NORWICH, England // Tottenham Hotspur's 1-0 loss at Norwich City on Sunday was a major blow to their hopes of Uefa Champions League soccer next season, manager Tim Sherwood said.
Sherwood refused, however, to blame Spurs’ midweek trip to Ukraine in the Europa League for the defeat.
Robert Snodgrass’s calm finish early in the second half was the difference between the two sides, and despite a flurry of chances for Tottenham the result could have been worse had the Scot’s long-range free kick not hit the crossbar late on.
Spurs are fifth in the Premier League standings, six points behind Liverpool who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot after they defeated Swansea City 4-3 in a thrilling match at Anfield.
“That’s the first really major setback that I’ve had (since taking the job) and we need to be spirited and show what we’re made of,” Sherwood, who took over from Andre Villas-Boas in December, told reporters.
Asked about the six-point gap to Liverpool, he said: “It looks big. It’s a real blow to us but we’ve got to bounce back and we need characters in the dressing room to be able to do that.”
Spurs have lost five of the nine matches they have played after a Europa League outing, the latest on Thursday against Dnipropetrovsk, but he did not use it as an excuse for Sunday’s defeat.
“The result was very disappointing,” he said. “The first half performance was disappointing, the second half wasn’t but too late and if you don’t take the chances which we clearly had you aren’t going to win many football matches unfortunately.
“We were stronger in the second period so you can’t use (tiredness) as an excuse. Second half we looked like we were the far better side.”
After going behind, Spurs showed more attacking endeavor with Emmanuel Adebayor, Roberto Soldado and Nacer Chadli having opportunities, but overall they struggled for rhythm against determined opposition.
“We took a real blow early on in the second half going behind to a sloppy goal and then we started playing from there and created a few chances and unfortunately we couldn’t take them,” Sherwood added.
Norwich City’s Hughton says no problems with McNally
Chris Hughton insisted there is no strain in his relationship with chief executive David McNally after Norwich’s 1-0 Premier League victory over Tottenham at Carrow Road.
McNally was pictured in tears at the final whistle of Sunday’s nervy victory, the stress of a relegation battle exacerbated by the death of a close family member understood to be his father.
McNally last week admitted Norwich would be “delinquent” not to be casting around for alternative managerial candidates, sparking rumours Neil Lennon has been lined up to replace Hughton should Norwich continue to struggle.
Robert Snodgrass’ second-half goal saw off Spurs and edged Norwich four points clear of the relegation zone.
Hughton admitted he hopes Norwich’s “best performance of the season” could help save his job and keep the Canaries in the Premier League.
“I have been told (about McNally’s tears), but I can also tell you that he had a bereavement in his family, I think yesterday and I think that’s had a fair bit to do with it,” said Hughton.
“I speak to the chief executive on a very regular basis, we speak about lots of things.
“One thing I can guarantee is that everyone is pulling in the right direction here.
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Four reasons global stock markets are falling right now
There are many factors worrying investors right now and triggering a rush out of stock markets. Here are four of the biggest:
1. Rising US interest rates
The US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates three times this year in a bid to prevent its buoyant economy from overheating. They now stand at between 2 and 2.25 per cent and markets are pencilling in three more rises next year.
Kim Catechis, manager of the Legg Mason Martin Currie Global Emerging Markets Fund, says US inflation is rising and the Fed will continue to raise rates in 2019. “With inflationary pressures growing, an increasing number of corporates are guiding profitability expectations downwards for 2018 and 2019, citing the negative impact of rising costs.”
At the same time as rates are rising, central bankers in the US and Europe have been ending quantitative easing, bringing the era of cheap money to an end.
2. Stronger dollar
High US rates have driven up the value of the dollar and bond yields, and this is putting pressure on emerging market countries that took advantage of low interest rates to run up trillions in dollar-denominated debt. They have also suffered capital outflows as international investors have switched to the US, driving markets lower. Omar Negyal, portfolio manager of the JP Morgan Global Emerging Markets Income Trust, says this looks like a buying opportunity. “Despite short-term volatility we remain positive about long-term prospects and profitability for emerging markets.”
3. Global trade war
Ritu Vohora, investment director at fund manager M&G, says markets fear that US President Donald Trump’s spat with China will escalate into a full-blown global trade war, with both sides suffering. “The US economy is robust enough to absorb higher input costs now, but this may not be the case as tariffs escalate. However, with a host of factors hitting investor sentiment, this is becoming a stock picker’s market.”
4. Eurozone uncertainty
Europe faces two challenges right now in the shape of Brexit and the new populist government in eurozone member Italy.
Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, which has offices in Dubai, says the stand-off between between Rome and Brussels threatens to become much more serious. "As with Brexit, neither side appears willing to step back from the edge, threatening more trouble down the line.”
The European economy may also be slowing, Mr Beauchamp warns. “A four-year low in eurozone manufacturing confidence highlights the fact that producers see a bumpy road ahead, with US-EU trade talks remaining a major question-mark for exporters.”
Company%20profile
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Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
How to get there
Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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How Islam's view of posthumous transplant surgery changed
Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.
Opinion has been divided as to whether organ donations from a deceased person is permissible in Islam.
The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.
One school of thought viewed the removal of organs after death as equally impermissible.
That view has largely changed, and among scholars and indeed many in society, to be seen as permissible to save another life.
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier
Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August
Group A
Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar
Group B
UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
