Sport

Shea Charles stuns Arsenal to send Southampton into FA Cup semis
Posted on Saturday April 04, 2026

The talk of a quadruple always felt fanciful, quashed by defeat at Wembley a fortnight ago, and now, after being humbled by second-tier Southampton, suddenly Arsenal are left fighting on just the two fronts.

A late Shea Charles strike earned their fearless Championship opponents, transformed by Tonda Eckert from relegation candidates into prime promotion hopefuls within six months, a ticket to play under the arch in the FA Cup semi-finals at the end of this month.

Arne Slot’s shot at redemption fades away after showreel of embarrassments | Andy Hunter
Posted on Saturday April 04, 2026

Spotlight intensifies on Liverpool’s coach, but what of a group of players who in effect surrendered against Manchester City?

Budapest or bust it is, then, for Liverpool’s hopes of silverware this season and quite possibly Arne Slot’s prospects of remaining in his job, although thoughts of this team reaching a Champions League final appear ludicrous in light of their gutless exit from the FA Cup.

A pity whistle on 90.04 from the referee, Michael Oliver, sounded an appropriate death knell for a pitiful performance by the fading Premier League champions. So much for a shot at redemption for Liverpool and Slot as a defining period of five matches in 16 days commenced in humiliating fashion.

Deontay Wilder beats battling Derek Chisora as epic bout goes the distance
Posted on Saturday April 04, 2026

Wilder wins heavyweight contest on split decision
British boxer earns hero’s reception in final fight

Deontay Wilder consigned the British heavyweight Derek Chisora to defeat in his final bout but only after an exhilarating fight-of-the-year contender at a raucous O₂ Arena. In the 50th bout of Chisora’s eventful professional career, Del Boy showed remarkable powers of recovery to come back from a punishing eighth round and take the former WBC champion the distance in south-east London.

After the American showed early on the power that once made him one of the most formidable punchers in heavyweight history, Chisora’s farewell threatened to turned into a nightmare during a one-sided start.

Henry Arundell inspires Bath to come-from-behind win over Saracens
Posted on Saturday April 04, 2026

Champions Cup last 16: Bath 31-22 Saracens
Second-half turnaround sends Bath through to quarters

Henry Arundell’s two tries helped Bath to a tight victory over Saracens as they squeezed their way into the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup. The English champions trailed 10-0 at the break against a Sarries side unrecognisable from the one crushed here in the Prem, but the introduction of their heavyweight bench, with Thomas du Toit to the fore and man of the match, turned the contest.

The game, in which the referee, Nika Amashukeli, was replaced at half-time for Ben Connor after coming off second-best in a collision with the Bath back-row Josh Bayliss, went down to the wire and a late try from Noah Caluori set up a nervy finish. But Arundell’s second with the final play settled the outcome for a relieved Bath and booked a last-eight tie at home to Northampton on Friday night.

Oxford women and Cambridge men seal Boat Race triumphs in choppy waters
Posted on Saturday April 04, 2026

Dark-blue women end eight years of rivals’ dominance
Light-blue crew power to four-length win in men’s race

Oxford’s women ended eight years of Cambridge dominance in their Boat Race with a sensational performance led by the Olympic medallist Heidi Long, while Cambridge overpowered their dark-blue rivals in the men’s race after a fiercely contested opening for a fourth consecutive win.

On a windy and largely overcast day in London, Oxford’s women forged a lead as soon as the first race of the day sped away from Putney and led by about six seconds at Hammersmith Bridge. Tens of thousands of fans cheered the boats on from the riverside, lining the 6.8km course all the way.

Jorrel Hato kills Port Vale’s FA Cup dream in 64 seconds as Chelsea hit seven
Posted on Saturday April 04, 2026

It will take more than a thumping FA Cup quarter-final victory over the worst team in League One to ignite Chelsea’s season as it enters the defining stretch. This was, at least, a step in the right direction. Or perhaps it was just good for the club to avoid any further chaos.

The occasion was framed by Liam Rosenior’s decision to ban his vice-captain, Enzo Fernández, for the game and Chelsea’s next one, which is here against Manchester City in the Premier League next Sunday. The manager felt he had to act after Fernández’s none-too-subtle message to Real Madrid during the international break. Basically, he is bang up for joining them.

County cricket day two: Anderson rolls back the years with five-fer for Lancashire
Posted on Saturday April 04, 2026

The Lancashire seamer’s victims included James Sales, 21 years after Anderson had dismissed his dad, David

Again apologies that things are slow this morning, the wifi keeps dropping in and out and the hotspot on my phone is also being disobedient. Here, quickly, before it drops again, Ollie Robinson has sent nightwatchman Scriven on his way, before taking himself off. Weatherald and Holland drop anchor.

With an hour gone, let’s trot round the grounds.