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Rory Smith
Posts
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Manchester City Beats Arsenal, and the Premier League Season Pivots
Manchester City’s 3-1 victory lifted it over Arsenal and into first place in the Premier League. But the title race is far from over.
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P.S.G.-Bayern: Choupo-Moting Shows Benefits of the Slow Burn
Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting was never a can’t-miss talent. But as he leads Bayern Munich against P.S.G., he has proved he belongs right where he is.
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Champions League or Super League? No One Wins.
Proponents of a European superleague do not lack for opposition. Those on the other side rarely have to explain why the status quo is worth...
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Harry Kane and the Power of Individual Achievement
Soccer prefers to recognize collective triumphs ahead of personal milestones as the true measure of success. But glory comes in many forms.
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It’s Not Just About What Manchester City Won
Players, and fans, can accept losing. It is part of sports. It is different, though, if they find out one side wasn’t playing by the...
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The Danger Lurking Behind the Premier League’s Wealth
Teams that can’t match England’s spending now face a choice: Accept that they can no longer compete for the best talent, or risk everything to...
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Everton’s Identity Crisis
Europe is filled with big clubs that lost their way. But soccer’s fallen giants will never rise again until they face what they’ve become.
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From Everton to Portsmouth, Ownership Isn’t the (Only) Problem
Wealthy owners are an easy target for fans who want to vent their anger over failing teams. But money isn’t a solution when there is...
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At Juventus, a Strange Season Takes Another Turn
A rough start to the season has been forgotten in Italy amid an unlikely title chase and a date with Napoli.
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Opening the Post-World Cup Mailbag
Was Argentina-France the greatest final ever? Or a dull game with a great finish? Readers have their say, and our columnist holds his ground.