Talking Horses: Royal Ascot may need to embrace change in troubled times The event is adding a seventh race to its daily card but with racing’s future so uncertain, more ambition would be welcomeThere might be a crusty traditionalist or two who will see the permanent addition of a seventh race to the Royal Ascot daily card as a sign of the end times for the Turf. The fact that all five of the races that will now become fixtures on the schedule are handicaps could also prompt a few complaints that the bookmakers will be the biggest supporters of the move.The point on which everyone should focus above all, however, is that racing is now two months away from an entire year with 99.5% of its meetings behind closed doors, with no more than 2,500 spectators per day at any of the handful of racecourses where paying punters actually made it past the door. Continue reading...

Australia v India: fourth Test, day five – live! Updates from the Aus vs Ind series decider at the GabbaHave your say via email or tweet @GeoffLemonSport 11.56pm GMT 8th over: India 18-0 (Rohit 7, Gill 11) Rohit squirts away a single from Hazlewood via an inside edge, leaving Gill to face five balls. No trouble. The last of them Gill greets with such a textbook defensive stride that he holds the pose for a good 10 seconds to soak in the feeling. Mwah. 11.54pm GMT 7th over: India 17-0 (Rohit 6, Gill 11) Every over with the new ball that goes by without a wicket is a minor victory for India. Cummins makes Gill play at every ball of his over. Five of them get defended, one beats the edge going a long way off the surface. There’s that wildcard factor. There will be deliveries through the day that misbehave. So it probably is in India’s interest to unsettle the Australians by continuing to score at a good clip in between times. Continue reading...

David Alaba agrees to join Real Madrid on four-year contract this summer Defender turns down approaches from Liverpool and PSGMario Mandzukic set to return to Europe with MilanDavid Alaba has reached an agreement to join Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer, bringing to an end an 13-year spell at Bayern Munich. The defender will sign a four-year deal with the Spanish champions in the next few weeks.The Austrian’s dream has always been to play for Real Madrid and he will go there having turned down approaches from, among others, Liverpool and PSG. Bayern have made three separate contract extension offers but the player had made his mind up and wanted a new challenge. Continue reading...

Emile Smith Rowe leaves Gary Neville making Arsenal Invincibles claim The Arsenal academy graduate put in another impressive display as Mikel Arteta's side put Newcastle United to the sword, winning 3-0 at The Emirates to move into the top half

Aubameyang's hat-trick hopes ended by toilet break in Arsenal win over Newcastle Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was back among the goals for Arsenal on Monday night as the Gunners made light work of Newcastle with a 3-0 triumph at the Emirates Stadium

Chelsea's forwards not yet at level of Hazard and Costa, warns Lampard Manager says tough times ahead as youngsters lack consistencyDanny Drinkwater completes loan move to Turkey’s KasimpasaFrank Lampard has warned there could be tough times ahead for Chelsea in attack, saying that his young forwards remain unable to replicate the consistency of Diego Costa and Eden Hazard.Although Chelsea returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Fulham on Saturday, they lacked creativity despite playing the entire second half against 10 men. Mason Mount’s winner arrived late and there was time for Timo Werner to miss a fine chance, extending the £47m forward’s goalless run in the Premier League to 10 games. Continue reading...

Mesut who? Partey & Smith Rowe prove there’s life in Arsenal’s midfield yet as Gunners down Newcastle Auba at the doubleMikel Arteta’s men returned to action a short time ago, in a Premier League meeting with the Magpies in north London.The Gunners of course headed into proceedings in search of a bounce-back result, having seen a 4-game win streak brought to an end in disappointing fashion by Crystal Palace last time out.As […]

Premier League predictions: Lawro v Cassia bassist and Man City fan Lou Cotterill Mark Lawrenson takes on Cassia bassist and Manchester City fan Lou Cotterill to make predictions for this week's Premier League fixtures.

Nick Kyrgios calls Djokovic 'a tool' over Covid demands before Australian Open Djokovic has called for easing of quarantine restrictions‘No special treatment’ for players, says Victorian PremierNick Kyrgios has joined the former Davis Cup player Sam Groth in criticising Novak Djokovic after the world No 1 reportedly wrote to Australian Open organisers asking them to ease quarantine restrictions for players. Related: Some Victorians in Sydney allowed to return home as Daniel Andrews rejects tennis players' demands Continue reading...

Arsenal 3-0 Newcastle: Premier League – live! Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice either side of a Bukayo Saka goal as Arsenal eased to victory over Newcastle 9.55pm GMT It helps when the opposition do not shoot.5 - Arsenal have kept five consecutive clean sheets in all competitions for the first time since February 2009 (6 in total in that run). Assured. #ARSNEW pic.twitter.com/cpeKsoSh75 9.54pm GMT My grandad was from Byker, so I am angry on his behalf. Continue reading...

Arsenal 3-0 Newcastle: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka score for the Gunners Arsenal beat Newcastle to move into the top 10 of the Premier League and increase the pressure on Magpies boss Steve Bruce.

5 talking points as Arsenal beat Newcastle to go into the top half Second half goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Bukayo Saka and then Aubameyang again saw the Gunners ease past the Magpies to win for the fourth time in five league games

Morgan Sanson: Aston Villa begin talks to sign Marseille midfielder Aston Villa begin talks with Marseille over a deal for Marseille's former France Under-21 midfielder Morgan Sanson.

Jack Grealish gives Aston Villa boost for Man City after club's Covid crisis EXCLUSIVE: Aston Villa skipper Grealish is desperate to light up the Premier League again after his self isolation ended with the Villans due to head to the Etihad to face Pep Guardiola's in-form side on Wednesday night

What's next for Ozil's No.10 shirt at Arsenal after Lacazette promise Mesut Ozil announced his move to Fenerbache on Sunday night, prompting a scramble for the World Cup winner's historic No.10 shirt at Arsenal