Leinster 20 – 17 Northampton Saints CROKE PARK — This Champions Cup semi-final was rugby’s definition of learning on the job. You could see Fin Smith, the young man tipped by many to be England’s long-term No 10, blossom from a horrible struggle in the first half into a spectacular late surge, before Leinster’s exalted … Read more
Watford’s chaotic short-termism worked once but not anymore (Photo: Getty) “There’s almost a little bit of hope because you think you might have hit rock bottom,” says Adam Drury on the excellent From The Rookery End, a Watford podcast that rarely runs short of material. Watford have just lost 1-0 at Millwall. “It can’t possibly … Read more
Nottingham Forest have been charged with breaking financial regulations (Photo: Getty) Towards the end of last season, when Steve Cooper and his players had extricated themselves from trouble with surprising dexterity and gave themselves a final-day party at the Palace, the song was repeated ad infinitum by Nottingham Forest supporters: “Thirty signings, who gives a … Read more
Kai Havertz was the third most expensive signing in Arsenal’s history (Photo: Getty) It roughly comes down to this: do you ever truly think that an Arsenal striker will score this season? They are sent through on goal, be it Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah. They are staring at the whites of the … Read more
Ralf Rangnick urged Manchester United to buy both Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland and make them the future of the club during his brief spell at Old Trafford. As Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Dave Brailsford prepare to finally get their feet under the desk at Old Trafford, addressing United’s failings in the transfer market will … Read more
After Arsenal had conceded a contentious goal from a move that may have involved the ball rolling out of play at Newcastle, Mikel Arteta’s response was to lambast the officials. The same thing happened in the defeat to West Ham in Arsenal’s final home game of 2023, but this time there was no furious tirade. … Read more
