Root and Stokes grind down weary India to stretch lead beyond 100

YOU wait over 150 years for a Manchester derby in the FA Cup final, then two come along at once.
The 2023 FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United, won 2-1 by City thanks to an Ilkay Gundogan brace, was the first-ever meeting between the two historic clubs at this stage of the tournament.
And they’ll do it all again this year, making it the first repeat of the previous year’s final since 1885 when Blackburn Rovers and Queens Park of Scotland contested back-to-back finals, with Blackburn winning on both occasions.

The Red’s title defence is built on clever recruitment, long-term planning, and data-led strategy. In contrast, the Magpies are falling behind — and blaming the wrong things, writes JAMES NALTON

With climate change, commercial overload and endless fixtures, footballers are being pushed to breaking point. It’s time their unions became a more powerful, unified force, writes JAMES NALTON

Joao Pedro’s emotional goals against Fluminense captured the magic of an international club competition. But even as fans bring colour and passion, the Club World Cup’s deeper issues loom large, writes JAMES NALTON