Ronald Acuna Jr. hit a pair of home runs to reach 39 and stole his 67th base as the Atlanta Braves ended a four-game losing streak with a 9-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday.
Acuna is one home run shy of becoming the first player with 40 homers and 60 steals in a season, much less 40 home runs and 70 stolen bases.
The Braves' superstar is batting .386 with 11 home runs, 26 RBIs, 23 runs and eight steals in his last 20 games.
Acuna’s first home run was his seventh leadoff blast this season and 33rd of his career. Of his 205 hits this season, 51 have come in the first inning.
His performance overshadowed Spencer Strider’s major league-leading 18th win.
The right-hander allowed three runs and four hits over seven innings with 11 strikeouts to raise his MLB-best total to 270.
Marcell Ozuna drove in three runs with three hits, including a two-run double in the fifth, as Atlanta avoided its first five-game skid since September 2017.
Bryce Harper hit a three-run home run for the Phillies, who hold the top wild-card spot in the NL.
Padres lose combined no-hitter in 9th, walk-off Rockies
Blake Snell threw seven no-hit innings, and the San Diego Padres lost a combined no-hitter in the 9th before Xander Bogaerts hit a walk-off two-run homer in a 2-0 win over the Colorado Rockies.
Snell struck out 10 with four walks over the first seven innings and threw 104 pitches but was replaced by Robert Suarez, who worked a perfect eighth.
Closer Josh Hader gave up a leadoff single to Brendan Rodgers in the ninth before getting three outs.
Bogaerts homered off Tyler Kinley with two outs in the ninth to give San Diego its season-high sixth straight win.
Hays hits 2 homers as Orioles defeat Astros
Austin Hays went deep twice and Ryan O’Hearn added a two-run shot to lift the Baltimore Orioles to their fourth straight win, 9-5 over the slumping Houston Astros.
Hays hit a three-run shot off starter Hunter Brown in the third inning to snap a 2-2 tie and put Baltimore ahead for good.
O’Hearn’s two-run homer in the first opened the scoring and rookie Heston Kjerstad connected for his second career home run in the seventh, one batter after Hays’ second of the game gave the Orioles an 8-5 lead.
Baltimore maintained a 2 ½-game lead over Tampa in the race for the AL East title, while Houston’s lead in the West was trimmed to one-half game over Texas and Seattle.
Celtic captain Neil Lennon was given a three-match ban by the Scottish Football Association on this day in 2005 for barging into referee Stuart Dougal at the end of his side’s 3-1 defeat to Rangers.
Lennon had been shown a red card for arguing with the match officials after the final whistle following Celtic’s loss at Ibrox in August, before he pushed aside the assistant referee and then barged into Dougal.
A Scottish FA disciplinary committee decided on the length of Lennon’s ban after a three-hour hearing, which the Northern Ireland midfielder attended with Celtic boss Gordon Strachan.
Lennon received an automatic one-game ban for his initial red card and another two-game suspension was added “for misconduct of a significantly serious nature”.
Celtic said in a statement after the hearing: “We are satisfied with the process, today’s outcome and pleased that common sense has prevailed.”
Strachan had said after the incident that Celtic “wouldn’t be stupid enough to make a fool of ourselves by trying to defend things that are indefensible”, while Lennon publicly apologised for his behaviour.
Scottish Professional Footballers’ Association assistant secretary Fraser Wishart said Lennon’s previous good behaviour had worked in his favour.
Wishart said: “Neil wants to put this incident behind him and one of the stressing facts is that he has never been sent off in an SPL fixture or been over the top of the threshold for yellow cards.
“His previous record has been taken into consideration.”
Caelan Doris admits to initially being shocked by the sheer size of the South Africa team but insists facing the fearsome might of the so-called ‘Bomb Squad’ will not significantly alter Ireland’s game plan.
Back-rower Doris will take on the Springboks for only the second time in his career in Saturday evening’s crunch Rugby World Cup showdown in Paris.
The 25-year-old helped Ireland register a 19-16 win over the reigning world champions in November following a bruising Dublin encounter in which he was taken aback by the hefty bulk of the opposition.
The Springboks will again look to impose brute strength on Andy Farrell’s men after naming a six-two split of forwards and backs on their bench for this weekend’s pivotal Pool B clash at Stade de France.
Asked what distinguishes South Africa from other sides, Doris replied: “Physicality is the word that comes to mind.
“I remember being shocked at just the sheer size of them, playing them in November.
“They kind of do a six-two or even seven-one sometimes off the bench and have massive reinforcements coming off the bench as well.
“But it’s definitely not the only string to their bow. They’ve got a lot of pace in their backs and their forwards are capable of keeping the ball alive and offloading.
“Obviously the physicality is tied into their set-piece, they’ve got a great maul, great lineout options as well, a very strong lineout and scrum as well, so getting those areas right is going to be big.”
Springboks director of rugby Rassie Erasmus, who was then head coach, adopted the stacked bench tactic during his side’s run to lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in 2019.
Doris insists Ireland will not be deviating from the approach which has brought 15 successive Test wins.
“It doesn’t actually change too much,” he said.
“We talk about delivering an 80-minute performance regardless of who we are playing and knowing that some teams target the last 20 minutes.
“We also speak of our bench coming on and not just fitting in but actually taking it up a level. That will be important for us this weekend.”
Ireland, who have topped the Test rankings for more than a year, can seal progression to the World Cup quarter-finals with success in the French capital.
Doris feels better equipped to deal with the pressures of performing in front of a capacity Stade de France crowd than during last year’s Six Nations when Farrell’s men suffered a 30-24 loss to France.
“There’s so much belief amongst this group and there’s belief that we can still get a lot better,” he said.
“Delivering that in such a big game in Paris in front of 80,000 people – hopefully there will be a lot of Irish there – is just about constantly getting better as a group and believing that we can improve quite a bit.
“We are always striving for the perfect performance.”
Referring to the 2022 defeat to Les Bleus, he continued: “From the warm-up there was a palpable intensity in the atmosphere from the French in particular, drums banging and stuff like that.
“Having experienced it once, it is an easier thing to visualise and be aware of. It will be a little bit less of a shock for me.”
Brendan Rodgers felt his Celtic team showed they can compete at Champions League level before inexperience played its part in their Group E opener against Feyenoord running away from them following two red cards inside five minutes.
Both Gustaf Lagerbielke and substitute Odin Thiago Holm were sent off on their Champions League debuts with Celtic trailing to Calvin Stengs’ 30-yard free-kick in first-half stoppage-time.
Joe Hart saved a penalty in between the red cards before Feyenoord went on to win 2-0 in Rotterdam.
Rodgers said: “We showed in the game that for this tournament we are going to be competitive.
“We started really, really well, for the first 60 minutes the game was very close. I thought we looked a threat and progressed the ball well into the final third. Maybe with better decision-making and releasing the pass we would have given ourselves the opportunity to get in front.
“I’m disappointed with the first goal, we should never be conceding that, especially at that moment.
“But it was even for 60 minutes and unfortunately we got two players sent off. It’s really difficult at this level with 11 against 11, but with 11 v nine, it’s difficult.
“But I have to applaud the players for their spirit and mentality, they kept going. It was harsh on them.”
Hart was left exposed by his wall for the opener, with Kyogo Furuhashi inadvertently jumping out of the way of the ball, and the curl on the shot took the ball away from the goalkeeper after it bounced on the wet turf, although he got a hand to it.
Rodgers said: “We talked about it inside. I like the players to make decisions and there was a decision within the game to change the wall. But you have to make sure the wall is correct or else you get done.
“It’s a very, very small detail but if you don’t look after it, you end up beaten. It was bitterly disappointing because we played well up to then.”
Rodgers felt both red cards should have been avoided. Lagerbielke received a second yellow after catching Igor Paixao in the throat with his arm as he tried to jockey the forward. Holm was shown a straight red card for lunging in to a high tackle.
Rodgers said: “With Gustaf, there was no drama. The ball was running through to the goalkeeper. I think it’s inexperience, just let the ball run through. I still thought it was a bit harsh but I can maybe see why the referee gave it. But we can avoid that situation for sure.
“The second one, he is young and committed but at this level you can’t go to ground. When I saw it back, his foot is up. At this level you get punished for that.
“Obviously they are bitterly disappointed afterwards, their first experiences of games at this level. They will learn from it.
“Gustaf had done well up to that point, two inexperienced centre-backs – I thought Liam Scales was outstanding and Gustaf had been coping well.”
Sheffield Wednesday manager Xisco Munoz said his focus is on the future despite his side remaining without a victory this campaign following a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough.
Darragh Lenihan’s second-half goal for Boro cancelled out Anthony Musaba’s opener.
It was 23rd against 24th in South Yorkshire and that is where the draw sees the sides remain; both are now without a win in their first seven matches in the Sky Bet Championship this season.
Munoz said: “One of the problems we had in the last game was not finding solutions, but we did that today. We gave a good performance in the first half.
“We tried to change things in the second half and build on the positives. We can’t change everything in only a few days. For me, it’s important to try and give better things like in the first half.
“We’re trying to find the balance. The first half was at a good level but in the Championship you can’t have control for 90 minutes. It became a totally different game in the second half.
“I think the fans enjoyed the first half. You could hear it and this is what I want. We need to enjoy when we play at home. I understand if some people don’t like my style.
“My focus is on the future. I know what I can improve in this team and most importantly I believe in these guys.”
Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick said he was proud of the way his players got back into the game after half-time.
Carrick said: “It was a game of two halves. I think in the first half we were second guessing things and we lacked that belief and confidence.
“We wanted three points but sometimes that can turn to desperation and that can be dangerous. It can make things tense and I think we tensed up a bit in the first half, we were almost over trying.
“We showed what we were capable of in the second half and it was really encouraging for the players, I’m proud of them. Being behind at half-time is a difficult place to be.
“Going behind kick-started us; it gave us the freedom of expression to chase the game down. In terms of reaction, character and personality I never doubted them.
“We had some good spells of play in the second half. We were doing lots of good things, especially down the sides, we just didn’t quite get the end part right.
“Of course, we expected to pick up more points than we have but I really enjoy working with this group of players. The boys are frustrated, we wanted to come here and win but it wasn’t to be.”
In the heart of Manchester, the Fusion Gym in Mandeville was buzzing with excitement on Saturday, September 9th, 2023.
Powerlifting enthusiasts from across Jamaica had gathered for the NPAJ/GraceKennedy Money Services Powerlifting Gym League finals. It was a day filled with passion, strength, and determination, but one team stood above the rest - the Irie Gunners.
The crowd watched in awe as the athletes from Team Fit Farm in St. Andrew and Irie Gunners from Manchester gave their all on the platform. The atmosphere was electric, and the anticipation was palpable. It was evident that this year's championship would be fiercely contested.
As the competition progressed, it became clear that the Irie Gunners were on a mission. They started the season as favorites, and they were determined to live up to the expectations. Their dedication to training and their unwavering focus had set them on a path to glory.
The highlight of the event came when the Irie duo of Roxroy Campbell and Aiesha Denton took centre stage. Roxroy Campbell showcased his incredible strength in the squat, bench press, and deadlift, totaling an impressive 703 kilograms. His performance earned him the title of the top male lifter in the competition.
On the female side, Aiesha Denton was an unstoppable force. She demonstrated her prowess in the squat, bench press, and deadlift, amassing a total of 474 kilograms. Aiesha's performance secured her the title of the top female lifter of the competition.
But the victory was not solely attributed to them. The entire Irie Gunners team showed exceptional teamwork and determination. Tashian Wallace, Nadesha Thompson, and Roxroy Campbell all contributed significantly to the team's success, accumulating points that would ultimately tip the scales in their favor.
When the dust settled and the final scores were tallied, it was official - Irie Gunners from Manchester had been crowned the Champion of the NPAJ/GraceKennedy Money Services Powerlifting Gym League for 2023. The Fusion Gym erupted in cheers as the Irie Gunners celebrated their well-deserved victory.
Irie Gunners had scored a total of 249 GL Points, showcasing their dominance throughout the season. Team Fit Farm, the runner-up, put up a valiant effort, amassing 220.80 GL Points. The competition had been intense, but Irie Gunners had proven themselves as the top powerlifting team in Jamaica.
In the end, the individual performances of each athlete from both teams contributed to the thrilling spectacle of strength and determination. Deidre Lewis, Fiona Binns, Jonhio Vaughn, and Desmond Thompson from Team Fit Farm had all showcased their incredible abilities, pushing their limits to achieve greatness.
In an interview with Powerlifting Voice, Mr. Zacariah Thompson, the head coach of the Irie Gunners Gym, shed light on the key moments and strategies that led to their victory in the NPAJ GraceKennedy Money Services Powerlifting Gym League 2023 Championship. According to Coach Thompson, a pivotal moment in the competition was when Aiesha successfully executed a 405-pound squat, a feat that signaled their imminent victory. He emphasized the significance of their rigorous training regimen, highlighting the exceptional dedication of each team member as a crucial factor in their triumph.
Coach Thompson also discussed their unique training approach in preparation for the championship. Instead of following their traditional routine, they began by assessing each athlete's strength and focusing on their core area, a method that seemed to pay off. When addressing the mental aspect of powerlifting, Coach Thompson emphasized the importance of instilling self-belief in his athletes, motivating them to realize their potential and strive for greatness.
When asked about standout performances, Coach Thompson commended all the team members for their outstanding efforts, with a special mention of the female athletes who achieved personal records. He also praised Dane's (Roxroy) consistent improvement in every competition.
Looking ahead, Coach Thompson expressed his determination to maintain and enhance the team's success.
Roxroy Campbell, who was named the top male athlete in the NPAJ Powerlifting Gym League 2023 Final, talked about his journey to success. Campbell mentioned a crucial moment during the competition - his second squat attempt - which he believes was a significant contributor to his victory.
Campbell credited his mental discipline for keeping him focused and motivated. He drew inspiration from those around him and his coach.
Aiesha Denton, who was crowned the top female athlete at the NPAJ Powerlifting Gym League 2023 Final, expressed elation when asked about her feelings regarding the prestigious title.
Ms. Denton credited her achievement to her unyielding commitment and diligent efforts, highlighting the crucial aspects of steadfastness, concentration, and determination that drove her to succeed. She admitted encountering challenges during the competition, particularly about squat depth and bench press strength, but her determination enabled her to overcome these obstacles.
Pep Guardiola felt his team were given a useful test after coming from behind to begin their Champions League defence with a 3-1 win over Red Star Belgrade.
The holders were stunned when the Serbian champions claimed a shock lead on the stroke of half-time through Osman Bukari in Tuesday’s Group G clash at the Etihad Stadium.
Yet as they did in the Premier League at West Ham last weekend, they hit back to win after the break, this time with two goals from Julian Alvarez and one from Rodri.
City manager Guardiola said: “At the end, going in at half-time 1-0, after what we’ve done that’s nice – after winning the treble we need to be the type of champions who prove to ourselves that we are able to make a comeback.
“In this situation it’s nice to prove it. In both games we played incredible and immediately at the start of the second half.
“We have things to improve in general but that’s really, really good.”
Guardiola was particularly impressed with the performance of his goalscorers.
Alvarez has benefited from a run in the side this season while Rodri, match-winner in last season’s final, continues to excel.
Guardiola said of Alvarez: “His movement was so quick and he’s so young. What a signing the club have done.
“He has everything – fighting, goals, assists. Incredible. And he’s a lovely guy. Playing behind Erling (Haaland) he is an incredible threat.”
Rodri has developed into one of the best midfielders in the game during his time at City and Guardiola is in no doubt he is now at the top.
He said: “Yes, he’s the best – but hopefully he can be better. He has a good mentality and good things to improve.
“But we were lucky again that the club has signed these type of players.”
The downside for City was the loss of Bernardo Silva shortly before half-time with an unspecified injury.
Guardiola said: “I didn’t speak with the doctors but apparently for the next games he will not be able to play.”
The Portuguese joins an injury list that includes Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, John Stones and Mateo Kovacic.
Guardiola said: “When we have five important players – really, really important players – injured, to sustain that for a long time will be difficult. But it is what it is.
“We cannot have the salaries and budgets for transfers to have 55 players. It would be chaos for the clubs and they would be bankrupt. Sometimes it happens.”
Red Star coach Barak Bachar admitted City were the better side.
He said: “We tried, we fought, but we conceded an early goal in the second half. They should have scored more.
“They are a great team, they have exceptional players. After we conceded it was difficult to maintain the pace, because we never play at this pace in our league. We learned a lot from this match.”
Preston boss Ryan Lowe insists he is not getting carried away after he saw his side come from behind to earn a sixth win in a row with a 2-1 victory over Birmingham at Deepdale.
A cautious first 45 minutes from both teams was in complete contrast to the second when Jay Stansfield smashed the Blues in front less than a minute after the half-time interval.
Preston have yet to taste defeat in their opening seven matches and were on level terms when Krystian Bielik headed into his own net, and Lowe’s side claimed all three points when Milutin Osmajic rifled under the legs of visiting keeper John Ruddy to get his first goal in English football to keep Preston top.
Lowe insists the dressing room are keeping their feet firmly on the floor despite their breathtaking start.
He said: “We are not going to get too carried away.
“In football, things can change very quickly, we know that. Everyone would love for us to do what Luton and that have done and get to the Premier League, of course, but we are not sitting here and saying that is going to be the case. It’s a hard-fought season, we’ve got to keep battling it out and winning games of football.
“It’s exciting at the moment but of course we can’t get carried away. You only have to look at the teams that have been in and around last season and the teams at the bottom end up at the top, the league is that crazy.”
Lowe hailed striker Osmajic who scored his first goal for the club in just his second appearance after signing from LaLiga side Cadiz.
He continued: “Milly can finish, which we knew.
“He was wrapping the side of the nets and he has a lot of power, it was a fantastic finish.
“When you come to a new football club, you want to run around and impress but I said to him ‘impress doing the right things, by making the right runs’, and he made them runs.”
Birmingham suffered their second straight defeat after going unbeaten in their opening five games of the season, and have slipped to seventh in the table.
John Eustace was disappointed in the way his side conceded the equaliser but believes the dressing room will take heart from their performance. He said: “We are a team that pride ourselves on defending set plays and collectively as a group.
“I think conditions were very tough, very windy and a mistake from both the lads so disappointing to concede in that manner but I think the way we got hold of the game again was positive.
“It’s about going through the process, every day in training, every game we play there are lots of positive signs. Tonight we came and played some good football, we are going to get better as a group but loads of positives.”
Darragh Lenihan’s second-half goal cancelled out Anthony Musaba’s opener as Sheffield Wednesday drew 1-1 with Middlesbrough at Hillsborough on Tuesday night.
It was 23rd against 24th in South Yorkshire and both sides were without a win in any of their first six matches in the Championship this season.
Sheffield Wednesday boss Xisco Munoz made six changes to the team that lost 1-0 at home to Ipswich, with Bambo Diaby, Di’Shon Bernard, Pol Valentin, Barry Bannan, John Buckley and Ashley Fletcher joining the starting XI.
Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick made four switches from the 2-1 defeat away to Blackburn, with Lukas Engel, Riley McGree, Samuel Silvera and Josh Coburn coming in.
Wednesday had the first chance early on when Valentin shot from distance but Fletcher could only deflect it wide.
Play was stopped after 15 minutes when tennis balls were thrown on to the pitch by a handful of home fans protesting chairman Dejphon Chansiri’s running of the club.
Middlesbrough’s first opening came when Coburn cut back for Silvera, who would have put the visitors ahead if not for Akin Famewo’s block.
Josh Windass was forced off with an injury half an hour in and it was his replacement who gave the Owls the advantage in the 38th minute.
Bernard made a bursting run from the back, played a one-two with Valentin and squared the ball to Musaba who put the ball through the legs of keeper Seny Dieng.
Valentin was proving to be the biggest threat on Wednesday’s right and Fletcher nearly converted his low cross from the last chance of the half.
It was a completely different story in the second half which was dominated by Middlesbrough. Silvera had a shot from range saved by Devis Vasquez but it wasn’t long before his side got the equaliser.
Lenihan met Lewis O’Brien’s corner and the ball cannoned off the bar and just sneaked over the line to give Boro the leveller after 53 minutes.
Matt Crooks thought he had given the away side the lead moments later but his header was flagged for offside. Coburn then powered an effort inches wide after he shrugged off defender Diaby.
Middlesbrough continued to have the bulk of possession but could not make it count and nearly lived to regret it. The ball fell to George Byers on the edge of the box but the Owls substitute curled his effort wide of the mark.
The draw was of little benefit to either of the sides, with Boro remaining rooted to the foot of the table and the Owls still just one place above them.
Michael Duff insisted there are “positive signs” for Swansea despite them not winning a league game since he took over as boss.
A 1-1 draw at QPR, who rescued a point with Lyndon Dykes’ stoppage-time header, continued a frustrating start to Duff’s reign.
They are third from bottom of the Sky Bet Championship table after seven matches.
Duff, who took over during the summer following Russell Martin’s departure for Southampton, said: “It’s frustrating for the players and for me but there were positive signs.
“In the first half-an-hour we were good and that’s how I want it to look. We need to build a foundation.
“I know it sounds silly, but the stats will tell you that teams are not playing through us and we’re creating chances. You have to start with that.
“We’ve had a couple of false dawns, but today we showed spirit and character and the shape was good.
“I’ve said to the players that if we can guarantee that shape, togetherness and spirit then we’ve got the foundations. It’s about sticking to the process.”
A win for the Swans would have been a much-needed boost following Saturday’s 2-0 defeat by arch-rivals Cardiff.
It would have also eased the pressure on Duff, who is already feeling the heat from frustrated fans.
“The Saturday game magnifies it because of who it is,” he said.
“We’ve explained to the players why it happened. We worked on things and then they do their own thing. That doesn’t work.
“But today we stuck to the task. That was a positive, but we’ve got to win games.”
QPR boss Gareth Ainsworth was not content with the result despite the late equaliser.
Ainsworth was convinced Josh Ginnelly’s early opener should not have stood and that his team deserved to win the game.
“No, I’m not happy. The Swansea goal is handball,” Ainsworth said.
“The referee missed it and the assessor has said they couldn’t see it without VAR – but his hand’s out.
“The rub of the green’s going against us at the moment. We deserved more from that game.
“I will add, though, that we must hit the target more. We must work the opposition keeper more. We’re creating chances and we need to take them.
“Lyndon’s header was that moment of brilliance in a game where we should really score more goals.
“We’ve got to be better at getting on the end of things. But we are creating chances and that’s a good thing.
“At the final whistle you saw seven or eight boys just collapse on the floor because they’ve emptied the tank again.
“Disappointed we didn’t get more out of tonight, but it would have been an absolute travesty had we not got that point.
“We’re creating plenty of chances but we’ve got to start finishing them off now.”
Burton manager Dino Maamria said he never lost belief in his team ending their torrid start to the League One season after they beat high-flying Port Vale 3-2 to claim a first win at the eighth time of asking.
Watford loanee Kwadwo Baah scored what proved to be the decisive goal to deny Vale the point they needed to move to the top of the table.
“I’ve been emphasising that without winning a game in the last seven, we’re a good group of people, good group of staff and players, we believe in each other and it was always coming,” Maamria said.
“We’re going to win a lot of football matches together, no doubt about it.
“We had a tough start like everybody else, without going on about the ifs and the injuries we’ve had and everything else, but I know when we get this group of players going, we’re going to go on and win a lot of matches.
“But I’m really pleased for the group because they work so hard.
“When it was two weeks off, we did a lot of work and I thought overall it was a brilliant performance, a brilliant win.
“We showed a lot of quality on the ball, we scored three brilliant goals.
“We could have scored more.”
Burton took an 11th-minute lead when Beryly Lubala headed home at the back post to score his first goal for the club.
The home side responded well, though, and their pressure told in the 40th minute as Ben Garrity headed in off a post.
Burton went in front again six minutes after the restart as Steve Seddon poked the ball in from close range.
It got even better just after the hour mark, with Baah, making his full debut, rifling a shot into the net.
Ollie Arblaster halved the deficit in the 86th minute, but Burton held on for a much-needed win.
Port Vale boss Andy Crosby was left to rue his side’s performance off the ball as they suffered a first defeat in 10 matches in all competitions.
“I thought we made a poor start,” he said.
“We certainly lost too many individual aerial duels defensively from their goalkeeper’s kicks.
“We spoke pre-game about the threat of them from set plays, so I think we’ve given them opportunities.
“Not a good night in terms of when we haven’t had the ball, but a hell of a lot to be pleased with when we did have the ball.
“We created a lot of opportunities, we had shots on goal, shots on target, the keeper’s made saves, they’ve blocked things.
“We’ve created good opportunities but I think we’ve been looking to get better at that. So things to be happy with, but you can’t afford to give chances away like we did.
“You’ve got to win balls that come into your box.
“You’ve got to win individual duels, aerial duels, and we didn’t do it in the first half.”
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has revealed he inserted a buy-back clause in the deal that saw Harry Kane move to Bayern Munich last month.
Levy reportedly made the comment – without providing further details – while appearing at a fans’ forum on Tuesday night alongside current Spurs boss Ange Postecoglu.
Tottenham’s record goalscorer ended his two-decade association with the club after joining the Bundesliga giants in a deal worth in the region of £100million.
Levy had been prompted to sell the unsettled striker in order to avoid the possibility of him running down his contract and leaving for nothing the following year.
Kane has made a superb start for his new club, scoring four goals in five games, and is set to feature in their opening Champions League clash against Manchester United on Wednesday.
Speaking ahead of the game, Kane revealed how much Spurs still mean to him, insisting: “I’ll keep an eye on Tottenham for the rest of my life.
‘I’m really happy to see the team playing the way they are and to see the fans happy is a great thing.”
Cardiff manager Erol Bulut’s gamble on resting Aaron Ramsey paid handsome dividends as his side beat Coventry 3-2 to make it back-to-back home wins in the Championship for the first time since February.
Ramsey sat out the game against the Sky Blues having played for both club and country last week and Bulut did not want to push him too hard too soon.
“Aaron was rested because he had had a problem with his adductor muscle when he was away with the national team and he felt it again against Swansea,” said Bulut.
“I couldn’t risk him getting any more injuries, but he’ll be back for Sunderland on Sunday.
“He’s a great, great player who has enjoyed a great career, but the players who came in tonight showed that all the team is important, not just individuals.
“We have to be a team and we showed we are a team tonight against a good Coventry side. It was a good victory over Swansea, but we couldn’t celebrate too much because of this game.
“We had to rest, work hard and then put in 100 per cent effort for 100 minutes to make it back-to-back wins.”
Dimitrios Goutas and Karlan Grant each scored their first Cardiff goal, either side of Matt Godden’s equaliser. Kion Etete scored Cardiff’s clincher before Godden pulled another back in stoppage time.
After four successive draws, Mark Robins’ Sky Blues – play-off finalists last season – saw Cardiff overtake them in the league table as they slumped to 15th.
“We weren’t brave enough – for the first 20-25 minutes, we didn’t lay a glove on them,” said Robins.
“We are normally braver and better on the ball than that. We turned the ball over a lot.
“I also felt disappointed by the manner of the goals we conceded. We scored two goals away from home and gave three away – that’s not like us.
“We don’t normally concede like that, and certainly not from set-pieces. We have players in the side who are better than that.
“We have got good players in the side who can do the job but for two thirds of the first half we didn’t cause them any issues. We had a good spell at the end when Matt Godden got his second goal.
“We’ve got to dust ourselves down and go again. We’ve got good players who can do a job, but they need to communicate better.”
Kieran McKenna heaped praise on Ipswich matchwinner Omari Hutchinson after his side climbed up to second in the Sky Bet Championship with a 1-0 win at Southampton.
Hutchinson’s first goal for the Tractor Boys 15 minutes before half-time was enough to lead McKenna’s side to a fourth successive away victory and a sixth in seven games.
The Chelsea loanee, 19, had taken the ball off Shea Charles with a perfectly-timed slide tackle before exchanging passes with Conor Chaplin and slotting in off the inside of a post.
Manager McKenna said: “It’s great night for him. It was his first start in the league as a professional footballer.
“What a big night, what a place to do it and what opposition to do it against.
“He’s making great progress and I joked with him that he wouldn’t have thought two months ago his first goal as a professional would come from a sliding tackle, but that’s what happened.
“He showed his improvement off the ball, won the ball back for us and he’s got the agility to get up on his feet quickly and produce a great finish.
“It was an outstanding performance and was never going to be anything other than hard-fought because of the quality of the opposition.
“We tried to meet them on the pitch on an even keel and tried to play football, to be brave and to press them and stay brave on the ball.
“We are not looking to dampen anything. The fans are going to enjoy these special moments and dream.
“For us it’s about staying in the moment. We are enjoying the journey that we are on from last season, but internally we know how hard it is to sustain.”
Ipswich had the better of the first half with Chaplin seeing an early goal ruled out for a foul and hitting the crossbar.
Saints could have equalised four minutes into the second half when Che Adams was sent clean through only to be denied by Ipswich goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky.
After a positive start to the season following relegation from the Premier League, Saints have now lost their last three games.
Home boss Russell Martin, whose side were booed off by their fans, said: “We gave away a sloppy goal and have been punished for a mistake again.
“That will not keep happening and we will move forward.
“I actually thought we started the game really well but we got sucker-punched for a mistake with the goal.
“We did not react well enough to that or quickly enough. In the second half we gave everything and had the best chance which unfortunately Che missed.”
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