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Sport

Flo Clifford
This abominable ‘Battle of the Sexes’ is the sequel no one wanted
Miguel Delaney
The real January advantage isn’t signings – it’s another type of data
Lawrence Ostlere
Hidden mics and ‘the spotter’: How the darts is beamed to our screens

Kyrgios defeats Sabalenka to win controversial ‘Battle of the Sexes’

Kyrgios, the former Wimbledon finalist, won 6-3 6-3 to defeat the women’s No 1 and four-time grand slam champion Sabalenka

<p> 'Battle of the Sexes' - Nick Kyrgios v Aryna Sabalenka </p>

<p>Throughout his 13 months as manager of Manchester United, Ruben Amorim has displayed a determination to stuff square pegs into round holes</p>

Richard JollyFootball

Man Utd’s last two home games leave Amorim with a damning conclusion

The Portuguese manager has belatedly shifted systems, suggesting the last 13 months have been a total waste for Manchester United after stubbornness towards his preferred formation

<p>Ben Stokes (right) and Brendon McCullum masterminded a first England Ashes win on Australian soil for 15 years</p>

cameron ponsobyCricket

Why England’s lottery-ticket Ashes win increases Bazball frustration

<p>Donald Trump has been afforded the grandest football stage through his relationship with Fifa president Gianni Infantino </p>

Against the glory, 2025 was the year football battled for its soul

<p>Ivory Coast players training ahead of their clash with Cameroon</p>

Holders Ivory Coast face Cameroon in battle of Afcon heavyweights

In depth

<p>Jake Paul (right) repeatedly dived at the legs of Anthony Joshua</p>

Disappointed in Anthony Joshua? Sorry, you’ve got it completely wrong

<p>Alexander Isak scores Liverpool's opening goal as he is injured by Micky van de Ven's challenge</p>

Jamie BraidwoodFootball

Liverpool, Isak and a six-second glimpse of a £300m future cut short

<p>Viktor Gyokeres celebrates his goal against Everton</p>

Gyokeres gets early Christmas present as Arsenal beat depleted Everton

ACFC

<p>Scotland’s Scott McTominay scores the opening goal during the win over Denmark (Andrew Milligan/PA)</p>

Someone call the police! Scott McTominay has just been robbed

<p>Guglielmo Vicario challenged by Raul Jimenez of Fulham (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)</p>

Brainless goalkeeping is saving football – one 40 yard lob at a time

<p>Arsenal’s injuries could actually be helping them on their march to the Premier League title</p>

Arsenal are going to win the league, and musical theatre proves it

<p>England's Harry Kane and Phil Foden celebrate</p>

Phil Foden didn’t deserve his England call-up, because nobody does

Explore news for you

Independent TV

<p>The sons of Liverpool's late Portuguese forward Diogo Jota, Dinis and Duarte, and other family members take part in pre-game activities</p>

Diogo Jota’s children lead tributes before Liverpool match at Anfield

TV show beloved for niche sports coverage signs off after 38 years

Watch: Ashes crowd honours Shane Warne with cap-tipping tribute

<p>Former Nottingham Forest winger John Robertson has died aged 72 (Mike Egerton/PA)</p>

John Robertson reflects on greatest goal of his career

Sport deals

<p>Adidas’s bestselling styles will see you through years to come</p>

Save up to 50% on trainers and more with these adidas deals

<p>Get ready for your next adventure with Mountain Warehouse savings</p>

Mountain Warehouse discount codes December 2025 – how to save 20%

<p>Shop the latest styles at Nike with our round-up of the best discount codes</p>

Nike discount codes for December 2025 – how to get 50% off

<p>I’ve rounded up the best deals on Airpods Pro, AirPods 4 and AirPods Max to shop right now</p>

Best AirPods deals November 2025: AirPods Pro, 4 and Max

Football

Daniel Farke felt his Leeds side could have come away from Sunderland with three points (Richard Sellers/PA)

Daniel Farke’s mood ‘in-between’ after Leeds’ draw at Sunderland

<p>Ivory Coast in training ahead of facing Cameroon</p>

Is Ivory Coast vs Cameroon on TV? How to watch Afcon fixture

<p>The Africa Cup of Nations trophy</p>

Afcon 2025 fixtures, results, tables and schedule in full

Visit the USA

Here’s how to travel the US inspired by 7 recent Super Bowl champs

Hail Maryland: football, food and festivals in Baltimore and beyond

A sports lover’s guide to one week in Tennessee

Fandom in Florida: sports and city breaks in the Sunshine State

Rugby Union

<p>England triumphed on home soil at the Women’s Rugby World Cup</p>

Springboks, Red Roses and Bielle-Biarrey: The 2025 Rugby Union Awards

<p>Henry Slade’s try ignited wild celebrations</p>

Exeter go top after ending eight-year wait for win at Saracens

<p>Jac Morgan will leave Ospreys at the end of the season</p>

Morgan and Lake to leave Ospreys in blow to crisis-hit Welsh rugby

<p>The Red Roses have been shortlisted for Sports Personality Team of the Year</p>

Red Roses shortlisted for SPOTY team of the year

Toulon overpower Bath in Champions Cup thriller

<p>Leinster were below their best but made it two wins from two</p>

Leinster scrap past injury-hit Leicester in tight Champions Cup tussle

Athletics

<p>Josh Kerr triumphed at the Philadelphia leg of Grand Slam Track</p>

Court papers reveal Grand Slam Track owes Josh Kerr $218,000

<p>Tebogo won gold in the 200m in Paris as well as silver in the 4x400m relay</p>

Olympic champion claims three countries tried to buy his citizenship

<p>Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track has filed for bankruptcy</p>

Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track files for bankruptcy

Cycling

Sir Chris Hoy speaking to the press (Robert Perry/PA)

Sir Chris Hoy convinced fundraising stumps Olympic achievements

<p>The 2027 Tour de France will begin in Scotland</p>

Scottish government confirms cost bringing Tour de France to Edinburgh

<p>Sir Chris Hoy is a six-time Olympic champion (Stephen Pond/PA)</p>

Chris Hoy’s wife reveals children’s heartbreaking response to cancer

US Sport

<p>For most of the Thunder squad, this will mark a Christmas Day debut; only Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso have previously scored in a holiday fixture</p>

NBA Christmas Day schedule – when and where to watch all five games

<p>The Pop-Tarts Bowl has become an internet sensation among college football fans. It has mascots, edible giant treats and an 11-foot tall toaster. </p>

How Pop-Tarts became the biggest brand partner in football bowl games

<p>Ben Simmons playing for the Los Angeles Clippers against the Oklahoma City Thunder in March earlier this year</p>

NBA star Simmons delays comeback to pursue professional fishing career

Betting

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Best Betting Sites UK: Top 10 Online Bookmakers For June 2025

Best Betting Offers and Free Bets (December 2025)

<p>Our betting writer Chris Wilson has tested the best new bookmakers on the market</p>

The best new betting sites August 2025

<p>We’ve tested out dozens of reputable UK betting apps and ranked the best ones</p>

The best betting apps for sport