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 Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter It was in the USA this summer that Erik ten Hag and Arne Slot first met as managers of England’s two biggest clubs, where they also spoke happily about some of the common experiences so far. There were evidently no hard feelings from Ten Hag’s interview in May, when he said “people have been going overly lyrical about” Slot’s Feyenoord and that PSV Eindhoven had been better.It is hardly…

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 Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Lee Carsley has plenty to ponder ahead of selecting his first England squad as interim manager on Thursday.The Euro 2024 runners-up are entering a new era after Gareth Southgate called time on his eight-year reign following July’s deflating final defeat to Spain.The Football Association’s recruitment process for his permanent successor continues, leading England Under-21s boss Carsley to be temporarily promoted to oversee the senior team.The 50-year-old will speak to…

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 Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter The venue for Wales’ Nations League trip to Montenegro could be changed less than two weeks before the September 9 fixture because of the poor condition of the Podgorica National Stadium pitch.UEFA inspectors visited the Podgorica pitch on Sunday and are understood to have serious concerns about the game going ahead in the capital.Photographs show the pitch cratered in places with large areas of grass missing, and local club…

The Traitors contestant Diane Carson has declared “You only live once” as she prepares to make her stage debut.The TV star and retired teacher, 63, shot to fame on the BBC show on which “Faithfuls” work together to try and banish “Traitors” and win a grand prize.Carson told Good Morning Britain on Monday, 26 August: “You know, I’m of an age, it’s been offered so I’m going to have a go and see.”She will star in Mothers Of The Brides at The Central Theatre in Chatham, Kent, in March 2025.

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 Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Arne Slot has enjoyed an excellent start to life as Liverpool head coach with two wins and two clean sheets but the Dutchman admitted “there’s still a lot for us to prove”.Luis Diaz finished off a lightning breakaway before Mohamed Salah scored for the second week running as the Reds claimed a 2-0 victory over Brentford in Slot’s first competitive home match.Having beaten Ipswich by an identical scoreline last…

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 Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Ange Postecoglou urged Yves Bissouma to stay on the right track after the Tottenham midfielder took his first steps on the road to redemption with a wonder strike against Everton.Spurs boss Postecoglou had likened the midfielder to a naughty child who was now behaving himself, having been suspended for one match by the club for taking laughing gas.Restored to the starting line-up, the Mali international instantly repaid Postecoglou’s faith…

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 emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsThe Edinburgh Comedy Awards have announced their 2024 winners, with three comedians set to follow in the footsteps of past victors including Steve Coogan and The League of Gentlemen.Amy Gledhill was awarded Best Comedy Show for Make Me Look Fit on the Poster, Joe Kent-Walters received the Best Newcomer Award, and the Victoria Wood Award was given to Rob Copland for his show Gimme (One with Everything).Kent-Walters won…

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 Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Pep Guardiola has warned Ilkay Gundogan he faces a fight for his place on his return to Manchester City and is not guaranteed to start regardless of how he plays. City’s Treble-winning captain clinched his shock return from Barcelona on an initial one-year contract and could make his second debut for the club against Ipswich on Saturday. But while Gundogan was a crucial player for Guardiola before his 2023…

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 Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Chelsea laboured to an unconvincing 2-0 win over Servette in the first leg of their Conference League play-off at Stamford Bridge, second-half goals from Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke sufficient to give Enzo Maresca’s side the lead in the tie.It was the Italian head coach’s second game in charge but already signs of discontent were heard from home supporters, who booed the team off at the end of a…

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 emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsCate Blanchett is set to return to the stage for the first time in six years. The 55-year-old Carol star last starred in When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other at the National Theatre in 2019, shortly before the pandemic. In her latest role, the Oscar-winner will play Arkadina in an adaptation of Russian writer Anton Chekhov’s play The Seagull. She will star alongside Mad Max actor Tom…