With Manchester United poised to smash the world record transfer fee on Paul Pogba, here’s how football reached the £100m mark July 21, 2016 “Everyone's got to be concerned about the way fees are growing to astronomical proportions. My own opinion is that it will continue for some time yet but that, like the stock market and property market, it will eventually regulate itself.” So said Liverpool chief executive Peter Robinson in 1995 after signing Stan Collymore for a then [...]
Arsenal target Mauro Icardi affirms intention to stay at Inter Milan but admits “anything can happen” in football July 21, 2016 Argentine striker Mauro Icardi has underlined his intention stay at Inter Milan despite reported interest in his signature from Arsenal. The 23-year-old has been the subject of transfer discussions between his agent and wife Wanda Nara and Arsenal, according to reports in the Italian press. Nara has travelled to London for negotiations with the Gunners who are still [...]
Celtic 3, Lincoln Red Imps 0 (Agg: 3-1): Rodgers revels in Parkhead atmosphere as Bhoys avoid European humiliation July 20, 2016 Celtic avoided the ultimate embarrassment by thrashing Gibraltarian part-timers Lincoln Red Imps to overturn a Champions League first-leg deficit in manager Brendan Rodgers’s first competitive match at Parkhead. Trailing 1-0, the hosts made light work of the second leg as three goals in nine first-half minutes from Mikael Lustig, Leigh Griffiths and Patrick Roberts propelled [...]
Pep Guardiola’s City reign begins with defeat to old club Bayern as Antonio Conte’s Chelsea find scoring touch July 20, 2016 Serial trophy winner Pep Guardiola began his reign as Manchester City boss with defeat after a youthful side lost 1-0 to his former club Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena last night. Goalkeeper Willy Caballero was called upon numerous times in the first half to keep a Franck Ribery-inspired Bayern at bay but despite improving in [...]
Sam Allardyce set to be appointed England manager after winning race to succeed Roy Hodgson July 20, 2016 Frontrunner Sam Allardyce is set to be confirmed as the new England manager on Thursday after the soon-to-be ex-Sunderland boss won the battle to succeed Roy Hodgson. The appointment of Allardyce, who took charge of the Black Cats’ friendly clash with League Two side Hartlepool United last night, is expected to be ratified at tomorrow’s Football [...]
Chris Froome closes in on third Tour de France title by increasing lead in Alps July 20, 2016 Britain's Chris Froome moved to within touching distance of a third Tour de France title by increasing his lead over his main rivals in the race’s 17th stage. Froome dropped Colombian Nairo Quintana and Dutchman Bauke Mollema in the later stages of a punishing final climb as he extended his advantage in the general classification [...]
Simon Pegg’s script flings Star Trek Beyond into the galaxy of the mediocre July 20, 2016 The third outing in this hit-and-miss reboot is notable for having been penned by one of its stars – England’s own Simon Pegg. His fingerprints are present throughout, as Dr Spock (Zachary Quinto) and Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) traverse a script full of pop-cultural references and obvious reverence for all things Trek. We meet them [...]
In Yasir Shah England are facing the best leg-spinner since Shane Warne, insists all-rounder Ben Stokes July 20, 2016 Returning England all-rounder Ben Stokes has hailed Pakistan’s Yasir Shah as the best exponent of leg-spin since Australia great Shane Warne as preparations for the second Test at Emirates Old Trafford, which starts on Friday, intensify. Yasir proved the scourge of England during their 75-run defeat to Pakistan at Lord’s in the first Test as [...]
The BFG: Steven Spielberg’s mega-bucks adaptation captures the surface but misses the soul of Roald Dahl’s children’s classic July 20, 2016 There's a lot of common ground between Steven Spielberg and Roald Dahl. Both incarnate aspects of childhood; the unrefined wonderment, the valorisation of innocence. And for long stretches, this mega-budget live-action adaptation seems like a great fit. Mark Rylance, as the titular Big Friendly Giant, provides much of the charm, playing his part with dignity [...]
Two spinners, Rashid in for Moeen, Vince out? England have options at disposal for the second Test against Pakistan July 20, 2016 England have some thinking to do before the start of the second Investec Test against Pakistan at Emirates Old Trafford on Friday as they bid to drag themselves back into the series. Having named a 14-man squad for the clash they have plenty of options at their disposal and there has been a fair bit of [...]