Simona Halep announces retirement from tennis

Two-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one Simona Halep has retired from tennis. The Romanian announced her decision on court at the Transylvania Open following her 6-1 6-1 first-round loss to Lucia Bronzetti. The 33-year-old recently said she was considering retirement, external because of a knee injury that forced her to withdraw from Australian Open qualifying last month.

Read more

Chelsea return to top four with comeback over West Ham

Chelsea returned to the top four in the Premier League after coming from behind to beat West Ham on former manager Graham Potter’s return to Stamford Bridge. The Blues were made to work hard for the three points by the visitors who led through Jarrod Bowen at the break. Substitute Pedro Neto equalised in the second half before Cole Palmer’s cross took a big deflection off Aaron Wan-Bissaka to gift the win to the home side.

Read more

Marcus Rashford joins Aston Villa on loan from Manchester United

Marcus Rashford has joined Aston Villa on loan from Manchester United for the remainder of the season. The 27-year-old forward had also been linked with moves to AC Milan and Barcelona this month after falling out of favour at his boyhood club. Rashford, who joined United at the age of seven, has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances since breaking into the first team in 2016 but has not played since 12 December.

Read more

Arsenal put five past City to keep title hopes alive

Arsenal moved to within six points of Premier League leaders Liverpool by thrashing Manchester City at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners, who knew only a victory would suffice overpowered the fading champions in emphatic fashion taking the lead inside the opening two minutes. Erling Haaland brought City level briefly before Arsenal turned on the style to blow the visitors apart in an action packed second half.

Read more

Ireland mount fightback to defeat England

Ireland scored three tries in a dominant second-half display as they launched their bid for an unprecedented third successive Six Nations title with a bonus-point victory over England in Dublin. With the hosts struggling out of the blocks, an early score from England debutant Cadan Murley helped the visitors lead deservedly at the break. However Ireland turned on the style in the second half to make amends to get their campaign off to a winning start.

Read more