'We're enjoying it!' – Phil Parkinson revelling in Wrexham's promotion push after Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's side recorded huge win over title rivals Mansfield Town

An ecstatic Phil Parkinson claimed that he is "enjoying" Wrexham's promotion push after recording a huge win over title rivals Mansfield Town.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Wrexham beat Mansfield Town 2-0Moved to the third place after the victoryParkinson delighted with a "hard-earned win"WHAT HAPPENED?

In a thrilling encounter at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham emerged 2-0 victorious against title rivals Mansfield Town, propelling themselves back into contention for automatic promotion from League Two. Parkinson, expressed his immense satisfaction with his team's performance, hailing their grit, determination, and outstanding teamwork on the pitch after Paul Mullin's brace sealed the win for the hosts.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT PARKINSON SAID

Speaking to reporters after the match, Parkinson said: "It was a hard-earned win; gritty, determined and our out-of-possession work was outstanding. We’re enjoying it, and the lads are relishing every single game, and they’ll take a lot of heart from this result today. We respected Mansfield because of the season they are having, but the work from everyone right throughout the team restricted them.

“I thought the first goal was a magnificent move; Maxy’s pass was as good as you are likely to see, and Andy’s cross to Mulls brought a calm finish to put us ahead. Before the penalty, we had a twenty-minute period where we gave the ball away too cheaply, but then we got the pen which was a nice cushion. All in all, I think the teamwork was outstanding.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

With only one point now separating the top three teams in the league, including Stockport County and Mansfield Town, every match becomes crucial in the pursuit of promotion.

"It’s a very competitive division but we knew that at the start," he said. "There are teams in the league like Mansfield that have been building for years to have a season like this.

“It’s another game chalked off, there’s six to go and it’s an important one against one of our rivals. Now it’s about preparation for what will be a terrific occasion at Doncaster on Tuesday.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

DID YOU KNOW?

After his brace on Friday, Mullin is just one goal away from his 100th strike in Wrexham colours. His second goal was nothing short of a cannonball that almost ripped the net off from the spot.

Bonus points system may determine Shield final

Described by CA as a one-year trial concept, the change to the final was the most significant of numerous recommendations

Daniel Brettig13-Sep-2018Negative batting by home sides in the Sheffield Shield final has been targeted by a major change to the way the competition winner is determined, with the match now to be awarded to the team earning the most first-innings bonus points in the event of a drawn match.The decision, reached by Cricket Australia’s playing conditions committee, is the most significant departure from the traditional concept of the top team being awarded the Shield if there is no outright result in the final played over five days and has been devised to reward a more proactive approach to the match that has decided the winner of every competition since 1983.Bonus points are awarded in regular season Shield matches on the basis of 0.01 bonus points for each run scored above 200 in the first 100 overs of each first innings, and 0.1 for each wicket within those 100 overs, creating a quantifiable incentive for faster scoring. Described by CA as a one-year trial concept, the change to the final was the most significant of numerous recommendations. These also included the introduction of a heat policy for all competitions, allowance for the use of a runner for any injured player at the fall of the ninth wicket of an innings, and dismissals being permitted if a ball is hit and lodges in or under a fielders’ helmet, on the full.”It’s important we continually look at the game, and assess options to get the best outcome for players, fans and Australian cricket in general,” CA’s cricket operations manager Peter Roach said. “In the case of the Sheffield Shield Final, we wished to ensure the match is a fitting finale to our marquee men’s domestic competition.”The previous rule allowing the home team to win the final in the case of a draw was not consistent with how this competition is generally played. In the past six seasons, we have had only two results in the five-day final – 33 per cent – compared to a 79 per cent win-rate in the four-day home and away matches.”The rule will be trialled this year, and we believe it will encourage the teams involved to push for a result and improve the spectacle in the tournament’s showcase match.”The need for an increased spectacle is believed to have been part of discussions with the new rights holder News Corporation, with Fox Sports set to broadcast the final in addition to a selection of domestic limited-overs games. Shield finals have a history of high-scoring matches on flat pitches where the home side has the incentive to simply bat for as long as possible and thus secure a draw.Roach said that the heat policy, allowing for the calling off of play, should summer weather temperatures becomes extreme, is primarily devised to allow for the use of extra drinks breaks to ensure players are not dehydrated on hot days. “Introducing a heat policy for domestic cricket was originally raised by the CA-ACA OHS committee some years ago,” he said. “CA has thoroughly researched the subject and come up with a tool that incorporates all weather factors as well as the physical attributes of players.”While the tool does allow for the cancellation or suspension of play in the most extreme conditions, historic weather data shows us that this is unlikely for senior domestic cricket. The real benefit will be the guidance it provides on when additional or longer drinks breaks should be incorporated into a day’s play.”We also have introduced a different tool that caters for our under-age domestic competitions, where participants often play many consecutive days at the height of summer. The main priority of the heat policy is to provide options to our match officials to maximise play in extreme heat, but at all times placing the health and safety of our participants as the highest priority.”Brendan Drew, the operations manager for the Australian Cricketers’ Association, is also part of the playing conditions committee alongside Roach, CA’s team performance manager Pat Howard, the board directors Mark Taylor and Michael Kasprowicz, Tasmania captain George Bailey, Victoria women’s vice-captain Molly Strano, the CA umpire education manager Richard Patterson, and the umpire Gerard Abood. Drew described the Shield final as the “pinnacle” of the domestic season.”The Sheffield Shield final is the pinnacle of the male domestic season,” he said. “Extending the bonus point system in to the final will assist in making the match the best contest possible.”

"Very important" Tottenham star "open" to leaving, exit more likely

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou may well lose a "very determined" player of his in January, with an exit looking "likely".

Spurs players who could leave

The north Londoners are flying high right now, currently unbeaten over a run of seven wins from a possible nine Premier League games as they gear up to face Crystal Palace this evening. Star men Son Heung-min, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Yves Bissouma, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie, among others, have dazzled Spurs supporters with their form as the rejuvenated club hit new early-season heights.

However, despite many success stories, there are a few players who have struggled for chances during Postecoglou's reign. Indeed, both Pierre-Emile Hobjerg and Eric Dier, despite being regulars under Antonio Conte last term, are now less pivotal with the latter yet to even play a single minute this season and urged to leave. The former, who started his first league match of the season against Fulham on Monday, only came in due to Bissouma's suspension.

Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz in action with Tottenham Hotspur'sPierre-EmileHojbjerg

The Mali international will be eligible again after serving his one-match suspension, so it looks likely Hojbjerg will return to the bench barring any surprises. Postecoglou, speaking after their 2-0 win over Fulham, heaped praise on the Denmark international while insisting he remains integral.

“I don’t think there was any time during the transfer window where I thought Pierre would move,” Postecoglou said to the press..

“The discussions I had with him were that he was here and wanted to contribute, he wanted to be part of what we were building. It is obvious someone that has played regularly would have wanted to play more but ultimately our performances have been strong and he has had to bide his time. He has also been very important in a lot of the games that we’ve won late or had to shore up late. He has been one of the people who has helped us and it is not like he hasn’t contributed at all. He’s been a really important part for us."

Hojbjerg exit looking likely

Despite Postecoglou's latest comments on Hojbjerg, it appears his departure is a very likely scenario in the January transfer window. The former Southampton star is apparently "open" to leaving Spurs mid-season, and journalist Paul Brown says that it's "quite likely" Hojbjerg "will leave".

"Yeah, I think it's quite likely that Hojbjerg will leave," said the former Daily Star reporter to GiveMeSport.

"The problem for him is that Spurs want a permanent deal, whereas most of the clubs who are interested in him are only willing to do a loan. Spurs still think he's worth £30m or more and I don't think there's a club out there that will pay that for him, certainly not in January. It's clear, he'd be open to a move, and he knows he's not going to get a lot of minutes from the manager at Spurs. So it might be in everyone's interest to work out some kind of compromise here really."

According to recent reports, one destination could be Italy, as Juventus are interested in signing Hojbjerg.

Vihari, Nadeem and Markande star in India B's big win

Fifties from Dinesh Karthik and R Ashwin weren’t enough to prevent India A from slipping to a 43-run defeat

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Oct-2018Shahbaz Nadeem celebrates a wicket•AFPAn unbeaten 87 from Hanuma Vihari and three top-order wickets from Shahbaz Nadeem helped India B make a winning start to their Deodhar Trophy campaign, as they defended 261 to beat India A by 43 runs. Nadeem, the left-arm spinner, took the new ball and struck with successive balls in his second over to send back Prithvi Shaw and Karun Nair, both lbw.India A’s top order continued to flounder until R Ashwin joined Dinesh Karthik at 87 for 5. The Tamil Nadu pair added 123 to bring parity back to the contest: at one stage, India A needed 52 from 47 balls with five wickets in hand.But Mayank Markande broke the partnership, having Ashwin stumped for 54 (76b, 5×4), and Nadeem dismissed Karthik in the very next over, having him caught and bowled one short of a hundred. Karthik’s 114-ball innings contained 11 fours and a six.India A’s lower order then collapsed against the legspin of Markande, who finished with figures of 4 for 48. The last five wickets only added eight runs to India A’s total.Ashwin had a good match with the ball too, finishing with figures of 2 for 39 in nine overs as India B, who chose to bat first, limped to 261 for 8 after threatening to post a much bigger total. Forties from Mayank Agarwal and Shreyas Iyer set up Vihari and Manoj Tiwary (52, 58b, 1×4, 2×6) to put on 99 for the fourth wicket. At one stage, India B were 194 for 3 with 12.4 overs remaining.The run-out dismissal of Tiwary, however, sparked a collapse. No one from No. 6 downwards got into double figures even as Vihari tried to keep the scoreboard moving at the other end. Following Tiwary’s dismissal, Vihari scored 39 off 30 balls to finish unbeaten on 87 (95b, 9×4). At the other end, India B’s lower order and extras combined to score only 28 off 45 balls. Even so, India B’s total of 261 for 8 proved more than adequate.

Journalist: Nottingham Forest open to selling out of favour ace for £4m

Nottingham Forest are open to selling one of their out of favour players on a permanent basis next year, according to a reliable journalist.

Nottingham Forest player sales

The Reds sanctioned the permanent sales of Brennan Johnson, Sam Surridge, Braian Ojeda, Mohamed Drager, Jack Colback, Cafu, Jordan Smith, Giulian Biancone and Steve Cook over the summer, but there were also plenty of stars to leave temporarily.

The City Ground outfit sanctioned loans for 12 players, including the likes of Jonjo Shelvey, Lewis O’Brien and Emmanuel Dennis, and another squad member who was sent out on the road for the remainder of the season was none other than Gustavo Scarpa.

The Brazilian attacking midfielder put pen to paper at Olympiacos until the end of the current campaign, but with no option or obligation to buy included in the agreement that was arranged by the two parties before the previous transfer deadline, he’s set to return to the Premier League and indeed the Midlands.

Steve Cooper’s 29-year-old still has just under another three years remaining on his deal after only joining the club at the start of this year from Palmeiras (Transfermarkt – Scarpa profile), but with the manager having no plans to utilise him in his long-term project, he looks set to depart for good in 2024.

Nottingham Forest happy to let go of Gustavo Scarpa

Taking to X, Bruno Andrade revealed that Nottingham Forest are open to selling Scarpa next year, and chiefs have already set their price range for any interested parties.

Nottingham Forest asks for between 5 and 6 million euros [£4-5m] to release Gustavo Scarpa permanently – the value of the negotiation between clubs does not include, for example, the player's salary.

Olympiacos' loan midfielderGustavo Scarpa.

Gustavo Scarpa's underwhelming impact

First of all, Scarpa currently pockets £61k-per-week on loan (Olympiacos salaries), which would make him the fourth-highest earner on the books at Nottingham Forest, so chiefs need to remove him from the wage bill as soon as possible considering that he’s failed to make an impact since putting pen to paper in January.

Divock Origi

£120k

Callum Hudson-Odoi

£80k

Felipe

£80k

Morgan Gibbs-White

£80k

Chris Wood

£80k

Ibrahim Sangare

£75k

Serge Aurier

£50k (Data via Capology)

The Campinas native has so far made ten appearances respectively for his parent and loan club yet has recorded zero goals and assists, so even when he is handed the opportunity to prove what he’s capable of, he hasn’t been able to showcase his talents to either manager.

Last season, Scarpa ranked as Cooper’s 27th overall best-performing player out of 33 squad members (WhoScored – Nottingham Forest statistics), so deciding to sanction his permanent sale would be completely the right decision because the extra cash could be put towards generating funds to bring in new signings, more importantly ones who would be an upgrade in Cooper's squad.

Kate Abdo's boyfriend Malik Scott speaks out on jokes of Thierry Henry 'crush' on presenter as Deontay Wilder trainer admits hope of marriage

Kate Abdo's boyfriend, Malik Scott, has no issues with jokes made about Arsenal legend Thierry Henry's apparent 'crush' on the presenter.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Scott has no issue with jokesMany digs about Henry 'crush' on presenterTrainer hopes to marry AbdoWHAT HAPPENED?

Scott, who is the trainer of heavyweight boxer Deontay Wilder, has insisted that he sees the humour in the jokes and is comfortable with the show. Abdo and Scott's relationship has been mentioned on CBS's Champions League coverage on numerous occassions and Jamie Carragher even landed himself in hot-water after a poorly made 'joke'.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT SCOTT SAID

On the jokes about Henry, Scott told : "All of that stuff is all good, man. I've never been a man who has been insecure in a relationship. I don't know how to go about jealousy and things of that nature.

"I enjoy the show, the relationships, the love, and whatever makes the chemistry pop for the show, as long as Kate is not disrespected or irritated.

“I don't have insecurities or jealousy when someone I'm seeing is working around other men, as long as she's being respectful and she's being respected, I'm totally fine with it.

"It's a very special show and it has a very special girl on there and she's about to be Mrs. Scott soon.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

CBS's coverage of the Champions League has been lauded for its insight, humour and entertainment and will return again this week ahead of the quarter-finals. Abdo hosts the show and is joined by Henry, Carragher and Micah Richards.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT FOR SCOTT?

As Scott said, he hopes that him and Abdo will be married soon. The boxing trainer will no doubt be tuning in to watch his beloved presenting again next week as Real Madrid take on Manchester City and Arsenal face Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

Everton: Predictions & previews for upcoming fixtures

Everton has been far more impressive this year than their last two Premier League campaigns.

In their 12 games so far, they have picked up four wins, two draws, six defeats and 14 points; well, they were on 14 points until the league deducted ten for breaches of the profit and sustainability rules.

This ruling has seen the club drop to 19th place, and their 14 points turn to four, meaning they are now level with Burnley in 20th place and one behind Sheffield United in 18th.

While this undoubtedly makes Sean Dyche's job of keeping the team in the top flight that much harder, the Toffees have looked genuinely great at points this season, and there is a general belief that they will still survive even with the deducted points.

In fact, the team are on a four-game unbeaten run in all competitions, claiming all three points from a highly entertaining clash with Crystal Palace before the international break.

With that in mind, here is a look ahead to Everton's next six fixtures as Football FanCast predicts how far the Toffees can continue their rare unbeaten run.

Everton fixtures

25th November

Manchester United

Premier League

H

2nd December

Nottingham Forest

Premier League

A

7th December

Newcastle United

Premier League

H

10th December

Chelsea

Premier League

H

16th December

Burnley

Premier League

A

19th December

Fulham

EFL Cup

H

Everton vs Manchester United

26th November, Premier League, Goodison Park

Manchester United manager EriktenHag on the touchline

Everton's first game back from the international break is a real doozy: Manchester United at Goodison Park.

Now, had this been last season, predicting the outcome would be relatively easy – a comfortable win for United. However, with how both sides have started their league campaigns this year, we aren't so sure it's as clear-cut as it was.

United are currently sitting in sixth place, having won seven games from 12 and losing the other five. Their last three games have seen them beat Fulham and Luton Town 1-0, but lose to FC Copenhagen 4-3 in the Champions League.

Still, United have made their worst start to a top-flight campaign in 34 years, so a game away to Everton looks a lot more daunting than usual.

The crowd is sure to play a factor in this one as well, as this is the first game Everton will play after their points deduction, so the atmosphere might well be incredibly hostile.

It might not be a particularly high-quality game, but it should be a tense one, and we reckon a backs against the walll Everton might just come out on top.

Prediction: Everton 1-0 Manchester United

Nottingham Forest vs Everton

2nd December, Premier League, City Ground

brennan-johnson-nottingham-forest-everton-transfers

Following their home tie against Manchester United, Sean Dyche's Toffees will be back on the road and travelling down to the City Ground to take on Steve Cooper's Nottingham Forest.

Everton might have more Premier League pedigree on their side, but with how the two sides have started their league campaigns this year, it would be hard to deny that the Tricky Trees will be firm favourites heading into this one.

Cooper's men find themselves in 14th place, with three wins, four draws and five defeats to their name. However, those figures don't tell the whole story.

In a few of their games against the big sides like Arsenal, United and Manchester City, Forest have performed excellently and probably deserved to come away with at least a point in each encounter.

Everton, on the other hand, have been quite inconsistent overall, and so we can't really see anything other than a home win in this encounter.

Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Everton

Everton vs Newcastle United

7th December, Premier League, Goodison Park

Amadou Onana battles for the ball alongside Newcastle United's Sean Longstaff for Everton in the Premier League.

Just three days after their trip to the City Ground to face off against Nottingham Forest, Everton will be back in action, only this time, they will be playing host to one of the best teams in the league, Eddie Howe's Newcastle United.

As things stand, the Toon are sitting in seventh place, with six wins, two draws and four losses from their opening 12 Premier League games. What's more worrying for the Toffees, though, is Newcastle's goal-scoring record this season, as they have already scored 27 goals, which is more than any other side and 16 more than Everton.

For their part, Everton are down in 16th, with just four wins to their name and a goal difference of minus five. However, it's not all doom and gloom for the Toffees, as with the game taking place at Goodison Park, they will be able to count on an extremely partisan crowd to give them the boost they will need – especially after last week's points deduction.

However, history is certainly not on their side, as in the last five encounters between the two sides, Everton have won just a single game to Newcastle's four – including last season's 4-1 mauling.

Ultimately, for as up for the game as Goodison is likely to be, we reckon Newcastle will have too much about them and cruise to a reasonably comfortable victory.

Prediction: Everton 1-3 Newcastle United

Everton vs Chelsea

10th December, Premier League, Goodison Park

The start of the winter congestion doesn't get any easier for Sean Dyche's Toffees as they face a visit from traditional domestic giants Chelsea straight after a date with the Magpies in December.

Chelsea have struggled at the start of the season. However, they have looked much better in recent weeks, drawing at home to Arsenal before beating Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 and then drawing 4-4 with Manchester City before the international break.

With the players they have at their disposal, alongside their seemingly bottomless pockets designed closer to that of warchests, the credence is that Chelsea will come good at some point.

But at a partisan Goodison Park, they are handed a poisoned chalice.

Under pressure is the scenario that Everton have proven to be most fruitful, and this – paired with their positive run of losing just three times in the two sides' previous nine meetings – will put the Toffees in good stead for picking up valuable points over the early Christmas festivities.

Particularly since Sean Dyche may be handed the prerequisite to get back to winning ways after a tricky run against stern opposition, a visit from Chelsea might prove to be the perfect remedy.

Prediction: Everton 1-0 Chelsea

Burnley vs Everton

16th December, Premier League, Turf Moor

Everton manager Sean Dyche.

Talking about perfect remedies. Sean Dyche will no doubt feel confident that, if he can't get a result against Chelsea or Newcastle, then his old team Burnley will present the Toffees with charitable points on the road.

Vincent Kompany's Clarets haven't lived up to the potential they exercised in the Championship last season, and it remains to be seen how long the Pep Guardiola apprentice will last should their dismal record continue to slump in the Premier League.

Currently, they sit in 20th, having only picked up four points from 12 Premier League games. Additionally, while they rank as the lowest side in the league for points, their goal difference also sits in this worrying position, with only Sheffield United on minus 21.

Everton will pinpoint this December match-up as the pick of the bunch as a must win, especially if they are still in the relegation zone when the game comes around.

In the busy winter congestion, every point matters, but a trip to Turf Moor, as things stand, will always demand three points.

Prediction: Burnley 0-2 Everton

Everton vs Fulham

19th December, EFL Cup, Goodison Park

everton-neal-maupay-premier-league-fulham

Three days after their must-win game against Burnley, Everton have the chance to give their fans an early Christmas present by booking a place in the EFL Cup semi-final with a win over Fulham at Goodison Park.

The talk around the Toffees will still likely be dominated by the points deduction, and fair enough, but the Merseysiders have the chance to change the narrative somewhat should they beat the Cottagers.

To get to the quarter-final, Fulham had to beat Ipswich Town, Norwich City, and Tottenham Hotspur, whereas Everton beat Burnley, Aston Villa, and Doncaster Rovers.

In terms of the league, the West Londoners currently sit in 15th, while Everton are down in 19th, but the Toffees have actually won more games, with four to Fulham's three.

Ultimately, it will be a challenging game for both sides, but under the lights at Goodison Park with a highly partisan crowd, we reckon Dyche will be leading his men out in a semi-final in the new year.

Prediction: Everton 2-1 Fulham

Shakib becomes the quickest to 3000 runs-200 wickets double

The Bangladesh allrounder got there in his 54th Test, one fewer than Ian Botham, while also becoming the first bowler from his country to get 200 Test wickets

Mohammad Isam24-Nov-2018Shakib Al Hasan became the first Bangladesh bowler to take 200 Test wickets. He is also the fastest to complete the double of 3000 runs and 200 wickets, having completed the feat in his 54th Test, one fewer than Ian Botham, the previous quickest to the landmark, had taken.Quickest to 3000 runs and 200 wickets in Tests

Shakib-54
Botham-55
Cairns-58
Flintoff-69
Kapil-73

Shakib, who had come into this match with 196 scalps, removed Kieran Powell in the second innings for his 200th wicket. He had taken three wickets in the first innings.On the same day and against the same opposition six years ago – November 24, 2012 – Shakib had picked up his 100th Test wicket, becoming the second Bangladesh bowler after Mohammad Rafique to reach the milestone. Rafique had done it in March 2008, in his last Test.Shakib has 18 five-wicket hauls and two 10-wicket hauls in his career so far, with his best match figures coming against Zimbabwe in Khulna in 2014, when he had match figures of 10 for 124. He had also made a first-innings 137 in that game. His second 10-for, against Australia last year, came in a game in which he had made a gutsy 84 in the first innings.His best bowling figures in an innings was the 7 for 36 he had taken against New Zealand in Chittagong in 2008, the day after then coach Jamie Siddons had said Shakib was the bowling leader after Rafique’s retirement.

Harry Kane can't get it done, so Raphael Guerreiro answers the call! Midfielder's wonder-strike marks narrow win for Bayern Munich to delay Bayer Leverkusen's trophy lift

Raphael Guerreiro scored a memorable goal as Bayern Munich scraped a 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Koln at the Allianz Arena.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Guerreiro screamer opened scoringMuller's late second sealed a 2-0 winKane draws a blanks as record slipping awayGettyTELL ME MORE

Harry Kane came close in the first half, pinging an effort off the post after a sweeping Bayern move. Mathys Tel, too, hit the woodwork, but the Bavarians were left frustrated at the break. Guerreiro gave his side a 1-0 lead after 64 minutes, lashing a left-footed effort into the top corner. Muller added a second with a cool finish in second half stoppage time.

AdvertisementTHE MVP

As reliant as Bayern are on Kane, he can't show up every week. The issue with that recently has been that Bayern have few others who can – with Thomas Tuchel's side short on individual brilliance outside of their big-money signing. It is a good thing, then, that Guerreiro showed up. His goal was a thing of beauty, and capped off an energetic showing on an afternoon in which his side looked short of bounce.

GettyTHE BIG LOSER

Is Kane's shot at the Bundesliga's goalscoring record slipping away? It is hard to begrudge a footballer who has scored 32 goals in 29 games, but if his goal was to break the record set by Robert Lewandowski, then he might just have seen it slip. Still, perhaps the most unfortunate party of the day is Kingsley Coman. The winger picked up a knock a few weeks ago but seems to have sustained a more serious injury on Saturday. He needed helping off the pitch, and seems almost certain to miss the Champions League second leg on Wednesday.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

WHAT COMES NEXT?

Bayern's attention now turns back to Europe. The Bavarians are set to host Arsenal in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie. Thomas Tuchel's side snatched a 2-2 draw in north London on Wednesday.

Christian Pulisic and AC Milan suffer the ultimate embarrassment as Inter win Serie A title in wild derby that sees three players sent off in stoppage time

Inter sealed the 2023-24 Serie A title by beating neighbours AC Milan at San Siro in the Derby della Madonnina.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Inter win Serie A titleDerby victory sealed thingsMilan settle for second bestWHAT HAPPENED?

Milan were first-hand witnesses to Inter securing this season's Serie A title on Monday night, as the runaway Nerazzurri won 2-1 at San Siro to ensure their closest challengers and neighbours cannot catch them with as many as five games to still play. Milan added the likes of Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tijjani Reijnders to their squad this season in the hope of reclaiming the Scudetto they won in 2021-22 but were no match for Inter's much more experienced machine. Of the two clubs, Milan were champions more recently, which is likely to make this result particularly sickening and hard to swallow.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Inter held a 14-point lead in the table prior to kick-off, having been top of the pile virtually all season. Simone Inzaghi's side went ahead on the night through defender Francesco Acerbi in the 18th minute, before striker Marcus Thuram, emulating his father's 2001-02 and 2002-03 Serie A titles with Juventus, doubled that lead early in the second half. Fikayo Tomori did pull one back for Milan 10 minutes before the end, but it was too little too late to change the result and delay the inevitable. As derby tensions boiled over, three red cards were shown in stoppage time, first as Theo Hernandez and Denzel Dumfries brawled in a physical confrontation as players from both sides tried to step in, and then for Milan's Davide Calabria lashing out with an elbow.

DID YOU KNOW?

The battle for city supremacy has now tipped in Inter's favour. Prior to this season, each club had won Serie A on 19 occasions, also finishing runners-up 16 times. But Inter have now inched ahead with their milestone 20th title, as Milan's second-place tally creeps up 17. Juventus are way out ahead on 36, having won the last nine of those consecutively from 2011 to 2020.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MILAN & INTER?

Neither club is still active in Europe or the Coppa Italia this season. Despite missing out on the title, Milan have virtually guaranteed a top four place and Champions League qualification given their 14-point cushion over fifth place Roma, who have only 18 left to play for. At worst, the Rossoneri could be caught by Juventus and Bologna and potentially tumble to fourth.

Game
Register
Service
Bonus