Tour of Britain Women: Kim Le Court storms to stage three win and overall lead

Sport | The Guardian

• Mauritian rider bursts clear on final climb of Great Orme

• Le Court leads GC standings with two stages remaining

Mauritius’s Kim Le Court powered to victory in stage three of the Tour of Britain in Llandudno and moved top of the general classification.

The 30-year-old AG Insurance-Soudal rider attacked with 2.5km to go on the 104.7km route from Mold to cross the summit finish on Great Orme 13 seconds ahead of Germany’s Liane Lippert (Movistar).

August 21st 2026, 11:15 am

Jannik Sinner ‘very sad and disappointed’ as knee injury puts him out of US Open

Sport | The Guardian

• World No 1 makes ‘difficult decision’ to miss slam

• ‘New York has a special place in my heart’

Jannik Sinner will miss the US Open with a right knee injury. The world No 1 has not played a match since beating Alexander Zverev last month to successfully defend his Wimbledon title, missing the Masters 1000 events in Canada and Cincinnati.

The news comes a day after his great rival Carlos Alcaraz, whom the Italian lost to in the final in New York 12 months ago, revealed he will make his comeback from four months out with a wrist injury at Flushing Meadows.

August 21st 2026, 11:15 am

England’s bowlers tear through Pakistan to seal crushing innings victory in first Test

Sport | The Guardian

• 1st Test, D3: England, 409, bt Pakistan, 171 & 135, by inns & 103

• Archer, Robinson and Tongue all take three wickets

The sounds heard emanating from the Headingley area at 3.38pm on Friday were not simply the belching roars of the Western Terrace as England wrapped up a one-sided victory over Pakistan. A pressure valve had also been released.

One win against a team as ragged as this Pakistan outfit might not have been reason for Joe Root to hang bunting off Dickie Bird balcony at his home ground. But given events this year – events that have thrust Root back into the Test captaincy under an interim head coach – the alternative outcome was unthinkable.

August 21st 2026, 11:15 am

Rugby brain injury case able to continue after high court ruling

Sport | The Guardian

• Governing bodies had asked for ruling to end cases

• Judge says claimants ‘blameless’ for missing documents

More than 500 former rugby union and league players’ lawsuits ⁠over neurological injuries can continue, London’s high court ruled on Friday, despite their former lawyers’ failure to disclose ⁠key medical evidence ⁠to governing ​bodies.

World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union, plus the Rugby Football League and the ⁠British Amateur Rugby League Association, argued the claimants’ lawyers had repeatedly failed to provide records.

August 21st 2026, 8:15 am

Premier League 2026-27 preview No 20: Tottenham

Sport | The Guardian

Optimism abounds that De Zerbi and new signings can lead to a big improvement after two 17th-place finishes

Guardian writers’ predicted position: 6th (NB: this is not necessarily John Brewin’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)

Last season’s position: 17th

August 21st 2026, 8:15 am

Nottinghamshire v Surrey, Warwickshire v Sussex, and more: county cricket day two live

Sport | The Guardian

Updates from around the grounds
Day one roundup | Sign up for the Spin | Mail Tanya

After weeks of drought, the rain arrived, like a tolling bell, just in time for the County Championship restart.

Josh Thomas hit the only century of the day on a bonny day for title chasers Somerset. Thomas’s sprightly second first-class hundred, together with 96 on debut from New Zealand’s Henry Nicholls, left Taunton merry after being inserted by Essex on a surface friendlier than it looked.

August 21st 2026, 5:45 am

Uefa and Concacaf discuss joint Nations League in latest challenge to Fifa

Sport | The Guardian

• Biennial tournament could launch as early as 2028

• Confederations are seeking to oust Gianni Infantino

Uefa and Concacaf have begun talks about setting up a combined Nations League tournament featuring all 96 European and North and Central American and Caribbean countries, in another direct challenge to Fifa.

The Guardian has learned that having come together to push for Gianni Infantino’s removal in the light of the World Cup sell-off controversy, the two confederations are now working on creating their own biennial tournament, which could launch as early as 2028 after the next European Championship.

August 21st 2026, 5:45 am

‘The friendship disappeared’: López faces Romero after years of sparring and support

Sport | The Guardian

Boxing’s most mercurial star is putting an old friendship aside as he moves up to 147lb to challenge Rolly Romero for the welterweight title he won against Ryan Garcia

For more than a decade, Teófimo López’s friendship with Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero endured through amateur tournaments, Las Vegas sparring sessions and the mismatched peaks and troughs of two volatile careers. That friendship ended, López says, the moment they signed to fight one another.

On Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena along the Vegas Strip, the 29-year-old López will challenge for Romero’s World Boxing Association welterweight title. The former lightweight and junior-welterweight champion is moving up to 147lb in pursuit of a belt in a third division. For Romero, himself a three-weight belt-holder after stacking titles at 135lb and 140lb, a victory would add another marquee name to a résumé transformed by last year’s upset of Ryan Garcia. The fight will be broadcast globally on Dazn pay-per-view and will see the champion go off as a roughly 2-1 underdog.

August 21st 2026, 5:45 am

England v Pakistan: first Test, day three – live

Sport | The Guardian

Updates from Headingley; play starts 11am BST
D2 report | Sign up for the Spin

Jordan Cox was one of four half-centurions as England maintained control of the first Test against Pakistan – but there were a few regrets as no one reached three figures on day two in Leeds.

“We were hoping one of us would have kicked on and instead of make it just a hundred, make it 150, 160, 170,” said Cox, who hit 73 in his first Test innings at No 3. “And then the game looks, not completely different, but it puts us in definitely a better position.”

August 21st 2026, 5:45 am

Premier League returns with Arsenal v Coventry; transfer news and more: football – live

Sport | The Guardian

⚽ All the latest football news, comment and previews
⚽ This weekend’s fixtures | Read Football Daily | Mail Tom

Outgoings are the main focus for Chelsea at the moment. They’re set to loan Axel Disasi to Crystal Palace. West Ham wanted to bring the French defender back to the London Stadium but that was always a tough one for a Championship club to pull off. Elsewhere Atlético Madrid are interested in Nicolas Jackson. However, sources say Chelsea have no intention of loaning the striker out, so any deal would need to be a permanent one. Can Atléti afford the fee? Chelsea’s valuation for Jackson is £65m.

While football is truly back today, we did also have football last night and there was even a Premier League team involved.

August 21st 2026, 4:59 am

Tadej Pogacar looks unstoppable as he sets sights on another slice of history at Vuelta

Sport | The Guardian

Slovenian is aiming to become the ninth rider to win all three Grand Tours, and it doesn’t look like anyone can stop him

Who’s coming second? That’s the question being most frequently asked as the peloton convenes for the final Grand Tour of 2026, the Vuelta a España, which rolls away from the start line in Monaco on Saturday.

The unrelenting Tadej Pogacar, making his first appearance in the Spanish race since 2019, is the overwhelming favourite to take the top spot on the podium in Granada on 13 September, with his cowed rivals already seemingly accepting of his supremacy.

August 21st 2026, 4:59 am

European playoffs: Rangers scrape first-leg win as Brighton draw in Norway

Sport | The Guardian

• 10-man Rangers hang on for 1-0 win against Jablonec

• Tromsø 0-0 Brighton; Hearts 2-2 Rapid Vienna

Ryan Naderi’s second-half strike gave an unconvincing Rangers a narrow 1-0 win in the first leg of their Conference League playoff tie against Czech side Jablonec at Ibrox. Derek McInnes got his first win as Rangers manager at the fifth time of asking with a 5-1 thumping of St Mirren on Sunday but there was regression in the goalless first half which brought boos at the interval whistle.

The Govan side pepped up after the break and Naderi opened the scoring from close range in the 50th minute but in the 78th minute the substitute Cammy Devlin was sent off – minutes after coming off the bench – for a high tackle on Jiri Slama to leave Rangers to see out the game with 10 men.

August 21st 2026, 4:00 am

Tottenham close on deals for Manchester City’s Savinho and Omar Marmoush

Sport | The Guardian

• Separate deals worth a combined £160m

• Summer spending on De Zerbi’s squad nears £400m

Manchester City are close to agreeing the transfer of Savinho to Tottenham for £85m, with a separate deal of around £75m for the arrival of Omar Marmoush from the FA Cup-winners to the north London club also being worked on.

Savinho signed for the City Football Group in summer 2022 for 40m euros (£30.8m), first joining Troyes, so the prospective sale of the 22-year-old for £85m represents a near £55m profit for City’s owners. After loans at PSV and Girona, the Brazilian joined City two years ago but the winger failed to establish himself as a first-choice under Pep Guardiola, the former manager.

August 21st 2026, 4:00 am

New rules, managers and pundits: what’s different this Premier League season?

Sport | The Guardian

A crackdown on time wasting, a record number of new people in charge, and some new faces on Match of the Day

The 2026-27 Premier League season kicks off on Friday and while the familiar rivalries return, the English top flight has some alterations this campaign. From evolved rules to new faces and broadcast changes, there is plenty to catch up on before a ball is kicked.

Marco Rose – Bournemouth

Xabi Alonso – Chelsea

Pierre Sage – Crystal Palace

Álvaro Arbeloa – Fulham

Gary O’Neil - Ipswich Town

Andoni Iraola – Liverpool

Enzo Maresca- Manchester City

Matthias Jaissle – Newcastle

Oliver Glasner – Nottingham Forest

August 21st 2026, 4:00 am

Chess: Magnus Carlsen wins Esports World Cup in Paris without losing a game

Sport | The Guardian

Norway’s world No 1 outclassed the field and won the $250,000 first prize at the four-day event in France

Magnus Carlsen, Norway’s world No 1, triumphed again last weekend when he won the 2026 Esports World Cup, staged over four days at the prestigious venue of the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. Carlsen retained his title from Riyadh 2025 and took home a monster first prize of $250,000 (£183,000).

The time limit was close to blitz, 10 minutes each per player with no per move increment, a format where blunders would be hoped for, and were indeed made, as entertainment for the capacity audience.

August 21st 2026, 4:00 am

Premier League 2026-27 preview No 19: Sunderland

Sport | The Guardian

Sunderland fans hope Régis Le Bris and his talented squad can continue to surprise the pundits and Opta

Guardian writers’ predicted position: 14th (NB: this is not necessarily Louise Taylor’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)

Last season’s position: 7th

August 20th 2026, 7:43 pm

Jordan Cox reflects on missed opportunities despite England’s big lead against Pakistan

Sport | The Guardian

• Cox: ‘We were hoping one of us would have kicked on’

• Sam Curran will miss rest of the summer due to injury

Jordan Cox was one of four half-centurions as England maintained control of the first Test against Pakistan – but there were a few regrets as no one reached three figures on day two in Leeds.

“We were hoping one of us would have kicked on and instead of make it just a hundred, make it 150, 160, 170,” said Cox, who hit 73 in his first Test innings at No 3. “And then the game looks, not completely different, but it puts us in definitely a better position.”

August 20th 2026, 7:43 pm

Max Verstappen signs new Red Bull contract to stay in F1 until 2030

Sport | The Guardian

• Dutch driver was linked with Mercedes and McLaren

• Verstappen: ‘I never felt that desire or need to change’

Max Verstappen has ended speculation about his future in Formula One by signing a new contract with his Red Bull team that will extend to the end of 2030, after almost 18 months of uncertainty around the Dutchman.

After being linked with moves to Mercedes and McLaren, Verstappen’s commitment to Red Bull ensures that all the major seats in the leading F1 teams are now locked in for next year, just as the sport’s silly season in terms of transfer speculation is beginning.

August 20th 2026, 7:43 pm

Premier League: 10 things to look out for as the new season kicks off

Sport | The Guardian

Manchester United’s new-look midfield, Ipswich’s ambition is tested and Kevin Keegan tributes at Newcastle

While Myles Lewis-Skelly looks likely to remain at the Emirates, the same can’t be said for Ethan Nwaneri. The 19-year-old was outstanding in his breakthrough season for Arsenal in 2024-25 but barely featured last season and was sent on loan to Marseille. That didn’t really work out and Arsenal are now exploring another temporary move to ensure Nwaneri gets regular football this season. Milan, RB Leipzig, Dortmund and Fulham are all thought to be interested, with Nwaneri unlikely to feature on the bench for Friday’s opener against Coventry as a result. Whether Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus are available remains to be seen as Arsenal attempt to find suitors for the Brazil duo. Ed Aarons

Arsenal v Coventry City, Friday 8pm (all times BST)

Hull City v Manchester United, Saturday 12.30pm

Ipswich Town v Sunderland, Saturday 3pm

Nottingham Forest v Leeds, Saturday 3pm

Brighton v Aston Villa, Sunday 2pm

Manchester City v Bournemouth, Sunday 2pm

August 20th 2026, 7:43 pm

Australian rider says she was nearly hit by car at Tour of Britain Women

Sport | The Guardian

• Maeve Plouffe says incident on Wednesday was ‘scary’

• Josh Tarling to ride in Vuelta in memory of brother Fin

The Australian rider Maeve Plouffe has said she was nearly hit by a non-race car during the opening stage of the Tour of Britain Women.

With cycling still coming to terms with the death at the Volta a Portugal of the 19-year-old British rider Finlay Tarling, killed last week in a collision with a vehicle that had entered the course, Plouffe said the incident occurred as she was chasing the peloton after a puncture on Wednesday.

August 20th 2026, 7:29 pm

Premier League returns and Arsenal sense opportunity with rivals in flux

Sport | The Guardian

New managers galore suggest many of the usual suspects will struggle to dethrone the champions, but their own hunger could be the key

Mikel Arteta wants to get his messaging absolutely right. According to him, Arsenal are not about to defend their Premier League title. They are set to attack another one.

Remember Win the dog, who the manager brought in to the club’s training ground a few years back? She must now be called “Won”. But it is when Arteta quibbles over another bout of semantics that he highlights why he is entering the new season with such energy and optimism.

August 20th 2026, 7:29 pm

Gianni Infantino eyes junior tournament in Dominican Republic as potential route out of crisis

Sport | The Guardian

• Meetings around event seen as chance to lobby for votes

• Fifa president may meet his most credible challenger

Gianni Infantino wants to split the European and North American coalition that is seeking to oust him by attending a junior tournament in the Dominican Republic this weekend in another gamble to cling on to power from the Fifa president.

The Guardian has learned that Infantino has made plans to attend the U14 Boys Challenge competition organised by the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), 21 of whose associations are voting members of Fifa, despite being urged to stay away from the event by senior figures within Concacaf – the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football – which is working with Uefa to remove him.

August 20th 2026, 7:29 pm

Harry Brook keeps England well on top of Pakistan in first Test despite late wickets

Sport | The Guardian

• First Test day 2: Pakistan 171; England 366 for 8

• Brook misses out on home ton as hosts slip from 322-5

The clock had just ticked past 7pm, there was still half an hour of play left on this soggy second day, and it looked for all money that Harry Brook would end a year-long wait for his 11th Test century with a first at his home ground of Headingley.

Brook had agonisingly missed out by one run against India here last summer. And this time, against a ragged Pakistan side that had handed him a life second ball amid another outing to forget, the box was practically begging to be ticked.

August 20th 2026, 7:29 pm

Premier League 2026-27 preview No 18: Nottingham Forest

Sport | The Guardian

After a chaotic season under four different coaches, Forest fans will be hoping Oliver Glasner can bring some stability

Guardian writers’ predicted position: 11th (NB: this is not necessarily Will Unwin’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)

Last season’s position: 16th

August 20th 2026, 7:29 pm

Can Aryna Sabalenka find a way to repair her collapsed form? | Tumaini Carayol

Sport | The Guardian

With one semi-final in her last seven tournaments, the coming months will define the next stage of her career

Towards the end of a messy first set tie-break late on Wednesday, Aryna Sabalenka wildly sprayed another painfully nervous backhand before slamming her racket to the ground. As the racket connected with the acrylic floor, its vibration dampener detached from the strings and rolled off in the direction of the broadcast camera pit by the side of the court.

With the diminutive 20-year‑old Czech player Sara Bejlek leading Sabalenka 6-5 in the tie-break, this slapstick sequence forced play to pause while the Belarusian and a couple of volunteers comically searched for the missing vibration damper underneath the cameras until she gave up and retrieved a new one. A few minutes later, Sabalenka trailed by a set.

August 20th 2026, 7:29 pm

Players welcome record $108m US Open prize fund and will not stage protests

Sport | The Guardian

• Total prize pool for tournament will be $108m

• Players guaranteed $140,000 for making first round

The world’s leading tennis players have welcomed the US Open’s announcement of a 20% increase in prize money and agreed not to continue their protests at this year’s tournament as a result.

The build up to both the French Open and Wimbledon was overshadowed earlier this year by a media boycott as the players continue to demand a greater share of tournament revenues, but after the US Tennis Association announced a record prize pot of $108m there will be no such disruption at Flushing Meadow.

August 20th 2026, 7:29 pm

‘Enzo is a Chelsea player,’ says Alonso but doesn’t guarantee Fernández’s future

Sport | The Guardian

• Midfielder linked with £120m move to Manchester City

• Chelsea still interested in Bournemouth’s Alex Scott

Xabi Alonso has refused to offer any guarantee that Chelsea will hold firm if Manchester City try to sign Enzo Fernández.

Fernández’s future remains up in the air and the prospect of him leaving Stamford Bridge has not gone away, even though Chelsea’s unofficial deadline for clubs to make written bids of £120m for the 25-year-old Argentina midfielder has already passed. City, who are also tracking Roma’s Manu Koné, have targeted Fernández as part of their midfield rebuild after Rodri’s move to Barcelona and are weighing up whether to make a move before the transfer window shuts.

August 20th 2026, 7:29 pm

Horse racing: Kalpana claims Yorkshire Oaks at Ebor Festival – as it happened

Sport | The Guardian

The King George winner held off outsiders Sparan Nua and Sugar Island to earn a Group One victory at York

There’s a jockey change in this race, by the way, as Tony Piccone’s flight from France to ride Tokaido was cancelled. Clifford Lee steps in to chase a share of the £300k first prize.

2.25 York, Harry’s Half Million by Goffs, 6f, 2yo

August 20th 2026, 7:29 pm

Jordan Cox brings swagger to unfamiliar No 3 role after waiting for his chance | Taha Hashim

Sport | The Guardian

The Essex batsman, filling in for Jacob Bethell, wasted no time in laying down a claim to a longer run in the England side

When Jordan Cox was 19, playing in his fifth first-class match and unbeaten overnight on 167 for Kent against Sussex, he decided to set himself a new task. Cox told Sam Billings, his captain and an England international, that he would go past Billings’ first-class best of 171. The top scores of other teammates were in sight, too. “I was just ticking people off,” Cox said a few weeks later. “Having a higher score than Sam Billings and Joe Denly at 19, that’s what got me going.” Denly, an England No 3, had a best of 227. Cox finished on 238 not out.

Six years on, that confidence and bit of swagger made its way to Leeds, with Cox resuming on 23 after England’s near-perfect Wednesday. There were no visible nerves, no rollerskates on the feet. A few gentle taps of the ground, a small shift on to the back foot and then plenty of time before he presented the middle. He looked on holiday while batting in only his second Test, and that too with the responsibility of building a first-innings lead at first drop. Joe Root, 167 Tests in, was at the other end and Cox did not look out of place alongside his captain. The pair have done a bit of this now. Just last week they were decked out in red, trying to launch it together in the Hundred. Strong Welsh Fire, strong England?

August 20th 2026, 7:29 pm

Australia hold nerve as Finch signs off with series sweep over New Zealand

Sport | The Guardian

• Third ODI: Australia, 265-7, beat New Zealand, 242, by 23 runs
• Captain Aaron Finch retires from one-day internationals

It came down to the final over but Australia ensured their captain, Aaron Finch, retired from 50-over cricket with a series sweep over New Zealand as the hosts held on to win the third and final one-day international by 25 runs.

In his 146th and last ODI for his country, Finch’s side set the Black Caps 268 to win at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns after Steve Smith anchored their innings with 105 runs off 131 balls, his 12th ODI century.

September 11th 2022, 11:11 am

Verstappen leaves Ferraris in his wake at Italian GP to put F1 title in sight

Sport | The Guardian

• World championship leader wins ahead of Leclerc in Monza
• Russell ends third for Mercedes with Sainz’s Ferrari fourth

Max Verstappen won the Italian Grand Prix in another dominant run for the Red Bull driver who came through the field from seventh on the grid. He beat the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc into second place at Monza, where the Scuderia tried an alternative strategy but once more were simply unable to match the pace of Verstappen. George Russel was third for Mercedes, Carlos Sainz fourth for Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton came back from 19th on the grid to take fifth. Sergio Pérez was sixth for Red Bull.

Verstappen was absolutely on top almost from the off in what was ultimately a rather pedestrian Italian GP. Such is the world champion’s composure and pace at the moment, once he had made the initial passes of the race cleanly the result never really seemed in doubt. Indeed after the Dutchman had the lead he was all but untroubled at the front for his first win at Monza.

Verstappen has now taken five wins in a row in an indomitable run that has ensured he has one hand on his second championship. His 31st career win is his 11th this season and in another remarkable display of dominance and controlled skill in coming through the field. It is the third time he has won from seventh or lower on the grid this year.

He now leads Leclerc, who is in second, by 116 points and with six meetings to go and 164 points available, he can potentially seal the title at the next round in Singapore or barring that almost certainly the following race in Japan. Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel’s shared record of 13 wins in a season is also now well within his compass.

This was another masterclass from the world champion who is demonstrating a control and composure that has left his rivals reeling.

Leclerc had just held his lead from pole through the first chicane from Russell but Verstappen’s determination was immediately clear as he made up two places through the first corner. The Dutchman then took fourth, passing Pierre Gasly at Ascari, while Daniel Ricciardo promptly fell on the straight on lap two, taking him to third.

He had closed to within a tenth of Russell by lap four with the two front runners simply having no time to open a gap to Verstappen. A lap later he had a strong run down the start-finish straight to dive past the British driver up the inside at turn one.

Hamilton from 19th was unable to make such swift progress, making up one place by lap five. Sainz in the Ferrari was swiftly advancing however up from 18th to sixth by lap 12.

Verstappen was two seconds back from Leclerc and seemingly unstoppable. The Monegasque driver stuck at it however, with Verstappen taking only a tenth a lap out of his lead. His gains were, nonetheless, inexorable and the gap was down to a second by lap 12.

September 11th 2022, 11:11 am

Rangers v Napoli rescheduled after Queen’s death ‘limits police resources’

Sport | The Guardian

• Champions League match delayed 24 hours; away fans banned
• National League announces plan to resume schedule

Rangers’ match against Napoli in the Champions League has been moved back by 24 hours, to Wednesday night, after the Queen’s death has resulted in “severe limitations on police resources”.

No away fans will be allowed at Ibrox in a ruling that, “as a matter of sporting fairness”, will be also be applied to the reverse fixture in Naples. Uefa urged both sets of fans to respect an “extraordinary situation” by not traveling to either away fixture.

September 11th 2022, 11:11 am

European roundup: Rüdiger’s first Real Madrid goal helps knock Barça off top

Sport | The Guardian

• Real come from behind to beat Mallorca 4-1
• Atalanta miss chance to go top of Serie A

Real Madrid came from behind to beat Mallorca 4-1 at the Bernabéu in La Liga on Sunday and continue their perfect start to the season.

A solo effort from Federico Valverde on the stroke of half-time levelled the scores after Vedat Muqiri had stunned the home crowd by nodding the visitors ahead. Vinícius Jr put the hosts in front before Rodrygo and Antonio Rüdiger completed the rout.

September 11th 2022, 11:11 am

Jacob Kiplimo and Hellen Obiri streak to victory in Great North Run

Sport | The Guardian

• Kiplimo becomes first Ugandan man to triumph on Tyneside
• David Weir and Eden Rainbow-Cooper win wheelchair events

The world record holder Jacob Kiplimo became the first Ugandan man to win the Great North Run while Hellen Obiri defended her title.

The 21-year-old reigning world half-marathon champion left a world-class field in his wake in his first appearance at the event, having built up a 32-second lead by the 12-mile mark.

September 11th 2022, 11:11 am

Charles Leclerc starts on pole for Italian Grand Prix: F1 – live!

Sport | The Guardian

• Lap-by-lap updates from the race at Monza
• Any comments? You can email Daniel | tweet Daniel

1 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

2 George Russell (Mercedes)

September 11th 2022, 8:23 am

Graham Potter asks Brighton fans for forgiveness after leaving for Chelsea

Sport | The Guardian

• Manager pens open letter after new five-year deal in London
• ‘At this stage in my career, I had to grasp a new opportunity’

Graham Potter has asked Brighton fans to forgive him for leaving the club to become Chelsea’s new manager. Potter, 47, signed a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge on Thursday to succeed Thomas Tuchel, who was sacked earlier in the week.

In an open letter written on Thursday and published on Brighton’s website on Sunday, Potter said he would cherish “three wonderful years” at Brighton but accepted some fans would not be able to forgive him.

September 11th 2022, 8:12 am

Sophia Dunkley powers England to victory over India in first T20

Sport | The Guardian

• 1st T20i: England, 134-1, bt India, 132-7, by 9 wkts
• Dunkley hits unbeaten 61 after Sarah Glenn’s four wickets

The run-up to England’s series against India has been chaotic: captain Heather Knight remains in rehab from a thigh operation, while her regular deputy Nat Sciver pulled out on Thursday citing “emotional fatigue”, with Amy Jones forced to take the reins. But the first T20 at Durham on Saturday belied the difficult build-up, as England made a mockery of their 133-run target, chasing it down with nine wickets and seven overs to spare.

“I’m very quiet in all aspects of life,” Jones said. “The girls know captaincy is not something that comes naturally to me and they all really stepped up today, which made it so much easier.”

September 11th 2022, 6:24 am

Referee pay strike in Spain halts start of professional women’s league

Sport | The Guardian

• Football referees want payment akin to La Liga officials
• League notified of strike but will ‘not accept blackmail’

The opening round of Spain’s new professional women’s football league was called off on Saturday after female referees called a strike, demanding professional status and payment in line with the men’s La Liga.

Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid were among the teams set to feature on Saturday in the first season of a fully professional women’s league in Spain after its players had campaigned for years for better working conditions and pay.

September 11th 2022, 6:03 am

England v South Africa: third Test, day four – live!

Sport | The Guardian

• Over-by-over report of the penultimate day at the Oval
• The Spin: sign up for our free weekly cricket newsletter
• And you can get in touch by mailing Tanya or via Twitter

Michael Atherton, Mark Butcher, Nasser Hussain and the Telegraph’s Nick Hoult are in the Sky studio chewing over the events of the last few days with an untouched plate of croissants sitting temptingly in front of them.

“J’accuse,” writes Brian Withington. “Although I tend to agree with the broad point he was making, there’s a certain delicious irony in Kevin Pietersen accusing Ben Stokes of a reckless dismissal yesterday.”

September 11th 2022, 6:03 am

Australia v New Zealand: third one-day international – live!

Sport | The Guardian

• Updates from the Chappell-Hadlee series finale in Cairns
• Any thoughts? Email Jonathan or tweet @JPHowcroft

Out strides Aaron Finch, leading the Australian XI onto the field for the final time in 50-over cricket. Both teams take the oval and stand by the boundary for a minute’s silence in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

It’s 30 degrees, bright and sunny in Cairns with a southerly breeze taking the edge off the sun’s intensity.

September 11th 2022, 3:48 am

Iga Swiatek holds off Ons Jabeur rally to win US Open women’s singles

Sport | The Guardian

• Pole wins 6-2, 7-6 (5) for second slam title of 2022
• Tunisian a 2022 slam runner-up again, after Wimbledon

Iga Swiatek and Ons Jabeur entered Arthur Ashe Stadium as the two best players in the world, the ones who have outperformed the rest of the field this year. Yet by the end of the match, the reality was much simpler. Jabeur gave all she could, she forced her way back into the match from the verge of a crushing defeat, but Swiatek remains the singular dominant force in the sport.

After navigating her various struggles through the summer and the tournament, the 21-year-old played with total freedom with the title on the line and then held off an incredible late surge from Jabeur, holding on to win the US Open for the first time in her career with a tense, quality, 6-2, 7-6 (5) win.

September 10th 2022, 8:16 pm

England’s Broad praises ‘whoever put the game on’ after tributes to the Queen

Sport | The Guardian

• Bowler says resumed Test ‘felt like a celebration of Queen’s life’
• Broad: ‘It was incredible actually. It was amazing to be a part of’

At the end of an extraordinary day on which 17 wickets fell, Stuart Broad singled out for praise not a player but “whoever decided to put the game on”. Friday’s second day had been cancelled after the death of Queen Elizabeth II but instead of abandoning the Test the England and Wales Cricket Board opted to precede its resumption with a short but memorable tribute that was largely conducted in complete silence, culminating in the singing of the national anthem.

Without any instruction, those present rose and stood silent even before the players had left their dressing rooms, creating an eerie and extraordinary atmosphere that ended only after God Save the King had been sung, and with the ninth ball of the match Ollie Robinson ripped out the off stump of the South Africa captain, Dean Elgar.

September 10th 2022, 8:14 pm

Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud face off for world No 1 spot in US Open final

Sport | The Guardian

The 19-year-old Spaniard would be youngest ever men’s world No 1 if he can beat another emerging star in Norway’s Ruud

Over the course of an intense, chaotic and wildly entertaining US Open semi-final between Carlos Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe, as their combined creativity, athleticism and joy merged to create entertainment in its purest form, Alcaraz absorbed so many blows. He conceded a difficult first set tiebreak with a double fault, then after establishing his dominance, he couldn’t hold on. Alcaraz continually lost his serve, failed to take a match point and found himself in a fifth set.

There were so many moments when the momentum could have dangerously shifted, but no matter how the match twisted, he maintained his intensity until the end. Across the three consecutive five-set battles that have led him to the final, this resilience has been his defining characteristic. It will make him so hard to put away as he faces Casper Ruud for the men’s US Open title on Sunday.

September 10th 2022, 6:48 pm

Iga Swiatek beats Ons Jabeur in US Open women’s final – live reaction!

Sport | The Guardian

• Polish world No 1 captures third grand slam title at 21
• Send Bryan a tweet at @BryanAGraham or email him

Swiatek breaks in sixth game of first set!

First set: *Swiatek 4-2 Jabeur (*denotes next server)

September 10th 2022, 6:46 pm

Rory McIlroy poised for ‘sprint finish’ in PGA Championship at Wentworth

Sport | The Guardian

• McIlroy one shot behind leaders Hovland and Kjeldsen
• Event was reduced to three rounds after Queen’s death

On a day that many believed would inevitably feel different from the norm Rory McIlroy supplied the sense of familiarity. A 65 means he will begin the third and final round of the PGA Championship one shot off the lead.

The scale of support for McIlroy and the cheers as he pieced together his latest excellent round of 2022 were perfectly typical. As McIlroy walked towards the clubhouse on completion of media duties, giddy autograph hunters chanted his name. In fact, bar a two-minute silence in honour of the Queen and the donning of black ribbons by players, this proved as normal an occasion as onlookers could expect. McIlroy’s pizzazz played a huge part in that. Afterwards he addressed the bigger picture.

September 10th 2022, 6:44 pm

England v India: first women’s T20 international – live!

Sport | The Guardian

• Live Twenty20 updates from 7pm UK time
• Why not email Tanya with your thoughts

Good evening! It’s been a damp old day in Durham, but they’re mopping up urgently, so fingers crossed. It was optimistic to plump for The Riverside at 7pm in September to kick off this series – blankets and thermoses on the gate?

This is the first of six autumn matches against India , the Commonwealth Games silver medallists who also knocked England out of gold medal contention. Three T20s (today, the second T20 at Derby on September 13, and the third at Bristol on Sept 15) followed by three ODIs (Sept 18, Hove; Sept 21, Canterbury and Sept 24, Lord’s)

September 10th 2022, 1:21 pm

Exeter’s Patrick Schickerling scores last-gasp try to snatch win from Leicester

Sport | The Guardian

• Exeter 24-20 Leicester
• Forward scores in 80th minute after Leicester fightback

A new era begins at Exeter. With the clock in the red and the crowd roaring the home side on, the replacement prop Patrick Schickerling crashed over the try-line to snatch a dramatic opening victory for the Chiefs against the champions Leicester.

Things have changed at Sandy Park; the Native American branding, from the club badge to the stadium bars, is gone, while the director of rugby, Rob Baxter, has stepped back to allow the head coach, Ali Hepher, to lead on match days. It looked for much of the second half, of a kick-filled contest, that the Chiefs had squandered an early winning position. Hepher had said they went “deep and dark” in pre-season and overhauling Steve Borthwick’s side, despite losing Alec Hepburn to a late yellow card, demonstrates their efforts were not wasted.

September 10th 2022, 1:12 pm

Henry Arundell gets double as London Irish cruise past crisis club Worcester

Sport | The Guardian

• London Irish 45-14 Worcester
• Financially stricken Warriors fight but Irish score seven tries

This was a desperate afternoon for the destitute Worcester, and every bit as emphatic as the scoreline suggests. It is tempting to say it will be a long season for the crisis-hit club but given the uncertainty swirling over their future, they cannot even be afforded that phrase with certainty. Second-half tries from Curtis Langdon and Jamie Shillcock at least ensured they did not head home pointless as well as penniless, but it was a sobering afternoon on which the Warriors found little refuge on the pitch.

There was no little endeavour, a predictably fast start but once Irish weathered the early storm they found holes in the Worcester defence all too easy to exploit, finishing with seven tries, including two for Henry Arundell, whose golden touch does not seem to have deserted him over the summer.

September 10th 2022, 1:12 pm

Talking Horses: Haskoy can emulate Queen’s famous winner in St Leger

Sport | The Guardian

New London is sure to start favourite in the rescheduled St Leger but Haskoy could be worth your interest

Racing resumes at Doncaster on Sunday following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday with a meeting and a race that was close to the late monarch’s heart throughout her reign.

She paid her first visit to Town Moor on Leger day in 1952, just a few months after inheriting the royal silks and bloodstock following the death of her father, George VI, to see Gay Time finish unplaced in the Classic behind Tulyar, that year’s Derby winner.

September 10th 2022, 1:12 pm

FSA calls for fans to be refunded as football postponed after Queen’s death

Sport | The Guardian

• Rail chiefs and football authorities must be ‘sympathetic’
• ‘It’s not good to ask fans to pay for things that don’t happen’

The Football Supporters’ Association has called for fans left out of pocket by the postponement of matches after the Queen’s death to be treated sympathetically. Malcolm Clarke, chair of the FSA, has urged rail companies and the football authorities to ensure supporters due to travel to away games this weekend do not lose out as a result of the decision to suspend the programme as a mark of respect.

“There’s a big question there about refunds, advance train tickets that have been booked for away games and all of that,” he said. “We would certainly expect the rail industry and the football authorities to take a very sympathetic view of that. It’s not a good time to ask fans to spend money on things that don’t happen.”

September 10th 2022, 1:12 pm

Remco Evenepoel poised to win Vuelta a España as Richard Carapaz takes stage

Sport | The Guardian

• Belgian rider maintains big GC lead before Sunday’s final stage
• Carapaz holds off red jersey group after early mass breakaway

Remco Evenepoel is poised to win the 2022 Vuelta a España after holding off his title rivals on a gruelling penultimate stage.

The 22-year-old Belgian has all but secured his first Grand Tour success and victory should be confirmed on Sunday, when the race ends with a 96.7km flat stage from Las Rozas into the Spanish capital, Madrid.

September 10th 2022, 1:12 pm

Salford squash Huddersfield in playoffs to reach Super League semis

Sport | The Guardian

• Playoff eliminator: Huddersfield 0-28 Salford
• Brodie Croft pulls strings but is ruled out of next game

Super League is no stranger to an underdog story, but this is some chapter of history Salford are threatening to write. To call this squad assembled by Paul Rowley a bunch of misfits would perhaps be unfair, but if you pick it apart it is not difficult to see why so many felt they were more likely to be relegated than reach a major final in 2022.

Eight of the 17 that moved them to within 80 minutes of the Super League Grand Final have played in the Championship in recent years. Tim Lafai, their star centre, was working in a mine in Australia this time last year, with no club willing to take a risk on him. Even Marc Sneyd, the scrum-half who has been in multiple major finals, was allowed to leave Hull last year after they thought they could secure an upgrade on his services.

September 10th 2022, 1:12 pm

Charles Leclerc takes pole for F1 Italian GP with British pair behind

Sport | The Guardian

• George Russell and Lando Norris second and third
• Max Verstappen demoted to fourth after grid penalty

Charles Leclerc took pole for the Italian Grand Prix with a commanding lap at Monza. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was second but will start in fourth on the grid because a five-place penalty for taking a new engine was mitigated by sanctions imposed on others.

The session was marked by teams receiving a slew of penalties for taking new power unit and gearbox components, which considerably shifted the make-up of the grid when qualifying was concluded. It shakes down with two other British drivers at the front with George Russell and Lando Norris, both penalty-free, in second and third.

September 10th 2022, 1:12 pm

‘He just won’t waver’: what Chelsea can expect from Graham Potter

Sport | The Guardian

His former players recall how the manager cut his teeth at Östersund and Swansea, before rising to further prominence

“Which way do you want to die?” That was the question Graham Potter posed his players in the pre-match meeting before his Swansea side tackled Manchester City in the FA Cup three years ago. “It was: ‘They can either beat you with you laying on your back, tickling your belly, or they can beat you if you give it a right good go,” says Matt Grimes, a fixture under Potter during his sole season in charge of Swansea and now captain of the club.

“Because if you sit in a 10-man block, they’ll break you down and beat you anyway, so you might as well make a fist of it while you’re doing it. That’s how he sold it, we were all on the same page and in the end we ran them really close.”

September 10th 2022, 1:12 pm

NFL season is here but I won’t be following anymore. I can’t un-see the harm it causes

Sport | The Guardian

After 20 years as a fan, I can’t justify supporting the ongoing carnage in football. As a sociologist who studies violence, gender and labor in sports, perhaps it was just a matter of time

On Sunday, the NFL season will kick off in earnest. Sports news websites, team message boards and social media are already awash in coverage. To the unbridled joy of many, football is back. But for the first time in almost 20 years, I won’t be following.

This summer, I decided I’m out – done with football. I can’t justify supporting the ongoing carnage in the sport. As a sociologist who studies violence, gender and labor in sports, perhaps it was just a matter of time.

September 10th 2022, 7:53 am

Queen Elizabeth II’s sporting life – in pictures

Sport | The Guardian

The Queen’s love of horse racing is well documented but she attended many historical sporting events during her reign

September 10th 2022, 6:00 am

Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram make history with US Open doubles triumph

Sport | The Guardian

• Top seeds beat Neal Skupski and Wesley Koolhof 7-6, 7-5
• Pair become only second team to retain men’s doubles title

Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram became just the second team in the open era to successfully defend their US Open doubles title. With Neal Skupski and his Dutch partner Wesley Koolhof on the other side of the net, there was guaranteed to be a British winner, and it was Londoner Salisbury and American Ram who came out on top of a tight contest, winning 7-6 (4) 7-5.

It is a third grand slam title together for Ram and Salisbury, who also won the Australian Open in 2020, and they follow in the footsteps of the Australian greats Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde, the last team to win back-to-back titles in New York, in 1995 and 1996. The victory means Salisbury, who has also won two mixed doubles titles, holds on to the world number No 1 ranking. Skupski would have overtaken him had he and Koolhof lifted the trophy.

September 10th 2022, 6:00 am

England v South Africa: third Test, day three – live!

Sport | The Guardian

• The Spin: sign up for our free weekly cricket newsletter
• And you can get in touch by mailing Daniel or via Twitter

Here are the timings for today:

10.50 – Military walk onto the field of play to form guard of honour (GOH)
10.51 – Match officials and teams enter through (GOH) and line up either side of the wicket, team management and squad to stand at boundary edge
10.54 – Minute’s silence
10.55 – One bell chime by the highest ranking military at the Kia Oval
10.55.15 – Introduce the Anthem of South Africa – Sung by Laura Wright
10.57 – Introduce– Anthem of England (God Save the King) – Sung by Laura Wright
11.00 - Play

It’s been very sad news for not only the nation but the world with the Queen’s passing. She was someone who dedicated her life to the nation, someone that we take incredible inspiration from and we are honoured to be able to walk out on the field in memory of the Queen.

We know how much the Queen loved this sport, and the show must go on. I’m sure she’ll be looking down on all the sport that’s still going ahead over this weekend and that we’re going out there in her honour. I’m very pleased and proud we can do that.

September 10th 2022, 6:00 am

Carlos Alcaraz beats Frances Tiafoe in five-set thriller to reach US Open final

Sport | The Guardian

• Spanish teenager beats American 6-7, 6-3, 6-1, 6-7, 6-3
• Ruud books final spot with battling win over Khachanov

Carlos Alcaraz is one win away from a maiden grand slam title – and the world No 1 ranking – after outlasting Frances Tiafoe of the United States in a sensational five-set US Open semi-final on Friday night in New York.

The 19-year-old Spaniard, whose sublime shotmaking and dogged hustle have seen him tabbed as the new face of the sport, came from behind and held on from ahead in a 6-7 (6), 6-3, 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-3 thriller to book a place in Sunday’s final opposite fifth-seeded Casper Ruud, who battled past Karen Khachanov in the day’s first semi-final.

September 10th 2022, 6:00 am

Premier League clubs fear more games will be postponed next weekend

Sport | The Guardian

• Policing and logistical issues could force further call-offs
• London games most vulnerable before Queen’s funeral

Premier League clubs are fearful of losing further fixtures next weekend due to policing and logistical issues after deciding to postpone the entire programme this weekend as a mark of respect to the Queen.

The clubs met in London on Friday morning and heard the league’s board unanimously recommend the postponement of the most immediate round – a move at odds with most other major sports, who have decided to play on.

September 9th 2022, 8:42 pm

Casper Ruud books place in US Open final by battling past Karen Khachanov

Sport | The Guardian

• Norwegian wins men’s semi-final 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 5-7 6-2
• Ruud into his second grand slam final of the season

Just over a year ago, after Casper Ruud navigated a tidy straight-sets win at a tournament in Toronto, he decided to have a little bit of fun. Handed a marker to sign the television camera, he opted to write a simple message: “hard courts”. He signed it off with a smiley face.

His point was clear. He had heard all of the criticisms of his abilities on the surface loud and clear, the way that people questioned and underestimated him, but he took them with a smile. He was still working hard, hopeful that he would continue to improve with time.

September 9th 2022, 8:42 pm

Leeds advance to playoff semi-finals after tempestuous win over Catalans

Sport | The Guardian

• Catalans Dragons 10-20 Leeds
• Liam Sutcliffe runs in hat-trick for Rhinos

Having unexpectedly being thrust into the British sporting limelight on Friday evening, Leeds Rhinos did not disappoint. Two months ago they looked anything but a side capable of making the playoffs, let alone an 11th Super League Grand Final.

But, if history has taught us anything, it is that one writes this club off at one’s peril. Leeds are no strangers to winning Super League from as low as fifth, having done it twice already. But this, even by their standards, is some story they are writing. When Rohan Smith arrived at Headingley in May the Rhinos were genuine relegation contenders. Fast forward to the present day, with 12 wins in 17 games since, and Leeds, remarkably, are 80 minutes from the Grand Final in a fortnight’s time.

September 9th 2022, 8:42 pm

Carlos Alcaraz v Frances Tiafoe: US Open tennis semi-final – live!

Sport | The Guardian

• Alcaraz and Tiafoe meet for place in US Open men’s final
• Ruud books final spot with battling win over Khachanov
• Salisbury and Ram make history with doubles triumph

Alcaraz 1-1 Tiafoe* (* – denotes next server)

Alcaraz is hitting deep in these rallies. Too deep. Twice. 15-30.

September 9th 2022, 8:42 pm

England set to hire David Saker and David Hussey for T20 World Cup

Sport | The Guardian

• Experienced coaches part of move to split staff by format
• Saker was England bowling coach from 2010 to 2015

David Saker and David Hussey are set for coaching roles during England’s T20 World Cup campaign in Australia this winter amid a broader move to split the international support staff by way of format.

Brendon McCullum, the men’s Test head coach, is looking to begin a new slimmed-down operation on his side of the equation for the tour of Pakistan in December, with Marcus Trescothick, Paul Collingwood and Jeetan Patel – all already on the books – becoming his three chosen assistants. Matthew Mott, the men’s white-ball head coach, will similarly have three permanent deputies, with an expectation that Richard Dawson, currently lead pathway coach, may make an internal move.

September 9th 2022, 8:42 pm

Iga Swiatek and Ons Jabeur make year-long dominance tell at US Open

Sport | The Guardian

Polish world No 1 has won a slam and all her six finals in 2022 while Tunisian wants to make up for losing Wimbledon final

The two best players in the world will face off in the final of the last grand slam tournament of the year. It is not a situation that has occurred much in the past few years of women’s tennis, but it is the defining narrative of the US Open final as Iga Swiatek and Ons Jabeur stare each other down on Saturday.

With just a few notable exceptions – Ashleigh Barty for a year and Naomi Osaka on hard courts for a short period – in recent years women’s tennis has been characterised by its openness. Seemingly anyone has been able to win on any given day, few players able to maintain their form for long. The last major final of the year, however, pits the No 1 and the No 2 in the WTA race against each other in what could well be a new rivalry in the sport.

September 9th 2022, 2:25 pm

Worcester players reject ‘victims’ tag as kick-off is clouded by uncertainty

Sport | The Guardian

Warriors captain Cameron Neild says the opening Premiership game against London Irish will be a welcome distraction

In times of crisis, gallows humour can provide some light relief and at Worcester Warriors of late there has been a sizeable dose of what is often prescribed as the best medicine. “If you don’t laugh, you will cry,” says back-rower Matt Kvesic, who admits players having to live on beans on toast is a running joke at the financially stricken club.

Steve Diamond, the club’s director of rugby, concedes there is an inevitable anxiety among the squad, who have been paid last month’s wages but, as they prepare for Saturday’s season-opening match at London Irish, have no idea if they will receive September’s pay packet.

September 9th 2022, 2:25 pm

Reign stops play for the Queen, who spent much of her 96 years around big sport | Barney Ronay

Sport | The Guardian

A life and a journey ends, from the Austerity Games to a minute’s Uefa-approved Europa Conference League solemnity

Rain rituals. Sombre men in coats. Waiting in a grey, mannered place while the BBC talks about the Queen. A day of non-cricket at the Oval turned out to be an eerily fitting place to wait out Thursday afternoon.

For much of the time it felt like a pastiche of ceremonial Englishness, the kind of thing John Lennon might have scribbled on a napkin in the back of a London cab and considered turning into a waspish and satirical limerick. Timings and statements and black ties on the news. An obsessive tending of lawns. Queues, flags, beer and measured talk (nice pins, Rodney Hogg said, for an old Sheila). Prince Charles has arrived at Balmoral. Tea will be taken early. And we will now cut to a special announcement.

September 9th 2022, 2:25 pm

Mads Pedersen denies Fred Wright to complete Vuelta stage hat-trick

Sport | The Guardian

• Danish former world champion asserts sprint dominance
• Leader Remco Evenepoel maintains 2min 07sec lead in GC

Mads Pedersen of Trek-Segafredo hammered home his advantage in the Vuelta a España sprint classification, with his third victory of the race on stage 19 in Talavera de la Reina.

The British rider Fred Wright (Bahrain-Victorious) was second and Gianni Vermeersch (Alpecin–Deceuninck) third after a technical run-in that featured a succession of roundabouts and a hairpin bend with 1.1km remaining.

September 9th 2022, 2:25 pm

Sport-by-sport: which events have been cancelled after the Queen’s death?

Sport | The Guardian

Football in the UK is cancelled this weekend, but the Test will resume and the Great North Run goes ahead on Sunday

All Premier League and English Football League games this weekend have been postponed as a mark of respect, while the matches scheduled for the Women’s Super League opening weekend, Women’s Championship and Women’s FA Cup have also been called off, along with all grassroots football. Further updates regarding Premier League and EFL fixtures during the period of mourning will be provided in due course.

September 9th 2022, 12:12 pm

Shamrock Rovers condemn ‘callous’ chants from fans about Queen’s death

Sport | The Guardian

• Chants occurred at Dublin club’s stadium on Thursday
• TalkSport suspends Trevor Sinclair pending tweet inquiry

Shamrock Rovers have condemned their fans who engaged in “highly insensitive and callous” chants on Thursday night celebrating the death of the Queen.

The singing occurred during the Dublin club’s Europa Conference League game at home to the Swedish club Djurgården, which finished goalless.

September 9th 2022, 12:12 pm

England v South Africa to start with historic rendition of national anthem

Sport | The Guardian

• God Save the King to be broadcast before start of play at the Oval
• Third Test will be decided in three days due to tourists’ schedule

Play at the third Test between England and South Africa will begin on Saturday morning, preceded by what may be the first full, official televised rendition of God Save the King at a sporting event.

One of the many issues of protocol that the England and Wales Cricket Board had to consider on Friday was whether there would be any issue with the anthem being played in SE11 before the Accession Council formally proclaims Charles III as monarch at St James’s Palace. With the Council’s meeting scheduled to start just an hour before play gets under way at the Oval any problem could have led to another delay, but the cricket was eventually cleared to resume. The first official rendition of God Save the King will be sung at St Paul’s Cathedral at the end of a memorial service for the Queen on Friday night.

September 9th 2022, 12:12 pm

Women’s Super League 2022-23 previews No 12: West Ham

Sport | The Guardian

New signings will give Paul Konchesky a chance to shape the side when delayed season begins, particularly around exciting arrivals Viviane Asseyi and Risa Shimizu

Exactly what West Ham will look like under their new manager, Paul Konchesky, and with wholesale changes to the squad is difficult to say. That Konchesky was assistant to Olli Harder last term means there will be some level of consistency. Two of their recruits, the Scotland international Lisa Evans and her former Arsenal teammate Halle Houssein, were both on loan with the Hammers last year and so are also familiar with the set up. However, there have been 10 more signings and 10 departures as Konchesky has looked to make his mark and shape the side.

September 9th 2022, 12:12 pm

Monza anniversary will only increase pressure on beleaguered Ferrari

Sport | The Guardian

The Autodromo Nazionale di Monza circuit celebrates its 100th year but Ferrari’s difficult season likely to continue

Walk the parklands here at Monza and the history of the grand old autodromo is inescapable. It looms overhead in the magnificent banking and stoically endures below in the cobbles of the old paddock demanding attention through time’s mossy embrace. The temple of speed is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year but this weekend for Ferrari – Monza’s team, Italy’s team – the present is tense. The weight of history hangs heavy, with expectations inevitably high at the Italian Grand Prix.

The Autodromo Nazionale di Monza was built in only 110 days in 1922. Finished in July, its first race was the second Italian GP in September that year and established the venue as only the third permanent track in the world, after Brooklands and Indianapolis.

September 9th 2022, 12:12 pm

Football call-offs a ‘missed opportunity’ to pay tribute to Queen, says fans’ group

Sport | The Guardian

• FSA believes most fans wanted weekend games to go ahead
• It shared view with football authorities before postponements

British football has squandered an opportunity to pay tribute to the Queen by cancelling all matches this weekend, according to the Football Supporters’ Association.

Whereas sports including cricket, golf, rugby league and rugby union are going ahead, there will be no football in England this weekend, with all matches from the Premier League to grassroots level postponed after the death of Elizabeth II on Thursday. Schools’ football has also been suspended in England from Friday until Sunday with the English Schools’ Football Association advising its members not to play.

September 9th 2022, 12:12 pm

Josh Allen leads Buffalo Bills to victory over LA Rams in NFL season opener

Sport | The Guardian

• Buffalo Bills 31-10 Los Angeles Rams
• Bills quarterback throws three TDs and rushes for one

Josh Allen passed for 297 yards while accounting for four touchdowns, Von Miller had two of Buffalo’s seven sacks, and the Bills stamped themselves as a clear contender for the Rams’ Super Bowl crown with a 31-10 victory over Los Angeles on Thursday night.

Gabe Davis, Isaiah McKenzie and Stefon Diggs caught touchdown passes as the two-time defending AFC East champion Bills opened the NFL’s 103rd season by overcoming four turnovers and running away with a blowout win in the same stadium where the Rams won the Super Bowl nearly seven months ago.

September 9th 2022, 7:09 am

Iga Swiatek downs Sabalenka to set up US Open final against Ons Jabeur

Sport | The Guardian

• Jabeur wins 6-1, 6-3 over Garcia to reach first US Open final
• Swiatek fights back to defeat Sabalenka in other semi-final

Very few things that Ons Jabeur has achieved in her trailblazing, increasingly distinguished career has come easily or quickly. Her success has been the culmination of slow, gradual growth, no steps missed. The transition from her towering junior career to the top 100 was challenging enough, and her rise ever since has taken time. But it means that she has built a solid foundation and she has rarely ever taken a step back.

The latest step up for Jabeur came earlier in the summer when she reached her first grand slam final at Wimbledon. Although she did not win, it has only imbued her with even more confidence and calm in the important moments.

September 9th 2022, 7:09 am

Premier League and EFL weekend games off but other sports to continue

Sport | The Guardian

• Cricket Test and Wentworth golf hopeful of Saturday return
• Rugby league poised to go ahead as St Leger racing is moved

All this weekend’s English football matches have been postponed after the Queen’s death as a mark of respect. The news was announced at 11.30am BST despite official guidance to sports telling them there was no obligation to postpone fixtures during the official mourning period.

Saturday’s St Leger horse racing at Doncaster has been pushed back to Sunday. However cricket and golf are hopeful of resuming on Saturday, with the England and Wales Cricket Board board meeting later to confirm whether England’s third Test against South Africa will go ahead. If the BMW International at Wentworth resumes it is likely to be a 54-hole tournament.

September 9th 2022, 7:09 am

Chess: Hans Niemann hits back over ‘cheating’ controversy in St Louis

Sport | The Guardian

The 19-year-old grandmaster, whose win against the world champion led to Magnus Carlsen withdrawing from a tournament for the first time, says there is a campaign against him

Magnus Carlsen’s shock withdrawal from the $350,000 Sinquefield Cup in St Louis following his third-round defeat to the newcomer Hans Niemann has triggered a variety of “cheating” claims. It is potentially the most serious such case for international chess since the 2005 Toiletgate world championship match, when Veselin Topalov accused Vlad Kramnik of analysing games in the lavatory.

Carlsen’s loss to Niemann, 19, was his first for several years with White to a much lower rated opponent, and it was the first withdrawal of the Norwegian’s entire career. His only explanation was a cryptic video clip of the football manager José Morinho saying “If I speak I am in big trouble,” during a press conference about referees.

September 9th 2022, 7:09 am

Iga Swiatek v Aryna Sabalenka: US Open tennis semi-final – live!

Sport | The Guardian

• Top-seeded Swiatek goes against Sabalenka in last four
• Jabeur defeats Garcia to reach first US Open semi-final
• Were Alcaraz and fans victims of US Open scheduling?

First set: *Garcia 1-5 Jabeur (*denotes next server)

Jabeur crushes three straight aces down the middle to race to 40-love, then closes the elementary love hold to consolidate the break with a forehand volley winner. Garcia will now serve to stay in the opening set.

September 8th 2022, 11:00 pm

Chelsea confirm Graham Potter as new manager after deal struck with Brighton

Sport | The Guardian

• Potter signs five-year deal and will start with game at Fulham
• He takes over from Thomas Tuchel after German sacked

Graham Potter has been confirmed as Chelsea’s manager on a five-year contract worth more than £50m as the club’s ownership put their faith in a rising star with fresh ideas to succeed Thomas Tuchel, who was sacked on Wednesday.

Potter joins from Brighton after compensation – understood to be about £16m – was paid to release him. He arrived at Chelsea’s training ground on Thursday afternoon to sign his contract after a smooth series of negotiations.

September 8th 2022, 6:27 pm

‘Still not done’: Evenepoel tightens grip on Vuelta with stage 18 victory

Sport | The Guardian

• Belgian beats rival Enric Mas to top of Alto de Piornal
• Jay Vine forced to abandon after large crash in peloton

Remco Evenepoel (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team) hailed a “perfect day” at the Vuelta a España as he tightened his grip on the leader’s red jersey, winning stage 18 with a late sprint to the top of the Alto de Piornal on Thursday.

The 192km mountain stage from Trujillo culminated with two ascents of the first-category Alto de Piornal and it was here where the 22-year-old secured victory. He pulled ahead of nearest General Classification challenger Enric Mas after the duo had caught stage leader Robert Gesink (Jumbo-Visma) with just under half a kilometre left, stretching his overall lead to two minutes and seven seconds over the Spaniard.

September 8th 2022, 6:27 pm

Manchester United lose at home to Real Sociedad to stall Ten Hag’s progress

Sport | The Guardian

Football was an obvious irrelevance after the evening’s news but, once Uefa ruled the game should go ahead, Manchester United duly fulfilled their Europa League fixture against Real Sociedad.

The death of Queen Elizabeth II threw a veil of sorrow over Old Trafford and a heartfelt tribute before kick-off brought those present together in a minute’s silence in respect to the monarch. The players and officials wore black armbands, the flags over the stadium flew at half-mast, pitch-side advertising hoardings turned off, and United issuing a statement that offered condolences and gratitude for the monarch’s “immense contribution to public life”.

September 8th 2022, 6:27 pm

Fleetwood starts fast at Wentworth as Poulter’s LIV clothing raises eyebrows

Sport | The Guardian

• Sullivan and Fleetwood set pace with 64s, McIlroy 68
• No play on Friday out of respect for royal family

On a day when Tommy Fleetwood and Andy Sullivan turned heads with wonderful rounds of 64, Ian Poulter drew glances for his choice of attire.

Keith Pelley, the European Tour Group’s chief executive, had asked that LIV rebels competing at the PGA Championship did not wear clothing which advertises their new professional domain. Enter Poulter, whose left sleeve carried the logo of Majesticks, the LIV team he is part of.

September 8th 2022, 6:27 pm

Marquinhos and Nketiah give Arsenal opening Europa League win over Zürich

Sport | The Guardian

Arsenal’s return to Europe passed smoothly in a game that will take a strange, unwanted place in history. A minute’s silence cannot have been conducted before too many other second halves but before the restart both sides’ players linked arms and stood around the centre circle to commemorate the Queen, news of her death having broken at the end of the opening period.

A section of the away support had already performed a rendition of the national anthem and the stadium staff had, to their credit, reacted quickly to show an image of the monarch on the big screens at both ends along with words of condolence.

September 8th 2022, 6:27 pm

Harry Dunlop will quit at the top after complete outsider wins May Hill

Sport | The Guardian

• Retiring trainer tearful after 40-1 winner in Group Two race
• Dettori demonstrates flying dismount after Park Hill victory

Harry Dunlop announced he was quitting training last month but is now leaving in style thanks to a remarkable success with the unconsidered 40-1 shot Polly Pott in the prestigious May Hill Stakes at Doncaster’s St Leger meeting on Thursday.

The filly was available at 100-1 on the morning of the Group Two contest but belied her odds and lowly rating with victory under Danny Tudhope, riding her for the first time.

September 8th 2022, 6:27 pm

Hamilton vows not to quit F1 as talk of Ricciardo to Mercedes gathers pace

Sport | The Guardian

• Seven-time champion says he has no plans to walk away
• Mercedes rumoured to be targeting Ricciardo as reserve driver

Lewis Hamilton has insisted he has no plans on leaving Formula One in the near future after speculation that Mercedes were lining up Daniel Ricciardo as a potential replacement should the seven-time champion retire.

Ricciardo would not confirm or deny he was in talks with Mercedes but admitted he was exploring all possible options.

September 8th 2022, 6:27 pm

Extravagant Carlos Alcaraz unleashes total tennis in quest for US Open

Sport | The Guardian

The 19-year-old paired his athleticism and shotmaking to outlast Jannik Sinner and fill several highlight reels

As Carlos Alcaraz sat down in the early hours of Thursday morning, time was running out and he knew it. In his short career, the 19-year-old has established a reputation for taking defeats with perspective and a smile on his face, but this time he had nothing. He had generated enough chances to win in straight sets and he had mostly played incredibly well, but never when it really mattered. He found himself down 4-3 in the fourth set to Jannik Sinner, two games from defeat.

His composure momentarily gone, Alcaraz spent the entire change of ends ranting towards his distinguished coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, about the one weakness that had handcuffed him all night: “Where do I serve to? I don’t know how to serve,” he shouted. Ferrero did not respond.

September 8th 2022, 6:27 pm

Sport in mourning with British events suspended in tribute to the Queen

Sport | The Guardian

• Emergency meeting called on Friday to discuss sport schedule
• Test match with South Africa paused and could be cancelled

Sport will hold a day of mourning for the Queen on Friday, with the third Test between England and South Africa and the PGA championship at Wentworth among the events to be paused for at least a day as a mark of respect.

All Football League fixtures on Friday and the third day of racing’s St Leger festival at Doncaster have also been called off, while the RFU will announce in the morning whether Bristol v Bath and Sale v Northampton will go ahead. However, rugby league’s Super League elimination playoff between Catalans and Leeds will still take place as it is in Perpignan.

September 8th 2022, 6:27 pm

Napoli rout Liverpool, plus vintage Simeone – Football Weekly Extra

Sport | The Guardian

Max Rushden, Barry Glendenning, Nicky Bandini and Mark Langdon discuss Wednesday’s Champions League games, Graham Potter’s potential appointment at Chelsea and look ahead to the weekend’s action

Rate, review, share on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Audioboom, Mixcloud, Acast and Stitcher, and join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and email.

On the pod today: the panel discuss all of Wednesday night’s Champions League games, including Liverpool’s woeful display as they lose 4-1 to Napoli.

September 8th 2022, 10:26 am

The review into women’s football is for everyone. Help me make it a success | Karen Carney

Sport | The Guardian

As chair of the government’s review, the big thing for me is to bring people on this journey. We are all part of this team

A few months ago I received an unexpected call, asking me to lead the government review into women’s football. Despite it being such a great opportunity, it took me some time to say yes. Honestly, I had to think about it. I do not have experience in leading reviews of this nature, so I did my due diligence, spoke to those around me and asked some questions of people in the field.

I knew it would be a massive commitment but I came to the conclusion that it would be hypocritical for me to ask for investment in the game and then not step up to lead when asked.

September 8th 2022, 10:26 am

Women’s Super League 2022-23 previews No 10: Reading

Sport | The Guardian

Manager Kelly Chambers has shaken up the side with six new signings who should slot into their more successful formations to help break away from their mid-table slump

Reading have been stagnating in mid-table and last season went in the opposite direction to where they would have been aiming, with an eighth-place finish, one position lower than in 2020-21 and three worse than in the campaign before that. The manager, Kelly Chambers, has shaken up her side, signing six players. They include the goalkeeper Jacqueline Burns, who competed at her first major tournament at the Euros with Northern Ireland and joins from Häcken, the forward Charlie Wellings from Celtic and the defender Brooke Hendrix from Melbourne Victory. The newcomers could turn the tide..

September 8th 2022, 8:26 am

Carlos Alcaraz prevails over Jannik Sinner in latest ever US Open finish

Sport | The Guardian

• Spaniard through to semis after winning five-set classic
• Match sets new mark in New York, finishing at 2.50am

Carlos Alcaraz won a spellbinding battle of the young guns against Jannik Sinner to reach his first grand slam semi-final in the US Open’s latest ever finish.

Spanish teenager Alcaraz finally clinched a 6-3, 6-7 (7), 6-7 (0), 7-5, 6-3 victory at 2.50am after five hours and 15 minutes of full-throttle tennis, setting up a clash with Frances Tiafoe on Friday. Remarkably, three matches had previously finished at 2.26am, while this was the second time Alcaraz had played beyond 2am in succession, after his fourth-round win over Marin Cilic finished at 2.23am.

September 8th 2022, 8:26 am

Lancashire v Yorkshire, Hampshire v Northants: county cricket – live!

Sport | The Guardian

• Updates from the final day of the latest Championship matches
• Get in touch! Contact Tanya by email, Twitter or comment BTL

And Derby too, just after Ben Raine picked up his fifth wicket. Durham will have to stick it out for 82 overs – weather permitting – needing 298 to win.

Oooof and a drop first ball here at Old Trafford, Adam Lyth off Tom Bailey, Bohannon the culprit at short leg.

September 8th 2022, 8:26 am

Serena Williams had to be so good no one could deny her. Black women can relate | Leslie Jones

Sport | The Guardian

Sports is a male-dominated space, just like comedy. I know Serena’s dad told her the same thing my dad told me: ‘Hey, you’re good, but you’ve got to be better than everybody else’

What people don’t understand about strong Black women is that we were raised strong. We have a different experience. The one thing I remember my father always telling me was: ‘Hey, you’re good, but you’ve got to be better than everybody else.’ That’s what Serena Williams represents to me. What sets her apart is her endurance to keep going and keep going no matter what the obstacle is to reach that higher standard. To be undeniable.

It’s just harder for us. We all know this. Racism is the dumbest thing I’ve ever had to deal with. The fact that she’s dealt with that and still made it to No 1 and never used it as an excuse is something else. We know her as a Black phenomenon, but she just wanted to go into her field like all of us want to go into our fields, as actresses or comics or tennis players. We don’t want to be the first Black this, the first Black that – it’s great when it happens, we’re not scared to be first either – but what stands out is how hard she had to fight just to get a seat at the table.

September 8th 2022, 8:26 am

Klopp calls for Liverpool to ‘reinvent ourselves’ after humbling by Napoli

Sport | The Guardian

• ‘It is a difficult period … we have to improve,’ says manager
• ‘Our owners are calm and expect me to sort the situation out’

Jürgen Klopp apologised for Liverpool’s humiliating defeat by Napoli and admitted his team needs to reinvent itself following a miserable start to the season.

Liverpool were abject as they suffered one of their heaviest European defeats to leave Klopp raising his hands in apology to the away fans at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

September 8th 2022, 8:26 am

Graham Potter verbally agrees to take Chelsea manager’s job

Sport | The Guardian

• Terms must be finalised but Chelsea confident of appointment
• Brighton would receive compensation of about £16m

Graham Potter has verbally agreed to take the Chelsea manager’s job after holding talks. Terms are not finalised for the 47-year-old to join from Brighton but Chelsea are confident of appointing him.

Chelsea made Potter their No 1 target after sacking Thomas Tuchel on Wednesday and swiftly received permission from Brighton to speak to him. A substantial compensation payment – understood to be about £16m – will need to be paid. If all goes smoothly Potter will be in place for Saturday’s game at Fulham.

September 8th 2022, 8:26 am

Premiership rugby 2022-23: complete club-by-club guide to the season

Sport | The Guardian

Exeter need a reboot while champions Leicester may just find it harder going against an intensely competitive Saracens

Bottom of the pile last season but with Johann van Graan’s arrival comes a degree of optimism that things will improve. At the very least supporters can expect more commitment than was shown in the humiliating defeat by Gloucester in April and, in Chris Cloete, Dave Attwood and Quinn Roux, the South African coach has added some heft to his forwards. Orlando Bailey caught the eye in glimpses at fly-half last term and a big season beckons without the helping hand of Danny Cipriani. Most important, though, will be how quickly Van Graan can foster a togetherness after Bath looked anything but for large spells last term.

September 8th 2022, 8:26 am

England v South Africa: third Test, day one delayed by rain – live!

Sport | The Guardian

• County cricket – live! Keep up with the latest action
• The Spin: sign up for our free weekly cricket email
• Get in touch! Contact Daniel by email or on Twitter

I really enjoyed this. Who is Brian Charles Lara (and yes, I typed that in Bob Willis’ voice).

“Filthy weather in Woking, hammering it down with dark skies,” tweets Sam Kelly. “That’ll probably be hitting The Oval round about when they’re due to start.”

September 8th 2022, 8:26 am

Australia v New Zealand: second one-day international – live!

Sport | The Guardian

• Updates from the second match of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series
• Any thoughts? Email Jim or tweet @Jimbo_Cricket

4th over: Australia 14-2 (Smith 6, Labuschagne 3) Marnus joins his mentor at the crease with green and gold backs against the wall. He’s away straight off with a pretty on-drive for three. Smith then repeats the shot bit gets a bit more oomph on it and it goes to the rope.

I’ve not had time to slurp my Kenco with this rapid start, it’s now tepid at best. Tough gig eh. It’s creeping up to 6am here in London, if you are out there then do drop me a line with your thoughts and/or theories.

September 8th 2022, 3:10 am

Graham Potter’s flair attracts Todd Boehly but would he fit at Chelsea? | Nick Ames

Sport | The Guardian

He has an eye for talent and emotional intelligence but may struggle to impose his style in the thick of a season

During his time taking Östersund from deadbeat minnows to serious Europa League competitors, Graham Potter famously displayed a penchant for the theatre. His team performed Swan Lake and then there was the occasion when, in front of 1,600 punters, Potter opened a charity gala by belting out the Lapland national anthem in a local dialect. The underlying idea was a serious one: conquering stage fright in the traditional sense might nurture similar resilience for the football pitch.

With that experience Potter might seem overqualified for the lead role in a pantomime. But once all the jokes about Chelsea’s ownership-proof propensity to hire and fire have been exhausted one thing is clear: they are deadly serious about luring the Brighton manager to Stamford Bridge and continuing one of the most unusual trajectories of anyone in the industry. Potter took over at Östersund, who had initially hesitated about employing him, almost 12 years ago when they were an irrelevance in Sweden’s fourth tier, and his rise resembles the kind of fairytale his amateur dramatists might have enacted.

September 7th 2022, 11:54 pm