Bolton heyday shows that England candidate Sam Allardyce is more than just a firefighter July 12, 2016 You don’t need to cast your mind back far if you want evidence of the importance a strong team identity: it was the foundation of a Portugal side that won Euro 2016 even though they were without Cristiano Ronaldo for most of Sunday’s final against France. Portugal weren’t the only team to benefit from a [...]
Chris Froome conserves energy for crucial double-header as Briton retains Tour de France lead July 12, 2016 Britain's Chris Froome concedes he is keeping his powder dry for two crucial stages later this week after preserving his 16-second lead at the Tour de France on Tuesday. Froome finished safely in the peloton, more than nine minutes behind Australian Michael Matthews, who pipped Peter Sagan and Edvald Boasson Hagen in a sprint finish [...]
England flanker James Haskell could miss autumn internationals after being sidelined for up to six months July 12, 2016 England boss Eddie Jones will be without flanker James Haskell for this year's autumn internationals after the Wasps captain was ruled out for up to six months. The 31-year-old requires reconstructive surgery on his toe due to an injury sustained in England's second test in Australia last month. Read more: Wasps make Kurtley Beale the highest paid player in Premiership Rugby [...]
John Wesley exhibition: the Los Angeles-based artist to host exhibition at London’s Waddington Custot July 12, 2016 At first glance, you might throw Wesley in with the pop artists. Recurring female nudes recall a less fetishised Allen Jones, the industrial blocks of colour echo both Haring and Lichtenstein, his rhythmic repetition brings to mind Warhol. But Wesley sits uneasily in this company; even his more overtly pop motifs – Pop Eye and [...]
Tottenham’s return to Champions League lured me to White Hart Lane, says £18.5m striker Vincent Janssen July 12, 2016 Tottenham's newest recruit Vincent Janssen admits the lure of Champions League football was a key factor in the striker’s £18.5m transfer from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar. Janssen, who notched 27 goals in 34 appearances for AZ to finish as the Eredivisie’s leading scorer last season, completed the switch on Tuesday and has committed to a [...]
The Open 2016: Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer set to fly the flag for Europe at Royal Troon July 12, 2016 European golf has been in rude health for a while, and there are a few players from this side of the Atlantic who’ll fancy their chances of taking home the Claret Jug on Sunday evening. Rory McIlroy waltzed to a wire-to-wire victory in 2014 at Hoylake, and represents the continent’s best chance of victory this [...]
The Open 2016: Magic Dustin Johnson can fend off competition from Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy grab back-to-back Majors at Royal Troon July 12, 2016 This year’s Open Championship takes place at Royal Troon where the world’s best golfers will have to defeat one of the most famous holes in the sport. The par three 8th, known as the ‘Postage Stamp’, was named the Open’s most challenging hole in 2014. Although it is the shortest of any played in Open [...]
Joe Root hits back at claims England have will have weak middle order for first Pakistan Test July 12, 2016 England batsman Joe Root has hit back at Pakistani suggestions that his move to No3 will weaken the hosts’ middle order in the first Investec Test at Lord’s, which starts on Thursday. Root’s promotion comes after Nick Compton opted to take an extended break from his struggles with the bat, while all-rounder Ben Stokes is [...]
Manchester United target Paul Pogba’s going nowhere yet, says agent, despite £100m transfer rumours July 11, 2016 Manchester United’s prospects of luring Paul Pogba back to Old Trafford in a world record £100m transfer appear to have receded after the France star’s agent played down the potential move. United are thought to be willing to pay Juventus more than 100 times the £800,000 they received when Pogba quit Old Trafford for Italy [...]
Gokhan Tore cites Slaven Bilic factor after West Ham sign Turkey winger on loan July 11, 2016 West Ham’s newest signing Gokhan Tore has revealed that the chance to work again under Hammers coach Slaven Bilic convinced him to join the ambitious east London outfit. Winger Tore, 24, has joined on a season-long loan with a view to a permanent move from Besiktas, where he played under Bilic for two seasons before [...]