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

Liverpool hold on to beat Everton 2-1 in Merseyside derby
Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch celebrates with teammates after scoring his side’s opening goal during their English Premier League match against Everton at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, Sept. 20, 2025. (AP)
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Updated 58 sec ago

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.


Swiatek shrugs off double duty to reach Korea Open final

Swiatek shrugs off double duty to reach Korea Open final
Updated 22 sec ago

Swiatek shrugs off double duty to reach Korea Open final

Swiatek shrugs off double duty to reach Korea Open final
The Polish six-time Grand Slam champion thrashed the Czech Republic’s Barbora Krejcikova 6-0, 6-3
In Sunday’s final, she will face Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova

SEOUL: Iga Swiatek blazed into the Korea Open final after bad weather forced her to play two matches on Saturday, winning both in a combined time of two and a half hours.
The Polish six-time Grand Slam champion thrashed the Czech Republic’s Barbora Krejcikova 6-0, 6-3 in a quarter-final moved from Friday because of heavy rain, then returned to the court hours later to face Australia’s Maya Joint.
World number two Swiatek was just as clinical against her semifinal opponent, winning 6-0, 6-2 to move into her fifth final of the year.
In Sunday’s final, she will face Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova, who beat Czech Republic’s Katerina Siniakova 6-4, 6-2 in the other semifinal.
“I just focused on myself and on the goals that I had before and continued doing what I was doing throughout the whole tournament, because it’s been working,” said Swiatek.
Swiatek came into the Seoul tournament on the back of a stunning quarter-final defeat to eventual finalist Amanda Anisimova at the US Open.
Swiatek, whose father Tomasz competed in rowing at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, dispatched Krejcikova in 1 hour, 25 minutes.
She had an even shorter evening’s work against Joint, winning in 1 hour, 6 minutes.
Swiatek was all business from start to finish against Joint, clinching the match with an easy winner at the net.
All four quarter-finals were pushed back a day from Friday as bad weather continued to affect the tournament, which has been hit with delays all week.

Sephora announced as new team sponsor for Al-Nassr women’s football squad

Sephora announced as new team sponsor for Al-Nassr women’s football squad
Updated 20 September 2025

Sephora announced as new team sponsor for Al-Nassr women’s football squad

Sephora announced as new team sponsor for Al-Nassr women’s football squad

DUBAI: Global retailer Sephora was announced as the official sponsor for Al-Nassr women’s football team via Instagram on Friday.

The partnership contract will be for the duration of the 2025/2026 season. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

The Sephora logo will be displayed on the team jersey and the training jersey. 

Al-Nassr are the reigning champions of the first Saudi Women’s Super Cup, defeating Al-Ahli 2-0 on Sept. 8. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Formula 1 extends Azerbaijan Grand Prix contract through 2030

Formula 1 extends Azerbaijan Grand Prix contract through 2030
Updated 20 September 2025

Formula 1 extends Azerbaijan Grand Prix contract through 2030

Formula 1 extends Azerbaijan Grand Prix contract through 2030
  • The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is set to stay on the Formula 1 calendar until at least 2030 after receiving a four-year contract extension
  • The contract for the street circuit on the Baku seafront had been due to expire after next year’s race

BAKU: The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is set to stay on the Formula 1 calendar until at least 2030 after receiving a four-year contract extension Saturday.
The contract for the street circuit on the Baku seafront had been due to expire after next year’s race.
Azerbaijan was widely considered a surprise choice of host ahead of its first race in 2016 but has become known for unpredictable racing, with Sergio Perez the only driver to win there more than once.
“The circuit is unique, with technical sections and long straights that run through the stunning shoreline and historic old town, delivering an eventful and entertaining race every year,” F1 president and chief executive Stefano Domenicali said in a statement.
“This renewal reflects the strong trust and commitment between Formula 1, the Azerbaijani government, and the promoter, and paves the way for an exciting future in the country.”
This year’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix takes place Sunday.


‘Switch off your phones and sleep’, India captain tells team before Pakistan clash

‘Switch off your phones and sleep’, India captain tells team before Pakistan clash
Updated 20 September 2025

‘Switch off your phones and sleep’, India captain tells team before Pakistan clash

‘Switch off your phones and sleep’, India captain tells team before Pakistan clash
  • India prevailed in the Group A match last week but their players refused to shake hands with Pakistan opponents after the match
  • Pakistan considered withdrawing from the tournament to protest against the match referee, who they say condoned India’s behavior

DUBAI: India’s players need to block out the noise as they prepare to again face rivals Pakistan in the Asia Cup amid controversy over their previous clash, skipper Suryakumar Yadav said on Saturday.

The eight-team tournament has been dominated by headlines about India and Pakistan’s first meetings on the pitch since the military conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors in May this year.

India prevailed in the politically-charged Group A match last week but their players refused to shake hands with their Pakistan opponents after the match.

Suryakumar dedicated India’s seven-wicket victory to their armed forces, while several of his teammates took to social media to express similar thoughts.

Pakistan considered withdrawing from the tournament to protest against the match referee, who they say condoned unsportsmanlike behavior by India, before going ahead with their match against the United Arab Emirates.

With the controversy likely to rumble on in the build-up to Sunday’s clash, Suryakumar offered some blunt advice for teammates struggling to cope with external pressure.

“Close your room, switch off your phone and sleep. I think that’s the best. It’s easy to say, but sometimes it is difficult,” he told reporters.

“It’s on you, what you want to listen to, what you want to have in your mind ...

“I have been very clear with all the boys. I think it’s very important if you want to do well in this tournament and going forward. We will have to shut a lot of noise from outside and take what is good for you.”

Despite India’s triumph in their previous encounter, Suryakumar insisted past results would count for nothing when the rivals meet again in the super four match.

“I feel our preparation has been really good leading into the tournament. We have also had three good games, so we are actually focusing on what we can do best,” he added.

“We want to follow all the good habits that we have been doing from the last two or three games. We take it one game at a time. It doesn’t give us an edge that we have played them once and we had a good game. We have to start from scratch.”


Liverpool’s Isak and Wirtz on the bench for Merseyside derby against Everton

Liverpool’s Isak and Wirtz on the bench for Merseyside derby against Everton
Updated 20 September 2025

Liverpool’s Isak and Wirtz on the bench for Merseyside derby against Everton

Liverpool’s Isak and Wirtz on the bench for Merseyside derby against Everton
  • Wirtz had started Liverpool’s first four Premier League matches and the Champions League opener
  • Hugo Ekitike started in place of Isak and Alexis Mac Allister instead of Wirtz, who is scoreless for Liverpool this season

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool’s top two summer signings, Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, were on the bench for Saturday’s Merseyside derby against Everton.
Isak made his debut in Wednesday’s 3-2 Champions League win over Atlético Madrid, starting and playing until the 57th minute. Wirtz had started Liverpool’s first four Premier League matches and the Champions League opener.
Hugo Ekitike started in place of Isak, who joined Liverpool in a deadline-day transfer from Newcastle. Alexis Mac Allister was in for Wirtz, who is scoreless for Liverpool this season after joining from Bayer Leverkusen.
Left back Milos Kerkez started in place of Andy Robertson and right back Conor Bradley instead of Jeremie Frimpong.