In absence of Alexander Isak, midfielder was source of inspiration for Eddie Howe’s side in defeat by Liverpool It was never him. Those outside may have thought it was him, and he might himself have thought it was him. Alexander Isak was appreciated, inspired awe as he became close to...
Women’s Super League 2025-26 previews No 2: Aston Villa
Mix of youth and experience bolsters hopes that Villa can build on encouraging start made under Natalia Arroyo Guardian writers’ predicted position: 6th (NB: this is not necessarily Sophie Downey’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips) Last season’s position: 6th Continue reading...
Early missteps show Guardiola’s rebuild of City remains a work in progress
Questions around goalkeeping and style of play raise questions about whether Man City can regain the aura of invincibility that once surrounded them The truly great sides always come with an aura. One of the elements that makes them so hard to beat is that beating them seems so inconceivable....
Ethical Diamond’s Melbourne Cup absence shows drawbacks of micro-managing risk
Ruling a likely favourite out of Australia’s biggest race on vets’ advice about a past injury only makes it harder for overseas horses to run there Ethical Diamond appeared to have all of the attributes you would want to see in a potential Melbourne Cup winner as he recorded a...
Government gives £1.5m to grassroots cricket and decries £35m Tory ‘fantasy’
Indoor domes will be built in Luton and Preston Rishi Sunak announced £35m plan in April 2024 The government has watered down its predecessor’s pledge of a £35m investment to build grassroots cricket facilities and widen access for state school pupils after describing the previous government’s announcement as a “fantasy”....
To play or not to play: Keegan Bradley finds himself in a Ryder Cup quandary | Ewan Murray
World No 11 would be first playing captain since 1963 if he hands himself a wildcard in his announcement on Wednesday Six players have qualified automatically to represent the US in New York next month: Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, JJ Spaun, Russell Henley, Harris English and Bryson DeChambeau. Keegan Bradley...
Vingegaard keeps Vuelta lead after team suffer bike thefts but Gaudu closes gap
David Gaudu wins stage three with Pedersen second Visma-Lease a Bike report theft of ‘several bikes’ Jonas Vingegaard maintained his overall lead of the Vuelta a España yesterday, finishing third on stage three after a fraught 24 hours in which his Visma-Lease a Bike team discovered the theft of several...
US Open: Home hopes hit as Madison Keys makes 89 unforced errors in first-round loss
Australian Open champion beaten by Renata Zarazúa World No 6 suffers string of errors in loss One of the main home hopes at the US Open has suffered an early exit from the tournament after Madison Keys lost in the first round on Monday. There were early signs the world...
Venus Williams’ US Open return ends in spirited defeat to Karolína Muchová
Czech 11th seed beats 45-year-old 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 to reach second round ‘I love playing,’ says 2000 and 2001 champion at Flushing Meadows On an unforgettable evening in New York, Venus Williams offered yet another demonstration of her perpetual greatness as she battled into the night with Karolína Muchová, making...
Howe says he wants ‘players who are committed to Newcastle’ after defeat by Liverpool
Newcastle owners met with on-strike Alexander Isak Manager wants ‘clarity’ quickly over forward’s future Eddie Howe said he was investing all his energy in players “who want to play for Newcastle” after his side were sent to a stunning defeat by the 16-year-old substitute Rio Ngumoha’s 100th-minute winner for Liverpool....