16 h. ago ‘Play with a smile’: Tuchel challenges England to relax and hit top gear

Head coach thinks players ‘will rise to the occasion’Tuchel wants ‘more fluid’ and ‘more exciting’ footballThomas Tuchel has said England should not have an inferiority complex in relation to the world’s strongest teams but must start playing with a smile to realise their true potential.The England head coach said his side “have not clicked yet” and, as well as criticising the attitude against Andorra on Saturday, believes the performance was too rigid and too serious. England’s labours in Barcelona were put into sharper focus by the quality of Portugal and Spain in the Nations League final the following night. Tuchel, however, insists England are not inferior to those nations and will improve, beginning with the friendly against Senegal in Nottingham on Tuesday. Continue reading...

Events

49 h. ago There’s lots to get better – Thomas Tuchel demands improvement from England

Tuchel’s side were less than impressive in their narrow win over Andorra.

Politics

66 h. ago Harry Kane sends instant demand to Thomas Tuchel after dismal England display vs Andorra

Harry Kane was the hero for England as they just about managed to squeeze past Andorra in Saturday’s World Cup qualifying match-up and has sent a message to his boss over his squad

Politics

67 h. ago Harry Kane saves listless England’s blushes as Andorra frustrate Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel had demanded a convincing win and a performance without doubts. The England manager wanted to suffocate Andorra in this World Cup qualifier; to see his team attack cohesively, to unpick the low block of the nation that sits 173rd in the world rankings. So much for the wishlist.This was the end-of-season game that Tuchel had tried to talk up, mainly because he has so few matches to drill his players before the finals next summer. He was keen to see some energy. And yet his words failed to stir very much. Yes, England won, as they always do against Andorra. Yes, they did so without conceding, as they always do against Andorra. And yes, it is now three wins out of three for Tuchel, with no goals against. But it was not possible to get excited. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Thomas Tuchel wary of physical demands on his England players

‘The tournaments are played after a long season’Head coach preparing for Andorra World Cup qualifierThomas Tuchel is determined to find the answer to England’s physical problems after gruelling Premier League campaigns, having noted that the team were “most comfortable” in terms of recent tournaments at the mid-season Qatar World Cup in 2022.The head coach, who is preparing here for Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Andorra, wants to harness the traditional virtues of the English game – namely pace, strength and aggression. But he is aware that searing temperatures await at many of the venues for the finals in the US, Canada and Mexico next summer and, as such, it will be vital to be able to play in different styles. Continue reading...

Sport

2 w. ago Bennett scores Zimbabwe’s fastest Test century before England regain grip

Only Test, D2: England 565-6d; Zimbabwe 265 & 30-2Stokes shines as England toil before enforcing follow-onThere were a few sideways glances during the first day of Zimbabwe’s first Test match in England for 22 years, followed by calls for cricket’s longest format to adopt a two-division structure. After a flogging like the one their players had just suffered across three sessions, perhaps this was to be expected.But on day two, cheered on by some wonderful pockets of support, the tourists mustered a pushback. First came an improved showing with the ball, England losing three for 67 to declare on 565 for six, followed by something of a fairytale century from opener Brian Bennett. Though bowled out for 265, and closing on 30 for two following on, Zimbabwe had given their hosts a far stiffer outing. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Reeves eyes Gulf trade pact as ‘next deal,’ Bank of England’s Pill says pace of interest rate cuts ‘too rapid’ – business live

China and Australia cut interest rates; Shell faces protests calling for clean-up in Niger DeltaHere’s our full story on Greggs.Sales at Greggs have picked up after the UK’s biggest bakery chain branched out into iced drinks, pizza boxes and a macaroni cheese that has gone viral on social media.These are important issues and we respect the right of people to express their view. But for many years the vast majority of spills in the Niger Delta have been caused by third parties acting unlawfully, such as oil thieves who drill holes in pipelines, or saboteurs.These challenges are managed by a joint venture which Shell’s former Nigerian subsidiary, SPDC, operated, cleaning up every spill from the joint venture’s facilities. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago Reeves eyes Gulf trade pact as UK government’s ‘next deal’ after EU summit – business live

China’s and Australia’s central banks cut interest ratesRachel Reeves said the UK government is closing in on a trade pact with six Gulf nations, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as its next major deal.The chancellor told the BBC the agreement would be the government’s “next deal” as it looks to boost trade ties following Brexit.Britain is in a better place than any other country in the world in terms of deals with those countries.The first deal and the best deal so far with the US, we’ve got the best deal with the EU for any country outside the EU, and we’ve got the best trade agreement with India.We are not going to litigate old arguments, we are going to go forward in the spirit of what we do together, we do better.This deal will mean Britain becoming a rule-taker, accepting dynamic alignment, giving up fishing rights and paying new money to the EU. Nobody has lost more than the fishermen. Continue reading...

Politics