David Beckham: Inter Miami will create 'special memories' with Lionel Messi
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham couldn't contain his excitement at Messi's unveiling Sunday night.
2023-07-19 04:58
Barcelona open to offers for Ansu Fati plus Xavi's plans for Ferran Torres
Barcelona remain open to offers for wide forward Ansu Fati, while Ferran Torres has played his way back into Xavi Hernandez's plans in recent weeks.
2023-08-29 21:52
Liverpool leave it late to come from behind and beat Wolves
Liverpool’s late show fired Jurgen Klopp’s men to a 3-1 comeback win at Wolves. Andrew Robertson and Hugo Bueno’s own goal saw the Reds escape Molineux with a victory which looked unlikely at half-time. Hwang Hee-Chan’s early opener gave Wolves the lead as the hosts dominated and only a woeful miss by Matheus Cunha stopped them going further ahead. Liverpool were wretched in the first half but slowly improved, levelling through Cody Gakpo before breaking Wolves’ resistance with four minutes left for a third comeback win of the season. Boss Klopp had unloaded a new blast at the fixture schedule ahead of the early kick-off and his mood would have darkened just seven minutes in. Vibrant Wolves had already begun to stretch Liverpool before they broke at pace from the edge of their own area. Cunha sent Pedro Neto scampering down the left and the forward glided past the flimsy Dominik Szoboszlai and Joel Matip. He had little support but rolled the ball across the front of goal for Hwang to slide in at the far post as Alisson failed to make the ground. Manager Gary O’Neil promised Wolves had a plan to be aggressive and they continued to press with debutant Jean-Ricner Bellegarde a bustling presence, in contrast to the sloppy £60m Szoboszlai. Neto was a constant menace, steering over Nelson Semedo’s cross before firing wide from 20 yards, with Liverpool shellshocked and unable to find rhythm. If Klopp, who patrolled his technical area with typical gusto, expected a response he was found wanting. Gakpo was anonymous, Mo Salah timid and Diego Jota wasted their only opening of the half, firing over from 15 yards. While masterminding Bournemouth’s escape from relegation last season, O’Neil oversaw a 1-0 win against Liverpool and the boss believes the Reds will challenge for the title again. After three wins from their opening four games, he expected to see an improved Liverpool at Molineux yet for spells it was one-way traffic as Wolves dominated and should have doubled their lead after 33 minutes. Again Neto was the architect, bamboozling Joe Gomez to cross for an unmarked Cunha, only for the striker to completely mistime his header from five yards to let Liverpool off the hook. It was a glaring miss but the pedestrian Reds were unable to take immediate advantage, Gakpo slicing wide and nodding over. There was, at least, a small spark from Liverpool before the break when Jose Sa spilled Jota’s cross to Salah, whose shot was blocked, with Sa then saving Szoboszlai’s follow up. The fear for Wolves was Liverpool would not be that passive in the second half and Klopp responded by introducing Luis Diaz for Alexis Mac Allister. It almost paid off immediately when the forward headed Robertson’s cross inches wide 90 seconds after the re-start – and the visitors levelled 10 minutes later. Wolves were unable to rob Diaz and Gakpo on the edge of the box, with the ball eventually rolling for Salah to cross low for Gakpo to tap in from close range. It was the striker’s final touch, Darwin Nunez replacing him, while Wolves’ good work was in the process of being completely undone. From being in charge, the hosts had their backs to the wall and only a last-ditch block from Max Kilman stopped Nunez snatching the lead. Yet the Reds struck with four minutes left after Sa gifted them a second. The goalkeeper’s poor clearance was collected by Robertson mid-way inside the Wolves half. He advanced to dart into the area, swapped passes with Salah and finish under Sa. There was still time for a third in stoppage time when Elliott’s 20-yard drive clipped Bueno to wrongfoot Sa and roll in off the post. Read More Who is Jarell Quansah? The Liverpool ‘phenomenon’ making a first Premier League start Wolves vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League latest updates Remembering former Wales great Gary Speed – Friday’s sporting social What Mohamed Salah’s dressing room speech says about Liverpool future Jurgen Klopp gives update on Mohamed Salah Saudi Arabia transfer As Saudi clubs prepare world-record bid, Mo Salah shows his true value to Liverpool
2023-09-16 22:15
3 Chicago Bears who need to be benched or fired amid Week 2 chaos
The Chicago Bears are a complete mess. Justin Fields called out the coaching staff, and injuries are abound. Yet, some players are more to blame than others.
2023-09-21 03:25
Eddie Nketiah ready to make “own story” for Gareth Southgate’s England in upcoming internationals
Eddie Nketiah insists he never felt that his chance to represent England had passed him, by even after Arsenal team-mates Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe got the jump on him on the international stage. The 24-year-old, England’s all-time record goalscorer at Under-21 level, received his first senior call-up for the upcoming games against Ukraine and Scotland but is now ready to make his “own story” with Gareth Southgate’s side. Nketiah made his Arsenal debut six years ago and last turned out for the Under-21s in 2021. He has scored 34 goals in 136 games for the Gunners, starting with a memorable home debut off the bench against Norwich - scoring a brace to secure victory in an EFL Cup tie. Despite bursting onto the scene, Nketiah’s options were limited to the lesser cup competitions and a disappointing loan spell at Leeds in the Sky Bet Championship was seen as another setback. All the while, Saka and Smith Rowe were emerging as the next precocious academy talent off the Hale End production line - the former now a firm favourite of England boss Gareth Southgate. Asked if he was concerned he may have missed his own international opportunity, Nketiah replied: “I’m still young. “Everyone’s journey is different. In this day and age everyone needs to focus on their own story and their own journey, not look at anyone else’s. Our career paths have been totally different. We’ve had different opportunities at different times. “I’ve always been someone who’s trusted in God, trust in myself, believe in the process step by step. It might not always happen exactly when you want it but if you keep putting in the work and doing the right things it will come. “I am playing for a great club and a big club at Arsenal. These tough games will be a different and new experience but it is about doing as well as I can, showing my quality this week, and hopefully getting an opportunity to go out there and help the team. “I think I am a much better player now than I was two or three years ago. It is really nice and I am coming in at a good time. “I feel confident and I feel ready to continue to improve - that is the thing, I’m still young and humble enough to know I am not the finished article. “Coming away with these players and being able to show my quality and learn from them is really good for me and (to) continue to take those steps in my career.” Nketiah could have opted to switch allegiances, with Ghana - the birthplace of his parents - putting feelers out to attract him to play for the Black Stars. But, once the England call came, the former Chelsea youngster knew he had made the right decision. He added: “I think obviously both sides were always an option. “I think naturally coming through the academy at England, you have the aspiration to play here and once the call-up was there and the offer was on the table it was really hard to turn down, something which I felt was a natural progression for myself at this stage. “I felt now was a good time to make that step so obviously I’m really happy to be here and proud to be here. Hopefully I can go on and help the team this week and get some caps.” Read More Premier League playing time for England-qualified players drops again Jack Grealish and Trent Alexander-Arnold ruled out of upcoming England fixtures Lewis Hall among three England Under-20 players to train with senior squad Premier League playing time for England-qualified players drops again Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus hopes he has seen the last of knee niggles Mikel Arteta hails Eddie Nketiah’s fight to play for England after first call-up
2023-09-06 02:19
Rasmus Hojlund hints at bright future with integral display against Copenhagen
It is a path less travelled, let alone as quickly, a journey from FC Copenhagen to Sturm Graz, Atalanta to Manchester United, all before his 21st birthday. It was the culmination of an ambition, too, for a boyhood United fan, the realisation of a dream. And yet there were points in a reunion where Rasmus Hojlund could be forgiven for wondering if he had been better off staying put. Not financially, admittedly, with the rewards that come with a £72m price tag, but from a footballing perspective. The more coherent team were Copenhagen, the low-budget overachievers seeming to have more of a plan than the high-budget overachievers but it was tempting to think that if the Danish champions could still call upon their most valuable old boy, they would have won at Old Trafford. Instead, United were victorious, aided by a telling intervention by a Dane. It wasn’t Hojlund, though that is no criticism: there are times when he is the brightest of United’s front three simply a process of excellence but here, as against Galatasaray, it was a consequence of excellence. But it was his compatriot Christian Eriksen who curled in a cross that Harry Maguire converted. Which, along with Andre Onana’s 97th-minute penalty save from Jordan Larsson, averted indignity. Which a draw would have been, given the gulf in resources between the clubs. Hojlund is proof of it. But as his former club, who had led against Galatasaray and Bayern Munich, came within a few inches of going ahead at Old Trafford, there were times when Hojlund had to stand and admire. In different ways, his younger brothers Oscar, a late substitute for Copenhagen, and Emil, who did not make the bench, were spectators. So was the older and more expensive sibling, limited to two touches in the first quarter of an hour, left stranded by United’s impotence. Yet, with the notable exception of Maguire’s decider, everything they did right thereafter in attack revolved around him. Which, in itself, may have been an indictment of others. Pivotal as centre-forwards can be, United looked over-reliant on one whose name, this time last year, may have simply seemed a failed attempt to spell Haaland. And the Norwegian, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had been keen to point out, was a player he advised United to sign for £4m, five years before they got Hojlund for 18 times as much. But in the Hojlund derby, the forward United did get to show a sharpness. He came alive in the final third in a manner to suggest that his teammates needed to give him more of the ball. After that uneventful first 15 minutes, he rifled a half-volley over the bar. His backheel almost released Scott McTominay to shoot. He teed up Eriksen when his fellow Dane had a shot well saved. When an offside Marcus Rashford was brought down by goalkeeper Kamil Grabara, he had raced on to Hojlund’s pass. When Alejandro Garnacho came close, it was because Hojlund led a break. When Elias Jelert was required to clear off his line, it was because Hojlund met Bruno Fernandes’ header with a deft piece of chest control. It was a sign of resourcefulness, an ability to make something out of nothing. Which, at times, was just as well, given his supply line. Neither winger is a crosser. Antony, as even those who have spent decades stranded on tiny islands in the Pacific Ocean know, will try and cut inside and shoot with his left foot. Rashford, too, has designs on being more of a scorer than a supplier. Hojlund spent some of the first half acting as the creator for McTominay, the ungainly auxiliary No 10. But United had more footballing craft with Eriksen on. He is the technician while Hojlund’s physical attributes form part of his appeal. He has got a wiry strength. He is a rangy runner with a turn of pace. He has an eager willingness that stands him in good stead. The raw materials are there. Yet the concern is that too few signings have improved at United in the last decade; it is just a coincidence of negotiating that Hojlund’s fee is very similar to Jadon Sancho’s but the exiled winger is proof United’s best-laid plans can go wrong. The feeling at Old Trafford now is that Hojlund has a high ceiling: higher even than Randal Kolo Muani, another on their summer striking shortlist and who ended up costing Paris Saint-Germain more. Thus far, he has a relatively low goal return: just three in 10 games for United. For both his first and current clubs, he has been more prolific in Europe. He never scored in the Danish Superliga. He has not struck in the Premier League, either: outscored by Diogo Dalot on domestic duty, his goals have been confined to Europe. Yet he kicked off as the Champions League’s joint top scorer, the product of a strike against Bayern and a brace against Galatasaray. Even as he drew a blank against Copenhagen, Hojlund added to the impression that he belongs on this stage. But as United laboured to victory, they scarcely offered compelling evidence they will still be in the Champions League after Christmas. Read More Manchester United pay emotional tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton before Copenhagen match Ten Hag lays flowers in centre circle as Man United pay tribute to Bobby Charlton Watch: FC Copenhagen fans chant ‘There’s only one Bobby Charlton’ at Old Trafford Manchester United vs FC Copenhagen LIVE: Latest Champions League updates Harry Maguire and Andre Onana heroics offer fitting tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton Man United fans cover Bobby Charlton statue with flowers and scarves ahead of match
2023-10-25 05:48
Is England v Australia on TV? Channel, start time and how to watch friendly online tonight
England are in action on Friday night in an increasingly rare international friendly - and their first game since being confirmed as co-hosts of Euro 2028 - taking on Australia at Wembley as a warm-up for next week’s Euro 2024 qualifier. That match against Italy might have the greater meaning but manager Gareth Southgate will look to use the team’s opening fixture as an opportunity to try out new partnerships, welcome a few less-familiar faces back into the fold and perhaps even try out a new formation at some stage. Levi Colwill and Eddie Nketiah are the two uncapped players in the Three Lions’ squad, but a further nine players have won fewer than ten caps apiece, meaning it’s still a group with a large section of inexperience at international level, despite a core of the group seeming to be ever-presents. Australia reached the round of 16 at the Fifa World Cup, losing to eventual winners Argentina, but they have only won once since then from four matches, all friendlies. England, quarter-finalists in Qatar, have won five and drawn one of their six games in 2023. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the game; get the latest odds and tips on England vs Australia here. When is England vs Australia? The Three Lions face the Socceroos on Friday 13 October 2023 at Wembley, with kick-off set for 7:45pm BST. Where can I watch it? All of England’s fixtures outside of international tournaments are for now screened free to air on Channel 4, and can be streamed on the Channel 4 website and app. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get great deals on the best VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider. What is the team news? Southgate might opt to shuffle the pack before the Italy match but he has habitually kept a fairly consistent core and just altered a few players around them. As such, the in-form Jarrod Bowen will be one hoping to get a chance, while Trent Alexander-Arnold may get another run-out in midfield in a non-competitive environment having missed out on the last international break through injury. Levi Colwill has impressed for Chelsea so could get a look-in in defence, be it centrally or on the left given no natural left-backs are in the squad. Australia are without a host of regulars including Ajdin Hrustic, Mathew Leckie, Jamie Maclaren and Bailey Wright - plus Aaron Mooy, who has retired. Predicted line-ups ENG: Pickford, Walker, Guehi, Colwill, Trippier, Rice, Alexander-Arnold, Bellingham, Bowen, Kane, Maddison AUS: Ryan, Miller, Rowles, Burgess, Behich, Irvine, Luongo, Baccus, O’Neill, Duke, Mabil Odds England 1/5 Draw 11/2 Australia 11/1 Get the latest odds on all markets here. Prediction Perhaps the game might get a bit more spicy than some previous friendlies have been noted for, on account of the natural sporting rivalry that occurs between these two nations, but ultimately the gap in quality should prove significant. England 3-1 Australia. Read More FA confirms plans to remember victims of conflicts in Israel and Palestine Ollie Watkins: ‘I used to shop in Sainsbury’s ... I came to Villa and I couldn’t’ Former chairman David Bernstein condemns FA’s response to Israel terror attacks James Maddison says timing of international break is ‘annoying’ for Tottenham Maguire reveals Beckham reached out during difficult England moment Harry Kane: ‘Ronaldo and Messi got better after 30 – my career is only at half-time’
2023-10-13 14:53
Caleb Martin's rise to NBA Finals becomes latest Heat undrafted success story
Caleb Martin was undrafted coming out of college
2023-05-31 03:26
Steelers RB desperately tries not to take a shot at Matt Canada, still fails
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren didn't want to take a shot at former OC Matt Canada in the aftermath of a rare impressive offensive display.
2023-11-28 22:54
Top 10 players to watch in 2023 Premier League Summer Series
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2023-07-22 03:45
Bezzecchi battles to British MotoGP pole at soaking Silverstone
Marco Bezzecchi battled atrocious conditions to claim pole for the British MotoGP at a soaking...
2023-08-05 19:21
'No limits' for New Zealand after historic Women's World Cup win
New Zealand "set a new standard" for themselves by winning a Women's World Cup match for the first time, defender CJ Bott said Sunday, as the co-hosts eye a landmark...
2023-07-23 12:27
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