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John Higgins battles back to frustrate Ronnie O’Sullivan in tense Crucible clash

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Ronnie O’Sullivan thumped the table in frustration as John Higgins reeled in the seven-time world snooker champion in an enthralling second session of their second round match at the Crucible on Sunday night.

O’Sullivan twice led by five frames and looked set to cruise towards the quarter-finals at the expense of the out-of-sorts Scot, before Higgins drew on his decades of top-level experience to end the evening just two adrift at 9-7.

A pivotal final frame of the session proved too much for O’Sullivan, who gave the cushion a painful rap with his knuckles after missing an early red, before Higgins edged over the line to finish much the happier of the two players.

Higgins never got going in the early stages, but clawed out frame 14 despite fluffing an attempted escape from a snooker, and never looked back. He reeled in a 55-point deficit in the next, then held his nerve in an edgy last frame of the night in which both players went in-off at crucial moments.

Wu Yize fashioned a 9-7 lead over four-time champion Mark Selby in an intriguing clash that is also set to conclude on Monday afternoon.

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Selby had threatened to overwhelm his opponent after firing successive centuries in the first two frames, but the 22-year-old Wu hit back to haul level at 4-4 after their opening session.

And it was the Chinese player who dominated upon their return in the evening, pulling clear at 9-6 before Selby chiselled out the final frame of the night to keep himself within touching distance.

Earlier, defending champion Zhao Xintong moved closer to cracking the so-called ‘Crucible Curse’ by booking his place back in the quarter-finals with a 13-9 win over compatriot Ding Junhui.

Zhao shrugged off some evident nerves to build on a 9-7 overnight advantage despite losing an error-strewn, 46-minute opener that saw Ding temporarily reduce the arrears to a single frame.

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The 29-year-old – looking to become the first first-time winner to retain his title at the Crucible – capitalised on a series of misses by his opponent to pull away, a break of 108 in the penultimate frame helping seal a last eight clash with Shaun Murphy.

“Today I think there was more pressure,” Zhao told BBC Sport. “I know Ding didn’t play very well in the last session but the pressure is very big. This year I just don’t want to lose any match so it feels very different.”

World number one Judd Trump inched closer to booking his place in the quarter-finals after establishing a 9-7 overnight lead in a pulsating contest against Iran’s Hossein Vafaei.

Resuming at 4-4, Trump struggled to get into his stride as his inspired opponent edged 7-6 in front, but Trump responded brilliantly, a century followed by further breaks of 74 and 94 seeing him end their second session with a precious advantage.

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Neil Robertson took advantage of a controversial moment in the 14th frame of his clash with Chris Wakelin to move four clear at 10-6 ahead of Monday’s conclusion.

Wakelin was well in the ascendency when he potted a long red, but a foul was called by referee Peggy Li who noticed him feather the yellow ball in the process.

Wakelin clearly did not agree with the referee’s call but the decision stood after Li called for a replay, and Robertson capitalised to take the frame with a 65 break, before further breaks of 65 and 101 took him to the brink of his first last eight appearance since 2021.

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Rodri, Dias, Gvardiol – Man City injury latest and return dates after FA Cup comeback

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Manchester City booked their spot in the FA Cup final thanks to a 2-1 victory over Southampton

Manchester City will still have some players on the sidelines when they return to Premier League action next weekend. City reached the final of the FA Cup thanks to a dramatic victory over Southampton on Saturday afternoon.

Pep Guardiola’s side secured a 2-1 win over the Saints at Wembley Stadium with Jeremy Doku and Nico Gonzalez scoring the decisive goals for City in the semi-final contest.

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City will now face either Chelsea or Leeds United in next month’s final at Wembley, and will also have four crucial Premier League fixtures to navigate in the final weeks of the season.

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Guardiola was without some key players for City in the win over Southampton, and that could be the same when his team returns to Premier League duties against Everton on May 4.

READ MORE: Man City look like they have another transfer priority after FA Cup winREAD MORE: Pep Guardiola gives Phil Foden verdict after being brought off in Man City win vs Southampton

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Here, the Manchester Evening News takes a look at City’s current injury list and potential return dates after their victory over Southampton.

Rodri

City will be hoping to call upon Rodri when they face Everton in their next fixture, with the midfielder missing the last two matches with a groin injury.

Rodri was not risked for the FA Cup semi-final against Southampton, with Guardiola offering an update during the pre-match press conference on Thursday.

“He’s better. We don’t want to take a risk,” Guardiola said.

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“I don’t know yet [if he’ll play vs Everton] – hopefully but we don’t want to take a risk because if he’s injured we will lose him for the next five games and Rodri is so important.”

Potential return date: Everton (A) – May 4 – Premier League.

Ruben Dias

Ruben Dias has been sidelined with injury since being substituted at half-time of their Champions League last-16 second leg against Real Madrid.

It remains to be seen when Dias will be available for City once again, with Abdukodir Khusanov or Marc Guehi forming an impressive centre-back partnership since the defender’s injury.

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“He’s getting better. He’s not ready for Sunday,” Guardiola said earlier this month before City’s win over Chelsea.

Potential return date: Everton (A) – May 4 – Premier League.

Josko Gvardiol

Josko Gvardiol suffered a fractured leg back in January and has been on the sidelines in recovery ever since.

Croatian media recently claimed that the defender could return to training some time next month, but it’s still unclear if Gvardiol will be available for City before the end of the season.

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“He’s getting better but still he isn’t close,” Guardiola said earlier this month.

Potential return date: July pre-season

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MS Dhoni Suffers 2nd Injury, CSK Coach Stephen Fleming Drops IPL 2026 ‘Comeback’ Bombshell

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If one calf strain was not enough, MS Dhoni has faced another setback. Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming has revealed that the former captain has “tweaked” his calf again. Fleming indicated that Dhoni’s return to the playing XI for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has been further delayed after the veteran wicketkeeper-batter suffered another setback in his recovery. Dhoni, who was initially expected to miss only the opening two weeks of IPL 2026, has now been sidelined for nearly a month, with CSK already eight matches into their campaign without their talismanic former captain featuring even once.

Providing an update after Chennai’s defeat to Gujarat Titans on Sunday, Fleming revealed that the 42-year-old aggravated the injury during a practice session, complicating what was initially thought to be a short-term issue.

“He’s pretty keen. The calf is a tough one, though. If he takes off and rips the calf again, then he will be gone. So we pushed it early, in the warm-up game – he tweaked it again, is my understanding – and since then he has been working hard to get some movement into it. But there was another setback, so it has taken longer than we thought,” Fleming said while addressing the media after CSK’s loss to GT on Sunday.

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Despite his absence from match action, Dhoni has remained involved in training sessions. He has frequently been spotted working on his batting in the nets, largely focusing on throwdowns, although he has gradually increased his workload in recent days. On Saturday, he was seen sprinting under the supervision of the team physio before spending time facing spin bowlers as well as deliveries from batting coach Michael Hussey.

The former CSK skipper was also seen donning the wicketkeeping gloves during the team’s practice session at the Wankhede Stadium ahead of their clash against the Mumbai Indians last week.

Fleming emphasised that the final call on Dhoni’s comeback rests with the player himself, while the support staff continues to monitor his progress closely.

“He is the guide on this one. He’s working hard with the physio and doing all the rehab, and we’re just waiting for the word, really. But all I can keep saying is to stop making light of it, because he is progressing and doing everything he can,” Fleming added.

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Chennai’s campaign has been inconsistent so far, with five defeats in their first eight outings, leaving them placed sixth on the points table. The side now has a brief window to regroup, with a five-day break before their next fixture against arch-rivals MI at home on May 2.

As speculation around Dhoni’s availability continues to dominate the narrative, the franchise will be hoping for a timely return from the experienced campaigner as they look to revive their season.

With IANS inputs 


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What did Celia discover about Yoon’s death?

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For All Mankind season 5 episode 5 ends with Celia discovering that Yoon’s death was connected to a larger cover-up rather than an isolated incident. After reviewing suit checkout records and confronting Fred, Celia learns he was present on the night Yoon died and was involved in the confrontation that led to his death.

Fred explains that Yoon had been blackmailing Kuragin and threatening to expose the company’s automation plans. Celia also learns that officials, including Sheriff Palmer and others in authority, were aware of what happened. In For All Mankind season 5, this revelation links Yoon’s death to corporate interests, internal corruption, and the growing unrest across Happy Valley.


For All Mankind season 5 episode 5 recap: What did Celia find in the records?

For All Mankind season 5 (Image via Apple TV)For All Mankind season 5 (Image via Apple TV)
For All Mankind season 5 (Image via Apple TV)

A major turning point in For All Mankind season 5 episode 5 occurs when Celia reviews suit checkout records tied to surface duty. She has already noticed inconsistencies involving Peacekeepers assigned to Kuragin night shipments.

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The records show several officers were active the night Yoon died, despite earlier claims that no one saw or contacted him. The key detail is Fred’s name on the list. He had urged Celia to stop investigating and never disclosed that he was on duty.

In For All Mankind season 5, this discovery moves Celia from suspicion to evidence. It also links Yoon’s death to official security operations rather than an isolated incident.


Did Fred admit what happened to Yoon?

Finding Fred’s last name among the records, Celia decides to talk to him personally. For All Mankind season 5 episode 5 provides the viewer with this scene being another major plot point. It appears that Fred participated in the incident that resulted in Yoon’s death.

According to him, Yoon was threatening to expose the secrets of Kuragin regarding the company’s plans to automate its facilities, which would result in the workers’ strike. Fred had to intimidate him, but the outcome was lethal. Thus, the death of Yoon was not related to just one person and some sort of vendetta. His death was connected to the secret corporate plan that would have caused problems on Mars before.

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Furthermore, Fred admits that the previous attack when Celia was beaten in the lower base of the space station was also part of this plan to impede her investigations. For All Mankind season 5 makes this confession significant because of several reasons. Besides the clarification of what happened with Yoon, the protagonist realizes that her colleague lied to her.


How deep does the cover-up go?

The most significant part of Celia’s discovery is that Yoon’s death may involve more than Fred alone. Fred tells her that Sheriff Palmer and other officials already know what happened. It shows evidence of a conspiracy among Mars officials.

If Fred is correct, Kuragin officials, police, and political leaders all had incentives to cover up the event. The disclosure of the death of Yoon, together with the automation project, would have sparked more public outrage earlier. It relates to the broader conflict where citizens demonstrate against their government’s intention to automate Mars and send home most laborers. These parties who favor the automation project are also behind the cover-up of an individual’s death.

Celia is aware of the danger associated with reporting through legal means. Fred informs her that any claims against individuals in positions of authority will likely be brushed aside and thrown back at her. She might suffer retribution or even deportation to Earth.

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Therefore, Celia is left with two choices. Either she keeps quiet about it or discloses it to the general public. Season 5 of For All Mankind depicts a similar situation involving Alex and Lily’s earlier leak of internal documents.


How Yoon’s death connects to the Mars protests

The fifth episode combines two separate stories. The first is Celia’s investigation into Yoon’s murder, and the second one is the revolt in Happy Valley. They are a consequence of the wider conflict over the governance of the planet and its future. The citizens take to the streets when they hear about Helios and Kuragin’s plans to automate the colony, which means that most of its employees will have to go back home to Earth.

According to Celia’s research, Yoon’s death had something to do with keeping the automation program secret. Consequently, the process of solving the crime becomes an integral part of a similar mechanism of suppression, intimidation, and oppression that provokes revolts in the colony.

On the other hand, the government uses curfew and police force to disperse protesters. There are conflicts between people and the Peacekeepers, resulting in clashes throughout the colony. For All Mankind season 5 episode 5 ends up with the escalation of both a public scandal and Celia’s personal investigation.

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For All Mankind season 5 is streaming on Apple TV+.