I have a theory as to one reason (of many) the England National Team tends to underperform in major tournaments: the players all play in the same league. Every England international plays in the Premier League. One might argue this breeds familiarity and is therefore good for the national team, but I think it leads to a lack of stylistic variety in the team and makes the payer pool stagnant. It's basically like inbreeding, is what I'm saying.
UEFA has apologized for running out of winners medals during the Europa League final trophy ceremony on Wednesday after more Tottenham Hotspur players than expected lined up to receive their individual prizes.
Spurs captain Son Heung-min and two other players, the last to line up for individual medals, were left empty-handed after their team beat Manchester United 1-0 to win the club's fourth European title on Wednesday.
Europa League medals fail
Son lifted the trophy without a medal around his neck.
BILBAO — Brennan Johnson's bundled first-half goal helped Tottenham Hotspur win a scrappy Europa League final 1-0 against Manchester United on Wednesday as they cast aside their domestic woes to earn a berth in next year's Champions League.
United's Rasmus Hojlund had a terrific chance to equalize with a header midway through the second half, but Spurs' Micky van de Ven leapt for a stunning clearance off the line.
Micky van de Ven clearance Europa League final
MANCHESTER — Manchester City gave Kevin De Bruyne a victory in his final appearance at Etihad Stadium, as Omar Marmoush, Bernardo Silva and Nico Gonzalez scored in a 3-1 Premier League win over Bournemouth on Tuesday that saw them climb to third in the table.
The night belonged to captain De Bruyne, who played an emotional final game at Etihad Stadium after an illustrious 10-year career for City.
The Belgian, however, had a ridiculous first-half miss, hammering Marmoush's cross off the underside of the crossbar from close range and then holding his head in disbelief.
Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has had urgent surgery for an abdominal injury after he clattered into a post during their 2-2 Premier League draw with Leicester City at the weekend, Forest said in a statement on Tuesday.
Substitute Awoniyi rejoined the game after receiving treatment but was limping around for the last 10 minutes.
Awoniyi hits post
MUNICH — Champions Bayern Munich eased past Borussia Moenchengladbach 2-0 in the Bundesliga on Saturday as club icon Thomas Müller bid farewell in his final home game after 25 years at the club.
The 35-year-old Müller, who came through the Bayern youth ranks to win dozens of titles including a record 13 league crowns and two Champions League trophies, was the focus even before the start.
LEICESTER — Referee David Webb suffered a head injury and was replaced following a delay of several minutes during the first half of Leicester City's Premier League game against Southampton on Saturday.
Webb, refereeing his first Premier League match at the age of 49, was struck in the face by the shoulder of Leicester forward Jordan Ayew and fell to the pitch. Leicester striker Jamie Vardy ran over to Webb and blew his whistle to signal for help.
Jamie Vardy blows whistle after injury to referee
Manchester United's Harry Maguire received rave reviews for his masterful performance as a makeshift forward in their Europa League victory on Thursday with many comparing the team's oft-maligned center-back to Brazil great Ronaldinho.
Maguire set up Casemiro's header with some brilliant dribbling skills and a pinpoint cross that opened scoring in United's 3-0 victory at Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their semi-final tie.
Harry Maguire winger play
WREXHAM — Wrexham earned promotion for a record third straight season with a 3-0 home win over Charlton Athletic in League One on Saturday, the latest chapter in a stunning rise under the ownership of Hollywood A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Sam Smith struck twice after Ollie Rathbone opened the scoring to send the Red Dragons up to the Championship (second tier) next season in front of a jubilant Racecourse Ground crowd that included Canada's Reynolds and American McElhenney.
A clip of the Burnley defense vs QPR from their 5-0 victory in the EFL Championship on Saturday went viral. In the video QPR appear to have a counterattack opportunity before a wave of Burnley players come rushing back to help on defense.
The players are receiving high praise online for their efforts.
Burnley defense vs QPR clip