Leeds, Chelsea, Crystal Palace: Why have so many clubs chosen short-term managers? April 17, 2023 When Javi Gracia made a surprise return to the Premier League in February he signed a contract with Leeds United which the club described as “flexible”. In reality, it meant a short-term deal guaranteed only until the end of the season, when it could be extended if all parties agreed. Since then, five more clubs [...]
Manchester United go third with win over Nottingham Forest in Premier League April 16, 2023 Manchester United continued their push for Champions League qualification with a 2-0 victory over strugglers Nottingham Forest in the Premier League at the City Ground. The result puts Erik ten Hag’s side third, six points clear of Tottenham Hotspur in fifth and three ahead of Newcastle United in fourth. Forest remain in the Premier League [...]
Surrey stay unbeaten and Middlesex winless in County Championship April 16, 2023 Defending County Championship winners Surrey showed their title rivals what they could do after a blistering afternoon at the Oval saw Ollie Pope lead the side in a successful chase of nearly 250 against Hampshire. Pope followed up his first innings 91 with 122 in his second knock while Dom Sibley added 79 and captain [...]
Harlequins face crunch games in bid to make Premiership top four April 16, 2023 Harlequins are facing a pair of crunch games in the next three weeks if they are to make the Premiership top four and stay in the fight for a third top-flight title. After defending champions Leicester Tigers crushed Exeter Chiefs 62-19 yesterday in a match Chris Ashton that saw notch up his 99th, 100th and [...]
British Horseracing Authority: Grand National protestors ‘reckless’ April 16, 2023 The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has “robustly condemned the reckless and potentially harmful actions” of the protestors who disrupted the Grand National. Shortly before the major jump race at Aintree on Saturday, won by favourite Corach Rambler, a number of activists invaded the track and attempted to glue themselves to fences. Over 110 protesters, many [...]
Mikel Arteta highlights Arsenal frailty after they surrender two-goal lead again April 16, 2023 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta accused his team of lacking killer instinct after their Premier League title hopes suffered a major setback at West Ham United today. The Gunners scored twice inside the opening 10 minutes before blowing a two-goal lead and drawing 2-2 for the second match in succession – even missing a penalty for [...]
Fines over Russia tennis player bans factor in LTA loss April 16, 2023 The fines imposed on the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) due to their banning of players from Russia and Belarus in 2022 have contributed to the organisation’s financial loss. Last year the LTA implemented the ban which meant players from the two countries were unable to play in pre-Wimbledon grass-court tournaments. Wimbledon’s All England Lawn Tennis [...]
Graham Linehan, AKA Glinner, banned from Twitter… Again April 16, 2023 Graham Linehan, the creator of Father Ted now best known for his opposition to trans rights, has been banned from Twitter… Again. Linehan’s latest ban was for joking about killing protestors at a controversial women’s rights activist event in Belfast called Let Women Speak, although he had already received warnings from the platform about his [...]
Private Lives, Donmar Warehouse, review: Deliciously camp, everso restrained April 15, 2023 Private Lives review and star rating: ★★★ It’s been fifty years since the death of Noël Coward, the eminent British satirist who wrote frothy, seemingly throwaway comedic lines threaded with darkness and existential dread. Coward’s a complicated one: the style of his plays, and often, the language, can feel almost impossibly out of date, but his [...]
The Coronation: London Coronation events to book now April 15, 2023 It’s three weeks until the King’s Coronation, so if you’re looking for ways to celebrate that aren’t just watching a big screen, here are some of the more unusual London Coronation events to book now. London Coronation events range from gilded carriage rides (!) to opportunities to live like the King for a day, but [...]