Premiership rugby: Drop goals, Sharks harpooned and Bath rejoice October 24, 2022 With the current financial woes facing the English domestic game, there were only four matches in play in this week’s Premiership. We saw a stunning drop goal and a last-minute win, but here are our four takeaways from round seven. Quins make Sale jokers Marcus Smith scored 24 points yesterday as Harlequins ended Sale Sharks’ [...]
Premier League: Newcastle in top four, Arsenal draw and Villa impress October 23, 2022 Was it the day Tottenham saw their, admittedly unlikely, title challenge come to an end or was it the day Newcastle United knocked on the door of the Big Six’s office and asked for a seat around the undoubtedly extravagant table? A 2-1 win for the Toon in north London moved United into the top [...]
From Liverpool’s Under-18s coach via Rangers to Aston Villa: What is next for Steven Gerrard? October 21, 2022 Steven Gerrard’s sacking at Aston Villa leaves the former England and Liverpool midfielder having to consider what comes next. After all, the football star is just 42 years old. Considering the route Gerrard has taken – from Liverpool’s Under-18s coach, via Rangers to Aston Villa – it is evident he is no drop-in celebrity manager. [...]
Blues cruise: How Potter’s serene start could prove pivotal for Chelsea October 21, 2022 It has been six weeks since two 47-year-olds took on the biggest jobs of their careers and it’s fair to say that it has gone better for Graham Potter than Liz Truss. While Truss was forced out of Downing Street after 44 catastrophic days as Prime Minster, new Chelsea manager Potter has enjoyed a serene [...]
Ed Warner: Don’t criticise British Cycling for accepting sponsorship from Shell October 20, 2022 Disclaimer No1: I don’t think I’ve written anything in support of British Cycling down the years. Quite the opposite in fact. But I can’t bring myself to add my name to the lengthening petition that splutters in indignation about the governing body’s sponsorship deal with Shell. So, here’s a first for me. British Cycling’s eight-year [...]
Tottenham Hotspur looking to improve big-match record at Manchester United October 18, 2022 It might seem strange to suggest that Tottenham Hotspur have plenty to prove at Manchester United on Wednesday given their results so far this season. After all, Spurs’ haul of 23 points is their best return from the opening 10 games of the Premier League season in the 30 years since the competition began. But [...]
Trevor Steven: Arsenal have a winning mentality so why can’t they challenge for the title? October 17, 2022 Everybody has been waiting for Arsenal to show the soft underbelly that has been exposed in previous seasons, but so far it hasn’t happened. On Sunday they went to a Leeds team desperate for three points and got the job done because everyone from the goalkeeper to the forwards did their bit. Thanks also to [...]
Liverpool 1-0 Manchester City: Mohamed Salah dents champions’ title defence October 16, 2022 Mohamed Salah and Liverpool continued their resurgence in a hard-fought win that dented Manchester City’s Premier League title defence on Sunday. Salah, who was left on the bench against Rangers in midweek, scored the only goal of the game when he turned Joao Cancelo and slotted past Ederson in the 76th minute. Liverpool’s first win [...]
Chris Tremlett: T20 World Cup is a shopping window for cricket’s talent October 13, 2022 When the T20 World Cup gets going in Australia this weekend, the bigger teams will still have a little while to wait before their campaigns begin. England don’t start their World Cup until next weekend – when they play Afghanistan – but it’s still a good chance for the team, under Matthew Mott, to get [...]
Trevor Steven: Liverpool are defending too deep and it has cost them any title chance October 11, 2022 For so long a team who overwhelmed their opponents, Liverpool have become strangely hesitant and disconnected this season. Against Arsenal on Sunday Jurgen Klopp’s side had good spells of possession and carried a goal threat but always looked stretched. Their 3-2 defeat left them 10th in the Premier League, 14 points off the top of [...]