Danny Cowley was pleased with his Colchester side despite them missing a golden opportunity following a 0-0 draw with fellow play-off hopefuls Crewe.
The spoils were shared in front of the biggest JobServe Community Stadium crowd of the season, despite Alex having played for more than half the game with 10 men after Owen Lunt was shown a straight red card for kicking out at Colchester skipper Tom Flanagan on the halfway line.
Colchester squandered a great chance to claim a vital victory in the 87th minute when Arthur Read’s penalty was saved by goalkeeper Filip Marschall.
The point took Colchester back into the play-off places and U’s boss Cowley said: “We were relentless.
“First half we didn’t play with the ball speed that we probably would have liked but we had the whole game in the second half and I’ve never seen one of my teams as dominant as we were today.
“We just couldn’t find the goal.
“We had the penalty that we missed and it was unfortunately the story today.
“Good on Arthur for stepping up and taking it under all of that pressure – for us, it’s always win together, lose together and on this occasion, draw together and it just wasn’t to be.
“If we are going to be critical of ourselves, we probably lacked a bit of quality but second half wow, did we play with some character and personality and the stadium was brilliant.
“It was so fantastic to see so many faces and so many new people that are finding a place for Colchester United in their heart.”
Crewe boss Lee Bell was pleased with the character his team showed in adversity.
Bell said: “I think we got a terrific response from them – the boys dug in and showed real character.
“We spoke about intensity and after things settled down, the players grew in confidence in terms of what we wanted and controlled the half.
“The game then changes on a decision which I can’t quite understand.
“But then didn’t they show character and what they’re about – you just can’t question this group.
“We had to overcome a lot but it wasn’t from our doing; it comes from people making ridiculous decisions on the pitch.
“I don’t know where Jamie (Knight-Lebel) is meant to put his arm (for the penalty) – sometimes they say it looks worse in slow-mo but it looks worse for the officials because he’s fallen down and put his hand there and the ball has hit his hand.
“Luckily enough, Fil was brave enough to stay in the position and made a save.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
