Arsenal ended their 22-year wait to be crowned Premier League champions on Tuesday after Manchester City were held 1-1 by Bournemouth.

City had to win to take the title fight to the final day, but the Cherries extended their unbeaten streak to 17 league games, a run which has secured European football for the first time in the club’s history.

After finishing second for the past three seasons, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have finally made it over the line to end a six-year trophy drought.

Arsenal edged to the brink of the title with an unconvincing 1-0 win over already relegated Burnley on Monday, which took them five points clear of City.

Read moreArsenal reach first Champions League final in 20 years after Saka goal beats Atletico

The Gunners, who have set the pace for most of the season, have bounced back impressively since losing to City last month, winning four straight league matches without conceding a goal.

On Monday, just 48 hours after completing a domestic cup double with victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup final, City were rocked by widespread reports that manager Pep Guardiola will depart after a decade in charge at the end of the season.

Victory at Wembley on Saturday secured a 20th trophy of Guardiola’s glorious reign.

But he cannot add to his six Premier League titles when Aston Villa visit the Etihad on Sunday for what is expected to be his final match in charge.

Guardiola had warned that fatigue could cost City against a highly motivated Bournemouth, who still have Champions League qualification in their sights for next season.

As it stands, Bournemouth will be in the Europa League after ensuring they will finish no lower than seventh.

Sixth could be good enough for a place in the Champions League if Aston Villa finish fifth and win Wednesday’s Europa League final.

City fans forlornly chanted “One more year, Guardiola” in the early stages at the Vitality Stadium in a bid to convince their decorated coach to see out the final season of his contract.

But if the travelling fans hoped City’s players would be inspired to give Guardiola a glorious goodbye, they were left sorely disappointed.

Antoine Semenyo had the ball in the net on his return to Bournemouth but was flagged offside in City’s best moment of a flat first half.

The home side suddenly sprang to life to open the scoring in the 39th minute.

Eli Junior Kroupi curled a brilliant strike into the top corner to set a new record of 13 goals in a debut Premier League season for a teenager.

Nico O’Reilly wasted City’s best chance of a lifeline when he was denied by Djordje Petrovic just seconds into the second half.

Guardiola watched on pensively as his side’s title challenge fizzled out with a whimper.

After winning what was billed a title decider against Arsenal last month, City put the destiny of the title back in their rivals’ hands by drawing 3-3 at Everton.

Guardiola looks set to depart having failed to win the league for two consecutive seasons for the first time in his coaching career.

Rayan and David Brooks hit the post as Bournemouth should have secured victory in Andoni Iraola’s final home game in charge.

Erling Haaland’s equaliser deep into stoppage time came too little, too late to save City’s title challenge.

But it was a big goal for Liverpool, who now have a three-point cushion over Bournemouth and a goal difference advantage of six heading into the final day battle to secure a top-five finish and Champions League football.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

Pep Guardiola spoke in an interview for the first time since it was unofficially confirmed that he will leave Manchester City this summer

Pep Guardiola spoke for the first time since news broke that he will leave Manchester City this season ahead of the Premier League game at Bournemouth.

The City boss did his pre-match broadcast interview where Sky Sports told him that it would be ‘unfair’ to ask him about his future before the game so instead asked him if the stories had disrupted their preparations.

City face a huge game in the Premier League, needing to end Bournemouth’s 15-game unbeaten run to take the title race to the final day. And while that is a meaty topic in itself, Guardiola leaving English football in a week is arguably bigger.

City insist that Guardiola remains their manager and has a contract until 2027. And the manager said that the stories in the last 24 hours had ‘zero’ impact on the squad as they prepared for the game. Guardiola is also expected to conduct post-match media duties including flash interviews and a press conference.

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News broke on Monday evening that Guardiola will be departing the club this summer despite having another year to run on his contract. It has not been confirmed by the manager or the club, who have stated that he remains in charge and has a deal until 2027.

City travel to Bournemouth knowing that they need to win if they want to stay alive in the Premier League title race. Arsenal’s win over Burnley on Monday night moves them five points clear at the top of the table, so anything less than victory for the Blues on Tuesday will crown Arsenal as champions with a game to spare.

Guardiola has called on his City players to force Arsenal to win the title for themselves rather than being handed it on the final day. The Gunners have to go to Selhurst Park on Sunday, with City at home to an Aston Villa team that have already qualified for the Champions League and have the Europa League final on Wednesday.

Photo from Carlos Yulo’s Instagram

MANILA, Philippines—Carlos Yulo added yet another gold medal to his collection, this time for the Olympique Antibes-Juan-les-Pins (OAJLP) Gymnastique in France.

Already having brought glory to the Philippines, Yulo helped out in giving OAJLP a championship in the French Men’s Artistic Gymnastics circuit.

“So proud of what we all did last night! Everyone gave their all, and it really showed on the competition floor,” Yulo wrote in an Instagram post.

READ: Carlos Yulo encouraged by growing Team Philippines roster

“[There were] a lot of stressful moments and pressure behind this win, which makes it even more special. [I’m] really grateful for this team and everything we experienced together.”

The two-time Olympic gold medalist tallied 14.250 points in parallel bars.

In the floor exercise, where he captured one of his two gold medals in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Yulo showed his prowess anew with 15.050 points.

OAJLP’s win effectively dethroned ASVG Vallauris out of the title picture.

IPL Playoffs Scenarios: RR defeated LSG in IPL 2026 match© AFP

NLEX guard Kevin Alas shoots a jumper against Phoenix in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.–PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–Kevin Alas did not suit up for NLEX on Saturday night, but the sting of another playoff collapse still hit hard.

The veteran guard watched from the sidelines as TNT escaped with a 118-112 victory over the Road Warriors at Ynares Sports Center, knocking NLEX out of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup despite holding a twice-to-beat advantage entering the quarterfinals.

“It’s the second time in recent memory that we held a twice-to-beat and lost. It’s pretty disappointing,” Alas told the Inquirer after the game.
“I guess when we hold a twice-to-beat, we lose,” he added with a slight chuckle.

Alas was sidelined by an overextended finger and was listed as a game-time decision before ultimately sitting out the winner-take-all matchup.

The defeat brought back memories of NLEX’s painful exit in the 2019 Governors’ Cup, when the Road Warriors entered the playoffs as the top seed behind current B.League standout Kiefer Ravena but lost back-to-back games to NorthPort and Christian Standhardinger in the quarterfinals.
Alas was also part of that squad.

With TNT fielding a veteran-laden roster, Alas said he tried to motivate the younger Road Warriors before tipoff in hopes of avoiding a repeat of that collapse.

“At the start of the game, I told them to show their legendary games because TNT’s a veteran team,” Alas said.

“But I have no words because we did all of our game plans against them. We just didn’t make it.”

Southampton have been thrown out of the play-offs after admitting they spied on three clubs in the Championship season.

Middlesbrough, beaten by Southampton in the semi-final, have been reinstated and will now play Hull City for a place in the Premier League.

The EFL charged Saints with watching training sessions involving Oxford United and Ipswich Town, in addition to filming Middlesbrough as they prepared for the first leg of their play-off semi-final on 7 May.

The independent disciplinary commission also handed Southampton a four-point deduction in the Championship for next season.

Saints will now miss out on a game dubbed the richest in world football, with the winners of the play-off final guaranteed a minimum £110m in Premier League broadcast revenue.

The final will remain on Saturday at Wembley with the kick-off time to be confirmed.

Southampton admitted to “multiple breaches of EFL regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other clubs’ training”, the EFL said.

The club have also received a reprimand in respect of all the charges.

Sources have confirmed to BBC Sport that Southampton will lodge an appeal on Wednesday and will argue that the punishment is disproportionate.

The EFL said it would be “working to try and resolve any appeal on Wednesday 20 May”.

It added that “subject to the outcome, it could result in a further change to Saturday’s fixture”.

The appeal will be heard by an Independent League Arbitration panel with three new members.

The EFL said in a statement: “Southampton was first charged on Friday 8 May, with further charges issued on Sunday 17 May in relation to additional breaches during the 2025-26 season.

“Those additional charges arose from matters identified after the initial proceedings involving Middlesbrough were initiated.

“Southampton admitted breaches of regulations requiring clubs to act with the utmost good faith and prohibiting the observation of another club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match.

“The admitted breaches concern fixtures against Oxford United in December 2025, Ipswich Town in April 2026 and Middlesbrough in May 2026.”

Southampton did not win any of the three games – they lost 2-1 at Oxford, drew 2-2 at home to Ipswich and claimed a 0-0 draw at Boro.

The statement continued: “The EFL is now in discussion with all three clubs regarding the implications of today’s decision and will make a further announcement in due course.”

Middlesbrough issued a statement which said they “welcome the outcome”.

“We believe this sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct,” it added.

“As a club, we are now focused on our game against Hull City at Wembley on Saturday. Ticket information for our supporters will be available shortly.”

Southampton had already sold tickets for Saturday’s game, and their supporters will receive a full refund.

They must now wait to see if the Football Association issues any charges for individuals involved in the spying. The EFL can only apply sanctions against its member clubs.

After a spying case at the 2024 Olympic Games, three members of Canada’s staff, including the head coach, were banned from all football by Fifa for a year.

There is a different feeling around Connacht heading into the 2026/27 season.

For years, supporters have spoken about potential, exciting rugby, dangerous attacking backs, and brave away performances. However, last season showed something more important — resilience. Connacht clawed their way into the URC playoffs with 54 points despite injuries, inconsistency, and periods where qualification looked almost impossible.

Now the challenge changes completely.

This season is no longer about surviving. It is about pushing on.

With Stuart Lancaster now fully embedded, an improved squad, major depth in the pack, and a fixture list that gives Connacht opportunities to build momentum early, expectations in Galway should absolutely rise beyond merely finishing eighth.

The Road To 55 Points

Last season’s URC table showed just how ruthless the league has become. Munster finished on 55 points, Cardiff finished on 55, the Lions finished on 54, Connacht finished on 54, and Ulster missed out on 52.

One win can completely transform a season.

For Connacht, the first target has to be 55+ points. That should be enough to put them firmly in the playoff conversation again.

Realistically, 58 to 60 points would mean a comfortable playoff place, while 62 or more could put Connacht in the battle for a home quarter-final.

Connacht’s 2026/27 Home Fixtures

• Saturday, 5 September — Connacht v Ealing — Pre-season
• Friday, 25 September — Connacht v DHL Stormers
• Friday, 23 October — Connacht v Zebre Parma
• Friday, 30 October — Connacht v Leinster Rugby
• Saturday, 19 December — Connacht v Edinburgh Rugby
• Saturday, 2 January — Connacht v Munster Rugby
• Saturday, 30 January — Connacht v Ulster Rugby
• Friday, 19 March — Connacht v Cardiff Rugby
• Saturday, 27 March — Connacht v Lions
• Saturday, 24 April — Connacht v Dragons RFC

Looking at those fixtures honestly, Connacht should expect to beat Zebre, Dragons, Cardiff, and Edinburgh at home. Anything less than four wins from that group would hurt badly.

Then the key becomes stealing results against Leinster, Munster, Ulster, Stormers, and the Lions. If Connacht can win even three of those five bigger home games, suddenly they are pushing well beyond the playoff line.

How Many Wins By Christmas?

The opening half of the season looks massive.

• Stormers — home
• Benetton — away
• Glasgow Warriors — away
• Zebre Parma — home
• Leinster Rugby — home
• Scarlets — away
• Edinburgh Rugby — home
• Ulster Rugby — away

Connacht should be targeting at least five wins before Christmas, with around 24 to 27 points on the board.

If they manage six wins before Christmas, expectations in Galway will explode.

The Interpros Could Define Everything

Leinster

• Friday, 30 October — Connacht v Leinster
• Saturday, 17 April — Leinster v Connacht

Ulster

• Sunday, 27 December — Ulster v Connacht
• Saturday, 30 January — Connacht v Ulster

Munster

• Saturday, 2 January — Connacht v Munster
• Saturday, 23 January — Munster v Connacht

That January block is brutal. Connacht effectively play Ulster away, Munster home, Munster away, and Ulster home inside five weeks.

Those four games could decide whether Connacht finish fifth or ninth.

Europe Matters Again

• Round 1: 16–18 October
• Round 2: 11–13 December
• Round of 16: 2–4 April
• Quarter Finals: 9–11 April
• Semi Finals: 30 April–2 May
• EPCR Final: 28–30 May

The major difference this year is Connacht finally look capable of rotating properly without the team collapsing. That matters hugely during European windows.

Predicted Strongest Connacht XV

1. Billy Bohan
2. Dylan Tierney-Martin
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Darragh Murray
5. Josh Murphy
6. Cian Prendergast
7. Seamus Hurley-Langton
8. Sean Jansen
9. Ben Murphy
10. Ciaran Frawley
11. Shayne Bolton
12. Cathal Forde
13. Byron Ralston
14. Shane Jennings
15. Sam Gilbert

Key Squad Options

• Sam Illo
• Paul Boyle
• Bundee Aki
• Harry West
• Josh Ioane
• Will Connors
• Dave Heffernan
• Niall Murray
• Sean Naughton
• Colm Reilly
• Mack Hansen
• Jerry Cahir
• Finn Tracey
• François VAN WYK
• Hugh Gavin
• Caolin Blade

The return of Mack Hansen alone changes the ceiling of the entire side. If fully fit, he remains one of the most dangerous attacking players in the URC.

Will Connors could also become one of the smartest signings Connacht have made in years. If injuries stay away, his breakdown work could completely transform close games.

Final Prediction

Connacht fans should stop thinking like underdogs.

This squad is too talented and too experienced to merely sneak into eighth place again.

• Predicted URC finish: 5th–7th
• Predicted points: 58–61
• Target: Champions Cup qualification
• Minimum expectation: URC quarter-final appearance

The biggest difference this year is depth.

Connacht finally look capable of surviving injuries, competing during European weekends, and handling the brutal interpro blocks without collapsing physically.

If Lancaster gets consistency from this squad, and Dexcom Stadium becomes a genuine fortress again, Connacht could become one of the most dangerous teams in the URC by spring 2027.

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