Wales 1-0 Slovakia: Ryan Giggs’ team off to a winning start in Euro 2020 qualifying campaign

Wales 1-0 Slovakia: Ryan Giggs’ team off to a winning start in Euro 2020 qualifying campaign
Wales got their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign off to the best possible start with a win against Slovakia at the Cardiff City Stadium.Daniel James scored the only goal of the game when he fired in from the edge of the box after five minutes.The Swansea winger’s only previous international experience was a 56-minute run-out in the November friendly defeat to Albania.Getty3

Daniel James scores for Wales

Manager Ryan Giggs made 11 changes from Wednesday’s 1-0 friendly victory over Trinidad & Tobago for the beginning of Wales’ European Championship campaign, with Anderlecht defender James Lawrence and Swansea winger Daniel James making first competitive starts.Slovakia were unchanged after beating Hungary 2-0 in their opening qualifier on Thursday, with former Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik wearing the captain’s armband and Newcastle’s Martin Dubravka in goal.3

Gareth Bale makes an attempt on goal

Harry Wilson and David Brooks combined impressively down the right, but any danger appeared to have gone for Slovakia when Brooks’ pass went straight to defender Peter Pekarik.But Pekarik was robbed of possession on the edge of the box by James, who rifled a blistering shot past Dubravka to put Wales ahead after just five minutes.Wales continued to press, predictably using Bale’s searing pace, and they went close to a second goal after 21 minutes, but Brooks’ shot smashed into the side netting.Slovakia offered little in comparison, even if they had plenty of possession, and Bale’s header kept Dubravka occupied as the 30-minute mark approached.3

Wayne Hennessey saves from Albert Rusnak

A sublime piece of skill by Brooks saw him beat two defenders before his swerving shot eluded Dubravka but curled just outside the far post, and Gareth Bale had a half-chance that Slovakia comfortably dealt with.Wales exerted sustained pressure but they could not add to their tally as they reached the break with a 1-0 lead.Slovakia created their best chance early in the second period when Albert Rusnak was one-on-one with Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, who blocked his shot, with the ball rebounding off the attacking player before it went wide. It was a warning signal for Wales, and Hennessey was quickly forced into another smart save, again denying Rusnak.But Wales responded impressively as James broke clear on the left and his cross found Wilson, who shot inches wide with Dubravka beaten.Goalscorer James was replaced by Williams 18 minutes from time, and Dubravka saved Wilson’s close-range shot following a slick Wales attack.Slovakia, though, could sense there was still something in the contest for them, and Hennessey was forced into a point-blank save from substitute Michal Duris’ header that preserved Wales’ advantage.Slovakia were finishing the game stronger than their opponents, and Wales looked hurried, especially in defence, as they tried to close things out.Five minutes of stoppage time gave Slovakia renewed hope, but Wales sealed the deal as their qualifying campaign began in successful fashion thanks to James’ early strike that secured a 1-0 win.

---

Champions League final player ratings: Harry Kane gamble

---

Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are not currently in talks over the sale of defender Toby Alderweireld, football.london understands. There has been plenty of speculation that the 29-year-old Belgian defender was heading towards the exit door and a big money transfer to join up with Jose Mourinho's side.
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino expects a fight against

---

Adrian Durham explains why fans don't like Liverpool and why

---

Tottenham Hotspur by /u/smokey815. Welcome to this year's Premier League Previews series. This will be a series running until the eve of the Premier League, taking a look at each club in turn. From a pair of Manchester clubs in the previous couple of days, we now turn to the only North London club in the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur. About
West Ham vs Tottenham LIVE: Team news and build-up to

---

AC Milan midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko is delighted with his recent improvement and insists he can improve in his loan move from Chelsea Chelsea Loanee Tiemoue Bakayoko Delighted With Improvement at
Chelsea Loanee Tiemoue Bakayoko Delighted With Improvement at

---

Rangers chairman Dave King got his statement all wrong ahead of semi-final insists Steven Pressley timing could have already killed any chance of an Old Firm success.He said: "It's the

---

Chelsea and Tottenham will go head-to-head in the Carabao Cup semi-finals this month. But no one knows when the second legs will be played yet. Spurs saw off north London rivals Arsenal in the quarter-finals to set up a two-legged semi-final against the Blues, who needed a late Eden Hazard goal to beat Bournemouth.
Do away goals count in Chelsea vs Tottenham? Why is Carabao

---

Leeds United could be set to make a move for former Arsenal forward Chris Willock in the new year after the Whites sent scouts to catch him in action in Portugal. The 20-year-old ex-Gunners man is currently in the second season of a five-year deal with Primeira Liga outfit Benfica following his move from England last summer.
Championship news: Leeds United eye former Arsenal winger

---

Hourihane gives Ireland lead with a superb free-kick. Republic of Ireland second in Group D after 1-0 win over Gibraltar. Home fans protest hiring Mick McCarthy has now won his first two competitive matches in charge of Republic of Ireland in both stints as manager, also claiming victory over
Republic of Ireland 1 Georgia 0: Hourihane marks

---

Home sweet home Spurs have won both of their first two games at the £1billion structure against Crystal Palace and Manchester City Danny Rose wants to make Tottenham's new stadium a 'fortress'.
Stiliyan Petrov news and profile - Celtic FC

---

Frank Lampard has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association (FA) after Derby County's Championship game against Birmingham City. Lampard confronted referee Simon Hooper after a 2-2

---

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has proposed a move for Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly. Metro claims that Mourinho has told the club hierarchy of his desire to bolster his back-line with the £88 million-rated Senegalese who recently extended his stay with the Italian outfit till 2022.
Premier League & English Football League news, transfers

---