Germany could face a tough draw in the Euro 2020 qualifiers after being demoted to pot two following abysmal year November 29, 2018 With the inaugural Uefa Nations League campaign over for the majority of countries, attention this weekend turns back to the more familiar European Championship qualification process. The Nations League has handed some countries an advantage for the Euro 2020 qualifiers, with group winners Holland and Switzerland now guaranteed to be seeded, but others have dropped [...]
Outgunned: Arsenal head into North London derby with dismal Big Six record and now Tottenham could cement their dominance November 29, 2018 Tottenham’s victory over Chelsea last weekend served as a timely reminder to the red half of north London of the challenge that awaits them when Spurs visit the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Long gone are the days of Tottenham being pushed aside by their neighbours from N5, or any of the Premier League’s top clubs. [...]
Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke has seen his biggest teams rejuvenated this season, hinting at a change in approach November 29, 2018 Stan Kroenke has had to become accustomed to criticism from supporters of his under-performing sports teams on either side of the Atlantic. For years, Kroenke’s outfits – among them Arsenal, NFL side the LA Rams and the NBA’s Denver Nuggets – have fallen short of competing for the top prizes, while the 71-year-old has shown [...]
From outcast to linchpin: How Jos Buttler’s brilliant 2018 has helped revive England and redefine Test batting November 28, 2018 When Jos Buttler arrived at the crease with England wobbling and in danger of succumbing meekly in the second innings of the third Test against Sri Lanka last week he had one thing on his mind. His side may have been 39-4, just 135 runs ahead, on day three in Colombo and the hosts’ spinners [...]
Europa League: What Chelsea and Arsenal need to do to win their groups November 28, 2018 Chelsea and Arsenal may have already guaranteed their progress to the knockout rounds of the Europa League, but there is still something to play for in both of their fixtures on Thursday evening. What Chelsea need The Blues can clinch top spot in Group L and, in theory, an easier draw in the last 32 [...]
Chris Tremlett: How England can build on Sri Lanka whitewash to reach the No1 Test ranking November 28, 2018 England enjoyed an excellent Test series in Sri Lanka, winning 3-0 to continue their recent momentum under captain Joe Root. Like the one-day side before them they now appear to be developing a strong, exciting and enjoyable brand of cricket. With eight wins from their last 10 Test matches they are clearly going in the [...]
Paris Saint-Germain v Liverpool: Cash-rich French giants on the precipice of costly Champions League group exit November 27, 2018 The fact Paris Saint-Germain commissioned Nike and their Jordan Brand subsidiary to create a new kit for the Champions League this season tells you a lot about the club. But the fact the French giants are one game away from exiting the tournament which acts as a catwalk for their marketing efforts tells you everything [...]
Trevor Steven: Claudio Ranieri’s experience and personality has given Fulham a fighting chance of staying up November 27, 2018 You never want to see people lose their jobs but I’m happy that Claudio Ranieri is back in the Premier League, tasked with lifting Fulham off the bottom of the table. I felt sorry for Slavisa Jokanovic, the man he replaced last week, who got off to a difficult start and never managed to adapt [...]
We planned a foodie road trip around Wales that you can complete in four days November 27, 2018 It took me 30 years to get to Wales. I never had an aversion to it, it was just easier to get on a plane than it was to learn how to drive. As a lifelong Londoner with no family to visit regularly beyond the M25, there was no immediate reason to learn, so I [...]
Five things we learned from England’s Test series whitewash over Sri Lanka: Spinners, Foakes, Root and selectors all shine November 26, 2018 England’s tour of Sri Lanka ended perfectly for the visitors and appropriately for the Test series as a whole. A contest defined by England’s mastery of spin bowling was concluded when their stand-out proponent of the art, Jack Leach, trapped opposition captain Suranga Lakmal lbw to complete a 42-run victory and a 3-0 series whitewash. [...]