Norway 0-3 England: Lucy Bronze stars as Lionesses reach World Cup semi-finals in style June 27, 2019 News of England’s injury problems may have been greatly exaggerated. If the build-up to the Lionesses’ World Cup quarter-final against Norway was dominated by discussion over the potential absentees, then the event itself could hardly have been more different. All those said to be struggling played – and played their part in what felt like [...]
England v Norway: Lionesses have injury problems for World Cup quarter-final June 26, 2019 Phil Neville might not have acknowledged it but England go into their World Cup quarter-final against Norway tomorrow evening with a problem. Centre-backs Steph Houghton and Millie Bright are both “major doubts” to play in Le Havre, while right-back Lucy Bronze is also a worry. Houghton is battling against an ankle injury picked up in [...]
Trevor Steven: He may be lacking experience, but there is no better candidate for the Chelsea job than Frank Lampard June 25, 2019 On the face of it, one year of experience in management is not enough to take on a challenge like Chelsea. But if one man can do it, it’s Frank Lampard. Chelsea were granted permission to speak with Lampard yesterday over their vacant manager’s position. If I was the decision-maker I’d consider him to be [...]
England 3-0 Cameroon: Phil Neville laments shameful behaviour of Lionesses’ opponents at the World Cup June 23, 2019 England are through to the quarter-finals of a World Cup, and yet the post-match talk in Valenciennes was about everything other than the result. “It didn’t feel like football,” fumed Lionesses manager Phil Neville after the final whistle. “I didn’t enjoy it, my players didn’t enjoy it.” Goals from captain Steph Houghton, in-form striker Ellen [...]
African Cup of Nations: Why Liverpool’s Premier League preparations will be affected by the tournament June 20, 2019 Together they have conquered all of Europe. Now it’s time to take on Africa. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane will both go in search of a maiden Africa Cup of Nations title over the coming weeks, but this time only one of them can come out on top. Salah’s Egypt, the hosts, kick off [...]
Copa America: The reasons behind Qatar’s involvement in South America and what the future holds June 20, 2019 There is something odd about the Copa America this summer. In among the usual suspects – hosts Brazil, holders Chile, 15-time winners Uruguay – sits a jarringly incongruous name: Qatar. The surprise winners of this year’s Asian Cup have travelled 12,000km to play in Group B alongside Colombia, Paraguay and Lionel Messi’s Argentina, who they [...]
Japan 0-2 England: Lionesses pass the test but still have things to work on at Women’s World Cup June 19, 2019 Phil Neville has made clear his desire to shape England into a possession-based side. By this evidence it remains a work in progress. After unspectacular wins over Scotland and Argentina, the Lionesses were faced with their biggest test of the Women’s World Cup against Japan in Nice. They passed the test – but, despite the [...]
England could do with loosening the handbrake in Women’s World Cup clash with Japan June 18, 2019 If England’s 3-0 victory over Japan to clinch the SheBelieves Cup in March was the perfect statement of intent for one of the Women’s World Cup favourites then it’s the sort that Phil Neville’s team could do with repeating when the teams meet again on Wednesday. Because while the Lionesses have taken maximum points from [...]
Sport debate: Is Frank Lampard the right man to replace Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea? June 17, 2019 Chelsea are expected to choose Frank Lampard as their next manager following the departure of Maurizio Sarri. But is the club’s all-time record goalscorer the right man to replace the Italian? Two of our writers wade into the debate. YES: Frank Dalleres Talk of Chelsea calling on Frank Lampard to return as manager just one [...]
Football’s coming home to the City for the Square Mile’s unofficial club, the Honourable Artillery Company FC June 16, 2019 You could be forgiven for not realising it, but Canada has its own football club which dates back to the 1800s and is among the leading lights of the amateur game. One reason you might have missed it is because red tape has seen them exiled from the Square Mile for two [...]