Category: Football

Harry Kane scored his 32nd goal of the campaign as Bayern Munich cruised to a 4-2 home win over Stuttgart to claim a record-extending 35th Bundesliga title.

Raphael Guerreiro, Nicolas Jackson and Alphonso Davies joined Kane on the scoresheet, while Chris Fuehrich and Chema Andres scored for the visitors.

Borussia Dortmund’s limp 2-1 defeat at Hoffenheim on Saturday, their second in two matches, left the door open for Bayern, who only needed a point at home to secure the title with four games to spare.

Coach Vincent Kompany left regular starters Kane, Michael Olise, Manuel Neuer, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah on the bench with Wednesday’s German Cup semi-final at Bayer Leverkusen in mind.

Bayern fell behind when Chris Fuehrich scored with 21 minutes gone, but roared back, scoring three goals in seven minutes.

Jamal Musiala created Guerreiro’s opener before Luis Diaz laid on two goals in four minutes for Jackson and Davies to grab control of the match by the break.

Kane grabbed another early in the second-half to ensure another Bundesliga crown was quickly added to his burgeoning team trophy collection.

With victory secure, Bayern took their foot off the pedal as an assistant brought bags full of ‘ 2026 Champions’ t-shirts to the sideline.

Andres added a late goal for Stuttgart with two minutes remaining, but Bayern Munich were on cruise control with title celebrations in mind.

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The title victory once again illustrated Bayern’s modern and historical dominance of German football. The Bavarian giants have now won 13 of the past 14 Bundesliga titles. Bayern have 35 league titles, with no other team reaching double figures.

Bayern’s wealth and influence outshines all of their domestic rivals, and this season has been truly remarkable.

Bayern have scored 109 goals, the most in Bundesliga history and eight more than the previous record set back in 1971-72, with four games remaining.

Free-scoring Bayern have 79 points and a goal difference of 80. If the season ended today, Bayern would become the first team to have a greater goal difference than points tally in Bundesliga history.

With four wins in their remaining four games, Bayern could bring up 91 points, equalling the best mark set by their treble-bound side in 2012-13.

Then there are the individual records. Kane, who became the first Englishman since 1930-31 to reach a half-century of goals in a season in all competitions on Wednesday, can still reach Robert Lewandowski’s single-season goals record of 41.

The England captain has 32 goals from his 27 games this campaign and is in with an outside chance of catching Lewandowski.

Michael Olise has 18 assists, three shy of the all-time mark set by Thomas Mueller in 2019-20.

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Virgil van Dijk scored a last-gasp winner against Everton on Sunday as Liverpool strengthened their push for a Champions League spot next season ahead of a Premier League summit meeting between Manchester City and Arsenal.

On a pivotal day in the English top division, fourth-placed Aston Villa squandered a two-goal lead against Sunderland but scored in stoppage time to win 4-3.

At the other end of the table, Morgan Gibbs-White netted a hat-trick as struggling Nottingham Forest came from behind against Burnley to win 4-1 and heap the pressure on troubled Tottenham.

Just a few weeks ago, the battle for the top five, which guarantees entry into the Champions League, looked as though it might be tight.

But fifth-placed Liverpool’s 2-1 victory in their first match at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium takes them seven points clear of stumbling Chelsea, in sixth spot.

Captain Van Dijk was the hero for Arne Slot’s Liverpool, heading Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner past a helpless Jordan Pickford in the 100th minute.

“Today was massive in the situation that we are, in hunt for the Champions League spots,” Van Dijk told Sky Sports.

“That is definitely not Liverpool-worthy, in my opinion, but it is the reality, and it was important we got the win. I’m glad we did.

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“We’ve got five more games left (some) against teams that are also fighting for the Champions League spots. Every game is a big one.”

Mohamed Salah had opened the scoring for last season’s champions, slotting home in the first half following a superbly weighted pass from Cody Gakpo.

The goal came just two minutes after Iliman Ndiaye’s effort at the other end was canceled by VAR, with Jake O’Brien ruled offside.

Salah, departing at the end of the season, has equaled Steven Gerrard’s nine goals to become the joint top-scoring player in the Premier League fixture between the two Merseyside teams.

The goal took the wind out of the sails of David Moyes’ team, but they were level through Beto within 10 minutes of the restart.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, on the left of Everton’s attack, fired across goal for Beto to attack, and he poked home ahead of an onrushing Giorgi Mamardashvili, who was immediately stretchered off, replaced by Freddie Woodman.

The game looked destined to end as a draw but the officials signalled 11 added minutes but Van Dijk had the last laugh.

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Frank Lampard has silenced his critics by leading Coventry into the Premier League for the first time in 25 years, masterminding a promotion-winning campaign that rehabilitated the former Chelsea star’s managerial reputation.

Lampard’s Championship leaders clinched promotion on Friday with a 1-1 draw against Blackburn, sparking jubilant celebrations from the Sky Blues boss, his players and 7,500 Coventry fans at Ewood Park.

It was a cathartic scene for Lampard and his club after both endured painful spells in the wilderness.

Redemption was an emotional moment for Lampard, who wiped away tears of joy after the final whistle.

“Everything I’ve ever done in my career has been a point to prove to be honest. It’s been in me since I was a young player. You are always fighting against something,” he said in answer to his detractors.

For Coventry, the end of their 34-year stay in the Premier League in 2001 triggered a miserable decline.

The 1987 FA Cup winners crashed into the fourth tier in 2017 and were homeless for three seasons during a legal battle over their stadium.

They are finally back among English football’s elite thanks to Lampard, for whom being “sent to Coventry” has proved far more enjoyable than the quirky British expression meaning “ignoring someone” might suggest.

The 47-year-old’s appointment in November 2024 was a gamble by Coventry, given his chequered managerial career to that point.

It was not a popular move with Coventry fans, but Sky Blues owner Doug King was convinced Lampard had the experience and character required to succeed at a club in need of a fresh outlook after the sacking of long-serving boss Mark Robins.

“Frank cut his teeth in the Championship and knows what is needed in this league to be successful,” King said.

King’s hunch has paid rich dividends, with Coventry’s promotion banking an estimated £200 million ($275 million) in increased revenue.

The road to Premier League riches was paved with potholes for Coventry, and Lampard has had a rocky ride of his own to get back to the big time.

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Frank Lampard knew nothing but success during a glittering playing career with Chelsea, winning 11 major trophies and scoring a club-record 211 goals.

His managerial career has been more humbling until now. Lampard suffered a Championship play-off final defeat with Derby in his first season as a boss in 2019.

The prodigal son returned to Chelsea that summer, earning plaudits for the development of youngsters Reece James, Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount amid a transfer embargo.

Chelsea finished fourth in Lampard’s debut season at Stamford Bridge, but he was sacked in 2021 after failing to win a trophy.

He returned to management with Everton and saved them from relegation in 2022, but that wasn’t enough to avoid the sack after less than 12 months in charge.

Back at Chelsea on an interim basis in 2023, Lampard lost eight of his 11 games. Reviving his reputation was far from assured at Coventry, who were just two points above the relegation zone when he arrived at the CBS Arena.

Crucially, the lessons of his managerial mentors resonated more with Lampard as he sought ways to improve.

“Working under Jose Mourinho was an incredible experience. He was very hands-on and emotional, strong tactically and in managing the group. Carlo Ancelotti was very calm and relaxed,” he told Sky Sports recently.

“I am probably somewhere in the middle. I also remember things I did not enjoy and try to learn from them. I aim to stay authentic.”

Less emotional and more willing to delegate than in his early days as manager, Lampard inspired a rapid turnaround that carried Coventry to the play-off semi-finals last term.

Determined to make amends for that near-miss, Coventry were the class act of the Championship this season.

It was a vindication of Lampard’s decision to gamble his career with Coventry.

“We came into a bit of an unknown when we arrived in a people carrier 15 months ago,” he said. “We’ve fallen in love and this is right up there with what I have achieved. I’m very proud to be the manager.”

READ: Coventry clinch promotion to end 25-year Premier League exile

Coventry secured promotion to the Premier League on Friday as the Championship leaders’ 1-1 draw against Blackburn ended their 25-year exile from the top-flight.

Frank Lampard’s side needed a point from their trip to Ewood Park to be certain of automatic promotion. They did it the hard way, trailing to Ryoya Morishita’s deflected 54th-minute strike before Bobby Thomas headed the priceless equaliser in the 84th minute.

Having led the Championship table for much of the season, the Sky Blues have wrapped up their return to English football’s elite with three games to spare.

“It was an incredible moment. This is what it’s about,” a tearful Lampard said in an emotional post-match interview.

“Coming here and getting a point at this stage isn’t easy. We had to see it out, and we didn’t know whether to attack again.

“Doing this after 25 years? Wow! Wow!”

Backed by 7,500 raucous fans crammed into the Darwen End, Coventry were below their best for long periods of a nervous display. But their performance will quickly be forgotten, replaced by life-long memories of the promotion party that followed Thomas’ glancing header from Victor Torp’s free-kick.

Supporters wept tears of joy when the final whistle announced their ascent to the Premier League.

“Amazing, amazing. I couldn’t believe it when it went in,” Thomas said. “It’s been a hell of a season. I feel like we deserve it.”

Now Lampard’s men can set their sights on winning the Championship title, with second-placed Ipswich 11 points behind with five matches to play.

“This is a serious, serious football club. I grew up with them as a top flight club but I didn’t realise,” Lampard said.

“To go and get promotion automatically as a non-parachute team with three games to go. These boys have managed to achieve something special and unique.”

Fittingly, Coventry’s previous promotion to the top-flight in 1967 was also sealed at Blackburn when Rovers drew with Bolton.

That was the start of a 34-year spell in the top tier before relegation in 2001 sparked a steep decline.

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Coventry plunged into the fourth tier for one season in 2017-18 and were even forced to play their home games in Northampton and Birmingham for three seasons due to a bitter legal battle between the club and their stadium’s owners.

The 1987 FA Cup winners’ rise back to prominence was initially piloted by Mark Robins, whose second spell in charge brought promotion from League Two and League One.

Losing the 2023 Championship play-off final against Luton stalled Coventry’s momentum and eventually led to Robins’ dismissal in 2024.

Hiring former England star Lampard as Robins’ replacement proved an inspired move as he revived his career following sackings by Chelsea and Everton.

Lampard led Coventry away from the relegation zone in his first season before losing to Sunderland in the play-off semi-finals.

Fuelled by the pain of that near-miss, Coventry embarked on a relentless march to promotion.

A 7-1 demolition of QPR and a 5-3 win at Lampard’s former club Derby in August established Coventry as the Championship’s dominant force.

Jack Rudoni’s assured presence in midfield, complemented by the goals of Haji Wright, Ellis Simms and Brandon Thomas-Asante, kept Coventry top of the pile as the promotion dream came true.

The Sky Blues’ success has also reinvigorated the Midlands city, according to Coventry’s Lord Mayor, Rachel Lancaster.

“It’s huge for Coventry football club and the fans, but for Coventry itself as a city, this has been massive,” she said.

Coventry owner Doug King added: “The fans have been starved of it for a long time and you can feel it.

“Twenty-five years is a huge amount of time. If you don’t bounce back you feel like it’s never going to happen.

“Getting out of this league is very difficult but we did it. We got the whole city together. I’m super proud of everybody.”

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Liverpool manager Arne Slot believes Hugo Ekitike can come back even stronger from a ruptured Achilles tendon that has ended the French striker’s season and his dreams of playing in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Ekitike suffered the injury against his former club, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), on Tuesday as Liverpool bowed out of the Champions League.

The 23-year-old had scored 17 goals in his debut season in England after a £69 million ($93 million) move from Eintracht Frankfurt and was almost certain to make Didier Deschamps’s France squad for the World Cup.

“Devastating for him,” said Slot on Friday, with Ekitike expected to be out for at least nine months.

“Missing out on so many special moments, but he’s not the first and will not be the last player that experienced something like this at the start of his career.

“There are so many examples of players that came back even stronger, and that’s the challenge he has now.

“I’m 100 percent sure he will be one of those that in 10 to 15 years say, ‘maybe this injury even helped me to become stronger and become even more ready to perform even at a higher level than I did before’.”

The loss of Ekitike was also a huge blow to Liverpool’s hopes of securing a place in the Champions League next season.

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Slot’s men sit fifth in the Premier League, which will be enough to qualify, and enjoy a four-point lead over sixth-placed Chelsea.

But Everton can cut the gap on their local rivals to two points if they win the first-ever Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday.

Liverpool also still have to face Chelsea, Manchester United and Aston Villa in their final six games of the campaign.

Alexander Isak’s return is timely for Slot, given Ekitike’s absence. The Premier League’s most expensive ever player made his first start since December against PSG. But the £125 million signing lasted only 45 minutes, and Slot said the Swedish striker is still not ready to play a full match.

The decision to splash out over £200 million on two similar strikers has been questioned, given Liverpool’s struggles this season. But Slot said that the injury problems suffered by Isak and Ekitike justified the club’s strategy in pursuing two number nines last summer.

“It’s nice to have Alex back, although we also know that he’s not ready to play 90 (minutes) yet,” added Slot.

“At least a good thing is that we signed two nines because there were a lot of people who were debating why we signed two nines.

“We thought maybe it’s smart not to be the only club in the world that only has one. Now all of a sudden that looks maybe quite good!”

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Bernardo Silva will leave Manchester City when his contract expires at the end of the season, the Premier League club announced Thursday as they hailed his “incalculable” contribution to our “greatest sustained period of success”.

The 31-year-old Portuguese playmaker, who is the current club captain, joined City from Monaco for £43 million ($58 million) in 2017 and has gone on to make over 450 appearances for manager Pep Guardiola’s side, winning 15 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and one Champions League, as well as this season’s League Cup.

He has also scored 76 goals and provided 77 assists to date, with Silva also involved as City won the ‘treble’ of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in the 2022/23 season.

Silva recently moved into the top 10 of all-time City appearance holders, overtaking several notable former players, including David Silva, Paul Power and Willie Donachie.

“Manchester City can confirm Bernardo Silva will leave the club this summer,” said a City statement.

“Bernardo will now focus on seeking to try and ensure his remaining time at City ends with even more silverware, with Pep Guardiola’s side still very much in the hunt to win both the Premier League title and the FA Cup.

“In short, he will be deservedly remembered both as one of City’s finest and most popular players of all time.”

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Confirming his departure from the Etihad on his Instagram page, Silva wrote: “When I arrived nine years ago, I was following a dream of a little boy, wanting to succeed in life, wanting to achieve great things.

“This city and this club gave me much more than that, much more than I ever hoped for. What we won and achieved together is a legacy that will forever be cherished in my heart.

“The Centurions, the domestic quadruple, the Treble, the Four In A Row and much more… It wasn’t that bad.

“In a few months, it’s time to say goodbye to the city where not only we won so much as a football club, but also where I started my marriage and my family. From the bottom of my heart, Ines and Carlota, thank you!”

Bernardo Silva, who thanked fans for their “unconditional support” and said he would leave the Etihad as a “Man City supporter for life”, added: “To the club, Pep, the staff and all my team-mates these nine years, thank you for all the memories and for letting me be a part of this journey for so long.

“The atmosphere we created every day in the training ground made me feel at home and a part of a big family. Let’s enjoy together these last weeks and fight for what this season still brings us.”

READ: Saudi wealth fund sells football club Al-Hilal

Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund announced Thursday the sale of its majority stake in Saudi Pro League football club Al-Hilal, where French striker Karim Benzema plays.

The PIF, which also owns English Premier League side Newcastle United, sold 70 percent of Al-Hilal to Kingdom Holding Company (KHC), the firm run by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a billionaire businessman and member of the Saudi royal family.

The deal values the share capital of Al-Hilal at 1.4bn Saudi riyals ($373m).

The sale comes amid scrutiny over the PIF’s investment in LIV Golf, with reports circulating that the breakaway tour is on the verge of collapse due to the possible withdrawal of Saudi Arabian financing.

“Al-Hilal is a national symbol and a source of pride for the Saudi people,” Bin Talal said in a statement.

“This acquisition expresses our deep belief in the power of sports as a unifying force and a catalyst for national development.

“By applying our global investment standards and cultivating strategic partnerships, we will unlock Al-Hilal’s full potential while preserving its history and identity.”

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The PIF, a wealthy public fund managed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, acquired a majority stake in the Riyadh-based club in 2023, along with three other teams in the Saudi league, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad, as part of the kingdom’s sports investment policy.

This capital injection enabled Al-Hilal to attract numerous foreign players, notably Brazilian star Neymar, before his departure in January 2025.

French striker Benzema joined Al-Hilal most recently after terminating his contract with Al-Ittihad.

“The sale aligns with PIF’s strategy to maximize returns and redeploy capital within the domestic economy,” the PIF statement read.

“This strategy supports PIF’s wider efforts to drive the development and diversification of Saudi Arabia. PIF is unlocking opportunities to make a transformative impact in the Saudi sports sector and deliver positive, long-term results.”

The PIF added that it had “led the transformation of Al-Hilal… empowering it to achieve significant value growth. “As a remaining shareholder, PIF will continue supporting Al-Hilal’s growth journey.”

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Bernardo Silva will leave Manchester City when his contract expires at the end of the season, the Premier League club announced Thursday as they hailed his “incalculable” contribution to our “greatest sustained period of success”.

The 31-year-old Portuguese playmaker, who is the current club captain, joined City from Monaco for £43 million ($58 million) in 2017.

He has gone on to make over 450 appearances for manager Pep Guardiola’s side, winning 15 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and one Champions League as well as this season’s League Cup.

He has also scored 76 goals and provided 77 assists to date, with Silva also involved as City won the ‘treble’ of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in the 2022/23 season.

Silva recently moved into the top 10 of all-time City appearance holders, overtaking several notable former players, including David Silva, Paul Power and Willie Donachie.

“Manchester City can confirm Bernardo Silva will leave the club this summer,” said a City statement.

“Bernardo will now focus on seeking to try and ensure his remaining time at City ends with even more silverware, with Pep Guardiola’s side still very much in the hunt to win both the Premier League title and the FA Cup.

“In short, he will be deservedly remembered both as one of City’s finest and most popular players of all time.”

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Confirming his departure from the Etihad on his Instagram page, Silva wrote: “When I arrived nine years ago, I was following a dream of a little boy, wanting to succeed in life, wanting to achieve great things.

“This city and this club gave me much more than that, much more than I ever hoped for. What we won and achieved together is a legacy that will forever be cherished in my heart.

“The Centurions, the domestic quadruple, the Treble, the Four In A Row and much more… It wasn’t that bad.

“In a few months, it’s time to say goodbye to the city where not only we won so much as a football club, but also where I started my marriage and my family. From the bottom of my heart, Ines and Carlota, thank you!”

Silva, who thanked fans for their “unconditional support” and said he would leave the Etihad as a “Man City supporter for life”, added: “To the club, Pep, the staff and all my team-mates these nine years, thank you for all the memories and for letting me be a part of this journey for so long.

“The atmosphere we created every day in the training ground made me feel at home and a part of a big family. Let’s enjoy together these last weeks and fight for what this season still brings us.”

READ: Liverpool confirm Hugo Ekitike out for season, will miss World Cup

Liverpool followed France in confirming on Thursday that forward Hugo Ekitike will miss the remainder of the Premier League season and the FIFA World Cup 2026 after suffering a serious injury in a Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

The 23-year-old crumpled in a heap holding his lower right leg during the first half of Liverpool’s 2-0 quarter-final second-leg defeat by European champions PSG at Anfield on Tuesday and had to be substituted.

A brief statement issued by Premier League champions Liverpool on Thursday said scans had subsequently confirmed a “rupture of the Achilles tendon”.

The statement added: “Ekitike will therefore be sidelined for the remaining weeks of the club season and unable to participate at this summer’s World Cup with France.”

Liverpool gave no timescale for Ekitike’s recovery, saying only “further updates will be provided at the appropriate time, with Hugo receiving the full support of everyone at LFC”.

Liverpool’s statement followed Wednesday’s announcement by France coach Didier Deschamps that Ekitike was out of the World Cup.

“Unfortunately, the severity of (Ekitike’s) injury will prevent him from finishing the season with Liverpool and taking part in the World Cup,” Deschamps said in a statement released by the French football federation.

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“This injury is a huge blow for him, of course, but also for the French national team.

“I wanted to express my full support for him, as well as that of the entire coaching staff.”

Ekitike has scored 17 goals in 45 matches in all competitions for Liverpool since arriving at Anfield for a fee of £79 million ($105.5 million) last summer from German side Eintracht Frankfurt.

Since winning his first France cap in a World Cup qualifier in September last year, Ekitike has been a regular, scoring two goals and providing one assist in his eight caps.

“It looks really bad, but difficult for me to say how bad,” Liverpool manager Arne Slot said after Tuesday’s match.

Injuries have been a major factor in a disastrous season for Liverpool as they sit fifth in the Premier League and will end the campaign without silverware.

“Losing a player is something we have had many times this season, but it is especially hard for him because you never want to be injured, especially at this time of the season,” added Slot.

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Arsenal reached the Champions League semi-finals after riding their luck in a nervous goalless draw against Sporting Lisbon that clinched a 1-0 aggregate victory on Wednesday.

Mikel Arteta’s team were well below their best in the quarter-final second leg at the Emirates Stadium. But they held onto their slender first-leg advantage as Sporting failed to make them pay for the latest in a growing list of angst-ridden performances.

The Gunners will face Atletico Madrid for a place in the final after the Spanish club went through 3-2 on aggregate against Barcelona on Tuesday.

Arsenal crushed Atletico 4-0 in the group stage at the Emirates in October, but they will have to improve significantly to reach the final for the first time since 2006.

Arsenal have reached the Champions semi-finals in two consecutive seasons for the first time in their history.

Yet after losing three of their last five games in all competitions and winning just once, they remain a puzzling side in the midst of an untimely stumble.

Arteta had challenged Arsenal to play with “pure fire” and “zero fear” in an unusually passionate press conference on Tuesday.

The response was hardly emphatic as Arsenal quickly retreated into their shell in another display lacking cohesion and quality in the final third.

Arsenal haven’t lifted the Premier League since 2004 and have never won the Champions League.

The Premier League leaders are on course to achieve both targets, but the flaws in Arteta’s side have become increasingly clear in recent weeks.

Losing the League Cup final against Manchester City and the FA Cup quarter-final against second-tier Southampton was bad enough.

But a shock 2-1 home defeat against Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday left Arteta facing pointed questions about Arsenal’s character that remain unanswered.

Arsenal are just six points ahead of second-placed City, who have a game in hand and host the Gunners in a seismic showdown on Sunday.

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The north Londoners have finished Premier League runners-up for the past three seasons, twice blowing substantial leads to City in 2023 and 2024, and the nerves are mounting.

Responding to Arteta’s call for a fiery performance, Arsenal pressed furiously in the opening 10 minutes but couldn’t make the breakthrough.

Once that initial assault petered out, Arsenal wobbled at the back, and William Saliba’s wayward pass led to Francisco Trincao curling wide from the edge of the area.

Former Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres has endured an erratic debut season with Arsenal, and once again, he struggled to make an impact.

Gyokeres had only one serious sight of goal after a burst into the Sporting six-yard box, but he didn’t get his shot off in time and Goncalo Inacio’s tackle snuffed out the danger.

Without the injured Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, Arsenal were too often slow and unambitious in attack.

They grew increasingly edgy in a first half played out to a soundtrack of anxious groans from their frustrated fans.

Gunners ‘keeper David Raya nearly gifted Sporting a goal with a woeful pass that was intercepted by Trincao, whose miscued attempt to find Luis Suarez in the penalty area let Arsenal off the hook.

Geny Catamo was inches away from punishing Arsenal’s lethargy when he volleyed against the far post from an acute angle just before half-time.

Eberechi Eze’s drive whistled narrowly wide after the interval, before Gabriel Martinelli blasted just over and Noni Madueke shot into the side-netting.

Arteta responded by sending on Kai Havertz for Gyokeres, while Max Dowman replaced the injured Madueke.

Sporting appealed in vain for a penalty after Cristhian Mosquera’s slight push on Maxi Araujo.

Arsenal were creaking, but they held firm as Arteta breathed a sigh of relief.

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