18 h. ago Northampton’s Fin Smith: ‘We love being written off. We’d back ourselves against anybody’

England and Lions fly-half on run to Champions Cup final, controlling his inner demons and playing junior tennis alongside Jack Draper“I was always angry,” Fin Smith remembers as he explains his transition from a volatile young tennis player into the decisively calm fly-half for Northampton, England and the Lions who is as serene as he is interesting. Smith has had a remarkable year so far but there is an understated lightness about him as he recalls playing in tennis tournaments alongside Jack Draper, the current world No 5.“As an 11-year-old tennis player I was very angry,” he says at Franklin’s Gardens, having just completed Northampton Saints’ final training session before they face Bordeaux on Saturday in the Champions Cup final. “I used to blow up and smash rackets a lot. But getting that out of my system at a young age, while facing set points and match points, can only benefit me when I’m playing rugby under pressure and really taking on an internal battle.” Continue reading...

Politics

19 h. ago Arsenal’s comeback queens face ultimate Barcelona test in Champions League final

New chapter in Arsenal’s storied history awaits as they aim to end continental drought in a sold-out Lisbon finalAfter 18 years, Arsenal are back in the biggest game in women’s European football with a dream to end their long wait for continental glory. They face the holders, the favourites and the much-revered Barcelona, who are aiming to win the Champions League for a third consecutive season on a picture-perfect weekend in Lisbon.Strolling along tree-lined paths through the Portuguese capital’s sun-kissed Parque Eduardo VII, as a group of Barcelona fans cross paths with two Arsenal supporters wearing full red-and-white kit and exchange a few friendly quips about Saturday’s final, it is hard not to feel a pang of sympathy for the 3,467 attendees who saw Arsenal lift the Uefa Women’s Cup – as it was known in 2007 – in the somewhat less glamorous surroundings of Boreham Wood FC’s Meadow Park. In those days, the competition concluded with a two-legged home-and-away final. Arsenal fol...

Sport

23 h. ago Manchester United make brutal redundancy decision just days after Europa League final

Man Utd have informed some staff in football-facing departments they are being made redundant ahead of the final weekend of the Premier League season.

Sport

41 h. ago Greg Taylor's unseen Celtic contract power floated as Kieran Tierney leaves Arsenal icon with transfer regret

Taylor is set to play his final game for the Hoops in the Scottish Cup Final - unless a new agreement can be reached

Sport

48 h. ago Mikel Arteta reveals stance on Arsenal midfielder deal as summer approaches

Gunners have some important personnel decisions to make after an eventful season concludes this weekend

Economics

3 d. ago What are the worst European football finals based on league position? | The Knowledge

Plus: more strange player-of-the-match awards and shot-shy winners; and did Brian Clough deliberately go down to 10 men?Mail us with your questions and answers“In terms of aggregate league position, will Tottenham v Manchester United be the worst European final ever?” asks Phil Taylor (and dozens of others).Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, who meet in Bilbao tonight, put all their eggs in the Europa League basket sometime before the clocks went back. They are 17th and 16th in the Premier League respectively, giving them an aggregate position of 33. It is, to take a couple of unashamedly gratuitous examples, equivalent to Oldham Athletic playing Southampton in the Uefa Cup final of 1992, or Sabadell meeting Racing Santander in the same competition in 1987. Continue reading...

Sport

5 d. ago Manchester City injury update: Rodri, Oscar Bobb, and John Stones latest news and return dates

City were without some key players as they fell short in the FA Cup final

Events

5 d. ago The miraculous Aberdeen Scottish Cup final win over Celtic that gives them hope as Monday Jury dishes out history lesson

The curtain came down on the Premiership season with the Scottish Cup final and play-offs to come

Politics

5 d. ago Mason Greenwood sends Champions League message as he lifts lid on life after Man United

Former Manchester United winger Mason Greenwood has enjoyed a good first season in Ligue 1 with Marseille as their campaign finished this weekend

Sport

6 d. ago Crystal Palace duo miss FA Cup celebrations after being taken to hospital from Wembley

Crystal Palace beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday but two of their star players were forced to miss their late-night celebrations after being taken to hospital

Politics

6 d. ago Rangers fans VAR rage and brand SFA incompetent after cop out on head scratching Hotline

It was an explosive final weekend of the Premiership season and fans battered the Hotline to let off steam

Politics

6 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

6 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

6 d. ago Crystal Palace player ratings: Dean Henderson exceptional as Eberechi Eze seals historic FA Cup final win

Eagles hold on to Eberechi Eze’s first-half goal to claim first-ever major trophy

Sport

6 d. ago Man City suffer injury blow as Pep Guardiola explains FA Cup final selection amid double snub

Manchester City have picked an attacking XI for the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace but three senior players are not involved

Politics

7 d. ago Man City players 'infuriated' FA Cup final opponents even before kick off

Manchester City are preparing to compete in their third FA Cup final in a row, and it was the City players' pre-match conversations in last year's final that motivated Manchester United to victory

Sport

7 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

7 d. ago Four players to miss Man City vs Crystal Palace FA Cup final as reality clear

Manchester City and Crystal Palace team news ahead of FA Cup final at Wembley

Sport

7 d. ago Nottingham Forest's 20/1 bid to get back in the Champions League running

Nottingham Forest can still reach the Champions League group stage next season and will be hoping results go their way this weekend in the Premier League to help achieve it

Sport

7 d. ago Prince William set to play key role in Crystal Palace v Manchester City FA Cup final

The Prince of Wales became the patron of the FA last summer after being its president for 18 years

Politics