
Old Trafford pays tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton ahead of Manchester derby
Further tributes were paid to Sir Bobby Charlton ahead of Manchester United’s derby with Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday. A minute’s applause was held prior to kick-off with both teams, who were wearing black armbands, joined by a group of former players from each club in the centre of the field. In the Stretford End, supporters unfurled a banner which depicted Charlton holding aloft the European Cup in 1968 alongside a message which read “the finest English footballer the world has ever seen”. Fans in the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand held up cards to form a mosaic reading “Sir Bobby”. Charlton, one of the most distinguished players the English game has ever produced and a United great, died last weekend at the age of 86. Charlton’s achievements included winning the World Cup with England and helping United claim the European Cup, as well as setting club and country goalscoring records that stood for decades after his retirement. As they have throughout the week, fans continued to lay flowers and scarves by the United Trinity statue, which depicts Charlton alongside team-mates George Best and Denis Law, outside the ground. The matchday programme featured 28 pages of tributes, including a eulogy from former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. The ex-United players involved in the on-field tributes were Brian Kidd, Alex Stepney, Paddy Crerand and John Aston with Mike Summerbee and Tony Book representing City. Read More Aston Villa breeze past Luton to register 12th straight Premier League home win Joao Palhinha’s stunning strike snatches Fulham a point at Brighton ‘That one was for Bill’ – Everton dedicate victory at West Ham to Bill Kenwright
2023-10-30 00:48

Aston Villa easily beat Luton to claim 12th straight Premier League home win
Aston Villa continued their impressive home form as they beat Luton 3-1 to rack up a 12th successive Premier League win at Villa Park. Unai Emery’s side have won every home league game since February 18 and made light work of the Hatters, with goals from John McGinn and Moussa Diaby giving them the upper hand before Luton captain Tom Lockyer put through his own net. Villa have scored 13 goals in the last three Premier League home games as Emery’s team continue to show they are early contenders for the top four this season. And with games against Nottingham Forest and Fulham coming up, they have a chance to solidify their position in the race before a clash with leaders Tottenham on November 26. This was a seventh defeat in 10 top-flight games for Luton, who have quickly found out how demanding life can be in the Premier League, though they did get on the scoresheet when Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez scored a late own goal. They were up against it from the start as Villa were quick onto the attack and could have led inside four minutes. Ollie Watkins collected a cross and teed up Nicolo Zaniolo, but the Italian’s cushioned effort drifted just wide of the post. Only a brilliant double save from Thomas Kaminski stopped Villa from breaking the deadlock in the 11th minute as he superbly spread himself to block Watkins’ close-range effort and then reacted quickly to stop the follow-up effort. There was no surprise when the hosts went ahead in the 17th minute and it was another masterpiece from set-piece coach Austin MacPhee’s playbook. Douglas Luiz’s low corner was dummied by Moussa Diaby and it ended up with McGinn at the far post, with the Scotland international shifting the ball past Chiedozie Ogbene and into the far corner. That might have given the Villa the platform to go on and flourish, but Luton did well to stifle them and the hosts were restricted for the rest of the first half in terms of clear-cut chances. But that quickly changed after the restart as they doubled their lead in the 49th minute. Lucas Digne’s cross fell kindly to Diaby 12 yards out and he drilled a low effort into the bottom corner. The Hatters came from 2-0 down at Forest to draw 2-2 last weekend, but there was little chance of a repeat here. Villa continued to probe and added a third just after the hour. Diaby made good headway down the right and his cross was turned into his own net by Lockyer. Leon Bailey could have made it four but he shot wide while McGinn did not connect with a right-footed shot when the goal was gaping. Luton did not give up and got on the scoresheet in the 83rd minute, Villa defender Ezri Konsa’s header hitting the crossbar and rebounding off Martinez and into the net. Read More ‘That one was for Bill’ – Everton dedicate victory at West Ham to Bill Kenwright Everton financial reports just another thing to deal with – Sean Dyche Aston Villa prove European credentials with triumph at AZ Alkmaar – Unai Emery Ollie Watkins continues red-hot form as Aston Villa ease past AZ Alkmaar Sandro Tonali trains with Newcastle team amid betting investigation in Italy The tributes in pictures as football family remembers Sir Bobby Charlton
2023-10-30 00:47

‘That one was for Bill’ – Everton dedicate victory at West Ham to Bill Kenwright
Sean Dyche and Dominic Calvert-Lewin dedicated Everton’s 1-0 victory at West Ham to chairman Bill Kenwright. The Toffees were playing their first match since the death of Kenwright on Monday at the age of 78. It was a performance the lifelong Everton fan would surely have been proud of with Calvert-Lewin hitting a superb second-half winner. “Firstly, and you can’t guarantee it, but it’s befitting to win after the week we’ve had following the sad loss of the chairman,” said Toffees boss Dyche. “The players know the depth of the chairman’s love for the club, they’re well aware of that.” Calvert-Lewin revealed the shock of the news affected everyone at Goodison Park. “No-one was prepared for what happened this week and it has saddened everyone at the club. That one was for Bill,” the striker told Sky Sports. “He would have been proud of us and proud of how we won – to get the lead, dig in and work so hard. It was a very good day.” Calvert-Lewin, who has been beset by injuries over the past couple of seasons, looks to be finally getting back to his best. Six minutes into the second half he played a one-two with Jack Harrison, Cruyff-turned away from Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd and hit a low shot past Alphonse Areola. It was his 50th Premier League goal for Everton, joining Romelu Lukaku, Duncan Ferguson and Tim Cahill in reaching the half-century. “Dom’s a very good player who’s had a tough couple of years,” added Dyche. “He’s very close now, you can tell in his body language and it was a fine finish. “He looks stronger, sharper. It is a really good marker for him to get to that number.” A second away win of the season gave Everton a little more breathing space between them and the bottom three. “This is a tough place to come, they’ve proved that over the last couple of years, so it was a very good performance,” said Dyche. “We are improving from last season. I think there are clear signs of that.” For West Ham, it was a third defeat in eight days following reverses at Aston Villa and in the Europa League at Olympiacos. David Moyes picked an attacking line-up, handing Ghana winger Mohammed Kudus his first start in the Premier League, but their only shot on target came in the 90th minute through substitute Said Benrahma. “That would be a problem for us,” said Moyes. “But, let’s be fair, that’s the first game we’ve not scored a goal in this season. “But I agree, I thought we missed chances today, we missed two or three opportunities to score. I don’t think it was ever going to be a game where we had nine or 10 opportunities. I didn’t see it that way for either team.” Read More Aston Villa breeze past Luton to register 12th straight Premier League home win Joao Palhinha’s stunning strike snatches Fulham a point at Brighton Old Trafford pays tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton ahead of Manchester derby Sorry England slump to 100-run defeat against India to add to World Cup woes Liverpool show support for Luis Diaz in victory over Nottingham Forest Francis Ngannou rematch or Oleksandr Usyk showdown? – Tyson Fury’s future plans
2023-10-30 00:47

No. 17 North Carolina loses again, falls to Georgia Tech in 46-42 shootout
Haynes King threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Brett Seither with 4:28 remaining and Georgia Tech handed No. 17 North Carolina its second straight loss, knocking off the Tar Heels in a 46-42 shootout
2023-10-30 00:27

West Virginia forward Akok Akok released from hospital after collapsing on court during exhibition
West Virginia forward Akok Akok has been released from a hospital where he was taken after collapsing on the court during an exhibition game
2023-10-30 00:27

Kenya to become visa-free to African visitors
President William Ruto decries travel restrictions on the continent saying they inhibit commerce.
2023-10-30 00:23

Aston Villa vs Luton Town LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
The 2023/24 Premier League season is under way and you can follow every game and every goal right here with The Independent. This year sees Manchester City try to defend their crown and claim a historic fourth title in succession. Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering City, who also won the Champions League and FA Cup last season, will have to see off Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and the rest to claim an unprecedented sixth league title in seven years. Meanwhile Luton Town are making their first appearance in the Premier League, having risen from non-league in an incredible decade of progress. They followed Championship winners Burnley and second-placed Sheffield United in earning promotion to the top flight. Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.
2023-10-30 00:23

Soccer-Wasteful Brighton held to draw at home by Fulham
BRIGHTON, England Brighton & Hove Albion's search for a return to winning ways in the Premier League continues
2023-10-30 00:17

Calvert-Lewin scores his 50th Premier League goal for Everton in 1-0 win at West Ham
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s second-half strike has secured a 1-0 win for Everton at West Ham in the Premier League
2023-10-29 23:56

Everton end emotional week with win at West Ham after Dominic Calvert-Lewin goal
Everton ended a difficult week on a positive note as Dominic Calvert-Lewin fired them to a 1-0 win at West Ham. The Toffees were playing their first match since the death of chairman Bill Kenwright on Monday at the age of 78. It had been emotional week, too, for Hammers manager David Moyes, who formed a close friendship with Kenwright during his 11-year spell in charge at Goodison Park. But while West Ham slumped to a third defeat in eight days following reverses at Aston Villa and in the Europa League at Olympiacos, Everton were able to put some more breathing space between themselves and the bottom three with a second away win of the season. Calvert-Lewin’s goal was his 50th in the Premier League for Everton, joining Romelu Lukaku, Duncan Ferguson and Tim Cahill in reaching the half-century. It came six minutes into the second half after a first half that will not live long in the memory. West Ham created an early opportunity when Lucas Paqueta skilfully lifted the ball over Nathan Patterson and drilled in a low cross which Jarrod Bowen could only slice wide. Moments later Paqueta showed the side of his game which so infuriates Moyes, gifting the ball to Jack Harrison who burst through only to fire too close to Hammers keeper Alphonse Areola. Ghana winger Mohammed Kudus, making first Premier League start for West Ham, showed he is already getting used to the darker arts of English football after he was chopped down by James Tarkowski. As Jordan Pickford raced out of his goal to tell the youngster to get up, Kudus shoved the England keeper away in a skirmish which earned both a booking. Calvert-Lewin had his first chance from Vitalii Mykolenko’s cross but the striker headed over. A torturous half was summed up by the audible sigh which echoed around the London Stadium when five minutes of stoppage time was announced. The game desperately needed a goal and it almost came through Bowen, who got on the end of a James Ward-Prowse free-kick but guided his header too high. Instead the goal arrived at the other end after Jarrad Branthwaite won the ball back for Everton in midfield and fed Calvert-Lewin. The former England forward played a one-two with Harrison before executing a Cruyff turn which left both Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd flat-footed and firing low past Areola. It was Calvert-Lewin’s sixth goal in all competitions against the Hammers, the most he has scored against one single club. Everton almost doubled the lead when Zouma and Aguerd got in another tangle but Areola got down well to tip Aboulaye Doucoure’s shot wide. The closest West Ham came to an equaliser was a Said Benrahma volley which Pickford kept out at his near post to secure the points. Read More Manchester United v Man City LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Aston Villa vs Luton Town LIVE: Latest Premier League updates West Ham vs Everton LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Manchester United v Man City LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Aston Villa vs Luton Town LIVE: Latest Premier League updates West Ham vs Everton LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
2023-10-29 23:52

Wrong distance takes women's walk race athletes to mistaken world record at Pan American Games
Organizers of the Pan American Games say the times of the women's 20 kilometers walk race were annulled due to “a measuring problem.”
2023-10-29 23:26

Tyson Fury embarrassed by Francis Ngannou and the punch that changed heavyweight boxing
Francis Ngannou came close to pulling off the biggest and most outrageous shock in boxing history just after midnight on Saturday in Riyadh. Ngannou had never once fought as a boxer, but for 10 rounds he bullied, pushed, clubbed, hit and dropped the unbeaten world heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury. At the end of the contest, Fury won a controversial split decision to remain unbeaten, but his bruised and bloody face was harsh and undeniable testimony to the success Ngannou had throughout the fight. It was called a freak show, a circus event and the carnival fight was meant to be an easy night in the ring for Fury; at ringside, the other unbeaten heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk, was waiting with a smile on his face and his contract for a fight with Fury in his pocket. He was not smiling at the end. The plan had been for their $100m unification fight to be back in Riyadh in late December; that date has not yet officially been dropped, but it is seriously unlikely. Fury was exhausted and heavily marked on the left side of his face: the champion looked stunned when the fight was finished, just as he looked stunned a dozen times during the action. “I need a long, hard break,” Fury said. He also praised Ngannou and was, thankfully, respectful in victory. There was a sense of true bewilderment in the packed ring at the end – I know, I was in the mix. “I have told him to go away, take a break and to not even think about boxing,” added Frank Warren, Fury’s promoter. It is clearly what Fury needs. A decision on the date of the Fury vs Usyk fight will be made in the next week or two; it will be in Saudi before the end of March. It will happen, but Ngannou has pushed it back and also put himself in prime position to fight the winner. In the ring, Ngannou was magnificent and controlled and never once flustered by anything that Fury did. The smart thinking before the first bell was that even a slow, heavy and unmotivated Fury would simply know too much for a man having his very first boxing match. Ngannou, who has lost three of his 20 fights on the mixed martial arts circuit, stuck to boxing’s absolute basics and Fury was unable to solve any of the problems that his novice opponent posed. Sure, it was a great performance from the Cameroonian-French fighter, but Fury was very poor. In round three, Fury was caught with a looping left hook and sent tumbling, dazed and embarrassed to the canvas. It was not a fluke punch or a wild swing; Ngannou was in charge of the pace and he was picking his punches with care. Fury was ragged and often held with a desperation that was hard to believe. Ngannou kept the pressure on for the entire 10 rounds and Fury never managed to take full control of the fight. Fury never hurt Ngannou, he never once made Ngannou look like a novice. It was hard to watch at times and difficult to absorb what was happening; Fury clearly had no idea how to deal with the man he had deeply underestimated. There must be a full inquest inside the swollen Fury team. In the second half of the fight, as Ngannou slowed, Fury had some success with a flicking jab, but he was still quick to hold. Ngannou ignored the big rights that connected with his chin and head. The later rounds were closer, slower and three or four could have gone to either man. Fury was having his 35th fight, he is generally acknowledged as the best heavyweight of his generation, and some have even claimed he is one of the top five heavyweights in history. However, in the ring against Ngannou, there were very few recognisable parts of any fighting version of Fury the world heavyweight champion; he fought like a novice and often looked like he was uncomfortable under pressure. And Ngannou did put him under pressure. At the final bell, there were no great celebrations from either man, no mad scrambles to raise a fighter high on shoulders. They were both exhausted, their teams drained. It was a split decision; one vote of 95-94 for Ngannou and a 96-93 and 95-94 for Fury. There was relief, not joy on Fury’s face at the end. Ngannou just shrugged. He had been a gentleman all week. “I came up short today,” Ngannou said. “I will fight on. I will get better.” He never once complained that he had been robbed. In the ring at the end, there was a stare-off between Fury and Usyk, but it never looked like either man was committed to the ceremony. Fury had a bad night, Ngannou the finest of his fighting career; Fury will never be that bad again and hopefully, at some point next year, Ngannou and Fury will do it all again. It was not a circus fight, but it was a carnival in Saudi Arabia. Read More Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk date in doubt as Francis Ngannou result changes plan Tyson Fury hints at next steps after Francis Ngannou victory Hearn makes bold Fury vs Joshua prediction after Ngannou win Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou punch stats reveal surprise after split-decision Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk confirm date for heavyweight unification fight Tyson Fury survives knockdown to beat Francis Ngannou by controversial decision
2023-10-29 22:55
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