England defender Alex Greenwood is confident vital new connections are forming in camp that will see an improved display when the Lionesses take on Denmark in their second World Cup game on Friday.

Georgia Stanway’s retaken penalty was enough to secure England a nervy 1-0 victory in their opener against underdogs Haiti, but did little to ease concerns about their attack as it extended the streak without a goal from open play to three matches.

Yet this is a much-changed line-up from last summer’s European Championship triumph, with Sarina Wiegman’s starting line-up in Brisbane showing five changes from the one that lifted that trophy almost a year ago.

Greenwood, who replaced now-forward Rachel Daly at left-back against Haiti, said: “I was prepared. I knew…

Russia midfielder Denis Glushakov has leapt to the defence of under-fire coach Dick Advocaat ahead of Euro 2012.

The Dutchman has been criticised in Russia for his decision to keep faith in an ageing squad and his refusal to give youth a chance.

Advocaat has already agreed to leave his post in July, two years before his contract s expiry, but Glushakov reckons that his boss has satisfied requirements thus far, and it will only be fair to assess his performance after the tournament.

I think it would be better to judge him once the team has gotten out of the group stages and see how far we can go, he told Goal.com.

Like with Hiddink in 2008, when they beat Netherlands and everyone praised him as a great coach. I think Advocaat is a good coach, but once …

Tottenham have parted ways with manager Harry Redknapp, the English Premier League club confirmed on Thursday.

Following reports the former Portsmouth and West Ham United boss was set to leave due to a breakdown of his relationship with chairman Daniel Levy, Spurs confirmed his departure.

In a statement on the club s website, Levy said: This is not a decision the board and I have taken lightly.

Harry arrived at the club at a time when his experience and approach was exactly what was needed.

This decision in no way detracts from the excellent work Harry has done during his time with the club and I should like to thank him for his achievements and contribution. Harry will always be welcome at (White Hart) Lane.

Redknapp helped Tottenham finish…

Manchester City and Liverpool have set a new Premier League record as the gripping title race continues. 

City s 1-0 win at Burnley on Sunday earned thanks to Sergio Aguero s second-half strike  was their 12th victory in a row in the league, moving them a point above Liverpool. 

The Reds had leapfrogged City thanks to their 5-0 demolition of Huddersfield Town at Anfield, but Jurgen Klopp s men still need City to slip up if they are to win the league for the first time in the Premier League era. 

But a Premier League record has been set by the two competing clubs regardless of what happens in the final two games of the season. 

90 This is only the second season in English top-flight history where two sides have earned 90+ points, after Ars…

Anthony Knockaert has completed a loan move to Fulham from Brighton and Hove Albion.

The 27-year-old has agreed a 12-month deal, with the move expected to be made permanent for an agreed undisclosed fee at the end of 2019-20.

Brighton boss Graham Potter suggested the winger would not have been part of his plans had he stayed at the Amex.

The move is a good one for the club and Anthony. The wide positions are areas in which we have a lot of competition within the squad, he said via Brighton s website.

I ve only worked with Anthony for a short period of time, but that s been a pleasure and he s been very professional and hardworking throughout pre-season. On behalf of the club, I would like to wish him well with Fulham.

Knockaert joined from Stan…

Wales caretaker boss Rob Page insists Gareth Bale still has the hunger and desire to play for his country after including the player in his squad for the upcoming international break.

Page s side face Finland in a friendly on September 1, before resuming their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign with a double-header against Belarus and Estonia.

Speculation surrounded Bale s international future following the Dragons exit from Euro 2020 at the hands of Denmark.

However, the Real Madrid forward, who has 96 caps to his name, could edge closer to becoming Wales second centurion after being selected by Page.

Bale, who spent last season on loan at Tottenham, has started twice this season under new Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti, scoring in Sunday s 3-3 draw…

Theo Walcott marked his first Southampton appearance for almost 15 years by setting up the late equaliser that secured a dramatic 3-3 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

German stars Timo Werner and Kai Havertz scored their first Premier League goals for Chelsea, but there were familiar failings in the home team s ranks and Frank Lampard s men were punished.

Chelsea were thrilling going forward at times, with Werner, who also had a goal disallowed, netting twice before setting up Havertz for what looked set to be the winner.

But between Werner s double and Havertz s strike it had been the same story for the Blues defence, with Danny Ings and Che Adams taking advantage, and Walcott s shot from the edge of the penalty area in stoppage time was nodded in by�…

Sandro Tonali paid off the first instalment of his £52million transfer fee as he marked a fine debut with his first goal and inspired Newcastle to a 5-1 drubbing of Aston Villa.

The 23-year-old Italy international opened the scoring just six minutes into his first competitive appearance for the Magpies and had a hand in two more of their goals as Alexander Isak helped himself to a double and substitutes Callum Wilson and Harvey Barnes struck late on after Moussa Diaby, also making his bow in England’s top flight, had levelled.

However, a hugely entertaining game win was overshadowed by a potentially serious injury to Villa’s England defender Tyrone Mings, who was carried from the pitch on a stretcher to warm applause from a crowd of 52,207 at St James Park after goi…

Australia and Tunisia are hungry to snatch a rare World Cup victory when they meet at Al Janoub Stadium on Saturday, knowing they could take a huge step towards the knockout stage.

After Australia were torched 4-1 by France, Graham Arnold will look to rouse his side for a clash with a Tunisia side who revelled in having huge support against Denmark, earning a 0-0 draw against the European Championship semi-finalists.

That result for Tunisia – just a second clean sheet for the team in 16 matches at the World Cup – has raised hopes of advancing beyond the group stage for the first time, at what is their sixth World Cup.

We want to get past this round, this is our main objective, and we re quite optimistic about achieving this goal, said coach Jalel Kadri.

…

Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon believes the club should sell Cristiano Ronaldo if he is unhappy.

The current administration took over from Calderon in 2009, with his successor Florentino Perez bringing in Portuguese star Ronaldo for a world record transfer fee of 80 million pounds.

Calderon has been critical of the new regime since his departure and when asked about the Ronaldo situation he insisted the right course of action would be to let 27-year-old leave the club.

If a player is unhappy, they must go, he told Eurosport magazine.

It happened to me with Robinho; it was a dramatic saga, but he was bought for 28 million euros and sold for 48 million euros, so it was a good deal.

Calderon also voiced concerns about those closest t…