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The Premier League will again stage a four-team Summer Series across three cities in the United States from July 26 to Aug. 3, featuring AFC Bournemouth, Everton, Manchester United and West Ham, it was announced on Saturday.
This second edition of the preseason tournament will be held in New Jersey, Chicago and Atlanta.
A double-header will be played on July 26 at MetLife Stadium when Everton take on Bournemouth and Manchester United face West Ham.
The four teams will then compete at Soldier Field in Chicago on July 30 before they play at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Aug. 3.
Pre-sale of tickets opens on March 13 and a single ticket purchase will give fans a seat for both matches at each double-header.
This is the second Premier League Summer Series to be held in the United States. In July 2023, more than 265,000 fans watched Premier League clubs play with Chelsea the inaugural winner.
"We are delighted to be bringing the Premier League Summer Series back to the United States," Premier League CEO Richard Masters said. "We know from our previous tournament and Premier League Mornings Live events that we and our clubs have incredibly loyal and passionate fans in the U.S. who get up early to follow their teams during the season.
"In these four clubs we have world-class players and managers who will undoubtedly give supporters a fantastic Premier League experience just before the season starts."
Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior scored in the first half to give Real Madrid an easy 2-1 win over neighbours Rayo Vallecano on Sunday that helped them draw level at the top of the table in the battle to retain their LaLiga crown.
Only one point separates Spain's three biggest clubs in one of the closest title races in recent years with Barcelona leading the pack on 57 points, ahead of second-placed Real on goal difference with Atletico Madrid in third on 56 points after a 2-1 loss at Getafe earlier on Sunday.
Barça, who will face Atletico next Sunday, have a game in hand after their match against Osasuna on Saturday was postponed due to the sudden death of their team doctor.
Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti rested several key starters including goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defender Antonio Rudiger ahead of the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against rivals Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
Yet Real were still the better side and dominated proceedings from early on at their Bernabeu stadium.
Burak Akbulut/Anadolu via Getty Images
They got a two-goal lead with quickfire strikes, as Mbappé finished a counter in the 30th minute and Vinícius extended their advantage with a fine individual goal four minutes later.
Vinícius also hit the post with a strike from just outside the box that could have extended their lead even further.
Rayo reduced the deficit in added time before the break with a tremendous shot from the edge of the area by Pedro Díaz, which hit the crossbar before bouncing over the goalline and then out again, with the VAR awarding the goal after it was not given by the referee.
Real did just enough to manage their lead after the break against a Rayo side that fought hard and created good chances but lacked firepower to pose a real threat to the LaLiga champions.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice struck in the second half to cancel out Bruno Fernandes's free kick but Mikel Arteta's men could only muster a 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Sunday in a big blow to their Premier League title chances.
Second-placed Arsenal trail leaders Liverpool by 15 points but with a game in hand, while Manchester United are 14th on 34 points.
The first half was far from a classic with Arsenal dominating possession but with few chances for either side before Fernandes finally broke the deadlock seconds before half-time and against the run of play with a brilliant free kick that sailed over the wall and past the outstretched hands of goalkeeper David Raya.
The second half was far more entertaining with near misses for both sides before Rice levelled in the 74th minute when he latched onto a ball from Jurrien Timber and unleashed a blistering shot from the edge of the box past Andre Onana.
Rohit, Rahul, spinners lead India to third Champions Trophy title
India 254 for 6 (Rohit 76, Iyer 48, Rahul 34*, Bracewell 2-28) beat New Zealand 251 for 7 (Mitchell 63, Bracewell 53, Kuldeep 2-40, Varun 2-45) by four wickets
New Zealand defended with all their might against heavy favourites India. But in the end, India had just too much quality and depth to end their second straight ICC tournament unbeaten. They now hold two of the four ICC trophies, having lost in the final of the other two. In the last three ICC tournaments alone, India have won 22 of their last 23 completed matches.
It was a final to rescue the tournament that has been short on close contests. India came in with much more ammunition for the conditions than New Zealand, but the toss proved to be a bit of an equaliser. Rachin Ravindra, leading run-getter of the tournament, batted like a dream against the new ball, the best conditions all day long. Without breaking a sweat or taking a risk, he scored 37 off 29 in a start that stunned the crowd.
Under the pump, India went to their likeliest wicket-takers as opposed to the usual formula of bowling Axar Patel with the new ball. Varun beat Will Young with drift on a legbreak, but the natural variation provided the telling blow to trap him lbw. Kuldeep, just five wickets so far, announced himself on the final with two of the biggest wickets: Ravindra to a wrong'un first ball, and Kane Williamson beaten in the air with big dip and offering a return catch.
Three wickets had fallen to reduce New Zealand to 75 for 3, and it was now up to Tom Latham and Daryl Mitchell to keep wickets in hand for the final push. Mitchell struggled to score fluidly, which meant Latham - a stalwart in the middle overs of ODI cricket - had to take a risk. And when you take a risk against the metronomic Jadeja - 10-0-30-1 - you better not miss because he will get you lbw.
For the second time in this tournament, India bowled just spin through the middle overs. It was a slow track but offered minimal turn. It is a testament to the quality and the accuracy of India's spinners that New Zealand were choked through the period. It took them 21 overs to double their 10-overs score of 69. Varun came back to get Glenn Phillips in the 38th over, again pushing back their charge.
Bracewell brought back memories of how fluidly Ravindra batted as India went back to pace on ball at the back end. Mitchell, who followed Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill into scoring his slowest fifty, now tried an assault but a slower ball from Mohammed Shami got the better of him. Bracewell, though, hit three fours and two sixes to give New Zealand what only looked like respectability at that time.
Even that respectability looked dodgy the way Rohit started the chase. Some sensational hitting off the fast bowlers - including Nathan Smith, the replacement of Matt Henry, the leading wicket-taker of the tournament who injured his shoulder - pushed Santner's hand. He brought himself on in the ninth over, but the best he and Ravindra could manage was a few relatively quiet overs.
In the first over after the drinks break, Phillips produced his third unbelievable catch of the tournament, leaping high at extra cover and plucking a one-hander to send Gill back. With his first ball, Bracewell trapped Kohli lbw for one. Now the easy runs stopped. Rohit slowed down, looking like he was setting himself up for an old-fashioned Rohit knock. Then, though, after a spell of eight overs for 19 runs and two wickets, he charged at Ravindra, looking to hit his fourth six of the night, and was stumped.
Iyer, two half-centuries to his name already, and Axar then repaired the damage with a 61-run partnership from 122 for 3. Iyer was the edgier of the two. Young caught him at the deep midwicket fence but touched the boundary skirting, Jamieson dropped him as he tried two consecutive sixes off Phillips, the sixth dropped catch between the two teams.
When Iyer fell in the 39th over, caught off Santner at short fine leg, India needed 67 off 68. The asking rate only hovered around a run a ball - the biggest difference between the balls and runs was four with six overs left. Confident in their depth, India kept taking the odd risk and kept hitting sixes. When pace finally came back on, the calm Rahul took India ahead. Jamieson provided one final stumbling block with Pandya's wicket off a nasty bouncer in the 48th over, but India still had Jadeja in the bank.
Sidharth Monga is a senior writer at ESPNcricinfo
Kohli: We have a squad ready to take on the world for the next eight years
"When you leave, you want to leave the team in a better place, I feel we've a squad that's ready to take on the world for the next eight years," Kohli said. "Shubman [Gill] has been outstanding, Shreyas [Iyer] beautiful, KL [Rahul] has finished games, and Hardik [Pandya] has been superb with the bat."
Kohli said the Champions Trophy triumph somewhat made up for India's Test series loss in Australia. "It's been amazing, we wanted to bounce back after a tough Australian tour, and wanted to win a big tournament and we ended up doing that so it's an amazing feeling."
Standing beside Gill during the celebrations, Kohli was asked for his thoughts on leaving the dressing room a better place when he eventually retires. "There's so much talent in the dressing room," he said. "They're trying to take their game further and we're [seniors] just happy to be of help, sharing our experience and that's what makes this Indian team so strong.
"These are the things you want to play (for titles), playing under pressure and putting your hand up. The whole team, everyone has put their hands up sometimes or other during the course of the tournament. Everyone has put up impactful performances, we've been part of an amazing team, the amount of work we've done in the practice sessions, it feels great."
Kohli had words of appreciation for his opponents, New Zealand. "Amazing, we've always been in awe with what they can do with the limited number of players they've had over the years, and just maximise their talent," he said. "Every time we played against them in big games, we knew they were going to come with a set plan. No team in world cricket executes plans as well as they do.
"Every fielder knows where the bowler is going to bowl, you can sense it, they're all attacking the ball, they know the bowler is going to be accurate. Credit to them for being the most consistent team in the last few tournaments. The reason for that is the immense belief in their skills, and the amount of talent they have they utilise that to the maximum.
"They're easily the best fielding side in the world, a huge shout out to them. They continue to display why they're one of the top teams in the world. Again a great campaign. It's sad to see a very good friend [Kane Williamson] on the losing side, but I've been on the losing side a couple of times when he has been on the winning side, so only love between us."
"But in moments like this and big games, it's more about holding your composure, which we all know about. It's not easy, but I'm happy to win this and happy to get over the line this time. I think I've batted in times like this in three out of the five games. And one of the games I didn't get to bat at all against Pakistan.
"The game's given me good time in the middle and good time to prepare for a big moment like this. It's hard to put in words, but it's just pure skill and the way we've all played our cricket growing up. We've had to face a lot of challenges. We've had to face pressure from the time we held the bat and from the time we decided to be professional cricketers. I think it's just the first-class cricket, BCCI, how they've groomed every player, every talented player that comes around. They're giving us opportunities and platforms to showcase our skills and to put ourselves under pressure and keep challenging ourselves and getting better."
"Oh, brilliant. You know, that was calm, composed [from KL Rahul]. He took his chances at the right point of time. I think this is what KL Rahul is. KL Rahul has immense talent, and I don't think anyone can hit the ball the way he can. I think that was the exhibition of how he did today."
"To be honest, I love to be under pressure whenever there's a challenge. I feel I thrive under pressure, and I love such moments. It's just that I've been getting amazing starts in the tournament, and not able to get a big one, but at the end of the day, if I'm able to contribute to a team victory, that is immensely satisfying, and I'm truly happy."
"Watching him [Virat Kohli] on the TV when I was a kid, and then playing against him, and seeing the intensity at which he plays, it's just phenomenal to watch. And I think it tells us what the game is all about, giving his everything, and that's the only thing that he talks about, even off the field as well - give your everything when you're playing on the field. For him to be able to back his words like that, is just phenomenal."
"This means a lot to India. You're a part of such a team, and there will be be regrets if you're not able to win tournaments after playing for so many years. But luckily in these two years we've won the T20 World Cup and now the Champions Trophy so it's great for team India."
"A big party is due and entire India will party today."
Harry Brook pulls out of IPL for second year running
ESPNcricinfo has learned that Brook's decision to pull out was conveyed by ECB officials to the BCCI last week, and then relayed to Delhi Capitals, who bought Brook for INR 6.25 crore (590,000) at the IPL mega auction last November.
There is no official line on the development yet from the IPL, but Brook tweeted* that he needed "time to recharge after the busiest period in my career to date". He is considered a frontrunner to replace Jos Buttler as England's white-ball captain following their group-stage elimination at the Champions Trophy, and, as an all-formats player with 18 months yet to run on his ECB central contract, workload management could prove to be a factor in the withdrawal. The ECB has been contacted for comment.
"I have made the very difficult decision to pull out of the upcoming IPL," Brook wrote. "I apologise unreservedly to the Delhi Capitals and their supporters.
"I love cricket. Ever since I was a young boy I have dreamt of playing for my country and I am extremely thankful to have the opportunity to play the game I love at this level.
"With the guidance of people I trust, I have taken the time to seriously consider this decision. It is a really important time for England cricket and I want to fully commit to preparing for the upcoming series. In order to do this, I need time to recharge after the busiest period in my career to date. I know not everyone will understand, and I don't expect them to, but I have to do what I believe is right, and playing for my country remains my priority and focus. I remain hugely grateful for the opportunities I have been given and the support I receive."
The decision leaves him vulnerable to a two-year ban from the IPL. The new rule was put in place ahead of the 2025 auction, and is based on feedback from all 10 franchises who expressed frustration at a history of late pullouts by overseas players.
In a note to franchises last September, the IPL said: "Any [overseas] player who registers for [an] auction and, after getting picked at the auction, makes himself unavailable before the start of the season will get banned from participating in the IPL/IPL auction for two seasons."
The only exception, the governing council said, will be for "an injury/medical condition, which will have to be confirmed by the [player's] home board".
The 2025 IPL will start from March 22 with Capitals' opening fixture coming against Lucknow Super Giants in Visakhapatnam on March 24. In addition to finding a replacement for Brook, Capitals also are yet to announce their captain.
*18.45 GMT - Story updated with Brook's tweet
Additional reporting by Andrew Miller
Rohit Sharma not retiring from ODIs after Champions Trophy victory
Rohit said there was "no future plan" and that "what is happening will keep happening" in ODI cricket, when asked about where he stood in his career after winning back-to-back ICC titles. He had led India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup in June last year and retired from that format after the final.
"Let's see. It is a great team achievement for the team to win two ICC trophies and to go undefeated is icing on the cake. I have seen very few teams that have won two tournaments undefeated. For us, the most important thing was that we come here and prepare, and play the opposition. We used the conditions well and won. Future plan... there's no future plan, whatever is happening will keep happening."
At the post-match presentation, Rohit had high praise for KL Rahul's calmness in a tense chase. Rahul was unbeaten on 34 off 33 balls in difficult batting conditions and said he was "sh**ting himself" towards the end of India's chase of 252.
"Again, a very solid mind," Rohit said of Rahul. "He never gets overawed by pressure around him. That's one of the reasons why we wanted to have him in the middle phase, to try and finish off games for us. With his experience and class, there's a bit of calmness when he bats.
"He picks the right shots to play under pressure situations, which obviously allows the other guys batting around him to come and play freely. For example, Hardik came out and played some really good shots in both games that gave us some freedom. Overall the batsmanship shown by all our batters throughout the tournament was superb."
Rohit himself for India's chase off to a powerful start, scoring 49 off 40 balls in the powerplay and going on to add 105 with Shubman Gill for the first wicket. Rohit finished with 76 off 83 balls.
"It makes it a lot easier; it gives you freedom as well," Rohit said of India's batting depth giving him the freedom to attack at the start. "Which is why I said earlier as well that we wanted to have batting depth as deep as possible. Jadeja coming at No. 8 gives you the confidence to go slightly hard up front with the new ball. If it comes off, it comes off. If it doesn't, then so be it. As long as I'm clear in my mind, it's the most important thing."
Rohit also praised his spinners for living up to expectations. India stuck to their four-pronged spin strategy for the last three games, starting with the last group fixture against New Zealand when they first unleashed Varun Chakravarthy, who incidentally wasn't in the preliminary squad of 15.
"Not just this game but right from the beginning, our spinners in particular, there's too many expectations when you are playing on a pitch like that, but they never disappointed," Rohit said. "We do understand their strengths, playing on pitches like these helped and we used it to our advantage. Throughout the tournament, in terms of bowling, we were very consistent."
Varun finished the tournament as the second-highest wicket-taker. He took nine wickets in three innings at 15.11 apiece and with an economy rate of 4.53. He didn't play India's first group games against Bangladesh and Pakistan, but took 5 for 42 in his first opportunity, the third group match against New Zealand.
"He has got something different about him," Rohit said. "When we are playing on such pitches, we want the batters to do something different and that's when he becomes a lot more dangerous. He didn't start off in the tournament for us, but when he played against New Zealand and picked up a five-for, we saw the kind of ability he possesses. We wanted to maximise that, and he didn't disappoint. He's got great quality in his bowling, luckily it came to use a various times."
Source: Chiefs re-signing LB Bolton to $45M deal
Linebacker Nick Bolton is re-signing with the Kansas City Chiefs on a three-year, $45 million deal, including $30 million fully guaranteed at signing, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Sunday.
Bolton, 24, started 16 games this past regular season, registering 106 tackles and recording a career-high three sacks. He then started all three games in the postseason, recording 20 tackles.
He joined the Chiefs in 2021 as a second-round draft pick out of Missouri. He became an immediate contributor, starting 12 games as a rookie and finishing with 112 tackles.
Bolton became a full-time starter in 2022, and made 180 tackles, with two sacks and two interceptions in the regular season. His signature play that season was a 36-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the Chiefs' Super Bowl LVII win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
In 2023, Bolton missed nine games because of a wrist injury but still had a team-high 40 tackles in four postseason games, including 13 in Kansas City's Super Bowl LVIII win over the San Francisco 49ers.
ESPN's Adam Teicher contributed to this report.
Bills cut eight-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Miller
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Bills on Sunday released pass rusher Von Miller ahead of the league year.
The move opens up $8.4 million in cap space, helping the team to get under the cap before the new league year, which starts Wednesday.
The team is open to bringing back Miller, who turns 36 on March 26, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Bills thanked Miller for his three seasons with the team when announcing his release.
The move gives the Bills $15.4 million in dead cap money for this year. Miller was under contract through 2027.
Miller was set to account for the second-most cap space on the roster ($23.9 million) only behind quarterback Josh Allen.
Releasing Miller comes after the Bills signed defensive end Greg Rousseau to a four-year extension Saturday. Sources told Schefter the extension, worth $80 million, includes $54 million guaranteed. The position remains a need for the team this offseason.
Miller's time with the Bills has been anything but smooth. The pass rusher signed a six-year deal worth $120 million in the 2022 offseason. After a good start that included eight sacks in 11 games, he suffered a major right ACL injury on Nov. 24, 2022. Miller stated during training camp in 2024 that he "probably should not have played" in 2023 because of the injury. He finished the 2023 season playing in 12 games and recording zero sacks and three tackles.
He restructured his contract last offseason, taking a pay cut and saving the Bills $8.645 million in cap space.
"Last year at this time, we were working on a restructure for him, and he did something unprecedented," general manager Brandon Beane said at the NFL scouting combine. "... He took a pay cut below his actual guarantee. And you're talking about a first-ballot Hall of Famer that did that. So, a lot of respect for what he did to come back and try and help us chase this trophy. And I thought as the year went on, he continued to show that he could still play."
Miller was then suspended four games (Weeks 5-8) for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, stemming from allegations of assaulting his pregnant girlfriend in suburban Dallas during the Bills' bye week in 2023. He turned himself in to the police and soon after was released on bond. The case was later closed, and charges were never filed. The NFL conducted a separate investigation.
The two-time Super Bowl champion had a solid season in 2024 as part of the team's defensive line rotation, recording six regular-season sacks. Miller did not play more than 21 snaps in any of the Bills' three playoff games, including 16 in the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
He had 14 sacks overall in three seasons and 23 quarterback hits.
Drafted No. 2 overall by the Broncos in 2011, Miller went on to be named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year and had 110 sacks in 10 seasons with Denver.
An eight-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time first-team All-Pro, he has 129.5 sacks in 14 NFL seasons. He won Super Bowls with the Broncos (2015) and in his one season with the Los Angeles Rams (2021) and had nine sacks combined during those two postseasons.
Miller ranks 16th all-time with his 129.5 sacks, the most since he came into the league.
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