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#Serie #Inter #takes #step #win #title #Como #Champions #League #ambitions #dented">Serie A: Inter takes another step forward to win title; Como has Champions League ambitions dented Inter Milan took another step towards the Serie A title on Friday by comfortably beating Cagliari 3-0 and taking a provisional 12-point lead at the top of the table.
Quickfire strikes shortly after half-time at the San Siro from Marcus Thuram and Nicolo Barella, and Piotr Zielinski’s rocket in stoppage time, took Inter to potentially one game from claiming its 21st league crown, with closest challenger Napoli hosting Lazio on Saturday.
If Napoli does not beat Lazio, Inter could wrap up the Scudetto next weekend at Torino, although it would also need the reigning champion to not win its next fixture against relegation-struggler Cremonese.
Regardless, Inter look destined to take the title back from Napoli with weeks to spare and was too much for Cagliari which, with five matches left in its season, is six points above the relegation zone and not yet safe from the drop.
Thuram’s opener came six minutes after the break and was probably his simplest finish of the season, the France forward casually guiding home his fourth goal in three matches from Federico Dimarco’s perfect low cross.
And Inter was effectively sure of the points two minutes later when Sardinian Barella, who came up through the Cagliari’s academy, smashed in the second and held his hands up in apology to his home-town team.
Inter fans roared chants about its massive league lead and its distaste for local rival AC Milan as its team played out the rest of a match without exerting itself, with the second leg of its Italian Cup semifinal with Como coming up on Tuesday.
Supporters had barely finished bellowing “we’re gonna win the league” when Zielinski met Dumfries’ knock-down with a perfect shot from the edge of the area which sailed past Elia Caprile and into the top corner.
Como blow
Como heads into its Cup showdown with Inter in downbeat mood after its bid for Champions League football suffered another blow with a 1-2 defeat at Sassuolo.
Cristian Volpato’s brilliant lobbed finish at the end of a rapid counterattack and a M’Bala Nzola strike, goals which came within two minutes near the end of the first half, gave Sassuolo victory in Reggio Emilia.
A second straight defeat leaves Como fifth, two points behind Juventus, which hosts Bologna on Sunday night and with Roma one point behind in sixth ahead of its clash with Atalanta on Saturday.
AC Milan has also been given a reprieve, the seven-time European champion in third and five points ahead of Como but on a run of three defeats in its last four fixtures.
Como had looked on course to secure a sensational top four placing at half-time of last week’s home match against Inter, a fixture which Cesc Fabregas’ team led by two just before half-time.
But it eventually fell to a 3-4 defeat and Friday’s loss leaves the traditionally small club, backed by tobacco giant Djarum, potentially five points away from the Champions League spots come the end of the weekend.
Published on Apr 18, 2026
Inter Milan took another step towards the Serie A title on Friday by comfortably beating…
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#Deadspin #Cubs #crack #double #digits #Mets #tumble #9th #straight #loss">Deadspin | Cubs crack double digits again; Mets tumble to 9th straight loss
Apr 17, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs designated hiter Moises Ballesteros (25) rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the New York Mets during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Moises Ballesteros hit a three-run homer to cap a four-run first inning for the host Chicago Cubs, who continued surging Friday afternoon with a 12-4 win over the free-falling New York Mets.
The Cubs have scored at least 10 runs in each of their last three games, all victories — the longest streak for the club since Sept. 13-15, 2019.
The Mets have lost nine straight, a span in which they’ve been outscored 56-16. The losing streak is the longest for New York since an 11-game skid from Aug. 28-Sept. 8, 2004.
Seiya Suzuki laced an RBI single off Kodai Senga (0-3) one pitch before Ballesteros homered to left. The Mets responded with a three-run second against Edward Cabrera (2-0), who gave up an RBI double to Marcus Semien and a two-run single to Tyrone Taylor, who was thrown out trying to extend the hit into a double.
Nico Hoerner answered with a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning.
Ian Happ scored on an error by first baseman Brett Baty in the fourth and the Cubs scored three runs in the seventh, when Matt Shaw had an RBI double and scored on a wild pitch before Dansby Swanson lofted a sacrifice fly to make it 10-3.
Happ added a two-run shot in the eighth, his fifth home run of the year.
Hoerner went 3-for-5 as he raised his average to .342. Suzuki, Ballesteros and Michael Busch had two hits apiece.
Cabrera gave up three runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out four over six innings.
Francisco Alvarez had an RBI single in the eighth for the Mets and finished with two hits. Semien, Taylor, Francisco Lindor and MJ Melendez also had two hits.
Senga allowed seven runs (six earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out three over 3 1/3 innings. He has surrendered 14 runs (13 earned) in his last two starts, easily his most over a two-start span in his four-year career.
–Field Level Media
Apr 17, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs designated hiter Moises Ballesteros (25) rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the New York Mets during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Moises Ballesteros hit a three-run homer to cap a four-run first inning for the host Chicago Cubs, who continued surging Friday afternoon with a 12-4 win over the free-falling New York Mets.
The Cubs have scored at least 10 runs in each of their last three games, all victories — the longest streak for the club since Sept. 13-15, 2019.
The Mets have lost nine straight, a span in which they’ve been outscored 56-16. The losing streak is the longest for New York since an 11-game skid from Aug. 28-Sept. 8, 2004.
Seiya Suzuki laced an RBI single off Kodai Senga (0-3) one pitch before Ballesteros homered to left. The Mets responded with a three-run second against Edward Cabrera (2-0), who gave up an RBI double to Marcus Semien and a two-run single to Tyrone Taylor, who was thrown out trying to extend the hit into a double.
Nico Hoerner answered with a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning.
Ian Happ scored on an error by first baseman Brett Baty in the fourth and the Cubs scored three runs in the seventh, when Matt Shaw had an RBI double and scored on a wild pitch before Dansby Swanson lofted a sacrifice fly to make it 10-3.
Happ added a two-run shot in the eighth, his fifth home run of the year.
Hoerner went 3-for-5 as he raised his average to .342. Suzuki, Ballesteros and Michael Busch had two hits apiece.
Cabrera gave up three runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out four over six innings.
Francisco Alvarez had an RBI single in the eighth for the Mets and finished with two hits. Semien, Taylor, Francisco Lindor and MJ Melendez also had two hits.
Senga allowed seven runs (six earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out three over 3 1/3 innings. He has surrendered 14 runs (13 earned) in his last two starts, easily his most over a two-start span in his four-year career.
–Field Level Media
Apr 17, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs designated hiter Moises Ballesteros (25) rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the New York Mets during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Moises Ballesteros hit a three-run homer to cap a four-run first inning for the host Chicago Cubs, who continued surging Friday afternoon with a 12-4 win over the free-falling New York Mets.
The Cubs have scored at least 10 runs in each of their last three games, all victories — the longest streak for the club since Sept. 13-15, 2019.
The Mets have lost nine straight, a span in which they’ve been outscored 56-16. The losing streak is the longest for New York since an 11-game skid from Aug. 28-Sept. 8, 2004.
Seiya Suzuki laced an RBI single off Kodai Senga (0-3) one pitch before Ballesteros homered to left. The Mets responded with a three-run second against Edward Cabrera (2-0), who gave up an RBI double to Marcus Semien and a two-run single to Tyrone Taylor, who was thrown out trying to extend the hit into a double.
Nico Hoerner answered with a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning.
Ian Happ scored on an error by first baseman Brett Baty in the fourth and the Cubs scored three runs in the seventh, when Matt Shaw had an RBI double and scored on a wild pitch before Dansby Swanson lofted a sacrifice fly to make it 10-3.
Happ added a two-run shot in the eighth, his fifth home run of the year.
Hoerner went 3-for-5 as he raised his average to .342. Suzuki, Ballesteros and Michael Busch had two hits apiece.
Cabrera gave up three runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out four over six innings.
Francisco Alvarez had an RBI single in the eighth for the Mets and finished with two hits. Semien, Taylor, Francisco Lindor and MJ Melendez also had two hits.
Senga allowed seven runs (six earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out three over 3 1/3 innings. He has surrendered 14 runs (13 earned) in his last two starts, easily his most over a two-start span in his four-year career.
–Field Level Media
Apr 17, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs designated hiter Moises Ballesteros (25) rounds the…
Sports news
#Coventry #City #returns #Premier #League #years">Coventry City returns to the Premier League after 25 years
Coventry City ended its 25-year absence from the Premier League with a 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers, securing promotion from the Championship with three games to spare on Friday.
Needing only a point to make it mathematically certain, Frank Lampard’s league-leader salvaged a draw as Bobby Thomas headed a late equaliser at Ewood Park.
Blackburn had taken the lead shortly after the interval with a deflected shot by Ryoya Morishita.
The promotion party got going after Thomas’s glancing header and the final whistle sparked celebrations on the pitch and delirious scenes among the 7,500 travelling fans.
Coventry tops the table with 86 points from 43 games, 13 ahead of third-placed Millwall, which can no longer catch it. Ipswich Town, Millwall, Southampton and Middlesbrough are battling for the second automatic promotion spot.
Needing only a point to make it mathematically certain, Frank Lampard’s league-leader salvaged a draw as Bobby Thomas headed a late equaliser at Ewood Park.
| Photo Credit:
Reuters
Needing only a point to make it mathematically certain, Frank Lampard’s league-leader salvaged a draw as Bobby Thomas headed a late equaliser at Ewood Park.
| Photo Credit:
Reuters
“It was an incredible moment (when Thomas scored),” former Chelsea and England midfielder Lampard told Sky Sports. “We knew we were nearly there but to get it over the line after 25 years, wow! It’s amazing. What (the fans) have gone through.”
It was former England and Chelsea midfielder Lampard’s first promotion as a manager and he was clearly emotional as the achievement sank in.
“This is a serious football club. These boys have achieved something unique. This is right up there for me,” he said.
“I was fortunate to be in great Chelsea teams, winning league titles and Champions Leagues but to do this I’m very proud to be their manager.”
As well as regaining its place amongst the elite for the first time in a generation, promotion will have a massive financial impact for Coventry — a club which has been through the mill since relegation a quarter of a century ago.
BROADCAST INCOME
Promotion from the Championship to the Premier League is worth around 120 million to 170 million pounds ($230 million) over three seasons, driven largely by a surge in broadcast income, with even the bottom club in the top flight earning more than 100 million pounds in central distributions in its first season.
On Friday though it was not the money but the pure joy for the visiting fans as Lampard’s side completed the job.
Coventry spent 34 consecutive seasons in England’s top flight after promotion in 1967 and survived countless relegation battles before succumbing in 2000-01 when it finished 19th in the Premier League.
It was former England and Chelsea midfielder Lampard’s first promotion as a manager and he was clearly emotional as the achievement sank in.
| Photo Credit:
Reuters
It was former England and Chelsea midfielder Lampard’s first promotion as a manager and he was clearly emotional as the achievement sank in.
| Photo Credit:
Reuters
Financial hard times followed and it was relegated to the third tier in 2012 and was forced to ground share with Northampton Town after a rent dispute over its new stadium.
Coventry’s low point on the pitch arrived in 2017 when it was relegated to the fourth tier for the first time since 1959 and although it was promoted the following season, it was again forced away from its stadium between 2019 and 2021, playing home games at Birmingham City’s ground.
Coventry came close to a Premier League return twice, reaching the Championship playoff final in 2022-23 and bowing out in the semifinals last season.
Lampard took charge in November 2024 and steered it to fifth in the Championship last season.
Published on Apr 18, 2026
Needing only a point to make it mathematically certain, Frank Lampard’s league-leader salvaged a draw as Bobby Thomas headed a late equaliser at Ewood Park. | Photo Credit: Reuters
Needing only a point to make it mathematically certain, Frank Lampard’s league-leader salvaged a draw as Bobby Thomas headed a late equaliser at Ewood Park. | Photo Credit: Reuters
It was former England and Chelsea midfielder Lampard’s first promotion as a manager and he was clearly emotional as the achievement sank in. | Photo Credit: Reuters
It was former England and Chelsea midfielder Lampard’s first promotion as a manager and he was clearly emotional as the achievement sank in. | Photo Credit: Reuters
Coventry City ended its 25-year absence from the Premier League with a 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers, securing promotion from the Championship with three games to spare on Friday.
Needing only a point to make it mathematically certain, Frank Lampard’s league-leader salvaged a draw as Bobby Thomas headed a late equaliser at Ewood Park.
Blackburn had taken the lead shortly after the interval with a deflected shot by Ryoya Morishita.
The promotion party got going after Thomas’s glancing header and the final whistle sparked celebrations on the pitch and delirious scenes among the 7,500 travelling fans.
Coventry tops the table with 86 points from 43 games, 13 ahead of third-placed Millwall, which can no longer catch it. Ipswich Town, Millwall, Southampton and Middlesbrough are battling for the second automatic promotion spot.
Needing only a point to make it mathematically certain, Frank Lampard’s league-leader salvaged a draw as Bobby Thomas headed a late equaliser at Ewood Park. | Photo Credit: Reuters
Needing only a point to make it mathematically certain, Frank Lampard’s league-leader salvaged a draw as Bobby Thomas headed a late equaliser at Ewood Park. | Photo Credit: Reuters
“It was an incredible moment (when Thomas scored),” former Chelsea and England midfielder Lampard told Sky Sports. “We knew we were nearly there but to get it over the line after 25 years, wow! It’s amazing. What (the fans) have gone through.”
It was former England and Chelsea midfielder Lampard’s first promotion as a manager and he was clearly emotional as the achievement sank in.
“This is a serious football club. These boys have achieved something unique. This is right up there for me,” he said.
“I was fortunate to be in great Chelsea teams, winning league titles and Champions Leagues but to do this I’m very proud to be their manager.”
As well as regaining its place amongst the elite for the first time in a generation, promotion will have a massive financial impact for Coventry — a club which has been through the mill since relegation a quarter of a century ago.
BROADCAST INCOME
Promotion from the Championship to the Premier League is worth around 120 million to 170 million pounds ($230 million) over three seasons, driven largely by a surge in broadcast income, with even the bottom club in the top flight earning more than 100 million pounds in central distributions in its first season.
On Friday though it was not the money but the pure joy for the visiting fans as Lampard’s side completed the job.
Coventry spent 34 consecutive seasons in England’s top flight after promotion in 1967 and survived countless relegation battles before succumbing in 2000-01 when it finished 19th in the Premier League.
It was former England and Chelsea midfielder Lampard’s first promotion as a manager and he was clearly emotional as the achievement sank in. | Photo Credit: Reuters
It was former England and Chelsea midfielder Lampard’s first promotion as a manager and he was clearly emotional as the achievement sank in. | Photo Credit: Reuters
Financial hard times followed and it was relegated to the third tier in 2012 and was forced to ground share with Northampton Town after a rent dispute over its new stadium.
Coventry’s low point on the pitch arrived in 2017 when it was relegated to the fourth tier for the first time since 1959 and although it was promoted the following season, it was again forced away from its stadium between 2019 and 2021, playing home games at Birmingham City’s ground.
Coventry came close to a Premier League return twice, reaching the Championship playoff final in 2022-23 and bowing out in the semifinals last season.
Lampard took charge in November 2024 and steered it to fifth in the Championship last season.
Published on Apr 18, 2026
Coventry City ended its 25-year absence from the Premier League with a 1-1 draw at…
