Rise above it

Sometimes, build-up threatens to overshadow the game. The rookie manager challenging his former master. The once-beloved player returning to face his former fans. The first genuine Manchester-wide title tussle for years. But amid a swirling cauldron of screaming fans, Man Utd proved the be ...

Ronaldo rewrites history

Didn’t take him long. After just four games in the white of Madrid, Cristiano has stamped his name in the club’s record books. Last night he became the first player ever to score in all of his first four games for the club. Who knows what he’ll do in the next 34.

More Milestones for Rooney

For all the luck that plays into the game of football, it won’t alone take you to a championship. So sure, Wayne Rooney’s 25th goal for England, capping their 5-1 victory over Croatia on Saturday, was due in large part to a goal keeper’s blundered clearance, but lesser pla ...

Dead ball – buried

Sometimes you get a whole game. Sometimes a cameo. But when Ribery came on for Bayern, he took centre stage. His inch-perfect free-kick put the German champions 3 up, kick-starting a 5-1 drubbing. Some players only need a second to make the difference.

Nice wins nothing

What is nice? What’s it ever won? Let’s see its medals. Ribery knows that nice never Made the Difference. To yourself in training. To the weaknesses in your game. To every last opponent.