Sports

PDC world darts: Van Veen dumps Humphries out as Littler wins over crowd

For the third time in this match, Gian van Veen is lining up the bull finish for a 170. This time, though, he steps away from the oche, and as the noise builds and swells around him, as the applause hardens into a tribal rhythm, he smiles. And in that moment, with millions of pairs of eyes on him, with glory within his grasp, he just knows. Knows that after all the years of hope and toil, of dreams and dismay, his moment is here at last.

Confused England not helping Jacob Bethell to flourish on bewildering Ashes tour

Batter has been thrown in at the deep end at No 3 and if the selectors have faith in a young player they should be doing everything to help them succeed

Tom Cairney earns Fulham a point at Crystal Palace with late leveller

It is a strange quirk of this fixture that the away side has not lost for the last 10 Premier League meetings between Crystal Palace and Fulham, with the substitute Tom Cairney’s late equaliser ensuring that streak goes on.

Obdurate Leeds keep toiling Liverpool at arm’s length to earn point

Two unbeaten records were maintained at Anfield but only one team took satisfaction along with their point. Leeds succeeded in stifling and frustrating Liverpool as the first goalless draw of Arne Slot’s reign underlined the limitations that linger behind the Premier League champions’ recent recovery.

Enzo Maresca forgot Chelsea’s golden rule: the manager does not call the shots

Coach stopped toeing the line at Stamford Bridge with one eye on the Manchester City job, frustrating his employers

Young, articulate, ambitious: why Liam Rosenior is in the frame to be Chelsea’s next manager

He holds Wayne Rooney as a key influence, but are stints at Derby, Hull and Strasbourg enough preparation for the hot seat at Stamford Bridge?

Gary Anderson and Ryan Searle show class and surge into world darts semis

Scot chasing third world title, 10 years after last triumph

A timeline of Enzo Maresca at Chelsea: his highs and lows with the Blues

As the Italian departs Chelsea, here’s a look at how his 18-month tenure at Stamford Bridge unfolded

Gabon ditch Aubameyang and suspend national team after ‘disgraceful’ Afcon

Gabon’s government has announced the suspension of the national football team, the sacking of their coach and the kicking of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of the squad after three defeats at the Africa Cup of Nations finals.

From Sehitler to Armstrong: 10 female footballers set for breakthrough in 2026

Today’s newsletter looks at 10 superlative talents who are ready to take the next step in the coming 12 months

Our 2026 listening resolutions: from Radiohead to Kendrick Lamar, critics try to get into music they’ve never liked

Streaming’s algorithms make it easy to avoid whole discographies – so in the interest of deeper listening, our writers dedicate time to the ones who might have got away

What I have learned from watching all 20 Premier League teams this season

Set pieces on the rise, fans transformed to customers and conspiracies seen in every decision – is football losing its fun?