Michael Carrick defiantly insisted Middlesbrough still have an “unbelievable chance” to reach the Sky Bet Championship play-offs following a deflating 2-1 defeat away to Sheffield Wednesday.
Boro blew the chance to climb to sixth – above Coventry on goal difference – after squandering an early lead and missing a penalty at Hillsborough.
Tommy Conway’s spot-kick was saved by goalkeeper Pierce Charles following Finn Azaz’s 11th-minute opener before Josh Windass equalised early in the second period and substitute Anthony Musaba scrambled home an 89th-minute winner for the mid-table Owls.
With Coventry losing 3-1 at bottom club Plymouth, Middlesbrough remain three points adrift of the play-off places with two games to go.
Yet seventh-placed Boro are still in control of their own destiny as, following Saturday’s home game against Norwich, they travel to Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues on the final day of the season.
“The way we’re feeling now, we’re bitterly disappointed with the result, but, as it turns out, the other results have gone for us,” said manager Carrick.
“Two games to play, we win both games, it’s in our own hands.
“We’ve got to use that disappointment, we’ve got to move on quick because there’s a lot to play for.
“It’s in our own hands. How can you not get lifted up for that? We’ve played all season to get to this point.
“It’s an unbelievable chance for us. Perspective is massive.
“We’re really disappointed, but that doesn’t mean the opportunity has changed.
“We could have won today and they (Coventry) won and it’s the same points. It’s two games for us.”
Wednesday’s own hopes of sneaking into the play-offs were emphatically derailed during a miserable month which brought just two points from a possible 18 amid players temporarily going unpaid, speculation about the future of boss Danny Rohl and ongoing supporter protests against owner Dejphon Chansiri.
The Owls were the greater threat in the second period and rewarded with a first home success since New Year’s Day when Musaba bundled home following Callum Paterson’s low cross.
Boro should have snatched a point in added time, but Conway, who was denied from the spot by a fine double save from Charles in the 22nd minute, rattled the underside of the crossbar on the rebound after substitute Delano Burgzorg was initially kept out.
Owls manager Rohl savoured the end of his side’s six-game winless run and felt the penalty heroics of 19-year-old academy graduate Charles were pivotal.
“Big credit to my team, all the flowers to my players today – they played with high energy, did a lot of good things,” said the German, who was without six defenders due to injury.
“The key moment was that we saved the pen to stay in the game and then you felt minute by minute we had more control of the ball.
“At the end, I think the last moment (Charles saving from Burgzorg before Conway hit the bar), maybe this was the situation we didn’t have in the last three months at home.
“It felt important for everyone. It was a tough time for everyone.
“At the end, the supporters deserved our first home win since January and it helps to have a little bit of positive mood again.”
[(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...
