Nick Szczepanik

Nick Szczepanik is a freelance sports writer contributing mainly to The Independent.

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Bobby Zamora is playing through the pain for QPR

QPR 3 Sunderland 1 match report: Harry Redknapp eyes the great escape

Goals from three of QPR manager's signings boost survival hopes and leave Sunderland fretting

Harry Redknapp celebrates after beating Southampton on Saturday

Southampton 1 QPR 2 match report: Drinking tales force Harry Redknapp to target siege mentality at QPR

QPR manager plans to use tabloid reports of boozing in Dubai to galvanise survival effort

Southampton 1 QPR 2 match report: Drinks on Harry Redknapp after birthday win

He denies his players were drunken sinners on break in Dubai as they celebrate by beating Saints

Santi Cazorla was played out of position on Saturday
Sant Cazorla opened the scoring for Arsenal

Match Report: Santi Cazorla’s two goals bring great relief for Arsene Wenger

Arsenal 2 Aston Villa 1: Arsenal side show determination and win praise from their under-fire manager for being united

The Blackburn Rovers manager, Michael Appleton, celebrates their
shock victory with goalscorer Colin Kazim-Richards

Revived Rovers delighted to be the ones laughing now

This time last year, Blackburn Rovers were something of a laughing stock. Beaten 7-1 by Arsenal, they were spiralling towards relegation from the Premier League, their manager and owners despised and ridiculed by the supporters, and nothing much seemed to have changed in autumn as they struggled in the Championship under the hapless Henning Berg. But no one in red and white at the Emirates Stadium saw the funny side on Saturday.

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere takes in the defeat to Blackburn

Arsene Wenger's last shot at big game with Arsenal

Arsenal Cup shock leaves manager and players needing to hold nerve in face of Bayern test

Match Report: Colin Kazim-Richards cashes in as wasteful Arsenal blow big chance against Blackburn Rovers

Arsenal 0 Blackburn Rovers 1: Much-travelled Rovers striker subjects Wenger to another Cup shock and 'unacceptable' defeat

Rover and out: Gervinho shows his frustration after missing a glorious chance for Arsenal during their surprise 1-0 FA Cup fifth-round defeat against Blackburn Rovers at Emirates Stadium yesterday

Arsène Wenger's new low as Blackburn knock Arsenal out of FA Cup

Shock result means Gunners must beat Bayern to avoid ninth barren season

Day In a Page

The price of pacifism: Refusing to go to war is finally being recognised as a brave act

The price of pacifism

From the Second World War refusenik to the 19-year-old Israeli, Holly Williams talks to five people who risked shame and suffering to take a stand as conscientious objector.
'It was mass hysteria': Jason Isaacs on groupies, theatre bores and snogging James Bond

Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond

To millions, Jason Isaacs is one of Harry Potter's arch enemies – but his wife prefers him as a Scottish TV detective.
Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?

Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?

Thomas Hodgkinson spent a week at the tiny platform off the Suffolk coast to find out.
Not a bad bone: Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

If you ignore cutlets and ribs, you'll risk missing out on some delicious and easy meals, says our chef.
The experts' guide to summer: From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz

The experts' guide to summer

From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz
Sex, drugs and fast cars: The legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Early glimpses of Ron Howard's film Rush suggest it will portray Hunt as a high-living lothario, with an insatiable appetite for partying.
Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation when using drugs and alcohol. It was hurting my life'

Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation'

The next Vanilla Ice or the next Eminem? Macklemore doesn't have a record contract – but he does have the UK's biggest-selling single of the year.
Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Sri Lankan cuisine is light, sunny, wonderfully spiced – and so easy to cook from scratch. Just as soon as you've broken into the coconut, that is.
Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Doctors are hailing the revamp of a Bath neonatal unit, where babies sleep more and feed better, as the model for patient care
One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

Epecuen was submerged under 10 metres of water in 1985. Now the floods have gone – and 83-year-old Pablo Novak has moved back in
The real thing? Historian publishes Coca Cola's 'secret formula'

The real thing?

Historian publishes Coca Cola's 'secret formula'
Gordon Ramsey's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save

Gordon Ramsay's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save

The pugnacious chef finally met a shambolic restaurant he couldn't save. John Walsh on when TV makover refuseniks fight back
Join Ryanair! See the world! But we're only paying you for nine months a year

Join Ryanair! See the world! But we're only paying you for nine months a year

Glamorous myth of the flight attendant lifestyle undermined by angry employee's claims of 'exploitation'
Braising saddles: Did the recent furore scupper sales of horse meat? Neigh, far from it!

Braising saddles: How to cook horse meat

Did the recent furore scupper sales of horse meat? Neigh, far from it! Will Coldwell hoofs it to the kitchen.
Why bitters are back on the bar: A few little drops pack a big punch in cocktails

Why bitters are back on the bar

A few little drops pack a big punch in cocktails. No wonder we're learning to love them again...