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O’Neill would rather Celtic had no fans at Ibrox than 300
Martin O’Neill has criticised Rangers’ decision to offer Celtic only 300 tickets for next month’s League Cup quarter-final at Ibrox, saying Celtic would be better off refusing the allocation and reciprocating with the same number. He argued that the Old Firm fixture is at its best when away supporters are properly represented, although the reduced…
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No country for old men: Premier League grind is why managers are getting younger
Premier League managers are becoming younger, with most now in their forties and only four aged 50 or over, reflecting a shift away from the traditional model of the experienced former player in the dugout. The change matters because modern coaching is increasingly treated as a specialist profession, while the demands and detail of elite…
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‘Supporters aren’t always wrong’ – Moyes on Everton fans’ anger
Everton manager David Moyes said supporters’ anger over the possible sale of teenage midfielder Harrison Armstrong should be taken seriously after fans protested during the 1-1 draw at Bournemouth. Nottingham Forest have reportedly offered £40m for the 19-year-old, and selling one of Everton’s most highly regarded academy players could intensify concerns about the club’s ambitions…
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Elanga and Wissa strike as Newcastle extend Spurs’ miserable start to season
Newcastle beat Tottenham 2-0 in Spurs’ first home Premier League match of the season, extending the home side’s difficult start despite a summer of high-profile spending. Tottenham were the stronger team before half-time but failed to convert their chances, then faded after the interval as Newcastle became more compact and assertive. Anthony Elanga opened the…
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Tonali struggles but Gonzalez impresses – player ratings for Tottenham v Newcastle
Newcastle United beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0, with Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa scoring in the second half. The result highlighted Newcastle’s stronger defensive display and their effectiveness in transition, while Tottenham were undermined by errors from former Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali. – Nico Gonzalez was Newcastle’s standout player, rated 8 after an impressive debut and…
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Vaughan backs Lawrence for extended run in England team
Michael Vaughan believes Dan Lawrence has done enough to keep his place in England’s Test team when Jacob Bethell returns from a knee injury. Lawrence’s unbeaten 50 in difficult weather and pitch conditions against Pakistan strengthened his case, while his part-time off-spin helps England maintain a pace-heavy bowling attack suited to home conditions and upcoming…
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Maguire fires superb 63 as Alexander lead cut at Irish Open
Leona Maguire produced a bogey-free nine-under-par 63 to surge into a tie for sixth at the Women’s Irish Open, seven shots behind leader Casandra Alexander. The round delighted the home crowd at the K Club and marked a sharp improvement after Maguire’s opening two rounds of 71, keeping her in contention heading into the final…
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South Africa hold off All Blacks fightback to level series
South Africa held off a late New Zealand comeback in Cape Town to level the four-Test ‘Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry’ series at 1-1. The world champions’ stronger set piece, maul and kicking game proved decisive, while Cameron Hanekom’s late turnover prevented the All Blacks from completing a final attack. The Springboks led through tries from Jesse…
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European football: Elversberg stun Leverkusen in dream Bundesliga debut
Bundesliga newcomers Elversberg marked their top-flight debut with a remarkable 3-2 home win over Bayer Leverkusen, the unbeaten 2023-24 champions. The result is significant both as an early upset and because Elversberg, a town of 13,000, is the smallest settlement ever to host Bundesliga football. Lukas Petkov and Cole Campbell put Elversberg two goals ahead…
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‘Not bad for the worst team in Premier League history’ – Hull’s perfect start
Hull City maintained their perfect start to their Premier League return by beating Coventry City 1-0 away, with Liam Millar scoring a late winner. The result follows their opening victory over Manchester United and gives the newly promoted side early confidence after widespread predictions that they would struggle to survive. Coventry had almost 70% possession…