“Never underestimate the value of momentum.” That’s what Sir Clive Woodward advised after England’s rugby players lacerated Australia a fortnight ago. And how wise those words seemed when New Zealand were also scattered and flayed, and it seemed England’s name was all but engraved on the Webb Ellis Cup. And then, without warning, the team’s hot hand turned Arctic and the World Cup was ripped from their grasp by South Africa.
“Momentum is so important in football.” That’s what Dimitar Berbatov told us on Friday, before predicting Manchester United would win their fourth match on the bounce against a Bournemouth side without a victory since September. But whatever impetus Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side had beforehand vanished in the south-coast squalls as United lost 1-0.
Related: Mastering momentum: exploring the anatomy of amazing comebacks | Andrew Anthony
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