Today’s back pages: Salah stunner seals a ‘full English’ in Champions League last 16
A round up of the sport headlines from UK newspapers on 11 December
Salah hits stunner as Reds progress
The Daily Mirror reports there will be a “full English” in the Uefa Champions League last 16 after Liverpool and Chelsea joined Manchester City and Tottenham in next Monday’s draw.
Holders Liverpool secured their place in the knockout rounds after a 2-0 win last night against Red Bull Salzburg.
Naby Keita opened the scoring on 57 minutes and just 100 seconds later Mohamed Salah sealed the win with a “miraculous finish” from a tight angle, says The Guardian.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp hailed his team after coming through and gaining the points needed for qualification from group E. The Anfield side finished top of the group with 13 points and are joined in the round of 16 by Napoli.
Klopp said: “I love it, I really love it that my team is so smart that they listen and they put in a shift in like that. Salzburg was unbelievably strong, especially in the first half, but we as well were ready for that fight.”
Blues march on
It was “double delight” for the English teams, says The Daily Telegraph, as Chelsea beat Lille 2-1 at Stamford Bridge to finish runners-up in group H.
First-half goals from Tammy Abraham and Cesar Azpilicueta meant Frank Lampard’s side ended the group campaign on 11 points, the same as group winners Valencia. Ajax missed out on the last 16 by a point.
Lampard said: “It did get twitchy. We need to take our chances better. At 2-0 I thought it was not quite done and when Lille scored it made it a more nervy finish to the game than it needed to be.
“It’s going to be a work in progress. With the young players we have in this side there will be bumps in the road. I push them and can be quite hard on them, setting the high standards I want to see them reach, but at the same time I have to be patient.
“Today was a sign of how much work we still have got to do. It should have been a calmer finish to the game and that is the biggest thing, for me, that we need to improve.”
In tonight’s Champions League games Manchester City travel to Dinamo Zagreb for their final group C match (5.55pm). Tottenham are away against Bayern Munich in group B (8pm).
Champions League reactions: Chelsea hold on to qualify as Ajax and Inter Milan crash out
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Today’s newspaper back pages
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 23, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - qualifications, tax cuts, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Long summer days in Iceland's highlands
The Week Recommends While many parts of this volcanic island are barren, there is a 'desolate beauty' to be found in every corner
By The Week UK Published
-
The Democrats: time for wholesale reform?
Talking Point In the 'wreckage' of the election, the party must decide how to rebuild
By The Week UK Published
-
Thomas Tuchel to become next England football manager
Speed Read 'Divisive' German coach hopes to lead the men's team to victory
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
The 'Swiss model' shaking up the Champions League
In The Spotlight Uefa says the new format offers 'greater excitement' but critics say boredom is guaranteed
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
‘Genuine visionary’: is Pep Guardiola the greatest of all time?
feature Spaniard has now won two trebles following Man City’s Champions League triumph
By The Week Staff Published
-
Champions League final: Man City vs. Inter predictions and preview
feature Can Guardiola’s team finally win the Champions League and complete a historic treble?
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published