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Riviera Travel Expands No Single Supplement Cabins for Solo Travelers

Riviera Travel is expanding its offerings of no single supplement cabins across some of its most popular European river cruises for 2026, according to an announcement. Solo travelers can now book select departures on itineraries including The Blue Danube, Cruise the Heart of Europe, Rhine, Moselle & Medieval Germany, The Douro, Porto & Salamanca, and...

WTTC Expands to Madrid With New Leadership Driving Global Tourism Growth and Industry Transformation

Read full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/wttc-expands-to-madrid-with-new-leadership-driving-global-tourism-growth-and-industry-transformation/

WTTC Expands to Madrid With New Leadership Driving Global Tourism Growth and Industry TransformationWTTC expands to Madrid with new leadership,...

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Source: Travel And Tour World

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Vietnam’s Top Cities Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City Gain Global Recognition For Walkability and Sustainable Travel: Exclusive News

Read full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/vietnams-top-cities-hanoi-and-ho-chi-minh-city-gain-global-recognition-for-walkability-and-sustainable-travel-exclusive-news/

Vietnam’s Top Cities Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City Gain Global Recognition For Walkability and Sustainable Travel: Exclusive NewsHanoi and...

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Source: Travel And Tour World

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Original Source: Travel And Tour World
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Weekly deals: iPhone Air and iPhone 17 get price cuts, Galaxy S26 and Pixel 10/10 Pro on sale too

The Apple iPhone Air wasn’t the first super-slim phone, but it was the phone that started the craze, anyway – Apple has that effect on the market. Right now, the phone is up to €480 off. That gets you a 6.5” LTPO display (120Hz) and the powerful Apple A19 Pro chipset. The 3,149mAh battery is oh-so-small, but it still achieved a decent 12:44h Active Use Score – and there’s a variety of MagSafe products out there that can help to extend the runtime. There’s no fixing the single 48MP (1/1.56”) camera situation, though. Apple...

How to watch Manchester United vs Liverpool in USA: 2025/26 Premier League, Live Stream, TV & Preview

Manchester United clash with Liverpool in a Matchday 35 showdown during the 2025/2026 Premier League campaign. Here’s everything you need to know, including kickoff times and viewing options on TV and streaming platforms.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Manchester United vs Liverpool on US television and via legal streaming:
WHO Manchester United vs Liverpool
WHAT English Premier League
WHEN 10:30am ET / 7:30am PT • Sunday, May 3, 2026
WHERE DirecTV Stream, Peacock Premium, NBCSN and Telemundo
STREAM FREE TRIAL

Match Overview

One of the most intense rivalries in world soccer reignites as Manchester United hosts Liverpool at Old Trafford in a crucial Premier League showdown. The hosts, enjoying a significant resurgence under manager Michael Carrick, aim to solidify their third-place standing and make a statement against their historic rivals. Having turned their home ground back into a fortress, United enters this clash with momentum and confidence, viewing this match as a critical test of their progress.

For Liverpool, the stakes are equally high. While a top-five finish and Champions League qualification seem likely, a victory at Old Trafford is about more than just points; it’s about pride and rectifying a season marked by inconsistency. Arne Slot‘s squad has struggled on the road, and overcoming a confident United side will require a massive performance. With both teams possessing potent attacks and defensive vulnerabilities, this North West Derby promises high drama and urgency from the first whistle.

Tactical Analysis & Match Context

This season has seen contrasting fortunes for these two giants. Manchester United has transformed under Michael Carrick, evolving from a team in disarray to a disciplined and effective unit. Their climb to third in the table is built on tactical clarity and newfound stability. In contrast, Liverpool‘s campaign has been a story of adaptation and inconsistency. While they remain in fourth, their performance has fallen short of the high standards set in previous years, particularly away from Anfield.

The tactical battle will likely be decided in the midfield and during transitional phases. Manchester United thrives in open games, utilizing quick counter-attacks where Bruno Fernandes can orchestrate play. The Portuguese midfielder, who leads the league in assists, will be the central figure for the home side. Liverpool is not a team that sits back, which should play into United‘s hands, but also presents a threat. Even without the injured Mohamed Salah, Liverpool possesses the quality to exploit any defensive gaps United leaves open.

Motivation for both squads extends beyond the three points. For United, a win would be a powerful endorsement of Carrick‘s leadership and a step closer to securing a top-three finish. For Liverpool, winning at Old Trafford would be a massive morale boost and a way to salvage a challenging season. With both teams almost certain of Champions League football next season, the lack of jeopardy could lead to an open, attacking spectacle where both sides push for a decisive victory.

Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends

The historical rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool is legendary, but recent encounters have been remarkably balanced. Over the last five meetings in all competitions, both clubs have secured just one victory each, with the other three matches ending in a draw during regular time. This equilibrium underscores how tightly contested this fixture has become, with neither side able to establish clear dominance.

Looking at the most recent results, Manchester United claimed a significant 2-1 victory at Anfield earlier this season, a rare win at Liverpool‘s home ground. Prior to that, the teams played out three consecutive draws at Old Trafford in 2024, including a thrilling 4-3 FA Cup victory for United after extra time. The only clean sheet in the last five clashes came in a 3-0 win for Liverpool at Old Trafford in September 2024, highlighting the defensive challenges both teams often face in this matchup.

Statistically, this fixture consistently produces goals. Each of the last five head-to-head duels has featured over 2.5 goals, with both teams finding the net in four of those games. The average goals per game across these encounters is a staggering 4.2, signaling a high probability of another action-packed, high-scoring affair. Bettors and fans should anticipate an open game where both attacks are likely to shine.

Squad News & Projected Lineups

Both managers are contending with significant roster issues, as Manchester United faces defensive shortages while Liverpool‘s attacking firepower has been seriously depleted.

For the home side, Michael Carrick will be without two key central defenders. Lisandro Martinez is serving a suspension, and Matthijs De Ligt is sidelined with a back injury, forcing a reshuffle at the back. Furthermore, both Matheus Cunha and Luke Shaw are questionable after picking up knocks in the recent win against Brentford. Their availability will likely be a match-day decision, adding another layer of uncertainty to United‘s defensive and attacking setup.

Liverpool‘s concerns are primarily at the other end of the pitch. The devastating loss of both Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike to injury strips the team of its most reliable goal threats. While goalkeeper Alisson is expected to return after missing the last match, the absence of his star forwards puts immense pressure on Alexander Isak to lead the line. Arne Slot will need his midfield creators to step up and provide the necessary service to a makeshift front three.

Manchester United Projected XI (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Heaven, Shaw; Mainoo, Casemiro; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko.
This lineup relies heavily on the creative genius of Bruno Fernandes in the number ten role. With Casemiro and Mainoo providing a solid midfield base, United will look to get the ball to their wide players quickly and exploit Liverpool‘s defensive frailties, especially on the counter-attack.

Liverpool Projected XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak.
In the absence of Salah, the creative burden falls on the midfield trio of Szoboszlai, Wirtz, and Mac Allister. Alexander Isak will be the focal point of the attack, and his ability to hold up play and link with the runners from deep will be crucial to Liverpool’s chances of breaking down the United defense.

More details on how to watch

You can watch the Manchester United vs Liverpool live stream on DirecTV Stream. The service is compatible with a wide range of devices, including computers, smartphones, tablets, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and smart TVs.

A subscription to DirecTV Stream gives you access to more than just the Premier League. You can also watch other top European soccer leagues, such as La Liga, Serie A, and Liga MX, along with extensive coverage of other major tournaments.

The service is available for $69.99 per month or as part of a larger bundle. This plan gives you access to a massive library of live and on-demand content, ensuring you never miss a moment of the action.

SEE MORE: For a complete schedule of Premier League games, visit our Premier League TV schedule page.

How to watch anywhere with VPN

If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as Nord VPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming.

Diogo Dalot of Manchester United

Carl Froch sees only one outcome if Moses Itauma is ordered to face Wardley vs Dubois winner

has considered ’s chances against and , as either man could soon be ordered to face the rising star. Before anything else, Wardley must first defend his WBO world title against Dubois on May 9, headlining a Queensberry show at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena. The 31-year-old was elevated from ‘interim’ to full heavyweight champion following […]

The post Carl Froch sees only one outcome if Moses Itauma is ordered to face Wardley vs Dubois winner appeared first on Boxing News.

Mike Tyson sums up David Benavidez’s KO performance against ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez

has given his immediate reaction to David Benavidez’s punishing beatdown of Gilberto Ramirez, which culminated in a stunning sixth-round finish at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. The pair squared off for Ramirez’s WBO and WBA cruiserweight belts, with Benavidez jumping up from 175lbs in pursuit of three-division world championship glory. And he did so with remarkable […]

The post Mike Tyson sums up David Benavidez’s KO performance against ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez appeared first on Boxing News.

Icardi indirim yapsa da sonuç değişmeyecek: Karar verildi

Galatasaray'daki mukavelesi sezon sonunda bitecek olan Mauro Icardi'nin maaşında indirimi düşündüğü öğrenildi. Ancak bu hamleyi yapsa bile sonuç değişmeyecek gibi duruyor...

Galatasaray, 2022 yılında Mauro Icardi'yi, PSG'den kiralamıştı. Arjantinli yıldızın bonservisi o sezonun sonunda 10 milyon euro karşılığında alındı. Kendisiyle de 30 Haziran 2026 tarihine kadar mukavele yapıldı. 33 yaşındaki santrfor, Sarı-Kırmızılı kulüpten senelik 6 milyon euro net ücret alıyor.

Icardı

BONUSLARLA BİRLİKTE

Ancak bonuslarla birlikte Arjantinli futbolcunun yıllık 10 milyon euro civarında bir gelir elde ettiği konuşuluyor. Osimhen'in kadroya katılması ve Icardi'nin geçirdiği ağır sakatlık, onun takımdaki geleceğini direkt olarak etkiledi. Performansı çok uzun bir süredir tartışma konusu...

Icardı

GENÇ VE ATLETİK

33 yaşına giren futbolcunun, maaş indirimine gitmeyi düşündüğü öğrenildi. Ancak bunu yapsa bile çok büyük bir ihtimalle sezon sonunda yollar ayrılacak. Galatasaray'ın daha genç ve atletik bir isim düşündüğü belirtildi. Mauro Icardi, büyük başarılar ve unutulmaz izlerle Türkiye kariyerini bitirecek.

Trabzonspor istiyordu: Galatasaray gaza bastı

Trabzonspor, Midtjylland forması giyen Aral Şimşir'i uzun süredir istiyor. Galatasaray'ın, 23 yaşındaki kanat oyuncusu konusunda temaslarını sıklaştırdığı öğrenildi.

Galatasaray, Napoli'den kiralanan Noa Lang'ın 30 milyon euroluk satın alma opsiyonunu kullanmayı kesinlikle düşünmüyor. Onun yerine bir oyuncu bakılıyor. Ve şu anda Aral Şimşir'e ağırlık verildiği öğrenildi. 23 yaşındaki sol kanatla Trabzonspor da çok uzun bir süredir ilgileniyordu.

PAZARLIKLAR BAŞLADI

Midtjylland Kulübü ile 31 Aralık 2029 tarihine kadar mukavelesi bulunan 1.75 boyundaki futbolcu bu sezon ligde 21 maça çıktı. Sahada 1.342 dakika kaldı. 8 gol ve 13 asist üretti. Danimarka ekibinin, oyuncu için en az 15 milyon euroluk bir beklentisi var. Galatasaray cephesinin şu anda pazarlıklara başladığı ifade edildi.

NHAGA VE UĞURCAN

Sarı-Kırmızılılar, Aral'a imza attırabilirse Trabzonspor'la zaten gergin olan ipler iyice gerilebilir. Daha önce iki kulüp Renato Nhaga hamlesinde karşı karşıya gelmişti. Uğurcan Çakır'ın satışı da hala tartışılıyor. Ayrıca Trabzon'daki lig maçı öncesinde Başkan Ertuğrul Doğan'dan Galatasaray'a karşı sert ifadeler kullanılmıştı.

Fenerbahçe başkan adayı Barış Göktürk iddialı konuştu: 17 futbolcu gidecek

Fenerbahçe'de başkanlığa adaylığını açıklayan Barış Göktürk göreve gelmeleri durumunda 17 futbolcu ile yollarını ayıracaklarını açıkladı.

Fenerbahçe'de 6-7 Haziran tarihlerinde gerçekleştirilecek olağanüstü seçimli genel kurul öncesi Başkan Adayı Barış Göktürk, göreve geldiklerinde neler yapacaklarını paylaştı. Basın mensuplarıyla bir araya gelen Göktürk şu açıklamaları yaptı:

-Yerli hoca veya yerliye yakın bir hoca konusunda ısrarcıyım.

-Alacağımız iki forveti, teknik direktörümüzün kim olacağını, Samandıra sorumlumuzun kim olacağını biliyoruz.

Fenerbahce

-Birkaç gün önce Mehmet Ali Aydınlar beni aradı. Kendisi ile beraber olmamı ve birlikte liste yapmayı teklif etti.

-Mevcut kadroyu kim kurdu arkadaşlar? Ne çabuk unutuyorsunuz. Mevcut adaylardan biri (Hakan Safi) ile Ali Koç kurdu. Nene’yi kim aldı?

-17 futbolcuyla yollarımızı ayıracağız.

Fenerbahçe'den Ederson ve Tedesco açıklaması: İddiaları yalanladı

Fenerbahçe'den Ederson ve Tedesco arasında gerilim yaşandığı iddiası gündeme gelmişti. Sarı-lacivertli kulüpten konuya dair açıklama geldi.

Fenerbahçe'nin açıklaması şöyle:

"Sky Spor YouTube kanalında, Ahmet Çakar tarafından dile getirilen iddiaların tamamı asılsız ve hayal ürünüdür.

Söz konusu ifadelerde yer alan; teknik heyetimiz ile futbolcularımız arasında yaşandığı öne sürülen olaylara ilişkin iddiaların tamamı gerçek dışıdır.

Kamuoyunu yanıltmaya yönelik bu mesnetsiz iddialara itibar edilmemesini önemle rica eder; söz konusu açıklamalara ilişkin gerekli hukuki süreçlerin başlatılacağını da kamuoyunun bilgisine sunarız."

35 yaşındaki İlkay'dan verim alınamadı: 36'sında mı alınacak?

Galatasaray sezon başında bedelsiz şekilde Manchester City'den İlkay Gündoğan'ı kadrosuna kattı. Ancak tecrübeli futbolcudan beklenen verim alınamadı. Şu anda takımda kalıp kalmayacağı ciddi şekilde tartışılıyor.

Senelerdir Galatasaray'a gelmesi beklenen İlkay Gündoğan, sezon başında kadroya katılmıştı. Tecrübeli futbolcu, bedelsiz şekilde Manchester City'den alındı. Beklentiler büyüktü. Fakat yaşadığı sakatlığın ardından eski günlerine dönemedi. İlkay'ın Sarı-Kırmızılılar'la 30 Haziran 2027 tarihine kadar sözleşmesi var.

Galatasaray

KAĞIT ÜZERİNDE 1 SEZON DAHA

Yani kağıt üzerinde önümüzdeki sezon da Galatasaray formasını giyecek. 1.80 boyundaki orta saha, 24 Ekim tarihinde ise 36 yaşına girecek. İlkay bu sezon ligde 22 maça çıktı. Sahada 1.256 dakika kaldı. 2 gol ve 4 asist üretti. Şu anda kulüp içinde oyuncunun yeni sezonda devam edip etmeyeceğinin ciddi şekilde tartışıldığı öğrenildi.

Galatasaray

TEKNİK EKİBE KATILACAK

İlkay'ın ilerleyen süreçte teknik ekibe katılması bekleniyor. Ancak aktif şekilde yeni sezonda sahaya çıkıp çıkmayacağı hala net değil. Galatasaray taraftarları, orta sahaya daha genç ve dinamik bir isim gelmesini istiyor. Şu anda taraftar forumlarında İlkay ciddi şekilde eleştiriliyor.

Kafalardaki soru: Sınırdaki Osimhen nasıl 90 dakika sahada kaldı?

Galatasaray, Samsunspor'a 4-1 kaybederken sarı kart ceza sınırındaki Victor Osimhen 90 dakika sahada tutuldu. Nijeryalı yıldıza sarı çıksaydı, Antalyaspor mücadelesinde cezalı duruma düşecekti.

Galatasaray, Samsunspor deplasmanında kazansaydı, matematiksel olarak şampiyonluğunu ilan edecekti. Fakat bunun tam tersi yaşandı. Sarı-Kırmızılılar, çok kötü futbol ve 4-1 gibi sıkıntılı bir yenilgiyle sahayı terk etti. Teknik ve taktikle ilgili eleştirilebilecek çok konu vardı. Ancak bir olaya kimse anlam veremedi.

Osımhen

71'DE 3-82'DE 4

Samsunspor 71. dakikada 3, 82. dakikada 4'üncü golü buldu. Kaleci Günay Güvenç ise 63'te atılmıştı. Sarı-Kırmızılı ekipte ceza sınırında bulunan Victor Osimhen, oyundan çıkarılmadı. 90 dakika mücadele etti. Eğer sarı kart görseydi, Antalyaspor mücadelesinde cezalı duruma düşecekti.

Osımhen

BERABERLİK DE KURTARMIYORDU

Fenerbahçe de Başakşehir karşısında 72. dakikada skoru 3-1'e getirmişti. Yani Galatasaray berabere kalsa bile şampiyonluğunu matematiksel olarak ilan edemiyordu. Özetle Victor Osimhen konusunda inanılmaz bir risk alındı. Bunun bedeli çok ağır olabilirdi. Kart görmeyen Nijeryalı yıldız, Antalyaspor maçında formasını giyebilecek.

“Amedspor” tarixində ilk dəfə Super Liqaya yüksəldi

Türkiyənin Birinci Liqasında mübarizə aparan “Amedspor” komandası tarixində ilk dəfə Super Liqaya vəsiqə qazanıb.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, ötən gün Türkiyə Birinci Liqasında 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün əsas hissəsinə yekun vurulub.

“Amedspor” mövsümün sonuncu – 38-ci turunda “İğdır”ın qonağı olub. Altı qolun qeydə alındığı qarşılaşma 3:3 hesablı bərabərliklə yekunlaşıb. Bu nəticə Diyarbəkir təmsilçisinin tarixində ilk dəfə Super Liqaya vəsiqə qazanması üçün kifayət edib.

Diyarbəkir klubu mövsümü 74 xalla 2-ci pillədə başa vurub. Daha öncə Super Liqaya yüksəlmiş “Ərzurumspor” da liderliyini qoruyaraq çempion olub. “Erokspor” isə 74 xalla üçüncü yeri tutub. Super Liqaya 3-cü vəsiqənin sahibi pley-off matçlarından sonra müəyyənləşəcək. “Çorum”, “Bodrumspor”, “Pendikspor” və “Keçiörengücü” arasında pley-off oyunlarının qalibi finalda “Erokspor”la qarşılaşacaq. Finalın qalibi isə Super Liqada çıxış etmək hüququ qazanacaq.

Qeyd edək ki, “Amedspor”un Super Liqaya yüksəlməsinə Türkiyə Prezidenti Rəcəb Tayyib Ərdoğan da biganə qalmayıb. O, bu münasibətlə kluba təbrik ünvanlayıb:

“Növbəti mövsümdə Diyarbəkiri Super Liqada təmsil edəcək “Amedspor”u, bütün klub ictimaiyyətini və diyarbəkirli qardaşlarımı ürəkdən təbrik edir, onlara uğurlar arzulayıram”.

Birinci Liqada son 4 yeri tutmuş “Serikspor”, “Sakaryaspor”, “Hatayspor” və “Adana Dəmirspor” isə aşağı liqaya yuvarlanıblar.

Sonda onu da xatırladaq ki, Türkiyə Super Liqasında Birinci Liqaya düşməyə əsas namizədlər bunlardır:

“Karagümrük” (21 xalla 18-ci)
“Kayserispor” (26 xalla 17-ci)
“Antalyaspor” (28 xalla 16-cı)
“Eyüpspor” (28 xalla 15-ci)
“Gənclərbirliyi” (28 xalla 14-cü)

“Şalke” 3 il sonra yenidən Bundesliqada!

Almaniya İkinci Bundesliqasında mübarizə aparan “Şalke” 2026/2027-ci illər mövsümündə əsas Bundesliqada çıxış edəcək.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, növbəti mövsümdə Almaniya Bundesliqasına vəsiqə qazanmış ilk komanda bəlli olub.

Miron Musliçin rəhbərlik etdiyi komanda ötən gecə İkinci Bundesliqanın 32-ci turu çərçivəsində Düsseldorf “Fortuna”sı ilə qarşılaşıb və 1:0 hesablı qələbə qazanaraq xallarını 67-ə çatdırıb. Nəticədə bu komanda elitaya vəsiəqəni təmin edib. Liderin əsas izləyicisi “Paderborn” sona iki tur qalmış 58 xalla ikinci pillədə qərarlaşıbsa, “Hannover”in 57, “Elversberq”in 56 xalı var. “Darmştadt” 51, “Herta” 48 xal toplayıb.

Qeyd edək ki, İkinci Bundesliqada 2-ci yeri tutacaq komanda da əsas Bundesliqaya birbaşa vəsiqə qazanacaq. 3-cü olacaq kollektivi isə əsas Bundesliqada 16-cı yeri tutacaq komanda ilə pley-off qarşılaşmaları gözləyir.

Qeyd edək ki, “Şalke” üç mövsüm idi İkinci Bundesliqada çıxış edirdi.

Əsas Bundesliqada elitanı tərk etməyə əsas namizədlər isə 18-ci olan “Haydenhaym” (23 xal), 17-ci pillədə qərarlaşmış “Volfsburq” (25), 16-cı sırada yer almış “Sankt Pauli”dir (26).

Şamaxıda heyətlər bilindi

“Sabah” Misli Premyer Liqasının XXX turunda “Şamaxı”nın qonağı olacaq.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, saat 16:00-da start götürəcək oyuna komandalar aşağıdakı heyətlə çıxacaqlar:

“Şamaxı”: 1. Rikardo Fernandes 17. Rafael Məhərrəmli (k) 5. Arsen Ağcabəyov 27. Emil Süleymanov 82. Rüfət Abbasov 9. Karim Rossi 10. Andrey Tirkoveanu 3. Vladislav Veremeyev 11. Dioqo Balau 4. Sezar Enrike 44. David Santos

Ehtiyat oyunçular: 62. Abdulla Seydəhmədov 99. Səlim Həşimov 80. Həbib İsmayılov 21. Bilal İsmayılov 7. Edqar Adilxanov 77. Nihat Mehralıyev 14. Ravil Qafarov 88. Rodriqo Fernandeş 19. Abdullahi Şuaybu 8. Alfons Msanqa

Baş məşqçi: Ayxan Abbasov

“Sabah”: 55. Nicat Mehbalıyev 2. Amin Seydiyev (k) 5. Rəhman Daşdəmirov 21. Velko Simiç 3. Stiv Solvet 27. Timoteuş Puxaç 13. İvan Lepiniça 11. Kahim Parris 99. Patrik Mbina 7. Umarali Raxmonaliyev 19. Aron Maluda

Ehtiyat oyunçular: 92. Stas Pokatilov 94. Rəvan Mirzəmmədov 17. Tellur Mütəllimov 9. Xəyal Əliyev 89. Cəfər Muxtarov 20. Coy Lens Mikels 40. İqor Noqeyra 70. Cesse Sekidika 53. Andrey Santos 83. Stefen Ende

Baş məşqçi: Valdas Dambrauskas

“Əl Nəsr” “Fənərbağça”lıya “elçi düşdü”

“Fənərbağça”nın qapıçısı Ederson karyerasını Səudiyyə Ərəbistanıda davam etdirə bilər.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, “Əl Nəsr” braziliyalı qolkiperi transfer etmək istəyir. Bu barədə “TRI Esporte” portalı mətbuatı məlumat yayıb.

“Fənərbağça” Ederson üçün 22 milyon avro tələb edir.

Qolkiper bu mövsüm Super Liqada 24 oyunda 24 qol buraxıb. O, 8 matçda qapısını toxunulmaz saxlayıb.

Milan vs. Juventus game draws criticism across Italy

The 0-0 draw between Milan and Juventus on April 26, 2026, has drawn criticism in Italy for the defensive playing styles of both teams, resulting in an inevitable stalemate.

Milan’s recent meeting with Juventus at San Siro has been the subject of severe criticism from fans and the media alike, as the Rossoneri and the Bianconeri produced too little in a match once regarded as a Serie A classic.

Milan and Juventus criticised after 0-0 draw

The draw allowed Milan and Juventus to keep Como and Roma at a safe distance with just four games remaining in the 2025-26 Serie A campaign.

Inter and Napoli have practically secured Champions League qualification, and betting odds sports indicate that the race for the remaining two places will go down to the wire over the final four matches of the season.

bCasino New Zealand online casino bonuses suggest that Milan and Juventus remain favourites to qualify for Europe’s elite competition, yet their recent display at San Siro was far from pleasing.

MILAN, ITALY - APRIL 26: Jonathan David of Juventus is challenged by Davide Bartesaghi of AC Milan during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 26, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 26: Jonathan David of Juventus is challenged by Davide Bartesaghi of AC Milan during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 26, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Juventus had the best chance in the first half when Khephren Thuram had a goal disallowed for offside, while the Rossoneri hit the crossbar with Alexis Saelemaekers after the break.

Former Serie A defender Daniele Adani, who has now become one of the most prominent pundits in Italy, didn’t hold back when analysing the match during TV show Domenica Sportiva.

“In my opinion, half of Italy is happy with this kind of match,” he said via Milannews.

“How many people do you hear saying that the best defence is simply not conceding? But how many tomorrow will be celebrating with phrases like ‘We didn’t allow the opposition a single shot on target,’ or ‘The objective is Champions League qualification?’

“I’ve been saying for 10 years that, if we want to align ourselves with the rest of the football world, we need to play with intensity, tempo, and attacking intent. Yet, I’m dismissed as a philosopher or a theorist whenever I argue that this style of football is not exportable,” he continued.

“And then we’re told that European competitions should be played abroad to help export the product.

“But the truth is that we’re a laughing stock. We don’t excite anymore. Anyone who watched Milan vs. Juventus switched off after 15 minutes. I have the perfect quote for that first half: ‘Nothing left to do, but cry.”

Juventus coach Spalletti was also unhappy with his team’s performance, arguing that his players are still not mature enough.

MILAN, ITALY - APRIL 26: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 26, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 26: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 26, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“We do well in possession, but we lose something in the duels,” he said at a post-match press conference.

“Sometimes we produce a great surge, only to make simple mistakes on easy passes. We need to consistently maintain a high level of balance. Today, under no circumstances could we afford to lose this match. It seemed to me that more than winning, they were absolutely determined not to lose it.”

David faces uncertain Juventus future with Aston Villa and Fenerbahce interested

Tuttosport newspaper reports that Aston Villa and Fenerbahce are interested in Juventus striker Jonathan David.

Canada international David is facing an uncertain future at Juventus after an up-and-down first season at the Allianz Stadium.

ROME, ITALY - MARCH 01: Jonathan David of Juventus and Evan Ndicka of AS Roma battle for possession during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico on March 01, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 01: Jonathan David of Juventus and Evan Ndicka of AS Roma battle for possession during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico on March 01, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

David has scored six goals and provided four assists in 32 Serie A games and earns €6m net per season plus €2m add-ons.

According to Tuttosport, Turkish side Fenerbahce are interested in the 26-year-old, and so are Premier League side Aston Villa.

Unai Emery is a long-time admirer of the Canadian forward and was already interested in signing him last summer, before Juventus eventually secured a deal on a free transfer.

TURIN, ITALY - JANUARY 25: Jonathan David of Juventus celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and SSC Napoli at Juventus Stadium on January 25, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 25: Jonathan David of Juventus celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and SSC Napoli at Juventus Stadium on January 25, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

According to the report, David is not entirely convinced about leaving Juventus at the end of the season, and the Serie A giants won’t necessarily sell him unless they receive a convincing offer.

David has a few games left to convince Juventus to keep him, starting with today’s Serie A match against Hellas Verona at the Allianz Stadium, where he’s expected to start as the lone striker.

Serie A: Bologna vs. Cagliari – Confirmed line-ups, live updates

Bologna look to Jens Odgaard as a false nine and Federico Bernardeschi in attack, while Cagliari pick Sebastiano Esposito up front.

It kicks off at 12:30 CET (11:30 BST) at the Stadio Dall’Ara.

The stadium will be sold out even if Vincenzo Italiano’s side has little chance of qualifying for Europe and players were booed after the previous match against Roma.

Bologna sit ninth in the standings, seven points below seventh-placed Atalanta, while Cagliari need a final push to secure survival, being eight points above Cremonese in 18th.

Skorupski, Dallinga, Joao Mario, Cambiaghi and Casale are unavailable for Bologna, while Cagliari have travelled to Emilia Romagna without the likes of Idrissi, Mazzitelli, Felici, Pavoletti, Borrelli, and Liteta.

Bologna vs. Cagliari – Confirmed line-ups

BOLOGNA (4-3-3): Pessina; De Silvestri, Helland, Lucumí, Miranda; Freuler, Moro, Sohm; Bernardeschi, Dominguez, Odgaard.

CAGLIARI (4-4-1-1): Caprile; Zé Pedro, Mina, Dossena, Obert; Palestra, Adopo, Deiola, Folorunsho; Gaetano; Esposito.

Bologna vs. Cagliari – Live updates

03-05-2026 11:30
MatchDay 35

Season Analytics

Bologna
Positions
Cagliari

Last matches

25-04-2026 L
19-04-2026 Juventus L
12-04-2026 W
05-04-2026 W
22-03-2026 L
25-04-2026 L
12-04-2026 Lecce W
22-03-2026 Lazio L
08-03-2026 Verona L
23-02-2026 Udinese W
9
16
Position

Last matches

W Atalanta 27-04-2026
L 17-04-2026
W Cremonese 11-04-2026
L 04-04-2026
L Napoli 20-03-2026
L Inter 17-04-2026
L Sassuolo 04-04-2026
L Pisa 15-03-2026
D Parma 27-02-2026
L Roma 09-02-2026
Bologna
Cagliari

Starting lineups

25
Goalkeeper
5
Defender
26
Defender
33
Defender
29
6
Midfielder
8
Midfielder
23
Midfielder
30
Attacker
10
21
Attacker
1
Goalkeeper
33
Defender
22
Defender
2
Defender
26
Defender
32
Defender
14
Midfielder
10
Midfielder
90
Midfielder
8
Midfielder
94

Substitutes

4
Midfielder
7
20
Defender
13
Goalkeeper
41
Defender
19
Midfielder
9
Attacker
14
Defender
11
Midfielder
72
Goalkeeper
28
Defender
19
Attacker
24
Goalkeeper
25
Midfielder
9
12
Goalkeeper
15
Defender
37
Attacker
20
31
Attacker

 

“I could have left..” – Man United ace drops transfer bombshell fans weren’t expecting

Manchester United are gearing up for a colossal Sunday afternoon clash against their absolute fiercest rivals, Liverpool.

The stakes simply couldn’t be higher, just a single point against the Merseyside outfit is needed to officially lock down a spot in next season’s Champions League.

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But right before the whistle blows, club captain Bruno Fernandes has dropped a stunning, heart-on-his-sleeve interview with Sky Sports that has completely electrified the fanbase.

Let’s be completely honest, the last few years in Manchester haven’t exactly been a smooth, bump-free ride.

Man United star Fernandes reveals his intentions

Through the various managerial changes, boardroom drama, and agonising tactical rebuilds, Fernandes has undeniably been the creative glue holding the squad together. Unsurprisingly, that elite level of individual brilliance attracts heavy European interest.

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Speaking openly to Sky Sports, the Portuguese maestro didn’t shy away from the reality of his situation over the past few transfer windows.

“I could have left Manchester United two years ago, or three years ago, I could’ve gone last season,” he confessed, as reported by Fabrizio Romano.

For a player of his immense caliber, walking away to a ready-made, title-winning project elsewhere would have been the easy way out. But instead of chasing guaranteed silverware across the continent, he chose the grueling path.

It all comes down to the unique pressure of wearing the famous red shirt. Fernandes made it abundantly clear that lifting a trophy anywhere else simply wouldn’t mean as much.

“I really like to be at the club and I really think that being successful at this club is something that I would NEVER get being in ANY other club,” he passionately declared.

Fernandes has been a brilliant servant for the club

He completely understands the sheer desperation and hunger of the United supporters, noting that he is navigating the “same ship” as the fans.

Rather than abandoning them, the captain wants to be the one steering it directly forward to reach their ultimate destination.

As United prepare to walk out onto the pitch today to battle Liverpool, these words serve as the ultimate rallying cry.

If Fernandes and his teammates can secure that crucial Champions League point this afternoon, it will be one massive step closer to delivering the exact kind of glory he is sacrificing everything to achieve.

Sources: Chelsea & Man United in the race to sign “big stage player” who impressed against Arsenal 

The post “I could have left..” – Man United ace drops transfer bombshell fans weren’t expecting appeared first on CaughtOffside.

English defender is convinced he is joining Arsenal in the summer – report

Several players are being linked with a move to Arsenal with Mikel Arteta determined to strengthen his squad in the summer transfer window.

The 23-year-old Newcastle United defender is actively telling people he is entirely convinced he will be pulling on the famous red and white shirt of Arsenal next season, according to a source on X.

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To fully understand exactly why Livramento is so confident about a move to the capital, you have to look closely at Arteta’s defensive puzzle.

Arsenal currently have Jurrien Timber, who is reportedly close to putting pen to paper on a long-term contract extension and Ben White holding down the right flank.

However, sporting director Andrea Berta is running a broad, relentless recruitment process when it comes to squad depth.

Tino Livramento wants to join Arsenal this summer

Livramento’s explosive pace and versatility to seamlessly operate on both the right and left sides of the defense make him an incredibly appealing target for Arteta’s fluid system.

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Prying him away from St. James’ Park won’t be cheap, though. Reports indicate Newcastle are prepared to hold out for a massive £70 million valuation for the young England international.

Dropping that kind of astronomical cash on a player is a massive gamble, especially considering Livramento has endured a highly frustrating season plagued by tricky groin injuries that have sidelined him for over 30 games.

Furthermore, Manchester City are also reportedly hovering in the background, fully prepared to launch an offer of their own and spark a potential bidding war.

Would Newcastle consider selling Livramento?

From Newcastle’s perspective, this potential mega-deal is heavily driven by pure financial pragmatism.

Just like the ongoing transfer rumors surrounding his teammate Anthony Gordon, the Magpies are feeling the suffocating pressure of the Premier League’s financial regulations.

While they desperately want to keep their prize assets, selling a highly-rated star like Livramento for a premium fee could give Eddie Howe the crucial financial flexibility needed to bring in necessary defensive reinforcements and properly balance the books.

As for the Gunners, it could give them a versatile full-back who is known for his attacking contributions as well.

Bayern Munich in contact to sign Arsenal & Liverpool target tipped by Romano for summer move

The post English defender is convinced he is joining Arsenal in the summer – report appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Lights, camera, exit: Man United star spotted filming farewell video ahead of summer departure

The much-anticipated summer clear-out at Old Trafford is officially underway, and it looks like the cameras are already rolling on the very first departure.

While Manchester United fans have been desperately refreshing their timelines for news on blockbuster midfield targets or marquee defensive reinforcements, the first player to firmly pack his bags has been sitting quietly on the bench all season.

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According to a surprising report from The Sun, backup goalkeeper Altay Bayindir is currently filming his official farewell video ahead of a guaranteed summer exit.

Man United goalkeeper wants more playing time

To fully understand exactly why the Turkish international is sprinting toward the exit door, you just have to look at his incredibly frustrating, isolated stint in Manchester.

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Arriving from Fenerbahçe with a highly respectable pedigree, Bayindir was billed as the perfect, competitive understudy to new number one Andre Onana. However, the reality of his time in England has been brutally disappointing.

Even when Onana jetted off to the Africa Cup of Nations mid-season, or when the Cameroonian shot-stopper suffered through a highly publicised, rocky patch of form early in the campaign, the managerial staff stubbornly refused to rotate the squad.

Bayindir has been entirely starved of meaningful Premier League minutes, effectively becoming a very expensive spectator.

For a 28-year-old goalkeeper entering the absolute prime of his career, sitting in the shadows simply isn’t an option if he wants to maintain his spot in the national team set-up.

From the club’s perspective, pulling the plug on this experiment makes total, ruthless sense.

Red Devils are expected to make major changes

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS sporting structure are currently conducting a massive, ruthless audit of the squad.

They are aggressively looking to trim the wage bill and clear out fringe players who aren’t actively contributing to the starting eleven.

Cashing in on Bayindir not only frees up valuable squad funds but also streamlines a squad that has felt heavily bloated for years.

It allows the recruitment team to either promote a promising academy prospect to the number two spot or dip into the market for a cheaper, homegrown veteran to fill the necessary squad quotas.

Ultimately, this impending transfer is the absolute best-case scenario for everyone involved.

Romano names ‘clear favourite’ for Man United job, issues latest update on Carrick

The post Lights, camera, exit: Man United star spotted filming farewell video ahead of summer departure appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Romano names ‘clear favourite’ for Man United job, issues latest update on Carrick

Michael Carrick has quickly gone from interim solution to leading contender as Manchester United consider their long-term managerial future.

Since stepping into the role during a challenging period, the former United midfielder has delivered steady improvements that have not gone unnoticed by the club’s leadership.

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According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Carrick is currently viewed as the “clear favourite” to take the job on a permanent basis.

His calm leadership style, tactical discipline, and ability to reconnect the squad with its identity have made a strong impression on decision-makers, particularly Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group, who are overseeing football operations at the club.

Carrick has revived a struggling Man United

When Carrick first took charge, expectations were cautious. Many viewed him as a temporary fix rather than a long-term solution.

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However, results on the pitch and changes behind the scenes have steadily shifted that perception.

The team’s improved structure and renewed confidence have been widely credited to Carrick’s measured approach and deep understanding of the club’s culture.

One of the most noticeable changes has been his ability to bring the best out of players who had previously struggled for form or minutes.

Players like Kobbie Mainoo have performed exceptionally well under Carrick, having struggled previously under Ruben Amorim.

INEOS officials have been especially impressed by Carrick’s leadership qualities off the pitch.

Rebuilding morale within the dressing room has been just as important as tactical adjustments, particularly after a turbulent stretch that saw confidence dip across the squad.

Race for the United manager job is not over yet

As things stand, Carrick appears to be in the strongest position to secure the Man United job on a permanent basis.

His influence on team morale, tactical organization, and overall results has strengthened his case significantly in recent weeks.

However, the final decision has yet to be made, and the club’s leadership is expected to conduct a thorough review before committing.

If Carrick ultimately secures the role, it would mark a remarkable progression from interim coach to long-term leader and potentially signal the beginning of a new chapter built on familiarity, stability, and renewed ambition at Old Trafford.

Man United lead Arsenal in the race for €50m-rated midfield general

The post Romano names ‘clear favourite’ for Man United job, issues latest update on Carrick appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Prediction: Everton vs Manchester City

Verdict: Away win Best odds: 49/100 Bookmaker: Olympusbet After almost a two‑week pause in Premier League action, Manchester City return to the title race on Monday night with a historic first visit to Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium. The Sky Blues arrive fresh from booking their place in the FA Cup final, while the Toffees are […]

The post Prediction: Everton vs Manchester City appeared first on Soccer News.

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Champions League qualification ´a step´ but not something for Liverpool to celebrate, says Slot

Arne Slot admits Champions League qualification should not be viewed as a “step forward” for Liverpool, but he is under no illusions as to the importance of sealing a top-five Premier League finish. Liverpool face rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, when they could, depending on Saturday’s results, confirm their spot in UEFA’s […]

The post Champions League qualification ´a step´ but not something for Liverpool to celebrate, says Slot appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Champions League qualification ´a step´ but not something for Liverpool to celebrate, says Slot appeared first on Soccer News.

Goncalo Ramos could leave PSG

Ousmane Dembele may have been a winger for most of his career so far, but under Luis Enrique at Paris Saint-Germain, he has firmly established himself as a central attacker in an extremely fluid front line, with the likes of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola vying for the wide positions. The role of […]

The post Goncalo Ramos could leave PSG appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Goncalo Ramos could leave PSG appeared first on Soccer News.

Where to watch the 2026 Italian Open tennis tournament: Match schedule, how to stream and more

MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 29: Jannik Sinner of Italy plays a forehand against Rafael Jodar of Spain during the 2026 Mutua Madrid Open Men's Quarterfinals match on Day Ten at La Caja Magica on April 29, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Mateo Villalba/Getty Images)
Jannik Sinner will be among the top stars competing at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia this week, here's how to watch the tennis tournament live. (Mateo Villalba/Getty Images)
Mateo Villalba via Getty Images

The top tennis players in the world are gathering in Rome this week for the 2026 Internazionali BNL d’Italia, a clay court tournament also known as the Italian Open. On the men’s side, you can expect to see Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, and Novak Djokovic competing, and the top women’s competitors include Amanda Anisimova, Miira Andreeva, Aryna Sabalenka, and Coco Gauff.

The tournament's first round begins Monday, May 4, and will run through Sunday, May 17. You can catch every Italian Open match on the Tennis Channel. Here's everything you need to know about how to watch the 2026 Italian Open, including streaming information, live broadcast schedule, and more.

How to watch the 2026 Italian Open tennis tournament:

Dates: May 4-17, 2026

Location: Foro Italico, Rome, Italy

Channel: Tennis Channel

Streaming:Fubo, DirecTV, and more 

When is the 2026 Italian Open? 

The Internazionali BNL d’Italia runs from May 4-17, 2026. 

What channel is the Italian Open on?

The 2026 Italian Open will be be broadcast on the Tennis Channel.

Where to stream the 2026 Italian Open:

The Tennis Channel is available to stream on platforms like Fubo and DirecTV.

2026 Internazionali Italian Open Broadcast Schedule

All times Eastern. All listings below will be on the Tennis Channel and the Tennis Channel app unless otherwise noted.

Monday, May 4

  • 5 a.m.: WTA First Round

Tuesday, May 5

  • 6:00 a.m.: WTA First Round

  • 1 p.m.: Tennis Channel Live

Wednesday, May 6

  • 5 a.m.: ATP/WTA First Round

  • 6 a.m.: ATP/WTA First Round

  • 5 p.m.: Tennis Channel Live

Thursday, May 7

  • 5 a.m.: ATP First Round/WTA Second Round

  • 6 a.m.: ATP First Round/WTA Second Round

  • 5 p.m.: Tennis Channel Live

Friday, May 8

  • 5 a.m.: ATP/WTA Second Round

  • 6 a.m.: ATP/WTA Second Round

  • 5 p.m.: Tennis Channel Live

Saturday, May 9

  • 5 a.m.: ATP Second/WTA Third Round

  • 6 a.m.: ATP Second/WTA Third Round

  • 5 p.m.: Tennis Channel Live

Sunday, May 10

  • 5 a.m.: ATP/WTA Third Round

  • 6 a.m.: ATP/WTA Third Round

  • 5 p.m.: Tennis Channel Live

Monday, May 11

  • 5 a.m.: ATP Third Round/WTA Round of 16

  • 6 a.m.: ATP/WTA Round of 16

More ways to watch the 2026 Internazionali BNL d’Italia

Real Madrid dressing room unrest grows over Mbappe’s situation – report

Real Madrid dressing room unrest grows over Mbappe’s situation – report
Real Madrid dressing room unrest grows over Mbappe’s situation – report

Tension appears to be building at Real Madrid, with a recent report from El Mundo pointing to growing unease in the dressing room and the spotlight is on Kylian Mbappe.

What has largely been a quiet period on the pitch has turned into a talking point off it. 

In recent weeks, discussions inside the club have intensified, particularly around Mbappe’s injury situation and how his recovery is being managed. 

While injuries are nothing new in football, the way this one has unfolded seems to have raised concerns among teammates.

Dressing room doubts begin to surface

Mbappe’s earlier knee issue had already triggered internal debates, even leading to adjustments within the medical setup earlier in the season. 

Now, his latest muscle problem, considered relatively minor, has reopened those conversations.

The situation has become more sensitive due to his decision to travel to Italy and Paris during recovery. 

Initially, when he made the trip accompanied by club physiotherapists, it was understood and accepted within the squad. However, the reaction now appears more mixed.

Some players are struggling to understand why such travel is necessary for a minor injury, especially during a crucial stage of the season. 

Raising eyebrows

There is added pressure because of the upcoming clash against Barcelona. 

Mbappe had indicated that he would do everything possible to be fit for that match, but his recent movements have left some teammates questioning whether that promise fit in with his actions.

Even when players are given personal time, decisions are often judged through the lens of team responsibility and in this case, his actions are becoming part of the wider conversation.

Manager Alvaro Arbeloa had allowed the squad a few days off following the draw against Real Betis, and during this time, players are free to manage their time as they choose.

However, there is an unspoken expectation, and when results are not going as planned, scrutiny naturally increases.

Town heroes set for bus parade and park celebration

Ipswich Town will celebrate their return to the Premier League with a Bank Holiday Monday bus parade, it has been confirmed.

The Blues bounced straight back to the top flight at the first time of asking following a 3-0 win against QPR on Saturday in the final game of the Championship season.

And it has been confirmed there will be a bus parade leaving Portman Road stadium at 11:30 BST that is expected to arrive at Christchurch Park at 12:00, where a celebratory event will be held.

Ipswich Borough Council said it would be a chance for players, supporters and residents "to come together and celebrate".

The club said the route would follow Sir Alf Ramsey Way, Portman Road, Handford Road, Civic Drive, Crown Street, Soane Street, Bolton Lane and the bus would enter the park via the Westerfield Road.

Big screens will be placed in the park, which will show the bus en-route, with coverage beginning at 11:00.

Those with access requirements will be able to use a designated viewing area in front of one of the screens, the club said.

Manager Kieran McKenna and players would address supporters. The celebrations were expected to conclude by 13:00.

The route is the same one taken for the parade that followed promotion to the Premier League in May 2024.

That day saw the jubilant players downing beers as they were joined on a double-decker bus by Ipswich boxer Fabio Wardley.

Overjoyed fans packed pavements and followed the bus as it made its way slowly through the town.

A council statement said: "We are thrilled to be hosting a parade on Monday 4th May through the town followed by a celebration event in Christchurch Park to mark Ipswich Town Football Club's promotion to the Premier League, and to give fans the chance to come together and celebrate.

"We look forward to welcoming players, supporters, and residents for a fantastic community celebration."

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Atlanta Falcons post-draft salary cap numbers

The Atlanta Falcons have taken a cautious approach this offseason, which was essentially their only option due to a lack of salary cap space and draft capital. While the Falcons added six players in the 2026 NFL Draft, they won't be paying out a ton of money since their highest pick was No. 48 overall.

In terms of free agency spending, the team made several depth additions. The Falcons signed over a dozen players, targeting several veterans with starting experience while keeping their spending under control. Even quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is only getting the veteran minimum this season.

Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts signed his franchise tag, which takes up $15,045,000 this season. Wide receiver Jahan Dotson received the most money of the team's free agent class, but according to Over The Cap, he will only cost around $5 million against the cap in 2026.

So, how much cap space will the Falcons have after signing their 2026 NFL Draft class?

Falcons salary cap space: $19,117,655

  • Effective cap space: $17,348,275

The Falcons have a little over $17 million in effective cap space, which is the amount after signing at least 51 players and their draft class to the roster. The team isn't exactly flush with cash, but there's enough money to sign a free agent or two.

Falcons dead money total: $43,860,329

  • Kirk Cousins: $22,500,000
  • Darnell Mooney: $11,000,000
  • Kaleb McGary: $3,000,000
  • David Onyemata: $2,425,000
  • Ruke Orhorhoro: $2,015,864
  • Younghoe Koo: $1,250,000
  • Morgan Fox: $750,000
  • KhaDarel Hodge: $625,000

The Falcons are paying over $43 million to eight different players. Trading defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro added over $2 million in dead money, but nobody is taking up more than Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins ($22.5 million). Former Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney is second on the list with $11 million in dead money followed by right tackle Kaleb McGary ($3 million).

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons salary cap: Post-draft cap numbers, dead money

Texas A&M is in 'strong position' to land half a dozen 2027 prospects

Texas A&M coach Mike Elko and his staff have veered their complete focus to the 2027 recruiting class, already landing 12 commitments, now including five-star offensive lineman Kennedy Brown, who announced his commitment last Sunday afternoon.

Right now, most of the news has surrounded the Aggies' recent prediction to land five-star tackle Mark Matthews, who recently visited with the A&M coaching staff this week, which was deemed "extremely successful" based on AggieYell insider Jaxson Callaway's reporting.

However, Miami is still attempting to keep Matthews in Florida, but right now, all the momentum is with the Aggies. Around the rest of the 2027 class, including four-star linebacker Kaden Henderson, who recently spoke highly about the coaching staff's ability to develop after sending a record ten players to the 2026 NFL Draft.

According to Callaway's recent update, among the eight 2027 prospects mentioned, Texas A&M is in a "strong position" to land six of the prospects named, including five-star cornerback Josh Dobson, after fellow five-star CB John Meredith received a prediction to land with the Texas Longhorns, while the Aggies are still in the running coming down his official visit next month.

Among the six prospects who Callaway believes will end up committing to Texas A&M in the coming months, running back Landen Williams-Callis is not a "lock" by any means, but after receiving an early prediction to land in College Station, the blue-chip back still looks like the Aggies' next RB commit.

Lastly, after landing four-star wide receiver Jaden Upton, the Aggies are looking to lock down incoming IMG Academy senior and five-star prospect Eric McFarland, who will take his official visit to College Station later next month, while new OC and former WR coach Holmon Wiggins has played a significant role in his recruitment.

After landing Kennedy Brown, if the Aggies can secure Mark Matthews' commitment, five-star IOL Albert Simien is another name to watch as a potential favorite to choose A&M.

NEW: Latest on a number of the Aggies’ top targets on the recruiting trail

Texas A&M trending for a five-star cornerback, a number of offensive lineman, and much more ⬇️

(On3+: https://t.co/DEv8Q7XFH5)

— Jaxson Callaway (AT) (@AggiesToday) May 2, 2026

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M is in 'strong position' to land six more 2027 prospects

Chiefs DL Peter Woods appreciates Kansas City's winning culture

Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Peter Woods spoke with reporters at Saturday's press conference during this weekend's rookie minicamp. He reflected on his rookie camp experience and shares his appreciation for the franchise's winning culture.

"It was great. I think the biggest part was just being able to be coached by (Defensive Line) Coach (Joe) Cullen for the first time," said Woods, "Just some of the relationships through the coaching world that I've had and heard about his coaching style and stuff like that, so I feel like we're going to have a great time together. It's going to be fun."

The Chiefs acquired the No. 29 pick to select Woods from the Los Angeles Rams at the start of the offseason in the blockbuster trade that involved cornerback Trent McDuffie. He was a Second-team Associated Press All-American in 2025, starting 12 games, finishing with 30 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks.

"I don't think there was much that I didn't know because the Chiefs do a lot of winning." said Woods, "I'd say that is probably what I learned too, that the Chiefs do a lot of winning and what went into it and I'm starting to see a little bit of that now, just how the practice goes and how the coaches coach and just the flow of everything. They've earned it at every corner, and we're looking to do that again."

The former Clemson standout's best season was in 2024, when he finished with 28 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and a forced fumble, earning Honorable Mention All-ACC honors. He played 5 snaps as a fullback in the jumbo package.

This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Chiefs DL Peter Woods appreciates Kansas City's winning culture

Former Wisconsin QB could replace Matt Ryan on CBS's The NFL Today

Former Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Russell Wilson's days in the NFL seem to be numbered.

Even though he just visited with the New York Jets, sources told The Athletic the Badgers alumn is in line to replace Matt Ryan on The NFL Today.

The weekly pregame show, airing nationwide on CBS, has a void to fill after Ryan became the Atlanta Falcons' president of football.

CBS declined comment, but Andrew Marchand confirmed there have been "lengthy talks" on Wilson ending his playing career and transitioning to television.

Wilson is far from the first professional athlete to go from playing to a broadcasting role, and he certainly won't be the last. For reference, fellow Badger alumn J.J. Watt now calls games for the same network.

The 37-year-old was a third-round draft pick by the Seattle Seahawks back in 2012. He came to Wisconsin for his senior season, where he threw for 3,174 yards and finished with 39 total touchdowns with just four interceptions.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.

This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: CBS eyes former Wisconsin QB Russell Wilson as Matt Ryan's replacement

'Setting world records has become annual tradition'

Setting one world record is an achievement most people would be thrilled with. For Matthew Akpan, securing his first was the start of an "annual tradition" - breaking seven records in six years.

According to the 37-year-old from Leeds, racking up Guinness World Records is not just about earning plaudits, but a way to show "no matter what label or what condition you have, you can be measured to anyone else in the world".

In 2013, Akpan was diagnosed with autism, with speech and language learning difficulties having been identified while he was at primary school.

He first found a love of running during his school years - although it was not until adulthood that he got serious.

After finding Parkrun and joining a running club, he started to "push" himself, he says.

"My life became structured around the running and that's where it was invaluable.

"Without that structure, I don't know if I would have achieved what I had done.

"If the running needs are sorted, then other things are not less important, but a bit easier to manage."

In 2021, Akpan combined his passion for the sport with his other love - WWE wrestling - to set his first world record completing a marathon dressed as John Cena, the wrestler-turned-Hollywood actor.

The challenge, finished in two hours, 56 minutes and 48 seconds, was in memory of his father, who died earlier the same year of kidney failure.

"We were very close and we always watched WWE wrestling together," Akpan explains.

"I think my dad would be laughing from the grave that I'd done something like that for him. So I felt like it was a perfect tribute."

'Running kept me on the right path'

Inspired by people's reaction to his achievement, Akpan started using the sporting stunts as a way to raise awareness of autism and other disabilities, as well as funds for charity.

"I thought it was going to be one and done, but it's become an annual tradition now," he says.

His most recent record came last Sunday at the London Marathon, where he set a new time for the fastest man with an intellectual impairment at the event, at 3 hours, 19 minutes and 16 seconds.

Although it was his "slowest marathon time ever" due to the heat, he says, it had been a good experience - although he did encounter new challenges.

"I found the run more difficult because it was like there was a lot of hustle and bustle, weaving in and out of people," he says.

"Any sort of little feeling - and that may be something to do with being autistic - but anything that puts you off unintentionally can be very disrupting."

He was also among the record 59,830 finishers at this year's London event.

Other feats include fastest half marathon dressed as a professional wrestler, gained in Leeds in 2022, and fastest man with an intellectual impairment at a 2025 half-marathon in Newcastle.

He put his wrestling knowledge to further good use, naming the most wrestlers under a minute by theme tune alone - twice - but this niche record has since been broken.

When he is not busy setting records, Akpan works as a teaching assistant at a school for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

His job allows him to share his story as a way to inspire young people to find their hobby or interest "that could push you into the next level", he says.

For him, it was putting on a pair of trainers and getting the miles in his legs.

"Running was always there, it never discriminated against you, it never worked against you," he says.

"It was always about you and seeing how much you could do really and get better.

"It just helped me continue on the path that I knew was right for me."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.

More stories like this

Broncos explored early tight ends, but they didn't fall to pick 62

The Denver Broncos saw tight ends Eli Stowers (No. 54), Nate Boerkircher (No. 56), Marlin Klein (No. 59) and Max Klare (No. 61) all go off the board before they were scheduled to pick at No. 62 overall in the second round of the NFL draft last month.

Had there not been somewhat of a run on the position, Denver might have exited the second round with a new pass-catcher for quarterback Bo Nix. Instead, the Broncos decided to trade down into the third round.

"Denver explored taking a tight end somewhat early, but the board didn't fall that way," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported last week. "The Broncos would have considered Vanderbilt's Eli Stowers if he made it to No. 62 (he went eight picks earlier)."

Stowers was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles at pick No. 54 (and somebody at his draft party was wearing a Broncos hat). Alas, it wasn't meant to be for Stowers and Denver.

The Broncos did end up landing NC State tight end Justin Joly in the fifth round. "The Broncos really like his tape from 2024, when he played at a lighter weight," Fowler wrote for ESPN.

Some draft pundits had Joly graded as a fourth-round pick, so he could end up being a steal for Denver. After missing out on the top-ranked tight ends, the Broncos were still able to address the position with a high-upside prospect, so it may have worked out well in the end.

Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/XDid you knowThese 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.

This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL: Broncos would have considered Eli Stowers in NFL draft

Is Alex Marquez’s Jerez MotoGP breakthrough real or a blip?

Motorsport photo

Alex Marquez says he still needs to understand if he has made a genuine breakthrough after bouncing back from a tough start to the 2026 MotoGP season to win the Spanish Grand Prix.

Having finished runner-up in the standings last year and received a factory-spec bike for 2026, the expectations were high for the younger Marquez this season.

But the Gresini rider struggled for performance at the beginning amid a wider dip within the Ducati fold, scoring a best Sunday result of seventh across the opening three flyaway races.

He was so unsure about his prospects that even a return to Jerez, the track where he scored his maiden MotoGP win last year, did little to lift his expectations.

But the Spaniard went on to dominate his home grand prix on Sunday, grabbing the lead on the second lap en route to a monumental two-second victory. 

The result ended Marco Bezzecchi’s five-race winning streak in MotoGP, putting Ducati back at the front for the first time since last October’s Malaysian GP. He would have likely claimed a double win at Jerez had there not been a sudden rain shower when he was leading the sprint.

Marquez’s comeback win was down to a combination of factors, including his natural affinity with Jerez. But he also benefited from an upgraded Ducati package and a change in mentality that allowed him to ride around the bike’s problems.

However, he remains adamant its too early to draw firm conclusions about his form. The post-race test at Jerez, where he and other Ducati riders tested a new aero package, among other things, offered only some answers about the sudden upturn in form.

“We suffered a lot in the first three rounds this year, and then we are here and suddenly we are really, really fast and we are really flowing,” he said.

“Le Mans, Montmelo and Mugello will be important to understand if this step that we did here is real or it's just one weekend.

“I think we were [performing] in a really good way [at Jerez]. I think that in many ways we still need to improve, and it's what we focused on in this test, trying different aero packets and trying different things on the bike.

“Some are positive, some are negative. It's difficult to make conclusions on the aerodynamic side just at one track, because Jerez is a really good track to test, but maybe we need a little bit more fast corners. 

“But some things are positive, and now we'll have a lot of work at home on Ducati and also on Gresini to analyse the things.”

Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing

Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing

Despite having ruled out a victory in the build-up to the Spanish GP, Marquez insisted he was always certain that he would be able to return to the front.

“We tried it and I said already in Austin that, ‘OK, we are suffering but our time will come.’ 

“I think we keep working in a really good way, just trying to not panic and just trying to analyse the things. We started with last year's bike set-up and just tried to do other things, and then suddenly we were really, really fast again.

“So we work in a really good way and we tried a few things that were working.”

There has been a stark contrast between the performance of Ducati’s factory team and its satellite squads this year. While both Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia have largely struggled for results, VR46 rider Fabio di Giannantonio led the marque’s charge in the opening races before Alex Marquez took over the baton in Jerez.

With MotoGP visiting three different tracks in May, Alex believes the coming races will offer a better gauge of the pecking order.

 “I don't know the work that they are doing in the official team,” he said. “I think they are working super well and they know everything that we did. 

“For us also, it will be a really good test in the next two or three rounds to see if we can keep up this performance. Le Mans is a really different track.”

Read Also: Should there be a tear-off rule following Marco Bezzecchi's Jerez incident? How MotoGP’s energy drink landscape could shift 

To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

Man Utd vs Liverpool combined XI ahead of Premier League clash

Man Utd vs Liverpool combined XI ahead of Premier League clash
Man Utd vs Liverpool combined XI ahead of Premier League clash

Man Utd and Liverpool renew rivalries in the Premier League this Sunday, with both sides looking to secure Champions League qualification at Old Trafford. 

It’s been a weird and winding season for both teams, but they have managed to recover from setbacks to put themselves third and fourth respectively in the table, with just three points separating them.

With so much changing at the two clubs, we thought it would be an interesting experiment to see which players would make a combined XI. Only players who are fit and available to play are up for consideration.

Man Utd vs Liverpool Combined XI:

GK: Senne Lammens – Man Utd

We’re making a big call right up top. Obviously, Alisson Becker has been one of, if not the best goalkeeper in the Premier League over the past decade. He has been exceptional between the sticks for Liverpool and continues to be when he’s fit.

The problem is, that is becoming rarer and rarer for the 33-year-old, who now spends a chunk of every season on the treatment table. He won’t even be available for this weekend. His understudy, Giorgi Mamardashvili, has been less than convincing when called upon and is also currently injured.

Senne Lammens, meanwhile, has been hugely impressive since joining United in the summer. Since his debut, only three teams have conceded fewer goals than the Red Devils (35) and he is yet to make an error leading to a goal. It looks like they have finally found a reliable shot stopper.

Read – Golazo Merchants: A man of flawless technique, David Beckham

RB: Diogo Dalot – Man Utd

Trent Alexander-Arnold had this position locked down for the longest time, but now that he’s at Real Madrid, it’s up to Diogo Dalot to fill the void. The Portugal international has been very dependable for United this term, playing on both the right and left as a full-back and wing-back.

CB: Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool

It hasn’t been a vintage campaign from Virgil van Dijk, but then again that could be said for many of Liverpool’s stars. He remains one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League and indeed the world.

CB: Harry Maguire – Man Utd

Injury has limited Harry Maguire to just 15 Premier League starts this season, but he has been sorely missed during those period when he’s been sidelined. His aerial presence in both boxes is massively important to United and could play a role in the outcome of this weekend’s encounter.

Read – Man Utd to prioritise Premier League-based transfer targets

LB: Patrick Dorgu – Man Utd

This was the most awkward decision in the entire team; plenty of choices but none of them overly convincing. Milos Kerkez has been pretty poor, Andy Robertson has shown his age this season, and Luke Shaw has been solid without being spectacular.

Patrick Dorgu was excellent from late December into January, but he has missed the last three months through injury. He is available for selection, though, after being named on the bench against Brentford on Monday night.

The Denmark international is, in this writer’s opinion, the most exciting option at full-back and would offer this mash-up more attacking threat down the left. It appeared as if he was going to be a key part of Carrick’s setup when he first took charge, causing havoc as a wing-back. United have looked more primitive on offence in his absence, which is a big compliment to his game.

CM: Alexis Mac Allister – Liverpool

I don’t know if there’s any one thing that Alexis Mac Allister does at an elite level, but he’s very good at just about everything. He’s good in possession, he create chances, he scores the odd goal, and while his defensive game is not the greatest, he’s far from a liability in midfield.

CM: Casemiro – Man Utd

Rewind back to September 2024, the last time United hosted Liverpool at Old Trafford. They were totally demolished by Slot’s rampant Reds and Casemiro was the main culprit in a dreadful first half. He received a paltry 1/10 in our player ratings for that game. “He’s cooked” was this writer’s withering assessment.

Fast forward to the present day and there has been a complete turnaround in the Brazilian’s fortunes to the point where the fans are begging not to leave this summer. He’s been a rock in midfield and one of their biggest attacking threats, scoring nine league goals (eight of which have been headers).

Just look at Casemiro’s stats radar from Fotmob, highlighting his strengths when compared to other Premier League midfielders:

His Renaissance has been a joy to behold.

RW: Dominik Szoboszlai – Liverpool

We could have placed Dominik Szoboszlai in any number of positions in this lineup, he has been that versatile for Liverpool this season. Any time Slot has needed a solution, the Hungarian has been there to plug the gap and done so with gusto.

With Mo Salah out injured, Szoboszlai will possibly be called upon to do so again on the right wing. Bryan Mbeumo misses out after seeing his form drop off precipitously over the past two months.

Read – Slot eyes Champions League confirmation at Man United

CAM: Bruno Fernandes – Man Utd

The easiest decision in our Combined XI. Bruno Fernandes is simply the best no.10 in the Premier League right now, which makes one wonder why in the hell Ruben Amorim saw fit to play him in a deeper role.

With eight goals and 19 assists in the Premier League, the playmaker is close to matching his career best tally for goal involvements in a single season (30) and smash the record for most assists (20). He has also created 114 chances this season – 53 more than the nearest player.

LW: Florian Wirtz – Liverpool

Fernandes’ presence means that Florian Wirtz has to be shunted out to the left wing, where he has operated a few times for Liverpool this year. The German has not yet hit the heights expected when he made his big money move from Leverkusen last summer, but he has not been nearly as poor as some bad faith actors try to claim.

CF: Benjamin Sesko – Man Utd

Now this is a turn up for the books. If this game happened a month ago, Hugo Ekitike would have been a shoo-in, but a devastating injury has ruled him out for many months. Alexander Isak has missed most of the last five months with a broken leg and he wasn’t playing all that well before then anyway.

That leaves Benjamin Sesko as our starting striker. After struggling for form in the first half of the season, scoring just twice, the Slovenian has excelled in 2026. He’s found the net nine times since January, scoring a number of crucial goals to help United climb into the top four.

Read – Power Rankings: Man Utd upward, top two collide

See Also – Salah ’emotional’ reflecting on Liverpool ‘connection’

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Rudy Gobert just revealed Victor Wembanyama's biggest edge

Rudy Gobert just revealed Victor Wembanyama's biggest edge originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

At some point in recent weeks, Victor Wembanyama called Rudy Gobert and asked him what kind of water filter he has in his house. And Gobert, who has thought about body optimization since long before it became fashionable in the NBA, had an immediate answer because this is apparently the kind of conversation Wembanyama initiates with his veteran contacts.

Gobert made the story public on Saturday ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves' Western Conference Semifinals matchup against Wembanyama's San Antonio Spurs.

Wolves reporter Dane Moore asked Gobert what surprised him most about the 22-year-old, and Gobert went to the water filter question.

"A few weeks ago he asked me what kind of filter I had in my house for water. It just tells you how his mind is. I try to talk to the young guys here about the food they eat and stuff like that. But I don't get those type of questions." Gobert said.

Moore also wondered if Anthony Edwards has ever mentioned water filters. "Never. Not yet. I pray for that day," Gobert said.

Asked Rudy Gobert what surprised him about Victor Wembanyama when they were teammates during the Olympics.

"A few weeks ago he asked me what kind of filter I had in my house for water. It just tells you how his mind is. I try to talk to the young guys here about the food they… pic.twitter.com/FBzmD7x0kV

— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) May 2, 2026

Wembanyama led the Spurs to 62 wins this season while averaging 25 points and a league-high 3.1 blocks. Against Portland in the first round, he posted 21.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks per game, shooting 53.8 percent from three.

He won Defensive Player of the Year with all 100 first-place votes. 

Jaguars' signing among highest-paid UDFAs after 2026 NFL draft

Of the Jacksonville Jaguars 18 undrafted free agent signings, quarterback Joey Aguilar was one of the more highly-paid UDFAs across the NFL following the 2026 draft.

According to Spotrac, Aguilar earned $247,500 in guaranteed money. That guaranteed amount ranks 21st out of all UDFA signings, and isn't too far behind the highest mark of $310,000, set by Utah edge rusher Logan Fano, who signed with the Browns.

Could Joey Aguilar make a roster push with the Jaguars?

After spending a few years at Appalachian State, Aguilar made the jump to the SEC in 2025. Despite the elevated level of competition, Aguilar's completion rate increased significantly.

He also created more big plays through the air, while throwing 24 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. Following last year's draft, James Gladstone mentioned how impressed he was that Jalen McLeod made the jump in competition but remained productive.

Aguilar will be competing with Carter Bradley for the third quarterback spot on the depth chart behind Trevor Lawrence and Nick Mullens. Whether or not that position makes the 53-man roster remains to be seen.

Last season, Liam Coen rostered only two quarterbacks, with the third being on the practice squad. Aguilar's play this summer will have to convince Liam Coen to keep three this year.

Along with Aguilar, Colorado cornerback Preston Hodge received $67,500 in guaranteed money -- the second-most on the team.

This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 2026 NFL draft: Where Jaguars Joey Aguilar ranks among highest-paid UDFAs

Sunday’s Brotherhood Playoff News & Links

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 02: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on from the bench during the first half of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Seven of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at TD Garden on May 02, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images

In Saturday’s Brotherhood Playoff Action, Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics were eliminated by the Philadelphia 76ers, 109-100. Tatum was listed as questionable earlier, but was ruled out due to stiffness in his left knee.

Philadelphia will go on to play the New York Knicks. You’ll recall that Tatum suffered his Achilles injury in last year’s playoffs against the Knicks, so he’ll miss the chance to close that circle.

On Sunday, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter will lead the Orlando Magic into Game 7 against the Detroit Pistons. In the second game, RJ Barrett and the Toronto Raptors will take on Tyrese Proctor and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7 of that series. Brandon Ingram is listed as questionable with heel inflammation.

Go to the DBR Boards to find Blue Healer Auctions || Drop us a line

F1 grid: Starting positions for Miami GP race

Formula 1 returns after the enforced spring break with the Miami Grand Prix this weekend - and the second sprint race of the 2026 season.

Due to the cancellation of races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia because of the ongoing conflict in the Gulf, F1 was absent over April but, behind the scenes, teams were working hard to close the gap on Mercedes. In addition, F1 and the FIA agreed on a set of tweaks to the controversial 2026 regulations.

Kimi Antonelli won the last race in Japan after benefiting from a well-timed safety car. The Italian 19-year-old leads the world championship by nine points over Mercedes teammate George Russell, who was cut a frustrated figure at Suzuka in finishing fourth.

Reigning world champions McLaren found themselves back on the podium with Oscar Piastri’s second-place finish while Charles Leclerc came home third for Ferrari. After the last race, four-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen also revealed he was considering quitting the sport at the end of the season. Will the rule changes, to be first seen in Miami, make a difference?

Here’s everything you need to know about the Miami Grand Prix.

What is the starting grid for the Miami GP?

1. Kimi Antonelli

2. Max Verstappen

3. Charles Leclerc

4. Lando Norris

5. George Russell

6. Lewis Hamilton

7. Oscar Piastri

8. Franco Colapinto

9. Isack Hadjar

10. Pierre Gasly

11. Nico Hulkenberg

12. Liam Lawson

13. Ollie Bearman

14. Carlos Sainz

15. Esteban Ocon

16. Alex Albon

17. Arvid Lindblad

18. Fernando Alonso

19. Lance Stroll

20. Sergio Perez

21. Valtteri Bottas

22. Gabriel Bortoleto

When is the Miami Grand Prix?

Time BST

Sunday 3 May

  • Race: 6pm

How can I watch it online and on TV?

The Miami Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom. Sky’s coverage of Sunday’s race starts at 4:30pm (BST).

Sky Sports subscribers can watch all the action in Miami on the Sky Go app. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.

In the United States, every practice, qualifying and race session will be streamed on Apple TV this year. You can stream Apple TV for FREE, with Apple TV’s seven-day free trial.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch the Miami Grand Prix then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help.

F1 returns at the Miami GP (Getty)
F1 returns at the Miami GP (Getty)

Driver standings ahead of Miami GP

1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 72 points

2. George Russell (Mercedes) - 63 points

3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 49 points

4. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 41 points

5. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 25 points

6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) -21 points

7. Ollie Bearman (Haas) - 17 points

8. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 15 points

9. Max Verstappen Red Bull) - 12 points

10. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) - 10 points

11. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) - 4 points

12. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) - 4 points

13. Carlos Sainz (Williams) - 2 points

14. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) - 2 points

15. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) - 1 point

16. Esteban Ocon (Haas) - 1 point

17. Alex Albon (Williams) - 0 points

18. Sergio Perez (Cadillac) - 0 points

19. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) - 0 points

20. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) - 0 points

21. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) - 0 points

22. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) - 0 points

Constructor standings ahead of Miami GP

1. Mercedes - 135 points

2. Ferrari - 90 points

3. McLaren - 46 points

4. Haas - 18 points

5. Alpine - 16 points

6. Red Bull - 16 points

7. Racing Bulls - 14 points

8. Audi - 2 points

9. Williams - 2 points

10. Cadillac - 0 points

11. Aston Martin - 0 points

What is the 2026 race calendar?

ROUND 4 - MIAMI (sprint weekend)

Miami International Autodrome, Hard Rock Stadium - 1-3 May

ROUND 5 - CANADA (sprint weekend)

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal - 22-24 May

ROUND 6 - MONACO

Circuit de Monaco - 5-7 June

ROUND 7 - SPAIN (Barcelona)

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya - 12-14 June

ROUND 8 - AUSTRIA

Red Bull Ring, Spielberg - 26-28 June

ROUND 9 - GREAT BRITAIN (sprint weekend)

Silverstone Circuit - 3-5 July

ROUND 10 - BELGIUM

Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps - 17-19 July

ROUND 11 - HUNGARY

Hungaroring, Budapest - 24-26 July

ROUND 12 - NETHERLANDS (sprint weekend)

Circuit Zandvoort - 21-23 August

ROUND 13 - ITALY

Monza Circuit - 4-6 September

ROUND 14 - SPAIN (Madrid)

Circuito de Madring - 11-13 September

ROUND 15 - AZERBAIJAN

Baku City Circuit - 24-26 September (Saturday race)

ROUND 16 - SINGAPORE (sprint weekend)

Marina Bay Street Circuit - 9-11 October

ROUND 17 - UNITED STATES

Circuit of the Americas, Austin - 23-25 October

ROUND 18 - MEXICO

Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City - 30 October-1 November

ROUND 19 - BRAZIL

Interlagos Circuit, Sao Paulo - 6-8 November

ROUND 20 - LAS VEGAS

Las Vegas Street Circuit - 19-21 November

ROUND 21 - QATAR

Lusail International Circuit - 27-29 November

ROUND 22 - ABU DHABI

Yas Marina Circuit - 4-6 December

Celik’s renewal still possible, the player makes promise to Gasperini

Celik’s renewal still possible, the player makes promise to Gasperini
Celik’s renewal still possible, the player makes promise to Gasperini

Roma’s future planning begins with understanding who will stay and who won’t.

Many players are out of contract, but with a month to go until the deadline, the club hasn’t yet decided who to keep: Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Zeki Celik.

For the latter, the situation could change in the coming weeks.

The Turk seemed closest to leaving, with Juventus and Inter ready to initiate talks to sign him on a free transfer. However, the full-back hasn’t closed a deal and is keeping his door open for the Roman club.

Celik, according to Il Corriere della Sera, is well aware of Gian Piero Gasperini’s high regard for him, and has promised the Grugliasco coach that he will wait until the very last moment for an offer from Roma.

At the same time, however, if the player wants to stay, he must lower his demands. It appears that the Turk’s request to the Roman club for a renewal was €4 million.

A high figure for the Giallorossi, but one that would be lower with the Growth Decree.

The club is therefore considering the player’s versatility: the former Lille player can act both as a wing-back and as a defensive midfielder, and the cost of finding a similar player would be higher than the renewal.

Dybala and Kone likely to start vs Fiorentina

Dybala and Kone likely to start vs Fiorentina
Dybala and Kone likely to start vs Fiorentina

Roma will face Fiorentina tomorrow, May 4th, in their penultimate home game at the Olimpico.

Gian Piero Gasperini has just a few hours left to resolve any remaining doubts regarding the lineup, and today’s training session will serve to clarify any remaining issues.

To the Grugliasco coach’s delight, the infirmary is emptying.

Manu Koné returned to training with the group in recent training sessions and is ready to take to the field.

Given Neil El Aynaoui’s suspension, the coach is reportedly considering throwing the Frenchman into the mix from the start.

The attacking lineup remains a puzzle. Gasperini is eyeing Niccolò Pisilli alongside Matias Soulé, but the temptation to pair Paulo Dybala is growing in the background.

The only certainty is that No. 18 and Donyell Malen are guaranteed starting spots.

To see No. 21 starting, according to Il Corriere dello Sport, the coach will first need to determine how many minutes “La Joya” has available.

Gasperini will undoubtedly test the player’s fitness today, and will only make a last-minute decision on how much time he will give him.

How Kansas City's Peter Woods and Mansoor Delane plan to improve each other

How Kansas City's Peter Woods and Mansoor Delane plan to improve each other originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Kansas City Chiefs made two first-round picks on the defensive side in the 2026 NFL Draft, and somehow, both of them are already thinking about how to help the other one produce.

LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane went to Kansas City at sixth overall after the Chiefs traded up from No. 9 to land him, beating out the New Orleans Saints, who were reportedly lurking at that spot.

Kansas City turned around and picked Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods at No. 29. Two first-round picks on the same side of the ball, in the same draft, walking into the same building.

Already simpatico before camp starts

And according to Woods, they already have a system figured out. Asked about his friendship with Delane during the Chiefs' rookie minicamp, Woods kept his explanation compact: "I help him get interceptions and he helps me get sacks, we just keep it that simple."

#Chiefs rookie DT Peter Woods on his friendship with CB Mansoor Delane 🗣️

“I help him get interceptions and he helps me get sacks, we just keep it that simple” pic.twitter.com/L99jIJIK7Y

— SleeperChiefs (@SleeperChiefsKC) May 2, 2026

Kansas City addressed two real roster holes with these picks. After trading Trent McDuffie and letting Jaylen Watson walk in free agency, Delane walks into a CB1 role with the path largely clear in front of him.

Woods enters as an interior rusher playing alongside Chris Jones, one of the best at drawing double teams in the league, which should create single-coverage opportunities for the rookie from day one.

More news:

Report: Aston Villa star set to make permanent £25m exit

Report: Aston Villa star set to make permanent £25m exit
Report: Aston Villa star set to make permanent £25m exit

Malen’s Short Aston Villa Spell Ends Abruptly

Donyell Malen’s time at Aston Villa appears to be drawing to a close almost as quickly as it began. Signed with promise and pedigree, the Dutch forward has spent just a single season at Villa Park before being ushered towards the exit door. According to the original source, Express & Star, Malen is now “set for a £25m move” after impressing during his loan spell in Italy.

The 27-year-old arrived from Borussia Dortmund with a reputation as a dynamic attacking threat, capable of stretching defences and delivering goals in key moments. Under Unai Emery, he showed glimpses of that quality, contributing seven goals across competitions. Yet, despite that return, Villa’s long-term plans have clearly shifted, leading to his loan move to Roma.

That decision now looks increasingly decisive rather than temporary.

Photo IMAGO

Roma Loan Spell Transforms Transfer Outlook

Malen’s loan to Roma has proven to be a turning point. What began as an opportunity to regain rhythm has evolved into a full-scale revival of his attacking credentials. As noted in the original report, he has delivered “12 goals across Serie A and the Europa League,” playing a central role in Roma’s resurgence.

This output is not just about numbers. Malen has provided tactical flexibility, operating across the front line with pace and directness. His movement off the ball and ability to exploit space have aligned well with Roma’s attacking system, making him a natural fit in the squad.

Crucially, his performances have coincided with Roma securing a return to the Champions League, adding weight to his contributions. Players who influence outcomes at that level tend to command decisive action in the transfer market.

£25m Clause Activated by Roma

The financial aspect of the deal now appears straightforward. Roma inserted a €25 million purchase option into the loan agreement, and reports suggest that clause has been triggered. The original source states that “it is almost certain he will stay at the club,” with Roma moving quickly to secure his services permanently.

From Aston Villa’s perspective, the deal represents a clean resolution. While Malen showed flashes of quality in the Premier League, he never fully cemented a starting role. Offloading him at a figure close to £25m ensures a return that aligns with his market value while freeing up space for Emery to reshape his forward line.

For Roma, the decision reflects both performance data and strategic planning. Investing in a player already integrated into the system reduces risk, particularly ahead of a Champions League campaign.

Strategic Implications for Aston Villa and Roma

This transfer highlights contrasting trajectories for both clubs. Aston Villa are refining their squad with precision, prioritising players who fit a specific tactical blueprint. Malen’s departure suggests a move towards a more tailored attacking unit, potentially favouring different profiles in wide and central areas.

Roma, on the other hand, are capitalising on proven chemistry. Rather than gambling on new arrivals, they are doubling down on a player who has already delivered under pressure. Malen’s ability to perform in European competition makes him a valuable asset as they prepare for a demanding schedule.

The broader takeaway is clear. In modern football, adaptability and immediate impact often outweigh long-term speculation. Malen’s journey from Villa to Roma underscores how quickly fortunes can change when the right environment meets the right player.

For Malen himself, this move offers stability and momentum. After a brief and somewhat fragmented spell in England, he now has the opportunity to anchor his career in a system that maximises his strengths.

Report: Liverpool target £35m Ligue 1 midfielder as Mac Allister replacement

Report: Liverpool target £35m Ligue 1 midfielder as Mac Allister replacement
Report: Liverpool target £35m Ligue 1 midfielder as Mac Allister replacement

Midfield uncertainty drives recruitment focus

Liverpool’s midfield rebuild is once again under the microscope, with fresh speculation suggesting that Mamadou Sangare could emerge as a key target should change become necessary.

Questions surrounding Alexis Mac Allister have intensified over the course of the season. Once a metronomic presence, his influence has dipped, and that drop in output has coincided with a broader inconsistency in Liverpool’s engine room. While Dominik Szoboszlai has carried much of the creative burden, the balance has felt uneven.

With Arne Slot tasked with refining a side that recently set the standard domestically, the need for renewed energy and tactical clarity in midfield is becoming increasingly apparent. Recruitment, therefore, is not simply reactive but strategic.

Sangare profile fits Liverpool identity

Reports sourced from journalist Bence Bocsak, originally shared via the Anfield Watch Podcast, highlight Sangare as a compelling option. His profile aligns closely with Liverpool’s historical midfield blueprint, built on intensity, vertical passing, and relentless pressing.

Bocsak described the player in clear terms:

[Mamadou] Sangare is a high intensity player. He is very good at making quick decisions on the ball, he [does] quick passes, he’s a little bit similar to [Alexis] Mac Allister but on top of that he’s got that intensity, he’s got that running ability that Liverpool have missed.

For me, I think he’d be a really nice fit as well, and again, considering RC Lens paid €8 million or something like that for Sangare, they’re not going to want to demand a massive price tag.

I think there’s talk of €40 million to €50 million which translates to around £35 million and that is a lot more of a reasonable fee.”

That assessment captures the essence of Sangare’s appeal. He is not merely a stylistic replacement but a potential upgrade in physical output, capable of restoring the tempo that has defined Liverpool at their best.

Performance data highlights rapid development

Sangare’s rise has been swift. Having joined RC Lens for a modest fee, he has quickly established himself as a central figure. Operating primarily as a central midfielder, he has contributed seven goals across all competitions this season, a notable return for a player whose primary function lies in transition and control.

At 23, his trajectory suggests further growth. His decision-making under pressure, combined with an ability to carry the ball through congested areas, reflects a maturity beyond his years. In analytical terms, he offers high progressive passing metrics alongside strong defensive recoveries, a combination Liverpool have intermittently lacked.

Transfer value and long term strategy

The reported valuation of around £35 million positions Sangare in a favourable bracket. In a market where established Premier League midfielders command inflated fees, this represents a calculated investment rather than a gamble.

Liverpool’s recruitment model has increasingly leaned towards identifying players before they reach peak valuation. Sangare fits that mould. He is entering his prime developmental phase, carries resale value, and crucially, aligns with the club’s tactical demands.

Whether a move materialises will depend on several variables, including Mac Allister’s future and Liverpool’s broader squad planning. Yet the logic behind the interest is sound. Sangare offers dynamism, technical assurance, and the capacity to elevate the collective intensity.

In a side that thrives on rhythm and relentless movement, those attributes are not luxuries. They are essentials.

Myles Lewis-Skelly: Arteta makes bold claim about United target

Myles Lewis-Skelly: Arteta makes bold claim about United target
Myles Lewis-Skelly: Arteta makes bold claim about United target

Manchester United’s pursuit of a new left-back has seen them linked with a surprise move for Arsenal prodigy Myles Lewis-Skelly. The Red Devils are laying down succession plans for Luke Shaw, who has been in impressive form this season.

The Englishman has started every Premier League game this campaign, but he will turn 31 this summer. His contract is due to expire at the end of next season, and he is yet to sign a new deal.

While a renewal cannot be entirely ruled out, the Red Devils could be tempted to solidify the position with fresh blood, given Shaw’s history of fitness issues. Tyrell Malacia, meanwhile, is a forgotten man at Old Trafford and is expected to leave this summer.

Patrick Dorgu is an option for the job, but he has been excellent in a more attacking role under Carrick, which hints at the possibility of a position change. Lewis-Skelly’s future at the Emirates has been subject to speculation of late, and recent reports have stated that United are already planning to prise him away.

Versatile modern full-back

Lewis-Skelly broke into the senior side last season, scoring one goal and setting up three more in 42 games across all competitions. The 19 year old played mostly at left-back, although he is capable enough to operate in midfield as well.

This season, however, the Englishman has struggled for game time, with Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori ahead of him in Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s pecking order. Lewis-Skelly has registered four assists in 31 appearances, 15 of which have been starts.

Myles Lewis-Skelly Stats: 2025/26 Season

Source: Transfermarkt.

The player is understandably frustrated by the situation, and his future remains up in the air. A previous report relayed by The Peoples Person suggests that Arsenal are willing to offload Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri for a combined fee of £100 million this summer.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta started the English full-back in midfield against Fulham on Saturday, and it turned out to be a masterstroke. Lewis-Skelly was excellent in the position, helping secure a 3-0 win at the Emirates and further highlighting his immense potential.

Arteta admits tough Lewis-Skelly stance

Speaking after the win, Arteta acknowledged that he had been tough on Lewis-Skelly. He said: “He fully deserves it. I’ve been tough on him. He had a spectacular season last year when he jumped into the first team.”

“He had some difficult moments after that, but he stayed very humble, very focused, very aligned with what we wanted to do, and I knew he was ready. He’s been showing in training every day the opportunities that he had to play. He’s done it and today he really stepped up and I thought he had an incredible performance.”

When asked why he had not used the Englishman in midfield, the Spanish manager added: “Because probably I don’t have a clue and maybe I should have done it earlier, I don’t know. But I have to do things when I believe that the player is ready, the team is ready and the opponent is the right one to play with him in that position.”

“We’ve done it today, it’s the first time. It was a big risk because I knew what was going to happen, if he wasn’t this great, we would have lost the game. How do you play a kid at this age, in this scenario, in a position that he hasn’t played all season? I knew that but I had the feeling that it was the right game for him.”

Final Thoughts

Lewis-Skelly’s versatility makes him an enticing option for United, as both the midfield and the left-back positions require more cover this summer. The Englishman matches the Red Devils’ youth-centric transfer policy, and could also be a fine long-term replacement for Shaw.

Featured image Clive Mason via Getty Images

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The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

Ryan Friedkin arrives in Rome to meet with Gasperini

Ryan Friedkin arrives in Rome to meet with Gasperini
Ryan Friedkin arrives in Rome to meet with Gasperini

Ryan Friedkin arrived in the capital on Friday to prepare for the future of Roma.

In these situations, the Texans are accustomed to working behind the scenes, and just as the first meeting with Gian Piero Gasperini took place in Florence a year ago, the hunt for a sporting director will continue with the same modus operandi today.

The aim is to shape the future of the Roman club away from prying eyes.

Dan’s son is moving between Rome, Milan, and Florence, knowing that the search for a replacement for Frederic Massara, who he knows will soon be dismissed, is a priority. While Ryan is touring Italy, a key figure remains in Trigoria.

His brother Corbin, Corbin, is reportedly the Friedkins’ goal of increasingly involving Roma. Ryan will soon meet with Gasperini to discuss some issues.

Regarding the capital gains issue, the situation is clear: the Americans will attempt to negotiate with UEFA to ease the financial demands, seeking to exit the settlement agreement with a fine, but, barring any glaring exceptions, the sale of a key player will be necessary.

Then the Grugliasco-born coach made it clear that he wants the “senators”—Gianluca Mancini, Bryan Cristante, and Lorenzo Pellegrini—to be renewed, as well as Paulo Dybala. After that, it will be time to dive into the market.

The Friedkins have made one thing clear: regardless of the team’s revenue and ranking, there will be a significant budget for the next sporting director.

This demonstrates that, beyond words, there is a firm commitment to supporting Gasperini. Finally, the summer training camp issue still needs to be clarified. Austria, Germany, and Switzerland are among the options.

Barry-Murphy grateful to fans in 'magical' season

Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy (right) poses with fans wearing blue shirts decorated with his face and pink flamingos
[Huw Evans Picture Agency]

Brian Barry-Murphy says Cardiff City's final day contest with Mansfield Town was an opportunity for fans to celebrate his side's "magical season".

Having already secured promotion to the Championship, the Bluebirds signed off their 2025-26 campaign with a 5-4 loss to Nigel Clough's side.

But while disappointed with aspects of his side's loss at Mansfield - particularly the first half display which saw them trail 3-0 at the break - Barry-Murphy insisted defeat by the Stags would not detract from what has been a memorable campaign for his side.

"I wouldn't let it take away from what the players have done this season," said the Cardiff head coach.

"You saw the support we had today, it was incredible. It's been a magical season for us.

"Today was about celebrating our club, our supporters being present and trying to give them one last sign of what we can do. Hopefully the next step is around the corner."

Barry-Murphy spent time posing for photographs and talking with fans in the aftermath of the contest with Mansfield.

"Firstly, what they've done for us, the support we've had at every away ground has been incredible," he added.

"The amount of time it takes for them, and the expense, it's not lost on us.

"One of the things we spoke about at half time, we had a strong obligation to make them feel they can be proud of us in the second half, and we did that.

"So, always, we feel as if we have to play for them and make sure we do them proud every week."

'It’s part of the game': Ferguson backs Jamieson over send-off to Sooryavanshi

Lockie Ferguson has come out in support of his teammate Kyle Jamieson after the Delhi Capitals pacer was cautioned by the IPL for his animated send-off to teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

The incident took place early in Rajasthan Royals’ innings during their clash against Delhi Capitals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. In just the second over, Jamieson delivered a pinpoint yorker to dismiss the 15-year-old prodigy for 4, underlining his control and precision.


However, the celebration that followed sparked controversy. Jamieson clapped aggressively and walked towards the batter, making eye contact in a manner that was deemed confrontational. Given the age of the dismissed batter, the send-off drew criticism for being excessive.

— IPL (@IPL)


The IPL subsequently handed Jamieson a demerit point along with an official warning for breaching the Code of Conduct during Match No. 43. The New Zealand quick was found guilty of a Level 1 offence under Article 2.5, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or could provoke an aggressive reaction from another player.” Jamieson admitted to the charge and accepted the sanction imposed by match referee Rajeev Seth.

Despite the reprimand, Ferguson defended his teammate, emphasising that such displays of emotion are part of the game.

“Kyle’s a good mate of mine. He got pretty fired up, which is pretty understandable. Not easy to get wickets in this part of the world, and that was a big one. So I think it’s part of the game. I think fans like to see the passion. I can’t comment on anything from a governing body point of view, but as a player, I think the passion coming out is great for the game. As a fan of the game, you like to see players getting passionate, players showing emotion, players being excited to take a wicket… he’s obviously a big guy too, so when a big guy has a lot of emotions, it looks even bigger.” Lockie Ferguson told to India Today on Kyle Jamieson’s reaction.


130729021

IPL 2026 | Tilak Varma's Rs 28,000 watch falls off after shot goes wrong - viral video

NEW DELHI: Mumbai Indians suffered another defeat in IPL 2026, going down to Chennai Super Kings by eight wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk.

During the match, an unfortunate incident occurred in the 12th over of the Mumbai Indians innings. Tilak Varma was struck on the wrist by a delivery from CSK pacer Jamie Overton, causing his wristwatch to come off.


After being hit, Tilak signalled towards the dugout, and the physio immediately rushed in to check on him. His fitness tracking wristband had come loose following the impact.

Once the physio attended to him, Tilak put the watch back on and resumed batting.

Tilak had attempted a scoop shot off Overton but missed it completely, with the ball striking his wrist and dislodging the device, which fell to the ground.

According to information available online, the device appears to be a WHOOP fitness tracking band, which costs around Rs 28,000.

— StarSportsIndia (@StarSportsIndia)

CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad continued his fine form, scoring his second successive half-century of the season as Chennai cruised to a commanding win.

Gaikwad remained unbeaten on 67 off 48 balls, sharing an unbroken 98-run stand for the third wicket with Kartik Sharma (54 not out) to chase down the target of 160 comfortably after Mumbai were restricted to 159/7.

Mumbai Indians’ struggles persist, with just two wins in nine matches, leaving them on four points, while CSK moved up to eight points from nine games.

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Joel Embiid’s Message to 76ers’ Fans Ahead Of Knicks’ Series: ‘If You Need Money, I’ve Got You.’

Philadelphia 76ers v Boston Celtics - Game Five

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 28: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter in Game Five of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoff at TD Garden on April 28, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Two years ago during the NBA playoffs, Knicks fans took over Wells Fargo Center to the point that it felt like “Madison Square Garden South" to the 76ers.

With the teams poised to renew acquaintances in the Eastern Conference semifinals beginning Monday, Joel Embiid does not want history to repeat itself after the Knicks won that dramatic 2024 series in six games.

The Sixers’ star warned fans not to sell their tickets and even offered to pay for them to insure a homecourt atmosphere for games at the arena, now called Xfinity Mobile Arena.

“I have a message for our fans," Embiid said after putting up 34 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists as the 76ers completed a comeback from 3-1 down to beat the Boston Celtics, 109-100, in Game 7 at TD Garden. "Last time we played the Knicks, it felt like (Philly) was Madison Square Garden East. We’re gonna need the support.

"Don’t sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you guys. The atmosphere you guys created in the last two games, especially in (Game 6), we need all of it. Knicks fans travel; they buy tickets. There’s gonna be people who will sell the tickets because they need the money. Don’t do it, we need you guys. We need the support, and we need them to be extremely loud. If you need money, I’ve got you.”

The No. 3 Knicks will have homecourt advantage against the No. 7 Sixers, with Games 1 (Monday) and 2 (Wednesday) at Madison Square Garden and Games 3 (Friday) and 4 (Sunday) in Philadelphia.

A potential Game 7 would be May 17 at the Garden.

Embiid had been 0-3 in Game 7s in his career, but said before Game 7 against the Celtics he was “tired of losing” to them.

“I’ve been playing these guys for so long,” Embiid said. “I’m tired of losing to them. So we have a chance to accomplish something special. They’re a great team. You look at everything they have. That’s a super team. We just gotta go in with the mindset that we’ve had for the last two games. One play at a time. Tough environment, but we’ve been there. We won two games over there.”

With Jayson Tatum (left leg injury) a late scratch, the 76ers became the first No. 7 seed in the East to defeat a No. 2 seed since the first round expanded to best-of-seven in 2003. They are also the 14th team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 deficit to win a series.

Now comes a rematch with the Knicks, with a berth in the Eastern Conference Finals on the line.

The teams split the season series 2-2.

In the 2024 playoffs, Knicks fans took over Wells Fargo and dominated the arena.

In Game 4, Knicks fans who made the two-hour drive down I-95 chanted “MVP” as Jalen Brunson poured in a franchise-record 47 points with 10 assists in a 97-92 victory.

They chanted “F--- Embiid” at the Sixers’ star and poured out into the concourses after the game and chanted “Knicks in five!”

“They’re for real,” Jalen Brunson told reporters of the fans. “No matter where we are, they’re gonna be there. So I’m appreciative and a lot of situations (this season) wouldn’t be done without them.”

Embiid wasn’t happy about it.

“Disappointing. I love our fans,” Embiid told reporters. “Think it’s unfortunate and I’m not calling them out, but it is disappointing.

“Obviously you got a lot of Knicks fans and they’re down the road and I’ve never seen it, and I’ve been here for 10 years. Yeah, it kind of pisses me off, especially because Philly is considered a sports town. They’ve always shown up and I don’t think that should happen. Yeah. It’s not okay.”

In 2024, Tyrese Maxey saved the Sixers from elimination in Game 5 at the Garden with a 46-point outing. But the Knicks closed out Game 6 on the road behind Brunson’s 41 points and 12 assists

After the series-clinching win, Knicks fans crowded near New York’s tunnel after the game and held their phones high to capture video of their favorite team headed to the locker room.

“Was it hostile?” then-Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau joked when asked about the atmosphere.

With the teams set to meet again starting this week, Embiid is doing all he can to avoid a hostile crowd on his homecourt.

(The AP contributed reporting.)

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

2026 NFL Draft: CBS Sports roundtable praise Jets' early picks

The New York Jets and their early slew of picks at the 2026 NFL Draft earned praise in a CBS Sports roundtable following the draft.

While the Jets did make three first-round selections, the second-round selection of cornerback D'Angelo Ponds was the standout one in the discussion. His all-around abilities in the secondary were called a strong fit for the Jets' defense.

CBS Sports' roundtable can be found below:

"I love what the Jets have done in two days. I think [D'Angelo Ponds] is the best football player pound-for pound."@BMac_SportsTalkpic.twitter.com/GWM3N1KNJl

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) April 25, 2026

This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: CBS Sports roundtable praise Jets' early picks

Kentucky Wildcats News: Golden Tempo wins the Kentucky Derby

Golden Tempo, ridden by Jose L Ortiz, wins the 2026 Kentucky Derby. May 2, 2026 | Scott Utterback/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Good morning, BBN!

It was a wild race for the Kentucky Derby this year as we saw Golden Tempo come from the back of the pack down the home stretch to pull off an upset win over the heavy favorite this week in Mike Repole’s horse, Renegade.

Alongside an impressive win for Goldn Tempo, it also marks the first Derby win for jockey, Jose Ortiz, as well as the first female trainer to win a Kentucky Derby in Cherie DeVaux.

In sports, we love upsets, and this is exactly what this race produced. What a win, what a comeback, what a win.

It is very hard in any situation to make history in something that has been going on for so long. Well, we all got to witness history tonight in the 152nd Kentucky Derby.

Until next year, Churchill Downs.

Tweet of the Day

Golden Tempo found another gear and OWNED the moment! 🏆

📺: The 152nd Kentucky Derby on NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/71vFNQhAqX

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 2, 2026

What a comeback.

Headlines

Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby, giving trainer Cherie DeVaux historic victory – The Athletic

Golden Tempo was a 23-1 long shot at post time.

Kentucky goes deep four times, run-rules Vols to claim series- KSR

A much-needed win for UK Baseball.

Kentucky Softball Draws Mississippi State in Opening Round of SEC Tournament – UK

The action begins Tuesday afternoon!

4-star Ohio OL schedules Kentucky official visit- Cats Pause

Can Will Stein stay hot?

Nick Mingione provides injury updates for UK baseball – Cats Pause

Kentucky has been hit hard with injuries this season.

TTU’s Brendan Sorsby hires attorney to seek to regain NCAA eligibility- ESPN

This is going to be an interesting story to follow.

Ranking College Football’s toughest schedules in 2026- CBS

The SEC dominates this list once again.

Furyk chooses Leonard, Cink as Ryder Cup assistant captains- ESPN

We have the Vice Captains for next year’s Ryder Cup.

Wrexham to be stronger and better next term - Flynn

Former Wrexham player and manager Brian Flynn
[Getty Images]

Former Wrexham player and manager Brian Flynn believes the Red Dragons will bolster their ranks in the summer to ensure they are "stronger and better" in 2026-27.

Phil Parkinson's men narrowly missed out on the Championship play-offs as they were pipped to sixth spot by Hull City on the final day of the 2025-26 regular season.

Nevertheless, Wrexham secured their highest-ever league finish, and Flynn believes his former club will only improve next term.

"I think they need at least three or four players. Is that a major overhaul? I don't think so," he told BBC Radio Wales Sport.

"He does like employing strikers, that's for certain, Phil does do that.

"In all other areas of the pitch, I think they're well served.

"They've got players like [Dom] Hyam, he's been excellent all season. He's been a really good signing.

"Players like Ollie Rathbone have come up with important goals, Josh Windass is a Championship player, so they will definitely come back stronger and better next season, without a shadow of a doubt."

The Red Dragons signed off their season with an exciting 2-2 draw against Middlesbrough at Stok Cae Ras.

After Tommy Conway had given Boro an early lead, Wrexham went 2-1 up thanks to Josh Windass' stunning free-kick and Sam Smith's bullet header.

But Kim Hellberg's men - who take on Southampton in the play-off semi-finals - earned a point thanks to David Strelec's goal shortly after Smith had given the home side the lead.

"It was two really good teams," Flynn said of the contest in north Wales.

"After the early goal, I was really impressed with the way Wrexham shrugged off the disappointment of conceding so soon.

"The passing and movement was quick, they were a threat.

"It was a good advert for the Championship. Unfortunately, Kieffer [Moore], Josh Windass' chance as well, if you wanted the ball to fall to anyone on the edge of the box, you'd back Josh, but unfortunately it wasn't to be."

How Portland Trail Blazers could actually land Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis Antetokounmpo IMAGN 03302026

How Portland Trail Blazers could actually land Giannis Antetokounmpo originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Portland Trail Blazers did not make a first-round pick in this year's draft. They finished 42-40 and made the playoffs, which conveyed their lottery-protected pick to Chicago. Multiple league sources told NBA insider Jake Fischer that they are expected to emerge as a prime trade suitor for Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer.

There is actually a reason it makes sense.

What Portland holds is what Milwaukee actually wants

As part of the Damian Lillard trade, the Blazers control the Bucks' first-round picks in 2028, 2029, and 2030. For Milwaukee, getting those picks back would be the most valuable asset in any Giannis deal. That leverage gives Portland a seat at a table most rebuilding teams would not earn on their own.

Fischer, writing in The Stein Line on Substack, said new owner Tom Dundon's first NBA offseason will be shaped by this pursuit.

During his introductory news conference, Dundon said he plans to be "more aggressive than most" when chasing star talent, and that has not come across as empty talk.

Blazers GM Joe Cronin said a similar thing, telling reporters the team is open to a major move but only "at the right price point," per multiple reports.

Any trade package built around Antetokounmpo would likely include Jerami Grant's contract, valued at $34.2 million next season before a $36.4 million player option in 2027-28. But Giannis is carrying a $58.5 million salary, so additional salary matching through a multi-team structure is almost certainly required.

Portland engaged in trade conversations with Milwaukee as recently as the week before February's trade deadline, before various teams ultimately concluded the Bucks were not ready to move him.

The real obstacle is what Antetokounmpo wants. Per Fischer, Portland may not rank high on his preferred destination list.

More NBA news:

Haway The Podcast | Sunday Supplement | James Copley On Hair Styles, Red Cards And Safety

Welcome to Haway The Podcast for our Sunday Supplement show, in which Chris and Martin are joined by The Sunderland Echo’s James Copley to discuss all of the drama from Molineux.

On today’s show:

  • Let’s talk hairstyles…
  • Did Ballard deserve to see red? By the letter of the law, yes – but come on… it’s ridiculous
  • A good point in the end which seals mathematically safety
  • Who were the players who stood out?
  • Should Wolves’ goal have stood?

All this and more! Get subscribed to Haway The Podcast so you never miss another episode of our free daily show.

Want to get in touch with us? You can drop us an email at HawayThePodcastSAFC@Gmail.com, or you can contact us via social media – we’re @RokerReport on almost every platform. For your daily SAFC fan-written content, head over toRokerReport.SBNation.com

Win 'massive' for Dundee but relegation play-off fight not over yet - Westley

Dundee striker Joe Westley says their 1-0 win over St Mirren was "massive" but insists no one will think their Premiership status is secure until it is "mathematically done".

Westley's early strike proved decisive as they edged out the Paisley side at Dens Park on Saturday.

The result leaves Dundee six points clear of the relegation play-off spot, which is now occupied by St Mirren following Kilmarnock's win against Dundee United.

The Dark Blues now have three games to play, starting with a home date against relegated Livingston next weekend where they can secure their Premiership status with a victory.

"We are not safe until it is mathematically done so we need to keep focussed and make sure that come next week we put ourselves safe," Westley said.

"It is a massive win, we had to defend resolutely, St Mirren caused us some problems with their overloads in midfield and we had to adapt in the game but we got the goal and I think we defended really well to see out the game and it is a massive three points in our season."

"Wins breed confidence and we have to take confidence from the good things."

Jason Kelce Reveals What Eagles Rookie Uar Bernard Must Show to Become Next Jordan Mailata

November 11, 2024, Inglewood, California, USA: Jason Kelce does commentary at the regular NFL, American Football Herren, USA season game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Miami Dolphins on Monday November 11, 2024 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. JAVIER ROJAS/PI Inglewood USA - ZUMAp124 20241111_zaa_p124_014 Copyright: xJavierxRojasx ©IMAGO/ZUMA Press Wire
November 11, 2024, Inglewood, California, USA: Jason Kelce does commentary at the regular NFL, American Football Herren, USA season game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Miami Dolphins on Monday November 11, 2024 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. JAVIER ROJAS/PI Inglewood USA - ZUMAp124 20241111_zaa_p124_014 Copyright: xJavierxRojasx ©IMAGO/ZUMA Press Wire

Back in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles took a low-risk gamble by drafting Jordan Mailata in the seventh round. At the time, Mailata was a former Australian Rugby player who had never played American football. Still, the Eagles trusted his rare 6’8”, 365-pound frame and were willing to develop him. Eight years later, Mailata ranks among the NFL’s top offensive tackles. Now, the Eagles are hoping to recreate that success with their 2026 international draftee, Uar Bernard. But it’s not that easy.

Uar Bernard, a 6’4”, 306 lbs mystery prospect, put himself on the NFL’s radar through the NFL’s International Player Pathway program. In the athletic testing, Bernard recorded a 39-inch vertical, a 10’10” broad jump, a 4.63-second 40-yard dash, and 31 bench press reps. NFL analysts even labelled him a ‘freak athlete’ and compared him to NFL star Myles Garrett. But former Eagles centre Jason Kelce thinks that the rookie still needs to fix some issues to become the next Mailata.

“There’s a lot on this kid’s shoulders because of what happened with Jordan Malaita, right?” Jason Kelce said in the latest episode of the New Heights podcast. “To get a guy with this much physical talent in the seventh round is incredible. But he’s never played the game. There’s a level of stiffness, the change of direction, and the agility that he’s going to have to develop. If he can learn to play with great pad level, work on changing direction more efficiently, and use his hands, if this all pans out, you could have an incredibly high player with a high ceiling. Those are a lot of ifs.”

Bernard’s performance in the rookie minicamp is already getting a hot-and-cold reaction from the community. He needed help to put on his helmet, but he burst out of a stance quickly during a drill. The Eagles know they made a gamble here, and GM Howie Roseman admitted that his growth will “take a lot of time.” This will be the reality for Bernard and the team for the immediate future.

Growing up in Nigeria, he focused on basketball and soccer and had little infrastructure to support a professional athletic career. It was only a few years ago that Bernard transitioned into playing football, but not in an organized setting. Eventually, he developed into a player with the body of a great footballer, but his mechanics need tuning.

Credits: via @uar_benard on Instagram
Credits: via @uar_benard on Instagram

“He’s just not used to moving like a football player,” Travis Kelce added. “He can get going straight, but he’s just got to put in a lot of work, and it’s a different type of skill set, man. There’s an understanding of the game to have the savviness to play the game within the game, that is. He’s definitely a developmental guy.”

Mailata’s own NFL journey proves that the Eagles understand what they need to do with developmental prospects. They took their time to develop Mailata, who didn’t play a regular-season snap until his third year. But since then, Mailata has appeared in 90 games and even helped the Eagles in a Super Bowl win. Today, he is earning $22 million a year. The Eagles have no option but to take a similarly patient approach with Bernard. However, the onus is also on him to live up to what is being demanded from him.

Uar Bernard should show that he deserves to be here

“For every Jordan Mailata it works out with, there are guys that it doesn’t work out with,” Jason said, bringing in the other side of this story. “I remember Brock Lesnar got brought into a camp one year with the Minnesota Vikings, and he was there for like maybe one or two preseason games. I mean, he is a physical specimen. [But] you also have to have the knowledge of the game, the desire, and the love of the game. Especially if you’re going to be playing in the trenches, you’ve got to want it.”

Like Bernard, Lesnar came to the NFL with no formal football experience. But he was a specimen as well, and had competed in the WWE. At the 2004 NFL Combine, Lesnar then recorded a 4.7-second 40-yard dash, 35-inch vertical, a 10’ broad jump, and 31 reps on the bench press, which impressed many scouts. But he went undrafted due to concerns over his groin injury. The Minnesota Vikings still signed Lesnar as an undrafted free agent, but cut him before the regular season, and that was the end of his NFL career.

The league has changed a lot since then, and the Eagles have thought this situation through before offering that contract to Bernard. But if he doesn’t deliver what is expected of him in the next few years, things will become tricky for him, too. Right now, what Bernard needs to focus on is development and dedication towards earning a starting spot someday in the near future.

“It’s a dream come true for me because I’ve worked hard for this,” Bernard told reporters after being drafted. “I’ve not played football, but I’ve gone through some drills that made me believe that I’m going to get better every day.”

Ultimately, Bernard’s developmental path won’t be easy. He must work on his fundamentals from scratch, refine his technique, and adapt to the NFL speed. But if he commits fully to football, like Mailata once did, the rookie could turn this opportunity into something special.

The post Jason Kelce Reveals What Eagles Rookie Uar Bernard Must Show to Become Next Jordan Mailata appeared first on EssentiallySports. Add EssentiallySports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Former Wisconsin wide receiver named best undrafted free agent

Former Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Vinny Anthony II was recently named one of On SI's favorite undrafted free agents.

Justin Melo comprised a list with three WRs that kicked off with the Atlanta Falcons newest signing. Anthony, who enjoyed a four-year career in Madison, recorded 80 receptions for 1,162 yards and five touchdowns.

"The Atlanta Falcons signed former Wisconsin wide receiver Vinny Anthony II, who also brings some special teams upside," Melo wrote. "He led the Badgers in receptions with 31, but more impressively, he ranked fifth in the FBS with 27.9 yards per kick return (16-446, TD)."

He continued, "The Falcons drafted a receiver in Zachariah Branch, which makes the pathway tougher here, but special teams upside increases his chances."

He may have only had one kick return touchdown in his career, but each year he kept getting better on special teams. In 2022 he returned just one kick for 22 yards but increased that total to 446 yards during his senior season. Most notably, he had a 95-yard kick return. Oddly enough, he returned just 16 punts in Madison.

The Falcons aren't known for having a top quarterback in the NFL, but Anthony still has a chance of making their roster. At 6-foot, 190-pounds, Badgers fans will be looking on as Anthony is one of their UDFA's with the highest probabliity of making an impact in the NFL.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.

This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Former Wisconsin WR Vinny Anthony named best undrafted free agent

Bengals News (5/3): Cincinnati poised for Seahawks-like run in 2026?

Oct 8, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Myles Murphy (99) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Bengals News

Quick Hits | Once And Future Teammates Endorse Bengals’ High Hopes For Fourth-Rounders Connor Lew, Colbie Young

If you want to know, just go to the offensive line.

Bengals’ familiar and trusted source delivered the best kind of endorsement for top draft pick Cashius Howell

Cincinnati Bengals second-round draft pick Cashius Howell is stepping into a locker room of great players, and his former strength and conditioning coach sees that same greatness in him.

What the NFL is Saying About Bengals’ Top Two Draft Picks

The Bengals added several high-upside players.

Bengals can’t resist freakish CB prospect in way-too-early 2027 mock draft

Recent history suggests this sounds about right.

Bengals cap space, depth chart will prevent most trades for now

Don’t look for the Cincinnati Bengals to pull off another big trade right now. 

Dexter Lawrence addition proves Bengals have new mindset

On Monday, Cincinnati Bengals de facto general manager Duke Tobin said no two offseasons are alike.

NFL News

Five teams that could make a Seahawks-like surprise run to Super Bowl LXI

By the time it happened, the Seattle Seahawks’ win in Super Bowl LX was hardly shocking.

Deshaun Watson ahead of Shedeur Sanders as front-runner for Browns’ starting quarterback job, per report

Watson, Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green populate the Cleveland quarterback room

Texans sign Pro Bowl LB Azeez Al-Shaair to 3-year extension that’ll keep him in Houston through 2029

Pro Bowl linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair will remain with the Houston Texans through the 2029 season after signing a three-year extension this week.

Dawand Jones agrees to revised contract with Browns

Offensive tackle Dawand Jones and the Browns have come to agreement on a revised contract for the 2026 season.

‘Made History For My People’ – Avazbek Kholmirzaev Details His Crowning Moment At ONE SAMURAI 1

Avazbek “Ninzya” Kholmirzaev has written his name into the history books in the most emphatic fashion imaginable.

The Uzbek finisher stopped former titleholder Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu with a devastating spinning back elbow in the second round to claim the ONE Flyweight MMA World Championship at ONE SAMURAI 1, which aired live on Wednesday, April 29, from the iconic Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.

From the opening bell, both men came out with explosive intent, trading fast and furious exchanges as each looked to impose his will and seize absolute control of the contest. The pace was relentless, the action was unforgiving, and the partisan Japanese crowd inside the Ariake Arena was treated to absolute fireworks.

Then, at 4:53 of the second round, Kholmirzaev unleashed a spinning back elbow that landed flush, sending Wakamatsu crashing to the canvas. The referee had seen enough and immediately waved off the fight. The spectacular finish marked Kholmirzaev’s 15th career stoppage and his 10th promotional victory.

“Ninzya” had predicted from the outset that the fight would not survive the full 25 minutes, and the way both men approached the contest proved his point emphatically.

He said:

“We actually predicted before the match that it wouldn’t go the full five rounds because we both prefer a striking style. We were prepared for five, but I was confident it would end sooner.” 

What made the finish all the more remarkable was the severe physical toll the opening round had taken on both fighters. The intensity of the first stanza drained energy from both men at a ferocious rate, and Kholmirzaev admits the second round was as much a test of pure will as it was of skill.

He felt his own gas tank emptying but sensed the exact same was happening to Wakamatsu, and backed himself to be the last man standing.

Kholmirzaev said:

“We did lose a massive amount of energy, especially after the first round. By the second, I was thinking that my opponent or I would definitely be knocked out by the third round.” 

Kholmirzaev Makes History For Uzbekistan

The magnitude of what Avazbek Kholmirzaev achieved on April 29 extends far beyond a single fight or a beautifully timed knockout.

With the victory, he became the first-ever Uzbek mixed martial arts World Champion in ONE Championship history, permanently etching his name into the record books and carrying the pride of an entire nation on his shoulders.

Kholmirzaev said:

“I am very happy for myself and for Uzbekistan. This is a huge moment in history. ONE Championship is one of the most prestigious leagues in the world, and I am proud to be the one to bring this belt to Uzbekistan for the first time. I’ve made history for my people.”

The flyweight MMA division is bursting with hungry young talent and experienced veterans, and Wakamatsu could very well earn a rematch after his impressive run. But regardless of who steps forward as the next challenger, Kholmirzaev has made his intentions crystal clear.

The new divisional king plans to establish a long, dominant reign atop the flyweight MMA ranks and has zero intention of relinquishing his hard-earned gold anytime soon.

He concluded:

“I don’t plan on giving this ONE Championship belt to anyone else.”

Source

'He deserves everything he's got' - Killie captain Deas pays tribute to Curtis

Kilmarnock captain Robbie Deas paid tribute to the impact of teenager Findlay Curtis after the youngster's stunning goal helped the Ayrshire side to a crucial victory over Dundee United.

The Rangers loanee scored the second goal in a 3-0 win at Rugby Park which lifted Killie above St Mirren and out of the relegation playoff spot, and consigned Livingston to the drop.

With Scotland head coach Steve Clarke watching from the stands, the 19-year-old winger played the first half out of position at right-back before grabbing his goal when moved further up the pitch after the break.

"Fin's a fantastic lad," Deas told BBC Scotland.

"He comes in, he works so hard and he fits in so well. He deserves everything he's got. I'm delighted for him.

"He's got his [Scotland] call-up and his debut, but he knows himself that he still needs to work hard. You can see that today."

Curtis made his international bow in the last international window, coming on as a second-half substitute against Japan to play on the left wing.

During the first half of the season, while still at Rangers, he played at both wing-back and as an attacking midfielder.

"He's playing different positions, I don't know how many positions he's played today, but he's more than capable of it. He's a very level-headed guy.

"I'm absolutely delighted for him and I hope he keeps it up."

How to watch Blue Jays vs. Twins on Peacock: TV/streaming info, schedule, preview, starting pitchers

The inaugural Sunday Leadoff on Peacock in 2026 will feature the defending American League champion Toronto Blue Jays and the hosting Minnesota Twins — two teams that started the year on different paths and have begun to both trend towards .500.

It's the final game of a four-game series with Toronto having won two of the first three games. The Blue Jays are coming off a 4-2 homestand against the Guardians and Red Sox and have climbed from a 7-13 start to 16-17.

The Twins had lost 11 of 13 heading into this weekend series, being swept by the Rays and Reds as well as dropping two of three to the Mariners and Mets. They enter play on Sunday at 14-20.

The Jays are still six games back of the Yankees, who are off with the best record in the American League as of Saturday night.

Minnesota won the American League Central in three of the past eight seasons, but has finished fourth in the five-team division in each of the last two years and are trending in that direction again after a surprising 11-7 start. The Twins took two of three from the Jays in Toronto from April 10-12, and the Jays are now looking for a little revenge.

Sunday's probable starters are right-hander Trey Yesavage for the Blue Jays and right-hander Joe Ryan for the Twins.

See below for additional information on how to watch the Twins vs. Blue Jays and a breakdown of the game. Also check out the schedule for the MLB on NBC and Peacock. There will be 27 prime-time MLB games featured across NBC, Peacock and NBCSN in 2026. NBC Sports will also stream one out-of-market game each day of the 2026 MLB season nationally on Peacock.

Click here to sign up for Peacock!


How to watch Toronto Blue Jays vs. Minnesota Twins:

  • When: Sunday, May 3
  • Where: Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Time: 12 p.m. ET (12:35 p.m. first pitch)
  • Live Stream: Peacock
  • TV: NBCSN

Who are the announcers for Blue Jays-Twins?

Matt Vasgersian will provide play-by-play alongside analysts Dexter Fowler (a former All-Star for the Cubs in 2016 and MLB Leadoff package analyst) and Justin Morneau (a Twins television analyst and former MVP winner in 2006 for the Twins) in the booth.


Toronto Blue Jays vs. Minnesota Twins preview:

While the Twins may be cold, nobody on the team is hotter than Brooks Lee, who had hit .292/.361/.554 over his last 72 plate appearances heading into this series against the Jays after a .162/.219/.167 start to the year. Lee had a go-ahead single against the Tigers off the bench on April 9 that seems to have sparked a better stretch of hitting.

While he's almost exclusively being used against left-handed starters, Minnesota's batting leader in baseball-reference WAR coming into the series was Austin Martin, who is hitting .357/.471/.429 against right-handers despite only 33 plate appearances against them so far this year.

Minnesota's front three of their rotation has been outstanding despite the absence of Pablo López to UCL surgery in Spring Training. Ryan, Taj Bradley, and Bailey Ober were each carrying a sub-4 ERA heading into this series and have struck out 112 batters in 117 1/3rd innings pitched.

Minnesota's offensive profile is on-base percentage heavy, as they ranked in the top-10 in team on-base percentage (.327) entering the series and were in the top five in baseball in runners left on base (233) despite the efforts of Byron Buxton (ten homers) and Ryan Jeffers (..287/.394/.471, four homers) early in the season.

Minnesota's pitching staff has done a great job of limiting homers, entering the series tied for the lowest homers allowed/nine innings among all pitching staffs at 0.8.

Not that anyone is surprised by this, but Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is hitting the cover off the ball early with an MLB-leading .358 average entering this series. He leads the team in hitting WAR despite only two homers.

After a slow start to his introduction to MLB pitching, offseason addition Kazuma Okamoto has turned it on of late, hitting .278/.361/.630 with six homers over Toronto's past 15 games. It's vital for the Jays to get the rest of the lineup heated up as they try to climb out of their slow start.

Perhaps the return of George Springer will help things. Springer fractured a toe earlier in the season and just recently returned. He was only hitting ..212/.307/364 as of Saturday night, but he's coming off a .309/.399/.560 2025 season and should be able to get closer to the latter than the former.

Despite heavy investments in their pitching this offseason, Toronto's team ERA heading into this series was 4.20 — a little above the 4.16 league-average ERA. The return of Yesavage should help, while injuries to stalwarts like Jose Berrios and Shane Bieber has had them relying on depth quite a bit more than expected early on.


How to watch MLB on NBC and Peacock:

Sunday Night Baseball will make its debut March 29 with the Guardians vs. Mariners. The 18-game MLB Sunday Leadoff schedule will begin May 3, with the defending AL champion Toronto Blue Jays visiting the Twins in Minnesota. On Sunday, July 5, all 15 MLB games will be presented nationally across Peacock and NBC as part of a special all-day “Star-Spangled Sunday” showcase.

NBC Sports will also stream one out-of-market game each day of the 2026 MLB season nationally on Peacock. Telemundo Deportes will present all NBCUniversal-produced MLB games in Spanish, with Universo televising all games broadcast on NBC.

MLB: World Series-Los Angeles Dodgers at Toronto Blue Jays
From an MLB Opening Day doubleheader on March 26 to the Wild Card round of the playoffs, NBC Sports’ 2026 schedule delivers wall-to-wall coverage.
  • DJShortBW.jpg D.J. Short
    ,

How to sign up for Peacock:

Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You'll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC and Bravo hits for whatever suits your mood.

MLB on NBC 2026 schedule:

Click here to see the full list of MLB games that will air on NBC and Peacock this season.

What devices does Peacock support?

You can enjoy Peacock on a variety of devices. View the full list of supported devices here.

Maddi Gordon Joins 340 Club at NHRA Southern Nationals

person in a racing vehicle wearing a brand cap
Gordon Joins 340 Club at NHRA Southern Nationals NHRA

Despite being limited to three qualifying rounds due to rain, Top Fuel drivers produced one of the fastest sessions in the history of that class during preparations for the NHRA Southern Nationals at South Georgia Motorsports Park.

Three drivers exceeded 340 mph on Saturday in the third and final qualifying session that didn’t begin until about 5:40 p.m. due to rain. The heavy rain turned the parking areas into a muddy quagmire and delayed the opening of the gates to fans until noon. Even NHRA President Glen Cromwell helped direct traffic onto the property.

The fans attending the NHRA’s debut at the facility were treated to Doug Kalitta bumping Kalitta Motorsports teammate Shawn Langdon from the No. 1 position with a 3.657 e.t., the quickest Top Fuel run this season. His speed was 342.37 mph. Langdon’s 345 mph on Friday remained the fastest in Top Fuel history, but he backed it up with a 344.91 mph run on Saturday evening. His 3.683 e.t. placed him second in the qualifying order. Top Fuel rookie Maddi Gordon became the second woman to go 340 mph. She recorded a run of 340.05 mph, 3.748 e.t. That placed her fourth in the qualifying order.

“It left and it was quivering the tire,” Kalitta said after claiming his first number one qualifying position this season and the 67thof his career. “Then it just kind of cleared up and just hauled butt. I could tell it was running strong and running hard.”

Ironically, Kalitta achieved the No. 1 position without the presence of crew chief Alan Johnson, who was communicating from his home with co-crew chief Mac Savage. Kalitta noted that Johnson could tune his car “from wherever.”

“He’s very focused on what he’s doing,” Kalitta continued. “He and Mac have a handle on this thing.”

Kalitta said he didn’t ask Johnson why he stayed home.

“I figured if he really wanted me to know, he’d have said something,” Kalitta added.

topfuel dragster preparing for a race
Doug Kalitta bumped Kalitta Motorsports teammate Shawn Langdon from the No. 1 position.NHRA

Kalitta Motorsports’ qualifying domination wasn’t confined to Top Fuel. J.R. Todd, the organization’s lone Funny Car entry, also walked off with the No. 1 position. It was his second No. 1 this year, his second in three races and the 16th of his career. Todd’s 3.887 e.t., 339.28 mph that he recorded Friday afternoon held up during Saturday’s session when problems were reported with the left lane.

“This last session, I heard the rubber was peeling up, which is not uncommon after it rains,” Todd said. “I heard the starting line is kind of beat up, kind of worn out. So, when it’s like that, I think it’s hard to get the rubber to adhere to it when it doesn’t rain. Then the rain just makes it that much worse.”

Pro Stock top qualifier Greg Anderson called the left lane a “tougher challenge” after claiming his fourth consecutive No. 1 starting position this season and the 144th of his career.

“Two cars made (it down the track) in the left and one car made it in the right,” said Anderson, who posted a 6.498 e.t., 210.6 mph. “They’re both a challenge right now. Obviously, some of the rubber got wiped away with the rain, and that’ll come back tomorrow (Sunday).”

drag racing car ready for a competition
J.R. Todd stayed atop the field and earned his second No. 1 qualifier in the past three races.NHRA

Sunday's first-round pairings for eliminations for the 41st annual NHRA Southern Nationals at South Georgia Motorsports Park, the fifth of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.

Top Fuel -- 1. Doug Kalitta, 3.657 seconds, 342.37 mph vs. Bye; 2. Shawn Langdon, 3.683, 345.00 vs. 15. Cameron Ferre, 11.927, 57.72; 3. Billy Torrence, 3.710, 338.00 vs. 14. Dan Mercier, 6.749, 100.28; 4. Maddi Gordon, 3.748, 340.05 vs. 13. Will Smith, 5.441, 124.48; 5. Tony Stewart, 3.758, 334.40 vs. 12. Justin Ashley, 4.250, 198.82; 6. Clay Millican, 3.767, 338.00 vs. 11. Tony Schumacher, 4.030, 236.84; 7. Shawn Reed, 3.783, 329.50 vs. 10. Antron Brown, 3.896, 316.97; 8. Leah Pruett, 3.804, 331.69 vs. 9. Josh Hart, 3.855, 275.22.

Funny Car -- 1. J.R. Todd, Toyota GR Supra, 3.887, 339.28 vs. 14. Daniel Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 6.468, 134.58; 2. Chad Green, Mustang, 3.894, 323.89 vs. 13. Ron Capps, GR Supra, 4.399, 200.08; 3. Jordan Vandergriff, Chevy Camaro, 3.924, 325.14 vs. 12. Jeff Arend, Dodge Charger, 4.035, 311.41; 4. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.933, 328.78 vs. 11. Jack Beckman, Camaro, 3.973, 326.24; 5. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.948, 316.23 vs. 10. Alexis DeJoria, Camaro, 3.968, 326.63; 6. Austin Prock, Mustang, 3.956, 331.94 vs. 9. Spencer Hyde, Mustang, 3.963, 322.42; 7. Hunter Green, Charger, 3.958, 322.65 vs. 8. Dave Richards, Mustang, 3.959, 334.57.

Pro Stock -- 1. Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.498, 210.73 vs. 16. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 11.959, 104.63; 2. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.508, 209.75 vs. 15. Erica Enders, Camaro, 11.141, 80.93; 3. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.525, 210.60 vs. 14. Shane Tucker, Camaro, 6.731, 209.26; 4. Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.526, 210.50 vs. 13. Matt Latino, Camaro, 6.604, 201.64; 5. Cody Coughlin, Camaro, 6.527, 210.50 vs. 12. Brandon Miller, Dodge Dart, 6.600, 209.17; 6. Cody Anderson, Camaro, 6.536, 210.05 vs. 11. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.591, 208.84; 7. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.544, 219.86 vs. 10. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.585, 209.88; 8. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.547, 210.57 vs. 9. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.569, 210.47.

Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.699, 203.03 vs. Bye; 2. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.705, 202.30 vs. 15. Charles Poskey, Suzuki, 7.005, 194.13; 3. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.730, 201.61 vs. 14. Geno Scali, Suzuki, 6.842, 198.82; 4. John Hall, Beull, 6.734, 202.88 vs. 13. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.837, 193.90; 5. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.757, 200.65 vs. 12. Brayden Davis, Buell, 6.830, 198.93; 6. Clayton Howey, Suzuki, 6.775, 200.53 vs. 11. Ryan Oehler, Buell, 6.828, 197.19; 7. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.778, 200.29 vs. 10. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.815, 199.32; 8. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.778, 199.70 vs. 9. Marc Ingwersen, Buell, 6.806, 198.58.

Arteta admits he may have made wrong decision on Lewis-Skelly

Arteta admits he may have made wrong decision on Lewis-Skelly
Arteta admits he may have made wrong decision on Lewis-Skelly

Mikel Arteta has admitted he perhaps should have played Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield sooner, adding that the teenager more than earned Saturday’s opportunity.

Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images

Myles Lewis-Skelly started in midfield for Arsenal against Fulham on Saturday, playing a very positive role in what turned out to be a 3-0 win for the team.

Lewis-Skelly has almost exclusively played as a left-back during his senior career for Arsenal so far, but he was almost always a midfielder during his youth career.

This was a chance to prove he offers something in the middle in the senior game, and it’s a chance the player grasped with both hands.

Speaking afterwards, Mikel Arteta admitted Lewis-Skelly has worked hard to get this opportunity.

Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images

“He fully deserves it,” Arteta said. “I’ve been tough on him. He had a spectacular season last year when he jumped into the first team.

“He had some difficult moments after that, but he stayed very humble, very focused, very aligned with what we wanted to do, and I knew he was ready.

“He’s been showing in training every day the opportunities that he had to play. He’s done it and today he really stepped up and I thought he had an incredible performance.”

Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

As for why Arteta didn’t start Lewis-Skelly in midfield sooner, the Arsenal manager suggested he probably should have.

“Because probably I don’t have a clue and maybe I should have done it earlier, I don’t know!” Arteta answered. “But I have to do things when I believe that the player is ready, the team is ready and the opponent is the right one to play with him in that position.

“We’ve done it today, it’s the first time. It was a big risk because I knew what was going to happen, if he wasn’t this great, we would have lost the game. ‘How do you play a kid at this age, in this scenario, in a position that he hasn’t played all season?’

“I knew that but I had the feeling that it was the right game for him.”

Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

In Arteta’s defence, Saturday wasn’t actually the first time he’d tried to start Lewis-Skelly in midfield.

Back in February, he selected Lewis-Skelly in midfield with Riccardo Calafiori at left-back for the FA Cup game against Wigan Athletic, only for Calafiori to have to pull out with an injury and Lewis-Skelly to take his place in the defence.

If things had gone differently that day, perhaps we would have seen the Arsenal academy graduate in midfield on a more regular basis in recent months. But that’s not how it turned out, and Arteta opted not to take the risk again until this weekend.

Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Lewis-Skelly’s future remains somewhat uncertain, with Sam Dean reporting for The Telegraph that there are “serious doubts” over him staying, particularly given the financial incentive to sell a player who represents “pure profit” in accounting terms.

But if the young midfielder plays like he did on Saturday, it’s hard to justify letting him go, regardless of the money it might bring in.

Have your say on Still's Watford departure

Watford Have your say banner
[BBC]

So, Hornets fans, Ed Still's brief stint at the helm at Vicarage Road is over, less than three months after he arrived.

Do you think it was the right decision for the board to part ways? Five straight defeats, and the manner of them, to end the campaign surely made things pretty untenable?

Who would you like to see take over in the hottest hot seat in English football? Do you think there are enough quality players at the club to launch a play-off push next season? Who is key to your hopes for a brighter future?

Click here to have your say.

Draft analyst has surprising name for Commanders' best value pick

The Washington Commanders had only six picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Washington traded its second- and fourth-round selections in the 2026 draft last March for left tackle Laremy Tunsil. Even though it's only been one season, that was a terrific trade for the Commanders, who recently signed Tunsil to a record-setting extension after an excellent 2025 season.

The Commanders did not make any draft-day trades, drafting six players, led by Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 7 overall. Most analysts liked Washington's draft, even though it had only two selections in the first 146 picks.

NFL draft analyst Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports recently ranked every 2026 NFL Draft class. He gave Washington a B+. He really liked Washington's selection of Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams at No. 71 overall, saying he could quickly become a favorite of quarterback Jayden Daniels.

You may be surprised at who Wilson named as his best value pick for Washington: seventh-round QB Athan Kaliakmanis.

I have to mention Athan Kaliakmanis here only because I brought him on the Cover 3 podcast ahead of the draft as an off-the-radar QB who could get drafted. And he did. Ahead of Garrett Nussmeier. He was a fun watch for Rutgers last season, where he was asked to do a lot. He'll have a chance to make the roster in Washington though if he sees the field next season that means something has probably gone horribly wrong.

We've seen some criticize Washington for this pick. Why? First, it's a seventh-round pick. You're taking a shot, sort of like a lottery pick anyway. Kaliakmanis has some tools. He's also played a lot of football, between his time at Minnesota and Rutgers. Kaliakmanis has started 42 games in the Big Ten. That's impressive.

Whether the Commanders say it or not, this is a David Blough pick. Do you think the first-year coordinator had a say in this pick? Of course he did. A former college and NFL quarterback, Blough saw things he liked in Kaliakmanis and wanted to develop him.

It's a smart move for multiple reasons. Sam Hartman hasn't developed into the No. 3 quarterback yet, and with Marcus Mariota entering the year on another one-year deal, it's wise for the Commanders to look to develop a potential long-term backup for when Daniels becomes a lot more expensive.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Athan Kaliakmanis best draft value?

'Experiment with Hardik Pandya as captain is not working': Harsha Bhogle calls for MI captaincy change after IPL 2026 debacle

'Experiment with Hardik Pandya as captain is not working': Harsha Bhogle calls for MI captaincy change after IPL 2026 debacle originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • MI have lost seven out of their first nine matches of the IPL 2026 season. 
  • MI on the verge of facing elimination from the IPL 2026 league stage.
  • Harsha Bhogle felt MI's experiment with Pandya captaincy has not worked.

MI on the verge of elimination from the IPL 2026 league stage

Mumbai Indians' nightmare campaign in the IPL 2026 season continued as they suffered their seventh defeat of the season against arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings on Saturday at the Chepauk.

The MI batting once again crumbled in the Chennai conditions and had managed to put up just 159 runs on the board, which the hosts chased down for the loss of just two wickets.

This was only the third time in IPL history that CSK did the season double over MI after the 2014 and 2023 IPL seasons. In the first leg fixture at Wankhede, MI suffered their worst-ever IPL defeat by 103 runs.

With the loss at Chepauk, MI are on the verge of facing elimination from the league as they can only reach 14 points from here, which does not always guarantee a playoff spot. 

MORE: How many times have CSK completed a double over MI in IPL history?

'Experiment with Hardik Pandya as captain is not working': Harsha Bhogle

Star Indian commentator and pundit Harsha Bhogle, who has been associated with the MI franchise in the past, took to social media, to share his thoughts about the franchise's horror show in the ongoing season.

Bhogle touched upon several subjects and weaknesses that he noticed in the current MI squad. The commentator felt that, except for Jasprit Bumrah, none of the other Indian players was in great form during the T20 World Cup 2026; however, no one expected MI to fail this miserably.

He further opined that MI's experiment of making Hardik Pandya the captain of the franchise in 2024, has not worked out for the team as they have reached the playoff stage only once in the last three editions.

On X, Bhogle wrote: "I must confess I didn't see a team, as studded with stars as #MumbaiIndians  is, come apart like this. The only possible indicator could have been that, Bumrah apart, the others hadn't had an outstanding T20WC. But nobody could have predicted this. I had thought aloud about a hypothesis on my YT channel that reputation is becoming a burden in modern T20 cricket as a possible reason. I don't know if all the forces within were aligned but that could be another. And the experiment with Hardik Pandya as captain is now 3 years old and it has delivered a play-off only once so maybe something isn't working there. But I bet nobody saw #MI not making the play-offs."

I must confess I didn't see a team, as studded with stars as #MumbaiIndians is, come apart like this. The only possible indicator could have been that, Bumrah apart, the others hadn't had an outstanding T20WC. But nobody could have predicted this. I had thought aloud about a…

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 3, 2026

MORE: Pandya stats in IPL 2026: MI captain's batting and bowling numbers

The Cricket News Opinion: Hardik Pandya alone cannot be blamed for MI's horrendous performance

While Pandya's off-form has seriously impacted MI's performances this season, it will be wrong to put the entire blame on the captain of the side. Almost all other Indian recruits have miserably failed to recreate the magic of the Indian team that fans witnessed at the T20 World Cup 2026. 

Bumrah has looked off colour and batters of all teams have dominated against him, a very rare sight in IPL or international cricket. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has also struggled with his batting form. Rohit Sharma has been nursing an injury since last month and has hardly featured for the team this season, complicating MI's team selections, which have lacked consistency.

Tilak Varma is the only Indian player who has contributed with the bat in at least one game, as he scored a century of just 45 runs against the Gujarat Titans. 

To keep up to date with all the latest cricket news and share your opinion on the biggest topics visit ourFacebookInstagram and X (Twitter) pages.

Injuries to Jalen Williams, Luka Doncic won't dampen Thunder-Lakers NBA Playoffs series

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Isaiah Hartenstein were already racing up the floor for a potential fastbreak.

All Jalen Williams had to do was scoop up the loose ball, which was well within the reach of his 7-foot-2 wingspan. But his sprint quickly turned into a light jog, as he purposely let it roll out of bounds.

It just didn't feel right to capitalize on the misfortune of Luka Dončić, who lost possession when he drove on Williams and pulled his left hamstring during the Los Angeles Lakers' road game against the OKC Thunder on April 2. Especially after Williams had dealt with his own nagging hamstring injury all season.

"It's very spooky in a way to see it happen to him and I'm the one guarding him," Williams said after the game. "I could've taken off with the ball, but I tried to let it go out of bounds and give them time to figure it out just because that injury sucks."

Dončić's injury ultimately proved to be a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, which he's still recovering from one month later. And Williams has since sustained another hamstring injury of his own, this time a Grade 1 left hamstring strain.

Thunder vs Lakers: Who has the edge in Western Conference semifinals?

That leaves the availability of both stars in question for the second-round playoff series between the Thunder and Lakers, which begins at 7:30 p.m. CT Tuesday in Oklahoma City. And the sentiment is the same as what it was on April 2, as nobody wants to see guys sidelined with injuries.

"It'd be the best for everybody if everybody was available all of the time," head coach Mark Daigneault said Saturday. "It'd be the best product for the fans. It'd be the best for the league. It'd be the best for the teams and the best for the players. It's obviously not realistic. But we go into every series preparing for every possibility, and we'll go into this series prepared."

Dončić missed Los Angeles' entire first-round series, which was a 4-2 win over the Houston Rockets.

A Grade 2 hamstring strain typically carries a recovery time of 4-6 weeks, meaning the superstar guard is on the early end of that window. ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported Saturday that Dončić is "not close" to returning, and he'll likely be out for the front end of the second round.

Meanwhile, it has been 10 days since Williams sustained his Grade 1 hamstring strain during Game 2 of OKC's first-round series against the Phoenix Suns on April 22. That injury, which doesn't have as much muscle tearing as a Grade 2 strain, typically comes with a recovery time of 1-2 weeks.

Williams is being re-evaluated on a weekly basis, and he appeared to be in good spirits Thursday. He could be seen cracking jokes inside the Thunder's practice facility before beginning an individual workout.

"He's chipping away at his rehab," Daigneault said of Williams on Saturday. "He's doing a good job."

Dončić is the league leader in points per game (33.5), Los Angeles' top playmaker and a huge help on the glass. Williams is OKC's second scoring option, a strong playmaker in his own right and an All-Defensive talent on the other end of the floor.

MUSSATTO: LeBron James beat one Thunder Big Three, but do his Lakers stand a chance vs. OKC again?

Both teams could be without key contributors for a portion of the series, but neither team is making excuses. Neither one let their setbacks prevent them from advancing to the second round.

Los Angeles still beat Houston in six games thanks in large part to LeBron James, who's still playing high-level basketball at age 41. He's averaging 23.2 points, 8.3 assists and 7.2 rebounds this postseason.

The Lakers also got a scoring boost from Austin Reaves, who returned after missing the first four games of the series due to a Grade 2 left oblique muscle strain. And they continued to receive good production from newcomers Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton and Luke Kennard.

OKC also took care of business by sweeping Phoenix. Its All-Star duo of Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren shined, and players such as Ajay Mitchell and Alex Caruso helped fill the void left by Williams.

That's the beauty of basketball. As awful as it is to see guys go down, it's great to see others step up in response. And that'll be on display during this series.

"They're a very talented team, but they're also a very well-coached and well-put-together team in the way that they play," Holmgren said of Los Angeles. "We just have to be prepared for them to be ready to play, and we have to do the same."

Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

Thunder vs. Lakers

GAME 1 TIPOFF: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Paycom Center (NBC, Peacock)

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Thunder-Lakers series not dampered by Luke Doncic, Jalen Williams injuries

NFL draft analyst scathing evaluation of Steelers QB Drew Allar

Despite the pending return of Aaron Rodgers and the early praise of Will Howard, the Pittsburgh Steelers still took a quarterback in the 2026 NFL draft. That quarterback was former Penn State signal-caller Drew Allar. Evaluations on Allar were all over the place ahead of the draft but for draft analyst Matt Waldman, There's no real upside to Allar and he really didn't hold back.

Allar’s acumen for processing coverage and managing the game. His accuracy and decision-making fall apart in moments that are remedial for NFL quarterbacks. The Steelers’ selection of Allar in their third round has influenced fantasy GMs to draft Allar as a fourth-round rookie pick. I gave Allar a pre-draft grade of 60.5, which is the equivalent of a low-end street free agent that wouldn’t be signed to a futures contract. It has been 22 years since the Steelers have drafted a successful NFL starter. They’ve drafted 10 quarterbacks during that span – 4 between the first and fourth rounds – without success.

Per @MattWaldman

"Allar’s acumen for processing coverage and managing the game. His accuracy and decision-making fall apart in moments that are remedial for NFL quarterbacks. The Steelers’ selection of Allar in their third round has influenced fantasy GMs to draft Allar as a…

— Matt Williamson (@WilliamsonNFL) May 2, 2026

We aren't ready to go as far as Waldman did, but it's clear from Allar's film that he has no real traits that stand out. And to paraphrase something former head coach Mike Tomlin used to say, Allar does not do routine things routinely.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: NFL draft analyst scathing evaluation of Steelers QB Drew Allar

Andy Reid & Chiefs Offer Pro Football Hall of Fame QB’s Son Second Chance After Going Undrafted

September 4, 2025, Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil: Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid speaks to the media during the training camp at SPAC on September 04, 2025, in Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. /PxImages Sao Paulo Brazil - ZUMAp175 20250904_zsa_p175_028 Copyright: xLeandroxBernardesx ©IMAGO/ZUMA Press Wire
September 4, 2025, Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil: Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid speaks to the media during the training camp at SPAC on September 04, 2025, in Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. /PxImages Sao Paulo Brazil - ZUMAp175 20250904_zsa_p175_028 Copyright: xLeandroxBernardesx ©IMAGO/ZUMA Press Wire

After the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs moved quickly to attack the undrafted free agent pool. Among the players given a second chance to enter the league post-draft was Fresno State quarterback EJ Warner. Yes, that last name belongs to the very man who grew to become an NFL icon after initially going undrafted.

EJ Warner was seen taking part in the opening day tryouts of the Chiefs’ rookie mini camp on Friday. He is among the 76 such prospects invited by the team, and one of two QB prospects. Even though the QB room is well equipped, one more couldn’t hurt the Chiefs. Besides, EJ’s also got some impressive numbers to land a potential deal with the Chiefs, having amassed 10,844 passing yards, throwing for 71 touchdowns.

But EJ also stood out for his name: he is the son of the Kurt Warner. EJ needs no retelling of his story, which is really a lore in the world of football. From working the graveyard shift at a Hyvee to playing 12 seasons in the NFL, Kurt Warner’s journey is an extremely rare one in the league. Coincidentally, EJ is also right where his father found himself after the 1994 draft. Another coincidence is Andy Reid. The Chiefs’ head coach was an offensive analyst for the Green Bay Packers when Warner was invited for a tryout.

Fresno State QB EJ Warner — the son of NFL Hall of Fame QB Kurt Warner — was a tryout this weekend at #Chiefs rookie mini camp.

EJ Warner went under the radar during his college career and this offseason. He wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine, and had to rely on Fresno State’s Pro Day to make his case. Kurt was a little disappointed at EJ not getting the opportunity and blamed the inferior treatment that G5 schools get during this process. But he was confident that EJ would “show someone why he’s been so productive” when he gets his “shot.” Kurt’s also been telling the world about his son’s skills, who he thinks is like Brock Purdy.

However, the ball is now literally in EJ Warner’s court. He’s got the shot that Kurt wanted him to get; EJ only has to give his best to make the 53-man roster.

Chiefs Quarterback Room Leaves Little Margin for Error for Warner

Kansas City’s QB room is going to be led by a presumed-healthy Patrick Mahomes, and Justin Fields is expected to back him up. Behind these two, there is a logjam of veterans, which will complicate EJ Warner’s chances. Firstly is Chris Oladokun, who is currently the longest tenured Chiefs QB after Mahomes. Then there’s Jake Haener, who arrived this year from the Saints. They will fight for the QB3 role with 2026 draftee and LSU standout Garrett Nussmeier. Nussmeirer was once considered a first-round talent.

The chances of EJ Warner finding a spot in this Chiefs QB room seem extremely slim at the moment. Even potentially earning a role as a training camp arm seems like a long shot, as the Chiefs have multiple arms to deploy. This is just a stark reality that most, if not all, undrafted free agent QBs face. But the Chiefs could still be looking at him as a practice squad talent.

Kurt Warner himself missed his chance with the Packers because of a similar situation. It was much more difficult for him, as he was competing with QBs like Brett Favre, Mark Brunell, and Ty Detmer. The road ahead is going to be extremely difficult for the younger Warner.

But a chance is still a chance, and EJ Warner will hope to make it count.

The post Andy Reid & Chiefs Offer Pro Football Hall of Fame QB’s Son Second Chance After Going Undrafted appeared first on EssentiallySports. Add EssentiallySports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

This Week in Gaming (Week 19)

Welcome to May and this month kicks off with several new games from independent developers. This week's major release is all about navigating the great white north, in more ways than one. The week kicks off with a different take on the tower defence genre, followed by a game that combines disco and beat 'em up. Next up we have an online co-op action RPG which is followed by one that isn't online and finally we round the week off with some crab evolution. Don't forget to check out some of the other games also launching this week.

WILL: Follow The Light / This week's major release / Thursday 7 May
WILL: Follow The Light is a story-driven, first-person adventure puzzle game about a perilous personal journey through the harsh northern latitudes. To find peace and reunite with his family, Will must sail across endless waters, face numerous challenges, and ultimately discover himself. Steam link

Ryzen 9 PRO 9965X3D CPU Leak Points To AMD’s First 16-Core “PRO” CPU With 3D V-Cache

Ryzen 9 PRO 9965X3D CPU Leak Points To AMD's First 16-Core "PRO" CPU With 3D V-Cache

AMD seems to be preparing its first PRO CPU with 16 "Zen 5" cores & 3D V-Cache, the Ryzen 9 PRO 9965X3D. AMD's Ryzen PRO Lineup Used To Max Out at 12-Cores, But That Changes With The Upcoming 16-Core Ryzen 9 PRO 9965X3D AMD Ryzen PRO Desktop CPUs are designed for professionals, content creators, and AI users. These chips come with advanced security, manageability, and stability versus the standard chips. For a long time, AMD's Ryzen PRO family has featured up to 12-core models, but it looks like the company is about to release its fastest chip to date. On […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/ryzen-9-pro-9965x3d-cpu-leak-amd-first-16-core-pro-cpu-with-3d-v-cache/

Halo 2 and Halo 3 Are Reportedly Getting Unreal Engine 5 Remakes, as Halo Studios Stacks Five Projects at Once

Two images of the character Master Chief from the 'Halo' series, with the left showing a pose against an orange sky, and the right featuring the title 'HALO' above the character.

Halo leaker RebsGaming reports that Halo Studios is already working on remakes for the second and third installments in the sci-fi first-person shooter franchise. Halo 2 and Halo 3 are currently in early development, presumably powered by Unreal Engine 5 like the first game's remake; this builds on a previous claim from a former Halo Studios developer, and is now backed by two additional sources, one of whom provided verification to RebsGaming and confirmed the trilogy remakes will proceed regardless of how well the upcoming Halo: Campaign Evolved performs. A separate source (the same one who leaked an unreleased Campaign […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/halo-2-halo-3-unreal-engine-5-remakes-reportedly-in-development/

Microsoft now recommends 32GB of RAM as the future-proof 'no worries' config for gaming — 16GB becomes the new 'practical starting point' during the RAMageddon

Pretty much no games recommend more than 16GB of RAM, even in the unoptimized era we're living in right now. Only a few titles at their highest presets say 32GB is ideal, so Microsoft claiming that 32GB is the future-proof standard isn't exactly wrong. You'll be fine with 16GB today, but perhaps not tomorrow.

Amazon’s Middle East data centers damaged by Iran drone and missile attacks will be down for several months during repairs — U.S. and Iran currently observing an uneasy truce, but renewed strikes possible if talks break down

Amazon says that it will take months before it can return its Bahrain and UAE data center back to full operational status. In the meantime, the company suspends billing for affected customers while also recommending that they move to other Regions to restore service.

Koopic – Unify cyber asset data into one trusted compliant inventory


Koopic is a CAASM platform built for security teams who need a complete, trusted asset inventory. It pulls data from every tool in your stack — EDR, MDM, CMDB, cloud, on-prem — and merges it into one golden record per device. Shadow IT surfaces automatically, coverage gaps become visible, and exceptions are tracked.

The result is a near real-time picture of your full environment so you can see real risk and prioritize what to fix next. No spreadsheets, no six-figure contracts, no black-box merging. Start free in minutes.

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Live3D – Edit photos with natural-language prompts in seconds


Live3D offers an online AI image editor that lets you transform photos with simple text instructions. Change hairstyles, poses, backgrounds, lighting, and text while keeping faces and identity consistent. Make precise, localized edits, choose from multiple AI models such as Seedream 4.5 and Nano Banana variants, and export in many sizes. Upload your image, describe the change, generate results in seconds, and download the final version.

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Mount Roberts Tram in Juneau Closes After Two Employees Are Injured

Alaska’s Goldbelt Tram, located beside Juneau’s downtown cruise dock, will remain closed for several days after two employees were hospitalized following an accident at the base station.

The incident happened just days after the 2026 Juneau cruise season got underway.

No cruise passengers were involved

A red building with large windows stands before a forested hillside, where cables lead up to a tram station. In the foreground, a wooden railing and pier evoke the sense of adventure often found on an Alaska cruise.

A cable car came into the base station faster than expected, injuring two staff members who were later taken to the hospital. One was unconscious at the scene, but both were released over the weekend.

Goldbelt confirmed five employees were aboard the tram at the time and no cruise guests were present. The three other staffers did not require medical treatment.

Capital City Fire and Rescue responded to the scene, saying it “successfully stabilized the cabin and gained access to all occupants.”

The tram remained closed Friday and is not expected to reopen for several days. Director of Operations and Facilities Ben Moorhead said representatives from the lift manufacturer and state safety officials are traveling to Juneau to assess the situation.

“It came in faster than anticipated, and docked at a higher rate of speed,” Moorhead said. He added that coordination is underway with the lift manufacturer to determine what happened and make necessary repairs.

Tram ride is a popular shore activity for cruisers

The Goldbelt Tram is one of Juneau’s most popular attractions for cruise guests. It carries riders 1,800 feet up Mount Roberts, offering panoramic views of downtown Juneau and the Gastineau Channel.

At the top, visitors can explore hiking trails, a bar and grill, a gift shop and a theater.

The closure comes at the start of what is already a closely watched season.

The 2026 Juneau cruise season began just days ago with the arrival of Holland America Line’s Eurodam and marks the first year operating under new daily cruise passenger limits.

Where Conversations That Matter Begin: IMEX Frankfurt CVB Café Sparks Strategic Shift in Global Destination Leadership

Read full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/where-conversations-that-matter-begin-imex-frankfurt-cvb-cafe-sparks-strategic-shift-in-global-destination-leadership/

Where Conversations That Matter Begin: IMEX Frankfurt CVB Café Sparks Strategic Shift in Global Destination LeadershipThe CVB Café at IMEX...

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Source: Travel And Tour World

TTW-1684482-1777804215

Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.

TTW-1684482-20260501160012

India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands to Host World Record-Breaking Underwater Events, Featuring Largest Flag and Tallest Human Stack

Read full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/indias-andaman-and-nicobar-islands-to-host-world-record-breaking-underwater-events-featuring-largest-flag-and-tallest-human-stack/

India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands to Host World Record-Breaking Underwater Events, Featuring Largest Flag and Tallest Human StackThe Andaman and...

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Source: Travel And Tour World

TTW-1684473-1777804215

Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.

TTW-1684473-20260501155051

One UI 8.5 becomes Samsung’s longest beta program

Samsung hasn’t closed the One UI 8.5 beta program, making it the longest software testing campaign to date. This is not an achievement to take proud at, but a matter of shame for the world’s largest smartphone-selling company.

The program opened on December 7 for the Galaxy S25 series. The first beta was released on the same day of enrollment, and the company has expanded the number with 9 more betas to date. These updates introduced a couple of new features and UI upgrades, as well as bug fixes for the participating models.

Later on, a couple of other phones, such as Galaxy Z Fold 7/Flip 7, as well as previous-gen flagships such as S24 and S23 series, also joined the program.

Samsung One UI 8.5 Software

Image – One UI 8.5 update page

Past leaks and rumors had it that the beta program would conclude on April 30th with a stable release for Korean users. This speculation included expansion to global users in early May.

However, none of that happened, making the One UI 8.5 the longest beta program the company has ever opened. The total length of the test has reached 4 months and 26 days, and the counter is still on.

Still, Samsung hasn’t announced a release date for the final build, but it could get it done before mid-May. However, nothing is certain from this point of view. For example, past leaks regarding the rollout have been proven false, and we will only believe it when Samsung actually releases the update and closes the program.

The post One UI 8.5 becomes Samsung’s longest beta program appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Oppo Find X9 Ultra Khronos Creator Kit hands-on

Recent Chinese Ultra smartphones are very formidable imaging tools, and you could say that the Oppo Find X9 Ultra is at the absolute top of that pile. But it's always exciting when you can augment what's already great so you can expand its use. And there's hardly a better way than with these new and evolving photography kits we're getting for recent smartphones. Today, we've got a slightly different set of accessories to unbox - the Khronos Creator Kit for the Oppo Find X9 Ultra. Made by Tilta, this is quite the extensive video-capture kit. When fully assembled, it's a camera cage with...

How to watch Toluca vs Pachuca in the USA: Live Stream and TV for 2026 Liga MX Clausura Tournament

Toluca will face Pachuca in the first leg of the Liga MX Clausura 2026 quarterfinals. Here’s all the key information ahead of this matchup, including kickoff times and complete TV and streaming broadcast details in the United States.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Toluca vs Pachuca on US television and via legal streaming:
WHO Toluca vs Pachuca
WHAT Liga MX
WHEN 9:15 PM ET / 6:15 PM PT • Sunday, May 3, 2026
WHERE DirecTV Stream and TUDN
STREAM FREE TRIAL

Match Overview

Expect a high-intensity showdown as Pachuca and Toluca square off after nearly identical regular-season runs, separated by just a single point. Pachuca secured fourth place with 31 points but stumbled late, dropping their final two matches after spending much of the campaign in the hunt for the top spot.

Toluca followed a similar script, also closing the regular season on a two-game skid, leaving both sides eager for a reset. With momentum up for grabs and a semifinal berth on the line, this clash sets the stage for one team to flip the narrative and make a statement when it matters most.

More details about watching the game on DirecTV Stream

With DirecTV Stream, you can watch Toluca vs Pachuca and tons more Liga MX games. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick as well as Google TV, Samsung and Peloton.
DirecTV Stream offers a free trial, and often shares with you a variety of different packages to choose from, so you can pick what suits you the best. That also includes packages filled with sports other than soccer including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and more.
DirecTV Stream has 140+ channels of live TV and unlimited DVR. That includes all of the most important soccer-related channels such as NBC, FOX, ESPN, TNT, CBS as well as more niche soccer channels including FOX Deportes, Telemundo, Univision, TUDN and GolTV.
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Rene Lopez of Pachuca

Oleksandr Usyk now targeted to face unbeaten mandatory challenger this year

Oleksandr Usyk could be persuaded to amend his three-fight plan, potentially shifting his focus away from a clash with the winner of Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois. The Ukrainian outlined his exit strategy in March, shortly after it was announced that he would collide with Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven on May 23. This represents Usyk’s […]

The post Oleksandr Usyk now targeted to face unbeaten mandatory challenger this year appeared first on Boxing News.

Ronaldo, Ederson'un peşine düştü: Fenerbahçe göndermek istiyor

Fenerbahçe'de Galatasaray derbisinin ardından taraftarların tepki gösterdiği kaleci Ederson, sezon sonunda takımdan ayrılabilir. Tecrübeli kaleci için Suudi Arabistan ekipleri harekete geçti.

Fenerbahçe'de derbi sonrası iplerin koptuğu Ederson için yolun sonu gözüktü...Derbide yaşananlar sonrası taraftarın sert tepkilerine maruz kalan Ederson için transfer iddiaları gelmeye başladı. Fenerbahçe'de gelecek sezonun kadro planlaması, seçim sonrası başa geçecek yönetim ve teknik adam etrafında şekillenecek gibi duruyor. Ancak yine de Ederson ile yolların ayrılmasına kesin gözle bakılıyor.

Fenerbahce

SUUDİ EKİPLERİ DEVREDE

Brezilya basınından RTI Esporte'nin haberine göre 32 yaşındaki kaleci ile, Al Hilal'in ardından, Cristiano Ronaldo'nun yüzde 15'lik hissesinin bulunduğu Al Nassr ilgileniyor. Sarı-lacivertliler, sözleşmesinde 22 milyon euroluk serbest kalma maddesi bulunan Ederson'u, bu bedelin peşin ve eksiksiz ödenmesi halinde bırakacak.

Fenerbahce

BİR TRANSFER İDDİASI DA BREZİLYA'DAN

Öte yandan haberde, bir Brezilya kulübünün de durumu yakından takip ettiği ve Ederson'u transfer etmek istediği öğrenildi.

Rafael Leao Türkiye'ye gelecek mi? Sıcak gelişme

Galatasaray, Milan'dan ayrılmak üzere olan Rafael Leao'nun durumunu takip ediyor. Fenerbahçe'nin başkan adaylarından birinin de Portekizli yıldıza ilgi gösterdiği iddia ediliyor. Ancak çok sürpriz bir gelişme yaşandı.

Taraftarlar ve teknik heyetle sorunlar yaşayan Rafael Leao'nun, sezon sonunda satılması bekleniyor. Milan Kulübü, 30 Haziran 2028'e kadar mukavelesi bulunan 26 yaşındaki futbolcu için gelecek teklifleri bekliyor. Galatasaray uzun süredir Portekizli yıldızın durumunu takip ediyor.

Super Lıg

OYUNCUYLA TEMAS KURDULAR

Fenerbahçe'nin başkan adaylarından birinin de 1.88 boyundaki futbolcuyla ilgilendiği iddia ediliyor. Bütün bunlar yaşanırken, Barcelona'dan hamle geldiği öğrenildi. La Liga temsilcisinin oyuncu cephesiyle temas kurduğu ortaya çıktı. Kısa süre içinde de Milan'la masaya oturmaları bekleniyor.

DURUMLARI BİRAZ KARIŞIK

Ancak Barcelona'nın içinde bulunduğu durum biraz karışık... Barça, transferler için oyuncu satışları gerçekleştirmek zorunda. Çünkü ekonomik anlamda problemleri bulunuyor. Milan'ın ise Rafael Leao'yu ucuza bırakmayacağı kesin. Önümüzdeki haftalarda Galatasaray ve Fenerbahçe'nin de resmen devreye girebileceği öğrenildi.

Nelson Semedo'da seçim sonrası sürpriz yaşanabilir

Fenerbahçe'nin tecrübeli futbolcusu Nélson Semedo, 2026 yazında kontratının son senesine girecek. Başkanlık seçiminin ardından Portekizli oyuncuyla ilgili önemli bir karar alınabilir.

Wolverhampton ile mukavelesi biten Nelson Semedo, sezon başında bedelsiz olarak Fenerbahçe'ye gelmişti. Portekizli sağ bekle 30 Haziran 2027 tarihine kadar mukavele yapıldı. Bu yaz, sözleşmesinin son senesine girecek. Kanarya'da yaklaşan bir seçim süreci var. Sonrasında 32 yaşındaki futbolcuyla ilgili radikal kararlar alınabilir.

Fenerbahce

MESAFELİ YAKLAŞIYORLAR

Mevcut başkan adaylarının tamamının, 1.77 boyundaki futbolcuya mesafeli baktığı öğrenildi. Yeni teknik direktör de başkanla birlikte belirlenecek. Nelson Semedo'ya yeni mukavele önerilmesi kesinlikle beklenmiyor. Eğer oyuncunun talibi çıkmazsa, önümüzdeki sezonun ardından bedelsiz olarak ayrılabilecek.

Fenerbahce

SAKATLIKLAR DARBE VURDU

Aslında Portekizli futbolcunun Fenerbahçe kariyeri iyi başladı. Ancak sonrasında yaşadığı sakatlıklar sebebiyle gözden düştü. İlerleyen yaşı da işleri zorlaştırıyor. Nelson Semedo bu sezon Süper Lig'de 24 maça çıktı. Sahada 1.850 dakika kaldı. 1 gol ve 2 asist üretti.

Galatasaray'ı yıktı: Trabzonspor yolcusu

Marius Mouandilmadji, Samsunspor'un 4-1 kazandığı Galatasaray maçını 2 gol ve 1 asistle noktaladı. Trabzonspor'un oyuncu için sezon sonunda teklif verebileceği öğrenildi. Her şey Felipe Augusto'nun durumuna bağlı.

Haftanın maçında Samsunspor, Galatasaray'ı etkili bir oyunla 4-1 mağlup etti. Marius Mouandilmadji, 2 gol ve 1 asistle maçın adamı oldu. 28 yaşındaki santrfor, yaz döneminde takım değiştirebilir. Trabzonspor'un konuyla ilgili resmi hamle yapabileceği öğrenildi.

Trabzonspor

CİDDİ TALİPLERİ VAR

Trabzonspor'un Brezilyalı golcüsü Felipe Augusto'ya özellikle Suudi Arabistan liginden ciddi bir ilgi var. Bordo-Mavililer, yüksek bir teklif gelmesi halinde 22 yaşındaki futbolcuyu satacak. Felipe Augusto, takıma bu sezon başında katılmıştı. Bordo-Mavililer, Cercle Kulübü'ne 5 milyon euro bonservis bedeli ödedi.

Trabzonspor

ONUN PARASI KULLANILACAK

Felipe Augusto'dan gelecek paranın, Marius Mouandilmadji transferinde kullanılması bekleniyor. Çok büyük bir ihtimalle Augusto'nun satış bedeli, Marius Mouandilmadji'nin alış rakamlarına göre yüksek olacak. Samsunspor'un yıldız ismi bu sezon Süper Lig'de 32 karşılaşmada 9 gol ve 2 asist üretti. Konferans Ligi'ndeki 10 mücadelede ise 8 gol ve 3 asistle adeta şov yaptı!

Beşiktaş Göztepe'den Juan'ı düşünüyor: Ama Lille örneği var

Beşiktaş'ın forvet adayları arasında Göztepe'den Juan'ın da olduğu öğrenildi. Fakat İzmir temsilcisi, devre arasında Lille'den gelen yüksek teklifi geri çevirmişti.

Beşiktaş, Oh'un yanına kesinlikle bir golcü alacak. Konuyla ilgili çalışmalar devam ediyor. Ağırlık Avrupa pazarına verilse de Siyah-Beyazlılar'ın listesinde Göztepe'den Juan'ın da olduğu öğrenildi. 24 yaşındaki Brezilyalı futbolcu, bu sezon başında Southampton'dan transfer edilmişti. Sadece 900 bin euro bonservis ödendi.

Besıktas

11 GOL VE 5 ASİST

1.77 boyundaki oyuncuyla 30 Haziran 2029 tarihine kadar mukavele yapıldı. Juan, Süper Lig'de 30 maça çıktı. Sahada 2.408 dakika kaldı. 11 gol ve 5 asist üretti. Juan'a Beşiktaş'ın ilgisi bulunsa da devre arasında yaşanan bir gelişme, Göztepe'nin onu ucuza bırakmayacağının göstergesiydi.

Besıktas

15+2 MİLYON GERİ ÇEVRİLDİ

Fransız ekibi Lille, kış transfer döneminde Göztepe'ye Juan için 15+2 milyon euro önerdi. Fakat İzmir temsilcisi bu parayı kabul etmedi. Devre arasında oyuncunun bırakılmayacağı belirtildi. Beşiktaş'ın resmi teklif aşamasına gelip gelmeyeceği henüz bilinmiyor. Ancak masaya otururlarsa, Göztepe kesinlikle yüksek bir para bekleyecek.

Bir Türk takımı Femi Azeez'i istiyor: Süper Lig'e gelecek mi?

Ada basınında çıkan haberlere göre; Millwall forması giyen Femi Azeez, bir Türk ekibinin radarında bulunuyor. İngiliz futbolcu, Championship'te inanılmaz bir sezon geçirdi.

Bu sezon Millwall'la Championship'te 35 maça çıkan Femi Azeez, sahada 2.812 dakika kaldı. 11 gol ve 8 asistle birlikte herkesin dikkatini çekti. Ada basınındaki haberlere göre; bir Türk ekibi, İngiliz futbolcuyla ilgileniyor. Orta sahanın sağı ve sağ kanatta görev yapabilen 24 yaşındaki oyuncuyu izleyen takımın adı açıklanmadı.

ÇOK DAHA FAZLASINI İSTEYECEKLER

Şu anda Beşiktaş, Trabzonspor ve Galatasaray'ın kanat bölgesi için hamle yapması bekleniyor. Fenerbahçe'deki transfer durumu ise başkanlık seçiminin ardından netleşecek. Femi Azeez'in 30 Haziran 2028'e kadar mukavelesi var. Piyasa değeri 5 milyon euro olarak gösterilse de Millwall Kulübü'nün çok daha fazlasını istemesi bekleniyor.

TERS AYAKLA İYİ İŞLER YAPIYOR

1.81 boyundaki futbolcu, 2024 yazında Reading Kulübü'nden sadece 1.15 milyon euro karşılığında transfer edilmişti. Millwall formasıyla inanılmaz bir çıkış yakaladı. Solak olan Femi Azeez, ters ayakla sağ tarafta çok iyi işler yapabiliyor. Önümüzdeki haftalarda onu isteyen takımın da ortaya çıkması bekleniyor.

Nəriman Axundzadə 9 dəqiqə oynadı, komandası uduzdu

Futbol üzrə Azərbaycan millisinin hücumçusu Nəriman Axundzadə ABŞ klubu “Kolumbus Kru”nun heyətində növbəti matçına çıxıb.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komanda bu gün MLS-in növbəti turu çərçivəsində doğma meydanda “Minnesota Yunayted”lə qarşılaşıb.

Beş qolun qeydə alındığı oyun Ohayo təmsilçisinin məğlubiyyəti ilə yekunlaşıb – 2:3. ABŞ klubunda 90 nömrəli formanı seçmiş Nəriman bu görüşün 81-ci dəqiqəsində meydana buraxılıb.

“Kolumbus Kru” MLS-in cari mövsümündə keçirdiyi 11 oyundan sonra 12 xalla Şərq Konfransının yarış cədvəlində 15 iştirakçı arasında 9-cu pillədə qərarlaşıb. Nərimanın komandası 11 oyunda 3 qələbə qazanıb, 3 heç-heçə edib, 5 məğlubiyyətə üzülüb.

Xatırladaq ki, Nəriman Axundzadə bu ilin fevral ayında “Qarabağ”dan 2,5 milyon avro müqabilində “Kolumbus Kru”ya keçib. O, Ohayo ştatını təmsil edən klubla 3,5 illik müqaviləyə imza atıb. Azərbaycanlı futbolçu MLS klubunun heyətində 6 oyun keçirsə də, fərqlənə bilməyib.

“Qarabağ”ın yetirməsi hesab olan Nəriman Axundzadə 2023-cü ildən Ağdam klubunun əsas komandasında çıxış edirdi. Sağ cinah vingeri “Qarabağ”ın əsas komandasında 127 oyuna çıxıb. O, bu oyunlarda 35 qola imza atıb, 17 məhsuldar ötürmə müəllifi olub.

Azərbaycanın U-19 və U-21 yığmalarında da forma geyinmiş hücumçu 2023-cü ildə əsas millimizdə debüt edib. O, Azərbaycan yığmasının heyətində keçirdiyi 13 oyunda məhsuldar fəaliyyəti ilə diqqət çəkməyib.

Mahir Emreli “Kayzerslautern”ə yenə lazım olmadı

Azərbaycan millisinin hücumçusu Mahir Emreli “Kayzerslautern”in Drezden “Dinamo”suna qarşı keçirdiyi oyunda iştirak etməyib.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, 28 yaşlı futbolçunun adı 2-ci Bundesliqanın 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 32-ci turu çərçivəsində qarşılaşdıqları “Dinamo” ilə matçın iştirak ərizəsinə də daxil edilməyib.

Səfərdə baş tutmuş bu görüş “Kayzerslautern”in 0:1 hesablı məğlubiyyəti ilə yekunlaşıb.

32 turdan sonra 46 xalı olan “Kayzerslautern” 18 iştirakçı arasında 7-ci pillədə qərarlaşıb. Komanda keçirdiyi 32 oyunda 14 qələbə qazanıb, 4 heç-heçə edib, 14 məğlubiyyətə üzülüb.

Xatırladaq ki, Mahir Emreli “Kayzerslautern”lə 2025-ci ilin yayında 3 illik müqavilə bağlayıb. Azərbaycanlı futbolçu bu komandanın heyətində 11 oyuna çıxıb, 2 qola imza atıb.

Mahir ötən mövsümü Almaniyanın digər klubu “Nürnberq”də keçirib. Azərbaycanlı futbolçu sözügedən komandanın heyətində 25 rəsmi matça çıxıb, 11 qol vurub, 1 assistlə yadda qalıb.

“Bakı”nın yetirməsi olan Emreli karyerası ərzində “Qarabağ”, “Legiya” (Polşa), “Konyaspor” (Türkiyə) və “Dinamo” (Zaqreb, Xorvatiya) klublarında da forma geyinib. Hücumçu Azərbaycan milli komandasının heyətində meydana çıxdığı 59 oyunda 6 qol vurub, 3 məhsuldar ötürmə müəllifi olub.

Renat Dadaşov üçün 21-ci qolsuz oyun

Futbol üzrə Azərbaycan milli komandasının mərkəz hücumçusu Renat Dadaşov Polşanın “Motor” komandasında növbəti oyununa çıxıb.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, 26 yaşlı hücumçunun komandası Polşa çempionatının 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 31-ci turu çərçivəsində Poznan “Lex”i ilə qarşılaşıb.

Lyublin təmsilçisi bu rəqiblə doğma meydanda üz-üzə gəlib və məğlubiyyətə üzülüb – 0:1. Renat bu görüşün 77-ci dəqiqəsində meydana buraxılıb.

31 turdan sonra 39 xalı olan “Motor” hazırda Polşa çempionatının turnir cədvəlində 18 iştirakçı arasında 12-ci pillədə qərarlaşıb. Renatın komandası keçirdiyi 31 oyunda 9 qələbə qazanıb, 12 heç-heçə edib, 10 məğlubiyyətə üzülüb.

Xatırladaq ki, Dadaşov “Motor”la 2025-ci ilin yayında 1+1 illik müqaviləyə imza atıb. O, Lyublin klubunun heyətində meydana çıxdığı 21 oyunda fərqlənə bilməyib.

Renat Dadaşov ötən mövsümü Polşanın digər klubu “Radomyak”da keçirib. Amma o, mövsüm bitən kimi sözügedən klubu tərk edib və “Motor”la razılaşıb. Renat karyerası ərzində “Qrasshopper”, “Tondela”, “Eştoril”, “Pasuş de Ferreyra”, “Hatayspor”, “Ankaragücü” kimi klublarda da forma geyinib. O, Azərbaycan milli komandasının heyətində meydana çıxdığı 43 oyunda 6 qol, 2 məhsuldar ötürmə müəllifi olub.

Vüsal İsgəndərli “Flamurtari”yə qol vura bilmədi

Futbol üzrə Azərbaycan millisinin yarımmüdafiəçisi Vüsal İsgəndərli Albaniyanın “Partizani” komandasının heyətində növbəti matçına çıxıb.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komanda Albaniya çempionatının 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 34-cü turu çərçivəsində “Flamurtari” ilə qarşılaşıb.

“Partizani” doğma meydanda baş tutmuş bu oyundan məğlubiyyətlə ayrılıb – 1:4. İsgəndərli start heyətdə meydana çıxdığı bu görüşün 79-cu dəqiqəsində əvəzlənib.

“Partizani” 34 turdan sonra 45 xalla 10 komandanın mübarizə apardığı Albaniya çempionatının yarış cədvəlində 5-ci pillədə qərarlaşıb. Sözügedən komanda 34 oyunda 12 qələbə qazanıb, 9 heç-heçə edib, 13 məğlubiyyətə üzülüb.

Xatırladaq ki, Vüsal İsgəndərli Albaniya klubuna 2025-ci ilin yayında Türkiyənin “Boluspor” komandasından azad agent kimi keçib. Hücumçu “Partizani” ilə 1+1 illik müqaviləyə imza atıb. O, indiyə qədər bu komandanın heyətində 34 oyuna çıxıb, 6 qola imza atıb, 3 məhsuldar ötürmə verib.

Vüsal daha öncə “Şamaxı”, “Zirə”, “Sumqayıt”, “Ankara Keçiörengücü”, “Eqnatiya”, “Boluspor” və “Simurq”da da forma geyinib. 2019-cu ilin noyabrında Azərbaycan millisində debüt etmiş 29 yaşlı hücumçu meydana çıxdığı 7 oyunda 1 qola imza atıb, 1 məhsuldar ötürmə verib.

Messi oynadı, komandası uduzdu

Lionel Messinin formasını geyindiyi “İnter Mayami” MLS-də növbəti oyuna çıxıb.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komanda “Orlando” ilə qarşılaşıb. 7 qolun vurulduğu matç “İnter Mayami”nin məğlubiyyəti ilə başa çatıb – 3:4.

Messi bu görüşdə start heyətdə meydana çıxıb və bir qolla yadda qalıb.

“İnter Mayami” 11 turdan sonra 19 xalla 3-cü sıradadır.

“Ludoqorets”in hegemoniyasına son – çempion dəyişdi

Bolqarıstan liqasında çempion məlum olub.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, “ÇSKA 1948″i məğlub edən “Levski” qızıl medalları rəsmiləşdirib. Klub 17 il sonra ölkə çempionu adını qazanıb.

“Levski” liqada ardıcıl 14 il qızıl medalları qazanan “Ludoqorets”in hegemoniyasına son qoyub. Klub tarixində 27-ci dəfə Bolqarıstanda çempion olub.

Will Inter lift 2025-26 title trophy if they win Scudetto vs. Parma?

Inter need just one point against Parma to win the 2025-26 Scudetto tonight, but they’ll have to wait until the final round to lift the trophy.

When will Inter lift the 2025-26 Scudetto trophy?

Cristian Chivu’s Inter are just one point away from winning the 2025-26 Serie A title as the Nerazzurri only need a draw in tonight’s home game against Parma to secure the Scudetto with three games to spare.

Inter are practically certain of winning the 21st domestic title in their history, but will have to wait until the final round to lift the trophy.

Inter will play the final game of the season at home against Hellas Verona on the weekend of May 17. The exact date and kick-off time have yet to be confirmed, but the Nerazzurri will certainly lift the trophy after that match.

MILAN, ITALY - MAY 19: Lautaro Martinez of FC Inter kisses the Serie A TIM Scudetto title trophy at full-time following the team's draw in the Serie A TIM match between FC Internazionale and SS Lazio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 19, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY – MAY 19: Lautaro Martinez of FC Inter kisses the Serie A TIM Scudetto title trophy at full-time following the team’s draw in the Serie A TIM match between FC Internazionale and SS Lazio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 19, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

As reported by several Italian media outlets, Inter’s title celebrations will likely include an open-top bus parade as well.

In the meantime, the Nerazzurri will also play the Coppa Italia Final against Lazio on May 13, so Chivu’s men might end up celebrating a domestic double in barely two weeks.

Serie A: Inter vs. Parma – probable line-ups, where to watch on TV

Inter star Alessandro Bastoni is expected to start against Parma, while Lautaro Martinez will go on the bench with the Nerazzurri needing just one point to win the 2025-26 Scudetto.

It kicks off at 20:45 CET (19:45 BST) at the Stadio Meazza in Milan, San Siro.

Football Italia will be among the accredited media.

Inter must cope without Hakan Calhanoglu and Luis Henrique, but Lautaro Martinez has recovered from an injury and will go on the bench.

Bastoni’s fitness is also improving, so the Italian defender is expected to start in a three-man defence, according to Sky Sport, Gazzetta, and other reputable Italian media outlets.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan is favourite over Petar Sucic in central midfield.

Following Napoli’s 0-0 draw against Como on Saturday, a draw will be enough for Inter to win the Scudetto tonight with three games to spare.

Parma have travelled to Milan without the injured Frigan and Cremaschi.

Carlos Cuesta will look to his ideal XI with Adrian Bernabé in central midfield and Mateo Pellegrino in attack.

Inter vs. Parma – where to watch on TV

The match will be broadcast on TNT Sports 2, DAZN and HBO Max in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates with a liveblog from San Siro.

Inter vs. Parma – probable line-ups

Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Esposito.

Parma (3-5-2): Suzuki; Circati, Troilo, Valenti; Delprato, Bernabé, Nicolussi Caviglia, Keita, Valeri; Strefezza, Pellegrino. 

Serie A: Juventus vs. Verona – probable line-ups, where to watch on TV

Kenan Yildiz is expected to return to the Juventus starting XI for a must-win Serie A match against already-relegated Hellas Verona.

It kicks off at 18:00 CET (17:00 BST) at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.

The Bianconeri have a two-point lead over fifth-placed Como, but with a game in hand, while Verona were mathematically relegated on Friday following Lecce’s away victory at Pisa.

Juan Cabal and Arkadiusz Milik are unavailable for Juventus, while Verona have once again dropped Gift Orban after the Nigeria international fought with a fan in the street last month.

Multiple sources, including Gazzetta and Sky Sport Italia, report that Juventus star Yildiz is fit to start, making his return to the Juventus line-up for the first time in three weeks.

TURIN, ITALY - MARCH 07: Kenan Yildiz of Juventus celebrates after scoring the his team's third goal during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Pisa SC at Juventus Stadium on March 07, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Cottini/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 07: Kenan Yildiz of Juventus celebrates after scoring the his team’s third goal during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Pisa SC at Juventus Stadium on March 07, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Cottini/Getty Images)

Bianconeri coach Luciano Spalletti will likely pick Jonathan David as a sole striker, with Francisco Conceiçao completing the Old Lady’s three-man attack.

Juventus are unbeaten in the last eight Serie A games, collecting five wins and three draws since the start of March.

Juventus vs. Verona – where to watch on TV

The match will be broadcast live on DAZN in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a liveblog.

Juventus vs. Verona – probable line-ups

Juventus (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly; McKennie, Locatelli, Thuram, Cambiaso; Conceição, Yildiz; David. 

Verona (3-5-2): Montipò; Nelsson, Edmundsson, Frese; Belghali, Akpa Akpro, Gagliardini, Bernede, Bradaric; Suslov; Bowie.

 

Aston Villa eye ambitious move for Paris-Saint-Germain youngster as summer plans begin

Aston Villa are continuing to shape their long-term recruitment strategy, and Paris Saint-Germain teenager Ibrahim Mbaye has reportedly emerged as one of the young talents on their radar.

According to the Daily Mail, as reported by Sky Sports, Villa are closely monitoring the 18-year-old attacker as they prepare for a summer transfer window expected to focus heavily on signing emerging prospects rather than established stars.

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Villa’s recent progress in domestic and European competitions has encouraged the club to think strategically about the future.

Instead of relying solely on experienced names, the plan appears to revolve around identifying young players with high ceilings and Mbaye fits that profile perfectly.

Ibrahim Mbaye has caught the attention of top clubs

As per our recent exclusive, the biggest Premier League clubs including Liverpool and Manchester City are monitoring the PSG youngster ahead of the summer transfer window.

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This season, the teenager has made 21 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain, contributing one goal and two assists despite limited opportunities in a star-studded squad.

Breaking into PSG’s first team is never straightforward, especially with the club’s attacking depth featuring experienced international stars.

nder manager Luis Enrique, competition for attacking roles has been intense, meaning younger players often struggle to secure consistent minutes.

That reality has led several clubs across Europe to monitor Mbaye’s development closely, sensing that he could benefit from a move where playing opportunities are more accessible.

Aston Villa ready to provide the youngster a platform

Under their current project, Aston Villa have placed greater emphasis on recruitment that balances short-term competitiveness with long-term development.

Signing younger players allows Villa to build value within the squad while maintaining financial sustainability, something many Premier League clubs now prioritise.

However, securing Mbaye’s signature will not be straightforward. The forward still has two years remaining on his PSG contract, giving the French champions a strong position in negotiations.

Mbaye’s involvement with the Senegal national team has further boosted his reputation. He is expected to feature at this summer’s FIFA World Cup, which could significantly increase his market value if he performs well on the global stage.

Several European clubs are believed to be monitoring Mbaye’s situation, which could drive competition and push transfer fees higher.

For Aston Villa, that means timing will be crucial if they decide to move forward with a formal offer.

Aston Villa plot summer move for €25m La Liga star with “energy and technique”

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Liverpool make £24m for offer for defender with Slot ready to welcome him at Anfield

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot had urged the Anfield hierarchy to make a swift, bargain swoop for a Napoli star. Now, the identity of that target has finally been revealed.

With the Reds looking to strengthen their squad in all the positions, particularly the defensive positions, they have already identified their targets ahead of the summer transfer window.

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Despite heavy financial spending in the summer last year, this season’s performances have shown that the Merseyside club need a rebuild.

Liverpool place offer for Napoli star Buekema

According to a fresh report from Italian outlet AreaNapoli, Liverpool have placed a €28 million (£24.2m) offer on the table to secure the services of 27-year-old Dutch centre-back Sam Beukema.

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It doesn’t take a tactical genius to see exactly why Slot is heavily pushing for this specific signing.

Slot is naturally intimately familiar with the Dutch talent pool, and bringing in a compatriot who inherently understands his demanding, possession-based footballing philosophy makes total sense for his first transfer window.

More importantly, Liverpool are actively looking toward the future of their backline. While club captain Virgil van Dijk remains an absolute colossus at the heart of the defense, he isn’t getting any younger.

Beukema, who has quietly developed into a seriously commanding presence in Serie A, perfectly fits the profile of what the Reds are looking for.

At 27 years old, he is entering the absolute prime of his career, boasting the physical maturity and tactical intelligence required to handle the brutal, unforgiving pace of the Premier League.

Liverpool boss relies heavily on center-backs who are incredibly composed under intense pressing and capable of breaking opposition lines with crisp, progressive passing.

Dutchman could be a bargain signing for the Reds

Beukema has built a stellar reputation in Italy for his ball-playing abilities, as well as his aggressive, front-foot defending style.

Furthermore, the reported £24.2m fee is absolute music to the ears of the Fenway Sports Group (FSG) recruitment team.

In an outrageously inflated modern market where starting-caliber Premier League center-backs routinely command upwards of £60 million, snagging a proven, top-flight defender for under £25 million would be the ultimate “Moneyball” transfer.

The ball is now firmly in Napoli’s court. While the Italian club’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, is notoriously one of the toughest negotiators in world football, Liverpool’s opening €28m bid is a highly respectable starting point.

Liverpool in advanced talks for “incredible” Real Madrid target who could cost a fortune

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Prediction: Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest – Betting Tips, Team News, Key Facts

Verdict: Nottingham Forest over 0.5 goals Best Odds: 3/5 Bookmaker: Dachbet Desperate to find a route back into the European spots on Monday afternoon, Chelsea will welcome Nottingham Forest to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea Starting with the hosts, sacking Liam Rosenior last week following what has been a nightmare rut over the past few months, Chelsea […]

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The post Prediction: Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest – Betting Tips, Team News, Key Facts appeared first on Soccer News.

Arsenal 3-0 Fulham: Gyokeres and Saka shine as leaders pull six points clear

Viktor Gyokeres scored twice and Bukayo Saka was also on target as Arsenal went six points clear at the top of the Premier League with an easy 3-0 win over Fulham. The Gunners showed no signs of title nerves as they scored all three goals in a one-sided first half, allowing Mikel Arteta to rest […]

The post Arsenal 3-0 Fulham: Gyokeres and Saka shine as leaders pull six points clear appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Arsenal 3-0 Fulham: Gyokeres and Saka shine as leaders pull six points clear appeared first on Soccer News.

David Benavidez dismantles Zurdo Ramirez with stunning combination

David Benavidez dismantled Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez on Saturday, stopping the Mexican with a stunning combination to win the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles.

At T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Benavidez dropped Ramirez in the fourth round and again in the sixth, with the latter knockdown proving decisive.

The first knockdown came courtesy of Benavidez’s trademark, rapid flurries – one against the ropes and one out in the open – with single, heavier shots mixed in.

David Benavidez (left) stopped Zurdo Ramirez to become a three-weight world champion (Getty)
David Benavidez (left) stopped Zurdo Ramirez to become a three-weight world champion (Getty)

It was a left hook that finally put down Ramirez on that occasion, badly damaging his eye as well, but the 34-year-old was saved by the bell before battling through the fifth round.

But late in the sixth frame, Benavidez fought his way off the ropes and dug a right hook to the body, before unleashing a rapid-fire eight-punch combination.

That froze Ramirez, who then ate a left hook, a right, and one more of each. The southpaw retreated, holding a glove in front of his damaged eye, and sank to a knee.

Benavidez refrained from adding any unnecessary blows, before Ramirez shook his head at referee Thomas Taylor when the count hit eight, sparking jubilation in Benavidez in the corner.

The result kept the 29-year-old unbeaten (32-0, 26 KOs) and saw him become a three-weight world champion, as he added to his title reigns at super-middleweight and light-heavyweight.

Meanwhile, Ramirez (48-2, 30 KOs) tasted defeat for just the second time, following his 2022 points loss to Dmitry Bivol.

Benavidez stayed unbeaten while handing Ramirez his second loss (AP)
Benavidez stayed unbeaten while handing Ramirez his second loss (AP)

Bivol was on Benavidez’s radar during the latter’s recent light-heavyweight venture, although the former undisputed champion is tied up with a fight against Michael Eifert on 30 May and then likely a trilogy bout against Artur Beterbiev.

Before targeting Bivol, Benavidez was eyeing a bout with Canelo Alvarez, but the Mexican-American’s frustrations at failing to secure a fight with Canelo led him to move up in weight.

Leicester vs. Chelsea, Women’s Super League: Preview, team news, how to watch

COBHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: Lauren James, Lexi Potter, Naomi Girma, Sandy Baltimore, Livia Peng, Meline Gerard, Camille Abily, and Lucy Bronze of Chelsea pose for a photograph during a Chelsea FC Women's Training Session at Chelsea Training Ground on April 22, 2026 in Cobham, England. (Photo by Harriet Lander - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images) | Chelsea FC via Getty Images

On one side a team that has very little to play for in the Women’s Super League but their own honour after confirming their relegation last weekend. On the other side a team that has to lock down a UEFA Women’s Champions League berth by preferably beating everyone left in their path so they don’t depend on others to achieve such a feat.

Such is life in league football.

Date / Time: Sunday, May 3, 2026, 14.30 BST; 9:30am EDT
Venue: King Power Stadium, Leicester, UK
Referee: Ade Soneye
Forecast: Some clouds and some wind

On TV: BBC Two (UK); none (USA); elsewhere
Streaming: BBC iPlayer (UK); ESPN+, fuboTV (USA)

Leicester team news: It’s been a season to forget for the Foxes who are already relegated from the Women’s Super League. In this miserable term they’ve gotten nine points in 20 league matches, which is less than half of what they got last year.

Now that they’re playing for honour and not much more, they can try to put up a show against Chelsea by risking it for the biscuit. Not that one should expect to happen as they don’t want to risk humiliation either. But they do have a mostly clean slate in terms of injuries meaning they can go ahead with full force against the defending champions.

Chelsea team news: It can’t be said enough that this Chelsea Women team is not like the ones from the recent past. And even with all adversities we’re still holding onto second place in the Women’s Super League — although beating Manchester City for the title would require a few miracles to happen, in a sequence that only a very bad YA novel could bring to the table.

With captain Millie Bright retiring from the sport our only ongoing injury concern has been Aggie Beever-Jones. And the English attacker is available for today’s game.

Hooray!

Previously: Four goals to nil.

DeVaux makes history with Kentucky Derby victory

Cherie DeVaux kisses the Kentucky Derby trophy
Cherie DeVaux has gone from riding out at Churchill Downs to training the winner of the Kentucky Derby, which is run at the racecourse [Getty Images]

Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby as Golden Tempo surged from last place to triumph by a neck at Churchill Downs.

Jockey Joe Ortiz urged the 23-1 shot past 4-1 favourite Renegade - ridden by his brother Irad Ortiz Jr - on the line in a breathtaking finish, while Ocelli was third in the 152nd edition of the race.

"Today's my day and Golden Tempo's day," said Joe Ortiz, after winning American Flat racing's most prestigious event at the 11th attempt.

"I want [brother Irad] to win the Derby, of course - I know it's his dream as well - but it happened that way. I think he should be happy, his horse ran a very good race."

Winning trainer DeVaux said she never imagined she would be victorious in the Kentucky Derby.

"I started my career here 22 years ago as a bright-eyed bushy tailed exercise rider and I would not believe that I would be sitting up here today," she added.

Golden Tempo was at the back of the 18-strong field with half a mile of the one and quarter mile race to go.

Renegade was also off the pace, about 15 lengths back midway through the race as he tried to become the first horse to win from the inside gate in 40 years.

But after storming down the final stretch it looked like the favourite had secured victory, only for Golden Tempo to edge past him on the line, winning in a time of two minutes 2.27 seconds.

Joe Ortiz followed up his victory in the Kentucky Oaks aboard Always A Runner on Friday to become just the ninth jockey to win both races in the same year.

Jockey Joe Ortiz celebrates winning the Kentucky Derby on Golden Tempo
Golden Tempo's victory in the Kentucky Derby earned his owners $3.1m (£2.3m) in prize money [Getty Images]

'I'm glad I could be a representative of women everywhere'

The thrilling finish was almost too much for history-making trainer DeVaux to bear, as she joined Jena Antonucci - who trained Arcangelo in the 2023 Belmont Stakes - as the only female trainers to win a Triple Crown race in the United States.

"I don't have any words, I'm so, so happy," DeVaux, who has saddled 298 winners in 1,802 career starts, told NBC Sports after the race.

"I'm glad I could be a representative of women everywhere and I want to say thank you to the team at Phipps Stable and St Elias Stable [the owners].

"In the summer of 2017 I was kind of at a crossroads in life and my husband told me that I owed it to myself to at least try. He had the faith in me and he saw what I didn't see and believed in me."

Como vs Napoli – Betting Preview, Best Tips & Predictions

Como vs Napoli – Betting Preview, Best Tips & Predictions
Como vs Napoli – Betting Preview, Best Tips & Predictions

Napoli’s Serie A title defense could end this weekend, even if they beat top-four hopefuls Como on Saturday afternoon. A victory in this high-stakes clash at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia may mean nothing for the visitors if runaway leaders Inter beat Parma at home the following day.

Even if the Partenopei do win here, it would only postpone the inevitable, given that they lag ten points behind the Nerazzurri with only four games left to play. However, Napoli lost on their last visitto the Sinigaglia Stadium, falling to a 2-1 defeat in February 2025.

In fact, Como have won their last two home league meetings with the Naples giants. Nothing less will do here as they sit three points adrift of fourth-placed Juventus after halting a three-game losing streak in all competitions with a dominant 2-0 victory at Genoa.

As for Napoli, a win here would all but secure them a place in next season’s Champions League. Antonio Conte’s side should take the field in high spirits following a thumping 4-0 triumph over relegation-threatened Cremonese last weekend.

Full-Time Result

A comfortable seven-point cushion down to seventh-placed Atalanta suggests that Como are on the brink of securing a first-ever European qualification. Still, manager Cesc Fabregas boasts much loftier ambitions, with the Lariani hoping to haul back a three-point deficit to Juventus.

Therefore, the hosts cannot afford another slip-up here. Como’s impressive home record in Serie A this season can inspire confidence (W9, D5, L3), even though they lost their last home match to Inter despite taking a two-goal lead in the first half.

Inter’s comeback knocked Como down from a three-game winning home league streak and maintained their dreadful run against the division’s top teams. Indeed, Fabregas’ men are still seeking their first Serie A victory against a current top-three side this season (D2, L3).

Como’s underwhelming record in high-profile fixtures can encourage Napoli, who will be out to avenge February’s gut-wrenching loss in the Coppa Italia. However, that could prove easier said than done, as they’ve won just one of their four competitive clashes against the Lariani since their top-flight promotion (D1, L2).

Adding to this sentiment, six of Napoli’s seven Serie A defeats this season have come on the road. Furthermore, just three of their nine away league wins have seen them beat teams currently positioned 13th or better (D2, L6), highlighting the size of the task ahead. Given how both sides have fared recently, a share of the spoils feels like the most realistic outcome.

Over/Under Market

Though just unde 47% of Como’s home matches in Serie A this season have featured over 2.5 goals, their last six league outings at the Sinigaglia Stadium have all comfortably cleared that line. Indeed, their two most recent such fixtures have produced a total of 12 goals, with Como scoring at least three on both occasions.

By contrast, Napoli’s last two away games have contained under 2.5 goals. However, their five previous such contests had all featured at least three goals, suggesting this matchup could still deliver plenty of goalmouth action. It’s also worth noting that two of the three Serie A meetings between Napoli and Como this century have turned into high-scoring affairs.

CSK IPL 2026 playoff scenarios: Chennai Super Kings still alive but margin for error is shrinking

Chennai Super Kings kept their season alive with a commanding eight-wicket win over Mumbai Indians at Chepauk, a result built on disciplined bowling and a controlled chase. After restricting MI to 159 despite a strong start, CSK rode on Ruturaj Gaikwad’s unbeaten 67 and Kartik Sharma’s fluent half-century to seal a comfortable victory. The win not only completed a league double over their rivals but also revived CSK’s playoff hopes. However, with just a handful of games left, this was more survival than momentum - and the equation remains tight.


CSK’s current IPL 2026 points table standings


Chennai Super Kings have played 9 matches, winning 4 and losing 5.
They have 8 points with a Net Run Rate of +0.005 and are currently placed sixth on the table.


  • Matches played: 9
  • Wins: 4
  • Losses: 5
  • Points: 8
  • Net Run Rate: +0.005
  • Current position: 6th on the table

They sit just outside the top four but remain within touching distance. However, with multiple teams clustered in the mid-table, CSK are locked in a tight playoff race.


IPL 2026 playoff qualification benchmark


Historically, the qualification cutoff in the IPL has remained consistent.


  • 14 points (7 wins): Minimum realistic cutoff
  • 16 points (8 wins): Safe qualification zone

The only exception came in 2019, when Sunrisers Hyderabad qualified with 12 points — the only instance of a team progressing with fewer than 14 points and more losses than wins.


In most seasons, 7 wins keeps you alive, 8 wins puts you in control.


What Chennai Super Kings need from here


CSK currently have 8 points from 9 matches, with 5 league games remaining.


  • Matches remaining: 5
  • Current points: 8
  • To reach 14 points: need 3 wins from 5 matches
  • To reach 16 points: need 4 wins from 5 matches

This leaves them with little room for slip-ups. No margin for error.


The big problem: Inconsistency at the wrong time


CSK’s recent form reads: W-L-W-L-W - a pattern that perfectly captures their season. They have struggled to build sustained momentum, alternating between strong performances and underwhelming outings. The win over Mumbai Indians showed they are good at controlled bowling on slower surfaces and composed chasing. But previous defeats have exposed recurring issues: middle-order slowdowns and an inability to close out tight games.


If this alternating trend continues, CSK are likely to win 2 or 3 of their remaining 5 matches. That would take them to 12 or 14 points - the former falling short, the latter leaving qualification dependent on Net Run Rate and other results. To break into the top four decisively, they must string together consecutive wins - something they haven’t managed consistently this season.


Nine matches into the season, they are yet to win back-to-back games regularly. Every time they have gained momentum, it has been followed by a dip. This stop-start pattern has prevented them from climbing into the top four despite being in contention throughout.

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Upcoming IPL 2026 fixtures for Chennai Super Kings


  • May 10 vs Lucknow Super Giants (Chennai) - must-win against struggling opposition
  • May 15 vs Lucknow Super Giants (Lucknow) - tricky away fixture but still winnable
  • May 18 vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (Chennai) - tough test against in-form top-three side
  • May 21 vs Gujarat Titans (Ahmedabad) - difficult away clash against direct rival

Chennai Super Kings are not out yet, but they are walking a fine line. The equation is simple but demanding and they need a near-perfect run from here. They have the experience and home advantage in key games, but unless they fix their inconsistency, even favourable fixtures may not be enough. At this stage, CSK are very much alive, but one slip could push them out of contention.

Predicted Teams Espanyol-Real Madrid: A rare start for Gonzalo Garcia?

Predicted Teams Espanyol-Real Madrid: A rare start for Gonzalo Garcia?
Predicted Teams Espanyol-Real Madrid: A rare start for Gonzalo Garcia?

Espanyol host Real Madrid on Sunday night 21:00 CEST at the RCDE Stadium knowing that any result in their favour hands Barcelona the title. With just five points separating them from the relegation zone though, Los Pericos can ill-afford to pass up points. Real Madrid, 14 behind Barcelona, are hoping to avoid more talk of a guard of honour before the final Clasico of the season next Sunday.

A late injury to Dani Carvajal has added him to Alvaro Arbeloa’s injury list, which already includes Thibaut Courtois, Kylian Mbappe, Arda Guler, Eder Militao and Rodrygo Goes. Espanyol have also lost Cyril Ngonge late in the week to injury, with Javi Puado also out. Midfielder Pol Lozano is suspended for the clash.

A rare start for Gonzalo Garcia?

As per MD, Gonzalo Garcia will be handed a rare start for Real Madrid, with Aurelien Tchouameni returning to the midfield in place of Thiago Pitarch. Otherwise the only change they foresee from Los Blancos’ 1-1 draw with Real Betis is the return of Alvaro Carreras at left-back.

Diario AS feel Pitarch could retain his spot over Gonzalo, but it may well be Eduardo Camavinga that comes in, with Arbeloa not flush for alternatives. Franco Mastantuono is the only other attacking option on the bench.

Number nine debate also alive at Espanyol

The number nine debate also exists at Espanyol, where Manolo Gonzalez is debating whether to use the experienced Kike Garcia up front, or the more energetic Roberto Fernandez. Otherwise Los Pericos have a relatively settled line-up, with Tyrhys Dolan coming in for the injured Ngonge, and Urko Gonzalez and Edu Exposito anchoring the midfield in the absence of Lozano.

Espanyol are hoping to end a run of 16 games without a win that has been running for the whole of 2026, while Real Madrid are seeking a second win since March, with just one in their last seven games.

Paris Saint-Germain set sights on poaching 18-year-old Real Madrid starlet

Paris Saint-Germain set sights on poaching 18-year-old Real Madrid starlet
Paris Saint-Germain set sights on poaching 18-year-old Real Madrid starlet

After swiping La Masia talent Dro Fernandez from Barcelona in January, Paris Saint-Germain now have one of Real Madrid’s starlets in their sights. The Blaugrana were unhappy to see one of their brightest young players depart, but PSG will have more of a battle on their hands to wrest Joan Martinez from Los Blancos’ grip.

As explained by Marca, PSG Sporting Director Luis Campos has set his sights on Martinez as a potential option this summer. They have been following his progress for some time, and several months ago were informed of the terms of his contract. With a deal running until 2029, Martinez has a release clause of €150m, that means PSG would have to negotiate a deal with Real Madrid in order to sign Martinez.

‘Chances’ Martinez leaves Real Madrid this summer

That said, the Madrid-based paper say that Martinez’s place at Real Madrid is not set in stone this summer. They say that along with fellow Castilla talents Diego Aguado and Victor Valdepenas, Martinez could be allowed to leave this summer, although only if Real Madrid’s first team is covered by the five centre-back options they want for next season. Currently, Eder Militao and Dean Huijsen are the only guarantees in that regard.

Los Blancos have made a habit of selling starlets for a lower fee with a 50% sell-on fee and a buyback option, as is the case with Jacobo Ramon and Nico Paz, but in this instance, Real Madrid would only consider a large transfer fee. That formula would not be on the table in a deal with PSG.

Martinez progress has slowed

Two summers ago, Martinez began preseason with the senior side as a 16-year-old, before an anterior cruciate ligament injury ruled him out for much of the season. It was expected that this season he would be gradually introduced into the first team, but on several occasions Aguado and Valdepenas have been preferred. Despite a good season with Castilla, Martinez is not guaranteed opportunities next season either.

Petr Cech says exactly what fans feel as he delivers worrying Chelsea verdict

Petr Cech says exactly what fans feel as he delivers worrying Chelsea verdict
Petr Cech says exactly what fans feel as he delivers worrying Chelsea verdict

Chelsea legend Petr Cech has said the club is “completely different” to how it was and doesn’t believe you can compare it to the Roman Abramovich days.

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Cech was part of the successful Abramovich era where Chelsea were one of the best teams in the country, and won every trophy possible.

After retiring Cech worked at the club as a technical director, a role he left following the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital takeover in 2022.

Petr Cech doesn’t recognise Chelsea anymore

It’s an understatement to say Chelsea are a different club now, and things are done very differently under this ownership.

Recruitment is heavily focused on signing young talents who are placed on long contracts, with players moved on very quickly.

Success on the pitch has been lacking over the last four years, although Enzo Maresca did win two trophies and get the club back in the Champions League last season.

However, Chelsea currently sit ninth in the league, and are on course to miss out on the Champions League for the third time in four seasons.

Fans don’t recognise the club anymore and have protested against the ownership, and Cech also feels the club is different.

“It’s different,” he told The Athletic.

“Maybe if I were there on a daily basis, I would, I would see it differently.

“From what you see from the outside, I don’t think you can compare because of the vision and the way that the club operates, how they want to do things.

“It’s completely different from how it was.”

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In other news…

Chelsea are reportedly among the clubs to have made an enquiry for Brentford striker Igor Thiago, with the Bees expected to set their asking price at around £80m.

More Stories / Latest News

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3rd May 2026, 09:30am

“I’m going to go” – John Terry delivers his Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest verdict

3rd May 2026, 09:00am

Thiago has scored 22 goals in the league this season, second to only Erling Haaland, and Brentford could face a tough task keeping hold of the Brazilian in the summer.

Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:

Redemption arc complete: Ex-Liverpool player hailed as a hero as his club pop the champagne

Redemption arc complete: Ex-Liverpool player hailed as a hero as his club pop the champagne
Redemption arc complete: Ex-Liverpool player hailed as a hero as his club pop the champagne

For one former Liverpool player, this weekend has brought the ultimate redemption after experiencing moments of hell earlier in his career.


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Eight years ago this week, the Reds reached their first of three Champions League finals under Jurgen Klopp, but the showpiece in Kyiv is remembered for two costly errors from Loris Karius in a 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid.

He would never again play for LFC after that fateful night in the Ukrainian capital and admitted earlier this year that, when the Merseyside club released him in 2022, he thought his career in football was over.

Karius hailed as Schalke promoted back to the Bundesliga

The ex-Liverpool goalkeeper is now playing with Schalke 04 in his native Germany, and on Saturday they were celebrating promotion back to the Bundesliga with two games to spare after a three-year absence, following their 1-0 win at home to Fortuna Dusseldorf.

Karius kept his 12th league clean sheet of the season in that season-defining victory and has a terrific concession rate of just 24 goals in 29 appearances throughout the campaign, an average of 0.83 per game (Transfermarkt).

The Athletic’s German football correspondent Seb Stafford-Bloor highlighted the 32-year-old’s contribution to the club’s top-flight return as he posted on X: ‘Schalke are promoted and there are many reasons why, but Loris Karius is among them.

‘He’s been essential and a less experienced goalkeeper might not have handled the big club environment as well. Well done him. I’m sure there are few who begrudge him this moment.’

(Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

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Karius’ redemption arc is complete

Liverpool fans will be delighted for Karius that, after the nightmare of Kyiv in 2018 and the mental torture he experienced in the months after that defeat to Real Madrid, he’s now been lauded as a hero of Schalke’s return to the Bundesliga.

He played a vital role in the game which clinched promotion, too, with the club’s official match report highlighting ‘a fine save’ to deny Tim Oberdorf when the Gelsenkirchen side were delicately retaining their 1-0 lead early in the second half.

As frequent Champions League participants in the past (and semi-finalists in 2011), Schalke will feel they are now back in their rightful place in the top flight; and based on his season’s heroics, surely the former Reds goalkeeper will be a crucial figure for them in the Bundesliga as well.

We can only imagine what must’ve been going through Karius’ mind after that fateful final eight years ago, and we can’t speak highly enough of his resilience in coming back from that to play a vital role in his current club’s promotion, and be recognised as one of their main heroes.

Good on you, lad, and may the good times continue for you into next season as well!

Serie A Preview: Sassuolo vs Milan – Team News, Lineups & Prediction

Serie A Preview: Sassuolo vs Milan – Team News, Lineups & Prediction
Serie A Preview: Sassuolo vs Milan – Team News, Lineups & Prediction

Serie A top-four hopefuls Milan head to the Mapei Stadium to face mid-table Sassuolo in a must-win clash on Sunday afternoon. While the result won’t mean much for the home side, it could prove decisive for the visitors, whose recent performances have cast doubt on their lofty ambitions.

It has been a remarkable comeback season for Sassuolo, who earned a swift return to the top flight last season. Sitting 11th in the standings, the Neroverdi can still secure their best Serie A finish since the 2020/21 campaign and break into the top half.

Udinese’s 2-0 home win over Torino yesterday saw Kostra Runjaic’s side leapfrog Sassuolo in the table. However, with a single point separating Fabio Grosso’s charges for the Friulians ahead of the afternoon kick-off, the hosts still have every chance of reclaiming a top-half spot before the end of the round.

Visiting Milan will be keen to prevent that from happening, as they aim to solidify their position in the top-four race amid a rough patch. Indeed, the visitors’ shambolic form in the last four rounds (W1, D1, L2) has compromised their Champions League ambitions, leaving them only five points clear of fifth-placed Como.

With the Lariani sharing the spoils with Napoli in a dull 0-0 draw yesterday, this feels like a perfect chance for the Rossoneri to re-establish breathing room in the top-four race, as they aim to bounce back from a scoreless stalemate against Juventus last weekend.

Match Preview

Sassuolo

Despite last Sunday’s goalless draw at Fiorentina, Sassuolo should take the field in high spirits, having lost just once in their last five league outings (W2, D2). A strong season ending is well on the cards for Grosso’s side, given that only four teams have collected more than Sassuolo’s 23-point tally since Gameweek 22.

Furthermore, they’ve been in an unforgiving mood at the Mapei Stadium, racking up four wins across their last five home matches in Serie A (L1), including a pair of 2-1 victories over Como and Cagliari in the build-up to this showdown. As a result, they now seek a third consecutive home triumph in the top flight for the first time since April 2022.

Milan’s visit is unlikely to faze Sassuolo, as they’ve gone unbeaten in six of the last eight meetings between the sides in Serie A (W3, D3, L3), including a goal-glutted 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture. Against this backdrop, the Neroverdi have won none of their last eight home clashes against the San Siro giants (D2, L6).

Milan

After losing just twice in the first 28 rounds, Milan have suffered three defeats in their last six Serie A games (W2, D1), but they’re still in pole position to make a swift return to the Champions League. Nevertheless, returning manager Massimiliano Allegri has failed to seize the advantage of Milan’s light schedule this season to mount a serious Scudetto challenge.

Struggles in front of goal have been a recurring theme for the 19-time Italian champions, as they’ve failed to get on the scoresheet in five of their last nine league matches. In fact, they’re the only current top-five side yet to smash a 50-goal barrier this term, netting a mediocre average of 1.41 goals per game so far.

However, Milan have fared outstandingly against ‘lesser’ opponents this season, going unbeaten in all ten away matches against teams starting this round ninth or worse (W8, D2). Defensive solidity has been crucial for their away success, with the Rossoneri conceding one goal or fewer on their last ten Serie A road trips.

Team News

Sassuolo will be without Filippo Romagna, Edoardo Pieragnolo, and Fali Cande, while Daniel Boloca is also not expected to recover in time for this showdown. Meanwhile, star winger Domenico Berardi returns from suspension to face familiar foes, looking to add to his impressive tally of 11 goals in 19 Serie A appearances against Milan.

Meanwhile, the Rossoneri cannot call upon veteran midfielder Luka Modric, who suffered a season-ending facial injury against Juventus. The Croatian superstar’s absence is likely to open space for Ardon Jashari, who’s expected to get the nod ahead of Samuele Ricci. After yet another dismal performance, Christian Pulisic could make way for Christopher Nkunku.

Sassuolo vs Milan Potential Starting Lineups

Sassuolo (4-3-3): Turati; Walukiewicz, Muharemovic, Idzes, Garcia; Kone, Matic, Thorstvedt; Berardi, Pinamonti, Lauriente.

Milan (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Jashari, Rabiot, Estupinan; Leao, Nkunku.

Sassuolo vs Milan Prediction

With Sassuolo heading into proceedings in fine form, this won’t be a simple task for Milan, especially given their recent showings. However, the Rossoneri must handle the pressure if they’re serious about securing Champions League football, and their strong away record against lower-half opposition could prove decisive at the Mapei Stadium.

Serie A: Inter vs. Parma – probable line-ups, where to watch on TV

Serie A: Inter vs. Parma – probable line-ups, where to watch on TV
Serie A: Inter vs. Parma – probable line-ups, where to watch on TV

Inter star Alessandro Bastoni is expected to start against Parma, while Lautaro Martinez will go on the bench with the Nerazzurri needing just one point to win the 2025-26 Scudetto.

It kicks off at 20:45 CET (19:45 BST) at the Stadio Meazza in Milan, San Siro.

Football Italia will be among the accredited media.

Inter must cope without Hakan Calhanoglu and Luis Henrique, but Lautaro Martinez has recovered from an injury and will go on the bench.

Bastoni’s fitness is also improving, so the Italian defender is expected to start in a three-man defence, according to Sky Sport, Gazzetta, and other reputable Italian media outlets.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan is favourite over Petar Sucic in central midfield.

Following Napoli’s 0-0 draw against Como on Saturday, a draw will be enough for Inter to win the Scudetto tonight with three games to spare.

Parma have travelled to Milan without the injured Frigan and Cremaschi.

Carlos Cuesta will look to his ideal XI with Adrian Bernabé in central midfield and Mateo Pellegrino in attack.

Inter vs. Parma – where to watch on TV

The match will be broadcast on TNT Sports 2, DAZN and HBO Max in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates with a liveblog from San Siro.

Inter vs. Parma – probable line-ups

Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Esposito.

Parma (3-5-2): Suzuki; Circati, Troilo, Valenti; Delprato, Bernabé, Nicolussi Caviglia, Keita, Valeri; Strefezza, Pellegrino.

UCL opponent could blow Juventus out of the water with €50m Bernardo Silva offer

UCL opponent could blow Juventus out of the water with €50m Bernardo Silva offer
UCL opponent could blow Juventus out of the water with €50m Bernardo Silva offer

Juventus reportedly have a new fierce rival in the race for Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva, as Galatasaray are ready to launch a serious onslaught.

The Portuguese playmaker has announced his departure from the Etihad at the end of the season, putting an end to an unforgettable nine-year stint that yielded a host of accolades, including six Premier League titles and one Champions League trophy.

The 31-year-old has thus become one of the most sought-after players on the free agent market ahead of next summer, raising alarm bells across Europe and beyond.

Galatasaray join Juventus in the race for Man City captain Bernardo Silva

In recent weeks, Juventus emerged as one Silva’s staunchest suitors, and have already opened a dialogue with his representative, Jorge Mendes.

The Portuguese super agent reportedly offered his client’s services to the two biggest clubs in Spain, but Real Madrid weren’t interested, while talks with Barcelona have recently stalled.

Determined to play his football at the highest level, Silva rejected tropical destinations, like the MLS and the Saudi Pro League.

But while Juventus appeared to be in a prime position to recruit the playmaker, reports from Turkiye (relayed by A Bola) claimed that Galatasaray are ready to make a big splash.

Following their Champions League elimination at the hands of Victor Osimhen and Co., losing this transfer duel would be a tough pill to swallow for the Turin-based club.

Can Juventus compete with immense Galatasaray offer?

These sources claim that the Istanbul-based giants are preparing a three-year contract for Silva worth €50 million. If these figures are true, they would certainly dwarf Juve’s offer.

The Bianconeri have a self-imposed salary cap of €7 million. The club would try to work around this ceiling by offering the Portuguese international various bonuses and add-ons, raising his yearly earnings to circa €9 million.

However, this remains insufficient to compete with Galatasaray’s offer, at least from a financial perspective.

Nevertheless, the Serie A giants will be hoping their allure can help them land a top-notch midfielder, who many consider to be the missing piece in Luciano Spalletti’s tactical setup.

Report: Chelsea and Man United set to battle it out for €60m rated Premier League star

Report: Chelsea and Man United set to battle it out for €60m rated Premier League star
Report: Chelsea and Man United set to battle it out for €60m rated Premier League star

Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki is on Chelsea’s list of potential replacements for Enzo Fernandez should he leave this summer according to reports.

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHELSEA NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON THE APP STORE

Having had a quiet January the Blues are once again expected to be busy this summer, with reinforcements required throughout the squad.

Chelsea are said to still be looking for a centre back, whilst it’s thought they want to add another midfielder and attacker.

Chelsea want Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki

Chelsea have been heavily criticised for their youth focused recruitment policy, but they’re reportedly going to target players with proven Premier League experience this summer.

Co-owner Behdad Eghbali has stated the model will be tweaked, but fans will only believe it when they see evidence of it.

A new midfielder was said to be a priority, even before doubts emerged over the future of Fernandez, and the Blues have been linked with several names.

Chelsea are said to admire both Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton, whilst Strasbourg’s Valentin Barco is believed to be joining this summer.

The Blues have also been linked with Sadiki, and Caught Offside have reported Chelsea held talks with his representatives last week.

The report adds Manchester United are monitoring him carefully, whilst Arsenal and Everton are thought to also be in the mix.

Caught Offside state Sunderland’s stance is they have no intention of selling, but figures of around €50-€60m could change their mind.

Sadiki is under contract until 2030 having joined the club last summer, and he’s made 32 appearances in all competitions this season.

If you enjoy Chelsea News coverage and want to see more of it, add us as a preferred source on Google to make us a favourite and see more of our content.

In other news…

Chelsea are reportedly among the clubs to have made an enquiry for Brentford striker Igor Thiago, with the Bees expected to set their asking price at around £80m.

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Thiago has scored 22 goals in the league this season, second to only Erling Haaland, and Brentford could face a tough task keeping hold of the Brazilian in the summer.

Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:

Union's Eta frustrated by offside interpretation despite first point

Marie-Louise Eta picked up her first point as Union Berlin's interim coach but was frustrated that Cologne's opener in the 2-2 draw was allowed to stand after the referee's interpretation of the offside law

An offside Said El Mala tried to reach a through-ball from Kristoffer Lund but then stopped his run. Referee David Schlager's assistant Stefan Lupp raised his flag, but Schlager allowed Jakub Kamiński to play on and ex-Union player Marius Bülter scored.

"The assistant referee raises his flag and players naturally react accordingly," Eta told reporters on Saturday.

Union's defence also acted differently because of El Mala's run.

But Eta, whose Bundesliga side are still not safe after her third game in charge, also acknowledged her team had broken a cardinal sin of football.

"Of course you still have to keep playing if the referee's whistle doesn't come," she said.

Schlager explained his interpretation to Sky TV.

"For a sanctionable offside position to exist, one of three criteria must apply. First he has to play the ball - he doesn't. He has to be in a challenge with an opponent for the ball. That is also not the case. Or he has to influence the opponent in the contest for the ball. That also doesn't apply," the referee alleged.

The fact the assistant raised his flag suggests he thought El Mala was interfering.

But the referee said the assistant should have waited.

"This is a topic we will work through. The flag went up a bit too early," Schlager said.

See Louisville women's basketball lineup after transfer portal moves

Jeff Walz has had another successful offseason in the transfer portal. 

Heading into his 20th season as the Louisville women’s basketball coach, Walz added three key pieces from the portal and retained the core of the current team, which finished the season with a Sweet 16 appearance and 29-8 record.

The Cardinals, who ranked 11th in the final USA TODAY Coaches Poll of the season, will use the next six months to prepare for a 2026-27 campaign that’s sure to arrive with high expectations. With seven upperclassmen who have all played significant minutes, this will be one of the Cardinals’ oldest and deepest teams in the last decade. 

Here’s an updated look at Louisville’s 2026-27 women’s basketball team and projected starters: 

Louisville women’s basketball incoming transfer portal players 

Zam Jones, guard, N.C. State; Deniya Prawl, wing, Tennessee; Carys Baker, forward, Virginia Tech 

Louisville replaced some height lost with the 6-foot-2 Laura Ziegler signing with the L.A. Sparks and 6-3 Anaya Hardy transferring to Notre Dame but added two 6-2 players in Baker and Prawl to help in the frontcourt. Prawl was a Louisville target coming out of high school, so the Cardinals staff is familiar with her game. She didn’t play much as a freshman for the Volunteers — who underwent a major roster overhaul this offseason — but has time to develop within Walz’s program. Baker and Jones, ESPN's eighth-ranked transfer portal player, will be upperclassmen with one and two years, respectively, of eligibility remaining. Not only do they bring veteran leadership, but the two also have plenty of scoring ability. Jones took a leap in performance by averaging 14.9 points per game while shooting 36.6% from 3-point range in 2025-26. Baker shot 37.9% from long distance and 42.9% from the field, averaging 14.3 points per game. 

Jan 4, 2026; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies forward Carys Baker (10) shoots against Louisville Cardinals forward Elif Istanbulluoglu (11) during the second half at KFC Yum! Center. Louisville defeated Virginia Tech 85-60. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

Louisville women’s basketball outgoing transfer portal players 

Anaya Hardy, forward (Notre Dame); Peyton Bradley, guard (UAB); Skylar Jones, wing (Baylor); Isla Juffermans, forward (College of Charleston)

Juffermans redshirted this season but will join former assistant coach Amanda Butler at the College of Charleston. Bradley only played in garbage time, while Jones, who had two 20-point games, saw her time on the court dwindle in the later stages of the regular season before Walz announced that she and the team parted ways prior to the NCAA Tournament. Hardy became a starter for the Cardinals one month into the regular season and was somewhat limited in her scoring ability. But she was accurate in the post, shooting a team-best 66.7% from the field while averaging 4.2 points in 11.4 minutes per game. 

Louisville women’s basketball high school signees 

Ariyana "Peanut" Cradle, guard; Myah Epps, guard; Ayse Melek Demirer, forward 

Cradle and Epps are ranked 38th and 68th, respectively in the 2026 SportsCenter Next 100 and enhance the Cardinals’ back court. Walz’s international success has also continued with the signing of Ayse Melek Demirer from Turkey. Because of everything Louisville is bringing back and signing from the transfer portal, it’s hard to imagine either of the three sees significant playing time as true freshmen. But their talent level combined with the leadership of the Cards’ upcoming junior class bodes well for the development and longevity of the incoming freshmen. 

Louisville women’s basketball key returners 

DULUTH, GEORGIA - MARCH 07: MacKenly Randolph #4 and Elif Istanbulluoglu #11 of the Louisville Cardinals react after their win over the North Carolina Tar Heels during the semifinals of the Women's ACC Tournament between the Louisville Cardinals and North Carolina Tar Heels at Gas South Arena on March 07, 2026 in Duluth, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Taj Roberts, guard; Elif Istanbulluoglu, forward; Mackenly Randolph, wing; Imari Berry, guard 

Louisville is set to bring back four of its top five scorers — three of whom averaged 10 or more points per game — and three of the top four rebounders from a team that averaged 78.7 points and 40.9 rebounds per contest. The Cardinals took a major stride in their development between the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons. They can benefit from a strong offseason to keep that growth going with the stout junior class of Roberts, Randolph and Berry leading the way. Istanbulluoglu will be entering her senior season and expected to take on a stronger leadership role after already providing the blueprint for what an effective offseason can do for one’s game. 

Louisville women’s basketball 2026-27 projected starters 

Taj Roberts, guard 

Zam Jones, guard 

Mackenly Randolph, wing 

Elif Istanbulluoglu, forward 

Carys Baker, forward

Reach Louisville football, women's basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at acubit@gannett.com and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit. 

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville women's basketball roster after transfer portal moves

Jrue Holiday expected to draw dignificant trade interest

Word is that Portland fully expects Lillard to return next season from the Achilles tear he sustained in April 2025 to potentially join Jrue Holiday in its starting backcourt ... with Henderson in the mix as well. How all the pieces fit together remains to be seen, but it's likewise expected that the Blazers will field plenty of external trade interest in Holiday in coming weeks and months.

marcstein.substack.com

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Jrue Holiday expected to draw dignificant trade interest

Jaylen Brown takes shot at Joel Embiid: 'He was flopping around'

Oh No He Didn't: Jaylen Brown on Joel Embiid:"He's a big body. He also was flopping around. He got some extra calls and stuff like that and they rewarded him for that. But that's the league that we're in" 👀👀👀

Twitter

Jaylen Brown on Joel Embiid:

"He's a big body. He also was flopping around. He got some extra calls and stuff like that and they rewarded him for that. But that's the league that we're in"

👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/Y9FcCcSD6X

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) May 3, 2026

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Jaylen Brown takes shot at Joel Embiid: 'He was flopping around'

Joel Embiid asks Sixers fans not to sell their tickets to Knicks fans

Knicks Videos: "I just have a message for our fans. Last time we played the Knicks it felt like this was Madison Square Garden East. Knicks fans, they travel, they're going to buy the tickets." Joel Embiid encourages 76ers fans to combat the high Knick fan presence in Philadelphia:

Twitter

"I just have a message for our fans. Last time we played the Knicks it felt like this was Madison Square Garden East. Knicks fans, they travel, they're going to buy the tickets."

Joel Embiid encourages 76ers fans to combat the high Knick fan presence in Philadelphia: pic.twitter.com/0jNBEngl8B

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 3, 2026

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Joel Embiid asks Sixers fans not to sell their tickets to Knicks fans

Embiid answers questions regarding the chemistry of …

MrBuckBuck: Joel Embiid answers questions regarding the chemistry of the group, answering what feels different about this team. From the postgame conference.

Twitter

Joel Embiid answers questions regarding the chemistry of the group, answering what feels different about this team.

From the postgame conference. pic.twitter.com/xzFpVHfvli

— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) May 3, 2026

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Embiid answers questions regarding the chemistry of …

Boston, please be classy my friends! I still love and …

Joel Embiid: ROUND 1 ✅ Boston, please be classy my friends! I still love and respect you!!

Twitter

ROUND 1 ✅
Boston, please be classy my friends! I still love and respect you!! pic.twitter.com/PxuPR4kfR7

— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) May 3, 2026

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Boston, please be classy my friends! I still love and …

Now, there is no question of the team to beat in the …

The Knicks — coming off three of their best efforts of the season, including a 140-89 beatdown of the Hawks to reach the second round for the fourth straight season — will have had three days off before Monday’s game at Madison Square Garden against the 76ers and oft-injured nemesis Joel Embiid. They return a core that broke a 25-year conference finals drought. Now, there is no question of the team to beat in the East. “I haven’t heard of it,” Jalen Brunson said Saturday, “and I don’t care.”

New York Post

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Now, there is no question of the team to beat in the …

“The playoffs are a lot more physical than the regular …

The challenge will be even greater for the 28-year-old in a second-round matchup against the 76ers and Embiid, the former MVP who embraces the animosity he inspires at Madison Square Garden and infamously committed a dirty foul on Mitchell Robinson during the 2024 playoffs. “The playoffs are a lot more physical than the regular season,” Brown said. “Stuff happens. Everybody is human … [But] it’s extremely important in that situation to not have anything result in a future suspension or anything like that.”

New York Post

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: “The playoffs are a lot more physical than the regular …

It’s been a big postseason already for Karl-Anthony …

It’s been a big postseason already for Karl-Anthony Towns. He led the Knicks to a first-round series victory over the Hawks, and Friday, “The Devil Wears Prada 2” was released in theaters, with Towns making a cameo appearance. Towns plays himself in the movie, appearing in a scene in which he attends a party at the Hamptons house of Miranda Priestly, who is played by Meryl Streep. He is introduced to Anne Hathaway’s character, Andy. She tells him she’s a big fan of his and the Knicks. “It was an honor,” Towns said. “It was an honor and it was awesome to just see the masses of work at work in the acting world, and to be able to see them just do what they do at the highest level, it was such an honor.”

New York Post

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: It’s been a big postseason already for Karl-Anthony …

Texas A&M will start junior pitcher on the mound vs. Auburn in Game 3

No. 7 Texas A&M (34-10, 14-8 SEC) suffered its first SEC series loss after winning five in a row, falling to the visiting No. 8 Auburn Tigers in Saturday's doubleheader, 18-5 in Game 1, and a close 5-4 defeat in Game 2. While the offense can be blamed for not stepping up and matching the Tigers' early production, Game 1 was lost on the mound, as redshirt junior lefty Shane Sdao continues to struggle, lasting just one inning before being pulled.

Going into next week, second-year head coach Michael Earley and pitching coach Jason Kelley will need to reevaluate the starting lineup and should make Sdao the Sunday starter, switch Aiden Sims to Fridays, and Weston Moss to Saturdays. However, this late in the season, I could easily see the coaching staff stick with the lineup for another week, unless things go south against Ole Miss on the road.

After Saturday's doubleheader loss, Michael Earley stated that Weston Moss will take the mound on Sunday, which was assumed but is now confirmed. While he has looked better over his last two starts, Moss enters Game 3 with a 5.64 ERA, recording 42 strikeouts in his last ten starts, but has allowed 49 hits and 11 home runs, and is 3-2 on the year.

Either way, Moss is the second-best starting option, and could prove that further on Sunday, which could spur a change to the lineup sooner rather than later. Texas A&M will take on Auburn Sunday at 1:00 p.m. CT. and will be available to stream on SEC Network+.

Michael Earley said postgame that RHP Weston Moss will start for Texas A&M in tomorrow's series finale against Auburn.

— Alex Miller (@AlexMill20) May 3, 2026

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M will start Weston Moss on the mound vs. Auburn in Game 3

Predicting the Steelers Week One starting offense after the NFL Draft

With the 2026 NFL draft in the books, we have a fairly clear idea of what the Pittsburgh Steelers roster will look like at the start of the season. We obviously expect there to be some additional moves, including the eventual addition of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but the idea of any other spot getting a starter at this point in the offseason isn't likely.

So with that, here's our post-draft predictions for the Steelers Week One starting offense.

Quarterback

When Rodgers shows up, all will be forgiven and he will be the starter for better or worse.

Aaron Rodgers

Running back

We expect Jaylen Warren to be named the starter with Rico Dowdle as the No. 2 but look for the two guys to split carries fairly evenly in an offense that wants to run the Football

Jaylen Warren/Rico Dowdle

Wide receiver

We are listing three players here since running a third wide out is almost base offense in the NFL at this point. This is one area where we can see a rookie, Germie Bernard, see a fairly heavy workload in the right matchups.

DK Metcalf

Michael Pittman Jr.

Germie Bernard

Tight end

We are counting on 2026 to be a comeback year for Pat Freiermuth. We aren't sure why Mike Tomlin and Arthur Smith didn't use Freiermuth, but we are counting on new head coach Mike McCarthy being smarter than them. Yes, Darnell Washington will see the field plenty, and the Steelers will use two tight end sets, but Freiermuth will be the man this season.

Pat Freiermuth

Offensive line

Here is where we expect the most significant amount of change this offseason. With Broderick Jones' injury issues, there will be a new starting left tackle and with Isaac Seumalo gone, there will also be a new left guard. These spots will be highly contested and could come down the final week of preseason.

LT - Troy Fautanu

LG - Spencer Anderson

C - Zach Frazier

RG - Mason McCormick

RT - Max Iheanachor

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Predicting the Steelers Week One starting offense after the NFL Draft

Both Clemson tennis teams eliminated in round of 32 of NCAA Tournament

Clemson tennis had both of its NCAA Tournament runs come to an end Saturday, with the men’s and women’s teams each falling in the Round of 32 against top 15 opponents.

The Clemson men’s team fell 4-2 to No. 8 seed Arizona in Tucson, closing the year at 17-13 overall and 8-5 in ACC play. The women’s team, ranked No. 24 nationally, dropped a 4-1 match to No. 14 Vanderbilt in Nashville, ending its season at 19-9 overall and 7-6 in the ACC.

For the men, it was one of those matches where Clemson had enough singles fight to make things interesting, but dropping the doubles point made the climb a lot steeper. Arizona took doubles with wins on courts two and three, while Clemson’s No. 24 duo of Viktor Markov and Noa Vukadin was leading a top 20 Arizona pair 5-4 when the point was clinched.

Arizona then grabbed the first singles point on court one, where No. 4 Colton Smith Friend defeated No. 44 Markov, 7-5, 6-2. Clemson answered quickly. Max Farzam rolled past No. 98 Casper Rozin, 6-0, 7-5, on court three, and Vukadin followed with a strong 6-3, 6-3 win over No. 74 Gustafsson on court two to pull the Tigers into the match. The Wildcats responded at No. 6, where Uwe Kask beat Noah Cherubino, 7-6 (5), 6-0, before No. 105 Ludvig Ludovici closed it out with a 7-5, 7-5 win over Henrik Bladelius on court four. Marko Mesarovic was still fighting on court five and led his match 5-7, 6-4 when play was halted.

Locked in 🔒 pic.twitter.com/970D14e2tP

— Clemson Men's Tennis (@ClemsonMTennis) May 2, 2026

The women’s match had a similar frustrating shape. Vanderbilt took the doubles point, and Clemson spent the rest of the afternoon trying to claw back against another strong ranked opponent. Jade Groen and Rinon Okuwaki, the No. 57 doubles pair in the country, fell 6-3 to Vanderbilt’s No. 7 duo of Sophia Webster and Celia-Belle Mohr on court one. The Commodores clinched doubles on court three with a 6-2 win over Antonia Aslanisvili and Sophie Clayton, while Romana Cisovska and Talia Neilson-Gatenby were trailing 5-4 on court two when the point was decided.

Vanderbilt stretched the lead in singles when Mohr beat Groen, 6-3, 6-2, on court one, but Clemson got its answer from Aslanisvili on court five. She defeated Erin Pearce, 6-3, 6-4, giving the Tigers their lone point of the match and briefly cutting the deficit to 2-1. Vanderbilt then pulled away with wins on courts three and two, as No. 33 Valeria Ray beat Cisovska, 6-2, 6-3, before No. 12 Bridget Stammel held off No. 69 Okuwaki, 7-6 (8), 6-3, to clinch the match.

Fought hard until the end
Final: No. 24 Clemson 1, No. 14 Vanderbilt 4#OBpic.twitter.com/tfSKWGBPJ8

— Clemson Women's Tennis (@ClemsonWTennis) May 2, 2026

It is a tough ending for both Clemson teams, especially with each group running into a highly ranked opponent away from home. The men had to face a top-eight national seed on its own courts, while the women were sent to Nashville against a Vanderbilt team playing in its home state. Neither match ended the way Clemson wanted, but both teams at least gave themselves a chance to extend their seasons into the second weekend before the favorites closed the door.

Clemson baseball finds groove for impressive win over Boston College

📸 Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina, Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images https://t.co/541GMQ2ueZpic.twitter.com/8IVn1AsiGk

— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) May 3, 2026

For Clemson tennis, Saturday was a reminder of how thin the margin gets once the NCAA Tournament reaches the Round of 32. Both Tiger teams were good enough to get there. Both ran into opponents with just a little more firepower when it mattered.

Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.

This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson Clemson Tennis programs sent home in Round of 32

Alabama's opponent, seed revealed for 2026 SEC softball tournament

The bracket has been officially revealed for the 2026 SEC softball tournament.

Set to take place this upcoming week in Lexington, Alabama will be the No. 2 seed in the SEC Tournament, receiving a double bye into the quarterfinals where they will play Thursday, May 7. Alabama will play either No. 7 Arkansas, No. 10 Mississippi State, and No. 15 Kentucky that day at 2 p.m. ET on SEC Network.

The Crimson Tide are one-of-four top seeds receiving a double bye into the quarterfinals, joined by No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 3 Florida, and No. 4 Texas.

One of college softball's top teams, Alabama finished the regular season with a 47-6 overall record (19-5 SEC). The Crimson Tide now enter the SEC Tournament among the favorites, looking for their first conference title since 2021.

The SEC Tournament will originate from John Cropp Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky. A multi-day event, every game from Tuesday, May 5-Saturday, May 9 will be broadcast live on either SEC Network or ESPN.

🥎 NO. 2 SEED

🐘 @AlabamaSB#SECSB x #SECTourneypic.twitter.com/mdPj0e2DyR

— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) May 3, 2026

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.

This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama softball opponent, seed revealed for 2026 SEC Tournament

3 keys to success for Pistons in Game 7 vs Magic, score prediction

The Detroit Pistons, improbably, will play a Game 7 in the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs against the Orlando Magic.

The 1-seed Pistons have erased a 3-1 series deficit, which included overcoming a 24-point deficit in Game 6 on the road. They used a 51-13 run, and held the 8-seed Magic to 4-for-37 shooting – including a record 23 straight consecutive misses – in the second half on Friday, May 1, to pull off a historic comeback, 93-79.

The series tied 3-3 as the Pistons attempt to become the 15th team in NBA history to rally from a 3-1 series hole. (The seventh-seeded Philadelphia 76ers became the 14th on Saturday night when they upset the 2-seed Boston Celtics.) 

The good news for the Pistons: Game 7 (Sunday (3:30 p.m., ABC) is on their homecourt, where they went 32-9 during the regular season. A trip to the second round, where the Pistons haven't been since 2008, is on the line. 

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham shoots the ball over Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero in the second quarter of Game 6 of the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida, on Friday, May 1, 2026.

“It’s been a lot of adversity so far in this series and I think we’ve learned a lot about who we are as a team and individually what we’re made out of,” Cade Cunningham said. “It’s been a fun series. We want to get back to the crib and handle our business at home.”

MITCH ALBOM: Do Detroit Pistons have finishing touch in Game 7?

The best news for the Pistons: Orlando star Franz Wagner was ruled out for Sunday's game on Saturday afternoon. The Michigan alumnus will miss his third straight game with a calf strain. Wagner was the primary defender on Cunningham, who has scored 77 points in Games 5 and 6 without Wagner in his way.

Here are three keys to success for the Pistons. 

Control the boards

A clear pattern has emerged through six games – win the rebounding battle, and you win the game. The Pistons gave up 11 offensive rebounds and trailed the Magic in total rebounds, 45-39, in their Game 1 loss. Three days later, Detroit grabbed 17 offensive rebounds (and 57 total, to Orlando’s 42), in a bounce-back Game 2 win. 

After struggling to impose their will in the paint through the first few games, the Pistons have adjusted and are now thriving in the trenches. They crushed Orlando on the boards in Games 5 and 6 – both wins – with a 30-16 advantage on the offensive glass. Ausar Thompson stepped up his efforts with 25 total rebounds in the two games. 

Continuing to control the glass will be paramount against an Orlando team that matches well with the Pistons physically. 

“It’s important,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said on Friday. “The possession game for us or any team is extremely important, making sure you’re winning the defensive battle, giving yourself an opportunity to get extra shots on goal is extremely important.” 

Eliminate Paolo Banchero 

The 2022 No. 1 overall pick has been inconsistent in his efficiency over his career including this playoff series. Banchero is leading Orlando in playoff scoring with 24.3 points, nine rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game despite shooting just 39% overall and 28.6% from 3. 

He went shot-for-shot with Cunningham in Game 5, matching his 45 points and knocking down four of his six 3-pointers in the final period in a comeback bid. But the Pistons shut him down on Friday in a lights-out defensive effort across the board, holding him to 17 points on 4-for-20 shooting. Banchero went 9-for-12 at the line but missed all nine of his 3-point attempts. 

Desmond Bane is the only other scorer the Pistons need to be concerned about. Slowing Banchero down is key to shutting down Orlando’s offense for the second game in a row. Tobias Harris has been Banchero’s primary assignment, but Cunningham, Thompson and Isaiah Stewart also have had success against him. 

Lean on Paul Reed as necessary 

An eight-minute dose of “Bball Paul” was exactly what the Pistons needed in the second half on Friday. He consistently made the plays that too often have eluded them this series – tracking down rebounds, opportunistically finding scoring opportunities in the paint and being everywhere defensively. 

It was only his second meaningful appearance in this series, after playing seven minutes in Game 3. (He checked in for the final 45 seconds of Game 1 as well, after the game was out of reach.) Bickerstaff went with him over Isaiah Stewart in the second half in Game 6, and the gamble paid off. 

Orlando Magic center-forward Wendell Carter Jr. (34) shoots the ball against Detroit Pistons forward Paul Reed (7) in the fourth quarter of Game 6 of the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida, on Friday, May 1, 2026.

Reed has been an overqualified third center since he joined the team for the 2024-25 season. His ability to impact games in short spurts has translated to the postseason and helped the Pistons stave off elimination in a desperate moment. 

“It’s really incredible how hard he works,” Duncan Robinson said. “He works harder than anybody you’ll find, just as hard as the hardest workers you know. Any time his number is called, he’s ready to go, comes right out there and he imposes himself on the game. I don’t think there’s any situation, basketball, that you can put him in where he’s not going to bring some type of productivity to the floor.” 

SHAWN WINDSOR: Paul Reed the most unlikely playoff hero for Pistons in Game 6

Pistons vs Magic prediction for Game 7

All of the momentum is on the Pistons' side. In overcoming a 24-point deficit in a historic Game 6 comeback on the road, they weathered the biggest punch the Magic have mustered all series. On their own floor, coming off two straight wins, the Pistons should close the series strong and progress to the next round. The pick: Pistons 99, Magic 91.

Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on X and/or Bluesky.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Pistons vs Magic prediction for Game 7, 3 keys to success

Nebraska softball claims outright Big Ten title in doubleheader

No. 3 Nebraska softball (42-6, 22-1) faced off against Penn State (32-19, 11-12) in a Saturday doubleheader with a chance to win the outright Big Ten regular-season title. The Huskers achieved the mark, sweeping the Nittany Lions and becoming the conference's regular-season champions.

This is Nebraska's first outright Big Ten regular-season title, and its second regular-season championship, after earning a share with Michigan in 2014. This also marks the Huskers' 11th regular-season title and 21st overall conference title. Nebraska also now holds a 17-game win streak, the longest active win streak in the country and ties for the fourth-longest win streak in program history.

The Huskers triumphed over Penn State 5-1 and 10-4 to claim the title, combining for 17 hits, 13 RBIs and two home runs. The Nittany Lions tallied 12 hits, five RBIs and two home runs.

Hannah Coor led Nebraska on the day, batting a combined 3-of-7 with one walk for four RBIs. Jesse Farrell, Lauren Camenzind and Kacie Hoffmann also earned three hits on the day, combining for six RBIs. Farrell and Camenzind each struck a home run as well. Jordy Frahm and Ava Kuszak both totaled two hits.

Frahm (16-4) earned the game-one win in the circle, tossing seven strikeouts against four hits and one run across 7.0 innings. She also grabbed her 10th save of the season in game two, becoming the third DI pitcher to have 15 wins and 10 saves in the same season and the 29th DI pitcher with 10 saves in a season.

Frahm pitched the final couple of innings for Nebraska after Alexis Jensen (20-2) got the start. Jensen earned seven strikeouts and surrendered seven hits and four runs through 5.0 innings.

Nebraska concludes the series and the regular season on Sunday morning. The first pitch is set for 11 a.m. CT on the Big Ten Network.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Nebraska softball claims outright Big Ten title in doubleheader

Stephen Ross: Hard Rock Stadium 'not really in line' for Super Bowl

Miami's Hard Rock Stadium is "not really in line" to host an upcoming Super Bowl according to Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, who revealed why in a press conference on April 30 in Brickell.

Ross, 85, said the NFL no longer considers Hard Rock Stadium to meet its requirements to host the Super Bowl. Specifically, the facility lacks enough hospitality area according to the league, in part due to recent developments related to Formula One racing and tennis' Miami Open.

Ross' comments, which were first published in the South Florida Business Journal, lend insight into Hard Rock's recent Super Bowl drought and why that could continue. The stadium last hosted a Super Bowl in 2020.

“Miami is not really in line for [a Super Bowl]," Ross said. "It’s always exciting to have the Super Bowl but that was before we had all the other events. Miami has by far the best weather. It’s in their best interest to have one here but at this point they don’t believe we meet all the requirements and the demands.”

More Miami Dolphins: It's left guard for Dolphins rookie Kadyn Proctor, to start

Hard Rock Stadium is set to host Formula One's Miami Grand Prix on May 3, the culmination of a week of events with world's premier open-wheel, single-seat racing league. The facility first hosted the event in 2022.

The world's No. 1 tennis players, Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, won this year's Miami Open in March. The tournament has been hosted in Miami Gardens since 2019.

Expansion in open-wheel racing and tennis have undoubtedly been financial successes for Ross and Hard Rock Stadium.

In March, Ross told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Dave Hyde, “We get more attendance for F1 races for three days than the entire Dolphins season tickets that we sold."

Despite the "Super Bowl" consequences of Ross' priority shift, the billionaire owner has not given up on luring the NFL's biggest game back to Miami.

“We are looking at how to make improvements,” Ross said at the Brickell conference. “I want to make the stadium always feel like a new stadium, we are looking at what the next phase will be and making the fan experience that much better.”

Eric J. Wallace is deputy sports editor for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at ejwallace@usatodayco.com.

Formula One F1 - Miami Grand Prix - Miami, Florida, United States - May 1, 2026 Stephen M. Ross, Managing General Partner of the Miami Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium and Miami Grand Prix speaks during the Autosport Business Exchange Miami REUTERS/Marco Bello

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Why Hard Rock Stadium is 'not really in line' to host Super Bowl soon

Espanyol vs Real Madrid 2026 live stream: Time, TV channels and how to watch La Liga online

Real Madrid visit Espanyol a week ahead of El Clásico. Barcelona have all but clinched LaLiga title so Los Blancos have nothing to play for, that being the main reason why key starters like Güler, Tchouameni or Mbappé won’t be rushed back from injury. Gonzalo will likely get the chance to start and lead the attacking line.

PREDICTED LINEUPS

Espanyol predicted XI: Dmitrovic; Omar El Hilali, Calero, Cabrera, Romero; Dolan, Urko Gonzalez, Expósito, Terrats; Pere Milla and Roberto Fernández.

Real Madrid predicted XI: Lunin; Trent, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Mendy; Tchouaméni, Valverde, Camavinga; Bellingham; Vinicius and Gonzalo.

HOW TO WATCH, STREAM LA LIGA

Date: 05/03/2026

Time: 21:00 CET, 03:00pm EST.

Venue: RCDE Stadium, Barcelona, Spain.

Available TV: DAZN La Liga (Spain), ESPN Deportes (USA).

Available Streaming: ESPN+ (USA)

Managing Madrid has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.

Vikings Myths and Misses: The 5th-Worst Team in Football, Jonathan Greenard, GM Search

Vikings Myths and Misses: The 5th-Worst Team in Football, Jonathan Greenard, GM Search
Kevin Jairaj

Weekly, we track Minnesota Vikings-themed items that are false, outrageous, or just didn’t work out as the masses expected. We call them nopedy nopes.

Minnesota’s post-draft rumor cycle has produced a few theories that need quick cleanup.

This week’s edition covers leaguewide power rankings, a seismic trade, and the search for a new general manager.

Three Offseason Claims Need a Closer Look This Week

These are the post-draft nopedy nopes.

Blake Cashman celebrates with fans after a Vikings win over the Cardinals. Vikings myths
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) celebrates with fans after the final whistle, Dec. 1, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, following a win over the Arizona Cardinals with Cashman acknowledging the crowd after a strong defensive performance late in the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

The Nopedy Nope: Your Minnesota Vikings are the fifth-worst team in the business, says NFL.com.

Eric Edholm ranked all teams after the draft, and he slapped the Vikings at No. 28 on his list.

Edholm explained the ranking:

After the surprise of the Caleb Banks pick wore off, the Vikings settled into a little groove with a few of their selections. Among the value picks I liked: LB Jake Golday, OT Caleb Tiernan, S Jakobe Thomas and CB Charles Demmings. Even a fullback in Round 5 didn’t offend me; if anything, it made me nostalgic.

I certainly understand Vikings fans could feel differently about it, given their personal investment in the team, but if Max Bredeson becomes the next C.J. Ham, it’s a good pick. This was not a year where fifth-round picks needed to be treated like military codes. Most of the same questions about Minnesota that existed last week still remain, although trading Jonathan Greenard both adds a worry and clears up cap space.

I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Vikes make a veteran addition or two in the coming months. They could use a center, a safety and maybe another receiver.

That’s brutal business for a team that had the NFL’s third-best defense last year, signed Kyler Murray in March, and has Justin Jefferson on the roster.

The Verdict: There’s just no way that Minnesota is the league’s fifth-worst team when it had the league’s third-best defense a season ago. Nopedy nope.

The Nopedy Nope: Jonathan Greenard would not be traded this offseason. Good teams don’t get rid of top-tier EDGE rushers.

Interim Vikings boss Rob Brzezinski pressed the button on the Greenard trade a week ago, and ESPN’s Kevin Seifert tweeted, “Brzezinski and Kevin O’Connell were somber tonight in talking about the Greenard trade.”

And Brzezinski personally said about the swap, “This is not something we’re jumping around excitedly about, but we do feel like we did the best thing for the organization moving forward. We have just spent so much money the last several years that it’s not sustainable for us to move forward. Our salary cap situation has been very, very challenging. The value ends up being what the market will pay, you know.”

“Obviously, JG is a great player, and I’m sure people have a lot of opinions as far as what the appropriate value should be for him. All I can say is, considering everything we thought it was in the best interest of all parties. Again, people can judge whether or not it was fair or reasonable for a player of that caliber, and we understand that. But it’s what the market would pay, and ultimately, we thought it was best for all parties, and that’s why we decided to do it.”

Jonathan Greenard goes wild over a defensive play against the Cardinals. Vikings myths
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) celebrates a defensive stop with teammates during game action, Dec. 1, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the Vikings faced the Arizona Cardinals with Greenard bringing energy to Brian Flores’ defense in a momentum-swinging second quarter sequence. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

When the Greenard trade fodder kicked up, most scratched their heads, as serious playoff-contending teams hoard EDGE rushers. They don’t trade him. Ultimately, Greenard was too expensive at $100 million over four seasons, and Minnesota chose a deal that offered two 3rd-Rounders to replace him.

The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Greenard lasting longer than two seasons in the Twin Cities.

The Nopedy Nope: The Vikings will make public the names of their general manager candidates.

The Vikings said they would begin a general manager search after the draft, and they weren’t kidding. It’s just that the process will be hush-hush.

Leonard and Mark Wilf react before a Vikings game in London. Vikings myths
Minnesota Vikings owners Leonard Wilf and Mark Wilf react on the sideline before kickoff, Oct. 2, 2022, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, as the Vikings prepared to face the New Orleans Saints in an NFL International Series game showcasing the league’s global expansion efforts. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.

Minnesota’s main owners, Mark and Zygi Wilf, released the following statement on Wednesday:

With the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft, our search for the next general manager of the Minnesota Vikings is underway. This will be a thorough and deliberate process led by ownership, with support from a small internal advisory committee of senior leaders.

We have also engaged respected firm TurnkeyZRG to assist in conducting a wide-ranging search that includes experienced football executives, emerging candidates and individuals with diverse professional backgrounds. Our focus is to identify a decisive leader with a clear vision for team building, strong communication skills and the ability to build alignment across an organization.

Out of respect for all involved, we do not intend to publicly announce candidates and will provide further comment when the search is complete.

This is a new phenomenon for the Vikings. GM and coach searches are not usually conducted behind closed doors.

The Verdict: Nopedy nope on knowing Minnesota’s candidate pool for the next head boss.


Thousands taking part in Belfast City Marathon

The annual Belfast City Marathon is under way with thousands of runners aiming to complete the 26.2-mile course.

The 44th marathon started at Stormont at about 09:00 BST.

Almost 24,000 people signed up for the race, which passes landmarks including City Hall and Parliament Buildings, before finishing in Ormeau Park.

Many roads closed and there are changes to public transport for much of Sunday while the event takes place.

When time does the Belfast marathon start / likely to finish?

The race got under way at the Stormont estate in east Belfast.

The wheelchair race started at 08:59 BST, the elite race started a minute later and all other participants started at 09:01.

Participants started on Prince of Wales Avenue, and are proceeding down the hill, on to the Upper Newtownards Road.

The first of the runners are expected to cross the finish line shortly after 11:00.

However, the rest of the runners will still be making their way across the city for a number of hours after that.

Roads will reopen after six hours, and organisers have asked anyone continuing along the route after that time to move onto the footpath and follow road safety laws.

The Team Relay consists of five legs, of varying distance, with changeover points across the route.

The first Belfast City Marathon was held on the same date in 1982, with more than 3,000 participants starting at the former Maysfield Leisure Centre near the city centre.

Tilahun Nigussie broke the record at the 43rd Belfast City Marathon in 2025. The Ethiopian won the marathon with a new event record of 2:13:37.

The view from the starting line

Thousands of participants run along Prince of Wales Avenue, the mile-long tree-lined drive through the Stormont estate.  There are metal barriers along the route, separating runners from spectators.  There is a dull, grey sky and the grey facade of Parliament Buildings can be seen in the background.
The race began at Stormont at about 09:00 BST on Sunday [BBC]

At the scene: Bernie Allen, BBC News NI

It's slightly grey and dull weatherwise here at Stormont - but there is plenty of cheer and chat amongst the crowd, as thousands gather at the starting point.

As public transport has been affected in the city because of the race, there was some disruption on the roads leading to Stormont.

As well as those competing, many have lined the pavement to cheer on family and friends taking part.

Some have made banners and are holding supportive messages.

As well as solo runners there are plenty of relay race competitors, with many costumes on display.

Bereaved father runs in honour of 'brave' son

Graham Rennie, a man with short, fair hair, talks to a BBC TV crew in the grounds of Stormont.  He is wearing a black crew-neck t-shirt and is talking into a green microphone.  There is a lawned area covered in mature trees in the background.
Graham Rennie is fundraising in memory of his three-year-old son Callum [BBC]

Graham Rennie from Larne, is taking part in the relay race to fundraise for The Big C Foundation, set up in memory of his three-year-old son Callum.

The child died in 2022 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

"I think about Callum every time I do something like this," he said.

"Callum was always happy, he was going through the wars, he was always smiling, always cheering… you'd not have realised he was going through anything really.

"His bravery just inspired us all, he gave us so many memories too, happy memories," he added.

"He taught us that, just to value life, make every day count."

Running for Ricky Hatton

Ryan Burnett, a man with short, fair hair, poses at the start line with a weighted trolley. He is wearing a pale blue and navy t-shirt with white sleeves.  The trolley  has a blue cover with a photo of the late Ricky Hatton holding up a boxing belt above his head in celebration.  The text on the trolley reads: "Run for Rick, 63.5 kg, Mental Health Awareness.
Ryan Burnett will run the marathon pushing a trolley which weighs the same as his former boxing coach Ricky Hatton [BBC]

Former professional boxer Ryan Burnett, who competed from 2013 to 2019, is running with a 9.9 st (63.5kg) weight.

It the same weight as his former coach, Ricky Hatton, when he won his first world title.

Hatton took his own life last September and Burnett wanted to "do something in his honour".

He is raising money for a foundation set up in Hatton's name, as well as a mental health charity based in north Belfast.

Speaking ahead of the race, the former unified bantamweight world champion said he's "good to go".

"I've been fighting my whole life, so I'm just looking at this as the same sort of thing," Burnett added.

Stephen Perry, a man with a shaved head poses with a helium "happy birthday" balloon at the start of the Belfast Marathon route.  He is wearing a red t-shirt and a black runner's harness containing equipment like a straw for a water pack.  Other runners stand in the blurred background.
Stephen Perry is running in memory of his friend and his mother-in-law [BBC]

Another runner, Stephen Perry, told BBC News NI he is running for the Irish heart Foundation.

"My mother-in-law and best friend died from heart complications," he said.

"It would have been my friend's 40th birthday today."

Hannah Grey and Oona McClelland are also fundraising for a cardiac charity.

"I'm running for Brave Hearts NI for my brother Gerard. He passed away in August. I'm doing this to keep his memory alive," Grey said.

For McClelland, this is her first marathon and she is being cautious.

"I'm hoping to take it easy, whatever happens, happens," she said.

'It's harder, I'm feeling it'

Laura Aiken, a woman with long, fair hair tied back in two plaits, speaks to a BBC TV crew at the Stormont estate.  She is wearing a two-tone sports top with a white chest and purple sleeves, and a set of black headphones.
Line of Duty actor Laura Aiken is hoping her "dodgy knee" won't give out [BBC]

Actor Laura Aiken, who is filming the latest series of Line of Duty in the city, said she has been squeezing in her training during "very early mornings".

The Gavin and Stacey star is running in support of a text message crisis line where she volunteers, and this will be her third marathon.

"I've run two before, but I haven't run one for five years... so, it's harder, I'm feeling it," she told BBC Sport Northern Ireland.

"I was actually supposed to be running London last weekend, and then the schedule sort of didn't work out and Belfast City Marathon have been so amazing and gave me a place.

"I've got a bit of a dodgy knee so I haven't run in a week in the hopes that today it won't give out."

What is the Belfast Marathon route?

The course traverses the city, starting off in Stormont in east Belfast then heading south.

It takes in the Boucher Road, before going west onto the Falls Road.

From there, it's north, past the Waterworks, as well as through the city centre, before ending in Ormeau Park.

The route has minor alterations in east Belfast this year.

It will now turn left off Beersbridge Road onto Clara Street, and then left again onto Castlereagh Road.

In north Belfast, this year the route will remain on Oldpark Road and turn right at the roundabout onto Cliftonville Road and continuing on the route.

Which roads are closed for the Belfast Marathon?

For a full list of what roads are closed and when they reopen you can click here.

There will be some disruption for the duration of the marathon, with the Upper Newtownards Road closing at the Comber Road junction from about 06:00 until 11:00.

Roads along the route will open and close on a staggered basis as runners pass, so for example the Boucher Road, from Tates Avenue to Stockmans Lane, will be closed between 08:30 and 13:30 while Duncairn Gardens in north Belfast will be closed between 09:30 and 14:45.

The last road to reopen will be the Ravenhill Road from the Rosetta Roundabout to the Ormeau Embankment (where local access is being maintained) which closes at 09:00 and does not reopen until 15:45.

Is there extra public transport?

To help people going to the marathon there will be special early morning trains from Londonderry, Larne, Bangor, and Newry to Belfast Lanyon Place.

For a list of all special departure times click here.

These additional services cannot be booked in advance and standard fares will apply.

Public transport around the city will be affected due to several road closures.

The picture shows three people on wheelchairs in front of other people dressed in blue on bicycles. Stormont and hundreds of marathon runners are behind them
Wheelchair participants will be first to set off on the 26.2 mile route [Pacemaker]

Ulsterbus, Metro and Glider bus services within Belfast will be subject to delay or disruption.

Shuttle buses will be available from Belfast City Hall and Lanyon Place Station to the starting line from 07:00 BST and 07:30 BST respectively.

A shuttle bus will also take spectators from Massey Avenue to Ormeau Park after the start of the race at Stormont and additional buses will drop off runners off at their designated relay changeover point.

A bus will transport participants from Ormeau Embankment to Belfast City Centre from 11:45 BST to 16:00 BST and every shuttle bus leaving Ormeau Embankment will transport spectators back to Stormont.

Where can I watch the Belfast marathon?

Mark Simpson and Nicola McCarthy will present live coverage from around the course with live coverage of the race on the BBC iPlayer and the BBC NI Sport website or listen on Radio Ulster from 08:45 BST on Sunday.

For those watching at home, you can submit a message of support and good luck here.

📲 BuLi Sunday on OF, title race in Europe and lots of BR 26; see schedule

📲 BuLi Sunday on OF, title race in Europe and lots of BR 26; see schedule

Today's Highlights 🔥

On OneFootball 📲

Bundesliga

10:30 AM – St. Pauli x Mainz 05 – DFL on OneFootball


12:30 PM – Borussia Mönchengladbach x Borussia Dortmund – DFL on OneFootball


2:30 PM – Freiburg x Wolfsburg – DFL on OneFootball

2. Bundesliga

8:30 AM – Elversberg x Paderborn 07 – DFL on OneFootball

8:30 AM – Magdeburg x Hertha Berlin – DFL on OneFootball

8:30 AM – Karlsruher x Darmstadt 98 – DFL on OneFootball

8:30 AM – Hannover 96 x Preußen Münster – DFL on OneFootball

8:30 AM – Greuther Fürth x Nuremberg – DFL on OneFootball


Brasileirão - Série A

4:00 PM – São Paulo x Bahia – Globo and Premiere


4:00 PM – Flamengo x Vasco da Gama – Globo, Premiere and YouTube/GE TV


6:30 PM – Internacional x Fluminense – SporTV and Premiere


6:30 PM – Chapecoense x RB Bragantino – Premiere

8:30 PM – Mirassol x Corinthians – Record, Premiere and YouTube/CazéTV


Brasileirão - Série B

4:00 PM – São Bernardo FC x Ponte Preta – Globo and Premiere

4:00 PM – Operário-PR x Londrina – Disney+

6:00 PM – Sport x Ceará – ESPN, XSports, SportyNet, YouTube/SportyNet and Disney+


6:30 PM – Atlético-GO x Juventude – Disney+

8:30 PM – América-MG x CRB – ESPN 4, XSports, SportyNet, YouTube/SportyNet and Disney+

8:30 PM – Avaí x Novorizontino – Disney+

English League

10:00 AM – Bournemouth x Crystal Palace – ESPN 4 and Disney+

11:30 AM – Manchester United x Liverpool – ESPN and Disney+


3:00 PM – Aston Villa x Tottenham – Disney+

Italian League

10:00 AM – Sassuolo x Milan – ESPN 2 and Disney+

1:00 PM – Juventus x Hellas Verona – XSports and Disney+

3:45 PM – Internazionale x Parma – ESPN and Disney+


Spanish League

11:15 AM – Getafe x Rayo Vallecano – YouTube/ESPN Brasil and Disney+

1:30 PM – Betis x Real Oviedo – ESPN and Disney+

4:00 PM – Espanyol x Real Madrid – Disney+


Women's Champions League

11:30 AM – Barcelona x Bayern München – ESPN 3 and Disney+

French League

12:15 PM – Strasbourg x Toulouse – YouTube/CazéTV

3:45 PM – Lyon x Rennes – YouTube/CazéTV

Saudi League

3:00 PM – Al-Qadsiah x Al-Nassr – BandSports and YouTube/GOAT

3:00 PM – Al-Ahli x Al-Okhdood – YouTube/GOAT

Brasileirão - Série C

5:00 PM – Amazonas x Caxias – SportyNet and YouTube/Canal do Benja

5:00 PM – Ferroviária x Anápolis – SportyNet

5:00 PM – Volta Redonda x Brusque – SportyNet and YouTube/SportyNet

7:00 PM – Paysandu x Botafogo-PB – YouTube/SportyNet

7:00 PM – Maringá x Itabaiana – SportyNet

Argentine League

6:30 PM – River Plate x Atlético Tucumán – Disney+

Mexican League

8:00 PM – América-MEX x Pumas – SportyNet and YouTube/SportyNet

12:15 AM – Atlas x Cruz Azul – SportyNet and YouTube/SportyNet

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

Deal done: RR will reportedly be sold to Mittal family and Adar Poonawalla

Rajasthan Royals IPL

Deal done: RR will reportedly be sold to Mittal family and Adar Poonawalla originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • A rival consortium submitted a new binding offer to acquire Rajasthan Royals.
  • The original Somani-led group was still in the race but was later seeking a smaller stake.
  • The Royals were bought for $67 million in 2008 and are now valued at $1.63 billion.
  • Mittal Family, alongside Adar Poonawalla all set to take over RR as new owners.

Rajasthan Royals' talk with Kal Somani fell through

The $1.63 billion agreement to hand over the Rajasthan Royals to a US-based consortium led by tech entrepreneur Kal Somani has reportedly hit a fresh roadblock. 

According to State of Play Cluba rival group had tabled a fresh binding offer, throwing the ownership race back open. 

However, Somani & Co. were reportedly still in the picture, though it is now looking at taking a smaller piece of the pie rather than the full ownership it originally sought.

MORE: Who will buy Rajasthan Royals? Full list of potential buyers interested

🚨 Dropping a @stateofplayclub exclusive:

Five weeks after that $1.63 billion headline for the Rajasthan Royals, there is now a fresh binding offer on the table from a rival consortium.

The original bidder is still raising and is trying to stay in the deal with a smaller stake. pic.twitter.com/LVgrCfiDXE

— Venkat Ananth (@venkatananth) May 1, 2026

Going for a higher price? The battle for Rajasthan Royals ends

When the BCCI first put IPL franchises up for auction in 2008, a group led by UK-based entrepreneur Manoj Badale picked up the Jaipur franchise for just $67 million, roughly INR 268 crore at the exchange rate of the time.

That price made Rajasthan Royals the cheapest team in the league. Nearly 18 years later, the franchise has seen a 24-fold jump in valuation in dollar terms, and in rupee terms, the rise is an even more staggering 57 times.

On 25 March 2026, a buyout deal was announced in which 100% of the franchise would be sold to Somani, who had partnered with Walmart heir Rob Walton and Detroit Lions owners Sheila Ford Hamp and her son Michael, to submit a $1.63 billion offer.

However, on May 3, it was reported by several media houses that the Mittal family will buy a majority stake in the team and will be supported by another Indian billionaire, Adar Poonawala. 

According to MoneyControl, the Mittal family will own approximately own 75% of Rajasthan Royals, with Adar Poonawalla holding approximately 18%. The remaining 7% will be held by approved existing investors, including Manoj Badale.

MORE: Rajasthan Royals’ massive ROI after IPL franchise sale: Detailing RR's 2008 buy price vs 2026 valuation

The Cricket News Opinion: IPL valuation set for another massive boost

The fact that a billion-dollar deal, once declared settled, can be unsettled by a fresh competing offer says everything about where the IPL stands as a global investment destination.

RedBird Capital, which held a 15% stake, is set to make nearly eight times its money on exit, while Lachlan Murdoch is looking at a return of over 90 times his original investment. Those numbers explain why the queue of buyers does not seem to thin out.

For Royals fans in Jaipur, the hope is simple: that whoever ends up in charge brings the same hunger for silverware that Shane Warne's underdog side showed back in 2008, when they won it against all odds, when nobody believed.

To keep up to date with all the latest cricket news and share your opinion on the biggest topics visit our FacebookInstagram and X (Twitter) pages.

Bank of America's 'Golf with Us' returns to the Treasure Coast for 2026

Bank of America has teamed up with Youth on Course to again offer free, one-year memberships to Treasure Coast kids ages 6-18.

Continuing on its commitment to make golf more accessible and affordable for kids, Bank of America announced the return of "Golf with Us." Children, ages 6-18, are invited to enroll in Golf with Us to access tee times for $5 or less to thousands of courses across Bank of America’s 97 markets through a free one-year membership to Youth on Course.

In its inaugural year, Bank of America’s Golf with Us drew nearly 100,000 youth participants from every state, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, with members logging more than 100,000 rounds of golf nationwide. Of those members, more than 22,000 were girls including many first-time golfers. This year, the Bank hopes to enroll 150,000 kids in Golf with Us.

Last year, more than 187 kids from the Treasure Coast took advantage of the offer and played 1,772 rounds.

Treasure Coast golf courses included for 2026 are:

  • The Shores of North River Golf Club, Stuart
  • The Champions Club at Summerfield, Stuart
  • Golf Galaxy, Port St. Lucie
  • Fairwinds Golf Course, Ft. Pierce
  • Mangrove Sands Golf Club, Vero Beach
  • Sandridge Golf Club, Vero Beach
  • Sebastian Golf Club, Sebastian

“Our belief in the power of sport to bring people together and broaden opportunity is reinforced by our partnerships that help us build stronger client connections, support local economies and inspire future generations,” said Brian Moynihan, chair and CEO of Bank of America. “In its first year, Golf with Us has helped nearly 100,000 kids learn invaluable life skills, and we look forward to building on this momentum with Rory’s terrific support and partners like Youth on Course.”

Golf with Us returned on golf’s grandest stage — the 2026 Masters Tournament, where Bank of America serves as a Champion Partner. The bank’s newest marketing campaign reimagines the sport’s most iconic Masters moments with Golf with Us members featuring:

  • Jack Nicklaus’ iconic putt for birdie on the 17th in 1986 to secure sole possession of the lead
  • Bubba Watson’s escape from the pine straw on the 10th enroute to a 2012 Masters victory
  • Rory McIlroy’s shot of a lifetime on the 15th hole and celebration on 18 after securing his long-awaited green jacket in 2025.

“I remember being a kid trying to copy everything the players I looked up to did, the swing, the mannerisms, all of it. The idea of a young kid recreating that shot on 15 really resonated with me,” said McIlroy. “Golf teaches powerful life lessons, how to compete, stay patient, and handle setbacks, and those lessons shape who you become. Opening access to the game is key to giving more kids that opportunity.”

Inspired by the campaign, McIlroy will donate $500,000 to Youth on Course, which will help fund 70,000 rounds for members in the months ahead.

While discounted tee times remain a core offering, Golf with Us benefits also include:

  • Expanded access for indoor play with $5 golf simulator rentals and a free lesson from a PGA Pro at any Golf Galaxy and DICK’s House of Sport location
  • Mentor-led golf experiences through a partnership with Watson Links
  • A registered handicap index in the United States Golf Association’s (USGA) Golf Handicap Information Network (GHIN) system
  • Complimentary access to GolfPass
  • Continued development and learning opportunities through the PGA of America REACH Foundation

Bank of America will host thousands of kids at free Golf with Us clinics across the country where golf legends and celebrities with a passion for golf serve as instructors, sharing fundamental golf skills and life lessons while helping children feel a sense of belonging within the sport.

Throughout the spring and summer, Bank of America will also host thousands of kids at free Golf with Us clinics across the country where golf legends and celebrities with a passion for golf serve as instructors, sharing fundamental golf skills and life lessons while helping children feel a sense of belonging within the sport. In 2025, more than 1,500 kids participated in these clinics across 25 markets alongside golf legend Annika Sorenstam, NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Davis, World Series Champions Ryan Zimmerman and Jackie Bradley, Jr., and former U.S. Men's National Team veteran Jozy Altidore, among dozens of others.

“Our partnership with Bank of America has been a gamechanger for Youth on Course, accelerating our mission and scaling our impact in communities across the country,” said Adam Heieck, chief executive officer, Youth on Course. “As Youth on Course proudly celebrates its 20th anniversary, Bank of America’s support has not only inspired tens of thousands of new young golfers but also expanded our network by adding over 100 municipal course locations and counting, ensuring that kids have safe, affordable places to play in their communities.”

Golf with Us is free and open to the first 150,000 new participants who enroll before June 15. Returning Golf with Us participants can renew their annual membership with an exclusive 20% discount offer, courtesy of Bank of America. Interested families can learn more about the Golf with Us program and enroll by visiting www.youthoncourse.org/bofa-golf-with-us.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Bank of America 'Golf with Us' program for kids

NHL Playoffs Tracker: Series Results, Top Scorers, May 3 Schedule

The second round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs kicked off last night, and tonight, the first round will end.

The Carolina Hurricanes picked up where they left off after sweeping the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the playoffs, thrashing the Philadelphia Flyers 3-0 in Game 1 on home ice. 

Frederik Andersen picked up his second shutout of the post-season, and Logan Stankoven pulled himself into a three-way tie for the most goals in the playoffs with six. 

But tonight, eyes will be glued to the television as fans will be watching the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Montreal Canadiens for a winner-takes-all Game 7 showdown at 6 p.m. ET. The series between the two teams has been back and forth, with neither team winning two consecutive games. If Tampa Bay wants to move on, they’ll have to do just that. 

In addition to the Game 7 matchup, the Colorado Avalanche and the Minnesota Wild are set to begin their second-round battle, with puck drop set for 9 p.m. ET. The Avalanche and Wild are considered two of the favorites to win the Stanley Cup.

Here are series updates, odds for the next game in each matchup from BetMGM, leading scorers in these NHL playoffs, and the schedule for Saturday.

May 3 NHL Playoff Schedule

Time is listed in eastern time.

Round 1, Game 7: Montreal at Tampa Bay, Sunday, May 2, 6 p.m. (CBC, Sportsnet, TVA Sports)

Round 2, Game 1: Minnesota at Colorado, Sunday, May 2, 9 p.m. (CBC, Sportsnet, TVA Sports)

Round 2: Carolina Hurricanes (M1) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (M3)

Carolina leads 1-0

Game 1: Philadelphia 0, Carolina 3

Game 2 odds on BetMGM: Philadelphia (4.10/+300), Carolina (1.62/-140)

Alexander Nikishin Out For Game 1 Against Flyers

Flyers Will Have Quick Turnaround; Hurricanes Series Start Time Set

Round 2: Colorado Avalanche (C1) vs. Minnesota Wild (C3)

Game 1 odds on BetMGM: Minnesota (2.55/+155), Colorado (1.53/-189)

'Ice In His Veins': Behind The Rookie Who Ended The Wild's First-Round Curse

NHL 26 Predicts Avalanche Cruise Past Wild In Just Five Games

Round 2: Vegas Golden Knights (P1) vs. Anaheim Ducks (P3)

Game 1 odds on BetMGM: Anaheim (2.40/+140), Vegas (1.59/-170)

Ducks To Face Golden Knights In Round 2 Of 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Karlsson Skates With Golden Knights Ahead of Pivotal Game 6, Possibly Nearing Return

NHL Playoffs 2026 Second-Round Schedule: Dates, Times, Where To WatchNHL Playoffs 2026 Second-Round Schedule: Dates, Times, Where To WatchThe NHL announced the dates for every second-round series of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Here's when and how to watch them.

Round 1: Tampa Bay Lightning (A2) vs. Montreal Canadiens (A3)

Series tied 3-3

Game 1: Montreal 4, Tampa Bay 3 (OT)

Game 2: Montreal 2, Tampa Bay 3 (OT)

Game 3: Tampa Bay 2, Montreal 3 (OT)

Game 4: Tampa Bay 3, Montreal 2

Game 5: Montreal 3, Tampa Bay 2

Game 6: Tampa Bay 1, Montreal 0 (OT)

Game 7 odds on BetMGM: Montreal (2.40/+140), Tampa Bay (1.59/-170)

Can The Canadiens Succeed Where The Maple Leafs Failed?

Any Way The NHL Can Make Canadiens Vs. Lightning A Best of 9? Or 11? Or 13?

Round 1: Buffalo Sabres (A1) vs. Boston Bruins (WC1)

Buffalo wins series 4-2

Game 1: Boston 3, Buffalo 4

Game 2: Boston 4, Buffalo 2

Game 3: Buffalo 3, Boston 1

Game 4: Buffalo 6, Boston 1

Game 5: Boston 2, Buffalo 1 (OT)

Game 6: Buffalo 4, Boston 1

'19 Years Of Pain Ended': Social Media Reacts To Sabres Knocking Out The Bruins In Boston

Bruins Eliminated In Game 6 By The Buffalo Sabres

Sabres' Lindy Ruff Named Finalist For Top NHL Award

Round 1: Pittsburgh Penguins (M2) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (M3)

Philadelphia wins series 4-2

Game 1: Philadelphia 3, Pittsburgh 2

Game 2: Philadelphia 3, Pittsburgh 0

Game 3: Pittsburgh 2, Philadelphia 5

Game 4: Pittsburgh 4, Philadelphia 2

Game 5: Philadelphia 2, Pittsburgh 3

Game 6: Pittsburgh 0, Philadelphia 1 (OT)

Flyers Embrace Underdog Role As They Eye Hurricanes: 'I Used To Love When Someone Doubts You'

Penguins Eliminated In First Round By Flyers In Game 6 OT

After Benching, Matvei Michkov Delivers Flyers Another Clutch Moment

Round 1: Carolina Hurricanes (M1) vs. Ottawa Senators (WC2)

Carolina wins series 4-0

Game 1: Ottawa 0, Carolina 2

Game 2: Ottawa 2, Carolina 3 (2OT)

Game 3: Carolina 2, Ottawa 1

Game 4: Carolina 4, Ottawa 2

Carolina Hurricanes To Face Philadelphia Flyers In Second Round

One Battle After Another: Brady Tkachuk Addresses Distraction-Filled Season

Senators Post-Mortem: Back To Drawing Board After First-Round Sweep Vs. Hurricanes

NHL Playoff Predictions 2026: Which West Teams Win Round 2? Can The Ducks Pull Off Another Upset?NHL Playoff Predictions 2026: Which West Teams Win Round 2? Can The Ducks Pull Off Another Upset?The Western Conference's second round playoff series are set, with the Avalanche vs. Wild and Golden Knights vs. Ducks set for battle. Will Colorado's dominance crush Minnesota? Will Vegas' offense overwhelm a young Anaheim squad? Find out what our predictions are for Round 2.

Round 1: Colorado Avalanche (C1) vs. Los Angeles Kings (WC2)

Colorado wins series 4-0

Game 1: Los Angeles 1, Colorado 2

Game 2: Los Angeles 1, Colorado 2 (OT)

Game 3: Colorado 4, Los Angeles 2

Game 4: Colorado 5, Los Angeles 1

Post-Mortem: Los Angeles Kings End The Kopitar Era In Crushing Fashion

'Thank You, Kopi!': Kings' Kopitar Officially Retires Following Avalanche Sweep

Wedgewood's Response To Vezina Snub Is Simple: Win The Stanley Cup

Round 1: Dallas Stars (C2) vs. Minnesota Wild (C3)

Minnesota wins series 4-2

Game 1: Minnesota 6, Dallas 1

Game 2: Minnesota 2, Dallas 4

Game 3: Dallas 4, Minnesota 3 (2OT)

Game 4: Dallas 2, Minnesota 3 (OT)

Game 5: Minnesota 4, Dallas 2

Game 6: Dallas 2, Minnesota 5

From Blockbuster To Breakthrough: This Is Why The Wild Traded For Quinn Hughes

Minnesota Sends Stars Home, Advances To Face Avalanche

NHL First Round Superlatives: MVP, Most Disappointing And MoreNHL First Round Superlatives: MVP, Most Disappointing And MoreAs we begin to enter the next stage of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, we take a look at some superlatives of Round 1.

Round 1: Vegas Golden Knights (P1) vs. Utah Mammoth (WC1)

Vegas wins series 4-2

Game 1: Utah 2, Vegas 4

Game 2: Utah 3, Vegas 2

Game 3: Vegas 2, Utah 4

Game 4: Vegas 5, Utah 4 (OT)

Game 5: Utah 4, Vegas 5 (2OT)

Game 6: Vegas 5, Utah 1

Finding Dory: How Pavel Dorofeyev Found His Game At The 'Perfect Time'

How The Utah Mammoth Became A Threat For Years To Come

Round 1: Edmonton Oilers (P2) vs. Anaheim Ducks (P3)

Anaheim wins series 4-2

Game 1: Anaheim 3, Edmonton 4

Game 2: Anaheim 6, Edmonton 4

Game 3: Edmonton 4, Anaheim 7

Game 4: Edmonton 3, Anaheim 4 (OT)

Game 5: Anaheim 1, Edmonton 4

Game 6: Edmonton 2, Anaheim 5

The Oilers' Game 5 Answer Was Not Connor McDavid

Is Anyone Else Surprised By Podkolzin's Progression?

Leading Scorers

1. Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers: 10 points, 6 games

T-2. Matt Boldy, Minnesota Wild: 9 points, 6 games

T-2. Matt Duchene, Dallas Stars: 9 points, 6 games

T-2. Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota Wild: 9 points, 6 games

T-2. Jackson LaCombe, Anaheim Ducks: 9 points, 6 games

T-2. Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden Knights: 9 points, 6 games

Image

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IPL 2026 | 'Adapt and adjust': Lockie Ferguson to bowlers as run-fests continue

MUMBAI: IPL-2026 will be chronicled as relentless run-fests. Scores of 200 and even 220-plus are no longer exceptional. They are routinely chased down, prompting concerns that the balance has tilted heavily towards batters. Flat pitches, coupled with the Impact Player rule, have deepened batting line-ups to No. 8 or 9, leaving bowlers with shrinking margins for error.

Recent games underline the trend. Punjab Kings chased down a staggering 265 against Delhi Capitals in Delhi, while Sunrisers Hyderabad made light work of 244 against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede. On surfaces offering little assistance, bowlers have been forced to rethink their approach.


Punjab Kings and New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson believes adapting, not complaining, is the way forward. “Coming into the tournament, you know it’s going to be high-scoring. Curators are preparing fantastic wickets, and the batting talent in India keeps improving. Every year, new players emerge who can play all the shots,” Ferguson said on Saturday. “As bowlers, we have to adjust our mindset. If 200 is par, the aim is to pull it back by 10-15 runs.”

Earlier, Sunrisers Hyderabad spin-bowling coach Muttiah Muralitharan had stirred debate by suggesting that entertainment drives such batting-friendly conditions. “If you give fair wickets, spectators may get bored. T20 followers want entertainment. It’s big business now. Bowlers will adapt,” the Sri Lankan great had said.

Ferguson’s own IPL journey this season has been unconventional. The 34-year-old chose to delay his arrival to spend time with his wife and newborn son, prioritising family over the early phase of the tournament. “There’s always an opportunity cost, but I chose to be at home. I had an honest conversation with the management, and they were supportive. Family comes first, and I’m grateful for that,” he said.

However, reintegrating into the world’s toughest T20 league hasn’t been smooth. In his lone appearance so far, Ferguson was taken apart by Rajasthan Royals’ Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal, conceding 57 runs in four wicketless overs. “It’s not easy jumping straight from training into the IPL. It’s a tough competition at the best of times, and even harder midway through,” he admitted.

FC Barcelona News: 3 May 2026

Photo by Pablo Rodriguez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Osasuna 1-2 FC Barcelona: A matter of time – FC Barcelona
Goals from Lewandowski and Torres bring the La Liga title closer still… and it could even be confirmed this very Sunday!

HIGHLIGHTS | Osasuna v FC Barcelona – FC Barcelona
All the action from the crucial La Liga clash in El Sadar.

FC Barcelona could be league champions on Sunday – FC Barcelona
A draw or a defeat for Real Madrid away at Espanyol would give the Blaugranes their 29th league title.

Flick: “I don’t know if I’ll see Real Madrid, maybe I’ll go to the Mago Pop show” – Mundo Deportivo
After Barça’s victory in Pamplona, the German coach opted to remain calm despite Real Madrid potentially clinching the title for his team with a slip-up: “We are in a good position, but we have to wait.”

Ferran Torres: “We want to be champions as soon as possible” – Mundo Deportivo
The Barça striker, who scored the second goal against Osasuna, acknowledged their desire to retain the league title as soon as possible and highlighted the great team effort that secured the victory.

Standout Stats | Napoli-Juventus Women

Standout Stats | Napoli-Juventus Women
Standout Stats | Napoli-Juventus Women

The Juventus Women’s First Team claimed three vital points away to Napoli on Serie A Women Matchday 20, putting them in the driving seat for the third Champions League qualification spot.

Let’s take a look into the standout stats to emerge from the game in Campania.

STANDOUT STATS

UPPER HAND | Of the teams that Napoli have never beaten in Serie A, Napoli have played more matches against only Milan (12 - four draws, eight losses) than against Juventus (10 - one draw, nine losses). They’ve also played 10 times against Roma, drawing twice and losing eight.

FAMILIAR | Juventus are now the side against whom Napoli have lost the most times in their history - nine.

BACK-TO-BACK | The Bianconere have won consecutive games on the road for the first time this season.

THREATS | With Ana Capeta, Lindsey Thomas and Paulina Krumbiegel all scoring, Juventus now have nine different players with at least two goals to their name this Serie A season, which is a figure bettered only by Inter (10). 

IMPACT | Paulina Krumbiegel scored with her first touch in the game, just one minute and six seconds after coming off the bench.

Gallery | Serie A Women | Napoli-Juventus

SASSUOLO v AC MILAN: MATCH PREVIEW

SASSUOLO v AC MILAN: MATCH PREVIEW
SASSUOLO v AC MILAN: MATCH PREVIEW

AC Milan gear up to face Sassuolo on matchday 35 of Serie A, scheduled for Sunday 3 May at 15:00 CEST at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia. Coach Allegri's squad is ready for the final push to consolidate their position in the table and secure qualification for next season's Champions League. Sassuolo have had a strong run and will be a challenging opponent. Here's our Match Preview. 

LATEST FROM MILANELLOAC Milan head into this game on the back of a win and a draw in their two most recent matches against Verona and Juventus. The team have done well to move past their two defeats against Napoli and Udinese to get their season back on track. It was a much-needed response, but now it's time for the final push to secure a top-four finish. Luka Modrić will miss the game after undergoing surgery for a fracture to his left cheekbone, while Jashari and Ricci are potential options to start in Modrić's place. David Odogu is also ruled out because of an injury. The rest of the squad is available for what will be one of the four fixtures in May. The players at risk of suspension are: Athekame, Estupiñan, Fofana, Leão, and Saelemaekers. 

Allegri commented on the eve of the showdown: "Either Jashari or Ricci will play in Luka's place. They have both come a long way, and I trust them. Tomorrow will be a challenging game as Sassuolo are having a great season with very good players and a great coach. We need six more points to mathematically secure Champions League qualification; we can't lose sight of the objective. We need to stay focused and take it one step at a time." 

LATEST FROM SASSUOLOSassuolo come into the game following a goalless draw against Fiorentina, a result that highlighted the defensive strength of Grosso's side. Sassuolo have proven their great form in recent games, winning five of their last seven home matches and picking up 23 points from their last 13 games. The side from Emilia will look to take advantage of the home support, as well as Berardi's return following his two-match suspension, to secure a positive result against AC Milan. With a string of impressive performances, Sassuolo are determined to continue their strong momentum in the league. 

Grosso commented in his press conference: "We're very driven, we can still improve, and we want to continue doing so. I hope we can play a great game because this team deserves to end the season on a high. There will be times when we will try to be aggressive; we've got different options ready, but we know we'll need to be at our very best if we want to come away with a positive result." 

PRE-MATCH STATS

  • AC Milan are unbeaten in their last eight away league matches against Sassuolo, recording six wins and two draws. Their last Serie A defeat at the Mapei Stadium was back on 6 March 2016 when Sassuolo won 2-0 thanks to goals from Alfred Duncan and Nicola Sansone. 
  • AC Milan have kept a clean sheet in their last two league games (against Verona and Juventus) and could extend that to three consecutive clean sheets for the second time this season, after doing so last September. The last time the Rossoneri had more than 15 clean sheets at this point in a Serie A season was in 2011/12 (17, when they finished second). 
  • Matteo Gabbia has been available to Massimiliano Allegri over the last two league games (1-0 v Verona and 0-0 v Juventus). With him on the pitch, AC Milan have only lost 4% of their Serie A games this season (one out of 26: 15 wins, 10 draws), averaging 2.1 points per game. Without him there, the defeat rate goes up by 50% (four out of eight, with four wins), and the points average drops to 1.5 per game. 

WHERE TO WATCH SASSUOLO v AC MILANIn Italy, the match will be broadcast live on DAZN. To watch it from abroad, you can check the "Where to Watch AC Milan on TV" section under "Abroad". On the Rossoneri's official channels, coverage begins with Matchday on Milan TV, going live at 14:15 CEST right up until kick-off. Afterwards, there will be post-match interviews and Coach Allegri's press conference. Don't miss the full coverage on acmilan.com, the AC Milan Official App, the club's official social media channels, and WhatsApp.

LATEST FROM SERIE A The match will be officiated by Fabio Maresca, with Giorgio Peretti and Filippo Bercigli as assistants. Livio Marinelli will be the fourth official, and Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni will be the VAR official, assisted by Giacomo Paganessi.

Here is the schedule formatchday 35 of Serie A: Friday kicked off the matchday with Pisa 1-2 Lecce, Saturday featured Udinese 2-0 Torino, Como 0-0 Napoli, and Atalanta 0-0 Genoa. On Sunday at 12:30 CEST, Bologna v Cagliari, at 15:00 CEST Sassuolo v AC Milan, at 18:00 CEST Juventus v Hellas Verona, and at 20:45 CEST Inter v Parma. Monday closes out the matchday with Cremonese v Lazio at 18:30 CEST and Roma v Fiorentina at 20:45 CEST.

Here are the current standings: Inter 79; Napoli* 70; ACMilan 67; Juventus 64; Como* 62; Roma 61; Atalanta* 55; Lazio and Bologna 48; Udinese* 47; Sassuolo 46; Parma 42, Torino* 41; Genoa* 40; Fiorentina 37; Cagliari 36; Lecce* 32; Cremonese 28; Verona 19; Pisa* 18. (* A game in hand)

How will Sassuolo v AC Milan end? Enter our contest!

Cam Young compared with Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy after ‘scary’ third round at the Cadillac Championship

Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images
Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

Cameron Young appears to have one hand on his second PGA Tour title of the season, with the American going into the final round of the Cadillac Championship with a six-shot lead at Doral.

Young took charge of the tournament with a 64 in the opening round on the Blue Monster. And he has not looked back, with the 28-year-old five shots clear at the halfway mark.

The Players Championship winner will be wary of getting carried away. However, it is extremely difficult to see anyone else coming through and winning the latest signature event on the PGA Tour.

Cameron Young’s performance at Cadillac Championship has been compared to Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy

The biggest 54-hole lead that has been thrown away so far this year is three shots. On that occasion, Ludvig Aberg opened the door for Young to go on and win at TPC Sawgrass.

The worry for the chasing pack is that Young’s performance during Saturday’s third round has been compared with Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy.

He bounced back from a bogey on the opening hole to post a 70 and extend his advantage. With that, Frank Nobilo told Scorecard on CBS Sports that Young sent out an extremely ominous message to the rest of the field.

Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images
Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images

“We had a windy day, that’s stating the obvious, but it’s blown pretty much the same direction for three straight days. And for some reason, Cam is doing this without playing the par fives well. So that means really his iron play is superb,” he said.

“The par fours here are difficult. So Cam Young really has owned this golf course, and even though he’s spluttered a bit – remember he made a six on the opening hole, the par five, he hit his second shot into the water – it didn’t bother him. He just went about his way.

“His patience is almost irritatingly good, and I think that’s what’s affecting the rest of the field. If you go back a year or two, he would take a backward step. He just kept going and going. And this was not his A game today, and I think that’s the scary part.

“Trevor [Immelman] talked about it on the broadcast, we think his ceiling is extremely high and today was one of those ones you would expect from a Scheffler or a McIlroy, it was the holding pattern. But that holding pattern, it increased the lead.”

How Cameron Young is stealing the show in almost every category at Doral

The Blue Monster at Doral has the potential to be one of the most thorough tests on the PGA Tour. It is an extremely long golf course, with hazards strategically placed on the vast majority of holes.

Few would have probably anticipated that the leader would be 15-under par with 18 holes to play.

But Young is performing well in almost every category. Unsurprisingly, he is inside the top five for strokes gained tee to green so far this week, according to Data Golf.

But of those same five players, Young is the only one who is also gaining shots on the field with his putter.

In fact, Michael Kim is the only player who is performing better on the greens this week than Young.

It is difficult to imagine that Sunday is going to be particularly exciting from a tournament perspective, but there is no question that we are witnessing an extremely impressive performance from Young.

Yankees news: What to do with Anthony Volpe

Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe continued his rehab assignment with the Somerset Patriots at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater on April 17, 2026. | Alexander Lewis / MyCentralJersey / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

New York Daily News | Gary Phillips: Anthony Volpe’s rehab assignment will end today, and the Yankees will have to chose what to do with the former top prospect. He will either need to be activated and added to the MLB roster, or optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and begin his season for real in the minors. With José Caballero doing everything the Yankees could possibly ask of him, especially with his shortstop defense, some time in Scranton to ensure that Volpe can be a representative MLB player might not be the worst idea. Of course the counterpoint is what risk do you pose in hurting Volpe’s confidence, a player who has already struggled to live up to the expectations placed on him in his career?

NJ.com | Bob Klapisch: Much was made over the winter about the new Trajekt machines, batting practice aids that replicate the arm angle and movement of virtually any MLB pitcher. At least one Yankee has found success in a more low-tech environment though, with the aforementioned Caballero sinking his teeth into onfield batting practice. The shortstop has hit four home runs on the year, after five all of last season, and credits the confidence that watching the ball travel around the stadium during BP instills with the power surge. I’m not sure Cabby will ever be hitting in the top third of a lineup, but not having automatic outs at the bottom of the order has been a big part of the Yankees’ success early.

New York Post | Bridget Reilly: Yep, I’m gonna talk about Ben Rice again. The perceived vulnerability in the Yankee slugger was supposed to be left handed pitching — Paul Goldschmidt came back to the Bronx on a $4 million insurance policy as a partial hedge against that weakness. Instead, Rice is the second-best hitter in all of baseball against lefties, with a sterling 1.308 OPS facing southpaws in the first six weeks of the season. The Yankees lost Juan Soto and then effectively made Juan Soto out of a 27-year-old Dartmouth alum, one of the more stunning player development successes in recent years. A platoon hitter no more!

49ers News: Welcome to the Dog Days of May

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 14: Christian McCaffrey #23 and Bobby Turner of the San Francisco 49ers in the locker room before the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium on January 14, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers defeated the Seahawks 41-23. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The 49ers weren’t sure if Kaelon Black would last until the 4th round of the NFL Draft
“The fourth round was allegedly a sweet spot for running backs. Arkansas’s Mike Washington was popular among the draft community for his ability to rip off the big play. He was one of the worst pass-protecting backs I can remember watching. If you can’t block, you can’t play.

I felt like Jonah Coleman and Emmett Johnson were good fits. Nicholas Singleton would’ve been a dart throw. Black has the speed edge on the first two and has an argument for being superior in pass protection than any other back in this class. Even in hindsight, Johnson would’ve been fun in Shanahan’s offense.“

2026 NFL Draft’s best UDFA fits: 1 undrafted free agent to watch on each roster (paywall)
“Kamara (6 feet, 250, with sub-32-inch arms) does not have NFL size, and he’s not very fast. He does, however, have terrific short-area quickness with outstanding hands and a high-powered motor that never seems to slow down. He constantly got the job done at Indiana (and at James Madison before that), be it rushing inside or off the edge.”

Is Man United v Liverpool on TV? Channel, streaming and how to watch Premier League fixture

Bruno Fernandes is bidding for the Premier League assist record as Manchester United host Liverpool  (Getty)

Manchester United host rivals Liverpool as both teams look to secure a top-four Premier League finish and rubber-stamp their place in next season’s Champions League.

After beating Liverpool at Anfield earlier this season under Ruben Amorim, Michael Carrick’s United have the chance to complete a Premier League double over the Reds for the first time in 10 years.

Carrick would do his chances of becoming United’s head coach on a permanent basis no harm at all by beating Liverpool at Old Trafford, a result that would also wrap up third place.

Liverpool have won three of their last five visits to Old Trafford and Arne Slot could also boost his chances of being in charge next season with three points, which would see the Reds move above United.

Here’s everything you need to know

Is Manchester United v Liverpool on TV?

It will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. Sky customers can stream the match on Now TV or Sky Go. Kick-off at Old Trafford will be at 3:30pm.

What is the Manchester United team news?

Matheus Cunha missed out on Monday’s win against Brentford could could return to the squad. Michael Carrick said he was hopeful Luke Shaw could feature after he was forced off but Matthijs de Ligt is not ready yet and Lisandro Martinez is suspended.

What is the Liverpool team news?

Liverpool will be without Mohamed Salah due to injury, which means the Egyptian will miss out on a final trip to Old Trafford as a Liverpool player. A late call will be made on goalkeeper Alisson Becker, with Freddie Woodman set to continue if the Brazilian remains unavailable due to injury.

Possible line-ups

Manchester United XI: Lammens; Dalot, Heaven, Maguire, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko

Liverpool XI: Woodman; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak

What have the managers said?

Michael Carrick: “It’s certainly one of my favourite games, without doubt. It’s a standout game. I think there’s obviously big games and big rivalries that we have with other teams but certainly this one is right up there. The history, the ups and downs that past has produced in these type of game, and the excitement, entertainment and emotion, which is a huge part of it, makes it a really special game.”

Arne Slot: “Every game you play has influence on your league position. So that’s not only when you play Man United, it’s every week in every game. But we are aware of the fact that it’s a very big game, not only because we play Man United, but definitely also to qualify for the Champions League and to get the highest possible position in the league table, which of course is something we want. We wanted to, of course, win the league. That’s not possible. And then you have to try to end up as high as possible, and that’s what we are trying week in, week out, and that’s what we’re going to try Sunday again as well.”

'Potters have a lot of work to do this summer'

Stoke City's 2-0 defeat at Bristol City was their 18th loss in their past 32 games.

At the end of matchday 14, Stoke were second in the Championship with eight wins and 27 points.

Over the remaining 70% of the season they failed to double that win tally, picked up just 28 more points and compiled a record second only to Sheffield Wednesday as the worst in the league over that period.

Sadly, the first 14 games were the exception that kept the Potters away from relegation, but are Stoke in a better position now than they were this time last year when they'd just finished one place and four points worse off in 18th?

The answer is complicated.

The squad contains sellable assets, not least Sorba Thomas who indicated he'd be open to a move when answering my post match question about whether he'd be at the club in August with the words "no comment".

Stoke could potentially generate income by moving on younger players like Bae Junho, Eric Bocat or Million Manhoef and may also look to jettison some of their older, comparatively highly-paid colleagues.

To do so successfully, they'll need to find suitors willing to take those players and the right deal for all parties, but everyone at the club is probably available at the right price.

They might then have a reasonable amount of money to spend, but the club's recent track record in recruitment is patchy to say the least.

Stoke need more power, athleticism and physicality in their squad but, beyond that, those in coaching and recruitment must develop a clear idea of what they want a Stoke team to be, what they want it to represent, how they want it to play and how they're going to implement that.

Currently, there are vacancies within the coaching staff and that culture, identity or DNA - choose your own cliche - isn't clearly visible.

Manager Mark Robins and sporting director Jon Walters end the season under pressure and decisions will have to be made quickly on a structure and methodology for next season that everyone agrees on.

They cannot afford to end up in a position where big changes once again become inevitable early in a new season.

One major positive is that they now have a summer to spend getting everyone fit after a season badly affected by injuries to key players.

There's a lot of work to be done as a fanbase worn down by bottom-half finishes looks for hope and inspiration.

NFL exec has Hall of Fame comparison for Commanders LB Sonny Styles

It was clear leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft that the Washington Commanders loved Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles. If you ignore all the draft chatter leading up to Round 1, two names that stood out most often in connection to the Commanders were Styles and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.

Washington had come to the realization that neither would probably be there when it went on the clock at No. 7 overall. Love went No. 3 overall to the Arizona Cardinals, but things started to fall in place for the Commanders at No. 4, when the Tennessee Titans shockingly selected Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate. That led another former Buckeye, edge/linebacker Arvell Reese, to fall to the New York Giants at No. 5. Barring a trade at No. 6, Styles appeared on his way to Washington.

There was a trade, but the Kansas City Chiefs moved up for LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, believing the Commanders and New Orleans Saints, who picked No. 8, were a threat to land the draft's top cornerback. While Washington liked Delane, there was no way GM Adam Peters was passing on Styles if he fell into their laps at No. 7.

He did. Everyone was thrilled with the pick. The selection of Styles has been universally praised around the NFL.

Mike Sando of The Athletic recently reviewed all 32 draft classes from the 2026 NFL Draft. For each team, he spoke with anonymous NFL executives. Let's just say that one NFL executive has a lofty comparison for Styles.

"He is Bobby Wagner, but bigger and faster," one exec said. "He has as good of traits for an inside ‘backer that I have ever seen."

Wagner isn't the only lofty comparison for Styles.

"Brian Urlacher, maybe,” the exec said when asked if there was a comparison. "He is 6-5, 240 pounds, gonna run 4.4. Really smart, makes all the calls, very instinctive and has some untapped pass-rush ability. He was top-five on our board all the way."

Wagner isn't in the Pro Football Hall of Fame because he's still an active player. The Commanders know him well, as he was their starter at middle linebacker over the last two years. But Wagner is a future first-ballot Hall of Famer.

As for Urlacher, that comparison makes a lot of sense. Urlacher was similarly sized (6-foot-4, 258), ran a fast 40-yard dash, and played some safety in college. He would play 13 years in the NFL, is a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, an eight-time Pro Bowler, a four-time first-team All-Pro, and much more. It's safe to say the Commanders would be thrilled if Styles comes close to matching Wagner or Urlacher's careers.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: NFL exec with lofty comparison for Sonny Styles

Titans DC Gus Bradley confident in Marcus Harris to handle nickel role

One of the highly debated questions on the 2026 Tennessee Titans is who is going to be the team's primary nickel heading into the season, and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley opened up on that subject during a minicamp press availability.

The Titans added some talent to their secondary with the signing of unrestricted free agents Alontae Taylor, Cordale Flott, and Joshua Williams, but even with that, it appears that a holdover, Marcus Harris, may have the inside track.

#Titans DC Gus Bradley with an endorsement of DB Marcus Harris and reasoning for Alontae Taylor playing more on the outside. pic.twitter.com/Aq17fIFYuB

— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) May 2, 2026

"He's been impressive now in meetings. You know, we say once you walk into the building, we're evaluating all the way through to the end of the day. And so, how he comes in is very consistent. How he comes in the building, everything he does; takes good notes, wants to be good. I mean, watch his film.” Bradley said. “Everything kind of checks out. Steps, then go out in the field; you see some movement. He's a bigger body. I mean, he's definitely caught our attention in that phase. So we're hoping he can develop into [a player we can use]. So you know, we'll see.”

The Tennessee front office and staff are hoping that the cornerback room holds up better than it is in 2025, when injuries and subpar performances hampered the team's defensive effort. Coming into 2026, Harris will be looking to build upon a solid rookie campaign, and now that he is healthy, it appears he will be given every opportunity to earn that job.

This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Titans DC Gus Bradley confident in Marcus Harris to handle nickel role

'No one is happy to be relegation battlers'

Saturday's 1-1 draw with Birmingham at Fratton Park was an end of season game with an end of season feel to it.

Adrian Segecic's fine form continued but otherwise that wasn't a match that will live long in the memory.

John Mousinho's post-match comments perhaps felt more significant following his talks with the owners in the past couple of days.

Clearly no one at the club is happy to be Championship relegation battlers year-after-year.

How you rise up the table to the point where you can dream of the Premier League is difficult. It's also very expensive.

Until the Bristol City vacancy is filled there will be nerves amongst Pompey fans about Mousinho's future.

It's another season where he's done an excellent job. However the squad will need a fair amount of surgery for the club to improve next season.

De Zerbi’s Battle Cry: Spurs must ‘die on the pitch’ as Premier League relegation battle heats up

De Zerbi’s Battle Cry: Spurs must ‘die on the pitch’ as Premier League relegation battle heats up
De Zerbi’s Battle Cry: Spurs must ‘die on the pitch’ as Premier League relegation battle heats up

Roberto De Zerbi has issued a rallying cry to his Tottenham Hotspur players as the club battle against Premier League relegation.

Tottenham travel to Aston Villa in the Premier League tonight with their top-flight status under threat. Spurs sit in the bottom three, but know a win will take them out of the drop zone after relegation rivals West Ham were beaten 3-0 at Brentford on Saturday.

The North London side are one of only six ever-present sides in thePremier League era, and have not been relegated since 1977.

Last weekend's 1-0 win at Wolves secured a first league win of 2026, and Spurs will now hope to build momentum ahead of the final fixtures.

Ahead of today's trip to Aston Villa, De Zerbi has called on his struggling side to give everything to escape their perilous position.

Speaking at hispre-match press conference, the Italian refuted suggestions that his side are destined for the drop.

"I heard no, it’s impossible, we are crying, everyone, we are relegated, no? Not yet and we have to die on the pitch," the Spurs boss said.

"We have to play, we have to fight, we have two points less than West Ham. They have to play a difficult game like us. It’s not the best moment for us, a tough moment, but the losers cry, they think negative and I don’t want people close to me crying or to think a different way than me.

"We are good enough to win the games and to stay up and then we will see because it’s the unique way. The way I know is to work hard, give my best, to trust in my idea of the players, their confidence and to be realistic. I think there are not a lot of people realistic now."

Hot Memory Demand Pushes Samsung’s Chip Making Business To Profitability – Report

Chip manufacturer Samsung is experiencing strong demand for its 4-nanometer process due to strong demand from the memory market, suggests a report in the Korean press. The details suggest that Samsung Foundry has secured orders that extend into 2027's production, and according to a source, the 4-nanometer process' stability has played a role in ensuring the strong demand. Samsung Foundry Purportedly Experiencing Strong Demand For Its 4-nanometer Chip Manufacturing Process Today's report is the second over the past couple of days that claims high yields for Samsung's 4-nanometer manufacturing process technology. This technology, dubbed SF4, began mass production in 2021 […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/hot-memory-demand-pushes-samsungs-chip-making-business-to-profitability-report/

PropSyncX – Manage and copy trade all your prop firm futures accounts from one hub


PropSyncX lets you manage and copy trade multiple funded futures accounts from a single, clean dashboard. Connect TopstepX, Tradovate, Rithmic, and NinjaTrader, place one trade, and replicate it across accounts in under 100ms while still controlling each position independently with per-account TP/SL brackets. Trade on built-in TradingView charts with drag-and-drop stops, real-time market data, a multi-account P&L view, and a built-in trading journal to track performance.

View startup

Morocco’s Tourism Revenue Hits Record $3.1 Billion in Q1 2026

Read full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/moroccos-tourism-revenue-hits-record-3-1-billion-in-q1-2026/

Morocco’s Tourism Revenue Hits Record $3.1 Billion in Q1 2026Discover why Morocco's tourism revenue surged by 24% in Q1 2026,...

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United States and Venezuela Reconnect with First Direct Flight in Seven Years from Miami to Caracas

Read full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/united-states-and-venezuela-reconnect-with-first-direct-flight-in-seven-years-from-miami-to-caracas/

United States and Venezuela Reconnect with First Direct Flight in Seven Years from Miami to CaracasHistoric direct US‑Venezuela flight resumes...

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Derek Chisora offered trilogy fight instead of retirement: “He says he wants to face me”

Having seemingly ditched his retirement plans, has been offered a shot at taking on one of his former dance partners, who believes that the heavyweight veteran will accept the proposal. Chisora promised to hang up the gloves after fight number 50 but, after his back-and-forth dust-up with did not go to plan, ‘Del Boy’ appeared […]

The post Derek Chisora offered trilogy fight instead of retirement: “He says he wants to face me” appeared first on Boxing News.

Uğurcan yoksa parti de yok! Yine aynı senaryo

Galatasaray'ın milli kalecisi Uğurcan Çakır, sarı kart cezası sebebiyle Samsunspor maçında forma giymedi. 30 yaşındaki eldiven bu sezon ne zaman oynamasa, Cim-Bom ciddi sıkıntılar yaşadı.

Uğurcan Çakır, Süper Kupa finalinde yoktu. Galatasaray, kupayı Fenerbahçe'ye kaybetti. Türkiye Kupası'nda Gençlerbirliği'ne karşı forma giymedi, Sarı-Kırmızılılar elendi. Cim-Bom, Samsunspor deplasmanında kazansaydı, şampiyonluğunu ilan edecekti. Ancak bu kez de Uğurcan sarı kart cezalısıydı...

Galatasaray

FORMASINA KAVUŞACAK

Galatasaray, Samsunspor mücadelesinden 4-1 gibi ağır bir yenilgiyle ayrıldı. Haftaya cumartesi Sarı-Kırmızılılar, Antalyaspor'u konuk edecek. Bu karşılaşmada galibiyet gelmesi durumunda Cim-Bom matematiksel olarak şampiyonluğunu ilan edecek. Uğurcan Çakır da tekrar formasına kavuşacak.

Galatasaray

GÜNAY OYNAMAYACAK!

Günay Güvenç, Samsunspor karşılaşmasının 63. dakikasında kırmızı kart görmüştü. Tecrübeli eldiven cezalı duruma düşmeseydi bile kalan 2 haftada oynatılmayacaktı. Sarı-Kırmızılı taraftarlar, Günay'ın performansına sosyal medyada büyük tepki gösterdi...

Günay'ın mukavelesi uzatılmıştı: Şimdi ne olacak?

Samsunspor maçında kötü bir performans sergileyen ve 63. dakikada kırmızı kart gören Günay Güvenç'in sözleşmesi bu sezon başında uzatılmıştı. Oyuncunun gönderileceği konuşuluyor ancak bu konuda fikir birliği yok.

Galatasaray, 2023 yazında Gaziantep FK'ya sadece 250 bin euro ödeyerek Günay Güvenç'i kadrosuna katmıştı. Tecrübeli eldiven, Sarı-Kırmızılılar'a Muslera'nın yedeği olarak gelmişti. Uruguaylı kaleci ayrıldıktan sonra yönetim uzun süre yeni file bekçisi için çalışmalar yaptı.

Galatasaray

2028'E KADAR SÜRÜYOR

Süreç o kadar uzadı ki, sezona Günay'la başlandı. Ardından Uğurcan Çakır hamlesi tamamlandı. Günay tekrar kulübeye geçti. Fırsat bulduğu karşılaşmalardaki performansı ise tartışıldı. 34 yaşındaki oyuncunun sözleşmesi, 15 Ağustos 2025 tarihinde uzatılmıştı. Mevcut kontratı 30 Haziran 2028'e kadar devam ediyor.

YABANCI KONTENJANI

Şu anda Günay Güvenç'in sezon sonunda gönderileceği konuşuluyor. Fakat kulüp içinde fikir birliği yok. Yönetim, yabancı kontenjanını yedek bir kaleciye harcamak istemiyor. Süper Lig'deki mevcut yerli eldivenler için de yüksek paralar isteniyor. Özetle, Günay'ın ayrılığı bugün itibarıyla kesin değil...

Patron ne yapıyor? Davinson Sanchez sıkıntısı

Fenerbahçe derbisinde penaltıya sebebiyet veren Davinson Sanchez, Samsunspor yenilgisinde de sahanın en kötü isimleri arasındaydı. Sezon sonunda ilginç gelişmeler yaşanabilir.

Patron lakaplı Davinson Sanchez, bu sezon kritik karşılaşmalarda yaptığı hatalarla can sıktı. Kolombiyalı stoper, Fenerbahçe derbisinde penaltıya sebebiyet vermişti. Talisca vuruşu kaçırdı ve Galatasaray 3-0 kazandı. Bu yüzden konunun üzerinde fazla durulmadı ama Sanchez'in kötü grafiği Samsunspor deplasmanında da sürdü.

Galatasaray

İYİ BİR TEKLİF GELİRSE

Kolombiyalı stoper, bu sezon önemli virajlarda kendisinden beklenmeyecek hatalara imza attı. 29 yaşındaki savunmacının sözleşmesi 15 Ağustos 2025 tarihinde uzatılmıştı. Mevcut kontratı 30 Haziran 2029 tarihine kadar sürüyor. İddiaya göre; iyi bir teklif gelmesi durumunda Davinson Sanchez satılabilir.

2 STOPER BİRDEN

Galatasaray'ın mevcut kadrosunda bulunan tek sol ayaklı stoper Abdülkerim Bardakcı... Bu sebeple solak bir savunmacı aranıyor. Davinson Sanchez de satılırsa, onun yerine de bir oyuncu gelecek. 1.87 boyundaki futbolcu, 2023 yazında Tottenham'dan transfer edilmişti. O dönemde 9.5 milyon euro bonservis bedeli ödendi.

Beşiktaş Jadon Sancho işine yine girecek mi? İşte yanıtı

Beşiktaş 2025 yazında Jadon Sancho için girişimlerde bulunmuştu. Sezon sonunda boşa çıkacak olan İngiliz kanat oyuncusu konusunda yine teklif yapılabileceği konuşuluyor. Peki son durum ne?

Beşiktaş'ın, 2025 yazındaki transfer hedeflerinden biri Jadon Sancho'ydu. Hatta Siyah-Beyazlı taraftarlar, oyuncunun sosyal medya hesaplarına milyonlarca, "Come to Beşiktaş (Beşiktaş'a gel)" mesajı gönderdi. Ancak 26 yaşındaki futbolcu Manchester United'dan, Aston Villa'ya kiralandı.

Besıktas

İKİ SÖZLEŞME DE BİTİYOR

İngiliz kanat oyuncusunun hem Aston Villa'daki kiralık sözleşmesi hem de Manchester United'daki kontratı 30 Haziran'da bitiyor. Yani Sancho her türlü boşa çıkacak. Beşiktaş'ın tekrar bir teklif yapabileceği iddia ediliyor. Ancak Kartal'ın bu yönde hiçbir girişimi olmadı. Ve olacak gibi de gözükmüyor.

BAŞKAN AÇIK AÇIK SÖYLEMİŞTİ

Beşiktaş Başkanı Serdal Adalı sezon başında, "Sancho'nun istediği parayı ödemeyi kabul ettik. Kulübüyle de belli bir noktaya geldik. Ancak kendisi, kariyerine Türkiye'de devam etmek istemedi" demişti. Kartal'ın bu sebeple Sancho işine hiç bulaşmadığı öğrenildi. Oyuncu çok büyük bir ihtimalle eski takımlarından Borussia Dortmund'a gidecek.

Beyin sarsıntısı yangını fos çıktı!

Gaziantep maçında durup dururken oyundan çıkan Tiago Djalo için yapılan beyin sarsıntısı yangının fos olduğu ortaya çıktı. Yoğun tempoya bağlı bir tansiyon düşmesi yaşadığı netleşti.

Gaziantep maçında Tiago Djalo oyundan alınırken yayıncı kuruluş "beyin sarsıntısı geçirdi" diyerek ortalığı yangın yerine çevirdi. Çünkü "beyin sarsıntısı" olsaydı, FIFA ve TFF’nin katı sağlık protokolleri devreye girecek. Djalo kesin olarak Türkiye Kupası'nda Konyaspor maçında forma giyemeyecekti.

Besıktas

Ancak Djalo'nun durumunun yoğun tempoya bağlı bir tansiyon düşmesi olduğu ortaya çıktı. Dün idmana çıkan Portekizli stoperin Konyaspor karşısında sahada olması planlanıyor.

Besıktas

Djalo bir de gol attığı Gaziantep maçının 79. dakikasında herhangi bir darbe almadan fenalık geçirdi. Oyundan çıkmak zorunda kaldı. Djaló için yayıncı kuruluş "beyin sarsıntısı" açıklamasını yaptı.

Kartal'a İtalyan kanat: Riccardo Orsolini

Kanat takviyeleri konusunda çalışmalarını sürdüren Beşiktaş, Bologna forması giyen Riccardo Orsolini'yi radarına aldı. Oyuncu 2026 yazında kontratının son senesine girecek.

Beşiktaş yaz döneminde hem sağ hem de sol kanat bölgelerini güçlendirecek. Konuyla ilgili çalışmalar sürüyor. Son olarak Kartal'ın gündemine Bologna forması giyen Riccardo Orsolini'nin geldiği öğrenildi. 29 yaşındaki sağ kanat oyuncusunun kulübüyle olan sözleşmesi 30 Haziran 2027'de bitecek.

HEPSİNİ GERİ ÇEVİRDİ

Yani İtalyan futbolcu, 2026 yazında kontratının son senesine giriyor. Şu ana kadar Bologna Kulübü'nün kendisine yaptığı yeni mukavele tekliflerinin tamamını geri çevirdi. Serie A temsilcisi, ondan para kazanmak için oyuncuyu satmayı düşünüyor. 1.86 boyundaki yıldız bu sezon ligde 32 karşılaşmaya çıktı.

HEP İTALYA'DA OYNADI

Sahada 1.979 dakika kaldı. Riccardo Orsolini bu süre içinde 8 gol ve 1 asist üretti. 29 yaşındaki futbolcu, kariyeri boyunca hiç İtalya dışına çıkmadı. Beşiktaş'ın bu konuda ciddi bir bütçe ayırdığı konuşuluyor. Eğer oyuncu cephesi teklifi kabul ederse, ilk defa İtalya dışında top koşturacak. Riccardo Orsolini, tekniği ve disipliniyle tanınıyor.

Edson Alvarez'den terbiyesizlik! Fenerbahçe taraftarına el kol yaptı

Fenerbahçe taraftarı sevmediği ve çubuklu ile sahada görmeye dayanamadığı Edson Alvarez'e tepkisini gösterdi. O da buna karşılık el kol hareketleri yaparak kim olduğunu gösterdi.

Fenerbahçe taraftarının "çubuklu" ile görmek istemediği oyuncuların başında Edson Alvarez geliyor... öyle ki boş olmasına rağmen 90. dakikada oyuna giren Meksikalı oyuncuyu yuhalayarak tepki gösterdi. Bu tepkiyle yetinmeyen taraftarlar tek başına rejenarsyon çalşması yapan Edson'a bir kez daha "git buradan" diye tepki gösterdi.

Fenerbahce

Meksikalı ise kendisine tepki gösteren Fenerbahçe taraftarlarına el kol hareketi yaparak karşılık verdi. Takımın en çok ihtiyacı olduğu dönemde Edson ameliyat olmasına ihtiyacı olmamasına rağmen Hollanda'ya giderek bıçak altına yattı.

Fenerbahce

Neredeyse ikinci yarının tamamını kaçırdı. Fenerbahçe devre arasında yabancı kontenjanı dolu olduğu için transfer yapamazken Edson'un oynaması umulduğu için kendisine "sözleşmeni donduralım" teklifi bile yapılmadı. Taraftar bu yüzden "kendilerini sattığını düşündükleri" Meksikalıya tepkili.

12 yıllık şampiyonsuzluk! Herkes gitti o değişmedi

Şampiyonsuzluk geçen 12 sezonda Fenerbahçe'de değişmeyen tek bir isim var... Başakşehir maçında takımın başında emanetçi teknik direktör olarak sahaya çıkan Zeki Murat Göle. Yardımcı antrenörlük işine o kadar çok alışmış ki, kendisine "gelecek sezon takımı kim çalıştırsın?" diye sorulduğunda "ben talibim" demedi bile.

Fenerbahçe 9. sezonda da yeni bir teknik direktörle sezona başlayacak... Jose Mourinho'nun kovulmasıyla göreve gelen Tedesco'nun da sezonu tamamlayamadığı sarı-lacivertlilerde, başkan adayları hoca arayışlarına başladı. Bu arayışlar "herkesin yolcu" olduğu ortamda hancı olan Zeki Murat Göle'ye soruldu. Dün gece Fenerbahçe'yi Başakişehir karşısında sahaya çıkaran Göle'ye, "yeni teknik direktör yerli mi, yabancı mı olmalı?" diye soruldu.

Fenerbahce

Zeki Murat Göle şu cevabı verdi:

- Fenerbahçe hocası, takımı en doğru şekilde yukarıya taşıyacak isim olmalı. Yerli-yabancı ayrımı yapamayız. Son yıllara baktığımızda, daha çok yerli hocalarla şampiyon olundu.

Fenerbahce

Kendisinin Pro-Lisansı (2024 yılında aldı) olmasına ve Süper Lig dahil tüm liglerde takım çalıştırabilecek olmasına rağmen "ben talibim" demeyen Zeki Murat Göle ayrıca basın toplantısı sırasında, "kaçan şampiyonluğun sorumlusu ben miyim?" diyerek ilginç de bir ifade kullandı.

2008 yılında Fenerbahçe U-18 takımında asistan menajer olarak Fenerbahçe'ye adım atan Göl 2014-15 sezonunda bu yana görev yapan tüm teknik adamlarla çalıştı.

Ersun Yanal'la şampiyon olunan son sezonun ardından göreve gelen Göle, Vítor Pereira (61), Ersun Yanal (56), Dick Advocaat (55), Aykut Kocaman (46), İsmail Kartal (46), Phillip Cocu (15), Erwin Koeman (9) ile çalıştı. Jorge Jesus ve Mourinho kendisini istemedi.

Sadettin Saran'a 'Neyine seviniyorsun'

Bedava bilet dağıtılmasına rağmen Fenerbahçe tribünleri Başakşehir maçında boş kaldı... Samsunspor ve Fenerbahçe gollerine sevinen Başkan Sadettin Saran tepkilerin hedefine oturdu.

Samsunspor'un Galatasaray'a gol atması ve Fenerbahçe'nin de Başakşehir karşısında golü bulmasından sonra başkanlık koltuğunda son günlerini sayan Sadettin Saran'ın protokol tribünündeki sevinci taraftarların tepkisini çekti.

Fenerbahce

Pek çok taraftar, "keşke biz de bu kadar mutlu olabilsek!" diyerek Saran'ın sevincinin ne anlama geldiğini sorguladı. Ayrıca pek çok taraftar Saran'ın Fenerbahçe camiasının ne hissettiğini bilmeyen bir başkan olduğu konusunda birleşti.

Fenerbahce

18 yaş altı taraftarlara bedava bile tahsis edilmesine rağmen Başakşehir maçında tribünlerin boş olmasına rağmen Saran'ın sevincine tepki verdi.

Ismail Jakobs hangi oyuncuları suçladı?

İsmail Jakops, 4-1'lik Samsunspor hezimeti sonrasında, "bazı insanlar şampiyonluğu evinde kazanmak istedi" diyerek suçu takım arkadaşlarına attı.

Galatasaray dün gece Şampiyonluk kutlaması yapmaya hazırlanırken Samsun deplasmanında adeta bozguna uğradı... 4-1'lik hezimet sonrasında tüm kutlama planları iptal oldu.

Galatasaray

Sessiz sedasız İstanbul'a dönüldü. Belki de yaşanan hezimetle ilgili en doğru cevabı İsmail Jakops verdi. "Derbi iyiydi, açık idman iyiydi, bu gece ne olduğunu düşünüyorsun?" sorusunu Senegalli sol bek şu şekilde yanıtladı:

- Bilmiyorum. Belki bazı insanlar bunu evinde kazanmak istedi. Gelecek hafta yapacağız.

Galatasaray

Jakobs, mağlubiyeti taktiksel bir hatadan ziyade, bazı oyuncuların şampiyonluğu kutlama zamanlaması konusundaki "tercihlerine" ve "isteksizliğine" bağladı. Bu durum, soyunma odasında bir iç hesaplaşmanın yaşanabileceğine dair güçlü bir sinyal olarak algılandı. .

Victor Osimhen ise "Haftaya şampiyonuz!" demekle yetindi.

Dursun Özbek küstü! Erken döndü

Şampiyonluğu takım uçağında kutlamayı düşünen Başkan Dursun Özbek 4-1'lik hezimet sonrasında başka bir uçakla İstanbul'a takımdan ayrı erken döndü.

Galatasaray dün gece şampiyonluk kutlamak istiyordu... öyle ki Başkan Dursun Özbek de ailesiyle beraber Samsun'a gitti. Günün sonunda gelen 4-1'lik hezimet. Şampiyonluğun ertelenmesi ve bozulan moraller. Başkan Özbek maç biter bitmez İstanbul'un yolunu tuttu. Normalde kutlamalara katılıp takımın uçağıyla beraber İstanbul'a dönmeyi planlıyordu.

Galatasaray

Özbek gece 1 sularında İstanbul'a dönerken takım ise 02.30 sularında İstanbul'a döndü. Başkan başkanın moralinin bozulduğu ve oyunculara küstüğü için bu kararı aldığı öğrenildi.

Dursun Özbek, mücadele sonrası Samsun’dan istanbul’a dönüş yaptı. pic.twitter.com/DgnN5TxNPe

— Erdem Açıkgöz (@Erdmackgz69) May 2, 2026

CISA Adds Actively Exploited Linux Root Access Bug CVE-2026-31431 to KEV

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) on Friday added a recently disclosed security flaw impacting various Linux distributions to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, citing evidence of active exploitation in the wild. The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2026-31431 (CVSS score: 7.8), is a case of local privilege escalation (LPE) flaw that could allow an

Exclusive: India’s Crypto Future Hinges on Clarity, Not Just Taxes — CoinSwitch Co-founder Speaks

Ashish Singhal CoinSwitch

The post Exclusive: India’s Crypto Future Hinges on Clarity, Not Just Taxes — CoinSwitch Co-founder Speaks appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

India’s crypto story is moving forward, but not without friction. In an exclusive conversation with Coinpedia, Ashish Singhal, Co-founder CoinSwitch, breaks down where things stand, from CBDCs and UPI dominance to Budget 2026, taxation, and why startups are quietly looking offshore.

UPI Dominates, But CBDC Plays a Different Game

Singhal makes it clear that India isn’t lacking payment solutions. Unified Payments Interface has already made transactions effortless, whether it’s paying vendors or splitting bills.

But CBDC isn’t competing with UPI. It’s something deeper.

He explains that a CBDC is essentially digital cash issued by the central bank, like a ₹100 note, but on your phone. Its real strength lies in targeted use cases. Government subsidies can be programmed for specific spending, and emergency funds can reach citizens instantly without intermediaries.

In his words, UPI is the “road,” while CBDC becomes a new “vehicle” running on it. For users, the experience may not change, but the backend becomes far more powerful.

Budget 2026: Clarity Without Relief

India Budget 2026 kept crypto taxes unchanged, continuing with one of the toughest regimes globally.

Singhal doesn’t see this as an attempt to kill retail participation, but rather to control it. The framework has brought clarity and improved traceability, even if high taxes and 1% TDS have pushed some activity offshore.

He suggests the government is prioritizing responsible investing and compliance first. But going forward, a more balanced tax structure, aligned with other asset classes, could unlock real growth while keeping innovation within India.

Startups Are Watching… and Moving

Moreover, regulatory ambiguity remains a bigger concern than taxes.

Singhal points out that many Web3 founders are drifting toward hubs like Dubai, Singapore, and Hong Kong, where clearer rules make it easier to access banking, capital, and partnerships.

India still has a strong advantage, its massive developer base and user market. But without clear and proportionate regulation, that edge could slowly erode.

Bitcoin ETFs and What Comes Next

On the question of Bitcoin ETFs, Singhal takes a grounded view.

He says India is still figuring out the basics, how crypto assets are classified, who regulates them, and how investors are protected. Products like ETFs will only come after that foundation is set.

Still, global momentum, especially after U.S. ETF approvals, is hard to ignore. Institutional demand in India is already building, particularly among investors seeking exposure without directly holding crypto.

Why Regulation Is Slower Than Adoption

Singhal ends with a reality check.

Crypto isn’t just another sector; it touches capital controls, taxation, AML, and financial stability. That means multiple regulators are involved, which naturally slows things down.

India, he says, is taking a “risk-first” approach, building guardrails through taxation and compliance while watching how global frameworks evolve.

Adoption, meanwhile, doesn’t wait. It’s market-driven, fast, and already ahead of policy.

And that gap, between speed and structure, is where India’s crypto future will ultimately be decided.

Nəriman məğlubiyyətin iştirakçısı oldu

Azərbaycan millisinin futbolçusu Nəriman Axundzadənin formasını geyindiyi “Kolumbus Kryu” MLS-də növbəti oyuna çıxıb.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komanda “Minnesota” ilə qarşılaşıb. 5 qolun vurulduğu matç “Kolumbus Kryu”nun məğlubiyyəti ilə başa çatıb – 2:3.

Nəriman oyuna 81-ci dəqiqədə daxil olub.

“Kolumbus Kryu” 11 turdan sonra 12 xalla 9-cu sıradadır.

“Şalke” Bundesliqada!

“Şalke” Almaniya Bundesliqasına vəsiqə qazanıb.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, II Bundesliqada XXXII turda “Fortuna”ya minimal hesabla qalib gələn Qelsenkirxen təmsilçisi ən yaxın izləyicisi “Paderborn”u 9 xal qabaqlayır və sona iki tur qalmış elitaya “bilet” əldə edib.

“Şalke” 32 turda 20 qələbə qazanıb, 7 heç-heçə edib, 5 dəfə uduzub.

Çempion “Şamaxı” səfərində, “Zirə” “Qəbələ”ni qəbul edir – YENİLƏNİR

Bu gün Misli Premyer Liqasında XXX turun növbəti oyunları keçiriləcək.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, günün ilk matçında çempion “Sabah” səfərdə “Şamaxı”nın qonağı olacaq.

Digər görüşdə “Zirə” autsayder “Qəbələ”ni qəbul edəcək.

Misli Premyer Liqası
XXX tur

3 may

16:00 Şamaxı – Sabah
Baş hakim: Kamal Umudlu
Şamaxı şəhər stadionu

18:30 Zirə – Qəbələ
Baş hakim: Elçin Məsiyev
Zirə İK stadionu

Serie A: Sassuolo vs. Milan – probable line-ups, where to watch on TV

Milan star Christian Pulisic is expected to start on the bench, but the Rossoneri need a win against Sassuolo to boost their Champions League qualification hopes.

It kicks off at 15:00 CET (14:00 BST) at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia.

The Rossoneri sit third in the standings with a five-point lead over Como, who already played on Saturday, drawing 0-0 against Napoli. On the other hand, Sassuolo have already secured survival, having earned 46 points in 34 games.

Luka Modric is unavailable for Milan, and according to multiple sources, including Sky Sport Italia, the Croatian star will be replaced by Ardon Jashari in central midfield.

USMNT international Pulisic is expected to start on the bench, being replaced by Christopher Nkunku. Pulisic hasn’t yet scored a goal in 2026.

Italy international Domenico Berardi will return to Sassuolo’s starting XI after serving a two-game ban. Second-choice keeper Stefano Turati is expected to start the third game in a row, leaving Arijanet Muric on the bench.

Sassuolo vs. Milan – where to watch on TV

The match will be broadcast live on DAZN and TikTok in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a liveblog.

Sassuolo vs. Milan – probable line-ups

Sassuolo (4-3-3): Turati; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Muharemovic, Garcia; Thorstvedt, Matic, Koné; Berardi, Pinamonti, Laurienté. 

Milan (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Jashari, Rabiot, Estupinan; Leao, Nkunku. 

Today’s Papers – Farewell Zanardi, the Superhero

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Superhero

Farewell to the man of impossible feats

A driver living life always on the edge. The crash and his legs were amputated, then he won the gold medals at the Paralympic Games. The accident with a truck. He died on May 1, like Senna. All of Italy is moved.

Allegri: ‘The Champions League moves 100m.’ Spalletti, Yildiz right away.

Inter, Scudetto one point away.

Corriere dello Sport

Farewell giant

Alex lives

Zanardi has died: an extraordinary man who taught us to redraw our lives.

Born in Bologna, 59, the strength of ideals and smiles. The farewell on the same day as Senna’s. F1, kart, 16 surgeries, four Paralympic Gold medals in handbike, and the shocking crash with a truck. Matteralla moved: ‘A great pain.’

Tuttosport

Alex Zanardi (1966-2026)

Your lesson forever

The champion of the impossible died on the same day as his idol, Senna. Terrible Formula Car accident in 2001. The second life, the Paralympics triumphs, and the crash with a handbike in 2020. The biggest lesson: ‘When you can’t take it anymore, hold on, more opportunities will come.’

Inter: Scudetto Day amid controversy

Chivu to be crowned champion if he draws with Parma, but the Milanese investigation looms over the celebration.

The wiretap in which Rocchi allegedly mentioned the referee coordinator Schenone opens new scenarios. In the meantime, Napoli’s 0-0 against Como means a point will be enough tonight. For the first time since 1989, the title can be won at San Siro. Lautaro on the bench, Bastoni returns, but nothing organised…

‘Vlahovic? I think he wants to stay.’

The coach pushes to confirm the Serbian and enjoys Yildiz. ‘He has the sun in his face, he makes me feel lucky to coach.’ Kenan on the pitch today with Verona. Aston Villa on David.

Toro, nice way to honour the invincibles…

Ehizibue-Kristensen: easy 2-0. D’Aversa: ‘Wrong spirit, I got angry.’ And the fans protest.

Newcastle United could bring early end to expensive flop’s Premier League career

Nick Woltemade’s future at Newcastle United is suddenly becoming a talking point, with reports suggesting the German striker could leave the club just a year after arriving in England.

According to journalist Christian Falk, there is growing uncertainty surrounding the 24-year-old’s long-term place in the squad, despite Newcastle investing heavily to bring him to St James’ Park last summer.

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The Magpies paid around £65 million to sign Woltemade from VfB Stuttgart, viewing him as a key piece in their attacking rebuild, particularly after the departure of Alexander Isak to Liverpool.

At the time, the transfer was seen as a bold move that signaled Newcastle’s ambition to remain competitive at the highest level.

However, football can change quickly, and recent developments suggest that the club may now be reassessing their options.

Woltemade started brightly but struggles followed

Woltemade’s time at Newcastle began with plenty of optimism. He made an immediate impression in the Premier League, scoring four goals in his first five appearances.

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His early form suggested Newcastle had found a reliable attacking option capable of adapting quickly to English football.

However, momentum has slowed significantly in recent months. The striker has struggled to maintain his scoring touch, particularly during the early stages of 2026, where he has yet to find the net in league competition.

That dip in form has raised questions about his confidence and role within the team, especially as Newcastle continue to push for consistency in front of goal.

Newcastle’s attacking system relies heavily on movement, pressing, and finishing efficiency, areas where Woltemade initially looked promising but has since found more challenging.

Could the Newcastle United star move to Bayern Munich?

The German giants were interested in signing Woltemade last summer before his move to Newcastle United.

It remains to be seen whether they will be interested in bringing him back to the Bundesliga if he becomes available for transfer.

Bayern are known for monitoring Bundesliga-developed talent, and their past interest suggests they recognise the striker’s potential despite his recent struggles in England.

If a substantial offer were to arrive, particularly from European clubs familiar with Woltemade’s earlier performances in Germany, Newcastle might consider evaluating the situation carefully.

Newcastle’s initial investment in Woltemade means they would likely seek to recover a significant portion of the transfer fee if he were to leave. That makes any potential move dependent on whether clubs are willing to match a high valuation.

Newcastle United plotting £17m move for Brazilian wonderkid as Bruno Guimaraes replacement

The post Newcastle United could bring early end to expensive flop’s Premier League career appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Mo Salah firmly in talks with family over next move, he’s considersing a shock destination

Mohamed Salah’s future is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about stories of the summer transfer window, with the Liverpool superstar reportedly giving serious thought to his next destination.

According to TEAMtalk, the Egyptian forward is strongly considering a move to Major League Soccer once his Liverpool contract expires, allowing him to leave Anfield on a free transfer.

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At 33, Salah finds himself at a crossroads in his career. After years of dominating English football and rewriting records at Liverpool, he now faces a decision that could define the final chapter of his playing days.

While a switch to the United States is being explored, interest from the Saudi Pro League remains strong, meaning Salah has several lucrative and high-profile options on the table.

MLS Dream vs Saudi Ambition – What could shape Salah’s choice?

Salah’s impact at Liverpool has been nothing short of extraordinary. Since arriving from Roma in 2017, he has evolved into one of the Premier League’s most consistent goal-scorers and a key figure in Liverpool’s modern success.

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Under Jürgen Klopp, Salah helped the club secure major honors, including the Premier League title and the UEFA Champions League, while breaking numerous individual scoring records along the way.

Major League Soccer presents an intriguing opportunity. The league has increasingly attracted high-profile players in recent years, particularly those seeking a new lifestyle experience while still competing at a strong level.

Salah’s global popularity would make him a major commercial and sporting asset for any MLS club, potentially elevating the league’s international visibility even further.

However, the Saudi Pro League remains one of the strongest contenders for his signature. Saudi clubs have tracked Salah for several years, with interest dating back to earlier transfer windows when substantial offers were rumored.

The financial packages available in Saudi Arabia are believed to be among the most attractive in world football, making it difficult for other leagues to compete purely on economic terms.

Massive moment approaches for Salah

One key factor influencing Salah’s decision appears to be family considerations. Reports indicate that he is holding extensive discussions with his family about lifestyle, long-term plans, and career ambitions.

Moving to the United States could offer cultural familiarity and a different pace of life, while Saudi Arabia provides proximity to his home region and potentially record-breaking earnings.

There is also the possibility that interest from European clubs could surface if Salah decides he still wants to compete at the highest level in continental football.

Though less widely reported, some analysts believe his fitness levels and consistency suggest he could still perform at an elite level for several more seasons.

Whether he chooses MLS, accepts a lucrative Saudi offer, or surprises the football world with another option, his decision will carry enormous significance.

For Liverpool supporters, the prospect of losing a club icon on a free transfer is bittersweet. Salah’s achievements have cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players in the club’s history, and his eventual departure will mark the closing of a remarkable chapter.

Liverpool in advanced talks for “incredible” Real Madrid target who could cost a fortune

The post Mo Salah firmly in talks with family over next move, he’s considersing a shock destination appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Bayern Munich in contact to sign Arsenal & Liverpool target tipped by Romano for summer move

Bayern Munich appear to be stepping up their pursuit of Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon, with manager Vincent Kompany reportedly giving his approval for the club to move forward with plans to sign the England international this summer.

According to journalist Florian Plettenberg, communication between Gordon’s representatives and Bayern has been ongoing for several months, suggesting that this potential move has been quietly developing behind the scenes.

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With Bayern expected to reshape parts of their attacking unit ahead of the new season, Gordon has emerged as one of the standout options under consideration.

Meanwhile, Newcastle could be open to significant offers as they look to refresh their squad and balance finances in preparation for the next stage of their project.

Gordon has been impressive for Newastle United

Gordon has enjoyed one of the most productive seasons of his career, featuring 46 times across all competitions, scoring 17 goals, and providing five assists.

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Those numbers highlight his growing influence at Newcastle, where he has developed into a key attacking threat capable of stretching defenses and delivering decisive moments.

Gordon’s style of play makes him an attractive option for Bayern Munich. He is known for his pace, relentless pressing and ability to attack defenders directly.

Kompany, who favors dynamic wide players capable of contributing both offensively and defensively, is believed to see Gordon as a player who could bring energy and unpredictability to Bayern’s forward line.

Newcastle are evaluating ways to reshape their squad, and selling a high-value player like Gordon could generate the kind of funds needed to strengthen multiple positions.

Bayern Munich face competition to sign the attacker

Bayern are not the only club monitoring Gordon’s availability. Interest from other Premier League sides remains strong, with several teams reportedly exploring attacking reinforcements.

Both Arsenal and Liverpool and have been constantly linked with a move for the Newcastle United attacker as both Premier League clubs are expected to invest heavily in their attack this summer.

Fabrizio Romano recently reported that there are ‘serious chances’ for Gordon to leave Newcastle this summer which is a major boost to the clubs targeting the England international.

The race to sign Gordon is going to be intense this summer.

Arsenal and Liverpool ready to pounce on 24-year-old defender with six goal contributions 

The post Bayern Munich in contact to sign Arsenal & Liverpool target tipped by Romano for summer move appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Match-winning moment leaves Barcelona in awkward position regarding forward’s future

Match-winning moment leaves Barcelona in awkward position regarding forward’s future
Match-winning moment leaves Barcelona in awkward position regarding forward’s future

Barcelona may be closing in on the La Liga title, but one situation is raising serious questions – the future of Ferran Torres.

The Spanish forward played a decisive role in the recent win over Espanyol, coming up with a crucial goal that effectively sealed the result. 

Deployed alongside Robert Lewandowski while coming on as a substitute, Ferran showed sharp movement, timing his run perfectly to exploit space and finish with confidence. 

It was a moment that showed his importance not just as a squad player, but as someone capable of delivering in key moments.

Notably, that goal also took him to 20 for the season, which is now a personal milestone. 

He has now surpassed last season’s output, showing clear growth in his role within the team. 

For a player who has often rotated in and out of the starting lineup, those numbers carry real weight. And yet, despite those performances, there is still no clarity over his contract situation.

What’s the story?

According to AS, within Barcelona, the silence is becoming harder to ignore. 

Ferran Torres surpassed his last season’s tally. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Sporting director Deco has previously made it clear that he prefers not to let players enter the final year of their deals. 

However, in Ferran’s case, as his contract expires in 2027, there has been no visible movement – no renewal offer, no concrete progress, and no clear direction.

That uncertainty feels even more unusual given Ferran’s profile, as he is entering his peak years. 

He is well integrated into the dressing room, understands his role, and has consistently maintained a professional attitude even when not starting regularly. 

A domino effect

As such, there are several theories behind the delay, and one possibility is that the club is waiting for a final decision regarding Lewandowski’s long-term future before making a move. 

Another is financial, with Barcelona still going through fair play limitations that could be slowing down negotiations.

At the same time, there have been suggestions that Ferran could be included in a potential deal involving Atletico Madrid for Julian Alvarez’s transfer.

There are a lot of theories regarding the Spaniard, but for now, nothing can be said for sure.

Today’s Papers – Farewell Zanardi, the Superhero

Today’s Papers – Farewell Zanardi, the Superhero
Today’s Papers – Farewell Zanardi, the Superhero

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Superhero

Farewell to the man of impossible feats

A driver living life always on the edge. The crash and his legs were amputated, then he won the gold medals at the Paralympic Games. The accident with a truck. He died on May 1, like Senna. All of Italy is moved.

Allegri: ‘The Champions League moves 100m.’ Spalletti, Yildiz right away.

Inter, Scudetto one point away.

Corriere dello Sport

Farewell giant

Alex lives

Zanardi has died: an extraordinary man who taught us to redraw our lives.

Born in Bologna, 59, the strength of ideals and smiles. The farewell on the same day as Senna’s. F1, kart, 16 surgeries, four Paralympic Gold medals in handbike, and the shocking crash with a truck. Matteralla moved: ‘A great pain.’

Tuttosport

Alex Zanardi (1966-2026)

Your lesson forever

The champion of the impossible died on the same day as his idol, Senna. Terrible Formula Car accident in 2001. The second life, the Paralympics triumphs, and the crash with a handbike in 2020. The biggest lesson: ‘When you can’t take it anymore, hold on, more opportunities will come.’

Inter: Scudetto Day amid controversy

Chivu to be crowned champion if he draws with Parma, but the Milanese investigation looms over the celebration.

The wiretap in which Rocchi allegedly mentioned the referee coordinator Schenone opens new scenarios. In the meantime, Napoli’s 0-0 against Como means a point will be enough tonight. For the first time since 1989, the title can be won at San Siro. Lautaro on the bench, Bastoni returns, but nothing organised…

‘Vlahovic? I think he wants to stay.’

The coach pushes to confirm the Serbian and enjoys Yildiz. ‘He has the sun in his face, he makes me feel lucky to coach.’ Kenan on the pitch today with Verona. Aston Villa on David.

Toro, nice way to honour the invincibles…

Ehizibue-Kristensen: easy 2-0. D’Aversa: ‘Wrong spirit, I got angry.’ And the fans protest.

It's on: Liverpool enter race for in-demand free agent

It's on: Liverpool enter race for in-demand free agent
It's on: Liverpool enter race for in-demand free agent

Liverpool will soon require a permanent replacement for Virgil van Dijk at centre-back.

The Dutchman is about to turn 35 - and is out of contract in summer 2027. Given his age it would be unlikely for Richard Hughes to extend his £400k per week contract.

And that means club recruiters are doing their homework on several experienced centre-backs to take over in the medium to long term.

One name long touted as a possibility is Marcos Senesi. The 28-year-old played under Arne Slot at Feyenoord before moving to Richard Hughes’ Bournemouth back in 2022.

The Anfield club’s decision-making axis therefore have got intimate working knowledge of working with the Argentina international.

Following the sales of both Dean Huijsen and Iliya Zabarnyi last summer Senesi has once again established himself as one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League outside the top four or five teams.

Liverpool have entered the race for Senesi

And with his Cherries’ contract entering its final few weeks the left-footer is about to become one of the hottest free agents around.

Clubs around the Premier League and Italy have long been touted as potential destinations. But now a report in Marca has finally shed some light on Liverpool’s reported interest.

The Merseysiders have been confirmed to be in the race for Senesi - a very sensible transfer if FSG can pull it off.

“The Anfield club have entered the race for Marcos Senesi, who is now a free agent,” the report reads.

Marcos Senesi: Situation summary

Marcos Senesi is an aggressive, left‑footed centre-back whose proactive defending and progressive passing have made him a standout at Bournemouth.

Senesi came through San Lorenzo, moved to Feyenoord, then joined Bournemouth in 2022, racking up well over 100 Premier League appearances.

He plays mainly as a left centre-back, stepping out of the line to attack space in front, using anticipation, pace and timing to win duels early, albeit with some exposure if the press is broken.

On the ball he is very comfortable carrying into midfield and ranks among the league’s most active centre-backs for progressive and long passes, often looking for line‑breaking or diagonal balls.

Senesi’s Bournemouth deal runs to June 2026, and he has rejected multiple extension offers, informing the club he does not plan to renew.

2026 Cadillac Championship prize money payouts for PGA Tour signature event

The PGA Tour is rolling on.

This week we land at the 2026 Cadillac Championship in Doral.

There's a sizeable payout this week as 72 golfers compete to win the tournament and move up on the PGA Tour's money list.

Let's take a look at the payouts and prize money for the event.

What's the total purse for the 2026 Cadillac Championship?

The clock at the Blue Monster at Trump National Doral.

The Cadillac has a total purse of $20 million.

What is the winner's share for the Cadillac Championship?

The winner will get $3.6 million of the $20 million pot.

2026 Cadillac Championship purse breakdown

Pos.Amount
1$3,600,000
2$2,180,000
3$1,380,000
4$980,000
5$820,000
6$725,000
7$675,000
8$625,000
9$585,000
10$545,000
11$505,000
12$465,000
13$425,000
14$385,000
15$365,000
16$345,000
17$325,000
18$305,000
19$285,000
20$265,000
21$245,000
22$225,000
23$209,000
24$193,000
25$177,000
26$161,000
27$155,000
28$149,000
29$143,000
30$137,000
31$131,000
32$125,000
33$119,000
34$114,000
35$109,000
36$104,000
37$99,000
38$95,000
39$91,000
40$87,000
41$83,000
42$79,000
43$75,000
44$71,000
45$67,000
46$63,000
47$59,000
48$55,800
49$53,000
50$51,400
51$50,200
52$49,000
53$48,200
54$47,400
55$47,000
56$46,600
57$46,200
58$45,800
59$45,400
60$45,000
61$44,600
62$44,200
63$43,800
64$43,400
65$43,000
66$42,600
67$42,200
68$41,800
69$41,400
70$41,000
71$40,600
72$40,200

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: 2026 Cadillac Championship prize money payouts on PGA Tour

Yesterday IPL Match Result: Another Mumbai Indians meltdown as CSK storm to eight-wicket win

CHENNAI: Mumbai Indians’ faltering IPL campaign hit its final stop at Chepauk on Saturday, as Chennai Super Kings registered a comfortable eight-wicket win to keep their own slim playoff hopes alive. The result nearly ends MI’s chances of making the last four, allowing Jasprit Bumrah, carrying a heavy workload through the season, to finally turn his attention towards India commitments in the coming months.

The MA Chidambaram Stadium has rarely been a forgiving venue, more so for a side low on confidence. The surface, seemingly placid, tends to hold up just enough to create doubt, while a partisan sea of yellow often amplifies pressure. On this night, all those factors came together as CSK completed a commanding league double over their long-time rivals.

— IPL (@IPL)

It was a result shaped decisively in the first half, where MI once again failed to capitalise on a solid start. At one stage, cruising past 100 in the 11th over with Suryakumar Yadav well set and Naman Dhir settling in, a score in excess of 180 looked certain. Instead, MI collapsed to 159-7, undone by disciplined bowling and familiar middle-order frailties.


The slide began with Suryakumar’s dismissal, the batter failing to clear deep point off debutant pacer Ramakrishna Ghosh. From there, the innings unravelled quickly. Despite having Dhir (57 off 37 balls), Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya in the middle, MI struggled to build momentum.

— IPL (@IPL)

Left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmad continued his impressive run, finishing with 2-26. Bowling flatter but extracting enough grip and bounce, he forced errors from batters expected to handle spin better. Tilak fell attempting a cross-batted heave, while Noor had earlier removed Ryan Rickelton (37 off 24), who had given MI early impetus. Jamie Overton (1-23) complemented Noor perfectly, hitting hard lengths and using the two-paced nature of the pitch to stifle scoring. The England pacer’s variations made it difficult for Dhir and Pandya to break free in the middle overs, where MI’s innings lost all its tempo.

— IPL (@IPL)

However, the standout per-former was Anshul Kamboj. The medium-pacer, now a joint Purple Cap holder, delivered a clinical spell of 3-32. He struck early to remove Will Jacks with a delivery that shaped away, and returned at the death to shut the door completely. With accurate yorkers and well-directed short balls, he ensured there was no late flourish. Kamboj also accounted for Robin Minz and Hardik, as MI’s innings fizzled out.

Chasing a modest 160, CSK never looked troubled. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, under scrutiny for his form, anchored the innings with a composed 67 not out off 48 balls. There was no urgency, only control, as he guided the chase with minimal risk.

He found useful support from Urvil Patel (24) and Kartik Sharma, who remained unbeaten on 54 off 40 balls.

Plymouth need to keep squad together - Cleverley

Tom Cleverley
Tom Cleverley's first season at Plymouth Argyle ended with an eighth-placed finish in League One [Shutterstock]

Plymouth Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley says the club must keep the bulk of their squad for next season.

The Pilgrims narrowly missed out on a play-off place despite a final day win at Northampton Town in League One.

Argyle brought in 16 new players last summer - as well as appointing Cleverley as head coach - following relegation from the Championship and were bottom of the table in November.

But an excellent run of form in which they lost just two of their final 16 games saw Argyle come within touching distance of the play-offs.

"We have to, as a football club, do everything we can to make sure that as many of these players that are here are [still here] next year," Cleverley told BBC Radio Devon.

"That includes the out of contract ones, that includes the loan players, so I'm really happy with the dynamics, the balance of the squad and we'll be working as hard as we can to because consistency is key.

"Lincoln didn't get up in year three of Michael Skubala's reign by changing the whole squad every season, they built to a season that created 103 points.

"We've certainly laid some good foundations to build on that's for sure."

'Not surprised' by interest in Tolaj

Lorent Tolaj celebrates a goal
Lorent Tolaj's goal helped Plymouth Argyle come from 2-0 down to beat Northampton Town 3-2 in their final day clash [Shutterstock]

One player who will garner attention from other sides is top scorer Lorent Tolaj.

The 24-year-old Swiss striker moved to Argyle on a four-year deal in late August for a fee believed to be in excess of £1m.

He scored 22 goals in 39 appearances in all competitions and has been linked with a number of Championship sides.

"Tolly's a very good player, but if there was any progressed interest, I'd expect mine or Derek Adams' (director of football) phone to be going, whether that was to touch base or ask for a reference. That's not the case so far," Cleverley said.

"Tolly's a very good player, I'm not surprised there's interest, but mine or Derek's phone's not gone yet."

He added: "Football transfers always have three things, there's a buying club, there's a selling club and there's a price.

"For example Bali Mumba's transfer, I thought Huddersfield were getting a good player, we were getting a good transfer fee and then we can replace them with a good player in Ronan (Curtis).

"So sometimes everything for all parties works, and we will only sell Lorent if that is the case with us.

"Obviously we will plan a with and a without, but there has to be the right interest, the club for Tolly, and if there's not then he'll score a lot of goals for us next season and hopefully help us win promotion."

Messi scores but Miami blow three-goal lead to suffer embarrassing home defeat

Messi scores but Miami blow three-goal lead to suffer embarrassing home defeat
Messi scores but Miami blow three-goal lead to suffer embarrassing home defeat

Lionel Messi continued his brilliance for Inter Miami as he struck a goal and set up another against Orlando City in Saturday’s home league fixture. 

But his side still came out on the losing side after a spectacular defensive collapse in the second half. 

Miami grabbed an early breakthrough after Ian Fray headed home Telasco Segovia’s cross. 

The Venezuelan then scored one of his own with an easy finish after brilliant work from Messi in the 25th minute. 

The Argentina international made it 3-0 for the home side just after the half-hour mark. He cut onto his left foot and brilliantly curled into the bottom corner. 

Although Martin Ojeda pulled one back, Miami appeared in complete control of the match ahead of the second half. 

However, things changed dramatically after the interval as Orlando were by far the better side. 

Ojeda added his second with a brilliant finish after 68 minutes. 

The visitors continued pushing for an equaliser and their efforts were rewarded 10 minutes from time.  

Maxi Falcon conceded a penalty and Ojeda stepped up to slot home his third. 

Then in the third minute of stoppage-time, Tyrese Spicer broke through Miami’s backline to finish past goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair. 

The defeat means Guillermo Hoyos’ side are yet to win at their new home stadium. They sit third in the MLS Eastern Conference points table. 

Miami return to action on Saturday when they take on Toronto in an away game. 

Aberdeen ready to move for Hibs' Boyle - gossip

Aberdeen keen on experienced forward as free agent, Celtic keen on USA defender...

Aberdeen are exploring a deal for Martin Boyle, 33, who will leave Hibernian in the summer once his contract expires. (Sky Sports on X)

Celtic have registered an interest in 24-year-old West Bromwich Albion and United States defender George Campbell. (Celts Are Here)

Celtic have fallen behind in the race to sign 22-year-old midfielder Issa Doumbia as some Premier League clubs are interested, while Serie A clubs are likely to follow, in the 22-year-old who Venezia value at £12m. (Football Insider)

Robbie Ure, whose goals have helped Sirius to the top of the Swedish top flight, dreams of a return to first club Rangers one day - and a call-up by Scotland, although the 22-year-old striker is not ruling out playing for Ukraine instead. (The Herald)

Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith doubts whether the Premier League leaders would be interested in Rangers centre-half Emmanuel Fernandez after the 24-year-old has had just one good season at Ibrox. (The Scotsman)

Lewis Neilson admits his future is uncertain with Heart of Midlothian, but the 22-year-old currently on loan to Falkirk would be willing to sign a new contract and go out on loan again if he fails to secure a starting place. (Edinburgh Evening News)

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari has confirmed that he wants his Championship-winning captain, 33-year-old midfielder Jason Holt, to extend his stay at McDiarmid Park. (The Courier)

Ruari Paton says returning to St Johnstone next season is a "great option" for him, but the 25-year-old striker's future has been complicated by parent club Port Vale's relegation to League Two and with him having a year left of his contract. (The Courier)

Former Celtic midfielder Massimo Donati is on the shortlist to take charge of former European champions Steaua Bucharest. (Scottish Sun)

Mick Kennedy, who has led East Kilbride to the League 2 title, and Gary Naysmith, whose Stenhousemuir were League 1 runners-up, are both under consideration for the vacant Ayr United manager's job along with former boss Ian McCall and current caretaker John Rankin. (Daily Record)

Cove Rangers manager Paul Hartley, who is out of contract this summer, is ready to talk about the future after guiding his club to League 1 safety. (Press & Journal)

Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay has been branded "average" by Serie A legend Radja Nainggolan despite the 29-year-old's goals helping Napoli to the title last season. (TalkSport)

🗞️Today's front pages: Possible title-winning Sunday for Barça

🗞️Today's front pages: Possible title-winning Sunday for Barça

Barça’s victory over Osasuna leaves everything now pending what happens today between Espanyol and Real Madrid.

There is no other topic in the national sports press. Today, Barça can be crowned LaLiga champions as long as Real Madrid manage to beat Espanyol today. If they clinch the title today, the next match is El Clásico.


MARCA

AS

Mundo Deportivo

SPORT

Superdeporte

Estadio Deportivo

L'Esportiu

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

☕️🥐 FC Breakfast: trick of the century 😭, a WTF celebration 🤣

☕️
☕️🥐 FC Breakfast: trick of the century 😭, a WTF celebration 🤣

The WTF celebration of the weekend 😂

Off to the Canadian Premier League, where Inter Toronto striker Tomasz Skublak gave us the celebration of the weekend against Atlético Ottawa.

A real estate agent in civilian life, Tomasz whipped out the business card he had hidden in his sock after scoring. There’s never a bad time for a little self-promo.


The trick of the century from this referee 😭

Refereeing the match between Nice and Lens, Mr. Leonard came up with the trick of the century to stop players from bothering him during VAR discussions.

He simply drew a line on the ground with his spray and told the players not to cross it. Makes you wonder how no one thought of it sooner.


Molina close to the goal of the weekend 🚀

During Atlético Madrid’s win over Valencia in La Liga (0-2), Nahuel Molina came very close to scoring the goal of the weekend!


Gonzalo 'Trevor' Higuain 😳

Someone ran into former Argentine goal machine Gonzalo Higuain in Miami and, to say the least, he’s changed quite a bit.


Can’t-miss stories from yesterday 🍿

- “I won’t resign, unless...” Beye’s big statement about his future

🚨 OFFICIAL: FC Metz have been relegated to Ligue 2!

- X


TV schedule 📺

3:00 PM: Lille - Le Havre (L1+)

3:00 PM: Bournemouth - Crystal Palace (Canal+ Sport 360)

3:00 PM: Sassuolo - AC Milan (DAZN)

4:30 PM: Liverpool - Man United (Canal+)

4:30 PM: Barcelona Women - Bayern Munich Women (Disney+)

5:15 PM: Ligue 1 Multiplex (L1+)

5:30 PM: M'Gladbach - Dortmund (beIN Sports 2)

6:00 PM: Juventus - Hellas Verona (DAZN)

8:00 PM: Aston Villa - Tottenham (Canal+ Foot)

8:45 PM: Lyon - Rennes (L1+)

8:45 PM: Inter Milan - Parma (DAZN)

9:00 PM: Espanyol Barcelona - Real Madrid (beIN Sports 1)

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

Thiago, Brahim start in a 4-4-2 – How Real Madrid can line up against Espanyol

Thiago, Brahim start in a 4-4-2 – How Real Madrid can line up against Espanyol
Thiago, Brahim start in a 4-4-2 – How Real Madrid can line up against Espanyol

Real Madrid are running out of road in the 2025/26 La Liga title race, and this weekend could mark the official end of their challenge. 

Alvaro Arbeloa’s side travel to face Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium, knowing that anything less than a win will all but confirm what has been coming for weeks.

The gap at the top has stretched to a daunting 14 points after Barcelona edged past Osasuna in a tight 2-1 win. 

That result has only increased the pressure on Real Madrid, who have struggled to find consistency at a crucial stage of the season. 

Form has become a serious concern, as Los Blancos have managed just one win in their last six matches across all competitions. 

Even more worrying is their away record, with their last league victory on the road dating back to early March against Celta Vigo. 

Now, with major changes expected in the summer, including a new manager and key reinforcements, this match against Espanyol feels like part of a transition period rather than a defining title moment. 

Still, pride and professionalism demand a strong performance.

Defence

Alvaro Carreras is likely to start over Ferland Mendy. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

In goal, Thibaut Courtois remains unavailable, although there is growing optimism he could return in time for El Clasico

For now, Andriy Lunin is expected to continue between the sticks, having been a reliable presence despite the team’s struggles.

At right-back, the absence of Dani Carvajal is a fresh blow. The Spaniard’s injury means Trent Alexander-Arnold should keep his place, offering attacking quality but still adjusting defensively in this system.

The centre-back pairing is likely to feature Antonio Rudiger alongside Dean Huijsen

Injuries to Eder Militao and inconsistent performances from Raul Asencio have limited options at the back.

On the left side, Alvaro Carreras is expected to start. His forward runs and energy offer something different, especially against a team that will likely sit deep and look to frustrate Madrid.

Midfield

Aurelien Tchouameni will return to the starting XI. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

The midfield will see the return of Aurelien Tchouameni, who missed the last game through suspension. 

His presence should bring some stability to a midfield that has lacked control in recent weeks.

He is expected to be joined by Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde – two players who have carried much of the team’s responsibility this season.

With Arda Guler sidelined, there is a decision to be made. Thiago Pitarch could be given the nod ahead of Eduardo Camavinga, who has faced criticism for inconsistent displays. 

Attack

The biggest concern comes in attack, where Kylian Mbappe is set to miss out due to injury. His absence removes Madrid’s main goal threat and forces a reshuffle in the final third.

Gonzalo Garcia could get a rare start. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Arbeloa could be tempted to start young forward Gonzalo Garcia, but given the magnitude of the match, Vinicius Jr. and Brahim Diaz are likely to take up the starting role. 

Both players will need to step up and provide the creativity and finishing that has been missing.

This fixture may not carry the same weight it once promised, but it still matters. 

For Real Madrid, it is about delaying the inevitable and showing signs of life ahead of a crucial summer rebuild.

Barcelona’s plan for La Liga title parade hinges on two two key events

Barcelona’s plan for La Liga title parade hinges on two two key events
Barcelona’s plan for La Liga title parade hinges on two two key events

Barcelona are on the verge of sealing the La Liga title, and preparations are already underway for what could be a huge celebration in the city. 

After their narrow win over Osasuna, the focus has shifted from the pitch to planning a potential title parade, but everything still depends on what happens when Real Madrid face Espanyol.

Within Barcelona, there is growing anticipation, but also a sense of caution. 

The title is not mathematically secured yet, which means the club cannot finalise any celebrations just yet. 

However, internal planning has already begun so that everything is ready the moment it becomes official.

What’s the story?

According to Mundo Deportivo, the current idea is that once the title is confirmed, the team will celebrate with the fans through a parade across the streets of Barcelona, which is expected to be a major event

The timing of the celebrations, however, remains uncertain. If Real Madrid fail to win, Barcelona could officially become champions immediately. 

Barcelona are very close to winning the La Liga. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

In that case, early plans suggest the parade could take place as soon as Monday or Tuesday, taking advantage of the squad’s scheduled rest days. 

With no training sessions planned, it creates a perfect window for the team to celebrate with supporters.

The natural hurdle

As such, bad weather in Spain has caused potential complications in their celebration. 

Forecasts in the Catalan capital suggest heavy rain could disrupt plans, which may force organisers to delay the event. 

If conditions are not suitable, Wednesday is being considered as a more realistic option, especially with no midweek fixtures to worry about.

Furthermore, there is also a backup scenario in place. If Real Madrid win and delay Barcelona’s title confirmation, the celebrations would be pushed further down the calendar. 

In that case, everything would hinge on the result of the next match, potentially setting up a title-deciding moment in El Clasico.

IPL 2026 | 'Pehle Rohit bhai, phir Dhoni bhai ... ': Suryakumar Yadav reveals story behind iconic pic - WATCH

NEW DELHI: Just ahead of the IPL 2026 clash between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk, Suryakumar Yadav shared a picture on social media with Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni. He captioned it, "Group DP mil gaya; bas group name suggest karo (I have got the perfect display picture for the group; just suggest some strong group names)," inviting fans to come up with a name for the trio’s group.

Fans were thrilled to see three T20 World Cup-winning captains in one frame and flooded social media with their suggestions. Among the many responses, the Board of Control for Cricket in India grabbed attention by quoting Surya’s post and suggesting a unique name: "The CUP-TAANS."


After CSK won the match, Surya was invited by the broadcasters and spoke about the moment.

"Iconic picture humne dekha aapne poocha bola bhi ki aapko group ka DP to mil gaya hai lekin naam nahi mila kuch suggestion aaye kaisa tha wo moment dekhiye mere liye to dream come true tha kyunki jab main maine socha tha ki main India ke liye cup cricket khelunga, kab matches jitaunga but aap ye bhi nahi sochte ho ki aapko 1 opportunity milegi kabhi India ko lead karne ki but wo bhi 1 opportunity mujhe India, India ko lead karne mili aur bhagwan ki daya se aur dua se opportunity mili India mein lead karne ki. [We saw that iconic picture—you even asked and said that you got the group DP but not the name, and there were some suggestions. What was that moment like? For me, it was a dream come true because when I had thought that I would play cup cricket for India and win matches, you don’t even think that you will ever get an opportunity to lead India. But I got that one opportunity to lead India, and by God’s grace and blessings, I got the chance to lead India]," Surya said.

India defeated New Zealand national cricket team in the 2026 T20 World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on March 8, 2026. India posted 255/5 and then bowled New Zealand out for 159 to clinch the title.

Surya became the third Indian captain to win the T20 World Cup, after MS Dhoni in 2007 and Rohit Sharma in 2024.

— BCCI (@BCCI)

"Hum log jeete, wo wo tournament India mein, Ahmedabad mein Narendra Modi Stadium mein jeete, jahan pe hum twenty twenty three mein nahi jeet paaye the to I think mere liye, wo hamesha saath mein rahegi, wo memory bahut precious moment tha mere liye I am sure poore poore India ke liye aur all Indians across the world sabke liye raha hoga to it was special moment [We won that tournament in India, in Ahmedabad at the Narendra Modi Stadium, where we couldn’t win in 2023. So I think for me, that will always stay with me—that memory was a very precious moment for me. I am sure it must have been the same for all of India and for Indians across the world, so it was a special moment]," he said.

"Aur phir uske baad hum log jab first game khel rahe the Chennai ke saath, tab mere dimaag mein aaya ki agar ye picture agar ho sakti hai ki jo pehle World Cup jeete hain India ko T20 aur jo abhi twenty twenty four mein jeete hain wo captain bhi wahan hai aur hum twenty twenty six mein jeete, main bhi wahin tha to maine socha agar wo hum log photo create kar sakte hai to I think it will be special memory mere liye bhi lifetime aur obviously for everyone [After that, when we were playing the first game against Chennai on Kede, it came to my mind that if this picture could happen—with the captains who had earlier won the T20 World Cup for India, the one who won in 2024 also being there, and if we win in 2026 and I am there too—then I thought if we could create that photo, it would be a special memory for me for a lifetime and obviously for everyone]," Surya added.

— IPL (@IPL)

"To maine socha kal yahan pe aake ki Chennai mein possibility hai mujhe wo 1 percent chance mila to maine ja ke pehle Rohit bhai ko poocha, phir Rohit bhai ne bola, phir Mahi bhai ko poocha to unse bhi pooch ke achha laga unhone dono ne haan bola to phir maine koi moment wait nahi kiya maine bola ki chalo jaldi se wo photo le lete hain subah it’s very very. [So I thought when I came here yesterday in Chennai, there was a possibility—I got that 1 percent chance. I first went and asked Rohit bhai, then Rohit bhai spoke, then I asked Mahi bhai as well. It felt good to ask them, and both of them said yes. So I didn’t wait for a moment—I said let’s quickly take that photo in the morning. It’s very, very special]," he added.

Hollingshead's stoppage-time equalizer saves a point for LAFC in San Diego

May 2, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Los Angeles Football Club defender Ryan Hollingshead (24) celebrates his game tying goal during the second half against San Diego FC at Snapdragon Stadium.
May 2, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Los Angeles Football Club defender Ryan Hollingshead (24) celebrates his game tying goal during the second half against San Diego FC at Snapdragon Stadium.

SAN DIEGO -- LAFC looked like a team caught in between for 70 minutes. Then they looked like a team that refused to lose.

The gap between those two versions defined a chaotic, revealing 2-2 draw against San Diego FC on Saturday night, where rotation, fatigue, and urgency all collided before LAFC clawed back with two late goals, the last arriving in the 104th minute.

Marc Dos Santos warned about nights like this before kickoff. Not directly, but in the choices he made.

Nine changes to the starting XI told the story. This wasn’t a throwaway match, but it wasn’t approached like a normal one either. With a decisive second leg against Toluca looming at altitude, LAFC leaned on depth and hoped the structure would hold long enough.

It didn’t early.

Dream start in San Diego! ☀️

Anders Dreyer connects with Marcus Ingvartsen from the corner for the opener.

📺 Apple TV: https://t.co/xr310tKv39pic.twitter.com/PLawpad1bD

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 3, 2026

San Diego struck in the seventh minute, a corner from Anders Dreyer finding Marcus Ingvartsen, whose header deflected off Eddie Segura and past Hugo Lloris. It was a simple sequence, but it exposed something Dos Santos pointed to later, the spacing.

“We were distant, were far from each other… too many long balls,” he said.

LAFC weren’t just rotated, they were disconnected. Possession felt stretched. Passing lanes didn’t line up. The usual rhythm never arrived.

San Diego didn’t overwhelm them, but they didn’t need to. LAFC were doing enough to keep the game controlled defensively, but almost nothing to tilt it the other way.

Dos Santos adjusted at halftime, bringing on Mark Delgado and David Martínez, small moves that signaled a shift in intent. The game began to lean slightly toward LAFC, but just as they started to settle, they handed San Diego a second goal.

And this one, Dos Santos didn’t soften.

A turnover in the defensive third in the 71st minute turned into another Dreyer service, another Ingvartsen finish, this time a composed touch into the lower corner for a 2-0 lead.

Dreyer and Ingvartsen do it again for San Diego! ✌️ pic.twitter.com/xxno3CB2Nx

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 3, 2026

“A very bad goal from us,” Dos Santos said. “We try to overlap before the ball’s under control… really bad goal to give away.”

It wasn’t just the mistake, it was the timing. LAFC were just beginning to establish control, and instead, they reset the climb.

That could’ve been the breaking point. Instead, it became the trigger.

The substitutions kept coming. Son Heung-min entered on the hour mark. Then Tyler Boyd and Mathieu Choinière followed. The lineup started to resemble something closer to LAFC’s first-choice group, and with it came energy that hadn’t been there before.

The shift was immediate. LAFC compressed the field. The distances tightened. Possession turned purposeful instead of passive.

And eventually, it produced something tangible.

In the 82nd minute, a quick passing sequence cut through San Diego’s shape, ending with Son slipping Denis Bouanga into the box. From a tight angle, Bouanga drove it home to cut the deficit in half.

Sonny ➡️ Denis

Near post finish 🎯 https://t.co/X3Rp8WHZ9Dpic.twitter.com/JlOmhXkTVy

— LAFC (@LAFC) May 3, 2026

It was his first league goal since April 4, but more importantly, it changed the tone of the night.

San Diego, suddenly, had to defend something real.

From there, the match turned into sustained pressure. LAFC pushed numbers forward, tested goalkeeper CJ dos Santos repeatedly, and when he left the match injured late, they kept pushing against Duran Ferree.

It wasn’t clean. It wasn’t always controlled. But it was relentless.

Ryan Hollingshead described it simply.

“With how tired our legs should be, to be able to push like that is really big.”

That push didn’t just happen physically. It came with belief, something Dos Santos pointed to in a subtle but telling moment.

When stoppage time was announced, he heard silence from the home crowd. Only LAFC supporters carried noise.

“There was a belief from our group and from our fans that we could tie,” he said.

The clock stretched deep into added time. Past 100 minutes. Past the point where most games are decided.

Then came the moment.

A corner in the 104th minute dropped into chaos. Choinière attacked it first, heading the ball into a dangerous area. Hollingshead reacted, turned, and finished from close range.

2-2.

104' ⏱️

Last-minute heroics from Ryan Hollingshead 👨🏻 https://t.co/xBA1JtPcfQpic.twitter.com/rodDz64hwE

— LAFC (@LAFC) May 3, 2026

The latest regular-season goal in club history.

For Hollingshead, it was more than just timing. It was validation. After dealing with lingering knee issues, he said he finally feels like himself again.

“I feel like my body’s finally back… I felt explosive again.”

His goal reflected that. Not just the finish, but the instinct to stay active in the box, to keep the play alive after the initial action passed him.

That’s where LAFC found the equalizer, not in structure, but in persistence.

And maybe that’s the clearest takeaway from a match that never settled into a clean rhythm.

LAFC didn’t control this game from the start. They didn’t manage it cleanly through the middle. They made mistakes that nearly cost them everything.

But they also showed exactly what’s kept them competitive through a brutal stretch of matches.

“We never give up,” Dos Santos said.

That’s not just a line. The schedule doesn’t allow anything else. This was their eighth match in a stretch that will reach 13 in 44 days. Rotation isn’t optional. Imperfection isn’t avoidable.

Juventus probable lineup vs Hellas Verona: Yildiz & Thuram the favourites

Juventus probable lineup vs Hellas Verona: Yildiz & Thuram the favourites
Juventus probable lineup vs Hellas Verona: Yildiz & Thuram the favourites

On Sunday afternoon, Juventus have the opportunity to make yet another important step towards Champions League qualification when they host Hellas Verona.

The Serie A contest will take place at the Allianz Stadium in Turin. It kicks off at 18:00 CET.

Following Lecce’s win over Pisa on Friday, Verona have been officially relegated to Serie B, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t try to put up a fight against the Old Lady.

Therefore, complacency could be Luciano Spalletti’s biggest enemy this weekend.

How will Juventus line up against Hellas Verona?

In his pre-match press conference, the Juventus head coach explained how much he loathed the action in last weekend’s stalemate against Milan. Therefore, he will be expecting an immediate reaction from his men.

Spalletti should keep his 3-4-2-1 system, although Weston McKennie’s position could vary during the game, opening the door for a tactical change.

According to Sky Sport Italia, the American international should start as a right wing-back with a licence to go forward and cut to the middle when required.

Andrea Cambiaso will operate on the opposite flank, while the backline in front of Michele Di Gregorio will remain intact, with Gleison Bremer starting between Pierre Kalulu and Lloyd Kelly.

Khephren Thuram & Kenan Yildiz pushing for starting roles

In the middle of the park, Khephren Thuram should overcome his physical issues to retain his starting berth alongside Juventus captain Manuel Locatelli.

The same goes for Kenan Yildiz, who also trained separately during the week due to a knee inflamation, but it is tipped to return to the lineup. The Turkish international would complete the attacking trident, alongside Jonathan David and Francisco Conceicao.

La Gazzetta dello Sportis expecting the same lineup, but leaves a 45% chance for Teun Koopmeiners to replace Thuram, and the same percentage for Jeremie Boga to fill in for Yildiz. This obviously hinges on the Turk and Frenchman’s physical conditions.

Dusan Vlahovic will be expected to make a second-half cameo, while Arkadiusz Milik and Juan Cabal are the only two absentees.

Juventus Probable XI (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly; McKennie, Locatelli, Thuram (Koopmeiners), Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz (Boga); David.

Man United and Chelsea battle for midfield “leader” who will cost €60 million

Man United and Chelsea battle for midfield “leader” who will cost €60 million
Man United and Chelsea battle for midfield “leader” who will cost €60 million

Jobe Bellingham has been linked with a move away from Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season.

The talented young midfielder is a target for Manchester United and Chelsea this summer. According to a report from FussballDaten, the German club is open to selling the player in the summer if a suitable offer is presented.

They are prepared to sell him for a fee of around €50-60 million.

Man United could use Jobe Bellingham

Manchester United is looking to add more quality and depth in the middle of the park, and they believe that Bellingham could be a “leader of the future”.

They are looking to put together a formidable midfield unit, and it remains to be seen whether they are prepared to break the Bank for him. He is highly rated across Europe, and he could be a long-term acquisition for them. The opportunity to play for Manchester United will be exciting for the English talent as well.

More Stories / Latest News

Man United and Chelsea battle for midfield “leader” who will cost €60 million

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Chelsea keen on Bellingham

Meanwhile, Chelsea is monitoring his situation as well. Chelsea scouts have watched the player in action frequently and rate him highly. They have the financial muscle to get the deal done as well. Enzo Fernandez has been linked with a move away from the London club, and they will need to replace him properly in the summer. Bellingham is a modern midfielder with the skill to succeed in the Premier League. He has the physicality to adapt to English football as well.

Both Chelsea and Manchester United would be exciting destinations for the young midfielder, and it remains to be seen where he ends up. He will want to compete at the highest level and play for the world’s biggest clubs like his brother.

Bellingham is a technically gifted central midfielder who will add drive, physicality and technical ability in the middle of the park for Manchester United.

Besides shooting, what went wrong for Celtics in Game 7 loss to 76ers?

BOSTON — It felt like the Boston Celtics had open shot after open shot down the stretch against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night. But when it mattered most, those good looks — especially from beyond the arc — did not find the net. It's a major reason why the C's ended up falling 109-100 to the Sixers in Game 7 at TD Garden, however, it feels shortsighted to blame the shooting woes and move on.

There was more to the loss than missed 3-pointers. The Celtics did shoot an abysmal 26.5 percent from deep, yet they had 2 more triples than the 76ers (13-11) and were 0-2 in the first-round series when their Atlantic Division rival won the 3-point battle, which isn't exactly egregious.

Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George shoots against Boston Celtics guard Derrick White during the third quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on April 30.

"People didn't say that when we had a 3-1 lead," Celtics point guard Payton Pritchard replied in the locker room when asked if the Celtics relied too much on outside shooting. "We had good looks, and if we hit them, then nobody says anything. So, that's the end of the story. You just got to make them."

So, let's listen to Pritchard and disregard the Celtics' shooting for the time being. Where else did the Green Team go wrong in Game 7?

The Celtics made an ineffective lineup change

After squandering Game 5 at home and Game 6 on the road, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla knew he had to try something new in Game 7. Or, at least he was compelled to when Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum was unexpectedly ruled out for the contest with left knee stiffness just a few hours before tipoff.

Joe Mazzulla on Jayson Tatum’s injury;

“He came in today with knee discomfort.”

He later described him as “day-to-day.” pic.twitter.com/6HvkBndKAa

— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) May 2, 2026

As a result, and to the surprise of many, the Celtics trotted out a starting lineup consisting of center Luka Garza, wing Baylor Scheierman, and guard Ron Harper Jr. They joined usual starting guards Jaylen Brown and Derrick White to round out a first five that the Sixers surely didn't see coming.

This change didn't work though, as the Celtics quickly fell into a 9-0 hole and the three aforementioned players who had never started in a playoff game before tallied 0 points, 1 assist, 1 turnover, and 2 steals altogether in the first quarter.

"We had to adjust throughout the series," Brown stated postgame. "Different lineups, different adjustments, and it just didn't go our way."

Mazzulla realized his experiment wasn't working and pulled all of the new starters by the 5-minute mark. Unfortunately for the Celtics, a fair amount of damage was already done and things continued to spiral. They ended the first quarter down 13 points in a do-or-die game where they really could have benefitted from a hot start.

The Celtics weren't equipped to handle Joel Embiid

While a double-digit deficit after the first frame wasn't ideal for the Celtics, it was still manageable. Their largest issue, figuratively and literally, lied with 76ers star center Joel Embiid. The 7-footer dominated in Game 7 with a game-high 34 points to go along with 12 rebounds and 6 assists.

The Celtics threw their big men at him, but Embiid craftily found a way to get them in foul trouble (with the help of a few questionable whistles). Then Boston went small against the 2023 MVP, using Brown and even 6-foot-6 rookie Hugo Gonzalez to try to slow him down.

Jaylen Brown said he found out Jayson Tatum wasn’t playing tonight 45 minutes before the game.

He also credited Joel Embiid for pressuring the Celtics and mentioned that Embiid flopped for a few calls: pic.twitter.com/jSg7dcz4QN

— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) May 3, 2026

This worked at times and Embiid did struggle a bit in the fourth quarter, yet he still drained a couple of huge shots in the clutch and visited the free throw line. Simply put, the Celtics didn't have a great defensive answer for him. They were more so waiting for him to physically decline and lose stamina later on since he did have an appendectomy in early April.

However, that strategy wasn't as effective in Game 7 when Embiid already had 3 playoff games under his belt this series and was seemingly trending upwards in terms of health.

"What changed in this series is Joel Embiid came back," Mazzulla admitted.

The Celtics didn't have enough offensive help for Tatum, Brown, and Pritchard

Perhaps the Celtics could have made up for Embiid's mid-series return if they had enough scoring support from those without the last names Tatum, Brown, and Pritchard.

Besides said trio, no Celtic was averaging more than 8.7 points per outing prior to Game 7. Some help finally arrived in the winner-takes-all showdown from guard Derrick White, yet his 26 points came on 26 shots and were far from efficient.

Apr 21, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) passes the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first half of a game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Celtics center Neemias Queta also stepped up with a series-high 17 points, but it was a little too late. If he had one of those performances during Game 5 or Game 6 the C's might have been able to close the first round out early. Instead, Queta frequently found himself in foul trouble and forced Garza and center Nikola Vucevic into the rotation, putting Boston's offense out of sync in the process.

There are plenty of other players, such as wing Jordan Walsh or 3-point specialist Sam Hauser, who could have given Boston more offensively in the playoffs. Rather than point fingers, the Celtics simply owned up to the fact that they collectively failed to extend their season.

"We played hard," Brown stated. "I feel like we left it all out there tonight, and we came up short."

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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: What went wrong for the Celtics in Game 7, first-round disappointment

Commanders one of five teams that could 'shake up' Super Bowl race

Could the Washington Commanders go from 5-12 to Super Bowl contenders in one year? Before you say no, remember, the Commanders were 4-13 in 2023, improved to 12-5 in 2024 and reached the NFC Championship Game.

General manager Adam Peters had a mission this offseason. He stated this mission right after the 2025 season ended, declaring his intent to make the Commanders "younger and faster" in 2026. Four months later, Peters accomplished that mission. Will that lead to an improved record in 2026? Well, that's a question that can't be answered until September, but, no question, Washington's roster is better.

Peters specifically focused on defense. Considering how bad that unit was last year, it was the correct decision. Washington completed its offseason defensive overhaul by selecting ridiculously athletic Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Adding Styles and Leo Chenal to Washington's linebacker group could make them the fastest unit in the league.

The true key to improvement in 2026 is the health of franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels. One year after carrying Washington on his back at times as a rookie, Daniels missed 10 games last season with three separate injuries. The offense suffered. He's healthy now. The Commanders also made some additions on offense, and they may not be done.

So, back to our original question: Could the Commanders be a Super Bowl contender? CBS Sports recently looked at five Super Bowl long shots who could suddenly thrust themselves into contendership in 2026. Washington was one of those five teams. Here's part of Tyler Sullivan said about the Commanders.

While Oweh and Chaisson should stabilize the edge positions, the true game-changer for this defense may be Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, whom Washington selected No. 7 overall. Styles has the talent to emerge as one of the best defensive players in this class and should make an immediate impact.

Meanwhile, Washington also prioritized giving Daniels more help offensively. Third-round Clemson receiver Antonio Williams is an intriguing addition, but former Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo may be one of the more underrated acquisitions of the offseason. There's also still a possibility Washington adds disgruntled 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

With Daniels healthy and the roster significantly improved, Washington appears primed for a bounce-back season that could once again land it in the NFC title picture.

In case you were wondering, two of Washington's NFC East rivals, the Cowboys and Giants, were among the five teams mentioned, along with the Bengals and the Vikings.

Injuries were a significant problem last season. If the Commanders can avoid the injury bug in 2026, they'll be significantly better. Is that enough for a 2024 repeat? We shall see.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: 1 of 5 teams that could impact Super Bowl race

Bruno Fernandes makes emphatic United stance clear in striking statement

Bruno Fernandes makes emphatic United stance clear in striking statement
Bruno Fernandes makes emphatic United stance clear in striking statement

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has dropped the biggest hint yet that he intends to stay at the club, in an emphatic statement of loyalty.

Captain fantastic

Fernandes is enjoying another brilliant season at United as the club closes in on a sensational return to the Champions League.

He has been at the forefront, elevating his play significantly after Michael Carrick took over from Ruben Amorim. The United playmaker boasts an impressive eight goals and 19 assists in the Premier League this term. He is just two assists shy of breaking the Premier League record (20), which is currently held jointly by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.

Fernandes’ incredible season has made him a leading contender to win the Premier League Player of the Year award.

Despite this, there is still some uncertainty over his future. Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal made a strong push to lure him to their ranks last summer, but they failed as the player opted to remain at United. It’s believed that there is still admiration from the Gulf state toward him.

There have also been suggestions of a switch to the likes of Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and even Galatasaray.

United are keen to retain Fernandes, but he has made it clear that he wants the club to show ambition if he is to pledge his long-term future to them. In a recent interview with Wayne Rooney, Fernandes made it clear that he wishes to win the Premier League and Champions League.

Ahead of United’s meeting with Liverpool, the Portugal international spoke to Sky Sports and reaffirmed his loyalty to United.

Fernandes said that no other team in world football can give him the same feeling United do.

Fernandes’ statement

The 31-year-old told Sky Sports, “I could have gone two years ago, or three years ago, I could’ve gone last season. ”

“I really like to be at the club and I really think that being successful at this club is something that I would never get being in any other club.”

“The joy and everything I will get the day I get what I want from this club, I wouldn’t get that in any other club in the world because I know how much the fans want this, I know how passionate they are, I know how much they’re waiting for that moment to come back again.”

He added, “I’m in the same ship as them. I want this ship, instead of being steady, I just want it to go forward and to navigate this as much as we can.”

United vs. Liverpool kicks off later this afternoon at 15:30 BST.

Featured image Stu Forster via Getty Images

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Mahela Jayawardene defends Jasprit Bumrah’s sluggish form; calls for 'collective effort' from Mumbai Indians bowlers

Jasprit Bumrah MI IPL 2026 04162026

Mahela Jayawardene defends Jasprit Bumrah’s sluggish form; calls for 'collective effort' from Mumbai Indians bowlers originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Mahela Jayawardene defends Bumrah's lean patch, says class is permanent.
  • MI coach backs Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma, urges patience from all quarters.
  • Jayawardene calls for shared bowling responsibility rather than Bumrah alone.

MI coach Mahela Jayawardene stands firm behind Bumrah as Mumbai search for a turning point

Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene has come out in firm support of pacer Jasprit Bumrah, pushing back against growing concern over the fast bowler's underwhelming returns in IPL 2026 after the latest defeat against Chennai Super Kings on Saturday evening.

MI are rooted at the ninth spot of the IPL 2026 points table, and Bumrah's lack of wickets in recent outings has added fuel to an already heated debate. But Jayawardene was having none of it. He pointed out that bowling is a team function, not a one-man rescue act.

"It's not just Booms; it's a collective effort from all the bowlers. When everyone's working together and you're picking up wickets here and there, that helps Bumrah to be bit more aggressive as well rather than doing a holding job. Everyone tends to have a slow season, but class is always permanent," said Jayawardene.

MORE: CSK youngster Karthik Sharma reveals meaning behind gun celebration 

Mahela Jayawardene defends Suryakumar Yadav amid lean patch

The coach also addressed the lacklustre form of Suryakumar Yadav, who arrived at IPL 2026 carrying enormous expectations after a record-smashing 2025 campaign in which he piled up 717 runs.

India's T20 World Cup captain has managed only 183 runs across nine games this season, a far cry from the mayhem he caused just twelve months ago. Jayawardene, though, refused to treat it as a crisis.

"I don't think his output is down; if he gets a few scores together, I think he'll find that rhythm. He played really well today for that period, really took on the bowlers in that phase. I think another couple of overs, he could have been off for a really good score. Sometimes when things are not going your way it doesn't fall in place," the head coach said.

"I think it was a pretty good shot that went straight to the fielder. He's definitely up for it, I think he's in a good space, it's just that it hasn't worked like the amount of times he's got caught on the boundary this season with some of those shots. It's just a matter of time, but I think he himself is disappointed, but just have to keep on working harder."

MORE: CSK's IPL 2026 playoff chances: Qualification scenarios, wins and points required|MI's IPL 2026 playoff chances: Qualification scenarios, wins and points required

The Cricket News Opinion: Give Bumrah room to breathe

Bumrah will always be under the microscope; that is the price of being the best. But loading the outcome of an entire bowling unit onto his shoulders is neither fair nor smart.

Jayawardene's call for shared responsibility is not just good man-management; it is plain cricketing sense. When the other bowlers do their bit, Bumrah can hunt. Right now, he is babysitting. Fix the collective, and Bumrah will take care of himself.

To keep up to date with all the latest cricket news and share your opinion on the biggest topics visit ourFacebookInstagram and X (Twitter) pages.

HoopsHype Daily: Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey shock the Celtics

Every day, we bring you the best and worst performers from the previous night in the NBA.

🏀 Best players of the day
PLAYERRATSTATS
1PHIJoel Embiid36.5034 pts - 12 reb - 6 ast - 1 blk - 12-26 FG
2PHITyrese Maxey34.8330 pts - 11 reb - 7 ast - 0 stl - 11-18 FG
3PHIVJ Edgecombe19.9323 pts - 6 reb - 4 ast - 0 stl - 8-17 FG
4BOSJaylen Brown17.5933 pts - 9 reb - 4 ast - 3 blk - 12-27 FG
5BOSDerrick White13.8726 pts - 6 reb - 4 ast - 3 blk - 9-26 FG
6BOSNeemias Queta12.4517 pts - 12 reb - 1 ast - 0 stl - 7-8 FG
7BOSPayton Pritchard10.6413 pts - 7 ast - 5 reb - 1 stl - 5-13 FG
8PHIQuentin Grimes7.333 pts - 6 reb - 4 ast - 0 stl - 1-4 FG
9BOSSam Hauser6.8811 pts - 3 reb - 1 ast - 0 stl - 4-7 FG
10PHIPaul George6.7813 pts - 3 reb - 1 ast - 0 stl - 5-10 FG
11PHIKelly Oubre4.026 pts - 5 reb - 2 ast - 0 stl - 2-6 FG
12BOSRon Harper Jr1.010 pts - 0 reb - 0 ast - 2 stl - 0-1 FG
13BOSBaylor Scheierman0.940 pts - 6 reb - 2 ast - 1 stl - 0-4 FG
14PHIAndre Drummond0.360 pts - 1 reb - 1 ast - 0 stl - 0-0 FG
15PHIDominick Barlow0.030 pts - 0 reb - 0 ast - 0 stl - 0-0 FG
16BOSJordan Walsh-1.160 pts - 0 reb - 0 ast - 0 stl - 0-1 FG
17PHIJustin Edwards-1.350 pts - 3 reb - 0 ast - 0 stl - 0-3 FG
18BOSHugo Gonzalez-1.390 pts - 3 reb - 0 ast - 0 stl - 0-3 FG
19BOSLuka Garza-2.470 pts - 0 reb - 0 ast - 1 blk - 0-2 FG
* (RAT) Global Rating, which measures performance based on individual and team stats. You can check season rankings here.
📉 Worst players of the day
PLAYERRATSTATS
1BOSBaylor Scheierman0.940 pts - 6 reb - 2 ast - 0 tov - 0-4 FG
2PHIKelly Oubre4.026 pts - 5 reb - 2 ast - 1 tov - 2-6 FG
3PHIPaul George6.7813 pts - 3 reb - 1 ast - 3 tov - 5-10 FG
4BOSSam Hauser6.8811 pts - 3 reb - 1 ast - 0 tov - 4-7 FG
5PHIQuentin Grimes7.333 pts - 6 reb - 4 ast - 0 tov - 1-4 FG
6BOSPayton Pritchard10.6413 pts - 7 ast - 5 reb - 0 tov - 5-13 FG
7BOSNeemias Queta12.4517 pts - 12 reb - 1 ast - 1 tov - 7-8 FG
8BOSDerrick White13.8726 pts - 6 reb - 4 ast - 0 tov - 9-26 FG
9BOSJaylen Brown17.5933 pts - 9 reb - 4 ast - 3 tov - 12-27 FG
10PHIVJ Edgecombe19.9323 pts - 6 reb - 4 ast - 3 tov - 8-17 FG
11PHITyrese Maxey34.8330 pts - 11 reb - 7 ast - 1 tov - 11-18 FG
12PHIJoel Embiid36.5034 pts - 12 reb - 6 ast - 1 tov - 12-26 FG
* Minimum 15 minutes played
🚀 Breakout players of the day
PLAYERDIFFSTATS
1PHIJoel Embiid29.6734 pts - 12 reb - 6 ast - 1 blk - 12-26 FG
2PHITyrese Maxey11.0930 pts - 11 reb - 7 ast - 0 stl - 11-18 FG
3PHIVJ Edgecombe8.0323 pts - 6 reb - 4 ast - 0 stl - 8-17 FG
4PHIPaul George1.0013 pts - 3 reb - 1 ast - 0 stl - 5-10 FG
5BOSSam Hauser0.4911 pts - 3 reb - 1 ast - 0 stl - 4-7 FG
6BOSNeemias Queta0.1517 pts - 12 reb - 1 ast - 0 stl - 7-8 FG
7BOSBaylor Scheierman-1.720 pts - 6 reb - 2 ast - 1 stl - 0-4 FG
8PHIKelly Oubre-1.796 pts - 5 reb - 2 ast - 0 stl - 2-6 FG
9BOSDerrick White-2.6126 pts - 6 reb - 4 ast - 3 blk - 9-26 FG
10BOSJaylen Brown-4.3433 pts - 9 reb - 4 ast - 3 blk - 12-27 FG
11PHIQuentin Grimes-4.443 pts - 6 reb - 4 ast - 0 stl - 1-4 FG
12BOSPayton Pritchard-5.7613 pts - 7 ast - 5 reb - 1 stl - 5-13 FG
* (DIFF) Difference between last game and 2025-26 Global Rating (minimum five games played)
😞 Bombs of the day
PLAYERDIFFSTATS
1BOSPayton Pritchard-5.7613 pts - 7 ast - 5 reb - 0 tov - 5-13 FG
2PHIQuentin Grimes-4.443 pts - 6 reb - 4 ast - 0 tov - 1-4 FG
3BOSJaylen Brown-4.3433 pts - 9 reb - 4 ast - 3 tov - 12-27 FG
4BOSDerrick White-2.6126 pts - 6 reb - 4 ast - 0 tov - 9-26 FG
5PHIKelly Oubre-1.796 pts - 5 reb - 2 ast - 1 tov - 2-6 FG
6BOSBaylor Scheierman-1.720 pts - 6 reb - 2 ast - 0 tov - 0-4 FG
7BOSNeemias Queta0.1517 pts - 12 reb - 1 ast - 1 tov - 7-8 FG
8BOSSam Hauser0.4911 pts - 3 reb - 1 ast - 0 tov - 4-7 FG
9PHIPaul George1.0013 pts - 3 reb - 1 ast - 3 tov - 5-10 FG
10PHIVJ Edgecombe8.0323 pts - 6 reb - 4 ast - 3 tov - 8-17 FG
11PHITyrese Maxey11.0930 pts - 11 reb - 7 ast - 1 tov - 11-18 FG
12PHIJoel Embiid29.6734 pts - 12 reb - 6 ast - 1 tov - 12-26 FG
* (DIFF) Difference between last game and 2025-26 Global Rating (minimum five games played)
Best rookies of the day
PLAYERRATSTATS
1PHIVJ Edgecombe19.9323 pts - 6 reb - 4 ast - 0 stl - 8-17 FG
2BOSHugo Gonzalez-1.390 pts - 3 reb - 0 ast - 0 stl - 0-3 FG
* You can check season rankings here.
🎯 Most clutch players
PLAYERRATSTATS
1PHITyrese Maxey5.385 pts - 2 reb - 0 ast - 0 stl - 2-3 FG
2BOSNeemias Queta2.322 pts - 3 reb - 0 ast - 0 stl - 0-0 FG
3PHIKelly Oubre1.630 pts - 2 reb - 1 ast - 0 stl - 0-0 FG
4PHIJoel Embiid0.632 pts - 1 reb - 0 ast - 0 stl - 0-2 FG
5PHIPaul George-0.500 pts - 1 reb - 0 ast - 0 stl - 0-1 FG
6BOSSam Hauser-0.560 pts - 0 reb - 0 ast - 0 stl - 0-1 FG
7PHIVJ Edgecombe-0.880 pts - 1 reb - 0 ast - 0 stl - 0-0 FG
8BOSPayton Pritchard-0.880 pts - 0 reb - 0 ast - 0 stl - 0-1 FG
9BOSJaylen Brown-1.520 pts - 1 reb - 0 ast - 1 blk - 0-4 FG
10BOSDerrick White-1.680 pts - 0 reb - 0 ast - 0 stl - 0-3 FG
* (RAT) Clutch Rating, which measures performance in the last five minutes of 4Q or OT when the score is within five points
🌍 Best international players
PLAYERRATSTATS
1BSVJ Edgecombe19.9323 pts - 6 reb - 4 ast - 0 stl - 8-17 FG
2PTNeemias Queta12.4517 pts - 12 reb - 1 ast - 0 stl - 7-8 FG
3ESHugo Gonzalez-1.390 pts - 3 reb - 0 ast - 0 stl - 0-3 FG
4BALuka Garza-2.470 pts - 0 reb - 0 ast - 1 blk - 0-2 FG
* Includes players who represent national teams other than Team USA
💺 Best bench players
PLAYERRATSTATS
1BOSNeemias Queta12.4517 pts - 12 reb - 1 ast - 0 stl - 7-8 FG
2BOSPayton Pritchard10.6413 pts - 7 ast - 5 reb - 1 stl - 5-13 FG
3PHIQuentin Grimes7.333 pts - 6 reb - 4 ast - 0 stl - 1-4 FG
4BOSSam Hauser6.8811 pts - 3 reb - 1 ast - 0 stl - 4-7 FG
5PHIAndre Drummond0.360 pts - 1 reb - 1 ast - 0 stl - 0-0 FG
6PHIDominick Barlow0.030 pts - 0 reb - 0 ast - 0 stl - 0-0 FG
7BOSJordan Walsh-1.160 pts - 0 reb - 0 ast - 0 stl - 0-2 FG
8PHIJustin Edwards-1.350 pts - 0 reb - 0 ast - 0 stl - 0-1 FG
9BOSHugo Gonzalez-1.390 pts - 3 reb - 0 ast - 0 stl - 0-3 FG
🏆 All-Time Ranking
PLAYERCATEGORYRANKPASSED
BOSJaylen BrownScoring37Robert Parish, Patrick Ewing
PHIJoel EmbiidBlocks75Paul Pierce
BOSJaylen BrownAssists99Lenny Wilkens, George Hill, Joe Johnson
BOSDerrick WhiteBlocks99Andrei Kirilenko, Nikola Jokic, Tayshaun Prince, Tyson Chandler, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Klay Thompson
PHIJoel EmbiidScoring111Serge Ibaka, Tayshaun Prince, Vince Carter, George Gervin, George Hill, Michael Cooper
PHIJoel EmbiidRebounds115Antonio Davis, Antonio McDyess, Walt Bellamy
BOSJaylen BrownBlocks139Paul George, Bruce Bowen, Magic Johnson
BOSDerrick WhiteAssists168Devin Booker, David West, Mario Elie, Rasheed Wallace, Charlie Ward, Lamar Odom, Earl Monroe, Bill Bradley
BOSDerrick WhiteScoring189Anthony Edwards, Fred Brown, JJ Redick, Jim McMillian, Rashard Lewis, Paul Arizin, Mark Jackson, Bill Bridges, Metta World Peace
🌐 Stats per country
COUNTRYSTATSPLAYERS
1United States169 points - 67 rebounds - 39 assists15
Rest of the World40 points - 21 rebounds - 5 assists4
2Bahamas23 points - 6 rebounds - 4 assists1
3Portugal17 points - 12 rebounds - 1 assist1
4Spain0 points - 3 rebounds - 0 assists1
5Bosnia0 points - 0 rebounds - 0 assists1
* Includes players who represent national teams other than Team USA
👟 Sneakers
BRANDSTATSPLAYERS
Nike83 points - 26 rebounds - 16 assists8
Adidas17 points - 12 rebounds - 1 assist1
Puma0 points - 6 rebounds - 2 assists1

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Richard Hughes offered incredible £43m deal for Portugal star forward

Richard Hughes offered incredible £43m deal for Portugal star forward
Richard Hughes offered incredible £43m deal for Portugal star forward

Big changes are coming to Liverpool’s attack this summer.

Mohamed Salah will be leaving the club after nine glorious years - with the Premier League champions agreeing to tear up his £400k per week contract one year early.

The Egyptian King will be joined on the exit ramp by Federico Chiesa meanwhile as his career in England has never truly got going.

On the other side of the attack Arne Slot has been strangely reluctant to use Rio Ngumoha for any significant length of time while one of his star pupils in Cody Gakpo usually hoovers up the minutes.

But increasing the Reds’ one-v-one threat out wide has been identified as a priority ahead of the summer transfer window opening.

Richard Hughes has been linked with deals for the likes of Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola.

Liverpool offered Rafa Leao for £43m

But an irresistible opportunity to sign one of the best wingers in Europe could be about to open up.

A report in TEAMtalk is claiming that Liverpool are among the teams to have been contacted about the possibility of signing Rafa Leao from AC Milan this summer.

Although the Rossoneri would prefer to extend the 26-year-old’s contract - which expires in 2028 - there is an acknowledgement that they might not be able to do that.

Accordingly the Serie A giants are willing to listen to offers around the £43m (€50m) mark - an unbelievable bargain for a player of Leao’s quality.

“AC Milan forward Rafael Leao has been offered to a number of top Premier League clubs,” the report reads.

“They would be open to letting Leao leave for a fee in the region of €50million (£43.1m / $58.7m) – a valuation that is already alerting clubs across Europe.

“Man Utd are among the clubs approached. Further approaches have also been made to Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.

“All three clubs have tracked Leao previously and continue to hold an appreciation for his qualities.”

🔥 Inter, set for the Serie A title! Thuram celebrates: 🎥 viral v Napoli

🔥 Inter, set for the Serie A title! Thuram celebrates: 🎥 viral v Napoli

In all likelihood, today will be the day that hands Inter the 21st Scudetto in its history.

Watch the entire Serie BKT live on OneFootball for just €9.99 a month. Click here to buy the LaB Channel Monthly Pass with no automatic renewal.  

After Napoli’s draw away at Como, the Nerazzurri now only need a single point in tonight’s match at San Siro against Parma to be mathematically certain of the title.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, more than 75,000 spectators are expected, with takings close to €5 million and the last remaining tickets almost sold out. A celebratory choreography in the stands is also reportedly planned, following the displays already seen against Roma and Como: a full house and a red-hot atmosphere to carry Inter toward the finish line.

The Nerazzurri are already ready: again according to the pink paper, the club has organized a toast at a secret location in the city, while the official celebrations will then take place at San Siro against Verona, when Lautaro and his teammates will receive the trophy from Lega Serie A.

The temperature is set to rise in the coming hours, but Marcus Thuram has already fired up the atmosphere: immediately after Napoli’s draw, he posted a video of himself dancing in a nightclub, a clear message — “it’s time to start the party.”

The content went viral within minutes, sparking fans’ excitement and fueling the celebratory mood around Inter.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.

Emerson Hancock's 14-Strikeout Gem Goes to Waste in Mariners 3-2 Loss to Royals

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Emerson Hancock speaks to the media following a 3-2, extra-inning loss against the Royals on Saturday at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.

SEATTLE — A day that started off festive, which honored the past of the franchise ended on a sour note for the Seattle Mariners.

Hours after National Baseball Hall of Famer Randy Johnson had his number retired, starting pitcher Emerson Hancock spun a career-best outing that ultimately went to waste in a 3-2, 10th-inning loss to the Kansas City Royals on Saturday at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.

Hancock finished his outing with a career-high 14 strikeouts over seven innings pitched. He allowed one earned run on six hits and didn't issue a walk or a free base. He threw 103 pitches, including 74 strikes.

On the 100th pitch of his outing, Hancock threw a four-seam fastball clocked at 95 miles per hour, showing he had a lot of gas in the tank — a stark contrast from even last season where results would falter the deeper into his starts.

"I just think that's the evolution," Hancock said in a postgame interview Saturday. "I think that's just what you're trying to do, just learn as you go, continue to work on things. I give our high performance staff a lot of credit. My body feels great. I feel like I'm moving really, really well. It's kind of like the work behind the scenes able to show up later in the game like that."

EMERSON HANCOCK 🔥

He has FOURTEEN strikeouts 🤯 pic.twitter.com/k11r6UloUZ

— MLB (@MLB) May 3, 2026

Hancock didn't pitch with the M's trailing the entirety of his outing.

In the bottom of the first inning, first baseman Josh Naylor hit an RBI single that brought home center fielder Julio Rodriguez, who reached via a one-out ground-rule double.

Josh brings home J-Rod! #TridentsUppic.twitter.com/qIthTFulVn

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) May 3, 2026

Seattle's lineup was without starting catcher Cal Raleigh, who was a late scratch due to an undisclosed injury that manager Dan Wilson described as "general soreness."

The sole score allowed by Hancock came in the top of the third inning. Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia hit an RBI double to score center fielder Kyle Isbel and tie the game 1-1.

The Mariners had an opportunity to take a multi-run lead in the bottom of the fifth. With the bases loaded and one out, third baseman Leo Rivas scored and additional runners advanced to second and third base, respectively, on a wild pitch thrown by K.C. starter Seth Lugo to give Seattle a 2-1 lead with two runners in scoring position.

Two at-bats later, left fielder Randy Arozarena drew a walk to set Seattle up with the bases loaded again with two outs.

With second baseman Cole Young at the plate, Arozarena forgot the pitch-count. Thinking it was 3-2 rather than the actual count of 2-2, Arozarena ran to second base while Rodriguez, standing at second, stayed pat.

Caught in no-man's land, Arozarena was picked off, which ended the inning.

Seattle Mariners left fielder Randy Arozarena reacts after being picked off during a game against the Kansas City Royals on Saturday at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. | Joe Nicholson/Imagn Images.
Seattle Mariners left fielder Randy Arozarena reacts after being picked off during a game against the Kansas City Royals on Saturday at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. | Joe Nicholson/Imagn Images.

Seattle went 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position and stranded six. 

"You don't play this game without embarrassing things happening to you at times," Wilson said after the game. "I've forgotten the count, rolled a ball back and there's base-runners on. It happens. It's tough in that situation, of course. But we got to learn from it and we got to move on and that's all we can do."

In the top of the ninth, with a 2-1 lead and two-time All-Star closer Andres Munoz on the mound, designated hitter Salvador Perez hit a lead-off single.

Perez was lifted for pinch-runner Lane Thomas, who advanced to second after a balk was called against Munoz.

Kansas City right fielder Jac Caglianone hit an RBI single that scored Thomas. The former advanced to third after a fielding error committed by Rodriguez in center field on the single.

Caglianone was left stranded at third and the Mariners were retired in order, sending the game to extra innings.

Garcia had his second RBI of the day on a sacrifice fly that scored automatic runner and second baseman Michael Massey for the eventual final of 3-2.

Seattle was retired in order in the bottom of the 10th.

The loss gave the Royals the series win.

The Mariners will attempt to salvage a win in game three of the series at 1:10 p.m. PT on Sunday at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.

Luis Castillo will start for Seattle and Kris Bubic will start for Kansas Ciry.

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SRH vs KKR Live win probability, prediction, odds & chances of victory in IPL 2026 clash

Sunrisers Hyderabad will take on three-time champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, in an IPL 2026 encounter at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Sunday afternoon, May 3.

KKR will seek revenge against the hosts after suffering a heavy defeat in the first leg at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

In this article, The Sporting News tracks the IPL 2026 match and provides each team's live win probabilities.

Add The Sporting News as a preferred news source

Live scorecard:

SRH vs KKR IPL 2026: Win probability and toss result 

SRH 121/3 after 10 overs

Head and Klaasen depart in quick succession as KKR bowlers fight back. 

SRH 71/1 after 6 overs

Sharma departs early but Head is going strongly for SRH.

Toss: SRH captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first.

MORE: Visit Cricket News for all the latest cricket coverage and opinion

SRH vs KKR IPL 2026: Playing XI

SRH playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan (wk), Heinrich Klaasen, Aniket Verma, Salil Arora, R Smaran, Pat Cummins (c), Harshal Patel, Shivang Kumar, Eshan Malinga. 

Impact Players: Harsh Dubey, Praful Hinge, Liam Livingstone, Sakib Hussain, Zeeshan Ansari.

KKR playing XI: Ajinkya Rahane (c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi (wk), Cameron Green, Rovman Powell, Manish Pandey, Rinku Singh, Anukul Roy, Sunil Narine, Kartik Tyagi, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy.

Impact Players: Finn Allen, Ramandeep Singh, Tejasvi Dahiya, Navdeep Saini, Tim Seifert.

SRH vs KKR IPL 2026: Win percentage

TeamWin probability
SRH54%
KKR46%

SRH vs KKR IPL 2026 odds

*All odds via Dafabet.

TeamOdds
SRH1.69
KKR2.17

The Daily Hilario: Sunday

COBHAM, ENGLAND - MAY 1: Levi Colwill and Romeo Lavia of Chelsea during a training session at Chelsea Training Ground on May 1, 2026 in Cobham, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images) | Chelsea FC via Getty Images

First

Viktor Gyökeres is the first Arsenal player to score 20+ goals across all competitions in their first season at the club since Alexis Sánchez in 2014/15 (25 goals). 👏 https://t.co/p4B14hKVdC

— Squawka (@Squawka) May 2, 2026

Target

🚨🇺🇸 Inter Miami keep working on Casemiro deal as priority target for the midfield, as revealed in March.

The Brazilian remains in talks with Inter Miami, tempted by this option among all proposals.

🎥➕ https://t.co/nrui1KzICEpic.twitter.com/xGXjRpq96j

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 2, 2026

Promoted

Ipswich Town have been promoted back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.🆙

◉ 22/23: Promoted to Championship
◉ 23/24: Promoted to Premier League
◎ 24/25: Relegated to Championship
◉ 25/26: Promoted to Premier League

It’s the Tractor Boys’ third promotion in… pic.twitter.com/pYRr82fluX

— Squawka (@Squawka) May 2, 2026


Manchester United vs. Liverpool: Live stream, Time & How to watch

While neither Manchester United nor Liverpool are vying for Premier League glory this season, Sunday’s Old Trafford main event is arguably still the biggest game in English football.

The stakes are raised even higher than normal for gameweek 35 too, as the hosts will be assured of a Champions League spot with all three points, as will the visitors if other results go their way.

After taking just five points from 12 during that aforementioned run, the Red Devils have responded with back-to-back one-goal triumphs, edging out Chelsea 1-0 before a 2-1 win over Brentford courtesy of Casemiro and Benjamin Sesko’s efforts on Monday night.

Eleven points clear of sixth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion with four games remaining, Man United will qualify for the Champions League if they win on Sunday; a draw would also be enough if Brighton do not beat Newcastle United, and even a loss would suffice if the Seagulls fail to win and Bournemouth slip up against Crystal Palace.

Whether UCL football is indeed secured this weekend, it is a case of when rather than if Carrick’s men rubber-stamp a top-five finish in the Premier League table – a notable achievement for the interim coach to have on his CV ahead of this summer’s managerial auditions.

Furthermore, the hosts’ 29 points since Carrick took charge is the most of any Premier League team in that period, and with a total of 36 at the Theatre of Dreams throughout 2025-26, Man United have already posted 12 more home points than they did in the entirety of last term.

Spearheaded by PFA Player of the Year candidate Bruno Fernandes, Man United are also on an exceptional 23-game scoring sequence across all competitions, while finding the back of the net twice in six of their last seven at home.

United are likely to have all of their attacking options at their disposal this week, as Matheus Cunha was pictured in training on Thursday after missing the Brentford victory with a minor hip injury.

There is also optimism that Luke Shaw will be fine to feature, despite coming off injured last time out, while defensive duo Matthijs de Ligt (back) and Lisandro Martinez (suspended) are both missing.

Courtesy of his helper for Sesko on Monday, Fernandes is now just one Premier League assist away from equalling Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne’s single-season record of 20, set in 2002-03 and 2019-20 respectively.

Premier League Schedule

It’s an afternoon kickoff in the UK, which means a 10:30 a.m. kickoff on the East Coast of the U.S.

Premier League Channel

The match is on Sky Sports Premier League in the UK. Those Stateside can watch on NBC Sports streaming or the USA channel. For Spanish language coverage, tune into Telemundo. In Canada, it’s on DAZN and Fubo.

Everyone else, head on over to LiveSoccerTV to find your viewing options.

Predicted Lineup

Manchester United possible starting lineup: Lammens; Dalot, Heaven, Maguire, Shaw; Mainoo, Casemiro; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge cites ‘unwritten rule’ on Bayern Munich selling Michael Olise

Since arriving at Bayern Munich in the summer of 2024, 24-year old winger Michael Olise has played at a world class level. His ability to dance around defenders, score in a variety of ways, and inspire the crowd has elevated Olise to 4:1 odds of winning the Ballon d’Or award, only behind teammate Harry Kane (11:8 odds).

As a Frenchman, Olise’s chances might be even higher considering the award has not been awarded to a player or club lacking French or Spanish ties since Cristiano Ronaldo was at Manchester United in 2008.

In a recent interview with Julian Buhl (via @iMiaSanMia), club legend and current board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge described Bayern’s policy on Olise being poached away by a €200M offer.

“In 2009, we had an incredible offer from Chelsea for Franck Ribéry,” said Rummenigge. “At the time, it would have been a new world transfer record. I then went to our then CFO, Karl Hopfner, and Uli Hoeneß with this offer. We discussed it for two hours, trying to figure out what to do with it. That day, we made a fundamental decision: that in the future, we would never sell a player we would miss on the pitch. This unwritten rule still applies today. For a player like Olise, there’s no price tag that would make us flinch.”

Olise’s contract at Bayern runs through 2029. Unless there is a drastic change in circumstances, all signs point to an extension being completed next summer to avoid any transfer speculation.


If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…

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Report: Real Madrid outline two key objectives despite La Liga title blow

Report: Real Madrid outline two key objectives despite La Liga title blow
Report: Real Madrid outline two key objectives despite La Liga title blow

Real Madrid may be out of the La Liga title race, but the season is far from over, at least within the dressing room. 

At Real Madrid, the focus has now shifted from trophies to something just as important, which is protecting the club’s image and finishing the campaign with pride.

Despite trailing Barcelona with 14 points now, there is a strong message driving the squad forward. 

The players are not treating these final fixtures as a formality. Instead, they see them as a chance to respond after a disappointing run and show that the standards at the club remain intact.

What’s the story?

According to Ok Diario, one of the biggest motivations is avoiding an uncomfortable scenario – giving Barcelona a guard of honour. 

For a club with Real Madrid’s history, that moment would not sit well with players or fans, which is why it has become a key objective in these closing weeks. 

The squad is determined to ensure that such a situation never arises, knowing what it would represent symbolically.

Real Madrid will not give up. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Furthermore, Real Madrid are equally focused on making sure their rivals do not celebrate the title at their expense. 

That means picking up maximum points in the upcoming matches. The aim is win all the upcoming games, delay any celebrations, and maintain a level of competitiveness that shows the club’s identity.

Inside the dressing room, there is a clear understanding that even without silverware on the line, performances in these final matches will show how the season will be remembered. 

Ending strongly could restore some belief and send a message ahead of the next campaign.

At the Santiago Bernabeu, expectations never drop. The badge demands intensity, and the players are fully aware of that responsibility. 

Winning now may not change anything in the title race, but Real Madrid still want to avoid moments that clash with the club’s stature. 

Because in Madrid, pride is never optional – it is part of the identity.

Three takeaways from Osasuna 1-2 Barcelona | La Liga MD34

Three takeaways from Osasuna 1-2 Barcelona | La Liga MD34
Three takeaways from Osasuna 1-2 Barcelona | La Liga MD34

Barcelona extended their lead in La Liga to 14 points provisionally last night with a 2-1 win over Osasuna away at El Sadar.

The Catalans did not dish out their brightest performance, but they gradually wore down the hosts’ defence and earned goals via Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres.

Playing without Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, the team lacked the cutting edge or creative presence on the field. However, the much-valued win now leaves them within touching distance of the league title.

Barça Universal brings you three takeaways from Osasuna 1-2 Barcelona.

A largely dull affair

Barcelona’s league campaign this season is more dominant than their title-winning run last season, but there is one stark difference between the two.

The side is more consistent in the competition this season and has learnt the art of winning without necessarily playing the most attractive football.

In recent weeks, they have ground out hard-fought wins and last night was no different.

For close to 70 minutes on the night, Barcelona’s performance was nothing exciting and presented a rather dull and slow affair, with Osasuna playing as equals.

The Catalans did maintain more possession, but nothing meaningful came of that dominance in the entire first half.

There was no incisive passing, exciting dribbling or opening up of channels against the Espanyol defence.

Needless to say, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha’s absence had a massive part to play in how dull the team looked in attack and the game last night made it clear how vital both players are to Barcelona’s attack.

Getting the job done without them, in that sense, is massive for Barcelona but it is also clear that the team look unrecognisable without them on the field.

Flick’s game-changing substitutions

Ferran Torres made an impact from the bench. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Hansi Flick’s starting lineup against Osasuna saw Roony Bardghji and Fermin Lopez start as the wingers, Dani Olmo as the attacking midfielder and Robert Lewandowski as a striker.

The combination, however, did not have any effective inroad into the Osasuna defence.

At the hour mark, however, the manager decided to bring on fresh feet to add speed to his team’s play.

Given that the Osasuna defence was already tired, the plan worked like a charm, but what was notable was the tactical game Flick played with his changes.

Instead of deploying Rashford on the left wing, where he usually plays, the manager asked the Englishman to play on the right wing in place of Bardghji.

Fermin Lopez was brought in as the central midfielder, while Ferran Torres played on the left wing.

Notably, both goals on the night had to do with the substitutes in their new roles and how Osasuna were not prepared for such a tweak.

Rashford was left completely unmarked on the right flank for his cross to Robert Lewandowski in Barcelona’s opening goal and he continually created a threat on the flank with his dribbles and crosses.

Ferran, on the left, also served as a similar unexpected menace for Osasuna as he made a run into space and slotted the ball into the back of the net for the second goal.

Flick’s changes, thus, were on point once again and game-changing both in terms of the personnel and tactical changes.

One step away

Barcelona are only a few steps away from winning the title. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Barcelona’s win at El Sadar last night only tightens the team’s grip on the La Liga title which may not yet be theirs yet but is certainly theirs to lose.

With the win last night, Flick’s men move to 88 points after 34 games in the competition and they have only four games yet to play in the competition. Their nearest competitors, Real Madrid, are 14 points behind with a game in hand.

Los Blancos play Espanyol away from home later today and face a must-win situation to keep the title race alive. Should they slip up with even just a draw, the trophy will officially be Barcelona’s.

At this point, Barcelona are just two points away from the title and any slip-up from Real Madrid tonight will see them crowned champions. Even if Real Madrid win, a draw in El Clasico or two points in the next four games will seal the deal.

All eyes, thus, will be on the game between Real Madrid and Espanyol later today to see if the title is decided before or during El Clasico.

For Barcelona now, it only seems to be a matter of time before the inevitable championship is announced.

Sooo ... About Last Night

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 25: Aljamain Sterling reacts after a victory against Youssef Zalal of Morocco in a featherweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Meta APEX on April 25, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Yesterday (Sat., May 2, 2026), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) ventured forth to RAC Arena in Perth, Australia for UFC Perth. For the second time in as many weeks, the “Prelims” were bloody miserable! Fortunately, the action did pick up for the main card, which featured some truly impressive knockouts and strong showings. In fact, the main event between Carlos Prates and Jack Della Maddalena was downright unforgettable!

Let’s take a look back over the best performances and techniques of the evening:

Prates Punishes Another Former Champion

Carlos Prates was a scary good striker before he suffered an upset loss to Ian Garry (which still ended with Garry desperately canvas-crawling away from his opponent, just for the record). In his three fights since then, Prates has improved his footwork flaws and ability to create offense between the knockout blows. He looked nastier than ever!

Prates put on a masterclass in Jack Della Maddalena’s hometown. The boxer was diligent early on in pressing Prates to the canvas and working to build combinations, yet he was systematically picked apart. Prates and his outrageous length prepared so perfectly for the challenges Della Maddalena presented. At first, he was flashing a long jab to keep the guard raised, allowing him easy access to the calf kick, which proved both the first and final weakness in the Australian’s defense.

The calf kick bought Prates some space to work and initiative, and he capitalized brilliantly. Before too long, it was Prates building combinations, stringing together his ones and twos to back up the boxer. When Della Maddalena tried to press forward against a Prates that had found his range, suddenly his high-guard was getting bombarded with picturesque intercepting knees and clubbing elbow strikes.

Della Maddalena hung tough for quite a while in the face of enormous damage to all targets. He absorbed brutal calf kicks, ripping liver kicks, and all sorts of knocks upside the head. After about two dozen strikes that would have knocked out other world-class Welterweights, however, “JDM” crumbled under the barrage.

Prates, age 32, has put his name forward as one of the sport’s great knockout artists, and he’s only eight fights into his UFC career! It’s hard to picture him as champion while Islam Makhachev is around, but the Brazilian has certainly earned his opportunity.

Salkilld Keeps Climbing

Alas, Quillan Salkilld demolishing Beneil Dariush was incredibly predictable.

I don’t mean that as an insult to Salkilld or even the defeated Dariush; it just felt like Dariush vs. Benoit Saint-Denis from a couple months ago extended to three minutes rather than 16 seconds. Similar to that fight, Dariush started strong with his accurate and powerful kickboxing, crashed forward, and then ate a huge shot on the break of a clinch and hit the canvas.

The 36-year-old veteran cannot take a shot anymore from these young, physically gifted standouts.

The more notable part of the performance was the two minutes of wrestling along the fence. Dariush is a damn good wrestler by any metric, a jiu-jitsu black belt who has grounded the likes of Charles Oliveira, Carlos Diego Ferreira, and Renato Moicano. Despite some good positions and constant takedown chaining, Dariush couldn’t actually put Salkilld on the canvas for more than a half-second. Salkilld’s youth advantage was much less of a factor in those early wrestling exchanges, making for a nice display of defensive grappling all the same.

Bye-Bye Bam Bam

I like Tai Tuivasa. He’s a fun personality, and he’s got some great knockout wins on his highlight reel. On the heels of his seventh-straight loss, however, I cannot pretend to care about a professional athlete who clearly refuses to put the work in. Apparently, there is no number of losses great enough to motivate Tuivasa to put on a gi or go for a jog, even despite the fact that Tuivasa could be doubling his money with a victory!

His fight versus Louie Sutherland was both awful and disappointing. Rather than elaborate further, I’d like to let these two clips do the talking:

FAT MAN ROLL 😂😂😂 #UFCPerthpic.twitter.com/737HAEJEz3

— Dovy🔌 (@DovySimuMMA) May 2, 2026

Tuivasa vs. Sutherland was so bad the fans started a beer cup snake pic.twitter.com/CM5Cwm22ly

— MMA Mania (@mmamania) May 2, 2026

Good luck in BKFC, “Bam Bam.”

The Next Generation Of City Kickboxing

Names like Israel Adesanya, Dan Hooker, and Kai Kara-France brought fame and acclaim to Auckland, New Zealand’s City Kickboxing, a previously little-known gym in the MMA sphere. As that class of talent ages out of contention, however, there’s always a question of whether the gym can bring new fighters up to contend, especially when dealing with a smaller country. Even recently crowned Light Heavyweight kingpin Carlos Ulberg is 35 years old, so who knows how much longer his prime will last given his devastating knee injury.

Fortunately, UFC Perth provided further evidence City Kickboxing is no flash in the pan with a pair of impressive wins.

On the main card, 31-year-old Brando Pericic picked up his third UFC win in just his seventh professional fight by stopping ranked contender Shamil Gaziev. The 6’5” Kiwi was forced to shuck off takedown attempts, fight his way out of the clinch, and escape bottom position a couple times. As soon as he was back to his feet, however, his professional kickboxing experience shined. He went after Gaziev with composed aggression, putting together combinations well and bloodying up the tough Russian.

What made the performance more impressive is that Gaziev didn’t just crumble in the first exchange. He timed some big single shot connections and wrestled actively, but Pericic’s combination of rangy volume and consistent grappling defense broke him down en route to the second-round knockout.

In a stagnant division, Pericic is already something of a contender.

In the “Prelims” headliner, 6’3” Cam Rowston also picked up his third UFC win by beating up Robert Bryczek. He was able to bully the Polish veteran with his size, power, and kickboxing edge. Despite his striking background, he actually spent a lot of the fight in top position, chipping away with punches and elbows against an opponent who just couldn’t get much going.

Both Pericic and Rowston fit the City Kickboxing mold of experienced, lanky strikers transitioning to MMA. Clearly, the gym is doing something right in taking professional kickboxers and teaching them how to use their physical gifts to deny takedowns quickly, a complicated process the fight team has seemingly streamlined.

Additional Thoughts

  • Marwan Rahiki defeats Ollie Schmid via first-round knockout (HIGHLIGHTS): Rahiki, age 23, is a seriously talented young striker. Defense remains secondary — which will be a problem as he climbs the ranks without addressing it — but his offensive combinations, accuracy, and aggressive counter punching are a joy to watch. This was a squash match against a short-notice and inexperienced opponent, but even so, Rahiki’s fight-finishing left hook was a thing of beauty.
  • Junior Tafa defeats Kevin Christian via first-round knockout (HIGHLIGHTS): I predicted a Tafa-less 2026 after Junior Tafa’s latest disappointing loss back in January, but I forgot there was an Australia card on the books that needed filling up. What would the promotion do without at least one Tafa brother? How could it function in Perth? More seriously, I will give Junior Tafa his credit for getting in shape since his drop to Light Heavyweight. His ground game remains a serious liability, but he’s no longer dramatically outsized, allowing him to deploy that gunpowder in his fists a little more often. If he can just develop his defensive wrestling a tiny bit further, there’s space on the roster for more Junior Tafa knockout wins in Australia or otherwise!
  • Wes Schultz defeats Ben Johnston via third-round guillotine choke: This was not a UFC-level fight, even considering Middleweight’s historic legacy of slop. Still, if you can look past the amateur-ish nature of the contest, the fight was fun enough, as Schultz and Johnston traded positions and submission attempts until Schultz finally snatched up the guillotine (on roughly his 10th attempt). The drama of the comeback loses a bit of its sting when you consider Johnston’s pitiful defensive response though …
  • Kody Steele defeats Dom Mar Fan via first-round heel hook (HIGHLIGHTS): A loss — especially one’s first professional loss and first UFC defeat — can teach a lot of lessons. After getting out-brawled in his UFC debut by Rongzhu over a year ago, Steele returned to the Octagon ready to play to his strengths. The jiu-jitsu black belt wasn’t afraid to strike by any means, but when given the opportunity to attack a leg, Steele was attached like a dog to a bone. He showed a very high level of skill in the process of rotating and adjusting around the leg, waiting to crank until he landed in the inverted heel hook position he was chasing. There was no meaningless flexing on the ankle; Steele forced an instant tap as soon as he applied pressure, demonstrating his technical prowess on the floor.

For complete UFC Perth results and play-by-play, click here.

SRH vs KKR IPL 2026 live score: Scorecard, toss result, win chances, weather report and highlights from Hyderabad

Heinrich Klaasen SRH IPL 2026 04292026

SRH vs KKR IPL 2026 live score: Scorecard, toss result, win chances, weather report and highlights from Hyderabad originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY MATCH DETAILS:

  • Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad
  • Captains: Pat Cummins(SRH), Ajinkya Rahane (KKR)
  • Toss result: TBD
  • Live Telecast: JioHotstar (India), No Broadcast (Pakistan), CricLife Max, StarzPlay (UAE), Willow TV, Fubo, Willow TV app, Sling TV (USA & Canada)
  • Umpires & Match officials: Abhijeet Bengeri, Jayaraman Madanagopal (on-field umpires), Rohan Pandit (Third Umpire), Amit Rana (Fourth Umpire), Iqbal Siddiqui (Match referee)
  • Match result: TBD
  • Player of the Match: TBD

IPL 2026 HUB:Latest IPL News | IPL Points Table | Team Stats | IPL 2026 Squads

Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders live match Scorecard

Follow along with the latest live scorecard here as the match unfolds, or click here for key text commentary updates from the action.

Key highlights and reactions: SRH vs KKR IPL 2026

SRH vs KKR IPL 2026: Predicted Playing XI

SRH predicted playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan (c/wk), Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Salil Arora, Pat Cummins, Harsh Dubey, Praful Hinge, Sakib Hussain, Eshan Malinga. 

Impact Player: Aniket Verma

KKRpredicted playing XI: Finn Allen (WK), Ajinkya Rahane (c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Cameron Green, Rovman Powell, Rinku Singh, Anukul Roy, Ramandeep Singh, Sunil Narine, Kartik Tyagi, Vaibhav Arora. 

Impact Player: Varun Chakravarthy

MORE: What happens if an IPL match is cancelled due to rain? Rules and refund details

SRH vs KKR IPL 2026 Live Score Updates

Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to Cricket News' live blog for the blockbuster IPL 2026 clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders.

The match will be played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

Kolkata Knight Riders will seek revenge against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their crucial IPL 2026 clash at the Uppal Stadium on Sunday afternoon, May 3.

Toss result: Toss is scheduled at 7:00 p.m. IST. 

SRH vs KKR: Win Probability

TeamWin percentage
SRH57%
KKR43%

Hyderabad weather update: Chances of rain interrupting play

Let's take a look at the hourly temperatures and the probability of rainfall in Hyderabad on Sunday afternoon.

  • 2:00 PM: 40°C (0% chance of rain)
  • 3:00 PM: 40°C (0% chance of rain)
  • 4:00 PM: 41°C (0% chance of rain)
  • 5:00 PM: 40°C (0% chance of rain)
  • 6:00 PM: 40°C (0% chance of rain)
  • 7:00 PM: 38°C (0% chance of rain)

IPL 2026 Points Table live: Latest updated SRH vs KKR standings

PosTeamPlayedWonLostNRNrrPoints
1Punjab Kings8601+1.04313
2Royal Challengers Bengaluru9630+1.42012
3Sunrisers Hyderabad9630+0.83212
4Rajasthan Royals10640+0.51012
5Gujarat Titans9540-0.19210
6Chennai Super Kings9450+0.0058
7Delhi Capitals9450-0.8958
8Kolkata Knight Riders8240-0.7514
9Mumbai Indians9270-0.8034
10Lucknow Super Giants8260-1.1064

To keep up to date with all the latest cricket news and share your opinion on the biggest topics visit ourFacebookInstagram and X (Twitter) pages.

SRH vs KKR IPL 2026 live score: Scorecard, toss result, win chances, weather report and highlights from Hyderabad

Heinrich Klaasen SRH IPL 2026 04292026

SRH vs KKR IPL 2026 live score: Scorecard, toss result, win chances, weather report and highlights from Hyderabad originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY MATCH DETAILS:

  • Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad
  • Captains: Pat Cummins(SRH), Ajinkya Rahane (KKR)
  • Toss result: SRH won the toss and opeted to bat first.
  • Live Telecast: JioHotstar (India), No Broadcast (Pakistan), CricLife Max, StarzPlay (UAE), Willow TV, Fubo, Willow TV app, Sling TV (USA & Canada)
  • Umpires & Match officials: Abhijeet Bengeri, Jayaraman Madanagopal (on-field umpires), Rohan Pandit (Third Umpire), Amit Rana (Fourth Umpire), Iqbal Siddiqui (Match referee)
  • Match result: TBD
  • Player of the Match: TBD

IPL 2026 HUB:Latest IPL News | IPL Points Table | Team Stats | IPL 2026 Squads

Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders live match Scorecard

Follow along with the latest live scorecard here as the match unfolds, or click here for key text commentary updates from the action.

Key highlights and reactions: SRH vs KKR IPL 2026

SRH vs KKR IPL 2026: Playing XI

SRH playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan (wk), Heinrich Klaasen, Aniket Verma, Salil Arora, R Smaran, Pat Cummins (c), Harshal Patel, Shivang Kumar, Eshan Malinga. 

Impact Players: Harsh Dubey, Praful Hinge, Liam Livingstone, Sakib Hussain, Zeeshan Ansari.

KKRplaying XI: Ajinkya Rahane (c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi (wk), Cameron Green, Rovman Powell, Manish Pandey, Rinku Singh, Anukul Roy, Sunil Narine, Kartik Tyagi, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy.

Impact Players: Finn Allen, Ramandeep Singh, Tejasvi Dahiya, Navdeep Saini, Tim Seifert.

MORE: What happens if an IPL match is cancelled due to rain? Rules and refund details

SRH vs KKR IPL 2026 Live Score Updates

Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to Cricket News' live blog for the blockbuster IPL 2026 clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders.

The match will be played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

Kolkata Knight Riders will seek revenge against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their crucial IPL 2026 clash at the Uppal Stadium on Sunday afternoon, May 3.

Toss result: SRH won the toss and opted to bat first. 

SRH innings: 121/1 (11 overs)

  • SRH lose Abhishek Sharma's wickets but Head is going strong.
  • KKR fight back as they get rid of fiery Head and in-form Klaasen.

SRH vs KKR: Win Probability

TeamWin percentage
SRH55%
KKR45%

Hyderabad weather update: Chances of rain interrupting play

Let's take a look at the hourly temperatures and the probability of rainfall in Hyderabad on Sunday afternoon.

  • 2:00 PM: 40°C (0% chance of rain)
  • 3:00 PM: 40°C (0% chance of rain)
  • 4:00 PM: 41°C (0% chance of rain)
  • 5:00 PM: 40°C (0% chance of rain)
  • 6:00 PM: 40°C (0% chance of rain)
  • 7:00 PM: 38°C (0% chance of rain)

IPL 2026 Points Table live: Latest updated SRH vs KKR standings

PosTeamPlayedWonLostNRNrrPoints
1Punjab Kings8601+1.04313
2Royal Challengers Bengaluru9630+1.42012
3Sunrisers Hyderabad9630+0.83212
4Rajasthan Royals10640+0.51012
5Gujarat Titans9540-0.19210
6Chennai Super Kings9450+0.0058
7Delhi Capitals9450-0.8958
8Kolkata Knight Riders8240-0.7514
9Mumbai Indians9270-0.8034
10Lucknow Super Giants8260-1.1064

To keep up to date with all the latest cricket news and share your opinion on the biggest topics visit ourFacebookInstagram and X (Twitter) pages.

Mets' lowest spot of 12-game losing streak still stings

Mets' lowest spot of 12-game losing streak still stings originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Mets are regarded as the worst team in all of baseball. They are ranking just about everywhere as the last place team in Major League Baseball, and it is for good reason. 

A 12-game losing streak is going to sink your season. Throughout the vast and long history of the MLB, no team has ever made it to the playoffs following anything more than a 10-game losing streak. 

These Mets are cooked, and there is still a long season to go. Jorge Castillo of ESPN named this losing streak as one of the many low points of this 2026 campaign.

The losing streak is over, and the Mets now reside with a record of 11-22. They are 12.5 games back of the Atlanta Braves. Now, a 12-game win streak gets them back in contention, but seeing how things are going, that is going to be a seriously hard feat to do. 

Right fielder Juan Soto has been named as this team's Most Valuable Player, and he is the only hope for this team rising from the borrow. The Mets are paying him more money than anyone else in the baseball world, so it is only fitting for him to lead the charge. 

They have two very winnable series ahead of them to try and get back in the race. The Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks. Each have had good seasons and are in it to win it in that highly competitive NL West, but they are beatable. 

The Mets just have to worry about not beating themselves out of wins anymore. It is going to take a complete team effort, but wins are going to have to come by working together.

More MLB News:

76ers stun Boston to complete series comeback

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid drives for the basket in his team's win against the Boston Celtics in game seven of their play-off series
Joel Embiid's return for the Philadelphia 76ers in their series against the Boston Celtics proved crucial [Getty Images]

Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey inspired the Philadelphia 76ers to victory in their series decider against the Boston Celtics as they knocked their rivals out of the NBA play-offs and set up an Eastern Conference semi-final against the New York Knicks.

The 76ers, who came back from 3-1 down in the best-of seven series to force a deciding match, won 109-100 on the road to eliminate the 2023-24 NBA champions.

Embiid contributed 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, while team-mate Tyrese Maxey scored 30 points and registered 11 rebounds and seven assists as Philadelphia became only the 14th team to win a series after going 3-1 down, achieving the feat for the first time in their history.

The 76ers also beat the Celtics in the play-offs for the first time since 1982, having lost their last six series to Boston.

"We had a talk after game five and just said, 'Hey, man, we can't let the same stuff happen over and over and over again," Maxey told NBC. "At some point we've got to put a stop to it.

"And we did."

Boston were 99-98 behind following two Neemias Queta free throws before Maxey scored eight unanswered points to give his side a 107-98 lead with 15 seconds left.

"We started off well and then in the second quarter we kind of relaxed a little," said Embiid. "Same thing with the start of the fourth.

"But we stuck together, closed it out."

He added: "It means a lot. You can't win alone, you need a team to be able win and everybody doing their job."

Embiid had returned for the last four games of the series after an emergency appendectomy had ruled him out since 6 April.

"What changed in the series is Joel Embiid came back, and they're a completely different team," said Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla.

Boston star Jayson Tatum missed the decider because of a left knee issue, with Jaylen Brown top scoring for them with 33 points.

"Loved the looks that we got, loved the process that we had, but hate the result," said Mazzulla.

Kovač hits back at style critics: "The Bundesliga isn't a theater stage"

Kovač hits back at style critics:
Kovač hits back at style critics: "The Bundesliga isn't a theater stage"

Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovač has hit back at critics who have strongly questioned his style of football implemented across the course of this Bundesliga season. 

“I ask you: Who – besides Bayern Munich – consistently plays attractive football in the Bundesliga," Kovač queried, during an interview with the Frankfurter Allegemeine. 

"And is attractiveness more important than success? You have to understand that the Bundesliga isn't a theater stage where every performance is the same; it's unpredictable.

“Almost no club offers its fans four goals and spectacular attacking football every week. I think we've certainly shown some very good and attractive football this season,” he said.

The Croatian explained his reasoning for why his side might lack some offensive flair – it became clear Kovač was alluding to the lack of a talisman in BVB's ranks. 

"What we might be lacking a bit is what Bayern have in abundance. They have an incredibly strong squad with many exceptional individual players.

"This season, they've managed to combine attractiveness with success particularly well. They have scored 113 goals in 31 games is extraordinary.

“Not even the richest clubs in England can currently match that. That has to be acknowledged without envy,” said Kovač, referencing the Bundesliga champions.

Still, Kovač has delivered a strong season when looking at results alone. With a game in hand, BVB have the fifth-best goals scored tally (65) and boast the league's best defence (31).

Should they win their last three Bundesliga games, Kovač's squad would equal their best points tally amassed since the 2018-19 campaign (76 points).  

Liverpool have €45m Bundesliga full back in their sights

Liverpool have €45m Bundesliga full back in their sights
Liverpool have €45m Bundesliga full back in their sights

Daniel Svensson Transfer Latest: Liverpool Linked as Dortmund Face €40m Decision

Daniel Svensson’s rise at Borussia Dortmund has moved with the quiet inevitability of a player who has understood the speed of his own opportunity. Signed initially on loan from FC Nordsjælland in the 2024/25 winter window, then made permanent for €6.5 million, the Swedish full back has not required the usual settling in period. He has taken to the Bundesliga with uncommon ease.

Svensson’s Rapid Dortmund Rise

Svensson has become one of those players every ambitious club now seems to crave. Fussballdaten describe him as a “modern full-back”, and the phrase fits. He offers defensive resilience, attacking timing and the intelligence to move inside when the structure demands it. In modern football, that is gold dust.

Dortmund know what they have. They also know what they are. Their model has long been shaped around identifying value early, developing it, then deciding when the market has grown too loud to ignore. The familiar “buy low, sell high” principle may once again be tested.

The report states Dortmund do not see Svensson as “untouchable”, although they are unlikely to make any conversation easy. A starting point of €35 million has been suggested, with bonuses potentially lifting the package towards €40 million or €45 million.

Liverpool Interest Feels Logical

Liverpool’s reported interest is not difficult to understand. The club have been seeking ways to refresh their defensive options, and Svensson’s blend of athleticism, pressing ability and tactical flexibility would appear to suit a side that asks full backs to think as much as run.

Arsenal and Leeds United are also said to be monitoring developments, while Inter Milan, AC Milan and Atalanta have emerged from Serie A. Inter’s interest feels particularly natural, given Svensson’s ability to operate as a wing back in a disciplined structure.

Still, the Premier League appears to hold a particular pull. According to the report, Svensson’s dream of playing in England is an “open secret”, and that matters. Players rarely speak their futures into being directly, but preferences have a way of shaping negotiations.

Dortmund Hold Strong Position

Dortmund are protected by his contract, which runs until 30 June 2029. There is no release clause, meaning control sits firmly with the German club.

That control gives Dortmund options. They can sell now if the offer becomes too tempting, or wait until after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, when Svensson’s value may climb again if he performs on the largest stage.

For the player, the question is just as delicate. He has regular football at Dortmund. At Liverpool, Arsenal or Inter, he would enter a deeper, more demanding squad. That is not necessarily a reason to stay, but it is a calculation.

Premier League Move Could Define Summer

At roughly €40 million, Svensson would not be a speculative punt. He would be a statement of belief in a player whose development curve still points upwards.

For Liverpool, that may be the attraction. Svensson looks like the sort of signing who solves more than one problem. For Dortmund, he looks like the sort of asset whose sale could fund wider reconstruction.

A move to Anfield or San Siro would not shock anyone now. The question is whether this summer becomes the moment when potential turns into price.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this is exactly the sort of transfer link that feels worth watching. Svensson may not yet carry the glamour of a household name, but Liverpool’s best recruitment has often lived in that space between obvious talent and global recognition.

The profile is the appeal. Liverpool need defenders who can cope physically, press aggressively, make good decisions under pressure and offer tactical variety. Svensson appears to tick those boxes. If he can play as a traditional left back, invert into midfield and operate higher as a wing back, then he gives the manager flexibility without demanding a total structural change.

The price, though, matters. At €40 million or more, this cannot be framed as clever squad depth. That fee demands a player ready to compete immediately. If Liverpool are spending that kind of money, supporters would reasonably ask what it means for existing left back options and broader defensive planning.

There is also the Dortmund factor. Liverpool have seen enough Bundesliga talent arrive in England with mixed outcomes to know adaptation is never guaranteed. Physicality may translate, but rhythm, space and pressure are different in the Premier League.

Still, this feels like a sensible rumour rather than a random one. If Liverpool are serious about refreshing the back line, Svensson looks like the kind of modern, multi purpose defender who belongs on the list.

‘I was crying’ – Mo Salah says one player’s exit from Liverpool left him in tears

‘I was crying’ – Mo Salah says one player’s exit from Liverpool left him in tears
‘I was crying’ – Mo Salah says one player’s exit from Liverpool left him in tears

Mo Salah has said that only one former teammate’s exit from Liverpool left him in tears, as he spoke ahead of his own farewell later this month.

The Egyptian will sign off from Anfield after the game against Brentford three weeks from today, bringing the curtain down on a legendary nine-year stay in which he became the club’s third-highest scorer of all time.


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One of his longest-serving teammates throughout that time was Trent Alexander-Arnold, who announced his exit from his hometown club a year ago and joined Real Madrid for a cut-price fee, with the manner of his departure leaving a bad taste.

Salah cried when Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool

Despite the England right-back seeing his reputation soured among many Liverpool fans for the way in which he left the club, Salah held him in such high esteem that he was in tears when it came to say his goodbyes to the 27-year-old.

The Egyptian was watching a series of tributes from current and former teammates in a video for Sky Sports, and as Alexander-Arnold paid his own well wishes on screen, the Reds winger admitted: “He’s the only person I cried when he left the club. I cried with his mum. Me, him and his mum. I was crying.”

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Alexander-Arnold earned huge respect among ex-LFC teammates

The West Derby native ought to have gone out in the most perfect manner possible – holding the Premier League trophy that Liverpool won last year, whilst being serenaded raucously from the stands.

Sadly, the manner of his move to Real Madrid had tarnished his legacy in the eyes of most supporters, plenty of whom expressed their disdain when he came back to Anfield in opposition colours six months ago.

His reputation with LFC fans could be near-impossible to rebuild, but what’s undeniable is that he was very well liked by the teammates that he left behind, with Andy Robertson staunchly defending him after being booed in L4 during the game against Arsenal towards the end of last season.

Throughout nearly a decade as a first-team player at Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold established himself as a creative force of nature, racking up 92 assists in 354 appearances and linking up to lethal effect with Salah on the right flank.

It was such a shame that he ruined his name among many of his fellow Scousers in the way that he left the Reds, but whatever the fan base as a whole might think of him, the 27-year-old still commands enormous respect from those who served alongside him at Anfield.

Arsenal want €80m star after agent spotted at Emirates but Man United in pole position

Arsenal want €80m star after agent spotted at Emirates but Man United in pole position
Arsenal want €80m star after agent spotted at Emirates but Man United in pole position

Manchester United are interested in signing Morten Hjulmand during the summer transfer window.

The 26-year-old Denmark International has been linked with a move to the Premier League in recent months, and Arsenal are also keen on securing his signature. However, reports claim that Manchester United is in pole position to complete the deal.

Man United learn Morten Hjulmand asking price

The player has an €80 million release clause in his contract, but he could be signed for a reasonable fee. According to a report from Portuguese publication A Bola, Sporting CP could sanction his departure if an offer of €40-50 million is presented.

Manchester United have made it a priority to sign a quality defensive midfielder in the summer. The Denmark International could be the ideal acquisition. He is adept with the ball at his feet and excellent at breaking up opposition attacking moves. He will add physicality and defensive steel in the middle of the park for Manchester United. Casemiro will leave the club in the summer, and he could be the ideal replacement.

Apart from his quality as a midfielder, his leadership skills could prove to be invaluable.

More Stories / Latest News

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May 3 2026, 7:15

Man United eye €60 million PL star as priority target after regular scouting

May 3 2026, 6:30

Arsenal is also keen on Hjulmand

Arsenal could use more physicality in the middle of the park as well, and they are keeping tabs on him. The player’s agent was recently spotted attending a UEFA Champions League game at the Emirates. It will be interesting to see if Arsenal follow up on their interest with an official offer in the summer.

Both clubs will be attractive destinations for the midfielder, and he will look to compete at the highest level. The two clubs are likely to be in the UEFA Champions League next year as well. It remains to be seen where he ends up.

Augustana Baseball knocks off UMC in regular season finale

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Augustana) – Following a year hiatus, the Augustana baseball team has returned atop the throne of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. With an 8-0 victory over Minnesota Crookston, the Vikings won the NSIC Regular Season Championship for the fifth time in program history and fourth in the last five seasons.

Records
Augustana 36-13, 29-7 NSIC
Minnesota Crookston 26-22, 19-17 NSIC

Kobe Eikmeier went 3 for 3 with two RBI in the nine hole and Ryan Clementi had two hits, two RBI and two runs scored batting eighth to provide a punch at the bottom of the order. Nate Soelter added two hits while Ragan Pinnow had a hit and walked twice. 

Joel Van De Stroet moved to 3-2 on the season after striking out 10 in five hitless innings. Myles Hanson allowed a pair of hits and struck out two in two innings and Riley Rothschadl tossed the final two innings, collecting a strikeout to close out the regular season. 

Clementi reached on a bunt single with two outs in the second inning before moving to second on a wild pitch. Eikmeier lifted a high fly ball into no-man’s land in a 1-2 count, having the ball nestle in for a double and a run to open the scoring. 

The runs kept coming for the Vikings, scoring on a wild pitch in the fourth, sac fly in the fifth and a sac bunt in the sixth to grow a 4-0 lead. 

The offense broke through in the seventh to put the game out of reach. Carter Heinsch led off with a walk and moved to second on a wild pitch. Pinnow singled to get runners on the corners and Heinsch scored on a Troy Berg fielder’s choice. 

Later in the inning, Berg and Bjorn Lind reached scoring position with two outs and Clementi came through with a two-run single. Two pitches later, Eikmeier doubled down the left field line, bringing home Clementi and bringing the game to its final score. 

The Vikings will be the No. 1 seed in the NSIC Tournament, taking on eighth-seeded Minnesota Crookston at noon on Wednesday afternoon at The Birdcage. 

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🎥 That's my captain: S04 fan & Legat go wild after goal

🎥 That's my captain: S04 fan & Legat go wild after goal

What happens when iconic Schalke fan Lennart and Thorsten Legat commentate a match together? Exactly, pure ecstasy.

The die-hard supporter and the former football pro commentated yesterday’s 1–0 win by FC Schalke 04 over Fortuna Düsseldorf together for RTL on the YouTube stream. When Kenan Karaman scored the promotion-deciding goal, both let their emotions run wild.

Yeah, they were really up for that match.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

Madison is magnificent as Jacks even series with Bison

FARGO, N.D. (SDSU) — Ty Madison pitched the final 7 2/3 innings and struck out a career-high 10 batters to help lead South Dakota State to a 5-4, come-from-behind victory over North Dakota State in Summit League baseball action Saturday afternoon at Newman Outdoor Field.

In leveling the three-game series at a win apiece, the Jackrabbits improved to 17-26 overall and 8-11 in The Summit League. NDSU fell to 10-27 overall and 6-11 in league play.

Madison, a right-hander from Omaha, entered with one out in the bottom of the second inning with the Jackrabbits trailing 3-0. SDSU starter Kaden Rylance allowed a two-run single to Chase Womack in the first inning and ran into further trouble in the second inning, when he gave up an RBI double to Caleb Corbin.

NDSU pushed the lead to 4-0 in the third inning, when Kyle Law led off with a double and scored on a two-out base hit by Evan Gustafson.

The complexion of the game changed in the top of the fourth, when Bison starter left the game with an apparent injury after allowing a single by Luke LuskeyCarter Taylor greeted reliever Braden Gluth with an infield single and both runners moved into scoring position on an ensuing throwing error. Luskey later came across with the first SDSU run of the game on a sacrifice fly by Nic Werk.

The Jackrabbits tied the game with three runs in the top of the fifth. Luke Evenson led off with a walk and scored on a base hit by Nolan Grawe. After a walk to Nate WachterDayton Franke and Taylor came through with two-out, RBI singles.

SDSU tallied what would be the final run of the game in the sixth. Luke Wroblewski drew a one-out walk, stole second and scored on a Wachter single up the middle.

Madison, meanwhile, settled into a groove in the middle innings. He retired 10 batters in a row before giving up a double to Tommy Simon to lead off the bottom of the seventh. However, he struck out the top three batters in the Bison lineup in succession to end the seventh, then notched one strikeout in the eighth and two more in a perfect ninth to close out his first victory of the season. Madison did not walk a batter.

The Jackrabbits held a 13-6 advantage in hits, led by Wachter and Taylor with three each.

ON DECK
The decisive game of the series is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday.

NOTES

  • SDSU leads the all-time series, 137-90, and the season series, 3-2
  • NDSU holds a narrow 46-45 edge in Summit League regular season games since the two programs joined the league in 2008
  • The Jackrabbits improved to 3-7 in one-run games this season and have won two in a row
  • Madison’s 10 strikeouts are the most by a Jackrabbit in a game since Nic McCay fanned 10 Omaha batters on April 12, 2024
  • Madison’s previous career highs were five strikeouts and 5 2/3 innings pitched
  • Over his last seven relief appearances, Madison has allowed five runs in 22 innings for a 2.05 earned run average while striking out 22 and walking only one
  • Franke turned in his second consecutive two-hit game after going hitless in the 10 games leading into the series
  • SDSU stranded 15 runners in the contest
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Why are people racing up a hill with a 23kg cheese?

A man carrying a large wheel of cheese runs up Dorset's Gold Hill as spectators watch from the sidelines
Hundreds of spectators are expected to line Gold Hill to watch the race [Shaftesbury Food Festival]

Scores of competitors are lining up for an unusual sporting challenge, which sees them run up Dorset's Gold Hill carrying a 23kg (51lb) round of cheese.

The Gold Hill Cheese Race in Shaftesbury was founded in 2012 and sees up to 100 people race up the steep cobbled street, known to many as "Hovis Hill" after a 1970s TV ad.

The road is only 541ft (165m) long but its 17% gradient, cobbled surface and the added challenge of carrying a big cheese mean the contest is not for the faint-hearted.

At least 70 people have pre-registered for the heats, which start at 10:00 BST on Sunday, with the final race taking place at 14:00.

About 13 people wearing fancy dress strike silly poses beneath the finish sign at the top of Gold Hill. Among them is a man wearing a multicoloured flamenco dress and a long blond wig, a person in a King Arthur face mask with a beard and flowing grey hair and a woman in a gold top and top hat.
In previous years, many of the competitors have worn fancy dress [Georgie Faulkner-Bryant]

Competitors often wear fancy dress for the whacky race, with inflatable dinosaurs and flamenco dancers among those taking part.

The event was founded by cheese expert and World Cheese Awards lead judge Charlie Turnbull and is part of the Shaftesbury Food Festival, which is run by volunteers from the Shaftesbury Chamber of Commerce.

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Barcelona superstar overtakes Real Madrid veteran in Zamora race

Barcelona superstar overtakes Real Madrid veteran in Zamora race
Barcelona superstar overtakes Real Madrid veteran in Zamora race

Barcelona’s push towards the La Liga title has been built on their attacking quality, but their defensive strength has played a huge role too. 

At the centre of that consistency is goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who now leads the race for the prestigious Zamora Trophy despite conceding in the recent 2-1 win over Osasuna.

While the clean sheet slipped away in that match, it has done little to shake Garcia’s standing among La Liga’s top goalkeepers. 

A look at the numbers

In fact, his numbers remain the strongest in the competition, as the Barcelona shot-stopper has conceded just 20 goals across 28 league appearances, giving him an impressive average of 0.71 goals per game.

Behind him in the rankings is Thibaut Courtois, who has long been one of the most reliable names in goal. 

However, injuries have disrupted his campaign, and his current average of 0.86 goals conceded per match keeps him trailing Garcia. 

Meanwhile, David Soria of Getafe sits third with a higher average (1.03), while Luiz Junior from Villarreal (1.07) follows closely behind.

Joan Garcia is now leading the Zamora race. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

What makes Garcia’s numbers even more impressive is that his season was interrupted by a knee injury that sidelined him for over a month. 

He missed a key stretch of fixtures between late September and mid-November due to a meniscus problem, a setback that could have easily disrupted his rhythm.

Instead, he returned sharper. Since coming back into the side, Garcia has shown composure and consistency, registering 14 clean sheets in La Liga. 

For Barcelona, this reliability at the back has been vital during tight matches. Even when the team is not at its best going forward, Garcia has often stepped up to keep them in control. 

Now, with only a handful of games left, the Zamora Trophy is firmly within reach. 

If he maintains his current level, it would mark a major personal achievement in his young career.

Juventus vs Hellas Verona – Match preview and team news

Juventus vs Hellas Verona – Match preview and team news
Juventus vs Hellas Verona – Match preview and team news

Juventus welcomes Hellas Verona to the Allianz Stadium in Torino on Sunday in a Serie A clash.

Juventus are just three points behind third placed AC Milan in the league table and just two points ahead of fifth placed Como, and three ahead of sixth placed AS Roma, making this a crucial fixture in the race for the top four.

Juventus vs Hellas Verona – Match preview and team news

  • Date: Sunday, 3rd May.
  • Kick-off: 5pm BST.
  • Venue: Allianz Stadium, Torino.

Juventus team news

Juventus enters this fixture with a significantly bolstered attacking unit as Kenan Yildiz and Dusan Vlahovic return to fitness.

Yildiz has recovered from recent knee inflammation, while Vlahovic is expected to feature after overcoming a long-term injury setback, though he may start on the bench.

Despite these boosts, Luciano Spalletti remains without Juan Cabal and Arkadiusz Milik, who are both ruled out through injury.

A major tactical concern for the Bianconeri involves their discipline; defensive pillars Gleison Bremer and Lloyd Kelly are both one yellow card away from an automatic suspension.

With Juventus fighting to solidify their top-four position, Spalletti wants his players to focus on securing their status inside the top four.

“When I hear people talk about fourth place, I hear certain calculations, but you don’t get there with calculations, you do it by maintaining a certain consistency,” he said in his pre-match press conference.

“We must focus on the Champions League and not on fourth place. We know full well what we did to get back into the top four, but there is a difference between needing to prove something and needing to defend something.”

Hellas Verona team news

Hellas Verona faces a mounting crisis as they travel to Turin, missing several core players due to both injury and disciplinary issues.

Nicolás Valentini is serving a one-match suspension for yellow card accumulation. The injury list is extensive: leading striker Daniel Mosquera is out for the season following knee surgery, joined on the sidelines by Armel Bella-Kotchap, Daniel Oyegoke, Suat Serdar, and Cheikh Niasse.

Furthermore, internal friction has disrupted the squad, with top scorer Gift Orban recently relegated to the bench following a public altercation with a supporter.

Kieran Bowie will play as the lone striker as the 19th-placed side desperately searches for points to avoid relegation.

Form

Juventus

Juventus enters this match in peak form, currently holding a nine-match unbeaten streak. Their defensive solidity has been remarkable, keeping clean sheets in their last four league fixtures. Recent results include a 0-0 draw against AC Milan, a 2-0 victory over Bologna and a 1-0 win against Atalanta. Sitting 4th in the table, they have also maintained an impressive five-match unbeaten run at the Allianz Stadium.

Hellas Verona

Hellas Verona is struggling significantly, languishing in 19th place and facing a six-match winless run. They have managed only one victory in their last 19 matches. Their most recent result was a 0-0 draw against Lecce, which followed a string of narrow losses to AC Milan, Torino, and Fiorentina. Away from home, their form is particularly poor, having secured only two wins in their last 17 road trips.

Predicted lineups

Juventus: Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Thuram, Locatelli; Conceicao, McKennie, Boga; Yildiz

Hellas Verona: Montipo; Edmundsson, Nelsson, Frese; Belghali, Akpa Akpro, Gagliardini, Bernede, Bradaric; Suslov; Bowie

How to watch Juventus vs Hellas Verona?

UK viewers can watch the match on DAZN and TNT Sports 1.

Read Also – AC Milan predicted lineup and team news vs Sassuolo

See More – Sassuolo vs AC Milan – Match preview and team news

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Juventus vs Hellas Verona – Predicted lineup and team news

Juventus vs Hellas Verona – Predicted lineup and team news
Juventus vs Hellas Verona – Predicted lineup and team news

Juventus host Hellas Verona at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday in an important Serie A match.

The Bianconeri are currently fourth in the table, just three points behind AC Milan in third. They are also under pressure from below, sitting only two points ahead of Como and three clear of AS Roma, making this a key game in the battle for Champions League qualification.

Juventus team news

There is positive news in attack, as both Kenan Yildiz and Dusan Vlahovic are back fit. Yildiz has recovered from knee inflammation, while Vlahovic returns after a lengthy injury, although he is likely to begin on the bench.

However, Juventus are still without Juan Cabal and Arkadiusz Milik due to injury.

Discipline could also be an issue, with key defenders Gleison Bremer and Lloyd Kelly both one yellow card away from suspension.

Speaking ahead of the match, Luciano Spalletti stressed the importance of consistency rather than focusing on league positions.

“When I hear people talk about fourth place, I hear certain calculations, but you don’t get there with calculations, you do it by maintaining a certain consistency” he said.

“We must focus on the Champions League and not on fourth place. We know full well what we did to get back into the top four, but there is a difference between needing to prove something and needing to defend something.”

Juventus predicted lineup

Possible Juventus starting XI: Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Thuram, Locatelli; Conceicao, McKennie, Boga; Yildiz

When will the match kick off?

The match will kick off at 5pm BST on Sunday, 3rd May.

How to watch Juventus vs Hellas Verona?

Fans in the UK can watch the game on DAZN and TNT Sports 1.

Read Also – AC Milan predicted lineup and team news vs Sassuolo

See More – Juventus vs Hellas Verona – Match preview and team news

Follow the Football Faithful on Social Media:

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Leah Galton: Man United Women star bids emotional farewell

Leah Galton: Man United Women star bids emotional farewell
Leah Galton: Man United Women star bids emotional farewell

Manchester United Women dropped more vital points in the race for European football.

Lea Schuller grabbed a 94th-minute goal but United still could only secure a 1-1 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion Women.

Leah Galton exit

It was announced earlier in the week that United star Leah Galton would be leaving the club at the end of the season when her contract expired.

The Englishwoman was one of the original players who started with the club in 2018, like Ella Toone and Millie Turner.

The 31-year-old played the final eight minutes of the match and spoke to the club’s media after the match.

Reflecting on her time at the club, she said, “I have so many memories. Even today, seeing everyone out here, it is making me emotional, it’s really nice.”

“I think that’s going to be the hardest thing, not seeing these guys everyday. It’s going to be weird, it is going to be strange but I am not going to be a stranger. I will be around, you haven’t seen the last of me.

Her future

Opening up on her future, she said it was a sad day for herself and her family and friends, but at the same time, it was also exciting.

She explained, “it is something new and something different but also just leaving your home is weird. I is hard and not something you ever want to do but I think the time is right. I’m going to miss the girls and I’m going to miss the fans.”

Speaking directly to the fans at the end of her interview, she said, “thank you. Thank you for the support, thank you for turning up even when things are hard. We are a big club and we have ups and downs all the time but I think the main thing is that everyone has stuck with us.”

She also expressed that she sees the club having a positive future without her.

Galton elaborated, “I think you can see from this season that we are going places. It is exciting and I hope the girls will go on and take it even further.”

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Former Real Madrid goalkeeper weighs in on Arbeloa-Alonso debate: ‘If we look at the objective…’

Former Real Madrid goalkeeper weighs in on Arbeloa-Alonso debate: ‘If we look at the objective…’
Former Real Madrid goalkeeper weighs in on Arbeloa-Alonso debate: ‘If we look at the objective…’

As Real Madrid prepare to face Espanyol in a crucial La Liga clash, former goalkeeper Kiko Casilla has offered a detailed and honest view on the situation surrounding both clubs. 

Having represented both sides during his career, his insight carries added weight, especially at a time when Madrid are looking to restore pride after falling behind Barcelona in the title race.

Casilla believes both teams head into the game under pressure, albeit for very different reasons. 

When asked who needs the win more, he simply said, “Both.” 

He added, “I know that can’t be true, but Espanyol need it to avoid making their fight for survival even tougher after a dreadful run, and Madrid need it to redeem themselves after the last month and regain some self-esteem and confidence.” 

Looking beyond this fixture, the former shot-stopper also touched on the bigger picture for Real Madrid, particularly their chances in a high-profile encounter against Barcelona. 

“Real Madrid’s pride has been wounded; they’ll be going for the win at the Camp Nou, and Barcelona’s high defensive line could work in their favour.” 

A dreadful season

Furthermore, Casilla did not shy away from addressing what has gone wrong at Real Madrid this season. 

He pointed towards a combination of issues rather than a single cause. 

“No one expected anything like this, but a lot of things have come together. The injury crisis has been a disaster that’s really taken its toll at key moments. 

“There’s been a change of manager, the squad depth wasn’t great, and they’ve been unlucky in some matches too. 

“It’s all added up to a bad year. Consistency has been lacking, and in La Liga, that really costs you.”

Arbeloa vs Alonso

Casilla does not think Arbeloa has improved over Alonso. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The discussion also moved to the managerial situation, where Alvaro Arbeloa has not yet managed to fully convince. 

Casilla’s view was clear when comparing him to Xabi Alonso. “If we look at the objective data and the results, clearly not. 

“There were flashes of promise, like against City, but we haven’t seen a sustained improvement, which is what was hoped for when Xabi was replaced.”

Courtois vs Casillas

Another key factor has been the absence of Thibaut Courtois. Casilla highlighted how difficult it is to replace such a presence. 

“When you don’t have the best goalkeeper in the world, it’s bound to show, although Lunin is a great goalkeeper and has done quite well.”

When it came to comparing goalkeeping legends, Casilla gave a personal answer, favouring Iker Casillas while still recognising Courtois’ current level. 

“That is a difficult one to answer, but I’m going to say Iker. He was always a role model for me, and I’ve seen him do some incredible things. 

“Without wanting to be diplomatic, for me the best in the world for the last few years has been Courtois and the best of all time is Casillas.”

On Vinicius and Mbappe

Finally, he addressed one of the biggest talking points – whether Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe can truly coexist in the same system

“I’ve often heard that they perform better separately, but I think there’s room for both because they’re both phenomenal. 

“It’s true that when they play together, the team loses some defensivediscipline and we have to ask them to make more sacrifices in that area,” he concluded.

Source: AS

Duncan sets strikeout record as Cougars sweep Mary

BISMARCK, N.D. (USF) – Behind a historic day from Maddi Duncan and a balanced offensive attack, the University of Sioux Falls softball team secured a doubleheader sweep over the University of Mary at the UMary Softball Field, winning 3-0 in game one and 7-2 in game two.

Duncan headlined the day by setting a new program record for single-season strikeouts, surpassing Amanda Walters’ 2014 mark of 215. With nine strikeouts in the opener, Duncan pushed her season total to 223, cementing her place in USF history.

Olivia Huckfelt powered the Cougars in game two with a breakout performance, belting two home runs and driving in four runs to lead the offensive surge.


Game One: Sioux Falls 3, Mary 0

Sioux Falls leaned on dominant pitching and timely hitting to open the day with a shutout victory.

Duncan was in complete control from the start, tossing a complete-game shutout while allowing just two hits and striking out nine. The senior worked around four walks and scattered baserunners throughout, keeping Mary off the scoreboard in all seven innings.

Offensively, the Cougars broke through in the fourth inning when Morgan Linstad launched a solo home run to left field for a 1-0 lead.

Sioux Falls added insurance in the sixth. A sacrifice fly from Hanna Raethz plated a run, followed by an RBI double from Olivia Huckfelt to extend the lead to 3-0.

The Cougars finished with eight hits, led by multi-hit efforts from Sammie Radish and Meghan Jochimsen.


Game Two: Sioux Falls 7, Mary 2

The Cougar offense came alive in game two, using a mix of power and late-inning production to complete the sweep.

After falling behind 1-0 early, Sioux Falls responded in the fourth inning when Huckfelt delivered a two-run home run to give USF its first lead of the game.

The Cougars added to the advantage in the fifth as Jochimsen drove in a run on a bunt single, capitalizing on a Mary error to make it 3-1.

Huckfelt struck again in the sixth with her second home run of the game, extending the lead to 4-1.

Mary answered with a solo home run in the bottom half, but Sioux Falls put the game away in the seventh inning. Emma Kristof sparked the rally with an RBI double before Kyra Knudtson and Huckfelt each drove in runs to push the lead to 7-2.

Huckfelt led the offense with a 3-for-4 performance, two home runs, and four RBIs.

In the circle, Ava Mejia delivered a complete-game effort, allowing just three hits and two runs while keeping Mary off balance throughout the afternoon.


Key Cougars


Up Next

Sioux Falls will head to Minot State to take one the Beavers tomorrow at 12pm and 2pm for their final regular season games.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.

Northern Softball chalks comeback win against Wayne State

ABERDEEN, S.D. (Northern State) – Northern State took one from Wayne State College today, beating the Wildcats 3-2 in the first game and then losing 6-0 in the second game.

QUICK DETAILS
Game One Final Score: NSU 3, WSC 2
Game Two Final Score: WSC 6, NSU 0
Records: NSU 20-26 (10-18 NSIC), WSC 39-13 (19-9 NSIC)

GAME ONE: NORTHERN STATE 3, WAYNE STATE COLLEGE 2

  • The Wolves notched three runs, four hits, three RBIs, three doubles, 21 putouts, eight assists and a strikeout on the mound
  • Both teams were silent in the first couple of innings, courtesy of Mckenzie Wanner and Taylor Coleman on the mound
  • It wasn’t until the third inning that the Wildcats took the lead
  • Jordyn Rochholz started the inning off with a single before taking second off an error from Madi Jones
  • With Jordyn Klein at the plate, the leadoff left fielder put the ball into play through the right side to bring Rochholz in from second
  • Wayne State would go on to put one more on the board after a groundout to Dessa Bryant brought Klein home from third
  • After the third, Wanner allowed zero runs and three hits to end the game
  • Northern State chalked a run in the fourth, with Dessa Bryant tallying an RBI double to bring Jones around the bases
  • It wasn’t until the bottom of the sixth when the Wolves found their footing, putting two on the board in the inning
  • Sydney Anderson tallied a leadoff single before Brooke Wolf came in to pinch run
  • Tevan Bryant then stepped up to the plate and recorded an RBI single to right-center (Shayla Warak to pinch run for the designated player), bringing Wolf home from first base
  • With Hailey Cota next up, the center fielder reached on an error, advancing Warak to third before a sacrifice fly from Jones brought Warak home to take the lead and the game

NORTHERN STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
Dessa Bryant: 2-3, 2 hits, 1 RBI, 2 doubles, 3 assists
Tevan Bryant: 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 double
Madi Jones: 0-1, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 putout
Mckenzie Wanner: 7.0 IP, 1 K, 2 runs allowed, 2 assists

GAME TWO: WAYNE STATE COLLEGE 6, NORTHERN STATE 0

  • NSU tallied three hits, one double, 21 putouts, six assists and two strikeouts from the rubber in their 6-0 loss to WSC
  • The Wolves struggled early, giving up two walks, two hits and a run through the first four batters of the game
  • After an early pitching change, Northern State gave up three more runs in the inning before retiring Rochholz on a lineout to Dessa Bryant
  • After a three-up, three-down inning in the first, NSU collected its first of three hits in the second inning off a leadoff Tevan Bryant single to right-center, but wouldn’t be able to take advantage of the leadoff single and ended the inning through the next three batters
  • With Coleman on first off a single to left, Kennadi Borngrebe sent a rocket over the fence in left-center to give the Wildcats a 6-0 advantage
  • Though the Wolves recorded a hit in the sixth and one in the seventh, they would be unable to overcome the 6-0 deficit to fall in the second game

NORTHERN STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
Kinsley Stover: 1-2, 1 putout
Tevan Bryant: 1-3,
Hailey Cota: 1-3, 1 double, 4 putouts
Tess Miller: 7.0 IP, 2 strikeouts, 2 hits allowed, 4 runs allowed

UP NEXT
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Concordance – Scan your toolchain to score SDLC, map compliance, and gate risk


Concordance delivers SDLC intelligence to observe, govern, and improve engineering. It connects to GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Jira, and Linear with read-only OAuth and scans commits, PRs, branches, workflows, and issues to score 50 protocols across requirements, design, development, testing, release, and operations.

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Japan’s Fukushima Site Now Transforms into Dark Tourism Destination, Attracting Global Travelers

Read full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/japans-fukushima-site-now-transforms-into-dark-tourism-destination-attracting-global-travelers/

Japan’s Fukushima Site Now Transforms into Dark Tourism Destination, Attracting Global TravelersFifteen years after Japan’s Fukushima nuclear disaster, the wrecked...

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China Southern Airlines Strengthens Fleet with 21 Billion Order of 137 Airbus Jets, Boosting China’s Aviation Growth

Read full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/china-southern-airlines-strengthens-fleet-with-21-billion-order-of-137-airbus-jets-boosting-chinas-aviation-growth/

China Southern Airlines Strengthens Fleet with 21 Billion Order of 137 Airbus Jets, Boosting China’s Aviation GrowthChina Southern Airlines places...

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Source: Travel And Tour World

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I’ve never seen iPhone users waiting for software updates like Samsung: Opinion

When we talk about mobile software updates, three names come into mind – Apple and Samsung. Why is that? Apple is consistent with iPhone software development and rollout, two metrics that Samsung follows but cannot achieve. However, the scale of deployment matters, which is why Samsung comes second.

Let me help you understand the scenario and the reason you are here.

Apple

Apple has a systematic channel for software update development and release. The chain starts at its developer conference – WWDC, where all of the new software features are announced. Simultaneously, it releases a developer beta to all eligible devices so that they can participate. The same goes for the public beta campaign; all eligible iPhones can enter without restrictions on the number of models.

After months of testing, Apple releases the new iOS software update soon after the release of the latest iPhones. Users have become familiar with this pattern for years. They know what’s heading their way and when. Importantly, Apple keeps this process consistent.

The same goes for Pixel phones: Google releases updates for all Pixels at once, and the rollout is the same. Unlike Apple, Google changes its release date based on the development of the software. It means it has to cope with the Android ecosystem partners and ensure that their experience doesn’t lag.

On the positive side, Google keeps everyone posted about the development roadmap to the final release date.

What’s important?

It’s about approach; Apple has an unmatched consistency, everything is transparent and familiar to the users. The same goes for Pixel phone users.

What about Samsung?

Samsung used to act like a leader in this segment, but not anymore. The company had an annual developer conference, but that is no longer the case. It now announces a beta program with three models, prioritizes new software for new launches, and delays the rollout for old devices.

Unlike Apple and Google, Samsung publishes no prior information about its software development roadmap, shares no estimated launch date, or anything else regarding the final rollout. So, basically, existing Galaxy device owners don’t know when they will receive the next update because there’s no pattern in software development or the rollout.

I’ve also seen many people taking sides with Samsung on this matter, saying it launches more devices in the market at once. So, it can’t release the firmware update for all devices. Let’s agree to this for once, but why can’t it be transparent, share a development roadmap, and the final release date? What’s the loss in sharing a timeline and abiding by it?

That goes for a more consumer-friendly answer, but here’s a more befitting fact. Apple allows all eligible iPhones to test the latest iOS software update. For those who don’t know, Apple sells almost an identical number of iPhones as combined Galaxy devices each quarter. And, Samsung cannot even open the beta program for all S-series at once.

In the Apple ecosystem, users don’t wait for an update, protest about that in online forums, or wait endlessly. The iPhone maker gives them the after-sales service they deserve. Meanwhile, Samsung has become the opposite; you buy an expensive Ultra model, get a new pre-installed software, next year, you have to protest to get new features from the newest Ultra model, and keep on wondering about the final release.

One UI 8.5

The latest update has become a topic of discussion, but due to a lack of transparency. Users first protested against Samsung’s denial of the latest AI features to the previous flagship. Once confirmed, they are now waiting for the final release.

Basically, the beta program opened in December 2025, and the test continues through April 2026. In between, Samsung launched the Galaxy S26 series as the first phone with One UI 8.5. And, the beta is still open as of early May 3rd.

Galaxy smartphone users don’t know when this update will drop on their devices; there’s no announcement in this regard.

Conclusion

Yes, you may have a different opinion on this, but when it comes to consumer satisfaction, transparency plays lead role. This element is completely lacking in Samsung’s software ecosystem. Consumers want the best after-sales services, and they should get them because that’s what they’re paying for. Unfortunately, Samsung is taking consumers for granted just by offering them flashy hardware upgrades with new models and overlooking the after-sales service.

The post I’ve never seen iPhone users waiting for software updates like Samsung: Opinion appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Weekly poll: Would you buy the Oppo Find X9 Ultra? What about the Oppo Find X9s?

vivo set the benchmark with the X300 Ultra – a €2,000 camera flagship – while the Xiaomi 17 Ultra has a “modest” €1,500 price. Now the Oppo Find X9 Ultra looks to topple the competition with an in-between price tag of €1,700. The phone certainly impressed in our review, though the outcome of the vivo vs. Oppo Ultra final battle is yet to be decided. We also went hands-on with the Hasselblad Earth Explorer Kit for the Oppo Find X9 Ultra. This kit contains a 300mm add-on lens, an adapter for 67mm filters and a lens collar with a tripod mount. Oppo Find X9 Ultra If you think that the...

Terence Crawford sums up David Benavidez’s performance after devastating Ramirez KO

Terence Crawford was as impressed as any following David Benavidez’s historic win over Gilberto Ramirez. Benavidez blasted through Ramirez in Las Vegas to become a three-weight world champion. Despite putting on over 20lbs since his last outing, the 29-year-old superstar managed to keep his blistering hand speed and looked as powerful as ever. It was […]

The post Terence Crawford sums up David Benavidez’s performance after devastating Ramirez KO appeared first on Boxing News.

David Benavidez makes it clear who he wants next after stunning Ramirez KO: “Nobody can beat me”

David Benavidez delivered a truly star-making performance in Las Vegas, becoming the first man to stop Gilberto Ramirez and a three-weight world champion in the process. The jump from light-heavyweight to cruiserweight is a big one, but ‘El Monstro’ managed to keep his blistering hand speed and punishing pressure when making it. Ramirez fought bravely, […]

The post David Benavidez makes it clear who he wants next after stunning Ramirez KO: “Nobody can beat me” appeared first on Boxing News.

Portekiz Ligi'nin en iyisi: Şampiyon Porto

Portekiz 1. Futbol Ligi'nde Porto, konuk ettiği Alverca'yı 1-0 yenerek şampiyonluğunu ilan etti.

Ligin 32. haftasında Porto, konuk ettiği Alverca'yı 1-0 yenerek 31. kez şampiyonluğa ulaştı.

Jan Bednarek'in 40. dakikada attığı golle Porto, maçı 1-0 kazandı.

Porto, bu galibiyetle ligde en yakın takipçisi olan ve teknik direktörlüğünü Jose Mourinho'nun yaptığı Benfica'nın önünde şampiyonluğa ulaştı.

Ligde ikinci sırada bulunan Benfica ise deplasmanda Famalicao ile 2-2 berabere kaldı.

Bu sonuçlarla ligde son iki hafta öncesinde Porto, 85 puana yükselirken Benfica ise 76 puana sahip durumda. Bir maçı eksik Sporting'in ise 73 puanı bulunuyor.

Kenan Karaman attı: Schalke Bundesliga'ya yükseldi

Bundesliga 2'nin 32. haftasında Schalke 04, evinde Fortuna Düsseldorf'u 1-0 mağlup etti. Milli futbolcu Kenan Karaman'ın attığı golle Schalke 04, Bundesliga'ya yükseldi.

Bundesliga 2'nin 32. haftasında Schalke 04, konuk ettiği Fortuna Düsseldorf'u Kenan Karaman'ın 15. dakikadaki golüyle 1-0 mağlup etti ve ligin bitimine 2 hafta kala Bundesliga'ya yükselen ilk ekip oldu.

Almanya’nın Gelsenkirchen kentindeki Veltins-Arena'daki karşılaşmanın ardından Schalke 04 oyuncuları sevinç yaşadı. Schalke 04, üç sezon aranın ardından Bundesliga'ya döndü.

Zamiq Əliyev “Dinamo”ya qarşı 72 dəqiqə oynadı

Futbol üzrə Azərbaycan millisinin müdafiəçisi Zamiq Əliyev Albaniyanın “Eqnatiya” komandasının heyətində növbəti matçına çıxıb.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komanda Albaniya çempionatının 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 34-cü turu çərçivəsində Tirana “Dinamo”su ilə qarşılaşıb.

“Eqnatiya” səfərdə baş tutmuş bu oyundan məğlubiyyətlə ayrılıb – 0:2. Əliyev görüşə start heyətdə başlasa da, 72-ci dəqiqədə əvəzlənib.

Ardıcıl 4-cü məğlubiyyətini almış “Eqnatiya” 34 turdan sonra 54 xalla 10 komandanın mübarizə apardığı Albaniya çempionatının yarış cədvəlində 3-cü pillədə qərarlaşıb. Sözügedən komanda 34 oyunda 15 qələbə qazanıb, 9 heç-heçə edib, 10 məğlubiyyətə üzülüb.

Xatırladaq ki, Zamiq Əliyev Albaniya klubuna 2024-cü ilin yayında “Araz-Naxçıvan”dan azad agent kimi keçib. Müdafiəçi “Eqnatiya” ilə 3 illik müqaviləyə imza atıb. 25 yaşlı futbolçu indiyə qədər bu komandanın heyətində 70 oyuna çıxıb, 1 qola imza atıb. Əliyev “Eqnatiya” ilə ötən mövsüm Albaniya çempionu olub.

Əliyev daha öncə “Qarabağ”da və “Kəpəz”də də oynayıb. Azərbaycanın U-17, U-19 və U-21 yığmalarında forma geyinmiş müdafiəçi 2024-cü ilin noyabr ayında əsas millimizdə də debüt edib və hələlik 2 oyun keçirib.

Premyer Liqa: “Şamaxı” “Sabah”a, “Zirə” “Qəbələ”yə qarşı

Bu gün futbol üzrə Azərbaycan çempionatında (Premyer Liqa) 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 30-cu turunun növbəti oyunları keçiriləcək.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, ikinci oyun günündə də iki qarşılaşma baş tutacaq.

“Şamaxı” lider “Sabah”ı qəbul edəcək. Artıq tarixində ilk çempionluğu təmin etmiş paytaxt təmsilçisinin səfər oyununa saat 16:00-da start veriləcək. Qarşılaşmanı Kamal Umudlu idarə edəcək.

Günün digər oyunu “Zirə” ilə “Qəbələ” arasında keçiriləcək. Oyunun baş hakimi Elçin Məsiyev olacaq. Zirə İdman Kompleksinin stadionunda baş tutacaq görüşün start fiti saat 18:30-da səslənəcək.

Premyer Liqa
30-cu tur
2 may

“Kəpəz” – “Sumqayıt” 2:1
Qollar: Rauf Hüseynli, 86-pen; 89-pen – Yusif İmanov, 64-öz qapısına.
Hakimlər: Əli Əliyev, Akif Əmirəli, Müslüm Əliyev, Namiq Bəkirov.
VAR: Elvin Bayramov.
AVAR: Kamran Bayramov.
Yevlax şəhər stadionu, 16:00.

“Araz-Naxçıvan” – “İmişli” 0:1
Qol: Dioqo Kardozo, 18.
Hakimlər: Vüqar Həsənli, Elşad Abdullayev, Zöhrab Abbasov, Emin Əliyev.
VAR: Fərid Hacıyev.
AVAR: Rəhman İmami.
“Sumqayıt Arena”, 18:30.

3 may

“Şamaxı” – “Sabah”
Hakimlər: Kamal Umudlu, Vüsal Məmmədov, Tərlan Talıbzadə, Kamran Əliyev.
VAR: İnqilab Məmmədov.
AVAR: Şirmamed Mamedov.
Şamaxı şəhər stadionu, 16:00.

“Zirə” – “Qəbələ”
Hakimlər: Elçin Məsiyev, Pərvin Talıbov, Teymur Teymurov, Əkbər Əhmədov.
VAR: Rəvan Həmzəzadə.
AVAR: Cəmil Quliyev.
Zirə İdman Kompleksinin stadionu, 18:30.

4 may

“Qarabağ” – “Turan Tovuz”
Hakimlər: Rəşad Əhmədov, Namiq Hüseynov, Rahil Ramazanov, Vüqar Həsənli.
VAR: Tural Qurbanov.
AVAR: Asiman Əzizli.
Tofiq Bəhramov adına Respublika stadionu, 19:30.

5 may

“Karvan” – “Neftçi”
Hakimlər: Rauf Cabbarov, Kamran Bayramov, Kərim Zeynalov, Ruslan Quliyev.
VAR: Kamranbəy Rəhimov.
AVAR: Zeynal Zeynalov.
Yevlax şəhər stadionu, 16:00.

Sources: Chelsea & Man United in the race to sign “big stage player” who impressed against Arsenal

Maximiliano Araújo is attracting attention from some of the top clubs in the world ahead of the 2026 summer transfer window.

The 26-year-old Uruguayan, who joined Sporting from Mexican side Toluca in 2024, has developed into one of the most dependable and versatile players in Portugal.

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His ability to operate both as a traditional left-back and an advanced wing-back has made him an increasingly valuable asset in modern football, sources close to the agents industry have informed CaughtOffside.

Both Manchester United and Chelsea are showing interest in signing the attacking full-back this summer.

With the game evolving toward full-backs who can contribute heavily in attack as well as defense, Araújo fits the profile of a player capable of making an immediate impact in one of Europe’s top leagues.

The defender has made 36 appearances for the Portuguese club in all competitions this season.

Araújo has shown consistency and versatility

During the 2025-26 campaign, Araújo has been a central figure in Sporting’s tactical system.

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Whether pushing forward to create width or dropping back to defend against elite attackers.

Several standout displays, including energetic showings in Champions League fixtures, such as the high-intensity clash against Arsenal, have strengthened his reputation as a “big stage player”.

Statistically, Araújo has also impressed. For a player operating primarily in defensive areas, his contributions in terms of assists and attacking involvement have been notable.

His pace down the flank, ability to beat defenders in one-on-one situations, and precise delivery into the box have made him one of Sporting’s most dangerous wide outlets.

Sporting, however, are not in a rush to sell. The club have made it clear that they would prefer to keep Araújo for at least another season, especially given his importance to their tactical structure.

His contract runs until 2029, and it includes a substantial €80 million release clause, designed to protect the club’s position during negotiations.

That said, Sporting’s transfer model has historically involved selling players at the right time for significant profit. Reports from Portuguese media suggest that offers in the region of €40–50 million could tempt the club into serious discussions, particularly if multiple clubs enter the bidding process.

Chelsea and Man United are showing interest

Interest from the Premier League appears to be strongest. Man United have tracked Araújo for several months, viewing him as a potential solution to recurring issues at left-back.

Injuries and inconsistency in that position have forced United to explore versatile alternatives, and Araújo’s ability to contribute both defensively and offensively makes him an appealing option.

Chelsea are also believed to admire the Uruguayan, seeing him as a flexible addition who could compete with, or provide cover for, existing options on the left side.

Among Sporting supporters, Araújo has earned a reputation as a tireless performer, often described in Portuguese media as a “flying wing” due to his relentless energy.

Yet there is also an understanding that a major offer could be difficult to refuse, particularly if it aligns with the club’s financial strategy.

Man United lead Arsenal in the race for €50m-rated midfield general

The post Sources: Chelsea & Man United in the race to sign “big stage player” who impressed against Arsenal appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Despite blowing 3-1 lead after standout regular season, the Celtics remain unfazed: 'We stick to the process'

BOSTON — As a crowd of Philadelphia faithful gathered in a corner of TD Garden, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey emerged from the tunnel to celebrate with their fans following a stunning comeback from a 3-1 deficit to eliminate the favored Celtics.

“We want Boston,” Philly fans chanted.

The phrase became a battle cry for both fanbases. Philadelphians chanted it when their team captured the Eastern Conference’s seventh seed, earning the chance to play the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs. Bostonians responded when their C’s jumped out to an early lead in the series. But the City of Brotherly Love got the last laugh, chanting it in an arena that had emptied out after a 109-100 Celtics loss in Game 7.

Meanwhile, in Boston’s locker room, the Celtics could have hung their heads low. On 32 previous occasions the franchise had taken a 3-1 lead in a best-of-seven set, and 32 times the Celtics had won. Not this time. But they took the defeat in solemn stride.

“Great season,” said Boston’s Jaylen Brown. “Obviously, it didn’t finish the way we would’ve liked. I give credit to Philadelphia. I watched them get better as the series went on. But just for our guys to come out in a Game 7 and play with that level of intensity and trust, that’s the style we felt like we’ve been doing all year, and I loved it.”

After all, they discovered an hour before Game 7 that Jayson Tatum would not play. He was ruled out with left knee stiffness. It was the first game he missed due to injury since his own miraculous comeback from a ruptured right Achilles tendon last May.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla employed a starting lineup he had not played all season, resting Boston’s chances on Brown, Derrick White, Baylor Scheierman, Luka Garza and Ron Harper Jr. It did not go well, as the Sixers jumped out to a 30-15 advantage through the game’s first 10 minutes. What had worked for the Celtics in the regular season — getting contributions from all across the roster — failed them on the playoff stage.

“We had faith in everyone that played tonight,” said Celtics guard Payton Pritchard. “That’s how it’s been all year. Guys stepped up and did their job. We had an unbelievable regular season, and we had a great three out of the first four games of this series. It’s something to learn and to grow from. We can get better from here.”

Boston Celtics' Derrick White crouches on the floor in the final minute of the game. The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics after the Game 7 in a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Saturday, May 2, 2026 in Boston. (AP Photo/Jim Davis)
It was a tough night for Derrick White and the Celtics.
ASSOCIATED PRESS

In the end, Mazzulla could only trust Brown, White, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser and Neemias Queta — his starting lineup for much of a season in Tatum’s absence. They stormed back from an 18-point, third-quarter deficit, trimming it to 99-98 in the final minutes. Three times they had a chance to take the lead (two open 3-pointers and a clean 13-foot Jaylen Brown jumper), and each time a go-ahead attempt rimmed out.

“In the fourth quarter we had some great looks I wish would’ve went down,” said Brown, “but nothing to hang my head over. Nothing for us to hang our head over.”

Much will be made of the way the Celtics lost, shooting below 30% from 3-point range in three consecutive playoff games for the first time in the Tatum-Brown era. But in order to be successful this season this was the way they had to play — jacking up 3s, relying on a collective effort to overcome their talent deficit — following the offseason exodus of Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porziņģis, Al Horford and Luke Kornet.

“Love the process that we had,” said Mazzulla. “Hate the result.”

What Tatum’s return to the shelf laid bare: The Celtics were operating at a talent deficit, even against the seventh seed, which added Joel Embiid midway through the series to a team that already boasted Tyrese Maxey, Paul George and VJ Edgecombe.

The Celtics had no answer for Embiid following his return from an appendicitis, and that will be their No. 1 offseason concern. The collection of Queta, Garza and Nikola Vučević, who was benched for the final game of the series, may have been enough to win 56 games in the regular season, but it was no match against a one-time MVP.

“What changed in the series was Joel Embiid came back,” said Mazzulla, the fourth-year coach. “It’s a completely different team, and that’s what changed in the series.”

There will be questions about the partnership between Tatum and Brown, though there should be none. They could easily make the argument that they have not lost with a healthy Tatum and Brown since the 2022 NBA Finals. Tatum injured his ankle in Game 7 of a 2023 Eastern Conference finals loss to the Miami Heat. He tore his Achilles in Game 5 of last year’s second-round loss to the New York Knicks, and a left knee injury kept him from Game 7 of this series. They won a title together in 2024.

“There’s a duality to everything,” said Mazzulla. “The year we won I felt just as empty as I did when we lost. The duality of going after something bigger than yourself with a group of people, there’s two sides to every coin. When you go after greatness, you have to accept the other side of that. Too many times it’s all about winning, winning, winning, but you have to surrender to the idea that when you’re going after that, you’re going to fail, and we failed by not winning, but we stick to the process.”

White and Pritchard are both under contract for the 2026-27 season, too. The Celtics could use another guard to reinforce their backcourt depth, but the foundation of a contender remains, especially if they can shore up the center position. This team will be back atop the East next year with Tatum and Brown if they play their cards right.

“Just because you didn’t win a championship one year doesn’t mean it didn’t build for the next championship,” said Pritchard.

But that doesn’t mean this loss will sting any less all summer. Those “We want Boston” chants may reverberate in TD Garden until the Celtics address their shortcomings.

Highlights! Benavidez Obliterates Zurdo To Become Cruiserweight Champion

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 02: Referee Thomas Taylor sends David Benavidez to a neutral corner after Benavidez knocked down WBA/WBO cruiserweight champion Gilberto Ramirez in the sixth round of a title fight at T-Mobile Arena on May 02, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Benavidez took the title with a sixth-round TKO. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez and David Benavidez went to war last night (Sat., May 2, 2026) inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Nevada in a WBA and WBO Cruiserweight title fight to put a bow on a busy day of combat sports across boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA) across the globe.

Benavidez was coming in as the challenger, but he dominated the headlines and the spotlight during fight week over the champion, and was even coming in the favorite. And it didn’t take long for him to prove why.

From the jump, Benavidez went right at Zurdo and never backed down an inch. “The Mexican Monster” was the the slightly smaller fighter, but he proved to be the faster one, as he won the striking exchanges early and often. Despite putting on weight, Benavidez unloaded one speedy combination after another and never broke stride.

In round four, the barrage of strikes started to take a toll on Zurdo, who had to take a knee in the closing seconds of the round, which was only his second knock down of his career. A couple of rounds later, Benavidez started to attack the right eye of Zurdo, which was closing fast, as well as his busted nose. In an wild exchange, Benavidez tagged the champion with a solid punch on the damaged eye that forced him to take another knee.

This time, however, Zurdo was unable to answer the count, giving Benavidez the knockout victory and the titles.

Check out some of the highlights:

Gilberto Ramírez marches to the ring 🥊

🎟️ Buy BENAVIDEZ VS ZURDO HERE –> https://t.co/FoiaUucafv#BenavidezZurdo | Live NOW on DAZN pic.twitter.com/yrrMi3vzGT

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 3, 2026

Benavidez just threw the NASTIEST combo ever 🔥

🎟️ Buy BENAVIDEZ VS ZURDO HERE –> https://t.co/FoiaUucafv#BenavidezZurdo | Live NOW on DAZN pic.twitter.com/whC7K8AgCc

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 3, 2026

OMG‼️

🎟️ Buy BENAVIDEZ VS ZURDO HERE –> https://t.co/FoiaUucafv#BenavidezZurdo | Live NOW on DAZN pic.twitter.com/lT03lGEXzI

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 3, 2026

DOWN GOES ZURDO!!! 😱

🎟️ Buy BENAVIDEZ VS ZURDO HERE –> https://t.co/FoiaUucafv#BenavidezZurdo | Live NOW on DAZN pic.twitter.com/JWQTNea5H2

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 3, 2026

David Benavidez is HIM 🤯 pic.twitter.com/rTGnGRPTRPhttps://t.co/sTxql2271p

— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) May 3, 2026

HISTORY 👑#BenavidezZurdopic.twitter.com/fBUisdy3xs

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 3, 2026

David Benavidez calls out Canelo‼️#BenavidezZurdopic.twitter.com/Dgxn7V5aJQ

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 3, 2026

With the win, Benavidez (32-0) is now a three-division champion, winning straps at 168, 175 and now 200 pounds. After his win, “The Mexican Monster” once again called for a fight against Canelo Alvarez — who was in attendance —at 175 pounds. For now, Canelo is set to face Christian Mbilli later this year for the WBC Super Middleweight title, while Benavidez admitted Dmitry Bivol is next on his hit lost.

If none of those bouts come to pass, Benavidez could be eyeing a title unification bout against current The Ring and Zuffa Cruiserweight title holder, Jai Opetaia, who called for the winner of the fight.


For more boxing news and notes click here.

Emerson Hancock brilliant, but mistakes undo Mariners in extra-innings loss

This is also the face I made watching the Mariners offense tonight
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MAY 02: Emerson Hancock #26 of the Seattle Mariners reacts after getting a strike out against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on May 02, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Olivia Vanni/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Randy Johnson is the first Mariners pitcher I remember watching. Somewhere there is a picture of a mulleted Randy taken by me with a hot pink camera in the Kingdome at a Kid’s Day. It’s blurry, and his head is partially cropped off, seven-year-old me tilting up the camera at the towering figure above me. That’s what it felt like watching him pitch: larger than life, scary, and a little bit thrilling.

Emerson Hancock, while very tall in his own right, does not spark the same fear, with his kind smile and soft Georgia accent. I have seen many versions of Emerson Hancock over the years: the college acee whose career and trip to Omaha was cut short; a young pitcher surrounded by other young pitching that leapfrogged him on his journey to the bigs; a beaten but not defeated Hancock searching for answers after a bad start, and another, and another; and tonight, what should have been a triumphant Hancock coming off a career-best start of 14 strikeouts against not walks, but was instead a chastened Hancock forced to explain away his teammates’ mistakes in a crushing 3-2 extra-innings loss.

Randy Johnson was famous for telling his offensively anemic Mariners teammates “just get me one run tonight, boys, that’s all we need.” Hancock would need just a little more than that. He wouldn’t get it.

The Mariners did oblige The RJ Doctrine in the first. Julio Rodríguez continued his torrid stretch with a one-out double that missed being a home run by about a foot, tagging a 90-mph fastball on the opposite corner of the plate. Josh Naylor followed him up with a classic Naylor single, the high fastball away that he punched into center field for a run. Unfortunately, Randy Arozarena capped the scoring there by unluckily lining into a double play, so the Mariners really did just get the one run, boys. That would prove to be significant, later, in a chain of events that undid this game from what should have been a thrilling win into a loss.

The Royals got their own run in the third through some bad luck for Emerson Hancock. Nine-hole hitter Kyle Isbel got a hold of a cutter at the bottom of the zone and laced it just past a diving Josh Naylor. Maikel Garcia then threw his bat at a first-pitch sweeper on the outer edge of the zone and blooped it into left field to bring home Isbel. Hancock rebounded even with one out, getting Bobby Witt Jr. to pop out on the sweeper (assisted by a strong throw from Luke Raley to hold the runner at second) and ending the inning on a strikeout looking to Vinnie Pasquantino, a perfectly spotted four-seamer at 97.4 mph.

Emerson Hancock, 97mph Paint. 🖌️🎨 pic.twitter.com/y9EPT9bx6W

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 3, 2026

The Mariners were able to get a go-ahead run in the fifth but it came…weirdly. With one out, the Mariners loaded the bases on back-to-back-to-back singles from Leo Rivas, J.P. Crawford, and Julio Rodríguez; Rivas then scored on a wild pitch by Royals starter Seth Lugo, the reigning Royals organizational Pitcher of the Month. Josh Naylor then struck out for the second out, but Randy Arozarena walked to re-load the bases…and then was picked off to end the inning, having lost track of the count. Manager Dan Wilson was gracious about the mental mistake postgame, saying there are times where he’s forgotten the count, or rolled the ball back with runners on, but once again, a scoring chance would be squandered, and eventually, the Mariners would run out of chances.

That sent Hancock out to protect the precious one-run lead once again. It looked like he might be done after the sixth, having to work around a leadoff ground-ball single from Bobby Witt Jr. followed by a line drive base hit from Vinnie Pasquantino. With Hancock’s velocity trending downwards and some location misses with sinkers leaking onto the plate, things felt dangerous. But Hancock spun a bunch of sweepers at Salvador Perez to get him to strike out, retired Carter Jensen on a frankly scary flyout, and then got Jac Caglianone to tap a comebacker right at him to end the inning without trouble.

Then, a surprise: Dan Wilson sent Hancock back out for a seventh inning of work, and Hancock dug down for what he had left, collecting two more strikeouts from the bottom of the order and getting Kyle Isbel to pop out softly to put a cap on his night. It was a brilliant, beautiful performance from Hancock that deserved so much better than this loss. It deserves a full recap devoted to the particular journey Hancock has taken this season, tunneling himself out of the fear and doubt and ineffectiveness of his first few seasons, bad outings and worse ones, and the perseverance he’s shown in making himself into not just a big-league starter, but the current anchor of this rotation.

If you want to just watch this highlight and stop reading, go ahead. I won’t fault you.

But once again, the bullpen wasn’t able to protect that slender lead, and the offense wasn’t able to add on. To be clear, Eduard Bazardo is blameless in this; he worked a clean eighth inning with some help from a diving Randy Arozarena. But Andrés Muñoz had the ninth and things started off roughly, with perpetual Mariner-killer Salvador Perez lining a leadoff single into right field and then pinch-runner Lane Thomas getting to second on a called balk. “DAN DO SOMETHING!” hollered one aggrieved fan in front of me in the press box and honestly, yes, I would also have liked for Dan to fix it somehow. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do. Muñoz struck out Carter Jensen on a slider, but then Jac Caglianone ambushed a first-pitch heater for an RBI single – and then advanced to third on a fielding error by the normally surehanded Julio Rodríguez, who just sort of…let the ball roll past him. A swinging bunt from Isaac Collins advanced the runner to third, bringing up Michael Massey, who popped out to end the inning and make Julio’s error academic, but it felt like another missed stitch in the ugly afghan that was this game. May seems a little late to be making these kinds of mistakes, and so many of them.

The Royals brought out the anciént one (Matt Strahm) again for the ninth, causing Wilson to dip into his bench and summon Rob Refsnyder to pinch-hit for Canzone after Cole Young flew out softly for the first out of the inning. But righty pinch-hitters Refsnyder and Connor Joe couldn’t get anything cooking, and the game went to extras.

Cooper Criswell was tasked with handling the tenth and immediately had a base stolen off him, but was able to strike out Kyle Isbel for the first out of the inning, so it was basically like the sac bunt worked. That turned the lineup over, though, and Maikel Garcia was able to get that runner home with a shallow sac fly. Criswell was able to retire Bobby Witt Jr., but the Mariners – who hadn’t scored on a hit since the first inning of the game, remember – now entered with the bottom of their lineup to try to score off Royals closer Lucas Erceg.

They did not. It’s not important how. In lieu of dwelling on this annoying, frustrating, frankly godawful loss, let’s return to Emerson Hancock. While images of Randy Johnson snarling and strutting filled the giant screen behind him, Hancock warmed up as he always does, keeping an even tempo. The old baseball rule is you don’t talk to pitchers on their start days; most of the Mariners starters don’t follow that, but definitely not Hancock, who greets every member of the media as he does every day, with a soft hello-how-are-ya. Pregame, he was hanging on the batting turtle with Kevin Seitzer, maybe talking about the Braves, who come into town next, cheering a Dominic Canzone homer that scraped the upper deck. Hancock admitted he was a little starstruck by the baseball luminaries – Nolan Ryan and Pedro Martinez among them – whose voices filled the stadium before his start, but stopped short of saying he felt pressure to bring something of their greatness into his game, despite his career-best performance.

“You go out there and you try to be someone you’re not, you try to do something you don’t usually do, you can run into a trap,” said Hancock.

Not intent to dominate but intent to compete. Not a 99 mph fastball but one that ticks down to 93 at times and he lets it. Not an untouchable, harrowing presence, but a warm one that reflects the Georgia sun and open farmlands. Not a snarl but a smile. Emerson Hancock has always done it his way, and tonight he did it better than he ever has. In a frustrating game, that’s worth holding on to – the lesson that you don’t have to borrow anyone else’s persona to be great. Stick to who you are, be who you are, and you can find your own way to it, no matter how long it takes.

Mike Perry wants Jake Paul in an MMA fight

Former UFC fighter and Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship's "King of Violence" Mike Perry lost to Jake Paul in a boxing match in July 2024. "Platinum" wants a rematch but under mixed martial arts rules.

"I think things come full circle all the time. I've continued to work hard before getting the Jake Paul fight. Working hard got me the Jake Paul fight. I worked hard for the Jake Paul fight and I had some setbacks. I continued to work hard, got back in the winner's circle, performed again, and now we're here fighting on MVP again," Petty told TMZ Sports.

Perry returns to MMA on May 16 against the creator of the UFC 'BMF' title, Nate Diaz. The two clash on the Most Valuable Promotions and Netflix promoted Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano fight card. It's been five years since Perry fought under MMA rules. With a win, he'll be eyeing a Paul rematch.

"Jake has mentioned that he'd be interested in fighting Nate (in MMA) if Nate was able to be successful, but, you know, so I'm looking to go out May 16th, give it everything I've got, dominate and see if Jake goes running scared or if he wants to fight an MMA fight. Let's do it," said Perry.

David Benavidez demolishes Zurdo Ramirez, calls out Canelo Alvarez

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 02: David Benavidez (L) punches WBA/WBO cruiserweight champion Gilberto Ramirez during a title fight at T-Mobile Arena on May 02, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Benavidez took the titles with a sixth-round TKO. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images) | Getty Images

David Benavidez may be the new face of Mexican boxing.

On Saturday night, Benavidez (32-0) faced off against Gilberto “Zurdo” Rodriguez (48-2) for his unified WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles. It was Benavidez’s first fight up at cruiserweight, and of extra significance as the headliner for Cinco de Mayo fight weekend, and “The Mexican Monster” made the most of the big moment, demolishing Zurdo en route to a sixth-round knockout.

Benavidez weighed in well under the 200-pound cruiserweight limit for this fight, and looked noticeably smaller than Zurdo to start the bout, but that ended up mattering little once the bell rang. Ramirez simply had no answer for the blistering hand speed of Benavidez, who, on several occasions, hit Zurdo with eight or more lightning-fast punches in combination. Benavidez’s power also carried up to cruiserweight, as he stunned Zurdo on several occasions.

Things looked like they might be over in the fourth round, when Benavidez hammered Ramirez with heavy shots, forcing the champion to take a knee with just seconds left in the round. Zurdo beat the count and proved his championship mettle, slugging it out with Benavidez in the fifth and holding his own. That was just a short reprieve, though, as in the sixth, Benavidez continued to chop away, and near the end of the round, another lightning combination, plus some heavy hooks, appeared to damage Zurdo’s already busted right eye, causing it to swell significantly. Zurdo took a knee, and when the ref approached, shook him off, giving Benavidez the win.

Ramirez went to the hospital immediately after the bout.

Benavidez, meanwhile, celebrated his big win by once again calling for a fight that has long eluded him: Canelo Alvarez. For years, Benavidez has chased a fight with Canelo, the longtime face of Mexican boxing, but it never came to fruition. Alvarez was ringside for the action on Saturday, supporting his friend Jaime Munguia, who won in the co-main event, and Benavidez took the opportunity to try once more for the fight fans have wanted for a long time.

“I just want to give the fans what they want to see,” Benavidez said during his post-fight interview. “I’ve seen Canelo in the building. Let me just ask the fans this: Do you guys want to see Canelo vs. David Benavidez? [Crowd roars approval] Enough said. We can’t leave that fight on the table. I have respect for Canelo, who is a great champion, but I’m a great champion, too. Let’s do it! …

“I’m still champion at 175. I’m champion at 200 and 175. So, if they want to come get it at 175, let’s get it at 175!”

Check out the full results for Benavidez vs. Zurdo below.

David Benavidez def. Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez via KO — 2:59, Round 6

Jaime Munguia def. Armando Resendiz via unanimous decision (117-111, 119-109, 120-108)

Oscar Duarte def. Angel Fierro via split decision (115-113, 112-116, 116-112)

Tito Sanchez def. Jorge Chavez via TKO — 2:30, Round 10

Ismael Flores def. Isaac Lucero via unanimous decision (98-92, 98-92, 99-91)

Daniel Blancas def. Raul Soloman via unanimous decision (99-91, 99-1, 100-90)

Dylan Capetillo def. James Pierce via unanimous decision (39-37 x3)

Juan Carrillo def. Marlon Delgado via KO (body shot) — 2:59, Round 4.

In a controversial finish! Cruz Azul go ahead of Atlas in Liguilla

In a controversial finish! Cruz Azul go ahead of Atlas in Liguilla
In a controversial finish! Cruz Azul go ahead of Atlas in Liguilla

Cruz Azul took a crucial lead in the Clausura 2026 quarter-finals by defeating Atlas 3-2 after a controversial and thrilling match at Estadio Jalisco.


La Máquina, who finished the regular season in third place, showed their attacking class in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last moment.

The star of the night was Nigerian forward Christian Ebere, who bagged a vital brace for Cruz Azul’s hopes.

After a tight first half that ended with the visitors holding a slim lead thanks to a goal from Rodolfo Rotondi, Ebere extended the advantage in the 55th minute. It looked like the Mexico City side would cruise comfortably, but Atlas pushed forward.

The "Zorros" leveled the score thanks to a goal by Arturo González and a penalty from Aldo Rocha. However, the tie did not last long, as VAR intervened to award another penalty, this time in favor of Cruz Azul. 

With this result, Atlas is forced to win by a two-goal margin in the second leg. 

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

World's strongest woman 'didn't like sport'

Andrea Thompson, wearing a black T-shirt with the word GIANTS printed on it in red, and wearing a black hoodie. She wears a red headscarf or bandana. There is a brick wall behind her. She is outside on a sunny day.
Andrea Thompson won the world's strongest woman title in November [Lauren Carter/BBC]

The world's strongest woman has explained how she discovered weightlifting when she decided to shed some pounds before a wedding.

Andrea Thompson, from Melton near Woodbridge in Suffolk, reclaimed the title in 2025 and holds records in Hummer tyre deadlift, elephant bar deadlift and log lift.

On Wednesday, the 43-year-old was on the judging panel at the UK Armed Forces strongest man and woman competition in Colchester.

She said it was "such an inspiration" to see younger women competing, whereas she had "never been great at sport" in her younger years.

She started getting fit for her sister's wedding more than a decade ago.

"I've never really been great at sport, mainly field events like javelin and shot put at school, but never really stuck to anything," she explained.

But she had her "stubbornness" to thank for her eventual success.

"I'm competing against women who are half my age. I've got two teenage girls so my life is very busy outside of the gym," she said.

A woman in a blue T-shirt smiling at the camera. There are crowds behind her out of focus.
Maj Lucia Phillips won the main female title at the contest [Lauren Carter/BBC]

About 50 personnel from the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and the Army were at Colchester's Merville Barracks for the competition final.

The first contest was held last year, and this was the first time it had been hosted in Essex.

Air specialist Connor Poole, of RAF Honington in Suffolk, was crowned the strongest man, while Maj Lucia Phillips, from the regional occupational health team, triumphed for the women.

Phillips, who is based at Catterick in North Yorkshire, said it was "great" to see so many people giving it a try.

"As women, strength training is so good for us all throughout our lives to keep us functionally moving, functionally mobile, functionally fit," she said.

Col Stu Allen is chairman of the competition, which he says trains the sort of physicality and mentality that troops need on the battlefield.

"I'm hugely proud, that for a new sport, we've trebled our participation over the last year," he said.

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Jaime Munguia restarts career with brutal dominance of Jose Resendiz to seize WBA title

Jaime Munguia enjoyed a career renaissance Saturday night in Las Vegas, looking world class with his unrelenting dominance of Jose Resendiz to capture the WBA super middleweight title on the David Benavidez vs. Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez undercard inside the T-Mobile Arena.

Since his lopsided 2024 defeat to Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, Munguia’s career had become a tabloid editor's dream but a promoter's nightmare. A rebound knockout win over Erik Bazinyan preceded a baffling sixth-round collapse against the unheralded Bruno Surace. Even when he rectified that loss in a May 2025 rematch, a positive test for exogenous testosterone cast a dark shadow over the former WBO super welterweight champion’s future. 

But on Saturday, it looked like Munguia (46-2, 35 KOs) was motivated not just to add another championship to his honors roll, but recapture the relevancy he once had.

Against Resendiz (16-3, 11 KOs), the favorite heading into the fight, he did just that.

Jaime Munguia is world champion once again 🏆 #BenavidezZurdopic.twitter.com/Bt8IOGt0MH

— Uncrowned (@uncrownedcombat) May 3, 2026

Resendiz, 27, had punched his way to the top by dismantling Caleb Plant in an upset last year, and walked to the ring on Cinco de Mayo weekend with the WBA’s blessing as their full super middleweight champion. He was the man with the momentum — and the belt — while Munguia had the problems.

But once the bell rang for this co-feature to the Benavidez-Ramirez cruiserweight showdown, the narratives quickly shifted.

Under the guidance of trainer Eddy Reynoso, Munguia fought with a newfound, spiteful discipline, as “Canelo” himself said mid-fight on the Prime Video pay-per-view broadcast.

“He did a great job in the gym and he learned a lot to [apply] that in the fight,” Alvarez said of his stablemate. 

“I always try to give advice but Eddy Reynoso is the one who taught him, and he’s done a good job.”

Canelo likes what he's seeing from Munguia so far 🥊

🎟️ Buy BENAVIDEZ VS ZURDO HERE --> https://t.co/FoiaUucafv#BenavidezZurdo | Live NOW on DAZN pic.twitter.com/yar4rzCgCx

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 3, 2026

A good job is an understatement.

Munguia, 29, looked physically imposing at the super middleweight limit, with hulking biceps and shoulders — like a light heavyweight despite weighing 167.4 pounds. He was only 0.4 pounds more than Resendiz on the scales, but visibly more on the night.

Resendiz brought his trademark pressure but it was plodding and predictable, and so Munguia picked him apart with volume, surgical body work, and thudding uppercuts. Even by the third round, the crowd favorite’s efficiency was clear as he out-landed his opponent by 21 shots to five.

In the fourth, Resendiz found some success as he took constant forward steps to get on the inside, backing Munguia against the ropes — an area Eddy Reynoso told his fighter to stay away from.

But Munguia’s response was one of fortitude as he refused to concede anything to Resendiz, unleashing a brutal left uppercut to the face, right hook to the body combination to punish the defending champion for having the nerve to trade. 

MUNGUIA‼️🔥

🎟️ Buy BENAVIDEZ VS ZURDO HERE --> https://t.co/FoiaUucafv#BenavidezZurdo | Live NOW on DAZN pic.twitter.com/oTBPc4bmD1

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 3, 2026

Taking heed of Reynoso’s advice to hit him with a 1-2-3 before getting out, Munguia controlled the middle of the ring and, by the 10th round, Resendiz, the champion, was depleted of all confidence and no longer able, or willing, to swang and bang.

To reiterate his comfort level, Munguia danced on the periphery before punishing Resendiz for every lead step forward.

This was a world-class dismantling. It made Munguia a two-weight world champion, but perhaps more importantly, it reminded the boxing world why they were excited about him in the first place. 

Munguia is back, and after a unanimous decision win with scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-109, he has a new championship belt to prove it.

For full coverage of Benavidez vs. Zurdo, including live results, play-by-play and highlights of the entire David Benavidez vs. Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez main card, check out Uncrowned's fight night hub.

Why Celtics’ NBA Playoff Run Ended Early: Poor Shooting, Missed Chances Doom Boston in Round 1

Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) talks with Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7)after PhiladephiaÕs win in game seven of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden.

Why Celtics’ NBA Playoff Run Ended Early: Poor Shooting, Missed Chances Doom Boston in Round 1 originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Boston Celtics’ season came to a stunning end in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, falling to the Philadelphia 76ers in seven games after holding a 3-1 series lead.

Boston had three chances to close out the series but could not finish the job, losing three straight games to end its postseason run. The collapse culminated in Game 7, when the Celtics, playing without Jayson Tatum, suffered a 109-100 loss.

With the defeat, Boston became just the 14th team in NBA history to blow a 3-1 series lead. What began as a postseason with championship expectations ended with a frustrating look back at missed opportunities, poor shooting and an inability to execute when the series was on the line.

Here’s what went wrong for the Celtics as their season came to a surprising end in Round 1.

What went wrong for Celtics?

Poor Three-Point Shooting

The Celtics’ three-point shooting told the story of the series. In their three wins, Boston shot 60-for-144 from beyond the arc, good for 41.7%, while averaging 20 made 3-pointers per game. In their four losses, those numbers dropped to 49-for-179, or 27.4%, with just over 12 made 3s per game.

That regression took away the spacing that usually fuels Boston’s offense. When the outside shots stopped falling, the Celtics struggled to adjust, and too many possessions turned stagnant.

The issue became even more costly in Games 5 through 7, when Philadelphia outshot Boston from beyond the arc over the final three games. It all came to a frustrating finish in Game 7, with the Celtics shooting just 13-for-49 from deep in the 109-100 loss that ended their season.

Failure to Contain Philly’s Star Power

The Celtics had too few answers for Philadelphia’s top scorers as the series turned. Tyrese Maxey helped force Game 7 with 30 points in the 76ers’ Game 6 win, while rookie V.J. Edgecombe gave Philadelphia its first win of the series with a 30-point, 10-rebound performance in Game 2.

Boston also failed to take full advantage of Joel Embiid’s physical limitations after his return from an emergency appendectomy. Embiid missed the start of the series and came back in Game 4, but by the end of the matchup, he looked far more comfortable dictating the game.

Once Jayson Tatum was ruled out for Game 7, Boston faced an even tougher climb. The Celtics needed their role players to match Philadelphia’s star power, but the 76ers’ best players controlled the night. Embiid finished with 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, Maxey added 30 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, and Edgecombe chipped in 23 points in Philadelphia’s 109-100 series-clinching win.

Not Protecting Home Court

Boston’s home-court advantage became one of the biggest missed opportunities of the series. The Celtics dropped three games at TD Garden — Games 2, 5 and the decisive Game 7 — turning what should have been a major edge into one of the defining reasons their season ended early.

The Celtics entered the playoffs as the higher seed after going 30-11 at home during the regular season, making TD Garden feel like a place where Boston could control the series. Instead, the Celtics failed to protect their home floor in three separate losses, including two games where they had a chance to close out Philadelphia.

For a team built around championship expectations, losing three times at home in one first-round series was a costly collapse. Boston did not just lose control of the series — it gave away the advantage it had spent the regular season earning.

Going Cold Down the Stretch

Boston showed fight after falling behind by 18 points in the second half of Game 7, clawing all the way back to make it a one-point game in the fourth quarter. But when the Celtics had a chance to complete the comeback, their offense stalled at the worst possible time.

Boston missed 10 consecutive shots in the final five minutes, allowing Philadelphia to regain control and pull away for a 109-100 series-clinching win. The Celtics’ late push made things interesting, but the 76ers were the more composed team down the stretch, turning Boston’s missed chances into the final blow of the series.

Letting the Series go on for Too Long

The Celtics led the series 3-1 and had a chance to close out the 76ers at home in Game 5. Instead, Boston lost three straight games, turning a commanding lead into a season-ending collapse.

The longer the series went, the more costly it became. Jayson Tatum was ruled out of Game 7 with left knee stiffness, leaving Boston without its best player in a winner-take-all matchup. Had the Celtics finished the job in Game 5 or Game 6, his injury may have been a footnote. Instead, Boston was forced into a do-or-die game without its superstar, watching from the bench as the season came to an end.

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Where to watch Wings vs. Aces preseason game: Channel, time, TV schedule, live stream for Paige Bueckers, A'ja Wilson

The Las Vegas Aces Game 1 of the 2023 WNBA Finals

Where to watch Wings vs. Aces preseason game: Channel, time, TV schedule, live stream for Paige Bueckers, A'ja Wilson originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Bringing the WNBA preseason to a close, the Wings and Aces are set to go head-to-head Sunday for a showdown between two of the league's most talked-about franchises.

The Wings scheduled some tough opponents for their preseason, first beating the Fever on Thursday, and now taking on the defending champions. On the bright side, Dallas has back-to-back overall No. 1 picks with UConn alums Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd joining forces on the team. How will the squad shape up before the regular season gets started?

The Aces' most exciting pick from the 2026 Draft was Tennessee's Janiah Baker at No. 29, who fans can expect to get some playing time in this matchup. It's unclear whether four-time MVP A'ja Wilson will make an appearance against Dallas, as the star center sat out last week's matchup to rest. 

Who can secure a solid preseason win?

Here's everything you need to know about Wings vs. Aces, including TV channel and streaming options for the WNBA preseason game.

Where to watch Wings vs. Aces preseason game

  • TV channel: ION
  • Live streams:fubo, DIRECTV, WNBA League Pass

The Wings vs. Aces preseason game will be broadcast on ION affiliates nationwide. ION is set to carry four preseason and 50 regular-season games in 2026, anchored by weekly Friday night doubleheaders. 

Fans can stream ION in local markets via fubo or DIRECTV, both of which offer a free trial for new users. 

Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports on fubo without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

All 2026 preseason games also will be available to stream via WNBA League Pass for free with registration. 

What time is the Wings vs. Aces game today? 

  • Date: Sunday, May 3
  • Time: 7 p.m. ET | 6 p.m. CT

Wings vs. Aces will continue the 2026 WNBA preseason Sunday, with tipoff set for 7 p.m. ET. 

The game will be played at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas.

Dallas Wings schedule 2026

Here are the Wings' upcoming games: 

DateGameTime (ET)
May 3vs. Aces (preseason)7 p.m.
May 9at Fever1 p.m.
May 12vs. Dream8 p.m.
May 14vs. Lynx8 p.m.
May 18vs. Mystics8 p.m.

Las Vegas Aces schedule 2026

Here are the Aces' upcoming games: 

DateGameTime (ET)
May 3vs. Wings (preseason)7 p.m.
May 9vs. Mercury3:30 p.m.
May 10at Sparks6 p.m.
May 13at Sun8 p.m.
May 15at Sun7:30 p.m.

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Bayern Munich eager to extend star youth goalkeeper Leonard Prescott’s expiring contract

MUNICH, GERMANY - APRIL 15: Leonard Prescott of Bayern Munich warms up ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg match between FC Bayern München and Real Madrid CF at Football Arena Munich on April 15, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Leonard Prescott first caught the media’s eye in 2025, as the then-goalkeeper of Bayern Munich’s U16s first started training with the Bavarians’ first team at the tender age of 15. But Bayern’s coaches have already known the dual German and American citizen is a special talent for much longer. He proceeded to skip the U17s to become the regular starter for the U19s in the 2025/26 season, where he has continued to grow and establish himself as one of the team’s best players. His growth this season has culminated in being brought along to huge Champions League matches and nearly starting a knockout round match in Europe’s biggest competition.

Clearly, Prescott is a talent Bayern will want to retain. But it is easier said than done. His deal runs out in 2027 and there is naturally a lot of interest in the 16-year-old, but Sky claims (as captured by @iMiaSanMia) that Bayern are urgently working to agree to new terms for the youngster:

Bayern want to extend Leonard Prescott’s contract beyond 2027 as soon as possible. Chelsea and Juventus have shown concrete interest in signing the 16-year old talented goalkeeper. Prescott’s long-term goal is to establish himself as #1 goalkeeper at a top club, preferably FC Bayern.

Of course, Bayern believe they have found their new long term #1 goalkeeper after Manuel Neuer in Jonas Urbig. But Urbig has yet to win the spot full time. Whether that plays a factor in Prescott’s decision making is the question.


If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…

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Chelsea fans didn’t want Marco Silva anyway but yesterday only intensifies that

Chelsea fans didn’t want Marco Silva anyway but yesterday only intensifies that
Chelsea fans didn’t want Marco Silva anyway but yesterday only intensifies that

From what I could see and hear, Chelsea fans have been dead against hiring Marco Silva as their next manager.

Silva has been strongly linked with the vacant Chelsea role after they sacked Liam Rosenior as their head coach a week and a half ago.

EXCLUSIVE! Major positive development in Chelsea’s attempts to hire Xabi Alonso! 👀

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Silva would not be a popular choice at all amongst the Chelsea fan base, and in fact, I think they would actually be fuming if Chelsea ended up hiring him as their new head coach.

There is a real emphasis that this must simply be the right choice and Chelsea’s owners cannot afford to get this wrong yet again. It’s now or never, and this fan base have already had enough and they are already very against this ownership.

Silva gets thrashed

Fulham manager Marco Silva prepares for a game.

Chelsea fans will be disliking the links with Silva even more after he saw his Fulham side get thrashed 3-0 by Arsenal, rolling over for them yesterday.

Blues fans obviously will hate to see Arsenal win the Premier League and really want them to bottle it, and that win yesterday put them six points clear at the top of the league, for now. So it wasn’t a good ‘audition’ for Silva at all.

In other news today

Liverpool have joined the racefor Chelsea target Jan Paul van Hecke according to reports in The Netherlands. This could be bad news for The Blues.

Aston Villa won’t let Chelsea target Morgan Rogers leave cheaply and would want a club record fee for the England international according to reports.

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHELSEA NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON THE APP STORE

Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:

Arundell on long route to Bath's big day and hometown glory

Henry Arundell scythes through for Bath
Arundell is fifth in this season's Champions Cup try-scoring stats (with five) and has made the third-most clean breaks in the competition (with 13). [Getty Images]

Henry Arundell's favourite childhood memory of Bath is of another semi-final.

Back in 2015, as a 12-year-old, he and his season ticket-holding family were at the Recreation Ground cheering on a demolition of Leicester in the Premiership play-offs.

"That was an awesome day - I remember that team so well," Arundell told BBC Sport.

"There was George Ford at 10, which is a bit of a weird one now playing with him for England.

"But also Kyle Eastmond, Jonathan Joseph, Anthony Watson - another who I have played with at England, again weird.

"Tom Dunn and Charlie Ewels were part of that squad and are still here.

"I was just a child who loved rugby and dreamed of one day being in this scenario, so, yeah, it's pretty cool."

On Sunday, Arundell, now 23, and his modern-day Bath team have another semi-final to negotiate. It will be considerably tougher than that rout of Leicester.

Bordeaux-Begles, the star-studded, reigning champions, have home advantage at a sold-out 42,000-capacity Stade Atlantique in a scrap to make 23 May's Champions Cup final.

The match will be Bath's first Champions Cup semi-final in 20 years. Arundell too has taken a longer-than-expected route to this point.

As a rugby-mad schoolboy at Beechen Cliff in Bath, the club were the obvious career choice.

Arundell's team-mates Miles Reid (four years above), Tom de Glanville (three years above), Ethan Staddon (a year above) and Vilikesa 'Billy' Sela (two years below) were all tied to Bath's academy from the state school's rugby programme.

But, aged 14, Henry's talents, and his father's career, took him elsewhere. His father Ralph got a job with Harrow School in north-west London. Henry got a scholarship.

In London Irish's catchment area, he made his Exiles debut in November 2021, shortly after his 19th birthday. Several scorching scores followed, most notably a jaw-dropping 98m virtuoso run against Toulon, before he was named in England's squad to tour Australia.

However, London Irish went into administration in June 2023 and Arundell opted for a move to French club Racing 92.

It didn't turn out as he had hoped.

Injury and iffy performances checked his progress. Former England coach Stuart Lancaster, who had brought Arundell to the club, was sacked in February 2025 amid some miserable results.

"There were moments where your form is not great or you have injuries - and that can have an effect," he says.

"You find the most growth in adversity and there were definitely things I gained - a lot of skill stuff and understanding from working with [All Black legend] Joe Rokocoko as a back-three coach and attack stuff from [former France fly-half] Freddie Michalak.

"You learn a lot from the players around you, the likes of Siya Kolisi, Gael Fickou, Josua Tuisova. You're playing with huge names.

"When Owen [Farrell] came for my second year that was someone English that I could chat to and really learn from.

"At the end of the day though, I was a 20-year-old kid out in France living on my own and sometimes you do need family around you.

"I'm seeing my family every week now, rather than every few months. Having that support system is very special and I probably didn't appreciate that enough when I was a bit younger."

Henry Arundell playing for Racing against Toulon
Arundell scored a hat-trick of tries against Toulon on his Racing debut, but ultimately brought his stay in the French capital to an early end [Getty Images]

Arundell ended his stay at Racing a year early, agreeing a deal return home to Bath - "there was only one club I ever wanted to come back to" - and tuning in to watch from Paris as they won a treble of Premiership, Premiership Rugby Cup and European Challenge Cup last season.

Glory beckons again this term.

Bath are firmly on track for the play-offs in their defence of their English title.

The prospect of beating Leinster in the Champions Cup final in Bilbao is arguably an easier assignment than downing Bordeaux-Begles in the last four.

Arundell watched on enviously as the team took a bus-top parade around Bath last summer, showing off silverware in his home town.

He hopes to be on board this time around. And for a more stringent dress code.

"As much as I want to win I don't know if I want to see to see Barbs [number eight Alfie Barbeary] in his budgie smugglers again!" he joked.

"But, by all means, I guess if we are seeing that, then it's been a good season."

There is some way to go before any celebratory smuggling, however.

Alfie Barbeary celebrates Bath's successful 2024-25 season
Barbeary (centre) will leave Bath for Saracens this summer [Getty Images]

The last time Arundell visited Bordeaux-Begles, his team, in his own words, were "battered".

Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Damian Penaud - the French side's warp-speed twin threat - both scored hat-tricks in a 52-34 win over Racing in September 2024.

"They're a very good team - they wouldn't have won Europe or competed in Top 14 finals if they weren't," said Arundell.

"What I learned was mainly that you don't really want to start falling in the trap of trying to play their game.

"They have this incredible, organised-chaos style that they play every day, week in, week out.

"But we're really good at what we do too. So I think the main plan for us is just play our game, back our game and we'll see what happens."

That isn't any Gallic laissez-faire left over from his Racing stint though. Arundell has experienced enough already in his short career to recognise a good thing. And to know not to let such days and chances slip by.

"It's rare to find yourself at a club where everyone loves being here," he said.

"It's an amazing culture and environment with amazing coaches and, when you do have that, you have to really embrace it, because you never know when it can suddenly turn bad."

Bath will be aiming to inflict, rather than suffer, that change in fortunes on Sunday.

“A really good side” – Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest previewed ahead of Monday

“A really good side” – Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest previewed ahead of Monday
“A really good side” – Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest previewed ahead of Monday

Chelsea face Nottingham Forest in their latest Premier League match on Monday afternoon as it’s a Bank Holiday in the UK.

Forest have had some decent results of late, and Chelsea’s interim head coach Callum MacFarlane believes they are a really good side.

EXCLUSIVE! Major positive development in Chelsea’s attempts to hire Xabi Alonso! 👀

If you enjoy Chelsea News coverage and want to see more of it, add us as a preferred source on Google to make us a favourite and see more of our content.

It will be his first game in charge at The Bridge since taking the role, and he has been asked about how that will feel ahead of the game on Monday.

Chelsea need to win to keep alive any hopes of Champions League qualification, and even getting into Europe at all as they are down in 9th place in the league as things stand.

McFarlane speaks

Calum McFarlane speaks to the media after Chelsea’s draw,

‘I’m really looking forward to it,’ Calum expressed ahead of the game  on the Chelsea website. ‘We’ve got a really tough game as Nottingham Forest are a really good side. We’ll be well prepared for it, but it will be a great honour to lead a game at Stamford Bridge.

‘Obviously, I’ve been involved in games at Stamford Bridge as part of the backroom staff. It might have a different feel leading the team, but it will be a great honour in front of the Chelsea fans and we’ll be looking for a similar level of performance as we did at Wembley.’

In other news today

Liverpool have joined the racefor Chelsea target Jan Paul van Hecke according to reports in The Netherlands. This could be bad news for The Blues.

Aston Villa won’t let Chelsea target Morgan Rogers leave cheaply and would want a club record fee for the England international according to reports.

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHELSEA NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON THE APP STORE

Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:

Celtics' Historic Collapse Caps Brutal Stretch For Boston Sports Teams

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown and center Neemias Queta

Celtics' Historic Collapse Caps Brutal Stretch For Boston Sports Teams originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Boston sports fans have had plenty of highs over the last 25 years, but the past few weeks have brought nothing but lows.

In early April, New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was exposed for having an extramarital affair with NFL reporter Dianna Russini, seriously damaging both of their reputations and credibility. Russini lost her job and Vrabel missed Day 3 of the NFL Draft to attend counseling amid the Patriots' latest "cheating" scandal.

On the diamond, the Boston Red Sox got off to one of their worst starts in franchise history, plummeting to last place in the AL East. The Red Sox responded by firing World Series-winning manager Alex Cora and much of his coaching staff on April 25, significantly disrupting Boston's clubhouse and continuing the franchise's recent pattern of instability.

In the last month, Boston sports fans have seen the

- Pats HC have his years-long affair with a reporter exposed

- Red Sox fire their manager and sit in last place in the division

- Bruins lose in R1 of the playoffs

- Celtics blow a 3-1 lead to the 76ers in R1 of the playoffs

— Jeremy Cohen (@TheCohencidence) May 3, 2026

Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics both suffered first-round playoff exits at TD Garden, which has been a house of horrors over the last two weeks.

The Bruins lost to the Buffalo Sabres in six games as their offense went cold at the worst possible time, scoring just five goals over the final four games combined. Despite having one of the NHL's best home records during the regular season, Boston lost all three of its home games in the series.

The Celtics also lost three home games in their series against the Philadelphia 76ers, including Game 7. Despite entering the series as heavy favorites to beat the Sixers and win the Eastern Conference, Boston blew a 3-1 series lead for the first time in franchise history and lost a postseason series to Philadelphia for the first time since 1982.

It's been one gut punch after another for Boston fans, who won't have much to look forward to over the next few months if the Red Sox don't turn things around soon.

More NBA: Celtics vs. 76ers Final Score, Highlights: Boston’s Season Comes to Shocking End in Game 7 Loss to 76ers

Benavidez KOs Ramirez in the 6th to win the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles

LAS VEGAS (AP) — David Benavidez became the first boxer to win championships at 168, 175 and 200 pounds, pounding his former sparring partner Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez and knocking him out at 2:59 of the sixth round to win the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles on Saturday night.

Benavidez (32-0, 26 knockouts) not only remained undefeated, but showed why he was a -600 favorite in twice sending Ramirez (48-2, 30 KOs) to the canvas.

In the co-main event, WBA super middleweight championship fight, Jaime Munguía (46-2, 35 KOs) upset title holder Armando Reséndiz (16-3, 11 KOs) by winning a resounding unanimous decision. Reséndiz was a -200 favorite, but Munguía — the former WBO junior middleweight champ — was the aggressor from the start and won by scores of 117-111, 119-109 and 120-108.

“It feels great to have this championship belt with me, but this is just the beginning," Munguía said. "I’m excited for what comes next. We are ready for big challenges and great fights.”

Benavidez fought with Canelo Alvarez sitting ring side. He had chased Canelo with hopes of setting up a showdown, but Alvarez never agreed to it, and it might never happen.

“I see Canelo in the building,” Benavidez said to cheers, again arguing they should meet.

Boxing fans, or least those who support Benavidez, haven't forgotten how Canelo has yet to take on the match. Alvarez, wearing a black Munguía T-shirt, was booed all three times he was shown on the large video board. Benavidez, who was born in Phoenix and lives in Miami, later was cheered while shown going through prefight preparations.

He then gave his fans plenty more to cheer about.

Benavidez, even when being backed down by Ramirez, delivered his signature rapid-fire combinations, usually pelting his opponent's head. A right hand to Ramirez's head in the fourth staggered him, and Benavidez went for the knockout but settled for the knockdown at the end of the round when Zurdo went down to his left knee.

Then two rounds later, Ramirez again went to a knee. This time, the fight was over.

And now the 29-year-old Benavidez can make a credible argument after dominating the 34-year-old Mexican that he one of the sport's best pound-for-pound boxers if not right at the top.

___

AP boxing: https://apnews.com/boxing

Mariners share Cal Raleigh health update after being scratched from lineup

Cal Raleigh

Mariners share Cal Raleigh health update after being scratched from lineup originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Cal Raleigh was scratched from Saturday's lineup of the Seattle Mariners against the Kansas City Royals at home. In place of him, Mitch Garver served the duty behind the plate.

The scratch came just one hour before the first pitch was scheduled. After the 3-2 loss, Mariners manager Dan Wilson shared that Raliegh has undergone imaging and is dealing with general soreness.

Wilson: Cal Raleigh dealing with general soreness; underwent imaging.

— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) May 3, 2026

Raleigh played in the first game of the series against the Royals. He went hitless in four plate appearances, excluding a walk. This was the first game missed by the Mariners primary catcher this season. In 33 games, Raleigh has batted .186 with just two home runs, a major drop from where he finished last season.

More: Why Mariners' Cal Raleigh is MLB's biggest disappointment at catcher

Mariners call up Jhonny Pereda but not because of Cal Raleigh

The Mariners fans were left concerned when they heard that the Tacoma Rainiers had scratched their starting catcher Jhonny Pereda, from Saturday's lineup. Many started to assume that something serious had happened to Cal Raleigh and he might be heading to the injured list.

However, soon enough, the decision to send infielder Will Wilson to the IL was made, making things clear and giving relief to the fanbase. Wilson is dealing with a fractured thumb and his injury has been backdated to April 30.

Wilson was the Mariners' third base backup behind Brendan Donovan, who is also on the injured list. However, Donovan is getting started with his rehab assignments, meaning it won't be long before he rejoins the main roster.

But until he gets back to the roster, expect Leo Rivas to get starts at third base.

Meanwhile, expect Raleigh to be there in Sunday's lineup.

More MLB news:

Mets didnt want to trade Brett Baty while White Sox didnt want Mark Vientos in Luis Robert Jr. trade

Red Sox never close on Astros’ Isaac Paredes trade

Braves predicted to trade Bryce Elder for Lars Nootbaar

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts delivers blunt response to offensive struggles amid losing streak

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts delivers blunt response to offensive struggles amid losing streak originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are going through a rough patch at this point in the season, which almost seems unreal for a team as talented as they are. However, in baseball, a stretch like this is bound to happen. On Saturday night, the Dodgers lost their fourth consecutive game.

“Offense remained largely nonexistent for the Los Angeles Dodgers and a late rally fell short in their 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. With that, the Dodgers’ season-long losing streak was extended to four games and they’re facing the prospect of getting swept by the Cardinals on Sunday,” DodgerBlue.com’s Matthew Moreno wrote.

Last season, the struggles came from the bullpen blowing leads. So far during this losing streak, it has been the offense that has had trouble producing.

“For once, Roki Sasaki was not the most perplexing part of one of his starts. That remains a Dodgers offense that sank deeper into its slump. They've scored 7 runs during a 4-game losing streak and hit into as many DPs as base hits thru 8 innings tonight,” Dodgers beat writer Bill Plunkett wrote.

The Dodgers are not going to stay in this stretch for long, as they have too talented a roster to struggle for an extended period. Manager Dave Roberts met with the media following Saturday’s loss and made it clear he is not concerned about his team.

“Yes, we hit into some double plays tonight. But I thought we took some good walks and, obviously, in the ninth inning, I thought we put together some good at-bats. I just think we need to be aggressive and take what the pitcher gives you. But every team goes through this through the course of the season,” Roberts said.

When a team as good as the Dodgers starts to struggle, it can feel like the sky is falling. At the end of the day, Los Angeles is still just like every other team in MLB, so stretches like this are normal.

While they are back-to-back World Series champions, they are still human and will go through slumps. Roberts has done a good job of keeping things steady and minimizing concern during this brief skid.

More MLB news:

David Benavidez calls out Canelo Alvarez, Dmitry Bivol after dominating Zurdo Ramirez

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 01: David Benavidez speaks to the media prior to his fight at T-Mobile Arena on May 01, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy/Getty Images) | Getty Images

David Benavidez won two world titles in a third weight class tonight, annihilating Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez and forcing his opponent to quit in the sixth round.

After the dust cleared, the triumphant Benavidez had two big names in mind: Canelo Alvarez and Dmitry Bivol.

“Monster! Monster! I knew I wasn’t going to be able to out-power him, so I knew I had to use the gifts that God gave me — speed, power, movement, punch selection, and IQ, and that’s what I did,” Benavidez said after the fight. “I gave him thanks for the opportunity. … I was kind of sorry it happened like this, I love Zurdo Ramirez, but it is what it is.”

“My punch selection is unlike anything else. Whoever it is, man, I don’t care, nobody can fuck with me,” he continued, before turning his attention to a familiar face in the crowd, Canelo Alvarez.

Benavidez has expressed his desire many times to face Canelo, who repeatedly said Benavidez wasn’t a big enough name when both of them were at 168 lbs.

“I see Canelo in the building. Do you guys want to see Canelo vs David Benavidez?” he asked the crowd, receiving a big cheer.

“Enough said. Enough said. That means we can’t leave that fight on the table. I respect Canelo, he’s a great champion, but I’m a great champion, too. Let’s do it.”

Asked if he felt the fight was realistic, Benavidez admitted he didn’t know, but pointed out he still has the WBC title at 175 lbs, too, and adding that Dmitry Bivol — who holds the other three belts at light heavyweight — is still a target, as well.

“Bivol’s No. 1 on my hit list. Bivol’s a great competitor, a great champion. I just want to test myself every single fight,” Benavidez said.

As of now, Canelo is expected to face Christian Mbilli for Mbilli’s WBC super middleweight title in September, while Bivol is set to return on May 30 in a title defense in Russia against Michael Eifert.

Royals defeat Mariners and the ghost of Randy Johnson, 3-2 in 10 innings

Michael Massey slides around the tag at home plate to score the go-ahead run
May 2, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Kansas City Royals pinch runner Michael Massey (19) slides home to score a run against the Seattle Mariners during the tenth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images | Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

If you needed more evidence that it’s no longer April, the Royals gave it to you tonight. Coming into May, the Royals were 1-5 in one-run games. So far in May, they’re 2-0 in those games and in all games. For most of the game, that didn’t seem possible.

Had the Mariners won, Emerson Hancock would be the story of this game. I’m not sure he shouldn’t still be. On the night the Mariners retired Randy Johnson’s number in a pre-game ceremony, Hancock pitched seven one-run innings with a whopping 14 strikeouts. That’s not only the most of his career; it’s the most of anyone in MLB so far this year. In case you were wondering, Hancock has never been a strikeout pitcher before. But the high heat was working for him tonight. You can refer to the game thread for a representation of how Hancock has looked this season; here’s the TJ Stats summary for Hancock tonight:

Hancock had a 43.4% chase rate and 33.3% whiff rate.

Oh yeah, he didn’t walk any either.

On the other side, Seth Lugo gave up a run within three batters. Julio Rodríguez continued his scorching hot May with a one-out, automatic double to the opposite field. Josh Naylor smashed a single to centerfield.

The Royals roared right back in the third inning. Kyle Isbel led off and snuck a double down the first base line, then Maikel Garcia drove him home with a double into the right-center gap. Unfortunately, the Royals stranded him there.

The Mariners stranded the bases loaded in the bottom of the second after Vinnie Pasquantino and Seth Lugo each had brain farts on defense. In the bottom of the fifth, the Mariners had some good luck to load the bases against Lugo again. With one out, Leo Rivas had a clean single to right. J.P. Crawford snuck one past a diving Bobby into left, and Julio grounded one that Bobby grabbed on the dive but couldn’t get to Michael Massey in time to get an out. With the bases loaded and Josh Naylor at the plate, Lugo threw a wild pitch to allow Rivas to score. Lugo struck out Naylor but walked Randy Arozarena to reload the bases. Then, on a 2-2 pitch, Randy decided to take off for second. Perhaps he lost track of the count? Regardless, the Royals managed to tag him out before Crawford could score from third.

In the top of the sixth, the Royals put two runners on with no outs and failed to advance either runner. You’d be forgiven if you assumed the game was over then. But it wasn’t.

Lugo ended up only giving up two runs in six innings for the team’s 16th quality start – tied with the Mariners for fourth-most in baseball. He struck out six, walked a pair, and gave up seven hits. It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective. Luinder Avila looked absolutely deadly pitching the seventh and eighth innings. He allowed no runners and earned a strikeout. Matt Strahm pitched a clean ninth.

But the only reason Strahm pitched the ninth was because of what happened in the top of the inning against the Mariners’ stud closer, Andres Muñoz. Salvador Perez led off the inning and flipped a single into right. Lane Thomas came in to pinch run and was immediately awarded second base on a balk. Carter Jensen – who won April Royals player of the month, but is also 0 for his last 15 with 7 strikeouts – struck out. Jac Caglianone came to the plate with a chance to tie the game. We know what he did the last time Lugo started. Could he do it again?

Yep!

That was hit at 108.9 MPH off the bat of Jac Caglianone, and the defensive maven J-Rod had it skip past him, allowing Jac to arrive at third still with only one out. Unfortunately, the Royals couldn’t score him, so it was up to Strahm to get the game into extras.

In the top of the tenth, the Royals engaged in more shenanigans. Kyle Isbel led off with Massey at second. Isbel tried and failed to get the bunt down twice. On the second attempt, Massey got a little far from second, and Mitch Garver attempted a backpick. Massey turned his blunder into an opportunity by not panicking. Instead, he took off for third and made it a stolen base. Which was fortunate because Isbel struck out on the next pitch.

Maikel came up and, after taking a couple of big hacks, shortened his swing and got the ball just deep enough to score Massey.

In the bottom of the tenth, Lucas Erceg came out to earn his ninth save and looked like his 2024 self again. He struck out a pair – one on a slider in the zone and the other on a sinker up and away from a lefty – and got a 1-2-3 inning. Don’t look now, but Lucas has gone six straight appearances without allowing an earned run. Over that span, he’s walked 4, but he’s struck out 8 and only given up 1 hit. If Lights Out Lucas is back in business, that changes a lot of what’s possible for the Royals this year.

No matter what happens next, the Royals have guaranteed a .500 road trip with tonight’s victory. Still, they get a shot to earn a winning road trip and their second sweep of the season when they close out the series and the road trip with a late afternoon match tomorrow. Kris Bubic (3.74 ERA) will go against Luis Castillo (6.35 ERA). The game will start at 3:10 Royals time.

David Benavidez vs. Zurdo Ramirez full fight video highlights

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 02: Referee Thomas Taylor sends David Benavidez to a neutral corner after Benavidez knocked down WBA/WBO cruiserweight champion Gilberto Ramirez in the sixth round of a title fight at T-Mobile Arena on May 02, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Benavidez took the title with a sixth-round TKO. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Watch David Benavidez vs. Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez full fight video highlights from their main event showdown Saturday night, courtesy of multiple outlets.

Benavidez vs. Zurdo took place May 2 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. David Benavidez (32-0) and Zurdo Ramirez (48-2) squared off in the main event clash for Ramirez’s WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles. The fight aired live on DAZN.

Official result: David Benavidez def. Gilberto Ramirez via TKO at 2:59 of Round 6.

Catch all the video highlights below courtesy of DAZN and PBC.

pic.twitter.com/0akB5WxMYH

— Boxing Fanatic (@boxingfanatic00) May 3, 2026

HISTORY 👑#BenavidezZurdopic.twitter.com/fBUisdy3xs

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 3, 2026

OMG‼️

🎟️ Buy BENAVIDEZ VS ZURDO HERE –> https://t.co/FoiaUucafv#BenavidezZurdo | Live NOW on DAZN pic.twitter.com/lT03lGEXzI

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 3, 2026

DOWN GOES ZURDO!!! 😱

🎟️ Buy BENAVIDEZ VS ZURDO HERE –> https://t.co/FoiaUucafv#BenavidezZurdo | Live NOW on DAZN pic.twitter.com/JWQTNea5H2

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 3, 2026

ZURDO IS SAVED BY THE BELL IN ROUND 4!!! @Benavidez300 is showing he's on a different level right now, dios mio!!! pic.twitter.com/UwfaHZOLBg

— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) May 3, 2026

.@Benavidez scores first with a straight right that snaps back Zurdo's head. 🇲🇽#BenavidezZurdo | Order NOW 👉 https://t.co/hhSg6qY3i8pic.twitter.com/7gxvmN2Dga

— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) May 3, 2026

Benavidez just threw the NASTIEST combo ever 🔥

🎟️ Buy BENAVIDEZ VS ZURDO HERE –> https://t.co/FoiaUucafv#BenavidezZurdo | Live NOW on DAZN pic.twitter.com/whC7K8AgCc

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 3, 2026

Benavidez lands a multi-punch combo in RD1!#BenavidezZurdo | Order NOW on PPV 👉 https://t.co/hhSg6qY3i8pic.twitter.com/rxL2XDwv22

— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) May 3, 2026

How does @Benavidez300 look FASTER at cruiserweight?! #BenavidezZurdo | Order NOW 👉 https://t.co/hhSg6qY3i8pic.twitter.com/pBJfxZFoqK

— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) May 3, 2026

David Benavidez makes his way to the ring ⚔️🔥

🎟️ Buy BENAVIDEZ VS ZURDO HERE –> https://t.co/FoiaUucafv#BenavidezZurdo | Live NOW on DAZN pic.twitter.com/CrTfy0ImVk

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 3, 2026

Gilberto Ramírez marches to the ring 🥊

🎟️ Buy BENAVIDEZ VS ZURDO HERE –> https://t.co/FoiaUucafv#BenavidezZurdo | Live NOW on DAZN pic.twitter.com/yrrMi3vzGT

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 3, 2026

HERE. WE. GO. 🇲🇽 #BenavidezZurdo | Order NOW on PPV 👉 https://t.co/hhSg6qY3i8pic.twitter.com/UH9bhyAZ4e

— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) May 3, 2026

For more on Benavidez vs. Zurdo, check out the live blog below.

Round 1

Benavidez is rocking white trunks with red trim, and red gloves. Zurdo is in black shorts with black gloves. Benavidez definitely looks a little small in there. He came in well under the 200-pound weight limit.

Slow pace to start, with both men circling in the center. Zurdo is in southpaw, with Benavidez in orthodox, so a lot of lead hand work early as both men try to find their range. Benavidez looks quicker for sure, so the lack of size has come benefits. His hands are quick as he snap the jab through Zurdo’s guard.

Oh! Big right hand from Benavidez and that puts a jolt in Zurdo. Zurdo shakes it off. Speed is giving him trouble, but he’s starting to get active with his left hand. Zurdo with some nice body work. DAAAANG, Benavidez just speed-bagged Zurdo with, like, 10 rapid fire punches before the end of the round.

MMA Fighting scored the round 10-9 Benavidez.

Round 2

Zurdo did some OK things there, but his corner tells him to focus on minimizing damage early. He was feeling confident near the end of the round and got smacked for it. Benavidez back on it with his jab, and he digs to the body, but Zurdo gets a counter off up top.

For a big man, Zurdo wants to get in close against Benavidez, minimizing that hand speed. He’s trying to get tight and work power shots. But Benavidez lands a pair of nice right hands. Zurdo keeps plugging away though, and he’s working downstairs regularly. Zurdo not throwing super hard in there, just trying to score and slow Benavidez down. Benavidez defense is looking sharp though, not allowing too much to come through. And he lands a nice left hook upstairs. Zurdo gonna have to start sitting down on punches because this plan is not working for him and he gets tagged with an uppercut just before the bell.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Benavidez, 20-18 Benavidez overall.

Round 3

Zurdo needs respect soon, or this is gonna go downhill, fast. Benavidez has cracked him in both rounds. And again! Left hook puts Zurdo off his mark for a moment. The hand speed is a huge edge for Benavidez and his power is carrying. Zurdo still just touching, while Benavidez is sitting down on his shots. Maybe Zurdo isn’t throwing hard so he can maximize his speed, but he just ate another speed-bagging. Then a right hook. And Zurdo finally digs a hook in of his own. Zurdo is starting to press the action a little more, smothering inside, and that’s leading to more offense from both men. And ANOTHER speedbagging. AND ANOTHER! Rifling 8 shots into Zurdo’s head. Zurdo bullies him to the corner be he’s getting waxed in there right now.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Benavidez, 30-27 Benavidez overall.

Round 4

Zurdo got some swelling around the eyes now, and it’s only a matter of time before he gets dropped if this keeps up. Benavidez is teeing off and Zurdo still isn’t getting respect. Zurdo is all jab right now, getting close, losing for uppercuts, while Benavidez is walking him down regularly now. Mega left hook from Benavidez off a clinch. Zurdo backs Benavidez to the rope but nothing big and Benavidez digs the body. Zurdo needs to throw with POWER. He’s still just touching, and Benavidez is THUMPING this man. Big shots form Benavidez now. Right hand after right hand!

Zurdo is in trouble! Big right hand had him backing up. Zurdo trying to stand and fight but now he’s backing up and on the ropes. Zurdo battles off but Benavidez is firing! 10 seconds and Zurdo takes a knee just before the round! Zurdo is gonna beat the count, but this fight is almost over.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-8 Benavidez, 40-35 Benavidez overall.

Round 5

Zurdo’s corner is begging him to stop brawling, saying to ignore the crowd. But Zurdo’s nose might be busted and Benavidez looks like a man possessed. If Zurdo survives this round, I’ll be impressed. Referee calls for a doc visit before the round, but we’re back to it.

Monster right hook from Benavidez. Zurdo trying to jab his way back to safety, but he gets inside and Benavidez lets the hands fly. Zurdo says eff it and now he’s brawling in there. This probably won’t end well, but Zurdo is laying it into Benavidez now, too. They are slinging ‘em, and Zurdo getting more of a break this way, honestly. Until he doesn’t. But Zurdo’s offense has stymied Benavidez for the moment. Big right hand from Benavidez. then another from Zurdo. He’s swollen up and they start banging again.

Zurdo ain’t got no quit in him, and he’s giving the fans a show right now. He’s finally earned some respect as he has been landing his best work and Benavidez is no longer firing at will. He’s still chopping that right hand in though. But Zurdo keeps working! Mad respect to Ramirez for that round.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Benavidez, 50-44 Benavidez overall.

Round 6

Straight up, Zurdo did not listen to his corner that round, and it was the right call. Benavidez might be slowing a bit, and he now has to respect Zurdo. But Zurdo is puffed up like a balloon. He keeps coming though, and we love that. Benavidez back to snapping his jab in now, real boxing, not trying to murder bulldoze him. Zurdo’s got a heck of a gas tank though, as he keeps working hard in there. The pace has slowed, and become more like the early rounds. But every time theyget inside, Benavidez cracks him with a hook.

But Zurdo is wearing these shots and he’s clearly decided that he won’t care. He’s going to get inside and make this ugly. Benavidez is landing freely here, but Zurdo having his most success, too. Benavidez’s defense is sharp, especially at range, but Zurdo is finding some body shots inside.

OHHHHHHHHH! Benavidez with another machine gun of punches and Zurdo backs off and takes a knee! I think he broke his orbital! Swelling is immediate and huge! Zurdo shakes the ref off, saying he’s done. What a performance from David Benavidez!!

Mariners announce Randy Johnson statue outside T-Mobile Park

AP

The Seattle Mariners announced plans Saturday to erect a statue of Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson outside T-Mobile Park during his No. 51 retirement ceremony.

Club chairman John Stanton revealed the plan during a pregame speech, followed by an 11-minute address from Johnson, who reflected on his time in Seattle.

“Seattle has always been a big part of my family and my career, and it always will be,” Johnson said.

Johnson became the latest Mariners legend set to be honored with a statue at the ballpark, joining Dave Niehaus, Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez and Ichiro Suzuki. 

Stanton credited Johnson with elevating the franchise during its rise in the 1990s.

“He changed the trajectory of this franchise and fully put Seattle onto the national baseball map,” Stanton said.

Johnson spent 10 seasons with the Mariners, the most of his 22-year career, compiling a 130-74 record with a 3.42 ERA and 2,162 strikeouts. He remains among the franchise leaders in several categories, including strikeouts and wins.

During the ceremony, Johnson also acknowledged Ichiro Suzuki, who wore No. 51 after requesting the number in a letter in 2001.

“I am grateful and honored that there's room for another No. 51 to be retired,” Johnson said. “One number, two players — representing one team.”

During the ceremony, Johnson was flanked by every living member of the 11-man group of the franchise’s Hall of Fame, other than fellow southpaw Jamie Moyer and former manager Lou Piniella. Both sent in congratulatory videos that were shared on the scoreboard.

Offense Explodes As Guardians Take 2-0 Series Lead

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 02: Travis Bazzana #37 of the Cleveland Guardians bats against the Athletics in the top of the second inning of a major league baseball game at Sutter Health Park on May 02, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Was that the most fun game of the year? I think it was. It’s been a long time since we saw the offense score the way they have in the last two games. Seeing Travis Bazzana get his first big league hit with the bases loaded was truly special. His surface numbers may not look great so far but I have been very impressed with his ABs. He is going to be a good player for a very long time.

Chase DeLauter continues to do absurd things for a rookie. I told some of my friends earlier today that he’s like a video game character with maximum hitting attributes. He truly has no weakness at the plate and it is an absolute joy to watch. Over his last 7 games he has a slash line of .565/.630/.696.

Maybe the most important thing from today was Kyle Manzardo hitting a pinch hit 3 run bomb. Let us all pray that this is the start of him going back to being the Kyle Manzardo that we know he is capable of being. José Ramírez also seems to be in a bit of slump, it was nice to see him have that big double today that knocked in a couple runs.

Angel Martinez continues to have an awesome season with 3 hits today. And how about David Fry? They have had a lot of patience with him and it looks to be starting to pay off after he hit a huge HR today off a lefty. How could I possibly forget AUSTIN HEDGES? With two doubles and a HR today, he is now hitting .325 with an .864 OPS on the season, good for third best on the team behind Schneemann and DeLauter. I do not expect this to continue, but we appreciate any and all offensive contributions from Hedgey.

Now that we have went through all the awesome things with the offense, it’s time to talk about the elephant in the room. Slade Cecconi had another rough start today. His ERA is up to 6.56 on the season and it’s hard to find any positives with him right now. How long can they keep running him out there every 5 days? Do they think Logan Allen can give them a better chance to win right now? Allen is not exactly lighting it up in AAA either. Cecconi does have an option, so they could always send him down to AAA and have him work on some stuff there. If it were my decision, that is likely what I’d do as he seems like someone who just needs a reset.

Tim Herrin might be the most underappreciated member of the team right now, he’s been phenomenal this season. He has yet to allow an earned run and the advanced metrics support that. Hunter Gaddis had another rough performance, but I am still not worried about him. I think he just needs some time and he’ll be fine.

The Guardians will look for the sweep tomorrow. It will be Parker Messick vs…checks notes…Aaron Civale at 4:05 pm ET.!

Billionaire Pushes Away 12th Failed Attempt to Tend to Emotional Jockey at Kentucky Derby

Jockey Jose Ortiz riding Golden Tempo L is congratulated by his brother Irad Ortiz Jr. on Renegade as he wins the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Louisville, Kentucky. Renegade finished second and 70-1 long shot Ocelli ridden by jockey Joseph Ramos placed third. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUSA KYP20260502919 PATxBENIC ©IMAGO/UPI Photo
Jockey Jose Ortiz riding Golden Tempo L is congratulated by his brother Irad Ortiz Jr. on Renegade as he wins the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Louisville, Kentucky. Renegade finished second and 70-1 long shot Ocelli ridden by jockey Joseph Ramos placed third. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUSA KYP20260502919 PATxBENIC ©IMAGO/UPI Photo

After Golden Tempo won the 152nd Kentucky Derby and trainer Cherie DeVaux made history as the first woman to win the race, the celebrations were loud on one side of the track. However, on the other side, the mood was very different. The pre-race favorite Renegade, owned by Mike Repole, finished second and missed out on the $3.1 million prize. Still, it was never just about the money. Instead, Repole was left emotional for the 33-year-old jockey, who once again missed the Derby moment.

Just after the finish, Repole, co-founder of Glaceau and worth an estimated $1.6 to $2.5 billion, was visibly emotional after what marked his 12th Kentucky Derby attempt, ending in disappointment. Even then, he stepped in to console the jockey. Looking back on the moment, he said, “I’m actually more upset that Irad lost than I am for me. That kid rode his ass off. He’s so incredible. He’s going to beat up his brother tonight, we might both do it.”

For context, Irad Ortiz Jr is one of the most successful riders in the sport, with 4,500+ career wins, five Eclipse Awards, Belmont Stakes victories twice, and more than 20 Breeders’ Cup wins, along with nearly $400 million in earnings. Yet the Kentucky Derby continues to be the one race that has stayed out of reach, with 10 attempts ending without a win.

If Renegade, purchased for $975,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, had won, it would have made history as the first horse in 40 years to win the Derby from the No. 1 post position. But what made the moment even more emotional was that the winning ride belonged to Jose Ortiz, Irad’s own brother.

Both being raised in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, the Ortiz brothers were raised together under the same mentor and went on to build their careers side by side. After the race, Jose, winning at his 11th attempt of the Derby, said, “I want him to win the Derby, of course. I know it’s his dream as well. But it happened that way. I think he should be happy. His horse ran a very good race. Today’s my day and Golden Tempo’s day.”

Leaving all the emotion behind, the 2026 Kentucky Derby was decided by just a neck and that tiny margin makes it more heartbreaking for Irad.

A neck in the final strides seals a brutal Kentucky Derby finish

Golden Tempo and Renegade both ran almost identical races at Churchill Downs. At the break, neither got a clean start. They were bumped early, lost position, and quickly drifted away from the front as the field settled into rhythm.

By the halfway point, the race had stretched out. The leaders had gone on, while Golden Tempo and Renegade were both buried in the second half of the 18-horse field. But from the final 200 meters, it became a straight duel. Golden Tempo and Renegade matched stride for stride, neither giving an inch.

In the last steps, Golden Tempo found just a little extra by edging his head at the line to win by a neck. With it, Golden Tempo and with Jose Ortiz clocked at 2:02.27. “I don’t even have any words,” trainer Cherie DeVaux said. “I just can’t. Just so so, so happy for Golden Tempo. Jose did a wonderful job, a masterful job of getting him there. He was so far out of it.” Ultimately it was an battle that was fought by timing.

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Jeanie Buss on Lakers keeping Luka Doncic trade talks secret

Last year's Luka Doncic trade is still fresh in the minds of NBA fans, and it was a humongous gift from the heavens to a Los Angeles Lakers team that had seemingly gone stale. The Lakers gave up the seemingly 99-cent store-type price of Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a future first-round draft pick to the Dallas Mavericks for Doncic, and just like that, a Mavericks team that was coming off a trip to the NBA Finals started plunging into the outhouse.

According to reports, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and then-Mavs executive Rob Pelinka negotiated this trade for several weeks and kept their talks top secret. Lakers governor Jeanie Buss recently reflected on the deal during an appearance on the podcast "Pretty Tough with Maria Sharapova," and she said the trade talks were kept a secret so that former Mavericks owner Mark Cuban wouldn't find out.

“The Dallas team wanted Anthony Davis and he was on our team. Conversations started, but it was important they remained private…. Those conversations started in the beginning of January… Rob Pelinka, our general manager, was able to do that all without it leaking to the media because I think Mark Cuban might’ve jumped in front of a train to keep it from happening... Nobody knew including Luka, and Anthony Davis, and LeBron James. We had a game in New York that night, and the coach knew this was going to happen but he still had to play the game, and we won the game that night. It wasn’t a distraction.”

Cuban had purchased the Mavericks in 2000, but he sold his share of the franchise in late 2023. Had he still been in charge in early 2025, it is extremely unlikely this trade would have been possible, as he has made it clear that he never would have traded the guard.

Doncic's arrival seemed to restore the Lakers' mystique and reopen their championship window. It had been five years since they had last won it all, and since then, they had gotten past the first round of the playoffs just once. While they lost in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, this year they got past the Houston Rockets in the first round, even though Doncic has been injured.

The Slovenian superstar suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain on April 2, and it is anyone's guess if he will return at all in the next round versus the Oklahoma City Thunder. But he turned in a sensational regular season during which he led the league in scoring average and averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1.6 steals a game. He got into much better shape last offseason, and his defense, which has long been a bone of contention, improved.

At age 27, Doncic seems primed to be the face of the storied Lakers franchise for many years to come, thanks to Buss and Pelinka's efforts to keep their trade negotiations with Dallas top secret.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Jeanie Buss on Lakers keeping Luka Doncic trade talks secret

Man United Women 1-1 Brighton Women: Match Report

Man United Women 1-1 Brighton Women: Match Report
Man United Women 1-1 Brighton Women: Match Report

Manchester United Women’s chances of European football are all but over after failing to beat Brighton & Hove Albion.

First half

The visitors had the first chance when Caitlin Haynes headed over from a corner.

Jelena Čanković was next to test the United defence, but her effort just sailed over Phallon Tullis-Joyce’s crossbar.

United had their first chance when Melvine Malard was released down the left-hand side. The Frenchwoman ran at the Seagulls’ defence, cut in, and her fierce effort was well stopped by the keeper.

The Red Devils were brutally punished after 39 minutes when Tullis-Joyce’s poor pass was not kept under control by Hinata Miyazawa, and Čanković received the ball, rounded the keeper, and slid the ball into the empty net to give Brighton the lead.

Marc Skinner’s side almost responded before half-time, but Ella Toone’s hanging cross found the crossbar with Chiamaka Nnadozie all at sea in the Brighton goal. The half-time whistle blew, and United had much work to do at Leigh Sports Village.

Second half

United started well, and Malard’s sublime cross-field ball picked out Jess Park, who ran at the defence but dragged her left-footed effort wide.

It was the Seagulls who almost doubled their lead when a teasing ball into the box was only just missed by Madison Haley.

Ellen Wangerheim thought she was through on goal to score her first United goal, but she was called offside.

Lea Schüller also came on as a substitute and rescued a point for the Red Devils in the 94th minute in dramatic style.

Malard’s deflected cross fell kindly to the German, and she showed great instinct to half-volley the ball into the corner.

The goal spared defeat but almost guaranteed no European football for next season.

The women will play their final game of the season on Saturday, 16th May, away to Chelsea.

Melvine Malard stats vs Brighton

Source: SofascoreFeatured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images

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Vikings Rumors Chatter: A New QB in 2027, Cam Akers, Charles Demmings

Vikings Rumors Chatter: A New QB in 2027, Cam Akers, Charles Demmings
Denny Medley-Imagn Images

On Saturday, we chronicled the Minnesota Vikings’ general manager search, Garrett Bradbury’s plight in Chicago, and new WR Dillon Bell. It’s time for the second batch of purple rumors for the week.

Minnesota’s rumor mill is already drifting toward 2027, familiar depth help, and one rookie cornerback.

Training camp gets cooking for the Vikings in less than three months; here’s where the rumors stand ahead of time.

Three Names Are Already Floating around the Vikings’ Summer Radar

The Purple Rumor Mill for May 3rd, 2026.

LaNorris Sellers warms up before a game against Ole Miss. Vikings rumors
South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) throws passes during pregame warmups, Nov. 1, 2025, at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi, as the Gamecocks prepared to face the Ole Miss Rebels with Sellers getting loose ahead of kickoff in an SEC road matchup. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images.

Rumor: LaNorris Sellers, a quarterback from South Carolina, has already been linked to the Vikings in next year’s draft.

Brendan Donahue of Sharp Football Analysis kickstarted the 2027 mock draft process this week, with the Vikings holding the 14th pick — so an 8-9 record or so in 2026.

He nominated Sellers to Minnesota and wrote, “The 2026 season feels like a make-or-break year for both the quarterbacks currently on the Vikings roster. I don’t think head coach Kevin O’Connell will hesitate to move on from either or both if they miss the playoffs again in 2026 and replace them with someone who seems to be more of his prototype at the position.”

“Many scouts believe Sellers has as much upside as any quarterback at the college level if he can just put it all together.”

Norris looks the part the moment he steps on the field. At 6’3″ and 240 pounds, and running in the 4.5s, his physical gifts are immediately apparent, translating directly to his on-field performance. He boasts legitimate arm strength, allowing him to launch the deep ball, and can break the pocket to create plays much like the nation’s top scramblers. Clearly, there’s significant talent to develop.

However, his concerns are equally evident. He tends to hold the ball too long, leading to sacks, and struggles with ball security. Furthermore, his accuracy noticeably declined in 2025.

Ultimately, Norris is a quarterback with rare physical tools, but he also exhibits significant areas for improvement and inconsistency.

Of course, if Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy are the real deal, the Vikings won’t need a quarterback in 2027. Simple as that.

Rumor: If the Vikings want Cam Akers back, he’s available.

Akers’s short stint with the Seattle Seahawks is kaput. Seattle Times’s Bob Conodotta wrote Monday, “The Seahawks released veteran running back Cam Akers on Monday in the wake of selecting Jadarian Price in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday. Akers, a seven-year NFL veteran, signed to the Seahawks’ practice squad last November after an injury to George Holani.”

“He played in three regular-season games and in the NFC title game win over the Rams without getting a carry. He had two kickoff returns for 54 yards in a late-season win at Carolina. The release of Akers leaves the Seahawks with six running backs on the roster — Price, Zach Charbonnet, Holani, Kenny McIntosh, Jacardia Wright and free agent signee Emanuel Wilson.”

Cam Akers scores a touchdown against the Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Vikings rumors
Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers (27) crosses the goal line for a touchdown in the third quarter, Dec. 29, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the Vikings faced the Green Bay Packers in a late-season divisional game with Akers finishing a key scoring drive. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

Akers will now hit the open market, with Minnesota obviously being a suitor for his services because they just love the man so much.

Is Akers required on the Vikings’ roster right now? Nope. But in 2023, 2024, and 2025, Akers didn’t really feel needed either at this time on the calendar, and he found his way back to the Vikings each time. Here’s the current RB setup in Minnesota after the draft:

RB1: Aaron Jones
RB2: Jordan Mason
RB3: Demond Claibonre
RB4: Zavier Scott
RB5: Kejon Owens

You can never rule out Akers for the O’Connell-led Vikings. He has O’Connell’s gridiron crush.

Rumor: CB Charles Demmings could be an undercover stud.

Analyzing each team’s draft class, Brugler wrote Monday about Demmings, “Day 3 pick who could surprise: Charles Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin. Aside from Demmings always being a great quote, he leaves everything he has on the field. With his cover athleticism and mental toughness, Demmings was a worthy bet in the fifth round, and he landed with a team that needed cornerback depth.”

Demmings joins the team as the fourth cornerback, behind Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, and James Pierre. His initial depth chart position, however, doesn’t preclude him from early playing time. Given Minnesota’s history of rotating corners and Demmings’ promising traits, he has a clear path to snaps by September if circumstances align favorably.

Chuck Demmings talks to media at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Vikings rumors
Stephen F. Austin defensive back Chuck Demmings (DB07) speaks with reporters during media availability, Feb. 26, 2026, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, as part of the NFL Combine with prospects meeting teams and answering questions ahead of the upcoming draft. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images.

Physically, Demmings stands 6’1″ and weighs 195 pounds, boasting a 4.41-second 40-yard dash. His impressive length and vertical speed are evident, complemented by the excellent ball-tracking skills he demonstrated in college, where he recorded nine interceptions. Furthermore, his tackling significantly improved at Stephen F. Austin, making him a more complete player than he was earlier in his career.

Minnesota has struggled to develop drafted cornerbacks into long-term solutions since Xavier Rhodes. That challenging track record casts a shadow over every new addition to the position in the draft. Demmings now enters this historical context, equipped with the tools to compete. His performance will ultimately determine whether the pattern of past struggles continues or finally shifts.


Oswald Peraza's two-out RBI single in 10th inning lifts Angels to 4-3 win over Mets

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Oswald Peraza hit a two-out RBI single in the 10th inning and the Los Angeles Angels snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 4-3 victory over the New York Mets on Saturday night.

Jorge Soler drew a leadoff walk from Austin Warren (0-1) to open the 10th and Jo Adell singled to load the bases with no outs.

Warren got Josh Lowe and Vaughn Grissom on flyouts and was one strike away from escaping the jam when Peraza dunked an 0-2 curve into left-center for the win.

The Angels got 3 2/3 scoreless innings from their beleaguered bullpen. Sam Bachman struck out three in 1 2/3 innings and Ryan Zeferjahn (2-1) threw a scoreless ninth and 10th for the win.

Brett Baty reached on catcher’s interference to open the Mets' 10th. But Zeferjahn got Bo Bichette to ground into a double play and, after an intentional walk to Juan Soto, Francisco Alvarez to pop out to second.

Reid Detmers limited the Mets to one run and four hits through six innings but ran into trouble in the seventh, when Mark Vientos doubled and Marcus Semien singled. Andy Ibáñez’s sacrifice fly pulled the Mets within 3-2 and Tyrone Taylor’s RBI single tied it.

Austin Slater and Ronny Mauricio then reached on infield singles to load the bases. But Bachman replaced Detmers and got Bichette to ground to third baseman Peraza, who threw home for a forceout, and struck out Soto with an 89-mph slider to end the inning.

Mets ace Nolan McLean was one strike away from escaping a second-and-third, one-out jam in the fourth when he struck out Lowe. But Grissom hit a two-run single to make it 3-1.

The Angels took a 1-0 lead in the first on consecutive two-out singles by Nolan Schanuel, Soler and Adell. Schanuel crossed the plate as Soler was thrown out at third by Slater from right field.

Plate umpire John Tumpane ruled Schanuel touched the plate before Soler was tagged, allowing the run to score. New York didn’t challenge, but replays showed Soler was tagged before Schanuel reached the plate.

The Mets tied it at 1 in the third on Bichette’s RBI single.

Up next

Mets RHP Clay Holmes (3-2, 1.75 ERA) will face Angels RHP Jack Kochanowicz (2-0, 3.09 ERA) in Sunday’s series finale.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

I ran the London Marathon 45 times but now it is time to rest

A composite picture shows a black and white image of Mac running the race as a young man. He is smiling. On the right is a photo from this year's London Marathon, in which he is wearing a white vest and orange shorts.
Mac Speake had taken part in every London Marathon since the event started in 1981 [BBC]

Veteran runner Mac Speake had always known the day would come when he would need to quit, but that did not make it any easier.

One week ago, the 84-year-old lined up at the start of the London Marathon as the eldest of six men in a very special club.

The so-called Ever Presents have taken part in the famous event every year since it started in 1981.

"It's been a huge part of my life," he says, speaking from his home in Kettlebaston, Suffolk. "Nobody else can ever join the club and none of us have ever wanted to leave it."

The Ever Presents on marathon day standing in a line smiling
The Ever Presents are (left to right) Jeffrey Aston, David Walker, Chris Finill, Michael Peace, Bill O'Connor, with Mac Speake (far right) [contributed]

The last few of his 45 London Marathons have been tough for Mac and he started to worry about the impact it was having on his family.

Last year, the retired GP's wife Ros and their daughter had to almost carry him across the finish line.

He finished in nine hours and 14 minutes, half-an-hour quicker than the previous year - a race Mac went into with a bad back and which he describes as "catastrophic".

It was a far cry from his glory days of finishing in less than three hours, but it still meant a lot to take part, he says.

Ros (left) in purple top smiles as Mac (right) in blue polo shirt holds up his medal. They are standing in a garden and both are smiling.
Mac's wife, Ros, says she would never have stopped her husband, pictured with his medal last year, from running the marathon [John Fairhall/BBC]

Mac has "the greatest memories" from his marathons, with his personal best of two hours and 44 minutes achieved in 1983.

Ros has been to support him every year, apart from one, when she had a stroke.

Mac recalls their four children hanging off the gates of Buckingham Palace during the first event in 1981, when just 6,500 runners took part, compared to 59,000 this year.

Mac wearing a yellow running vest and green shorts
Mac pictured at the very first London Marathon in 1981 [Mac Speake]

After the 15th London Marathon in 1995, a group of 42 men who had completed every event were given a special medal and guaranteed entry to future races.

Mac has witnessed many changes to the marathon over the years, from the landscape around Canary Wharf, to the growing number of competitors and spectators.

The inaugural event was designed for club runners but evolved to include everyone from elite entrants to those in weird and wonderful fancy dress, raising money for charity.

Before accurate chip timing, it was difficult to establish how well you had performed unless you checked a list of results published in The Times the next day - or waited for it to arrive in the post.

But throughout it all, a commitment to cross the finish line and get that all important medal has remained.

Mac was so determined to carry on the tradition that he has run with broken bones and norovirus that was so bad he vomited "gallons".

Mac's 45 medals from the London Marathon, dated from 1981 to 2025.
Mac has medals from every one of the 45 London Marathons he has run from 1981 to 2025 [John Fairhall/BBC]

Chris Finill, 67, known as the baby of the group, completed the race in 2018 despite breaking his arm in four places after falling over less than four miles (6km) in.

"I got a sling and just carried on, then I went straight to hospital from the finish line," he says.

One of the group died between marathons, while another was hit by a motorbike and could not take part.

Some have started the race knowing they would get a DNF (did not finish) while others have chosen a DNS (did not start), knowing they would not be able to complete it.

Some have been persuaded by their friends and family that they were not quite strong enough to carry on.

But that was never an option for Mac's wife Ros.

"I would never have told him not to take part, it means too much to him," she says.

'One day it will give me up'

A group of runners pose with a banner saying "Ever Present".
The Ever Presents were a much larger number back in 2005, 10 years after the group was formed [www.everpresent.org.uk]

'So painful'

Training for this year's event did not go smoothly for Mac, who struggled with injuries. But still he decided to line up at the start.

Seven miles (11 km) in, his annual tradition for almost half of his life suddenly ended.

"It was a disaster. I got to six-and-half miles and I knew I wasn't going to finish.

"I carried on but it was so painful, the pressure on my pelvis, it is possibly a stress fracture. So I took myself off the course and waited for a taxi.

"People have always asked me when I am going to give up. I always said 'one day it will give me up' and that day came on Sunday."

Mac wearing his white Ever Present vest with a medal
Mac pictured at the 2010 London Marathon, when he was 68 years old [Mac Speake]

'We salute his unwavering commitment'

Chris says he can only hope he will still be giving it a shot at Mac's age, calling him a "steadfast and central member of the group", which has now dropped from six to five members.

"Whilst he may no longer be able to say he's run all the London Marathons, he will always be part of that fraternity as one of the original 42," he says.

Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events, also paid tribute to Mac's contribution.

"The Ever Presents are a remarkable part of London Marathon history, and Mac Speake's achievement in completing all 45 editions up to this year is truly extraordinary.

"We were saddened to learn that he was unable to finish this year's marathon - we salute his phenomenal endurance and his unwavering commitment."

And so a 46th London Marathon proved to be a step too far for Mac, who admits he feels "very disappointed".

"I'm sorry to have let people down," he says, choking back tears.

Mac will not be taking part next year, but no one can take away his memories.

"The London Marathon has given me so much. I look back at my life and think that at least I have achieved something," he adds.

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Great White Horse Update After Kentucky Derby Scratch Disaster With Jockey

April 27, 2026, Louisville, Kentucky, USA: Great White grazes as horses prepare for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on April 27, 2026. /Eclipse Sportswire /CSM Louisville USA - ZUMAcs17 20260427_faf_cs17_031 Copyright: xTerexPoplinx ©IMAGO/ZUMA Press Wire
April 27, 2026, Louisville, Kentucky, USA: Great White grazes as horses prepare for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on April 27, 2026. /Eclipse Sportswire /CSM Louisville USA - ZUMAcs17 20260427_faf_cs17_031 Copyright: xTerexPoplinx ©IMAGO/ZUMA Press Wire

The 152nd Kentucky Derby marked history as Golden Tempo became the first horse trained by a woman, Cherie DeVaux to win. Unfortunately, another history was matched at Churchill Downs as the 2026 race had five scratches, tying the known all-time record, which was set in 1936 and matched in 2023. The latest casualty was Great White, as the dramatic scene unfolded while horses were being loaded for the 6:57 p.m. post time. But there is some positive news.

“He’s perfect,” trainer John Ennis told The Associated Press after the race. “Very fresh. (The incident) took nothing out of him.” The big gray gelding was scratched minutes before the Triple Crown race as he was suddenly spooked while everyone was waiting for the horses to get walked into the starting gate. He is roughly 1,370 pounds and threw off rider Alex Achard, who walked away under his own accord. The jockey was extremely lucky that the horse didn’t fall on him.

The pony handler in red was alert for the fast grab on the reins. A loose horse would’ve been even more of a disaster on this stage. Scratching him after he fell backwards like that was absolutely the right decision, because these horses are still babies at 3 years old. After that flip, the veterinarians wouldn’t let him run. The field went from 19 to 18 at the very last moment. In fact, Great White only got into the field on Wednesday after Silent Tactic was ruled out because of a foot injury.

Trainer Mark Casse on Wednesday compared it to a fingernail separation, which is painful; that’s why he and owner John Oxley wanted no added risk. So Silent Tactic was scratched with more than 72 hours before the race. “It wasn’t a tough decision,” Casse said. “It’s not tough because we’re always going to try to do what we feel is best for the horse, Mr. Oxley and our entire group.” Apart from Silent Tactic, Fulleffort, and Right to Party were scratched and replaced before the Triple Crown Race.

A bone chip in Fulleffort’s left hind leg was discovered, so he was out on Thursday. And on Friday, just before the deadline for a horse to be replaced upon withdrawal, Right to Party’s right front leg made him the third scratch. These three horses were replaced, but the race was still down to 19 as The Puma became the fourth scratch early Saturday morning due to leg swelling about 12 hours before the start time. And then the incident of the Great White followed.

Not a great week for Great White

It had the longest shot among all the scratched horses. But we saw how the Golden Tempo had 30-1 odds and yet Jose Ortiz scripted the win in the final leg. Great White might not have replicated the victory because he was a distant fifth behind Further Ado in the Blue Grass Stakes on April 4. “He didn’t need to be on the lead,” Ennis said. “We kind of thought he’d run big in the Blue Grass, and he kind of disappointed. He was flat the week prior to the Blue Grass. He was kind of quiet himself and lacking in energy.”

Yet, the preparation for the Kentucky Derby was not straightforward. This had been an uncertain week for Ennis and his stable, not knowing if Great White would get to the starting gate on Saturday. “It can be tough mentally in your mind to straighten things out and get things squared away,” Ennis said. “It’s not easy when you’re kind of sitting on the fence like that.”

The week went from bad to worse. From being uncertain to getting that place to not starting with just minutes left was heartbreaking. But the positive news is that both the jockey and the Great White did not suffer any long-term injuries.

The post Great White Horse Update After Kentucky Derby Scratch Disaster With Jockey appeared first on EssentiallySports. Add EssentiallySports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Mets' Ronny Mauricio fractures thumb against Angels, to be placed on IL

Mets shortstop Ronny Mauricio is headed to the injured list after he fractured his left thumb on a head-first slide to first base against the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday night, manager Carlos Mendoza said after the game.

The injury occurred in the seventh inning after Mauricio hit a slow roller to first baseman Nolan Schanuel and tried beating it out by diving to first base. After initially called an out, the Mets immediately challenged the call which was overturned, but at great cost.

"I’m gonna have to talk to David [Stearns]," Mendoza said when asked about a possible replacement. "We need a player here tomorrow so it’s a quick turnaround."

Mauricio looked shaken up after the play, but stayed in to run the bases. He was taken out of the game in the bottom half of the inning when Brett Baty came in at third base, moving Bo Bichette to shortstop. 

Who will play shortstop in Sunday's series finale and beyond is now the question, although moving Bichette back to his natural position is an option.

"I gotta wait and see who the player is that’s gonna come up," Mendoza said. "Pretty sure Bo is gonna be in the conversation, but again we just got done with the game."

With Mauricio starting due to the calf injury of Francisco Lindor, this is just the latest blow to a team that has been decimated by injuries early this season. It's also Mauricio's second significant injury after he tore his ACL before the 2024 season and comes at a time where he was finally going to get a long look in the majors.

"It’s tough, obviously," Mendoza said. "You lose your everyday shortstop and the guy that comes up and is getting the everyday opportunity here now is hurt – somebody else is gonna have an opportunity."

How to watch Nebraska-Penn State softball Sunday: Time, TV channel

The Nebraska softball team (40-6, 20-1) will hit the road and face the Penn State Nittany Lions (32-17, 11-10) this week to wrap up the final regular-season series of the season. The Huskers are ranked No. 3 in the NFCA Poll. NU is also No. 2 by Softball America, USA Softball and D1 Softball.

The Huskers are led by two-way star Jordy Frahm and Hannah Camenzind. Frahm is hitting .423 at the plate on the season with a 15-4 record with nine saves in the pitcher's circle. Camenzind is hitting .408 and has a record in the pitcher's circle of 5-0 with a 1.40 ERA.

The Big Ten Tournament will take place May 6-9 in College Park, MD.

Here's how to watch the Nebraska-Penn State Sunday finale, including time, TV schedule, and streaming information:

What channel is Nebraska-Penn State on today?

TV Channel: BTN

Livestream: Fubo (free trial)

Nebraska vs Penn State will wrap up the final regular-season series of the year on the Big Ten Network on Sunday afternoon. Streaming options for the game include B1G+ and FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Nebraska-Penn State Softball time today

  • Date: Sunday, May 3
  • Start time: 11 a.m. CT

The Nebraska-Penn State softball regular season finale starts at 11 a.m. CT from Nittany Lion Softball Park in State College, PA.

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Watch Nebraska-Penn State softball Sunday: channel, time, streaming

What channel is Lightning vs. Canadiens on? Time, TV schedule, live stream to watch Game 7 of NHL Playoffs series

What channel is Lightning vs. Canadiens on? Time, TV schedule, live stream to watch Game 7 of NHL Playoffs series originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

On Sunday night, one game will decide who moves on to the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning.

The series has been a tumultuous ride for those who have tuned in. No team has been able to gain momentum by winning two games in a row throughout the entirety of the six games played so far.

Along with both teams exchanging wins, four of the games have been decided in overtime, with each team winning two games apiece. Gage Goncalves was the Game 6 overtime hero for Tampa Bay, as his goal was the game's lone score and extended the Lightning's hopes of moving on to the second round. Tampa left wing Brandon Hagel leads all players with six goals during the series.

Montreal's edge in this series has come in two main areas: power plays and faceoffs. The Canadiens have scored on just over 20% of their power-play opportunities, along with boasting a 56% faceoff win percentage (3rd among teams in playoffs). Both teams are top two in takeaways (Tampa: 1st; Montreal: 2nd) and have given fans a truly exciting six-game bout thus far.

Here's what you need to know about Sunday's matchup between Tampa Bay and Montreal, including broadcast information and start time.

What channel is Lightning vs. Canadiens on today?

  • TV channels: TNT, truTV
  • Live streams: DIRECTV

Game 7 in the Lightning vs. Canadiens series will air on TNT and truTV. Fans can stream the game live on DIRECTV, which offers a free trial to new users. 

Catch every game – try DIRECTV FREE today! Stream live MLB, March Madness, soccer and more with must-have sports channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, FS1, and NFL Network—all included with DIRECTV.

Start your FREE trial now and never miss a moment of the action. No contracts, no hassle, just wall-to-wall sports and entertainment.

Lightning vs. Canadiens start time

  • Date: Sunday, May 3
  • Time: 6 p.m. ET

Game 7 of the NHL Playoffs series between Tampa Bay and Montreal is set to begin at 6 p.m. ET from Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Fla.

Neither team has won two games in a row during this first-round matchup. The Lightning were able to edge out Montreal 1-0 in a Game 6 overtime win.

Lightning vs. Canadiens series schedule

Series tied 3-3

DateGameTime (ET)Watch
April 19Game 1: Canadiens 4, Lightning 3 (OT)
April 21Game 2: Lightning 3, Canadiens 2 (OT)
April 24Game 3: Canadiens 3, Lightning 2 (OT)
April 26Game 4: Lightning 3, Canadiens 2
April 29Game 5: Canadiens 3, Lightning 2
May 1Game 6: Lightning 1, Canadiens 0 (OT)
May 3Game 7 at Lightning6 p.m.TNT, truTV, DIRECTV

NHL Playoffs bracket 2026

Click here for the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs bracket, updated live as series are completed.

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs schedule, key dates for 2026

Here are the key dates to know for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs and offseason.

EventDates
First round beginsApril 18
NHL Draft LotteryMay 5
NHL Scouting Combine at BuffaloMay 31-June 6
Stanley Cup Finals Game 7 (if necessary)June 21
NHL Draft at Los AngelesJune 26-27
Free agency beginsJuly 1

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2 Up, 2 Down: Safety Secured As Sunderland Draw With Wolves

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 02: Regis Le Bris, Manager of Sunderland, acknowledges the fans following the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sunderland at Molineux on May 02, 2026 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) | Getty Images


Ciaran McKenna says…

Sunderland make their point

Playing with ten men for seventy minutes isn’t easy and can close a skill gap considerably, but the Lads had to dig in and they did just that.

I and many others had this fixture down as a great opportunity to get three points but in retrospect, a point is better than none.

A stronger Lads bench

It was nice to see a full bench of senior players — something that hasn’t been available for a good few weeks now.

It was only the addition of Jocelin Ta Bi (who it can be argued is equally as inexperienced as Harrison Jones) that he replaced, but it made me feel a bit less apprehensive about the lack of options on the bench.

Habib Diarra being available also helped, as his pace and power will always be a boost against tired legs.

Dan Ballard’s dismissal

I understand that according to the rules, you can’t pull on an opponents’s hair, but my frustration is that it’s been regarded as violent conduct — and Ballard missing the remainder of the season for his finger getting wrapped in a long strand of hair is absurd.

Not only do I think Ballard isn’t the type of player to do that ‘violently’, but the lack of violence in the footage is clear too.

Still, just don’t touch his hair and you won’t get sent off.

A soft Wolves equaliser

It’s not the first time this season that we’ve been undone by a set piece, as I am sure you’re all hyper aware of after the Forest game, and despite our consistently robust defence of the box for most of the season, conceding from balls into the box has become far too common.

Obviously not having Ballard in there is a hindrance, but it’s another poor goal to concede and a continuation of a worrying pattern.


Lars Knutsen says…

A gutsy performance

After disappointing recent results, this was a performance of guts and character.

Adversity seems to bring out the best in this team. We coped well despite setbacks, which illustrates how the team has got its mojo back after the Nottingham Forest thrashing.

The Lads stayed in the game despite the numerical disadvantage, and could’ve scored a winner, so overall this represents a hard-fought point at a ground where Liverpool recently lost. And importantly, we’re still above Newcastle.

Mukiele’s star is rising

We witnessed a great goal and an assured performance that shows how Nordi Mukiele has become a crucial playe.

He timed his header extremely well and showed how valuable his goals have been this season. He’s a rapidly-maturing player whose performances have been a key contribution to Sunderland’s success in this campaign.

What got into Dan Ballard?

It was a ridiculous hair pull which got our big number five into trouble. His moment of madness was ultimately the difference between a single point on the road and what could’ve been a routine victory.

The irritating thing is that nobody is going to be pulling Ballard’s hair — should there be regulations about players with long locks having their hair tied back?

Is Europe slipping away?

Teams like Brentford are looking like qualifying for the Champions League.

There’s been a lot of debate this week about whether a European campaign would be good for Sunderland at this time, and I must admit I agree with former manager Sam Allardyce, who underlined how hard it is to win in the Premier Legue after a midweek game on the continent.

The summer investment in new players would have to be enormous to make us competitive, were we to qualify.


Malc Dugdale says…

The Lads end their losing streak

Despite being a man down for about seventy minutes, we got a point away from home and stopped the losing streak. With eleven men we would’ve won that as Wolves were awful, but any away point in the Premier League is worth having and especially one earned by only ten players for three quarters of the game.

I also believe we’re now mathematically safe — which is a great thing to achieve with a few games to go.

Massive respect to all the lads and the staff.

Sunderland impress with ten men

Even with ten men, at times we looked the better side and on another day we may have nicked that.

The ball out and take from Robin Roefs and Wilson Isidor respectively has led to us nicking a win, but it wasn’t to be yesterday.

Great finish from Nordi Mukiele and if he’d missed, Trai Hume was begging for it behind him with a free header too.

Hair today…a ban tomorrow?

It’s a mistake from Dan Ballard but I have to say I do think that rule is ripe for abusing, and that players with longer locks should be asked to tie it up to prevent accidental issues.

Ballard knows the rules though and although it comes across to me like a huge “soft as shite” situation, he should’ve known and done better.

It changed the game for the worse but we let him off.

Poor Sunderland marking

Although we had a man less, we had two lads around their player at the back stick and neither did enough to prevent the equaliser.

Our set pieces gained and lost momentum in the same game, and that’s an area we really need to build on for next season.


Talking Points: Wolves vs Sunderland – Hair Pull, Red Card And VAR!

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 02: Daniel Ballard of Sunderland reacts towards referee Paul Tierney after been shown a red card during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sunderland at Molineux on May 02, 2026 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Brett Patzke - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images) | Wolves via Getty Images

The Red Card

In a relatively drab and uneventful 90 minutes, the glaring talking point is the moment the entire match turned on its head: Dan Ballard’s red card in the 24th minute. It was a red card by the letter of the law, that’s pretty hard to dispute. The problem, however, is the law itself.

Why has there been a sudden need to clamp down on any form of hair pull as violent conduct? How is it violent conduct or deemed dangerous? It is pretty self-evident that Ballard is trying to clutch Arokodare’s back in order to pin the imposing striker, and accidentally also grabs his hair. The law is badly imposed, and needs an introduction of a form of force majeure applied based upon intent.

It is nonsensical that a tug of any body part, or contact with a bald head, will result in naught but a tug of hair, regardless of impact results in a red card and a three-match suspension – the same punishment given to recklessly endangering an opponent. Outcome should not always dictate the ruling, but the laws are giving an advantage to those long of hair, and how long before players just go down clutching their hair at every opportunity?

It is silly to have put himself in this position with a recent PGMOL clarification on the rule after the Lisandro Martinez incident, and it is a red, but (again) this law of the game is currently ridiculously extreme and ill-thought through. It actually speaks volumes that in the official rulebook on the FA website they state “there is no specific law, but it is deemed as violent conduct”. The PGMOL and FA are backing themselves into a corner where the next step will be forcing all players to tie their hair up. But hey, at least snoods are banned still.

VAR Humbug

It really is crap isn’t it? I don’t care that it helped us get here in the first place. Every goal is celebrated with angst of potentially being cancelled, every time a player drops to the floor or a ball whistles by a player’s hand you’re looking to the ref, and ultimately, it’s making decisions worse than they would’ve been without.

We all saw what referees were like when they’d drop down from the Premier League in a big match in the second tier. They don’t just need VAR; they have become utterly reliant upon it. Because, obviously, they are the only harbingers of fair justice in English football and the EFL refs aren’t deemed good enough to take charge, right?

Yes, the VAR officials still make the decisions and still apply them incorrectly, but they do that because the framework is in place no matter what. Human error still occurs, so just get rid of it all and put up with the said human error we already had. Goal-line technology has been an objectively successful implementation of technology because it is just that, objective. It has also been applied throughout the professional game. VAR has caused a split in how the professional game is refereed within our own shores, with Premier League sides now following a different interpretation of the rules to the EFL and beyond.

Defending Set Pieces

That period from the second half until about 60 minutes really was drab. In that time period we completed 11 (yes, eleven) passes. Granted, we were down to ten men and just trying to grind out a result – but we really need to improve our control of games.

Yet the biggest issue plaguing us at the moment is defending set pieces. For much of the first half of the season we seemed aerially dominant in our own penalty area, then teams changed tact. Since they all discovered just how brutally effective Robin Roefs is at clutching a whipped corner out of the air, teams are bypassing him entirely.

In the least three games, we’ve shipped five goals from set pieces, all looped to the back post. All in Trai Hume’s zone. Hume will be disappointed with this, but the bigger question is, why aren’t we adapting? We have a set-piece coach and a host of others in the coaching staff who all will likely have pointed this out, but we are still unable to defend that back post. Three chances today, three goals last week, one goal and two big chances the week before. In the Forest game, we were undone by the same move, to the same player, from the same crosser *three* times in ten minutes.

Mathematical Safety

We’ve done it. The first team since 2023 to get promoted and stay up. While aspirations are now loftier, that is because of our own success. This is now our third-highest Premier League points total. We’ll not be able to eclipse the top two of 58 and 57 set under Reidy in the glory days of those successive seventh-place finishes, but have now reached 47, the mark set by Steve Bruce in 2010 as we finished in the top ten of the top flight for only the fifth time in 70 years.

While dreams of Europe likely slip away, a top ten finish and placing ahead of them lot up the road remain realistic targets.

We are back, and we ain’t going anywhere just yet.

‘The goal is to win every game’ – Robert Lewandowski wants Barcelona to finish season with 100 points

PAMPLONA, SPAIN - MAY 2: Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona celebrates 0-1 during the LaLiga EA Sports match between CA Osasuna v FC Barcelona at the Estadio El Sadar on May 2, 2026 in Pamplona Spain (Photo by Cesar Ortiz Gonzalez/Soccrates/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski says he’s hoping the team can finish the season on 100 points after victory over Osasuna.

Lewandowski scored the opener from a Marcus Rashford cross as Hansi Flick’s side moved 14 points clear at the top of the table on Saturday.

The Catalan giants are now within touching distance of retaining their La Liga title but that’s not quite enough for their veteran striker.

“The goal is to win every game to reach 100 points. Even if we win La Liga, we have to win the remaining games,” he told DAZN.

“Winning LaLiga is a wonderful moment. The celebrations in the city are beautiful. Until we win LaLiga, it’s best not to talk too much.”

Lewandowski also spoke about his goal and was grateful for an excellent ball in from substitute Marcus Rashford.

“I saw that Rashford could cross. It was a very good ball for a striker. For me, it’s very important to receive balls in the box,” he added.

“I’m very happy to win today and to score an important goal, the 0-1. We had to fight until the end and before the match we talked about how winning here wasn’t easy. In the first half we played slowly with the ball and better in the second.”

Lewandowski has now scored 18 goals in all competitions this season for Barcelona, despite not being first choice, but we still don’t know for sure if he will stay or move on this summer.

Matchday Musings: VAR & The Officials… Incompetence Again!

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 02: Granit Xhaka of Sunderland reacts towards referee Paul Tierney after Daniel Ballard of Sunderland (not pictured) received a red card during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sunderland at Molineux on May 02, 2026 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Most of us are told not to pull hair as children, but we are never taught to caveat that with “But what if I’m focusing completely on the ball, ref?” How many playground fights would have been pardoned? How many children have been falsely disciplined, forever tarnished as a dirty hair-puller? 

Dan Ballard’s sending off against Wolves has me feeling like the parent of a hair-puller — not angry, just disappointed. And not with my child, but rather with the incompetence shown by VAR and officials once again.

I try to counter my disdain for this robotic thing with: “But, would we even be in this position had technology not intervened last May?” This all-powerful, faceless adjudicator gives with one hand, but takes with the other. 

There was very little in the incident itself. Ballard and Tolu Arokodare were tussling, with both players concentrating firmly on the ball. Unfortunately for Ballard, while grasping at the forward’s shirt, he catches a couple of strands of hair inadvertently.

There is no intent, and while VAR isn’t obligated to prove or disprove subjective intent, and the letter of the law states that hair pulling will always end in dismissal, like most rules, it is open to interpretation. 

As for the game, an apathetic malaise consumed Molineux. After a dismal campaign, the Wolves faithful demonstrated nothing but clear resignation, even ironically Olé-ing when 1-0 down. 

There were certainly parallels that could be drawn between the Sunderland side relegated in 2016-17 and Saturday’s hosts: a despondent side with precious little quality, a disillusioned fanbase, and a broken ownership model. 

The fact we scored from a corner was merely a case-in-point as to why Rob Edwards’ side are going down. It’s fair to say Nordi Mukiele’s first-half header was more a damning indictment of Wolves’ defensive setup, than it was indicative of some kind of improvement from us from dead ball situations.

The hosts were limp going forward, so after we went 1-0 up, we’d have fancied ourselves to protect our lead, claim all three points, and keep ourselves very much in the European conversation… until Ballard’s dismissal. 

Even after gifting Wolves the numerical advantage, we remained the better side, admittedly, in a low-tempo game that increasingly felt like a pre-season friendly. 

Offensively, we were, well, inoffensive. Chemsdine Talbi carried our greatest threat in what was an afternoon short on quality in the final third at both ends. 

The second half provided more of the same, but Wolves began to probe, and it wasn’t long before they restored parity, capitalising on our shortcomings at another set-piece, in this instance, a corner. 

After Dennis Cirkin, Habib Diarra, and Wilson Isidor came off the bench, we regained control, with Isidor’s runs in-behind, and Diarra’s attacking application pushing us up the pitch.

Frustratingly, a pinpoint Robin Roefs kick appeared to put Isidor in on goal, only for the forward to prematurely attempt to collect the ball, when all he needed to do was run onto it. 

With the game finishing in a disappointing stalemate, our European aspirations took a hit, but if it’s any consolation, at least the point made it mathematically certain that we’ll be playing top flight football again next season.

Following last week’s capitulation against Nottingham Forest, this was definitely a response, particularly when going down to 10 men. 

That said, Wolves really are abysmal, and were very much there for the taking had we been more willing to commit bodies forward. Ultimately, it’s in attacking areas where we look most inept, with little creative impetus and cutting edge — something I’m sure we’ll move to address in the summer. 

With three huge games still to play, we are still in with a shout at a European spot, and given Granit Xhaka’s visible infuriation at full time, this is a group of players who have evidently bought into that shared aim.  

Babar Azam hits out at 90s Pakistan cricketers: ‘You are just fighting among yourselves’

Salman Ali Agha’s Pakistan endured a disappointing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, failing to reach the semi-finals. But the struggles were not limited to performances on the field. Off it, tensions between current players and former cricketers came into sharp focus, with Shadab Khan at the centre of a major controversy.

Following Pakistan’s loss to India in Colombo, former stars Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Yousuf publicly called for Shadab to be dropped. The all-rounder responded strongly, questioning their credentials by pointing out that they had not been part of a Pakistan team that defeated India in a World Cup.

The exchange quickly escalated, with both Afridi and Yousuf hitting back at Shadab’s remarks. The episode highlighted a growing divide within Pakistan cricket, where criticism from former players often turns personal, drawing responses from those currently in the setup.

Now, two months on, Babar Azam has weighed in, calling for balance and mutual respect. Speaking while leading Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League 2026, Babar backed Shadab’s right to respond.

“When they speak about things, it's right, but if the current player has said something, it's not right. Anyway, it's a different ball game. Shadab said something in the heat of the moment. Everyone has their own way of speaking,” Babar said on Zalmi TV.

He stressed that such exchanges only harm the team environment. “But in the end, you are just fighting among yourselves. There should be an effort to support the Pakistan team. Yes, we didn't do well in the T20 World Cup. We know we didn't perform well. But yes, I accept that. But these are the times of social media, you cannot stop anyone.”

Shadab had earlier reignited the debate after referencing Pakistan’s 2021 T20 World Cup win over India during a game against Namibia, again drawing criticism from former players. Babar acknowledged the experience of past greats but urged restraint.

“There is no comparison. If you talk about the 90s cricketers, they are very experienced. They have played more cricket. If they think we are making mistakes, then we must be. But sometimes, there are personal attacks. When that happens, a player thinks about answering back,” he said.

“You can say anything you want to when it comes to cricket. But players also have self-respect. When you don't respect them, you also will get the same,” he added.

Amid the debate, Babar has been in outstanding form in PSL 2026, leading the run charts with 588 runs in 10 matches at an average of 84 and a strike rate of 146.27. His side, Peshawar Zalmi, will now face Hyderabad Kingsmen in the final on May 3.

On This Day (3rd May 1919): Sunderland Roll Back The Years To Take Cup

Ready for a new Challenge? SAFC 1919-20.

Football authorities in England took a lot of criticism following the outbreak of Word War I for not suspending the fixture lists sooner than they did, with the full 1914-15 campaign being completed as normal. Conversely, when the conflict was over, it was understandable that things would take a while to get back to normal – not least because peace was declared much later than 1918-19 would have been expected to commence.

The general recovery of the nation was of course the priority, and with players stationed in various corners it made sense to take things slowly in terms of the Football League and FA Cup. A condensed Victory League was announced as a halfway measure for clubs ahead of 1919-20 and at least offered some sense of normality for the sports mad members of the public in the early months of 1919, and on Wearside Sunderland added to their makeshift programme by entering the Durham Challenge (Senior) Cup.

Having won it on several occasions in their formative years the competition elicited fond memories for the Lads, who since last entering in 1889-90, when they beat Darlington in the final to become holders for the fourth time, had seen their A side become regular winners also. The return of the first team though had the potential to get some money into local clubs decimated by the war, and after making their way through the rounds, beating Southwick, South Shields and Felling Colliery as they did so, Sunderland were back in the final that was to be played at Darlington’s Feethams on the 3rd of May.

Selected to play in goal for the last time was John Baverstock, who had been guesting for the side since February. Having originally made a name for himself turning out in the North-Eastern League for Blyth Spartans, the stopper was offered a permanent deal by Sunderland over the summer only to be told during a June meeting of the league’s management committee that the fact he was previously offered reduced fees by the Northumberland club did not automatically entitle him to a free transfer as had been thought. Sunderland, for their part, wrote a letter apologising to Blyth for the confusion, stating that they had been unaware he was still on their retained list.

Prior to Baverstock, local lad Jimmy Hugall had enjoyed a stint in nets. Originally from Whitburn, he had been playing for Clapton Orient when he joined the Footballers’ Battalion but as a corporal faced considerable service on the front and suffered several large-scale wounds. In 1916 he was commissioned to a ‘home’ regiment, the 12th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry, where he was a lieutenant, and in early May 1918 he married what the press referred to as a ‘North Country lady’ in Sunderland. Although forced to relinquish his position in the army due to his injuries he was able to resume playing football, and in addition to six Victory League outings managed clean sheets in friendlies against Middlesbrough, and Newcastle United (twice), one of which was during a 1-0 Wear Tyne derby victory on Boxing Day 1918, the first match staged at Roker Park since April 1915.  

When he returned to Orient in June 1919 he was joined by Owen Williams, a winger from Ryhope that had been on Sunderland’s books earlier in the decade. After retiring from the game, Hugall came back to Sunderland and worked as a licensee and was believed to be running the George & Dragon Hotel on High Street West (which was knocked down in 1973 to help make way for the Crowtree Leisure Centre) when he died aged just 38. His passing was thought to have been as a result of internal conditions attributed to when he was gassed during the war.  

Crook Town were the opponents in the Durham Challenge showpiece in what was their first appearance in the final, and Baverstock was able to emulate Hugall with another shut out. The side had travelled to Darlington via the 10:30 train and had been told to expect a tough examination from the 1914-15 Northern League champions, but in reality the game was somewhat one sided, Bob Kyle’s men being aided by the withdrawal of the injured Woodall moments after they had taken the lead. It had been Charlie Buchan that had opened the scoring midway through the first half, with Barney Travers (four), Frank Cuggy and Jackie Mordue (two) also notching in a 8-0 win against a side that whilst obviously outclassed never gave up.

Some sources suggest that one of Mordue’s strikes may have actually come from Bobby Coverdale, but as captain it was Mordue that was presented the trophy at full time by a Mr Bennett, acting President of the Durham FA, to mark the fifteenth occasion the club had won the cup (the previous final, held in April 1915, had seen the reserves take the crown by beating Darlington 2-0, with Coverdale setting up one of the goals). Gate receipts for this latest instalment were reported as being £591.

*On Wednesday the 7th of May 1919 it was announced that Sunderland were signing Joe Kasher, who had played against them for his hometown team Crook in the final. Kasher had impressed greatly despite the final score and had already been on Bob Kyle’s radar anyway; whilst on trial over Easter he had featured for the Lads in a 2-0 Victory League success against Durham City. Comfortable using either foot, Blackpool, Middlesbrough, Barnsley and Preston North End were all reported to be keen on signing the centre-half, whilst Chelsea had even sent a representative to Darlington to approach him after the match and try and convince him to move to London. Kasher had earlier been a prisoner of war in Germany.   

——————————————————————————————————————————–

Saturday 3 May 1919

Durham Challenge Cup final

Sunderland 8 (Buchan, Travers, Cuggy, Travers, Travers, Mordue, Travers, Mordue)

Crook Town 0

Sunderland: Baverstock; Hobson, Young; Cuggy, Sherwin, Low; Best, Buchan, Travers, Mordue, Coverdale.   

Feethams, attendance 10,000

Resilience and Reality: Reading Royals’ 2025–2026 Season Review

The 2025–2026 season marked a transitional yet competitive chapter for the Reading Royals. Under first-year head coach and GM Anthony Peters, the Royals leaned into structure, adaptability, and depth scoring, earning their way back into the postseason and reinforcing the franchise’s consistent winning culture.

Regular Season: Grinding Out a Playoff Spot

Reading finished the season with a 36–26–8–2 record (82 points), securing a playoff berth in a tightly contested North Division. 

LATE PERIOD MAGIC FROM CARSON GOLDER🤯 2-2 AND WE’RE STILL HERE.@ECHLpic.twitter.com/Qw2S3RJ1kU

— x-Reading Royals (@ReadingRoyals) May 2, 2026

It wasn’t always smooth. The Royals hovered around the middle of the standings for much of the year, often battling inconsistency on both ends of the ice. Their 199 goals scored vs. 205 allowed reflected a team that lived on the edge competitive nightly but rarely dominant. 

What ultimately defined their regular season:

  • Resilience in tight games rather than blowout performances
  • A reliance on depth contributions over star-driven offense
  • Periodic struggles with defensive structure and goal prevention

Still, Reading did what they’ve done so often as a franchise, find a way in. Their playoff qualification extended a remarkable trend, reaching the postseason in 13 of the last 15 seasons, a testament to organizational consistency. 

Photo Credit: Reading Royals
Photo Credit: Reading Royals

Identity Under Peters

The first full season under Peters brought a noticeable shift:

  • A more disciplined, system-oriented approach
  • Emphasis on responsible two-way play
  • Trust in younger players and role consistency

The Royals weren’t flashy—but they were structured. That identity kept them competitive even when scoring dried up.

Key Contributors

While the roster lacked a runaway superstar season, contributions were spread across the lineup:

  • Balanced scoring defined the forward group
  • Players like Liam Devlin, Austin Saint, and Nick Deakin-Poot contributed in key moments, especially late in the year and into the playoffs 
  • Depth players consistently filled roles, reflecting a “next-man-up” mentality

On the back end and in goal, Reading’s performance was serviceable but inconsistent, often the difference between wins and missed opportunities for extra points.

Kelly Cup Playoffs: A Short-Lived Push

Photo Credit: Reading Royals
Photo Credit: Reading Royals

The Royals entered the Kelly Cup Playoffs matched up against the Wheeling Nailers in the opening round.

Despite optimism and a competitive roster, the series exposed the same issues that lingered all season:

  • Difficulty generating sustained offense
  • Trouble closing out tight, low-scoring games
  • Limited margin for error against structured opponents

Playoff production was modest, with only a handful of players registering points across the series.

Ultimately, Reading’s postseason run was brief, ending in the first round, a result that felt reflective rather than surprising.

Turning Points

Several factors shaped the season’s trajectory:

  • Midseason inconsistency that prevented a higher seed
  • Goal differential struggles, highlighting defensive lapses
  • An inability to separate from the playoff bubble pack

Yet, the team’s ability to stay afloat and qualify speaks to its resilience.

The Bigger Picture

The 2025–2026 campaign wasn’t about dominance, it was about stability and re-establishment.

For a team coming off organizational changes and entering a new coaching era, the Royals:

  • Reaffirmed their playoff-caliber baseline
  • Built a structured identity under Peters
  • Laid groundwork for future growth rather than chasing short-term peaks

Final Assessment

THE GLOVES COME OFF AND ARMSTRONG PICKED THE WRONG PLAYER😮‍💨🥊

Armstrong (2 min/holding) and Kulakov (2 min/roughing + 2 min/slashing served by Kurth) to the 📦

2:16 | 2️⃣ND @ECHLpic.twitter.com/jymbBMPhE8

— x-Reading Royals (@ReadingRoyals) May 2, 2026

The Reading Royals 2025–2026 season can be summed up in one word: steady.

They weren’t contenders but they weren’t far off either.

With improved defensive consistency and a bit more offensive punch, this is a team that could transition from playoff participant to legitimate threat in short order.

Massey scores in 10th on Garcia's sacrifice fly, Royals beat Mariners 3-2

SEATTLE (AP) — Michael Massey scored on Maikel Garcia's sacrifice fly in the 10th inning, and the Kansas City Royals overcame a dominant 14-strikeout performance from Seattle starter Emerson Hancock to beat the Mariners 3-2 on Saturday night.

Massey began the inning as the automatic runner at second base, stole third, and then scored on Garcia’s flyball to center field off Cooper Criswell (1-1).

The Royals tied the game in the ninth against Mariners closer Andrés Muñoz, as Salvador Perez led off with a single. Pinch-runner Lane Thomas advanced to second on a balk, and scored on Jac Caglianone's single to center that got by Julio Rodriguez and went all the way to the wall.

The Mariners scored first when Josh Naylor drove Rodriguez home with an RBI single in the first, but the Royals tied it with back to back doubles from Kyle Isbel and Garcia in the third.

That was the only run the Royals got against Hancock, who allowed six hits and no walks over seven innings while setting a new career high in strikeouts. It was a dominant performance on a night the Mariners retired the number of arguably the most dominant pitcher in franchise history, Randy Johnson.

Leo Rivas gave the Mariners a 2-1 lead when he scored from third on a wild pitch by Seth Lugo in the fifth.

The Mariners wasted a prime scoring opportunity in the fifth, when Randy Arozarena lost track of the count, and was picked off first base to end the inning with the bases loaded.

Lugo allowed seven hits and two walks over six innings, with six strikeouts. Luinder Avila pitched two scoreless innings of relief for the Royals.

Lucas Erceg retired the side in the 10th for his ninth save. Matt Strahm (1-0) got the win.

Up next

RHP Luis Castillo (0-2, 6.35 ERA) pitches Sunday for Seattle, against Royals LHP Kris Bubic (2-1, 3.74 ERA).

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Caitlin Clark, Raven Johnson Have Indiana Community Talking for Same Reason Before Fever’s Final Preseason Game

via Imagn/Imago ©via Imagn/Imago
via Imagn/Imago ©via Imagn/Imago

Some moments don’t need a game clock to go viral. Just hours before their final preseason outing, the Indiana Fever gave fans another glimpse of a partnership that’s quickly becoming must-watch in this league. And it involves none other than Caitlin Clark and Raven Johnson, who are now on the same side after a 2023 incident that once nearly pushed Johnson away from the sport.

During Saturday’s practice at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Fever shared highlights where a few casual half-court shots quickly turned into a full-blown shooting contest between Clark and Johnson. And that’s when things got interesting.

Both guards knocked down their first shots, but it was the rookie who had the last laugh.

Johnson edged out the two-time WNBA All-Star by hitting another half-court shot and started celebrating the moment right in Caitlin Clark’s face. While Clark, who was visibly frustrated, couldn’t hide her laugh, Johnson leaned all the way into the win, bringing energy, personality, and a bit of friendly chaos to the floor.

And they carried that same energy in their preseason game against Nigeria.

With one last tune-up before the regular season and with one win and one loss in their bag already, Indiana came in focused on rhythm, chemistry, and momentum, something this Clark-Johnson dynamic is already starting to shape.

Indiana cruised to a 105–57 win by putting together a complete performance on both ends of the floor. Even in limited minutes, Caitlin Clark made her presence felt and finished the game with 12 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists in just 13 minutes.

Johnson, meanwhile, continued to show her all-around impact and prove why she was a great pick for the Fever. The rookie logged 16 minutes and chipped in 9 points, 7 rebounds, and an assist, bringing the same energy and versatility that showed up in that viral practice moment.

And that’s exactly why fans couldn’t ignore Clark and Johnson’s lighthearted half-court shooting contest.

Fans Buy Into Caitlin Clark – Raven Johnson Chemistry

As their clip went viral, what started as a fun shootout quickly turned into something bigger in fans’ eyes, because for many, this wasn’t just about a half-court contest. It was about what this pairing could become.

One fan wrote, “CC and Raven teaming up is going to unite cultures.” While another added, “Love it! Bringing the best out in each other. CC and Raven!”

But let’s be real, not too long ago, a moment like this would’ve felt almost impossible.

When the Fever selected Johnson with the No. 10 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, her history with Clark quickly became a talking point. Back in 2023, when they were on opposite sides in the Final Four, Clark famously waved off Johnson, daring her to shoot from beyond the arc.

Via Imagn
Via Imagn

That moment clearly shook Johnson’s confidence, as she began passing up open looks despite having no defender in front of her. After the game, the clip of this incident spread everywhere. And for Johnson, the fallout was personal.

Speaking to I AM ATHLETE, she admitted the backlash from that moment nearly pushed her away from the game entirely, something that made many question whether the two could ever truly work together.

However, fast forward to now, and the narrative has completely flipped.

So another fan admitted, “I am happy to see these 2 enjoying each other! They will be a dynamic duo! I was wrong.” And that sentiment echoed across the timeline, with someone else writing, “Anyone who doubted why they drafted Raven can kindly say ‘I was wrong’!”

Ever since the training camp, Caitlin Clark has taken on a steady presence in Raven Johnson’s transition to the league. She has helped her “through all the hard times,” and answered what Johnson joked were “like 1,000 questions.”

And throughout this preseason stretch, that bond has only grown stronger, something fans are clearly starting to notice. So one fan summed it up best: “I love this so much.”

From a viral half-court shootout to real in-game chemistry, what once felt unlikely is now turning into one of the most intriguing storylines in Indiana’s build-up to the season. Because if this is just the beginning, Caitlin Clark and Raven Johnson will become one of the most exciting duos when the regular season kicks off on May 9th.

The post Caitlin Clark, Raven Johnson Have Indiana Community Talking for Same Reason Before Fever’s Final Preseason Game appeared first on EssentiallySports. Add EssentiallySports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

'Good times are back' say Town fans after promotion

A group of football layers wearing blue and white football kits standing on a football pitch celebrating. There are white and blue streamers falling down from the sky.
The Blues celebrated their win and promotion back to the Premier League on Saturday [PA Media]

All eyes were on Portman Road on Saturday as Ipswich Town took to the pitch knowing a win against QPR would secure a return to the Premier League.

Two quick goals from George Hirst and Jaden Philogene helped settle nerves inside the stadium and set The Blues on their way to a 3-0 victory and second spot in the Championship.

Town were promoted to the Premier League in 2024 but were relegated after only one win in their final 19 matches.

Delighted Town fans told the BBC of their delight at being back - and their hopes for next season in the top flight.

'Amazing'

Jack Richardson is holding two flags either side of him. He has a happy expression and has short brown hair. He is wearing black framed glasses and a blue Ipswich Town FC football T-shirt.
Jack Richardson said "it feels amazing" to be promoted to the Premier League again [Aimee Dexter/BBC]

Jack Richardson, from Ipswich, was among nearly 30,000 fans at the game.

The 19-year-old said he had seen the team go through three promotions in four years, adding that this one "feels amazing".

"I was nervy coming into it and there was a chance we could bottle it, but as soon as I saw them two, three minutes in and we scored, it was gone," said Richardson.

"I went out last night, got home at 3am, up at 8am and got to the pub by 9am.

"Under this manager there is no limit... it is a brilliant feeling."

'What a birthday present'

Lisa Fisher is standing in front of a football stadium. She has short light brown hair and is wearing a blue and white Ipswich Town football T-shirt. She has a badge pinned to one side of her T-shirt which says 60.
Lisa Fisher said Premier League victory was her top wish for her birthday [Aimee Dexter/BBC]

Birthday girl Lisa Fisher, from the Suffolk town, celebrated her 60th in style with the promotion triumph.

"What a birthday present. It was top of my list and I got it," she said.

"I have been going [to Portman Road] since 1975 and we have had good times and bad times, but it wouldn't be supporting Ipswich if we didn't.

"We won the FA Cup in '78 and had the best team there ever was in '81, and we had dips but now with Kieran, the good times are back.

"This is just the start."

'Fantastic result'

Robin Collins is standing to the left. He has short grey hair and has sunglasses resting on top of his head. He is wearing a blue and white Ipswich Town T-shirt.
Robin Collins said he has "always been a supporter" of The Blues [Aimee Dexter/BBC]

Robin Collins, from Ipswich, said the team played "absolutely brilliant" on Saturday.

"They did exactly what they needed to do - came out of the traps quickly, and got a brilliant result. McKenna is God for doing that again," the 45-year-old added.

Talking about the team preparing for the Premier League, he said "we will deal with that tomorrow".

"A lot of money needs to be spent, more than last time, bring [Liam] Delap back, bring [Omari] Hutchinson back and go big for the Premier League next season."

'So emotional'

Joe and Ellie and standing in front of Portman Road stadium. They are both wearing Ipswich Town FC T-shirts which are blue and white. Joe, who is on the left, is also wearing a blue bucket hat.
Joe, on the left, said he has been a lifelong fan of the club [Jack Maclean/BBC]

Joe, 30, from Ipswich, said it was a "perfect start" to the game after George Hirst scored a goal after only three minutes.

"This stadium is a Premier League ground and I so hope we stay up next year as we fully deserve it," he said.

"Us fans, we love them through the highs and the lows."

Ellie added: "It makes me feel so emotional, it makes me happy for everyone."

'Gelled this season'

Trevor Loan is standing outside of a football stadium. He has short grey hair and is wearing a blue Ipswich Town football T-shirt, a blue and white flag and is holding a blue scarf.
Trevor Loan remains a big supporter of Town after following them through highs and lows [Aimee Dexter/BBC]

Trevor Loan, from Ipswich, has been a supporter of the club for decades, following the Blues since the glory days of Sir Bobby Robson.

"They have gelled this season now, they started off a bit rough," said the 71-year-old.

"We have got to rebuild, we cannot keep this team, this team is not strong enough to last in the Premier League... they are too good."

The Premier League is expected to kick off on 22 August 2026, with the last match played on 30 May the following year.

Familiar face

Ed Sheeran is standing on a football pitch next to a football player who is on the right. Sheeran has short ginger hair and beard and is wearing a black coat. The football player - Marcelino Nunez - has short brown hair and is wearing a white and blue football T-shirt with 26 on the front.
Singer Ed Sheeran joined the players on the pitch after The Blues secured promotion [Connor Bennett/BBC]

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Mariners starter Emerson Hancock strikes out 14 on Randy Johnson jersey retirement night ... but Seattle loses

Saturday was a day to celebrate Seattle Mariners Hall of Famer Randy Johnson, who became the fourth player in Mariners history to have his jersey number retired. And soon after, Seattle starter Emerson Hancock honored him by putting on a show.

Hancock pitched seven innings against the Kansas City Royals, striking out 14 — the most strikeouts in one game by a pitcher this season.

EMERSON HANCOCK STRIKES OUT HIS 14TH BATTER 🤯

(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/dQWhB5FA9n

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 3, 2026

Hancock’s outing was quite the way to commemorate Johnson’s legacy. Besides setting a career high in K’s, Hancock became only the fourth pitcher in Mariners history to record 14-plus strikeouts and no walks, per the team, joining, among others, Randy Johnson, who accomplished the feat twice with Seattle.

Johnson’s jersey was retired before the game, with Johnson saying he was “grateful and honored” to become the second No. 51 to be retired by Seattle. The Mariners retired the jersey of Hall of Fame outfielder Ichiro last summer.

Another legend added to the squad... 5️⃣1️⃣ pic.twitter.com/q4gXeMnYMt

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) May 3, 2026

“One number. Two players. Representing one team,” Johnson said in his speech Saturday.

Unfortunately, the Mariners returned to classic form, blowing a narrow lead despite an incredible pitching performance. After a tight game, Kansas City forced extra innings after Seattle closer Andrés Muñoz allowed a game-tying run in the ninth. Then, in the 10th, Maikel Garcia hit a sacrifice fly to drive in a run and give the Royals the lead and an eventual 3-2 win.

Despite the loss, it was a great showing from Hancock, who is in the starting rotation while Bryce Miller is ramping back up from an oblique injury.

However, Mariners manager Dan Wilson will likely consider keeping Hancock in the mix once Miller returns. After six starts, Hancock, 26, has a better ERA and WHIP than any of the team’s other starters.

Seattle will now try to avoid a home sweep Sunday before hosting the Atlanta Braves.

Mizzou wraps up final day against rival Kansas

Chase Crawford participated in the men’s shot put during day three of Drake Relays on Friday, April 24, in Des Moines, Iowa. | Courtesy of Dan Murphy from Mizzou Athletics

The Missouri Tigers wrapped up their final day of competition in Lawrence on Saturday, May 2, closing out the Rock Chalk Classic with a string of strong performances across multiple events.

But first, we’ll start with the accomplishments of a former Tiger.

Karrisa Schweizer wins 5K at USATF

Karissa Schweizer delivered an outstanding performance, breaking the 15-minute barrier with a blistering time of 14:58.39 to claim the USATF 5K national championships title. Her sub-15 effort not also reinforced her status among the elite distance runners in the country, showcasing her strength against a field of athletes.

Karissa takes it! 😁

Karissa Schweizer storms to the USATF 5K Championship title in Indianapolis, putting up the sole sub-15 effort of the field this morning with a 14:58.39! 👸

Emma Grace Hurley takes 🥈 in 15:00.80, Gracie Hyde takes 🥉 in 15:03.59!#USATF5k coverage… pic.twitter.com/CWmmxE6UA2

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) May 2, 2026

Men’s Shot Put Success

The Tigers opened the day with a standout showing in the shot put. Chase Crawford led the way with a second-place finish, throwing 17.12 meters, while Sam Albert wasn’t far behind in third at 16.52 meters. Clayton Kamp also added valuable points for Missouri, finishing fourth with a mark of 15.90 meters, giving the Tigers a clean sweep near the top of the leaderboard.

Men’s 100 Meter Dash

On the track, Robert Hines delivered another impressive run, finishing second overall in 10.42 seconds. Hines continues to show consistency this season, just shy of his personal best of 10.32, which he set last year at the Battle on the Bayou.

Women’s Pole Vault

In the women’s pole vault, Allison Geen and Anna Vedral battled through a competitive field, both clearing 3.57 meters. Geen finished 12th overall, with Vedral close behind in 13th, as the duo continued to gain experience and consistency in the event.

Men’s 800 Meters

River Hardman put together a solid effort in the 800 meters, finishing 11th overall with a time of 1:53.67. Hardman was just off his personal best of 1:51.04, but still delivered a strong showing in a tightly contested race.

Women’s Discus Throw

In the discus ring, Ames Burton led the way for Missouri with a sixth-place finish, throwing 49.40 meters. Kaitlyn Morningstar also contributed for the Tigers, finishing 12th with a mark of 35.97 meters, rounding out a productive day in the field events.

What’s Next

The Tigers will travel to Auburn for one of the most competitive meets of the season, the SEC Outdoor Track and Field Championships, held Thursday through Saturday, May 14–16. Hosted by the Auburn Tigers, the meet will bring together top programs from across the Southeastern Conference, making it a key test ahead of the NCAA postseason.

With nearly two weeks to prepare, Mizzou should be well-positioned heading into postseason competition, with athletes ready to compete across both track and field events.

Regular outdoor season ✅#MIZ 🐯 pic.twitter.com/VqGDBJmQ2B

— Mizzou Track & Field (@MizzouTFXC) May 2, 2026

To read more about Missouri’s Track and Field team, follow @Rock MNation and @SophBleedsLA on twitter/X.

23x World Champion Jackie Crawford Inducted into Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame

There are many cowgirls who have made milestones in rodeo, and there are a few careers that have completely redefined success in the industry. Jackie Crawford has done both.

The 23 time World Champion was recently inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame. Although not originally from the Lone Star State, Jackie now resides in Stephenville, Texas with her husband Charly Crawford and two kids. 

An Industry Changing Career

Crawford’s 23 world titles didn’t come from just the breakaway roping, though she may be most well known in that lane. When Jackie first started roping, a lady could only go so far with a rope, and the breakaway just was not the way to win money. She did a little bit of it all. 

She’s won world championships in breakaway roping, team roping, tie-down roping, and the all-around. Jackie has built one of the most versatile and impressive résumés the sport has ever seen, not just because she is a girl either. 

Her titles span decades. In 2008 she would win her first two World Titles in the tie-down roping and all around. In 2011 she added the team roping on the heading side. In 2014, she added the breakaway. Since 2008, Jackie has become a 23 time World Champion.

It’s rare enough to dominate in one event, but Crawford has consistently done it across the board. If there is a rope involved, chances are Jackie can do it, and do it well. 

Still Competing at the Highest Level

Even now, she’s not just a name from the past, she is very much still in it. 

Crawford has qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping four times in 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024. She has proved time and time again that her name belongs in the history books, and in Hall of Fame's like this one. 

That’s part of what makes her career stand out. It is a great example of sustained excellence. As the sport as gotten tougher and faster and the girls get better, so does Crawford. 

Trail Blazer

When breakaway roping was introduced to the professional rodeo stage in 2020, Crawford, became the first-ever World Champion. She did so while 6 months pregnant with her second kid, Journey, who is now also roping at her own jackpots. 

Jackie just this past year became the first roper in WPRA history to surpass $1 million in career earnings. This is another milestone that speaks to both her success and the evolution of women’s rodeo.

Outside of titles and awards herself, Jackie has made an impact on the sport. The Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made a lasting impact on rodeo and the Western way of life. Crawford fits that in every sense.

So does Lari Dee Guy, another inductee in this years Hall of Fame Class. Lari Dee has been known as one of the greats for many years, and even mentored Jackie on her way to the top. For these two ladies to both be inducted in the same year really goes to show how far their impact has reached. 

Their influence goes beyond wins through mentorship, leadership, and a career that has helped push the sport forward, especially for women with a rope. Lari Dee and Jackie have helped lead the change and evolution to give the girls the opportunities that they have today. 

For someone with 23 world titles, there aren’t many honors left to win it may seem like. But this induction into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame recognizes everything Jackie has done for the sport. She has not just built a career but a legacy. 

Now, that legacy is officially part of Texas rodeo history.

Matches to make after PFL Sioux Falls

The Professional Fighters League continued its busy Spring with PFL Sioux Falls. There was a heavy dose of PFL Europe on the card, as well as young talent that put themselves in position for interesting opportunities.

Here are matches to make following PFL Sioux Falls:

Logan Storley vs. Magomed Umalatov

The welterweight title picture is currently unknown with the future of champion Ramazan Kuramagomedov up in the air. While Shamil Musaev and Magomed Umalatov sit atop the division rankings, Storley came into the night at No. 4, behind Thad Jean, who defeated him in the tournament championship last year. A fight against Umalatov could open the door for Musaev to either compete against Jean or await his next title fight opportunity. Storley’s performance showed his continued wrestling dominance, but he will have to pick up another win or two before finding himself in the title picture.

Gadzhi Rabadanov vs. Alfie Davis

Rabadanov has made it clear that he would not fight for the title while his close friend Usman Nurmagomedov is the champion, so he’s got his eyes set on a rematch. After defeating Aleksandr Chizov in what was an intriguing back-and-forth, Rabadanov should put his focus into a rematch with the last opponent to defeat him in Davis. A rematch between the two would be the best opportunity for Rabadanov to maintain his place near the top of the division while his good friend Nurmagomedov looks to continue his reign.

Simeon Powell vs. Sullivan Cauley

The PFL’s light heavyweight division has a ton of young fighters looking to cement themselves as top-level title contenders, and they’re about to have to start facing one another. Coming into his fight against Emiliano Sordi, a former champion, Powell’s last loss came against 2025 tournament champion, Antonio Carlos Jr., the same man that also beat Cauley. Powell had some tough times against Sordi but was able to storm back in third round, landing a big knee to close the show.

A world class welterweight clash headlines PFL Sioux Falls: Tune in Saturday, May 2 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

Sabrinna de Sousa vs. Ariane Lipski da Silva

De Sousa continues to show her potential in the PFL women’s flyweight division, picking up what felt like a razor-close fight between her and promotional newcomer Cheyanne Bowers. Keeping her undefeated record intact, de Sousa should get a big step up against veteran competition in da Silva. Making her PFL debut earlier this year, da Silva picked up a unanimous decision victory over Sumiko Inaba.

Taila Santos vs. Paulina Wisniewska

Returning from suspension, Santos made quick and short work of Qihui Yan in the first round of their matchup Saturday. Santos had not competed since losing in the finals against Dakota Ditcheva in 2024, and with a quick finish in the first round, she should get a test against one of the division’s young rising fighters in Wisniewska, who just picked up a victory in Chicago over Kana Watanabe. Having lost to de Sousa in her fight before that, Wisniewska should have a chance to keep picking up matchups against highly touted veterans such as Santos.

Mets fail in the clutch once more, fall to Angels 4-3 in extras

May 2, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Jorge Soler (12) is congratulated by manager Kurt Suzuki, center fielder Mike Trout (27) and catcher Sebastian Rivero (38) after scoring in the fourth inning against the New York Mets at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

April was a terrible month for the Mets. But April is over, and they won yesterday on May 1st. Surely May was destined to be much better. The 2026 season can now officially begin, right?

Yeah, no. Tonight we had another game where the Mets didn’t come through enough in the clutch—just like every other game in April. The result was an extra inning 4-3 loss.

Following a quiet first inning for the Mets, the Angels got off to an early lead against Nolan McLean. The rookie ace retired the first two batters with ease, but then surrendered three straight singles (one of them being a little squeaker to an empty spot on the right side of the infield). The third single was hit to right fielder Austin Slater, who unleashed a good throw to nab Jorge Soler trying to get to third to end the inning. Replay showed that the out at third beat the runner scoring at home, but the umpires did not see this, and Carlos Mendoza did not challenge the play, so the run counted and the Mets were quickly behind 1-0. That missed call/non-challenge would prove to be quite impactful.

However, after another quiet inning in the second, the Amazins finally pushed a run home in the third against Angels starter Reid Detmers. Following his impressive defensive play in the first, Slater—in the lineup against the lefty pitcher—socked a one-out double to left field, and after Ronny Mauricio struck out for the second out of the inning, Bo Bichette knocked a single to right to tie up the game.

They failed to add any additional runs on the board, though, and the Angels would retake the lead in the bottom of the fourth. After recording the first out, McLean surrendered a walk and a single to put runners on first and second, and both runners would subsequently advance on a wild pitch. A strikeout of Josh Lowe got the Mets one out away from getting out of the inning, but Vaughn Grissom then blooped a single to center to bring both runs home and put the Angels up 3-1. Another single extended the inning and further contributed to the high pitch count which would end McLean’s night after just four innings (the first time in his young career that he had an outing that short), but he did strike out former Met Travis d’Arnaud swinging to keep the deficit at just two.

Tobias Myers came on for the bottom of the fifth for some long relief and managed to work out of a jam after allowing the first two baserunners on. He followed that with a scoreless second inning, and it was at this point when the Mets’ bats decided to wake up against Detmers. Mark Vientos led off the inning with a double to left field, and Marcus Semien followed with a single to put runners on first and third with no outs. Andy Ibáñez—making his first start as a Met—then hit a ball to deep center to score the runner from third on a sacrifice fly, cutting the lead to just one run. Semien then swiped second base to put the tying run in scoring position, and Tyrone Taylor quickly took advantage by socking a single to center to even it up at three runs apiece.

Two infield singles (one from Ronny Mauricio, who slid into first base and would subsequently have to come out of the game in the bottom of the inning after hurting himself on the play) knocked Detmers out of the game and gave the Mets an opportunity with the bases loaded, one out, and the top of the order up against an Angels bullpen that has struggled mightily in recent times. Alas, Sam Bachman came on and retired Bichette (on a groundout to third base in which Taylor was thrown out at home) and Juan Soto (on a strikeout). Thus, following another scoreless frame from the Angels in the bottom of the inning (started by Myers in his third inning of work, and finished by Huascar Brazobán when Mendoza turned to him with two outs and a runner on), the score remained tie after seven.

Anyway, remember that beleaguered Angels bullpen we just remembered? Well, it should surprise absolutely no one that against the Mets, they suddenly looked like prime Mariano Rivera, as Bachman retired three straight batters in the top of the eighth with two more strikeouts and Ryan Zeferjohn followed with an easy 1-2-3 inning as well. For his part, Brazobán also pitched his own 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the eighth, and Craig Kimbrel then came on for the ninth to try to bring the game into extra innings. After retiring the first batter, Yoan Moncada hit a line drive to first that Vientos inexplicably failed to catch, resulting in a double down the line to put the winning run in scoring position. But the future Hall of Fame reliever bore down, striking out Zack Neto for the second out and then—following an intentional walk to Mike Trout—inducing a groundout to second to end the game and send it to the tenth.

The Mets got a gift in the beginning of the top of the tenth, as Brett Baty—who entered the game when Bichette moved to shortstop following Mauricio’s exit—reached on a catcher’s interference, putting runners on first and second with nobody out and the top of the order coming up. As was the case in the seventh inning, however, the top of the order failed to come through. Bichette grounded into a double play, Soto was intentionally walked with the go-ahead run on third, and Francisco Alvarez weakly flied out to shallow center to end the inning without a single run coming home. Austin Warren then came on with the unenviable task of needing to prevent the ghost runner from scoring to keep the game going. But, well, you already knew that wasn’t going to happen. Jorge Soler led off the inning with a walk, and Jo Adell then lined a sharp single to right to load the bases. Warren, to his credit, did bear down to record two straight outs and get to within a strike of getting out of the inning unscathed. But Oswald Peraza dunked a single into left field to end it.

The Mets are now 11-22. On the bright side, they’re still 1-1 in May. That’s .500! Progress!

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Win Probability Added

What’s WPA?

Big Mets winner: Brett Baty, +20% WPA
Big Mets loser: Austin Warren, -36% WPA
Mets pitchers: -11% WPA
Mets hitters: -39% WPA
Teh aw3s0mest play: Brett Baty reaching on catcher’s interference in the 10th, +19.8% WPA
Teh sux0rest play: Oswald Peraza walk-off single in the 10th, -34% WPA

Laborda scores goal in 82nd minute for Whitecaps in 1-1 tie with Galaxy

CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Mathias Laborda scored in the 82nd minute for the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday night in a 1-1 tie with the LA Galaxy.

The Whitecaps (8-1-1), who were only the second MLS team in the post-shootout era (since 2000) to win eight of their first nine games to begin a season, had their club regular-season record four-game win streak snapped.

Sebastian Berhalter played a free kick from the left side to the back post and Laborda headed home the finish from point-blank range to cap the scoring.

The Whitecaps had 58% possession and outshot LA 19-7, 5-2 on target.

Joseph Paintsil opened the scoring in the 46th minute. Lucas Sanabria, in the opening seconds of the second half, stole a misplayed ball from Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka and fed Paintsil for a finish from the right side of the area.

JT Marcinkowski had four saves for the Galaxy (3-4-4).

Takaoka finished with one save.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

StillDeck – Play classic Klondike solitaire in your browser with no ads or sign-up


StillDeck is a free browser-based Klondike solitaire game for people who just want to play cards without pop-ups, accounts, or app installs. Open the site on any device and start playing immediately. It includes Draw 1 and Draw 3 modes, an undo button, move counter, and auto-complete for finishing solved games. The interface is minimal and distraction-free. StillDeck is available in 19 languages and works on desktop, tablet, and mobile—all from a single URL.

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The Buildsheet – Track and share your car build, follow others, and chat


The Buildsheet is a platform for car enthusiasts to track and share vehicle builds. Create a buildsheet, log mods with photos and notes, and organize parts and updates. Explore a feed by make, model, or build type, follow projects you love, and message builders. Membership starts at $1.99/month with the first month free to support hosting and community features.

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Singapore Airlines Enhances Travel Experience with New Hotel Check-In and Baggage Drop Service in Singapore

Read full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/singapore-airlines-enhances-travel-experience-with-new-hotel-check-in-and-baggage-drop-service-in-singapore/

Singapore Airlines Enhances Travel Experience with New Hotel Check-In and Baggage Drop Service in SingaporeSingapore Airlines introduces an innovative downtown...

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Preferred Hotels & Resorts Adds 20 New Properties Worldwide, Spanning Bali Luxury Villas to Colorado Ranch Retreats

Read full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/preferred-hotels-resorts-adds-20-new-properties-worldwide-spanning-bali-luxury-villas-to-colorado-ranch-retreats/

Preferred Hotels & Resorts Adds 20 New Properties Worldwide, Spanning Bali Luxury Villas to Colorado Ranch RetreatsPreferred Hotels & Resorts...

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Source: Travel And Tour World

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Canelo watches on as Jaime Munguia wins his old world title

Jaime Munguia beat Armando Resendiz to capture the WBA super-middleweight world title at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, as former opponent-turned-training partner Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez shouted encouragement from ringside. Alvarez had held the WBA strap since 2020, but lost that and his three other major titles to Terence Crawford in September of last year. When […]

The post Canelo watches on as Jaime Munguia wins his old world title appeared first on Boxing News.

David Benavidez vs Gilberto Ramirez live scorecard and fight result

David Benavidez moves up in weight to challenge Gilberto Ramirez for the unified cruiserweight titles at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas. Benavidez faces the biggest test of his career so far, having established himself as a dominant force at super-middleweight and more recently claiming a world title at light-heavyweight. Known for his relentless pressure and […]

The post David Benavidez vs Gilberto Ramirez live scorecard and fight result appeared first on Boxing News.

Giden gitmiştir

Giden gitmiştir
Ertan Torunoğulları, Başakşehir maçı sonrasında Tedesco'nun ayrılığı hakkında konuştu ve "Hiçbir ayrılık nedensiz, tek taraflı değildir. Hocamıza bundan sonra başarılar diliyoruz. Kalan 2 maçımıza bakacağız....Devamı için tıklayınız

Canes keep rolling, blank Flyers to open semifinal series

Logan Stankoven scored twice and goaltender Frederik Andersen collected his second shutout of this year's playoffs as the host Carolina Hurricanes opened their playoff series against the Philadelphia Flyers with a 3-0 victory on Saturday in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Jackson Blake scored once and added an assist for the Hurricanes, who followed a first-round sweep of the Ottawa Senators with a decisive victory to kick off the Eastern Conference best-of-seven semifinal series.

Philadelphia Flyers center Sean Couturier (14) battle Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (4) and defenseman Jalen Chatfield (5) during the second period at Lenovo Center.

Andersen made 19 saves for his seventh career playoff shutout.

Mike Reilly collected a pair of assists.

Dan Vladar stopped 20 shots for the Flyers, who will attempt to regroup when the series resumes Monday in Raleigh.

The Hurricanes, who finished atop the Eastern Conference standings in the regular season, are yet to trail in this year's Stanley Cup playoffs and continued that trend thanks to their hottest player.

Stankoven tallied for the fifth consecutive game to open the scoring only 91 seconds into the clash. Reilly fired a point shot that Stankoven deflected into the net. Stankoven, 23, is the youngest player in history to score goals in five consecutive games to open the playoffs.

Stankoven has scored first in four of Carolina's five playoff outings.

Blake doubled the lead six minutes later with a highlight-reel worthy tally. He zipped around the defenders before tucking home the puck for his second tally of the playoffs.

The Flyers had managed only one shot on goal at that point.

Stankoven gave the Hurricanes a three-goal edge late in the second period. After a turnover, Seth Jarvis fed a pass to Stankoven in the slot and he immediately buried the chance with 3:44 remaining in the middle frame.

From there, the Hurricanes cruised to victory, amidst a string of message- sending infractions by the Flyers and retaliatory actions from Carolina's skaters.

After a handful of players were sent to the dressing room with misconducts just past the midway point of the final frame, things quieted.

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Canes keep rolling, blank Flyers to open semifinal series

Tigres get solid victory over Chivas in first leg of Quarterfinals

MONTERREY, MEXICO - MAY 2: Diego Alexander Sanchez of Tigres celebrates after scoring the third goal of his team during the quarterfinals first leg match between Tigres UANL and Chivas as part of the Torneo Clausura 2026 Liga MX at Universitario Stadium on May 2, 2026 in Monterrey, Mexico. (Photo by Hugo Rivera/Jam Media/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Tigres bounced back from giving up an early goal to get a 3-1 victory over Chivas in the first leg of their Quarterfinal series. Once again, Tigres were dominant over Chivas although the match was even in the 1st half before Tigres overtook it in the 2nd half. Chivas now needs to win by two goals in the return leg of the Quarterfinals on Saturday in Guadalajara.

The 1st half started with Mickey Tapias, Santiago Sandoval and Oscar Whalley being the main players to take the place of the Chivas players who were called up to the National team. A cross into the area was brilliantly lowered by Ricardo Marin, who got off a left footed shot past Tigres’ goalkeeper, Nahuel Guzman, to give Chivas the early 1-0 lead. On the play, Marin stepped up on the leg of Romulo Zwairg as he lowered the ball and all Tigres’ players asked for a foul to be called on the play but the referee decided the goal stood. A cross into the area was headed from close range by Rodrigo Aguirre but Whalley made a great save. After a harsh foul by Aguirre on Omar Govea, a small scuffle started that ended with both players getting Yellow cards. Juan Brunetta got off a left footed shot in the area that was deflected by defender Diego Campillo. Another controversial play happened when it looked like Fernando Gorriaran was brought down in the area but nothing was given. Off a free kick, Brunetta got off a good right footed shot that forced a good save from Whalley. From outside the area, Brunetta got off a right footed shot that forced another save from Whalley. Off the ensuing corner kick, the cross into the area was headed from close range by Jesus Alberto Angulo and it went past Whalley and into the net to score and tie the match at 1-1. The halftime whistle blew and an accident filled 45 minutes came to an end.

The 2nd half started with Tigres subbing out Francisco Reyes for Diego Sanchez. Ruben Gonzalez got off a right footed shot from outside the area that went wide. A cross into the area would be brilliantly volleyed by Juan Brunetta past Whalley to score a great goal and give Tigres the 2-1 lead. Off a great counter, a brilliant past allowed Diego Sanchez to go on a 1 vs 1 and then get off a right footed shot past Whalley to score and increase Tigres’ lead to 3-1. From outside the area, Sanchez got off a right footed shot that was easily saved by Whalley. A combination play ended with Brunetta getting off a right footed shot that went just wide. Chivas subbed out Santiago Sandoval for Angel Sepulveda. Sanchez made a great run into the area and got off a cross that would just out of reach of Aguirre. Tigres subbed out Rodrigo Aguirre for Juan Pablo Vigon. Chivas subbed out Efrain Alvarez and Richard Ledezma for Yael Padilla and Miguel Gomez. A good cross into the area was headed wide by Marin. Off a counter, a great combination play ended with Brunetta getting a wide open chance in the area but he sent his right footed shot well wide, in a bad miss. Tigres subbed out Jesus Alberto Angulo for Jose Guerrero. Chivas subbed out Ricardo Marin for Sergio Aguayo. Off a corner kick, Sepulveda got off a header that went just wide. Tigres subbed out Diego Lainez and Juan Brunetta for Andre Pierre Gignac and Vladmir Loroña. A right footed shot from Angel Correa went well wide. Bryan Alonso Gonzalez got off a left footed shot that went wide. The match would end and Tigres had gotten a solid victory in their start of the Quarterfinal series.

After Tigres crushed Chivas in Monterrey by a 4-1 score in the regular season and with Chivas missing key players that were called up for the National team, they looked more favored than a normal 7th placed team facing the 2nd. Yet Chivas did well in the 1st half and even took the lead in a controversial play. Yet Tigres got a goal in injury time and then in the 2nd time, the substitution of Diego Sanchez changed the match and Tigres never looked back. Chivas was lucky in not allowing more goals and now they only need to get a two goal victory to get thru to the Semifinals. Yet it will be a tough task especially as they will probably be exposed to counter attacks, which proved costly on Saturday. Tigres have a great chance go move thru to the Semifinals as Chivas will need to improve a lot and the players needed to do so are already preparing to go to the World Cup.

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