Nick Compton interview: Former England batsman on how his passion for photography has helped him move on from cricket November 7, 2018 Retiring from a sport to which you have dedicated most of your adult life isn’t an easy thing to do. For many athletes what comes next is difficult to contemplate and daunting to put into action; the bubble of the changing room is gone and life in the real world begins abruptly. Nick Compton has [...]
Trevor Steven: Wayne Rooney’s England recall for USA game is a mystifying own goal by the Football Association November 6, 2018 Gareth Southgate says he supports plans to bring Wayne Rooney out of international retirement for a farewell England appearance in next week’s friendly against the United States. I don’t believe that for a minute. I would like to know who made the mystifying decision to recall Rooney – which is completely at odds with the [...]
Sri Lanka v England: Rory Burns’ patience a helpful attribute as debut finally nears in first Test November 5, 2018 Many things have been up in the air during the build-up to England’s first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle tomorrow but a debut for Rory Burns is not one of them. With Alastair Cook gone, Jonny Bairstow injured and monsoon season in full effect, England’s preparations on the tour have been far from settled as [...]
Sam Torrance: Justin Rose is a genius, a grandmaster of golf and in the prime of his career November 5, 2018 Justin Rose made a welcome return to the top of the world rankings by defending his Turkish Airlines Open title on Sunday but only after an incredible and fascinating finish to the tournament. Having played magnificent golf all week, Rose gave overnight leader Li Haotong fresh hope by bogeying the 17th and 18th holes – [...]
Chelsea 3-1 Crystal Palace: Alvaro Morata growing out of “fragile” state into a more confident striker November 4, 2018 Normally when a striker spurns a one-on-one chance while clean through in the 93rd minute the reaction would be disappointment. And while that emotion, plus plenty of stronger ones, were present inside Stamford Bridge as Alvaro Morata missed a glorious opportunity against Crystal Palace, the overriding thought was different. With the score at 3-1 and with [...]
Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend: Manchester City, Manchester United, West Ham, Wolves and Richarlison November 4, 2018 1. Man City on course ot beat their own records Premier League records tumbled as Manchester City waltzed to the title last season, not least in the goalscoring stakes, with the Blues netting 106 times and finishing with a goal difference of +79 – both new bests. Dauntingly for those teams who aspire to rival [...]
Let’s make sure British sport can compete with the best beyond Brexit November 4, 2018 It is often said the UK is a nation obsessed with sport. But for once sport’s hold on top spot in the public consciousness has been usurped by another national obsession: Brexit. However, the link between Brexit and sport is far more than just a competition for public attention – Brexit poses some fundamental challenges [...]
Arsenal rise to Unai Emery’s challenge and show they are ready to take on Premier League’s big guns again November 4, 2018 Speaking 24 hours before Saturday’s riveting 1-1 draw with Liverpool, Unai Emery was clear about what he wanted to see from his Arsenal team against Jurgen Klopp’s Premier League title hopefuls. “The result tomorrow is very important but first I want to show them, to show you and to show everybody our best mentality in [...]
Juliet, Naked is far too preoccupied with its flat jokes to actually get to the heart of its abandonment issues November 2, 2018 Nick Hornby is the master of the manchild and Duncan, the one from the 2009 novel this film is based on, is one of his. He’s in thrall to a similarly adolescent idol, a mopey indie star called Tucker Crowe, who became a recluse following the release of his only album ‘Juliet’. Stuck in the [...]
Macbeth at the Barbican review: Christopher Eccleston plays the Scottish traitor in this horror-inspired version by the RSC November 2, 2018 Macbeth lives and dies on its witches. “When shall we three meet again?” squeaks the first, a young girl in a red dress and white tights, ribbons in her hair. Two identically dressed girls answer, then run energetically off the stage, giggling shrilly. These escapees from The Shining weave in and out of this otherwise [...]