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England defeat Germany 2-0 to reach Euro 2020 quarter-finals

Gareth Southgate's Three Lions ended an ignominious record against their old rivals to make it through to the final eight.

The Manc The Manc - 29th June 2021

England recorded a memorable 2-0 victory over Germany at a delirious Wembley this evening to progress to the quarter-finals of Euro 2020.

40,000 raucous fans witnessed the historic triumph in London – as the Three Lions won only their second ever Euros knockout tie and ended a grim record of four consecutive big stage (knockout) defeats to their old rivals.

Two Manchester players combined for England’s first goal – with United’s Luke Shaw putting the ball on a plate for City’s Raheem Sterling who prodded home in the 75th minute.

Thomas Müller missed a glorious opportunity to level the scores with 10 minutes to go, but the German striker fired wide despite being clean through on goal.

Harry Kane met substitute Jack Grealish’s cross in the 86th minute to book England’s spot in the next round and send Wembley into raptures.

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Gareth Southgate’s side – who are yet to concede a goal all tournament – will now travel to Rome on Saturday 3 July for a quarter-final tie with Sweden or Ukraine.

The other last eight matches kick off from Friday (2 July). In the 5pm game Switzerland and Spain will play in St Petersburg. Belgium will face Italy in Munich in the later kick-off at 8pm.

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On Saturday, Czech Republic square off against Denmark in Baku at 5pm, with England set to play the final game of the round.

If England progress to the semi-finals for the first time since 1996, they will play either the Czech or the Danes in the final four.

Featured image: Euro 2020

Sport

Kevin De Bruyne reveals he wasn’t offered a new contract by Manchester City

Danny Jones Danny Jones Kevin De Bruyne not offered new contract by Man City

Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne has revealed he wasn’t offered a new contract by the club before making the decision to leave at the end of the season.

The 33-year-old is preparing to leave the Etihad after more than a decade, following the conclusion of the current 2024/25 campaign, announcing the decision earlier this month.

It goes without saying that the Belgian playmaker isn’t just a fan favourite and club legend but one of the most revered players in European football, let alone England, having been transformational both for the Blues and the Premier League.

Although his exit hasn’t come as a complete shock, given his age and increasing injury problems, De Bruyne himself has confessed that he was “a bit surprised” not to be offered a new contract by Man City whatsoever over the past year.

As per multiple outlets, KDB shared the revelation during his post-match media duties after the Everton game on Saturday, revealing: “I didn’t have any offer from them the whole year and City made a decision. Obviously, I was a bit surprised but have to accept it.”

Despite a firm belief that he “can still perform” at this level (one most would wholeheartedly agree with him on), he assured he understood the club’s thinking and even admitted that it was “more of a relief” knowing that he was the first to learn that news and could announce his departure on his own.

Insisting that he’ll still be giving everything to help the team win in their remaining games this season, he went on to detail that the decision has been made “because the whole team has struggled.”

“Maybe if the team didn’t struggle and I came back like I did this year and bedded in like normal, then maybe they would take another decision”, he added, arguing that he’s playing with much more rhythm and confidence post-injury.

After all, he was the difference once again in the remarkable comeback against Crystal Palace.

A reminder that class is permanent as Kevin De Bruyne inspires remarkable Man City comeback
De Bruyne has made it clear he’d be more than happy to stay in the Premier League.

Although he wouldn’t go into too much detail on the conversations, he reiterated, “I can’t really say what they think on the inside […] I have to accept the situation even though I feel like I can still do a good job, but that’s it.”

Despite many fans coming to terms with the difficult choice made by the club, many supporters still believe it is an oversight on CFG’s (City Football Group) part.

One social media user has nearly 5,000 likes and almost 400 comments on a post entitled: ‘A petition to make Manchester City apologise and offer Kevin De Bruyne a new contract’.

While not everyone is in agreement on the matter, there is clearly plenty of doubt, with the same account going on to add, “There’s no shame in admitting a mistake and offer[ing] Kevin De Bruyne a new 1-year contract. His influence in the dressing room, let alone on the pitch, remains of critical importance.”

It’s hard to gauge exactly what manager Pep Guardiola makes of all of it, either; apart from his farewell message included as part of the club statement confirming his contract expiry, this is pretty much all the Catalan coach has had to say on the matter thus far:

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Featured Images — Ardfern (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sport

Esme Morgan calls out Manchester City over new season ticket restrictions

Danny Jones Danny Jones Esme Morgan calls out Man City over season ticket restrictions

Ex-Manchester City player and England international, Esme Morgan, has called out her old employers regarding recent updates to season ticket restrictions.

The former Man City defender, now playing for Washington Spirit in the National Women’s Soccer League, took to social media in defence of other season ticket holders who are now facing more stringent measures when it comes to attending fixtures and ultimately keeping their tickets.

In the simplest terms, season ticket holders must now personally attend at least 10 out of the 19 Premier League games, while a further six must be forwarded or sold back to the club. Other updates have also been confirmed.

While the club insist the goal is to increase attendances and reduce no-shows, as well as offer those who aren’t there week in, week out a better chance of purchasing a ticket, supporters like Morgan herself argue that the new impending policy is unfair and hasn’t been fully “thought through.”

The 24-year-old Sheffield-born centre back was responding to a City journalist, Joe Bray, who was polling the public opinion on the incoming changes in the immediate aftermath of their announcement, with a “clear frustration” being noted among the majority.

Morgan came through the academy system and spent seven years at the Etihad Campus before leaving the club for the US last summer.

However, as she explained in her post, which served as a further rallying cry among fellow fans, not only does she still have a season ticket, but her family and friends make full use of it throughout the domestic campaign whilst she competes over in America.

A feature of Man City’s own website – simply entitled, ‘Esme Morgan: Blue blood’ – not only describes her as a “blue through and through” but details how she’s had a season ticket at the club since she was just 3, so it seems that confounding that the updates to the ticket policy would see her have to give it up.

She goes on to add: “Loyal fans shouldn’t be punished for circumstances which mean they are currently unable to attend games, when they may be able to in future. Especially if they make efforts to ensure their seat is not left empty! What happens in cases of illness, studying/living abroad etc?”

As you can see, the lifelong Blue has now urged the club to revisit their plans for season ticket renewals and eligibility processes.

Whether or not her profile as a professional footballer, former City player and women’s team academy product will help her protests make more of a splash, we’ll just have to wait and see.

Nevertheless, it shouldn’t take people who have a profile within the game shouting loud enough for the average supporters’ valid grievances to be heard.

Are you a City fan, and if so, what do you make of the new season ticket stipulations? More precisely, do you agree with Esme Morgan?

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Featured Images — Katie Chan (via Wikimedia Commons)/James Boyes (via Flickr)

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