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Nottingham Forest seek to overturn a one-goal Europa League deficit against a familiar foe who were early champions of the set piece“I like a bit of chaos and structure both on and off the pitch,” says Midtjylland’s technical director, Kristian Kjær. “Getting the right mix is most important.” Perfecting this balance has enabled the Danish side to thrive in Europe, powered by a global recruitment model and innovation.Nottingham Forest travel to the MCH Arena on Thursday seeking to overturn a one-goal deficit from the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie, having also lost to Midtjylland in the group stage this season. This is the furthest the Danish club, founded in 1999, have progressed in Europe. “It must have been insane to be starting the club [just over] 25 years ago and then see where we are today,” says Kjær. “What a ride.” Continue reading...

Three years ago Luvo Manyonga knew he must change his life or die. In Poland this week, the former world champion makes an extraordinary return to athletics’ top tableSprawled prone in the dirt, the cold metal of a baseball bat cracking against his skull, spine and down to the legs that had once propelled him to glory, Luvo Manyonga experienced an epiphany. This existence could not continue; he must change his life or die.Manyonga had been a drug addict for as long as he could remember, seeking recreational highs that provided the opposite of the performance-enhancing shortcuts that some of his deceitful athletics rivals might have pursued. Continue reading...

Sacked managers and released players gain protectionEmployment Rights Act changes happen in JanuaryPremier League and EFL clubs will be more vulnerable to unfair dismissal claims from sacked managers and released players from next year after changes to employment law. Under the Employment Rights Act (ERA), which comes into effect on 1 January, employees will gain protection from unfair dismissal after six months rather than two years of service.In another significant change, the cap on compensation awards at employment tribunals of £118,223 will be removed, giving dismissed managers and players a far greater incentive to bring a claim. Continue reading...

Hoskins, who was an Olympic cyclist like Dennis, was struck by his car in 2023. His return to Instagram included picture with caption ‘an absolute weapon’The Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis, who 10 months ago was given a 17-month suspended sentence after his car fatally struck his wife, has returned to social media with a post describing a Porsche as an “absolute weapon”.Melissa Hoskins, an acclaimed world and Olympic cyclist, died when she was struck by a car driven by her husband near their home at Medindie, in Adelaide’s inner north, in December 2023. Continue reading...

All but two of party complete long journey back to IranWelcome ceremony planned for ‘children of the homeland’ The Iranian women’s football team, whose plight has become embroiled in the Middle East war, have returned to Iran where they were promised a welcome ceremony in Tehran.Seven members of the delegation had sought asylum in Australia last week after their decision not to sing the national anthem before their opening game at the Women’s Asian Cup. Continue reading...

Teenager scores winner against Brighton on full debutUnited lose ground in title race after draw with West HamChelsea leapt above Manchester United to go second in the Women’s Super League as the teenager Lexi Potter scored the winner against Brighton on her first senior start.The defending champions beat United in the League Cup final on Sunday and rubbed salt into the wounds by nipping a point ahead of them with a 2-1 victory at Kingsmeadow. Continue reading...

There has been the feeling at too many points of this traumatic season for Tottenham that they only play when the result is beyond them. This Champions League last-16 tie looked that way when Atlético Madrid went 4-0 up after 22 minutes of the first leg last Tuesday and nobody gave Spurs a prayer of overturning the final scoreline from the Metropolitano of 5-2.They played here. It was a strange evening because there were times when the hope did crackle. Spurs had massive chances for a two-goal lead on the night. Mathys Tel at 1-0 towards the end of the first half; Pedro Porro at 2-1 on the hour. There was another in stoppage time for Randal Kolo Muani at 3-2. It was surely too late by then. All of them went begging. Continue reading...

A warm spring evening at Anfield, with a comeback required to salvage a European tie and perhaps a season, and Liverpool delivered once more.Arne Slot might have done many things wrong this season but losing that feature of Liverpool’s identity can not be added to the list following an emphatic victory over Galatasaray. Liverpool will meet holders Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter finals of the Champions League, in a repeat of the last 16 tie that Slot often reminisces about from last season, thanks to a performance of intensity and incisiveness against sorry visitors from Turkey. Continue reading...

Club owner Marinakis has made it clear relegation is unacceptableManager will rest players against Midtjylland ahead of TottenhamVitor Pereira has conceded it is a “pity” Nottingham Forest feel compelled to prioritise the Premier League over the Europa League, with the head coach saying the owner, Evangelos Marinakis, has stressed that domestic survival is king.The fiercely ambitious Marinakis targeted European silverware after the club returned to continental competition for the first time since 1995-96, but though Forest are attempting to overturn a first-leg deficit in the last-16 against Midtjylland, there is an acceptance that relegation to the Championship would be a disaster. Continue reading...

The British No 1 has made changes to both his racket and his serve, and reaped the rewards by beating Novak DjokovicTwo and a half hours into one of the most unforgettable battles of his career, Jack Draper resolved to attack without hesitation, regardless of the outcome. On two pivotal points in his Indian Wells fourth-round match against Novak Djokovic, at 4-4 in the tie-break and then on match point at 6-5, Draper forced himself inside the baseline and unleashed two backhands, those shots driving him to victory.It would have been understandable for Draper to have played passive tennis in those decisive moments. Not only did Indian Wells mark his second ATP tournament back after sustaining a bone bruise to his left arm that forced him off the tour for seven months, the injury has forced him to make dramatic changes to his game. Continue reading...