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What happens when a leader departs a sporting dynasty? How can the transfer of power cause as little disruption to the team as possible? History has all too often illustrated that it is a far from easy adjustment; that it will take a little time to regroup and recalibrate. For Chelsea, however, the transition from … Read more
Play the match, not the occasion. Lap up the theatre, the dramatics, the pyrotechnics, the hostility, if that is what gets you going, but when you cross the white line, play what is in front of you. If there is one message that should have been hammered home to England’s players this week, it is … Read more
Jessie Holmes, a former reality television star, won the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on Friday negotiating the longest-ever course in the event’s history. Holmes was first to the finish line in Nome on the Bering Sea coast. The race began on 3 March in Fairbanks after a lack of snow forced changes to the … Read more
Wales are aiming to surprise England with a combination of “heart and brain” when the two teams meet in Cardiff on Saturday. The caretaker Wales coach, Matt Sherratt, in his final game in charge, believes his team can upset the odds and avoid a 17th successive Test defeat and a second consecutive tournament whitewash. Sherratt … Read more
Key events Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Official going news from the Jockey Club. Friday 14th March The going for day four of The Cheltenham Festival 2025 today, Gold Cup Day, is: Good to Soft Action takes place on the New Course today, which was also in use … Read more
Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge, perhaps the greatest runner in history, has declared he will run the Sydney Marathon in August in a huge boon to the event’s standing. The 40-year-old maestro, back-to-back Olympic marathon champion in 2016 and 2020 and the only runner ever to record an unofficial sub two-hour time in the event, says he’s … Read more
Star striker Sam Kerr has been included in Chelsea’s squad for the Women’s Champions League knock-out rounds in an indication she is nearing a return from injury. But what should have been a positive milestone in the 31-year-old’s recovery from a serious knee injury which has kept her off the pitch for 15 months was … Read more
Eddie Howe responded to the question with a thin smile followed by a flat denial. Newcastle’s manager had just been asked whether his team were jinxed and a sense of deja vu permeated the room. That query has echoed, periodically, around St James’ Park throughout the 70 years since Gypsies reputedly placed a powerful curse … Read more
As Formula One prepares to open a season the sport hopes will be a spectacular battle royale, it surely could not ask for a finer venue than Melbourne’s Albert Park to see things off in a suitably splendid fashion. The true form for the year ahead has yet to be discerned from the opening day … Read more
After victory at Middlesbrough in October, Bristol City’s players headed towards the pocket of the Riverside Stadium housing their supporters. As the away fans sang on loop the name of their head coach, Liam Manning, the squad unravelled a giant red and white banner displaying the words “Fly High Theo” in block capitals. Manning, on … Read more