistle by Federico Chiesa.

Don’t get me wrong, they are a mega rich club indeed under Saudi Arabia ownership since late 2021. But still, they have all the money and power to get back to where they want to be – and that is by regularly competing at Top 4-6 every season while they look to make a statement in Europe. 

Well, they are going back to the UEFA comp after all with Conference League qualification now guaranteed. However, they are currently flying high though in 6th on the ladder & if they finish 6th and above at season’s end, they too could play in the Europa League instead or even Champions League again like it was two seasons ago back in 2023-24. 

That means, the 7th best PL team would take Newcastle’s spot for Europe’s 3rd tier competition in their place.

Don’t forget they’ve previously been at Wembley with the same League Cup Final a little over two years ago – that didn’t go well v Man Utd 2-0 but now they’ve gone one better as congrats once again including to one of England’s finest head coach/managers in the country in Eddie Howe.

Plus, shoutout to Toon supporter Adam Peacock too and he’s currently the host of Stan Sport’s UEFA club competition coverage with Craig Foster & Mark Bosnich.

Sure we will see him on the screens of Nine soon when each of the Grand Finals from Champions League to Europa and Conference level will be around sometime in late May.

And on Liverpool, not their day today as Arne Slot still doesn’t have a trophy yet as this is his first season in the hot seat following the departure of long-time manager Jurgen Klopp at Anfield. Although that can wait since they are leading the PL but with Cup competitions, not so much until at least next season….for now.

One thing Liverpool could’ve pulled off there is if they had at least a few more of their own kids from the academy on the biggest stage at least in men’s soccer like they did in last year’s League Cup Final v Chelsea. 

Shame it wasn’t worth the risk to go a bit braver this time when Newcastle’s starting XI was full of more established stars instead and they were the team to beat unfortunately at the end of the day.

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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

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.

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2024/25 EFL Championship: Leeds leave it late to spur an amazing comeback that also extends their lead up front against 2nd-placed Sheffield United by 3-1 at Bramall Lane

by Sports Benches

So there you have it, Sheffield United thought they could stop the clear 2nd tier leaders as of late in Leeds United thanks to a Leeds own goal by lIlan Mesiler (GK) earlier on – and have led the way 1-0 for the most part until Leeds struck back this late on their opponents’ hallowed turf (Bramall Lane) with 15-20 odd mins to go thanks to three stunning late strikes that secured yet another win by 3-1.

Gotta say the Blades have came a long way from minus two points to challenging at the top end of the table but they’ll just have to find another way now since Sheffield United were unable to hold off their 1-0 lead when Leeds have been searching with attacking intent all game long.

Which other team is gonna try and stop them in its tracks now that Leeds have gained another few points up front? 

We started the new season back in August 2024 with 2-3 teams closely trying to snatch that elusive first spot where one of them will not just be crowned the Championship winner but also regain Premier League status for next season (2025/26) come May.

Now looking at February 2025 as of Matchday 34/46, it seems that Leeds have set the benchmark once again tonight even though they nearly had all game to connect the dots, and they did that successfully with all the time they’ve got left to lock this game up with the win.

Meanwhile, if Burnley win next time around v relegation battlers Cardiff City and Sheffield United lose, then looks like hope is not lost after all when it comes to reclaiming 2nd off Sheffield United by a two point difference. Although there’s a still long way to go as they are currently eight points behind Leeds – despite the way they play is based on defensive football rather than the bang, bang attacking ones that Leeds are so happily craving right now.

If Leeds win the title with Daniel Farke onboard for the third time coming, good for him as no can do for others trying to stop them – just wait and see how they go in the PL and he hasn’t been that great at the bottom end of the table unfortunately not once but twice after topping the Championship with Norwich City all those years ago.

Next up, Leeds will go back home at Elland Road at the same time this weekend v West Brom & Sheffield United travelling to London against Queens Park Rangers while Burnley look to go into the sixth round of the FA Cup comp v fellow Lancashire team in Preston North End.

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2024-25 EFL Championship 29/46: Burnley hold out another draw this time against another title contender in Leeds United

by Sports Benches

Another week, another draw between two of the Championship title contenders in 3rd-placed Burnley & 1st-placed Leeds United at Turf Moor. The good news is that Burnley is still three points away off top spot with Sheffield United standing in the way by one place & point behind in 2nd, so still plenty of time as of Matchday 29/46 + a bit more if they end up outside the Top 2.

It would be awesome if Scott Parker can add that Championship trophy to his silverware cabinet like the Leeds manager (Daniel Farke) has done twice before when he was managing Norwich City (although his record at the PL wasn’t great much like Parker) so he can complete his hat-trick of Championship honours 1 (champion), 2 (runner-up), 3 (play-off winner).

However, it’s been frustrating and insipid at times when it comes to Burnley’s final third attacking play unlike Leeds and even Sheffield United except their defensive record including the goalie James Trafford is ever so strong. They wish they could do that more often like the Plymouth Argyle game last week 5-0 but then Burnley would rather hope for the best for a draw, especially when it’s against a top side.

Yes, the January transfer window isn’t the best time as always but it can also be a good time to make a few changes that could hopefully help them with the distance on the road towards May & be accepted back in the Premier League. 

So far two of the signings they made were free transfers on short term deals with another being a young right back from Denmark while a few have already left to get more minutes on-loan.

They could’ve also done any better when it comes to signing right winger Morgan Whittaker who did extremely well at Plymouth Argyle last season but again, it seems Burnley weren’t serious enough to get over the line at all and Middlesbrough won that race instead. Although you can tell he had attitude issues having declined to play v Burnley the other day just 48 hours before he joined Boro for £6m + another £2m in add-ons.

You never know what could happen like they did by surprise lately going into deadline day. Even if they don’t sign more after January 31, maybe giving Mike Tresor a chance initially as a sub in the second tier while starting out for their next FA Cup game v Southampton would be great – as he still has something to offer despite his setbacks in last recent months.

Burnley will be back a few days later this weekend on the road to Fratton Park v Portsmouth and Leeds return home at Elland Road v 18th-placed Cardiff City.

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2024-25 EFL Championship Match 27 of 46: Burnley sees off 0-0 draw thanks to James Trafford’s back-to-back shot-stopping saves v high-flying Sunderland AFC at Turf Moor

by Sports Benches

Well, Burnley may have been gone into the weekend with some signs of relief despite their 0-0 draw v Sunderland, with thanks to super towering goalkeeper James Trafford, who saved not one but two late penalties against opposing striker Wilson Isidor, as hats off to the club’s strongest defensive efforts + Trafford hands down.

While Isidor was disappointed not to push Sunderland back closer towards the Top 2 when he tried to score a few times even during penalties, Burnley needs to keep Trafford at all costs for at least the next one-and-a-half years, as we do understand his ambitions to play for a Top 6-7 Premier League club like Newcastle United at some point. We know Sunderland has been like this season so far under new coach Regis Le Bris and even though they may have slipped away a bit outside the Top 2 automatic spots, they’re still flying high especially when they gave a good scare against the Burnley defense in attack. 

What Burnley could’ve done better though is the way they attack on their own which can be frustrating at times. Like nothing against Zian Flemming (currently on-loan) who can give his fans some really good moments every time he knicks a goal, but it seems he would be better off behind the striker at No.10 rather than lead the line (No.9). At the end of the day though, Scott Parker continues to be happy with his striking options, especially wanting to do things differently as their head coach.

Maybe Burnley should think about that instead with only a week and a bit to go in the January transfer window, although they might as well another Championship-quality winger in Morgan Whittaker from Plymouth Argyle as their primary signing target. So a new striker may not be necessary when they aren’t a prolific scoring team – that’s okay. However, injecting more pace into the final third though would probably be a game changer – as long as the tactics are right.

For now, they are joint leaders with Daniel Farke’s Leeds United on 53 points; Although not for long with Leeds United most likely going to beat Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow morning & so would Sheffield United v Norwich City. That means, Burnley would be in 3rd but still there’s still a fair bit of work to do if they wish to dominate the Championship – they’re currently 3 points shy off top spot. 

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EFL Championship: Thoughts on Carlos Corberan heading back to Spain from West Brom with a huge relegation battle ahead at the struggling Valencia CF side in La Liga

by Sports Benches

Well, it’s Christmas Day today and Valencia CF has decided to change managers having just swiftly sorted a replacement in Spanish compatriot Carlos Corberan via £2.5 million/€3 milloon compensation from West Brom – something West Ham wouldn’t want to do under their current owners.

This comes not long after their 2-2 all draw v Alaves the other day even though it wasn’t enough to keep Ruben Baraja in the hot seat at least a bit longer when they’re currently four points off to escape the bottom three in 19th. The time is now for Corberan to try keep the once-decorated club in the La Liga top flight as his first game will be the postponed game v Real Madrid next Saturday morning (7am AEDT 4th Jan) at their home Mestalla venue due to the floods that impacted the city two months ago.

Yes, he has yet to have won a trophy as manager before other than U23 level with Leeds United but he has been very established at Championship level for a number of years. He helped Huddersfield Town finish 3rd only to lose in the Play-Off Final two seasons ago v Nottingham Forest before he quit shortly after, as well as the two-legged Play-Off semi off the back of 5th last season at West Brom when they lost to also eventual Play-Off winners this time by Southampton. 

Now he will leave the Black Country club in 7th by just a goal difference shy or two from the Top 6 spots at 35 points that could give West Brom the chance either way back to the Premier League. I know it’s such an incredibly difficult league with the Top 2 being handed automatic and the other being the Play-Off winner but whoever comes in would be at the right time to keep up with the Top 6 ahead of the January winter transfer next month.

And once he arrives at the Mestalla soon enough as said above, sure he will continue to unpack his tactics like his mentor Marcelo Bielsa, who spent some time with him before as assistant coach at Leeds prior to his first top job a few years ago.

We wish him all the best as not only Valencia will get out of this on the field but off the field as well when they will finally be allowed to finish their new half stadium come January 10.

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24/25 EFL Championship: Hull City celebrate Christmas now out of the bottom three with Ruben Selles & Mason Burstow following their 2-1 home win over Swansea City

by Sports Benches

It’s been a while but Hull City were able to celebrate Christmas on home soil with the win 2-1 earlier this AM over the Welsh side Swansea City thanks to that game winning strike from summer striker signing Mason Burstow with about ten minutes to go and not only that, they now sit just above the bottom three League One (third-tier) relegation spots in 21st place.

Fair play to Swansea off the back their good defensive line coupled with Harry Darling’s good header when they made some progress right before half-time, who plays centre-back & has been a great addition to the squad for 2-3 years now, when now sacked Southampton manager Russell Martin brought him over to Wales in the first place during that time from MK Dons.

It’s just a shame that a few hit and misses on the counter-attack including the goal kick restart allowed Hull to take back with their 2nd goal before it was too late.

They remain 12th on the ladder after 22 games of 46 where Swansea is currently nine points off the 6th-placed Playoffs bubble at 27. So still lots of work to do if they are going to bridge that gap between now and May under another former MK Dons coaching alum in Luke Williams.

Meanwhile, looks like the Ruben Selles era is so far, so good – having came in there to try and turn this around like he did with the troubled Reading FC side over the past 18 months over in League 1 (third-tier). Good to see them score one early while making the most out of their chances up front. 

Yes, they may have been bossed by Swansea later on when it comes to the possession. But at least Hull got away with it as said above when they had the chance to regain the lead once more thanks to Swansea’s late goal kick error and Hull has done enough to hold off the Swans through full-time 2-1. 

Plus, good to see Mason Burstow registering Goal No.2 this term and that came under the new management initially  with Andy Dawson and now Selles when German Tim Walter didn’t treat him well until he was shown the door three months ago. He’s still got lots to prove having came over during the summer from Chelsea following his underwhelming loan spell last season at Sunderland. 

Yes, he’s seeing another raft of coaching changes yet again but looks like he’s happy this time for the minute as scoring at least 10 + will do it at this level since he doesn’t score as much – as he’s got the same height as Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin and the ability of Cameron Archer and also Armando Broja too (still on Chelsea’s books but is currently on-loan though at Everton).

The fight continues for Hull to climb up the ladder and steer clear away from the bottom three (depending on results of course) when they head off to Lancashire against Preston North End on Boxing Day Thursday (Friday 2 AM AEDT) with Swansea hosting London side QPR at the same time (Swansea.com Stadium).

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24/25 EFL Championship: A goal apiece from each of their own right backs saw Middlesbrough deny Burnley the chance to go up the table 1-1 this weekend at Turf Moor

by Sports Benches

It’s been a draw between the two sides earlier this morning and the bottom line is that Middlesbrough denied Burnley the chance to top the EFL Championship table by a single point the other way round ahead of Sheffield United (38 points) after 19 games in out of 46 at Turf Moor. 

Middlesbrough currently sitting 5th off the back of their excellent summer recruitment drive like Tommy Conway up front to suit Michael Carrick’s coaching tactics from Bristol City that led to some valiant progress as of late. 

They’re just inside the Top 6 Play-Off spots with still a long way go if Middlesbrough wish to at least lock up the automatic Top 2 promotion in order to get back to the EPL ahead of Watford by a single point at 31 and three ahead of both West Brom (7th) & Blackburn Rovers (8th).

Good start by the way thanks to right-back Anfernee Dijksteel earlier on, although the opposite team’s right-back Connor Roberts snatched one back for Burnley later in the first half. But then things were quiet since then, especially when it’s now winter over in the UK. 

It could’ve been any better for Burnley other than the solid defensive structure/line-up they’ve got when their attack hasn’t been that good at times. But with more attacking firepower, particularly when they need a No.9 Centre-Forward up front to help out the ageing & experienced Jay Rodriguez, would help them set the benchmark ahead of the likes of Leeds, Sheffield United and Sunderland between the January transfer window and May.

The good news is though that they can go into next week still 2nd depending on this weekend’s results before there’s mid-week soccer coming up in a few days’ time. 

So Burnley take on Derby County (14th) still at Turf Moor while Middlesbrough still away but not far within Yorkshire when they will take on fellow Top 2 contenders Leeds at Elland Roar – both matches taking place just before 7am Wednesday.

Elsewhere, there has been a ring of head coaching changes lately beginning with Frank Lampard’s appointment at Coventry City in place of long-term former manager Mark Robins after nearly eight years – slow start but we’ll come back in a few months’ time.

Plus, Cardiff City decided to install another first-time manager yet again until the end of this season in none other than Omer Riza following another top job uncertainty since they’ve sacked Erol Bulut earlier this season. 

And having seen Hull City sack Tim Walter, they’ve now prized Spaniard Ruben Selles away from Reading after he did a fantastic job there whilst the club is still currently in crisis currently 6th in League 1. 

Wondering who that may be? Considering they are still no closer towards accepting new ownership at the Majeski Stadium ahead of the January buy/sell window next month. Just found out now that it will be Noel Hunt who will be taking over full-time effective immediately on a two and a half year deal. Now that was quick so fans can move on fast in the hope of going back to the second tier (Championship) at season’s end either way.

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2024-25 EFL Championship Round 18/46: Sheffield United start the weekend as table-topping leaders at Bramall Lane following their 1-0, 10-man contest win v Sunderland AFC

by Sports Benches

Yes, Sheffield United may have started the season with two points down following their demotion from the Premier League to the Championship, having finished at the bottom end of the table once again last season, with Chris Wilder back onboard midway despite the battle for survival being too much to beat the bottom three. 

Fast forward to today and it looks like they’ve made a lot of ground now in such short notice as Sheffield has just now topped the charts once again following their 1-0 win over Sunderland on what has been a 10-man contest between either side on home turf at Bramall Lane.

Yes, things were ugly earlier on right before half time-time when both of their own centre halves had to be sent off with a red card – like Chris Mepham in the 40th minute for Sunderland followed by the Socceroos’ player Harry Souttar not long later following his 2nd yellow card who is currently on loan there from Leicester City.

But the match though isn’t over yet for a quite a while before reaching full-time and in the end, Sheffield United had the final say thanks to Tom Davies’ one and only goal in the 83rd minute. 

Depending on this weekend’s results, Leeds United may come back to push them down 2nd if they can beat Blackburn Rovers overnight. Sure, don’t count out Burnley just yet if they can beat Stoke City at the same time – they not have a consistent top-class No.9 at the minute but looks like they’re keeping a close eye though when it comes to the Top 2 spots.

But for Sunderland, their outstanding start has nosedived a in some way lately from 1st to now 4th. Sure, the new head coach Regis De Bris from France has made a massive difference; it’s a shame that injuries have taken their toll – they’re just five points off from where they once were back in Round 1 but only 2-3 points shy if they can get back & hold onto at least the automatic promotions back into the PL.

There’s still a lot to play for after 18 out of a long 46 round season but good to see the current Championship play being closely fought right now when it comes to the Top 2 automatic spots between Sheffield United v Leeds, with Burnley hoping to cut the ribbon between those two teams on what is going to be a busy festive month of December. Let’s see who will get the early presents ahead of January spending time to hunt and sell players in the hope of a May promotion wish back in the PL where they belong either way even via the $$$ Play-Off Final.

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2024/25 EFL Championship Soccer: West Brom & Cardiff City settled for 0-0 draw after a frustrating afternoon at The Hawthorns

by Sports Benches

Both sides may have not been able to get away with it when it comes to scoring goals where shots were flying everywhere that could’ve been 1-0, 1-1 or even 2-1, especially when West Brom played on the home front  at The Hawthorns v Cardiff City. However, at least West Brom and Cardiff settled the score though without a goal following a frustrating and scrappy 0-0 draw at full-time. Cardiff is currently sitting just above the bottom three relegation zone in 20th while West Brom remains within the Top 6 Play-Off places at 5th in the English Championship with 12 weeks in out of a long 46 round season.

First of all, West Brom thought they could’ve done any better when a few shots on goal didn’t quite go towards the net while some have gone outside the crossbar – even though they had 2nd half possession. What could’ve possibly have been if it wasn’t for those three goalkeeper saves by Jak Alnwick from Cardiff? But again, despite yet another draw – West Brom need to re-start winning somewhere as still plenty of time, and their next match will be against Luton on Friday night UK/Saturday morning AEDT.

And as said for Cardiff, yes, they could’ve also done any better had they spent more time when it comes to those conversions within the final attacking third box. Despite not having much ball in the 2nd half, how good was these three saves by the keeper Jak Alnwick?  He was the man who at least frustrated the West Brom attack all afternoon that gave the interim coach Omer Riza something to be content about after recording his yet another undefeated match under his watch. Time will tell if Riza will get the permanent job but lots of first-time managers start there without huge success, so up to Cardiff if they want this to keep on going or hire someone else who may be young but with a bit more experience.

Elsewhere, Sunderland still on a roll currently five points clear in 1st place following a 2-0 win today v Oxford United while Burnley unable to get away with another win thanks to a 0-0 draw v Queens Park Rangers as a few other top teams are circling around them for that 2nd placed automatic Premier League spot – such as Sheffield United (3rd) who def. Stoke 2-0 and Leeds United (4th) who still have a few games in hand despite an also 0-0 draw yesterday v Bristol City.

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