Monday cannon fodder: mental puppet cap

Premier League/England

Manchester City win FA Cup to seal treble with 6-0 demolition of Watford | Football | The Guardian
Manchester City have become the first English men’s team to win a domestic treble with a record-equalling 6-0 win against Watford in the FA Cup final.

Europe may define Guardiola’s City era but home rule is no mean feat | Barney Ronay | Football | The Guardian
FA Cup success on Saturday would make it five domestic trophies out of the last six for Manchester City under a manager who has made domestic dominance a habit.

Vincent Kompany to leave Man City and become Anderlecht player-manager | Football | The Guardian
Vincent Kompany has announced that he will leave Manchester City this summer and that he will make a shock return to the Belgian club Anderlecht as player-manager.

Women’s football: how girls are moving the goalposts | Football | The Guardian
With young players joining grassroots clubs and England’s Lionesses preparing for their World Cup run, the sport is finally getting the recognition it deserves.

Where are they now? Man City’s XI on Vincent Kompany’s debut in 2008 - Planet Football
You can count the appearances, goals and trophies, but Vincent Kompany’s impact on Manchester City has been immeasurable.

How Aston Villa turned around their season – and gave themselves an unexpected shot at the Premier League | FourFourTwo
By spring, Villa looked to have no chance of gaining promotion, seemingly condemned to mid-table Championship mediocrity. Now they’re one win away from a return to the Premiership.

Journalist offers explanation after infuriating Guardiola - Football365
Pep Guardiola was asked whether he has ever had any separate payments from Man City’s owners.

Klopp reveals Liverpool’s Champions League final ‘plan’ - Football365
”We have to play LFC football,” says Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

Ellen White aims to fulfil European dreams after Manchester City move | Football | The Guardian
Ellen White, the prolific WSL striker, has moved from Manchester City from Birmingham and will join her friend Steph Houghton.

City’s mismatch of an FA Cup final with Watford highlights need for change | Football | The Guardian
Watching Pep Guardiola’s side dismantle their opponents in the FA Cup final was gruesome and reflective of a trend across Europe that suggests the time has come for a super league.

Pep Guardiola apologises to anyone offended by Manchester City plane song | Football | The Guardian
Pep Guardiola offered an apology to anyone offended by the chant sung on the plane carrying Manchester City players and staff back from their title win at Brighton.

Marcelo Bielsa will listen to Leeds offers after ‘painful’ Derby play-off defeat - BBC Sport
Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa will consider his future at the club after a play-off semi-final defeat by Derby.

Nice guy managers become puppets, says Mourinho in dig at Solskjær | Football | The Guardian
José Mourinho, currently unemployed, has appeared to suggest Ole Gunnar Solskjær has become ‘a puppet’ at Manchester United, who fired Jose Mourinho.

Nathan Redmond and Harry Kane in England squad with Nations League looming | Football | The Guardian
Southampton’s Nathan Redmond is the surprise name in Gareth Southgate’s initial squad for the Nations League finals.

Europe

Bayern Munich win Bundesliga with decisive goals from Robben and Ribéry | Football | The Guardian
Departing pair help secure seventh league title in a row after victory leaves Bayern two points ahead of Borussia Dortmund.

Gareth Bale does not acknowledge fans in final Real Madrid game - BBC Sport
Unused substitute Gareth Bale fails to acknowledge the home support as Real Madrid end their dismal La Liga campaign with defeat by Real Betis.

Euro 2020: Uefa announces ‘fans first’ ticket sales plan for pan-Europe competition - BBC Sport
European governing body Uefa says 82% of Euro 2020 tickets will be sold to football fans and the general public - in a “fans first” policy.

Christian Pulisic bids farewell in Borussia Dortmund’s disappointing season finale | Pro Soccer USA
Christian Pulisic starred in his final game in Germany in front of 54,022 visitors at the Borussia Park.

How UEFA used the Champions League final to reveal their plan to revolutionise women’s football | FourFourTwo
UEFA are putting steps in place to build on the first standalone women’s final and grow the women’s game.

Champions League final: Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino avoids touchline ban - BBC Sport
Mauricio Pochettino avoids a touchline ban for Tottenham’s Champions League final against Liverpool.

Women’s Champions League final: Lyon Feminines 4-1 Barcelona Femenino - BBC Sport
Dominant Lyon win a fourth straight European title as Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg nets a hat-trick against Barcelona.

MLS/Americas

Wondolowski breaks Donovan’s MLS goals record
San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski has broken Landon Donovan’s all-time Major League Soccer goals record.

Julie Ertz is the ass kicker of the U.S. women’s national team
Off the field, Julie Ertz is a ball of sunshine. On the field, she’s a ruthless midfielder and a key component for the U.S.’s World Cup success.

’I wish I could remember them all’: Kristine Lilly on her 354 international caps | Football | The Guardian
The USA star won two World Cups, the Olympics twice and scored 130 goals. Now she is looking to make a difference off the pitch.

Other

Mental Health Awareness Week: Fans, players and the future king discuss mental health - BBC Sport
How four football fans who have faced mental health issues talked about their experiences - with the help of Prince William and a few famous footballers.

Raheem Sterling: How speaking out on racism has helped make him a role model - BBC Sport
Is Manchester City and England forward Raheem Sterling the most significant sportsperson in Britain?