Michael Duff praised Barnsley’s fans as his side defeated Cambridge 2-0 at Oakwell, despite being reduced to 10 men in the first half.Max Watters opened the scoring before being shown a red card before half-time.A second-half volley from Jordan Williams doubled Barnsley’s lead as they saw the game out, limiting Cambridge’s opportunities to get back in the game.And Duff felt the...Full Story »

Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick felt his side produced some of their best football since he took charge during the first half of their 3-1 victory at Cardiff, before then showing their battling qualities to secure the points.The former Manchester United midfielder saw his in-form Boro team chalk up an 11th win in 15 matches since taking over at the Riverside in October.Goals from Marcus Fo...Full Story »

Michael Duff felt Barnsley deserved their last-gasp equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw at Portsmouth.Bobby Thomas scored a late leveller to rescue the play-off chasing Tykes a point after Colby Bishop had given Pompey the lead.Manager Duff said: “We deserved at least a point today.“In the first half, we’ve hit the bar and Devante Cole has only the keeper to beat, so we should have be...Full Story »

Michael Carrick believes Chuba Akpom’s brilliance got Middlesbrough firing at the Riverside to keep their promotion push on track by beating struggling Blackpool 3-0.It was an impressive afternoon for the Sky Bet Championship’s leading scorer, with the former Arsenal striker putting Boro on course for another win under Carrick to keep hold of third spot and move to within 10 points o...Full Story »

Barnsley boss Michael Duff believed the 2-1 victory at Oxford was thoroughly deserved.Bobby Thomas and Nicky Cadden both scored their first goals for The Tykes before Elliott Moore pulled a goal back for the U’s, who have now lost three games on the trot.Duff said: “It was a really, really good solid away performance without being spectacular.“The most pleasing thing for me was...Full Story »

Michael Beale heaped praise on his Rangers side for the way they dismantled a Hearts side he felt were set up to have “a right go” at them.The Jambos were unbeaten in 10 ahead of Wednesday’s Tynecastle showdown and manager Robbie Neilson picked a team loaded with attacking players.Gers boss Beale was “really pleased” with the way his side stifled the life out of the...Full Story »

Michael Carrick has revealed Middlesbrough are on the brink of signing Dan Barlaser from Rotherham – and the head coach cannot wait to begin working with the midfielder.Barlaser was an interested observer as he watched Boro’s 2-0 win over Watford from a seat in the directors’ box at the Riverside.Middlesbrough have agreed a deal with Rotherham that will see Barlaser return to h...Full Story »

Struggling Arbroath claimed a much-needed victory after coming from behind to win 2-1 at Morton.George Oakley enjoyed a dream start to his debut for Morton when he scored after just four minutes, heading into the corner of the net from Calvin Miller’s ball in.But second-bottom Arbroath levelled after 63 minutes when Colin Hamilton turned home Sean Adarkwa’s shot at the far post.The v...Full Story »

Michael Beale described the McDiarmid Park pitch as a “cow field” after a rare Borna Barisic goal gave Rangers a narrow 1-0 Scottish Cup win over St Johnstone.The Gers boss was unimpressed by the Hampden Park surface last Sunday for the 2-1 Viaplay Cup semi-final win over Aberdeen, which came before the midweek cinch Premiership victory on Kilmarnock’s artificial surface.After ...Full Story »

Barnsley boss Michael Duff praised the performance of his forwards as his side convincingly beat Accrington 3-1 at Oakwell.James Norwood, Jack Aitchison and Jordan Williams got on the scoresheet within the opening 19 minutes, with Stanley’s Tommy Leigh converting from the penalty spot late on.Duff said: “You can’t ask for much more than to be 3-0 up after 19 minutes.“I&rs...Full Story »

Michael Cheek bagged a brace to earn Bromley a 2-2 draw at home to Aldershot in the National League.Having gone five games without a goal, the 31-year-old striker struck for the sixth time this season, heading in on the line following a scramble in the 36th minute.It cancelled out Aldershot’s 16th-minute opener through on-loan Colchester striker Jake Hutchinson, who finished well beyond Re...Full Story »

Michael Beale insists Rangers have to stop making life difficult for themselves after coming from behind to beat 10-man Kilmarnock 3-2 at Rugby Park.In a barnstorming Killie start to the cinch Premiership encounter, defender Chris Stokes headed in from a corner after six minutes but Rangers steadied and responded with goals from attackers Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent.Kilmarnock winger Dann...Full Story »

Manchester United’s nine-match winning run came to a halt after Michael Olise’s stunning stoppage-time free-kick earned Crystal Palace a 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park.Erik ten Hag’s side were on course to go second in the Premier League table after Bruno Fernandes’ first-half opener.But Olise’s late strike means they now head to leaders Arsenal on Sunday eight points ad...Full Story »

Barnsley manager Michael Duff was critical of his side’s finishing after they suffered a 2-0 League One defeat at Charlton.The Tykes had taken 19 points from a possible 21 but have now suffered back-to-back league losses.Charlton were fortunate to be leading at the interval, winger Tyreece Campbell scoring his first senior goal as he fired a low effort past Bradley Collins at his near post...Full Story »

Michael Carrick praised match-winner Marcus Forss for adapting to an unfamiliar role to help Middlesbrough continue their charge up the Championship.Forss grabbed his fifth goal for Boro since moving from Brentford in the summer to seal a 1-0 win over rivals for a playoff place Millwall at the Riverside.The 23-year-old created space for himself by brushing Murray Wallace off the ball before firi...Full Story »

Walsall manager Michael Flynn was full of praise for Danny Johnson after the striker netted his 15th goal of the season in a 1-1 draw with Tranmere.The point means that the Saddlers are now seven games unbeaten on the road in all competitions as they look to maintain their assault on the play-off places.Danny Johnson pounced to give the visitors the lead in the 72nd minute but three minutes late...Full Story »

Michael Beale wants to “turn the heat up” in his Rangers squad with new faces as he addressed speculation about Todd Cantwell and Tom Davies.The Ibrox club have been linked with Norwich’s Cantwell and Everton’s Davies but Beale was giving little away after his side’s 2-0 win over Dundee United, save for his admiration for the two 24-year-old midfielders.Beale, whose...Full Story »

Walsall manager Michael Flynn was “over the moon” after being drawn against Leicester in the FA Cup fourth round following a dramatic 2-1 win over Stockport.Substitute Andy Williams sealed Walsall’s passage when he slotted home a 95th-minute winner from the penalty spot to knock out their League Two rivals.On hearing the news the Saddlers will host Premier League outfit Leicest...Full Story »

Blackpool boss Michael Appleton said his side’s display in their thumping 4-1 FA Cup defeat of Nottingham Forest had been coming and hopes it will do the Championship strugglers “the world of good”.The Seasiders began the third-round tie in the Championship’s bottom three after a nine-game winless run, but stunned their Premier League opponents.Marvin Ekpiteta gave Applet...Full Story »

And after achieving his lifelong dream, the new champ paid a superb tribute to another man who recently achieved their own global destiny - a certain Lionel Messi. Smith won his first world title by beating van Gerwen in an incredible final Credit: EPA Smith prevailed 7-4 over Michael van Gerwen at Ally Pally in what's been widely regarded as one of the greatest finals ever. Having lost his p...Full Story »