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Andrew Cesare Richardson

Agencies

Surely we can crown Liverpool champions of the Premier League for 2024-25 now, can’t we?
Wednesday’s results have left them with no challenger in sight.
So let’s take a look at what happened.
20:20 vision
Liverpool’s quest for a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title is closer than ever after a 2-0 victory over Newcastle, coupled with Arsenal’s 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest, sent them 13 points clear.

Goals in each half from Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister sealed the points for the Reds.
Manager Arne Slot, of course, is taking nothing for granted.
“It is still a long way to go, 10 games,” he told TNT Sports after the victory.
For Arsenal, meanwhile, it is likely to be a third season as runners-up following a second consecutive match without scoring.
Forest stayed third despite back-to-back defeats coming into this one, while Liverpool’s opponents, Newcastle, dropped down to sixth as the battle for the Uefa Champions League places hots up.
Back and firing

Erling Haaland marked his return to action with the only goal of the game as the unpredictable Manchester City beat the equally unpredictable Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 in North London.
Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou felt his team deserved more after the visitors were left hanging on at the end.
“Second half we dominated in all areas but missed a goal to get something out of the game,” he said.
The result saw City move up to fourth, with Tottenham languishing in 13th place.
And there was finally something – just a little something – to smile about at Old Trafford as 10-man Manchester United got a victory, with relegation-favourites Ipswich Town losing 3-2.
The visitors took an early lead through Jaden Philogene, but United fought back through a Sam Morsy own goal and a Matthijs de Ligt strike before Patrick Dorgu was sent off for a reckless challenge.
Philogene equalised in first-half stoppage time before Harry Maguire restored the hosts’ advantage at the start of the second half.
“Today I’m not frustrated. We controlled the game and since the first minute I felt the players were trying to play and we managed to score two goals,” United boss Ruben Amorim said.
Elsewhere, Brentford and Everton played out a 1-1 draw.
Euro cups round-up

There was cup action around Europe, with a major shock in Italy as Juventus’ remaining hopes of winning a trophy were extinguished by lowly Empoli.
Empoli sit 18th in Serie A but fought to a 1-1 draw in Turin before eventually winning on penalties and earning a place in the Italian Cup semi-finals.
Elsewhere, Brazilian wonderkid Endrick scored the only goal in the Spanish Cup semi-final first leg as Real Madrid won away at Real Sociedad.
Should Los Blancos complete the job in Madrid, they will face either a Clasico or Madrid derby in the final after Barcelona and Atletico Madrid drew 4-4 in their first leg at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys 24 hours earlier.
In Germany, RB Leipzig overcame Wolfsburg to complete the semi-final line-up, while Paris Saint-Germain’s treble quest continued with a 7-0 win at Stade Briochin in France’s last eight.
Joining them in the semi-finals were Ligue 2 side Dunkerque, who won 3-2 away to Champions League play-off side Brest.
England crash out

Afghanistan eliminated ragged England from the Champions Trophy with a stunning eight-run victory.
Opening batter Ibrahim Zadran smashed the tournament’s highest-ever individual score of 177 off 146 balls with 12 fours and six sixes and led Afghanistan to 325 for seven.
England were bowled out for 317 with Joe Root’s 120 off 111 balls going in vain.
Root had kept England in the hunt, but once he gloved fast bowler Azmat Omarzai (five for 58) behind the wickets in the 46th over, Afghanistan kept their nerve despite a few fumbles in the field to record a memorable win with one ball to spare.
It was Afghanistan’s second win against England in a major 50-over ICC tournament, having recorded a 69-run victory in the 2023 World Cup in India.
“As a team we are happy and I’m sure the whole nation will be happy with this win,” Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi said.
“The beauty of our team is we have talented youngsters and at the same time we have senior guys who are at the top level. Hopefully we take this momentum with us for the next game against Australia.”
Afghanistan must beat two-time champions Australia in their last Group B match at the same venue on Friday to seal their second straight semi-final in an ICC tournament after playing in last year’s T20 World Cup play-offs.
And we’re off

Title favourite Lando Norris was fastest for Formula One champions McLaren after a power cut disrupted the first day of preseason testing in Bahrain.
The session was extended by an hour into the evening after the outage, caused by a substation failure, plunged garages into darkness with engineers using torches as mechanics connected backup generators.
“I came to the pits and said, ‘It’s dark out here. I need to change my visor.’ Then I realised there are no floodlights around,” Mercedes’ George Russell told Sky Sports television.
“It would have been hectic if this was an hour later and the sun had already set.”
Seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton had already done 70 laps, more than a full race distance, as he started official testing for Ferrari after his move from Mercedes at the end of last year.


Chelsea beat Tottenham, Barcelona receive boost, tennis elite’s grand slam appeal

Liverpool win derby, Mourinho the nose pincher, Clasico cup final, Raducanu withdraws

Arsenal win, Man United lose while Real Madrid keep treble hopes alive in epic thriller

England’s routine World Cup qualifying win, Osaka out, Raducanu through in Miami

While you were sleeping

Liverpool title sealed? Haaland scores, England cricketers out, speedy Norris

Liverpool fans are preparing to celebrate the English Premier League title in manager Arne Slot’s debut campaign. Photo: dpa

Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister celebrates scoring the second goal at Anfield. Photo: Reuters

Manchester City forward Erling Haaland scored the only goal against Tottenham Hotspur. Photo: EPA

Juventus’ players show their disappointment after a shock Italian Cup elimination to Empoli. Photo: EPA

England’s Joe Root walks off after losing his wicket off the bowling of Azmat Omarzai. Photo: Reuters

McLaren driver Lando Norris in action during Formula One preseason testing in Bahrain. Photo: EPA

‘Disgusting’: Australian women’s football team condemn misogynistic comments by radio host

Australia captain Steph Catley (middle) is among the Matildas to condemn comments by comedian Marty Sheargold over the team’s losses at the SheBelieves Cup to the United States (above) and Japan. Photo: AP

Radio host Marty Sheargold asked his co-hosts if they had “any men’s sports” to discuss. Photo: Triple M

Hong Kong sevens side to ‘come out firing’ for Challenger Series in Cape Town

Matteo Avitabile, seen during training at Hong Kong Sports Institute, is raring to start the Challenger Series campaign. Photo: Hong Kong China Rugby

Jack Combes (centre) leads a group chat at Hong Kong Sports Institute. Photo: Hong Kong China Rugby

Sport

Football

Formula One (F1)

Cricket

Results at Anfield and for Arsenal mean Arne Slot’s men can see the finish line in their bid for the English Premier League title


Results at Anfield and for Arsenal mean Arne Slot’s men can see the finish line in their bid for the English Premier League title.
