15 h. ago Which bookies are offering Free Bets ahead of final Premier League matchday

Aston Villa, Chelsea, Man City, Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest fight it out for a spot in the Champions League next season

Sport

30 h. ago Northampton heartbreak as Penaud inspires Bordeaux to Champions Cup glory

Final: Northampton 20-28 Bordeaux BèglesFrench side claim their first Champions Cup titleBeneath the roof of Welsh rugby’s noisiest cathedral here was a game to raise anybody’s blood pressure. There have been some extraordinary finals in this tournament but none as breathless or frenetic for such long periods. This was rugby on fast forward, a blink-and-you-miss-it thriller that finally ended with Bordeaux winning the first Champions Cup title in their history.They just about deserved their special vintage but what a contest. Northampton, reduced to 13 players at one stage with two men in the sin-bin, were heroically brave and insanely committed. Every single Saint refused to bend the knee despite a worsening casualty list and collectively played a full part in a final that rocked and rolled from start to finish. Continue reading...

Politics

39 h. ago Which bookies are offering Free Bets ahead of Championship Play

The "richest game in football" takes place at Wembley Stadium as Sheffield United and Sunderland go head-to-head for a spot in the Premier League next season

Sport

39 h. ago ‘It’s surreal’: Arminia Bielefeld’s dream cup run reaches its finale

After a series of spectacular upsets, the third division champions hope to do the unthinkable against StuttgartAs the clock ticked down on one of Arminia Bielefeld’s most famous victories, there was a moment when time seemed to stand still. Bayer Leverkusen, the DFB-Pokal holders, were 10 minutes from going out of the competition and, as if finally realising the urgency of the situation, shook themselves awake for one last big chance.Jeremie Frimpong peeled away on the right and scooped a cross into the box, where Patrik Schick was waiting. He rose highest, headed back across goal and, as the stadium held its breath, watched the ball glance an upright and spin wide. Jonas Kersken, the Arminia goalkeeper, had been one of the heroes of the night, but he knew their fate had been out of his hands. He did the only thing he could do: planted a grateful kiss on the post. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Rare Tommy McLean Rangers shirt sells for world record price at auction

A treasure trove of Scottish football memorabilia went under the hammer on Wednesday, 21st May 2025, including Tommy McLean’s 1972 European Cup Winners’ Cup Final shirt (Lot 83), which sold for £19,000 - setting a new world record for a Scottish football shirt at auction.

Economics

3 d. ago Northampton’s Champions Cup final date with Bordeaux should be all

We can expect Phil Dowson’s Saints to hit the accelerator in Cardiff against a French side packed with creative talentHow do Northampton Saints go again? After pulling off a stunning upset to avenge last season’s semi-final defeat by Leinster and take their place in Saturday’s final, the question is how do Phil Dowson’s side overcome one of the French giants, Bordeaux, to clinch the Champions Cup?Had the final been a week later I’d have feared for Northampton but they are helped by the ability to distract themselves with Premiership action, and I think the manner of victory over Leinster plays into their hands. Northampton need to focus on being unashamedly themselves. In Dublin the gameplan was to put the car into fifth gear from the first whistle and that’s precisely what they did. When your approach is so authentic and in keeping with your culture, it makes it that much easier. Continue reading...

Sport

6 d. ago Premier League and FA Cup final: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action

Eberechi Eze is too good for Palace, Morgan Gibbs-White is pushing for a call-up and is 2025 the year of the underdog?Why would your fan-favourite player, scorer of That Historic Wembley Goal, in peak form under an excellent manager want to leave? Why would anyone be OK with it? How is this logical? Crystal Palace are now good enough to have Eberechi Eze in the team. Eberechi Eze is also too good to stay at Crystal Palace. Both of these things seem to be true. Oliver Glasner-era Palace are a seriously potent, organised and attractive team. But Eze’s progress is something else. At times during his early Palace career there was a sense of a slightly loose late-developer. His skill level was always exceptional. His use of it now is next-level, his finishing cold and his physique buffed up. Eze does not really have a ceiling. He could play for any team in Europe. But he is also 26 years old with two years left on his contract, and Palace have a model based on development with the likes ...

Politics

7 d. ago Crystal Palace’s FA Cup triumph left their fans in tears – I was among them | Ed Aarons

There was a sense of disbelief at Wembley as the team I support ended a wait of almost 120 years to win a major trophyWhen Marc Guéhi and Joel Ward went up to collect the FA Cup, we were there. Although it still seems like a dream. The sense of disbelief that Crystal Palace supporters felt when the full-time whistle at Wembley ended their wait to win a major trophy will probably take a few more days to fade away given it’s taken almost 120 years to become a reality. But with most of the 30,000 wearing red and blue having travelled from south London in hope rather than expectation, finally, it was our moment.After an agonising 10 minutes of stoppage time that seemed to take an eternity, the emotions of defeat in Palace’s two previous FA Cup finals came pouring out. Everywhere you looked there were grown men – including me and the former Guardian stalwart Dominic Fifield – moved to tears. The comedian Mark Steel just kept shaking his head, unable to comprehend what had just transpired...

Politics

7 d. ago Chelsea win Women’s FA Cup as Baltimore’s double sinks Manchester United

Unflustered, unrivalled and unbeaten. Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea team were at their clinical best as they completed a 30-game unbeaten domestic treble with a 3-0 win against Manchester United in the FA Cup final.For the most part, United weren’t that bad, Chelsea were just better when it mattered most, again and again and again, two goals from Sandy Baltimore, arguably the Blues’ player of the season, sandwiching Catarina Macario’s headed effort. Continue reading...

Sport

7 d. ago Chelsea beat Manchester United in Women’s FA Cup final as Sandy Baltimore double seals Treble

Baltimore brace inspires Blues to comfortable victory at Wembley

Sport

7 d. ago Women’s FA Cup final, Premier League, La Liga and more – matchday live

All the buildup to Sunday’s live football actionWomen’s FA Cup final | Everton v SouthamptonShare your thoughts with matchday live or post BTLJamie Vardy will be having a goodbye party when he bids farewell to Leicester this afternoon. The 39-year-old wanted to end his Foxes career on 500 appearances and at the King Power Stadium, meaning he will not feature on the final day of the Premier League season next weekend. Today also happens to be the 13th anniversary of Vardy’s move to Leicester, marking what is set to be a full-circle occasion.Be sure to also message me with any thoughts, feelings or score predictions for any of today’s games. I want to know what you’re up to, where you’re off to and what you’ll be watching this afternoon. Also, let me know if you have any stand-out memories of Goodison or any favourite Jamie Vardy moments. I want to hear from you! Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Women’s FA Cup final, last Premier League game at Goodison Park and more – matchday live

All the buildup to the Women’s FA Cup final, 1.30pm KOShare your thoughts with matchday live or post BTLJamie Vardy will be having a goodbye party when he bids farewell to Leicester this afternoon. The 39-year-old wanted to end his Foxes career on 500 appearances and at the King Power Stadium, meaning he will not feature on the final day of the Premier League season next weekend. Today also happens to be the 13th anniversary of Vardy’s move to Leicester, marking what is set to be a full-circle occasion.Be sure to also message me with any thoughts, feelings or score predictions for any of today’s games. I want to know what you’re up to, where you’re off to and what you’ll be watching this afternoon. Also, let me know if you have any stand-out memories of Goodison or any favourite Jamie Vardy moments. I want to hear from you! Continue reading...

Sport

7 d. ago Saints’ fightback defies Itoje and provides perfect Champions Cup final sendoff

Comeback to see off Saracens highlights Northampton’s cutting edge – and how quickly a game can changeIt ended with the Lions captain in forlorn negotiation with the referee. Australians may be encouraged that Maro Itoje was unable to work his magic to save Saracens’ match, to save their season.They desperately needed the win – in a way that Northampton did not – but they were staring down the barrel of the most dramatic of last-minute defeats, 28-24, courtesy of Tarek Haffar’s second try. There were two passes in the buildup, both of which looked forward, but by the arcane procedures of the television match official protocols the decision-making was constrained by the referee’s initial instinct, which was that the try was good. Continue reading...

Sport

8 d. ago Crystal Palace stun Manchester City to win FA Cup amid drama and Henderson controversy

It was a day that will live forever in the hearts of everyone connected to Crystal Palace; history made, legends created. The south London club were on a mission to avenge previous Wembley pain – the FA Cup final defeats against Manchester United from 1990 and 2016 – and to win a first major trophy. They put their supporters through the wringer because it is written that they must suffer. But when the final whistle blew, the joy was boundless. Who knows when it will feel real?The goalscorer was Eberechi Eze, Palace’s sorcerer-in-chief, and it came in the 16th minute from an assist by Daniel Muñoz, who was irrepressible up and down the right. But the real hero was surely Dean Henderson, who saved a penalty just after the half-hour from Omar Marmoush, and it was hardly the goalkeeper’s only vital intervention. Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago Crystal Palace XI vs Man City: Starting lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for FA Cup final today

The Eagles have been handed a major fitness boost ahead of their trip to Wembley

Events

8 d. ago Man City XI vs Crystal Palace: Starting lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for FA Cup final today

Rodri doing “much, much better” but does not return for Wembley showpiece

Events

8 d. ago FA Cup final buildup, Bradley’s new Liverpool deal, Bundesliga action – matchday live

All the buildup to the FA Cup final, 4.30pm kick-offShare your thoughts with matchday live or post BTLChat over. Will Hughes strolls across the car park to get some photographs taken. As it happens, the man emerging from the gym at that very moment is the Crystal Palace midfield partner whose praises Hughes has just been lavishly exalting.“Just added about £20m to your fee in that interview,” Hughes shouts at Adam Wharton as they pass. “You can have half,” Wharton retorts. All delivered with a knowing smile, for this is the Palace of Oliver Glasner, where – as Hughes puts it – “there’s egos, but good egos”. No arrogance, none of the blame culture he sees elsewhere. “You watch other teams and hands are in the air, there’s moaning,” he says. “But I honestly don’t see any of that here.” Continue reading...

Economics

8 d. ago FA Cup final buildup, Barney Ronay Q&A, Bradley’s new Liverpool deal – matchday live

All the buildup to the FA Cup final, 4.30pm kick-offShare your thoughts with matchday live or post BTLChat over. Will Hughes strolls across the car park to get some photographs taken. As it happens, the man emerging from the gym at that very moment is the Crystal Palace midfield partner whose praises Hughes has just been lavishly exalting.“Just added about £20m to your fee in that interview,” Hughes shouts at Adam Wharton as they pass. “You can have half,” Wharton retorts. All delivered with a knowing smile, for this is the Palace of Oliver Glasner, where – as Hughes puts it – “there’s egos, but good egos”. No arrogance, none of the blame culture he sees elsewhere. “You watch other teams and hands are in the air, there’s moaning,” he says. “But I honestly don’t see any of that here.” Continue reading...

Economics

8 d. ago FA Cup final buildup, Celtic’s trophy day, playoff action and Bundesliga – matchday live

All the buildup to the FA Cup final, 4.30pm kick-offShare your thoughts with matchday live or post BTLChat over. Will Hughes strolls across the car park to get some photographs taken. As it happens, the man emerging from the gym at that very moment is the Crystal Palace midfield partner whose praises Hughes has just been lavishly exalting.“Just added about £20m to your fee in that interview,” Hughes shouts at Adam Wharton as they pass. “You can have half,” Wharton retorts. All delivered with a knowing smile, for this is the Palace of Oliver Glasner, where – as Hughes puts it – “there’s egos, but good egos”. No arrogance, none of the blame culture he sees elsewhere. “You watch other teams and hands are in the air, there’s moaning,” he says. “But I honestly don’t see any of that here.” Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago Which bookies are offering Free Bets ahead of the 2025 FA Cup Final?

Crystal Palace and Manchester City go head-to-head to decide who will be the FA Cup champions this season but let us take a dive at the number of bookies offering free bet offers ahead of the clash

Sport