
Mikel Arteta responds to criticism of Kai Havertz at Arsenal
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta backs Kai Havertz to bounce back after receiving a negative reaction from supporters during the 2-2 draw with Fulham.
2023-08-27 16:45

James Maddison says ‘collective’ approach needed to replace Harry Kane’s goals
James Maddison is more than happy to shoulder responsibility at Tottenham but has insisted it will take a “collective” effort to replace Harry Kane. Maddison continues to impress in the Spurs number 10 shirt previously worn by Kane, who completed a £100million move to Bayern Munich on the eve of the new season. Kane’s departure has not derailed the early progress of Ange Postecoglou’s team with Maddison relishing his role as creator in chief with two assists at Brentford earlier this month followed up with a maiden Tottenham goal in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Bournemouth. While Richarlison and captain Son Heung-min are yet to open their accounts for the season, Dejan Kulusevski ended his drought with the second at the Vitality Stadium to extend the feelgood factor currently around the club. “It’s tough if you’re asking me to try and get 30 goals,” Maddison joked. “It’s a collective. You can’t even look to replace what Harry Kane gives you. You’ve got to all chip in and look to try and score the same amount of goals from different areas. “Harry is probably the best number nine in the world. You will never find a direct replacement in terms of goals and what he can give you. We should all be chipping in.” Spurs have had five different goalscorers and benefited from an own goal during their three Premier League fixtures and there appears a new lease of life for several members of a squad rundown by the end of a tough 2022-23 campaign. Yves Bissouma and Pape Sarr, having rarely featured under Postecoglou’s predecessor Antonio Conte, have quickly formed an encouraging midfield partnership with Maddison, and Pedro Porro has made the most of his early opportunities at right-back. When Maddison joined from Leicester in June for an initial £40million fee, he was not viewed as a replacement for Kane but continues to provide creativity and a goal threat. It's tough if you're asking me to try and get 30 goals! It's a collective. James Maddison on replacing Harry Kane The 26-year-old insists the philosophy of ex-Celtic boss Postecoglou has been key to Tottenham’s flying start despite losing the England captain. Maddison told BBC’s Match of the Day: “The type of person I am, I’m at my best when I have responsibility on my shoulders and that’s when I thrive. “I am a player who loves to be on the ball and that fits with how the manager wants his players to play. This was a good day for all that. “We’ve got the bit between our teeth. We have some momentum so long may that continue and hopefully we can still implement the final steps the gaffer wants to see, which is attacking football.” Postecoglou has enjoyed an unbeaten start to life at Tottenham but it is a different story for Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola. Iraola watched his team open the season with a 1-1 home draw against West Ham before defeats have followed against Liverpool and Tottenham. The fixture list does not get any kinder with Brentford, Chelsea, Brighton and Arsenal to come in September but Iraola blamed himself for a drop-off during the latter stages of this Spurs loss, with Ryan Christie’s withdrawal on the hour mark viewed in hindsight as a mistake. “We knew from the beginning that we had a very tough schedule to start and now we have some important players out with injuries but we have to keep competing,” Iraola insisted. “I think probably after the game you think and I shouldn’t have taken Ryan out of from the game because especially without the ball, he was pressing really well. “I wanted to go a little bit more offensive, but we were worse from that point. I don’t know if it was after the subs or 2-0 because it was one minute later. “Probably until the 62nd minute we were playing well and – against a very good team – having our chances. “So, I was quite happy with the performance, but from there we couldn’t keep the intensity and they were controlling the game much easier.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Iain Henderson: World Cup selection not a factor in unconvincing Ireland display Daniel Dubois’ camp to lobby for No Contest after Oleksandr Usyk drama On this day in 2016: Hull beat Warrington to win Challenge Cup
2023-08-27 16:29

Is Jim Bob Duggar hiding his wealth? Internet accuses 'Counting On' star of using multiple LLCs and aliases
According to some sleuths on the Internet, Jim Bob Duggar's financial details do not show up on public records
2023-08-27 16:26

Kevin De Bruyne ranks Fernandes, Odegaard & Maddison for creative ability
Manchester City midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne ranks Bruno Fernandes, Martin Odegaard and James Maddison in an appearance on Sky Sports' Saturday Social programme.
2023-08-27 16:24

Sixty years after the March on Washington, attendees renew the call for King's 'dream'
It's been 60 years since the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, but Fatima Cortez Todd says she still remembers the sense of unity she felt standing on the national mall that day.
2023-08-27 16:20

Tristan Tate boldly claims racism targets White people as well, raises question 'why does nobody care?' fans call it 'double standards'
Tristan Tate says White people face the same type of racism in South Africa that Black people face in the United States
2023-08-27 16:19

F1 Dutch Grand Prix: Race updates as Max Verstappen starts on pole in Zandvoort
Max Verstappen delighted his home crowd by taking pole position for Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix. In an incident-packed wet-dry session, the unstoppable double world champion delivered a crushing lap to finish half-a-second clear of Lando Norris, who qualified second for McLaren. George Russell will start from third place for Mercedes with the impressive Alex Albon fourth. Lewis Hamilton was eliminated in Q2 and will line up from only 13th spot in Zandvoort. Follow live race updates with The Independent Read More F1 grid: Starting positions for Dutch Grand Prix Max Verstappen claims pole position at home Dutch GP as Lewis Hamilton falters Daniel Ricciardo ruled out of Dutch Grand Prix
2023-08-27 15:48

Jake Paul trolls KSI and Tommy Fury over their 6-round exhibition match, fans say 'they're a bunch of children'
From fighters being shoved to cake being thrown, the press conference for the KSI vs Tommy Fury bout was a dramatic event
2023-08-27 15:48

Duran Duran's Andy Taylor had a creative, not personal rift with his bandmates
Andy Taylor hated that the band thought they needed to bring in other people to write their songs.
2023-08-27 15:29

Was Hugh Hefner deaf? Crystal Hefner reveals the 'hellish' quirks of late Playboy tycoon
Hugh Hefner's widow Crystal Hefner said the Playboy tycoon had a 6 pm curfew for her whenever he was present in the Mansion
2023-08-27 15:29

IShowSpeed confronts unruly fan who yelled hurled slurs at him during live stream: 'Y’all embarrassing'
During an August 25th live stream, IShowSpeed was left enraged after encountering a fan who spewed hateful slurs and racial remarks
2023-08-27 15:27

Messi scores dazzling goal in MLS debut, leads Miami over New York Red Bulls
Lionel Messi scored a dazzling goal in the 89th minute of his Major League Soccer debut, helping Inter Miami beat the New York Red Bulls 2-0 and end an 11-match league winless streak
2023-08-27 14:59