List of All Articles with Tag 'port'

Peter Crouch joined Liverpool from Southampton for £7million on this day in 2005. The forward signed a four-year deal with the Champions League holders to link up with England team-mates Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher on Merseyside. Crouch had scored 12 goals in the previous Premier League season, but it was not enough to keep Southampton up and he subsequently moved to Anfield after Saints’ relegation. Tottenham academy graduate Crouch would spend three years with Liverpool, scoring 40 goals across 135 appearances and helping them win the FA Cup in 2006. After previous spells with QPR, Portsmouth and Aston Villa, Crouch had to wait a number of months before he opened his account for new club Liverpool. Crouch eventually grabbed his maiden goal for the Reds on December 3 against Wigan, but would also net the winner against Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round and score the decisive goal months later in a Community Shield triumph over Chelsea. A hat-trick against Arsenal was the highlight of his second season at Liverpool, which ended with a substitute appearance in defeat by AC Milan in the Champions League final. Fernando Torres’ arrival in the summer of 2007 saw Crouch’s opportunities reduced and a year later he departed to Portsmouth in an £11m deal. Harry Redknapp brought Crouch back to the south-coast club and secured his services again one season later after he took over at Tottenham. Back at his boyhood club, Crouch helped Spurs qualify for the Champions League for the first time, scoring the winner at Manchester City, and he played a key role in their run to the quarter-finals in 2011 after grabbing a hat-trick in the qualification round against Young Boys. Crouch would later sign for Stoke, where he would spend eight seasons and score more than 50 times before he finished his career at Burnley. Upon announcing his retirement in 2019, Crouch had represented England on 42 occasions and scored 22 goals, including netting at the 2006 World Cup. He would later transition into a pundit and become a popular figure on the media circuit. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Former England star Wayne Rooney called Arsenal one of Europe’s best sides and aired some frustrations after seeing his MLS All-Star team comprehensively beaten on Wednesday. Mikel Arteta’s Gunners ran out 5-0 victors in stifling conditions in Washington DC, where Gabriel Jesus’ fine opener was followed by a thumping Leandro Trossard strike. Jorginho’s penalty, a fine Gabriel Martinelli effort and Kai Havertz’s first goal since joining Arsenal wrapped things up on a one-sided night for the Premier League runners-up. Recent acquisitions Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber made their first appearances since joining the club and Manchester United great Rooney was impressed by the visitors. “Obviously the result is what it is and Arsenal showed the quality they have,” the MLS All-Star boss said. “I thought the All-Star lads looked a little nervous and hesitant, especially the first half when we got into some good areas, to get their shots off. “I think you see a difference, of course you do. Arsenal are one of the best teams in Europe. “I thought it was a bit stop-stop. The referee made the game a little bit about himself once again, so I think that’s something that needs improving in the MLS. “I’ve said that all season so it’s a good opportunity for me to bring it up again. “But, yeah, it was a disappointing result but I think most importantly it’s a good event for the fans, especially the fans in DC, to come and see some really good players.” Rooney praised the occasion and opponent in the post-match press conference at Audi Field, but he also laid bare some irritation with aspects of the event. Asked what he took out of the game as an up-and-coming coach, the former England forward said with a smile: “Absolutely nothing. “Listen, it’s difficult. On Monday the players all arrived and we did a small-sided game. “On Tuesday, as a I suggested, I didn’t want them training at the National Mall but that’s where we trained and we can’t do anything. “We did head tennis so literally had not time whatsoever to do any tactics whatsoever so you put the players out there and you hope they can figure things out and against a team like Arsenal that’s very difficult to do.” Another matter that got under Rooney’s skin around the All-Star game revolved around broadcasters Apple, who he claims prevented some of his staff working as usual. “I think everything around the game is great and it’s great publicity for the league moving forward,” he said. “Obviously Apple coming into the league as well has been great – although they didn’t allow my staff to sit in their seats today. “My staff got kicked out of their seats today by members of Apple. “And I wouldn’t be doing my staff a service if I didn’t bring that up because if you’re getting asked to do the game with your staff, you expect your staff to have seats to sit in although I do think Apple will help the league moving forward.” As for Arsenal counterpart Arteta, he was quick to allay concerns over Trossard after the Belgium international limped off early in the second half. “Trossard got a knock and we don’t want to take any risks at this stage,” he said. “He had some pain. We’ll see how he is tomorrow but I don’t expect it to be anything big.” It was a fine start to Arsenal’s pre-season tour, which continues onto New Jersey and Los Angeles to take on Manchester United and Barcelona. “It was a great occasion, great atmosphere,” Arteta added. “Great to see so many Arsenal supporters fill the stadium. “We had great moments in the game, moments especially in the first half that weren’t that great but we’re still very early in pre-season. “It was great to see some debuts with Jurrien, with Auston (Trusty) and with Declan obviously. Really pleased with the result.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Today at the World Cup: Co-hosts Australia and New Zealand play in opening games Shane Lowry determined to win another major as Open gets under way Day two of fourth Ashes Test: England racing to beat Australia and the weather

If anyone didn’t think the New York Yankees are frustrated over their latest struggles, Carlos Rodón and Tommy Kahnle visibly displayed it on Wednesday

Nico Hoerner capped Chicago’s five-run eighth inning with his first career grand slam, helping the Cubs beat the lowly Washington Nationals 8-3

Co-hosts New Zealand and Australia are in action on the opening day of the World Cup finals as their big moment finally arrives. The Football Ferns kick off the tournament against Norway at Eden Park in Auckland before the Matildas host the Republic of Ireland side in front of a sold-out 80,000 crowd at Stadium Australia in Sydney. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at an eagerly-anticipated opening day. A different ball game New Zealand head coach Jitka Klimkova has challenged her players to make football as popular as rugby in the southern hemisphere nation with their exploits in the tournament. The All Blacks are three-times Rugby World Cup winners, while the Black Ferns have lifted the women’s version on six occasions and are the current holders. Klimkova told a press conference: “I really believe this is an incredible opportunity for this country to not be just a rugby country, but to actually really also wake up the love of football.” The Football Ferns, who are playing at their sixth finals but are yet to win a match, are ranked 26th in the world by FIFA and will have to upset the odds if they are to launch their campaign with a victory over the 12th-placed Norwegians. Play it again, Sam Sam Kerr is happy to bear the weight of expectation as Australia target World Cup glory. The Matildas’ record goalscorer with 63, Chelsea striker Kerr insists she is used to the pressure of having to deliver on the big stage. She told a press conference: “I guess for me the expectation has been growing over four years so it’s been something I’ve learned to deal with. “I think I’ve really enjoyed it. I’m really proud we have a home World Cup, and to be part of this journey is amazing. I’m really excited for it. “Of course everyone in Australia has a lot of expectations, but it’s something I take in my stride and I try to just enjoy. “Back at Chelsea I’ve done that too, just enjoyed it, and that’s when I’m my best me.” Dictionary corner Republic of Ireland boss Vera Pauw is predicting her team’s “outbelieve” slogan will end up in the dictionary if they continue to defy expectations. Ireland got the better of Sweden, Finland and, in a dramatic play-off, Scotland to reach the finals of a major tournament for the first time, and they will need to scale new heights if they are the emerge from a group which includes top-10 sides Australia and Canada, as well as Nigeria. Pauw said: “That word will end up in the dictionary because we outbelieve we can do something special here. “That is how we ended up here because we outbelieve and we did something that nobody expected, but we are realistic. “We are very realistic, otherwise you cannot succeed, but the key thing everybody will feel is we have no fear of failure.” Picture of the day Quote of the day We must play every match as if it's our last. We need to really bleed for each other and bleed for our uniform, because nothing comes free Norway striker Ada Hegerberg Post of the day Up next July 20 Group A: New Zealand v Norway (8am, Eden Park, Auckland)Group B: Australia v Republic of Ireland (11am, Stadium Australia, Sydney)

New York Yankees outfielder Harrison Bader left during the sixth inning Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Angels because of bruised ribs after being hit by Jose Soriano’s pitch

Taylor Ward and Luis Rengifo hit two-run homers, Chase Silseth struck out a career-high 10 in his first big league outing in seven weeks and the Los Angeles Angels defeated the reeling New York Yankees 7-3 to complete a series sweep

Big money signing Declan Rice made his first Arsenal appearance as his new side opened their US tour by comprehensively beating Wayne Rooney’s MLS All-Stars. The 24-year-old midfielder completed his £105million switch from West Ham on Saturday and just four days later made his bow 3,660 miles away from the Emirates Stadium. Rice was introduced as a second half substitute in Washington DC as Arsenal swept aside the Rooney-managed MLS All-Stars 5-0 in sweltering conditions. Gabriel Jesus’ audacious clipped effort gave the Gunners an early lead that Leandro Trossard added to with a lasered effort from the edge of the box. Jorginho’s penalty, a fine Gabriel Martinelli finish and Kai Havertz’s first goal in an Arsenal shirt completed the win on a night when new boys Jurrien Timber and Rice made their first appearance for the club. There was a hearty Arsenal contingent at Audi Field, where director Josh Kroenke received a warm cheer before Rooney, the Manchester United and England great, was jeered. The Gunners supporters in attendance only had to wait five minutes before celebrating a moment of magic. The All-Stars appeared to have stopped a dangerous attack, only for Jesus to meet a loose ball with an audacious clipped effort from the edge of the box that curled in off the far post. Rooney’s side responded with determination but were unable to unlock the visitors, who extended their lead midway through the first half. Bukayo Saka was sent behind down the right and passed across to Trossard, who cut away from his man and scored a thumping right-footed drive from 22 yards. Arsenal’s opening goalscorers nearly combined for a third soon after but Jesus could only head Trossard’s deep cross into the side netting. Impressive Trossard sent a free-kick just wide before an opening period that somehow featured five bookings was called to an end. Within seconds of the restart a Tim Parker handball gave Arsenal the chance to score a third. Jorginho scored the resulting spot-kick and the Gunners will be hoping Trossard avoided any major issue after limping off in the 55th minute. Referee Ted Unkel did not award another Arsenal penalty despite the VAR advising him to review a decision, instead indicating for the visitors to make their planned substitutions. Timber came on for his first appearance and Rice received the biggest cheer. Arsenal continued to control proceedings and Martinelli coolly struck home in the 84th minute after being played in by an excellent Martin Odegaard pass. Havertz completed the one-sided victory when controlling and finishing from close range in the 89th minute. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Women’s World Cup to ‘proceed as planned’ despite shooting incident in Auckland Ryan Searle requires new hotel after shocking Peter Wright in Blackpool Wayne Rooney remaining patient at DC United in bid to ‘develop’ as manager

Newly acquired midfield star Declan Rice came on as a second-half substitute and helped Arsenal finish off a 5-0 victory over the MLS All-Stars

Wrexham opened a four-game preseason U.S. tour with a 5-0 loss to Chelsea, which got two goals from Ian Maatsen and one each from Conor Gallagher, Christopher Nkunku and Ben Chilwell

Ryne Nelson allowed only three hits in seven innings, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had a two-run double and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat Atlanta 5-3, handing the Braves their fourth consecutive loss

Eduardo Rodriguez allowed two runs and four hits over seven dominant innings, and Miguel Cabrera drove in the go-ahead run, as the Detroit Tigers held on for a 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night