The Alchemist at the Barbican review: this brilliant 17th century morality play still feels searingly relevant September 15, 2016 Ben Jonson’s The Alchemist is an invigorating blend of clever script and silly performances, in which three con artists make an uneasy alliance to fleece the unsuspecting citizens of 17th century London. First performed in 1610, The RSC’s revival at the Barbican reveals a play that’s still funny, and not just in the way you [...]
Rugby union v rugby league on the trading floor: Players swap studs for suits in hour-long trade-off September 15, 2016 The debate over which rugby code is superior — league or union — was settled on the trading room floor at foreign currency specialists AFEX on Wednesday when current and former union players converted £8.4m worth of trades in an hour while representatives from league offloaded £5.6m. Harlequins legend and former British and Irish Lions star Ugo Monye were amongst the [...]
Davis Cup Great Britain v Argentina semi-final preview: Andy Murray and Co await Juan Del Potro’s await return on hottest streak for 80 years September 15, 2016 Great Britain take on Argentina in the Davis Cup semi-final this weekend with the momentum of their hottest winning streak for 80 years behind them. The reigning champions can book a second consecutive final in the competition and secure a seventh win on the bounce by seeing off Juan Martin Del Potro and the South [...]
Chris Froome says he has “no issues” with leak of his and Bradley Wiggins’ medical records by Russian hackers September 15, 2016 Chris Froome has "no issues" with the release of his medical files which have been stolen from the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) by Russian hackers. A group of hackers calling themselves the "Fancy Bears" released Wada medical records for reigning Tour de France champion Froome as well as fellow British cycling icon Sir Bradley Wiggins. There is no [...]
Storey and Cox star as ParalympicsGB surge past London 2012 gold medal haul September 15, 2016 Dame Sarah Storey claimed her 13th Paralympic title as Kadeena Cox made history by winning athletics gold having earlier in the Rio Games topped the podium in the velodrome. Storey chalked up her second gold in Brazil after a dominant performance in the time trial C5, in which she finished over one minute clear of her [...]
Manchester City 4, Borussia Monchengladbach 0: Sergio Aguero hat-trick leaves Pep Guardiola purring September 15, 2016 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola hailed the majesty of prolific marksman Sergio Aguero after the Argentine’s hat-trick stoked his side’s Champions League hammering of Borussia Monchengladbach. Aguero struck his second treble of the season as substitute Kelechi Iheanacho completed the scoring in stoppage time in front of just 32,000 fans – a figure hit by [...]
Club Brugge 0, Leicester City 3: Claudio Ranieri on song as Foxes begin Champions League adventure with stunning victory September 14, 2016 Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri admits that he urged his side to savour and be inspired by the pre-match Champions League anthem as the Foxes began their European adventure with a crushing victory over Club Brugge. There was little evidence of first night nerves as winger Marc Albrighton opened the scoring within the opening minutes before [...]
Tottenham Hotspur 1, Monaco 2: Spurs’ Champions League return and record crowd spoiled by first defeat of the season September 14, 2016 Tottenham Hotspur 1, Monaco 2 Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino accused his team of lacking passion and refused to blame a temporary switch to Wembley after their return to the Champions League following a five-year absence ended in defeat on Wednesday night. First-half goals from Bernardo Silva and Thomas Lemar earned French league leaders Monaco a surprise win in [...]
Counties vote for domestic cricket shake-up and new city-based Twenty20 competition September 14, 2016 Domestic cricket is set for one of the biggest shake-ups in its history after counties voted to introduce a new eight-team city-based Twenty20 competition. First-class counties, along with law-making body the MCC, voted 16-3 in favour of the creation of the new tournament which will take place in addition to the existing 18-team T20 Blast. [...]
Eoin Morgan was brave to pull out of Bangladesh and it will be business as usual when he returns September 14, 2016 It was a brave decision for limited-overs skipper Eoin Morgan to opt out of England’s tour to Bangladesh on security grounds, but while a big deal is being made of it now I believe it will be business as usual when he returns to the fold. Lancashire’s Jos Buttler, who will deputise as skipper in [...]