Manchester United returned to winning ways against Ipswich Town as they ran out 5-2 winners at Old Trafford

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes insisted that victory over Ipswich Town was ‘massive’ but the Reds were not looking to make up for last week’s Hull City defeat. The Reds found it tough in the first half against Ipswich with Leif Davis opening the scoring for the visitors.

However, five minutes before the break, Fernandes equalised to change the momentum of the game. In the second half, the Reds were much the better side with Jacob Greaves’ own goal and Fernandes’ penalty putting them in control. Fernandes would go on to complete his hat trick before Bryan Mbeumo put gloss on the scoreline before Chuba Akpom’s late consolation.

Speaking to Sky Sports post-match, Fernandes said: “It was massive. We lost three points last week, so it was all about getting the three points, giving a good performance to our fans.

“First game at home, they’ve been waiting so long for this so we wanted to, not make up for last week because you can’t get six points in a game, but we wanted to start the game on the front foot, be strong.

“I think we were in control of the game, even if we conceded the goal. In the second half we were very, very good.”

Fernandes’ hat trick was his third for United and according to Opta, his eight shots in one game was more than any other player in the Premier League so far this season.

When asked what the hat trick meant, Fernandes said: “It’s the best feeling in football and then doing a hat trick in a game at home with our fans, it’s something amazing that I’m very proud of. But the main thing is that I need to score goals to help the team to win games.

“Today, I did that and I hope that I can do much more and help my teammates score goals too.”

The New Orleans Saints have just wrapped up the 2026 preseason, and now comes the hard part, as the team will need to start making cuts that will reduce their roster down to 53 by Sunday at 5 p.m. CT.

Saints head coach Kellen Moore and staff will have some very difficult decisions to make over the next 42 hours.

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Be sure to stay tuned to Canal Street Chronicles as we will keep you updated on all the news and roster moves that will take place this weekend.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS ROSTER CUTS TRACKER:

Saints waive QB Hunter Dekkers

India beat Thailand by 94 runs (Image: X/Cricbuzz)

India opened their Women’s T20 Asia Cup campaign with a convincing 94-run victory over Thailand on Sunday, overcoming a late batting collapse with a dominant bowling performance.

Shafali sets platform, India stumble late

India looked on course for a huge total after Shafali Verma smashed 64 off 36 balls, hitting eight fours and three sixes. Alongside debutant Pratika Rawal, who made 22 off 18, Shafali helped India race to 101/2 after 10 overs.Smriti Mandhana contributed 19 off 10 balls, but was run out after hitting four boundaries. However, India lost their way dramatically after reaching 108/2, slipping to 137/9 as Thailand’s bowlers fought back. Leg-spinner Suleeporn Laomi was the standout performer with 3/26. Kranti Gaud, unbeaten on 15, helped India push the total to 159/9.

India’s bowlers run riot

Thailand’s chase never really got going as India’s bowlers produced a clinical display. Kranti Gaud and Nandni Sharma struck early to remove Thailand’s openers before India’s spinners took control. Nandni finished with three wickets, while Deepti Sharma produced an extraordinary spell, taking 3/0 in 1.1 overs.Deepti’s three-wicket haul also saw her become the leading wicket-taker in women’s T20I cricket. Thailand struggled to cope with India’s attack and were eventually bowled out for just 65, with Nannapat Koncharoenkai providing the only significant resistance.

Koncharoenkai fights lone battle

Koncharoenkai top-scored for Thailand with 41 off 48 balls, including five fours. She remained at the crease until the final wicket, but lacked support as wickets continued to fall around her. India ultimately wrapped up the contest with a 94-run victory, making a strong start to their Asia Cup campaign.Brief scores: India Women 159/9 in 20 overs (Shafali Verma 64; Suleeporn Laomi 3/26, Sunida Chaturongrattana 2/31) beat Thailand Women 65 in 16.1 overs (Nannapat Koncharoenkai 41; Nandani Sharma 3/18, Shree Charani 2/10, Deepti Sharma 3/0) by 94 runs

The 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season is here, and with the opening fixtures already underway, the big question is who will finish where when the campaign ends.

Last season produced a thrilling title race, with Rangers International eventually lifting the trophy ahead of Rivers United and Shooting Stars. This season, however, I expect the battle at the top to be even tighter.

For me, Rivers United, Kano Pillars and Rangers International are the three teams most likely to challenge for the title, while Shooting Stars could also push the leading sides.

Here is how I see the season playing out.

1. Rivers United — Champions

I am tipping Rivers United to win the 2026/27 NPFL title, although I don’t expect it to be an easy campaign.

The Port Harcourt club came agonisingly close last season, finishing just one point behind champions Rangers. That experience could prove valuable this time around.

Finidi George has retained the core of his squad and the club has added more quality and depth during the transfer window. With a settled technical structure and a squad capable of competing over 38 matches, Rivers United have what it takes to go one step further.

Prediction: 1st — Champions

2. Kano Pillars — Runners-up

Kano Pillars are my surprise pick for second place.

The arrival of Daniel ‘Ijaball’ Ogunmodede, formerly of Remo Stars, has raised expectations around the club. Pillars endured a disappointing 15th-place finish last season, but I expect a completely different side this time.

Ogunmodede is a coach who understands the Nigerian league and has the tactical ability to get the best out of his players. With the backing of their supporters and the quality available in the squad, Pillars could become genuine title contenders.

I don’t think they will win the title, but I expect them to finish much higher than last season.

Prediction: 2nd — CAF Champions League spot

3. Rangers International — Third place

Defending champions Rangers will remain in the title conversation, but I expect them to struggle to retain the trophy.

The biggest concern for me is their home situation. With the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu undergoing renovation, Rangers will play their home matches at the MKO Sports Arena in Abeokuta.

Home advantage can be extremely important in the NPFL, and constantly playing away from Enugu could make the difference in a tight title race.

There is also the additional pressure of CAF Champions League football. Rangers have a strong squad and an experienced coach in Fidelis Ilechukwu, but balancing continental and domestic football will be a major test.

I still expect them to finish among the top three and secure continental football.

Prediction: 3rd — CAF Confederation Cup spot

4. Shooting Stars — Fourth place

Shooting Stars are probably the team I found hardest to predict.

The Oluyole Warriors finished third last season and have a talented squad, but the decision to change coaches just weeks before the new campaign is a major factor in my prediction.

Salisu Yusuf is an experienced coach and should eventually get the team playing the way he wants, but he needs time to properly build his system and understand his squad.

With domestic and continental football on the agenda, the demands will be even greater.

I believe Shooting Stars will still have a good season, but I don’t see them finishing in the top three.

Prediction: 4th

5. Plateau United — Sixth place

Plateau United could be one of the teams to quietly surprise people this season.

The appointment of Gbenga Ogunbote gives them an experienced coach who knows the NPFL very well. He now has the opportunity to shape the team from the beginning of a full season.

I expect Plateau United to be competitive and finish comfortably in the top half.

Prediction: 6th

The Relegation Battle

At the other end of the table, I expect the fight for survival to be just as interesting.

Inter Lagos face a difficult first season in the NPFL. They have plenty to learn about life in the top flight, and I am predicting them to struggle throughout the campaign.

Kun Khalifat survived relegation by the narrowest of margins last season, and I fear they could find themselves in trouble again. This time, however, I think they could go down.

Niger Tornadoes are another side I expect to be involved in the relegation battle, particularly with questions surrounding their home ground and the disruption caused by its renovation.

Katsina United and Doma United could also find themselves looking over their shoulders, while newly promoted sides will have to adapt quickly to the demands of top-flight football.

My 2026/27 NPFL Predictions

Champions: Rivers United

Runners-up: Kano Pillars

Third: Rangers International

CAF Confederation Cup: Rangers International

Fourth: Shooting Stars

Sixth: Plateau United

Relegation candidates: Inter Lagos, Kun Khalifat and Niger Tornadoes

The NPFL is rarely predictable, and that is exactly what makes it exciting. Rivers United may be my favourites, but Rangers, Kano Pillars and Shooting Stars all have enough quality to prove me wrong.

One thing is certain: it could be another very close title race.

Ryan Gerard finished 17th in the final FedEx Cup standings ahead of the 2026 Tour Championship. It was the first time the 27-year-old had qualified for the PGA Tour’s season finale.

But heading into Sunday’s final round at East Lake, Gerard has a great opportunity to actually win the FedEx Cup title in his first attempt. And that’s partly thanks to an enormously fortuitous collision with the Rules of Golf.

Late in Saturday’s third round, Gerard made clever use of the rules to turn an impossible lie into a perfect one, helping finish off a 66 that has him one-shot back with 18 holes to play.

Ryan Gerard gets free drop to avoid disaster at Tour Championship

Gerard captured his first PGA Tour win at last year’s Barracuda Championship. That event was played opposite of the 2025 Open Championship and featured exactly none of the best players in the world.

On Sunday, Gerard could earn his second Tour win at the Tour Championship against all the best players in the world.

He got there with consistent play throughout the first 54 holes. Gerard opened with back-to-back 65s to tie Viktor Hovland for the 36-hole lead.

On Saturday, he showed few nerves, calmly making three birdies and no bogeys over his first 12 holes to keep pace. When the final pairing of Gerard and Hovland reached the par-4 17th hole, they were knotted at 13 under.

While Hovland ended up making birdie at 17, Gerard did not. But if not for a hugely beneficial free drop, Gerard’s chances at a Tour Championship win may have disappeared right then and there.

After hitting his drive 312 yards into the right rough, Gerard was left with a 133-yard approach shot into the 17th green. But guarding the front side of that green was a bunker with steep banks loaded with thick rough.

Gerard sent his wedge shot toward the green, but it came up short, slamming into the face of the bunker. TV cameras found the ball, or at least a glimpse of it, buried in deep rough just above the bunker’s edge. The steep slope made just addressing the ball a near-impossible task.

If Gerard had to swing at it, there’s no telling where it would have gone, if anywhere at all. Taking a penalty stroke and drop for an unplayable lie would have had to be considered.

But the Rules of Golf offered Gerard a clear escape route from imminent disaster.

According to Rule 16.3, golfers are allowed free relief for any ball embedded “in the general area.” The only exceptions are in a penalty area or in a bunker.

Since Gerard’s ball was embedded in the face of the bunker and not in the actual sand, he was awarded a free drop. The rules call for a drop within one club-length where the ball is embedded but no closer to the hole.

After getting confirmation from a rules official, Gerard took out his driver, and when he laid it down the handle came to an end on flat ground just above the bunker. He made a great drop from there, ending up with a perfect lie propped up in the rough.

On the CBS broadcast, analyst Dottie Pepper called Gerard’s new lie “exponentially easier” than his original one.

You can watch the moment below or by clicking here.

A long list of PGA Tour winners and former FedEx Cup champions are battling on Sunday to win the 2026 Tour Championship. Whoever comes out on top after the final round at East Lake will take home the FedEx Cup trophy. They’ll also leave with a huge winner’s share from the enormous total Tour Championship purse.

In fact, players are fighting for the largest purse all season this week. The total payout for the Tour Championship is a whopping $40 million.

Even better news for the competitors at East Lake is that the purse will be shared among just 30 players.

That’s far more money than was dished out at the 2026 Masters ($21 million), the 2026 Players Championship ($25 million), the PGA Championship ($20.5 million), the U.S. Open ($22.5 million) and the Open Championship ($17.75 million).

The leader heading into the final round is Viktor Hovland, who won the FedEx Cup title back in 2023. If he wins again on Sunday, this time around he’ll earn $10 million for first place.

But he’s going to have to fend off the likes of World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Ludvig Aberg, Adam Scott and Ryan Gerard, who starts the final round in second, to do so.

The consolation prize for second place, $5 million, should help nurse any wounds from missing out on the Tour Championship’s top prize.

And the third-place paycheck isn’t bad either: $3.705 million.

You can see the full 2026 Tour Championship payout breakdown below.

2026 Tour Championship payout breakdown

1: $10 million
2: $5,000,000
3: $3,705,000
4: $3,200,000
5: $2,750,000
6: $1,900,000
7: $1,400,000
8: $1,065,000
9: $900,000
10: $735,000
11: $695,000
12: $660,000
13: $625,000
14: $590,000
15: $560,000
16: $505,000
17: $490,000
18: $475,000
19: $460,000
20: $445,000
21: $430,000
22: $415,000
23: $400,000
24: $390,000
25: $380,000
26: $375,000
27: $370,000
28: $365,000
29: $360,000
30: $355,000

The current version of VT’s Vikings postgame breakdown considers Minnesota’s final preseason game in Denver.

To begin, the Vikings took down the Giants by a score of 13-3. There was then a loss to the Ravens by a score of 13-3. Finishing off the preseason’s three-game lineup was a tilt in Denver. The game concluded with a score of 34 for the Broncos and just 6 for the Vikings.

A Quick-Hitter Vikings Postgame Vikings Breakdown

1 — The Safety Position is Getting Walloped by Injury

Awful seeing Jacob Thomas go down to injury. He’s been terrific all offseason, leading to a scenario where he’s been looking like a sure thing for the final roster. Where things go from here remains to be seen.

So, too, was it concerning to see Jakobe Thomas need to take a moment. Fresh off a back injury, Thomas is looking to ensure he’s fully ready in time for Week 1. Thankfully, he came back, having an up-and-down game.

The Vikings still boast Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, and Jay Ward as the top options. Part of the issue there is that Jackson has been dinged up. Moreover, there’s that earlier injury to Jamal Adams, ending his season.

Consider what Andrew Krammer (The Star Tribune) said of Jacob Thomas going down: “Safety Jacob Thomas being carted into the locker room with an apparent right leg injury is not the first quarter development they were looking for in this one.”

2 — A Guard Moonlights at Center

Last year, an undrafted guard by the name of Joe Huber made the Vikings’ final roster. Better yet, he earned some playing time, filling in when called upon to start for the injured Donovan Jackson.

In Denver, the interior offensive lineman got the chance to snap the ball to Carson Wentz. The starting center spot belongs to Blake Brandel but there’s some concern out there about whether that’s the best approach. Michael Jurgens looks like the main backup. Does Huber snuggle into a depth job across the three interior spots?

3 — Caleb Banks Has Room to Grow

On that first Broncos touchdown, Caleb Banks was left reaching a long arm to try to slowdown the runner. It didn’t work:

Sometimes, he’s just a half step away from the play, unable to get his body onto the player, left to reach rather than tackle. That’s not going to be good enough for a player who has immense ability.

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4 — The Final Tally on the Punter Battle from Tonight’s Game

Today’s stats for the punters:

• Johnny Hekker: 3 Punts, 156 Yards, 2 Inside the 20
• Brett Thorson: 3 Punts, 156 Yards, 2 Inside the 20

The field goal operation involved Will Reichard having another perfect day. Flip of the coin.

5 — 5 Players Who Look Like Strong Bets for a PS Minimum

As a worst case, these fives players should be on the practice squad:

• S Kahlef Hailassie
• WR Dontae Fleming
• LB Bangally Kamara
• CB Zemaiah Vaughn
• TE Gavin Bartholomew

Seeing them totally out of Minnesota’s orbit would be odd.

6 — An Ugly, Torturous Preseason Ends

Truth be told, the Vikings’ preseason games weren’t great. Losing sleep to watch the Broncos game was the sort of thing that people shouldn’t have done.

In Week 1 the Green Bay Packers will roll into U.S. Bank Stadium. Overcoming the NFC North foe will mean getting an early edge in what’s promising to be a formidable division.

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On Sunday, August 30th, the Minnesota Vikings need to ensure they have no more than 53 players. Start looking ahead to these things as you scrub your memory of these boring ball games.

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Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.