List of All Articles with Tag 'football'

VIDEO: Aaron Rodgers injury on MNF.

The New York Jets host the Buffalo Bills in the Week 1 edition of Monday Night Football on ESPN. Here is who will be performing the National Anthem prior to the game.

Rob Page called the backing from his players “powerful” after Wales bounced back into Euro 2024 qualifying contention with a 2-0 victory in Latvia. A penalty from skipper Aaron Ramsey – his 100th career goal – and a delicious David Brooks chip deep into stoppage time put Wales within three points of a top-two place and lifted the pressure on under-fire manager Page. Group favourites Croatia’s 1-0 victory in Armenia was further good news for Wales, who had only won once in 13 games before arriving in Riga. Ramsey and others had backed Page during the build-up to a game many saw as pivotal in the manager’s tenure. Page said of the players’ support: “It feels good, it feels powerful, absolutely – that’s a massive compliment to myself from the players. “I’ve just said to them, even the lads that have not played, they all play a part. There are no bad eggs in that changing room. “Pressure doesn’t exist, it is created from outside influence. “We did our best as staff to try to not let that penetrate the bubble and keep as calm as possible. “We knew it was going to be a tough test for us after their heavy defeat. It wasn’t just about the win, I thought the performance was outstanding. “For the first 35 minutes of the first half, we were outstanding, kept the ball. We got the goal and then retreated a little bit, which we’ll address.” Wales had numerous chances to put the game beyond Latvia after Harry Wilson was bundled over in the box after 28 minutes and Ramsey converted from 12 yards. But none were taken until the sixth minute of stoppage time when Brooks, on for the injured Ramsey, accepted Wilson’s pass to slot home his first Wales goal since recovering from cancer last year. Page said: “The pressure came from the outside, understandably, but we never questioned it within the group. “We knew we had to give a positive reaction after the disappointment of June (Euro 2024 campaign defeats to Armenia and Turkey) and we absolutely have – and some. “A great performance against a very, very good (South) Korea team last week and followed it up with a completely different test against a very physical team that went back to front quite a bit. “We had to win first contacts and second balls. “And people like young Jordan James stepping in when we asked him to and developing the young players into this team. He was outstanding again.” Ramsey paid tribute to his replacement Brooks, who has had to be patient to return to the international stage after illness and injury. “It wasn’t easy, a lot of teams have come here and struggled,” Ramsey told S4C, while adding that he came off early in the second half as a precaution and will be fit for Cardiff’s South Wales derby against Swansea on Saturday. “To come here and win with two goals is fantastic, Brooksy as well, it’s good for us. “He’s so important for us and it’s nice for him to score. We’re just happy to have him back.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Freddie Steward: Kevin Sinfield ‘rocket’ inspired England heroics against Pumas Aaron Ramsey scores as Wales beat Latvia to keep their Euro 2024 hopes alive Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba provisionally suspended for anti-doping offence

Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Booker opened up on the differences between the current and older Crimson Tide squads.

Wales kept their Euro 2024 qualification hopes alive with a 2-0 win in Latvia as Aaron Ramsey’s 100th career goal and a David Brooks clincher lifted the pressure on under-fire manager Rob Page. Ramsey stroked home a 29th-minute penalty – his 21st goal for Wales – before Brooks, on as a substitute for the injured captain, settled matters in the sixth minute of stoppage time. The victory was Wales’ second in 14 attempts and gives them renewed hope that they can claim a top-two place in Group D. On a night when Wales simply had to win or be left with a play-off route to Germany next summer, there was further good news before kick-off as group leaders Croatia did them a favour by winning 1-0 in Armenia. Croatia are Wales’ next Euro opponents in Cardiff next month, and Page can now look forward to that game after heading to Riga with huge question marks over his future. The 49-year-old was feted as a national hero after leading Wales to their first World Cup for 64 years, but poor performances at that tournament and in this campaign had prompted large parts of the fan base to call for managerial change. Page had drawn encouragement from Thursday’s friendly with South Korea – and he named 10 of the side who started that goalless draw in Cardiff. Captain Ramsey returned in place of Nathan Broadhead as Burnley’s Connor Roberts won his 50th cap. Jordan James made his first competitive start and the 19-year-old suggested he may be a mainstay of the Wales midfield for some time to come. Latvia had drawn a complete blank in Euro 2024 qualifying, losing all four games, with three of them – including a 1-0 away defeat to Wales in March – by a single goal margin. The tiny three-sided Skonto Stadium, with cars parked behind one goal, seemed at odds with what was such an important night in Welsh football. But over 1,000 Wales fans were in a crowd of 6,464. There had been a mood of sporting celebration in Riga throughout the day as Latvians turned out to honour their basketball players, who had recorded a best finish of fifth at the sport’s World Cup, in the city. Wales should have had the perfect start inside 75 seconds when Ethan Ampadu released Brennan Johnson but Tottenham’s new striker skied over on his unfavoured left side. Ampadu was off-target from a Harry Wilson corner but Wales were threatening at set-pieces. Chris Mepham met another Wilson corner at the far post and Ben Davies reached the deflected ball first to force Roberts Ozols into a flying save in the Latvian goal. Chances continued to come and go for Wales with Johnson wayward again and Ozols producing stops to deny Wilson and Roberts. There was a danger that frustration would creep in, but Latvia provided a helping hand when Kaspars Dubra bundled over Wilson after 28 minutes. The incident survived a VAR check for a potential offside in the build-up and Ramsey coolly converted for his landmark goal. Wales should have been out of sight in the next 10 minutes as Neco Williams and Johnson fired wide when well-placed and Ozols denied Wilson again. Latvia had shown nothing as an attacking force for 41 minutes before suddenly bursting into life. Ward shovelled out a Janis Ikaunieks header that Roberts had to clear as the Latvian striker prepared to pounce for the rebound, while Raimonds Krollis almost profited twice after being left unguarded. Wales suffered a blow four minutes into the second half when Ramsey signalled to the bench to come off, with David Brooks taking his place. The worry was that Wales would miss Ramsey’s stabilising influence and Krollis went close after Johnson had driven wide. Latvia might have been reduced to 10 men when Ikaunieks aimed a wild kick at James. Slovakian referee Michal Ocenas brandished a yellow card before being asked to review the decision at the VAR monitor. After a two-minute check Ocenas stuck with his original decision and Ikaunieks escaped further sanction. The final quarter became very fragmented with a series of niggly fouls. Ikaunieks’ 20-yard shot flew into the side netting and, while that would have represented the cruellest punishment for Wales, Brooks ended matters by racing on to Wilson’s pass and scoring with the most delicious of chips. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba provisionally suspended for anti-doping offence The key talking points ahead of Scotland v England at Hampden Park Gareth Southgate says England like Harvey Barnes amid talk of Scotland switch

Alabama head coach Nick Saban hasn't discussed plans to retire anytime soon, but when he does, will Coach Prime take over in Tuscaloosa?

Scotland host England in the 116th edition of international football’s oldest fixture on Tuesday. Ahead of the old foes going toe-to-toe at Hampden Park, the PA news agency picks out some of the talking points. History in the making The game has been billed as the 150th Anniversary Heritage Match, to commemorate the advent of international football on November 30, 1872. At the West of Scotland Cricket Ground in Partick, a Scotland team exclusively made up of Queen’s Park players drew 0-0 with England, whose biggest contingent came from Oxford University. Other clubs represented were Notts County, Sheffield Wednesday, Cambridge University, the 1st Surrey Rifles and the now defunct Hertfordshire Rangers, Barnes and Harrow Chequers. Scotland’s passing game and the English tactic of running with the ball cancelled each other out in front of several thousand supporters. Scotland bid to close the gap England only lead 48-41 in the 116 meetings between the nations but Scottish wins, as well as the encounters themselves, have become scarcer in recent years. Scotland’s last home win came in the 1985 Rous Cup when Richard Gough headed the only goal, and their most recent victory was a bitter-sweet victory in 1999 when Don Hutchison headed a Wembley winner but England went through to Euro 2000 with a 2-1 play-off aggregate win. England have not lost in the past five meetings but the most recent two games were draws. Attention elsewhere for Scotland fans For probably the first time in the century-and-a-half of the fixture, many Scotland fans will be more concerned with a result elsewhere than what happens at Hampden. Scotland will become the first team to qualify for Euro 2024 if Norway and Georgia draw in Oslo. While the Scotland players will be focused on the task at hand, there might be some roars and celebrations from the home fans regardless of the situation in front of them. Southgate balances progress with performance England head to Hampden Park on the back of a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Ukraine in front of a partisan crowd in Poland. Gareth Southgate called it a good test in a hostile environment, just as he expects in Mount Florida on Tuesday night. This is England’s first friendly match since March 2022, after a run of 16 competitive matches taking in last year’s Nations League and World Cup before Euro 2024 qualification got under way. But do not expect too many changes as Southgate says it would be “ridiculous” to overly experiment against high-flying Scotland. “We’ve got to find the right balance of physical freshness – we’ve had a day less preparation – experience, finding out about some players, winning, playing well,” he said. Southgate to give Colwill debut? England’s development under Southgate has been impressive since he took charge in challenging circumstances in 2016, but there are plenty of questions to answer as next summer’s Euros come into view. Key among them is what to do at centre-back, given trusted lieutenant Harry Maguire’s lack of form and game time at Manchester United. Saturday’s match against Ukraine was his first start for club or country of the season, with Southgate seeing his experience as vital alongside Marc Guehi given John Stones and Tyrone Mings are out injured. Fikayo Tomori and Lewis Dunk are other centre-back options in the squad if Southgate wants to change things up against Scotland, as is uncapped Levi Colwill. The 20-year-old flourished on loan at Brighton and impressed since getting his chance at Chelsea this term. This would be a big occasion to make his debut but a great test for a player some have tipped to be a starter come Germany. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Gareth Southgate says England like Harvey Barnes amid talk of Scotland switch Gareth Southgate: England over-experimenting in Scotland would be ‘ridiculous’ Reece Topley admits to World Cup trepidation after injury woes

We waited for months and months for meaningful professional football. Most of it was bad and for whatever reason we have yet to enjoy very much in the way of interesting content in reaction to the stimulus. It's really, really weird. Perhaps everyone is just watching for Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets to pick up the reins and lead us through another week. So that's why you're getting a clip of wine gushing through the streets of Levira, Portugal following a containment break at a distillery.

Gareth Southgate says Harvey Barnes is a player England “like a lot” and Kieran Trippier praised Elliot Anderson’s potential amid talk of a possible tug-of-war with Scotland for the Newcastle duo. There is an increasing number of players that have been part of the English set-up that have gone on to represent another country, including Jamal Musiala and Wilfried Zaha. Angus Gunn was called up to the England senior squad by Southgate before switching allegiance to Tuesday’s opponents Scotland, who are now reportedly targeting Barnes. The 25-year-old has yet to add to the solitary senior England cap he won in 2020 but remains on the manager’s radar, as does Newcastle team-mate Anderson. The Whitley Bay-born 20-year-old spent two days with Scotland last week before withdrawing from the squad due to injury. “Both are very good players,” England boss Southgate said of the Newcastle pair in the bowels of Hampden Park ahead of Tuesday’s friendly. “In terms of Harvey, he’s obviously a player who has played for us. We have a lot of competition in that area of the pitch so he is a player we are always monitoring and he’s a player we like a lot. “With Elliot, I think he’s a player who has progressed really well. We’ve previously spoken with him, but of course he was named in the squad here so assumed that was that. “I thought he had an excellent pre-season with Newcastle as well. “You could see that evolution that he has got as a young player and the potential he has got. I know at Newcastle they rate him very highly. “I don’t know the answer to the ultimate question for either player, but there are going to be more and more of these sorts of situations. “There are so many players with dual or triple nationality now. “It is very complicated for every country and sometimes you can’t offer the player something as quickly as they like. “We have benefited from it and we have lost players because of it and I think that is always going to be the case, really.” The pair’s club team-mate was sat alongside Southgate in Glasgow, with right-back Trippier full of praise for homegrown Newcastle talent Anderson. “As the gaffer said before, in pre-season he’s been unbelievable,” Trippier said of a player who has represented both nations at youth level. “I think it was good for him last year to stay with us and not go out on loan again, to gain that experience. “He’s a young lad with great potential. Obviously we’ve had talks but, like Gareth said before, he went away with Scotland. “Ultimately that’s his decision. He’s a young lad with great potential so that decision is ultimately up to him.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Gareth Southgate: England over-experimenting in Scotland would be ‘ridiculous’ Reece Topley admits to World Cup trepidation after injury woes Dan Biggar: Wales took inspiration from England’s stirring win over Argentina

England boss Gareth Southgate stressed Harvey Barnes is “a player we like a lot” while also emphasising the competition he faces amid talk of the winger possibly switching allegiance to Scotland. Barnes is reported to be considering a switch three years on from winning his sole England cap to date in a friendly against Wales. At a press conference ahead of Tuesday’s friendly clash with Scotland at Hampden Park, Southgate said of the 25-year-old: “He’s obviously a player who has played for us. “We’ve got a lot of competition in that area of the pitch. He’s a player we’re always monitoring and he’s a player we like a lot.” Southgate was asked about on a potential swap of allegiances for Barnes and Newcastle team-mate Elliot Anderson, who has played for both countries at youth level and received a call-up to the Scotland squad last month, only to be forced to withdraw due to injury. Southgate said: “Both very good players. With Elliot, again I think he’s a player that has progressed really well. We’ve previously spoken with him, but of course he was named in the squad here, so assumed that was that. “I thought he had an excellent pre-season with Newcastle, you could see that evolution that he’s got as a young player and the potential he’s got. I know Newcastle rate him very highly. “I don’t know is the answer to the ultimate question for either player, but there are going to be more and more of these sorts of situations. He’s a player we’re always monitoring and he’s a player we like a lot Gareth Southgate on Harvey Barnes “There are so many players with dual or triple nationality now, it is very complicated for every country, and sometimes you can’t offer the player something as quickly as they’d like. “We’ve benefited from it and lost players because of it, and I think that’s always going to be the case.” Southgate was joined at the press conference by Newcastle full-back Kieran Trippier, who said of Anderson: “As the gaffer said, in pre-season he’s been unbelievable. It was good for him last year to stay with us and not go out on loan again, to gain that experience. “He’s a great lad with great potential. We’ve had talks, but he went away with Scotland. That’s his decision, it is ultimately up to him.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Durham promoted to Division One of the LV= Insurance County Championship Luis Rubiales resignation has to be ‘the start of something’ – Georgia Stanway I genuinely believe Great Britain can win Davis Cup – Andy Murray

Alabama suffered a nasty upset against Texas this past weekend, but Paul Finebaum doesn't think Nick Saban is sweating it.

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