Celtic were dealt a Champions League blow with the news that Liel Abada will be out for three to four months with a thigh problem.

The 21-year-old winger picked up the injury on duty with Israel and is set to miss the Hoops’ six group games, which start with a trip to Rotterdam next week to play Feyenoord.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers said: “He has gone to London today for a scan but we think it is going to be around three to four months.

“It looks like he has done his thigh muscle. He picked it up at the end of training in a shooting exercise.

“It is a real shame for him because he has done well over pre-season and he has started in a lot of games since I have been here, so we are really disappointed but it is a squad game for us and we have other players to come in.

“He signed a new deal and he seemed happy and I was looking forward to continuing his development because he has lots of areas that he can improve on.

“It is a shame but he will work hard and get back and we will use him for the second part of the season.”

Rodgers did have some good news on the injury front ahead of the visit of Dundee in the cinch Premiership, saying: “Reo Hatate will be back, which is great news for us, he has trained.”

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has admitted “not everything was perfect” for supporters at the Champions League final in Istanbul.

Manchester City supporters reported issues with transport to the out-of-town Ataturk Stadium for the showpiece match on June 10 against Inter Milan, as well as a lack of toilets and limited access to water.

Football Supporters Europe is gathering fan accounts from Istanbul in order to compile a report to present to UEFA.

Ceferin, speaking at the European Football Fans Congress in Manchester, said this year’s men’s and women’s club competition finals “proved UEFA had learned from past mistakes”, but he added: “We’re well aware that in Istanbul not everything was perfect and I’m certainly not playing down the problems encountered by some.

“But let us continue working together to improve what we can improve. I’m thinking in particular of transport links, to better understanding the hosting of disabled supporters and access to water and toilets for everyone.

“I can assure you that next year’s Champions League final at Wembley and Euro 2024 in Germany will be a unique experience for fans.”

Close to the start of his address, Ceferin referenced the extremely serious issues which faced Liverpool fans in particular at the 2022 Champions League final in Paris.

An independent report into the chaos at the match in the French capital found UEFA bore “primary responsibility” for what almost became “a mass fatality catastrophe”.

Ceferin said: “Given what some of you experience recently, I would understand if I got a cold reception.

“I also came here to say sorry. We would love to erase events that happened last year. Everyone welcomed the decision to move the Champions League final from St Petersburg to Paris and we know what happened.

“Good intentions are often not enough, we know that and we are sorry for that.

“I think we should roll up our sleeves and ensure that attending a football match remains a unique and unforgettable experience for everyone.”

Manchester City reached the pinnacle of the European game with victory in the Champions League final on Saturday, which also saw them complete the treble.

Here, the PA news agency looks at what could come next for the club.

Could this be the first of many European triumphs for City?

The club will certainly hope so. While winning the Champions League may have been a long-held ambition and the culmination of everything hitherto done in a now 15-year project under Abu Dhabi ownership, it was not a one-off target. The club have advanced considerably on and off the field and they intend to establish themselves firmly among the continent’s heavyweights. Winning every season is obviously not realistic but they want reaching the latter stages each time to become the norm.

Will Pep Guardiola carry on at the helm?

The inspirational Catalan has been the central factor in City’s success. The club identified Guardiola as the man to bring them European glory long before they even appointed him and their set-up is tailored to him. Their trust in him has paid off handsomely and they will naturally want him to stay as long as possible. There is uncertainty as Guardiola has never favoured long-term commitments. All his contract renewals at City have been relatively short. After winning the Champions League there is a feeling he could see his business as done when his current deal expires in 2025. On the other hand, he does seem firmly wedded to the City project and spoke on Saturday of not wanting the club to win one Champions League “and disappear”. City fans can expect at least a couple more campaigns from him.

Will he need to reshape the team?

With the way City have charged through the closing stages of the season to sweep up three trophies, there would seem little reason to make major changes. A specialist left-back would be desirable after Joao Cancelo left on loan in January and seems likely to move on, but that position has been a recurring problem throughout Guardiola’s tenure and has hardly hindered them. Some new signings may be necessary if the influential pair of Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva leave. Gundogan is out of contract this summer and yet to commit while Silva is apparently open to a new challenge and could go if a suitable offer arrived. City are hopeful both will stay, however. Other than that, there seem no pressing issues.

Can they maintain their standards?

It would surely be impossible for City to remain at the same level they have been this season. Last year Liverpool produced a very high standard and came within a whisker of winning the quadruple but, after their exertions took their toll, fell away this term. City will be anxious to ensure any downturn is not as dramatic. Five Premier League titles in six years, however, suggests Guardiola has a good idea how to prevent this.

There is an elephant in the room though isn’t there?

Yes. The Premier League’s Financial Fair Play investigation into City may be out of sight at times but it has not gone away. City are facing more than 100 charges for alleged rule breaches. This could loom over them for some considerable time but, with little clarity over the process or the nature of the charges, it will be business as usual in the meantime.

Gareth Southgate believes England can benefit from Manchester City’s Champions League success after they beat Inter Milan in Saturday’s final.

Southgate has included five members of Pep Guardiola’s side in his squad for this month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia, with John Stones, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips all due to join up with the squad after enjoying their celebrations.

With City’s success coming after Declan Rice lifted the Europa Conference League with West Ham earlier in the week, Southgate said it can be good for the national team.

“It’s absolutely brilliant for all our guys who have been involved,” Southgate said in a video on England’s social media.

“To start with Declan, his first experience of lifting a trophy so… fabulous for him. You can see the emotion having been at the club for so long and what it meant to him.

“Then the boys at Manchester City have had a phenomenal season, an absolutely incredible season, and of course that’s been the Holy Grail for them to get this final trophy that they hadn’t won up until now.

“I’m delighted for all of them. It’s great to see them enjoying themselves and also it’s brilliant for us as a group.

“We’ve got so many experiences now of individual players winning big trophies, and that’s so important for our development as a team. It’s fantastic on all counts.”

Real Sociedad claimed a place in the Champions League despite a 2-1 defeat at Atletico Madrid in LaLiga on Sunday.

Fifth-placed Villarreal’s loss at Rayo Vallecano by the same scoreline meant Sociedad could not be caught in fourth spot.

Antoine Griezmann and Nahuel Molina were on target for Atletico at the Civitas Metropolitano with Alexander Sorloth hitting a late reply for the visitors.

Atletico’s victory took them back within a point of second-placed city rivals Real Madrid.

Raul de Tomas and Isi Palazon struck either side of the hour-mark for Rayo Vallecano against Villarreal at the Vallecas Stadium. Giovani Lo Celso gave the Yellow Submarine hope seven minutes from time but it was not enough.

At the other end of the table, Espanyol were relegated after conceding a late equaliser to draw 2-2 at Valencia.

Samuel Lino struck three minutes into added time to seal Espanyol’s fate after they had replied to Diego Lopez’s opener with goals from Cesar Montes and Martin Braithwaite.

Valladolid remain in the bottom three with a game remaining after drawing 0-0 with another troubled side, Almeria, who are just a point above them.

Cadiz boosted their survival hopes with a 1-0 win over fellow strugglers Celta Vigo and Getafe did likewise as they saw off Osasuna 2-1.

Champions Barcelona, meanwhile, extended their unassailable lead at the top of the table to 11 points with a 3-0 win over 10-man Mallorca at the Nou Camp.

Ansu Fati opened the scoring in the first minute before doubling the lead after the dismissal of Mallorca’s Amath Diedhiou. Gavi wrapped up the win 20 minutes from time.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic struck an 89th-minute winner as Lazio moved back into second place in Serie A with a 3-2 victory over relegated Cremonese.

It was the Serbian’s second of the game at the Stadio Olimpico with Elseid Hysaj also on target for the Rome side.

Cremonese had hit back from 2-0 down through Pablo Galdames and a Manuel Lazzari own goal.

Hellas Verona remain in the bottom three after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser to draw 1-1 with Empoli.

The hosts had led at the Marcantonio Bentegodi Stadium through Adolfo Gaich but Giangiacomo Magnani turned into his own net in the sixth minute of time added on.

Their survival fight will still go to the final day, however, with the result having pulled them level on points with Spezia.

Lionel Messi produced a Wembley masterclass as Barcelona beat Manchester United 3-1 in the Champions League final on this day in 2011 to become European champions for a fourth time.

Pep Guardiola won his second Champions League as Barca head coach in three years after a dominant performance from his side.

They reached the final after defeating El Clasico rivals Real Madrid 3-1 on aggregate in the last four, with United sweeping aside Schalke 6-1 in their semi-final.

Guardiola’s side outplayed United in the first half, enjoying 68 per cent possession and having 22 shots, but were still level at half-time as Pedro’s opener was cancelled out by Wayne Rooney, who side-footed home from 15 yards after a one-two with Ryan Giggs.

Barca’s dominance continued after the break with Messi, who moments earlier had seen a shot cleared off the line by Patrice Evra, firing in a low shot from 25 yards.

Messi’s dribbling then caused panic in the United defence and David Villa capitalised to whip a shot into the top corner from just outside the penalty area and secure Barcelona’s third Champions League title in six years.

Eric Abidal, who had undergone surgery only two months earlier to remove a tumour in his liver, was given the honour of wearing the captain’s armband during the presentation ceremony and he was the first player to lift the trophy.

After the match Guardiola hailed Messi as “the best player I have ever seen”, while United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: “In my time as manager it is the best team we have faced.”

Internationally acclaimed Brazilian pop superstar, Anitta, will co-headline the 2023 UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show by Pepsi on June 10. Joining GRAMMY-award winner Burna Boy, Anitta is expected to captivate audiences with a mesmerizing performance at the world's biggest annual sporting event.

Coming off a remarkable year marked by the release of her fifth studio album, 'Versions Of Me,' and a GRAMMY nomination for "Best New Artist," the sensational artist behind hits like 'Envolver' will infuse Istanbul's Atatürk Olympic Stadium with her renowned high-energy pop production. Her performance will enthrall millions of fans around the globe, moments before the commencement of the most significant fixture in club football.

 To heighten anticipation for this highly anticipated performance, Pepsi has released an exhilarating short film titled 'The Prep' (LINK), featuring Anitta and Burna Boy in their element. In the film, accompanied by Burna Boy's "It's Plenty" and Anitta's "Envolver," the artists prepare for their epic Kick Off Show performance in their football-style dressing rooms. They then emerge into the iconic UEFA Champions League tunnel, walking side by side, before entering a sold-out stadium, sending shivers down the spectators' spines.

 Anitta expressed her excitement, stating, "I'm thrilled that the news is finally out! I'm delighted to perform at the UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show by Pepsi, co-headlining alongside Burna Boy. We'll deliver an unforgettable show to fans in the stadium and worldwide, so make sure to tune in on June 10th - you won't want to miss this!"

 For the first time ever, Pepsi is giving fans the opportunity of a lifetime to be a part of this show-stopping performance through the #PepsiKickOffShow challenge. Launched in March, the challenge invites fans to showcase their best ball skills and dance moves. Watch the video here.

 Gustavo Reyna, Pepsi's Senior Director of Global Marketing, added, "Every year, we take pride in collaborating with the most prominent and thrilling music artists to provide fans worldwide with unparalleled entertainment. In this year's 2023 UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show by Pepsi, global superstars Anitta and Burna Boy, who embody our 'Thirsty For More' philosophy celebrating people's thirst for life, will co-headline. We're excited to witness fans actively participate in this unmissable show through the #PepsiKickOffShow challenge. It promises to be an extraordinary spectacle!"

 UEFA Marketing Director, Guy-Laurent Epstein, commented, "This season's spectacle promises to be unforgettable, with an exciting lineup of artists set to grace the stage ahead of the UEFA Champions League Final in Istanbul. We're proud of our longstanding partnership with Pepsi, which allows us to bring even more excitement to fans. We eagerly await sharing this season's UEFA Champions League Kick Off Show by Pepsi with everyone."

 This marks the seventh year that Pepsi and UEFA have celebrated the Champions League Final with a sensational music performance, showcasing the most thrilling artists from around the world. This exceptional entertainment spectacle unites football and music fans worldwide. The Kick Off Show by Pepsi will be broadcasted in over 200 countries worldwide.

Jurgen Klopp can help convince top transfer targets to sign for Liverpool even if they are not in the Champions League next season, according to former Reds striker Ian Rush.

Liverpool have won their last seven games and currently sit fifth, just a point behind Newcastle and Manchester United, who both have matches in hand.

However, even if Liverpool can continue their impressive run and beat Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday and then finish the campaign with another victory at relegated Southampton, there would be no guarantee of Champions League football again.

There is set to be a turnover of personnel this summer, with the likes of James Milner, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Roberto Firmino all leaving

Brighton’s Argentinian World Cup-winner Alexis Mac Allister is one potential transfer target, as well as Chelsea’s Mason Mount and Ryan Gravenberch at Bayern Munich.

Rush feels even if Liverpool do end up not being able to offer Champions League football next season, Reds boss Klopp will still be able to sell a switch to Anfield.

“They had a bit of a lapse, every team has one. To win seven games on the run is like they are back to where they were when they won the league,” Rush told the PA news agency.

“Whether they get the Champions League spot or not, that is a different matter, but all Liverpool can do is win their next two games. If they do, they finish the season on a high.

“If you end up in the Europa League and can go on to win it, then you are going to be back in the Champions League.

“If you don’t make the Champions League, then you go and look to improve the team through the summer.

“I am sure Liverpool will want to do that. You have got to sign players to keep everyone on their toes.”

Rush, who is supporting Soccer Aid for UNICEF, added: “When you are signing players, it does help when your team is in the Champions League, because all the top players want to play there.

“Klopp, though, is a fantastic manager and he is in a position to change a player’s mind.

“He can say ‘listen, you want to come to Liverpool and while you will not be in the Champions League this year, we want to make you a superstar for all these fantastic fans and build a team around you’.

“He did that exactly when you look at (Virgil) Van Dijk – he could have gone to Chelsea and Manchester City were interested, but Klopp sold Liverpool to him. That is what Klopp is good at.”

While Liverpool remain in the hunt to qualify for the Champions League – a competition they won in 2019 and finished runners-up in last year – they have fallen well behind in the title race this season.

But despite a current 20-point gap to leaders Manchester City – who have overhauled Arsenal and look set to win the title for a fifth time in the past six seasons – Rush is confident the Reds can recover to mount a serious challenge once more.

“I think it is breachable,” said Rush, Liverpool’s all-time leading scorer with 346 goals in 660 appearances during a trophy-laden career.

“Liverpool have got a strong squad. It is about keeping everyone fit and I am sure they will make some additions.

“Then at the start of the new season, if everyone is well, then I am sure Manchester City will be keeping an eye on Liverpool as one of the danger teams and they will be in the mix.”

This year’s Soccer Aid event will take place on June 11 at Old Trafford and Rush is expecting another memorable occasion.

“It is for a great cause and everyone is competitive. It doesn’t matter whatever they do – actors or ex-players – all they want is for the team to win,” the former Wales striker said.

:: Tickets for Soccer Aid For UNICEF on Sunday 11th June 2023 at Old Trafford, are on sale via www.socceraid.org.uk/tickets with a family of four able to attend for just £60 — two adults and two children

Inter Milan reached the Champions League final by defeating city rivals AC Milan 3-0 on aggregate.

The Nerazzurri, who will face either Real Madrid or Manchester City in Istanbul on June 10, were the last Italian club to win the competition, beating Bayern Munich 2-0 under Jose Mourinho in the 2010 final.

Here, the PA news agency picks out some of the strengths and weaknesses of the Serie A side.

Strengths

Dogged defence

Inter’s progression to the showpiece match at the Ataturk Stadium owes a lot to a stingy defence. Simone Inzaghi’s combative team emerged from a group containing Bayern Munich and Barcelona. They have kept a tournament-high eight clean sheets in their 12 matches, including five from six in the knockout stages, with goalkeeper Andre Onana a star performer.

Lautaro Martinez

Argentinian World Cup winner Martinez has scored 20 times in Serie A this term – a tally bettered only by Napoli’s Victor Osimhen. The 25-year-old, who is supported by experienced pair Edin Dzeko and Romelu Lukaku, has been prolific over the past four seasons. Ahead of the semi-final, he urged his club-mates to harness the unity which led to his country triumphing in Qatar.

Underdog status

Inzaghi revealed his remit was to reach the last 16 of the Champions League when he was appointed in the summer of 2021. He satisfied that target last term before exceeding expectations this season. Whether they face Real or City in the final, their opponents will be overwhelming favourites and under greater pressure to deliver. Inter can use that situation to their advantage.

Weaknesses

Inconsistency

Despite their impressive run in Europe, Inter have endured a mixed domestic campaign and sit 17 points adrift of runaway Serie A champions Napoli. Their current position of third place owes a lot to an ongoing five-match winning run. Inzaghi’s men have lost almost a third of their league games this term – 11 of 35 – but have benefitted from keeping draws – three – to a minimum.

Unfamiliar territory

Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti, who captained the club to glory 13 years ago, said he would prefer to avoid 14-time winners Real in the final as “this competition seems made for them”. His comments underlined Inter’s lack of recent big-game European experience. Since lifting the trophy in 2010, they have progressed beyond the group stage just four times – a record in stark contrast to those of Real and 2021 finalists City.

Lack of attacking width?

Inzaghi has developed a well-balanced side operating in a 3-5-2 system, bucking modern trends by playing with two strikers. The formation allows the 47-year-old to make the most of his four forwards – Martinez, Lukaku, Joaquin Correa and Dzeko. Yet the reliance on wing-backs alone to provide width in attacking areas can lead to play becoming concentrated in the centre of the pitch and make it difficult to break down opponents.

Manchester City travel to the Bernabeu Stadium to face Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.

Here, the PA news agency looks at some talking points ahead of the game.

Revenge for City

The tie is a rematch of last year’s semi-finals when City left the Bernabeu heartbroken after letting a place in the final slip through their grasp.

City had been leading 1-0 on the night and 5-3 on aggregate heading into stoppage time when they suddenly capitulated and conceded twice. Real went on to win in extra time.

Pep Guardiola’s men will certainly hope revenge is in the air and they will want to use the fact the home leg comes second this time to their advantage.

Momentum with City in treble chase

City certainly approach the match in form having hit their stride over the last three months.

They are unbeaten in 20 matches – 17 of which they have won – and have a strong chance of winning the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

Arguably, the Spanish giants are the toughest obstacle left to clear as they look to win the treble.

Copa del Rey joy for Madrid

Real’s form is more difficult to assess. With the LaLiga title seemingly out of reach, Carlo Ancelotti’s side have lost two of their last three league matches, suggesting the wily Italian has been prioritising other fixtures.

Those would be Saturday’s Copa del Rey final against Osasuna, which they won 2-1, and the two City encounters over the coming week.

Their triumph at the weekend, secured after two goals from Rodrygo, should certainly have raised confidence levels.

Haaland the missing piece

Erling Haaland has been a sensation for City this season, scoring 51 goals in all competitions and with the high likelihood of more to come.

 After years of near misses in the Champions League, City are hoping the prolific Norwegian is the last piece of the jigsaw as they look to finally land the big prize.

He has revelled in Europe, not least when he fired five past RB Leipzig in the last 16 and then struck in both quarter-final legs against Bayern Munich. All eyes will be on him to see if he can deliver at the Bernabeu.

Bellingham reports

Cynics would suggest there is little coincidence over the timing of recent reports from Spain that the much-coveted Jude Bellingham is set to join Real in the summer.

 The England midfielder is widely expected to leave Borussia Dortmund this summer and Manchester City were reportedly among the interested parties.

Whether the development would actually unsettle an outfit as composed as Guardiola’s City is debatable, but it certainly adds to the pre-match hype.

Frank Lampard insists he still loves being at Chelsea and is relishing the challenge of turning the club’s fortunes around.

Lampard has lost all five of his games in charge since returning to the club earlier this month for a second spell as manager, this time as caretaker, after Graham Potter was sacked.

Chelsea were booed off at half-time during last week’s 2-0 home defeat to Brentford, which extended their winless run in all competitions to eight matches, and sit six points adrift of the Premier League’s top 10.

They play at title-chasing London rivals Arsenal on Tuesday and when asked if he still relished coming into work, Lampard said: “Absolutely. My eyes were open when I came into this job.

“I’m too experienced in football as a player and now as a coach to understand that things don’t necessarily change over night in terms of results and we’ve seen that.

“Our job is to work on performances and mentality of the group in training to try and bring back a good feeling. That only comes with hard work.

“I enjoy that challenge and I was very aware of it coming in. I’m very proud to manage the club. I love being here and I enjoy doing my job.

“The reality in football is your career will not always be full of success. People will always remember the success, but part of the job is the tougher moments, whether you’re a manager or a player.

“You can’t always control the results, but you can control how you work every day, so I enjoy that aspect of it.”

Chelsea’s Champions League hopes have also been dashed under Lampard after a 4-0 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid and the former Blues midfielder faces another huge test of his managerial credentials against the Gunners.

“We’re not in a great moment are we?” Lampard said. “But I’ve been able to live this now for a few weeks. I also lived maybe 10 years of incredible success here and saw it continue, and was part of it again, and saw it continue.

“It can be pretty normal, if you look at the history of all of the top clubs in the league, (there are) moments of tough periods.

“Our opponents (on Tuesday) are good example of that. They want to be challenging for Premier Leagues and they are again now and it’s been a while for them.

“I think we have to put perspective on it and understand that we’ve got to work on all aspects of the club to get back the feeling and position of where we want to be.

“It’s not a given in this league and there’s a lot of work to do.”

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could feature again after stepping off the bench against Brentford and Kai Havertz is back in contention after injury.

But Kalidou Koulibaly (calf) is still out and could miss the rest of the season.

Mason Mount (pelvis) and Reece James (hamstring) are also unlikely to appear in Chelsea’s last six matches and Marc Cucurella faces two more weeks on the sidelines.

Newcastle are cantering towards a return to the Champions League after a 4-1 win at Goodison Park made a demoralised Everton’s task of escaping relegation all the more difficult.

Callum Wilson’s seventh and eighth goals in six matches against the Toffees either side of Joelinton’s fourth in his last five helped lift Eddie Howe’s side eight points clear of fifth place, while leaving their hosts two points from safety after one win in their last 10.

Even when Dwight McNeil pulled one back with 10 minutes to go Jacob Murphy immediately responded as Everton’s defensive nightmares down their right side continued for a second game.

Monday’s trip to Leicester, immediately above Everton in 18th, now becomes a must-win game as with Manchester City one of their two remaining home fixtures, Sean Dyche’s side cannot rely on the power of Goodison to get them over the line to extend a 69-year stay in the top flight.

But Newcastle, having experienced their own period in the doldrums of the Championship, have no such worries as an appearance in Europe’s elite competition proper for the first time since 2003 edges ever closer having scored 10 goals in their last two matches.

The visitors showed they have the mettle for a fight as, after Sunday’s 6-1 procession against a hapless Tottenham, they outlasted the intensity and physicality Everton brought.

Having lost the early midfield battle they took control once Wilson, starting ahead of Alexander Isak, put them ahead in the 28th minute with his fifth goal in his last six games.

Dyche altered his team’s preparations, Everton arriving on a bus instead of their own cars, in order to allow fans to reinstate the blue pyrotechnic-heavy coach greeting which accompanied last season’s late escape from relegation.

Abdoulaye Doucoure’s return from suspension and Amadou Onana’s availability after injury allowed Dyche to select his first-choice midfield for the first time in four matches and the pre-kick-off fireworks behind the Gwladys Street and Bullens Road stands set the tone for the hosts.

Two Alex Iwobi crosses drifted agonisingly just over the heads of Calvert-Lewin and Doucoure either side of an Idrissa Gana Gueye free-kick which cleared the crossbar by a few inches.

Calvert-Lewin, however, remained isolated up front and Dyche could be seen waving midfielders forward in support with the striker himself beckoning players closer as another Jordan Pickford kick sailed towards him.

Doucoure’s energy was a vital cog in the link between midfield and attack and when he slid in Calvert-Lewin the forward chopped back onto his left foot only for Fabian Schar to block.

Newcastle managed to dampen Everton’s fire without managing to create a genuine chance of their own until they took the lead in the 28th minute.

Joelinton, whose personal experience had been torrid up to that point, broke down the left and cut inside Ben Godfrey – woefully exposed as a stand-in right-back due to the unavailability of Seamus Coleman (injured) and Mason Holgate (suspended) – to shoot at Pickford, whose save bounced kindly off James Tarkowski to Wilson.

The confidence of the league’s lowest scorers was momentarily affected as passes started to go astray but they recovered their purpose late on in the half with Michael Keane guiding Iwobi’s near-post corner wide before the pivotal moment went against them.

McNeil played through Calvert-Lewin and his dink over Nick Pope showed no sign of the rustiness expected of a player in only his second match back after almost three months out.

However, the Goodison roar was instantly quashed by the offside flag and not even VAR could overturn the marginal decision to save them.

Tarkowski blocked Joe Willock’s goalbound shot seconds after the interval but the response was for Calvert-Lewin to force a save out of Pope after Iwobi had escaped the clutches – literally – of Matt Targett on the counter-attack.

Willock’s volley was acrobatically tipped around the post by Pickford as Newcastle continued to carry the greater threat and the killer blows against the toiling hosts in a four-minute spell were delivered by the unmarked Joelinton’s close-range header and Wilson brilliantly curling a shot into the top corner.

The trickle of fans heading for the exits missed McNeil’s 80th-minute goal but Magpies substitute Murphy scoring his side’s fourth immediately saw the stands empty more rapidly and a VAR offside ruling denied Schar Newcastle’s fifth.

 UEFA and Pepsi have announced that GRAMMY® Award-winning and multi-platinum-selling singer, songwriter and producer, Burna Boy, will co-headline the highly anticipated 2023 UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show by Pepsi on June 10.

For the first time ever, fans will have the opportunity of a lifetime to be part of the biggest annual global sporting event for themselves.

The global chart-topping ‘Last Last’ and ‘It’s Plenty’ megastar will bring his signature soulful vibes of afrobeats to Istanbul’s Atatürk Olympic Stadium as millions of fans from across the globe tune in to watch the must-see performance only moments before the biggest game in club football gets underway. Burna Boy, fresh from a record-breaking year and the release of his sixth studio album, Love, Damini, will take to the Pepsi stage alongside another soon-to-be-announced global sensation.

Revealed on TikTok, Burna Boy has teamed up with Pepsi ambassadors and football royalty; world champion Leo Messi, reigning UCL champion Vini Jr and Euro-winning Lionesses star Leah Williamson; to encourage fans to showcase their best dance moves or ball skills by posting them to TikTok using the hashtag #PepsiKickOffShow. The best submissions will be hand-picked to show off their skills as part of the 2023 UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show by Pepsi performance.

"As a huge football fan myself, I know it doesn’t get any bigger than the UEFA Champions League! That's why I'm so excited to be performing on the Pepsi stage at this year's final,” Burna Boy said.

“Music and football are the ultimate combination, so you already know I'll be bringing the vibes and making magic in Istanbul. The world ain't ready for what we have in store!”

Gustavo Reyna, Pepsi’s Senior Director of Global Marketing, said they are excited to have Burna Boy on board for the spectacle.

“The UEFA Champions League Final is the stand-out date of the club football calendar, and Pepsi prides itself on marking the occasion with the very best entertainment spectacles,” Reyna said.

“The newly named ‘Kick Of Show by Pepsi’ is going to be huge this year; we’re so excited to welcome Burna Boy, one of the world’s most exciting artists, to the Pepsi x UEFA Champions League stage and we can’t wait to see which fans are selected to feature as part of this truly unmissable performance. Stay tuned to find out who is co-headlining alongside Burna Boy in the weeks to come!”

UEFA marketing director Guy-Laurent Epstein said they are excited about the entertainment package fans will be able to enjoy.

“The UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show is a significant part of our joint efforts with Pepsi, providing an incredible opportunity to reach new and younger audiences with some of the biggest names and rising stars in music,” he said.

“We're excited to showcase a line-up of talented artists at this season’s Final in Istanbul in what is sure to be an energetic and memorable performance.”

Now in its seventh year, the UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show by Pepsi - formerly known as the UEFA Champions League Opening Ceremony - will air in over 200 countries and territories globally, just minutes before the stand-out fixture of the club football season commences. By uniting the worlds of football and music through one unmissable entertainment moment that stops fans in their tracks and leaves them wanting more, the event is the perfect demonstration of Pepsi’s ‘Thirsty For More’ platform. The Kick-Off Show is just one of the many exciting moments that Pepsi and UEFA will bring football fans this season, including the announcement of another global superstar co-headliner to join the Kick Off Show, Tik Tok videos, fashion collaborations, product innovations and more!

Fans will be able to tune in to watch the performance via their local broadcaster and through the official UEFA YouTube and TikTok channels, while the @PepsiGlobal TikTok channel has all the information around how fans can win the chance of being part of the 2023 UEFA Champions League Kick Off Show by Pepsi.

Jude Bellingham believes "not many players can stop" in-form Borussia Dortmund team-mate Karim Adeyemi following his wonderful individual goal against Chelsea.

Dortmund edged their noses ahead on aggregate with a narrow 1-0 win in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, in which Adeyemi's 63rd-minute strike proved decisive.

From a devastating counter-attack following a Chelsea corner, the Germany forward latched onto Raphael Guerreiro's pass and raced past Enzo Fernandez, before rounding Kepa Arrizabalaga to score.

And Bellingham - Dortmund's captain for the day - saluted Adeyemi, who has now scored in each of his last three appearances - one more goal than he managed in his first 20 games for the club since arriving from Salzburg last year.

"We are really confident when he gets the ball one on one. Not many players can stop him," the England midfielder told BT Sport. "He had a tough time coming here at the start - finding his feet - and now he's flying.

"We dominated the first half. They had chances, but we were in control for the majority of the first half. 

"In the second half, we took the foot off the gas, and they had more control. We showed how well we can defend and see out games."

Dortmund registered their first European victory over an English side in 11 attempts, while they have now won all seven of their matches in 2023.

"It's a case of new year, new luck. For me, it's that simple," Adeyemi told DAZN. "As a team, we talked a lot during the break, and it brought us closer together. 

"The only thing I was thinking [against Fernandez] was that I just need to get the ball past him. You just try to win your duels, the goalkeeper came out and there may have been a bit of luck, but I'm delighted with the goal.

"It was a tough start to the game for us, but then you could see that everyone was fighting for each other, and we knew something was possible here tonight. We're delighted to have won."

Carlo Ancelotti has described 2022 as one of his "most special years" after guiding Real Madrid to Champions League and LaLiga glory.

Los Blancos' victory over Liverpool in Paris in May saw Ancelotti become the first coach to win Europe's premier club competition on four occasions.

The 63-year-old, who has been linked with the vacant Brazil job, has reflected on a wonderful year and believes it ranks with the best in his career.

"This is a special year that came after a fairly troubled period," he told Il Foglio.

"It was thought that my career was coming to an end. It was a unique season because of how we won, especially in the Champions League.

"Spectacular comebacks, overturning all predictions with a thousand difficulties to overcome. I consider this 2022 among the most special years in my life. Yes, just 12 months to remember."

Despite suggestions he could replace Tite as Brazil boss, Ancelotti insisted his focus remains squarely on Madrid and steering them to yet another Champions League triumph.

"In fact, after the victory you never stop," he added. 

"You immediately think about the future. You lift the Champions League number 14 and they immediately tell you to think about the 15th. 

"It is in the history and tradition of this club. Real Madrid is a football club, I repeat, a football club. Economy and finance are almost in the background. The sport aspect is what matters most. 

"And yet, the budgets have remained in order despite the demanding restructuring of the Santiago Bernabeu and the difficulties of the pandemic years during which all of football has suffered."

Madrid, who sealed a 2-0 win over Valladolid on Friday in their first game since the World Cup, are next in action against fourth-tier Cacereno in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday.