DENVER — For the first time, Kirill Kaprizov is trying to grow a playoff beard during the Stanley Cup tournament’s second round, and so far the grooming mission is not flourishing.
His beard is sparse, a little like sprouting wheat during a drought.
“I’ve never had (one), I think,” the 29-year-old Russian said Monday. “Usually every morning, before every game, yeah, I shave all the time. But now we’ll see how long it can be. I hope a long one.”
The duration of the Minnesota Wild’s playoff beard-growing season depends partly on Kaprizov.
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The world’s most expensive hockey player was excellent in a six-game win against the Dallas Stars in the opening round of the National Hockey League playoffs.
But in the offensive rave party that was the Wild’s 9-6 loss Sunday in their second-round opener against the Colorado Avalanche, Kaprizov was strangely ineffective, managing only one shot on target and a second assist.
As with half of Minnesota’s lineup, this is Kaprizov’s first playoff foray beyond the opening round, which was the final resting place of Wild playoff hopes in nine series over 11 seasons before their breakthrough last week against the Stars.
Like Kaprizov’s baby beard, the second round is entirely new to 10 Minnesota players and most of their best ones, including wingers Kaprizov and Matt Boldy, top-pairing defenceman Brock Faber and starting goalie Jesper Wallstedt.
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As a team, the Wild weren’t ready for the Stanley Cup-favourite Avalanche, whose seven five-on-five goals in Game 1 were three more than Minnesota surrendered in its entire series against Dallas.
Everybody understood Colorado would be a difficult out. But after such a slack, uncharacteristic performance in Game 1, do the Wild understand that playoffs only get harder as the tournament progresses?
“I mean, from my experience, the first round has never been easy,” veteran winger Vladimir Tarasenko, a two-time Stanley Cup winner elsewhere, said during off-day media availability at the Wild’s downtown hotel. “It’s hard to say which rounds are harder because in the first round, everybody is full of emotions, you know, everybody is kind of fresh.
“I think the most important part is to share the experience that things can go wrong sometimes. How you show up the next day is what’s important. There is no point to, you know, feel sad about yesterday; you have to take your lessons and move on. Because some series take longer, some series you play every other day, and if you’re not able to get (the) lessons and move on to the next game with the right mindset, it might be too late.”
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Minnesota coach John Hynes noted that his roster does include players with significant playoff experience — Tarasenko, Mats Zuccarello, Marcus Johansson, Zach Bogosian — and that the team’s identity guards against it becoming overwhelmed by the playoffs’ big stage.
“I think it goes back to, one, we do have a lot of guys with experience and I think that certainly helps,” he said. “The way we handle our business as a team, in general, over the course of 82 games — not getting too high, not getting too low, making sure the results of a game don’t overwhelm you … you just need to react the right way and respond to what was presented. That’s how we go about our business. That’s ingrained, that’s a habit, that’s how we do business as a team.
“We learned some good lessons in Game 2 of the Dallas series. We lost the game (4-2), but I’d say we took lessons out of that and (those mistakes) didn’t happen again over the course of the series. We got better and stronger and the issues in that game were rectified, and that to me shows you where your team’s at. And it’s no different than last night.”
Hynes reiterated that the Wild’s many defensive mistakes in Game 1 are correctable.
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Although he defended Wallstedt, who failed to make key saves when Minnesota needed them in the third period, the coach was non-committal about his goalie for Game 2 here Tuesday. So it’s possible the Avalanche may see Filip Gustavsson.
But whoever is in net, Colorado will likely see a far different Minnesota team, heavy and robust and defensively tight.
The loss looked immediately like a reality check for the Wild and certainly got the players’ attention. The way they were ventilated may actually turn out to be a good thing.
“(Quinn) Hughes said it after the game: you go in and you’re so focused on one series,” Hynes explained. “When you get through that … it’s two weeks’ worth of games and one opponent and one thing. And then you come in (to another series) … you can see it on video, right? But until you feel it, and ‘OK, there’s the speed and yes, this is a little bit different.’ Colorado did a good job of that. We know they’re a good team, but I do think that feeling it, going through it, not on point — we didn’t get away with not being as good as we need to be in certain areas last night. And that was the learning lesson.”
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“Last night wasn’t my good game or my best game,” Kaprizov said. “How to say it, I don’t know exactly. I know I need to play better and create more offence and play good defensively because playoffs, you don’t want to give easy goals against. Offensively, you always can have some chances, especially when you play a lot of minutes. You just need to play the right way and help your team.”
Boldy, the Wild’s other elite offensive driver up front, also had only a single assist in Game 1’s track meet.
“I think it’s more not about who’s able to score yesterday,” Tarasenko said. “We have to play better defensively and try to limit their chances. Obviously, (they’re) a very good team, and we have to keep going on our plan. People usually say everything could happen in the playoffs, and it was another thing I (have) never been part of. At the end of the day — I’ve said it before — it’s important how you react. I don’t think there is such a big difference to lose 9-6 or 0-1. It’s down by one in the series. We have time to get some rest today and be ready for tomorrow.”
And what does Tarasenko think of Kaprizov’s wispy beard?
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“I didn’t pay attention,” he said. “I have to take a look. I saw something yesterday, so I hope he grows it very long this year.”
Tarasenko’s one-handed breakaway deke on Sunday was reminiscent of former Avalanche superstar Peter Forsberg’s gold-medal-winning goal for Sweden against Canada at the 1994 Olympics. Tarasenko was two years old. Does he remember Forsberg?
“Yeah, yeah, I saw his goal in the Olympics,” Tarasenko said. “I know what you’re talking about.”
Forsberg’s defining play against goalie Corey Hirsch was commemorated in Sweden by a postage stamp.
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“I saw that, too,” Tarasenko said. “It was a very big stage.”
Saudi Arabia’s enormous investment in everything from football to snowboarding has been one of sport’s major themes in the last decade.
The oil-rich Gulf state offered astronomical wages to footballers in the twilight of their careers, won the right to host football’s World Cup after developing strong ties with FIFA, bought a Premier League club, split the golf world and sought to host all manner of events, from snooker, through women’s tennis to wrestling.
The splurge was tied to the country’s recently adjusted Vision 2030, a strategy to diversify its interests away from oil, and is widely considered to be a form of sportswashing, by which a country uses sports to distract from allegations of human rights abuses.
Which sports has Saudi Arabia withdrawn from?
The most high-profile withdrawal came in golf last week. LIV Golf, operated by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), an arm of the state, was canned, with PIF noting that the “substantial investment” required by the event over a longer term is “no longer consistent with the current phase of PIF’s investment strategy.” Founded in 2021, LIV split away from the established PGA Tour and tempted away some of its top players with huge pay packets. With LIV folding, the passage of those players back to the PGA Tour is a point of some contention.
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Former world number Jon Rahm left for LIV Golf and now faces an uncertain sporting futureImage: PETER PARKS/AFP
In football, the PIF sold a 70% stake in Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal in April, framing it as a “strategy to maximize returns and redeploy capital within the domestic economy.” The PIF has made no move to sell English club Newcastle United and appears to want to keep up some investment in football ahead of hosting the 2034 World Cup. Other popular sports, such as MMA, appear on safer ground for now too.
But several events originally scheduled for the kingdom will no longer be held there. Snooker’s Saudi Arabia Masters was canceled last week, two years into a 10-year deal; the women’s tennis association (WTA) has had funding pulled and a season-ending event struck off; and Saudi Arabia has abandoned plans to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup and the Asian Winter Games in 2029.
Why is Saudi Arabia stopping investment in sports?
The reasons appear to be both economic and political. Last week, PIF Governor Yasir al-Rumayyan said it was “reviewing its investments and deals” and “reassessing its priorities” as a result of the fallout of the US-Israel war on Iran in the Midde East as well as minimal returns on sporting investment.
“The 2026-30 strategy marks a natural evolution as PIF moves from a period of rapid growth and acceleration to a new phase of sustained value creation, with a strengthened focus on maximising impact, raising the efficiency of investments, and applying the highest standards of governance, transparency and institutional excellence,” the PIF said in a press release.
While there has been some protest, many Newcastle United fans embraced Saudi ownershipImage: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images
As is the Saudi style, al-Rumayyan is also the chair of Newcastle, Saudi Arabia’s state oil company Aramco and its largest mining company, Ma’aden. He is a close ally of Saudi ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. These sorts of intertwined jobs and relaltionships help the government keep control of their sporting assets, while Aramco are also a sponsor of multiple high-profile sporting events. Such widespread and diverse investment makes unpicking Saudi Arabia’s relationship with sport tricky.
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Why has Saudi Arabia’s investment in sports been controversial?
“PIF investments in high-profile sports and entertainment events domestically and internationally are used to whitewash the country’s abysmal human rights record,” according to HRW.
While there has been some dissent across the sporting world, Saudi money has been able to move quite freely in most sports. In football, Saudi Arabia has had to develop a close relationship with global governing body FIFA, but other more cash-strapped sports have found it impossible to resist the financial lure. Critics have sometimes argued this leaves many sports in a precarious position should the Saudi cash tap be turned off, as is happening now.
What other sports could be in danger of losing Saudi funding?
Formula One may be looking over its shoulder, with the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix canceled in April as a result of the war in Iran. As well as the race, the PIF has a stake in two teams and Aramco is a major F1 sponsor. Horse racing, chess, handball and many other sports are also reliant to some degree on a sporting relationship with Saudi Arabia.
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From the noises made by the PIF it seems that these, and other sports running on Saudi investment will need to show a profitability that they haven’t before if they are to escape becoming the next LIV Golf.
The Detroit Lions may have found one of the biggest steals of the 2026 NFL Draft.
While much of the attention has centered on early-round picks, fifth-round selection Keith Abney is already turning heads with both his mindset and his versatility. And if you ask him, there is no better place for his NFL journey to begin.
Detroit Lions Monroe Freeling Chris Payton-Jones Detroit Lions Calvin Johnson Lions draft pick 2026 Luke Altmyer Detroit Lions Aamaris Brown Detroit Lions James Proche Detroit Lions workout Keith Abney Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions rookie embracing opportunity
For Abney, getting drafted by Detroit was more than just a career milestone. It was personal.
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“Man, the wait don’t even matter, man. I’m just, I’m glad to be a Lion,” Abney said as quoted by Lions OnSI. “It means everything. A great program, great culture, great coaches, great people around. I’m just blessed to be here. I’m feeling all the emotions, man. Dropped a couple of tears. It is a dream come true.”
That kind of emotion speaks to how much the moment meant.
Now, the focus shifts to what comes next.
Keith Abney brings versatility to Detroit Lions secondary
One of the biggest reasons the Lions were drawn to Abney is his ability to play multiple positions in the defensive backfield.
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At Arizona State, he primarily lined up on the outside, but his experience goes far beyond that.
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“I’m willing to play anything. I view myself as very versatile,” Abney explained. “I just never got to play nickel at ASU, just because of just the depth we had. I was actually the starting nickel going into my sophomore year, and then I had a guy on the outside transfer out, so I had to move back to the outside. And then this year, we had a couple of injuries, so I had to just stay outside so we can get elite play on the outside.”
He made it clear that he is comfortable anywhere in the secondary.
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“But it’s been a couple of times (where) coach said, like, ‘Hey, if he goes down, you got to go in.’ So, I know all the positions on the back end, and I have no problem playing inside or outside.”
That flexibility could allow him to contribute right away.
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Production and instincts stand out
Abney’s college production backs up the confidence.
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Over three seasons at Arizona State, he recorded six interceptions. His 2025 campaign was particularly strong, as he tied for the team lead with two interceptions and added two forced fumbles.
He also led all Sun Devils defenders with 12 passes defensed.
Those numbers, combined with his physical style, helped him earn first-team All-Big 12 honors and an 86.3 grade from Pro Football Focus.
Still, Abney believes his biggest strength goes beyond the stat sheet.
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“That’s something I pride myself on, just being a smart player, being able to watch a lot of film and understand concepts and understand formations and pick up on tendencies,” Abney said. “I say that’s my best attribute, and my feet, of course, got great feet, and my toughness. That’s why I love this fit. This is a perfect fit. I feel like it’s a tough team that I’m joining, and I feel I’m going to fit right in.”
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Detroit Lions rookie focused on winning
Even with the excitement of being drafted, Abney’s mindset is already aligned with Detroit’s identity.
Winning comes first.
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“I just want to win games,” he said. “If it takes me to play nickel to win games, that’s what we’re going to do. Outside, safety, anything, I just want to win. So, whatever coach’s plan is to put the team in (the) best position to win. I’m willing to do anything, willing to play any role.”
That mentality fits perfectly with what the Lions have built under Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes.
Charlotte Flair recently claimed that her current rivals in WWE have a bright future in the company. The veteran is on the SmackDown roster and is in an alliance with Alexa Bliss.
Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, and Lainey Reid are known as the Fatal Influence faction in WWE. The trio was recently called up to the main roster and has already made an impact on SmackDown.
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Speaking on ESPN’s First Take, Charlotte Flair praised Fatal Influence and suggested that they were destined to become major stars on the promotion’s main roster.
“So here’s the thing, nobody likes to lose even if it’s a three on one scenario. But I think Jacy Jayne, Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley have a extremely bright future. But being that I’m a 14 time women’s champion, I have lost 13 times. So I’ve come back stronger every time and we either we win or we lose or we either we win or we learn. So that’s the thing,” she said. (H/T: Fightful on X)
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You can check out the veteran’s full appearance on First Take in the video below:
Jacy Jayne defeated Charlotte Flair in a singles match this past Friday on SmackDown. Flair and Alexa Bliss also came up short in the Fatal 4-Way match for the Women’s Tag Team Championships at WWE WrestleMania 42.
Paige replaced an injured Nikki Bella at The Show of Shows and won the Women’s Tag Team Championships at The Show of Shows. Brie Bella and Paige successfully defended the titles against Lash Legend and Nia Jax last week on the blue brand.
Major WWE star discusses her relationship with Charlotte Flair
Becky Lynch recently commented on her relationship with Charlotte Flair and noted that trying to get a top spot in WWE negatively impacted their friendship.
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In an interview with Vulture, the Women’s Intercontinental Champion noted that striving for success impacted her friendship with Flair, but added that it was the nature of the wrestling business.
“Yeah, badly. Yeah, poorly, poorly. And look, I suppose that as well, the business, you know, and you’ve got two very competitive women who want to be at the top of the industry,” Lynch said.
Becky Lynch names her Greatest rivals in WWE: • Charlotte Flair • Bianca Belair • Lita She also mentioned Lyra Valkyria and Maxxine Dupri are the ones she really enjoyed working recently (@ChrisVanVliet)
It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Fatal Influence in the promotion.
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Nov 30, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) reacts after a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The Green Bay Packers are signing veteran Tyrod Taylor to back up starting quarterback Jordan Love, NFL Network reported Monday.
No further details of the agreement between Taylor and the Packers were immediately available.
Taylor will take on a role the Packers have been looking to fill since former backup QB Malik Willis signed a three-year, $67.5 million deal with the Miami Dolphins in March.
The Packers will be the eighth team Taylor has played for as he enters his 16th season in the league after being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
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He spent the past two seasons with the New York Jets. He appeared in two games in 2024 backing up Aaron Rodgers before missing training camp last summer after arthroscopic knee surgery.
Taylor started in place of an injured Justin Fields in Week 3 of 2025 then replaced an ineffective Fields in Week 12. However, he only started three more games before a groin injury in the first series of Week 14 took him out, continuing a trend of injuries throughout his career.
He hasn’t started more than six games since the 2017 season with the Buffalo Bills, where the majority of his experience as a starter came. He was 22-20 in 44 games (43 starts) with the Bills from 2015-17.
Taylor, who turns 37 on Aug. 3, has a 29-31-1 record in 62 career starts with the Ravens (2011-14), Bills, Cleveland Browns (2018), Los Angeles Chargers (2019-20), Houston Texans (2021), New York Giants (2022-23) and Jets.
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He finished last season with 779 passing yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions. He has a career 61.8% completion percentage for 13,033 yards, 73 TDs and 34 interceptions.
NEW DELHI: Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant admitted his side fell short despite posting a huge total against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday, saying his struggling team now needs “some good luck” to turn things around in IPL 2026.LSG posted an imposing 228/5 after explosive knocks from Nicholas Pooran, Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram and Himmat Singh. However, Mumbai chased down the target comfortably with six wickets in hand, thanks to a stunning 143-run opening partnership between Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton.Reflecting on the defeat, Pant felt his team left runs behind despite a flying start. “Definitely, the way we started, I think we should have gotten more runs. But definitely some good signs,” Pant said after the match.The LSG skipper believed his side was at least 10-15 runs short on what was an excellent batting surface.“Definitely, we were short 10-15 runs because it was a 220-230 wicket for sure. And the way we started, we had that edge over them,” he said.Pant, however, refused to blame the bowlers despite another disappointing result in a difficult season for Lucknow.“In a wicket like this, you can’t blame bowlers all the time. They’ve been doing a fantastic job for us. So definitely can’t say much to them,” he added.When asked what LSG need to revive their campaign, Pant gave a candid response.“I think we need some good luck, man. That’s the only thing I’m going to say.” He added with a smile: “Yeah, I think a lot of blessing is going to work around it. And it’s going to take some more effort from us, for sure.”The loss leaves LSG at the bottom of the IPL 2026 table with just two wins from nine matches, while Mumbai remain mathematically alive in the playoff race.
69′ GOAL! Barry punishes Guehi error to equalise [EVE 1-1 MCI]
Two goals in four minutes and three in 12 means City need favours from West Ham, Burnley or Crystal Palace, Arsenal’s last three opponents. Their destiny is out of their hands now. When this seemed it would be a comfortable, professional win, it turned into an anarchic draw. And if City showed their spirit in a frantic finale, it was nevertheless them, rather than Arsenal, who lost their nerve in the run-in.
The turning point was an awful error from a player who had been almost impeccable in his City career. Everton’s equaliser could be attributed to a Moyes change, bringing on Thierno Barry for Beto, but it owed more to a horribly under-hit back-pass by Marc Guehi. The substitute advanced to beat Gianluigi Donnarumma. The striker had been flagged offside when Merlin Rohl tried to find him; but Guehi’s deliberate, if misjudged, intervention meant the goal stood. It was a gift.
Richard Jolly4 May 2026 23:31
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David Moyes on Everton’s fightback and late Man City equaliser
Everton have conceded a goal after the 90th minute for the third Premier League game in a row, after conceding winners against Liverpool and West Ham and now an equaliser against Manchester City.
David Moyes’s side could have been in the race for Champions League without those dropped points. Mixed feeling for the Everton manager, speaking to Sky Sports:
“We let ourselves down because we defended the second goal so poorly. That was probably the main reason for it.
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“But at half-time we would have taken this result because we were hugely outplayed in the first half.
“Getting a point against City is not a bad result, but when you’re 3-1 up you think you’re in with a great chance of winning.”
(Getty)
Jamie Braidwood4 May 2026 23:01
Erling Haaland’s two-word message to Man City team-mates
Erling Haaland told his Manchester City team-mates that the title is “still there” despite his side’s dropped points at Everton in a dramatic encounter.
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After Everton stunned the visitors with three goals in 12 minutes, Haaland sparked City’s late comeback with a goal straight from kick-off.
Jeremy Doku’s equaliser keeps City in the race, but only just: Arsenal will win the title if they win their next three games, starting with a trip to West Ham on Sunday.
(Getty)
Jamie Braidwood4 May 2026 22:41
Pep Guardiola gives his verdict on Jeremy Doku’s late eqauliser
Jeremy Doku’s late goal means Manchester City took at least a point from their collapse against Everton, even if it’s a huge blow to their title chances.
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Guardiola told Sky Sports: “It’s better than a loss. We played to win. It just shows what the team are. We tried and we have done it. It’s not in our hands. Before it was in our hands. Now, no.
“We have to do it in our four games that we have in the Premier League. It will be quite similar against Brentford. We will see what happens.”
(Reuters)
Jamie Braidwood4 May 2026 22:37
Pep Guardiola: ‘We’re going to continue’
Pep Guardiola, speaking to Sky Sports, praises Manchester City’s performance but says his side lost control of the second half. He says they will take the point and “continue”. He’s not giving up just yet.
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“Really good performance. We played an outstanding first half. It was so difficult with their physicality.
“Second half, they made a step up. We didn’t have as much control and we gave away the goal. After that they come back and make a proper English game, so aggressive in the duels.
“We take the point and until it’s over, we’re going to continue.”
(Reuters)
Jamie Braidwood4 May 2026 22:32
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The 12 minutes of mayhem where Man City threw the title race away
Manchester City refused to accept defeat and yet, in the final reckoning, it may be the game that means they are beaten. There were seconds remaining when Jeremy Doku curled in his second spectacular goal of an extraordinary evening. City still have not lost in the Premier League since January, but it may have been the night the title slipped from their grasp.
The winners were not Everton, though they were seconds away from their biggest scalp at Hill Dickinson, but an old Evertonian. If Mikel Arteta makes Arsenal champions, his debt to David Moyes and Everton will be still greater. It is definitively advantage Arsenal after in the title race after a stunning spell and a City collapse. Even their subsequent comeback, with two late goals, only reduced the damage done in the second half on Merseyside.
Richard Jolly, at the Hill Dickinson Stadium4 May 2026 22:24
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Arsenal’s first Premier League title in 20 years is three games away
As the dust settles, the simple fact is this: Arsenal are three wins from glory. Sunday’s trip to West Ham could be their toughest of the remaining fixtures, followed by relegated Burnley and a Crystal Palace side who may have a European final to prepare for.
How will the Arsenal team have followed that as they prepare for a Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid tomorrow?
Jamie Braidwood4 May 2026 22:12
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Everton v Man City: How the drama unfolded
A silly, silly second half of football. Game of the season, with huge consequences!
68’ Barry punishes Guehi to equalise for Everton
73’ O’Brien heads in from corner as Everton take lead
81’ Barry capitalises on another error as Man City crumble
83’ Haaland then responds straight from kick-off
90+7’ Doku whips in stunning strike deep into stoppage time
(Reuters)
Jamie Braidwood4 May 2026 22:09
Arsenal’s remaining fixtures, compared to Man City’s
Arsenal
Played: 35 | Points: 76 | GD: 41
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10 May – West Ham (A)
17 May – Burnley (H)
24 May – Crystal Palace (A)
Man City
Played: 34 | Points: 71 | GD: 37
9 May – Brentford (H)
13 May – Crystal Palace (H)
17 May – Bournemouth (A)
22 May – Aston Villa (H)
Jamie Braidwood4 May 2026 22:04
How big will that Jeremy Doku goal be by the end of the season?
Guys, who knows. But if Arsenal win their next three games they will be champions.
David Njoku spent nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Now a free agent, the tight end visited the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday, and NFL fans had plenty to say about it.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the visit. It’s Njoku‘s second free-agent visit this offseason, after a trip to the Baltimore Ravens that didn’t result in a deal. The Browns have since moved on, drafting two tight ends and signing another in free agency.
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Former #Browns FA TE David Njoku is visiting #Chargers on Monday, source said. Interesting one.
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•
“He is a weirdo. Did anyone see him in Receiver season 2? Hard to watch, a bizarre fella,” one said.
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“Good blocker and even better red zone threat, Justin Herbert would definitely benefit,” another added.
“Am I the only Charger fan with a big NO thank you?” one fan posted.
“This guy really hasn’t done much. That’s why he’s always getting bounced around, what they’re paying him isn’t worth what they’re getting,” another wrote.
“Did he not have a bad season last year?” a third asked.
“Please!!! This would be an awesome addition!” One added
David Njoku’s 2025 season was limited. He played 12 games, catching 33 passes for 293 yards and four touchdowns. His role shrank after young tight end Harold Fannin Jr. took over as Cleveland’s starter.
What David Njoku could mean for Justin Herbert and the Chargers
NFL: San Francisco 49ers at Cleveland Browns – Source: Imagn
The Chargers have two tight ends on their roster, Oronde Gadsden II and Charlie Kolar. Gadsden is a pass catcher. Kolar is a blocker who saw just 15 targets last season. Los Angeles needs someone who can do both, and that’s where David Njoku fits.
New Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel runs an offense that relies heavily on tight ends. Njoku’s best season came in 2023: 81 catches, 882 yards and six touchdowns. According to Spotrac, he’s projected to earn around $10 million over two years.
Wu Yize hails from Lanzhou in the northwest of China, a city famous for its beef noodles. The dish is a clear beef broth with radish slices, chilli oil and herbs, and aside from his family, it is the thing he misses most: there are plenty of Chinese restaurants in Sheffield, but they don’t hit like home.
It is one small cost of being one of the best young snooker players in the world. Wu moved his life to Yorkshire three years ago to be part of the growing stable of Chinese players in the city, and he could be the next superstar from the group. The 22-year-old reached finals at the English Open and Scottish Open last season, and now the 10th seed has made history by winning the World Snooker Championship for the first time. He showed incredible heart to down Shaun Murphy 18-17 in a first final-frame decider in the Crucible showpiece for 24 years.
He is another player off China’s impressive production line, like Zhao Xintong before him, who became the first Chinese world champion last year. Wu began playing snooker as soon as he could hold a queue; his mother ran the family antiques business while his father spent time taking him to tournaments to nurture his talent.
Aged 11, his dad took him to the Yushan International Billiards Academy to be seen by Australian coach Roger Leighton.
“When he came to me, his highest break was 49,” Leighton tells The Independent. “After a couple of weeks, he hit an 86. I said, ‘That’s great, amazing.’ He said, ‘It’s no good, because Ronnie would have cleared up.’ That’s his mentality. But he was a fun-loving kid. If he missed a ball he hated it, but he laughed a lot and that was his way of releasing pressure.”
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There were some technical issues to iron out. Wu’s arm would drop through his takeaway and his wrist would move as he pushed the cue through. “He had a few big problems with consistency,” Leighton says. “He would miss too many easy balls.”
But Wu improved rapidly and won the Under-21 World Championship, aged only 14. At 15, he pushed John Higgins to a deciding frame at the 2019 International Championship in China, eventually going down 6-5. Wu turned professional at 17 and made it to the Crucible at 19. His first ranking title came at last year’s International Championship, beating Higgins in the final.
Wu is the youngest player in the current top 16 (PA)
Wu delivered a whirlwind of potting and break-building in Nanjing that week, in front of his parents watching on, scoring 14 centuries in 63 frames. He was 4-0 down to the world No 1 Judd Trump in the last 16, in a race to six, and proceeded to win six frames on the bounce. He kept up the streak to knock out Barry Hawkins 6-0, before beating world champion Zhao in the semi-finals.
After the final, Higgins paid Wu a huge compliment. “He reminds me so much of the late, great Paul Hunter, the way he plays the game. He’s a new superstar. I’m glad that I’ll probably be retiring in a couple of years with guys like that potting them off the lampshades.”
Asked about the comparison, Wu smiled: “Paul Hunter was a really good-looking guy.”
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Wu Yize in action during the 2026 Masters at Alexandra Palace (PA)
Higgins is not the only player to have been impressed by Wu’s talent. Shaun Murphy tipped him to be a future world champion, and Ronnie O’Sullivan likened Wu to a “more dynamic” version of Steve Davis. “I practised with him for two or three days in Hong Kong,” O’Sullivan said. “It’s not until you practise with someone that you can really appreciate how good they are. After day two, I was like, ‘This kid is really special’.”
Leighton agrees. “I think he could be world champion in three to five years, and definitely world No 1. He punishes mistakes, he scores well. He didn’t get into the top 16 as soon as he wanted, but he’s got there. He is slowly creeping up, and now he’s won a tournament, he’s very confident. If he can get one or two more wins, he’s going to be a real threat. He’s beaten Zhao this season, and not many people can say that.”
And Leighton points to another hidden strength. “He has a special mentality, to be able to do it under pressure. He feels nerves, but it’s a different mentality; it’s a cultural thing, built into [Chinese players]. I’ve seen them playing matches, knocking in long balls, big breaks, and then they say, ‘I felt so nervous, I was shaking.’ And I think, really?”
Wu has been hailed by Ronnie O’Sullivan as China’s next great player (PA)
Wu may be honing his talent a long way from home, but his family is never far away. When he was struggling with a damaged tip during his impressive debut at the Masters in January, Wu’s father flew all the way from Lanzhou to Alexandra Palace to help fix it.
“My parents are everything,” Wu said. “My dad has been with me since I was a kid, always by my side. He’s helped me so much, especially during difficult times in the UK. I’m so grateful for what he has done for me.”
He is the youngest player in the world’s top 16, and his run to this year’s Crucible final has already featured impressive wins over Mark Selby and Hossein Vafaei, before a dramatic semi-final victory over Mark Allen. The final against 2005 champion Shaun Murphy is his greatest test yet. But Wu has a long list of big-name scalps already in his career, and Murphy will not relish meeting one of the game’s rising talents, in his hometown from home.
In doing so, the American became a three-division undisputed king – and five-weight world champion – before retiring with a record of 42-0 in December.
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Other than perhaps an immediate rematch with Canelo, there was little more for Crawford to achieve after proving to be the top dog at 168lbs.
Alvarez, on the other hand, is determined to reclaim one quarter of his undisputed super-middleweight crown later this year.
Standing in his way is WBC world champion Christian Mbilli, who is set to defend his title against Canelo in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 12.
Like Canelo, Mbilli has not fought since last September, back when he boxed to a 10-round draw against Lester Martinez on the Canelo-Crawford undercard.
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The Frenchman was then elevated from ‘interim’ to full WBC champion following Crawford’s retirement, while Alvarez has been recovering from elbow surgery.
In response, the 38-year-old said in a social media video, reposted by FightHype, that he still has no desire to return to the ring.
“They still want me to come out of retirement and whoop some people. What more can I ask for, man? I’m blessed. Life is beautiful right now, and I’m enjoying every bit of it.”
Clearly, Crawford feels no urge to reignite a Hall of Fame-worthy career that saw him become one of the premiere fighters of his generation.
Benavidez proved that he was capable of carrying his power up to 200lbs as he claimed the sixth round win over Ramirez to capture the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
It was a performance that has made the entire boxing world take notice, with ‘The Mexican Monster’ also still in possession of the WBC light heavyweight title, while he has previously reigned as world champion at 168lbs too.
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De La Hoya serves as Ramirez’s promoter so was ringside on Saturday to watch the action unfold, and though he may have wanted his man to come out on top, he admitted to Fight Hub TV that it was a masterful performance from Benavidez.
“Beautiful. The buzzsaw of Benavidez, punches in bunches, and the only shot that Zurdo had was to throw a punch right in the centre. The speed was too much, Benavidez was too much, The Monster is here for a long time. Very proud of him.”
Benavidez is now expected to drop back down to 175lbs for his next fight, and De La Hoya also revealed what he thinks should be next for ‘The Mexican Monster.’
“He’s got many options. I think right now he is the man at that weight class. Whoever is going to fight him has to wait in line…Benavidez right now is the man.”
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