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Luton Town 2-4 Fulham

Luton Town 2-4 Fulham. Raul Jimenez scored twice as Fulham beat relegated Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on the final day of the Premier League season.

Adama Traore produced an unerring finish into the bottom corner as Fulham took the lead just before the break.

But after Calvin Bassey was adjudged to have fouled Chiedozie Ogbene, Carlton Morris rolled home a penalty to equalise.

Jimenez restored Fulham’s lead deep into first-half added time, slotting in a first-time effort from Harry Wilson’s pass.

The Mexico international then got in front of the Luton defence and headed home his second from a Harrison Reed free-kick minutes after the interval.

Alfie Doughty’s free-kick reduced the deficit but Marco Silva’s side restored their two-goal advantage when Wilson curled into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Luton can be proud of their general performances across the season, but their defending on the final day showed exactly why they will be returning to the Championship.

To underline the point, there were just 67 seconds between their equaliser and Fulham’s second goal.

The Hatters conceded 85 league goals this season – with only Sheffield United (104) and Darmstadt (86) letting in more across Europe’s top five leagues.

But while Luton failed to win any of their final six games, they did score in each of their last seven – highlighting the fact they did not go down without a fight.

Morris’ penalty meant he finished the season with 11 league goals – more than any other Luton player. Doughty, another of their top performers, signed off with his second goal of the season.

Their fans stayed behind long after the final whistle to ensure the players returned to the pitch to rapturous applause.

Rob Edwards’ side may have had a brief stay in the division but there is no doubt it has been a memorable one.

Speaking after the match, the Luton boss said: “We are a special club. We have got unique support – we have had that all season long. Everyone that has travelled has shown their best.

“We have given our best this year and ultimately we have just come up short. If one game could almost tell a season’s story, that would be today.

“We showed really good moments, created chances, didn’t take them, conceded from a mistake, then were punished with a brilliant finish, equalised and then conceded straight after.

“Full of endeavour, some really good quality at times as well, but just a little bit too fragile.”

Wilson was sublime against a Luton side who were unable to cope with him.

The Welsh winger scored once and provided two assists – becoming the first Fulham player to have three ‘direct goal contributions’ in a Premier League match since Dimitar Berbatov against Arsenal in November 2012.

He cut inside and passed to Traore for Fulham’s opener and found Jimenez in space for his first goal.

After the break, he struck the crossbar after Reed’s clever backheel from a free-kick.

But eight minutes later he scored the goal his performance deserved, curling home as Fulham finished the season with a flourish.

Fulham boss Silva said: “Some very good goals from ourselves.

“The fourth goal is another good example, a great open-play moment from us and a great goal from ourselves.

“There were some very good individual performances and the collective performance was good as well. We deserved [the result], we were the best team on the pitch.

“Unfortunately, we conceded two goals that we should avoid as well, but three points to end the season, away from home, it was important.”

source – BBC

Liverpool 2-0 Wolves

Liverpool 2-0 Wolves. Jurgen Klopp’s final game as Liverpool manager ended with victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers amid emotional scenes at Anfield.

Liverpool’s fans made it their business to dedicate the whole occasion to giving thanks and paying tribute to the manager who has brought such success to the club in a nine-year reign.

And Klopp’s players delivered their part of the bargain with a comfortable three points in an atmosphere that was part carnival and part a sad farewell to the German, who was given a rapturous reception before kick-off and serenaded throughout.

Liverpool owner John W Henry flew in from Boston to pay his own tribute to Klopp, whose crowning achievements were winning the Champions League in 2019 – the club’s sixth win in the tournament – and their first league title in 30 years the following season.

The game itself was almost a sideshow.

Alexis Mac Allister headed Liverpool ahead in the 34th minute from Harvey Elliott’s cross, and Jarell Quansah added a second from almost on the goalline six minutes later as they finished the season third in the Premier League after winning the Carabao Cup.

The goals came after Wolves had Nelson Semedo sent off by referee Chris Kavanagh after a video assistant referee review for a high challenge on Mac Allister.

The Kop led the deafening tributes to Klopp as he cut a low-key-figure during the game, rarely prowling the touchline, preferring to stay seated alongside his loyal long-term assistants Peter Krawietz and Pep Lijnders, who will both leave Anfield with him.

It will now be the task of Klopp’s successor Arne Slot to build on the outstanding legacy he will take up.

This was a day that more about Klopp than Liverpool’s result or performance – but it was fitting the manager who has overseen so many memorable victories at Anfield should sign off his nine-year reign with a win.

Liverpool’s fans delivered a flavour of what lay in store as thousands lined Anfield Road to greet Klopp at the head of the team coach, and the manager was given a predictably rapturous reception as he came out for the warm-up.

Before kick-off, Liverpool’s fans unveiled mosaics on three sides of Anfield – one stretching along the length of the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand reading simply ‘Jurgen’ while another in the Anfield Road stated ‘Danke’.

Klopp listened intently to a rousing rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone’ before embracing his backroom team one by one as they joined him on the bench.

The manager’s name was chanted throughout the first half but the volume was really turned up as the clock ticked down to the moment when it was time for Klopp to take his bows.

This was Klopp’s 491st match in charge and his 299th win, losing only 12 of 167 Premier League games at Anfield.

Klopp’s remarkable record has written him into Liverpool legend, as could be seen the tears, smiles and raw emotion that played out throughout the game.

The good news for Slot is Klopp has left him a squad in fine shape to push for further success with a blend of world-class stars and emerging youngsters for the coach, who is coming from Feyenoord, to take on next season.

This, however, was Klopp’s day and the Kop left him in no doubt how much they loved him and how much he will be missed.

source – BBC

Crystal Palace 5-0 Aston Villa

Crystal Palace 5-0 Aston Villa. Jean-Philippe Mateta struck a hat-trick while Eberechi Eze scored twice as Crystal Palace thrashed a sorry Aston Villa to finish tenth and equal their best finish in the Premier League.

The French striker scored twice before the break and secured his hat-trick through an Eze assist.

Mateta then set up Eze for his second goal, his first having come early in the second half.

Palace end the season with an unbeaten run of seven games, while Villa, having already secured fourth place, could only claim two points from a possible 12 in the final stretch.

It was a subdued end to an otherwise excellent campaign for Unai Emery’s side, who qualify for the Champions League 41 years after their last outing in the European Cup.

Showing four changes to the side that started the 3-3 draw with Liverpool on the previous Monday, Villa’s bench featured two goalkeepers including Emery’s 21-year-old son Lander.

The Eagles finished the season strongly under manager Oliver Glasner, who replaced Roy Hodgson at Selhurst Park in mid-February.

Palace were in a relegation fight when Glasner succeeded Roy Hodgson in February, but such was their turnaround under the Austrian that they finished the campaign as one of the Premier League’s in-form sides.

Confidence oozed out of them from the start, with Mateta sweeping Michael Olise’s pass past Robin Olsen for the opener after nine minutes.

He diverted a low Daniel Munoz cross past Olsen for his second, and Palace could have been further ahead by the break had the keeper not saved from Olise twice inside stoppage time.

Eze latched onto a rebound to lash the ball in from the edge of the box to make it 3-0 and then set up Mateta for his third goal.

Mateta found the net for the fourth time shortly after, only for it to be chalked off for offside, but he set up Eze for his second to complete an excellent end to the season for the Eagles.

It was a harsh ending to the season for Villa, who ran out of steam after a gruelling spell that saw them play six times inside 17 days.

That included a two-legged semi-final defeat to Olympiakos and a stirring comeback against Liverpool, with fourth place in the table secured 24 hours later when Tottenham Hotspur lost to Manchester City.

The pass from Olise that sliced open the defence for Mateta’s first set the template for the rest of the afternoon, while Moussa Diaby’s shot that was saved by Dean Henderson soon afterwards was Villa’s best chance of getting close to Palace.

Villa were playing their 55th game of the season and how they cope with battles on several fronts, with the demands of the Champions League as well as domestic challenges, will be a real test of Emery and his squad next season.

source – BBC

Chelsea 2-1 Bournemouth

Chelsea 2-1 Bournemouth. Chelsea secured European football for next season as Moises Caicedo hit a stunning 50-yard goal in their 2-1 win over Bournemouth.

The Ecuadorian amazed all inside Stamford Bridge when he controlled Neto’s clearance and struck from inside the centre circle in the 17th minute for his first Chelsea goal.

Raheem Sterling doubled Chelsea’s lead at the start of the second half before Benoit Badiashile could only direct Enes Unal’s effort into his own goal as Andoni Iraola’s side cut the deficit.

Mauricio Pochettino’s sixth-placed side are provisionally set to play Europa Conference League football next term, but they will move up to the Europa League if Manchester City beat Manchester United in the FA Cup final on Saturday, 25 May.

Both sides started the game looking to attack as Cole Palmer went close for Chelsea while Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo fired straight at Dorde Petrovic inside 10 minutes.

Caicedo showed exactly what £115m brings to a side when he collected Neto’s clearance after the goalkeeper charged out to halt the run of Sterling.

The midfielder took aim as he crossed the halfway line, knowing Neto was well off his line, and there was nothing the Cherries keeper could do to prevent the accomplished finish.

Sterling made it 2-0 just after half-time. A jinking run on the left saw him leave two Bournemouth defenders behind before he fired through the legs of Neto.

Bournemouth closed the gap before Dominic Solanke, who started the game on the bench for the visitors, should have scored his 20th league goal of the season in the closing minutes. The former Chelsea man instead sent a poorly executed strike over the bar.

Chelsea have ended the season on a positive note, while Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth, in trouble during the early weeks of the campaign, finish in 12th place.

It was Chelsea who came home 12th last season, and a vast improvement was called for at Stamford Bridge.

A new manager and a summer of spending did not immediately result in a winning formula.

Under the guidance of Pochettino, Chelsea were struggling in the bottom half of the table during the early months, having lost to the likes of West Ham, Brentford and Nottingham Forest.

There were calls for Pochettino’s sacking from supporters at times, but the Blues hierarchy stood firm and the Argentine boss has recently presented a glimpse of the team Chelsea could become.

Having ended the season with seven wins in 10 games – five of those wins coming in their last five matches – there is plenty of reason for optimism in west London.

European football has been secured, albeit not a Champions League place.

With 22 league goals, Cole Palmer enjoyed a season beyond his wildest dreams and may improve further next season, while the likes of Caicedo, Levi Colwill, Nicolas Jackson, Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Mudryk should increase their performance levels with more Premier League experience under their belts.

Gary O’Neil’s sacking as Cherries boss last summer came as a huge surprise after Premier League safety was secured for another season.

The Bournemouth hierarchy clearly had other plans for the direction of their club and that prominently included Iraola after he left his post at Rayo Vallecano.

Questions were being asked as Bournemouth sat 19th after nine games, but the Cherries surged impressively into mid-table.

Iraola’s side flourished as Solanke began to score regularly, and thoughts of Iraola being the wrong man at the helm were banished.

The Spaniard showed why Bournemouth appointed him as he was nominated for the Premier League Manager of the Season award and handed a new contract.

There was no winning farewell to 2023-24 for the Cherries, but there was the satisfaction of safety and season-long progress.

source – BBC

Nomzamo Mbatha signs deal with African Bank

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Nomzamo Mbatha announces partnership with African Bank. The bank welcomed the actress into the family as their brand ambassador. On Friday, Nomzamo announced the deal with a video of herself giving a powerful speech.

Nomzamo Mbatha

“Bravery knows no limits when audacity takes the lead. Here’s to the next chapter,” she captioned post. The bank also dedicated a few posts to announce the new addition to the family.

Nomzamo Mbatha

“Bravery knows no limits when audacity takes the lead. Welcome to the Africanbank family @nomzamo_m. We look forward to seeing you grow, because, when you grow, we grow. Continue to be BOLD, PUSH the boundaries, and go after what you BELIEVE in because Africa will back you,” African Bank wrote on its official Instagram account.

In other news – DJ Zinhle addresses the public after being triggered by her statement on SA youths

As of my last update in January 2022, there’s no specific incident or statement from DJ Zinhle regarding an apology to South African youths.

DJ Zinhle

However, given that public figures like DJ Zinhle often engage with their audience on various platforms, it’s possible that such an apology or statement could have occurred after my last update. Read more

Burnley 1-2 Nottingham Forest

Burnley 1-2 Nottingham Forest. Chris Wood’s double against his former club sealed Premier League safety for Nottingham Forest as they comfortably beat relegated Burnley.

Forest’s goal difference meant they were as good as safe going into the final day but Wood shattered any slight concerns when he turned home an Anthony Elanga cross after just 76 seconds.

Wood’s second, coming as a Ryan Yates shot ricocheted off him and past Arijanet Muric, was initially disallowed, but the Video Assistant Referee overturned the on-field decision.

Burnley controlled the ball but were mostly unproductive in the final third, struggling as Forest sat back in a low block to keep the hosts at bay.

Forest made the most of their fleeting moments of possession, causing continual trouble through Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi’s tricky footwork on either wing.

Josh Cullen was fortunate that his second-half strike deflected off Forest defender Murillo and pulled a goal back for the Clarets, but they were unable to turn that into a sustained fightback.

Burnley – whose fate was sealed with defeat by Tottenham last weekend – return to the Championship having won just two games at home all season.

Mathematically, sealing Forest’s top-flight safety was on the line, but this was otherwise a game which had the feeling of a match at the end of the season.

Neither side managed to build up too many periods of rhythm and it was ultimately Wood’s nous in the box which made the difference.

Wood, who played for Burnley from 2017 to 2022, was a reliable presence in the final third to make the most of his side’s creativity on the counter-attack.

Nuno’s side sat back to stymie Burnley’s attempts of mounting a fightback and limited them to half-chances as Zeki Amdouni and Maxime Esteve both sent efforts over Matz Sels’ goal.

Forest were content with trying to break Burnley down in the middle and hit the hosts after overturning possession, with Morgan Gibbs-White’s vision orchestrating many of their moves forward.

Burnley just couldn’t cope with Forest’s pace and movement on the break and were punished when their slow build-up inevitably faltered.

Cullen’s goal acted as late inspiration, but in the end it was limited to consolation as Forest prevented Burnley finding an equaliser.

source – BBC

Kwaito legend Mapaputsi is reportedly ill and bedridden

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Legendary kwaito artist Sandile Ngwenya, who is popularly known as Mapaputsi has reportedly been ill since 2023.  Fan-favourite South African kwaito star, Mapaputsi is bedridden at his Soweto home and he’s not getting better.

A source close to the musician tells the publication that Ngwenya fell ill towards the end of 2023 and hasn’t been in good shape since.

“He hasn’t been in good shape since October and has been bedridden since. He doesn’t want the news of his ill health to bother his fans, as he believes he’ll be fine.

Mapaputsi

 

Another insider reveals that he doesn’t want to go to a hospital, even though his family has been begging him to go seek help there.

“He’ll be fine but to be honest he’s not doing so well, which is why he’s being advised to go to hospital where he’ll get the help he desperately needs.”

The musician’s family is reportedly worried about his ill health and wishes he could get help for his illness.

His manager, known as Gee tells the publication that he believes Mapaputsi will pull through because he is a fighter and has always been one.

Source: SABC

Brighton 0-2 Manchester United

Brighton 0-2 Manchester United. Rasmus Hojlund and Diogo Dalot helped Manchester United finish their worst Premier League season with a 2-0 victory at Brighton.

Despite the win, Erik ten Hag’s side end the campaign eighth – their lowest top-flight finish since 1989-90.

Brighton, meanwhile, failed to give departing boss Roberto de Zerbi the perfect send-off, despite having the better chances and dominating possession.

Adam Webster and Joao Pedro came closest to putting the Seagulls ahead in the first half, but they each lacked the clinical edge to beat Andre Onana.

Brighton were left regretting missed chances when Dalot slotted past Jason Steele in the 73rd minute, before substitute Hojlund sealed the three points two minutes before the end of normal time.

The Seagulls end the season 11th, missing out on the top half by a single point.

Manchester United went into the final day knowing they needed a result better than Newcastle’s to guarantee seventh place and European football next season.

But hopes quickly faded as the Magpies went into the half-time break with a 3-0 lead at Brentford.

Newcastle eventually wrapped up a 4-2 win, meaning the Red Devils will have to beat Manchester City in the FA Cup on Saturday if they are to secure a spot in next season’s Europa League.

Before their season-finale against Brighton, Ten Hag said Manchester United were in a stronger position now than they were 12 months ago.

But they have swapped a third-place finish and the Champions League for eighth, along with the possibility of no European football next season.

Their performance at Amex Stadium summed up an underwhelming season, as United struggled to deal with Brighton’s intricate passing and were pinned into their own half for much of the game.

However, makeshift centre-back Casemiro put recent criticism behind him as he kept United in the game with a brilliant goalline clearance from Joao Pedro.

The Brazilian, normally a defensive midfielder, also set up Dalot’s goal, sending a superb ball over the top of the Brighton defence.

Despite their worst Premier League finish, there have been positives for United this season and Hojlund’s performance off the bench was an example.

The Denmark international linked up with Christian Eriksen before waltzing through the Brighton defence and unleashing a low strike past Steele.

United’s chance to win the FA Cup on Saturday was evident when Ten Hag made the decision to rest players, substituting Lisandro Martinez and Bruno Fernandes before the hour mark.

The victory will boost confidence, and likely keep under-pressure Ten Hag in a job until Saturday’s final, but United will need to improve massively over the next week if they are to challenge Premier League champions Manchester City at Wembley.

The timing of De Zerbi’s announcement came as a surprise on Saturday, but it ensured he got the send-off he deserved.

Brighton fans waved their goodbyes to the Italian, with chants of ‘Oh Roberto de Zerbi’ ringing around the ground throughout the game.

De Zerbi guided Brighton to their highest top-flight finish last season, with sixth place securing European qualification for the first time in their history.

While the Seagulls’ season has fizzled out, an 11th-place finish can be seen as a success considering the strain of European competition and losing star players Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo in the last summer transfer window, along with lengthy injuries to Solly March and Kaoru Mitoma.

There was also a farewell for Adam Lallana, who made his 95th and final Premier League appearance for Brighton after announcing his departure from the club this week.

The 36-year-old midfielder was in floods of tears as he hugged De Zerbi when replaced by Julio Enciso in the 55th minute.

But there were smiles as the departing pair received a guard of honour and a standing ovation from the Brighton faithful, who made one last plea for De Zerbi to remain with repeated chanting of “we want you to stay”.

source – BBC

Brentford 2-4 Newcastle United

Brentford 2-4 Newcastle United.Newcastle face a wait to find out whether they will play European football next season after overcoming Brentford to secure seventh place in the Premier League.

The Magpies’ win means that a Manchester City victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup final next weekend will confirm their place in the 2024-25 Uefa Conference League.

Brentford’s Ivan Toney had an early goal disallowed against his former club, but Eddie Howe’s team took the lead midway through the first half when Harvey Barnes nodded Bruno Guimaraes’ delivery into the roof of the net.

Sean Longstaff had a close-range finish disallowed for offside, before Jacob Murphy converted Alexander Isak’s low cross at the far post following an error by Ethan Pinnock.

Isak got on the scoresheet himself moments later, becoming the first Newcastle player since Alan Shearer in 2003-04 to score 21 goals in a Premier League season when he side-footed Guimaraes’ through ball into the far corner.

Vitaly Janelt’s first goal since February 2023 reduced the arrears early in the second half, and Yoanne Wissa added a second for Brentford with a fabulous long-range strike into the far corner.

But Guimaraes all but ended the Bees’ hopes of salvaging anything from the game with 13 minutes remaining, firing home the rebound after Mark Flekken had saved Isak’s free-kick.

“It summed up our season,” Howe told BBC Match of the Day afterwards. “We weren’t totally secure at the back, but great credit to the players. They’ve done their job – now we wait and see.

“We anticipated after losing against Manchester United [on Wednesday] that our control of the [European] situation had gone. It’s never a nice situation, but whatever happens, happens.”

Reaction to Brentford v Newcastle and the rest of the action on the final day of the Premier League season

Given that Newcastle have suffered more than most with injuries this term, a top-seven finish – and a possible place in Europe for the second season in succession – should be deemed a satisfactory campaign for Howe’s side.

Newcastle’s away form has left a lot to be desired, and when Toney slotted in Bryan Mbeumo’s cross in just the third minute it looked like being another frustrating afternoon away from St James’ Park for Howe and his players.

However, Mbeumo was adjudged to be in an offside position in the build-up and after that reprieve Newcastle never looked back.

They could easily have been further ahead at the interval, Joelinton missing a glorious opportunity to put the visitors in front with the score still 0-0 and Flekken denying Isak a second goal shortly before half-time.

Janelt and Wissa gave Brentford hope as the Bees threatened to mount a second-half fightback, but the Magpies held their nerve and restored their two-goal advantage through Guimaraes late on.

The Brazilian’s goal came after Newcastle had a penalty downgraded to a free-kick by the video assistant referee (VAR), with Mbeumo’s foul on Lewis Hall deemed to have occurred just outside the area.

Remarkably, there have been 147 goals in matches involving Newcastle this season, the most in the Premier League since Liverpool’s fixtures produced 151 goals in 2013-14.

Having watched their side finish above Manchester United for the first time in the Premier League era, Newcastle fans must now hope Erik ten Hag’s side suffer further disappointment at Wembley on Saturday.

As for Brentford, the final-day defeat is only their second loss in nine matches since mid-March.

Thomas Frank’s side started brightly and were unfortunate not to take the lead when Toney’s early effort was ruled out for a marginal offside against Mbeumo.

But they crumbled after Barnes’ opener and could have been further behind at half-time.

They improved in the second half and Pope had to pull off an outstanding one-handed save to deny Toney his first goal since February – but Janelt and Wissa’s efforts were too little, too late for the home side.

Addressing the home fans at full-time, Frank promised his team would “go even bigger” next season after securing a fourth-successive campaign of top-flight football.

source – BBC

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs apologizes for alleged 2016 attack: I’m truly sorry

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Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs posted an apology to social media on Sunday, two days after the release of a hotel surveillance video that appeared to show him attacking his ex-girlfriend.

I’m truly sorry,” Combs said in a video post on his Instagram page. “My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I’m disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now

Addressing the camera directly, Combs said he had sought therapy and gone into rehab. In the surveillance video from 2016, which was released by CNN on Friday, the rapper appears to grab R&B vocalist Casandra Ventura as she waits by an elevator in a California hotel. Clad only in a towel, he throws her to the floor, kicking her repeatedly before dragging her toward a hallway, the video shows. A representative for Combs could not be immediately reached for further comment.

P Diddy and Cassie

Ventura, who performs under the stage name Cassie, sued Combs in 2023, accusing him of serial physical abuse, sexual slavery and rape during a 10-year professional and romantic relationship in which he controlled her through intimidation, drugs and alcohol. The parties settled the matter the following day for undisclosed terms. Representatives for Combs said at the time the settlement was “in no way an admission of wrongdoing.

The lawsuit was one of at least four civil complaints in recent months that leveled sexual assault allegations against Combs. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in March it had opened an investigation into the hip-hop star and searched his homes in the Miami area and in Los Angeles; it provided no details of the nature of the investigation. Local television images of the search showed an armored vehicle and officers carrying rifles outside Combs’ Los Angeles home. Authorities detained some people at the property with their hands bound by zip ties.

Source: Reuters

In other news – Disturbing video of P Diddy assaulting his ex-partner Cassie emerges

Disturbing surveillance video published Friday shows Sean “Diddy” Combs physically assaulting his then-girlfriend Casandra Ventura, corroborating allegations she made in a now-settled lawsuit late last year.

P Diddy and Cassie

Combs is the target of several civil lawsuits that characterize him as a violent s.e.xual predator who used alcohol and drugs to subdue his victims, and his homes were raided this year by federal agents. Read more