Sport
Lionesses praised for ‘classy’ response as they comfort Nigeria keeper immediately after penalty win
Lauren James might have had a moment to forget on Monday, but the rest of the squad showed what a great bunch they are.
England’s women’s team scraped through to the 2023 Women’s World Cup quarter-finals by the skin of their teeth on Monday following a nerve-racking penalty shootout, but it was the Lionesses’ behaviour afterwards as they comforted Nigeria’s keeper that warmed the hearts of even more fans.
Sarina Wiegman‘s side looked like they might fall short of the mark after they couldn’t get a result inside 90 minutes or extra time, especially having gone down to 10 players once Lauren James received a red card for stamping on an opponent but, fortunately, they somehow managed to survive the shootout.
Moments after Chloe Kelly rifled the winning penalty into the back of the net, the Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was left in tears on the pitch as her national side’s tournament run came to a bitter end, at which point the Lionesses star immediately went over to check on her.
Joined by her Manchester City colleague Alex Greenwood, the duo helped console an understandably emotional Nnadozie, with the Euro 2022 and Finalissima-winning goalscorer urging the cameras to stop filming the visibly upset shot-stopper.
Heartwarming stuff from the girls.
As you would expect, the reaction online has been overwhelmingly positive, with people labelling it a “lovely touch” from the team and insisting that “we don’t deserve them”.
The sentiment is clear: it was a classy moment from the Lionesses who continue to unite the country and stand a strong chance of boasting not only the title of European Champions but calling themselves World Cup winners within the next 12 days.
We can only hope.
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Naturally, there were plenty online that did take issue with the narrative and general applauding of their behaviour in light of the stamp and sending off, which both the Lionesses and James herself have now apologised for, but most seemed to understand that it was not indicative of the overarching values the team usually stand for.
Even the player who was the victim of the stamp, Michelle Alozie, put the incident in context by insisting: “This game is one of passion, insurmountable emotions and moments. All respect for Lauren James.”
England are now set to face Colombia at 11:30am on Saturday, 12 August for a place in the semi-finals where they play will either host nation Australia or France.
To get yourself in the tournament spirit, you can check out the time we met Alex Greenwood and she spoke passionately about the importance and growing profile of the women’s game down below:
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Featured Image — BBC Sport/Ayinde Halimatu
Sport
Everton manager Sean Dyche randomly pops up in the music video for Blossoms’ new single – and he’s great
Danny Jones
Did anyone else think they’d ever see Sean Dyche make his acting debut in the role of a Northern crime boss in a silly little music video for the Blossoms?
No, us neither but that’s the bizarre alternate reality we’re living in, apparently.
Blossoms are currently working on the fifth studio album and have already released their lead single entitled, ‘To Do List (After The Break-Up)’, but now they have a new song out as well, with a rather amusing music video to go along with it and somehow Sean Dyche has found himself the star.
The Stockport band teased the curious collaboration in April, giving us just short glimpses of the Everton manager and former Burnley boss with very little explanation – all we know is that it looked funny and it was.
Dyche is still busy trying to finish the Premier League campaign as strong as possible after successfully navigating the Toffees to safety even in spite of their points deductions this season, but it sounds like keeping them up has given him enough time to moonlight as an actor.
Sending the indie five-piece on a mission to collect something of value (yes, that’s all the info we have at this point as the story is still to be continued), it looks like the Kettering-born coach has a larger role to play in whatever this narrative turns out to be.
Playing what can only be described as some kind of semi-Manc mafia figure on the hunt for a very valuable piece of art, i.e. a big giant gorilla statue – one that many Stopfordians spotted being lugged around various parts of the borough –
They also shared a little bit of BTS footage from the shoot for the music video last week. Some lovely head-bobbing and unassuming surroundings here:
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As for the track itself, it’s a bit of stylistic change for the lads who’ve mastered their 80s-tinged indie formula over the past decade but it’s an absolute pop and is already stuck in our heads.
Revealing that they’ve collaborated with contemporary funk, disco and electronic icons Jungle on the track, it doesn’t take too long to hear the influences. Look forward to hearing it at Wythenshawe Park this summer.
You can watch the music video for ‘What Can I Say?’ and the ginger-goatee’d football manager extraordinaire in full character HERE.
He’s not the only footballing figure who’s made an entertainment crossover recently either.
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Featured Images — Blossoms (via YouTube)/Virgin EMI
Sport
Tributes paid to former Manchester City winger Ian Mellor, dead at 74
Danny Jones
Tributes are pouring following the death of former Manchester City star, Ian Mellor, who has sadly passed away at the age of 74.
Mellor, from Sale in Greater Manchester, played as a left winger for Man City as well as the likes of Norwich City, Brighton, Chester, Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford.
With his family and former club confirming the death on Wednesday, 1 May, social media has been awash with people paying their respects to the seasoned ex-pro who sadly died following a long battle with amyloidosis, a rare and incurable disease which affects organs such as the heart, brains and kidneys.
Replying to his son and ex-Liverpool turned Sky Sports broadcaster, Neil Mellor, the club paid their respects to the former Blue who made 50 appearances for the club.
Mellor began his career just down the road at Wythenshawe Amateurs before going on to represent City from 1970 to 1973.
A boyhood fan of the club, he scored 10 goals whilst wearing Sky Blue and also went on to win the Charity Shield with them back in 1972.
Eventually nicknamed ‘Spider’ for a good chunk of his career due to his long-legged stature, he remained attached to the beautiful game for years after his retirement and went on to become a committee member for the Former Players Association at City.
Joining the likes of all his former clubs, Chester City said: “Everyone at [the club] is saddened to hear of the passing of Ian Mellor. Sending all our love to you and your family, Neil Mellor.
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His son Neil’s goodbye has touched many online too, calling his dad his “hero” and his “everything”.
He also went on to thank locally-based end-of-life care organisation and charity, St Ann’s Hospice, who have facilities all over Greater Manchester and who helped care for Ian in his final days.
Our thoughts are with his friends and family as well as those whose lives he touched through football during this difficult time.
Rest in peace.
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Featured Images — Manchester City/Neil Mellor (via X)
