Dragged Across Concrete film review: S Craig Zahler directs Mel Gibson in a well-constructed cop drama that leaves a bitter taste April 12, 2019 Director S Craig Zahler doesn’t make things easy for his audience. A strong stomach and buttocks of steel were pre-requisites for getting through his masterful western-horror mashup Bone Tomahawk, and his gut-wrenchingly violent second feature Brawl in Cell Block 99, starring a beefed-up Vince Vaughn as a jailbird blackmailed into carrying out a hit. Running [...]
FCA to investigate Wasps rugby club over financial statements April 12, 2019 Wasps Rugby Club is reportedly under investigation by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) over whether it misled the market about its financial position. Read more: City watchdog strengthens post-Brexit ties with Australian regulator The UK's financial regulator is looking into the Premiership side's financial results from 2017 after it was revealed that the club had [...]
Arsenal reap rewards of Unai Emery’s boldness to beat Napoli and near Europa League last four April 11, 2019 Unai Emery can appear a man struggling to contain a thousand competing impulses but if the Arsenal manager erred towards conservatism when he first arrived in England then he has surrendered to his more attacking urges lately. And it feels good for the Gunners, who reaped the benefits of another bold Emery selection that contained [...]
Liverpool will face the ghosts of their 2014 Premier League title bid slip up against Chelsea April 11, 2019 It was this very fixture in April five years ago that saw one of the cruellest twists in English football history. Steven Gerrard’s rallying cry to team-mates just a few days earlier that “this does not slip” played out with the captain losing his footing and allowing Chelsea a decisive goal that would cost Liverpool [...]
Manchester United 0-1 Barcelona: Red Devils need to produce a third Champions League comeback after Barca grind out win April 10, 2019 Barcelona came to Manchester in-form, as second-favourites to win the Champions League and with the best player in the world in their side, but in the event United were far from out-classed. The Spanish giants huffed and puffed and had the better chances, but their narrow 1-0 win – their first in the Champions League [...]
Chris Tremlett: It’s open season for England’s batsmen with places up for grabs at the top of the order April 10, 2019 The start of the County Championship seasons brings excitement and opportunity, with players knowing a run of performances could put them onto England’s radar. This year, with the bowling ranks settled, it’s the top order batting where places could be up for grabs, meaning early-season runs are bound to catch the eye of selectors. Unless [...]
Sam Torrance: Playing the Masters for the first time is an unforgettable experience April 10, 2019 A golfer's first time at the Masters is extraordinary, as two Englishmen making their debuts at Augusta National this week, Eddie Pepperell and Matt Wallace, will be discovering. One of the special things about the tournament is that it takes place at the same venue every year – a venue you have been watching on [...]
Fast starters at the Masters beware: Augusta National is a graveyard of first-round leads April 10, 2019 The Masters is synonymous with drama. From Rory McIlroy’s final-round nightmare in 2011 to Greg Norman’s collapse when holding a six-shot lead in 1996, there has been plenty of heartbreak. For all the despair, there has also been much joy. Augusta was the backdrop for Sergio Garcia’s emotional first Major title at the 74th attempt [...]
Tottenham 1-0 Manchester City: Helped by home atmosphere Spurs stand up to City and overcome VAR drama April 9, 2019 Rarely has a team ever settled into a new home as quickly as Tottenham have at their new stadium. It was just the second time in Spurs’ history that they had made the quarter-finals of the Champions League and the fans gave Mauricio Pochettino everything he had asked for. “We hope the atmosphere is going [...]
Sam Torrance: Rory McIlroy is my Masters favourite but Brooks Koepka and Tiger Woods have strong claims too April 9, 2019 As the first Major of the year, the Masters is the tournament all players aim to be ready for and the shortlist of those expected to challenge at Augusta this week is a virtual who’s who of golf. Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Francesco Molinari, Justin Rose, Brooks Koepka and Tiger Woods are among those with [...]