PROMOTION COULD BE A DON DEAL
DONOVAN WILSON proved it was better late than never to join SUTTON UNITED’s National League promotion push.
The former Wolves forward (right, top) marked his first start with the only goal in a 1-0 win at KING’S LYNN.
Wilson arrived on loan from Bath City earlier this month after the National League South season was voided.
Sutton are now four points clear at the top and United boss Matt Gray said of Wilson: “I’m really pleased for him because he hasn’t played a lot of football since Boxing Day.”
Challengers HARTLEPOOL and TORQUAY both lost ground after being held to 0-0 draws.
Second-place Pools were held at home by EASTLEIGH, who failed to take advantage of a red card early in the second half for defender Timi Odusina (right, bottom).
The Gulls drew a blank at BOREHAM WOOD, where home keeper Nathan Ashmore saved Asa Hall’s first-half spot-kick.
WREXHAM moved up to fourth spot thanks to secondhalf goals from subs Theo Vassell and Jordan Ponticelli in a 2-0 win over WEYMOUTH.
That made it only one defeat in 12 for Dean Keates’ in-form side.
A brace from Rhys Murphy saw YEOVIL beat WOKING 2-1 and record a seventh straight home win. The Glovers had failed to win anywhere before December 8 but are now 11th.
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THOMAS TUCHEL has backed Chelsea’s misfiring forwards, claiming he has no plans to buy another striker this summer.
The Blues have scored just 13 goals in Tuchel’s first 12 games and summer signings Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech have managed just one between them.
But the manager insists he is happy with his attacking options and believes his pricey hitmen will come good.
“In general I’m happy, because we don’t only look at the output – how much they score, how much they assist,” said the German.
“Of course, this (number of goals scored) is a statistic to which every striker is attached and they need to have the mentality to cope with the pressure that comes along with statistics.
“But everybody is working hard, nobody is lazy, nobody is taking their time-outs when we’re defending.
“We’re still looking a little bit for the breakthrough, for one or two guys to go on a run and score consistently.
“But there’s no need now to reflect for the summer, or reflect on solutions other than the solutions that we have.
“We have guys we are happy with and who have the potential to be more decisive, and we will try to help them.”
LEEDS have savaged UEFA’s plan to expand the Champions League to 36 teams.
UEFA have proposed allowing four extra teams to compete from 2024 onwards, based on their previous record in Europe, which would favour the established bigger clubs.
Leeds voiced opposition to the plan with 300 other clubs at the European Leagues Club Advisory Platform.
CEO Angus Kinnear said: “The move (to include clubs based on their previous record) is shamelessly engineered to perpetuate the inclusion of those who have long-term European success, and whom UEFA deem will have greater commercial value, at the expense of emerging clubs.”