Gary O’Neil was left fuming at the “terrible decision” taken to award Aleksandar Mitrovic a second-half penalty from which he scored an equaliser as Fulham twice came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.The 28-year-old scored from the penalty spot – his first goal for Marco Silva’s side since September 3 – to take his tally for the season to s...Full Story »

Alex Neil says Stoke’s accomplished Championship victory at Preston will swell confidence and belief among his upwardly-mobile team.Stoke created all the clear openings and denied toothless Preston a single shot on target.And the visitors, roared on by more than 3,000 travelling fans, claimed a second straight win courtesy of quickfire second-half strikes from Will Smallbone and Tyrese Cam...Full Story »

Two expertly taken goals from Will Smallbone and Tyrese Campbell inside eight second-half minutes propelled Stoke to a wholly deserved 2-0 win at Preston.Stoke’s win meant a successful first return to Deepdale for former Preston boss Alex Neil, who has revived hopes of a promotion challenge after taking charge of the Potters in August.Midfielder Smallbone, on loan from Southampton, sparked...Full Story »

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson reminded his players they had to compete physically with Fiorentina to save themselves from an even bigger defeat in Italy.Neilson was unhappy with his players’ first-half approach after they shipped four goals without reply in Florence.He got the reaction he was looking for at half-time as his side kept the score at 5-1.After hitting a post inside 30 seconds,...Full Story »

Gillingham boss Neil Harris will be hoping Shaun Williams is fit to take his place in midfield when table-topping Stevenage arrive on Saturday.Williams, captain while Stuart O’Keefe recovers from a hamstring injury, played against Crewe with his ankle strapped last weekend and was given 45 minutes of their EFL Trophy tie in midweek.Harris, on a five-match unbeaten run in all competitions, ...Full Story »

Neil Harris says he is encouraged by his strike partnership of Mikael Mandron and Scott Kashket after the pair played their part in earning Gillingham a point in a 1-1 draw at Crewe.Mandron’s 12th-minute opener against his former club was only the visitors’ fourth in 12 League Two games this season.Kashket, who was also at Crewe last term, helped Mandron make the hosts pay for a poor...Full Story »

Alex Neil hailed Phil Jagielka as “incredible” after the 40-year-old inspired Stoke to a 3-1 victory over his former club Sheffield United.The veteran defender scored one and set up another as Stoke secured a first home win under new boss Neil since his arrival from Sunderland.Jagielka crossed for Ben Wilmot’s early opener and then scored his first goal since April 2019, either...Full Story »

Salford boss Neil Wood was delighted with his side’s battling qualities after they ground out a 1-0 win over Northampton.A tight game between third and fifth at Sixfields could have swung either way but it was the visitors who were celebrating come the full-time whistle thanks to Ethan Galbraith’s first goal for the club just before half-time.The win was Salford’s first against...Full Story »

Stoke manager Alex Neil will be without four key players for his side’s Sky Bet Championship clash against Sheffield United at the bet365 Stadium.Sam Clucas will miss out again with a hamstring injury, while Harry Souttar is continuing his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament tear.Gavin Kilkenny (groin) and Jacob Brown (muscle) are also expected to be absent.Harry Clarke, who marked...Full Story »

Robbie Neilson lamented the loss of two “poor” first-half goals as Hearts crashed to a 3-0 defeat at home to Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League on Thursday.The Italians dominated possession for long periods of the match and their victory took them above the Jambos into second place in Group A.Neilson admitted his side were taught a harsh lesson as they “switched off&rdq...Full Story »

Alex Neil felt his homework paid off as Stoke struck late to earn a point from a 1-1 Sky Bet Championship draw with Burnley.Sub Harry Clarke headed in with three minutes remaining to cancel out Connor Roberts’ opener for the home side early in the second half and ensure the Potters left Turf Moor with a positive result on the back of a 4-0 weekend drubbing at the hands of Watford.Neil reve...Full Story »

Salford boss Neil Wood expressed his frustration as the Ammies held on to draw 1-1 at home with Grimsby.The hosts took the lead inside two minutes but their grip gradually loosened as the Mariners grew into the tie.Theo Vassell’s early opener was cancelled out before the half hour mark when on-loan Burnley youngster Lewis Richardson notched his first senior goal.And the visitors – wh...Full Story »

Salford boss Neil Wood praised his side’s “never-say-die” spirit after another late show sealed a 2-1 win over 10-man Sutton.Josh Neufville handed the hosts the lead in the 62nd-minute, but Donovan Wilson’s dismissal six minutes later changed the game.Goals in the 80th and 87th minutes from Matty Lund and Ryan Watson turned the match on its head and inflicted Matt Gray&rs...Full Story »

Stoke boss Alex Neil insisted his side were denied an obvious penalty in the final moments of their 0-0 Sky Bet Championship draw at QPR.Referee Matt Donohue waved away the visitors’ appeals after Ben Wilmot went down under a challenge from Kenneth Paal at Loftus Road.Neil said: “The game shouldn’t be remembered for one incident. But I think it’s a clear penalty.“I&...Full Story »

Alex Neil was full of praise for his Stoke side after they picked up their first win under his management with a convincing 3-0 victory over Hull at the MKM Stadium.Stoke scored their first when Lewis Baker’s free-kick deflected off the wall and completely wrong-footed Tigers keeper Matt Ingram.Baker turned provider when his floated cross was met by the head of Ben Wilmot, who scored his s...Full Story »

Salford boss Neil Wood insisted his side need to become more ruthless in front of goal after watching them snatch a late winner at Harrogate.The Ammies managed 18 shots during an end-to-end League Two contest, but it took them until the 93rd minute to make the all-important breakthrough.Matty Lund’s header from Elliot Watt’s right-wing free-kick eventually proved sufficient to seal a...Full Story »

The Hammers kick-off their Europa Conference League group stage on Thursday against Romania’s FCSB — formerly Steaua Bucharest — at the London Stadium. Young Lampard talking to a Playboy bunny Credit: AP:Associated Press Ruddock posing for a photo in Bucharest Credit: AP:Associated Press Lomas recalls a game away at Steaua Bucharest Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd David M...Full Story »

Bournemouth interim boss Gary O’Neil does not know whether the impressive comeback win at Nottingham Forest will make him a candidate for the permanent job.O’Neil is in temporary charge following Scott Parker’s sacking on Tuesday and a roller-coaster week was completed by his side coming from 2-0 down at half-time to win 3-2 at the City Ground.First-half goals from Cheikhou Kou...Full Story »

A frustrated Neil Wood rued missed chances as Salford were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Crawley.The Ammies relinquished the lead on two occasions against a Crawley side who are still without a victory in Sky Bet League Two under new boss Kevin Betsy.Callum Hendry handed the hosts a dream start inside three minutes but the Salford lead was cancelled out when Tom Nichols rifled home.After the int...Full Story »

Gillingham boss Neil Harris said his side’s goalless draw with Swindon felt like a win after they were forced to play most of the Sky Bet League Two clash with 10 men.The result, which came after Gills debutant Haji Mnoga was dismissed for picking up two yellow cards inside the opening 10 minutes, extended their winless – and scoreless – run to five league matches.Nevertheless,...Full Story »