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 »

Russell Martin said the Sky Bet Championship automatic promotion race “dynamic” has changed after Southampton’s 3-0 domination of Preston.Saints had looked destined for a play-off place after three defeats in four games during February, but three home wins in seven days has them just four points off the top two.A Che Adams brace and Stuart Armstrong’s fourth goal of the s...Full Story »

Chris Martin scored his 16th League One goal of the season as Bristol Rovers claimed a late 1-0 victory over Cambridge at the Memorial Stadium.The Rovers striker fired low into the goal after 87 minutes as he converted Luke Thomas’ cross, with the Pirates scoring at home for the first time in five games.That goal made up for Martin’s earlier gilt-edged miss – the 35-year-old fo...Full Story »

Head coach Martin Paterson praised Burton’s character after a 2-1 victory against Stevenage moved his team three points clear of the League One relegation zone.Mark Helm and Tom Hamer scored either side of the break while Stevenage were forced to play with 10 men for 30 minutes after Dan Butler lashed out at Helm.Kane Hemmings scored with two minutes left but ultimately the Brewers managed...Full Story »

Southampton boss Russell Martin was left frustrated about his side’s “nonsense” performance despite a dramatic last-gasp 3-2 victory over Watford.Leicester and Leeds lost this weekend, while Ipswich dropped points to give Saints renewed hope of an automatic promotion spot and an immediate return to the Premier League.They needed a stoppage-time winner from Flynn Downes to beat ...Full Story »

Russell Martin was glad Southampton “released the tension” by beating Coventry 2-1 to end a three-game winless run.Saints’ automatic promotion dreams all but went up in smoke after draws against Middlesbrough and Blackburn sandwiched a last-gasp defeat to rivals Ipswich – leaving them nine points adrift of the top two.Che Adams netted twice to see them past Coventry and r...Full Story »

Martin Odegaard breaks away from Brighton's Julio Enciso during Arsenal's 3-0 win. Martin Odegaard has insisted Arsenal do not fear anyone as they prepare to face Harry Kane's Bayern Munich on Tuesday in the Champions League ­quarter-final in scintillating form. An impressive victory at Brighton on Saturday meant Mikel Arteta's team have won 10 of their 11 Premier League games since the tu...Full Story »

Russell Martin acknowledged automatic promotion is now likely beyond Southampton after his side’s toothless display at Blackburn saw them stumble to a scoreless draw.Having fought for a top-two finish in the Championship for much of the season, Saints’ profligacy in front of goal proved costly in the last-gasp Good Friday draw with Middlesbrough and even later loss to Ipswich on East...Full Story »

Burton manager Martin Paterson has confidence his side can avoid relegation from League One after taking encouragement from their performance in a 1-1 draw at Wigan.The Brewers responded well to falling behind to a bizarre Sam Hughes own goal just before half-time and they levelled nine minutes into the second half through John Brayford.Both sides hit the woodwork – Burton through Joe Hugi...Full Story »

LAUTARO MARTINEZ'S wife Agustina Gandolfo's latest photos were labelled "illegal" after she shared them on social media. Inter Milan striker Martinez, 26, has been married to Argentine model Agustina since May last year. The couple have two children together - Nina, three, and Theo, who was born in August. Agustina has used her platform to build a huge social media following through regular...Full Story »

Chelsea monitoring Martinez as backup to Osimhen Chelsea are intensifying its search for a new centre-forward, with Lautaro Martinez emerging as a prime target, according to HITC. Chelsea's primary choice for the striker role is Napoli's Victor Osimhen and his price is believed to have dropped to around £95 million from £150 million since last summer. However, if Chelsea fails to ...Full Story »

Arsenal are looking to get ahead of north London rivals Tottenham in the pursuit of one of Europe's most exciting young players Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta embraces Martin Odegaard after a game against Everton in September 2023. (Image credit: Getty Images) Arsenal are hoping to beat north London rivals Tottenham in a move for Club Brugge winger Antonio Nusa this summer. The 18-year-old Norw...Full Story »

Nick Montgomery was pleased to report Martin Boyle is stable in hospital after injury curtailed his part in nine-man Hibernian’s 2-0 Scottish Gas Scottish Cup defeat by Rangers at Easter Road.Midfielder John Lundstram bundled in the opener in the 23rd minute after goalkeeper David Marshall had saved a penalty from captain James Tavernier before Boyle was taken away on a stretcher after lan...Full Story »

Manager Russell Martin hailed super-sub Joe Rothwell after his quickfire double helped Southampton stay on track in the Championship promotion race after beating Sunderland 4-2.Stuart Armstrong and Adam Armstrong had put Saints into a comfortable first-half lead before Romaine Mundle and Jobe Bellingham hit back.But Rothwell’s 73rd-minute introduction turned the momentum with two goals in ...Full Story »

Russell Martin believes Southampton’s togetherness and spirit will help in their push for an immediate Premier League return after they fought for a much-needed, last-gasp 4-3 win at 10-man Birmingham.Having been relegated with a whimper last term before enduring a difficult start to life in the Sky Bet Championship, Saints then went on a club-record 25-match unbeaten run in all competitio...Full Story »

Bristol Rovers grabbed a 1-0 win over Leyton Orient thanks to a Chris Martin goal, despite playing out the final few minutes with 10-men after James Wilson was sent off.Rovers, who were forced into a change after just four minutes when defender Jack Hunt left the pitch with a leg injury, should have scored the opener in the 13th minute when the dangerous Scott Sinclair teed up Luke Thomas but he...Full Story »

Helene Spilling is a lifelong dancer and became Instagram-official with the Arsenal star last summer (Image: helenespilling/Instagram) Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was in picture mode with his stunning girlfriend as they posed with their puppy for Instagram. The 25-year-old has enjoyed a romance with Helene Spilling since at least last summer, which is when the Norwegian couple became Insta...Full Story »

Livingston manager David Martindale bemoaned “ridiculous” game management following his side’s last-gasp defeat against Ross County.Livi fought back from Eamonn Brophy’s first-half double in Dingwall as a brace from Bruce Anderson got his side level with four minutes left.But Josh Sims netted in stoppage time for the hosts to earn a 3-2 win which leaves Livi six points ad...Full Story »

Burton boss Martin Paterson felt his half-time team talk paid off in the 2-1 win at Leyton Orient.The Brewers had trailed to a George Moncur penalty before the break, but Mason Bennett and Aristote Nsiala made Orient pay for two defensive mistakes to secure all three points in their first visit to Brisbane Road.It was the second successive win on the road for the visitors, who moved six points c...Full Story »