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Tottenham battle back to earn 2-2 draw at Brighton

Tottenham battle back to earn 2-2 draw at Brighton
Brighton & Hove Albion’s Bart Verbruggen looks dejected after teammate Jan Paul van Hecke scores an own goal and Tottenham Hotspur’s second during their EPL match at The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Sept. 20, 2025. (Reuters)
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Updated 4 sec ago

Tottenham battle back to earn 2-2 draw at Brighton

Tottenham battle back to earn 2-2 draw at Brighton
  • Van Hecke turned in a cross by Mohammed Kudus in the 82nd minute of an entertaining clash
  • “We have to be more ruthless sometimes,” Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler said

BRIGHTON, England: Tottenham Hotspur battled from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Brighton & Hove Albion with Jan Paul van Hecke’s own goal giving the visitors a deserved share of the spoils on Saturday.
Van Hecke turned in a cross by Mohammed Kudus in the 82nd minute of an entertaining clash on the south coast with the point moving Spurs into second place in the Premier League.
Tottenham could even have snatched a win but will be reasonably content to maintain their strong start to the season under new manager Thomas Frank.
After five games they have 10 points with their only league defeat coming at home to Bournemouth.
Brighton, who will also feel they should have picked up their second win of the season, have five points.
“We have to be more ruthless sometimes. Be more stable in some moments,” Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler said.
“But we have to see the positives.”
Tottenham began the game in strong fashion with Kudus a lively presence but they fell behind to a sucker punch.
Brighton stopped a Tottenham attack and Georginio Rutter’s first-time pass sent Gambia forward Yankuba Minteh who was just onside, racing clear and he coolly rounded Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario to score with ease.
Tottenham then gifted the hosts a second goal with Lucas Bergvall giving the ball away deep on the right before Yasin Ayari struck a right-footed angled drive that Vicario should have kept out after getting a hand to it.
Richarlison pulled a goal back just before halftime, stabbing in from close range after controlling a low pass into the area by Kudus and Tottenham dominated the second half.
Substitute Xavi Simons was especially lively and was denied by a great save from Bart Verbruggen before side-footing another chance wide after more good work by Kudus.
Tottenham plugged away though and when Kudus again delivered a dangerous ball across the area it struck the thigh of Van Hecke and nestled in the goal.


Runners celebrate Saudi national day at Jeddah historic district

Runners celebrate Saudi national day at Jeddah historic district
Updated 7 sec ago

Runners celebrate Saudi national day at Jeddah historic district

Runners celebrate Saudi national day at Jeddah historic district
  • Event organized in collaboration with Historic Jeddah Program, Masafat Club, Saudi Sports for All Federation and Ministry of Sports’ Makkah region branch

JEDDAH: Professional runners, amateurs, families and children of all ages took to the streets and alleys of Jeddah’s historic district early Friday morning for the Jeddah Green Spirit Run, part of the city’s 95th National Day celebrations.

The event was organized in collaboration with the Historic Jeddah Program, the Masafat Club, the Saudi Sports for All Federation and the Ministry of Sports’ Makkah region branch.

Offering 2km and 5km distances for all ages and skill levels, the run provided a patriotic community experience, encouraging participants to celebrate unity while staying active.

Runners followed a course winding through Historic Jeddah’s most iconic landmarks, giving them an opportunity to explore the city’s rich heritage. Key points along the route included Bab Jadid, the historic Hajj Route, Bab Al-Bunt, Beit Nassief and Al-Falah School.

Thirty-year-old Muhanad Abdulaziz, who participated alongside his wife, told Arab News: “Running is more than just a physical activity — it’s a way of connecting with our country and with each other. I insisted that my wife and I take part in this special day with all the runners who came from everywhere to enjoy the race and celebrate our National Day.”

An estimated 1,000 runners of various nationalities took part, including a significant number of Filipino participants. Jon Abella said: “It is a special day for Saudis, and we are here to share this happy occasion with them by running through this historic area.”

Meanwhile, 69-year-old Ahmed Al-Hamdan, who completed the 5km race, expressed his joy at participating alongside fellow veteran athletes.

He said: “We are here to show our spirit, enthusiasm and patriotism for our beloved country. At the same time, we want to prove that age doesn’t matter — we can do it just like the young runners.”


Mbappé and Militão strike from distance as Real Madrid deal Espanyol first loss

Mbappé and Militão strike from distance as Real Madrid deal Espanyol first loss
Updated 6 min 56 sec ago

Mbappé and Militão strike from distance as Real Madrid deal Espanyol first loss

Mbappé and Militão strike from distance as Real Madrid deal Espanyol first loss
  • It was Mbappé’s turn in the 47th when he had time to pick a spot in the bottom corner
  • Mbappé has seven goals in six games for Madrid this season

MADRID: Kylian Mbappé and Éder Militão scored from well outside the area to help Real Madrid ease past Espanyol 2-0 in La Liga on Saturday, dealing the Barcelona-based side their first loss.
Espanyol gave Militão a smidgen of space and the Brazil defender fired a right-footed screamer into the top corner in the 22nd minute. A diving Marko Dmitrovic got his fingers on the ball but couldn’t stop the powerful strike.
It was Mbappé’s turn in the 47th when he had time to pick a spot in the bottom corner and smashed a strike that Dmitrovic could only watch nestle into the net.
Mbappé has seven goals in six games for Madrid this season, including a double in their 2-1 win over Marseille to start the Champions League on Tuesday.
Madrid moved five points clear of Espanyol and Barcelona, which host fifth-placed Getafe at their 6,000-seat Estadi Johan Cruyff on Sunday.
England midfielder Jude Bellingham went on as a substitute for the final minutes in his first appearance since he underwent an operation on his left shoulder on July 16.


Kane treble helps Bayern to extend perfect Bundesliga start at Hoffenheim

Kane treble helps Bayern to extend perfect Bundesliga start at Hoffenheim
Updated 15 min 25 sec ago

Kane treble helps Bayern to extend perfect Bundesliga start at Hoffenheim

Kane treble helps Bayern to extend perfect Bundesliga start at Hoffenheim
  • It was Kane’s second hat-trick of the campaign, after a second-half treble in their season opener against RB Leipzig
  • The victory moved Bayern up to 12 points while Hoffenheim are six points behind in eighth place

BERLIN: Bayern Munich maintained their flawless start in the Bundesliga by beating Hoffenheim 4-1 away on Saturday after Harry Kane netted two penalties and bagged his ninth hat-trick for the German league leaders.
It was Kane’s second hat-trick of the campaign, after a second-half treble in their season opener against RB Leipzig, and he moved five strikes clear at the top of the scoring charts with eight league goals in four matches.
The victory moved Bayern up to 12 points while Hoffenheim are six points behind in eighth place.
Vincent Kompany made five changes to the team that beat Chelsea in their Champions League opener on Wednesday, with 17-year-old winger Lennart Karl becoming the second-youngest player to start for Bayern in the Bundesliga.
Hoffenheim created several promising chances early on, notably through Fisnik Asllani and Alexander Prass, with the home side testing Manuel Neuer multiple times while also hitting the post on one occasion.
Bayern looked like they might be made to work for their three points on a hot day in southwestern Germany and it was Karl who impressed with his energy and counter-pressing.
With the first half threatening to end goalless, the youngster delivered when he assisted Kane for the opener from a corner.
When the teenager spotted Kane losing his marker, he fizzed a low cross into the box which the English striker pounced on, firing the ball inside the near post to beat goalkeeper Oliver Baumann and giving Bayern the lead going into halftime.
Karl nearly grabbed their second goal when he ghosted in from the flank to steal the ball from Hoffenheim’s defenders, but his pace took him away from goal and he did not have the power to score as Baumann stopped his tame shot.

BAYERN EARN TWO PENALTIES
Bayern had the opportunity to double their lead early in the second half from the penalty spot when the referee spotted a handball in the box as the ball deflected off Albian Hajjdari’s arm, and VAR confirmed the decision.
Kane had missed a penalty in the DFB-Pokal cup competition but never in the Bundesliga and he maintained his 100 percent record despite a pause in his run-up, firing his shot low into the bottom corner to beat Baumann who had dived in the right direction.
Hoffenheim seemed to have the wind knocked out of their sails and it went from bad to worse when they conceded a second penalty after Michael Olize was fouled as he entered the box, with the referee checking the replay before pointing to the spot.
Kane stepped up again and this time he sent Baumann the wrong way.
Hoffenheim finally got on the board from a free kick where Vladimir Coufal sent the ball into the box with pace and Joshua Kimmich stuck out his leg to stop it, only to deflect it past Neuer who had no time to react.
The home side had nine minutes of injury time to try to find another goal but it was Bayern who put the game well out of reach when a rebound from Baumann’s save fell to Serge Gnabry, who fired home from a tight angle to make it 4-1.


Verstappen claims pole in chaotic Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying

Verstappen claims pole in chaotic Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying
Updated 20 September 2025

Verstappen claims pole in chaotic Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying

Verstappen claims pole in chaotic Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying
  • Red Bull’s reigning world champion edged Spaniard Carlos Sainz of Williams and New Zealander Liam Lawson of Racing Bulls in a chaotic session which saw seven crashes
  • There were three red flags in Q1

BAKU: Max Verstappen grabbed his sixth pole position of the season for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a crash-marred qualifying session on the Baku street circuit Saturday.
Red Bull’s reigning world champion edged Spaniard Carlos Sainz of Williams and New Zealander Liam Lawson of Racing Bulls in a chaotic session which saw seven crashes.
World championship leader Oscar Piastri crashed in Q3 and will start from ninth on the grid, two places behind McLaren teammate Lando Norris.
While the battle for pole position usually lasts an hour, this time it lasted almost two hours due to the time needed to remove the crashed cars, clean up debris scattered across the track, and repair crash barriers.
There were three red flags in Q1, the first part of qualifying, following crashes by Thailand’s Alexander Albon (Williams), Germany’s Nico Hülkenberg (Sauber), and Argentina’s Franco Colapinto (Alpine).
Then there was an interruption in Q2 when Britain’s Oliver Bearman (Haas) went off the track, and finally two in Q3 following the violent crashes of Monaco’s Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and Australia’s Piastri.
Norris failed to seize the opportunity offered to him by Piastri, finishing only seventh after a mistake on his only flying lap in Q3.
The Briton will therefore start only two places ahead of his teammate, who has a 31-point lead over him at the top of the world championship.


Liverpool hold on to beat Everton 2-1 in Merseyside derby

Liverpool hold on to beat Everton 2-1 in Merseyside derby
Updated 20 September 2025

Liverpool hold on to beat Everton 2-1 in Merseyside derby

Liverpool hold on to beat Everton 2-1 in Merseyside derby
  • First-half goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike gave Arne Slot’s men a commanding lead
  • Idrissa Gueye’s second-half strike ensured a nervy finish for the hosts

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool held off a spirited Everton fightback to claim a 2-1 Premier League victory in a tense Merseyside derby at Anfield on Saturday, preserving their perfect start to the season and moving further ahead atop the table after five games.
First-half goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike gave Arne Slot’s men a commanding lead, but Idrissa Gueye’s second-half strike ensured a nervy finish for the hosts, who have now won all five league matches to open their campaign.
Everton dropped one spot to seventh in the table after their second loss of the season.
Gravenberch struck in the 10th minute when Mohamed Salah sent a ball over the top that the Dutch international met on the bounce for a superb finish, hooking his shot beyond the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Close-season signing Ekitike, who started ahead of Britain’s record signing Alexander Isak, doubled the lead in the 29th when he took one touch from Gravenberch’s pass before finishing through Pickford’s legs.
But Everton grew into the game and Gueye pulled one back in the 58th when he lashed a shot into the far left corner after Iliman Ndiaye had cleverly cut back Jack Grealish’s cross.
The nerves were palpable over the final few minutes of an entertaining afternoon in lashing rain as Everton parked in Liverpool’s end but, try as they might, the Toffees could not find the back of the net.
Liverpool had 11 shots to Everton’s nine.
Jack Grealish, who has been excellent since his loan move to Everton from Manchester City, stopped what looked to be a sure goal in the 73rd minute when he blocked Ibrahima Konate’s blistering header with his chest.
Grealish and Everton boss David Moyes made a beeline for the officials after the final whistle to have an angry word. Grealish was shown a yellow card before Pickford pushed him away.
Liverpool needed last-gasp goals in their four previous league wins along with their 3-2 Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, but they stormed out of the gate on Saturday and needed no late-game heroics.