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Brentford 1-3 Manchester City: Foden treble guides champions to comeback win

Harry Carr
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Brentford 1-3 Manchester City: Foden treble guides champions to comeback win

Phil Foden scored a hat-trick as Manchester City came from behind to beat Brentford 3-1 at the Gtech Community Stadium on Monday, moving within two points of Premier League leaders Liverpool.

City dominated the first half and drew save after save from Mark Flekken in the Brentford goal, but the champions fell behind when Neal Maupay raced through to finish from a goal-kick 21 minutes in.

However, City’s superiority finally told on the stroke of half-time as Ethan Pinnock’s mistake teed Foden up for a close-range finish, and the England international doubled his tally with a well-taken header shortly after the interval.

After a brief spell of Brentford pressure, Foden make City’s win safe with 70 minutes gone. Erling Haaland turned provider on his return to the starting lineup after recovering from a foot injury, the striker’s neat lay-off sending Foden through to side-foot home.

Read our other sports news stories here:
Changes to Formula 1 sprint races confirmed
Martinez set for two-month absence in blow for Manchester United
Former Manchester United chief executive Gill excited about Ratcliffe era

Following Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Liverpool on Sunday, the result takes City to within two points of the league-leading Reds, and Pep Guardiola’s side still possess a game in hand – also against Brentford at the Etihad Stadium later this month.

City laid siege to Flekken’s goal early on, with two long-range strikes from Julian Alvarez testing the Dutchman before he made a full-stretch save to keep Kyle Walker’s 30-yard piledriver out.

But the Brentford goalkeeper had an assist to his name as his team went ahead against the run of play. Ivan Toney cleverly let Flekken’s long goal-kick run through the heart of City’s defence, meaning Maupay was onside as he raced clear to slot past Ederson.

Flekken then made two huge saves to preserve Brentford’s lead as City ramped up the pressure, spreading himself to deny Haaland when the striker was one-on-one then tipping Josko Gvardiol’s right-footed strike wide.

Brentford were fortunate to see Flekken spill Foden’s drive wide of his post as half-time approached, but their luck ran out in first-half stoppage time. Pinnock misdirected his header from Kevin De Bruyne’s lofted pass, allowing Foden to take a touch before beating Flekken from close range.

Foden had his second just eight minutes into the second half, stooping to meet De Bruyne’s inswinging cross and glance a header into the bottom-right corner, beyond Flekken’s despairing dive.

Brentford refused to lie down, though; a great last-ditch block from Ruben Dias denied Bees skipper Christian Norgaard a quickfire equaliser before Toney sent an acrobatic volley spiralling over.

But any hopes of a Brentford comeback were extinguished when Foden completed his hat-trick with 20 minutes to play, taking Haaland’s lay-off in his stride before advancing into the box and finishing calmly past Flekken.

Ederson had a lucky escape when he raced out of his area and clattered Pinnock from a deep Brentford free-kick late on, but City played out the closing stages in relative comfort, going close to a fourth goal when De Bruyne side-footed wide from Jeremy Doku’s cross.

Changes to Formula 1 sprint races confirmed

Harry Carr
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Changes to Formula 1 sprint races confirmed

Formula 1 teams have signed off on changes to the format of sprint race weekends from the 2024 season onwards, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has announced.

Changes to the sport’s sprint races had been proposed in an attempt to heighten the fan experience.

On sprint weekends, Saturdays had previously been designated as sprint-focused days. However, from this season onwards, sprint qualifying will take place on Fridays, with the sprint race preceding qualifying for the main race on Saturdays.

Read our other sports news stories here:
Martinez set for two-month absence in blow for Manchester United
Former Manchester United chief executive Gill excited about Ratcliffe era
Stokes proud of ailing England for sticking to ‘Bazball’ principles

There will be six sprint races held in 2024, with those taking place in China, Miami, Austria, Brazil and Qatar, as well as at the US Grand Prix in Austin.

The FIA announced the changes had been agreed at Monday’s Formula 1 commission meeting, with the World Motorsport Council (WMSC) due to sign off on the ‘regulatory refinements’ for the new format on February 28.

Changes to parc-ferme regulations, which currently prevent teams from making significant alterations to their cars following Friday’s first practice session, have also been mooted and will likely be on the agenda following Monday’s announcement.

The 2024 Formula 1 season gets under way next month, with the Bahrain Grand Prix taking place on Saturday, March 2.

Martinez set for two-month absence in blow for Manchester United

Harry Carr
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Martinez set for two-month absence in blow for Manchester United

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez will reportedly be sidelined for around two months with the knee injury he sustained against West Ham on Sunday, though the Argentine will not require surgery to rectify the problem.

According to widespread reports, Martinez sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee when he went down following a freak collision with Vladimir Coufal on Sunday.

Martinez, who only returned to action last month after recovering from a broken metatarsal, was replaced by Raphael Varane in the 71st minute of the match, which United won 3-0.

Read our other sports news stories here:
Former Manchester United chief executive Gill excited about Ratcliffe era
Stokes proud of ailing England for sticking to ‘Bazball’ principles
Red Bull launch Christian Horner investigation

It was initially feared that the Argentine had suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage and could be ruled out for the rest of the season.

United boss Erik ten Hag described Martinez’s latest fitness setback as a “disaster” after Sunday’s game, but reports on Monday suggested he had avoided a season-ending injury.

Martinez is expected to spend around eight weeks on the sidelines, and an absence of that length would see him miss at least eight Premier League games, including United’s trip to the Etihad Stadium to face rivals Manchester City on March 3.

Martinez has only made seven league starts this season, with Ten Hag easing him back into action after his earlier foot injury kept him out for over three months.

His most recent fitness issue comes as a major blow after United appeared to be approaching full strength for perhaps the first time this season.

Harry Maguire started alongside Martinez on Sunday and he will now compete with Varane and the fit-again Victor Lindelof for a starting spot.

Avoid These 6 Common Mistakes When Selling Your Business

News Desk
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Avoid These 6 Common Mistakes When Selling Your Business

Let’s face it; businesses, much like life’s sweetest moments, aren’t eternal. A myriad of factors may inspire you to part ways with your enterprise. It’s not so much a case of “if” you’ll say your goodbyes, but more about the “when” and “how.” Exiting your business, particularly by selling it, is as common as it is complex.

It’s akin to starting up, laden with a unique set of hurdles; from sprucing up your business for prospective buyers, defining its worth, to finally ringing the closing bell. Yep, you’ll find yourself navigating through a sea of questions, but hey, isn’t that part of the thrill?

It’s a good thing that there are professionals like Lloyds business brokers who can help you along the way. While every business sale is unique, certain pitfalls tend to be common among all sellers.

The Trap of Lack of Preparation

Falling short on preparation can be a costly mistake when selling your business. It’s akin to showing up for a marathon without training – you’re setting yourself up to struggle and potentially lose out. It’s essential to groom your business for the spotlight to ensure maximum returns. Think of it as a beauty pageant contestant, needing some polishing and primping before taking the stage.

If you see the sale of your business looming on the horizon a year in advance, use that time wisely for the necessary preparations. Most buyers are on a hunt for a business they can take over seamlessly without having to start from scratch (if that was the case, they’d just embark on their own venture).

A few strategies worth considering include training your staff to ensure they can keep the ball rolling under new leadership, creating comprehensive manuals, and tweaking your systems for efficiency. Remember, nobody wants to purchase a sinking ship, so make sure your business is in shipshape before the proverbial transfer of the baton. Your goal – a thriving business that won’t miss a beat even after you’ve stepped aside.

The Perils of Procrastination

Procrastination can be your worst enemy when it comes to selling your business. Most small business owners don’t have a line of succession, so if there’s a hint of upcoming personal circumstances that might make running your business difficult, it’s time to gear up for a sale. Holding off until you’re hard-pressed for time isn’t a smart move. That’s like trying to sell your house in a downturn market – you’ll likely get lowball offers instead of the premium price you deserve.

Keep in mind that your business’s worth is typically pegged on your earnings multiples. So, if you twiddle your thumbs for too long and your profits take a nosedive, well, your business valuation plummets alongside. Fair warning – don’t wait until the eleventh hour!

Beware the Broker Blunder

Choosing the right business broker can truly make or break your sale experience. You wouldn’t hire the first real estate agent you bump into to sell your home, would you? So why do the same with your business broker? Selecting a broker without careful consideration could result in a massive financial loss. Remember, it’s not a game of eeny, meeny, miny, moe.

Don’t entrust your business sale to a broker who is content to sit back, kick their feet up, and wait for your business to sell itself. Seek out a proactive go-getter who thinks outside the box when it comes to marketing and selling.

Before you sign on the dotted line, be sure to choose your own mini ‘The Apprentice’ style interview process. Grill potential brokers on their selling strategies and compare their fees. Your aim? To secure a broker who will help sell your business at the best possible price. Your broker choice is just as crucial as the decision to sell, so choose wisely.

The Fallacy of the Silent Seller

Sitting back and believing that your chosen business broker will handle every aspect of promoting your sale can be a dangerous assumption. It’s fantastic to have a broker on your side, but remember, no one knows your business better or feels more passionate about it than you do. Your broker will certainly drum up interest, but your involvement in promoting the sale is equally crucial for its success.

Utilising platforms like Facebook Marketplaces, Gumtree, and relevant groups are great starting points – never underestimate the power of your personal network and the invaluable knowledge you bring to the table.

The Pitfall of Price Misjudgment

A word of advice to steer clear of a common snare: don’t overestimate or underestimate the worth of your business. If you’re a fan of “Shark Tank,” you’ll know entrepreneurs who demand a king’s ransom seldom walk away with a deal, while those underselling themselves risk getting short-changed. It’s crucial, then, to roll up your sleeves and dive into the nitty-gritty of valuing your business.

Approach this task with a level head, devoid of bias and sentiments. Once you’ve arrived at a fair price, it’s savvy business to pad your asking price slightly, giving you room to negotiate without feeling short-changed. However, don’t let ambition cloud your judgment and inflate your price excessively just because of the blood, sweat, and tears you’ve poured into your venture.

Setting an astronomical price tag not only prolongs the sale process but can deter potential buyers, leaving your business gathering dust on the shelf.

The Hazard of Hastily Accepting Any Offer

Don’t fall into the trap of selling to a buyer simply because they’re the first one to make an offer, particularly when you’re in a pinch. This route may seem tempting, but it pays to exercise patience and tenacity. On occasion, a potential buyer might dangle a lucrative offer, but with a catch – they want you to finance them.

Selling your business for a hefty sum, with minimal upfront payment and a long-term contract, can be a risky wire-walk. There’s a chance you could lose everything. The golden rule here? Always weigh your offers based on the risk-to-reward ratio. It might take more time, but it ensures you secure a deal that’s both profitable and secure.

King Charles diagnosed with cancer

Helen Greaney
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King Charles diagnosed with cancer

Buckingham Palace has announced that King Charles has been diagnosed with a form of cancer.

The specific type of cancer has not been disclosed; however, it has been confirmed that it is not prostate cancer. The diagnosis came to light during his recent treatment for an enlarged prostate.

According to the palace, the King has begun regular treatments and will be scaling back on public duties for the duration of his treatment.

Despite the diagnosis, the 75-year-old monarch remains optimistic about his treatment and eagerly anticipates resuming his full public duties as soon as possible.

Details regarding the stage of the cancer or the prognosis are not being disclosed at this time.

King Charles personally informed both of his sons about his diagnosis, and the Prince of Wales is reported to be maintaining regular communication with his father during this period.

There are more than 200 types of cancer – the most common ones in the UK are breast, lung, prostate and bowel – according to the NHS website.

For many types of cancer, the chance of getting it increases with age. UK figures suggest, on average each year, more than a third (36%) of new cancer cases were in people aged 75 and over.

​Prime minister Rishi Sunak wished the King a “full and speedy recovery”, as did Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle.

 

Former Manchester United chief executive Gill excited about Ratcliffe era

Harry Carr
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Former Manchester United chief executive Gill excited about Ratcliffe era

Former Manchester United chief executive David Gill is excited about Jim Ratcliffe taking charge of football operations at Old Trafford, saying anything less than winning is unacceptable for the Red Devils.

Gill served as United’s chief executive from 2003 to 2013, with the team winning five Premier League titles during that period, which coincided with the final decade of Alex Ferguson’s tenure.

However, United have struggled to recapture their former glories since Ferguson’s retirement, with fan dissatisfaction with the club’s owners, the Glazer family, reaching boiling point in recent years.

Read our other sports news stories here:
Stokes proud of ailing England for sticking to ‘Bazball’ principles
Bumrah dismantles England as India level the series at 1-1
Red Bull launch Horner investigation

In December, it was confirmed that INEOS chairman Ratcliffe had agreed to purchase a 25 per cent stake in the club, in a deal which will see him handed full control of football operations.

United are still waiting for the Premier League to officially sign off on the minority takeover, but Gill is excited about the club’s future under Ratcliffe.

INEOS have had success when investing in other sports, particularly through Dave Brailsford’s involvement in the INEOS Grenadiers cycling team, and Gill expects them to implement sweeping changes.

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand’s Vibe with Five podcast, Gill said the involvement of experienced operators like Brailsford and INEOS Sport CEO Jean-Claude Blanc gave him hope for the future.

“I don’t know Dave Brailsford that much, I’ve met him a few times, but I know Jean-Claude Blanc. He was at Juventus and then Paris Saint-Germain, and I think he’s an experienced executive in the football world and knows what works and what doesn’t work,” Gill said.

“Brailsford has shown, albeit in slightly different sports, that he’s a winner as well, and I think he will leave no stone unturned and think, for example, ‘what’s happened with this appointment?’

“It has got to get approved by the Premier League, but they’re prepared to act quickly and they understand we have to win.

“With the latter days of Arsenal under Arsene (Wenger), they were saying, ‘Champions League is acceptable, get into the top four to get into the Champions League, and have the odd run in the cup.’

“That was deemed to be acceptable. Well, that’s not good enough.

“I think there will be some good moves and I think there are a lot of very good people at Manchester United. It’s not as if we have to get rid of all these people.

“I just think they need a new direction, a new motivation and a new outlook and I think we’ve got that. So I am positive, but the proof will be in the pudding.”

Stokes proud of ailing England for sticking to ‘Bazball’ principles

Harry Carr
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Stokes proud of ailing England for sticking to ‘Bazball’ principles

Ben Stokes was proud of England for continuing to play on their own terms despite their defeat in the second Test in India, revealing several members of the touring party were unwell on day four.

Following England’s dramatic victory in the opener in Hyderabad, India hit back to level the series at 1-1 by sealing a 106-run success on day four in Visakhapatnam.

Zak Crawley’s knock of 78 got England off to a solid start as they chased an improbable target of 399 for victory, but it ultimately wasn’t to be for the tourists as Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin starred for India.

Read our other sports news stories here:
Mercedes boss Wolff holds no grudge over Hamilton’s Ferrari switch
Bumrah dismantles England as India level the series at 1-1
Red Bull launch Horner investigation

Bumrah finished with figures of 3-46 as he dismantled the middle and lower order, preventing England from teeing up another nail-biting finish.

While captain Stokes was disappointed to finish on the losing side, he praised England for continuing to play the hyper-aggressive brand of cricket preached by head coach Brendon McCullum.

“We have so much belief in our ability, that it filters off to the people who support us,” Stokes told BBC Sport after the defeat.

“Two or three years ago, if that was the task we had, I don’t think many would have thought we had a chance.

“Obviously it’s disappointing to lose, we always want to come out here and win, but the way we approached it is exactly what we are looking for.

“Everyone says, ‘What is Bazball?’ It’s our mentality, our way of playing.

“The fact that you can never look out on the field and think we are behind in the game, even if we are… that’s a huge testament to the players.”

While Stokes was keen to avoid making excuses for England’s failure to complete the chase, he revealed several members of the squad struggled with illness on the fourth day of the second Test.

“A couple woke up this morning not feeling great, and when everyone had the same symptoms, you know there is something going around,” Stokes said.

“It’s not an excuse for the result, because it’s a game full of ifs, buts and maybes.

“I’m proud the guys who were feeling under the weather didn’t shy away from anything they needed to do and gave it their best.”

Red Bull launch Horner investigation

Jon Fisher
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Red Bull launch Horner investigation

Red Bull are conducting an investigation into team principal Christian Horner’s conduct after an allegation was made against him.

The 50-year-old, who has denied the claims, was the mastermind behind the team’s incredible 2023 season which saw them win 21 of the 22 races on the calendar and ended with Max Verstappen winning the title.

Read our other sports stories here: 
Bumrah stars as India beat England to level series
Mercedes boss Wolff holds no grudge over Hamilton’s Ferrari switch
Guardiola confirms Haaland ready to start, rubbishes Madrid reports

He has been with Red Bull since 2005 and has enjoyed enormous success – leading them to seven drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships.

However, a complaint has now prompted an investigation with the team confirming in a statement: “After being made aware of certain recent allegations, the company launched an independent investigation.

“This process, which is already under way, is being carried out by an external specialist barrister. The company takes these matters extremely seriously and the investigation will be completed as soon as practically possible. 

“It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”

When asked about the allegations, Horner told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf: “I completely deny these claims.”

Oldham apprentice Gary is full throttle up career ladder

Helen Greaney
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Oldham apprentice Gary is full throttle up career ladder

When Oldham sales specialist Gary Byrne celebrated his 40th birthday in 2020, he thought his chance of passing his Maths and English GCSEs had long gone.

Now Gary – who works in the automotive industry for Oldham Audi (part of Jardine Motors Group) – is on the brink of completing his Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship thanks to training provider Realise. He has secured the equivalent of a GCSE in Maths and English and is already looking forward to his next qualification opportunity.

National Apprenticeship Week starts today and Gary has a message to anyone his age who is contemplating future opportunities – it’s never too late to start an apprenticeship.

Brilliant experience

Gary, who lives in Greenfield and was previously in the Army, said: “I joined Jardine Motors Group in May 2021.

“I soon became aware of the brilliant training and development programme on offer and a few days later I was signed up to start my Level 3 apprenticeship.

“It’s not what I thought I’d be doing in my 40s but it’s been an absolutely brilliant experience and I can’t speak highly enough of Jardine for providing the opportunity and Realise for the training they have provided.

“My trainer, Charlotte Gregory, has been fantastic at making each session bespoke to each individual and that has made a huge difference. The course has been really interesting and completely relevant for the automotive industry and the job I’m operating in at the moment, as well as the positions I aim to progress to.

“The thinking that apprenticeships are only for people who are young and maybe just out of school is very much out-of-date. A lot of apprenticeships now are built around allowing people to develop who are a little older, established in their job roles and looking to progress further by creating bespoke programmes around their specific job.

“Whatever your age, if you are thinking of doing an apprenticeship, my message would be to go for it.”

Gary is due to enter the final stages of his apprenticeship in the coming weeks and, once he has completed his Level 3 qualification, his sights are already firmly set on beginning his Level 5 apprenticeship.

Quay Street Productions hailed one of the best places to work

Helen Greaney
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Quay Street Productions hailed one of the best places to work

Manchester-based indie production company, Quay Street Productions (part of ITV Studios), has been named one of the best places to work.

In the survey released by Broadcast Magazine, company was awarded 5th place and hailed the nest employer for women in TV.

The news comes after the phenomenal success of Fool Me Once for Netflix and the announcement of two additional Harlan Coben adaptation commissions for Netflix, Missing You and Run Away.

Quay Street Productions was founded by multi-award-winning producer Nicola Shindler OBE in 2021, to make contemporary, provocative, entertaining, and engaging drama for U.K. and global audiences.

The production company builds on Shindler’s reputation to deliver compelling drama, with her previous credits including It’s A Sin, Stay Close, Ridley Road, Finding Alice, The Stranger, Happy Valley and Queer As Folk.

Nicola said: “Values, vision and inclusivity is something we’re proud to effortlessly share as a team at Quay Street Productions. We believe in working side by side, bringing out the best in each other, and celebrating our diverse perspectives.

“It’s wonderful to have such qualities recognised, whether it’s being named one of the best places to work in the Broadcast survey or being honoured as the top employer for Women in TV. These accolades are testament to our drive in being a supportive and inspiring workplace in Manchester – and we couldn’t be more delighted!”.

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