Sport shorts: Asher-Smith and Coleman go for gold in Doha and Man Utd is a ‘dream job’ for a manager says Wenger
Ten things from the world of sport on Thursday 26 September
1. England and Italy hit seven tries
Italy secured a bonus point after scoring seven tries in the 48-7 win against Canada in pool B of the Rugby World Cup this morning.
Braam Steyn, Dean Budd, Sebastian Negri, Mattia Bellini, Federico Zani and Matteo Minozzi touched down for the Italians, who were also awarded a penalty try.
In today’s other RWC fixture England also scored seven tries and secured a bonus point. Captain George Ford starred as England beat the United States 45-7.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
2019 Rugby World Cup: fixtures, TV guide and UK start times
2. Can Asher-Smith and Coleman strike gold?
All eyes will be on Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith and America’s Christian Coleman at the 2019 World Athletics Championships - which begins tomorrow in Doha, Qatar.
Asher-Smith is bidding to make history by winning medals in the women’s 100m, 200m and 4x100m. No British athlete has ever won three medals at a world championships.
The 23-year-old, who is clear favourite for the 200m, told The Guardian: “My coach John Blackie has been putting me through my paces for a very long time to prepare for this.”
Asher-Smith is part of a 72-strong British team for the championships.
Meanwhile, American sprinter Coleman, 23, is tipped as the man to beat in the men’s 100m.
He struggled with injury in 2018 but ended the year with a winning time of 9.79 seconds in Brussels. In 2019 he has recorded times of 9.86, 9.85 and 9.81.
3. Wenger: Man Utd a ‘dream job’
Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says the Manchester United job is a “dream” for any manager. He also believes that the Red Devils are four signings away from challenging for honours.
The Frenchman told beIN Sports: “Manchester United is a dream job for any manager. At least, any manager with courage and confidence.
“Yes, they need - in my opinion - four first-team players. But around those players, I see a squad that is capable of challenging. They aren’t as far away as people think.”
4. Stokes nominated for players’ player gong
England star Ben Stokes has been nominated for the Players’ Player of the Year award by the Professional Cricketers’ Association.
The all-rounder, who starred in England’s Cricket World Cup win, is shortlisted along with Essex spinner Simon Harmer, Gloucestershire all-rounder Ryan Higgins and Warwickshire batsman Dom Sibley.
5. Kyrgios gets suspended 16-week ban
The ATP Tour has confirmed that Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has been handed a suspended 16-week ban and £20,300 fine after committing eight offences during his loss against Karen Khachanov in the Cincinnati Masters second round last month.
Both the fine and suspension will be deferred pending Kyrgios’s compliance with the conditions set out by the ATP Tour throughout the six-month probationary period.
6. US Judo mourns Hatton
United States judo player Jack Hatton has died unexpectedly at the age of 24. US Judo said in a statement: “Jack made an indelible mark on all who had the pleasure of knowing him and he will not be forgotten.
“We grieve with the entire USA Judo and international judo community during this tough time. USA Judo is in the process of providing grief counselling services for those in need.”
7. Mercedes ‘hungry’ to fight back in Russia
Can Mercedes fight back this weekend after Ferrari’s three successive victories? The Silver Arrows go to the Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix aiming to avoid four defeats for the first time in the hybrid era.
Team principal Toto Wolff is urging his drivers and team to put up a fight at the Sochi Autodrom.
He said: “We expect the weekend ahead to be another challenging one for us - and the entire team is ready to tackle that challenge head on. We’re hungry to get to Sochi and begin fighting out on track.”
F1 Russian GP: race guide, preview and predictions
8. Pochettino out, Allegri in at Spurs?
The fall-out from Tottenham’s Carabao Cup defeat against Colchester continues.
The Daily Mirror reports that Real Madrid are lining up a move for Spurs midfielder Christian Eriksen and manager Mauricio Pochettino while the Daily Mail says former Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri is “waiting in the wings” to take the Tottenham job.
Tottenham’s big rebuild: keep £250m Kane and bring in Wilson or Dybala
9. Premier League rivals set for cup clashes
The fourth round draw of the Carabao Cup has thrown up two mouth-watering all-Premier League clashes.
Liverpool’s reward for beating MK Dons 2-0 last night is a home tie against Arsenal. Manchester United travel to Chelsea, who thrashed Grimsby 7-1.
Carabao Cup draw: battle of the Premier League’s young stars
Carabao Cup fourth round draw
Ties will take place in the week starting 28 October
- Everton vs. Watford
- Aston Villa vs. Wolves
- Manchester City vs. Southampton
- Burton vs. Leicester
- Crawley vs. Colchester
- Chelsea vs. Manchester United
- Oxford vs. Sunderland
- Liverpool vs. Arsenal
10. United scrape through
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United needed penalties to beat Rochdale last night.
Metro reports that under-pressure United boss Solskjaer was given a “big scare” by the League Two outfit and the Daily Mail adds it was a “lucky” result for the Red Devils on a flat night at Old Trafford.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The mental health crisis affecting vets
Under The Radar Death of Hampshire vet highlights mental health issues plaguing the industry
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Onion is having a very ironic laugh with Infowars
The Explainer The satirical newspaper is purchasing the controversial website out of bankruptcy
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'Rahmbo, back from Japan, will be looking for a job? Really?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published
-
Handball: swapping bikini bottoms for tight pants
Speed Read Women competitors will be required to ‘wear short tight pants with a close fit’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second coming
Speed Read Last week, Manchester United re-signed the forward on a two-year deal thought to be worth more than £400,000 a week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Bank holidays and boycotts: are MPs trying to jinx England?
Speed Read Declaring a bank holiday would be ‘tempting fate’, says Boris Johnson
By The Week Staff Published
-
Weightlifting: Olympic Games set for transgender first
Speed Read New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard will make history at Tokyo 2020
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sport shorts: Champions League expansion plan to be agreed
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Joachim Low and the Lions women’s team
By Mike Starling Published
-
Sport shorts: Sturgeon slams Rangers fans over title celebrations
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Keely Hodgkinson and Bryson DeChambeau
By Mike Starling Published
-
Sport shorts: Klopp’s unwanted record as Liverpool lose again at Anfield
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Tiger Woods and Tom Brady
By Mike Starling Published