Why the Rugby World Cup could force up player wages and bring legal challenges to the sport’s salary cap October 31, 2019 When Japan and South Korea hosted football’s World Cup in 2002, it precipitated a significant increase in Asian investment in the sport. Takeovers of high-profile European clubs followed, as did multi-million pound Asia-only sponsorship deals with star players. With the first Rugby World Cup to be held in Asia about to conclude, this milestone could [...]
Chelsea v Manchester United: Lampard showing Solskjaer how to succeed with a blend of youth and experience October 29, 2019 When a strike from Daniel James deflected into the back of Chelsea’s net to put Manchester United 4-0 up at Old Trafford in August, the road to rejuvenating his new side looked like being a long one for Frank Lampard. But just two and a half months on from that defeat on the opening weekend [...]
Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham: Aurier and Eriksen poor as Alexander-Arnold and Salah shine for league leaders October 27, 2019 It wasn’t straightforward, but the Liverpool juggernaut rumbles on at the top of the Premier League. Tottenham came to Anfield with a clear game-plan designed to suppress the hosts and Harry Kane’s header after just 47 seconds gave them the opportunity to implement it. But, as they keep doing, Liverpool found a way to win. [...]
VAR wars deflect from Unai Emery and Arsenal’s woes; Frank Lampard the genius; Leicester outfoxing all over October 27, 2019 An exercised Unai Emery pointed, with some justification, to two video assistant referee interventions to explain why Arsenal lost a two-goal lead and drew 2-2 at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday. “For me, VAR is positive, but we need to manage it in the right way,” said the Gunners manager. “At the moment to [...]
Liverpool v Tottenham preview: Mauricio Pochettino must refresh stale Spurs squad to lift the current malaise October 24, 2019 If Red Star Belgrade at home was the perfect fixture for Tottenham in their current state, Liverpool away is the polar opposite. Jurgen Klopp’s side might have dropped their first points in the Premier League this season against Manchester United last time out, but they remain imposing at Anfield where they haven’t been beaten in [...]
Chris Tremlett: We need to change our mindset to make The Hundred a success October 23, 2019 I watched about an hour of The Hundred draft on Sunday evening before I fell asleep. The concept was good, but I found it long-winded and boring. The interviews were generally inane and some of the players looked like they didn’t want to be there. When The Hundred was first announced I was in the [...]
Tottenham 5-0 Red Star Belgrade: Kane, Son and Lamela run riot to rejuvenate Spurs October 22, 2019 Red Star Belgrade were exactly what Tottenham required after being shaken by a terrible run of form. Colchester, Bayern Munich, Brighton and Watford were not forgotten – not yet – but for 90 minutes Spurs fans were able to enjoy their side running riot against a wide-open, error-prone and haphazard opponent. Tottenham’s first Champions League [...]
West Ham win simply has to be the turning point for Everton and Marco Silva October 22, 2019 When you break it down, Everton’s weekend win over West Ham – ending a run of four Premier League defeats with victory over a team with similar ambitions – could prove absolutely massive. They mustn’t celebrate it too much, though. For the sake of their season and Marco Silva’s prospects of still being manager in [...]
Sheffield United 1-0 Arsenal: Five things we learned as Blades cut Emery and Gunners down to size October 21, 2019 That Arsenal come unstuck against opponents they would expect to beat, particularly away from home, should no longer be a surprise; it is as predictable as their pedestrian build-up play. Following this defeat at Sheffield United, they have taken just two points from their last four Premier League games – a sequence that has dragged [...]
Tottenham’s right-back crisis to blame for defensive issues as they keep conceding from crosses October 21, 2019 Tottenham resume their Champions League campaign with Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday night on the back of their worst run in recent memory. They have won just three of their 12 matches in all competitions this season and conceded 22 goals. The excitement of moving into their new stadium and reaching a first Champions League [...]