The Guardian

Midfielder on rising above the negativity after Everton’s struggles in the transfer window, becoming a leader in the dressing room and a possible England call-up Transfer deadline day may be “exciting for everyone,” as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall puts it, but his experience of that transfer deadline day at Everton hauled him through the same gamut of emotions as every Evertonian. Excitement turned to b…

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New hybrid street circuit has fast corners, virtually no margin for error – but limited overtaking opportunities In Madrid’s Puerta del Sol this week, Formula One fans were not shy in calling on the gods to look kindly on their favoured drivers on a newly built circuit that appears punishingly unforgiving. Legend has it that rubbing the paws or backside of the bear in the famous El Oso y el Madro…

Full-back missed out for England when he had appendix out but could be key for Steve Borthwick if his luck changes George Furbank must have cracked a few mirrors in his time. A second Prem winners’ medal was some way to bring the curtain down on his Northampton career but when it comes to England, he cannot catch a break. Indeed, it is staggering to consider the 29-year-old full-back has just 14 …

Fight offers revealing snapshot of boxers once facing uncertain futures after positive drug tests now vying for a welterweight world championship Four years ago Conor Benn’s career was thrown into limbo after two positive drug tests scuppered his blockbuster fight with Chris Eubank Jr. Two years ago Ryan Garcia was serving a one-year suspension after testing positive for ostarine at the time of h…

Teo Davidov doesn’t hit backhands. He serves from both sides. The 16-year-old from Denver is treating the tennis world to a wildly unorthodox style – and proving it’s more than a parlor trick Teo Davidov always has the upper hands. An amiable junior prodigy from Denver, the 16-year-old was the oddest sight at this year’s US Open, the only player in the tournament – man, woman or junior – who hits…

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! The use of psychological stratagems and pitchside or locker-room sabotage has long been employed by football managers trying to give their teams an edge over visiting rivals. Whether it’s placing the pegs too high or the seats too low, painting the walls an aggression-lowering shade of pink or deliberately moving the advertising hoardings to pre…

The league phase has begun. From Olise’s brilliance to Sabah’s pub cleaner turned quiz contestant turned manager, there was plenty to talk about The league phase has been previewed as Barcelona’s first step toward reclaiming a crown last lifted in 2015, with disappointments aplenty since. Lionel Messi claiming just one Champions League title in the last decade of his time at Camp Nou is the stark…

Winger shining after summer pursuit by several clubs Chelsea felt selling Fernández to City was right move Chelsea have rewarded Pedro Neto’s strong start to the season and commitment to the club by handing the winger a new contract. The Portugal international had summer interest from several Premier League clubs including Manchester City, but indicated a desire to stay and play for Xabi Alonso. …

Head coach has harsh spotlight on her as she prepares for Chelsea on Sunday, but she deserves time and investment It was tough watching Manchester United’s players labour ineffectively against the hungry and aggressive press of London City Lionesses. Simi Awujo’s late consolation goal did little to ease the mounting concern for a side that have several teams nipping at their heels. Don’t panic; t…

Manager wants players to cope with things going wrong Other tactics include making dressing room even hotter Mikel Arteta has revealed that he likes to set players challenges, such as delaying their meals before matches and making the dressing room hotter, to ensure they are fully prepared for any eventuality. Arsenal’s flight to Italy for their Champions League opener against Napoli this week wa…

Updates from Friday’s play at Edgbaston, 11am BST start Ashes legal dispute led to lack of 2027 Test in the north A day at the Knight-Stokes Cup | Sign up for The Spin Pakistan are averaging 15.90 runs per wicket in this series. That’s the lowest against England, in a series of three matches or more, since New Zealand were spun into oblivion by Tony Lock and Jim Laker in 1958. Weather watch The s…

Latest updates from around the county grounds Mail Tanya or comment BTL | Sign up for The Spin A heart-warming read and lovely pics from Billy Munday and Tom Jenkins at yesterday’s Knight-Stokes Cup. In a round of staggering collapses, batting sides continued to strap on their roller skates and head to the ice rink. At Grace Road, Leicestershire were rumbled for 145, a 377 run-victory that puts S…

‘Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry’ will culminate on US soil on Saturday, a staging post on the road to America hosting the World Cup in 2031 When New Zealand and South Africa kick off at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Saturday, there will be more at stake than victory in “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry”, the four-Test series the Springboks lead 2-1 . For World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin, the game is a key stagin…

⚽️ News and updates before the weekend’s football action ⚽️ Premier League: 10 things to watch out for | Mail Tom Manchester United were back in Europe’s elite competition after a two-year hiatus and in need of something to soothe them after the trauma of their last-gasp coughing up of two points in last Sunday’s Premier League draw at Everton. And before the extremely serious business of the der…