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Indian Premier League Lucknow Super Giants 163-5 (20 overs): Stoinis 58 (43), Rahul 33 (31), Pooran 32 (22); Yadav 2-22, Nalkande 2-21 Gujarat Titans 130 all out (18.5 overs): Sudharsan 31 (23), Tewatia 30 (25); Thakur 5-30, Pandya 3-11 Scorecard Indian seam bowler Yash Thakur took the first five-wicket haul of this year's Indian Premier League as the Lucknow Super Giants beat the Gujarat Titans. Thakur claimed 5-30 as the hosts bowled out Gujarat to claim a 33-run win in the 21st match of the 2024 season. The 25-year-old, who is yet to play an international, took two wickets in the 19th over to seal Lucknow's third win from four games this season. Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis hit 58 to guide Lucknow to 163-5. Earlier on Sunday, Romario Shepherd smashed 32 runs off the 20th over to help the Mumbai Indians to their first win of the season - by 29 runs against the Delhi Capitals. The West Indies all-rounder hit a 10-ball 39 in an unbeaten stand of 53 with Tim David (45) as the hosts reached 234-5, before Gerald Coetzee took 4-34 to help restrict Delhi to 205-8. IPL 2024 table, top run-scorers and wicket-takers FULL STORY

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff painted a bleak but realistic picture of the Formula 1 season after the Japanese Grand Prix. "No-one is going to catch Max this year," he said, following Max Verstappen's success at Suzuka. "His driving and the car are just spectacular. You can see it by the way he manages the tyres. This season is [about] best of the rest. That is the fight that is on." It was not exactly news. Verstappen's win on Sunday was exactly what was expected, and exactly what he achieved in two of the three races preceding it. And may well have done in the other had a brake problem not eased a path to victory for Ferrari's Carlos Sainz in Australia two weeks before. Still, for a person with pretensions of being a rival for Red Bull, Wolff's was a pretty bleak assessment after the fourth race, getting on for the quarter-way point of the championship. Most of Verstappen's rivals expected this season to be like this, if perhaps not quite to such an extent. After all, the Dutchman and Red Bull have dominated F1 since about the halfway point of the 2022 season, when a brief challenge from Ferrari at the start of a new regulation set finally expired in a bonfire of strategy errors and reliability failings. How Japanese Grand Prix unfolded Verstappen wins in Japan after crash delay 'Maybe other teams can win at some tracks' Verstappen went into this season on the back of the most dominant year in F1 history. It simply doesn't happen in F1 that one team and driver have such an advantage one year and don't retain at least some form of edge into the following one as well. So predictions of a close season were thin on the ground over the winter. FULL STORY

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) says it is "considering multiple proposals" to host the event in 2026, amid continued uncertainty over its long-term future. Last week, Singapore joined Malaysia in ruling out a bid, after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew as the original host in July because of rising costs. However, in its first public statement since the news, the CGF said "significant progress had been made", and it was "excited by the early concepts, which aim to reset and reframe the Games". It claimed it was working with a number of Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) over "further detailed assessments", with an aim to announce a host in May. It did not identify which countries were involved, saying the CGAs had asked to keep the proposals confidential. "The CGF continues to accelerate work to refresh the Games… including exploring innovative new concepts," it said. "Importantly, we have been focusing on how we can transform the Games to a collaborative and truly sustainable model, minimising costs and reducing its environmental footprint, whilst increasing social impact." Uncertainty remains after Birmingham 2022 'mistake' Last month, Malaysia rejected an offer to step in and host the 2026 Games, despite being offered £100m by the CGF as supporting funds, with its sports ministry claiming it would not cover the overall cost of staging the event. FULL STORY

Jurgen Klopp has warned Manchester United they will get beaten by Arsenal next month if they play like they did against his Liverpool side. Klopp urged Liverpool to "stay calm" after losing the Premier League leadership this weekend, drawing 2-2 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday. United could yet help Klopp's side, as they host Arsenal - the new leaders - on the season's penultimate weekend. However, Klopp fears United need to up their game if they are to halt Mikel Arteta's side. "Probably," said the Liverpool boss, when asked if he would be cheering for United on 11 May. "If we are still around then that would be great. "But Arsenal are a good football team. If they [United] play like today, Arsenal will win the game, I am 100% sure. I am sorry to say that." 'Erik ten Hag's future in balance - as are Liverpool hopes' Positives for Liverpool but a chance missed - Danny Murphy analysis Sunday's match was Liverpool second visit to Old Trafford in three weeks - and they had a total of 53 shots over those two matches, yet won neither. They were beaten 4-3 in an FA Cup quarter-final on 17 March, and have now dropped what could be two crucial Premier League points in their battle with Arsenal and Manchester City. "It is a fact we should have won both games but didn't," Klopp said. Nevertheless, he added that Liverpool supporters should not lose faith in their club's ability to mark the German's final season at Anfield by winning a record-equalling 20th title. "To the whole Liverpool community, just stay calm," he said. FULL STORY

Inter Milan could move for France forward Anthony Martial when the 28-year-old's Manchester United contract expires this summer - if they fail to sign Iceland forward Albert Gudmundsson, 26, from Genoa. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian) Brighton will not look to re-sign Ansu Fati after his loan move from Barcelona but Wolves, Valencia and Sevilla are potential destinations this summer for the Spain forward, 21. (Sport - in Spanish) Luton have raised their interest in Blackburn's 28-year-old Republic of Ireland striker Sammie Szmodics but face competition from Brentford. Amadou Onana is likely to leave Everton this summer, with the Toffees hoping to receive £50-60m for the Belgium midfielder, 22. (Football Insider) Bundesliga sides are interested in making a summer move for Tottenham's 22-year-old Republic of Ireland forward Troy Parrott, who has been on loan with Dutch side Excelsior this season. (Football Insider) English defender Jarrad Branthwaite, 21, insists his focus is on winning games for Everton and that he is blocking out all the speculation about his long-term future, having been linked with Manchester United. (Liverpool Echo) Juventus have reached an agreement in principle with Thiago Motta for the Bologna boss to become their new coach - and Bologna's Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson, 24, could follow him to Turin. (Calciomercato - in Italian) Italy winger Nicolo Zaniolo wants to return to Serie A when his loan from Galatasaray to Aston Villa expires this summer, with Fiorentina and Napoli having already enquired about the 24-year-old. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian) Manchester United have firmed up their interest in Girona's Miguel Gutierrez and are looking to beat Arsenal to the signing of the Spanish left-back, 22, this summer. (Mirror, via TeamTalk) FULL REPORT

They were 2-1 down at Old Trafford with less than 10 minutes to go, so Liverpool have to take some positives from Sunday's draw with Manchester United. After being so dominant - they had more control of that match at half-time than I've seen them have against anyone for a very long time - they could have felt sorry for themselves after falling behind. Instead they showed fight and spirit, to come back and leave with a point. Still, my over-riding feeling was that it should have been more. A draw is certainly not the end of the world for Jurgen Klopp's side in the Premier League title race, but it feels like a big opportunity has been missed. The reality is that Liverpool had enough chances in the first half to win two or three games, and with the quality of the forward players they have got, you just don't expect them to miss that many. An amazing lack of defensive discipline What stood out about Liverpool in the first half was their desire - their running off the ball was incredible, and they showed how badly they wanted the win. It was a really front-foot attitude - sharp, full of energy and everything you want from an away performance when you are trying to win the league. There was no caution and United struggled to cope. In fact, they helped Liverpool because they lacked anything like the same willingness without the ball. Sometimes you lose games because the opposition tactics surprise you or there is a problem you can't solve, but that wasn't the case here. It wasn't down to amazing play from Liverpool either. The two teams set up in a similar 4-3-3 shape and the reality was that a lot of Liverpool's first-half chances simply came off the back of overloads, with their players left free to run off the back of United's. FULL STORY

MOVED.

MOVED to Banking

Bentley EV expected 2027 Bentley has pushed back its first EV by two years to 2027, with a reveal set for 2026. The British marque's CEO said the delay was due to software issues and other concerns over the platform, with the EV due to ride on a version of the Volkswagen Group's PPE architecture. Bentley is targeting a range of at least 373 miles and advanced driver assistance technology. While a series of EVs were set to be launched each year from 2025 to 2030, the plan to go fully EV is now set for roughly 2033. —Caleb Miller BMW I5M (expected 2026) Fender flares, a more aggressive stance, and 1136 horsepower will combine to produce the upcoming BMW i5 M, which won't arrive before than 2026. The new high-performance four-motor drivetrain will incorporate wheel-by-wheel torque vectoring and brake-by-motor energy regeneration, and will be capable of piloted drifting and tank turns where the vehicle can use its prodigious torque output to spin in place. While the more subdued i5 has already debuted—with its own set of high-performance batteries, active steering, and suspension fit for the Nurburgring—we can't help but keep our focus on the angrier i5 M with a drive control unit that's being referred to internally as the "Hand of God." Take the wheel, Jesus. —Austin Irwin BMW 3-series EV (Expected: 2026) The unique-looking Neue Klasse concept revealed in 2023 is expected to preview a future electric iteration of the iconic, long-running BMW 3-Series. The concept debuted a new design language that should spread across the lineup, with a funky evolution of the classic kidney grille. The concept uses experimental e-Ink technology—similar to what you'd find on a eReader tablet—on the window trim that lights up as you approach the car. The simplistic cabin has a full-width screen spanning the dashboard. The car will be built on BMW's next-generation EV platform that promises range improvements of up to 30 percent versus current models. The production version will likely arrive by 2026. —Caleb Miller Ford Compact Crossover (Expected: Late 2026) Ford is reportedly delaying its three-row electric SUV, which was expected to bring the iconic Explorer nameplate into the EV era. Ford is instead prioritizing an affordable compact crossover that will start around $25,000 and will ride on a new platform that may also spawn a pickup truck. Ford already sells a small electric crossover in Europe, pictured here, that shares its platform with the Volkswagen ID.4 and confusingly is also called the Explorer. The low-cost U.S.-market EV should be substantially different when it arrives in late 2026. —Caleb Miller Ford Explorer EV (Expected: 2024) The Ford Explorer is among the most popular SUVs sold in the U.S., so giving it the fully electric treatment is an obvious move. Ford announced in May 2021 that its three-row SUV would be joining the Mustang Mach-E and the E-Transit electric van in Ford's growing electric lineup. Though the current Explorer offers a 318-hp hybrid V-6 powertrain, we suspect that, like with the Mach-E and F-150 Lightning, there are rear- and all-wheel-drive Explorer EV models planned. —Austin Irwin FULL ARTICLE

Investec Champions Cup last 16 Harlequins: (21) 28 Tries: Esterhuizen, Smith, Murley, Riley Cons: Smith 4 Glasgow Warriors: (7) 24 Tries: Cummings, Matthews, Horne Pens: Horne Cons: Horne 3 Hooker Sam Riley scored a late try as Harlequins defeated Glasgow Warriors in a thriller to book their spot in the Investec Champions Cup quarter-finals. The Warriors started fast as Scott Cummings went over, before Quins responded with three tries. Andre Esterhuizen, Marcus Smith and Cadan Murley crossed for a 21-7 lead. Glasgow hooker Johnny Matthews and George Horne sparked the game back into life, but Riley responded to hand Harlequins a historic victory. This was Quins' first knockout win in Europe's top-tier competition in their history, with the prize a quarter-final against Bordeaux Begles or Saracens next weekend. An away win for Saracens on Saturday, who suffered a club record European defeat by Bordeaux during the pool stages, would mean a home tie for Harlequins in their first quarter-final in 11 years. Smith stars as Quins hold on Franco Smith's starting XV contained 11 Scotland internationals and it did not take them long to show their class, with lock Cummings powering his way over to reward Glasgow's fast start in attack. FULL STORY

Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka Dates: 5-7 April Coverage: Live radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra (BBC Radio 5 Live for Sunday's race) & BBC Sounds, BBC Sport website & app Lewis Hamilton said Mercedes had their "best session of the year" in Friday's practice at the Japanese Grand Prix. The seven-time champion was fifth quickest, with team-mate George Russell fourth, both just under 0.5 seconds behind Max Verstappen of Red Bull. The times were set in the first session, while the second was rendered irrelevant by wet conditions. Hamilton said: "It was a really good session, the best the car has felt this year." Mercedes expected to struggle at Suzuka because its demanding, high-speed layout layout should expose the car's limitations in high-speed corners. Mercedes have been struggling to understand why the car produces less downforce on track than their simulations suggest it should. Hamilton said: "It felt really positive. I was excited, because this is a circuit every driver loves to drive and the last couple of years we've had a really difficult car and balance to drive here. "And given the difficult last few races we've had, great work has been done and we seem to have hit the ground in a sweeter spot so I haven't really made any changes." Comeback in my thoughts but not priority - Vettel Japanese Grand Prix practice, qualifying and race times How Japanese GP practice unfolded Russell, who was 0.013secs quicker than Hamilton, said the car's performance was "a pleasant surprise". Mercedes' difficulties so far this season prompted team principal Toto Wolff to abandon plans to miss the race, he will instead attend for the first time in three seasons. FULL STORY

World number one Ronnie O'Sullivan hit three century breaks as he reached the final of the Tour Championship with a high-quality 10-7 win over Gary Wilson. O'Sullivan hit breaks of 102 and 110 to turn a 2-0 deficit into a 4-2 lead in Manchester but Wilson compiled runs of 83, 84, 82 and 96 to level at 7-7. However, he barely got a look-in from there as O'Sullivan won the final three frames, helped by visits of 98 and 129. The 48-year-old faces either Mark Allen or Mark Williams in Sunday's final. "It was a good match to be involved in," seven-time world champion O'Sullivan told ITV4 after beating fellow Englishman Wilson, ranked 13th in the world. The Tour Championship is in its sixth edition after being launched in 2019 for the top players on snooker's one-year ranking list. This is the third time O'Sullivan has reached the final, having won the inaugural event by beating Neil Robertson before losing to the Australian in the event's showpiece two years later. Northern Ireland's Allen and Welshman Williams, both seeking their first Tour Championship title, contest the second semi-final on Saturday, starting their best-of-19 encounter at 13:00 BST. BBC SPORT

The trunks worn by Muhammad Ali in his epic 'Thrilla in Manila' victory over Joe Frazier are expected to fetch more than $6m (£4.8m) at auction next week. Ali's iconic white satin shorts went up for sale with renowned auction house Sotheby's on Thursday - and the bidding has already reached $3.8m. The trunks, signed by Ali, were sold for $150,000 in 2012 but are likely to fetch 40 times that sum now. The auction runs at Sotheby's New York branch until Friday 12 April. The 'Thrilla in Manila', which took place in October 1975 in the capital of the Philippines, is one of the seminal bouts in boxing history. Read more about the 'Thrilla in Manila', external Frazier, nicknamed 'Smokin' Joe', had won the first meeting between the pair four years earlier, becoming the first man to defeat Ali when he successfully defended his world heavyweight title via unanimous decision in New York. Ali won a controversial non-title rematch in 1974, paving the way for a rubber fight the following year, by which time he had regained the world crown by beating George Foreman in another iconic bout, the 'Rumble in the Jungle' in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). And the third meeting also went the way of Ali after 14 gruelling rounds when Frazier was retired by his corner team. FULL STORY

Paris St-Germain are willing to pay Victor Osimhen's reported £111.5m release clause to sign the Nigeria striker, 25, from Napoli this summer. (Corriere dello Sport - in Italian) Chelsea are continuing to scout alternative striker options to Osimhen, with Girona's Ukraine international Artem Dovbyk, 26, on the club's radar. (GiveMeSport) Manchester United are planning for next season with Erik ten Hag as the club's manager partly down to a lack of interested alternatives. (i news) Manchester City have agreed a deal to sign Troyes' 19-year-old Brazilian winger Savio, who is on loan at Girona. (Football Insider) Manchester United's demands for a £34m fee for Jadon Sancho could scupper the 24-year-old England winger's wish to make his loan return to Borussia Dortmund permanent. (Sky Sport - in German) Liverpool's reported Portuguese managerial target Ruben Amorim, 39, has admitted he "cannot guarantee" he will still be Sporting Lisbon boss next season. (ESPN) Amorim has a £12.8m release clause at Sporting this summer, which drops to £8.5m in 2025. (Sun) Chelsea will not consider offers for English right-back Reece James, 24, this summer despite reports linking the 24-year-old with a move to PSG or Real Madrid. (Football Insider) Eddie Howe has outlined his determination to keep Bruno Guimaraes at Newcastle "as long as he can" as the Magpies prepare to fend off interest in the Brazil midfielder, 26, from PSG. (Mirror) FULL GOSSIP

Scores, Results & Fixtures SATURDAY 6TH APRIL 2024 Rotherham0Plymouth1 FT View all Championship results As It Stood Team P GD Pts 1 Ipswich 40 33 87 2 Leeds 40 44 86 3 Leicester 39 42 85 4 Southampton 38 25 74 5 West Brom 40 23 68 6 Norwich 40 14 64 7 Coventry 39 17 60 8 Preston 39 -3 59 9 Middlesbrough 40 3 58 10 Hull 39 3 58 11 Cardiff 40 -9 56 12 Bristol City 40 -1 53 13 Sunderland 40 1 51 14 Watford 40 2 50 15 Swansea 40 -11 47 16 QPR 40 -12 46 17 Blackburn 40 -10 45 18 Stoke 40 -16 45 19 Plymouth 41 -9 44 20 Millwall 40 -15 44 21 Birmingham 40 -17 42

Rotherham became the first side in the English Football League to be relegated this season after a 1-0 loss at home to fellow strugglers Plymouth Argyle. Bali Mumba's goal lit up a poor first half as the Millers' two-year stay in the Championship came to an end with five games still to play. Rotherham keeper Viktor Johansson kept his side in it with a number of good saves while Plymouth substitute Ben Waine hit the post late on as the Pilgrims ended a six-game winless run. Argyle - who sacked head coach Ian Foster on Monday after eight losses in 11 games - eased their own relegation fears with the win. It moves them up to 19th in the Championship, four points from safety, and means the Millers return to League One with an unassailable 19-point gap to 21st-place Birmingham City with only 15 points left to play for. Re-live Rotherham's loss at home to Plymouth FULL STORY

You are a chess player in a land of checkers. You cant play one with the rules of the other.

OK that's enough of this.

Please don't use Facebook links, only people with Facebook accounts can view it !

Again? really ?, this is getting awfully old. CLOSED

Let's not go down the Agent "legality" road please, a tired repetative argument.

An agent not a lawyer.Agent costs vary.Generally around 15k each year.

MOVED to Visa forum