Sports

Leeds ruins Monk's return

November 19, 2017
Leeds United's Gianni Alioski celebrating his strike against Middlesbrough during the English Soccer League clash on Sunday. — courtesy photo
Leeds United's Gianni Alioski celebrating his strike against Middlesbrough during the English Soccer League clash on Sunday. — courtesy photo

London — Leeds ruined Garry Monk's return to Elland Road with a 2-1 win over their former manager's Middlesbrough side on Sunday. Monk quit as Leeds boss in May before moving to Middlesbrough and he endured a hostile reception from fans on his first appearance back at Elland Road.

His old team were no more forgiving as Pablo Hernandez and Gianni Alioski struck in either half. Britt Assombalonga converted a late penalty for Middlesbrough, but Monk's men missed out on a fourth successive Championship victory. Leeds had lost six of their previous seven league games, including their last three at home, but they turned in a much-improved display to ease the pressure on boss Thomas Christiansen.

Hernandez marked his return to the side with the game's opening goal in the 25th minute. Alioski's curling cross was headed on by Kalvin Phillips and Hernandez stole in at the far post to turn the ball home. Leeds doubled their lead in the 55th minute when Hernandez's cross was forced home at the far post by Alioski.

Monk's side were handed a lifeline in controversial fashion by one of the assistant referees, who flagged after spotting Luke Ayling and Daniel Ayala grappling in the area before a corner. Ayling appeared to have been pulled down by Ayala and after a prolonged consultation referee Keith Stroud awarded the visitors a penalty, which was converted by Assombalonga. Middlesbrough went close to snatching a point through Ayala's late header, but Monk departed empty-handed.

Coleman confirmed

as Sunderland boss

Former Wales coach Chris Coleman was confirmed as manager of Championship strugglers Sunderland on Sunday. Coleman's move to the Stadium of Light was widely expected after he resigned from the Wales job earlier this week.

The former Fulham boss has agreed a two-and-half year contract with Sunderland. The 47-year-old is the Black Cats' ninth manager in the last six seasons and replaces Simon Grayson, who was sacked at the end of last month after less than half a season in charge.

"It's an honor to be appointed the manager of Sunderland AFC and I'm over the moon that the club believes I am the right man," Coleman said after taking training on Sunday.

"The club worked incredibly hard to make sure we were a good fit and to show me the potential that can be achieved here. I believe that every person at this Football club, every player and every supporter has a part to play in getting us back to where we belong."

Coleman arrives in the northeast after six years as Wales boss, during which time he managed his country into the top 10 of FIFA's world rankings after an unexpected run to the Euro 2016 semifinals.

Despite that success, Coleman was unable to lead Wales to next year's World Cup after failing to secure a place in the play-offs and reports about his likely departure surfaced immediately after that disappointment.

With the Wales chapter of his career now over, Coleman has joined a Sunderland side at their lowest ebb for years. A 2-2 draw against Millwall on Saturday gave them an unwanted English record of 20 consecutive home games without a win.

Sunderland, relegated from the Premier League under David Moyes's management last season, are bottom of the Championship table. They are four points from safety heading into Coleman's first match in charge away to Aston Villa on Tuesday.

Sunderland chief executive Martin Bain, who led the search for Grayson's successor, said: "The Football club has conducted a thorough process over the last three weeks to identify the best manager for the job, before and after which Chris was the clear first choice.

"We are delighted that he and Kit Symons, his assistant manager, have joined us, and are now focused on working together to get the Football club moving in the right direction." — AFP


November 19, 2017
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