Author: Andrew Rogers

Chelsea have made clear they remain fully supportive of Enzo Maresca’s rotation and recruitment strategy despite Wednesday’s 2-2 Champions League draw with Qarabag. The head coach made seven changes for the trip to Azerbaijan, prompting questions about his team selection. However, club leadership believes Maresca’s approach is a measured, long-term plan designed to keep players fresh across four competitions. Chelsea view their deep squad as a strength and insist there is no frustration over the result or the lineup. The club recognises that injuries to Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill and Benoît Badiashile limited options, while key midfielders Moisés…

Tottenham defender Destiny Udogie has been revealed as the Premier League player allegedly threatened at gunpoint by an agent in north London last September. The incident reportedly took place on 6 September in Cockfosters, Barnet, while Udogie was out with a friend during the international break. Police said an agent allegedly brandished a firearm and also made blackmail threats toward Udogie’s companion. The suspect, who is not Udogie’s agent, was arrested two days later on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent, blackmail, and driving without a licence. He has been released on bail while investigations continue. Udogie, 21,…

Sir David Attenborough’s new BBC series Kingdom reveals extraordinary moments of animal behaviour, including a lion rescuing a pregnant hyena from wild dogs. Filmed over five years in Zambia’s Luangwa Valley, the series follows lions, hyenas, leopards, and wild dogs as they battle for survival. “We could never have written a script like this – only nature could,” said executive producer Mike Gunton. Narrated by Attenborough, the series also shows rare scenes such as a hyena hiding food underwater and a wild dog pack saving one of their own from a crocodile. But it also exposes the toll of habitat…

Real Sociedad claimed a thrilling 3–2 victory over Athletic Club in one of the most dramatic Basque derbies in recent memory, capped by Jon Gorrotxategi’s stoppage-time winner in the pouring rain. The match, filled with passion and chaos, swung back and forth before Gorrotxategi — playing in his first derby — smashed home the decisive goal in the 92nd minute. “I hit it terribly but with my soul,” he said after sealing the first stoppage-time win in 178 Basque derbies. The Reale Arena erupted as Sociedad players celebrated with their fans, ending a tense few weeks for new coach Sergi…

Erling Haaland struck twice as Manchester City earned a 3-1 win over Bournemouth, climbing to second in the Premier League table. The Norwegian star punished the hosts’ high defensive line with two first-half goals, taking his league tally to 13 this season and 98 in 107 Premier League appearances. Bournemouth briefly equalised through Tyler Adams, but Haaland quickly restored City’s lead before Nico O’Reilly sealed the win after the break with his first top-flight goal. Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki impressed creatively, while Pep Guardiola’s side looked far more composed defensively, earning their first clean sheet in 11 matches. The…

Britain ranks 55th out of 61 nations for its connection to nature, according to the first global study of how people relate to the natural world. Researchers from the University of Derby and Austria surveyed 57,000 people worldwide and found Nepal to be the most “nature-connected” nation, followed by Iran, South Africa, Bangladesh and Nigeria. At the bottom of the list were the Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Israel, Japan and Spain. The study, published in Ambio, found that societies with higher levels of spirituality or religious faith were more connected to nature, while highly urbanised, wealthier, and business-focused countries were less…

Enzo Maresca criticised Liam Delap for a “very stupid red card” after Chelsea’s wild 4-3 Carabao Cup win over Wolves, warning his young side they must “grow up” fast. Chelsea looked in control with first-half goals from Andrey Santos, Tyrique George and Estêvão, but nearly threw it away after Wolves mounted a spirited comeback. Delap, returning from injury, was sent off just 17 minutes after coming on, picking up two yellows in quick succession. “I told him four or five times to keep calm,” Maresca said. “He plays for himself sometimes and struggles to listen. It’s embarrassing — two yellows…

A rare wolf spider species thought to be extinct in the UK has been rediscovered on the Isle of Wight, delighting conservationists. The Aulonia albimana, newly nicknamed the white-knuckled wolf spider for the pale joints on its palps, was found during a survey at the National Trust’s Newtown nature reserve, an area only reachable by boat. Entomologists Mark Telfer and Graeme Lyons made the remarkable find just minutes before their collection time ran out. The spider, last recorded in 1985, is tiny — adults measure just 3.8–4.4mm — and its hunting behaviour remains largely unknown. The species was discovered in…

Los Angeles FC star Son Heung-min is Major League Soccer’s second-highest-paid player, earning $10.4 million in salary and $11.2 million in total compensation, according to new figures released after the summer transfer window. Son joined LAFC in August after more than a decade with Tottenham, scoring nine goals in 10 regular-season games. He ranks just behind Lionel Messi, who earns $12 million in salary and $20.4 million total from Inter Miami. Messi recently agreed to extend his deal through 2028, while new Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul earns $1.5 million in salary and $3.6 million total. Other major MLS arrivals…

New UN analysis shows that climate plans from over 60 countries would cut global emissions by only 10% by 2035—far below the reductions needed to limit warming to 1.5C. UN climate chief Simon Stiell said progress was too slow: “We have a serious need for more speed.” Major emitters including China and the EU have yet to submit final plans, while the US pledge made under Joe Biden may be abandoned if Donald Trump withdraws from the Paris deal again. The findings come ahead of Cop30 in Brazil next month, where leaders will be urged to strengthen pledges and boost…