Sports

Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend

Eddie Howe is under pressure, Rayan needs protection at Bournemouth and John Stones returns to Everton with City

Shakhtar Donetsk 1-3 Crystal Palace: Europa Conference League semi-final, first leg

Ed Aarons is our man on the ground, and here’s his report. That’ll be all from me but make sure to join us for the return leg. Selhurst will be bouncing.

Nottingham Forest 1-0 Aston Villa: Europa League semi-final, first leg

“Bogarde is the definition of ‘solidly uninspiring’ which is at least an improvement on his uncle’s ’solidly refusing to do anything’,” bitterly chortles Benjamin Gravestock. “Sancho just never quite looks like sparking. Luiz is maybe two-thirds the player we sold, and Maatsen isn’t an upgrade on Digne. Like a finely-wrought clock, there is something not clicking about Villa at the moment and the return of Tielemans and McGinn is two of the jewels but we’re so reliant on having Onana or Kamara there to keep things ticking. Having said all that, the penalty is a ridiculous one to concede, whether you believe in the handball law or not. I think Villa get to play 30-40 yards further up the pitch at VP and I think we’ll be more comfortable there. Here’s hoping, at least.”

Crystal Palace in driving seat after Strand Larsen punishes Shakhtar Donetsk

Keep this up and Crystal Palace’s European adventure could end in yet another trophy for Oliver Glasner. Four years ago it was Daichi Kamada who scored the winning goal for Glasner’s Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against West Ham and the Japan midfielder again provided the crucial moment here before setting up the substitute Jørgen Strand Larsen to ensure Palace will head into next week’s second leg with a two-goal advantage.

Chris Wood gives Nottingham Forest narrow semi-final edge over Aston Villa

There was a sheepish look on Lucas Digne’s face and for the Portuguese referee, João Pinheiro, it was a case of reviewing whether the ball was out of play and not if the Aston Villa defender had handled inside the box. Even Digne wouldn’t dispute that bit. Digne naively raised both hands, presuming the ball would bounce out of play, but Omari Hutchinson kept the phase alive and Nottingham Forest were presented with a chance to strike the first blow in this Europa League semi-final.

Is this the end for LIV? Where does Saudi withdrawal leave golf and the players?

Can LIV find new backers and what are the options for Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Lee Westwood and others?

Gianni Infantino tells Fifa congress that Iran will play at World Cup in US as planned

Iran’s participation in doubt following US/Israel attacks

Pricey NFL, NBA ownership stakes are pushing investors to smaller leagues and driving valuations higher

Priced out of the NBA and NFL, investors are asking bankers about opportunities to buy minority stakes in teams with lower valuations.

Blockx rocking to beat champion Ruud as Andreeva holds off Baptiste in Madrid

Belgian is fourth lowest-ranked player to reach last four

MLS commissioner’s X account called British Columbia premier a ‘liar’ in deleted post

Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber said his X account was “compromised” on Wednesday evening, a statement offered after a post on his account called British Columbia Premier David Eby a “liar” earlier in the day.

Higgins hits back to level up tight world snooker semi-final clash with Murphy

Scot battles back to 4-4 from 3-1 in opening session

Lindsey Vonn remains unsure of future after Olympic crash: ‘I’m still in survival mode’

American nearly lost leg after crash at Winter Games