Sports
Swansea City season review: Work to do as Vitor Matos tries to change the record
This time last year, Swansea had built significant momentum under former boss Alan Sheehan, who had inspired an upturn in form to ward off relegation concerns after the Luke Williams era ended on the back of a worrying slump.
In the previous campaign, Williams was the man who masterminded the turnaround in fortunes after Michael Duff’s forgettable stint in charge.
Matos’ challenge is to change the record at Swansea, who will begin 2026-27 with an eye on the play-offs, as was the case at the start of the season which ended with Saturday’s win over Charlton Athletic.
There is likely to be a little more expectation next time around given that the teams finishing seventh and eighth will secure play-off places in a year’s time.
Yet it is worth remembering that aside from their two play-off campaigns under Steve Cooper – when parachute payments still offered a helping hand – the best finish Swansea have managed since dropping out of the top flight is 10th, first Graham Potter in 2019 and then Russell Martin three years ago.
Matos’ team finished 11th, just as Sheehan’s side did last year, although Swansea had three more points this time around.
Ultimately, they were nine points short of Hull City, who claimed the last of this season’s play-off places, and five adrift of Derby County, who ended in eighth.
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Sports
Early fantasy fallout: De'Von Achane. Breece Hall. Name someone, they're probably injured
Achane and Hall both left their games with injuries and did not return.
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Sports
Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel team up for 49ers' 82-yard hook-and-lateral TD vs. Cardinals
Samuel was credited for 80 yards and a touchdown — but no reception — on the trick play that opened the 49ers’ scoring vs. the Cardinals.
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Sports
Israel 0-3 Republic of Ireland: Irish impress in Debrecen victory
Three first-half goals saw the Republic of Ireland claim their first win of their Nations League Group B3 campaign against Israel in Debrecen.
Three days on from a disappointing defeat in Kosovo, the Irish enjoyed a much better showing in Hungary as first-half goals from Troy Parrott, Adam Idah and Jack Moylan had them clear.
Israel pushed for a way back early in the second period but could not get past Caoimhin Kelleher, with the Irish in control for the most part to ease home.
As expected, there were no handshakes prior to the game, with Republic of Ireland players bowing their heads during the Israeli anthem.
Despite the fraught build-up, Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side began with confidence and were rewarded on 14 minutes as Parrott netted his 12th international goal when turning home James Abankwah’s cut-back.
The lead was doubled two minutes later and this time it was Idah who was put through by Moylan before slotting past Daniel Peretz into the corner of the net.
Caoimhin Kelleher would be called into action to thwart Anan Khalaili, but the Irish would go three clear in the 25th minute when Moylan drove into the box and fired home his first competitive international goal.
Israel pushed for a way back early in the second period but Kelleher would deny Dor Peretz and then Eliel Peretz.
Idah went close to grabbing his second but Peretz turned his effort around the post.
Republic of Ireland now turn their attention to Austria in Dublin on Thursday with Israel back in Debrecen to face Kosovo.
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