6 h. ago Expect to see Premier League teams going longer more often next season

Playing out from the back works for top teams but sides at the bottom are giving away too many chancesBy Opta AnalystLong-ball football has, for better or worse, been on the decline for years. Football was once a kick-and-run game, shaped by long balls and the thinking that getting the ball close to the opposition’s goal as quickly as possible increased the chances of scoring, well, more quickly.That was swiftly disproved and left further and further in the rear-view mirror as the game sped off into the Premier League era and further still in the Pep Guardiola-inspired 2010s. As the technical standard of players increased, the ball was kept on the floor more and more. The laws of the game have even been changed to allow teams to play passes so short from goal-kicks that they do not even leave the penalty area. Continue reading...

Politics

16 h. ago Man Utd fan group slams 'fresh kick in the teeth' after Sir Jim Ratcliffe decision

Manchester United supporters have been left furious by ticket price hikes at Old Trafford despite the club's dismal season after the team finished 15th in the Premier League - with Sir Jim Ratcliffe finding himself under huge pressure

Politics

18 h. ago What Pep Guardiola made of Man City debutants Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola picked two debutants in his first team selection of the season at the Club World Cup

Politics

42 h. ago Omar Berrada confirms Man Utd's 'roadmap' to success with clear Ruben Amorim verdict

Manchester United are desperate to bounce back from a dismal season that saw the team finish 15th, but that hasn't stopped chief Omar Berrada boldly predicting the club could win the title by 2028

Politics

53 h. ago Omar Berrada confident Man Utd can deliver men’s and women’s titles by 2028

The men’s team finished 15th in last season’s Premier League while the women’s team have never won the title.

Politics

3 d. ago Florida sheds 20 tons of invasive pythons in effort to curb its population

The increase in Burmese pythons had resulted in loss of animals native to the EvergladesIt was a milestone moment in Florida’s 25-year war on invasive Burmese pythons: an eye-popping announcement that biologists had removed 20 tons of the slithering invaders from waters in and around the Everglades in little more than a decade, as well as shattering their previous record for a single-season haul.The successes of the team at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida showcase the progress that has been made in efforts to reverse the snakes’ takeover of the state’s natural wilderness, even though experts concede they will probably never be completely eradicated. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Club World Cup is key for Guardiola as he plots Manchester City revival

The manager knows the summer tournament in the US can provide a blueprint for success after a trophyless seasonLincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 18 June, 5pm local time: when Manchester City wander out for their opening Fifa Club World Cup Group G game against Wydad AC, the 2025-26 campaign begins for Pep Guardiola.The Premier League’s opening day may be 16 August but if the Club World Cup exists in a quasi-no-man’s land of post-season, close-season or pre-pre-season, for the Catalan the inaugural 32-team tournament fires the starting pistol on next season, an attempt to fix the wrongs of 2024-25, and a push to reestablish City as a relentless force. As he says: “I’m pretty sure next season we’ll be better.” Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Mikel Arteta makes decision on two Arsenal players leaving this summer

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wants a top quality striker to boost his team's title hopes next season but there are also set to be outgoings before the 2025-26 campaign kicks off

Sport

3 d. ago Rayan Cherki targets revenge on Manchester United as he begins City adventure

Forward lost to United in Europa League while at LyonFrenchman inspired by Rodri to win Ballon d’OrRayan Cherki has said he is waiting for Manchester City to play Manchester United next season so he can “kill” his new team’s fierce rivals.Cherki was part of the Lyon team that endured a 7-6 aggregate defeat by United in the Europa League quarter-finals this past season, the 21-year-old making a rude gesture towards the home fans after scoring at Old Trafford to give Lyon a 5-4 lead. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Martin Brundle spots one thing stopping Lando Norris from being clear F1 title favourite

Oscar Piastri has outshone McLaren team-mate Lando Norris so far this season and Martin Brundle thinks he knows the key piece that the Brit has been missing so far in 2025

Politics

6 d. ago Red Bull agree deal to buy Newcastle Falcons and keep Premiership club afloat

Energy drinks company will take on £39m debtsTakeover plan involves club staying at Kingston ParkRed Bull has agreed a deal to buy Newcastle Falcons which includes a commitment to keep the club in the city and will ensure the Premiership remains a 10-team competition next season.Newcastle have been for sale for over a year, with owner Semore Kurdi no longer willing to fund multimillion-pound annual losses, leading to fears they could become the fourth Premiership club to go bust in the last two years after Wasps, Worcester and London Irish. Continue reading...

Economics

7 d. ago I was tearful over humiliating Man United treatment – now I've reunited with Mason Greenwood

Angel Gomes will be reunited with former Manchester United team-mate Mason Greenwood at Marseille next season, five years after being left humiliated by Jose Mourinho

Politics

7 d. ago Man Utd fans react as adidas unveil new home kit influenced by Old Trafford

Ruben Amorim is preparing for his first full season in charge of Manchester United and the team will hope for a fresh start in their new 2025-26 kit, which has paid homage to their iconic Old Trafford stadium

Politics

7 d. ago Chelsea: Andrey Santos squad number confirmed as Blues unveil Club World Cup squad

The Brazilian is set for a first-team role at Chelsea next season

Politics

9 d. ago Thomas Tuchel names TWO teams who will have 'huge advantage' in next season's title race

The England manager takes charge of the Three Lions for the fourth time on Tuesday night when they face Senegal at the City Ground, and is keeping his eyes on the Premier League

Politics

9 d. ago Lewis Hamilton faces 'critical' test at Canadian GP as Ferrari 'concerns grow'

Lewis Hamilton has endured a difficult start to life with Ferrari after failing to secure a podium place this season and being outperformed by team-mate Charles Leclerc and he has now been warned that "concern is creeping in" over his performances

Politics

1 week ago Man Utd transfer news: Viktor Gyokeres update as star declares Old Trafford desire

Manchester United are under pressure to operate intelligently in the transfer market as Ruben Amorim attempts to turnaround his team's fortunes with the help of pre-season

Politics

1 week ago Red Bull won't rule out Yuki Tsunoda losing seat to F1 star who 'exceeded all expectation'

Red Bull have already given Max Verstappen two team-mates so far this season after Liam Lawson was dropped for Yuki Tsunoda and a third is not beyond the realms of possibility

Politics

2 w. ago Hamilton Accies boss 'ignoring outside noise' as he focuses on football

John Rankin says all he can do is prepare the team for next season

Sport

2 w. ago Scotland duo named in URC team of the season as 'Elite XV' unveiled

Edinburgh and Glasgow represented in selection

Politics