SLOVENIA 0-0 ENGLAND - MATT LAWTON IN LJUBLJANA: For Wayne Rooney came the realisation that, yes, watching England can be this hard-going. But managing them? Only now will Gareth Southgate appreciate how difficult that is too. It would be ludicrous to suggest Southgate made a mistake axing Rooney from the England side. The time had most certainly arrived and England's interim boss still deserves credit for taking such a bold step. But he must have endured moments here at the Stozice Stadium when he began to question his own judgement, and finally turned to the England captain after 73 minutes in search of some much-needed composure and leadership.
Inside the life of a football outcast: Everton reject Niasse reveals the lengths at which he has been excluded... including having his own locker taken away
Everton outcast Oumar Niasse has been told to find a new club by boss Ronald Koeman following a dismal spell at Goodison Park following his move from Lokomotiv Moscow in a £13.5m deal in January. Now, having become the subject of ridicule from fans after just 152 minutes of action and no goals, the 26-year-old is playing with the youngsters and does not even have his own personal space for his belongings.
Strachan on the brink after dismal Scotland are beaten easily in Slovakia to leave World Cup qualification hopes hanging by thread
SLOVAKIA 3-0 SCOTLAND - MARK WILSON IN TRNAVA: Scotland's hopes of reaching the 2018 World Cup finals suffered a major blow after they suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat by Slovakia at the Anton Malatinksy City Arena in Trnava. Gordon Strachan's side felt aggrieved by the manner they fell behind after 18 minutes, with Steven Fletcher appearing to be upended in the build-up. The hosts raced up the other end and after David Marshall saved Marek Hamsik's header from Jakub Holubek's delivery, Robert Mak was on hand to fire home. Marshall made two fantastic saves to prevent Slovakia from doubling their lead before the break, but Mak deepened Scotland's woes 11 minutes into the restart, before Adam Nemec completed an easy home victory with a firm header from Mak's cross.
Return of Chamakh! Former Arsenal striker becomes Warnock's third free transfer in 24 hours... as he shows off new shaved head
Cardiff have announced they have agreed a short term deal with former Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh. The Moroccan has signed with the Championship club until January and could earn a long-term contract based on his performances at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Abraham continues hot streak with double on England Under 21 debut in 5-0 thrashing
ENGLAND 5-0 BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA - ADAM SHERGOLD AT THE BANKS'S STADIUM: England Under 21s produced a five-star performance against Bosnia-Herzegovina to complete their Euro 2017 qualification campaign unbeaten. Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham, who is spending the season on loan at Bristol City, scored twice, while John Swift, Josh Onomah and Duncan Watmore also found their way onto the scoresheet. Bottom side Bosnia proved no match for the Young Lions as the 5-0 rout took Aidy Boothroyd's record to two wins in two matches.
Wales bad boy Powell announces retirement from rugby after career that included 23 caps and a golf buggy trip along the M4
Former Wales and British Lions forward Andy Powell has retired from rugby aged 35 after failing to recover from a knee injury. The 2009 Lions tourist helped Merthyr win promotion to the Welsh Premiership after joining from Newport Gwent Dragons in 2015. But the 23-cap back-rower has been unable to shake off his latest injury problem and has been forced to admit defeat in his bid to return to action.
Welcome to the new Bernabeu: Real Madrid reveal £360m plans to redevelop their iconic stadium... with a retractable roof
Real Madrid will be adding a retractable roof to the Santiago Bernabeu after finally reaching an agreement with the city to remodel the stadium. Madrid president Florentino Perez said Tuesday the project will cost 400 million euros (£360million) and construction is expected to start next year. The revamped venue, which will also carry a new facade, is expected to be fully completed by 2020.
United ace Pogba brushes off critics with emoji haircut
The French midfielder is well known for his elaborate and eye-catching hair designs. In the wake of his goal-scoring display in Amsterdam, Pogba decided to celebrate with an new trim, revealed on Instagram, adorned with emojis. The midfielder pulled the strings and beat Holland keeper Maarten Stekelenburg from 30 yards for the game's only goal.
Inside Ronaldo's hotel: Real star's latest venture promises the 'true CR7 lifestyle'
At the launch of his new flagship hotel last week, Cristiano Ronaldo told his assembled, selected group of friends, family and guests: ‘When I was young I had the dream of having my own hotel.’ It might sound an unusual ambition for a young footballer but Ronaldo has rarely taken the ‘usual’ route — and this latest venture is in every way a reflection of that. With a look to life after football, the Real Madrid superstar’s second hotel ‘Pestana CR7 Lisboa’ promises to offer ‘a true CR7 lifestyle’ and marks of his ego are sprinkled throughout.
One final picture with them, Tyson? Shamed heavyweight champion poses next to his belts as he gets ready to relinquish them
Tyson Fury posed with his heavyweight world title belts on the day he is set relinquish them. Fury is set to undergo treatment for depression and the WBA and WBO are expected to strip Fury after his admission of cocaine abuse. But Fury is set to pre-empt them by giving his titles up – but before he did he posted a picture of himself lying down at home with his belts lined up beside him.
Dozy Hameed delays England's high-security departure for training in Bangladesh
PAUL NEWMAN IN CHITTAGONG: Life for Haseeb Hameed in the big time got off to an embarrassing start when he kept the England team and their elaborate security convoy waiting outside their hotel here before heading for training after he had overslept. The meticulously planned operation which involved hundreds of police and military as well as two team buses and support vehicles was held up for eight minutes until the Lancashire teenager came rushing out of the lobby.
STARS OF SPORT
- Giggs left less than impressed after being transformed into a deer on Snapchat The Manchester United legend was a guest at the FAW Community Awards
- Sharapova makes her return to the tennis court for first time since positive drug test at Australian Open in Las Vegas charity event For Elton John AIDS Foundation
- Silly Suarez? Barcelona star gets clobbered in Uruguay training... after playing in goal Paid the price for his latest bout of enthusiasm
- Ronaldo finds time for a selfie as fan invades pitch during Portugal's 6-0 win over Faroe Islands Couldn't escape his adoring fans on the pitch
- Joshua goes to work on the speed ball before enjoying game of Risk with friends Waiting to see if Wladimir Klitschko bout will happen
MORE STARS OF SPORT
- Fury poses with all his belts - on the day he is set to relinquish them Tyson Fury is set to undergo treatment for depression and the WBA and WBO are expected to strip Fury of his titles
- Henderson's rise and rise to become England captain: Liverpool star ready to take on burden after thriving under Klopp Gareth Southgate gave him the good news
- Murray fumes after tactical notes are revealed on TV STUART FRASER: Murray's management team have complained to the ATP tour
- Gray 'tears apart' Abraham as England Under-21 stars enjoy game of FIFA 17 Hot shot Tammy Abraham could not score on the video game
- Left out in the cold? Rooney DROPPED for Slovenia clash Gareth Southgate's captain will start on the bench in the World Cup qualifier
- Hummels and Germany stars train ahead of Northern Ireland contest Mats Hummels said Euro failure was driving Germany forward
- Record breaking Benteke: Striker scores fastest EVER World Cup goal in seven seconds He profited as Belgium thrashed Gibraltar by six goals on Monday
- A fitting tribute to Ali? Not according to the NFL Officials threatened to eject Antonio Brown from the game against the New York Jets
- Mourinho plays Guess the Player with his Manchester United stars and gives his first impressions of squad He was shown photos of his stars as kids
- Rooney axed: England captain dropped for Slovenia clash as stars fly out The England captain was booed by sections of Wembley during the win over Malta
- Pogba dances in the air while Depay rejects croissants as the United duo prepare to meet in international showdown preparing in their own unique ways
- Ancelotti claims it is 'easy' to follow Guardiola at Bayern Munich... and jokes he 'cannot control' his eyebrow! Quizzical look is not his fault
- Liverpool duo Coutinho and Firmino jet off with Brazil Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino have been in terrific form for Liverpool this season
- REVEALED: What a Manchester United contract looked like under Busby in 1965 United signed Pat Dunne from Shamrock Rovers for £10,500 in 1964
- Pique: There are people who think it's better if I'm not here Pique has announced that he will retire from Spain duty after the 2018 World Cup in Russia
- Valencia breaks his silence over child maintenance row The Everton striker stated he must 'honour his family as and professional image'
- 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 decision
- Jordi Cruyff believes iconic father Johan would be a Manchester City fan today Football legend Johan Cruyff sadly died of lung cancer in March this year
- Coleman warns kids about the big, bad world of football Irishman is now 27 and one of the senior players in Ronald Koeman's Everton team
- Hargreaves: A future watching the other guys get stuck in... I'll drink to that! Alistair Hargreaves on his decision to quit rugby due to fears for his health
- Zlatan masks up and insists he has 'no free time' Zlatan Ibrahimovic is keeping himself fit during the two week international break
- I want to earn respect! Bradley unveiled as Swansea's new boss Bob Bradley becomes the first American to take a job at a Premier League club
- Hollywood meets... Kane! Tottenham star and Wahlberg have a catch up The England striker is currently sidelined with an ankle injury
- Careful, Greg! Golf great Norman gets his chainsaw out to clear mess from Hurricane Matthew... despite nearly losing his arm in horrific accident Back in the game
- Football's furry friends! From awkward embraces to affectionate hugs, we celebrate mascots in brilliant images... with managers Hilarity ensues
- Valencia chased by police after being carried off injured on medical buggy as child support row continues Took a turn for the bizarre
- Pogba looks to rediscover his form while away on international duty The midfielder took part in a training session with France
LATEST MATCH REPORTS
- Slovenia 0-0 England: Joe Hart saves England's blushes as Three Lions fail to roar in Ljubljana
- Slovakia 3-0 Scotland: Robert Mak double and Adam Nemec strike deepens pressure on Gordon Strachan
- Germany 2-0 Northern Ireland: Julian Draxler and Sami Khedira strike early to maintain perfect start
- England U21 5-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina U21: Tammy Abraham nets twice as Young Lions round off Euro 2017 qualification in style
- Holland 0-1 France: Paul Pogba thunderbolt fires Didier Deschamps' side to narrow win in Amsterdam
- Gibraltar 0-6 Belgium: Christian Benteke scores after SEVEN seconds on his way to hat-trick in romp
- Faroe Islands 0-6 Portugal: Andre Silva scores first-half hat-trick as European champions stroll to victory
- 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
- Moldova 1-3 Republic of Ireland: James McClean scores twice as Martin O'Neill's side move joint top of 2018 World Cup qualifying Group D with Serbia
- Albania 0-2 Spain: Diego Costa and Nolito take visitors top of World Cup qualifying Group G
- Macedonia 2-3 Italy: Ciro Immobile scores twice late on as Azzurri come from behind to get out of jail in Skopje
- England 2-0 Malta: Daniel Sturridge and Dele Alli strike to fire Gareth Southgate to victory in his first game in charge over plucky minnows
- Scotland 1-1 Lithuania: Scots booed off despite sub James McArthur salvaging a point with last-gasp strike
- Northern Ireland 4-0 San Marino: Steven Davis, Kyle Lafferty and Jamie Ward ensure Michael O'Neill's side beat 10-man opposition
- Slovenia 1-0 Slovakia: Substitute Rok Kronaveter scores winner with first touch to seal well-earned victory
FOOTBALL NEWS
Icardi hits back at Maradona for calling him a 'traitor' for relationship with Lopez's wife
Inter Milan and Argentina striker Mauro Icardi has hit back fellow countryman Diego Maradona after he criticised him for his affair with former team-mate Maxi Lopez’s wife. Back in 2013, Icardi had a relationship with Wanda Nara – who was married to his then Sampdoria team-mate Lopez – and then later went on to have a child together and get married.
Silly Suarez? Barcelona star gets clobbered in Uruguay training... after playing in goal
Luis Suarez is never one to hold back when on the field, but the Barcelona forward has paid the price for his latest bout of enthusiasm. The Uruguay striker, who is preparing for his team's World Cup qualifier with Colombia on Tuesday, took the surprise decision to don some goalkeeper gloves in training with Oscar Tabarez's side.
United star Mata gets over Spain snub by launching latest fragrance ahead of Liverpool clash
Juan Mata has had some time to kill after being overlooked by Julen Lopetegui for Spain's World Cup qualifiers against Italy and Albania. The playmaker was at the Indulge Fragrance Store at the intu Trafford Centre to help promote Loewe, a Spanish fragrance company. Mata is an ambassador for Loewe and was at the store to talk about their new scent Loewe001 as he met United supporters and signed autographs.
'Wtf is that ??????'; Ronaldo mocks old pal Ferdinand over 'bear crawl' workout
Ferdinand, 37, still looks trim during his punditry appearances and let fans in on the fitness regime he uses to stay in shape with a clip on Intstagram. In the short video the BT Sport pundit can be seen crawling across his garden whilst pushing weights in each hand. It looks like a tiring drill as the former United centre half brings the corresponding foot up to each weight before pushing off again.
Liverpool sign three-year global partnership deal with Malaysia Airlines
Liverpool have a huge fanbase in the Far East, with an estimated 140 million supporters, and the partnership replaces the deal with Garuda International, which ended earlier this year. The club's players will act as ambassadors for the airline while academy coaches will provide football clinics for young players in Malaysia.
Ronaldo finds time for a selfie as fan invades pitch during Portugal's 6-0 win over Faroe Islands
The Real Madrid star is used to being stopped for selfies on the street but on the pitch he probably assumed he could escape enthusiastic supporters and their phones. Not in the Faroe Islands it seems. The 31-year-old was lining up for kick-off in the second half of Portugal's routine World Cup qualifying win against the international minnows when he was approached by a pitch-invading fan brandishing a smart phone.
OTHER SPORTS NEWS
Fists before Risk! Joshua goes from speed ball to board games as he waits to discover if he will face Klitschko in heavyweight bout
Anthony Joshua might be in limbo as he waits for a potential super fight with Wladimir Klitschko, but the British heavyweight is still keeping himself busy. Joshua has an unbeaten record and following the collapse of Klitschko's meeting with Tyson Fury, could be in line to take on the giant Ukrainian in a bout which would be sure to get boxing fans salivating.
Sharapova makes return to the tennis court for first time since positive drug test at Australian Open in Las Vegas charity event
Maria Sharapova set foot on a tennis court for the first time since her positive drug test at the Australian Open on Monday, smiling throughout an appearance in the World Team Tennis Smash Hits charity event in Las Vegas. The Russian star, who last week earned a reduction in her drug ban that will allow her to return to tennis in April, played in two light-hearted doubles matches in the event at Caesar's Palace to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Watson sets up clash with Wozniacki in Hong Kong Open after beating Erakovic
Heather Watson is into the Hong Kong Open second round after the No 2 defeated qualifier Marina Erakovic on Tuesday. Watson, the world No 75, beat her 119th-ranked opponent from New Zealand 7-5 7-6 (11/9) in just over two hours. She showed no sign of the illness which forced her to retire from the Wuhan Open in late September, after having dizzy spells.
RACING
THE BEST WRITING IN SPORT
SPECIAL REPORT: Owned by Class of '92 and hated by most in their division, how are Salford City doing in their quest to reach the Football League?
JACK GAUGHAN: Edgeley Park on Saturday afternoon. Almost four thousand are on the gate with Salford City in town. Gary Neville and Paul Scholes, too. But for one Stockport County supporter, his focus is on a technical area 10 yards to the right. More bothered about goading a manager on his haunches than Stockport turning this feisty National League North clash on its head, spluttering spleen and jabbing a finger towards Anthony Johnson, one half of Salford's absorbing management duo.