Sport shorts: Asher-Smith and Coleman go for gold in Doha and Man Utd is a ‘dream job’ for a manager says Wenger

Ten things from the world of sport on Thursday 26 September

British athletics star Dina Asher-Smith
British athletics star Dina Asher-Smith 
(Image credit: Alex Morton/Getty Images)

1. England and Italy hit seven tries

Italy secured a bonus point after scoring seven tries in the 48-7 win against Canada in pool B of the Rugby World Cup this morning.

Braam Steyn, Dean Budd, Sebastian Negri, Mattia Bellini, Federico Zani and Matteo Minozzi touched down for the Italians, who were also awarded a penalty try.

In today’s other RWC fixture England also scored seven tries and secured a bonus point. Captain George Ford starred as England beat the United States 45-7.

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2019 Rugby World Cup: fixtures, TV guide and UK start times

2. Can Asher-Smith and Coleman strike gold?

All eyes will be on Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith and America’s Christian Coleman at the 2019 World Athletics Championships - which begins tomorrow in Doha, Qatar.

Asher-Smith is bidding to make history by winning medals in the women’s 100m, 200m and 4x100m. No British athlete has ever won three medals at a world championships.

The 23-year-old, who is clear favourite for the 200m, told The Guardian: “My coach John Blackie has been putting me through my paces for a very long time to prepare for this.”

Asher-Smith is part of a 72-strong British team for the championships.

Meanwhile, American sprinter Coleman, 23, is tipped as the man to beat in the men’s 100m.

He struggled with injury in 2018 but ended the year with a winning time of 9.79 seconds in Brussels. In 2019 he has recorded times of 9.86, 9.85 and 9.81.

3. Wenger: Man Utd a ‘dream job’

Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says the Manchester United job is a “dream” for any manager. He also believes that the Red Devils are four signings away from challenging for honours.

The Frenchman told beIN Sports: “Manchester United is a dream job for any manager. At least, any manager with courage and confidence.

“Yes, they need - in my opinion - four first-team players. But around those players, I see a squad that is capable of challenging. They aren’t as far away as people think.”

4. Stokes nominated for players’ player gong

England star Ben Stokes has been nominated for the Players’ Player of the Year award by the Professional Cricketers’ Association.

The all-rounder, who starred in England’s Cricket World Cup win, is shortlisted along with Essex spinner Simon Harmer, Gloucestershire all-rounder Ryan Higgins and Warwickshire batsman Dom Sibley.

5. Kyrgios gets suspended 16-week ban

The ATP Tour has confirmed that Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has been handed a suspended 16-week ban and £20,300 fine after committing eight offences during his loss against Karen Khachanov in the Cincinnati Masters second round last month.

Both the fine and suspension will be deferred pending Kyrgios’s compliance with the conditions set out by the ATP Tour throughout the six-month probationary period.

6. US Judo mourns Hatton

United States judo player Jack Hatton has died unexpectedly at the age of 24. US Judo said in a statement: “Jack made an indelible mark on all who had the pleasure of knowing him and he will not be forgotten.

“We grieve with the entire USA Judo and international judo community during this tough time. USA Judo is in the process of providing grief counselling services for those in need.”

7. Mercedes ‘hungry’ to fight back in Russia

Can Mercedes fight back this weekend after Ferrari’s three successive victories? The Silver Arrows go to the Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix aiming to avoid four defeats for the first time in the hybrid era.

Team principal Toto Wolff is urging his drivers and team to put up a fight at the Sochi Autodrom.

He said: “We expect the weekend ahead to be another challenging one for us - and the entire team is ready to tackle that challenge head on. We’re hungry to get to Sochi and begin fighting out on track.”

F1 Russian GP: race guide, preview and predictions

8. Pochettino out, Allegri in at Spurs?

The fall-out from Tottenham’s Carabao Cup defeat against Colchester continues.

The Daily Mirror reports that Real Madrid are lining up a move for Spurs midfielder Christian Eriksen and manager Mauricio Pochettino while the Daily Mail says former Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri is “waiting in the wings” to take the Tottenham job.

Tottenham’s big rebuild: keep £250m Kane and bring in Wilson or Dybala

9. Premier League rivals set for cup clashes

The fourth round draw of the Carabao Cup has thrown up two mouth-watering all-Premier League clashes.

Liverpool’s reward for beating MK Dons 2-0 last night is a home tie against Arsenal. Manchester United travel to Chelsea, who thrashed Grimsby 7-1.

Carabao Cup draw: battle of the Premier League’s young stars

Carabao Cup fourth round draw

Ties will take place in the week starting 28 October

  • Everton vs. Watford
  • Aston Villa vs. Wolves
  • Manchester City vs. Southampton
  • Burton vs. Leicester
  • Crawley vs. Colchester
  • Chelsea vs. Manchester United
  • Oxford vs. Sunderland
  • Liverpool vs. Arsenal

10. United scrape through

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United needed penalties to beat Rochdale last night.

Metro reports that under-pressure United boss Solskjaer was given a “big scare” by the League Two outfit and the Daily Mail adds it was a “lucky” result for the Red Devils on a flat night at Old Trafford.

Today’s back pages: Man Utd and lucky Ole get a big scare and Real Madrid will target Eriksen then Pochettino

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