Who ever believed the form book counted for much in the playoffs anyway? No team has ever entered the English playoffs in worse form than Sunderland, after their five successive defeats, but goals from Wilson Isidor, his first in 14 games, and Eliezer Mayenda, after a disastrous back-pass from Milan...
Crunch clásico offers Madrid chance to salvage season despite Barcelona dominance
They have lost three times to their oldest rivals but a win would give Ancelotti’s men a path to retaining the league Real Madrid’s players arrived at training on Wednesday morning to find seven teddy bears waiting for them. Lined up on a bush outside Valdebebas, they wore white shirts...
‘The whole city was touched’: Bradford prepares to mark 40 years since Valley Parade fire
On 11 May 1985, 56 football supporters lost their lives and hundreds more were injured. The city came together that day and its unity since has been a constant source of pride Bradford is so often portrayed as a city divided. Sometimes, those descriptions can be correct. It is a...
Two decades of the Glazers: a debt of morals at United with football paying the bill
Fans protested against the leveraged takeover but were offered little support and the toxicity has had a lasting impact The first time the Glazer family visited Old Trafford, in June 2005, they paid a visit to the megastore. Outside, hundreds of furious Manchester United fans turned up with banners and...
Believe the hype: make Pollock the Lions midweek captain and watch him flourish | Ugo Monye
Northampton flanker brings energy and excitement and can thrive if given the honour and responsibility by Andy Farrell A couple of months ago, after Henry Pollock scored his first Premiership try against Sale in what is sure to be a contender for try of the season, I got a little...
Cricket paying the price for being ruled by the big stick, and the big cheque | Barney Ronay
The suspension of the IPL has ramifications for the game worldwide, but it has allowed itself to be too in thrall to the Indian money machine The thing about always saying yes to the person with the biggest stick is that, in the end, you don’t get to say yes...
WSL season reaches finish, Premier League, playoffs and more – matchday live
Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend Share your thoughts with matchday live or post BTL On this day in 1995… Nayim. Sunderland are favourites to meet Sheffield United* at Wembley after a terrific 2-1 win at Coventry last night. Eliezer Mayenda scored a clinical winner in...
Giving weight loss jabs could bolster UK economy by £4.5bn a year, study says
Providing semaglutide for all those eligible may bring productivity gains as people are able to work more Giving weight loss jabs to everyone eligible for them could boost the UK economy by £4.5bn, according to research. Worldwide, about 3.8 billion people over 25 and just under 750 million children and...
Midsummer butterflies spotted early in Britain after sunny spring
Scientists fear early emerging insects may fall out of sync with pathogens, predators or availability of food Midsummer butterflies are on the wing in early May after a sunny spring prompted one of the most advanced seasons for Britain’s Lepidoptera on record. The Lulworth skipper – usually found in June...
Plastics in everyday objects may disrupt sleep in same way as caffeine, study finds
Findings show for first time how plastic chemicals throw off the body’s internal clock by up to 17 minutes Chemicals in everyday plastics may disrupt the body’s natural 24-hour sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythm in a way similar to coffee, which increases the risk of sleep disorders, diabetes, immune problems...