Keira Walsh: ‘Everyone’s going to love you or hate you. I had to learn that’

Ask quietly who in the England squad is irreplaceable and the likely answer you will get is Keira Walsh. Sarina Wiegman’s defensive midfielder is the increasingly not-so-secret jewel in England’s crown. It was Walsh’s pass that elicited more oohs and aahs than Ella Toone’s sumptuous finish to open the scoring in the final of the Euros against Germany last year and Walsh’s £400,000 move to Barcelona from Manchester City broke the world record for a transfer fee.

Since that move Walsh has won a treble – La Liga, the Supercopa and the Champions League – and lifted the first women’s Finalissima trophy with England. Yet four years ago she almost walked away from football, the heavy toll of the criticism she faced during the 2019 …

Arteta delighted after Arsenal ´go over hurdles´ to win North London derby

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was beaming with the work rate put in by his side following their 1-0 victory away to rivals Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday.

Defender Gabriel Magalhaes scored the decisive goal, heading home from a corner in the second half, to leave the Gunners second in the Premier League table.

Spurs enjoyed the better start of the two, creating plenty of openings in the early part of the first half, but were unable to take advantage.

Arsenal had fewer shots than Spurs (seven to 15) but were more clinical than their hosts.

They are a great side and create an unbelievable atmosphere, said Arteta of their opponents while talking to Sky Sports.

We knew it would be tough. We believed we could hurt them, we weren t the best…

Premier League fixtures 2022-23: Ten Hag´s Man Utd face early Liverpool test, City and Reds clash af

Manchester City and Liverpool will come straight out of Champions League midweek action into the fire of a Premier League showdown in October.

After battling to the final day of the 2021-22 campaign in a title tussle that City edged, few would be surprised to see Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp s teams again battling it out for supremacy.

Chelsea, no longer owned by Roman Abramovich, will look to stake a claim, while Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal will hope to improve on last season s efforts.

A host of early season games catch the eye, perhaps none more than the Old Trafford clash between Manchester United and Liverpool on August 20.

Liverpool twice outclassed United last season, but it could be a different story now Erik ten Hag has moved i…

Southampton 1 Chelsea 1: Mourinho´s men end 2014 on top

Chelsea will finish 2014 as Premier League leaders, despite Jose Mourinho s side toiling to a 1-1 draw at Southampton on Sunday.

The west Londoners failed to hit their usual impeccable standards at the St Mary s Stadium on Sunday, with Southampton displaying their top-four credentials in a battling display.

An upset appeared on the cards when Sadio Mane made the most of sloppy defending from Chelsea captain John Terry, recently promised a new deal by Mourinho, to race through and deftly lift over Thibaut Courtois for his second goal in as many matches.

However, a moment of brilliance from Eden Hazard shortly before the break levelled proceedings, as he curled home his seventh league goal of the campaign.

Chelsea pushed hard for a winner after the break an…

Top spot, Kane record, boo boys – Highs and Lows for Southgate’s England in 2023

England have had their ups and relative downs as Gareth Southgate’s men qualified for next summer’s Euros and went through 2023 unbeaten.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the highs and lows from England’s eight wins and two draws across the year.

HIGHS

Opening qualification win in Italy

Southgate’s men put their 2022 World Cup frustration behind them by kicking off European qualification with victory at reigning champions Italy in March.

Harry Kane became England’s all-time record goalscorer by striking home a penalty after Declan Rice opened the scoring in Naples, before Mateo Retegui pulled one back.

Luke Shaw’s sending-off for two bookings in quick succession made for a nervy final 10 minutes but England held out fo…

Buccaneers vs Jets Week 17 Picks and Predictions: Jets Surprise in Situational Spot

Both teams come into Week 17 on a one-game winning streak, but that’s about the end of the similarities between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets. The Bucs have sealed the NFC South and can now focus on getting healthy for their playoff push while the Jets start to turn their focus to next year.

Don’t bet on this game without first reading our NFL picks and predictions for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New York Jets on Sunday, January 2.

Colts vs Vikings Week 15 Props: Jefferson Shreds Indy's Coverage

The Minnesota Vikings host the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15 on Saturday.

The Vikings have a 10-3 record and NFL betting lines opened with them as 5-point favorites against the Colts who have lost six of their last seven games.

I’m projecting a big win for Minnesota, which is why I’m expecting big plays from Justin Jefferson, a heavy dose of Dalvin Cook, and plenty of passes from Matt Ryan with the Colts playing catch up.

Here are my best free NFL player prop picks for Saturday’s matchup…and check out our full Colts vs. Vikings betting preview for more. 

Patriots vs Broncos Odds, Picks, and SNF Predictions: Denver Gets Snuffed in Prime-Time Affair

The New England Patriots head to Empower Field at Mile High to face the Denver Broncos in the latest Sunday Night Football odds.

When Santa and his sleigh swing by Denver this Christmas Eve, the struggling Patriots will be hoping he drops off a franchise quarterback in next year’s draft, while the 7-7 Broncos have visions of the playoffs dancing in their heads.

Week 16 odds have the Broncos installed as 7-point home favorites, with the Over/Under listed at 35.5 for this Sunday Night Football clash. Here are my best free NFL picks for Patriots vs. Broncos on December 24.

You can also check out our SNF player prop picks and Russell Wilson prop picks for more great bets!

Patriots vs Broncos odds

Pa…

Ravens vs Chiefs Picks & Predictions for Tonight's NFL Kickoff Game

The last time these two teams hooked up it was in a less than memorable AFC Championship game that finished 17-10 in favor of the Kanas City Chiefs. 

While Rashee Rice didn’t find the endzone, he did rack up eight catches and our Ravens vs. Chiefs predictions believe the second-year player can make an impact once again tonight.

I break it all down in my NFL picks for Thursday, September 5. 

Ravens vs Chiefs TNF prediction

My best betRashee Rice Over 60.5 receiving yards (-113 at FanDuel)

My analysisIt was a bumpy offseason for Rashee Rice, who, after making headlines for his solid rookie campaign, made them for a series of off-field incidents that jeopardized his football future. As it pertains to the Week 1 …

Premier League CEO tells clubs he opposes football regulation plan

The Premier League’s chief executive, Richard Masters, has reassured the division’s 20 clubs that he is not in favour of government regulation for the competition.

Masters spoke at a meeting of the clubs on Friday in response to the fan-led review of the English game, which was chaired by Tracey Crouch, a former sports minister, and published on Thursday of last week.

Leeds chief executive likens call for transfer levy and regulator to MaoismRead more

The primary recommendation was that football needed a strong independent regulator, which was not what the top-flight clubs wanted to hear, and some of them were worried when Masters said in an interview with the BBC last Friday that he supported the principle.

<…