Montenegro 1-5 England: Ross Barkley and Raheem Sterling star but five-star visitors’ win marred by reports of racism March 25, 2019 For so long Ross Barkley has been defined by his potential, rather than his output for England. Tonight in Montenegro he finally delivered. It’s been a productive 2019 for the central midfielder, with his January 2018 transfer from Everton to Chelsea now paying off with a sustained run in Maurizio Sarri’s side. And after an [...]
Montenegro v England: Harry Kane has gone from spearhead to link man in exciting new attack March 24, 2019 At the heart of England’s blossoming as an attacking force, which found its thrilling expression in Friday’s 5-0 win over the Czech Republic, lies a curious anomaly. Not since Wayne Rooney announced himself on the world stage at Euro 2004 has there been such excitement about the potency of forward talent in the national team [...]
Barclays director Chris Pilling surprise candidate to become new FA chief March 23, 2019 Barclays director Chris Piling is one of the final candidates in the race to take over as chief executive of the Football Association, according to Sky News. Piling is a leading contender to replace Martin Glenn at the FA but faces competition from Mark Bullingham, the current chief commercial and football development officer at the [...]
England v Czech Republic: Silverware within reach if Gareth Southgate can make Three Lions more ruthless March 21, 2019 Hubris has pulled the rug from under England frequently enough to make any assumptions inadvisable but even the most cautious Anglo-Saxon will recognise that the qualifying process for the 2020 European Championship, which begins tonight, should present few hazards. The now-expanded finals and a revised path to the tournament proper ought to make it easier [...]
Amazon brings in BT Sport for Premier League matchday coverage March 21, 2019 Amazon has hired BT Sport to produce its studio and live action matchday coverage for Premier League games next season. The tech giant last year revealed it had secured exclusive rights to livestream 20 matches per season, which will be available to its Prime customers. Read more: Disney closes $71bn takeover of 21st Century Fox But [...]
Trevor Steven: Callum Hudson-Odoi may not have started a Premier League game but his England call-up makes sense March 19, 2019 Some players just stand out; everyone in the game knows they are a special talent and there is no split opinion about it. Callum Hudson-Odoi, who could make his England debut this week, is one of them. Having starred at age-group level for Chelsea’s successful youth teams and the World Cup-winning England Under-17 side, Hudson-Odoi [...]
FA Cup to remain on BBC until at least 2025 as broadcaster pens new deal with Football Association March 19, 2019 The BBC will show FA Cup football matches until at least 2025, in a four-year broadcast deal between the broadcaster and the Football Association (FA) announced today. Live matches, highlights and clip rights will remain with the BBC under the terms of the deal, which comes into effect at the start of the 2021-2022 season. [...]
Fulham 1-2 Liverpool: Mane’s hot streak helps Reds overcome away form jitters to go top of the Premier League March 17, 2019 This was a game Liverpool simply had to win. With Premier League title rivals Manchester City in FA Cup action, they played Fulham, who had lost six games in a row and are suffering an identity crisis under their third manager of the season. It had all the makings of a banker, but the Reds’ [...]
Arsenal 3-0 Rennes: Aubameyang double helps Gunners strengthen home form and reach Europa League quarter-finals March 14, 2019 Rennes may have brought the flares, but Arsenal brought the fireworks. Unai Emery elected to select a similarly attacking line-up to the one that beat Manchester United last weekend and it paid dividends. The Gunners needed goals after losing the first leg 3-1 and the team duly obliged, with two in the opening 15 minutes [...]
FA Cup quarter-finals: Competition presents a rare opportunity for non-Premier League Big Six sides to make their mark March 14, 2019 The best advertising strikes a chord with consumers and BT Sport’s publicity for its FA Cup coverage has neatly captured the mood around this season’s competition. In the advert, common grievances about football's oldest competition – not enough giant-killings, an unwanted break from fantasy football, a halting of league momentum – are aired. An oversized [...]