MATT LAWTON: Too nice to be the England manager? On Saturday night at Wembley Gareth Southgate appeared anything but. He was calm, articulate, and very much at ease in his new surroundings. He was confident enough, too, to take a swipe at the England fans who baffled him with their abuse of Wayne Rooney. He actually credited Rooney, quite rightly, for being among those players who always make themselves available to England when others have gone into hiding the moment the going gets tough; 117 caps says it all.
Wales held at home by Georgia despite Bale's brilliant headed opener as Coleman's side lose ground in race to top Group D
LAURIE WHITWELL AT THE CARDIFF CITY STADIUM: For the second time in four days Welsh hands let slip a lead and while the draw in Austria brought a sense of buoyancy the single point collected in Cardiff against Georgia is likely to leave Chris Coleman with a sinking feeling. Before this game the Wales manager likened his career to riding a pushbike uphill rather than sipping champagne in a limousine and though his side started with fizz the wheels came off to change the complexion of their campaign to reach the 2018 World Cup.
They think it's Moldova, it is now! McClean scores twice as Republic of Ireland move above Wales into second place in Group D
MOLDOVA 1-3 REPUBLIC OF IRELAND - CRAIG HOPE IN MOLDOVA: They won't quite be scoping hotels for Russia but this felt like a significant night in Ireland's quest to reach a first World Cup in 16 years. Two-goal James McClean came to their rescue to ensure that an earlier favour from Georgia in Cardiff did not go to waste. Martin O'Neill was clearly cheered by news of Wales being held to a draw when interviewed before the game.
'Stop being Charlie Big B******* and show some respect!': Neymar blasted by Bolivia defender who left him bleeding with elbow to the face as Barcelona star is warned to cut out the showboating
Bolivia defender Yasmani Duk is refusing to apologise after elbowing Neymar and demands that the Barcelona forward stops his 'Charlie Big B******* behaviour'. Duk has been in the headlines after catching Neymar full in the face during his country's World Cup Qualifier against Brazil on Thursday - a blow which caused a gash on his eyebrow to bleed heavily. Many sections of the media accused the 28-year-old of being over-aggressive but the player has justified his actions as part and parcel of the game, and even found time to take a swipe at the Barcelona man.
'I cannot say the one thing that I wish would happen... if I say it, everybody goes nuts!' Klopp hints he is targeting title this season
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has hinted at a Premier League title hope with the Reds, but cannot say it aloud because 'everybody will go nuts.' The German manager recently occupied himself during the international break with a game of crown green bowls at Holy Trinity Bowling Club in Formby. Joining a set of local members and lifelong Liverpool fans, Klopp was introduced to the game of bowls while questioned about his first year in charge on Merseyside.
Arsenal ace Ramsey proves he's a sharp shooter off the pitch too as he uses injury break to take up clay pigeon shooting
Aaron Ramsey has seemingly taken up a new hobby during his recovery from injury. The Arsenal midfielder celebrated his brother Josh's birthday by going clay pigeon shooting and was gracious in defeat when sending his sibling his best wishes on social media. 'Suppose I had to let him win on his birthday. Happy birthday #claypigeonshooting.' wrote Ramsey.
Joke's on you, lads! Wales pose for another hideous team photo as Georgia earn point
Wales lined up for another wretched team photo ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Georgia on Sunday night, but after the visitors snatched a deserved point in Cardiff, one wonders if the in-joke has grown old. Injuries to two key players Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen left the Welsh team depleted heading into the crucial encounter - and the way the side stationed themselves for the cameras forewarned expectant fans of the dishevelled performance that ensued.
McArthur to the rescue as Scotland leave it late to grab point against Lithuania... but Gordon Strachan's side are booed off!
Substitute James McArthur rescued a World Cup qualifying point for Scotland with a late equaliser against Lithuania at Hampden. Scotland made an edgy start and fell behind in the 59th minute when Fedor Cernych got away from Grant Hanley with the help of a one-two and finished clinically. The Scots were lacking creativity but McArthur headed home in the 89th minute following a long throw.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino sad at Sam Allardyce's England exit but vows third-party ownership crackdown
CHRIS WHEELER: FIFA president Gianni Infantino says he was saddened by Sam Allardyce's departure from the England job after just one game, but promised to crack down on third-party ownership of players. Allardyce's comments to undercover reporters about circumventing FA rules preventing private investors from owning part of a player's economic rights were a principal reason behind his departure last month. 'I was surprised,' said Infantino, speaking at the re-opening of Windsor Park in Belfast.
Gareth Southgate admits big decisions are 'part and parcel of the job' as he vows to drop Wayne Rooney if he must
Kieran Gibbs cuts short trip to Dubai as Arsenal left back helps ease England's defensive crisis ahead of Slovenia tie
Wayne Rooney on borrowed time as Gareth Southgate prepares to stick by beleaguered captain against Slovenia
Daniel Sturridge is too deep to be a threat for England... Liverpool striker needs to take responsibility as a No 9
Dele Alli can add that crucial magic touch for England... the Tottenham Hotspur star has the X-factor
Kyle Lafferty vows to pay debt to Michael O'Neill with goals as he takes thinly-veiled dig at Alex Neil
Gordon Strachan believes 'getting a big result away from home' could be the difference between making World Cup 2018 or not ahead...
Macedonia 2-3 Italy: Ciro Immobile scores twice late on as Azzurri come from behind to get out of jail in Skopje
Moldova 1-3 Republic of Ireland: James McClean scores twice as Martin O'Neill's side move joint top of 2018 World Cup qualifying...
Joke's on you, lads! Wales pose for another hideous team photo but Georgia derail hosts' World Cup hopes
Wales 1-1 Georgia: Gareth Bale header not enough as Chris Coleman's side held to a draw as they maintain unbeaten start to World...
Moldova 1-3 Republic of Ireland, World Cup 2018 qualifier RESULT, plus relive wins for both Spain and Italy
FIFA president Gianni Infantino says a Team GB Olympic football team will not endanger the independence of the four nations
STARS OF SPORT
- Double celebration for Mercedes as Rosberg's win in Japan hands them third straight Constructors title The German cruised to victory at Suzuka
- Stop being Charlie Big B******* Neymar! Bolivia defender Yasmani Duk is refusing to apologise to Brazil star Neymar after elbowing him in the head
- 14-year-old wonderkid Mustafa Kapi handed debut by Galatasaray He only turned 14 in August and has already been likened to United superstar Paul Pogba.
- Shoot, Aaron! Wales star Ramsey takes up new hobby with brother The Arsenal midfielder celebrated his brother Josh's birthday by going clay pigeon shooting
- Bisping beats Henderson to retain middleweight title at UFC 204 in Manchester Bisping got revenge on his old foe with a unanimous victory
Premier League fixtures 2016/17
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LATEST MATCH REPORTS
- Wales 1-1 Georgia: Gareth Bale header not enough as Chris Coleman's side held to a draw as they maintain unbeaten start to World Cup qualification
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