Author: Tristan Wells

The Sweden forward, who scored 23 Premier League goals last season, has not travelled with the Newcastle squad on their pre-season tour of Asia.Liverpool have just signed Hugo Ekitike for £79million but are still interested in Isak and the latest developments open the door to a move to Anfield.Arne Slot has been keen to bolster his attacking options ahead of the new season, with Ekitike and Florian Wirtz already brought in.Here, Standard Sport looks at how Isak could fit in on Merseyside.Isak and Ekitike playing togetherLiverpool are the team to beat next season with or without the addition of Isak.So,…

Emily Scarratt has been named to the Red Roses’ Rugby World Cup squad for a record fifth time.Head coach John Mitchell has picked a hugely experienced side for the tournament, with a combined 1,374 international caps between its 32 members. They will open the tournament at the Stadium of Light on August 22, facing the United States before facing Samoa and Australia in subsequent pool matches.Veteran centre Scarratt, 35, will become the first English rugby union player to contest five World Cups, while Alex Matthews and Marlie Packer will play their fourth.Team to beat: England come into the World Cup…

He had been set to start at centre alongside Ireland teammate Bundee Aki, but was ruled out after self-reporting concussion symptoms in training on Thursday.He has suffered a setback in his recovery, though, forcing Farrell into a last-minute rotation, with Huw Jones reintroduced to the XV. Farrell said: “Garry was actually selected and unfortunately, after training, he’s had to pull out.”It’s head-related again. It was literally as I was walking off the field. He came to me, and once that’s mentioned, that’s that.”There was no incident. He was feeling good well in advance of Tuesday. He was fit and ready…

England will face Spain in the Women’s Euro 2025 final after both came through dramatic last-four clashes.The Lionesses fell behind in the first-half against Italian as Barbara Bonansea capitalised on a defensive lapse to fire the underdogs in front.With time running out, substitute Michelle Agyemang equalised in the 96th-minute as she coolly slotted an effort past Laura Giualiani to send the tie into extra-time.Then in the 119th minute, the Lionesses were awarded a penalty when Emma Severini was adjudged to have fouled Beth Mead.Up stepped Chloe Kelly, who – after seeing her first attempt saved – rushed forward to poke…

If they do so, the Lionesses will become the first non-German team to repeat as Euro winners since the tournament’s inception four decades ago.A win for Wiegman and co would also mark England’s second major senior title in the sport in three years after a trophy drought spanning over half a century.For Spain, victory on Sunday would mean a maiden Euro triumph and make them only the third nation to hold both the Women’s World Cup and European Championship titles simultaneously. Norway became the first to attain that particular honour in 1995, by winning the global tournament in the summer…

Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia is underway – and Mikel Arteta will have been pleased with what he saw against AC Milan.The Gunners secured a 1-0 win in Singapore, with Bukayo Saka scoring the only goal early in the second half.Arteta handed debuts to new signings Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Martin Zubimendi, with the latter particularly catching the eye.There was also a first taste of senior football for 15-year-olds Marli Salmon and Max Dowman in the second half.Here, Standard Sport looks at three things we learned from the win over AC Milan…Saka and White rekindle their partnershipAmid Jurrien Timber’s…

At the back, Arsenal did well to cope with Milan’s rare attacks. William Saliba ushered Rafael Leao wide as the Portuguese broke through the Gunners’ line shortly before the half-hour mark, while Riccardo Calafiori, who struggled with injury for long stretches of last season, was back to his physical best, putting in several key tackles to keep Milan’s forwards at bay. Source link

Wiegman was right to replace Lauren James at half-time, given James had picked up a knock and looked shattered, but Beth Mead has not been at her best at this tournament. Could Chloe Kelly, England’s eventual matchwinner, not have been the better choice of player to replace James? Mead did OK but was not the reason the Lionesses turned the tide, and Kelly was on a high after her crucial penalty in the shootout against Sweden. Source link

The Lionesses are into a third successive major final after a dramatic extra-time win over Italy in their Euro 2025 semi-final.Substitutes Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly were the heroines again, with Agyemang scoring a 96th-minute equaliser to take the game to extra-time before Kelly converted on the rebound after her penalty was saved in the 119th-minute to send England into the final.Kelly, England’s extra-time hero in the Euro 2022 final, and Agyemang were also instrumental for England in their comeback win against Sweden in the quarter-finals.Sarina Wiegman’s side can now prepare for the final as they bid to defend their…

Noni Madueke has not made the trip due to being owed time off following his exploits at the Club World Cup. However, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard could all make their first appearances in Arsenal colours at the National Stadium. Follow all the build-up, action and reaction with Standard Sport’s dedicated LIVE blog below, including expert analysis from Simon Collings! Source link