Manchester United conquer China: Premier League giants leapfrog Bayern Munich in digital performance according to new ranking February 23, 2017 Manchester United’s pre-season tour to China last summer helped the club become the most influential football team online in the burgeoning football market, according to a new report. For the first time, the Premier League giants have taken the top spot in the annual ranking from Shanghai-based sports consultancy Mailman of the best-performing clubs online [...]
Sevilla 2, Leicester City 1: Jamie Vardy strike hands Foxes Champions League lifeline February 22, 2017 Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri insists his side have given themselves a fighting chance of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals after notching a vital away goal against Sevilla. A Jamie Vardy tap-in, his maiden Champions League strike and first of 2017, revived Leicester’s hopes inside the final 20 minutes after slipping to a precarious two-goal deficit [...]
Eddie Jones wields axe and drops centre Jonathan Joseph from England squad to face Italy February 22, 2017 England head coach Eddie Jones will field a new-look midfield against Italy at Twickenham on Sunday after axing Bath centre Jonathan Joseph from his training squad. The favourite to fill the void left by Joseph, who has played in all 15 Tests under Jones, is Wasps utility back Elliot Daly, having featured on the wing [...]
Saint-Etienne 0, Manchester United 1: Jose Mourinho defends team selection after injuries leave Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Michael Carrick facing EFL Cup final heartache February 22, 2017 Saint-Etienne 0, Manchester United 1 (Aggregate 0-4) Unrepentant Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho insisted he had no selection regrets after his side lost Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Michael Carrick to injury as they reached the Europa League last 16. Mkhitaryan limped off with a hamstring problem mid-way through the first half, having put United ahead and [...]
Horizon Dark Zero review: A vast and exhilarating post-apocalyptic adventure February 22, 2017 Horizon Zero Dawn is the best looking console game ever made. Set centuries after the collapse of human civilisation, you play as Aloy, an outcast in a beautifully overgrown post apocalyptic world inhabited by futuristic machines. With tonnes of quests, a lengthy story and a huge open world, Horizon is rich with things to do [...]
Rhys Webb heaps pressure on Scotland’s new Six Nations kicker after Greig Laidlaw’s injury February 22, 2017 Wales scrum-half Rhys Webb has heaped pressure on Scotland’s kicker prior to their Six Nations showdown at Murrayfield on Saturday following the tournament-ending injury to Greig Laidlaw. Gloucester No9 Laidlaw was ruled out for the remainder of the Six Nations after suffering ankle ligament damage during Scotland’s 22-16 defeat to France in Paris earlier this [...]
Silverstone owners cite F1 takeover in U-turn over sale of British Grand Prix home February 22, 2017 Silverstone’s owners have abandoned plans to sell the iconic racing track, home of the British Grand Prix for the last three decades. The British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC) said it made the decision following the $8bn (£6.4bn) takeover of Formula One by Liberty Media earlier this year. Jaguar Land Rover had been among the suitors [...]
Eye-watering, life-changing Indian Premier League deals for the likes of Ben Stokes and Tymal Mills are positive for cricket February 22, 2017 While Kevin Pietersen has a point when he says the lucrative £1.4m Indian Premier League (IPL) contract handed to Twenty20 specialist Tymal Mills this week is a slap in the face for Test cricket, I believe it’s predominantly positive for the game. Some domestic players work hard day in, day out for their counties, striving to [...]
Mauricio Pochettino warns Tottenham fans they may have to be patient if they want success February 22, 2017 Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has asked Spurs fans impatient for a first trophy since 2008 to grant him more time to deliver silverware. Pochettino has improved the north Londoners since taking charge in 2014 but, despite rivalling Leicester for the Premier League last term, is yet to deliver honours. Spurs must overturn a 1-0 deficit [...]
Formula One: MEP hits back at governing body claims of malicious intent February 22, 2017 The MEP championing change in Formula One has hit back at claims by the sport's governing body that her cause is “inaccurately informed or made maliciously”. In an open letter Anneliese Dodds highlighted a conflict of interest in Formula One's regulator, the FIA, allegedly profiting from signing off on the sale of Formula One to Liberty Media. One [...]