Author: WTX Sports Team

Haas boss Guenther Steiner opens up on sacking Russian F1 driver Nikita Mazepin following Ukraine invasion The Metro says Haas F1 boss Guenther Steiner has detailed the moment he had to sack Russian driver Nikita Mazepin following the start of the war in Ukraine. Just weeks before the start of the 2022 season, Russia invaded Ukraine, leaving Hass and Steiner in a difficult situation as not only did they have a Russian driver but also a Russian title sponsor in the form of Urakali. The chemical company had sponsored the American team since 2021 and is owned by Dmitry Mazepin…

Mark Allen reacts to ‘completely crazy’ Crucible protest during victory over Fan Zhengyi The Metro says Mark Allen hailed security staff and referee Olivier Marteel for their efforts to halt the protest at the Crucible on Monday night, which took place during his 10-5 victory over Fan Zhengyi. There were wild scenes in Sheffield as a protester jumped on the table during the Rob Milkins vs Joe Perry match, while another activist tried to get to the table during Allen’s match with Fan. The disrupter on one side of the dividing wall sprayed orange powder all over the table, but…

Arsenal and Manchester City’s remaining fixtures in the Premier League title race The Metro says The Premier League title race took a further twist at the weekend when Arsenal let another two goal lead slip at the London Stadium against West Ham. The 2-2 draw with The Hammers was the second time in eight days that Mikel Arteta’s men had failed to win having led 2-0, following on from the dramatic draw against Liverpool at Anfield. Manchester City, who are on an imperious run of form having won their last ten games in all competitions, are now just four points…

Manchester City can move closer in their quest for the Champions League holy grail by winning at Bayern Munich The Metro says Anarchy! Chaos! Stanley Ogden was always getting in some right old tear-ups with long-suffering wife Hilda down the Rovers Return. Well, some of those classic Coronation Street capers won’t hold a candle to the rows in pubs, clubs, front rooms and workplaces in Manchester this summer if City win the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup Treble. Forget the kerfuffles involving Stan and Hilda, Albert Tatlock and Ena Sharples, and southern spiv Mike Baldwin, it’s all going…

Fernando Alonso wants to be Lewis Hamilton’s teammate again as F1 legend shares retirement plan The Metro says Fernando Alonso has shockingly claimed that he wants to be teammates with Sir Lewis Hamilton again, but the F1 legend appears to have different plans. Alonso raced alongside a then-rookie Hamilton at McLaren in 2007, and the Spaniard was expected to dominate the young Brit having won just back-to-back titles with Renault. But Hamilton was able to match him and soon the atmosphere at McLaren turned toxic as the pair clashed numerous times as they battled for the championship – with both…

Joel and Avram Glazer confident of remaining as Manchester United owners and set to snub full sale The Metro says Joel and Avram Glazer are increasingly confident of securing outside investment that will allow them to avoid a full sale of Manchester United and remain as the club’s owners, according to reports. The club is currently in the middle of a protracted bidding process – with third and supposedly final proposals needing to be submitted before April 28 – and fans had been hopeful the Glazers would finally be bought out. Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and…

Express Sport – Too jot to handle In the Express, it is all about Liverpool. It reports on the Reds running riot at Elland Road, aided by a brilliant performance by Diogo Jota, as they boost their hopes of European qualification despite a difficult season. Liverpool beat Leeds 6-1 in an embarrassing performance from Leeds. Kepa’s belief Chelsea can beat Real Madrid, and Just Stop Oil protesters at yesterday’s World Snooker Championship also makes the back page. Read today’s back pages

Mirror Sport – Mad for it The Mirror says Mo Salah became Liverpool’s top left-footed goalscorer in the Premier League at Leeds, after netting two goals during the game, which Liverpool won 6-1. The paper says fired-up Todd Boehly gives Chelsea players a pep talk after every match much to the support of interim boss Frank Lampard who has backed Todd’s passion for the club and bringing success back to Stamford bridge. Read today’s back pages

Telegraph Sport – Boehly: I am embarrassed by our plights The Telegraph’s back pages reports on Todd Boehly’s claim that Chelsea’s season has been “embarrassing”. The paper says the owner spoke to players in the dressing room to deliver a pep talk.  Blues boss Frank Lampard says he is comfortable with the owner’s involvement at Stamford Bridge. Liverpool’s win features on the front pages, the paper says “Who needs Bellingham?” a nod to reports Jude Bellingham won’t be transferring to Liverpool. The main image is of the protester at yesterday’s World Snooker Championship. Read today’s back pages 

World Snooker Championship 2023: Play to resume as normal after Just Stop Oil protest BBC says Snooker’s World Championship will resume as normal from 10:00 BST on Tuesday after a protester covered a table with orange powder on Monday. The protest caused the postponement of the match between Robert Milkins and Joe Perry, but the table has been re-clothed overnight so play will take place on both tables as scheduled. Another protester caused a delay in Mark Allen’s match with Fan Zhengyi by trying to glue herself to the table. A man and a woman were later arrested. The protesters…

Play halted at World Snooker Championship after Just Stop Oil protester covers table in powder The Independent says Play was halted at the Crucible during the World Snooker Championship after a protester wearing a Just Stop Oil t-shirt ran into the arena, jumped onto the table and scattered a bag of orange powder across the surface. The incident happened during Robert Milkins’ clash with Joe Perry in the evening session, forcing a delay of around 40 minutes before any play resumed. “We’ve got a protester who is throwing powder on the table – I’ve never seen the likes of this…

World snooker championship disrupted by Just Stop Oil protesters in Sheffield The Guardian says The World Snooker Championship is the latest high-profile sporting event to be disrupted by protesters after a Just Stop Oil activist poured a packet of orange powder paint over a table on Monday evening, forcing a 24-hour suspension in the match between Robert Milkins and Joe Perry. Milkins was 11-0 up in the early stages of the opening frame when a man suddenly ran out of the crowd, jumped on to the table and began emptying the powder. It took 12 seconds for two security guards…

Barcelona director of football sends clear message to Chelsea over Gavi pursuit The Metro says Barcelona director of football Mateu Alemany is adamant Gavi will not be leaving Camp Nou for Chelsea this summer and has allayed fears over his contract situation. The 18-year-old has established himself as a key part of Barca’s side despite his tender years, while he has already racked up 19 caps for Spain. However, a contract issue means Barcelona could face the prospect of losing their highly rated midfielder for nothing this summer. Gavi’s contract extension required him to be registered in the first-team squad,…

Chelsea star ‘disillusioned’ after being singled out by Todd Boehly in dressing room speech The Metro says Todd Boehly singled out one of his underperforming Chelsea signings during an intense speech following the side’s 2-1 defeat at home to Brighton on Saturday, according to reports. The American made a beeline for the changing room after the loss – which is Chelsea’s third in a row under interim boss Frank Lampard – and was not seen leaving until an hour later. Boehly was joined by fellow co-owners Behdad Eghbali and Hasjorg Wyss and addressed the squad after Lampard had finished his…

William Saliba set to miss Arsenal’s clash with Manchester City but Oleksandr Zinchenko returns The Metro says Arsenal are confident Oleksandr Zinchenko will be back to face Southampton on Friday night, though there are fears William Saliba will still be sidelined for the trip to face Manchester City. The Gunners slipped up in the Premier League title race on Sunday despite taking a two-goal lead at the London Stadium after just 10 minutes, with goals from Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen securing an unlikely comeback for West Ham. Arsenal were without two key components of their usually excellent back-line, with…

Hossein Vafaei stokes Ronnie O’Sullivan rivalry: ‘He’s a nice person when he’s sleeping’ The Metro says Hossein Vafaei has set-up a blockbuster clash with Ronnie O’Sullivan at the World Snooker Championship and spiced it up as well as possible by aiming digs at the Rocket beforehand. The Iranian played brilliantly to beat Ding Junhui 10-6 in his opening contest at the Crucible and that books his place alongside the defending champion in the last 16. It will be the first time they have played since Vafaei memorably said O’Sullivan should retire because he is bad for snooker ahead of last…

The i Sport – ‘Arsenal concede huge advantage’ The i’s sport page also leads with the “Hammer blow” line, quoting Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who said his players were “too nice” after letting slip a two-goal lead at the London Stadium. Bukayo Saka missed a second-half penalty before the Hammers’ equaliser to leave Arsenal just four points ahead of Manchester City, who have a game in hand. Arsenal play City at the Etihad on 26 April.

Star Sport – ‘Gun to the dogs’ Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has demanded his players become “killers” again after dropping further points in Sunday’s 2-2 draw at West Ham, according to the Star. There is also a report on Manchester United match-winner Antony, saying the Brazilian is a “cut above”, after his goal and an assist in their 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest.

Times Sport – ‘Chelsea’s meeting with Nagelsmann’ The Times reports that Chelsea have held talks with former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann as they look to narrow the shortlist for Graham Potter’s long-term replacement at Stamford Bridge. There is also a story on how “disappointed” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta blamed his “sloppy” players for Sunday’s 2-2 draw at West Ham.

Guardian Sport – ‘Title Hammer blow’ The Guardian reports that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has queried his players’ mentality after their “collapse” at the London Stadium – letting a two-goal lead slip, just as they did at Anfield in their previous game, to draw 2-2 for the second successive Premier League match. There is also a story on Jurgen Klopp, who is apparently “not angry with Liverpool over transfers”.

Liverpool want to sign Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich Liverpool have reportedly made an initial approach for Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch as Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp looks to bolster his midfield options in the upcoming summer transfer window.  Mason Mount remains a top priority target for Liverpool, who will have just one year left on his Chelsea contract by the end of this season. Mount remains a top priority for The Reds but the club is no longer expected to make a move for England star Jude Bellingham this summer, due to his club Borussia Dortmund wanting bigger bucks.…

Arsenal still in race for Premier League title despite nervy performance Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard remains optimistic despite the team twice giving away two-goal leads in a week, causing some fans and pundits to write off their chances of winning the Premier League.  In Sunday’s game against West Ham, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard quickly put Arsenal in the lead, but poor play from Thomas Partey and Gabriel allowed West Ham to draw level.  It was all too familiar for the Gunners – just seven days earlier, Arsenal were winning 2-0 at Anfield, but Liverpool dug deep and secured a…

Arsenal match ‘is a final’ for Man City – Pep Guardiola Manchester City are closely pursuing Arsenal after a 3-1 win over Leicester City on Saturday brought the defending champions to just three points behind the Premier League leaders. The next three games will be crucial for City, as they look to complete a treble of trophies. They have a healthy 3-0 advantage over Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final and face Championship side Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday. However, their next league match against Arsenal could potentially decide the title, and Pep Guardiola has…

Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez injury does not ‘look good’ Lisandro Martinez’s injury during the Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla “does not look that great,” according to Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag.  United was reduced to ten men when the defender was helped off the pitch after sustaining an injury, and the home team conceded a 92nd-minute equaliser, resulting in a draw.  Martinez’s injury is likely to keep him out of the return leg next Thursday. Ten Hag said it was not an Achilles tendon injury, and there was no opponent involved. Martinez was visibly upset when he left the…

Sadio Mane alleged punch on Leroy Sane a ‘heavy incident’ – Thomas Tuchel Bayern Munich manager, Thomas Tuchel, has stated that the club will not condone the “heavy incident” that allegedly occurred after their 3-0 Champions League defeat to Manchester City on Tuesday. Reports claim that Bayern forward, Sadio Mane, punched his teammate, Leroy Sane, in the face, leading to the Senegal international’s suspension from the squad ahead of their Bundesliga match against Hoffenheim. Boss Tuchel said the incident had been “cleared” and that Mane would receive a fine and be suspended, but he will continue to train alongside the…