UK Sport’s new funding strategy: is the era of the medal-hoovering “no compromise” policy over? February 12, 2019 One phrase has come to define Britain’s transformation from international underachievers to major force at Olympic and Paralympic Games over the last 15 years: “no compromise”. The slogan was coined to distil a narrowing of UK Sport’s funding focus; from 2004, only governing bodies and athletes likely to win gold, silver or bronze in the [...]
Trevor Steven: Goalscoring genius Sergio Aguero is my leading striker of the Premier League era February 12, 2019 Ian Rush got it right this week when he said that we have Sergio Aguero to thank for reminding us what it means to be an old-fashioned centre-forward. Rarely do you see Aguero on the flanks or even outside of the width of the penalty area. He is too focused on scoring goals; that is [...]
Future in doubt for Formula One’s iconic races with Silverstone and Monza deals set to expire this year February 12, 2019 Just four weeks remain until the new Formula One season begins, yet doubts still linger over the future of some of the sport’s most iconic tracks beyond this year. Britain’s Silverstone has led the revolt against F1 owners Liberty Media as one of five races whose contracts are set to expire. Also among them is [...]
Manchester United v Paris Saint-Germain: French champions face crunch time in the Champions League amid difficult spell February 11, 2019 It’s crunch time for Paris Saint-Germain. With the Champions League knock-out stage about to begin February is the month which traditionally makes or breaks the French club’s season. When PSG were drawn against Manchester United in the last 16 on 17 December they might have been quietly pleased with their lot. But the sacking of [...]
Sam Torrance: David Law lands biggest win of his career in perfect style and Tiger Woods rivalry still spurs Phil Mickelson February 11, 2019 There is nothing better in golf than eagling the last hole and that fact will not be lost on David Law after the young Scotsman wrapped up his first European Tour title in style on Sunday. Law trailed overnight leader Wade Ormsby by five shots going into the back nine of the Vic Open in [...]
Manchester United v Paris Saint-Germain: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer faces decisive period in bid to prove he’s more than a managerial super-sub February 11, 2019 Timely interventions were his calling card as a player, so perhaps it should be no surprise that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the manager has lived up to his old super-sub billing at Manchester United. Since replacing Jose Mourinho mid-season, Solskjaer has overseen an almost flawless spell utterly at odds with the joyless months of foreboding that [...]
All is True review: Kenneth Branagh retells the final scenes of Shakespeare’s ‘small’ life in this cosy but sedate film February 11, 2019 Ever wonder what happened to William Shakespeare when he retired? No one does, mainly because he didn’t write any plays, so quite why Ben Elton thought it’d be a good idea to write a feature length film about the Bard’s latter days in Stratford-Upon-Avon is anyone’s guess. Mostly, Shakespeare just potters around his garden and [...]
“It was eat, sleep, work, run, repeat”: Susannah Gill on how she broke the World Marathon Challenge world record February 10, 2019 Many people have caught the running bug, but few to the same extent as Susannah Gill. Ten years ago Gill was a novice preparing for her first London Marathon. Fast-forward to last Thursday and she was crossing the finish line in Miami to complete a remarkable feat of endurance. Gill’s 26.2 miles in Florida was [...]
England pull off another tactical masterclass in 44-8 win as France fall apart February 10, 2019 Going into this game with France, Eddie Jones warned England would have to win a battle against complacency following last week's triumph in Dublin against a team labelled the best in the world. As his side ran out 44-8 winners here at Twickenham, there was evidence that England were heeding his advice: they thrashed Les Bleus [...]
Never mind the Big Six, it’s all about the Premier League’s Big Three as Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham underline gulf in quality February 10, 2019 We all know about the Big Six, the Premier League’s half a dozen richest clubs who monopolise the top places in the table, effectively creating a two-tier division of haves and have-nots. It’s plain to see in the current rankings, with the biggest gap between positions anywhere in the top flight being the 12 points [...]