Author: Kate Man

Edwards knew the day would come, but he was hoping the club would get a little longer with Hayen at the helm.When, in the summer of 2022, an approach arrived from Club Brugge to take over their Under-23s, Club NXT, it proved impossible for Hayen to turn down.”It was a little bit of a surprise,” says Edwards. “I wasn’t expecting to have any dialogue with a club like Club Brugge.”Hayen stepped in as first-team assistant after Scott Parker was sacked in 2023, before getting his chance as interim manager when Ronny Deila left last March.There, Hayen found former Sint-Truiden team-mate…

Manchester City’s Nathan Ake is set for another spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a fractured foot.The Netherlands defender, 30, came off at half-time in Saturday’s FA Cup win over Plymouth with an injury that he said “has been bothering me for months”.Ake had an operation on Monday and, afterwards, posted a picture of himself on social media., external”This has been such a frustrating season for me but I have now had a successful surgery on a fracture in my foot, which has been bothering me for months,” he said.”I am looking positively to the future. Rest and…

Fulham have condemned the “abhorrent” racist and homophobic online abuse directed at defender Calvin Bassey following Sunday’s FA Cup penalty shootout win at Manchester United.Nigeria defender Bassey, who scored the opening goal at Old Trafford, shared some examples of the unsavoury abuse he had received on social media.”We strongly condemn this abhorrent behaviour which has no place in football or society,” Fulham said in a statement. “Such actions are entirely unacceptable, and we stand in full support of Calvin Bassey, who will continue to receive our full backing.”We will do everything in our power to work with the relevant authorities…

Luka Doncic scored 29 points as the Los Angeles Lakers continued their revival with a 108-102 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.The guard also recorded six rebounds and nine assists for the Lakers, who have won their past six matches.Doncic, who joined the Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks as part of a three-way trade last month, has scored at least 20 points in four of the past five games.LeBron James scored 17 points and provided nine assists and rookie Dalton Knecht added 19 points off the bench for the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena.Kawhi Leonard scored a season-high 33 points for…

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has criticised the balls used in England’s domestic cup competitions.His comments follow those of Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who was ridiculed earlier in the season when he expressed his anger over the ball being used in the Carabao Cup after a defeat against Newcastle in the semi-final.City were 3-1 winners in the FA Cup against Championship side Plymouth on Saturday, but had 20 shots off target in the match.Guardiola said he was not happy with the Mitre balls used in the FA Cup.”The ball in the Champions League is exceptional, the ball in the Premier…

Bournemouth have been drawn at home to Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals.Preston, the only Championship side left in the FA Cup, are at home to Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.Fulham host Crystal Palace in a London derby.And Brighton will be at home to either Nottingham Forest or Ipswich, who play their fifth-round tie on Monday.Aside from 2023 victors Manchester City, Ipswich are the most recent FA Cup winners (1978) left in it.Fulham, Palace, Bournemouth and Brighton have never won the cup.”It’s very open now. What a chance for a team to go and win it,” said ex-Manchester City and…

Thailand Grand Prix result:1 Marc Marquez (Spa) Ducati 39 minutes 37.244 seconds2 Alex Marquez (Spa) Ducati +1.732 secs3 Francesco Bagnaia (Ita) Ducati +2.398 secs4 Franco Morbidelli (Ita) Ducati +5.176 secs5 Ai Ogura (Jpn) Aprilia +7.450 secs6 Marco Bezzecchi (Ita) Aprilia +14.967 secs7 Johann Zarco (Fra) Honda +15.225 secs8 Brad Binder (SA) KTM +19.929 secs9 Enea Bastianini (Ita) KTM +20.053 secs10 Fabio Di Giannantonio (Ita) Ducati +21.546 secsOverall standings: 1 Marc Marquez (Spa) Ducati 37 points2 Alex Marquez (Spa) Ducati 293 Francesco Bagnaia (Ita) Ducati 234 Franco Morbidelli (Ita) Ducati 185 Ai Ogura (Jpn) Aprilia 17

Gervonta Davis retained his WBA lightweight title with a controversial majority draw against Lamont Roach Jr in New York.The boxing superstar – who had won all 30 of his previous fights – voluntarily dropped to his knee in the ninth round of a scrappy affair with WBA super-featherweight champion Roach.But the referee did not call it as a knockdown – and two judges later scored the contest 114-114, with a third giving it to Davis 115-113.”If you voluntarily take a knee and the ref’s not counting, that’s a knockdown,” Roach, 29, said. “If that’s a knockdown, I win the fight.”After…

First Dupree burst over as Josh Thewlis fumbled a high ball, before Miski acrobatically scored in the corner.He was followed in by French, who showed great hands to collect a loose ball after Sam Walters spilled Junior Nsemba’s offload.French then sent Smith in under the posts for Wigan’s fourth try and, immediately after the break, Marshall offloaded for Field to race in.Wardle walked in the Warriors’ fifth try after fine work by French and Field, with French then playing the leading role in setting up Thompson to power over.At 42-0 the game was effectively over, but Warrington did not give…

McCullum finds himself in a tricky spot.Morgan’s rebuild was remarkable, it progressed all the way to Lord’s in 2019, but it began at a distinct path, with England playing dull, dated cricket.The requirements were clear – pick younger, more ambitious players available in county cricket but not selected. The present-day route is far less obvious.Initially, McCullum must decide if these are good players underperforming.Debate can be had over Liam Dawson, who should have been in Pakistan as an all-rounder and second spin option, but there are few other glaring omissions. Would the 35-year-old left-arm spinner have made this side semi-finalists?…