Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Taylor Harwood-Bellis ended his 16-year association with boyhood club Manchester City this past summer, agreeing to join Southampton for £15m after a successful loan spell on the south Coast last season. Four months after the move, he’s a full England international and another example youngsters in similar positions among bigger clubs can look to emulate long-term. Continue reading “Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ England debut serves as a welcome reminder for others”
England captain and Bayern forward Harry Kane has publicly criticised his teammates who withdrew from Lee Carsley’s latest squad before their must-win Nations League fixture against Greece, accusing them of “taking advantage” as they round out the year without a permanent manager after long-time boss Gareth Southgate’s departure. Thomas Tuchel succeeds him on New Year’s Day. Continue reading “Kane criticises England teammates over withdrawals as Tuchel’s arrival beckons”
Bournemouth have sold their top goalscorer Dominic Solanke, a week before the start of the new Premier League campaign, after Tottenham’s club-record transfer offer satisfied expensive terms for Ange Postecoglou’s top summer target. The 26-year-old was unveiled before a pre-season defeat by Bayern, where longtime striker and all-time marksman Harry Kane ventured in 2023. Continue reading “Tottenham unveil Postecoglou’s prime target Solanke in club-record £65m move”
Keen for attacking reinforcements, Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham want a striker and winger this summer. Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke, who scored 19 league goals last season, is of interest – but has three years left on his existing contract and won’t be easy to prize away with just two weeks to go before the new campaign begins as they look to replace their Harry Kane void. Continue reading “Report: Tottenham exploring move for Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke”
Rodri off injured at half-time while captain Álvaro Morata didn’t have his shooting boots on. Neither potential storyline mattered though in the end, as two Real Sociedad substitutes – Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzabal – played an instrumental role during Spain’s stunning 2-1 win over England to emerge victorious in the Euro 2024 final, securing a record fourth tournament triumph. Continue reading “Spain 2-1 England: Oyarzabal’s late winner clinches record fourth Euro title in Berlin”
Ollie Watkins’ 90th-minute winner, nine minutes after replacing captain Harry Kane, has sent an oft-criticised England side into consecutive European Championship finals as they again recovered from a goal behind to triumph – this time leaving Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands stunned – after riding the waves in an emotionally draining semi-final victory. Spain await on Sunday in Berlin. Continue reading “England 2-1 Netherlands: Watkins wins it late as Southgate’s subs set up Spain final”
They did it again. On the verge of a first home defeat in 13 months, Real Madrid conjured up two goals in three minutes from an unlikely source – inspired substitute Joselu with a pair of poacher’s finishes – confining Bayern to a trophyless campaign for the first time in over a decade while punching their ticket into the Wembley final, where they’ll play Borussia Dortmund on June 1. Continue reading “Real 2-1 Bayern: Joselu’s late double seals frantic comeback, sets up Dortmund final”
Vinicius Junior drew first blood, then had the final say from twelve yards as Real Madrid were predictably resilient in Munich to keep their Champions League semi-final clash with Bayern finely poised at two goals apiece before next week’s return leg at the Bernabeu. That was despite being second best for large periods during an action-packed clash between two giants on Tuesday. Continue reading “Bayern 2-2 Real: Vinicius gives visitors vigour in pulsating UCL semi-final first leg”
Ange Postecoglou is a miracle worker. James Maddison quickly proving himself the division’s best summer signing, Heung-Min Son flying and there’s no suggestion they’re missing Harry Kane. The emotional hangover from previous head coaches – Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte – has quickly disappeared, Spurs sit top of the table and packed with plaudits. How long will it last? Continue reading “As feelgood factor fizzes around Hotspur Way, Tottenham travel to Palace tonight”
Gareth Southgate shuffled the pack and watched as his England side recovered from an early goal down to seal their place at next summer’s European Championships in Germany with a 3-1 win over Euro 2020 winners Italy. Harry Kane’s brace – sandwiched between Marcus Rashford’s mazy second-half finish – secured their passage early, as two Group C games still await next month.
Continue reading “England 3-1 Italy: Kane’s brace seals Euro 2024 qualification with comeback win”
Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich were said to be flirting with the fullback all summer long, but Manchester City’s Kyle Walker says his desire to complete another treble-winning season – like their unprecedented 2022-23 campaign – is why he rejected their advances to extend his stay at Eastlands, until 2026.
Continue reading “Bayern target Walker: Repeating treble-winning success was key in City extension”
After producing excellent performances in his first two Premier League games under Ange Postecoglou as Tottenham’s new creator-in-chief, James Maddison finished a well-worked passing move to score during their 2-0 away win at Bournemouth – then praised his new midfield teammates and stressed a desire to repay the £40m fee they paid relegated Leicester for his services post-match. Continue reading “James Maddison hails growing midfield dynamics, vows to repay £40m fee after first Tottenham goal in Bournemouth win”
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