Global Pulse

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  • Liverpool snatch derby win ahead of City-Arsenal showdown

    Liverpool snatch derby win ahead of City-Arsenal showdown

    The English Premier League’s final stretch delivered a day of high drama on Sunday, as a dramatic late winner from Virgil van Dijk gave Liverpool a 2-1 Merseyside derby victory over Everton, just hours before Manchester City and Arsenal clashed in a title-deciding showdown at the Etihad Stadium. The results across the league on the weekend shifted the dynamic of both the top-four Champions League race and the relegation battle, leaving multiple clubs with everything to play for across their remaining five fixtures.

    The fixture marked Liverpool’s first ever visit to Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, and it did not disappoint. The first half already delivered its share of controversy: just two minutes before Mohamed Salah opened the scoring for the Reds, Everton had an early effort from Iliman Ndiaye ruled out by VAR after Jake O’Brien was judged to be in an offside position. Salah, who will leave Liverpool at the end of this season, capitalized on a perfectly weighted through ball from Cody Gakpo to slot past Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, equaling Steven Gerrard’s record of nine Premier League derby goals to become the competition’s joint all-time top scorer in the historic fixture.

    Everton, managed by David Moyes, weathered the early blow and drew level 10 minutes into the second half. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall drove down the left flank and pulled a low cross across the six-yard box, where Beto got ahead of Liverpool starting goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili to poke home the equalizer. The collision left Mamardashvili injured and forced him to be stretchered off, with backup Freddie Woodman coming on to finish the match.

    With the game tied and regular time expiring, officials added 11 minutes of stoppage time to the fixture. Deep into added time, Liverpool earned a corner, and Dominik Szoboszlai delivered an out-swinging cross that found captain Van Dijk unmarked at the near post. The defender powered a header past Pickford in the 100th minute to seal all three points for Arne Slot’s side. “Today was massive in the situation that we are, in hunt for the Champions League spots,” Van Dijk told Sky Sports after the match. “That is definitely not Liverpool-worthy, in my opinion, but it is the reality and it was important we got the win. We’ve got five more games left against teams that are also fighting for the Champions League spots. Every game is a big one.”

    The result leaves Liverpool fifth in the table, seven points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea who have slumped in recent weeks, and three points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, who pulled off their own dramatic victory earlier on Sunday. Unai Emery’s Aston Villa side squandered a two-goal lead against Sunderland but grabbed a stoppage-time winner to seal a 4-3 thriller, moving them level on 58 points with third-placed Manchester United.

    Ollie Watkins scored two first-half headers for Villa, putting the midlands club 2-1 up after an early equalizer from Sunderland’s Chris Rigg. A third goal from Morgan Rogers just after halftime looked to have put the game to bed, but Sunderland struck twice in the space of a minute through Trai Hume and Wilson Isidor to draw level, leaving Villa on the brink of dropping crucial points. But Tammy Abraham struck late to steal all three points, keeping Villa firmly in the hunt for a top-five finish that would secure Champions League football next season. “What a position we are in, semi-final of European competition (Europa League) and pole position to qualify for top five,” Villa captain John McGinn said after the match. “We can go and achieve what not many Aston Villa players have done for a long time. We’re keen to do that and we’re driven, five big games left to try and get ourselves over the line.”

    At the other end of the table, Nottingham Forest boosted their survival hopes with a stunning 4-1 comeback win over already-doomed Burnley, inspired by a second-half hat-trick from Morgan Gibbs-White. Forest fell behind early but Gibbs-White’s masterclass turned the game on its head, moving Steve Cooper’s side five points clear of 18th-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who dropped vital points in their battle to avoid relegation. Tottenham could only manage a 2-2 home draw against Brighton on Saturday, leaving them a point behind 17th-placed West Ham United, who face Crystal Palace on Monday. Wolves and Burnley are all but confirmed to drop into the Championship at the end of the season.

    As the day concluded, all attention turned to the Etihad Stadium, where reigning champions Manchester City hosted long-time table leaders Arsenal in a game that could effectively decide the 2024-25 Premier League title. A win for Pep Guardiola’s side, followed by three points against Burnley in their game in hand, would see City climb to the top of the table with just five games remaining, putting them in pole position to secure a fourth consecutive league title.

  • Endrick stars as Lyon beats PSG 2-1 to give Lens renewed hope in Ligue 1 title race

    Endrick stars as Lyon beats PSG 2-1 to give Lens renewed hope in Ligue 1 title race

    In a dramatic Ligue 1 Sunday clash that upended the table’s upper ranks, Olympique Lyonnais pulled off a memorable 2-1 away victory over league leader Paris Saint-Germain, with teenage forward Endrick delivering a standout performance that answered recent criticism one week after being benched. The result lifts Lyon into third place, strengthening its bid for automatic 2025-26 UEFA Champions League qualification.

    The stakes of the upset could not be higher. PSG, which has now dropped five league matches this campaign, holds just a one-point advantage over second-placed Lens, though it still has a game in hand to play. The two title contenders are scheduled to face off at Lens’ home ground in May, after their original April 11 fixture was postponed to accommodate PSG’s European Champions League commitments. For Lyon, the three points put Paulo Fonseca’s side ahead of fourth-placed Lille solely on goal difference — a critical margin, as the top three Ligue 1 finishers earn direct Champions League group stage spots, while the fourth-place side must navigate a qualification playoff.

    The match marked a redemptive turnaround for 19-year-old Endrick, who had been publicly criticized by Fonseca just days prior following a string of underwhelming displays, and was left on the bench for Lyon’s previous fixture against Lorient. Even then, the young Brazilian made an impact off the bench, contributing to both goals in a 2-0 win, and he carried that momentum into Sunday’s starting lineup.

    Endrick put Lyon ahead as early as the sixth minute, bursting into space behind PSG’s backline with a perfectly timed run to meet a pinpoint through ball from Afonso Moreira, finishing with a sharp, low strike past PSG goalkeeper Matvei Safonov. Twelve minutes later, he played creator on a blistering Lyon counterattack, playing Moreira clean through on goal from the halfway line. The 21-year-old Portuguese forward tucked a low shot into the left corner to double Lyon’s advantage before halftime.

    PSG had multiple opportunities to claw back into the game before halftime, but Lyon goalkeeper Dominik Greif turned away a 33rd-minute penalty from Gonçalo Ramos, and the Parisians suffered another blow moments later when midfielder Vitinha was forced off the pitch with a right ankle injury. In the second half, Safonov denied Moreira a second goal with a solid save on the Portuguese winger’s curling effort, though Moreira’s dynamic performance cutting in from the left flank all but cemented his case for a first senior call-up to the Portugal national team. Late in the match, PSG got a boost of their own when Fabián Ruiz made his first appearance in three months following a knee injury recovery.

    Khvicha Kvaratskhelia did pull one goal back for PSG with a stunning 20-yard curled effort four minutes into stoppage time, but it was too little too late for the hosts. After the final whistle, PSG manager Luis Enrique warmly embraced Fonseca, acknowledging Lyon’s deserved win.

    Elsewhere in Ligue 1, American striker Folarin Balogun extended his incredible scoring streak to eight consecutive league matches as Monaco rallied to earn a 2-2 draw with Auxerre. Seventh-placed Monaco remains firmly in the hunt for a Champions League spot, and Balogun’s 59th-minute penalty equalizer rescued a point after Auxerre had jumped out to a 2-0 lead through Kévin Danois and Lassine Sinayoko. Former Barcelona winger Ansu Fati had scored Monaco’s first goal just three minutes before Balogun’s penalty, drilling a low strike from the edge of the 18-yard box. Currently, Monaco sits three points behind fifth-placed Rennes and two points behind sixth-placed Marseille, which dropped a 2-0 result to Lorient on Saturday — a defeat that drew a harsh public rebuke of the squad from Marseille’s sporting director. Auxerre remains in 16th place, occupying the final relegation playoff spot that will see them face the third-placed side from Ligue 2 at the end of the season.

    In Rennes’ 3-0 away win over Strasbourg, Esteban Lepaul continued his breakout campaign, opening the scoring with his 17th league goal of the season, which moves him to the top of the Ligue 1 scoring charts. Lepaul also set up Breel Embolo for Rennes’ second goal, before Mousa Al-Tamari wrapped up the three points, extending Rennes’ good form to seven wins from their last nine outings. At the wrong end of the table, rock-bottom Metz moved one step closer to relegation after a 3-1 home loss to Paris FC, while 17th-placed Nantes conceded a late stoppage-time equalizer to draw 1-1 with Brest. In Friday’s fixture, Lens fought back from a 2-0 deficit to secure a critical 3-2 come-from-behind win over Toulouse, keeping their title challenge on track.

  • Over 100 teams participate in Shanghai leg of Canicross

    Over 100 teams participate in Shanghai leg of Canicross

    A groundbreaking new sporting event that pairs human athletes with their canine companions made its first Chinese appearance over the weekend, as the Shanghai stage of the 2026 Non-stop Canicross concluded successfully in Miaohang Town, Baoshan District. Integrated into the broader schedule of the 2026 Shanghai Amateur Games, this race marks the first time that the professional European-origin Canicross discipline has been hosted on Chinese soil.

    The event drew widespread interest from local dog-loving sports enthusiasts, bringing more than 100 registered human-canine teams from across Shanghai to the starting line to test their teamwork and endurance against one another. Unlike the standard 5-kilometer route that is the norm for international Canicross competitions, organizers adjusted the race distance to 2 kilometers to align with the layout and natural characteristics of Shanghai’s urban green spaces, making the event more accessible for both participating teams and local spectators.

    As a rising niche sport that combines outdoor fitness with pet companionship, Canicross’s debut in Shanghai reflects the growing diversification of amateur sports options for urban residents in China, opening up a new avenue for active dog owners to engage in organized competitive activity while deepening the bond with their pets. The successful holding of the Shanghai leg also paves the way for future expansion of Canicross events across other Chinese cities.

  • Watch: Runners v robots at China half marathon

    Watch: Runners v robots at China half marathon

    In a groundbreaking clash between human athleticism and artificial engineering, Sunday’s half marathon in Beijing delivered a stunning result that turned heads across the global sports and technology communities: a robotic competitor outperformed all its human runners, finishing far ahead of the pack to claim a historic victory.

    The unusual race, which pitted elite and amateur human runners against a fleet of advanced robotic entrants, marked one of the first public head-to-head competitions between man and machine in a mainstream long-distance running event. The event organizers designed the matchup to showcase advancements in robotics and mobility technology, while also creating a one-of-a-kind spectacle for spectators gathered along the race route.

    By the final kilometer of the 21.1-kilometer course, the top-performing robot had already opened an insurmountable lead over the nearest human contender. Crossing the finish line well ahead of the entire human field, the winning machine cemented its place as the unlikely champion of the day, leaving even the fastest human rivals trailing far in its wake.

    The event has sparked new conversations about the rapid progress of robotic engineering, and how automated systems are increasingly crossing into domains long dominated by human physical performance. While many in attendance viewed the matchup as a lighthearted exhibition, the outcome also highlights just how far mobility technology has advanced in recent years, opening new questions about future intersections of sports, technology and human competition.

  • Chinese construction firm among two short-listed for construction of Hobart stadium

    Chinese construction firm among two short-listed for construction of Hobart stadium

    A major Australian infrastructure milestone has moved forward this week, after Tasmanian officials confirmed two bidding consortia have advanced to the final tender phase for Hobart’s $1.13 billion Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium, a project that will pave the way for Tasmania’s first Australian Football League (AFL) team.

    Announcing the shortlist on Sunday, Macquarie Point Urban Renewal Minister Eric Abetz framed the selection as a critical step forward for the transformative development. The project, which will repurpose a long-abandoned industrial site at Macquarie Point into a year-round events and community precinct, is projected to deliver widespread economic and social benefits across the entire island state.

    “This is another important step forward for the Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium,” Abetz said in his statement. “We have seen strong interest from major contractors capable of delivering a project of this scale and complexity. We are delivering for Tasmania by turning a wasteland into a year-round events and function precinct that will provide benefits for all Tasmanians.”

    The two candidates moving into the request for tender phase are Brisbane-based construction firm Besix Watpac, and a joint venture bringing together three specialist contractors: Italy’s Webuild S.p.A, Australian engineering firm McConnell Dowell, and China Construction Oceania.

    China Construction Oceania, the Australian regional subsidiary of China State Construction Engineering Corporation, a Chinese state-owned construction giant, brings extensive prior experience delivering major infrastructure across Australia. The firm was previously selected as a contractor for the Victoria state government’s $12 billion North-East Link motorway project, one of the largest road developments in the country’s recent history.

    In this next stage of the procurement process, both shortlisted bidders will be required to submit detailed proposals covering their project delivery strategy, commercial terms, construction timeline, and plans for engaging local Tasmanian industry and businesses. The Tasmanian government expects to award the main construction contract by the end of 2024.

    New architectural renderings of the stadium, designed by Cox Architecture, were released publicly alongside the masterplan announcement earlier this week. When complete, the venue will serve as the home ground for the newly created Tasmania Devils AFL club, which is scheduled to join the national professional competition starting in 2028. The stadium’s construction was a non-negotiable core requirement from the AFL to approve the creation of Tasmania’s first permanent AFL franchise.

    Beyond the stadium itself, the Macquarie Point Development Corporation unveiled the full precinct masterplan earlier this week, which includes proposed new commercial hubs, residential neighbourhoods, and public open space that will transform the former industrial site into a vibrant mixed-use district for Hobart residents and visitors alike.

  • Blues clues: James Tedesco dominates as Roosters veteran mounts his case for an Origin recall

    Blues clues: James Tedesco dominates as Roosters veteran mounts his case for an Origin recall

    With just four weeks remaining until the New South Wales Blues name their starting 13 for the 2026 State of Origin opening clash, veteran fullback James Tedesco delivered a career-defining performance on Sunday that has thrown his name back into contention for the coveted number 1 jersey, powering the Sydney Roosters to a thrilling 38-24 comeback victory over the Newcastle Knights at Allianz Stadium.

    The former NSW captain entered the weekend avoiding questions about his Origin selection hopes, but his masterclass on the pitch sent an unmistakable message to Blues coach Laurie Daley just when selection conversations are heating up. Against the Knights, Tedesco put up stat lines that rarely appear outside of video game simulations: 24 carries for 223 running metres, 17 broken tackles, one individual try, three try assists, and three line breaks. The standout, all-around performance ranks among the most impressive individual displays of the entire 2026 NRL season.

    Tedesco’s standout showing comes at a pivotal moment, as Dylan Edwards has long been framed as the presumptive starter at fullback for the Blues. The last time Tedesco wore the NSW fullback jersey was 2024, when he stepped into the role after Edwards was sidelined by an injury. On Sunday, he proved he still has the speed, power, and playmaking ability to compete at the highest representative level, dominating the second half to flip the game on its head after the Roosters got off to a sluggish start.

    His influence on the try sheet was undeniable: he threw the final pass for the Roosters’ opening four-pointer, put a pinpoint grubber kick through for winger Hugo Savala to score his first try of the afternoon, crashed through the Knights’ defensive line to score a try of his own, and flicked a deft offload to set up another score off a well-drilled scrum move. Throughout his representative career, Tedesco has never let the Blues down, leaving Daley with a difficult selection call that pits a proven veteran in red-hot form against the competition’s current favourite for the role.

    While Tedesco stole the headlines, Newcastle young gun Fletcher Hunt turned in a breakout first-half performance that nearly secured a massive upset for the away side. Making his first start after recovering from a season-opening knee injury, the 22-year-old left centre scored a first-half hat-trick and pulled off two game-changing try-saving tackles to keep the Knights in the driver’s seat at halftime. Hunt crossed for his first try in the ninth minute, reeled in a spectacular airborne catch off a Dylan Brown kick to put the Knights up 12-6 midway through the half, then finished off a break from late inclusion Francis Manuleleua to complete his three-try opening 40. Late in the half, he came up with huge stops on both Mark Nawaqanitawase and Siua Wong to send Newcastle into the break with a 24-12 lead.

    However, the Knights could not carry their momentum into the second half, barely registering an attacking opportunity as the Roosters seized complete control of the match. The result means Newcastle coach Justin Holbrook and key former Roosters players Sandon Smith and Dom Young missed out on a fairytale win over their old club.

    For the Roosters, Hugo Savala also turned in a standout performance in his new role at left centre, a position he shifted to after the club signed star halfback Daly Cherry-Evans in the off-season, which had sparked widespread speculation about Savala’s future at the club. The towering playmaker proved he has settled comfortably into his new spot, scoring a try in each half. His first came off a Sam Walker kick that Daniel Tupou knocked back into his path for an easy walk-over score, and he proved far more than a stationary edge player, roaming across the pitch to create overlaps that kept the Knights’ defence scrambling all afternoon.

  • Britain’s youngest F1 driver on his debut season so far – and learning to skateboard

    Britain’s youngest F1 driver on his debut season so far – and learning to skateboard

    At 18 years old, Arvid Lindblad has already etched his name into Formula 1 history as Britain’s youngest driver to compete at the sport’s highest level. Just three races into his highly anticipated debut season, however, an unforeseen gap in the 2026 calendar has handed the Racing Bulls rookie an unexpected month-long break from the grid, forcing the teen to pause what has already been a whirlwind introduction to elite motorsport.

    Lindblad kicked off his F1 journey with a standout performance at last month’s Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, where he immediately delivered points to his team by crossing the finish line in eighth place. Back-to-back races in Shanghai and Tokyo followed, before the scheduled rounds in Bahrain and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia were called off over escalating conflict in the Middle East. The cancellation means Lindblad was meant to hit 200mph around Jeddah’s iconic street circuit this past weekend, a date that now sits empty on his racing schedule.

    With weeks of unplanned free time on his hands, the teen has used the break to slow down, reflect on his opening performances, and embrace ordinary teenage experiences he has rarely had time for. He has reconnected with friends, and even picked up an entirely new hobby: learning to skateboard. When asked about his progress, Lindblad joked that he can now ride comfortably and navigate small ramps, and has set a goal to nail a kickflip by the end of the year. Still, he admits that even with an enjoyable break, racing remains his core passion, and he is counting down the days to get back behind the wheel.

    For the 18-year-old, the reality of being a full-time Formula 1 driver has not fully sunk in yet. “This is something I’ve been working towards my whole life,” he told BBC Newsbeat in an exclusive interview. “So the fact it’s come true is extremely special, extremely cool.”

    Lindblad’s next shot at racing will come in a fortnight at the Miami Grand Prix, a round he says he is eagerly anticipating. Beyond that, he has his sights set on his first home Grand Prix at Silverstone in July, an event that will hold deep personal meaning for the Surrey-born driver. “My whole family will be there. I think racing at home, there’s no real feeling like it,” he said.

    The rookie driver has also opened up about the multicultural heritage that has shaped his identity, which he proudly displays on the back of his racing helmet with three national flags: England, Sweden, and India. Though raised in Virginia Water, Surrey, Lindblad’s father is Swedish, while his mother comes from an Indian background. “I’ve really been surrounded by all three cultures. It’s shaped me into the person and driver I am today,” he explained.

    That Indian connection has left Lindblad with a long-term dream: to compete in a Formula 1 Grand Prix on Indian soil. The country last hosted an F1 race at Uttar Pradesh’s Buddh International Circuit in 2013, before the event was scrapped following a tax dispute with local authorities, with F1 officials at the time citing “very political” reasons for the cancellation. Earlier this month, an Indian government minister claimed a 2027 Grand Prix would go ahead, but F1 bosses quickly debunked the announcement, confirming no race will be held in India next year. Still, Lindblad says a future Indian Grand Prix would mean the world to him. “I race under the British flag so having one home race is pretty cool, if there were to be a second one that’d be really special as well,” he said. “I don’t know the ins and outs of it, or how realistic it is, but it would mean a lot to me.”

    As a new face on the 2026 grid, Lindblad has yet to check one major rookie rite of passage off his list: filming his intro segment for Netflix’s hit F1 documentary series *Drive to Survive*. The show launched when Lindblad was just 10 years old, at the start of his own karting journey, so the opportunity to step in front of its cameras is one he is eagerly looking forward to. “I’ve watched loads of those clips and to be able to sit in that chair will be really cool at some point,” he said.

    Off the track, Lindblad says team chemistry at Racing Bulls is strong, with a positive dynamic alongside teammate Liam Lawson. He has also built a close connection with four-time reigning world champion Max Verstappen, who has become a valued mentor for the young rookie. “His journey to F1 was quite similar to mine, we both came in at a young age and rose through the ranks quite quickly,” Lindblad explained. “He’s been really good on that side if I needed some advice or had a question.”

    For now, though, the teen is just enjoying the unexpected break while gearing up for his return to racing – and it’s clear his skateboarding hobby won’t be replacing the thrill of the F1 cockpit any time soon. “I’ve enjoyed the break but racing is my passion,” he said. “It’s probably what makes me happiest.”

  • Man Utd beat Chelsea as Spurs stunned by Brighton equaliser

    Man Utd beat Chelsea as Spurs stunned by Brighton equaliser

    The 2024-25 English Premier League matchday delivered a collection of dramatic twists and pivotal results that reshaped the fight for Champions League qualification and the battle for top-flight survival on Saturday. The most high-stakes outcome came at Stamford Bridge, where Manchester United edged out Chelsea 1-0 to put themselves firmly on course for a return to Europe’s elite club competition after two seasons outside the top four.

    Matheus Cunha scored the match’s only goal just before halftime, sweeping a clinical finish past Chelsea’s goalkeeper from Bruno Fernandes’ precise cross. The result leaves United third in the table, 10 points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea, whose own Champions League aspirations are now effectively ended after a fourth consecutive league defeat. Pochettino’s side were unable to capitalise on a United defensive unit depleted by a string of injuries and suspensions, wasting multiple chances to get back on level terms. For United, a remarkable turnaround under interim manager Michael Carrick has put a return to the Champions League within touching distance, with the club set to bank hundreds of millions in prize money and commercial revenue should they hold their position in the final weeks of the season.

    At the other end of the table, Tottenham Hotspur suffered another gut-wrenching setback in their fight to avoid relegation, blowing a two-goal advantage twice to concede a 2-2 draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against Brighton & Hove Albion. The result leaves Spurs still stuck in the relegation zone, one point behind 17th-placed West Ham United, who hold a game in hand that will see them extend their advantage if they pick up three points against Crystal Palace on Monday. A win for Tottenham would have broken a 14-match winless run in the league for the north London side, and looked increasingly likely after Xavi Simons scored a stunning long-range strike with 13 minutes remaining to restore their lead. But five minutes into second-half stoppage time, Georginio Rutter blasted home a squared pass from Jan Paul van Hecke, who outmuscled defender Kevin Danso to create the equaliser. The late blow leaves Tottenham on the cusp of dropping out of the top flight for the first time in nearly 50 years, but new interim manager Roberto De Zerbi, in his first home match in charge, remained defiant after the final whistle. “Everyone of us knows it’s a tough moment, it’s a difficult situation, but we have another five games, 15 points,” De Zerbi told reporters. “And this team is able to win five games in a row.”

    Brighton’s late equaliser had an unexpected knock-on effect for Wolverhampton Wanderers, who avoided official relegation on Saturday despite a 3-0 heavy defeat to Leeds United at Elland Road. Wolves’ eight-year run in the Premier League is still all but certain to end this season, but the draw at Tottenham delayed the confirmation of their drop to the Championship. For Leeds, the result is near enough enough to secure their top-flight survival in their first season back after promotion, compounding Wolves’ misery. Fresh off their first away win against Manchester United at Old Trafford since 1981 the previous week, Leeds got two goals in two first-half minutes from James Justin and Noah Okafor to take full control, before a stoppage-time penalty from Dominic Calvert-Lewin rounded off the scoring.

    Leeds’ successful survival bid bucks a recent Premier League trend that has seen all three newly promoted clubs relegated straight back to the Championship in each of the last two seasons. Daniel Farke’s side have not only secured their long-term future in the top flight, but also have a chance to reach their first FA Cup final since 1973 when they face Chelsea in the semi-final next weekend. Fellow promoted side Sunderland have also impressed this season, putting in a far stronger campaign than most pre-season predictions expected.

    Elsewhere, Eddie Howe’s position as Newcastle United manager came under further pressure after Bournemouth secured a 2-1 win at St James’ Park, extending the Cherries’ unbeaten Premier League run to 13 matches. The result came despite confirmation earlier this week that Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola will leave the club at the end of the season. Goals from Marcus Tavernier and Adrien Truffert earned the south coast side all three points, lifting Bournemouth to eighth in the table, just four points adrift of the top four Champions League places. Newcastle, by contrast, remain stuck in 14th place, with their own hopes of qualifying for European football next season all but over.

    In west London’s local derby, Brentford missed a golden chance to jump above Chelsea into the top six after being held to a goalless draw by Fulham at Craven Cottage. All eyes now turn to Sunday’s title decider, where league leaders Arsenal travel to the Etihad Stadium to face second-placed Manchester City. Mikel Arteta’s side hold a six-point lead at the top of the table, but City hold a game in hand and home advantage, meaning the clash could effectively decide who lifts the Premier League trophy at the end of the campaign.

  • England thrashes Scotland as record Murrayfield crowd watches a Women’s Six Nations rout

    England thrashes Scotland as record Murrayfield crowd watches a Women’s Six Nations rout

    On a sun-soaked matchday across the United Kingdom and Ireland, the second round of the 2024 Women’s Six Nations delivered lopsided results that kept the tournament’s biggest anticipated showdown firmly on schedule, while continuing to break fan attendance records for women’s rugby.

    England, the tournament’s dominant defending champions, delivered a staggering 84-7 blowout over host Scotland at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield, a result that stretched their unmatched winning streak to 35 consecutive test matches. Entering the match with significant disruption to their roster — three additional World Cup winners sidelined by injury just one week after a rusty 33-12 win over Ireland at Twickenham — coach John Mitchell was forced to reshuffle his starting lineup: back-rower Abi Burton shifted to an unfamiliar lock position, 19-year-old Demelza Short made her senior international debut, and Emma Sing earned a start at fullback that moved regular Ellie Kildunne out to the wing.

    That reshuffled side put on a masterclass of attacking rugby, crossing the try line 12 times — all converted — from 18 attacking entries into Scotland’s 22-meter zone. Number 8 Maddie Feaunati turned in a Player of the Match performance as an unstoppable attacking force, supported by standout displays from Sadia Kabeya, prop Maud Muir (playing in her 50th test match), scrumhalf Lucy Packer, flyhalf Zoe Harrison, captain Megan Jones, and Sing. Ten different players notched tries for England, including a double from Kildunne that pushed her career test try total to 50 in just 59 appearances, former captain Marlie Packer’s 53rd career try, and scores for replacement players Sarah Bern, Mia Venner and Haineala Lutui.

    Mitchell praised his side’s adaptability after the final whistle, noting “That was a special performance. There’s been a lot of moving parts over the last few weeks, with some serious injuries.” The 84-point result marked the seventh time England has hit the 80-point mark in Six Nations history — no other team has ever done so — and ranks as the fourth-highest single-game score in the tournament’s history, the third time England has put 80 or more points on Scotland. Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm acknowledged the gulf in quality between the two sides, saying “Where we are in our cycle, England aren’t a team that we are ready to compete with. We created some pretty cool chances but we didn’t stop them enough times.”

    The match also made off-field history: a sellout crowd of 30,498 fans packed Murrayfield, the largest standalone crowd for any women’s sporting event in Scottish history. That record attendance continues a tournament-wide trend of growing fan support for the Women’s Six Nations.

    Across the border in Cardiff, second-ranked France pulled away from a stubborn first-half fightback to beat Wales 38-7 at Cardiff Arms Park, keeping their unbeaten record intact and setting up a potential Grand Slam decider against England in the final round of the tournament in Bordeaux. France got off to a disastrous start: prop Yllana Brosseau was sin-binned for four early penalties inside the opening 14 minutes, and scrumhalf Pauline Bourdon Sansus soon joined her for collapsing a Welsh rolling maul, which gifted Wales a penalty try that left the two sides tied 7-7 at halftime with France down to 13 players.

    Playing a man down actually focused the French side, who crossed for their first try through lock Madoussou Fall Raclot before halftime while Wales held firm defensively. The deadlock broke completely after the break, when French captain Manaé Feleu finished off a break from Aubane Rousset to retake the lead. When Wales’ Gwen Crabb was yellow-carded mid-way through the second half, France capitalized in quick succession: Bourdon Sansus set up Léa Murie for a try before crossing for one of her own just five minutes later. Wing Anaïs Grando, playing in just her second test match, closed out the scoring with two late tries to push the final score to 38-7.

    Fall Raclot noted after the match that the slow start was a concern for the side ahead of their tough upcoming fixture: “We need to better prepare our starts. We’ve had two close games now that can’t happen again. We were able to talk to each other, get back together, and in the end we got the job done.”

    In Galway, Ireland kept the pressure on France with a record-breaking 57-20 win over Italy, putting Ireland in position to upset France’s Grand Slam hopes when they face Les Bleues in Clermont-Ferrand next weekend. The result marked a major rebound for Ireland after a tight, low-scoring opening round loss to England, and drew a crowd of 9,206 to Connacht Rugby’s 12,500-capacity stadium — a sellout for Ireland’s first ever test match hosted in Galway.

    Winger Beibhinn Parsons, who made her international debut at just 16 years old in 2018, seized the opportunity to play her first senior test in her home region, scoring a hat trick of tries. Fellow winger Robyn O’Connor, called up from the national sevens program, scored a try on her debut, crossing for the bonus-point fourth try as early as the 23rd minute. Last year’s Six Nations MVP, number 8 Aoife Wafer, bounced back from a quiet opening round to put on a dominant display: 12 carries, eight tackles, one turnover and a try in just 53 minutes of play.

    Ireland held a commanding 45-10 lead at halftime, and while Italy rallied in the second half to score four tries and earn a bonus point, Ireland’s nine tries pushed their final total past the previous record of 54 points against Italy set one year ago. After the match, Ireland coach Scott Bemand said his side was already focused on the huge upcoming test against France, adding “There are some things to tidy up from today but if we get those bits right we know we can put in a performance to compete with the French. We think we are getting better.”

    With two rounds complete, England and France remain the only two unbeaten sides, on a direct collision course for a Grand Slam decider in the final round in a month’s time. If Ireland can pull off an upset over France next weekend, they will throw the tournament table wide open heading into the final matches.

  • Kennedy Wesley scores 1st international goal and adds assist as USWNT beats Japan 3-0

    Kennedy Wesley scores 1st international goal and adds assist as USWNT beats Japan 3-0

    COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – In a frigid, snow-dusted friendly match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Friday night, the U.S. Women’s National Team delivered a dominant second-half performance to secure a resounding 3-0 win over Japan, wrapping up their three-game international series with two victories to Japan’s one.

    The game kicked off in nearly freezing temperatures, just hours after overnight snowfall left a white dusting across the Major League Soccer pitch that hosts the Colorado Rapids. Japan faced an early setback when defender Hikaru Kitagawa suffered an injury in the 25th minute and had to stretchered off the pitch, replaced by Miyabi Moriya. For the U.S., starting defender Tierna Davidson took a hard fall in the 30th minute, received on-field medical evaluation, and managed to play through the end of the first half.

    Despite the U.S. holding a commanding 9-1 shot advantage in the opening 45 minutes, neither side could find the back of the net, and the two teams went into halftime locked in a 0-0 draw. The game’s momentum shifted dramatically immediately after the break, when substitute Kennedy Wesley – who entered the match to replace the injured Davidson – sparked the U.S. scoring surge. In the 47th minute, Wesley redirected a header off a cross toward the near left post to set up Naomi Girma, who buried a point-blank header to put the U.S. ahead 1-0.

    The Americans doubled their lead nine minutes later, in the 56th minute, after winning possession near the midfield. Trinity Rodman played a precise through ball to Rose Lavelle, who outpaced Japan’s backline down the center of the pitch and slotted a clinical shot from the edge of the 18-yard box inside the left post. The goal extended Lavelle’s impressive recent scoring run; the veteran playmaker has now contributed to 10 goals – five scored and five assisted – across her last 10 matches.

    Wesley, a young rising prospect, capped off the rout with her first career international goal in the 64th minute. Off a corner kick delivered perfectly by Jaedyn Shaw, Wesley connected on a clean volley to push the U.S. lead to 3-0, a score that would hold through the final whistle. Goalkeeper Claudia Dickey earned a clean sheet for the U.S. with three key saves.

    A post-match interview, a clearly elated Wesley spoke about her milestone goal. “I really don’t have any words,” she said. “I mean, it was the perfect ball from Jaedyn and I was just in the right place at the right time. I’m just over the moon.”
    U.S. head coach Emma Hayes praised her side’s sharp finishing after the break, noting, “I felt we came out in the second half and there was no coming back, to be honest. I felt tonight we were just clinical in the final third.”

    Friday’s match closed out a tightly contested three-game series between two of the world’s top-ranked women’s teams. The U.S. took the first matchup 2-1 last week in San Jose, California, before Japan pulled off a 1-0 upset win in Seattle on Tuesday. That victory snapped the U.S.’s 10-game winning streak, ended a 42-game scoring stretch for the Americans, and marked the U.S.’s first loss since a 2-1 defeat to Portugal last October. Hayes had rotated her entire starting lineup for the second Seattle game as part of her ongoing work to expand the team’s player pool ahead of 2024 World Cup qualifying, marking the fourth time during her tenure she has fielded a completely new starting 11 in consecutive matches.

    Japan entered the series riding high after a dominant championship run at the 2025 Women’s Asian Cup, where the side outscored all its opponents 29-1 and beat host Australia 1-0 in the final. The technically skilled Japanese side had also beaten the U.S. at the 2024 SheBelieves Cup, giving them momentum heading into the three-game series. Ahead of Friday’s decider, Hayes acknowledged Japan’s elite standing in international women’s soccer. “They’re a world-class team,” she said. “I think when you win the first one, inevitably, the second one becomes that challenge. They are a top side, so we have to give them a lot of credit. So, game on for the third game.”