Whoever runs Bayer Leverkusen’s social media accounts obviously meant it as a joke. But even they could not have predicted that a cheeky post hours before kick‑off would almost end up being such a good omen for Kasper Hjulmand’s side. “No corners allowed,” it read in a clear dig at...
Cheltenham festival day three: Shantou can star in the Stayers’
The selection has made rapid strides this season and was an impressive winner at the Trials meeting The Stayers’ Hurdle has lost its “feature race” slot as the fifth event on the third day at Cheltenham to the Ryanair Chase, but it is likely to be the bigger hit of...
Rory McIlroy hopes to defend Players Championship despite back injury
He withdrew from Arnold Palmer Invitational on Saturday ‘I’m taking it hour by hour, but it feels better’ Rory McIlroy will make a last‑minute call on Thursday over whether to defend his Players Championship title, with the Northern Irishman still feeling the effects of a weekend back injury. McIlroy will...
‘Difficult to lift our mindset’: Guardiola admits City have little chance of progress
Manchester City lose first leg 3-0 at Real Madrid Bernardo Silva says visitors lost their cool in game Pep Guardiola admitted Manchester City’s hopes of progressing to the Champions League quarter-finals are distant after a 3-0 defeat in their last‑16 first leg at Real Madrid. City were unable to respond...
It would be a macabre story but relegation needs to happen for Tottenham | Jonathan Liew
All the managers since Pochettino have drained life from the club, which appears interested in anything but football now Sad news coming out of Tottenham this week: Ryan Norys’s talk at the South by Southwest festival on Friday will no longer take place. The club’s chief revenue officer, who has...
Jack Draper defeats Novak Djokovic to keep Indian Wells title defence on track
British No 1 comes from behind to beat Serb 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5) Hard-fought win is first of Draper’s tennis career over Djokovic Jack Draper overcame Novak Djokovic for the first time in his career to keep the defence of his Indian Wells title on track. The 24-year-old Briton came...
Borthwick should trust Marcus Smith to unshackle England’s faltering attack | Gerard Meagher
The Harlequins fly-half will win his 50th cap against France but it still appears the head coach lacks faith in him When Steve Borthwick is summoned to Twickenham to explain what will be England’s worst Six Nations campaign should they lose to France on Saturday, to effectively fight for his...
Sabalenka powers past Osaka at Indian Wells as Gibson stuns Paolini
World No 1 wins 6-2, 6-4 to book place in last eight Australian qualifier records biggest win of career Aryna Sabalenka eased past Naomi Osaka 6-2, 6-4 to reach the Indian Wells quarter-finals while the fourth seed, Alexander Zverev, progressed to the last eight in the men’s event. Sabalenka and...
Steve Borthwick’s England selection has the whiff of damage limitation | Robert Kitson
Unadventurous team will need to improve significantly on multiple fronts if they are to poop France’s potential title party in Paris So let’s rewind for a moment. Just four weeks ago England had beaten Wales 48-7 in round one and were looking towards Scotland with a collective glint in their...
Holding out for a Hero? How cricket’s Hundred auction works and who is available
With Indian Premier League investment on board, the Hundred has followed the IPL’s lead with a player auction for the 2026 season in London this week A rather drab event space hidden away next to Boots near Piccadilly Circus feels a long way from the 18,000-capacity Etihad Arena in Abu...