Sports

Danny Noppert Releases Statement After Snub

Published

6 months ago

January 6, 2026

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Amidst the fallout from the 2026 Premier League Darts line-up selection, Danny Noppert has shared his feelings on his omission via social media.

The PDC Order of Merit’s top four players — Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen, and Michael van Gerwen — automatically made the grade this year. Traditionally, the four wildcard choices tend to stir up debate and 2026 was no exception. 2021 winner Jonny Clayton, promising star Josh Rock, and seven-time major winner Gerwyn Price were among the PDC’s handpicked competitors.

However, Stephen Bunting’s inclusion has been questioned by a number of fans and pundits ahead of the tournament, which begins on the 5th of February. The Englishman finished last in 2025’s edition, only managing one win during the 16-week league stage. The Bullet’s only previous appearance at the tournament came in 2015 — where he also finished last.

Danny Noppert’s Exclusion Deemed Harsh

Pundits and social media users felt that Noppert was more than deserving of that final wildcard place given his impressively consistent season. The Dutchman made it to the semi-finals of four of the PDC’s premier events, as well as earning a semi-final spot at the World Cup of Darts alongside compatriot Gian van Veen. Noppert’s stellar 2025 led to an all-time high world ranking of number six.

The 35-year-old’s successes were in stark contrast to Bunting, whose form deserted him after a promising start to 2025. Bunting opened his season with a semi-final finish at the PDC World Championship, but after that, his best results were a pair of quarter-final appearances at the World Masters and World Matchplay. He also failed to make it past the second round in his four final premier events of the season.

Noppert will feel hard done by having suffered a similar fate in 2022. The Freeze was, again, frozen out of the Premier League Darts despite winning the UK Open that year. However, with his reaction on social media, the Dutchman has responded admirably to adversity, choosing to see the bright side of his disappointing omission.

Noppert’s Statement After Premier League Exclusion

“Unfortunately, I wasn’t selected for this year’s Premier League. Still, it truly means a lot to me to see more and more people speaking positively about me and mentioning my name as a potential candidate. I really appreciate all the support, it genuinely does me good,” wrote Noppert on Instagram.

“For now, I’ll just concentrate on having another good season. Thank you all once again for the support, and best of luck to everyone competing in the Premier League.”

Sports

The Bold England 11 Thomas Tuchel Needs to Name vs Mexico

Published

7 minutes ago

July 1, 2026

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Thomas Tuchel has plenty of decisions to make after England avoided a giant-killing to book their place in the last 16 of the World Cup against Mexico.

A Harry Kane brace saw the Three Lions come from behind to beat a tough DR Congo side who led for 75 minutes. While Tuchel’s men dug deep to turn the game around, their German coach won’t have liked the overall performance.

Several players disappointed and might be at risk of the chop ahead of a massive showdown with Mexico on Monday. Here is how Tuchel must set his side up for a dreaded trip to the Azteca.

Goalkeeper and Defence

England started slowly against the Congolese and were made to pay after Brian Cipenga gave the Africans an early shock. That largely came due to poor defending, and Jordan Pickford was easily beaten at his near post.

Pickford will undoubtedly remain Tuchel’s number one for the Mexico game, but the unconvincing Djed Spence cannot continue at right-back. Most of DR Congo’s threat came through Cipenga, who constantly gave Spence problems.

Once Tuchel decided to bring Spence off for Eberechi Eze and move Declan Rice into a makeshift right-back role, the Three Lions improved. In fact, that tactical switch led to both of Kane’s goals, with each move starting out on the right.

A lack of right-back options is a real issue for Tuchel and the solution may well be to start Rice in the position at the Azteca. His versatility allows him to still control games in a similar fashion to how Philipp Lahm did at right-back throughout his career with Germany.

Ezri Konsa looked nervy, and perhaps turning to John Stones for experience is the way forward. The Manchester City centre-back should partner Marc Guehi, while Nico O’Reilly deserves to keep his place at left-back.

Bringing Rice into the back four also gives the backline a leader who can ensure his teammates stay focused against a tricky Mexican attack. It’s a risky move but one that could pay off given the massive headache Tuchel has.

Midfield

England's Kobbie Mainoo speaks to media during a training camp

Moving Rice means a slot opens up in midfield and that should go to Kobbie Mainoo, who earned a starting role during the knockout stages of Euro 2024. We were so open in midfield, and the Manchester United midfielder has the technical ability to help Elliot Anderson dominate proceedings in the middle of the park.

Jude Bellingham has silenced his critics and been one of England’s standout performers. The Real Madrid man will keep his place in the number 10 role where he is thriving.

While Tuchel could opt to use Bellingham as an eight and start Morgan Rogers in the 10, the Aston Villa man didn’t impress in the 2-0 win over Panama. Mainoo’s profile will suit the type of game expected against co-hosts Mexico, and he’s fresh having been given little game time.

Attack

Harry Kane in action for England vs Croatia at the 2026 World Cup

Kane is undroppable, and if Tuchel’s men are going to win the tournament, he’ll be the one to fire them to glory. The main issue has been out on the wing with the manager constantly chopping and changing.

Noni Madueke endured a frustrating outing against DR Congo, and Bukayo Saka needs to start if he is fit enough. Another dilemma is on the left wing, as Marcus Rashford has performed better as an impact sub, but Anthony Gordon stepped up after coming off the bench in the win over DR Congo, providing both assists for Kane.

The England XI Tuchel Must Pick vs Mexico: Pickford; Rice, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly; Mainoo, Anderson, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Gordon

Sports

Tottenham Agree £100m Deal to Sign Newcastle Star Sandro Tonali

Published

26 minutes ago

July 1, 2026

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Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a deal worth £100m with Newcastle United to sign Sandro Tonali, according to David Ornstein.

Sports

2026 World Cup Player Ratings and Match Highlights

Published

43 minutes ago

July 1, 2026

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England have survived a scare from DR Congo to set up a mouth-watering Mexico City reunion.

Harry Kane inspired England to a dramatic 2-1 win over DR Congo at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, dragging the Three Lions from the brink of elimination after Brian Cipenga’s early strike had stunned everyone in attendance.

Thomas Tuchel’s side toiled for over an hour against a disciplined and fearless Congolese outfit before two second-half goals turned the tie in their favour, setting up a round of 16 date with hosts Mexico in the Estadio Azteca on Sunday, going into Monday morning.

England Player Ratings vs DR Congo
Player	Rating
Jordan Pickford	6
Djed Spence	5
Ezri Konsa	7
Marc Guéhi	7
Nico O’Reilly	6
Elliot Anderson	6
Declan Rice	7
Noni Madueke	7
Jude Bellingham	7.5
Marcus Rashford	6.5
Harry Kane	9.5
Anthony Gordon (sub)	8.5
Bukayo Saka (sub)	7
Eberechi Eze (sub)	6

Congo Player Ratings vs England
Player	Rating
Lionel Mpasi	8.5
Aaron Wan-Bissaka	7.5
Chancel Mbemba	7.5
Axel Tuanzebe	6.5
Arthur Masuaku	6
Ngal’ayel Mukau	6
Samuel Moutoussamy	6.5
Noah Sadiki	6
Nathanaël Mbuku	6
Yoane Wissa	7
Brian Cipenga	7.5
Meschack Elia (sub)	6

Kane’s Brace Ends Congo Resistance

Kane was the difference in a game England had barely any right to win. Held at bay bay for the best part of 70 minutes, the captain finally broke through in the 75th, nodding home Anthony Gordon’s cross to level matters. He struck again soon after, latching onto a second Gordon assist to fire beyond Lionel Mpasi and move to 13 World Cup goals, overtaking Pele in the all-time charts.

Spence Errors Punished, Anthony Gordon Changes the Game

England's Djed Spence — England’s Djed Spence

Djed Spence endured a difficult afternoon deputising at right-back, badly caught out for Cipenga’s seventh-minute opener as Congo exploited the space in behind the Three Lions. England were sluggish for long spells, before Tuchel’s introduction of Gordon and Saka on the hour mark injected the pace and directness that had been missing, with Gordon in particular proving the catalyst for the late turnaround.