Sport

Manchester City complete the treble after winning first Champions League trophy

An almost inevitable Premier League comeback, a Manchester Derby FA Cup victory and now a first Champions League. What a year it's been for the Blues.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 10th June 2023

Manchester City have done the incredible by winning the hallowed treble, winning not only this year’s Premier League title but the FA Cup and now the club’s first-ever Champions League trophy.

Despite being considered favourites by most coming into the Champions League final against Inter Milan, Man City previously hadn’t won a European trophy since the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1970 and have been pushing hard for a first UCL title ever since Pep Guardiola joined the club.

Beating Inter 1-0, the Blues had their eyes well and truly focused on glory all night and, given the kind of football they have once again played this season, managed to do what many had already begun to accept as inevitable for a team of this talent.

This is just the 10th time in history that anyone has won the treble, with City becoming part of an exclusive club comprised of just seven other teams to have ever achieved the impressive feat — their historic rivals Manchester United, obviously, being one of them.

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Now though, that 1999 team has some serious contention when it comes to the greatest of all time, as Pep adds yet another truly remarkable season to his belt.

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Not only is that Manchester City’s first Champions League trophy but it’s Guardiola’s third in his career, having finally broken the duck of not winning a European title at anywhere but Barcelona.

However, it looks like that sticking point is now well and truly behind him, with this year’s UCL title making it 35 major honours in 15 years as a manager.

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Not only will the Spaniard undoubtedly go down as one of if not the greatest manager of all time, but this current generation of City players show no signs of slowing down and are certain to win countless more trophies. Congratulations and enjoy the party Blues — it’s going to be unforgettable!

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Featured Image — Manchester City (via Twitter)

Sport

Antony labelled ‘classless’ and ’embarrassing’ for celebrations after Man United’s penalty shootout win against Coventry

Danny Jones Danny Jones Antony celebrations controversy FA Cup semi-final Coventry City penalty shootout

Manchester United star Antony has been labelled “classless”, “embarrassing” and plenty worse following his celebrations after the Red Devils’ slim FA Cup semi-final win on penalties against Coventry City.

The Brazilian winger has been a divisive figure ever since he arrived at Old Trafford, with most arguing that the club have seen nowhere enough for his hefty price tag, not to mention that moments like his trademark spinning has served as little more than a meme at Man United‘s expense.

However, it’s his behaviour both on and off the pitch that has also made him an unlikeable figure this season. Being embroiled in an ongoing domestic assault case certainly has only exacerbated his public image but it was his latest viral moment against Coventry that has now irked even more people.

United managed to blow a 3-0 lead against the Championship side on Sunday, allowing the Sky Blues to push them all the way to penalties following a catastrophic 19-minute collapse (by no means the first this year), but it was Antony’s reaction after surviving the shootout that has left people countless arguing.

These are the celebrations Antony is being criticised for as United secured their place in the FA Cup final for the second year in a row.

Several supporters, Reds included, have come out to criticise the celebrations from Antony, who decided to direct his taunts towards the opposition who shone at Wembley from start to finish even after the heartbreaking twist of fate in what was a truly epic comeback.

While there has been plenty of controversy surrounding the game – Coventry’s last-minute penalty to tie the game and what they thought was the winner only for it to be ruled in a ridiculously tight offside, just to name a couple – there can be no question as to it going down as an FA Cup classic.

All that being said, despite the game being a dramatic delight for the neutral, Antony’s ear-cupping after Rasmus Højlund scored the winning penalty has left many with a sour taste in their mouth and his reputation dented even further.

The backlash on social media has been pretty vocal, with the 24-year-old branded as everything from “shameless”, “embarrassing” and “a disgrace” to “everything wrong with modern football”; one person even went so far as to label him “the most hateable player” in the sport. Yep, not a very popular bloke.

There are too many tweets to count when it comes to the debate Antony has sparked.

Although the vast majority have come out to condemn it as needless showboating, perceiving it as unnecessary salt in the wound to those already hurting in the stands, there are some dismissing the celebrations as simply part of the game.

Fan account Stretford Post wrote: “I have no issue with what Antony did, so what, he loves the game and loves to win, it’s emotional and we all let ourselves go sometimes. Accept the man’s personality and stop the agenda.”

That being said, it’s fair to say the chaotic ending to the game gave the bulk of Man United fans in the stadium and watching home much to fully celebrate given the nature of their capitulation and even some of his teammates on the pitch looked reticent to run over to excitedly to Højlund after he scored.

ln fact, both captain Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire – who went straight to commiserate the Coventry players after the final penalty – were quick to acknowledge how fortunate they were to scrape through in the end, simply boiling it down a season-defining statement: “We have to do much better”.

Maguire reiterated that the penalty decision was harsh but that the opposition deserved ‘full credit’.

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Be it naivety or just getting swept in the spirit of a crucial FA Cup final-securing penalty shootout, the celebrations by Antony haven’t gone down well with many fans or pundits.

Former United and fellow winger Lee Sharpe told talkSPORT that while his age may have been a factor, he deemed the reaction “out of order” given how close his team came to bottling it. What did you make of the moment: perfectly acceptable given the circumstances or needless and ’embarrassing’?

It will now be a Manchester derby FA Cup final for the second year running and, one thing’s for sure, Erik ten Hag’s side can’t afford to make that many mistakes against Man City.

You can watch the highlights from the frantic semi-final down below but, the better question is, which half of Manchester is going to leave with their hands on the trophy on 25 May?

It had everything this game.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — BBC Sport/@MatthewStanger (via X)

Sport

Manchester’s Club de Padel claps back at ’embarrassing’ copycat ASOS product

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

A local Manchester business has sarcastically pointed out the glaring similarities between a new t-shirt on ASOS and one of its own designs.

Club de Padel has a range of retro-inspired merch with UN:IK, a small independent streetwear brand also based here in Manchester.

Its collection of t-shirts, hoodies, tracksuits, hats and bags often feature a design of an illustrated padel ball (which to the untrained eye is basically a tennis ball) in motion.

But this week a t-shirt appeared on ASOS that also featured an illustrated padel ball in motion, just in a slightly different colour palette.

The ASOS version, which has now been removed from sale, also undercut Club de Padel’s price by £6.

Since Club de Padel took the ’embarrassing’ copycat product public on their Instagram page, ASOS has launched an investigation and taken it off their website.

The sports venture, based at Deansgate Square and the only padel club in Manchester, wrote: “Love the new designs ASOS, kinda reminds us of something though…

The ASOS t-shirt that Club de Padel has said copies their merch. Credit: ASOS
The ASOS t-shirt that Club de Padel has said copies their merch. Credit: ASOS
Club de Padel's t-shirt created by Manchester brand UN:IK
Club de Padel’s t-shirt created by Manchester brand UN:IK. Credit: Club de Padel

“Ah. Well that’s embarrassing… We’ve got a new line coming soon with UN:IK Clothing you’re just gonna love ASOS.

“In the meantime we made this for you @asos, save your design team a job.”

An ASOS spokesperson said: “We take intellectual property issues very seriously and have removed this product from sale while we investigate further.”

Of the Club de Padel and UN:IK collaboration, aka the real deal, UN:IK says it has ‘served up a staple for us, retro inspired leisure pieces with Manchester’s first ever padel club’.

Club de Padel in Manchester has gone public to poke fun at ASOS

They wrote: “Inspired by owners after a trip to Spain, Club de Padel has hit the city with a wave and the lifestyle brand we have created with them reinforces the fastest growing sport across Europe.

“Our classic vintage washes and oversized fits, working with independent designs as always on this local independent partnership. Don’t be afraid to the sport, we’ll guarantee you love it as much as these clothes.”

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Featured image: Club de Padel

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