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Arsenal Closes in on Premier League Leader Liverpool after 2-1 Win over Tottenham

15 January 2025, United Kingdom, London: Arsenal players celebrate following the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium. Photo: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire/dpa
15 January 2025, United Kingdom, London: Arsenal players celebrate following the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium. Photo: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire/dpa
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Arsenal Closes in on Premier League Leader Liverpool after 2-1 Win over Tottenham

15 January 2025, United Kingdom, London: Arsenal players celebrate following the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium. Photo: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire/dpa
15 January 2025, United Kingdom, London: Arsenal players celebrate following the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium. Photo: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire/dpa

Arsenal closed the gap on Premier League leader Liverpool to four points after a 2-1 victory over Tottenham on Wednesday.
Mikel Arteta’s team took advantage of Liverpool’s draw with Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, with Leandro Trossard firing the winner in the north London derby at the Emirates Stadium.
“Everybody knows you need to win these games, the fans are buzzing and it’s a great night for us,” Trossard said. “It’s an amazing feeling, especially to get the winner as well, it had to come and now we need to look forward.”
Arsenal was runner-up to Manchester City in the last two seasons and is in contention for the title again this year. But it was given a fright by Spurs when Son Heung-min opened the scoring for the visitors in the 25th minute.
A Dominic Solanke own goal when trying to defend a corner leveled the game in the 40th and Trossard struck low from just inside the box four minutes later to put Arsenal ahead.
Liverpool still has a game in hand on second-place Arsenal but has dropped points by drawing its last two league matches and is on a run of just one win in four in all competitions. That was against fourth-division Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup, The Associated Press reported.
Arsenal bounced back quickly after the disappointment of being knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United on penalties and opened up a two-point lead over Forest in third.
“Less than 72 hours ago we played 120 minutes in another competition that we went out of — that is not easy psychologically. So the way we performed and played today was exceptional,” Arteta said.
Tottenham has won just one of its last nine games in the league.
“The losses hurt me but they aren’t acceptable. We have had too many losses this year and too many games that have got away from us. That needs to stop,” head coach Ange Postecoglou said.
Isak on target again Alexander Isak scored for the eighth straight league game to propel Newcastle into the top four.
The Sweden international struck twice in a 3-0 victory over Wolverhampton to take his season total to 17 in all competitions. He became the fourth player to score in eight consecutive games in the Premier League, following Ruud van Nistelrooy, Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge.
Vardy scored a league record 11-straight games.
“Like most strikers, Isak wants to practice his finishing. It is an art form. He is there after training every day trying to do more,” Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said.
Isak's form has pushed Newcastle into Champions League contention. He's scored 12 in his last 10 games in all competitions and Newcastle is on a nine-match winning streak.
Isak opened the scoring in the 34th against relegation-threatened Wolverhampton at St James' Park. He got his second in the 57th and Anthony maintained his own scoring form with his fourth goal in successive games.
Howe's team is now one point ahead of fifth-place Chelsea.
Unhappy homecoming for Moyes David Moyes' return to Everton didn't get off to the start he wanted after a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa.
In his second spell at the Merseyside club, Moyes took charge of his 519th game as Everton manager and was welcomed by the Goodison Park crowd.
But he couldn't inspire his relegation-threatened team to victory as Ollie Watkins' goal six minutes into the second half sealed Villa's win.
Everton is 16th in the standings and a point above the bottom three.
Moyes' immediate priority is to find goals from somewhere. Everton has failed to score in nine of its last 11 league games.
Leicester slumping The hiring of Ruud van Nistelrooy hasn't paid off for Leicester yet.
A 2-0 loss at home to Crystal Palace leaves the 2016 champion second from bottom of the standings and without a league win since Van Nistelrooy's first game in charge at the start of December.
It's now six straight defeats in the league, with Jean-Philippe Mateta and Marc Guehi scoring for Palace in the second half at the King Power Stadium.
“Six without a win is not good enough. You can’t keep talking about performances. We need to win and that needs to happen soon,” Van Nistelrooy said.
United drops Manchester United doesn't play until Thursday, but Palace's win saw the record 20-time champion slip to 15th in the standings.
Ruben Amorim's team plays last-place Southampton at Old Trafford.

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Man City Close in on WSL Title with 3-0 Derby Win

Vivianne Miedema celebrates her first goal as Manchester City dominate at Old Trafford. Photograph: Craig Brough/Action Images/Reuters
Vivianne Miedema celebrates her first goal as Manchester City dominate at Old Trafford. Photograph: Craig Brough/Action Images/Reuters
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Man City Close in on WSL Title with 3-0 Derby Win

Vivianne Miedema celebrates her first goal as Manchester City dominate at Old Trafford. Photograph: Craig Brough/Action Images/Reuters
Vivianne Miedema celebrates her first goal as Manchester City dominate at Old Trafford. Photograph: Craig Brough/Action Images/Reuters

A quick-fire first-half double from Vivianne Miedema set Manchester City on course for a 3-0 WSL derby win over Manchester United at Old Trafford that left them on the cusp of winning the league title for the first time since 2016.

The leaders moved up to 49 points after 19 of 22 games with Manchester United second on 38 points. Chelsea, who have won the last six titles, are third on 37 points and Arsenal, who have three games in hand over City, are fourth on 35.

On a day when the weather swung from bright spring sunshine to dark clouds and driving rain, City started off at a frenetic pace and did not let up until they had the three points firmly in the bag, Reuters reported.

Lauren Hemp smacked a shot off the crossbar in the 16th minute and Miedema gave City the lead a minute later from the ensuing corner with a looping header that evaded the dive of Phallon Tullis-Joyce in the United goal.

Two minutes later Miedema scored again as City swept up the pitch with a brilliant passing move, Kerstin Casparij crossing for her unmarked Dutch compatriot to leap into the air and send a downward header bouncing into the net.

Casparij netted the third four minutes after the break, steaming in at the far post to convert after Hemp's cross flew just over the head of City striker Bunny Shaw.

Marc Skinner's United looked a step slow in everything they did, and did not manage an effort on target until late in the second half. It was far too late, though, as City cruised to victory to close in on their first title in 10 years.

In a day of derbies in the WSL, Liverpool held on for a 3-2 win at Everton in the early kickoff, and Arsenal host Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday's late game.

Sports

Antonelli Leads Mercedes 1-2 as Verstappen Suffers Qualifying Shock

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy steers his car during the qualifying session of the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in Suzuka, Japan, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy steers his car during the qualifying session of the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in Suzuka, Japan, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
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Antonelli Leads Mercedes 1-2 as Verstappen Suffers Qualifying Shock

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy steers his car during the qualifying session of the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in Suzuka, Japan, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy steers his car during the qualifying session of the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in Suzuka, Japan, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Kimi Antonelli took pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix ahead of Mercedes team-mate George Russell on Saturday as Max Verstappen suffered another qualifying nightmare.

Mercedes have claimed one-two finishes at both grands prix so far in a flying start to the Formula One season and they were again dominant in dry conditions at Suzuka.

The 19-year-old Italian Antonelli became the youngest pole-sitter in F1 history two weeks ago in China and he made it two in a row with a fastest lap of 1min 28.778sec.

Early championship leader Russell was second, 0.298sec behind, with McLaren's Oscar Piastri third and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc fourth.

Antonelli, who won the first grand prix of his F1 career in China two weeks ago, said it was "a really clean session".

"There's still work to do in these big tracks with the energy, how to find a solution that allows us to push even more and drive without thinking too much," AFP quoted him as saying.

"But overall I think it was good fun."

Russell was fastest in Friday's first practice but he has trailed his younger team-mate in every session since then.

The British driver said he was struggling with his car for most of qualifying and admitted it was "not ideal" going into Sunday's race.

"I've been really comfortable with the car this whole weekend, it's just in qualifying something didn't quite feel right," he said.

"Let's see tonight, maybe we'll get some answers, maybe I can adjust my driving style to compensate."

Russell's problems paled into insignificance compared with those facing four-time world champion Verstappen, who exited in Q2 and starts from a lowly 11th on the grid for Red Bull.

The Dutchman, who has won in Japan for the past four years, took pole last year with a track-record lap time.

He has railed against new Formula One regulations that see a 50-50 split between conventional and electrical power, and labelled his car "undriveable".

"The car never turns mid-corner, but at the same time this weekend, it's just oversteering a lot on entry," he said.

"It's really difficult, unpredictable."

Verstappen, who finished sixth in Melbourne and retired from the Shanghai grand prix two weeks ago, added: "We have problems that I cannot explain in detail here."

Verstappen was involved in a public confrontation on Thursday when he ejected a reporter from his news conference.

McLaren's world champion Lando Norris was fifth, followed by Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton and Alpine's Pierre Gasly.

Verstappen's Red Bull team-mate Isack Hadjar was eighth, with Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto and Arvid Lindblad of RB rounding out the top 10.

Piastri will be desperate to make an impact in Sunday's race after missing the first two grands prix of the season.

The Australian said his qualifying session was "pretty well executed" after also finishing fastest in Friday's second practice.

"It's nice to be closer," said Piastri of his third place on the grid.

"I think we're learning more and more about the car and about the power unit every weekend."

Esteban Ocon of Haas, Audi's Nico Hulkenberg, RB's Liam Lawson, Alpine's Franco Colapinto and Williams' Carlos Sainz went out in Q2 with Verstappen.

Haas driver Ollie Bearman, who finished fifth at the Chinese Grand Prix, was a shock faller in Q3 and will start from 18th.

Cadillac pair Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas went out with him, as did Williams' Alex Albon and Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.

The Aston Martin pair, who have yet to complete a grand prix so far this season as they struggle with extreme vibration, finished bottom of the timesheets.

Sports

Defending Champion Sabalenka and Gauff Meet for Miami Open Title

Mar 26, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates her victory over Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the semi-finals of the women’s singles at the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
Mar 26, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates her victory over Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the semi-finals of the women’s singles at the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
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Defending Champion Sabalenka and Gauff Meet for Miami Open Title

Mar 26, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates her victory over Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the semi-finals of the women’s singles at the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
Mar 26, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates her victory over Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the semi-finals of the women’s singles at the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are back on a big stage in the final of the Miami Open as their growing rivalry heats up.

Gauff, the South Floridian who beat Sabalenka in the 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open finals, will meet the top-seeded Belarusian at Hard Rock Stadium at 3 p.m. EDT.

This WTA 1000 final will mark their 13th meeting, with the series knotted at 6-6. They faced off three times in finals in 2025. Sabalenka won the last meeting in the group stage of the WTA Finals in November.

“We’ve played so many matches, and it’s physical when I play her every time," Gauff said. “She’s playing great tennis. She’s definitely world No. 1 for a reason and it’s going to be a great challenge."

Gauff is making her first Miami Open final appearance. The Delray Beach, Florida product had never made it past the fourth round in her hometown tournament.

“She’s a fighter,’’ The Associated Press quoted Sabalenka as saying. “She’s a great player. We played a lot of tight matches, a lot of big finals. She is an incredible player. I’m really excited to face her in the final. I think it’s going to be a great battle. I cannot wait to play that."

Sabalenka is attempting to win the “Sunshine Double” — the back-to-back March hard-court tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami.

Sabalenka won in California on March 15 with a three-set victory over Elena Rybakina. Gauff had to retire during her third-round match against Alexandra Eala in Indian Wells because of a nerve injury in her left forearm. Gauff said her team wanted to skip the Miami Open but she insisted.

"With Coco, you know that you have to play an extra ball, and the ball always comes back, sometimes not perfect, but it’s always back on your side," Sabalenka said. “She pushes you into the long rallies and I think that’s what makes her difficult.”

Sabalenka’s new residence is Miami and she has a strong Brazilian following because of her Brazilian fiance, Georgios Frangules.

“I’m super curious how the stadium is going to be on Saturday,’’ Sabalenka said. “It couldn’t be a better final. I feel happy for her that she’s finding her tennis back."