Darren Ferguson said Peterborough’s quality in the final third was “nowhere near good enough” after their perfect start to the Sky Bet League One season was ended by local rivals Northampton.
Posh were the better side for much of the game at Sixfields but missed a string of chances before being undone by Mitch Pinnock’s remarkable late winner for a 1-0 defeat.
“It’s a really sore one because you’re playing against your rivals and it’s a big game for the club and a big game for the fans,” said Ferguson. “We haven’t lost here in a while but now we have and it’s a sore result.
“I have no idea whether or not if their goal crossed the line even after watching the video. The linesman has made a big call from a distance but that wasn’t the reason why we lost.
“The quality and the tempo and our decision-making, just the basics, weren’t good enough in the final third. We weren’t ruthless enough. The game could be over after 10 minutes because we had two absolute sitters.
“Our quality wasn’t there, which is rare. I warned the players how the game would go if we didn’t get an early goal and unfortunately I was right.
“Kwame Poku was our best player, he played quickly and got them on the back foot, but I felt we didn’t look like scoring and that’s why we made the subs.
“Our quality in the final third was nowhere near good enough and it’s a big missed opportunity for us.”
Pinnock’s volley from the best part of 40 yards, which was carried over the line by goalkeeper Nicholas Bilokapic, gave Northampton a first win over their rivals since 2006.
“It obviously feels good and I’m just pleased to get our first win of the season,” said manager Jon Brady. “The work ethic from the players was absolutely fantastic against a very good side.
“They are a top team and full respect for them and the way they play. They made us work hard for it but I thought we really grew into the game.
“I didn’t think we were that great in the first 20, 25 minutes but we got better and gained some confidence, and we’re also fitter now and I feel the players are believing in themselves and what we want to do. We grew into the game and we got better.
“If you look at the fixtures we’ve had, we’ve played four teams who would be in the top eight without Wigan’s points deduction so it’s been a baptism of fire, but it’s great to get our first win on the board.
“The last 15 minutes, our fans were incredible and they gave us that extra energy when we needed it. They had some chances but to reduce them to only one shot on target is an immense achievement.”
Fenerbahce confirm Mourinho arrival
Jose Mourinho has been confirmed as the new head coach of Fenerbahce.
The Istanbul giants teased Mourinho's arrival in the wake of Ismail Kartal’s departure, and he has reportedly penned a two-year deal with the club.
Kartal took charge of Fenerbahce for three spells, finishing second behind Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Lig last season with 99 points in his final stint.
Reports said Mourinho had verbally agreed to take over on Friday, before the club confirmed his unveiling will take place on Sunday.
Mourinho has been out of work since leaving Roma in January after a two-and-a-half-year spell at the club in which he led them to their first European trophy, winning the Europa Conference League in 2022, while also taking them to the Europa League final the following year.
The 61-year-old had previously enjoyed stints at Porto, Chelsea over two spells, Inter, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Tottenham.
During that course, he won a combined eight domestic titles and two Champions Leagues, only failing to lift silverware while at Tottenham.
Mourinho is now tasked with ending Fenerbahce’s 10-year wait for a Super Lig title.
Lionesses goalkeeper Earps set to miss Euro 2025 qualifier against France with hip injury
England Women's goalkeeper Mary Earps will miss the decisive clash with France Women on Tuesday after withdrawing from Sarina Wiegman's squad with a hip injury.
Earps left St. James' Park with crutches after sustaining an injury just eight minutes into Friday's 2-1 defeat against France.
That marred what should have been a memorable occasion for Manchester United goalkeeper Earps, who made her 50th appearance for the Lionesses.
England confirmed Earps will be unavailable for Tuesday's Euro 2025 qualifier away to France, with Birmingham City's Lucy Thomas joining Wiegman's 23-player squad for the trip to Saint-Etienne.
"Not the way the big 50 was meant to go, but grateful and hugely proud to have reached 50 caps for England," Earps posted to Instagram on Sunday.
"Thank you for your lovely messages, gutted that I've picked up a minor hip injury which will sideline me for a couple of weeks.
"Not something I'm used to but nothing a little bit of rest and relaxation won't fix – right behind the girls for Tuesday!"
England are third in Group A3 as Wiegman's side chase qualification for next year's European Championship in Switzerland.
The Lionesses have four points and are behind second-placed Sweden on goal difference, with France five clear at the top of the group after three games.
Wiegman's team then host Ireland on July 12 and play Sweden away four days later in their final group game.
Mourinho in 'negotiations' with Fenerbahce over head coach vacancy
Jose Mourinho has "started negotiations" with Fenerbahce over becoming their new head coach, the Turkish Super Lig side has confirmed.
The 61-year-old is reportedly nearing a return to management, five months after he was sacked by Roma.
Fenerbahce are searching for a new boss after parting company with Ismail Kartal on Friday, after he guided them to a second-place finish behind Galatasaray - amassing an impressive 99 points.
And the Yellow Canaries revealed on public disclosure platform KAP - as part of a legal process to alert investors - they are in talks with the decorated Portuguese coach.
"Our company has started negotiations with Jose Mario Dos Santos Mourinho Felix for the post of Football A team coach," the Fenerbahce post read.
Turkey would be the fifth different country in which Mourinho has managed, with the former Real Madrid, Chelsea and Inter coach winning eight domestic titles across four different nations.
He has also won five major European competitions during his managerial career - including two Champions League crowns with Porto and Inter - while guiding Roma to their maiden continental triumph in the inaugural Europa Conference League two years ago.
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