How to rally Tottenham after the Eberechi Eze farrago: turn up at Manchester City and mastermind a dominant 2-0 triumph that takes your side to the top of the Premier League – for a few hours at least.
By doing so Thomas Frank issued a fine calling card regarding his professionalism, and suggested his Spurs project will be as strategic as Ange Postecoglou’s was gung-ho. Witnessing how the visitors caused Pep Guardiola’s men headaches caused one wag to question if Eze might change his mind (again) about which club to join.
Spurs missed a number of chances but were far more cutthroat than their hosts, as Brennan Johnson and João Palhinha’s first-half goals took the points back to north London.
Two illustrations: towards the end, Jérémy Doku wriggled through and found his fellow substitute Phil Foden but Micky van de Ven chopped the ball away; moments after, Bernardo Silva headed on to the roof of the net.
City were just not allowed to enjoy any rhythm. Instead they were a discordant bunch who kept finding a Spurs player rushing up to undermine their composure.
“Good vibes” was Guardiola’s description of the mood as City hoped to banish the spectre of last November’s 4-0 humiliation here by Spurs, though an ill augury came in a Rico Lewis-James Trafford mix-up. Hesitation between the right-back and the new goalkeeper, preferred to Ederson, allowed Richarlison to pounce. While City escaped, Trafford’s performance was one to watch.
João Palhinha is congratulated after making it 2-0 to Spurs just before half-time, the Portuguese midfielder’s first goal for the club. Photograph: Clive Mason/Getty Images
OmarMarmoush fashioned an opening when Erling Haaland lit up the contest with a bulldozing run that splayed those in black. After a lucky ricochet when challenged, the centre-forward slipped in the Egyptian: he took a glance and unloaded but Guglielmo Vicario repelled the shot.
Guardiola always enthuses about Frank’s managerial smarts and 35 minutes in the Dane showed how he already has Spurs drilled. Along the right Mohammed Kudus outfoxed Rúben Dias and put Richarlison through. The Brazilian ran forward, squared for Johnson and the forward beat Trafford: the shot was close to the keeper but was hit hard so he may claim mitigation if Guardiola scolds him about it.
The flag went up but the semi-automatic offside technology showed Richarlison had been onside. The goal stood, and Spurs’ celebrations were soon to double.
Now, Trafford’s shakiness came home to roost. The keeper dawdled when playing out, finally plumping for Nico González. The midfielder did not want it delivered close to his penalty spot anyway but Trafford passed only to Pape Matar Sarr and the ball went to Richarlison. He tried to shoot and failed, though the excellent Palhinha did, driving the ball home on his full debut.
City were a mess and Guardiola’s decision to choose Trafford over Ederson cast as quaint, however the Brazilian views his future (he may leave for Galatasaray) – he is still an employee, after all.
The disarray of those in blue was summed up by two moments at the other end. Attack is supposed to be their forte. But first Rayan Cherki aped a pub footballer by hitting the first defender from a corner; then Haaland headed the same player’s delivery to the heavens with Vicario’s goal gaping.
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City’s backline had been disrupted by the 23rd-minute injury to Rayan Aït-Nouri but he was replaced by Nathan Aké, a treble-winner, so this offered no excuse for a first-half horror show.
The next time Trafford took control with Spurs at close quarters he coolly launched a 50-yard pass for Marmoush, but the wideman slipped and Guardiola spun away in disgust. The reaction showed how bitty his side’s patterns were. At play in Spurs’ ascendancy was City’s greater ball share (60-40) not transmitting into the relentless pass and move of their finest years.
Pep Guardiola shows his frustration as his side slip to a worrying defeat. Photograph: Darren Staples/AFP/Getty Images
Instead of fluency, Guardiola’s men hoped to prosper on scraps and moments. One came when Vicario did an unwitting impression of Trafford: the keeper passed sideways to Van de Ven, who must have cursed the Italian as he had Oscar Bobb for company. The Norwegian pilfered possession and tapped to Haaland, who passed to Cherki; at close range the Frenchman went to pull the trigger but Palhinha, Spurs’ star act, snuffed out the danger.
Guardiola began the day with no Foden, Rodri, Silva, Doku and Ederson (all substitutes), or Manuel Akanji (left out completely for tactical reasons), yet could still field Haaland, Cherki, Marmoush, Tijjani Reijnders and Bobb.
By the 54th minute Cherki and Marmoush were hooked – for Silva and Doku – and still City were amateurish. For example, at a corner the ball popped up sweetly for Lewis to let fly from outside the area – he did, into the gods.
In the 74th minute Foden and Rodri wandered on – the Spaniard for his first action since being injured in City’s 4-3 defeat against Al-Hilal at the Club World Cup in early July. Instantly, Rodri leaped to meet a corner but headed the ball into Vicario’s gloves.
Burnley got their Premier League campaign up and running with a 2-0 win over Sunderland at Turf Moor.
Second-half goals from Josh Cullen and Jaidon Anthony gave the Clarets their first points back in the big time and edge the battle of the promoted teams.
Cullen slotted home just 98 seconds after the restart and Anthony bagged a breakaway goal in the final five minutes.
Burnley finished 24 points ahead of Sunderland in the Championship last season but the margin between the two teams looks set to be much closer this time around, so this could be a big win.
Boss Scott Parker celebrated his first Premier League win in almost three years and will be pleased his side were able to get on the board so early as they look to avoid an instant return to the second tier.
Burnley got their first points of the Premier League season against fellow newboys Sunderland.
Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Sunderland were brought back down to earth after a memorable Premier League return last weekend against West Ham and they could see this as a missed opportunity after wasting some early chances.
They had looked to pick up where they left off against the Hammers and should have scored inside four minutes as Dan Ballard’s header from a set-piece was perfect for Reinildo Mandava to turn in at the far post but he shot straight at a grateful Martin Dúbravka.
The visitors had another good chance when Chemsdine Talbi was played in by Simon Adingra but he clipped wide.
It was Burnley who had the ball in the back of the net in the 19th minute when Lyle Foster crashed home but the celebrations were short-lived after referee Michael Salisbury adjudged the striker to have fouled Jenson Seelt.
Goalmouth action dried up significantly for the rest of the first half but Burnley did take the lead just 98 seconds after the restart.
Anthony’s clever flick opened things up for Cullen and he stroked a 16-yard effort into the bottom corner.
Cullen’s effort lit up Turf Moor but it was another light show shortly after which disrupted play as the floodlights began flashing in random patterns, causing a four-minute delay.
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Sunderland threw bodies forward in an attempt to get something out of the game but they failed to test Dubravka.
And it left them exposed as Burnley killed the game in the 88th minute, with Anthony racing clear from Cullen’s brilliant through ball, rounding Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs and slamming into an empty net.
It was almost three as Loum Tchaouna grazed the post with a late effort, but Burnley’s work was done.
There may be no NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver more desperate for a victory than Josef Newgarden. On Saturday at the Milwaukee Mile, he made a good start toward that goal.
Two-time series champion Newgarden (photo, above) led the opening practice for the Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 with a top lap of 161.066 mph in the No. 2 Snap-on Team Penske Chevrolet. Newgarden, who has won at least two races per season since he joined Team Penske in 2017, last won a series race Aug. 17, 2024, at World Wide Technology Raceway.
SEE: Practice Results
“It feels good,” Newgarden said. “You’re just trying to analyze everything (in a) very compact (time). That’s INDYCAR – you hope you’re in the ballpark right away. Our car feels great.”
Newgarden will aim for his second pole of the season in NTT P1 Award qualifying at 2 p.m. ET today (FS1, FOX One, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network). The last time he raced at this historic, 1.015-mile oval, Newgarden crashed out on the first lap.
“I think I made it 50 feet last year in the Snap-on car, so I’d like to go a little further this year in race conditions,” Newgarden said. “The team seems ready to rock.”
Newly crowned series champion Alex Palou was second at 160.544 in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda as he seeks his third oval victory and ninth victory overall in the race at 2 p.m. ET Sunday (FOX, FOX One, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network). Palou clinched his third consecutive series title and fourth overall Aug. 10 after finishing third at Portland International Raceway.
Conor Daly (photo, above) ended up a solid third at 160.436 in the No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet, creating a solid foundation for the weekend as he seeks his first career victory. Rinus VeeKay was fourth at 160.260 in the No. 18 askROI Honda of Dale Coyne Racing.
Marcus Ericsson, another driver in a long drought, rounded out the top five at 160.086 in the No. 28 Andretti INDYCAR Honda. Ericsson’s last victory came in the 2023 season opener at St. Petersburg.
Team Penske, which finally claimed its first win of the season Aug. 10 at Portland, placed three drivers in the top 11. Besides Newgarden atop the leader board, 2024 Milwaukee winner Scott McLaughlin was seventh in the No. 3 Sonsio Vehicle Protection Chevrolet, while 2025 Portland winner Will Power was 11th in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday made it clear that Pakistan will maintain sporting ties with India on equal terms, saying the days of “imploring for talks” are over.
India’s sports ministry recently announced a policy cutting off bilateral ties with Pakistan in all sports, even at neutral venues. However, it remained silent on multilateral tournaments, leaving cricket fans anticipating a high-voltage Pakistan-India clash in the upcoming Asia Cup.
Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Naqvi said Pakistan would not plead with India for dialogue, stressing that any future engagement must be based on equality.
Also Read: Irfan eyes Top End T20 Series trophy
He expressed hope that the national team would perform well in the Asia Cup, adding that new talent was being brought in to strengthen the side. “I have no involvement in adding or removing anyone from the team, nor do I have any role in the selection committee,” he clarified.
Naqvi further said the advisory committee and the selection committee were fully authorized to make decisions, including the appointment of the ODI captain.
India froze all bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan following the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based militants.
Since then, cricket has borne the brunt of the diplomatic fallout, with the two sides only meeting in multinational tournaments at neutral venues. The last Test series between the arch-rivals was played in 2007.
Read: Trump says 2026 World Cup draw set for December in Washington
Earlier this year, India declined to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy, prompting organisers to shift the final — which included India — to Dubai.
In a reciprocal move, Pakistan has now decided not to send its women’s cricket team to India for the upcoming 50-over World Cup later this year, as well as the 2026 T20 World Cup. Pakistan will instead play its matches in Sri Lanka, officials confirmed.
While other sports have seen limited engagement, Pakistan’s hockey team toured India for the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy, where they finished fifth out of six teams.
Southern Brave booked their spot in the women’s Hundred final after beating London Spirit by eight wickets at Lord’s for their seventh win in as many matches this season.
Brave coasted to their target of 126 with six balls remaining as Laura Wolvaardt (56no off 40 balls) and Maia Bouchier (43 off 34) stitched a stand of 95 from 62 deliveries after the early exit of Dani Wyatt-Hodge (8), who was trapped lbw by Issy Wong (2-34).
Cordelia Griffith (44 off 34) and Charli Knott (36 off 26) shared a partnership of 67 from 41 balls for Spirit but the home side then lost five wickets for 22 runs at the back end of their innings, including two run outs, as Brave spinner Mady Villiers recorded figures of 3-38.
Score summary – Southern Brave beat London Spirit by eight wickets
London Spirit 125-8 from 100 balls: Cordelia Griffith (44 off 34 balls), Charli Knott (36 off 26); Mady Villiers (3-28 from 20 balls), Chloe Tryon (1-8 from 10 balls)
Southern Brave 126-2 from 94 balls: Laura Wolvaardt (56no off 40 balls), Maia Bouchier (43 off 34); (Issy Wong (2-34 from 20 balls)
Brave reached the first three Hundred finals, losing to Oval Invincibles in 2021 and 2022 before finally landing the title in 2023 when they beat Northern Superchargers.
The Southampton-based side finished bottom off the table last year after winning just one match but have bounced back in style this term with seamer Lauren Bell topping the wicket-taking charts with 15 scalps.
Image: Brave spinner Mady Villiers took three wickets against London Spirit
Defending champions Spirit can still qualify for the eliminator but will probably need to win their final league fixture, at home to the already-eliminated Oval Invincibles on Monday, to stand a chance.
Davidson-Richards stars after England snub as Invincibles eliminated
Alice Davidson-Richards and Kate Cross impressed after being left out of England’s Cricket World Cup squad as Northern Superchargers knocked two-time champions Invincibles out of play-off contention.
Image: Alice Davidson-Richards struck nine fours in her 50 from 32 balls for Northern Superchargers against Oval Invincibles
Davidson-Richards hit 50 from 32 balls, including nine fours, as the hosts reached their target of 126 with five deliveries to spare at Headingley for a seven-wicket victory and fifth win in seven games.
Cross – who described her World Cup omission as “savage” – had earlier taken 2-16 and a smart catch in the deep to help limit Invincibles to 125-6.
Oval Invincibles 125-6 from 100 balls: Lauren Winfield-Hill (37 off 30 balls), Meg Lanning (21 off 25); Kate Cross (2-16 from 20 balls), Annabel Sutherland (2-26 from 20 balls)
Northern Superchargers 127-3 from 95 balls: Alice Davidson-Richards (50 off 32 balls), Phoebe Litchfield (29 off 21); Phoebe Franklin (1-10 from 15 balls), Amanda-Jade Wellington (1-19 from 20)
Superchargers are now up to 20 points and will secure a top-three finish by winning their final group game against Manchester Originals on Tuesday, although they could still advance with a defeat such is their strong net run-rate.
But Invincibles remain on eight points after a fifth defeat in seven and are now unable to reach the knockout stages.
Skipper Lauren Winfield-Hill (35 off 40) top-scored for Invincibles, while Australian trio Phoebe Litchfield (29 off 21), Annabel Sutherland (17no off 16) and Nicola Carey (25no) shone for Superchargers in the run chase.
Image: Phoebe Litchfield helped Superchargers to a seven-wicket win at Headingley
How do matches work?
One hundred balls a side, the team with the most runs wins. It is as simple as that.
Five bowlers can bowl up to 20 balls in an innings, including five or 10 in a row.
The traditional six-ball overs seen in other forms of cricket are not used in The Hundred, with 10 balls bowled before a change of ends.
The powerplay is for the first 25 balls of an innings, with only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle.
A 25-ball-a-side game is the minimum length that can be played in the event of wet weather.
What’s next?
Sunday is a four-match day in The Hundred, with Welsh Fire taking on Trent Rockets in Cardiff (women’s match at 11am, men’s at 2.30pm), plus Manchester Originals vs Birmingham Phoenix at Emirates Old Trafford (women’s match at 2.30pm, men’s at 6pm).
Watch every match across the women’s and men’s competitions in The Hundred live on Sky Sports from August 5-31.
Venus Williams’ comeback tour brings her back to the hallowed grounds of the 2025 US Open, for the women’s singles event (24 August-7 September).
The USA tennis legend returns to her treasured home Grand Slam, after weeks of preparation on the U.S. hard court swing at WTA tournaments in Washington D.C. and Cincinnati.
Having made her Flushing Meadows debut back in 1997, 45-year-old Williams is set for a record-extending 25th US Open singles appearance. She began her 2025 campaign here in the mixed doubles championship earlier in the week, exiting in the first round alongside Reily Opelka.
The four-time Olympic champion has won the title twice in 2000 and 2001, while lifting the doubles trophy alongside sister Serena Williams in 1999 and 2009.
Entering the women’s singles competition as a wildcard, Williams begins her singles campaign against the Czech 11th seed Karolína Muchová, who has reached the semi-finals of the US Open the past two years.
With her first-round match, the Compton native will become the tournament’s oldest singles player in 44 years. The joint-most decorated US Open competitor in the women’s draw, what can Venus produce at Flushing Meadows?
Find out the key details of when and how to watch Williams wherever you are in the world.
