Won Seen Having Upper Hand Over Baht as Asia’s Best Currency
The South Korean won will probably maintain its lead as the best-performing Asian currency this quarter, keeping ahead
1970-01-01 08:00
Yuan’s Recovery Gains Momentum as Seasonal Tailwind Kicks In
China’s yuan is set to be boosted by year-end tailwinds and by speculation its recent rebound will encourage
1970-01-01 08:00
China’s Property Stimulus Creates Iron Ore Price Conundrum
Can you end a years-long property crisis without triggering a surge in the commodity that stands to benefit
1970-01-01 08:00
Alejandro Garnacho’s astonishing moment of magic inspires Manchester United’s result of the season
Amid Evertonian grievance, a beleaguered group delivered their best performance and result of the campaign. Sadly for Everton, that victorious side was Manchester United. And if Erik ten Hag, forced to watch on from the stands as he served a touchline ban, can point out this was his side’s fifth win in six league games, United had failed the major tests this season. In the hostility of an angry Goodison Park, a side missing eight injured players passed this one in unexpectedly impressive fashion. Deducted 10 points, Everton were unable to claw back three but when, galvanised by a sense of injustice, they launched an onslaught, United survived it. If Ten Hag has appeared to have a revolving-doors selection policy in midfield this season, a decision to hand a first Premier League start to 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo, who was chosen ahead of the World Cup semi-finalist Sofyan Amrabat, was justified by a goal-line clearance, and much else besides. Another welcome development for United was Luke Shaw’s first appearance since August. And yet the greatest difference lay in attack. Ten Hag’s team had reached the last week of November with a solitary league goal from a forward. And then a trio thrust together as much by circumstances as planning all scored and, for the first time since May, United won a league game by more than one goal. It indicated the impact both individual inspiration and an early goal can have. United had not struck in the first 15 minutes of a domestic match all season. Until they did with what will surely prove their goal of the season. The travelling fans were to sing the name of an old Evertonian and perhaps the most famous of Wayne Rooney’s 253 United goals was an overhead kick. Alejandro Garnacho’s tally currently stands at a more modest seven but his third-minute bicycle kick was arguably better still; rarely influential as a starter, the airborne Argentinian made an astonishing intervention, meeting Diogo Dalot’s deep cross with an acrobatic volley that flew past Jordan Pickford. Everton, feeling battered by fate, may have wondered what they had done to deserve it but, on the ground where Cristiano Ronaldo scored his last Premier League goal, the United supporters customised his chorus to chant “Viva Garnacho”. The most significant of the three goals, however, may have been Marcus Rashford’s belated second of the season, almost three months since his first, ending a 12-game drought in United colours. It was gifted to him by Bruno Fernandes, the captain presenting a penalty to his teammate, but it was converted emphatically. With Rashford suspended for Wednesday’s trip to Galatasaray, United will not reap an immediate dividend but there may be hope he is spurred back into scoring form. Certainly, Rashford was bright – Garnacho almost scored a second from his cross after a swift break – and he brought verve to his duties on the right where Antony, one of the injured absentees, was not missed. Rasmus Hojlund was another sidelined. Enter Anthony Martial, who extended a fine personal record against Everton by taking his tally to nine goals at their expense when he scored United’s third. It came after a more conventional assist from Fernandes, the captain’s slide-rule pass bringing a neat dinked finish. Martial may have a major role in Istanbul on Wednesday. He exerted an influence on Merseyside. The second goal gave United a cushion they have rarely enjoyed this season. Speeding through, Martial went flying over Ashley Young’s challenge. Referee John Brooks, previously Goodison’s bete noire, booked the Frenchman for diving. Summoned to the monitor, Pawson reversed his decision and, before Rashford scored, chose not to give the former United captain his second caution. Pawson had, though, been barracked off at the break, the Evertonians feeling the authorities conspiring against them included the referee. There were a host of new banners at Goodison Park: the home of the blues became a sea of pink placards branding the Premier League corrupt, both before kick-off and after 10 minutes – reflecting the 10-point punishment. Voices of defiance provided a soundtrack the division’s powerbrokers were unlikely to enjoy. A siege mentality has been generated. Goodison was febrile, temperatures raised further when Abdoulaye Doucoure was booked for dissent for complaining that Garnacho had escaped a caution for kicking the ball away after a foul. Everton sought to channel it. Mainoo materialised on his own line to deny Dwight McNeil after Andre Onana had saved from Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The striker had four presentable chances in the first half alone. Doucoure sidefooted just wide. Idrissa Gueye blazed over. It may bode well for Everton’s season that they did not give up. When three goals adrift, Vitalii Mykolenko struck the bar and Jack Harrison drew a goal-line clearance from Victor Lindelof. They amassed 22 shots without scoring. Not for the first time, their efforts look in vain. The table shows them with four wins but just four points after a weekend when wins for Luton and Bournemouth left them further from safety. Making up those 10 points may take some time.
1970-01-01 08:00
3 NFL quarterbacks who must be benched after Week 12
We've arrived in Week 12 of the NFL season and there are still a few QBs worthy of benching.
1970-01-01 08:00
Bowl projections and predictions 2023: What bowl game is Ohio State playing in?
It's nearly impossible that the Ohio State Buckeyes are going to see a repeat of the 2022 season wherein they lost to rival Michigan but still snuck into the Co
1970-01-01 08:00
Virgil Van Dijk says Trent Alexander-Arnold is ‘the complete package’
Virgil Van Dijk has weighed into the debate over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s best position by proclaiming his Liverpool team-mate as the complete package. Alexander-Arnold delivered another reminder of his attacking talents as he got forward to strike a fine equaliser for the Reds in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at champions Manchester City. The 25-year-old right-back had spent a lot of a tight Premier League encounter in defensive mode, trying to contain City’s tricky Belgium winger Jeremy Doku. It was a sweet moment for Alexander-Arnold after plenty of debate over the past fortnight over whether or how he can fit into the England team. Van Dijk, the Liverpool captain, said: “I think everyone this season, as a defender, one v one against Doku will have a tough afternoon. He’s a very good dribbler. “But I don’t think he had a tough afternoon on the whole. It’s how you defend them together and try to get two v one in situations and, in the end, I’m pleased for him that he got the equaliser. “He offers a lot defensively and, obviously in possession, he has qualities that are very special and he shows that as well, so he has the complete package. “He has to keep doing what he’s doing, keep improving, keep that high standard he has for himself and we all have for him as well.” Alexander-Arnold has expanded his game over the past year, not only playing as a conventional attacking full-back but also in a hybrid defence-central midfield role. His recent England outings against Malta and North Macedonia were also in midfield and Van Dijk admits he does not know where he will ultimately end up. “I don’t know, that’s for the coaches that work with him,” said the centre-back. “I think for the moment he’s playing just fine where he is right now. “He has that freedom to mix it up and he has to do that because you see teams are working it out at times, so he has to be able to switch from staying on the outside and going on the inside as well. “I think it’s a good learning curve for him as well and (on Saturday) he did that well because obviously he was playing against one of the most in-form wingers at the moment.” Saturday’s result kept Liverpool within a point of title favourites City and, after the frustration of failing to challenge last season, Van Dijk hopes the 2020 champions can push them much closer this time. The Dutchman said: “It’s no secret we want to challenge for everything we are competing in and this year we are looking consistent, something we were missing last year. “But we are in November with a difficult period coming up, difficult games ahead of us. Anything can happen but hopefully, if we don’t get many injuries or no injuries, we have to confident and give it everything.” Read More Man City boss Pep Guardiola taking safety-first approach with John Stones Jacksonville Jaguars hold off Houston Texans to remain in charge of AFC South All-conquering Jannik Sinner inspires Italy to Davis Cup glory Beth Mead scores first goal in over a year as WSL top three maintain momentum Alejandro Garnacho has the potential to do some amazing things – Erik ten Hag Players and fans evacuated from York Barbican as fire disrupts UK Championship
1970-01-01 08:00
Man City boss Pep Guardiola taking safety-first approach with John Stones
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is taking a safety-first approach with John Stones despite the defender being a crucial part of his tactical plans. The England international has played just 393 minutes of football for his club – and 91 for his country – due to a hip injury and while he was named in the squad for the 1-1 draw with Liverpool after a muscle injury Guardiola had no intention of using him. Stones has played a vital role in the continuing evolution of the side as the centre-back who steps forward in possession to allow midfielders to play higher up the pitch. Other players have been tasked with doing the same – the latest Manuel Akanji – but Stones remains the premier exponent of Guardiola’s game-plan but his manager wants to avoid more false starts after two failed comebacks already. “He feels good but we are going to give him one, two weeks to do proper strength training sessions,” said the City boss. “John is so important for us I let him play when maybe his muscles weren’t completely ready. He will train with us, either partial or completely, and the rest he is going to have strength training sessions in his legs to be sure when he comes back he feels stronger. “We need him because there are a lot of games. I know the man of the match (against Liverpool) was Jeremy (Doku) but at Stamford Bridge and yesterday Manu (Akanji) was believable. “What a signing the club has made with that guy; he can play full-back, central defender, now holding midfielder and when arriving in the final third he has the ability to make passes.” The game against Liverpool was the first of a scheduled 10 – but likely to be 11 – in 36 days until the end of December as it includes a trip to Saudi Arabia for the Club World Cup where they are expected to progress from their semi-final. John is so important for us I let him play when maybe his muscles weren't completely ready Pep Guardiola admits he erred in rushing back Stones That means Guardiola has to manage all his players, not just Stones, and he claims their training sessions will not last much longer than half-an-hour. “Maximum 30-35 minutes. Until Tuesday (the Champions League game with RB Leipzig) it will be 10 minutes on the pitch moving the ball and that’s all. “We cannot train. If we train we won’t have players for the next game. “We have learned from the past and you just understand what you have to do, the places you have to move, the press. “We have TV images and we talk individually in specific ways and after they make mistakes it is just about understanding what you have to to do.” Winger Doku put in the stand-out performance against Liverpool and Bernardo Silva hopes the 21-year-old, a £55million summer arrival from Rennes, can continue the form which saw him score and provide four assists against Bournemouth earlier this month. “He’s a very good signing and he’s been playing very well for us. Hopefully he can keep going, keep learning and improving and help us win titles,” said the Portugal international. “You cannot give him limitations, otherwise he loses his magic. We have to let him be himself and do his thing, whilst knowing he has a responsibility to help us when he doesn’t have the ball – but I think he’s been doing really well.” Read More Virgil Van Dijk says Trent Alexander-Arnold is ‘the complete package’ Jacksonville Jaguars hold off Houston Texans to remain in charge of AFC South All-conquering Jannik Sinner inspires Italy to Davis Cup glory Beth Mead scores first goal in over a year as WSL top three maintain momentum Alejandro Garnacho has the potential to do some amazing things – Erik ten Hag Players and fans evacuated from York Barbican as fire disrupts UK Championship
1970-01-01 08:00
Sunak Says ‘Not Focused’ on UK Election, Won’t Discuss Timing
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that the UK’s next general election wasn’t a priority for him right now,
1970-01-01 08:00
Sunak Says Claims UK Heading for Austerity ‘Simply Unfounded’
Rishi Sunak denied his economic plans are about to deliver a fresh bout of UK austerity, even as
1970-01-01 08:00
Sunak Says He Abhors Antisemitism From Anyone, Including Musk
Rishi Sunak said he condemns antisemitism “in all its forms,” in a careful criticism of Elon Musk that
1970-01-01 08:00
Asian Stocks to Rise as ‘Fear Gauge’ Hits 2020 Low: Markets Wrap
Asian stocks are poised to start a fresh week higher after US shares held last week’s gain in
1970-01-01 08:00