The powerhouse Liverpool forward secured a record-breaking 90 per cent of the vote, while Arsenal’s Alessia Russo topped a wide field to win the women’s award, writes JAMES NALTON
James Nalton


JAMES NALTON writes on how the title win has sparked long-awaited celebrations among fans after a triumph four years — and one pandemic — in the making

JAMES NALTON hails the rise of the number of Chinese players heading to the Crucible

As the historic ground prepares for its emotional farewell, even visiting teams like Manchester City are paying tribute to one of English football’s most storied stadiums, writes JAMES NALTON

A new front in the fight for football’s soul is emerging — one rooted in trade union values and collective power

As the 2025 World Snooker Championship looms, the road to Sheffield is already alive with drama, from teenage prodigies to legendary veterans, writes JAMES NALTON

JAMES NALTON discusses how in some ways, Slot’s Reds are being criticised for their own success and are right in wanting to change the narrative

JAMES NALTON writes about Iran's qualification for the tournament and whether the United States is fit to welcome visitors from across the world

JAMES NALTON writes how the British snooker player’s victory over Murphy on Thursday has made him the clear favourite to win the Players Championship tournament

JAMES NALTON discusses how people are trying to reclaim the game at the top level, which has drifted into the hands of the ownership class of billionaire capitalists

JAMES NALTON discusses the latest episode in an ongoing series of ticketing chaos in top-flight football, this time for season ticket holders at Newcastle and Arsenal

This weekend’s Super League matches across the pond could be a boon for the sport, writes JAMES NALTON

JAMES NALTON writes how the Four Nations Face-Off brought with it extra political tensions and added a further competitive edge

JAMES NALTON analyses how Leigh shocked Wigan in extra time on Thursday night after the first 0-0 draw after 80 minutes in Super League history

Eurosport was a mainstay for less mainstream sport, JAMES NALTON explains, but now Warners Brothers Discovery is shifting it all onto TNT

Infantino cosies up to Trump as Disunited States become Fifa's latest problematic World Cup host, writes JAMES NALTON

It's refreshing to see a team storm to the top of the Premier League without using the transfer market, but how long can that last, asks JAMES NALTON

JAMES NALTON reflects on times spent at Everton’s home ground and the sadness that English football is losing a link to its past and tradition

JAMES NALTON writes how the game has evolved and predicts it will see a further boost in popularity this year, with talent such as Van Gerwen and Littler raising its profile

JAMES NALTON says the Toffees struck gold with the Senegalese left-winger

JAMES NALTON writes about the ongoing PDC World Darts Championship

JAMES NALTON previews this weekend’s much-anticipated Manchester derby

JAMES NALTON previews the much-anticipated East Coast versus West Coast battle this weekend, the result of supporters holding their team to account

JAMES NALTON writes how both NY teams have avoided each other in the much anticipated post-season competition that determines who will be champions - until now

JAMES NALTON writes how the Liverpudlian carried himself like a seasoned international against Greece in his senior debut for the Three Lions

JAMES NALTON writes about the powerful shows of solidarity for Palestine across Uefa competitions this week despite various attempts to silence supporters

by James Nalton
at Anfield

JAMES NALTON on how the national football team stunned Colombia 1-0 on Thursday night and now have their sights set on success in Buenos Aires when they battle with Argentina

JAMES NALTON writes how, so far, the percentage of goals scored from outside the box this season is at its highest level since 2013/14

Liverpool and West Ham fans demand clubs stop exploiting their loyalty

JAMES NALTON writes about the baseball player who was also a civil rights activist both within the sport, and outside of it

JAMES NALTON writes on the growing trend of former Premier League managers taking roles at Concacaf nations ahead of 2026 World Cup

JAMES NALTON writes how international football is refreshing compared top-level club football, bringing stories of sporting, political, cultural, and geographical significance

JAMES NALTON explains why a collective bargaining deal between NWSL and their union is so groundbreaking

JAMES NALTON writes how Liverpool’s post-Klopp era hits home as new Dutch manager prepares to take charge of his first competitive home game

JAMES NALTON writes how sport and society are inseparable, and how fans can use this as a vehicle to show solidarity with those who have been targeted by racist riots

The motives for playing league games abroad do not lie in giving back to the fans, but lie solely in how much money can be made from them, writes JAMES NALTON

JAMES NALTON questions why the team game of ancient Gaelic Irish origin is not one of the most popular sports in the world

JAMES NALTON looks at how politics affects sport and vice versa

JAMES NALTON says there are no easy games in the tournament, as Messi and Argentina soon found out following their clash with Ecuador which ended in narrow victory on penalties

JAMES NALTON writes about the smallest South American nation competing in the Copa America tournament, and their 5-0 thrashing of Bolivia at Meadowlands Stadium

JAMES NALTON looks forward to a summer of exciting international football — starting with the Copa America

JAMES NALTON previews the tournament, which can feel less contaminated than a club game which has been taken over by the main players in global capitalism and geopolitics

JAMES NALTON writes about Manchester City’s controversial decision to challenge the Premier League’s rules on associated party transactions this week

JAMES NALTON previews the side’s dazzling upcoming set of fixtures including the 14-time winners’ first ever time contesting a European Cup final in London

JAMES NALTON looks forward to the historic clash between Premiership heavyweights for the FA Cup

Klopp has allowed his left-wing politics to develop — refreshingly without the slogans or the hashtags, says JAMES NALTON

JAMES NALTON writes about the players’ union, Fifpro, who are fighting back against the increase in workload and added demands placed on workers in major tournaments

JAMES NALTON discusses how players have overcome the odds at this year’s World Snooker Championships, as three of the four semi-finalists came through the qualifiers

JAMES NALTON discusses how recent developments mean league fixtures being hosted in the United States is becoming increasingly possible

JAMES NALTON argues that murmurs of the tournament being moved from the historic venue should be cause for concern for fans of the sport

Liverpool fans are right to protest against ticket prices at key moment, JAMES NALTON says

JAMES NALTON discusses how Vinicius Junior has become a regular target for racial abuse in Spain, during games and in their aftermath as figures within the sport try to excuse it

JAMES NALTON discusses the questions around how money the game generates as a whole can be fairly distributed, and whether imposing limits on certain clubs is a fair solution

JAMES NALTON introduces the soccer team and the organisation helping to fight food poverty in their local community

JAMES NALTON previews this weekend’s Premier League showdown between Guardiola’s fit and firing side and Ten Hag’s improving Red Devils

JAMES NALTON writes on the referee lockout and the US Open Cup saga clouding the MLS season this year

JAMES NALTON surveys a game of missed chances

JAMES NALTON hails the sport's increased international attention

James Nalton writes on the DR Congo using their Afcon moment to highlight ongoing atrocities in their country

JAMES NALTON previews this weekend’s clashes as Cape Verde take on South Africa and Mali face Ivory Coast as the tournament edges closer to its finale

Liverpool fans will be left in disbelief to hear of Klopp's departure — just as they were in 1974, says JAMES NALTON

JAMES NALTON previews one of the most geographically diverse tournaments in world football, hosted by Ivory Coast this year

JAMES NALTON writes on the magnificent 2024 World Darts Championship

JAMES NALTON focuses on Nicolas Jackson, Darwin Nunez, Erling Haaland and the new style of Premier League strikers

A22's latest attempt to revive the ESL comes with no benefit for the fans or clubs, writes JAMES NALTON

JAMES NALTON previews the lead up to the quarter-finals on New Year’s Day when the real big-hitting matches begin at Alexandra Palace

JAMES NALTON reminds readers that even a stadium that’s seen it all can still etch new moments of magic into its emotional record

JAMES NALTON expects the issues at Everton following a recent points deduction and the looming decision over Manchester United’s ownership to unite fans in protest at this weekend’s clash

JAMES NALTON discusses why the Premier League’s favourite set-piece-taker should have been an obvious choice in Southgate’s latest team selection

JAMES NALTON writes how the club’s fans have been mostly aligned through their left-wing politics and stances on numerous social issues in the past

JAMES NALTON assesses the strengths of a team that shines on the European stage

JAMES NALTON discusses how football’s increasing involvement in politics over recent years brings with it the inevitable task of making political decisions, gestures and statements

JAMES NALTON anticipates this weekend’s conclusion to a strong season as Wigan Warriors take on Catalans Dragons in Grand Final

JAMES NALTON discusses how the muddled plan for the hosting of the 2030 World Cup seems like less of a compromise, and more of a cop-out

JAMES NALTON argues that as the sport is being taken over by late capitalism and geopolitics, why should fans be the ones forced to give up?

Banned by the FFR and then by Vichy government because of its popularity with the Popular Front, JAMES NALTON highlights the plight of a real working class sport

Not only has the buying and selling of football players changed, but so too is how the media reports on it, writes JAMES NALTON

JAMES NALTON expresses how solidarity with female football players is seriously needed in their ongoing fight for equality in the wake of the Rubiales scandal

JAMES NALTON discusses how the Argentine sensation is tackling his move to Miami

JAMES NALTON discusses how due to recent sporting and financial issues, the Toffees are having to think outside the box in terms of transfers this summer

JAMES NALTON insists that even in their Women’s World Cup defeat, US footballers represent America better than their detractors

JAMES NALTON discusses how fans have become an afterthought as Premier League stadiums have gone from being community hubs to corporate ‘spaces’

JAMES NALTON writes about how blanket coverage of every game means it could be one of the most watched women’s football tournaments in history

JAMES NALTON discusses how the narrative surrounding climate activists is increasingly negative, not just from the expected quarters of the Establishment, but from elsewhere too

JAMES NALTON discusses how as the sport continues to grow in America, the country must not exclude its own grassroots and the wider region on its journey

JAMES NALTON writes about how today, football monopoly is becoming a fact

JAMES NALTON discusses how the relevance of the global game isn’t always backed up with the same hype that surrounds club fixtures

JAMES NALTON writes about the Serbian basketball star giving his team a chance to turn their first-ever finals appearance into a first NBA championship

JAMES NALTON weighs up the genuine risk the club faces, as their current run of 69 consecutive seasons in the top flight could come to an end