Europe

BRIGHTON, England — Brighton & Hove Albion trounced Manchester United 4-0 in the Premier League on Saturday, as Ralf Rangnick's side suffered a fifth straight away defeat with another woeful defensive display.

The result was Brighton’s first victory at home since December and they got it in style with the Seagulls thoroughly dominating, as Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, Pascal Gross and Leandro Trossard all found the net.

Bristol Rovers pulled off the unthinkable on Saturday. On the outside looking in for automatic promotion to EFL League One, Rovers needed to better Northampton’s result by five goals to have any hope of finishing in the top three. Seven goals later, they did just that.

The new American owner was at Stamford Bridge watching. Christian Pulisic played the full 90 for the first time since March and had a lovely assist. Romelu Lukaku scored a brace for just the second time all season and first since September. 

And Chelsea still couldn’t get the win it needed to stop its recent slide that could put its place in next season’s Champions League at risk. 

MANCHESTER, England — Chelsea Women head coach Emma Hayes has dismissed claims that her side are under pressure as they look to claim a third successive Women’s Super League title this weekend.

The blues are currently in the driving seat, topping the table on 53 points going into the final day of action. Victory at home against Manchester United on Sunday would ensure their status as champions regardless of results elsewhere.

A consortium led by LA Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly and backed by Clearlake Capital has won the bid to acquire Premier League club Chelsea in a deal worth up to 4 billion pounds, Britain's Telegraph newspaper reported on Friday.

The proposal has now been sent to the government and Premier League for approval.

⚽ Exclusive: Todd Boehly has signed the purchase agreement to buy Chelsea in a deal worth up to £4 billion https://t.co/GUtXHgSNUP

LJUBLJANA — Ukraine will pour their heart and soul into ensuring they win their World Cup playoff matches as soldiers repelling the Russian invasion want the team to do everything they can to qualify, midfielder Taras Stepanenko said on Friday.

Ukraine, who last played against Bosnia & Herzegovina in a 2-0 victory in November, faces Scotland in a World Cup playoff semifinal on June 1, with the winner set to face Wales for a place in the finals against the U.S., England and Iran in Qatar later this year.

West Ham United manager David Moyes apologized after he was sent off for kicking a ball at a ball boy during his side's Europa League semifinal defeat by Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday.

With 12 minutes remaining, Moyes angrily kicked the ball at a ball boy who he thought was wasting time as 10-man West Ham lost 1-0 in the second leg in Germany and went out 3-1 on aggregate.

A focused Manchester City will channel the pain of their Champions League semifinal defeat by Real Madrid into Sunday's home game against Newcastle United, manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday.

The Spaniard told reporters he had not spoken to his players since Real's astonishing comeback in Wednesday's second leg in Madrid and nothing he said would be any consolation.