NFL London Games: UK director Alistair Kirkwood on cross-Atlantic growth, the Tottenham Stadium and a future franchise October 2, 2019 When it was announced that the NFL would host a game in London for the first time, the decision was met with intrigue and scepticism. Was the risk worth the potential rewards? Were the English public really interested enough in American football? Would jet-lagged players struggle to perform at Wembley? Twelve years on from that [...]
Premier League appoints Guardian boss as new chief executive October 2, 2019 The Premier League has appointed David Pemsel, head of Guardian Media Group (GMG), as its new chief executive. Pemsel’s candidacy was approved unanimously by Premier League shareholders at a special meeting held today. His appointment follows a 14-month search to fill the position after the departure of former head Richard Scudamore. Read more: Crystal Palace [...]
Tottenham 2-7 Bayern Munich: Tactical naivety and basic errors cost Spurs dear in Champions League thrashing October 1, 2019 The wheels didn’t just come off the Tottenham wagon in the Champions League tonight; they were loosened by its driver and catapulted out of sight over the horizon. Bayern Munich absolutely outclassed Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs on their own turf, putting seven past a weary, disenchanted and ramshackle opponent. Read more: Leicester can be better than [...]
This Leicester City team could be even better than the title winning side October 1, 2019 Brendan Rodgers made a bold decision when he walked away from a third successive domestic treble at Celtic in February and return to the Premier League with Leicester. The former Liverpool and Swansea boss took a lot of flak and the switch could have gone either way – he had lots to lose and not [...]
Tottenham face a fading force in Bayern Munich in the Champions League October 1, 2019 When Bayern Munich were knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage three seasons ago it appeared to mark the beginning of their decline. A 6-3 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid saw them exit the competition at the earliest stage since 2011. They rebounded with a sixth semi-final appearance in seven seasons in [...]
Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal: McTominay and Aubameyang trade blows as both sides underperform September 30, 2019 Received wisdom in football states that a draw leaves both teams happy – a point apiece, something to take from your efforts, at least you didn’t lose. Manchester United and Arsenal drew tonight, and yet such are the weaknesses of both sides that both managers should be displeased with a single point. United faced a [...]
Dundee switch helped Victor Perez break his European Tour duck at St Andrews September 30, 2019 When Victor Perez relocated from his native France to Dundee last year it was to be with his Scottish girlfriend, who is studying dentistry there. But the move has also sharpened his seaside golf and that paid off in famous fashion on Sunday, when he won his maiden European Tour title at the Alfred Dunhill [...]
Australia 25-29 Wales: Gatland’s side dig deep to hold onto “massive” win and determine their own World Cup pathway September 29, 2019 As a head coach in a long tournament it is down to you to keep your players focused on what’s in front. Wins are enjoyed, of course, but they should always be followed by assertions that more tests await. After Wales’s hard-fought Rugby World Cup win over Australia, Warren Gatland followed the ascribed path of [...]
Did Manchester United and Arsenal break each other last season? September 29, 2019 It was Arsenal who broke Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United towards the end of last season, or so the theory goes. United arrived at Emirates Stadium on 10 March at the height of Solskjaer’s reign, just days after their improbable Champions League comeback at Paris Saint-Germain – their 14th win from 17 games under the [...]
What is frankincense? And where does it come from? September 27, 2019 The sun is blazing and the air is hot, dry and dusty. Gazing out over the horizon, there’s nothing but parched, rocky land as far as the eye can see in any direction, except for the strange-looking trees that shoot up from the ground like gnarly, overgrown bushes. You wouldn’t think much could thrive here, [...]