Four takeaways from Real Madrid's thrilling Champions League win over Napoli
Four takeaways and analysis of Real Madrid's 3-2 win over Napoli in the Champions League, inspired by another superb performance from Jude Bellingham.
2023-10-04 22:17
3 Twins who can keep Minnesota alive in ALDS with Game 4 performances
The Minnesota Twins are now one game away from elimination after a loss to the Houston Astros on Tuesday. These players can keep the ALDS alive in Game 4 though.
2023-10-11 09:20
Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek score in third to lift Wild over Islanders 4-2
Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek scored on consecutive shots in the third period Tuesday night, lifting the Minnesota Wild to a 4-2 win over the New York Islanders
2023-11-08 11:54
China's Wang into US Open last 16
China's Wang Xinyu stormed into the last 16 of a Grand Slam championship for the first time on Friday, booking her place in the fourth round with a three-set...
2023-09-02 01:46
England Under-21s claim Euros glory thanks to last-gasp penalty save
James Trafford saved a stoppage-time penalty to earn England European Under-21 Championship glory for the first time in 39 years as they edged past Spain. The Burnley goalkeeper repelled Abel Ruiz’s spot-kick, awarded after a VAR review in the sixth minute of added time, and then kept out substitute Aimar Oroz’s follow-up at the end of a pulsating contest at the Batumi Arena in Georgia. In the process, he became the first man to keep six clean sheets at the finals to help his side claim glory courtesy of a 1-0 victory, having not conceded a single goal at the tournament. Liverpool Curtis Jones’ had earlier given England, playing in front of senior boss Gareth Southgate, the lead in first-half stoppage time when he deflected Cole Palmer’s free-kick past keeper Arnau Tenas. A third title and a first since 1984 was delivered on a dramatic evening in Georgia which saw England coach Ashley Cole and one of his Spanish counterparts, as well as substituted midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White and Spain’s Antonio Blanco, sent off on the sidelines. Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon made his presence felt early on, cutting inside from Emile Smith Rowe’s pass to force Tenas into a fifth-minute save, with Palmer unable to convert the rebound, then turning smartly and crossing unselfishly to hand Gibbs-White a tap-in, had it not been for defender Jon Pacheco’s intervention. The Spanish response was concerted as Manchester City’s Sergio Gomez and Braga striker Ruiz brought their influence to bear. Trafford was sent sprawling across his goal by Alex Baena’s 16th-minute strike before defender Aitor Paredes glanced Gomez’s corner across goal, with Ruiz unable to reach the ball before it ran out of play. England, who had been guilty of repeatedly surrendered possession cheaply, started to fire, Palmer warming Tenas’ hands with a well-struck 25-yard drive and defender Levi Colwill heading Palmer’s free-kick against a post with the keeper beaten. But the Manchester City man played a key role as the deadlock was broken on the stroke of half-time. After Palmer had been tripped by club-mate Gomez, Jones, making a nuisance of himself in front of the defensive wall, unwittingly deflected his free-kick past the helpless Tenas. Colwill and Oihan Sancet were booked and England coach Cole and one of his Spanish counterparts sent off amid a melee in the wake of the goal, but the former Arsenal and Chelsea full-back’s side led at the break. Ruiz thought he had levelled within six minutes of the restart, but his bullet header from a Gomez free-kick was correctly ruled offside, although England looked rattled with Spain making a big push in the early stages of the half. However, they rallied and, with full-back Max Aarons providing another outlet down the left, began the threaten once again and Gibbs-White might have done better from Gordon’s 64th-minute pull-back, with the Spanish stretched. Tenas kept Spain in it by clawing away Jones’ attempt at the end of a pacy break seconds later and Ruiz should have levelled when he got his head to to Gomez’s 68th-minute cross, but missed the target by inches. But as the clock ticked towards the 96th minute, Norwegian referee Espen Eskas was advised to take a second look at Colwill’s challenge on Ruiz and ultimately pointed to the spot, but Trafford’s heroics sparked wild English celebrations. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Mark Cavendish’s Tour de France record attempt ends with stage eight crash Blink and it’s over – Aryna Sabalenka races into fourth round at Wimbledon Carlos Alcaraz made to work hard for place in fourth round at Wimbledon
2023-07-09 02:50
Sean Payton has at least met one of the Broncos' goals: make fans forget all about Nathaniel Hackett
Coach Sean Payton contemplated not even showing the game film to his team from the Denver Broncos' breathtaking 70-20 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday
2023-09-26 05:48
Wimbledon boosts security over climate protest fears
Wimbledon chiefs have tightened security over fears that climate activists could disrupt matches at the All England Club following high-profile...
2023-07-03 19:26
Lewis Hamilton to start sprint race from 18th at Austrian Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton will start Saturday’s sprint race at the Austrian Grand Prix from a lowly 18th. Hamilton was eliminated in the opening phase of the sprint shootout on Saturday in Spielberg after he had three laps deleted for exceeding track limits. “That was really bad time usage,” said Hamilton over the radio. “Am I out?” “Yes we are,” replied his race engineer Pete Bonnington. Hamilton had been leading the way in Q1 before he had a hat-trick of laps chalked off by race director Niels Wittich for running all four wheels of his Mercedes over the white line at the final bend. Hamilton tumbled down the order and was knocked out at the first hurdle of qualifying for only the second time in the last six years. Today’s 23-lap sprint race takes place at 4:30pm local time (3:30 BST).
2023-07-01 19:20
Unai Emery demands consistency from Aston Villa after victory over Fulham
Unai Emery stressed the importance of Aston Villa remaining consistent as the season goes on after the 3-1 win over Fulham. The result at Villa Park saw the midlands outfit make it six wins out of six at home in the Premier League this season and equal the post-war club record for successive top-flight home victories, matching the 13 in a row achieved in 1983. Boss Emery, whose fifth-placed side are a point outside the top four, said: “We are now (on league match) 12 – there are still 26 matches to play. “It’s a lot and of course to be consistent is the most important thing, when you are trying to build and to create a team and a structure and mentality. “It’s the reason of course we can maintain the position like we are now, but it’s going to be very difficult and a challenge. We are going to face each match trying to focus (on) it. “Now we are in the top five, it’s I think a moment to enjoy, to be happy – and to try to analyse, even now winning, how we can improve, how we can keep being consistent.” Marking a return to winning ways in the league after last Sunday’s 2-0 loss at Nottingham Forest, this result was a second home triumph in four days for Villa, with Emery’s men having defeated AZ Alkmaar 2-1 in the Europa Conference League on Thursday to leave them on the brink of qualifying from their group. They were two up at the break against Fulham following an Antonee Robinson own-goal and a 42nd-minute strike from skipper John McGinn, while Ollie Watkins subsequently added a third in the 64th minute for his 11th goal of the season in all competitions. Raul Jimenez, who had seen a shot tipped against a post by Emiliano Martinez early in the second half, pulled a goal back for the visitors in the 70th minute – the former Wolves man’s first Premier League goal since March 2022. Emery said: “At home, we are feeling very good here. We are connected with our supporters, trying to (have) full, positive energy, and… in each circumstance we are trying to adapt, improving the team, the players, our tactical work. I think it is going well. “Here, for example, I think the first half was a very good first half. We created chances, but overall we controlled the game, avoiding the transition. It was fantastic. “The second half was more hard. They scored one goal, had chances and were trying to work, thinking about the possibility to come back, and we avoided it.” Villa resume after the international break with away games against Tottenham and Bournemouth, either side of a Europa Conference League home match against Legia Warsaw, and then host Manchester City and Arsenal in the league. Emery added: “Of course I am happy and I can take my days off as well relaxing with the result we had, with the moment we are now in the table, and in the Conference (League) as well. “But I know full well each match is a new challenge, and I am going to take some days resting, but of course my mind is in Tottenham, and in Bournemouth, and in Legia Warsaw, and in Villa Park again with Manchester City and Arsenal.” Read More Jurgen Klopp hits out at lunchtime scheduling of Liverpool-Man City clash I don’t like English referees – Roberto De Zerbi unhappy after Brighton held We’ve just thrown it away – Steve Cooper frustrated as Forest lose at West Ham Katie Boulter and Harriet Dart lead Britain to Billie Jean King Cup win over Sweden Brighton gift draw to Sheffield United after own goal and red card Aston Villa equal club-record home winning run by sweeping aside Fulham
2023-11-13 02:18
Who is Adrian Griffin? Everything to know about the Bucks new head coach
The Milwaukee Bucks are going to hire Adrian Griffin. Here's everything to know about the new head coach of the team.Nick Nurse backed out of the race, and the Milwaukee Bucks were down to Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson and Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin. They quickly moved toward Grif...
2023-05-28 02:57
Sarina Wiegman’s brave England switch solves key Women’s World Cup problem
Rip it up and start again: if Keira Walsh’s injury spelled the end of something at the Women’s World Cup, it only did for England’s starting formation. Against China, Sarina Wiegman made her most dramatic change as Lionesses manager yet, switching to a 3-5-2 system to counter the blow of losing their key midfielder. In doing so, Wiegman unlocked England’s best performance of not just this World Cup, but in months. The Lionesses looked like themselves again, and while England’s 6-1 win against China made sure of their progress to the last-16 as Group D winners, as much focus will be on how Wiegman has recalibrated and recharged her side ahead of the knockout stages. After two 1-0 wins over Haiti and Denmark there was an element of danger coming into the decider, but from the opening moments the tempo and fluidity of England’s performance erased doubts. England have done so while veering drastically from the course they set at the Euros, where Wiegman named the same starting line-up in all six matches. But this is a new tournament and England are facing a very different challenge, which Wiegman has reacted to decisively. Wiegman could have chosen the easy option, to bring in Laura Coombs for Walsh and stick with England’s 4-3-3. Instead, Wiegman’s tweak has sparked England into life. From looking slow and predictable in their opening game, England carried threat from all areas against China: Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly, wing-backs who played as wingers, stretched China out of shape, allowing space for Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp to create havoc down the channels. The back three of Jess Carter, Millie Bright and Alex Greenwood compensated for the loss of Walsh in England’s build-up play, with Georgia Stanway and Katie Zelem, starting for the first time at the World Cup, creating a box midfield in front. It all unlocked room for Lauren James, who didn’t even start England’s opening game but is now so central to everything they do. To almost illustrate that, James was shifted inside to No 10, given the freedom to drift and pick up the ball where she could cause the most danger. James, who is quickly becoming England’s most important player at the World Cup, sparkled again, displaying the confidence of a player who knows she has been given the stage to become one of the stars of the tournament. But to do so, James also needs a structure that suits her, and Wiegman has landed upon a formation and line-up that does that for not just her, but for every other player in the team. Bright looked exposed in a back four when England faced transitions, but had excellent cover when alongside both Carter and Greenwood. Russo has gone from being isolated to having more options around her, and the sheer speed of Hemp is now able to play off her shoulder. Stanway did not have sole responsibility to screen England’s defence, with Zelem providing balance alongside her. Wiegman could not replace Walsh, but they could recreate her control. Even without their metronome, England still dominated the ball, particularly in the first half when the game was live and the Lionesses played at their highest intensity. To add to the possession, England’s shape gave them penetration and pace, with movement and rotation. The 3-5-2 seemed to give every player another option. That isn’t to say this will be England’s plan for the rest of the tournament. From being able to predict Wiegman’s selection last summer, the Lionesses have shown they are prepared to change for their approach with the opposition in mind. China were a side who were always going to sit deep with two blocks of four, so England looked to pull them apart. It could be different against Nigeria in the last-16, given the threat of Asisat Oshoala and wingers like Uchenna Kanu who stay high and wide. But from the blow of losing Walsh, England now have confidence that will elevate any system that Wiegman selects against Nigeria: Russo, Hemp, Daly and Chloe Kelly all scored, further lifting the mood in the camp and adding to several other impressive performances. World Cups and major tournaments are all about the journey - yet, even as the Lionesses comfortably progressed to the knockout stages as group winners, no one expected it to unfold quite like this, or is able to predict what comes next. Read More England vs China LIVE: Women’s World Cup latest score as Lionesses shine in Adelaide When do England play next? Women’s World Cup fixtures and route to the final Why was Lauren James goal against China controversially disallowed?
2023-08-01 21:19
Talking points from the 2023 Tour de France
The curtain came down on a tough and chaotic Tour de France won by Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard in Paris on Sunday after a...
2023-07-24 02:23
You Might Like...
NHL Mock Draft: Connor Bedard No. 1, but who's next?
Is Andrew Tate a fan of David Beckham? Cobra once dubbed Manchester United legend as ‘G of the week’
Newcastle fire back after assistant manager Jason Tindall goes viral
Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City & Newcastle hold talks over Gabri Veiga
The history of Rasmus Hojlund's new Man Utd shirt number
Michigan vs. Iowa: Date, time, location and how to watch Big Ten Championship Game
Koepka takes a shot at Rahm's behavior after tough Ryder Cup day
Japan and its fans praised on social media for tidying dressing room and stands at Women's World Cup
