Absences were keenly felt by hosts whose aggressive approach was disrupted by visiting side’s physical pressure Reasons to be cheerful. Hmm. Let’s see. Well, it’s only 1-0. There’s that. And this is a significant achievement given Arsenal were basically suffocated in the opening 20 minutes of this semi-final first leg,...
Raphinha goes from missing man to Barcelona’s Ballon d’Or contender
The former Leeds forward was on the periphery but is now key to Hansi Flick’s team thanks to his hunger for goals To score, first you have to learn how to miss. Raphinha, to be fair, misses a lot. Most common of all, perhaps, is the low screamer, dragged across...
Exeter suspend coaches Hunter and Hepher after heavy Gloucester defeat
79-17 loss latest low in miserable campaign for Chiefs Rob Baxter steps into frontline role until end of season Exeter’s disastrous season has hit a new low with two coaches, Rob Hunter and Ali Hepher, suspended by the chairman, Tony Rowe, a day after their 79-17 defeat by Gloucester. Rowe...
Vaibhav Suryavanshi, 14, makes history with 35-ball IPL century for Rajasthan
Suryavanshi is youngest centurion in men’s T20 cricket Opening batter scored 101 off 38 balls in win over Gujarat Fourteen-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi became the youngest centurion in men’s Twenty20 cricket on Monday as he guided Rajasthan Royals to an eight-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans in an Indian Premier League match....
Andreeva and Gauff advance before Spain power outage halts play
Mirra Andreeva and Coco Gauff to face-off in quarter-final Grigor Dimitrov and Jacob Fearnley paused at 6-4, 5-4 Mirra Andreeva has spent the past two years of her life establishing herself as one of the most successful teenagers of her era, yet on a chaotic, surreal day in Madrid, the...
RFU opens door to hosting Chelsea if they need temporary home
Richmond council could block Twickenham move Chelsea considering long-term move to Earl’s Court The Rugby Football Union chief executive, Bill Sweeney, has said Twickenham could host Chelsea matches if the Premier League club is seeking a temporary home – but he believes the local council would attempt to stand in...
Whitehall officials ‘pushing for the Open to return to Trump-owned Turnberry’
Revealed: Sources say bosses at R&A, which organises the annual golf tournament, were quizzed about 2028 event Senior Whitehall officials have asked golf bosses whether they can host the 2028 Open championship at Donald Trump’s Turnberry course after repeated requests from the US president, sources have said. Officials had asked...
Australian doubles ace Max Purcell accepts 18-month ban for anti-doping breach
US Open doubles champion admits exceeding limit for an IV infusion 27-year-old says he has developed a nervous tic because of the case Grand slam doubles champion Max Purcell has accepted an 18-month ban for breaching anti-doping rules, with the Australian saying he has developed a nervous tic and anxiety...
Thousands of playing fields ‘may be lost’ if Sport England stripped of planning role
Campaigners warn against removing group as statutory consultee as part of plan to speed up building new homes Thousands of playing fields could be lost to housing if the government strips Sport England of its role in national planning policy, campaigners have warned. As part of the national planning and...
Arsenal’s Declan Rice turns sights to winning midfield battle against PSG
Real Madrid could not live with his relentlessness but how will Rice fare against João Neves, Fabián Ruiz and Vitinha? Declan Rice went into Arsenal’s Champions League quarter‑final against Real Madrid knowing it was a chance to go to another level. Rise to the occasion against the kings of Europe...