King of the dark arts Emiliano Martinez said it was his destiny to be the penalty shootout hero as Aston Villa booked their spot in the semi-final of the Europa Conference LeagueThe Argentina goalkeeper, who helped his country win the World Cup 18 months ago in similar circumstances, produced more heroics against Lille, saving spot-kicks from Nabil Bentaleb and Benjamin Andre to earn a 4-3 shoot...Full Story »

Emiliano Martinez was the unsurprising star of a dramatic penalty shootout as Aston Villa edged past Lille and into the semi-final of the Europa Conference League.The Argentina goalkeeper, who helped his country win the World Cup 18 months ago, produced some similar heroics in France, saving spot-kicks from Nabil Bentaleb and Benjamin Andre to earn a 4-3 shootout win after the quarter-final had ...Full Story »

James Chester and Emile Acquah grabbed the goals as Barrow got back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over play-off rivals Gillingham.Pete Wild’s Bluebirds had lost three games in a row and not played in over a fortnight with games against Bradford and Crawley called off due to waterlogged pitches.The hosts were wasteful with their chances in the first half at Holker Street.Cole Stockton,...Full Story »

Emil Riis had a hand in all three goals as Preston stunned Coventry 3-0 at the CBS Arena.The Danish striker put Preston ahead inside the first minute before setting up top scorer Will Keane and then forcing Bobby Thomas to put through his own net.The remarkable victory took Preston on to the cusp of the play-off places, two points behind Hull, as North End leapfrogged Coventry in the process.Pre...Full Story »

Ryan Lowe lauded Emil Riis after the striker scored his first goal in more than 15 months to help Preston win 2-0 at Cardiff in the Sky Bet Championship.The Danish forward fired beyond Jak Alnwick in the 30th minute to put the Lilywhites ahead against the run of play at Cardiff City Stadium – with Ben Whiteman notching Preston’s second five minutes before the break.It was Riis’...Full Story »

Mauricio Pochettino praised Emiliano Martinez after the Aston Villa goalkeeper produced a string of saves to deny his Chelsea side in their goalless FA Cup fourth-round meeting at Stamford Bridge.Villa are five places and 12 points ahead of Chelsea in the Premier League table but there was little to separate them here, although the hosts will reflect on chances missed in the first half by Noni M...Full Story »

The 23-year-old midfielder has struggled for regular match action under Mikel Arteta this term. West Ham want Emile Smith Rowe on a six-month loan Now talkSPORT claims that the Hammers are willing to offer him the opportunity of Premier League minutes. And they want to bring the England international across the capital on a season-long loan deal. Smith Rowe is a much-loved and respected memb...Full Story »

Former Middlesbrough and Birmingham full-back Emilio Nsue scored a hat-trick as Equatorial Guinea roared to a 4-2 Africa Cup of Nations win over Guinea-Bissau.Nsue, now 34 and captaining his national side as well as leading the attack, hit the first treble at an AFCON since 2008.The Elephants now have four points from their first two matches in Group A following Sunday’s surprise 1-1 draw ...Full Story »

Napoli are eyeing Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. The Dane is expected to leave Spurs in January. And Sky Italia's Gianluca di Marzio is reporting Napoli are keen on the midfielder. However, Hojbjerg isn't their first-choice, with Napoli prioritising Leicester City's Boubakary Soumare. But if a deal cannot be struck, they will turn to Hojbjerg.Full Story »

Jack Grealish, James Maddison and Trent Alexander-Arnold danced the night away after the Three Lions thumped Italy 3-1 at Wembley. Jude Bellingham & Co racked up a £35,000 bar bill after celebrating their Euro 2024 qualificationLiverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold spotted on the night outSpurs James Maddison wore a yellow cap and eye-catching jumperTV star Emily Atack joined the night ou...Full Story »

Emile Acquah’s stunning late strike salvaged a dramatic 2-2 draw for Barrow at MK Dons to heap more pressure on under-fire boss Graham Alexander.The Barrow striker curled home a brilliant leveller in the fifth minute of stoppage time after Ben Whitfield had pulled one back for Pete Wild’s side just two minutes earlier.Max Dean’s first-half double looked to have set the Dons on ...Full Story »

Smith Rowe could leave Arsenal if his minutes remain limited The England international made his first start for the Gunners in 499 days in their 1-0 win at Brentford in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening, impressing as a central midfielder in a 4-3-3. He has played only 106 minutes in total so far this season. Smith Rowe became a fan-favourite at the Emirates Stadium during the 2021/22 campa...Full Story »

Emile Acquah’s stunning goal rescued a point for Barrow in a 1-1 draw with Wrexham.The visitors should have led by more than Elliot Lee’s penalty at half time and Acquah made them pay with a fine equaliser early in the second half.Wrexham’s goal came from the spot after 12 minutes. Ollie Palmer was fouled by Tyrell Warren and the visitors’ leading scorer Lee stroked the r...Full Story »

Substitute Emile Acquah scored a late goal for Barrow to rescue a point in a 1-1 draw with Accrington and Bluebirds boss Pete Wild believes he has captured a gem.The striker came from Maidenhead in the summer and has now scored two goals in two games for Barrow, who are unbeaten in League Two.In a game of few chances, Stanley took the lead in the 36th minute. Tommy Leigh’s ball was headed ...Full Story »

Emile Acquah’s first-half double clinched Maidenhead their first league win in five matches, 2-1 at home against bottom club Maidstone.Acquah gave Maidenhead a 23rd-minute lead as he was left unmarked to tap home a left-wing cross for his 12th league goal of the season.The former Southend striker added his 13th in the 32nd minute. He escaped his markers again to slide home Ashley Nathaniel...Full Story »

Maidenhead made it three National League wins on the spin as they came from behind to beat Dagenham 2-1.Dagenham opened the scoring after 25 minutes when Sam Ling curled one in from inside the area.The hosts were on level terms just six minutes later when Ashley Nathaniel-George let fly from range and left Elliot Justham stranded in the Daggers goal.Maidenhead completed the first-half turnaround...Full Story »

The Argentine played a heroic role in Argentina's World Cup win, dominating Sunday's penalty shoot-out against France. Emiliano Martinez has five years remaining on his Aston Villa contract Credit: Getty He also captured the tournament's Golden Glove, dramatically raising his stock as a top class goalkeeper. Martinez, 30, signed for Aston Villa in September 2020 after playing only 38 times in...Full Story »

High-flying Norwich were beaten for the first time in 10 games as Preston came away from Carrow Road with a hard-fought 3-2 win.The visitors, who had only scored four goals all season before this fixture, almost doubled their tally in the space of 90 minutes after going behind to a well-taken early goal from Josh Sargent.Emil Riis equalised midway through the first half with a powerful header an...Full Story »

Emile Acquah scored the only goal of the game as Maidenhead returned to winning ways by beating Woking 1-0.The striker’s second-half strike means the Magpies pick up their first three points since the middle of August, while Woking drop to 10th in the Vanarama National League table.The Cardinals had a chance to find the opener when James Daly’s headed effort hit a post but Maidenhead...Full Story »

Middlesbrough were unable to clinch a Championship play-off spot as they fell to a 4-1 defeat at Preston on the final day of the season.Chris Wilder’s men needed to win to give themselves a chance of leapfrogging either Sheffield United or Luton into the last two available positions.But Alan Browne’s strike, Emil Riis Jakobsen’s double and Dael Fry’s own goal settled the ...Full Story »