Patriots overcome Broncos and brutal, snowy conditions to book place in Super Bowl

• New England Patriots 10–7 Denver Broncos

• Patriots will play Seahawks in Super Bowl LX

They’re back.

The New England Patriots conquered an over-achieving understudy in a Denver snowstorm to return to the Super Bowl for the first time in seven years and are one win away from a worst-to-first triumph masterminded by a new head coach and a stellar sophomore quarterback.

Published: January 25, 2026, 11:22 pm

Seahawks set up Patriots Super Bowl clash after beating Rams in barnburner

• Los Angeles Rams 27–31 Seattle Seahawks

• Darnold and Stafford shine in high-class QB duel

• Patriots grind out AFC championship in snow

Sam Darnold threw for three touchdowns, the Seahawks’ “Dark Side” defense came up with a critical fourth-down stop, and Seattle advanced to the Super Bowl, beating the Los Angeles Rams 31-27 in an electrifying NFC championship game on Sunday.

“It’s amazing,” Darnold said. “To be able to do it with these guys in this locker room, though, with this coaching staff, that’s why it means the world to me.”

Published: January 26, 2026, 3:12 am

Spotless Pegula ends Keys’ Australian Open reign with serve of apple pie and cheese

Sixth seed marches into quarter-finals with 6-3, 6-4 victory while the defending champion must pay forfeit agreed on with her podcast co-host

While speaking on a podcast before her big match against Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula was discussing their battle last January in the Adelaide final. Keys’s performance, Pegula recalled, had prompted Pegula to accurately predict to their mutual friends that Keys would win the Australian Open two weeks later. It is normal for players to discuss future opponents, but they do not usually do so in conversation with each other. With a chuckle, Keys interjected: “Jess is like, ‘I hope I don’t see that level [tomorrow].’”

She did not. Keys’s reign at the Australian Open came to a difficult end in the fourth round as the defending champion and ninth seed was crushed under the weight of her hefty unforced error count and a spotless performance from Pegula, the sixth seed, who marched into the quarter-finals with a 6-3, 6-4 win. This was, in some ways, a historic match on Rod Laver Arena: the first grand slam singles match between two podcast co-hosts.

Published: January 26, 2026, 3:32 am

‘Alex Pretti was murdered’: NBA’s Haliburton among sports stars to condemn Minnesota killing

• 37-year-old shot dead by federal agents on Saturday

• Angel Reese and Ryan Clark also post about shooting

• Hall of famer Alan Page reportedly at anti-ICE protests

A number of prominent US sports stars have condemned the killing of a registered nurse, Alex Pretti, by federal agents in Minneapolis on Saturday.

Pretti, 37, is the second person shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis in less than three weeks as protests over Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown sweep the city. Senior Trump administration officials have claimed Pretti intended to “massacre” federal officers with a handgun but video of the killing appears to contradict those claims.

Published: January 25, 2026, 1:28 pm

‘We got punished’: Arteta rues errors as Arsenal’s title tilt stalls with United loss

• Zubimendi mistake led to Mbeumo equaliser

• ‘We were dominant … after we gave them the goal’

Mikel Arteta blamed individual errors for Arsenal’s 3-2 defeat against Manchester United, on a weekend when their lead in the Premier League title race was cut to four points.

Arsenal were 1-0 up when the game was transformed by Martín Zubimendi’s mis‑hit back-pass, which presented Bryan Mbeumo with an equaliser. United scored with outstanding strikes from distance by Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha in the second half to stun the leaders.

Published: January 25, 2026, 9:10 pm

Mikaela Shiffrin clinches record ninth world slalom title as Olympics loom

• American seals title with two races to spare

• 30-year-old will be favorite for Olympic gold

Mikaela Shiffrin has locked up the slalom season title with the Olympics looming to become the first skier in the six-decade history of the World Cup with nine season titles in one discipline.

The American star might have to share her record soon, though, as US teammate Lindsey Vonn has eight downhill titles and holds a commanding lead in those standings.

Published: January 25, 2026, 4:08 pm

Iva Jovic walking in Venus Williams’ footsteps with Melbourne quarter-final date

• US 18-year-old dismantles Putintseva in dazzling win

• Alcaraz to face De Minaur in men’s quarter-finals

Iva Jovic became the youngest American woman to reach the quarter-finals of the Australian Open since Venus Williams in 1998, by dismantling the Kazakhstani veteran Yulia Putintseva 6-0, 6-1 on Sunday.

At 18, Jovic arrived in Melbourne as the youngest player inside the top 100 and the 27th seed has dominated all opposition, rolling through her four matches without dropping a set. Jovic’s third-round win against the No 7 seed, Jasmine Paolini, was the first top-20 win of her career. Still, Jovic rejected the notion that she is swinging freely with nothing to lose.

Published: January 25, 2026, 3:51 pm

Alex Honnold free solos Taipei 101 skyscraper in live Netflix climb

US climber takes an hour and half to scale one of Asia’s tallest buildings without ropes or a harness

The US rock climber Alex Honnold climbed one of Asia’s tallest skyscrapers without ropes or a harness on Sunday, fulfilling an ambition that began more than a decade ago and which he hoped would inspire people to pursue their own challenges because “time is finite”.

Honnold, who starred in the 2019 Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo, ascended the 508-metre (1,667ft) Taipei 101 using the skyscraper’s horizontal metal beams to pull himself up with his bare hands. The challenge had originally been scheduled to take place on Saturday but was postponed because of rain.

Published: January 25, 2026, 1:05 pm

Arteta’s team of ruthless cyborgs malfunction in way that is all too human | Jonathan Wilson

Arsenal let game slip against Manchester United and need to quickly press the reset button

And then the gap was down to four points. It is still four points, but the thought that Arsenal will struggle to suppress is that it could have been more, that it should have been more.

Manchester City have won only one of their past five in the league, but Arsenal have not opened up clear water. Against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, they failed to take advantage of City slip‑ups, drawing both those games 0-0, and that left them vulnerable to a game such as this. From an Arsenal point of view, the title race is disturbingly alive.

Published: January 25, 2026, 8:52 pm

Lucas Paquetá edges towards West Ham exit after £35.8m Flamengo bid

• Brazilian club make improved offer for 28-year-old

• Sale would allow further transfer spending

Flamengo are locked in negotiations with West Ham after making a new £35.8m bid for Lucas Paquetá.

Although the offer has not been accepted there is growing optimism on Flamengo’s side that they will secure the Brazil international. The clubs are focused on the payment structure of the deal and it is understood that it is moving in the right direction.

Published: January 25, 2026, 9:16 pm

Buendía and Watkins stun Newcastle to keep Aston Villa’s title hopes alive

Some wins are a little bit lucky and others downright fluky or simply ground out, but this Aston Villa victory belonged to a different category entirely.

A triumph secured by goals from the impressive Emiliano Buendía and Ollie Watkins, and illuminated by Morgan Rogers’s skill, was firmly of the sort that can be filed under “thoroughly deserved”.

Published: January 25, 2026, 4:17 pm

Estêvão and Fernández power Chelsea past Crystal Palace as Wharton sees red

If this was a taste of what life on the road under Liam Rosenior might be like for Chelsea fans, then anyone who doubted his appointment may have to think again.

A brilliant performance from Estêvão Willian, who scored the first after a mistake from his fellow ­teenager Jaydee ­Canvot before setting up João Pedro for the second, inspired Chelsea to end a run of five Premier League games without an away win at their new head coach’s first attempt, as they piled on the ­misery for ­Crystal Palace, who also had Adam Wharton sent off.

Published: January 25, 2026, 4:34 pm

Igor Jesus and Awoniyi sink Brentford to ease Forest away from relegation danger

It was a day that began with tension and ended with relief for Sean Dyche, who was able to use his post-match remarks to restate the values of patience and togetherness, after Nottingham Forest put the furore of their Europa League defeat in Portugal behind them to make it seven points from nine in the Premier League.

Mouthwatering goals from Forest’s maligned strikers, first Igor Jesus with a blaster then a solo effort from Taiwo Awoniyi, decided a contest that was otherwise a tactical standoff. But the intensity with which Forest set about their task was a far cry from the insipid efforts that led to boos from the away support in Braga on Thursday night. It was Brentford who were off this pace on this occasion, and a second consecutive defeat had Keith Andrews calling for his team to be “ruthless and clinical”.

Published: January 25, 2026, 4:23 pm

European football: Lamine Yamal’s stunning strike caps Barcelona win over Real Oviedo

• Three second-half goals put Barça back on top

• Juventus beat Napoli to leave title challenge in tatters

Barcelona capitalised on two defensive mistakes by bottom-of-the-table Real Oviedo to seal a 3-0 victory at a rain-drenched Camp Nou, regaining top spot in La Liga. Goals from Dani Olmo, Raphinha and, acrobatically, Lamine Yamal powered the Catalan club to 52 points, one ahead of Real Madrid, while Atlético Madrid trail in third on 44.

Barça struggled to break the deadlock against a spirited Oviedo until they finally found the breakthrough in the 52nd minute, with Olmo striking home following a defensive lapse. Five minutes later, Oviedo’s struggles deepened, with the defender David Costas under-hitting a back-pass, which Raphinha intercepted before calmly chipping the onrushing Aarón Escandell in Oviedo’s goal to double Barcelona’s lead. Lamine Yamal wrapped up Barça’s win by scoring in the 73rd minute with a brilliant acrobatic volley from an Olmo cross.

Published: January 25, 2026, 10:31 pm

Manchester City go nine points clear in WSL after Shaw’s late strike at London City

Manchester City are beginning to look like champions elect after going nine points clear at the top of the Women’s Super League with nine games to play, striking late to claim a precious victory at London City Lionesses.

Khadija Shaw was the calmest person in the ground as she slotted in a low finish in the 86th minute after a goalmouth scramble, before leaping in delight in front of the travelling supporters as they celebrated her winner and avoided what had looked set to be a rare slip-up in Bromley.

Published: January 25, 2026, 2:18 pm

Hearts stay clear of Celtic after Braga rescues late point against title rivals

The winners of a breathless, brooding contest at Tynecastle were the team ­­playing 50 miles away. Rangers moved to within four points of Hearts after the league leaders missed the chance to put considerable distance between themselves and Celtic. A three-horse race for the title should enthral.

A contender must land a con­vincing blow to dethrone a champion but despite equalising twice, facing 10 men for the final 21 minutes and creating several clearcut openings, Hearts were unable to overcome Martin O’Neill’s tiring team. Celtic impressed sporadically but made their flashes of quality count through Benjamin Nygren’s free-kick and the incisive break that created a second for Yang Hyun-jun.

Published: January 25, 2026, 5:51 pm

Leicester City sack Martí Cifuentes after dropping to 14th in Championship

• Departure was ‘difficult decision’, says Foxes’ owner

• Andy King will take interim charge for Charlton match

Leicester have sacked Martí Cifuentes after dropping to 14th in the Championship. The club held crunch boardroom talks on Sunday before deciding to relieve the manager of his position.

The Foxes slumped to a humiliating home defeat against a struggling Oxford United on Saturday and have won only one of their past five matches. Andy King, the club’s former Premier League-winning midfielder who has been first‑team coach since last season, will take interim charge but Leicester are expected to appoint an external successor.

Published: January 25, 2026, 4:21 pm

Jessica Pegula defeats Madison Keys in straight sets – as it happened

Sixth seed knocks out defending champion 6-3, 6-4
Three US women through to quarterfinals

Pegula (6) 1-0 Keys (9)* Pegula, in Adidas orange, holds to love. Keys, in Nike lemon and lime, mentioned in their podcast she was wary of her friend’s drop shots, which proved prescient when a delicate angle from Pegula secured the game.

Pegula has breezed through the draw so far, dropping just ten games. Keys has yet to lose a set but has been made to work harder. Fortunately her serve remains massive, and her 194kmh effort is the second fastest so far in the women’s draw.

Published: January 26, 2026, 2:36 am

Arsenal 2-3 Manchester United: Premier League – as it happened

Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha scored outrageous goals as Man Utd came from behind to stun the league leaders

This, from my MBM colleague Tim de Lisle, is a terrific read on what Michael Carrick’s Manchester United did so well last weekend.

United showed more intensity than usual, as you’d expect in a derby, but they also showed more composure. Carrick had called for it beforehand, and as possibly the calmest player ever seen in a United shirt, he speaks with some authority on the subject. When Amad broke away in the 33rd minute, he coolly rounded Donnarumma and rolled the ball into an empty net. When Fernandes broke away eight minutes later, he went one better, landing a defender on his backside after rounding the keeper. Both goals were disallowed, but they stood as statements of intent.

It’s never the same again! Every game is different but we’ve had a good week and we’re in good shape. We understand this has been a tough place to come for many teams. But we’re going into the game in a good spirit and that’s the most important thing.

Published: January 25, 2026, 7:24 pm

Newcastle v Aston Villa, Crystal Palace v Chelsea and more: football clockwatch – as it happened

Villa win at Newcastle, Chelsea take the points at struggling Palace, and Forest record a crucial victory at Brentford

Oh, but here’s Rosenior, explaining that Cole Palmer isn’t fit to play today, but has a chance of making Wednesday’s trip to Naples.

He notes that the league is close and physical, but he has good players and is excited to see where the project goes – the club “demands winning in this moment”. There aren’t many days on the training pitch, but he hopes the work they’re doing with the team and with individuals are working.

Published: January 25, 2026, 4:35 pm

London City 1-2 Manchester City, Aston Villa 1-4 Manchester United, and more: WSL clockwatch – as it happened

A late Bunny Shaw winner saw City go nine points clear at the top, while Liverpool won their first match of the season

⚽ Scores | Tables

London City 0-0 Manchester City

Asllani has a shot on goal, the first effort of the game. London City have started well.

Published: January 25, 2026, 2:23 pm

Home hope De Minaur destroys Bublik at Australian Open to set up Alcaraz showdown

• Australian wins 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 on Rod Laver Arena

• De Minaur will meet world No 1 on hottest day since 2020

Fuelled by revenge, dismissing doubters and upturning narratives, Alex de Minaur is within reach of somewhere he has never been. The home hope blitzed his bogeyman Alexander Bublik in just 92 minutes on Sunday night to book a place in his seventh grand slam quarter-final – and a tantalising showdown with the top seed Carlos Alcaraz.

Sunday’s match finished in a blink, 6-4, 6-1, 6-1, before the sun went down over a surprisingly chilly Rod Laver Arena that left the Kazakhstani cussing to his coach about the conditions.

Published: January 25, 2026, 1:57 pm

NFC championship game: Los Angeles Rams 27-31 Seattle Seahawks – as it happened

• Seahawks earn place at Super Bowl LX against Patriots

• Darnold and Stafford shine in high-scoring slugfest

Super Bowl LX? Wasn’t Super Bowl L just a few years ago?

Cute ad in which a young girl mimics figure skater Ilia Malinin. I’m duty-bound to inform you that I will indeed be in the commentary position for some Winter Olympics action in a couple of weeks, and that Malinin is from my town.

Published: January 26, 2026, 3:13 am

AFC Championship game in the NFL: New England Patriots 10-7 Denver Broncos – as it happened

• Patriots earn trip to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara

• Follow Los Angeles Rams v Seattle Seahawks

Patriots 0-0 Broncos 12:00, 1st quarter

Denver’s defense come up big and force a three and out of their own. Two failed runs put the ball in Drake Maye’s hands and he almost throws a pick to Talanoa Hufanga. The punt puts the Broncos on their own 40-yard line. Decent position.

Published: January 25, 2026, 11:15 pm

Patrick Reed wins duel with Puig in Dubai and casts doubt over LIV future

• Reed seals four-shot victory after final round 72

• Puig tied-seventh following two-stroke penalty

A penny for the thoughts of the PGA Tour hierarchy, who awoke in Ponte Vedra Beach to news of a LIV duel in Dubai. A penny for the thoughts of LIV’s office bearers, who had information they would presumably rather remain private put into the public domain by the new Desert Classic champion.

Patrick Reed emerged from the joust, thereby delivering a reminder that he remains among the finest golfers in the world. David Puig did not even receive the consolation of second place, his slow finish and a strong one from Andy Sullivan elbowing the Spaniard into third.

Published: January 25, 2026, 5:21 pm

Ally Sentnor at the double as USWNT crush Paraguay on Rodman’s return

• Sentnor scores twice as USA trounce Paraguay 6-0

• Rodman captains US, scores in return after injuries

• Turner debuts with goal; US face Chile on Tuesday

Trinity Rodman, fresh off signing a contract with the Washington Spirit, scored and the United States had five second-half goals in a 6-0 rout Paraguay on Saturday.

Ally Sentnor added a pair of goals and Reilyn Turner scored in her debut match for the United States. Croix Bethune and Emma Sears also scored.

Published: January 25, 2026, 1:01 am