Ravens stay alive behind Henry’s four scores while Texans clinch playoff berth

• Derrick Henry rushes for 216 yards, four TDs for Ravens

• Texans clinch third straight playoff berth with win in LA

• Chargers loss hands AFC West title to idle Broncos

Derrick Henry rushed for a season-high 216 yards and matched a career high with four touchdown runs as the Baltimore Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating the Green Bay Packers 41-24 on Saturday night.

Henry had three touchdown runs in the first half and then scored again on a 25-yard run with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh career 200-yard rushing performance moved him ahead of Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the most in NFL history.

Published: December 28, 2025, 1:03 am

Calvert-Lewin continues hot streak to earn Leeds point at Sunderland

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s starling metamorphosis from an almost forgotten man to a striker on the verge of an England recall continued as his seventh goal in the last six games earned Leeds a potentially important point by the River Wear.

There were moments when Calvert-Lewin and company threatened to end Sunderland’s unbeaten Premier League record here but Régis Le Bris’s side are no pushovers these days and, by the end Daniel Farke looked happy enough with a draw.

Published: December 28, 2025, 4:22 pm

Ollie Watkins’ double off the bench gives Aston Villa comeback victory at Chelsea

Unai Emery had to tear up the plan. Aston Villa had started this game in a compact 4-2-2-2 formation but they were desperate for much of the first hour. Their passing was lethargic, they had no width, they were 1-0 down to a dominant Chelsea and it seemed the story was going to centre on Emery’s decision not to start Ollie Watkins up front.

Yet few managers are as effective as Emery when it comes to altering the flow with a few smart tweaks. The Spaniard never stops plotting, never stops hunting for weaknesses in his opponents, and perhaps it was not a surprise when Villa’s tactical mastermind found a way to ensure that the travelling fans were belting out songs about winning the league at full time.

Published: December 27, 2025, 7:42 pm

Crystal Palace v Tottenham: Premier League – live

⚽ Updates from the 4.30pm Premier League kick-off
⚽ Scores | Table | Follow us on Bluesky | Mail John

It’s a cold day in London, and Selhurst awaits the teams, who are both in the tunnel and will enter the pitch from the corner.

Richard Hirst gets in touch: “Watching the video of John Robertson in the piece you linked to I was reminded not only of his ability but also of the state of the pitches. It really was a different game then: maybe football did begin in 1992!”

Published: December 28, 2025, 5:33 pm

New Battle of the Sexes is cynical bid for attention and own goal for Sabalenka

World No 1’s clash with Nick Kyrgios is on track to being one of the most inane tennis events ever conceived

This has been the year of Aryna Sabalenka for so many reasons. In 2025, she has reached three of the four grand slam finals, winning her fourth major title at the US Open and further positioning herself as a generational great. From her humble origins as a volatile, one-note ball-basher, the 27-year-old has admirably evolved into an increasingly complete player. Sabalenka is the best player in the world for a second year in succession.

The fleeting tennis off-season is usually an opportunity for players and spectators alike to reflect on such great feats before the new season is upon them. This year, however, the December discourse has been derailed by the fast-approaching train wreck Sabalenka stands at the heart of.

Published: December 27, 2025, 8:00 am

The ascendant San Antonio Spurs are the gift the NBA needed

By puncturing Oklahoma City’s aura of inevitability, Victor Wembanyama and co have restored suspense, drama and joy to a season that was in danger of becoming dull

I’ve seen enough: Give the San Antonio Spurs the keys to Santa Claus’ workshop. Put Stephon Castle in charge of toy assembly. Let De’Aaron Fox toss presents into chimneys, from whatever range he’d like. Devin Vassell can customize the Christmas cookies. Harrison Barnes has the army of elves covered. And, of course, Santa Claus’s sleigh must immediately be resized for a taller, thinner pilot so that the towering Victor Wembanyama can drive it comfortably. The sensational Spurs have felled the Oklahoma City Thunder three times in two weeks, and in doing so revitalized this NBA season. I now have more faith in the Spurs’ ability to grant joy to the masses than any holiday legends of old.

It looked dire for a while there. The Thunder might have won the Larry O’Brien trophy in June, but began this season in even more ominous form. They reeled off 24 wins in their first 25 games (the lone loss was a fluky 20-point comeback). In most of them, Jalen Williams, their second-best player, was on the sidelines recovering from wrist surgery. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, their best, seldom had to play in fourth quarters. The Thunder beat the Sacramento Kings by 31. The Los Angeles Lakers, who some expected to be a plausible rival, lost by 29; their basketball savant Luka Doncic looked like he was playing against ten men. The Phoenix Suns’ valiant first earned them a close loss, by just four points. When they met again 12 days later, the Thunder won by 49. This game knocked all the remaining leaves off the trees and started winter 10 days ahead of schedule. Oklahoma City looked capable of shredding anything in its path, even the 2016 Golden State Warriors’ legendary regular season record of 73-9.

Published: December 27, 2025, 1:43 pm

Monolithic belief of Guardiolismo has fractured in new era for tactics | Jonathan Wilson

The old ways are over and nobody is entirely sure what is to follow but football revolutions once experienced are never forgotten

If you want a picture of the future, imagine Michael Kayode winding up to take a long throw – forever. Or at least that was how it seemed in October. Already, though, the picture has begun to change. This was the year of the backlash, and then a bit of a backlash to the backlash.

For almost two decades football had accepted the guardiolista consensus. Football was about possession, about the press, but most of all about position, about the careful manipulation of space. Much-improved pitches meant first touches could be taken for granted: players receiving the ball didn’t have to focus on getting it under control but could instead be parsing their options. The game had become chess with a ball, a matter of strategy more than physicality.

Published: December 27, 2025, 8:00 pm

Naoya Inoue sees off Picasso to set up Tokyo super-fight with Junto Nakatani

• ‘Monster’ dominates Picasso to defend undisputed title

• Unanimous decision in Riyadh keeps Inoue unbeaten

• Nakatani victory fuels chatter of Tokyo super-fight

Naoya Inoue moved a step closer to the biggest bout in Japanese boxing history after outclassing Alan Picasso by unanimous decision in Riyadh on Saturday, retaining his undisputed super-bantamweight titles and clearing the runway for a long-anticipated showdown with countryman Junto Nakatani.

Inoue, widely regarded as one of the finest pound-for-pound fighters in the world alongside Oleksandr Usyk and the recently retired Terence Crawford, was in control from the opening bell at the Mohammed Abdo Arena, neutralizing the previously unbeaten Mexican challenger with precision, speed and sustained pressure over 12 rounds. The judges scored the contest 120-108, 119-109 and 117-111 in favor of the 32-year-old champion.

Published: December 27, 2025, 3:16 pm

Ødegaard’s strike and Raya’s wonder save help steer Arsenal past Brighton

A few minutes before half-time in a contest that largely swung one way but briefly veered the other, Brighton threatened what was then a rare foray into Arsenal territory.

For a short moment the visitors seemed certain to muster their first shot of an afternoon that had hitherto been miserable. But, no sooner had Maxim De Cuyper received the ball on the counterattack, the Belgian was flattened by a crunching Declan Rice tackle that killed any threat. De Cuyper slumped; Rice, towering over him, roared – arguably this season’s standout Premier League midfielder making light of playing right-back for the first time in his Arsenal career.

Published: December 27, 2025, 5:11 pm

Afcon roundup: Mozambique stun Gabon to end 40-year wait for win

• Bangal, Catamo and Calila score in 3-2 victory

• Sudan beat Equatorial Guinea 1-0 thanks to own goal

Mozambique ended a 40-year wait for victory at the Africa Cup of Nations as they beat Gabon 3-2 in Agadir.

Goals from Faisal Bangal, Geny Catamo and Diogo Calila earned the southern African side a deserved victory in which they were led by 42-year-old winger Elias Pelembe. It is their first win at the continental finals since their debut in 1986 in what was their 17th game.

This story will be updated

Published: December 28, 2025, 5:32 pm

Andy Carroll to appear in court after arrest and charge for breaching order

• Carroll charged with breaching non-molestation order

• Former England striker due in court on Tuesday

The former England striker Andy Carroll has been charged with breaching a non-molestation order and is set to appear in court on Tuesday.

Carroll, who was capped nine times by England and played for Newcastle and Liverpool, was arrested in April after allegedly committing an offence the previous month.

Published: December 28, 2025, 2:25 pm

Serie A roundup: Christopher Nkunku at the double to send Milan to summit

• Forward scores twice in 3-0 win over Verona

• Højlund on target again as Napoli beat Cremonese

Milan beat Hellas Verona 3-0 on Sunday to leapfrog leaders Inter and provisionally move top of the Serie A standings thanks to a brace from Christopher Nkunku.

Milan struggled to break down a disciplined Verona side in the first half but made the breakthrough from a corner in added time when Christian Pulisic volleyed home near the far post.

This story will be updated

Published: December 28, 2025, 2:38 pm

Aston Villa lodge complaint after bottle thrown at their bench at end of Chelsea win

• Chelsea intend to cooperate with the investigation

• Emery plays down title talk after 11th consecutive win

Aston Villa lodged a complaint to Chelsea after a bottle of water was thrown at their bench at the end of their 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge.

There were jubilant scenes at full time after a stunning comeback moved Villa three points off Arsenal at the top of the Premier League. However, the celebrations also featured the away dugout being showered with water when the final whistle was blown. It was not clear if the bottle was thrown by someone from the Chelsea bench or whether it came from the crowd. Chelsea intend to cooperate with the investigation.

Published: December 27, 2025, 9:30 pm

John Robertson obituary

World-class footballer who won the European Cup with Nottingham Forest twice

The footballer John Robertson, who has died aged 72, was a star talent for Nottingham Forest as they won successive European Cup finals in 1979 and 1980. Provider of the cross for Trevor Francis to head the winning goal in the first of those matches, he scored the winner himself in the second.

A world class left-winger in his prime, with dazzling dribbling skills, Robertson was the creative heart of the Forest team and the fulcrum of many of their moves. He was once described by their manager Brian Clough as a “Picasso” of the game, such was his artistic flair. He was generally considered the best player Forest have ever fielded, and one of the finest British footballers of the second half of the 20th century.

Published: December 28, 2025, 3:38 pm

Slot applauds Liverpool and Wolves fans for ‘special’ Anfield tribute to Diogo Jota

• Jota’s two young sons were mascots for 2-1 home win

• Slot: ‘The football world again showed how to behave’

Arne Slot praised Liverpool and Wolves fans for “showing the football world how to behave” as Diogo Jota’s two English clubs came together to pay tribute to the late striker at Anfield.

Jota’s two young sons, Dinis and Duarte, were mascots for the first game between the clubs since the Portugal international died in July. Liverpool supporters applauded when Wolves’ fans sang their song for Jota in the 18th minute and vice versa when Anfield acclaimed the late striker in the 20th minute, based on his squad numbers at the two clubs. The entire Wolves squad had visited the memorial to Jota outside Anfield to pay their respects the night before Liverpool’s 2-1 win.

Published: December 27, 2025, 7:21 pm

Affordale Fury holds off Cheltenham Gold Cup winners to take Savills Chase

• Seven-year-old makes Leopardstown breakthrough

• Galopin Des Champs and Inothewayurthinkin beaten

The two most recent winners of the Cheltenham Gold Cup were among the 11 runners for the Grade One Savills Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday but neither could match the strength and resilience of a resurgent Affordale Fury, as Noel Meade’s seven-year-old made his breakthrough at the highest level after an injury-plagued career to date.

Affordale Fury was the 150-1 runner-up in the three-mile Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham in March 2023, but his career since has included breaks of 438 and 241 days and Sunday’s race was just his fifth chase start outside novice company.

Published: December 28, 2025, 5:26 pm

World Darts Championship: Cross sets up Littler clash, Anderson wins thriller

• Cross beats Damon Heta 4-0 to book last-16 meeting

• Anderson holds off Wattimena, Ryan Searle through

Rob Cross thrashed Damon Heta 4-0 at the PDC World Championship to set up a last-16 clash with the reigning champion, Luke Littler.

Cross, who beat Phil Taylor in the 2018 final, lost only two legs against Australian No 1 Heta as he cruised into the fourth round.

Published: December 28, 2025, 4:52 pm

Sunderland 1-1 Leeds United: Premier League – live

Dominic Calvert-Lewin continued his purple patch for Leeds, who had the better of an entertaining draw with Sunderland

1 min Leeds, in their blue change strip, kick off from left to right as we watch.

There’s a minute’s silence for Patrick Treuer, a non-executive director of the club who has died aged just 52.

Published: December 28, 2025, 4:46 pm

Hugh Morris, former England cricketer and ECB chief, dies aged 62

• Morris was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2022

• Glamorgan lead tributes to ‘fine human being’

Hugh Morris, the former England and Glamorgan batter who went on to hold senior positions with country and county, has died at the age of 62.

Born in Cardiff in 1963, Morris became Glamorgan’s youngest ever captain at the age of 22 before returning to the role later in his career, leading them to the Sunday League title in 1993, their first trophy in 24 years.

Published: December 28, 2025, 3:02 pm

Premier League and Afcon buildup, plus latest news, matchday live – as it happened

News, discussion and buildup to the day’s action ahead of Sunderland hosting Leeds and Spurs visiting Crystal Palace

Wissa needs more time to get over knee injury

Yoane Wissa is still not ready to make regular starts for Newcastle but Eddie Howe is keen to find the Congolese striker more opportunities in the coming weeks.

I think with Yoane, we’ve got to look after him, he’s still relatively early in his return. He did really well in his one start against Fulham, I was really pleased with him that day and there’ll be other opportunities.

The problem for us is with our schedule playing every three, four days, I don’t think he’s in a condition where he could start regularly at the moment. Hopefully we can manage him to that point at some stage.

Published: December 28, 2025, 1:00 pm

Root backs McCullum after MCG win but Stokes needs support from system | Ali Martin

Batter says changing management would be ‘silly’ but questions remain over whether the current setup is producing the best players

In fairness to Australian cricket, it rarely sticks its head in the sand. On Sunday in Melbourne, when 90,000 fans should have been enjoying day three of the fourth Test, they put Matt Page, chief curator at the MCG, in front of the media to face a grilling over that casino of a two-day pitch.

Page was contrite, admitted his mistakes, and vowed to never repeat the 10mm of grass that, while designed to guard against hotter weather later in the match, delivered a second hammer blow to Cricket Australia’s finances this series. For all the public anger Stuart Fox, the ground’s chief executive, did not sound as if he was about to issue Page with his marching orders.

Published: December 28, 2025, 12:00 pm

Panthers v Seahawks, Browns v Steelers and more: NFL gameweek 17 – live

Playoff places up for grabs in penultimate week
Drop Graham a line with your thoughts

And now we return to the eternal question: is there anything more boring than talking about your own fantasy football team? It is certainly right up there and yet here we go. The Chinchillas have made it to the championship game and the head coach (Me) needs your help. I have been playing in this dynasty league for nine seasons and I even beat my own brother to get to a first final. Massive. So what do you think I should do? Go ahead with the set lineup or bin off Rashid Shaheed for Juwan Johnson? Or something else that’ll win me the strap? Help me football world, you’re my only hope.

Elsewhere, we have a battle with playoff dreams on the line between the Seahawks and Panthers. The Seahawks need to win to stay ahead of the 49ers at the top of the NFC while the Panthers can clinch the NFC South with a win and a Buccaneers loss to the Dolphins. If Miami’s horrific 45-21 loss to Cincinnati last week is anything to go by then Tampa Bay should return to winning ways and force a title decider against Carolina next week regardless of the result in Charlotte.

Published: December 28, 2025, 5:33 pm