Author: INDEPENDENT

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for freeSign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter The climax of Emma Hayes’ dynasty is fast approaching and there is only one form that they will want that climax to take. Much still needs to be done before Chelsea can ensure her final game is the Champions League final, but the manner of their quarter-final first leg victory over Ajax showed that they would be fitting finalists.It wasn’t pretty; it definitely wasn’t easy. That, however, is the crucial part. Chelsea were tested, they struggled to…

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekdayYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USThe woman who previously accused Jonathan Majors of assault is now suing him in federal court for defamation, assault and battery, according to court documents filed in New York on Tuesday.Grace Jabbari, the actor’s ex-girlfriend, is bringing the suit against the actor after he repeatedly claimed that he did not assault her before and after his domestic assault trial last year. A jury found him guilty on one count of reckless assault in the third degree,…

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for freeSign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sjoeke Nusken scored her second brace in as many games as Chelsea beat Ajax 3-0 in the first leg of their Women’s Champions League quarter-final.Emma Hayes’ side continued their search for European glory as they flexed their attacking pedigree at Johan Cruijff ArenA.Lauren James was among the scorers again before summer signing Nusken was on hand twice to extend their advantage ahead of the return leg at Stamford Bridge later this month.Chelsea took the lead after 19…

Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UKSign up to our Brexit email for the latest insightDonald Trump appeared to change his tone on Nato after the uproar over his previous comments saying that he would encourage Russia to do “whatever the hell they want” to members who don’t pay their fair share. Speaking to former Brexit leader Nigel Farage on GB News, Mr Trump said the US would “100 per cent” back Nato members who pay up. But he also asked, “Why should we guard these…

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for freeSign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sammie Szmodics is desperate to make up for lost time as he hopes for a Republic of Ireland debut at the third time of asking.The in-form Blackburn striker has been drafted in by interim head coach John O’Shea after twice having to pull out of squads under previous boss Stephen Kenny through injury and personal reasons, and could make his first senior appearance in Saturday’s friendly against Belgium in Dublin.That would end a frustrating wait for the…

Related video: Search continues for missing University of Missouri studentThe latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekdayYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USThe family of Riley Strain, the University of Missouri student who vanished without a trace on a night out in Nashville, has called in the United Cajun Navy to assist in their search. Dave Flagg, who runs the organisation, said a hovercraft was coming to assist, and that he was bringing in as many volunteers as he could to assist the ground operation. The 22-year-old was partying…

Chelsea Women’s boss Emma Hayes and Erin Cuthbert preview UCL quarter final first leg vs AjaxSign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for freeSign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Chelsea will continue their chase of the perfect send-off for Emma Hayes with a Women’s Champions League quarter-final against Ajax.The last-eight tie will be contested across two legs as the two sides look to advance to the last four. Chelsea, whose manager Hayes will depart at the end of the season, impressed in the group stages as they seek a first continental…

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the worldSign up to our free Morning Headlines emailThe Bank of England is expected to keep interest rates at the same level on Thursday as it continues to wait for further evidence that inflation is falling.Financial markets are predicting that the base rate will remain unchanged at 5.25 per cent for the fifth consecutive time.It will be welcome relief for homeowners who sufferef 14 consecutive increases in 2022 and the first half of 2023 from 0.1 per cent up to the current rate, prompting mortgage rates to rise…

Donald Trump is suing ABC News and George Stephanopoulos for defamation over an interview on March 10 with Representative Nancy Mace.The lawsuit said the anchor of ABC’s Sunday news programme “falsely stated on several occasions that Plaintiff had been found liable by multiple juries for the rape of Ms. E. Jean Carroll.”During the discussion, Ms Mace, a rape survivor, said she felt “shamed” by Mr Stephanopoulos after being questioned on endorsing the former president’s White House bid.A New York federal jury decided that Mr Trump was not liable for rape but was liable for sexual abuse and defamation in a…

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for freeSign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter EFL chairman Rick Parry has rejected the idea that an independent regulator risks killing the golden goose of the Premier League.The Football Governance Bill, which will establish the regulator in law, was introduced to Parliament on Tuesday.Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has said she is confident the legislation will pass through Parliament “before the end of the parliamentary session” – in other words before a general election.The regulator will have a raft of powers to ensure clubs are…