https://www.theguardian.com/us/sport Sports news, scores, blogs and opinion on US and world sports from the Guardian, the world's leading liberal voice en-gb Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 Sat, 12 Sep 2026 03:21:04 GMT 2026-09-12T03:21:04Z en-gb Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 https://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.png https://www.theguardian.com https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/11/us-open-tennis-2026-mens-semi-final-frances-tiafoe-v-ben-shelton-live-buildup <p> Shelton wins 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 to reach first major final<br> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/11/us-open-tennis-2026-mens-semi-final-alexander-zverev-v-karen-khachanov-live">Zverev takes out Khachanov in straight sets to make final</a><br> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/taylor-townsend-us-open-womens-doubles-title-katerina-siniakova">Townsend’s road comes full circle with US Open triumph</a><br> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/us-open-five-set-tennis-shelton-alcaraz-late-night-matches">Andrew Lawrence: in praise of five-set tennis</a> | <a href="mailto:bryan.graham@theguardian.com">Mail Bryan</a></p><p><strong>First set: *Tiafoe 1-2 Shelton (*denotes next server)</strong></p><p>Shortly after crunching his first ace of the night, 123mph down the middle, Shelton faces his first pressure point of the night at 30-all. He then makes an unforced error off the backhand for 30-40 and will face his first break point, but he rattles off three quick points from there to escape with the hold.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/11/us-open-tennis-2026-mens-semi-final-frances-tiafoe-v-ben-shelton-live-buildup">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Alexander Zverev Sport Tennis US Open tennis US sports Sat, 12 Sep 2026 03:14:35 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/11/us-open-tennis-2026-mens-semi-final-frances-tiafoe-v-ben-shelton-live-buildup Photograph: Frank Franklin II/AP Photograph: Frank Franklin II/AP Photograph: Frank Franklin II/AP Bryan Armen Graham at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-12T03:14:35Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/taylor-townsend-us-open-womens-doubles-title-katerina-siniakova <p>The 30-year-old once denied USTA funding returned to Arthur Ashe Stadium to complete her career doubles grand slam alongside Kateřina Siniaková</p><p>The cheers swelled from Arthur Ashe Stadium as Taylor Townsend approached the microphone on court. “Y’all know this is my moment,” she started, “and I’m about to take it.”</p><p>A day after being denied an American rooting interest in the women’s singles final and rushing for the exits in response, the Ashe crowd had reason to stick around and drink in the moment: the Chicago native and her partner, Kateřina Siniaková of the Czech Republic, had just defeated the all-American team of Ashlyn Krueger and Robin Montgomery 5-7, 6-0, 6-2 in Friday’s women’s doubles final. With the victory, Siniaková became a two-time career doubles slam champion while Townsend joined the club for the first time.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/taylor-townsend-us-open-womens-doubles-title-katerina-siniakova">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Sport Tennis US Open tennis Sat, 12 Sep 2026 00:14:27 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/taylor-townsend-us-open-womens-doubles-title-katerina-siniakova Photograph: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images Photograph: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images Photograph: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images Andrew Lawrence at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-12T00:14:27Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/premier-league-10-things-to-look-out-for-this-weekend <p>Nicolas Jackson is ready to impress, Spurs are scrambled and the 199th Manchester derby takes place at Old Trafford</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/10/premier-league-top-scorers-2026-27-race-for-golden-boot"><strong>Premier League top scorers 2026-27: who is leading race for the golden boot?</strong></a></p></li></ul><p>With 10 top-flight goal contributions between them across three games already this season, the Chelsea trio of Morgan Rogers, João Pedro and Cole Palmer are the early pace-setters for the Premier League’s most prolific, fluid and high-octane attacking unit. But on the occasion of his 100th Premier League appearance, a scruffier and more ungainly unit will be hoping to steal their thunder, as high-flying Hull try to register a top-flight win against Chelsea for the very first time. Yet to score this season but with a couple of near misses to his name, what Oli McBurnie has thus far lacked in goal contributions he has more than made up for with selfless graft and off-the-ball grunt work, making a total mockery of Steve Clarke’s decision not to include him in Scotland’s World Cup squad. The Hull striker ought to prove a real handful for a decidedly porous home defence, and a goal would be a fitting way to mark a century of Premier League appearances. Chelsea have not won any of their past four league matches against promoted opposition and, given Hull’s blistering start to the season, victory on Saturday seems anything but a foregone conclusion. <strong>Barry Glendenning</strong></p><p><em>Chelsea v Hull, Saturday 3pm (all times BST)</em></p><p><em>Liverpool v Fulham, Saturday 3pm</em></p><p><em>Crystal Palace v Ipswich, Saturday 3pm</em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/premier-league-10-things-to-look-out-for-this-weekend">Continue reading...</a> Premier League Manchester City Arsenal Hull City Chelsea Brentford Liverpool Newcastle United Everton Leeds United Brighton & Hove Albion Manchester United Sunderland Crystal Palace Ipswich Town Bournemouth Nottingham Forest Aston Villa Tottenham Hotspur Fulham Coventry City Football Sport Thu, 10 Sep 2026 23:01:48 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/premier-league-10-things-to-look-out-for-this-weekend Composite: Getty, Shutterstock Composite: Getty, Shutterstock Composite: Getty, Shutterstock Guardian sport 2026-09-10T23:01:48Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/solheim-cup-usa-fightback-sparks-hope-of-away-win-after-europes-fast-start <ul><li><p>Scores level at 4-4 after day one</p></li><li><p>Europe fail to make advantage pay in fourballs</p></li></ul><p>The rain poured and the United States roared. Hope had cascaded through the European contingent at this Solheim Cup during Friday afternoon until the sort of fightback that endorsed the sense that, come Sunday evening, the US will have won this trophy in a foreign land for the first time since 2015. This compelling day concluded with the scores level at 4-4. For Europe, it had promised to be so much better.</p><p>After a morning session that closed all square at 2-2, Europe surged ahead in three fourball matches. This felt like validation for Anna Nordqvist, the home captain. She had opted not to deploy any of the four players who returned two foursomes points – Maja Stark, Linn Grant, Leona Maguire and Esther Henseleit – after lunch.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/solheim-cup-usa-fightback-sparks-hope-of-away-win-after-europes-fast-start">Continue reading...</a> Solheim Cup Golf Sport US sports Fri, 11 Sep 2026 18:12:29 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/solheim-cup-usa-fightback-sparks-hope-of-away-win-after-europes-fast-start Photograph: Alastair Grant/AP Photograph: Alastair Grant/AP Photograph: Alastair Grant/AP Ewan Murray at Bernardus Golf 2026-09-11T18:12:29Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/leading-athletes-still-waiting-on-large-sums-owed-by-ill-fated-grand-slam-track <ul><li><p>GST founder Michael Johnson said he ‘got the athletes paid’</p></li><li><p>Money stuck in escrow account after bankruptcy filing</p></li></ul><p>Grand Slam Track athletes have still only received 50% of their earnings nearly 15 months on from the collapse of Michael Johnson’s ill-fated venture.</p><p>Many of the Grand Slam stars are at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/10/glowing-javelins-10m-prize-fund-brave-new-world-athetics-ultimate-championship">the Ultimate Championships in ­Budapest</a>, where they are competing for a $10m (£7.4m) prize fund, the richest in the sport’s history, with first prizes of $150,000 (£111,000) for individual events.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/leading-athletes-still-waiting-on-large-sums-owed-by-ill-fated-grand-slam-track">Continue reading...</a> Athletics Sport US sports Fri, 11 Sep 2026 18:00:11 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/leading-athletes-still-waiting-on-large-sums-owed-by-ill-fated-grand-slam-track Photograph: Kirby Lee/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Connect Photograph: Kirby Lee/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Connect Photograph: Kirby Lee/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Connect Sean Ingle in Budapest 2026-09-11T18:00:11Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/benn-and-garcia-turn-past-scandals-into-a-30m-las-vegas-world-title-payday <p>Fight offers revealing snapshot of boxers once facing uncertain futures after positive drug tests now vying for a welterweight world championship</p><p>Four years ago Conor Benn’s career was thrown into limbo after two positive drug tests scuppered his blockbuster fight with Chris Eubank Jr. Two years ago Ryan Garcia was serving a one-year suspension after testing positive for ostarine at the time of his greatest victory.</p><p>On Saturday night they will each be rewarded with an eight-figure payday when they meet at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for Garcia’s WBC welterweight championship. The purses have not been disclosed, although reports have put the combined pot at around $30m (£22m) with each fighter expected to haul in roughly $15m.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/benn-and-garcia-turn-past-scandals-into-a-30m-las-vegas-world-title-payday">Continue reading...</a> Boxing Sport Fri, 11 Sep 2026 14:02:34 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/benn-and-garcia-turn-past-scandals-into-a-30m-las-vegas-world-title-payday Photograph: Ian Maule/AP Photograph: Ian Maule/AP Photograph: Ian Maule/AP Bryan Armen Graham 2026-09-11T14:02:34Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/nfl-melbourne-mcg-fans-crowds-score-rams-49ers <p>The morning kick-off provided ‘incredible’ vibes for a sell-out crowd clearly different to that which attends AFL and cricket games at the venue </p><p>At 9am on a Friday, Melbourne’s tongues would usually be tinged with toothpaste. Beer, however, was the flavour craved by this throng of bros brought together by the visit of one of the United States’ great institutions.</p><p>Dressed in San Francisco 49ers red, LA Rams blue and every other colour of the 32-team NFL rainbow, the 100,021 fans had come to the competition’s first regular season match in Australia. They were there in droves, and 90 minutes from kick-off their thirst had already forced the closure of the pop-up pub adjacent to the MCG.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/nfl-melbourne-mcg-fans-crowds-score-rams-49ers">Continue reading...</a> NFL Los Angeles Rams San Francisco 49ers Australia sport Sport Fri, 11 Sep 2026 04:35:07 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/nfl-melbourne-mcg-fans-crowds-score-rams-49ers Photograph: Martin Keep/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Martin Keep/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Martin Keep/AFP/Getty Images Jack Snape at the MCG 2026-09-11T04:35:07Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/enric-mas-closes-first-vuelta-a-espana-eddie-dunbar-win-stage-19-cycling <ul><li><p>Pinarello Q36.5 rider Dunbar wins stage by 14 seconds</p></li><li><p>Mas maintains his 1min 37sec cushion in red jersey race</p></li></ul><p>Irishman Eddie Dunbar secured a stunning last-ditch victory on stage 19 of the Vuelta a España as Spaniard Enric Mas maintained his overall lead with only one mountain stage remaining before Sunday’s finale.</p><p>The 30-year-old caught and passed Colombian Santiago Buitrago with just 300 metres left of the mountainous 210km slog from Vélez-Málaga to Peñas Blancas.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/enric-mas-closes-first-vuelta-a-espana-eddie-dunbar-win-stage-19-cycling">Continue reading...</a> Vuelta a España Cycling Sport Fri, 11 Sep 2026 16:24:40 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/enric-mas-closes-first-vuelta-a-espana-eddie-dunbar-win-stage-19-cycling Photograph: Javier Lizón/EPA Photograph: Javier Lizón/EPA Photograph: Javier Lizón/EPA Agence France-Presse 2026-09-11T16:24:40Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/madring-f1-spanish-grand-prix-hybrid-street-circuit <p>New hybrid street circuit has fast corners and virtually no margin for error – but limited overtaking opportunities</p><p>In Madrid’s Puerta del Sol this week, Formula One fans were not shy in calling on the gods to look kindly on their favoured drivers on a newly built circuit that appears punishingly unforgiving.</p><p>Legend has it that rubbing the paws or backside of the bear in the famous El Oso y el Madroño statue at the square’s heart confers good luck. The drivers may well need it. Day one of action at the Madring track began with F2’s Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak careening into the barriers and his car catching fire, leaving the onlooking George Russell shocked before the F1 drivers took to the wheel.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/madring-f1-spanish-grand-prix-hybrid-street-circuit">Continue reading...</a> Formula One 2026 Formula One George Russell Motor sport Sport Fri, 11 Sep 2026 15:20:04 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/madring-f1-spanish-grand-prix-hybrid-street-circuit Photograph: David Davies/PA Photograph: David Davies/PA Photograph: David Davies/PA Giles Richards at the Madring 2026-09-11T15:20:04Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/ballon-dor-shortlist-shows-up-premier-leagues-attacking-failings-but-tide-could-be-turning <p>English top flight’s forwards are not well represented on the list, reflecting a season of set-piece grapple, but 2026-27 already looks brighter</p><p>Premier League representation is low when it comes to the 16 attacking players on <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/08/harry-kane-alessia-russo-nominees-ballon-dor-2026">this year’s Ballon d’Or shortlist</a>. Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland are there but Cole Palmer, one of the nominees in 2025, is out after an injury-hit year and English football’s shift towards physicality and set pieces last season is summed up by none of the forwards from the best team in the country making the cut.</p><p>The trio giving Arsenal a presence – Gabriel Maghalhães, Declan Rice and William Saliba – are all defensive minded. Arsenal won the league but their forwards are not regarded as elite. Injuries played a part, denying Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka fluency, but Mikel Arteta’s side were not loved by neutrals. There was respect rather than admiration for their defensive rigour. There was an argument that a lack of ambition after going 1-0 up stopped Arsenal from beating Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/ballon-dor-shortlist-shows-up-premier-leagues-attacking-failings-but-tide-could-be-turning">Continue reading...</a> Premier League Ballon d'Or Arsenal Chelsea Liverpool Manchester City La Liga European club football Football Sport Fri, 11 Sep 2026 19:00:13 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/ballon-dor-shortlist-shows-up-premier-leagues-attacking-failings-but-tide-could-be-turning Composite: Getty Images Composite: Getty Images Composite: Getty Images Jacob Steinberg 2026-09-11T19:00:13Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/kobbie-mainoo-outsider-main-man-summer-of-hurt-derby <p>England reached World Cup semis yet midfielder did not play a minute. But he is key to Manchester United in derby</p><p>It was a sight the England press pack became increasingly used to seeing after the team’s&nbsp;World Cup matches over the summer. Kobbie&nbsp;Mainoo was invariably the first to leave the dressing room, walk through the mixed zone – eyes dead ahead, features impassive – and board the bus.</p><p>It was as if he could not get out of the stadiums quick enough and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/01/england-dr-congo-world-cup-2026-last-32-match-report">the further England progressed</a> the more pronounced it started to feel. There was a real gap between Mainoo and the next England player to depart the stadium <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/06/england-mexico-match-report-jude-bellingham-harry-kane-world-cup">in the knockout rounds</a>. The Manchester United midfielder is inscrutable, even in the heat of battle. It is part of his enviably unflappable temperament. It was no great leap to imagine what lay behind the mask – tremendous frustration as Thomas Tuchel kept on leaving him out.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/kobbie-mainoo-outsider-main-man-summer-of-hurt-derby">Continue reading...</a> Manchester United Football Sport Fri, 11 Sep 2026 19:00:12 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/kobbie-mainoo-outsider-main-man-summer-of-hurt-derby Photograph: Allstar Picture Library Ltd/Richard Sellers/Apl/Sportsphoto Photograph: Allstar Picture Library Ltd/Richard Sellers/Apl/Sportsphoto Photograph: Allstar Picture Library Ltd/Richard Sellers/Apl/Sportsphoto David Hytner 2026-09-11T19:00:12Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/west-ham-wrexham-championship-match-report <p>West Ham secured their fourth league win in a row as they returned to the top of the Championship with a thumping 6-0 win over Wrexham at the London Stadium. It was a marvellous display of attacking football from Nuno Espírito Santo’s side, who swept to victory with room to spare and six different scorers.</p><p>Jarrod Bowen got the ball rolling after 28 minutes, Joël Piroe made it two before the break, then Konstantinos Mavropanos, Taty Castellanos, Mohamadou Kanté and Manor Solomon all scored in the second half as the Welsh side were dealt a hiding. The performance was further evidence the Hammers are finding their feet in the second tier after failing to win any of their first three games following Premier League relegation.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/west-ham-wrexham-championship-match-report">Continue reading...</a> Championship West Ham United Wrexham Football Sport Fri, 11 Sep 2026 21:24:21 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/west-ham-wrexham-championship-match-report Photograph: John Walton/PA Photograph: John Walton/PA Photograph: John Walton/PA Press Association 2026-09-11T21:24:21Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/premier-league-news-iraola-values-wirtzs-work-ethic-moyes-backs-senior-citizen-grealish <p>Liverpool manager insists midfielder should be judged by his influence rather than numbers</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/premier-league-news-iraola-values-wirtzs-work-ethic-moyes-backs-senior-citizen-grealish">Continue reading...</a> Premier League Everton Liverpool Chelsea Manchester United Tottenham Hotspur Bournemouth Newcastle United Football Sport Fri, 11 Sep 2026 21:30:15 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/premier-league-news-iraola-values-wirtzs-work-ethic-moyes-backs-senior-citizen-grealish Photograph: Allstar Picture Library Ltd/Richard Sellers/Apl/Sportsphoto Photograph: Allstar Picture Library Ltd/Richard Sellers/Apl/Sportsphoto Photograph: Allstar Picture Library Ltd/Richard Sellers/Apl/Sportsphoto Guardian sport writers and agencies 2026-09-11T21:30:15Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/kiernan-dewsbury-hall-ive-seen-all-of-the-meltdowns-and-it-annoyed-me <p>Midfielder on rising above the negativity after Everton’s struggles in the transfer window, becoming a leader in the dressing room and a possible England call-up</p><p>Transfer deadline day may be “exciting for everyone”, as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall puts it, but his experience of <em>that</em> transfer deadline day at Everton hauled him through the same gamut of emotions as every Evertonian. Excitement turned to bewilderment before the conclusion of the window left the midfielder exasperated, but for entirely different reasons to a fanbase left questioning the club’s direction under The Friedkin Group.</p><p>How, now, is the mood in the squad? It is the obvious place to start after a deadline day that left David Moyes with fewer players than he had at the beginning, one&nbsp;striker and no cover for either&nbsp;full-back position. It also featured the US international striker <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/02/folarin-balogun-transfer-deadline-day-collapse-monaco-everton-lamine-camara-chelsea">Folarin Balogun walking out&nbsp;on a £40m transfer</a> minutes after submitting a deal sheet. “Really good to be honest,” Dewsbury-Hall insists. “Definitely not the same mood as what I’ve seen on the outside. There’s a good&nbsp;mentality this year of: ‘We’ll show everyone.’” Everton’s performances so far this season support that view.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/kiernan-dewsbury-hall-ive-seen-all-of-the-meltdowns-and-it-annoyed-me">Continue reading...</a> Everton Football Sport Fri, 11 Sep 2026 16:00:09 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/kiernan-dewsbury-hall-ive-seen-all-of-the-meltdowns-and-it-annoyed-me Photograph: Robbie Hoad/Every Second Media/Shutterstock Photograph: Robbie Hoad/Every Second Media/Shutterstock Photograph: Robbie Hoad/Every Second Media/Shutterstock Andy Hunter 2026-09-11T16:00:09Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/mikel-arteta-maverick-arsenal-methods-player-challenges-delayed-meals <ul><li><p>Manager wants players to cope with things going wrong</p></li><li><p>Other tactics include making dressing room even hotter</p></li></ul><p>Mikel Arteta has revealed that he likes to set players challenges, such as delaying their meals before matches and making the dressing room hotter, to ensure they are fully prepared for any eventuality.</p><p>Arsenal’s flight to Italy on Tuesday for their Champions League opener against Napoli was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/08/air-traffic-chaos-delays-arsenal-flight-to-naples-for-champions-league">delayed for more than five hours</a>, with Arteta forced to cancel his pre-match press conference after the squad arrived in Naples just before 10pm local time.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/mikel-arteta-maverick-arsenal-methods-player-challenges-delayed-meals">Continue reading...</a> Arsenal Mikel Arteta Football Sport Fri, 11 Sep 2026 10:04:37 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/mikel-arteta-maverick-arsenal-methods-player-challenges-delayed-meals Photograph: Image Photo Agency/Getty Images Photograph: Image Photo Agency/Getty Images Photograph: Image Photo Agency/Getty Images Ed Aarons 2026-09-11T10:04:37Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/chelsea-pedro-neto-new-contract-xabi-alonso <ul><li><p>Winger shining after summer pursuit by several clubs</p></li><li><p>Chelsea felt selling Fernández to City was right move</p></li></ul><p>Chelsea have rewarded Pedro Neto’s strong start to the season and commitment to the club by handing the winger a new contract. The Portugal international had summer interest from several Premier League clubs including Manchester City, but indicated a desire to stay and play for Xabi Alonso. He has signed a five-year deal with the option of an extra year and is to receive a pay rise.</p><p>Alonso has used Neto as an attacking wingback and the 26-year-old has scored twice in five appearances. Neto, who has registered 40 goal involvements since joining from Wolves for £54m in 2024, follows other leading players at Chelsea in signing new deals. João Pedro, Reece James and Moisés Caicedo have received improved terms this year, and Cole Palmer signed a new deal in 2024 and committed his future to the club in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/apr/17/cole-palmer-chelsea-premier-league-transfer-speculation-england-world-cup">an interview with the Guardian</a> last season.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/chelsea-pedro-neto-new-contract-xabi-alonso">Continue reading...</a> Chelsea Manchester City Transfer window Football Sport Fri, 11 Sep 2026 12:55:05 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/chelsea-pedro-neto-new-contract-xabi-alonso Photograph: Visionhaus/Getty Images Photograph: Visionhaus/Getty Images Photograph: Visionhaus/Getty Images Jacob Steinberg 2026-09-11T12:55:05Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/eva-olid-manchester-united-wsl <p>Head coach has harsh spotlight on her as she prepares for Chelsea on Sunday, but she deserves time and investment</p><p>It was tough watching Manchester United’s players <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/04/london-city-lionesses-manchester-united-wsl-match-report">labour ineffectively</a> against the hungry and aggressive press of London City Lionesses in the Women’s Super League’s opening match. Simi Awujo’s late consolation goal did little to ease the mounting concern for a side that have several teams nipping at their heels.</p><p>Don’t panic; that has to be United’s message. To an extent, it is very early to be writing the team’s obituary. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/05/manchester-united-women-appoint-eva-olid-new-head-coach">The new head coach, Eva Olid</a>, had only three weeks to try to implement her ideas about the way the team should play before that match in Bromley on Friday 4 September. That is not long enough for her to peel away Marc Skinner’s imprint on the team.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/eva-olid-manchester-united-wsl">Continue reading...</a> Manchester United Women Women's Super League Football Sport Women's football Fri, 11 Sep 2026 11:18:25 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/eva-olid-manchester-united-wsl Photograph: Katie Chan/Action Plus/Shutterstock Photograph: Katie Chan/Action Plus/Shutterstock Photograph: Katie Chan/Action Plus/Shutterstock Suzanne Wrack 2026-09-11T11:18:25Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/champions-league-review-troy-parrott-jose-mourinho-michael-olise <p>The league phase has begun. From Olise’s brilliance to Sabah’s pub cleaner turned quiz contestant turned manager, there was plenty to talk about</p><p>The league phase has been previewed as <strong>Barcelona’s</strong> first step toward reclaiming a crown last lifted in 2015, with disappointments aplenty since. Lionel Messi claiming just one Champions League title in the last decade of his time at Camp Nou is the starkest statistic. The player anointed as Messi’s successor, Lamine Yamal, is already a European and world champion for Spain, so this is the next frontier. A soggy Wednesday evening at Camp Nou saw Hansi Flick’s team show their attacking chops remain of the highest quality in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/09/champions-league-roundup-barcelona-paris-saint-germain">a 5-1 defeat</a> of Feyenoord. The club presidential regime of Joan Laporta continues to pull levers to confound financial experts, with Gabriel Jesus, one of the summer’s arrivals, scoring his first Barca goal. Yamal got on the scoresheet via a scruffy free-kick after Raphinha had reminded there are further dimensions to that all-star attack, his first goal of his pair two sending Feyenoord defenders skidding.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/champions-league-review-troy-parrott-jose-mourinho-michael-olise">Continue reading...</a> Champions League Barcelona Real Betis Fenerbahce Bayern Munich Manchester United José Mourinho Real Madrid Sport Football European club football Fri, 11 Sep 2026 12:30:04 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/11/champions-league-review-troy-parrott-jose-mourinho-michael-olise Composite: Guardian Pictures; Reuters; AP; Uefa/Getty Images Composite: Guardian Pictures; Reuters; AP; Uefa/Getty Images Composite: Guardian Pictures; Reuters; AP; Uefa/Getty Images John Brewin 2026-09-11T12:30:04Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/12/world-athletics-ultimate-championship-nicola-olyslagers-high-jump-jackpot <ul><li><p>Australian earns biggest payday of career with second behind Mahuchikh</p></li><li><p>Kurtis Marschall finishes fourth after Armand Duplantis in pole vault</p></li></ul><p>Nicola Olyslagers has had the best worst night of her career after missing out on becoming a new “Ultimate” athletics high jump champion, only to learn to her surprise that she had still leapt to the biggest payday of her life.</p><p>Australia’s world champion managed to only clear 1.95m on the first night of World Athletics’ inaugural Ultimate Championship in Budapest on Friday (Saturday AEST), struggling with her approach on a difficult surface on a cold night as Ukraine’s Olympic champ Yaroslava Mahuchikh beat her to the title with a 1.99m leap.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/12/world-athletics-ultimate-championship-nicola-olyslagers-high-jump-jackpot">Continue reading...</a> Athletics Australia sport Sport Fri, 11 Sep 2026 22:00:16 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/12/world-athletics-ultimate-championship-nicola-olyslagers-high-jump-jackpot Photograph: Christel Saneh/World Athletics/Getty Images Photograph: Christel Saneh/World Athletics/Getty Images Photograph: Christel Saneh/World Athletics/Getty Images Australian Associated Press 2026-09-11T22:00:16Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/trescothick-england-bowlers-razaullah-pakistan-third-test <ul><li><p>Pakistan’s ninth-wicket pair put on 121 in 123 balls</p></li><li><p>‘You’ve got to give a bit more credit to them’</p></li></ul><p>Marcus Trescothick described Pakistan’s late-innings onslaught as a “perfect storm”, after the 21-year-old debutant Razaullah and the 36-year-old Mohammad Abbas <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/england-v-pakistan-third-test-day-three-report">combined to score 121 off 123 balls</a> and force a fraying England to come in on the fourth day to chase a target of 130.</p><p>The interim coach refused to characterise England’s frequently puzzling efforts in the field as embarrassing as Razaullah plundered nine sixes and four fours on his way to a score of 81, and Abbas two sixes – as many as he had scored in 46 career Test innings before the start of this series – in his 42, insisting: “You’ve got to give a bit more credit to them [rather] than trying to target everything that we’ve tried to do.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/trescothick-england-bowlers-razaullah-pakistan-third-test">Continue reading...</a> England v Pakistan 2026 England cricket team Pakistan cricket team Cricket Sport Fri, 11 Sep 2026 20:00:10 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/trescothick-england-bowlers-razaullah-pakistan-third-test Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Action Images/Reuters Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Action Images/Reuters Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Action Images/Reuters Simon Burnton at Edgbaston 2026-09-11T20:00:10Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/11/england-v-pakistan-third-cricket-test-day-three-live <p>Razaullah smashed a rapid 81 from No 9 as Pakistan showed fight to set England a target of 130</p><p><strong>State-school cricket has had its day at Lord’s, at last.</strong> On a ground that has this summer hosted men’s and women’s international Tests, the Women’s T20 World Cup final and the Hundred finals, on Thursday four school teams played in front of the Pavilion and Father Time for the Knight-Stokes Cup, named after two state-educated cricketers who have captained England’s Test teams.</p><p>Heather Knight and Ben Stokes recorded video messages for pupils from Altrincham grammar school, John Hampden grammar school, Penistone grammar school and Chelmsford County high school before they competed in the boys’ and girls’ finals. The privileges did not stop there – full use of the Pavilion dressing rooms, lunch and media duties made this a day to remember and inspire.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/11/england-v-pakistan-third-cricket-test-day-three-live">Continue reading...</a> England v Pakistan 2026 Cricket England cricket team Pakistan cricket team Over by over reports Sport Fri, 11 Sep 2026 18:23:21 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/11/england-v-pakistan-third-cricket-test-day-three-live Photograph: James Marsh/Shutterstock Photograph: James Marsh/Shutterstock Photograph: James Marsh/Shutterstock James Wallace and Rob Smyth 2026-09-11T18:23:21Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/11/nottinghamshire-face-crunch-day-against-hampshire-county-cricket-day-four-live <p> Latest updates from around the county grounds<br> <a href="mailto:tanya.aldred.freelance@theguardian.com">Mail Tanya</a> or comment BTL | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/18/sign-up-to-the-spin">Sign up for The Spin</a></p><p><strong>Rocky Flintoff smacks Langridge</strong> with gumption, just like dad would have done, for four, but the next ball is collected by long off and that is that. The gap between the two bottom teams shrinks to 18.</p><p>Five wickets for the impressive JT Langridge in his second first-class match. Three for the very useful Kishore. A cracking 65 for young Rocky Flintoff. And that’s that, done and dusted in 31 minutes.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/11/nottinghamshire-face-crunch-day-against-hampshire-county-cricket-day-four-live">Continue reading...</a> County Championship County Championship Division One County Championship Division Two Derbyshire Durham Essex Glamorgan Hampshire Kent Gloucestershire Leicestershire Middlesex Northamptonshire Nottinghamshire Somerset Lancashire Surrey Sussex Warwickshire Worcestershire Yorkshire Cricket Sport Fri, 11 Sep 2026 17:41:10 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/11/nottinghamshire-face-crunch-day-against-hampshire-county-cricket-day-four-live Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images Tanya Aldred at Old Trafford 2026-09-11T17:41:10Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/sep/11/football-news-live-champions-league-review-weekend-preview <p>Our writers reviewed a week of Champions League before looking ahead to the weekend of action</p><p><strong>Matthias Jaissle revealed that summer signing Matias Fernandez-Pardo is edging closer to starting for Newcastle</strong>.</p><p>The 21-year-old forward arrived on Tyneside from Lille on deadline day and has featured as a substitute in Newcastle’s last two matches. Speaking ahead of Monday’s clash with Leeds, Jaissle said: “Yeah, he’s getting closer. I said that we need to be smart with his load management. Now he’s getting more and more minutes.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/sep/11/football-news-live-champions-league-review-weekend-preview">Continue reading...</a> Football Sport Fri, 11 Sep 2026 17:11:30 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/sep/11/football-news-live-champions-league-review-weekend-preview Photograph: News Images/NurPhoto/Shutterstock Photograph: News Images/NurPhoto/Shutterstock Photograph: News Images/NurPhoto/Shutterstock John Brewin , Tom Bassam and Tom Davies 2026-09-11T17:11:30Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/afl-finals-fremantle-dockers-geelong-cats-semi-final-report-luke-jackson <ul><li><p>Dockers defeat Cats 18.12 (120) to 16.10 (106) in semi-final</p></li><li><p>Minor premiers to meet Sydney in preliminary final</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jun/17/from-the-pocket-newsletter-afl-weekly-footy-email-from-jonathan-horn-guardian-australia-sign-up-subscribe">Sign up for our free weekly AFL newsletter</a></p></li></ul><p>There’s been some pandemonic nights at Optus Stadium, but nothing that could match this. Fremantle is through to a preliminary final after a semi of the highest quality and the utmost tension.</p><p>It was simultaneously free-wheeling and nerve-jangling – both high scoring and high pressure. It <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/11/afl-finals-live-updates-fremantle-dockers-vs-geelong-cats-semi-final-2026-latest">activated Wharfie Time</a> for just the second time this year, but it wasn’t really needed. The noise was cacophonous, the tension excruciating and the result ultimately just.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/afl-finals-fremantle-dockers-geelong-cats-semi-final-report-luke-jackson">Continue reading...</a> AFL Fremantle Dockers Geelong Australian rules football Australia sport Sport Fri, 11 Sep 2026 14:25:20 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/afl-finals-fremantle-dockers-geelong-cats-semi-final-report-luke-jackson Photograph: Richard Wainwright/AAP Photograph: Richard Wainwright/AAP Photograph: Richard Wainwright/AAP Jonathan Horn 2026-09-11T14:25:20Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/11/afl-finals-live-updates-fremantle-dockers-vs-geelong-cats-semi-final-2026-latest <p>The Dockers hold off the Cats with Luke Jackson standing tall for the minor premiers in an all-time classic at Optus Stadium</p><p>The national anthem and Welcome to Country are sung and done. Dockers captain Alex Pearce and Cats skipper Patrick Dangerfield have tossed the coin. Hells Bells is ringing out for the top of the grandstand at Optus Stadium. And it’s time to buckle up to see if Fremantle can rise to the occasion against Geelong …</p><p><strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jun/17/from-the-pocket-newsletter-afl-weekly-footy-email-from-jonathan-horn-guardian-australia-sign-up-subscribe">Sign up for our free weekly AFL newsletter – From the Pocket</a></strong></p><p>Nick Watson produced his usual bag of wizardry tricks and James Sicily led a rock-solid defence as Hawthorn ended Fremantle’s perfect home record in brutal fashion with a stunning 32-point qualifying final win in Perth. The Hawks kicked six goals to one in a dominant first half in Thursday night’s clash to set up the 10.12 (72) to 5.10 (40) win and secure a home preliminary final.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/11/afl-finals-live-updates-fremantle-dockers-vs-geelong-cats-semi-final-2026-latest">Continue reading...</a> AFL Fremantle Dockers Geelong Australian rules football Australia sport Sport Fri, 11 Sep 2026 13:23:11 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/11/afl-finals-live-updates-fremantle-dockers-vs-geelong-cats-semi-final-2026-latest Photograph: Richard Wainwright/AAP Photograph: Richard Wainwright/AAP Photograph: Richard Wainwright/AAP Martin Pegan 2026-09-11T13:23:11Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/11/us-open-tennis-2026-mens-semi-final-alexander-zverev-v-karen-khachanov-live <p>Alexander Zverev reached his first grand slam final in a row with a 6-3 7-6 (7) 7-6 (6) victory against Karen Khachanov in New York</p><p><strong>Karen Khachanov emerges from the tunnel first, followed by Alexander Zverev. </strong>Apparently the German was a minute or two late because he needed some extra time in the toilet – we’ve all been there.</p><p><strong>On Arthur Ashe Stadium, a retired servicewoman sings the American national anthem</strong> <strong>before the players come out.</strong> Flags are flying at half mast around the grounds today on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Arthur Ashe was also lit up blue from dusk until dawn this morning.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/11/us-open-tennis-2026-mens-semi-final-alexander-zverev-v-karen-khachanov-live">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 US Open tennis Tennis Sport US sports Alexander Zverev Fri, 11 Sep 2026 23:02:15 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/11/us-open-tennis-2026-mens-semi-final-alexander-zverev-v-karen-khachanov-live Photograph: Frank Franklin II/AP Photograph: Frank Franklin II/AP Photograph: Frank Franklin II/AP Billy Munday 2026-09-11T23:02:15Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/12/alexander-zverev-holds-his-nerve-against-karen-khachanov-to-reach-us-open-final <ul><li><p>Zverev wins 6-3, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (6)</p></li><li><p>German reaches third straight grand slam final</p></li></ul><p>About 107 minutes into men’s semi-final day on Arthur Ashe Stadium, there was finally a touch of tension radiating from the court. After falling down a set and break, his semi-final meeting with his old rival Alexander Zverev swiftly turning into a beating, Karen Khachanov fought hard to force a second-set tie-break. Deep in that tension-filled tie-break, down 5-6 on his serve, Khachanov saved Zverev’s first set point with a bold forehand winner, and then at 6-7 he punctuated a screaming backhand passing shot winner with an imperious roar of his own.</p><p>There was a time when Zverev might have faltered under such pressure, but he has won too many big matches this year to allow such a small surge from a lower-ranked opponent to scare him. Zverev composed himself and he quickly regained control, navigating a second tense tie-break in similar fashion as he moved to within one match of winning a second career grand slam title in his last three major appearances by defeating Khachanov 6-3, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (6).</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/12/alexander-zverev-holds-his-nerve-against-karen-khachanov-to-reach-us-open-final">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Tennis Sport Alexander Zverev US Open tennis US sports Fri, 11 Sep 2026 23:01:51 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/12/alexander-zverev-holds-his-nerve-against-karen-khachanov-to-reach-us-open-final Photograph: Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Photograph: Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Photograph: Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Tumaini Carayol at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-11T23:01:51Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/jakob-ingebrigtsen-soars-to-ultimate-5000m-success-at-new-championships <ul><li><p>Norwegian leaves rival Hocker trailing to claim $150,000</p></li><li><p>Briton Jazmin Sawyers second in the women’s long jump</p></li></ul><p>It is a scene that has become gloriously familiar down the years. Jakob Ingebrigtsen leaving the world’s best athletes gasping in his slipstream, holding one imperious finger in the air, revelling in his athletic genius. But this victory over 5,000m at the inaugural Ultimate Championships carried extra sweetness – and spice.</p><p>The sweetness? That came from winning a mammoth first prize of $150,000 after an achilles injury he feared might derail his career. And the spice? Well, that was provided by the way Ingebrigtsen utterly obliterated his great American rival Cole Hocker, a man he had branded a “coward” just a week ago.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/jakob-ingebrigtsen-soars-to-ultimate-5000m-success-at-new-championships">Continue reading...</a> Athletics Sport US sports Fri, 11 Sep 2026 21:06:01 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/jakob-ingebrigtsen-soars-to-ultimate-5000m-success-at-new-championships Photograph: Tamas Vasvari/EPA Photograph: Tamas Vasvari/EPA Photograph: Tamas Vasvari/EPA Sean Ingle in Budapest 2026-09-11T21:06:01Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/11/solheim-cup-golf-2026-day-one-live <p>Spain’s Carlota Ciganda made an amazing par at 18 to tie her match as day one ended all square after both foursomes and fourballs were tied 2-2</p><p><strong>Europe do indeed escape from their travails on 1 with a half.</strong> Alison Lee leaves her birdie putt short, and Nanna Koertz Madsen tidies up. But the USA strike back on 2, Nelly Korda wedging close with her approach on the par five, and Lottie Woad can’t save the day with her 15-foot right-to-left putt. All square in the opening two matches.</p><p><em>Corpuz/Korda A/S Hull/Woad (2)<br> Koerstz Madsen/Boutier A/S Coughlin/Al. Lee (1)</em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/11/solheim-cup-golf-2026-day-one-live">Continue reading...</a> Solheim Cup Golf Sport US sports Fri, 11 Sep 2026 17:47:40 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/11/solheim-cup-golf-2026-day-one-live Photograph: Naomi Baker/Getty Images Photograph: Naomi Baker/Getty Images Photograph: Naomi Baker/Getty Images David Tindall (fourballs) and Scott Murray (foursomes) 2026-09-11T17:47:40Z