Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has been accused of acting like Wacky Races villain Dick Dastardly by former world champion Damon Hill.

Verstappen was handed a combined 20-second penalty for two separate incidents involving title rival Lando Norris during Sunday’s Mexico City Grand Prix.

The Dutchman finished sixth, as McLaren’s Norris, who described Verstappen’s driving as “dangerous”, took second place.

“The area footage is very clear,” Hill said on a Sky Sports podcast.

“He made no attempt to back off and make the corner and leave room for Lando. It was simply a case of you are not coming through.

“The second move was just daft and Dick Dastardly stuff. He accelerated to the apex and drove Lando off the track and Lando didn’t have much option. That was silly driving.”

Dick Dastardly was a character in 1960s animated TV series Wacky Races – and several other cartoons and films since – who would try to win by utilising underhand tactics.

“I just drive how I think I have to drive,” Verstappen said. “Last week it was all right, this week 20 seconds penalty.

“I am not going to cry about it and I am also not going to share my opinion. The biggest problem I had is that it was a bad day in terms of race pace.”

Verstappen and Norris also clashed during the previous race in Austin, Texas.

Despite the pair being involved in a similar incident at the United States Grand Prix, it was a very different outcome as Norris was penalised for trying to pass Verstappen around the outside, with both ending up in the run-off area.

There are four Grands Prix remaining in 2024, with the season resuming this weekend in Brazil.

“They say that sport doesn’t build character, it shows character, and his default is to revert to preventative methods rather than trying to keep it within the bounds of fairness,” Hill added.

“You shouldn’t be allowed to use your car as a weapon and simply block the track.”

Verstappen is aiming for a fourth successive world championship – his lead over Norris, who is attempting to win it for the first time, stands at 47 points with 120 still up for grabs.

RUUD VAN NISTELROOY’S reign got off to a winning start as Manchester United beat Leicester 5-2 to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

Suddenly, scoring goals looked easy as fans inside Old Trafford screamed “attack, attack, attack” during United’s first post-Erik ten Hag victory.

11

11

Advertisement

11

11

11

Poor finishing was to blame for Sunday’s defeat to West Ham, which proved to be the final nail in Ten Hag’s coffin.

But United rediscovered their confidence in front of goal in Van Nistelrooy’s first game as interim manager.

It was just the Reds Devils‘ fifth win in 15 matches this season, with the home crowd finally given something to cheer about.

And the players looked happy for a change too, especially after Casemiro netted a screamer from distance inside 15 minutes.

Alejandro Garnacho doubled their lead in the 27th minute, before Leicester drew one back through Bilal El Khannouss five minutes later.

One-time goal machine Bruno Fernandes bagged his first of the season, albeit via a huge deflection off James Justin from a free-kick, in the 36th minute.

Casemiro – who was slated as one of United’s worst signings prior to this match by Gary Neville – then fired in his second of the evening, before Conor Coady hit on the verge of half-time to add another twist in the tale.

While this win marked the start of a new era, there were plenty of signs of Ten Hag’s United of old.

For all their attacking prowess, they still looked frail at the back in periods – something United-bound Ruben Amorim will surely address as soon as he arrives at Carrington.

Fernandes capped off the seven-goal thriller in the 57th minute to make it 5-2 and earn a quarter-final tie away at Spurs – a test that will reveal far more about just how much Ten Hag was to blame for United’s poor performances.

As for this match, against a weakened Leicester side, here is how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated the Manchester United players…

Altay Bayindir – 6

Although United dominated, Bayindir looked shaky when Leicester’s chances came.

He flapped with a dodgy punch which led to the away side’s 33rd minute goal. And he looked to repeat it with McAteer’s shot just before half-time.

But one excellent second half save, pushed on to the crossbar, when Steve Cooper’s side were pressing, boosts his mark up a bit.

Victor Lindelof – 6

Hasn’t got the partnership with De Ligt established yet as they both failed to deal with crosses too often from centre-back.

But wasn’t really troubled consistently in the absence of Jamie Vardy in what was his second start of the season.

Matthijs De Ligt – 7

A more physical presence at the back than in previous performances but a more potent attack could have caused much more trouble.

Kasey McAteer got the better of him a few times and he was subbed in the 71st minute for Jonny Evans.

Lisandro Martinez – 6

Looked vulnerable at left-back in moments, with Lindelof filling in at centre-back.

James Justin often had acres of space in the second half before United made it 5-2.

11

Advertisement

Diogo Dalot – 6

Back in his beloved right-hand side and told to push into midfield but often left his defensive channel wide open.

Passed back all too often and kept Justin onside in the first half.

He assisted Garnacho’s opener though after collecting Casemiro‘s stunning lofted pass.

Played a part in Leicester’s second after the ball bounced off him to drop for Coady in another silly goal to concede for the home side.

Casemiro – 9

The star of the show. A stunning first-half showing saw Casemiro score a brace after bagging a 30-yard screamer for United’s opening goal inside 15 minutes.

He was involved in Garnacho’s goal too. Came up with a number of key defensive headers in the second-half to show class is permanent, although form might be temporary at 32 years old.

11

Manuel Ugarte – 6

Conceded early fouls but worked hard. Slowly but surely starting to get to grips with his United team-mates after a shaky start.

11

Bruno Fernandes – 8

Restored United’s 3-1 lead with his first finish of the season. Played with a smile on his face, which we often haven’t seen this season.

Dummied the ball for Casemiro’s worldie and scored his second of the evening in the 57th minute after rolling it under Danny Ward before tapping it into an empty net.

Will be leaned on heavily by Van Nistelrooy to produce the goods following Ten Hag’s departure.

11

11

Marcus Rashford – 6

A quiet evening for Rashford, who needs to kick on after Ten Hag’s exit.

The winger lost the ball a lot in the first 30 minutes. Flicks didn’t come off and hauled off again in the 60th minute.

Rashford’s only played a full 90 minutes THREE times this season.

Alejandro Garnacho – 7

A goal and assist for Garnacho, who attended the Ballon d’Or on Monday.

The 20-year-old doubled United’s lead inside 27 minutes after a well worked team move and set up Casemiro’s brilliant opener.

Looked a constant threat throughout and was taken off 20 minutes from time to be saved for Sunday’s clash against Chelsea.

11

Joshua Zirkzee – 4

Worked hard but never looked confident on the ball and struggled to get involved in the seven-goal thriller. Never seemed to be on his toes either.

But the only consolation is that he was involved in Casemiro’s second (United’s fourth).

Trudged off after 85 minutes looking disgruntled with his tail between his legs.

Subs

Amad (60′ for Rashford) – 7

Instant impact from the bench. The youngster almost scored an overhead kick with his first touch of the evening.

Mazraoui (60′ for Martinez) – 6

Hojlund (71′ for Garnacho) – 6

Jonny Evans (71′ for De Ligt) – 6

Ethan Wheatley (85′ for Zirkzee) – N/A

Manchester United defender and captain Maya Le Tissier and midfielder Grace Clinton answer fan questions while taking on a painting pottery challenge. From Grace’s sleepiness in meetings to Maya’s matchday rituals, the pair open up about football and beyond.

Watch Manchester United v Arsenal in the Women’s Super League on Sunday, 3 November at 12:15 GMT on BBC Two and iPlayer.

WATCH MORE: Arsenal’s Mead and Williamson take on Honesty Cards

Uefa has promised to commit 1bn euros (£830m) to women’s football over the next six years in a bid to make it the most played team sport by women in Europe.

The European governing body will use money from “competition revenues and Uefa investment” to distribute to national team competitions, club competitions and national associations.

Uefa wants to make Europe “the home of the world’s top players” with six fully professional leagues and 5,000 fully professional players across the continent.

“European women’s football has never been in a better place,” Nadine Kessler, Uefa managing director of women’s football, said.

“It has become a sport for the masses, attracting an ever-growing and diverse fan base, and partners that wholeheartedly contribute to its growth.”

The new six-year strategy, called ‘Unstoppable’, has been announced as women’s football becomes more financially powerful.

In June, analysts reported that the Women’s Super League had generated record revenue in the 2022-23 season.

The 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which was won by Spain, generated revenue of £440m.

“We cannot just focus on the countries that are already advanced in their development,” Kessler told the BBC World Service earlier this month.

“This strategy will bring much more tailor-made support for those countries that need special help.”

As part of the investment, Uefa plans to introduce a second women’s European club competition to sit beneath the Champions League.

The competition would be a straight knockout format, with teams competing against clubs knocked out in the early rounds of the Champions League.

Euro 2025, organised by Uefa, will be staged in Switzerland.

CHELSEA made 11 changes once again and this time it cost them with Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi off the pace.

Only Mykhailo Mudryk can come out of the match with any credit as Chelsea were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by a resurgent Newcastle.

3

3

Advertisement

3

The Blues came out on top when the two sides met at Stamford Bridge on Sunday – but that was with their first string out.

Enzo Maresca wrung the changes once again at St James’ Park and the match unravelled quickly as Toon scored twice in three minutes.

Two defensive lapses cost Chelsea with Disasi firing in a comical own goal minutes after Renato Veiga was forced to surrender possession in the build-up to Newcastle‘s opener after receiving a hospital pass from Badiashile.

Chelsea threatened to mount a comeback with Joao Felix stinging the palms of Nick Pope.

But after the break they were frustrated by Newcastle’s low block and huffed and puffed without finding a way back into the match.

Newcastle almost put the final nail in the coffin when Sean Longstaff headed in, but the linesman raised his flag for offside.

Here is how Craig Mahood rated the Chelsea display.

Filip Jorgensen – 6

Nervy start when flapping at an early cross and a couple of wayward kicks going out.

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS

Struggled in parts with the ball at his feet including a pass straight to Tonali in the first half. Not much to do in the second half.

Axel Disasi – 6

Looked uncomfortable for large spells at right-back in duels with Joelinton in the first half and couldn’t sort his feet out when scoring an own goal.

Didn’t have much defending to do after the break but offered little in attack.

Tosin Adarabioyo – 6

Best of the back line but not a difficult task. Looks like a player is there if he can get more minutes as marshalled Isak well for much of the contest.

Benoit Badiashile – 5

Shocker of a pass to Veiga for Newcastle’s opener before being booked for a foul on Krafth.

Terrible touch right on half time let Gordon clear and fortunate Willock missed from close range.

Marc Cucurella – 6

Huffed and puffed down the left-hand side and defended reasonably well against Gordon for most of the night.

Tried to link with Mudryk but a frustrating night meant he didn’t get as involved.

Enzo Fernandez – 6

Chelsea skipper saw plenty of the ball but didn’t create much of note on it.

Looked to be missing the creative spark that would normally play alongside him in there.

Renato Veiga – 6

Largely anonymous in the middle as kept possession moving but was caught on it for the opening Newcastle goal, though not really his fault.

Stung the palms of Pope late on but didn’t create much in that position.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 5

Should’ve scored in opening 90 seconds with glorious chance.

On the fringes of the game throughout and struggled to get involved. Hooked before the hour.

Mykhailo Mudryk – 7

Quiet first half hour before bursting clear of Krafth later in half. Appeared to gainconfidence in the second half and was a threat when he did get the ball on the left.

His final ball missing a few times but would’ve had an assist or two on another evening. Chelsea will be hoping this isn’t a flash in the pan.

Joao Felix – 5

Another one that showed very, very brief flashes. Should’ve scored when clean through with 15 minutes to go which might’ve changed the game.

Frustrations of a difficult night shown when booked for dissent in closing stages.

Subs

Noni Madueke – 6

Replaced ineffective Dewsbury-Hall for the final half hour.

Claimed for a penalty when pushed over by Gordon. Was a threat when in possession but struggled against Newcastle’s low block.

Manchester City striker Vivianne Miedema has had surgery on her left knee.

The 28-year-old Netherlands international has not played since the Champions League victory against Barcelona on 9 October.

City have not revealed the extent of Miedema’s injury or said how long she could be sidelined for.

“Everyone at City would like to wish Viv a full and speedy recovery,” City said.

Miedema has scored two goals in five games in all competitions since joining in July after her contract with Arsenal expired.

In her final two seasons at Arsenal Miedema played only eight Women’s Super League (WSL) games after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee in December 2022.

City are top of the WSL after five games, one point above Chelsea.