Amad Diallo at double for United, Chelsea score 8, Zheng on course for Sabalenka clash
Europe’s second and third-tier teams were in the spotlight on Thursday, while Zheng Qinwen found out her semi-final opponent at the WTA Finals
Honestly, if there had been much else happening overnight I might have been tempted to ditch European football altogether, but Thursdays in November are tricky when it comes to sport.
The world’s best golfers are in Abu Dhabi, and the women’s best tennis players in Saudi Arabia, which largely means that action, or the important stuff at least, has happened before people go to bed in Hong Kong.
So, it’s back to the Europa League and the Conference League, which at least allows the game’s lesser lights to have their time to shine. Even if it’s a mostly 10 watt glow.
That winning feeling
Amad Diallo scored twice as Manchester United won in Europe for the first time this season, beating Greek champions PAOK 2-1 at home on Thursday.
Goals either side of half-time were enough to settle a fairly drab occasion at Old Trafford, which at least ended the hone side’s run of three successive draws in the Europa League.
PAOK should have scored at least one, with Tarik Tissoudall wasting a gilt-edged opportunity to equalise when one-on-one with United goalkeeper Andre Onana.
“It’s been a long time since we won in Europe,” Diallo said. “Today we showed why we are one of the best teams. It was important to win today.”
Magic eight ball
In the thanks for coming competition, Chelsea put eight past FC Noah, and no, you shouldn’t feel bad for never having heard of the Armenian side.
