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 Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk insists they will “enjoy the ride” of challenging Manchester City in the Premier League title race.Pep Guardiola’s side briefly went top of the table for the first time since November with their lunchtime win over Everton before a 3-1 victory over Burnley restored the Reds’ two-point lead.The game against the Clarets was not without its difficulties and a record crowd of 59,896 endured some testing moments before second-half goals from Luis Diaz…

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekdayYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USDuring his first term as the US president, Donald Trump said he warned Nato allies that he would let Russia “do whatever the hell they want” to countries that are “delinquent”.Speaking at a rally in South Carolina on Saturday, the Republican frontrunner recounted telling the president of an unidentified Nato member that he would “encourage” Russia to do as it wishes to members who failed to meet the trans-Atlantic alliance’s defence spending targets.“‘You didn’t pay? You’re…

Every game is now a final, Emery’s Villa deserve praise- Ten HagAston Villa host Manchester United in the Premier League this afternoon in what is a key battle in the top-four race. Unai Emery’s side have been one of the surprise packages of the season and sit eight points and one place above Erik ten Hag’s team, who lie in sixth.However, United’s storming comeback against Villa in the reverse fixture on Boxing Day, when the hosts came from two goals down at half-time to win 3-2, has impacted the momentum of both teams.Villa have won just once in their last five…

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsRalph Fiennes has called for trigger warnings in theatre to be scrapped, saying audiences should be “shocked” and “disturbed” sometimes.Trigger warnings are issued before the beginning of a show to alert theatregoers to upsetting or distressing content.Fiennes, 61, who is currently starring in a production of Macbeth that’s playing at various warehouses around the UK, told BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: “I think we didn’t use to have trigger warnings. I mean, they are…

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsAt least 14 people have been injured after a tree fell on a rollercoaster ride at a popular Spanish theme park. Two of the casualties are said to be in a critical condition and were airlifted from PortAventura World and rushed to Bellvitge Hospital in Barcelona and Joan XXIII Hospital in Tarragona.The incident occurred on a wooden roller coaster called Tomahawk, with children reportedly among those injured. A spokeswoman for a regional emergency response co-ordination…

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 Real Madrid have revealed Jude Bellingham sprained his ankle during his side’s 4-0 win against LaLiga title rivals Girona on Saturday.Los Blancos, who moved five points clear of Girona in the table, have allayed fears the England midfielder sustained a serious injury after scoring twice in his side’s emphatic win.A brief statement on the club’s official website read: “Following tests carried out today on Jude Bellingham by the Real Madrid medical services, he has been diagnosed with…

Donald Trump has said he would “encourage” Russia to attack any Nato member that fails to pay its bills as part of the Western military alliance.The former US president said he had once told a “big leader” he would not protect a nation behind on its payments, and would “encourage” the aggressors to “do whatever the hell they want”.Addressing crowds during a rally in South Carolina on Saturday (10 February), Mr Trump said he had made his comments about Russia during a meeting of leaders of Nato countries. Source link

Arteta responds to “celebration police” comments from punditsArsenal travel to West Ham looking to keep pace in the Premier League title race, while Mikel Arteta’s side are also out for revenge after losing both games they have played against the Hammers this season.The Gunners were beaten by David Moyes’s team in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup as well as in the Premier League in late December, with the visitors won 2-0 at the Emirates in what looked to be a major dent in Arsenal’s title bid.But Arteta’s side have found form in recent weeks, and travel to the…

Travis Kelce has joked about the cost of bringing his family and friends to Super Bowl 2024.Kelce admitted he is “losing all this money” ahead of tonight’s game in Las Vegas (11 February).The Chiefs tight end will be cheered on at Allegiant Stadium by friends and family, including brother Jason, mother Donna, and girlfriend Taylor Swift.On the latest episode of his and Jason Kelce’s New Heights podcast, Travis joked he is spending a fortune to make sure his inner circle at least have a ticket for Sunday’s game.“I’m not really doing much different other than just counting how much money…

Ivorian fans confident they can beat Nigeria in AFCON finalIvory Coast take on Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations final as a thrilling tournament concludes with a blockbuster final in Abidja. Ivory Coast, the tournament hosts, suffered a torrid start to their campaign and sacked their head coach, Jean-Louis Gasset, following a 4-0 humiliation by Equatorial Guinea. Yet they squeezed through to the knockout stages as a best third-placed team and then proceeded to knock out reigning champions Senegal, much-fancied Mali and DR Congo in the semi-finals to book their place in the final.Nigeria had steamrolled through most of…