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Have you ever seen an end to the season like this? For Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal side, it was more stressful than they ever hoped for.

After being sent out of the Champions League by PSG, they have been left to bemoan a run of awful results in the Premier League, putting their hopes of qualifying for a place at Europe’s top table next season in danger.

The 4-0 win over Ipswich Town aside, the Gunners have not picked up all three points in the top-flight since the very first day of April when they defeated Fulham.

So, their 1-0 win over Newcastle United, their top four rivals on Sunday, was rather timely. While Arteta’s side haven’t sewn up second place just yet, they have confirmed their participation in next season’s Champions League.

Behind them, there’s an almighty battle taking shape to finish inside the top five. Thankfully, Arsenal can go to Southampton next weekend with nothing riding on it.

So, who stood out in the new red home strip on Sunday?

How Arsenal beat Newcastle United at the Emirates

When Alexander Isak, William Saliba’s nemesis, was not named on the Newcastle teamsheet due to injury, Arsenal knew they were in for an easier ride.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Yet, during the first half, they had their goalkeeper to thank for keeping them in the game.

This certainly wasn’t a straightforward win, particularly for those at the back who worked tirelessly to preserve the club’s clean sheet.

While Raya’s passing was rather errant inside the opening half, he made up for it with a string of superb saves, the two most notable of which saw him the Spaniard sprawl down low to his left to deny Harvey Barnes and then again to his left to keep out Dan Burn’s header from a corner.

Handed the Player of the Match award by Sky Sports after the game, Raya certainly proved why he’s one of the division’s best stoppers.

That being said, it wasn’t Raya who had the most decisive of says. That was Declan Rice who with a swish effort from outside the box, gave Arsenal the win.

It was a peach of a goal from a man who is only going from strength to strength in the final third. He is the Granit Xhaka replacement everyone at the Emirates hoped they’d find.

Raya and Rice were certainly the best players in Arsenal red and will play a crucial part in rebuilding next season. That said, there are some who won’t be around to see the stadium again as a home player.

The players who featured in their last home game for Arsenal

The raucous reception that Kieran Tierney was given as a late second-half substitute was joyous. The Scot has had an injury-hit time in north London and this was sadly the last we will get to see of him as an Arsenal player at home.

The left-back’s contract is expiring at the conclusion of the campaign and it’s widely expected that he’ll head back to Celtic, the side who sold him for £25m.

Also likely playing their last home game was Jorginho. Another of Arsenal’s out-of-contract stars, it looks as though he’ll be going off to end his playing days in Brazil.

Jorginho’s fellow midfielder in Thomas Partey would also be fortunate to be back at the Emirates next season.

The £45m signing from Atletico Madrid has had his days in the famous red and white but Arsenal need fresh blood, and that was certainly evident against Newcastle.

Partey’s day certainly wasn’t disastrous, but it was a shoddy display nonetheless, with the Standard handing him a 5/10 match rating, writing that he was ‘one of Arsenal’s sloppiest players during a poor first half and he was caught in possession a few times’. Meanwhile, one content creator and podcaster, Le Grove, even suggested it looked like the midfielder “was already on the beach.”

His numbers certainly weren’t the finest either, chiefly losing four of his five battles in the air.

The 31-year-old is usually a monster in the duel but his lack of pace and athleticism in the transitional phases of the game is becoming a concern.

He’s quick to get the ball out of his feat but he lacks the drive to get forward and then doesn’t have the speed required to track back if Arsenal get done in the press. He’s the polar opposite to Rice in that regard.

As a result, with Partey’s contract due to expire in a few months, now is surely the time to sever ties with a player who isn’t going to get any better.

There is a reason the club plans to sign Martin Zubimendi this summer. Let him be Rice’s partner next season, please Mikel.

Arsenal could see £59m bid accepted for "monster" upgrade on Sesko

Arsenal have been handed the chance to sign an upgrade on Benjamin Sesko.

By
Matt Dawson

May 18, 2025

Everton are now stepping up their pursuit of a midfield “magician”, with manager David Moyes believed to be a big fan, according to a report.

Everton's summer transfer plans taking shape

The 2025-26 campaign will be the start of a new era for the Toffees, with Moyes’ side set to move to Bramley-Moore Dock, and the Friedkin Group are looking to make some statement signings to mark the move to the new stadium.

Manchester City’s John Stones is among the targets at centre-back, with the Blues open to bringing the Englishman back to Merseyside, while Ipswich Town star Liam Delap is an option, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin yet to commit to a new deal.

Not only that, but Moyes is keen to strengthen in the middle of the park, having requested the permanent signing of Carlos Alcaraz, who has been on loan from Flamengo since January, while the manager is also a big fan of a Ligue 1 midfielder.

Everton set to cut ties with "outstanding" 93 career-goal ace in summer exit

He’s been a valiant servant at Goodison Park…

By
Sean Markus Clifford

May 12, 2025

That is according to a report from GiveMeSport, which states Moyes is an admirer of Lille’s Angel Gomes, who is set to leave the French club on a free transfer this summer, and Everton are now making moves to secure his signature.

The Toffees are making a renewed attempt to win the race for Gomes, but they may have a huge battle on their hands, with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and West Ham United also expressing an interest in the midfielder.

The need to bring in a new central midfielder may also be exacerbated by the fact that Abdoulaye Doucoure, Idrissa Gueye and Orel Mangala are all currently set to exit Goodison Park upon the expiration of their contracts this summer.

"Magician" Gomes could be fantastic signing

The England international has found game time hard to come by in the second half of the season, having suffered some injury setbacks, but his previous exploits in Ligue 1 indicate that he could be a fantastic signing for Everton this summer.

After being called up to the Three Lions squad earlier this season, the 24-year-old received high praise from French football writer Julien Laurens, who said: “He’s one of the best players in Ligue 1, there’s no doubt.”

The maestro went on to catch the eye during his full debut against Finland, given his passing accuracy and eagerness to get the ball forward.

Nottingham Forest’s Jonathan Panzo has also lauded the Englishman in the past, saying: “He’s like a magician. He’s a small player, but his IQ is so smart and he just knows how to get around the pitch.”

It is little wonder that Everton are so keen on Gomes, but it could be difficult to secure the Lille star’s signature, given the level of interest.

As they look to take their title party into the summer, Premier League champions Liverpool now reportedly want to sign an impressive forward who has scored 33 goals in all competitions this season.

Liverpool look towards Chelsea and summer transfer plans

The Reds have been in party mode ever since thrashing Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 to secure their 20th league title and their second in the last five years, but must now turn towards Chelsea this weekend. It’s at Stamford Bridge that Arne Slot, even with the title sealed, will be looking to see his side continue their celebrations and prove exactly why the Blues will be giving them a guard of honour ahead of kick off.

Chelsea’s applause will be the first of four guard of honours that Liverpool receive on their way towards lifting the Premier League title, with Arsenal, Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace to come.

Arsenal’s at Anfield will, of course, taste the sweetest for all those in Merseyside after Liverpool dominantly beat the Gunners to the English crown this season. It’s a feeling the Reds will be desperate to get used to and one that Mohamed Salah has already set his sights on ahead of next season.

FSG now on high alert as Liverpool race to sign "fantastic" UCL midfielder

He’s enjoyed an excellent season…

By
Tom Cunningham

May 1, 2025

The Egyptian took to social media to celebrate title success whilst also laying down an early marker for the next campaign, posting: “This is what we wanted to deliver to our fans more than anything.

“This is a club that should always compete for everything and be right at the top. No excuses. All teams win games but in the end there’s only one champion. That’s what history remembers and this applies to next season as well.”

It’s next season that the Anfield legend could be joined by some fresh faces too, which may yet include a 33-goal star.

Liverpool complete Maeda scouting mission

According to The Boot Room, Liverpool now want to sign Daizen Maeda from Celtic after completing their scouting on the forward this season. The Japan international has enjoyed an excellent campaign and has earned the interest of the Premier League champions as well as Arsenal and Aston Villa as a result. Amid such interest, Maeda hasn’t exactly ruled out a departure either.

The Celtic forward told reporters when quizzed about his future: “Well, I’m not sure. That’s a difficult question. While I’m here, I always want to fight and play for Celtic. I want to keep focusing and playing for the team.”

With just two years remaining on his current deal, Celtic could have a decision to make on Maeda sooner rather than later. They already proved that they will sell if necessary last summer when Matt O’Riley left for Brighton in a deal worth a reported £25m. Now, a year on, Maeda could leave for a similar price, following the same path from Glasgow’s east end to Merseyside trodden by the legendary Kenny Dalglish.

Dubbed “amazing” by manager Brendan Rodgers earlier this season, it’s clear that the impressive striker is ready to take the Premier League or elsewhere by storm if he does depart the Scottish champions this summer.

Celtic are basking in the glory of becoming Scottish Premiership champions and could now have eyes on a bright starlet who has admitted he is dreaming of a move to Parkhead, per reports.

Celtic set to enjoy another productive transfer window

Brendan Rodgers leads his side into battle against Rangers this weekend and will hope they can lay down a marker after claiming their fourth successive league title against Dundee United.

The Irishman will also hope to become the first Celtic manager to deliver three trebles during his tenure in charge if the Bhoys can navigate past Aberdeen in next month’s Scottish Cup final, though it is reasonable to assume he will already have one eye on the summer window.

There is an expectation at Parkhead that some form of squad refresh could take place. New blood is expected, and James Wilson could be on his way to the Hoops after a breakout campaign at Heart of Midlothian.

Kieran Tierney is on his way back to Celtic on a free transfer once his contract at Arsenal comes to an end. AC Ajaccio forward Moussa Soumano could join the Scotland international to bolster Rodgers’ options across the final third.

Champions League league phase involvement isn’t guaranteed for the reigning Scottish champions next campaign, meaning they will need to adopt a laser-focused approach to recruitment amid a swift turnaround between the end of this term and 2025/26.

Worth more than Tierney: Celtic have hit the jackpot on "brilliant" star

Celtic have hit the jackpot on this star who is now worth more than Kieran Tierney.

By
Dan Emery

May 1, 2025

However, there is also time for Celtic to look to the future with long-term additions who can develop into stars of the future, and they may now have their next candidate after a surprise transfer admission.

Dylan Leonard admits his dream is to play for Celtic

Speaking to A Leagues, Western United youngster Dylan Leonard has admitted he wants to join Celtic in the future, claiming signing for the Scottish Premiership champions is his ‘ultimate dream’ in football.

He stated: “That’s probably one thing I want to achieve in football is play for Celtic. Win something with Celtic obviously, but that’s definitely the one thing I want to do, the one club I want to play for.”

Enjoying an impressive campaign in his homeland, the 17-year-old has registered a goal and an assist across 24 appearances in the Australian top-flight. Primarily a central defender, Leonard has also come out in 100 duels and made 28 tackles on league duty, illustrating his potential to grow into a solid presence at the back.

Celtic are always on the lookout for talent and the Carlton-born starlet definitely appears to be someone that would fit the bill, but it remains to be seen whether a deal can be struck between all parties.

Manchester City have now seemingly come out the other side of their disastrous dip in form in the Premier League with Pep Guardiola’s men yet to taste the bitter disappointment of a loss this April.

A comprehensive 5-2 victory secured over Crystal Palace at the Etihad in the middle of the positive month has since been followed up by a determined late 2-0 win over Everton on Easter weekend, leaving City sitting pretty in fourth spot in the tight Champions League race.

An FA Cup semi-final even awaits the boosted Citizens heading into May, but before any talk about Wembley intensifies, the away faithful packed into Goodison Park would have been pleased with a number of top performances from their beloved side.

Man City's best performers at Everton

The visitors would have known it was going to be a tough contest when travelling to the blue half of Merseyside, with David Moyes’ men fresh off a brilliant 1-0 win on the road at Nottingham Forest away from City’s own upturn in results.

Still, City would finish the contest as 2-0 victors, with makeshift full-back Matheus Nunes and midfielder Ilkay Gundogan picking up assists to play key roles in the away day success.

Gundogan was crucial in sealing the three points when teeing up late second-half substitute Mateo Kovacic for his emphatic strike, with the 34-year-old even firing two efforts of his own at Jordan Pickford’s goal.

Away from the likes of Gundogan shining bright, City also had to stand strong defensively when the Toffees ventured forward themselves, with Stefan Ortega making two big saves to preserve his clean sheet, on top of Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol having to remain cool throughout with a remarkable combined 213 touches.

But, there is one performer who hasn’t yet been mentioned who stole the show once more, with wild shouts even claiming that Guardiola could have his very own Declan Rice.

Guardiola is brewing his very own Rice

The outspoken Spaniard has been unafraid to chuck youngsters into the City first team mix this season, with 22-year-old James McAtee scoring in the aforementioned rout versus Oliver Glasner’s men, on top of 21-year-old sensation Abdukodir Khusanov gaining six Premier League starts after arriving over the winter.

But, the most hyped starlet of them all is Nico O’Reilly and deservedly so, with the breakout number 75 scoring yet another senior strike at the death at Goodison to take his men’s career total to a stunning five goals and two assists from 14 outings.

These unbelievable numbers to date have led to outlandish comparisons being drawn between the Manchester-born ace and Arsenal enforcer, Rice. Indeed, speaking earlier this amid O’Reilly’s impressive form, City content creator Stephen McInerney stated that he has the “physicality of someone like Rice” alongside his ceiling in the game being “so, so high.”

West Ham United supporters must watch on with dismay now when they consider how much Rice’s game has been elevated since leaving the London Stadium behind, with the 26-year-old even bagging two outrageous free-kicks recently in the Champions League against Real Madrid.

Much like Rice, O’Reilly can also dazzle from the centre of the pitch and that is surely where the youngster’s future lies.

O’Reilly certainly has the added spice of goals and assists on his side like Rice, with his overall career numbers above largely for the U18s and U21s suggesting he could do a spectacular job under Guardiola in the midfield positions if given a chance, away from currently being shoehorned into defence.

Capable of holding his own in a tussle too, City really do have an “outstanding” talent – as he has been lauded by his manager – on their hands, with the new-look makeup of the reigning Premier League champions to come perhaps centred around the 20-year-old’s impressive emergence.

Bad news for Rico Lewis: Man City readying offer to sign £41m "engine"

Full-back has been a clear problem for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City this season, but are the Sky Blues preparing to sign an “excellent” youngster?

2

By
Ben Gray

Apr 18, 2025

Liverpool are nearing the end of a terrific season under Arne Slot and could now pounce in an exciting summer transfer deal, according to reports.

Liverpool set for an exciting summer transfer window

Last week, news of Mohamed Salah’s contract renewal at Liverpool brought a feeling of jubilation to supporters ahead of their inevitable Premier League title triumph.

The Reds could be crowned champions this weekend if Arsenal lose at Ipswich Town and they defeat Leicester City. This would likely excite the general public about the possibility of talented summer arrivals at Anfield.

Looking to make a statement, Liverpool could strike to bring in Bayern Munich star Kingsley Coman and his current employers could be open to selling him, per Christian Falk.

Furthermore, RB Leipzig’s Castello Lukeba is on Slot’s wishlist following a scouting mission involving the 22-year-old alongside his teammates Xavi Simons and Benjamin Sesko.

Arne Slot is aware that change could be afoot upon the red half of Merseyside. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future is up in the air with his contract set to expire, while clubs in Saudi Arabia are keeping tabs on Luis Diaz as his deal ticks into its final two years.

Walker replacement: Man City now battling Liverpool to sign "complete" star

Walker is expected to leave this summer…

By
Tom Cunningham

Apr 12, 2025

Several of Liverpool’s title competitors simply haven’t been able to keep pace this term. Come the window, many will have designs on bringing in new talent to avoid a repeat scenario next time out.

FSG have gained a mixed reception among supporters, creating a feeling that this summer may be the time to go big in their quest to keep the Reds at the top of the English pyramid for years to come. Heeding that warning, Slot and company are now planning a swoop for a Premier League star that could make headlines across the country.

Liverpool line up sizeable Kaoru Mitoma deal

According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are in the mix to sign Brighton & Hove Albion star Kaoru Mitoma and the Seagulls are said to be open to selling the Japan international once the window finally opens.

Fabian Hurzeler is set to demand £80 million for the 27-year-old, who may also attract further interest from Al Nassr following their failed attempts to secure his services in January.

Labelled a “special talent” by boss Hurzeler, the tricky winger has registered eight strikes and three assists in 36 appearances across all competitions as the Seagulls look to seal continental qualification.

Financially, Mitoma would cost a pretty penny to bring to Liverpool, but having a ready-made replacement for Diaz in the event the Colombia international does move on would be a wise move for all concerned.

In a summer where the Reds are set to be one of the most appealing potential destinations for players on the market, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Oita-born man join up on Merseyside.

A look at a few iconic matches between these two much-loved teams in the IPL

Omkar Mankame21-Mar-2025Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) met in the first ever IPL match. Seventeen years later, they meet in the season opener for the first time since. Here is a look at some of the iconic matches between these two much-loved teams.2008, Match 1, BengaluruKKR won by 140 runsThe IPL couldn’t have asked for a better launchpad. On the tournament’s opening night, Brendon McCullum lit up the league with an electrifying 158 not out. His onslaught powered KKR to a towering 222 for 3, leaving RCB shell-shocked. The chase never took off, as RCB crumbled for 82, handing KKR a resounding 140-run victory.2009, Match 41, CenturionRCB won by six wicketsNow leading KKR, McCullum delivered another statement at the top, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 84 to set RCB a target of 174. The chase looked wobbly at 74 for 3 in 11 overs, but Ross Taylor had other ideas. Capitalising on some erratic death bowling, he tore into the KKR seamers, smashing an unbeaten 81 off just 33 balls to power RCB home with four deliveries to spare.Ross Taylor and Mark Boucher embrace after sealing a tense six-wicket win•Associated Press2013, Match 12, BengaluruRCB won by eight wicketsThe contest itself was a no contest, as Chris Gayle steamrolled his way to an unbeaten 85 in a chase of 155. But what made headlines was the fiery exchange between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir. After Kohli sliced a catch to deep point, Gambhir did not hold back with his celebrations. Words were exchanged, tempers flared, and the two had a go at each other before their former Delhi team-mate Rajat Bhatia stepped in to defuse the tension.2016, Match 30, BengaluruKKR won by five wicketsKKR had RCB on a leash for 17 overs, only for a late flourish to push the home side to 185. In response, KKR struggled to keep pace, slipping to a position where they needed 93 off the last seven overs. Enter Andre Russell and Yusuf Pathan. The duo turned the game on its head, with Pathan taking apart Shane Watson in the 17th over, plundering 24 runs to shift the momentum. His unbeaten 60 off 29 balls sealed a dramatic win for KKR, capping off a stunning comeback.Related

• An IPL soaked in soap-opera intrigue

• Chetan Sakariya replaces the injured Umran Malik at KKR

• KKR trust in continuity in bid to defend 2024 title

• RCB hope 18 is the charm as hunt for IPL glory continues

2017, Match 27, KolkataKKR won by 82 runsAt the halfway mark, KKR were at least 50 runs short. Sunil Narine’s blistering 17-ball 34 had given them a quick start at 65 for 1 in the powerplay, but they still stumbled to 131 all out. What followed, however, was historic. The most star-studded batting line-up in T20 cricket crumbled in a heap – RCB skittled for a mere 49, still the lowest total in IPL history. Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Woakes, and Colin de Grandhomme shared three wickets apiece as not a single RCB batter reached double digits.2017, Match 46, BengaluruKKR won by six wicketsIn the return fixture, KKR turned the tables with the bat. RCB’s superstar trio of Gayle, Kohli, and AB de Villiers managed just 15 runs between them, but Mandeep Singh’s 52 and Travis Head’s unbeaten 75 lifted them to a modest 158. That total looked woefully inadequate once Narine and Chris Lynn unleashed mayhem. The duo blasted 105 runs in the powerplay, with Narine smashing the fastest IPL fifty at the time – off just 15 balls. KKR barely broke a sweat in a commanding victory.Andre Russell goes big•BCCI2019, Match 17, BengaluruKKR won by five wicketsDesperate to snap a four-match losing streak, RCB seemed on course for a much-needed win, having set KKR a daunting 206 and leaving them needing 66 off the last four overs. Kohli and de Villiers had struck fluent half-centuries, and it was now up to the bowlers to keep Russell quiet. But Dre Russ had other plans. In yet another display of brute force, he hammered an unbeaten 48 off just 13 balls, making a mockery of the chase as KKR stormed home with five deliveries to spare.2024, Match 36, KolkataKKR won by one runMitchell Starc had 20 runs to defend off the final over against Karn Sharma – and it almost wasn’t enough. Karn smashed three sixes in the first four balls to bring RCB to the brink. But his dismissal on the fifth ball, followed by Lockie Ferguson’s run-out while pushing for a second, sealed a dramatic one-run win for KKR in a game that saw over 440 runs in 40 overs. Earlier, RCB seemed on course in their chase of 223 before Russell’s double strike in the 12th over halted their momentum, setting up a thrilling finish.

England have confirmed their opponents for the March international break, which they are set to play their final games before Thomas Tuchel picks his final squad for the 2026 World Cup. They have been drawn in Group L and will face Croatia, Panama and Ghana at the finals, where they will be looking to break their major trophy curse, which has extended to 60 years.

• England learn their March opponents

  The Football Association have scheduled two friendlies against Uruguay and Japan on March 27 and 31, respectively. These games represent the last chance for players to stake a claim prior to Tuchel naming his group for the 2026 finals. The FA is also planning a series of further friendlies in the United States in June, giving Tuchel and his staff valuable time to acclimatise to conditions ahead of their opening match on June 17 in Dallas.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  South American and Asian tests chosen

  Uruguay, ranked 16th in the world by FIFA, will provide England’s first challenge of 2026. The fixture marks Uruguay’s first visit to England in two decades. The last meeting on British soil came in 2006, when Peter Crouch and Joe Cole secured a 2-1 win at Anfield. The more recent encounter between the two nations took place at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, which ended in a 2-1 defeat for England, courtesy of Luis Suarez’s brace, while Wayne Rooney scored the only goal for England. 

  Japan, ranked 18th, complete the March pairing. England’s limited history with the Samurai Blue consists of only three previous contests, the most recent of which came in Austria ahead of the 2010 World Cup. That game resulted in a 2-1 English victory. Their only previous Wembley meeting came in 1995, a 2-1 England win. In a clash in Manchester in 2004, the two teams played out a 1-1 draw.

  Tuchel said he specifically sought opponents inside the world’s top 20 to ensure the competitive level was sufficiently high.

  "We are really pleased to have these two fixtures confirmed as our World Cup year takes shape," he said. "We wanted to play two teams ranked in the top 20 in the world, but also to test ourselves against opponents from outside of Europe. After Friday’s draw, the excitement for next year is really building."

• Tuchel happy to play on the East Coast

  Tuchel admitted that the cooler temperatures on America’s East Coast, where England will play two of their group games, against Ghana and Panama in Boston and New York, respectively, come as a personal relief. 

  Talking to , Tuchel said: "That would be very helpful for me personally! But I didn't get my head fully around it, so we need to come up with a good plan to be well prepared. We need to be prepared to be flexible, we need to be prepared to travel a lot no matter what's happening. The biggest focus will be on the group and to not get distracted in thinking too far ahead."

  Tuchel is aware that external perceptions of England have changed. For years, debates raged over whether the national team could live up to the extraordinary individual reputations of its players. Now, after qualifying with eight wins from eight, remarkably without conceding a single goal, England arrive in the United States as one of the contenders most feared by other nations.

  On being considered as a favourite, Tuchel added: "I think they [other nations] do. We made sure that they do, if they don't do it's also good, so we can play the underdog card. But I think the team played so well and they know that we are full of hunger and we will arrive full of desire to make something special happen, they take us very seriously."

• Getty/GOAL
  

  England’s World Cup route: Group stage offers favourable timings

  England’s campaign begins against Croatia on June 17 in Dallas, followed by Ghana in Boston on June 23 and Panama in New York on June 27. The match timings, 9 pm, 9 pm and 10 pm BST, have been welcomed by supporters who feared dawn kick-offs, given the five-hour time difference between England and most host cities. Indeed, the group stage offers relatively comfortable viewing windows for UK audiences. 

  But progress could complicate matters. Should England top Group L, their first knockout fixture in the round of 32 would take place in Atlanta at 5 pm BST. Beyond that, however, the schedule becomes far more gruelling. Their round of 16 tie, should they win the group, would begin at 1 am BST, potentially against co-hosts Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium. It would represent one of the most unforgiving kick-off times for an English fan.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone has caught some flak from fans and pundits after his decision to remove ace Max Fried in the seventh inning of the club's eventual 3-1 loss to the Red Sox in Game 1 of the American League wild-card series on Tuesday night. Fried, after working himself out of trouble in the fifth and sixth innings, came out for the seventh having expended 99 pitches. After Fried induced a Jarren Duran groundout, Boone made the trip from the dugout and took the ball from his starter, turning to a Yankees bullpen that has been equal parts brilliant and disastrous this season.

Yankees reliever Luke Weaver got two quick strikes on Red Sox outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela, but it was all downhill from there. A walk, a double and a single later, and the Red Sox had the lead.

After the game, Boone explained the reasoning behind removing Fried from the game.

"They pressured him pretty good in the fourth, fifth, sixth," Boone said. "Had a couple baserunners each inning. So I felt like he kind of cruised through the first few and obviously he ends up pitching great. But I felt like he had to work pretty hard—and I was going to have the sixth be the end but once we finished with the double play, I wanted him to go out and get Duran and felt like we were lined up."

As well as Boone felt Fried navigated through some traffic on the basepaths, the Yankees manager also seemed to see Fried emptying the tank a bit.

"Maybe a little bit I felt that way," Boone said. "I felt like his command was not as good those final few [innings]. He was making so many big pitches and his stuff was good. Look, he gave us what we needed and felt really good about the outing he put forth. But I felt pretty convicted, like, especially we got the double play. Let’s go get one more hitter and be good."

Did Fried feel that he had tired?

"I definitely exerted a lot of energy trying to get out of that, but I definitely had enough in the tank for whatever the team needed. But Booney [Aaron Boone] was confident to be able to give the ball to Weave [Luke Weaver] in that situation," Fried said.

While the Yankees bullpen went on to surrender one more run in the ninth, New York had a chance to rally against Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman, loading the bases with no one out but ultimately falling short.

The Yankees will now turn to Carlos Rodon in a do-or-die Game 2 on Wednesday.

Greaves and Roach stayed put for 68.1 overs to deny New Zealand and eke out a miraculous draw

Abhijato Sensarma06-Dec-20251:01

Chase: Roach is a modern-day legend

Strong winds make impressions on the sweaters worn by New Zealand’s players. Creases on their foreheads make a bigger one. The sun is out, shadows lengthen, and they are being made to sweat.Cricket’s most aesthetic miracles end in victory against the odds – Kolkata 2001, Edgbaston 2005, Gabba 2021 to pick three from this century. High drama and tense finishes. Christchurch 2025 is different.West Indies are 72 for 4, chasing 531, before tea on the fourth day. Defeat appears inevitable. Shai Hope and Justin Greaves survive until stumps. Normal service resumes when Hope and the No. 7 Tevin Imlach fall quickly on the final morning. Kemar Roach joins Greaves. They begin to bat, and bat.Related

• Justin Greaves: 'Test cricket a massive step up from first-class cricket in Caribbean'

• Greaves 202*, Roach 58* anchor West Indies to epic draw

• Greaves' fourth-innings double and WI's marathon

• Greaves: 'Special, special day for me; special day for the team'

For the next session and a half, they survive on a pitch without much jeopardy. The odds of a draw increase ever so gradually; the faintest glimmer of a shot at victory. West Indies need 132 in the final session of the final day, but are one wicket away from it all crashing down. A crowd of a few hundred around the lush banks at Hagley Oval is watching.Across the Tasman, thousands are watching Test cricket in fast-forward at the Gabba. If Bazball is aesthetic for some, Australia are responding with their own brand of break-neck batting. Roach, however, has not scored for 72 balls. At some point during this passage of play, he survives an appeal for caught behind to a Michael Bracewell delivery spinning away from off stump, and is saved because New Zealand have no reviews left. Soon, a ball from Zak Foulkes rises at him. He gets inside the line – almost in a tangle – and somehow pushes it to mid-on.Justin Greaves and Kemar Roach helped West Indies pull off an epic draw•Getty ImagesNew Zealand will not be breaching his defences today.At some point in the final session, as the rest of the cricket world begins to wake up to the possibilities in Christchurch, it becomes evident West Indies are playing for a draw. Like the summit of a mountain, 531 is within sight, but it’s farther and more fraught with risk than it appears to those on the outside. Fatigue is physical and mental, and focus is fragile.Roach deadbats deliveries. The pitch is placid but once in a while a ball rips in from the footmarks outside off to threaten the stumps or the edge, forcing the batter into coming forward to block. At other times, he contorts into positions that keep the bat face tilted down, knocking the ball into the pitch.Defence becomes an all-encompassing routine: eyes on ball, move your feet, keep head still, pat it down, repeat. No matter whether you need one run to win, or a couple hundred, you defend the same. The ball yields no result beyond an annotation for itself: it’s a , an acknowledgment of the inability to – or intent not to – score off it.Turbo-charged batting influenced by white-ball formats has contributed to some memorable Tests in recent years, but this match has entered a meditative space unique to the five-day format – the aesthetic of attrition. Roach is on 53 for the longest time… and suddenly, 54. He keeps meeting the ball with the full face of the bat anyway. His contortions do not matter as much as the fact that he is running down the overs.1:36

Did West Indies think of going for the win on the last day?

At the other end is Greaves, taller, with a higher back-lift, and a more solid defence, inching towards a double-century. New Zealand’s bowlers pull back their lengths. Greaves plays with a long stride, and brings his bat down with flair, almost like a full-frontal chop.He too has pared back his scoring options as the overs go by. New Zealand start bringing fielders in as the danger of defeat recedes. For Roach, there are four close catchers on the corners of the small box around him. Once in a while, ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ are heard: a close chance at short leg, a ball drifting in padded away, the faint hopes of a fainter edge.The final hour begins. West Indies are 96 away with four wickets in hand. Greaves on 185, Roach on 53. No Bazball batting here. Spectators stroll beyond the boundary, a child stretches out on his father’s shoulders, and out in the middle they block.After another incidental run, an announcement is heard that West Indies have achieved the second highest fourth-innings total in Test history – 452. It’s received with a ripple of applause. Greaves and Roach gently bump fists in the middle. They have climbed a summit no one else has this century.Justin Greaves scored his maiden double hundred in Tests•Getty ImagesGreaves gets to his own landmark in the penultimate over of the match – off a rare full delivery, sliced over backward point. For once, the ball means something beyond survival. He takes off his helmet, bumps fists with his partner, and acknowledges his dressing room. He’s only the seventh man to make a double hundred in the fourth innings of a Test.They remain unbeaten for 68.1 overs. Greaves for 388 deliveries, Roach for 233. West Indies finish 74 short of the target, but their victory is in 163.3 overs survived.Let’s stay with them for this one last ball. Rachin Ravindra jogs in. His delivery is short of a length, sliding across off. Greaves moves back, head still, eyes on the ball, offering the full face of the bat for one final time.The shadows are now long in Christchurch. Greaves and Roach take off their helmets and gloves and embrace near the pitch. It’s still a sunny evening. A strong wind makes impressions on their jerseys. And as they begin walking towards their team-mates in the dressing room, the creases on their foreheads are gone.