×
I feel complete support: Arne Slot says he has backing from Liverpool bosses despite Premier League form  Liverpool manager Arne Slot says he feels “complete support” from the club’s ownership even though his team is on a three-game losing streak and facing a trophyless season.Liverpool’s midweek 2-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal followed a 4-0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup last eight and a 2-1 loss at Brighton in the Premier League.The season had started with high hopes after the club’s record summer spending of 0 million on new players following a Premier League title in Slot’s first campaign.“The club knows in which period of time we are in. In the meantime, I feel complete support,” Slot said Friday.ALSO READ | Bayern Munich to face Villa in lucrative Hong Kong pre-season friendlyLiverpool is in fifth place in the Premier League — 21 points back of leader Arsenal but chasing Champions League qualification. The team, which has one win in its past six games in total, hosts Fulham on Saturday.“I feel a lot of support but not only from the owners,” he said. “As weird as it might sound I also feel the support of the fans.”Slot noted the fan enthusiasm at Parc des Princes during warmups as well as after being outplayed by PSG: “They were still singing for us and clapping for us.”Slot ‘hails’ Robertson intensityRobertson and the club announced Thursday that the left back will be leaving at the end of the season when his contract expires.“What I remember most about him probably is the intensity he’s always playing with — we’ve learned something about intensity two days ago,” Slot said in reference to the PSG game, which Robertson didn’t start.“This season he didn’t play as much as he was used to — still a lot but not as much as he was used to,” Slot said. “As a result of that, he’s leaving probably next season but not only that, I think it’s also difficult to be in that position longer than a season.”Asked if playing time was Robertson’s motivation, Slot said: “Every player wants as much regular first-team football as possible, but it’s a question you should ask him.”Published on Apr 10, 2026  #feel #complete #support #Arne #Slot #backing #Liverpool #bosses #Premier #League #form

I feel complete support: Arne Slot says he has backing from Liverpool bosses despite Premier League form

Liverpool manager Arne Slot says he feels “complete support” from the club’s ownership even though his team is on a three-game losing streak and facing a trophyless season.

Liverpool’s midweek 2-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal followed a 4-0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup last eight and a 2-1 loss at Brighton in the Premier League.

The season had started with high hopes after the club’s record summer spending of $570 million on new players following a Premier League title in Slot’s first campaign.

“The club knows in which period of time we are in. In the meantime, I feel complete support,” Slot said Friday.

ALSO READ | Bayern Munich to face Villa in lucrative Hong Kong pre-season friendly

Liverpool is in fifth place in the Premier League — 21 points back of leader Arsenal but chasing Champions League qualification. The team, which has one win in its past six games in total, hosts Fulham on Saturday.

“I feel a lot of support but not only from the owners,” he said. “As weird as it might sound I also feel the support of the fans.”

Slot noted the fan enthusiasm at Parc des Princes during warmups as well as after being outplayed by PSG: “They were still singing for us and clapping for us.”

Slot ‘hails’ Robertson intensity

Robertson and the club announced Thursday that the left back will be leaving at the end of the season when his contract expires.

“What I remember most about him probably is the intensity he’s always playing with — we’ve learned something about intensity two days ago,” Slot said in reference to the PSG game, which Robertson didn’t start.

“This season he didn’t play as much as he was used to — still a lot but not as much as he was used to,” Slot said. “As a result of that, he’s leaving probably next season but not only that, I think it’s also difficult to be in that position longer than a season.”

Asked if playing time was Robertson’s motivation, Slot said: “Every player wants as much regular first-team football as possible, but it’s a question you should ask him.”

Published on Apr 10, 2026

#feel #complete #support #Arne #Slot #backing #Liverpool #bosses #Premier #League #form

Liverpool manager Arne Slot says he feels “complete support” from the club’s ownership even though his team is on a three-game losing streak and facing a trophyless season.

Liverpool’s midweek 2-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal followed a 4-0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup last eight and a 2-1 loss at Brighton in the Premier League.

The season had started with high hopes after the club’s record summer spending of $570 million on new players following a Premier League title in Slot’s first campaign.

“The club knows in which period of time we are in. In the meantime, I feel complete support,” Slot said Friday.

ALSO READ | Bayern Munich to face Villa in lucrative Hong Kong pre-season friendly

Liverpool is in fifth place in the Premier League — 21 points back of leader Arsenal but chasing Champions League qualification. The team, which has one win in its past six games in total, hosts Fulham on Saturday.

“I feel a lot of support but not only from the owners,” he said. “As weird as it might sound I also feel the support of the fans.”

Slot noted the fan enthusiasm at Parc des Princes during warmups as well as after being outplayed by PSG: “They were still singing for us and clapping for us.”

Slot ‘hails’ Robertson intensity

Robertson and the club announced Thursday that the left back will be leaving at the end of the season when his contract expires.

“What I remember most about him probably is the intensity he’s always playing with — we’ve learned something about intensity two days ago,” Slot said in reference to the PSG game, which Robertson didn’t start.

“This season he didn’t play as much as he was used to — still a lot but not as much as he was used to,” Slot said. “As a result of that, he’s leaving probably next season but not only that, I think it’s also difficult to be in that position longer than a season.”

Asked if playing time was Robertson’s motivation, Slot said: “Every player wants as much regular first-team football as possible, but it’s a question you should ask him.”

Published on Apr 10, 2026

Source link
#feel #complete #support #Arne #Slot #backing #Liverpool #bosses #Premier #League #form

Previous post

Deadspin | Diamondbacks wrap up series win over Mets with late-inning rallies <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28694600.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28694600.jpg" alt="MLB: Arizona Diamondbacks at New York Mets" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 9, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (57) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Jorge Barrosa’s RBI triple capped a four-run seventh inning Thursday night for the Arizona Diamondbacks, who went on to rout the host New York Mets 7-1 in the decisive game of a three-game series.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>The Diamondbacks are 7-3 since being swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in a season-opening three-game series.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Arizona pinch hitter Gabriel Moreno tied the game with a run-scoring double in the seventh before Alek Thomas collected the go-ahead RBI on a fielder’s choice. Thomas’ ground ball to first scored Jose Fernandez, who slid in ahead of the tag when Mark Vientos’ throw drew catcher Luis Torrens off the plate.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Tim Tawa extended the lead to 3-1 with a sacrifice fly before Thomas scored on Barrosa’s hit.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>The Diamondbacks piled on in the eighth, when Adrian Del Castillo and Moreno sandwiched run-scoring doubles around an RBI groundout by Fernandez, who finished with two hits.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-6"> <p>Arizona won despite the absence of Corbin Carroll (left hip), who sat out for the first time this season. Entered play Thursday, Carroll led the National League with a .690 slugging percentage.</p> </section> <section id="section-7"> <p>Diamondbacks starter Eduardo Rodriguez (1-0) allowed one run on five hits and two walks while striking out three over six innings. He has an 0.50 ERA through three starts this season.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Taylor Clarke allowed one hit in the seventh before Taylor Rashi tossed two perfect innings to close out the victory.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Luis Robert Jr. homered in the first inning for the Mets, whose consecutive losses to the Diamondbacks followed a four-game winning streak in which they outscored the opposition 28-8.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Five other players had a hit apiece for New York.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Mets starter Nolan McLean (1-1) permitted two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out eight over 6 1/3 innings. He allowed just one runner to get into scoring position before Fernandez’s seventh-inning single sent Geraldo Perdomo to third and chased McLean in favor of Luke Weaver.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-12"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Diamondbacks #wrap #series #win #Mets #lateinning #rallies

Next post

Deadspin | NHL roundup: Mammoth, Penguins clinch playoff berths <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28697957.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28697957.jpg" alt="NHL: Nashville Predators at Utah Mammoth" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 9, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) celebrates with defenseman Nate Schmidt (88) after defeating the Nashville Predators in the third period at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Dylan Guenther and Nick Schmaltz each had a goal and an assist for the Utah Mammoth, who clinched a playoff berth shortly after earning a 4-1 victory over the Nashville Predators on Thursday in Salt Lake City.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>The Anaheim Ducks’ subsequent 6-1 win over the San Jose Sharks allowed Utah to seal a postseason bid in its second season.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Clayton Keller had three primary assists for the Mammoth, who won their fifth straight game. Kailer Yamamoto and Lawson Crouse also scored goals, and Logan Cooley added two assists. Karel Vejmelka finished with 29 saves.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Erik Haula scored a goal and Juuse Saros made 23 saves for Nashville, which had a four-game point streak (3-0-1) snapped. The Predators are one point behind the Los Angeles Kings for the second Western Conference wild-card spot.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Penguins 5, Devils 2</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Tommy Novak and Egor Chinakhov scored nine seconds apart for Pittsburgh, which clinched its first playoff spot since 2022 by winning in Newark, N.J.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Bryan Rust, Evgeni Malkin and Erik Karlsson also scored for the Penguins. Chinakhov and Sidney Crosby had a pair of assists apiece, while Malkin and Karlsson both added a helper. Stuart Skinner stopped 19 shots.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Paul Cotter and Jack Hughes were the goal-scorers for the Devils. Jake Allen made 25 saves.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Avalanche 3, Flames 1</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas had a goal and two assists each as Colorado beat Calgary in Denver to clinch the top overall seed for the postseason.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>MacKinnon set a career high with his 52nd goal, Gabriel Landeskog also scored and Mackenzie Blackwood turned away 28 shots, helping the Avalanche clinch the Presidents’ Trophy for the fourth time.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Tyson Gross scored his first NHL goal in his third career game and Dustin Wolf made 38 saves for the Flames, who have dropped four of their past five games (1-3-1).</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Hurricanes 7, Blackhawks 2</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>Logan Stankoven had two goals and an assist and Mark Jankowski scored twice to lift visiting Carolina to a victory over Chicago.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>The Hurricanes moved two points ahead of Buffalo for home-ice advantage in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Frederik Andersen made 23 saves for Carolina while William Carrier earned three assists. Taylor Hall recorded a goal and an assist, and K’Andre Miller and Sean Walker also scored.</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>The Blackhawks sputtered to their seventh loss in eight games (1-6-1). Anton Frondell scored twice for Chicago, Louis Crevier had two assists, and Spencer Knight stopped 15 shots.</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>Senators 5, Panthers 1</p> </section><section id="section-18"> <p>Fabian Zetterlund scored twice, Jake Sanderson had two assists and Linus Ullmark made 22 saves as Ottawa inched closer to a playoff berth with a victory over visiting Florida.</p> </section><section id="section-19"> <p>Drake Batherson, Artem Zub and Claude Giroux also scored for Ottawa, which completed a 4-1 homestand and stayed three points ahead of the Islanders and the Red Wings for the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card slot. The Senators also moved within two points of the idle Boston Bruins for the first wild-card slot.</p> </section><section id="section-20"> <p>Jesper Boqvist scored with 5:43 remaining in the game for the Panthers, slipping the puck past Ullmark to avoid the shutout. Sergei Bobrovsky turned away 23 of 27 shots.</p> </section><section id="section-21"> <p>Islanders 5, Maple Leafs 3</p> </section><section id="section-22"> <p>Matthew Schaefer tied the rookie record for goals by a defenseman (23) as New York, in its first game with Peter DeBoer as head coach, defeated visiting Toronto.</p> </section><section id="section-23"> <p>Calum Ritchie had a goal and an assist and Tony DeAngelo returned from an injury absence to register two assists as the Islanders snapped a four-game skid. Ilya Sorokin made 13 saves.</p> </section><section id="section-24"> <p>The Maple Leafs got goals from Steven Lorentz, Easton Cowan and Morgan Rielly. Artur Akhtyamov stopped 39 of 44 shots in his first NHL start.</p> </section><section id="section-25"> <p>Red Wings 6, Flyers 3</p> </section><section id="section-26"> <p>Dylan Larkin recorded a hat trick and an assist to highlight Detroit’s resounding victory over visiting Philadelphia.</p> </section><section id="section-27"> <p>Alex DeBrincat became the first Red Wings player with 40 goals in a season since Marian Hossa in 2009. Moritz Seider had a goal and four assists and Patrick Kane added a goal and two helpers for Detroit, which had lost seven of its previous nine games (2-6-1).</p> </section><section id="section-28"> <p>Porter Martone had a goal and an assist for the Flyers, who had won three in a row. Christian Dvorak and Luke Glendening also scored for Philadelphia.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-29"> <p>Sabres 5, Blue Jackets 0</p> </section> <section id="section-30"> <p>Colten Ellis made 37 saves for his first career shutout in host Buffalo’s win over Columbus.</p> </section><section id="section-31"> <p>Josh Doan had two goals and Peyton Krebs, Jack Quinn and Rasmus Dahlin also scored for the first-place Sabres, who won their third straight game and remained two points up on Montreal in the Atlantic Division. Josh Norris and Logan Stanley had two assists each.</p> </section><section id="section-32"> <p>Jet Greaves stopped 19 shots for the Blue Jackets, who are 1-6-1 in their past eight as their playoff chances absorbed a potentially mortal blow.</p> </section><section id="section-33"> <p>Canadiens 2, Lightning 1</p> </section><section id="section-34"> <p>Juraj Slafkovsky scored with 1:04 remaining in the third period and host Montreal edged Tampa Bay.</p> </section><section id="section-35"> <p>Cole Caufield notched his 50th goal of the season for the Canadiens. Suzuki had two assists, Slafkovsky tallied a goal and an assist and Jakub Dobes made 17 saves.</p> </section><section id="section-36"> <p>Darren Raddysh tallied and Andrei Vasilevskiy made 19 saves for the Lightning, who have lost three straight and trail the second-place Canadiens by two points and the first-place Sabres by four in the Atlantic Division.</p> </section><section id="section-37"> <p>Jets 3, Blues 2</p> </section><section id="section-38"> <p>Mark Scheifele reached 99 points on the season with two assists as Winnipeg won its third straight, prevailing at St. Louis.</p> </section><section id="section-39"> <p>Alex Iafallo, Josh Morrissey and Jonathan Toews scored for the Jets. Connor Hellebuyck made 20 saves as Winnipeg kept its faint playoff hopes alive. The loss all but guaranteed the Blues will miss the postseason.</p> </section><section id="section-40"> <p>Dylan Holloway had a goal and an assist for St. Louis. Colton Parayko also scored, and Jordan Binnington made 31 stops.</p> </section><section id="section-41"> <p>Kraken 4, Golden Knights 3 (SO)</p> </section><section id="section-42"> <p>Rookie Berkly Catton sparked a rally from a two-goal deficit in the third period and scored the winner in the fifth round of a shootout as Seattle kept its slim postseason hopes alive with a victory against visiting Vegas.</p> </section><section id="section-43"> <p>Jared McCann and Bobby McMann also scored in regulation and Vince Dunn had two assists for the Kraken, who snapped a six-game skid (0-5-1). Joey Daccord made 31 saves and stopped four of five shootout attempts.</p> </section><section id="section-44"> <p>Mark Stone scored twice, Brett Howden also tallied and Adin Hill stopped 30 shots for the Golden Knights, who lost for the first time in five games under new coach John Tortorella. Vegas is tied with the Anaheim for second in the Pacific Division, both teams one point behind Edmonton.</p> </section><section id="section-45"> <p>Stars 5, Wild 4</p> </section><section id="section-46"> <p>Mikko Rantanen, Wyatt Johnston and Colin Blackwell each had a goal and an assist in Dallas’ comeback win over visiting Minnesota. The game was a postseason preview, as the teams will meet in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.</p> </section><section id="section-47"> <p>Cameron Hughes scored his first career goal and Esa Lindell had two assists for the Stars. Jake Oettinger stopped 27 shots.</p> </section><section id="section-48"> <p>The Wild got two goals from Kirill Kaprizov and a goal and an assist from Quinn Hughes. Ryan Hartman also scored, Mats Zuccarello had three assists, and Matt Boldy added two helpers. Filip Gustavsson made 15 saves.</p> </section><section id="section-49"> <p>Kings 4, Canucks 1</p> </section><section id="section-50"> <p>Adrian Kempe scored two goals and Anton Forsberg stopped 24 of 25 shots as Los Angeles gave its playoff hopes a huge boost with a victory over visiting Vancouver.</p> </section><section id="section-51"> <p>Trevor Moore and Joel Armia scored goals and Artemi Panarin had two assists for the Kings, who vaulted past the Predators in the race for the final wild-card berth in the Western Conference.</p> </section><section id="section-52"> <p>Marcus Pettersson scored and Nikita Tolopilo made 22 saves for the Canucks, who lost their fourth straight game.</p> </section><section id="section-53"> <p>Ducks 6, Sharks 1</p> </section><section id="section-54"> <p>John Carlson’s first career hat trick paced Anaheim to a win over visiting San Jose.</p> </section><section id="section-55"> <p>Leo Carlsson, Alex Killorn and Frank Vatrano had the other goals as the Ducks snapped a six-game skid (0-5-1). Beckett Sennecke, Pavel Mintyukov, Troy Terry and Mikael Granlund chipped in a pair of helpers each, and Lukas Dostal made 18 saves.</p> </section><section id="section-56"> <p>Shakir Mukhamadullin tallied and Yaroslav Askarov stopped 24 shots for the Sharks, who have dropped back-to-back games.</p> </section><section id="section-57"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #NHL #roundup #Mammoth #Penguins #clinch #playoff #berths

Deadspin | Kevin Durant scores 29 as Rockets hold off 76ers for 8th straight win  Apr 9, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) shoots against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
   Kevin Durant scored a game-high 29 points and drilled a critical late 3-pointer that helped the host Houston Rockets fend off the hard-charging Philadelphia 76ers 113-102 on Thursday.  The Rockets extended their winning streak to eight games but had to sweat out the final minutes. The 76ers (43-37) shaved a 28-point third-quarter deficit to 107-102 when VJ Edgecombe followed a pair of missed free throws by Durant with a short jumper with 1:36 to play.  However, Durant nailed a 3-pointer on the next possession to settle the game for the Rockets (51-29) once and for all.  Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson added 19 points apiece for Houston while Tari Eason added 15 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Alperen Sengun (12) and Josh Okogie (10) combined for 22 rebounds.  The 76ers played without Joel Embiid, who underwent an emergency appendectomy earlier on Thursday. Tyrese Maxey paced Philadelphia with 23 points while Edgecombe added 21 points, six rebounds and a game-high eight assists. Andre Drummond grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds.  The 76ers have dropped three straight games and four of six.   Eason sank a 3-pointer with 2:44 remaining in the third that pushed the Rockets to a 96-68 lead. But the 76ers, behind reserve Quentin Grimes (20 points), engineered a stunning rally in the fourth, starting with a 16-0 run that included the Rockets going scoreless for more than four minutes.  After turning a 9-0 spurt into a 17-10 lead, Houston added a 13-3 blitz capped by a Thompson dunk that pushed the margin to 33-20. The 76ers committed three turnovers during the second Houston run and had six total in the opening period that the Rockets converted into 12 points.  The Rockets entered the second with a 35-26 advantage and continued to extend that margin. Reed Sheppard sandwiched a pair of 3-pointers around a Durant field goal that lifted Houston to a 65-47 lead with 3:47 left in the half, and the Rockets opened a 23-point cushion before Maxey caught fire.  Maxey, held scoreless in the first quarter, tallied 15 points in the second, including the final eight for the 76ers in the half. His consecutive treys down the stretch cut the deficit to 73-56 entering halftime.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Kevin #Durant #scores #Rockets #hold #76ers #8th #straight #winApr 9, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) shoots against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images

Kevin Durant scored a game-high 29 points and drilled a critical late 3-pointer that helped the host Houston Rockets fend off the hard-charging Philadelphia 76ers 113-102 on Thursday.

The Rockets extended their winning streak to eight games but had to sweat out the final minutes. The 76ers (43-37) shaved a 28-point third-quarter deficit to 107-102 when VJ Edgecombe followed a pair of missed free throws by Durant with a short jumper with 1:36 to play.

However, Durant nailed a 3-pointer on the next possession to settle the game for the Rockets (51-29) once and for all.

Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson added 19 points apiece for Houston while Tari Eason added 15 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Alperen Sengun (12) and Josh Okogie (10) combined for 22 rebounds.

The 76ers played without Joel Embiid, who underwent an emergency appendectomy earlier on Thursday. Tyrese Maxey paced Philadelphia with 23 points while Edgecombe added 21 points, six rebounds and a game-high eight assists. Andre Drummond grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds.


The 76ers have dropped three straight games and four of six.

Eason sank a 3-pointer with 2:44 remaining in the third that pushed the Rockets to a 96-68 lead. But the 76ers, behind reserve Quentin Grimes (20 points), engineered a stunning rally in the fourth, starting with a 16-0 run that included the Rockets going scoreless for more than four minutes.

After turning a 9-0 spurt into a 17-10 lead, Houston added a 13-3 blitz capped by a Thompson dunk that pushed the margin to 33-20. The 76ers committed three turnovers during the second Houston run and had six total in the opening period that the Rockets converted into 12 points.

The Rockets entered the second with a 35-26 advantage and continued to extend that margin. Reed Sheppard sandwiched a pair of 3-pointers around a Durant field goal that lifted Houston to a 65-47 lead with 3:47 left in the half, and the Rockets opened a 23-point cushion before Maxey caught fire.

Maxey, held scoreless in the first quarter, tallied 15 points in the second, including the final eight for the 76ers in the half. His consecutive treys down the stretch cut the deficit to 73-56 entering halftime.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Kevin #Durant #scores #Rockets #hold #76ers #8th #straight #win">Deadspin | Kevin Durant scores 29 as Rockets hold off 76ers for 8th straight win  Apr 9, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) shoots against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
   Kevin Durant scored a game-high 29 points and drilled a critical late 3-pointer that helped the host Houston Rockets fend off the hard-charging Philadelphia 76ers 113-102 on Thursday.  The Rockets extended their winning streak to eight games but had to sweat out the final minutes. The 76ers (43-37) shaved a 28-point third-quarter deficit to 107-102 when VJ Edgecombe followed a pair of missed free throws by Durant with a short jumper with 1:36 to play.  However, Durant nailed a 3-pointer on the next possession to settle the game for the Rockets (51-29) once and for all.  Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson added 19 points apiece for Houston while Tari Eason added 15 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Alperen Sengun (12) and Josh Okogie (10) combined for 22 rebounds.  The 76ers played without Joel Embiid, who underwent an emergency appendectomy earlier on Thursday. Tyrese Maxey paced Philadelphia with 23 points while Edgecombe added 21 points, six rebounds and a game-high eight assists. Andre Drummond grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds.  The 76ers have dropped three straight games and four of six.   Eason sank a 3-pointer with 2:44 remaining in the third that pushed the Rockets to a 96-68 lead. But the 76ers, behind reserve Quentin Grimes (20 points), engineered a stunning rally in the fourth, starting with a 16-0 run that included the Rockets going scoreless for more than four minutes.  After turning a 9-0 spurt into a 17-10 lead, Houston added a 13-3 blitz capped by a Thompson dunk that pushed the margin to 33-20. The 76ers committed three turnovers during the second Houston run and had six total in the opening period that the Rockets converted into 12 points.  The Rockets entered the second with a 35-26 advantage and continued to extend that margin. Reed Sheppard sandwiched a pair of 3-pointers around a Durant field goal that lifted Houston to a 65-47 lead with 3:47 left in the half, and the Rockets opened a 23-point cushion before Maxey caught fire.  Maxey, held scoreless in the first quarter, tallied 15 points in the second, including the final eight for the 76ers in the half. His consecutive treys down the stretch cut the deficit to 73-56 entering halftime.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Kevin #Durant #scores #Rockets #hold #76ers #8th #straight #win

Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli said that it is dissatisfied with the refereeing decisions during its match against Al Fayha on April 8, while its forward Ivan Toney implied that the officials are favouring certain clubs.

In a statement on Thursday, the team said, “The referee’s decisions had a direct impact on the flow of the game and its final outcome, which in turn affected the team’s position in the title race.”

Toney scored to take the lead, and Fayha’s Jason equalised before Al Ahli had two penalty appeals for handball turned down by VAR. The result left the side in third place on the table with 66 points from 28 games, four adrift of leader Al Nassr, which has played a game less.

ALSO READ | Messi’s Argentina to face Honduras, Iceland in World Cup warm-ups

“Such errors raise legitimate concerns regarding the referee selection process and the criteria applied, particularly given the high technical and competitive level of the Saudi Roshn League. Al-Ahli Club Company calls for access to the recordings and communications between the referees and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), as well as their interactions with the team’s players during the match. It also requests clear explanations for all refereeing incidents where decisions were not correctly made,” it added.

Following the match, Toney vented out his feelings to Saudi media outlet Thmanyah, alleging that the fourth official told him to “focus on the Asian Champions League” instead of the league.

“I don’t know if the referee turned off his microphone before he said what he told me: ‘Focus on the Asian Champions League.’ This is why we need the audio recordings to be released, so the fans can see the truth,” he said.

“We know who (the decisions are helping). Who are we chasing? If decisions go our way, we have a good chance, but if they continue like this it will be tough,” Toney added.

Published on Apr 10, 2026

#Ahli #slams #refereeing #Saudi #Pro #League #Ivan #Toney #alleges #favouritism">Al Ahli slams refereeing in Saudi Pro League, Ivan Toney alleges favouritism  Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli said that it is dissatisfied with the refereeing decisions during its match against Al Fayha on April 8, while its forward Ivan Toney implied that the officials are favouring certain clubs.In a statement on Thursday, the team said, “The referee’s decisions had a direct impact on the flow of the game and its final outcome, which in turn affected the team’s position in the title race.”Toney scored to take the lead, and Fayha’s Jason equalised before Al Ahli had two penalty appeals for handball turned down by VAR. The result left the side in third place on the table with 66 points from 28 games, four adrift of leader Al Nassr, which has played a game less.ALSO READ | Messi’s Argentina to face Honduras, Iceland in World Cup warm-ups“Such errors raise legitimate concerns regarding the referee selection process and the criteria applied, particularly given the high technical and competitive level of the Saudi Roshn League. Al-Ahli Club Company calls for access to the recordings and communications between the referees and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), as well as their interactions with the team’s players during the match. It also requests clear explanations for all refereeing incidents where decisions were not correctly made,” it added.Following the match, Toney vented out his feelings to Saudi media outlet        Thmanyah, alleging that       the fourth official told him to “focus on the Asian Champions League” instead of the league.“I don’t know if the referee turned off his microphone before he said what he told me: ‘Focus on the Asian Champions League.’ This is why we need the audio recordings to be released, so the fans can see the truth,” he said.“We know who (the decisions are helping). Who are we chasing? If decisions go our way, we have a good chance, but if they continue like this it will be tough,” Toney added.Published on Apr 10, 2026  #Ahli #slams #refereeing #Saudi #Pro #League #Ivan #Toney #alleges #favouritism

Messi’s Argentina to face Honduras, Iceland in World Cup warm-ups

“Such errors raise legitimate concerns regarding the referee selection process and the criteria applied, particularly given the high technical and competitive level of the Saudi Roshn League. Al-Ahli Club Company calls for access to the recordings and communications between the referees and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), as well as their interactions with the team’s players during the match. It also requests clear explanations for all refereeing incidents where decisions were not correctly made,” it added.

Following the match, Toney vented out his feelings to Saudi media outlet Thmanyah, alleging that the fourth official told him to “focus on the Asian Champions League” instead of the league.

“I don’t know if the referee turned off his microphone before he said what he told me: ‘Focus on the Asian Champions League.’ This is why we need the audio recordings to be released, so the fans can see the truth,” he said.

“We know who (the decisions are helping). Who are we chasing? If decisions go our way, we have a good chance, but if they continue like this it will be tough,” Toney added.

Published on Apr 10, 2026

#Ahli #slams #refereeing #Saudi #Pro #League #Ivan #Toney #alleges #favouritism">Al Ahli slams refereeing in Saudi Pro League, Ivan Toney alleges favouritism

Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli said that it is dissatisfied with the refereeing decisions during its match against Al Fayha on April 8, while its forward Ivan Toney implied that the officials are favouring certain clubs.

In a statement on Thursday, the team said, “The referee’s decisions had a direct impact on the flow of the game and its final outcome, which in turn affected the team’s position in the title race.”

Toney scored to take the lead, and Fayha’s Jason equalised before Al Ahli had two penalty appeals for handball turned down by VAR. The result left the side in third place on the table with 66 points from 28 games, four adrift of leader Al Nassr, which has played a game less.

ALSO READ | Messi’s Argentina to face Honduras, Iceland in World Cup warm-ups

“Such errors raise legitimate concerns regarding the referee selection process and the criteria applied, particularly given the high technical and competitive level of the Saudi Roshn League. Al-Ahli Club Company calls for access to the recordings and communications between the referees and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), as well as their interactions with the team’s players during the match. It also requests clear explanations for all refereeing incidents where decisions were not correctly made,” it added.

Following the match, Toney vented out his feelings to Saudi media outlet Thmanyah, alleging that the fourth official told him to “focus on the Asian Champions League” instead of the league.

“I don’t know if the referee turned off his microphone before he said what he told me: ‘Focus on the Asian Champions League.’ This is why we need the audio recordings to be released, so the fans can see the truth,” he said.

“We know who (the decisions are helping). Who are we chasing? If decisions go our way, we have a good chance, but if they continue like this it will be tough,” Toney added.

Published on Apr 10, 2026

#Ahli #slams #refereeing #Saudi #Pro #League #Ivan #Toney #alleges #favouritism

Post Comment