James

24 | Hull | Birmingham | Freelance Journalist | Videographer | Editor | Radio Presenter | Cat Dad | Founder of @wild_bored_co

[Hull City @HullCity]

DARE TO DREAM. WE'RE GOING TO WEMBLEY!!! 🐯

#hcafc

[James @james_wildbore]

The UEFA Champions League quarterfinals continued on Wednesday night with two commanding home victories. Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona both took major strides toward the final four, as they dispatched Aston Villa and Borussia Dortmund, respectively, in front of roaring home crowds.

[James @james_wildbore]

Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid: Gunners Take Command in London

Arsenal turned in a sensational second-half performance at the Emirates Stadium to take complete control of their tie against Real Madrid. The first half was evenly matched, with both sides creating chances—Arsenal’s best coming from a double effort by Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli, both saved superbly by Thibaut Courtois.

But the hosts came out flying after the break. Declan Rice broke the deadlock in the 58th minute with a curling free-kick that left Courtois stranded. Just 12 minutes later, Rice doubled the lead with another set-piece stunner, sending the Emirates into a frenzy.
Mikel Merino added a third in the 75th minute, finishing off a flowing team move that cut through Madrid’s defense. To make matters worse for Los Blancos, Eduardo Camavinga saw red in stoppage time and will miss the return leg.

With a three-goal cushion, Arsenal travel to the Santiago Bernabéu with one foot firmly in the semifinals.

[James @james_wildbore]

The Samoan is furious at this turn of events and takes out his frustration on the announce table, tearing it to pieces. Now it’s the moment fans around the world have been waiting for: John Cena heads to the ring wearing the last time is now merch with a huge ovation from those in attendance. He immediately ends Strowman’s night before hitting Balor with an AA on the apron and sending him back to the locker room too. Big Match John climbs back between the ropes only to be face to face with Roman as entrant 24 enters. It’s CM Punk, and the three stare each other down until the claxon sounds, and Seth Rollins joins the match. Rollins goes straight after The Best in the World, whilst Roman attacks Cena, and some good old-fashioned wrestling ensues from all those present in the ring. Number twenty-six sees Dirty Dominick Mysterio enter the fray, and he hits a frog splash on Cena before attempting the three amigos on Roman only to be hit with a Samoan Drop as Sami Zayn enters the match. Sami hits helluva kicks to Drew and Seth before turning his attention to CM Punk. Before number twenty-eight, Damian Priest joins the Rumble.

[James @james_wildbore]

Number 15 sees The Miz enter his sixteenth career Rumble, and the experience immediately pays off as he knocks down both Jimmy and Penta before being hit with a big Samoan drop after Fatu catches him midair. A huge pop comes next as TNA World Champion Joe Hendry heads to the ring and hits The Miz with a fallaway slam before ending up in a stare-down with Jacob Fatu, but that’s not the only Samoan he will have to worry about as The Original Tribal Chief Roman Reigns enters the Rumble next for the first time in five years. He immediately hands out spears to The Miz, Sheamus, and Hendry, eliminating all three men before being on the receiving end of a spear himself from Bron Breakker. It will take more than that, however, to stop Roman as Breakker is swiftly removed from the match by The OTC. Jimmy Uso tries to help his fellow Bloodline member before Fatu sees to that alliance by tossing Uso over the top rope before squaring up to Roman as entrant seventeen enters this match: it's Drew McIntyre!

[James @james_wildbore]

Sheamus enters next, and the 2012 Rumble winner looks like he means business as he chops Gable and Breakker before reversing a spear into a mean-looking Brogue Kick. This assault is quickly stopped, however, by the number ten entrant, Jimmy Uso, who hits the Celtic Warrior with a corkscrew moonsault off the top turnbuckle. It’s safe to say Sheamus is less than impressed by this, as he replies with a huge Brogue Kick to Uso as the claxon sounds and Andrade enters the match. The Mexican wastes no time and immediately beats down everyone in the ring before standing in the center of the mat and showboating. This, however, is quickly put on hold as it’s time for the Samoan Werewolf, Jacob Fatu, is making his Rumble debut! The New Bloodline member steamrolls his way to the ring and hits Andrade with a Samoan drop before Rey and Penta are on the receiving end of a double one. Gable, Rey, and Andrade are all eliminated by Fatu, who looks like the man to beat in this match now. It is a short stint for entrant thirteen as Penta immediately throws out Ludwig Kaiser after just four seconds in the match despite waiting on the outside for the perfect opportunity to enter the ring.

[James @james_wildbore]

Tottenham (15th Place, 24 Points)

After a 5th-place finish in 23/24, fans expected the side to go from strength to strength this year under Ange Postecoglu but that has been far from the case as the club sits five places off the bottom. Since the start of December Spurs have picked up one win from their nine games and that came against last-place Southampton so the writing could be on the wall for Ange if we don’t see a huge turnaround in the following weeks. Son has looked out of sorts this year and despite a good start from Solanke his form has dwindled massively as of late, that being said however they have been without first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario since late November which correlates with the side’s woeful run of form so I can see a big change in their fortunes upon his return.

Overall Grade: D-

[James @james_wildbore]

Nottingham Forest (3rd Place, 44 Points)

This is a season Forest fans will not forget for a long time as they currently reside comfortably in 3rd place at the halfway stage of the season having only lost four games and are looking solid all over the pitch. Chris Wood is having far and away the best season of his life scoring fourteen goals which in turn has earned him a new two-year contract but it's not just Nottingham’s front line doing all the work as their defense leads the way in terms of clean sheets and clearances. Nuno Espirito Santo’s summer transfer business looks to have been outstanding, the acquisition of Elliot Anderson and Nikola Milenkovic has revolutionized the side's defense whereas Morato and Ward-Prowse have given the squad some much-needed depth.

Overall Grade: A+

[James @james_wildbore]

Newcastle (6th Place, 38 Points)

The Magpies have seen an upturn in form since December following a thrilling draw against league leaders Liverpool with both sides getting three goals a piece which in turn reignited the form a star striker Alexander Isak, who scored in every subsequent league game up until their 4-1 loss to Bournemouth last Saturday. Eddie Howe will be hoping for a return to European competition this season after missing out last year by a meager three points but it could come down to the last day again. It’s not just Isak doing all the heavy lifting for the North East outfit, new boy Lewis Hall looks fantastic as well as their midfield three of Joelinton, Tonali and Guimares but there is still a long way to go if they hope to be competing on the continent next season

Overall Grade: B

[James @james_wildbore]

Ipswich Town (18th Place, 16 Points)

It was always going to be a tough year for The Tractor Boys following back-to-back promotions but some smart summer signings from Kieran Mckenna means they are fighting to stay in the league next season. The acquisitions of Liam Delap and Jacob Greaves have greatly strengthened the side at both ends of the pitch and with Leif Davis and captain Sam Morsy both recently penning new deals even if they don’t survive I foresee an instant return to the top division next year. Ipswich have continued to show their intent to avoid the drop in the January window with the signing of Jaden Philogene, who had an outstanding spell last season at Hull City, and Ben Godfrey has return to England on loan from Atalanta.

Overall Grade: C

[James @james_wildbore]

Fulham (10th Place, 33 Points)

This season has been pretty par for the course for Fulham, with them sitting mid-table for the third year in a row, although there has been no change to league position there has been a huge upturn in form. Antonee Robinson has really come into his own this season contributing 9 assists already and fellow left-sided man Alex Iwobi is in the form of his life following unsuccessful spells at Arsenal and Everton earlier on in his career. Marco Silva has been taking this side from strength to strength over the past few years and with a few improvements this side can make a push for a Conference League place or maybe even better.

Overall Grade: B