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Pulisic left out of Chelsea squad for UCL clash

Published in Soccer
Wednesday, 02 October 2019 12:19

United States international Christian Pulisic has not been included in Chelsea's matchday squad for the Champions League clash with Lille.

Aside from the Carabao Cup third round tie with third tier Grimsby which Frank Lampard's side won 7-1, Pulisic has not featured for Chelsea since a 2-2 draw with Sheffield United on Aug. 31.

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Lampard has started with Mason Mount and Willian supporting Tammy Abraham in attack, while Callum Hudson-Odoi and Pedro are options from the substitute's bench.

Having lost their first match of the group stage 1-0 at home to Valencia -- with Pulisic an unused substitute -- Chelsea are looking to take all three points from Lille.

Pulisic eventually joined Chelsea in the summer having spent the second half of the 2018-19 campaign on loan at former side Borussia Dortmund after the two sides agreed to a $64 million transfer in January.

Sensational Suarez brace lifts Barca over Inter

Published in Soccer
Wednesday, 02 October 2019 14:55

Luis Suarez scored two superlative goals as Barcelona beat Inter Milan 2-1 in a thrilling Champions League Group F encounter at the Camp Nou on Wednesday.

Lautaro Martinez got the visitors off to a flying start after just three minutes when he pounced on a ball behind the defence and slotted his left-footed shot past Marc-Andre ter Stegen while under pressure from Clement Lenglet.

His goal marked the fifth time Barca have conceded a Champions League goal within the opening five minutes of a match and the first goal Inter have ever scored at the storied stadium in four tries.

Barcelona piled on the pressure shortly after, however, but could only force a handful of straightforward saves from Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic.

Inter thought they had a second in the 27th minute when Antonio Candreva was found free on the right wing before beating Ter Stegen at the near post but he was rightly flagged for offside.

Barca then needed separate blocks from Nelson Semedo and Ter Stegen to thwart promising Inter attacks soon after as the Italians ended the half looking the more threatening side.

Despite Inter looking the better side, Suarez levelled the score in the 58th minute with a sensational scissor-kick volley from an Arturo Vidal cross -- the Uruguay international firing from the edge of the 18-yard box and leaving Handanovic no chance in the Inter net.

He capped his brace in dramatic fashion six minutes from time, smartly pushing a square ball from Messi through a thicket of defenders at the top of the box and beating a late-arriving Handanovic with a low dragged shot.

The win gives Barca four points from two matches in the young campaign, while Inter have taken just one.

Ernesto Valverde's men will next visit Slavia Prague on Oct. 23 and Inter will host Borussia Dortmund that same day.

Liverpool hold off Salzburg in wild UCL win

Published in Soccer
Wednesday, 02 October 2019 14:55

Liverpool held off Austrian side FC Salzburg 4-3 in a wild Champions League Group E group stage match on Wednesday night.

After racing out to a three-goal lead in the first half, the defending European champions saw their lead evaporate before Mohamed Salah's 69th-minute goal sealed the win at Anfield.

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Sadio Mane scored first for Liverpool nine minutes from the start, on a cheeky one-two with Robert Firmino that the Senegal player then fired to the far post.

Andy Robertson doubled the Reds' lead in the 25th minute with a close-range touch off fellow full-back Trent Alexander-Arnolds cross into the box.

Salah made it three in the 36th minute after he fired in the rebound from Salzburg goalkeeper Cican Stankovic's initial stop of Firmino's header.

The visitors pulled one back three minutes later when Hwang Hee-Chan slid past Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk for a goal into the bottom right corner.

After the break, the Austrian club came out roaring to score twice in a span of four minutes to level things up. In the 56th, Hee-Chan came down the left flank to set up Takumi Minamino's booming shot past Liverpool keeper Adrian.

Teenage sensation Erling Braut Haaland, who had scored a hat trick in Salzburg's previous win against Genk, squared it up only moments after coming on as a substitute with a toe-poke from Minamino's cross.

Salah gave Liverpool the eventual game-winner in the 69th when he curled in the shot after Firmino delivered a header near the penalty area for the finish.

FC Salzburg became the fourth team to score three against Liverpool in a Champions League match, joining Real Madrid (2014), Chelsea (2009), and Barcelona (2001).

LIVE: Messi returns as Barcelona host Inter

Published in Soccer
Wednesday, 02 October 2019 12:22

Ian Bell is set to be confirmed as England's batting coach at the U19 World Cup.

While Bell missed the entire 2019 season due to injury, he plans to continue his playing career in 2020 and has beaten several more established coaching candidates to the role.

The appointment underlines how well thought of Bell is and suggests he can look forward to a career in coaching when his playing career end. He will be 38 in April and is out of contract at Warwickshire at the end of the 2020 season.

The next edition of the U19 World Cup, featuring 16 sides and ODI playing regulations, will be staged in South Africa in January and February.

England finished a disappointing seventh in the previous tournament played in New Zealand in 2018. India won the trophy after beating Australia in the final. Jon Lewis remains the head coach of England U19s.

Former England batsman Bell this year played no part in Warwickshire's County Championship campaign for the first time since 2000, after his comeback from a foot injury sustained during the Pakistan Super League in Feburary was ruined by a tendon issue in his left knee. It was the first time he had failed to play at least one first-class game since making his debut for the club in 1999 at the age of 17.

Haynes, Simmons in race to be next West Indies coach

Published in Cricket
Wednesday, 02 October 2019 10:06

Desmond Haynes and Phil Simmons are in the race to be the next full-time head coach of the West Indies men's team, along with interim coach Floyd Reifer, Cricket West Indies revealed on Wednesday. The three men were shortlisted after six candidates took part in interviews conducted by a CWI panel; there will now be a round of final interviews, to be completed by October 11.

"Critical areas discussed [with the candidates] were applications of cricket specific experience, technical knowledge, performance planning process, performance measurement, performance-driven culture and also CWI's core values of passion, accountability, respect, integrity and team excellence," a statement on the CWI website said.

The interview panel was led by CWI vice-president Kishore Shallow, with director of cricket Jimmy Adams, human resources manager Oneka Martin-Bird, independent director Debra Coryat-Patton and UK-based coaching educator Gordon Lord the other members.

"I am pleased to see such high-quality West Indian talent and experience in the shortlisted candidates for the Head Coach position," Ricky Skerritt, the CWI president, said. "I believe that any one of the three finalists would be an excellent choice as head coach, and I wish them every success at the final stage of interviews."

West Indies have been without a full-time coach since the CWI management led by Ricky Skerritt ended Richard Pybus' stint in the post in April this year - just weeks before the World Cup - following a review of the team's coaching and selection policies. Reifer, who led West Indies briefly in 2009 during a period of crisis, was handed the reins, but in an interim capacity, and has been at the helm since.

Under Reifer, West Indies started with two wins against Ireland and three losses to Bangladesh (including in the final) of the triangular ODI series in Dublin before putting in an underwhelming performance at the World Cup. After that, they hosted India in an all-format series and went down 3-0, 2-0 (with one games washed out) and 2-0 in the T20Is, ODIs and Tests respectively.

Haynes, the legendary opening batsman who scored 7487 runs in 116 Tests and 8648 runs in 238 ODIs during an international career that ran from 1978 to 1994, has worked as a batting consultant with the team before. And Simmons, also a former opening batsman, was West Indies' head coach before being sacked in September 2016 after a rocky stint. He worked with the Afghanistan team after that before being removed from the position after the 2019 World Cup.

Apart from the appointment of the men's head coach, CWI also confirmed the start of the recruitment process for selectors of the men's, women's, boys' and girls' teams. The process is scheduled for completion by October 18.

Alec Stewart is understood to have withdrawn from the race to become England's head coach.

Stewart, the director of cricket at Surrey, was shortlisted for the role and asked to an interview this week.

But it is understood that he notified the ECB over the weekend that he was no longer available for the position. It is believed he cited family reasons and a reluctance to embrace the touring lifestyle that is an unavoidable part of the job description.

Stewart has also always insisted he is happy in his position at Surrey where he remains one of the most respected figures in the English game.

Stewart's withdrawal would appear to have left the path clear for Gary Kirsten or Graham Ford to fill Bayliss's shoes with Kirsten probably the favourite.

While Kirsten told ESPNcricinfo in June that he would not be interested in a role coaching England in all formats of the game, his circumstances have changed a little. He has been sacked from his job at RCB in the IPL and is understood to have been given some assurances that he would not necessarily be expected to travel with the England team at all times.

Both Kirsten, who led India to the 2011 World Cup and South Africa to No. 1 in the Test rankings, and Ford, who has had roles with Kent and Surrey in county cricket, have outstanding coaching records.

There may be some discomfort at the ECB, however, that both men are South African. Having appointed no English coaches to senior roles in the men's teams for The Hundred, the withdrawal of Stewart means the England coach will once again be an appointment from overseas.

Barkley running on ankle, unlikely vs. Vikings

Published in Breaking News
Wednesday, 02 October 2019 12:34

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley was on the practice field Wednesday, running and cutting 10 days after suffering a high ankle sprain against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Coach Pat Shurmur would not rule out Barkley for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings, although it is highly unlikely he plays.

Barkley, who was officially listed as did not practice on Wednesday, worked on a side field with a trainer.

"I don't know yet. I don't know yet," Shurmur said when given the opportunity to rule out his star running back for this week.

Barkley is not expected to play, according to multiple sources. His eyes are on the following week, when the Giants visit the New England Patriots on Thursday night.

It's still likely the Giants will play it safe with their top playmaker. The original timetable for Barkley's injury was set at four to eight weeks.

"Some people's doctors had him eight weeks," Shurmur said. "Not my doctors."

The Giants (2-2) haven't put a timetable on his recovery. They don't intend to, either.

"Doesn't matter. We'll just see," Shurmur said. "I mean, it's one of those things -- we'll see how fast he comes back."

Barkley left Tampa on crutches and in a walking boot. He told ESPN over the weekend that he ditched the walking boot and was taking it day to day.

"Good start," Barkley said.

Shurmur added Wednesday that Barkley said he "felt good." The running back was not available for comment.

Barkley's latest step was getting on the field Wednesday.

"He's progressing," Shurmur said.

The Giants aren't going to rush this, even if Barkley has overcome the odds before. He had a similar injury during his freshman year at Penn State, when he missed two games over three weeks.

The next step is to see how Barkley feels after running and cutting. They'll progress from there.

"I think we're just gonna see where he's at," Shurmur said. "He's out there moving around. I've seen him moving around. I guess this is the first opportunity for you guys too, so that's probably why it's a point of interest."

Wayne Gallman is expected to fill in until Barkley returns. Gallman had 118 total yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 24-7 victory over the Washington Redskins.

Bears' Roquan Smith says he's playing Sunday

Published in Breaking News
Wednesday, 02 October 2019 13:03

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith announced that he will play versus the Oakland Raiders in London Sunday, but Smith refused to discuss the nature of the "personal reasons" that forced Chicago to deactivate him last weekend.

"I will play," Smith said before being a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

"[But] like coach [Matt Nagy] said, it was a personal reason. That's behind us now. So just focused on getting better this week and moving on to Oakland."

Smith said the league mandated he speak to the media about the subject.

"It was just a personal issue so I'm moving forward," Smith said. "I'm past the situation now actually. Just addressing it because I have to."

While the Bears and Smith repeatedly declined to reveal any specific information about the ordeal, sources told ESPN NFL Insider Dan Graziano that Smith had not been acting like himself around the team facilities for the past week or so.

Smith, who was drafted eighth overall in 2018, recorded a team-high 122 tackles after appearing in all 16 games (15 starts) for the Bears last season. The second-year linebacker was credited with six tackles in the Bears' win at Washington in Week 3.

"The whole thing with Roquan, I'll say this, and I said it to you guys the other day; as far as understanding where you all as the media are coming from, I totally get that," Nagy said on Wednesday. "But hopefully, you guys can respect me and respect us and where we're at and how we're handling this thing. There's some privacy to this and that's all that we're asking. That's why I'm giving you the answers that you're getting. It's nothing personal towards you guys, but it is a personal issue and we're going leave it at that."

Nagy also confirmed that quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is expected to miss the Raiders game with a left shoulder injury. Trubisky will travel with the team to London, but veteran backup Chase Daniel will make his fifth career regular season start.

"I've said it before, I prepare every week like I'm the starter regardless of any circumstances," Daniel said on Wednesday. "I think that's why we were able to come in and move the ball a little bit on offense. Obviously it'll be good to get some live reps with these guys but not much changes."

ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported on Monday that Trubisky suffered a dislocated left shoulder and a slight labrum tear that will not require surgery last weekend against the Vikings.

A source said the QB should be back "sooner rather than later."

The Bears have their bye in Week 6 and return to action when they host the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 20.

Source: Gostkowski having surgery, done for '19

Published in Breaking News
Wednesday, 02 October 2019 13:02

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski will have season-ending surgery for a left hip injury, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Wednesday.

Gostkowski, the Patriots' all-time leader in points and field goals, has been placed on injured reserve. He is expected to be ready for the 2020 season, the source told Schefter.

"He's meant a lot to this team, and you see a lot of that in the record books," veteran safety Devin McCourty said. "... But I always speak on how much he means to the locker room. So he'll definitely be missed throughout the year, having his presence in there."

Gostkowski, 35, who has been the Patriots' kicker since 2006, missed four extra- point attempts during the team's 4-0 start. He was 7-for-8 on field-goal attempts. He also handled kickoffs, and he was tied for second in the NFL with 21 touchbacks. Rookie punter Jake Bailey, who has experience with kickoffs, could take over those duties.

After having a handful of kickers in for workouts Wednesday, the Patriots have narrowed the field to 32-year-old Kai Forbath and 37-year-old Mike Nugent, sources told Schefter.

The Patriots could wait another day to make a final decision, which would give them time to work out other free agents who weren't able to make it into town Wednesday.

Forbath, who has kicked for the Redskins, Saints, Vikings and Jaguars, is 120-for-140 on field-goals attempts in his career.

Nugent is 253-for-311 on field goals in his career. He has been with the Jets, Buccaneers, Cardinals, Bengals, Cowboys, Bears and Raiders.

This will mark the first time since 2010 that the Patriots have had a kicker other than Gostkowski, who landed on injured reserve that season due to a thigh injury and the team signed veteran Shayne Graham to fill the void.

"Whoever the next guy is that comes in here, he doesn't need to try to be Steve or try to be Adam Vinatieri; he just needs to be himself," special-teams captain Matthew Slater said. "He'll be here for a reason and that reason will be because Coach Belichick thinks he's going to give us the best chance to help this team win games. We'll support him. We'll do what we can to help him adjust."

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