England's Curry stands by Mbonambi racism claim: 'I heard what I heard'
England flanker Tom Curry boldly stands by his claim that Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi racially abused him during the Rugby World Cup semi-final.
England Sport News
Lindelof rides to Man Utd’s rescue to beat Luton
MANCHESTER, United Kingdom: Victor Lindelof was Manchester United’s unlikely hero as they moved into the Premier League’s top six with a 1-0 win over Luton on Saturday. The Swedish defender scored his first goal for nearly three years by smashing in from close range after Luton failed to clear a corner. United boss Erik ten Hag desperately needed a response after his side slumped to a ninth defeat in 17 games this season by losing 4-3 to FC Copenhagen on Wednesday. The English giants may be at risk of an early exit from the Champions League, but they have now won four of their last five in the Premier League. All of those victories have been by a single goal and the manner of victory was again far from convincing for United in the Hatters’ first trip to Old Trafford since 1991. Rasmus Hojlund scored twice on his return to Denmark in midweek to take his tally to five goals in four Champions League games. However, Hojlund is still yet to net in the Premier League. The £64 million ($78 million) signing missed two big chances to break his duck. Hojlund’s best piece of play then teed up Alejandro Garnacho, who failed to beat Thomas Kaminski when clean through on goal. United had to wait until just before the hour mark to make the breakthrough. Marcus Rashford’s low cross was deflected back into the path of Lindelof, who made no mistake from 10 yards out. Rashford was among those guilty of wasting opportunities to add to United’s lead. But United were rarely troubled defensively as they registered a first Premier League clean sheet at Old Trafford since the opening weekend of the season. Victory takes United within six points of league leaders Manchester City. Luton remain outside the relegation zone only on goal difference.
Barca are in a dip, not a crisis: coach Xavi
BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez insisted Saturday his club were in a dip but not falling into crisis and said president Joan Laporta had full confidence in his project. The Spanish champions have played poorly in recent weeks and fell to an embarrassing 1-0 defeat by Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday in Hamburg. Despite the loss, Barcelona are still joint group leaders and expected to qualify for the knock-out phases, and are third in La Liga. The Catalans lost at home to Real Madrid in the Clasico on October 28 and scraped a 1-0 win at Real Sociedad last weekend, despite a drab performance. “I don’t think this is (my worst moment) at all, my worst moment as a coach came last year,” Xavi told a news conference, referring to his team’s Champions League group stage elimination. “I have lived through terrible crises here, this doesn’t go that far, it’s a dip ... we haven’t played well, we have to recover our game. “Getting that back is key — as a coach, I feel good, this is nothing to do with the situation we had last year.” Spanish media singled out Xavi for criticism after the Shakhtar loss, but the coach said Laporta was ‘calm’. “After each game we speak with the president,” explained Xavi. “We are very united, he’s a very positive person, more than me even, and he is very calm.
LIVE | Cricket World Cup: England v Pakistan
England captain Jos Buttler won the toss and opted to bat in Kolkata on Saturday, leaving Pakistan virtually out of the semi-final race at the World Cup.
Mikel Arteta warns Aaron Ramsdale not to rush decision over Arsenal future
Mikel Arteta has warned Aaron Ramsdale not to rush any decision over his future after England manager Gareth Southgate told the goalkeeper he could not promise him a place at Euro 2024 if he remains on the bench at Arsenal.
Eddie Howe aims to upset Premier League big boys but leaves off-field talk to Newcastle board
NEWCASTLE: Eddie Howe said on Friday he is determined to continue pushing the Premier League big boys at the top of the table but added that he is happy to leave all the off-field talk to club bosses.
Leverkusen’s Grimaldo among new faces in Spain squad
LAS ROZAS DE MADRID, Spain: Bayer Leverkusen full-back Alejandro Grimaldo has been rewarded for his outstanding start to the season with a call-up to the Spain squad for their final Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Cyprus and Georgia this month. The 28-year-old Grimaldo, signed from Benfica in the close season, has been a key member of the Leverkusen side that has surged to the top of the German Bundesliga under former Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso. Coach Luis de la Fuente has also handed a first call-up to Real Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro, who replaces Kepa Arrizabalaga with the Real Madrid shotstopper injured. Midfielder Aleix Garcia, who has starred in Girona’s flying start this season in La Liga, and Atletico Madrid’s Rodrigo Riquelme also appear in the squad for the first time. However, former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte, now playing in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr, misses out with a foot injury that required stitches. Spain have already qualified for Euro 2024 from Group A along with Scotland, having won five of their six matches. They complete their qualifying campaign by taking on Cyprus away in Limassol next Thursday, November 16, and entertaining Georgia in Valladolid three days later.
James Maddison withdraws from England squad due to injury
Tottenham midfielder James Maddison has been withdrawn from the England squad due to injury.