LONDON: Chelsea quelled criticism of Enzo Maresca&#39;s rotation policy with a 3-0 win against Wolves featuring the first goal of Malo Gusto&#39;s career on Saturday.&nbsp;Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney said Chelsea&#39;s senior players should &quot;question&quot; Maresca&#39;s selections after the Italian made seven changes for a 2-2 draw against Azerbaijani minnows Qarabag in the Champions League on Wednesday.&nbsp;Having defended himself from Rooney&#39;s jibe by insisting the physical demands on players are greater than ever, Maresca made eight changes at Stamford Bridge.&nbsp;It was the sixth consecutive match that Maresca had made seven or more alterations and the move paid off with a strong second half performance that lifted Chelsea into second place in the Premier League.&nbsp;French defender Gusto, who arrived from Lyon in 2023, put Chelsea ahead after the interval with his maiden professional goal.&nbsp;Joao Pedro doubled the lead and Pedro Neto wrapped up Chelsea&#39;s fourth win in their last five league games as they closed within six points of leaders Arsenal.&nbsp;Although they will drop out of second place after Manchester City face Liverpool on Sunday, Maresca will be relieved to silence his critics heading into the international break.&nbsp;&quot;It&#39;s more noise from outside. Inside, we are convinced that as a club as a team we are going in the right direction and doing good things,&quot; Maresca said.&nbsp;&quot;We played well. I think the only difference between the first half and second half is that in the second half we scored the goals that we didn&#39;t in the first half.&quot;&nbsp;On the rotation controversy, he added: &quot;It&#39;s part of my job, it&#39;s part of the game.&nbsp;&quot;At the end this is a business that when you don&#39;t win there are problems but when you win everything is good.&quot;&nbsp;Bottom-of-the-table Wolves, led by academy coaches James Collins and Richard Walker after Vitor Pereira&#39;s sacking last weekend, are eight points from safety following their ninth defeat in 11 league games.&nbsp;Middlesbrough have granted their manager Rob Edwards permission to speak to Wolves over the job after agreeing a compensation deal on Saturday.&nbsp;Chelsea only arrived home in London at six o&#39;clock on Thursday morning after their long flight back from Baku and, despite Maresca&#39;s switches; they looked jet-lagged in the first half.&nbsp;Chelsea hit their strideAlejandro Garnacho had rescued Chelsea with an equaliser against Qarabag and the Argentine winger should have opened the scoring in the early stages in west London.&nbsp;Enzo Fernandez&#39;s pass sent Garnacho through but his low drive was well saved by Sam Johnstone.&nbsp;Johnstone came to Wolves rescue again, tipping over Fernandez&#39;s blast from the edge of the area.&nbsp;After making two fine stops, Johnstone was guilty of a mistake when he allowed Fernandez&#39;s corner to loop over him towards the goal, with Toti Gomes making an agile clearance off the line.&nbsp;Despite Chelsea&#39;s territorial dominance, their fans began to grow frustrated at their ponderous passing and failure to put Wolves to the sword.&nbsp;Joao Pedro squandered a golden opportunity to ease Chelsea&#39;s angst on the stroke of half-time when he shot wide from an unmarked position on the edge of the area.&nbsp;Chelsea were booed off at the interval, but their frustrated fans were finally able to cheer in the 51st minute.&nbsp;Garnacho was the catalyst with a driving run and cross into the six-yard box, where Gusto headed home with aplomb.&nbsp;Maresca sent on emerging star Estevao Willian and the teenage Brazilian took just 67 seconds to make immediate impact as he set up Chelsea&#39;s second goal in the 65th minute.&nbsp;Estevao&#39;s dynamic burst ended with a perfectly-weighted cross for Joao Pedro, who drilled a fierce strike past Johnstone from 12 yards.&nbsp;The Blues had hit their stride and Neto put the seal on the victory in the 73rd minute, the former Wolves winger tapping in Garnacho&#39;s tempting cross.

Football

It is the sixth consecutive match that Maresca made seven or more alterations and the move paid off with a strong second half performance that lifted Chelsea into second place in the Premier League.

Chelsea down Wolves to ease criticism of Maresca's rotation policy

PARMA: AC Milan are level with Napoli at the top of Serie A after throwing away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 on Saturday in an entertaining match at lowly Parma.&nbsp;Two ahead in the 25th minute thanks to Alexis Saelemaekers&#39; early strike and a Rafael Leao penalty, Milan looked set to go two points in front of Napoli ahead of the champions&#39; tricky away fixture at Bologna on Sunday.&nbsp;But Adrian Bernabe curled in a magnificent goal for the hosts on the stroke of half-time to halve the deficit and Enrico Delprato&#39;s glancing header gave Parma a deserved draw which put them two points above the relegation zone.&nbsp;Mateo Pellegrino hit the post seconds before captain Delprato&#39;s first goal since January as Milan had to deal with an attacking onslaught from Parma after half-time.&nbsp;Milan can be overtaken on Sunday by Roma and local rivals Inter Milan, who take on Lazio at the San Siro, with both teams a point behind the leading pair.&nbsp;The away side could have escaped with a win as substitute Christian Pulisic and Saelemaekers wasted golden opportunities to score.&nbsp;Pulisic rolled wide when one-on-one with Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki in the 76th minute, and six minutes later Saelemaekers blasted over in front of an open goal having already skipped round Suzuki.&nbsp;Three points behind Milan and Napoli are Juventus, who were held to a goalless draw by local rivals Torino on a day which had featured no goals until Saelemaekers opened the scoring in Parma.&nbsp;Juve sit fifth on 19 points after a scrappy but engaging derby at their Allianz Stadium in which both teams had chances to win.&nbsp;Che Adams was denied in the 63rd minute when the Scotland forward charged forward and unleashed a low drive which was brilliantly kept out by Juve goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio.&nbsp;And moments later Di Gregorio&#39;s Torino counterpart Alberto Paleari pulled off an even more impressive stop to claw away Weston McKennie&#39;s close-range header.

Milan can be overtaken on Sunday by Roma and local rivals Inter Milan, who take on Lazio at the San Siro, with both teams a point behind the leading pair.


Wasteful Milan draw at Parma but level with Serie A leaders Napoli

Syed Ahmed Raza

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan football team captain Abdullah Iqbal has made history after helping Swedish club Mj&auml;llby AIF win their first-ever Allsvenskan title, completing one of European football&rsquo;s most remarkable underdog stories.&nbsp;The small club from H&auml;llevik, a fishing town of just 1,485 residents, clinched the Swedish championship with a 2-0 win over IFK G&ouml;teborg, finishing 11 points clear of second-placed Hammarby. The triumph also secured Mj&auml;llby a spot in the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds, marking their debut on the European stage.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1980337166673932288&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F1595%2F&sessionId=2da540749153ee2e00a3972b36aebaab94b84613&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 578px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>The 22-year-old center-back, who grew up in Denmark and has roots in Kharian, Punjab, has been an integral part of Mj&auml;llby&rsquo;s defense this season. Iqbal featured in 22 league matches, playing the second-most minutes among defenders and contributing two assists. Swedish media and fans have hailed Iqbal on social media as one of Mj&auml;llby&rsquo;s standout performers of the season. His consistency and leadership have earned praise for elevating the team&rsquo;s defensive discipline and helping turn a small-town club into national champions. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1980399567695921177&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=e81047ebe1425aa34b39905fd30ae8d5e4228e0b&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 748px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>European interest in Iqbal is also growing. According to FootballDirekt, one of Sweden&rsquo;s biggest football sites, several clubs from Italy and England are preparing offers for the young defender following his impressive debut season in Sweden.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1980250178171928944&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=e81047ebe1425aa34b39905fd30ae8d5e4228e0b&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 713px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>Mj&auml;llby&rsquo;s rise from the third division in 2016 to national champions in 2025 has been described as the most unlikely title win in Sweden since Leicester City&rsquo;s Premier League triumph in 2016. Built on smart recruitment and tight defense, the club operated on a budget nearly one-sixth that of serial champions Malm&ouml; FF.

The small club from Hällevik, a fishing town of just 1,485 residents, clinch the Swedish championship with a 2-0 win over IFK Göteborg, finishing 11 points clear of second-placed Hammarby.

Pakistani football star helps underdog Mjällby win historic Swedish league title

MIAMI: Argentina shrugged off the absence of Lionel Messi to ease to a 1-0 victory over Venezuela in a friendly international in Miami on Friday.&nbsp;A well-worked 31st-minute goal from Giovani Lo Celso secured the win for the reigning world champions in a match played before just 15,000 fans at the 65,000-capacity Hard Rock Stadium.&nbsp;Inter Miami star Messi looked on from the stands as the Albiceleste eased to victory without ever being seriously tested by Venezuela.&nbsp;Argentina forwards Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez looked threatening throughout, while fullback Nahuel Molina also impressed.&nbsp;Alvarez and Martinez were involved in Argentina&#39;s winner, combining deftly to set up Lo Celso, who beat Venezuela goalkeeper Jose Contreras with a crisp left-footed shot.&nbsp;The match is the first of two friendlies Argentina are playing in Florida during the international break.&nbsp;The world champions will play Puerto Rico in Fort Lauderdale next Tuesday in a game that was moved from Chicago&#39;s Soldier Field earlier this week amid an ongoing US government crackdown on immigrants.

A well-worked 31st-minute goal from Giovani Lo Celso secured the win for the reigning world champions in the friendly match.

Messi-less Argentina down Venezuela in friendly

MIAMI: &nbsp;Superstar Lionel Messi scored two superb goals and created another as Inter Miami beat DC United 3-2 on Saturday to inch closer to an MLS Cup playoff berth.&nbsp;Amid indications this week from sources close to the club that Messi is poised to sign a contract extension that would keep him in Miami at least through next year, the eight-time Ballon d&#39;Or winner showed just why the club and Major League Soccer are so keen to see him stay.&nbsp;The 38-year-old now has 22 goals in 22 matches played this season. With his seventh double of the MLS season, he moved to the top of the league scoring list, passing England&#39;s Sam Surridge, who has 21 for Nashville.&nbsp;Miami dominated from the outset on a rainy night at their Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, against a team already eliminated from playoff contention.&nbsp;They took the lead in the 35th minute when Messi produced a well-judged through ball forward to Tadeo Allende, who beat United goalkeeper Luis Barraza with his first touch and smoothly fired into the right corner of the net.&nbsp;Christian Benteke headed the visitors&#39; level in the 52nd minute.&nbsp;Messi forced a pair of quick saves from Barraza before he fired Inter back into the lead in the 66th minute, collecting a pass from Jordi Alba in the box and turning to slot a left-footed shot past Barraza.&nbsp;Two minutes after coming on as a substitute in the 69th minute, Argentine Mateo Silvetti was fouled in the box by Barraza.&nbsp;The referee pointed to the spot, and the 19-year-old stepped up to take the kick, but he smashed the attempt off the crossbar.&nbsp;But Messi pushed Miami&#39;s lead to 3-1 with a bit of trademark magic in the 85th, picking up a pass just outside the area and eluding his defender to loft a shot out of the reach of Barraza.&nbsp;It proved invaluable, as Jacob Murrell struck for DC United in the seventh minute of stoppage time to trim the deficit to one.&nbsp;Miami climbed one spot to fifth in the Eastern Conference with 52 points but will have to wait to secure their playoff berth after New York Red Bulls produced a 2-0 victory over Montreal.&nbsp;New York City FC clinched their ninth playoff spot in 11 seasons with a 2-0 victory over playoff-bound Charlotte.&nbsp;Alonso Martinez converted two penalties, and Matt Freese saved a Wilfried Zaha spot kick as City stretched their unbeaten run to three matches.&nbsp;Philadelphia Union maintained their grip on first place in the East and bolstered their bid for the Supporters&#39; Shield, awarded to the top team overall, with a 1-0 victory over New England.&nbsp;Bruno Damiani broke the scoreless deadlock in the 71st minute with a crisp finish from a perfectly placed pass from Frankie Westfield.&nbsp;Orlando denied Nashville&#39;s chance to clinch a playoff berth with a 3-2 victory.&nbsp;Martin Ojeda scored two goals and Duncan McGuire added another for Orlando, who are also in pursuit of a post-season spot. Hany Mukhtar and Jacob Shaffelburg scored for Nashville.

Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, MLS, DC United

The win takes Inter Miami one step closer to an MLS Cup playoff berth.

Articles tagged with "football news"

Chelsea down Wolves to ease criticism of Maresca's rotation policy

Wasteful Milan draw at Parma but level with Serie A leaders Napoli

Pakistani football star helps underdog Mjällby win historic Swedish league title

Messi-less Argentina down Venezuela in friendly

Messi brace lifts Miami in 3-2 MLS win over DC United