
Standing out in the crowd - a Pakistan fan at India's World Cup
He has survived a heart attack, suffers from diabetes and has just travelled more than 8,200 miles (13,300km)...
2023-10-06 19:58

Bruno Fernandes tells Andre Onana to stop blaming himself for Man Utd defeat
Bruno Fernandes threw his support behind Andre Onana and told the devastated Manchester United goalkeeper to stop blaming himself for the Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich. Having been beaten in three of their first five matches for the first time in the Premier League era, the Red Devils’ return to European football’s top table ended in a 4-3 loss on Wednesday night. Erik ten Hag’s men started the Group A opener surprisingly well at the Allianz Arena, only for summer signing Onana to somehow let a low Leroy Sane shot squirm home. The 27-year-old buried his head in the turf and was consoled by team-mates, later saying he “let the team down” and that United “didn’t win today, it’s because of me”. “It’s not about Andre,” United skipper Fernandes said. “Andre is a great goalkeeper. “He will keep giving us a lot of points, a lot of saves. He hasn’t to take any blame for nothing. “We have to take the blame as a team, that we’re going to go through this moment together because we are strong as a team.” Onana’s gaffe was swiftly followed by a Serge Gnabry strike, with Harry Kane then scoring a penalty straight after Rasmus Hojlund had pulled one back early in the second half. The match came to a hectic conclusion, with Casemiro scoring either side of Mathys Tel’s stoppage-time strike as United showed spirit but ultimately lost for a fourth time in five matches. “I think what everyone has to do is to do their own job and look at themselves first,” Fernandes said in the bowels of the Allianz Arena. “That’s what I do as a player, not as a captain – as a person and first point. “I think everyone does that and I think today it wasn’t the case that not everyone was doing the best for the team or trying to fight for getting the result. I think everyone did that. “It’s just the momentum and against big teams, as I said, when you give a lot of chances to them, they’re going to hurt you. “Even then they give us some chances and we scored three goals, so I think no-one would expect us to come into Bayern and score three goals. “I don’t think anyone outside of us would expect us to fight for the result in trying to get something from the game. “But I think the team did. Obviously it wasn’t enough but we’re not playing against some bad team. “We were playing one of the best teams in the world, with great players, with great qualities. “Obviously it’s not the best moment for us but we will get through this and we will get the results back.” United stayed in Germany following the Group A opener and are training before flying back as preparations step up for Saturday evening’s key trip to Burnley. Ten Hag will be hoping to have more options to choose from at Turf Moor, having headed to Bayern without nine injured players. “Obviously, we want to have everyone back because we know that as many players we have available, the team will be stronger,” Fernandes said. “And obviously more options for the manager to do his choices and whatever his tactics, the first 11 or whatever he picks. “But obviously, still, we have the players and we have enough experience and enough talent in the team to get through this moment even with all the players. “Obviously now I think some of them probably will come back earlier and will lift the team because we have quality players injured. “But it’s about the ones that are now playing, giving something to get the result and that’s it. “We can’t rely now on the injuries and everything. “We know it’s tough and you need to get through that because you can’t control (it). “But I think the team has players (good) enough to get a response.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Son Heung-min believes Arsenal should fear in-form Tottenham Ryder Cup by the numbers On This Day in 2008 – United States end European dominance with Ryder Cup win
2023-09-21 17:15

England ready to handle expectations at Euro 2024, says Southgate
England manager Gareth Southgate said he was confident his side could handle the expectations that come with being one of the favourites to win Euro 2024 after they were given a...
2023-12-03 04:45

NBA rumors: NBA insider refutes latest rumors on Kyrie Irving free agency
After reporting about the Suns hosting Kyrie Irving on a free agent visit emerged, a Suns insider called the rumor "absurd."According to John Gambadoro, the Suns are not going to meet with Kyrie Irving for a serious free-agency meeting. This came after a previous report from Chris Hayn...
2023-06-30 09:55

Women’s football sees ‘wild’ record transfer spending ahead of new WSL season
As the women’s game in England continues to grow, so do transfer fees with one Women’s Super League manager describing this summer’s window as “wild” following plenty of big spending. Fifa reported three million US dollars (£2.4m) was spent during the 2023 mid-year transfer window, which was double the amount (£983,000) that women’s clubs outlay across the globe in 2022. While the spending in women’s football is far behind the sums chucked around in the men’s game, the past 12 months in particular has seen spending rise rapidly as more funds are used following a golden period for the Lionesses. The success of Sarina Wiegman’s team at the Euros and this summer’s World Cup has contributed towards the WSL going from strength to strength, with clubs from the division involved in eight of the top-10 transfers in the world. Four of the biggest signings in women’s football occurred this summer with Arsenalreportedly spending more than £300k to sign Australian Kyra Cooney-Cross from Hammarby on transfer deadline day and title rivals Manchester City bringing in Jill Roord from Wolfsburg for a similar amount. Keira Walsh’s £400k move from City to Barcelona last summer remains the record transfer in women’s football, but Arsenal threatened to break that in January when they launched an ambitious attempt to prize away Alessia Russo from Manchester United. United stood strong and turned down a bid close to the £500k mark, but forward Russo signed on a free for Arsenal this summer anyway, with the Gunners not content there and adding World Cup star Cooney-Cross into the mix before they conceded defeat in a pursuit of England goalkeeper Mary Earps. “This has been by far the strongest window for WSL as a league that I have ever experienced,” Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall said. Eidevall is not alone in that assessment and, while City were happy just to bring in Roord, the other members of the big four flexed their muscles. The Red Devils made four signings on transfer deadline day alone, bringing in World Cup golden boot winner Hinata Miyazawa and they shelled out around £250k on Brazil forward Geyse from Barcelona. Chelsea raided France for Ashley Lawrence and Catarina Macario from Paris St Germain and Lyon respectively. Meanwhile, forward Mia Fishel signed from Tigres for in excess of £150k to boost a squad full of stars with Emma Hayes’ side eager to take the final step in the Champions League. Liverpool manager Matt Beard admitted: “You just look at Chelsea’s transfer window and it’s ridiculous. They will have players in there who won’t even be named in their 25-player squad. “We’re still a way from the top teams in regards to expenditure. You just need to look at the Alessia Russo deal and Arsenal looking to spend another record fee on Mary Earps etc. There is still a big gap.” It would be inaccurate to state only the big four were spending in the WSL, though after Tottenham showed their ambition - and fear of relegation - when they parted with £250k to sign Bethany England from Chelsea in January. England immediately flourished, which meant Spurs’ gamble to sign a player for a British record fee paid off after they avoided relegation. The £250k transfer remains the highest between WSL clubs but the other mid-table teams have enjoyed productive summers with Leicester making Janina Leitzig’s move from Bayern Munich permanent. Liverpool broke their club record to bring in forward Sophie Roman Haug, while Brighton convinced two-time Champions League winner Pauline Bremer to swap Wolfsburg for the south coast and Everton made several signings after losing Gabby George to Manchester United in a £150k deadline-day deal. Managerial changes at Tottenham and West Ham saw both make some shrewd additions and newly-promoted Bristol City opted for quantity over quality. Perhaps the winners of the transfer window were Aston Villa, who purchased Ebony Salmon, Adriana Leon and Netherlands stopper Daphne Van Domselaar alongside keeping Rachel Daly. However, Villa boss Carla Ward remains perplexed by the numbers being discussed this summer, even if it shows little sign of slowing. “It’s wild. If you think about a few years ago when players were paying to play and now one transfer of Bethany England going for £250k has inflated everyone’s prices,” Ward explained. “We need to continue to grow off the pitch and transfer fees have to be in line with that. “Some of the transfer fees branded around this summer were quite ridiculous. We got offered a crazy amount for one of our players. “You have gone from your £50k, £60k or £100k bands, to £400k for Keira Walsh which for me is OK because she’s the best midfielder in the world. “But when you’re talking about £400k or £500k for players not at that level, it’s mind-blowing.” Baroness Sue Campbell, the FA director of women’s football, promised some future limits on spending. She said: “The club’s themselves have agreed that we need some cost controls because otherwise, all the money that comes in, ends up getting spent on salaries. “The women’s game requires a lot more investment in infrastructure, a lot more investment in other things.” PA Read More Changes on and off the pitch as a new era approaches for Women’s Super League Aston Villa women ‘dreading’ WSL opener due to ‘wet kit’ design error 5 Women’s Super League players to look out for this season Changes on and off the pitch as a new era approaches for Women’s Super League 5 Women’s Super League players to look out for this season Man City become first WSL club to announce stadium naming rights deal
2023-09-28 19:16

Definitely not – Gary O’Neil won’t let Bournemouth rest after securing survival
Bournemouth manager Gary O’Neil has challenged his side to continue pushing for points ahead of Saturday’s clash with Manchester United. Despite being in the mix for relegation for most of the season, the Cherries secured Premier League survival last weekend and they now sit 14th in the table with 39 points. Their survival bid saw them pick up some vital wins, including memorable victories against Tottenham and Liverpool. They now face a tricky test against a United side pushing for Champions League football, but O’Neil believes the game offers a perfect opportunity for his team to respond to last weekend’s 2-0 defeat by Crystal Palace. He told a pre-match press conference: “We’ve lost our last two games so 39 points is a good tally, but it was better two weeks ago so we’ve been stuck on it for a couple of weeks. “We set ourselves a goal and we’ve achieved it, but does that mean that we’re just happy to just stop, park up and finish on 39 points? Definitely not. “Last weekend was a good reminder that if you drop your level a little bit, it can look like a lot at this level; the Premier League is ruthless. “We’re looking for a response from last weekend and Manchester United at home is a great fixture for the boys to go and show what they can do. “We’ve got full focus on Manchester United, we’ve managed to get some good work done on preparing for what is going to be a very tough game against a good side that are still pushing hard to make sure they qualify for the Champions League. “It’ll be a good test for us tomorrow.” Jefferson Lerma could be involved on Saturday and is expected to wear protection after breaking his nose against Crystal Palace, while Hamed Traore is still ruled out. O’Neil also confirmed that Antoine Semenyo has undergone surgery to a shin injury and is hoping for a “speedy recovery” ahead of pre-season. “Antoine has had surgery so he will be out until next season,” O’Neil said. “We’re hopeful he gets back and can have a decent little spell with the team before the season starts but it will depend on how quickly he recovers. “Everything went well and we’re hoping he has a speedy recovery because he can be a big help again for us next season.”
2023-05-19 22:53

French Open day 9: Who said what
Who said what on the ninth day of the 2023 French Open at Roland...
2023-06-06 03:46

MLB standings based on attendance growth from last year
If only MLB standings could reward the best fanbases in the sport. Well, in this case, we can.As the Tampa Bay Rays and Atlanta Braves lap the field in their respective leagues (American League and National League), we'll take a slightly different look at the MLB standings.For one, thro...
2023-06-26 23:27

Running back Aaron Jones getting more vocal as he helps lead young Packers offense
Aaron Jones doesn’t buy the notion that the lack of experience on the Green Bay Packers’ offense will result in diminished production
2023-07-28 07:22

China claim record 13th Sudirman Cup badminton title
China claimed a record 13th Sudirman Cup title on Sunday, defeating South Korea on home soil at the first major sporting event in the country...
2023-05-21 18:22

Paul Pogba emerges as major target for Saudi Pro League
Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is the latest big-name target for the Saudi Arabia Pro League. Karim Benzema has already joined Cristiano Ronaldo and N'Golo Kante is set to join At Ittihad in the coming days.
2023-06-09 22:28

Cubs Rumors: Latest Ohtani buzz, Pete Alonso Plan B, cutting major ties
Cubs rumors circulate as free agency starts. Will the Chicago Cubs lure Shohei Ohtani? Is Rhys Hoskins their next 1B? Will Chicago lose a key starter?
2023-11-14 06:47
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