Maguire: ´magical moments´ win tournaments

Harry Maguire says that tournaments are built on magic moments as England begin their preparations for Euro 2024.

Under Gareth Southgate, England s tournament record has vastly improved, with the Three Lions playing their first major tournament final at Euro 2020 since they won the 1966 World Cup.

They also reached the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup and the quarter-final in the 2022 edition but lost out to eventual finalists Croatia and France on those occasions.

Maguire has been a pivotal figure for England in their last three tournaments and admits that it is fine margins that can ultimately decide the result.

I think all three of the games we ve lost in those tournaments could have gone either way, Maguire told Sky Sports.

Playing a tournam…

Manchester United willing to sell Phil Jones

Manchester United are ready to sell Phil Jones in the summer transfer window, according to . The report has named Jones among players the Red Devils are willing to listen to offers for, including Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe.

Jones has been at United since 2011 and has made over 150 appearances in the Premier League for the Red Devils. The 30-year-old, who can also operate as a defensive midfielder, has won the Premier League, the FA Cup and the UEFA Europa League once each with the Red Devils.

The Englishman has had injury problems in recent years for United, and it is unlikely that he will get much playing time soon. A permanent move away from Manchester United would make sense for Jones.

Prediction: Aston Villa vs Manchester City

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker:

Looking to extend on what has been a rampant start to the 2022/23 campaign, Manchester City will make the trip to Villa Park on Saturday evening.

Aston Villa

Starting with the hosts, while Aston Villa might have opened the new campaign with a European charge at the top of their agenda, Steven Gerrard s men are in the midst of an extended struggle. Getting the 2022/23 season underway with a shock 2-0 loss away at Premier League returners Bournemouth on August 6th, the former Rangers boss finds himself under a huge amount of pressure. Last seen earlier in the week when getting hit with a deserved 2-1 loss away at a high-flying Arsenal, Villa have managed to win just one of their opening five top-flight contests. Having to settle for a sl…

Premier League data dive: Arsenal comeback an 11-year first after Man City continue Newcastle subjug

To say it s as you were in the Premier League s title race after Saturday s action wouldn t be doing Arsenal justice.

A brilliant turnaround against Bournemouth saw them answer Manchester City s earlier statement, a 2-0 win over a Newcastle United side who find themselves in a real rut.

Arsenal s lead at the summit somehow – we ll get there – remains five points, and the nature of their victory will surely prove a massive boost.

Also on Saturday, Graham Potter eased the pressure on him ever so slightly, though the same cannot be said for David Moyes.

Stats Perform has delved into the Opta data from the pick of the day s action.

Arsenal 3-2 Bournemouth: Title tilt still on track as Gunners respond to Cherries incredible start

If Arsenal…

Cragno commits to Cagliari until 2024

Cagliari goalkeeper Alessio Cragno has signed a new contract that will keep him at the Serie A side until 2024.

Cragno reportedly attracted interest from Italian rivals Roma but has now pledged his long-term future to Rolando Maran s Cagliari.

The 24-year-old arrived from Brescia in 2014 but despite making 14 Serie A appearances in his maiden campaign he was sent out on loan to Virtus Lanciano and Benevento respectively in the subsequent two seasons.

Cragno became first choice at Cagliari for the 2017-18 campaign, however, and appeared in every league game last season as the Rossoblu finished 15th, three points above the relegation zone.

Cragno s form has seen him called up to the Italy squad but he is yet to make his debut for Roberto Mancini s men.

Japan 1-1 Croatia (aet, 1-3 pens): Livakovic repeats Subasic heroics to reach quarters

Dominik Livakovic became Croatia s latest penalty hero as they again survived a World Cup shoot-out on Monday, beating Japan 3-1 from the spot after a turgid 1-1 draw at Al Janoub Stadium.

Goalkeeper Livakovic saved spot-kicks from Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and Maya Yoshida to send Croatia through to the quarter-finals.

Danijel Subasic had likewise kept out three penalties in a last-16 shoot-out during a run to the final in Russia four years ago, with Croatia now having won each of their three World Cup knockout ties that have gone all the way.

The result was a little harsh on Japan, who had led through Daizen Maeda before Ivan Perisic equalised, although neither side impressed ahead of a meeting with either Brazil or South Korea in the next round.

3 …

Tottenham 0-2 Arsenal: Lloris error paves the way for league-leading Gunners to claim derby bragging

Arsenal moved eight points clear at the Premier League summit after a commanding 2-0 victory at rivals Tottenham on Sunday.

Manchester City fell to a 2-1 defeat at Manchester United on Saturday and Arsenal capitalised to extend their lead with their first away win in the north London derby since 2014.

Hugo Lloris incomprehensible own goal and Martin Odegaard s sublime first-half strike proved the difference at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where a fan seemingly kicked out at Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale at full time.

Antonio Conte s side improved after the interval but a largely uninspiring performance leaves Spurs five points off fourth-placed United, who have played a game fewer.

Leading by example

— Arsenal (@Arsenal)

Lloris hande…

Al Qadsiah eye AS Roma star Paulo Dybala

Al Qadsiah are interested in signing Paulo Dybala from AS Roma in the summer transfer window, according to Fabrizio Romano. The well-known and well-respected Italian journalist has claimed that the Saudi Pro League have made an offer for Dybala, who can operate as a forward or as an attacking midfielder.

Romano wrote on : “More on Paulo Dybala and Al Qadsiah. Three year contract on the table from Saudi club, as reported yesterday.

“Negotiations underway between all parties involved in order to agree on every detail of the deal. No final green light yet, key details are still being discussed.”

Dybala has been on the books of AS Roma since the summer of 2022 when he joined on a free transfer after leaving Juventus. The 30-year-old scored 12 goals and gave si…

Edwin van der Sar in intensive care after suffering bleeding around the brain

Former Manchester United and Netherlands goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is in intensive care after suffering bleeding around his brain, Dutch club Ajax have announced.

Van der Sar, 52, won the Premier League four times during his time at United, as well as the Champions League in 2008, which he also lifted while at Ajax.

After retirement, Van der Sar, who also enjoyed a spell at Fulham before signing for United, returned to Ajax where he took up the role of chief executive in 2016, from which he decided to stand down at the end of last season.

On Friday, Edwin van der Sar has had a bleeding around his brain. He’s currently in hospital in the intensive care unit and is in a stable condition.

Once there is more concrete information, an update will follow.

Leonardo Bonucci says next season will be his last

Italy captain Leonardo Bonucci has announced that he will retire at the end of next season.

Defender Bonucci has just turned 36 with one year left on his Juventus contract.

“When I stop playing next year, it will be the end of a defensive era – a way of defending Italian style,” Bonucci said on Juventus’ YouTube channel.

The 120-times capped Bonucci was part of Italy’s Euro 2020-winning team and is a nine-time Serie A champion – claiming eight titles at Juventus and one at AC Milan, where he spent the 2017-18 season.

He made his 500th Juventus appearance against Sevilla in the Europa League last week.

Bonucci, recognised as one of football’s great defenders, was part of the famous Juventus backline that included Andrea Barzagli, Gior…