Saturday’s briefing: Sunderland take play-off edge as Arteta rues regression

Sunderland emerged with a 2-1 victory in the first leg of their Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final at Coventry.

But while Regis Le Bris’ men took a positive step forward, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admitted the trophyless Gunners have regressed this season.

Mayenda gives Sunderland the edge

Eliezer Mayenda scored a late winner as Sunderland flipped the form book on its head to beat Coventry 2-1 and steal a march in their Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final.

Despite finishing seven points ahead of their opponents, Sunderland’s form had flat-lined towards the end of the regular season with five successive defeats and just one goal in a six-game winless streak.

But, after defending resolutely against a side they had lost 3-0 to in March, Sunderland were clinical on the counter-attack and Mayenda’s 88th-minute goal gave the Black Cats a 2-1 victory.

Wilson Isidor had put Sunderland ahead after 68 minutes but while their opponents were level within 110 seconds thanks to Jack Rudoni, Mayenda had the final say.

Arsenal moving backwards – Arteta

Mikel Arteta has admitted for the first time that Arsenal have regressed in the Premier League this season.

The Gunners will end the campaign empty-handed for a fifth consecutive year following their Champions League semi-final exit to Paris St Germain earlier this week.

And they will now head to Liverpool on Sunday to form a guard of honour for their rivals who secured the title with four matches remaining.

Arsenal boss Arteta said: “In the Premier League we’ve gone a step backwards.

“With the points that we have created it is clear that we have not done as good as last season, and that’s obvious.

“But with the amount of points that we have generated in the last few seasons, we could have won two Premier League titles. So you know how close we are. We are providing the numbers that win you titles.”

Women’s World Cup gets bigger

The 2035 Women’s World Cup, set to be held in the UK, will feature 48 teams, FIFA has announced.

The FIFA Council voted on Friday to expand the competition from the 2031 finals onwards, with that tournament is set to be awarded to the United States with support from other nations in the region.

The UK is almost certain to host the 2035 finals after FIFA president Gianni Infantino said last month it was the only “valid bid” received.

Auf Wiedersehen, Alonso

Xabi Alonso will step down as head coach of Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season, the German club have announced.

Alonso has been heavily linked with the Real Madrid head coach position after a remarkable two and a half years at Leverkusen.

Last season the former Liverpool and Real midfielder led Leverkusen to a domestic double, which included going unbeaten for the whole Bundesliga campaign.

Leverkusen said they had agreed to Alonso’s request to cut short his existing contract, which was due to run until the summer of 2026.

What’s on today?

Seventh-placed Aston Villa’s final push to qualify for European football next season resumes when they travel to Bournemouth – one place and seven points below them.

Eight other Premier League sides are also in action including Manchester City, who will be looking for a fifth consecutive top-flight victory when they face relegated Southampton.

Leyton Orient host Stockport in the first leg of their League One play-off semi-final while AFC Wimbledon are away at Notts County in their League Two equivalent.

Chelsea – already crowned Women’s Super League champions for a sixth straight season – will celebrate with their supporters at Stamford Bridge, where they host Liverpool on the final day of the English women’s top-flight campaign.

The battle for WSL runners-up comes down to the wire and will be decided at the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal – currently second with 45 points – host Manchester United, one place and one point below them.