The Guardian

United won game after controversial Fernandes equaliser City to blood youngsters for Carabao Cup game against Norwich Enzo Maresca says Manchester United cannot complain about the controversial derby winner on Sunday because Manchester City are still awaiting an apology from the referees’ chief, Howard Webb, for a match-defining decision in the same fixture three years ago. City lost at Old Traff…

The 20-year-old forward was delighted with the faith put in him by Andoni Iraola for the Tottenham game and now wants to kick on With a man of the match award in one hand and his phone in the other, Lewis Koumas made a very important call before stopping to speak to the media inside Anfield on Wednesday night. What it means to represent your boyhood club, and to shine for it, was apparent for all…

Ten seasons ago, Minnesota entered the playoffs with a chip on their shoulders and won a championship. Can they channel the same energy this year? Williams Arena (now known as The Barn) in Minneapolis was packed to capacity on 4 October 2017, when Cheryl Reeve sent Sylvia Fowles into Game 5 of the WNBA finals and watched her take off. Reeve, chasing her fourth championship after losing out in 201…

Artificial intelligence is not replacing the player, coach or analyst, but it is certainly allowing them to do more Daniel Kokotajlo, a former researcher at OpenAI, warned last week that it was possible we would end up “creating a new species that ends up ruling the world” . Once the initial shock wore off, and I’d considered what this could mean for my young children and the future of the planet…

Coventry have no points, Spurs have no goals and Villa have dipped again. But what does a bad start really mean? By Opta Analyst That optimism we feel at the start of a new season can be intoxicating. Whatever happened last season, there has been a whole summer to correct things. New signings, possibly a new manager, and new possibilities. What could go wrong? Oh, everything. Terrific. We’re only…

Monaco and Bahrain among additional sprint hosts 24-race schedule includes returns to Turkey and Portugal Formula One has announced its calendar for 2027, with an increase in sprint races to 10 events, including at Monaco, and the addition of meetings in Portugal and Turkey. The season of 24 races will open in Bahrain, while the British grand prix at Silverstone is to take place on the weekend of…

All the latest updates from around the grounds Middlesex chair Sykes to resign | Email Tanya Some thoughtful chat about pitches in the Reporters’ Network quotes last night: Glamorgan’s Zain ul Hassan , who took four for 26 in Surrey’s 115 all out at The Oval: Continue reading...

Mike Gatting has led calls for Sykes’ departure Beleaguered county’s chief executive left in June Richard Sykes is set to resign as chair of Middlesex in the latest change of leadership at the beleaguered county club. The Guardian has learned that Sykes has told the board of his decision to quit after three years as chair, with members to be informed later this week, after repeated calls from ex-…

Prolonged league suspension due to war and falling behind Saudi spending power are weakening the sport in Iran Just three months ago, Iran was one of the biggest stories in football as Team Melli arrived at the World Cup to try to play in the US, a country that had been bombing and firing missiles at Tehran and other targets. A disallowed goal and a last-minute effort that hit the bar in the fina…

Captain looking forward to intimidating atmosphere when Wearsiders host AZ, after 53 years away When Sunderland last played European football, club directors viewed it as a useful means of raising the cash necessary to fund floodlight upgrades at Roker Park necessitated by England’s widespread adoption of colour television. Back in the autumn of 1973 a lighting system compatible with the demands …

Lions to play five fixtures in New Zealand in 2027 Sky has held live rights for men’s Lions since 1997 The inaugural women’s British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand next year is expected to be broadcast live on Sky Sports in a significant boost for the women’s game. Sky has held live rights for men’s Lions fixtures since the 1997 tour of South Africa, and the broadcaster is understood to be in …

Plus: more costly (and beneficial) red cards, plus attacks with triple half-century of international goals Mail us with your all of your questions and answers “When did fans wearing replica kits become a thing?” asks Alex Ecob. “Older footage shows people in regular clothes and a few scarves/flags in the team colours. What kickstarted the trend? Did one club get there first?” As the question sugg…

Álvaro Arbeloa played in some great defences but whether he knows how to coach one remains to be seen. ­Fulham have been fragile since appointing the Spaniard and they were fortunate not to be dragged into a penalty shootout by West Ham as this entertainingCarabao Cup tie drew to a close. West Ham equalised twice during the first half and they almost did it again after Oscar Bobb made it 3-2 in t…

Max Rushden is joined by Philippe Auclair , Sid Lowe , Nicky Bandini and Mark Langdon to discuss the weekend’s action around Europe Max Rushden is joined by Philippe Auclair , Sid Lowe , Nicky Bandini and Mark Langdon to discuss the weekend’s action around Europe. On the podcast today: Harry Kane scored his 150th goal for Bayern Munich against Bundesliga newcomers Elversberg, while Ballon d’Or ri…

Argentina will host Benin in October in Buenos Aires AFA president invites Messi to enjoy ‘deserved farewell’ Lionel Messi has been called up by Argentina to make a farewell ⁠appearance in a home friendly in October following his international retirement, the Argentinian football association (AFA) has confirmed. “We invited ⁠the best player in ⁠the world ​to play, the icon of our selection, our c…