Arsenal expect Kai Havertz to play a part in their title run-in despite the forward suffering a muscular injury against Newcastle. The 26-year-old German limped off in the first half of the victory over Eddie Howe’s team on Saturday with an upper leg issue. Arsenal are not placing a definitive timescale on his recovery but…
This season more than any other, one learns not to make predictions – or make them and be prepared to look daft. A helicopter Saturday is far from an outlandish thought and the more the cut and thrust continues the more goal difference becomes part of the conversation. Hearts’ column sits at 31, Celtic’s at…
Emilio Gay and David Bedingham scored sublime unbeaten centuries in a record-breaking third-wicket partnership of 290 as Durham successfully chased 336 to beat Lancashire by eight wickets in their County Championship Division Two match. Durham had a challenging start as they lost both openers in the morning session, but Gay and Bedingham led a recovery…
Ulster have received a boost with the news that Tom O’Toole, Nick Timoney and Jude Postlethwaite will be available after injury for Saturday’s Challenge Cup semi-final against Exeter Chiefs at the Affidea Stadium (17:30 BST). Timoney returns after recovering from a hip injury, while O’Toole and Postlethwaite are at head coach Richie Murphy’s disposal after…
In the early 2000s, Real Madrid had a team-building philosophy they coined ‘Zidanes y Pavones’. The theory was to mix top-end imported talent – like France superstar Zinedine Zidane – with homegrown youth, such as local centre-back prospect Francisco Pavon. Saracens may be on to something similar. Noah Caluori, only 19, is already somewhere between…
Speaking after the match, Sabalenka said Osaka, who did not play for 14 months around the birth of daughter Shai in July 2023, “played incredible tennis”, adding that the third set went by so fast because she felt she had “got lucky” with some of her shots. “I’m happy [Osaka] brought that fight, I had…
Four-time winner John Higgins produced a sensational recovery from 8-3 and 9-4 down to defeat Ronnie O’Sullivan 13-12 in a final-frame Crucible epic to reach the World Championship quarter-finals. Seven-time champion O’Sullivan was seeking an eighth title to set a new outright record in the modern era, and twice held five-frame leads in Sunday’s second…
During commentary, I said “this side always score” and so they did for a 41st match in succession. Cue pandemonium from us in the commentary box and another pitch invasion, this time from those in red on the far side of the ground. And then it is a blur – pure ecstasy. This time we…
Skinner signed a new contract in April 2025, tying him down until 2027 and with the option of a further year. However, he has faced criticism from supporters throughout his five-year spell with many unhappy with performances, squad rotation which some believe has led to player departures, and a lack of use of United’s academy…
Until a couple of seasons ago, it was usually an outfield player who would go to ground to stop play. It was being used for two distinct reasons. Either to break up the momentum of the opposition by causing a stoppage in play, or for the coach to give instructions to his players. Sometimes it…