Keep cracking your whip as England won’t get to No1 if you don’t, full-back Mike Brown tells head coach Eddie Jones October 21, 2016 England vice-captain Mike Brown – tough, uncompromising and not afraid to speak his mind – was quick to jump to the defence of head coach Eddie Jones when the intensity of the Australian’s international training camp came under fire amid a succession of injuries. Jones, too, is famed for his no-nonsense, some might say authoritarian, [...]
Manchester United 4, Fenerbahce 1: Jose Mourinho in swipe at critics of £89m midfielder Paul Pogba October 20, 2016 Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho took aim at critics of midfielder Paul Pogba after the world’s most expensive player stoked his side’s Europe League success against Fenerbahce last night with a first-half double. Pogba, an £89m summer signing from Italian champions Juventus, netted either side of Anthony Martial’s penalty, while Jesse Lingard notched his first [...]
Inter Milan 1, Southampton 0: Regrets for Claude Puel as Saints fail to capitalise on San Siro domination October 20, 2016 Southampton boss Claude Puel insisted defeat was incredibly tough to take after his side were guilty of wasting a host of chances as Inter Milan snatched what at times appeared an unlikely Europa League victory. The Saints dominated for large periods at the San Siro but fell behind to Antonio Candreva’s stunning second-half strike, while the [...]
Barcelona 4, Manchester City 0: Stop pressing self-destruct button – Guardiola issues Pep talk October 19, 2016 Deflated Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola demanded his side stop pressing the self-destruct button after enduring a miserable return to Catalonia as Barcelona ran riot at Camp Nou. Ballon d’Or holder Lionel Messi once again showcased his lethal and majestic talent by netting the 37th hat-trick of his Barcelona career before Neymar scored a late [...]
It would be extremely foolish to underestimate Bangladesh, says vice-captain Joe Root October 19, 2016 Vice-captain Joe Root admits it would be perilous for England to dismiss the potential of Bangladesh to spring a surprise during their two-Test series, which starts on Thursday in Chittagong. England have won all eight of their previous red-ball series with Bangladesh, a team ranked ninth out of 10 sides in the International Cricket Council’s official [...]
Bayer Leverkusen 0, Tottenham Hotspur 0: Mauricio Pochettino unruffled as goalkeeper Hugo Lloris rescues point for Spurs October 18, 2016 Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino refused to be downbeat despite witnessing his side cling on for a Champions League draw against Bayer Leverkusen in a match he described as “must-win”. Spurs appeared to be on course for victory during a dominant first half only for the pendulum to swing towards Leverkusen in the second period with [...]
Leicester City 1, FC Copenhagen 0: Claudio Ranieri demands Premier League improvement after European smiles widen October 18, 2016 Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri demanded Premier League improvement after his side moved to within touching distance of the Champions League knockout phase with victory over FC Copenhagen. Algeria playmaker Riyad Mahrez scored the only goal of the game five minutes before the break as Leicester became only the fifth side in history to win their first [...]
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola doubts whether he can conjure a plan to stifle Lionel Messi and the rest of Barcelona’s striking talent October 18, 2016 Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admits he is unsure whether he can plot a game-plan to contain Barcelona’s striking trident – Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar – as he prepares for an emotional return to Camp Nou. Guardiola spent a trophy-laden four-year spell at Barcelona before leaving in 2012 and taking charge of Bavarian giants [...]
I never considered selling Theo Walcott in the summer, insists Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger October 18, 2016 Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists he never contemplated selling forward Theo Walcott in the summer despite an underwhelming year which appeared to suggest the clock was ticking on his Gunners career. Walcott has undergone something of a renaissance this term and notched his fifth Premier League goal of the season with two strikes against Swansea on [...]
Liverpool 0, Manchester United 0: Jose Mourinho revels in proving doubters wrong as David de Gea saves Red Devils from Anfield rap October 17, 2016 Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho revelled in proving his doubters wrong after frustrating Liverpool’s attacking potency during an attritional stalemate at Anfield. Liverpool were unable to break free from the shackles of a carefully crafted Mourinho game-plan, although United were indebted to goalkeeper David de Gea, who pulled off two impressive saves to keep the [...]
