THE SHOCKING REASON WOLVES FANS PROTESTED AGAINST FOSUN DURING THE BRENTFORD CLASH
A dark day at Molineux: Wolves fall to Brentford 2-0 amid fan protests, owner resignations, and a missed late penalty.
Wolves had a terrible Christmas, hitting a Premier League low after their 10th straight loss. Brentford beat them 2-0 at Molineux, with Keane Lewis-Potter scoring twice.
Rob Edwards' team couldn't repeat their near-miss against Arsenal from last week, and their awful, winless season start just kept going.
Mistakes let Lewis-Potter score twice in what was a messy and boring game. Wolves are dead last with only two points from 17 games going into Christmas.
That's as bad as Sheffield United in 2020/21, but they'd played fewer games then.
Wolves fans were mad, chanting, "You're not fit to wear the shirt." To top it off, Jorgen Strand-Larsen had a late penalty saved by goalie Caoimhin Kelleher, and the game ended with loud boos.
Before the game, the stadium was quiet in remembrance of Ethan McLeod, a 21-year-old who came up through the academy. He died in a car crash on his way back from Macclesfield’s game on Tuesday.
His family and friends stood by the field, along with his brother Conor, who plays for Wolves' Under-21s.
Edwards made some lineup changes, but a promising start faded fast. Brentford ended up controlling the ball more than usual.
In the 18th minute, fans held up signs that said "Our Club," asking the owners, Fosun, to sell after Jeff Shi stepped down as chairman.
Soon after, Kelleher tipped a shot over the bar, but it wasn't until the 32nd minute that either team actually took a shot—the longest wait in a Premier League game in six years.
There was only one shot on goal in the first half, and Jose Sa saved Lewis-Potter's shot.
Early in the second half, the Wolves' goalie stopped Kevin Schade twice.
But Wolves fans could see what was coming and started singing about old club legends just as Brentford scored in the 63rd minute. It could have been avoided.
Vitaly Janelt's hopeful ball bounced over Ladislav Krejci, and Lewis-Potter smashed the loose ball home.
Wolves tried to tie the game, but Brentford almost scored again.
It didn't take Brentford long to score again, though. In the 83rd minute, Lewis-Potter stretched to turn in a cross.
Many Wolves fans left, but those who stayed saw their team get a late penalty. Kelleher was called for a foul on Matt Doherty.
VAR checked the call and agreed, but Strand Larsen's penalty was saved after a strange run-up, and Wolves fans questioned his technique.
The game ended with loud boos at Molineux.
HOW JAMES MADDISON’S INDIVIDUAL TRAINING SIGNALS A SHOCK SEASON RETURN
James Maddison returns to individual training as Igor Tudor prepares Tottenham for a vital relegation battle with Forest.
Ahead of Tottenham’s match against Nottingham Forest, manager Igor Tudor gave an update on when James Maddison might return from injury. It’s a crucial moment for Spurs as they prepare to host Forest in what could be the defining 90 minutes of Tudor’s time at the club and quite possibly a key fixture that will shape the season for both teams.
Currently separated by just one point, Tottenham and Forest are locked in a battle against relegation. A win would push Spurs four points clear of the drop zone, while a loss might drag them into the bottom three. The stakes couldn’t be clearer.
Tudor’s side heads into this game with renewed energy, surprisingly positive given the mood just two weeks ago. The draw at Anfield broke a six-game losing streak, and their recent 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid, though not enough to overturn the aggregate score, brought back a sense of belief. Young players like Xavi Simons and Archie Gray impressed, while Mathys Tel kept the opposition on their toes. The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was electric in a way fans haven’t felt for months. While the Champions League hopes are dashed, that performance has injected valuable momentum into Spurs’ survival fight.
There’s also some hopeful news on the injury front. Dominic Solanke, who missed the Atlético leg with a hip issue, might be available. His physical presence adds a different dimension to Tottenham’s attack, which Tudor will surely be glad to have.
But the most promising update came from Tudor’s comments about Maddison. The creative midfielder, sidelined since August after rupturing his ACL in a preseason friendly, has begun some individual training, spotted alongside Palhinha. Recoveries from ACL injuries are never straightforward, and the team won’t rush him back. With only seven league games left after Sunday, there’s a narrow window for his return. Still, even the possibility of Maddison getting back on the pitch—someone who can change a game with a moment of skill or a precise pass—offers a much-needed morale boost.
For now, though, the focus remains firmly on Forest.
WHY BORUSSIA DORTMUND EXPECT JADON SANCHO TO SIGN FOR FREE
Unai Emery praises Jadon Sancho despite poor stats, while Dortmund free up £21m in wages to lure him back to Germany.
Borussia Dortmund really want Jadon Sancho back, and they’re hoping to get him for free from Manchester United. Sancho’s contract runs out this summer, and honestly, no one expects United to offer him a new one.
Right now, Sancho’s on loan at Aston Villa. It’s his third spell away from Old Trafford since United signed him for £73 million in 2021. His move to Villa was just a loan with no option to buy.
Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, has hinted he might keep Sancho, but Dortmund aren’t sitting around. The Times says Dortmund didn’t chase wingers last summer because Nico Kovac liked the 3-4-2-1 formation, but now the boss has changed his mind and wants Sancho back.
If Sancho comes back, he'll need to take a hefty pay cut from his £300,000-a-week salary. Still, Dortmund’s where he made his name after moving from Manchester City in 2017.
Dortmund have room in the budget this summer; they let the contracts of Julian Brandt, Niklas Süle, and Salih Özcan run out. That saves them about £21 million a year, and they’re optimistic they can lure Sancho, who’s allowed to strike pre-contract deals with foreign clubs.
Sancho actually spent half of the 2024 season back at Dortmund after Erik ten Hag froze him out at United. He helped them reach the Champions League final, but nothing permanent came of it.
Something similar happened during his loan to Chelsea last season. The club even paid a £5 million penalty just to avoid having to sign him outright. Villa picked him up right at the transfer deadline in September, but, once again, he’s struggled.
So far, Sancho’s got one goal and one assist in 29 games across all competitions. Still, Emery thinks there’s more to come.
When asked in February about signing Sancho for good, Emery said, “Not yet, but he’s a fantastic player. Hopefully, he can help us by improving within our system, like he is doing.
“He’ll need a new contract; maybe it’s here. If he plays his best football, we’ll want him. But other teams will be interested, too.”
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