Bolivian riot police clashed with anti-government protesters in La Paz on Friday (May 22, 2026) for the second time in a week as unions and Indigenous groups pressed their calls for President Rodrigo Paz to step down. Demands for the business-friendly conservative to resign have persisted despite
A fire broke out at an oil depot in the southern Russian port of Novorossiysk following a Ukrainian drone attack, the city's mayor said on Saturday (May 23, 2026). "As a result of falling UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) debris, a fire broke out at the oil depot
A newt dawn: Wknd talks to Whitley awardee Barkha Subba about her fight for salamandersThey walked among the dinosaurs. Now, they are in danger. There may be only 5,000 Himalayan salamanders left in the wild in India, Subba says. Published on: May 23
Indian woman praises China’s cleanliness, questions civic sense in India: ‘You won’t find a single wrapper’An Indian woman said China’s cleanliness proved civic sense mattered more than population. Published on: May 23, 2026 2:03 PM IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan Share via Copy link An
Nita Ambani left in splits as student slips Mumbai Indians joke into DAIS graduation speechA Mumbai Indians joke cracked by the head boy of the DAIS' 2026 graduating class left the entire auditorium, including Nita Ambani, laughing. Published on: May 23
Earps return 'talk of Manchester' but Middleton-Patel steals show
Manchester United's victory over Paris St-Germain was a significant one - but conversation before, during and after the Women's Champions League match was dominated by goalkeepers.
Mary Earps' long-awaited return to Old Trafford was the talk of Manchester - not just because of her stature as a player - but because of the controversy surrounding the release of her autobiography and the subsequent fallout.
She started in goal for French visitors PSG but her successor as Manchester United's number one, Phallon Tullis-Joyce, was a surprise omission from Marc Skinner's squad with a facial injury.
It meant just a second United start for 21-year-old Safia Middleton-Patel - her first club appearance in Europe and Old Trafford debut - with big boots to fill.
News of Tullis-Joyce's absence was passed on to United's players on matchday, with Middleton-Patel thrust into one of the club's biggest games this season at short notice.
In front of 14,667 at Old Trafford - their biggest crowd this season - she was tasked with keeping out a PSG side who had reached four of the past five semi-finals in the competition.
Two minutes in, she was given a sharp reminder of where she was when Jennifer Echegini's powerful effort bounced back off the inside of her left post.
This is a competition for Europe's elite and was a step up from Middleton-Patel's only previous appearance for United - a Women's League Cup fixture against second-tier side Newcastle United.
However, she did represent Wales at this summer's Euros - experience which clearly stood her in good stead on this stage.
"She was my player of the match. What you can't measure is the psychological magnitude she has had to jump," Skinner said of her display.
"From that performance [against Newcastle] to this, how she has matured over the last year, is credit to her and the staff.
She was just stood at the tunnel [at full-time] and taking it in. Really well done to her. She deserves to stand out.
Middleton-Patel quickly settled in, showing her pedigree with a brilliant second-half save to push Anais Ebayilin's strike on to the post and out for a corner.
It came just a minute after half-time, shortly after Olga Carmona had equalised for PSG to make it 1-1. United went on to regain their lead through Fridolina Rolfo, adding to Melvine Malard's superb early opener.
"When I found out Phallon wasn't going to start the game, I said I believed in her. I wanted Safia to be herself," added Skinner.
"She is a good footballer so she calms the build-up. She took it in her stride. I'm honestly really proud of her.
"She had a few nerves and I think [United forward] Rachel Williams did some star jumps with her so she got the energy out. But she took it really well.
She will always be part of the history in our first Champions League game at Old Trafford. She deserves that romantic part, because that's lovely.
While Middleton-Patel stole the show by the end of the night, it was Earps who was the focus before kick-off.
The mural of Earps, painted outside Old Trafford following her heroics with England at Euro 2022, bore a 'Welcome to Manchester' message which felt riddled with irony as she stepped out in the pouring northern rain in the opponent's colours.
She was a heroine to many during her time at United and played a key role in the club's first FA Cup victory, and their rise up the Women's Super League table.
This time she was a football enemy, arriving in a cloud of controversy, and received boos when her name was read out by the stadium announcer.
More boos followed when she touched the ball, mixed in with some cheers from loyal followers, until she eventually received the adulation of the Old Trafford crowd when she walked along the stands applauding them at full-time, and was warmly received in return.
"A lot of the public has great interest in seeing Mary play. I'm very happy to have a player like her in our team," said PSG boss Paulo Cesar afterwards.
"The fans here were clearly behind her. At the beginning, perhaps not, but by the end of the game her quality shone through.
She put in a great performance today and she gives confidence to the team. I'm very happy with her.
Skinner said in his pre-match media conference he expected the United fans to make life difficult for Earps as an opponent, but hoped she would receive the respect she earned during her five-year spell at the club before leaving in 2024.
When she left the pitch to cheers from the home fans and hugs from former team-mates, the controversy of the past two weeks surrounding her book felt a distant memory.
"It was nice. I said to her at the end to look after herself. Mary is a really intelligent woman and she has been the world's best so she understands it," said Skinner.
"It was a lovely atmosphere and she got a cheer when she walked down at the end of the game, and hopefully that helps her in the situation and how she feels.
After the game it was always going to be friendly with Mary, because she was a big part of what we have done - and we should never forget that.
Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie are back for another season of the Women's Football Weekly podcast. New episodes drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women's Super League and beyond on the Women's Football Weekly feed
Source: BBC
Related Posts: Manchester City Beat Manchester United To Lift FA Youth Cup With Dramatic 2-1 Win Not Manchester United De Ligt’s Late Header Saves Manchester United In 2-2 Thriller At Tottenham Manchester United vs Chelsea Live Streaming Enzo Maresca reacts to Chelsea’s shock defeat against Manchester United Manchester United Set To Form NBA Team Amid Europe Expansion Plans Manchester United Edge Past Chelsea As Bruno Fernandes Bruno Fernandes Misses Penalty As Manchester United Settle For 1-1 Draw Against Fulham Bruno Fernandes Reveals Manchester United Wanted Him To Leave Manchester United vs Arsenal Live streaming
Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, who switched from the AAP to the BJP recently, has been appointed as the new chairman of the Committee on Petitions of the Upper House. After reconstituting the Committee on Petitions, Rajya Sabha chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan nominated 10 members of the house to the
1 days ago
Mumbai, India’s gold demand is expected to contract by 50-60 tonnes this calendar year, around 10 per cent lower than the previous year, following the import duty hike, according to the World Gold Council (WGC). “Looking at 2026 as a whole, we estimate that combined jewellery and bar and coin
1 days ago
India has issued a heightened health advisory for travellers arriving from several African nations after a fresh Ebola outbreak triggered global concern and prompted stricter surveillance measures worldwide. In response to a fresh Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo
1 days ago
Elon Musk is going all-in on an unproven technologyWhat lies behind the world’s biggest public offering Published on: May 23, 2026 2:24 PM IST The Economist Share via Copy link IT IS A launch of a more bureaucratic sort than normal for SpaceX, but still characteristically spectacular. On May 20th
1 days ago
Fisherman M Yuvaraj bustles about his fibreboat, filling fuel in the engine, and checking if everything is in order. He even throws in an umbrella in case it rains. It is almost 4pm when he pushes his boat close to the bank of Pulicat lake. The 57-year-old is not setting out on a fishing trip
1 days ago
Kerala HM announces 'Operation Toofan' anti-narcotics campaignKerala HM announces 'Operation Toofan' anti-narcotics campaign Published on: May 23, 2026 2:24 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Saturday announced a comprehensive statewide
1 days ago
Mamata’s Lakshmir Bhandar gave Bengal women Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,700 a month based on category. Adhikari’s Annapurna Yojana scraps the categories and doubles it to a flat Rs 3,000. Bengal has a new scheme that is putting real money directly into women’s hands every month — and it is bigger than
1 days ago
Leadership in Civil Engineering and Construction Management is not born in air-conditioned classrooms. It is shaped under the open sky, amid dust, deadlines, drawings, and decisions. For students aspiring to become civil engineers and construction managers
1 days ago
French Open crisis deepens as top stars limit media duties in coordinated protest over revenue splitWomen's singles defending champion Coco Gauff answered only 10 questions in her pre-tournament press conference. Published on: May 23, 2026 2:32 PM IST Written by Neelav Chakravarti Share via Copy
1 days ago
Chopper crash near Leh: Injured major general poses, pilot flashes 'victory' sign in viral selfieAn Army Cheetah chopper crashed near Leh in eastern Ladakh last week. An image from the crash site is now viral. Updated on: May 23, 2026 2:36 PM IST By Rahul Singh Share via Copy link Three days after
1 days ago
Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals face off in a crucial IPL clash, with playoff hopes hanging by a thread. Both teams need a win, but their fate also depends on other results. KKR's strong recovery contrasts with DC's reliance on KL Rahul
1 days ago
Some of the most useful lessons I learnt as a young restaurateur came from New York restaurateur Danny Meyer’s book Setting the Table. He writes beautifully about the guest who comes in alone. Most diners come in with an agenda — to impress a date, close a deal
1 days ago
The Union government told the Supreme Court on Friday that 217 Indian nationals had joined the Russian military during the war in Ukraine, of whom 139 have been released from their contractual agreements, The Hindu reported. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told a bench headed by Chief
1 days ago
Hamza Burhan, a key operative linked to the Pakistan-backed terror outfit Al-Badr, who also worked as an Over Ground Worker (OGW) during the Pulwama terror attack period, was killed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Thursday. Several wanted Pakistan-based terrorists
1 days ago
Nothing says summer quite like a chilled, fruity mocktail. As temperatures continue to rise, refreshing drinks packed with tropical flavours, citrusy notes, and vibrant ingredients are becoming the perfect way to cool down. Whether you are hosting a weekend brunch, planning a house party
1 days ago
Producer Vashu Bhagnani has lashed out at David Dhawan and his actor-son Varun Dhawan. On Friday, Vashu held a press conference in Mumbai and claimed that the storyline of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is similar to Biwi No.1. Released in 1999
1 days ago
Hyderabad, May 23 (PTI) A lawyer died after being hit by a car outside his residence here in a suspected case of pre-planned murder, police said on Saturday. The 63-year-old victim was about to get into his car when the car hit him at his residence at Masab Tank here.Hyderabad
1 days ago
Raghav Chadha has been appointed the new chairman of the Committee on Petitions in the Rajya Sabha. The Rajya Sabha chairman reconstituted the committee and nominated ten members. This appointment takes effect from May 20, 2026. Dr. Menaka Guruswamy has also been nominated to the Joint Committee on
1 days ago
Formula 1’s silly season has arrived early, and we have Red Bull Racing boss Laurent Mekies to thank for it. The Frenchman doubled down on his explosive claim that Max Verstappen’s long-time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, is heading to McLaren to eventually become team principal
1 days ago
The blue-collar town that’s set to decide Britain’s next Prime MinisterLabour left-winger Andy Burnham wants to replace Keir Starmer as prime minister. First, he must convince the Makerfield voters and fend off Reform UK. Published on: May 23
1 days ago
Human beings are not just shaped by their actions, but they are also creatures of circumstance. This is especially true in the sporting world, where athletes’ performance not only depends on their quality but also on who the rivals are, their prevailing standards of excellence and the setting in
1 days ago
Do you have greasy flakes on nose and scalp? Dermatologist explains what you are doing wrongSeborrheic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition that manifests in the form of greasy flakes on the nose and scalp. Dr Abigail Waldman shares what to do. Updated on: May 23
1 days ago
Investors just can’t get enough of stocks these daysWar, inflation and worries about the AI boom haven’t kept stocks from setting records. Published on: May 23, 2026 2:27 PM IST WSJ Share via Copy link Investors just can’t get enough of stocks these days
1 days ago
Fuel prices have surged for the third time in eight days. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge criticizes the government, accusing it of "looting" citizens. He highlights international examples where countries provided relief. India's petrol and diesel prices have increased by nearly Rs 5 per litre
1 days ago
Ballia (UP), May 23 (PTI) A court here has sentenced a man to life imprisonment for murdering his wife and dumping her body in a pond in 2019 after the couple remained childless, police said on Saturday. According to the prosecution, Nepal Paswan
1 days ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Sharara sets are the ultimate festive trend for Eid al-Adha: Choose from these picks under ₹3000From pastel embroidered sets to regal Banarasi shararas
1 days ago
Tulsi Gabbard resigned as President Donald Trump’s director of national intelligence on Friday (May 22, 2026), saying she needed to step away as her husband battles cancer. She is the fourth Cabinet official to depart during Mr. Trump’s second term. In her resignation letter
1 days ago
