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No Writer
Jun 7
Talks held with Iran over jailed UK couple, David Lammy says, as he addresses proposed prisoner swap

The family of Lindsay and Craig Foreman, who have been detained in Iran since January 2025, are calling for the UK government to exchange Iranian convicted stalker Richard Jan for the pair. Mr Foreman told Sky News that Iranian authorities had signalled their interest in Jan, who has been dubbed the UK's "worst stalker", and his release could be used to secure their freedom. On the proposed prisoner swap, Mr Lammy told Sky's Trevor Phillips: "Of course, arrangements can be made of that kind, but the specifics on this would not be right. And I'm not sure from what I've heard that this is… credible". Mr Lammy, who is also the justice secretary, said he could not go into detail on their case because it would "undermine the discussions that we're having with the Iranians". Ms Foreman's son, Joe Bennett, said he was hopeful there had been a "shift" in the UK government's approach to his mother and stepfather's case following Mr Lammy's comments. "The question that we wanted to ask as a family is, if this isn't the solution or a proposed solution, then why not?", he said. "Anything can be done in theory, but it's been a long time coming where it gets the attention it warrants. "And the conversation to be had, at least we can either get a proposed path to to their release or closure that this isn't a solution." Richard Ratcliffe, whose wife Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was jailed in Iran for almost six years, said Mr Lammy's words were encouraging, and a prisoner swap should be on the table. "It is welcome that David Lammy is making positive noises," he said. "Of course, he is the secretary of state [for justice], so it is in his gift to review parole board decisions, it's in his gift to discuss with his colleagues and find a way." He said that Jan's case had been raised as part of discussions to secure his wife's release so it was "not a surprise that he continues to be on the table". Read more from Sky News:No 10 criticises those who 'stir up division' on Nowak murderDefence spending plan delay has left the UK less safe Sir Jeremy Hunt, who was the foreign secretary while Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe was imprisoned in Iran, said the UK government should be doing "everything it possibly can" to free the Foremans but urged caution. "Obviously, what you don't want to do is something that leads to the next person being illegally detained by the Iranians," he said. "So you have to be careful that you don't reward the kind of absolutely despicable behaviour that we're seeing from Iran, one of the very few governments in the world that will arbitrarily detain an innocent person as a tool of diplomatic leverage." The couple were travelling through Iran on a motorcycle trip around the world when they were detained by Iranian authorities on espionage charges.

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No Writer
Jun 5
Former Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow reveals Alzheimer's disease diagnosis

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. "Veteran news anchor Jon Snow has shared that he's living with dementia, speaking publicly for the first time to raise awareness of a condition affecting around one million people across the UK," the Alzheimer's Society said. The charity said the 78-year-old has decided to speak out in a new documentary which will air on Channel 4 later this month. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer praised Mr Snow as a "true giant in journalism" and said his decision to go public with his diagnosis is "helping others feel less alone and raising awareness of a condition that affects so many families". Michelle Dyson, CEO of Alzheimer's Society, said: "Jon's decision to talk publicly about his dementia diagnosis is a real act of courage and his story will resonate with so many. "His support for Alzheimer's Society will help spark a national conversation about dementia that we so desperately need. "Despite being the UK's biggest killer, dementia is still not treated with the same urgency as other major health conditions like cancer. "Alongside his wife Precious, Jon is shining a light on the need for faster, fairer access to diagnosis. "I would encourage anyone needing help or information to call our Dementia Support Line on 0333 150 3456 or visit alzheimers.org.uk." Read more from Sky News:Anthony Head dies aged 72Two men found guilty of stabbing TV presenter Mr Snow, who gave an exclusive interview to the Daily Mail, revealed he has had the disease since 2023 and that before his diagnosis he was reluctant to see a doctor and had insisted there was nothing wrong. The journalist also revealed he was part of a clinical trial for the condition and has previously spoken about how his mother, Joan, struggled with Alzheimer's in the years leading up to her death. Alzheimer's is the ongoing decline of brain functioning and can affect memory, thinking skills and other mental abilities, according to the NHS. Louisa Compton, head of news, current affairs, specialist factual and sport at Channel 4, said: "It is a profound privilege that we are able to document his last big investigation, in a sensitively made film that frames Jon's current affairs nous alongside a new life lived with Alzheimer's. "We hope this film will go a long way to raise awareness of how to live whilst facing a life-changing diagnosis."

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No Writer
Jun 7
Talks held with Iran over jailed UK couple, David Lammy says, as he addresses proposed prisoner swap

The family of Lindsay and Craig Foreman, who have been detained in Iran since January 2025, are calling for the UK government to exchange Iranian convicted stalker Richard Jan for the pair. Mr Foreman told Sky News that Iranian authorities had signalled their interest in Jan, who has been dubbed the UK's "worst stalker", and his release could be used to secure their freedom. On the proposed prisoner swap, Mr Lammy told Sky's Trevor Phillips: "Of course, arrangements can be made of that kind, but the specifics on this would not be right. And I'm not sure from what I've heard that this is… credible". Mr Lammy, who is also the justice secretary, said he could not go into detail on their case because it would "undermine the discussions that we're having with the Iranians". Ms Foreman's son, Joe Bennett, said he was hopeful there had been a "shift" in the UK government's approach to his mother and stepfather's case following Mr Lammy's comments. "The question that we wanted to ask as a family is, if this isn't the solution or a proposed solution, then why not?", he said. "Anything can be done in theory, but it's been a long time coming where it gets the attention it warrants. "And the conversation to be had, at least we can either get a proposed path to to their release or closure that this isn't a solution." Richard Ratcliffe, whose wife Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was jailed in Iran for almost six years, said Mr Lammy's words were encouraging, and a prisoner swap should be on the table. "It is welcome that David Lammy is making positive noises," he said. "Of course, he is the secretary of state [for justice], so it is in his gift to review parole board decisions, it's in his gift to discuss with his colleagues and find a way." He said that Jan's case had been raised as part of discussions to secure his wife's release so it was "not a surprise that he continues to be on the table". Read more from Sky News:No 10 criticises those who 'stir up division' on Nowak murderDefence spending plan delay has left the UK less safe Sir Jeremy Hunt, who was the foreign secretary while Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe was imprisoned in Iran, said the UK government should be doing "everything it possibly can" to free the Foremans but urged caution. "Obviously, what you don't want to do is something that leads to the next person being illegally detained by the Iranians," he said. "So you have to be careful that you don't reward the kind of absolutely despicable behaviour that we're seeing from Iran, one of the very few governments in the world that will arbitrarily detain an innocent person as a tool of diplomatic leverage." The couple were travelling through Iran on a motorcycle trip around the world when they were detained by Iranian authorities on espionage charges.

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Ali Stafford at the Bournemouth International Centre
Jun 7
Chris Billam-Smith claims hometown victory over Ryan Rozicki after dramatic stoppage in epic cruiserweight contest

The hometown hero delivered an impressive display in front of a packed Bournemouth International Centre, although was made to battle hard against an opponent who had seen 20 of his previous 21 victories come via knockout. Rozicki suffered a cut to his left eye during a gruelling opening round before being deducted a point in the second for throwing his head at his opponent, with Billam-Smith landing a huge right to wobble the Canadian during the third round. Zuffa Boxing 07: Chris Billam-Smith vs Ryan Rozicki recapStephen McKenna wants 'bigger' than 'boring' Lee CutlerBoxing in 2026: Key dates, results and upcoming scheduleGet Sky Sports or stream boxing and more with no contract Momentum switched between both men during a fight-of-the-year contender, with Billam-Smith securing victory when Rozicki was pulled out of the contest by his corner - due to his injuries - following the conclusion of the seventh round. Neither spoke to the media post-fight and both were taken to hospital as a precaution after a gruelling contest, the hardest win of Billam-Smith's career and just Rozicki's second professional loss. Billam-Smith posted on social media once at the hospital, saying: "I have been taken to hospital but it is very precautionary. "I am absolutely fine, they are just going to do some tests but all is well. "Thank you for your support tonight. Another unbelievable night. "Love you all, thank you so much, and see you all soon." Rozicki, meanwhile, was discharged from hospital on Sunday morning and returned to his hotel to rest. How Billam-Smith beat Rozicki in Bournemouth thriller Billam-Smith received a warm welcome ahead of his first fight in Bournemouth since 2023, although was quickly made aware of the challenge ahead when Rozicki immediately attacked. Both traded power punches during a topsy-turvy first round that left Rozicki cut, with the knockout specialist continuing to put pressure on the home favourite with two big hooks and aggressive intent. Billam-Smith countered back and appeared to leave his opponent in danger in the third round, with Rozicki responding to two big uppercuts on the chin later in the round to pile pressure back on his opponent. Blood was coming from both eyes as Rozicki continued to throw punches at full power, forcing Billam-Smith into defence at various points during the fourth and fifth rounds, leaving the contest delicately poised heading into the second half of the fight. Rozicki unleashed huge shots to the head and body of the Bournemouth boxer in the sixth before Billam-Smith charged back with a huge multi-punch combination, bringing the crowd to their feet and moving the contest back towards him. A late burst from Billam-Smith in the closing stages of the seventh round was the final straw for Rozicki, who appeared determined to continue but was retired by his corner at the conclusion of the round. "I've never seen a puncher like that guy in my life," Shane McGuigan, Billam-Smith's coach, told Sky Sports. "Chris [Billam-Smith] has been in my gym nine years, but the power that guy possesses, oh my goodness. "He's wide open, throwing bombs when he's getting caught with peach shots. As a friend and coach, it was horrible to sit there and watch. At the same time, he [Billam-Smith] did exactly what he had to do. "He was patient, he was tired in there, he's been out of the ring a long time, there was certainly ring rust there. But he outlasted an extremely tough man." White: 'It was like a Rocky movie' Dana White, who heads up Zuffa Boxing, praised Billam-Smith for his toughness in the fight and likened the bout to a Rocky movie. For White, Billam-Smith's ability to take big shots from a fighter who is renowned for knockouts was impressive. "The first time I ever met Rozicki I was like 'Jesus, this guy's like the meanest Canadian I think I've ever met'! What a hell of a fight. An incredible night from top to bottom, but the main event was like a Rocky movie," White said. "We thought it was going to be a great fight. We know how talented Billam-Smith is and we knew going in how tough and mean Rozicki was, so it had all the makings of a great fight. "In that sixth round, in particular, Billam-Smith seemed to land an awful lot of blows to Rozicki. "Billam-Smith is not just tough, he is super talented. "A talented fighter, a great fighter and a tough kid in his own right. He took some big shots. Rozicki is a knockout artist and he took some big shots from him too." Clarke stuns Massey in comeback KO win on impressive show The co-main event of Zuffa Boxing's show saw Cheavon Clarke recover from being knocked down twice in the fourth round to deliver a sensational seventh-round stoppage of Jack Massey Clarke took the full eight-count after being struck by Massey's powerful right hand and then fell to the canvas again a minute later in an absorbing fourth, then rallied after surviving the rest of the round. Massey was floored by his opponent with a huge right hand in the seventh, with a further flurry of Clarke punches seeing the referee stop the fight with 1:24 of the round remaining and completing a remarkable comeback victory. Lee Cutler had his middleweight contest against Aaron Sutton cut short when a powerful right hand left his opponent with a dislocated shoulder, resulting in a third-round TKO victory, while Stephen McKenna ended his 539-day absence from the ring with a sensational first-round stoppage against Casey James Streeter. McKenna (16-1) needed just 64 seconds to despatch Streeter and claim the 15th knockout win of his career, sending the American to the canvas with a huge left hook before seeing the fight stopped by the referee after a series of heavy shots. Scotland's Sam Hickey (5-0) continued his perfect professional record with a brutal knockout against Todd Tompkins, while Alex MacMillan (4-0) - a gym-mate of Billam-Smith and Cutler - knocked down fellow Englishman Leo Fanthome three times during a second-round stoppage. Leon Hughes (5-0) dominated a one-sided contest against Mario Vergiev before the referee stepped in after 52 seconds of the third round, while England's Harvey Dykes suffered the first defeat of his professional career after Ivan Dychko (16-1) edged to victory via split decision. What's next? Further Zuffa Boxing shows are scheduled in Las Vegas on June 28 and New York on July 26 ahead of their first Irish show in Dublin on August 8, with all three live and exclusive in the UK and Ireland on Sky Sports. Zuffa Boxing 08 in Las Vegas includes Edwin De Los Santos facing Jose 'Rayo' Valenzuela in a 10-round rematch of their memorable 2022 fight-of-the-year contender, while the line-up for the New York show has yet to be announced. Get Sky Sports or stream boxing with no contract.

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No Writer
Jun 7
Hampshire Police planned intervention during trial of Henry Nowak's killer

It is understood there had been concern about online commentary and potential public disorder, so the police force sought the CPS's views on issuing a message telling people it would address questions once proceedings were complete. Prosecutors advised the force it could risk impacting the "integrity" of the case against Vickrum Digwa. Mr Nowak, an 18-year-old university student, was handcuffed by police as he bled to death after being stabbed in the street with a ceremonial knife. Digwa told police he was the victim of a racist attack after he knifed Mr Nowak five times in Portswood, Southampton, on 3 December 2025. He was convicted of murder and given a life sentence with a minimum term of 21 years in prison for stabbing the finance student with a ceremonial Pesh Kabz, a 21cm Indo-Persian dagger previously used in battles to pierce through armour. Digwa claimed he carried the murder weapon for religious reasons. He was also carrying a kirpan, the small knife not usually more than six inches long, including the handle, which can be carried by Sikh men and women. Anger erupted after police body-worn video was released which showed officers ignored Mr Nowak's pleas that he had been stabbed, and placed him in handcuffs moments before he became unconscious and subsequently died. Eleven people have since been charged after violent clashes at protests following the sentencing. It is understood the statement contained information about the process of a court case, reminded people that nothing could be published that could prejudice legal proceedings, and said that police would answer questions once the trial was complete. A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson said: "The CPS highlighted to the police that protecting the integrity of the ongoing trial was essential, and of the risks of referring to any aspect of the evidence before it had been heard by the court and the case had been summed up by the judge to the jury. "However, it was made clear that whether a statement was released was ultimately a police operational decision." A spokesperson for Hampshire Police told Sky News: "Following the opening of the trial and the media reporting that followed, a significant amount of mis and disinformation was circulating online. "This included requests for information to be shared that had not been fully examined as part of the murder trial. "The intention of the statement was to remind the public that there were ongoing legal proceedings and that the law is clear that nothing could be published which could prejudice the trial. "The decision not to publish was taken following advice from the CPS." The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary's response in Mr Nowak's case. The National Police Chiefs' Council is reviewing language used in anti-racism guidance following suggestions it may have influenced officers' actions on the night Mr Nowak died. A jury inquest next year will also examine the circumstances surrounding Mr Nowak's death. The attorney general is considering whether Digwa's sentence should be referred to the Court of Appeal under the unduly lenient scheme after receiving several requests. Mr Nowak's father Mark has said the family "do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension", but the police's treatment of the student has sparked a political row in Britain and across the Atlantic. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has urged politicians to heed the teenager's relatives' calls not to use the case "to cause disturbances", while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has been criticised for saying people should respond with "pure, cold rage". Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called for a rapid review into the circumstances surrounding Henry Nowak's murder. "The problem is not institutional racism towards blacks or whites but institutional incompetence," she wrote in The Sunday Times. Downing Street has also hit out at US tech billionaire Elon Musk, accusing him of trying to "whip up division" after he said he was willing to fund a private prosecution against Hampshire Police. US vice president JD Vance called for "righteous anger" and blamed Mr Nowak's murder on immigration. Deputy PM and Justice Secretary David Lammy revealed to Sky News on Sunday that he told Mr Vance during a phone call on Saturday that he was "wrong" about the Henry Nowak case. Mr Vance, who is good friends with Mr Lammy, blamed "the politics of self-hatred and the mass invasion of migrants" for his murder in a post on X. Speaking to Sky's Trevor Phillips, Mr Lammy said: "I spoke to the vice president yesterday, and I wanted to emphasise a number of things. "The first is that our democratic process is working well. This young man has been convicted. There is an investigation into the police by the Independent Police [Conduct] Authority. There is an investigation into Hampshire Police by the inspectorate. The [attorney general] is looking at the sentencing in relation to this. The national police chiefs are looking at the guidance in relation to this. "The second thing was I disagree with him. This has got nothing to do with mass migration. This young man was a Brit. Let's be clear about that. "And I said, "Look, Mr vice president, you're wrong about this. "And it's also the case that actually murder is coming down in the United Kingdom. So we had an agreeable conversation. But we disagree."

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No Writer
Jun 5
Anthony Head: Actor who starred in Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Ted Lasso and Little Britain dies

In a statement, his daughters said he "passed away peacefully of complications due to pneumonia, surrounded by his family". The star was best known as librarian Rupert Giles in the cult US supernatural TV series starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, which ran from 1997 to 2003. Known for his distinctive baritone voice, Head first rose to fame in the UK in the 1980s in the Nescafe Gold Blend television adverts. The ads, which ran from 1987 to 1993, saw Head play one half of the on-screen "Gold Blend couple," alongside Sharon Maughan, who struck up a slow-burning romance over a cup of coffee. More recently, Head appeared in football comedy Ted Lasso, where he played former Richmond FC owner Rupert Mannion. Other notable roles include playing the prime minister in Little Britain and Uther Pendragon in the TV show Merlin, the father of Prince Arthur. Head's daughters, actresses Emily and Daisy Head, said in their statement that: "Our grief is far greater than the hole he has left behind but we know his legacy will live on in the shows he was a part of and in the audiences that love them." Over the years, the star also appeared in Motherland, Manchild, Silent Witness, Spooks, Doctor Who and My Family. Read more from Sky News:Two men recruited by Iran found guilty of stabbing TV presenterMan in his 50s dies after fight at Cornwall holiday park In July 2018, he joined the cast of the BBC Radio 4 long-running drama The Archers, playing Robin Fairbrother. Head was also a singer, having appeared in the West End and recorded music, including the album for the Buffy the Vampire Slayer musical episode. His long-time partner, animal welfare campaigner Sarah Fisher, died in December 2025 aged 61. His Ted Lasso co-star and a writer on the show, actor Brett Goldstein, has remembered Head as "infinitely charming and kind and fun and a joy" in a tribute shared to Instagram. He wrote: "Anthony Head was a brilliant actor who played the worst person in the world, which was an incredible skill because he was the best person. "He will be sorely missed. Love to his family." Award-winning screenwriter and producer Russell T Davies remembered Head as an "absolute delight" and in a lengthy tribute he recalled their time working together on shows including Doctor Who and Merlin. His Buffy co-star David Boreanaz described him as a "kind and generous soul" while actor Matt Lucas, who starred alongside him in Little Britain, wrote on X that Head was "unfailingly brilliant, and always so kind and warm".

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Deborah Haynes, security and defence editor
Jun 7
Defence spending plan delay has left the UK less safe and undermined its credibility, MPs say

In a scathing report, the Public Accounts Committee said the absence of the long-awaited Defence Investment Plan (DIP) has undermined the UK's credibility among its allies and risks "squandering the opportunities provided by advances in technology, hindering the government's attempts to modernise the armed forces". Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, the committee chair, criticised what he called "bureaucratic drift" and said excuses by those responsible for delivering the blueprint "to the effect of 'taking the time to get the details right' simply do not cut it". The senior Tory MP said: "Whatever the content of the DIP when it eventually does appear, the damage from its absence has been done - to the nation's credibility, to its safety, to its armed forces, and to certainty within its entire defence industrial base." Small, medium and large defence companies - vital for any war effort - had been expecting to expand production lines at pace in preparation for the possibility of the UK being drawn into a conflict by 2030 - a timeline increasingly used by ministers and military chiefs. Instead, many have been stuck in limbo, with some even going bust, because the publication last June of a sweeping defence review that mapped out the future size and shape of the armed forces was not followed by an investment plan to set out how it would be funded. This body of work should have been published last autumn. The prime minister has said it will be released before a NATO summit next month, with preparations under way for an announcement this Thursday - though that could still change. A key factor behind the delay is a need for tens of billions of pounds of additional funding for the army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force to rearm faster and avoid further cuts. Sir Keir, Rachel Reeves, his chancellor, and John Healey, the defence secretary, have been wrestling over the size of the extra money, with numbers ranging from £12bn to £18bn over four years, though the actual requirement is at least £28bn, probably more. An inability to decide on the figure, means the investment plan cannot be finalised, which has led to paralysis across much of defence - an extraordinary predicament at a time of war in Ukraine, conflict in the Middle East and concerns over the reliability of the US as an ally. "Any government minister attempting to explain away this delay to the DIP should instead ask themselves what message the bureaucratic drift of the past months has given to the public, as well as the UK's allies and its adversaries, and simply apologise," Sir Geoffrey said in incredibly blunt language. "Whatever else the government hopes to achieve with the DIP, it has certainly gained the unwelcome honour of being the most anticipated document in my entire political career. "As we still await its publication at time of writing, I know I speak for the defence interests of the whole UK when I say - this had better be good." Once the plan is published, the Public Accounts Committee will scrutinise how any new money is used as part of what is a yearly report into the Ministry of Defence's accounts. The MoD has repeatedly been criticised for spending its already significant budget badly. In this latest report, as well as focusing on the missing investment plan, the MPs were highly critical of one of the army's most controversial programmes - the £6bn procurement of a fleet of hundreds of Ajax armoured fighting vehicles. Years late and not yet operational, the platform has left dozens of soldiers suffering hearing problems and sickness. One workaround has been to require soldiers to carry out maintenance checks after every use. Even the Public Accounts Committee - more familiar with bank statements than the battlefield - questioned just how viable that would be in the middle of combat. It said the MoD is developing a package of upgrades to make the vehicle, built by the US defence company General Dynamics, a more comfortable ride. The MPs added: "The department did not tell us the likely costs of these upgrades and we wait to see, more in hope than in expectation, whether these endeavours will succeed." Read more from Deborah Haynes:UK working on major plan to prepare country for warPush to transform 'broken' UK military is a 'fiasco'Russian submarines targeted UK cables, defence secretary says Questions were also raised about the vast defence nuclear enterprise, charged with the nuclear deterrent submarines, missiles and warheads as well as a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines - all of which are being replaced with new models in the biggest and costliest endeavour for the whole of the armed forces. The Public Accounts Committee said the MoD accounts showed what it called an "unacceptable failure" to maintain accounting records for more than £6bn worth of assets. Some of this cost will need to be written off. It underlined a long-standing push by the committee for greater access to the highly secretive accounting information underpinning investment in nuclear weapons. Expenditure is due to rise in the coming years to 25% of the total defence budget, up from 18%. Sir Geoffrey said: "A new sensitive scrutiny mechanism is to be welcomed. Political uncertainty must not derail these arrangements, in order that the public may gain greater confidence that their money is being spent wisely." An MoD spokesperson said: "The government is providing a generational increase in defence spending, with an extra £270bn across this parliament, ensuring no return to the hollowed out armed forces of the past and the Strategic Defence Review sets out our path to increasing warfighting readiness. "We are getting on with the job - since July 2024 we have signed over 1,400 major contracts, with nine-in-ten contracts going to British-based companies."

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No Writer
Jun 7
Thomas Tuchel frustrated by 'freestyling' England in World Cup warm-up as New Zealand boss says they 'will have to be better'

Harry Kane scored the only goal just before the break, instinctively steering home a Djed Spence cross at a sparsely-filled Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Tuchel played a different XI in each half in the first of two warm-up games before the tournament and liked more of what he saw from the second half, having been frustrated by some of the players' earlier approach. England latest: Bookmark for live updates from the campEngland World Cup group guideWorld Cup day-by-day fixture list "I'm OK with it," England boss Tuchel said after the narrow win. "I'm not super happy about it. I liked the second half more than the first half. "I think we had more bite in the second half, were more aggressive on and off the ball, created a bit more. Some good half chances and some good penetrations into the box. We played more from our positions and that's why we played with more speed. "The first half we were out of positions and it was a bit too much freestyle. That slowed our game down and made it difficult for counter-press because we were not in the positions that we wanted to be when we started attacking, so that's basically the story of the match." 'England need to be better,' says opposition boss Tuchel's side were always expected to beat New Zealand, the lowest-ranked side at the World Cup, but their English head coach Darren Bazeley says his homeland need to improve if they are to succeed this summer. "I think most countries, including England today, when they're playing their first game, they want to get everybody good minutes, acclimatised, get the legs moving heading into the World Cup," he said. "England were good today, but they need to be better to go and win the World Cup than they were today, even though they won the game." Tuchel was at least glad his side were exposed to "really, really hot" conditions - and relieved that his players emerged unscathed on what appeared a patched-up pitch. "It was very difficult to play on," Tuchel said. "We have no injuries and there were no concerns but it was very uneven, very uneven. It was difficult to move the ball and move the ball quickly. When you have the ball for the majority of the match, it doesn't help you. "We have four training sessions together and we mixed the team up completely, so we never played before in these combinations and formation. Then you have the conditions, the pitch, it can look like this." Tuchel's message to players? Sky Sports News' Rob Dorsett: "It was a very flat Thomas Tuchel who came to speak to us after the game, but I wonder whether he was giving his players a kick up the backside. "I don't think the performance was that bad. These were the hottest conditions England have faced so far - 35 degrees - and it was bound to be disjointed as he played two different XIs. These games are never blockbusters. "I was really impressed with Djed Spence, Marcus Rashford looked in the mood and Jude Bellingham was a Rolls Royce when he came on. "Harry Kane's 79th England goal was the highlight - that is a goal that takes him level with Neymar in the international stakes. He told me afterwards he's never felt in such good shape. "Arsenal's Champions League quartet are now in the US and that gives Tuchel a full roster to pick from for the final friendly against Costa Rica. He expects more than the tepid showing here; work to do, then."

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