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Andrew Cesare Richardson

For a team that has no forwards, Arsenal weren’t too shabby in their sensational 7-1 victory away to PSV Eindhoven in the Uefa Champions League first leg.
While, even without strikers, the Gunners would expect to be favourites for this one, they were up against a team who stormed to the title last season and knocked out Juventus in the previous round.
But Arsenal were relentless and took a 3-0 lead inside 31 minutes thanks to goals from Jurrien Timber, Ethan Nwaneri and Mikel Merino.
Noa Lang pulled one back from the spot just before half-time, but Martin Odegaard’s first of the night on 47 minutes was followed immediately after by No 5 from Leandro Trossard.
Odegaard made it six on 73 minutes before Riccardo Calafiori got in on the act.

Arsenal’s season effectively rests on the Champions League and they can look forward to a second consecutive season in the quarter-finals.
For PSV, meanwhile, their campaign has taken a disastrous turn: 10 straight wins to start the season, they have two wins in nine in the league – with none in their last five – having also gone out of the cup last week.
UCL round-up
The Madrid derby, one of the most highly anticipated ties of the Champions League las-16 is delicately poised after the first leg with Real beating Atletico 2-1.
It’s fair to say this fixture has not been kind to Diego Simeone and Atletico in Europe’s premier competition, with four consecutive Los Blancos victories from 2014 to 2017 – including in two finals.

And while this was another victory for the 15-times champions, the tie is far from over.
Rodrygo opened the scoring inside four minutes for the hosts, who were without the suspended Jude Bellingham.
But Julian Alvarez equalised in sensational fashion with a curling shot into the top corner just after the half-hour mark.
Brahim Diaz restored the hosts’ advantage 10 minutes into the second half and, despite some late chances for Real, it remained 2-1.
Elsewhere, like Arsenal, Aston Villa can surely start preparing for the last eight after a 3-1 victory away at Club Brugge.
Leon Bailey gave the visitors a third-minute lead before Maxim De Cuyper equalised shortly afterwards.
But a late implosion by the hosts allowed Villa to score twice in the final eight minutes through a Brandon Mechele own goal and Marco Asensio penalty.
In the other match of the night, Borussia Dortmund were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Lille after Karim Adeyemi’s opener was cancelled out by Hakon Arnar Haraldsson.
Nicely set up

Local hero Judd Trump reached the last-16 of the snooker World Grand Prix with a 4-2 victory over Gary Wilson at the Kai Tak Arena.
The world No 1 came from behind before eventually winning comfortably and set up an intriguing clash with friend Jack Lisowski, set for Thursday.
“I got a great reception and that gives me a buzz,” Trump said. “There was a bit of added pressure because I wanted to get the first round out of the way. It’s a big event with big prize money in a great arena and a great city.
“Hong Kong is an incredible place, I felt that before I even contemplated coming to live here. There is a lot of energy, so much to see and do, especially when the weather is good. Everyone who comes here loves it and I’m glad we have such a big event here now.”
Elsewhere, John Higgins edged out Ali Carter 4-3 to set up a meeting with Kyren Wilson.
“When you win a few deciders you get a bit of confidence,” Higgins said. “At 3-3, I thought I was going to win, while in recent years I was feeling the other way. That can be the difference between winning tournaments and getting knocked out early.”
Wilson, meanwhile, had been trailing 3-2 to Matthew Selt but came back to win 4-3.
In the evening’s other match, Wu Yize came out on top 4-0 in the all Chinese affair against Pang Junxu and will meet Stuart Bingham next.
Devastating blow

Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving has a torn ACL in his left knee and will miss the rest of the season, the biggest setback in a season full of them for a team that traded superstar Luka Doncic.
The team confirmed Irving’s diagnosis last night, a day after he was injured in the first quarter of Dallas’ 122-98 loss to the Sacramento Kings. Following the injury, Irving made two free throws with tears rolling down his cheeks before leaving the game.
The 32-year-old was fouled by DeMar DeRozan on a drive to the basket and his right foot landed on the foot of the Kings’ Jonas Valanciunas. Irving lost his balance and then landed awkwardly on his left leg, and his knee appeared to hyperextend before he fell to the floor.
The Mavericks lost 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis to a groin injury in his Dallas debut last month following the seismic trade that sent Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The presence of Irving was the biggest reason the Mavericks felt they could proceed with the controversial Davis-for-Doncic deal, a move that infuriated the Dallas fan base.
Now, Irving is out for the season, and would figure to be in the final stages of recovery when teams report for training camp for the 2025-26 season. Irving has a $44 million player option for next season.


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

Arsenal hit 7 in Champions League, Judd Trump wows at Kai Tak, Mavericks’ major KO

Declan Rice (left) and Gabriel celebrate after Arsenal’s massive victory over PSV Eindhoven in the Uefa Champions League. Photo: dpa

Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori (left) scores his side’s seventh goal against PSV. Photo: AFP

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior (left) celebrates with goal scorer Rodrygo. Photo: Reuters

Judd Trump looks on during his match against Gary Wilson of England at the Snooker World Grand Prix 2025. Photo: Xinhua

Kyrie Irving of the Dallas Mavericks lies on the court after suffering a knee injury. Photo: TNS

Hong Kong support has inspired snooker to aim for bigger audiences, sport’s CEO says

The audience at the Hong Kong Masters final between Marco Fu and Ronnie O’Sullivan at the city’s Coliseum was eye-opening. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Ronnie O’Sullivan (left) beat Marco Fu in the Hong Kong Masters 2022 final at the Coliseum. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

World Snooker Tour CEO Simon Brownell was full of praise for the new Kai Tak Arena. Photo: Jonathan Wong

World Grand Prix: Ben Woollaston falls just short after eleventh-hour dash to Hong Kong

Ben Woollaston lines up a shot during his first round World Grand Prix match against Shaun Murphy at Kai Tak Arena. Photo: Elson Li

Spectators watch the first round match between Mark Williams and Stuart Bingham at Kai Tak Arena. Photo: Elson Li

Sport

Football

Elsewhere in Europe’s premier competition, Real Madrid faced Atletico while Aston Villa travelled to Club Brugge


Elsewhere in Europe’s premier competition, Real Madrid faced Atletico while Aston Villa travelled to Club Brugge.
