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Vlahovic scores hat-trick for Fiorentina in win over Spezia Atlético Madrid defeat Real Betis 3-0, Brest stun Monaco Napoli maintained top spot in Serie A with a 1-0 win at Salernitana on Sunday, but had to work hard against the relegation battlers as Piotr Zielinski scored a scrappy winner and both sides had players sent off late in the game. The result leaves Luciano Spalletti’s unbeaten side with 31 points, three clear of second-placed AC Milan, who visit Roma in Sunday’s late game. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/31/european-roundup-napoli-serie-a-la-liga-ligue-1-roma-milan-atletico-madrid

Heady days at West Ham, who moved level on points with Manchester City in the Premier League’s top four just days after knocking Pep Guardiola’s side out of the Carabao Cup. Aston Villa, too, went into this season with ambitions of jostling with the strongest clubs but they and West Ham look poles apart. This scoreline was a fair reflection of the supremacy of David Moyes’s side even if two of the visitors’ goals came after Ezri Konsa was sent off for Villa, who have much to ponder after a fourth successive defeat. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/31/aston-villa-west-ham-premier-league-match-report

A second-half goal and two assists from the currently unplayable Beth Mead ensured Arsenal swept into the FA Cup final with a dominant 3-0 defeat of Brighton following a frustrating goalless first half. The Gunners will play Chelsea in the covid-delayed 2020-21 FA Cup final at Wembley on the 5th December, the 100th anniversary of the ban on women’s football, after Mead provided for captain Kim Little and centre-back Leah Williamson either side of her own effort. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/31/arsenal-brighton-womens-fa-cup-semi-final-match-report

The US ended a feud with the EU over everything from Harley-Davidsons to whiskey but the UK was left out of the deal.

Live updates from the match at Meadow Park (4.45pm GMT) Live scores: the goals as they go in around the UK and Europe Get in touch! Email Alex 2 mins: Some early comedy as Kaagman belts the ball against the head of her teammate Simpkins, who drops a well-justified F-bomb for the TV cameras. 1 min: And we’re off. Arsenal kick off and get things going with a bit of keep-ball among their back line. Hope Powell looks on sternly from the technical area. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2021/oct/31/arsenal-v-brighton-hove-albion-womens-fa-cup-semi-final-live

This had been billed as Norwich’s chance to breathe life into their season and perhaps, on Halloween, bury a few ghosts. They could not take it, though, and only the wildest optimist would now think they look anything but doomed. Leeds were nothing special and still bear scant resemblance to the dizzying outfit of last season, but Marcelo Bielsa’s team came out the right side of a frenetic four-minute spell before the hour and ensured that any lurch into crisis mode is at least postponed. Their winning goal, scored by Rodrigo, squirmed through Tim Krul and epitomised an error-strewn first 10 games in which Norwich have only amassed two points. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/31/norwich-leeds-premier-league-match-report

Chairman summons Portuguese head coach after United defeat Sérgio Conceição and Paulo Fonseca potential replacements Nuno Espírito Santo’s future as Tottenham manager is in serious doubt after he was summoned to crisis talks with chairman Daniel Levy and managing director Fabio Paratici following Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester United. The deflating loss, in which Tottenham did not manage a shot on target, was marked by the home fans booing the manager’s substitutions and calling for Levy to go. It is understood that despite signing a two-year contract on 1 July, Nuno held emergency talks on Sunday following a disappointing run of results that has left Spurs eighth in the Premier League. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/31/nuno-espirito-santos-tottenham-future-in-doubt-after-crisis-talks-with-daniel-levy

Live updates from the match at Carrow Road (4.30pm GMT) Live scores: the goals as they go in around the UK and Europe Get in touch! Email Rob Dean Smith has reverted to a back four - maybe he’s been listening to Embrace - and made four changes from Villa’s heavy defeat at Arsenal nine days ago. Kortney Hause, Marvelous Nakamba, Jacob Ramsey and Leon Bailey replace Tyrone Mings, Axel Tuanzebe, Douglas Luiz and Danny Ings. I think Ings and Luiz are injured, but Mings and Tuanzebe have been dropped. West Ham are unchanged from their last league game, the 1-0 win over Spurs Nil a week ago. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2021/oct/31/aston-villa-v-west-ham-united-premier-league-live

Goalkeeping is a precarious career where someone is more likely to be remembered for their mistakes than successes as Karima Taieb found out as her two errors, among a litany of saves, set Chelsea on their way to the Women’s FA Cup final at Manchester City’s expense. The game was settled within five first-half minutes as first Erin Cuthbert thrashed the ball through Taieb’s hands, before Melanie Leupolz did similar but in a tamer fashion to leave the goalkeeper crestfallen as City’s hope for a third successive FA Cup triumph were dashed, with Beth England putting the result beyond doubt late on. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/31/manchester-city-chelsea-womens-fa-cup-semi-final-match-report

Fans’ fury at Daniel Levy is understandable – the on-pitch stagnation is only highlighted by the luxury surroundings There were always going to be boos from one end of the ground or the other and, as Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side pulled off another of those increasingly familiar job-saving victories, they came from Spurs fans. At half-time, at full-time, and probably most significantly, when Lucas Moura was taken off for Steven Bergwijn. By the end there were chants against the chairman Daniel Levy. It seems absurd to say it 11 games into his reign, but already for Nuno Espírito Santo the situation feels critical. Manchester United were more solid than they have been. There may be problems ahead if Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, Jadon Sancho and Paul Pogba have to go without regular football for a protracted spell, but for now the 3-4-1-2 has brought short-term relief. Solskjær at least has the fallback of good players who can do brilliant things. Continue reading... from Football

A Fashion Sakala hat-trick inspired rampant Rangers to a 6-1 comeback win over Motherwell which extended their lead at the top of the cinch Premiership to four points. It was initially a struggle for the champions at a sodden Fir Park after Well defender Bevis Mugabi opened the scoring in the 13th minute from the tightest of angles. Rangers huffed and puffed before captain James Tavernier, celebrating his 30th birthday, levelled with a terrific volley in the 43rd minute before crossing for striker Sakala to head the Ibrox men into an interval lead. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/31/motherwell-rangers-scottish-premiership-match-report

Updates from the match at Academy Stadium (12.45pm GMT) Live scores: the goals as they go in around the UK and Europe Get in touch! Email Rob with your thoughts here 5 min Hemp swerves away from Kirby and lifts a dangerous cross that beats everyone in the middle. It’s collected on the far side by Beckie, whose cross is well claimed by Berger. 3 min Nothing much to report so far. I’m still trying to work out the formations; I think Chelsea are playing with a back four as well, with Jess Carter at right-back. I feel cheated. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2021/oct/31/manchester-city-v-chelsea-womens-fa-cup-semi-final-live

MBM updates from the match at Carrow Road (12.45pm GMT) Live scores: the goals as they go in around the UK and Europe Get in touch! Email Niall or tweet him here Here’s Daniel Farke: “Of course we’re not happy with just two points from nine games, but we have to concentrate on this game. We are respectful [of Leeds] but also highly motivated to win points today. “It’s crunch time, when you have to deliver. We had a tough fixture list and as a promoted team it’s difficult. Today we want to go for it and win the points. We also want to get back to being more defensively solid – [but] play without fear and go for it.” Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2021/oct/31/norwich-v-leeds-premier-league-live

42-year-old diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis Dyer says he is is positive ‘he will overcome minor setback’ The former England midfielder Kieron Dyer requires a liver transplant, his club Ipswich have announced. Ipswich, where Dyer has been working as under-23s manager, confirmed that the 42-year-old was undertaking tests in hospital on Wednesday. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/31/ipswich-under-23s-manager-kieron-dyer-reveals-he-needs-liver-transplant

Zaha posts screenshots of abuse he received on Instagram ‘I’ll always be black and proud,’ says Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha has highlighted racist abuse he was sent online after Crystal Palace’s victory at Manchester City on Saturday. Zaha scored the opener in Palace’s 2-0 win , a match in which City defender Aymeric Laporte was sent off for a foul on the forward. The Ivory Coast international subsequently posted screenshots on Instagram of racist abuse he had received following the match. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/31/wilfried-zaha-racially-abused-after-crystal-palace-win-at-manchester-city

Leaders at the G20 in Rome endorse a proposal that sets a minimum tax rate of 15% on big businesses.

Atlético’s most recent visit to Anfield for a Champions League tie in March 2020 turned out to be the last major football match in the UK before the sport was halted by the Covid crisis Madrid was at the centre of the Covid-19 outbreak by 11 March 2020 and had closed its schools, suspended its regional parliament and all events with more than 1,000 people in response. La Liga had decided to stage matches behind closed doors and the all-Basque Copa del Rey final between Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad had been postponed indefinitely. Yet 3,000 Atlético Madrid supporters were among a crowd of 52,267 inside Anfield that night, staying in Liverpool hotels, travelling on public transport and celebrating in Liverpool pubs after knocking the holders out of the Champions League . Local hospitals reported an additional 37 deaths shortly afterwards. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/31/atletico-madrids-return-to-liverpool-evokes

Left-winger became a Nottingham Forest hero after Brian Clough hijacked Harry Redknapp’s deal to sign him from Runcorn Brian Clough changed Ian Woan’s life. The former left-winger is quite open about that. Before signing for Nottingham Forest in 1990, Woan was working for an industrial company in Widnes. It is fair to say that moving from non-league Runcorn to Forest – then second in the First Division – to work under one of the most famous managers the game has seen, was quite the jolt. Nine professional games later, Woan was shaking the hand of Lady Diana and playing in an FA Cup final against Spurs. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/31/ian-woan-nottingham-forest-burnley-brian-clough-sean-dyche

United manager delighted after 3-0 win over Tottenham ‘I’ve stayed away from most of the noise’ Ole Gunnar Solskjær hailed his side’s performance after Manchester United eased the pressure on their manager with a clinical 3-0 victory against Tottenham. Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford saw United bounce back from their 5-0 defeat to Liverpool and earn Solskjær some breathing space. The manager was in danger of being sacked after the humiliation last Sunday and he was a relieved man after his switch to a 3-4-1-2 system proved inspired at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/30/criticism-doesnt-bother-me-says-solskjr-after-win-over-spurs-eases-pressure

JCB will take 10% of the green hydrogen made by Australian mining company Fortescue Future Industries.

Liverpool made it 24 games unbeaten in all competitions for the first time since 1989, and 20 Premier League matches without defeat, but such details will be little consolation after they squandered a two-goal lead against Brighton. The visitors fought back with style and belief in their methods to claim a merited draw. Liverpool opened in the same incisive, clinical vein that humiliated Manchester United last Sunday with Roberto Firmino irresistible in the pockets of space he was able to find seemingly at will. Brighton’s contribution to a flowing contest was highly impressive, however. They never deviated from their positive approach, even when trailing 2-0 to goals from Jordan Henderson and Sadio Mané, and richly deserved to reach half-time with renewed hope. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/30/liverpool-brighton-premier-league-match-report

Cardiff battle back from 3-0 down to claim 3-3 draw Huddersfield climb to fifth after beating Millwall Managerless Cardiff pulled off a remarkable comeback at the Bet365 Stadium, as Stoke let slip a three‑goal lead to draw 3-3. Jacob Brown put the hosts ahead after 10 minutes and Steven Fletcher grabbed a goal in each half to put them in control. But three goals in five minutes hauled Cardiff level. Rubin Colwill pulled one back in the 66th minute, Mark Harris added a second four minutes later and Kieffer Moore struck almost instantly to complete the fightback. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/30/championship-roundup-moore-strikes-late-to-cap-dramatic-cardiff-comeback

At half-time the crowd were urged to raise money for the Royal British Legion by participating in an auction to buy “match worn” signed shirts streaked with mud, sweat and, in the case of Newcastle’s players, quite possibly tears. No prizes for guessing which top Chelsea fans would be bidding highest for. Reece James’s two second half goals allowed Thomas Tuchel’s Premier League leaders to translate dominance into material advantage as they left Newcastle stuck in the bottom three and still seeking their first win of the season. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/30/newcastle-chelsea-premier-league-match-report

Sometimes one is enough. One shot on target; one goal; one away win. Che Adams’s deft first-half finish was all Southampton needed to delight their travelling faithful. This was their second win on the road in 18 attempts. Oh, how they enjoyed their marching-based evensong. If the scoreline suggests a close contest, that is misleading: it was a thoroughly deserved victory that could, and should, have been more comfortable such was the control Southampton exerted. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/30/watford-southampton-premier-league-match-report

Burnley registered their first win of the Premier League season as they beat Brentford 3-1 at Turf Moor on the day that Sean Dyche reached nine years as Clarets boss. The hosts scored three times without reply in the first half, with Chris Wood lashing the opener past Premier League debutant lvaro Fernández in the fourth minute. Matt Lowton added a header in the 32nd and Maxwel Cornet then struck to make it 3-0 four minutes later. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/30/burnley-brentford-premier-league-match-report

Brazilian scores twice as Real go top of La Liga with 2-1 win Lewandowski scores twice as Bayern trounce Union Berlin Vinícius Júnior took over the scoring duties from Karim Benzema by netting twice to help Real Madrid win 2-1 at 10-man Elche on Saturday and move to the top of La Liga. Vinícius opened the scoring with a 22nd-minute strike. After Elche midfielder Raúl Guti was sent off for a second booking, the Brazilian winger then put the result beyond doubt in the 73rd. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/30/european-roundup-real-madrid-bayern-munich-juventus

Stryjek saves Giakoumakis stoppage-time spot-kick Hearts miss chance to go top after defeat to Aberdeen Giorgos Giakoumakis missed a stoppage-time penalty as Celtic squandered the chance to go top of the cinch Premiership in a goalless home draw with Livingston. The Greek striker’s weak effort was saved by Max Stryjek after Abi Obileye had gifted the hosts a rare chance when he hit out at Kyogo Furuhashi in the box and received a red card. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/30/scottish-roundup-celtic-squander-late-penalty-in-draw-with-livingston

Premier League updates from the 5.30pm BST kick-off Sign up now and get our daily football email, The Fiver And feel free to get in touch. You can email Scott here Spurs make two changes to the team that lost at West Ham last weekend. Ben Davies and Giovani Lo Celso consign Sergio Reguilon and Tanguy Ndombele to the bench. Manchester United also make two changes in the wake of that defeat by Liverpool. Raphael Varane and Edinson Cavani replace Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood as Ole Gunnar Solksjaer looks to shore things up with three centre-backs. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2021/oct/30/tottenham-v-manchester-united-premier-league-live

Host calls time on 27-year run at the helm of programme Presenter will leave ‘the best job in the world’ in May Jeff Stelling is to step down as host of Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday programme, ending his 27-year run as host of the unlikely success story which became a core part of weekend television viewing for many football fans. The journalist made the announcement on Saturday afternoon’s edition of the programme, saying he had come to the “incredibly difficult decision that this will be my last season” and would step down from the host’s chair in May. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/30/unbelievable-jeff-stelling-to-leave-soccer-saturday-role-at-end-of-season

The holders have won three of the last four FA Cup finals but an upbeat Chelsea stand in their way this Sunday The last remnant of the pandemic-disrupted domestic fixture list edges closer with the 2020-21 FA Cup semi-finals taking place on Sunday. And, with the 50th final of the competition scheduled to take place on 5 December, 100 years to the day since the Football Association effectively banned the women’s game by barring matches from being played at FA-affiliated grounds, there is a poignancy to this season’s competition and the showpiece Wembley final. The climax of this season’s tournament will be restored to its traditional May date in the calendar, meaning there are four domestic titles and the Champions League to play for in the 2021-22 season. To win the FA Cup, for each of the final four teams left in it, would not just be a trophy in the cabinet but also a marker in the development of each side in different ways. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https

If ever you wanted proof that football goes in cycles, then surely it was the sight of Leicester being confounded by an opposition team playing 4-4-2. This was the biggest test yet of Arsenal’s eight-match unbeaten run, and after impressively resisting Leicester’s second-half surge there can be little doubt that Mikel Arteta’s team have gone up a level in all areas. Their confidence is high. Their work-rate is high. Their passing and movement are in sync with each other, they offer a significant threat from set pieces, and when forced onto the back foot they can rely on a goalkeeper in Aaron Ramsdale in the form of his life. Two early goals put them into a position of dominance that they never surrendered, for all Leicester’s possession and pressure, nourished by the familiar King Power roar. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/30/leicester-arsenal-premier-league-match-report

MLS engages outside counsel to investigate allegations More abuse claims hit North American soccer Major League Soccer said Friday it will hire independent counsel to oversee an investigation into the Vancouver Whitecaps’ handling of misconduct allegations against former women’s coach Hubert Busby Jr, currently coach of the Jamaican women’s national team. “The investigation will include a review of the club’s internal processes and overall culture at the time as well as recommendations on preventative measures to ensure that all players and staff under the Whitecaps organization umbrella work in a safe environment, free of all forms of harassment and fear of retaliation,” MLS said in a statement. “The league and club will publicly release the findings and recommendations of the investigation.” Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/30/mls-to-conduct-independent-probe-of-whitecaps-after-guardian-investigation

Exclusive: A former player has told the Guardian that an international head coach attempted to solicit sex from her while with the Vancouver Whitecaps women’s team The head coach of the Jamaica women’s national team has been accused by a former player of attempting to solicit sex from her during a recruiting process when he was in charge of the Vancouver Whitecaps women’s team. The latest allegations against a prominent figure in North American women’s soccer come at a time when players around the world have spoken out about a culture of abuse and inappropriate behavior in the sport. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/28/abuse-allegations-vancouver-whitecaps-womens-team-hubert-busby-jr-soccer

Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend Live scores: goals around the UK and Europe as they go in Get in touch! You can email Barry here or tweet him Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson, Keita, Henderson, Jones, Salah, Firmino, Mane. Subs: Gomez, Adrian, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Minamino, Jota, Tsimikas, Origi, Matip, Morton. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2021/oct/30/chelsea-v-newcastle-liverpool-v-brighton-and-more-football-clockwatch-live

Aleksandar Mitrovic makes this Championship lark look easy. As the striker completed his hat-trick eight minutes from time, the adoring Hammersmith End saluted him in unison. Mitrovic is as close as it gets to a goal guarantee in the division and took his tally to 18 in 15 games as Fulham overcame West Brom, whose afternoon went from bad to worse when Darnell Furlong was sent off with 20 minutes left. The frightening thing for opposition defences is that there are still seven months of the season to play and, in this mood, Mitrovic seems unlikely to wind down any time soon. The reality is Mitrovic only had four touches in the opposition box but made them count; two of those resulted in first-half goals that took the game away from West Brom, whose main threat stemmed from winning the aerial battle, and another sealed victory after Furlong was given a straight red card for fouling Harry Wilson. Fulham kept West Brom at arm’s length but the visitors threatened from set pieces. Marek Rod

This is a meeting between two teams in flux. Bruno Lage, brought in to jazz up Wolves’ playing style, has toned down his adventurous plan in recent weeks in order to prioritise points. Rafael Benitez has long specialised in that approach and Everton’s injury problems give him little scope to be expansive. But the visitors will be under pressure to give their fans something to get excited about after last weekend’s embarrassing 5-2 defeat by Watford. Paul Doyle Monday 8pm Sky Sports Premier League Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/30/wolves-everton-match-preview-premier-league

Craig Bromfield was a ‘ragtag’ youngster when the legendary football manager changed his life by inviting him into his family. So what went wrong? • Read an extract from Bromfield’s book here Craig Bromfield stands on the steps of Sunderland’s Seaburn beach, staring into the past. “It was 9.30am on a Saturday, freezing,” he says. “My brother Aaron’s in the sea just in his pants and I’m running along here, backwards and forwards, thinking I’m the bloke off Chariots of Fire. Then Aaron gets out and runs up these steps, waving at me, and Brian’s just walking along here with his entourage.” He didn’t know who Brian Clough was. But Aaron explained, Craig approached him and it changed his life. The date, 20 October 1984, is etched in Craig’s mind. He was 11, Aaron was 12, and Clough was a legendary football manager and former player. As a manager, he had achieved the impossible twice – first with Derby County, then with Nottingham Forest. He had taken these two modest clubs from the old s

Liverpool drawn at home to Leicester in last eight Brentford host Chelsea in another London derby Sunderland will travel to Arsenal in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup after the draw was made on Saturday morning. The only Football League club left in the competition were able to avoid Chelsea and Liverpool, but the League One side will face Mikel Arteta’s side at the Emirates in the week commencing 20 December. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/30/carabao-cup-quarter-final-draw-liverpool-land-leicester-west-ham-at-spurs-arsenal-sunderland-brentford-chelsea

Premier League updates from the 12.30pm BST kick-off Sign up now and get our daily football email, The Fiver And feel free to get in touch. You can email Scott here Just the one change from last weekend’s 2-1 win over Brentford for Leicester City. Ricardo Pereira is injured so Luke Thomas steps up. Arsenal are unchanged from their 3-1 victory over Aston Villa last Friday week. Kieran Tierney still hasn’t recovered from his sore ankle, but Ben White is better after a short illness. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2021/oct/30/leicester-city-v-arsenal-premier-league-live

Aston Villa are struggling in the post-Jack Grealish era. It is safe to say Emiliano Buendía has not filled the creative void as yet. One goal and no assists in seven appearances is no huge cause for alarm but West Ham will hope his struggles continue for a little longer. David Moyes’ side are operating at maximum efficiency and will be confident of securing a positive result to hold on to fourth place. But only three goals in their past three games suggests they could be vulnerable if Villa find their flow. Graham Searles Sunday 4.30pm Sky Sports Premier League Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/30/aston-villa-west-ham-match-preview-premier-league

Norwich took the hammering of all hammerings at Chelsea and look to be in a giant heap of trouble. A first win of the season is imperative against Leeds to build a morsel of confidence but even against a side also struggling this feels like a stretch. Marcelo Bielsa will view Norwich as the perfect moment for Leeds to put their difficulties behind them and rediscover some of their attacking verve. Daniel Farke’s task in finding any attacking threat feels like mission impossible in comparison. Norwich have gone seven hours without a goal. Graham Searles Sunday 2pm Sky Sports Premier League Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/30/leeds-norwich-match-preview-premier-league

Will Mark Zuckerberg's bet on a new name and the metaverse succeed?

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! There’s been an awful smell in Fiver Towers this week, folks. The kind of stench that grows worse over time. At first we thought it was the sweaty leg-warmers Weird Uncle Fiver left festering on the radiator after he went on a hipster-spotting hike in Macclesfield. But, in fact, it turns out it was Granny Fiver’s tripe and apple stew, a concoction so bad it was laughed off the formica dinner table last weekend and hidden (perhaps out of spite) in the back of the larder to go bad. We’ve not seen our dear granny since, alas. But she’ll pop up sooner or later. You can’t keep a bad cook down. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/29/the-fiver-manchester-united-ole-gunnar-solskjaer

Manchester City have only lost once in the Premier League this season and Crystal Palace have only two points on the road and one win overall so the favourites are clear. Patrick Vieira, the visiting manager, is a City Football Group alumnus, having coached Manchester City Elite Development Squad and New York City: but for the 90 minutes there will be zero sentiment allowed by his opposite number, Pep Guardiola. Jamie Jackson Saturday 3pm Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/29/manchester-city-crystal-palace-match-preview-premier-league

Manager feels teams ‘gave too much away’ in first half He describes unbeaten start to the season as ‘OK’ Jürgen Klopp has insisted that Liverpool’s world was not perfect in their historic 5-0 thrashing of Manchester United because his team have to improve defensively and be capable of winning 1-0. Liverpool have not lost in 23 matches, their longest undefeated run since 1989, possess the Premier League’s only unbeaten record and recorded their biggest win at Old Trafford on Sunday. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/29/jurgen-klopp-tells-liverpool-they-must-defend-better-after-5-0-old-trafford-win

Arsenal seem to have found form recently but the trip to the King Power will be a stringent test. Leicester have got their groove back in their past two matches to such an extent that Brendan Rodgers could afford to leave Patson Daka, Harvey Barnes and Ademola Lookman on the bench against Brentford despite their scoring exploits in recent Europa League and Carabao Cup ties. Though the teams are level on points going into the game, Leicester have the tools to mount another challenge for the top four and could show Mikel Arteta just how far Arsenal still have to go. Paul Doyle Saturday 12.30pm BT Sport 1 Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/29/leicester-arsenal-match-preview-premier-league

It seems an age ago that these two teams were flying high in the Premier League but it was only 11 September when Manchester United thumped Newcastle 4-1 to replace Tottenham at the top of the pile. Things have not exactly gone to plan since for either Ole Gunnar Solskjær or Nuno Espírito Santo with United winning once in the league while Spurs are only a place and a point above them in sixth. Solskjær will hope the return of Raphaël Varane will help shore up United’s calamitous defence while the absence of the suspended Paul Pogba might not be a bad thing. Stephen Hollis Saturday 5.30pm Sky Sports Premier League Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/29/tottenham-manchester-united-match-preview-premier-league

The long-awaited departure of Mike Ashley and prospect of a huge injection of Saudi Arabian investment have lifted spirits on Tyneside but have had little effect on Newcastle’s fortunes on the pitch. They remain winless in the Premier League although the 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace last weekend in Graeme Jones’s first game as temporary manager did at least offer a glimmer of hope, especially with Callum Wilson fit and firing again. Chelsea continue to be without their marquee striker in Romelu Lukaku but they did just fine without him in the 7-0 crushing of Norwich last week. Stephen Hollis Saturday 3pm Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/29/newcastle-chelsea-match-preview-premier-league

It is a measure of the credit Sean Dyche has accumulated in his nine years at Burnley that nobody seems to be questioning his position. The stats certainly do not make for good reading with 12 defeats from their past 18 league games and a run of 12 matches without a win. The return of defender Ben Mee after contracting Covid-19 and the form of Maxwel Cornet will give them hope of a first home success since January against a Brentford side whose flying start to life in the top flight has been held up slightly by successive home defeats. Stephen Hollis Saturday 3pm Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/29/burnley-brentford-match-preview-premier-league

The company says it is "working around the clock" to resolve the issue.

Investors snap up shares in the Chinese-owned Swedish carmaker as they go on sale in Stockholm.

Whatever you think about the ethics of demanding that managers to lose their jobs, this is nothing new By Chris Evans for The Set Pieces As Ole Gunnar Solskjær stands on the Old Trafford touchline with his arms folded and the sternest of looks painted across his face, there are few people in the world who would want to swap places with him. His Manchester United side are losing 5-0 at home to Liverpool , down to 10 men and facing one of the most humiliating defeats in Premier League history. But all he can do is stand there, motionless in his technical area, knowing a swirl of abuse and criticism is heading his way. Social media is already abuzz with hurtful messages and comments, while pundits and journalists question if the death knell is tolling on his time in charge. Well, not quite all of them. In the ensuing hours and days, Solskjær’s former teammates refuse to call for his head, triggering more online reaction as people question that bias. Continue reading... from Footbal

Wrexham AFC owners Ryan Reynolds spoke to the media about their ambitions for the club on their first visit since taking over as owners. Reynolds said that promotion to the Football League would be a 'perfect ending' but that success wouldn't come overnight. McElhenney added that the pair were excited to tell the story of a working-class town and club. The club's Hollywood star co-owners had been in attendance at York Road on Tuesday night to watch their side lose 3-2 at Maidenhead in the National League. Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds see first Wrexham game at Maidenhead Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2021/oct/29/wrexham-owners-ryan-reynolds-and-rob-mcelhenney-share-hopes-for-the-club-on-first-visit-video

Eriksen cannot play in Italy with pacemaker-like ICD Denmark midfielder suffered cardiac arrest in June Christian Eriksen is not permitted to play in Italy this season as a result of the cardiac arrest suffered at Euro 2020 , Internazionale have said, but the Serie A champions are open to letting the Denmark midfielder leave. Eriksen suffered the cardiac arrest during his country’s opening game of the tournament in June and received life-saving treatment on the pitch. He later had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) device implanted , a type of pacemaker which can prevent fatal cardiac arrests by discharging a jolt to restore a regular heart rhythm. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/29/inter-open-to-letting-christian-eriksen-leave-and-play-elsewhere

Brokers say the current cost of a mortgage is the lowest it will be "for some time".

Three successive losses have changed the mood music as the manager struggles with his post-Grealish tactics Amid the cacophony surrounding Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s future, or apparent lack thereof, as Manchester United manager, chatter regarding his Aston Villa counterpart Dean Smith has barely registered on the football decibel scale. Speculating on the bookmakers’ Sack Race market might seem ghoulish but a small investment on Smith being handed his P45 before the white-hot Norwegian favourite may not constitute the world’s worst wager at double-digit odds. His team go into Sunday’s home game against in-form West Ham on the back of three successive defeats, the most recent a surprisingly feeble capitulation against Arsenal . Despite taking the scalps of Newcastle, Everton and Manchester United this season, it has been reported that Villa’s position of 13th in the Premier League does not come close to matching the expectations of the chief executive, Christian Purslow, or his billionair

Another week, another team Brighton beat last season in the same fixture but look very unlikely to beat again this season. That said Graham Potter’s side will do a better job defensively than Manchester United last week but the chances of them containing Mohamed Salah or outscoring Liverpool are almost nil. Jürgen Klopp’s side need to keep pace with Chelsea and Manchester City though. Both of those front-runners will be expecting wins and maybe Brighton can find some joy in exasperating Liverpool until at least the second half. A big ask considering Klopp’s powerhouse are the top scorers in the opening period this season with 12 goals. Graham Searles Saturday 3pm Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/29/liverpool-brighton-match-preview-premier-league

The Claudio Ranieri era exploded into life with Watford’s 5-2 comeback win over Everton and it will be interesting to see how the tactical tinker schemes up his side for Southampton. They must be feeling good, especially Joshua King after his hat-trick, so why not go all guns blazing and bag another important win against a fellow bottom-half side in Southampton. Ralph Hasenhüttl will be delighted to have his midfield linchpin James Ward-Prowse back. Southampton have struggled for goals but Ward-Prowse’s pinpoint delivery from dead balls should give them more opportunities. A timely return as Watford concede almost two goals every game. Graham Searles Saturday 3pm Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/29/watford-southampton-match-preview-premier-league

Get all the latest news in our weekend football countdown Premier League: 10 things to look out for in next round of games Get in touch! Email Luke here or tweet @LukeMcLaughlin Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has been speaking to the media before Sunday’s visit of West Ham. A spot of team news: “Emi Martinez will be back training with us today. He’s had some personal issues that he had to fly back home for, but he’s back today so I have no worries about his availability. Other than that, Morgan Sanson and Jaden Philogene-Bidace are both off ill, and Trezeguet is still coming back from injury.” Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2021/oct/29/spurs-v-manchester-united-buildup-premier-league-team-news-weekend-football-countdown-live

Ofgem says it will look at how it calculates the cap after a series of energy firms collapsed.

The popular Netflix show has now spawned its new cryptocurrency - and its soaring.

Harry Maguire is struggling for form, Brentford will miss David Raya and West Ham look to continue their surge Back-to-back league wins over Manchester United and Brentford suggest Leicester City have hit their stride after a shaky enough start to the season and Brendan Rodgers’s side are likely to provide a stern test for an Arsenal team that has also improved but were perhaps overpraised for their most recent league win against a surprisingly meek Aston Villa . Saturday’s early kick-off should provide a stern test of what currently passes for both teams’ mettle. Locked together on 14 points, a win for either will send them fifth for a few hours at least. They would constitute dizzy heights at the 10-game mark when the league table is generally accepted to be taking shape, not least for an Arsenal side that began the current campaign with three straight defeats. BG Leicester v Arsenal, Saturday 12.30pm (BST) Tottenham v Manchester United, Saturday 5.30pm (BST) Continue reading..

The online retail giant said it would take steps to "minimise the impact" of supply chain issues.

Oliver and Alexander Kent-Braham built tech firm Marshmallow during their 20s - it's now worth $1bn.

Sales of more unusual drinks have soared since the start of the pandemic.

Ronald Koeman’s spell as the Barcelona manager came to an abrupt end on Wednesday night when he was sacked following a 1-0 defeat at Rayo Vallecano. His departure ends an unhappy chapter for the former player, who helped them win their first European Cup in 1992, and leaves with the club in turmoil on and off the field. Here's a look back at the Dutchman's 14 months in charge and how it went from bad to worse.  Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2021/oct/28/ronald-koeman-sacked-a-look-back-at-his-turbulent-tenure-at-barcelona-video-report

David Henderson found guilty at Cardiff crown court of endangering safety of an aircraft David Henderson, the businessman who organised the flight that crashed, killing footballer Emiliano Sala, has been found guilty at Cardiff crown court of endangering the safety of an aircraft. More details soon…. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/28/man-who-organised-emiliano-sala-flight-convicted-over-deaths

Sporting director Stuart Webber savages claims club lack ambition, discusses manager and urges fans not to give up As Norwich’s players slunk away from Stamford Bridge after a supine 7-0 defeat , a popular narrative gathered momentum. It broadly went that the Canaries, who had stuck around for only one season after three of their previous four promotions to the Premier League, are a waste of time: that they offer the division nothing, occupying a spot that could be filled by a club with loftier ambitions than simply to take the prize money and run. The impression has arisen because Norwich, relegated in 2019-20 by a gaping margin , are on course for a similarly ignominious end this time. On paper, the pattern that emerged back then has continued seamlessly and losing to Chelsea meant they have taken two points from their past 19 top-flight outings. They host Leeds on Sunday and the match, their 10th of the season, feels crucial. If fortunes begin to take shape at this point in a camp

The ex-England star’s deal for his ambassador role is in marked contrast to the wages of the host nation’s migrant workers I doubt Nirmala Pakrin knows who David Beckham is, but she knows about Qatar. Her husband, Rupchandra Rumba, a 24-year-old from Nepal , died in 2019, gasping for breath in a squalid camp for labourers on the outskirts of Doha, while working for a contractor on one of the new World Cup stadiums. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/oct/28/men-who-built-qatars-world-cup-dream-deserve-some-of-david-beckhams-pay-packet

David Henderson was accused in relation to the Argentinian footballer’s death in a plane crash in 2019 The Argentinian striker Emiliano Sala , 28, was being flown from Nantes in France to the Welsh capital to join his new club, Cardiff City, on the evening of 21 January 2019 when the single-engine Piper Malibu aircraft plunged into the Channel north of Guernsey in bad weather. His body was recovered from the seabed 68 metres down. The body of the pilot, David Ibbotson, from Lincolnshire, was not found. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/28/what-happened-to-emiliano-sala-and-what-was-the-trial-about

Budget questions from readers on a range of topics.

Sassuolo sealed their first ever away win at Juve, with new coach Alessio Dionisi outsmarting one of his footballing idols Before kick-off at Allianz Stadium, Alessio Dionisi posed for photographs with Massimiliano Allegri. There was a faint awkwardness to the scene, something contrived in the media narrative that sought to present the Sassuolo and Juventus managers as peas from the same pod. Both are Tuscan, both supported the Bianconeri as kids, and both have now coached the Neroverdi. But they are at starkly different moments in their careers. Allegri is a six-time Serie A champion and two-time Champions League finalist: a “guarantee”, in the language of Italian football, reappointed this summer for the certainty that he could get Juventus back on track after they missed out on the title under Andrea Pirlo. Dionisi is a young manager with everything still to prove, working for the first time in Serie A. As recently as 2018, he had never coached above the fourth tier. Continue rea

This week’s roundup also features the best of Ben Stokes, Barry Davies, the ‘85 Bears and a pre-season pratfall 1) The great Benjamin Andrew Stokes will be playing in the Ashes! To celebrate, here’s the man himself at the wrestling . If you prefer cricket, please enjoy highlights from that Headingley knock here, TMS coverage of the winning moment and his winning shot captured from the crowd . Stokes has form in Australia – making his maiden Test ton at Perth in December 2013. 2) Rally driver Thierry Neuville tackles a 9.1km route in daylight – and in the dark . Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/oct/28/classic-youtube-world-rally-rugby-union-ben-stokes-goals

An economic research group says many people will see their living standards fall over the next year.

Labour says making flying cheaper in the UK is an "astonishing" move ahead of COP26 climate summit.

Xavi in charge of Qatari club Al Sadd but wants job Ronald Koeman sacked after defeat by Rayo Vallecano Barcelona are in talks to appoint Xavi Hernández as their head coach after sacking Ronald Koeman on Wednesday night. The club’s former midfielder is in charge of the Qatari club Al Sadd but wants to return to the Camp Nou and negotiations are continuing to release him from his contract. Barcelona’s board have been in contact with Xavi over the job for some weeks, with it long having been a question of when Koeman would be dismissed . It is not certain an appointment will be made before Saturday’s game at home to Alavés, meaning Sergi Barjuán, the head coach of Barcelona B, could take interim charge. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/28/barcelona-in-talks-to-make-xavi-hernandez-new-head-coach

Rashford: ‘as a Manchester United fan, I didn’t know what to say’ Forward adds fans did not deserve hammering by Liverpool Marcus Rashford said he stayed away from social media over the past few days because he was embarrassed by Manchester United’s 5-0 defeat by Liverpool but the forward promised fans the team were working hard to turn things around. Mohamed Salah scored a hat-trick as Liverpool romped to a stunning victory at Old Trafford, with United slipping to seventh after a fourth straight Premier League match without a win. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/28/marcus-rashford-manchester-united-liverpool-embarrassed-social-media

The Adelaide United player has given hope that coming out as gay in such a masculine environment will some day cease to be a no-go Josh Cavallo announced his sexuality to the world through a social media post this week. Some will respond with love and support, offering congratulations to him for his bravery and courageousness in speaking out. Others will ask why this is important. But why do people need to announce their sexuality at all? The power of statistics and research can be used to highlight the need for visibility and representation within LGBTQ+ communities in sport. These are important and should not be overlooked, but it is stories like Josh’s which can really resonate – stories that can ignite a motivation in people to go against the grain, and so too be brave and courageous. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/28/i-long-for-a-day-when-gay-footballers-like-me-and-josh-cavallo-dont-need-to-be-so-brave

Exclusive: A former player has told the Guardian that an international head coach attempted to solicit sex from her while with the Vancouver Whitecaps women’s team The head coach of the Jamaica women’s national team has been accused by a former player of attempting to solicit sex from her during a recruiting process when he was in charge of the Vancouver Whitecaps women’s team. The latest allegations against a prominent figure in North American women’s soccer come at a time when players around the world have spoken out about a culture of abuse and inappropriate behavior in the sport. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/28/abuse-allegations-vancouver-whitecaps-womens-team-hubert-busby-jr-soccer

Unbeaten national team are in line to qualify for Qatar World Cup and Al-Hilal are the Asian Champions League final favourites June 1994 was a special month for Saudi Arabian football when the team went to a first World Cup and Saeed al-Owairan slalomed through the Belgium defence in Washington to send the Green Falcons into the knockout stages. October 2021 is surely the best since, for reasons that had nothing to do with the country’s Public Investment Fund taking an 80% stake in Newcastle United . At the end of the first week, the national team, with two wins in the final round of qualification against Vietnam and Oman under their belt, defeated Japan, long regarded as Asia’s best, 1-0. Five days later, there was a thrilling 3-2 victory over China in front of 50,000 delighted fans in Jeddah. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/28/how-saudi-arabian-football-is-thriving-with-two-big-targets-in-sight

The government says it makes no apologies for big spending increases unveiled in the Budget.

Households will pay £3,000 more tax a year as a result of measures taken by Boris Johnson's government.

Dutchman goes 14 months after taking over Defeat leaves Barça ninth in La Liga, six points off top Ronald Koeman’s underwhelming spell as the Barcelona manager came to an abrupt endon Wednesday night after he was sacked following a 1-0 defeat at Rayo Vallecano. His departure ends an unhappy chapter for the former player who won them their first European Cup in 1992 and leaves the club in turmoil on and off the field. The defeat left Barcelona sitting ninth in La Liga on 15 points, six behind a quartet of clubs led by Real Madrid. Barça are third in their Champions League group having lost their opening two matches in Group E 3-0, at home to Bayern Munich and then away to Benfica. Ultimately, it was a sorry end for Koeman with the Rayo Vallecano supporters taunting Barcelona’s players and the manager as they left the pitch. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/27/ronald-koeman-sacked-by-barcelona-after-defeat-at-rayo-va

Champions were 2-0 down on night Ibrox remembered Smith Celtic score three times in opening half-hour in 3-1 win at Hibs Rangers fought back from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership on an emotionally charged night at Ibrox. Following the death on Tuesday of the former Rangers manager Walter Smith, Aberdeen stunned the home crowd when Christian Ramirez and the ex-Celtic captain Scott Brown both scored in the opening 16 minutes. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/27/rangers-fight-back-to-draw-with-aberdeen-while-celtic-win

We ask five people across the UK if they got what they wanted from Rishi Sunak's Budget.

Saudia Arabian firm Sabic confirms it is to decarbonise its plant in the north east of England.

Plumber Martin Broer explains why he swapped his van for an electric cargo bike.

Rich Lesser, global chair of Boston Consulting Group, shares his business advice for CEO Secrets.

The former US education secretary was convinced Theranos's blood tests were a "game changer".

Adelaide full-back only openly gay man playing in any top flight Gary Lineker and Joey Barton among those to offer messages The support for Josh Cavallo was unanimous and vocal. Players lined up to congratulate the Adelaide United player. Their clubs did the same. Everyone from Gerard Piqué and Raphaël Varane to Gary Lineker and Joey Barton. Every club from Sunderland to Athletic Bilbao to Liverpool and Juventus. “I want to thank you for this step that you take,” Piqué wrote to Cavallo on Twitter. “The world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward.” It felt like the sport of professional football, so long associated with homophobia and the repression of individual sexuality, was determined to make the young full-back’s decision to come out a moment. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/27/josh-cavallo-receives-support-from-football-world-after-coming-out

Maxime Lopez scores in stoppage time Radamel Falcao nets Rayo Vallecano winner against Barcelona Juventus slipped to a shock 2-1 defeat at home to Sassuolo in Serie A with Maxime Lopez’s stoppage-time winner stunning Massimiliano Allegri’s side. The hosts were well off the pace in the first half and fell behind to a fine team goal from Sassuolo two minutes before the break, with Davide Frattesi finishing well when put through on goal. Juve stepped it up in the second half with Juan Cuadrado having a powerful effort cleared off the line while Federico Chiesa also missed with a header. The equaliser finally came when McKennie powered a header into the net in the 76th minute, much to the relief of everyone in the Juventus Stadium. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/27/european-roundup-juventus-suffer-last-gasp-home-defeat-to-sassuolo

The boss of the UK's forecaster says Brexit will be worse for the economy than Covid.

The social media giant paid out after it was accused of misleading investors in 2015.

Updates from the fourth-round match at Deepdale (7.45pm) Live scores: all the goals from around the UK and Europe Get in touch! Send your thoughts to Scott here Welcome to our coverage of the Bill Shankly derby. Shanks won the FA Cup as a right-half with Preston North End in 1938, then at Liverpool ... well, you know what he did at Liverpool. Both sets of fans love the man; whatever happens tonight, Shanks will be smiling somewhere. Kick off is at 7.45pm BST. It’s on! Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2021/oct/27/preston-north-end-v-liverpool-carabao-cup-live

One of Scotland’s greatest football managers who enjoyed huge success at Rangers and was hailed as a hero by the club’s fans Walter Smith, who has died aged 73 of cancer, was one of the most successful football managers Scotland has produced, winning respect across the tribal lines that characterise Scottish football. While Rangers defined his career, his wider reputation also reflected times with Dundee United, Everton and the Scottish national team. A working-class Glaswegian and Rangers supporter by upbringing, he was a classic and increasingly rare example of a manager who led a club that also embodied his own deep-rooted loyalties. It was this affinity, as well as the success that he brought to Rangers, that made him particularly revered in the eyes of the fans. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/27/walter-smith-obituary

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! There are no Big Cup fixtures this week. No action either in Big Vase, or whatever that thing is that Spurs are in. There are no international qualifiers and no rescheduled Premier League matches, this week’s episodes of Succession and the Bake Off have been and gone, and the nights are fair drawing in so Granny Fiver won’t let us out to the swings. There’s not much to do, dear reader, so, and you won’t hear us saying this sort of thing very often, thank goodness for the League Cup! Yep! You heard us. Aye. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/27/the-fiver-eddie-nketiah-bid-for-internet-immortality-and-the-shankly-derby-preston-liverpool

The sectors worst hit by the Covid pandemic in England are given help with their business rates.

US win 6-0 over South Korea in Carli Lloyd’s farewell match Horan, Morgan, Rapinoe and Lavelle among goal scorers The US women sent Carli Lloyd into retirement with a 6-0 rout of South Korea on Tuesday night. Lloyd didn’t score in her final match, but it hardly mattered because the night was all about her. Fans chanted Lloyd’s name before the match, with one holding a sign that read: “One More World Cup, Please?” Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/26/carli-lloyd-farewell-match-uswnt-south-korea-friendly

Matty Cash’s decision to play for Poland has reminded us of some other interesting international careers Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/27/football-quiz-unexpected-international-call-ups-matty-cash

The chancellor has delivered his Covid recovery Budget, here's how it will affect your money.

A shake-up of alcohol duty is announced by the chancellor, with higher taxes for stronger drinks.

The UK's independent forecaster says the economy will return to pre-Covid levels faster than expected.

We assess key issues facing Manchester United’s manager after he was given at least one more match in charge When Harry Maguire is good he is excellent and when bad he can be amateurish in a way the very best centre-halves never are. Think Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk or Manchester City’s Rúben Dias whose errors are collectors’ items and who are yet to be witnessed in farcical defensive mode when it really counts, as Maguire was in his calamitous outing against Liverpool on Sunday . In 7,164 minutes of Premier League play since joining in summer 2019 the (supposed) defensive linchpin has the highest error-leading-to-chance tally of Manchester United’s outfield players: seven. The maligned – and dropped for Raphaël Varane – Victor Lindelöf is not in the top four, and Maguire’s two mistakes leading to goals is again the most of any non-goalkeeper. Last term Maguire was a metronome of consistency. But this season he is back to the Maguire of his opening campaign: inconsistent on a consis

No 1 goalkeeper Mendy could go to Africa Cup of Nations Arrizabalaga feels he has the confidence of manager Tuchel Kepa Arrizabalaga has said he will be ready to step up for Chelsea if his fellow goalkeeper Édouard Mendy represents Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations in January. Arrizabalaga had an eventful evening during Chelsea’s victory over Southampton in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, recovering from an error to help his team progress on penalties, and the goalkeeper is intent on proving that Thomas Tuchel can rely on him. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/27/chelsea-kepa-arrizabalaga-ready-for-mendy-absence-january-africa-cup-of-nations

Sadly, Jamie Vardy will not go on forever. But Brendan Rodgers seems to have found a player worthy of his place in Patson Daka By Ben McAleer for WhoScored When Jamie Vardy was withdrawn at the break during Leicester’s 2-1 win over Brentford on Sunday , the club’s supporters must have cursed their luck. Leicester have been incredibly unfortunate with injuries this season, so the absence of their top scorer was another frustrating blow. Vardy will be 35 in January but he shows no signs of slowing down. He has scored seven goals in the league this season – second only to Mohamed Salah on 10. In the past Leicester did not have a frontman who could ease the burden if Vardy were missing, but that is changing. Patson Daka, who came on for Vardy at half time on Sunday and set up James Maddison to score Leicester’s winner, joined the club from RB Salzburg in the summer with a huge reputation. The Zambian scored more goals (27) than any other player in the Austrian Bundesliga last season an

Centre-back who worked with Smith at Dundee United, Rangers and Everton remembers a humble, fair and tough man I still remember the first time I met Walter Smith. I went to Dundee United on trial and was staying with a friend of my father’s in Broughty Ferry. Walter picked me up for training on that first morning in February 1980. He continued to do that until the end of the season. We trained morning and afternoon together because Walter was looking after the kids at the time. That very first night, I actually played alongside Walter in a trial game against Arbroath at Gayfield; he was at full-back, I was at centre half. This was the start of a long friendship. He was a great man, a wonderful human being . Walter was no soft touch. Myself and Ralph Milne, who has also sadly passed away, used to put Walter in the small boot room as 17- or 18-year-olds and try to knock him about, without any success. His nickname was ‘The Bear’ for obvious reasons. Continue reading... from Football

Plus: more long-serving one-club stalwarts, the champions of double-digit defeats and more • Mail us your questions or tweet @TheKnowledge_GU “Have the outfield players of a team ever had to wear goalkeeper kits before?” asks Rudy. Yes they have, Rudy, and in recent years, too. “In 2009-10, Hibernian had a white away strip which wasn’t able to be used at Celtic Park and so they played in the club’s black goalkeeper tops ,” writes Denis Hurley. “And in a less dramatic example, this season Everton used orange socks from their goalkeeper kit with their black away shirts and shorts against Huddersfield in the League Cup.” Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/27/have-the-outfield-players-of-a-team-ever-had-to-wear-goalkeeper-kits

Adelaide United player announces news in video on social media ‘It’s been a journey to get to this point in my life,’ midfielder says A-League midfielder Josh Cavallo has come out as gay, making the Young Socceroo the only known current male professional footballer in the world to be out. The 21-year-old announced the news in a lengthy and heartfelt social media post, which accompanied a personal video shared by his club Adelaide United, writing that he was “ready to speak about something personal that I’m finally comfortable to talk about in my life”. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/27/i-have-been-fighting-my-sexuality-a-league-player-josh-cavallo-comes-out-as-gay

Clive Watson, boss of City Pub Group, says the rise will be needed to pay for a higher minimum wage.