There aren’t many more impressive young coaches in England than Liam Rosenior. His work at Hull City, taking them to the brink of the Championship playoffs in his first full season in managment was remarkable, and received a deserved nomination for Manager of the Year. Rosenior’s intelligence, stoic belief in his own philosophy and clear up rapport with his squad was so evident. It is, therefore, a huge shock that he was sacked by the club this week, with owner Acun Ilicati citing a difference of opinion when it came to the style of play for the decision, but it has been met with almost unanim ..read more

Chelsea finished in the bottom half of the Premier League table last season and for much of this season it appeared unlikely they would improve on that by much, if at all. As recently as early March, Mauricio Pochettino’s team was slumped in 11th place with the Argentine under pressure from his own fans. The outlook, however, has brightened since then. Indeed, Chelsea have lost just one of their last 12 league fixtures. It’s worth noting that one defeat was a damaging 5-0 loss to Arsenal, and there has been five draws over the course of that 12-game run, but there have been genuine signs of im ..read more

When Kieran McKenna was appointed Ipswich Town manager in December 2021, The Tractor Boys were in a bad way. They were slumped in 12th place in the third tier of English football with no sign of improvement coming any time soon. After three seasons in League One, Ipswich were facing up to an extended period in the lower leagues. Under McKenna, though, the landscape has completely changed at Portman Road. The 37-year-old has led Ipswich to promotion in back-to-back seasons with Saturday’s 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town sending The Tractor Boys back to the Premier League for the first time since ..read more

18.00 Daily Racing Specials At PlanetSportBet Novices’ Handicap Hurdle SANITISER is quite useful on the Flat, and although he’s yet to score in this sphere, he has reached the frame in all three handicaps, which starts to suggest his turn could be near. ELLERTON will find this easier than the Grade 2 race he contested last time out and should be thereabouts from a mark in the 90s. MAMBO BEAT and EASTER JUNCTION are others to consider. Tips: Sanitiser, Ellerton, Mambo Beat, Easter Junction 18.30 Best Odds Guaranteed At PlanetSportBet Maiden Hurdle  STAY IF U WANT TO has found only one too ..read more

13.50 William Hill Pretty Polly Stakes (Fillies’ Listed) CAROLINA REAPER won on the other course here last season very easily, and she will find this easier than the last two assignments she has been set. If she stays this new trip, there’s no reason why she can’t go close. KALPANA has won two of her three starts, while WINTER SNOWFALL won at Chelmsford last time out. Tips: Carolina Reaper, Kalpana, Winter Snowfall   14.25 William Hill Dahlia Stakes (Fillies’ & Mares’ Group 2) CAENARFON ran a huge race to finish fourth in the 1000 Guineas on this card last year and followed that good ..read more

1.10 William Hill British EBF Ellen Chaloner Stakes (Fillies’ & Mares’ Listed) FUNNY STORY is penalised for her C&D success on her final start last term, but she goes well fresh, likes the track, and should make a bold bid. HERITAGE HOUSE has caught the eye here the last two times, including when she finished a luckless fourth in the Nell Gwyn. With a clear run and a similar performance to last time, she must go close. SILENT WORDS is another to consider. Tips: Funny Story, Heritage House, Silent Words  13.45 William Hill Extra Place Races Handicap (Heritage Handicap) This track m ..read more

When Arsenal signed Kai Havertz from Chelsea last summer for £65m, a fee that meant the Blues made just a £7m loss, they were ridiculed. The Gunners have a long recent history of signing players Chelsea no longer want, such as David Luiz, Petr Cech and Yossi Benayoun. It was a source of humour for Blues fans and neutrals that after finishing second behind Manchester City in the Premier League last season, with Chelsea in 12th, the same dynamic existed on such a big scale. Havertz was never overwhelmingly popular at Stamford Bridge, despite scoring the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League ..read more

15.40 Specialist Group Handicap Hurdle (88-123) Owner JP McManus has two big chances in the opener. NARA shaped very nicely when she finished seventh in the Boodles at the Cheltenham Festival and must have excellent claims under Mark Walsh. HOLLY went close behind Brentford Hope last time out, who ran well at this meeting earlier in the week. She must go close with a repeat performance. Tips: Nara, Holly 16.15 Frontline Security Handicap Chase (Listed) BLOOD DESTINY has a great opportunity to resume winning ways. His latest third in a Grade 1 race has worked out well, and the fact that he prev ..read more

Initially, Bournemouth’s decision to sack Gary O’Neill in favour of Andoni Iraola last summer looked a foolish one. While O’Neill started well as Wolves’ new manager, the Cherries had to wait until their 10th fixture of the season to register a win in the Premier League. Since then, though, Ireola has set Bournemouth on a steep upward trajectory. Sunday’s comprehensive 3-0 victory over Brighton lifted the Vitality Stadium outfit into the top half of the table despite the club having one of the smallest budgets in the Premier League this season. Bournemouth have already set a new club-record fo ..read more

Erik ten Hag hasn’t been short of interesting things to say recently. Under pressure as Manchester United’s season has fallen apart, the Dutchman has cut an increasingly desperate figure with some of his comments. Most recently, he called criticism of his team “embarrassing” and “a disgrace.” It might be the case that ten Hag is defending himself so strongly out of fear that his job is under threat. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are making sweeping changes at Old Trafford and that could include the hiring of a new manager this summer. Ten Hag wasn’t their appointment and so a change in the dugou ..read more