Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah speaks with Paul Allen during a radio appearance discussing multiple team topics, with October 22, 2024 falling in the buildup to a Week 8 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. The conversation came amid a dominant 14–2 regular season that positioned Minnesota as an NFC contender. Mandatory Credit: YouTube
Minnesota Vikings misses and myths are actually quite hot and heavy this week, mainly because of misinformation regarding Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s termination. Here’s a glance at the Nopedy Nopes.
A quick truth check on three Vikings talking points that picked up steam heading into Super Bowl week.
Our weekly publication chronicles all the false and outlandish takes in the Vikings’ orbit — or stuff that simply didn’t work out.
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Kwesi Rumor, Maye Trade Talk, and Cine’s Latest Detour
The Nopey Nopes of Super Bowl week are here.
Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah speaks with reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine inside the Indiana Convention Center, with the session taking place on Feb. 27, 2024, as Minnesota weighed offseason priorities, roster flexibility, and long-term planning while setting the framework for free agency and the upcoming draft cycle. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
The Nopedy Nope: Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was fired, in part, because he took paternity leave in 2023.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero joined KFAN this week and, among several items, dispelled the fictitious paternity leave theory.
He told the Power Trip Morning Show, “To pin it on ‘He took paternity leave three years ago,’ even if you’re bringing it up to say, ‘But that wasn’t it,’ you’re introducing a topic that had not been a topic. Sure, is there a level of frustration that comes when you feel like you’re having to do more because your co-worker is out? You don’t fire a guy three years after he took paternity leave. Like, what are we even talking about? It’s just wild. Like, we all knew that.”
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“Yeah, he wasn’t around in the summer of 2023. He missed chunks of the spring and missed part of training camp. But I never got any sense that it was some long-standing thing. It was well known that that happened and that there was some frustration from the people in the building about it, but it never changed the relationship. So, this idea that it was this toxic environment is, frankly, complete and utter nonsense.”
The paternity leave situation was mentioned by reporters covering the Vikings, and some fans then chose to make it the smoking gun for Adofo-Mensah’s termination.
Pelissero added, “I will say this, there is a habit for certain people, if they get beat on a scoop, to immediately lend additional details to the story that may or may not be 100 percent grounded in fact. So, you ended up with a bunch of tweets thrown out there into the universe, that suggested things, that based upon all my knowledge of the situation are not entirely accurate.”
“The idea that this was a toxic environment, there was tension between — Kwesi and Kevin are friends, personally. They have always been good. There was not a fight. There was not a blow-up. It was not, quite frankly, like it was at the end of the Mike Zimmer-Rick Spielman era, two guys that I like a lot, but they weren’t talking. It was never like that.”
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It may be true that paternity leave is uncommon in the NFL, but the Wilfs didn’t fire Adofo-Mensah for it — three years later.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Adofo-Mensah losing his job for taking two weeks of paternity leave while working from home.
The Nopedy Nope: The Vikings had a trade in place for Drake Maye in 2024, but they backed out.
SI.com‘s Albert Breer published a piece this week chronicling Sam Darnold’s rise in Seattle, laying out the broader takeaways from that arc.
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Buried inside the article was a revealing detail about Minnesota’s quarterback ambitions in 2024. Breer wrote, “There’s the one caveat to all of this, which is that the Vikings tried with all their might to trade up for Drake Maye in 2024. O’Connell loved him. Maye was coached in high school by Vikings assistant Josh McCown and was a teammate of McCown’s son.”
“Minnesota offered both of its first-round picks in 2024 (Nos. 11 and 23) and its 2025 first-rounder to the Patriots, with later-round pick swaps favoring Minnesota to move up to the third pick.”
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye warms up on the field at Hard Rock Stadium prior to kickoff, with the scene unfolding on Oct. 8, 2022, as the Tar Heels prepared to face Miami while Maye went through pregame throwing drills and movement work ahead of the ACC matchup. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports.
Despite that, a segment of the fan base has spent the time since the 2024 NFL Draft insisting Minnesota simply walked away from the deal. That belief doesn’t align with what actually happened.
Breer added, “O’Connell pushed them to go further. It wouldn’t matter, because the Patriots weren’t moving, sitting there as convicted in Maye as Minnesota was in the former North Carolina quarterback.” The resistance came from New England, not hesitation from Minnesota.
“But if the Vikings had somehow gotten the Patriots off their spot with Maye, all of this might look different, and the aforementioned rumblings probably would have stopped.” The entire trajectory hinged on a pick that was never available.
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There’s a meaningful gap between claiming the Vikings backed off a deal and acknowledging that the Patriots refused to move. One version reflects how draft negotiations actually unfold; the other rewrites events to paint Minnesota’s front office as recklessly incompetent. That’s just not the case.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on the Vikings backing out of the Maye trade; Robert Kraft cancelled the deal.
The Nopedy Nope: Lewis Cine would catch on in the UFL.
Cine is out — and the UFL league that was supposed to offer a reset.
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Minnesota Vikings safety Lewis Cine observes practice activity at the TCO Performance Center during training camp, with the moment captured on July 27, 2022, as the rookie acclimated to NFL routines, team drills, and coaching instruction following his first-round selection earlier that offseason. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.
UFL writer Michael Heilman wrote over the weekend, “The D.C. Defenders released wide receiver Jalen Virgil, offensive linemen Elijah Ellis and Silas Dzansi, and defensive back Lewis Cine on Saturday according to the UFL Transactions page. Lewis Cine is six foot two and weighs 199 pounds. The 26-year-old from Cedar Hills, Texas, was drafted by the D.C. Defenders in the 2026 UFL Draft.”
“The Minnesota Vikings drafted Cine in the first round (32nd pick) of the 2022 NFL Draft. He spent three seasons in Minnesota with one tackle (1 solo) in 10 games. In 2024, he made 16 tackles (8 solos, 8 assists), one sack, one interception, and one pass breakup in three preseason games. The Vikings released him on August 27, 2024.”
For Cine, this is another miss on a resume that no longer has room for them. The UFL was supposed to be a proving ground. Cine couldn’t even make the cut there.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Cine’s football career — in general. He’s probably done.
Colt Observer, last seen winning the Victoria Derby, has made a successful return from a break with a victory at Caulfield.
In his first outing since the Victoria Derby success in November, Observer got a flawless ride from jockey Ethan Brown en route to victory in Saturday’s Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m).
Dispatched as the $4 equal elect, Observer saw off the late surge of Planet Red ($4.40) by 1-¾ lengths, as Victorius Spirit ($51) ended up three-quarters-of-a-length further adrift in third.
The Ciaron Maher-prepared Observer heads next to the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) over 1600m at Flemington on February 28.
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Jack Turnbull, National Assistant Trainer at Ciaron Maher Racing, observed that Observer had advanced markedly from his spring efforts to the current autumn phase.
“We’ve taken the norton bit off and decided to go with the lugging bit today,” Turnbull said.
“To begin like he did and then for Ethan just to go with him and be in that position and travel so kind, it was good to see from our end.
“Then to respond and quicken, first-up off a Derby prep and so lightly raced, it was exciting.
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“He’ll be second-up in the Australian Guineas in three weeks which is his early grand final and if we were to be successful then we could go a few different options.”
Turnbull mentioned that post-Australian Guineas, the Maher team and Observer’s owners Godolphin would discuss plans for the three-year-old.
Ethan Brown, who steered Observer into a gallant third during last spring’s Group 1 Caulfield Guineas before handing over to Mark Zahra for the Moonee Valley Vase and Victoria Derby wins, commended the Maher stable’s first-up preparation over 1400m.
“He can be a bit dour, but his last gallop was super,” Brown said.
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“Ciaron has switched him on at the right time and in the mounting yard he perked up, and he knew where he was.
“The beauty of it is that he was fresh enough to hold a spot over 1400 (metres) so going up in trip he’ll dour out, but now that he can hold a spot makes it easier for connections, horse and jockey. Explore the racing betting markets for Observer in the Australian Guineas.”
The halftime show has been headlined by some of the biggest artists of all time and has delivered wild, iconic moments throughout the 60-year history of the Super Bowl.
This year, Bad Bunny will headline, taking the stage at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. He has yet to announce any special guests, though the performances often feature them. Some have speculated that rapper Cardi B — with whom he has the hit song “I Like It” — could join him. She is also dating Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs, but Bad Bunny has not given anything away.
Last year, Kendrick Lamar took the stage during the big game in New Orleans. In 2024, Usher headlined in Las Vegas. In 2023, Rihanna performed at State Farm Stadium during Super Bowl LVII. Before that, five performers took the stage for Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles: Eminem, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar and Mary J. Blige performed during the Rams‘ win over the Bengals.
For artists who play the Super Bowl halftime show, the audience is exponentially bigger than any they have ever encountered. It was not always like that, however.
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So what were the shows like before they became must-see television? Do you remember that killer halftime show featuring the Rockettes, Chubby Checker and 88 grand pianos in 1988? Do you remember the captivating “Be Bop Bamboozled” at the Orange Bowl in 1989? No — no you do not. Ditto Carol Channing (twice) or any of those four contrived Up With People performances in the late ’70s and early ’80s.
Before Michael Jackson, the Super Bowl halftime show was an endless wasteland of college marching bands and flag-spinning tributes — from salutes to Hollywood (twice), to Motown, to the Big Band Era, to the Caribbean, to Duke Ellington. We also got New Kids on the Block (1991) not singing any of their biggest hits and Gloria Estefan (1992) providing the soundtrack for Olympic figure skaters Dorothy Hamill and Brian Boitano of “What would Brian Boitano do?” fame — because nothing says a Minnesota Super Bowl like the lead singer of the Miami Sound Machine.
Then the King of Pop arrived at the Rose Bowl in 1993 — and the Super Bowl halftime show was never the same again.
Here is the complete list of previous Super Bowl halftime performers and themes:
2022: Eminem, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar and Mary J. Blige
2021: The Weeknd
2020: Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Emme Muñiz
2019: Maroon 5, Travis Scott, Big Boi
2018: Justin Timberlake, The Tennessee Kids
2017: Lady Gaga
2016: Coldplay, Beyoncé, Bruno Mars
2015: Katy Perry, Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliott
2014: Bruno Mars, Red Hot Chili Peppers
2013: Beyoncé
Beyonce brings the heat in New Orleans.
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2012: Madonna
2011: The Black Eyed Peas, Usher, Slash
2010: The Who
2009: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
2008: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
2007: Prince and the Florida A&M marching band
Prince made it rain purple in Miami.
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2006: The Rolling Stones
2005: Paul McCartney
2004: Janet Jackson, Kid Rock, P. Diddy, Nelly and Justin Timberlake
2003: Shania Twain, No Doubt and Sting
2002: U2
2001: “The Kings of Rock and Pop” featuring Aerosmith, ‘N’Sync, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige and Nelly
The world’s biggest boy band and the Bad Boys of Boston share the Super Bowl stage.
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2000: “A Tapestry of Nations” featuring Phil Collins, Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias, Toni Braxton and an 80-person choir
1999: “Celebration of Soul, Salsa and Swing” featuring Stevie Wonder, Gloria Estefan, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and tap dancer Savion Glover
1998: “A Tribute to Motown’s 40th Anniversary” including Boyz II Men, Smokey Robinson, Queen Latifah, Martha Reeves and The Temptations
1997: “Blues Brothers Bash” featuring Dan Akroyd, John Goodman and James Belushi (also featuring “The Godfather of Soul” James Brown and ZZ Top)
1996: Diana Ross celebrating 30 years of the Super Bowl with special effects, pyrotechnics and stadium card stunt. Finale featured Diana Ross being taken from the stadium in a helicopter
Diana Ross performs at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.
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1995: “Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye” featuring Tony Bennett, Patti LaBelle, Arturo Sandoval, the Miami Sound Machine and stunts including fire and skydivers. Finale included audience participation with light sticks
1994: “Rockin’ Country Sunday” featuring Clint Black, Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt, Wynonna & Naomi Judd. Finale included flashlight stunt
1993: “Heal the World” featuring Michael Jackson and 3,500 local children. Finale included audience card stunt
Michael Jackson stares down the Rose Bowl.
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1992: “Winter Magic” including a salute to the winter season and the winter Olympics featuring Gloria Estefan, Brian Boitano and Dorothy Hamill
1991: “A Small World Salute to 25 Years of the Super Bowl” featuring New Kids on the Block
1990: “Salute to New Orleans” and 40th Anniversary of Peanuts’ characters, featuring trumpeter Pete Fountain, Doug Kershaw & Irma Thomas
1989: “Be Bop Bamboozled” featuring 3-D effects
1988: “Something Grand” featuring 88 grand pianos, the Rockettes and Chubby Checker
1987: “Salute to Hollywood’s 100th Anniversary”
1986: “Beat of the Future”
1985: “A World of Children’s Dreams”
1984: “Super Bowl XVIII’s Salute to the Superstars of the Silver Screen”
1983: “KaleidoSUPERscope” (a kaleidoscope of color and sound)
1982: “A Salute to the 60s and Motown”
1981: “A Mardi Gras Festival”
1980: “A Salute to the Big Band Era” with Up with People
1979: “Super Bowl XIII Carnival” Salute to the Caribbean with Ken Hamilton and various Caribbean bands
1978: “From Paris to the Paris of America” with Tyler Apache Belles, Pete Fountain and Al Hirt
1977: “It’s a Small World” including crowd participation for first time with spectators waving colored placards on cue
1976: “200 Years and Just a Baby” Tribute to America’s Bicentennial
1975: “Tribute to Duke Ellington” with Mercer Ellington and Grambling State band
1974: “A Musical America” with University of Texas band
1973: “Happiness Is.” with University of Michigan marching band and Woody Herman
1972: “Salute to Louis Armstrong” with Ella Fitzgerald, Carol Channing, Al Hirt and U.S. Marine Corps Drill Team
1971: Florida A&M band
1970: Carol Channing
1969: “America Thanks” with Florida A&M University band
1968: Grambling State band
1967: University of Arizona and Grambling State marching bands
Stephen Manyo celebrates his goal for Rivers United. Photo Credit: AthleticNG
Defending champions Pyramids FC showed their quality despite several injuries as they defeated Rivers United 4-1 in a CAF Champions League match in Uyo on Sunday.
Rivers United started the game brightly and took the lead in the 33rd minute through Manyo, giving the home fans hope of a famous victory.
However, the Egyptian side took control in the second half. Fathi equalised in the 52nd minute to bring Pyramids back into the game. Marwan then scored in the 66th minute to give the visitors the lead.
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Late goals from Odeh and Nasser sealed a convincing win for Pyramids and confirmed their dominance in the match.
The defeat means Rivers United have been eliminated from the competition at the group stage, bringing their continental campaign to an early end.
Gauff and Mboko link up late for Qatar Open Doubles
Coco Gauff and Victoria Mboko will form an unexpected doubles partnership at the Qatar Open after both players missed out on the draw with their original partners.
While their priority remains singles, both entered the doubles event in Doha. When their initial partnerships failed to make the draw, the pairing came together.
“We were actually both entered with two other players,” Mboko told Tennis Channel. “Neither of us got in with our original partners, so we were like, ‘Wanna play?’”
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Gauff, a former world No. 1 in doubles, has limited her doubles appearances in recent seasons, while Mboko has also focused primarily on singles development. Despite that, both bring good doubles credentials into the tournament.
They will play their first doubles match on Monday, February 9, against seventh seeds Cristina Bucsa and Nicole Melichar-Martinez.
Atalanta will host Cremonese at the New Balance Arena in Serie A on Monday. With nine wins from 23 league games, La Dea have a 13-point lead over the visitors.
The hosts have lost just one of their last four games in all competitions. They faced Como in their previous league outing and were held to a scoreless draw. They met Juventus in the Coppa Italia quarterfinals on Thursday and secured a 3-0 home win. Gianluca Scamacca scored from the penalty spot in the 27th minute, while Kamaldeen Sulemana and Mario Pašalić added goals after the break.
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I Grigiorossi are winless in their last nine games. They suffered a second consecutive defeat earlier this month, losing 2-0 at home to league leaders Inter Milan.
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Atalanta vs Cremonese Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
The two Lombardy-based teams have met 44 times in all competitions. La Dea have the upper hand in these meetings, recording 20 wins. The visitors have nine wins, and 15 games have ended in draws.
The hosts have conceded 20 goals in the league this season, and I Grigiorossi have scored 20 goals.
La Dea are unbeaten in their last 15 meetings against Cremonese. The two teams last met in the reverse fixture in October and were held to a 1-1 draw.
Atalanta have won three Serie A home games in 2026 while keeping clean sheets.
The visitors have scored a goal each in eight of their last 14 meetings against La Dea. They have failed to score in the other six games in that period.
I Grigiorossi have failed to score in their last five Serie A away games. They have suffered four defeats in that period.
Atalanta vs Cremonese Prediction
La Dea are unbeaten in Serie A this year, winning four of their six games. They have also kept five clean sheets in that period. Interestingly, their last two Serie A wins against the visitors have been secured on their travels.
Mitchel Bakker returned to the squad in Coppa Italia against Juventus, and they have no injury concerns for this match. Honest Ahanor and Marten de Roon are suspended.
I Grigiorossi have endured a poor run of form and are winless in their last nine league outings, scoring just one goal in that period. They have drawn their last four Serie A away meetings against the hosts.
Michele Collocolo was injured last week and is expected to return later this month. Warren Bondo, Antonio Sanabria, and Martín Payero remain sidelined for the visitors.
The hosts have an unbeaten record in Serie A this year and considering the visitors’ recent struggles, we back La Dea to secure a win.
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Prediction: Atalanta 2-0 Cremonese
Atalanta vs Cremonese Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result – Atalanta to win
Tip 2: Goals – Over/Under 2.5 Goals – Under 2.5 goals
Tip 3: Both teams to score – No
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Tip 4: At least one goal to be scored in the second half – Yes
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half in the 2026 NFC Championship Game at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Super Bowl LXI in the Los Angeles area falls on Valentine’s Day next year, and 31 teams will again be going home with heartbreak.
With a little more than a year to go, sportsbooks are still feeling a lot of love for the NFC West.
The Seattle Seahawks are favored on consensus odds for Super Bowl LXI to again represent the NFC by a slim margin at +750 over the Los Angeles Rams (+800). The Buffalo Bills (+1000) have the best odds on the AFC side.
The Rams would be playing at their home field, SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., where they won Super Bowl LVI, if they can overcome the Seahawks and the rest of the NFC to get back to the big game. Seattle eliminated Los Angeles in the NFC title game 31-27.
Buffalo’s biggest competition comes from the reigning AFC champion New England Patriots, as well as the Baltimore Ravens (+1200). The Ravens made a coaching change after missing the playoffs in an attempt to catch lightning in a bottle as the Patriots did by hiring Mike Vrabel following consecutive 4-13 seasons.
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The Green Bay Packers (+1300) are followed by the Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs on the next rung at +1500. The Lions and Chiefs missed the playoffs but still have the core pieces and foundational players from recent runs of success. A big question for the Chiefs is Patrick Mahomes’ recovery from a torn ACL.
Four 2025 playoff teams — the San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, Jacksonvulle Jaguars and Houston Texans — are all +2000 to win the Lombari Trophy in 2027.
On the other end of the spectrum, the New York Jets have the longest odds to win the Super Bowl at 250-1 or plus +25000.
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They are below the Miami Dolphins (225-1), Arizona Cardinals (200-1), New Orleans Saints (175-1), Carolina Panthers (150-1) and Tennessee Titans (150-1).
The Las Vegas Raiders hold the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and are 125-1, even with the Cleveland Browns.
The under-fire Seagulls head coach was jeered and subjected to chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing” and “you’re getting sacked in the morning” as his side slipped to a painful loss at the Amex Stadium.
Ismaila Sarr was once again the Eagles’ derby hero, claiming a 61st-minute winner to back up a decisive double in last season’s 3-1 success on the south coast.
Palace leapfrogged Albion into 13th place courtesy of their first win in 13 games in all competitions, dating back to December 11.
“Now it’s not the moment to talk about my human feelings,” said former St Pauli boss Hurzeler.
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“Everyone can imagine how you would feel if 25,000 demand things and sing about you.
“It’s not an easy situation but there are only two options: to give up or to keep working harder, and that’s always the option I choose so far in my life.
“That’s why I am sitting here because I never give up. That’s what I will keep pushing to do.
“I think it’s the hardest moment (of my managerial career) but it’s also the moment where I try to get the most out of it, I learn the most and I will grow the most. I will face this adversity and I will get through it.”
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Brighton, who would have climbed into the top half of the table with three points, have now won just one of their last 12 top-flight fixtures.
Seagulls supporters initially took aim at Hurzeler in the 71st minute when he replaced Maxim De Cuyper, Carlos Baleba and Harry Howell with Diego Gomez, Yankuba Minteh and Danny Welbeck in a triple substitution.
Jeers grew louder as Albion’s struggles to create continued, building to a crescendo at the final whistle after some fans called for Hurzeler to be dismissed.
“I always promise I give my heart, I give my soul for this club, and I will keep doing this,” said the 32-year-old German.
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“It’s not an easy situation to take. But I will absorb the criticism.
“It’s fine if they (fans) find the person in me to blame – because in the end I’m responsible – as long as they support the team.”
Palace’s victory was a first in 10 top-flight outings, since a 2-1 win at Fulham on December 7.
Eagles manager Oliver Glasner, who celebrated on the pitch in front of a jubilant away end at full-time, said: “I just can say thank you to our fans. They had plenty of opportunities to boo us in the last months but they never did. This is the bond we created in the last two years.
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“Yes, they were disappointed and we were disappointed but they never booed at us. Today what we have seen right at the end, the players, the fans, this is what you can’t buy, these emotions, this feeling after a win.
“We will go home now, the M23 being really delighted. Our fans I think they will stop once or twice to buy another Guinness. That’s why football is so great.
“We couldn’t deliver the last two months. Today they are just happy.
“Tomorrow I think most of them have to go to work but Monday morning is easier to start with a win, especially at Brighton. This is why everybody was so emotional after the game.”
STUTTGART, GERMANY – APRIL 13: Vera Zvonareva in action against Diana Shnaider during the first qualifications round ahead of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Stuttgart 2024 at Porsche Arena on April 13, 2024 in Stuttgart, Germany (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)
Vera Zvonareva has qualified for the main draw of the Qatar Open, marking her first appearance at the WTA 1000 level since 2023.
The former world No. 2 resumed competition late in 2025 after a 19 month absence, reaching the final of the W100 Dubai in both singles and doubles. She has since played several qualifying events and has had some match wins despite missing main draws in Canberra, Adelaide, and Abu Dhabi.
In Doha, Zvonareva earned her place with straight set wins over Shuai Zhang and Magdalena Frech, her first singles victories over top 100 opponents since late 2023.
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The 41 year old is the oldest player in the Qatar Open draw and is currently the second most senior competitor on the WTA Tour, behind Venus Williams.
Zvonareva will open her campaign on Sunday against Peyton Stearns, setting up a first round meeting between players separated by 17 years.
Terence Crawford has received plenty of plaudits recently, but one Hall of Fame fighter claims he isn’t on his level, along with Shakur Stevenson, believing that neither man is in the class he was in when he was active.
Crawford hung up the gloves back in December after defeating Canelo Alvarez and he has since been praised as one of the greatest fighters of the modern era, having reigned as undisputed champion in three weight classes.
However, despite the efforts of both men, former three-weight world champion James Toney told FightHype that their wins have not been dominant or destructive enough to warrant the same recognition as him.
“He looked good, alright, but it wasn’t no James Toney performance, you know that. Every time that I fought on the big stage, [Iran] Barkley, [Evander] Holyfield, John Ruiz and countless others – I am dominating them.
Terence Crawford, I love Terence Crawford, but he didn’t even do what I did. He didn’t do it, but he won 12 rounds. I did damage, I stopped people, I knocked people out, that is why they called me ‘Lights Out’.”
At 28 years old, there is plenty of time for Stevenson to further etch his name into the history books, with a possible move to the welterweight division potentially presenting the Newark southpaw with the opportunity to become boxing’s seventh five-division champion.
Lindsay Park, under the guidance of Ben, Will and J D Hayes, has claimed a vital success with Oak Hill’s Caulfield conquest in 2026.
This sprinter’s result in Saturday’s Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) was the first for the stable in metro ranks following the January 21 Sandown pair from Vivacissimo and Crocodile.
The month of January was testing for Lindsay Park, hit by on-track woes and the destructive bushfires across Victoria that torched extensive sections of their Lindsay Park estate, prompting horse evacuations.
Oak Hill’s win proved perfectly timed amid the hardships at the Creighton’s Creek training site, as per J D Hayes.
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Oak Hill ($4.60), piloted by Damian Lane, edged out Don’t Hope Do ($9) by a long head, with $2.70 elect Hedged settling for third, 1-¼ lengths behind.
“We are definitely happy to put January behind us and that was a terrific effort,” Hayes said.
“I thought he put the writing on the wall last start with his return run. We’ve taken all the gear off his head and he’s just starting to really learn his craft.
“He’s a late learner and a horse that we inherited from the late, great, Mike Moroney and he is getting better each preparation.
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“And it’s great to get Damian Lane back on board. He won quite a few races on him and it’s always good to get a winner for Rupert Legh in those colours.”
Hayes revealed the handicap Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 21 could be next for Oak Hill.
Lane boasts an excellent record with the gelding, securing five of his eight wins aboard the sprinter.
The jockey is optimistic about Oak Hill navigating the Oakleigh Plate frenzy if chosen by the Hayes siblings.
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“He’s always had the talent and you can put him a touch closer and he’s got the turn-of-foot still,” Lane said.
“He’d handle it (Oakleigh Plate) well. He’s got that experience now in short course racing, hustle and bustle, and now that he’s more mature in the mind that’ll help him, and it will set up well.”
Race enthusiasts can find competitive odds in the racing betting markets for events like the Oakleigh Plate.
