Three Sisters at the Almeida: This most Chekhovian of Chekhov’s plays flatters to deceive May 10, 2019 After last year’s superlative Summer and Smoke, the pairing of director Rebecca Frecknall and young star Patsy Ferran is an irresistible proposition. This time they combine to drag Chekhov’s fin de siècle play Three Sisters into an unspecified time and space somewhere between pre-revolution Russia and present-day King’s Road. But despite another fitful, engaging performance [...]
Full English: Chelsea’s penalty shoot-out win and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hat-trick ensure European final clean sweep May 9, 2019 Rumours of English football’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. It may have taken a nervy penalty shoot-out at Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea edged past Eintracht Frankfurt tonight after a 1-1 draw to ensure an all-London Europa League final against Arsenal in Baku on 29 May. Never before have both major European finals been populated by [...]
One more miracle? Manchester City and Liverpool’s Premier League title race approaches its last hurdle May 9, 2019 Before the dramatic events of this week unfolded, most observers, whether impartial or otherwise, would have agreed that the Premier League title race was likely a foregone conclusion. But we now live in a post-Vincent Kompany 30-yard screamer, post-Champions League semi-final comeback mayhem world which has made a mockery of such assumptions. Anything is possible [...]
Ollie Phillips: Johnny Sexton’s battle with Owen Farrell will decide heavyweight Champions Cup final May 9, 2019 The Champions Cup final is all set to be a momentous clash, with Europe’s two outstanding sides going head to head in an almost impossible-to-call showdown ob Saturday. It’s a most fitting decider. Defending champions Leinster are going for an unprecedented fifth title, while Saracens are aiming for a third in four years. Read more: [...]
Maro means business: Itoje on Saracens’ European Cup final, England captaincy, his new clothing range and his NBA role models May 9, 2019 There will only be one thing on Maro Itoje’s mind when Saracens take on Leinster this Saturday: claiming a third Champions Cup title and regaining the club’s status as the best in Europe. It is an encounter that will see the England forward line up opposite James Ryan in what is sure to be a [...]
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham: Lucas Moura’s hat-trick caps comeback and sends Spurs into Champions League final May 8, 2019 Just when you thought it couldn’t happen again, it did. Tottenham were dead and buried, 3-0 down on aggregate in a Champions League semi-final, away from home against an Ajax side who had already disposed of European heavyweights Real Madrid and Juventus. But they refused to be beaten, and through Lucas Moura’s hat-trick, completed in [...]
Chris Tremlett: Joe Denly’s position as third spinner is a bonus not a problem – England shouldn’t overthink his place May 8, 2019 Moeen Ali’s absence from the first One-Day International against Pakistan today threw up another small selection dilemma for England ahead of the World Cup. While Moeen’s rib injury isn’t serious, it meant Joe Denly was thrust into the spotlight to audition as the third spin option. Unfortunately for him, the rain denied him a chance [...]
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona: Reds’ supporting cast come to the fore in stunning Champions League turnaround at Anfield May 7, 2019 Anfield has seen some famous nights, especially in European football, but this was special. Trailing 3-0 from the first leg, against one of Europe’s most prestigious, decorated and star-studded sides, Liverpool pulled off the biggest turnaround in Champions League semi-final history. Read more: Trevor Steven: The two factors that unite City and Liverpool Shorn of [...]
Trevor Steven: Premier League title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool united by outstanding coaches and refusal to give in May 7, 2019 However the Premier League concludes on Sunday, I don’t think the competition has ever seen two better teams than Manchester City and Liverpool. Both are a credit to the division and could easily be champions in any other season. And thank goodness for Liverpool for hanging in there and keeping pace with City until the [...]
Manchester City 1-0 Leicester City: Vincent Kompany’s wonder strike punctures nervy Etihad atmosphere to put City one win away May 6, 2019 Manchester City can beat you in so many ways, but a Vincent Kompany outside-of-the-foot, long-range screamer? That is not something you expect to happen. Pep Guardiola’s side are team built on the foundations of rigorous drilling on the training field. Their manager is a football obsessive who has built his reputation on a distinctive style: [...]