Defending champion is a phenomenon and the indisputable titan of the game with a sense of inevitability at the Alexandra Palace extravaganza You will be seeing plenty of Batman and Wonder Woman over the coming weeks; Spiderman, Mr Incredible, perhaps even a Ninja Turtle or two. Yes, Christmas at Alexandra...
‘Dadgummit, let’s freaking go’: 44-year-old grandfather Rivers could start for Colts
Injuries have ravaged Colts quarterbacks Rivers last played in NFL in 2020 The Indianapolis Colts have not ruled out starting Philip Rivers at quarterback after luring the grandfather out of retirement amid an injury crisis. The Colts lost starter Daniel Jones for the season after he tore his achilles on...
NHL warns top players will not show up for Winter Olympics if venue is unsafe
Construction delays have beset ice hockey arena in Milan ‘If the ice isn’t ready, we’re not going,’ NHL deputy warns The NHL says it is “disappointing” that the main ice hockey venue for the Winter Olympics will not be ready until the new year – and warned that its top...
OL Lyonnes show their WCL credentials and outclass Manchester United
Marc Skinner, the Manchester United manager, defended his decision to make five changes after his team were outplayed in the Champions League. Melchie Dumornay’s two sumptuous late goals produced a margin of victory that was no less than OL Lyonnes deserved when United failed to lay a glove on their...
Chelsea bounce back and hit Roma for six in Women’s Champions League rout
The Chelsea captain, Millie Bright, had dismissed any suggestions that the team were in crisis after a first league defeat in 34 games, and six goals in a comprehensive victory against Roma in their penultimate game of the Champions League group phase put those thoughts to bed. An own goal...
Real Madrid show fight but another setback leaves Xabi Alonso’s future on knife-edge | Sid Lowe
The hosts battled against Manchester City but a second successive home defeat pushes manager towards exit On the night they were going to sack him, Xabi Alonso watched his team rise against their fate and perhaps his, but fall again. He listened to the fans whistle and the final whistle,...
Grimaldo’s late strike for Leverkusen denies Newcastle comeback victory
Eighty-eight minutes had passed and Newcastle fans were already in party mode when Alejandro Grimaldo collected Ibrahim Maza’s pass and concluded a move he had initiated courtesy of a glorious run and dummy. As the Spain left wing-back’s shot slid beneath Aaron Ramsdale’s body and his Bayer Leverkusen teammates celebrated...
Madueke and Martinelli magic makes it perfect six for Arsenal at Club Brugge
This was an evening of notable milestones for Arsenal and Gabriel Martinelli, although there was no smile broader than Noni Madueke’s. The England forward was subjected to a ridiculous online petition that opposed his move across London from Chelsea in the summer. But on a rare appearance on the right...
‘It can be brutal’: Gian van Veen, the anti-Luke Littler, on overcoming teenage dartitis
Dutch rising star has gone from not knowing ‘how to grip the dart’ to a dark horse for the PDC world championship It’s the deciding leg of the European Championship final. Gian van Veen, the 23-year-old from the Netherlands chasing his first major title, has just missed two match darts...
Sports Personality of the Year 2025: Lionesses square off on six-strong shortlist
Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton make the shortlist McIlroy, Littler, Norris and Kildunne also up for award England team-mates Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton are up against one another for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award on a shortlist that also includes Lando Norris, Rory McIlroy, Luke Littler...