All posts by h716a5.icu

What's happened to the squad that pulled off such a memorable comeback?

Manchester City's dramatic 2012 title success may never be surpassed as the most iconic finale in Premier League history.

Needing to win on the final day of the season to stop bitter rivals Manchester United from beating them to the title, City were trailing 2-1 to QPR as the game ticked into the 90th minute.

An Edin Dzeko equaliser gave Roberto Mancini's side hope and then, with seconds left, Sergio Aguero was presented with one last opportunity.

Steadying himself, he smashed in an unstoppable 94th-minute winner that sent the Etihad Stadium into ecstasy and sent ripples around the footballing world.

That moment will never be forgotten and, at City, neither will the players.

But what did they do next? GOAL reveals all below…

GettyGK: Joe Hart

Just 25 and the first-choice goalkeeper for both City and England in 2012, the potential seemed limitless for Hart following the maiden Premier League title success.

While he helped City to another title two years later, Pep Guardiola made it clear that he would not be his number one when he took over in 2016.

After mixed spells at Torino, West Ham, Burnley and Spurs, he was Celtic's goalkeeper for last season's Scottish Premiership victory.

AdvertisementGettyRB: Pablo Zabaleta

The Argentinian spent much of the season as a back-up to Micah Richards but became a regular towards the end of the campaign and scored the opening goal against QPR.

Zabaleta went on to become a fans' favourite, with his committed performances helping the club to a raft of trophies.

He left in 2017, after nine seasons at the club, to join West Ham but retired three years later and now works as a TV pundit.

Getty ImagesCB: Joleon Lescott

Memories of Lescott's time at City might have been different but for Aguero's late strike, as it was the defender's error that let in Djibril Cisse for QPR's equaliser.

To have been defined by such a moment would have been unfair, though, as Lescott had been a consistent performer for City for five seasons.

After retiring, Lescott subsequently returned to the club to oversee the progress of loan players abroad and is now part of Lee Carsley's England under-21 coaching staff.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesCB: Vincent Kompany

The third member of this title-winning side to have a statue outside the Etihad, Kompany was the club captain for much of the club's recent successes.

His 11 years at the club started before Sheikh Mansour's takeover and his final home appearance saw him wave goodbye in tears after his stunning 30-yard strike helped City beat Leicester on the way to the 2019 title.

His leadership skills always suggested a career in management and he is now back in the north west of England at Championship side Burnley.

Mary Earps was left disappointed as Manchester United went down against Arsenal in the WSL on Saturday.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Earps expressed disappointment after defeatArsenal thrashed United 3-1Seven points behind third-placed GunnersWHAT HAPPENED?

An own goal by Geyse and a strike each from Cloe Lacasse and Kim Little helped Arsenal take a formidable 3-0 lead in the first half. Lucia Garcia then reduced the margin by scoring a consolation goal towards the end of the match as United suffered a devastating defeat.

AdvertisementWHAT MARY EARPS SAID

Lionesses goalkeeper Mary Earps was left heartbroken after the defeat as she took to Instagram to share some photographs from the match with the caption, "Gutted doesn’t even come close."

Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Mark Skinner's side have now lost four times in the WSL and conceded their 18th league goal in the current campaign which is the most among the top five teams. After Saturday's defeat, the Red Devils saw their gap with the third-placed Gunners increase to seven points which complicates their chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

Skinner's side will be next seen in action against West Ham on March 3 before they take on Brighton in the FA Women's Cup quarter-final on March 9.

Manchester United have made their worst defensive start to a season in 60 years after conceding three goals against Galatasaray on Wednesday.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

United lost lead to draw 3-3 with GalatasarayHave now conceded 33 goals in 20 matchesTheir worst record since 1962-63WHAT HAPPENED?

United surrendered a 3-1 lead to draw 3-3 with the Turkish side, putting their Champions League campaign in danger with one game left of the group stage. The Red Devils have now conceded 33 goals in all competitions this season – their worst record after 20 matches since they let in 43 in the 1962-63 season, according to .

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Conceding three goals in such a crucial game puts more pressure on goalkeeper Andre Onana and coach Erik ten Hag. The Cameroon international did not cover himself in glory with the goals, particularly Hakim Ziyech's second free-kick. Onana got a hand to the ball but failed to keep it out, making it 3-2 and allowing Galatasaray to go on and seal a vital point later on.

DID YOU KNOW?

Ten Hag's team have taken just four points from their five Champions League matches and need to beat Bayern Munich in their last game and hope that Galatasaray fail to beat Copenhagen in the group's other match. United have endured a tough start to the Premier League campaign, too, as they sit sixth in the table, conceding 16 goals in 13 games.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR UNITED?

The Red Devils hope to bounce back and secure a third consecutive Premier League victory on Saturday when they visit Newcastle at St James' Park. Newcastle, who beat Chelsea 4-1 last week, are seventh in the table and a point behind United.

Surrey have signed fast bowler David Balcombe from Hampshire on a two-year deal

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Sep-2014Surrey have signed fast bowler David Balcombe from Hampshire on a two-year deal. Balcombe, 29, came through Surrey’s Academy before joining Hampshire, where he struggled to hold down a regular place despite taking 141 first-class wickets over seven years.Balcombe discovered a rich vein of form while on loan at Kent in 2011, taking 33 wickets at 17.81, and he was Hampshire’s leading wicket-taker the following season. His returns dipped in 2012, however, and he only played in four Championship matches this year, as Hampshire won promotion back to Division One.”It was a tough decision to make, but I think it’s in the best interests of my career to start a fresh chapter elsewhere,” Balcombe said. “I will always hold fond memories of the club who gave me my first chance in the professional game and I’ll always be proud to have played for Hampshire.”Balcombe is one of three players to be leaving Hampshire, with the news that Michael Bates, the highly rated wicketkeeper, and Ruel Brathwaite have also been released. Bates was usurped as Hampshire’s first-choice keeper in all formats by the arrival of Adam Wheater in 2013 from Essex; Brathwaite, who signed from Durham last year, only played once this season.Surrey’s director of cricket, Alec Stewart, said: “We are pleased to announce the signing of David Balcombe. He is a bowler who came through the Surrey system and he will add depth and experience to our squad and we welcome him back to The Oval.”Surrey have also extended the contracts of sevens players. Zafar Ansari, Rory Burns, Tom Curran and Dominic Sibley have signed three-year deals, while Gary Wilson, captain in 2014, Stuart Meaker and Gareth Batty have agreed two-year extensions.

Rahul Dravid believes MS Dhoni’s “instinctive” style of captaincy is perfectly suited to one-day cricket which helps him “bring the best out of himself and his team”

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Jan-2015Rahul Dravid believes MS Dhoni’s “instinctive” style of captaincy is perfectly suited to one-day cricket, and helps him “bring the best out of himself and his team”. Dravid was speaking on Contenders, an ESPNcricinfo special programme building up to the upcoming World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Dravid’s co-panelist on the show, former South African captain Graeme Smith said it helps Dhoni that he “doesn’t have to prepare too much” as opposed to Test cricket and his “instincts come into play” in the ODI format.Dhoni will be aiming to becoming the third captain after Clive Lloyd and Ricky Ponting to successfully defend a World Cup title when India’s campaign begins in Adelaide on February 15 against Pakistan. Only four members from the 15-man squad that won the 2011 World Cup at home have been selected but Dravid believes there is enough experience in the group for Dhoni to call upon.”India’s performances in one-day cricket have improved, just as their Test form has actually nosedived,” Dravid said. “It is a good side as well. Even though it may not have the experience of some of the players from last time, I think they have enough experience. Some of these players are match-winners.”He (Dhoni) is very good in the one-day game, he gets the one-day game. It suits him because I think he doesn’t have to plan long term like over the course of a Test match. Because it’s 50 overs, it’s set for you, his instinctive style of captaincy brings out the best in him and the best in the team with that kind of instinctive decision making, which you sometimes need under pressure.”Dhoni has led India in ODIs since 2007. He will go into the World Cup as the most-experienced captain in the tournament and Dravid is of the view that Dhoni has developed his style of captaincy based on the learnings he has had in the job.”He’s realised that India’s death bowling isn’t flash,” he said. “So instead of trying to go onto the same path all the time, he is trying to mix and match and change it around, play five bowlers, bowl the spinners in the Powerplays rather than the faster bowlers. I think he’s been very clever about that. I think he’s secure in one-day cricket in his own performances, he’s one of the greatest finishers in the game today, he’s tremendous under pressure, so I think that makes him feel much more comfortable about his leadership in one-day cricket as well.”Smith, who came across Dhoni several times as captain of South Africa, said Dhoni has the advantage of having “more to work with” when he is leading the team at home. India’s overseas form in recent times has been patchy in limited-overs cricket too with series defeats in South Africa and New Zealand before a win in England.”His spinners play more of a role here, conditions are set up for the style of play his team plays,” Smith said. “In other parts of the world it is almost about finding a way to win, you need to adapt to playing at the Wanderers or the Oval for example. I think those are the challenges he faces with the current team and the dynamic of the team. He has a very strong batting line up. He will always perform well in this tournament, I think he will lead by example. The key is he doesn’t have to prepare too much in one-day cricket, in Test cricket you have to kind of plan, ok, that’s the kind of bowler I want to bowl etc. Where as here, his instincts come in. He will win India games by himself.”

Titans were crowned South Africa’s first-class champions after a ten-run win over Cobras in three days in Paarl

Firdose Moonda09-Apr-2016 Titans were crowned South Africa’s first-class champions after a 10-run win over Cobras inside three days. Titans, who topped the points table going into the final weekend, ensured they stayed there despite an early scare in Paarl.Cobras were bowled out for 164 in their first innings after Wayne Parnell, who took 12 for 105 against Dolphins last week, added another five-for this week. Parnell had assistance from right-arm pacer Dane Paterson, who took three wickets, while Vernon Philander bowled a typically strangling eight overs.For a while it looked like Cobras would squander the advantage as they slumped to 51 for 4, but Omphile Ramela, the captain, and Cebo Tshiki put on a fifth-wicket stand of 95, before Parnell added to his accolades with 59 to put Cobras in the lead. They were bowled out for 285, thereby taking a 121-run lead.Enter Heino Kuhn. After becoming only the sixth South African to record 1000 runs in a first-class season, he wiped out the deficit as his team-mates were outspun by Dane Piedt. The offspinner took 7 for 106, with the only other Titans’ batsman to cross 30 being Henry Davids, the captain. That set Cobras a target of 136, which they defended against the odds.Cobras would have fancied their chances even as they stumbled to 74 for 4. But when they lost Dane Vilas, Parnell and Philander in the space of two overs to slip to 87 for 7, the fight fizzled out. They were dismissed for 125, with Rowan Richards, who finished with 7 for 40, the hero of the second innings.Titan’s nearest challengers, Lions , who were in second place, all but bowed out of the race on the first day as they were bowled out for 68, with Sisanda Magala, the pacer, taking 6 for 25. They eventually lost by an innings and 101 runs to Warriors .Hardus Viljoen gave Lions the perfect start with a wicket off the first ball in Warriors’ reply, but their small total was always going to make things difficult. Although Viljoen ended with a five-for, half-centuries from Colin Ackermann, Somila Seyibokwe and Simon Harmer, the captain, ensured they took a 307-run first-innings lead.On the evidence of Lions’ first innings, Warriors would have felt confident of an innings win. With Lions 61 for 4 in reply, that confidence wasn’t misplaced. Nicky van den Bergh resisted with 52, but all they managed was to take the game into the third day. They were bowled out for 206 to give Warriors an innings and 101-run victory and a second successive win to end an otherwise barren summer.

Mikel Arteta will reportedly contest the FA's decision to charge him for his "embarrassing" VAR comments after Newcastle defeat.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Arteta called VAR decisions "embarrassing" and "disgrace"FA charged him under Rule E3.1Spaniard to contest FA chargesWHAT HAPPENED?

After Arsenal's loss to Newcastle, courtesy of a controversial Anthony Gordon winner following three video checks, Arteta criticized VAR decisions meted out by Stuart Attwell and Andy Madley, calling them "embarrassing" and a "disgrace" to the sport. The Gunners manager was subsequently charged with a breach of FA rule E3.1 as his comments allegedly "constitute misconduct" and "are insulting towards match officials and/or detrimental to the game and/or bring the game into disrepute."

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Arteta has until Friday to respond to the charges and according to the manager will not back down and contest the charges. The club stood firmly behind their manager and even released a statement to that effect with Declan Rice also coming out in supportof his coach.

DID YOU KNOW?

The FA emphasizes stricter rules on manager-referee interactions Arsenal reportedly feel they have been singled out. Roberto De Zerbi escaped the red eye of the FA after commenting that he dislikes “80 per cent of England’s referees” after Brighton were held to a draw by Sheffield United. Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino also escaped punishment after he angrily confronted referee Anthony Taylor on the Stamford Bridge pitch after the thrilling 4-4 draw with Manchester City.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

Arteta could face a potential touchline ban and a fine if proven guilty. However, he can still be present in the dugout on Saturday against Brentford if the ban is not announced before the match.

The star forward got a goal and an assist as Luis Enrique's side picked up another win ahead of their Champions League meeting with AC Milan

Kylian Mbappe ran the show for Paris Saint-Germain as they picked up a comfortable 3-0 win against Strasbourg in Ligue 1 on Saturday. The France star was constantly involved and gave PSG an early lead with a perfectly executed penalty to end a goal drought that lasted four games.

The attacker could not be tamed by the visitors' defence and went on to create his side's second goal with some nice trickery before smashing it into a dangerous area where Carlos Soler was able to divert it in.

Strasbourg appeared to have had enough of the 24-year-old early in the second half as the challenges grew a bit more severe, resulting in fears of an injury ahead of PSG's midweek Champions League match against AC Milan. Their rough tackles did little to slow Mbappe down, however, as he continued to pop up everywhere and look to create something for the dominant hosts.

It was Fabian Ruiz who rounded off the scoring, though, as Soler snatched the ball and squared to the Spain midfielder to make space and knock it past Matz Sels.

GOAL rates PSG's players from Parc des Princes…

GettyGoalkeeper & Defence

Gianluigi Donnarumma (6/10):

Didn't have a save to make until the 76th minute and it was a simple header straight at him.

Danilo Pereira (7/10):

A bit clumsy, but his passing was safe and sound.

Marquinhos (6/10):

Had a lame clearance in the second half and was slow to close down, but his passing was good.

Lucas Hernandez (5/10):

Left a lot of space behind him and didn't look good defensively.

AdvertisementGettyMidfield

Carlos Soler (8/10):

Dodgy marking in the box at set-pieces but useful on the ball and was perfectly placed to nudge in the second goal. Unselfish and smart to pass to Ruiz to round off the scoring.

Fabian Ruiz (7/10):

Made some nice, comfortable passes but not involved as much as his fellow midfielders until he freed himself up well to score the third.

Vitinha (6/10):

Helped PSG keep pressure on the Strasbourg midfield and defence well, good in possession.

GettyAttack

Lee Kang-in (5/10):

Did not have an easy time getting on the ball as most of PSG's attacks came down the other side. Gifted a great chance to cause a threat after a bad clearance but wasted it.

Kylian Mbappe (8/10):

Perfect penalty gave PSG the lead and had some lovely quick combinations with Barcola. A nice trick got him free for the second and he smashed it to right in to the centre for Soler to net.

Bradley Barcola (6/10):

Weaved his way through the Strasbourg defenders to get inside a few times but lacked the end product.

Goncalo Ramos (5/10):

Tried to find the space and dropped back a lot and even made some tackles, but was never a threat.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettySubs & Manager

Ousmane Dembele (6/10):

A lovely piece of skill left two Strasbourg players dazzled but was unable to create something.

Randal Kolo Muani (5/10):

Replaced a timid Ramos and did nothing useful.

Nordi Mukiele (6/10):

Replaced Hernandez with just under 20 minutes to go and sent in an inviting cross that was cleared.

Layvin Kurzawa (N/A):

Came on late for his first appearance of the season.

Cher Ndour (N/A):

On for the last eight minutes.

Luis Enrique (7/10):

Was able to rest some key players ahead of the Milan match but set his team up well. They dominated, kept their opponents quiet despite some promising counter-attacks and looked comfortable the whole time.

There was a familiar name at England’s training session at Lord’s on Wednesday. The Tendulkar on show this time, however, was not Sachin, but his son Arjun

George Dobell15-Jul-20151:15

Tendulkar’s son bowls at England in the nets

There was a familiar name at England’s training session at Lord’s on Wednesday. The Tendulkar on show this time, however, was not Sachin, but his son Arjun.Arjun Tendulkar, a 15-year-old left-arm seamer, is a regular at the indoor school at Lord’s and was invited to join a group of net bowlers helping England prepare for the second Investec Ashes Test starting on Thursday after a polite request to get involved the previous day.The Tendulkar family have an apartment not far from Lord’s which they often use at this time of year – Sachin was a spectator at Wimbledon a few days ago – and where once Sachin was a regular visitor to the MCC Academy, now it is Arjun in the nets and gym at the ground.Neil Burns, the former county keeper who now mentors several players and is a friend of the Tendulkar family, made the initial request. Burns asked Paul Farbrace, the England assistant coach, if Arjun could watch training on Tuesday and then if he could participate on Wednesday.While most of the England players had no idea of the surname of the young net bowler, several chatted to him and were surprised when they realised his young age. While not quite ideal preparation for the left-arm pace of Mitchell Johnson, Arjun is impressively sharp for one so young and maintained an admirable, probing length from a pleasing action throughout the session. At the end of it, Farbrace could be seen congratulating him and Arjun shook hands with several of the England players and coaches.”Arjun is a regular user of the facilities here,” a spokesman for the MCC, who usually arrange net bowlers ahead of international games at the ground, told ESPNcricinfo. “So he was invited to bowl against the England team in training today.”Arjun was also involved in pre-match preparations in 2011 when Yuvraj Singh bowled to him in the nets ahead of the Test between England and India. Arjun was just 11 at the time.During this year’s IPL, Arjun met Wasim Akram, who gave him some advice on left-arm swing bowling.”He is as enthusiastic as any 15 year old passionate about cricket in India and Pakistan would be,” Wasim told NDTV. “I gave him some general tips about fitness and wrist position. I told him how to bring the ball back into the right-hander. I told him to practice it for three months and then I promised him to teach how to take the ball away from right-handers.”He can also bat. Last September, he thrashed 188 off 42 balls for Dhirubhai Ambani International School Under-16s and he has played for Mumbai at age group level.

Lionel Messi is “very happy” at the moment and that should help to keep him on course to play at the 2026 World Cup, says Javier Zanetti.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

All-time great savoured global glory in 2022Boasts record-breaking cap and goal talliesMay be tempted to grace more tournamentsWHAT HAPPENED?

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has offered a mixed response to questions of his international future. Messi originally suggested that, after guiding Argentina to global glory at Qatar 2022, he would bow out before FIFA’s flagship event heads to the United States, Canada and Mexico.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

He has backtracked on those comments slightly since then, offering hope to the Albiceleste that he can be convinced to play on, and the legendary 36-year-old is playing with a smile on his face again after leaving European football to continue his club career in MLS with Inter Miami.

WHAT THEY SAID

Argentina icon Zanetti has told when asked for his assessment of Messi in 2023: “I see Messi really very happy. He looks whole and eager to continue playing football, which is what he loves the most. I hope he continues playing for a few more years because someone who loves football enjoys watching him play.”

Pressed on whether the all-time great can be talked into gracing the 2026 World Cup, Zanetti added: “I am one of those who thinks that one must live in the present. And if Messi's present is to be content, it is very likely that between now and when the World Cup arrives he will continue to feel the same way, wanting to continue playing and wanting to play in another World Cup. You have to take it little by little and take care of him. Above all, that he feels comfortable and that he has the desire to continue competing.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyWHAT NEXT?

Messi already boasts record-setting hauls of 178 caps and 106 goals for his country and will be enhancing those tallies over the coming months as he takes part in World Cup qualifiers at the 2024 Copa America – another title that Argentina are looking to defend.