Frankenstein’s flanker: England’s Tom Curry has taken on aspects of all his idols but is keeping grounded after successful Six Nations start February 14, 2019 Tom Curry is quickly establishing himself as Eddie Jones's go-to man at openside flanker after an impressive start to the Six Nations. He may be only 20 years old but his ability and tireless work ethic has seen him improve England's performance at the breakdown markedly – even if he is modest about it. In [...]
AFC Wimbledon v Millwall: The FA Cup tie neither team wanted as giant-killers meet at Kingsmeadow February 14, 2019 If the FA Cup is a competition most loved for its giant-killings, then Millwall are its best proponents. In the entire history of the world’s oldest cup tournament the Lions have produced 25 giant-killings – defined as victories over a top-flight side by one in a lower division – the joint most alongside Southampton. And [...]
Diane Arbus: In the Beginning at Hayward Gallery review: A master who helped define New York City February 14, 2019 The latest blockbuster exhibition at the Hayward Gallery makes me nostalgic for a time I barely remember, and that will be completely alien to many who visit this show. It was a time when a single photographer could come to define a place and time, their work spanning decades, their vision becoming ingrained on the [...]
The American Clock at the Old Vic theatre review: A bad production of a bad Arthur Miller play February 14, 2019 The American Clock is Arthur Miller’s attempt to chart the death of the old America and the traumatic birth of the new in the years following the Great Depression. It has a loose, fidgety structure – it’s a series of vignettes, really – but the central dramatic arc follows the Baums, a well-to-do family who, [...]
The Boy Who Would Be King review: Arthurian legend meets London suburbia in Joe Cornish’s latest adventure February 14, 2019 Almost eight years have passed since Joe Cornish brought science-fiction to an inner city council estate in his alien-invasion movie Attack the Block. Now the writer-director deftly splices London suburbia and Arthurian legend in The Boy Who Would Be King, the story of a 12-year-old who yanks a big sword out of a bit of [...]
Ollie Phillips: England’s emphasis on the collective has turned the side into a multi-faceted one with a shot at a Six Nations Grand Slam February 14, 2019 England have enjoyed a perfect start to the Six Nations but the length of the tournament and physical nature of rugby means squad depths will always be tested. Mako Vunipola was one of the stand-out players in the wins over Ireland and France but an ankle injury means the back-up options now come into question. [...]
On the up and in the cup: Frank Lampard has turned Derby County into giant-killers as they look to claim third Premier League scalp February 14, 2019 Earlier this week Frank Lampard brushed off talk that he could be the man to replace Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea, anid speculation over the Italian’s future following a turbulent start to 2019. The notion that Lampard could be ready to take on such a big challenge at his former club is testament to the job [...]
Go away, Jose: Mourinho and his team receive £19.6m pay off from Manchester United February 14, 2019 Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and his coaching team received a £19.6m payoff after getting sacked from the club, its accounts reveal. The club’s quarterly accounts list the £19.6m payment under exceptional items describing it as “compensation to the former manager and certain members of the coaching staff for loss of office”. Mourinho was [...]
Tottenham 3-0 Borussia Dortmund: Son Heung-min and Jan Vertonghen lead perfect second-half performance for Spurs February 13, 2019 As the Tottenham fans funnelled into the depths of Wembley at half-time last night there would have been nerves. Spurs had fashioned just one opening in the first 45 minutes as they continually ran up against the yellow wall of Borussia Dortmund. The passes weren’t sticking up front, the midfield were struggling to penetrate and [...]
Chris Tremlett: Mark Wood’s fiery return against West Indies showed England’s need for speed February 13, 2019 Mark Wood’s return to the England Test side was brilliant to see. It’s been a long time since we saw such a spell of fiery fast bowling and it was both hugely enjoyable and hugely effective. Wood took career-best figures of 5-41 in the first innings of the final match in the West Indies this [...]