England v France: Genuine friendly fixture was a truly special occasion following the Paris attacks November 17, 2015 You know it must be a special occasion when more than 70,000 English rise to belt out a stirring rendition of one of their traditional rivals’ national anthems. When supporters greet the emergence of the opposition team for their warm-up, some 50 minutes before kick-off, with a standing ovation. Or when the parading of a [...]
Diminutive batsman James Taylor guides England to cusp of series win with half-century in third one-day international against Pakistan in Sharjah November 17, 2015 England skipper Eoin Morgan saluted the performance of James Taylor after the diminutive batsman struck a composed half-century to guide his side to a six-wicket victory against Pakistan in the third one-day international in Sharjah yesterday. Taylor struck 67 not out and shared an unbroken stand of 117 with the under-pressure Jos Buttler, who amassed [...]
Why Jesse Lingard’s call-up is no surprise: Data shows England’s experience levels steadily on the wane November 17, 2015 Is England's football team less experienced than ever? Roy Hodgson's current squad includes players such as Dele Alli, Jack Butland and Jesse Lingard, who have only made a handful of Premier League appearances but have been quickly promoted to the international stage. Lingard, for example, has only played five times in the Premier League and [...]
England v France: What fans travelling to Wembley need to know about travel, security and remembrance measures November 17, 2015 England and France are pushing ahead with their friendly at Wembley tonight, in a show of defiance and solidarity following the terrorist attacks in Paris last week which killed 132 people and injure dhundreds more. Yet due to the targeting of the Stade de France during France's match with Germany by suicide bombers, fans should [...]
Ireland qualify for Euro 2016 as Jonathan Walters helps exorcise ghost of Thierry Henry handball November 16, 2015 Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill hailed the battling qualities of his side after they overcame Bosnia-Herzegovina in a nervy play-off at the Aviva Stadium last night to qualify for next year’s European Championships. Ireland are no strangers to play-offs and had lost five of their previous seven, but a goal in each half from [...]
ATP World Tour Finals: Ruthless streak is key to success, insists victorious Andy Murray after defeating Spain’s David Ferrer November 16, 2015 Britain's Andy Murray highlighted the importance of a clinical approach after his quest for a maiden ATP World Tour Finals crown started in solid fashion against Spain’s David Ferrer at London’s O2 Arena on Monday. The Scot recorded his fifth successive win over seventh seed Ferrer, dispatching the 33-year-old 6-4, 6-4 in 90 minutes, and will [...]
Paris terror attacks mean England-France match will be no normal friendly, says Roy Hodgson November 16, 2015 England manager Roy Hodgson admits that Tuesday evening's international at Wembley against a France team reeling from Friday’s terror attacks in Paris will be “no normal friendly”. Hodgson said the match would primarily be an act of solidarity with France, who rejected an offer to cancel the fixture despite some of their players’ relatives being among [...]
Rory McIlroy’s seven-way fight to win the Race To Dubai shows that the European Tour has never been stronger November 16, 2015 For an illustration of why the European Tour has never been stronger, look no further than Andy Sullivan, the Englishman who has won no fewer than three times this season. Despite that hat-trick of successes, Sullivan goes into this week’s season finale, the DP World Tour Championship, knowing that even a fourth title of 2015 [...]
Australia’s Michael Cheika becomes latest international heavyweight to rule himself out of England job November 16, 2015 England's search for a new head coach was dealt a further blow yesterday after Australia’s Michael Cheika became the latest international heavyweight to rule himself out of contention. Cheika had emerged as one of the leading candidates to succeed Stuart Lancaster, having revived Australia’s fortunes since taking over from Ewen McKenzie in October 2014 and [...]
Paris terror attacks: France footballers Lassana Diarra and Antoine Griezmann refuse to skip England match despite family members being caught up in shootings November 15, 2015 France have confirmed that they are bringing a full-strength squad to England for Tuesday's friendly at Wembley, despite some players being profoundly affected by the terror attacks in Paris on Friday. Former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Lassana Diarra’s cousin was among the 129 killed, while forward Antoine Griezmann’s sister was caught up in – but [...]