Jags' Calvin Ridley sneaks in extra reps as coaches preach slow, steady approach
Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Pederson is trying to get receiver Calvin Ridley to slowly work his way back following an 18-month absence
2023-06-06 04:23
Arsenal vs Aston Villa LIVE: Women's Super League latest score, goals and updates from fixture
Follow The Independent's live coverage of all the action in the FA Women’s Super League today. The WSL is the top tier of English women’s football with international players from all over the world plying their trade in one of the most competitive and entertaining leagues around. Chelsea have won three of the past four titles and Emma Hayes’ side will be right in the hunt again, with the likes of Arsenal - champions in 2018-19 – and Manchester City, who have been runners-up for each of the past four seasons, among their competitors. With the top three sides qualifying for the UEFA Women’s Champions League, all 12 WSL teams have plenty to play for, although some clubs’ main ambition will simply be to avoid the drop. The side who finish bottom will be relegated to the FA Women’s Championship – a fate that befell Bristol City in 2020-21 – and newly-promoted Leicester City, competing in the top flight of the women’s game for the first time, will be eager to avoid an immediate return. We will bring you all the action and updates from today's game in the live blog below:
2023-05-27 22:19
Johansen scores go-ahead goal late, Colorado beats New Jersey 6-3
Ryan Johansen scored the tiebreaking goal in the third period and the Colorado Avalanche broke out of an offensive slump with a 6-3 win over the shorthanded New Jersey Devils
2023-11-08 14:52
New Wales international Regan Poole: I owe a lot to Manchester United
New Wales cap Regan Poole admits he owes so much to Manchester United after making his international debut on Wednesday night. Defender Poole seemed destined for stardom in 2015 after leaving Newport aged 17, on the same day United made Anthony Martial football’s most expensive teenager. But Poole’s first-team action at Old Trafford was restricted to an 89th-minute substitute appearance in a 2016 Champions League tie – a 5-1 win over Danish club Midtjylland, in which England striker Marcus Rashford announced himself with two goals on debut. Poole would be loaned out to Northampton and Newport before signing for MK Dons, Lincoln and Portsmouth, where he has hit the ground running with three goals in 12 appearances for the Sky Bet League One leaders. “It’s always been my aim to win that cap,” Poole said after helping Wales to a 4-0 friendly win over Gibraltar in Wrexham, ahead of their Euro 2024 qualifier against Croatia. “I’m 25 and I’ve had to wait a little while to get it, but hopefully there are many more to come. “I had the experience of playing for the under-21s a few times and got called up there. I know it was only one game but I can say that I played for Manchester United and not many people can say that Regan Poole “It went quiet for a little while, but I’ve had a really positive start for my new club and hopefully I can stay in the squad.” Cardiff-born Poole became Newport’s youngest-ever player in 2014 upon making his debut at the age of 16 and 94 days. Poole’s performances soon had Premier League scouts flocking to Rodney Parade and he eventually headed for Old Trafford for a £100,000 fee, with attached add-ons taking it to a potential £500,000. “I was at such a young age when the move came about,” said Poole. “It was such a shock, but it was something I had to do. I look back on my time there and they improved me so much as a person and as a player. “I don’t regret it in a way because I had to do it. I loved my time there and I think it’s showing now how much they improved me. “I was training with such good players and that’s shown in my career.” On his brief time as a United first-team player, Poole added: “That’s something I look back on with great pride. “I know it was only one game but I can say that I played for Manchester United and not many people can say that. So I look back on that and think ‘well done’. “Marcus scored two in that game and then I came on late. He was a good friend of mine at the time and he’s gone on to do such great things.” Poole is determined to play at the top level again and believes that is possible at Portsmouth. He said: “I’m loving it down there. We’ve started so brightly and we’re looking for promotion. “We’re trying to get the football club back to where it belongs. Why can’t we do it at Portsmouth? “Ipswich are doing really well (in the Championship after going up from League One last season) and if we can get promoted, why not? “Portsmouth is a Premier League football club and should never be in League One. “I believe I can play in the Premier League. If you don’t think that, you’re in the wrong sport.” Read More Talking points as Marseille and Paris prepare to host World Cup quarter-finals Conor Murray says New Zealand-born trio ‘so important’ to Ireland World Cup bid Dan Biggar and Liam Williams fit for Wales’ quarter-final against Argentina 5 Wales’ World Cup quarter-finals as Warren Gatland’s side gear up to face Pumas 5 memorable meetings between Wales and Argentina Ireland’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final hoodoo
2023-10-12 19:16
Christopher Nkunku explains what he will bring to Chelsea
Christopher Nkunku explains what he will offer Chelsea fans after sealing his move from RB Leipzig.
2023-06-23 23:47
3 budding bench players who already deserve to be NBA starters
Anytime one of these three players comes in off the bench, they find ways to impact the game immediately and have made a case that they should be NBA starters.
2023-11-15 22:55
Playoff-bound Twins hit 3 homers in 7-6 victory over Rockies
Ryan Jeffers had three hits, including one of three Minnesota home runs, and Michael A
2023-09-30 11:54
Harry Kane on the bench for Bayern Munich against Leipzig in the German Super Cup
England captain Harry Kane could make a quick debut for Bayern Munich against Leipzig in the German Super Cup after he was named on the bench
2023-08-13 02:29
Quarterback uncertainty complicates No. 14 Utah's quest for third straight Pac-12 title
Utah has a shot to make a little history entering its final Pac-12 season
2023-08-18 05:45
Daley Blind admits interest in returning to Man Utd
Daley Blind has spoken about being interested in returning to Manchester United to reunite with Erik ten Hag after leaving Ajax.
2023-06-20 19:56
Muhammad Ali’s ‘comedy’ fight shows why Fury vs Ngannou isn’t the joke you think it is
Many in the Muhammad Ali business believe that the boxer never fully recovered from his comedy fight with a wrestler in Tokyo. It was the summer of 1976; Ali was the world heavyweight champion, and some men in Japan came up with a financial package for Ali to meet renowned wrestler, Antonio Inoki. It was scheduled for 15 rounds of three minutes, and it was for the ‘heavyweight martial arts championship of the world’ belt. Sound familiar? It was, trust me, not the joke you thought it was. For a start, it was meant to be a fix, a rigged encounter with blood, comedy, action and a classic wrestling twist. Ali got wind of the fix and refused to attend rehearsals. The plan was simple: Ali would beat Inoki senseless for six or seven rounds, the wrestler was prepared to cut himself with razor blades and then, because of all the blood, it would be stopped in Ali’s favour. At that point, with Ali’s hand raised and 20,000 Japanese fans howling, Inoki was meant to jump on Ali’s back and pin him. Glorious stuff – Ali rejected it. It came at a crucial time in Ali’s career. He had just stopped Richard Dunn in Munich to retain his heavyweight title; Dunn was dropped repeatedly, and they were the last knockdowns Ali ever scored. He fought seven more times, in six world title fights, but never dropped another man. He met men like Ken Norton, Leon Spinks, Larry Holmes and Earnie Shavers in that period; everybody in the Ali business came to regret each awful fight during that time. The hidden injuries from the Inoki farce added to the decline. The Inoki circus was conceived and sold as a safe way to make $6million and not get hurt; neither thing happened. At a ‘contract-signing’ event the night before, which was available to fans at a price, they agreed it would be winner-takes-all. Ali also had four suites and 31 rooms at the best hotel in Tokyo; this was not a joke. “I can’t let boxing down,” Ali said before the fight. “He’s not used to taking hard shots to the head. The moment I go upside his head, it’s over.” Ali’s assessment is true, but the rules were not made clear. Inoki dropped to his back and chased Ali for 15 rounds from that position on the canvas. In total, Ali threw six punches and connected twice; it was repetitive and dull, with Inoki on his back kicking out at Ali. At the end, it was declared a draw. There was no grandstand wrestling moment and there had certainly not been a single quality moment of boxing. Ali’s legs were cut, bleeding and damaged from Inoki’s hard wrestling boots and the dozens of kicks he had sustained. It was the eyelets on the boots that caused the superficial damage; the real damage was hidden as ruptured blood vessels formed. Ali was told to rest the leg and get it treated before leaving Tokyo, but he had commitments in Korea and Malaysia; when he got back to America, he was hospitalised with blood clots and muscle damage. His left leg remained damaged until the end of his boxing career. Ali finished with about $2.2m dollars for the event; Inoki had been guaranteed $2m, but was paid just a fraction of that total. In Tokyo, in that ring, nobody won. It would be funny if the martial arts championship of the world belt was found and given to Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia in October. That would be cool. Incidentally, the fight was being shown all over the world on closed-circuit screens. In New York, outdoors at Shea Stadium, it was part of the night when Chuck Wepner, the inspiration for Rocky, met Andre the Giant in a wrestling ring. The Ali and Inoki fight was shown on big screens. What a time to be a fan. Anyway, back in 1976, Ali limped on, fighting from memory for too many people and for far too long, and Inoki, well, he became a genuine mixed martial arts pioneer and icon. The big lad was in front of all curves. Inoki died last year and fought for the last time in 1998 when he was close to 60. The man who busted Ali’s legs was far more than just a novelty act on the wrestling circuit. Read More Why Fury vs Ngannou may tarnish the Gypsy King’s legacy forever ‘Nonsense’: Anthony Joshua reacts to Fury vs Ngannou fight announcement Francis Ngannou to earn more in Tyson Fury fight than entire UFC career, says rep Why Fury vs Ngannou may tarnish the Gypsy King’s legacy forever The Independent’s pound-for-pound boxing rankings Don’t be fooled by Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte’s calm reunion
2023-07-17 16:53
Bijan Robinson hypes up Falcons' defense with chip on their shoulder
If Bijan Robinson and the Atlanta Falcons get some lift from their defense, this up-and-coming team could really take flight this fall.While there are plenty of positive things to say about Bijan Robinson and the Atlanta Falcons' ground-centric offense, the defense could be sneaky-good this...
2023-07-16 05:27
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