Fulham 1-2 Tottenham: Five things we learned as Harry Winks’ late header wins it for below-par Spurs January 20, 2019 This was a match which summed up both sides’ seasons. Fulham played some exciting, expansive football at Craven Cottage yesterday; the visitors played some ordinary, limited football. Yet after 93 minutes the score read Fulham 1-2 Tottenham as Spurs turned around their mediocrity to snatch three points and the hosts capitulated embarrassingly to lose yet [...]
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has chosen a dangerous time to gamble on his criticism provoking a positive reaction January 20, 2019 Conventional wisdom dictates that football managers shouldn’t criticise their players in public. Point out their flaws, tear strips off them and give them the hairdryer treatment behind closed doors, but in front of the cameras it’s generally regarded as counter-productive. Maurizio Sarri has never been one for convention, though. The Chelsea manager, who had a [...]
Forward thinking: Eddie Jones reveals unorthodox idea to field nine forwards ahead of England’s Six Nations campaign January 17, 2019 Eddie Jones is no stranger to causing a stir, and in his first media appearance of a World Cup year he was at it again. The England head coach said on Thursday, as he named his squad for the Six Nations opener against Ireland on 2 February, that he is considering turning conventional wisdom on [...]
Arsenal v Chelsea preview: London clubs meet in “small final” for Premier League top four with cracks appearing January 17, 2019 This season was supposed to be about fresh starts for Arsenal and Chelsea. With new managers in place, there was renewed optimism for the future. Unai Emery was the man to step into the void following Arsene Wenger’s long-awaited departure from Arsenal after 22 years, while Maurizio Sarri succeeded Antonio Conte to become the latest [...]
Ollie Phillips: England’s exciting back line can trouble any team in crucial Six Nations January 17, 2019 Eddie Jones announcing his squad for the Six Nations yesterday marks the start of a make-or-break period for the England coach. England can’t feel their way into the competition, with defending champions Ireland up first in Dublin on 2 February, so Jones has named 35 fit and in-form players. With big challenges ahead in this [...]
Saint Claudio: Ranieri will have to pull off another miracle if Fulham are to survive January 17, 2019 When it rains, it pours. And when fighting relegation down at the bottom of the Premier League table, it can seem as though everything is going wrong. It felt that way for David Wagner, who left basement club Huddersfield earlier this week, and it must feel that way for Claudio Ranieri, whose Fulham players recently [...]
Horse Racing Betting Tips: Enjoy Altior but save the cash for Mister Whitaker January 17, 2019 JUST the three runners have been declared for tomorrow’s Grade One Matchbook Clarence House Chase (3.35pm), as connections of last year’s winner Un De Sceaux have opted to stay at home rather than take on the mighty Altior. Nicky Henderson’s nine-year-old is just 1/8 to win his 12th straight race over fences and it’s hard [...]
Horseracing: David Pipe looks at his chances this weekend January 17, 2019 WE HAVE a runner in the big race of the day at Haydock tomorrow where the ground could well be pretty horrible with rain and sleet forecast. That is ideal for DAKLONDIKE, who takes his chance in the Peter Marsh Chase (3.15pm) having won the Tommy Whittle at the track last month. This race is [...]
Horse Racing Betting Tips: Wakanda can streak to victory at Haydock for in-form Smith January 17, 2019 BREAD and butter, rhubarb and custard, bacon and eggs; some things just go well together. You can say the same about Sue Smith and Haydock. In the past five seasons, the 2013 Grand National-winning trainer has had 73 winners at the Lancashire track. If you’d had £1 on all of her runners there, you’d be [...]
Chris Tremlett: England need to avoid complacency and put to bed their poor record in the West Indies January 16, 2019 England may not have a good record in the West Indies, but I feel they really should be winning the Test series in the Caribbean this time. Joe Root’s side begin the three-Test campaign in Barbados next Wednesday as favourites. They are full of confidence and equipped with a stronger side on paper. England have [...]