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After a turbulent week that saw Liverpool suffer cup defeats to Manchester City and Paris Saint‑Germain, manager Arne Slot finally found a morale boost when 17‑year‑old winger Rio Ngumoha opened the scoring on his second Premier League start. Ngumoha’s strike, followed by a second‑half finish from Mohamed Salah, secured Liverpool’s first league win since February. Fulham, under Marco Silva, were passive and struggled to create clear chances, allowing Liverpool to dominate possession and reach the historic milestone of 1,500 league victories at Anfield. The win marked only the second triumph in six matches after a demanding Champions League away fixture, offering a needed lift before the upcoming quarter‑final second leg against PSG. Slot praised Ngumoha’s performance, saying, "He has a special quality that you don’t see very often in football any more – dominating the one‑on‑one." The manager added that the teenager’s power and finishing have been evident in training, making his impact on the pitch "pleasing". Outside the stadium, a banner reading ‘No to ticket price increases’ was displayed on the Kop, reflecting fan unrest after the club announced ticket hikes tied to inflation for the next three seasons. The protest underscored concerns that Liverpool could alienate its traditional fanbase in favour of a more tourist‑focused model. The opening half saw early chances from Jeremie Frimpong and Salah, but it was Ngumoha who changed the complexion of the game. After a loose ball from Florian Wirtz, Ngumoha received the ball on the left, dazzled Timothy Castagne with a series of step‑overs, and curled a precise shot around Joachim Andersen into the far corner. The goal was historic: at 17 years and 225 days, Ngumoha became Liverpool’s youngest league scorer at Anfield, breaking a 14‑year record previously held by Raheem Sterling. The achievement highlighted the club’s emerging talent pipeline at a time when senior players are under intense scrutiny. Slot hinted that Ngumoha could feature in the upcoming Champions League tie, noting, "I think he’s ready. The question is can he do it again two days later? But would he be able to perform at that level? Yes." The manager’s confidence reflects a strategic shift as he balances youth integration with the demands of elite European competition. Six minutes after the break, Ngumoha assisted Cody Gakpo, whose cross was turned home by Salah for Liverpool’s second goal, cementing a comfortable two‑goal cushion. Fulham attempted to revive their game with substitutions, introducing Emile Smith Rowe and Sasa Lukic, but Liverpool’s dominance persisted. A further setback for Liverpool came when Curtis Jones suffered a groin injury, forcing a halftime substitution and likely ruling him out of the PSG match. Silva admitted his side’s lack of aggression, stating, "The game was decided in five minutes and by our approach in the first half." The result not only restores confidence for Liverpool but also sets the stage for a high‑stakes encounter with the European champions.

Celtic overtook rivals Rangers to sit second in the Scottish Premiership after a narrow 1‑0 win against St Mirren, while Hearts preserved their lead at the top with a late‑filled 3‑1 triumph over Motherwell.At Celtic Park, Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain broke the deadlock in the 15th minute. After a blocked attempt from Benjamin Nygren, Kieran Tierney delivered a precise cross that Oxlade‑Chamberlain struck into the bottom corner, giving Celtic a comfortable first‑half advantage.St Mirren dominated possession in the second half but failed to create clear chances, allowing Celtic to hold onto the solitary goal.The encounter marked the first meeting between the sides since St Mirren’s surprise 3‑1 cup win over Celtic in December, a result that proved difficult to repeat.For the first time since November, the Green Brigade were welcomed back to Celtic Park, adding a vibrant backdrop to what many view as a dress rehearsal for next week’s Scottish Cup semi‑final.At Tynecastle, Motherwell took an early lead through Emmanuel Longelo. Hearts responded quickly when Cláudio Braga equalised with an overhead kick. The match seemed poised for a draw until Lawrence Shankland converted a penalty after Stephen Welsh was judged to have fouled Landry Kaboré. Kaboré then added a third in stoppage time, sealing the three‑point win for Hearts.In the north, Stephen Robinson ended his winless streak since moving from St Mirren to Aberdeen, guiding his side to a 2‑0 victory over Hibernian at Pittodrie, with Kevin Nisbet scoring in each half.At Tannadice, Zac Sapsford rescued Dundee United with a late penalty, completing a dramatic 3‑2 comeback against Livingston. The hosts had led through a first‑half goal by Will Ferry, but Livingston responded with a quickfire double from Lewis Smith before United equalised via substitute Krisztian Keresztes.Meanwhile, Kelle Roos produced a crucial stoppage‑time penalty save against Dundee striker Joe Westley, earning Kilmarnock a vital point in their relegation battle. The decision followed a lengthy VAR check that delayed the penalty by six minutes.Kilmarnock’s earlier clash with Dundee saw a roller‑coaster finish: Joe Hugill opened the scoring, Simon Murray equalised for Dundee, Michael Schjønning‑Larsen restored the lead for Kilmarnock before Scott Wright’s late goal forced extra‑time drama.

Mikel Artura tried to fire up the crowd before kickoff, urging fans to bring “your lunch, bring your dinner” for the 12.30 pm showdown. Players warmed up to a big screen looping Arsenal’s past triumphs, a psychological push meant to spark confidence. The opening half unfolded as many had predicted: a physical tussle in which Bournemouth exploited a right‑flank weakness to go ahead, only for Arsenal to level from a set‑piece penalty. The penalty was calmly slotted by Viktor Gyökeres, who seized the ball from Kai Havertz and demonstrated the composure that has underpinned Arsenal’s recent victories. Early in the second half, Arteta made a rare triple substitution nine minutes in, swapping an ineffective attacking trio for fresh legs. The change stalled Arsenal’s momentum; the new unit struggled to build immediate connections, allowing Bournemouth to seize control. In the 74th minute, Alex Scott delivered a clinical finish after a slick passing move on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area, restoring Bournemouth’s lead. Six minutes later, Gyökeres had another chance from a Max Dowman cross but sent his shot wide, underscoring Arsenal’s growing frustration. Throughout the closing stages, Artura repositioned Gyökeres deeper, turning him into a quasi‑centre‑half in a desperate search for an equaliser. The resulting play was slow and ponderous, reflecting a side unable to generate the quick combinations that had served them earlier in the season. Statistically, Arsenal produced 1.44 expected goals (xG) from set‑pieces, outpacing Bournemouth’s total of 1.2. However, all of Bournemouth’s chances came from open play, while Arsenal managed a paltry 0.19 xG from open play – the second‑lowest home figure since such metrics were recorded. This disparity highlights a reliance on dead‑ball situations and an inability to threaten opponents in regular play. Despite the loss, Arsenal remain nine points clear at the top of the Premier League. Yet the gap is vulnerable: if Manchester City maintain their winning run, the cushion could evaporate quickly. The defeat signals that Arsenal must evolve beyond sheer grit and set‑piece proficiency, finding ways to create and convert chances in open play if they are to withstand the challenge from serial winners.

Ipswich Town reignited their push for automatic promotion by edging out rivals Norwich City 2‑0 at Carrow Road, a win that propels them into the top two with at least a game in hand.The first goal came in the 11th minute after a contentious penalty: Anis Ben Slimane appeared to clash with Norwich defender Jack Taylor, prompting referee Anthony Backhouse to point to the spot. Jaden Philogene slotted the penalty, albeit sending goalkeeper Vladan Kovacevic the wrong way.Just before halftime, a long throw from Darnell Furlong was flicked on, allowing George Hirst to volley home and double Ipswich’s lead. The victory marks Ipswich’s first win at Carrow Road since 2006 and their first derby double since the 1992‑93 season.Despite dominating possession, Norwich were unable to create clear‑cut chances, and the defeat extinguishes any lingering playoff hopes, though a top‑10 finish remains a remarkable turnaround from their early‑year position near the bottom of the table.In the same round, Millwall saw their automatic‑promotion bid dented by a goalless draw with West Bromwich Albion. The Lions generated the better chances, with Josh Coburn missing a close‑range volley and Mihailo Ivanovic striking the bar, but they were unable to find the net.Coventry City were also left waiting after a 0‑0 stalemate at home against relegated Sheffield Wednesday. A win would have lifted them into the promotion places, but the draw leaves them dependent on other results, notably Middlesbrough’s clash with Portsmouth later in the day.The draw gave Sheffield Wednesday their third point of 2026 and extended their record‑breaking run of 37 games without a win across all competitions.Elsewhere, Queens Park Rangers and Bristol City maintained unbeaten runs with a 0‑0 draw at Loftus Road. While both sides have avoided defeat, the result does little to advance their outside‑the‑playoffs ambitions.Later fixtures include Middlesbrough hosting Portsmouth, a match with implications at both ends of the table, and crucial battles for Oxford United against Watford and Leicester City versus Swansea City.

Mats Wieffer’s double proved decisive as Brighton edged Burnley 2‑1, delivering the Seagulls their fifth win in six fixtures and moving them just two points behind sixth‑placed Chelsea.Burnley manager Scott Parker expressed frustration after Jaidon Anthony and Bashir Humphreys found the net, only for lengthy VAR reviews to delay the proceedings and ultimately nullify the goals. Wieffer’s second strike completed his season tally for Brighton and reinforced the club’s push for a European place.“We want to achieve something, we want to make the next step as a team, as a club and we have big confidence that we can do it,” said Brighton’s Fabian Hürzeler. “The most important thing is to earn the right to compete with the top teams by staying humble, working hard every day and bringing consistency into our performances.”Brighton entered the match without a home win in six months, a drought that left the stadium sparsely populated. Burnley opened brightly, with Anthony scoring on the turn, but a fluttering flag and a blocked corner‑kick denied them a stronger start.The Seagulls’ first goal came from the left flank: Pascal Gross surged down the wing and delivered a pinpoint cross to an unmarked Wieffer, who calmly slotted the ball into the corner for his inaugural goal of the season.The second half saw Burnley dominate possession, yet they failed to convert chances. Zian Flemming forced two sharp saves from goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, but Burnley’s attack remained fruitless, underscoring why they are 12 points from safety with six games left.In the 89th minute, Wieffer resurfaced at the edge of the box, meeting another cross and firing home his second goal, sealing the win as the majority of spectators filtered out before the final whistle.With the defeat, Burnley inch closer to the Championship and must confront a dwindling survival window, while Brighton’s victory keeps their European aspirations firmly within reach.

Real Madrid's chances of winning La Liga have taken a hit after they were held to a 1-1 draw by mid-table Girona. Federico Valverde put Real ahead in the 51st minute, but Girona levelled in the 62nd minute through Thomas Lemar.The draw extends Girona's winless run to three games in all competitions and gives leaders Barcelona the chance to stretch their advantage at the top. Barca have 76 points, six ahead of second-placed Real, who have now played a game more. The Catalan side visit Espanyol on Saturday and can move nine clear with seven matches left.Real began the night under pressure, having slipped to a loss at Mallorca last weekend to trail Barca by seven points. Coach Alvaro Arbeloa opted for a full-strength side despite Wednesday's Champions League quarterfinal second leg at Bayern Munich looming.The contest finally flickered into life after halftime, with Real pushing for a winner but Girona holding their shape with discipline to frustrate the crowd. The final whistle was greeted with unease around the Bernabeu, as Real's stuttering form leaves the title race tilting ever more firmly towards their old rivals Barca.

Connor King, a 29-year-old trainer from County Tipperary, is on the verge of achieving one of the most remarkable upsets in Grand National history with his horse, Oscars Brother. King's humble beginnings in the racing world, with just two horses in his stable and fewer than 30 runners in his entire training career, make his potential victory all the more extraordinary. King's journey to the Grand National is a fairytale-like story that began with his brother, Daniel, purchasing Oscars Brother for just €8,000. The horse has since become a compelling argument against the notion that the Grand National has lost its heart and soul due to changes in the course and race conditions over the years. Despite the odds being against him, King remains optimistic about his chances, stating that Oscars Brother has the potential to improve over the marathon four-and-a-quarter mile trip at Aintree on Saturday. The horse's performance in the Brown Advisory Novice Chase at Cheltenham last month, where he finished fourth out of 18-1 odds, has raised hopes for King's underdog story. The Grand National, known for its unpredictability, has seen a shift in recent years with younger chasers and novice runners standing a better chance of winning. This change has given hope to trainers like King, who are looking to make a name for themselves in the competitive world of horse racing. For King, having a runner in the Grand National is already a victory, as the exposure and attention have been invaluable for his young training career. As he prepares for the big event, King is focused on enjoying the experience and taking it all in, knowing that it doesn't happen every day.

The ongoing conflict between the US and Israel and Iran has significantly altered the dynamics of the nuclear programme negotiations. Former US envoys who dealt with Iran have stated that the US-Israeli attack on Iran and Tehran's subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz have given Iran new tools and resolve to resist pressure to shutter its nuclear programme.Two senior negotiators for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the Obama-era agreement to limit Iran's nuclear uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief, said the Trump administration's war had handed Iran a coveted weapon by demonstrating its ability to cut off the Strait of Hormuz, an economic chokehold that one negotiator said would help Iran 'balance the asymmetry of power' with the US.Alan Eyre, a former diplomat who helped negotiate the JCPOA, noted that 'this administration, to say it more politely, cannot unsoil the bed. There's no way to get back to the status quo ante before this war started.'In 2018, Donald Trump withdrew the US from the JCPOA, which barred Tehran from enriching its uranium to weapons-grade. Trump called the deal 'one of the worst and most one-sided transactions' the US had ever entered into.However, after a strategy of high pressure – first through returning sanctions and then, after Trump's return to power in 2025, a war that was meant to destroy Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities – the current US administration has found itself in more complex negotiations than before its campaign of economic and military strikes.Robert Malley, a Yale lecturer who was former special envoy to Iran under Joe Biden and a lead negotiator on the JCPOA, said: 'The strait of Hormuz wasn't an issue before the US decided to strike. You have all the issues inherited from the past, but you just added a few, because the US has handed Iran a tool that it always had, but it never thought of using, or never felt it could.'The chances for a comprehensive agreement addressing all of the US and Iran's grievances appear slim. While the Obama administration sought to negotiate exclusively on Iran's nuclear programme in the lead-up to the 2015 agreement, the Trump administration has sought a broader deal limiting Iran's ballistic missiles programme and its support for regional proxies, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.

Paris Saint-Germain's defense of their UEFA Champions League title remains on track after a commanding 2-0 win against Liverpool in the quarterfinals' first leg.The French side took an early lead through a deflected effort by Desire Doue in the 11th minute, which looped over Liverpool's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.Liverpool, already out of their English Premier League title defense, struggled to respond but managed to stay in the game until halftime. However, the second half was a different story, with PSG dominating the match.Khvicha Kvaratskhelia doubled PSG's lead in the 65th minute with a well-taken goal, dribbling into the box and rounding the keeper.PSG registered 18 shots throughout the game, with six on target, while Liverpool managed only three shots, none of which were on target.Liverpool manager Arne Slot acknowledged his team's struggles, stating, "We should be grateful we only lost 2-0; they had so many chances."The win puts PSG in a strong position ahead of the second leg at Anfield next Tuesday, where Liverpool will need a special performance to overturn the deficit.