WIGAN ATHLETIC 3, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0 Oldham Athletic’s relegation worries deepened following a heavy defeat at high-flying Wigan Athletic. It had been a miserable 24 hours after Milton Keynes Dons’ win at Gilingham dumped Latics back into the bottom four. And Latics failed in their bid to claw their way out of the drop zone […]
James Tarkowski blots dream England debut by conceding late penalty against Italy
ENGLAND 1, ITALY 1
Former Oldham Athletic player James Tarkowski’s remarkable rise and journey from Boundary Park culminated in a first England cap in the draw against Italy at Wembley.
And the 25-year-old Burnley centre-back did not look out of place to stake his claim for a place in the squad for this summer’s World Cup, though he conceded a late penalty to blot an otherwise flawless debut.
Southgate’s England going through changes but capable of winning performances in the World Cup in Russia
Gareth Southgate’s England may have beaten a Netherlands side that failed to reach a second consecutive major football finals but there are signs of green shoots of recovery after a long winter following the sad debacle against Iceland during Euro 2016.
Almost two years after England failed to perform against Iceland in Nice, Southgate has qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the first of four friendlies will help the young England boss decide who will be on the plane in the summer.
Argentina without Lionel Messi beat Italy at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium
ARGENTINA 2, ITALY 0
Lionel Messi, five times world player of the year, didn’t get to play at Manchester City.
The mercurial Messi failed to feature for Argentina against Italy to the huge disappointment of the 18,000 fans at the Etihad.
Messi was named on the bench but was pictured sat in the stand with City’s injured Argentine striker Sergio Aguero.
And though there were chants of “Messi, Messi” from the fans, there was no way he was going to make even the briefest of cameos.
Georgia Stanway fronts #SameGoals campaign to get more girls playing football
Manchester City have launched a campaign to encourage more girls to play football whatever their background.
The #SameGoals social media campaign – which involves City’s Georgia Stanway – is encouraging girls to send in footage that shows them scoring – or saving – a goal.
The goal can be scored – or saved – anywhere using any kind of ball.