Europa League: Maguire scores dramatic late winner as Man United and Tottenham secure semi-final spots


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Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim said his team can still achieve "something special" this season after a dramatic 5-4 comeback win over Lyon at Old Trafford on Thursday sealed a 7-6 aggregate victory and a place in the Europa League semi-finals.

Trailing 4-2 with just six minutes of extra-time remaining and facing elimination, United turned the tie on its head. Bruno Fernandes converted a penalty to begin the resurgence before Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire struck late, sparking wild celebrations among the home support.

“In this stadium, in this club, you always have that feeling that anything can happen,” Amorim said. “We know we are underperforming and deserve all the critics, but we have time to make something special of this season.”

Amorim, who admitted to recently watching a documentary on United’s famous 1999 treble, likened the comeback to one of the club’s most historic European nights.

With United languishing in 14th place in the Premier League, the Europa League now represents their only realistic path to Uefa Champions League qualification. Failing to win the competition could leave the club without European football next season, a scenario that would be financially damaging and complicate Amorim's summer transfer plans.

“One moment can change a lot of things in the players’ minds,” he said. “We have to be really focused on the Europa League and take risks sometimes with kids in the Premier League. Fans have to understand that.”

Mainoo, who came off the bench to play as a makeshift centre-forward, scored a composed equaliser in only his second appearance since February due to injury. The 18-year-old is optimistic the momentum can carry United to a European title.

“The performance wasn’t up to the highest standard, but a win like that can bring so much momentum,” he said. “We’re rolling the snowball and it could get bigger and bigger. Hopefully we can go all the way.”

United will play Athletic Club after the Spanish club saw off Scottish side Rangers 2-0 thanks to a Oihan Sancet penalty and a late Nico Williams strike.

Tottenham's Dominic Solanke, left, challenges for the ball with Frankfurt's Fares Chaibi. AP
Tottenham's Dominic Solanke, left, challenges for the ball with Frankfurt's Fares Chaibi. AP

Spurs 'never lost belief'

Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur secured their place in the semi-finals with a 1-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, easing the pressure on manager Ange Postecoglou amid a difficult domestic campaign.

A Dominic Solanke penalty shortly before half time proved decisive in Germany as Spurs delivered a composed performance to advance 2-1 on aggregate.

Postecoglou, who has faced mounting speculation over his future, said the win demonstrated his players' belief in the project.

“Our fans have been through a tough time. Hopefully this gives them something to look forward to,” said the Australian. “I’m the same coach that I was yesterday. The players have never lost belief.”

Solanke, scoring his first goal since January, said the victory offered the club a rare chance to end a 17-year wait for silverware.

“It’s been a difficult season for all of us,” Solanke said. “But now we’ve got a chance to go on and win something, which would be magnificent. On our day we can beat anyone.”

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario echoed the sentiment, saying the result showed unity within the squad.

“Everyone has suffered a lot this season,” said Vicario. “It’s been a tough one but we’re still alive and we want to fight for something special.”

Spurs will face Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt in the semi-finals after the Eliteserien club edged past Lazio on penalties. Goalkeeper Nikita Haikin made the decisive save against Taty Castellanos to secure a historic result.

“It’s historic, not only for Bodø/Glimt but for all of Norwegian football,” Haikin said. “Even after I saved the shot, I didn’t realise we’d won – but then I saw the guys running and I started running too.”

Coffee: black death or elixir of life?

It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?

Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.

The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.

The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.

Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver. 

The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.

But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.

Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.

It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.

So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.

Rory Reynolds

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Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
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SPECS

Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now

FIVE%20TRENDS%20THAT%20WILL%20SHAPE%20UAE%20BANKING
%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20The%20digitisation%20of%20financial%20services%20will%20continue%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Managing%20and%20using%20data%20effectively%20will%20become%20a%20competitive%20advantage%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Digitisation%20will%20require%20continued%20adjustment%20of%20operating%20models%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Banks%20will%20expand%20their%20role%20in%20the%20customer%20life%20through%20ecosystems%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20The%20structure%20of%20the%20sector%20will%20change%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah

Director: Majid Al Ansari

Rating: 4/5

Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
  • Drones
  • Animals
  • Fireworks/ flares
  • Radios or power banks
  • Laser pointers
  • Glass
  • Selfie sticks/ umbrellas
  • Sharp objects
  • Political flags or banners
  • Bikes, skateboards or scooters
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Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

MATCH INFO

Burnley 0

Man City 3

Raheem Sterling 35', 49'

Ferran Torres 65'

 

 

Price, base / as tested From Dh173,775 (base model)
Engine 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo, AWD
Power 249hp at 5,500rpm
Torque 365Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Gearbox Nine-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined 7.9L/100km

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Updated: April 18, 2025, 10:42 AM