Author: Kate Man

World champion Luke Littler defeated world number one Luke Humphries 6-5 in a last-leg decider to win night two of the Premier League in Glasgow.The 18-year-old was on the brink of defeat earlier in the evening against Rob Cross, but he fought back from 5-1 behind.Humphries was hampered in the final against his fellow Englishman after needing a plaster on a cut on the middle finger of his right throwing hand.Despite that, and his frustration at whistling in the crowd, Humphries took a 5-4 lead before Littler won the next two legs in a performance which saw a 170 checkout,…

ReutersMichael Schumacher has not been seen since he suffered serious brain injuries in a ski accident in 2013Three men have been convicted by a German court of trying to blackmail the family of ex-Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher.Yilmaz T, 53, was jailed for three years for threatening to upload 900 personal photos, almost 600 videos and confidential medical records to the dark web unless the Schumacher family paid €15m (£12m). His 30-year-old son was given a six-month suspended sentence for aiding and abetting extortion. A former security guard at Schumacher’s home, who denied any involvement, received a two-year suspended sentence.…

Semi-automated offside technology will be used in English domestic football for the first time during the fifth round of the FA Cup.On Thursday the Football Association, external announced that the technology will be used in the seven games taking place at Premier League stadiums.The FA added that “following successful live operation in the Emirates FA Cup, the Premier League will look to implement the system later this season”.Premier League clubs unanimously approved its use for the 2024-25 season in April, with a planned introduction date of October 2024, although that was delayed to allow for further testing of the technology.Uefa…

Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold continues to be courted by Real Madrid, Manchester City remain keen on Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz and Arsenal are in pole position to sign Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams.Real Madrid are ready to step up their pursuit of Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the Spanish giants confident of signing the 26-year-old England international. (Telegraph – subscription required), externalAl-Hilal boss Jorge Jesus wants to sign Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah this summer, with the 32-year-old Egyptian out of contract at the end of the season. (Mirror), externalBut hopes of signing Salah from Liverpool are fading among clubs…

Before kick-off, the sounds of tribalism emerged from Everton strongholds The Blue House and The Winslow Hotel – standing directly opposite the Main Stand on Goodison Road, with its Howard Kendall Bar.These are the places so many Everton supporters will miss. Not as much as Goodison Park itself but the time-honoured rituals that take place after weaving their way through the terraced houses that landlock the stadium in Winslow Street, Eton Street, Neston Street and Andrew Street.Little did they realise what this emotionally-charged night held in store for them as Everton, rejuvenated under Moyes, stood toe-to-toe with Liverpool, fighting to…

A front-of-shirt sponsor of Everton football club is giving up its licence in Great Britain after an investigation into an ad featuring porn actress Bonnie Blue.In the social media video shot outside Nottingham Trent University, she said she was there “as promised” to “sleep with 180 barely-legal 18 year olds”, with Stake’s logo on the screen.Campaigners had urged the culture secretary to take action over the advert for using sexual content to promote gambling to young people.The Gambling Commission said it will write to Everton to warn it of its responsibilities to ensure that the unlicensed gambling websites promoted on…

Australia’s difficult build-up to the Champions Trophy was hit further by a 49-run defeat by Sri Lanka in Colombo.Mitchell Starc became the latest player to withdraw from the tournament earlier on Wednesday and the 50-over world champions were then bowled out for 165 in the first of two matches.Having dismissed Sri Lanka for 215 despite a century from Charith Asalanka, Australia lost opener Matt Short for a duck lbw to the second ball of the chase.Youngsters Jake Fraser-McGurk and Cooper Connolly followed for two and three respectively and Steve Smith, Australia’s captain for the Champions Trophy in the absence of…

It is hard to pick out standout matches from so many good ones in the 119, but here are five that highlight the drama and emotion of the derby:11 March 1967 – Everton 1-0 LiverpoolDemand for tickets was so high for this FA Cup tie that Liverpool put eight giant screens inside Anfield to show the match live – a huge operation back then. At Goodison, 65,000 fans watched the match – and a further 40,000 watched on the screens at Anfield. It was the biggest audience for a single FA Cup match outside the final and Alan Ball scored…

Manchester City’s fans started the night by unfurling a huge flag taunting Real Madrid and Vinicius Junior for their angry reaction to Rodri beating the Brazilian to last year’s Ballon d’Or.’Stop Crying Your Heart Out’ was the message, the words of the Oasis hit accompanied by an image of Rodri kissing the coveted trophy at the ceremony boycotted by Real in protest at the decision.Firing barbs at the most ruthless and experienced operators in Champions League history is a dangerous occupation, and so it proved.All the tears belonged to City and their supporters at the final whistle after a trademark…

Laura ScottReporting fromKingston Crown CourtPA MediaSam Kerr was cleared by a jury at Kingston Crown Court after it deliberated for four hoursChelsea striker Sam Kerr has been found not guilty of causing racially aggravated harassment, after calling a Metropolitan Police officer “stupid and white”.A jury at Kingston Crown Court cleared her in relation to an incident in Twickenham, south-west London, on 30 January 2023.Ms Kerr, 31, said she was “antagonised” by officers after she was taken to a police station by a taxi driver following a dispute.The Australian international, who made the comments to PC Stephen Lovell, did not deny…