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Agencies

Andrew Cesare Richardson

Could this be a year when the English FA Cup is won by someone outside the traditional big five?
Since 1995, only three times has someone other than Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal or Chelsea won it.
Of those, only the two Manchesters remain as round five kicks off – and it’s far from a vintage campaign for either.
Could this be Aston Villa’s year?
Asensio at the double

On-loan Paris Saint-Germain star Marco Asensio has been an inspired signing by compatriot Unai Emery.
His two second-half goals against Cardiff earned Villa a 2-0 win and sent them into the FA Cup quarter-finals as they aim to win the competition for the first time since 1957.
In fact, their last trophy of any kind was the League Cup in 1996, but with Asensio and fellow new signing Marcus Rashford working well in tandem, this could be the year they end the drought.
The on-loan United forward provided yet another assist for the ex-Real Madrid man.
“Marcus is a top player,” Asensio said. “We are together not so much but I know what he wants to do, where he passes and I am very happy to have Marcus and all of the teammates.”
Next for high-flying Villa is a trip to Club Brugge for the first leg of their Uefa Champions League last-16 clash.
Elsewhere, Bayern Munich came from a goal down to earn an impressive 3-1 win away to a Stuttgart side who finished above them in the table last campaign.
Michael Olise, Leon Goretzka and Kingsley Coman scored the goals as they warmed up the visit of Bayer Leverkusen in one of the most intriguing Champions League ties.
Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho is suing Galatasaray claiming damages after the club accused the Fenerbahce boss of making racist statements.
“Through the lawyers of Fenerbahce Sports Club, we announce to the public that Galatasaray Sports Club has been sued by Jose Mourinho for [1.9 million Turkish Lira, or US$524,000] for non-pecuniary damages due to the attack on the personal rights of our technical director Jose Mourinho,” a statement said.
He’s done it again

Sweden’s Armand Duplantis soared 6.27 metres to shatter the world pole vault record for a staggering 11th time at the All Star Perche meet in Clermont-Ferrand, France.
The two-time Olympic and world champion cleared the record height on his first attempt to break his previous global mark of 6.26m set in Silesia in August, sparking trackside fireworks that lit up the arena.
Emmanouil Karalis was second with a Greek record clearance of 6.02m as six men cleared 5.91m or higher for the first time in a single competition.
The 25-year-old Duplantis – who earlier in the day released his first song “Bop” under his nickname “Mondo” – easily cleared heights of 5.65m, 5.91m, 6.02m, and 6.07m and with the victory secured, he had the bar raised to 6.27 for his world-record attempt.
“Hope y’all like it,” Duplantis wrote in an Instagram post about his song.
Duplantis has bettered the world record by a centimetre in each of his 11 times, dating back to 2020. He has broken his global mark four times in the last 11 months alone.
Renaud Lavillenie of France held the world record of 6.16, set in 2014, before the Swedish star kicked off his onslaught.
Serious blow

Philadelphia’s star centre Joel Embiid will miss the rest of the NBA regular season as he and the team continue to seek a solution for the left knee trouble that has hindered him this season, the 76ers said.
The Cameroon-born big man, who was the NBA MVP in 2023, has missed numerous games this season because of pain and swelling in the knee, and told reporters last week that the injury did not allow him to play to his highest standard.
“The Philadelphia 76ers and Joel Embiid have been consulting with top specialists regarding ongoing issues with his left knee,” the team said in a statement.
“After further evaluation, it has been determined that he is medically unable to play and will miss the remainder of the season to focus on treatment and rehabilitation.”
Embiid has played just 19 games this season.
He was limited to 39 games last season after tearing the meniscus in his knee. He had surgery in February 2024 and returned in April for the 76ers’ play-off run.
On the charge

Australia qualified for the Champions Trophy semi-finals after their Group B match against Afghanistan ended without a result in persistent rain in Lahore.
Chasing 274 for victory at Gaddafi Stadium, Australia were 109 for one in 12.5 overs when rain stopped play, giving them four points in their three games.
Afghanistan, who have three points from two games, need England to beat South Africa by a big margin in Karachi on Saturday to sneak into the last four on net run-rate.
Afghanistan’s -0.99 net run-rate is inferior to South Africa’s 2.14 despite beating former world champions England by eight runs in Lahore on Wednesday.
Australia were well placed to chase down the target with opener Travis Head not out after a 40-ball 59 not out spiced with nine boundaries and a six.
Steve Smith was unbeaten on 19 after Matthew Short was dismissed for 20.
Heavy rain stopped play and as water pooled in the stadium the umpires ended the match.
Afghanistan had totalled 273 all out in 50 overs after winning the toss and batting.


Chelsea beat Tottenham, Barcelona receive boost, tennis elite’s grand slam appeal

Liverpool win derby, Mourinho the nose pincher, Clasico cup final, Raducanu withdraws

Arsenal win, Man United lose while Real Madrid keep treble hopes alive in epic thriller

England’s routine World Cup qualifying win, Osaka out, Raducanu through in Miami

While you were sleeping

Asensio shines for Aston Villa in FA Cup, Duplantis’ latest world record, Embiid’s KO

Marco Asensio scored both goals as Aston Villa beat Cardiff 2-0 in the FA Cup fifth round. Photo: Reuters

Marco Asensio (left) and Marcus Rashford have struck up a strong relationship at Aston Villa. Photo: dpa

Armand Duplantis poses next to a screen displaying his latest world record. Photo: AFP

The Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid has been ruled out for the remainder of the season. Photo: TNS

Australia’s captain Steve Smith was unbeaten on 19 against Afghanistan. Photo: AFP

Uefa bans disgraced former EPL referee David Coote from officiating until June 2026

Uefa’s control, ethics and disciplinary body met last week and ruled that David Coote had violated the basic rules of decent conduct and brought football into disrepute. Photo: AP

HSBC Women’s World Championship: Olympic champion Lydia Ko one shot off lead at Sentosa

Lydia Ko of New Zealand on her way to a round-two 67 at the HSBC Women’s World Championship at Sentosa Golf Club. Photo: AFP

Lydia Ko said her score improved from the first round through hitting more greens on Friday. Photo: AFP

Sport

Football

Unai Emery’s side reach quarter-finals, while Swedish pole vault icon continues to outdo himself


Unai Emery’s side reach quarter-finals, while Swedish pole vault icon continues to outdo himself.


Asensio shines for Aston Villa in FA Cup, Duplantis’ latest world record, Embiid’s KO

Unai Emery’s side reach quarter-finals, while Swedish pole vault icon continues to outdo himself

Asensio at the double

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