Deadspin | Sam Surridge scores brace as Nashville SC handles Charlotte FC Apr 25, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville SC midfielder Hany Mukhtar (10) shoots the ball during the first half of their game against Charlotte FC at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images Sam Surridge came off the bench to score a brace in the second half of Nashville SC’s 4-2 win over visiting Charlotte FC on Saturday. Nashville (7-1-1, 22 points) is on a three-match winning streak in MLS play and sits in first place in the Eastern Conference. Between the MLS regular season and their run to the CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-finals, Nashville SC has lost only one of 15 matches (10-1-4) in all competitions this season. Morrison and Pep Biel scored for Charlotte FC (4-4-2, 14 points), who are 1-3-0 in their last three regular-season matches. Two of those losses were to Nashville SC, who also earned a 2-1 victory in Charlotte on April 11. Surridge missed Nashville’s previous match due to a hamstring injury, and only entered Saturday’s action as a halftime substitute. The forward looked to be fully fit in scoring his eighth and ninth goals of the season. Hany Mukhtar and Ahmed Qasem each scored within the opening 25 minutes of a dominant first half for Nashville SC. The home side held 61% of the possession, a 9-2 edge in total shots, and a 5-1 edge in shots on target in the opening 45 minutes. Charlotte FC’s first shot on target salvaged an otherwise miserable first half for the visitors. In the 42nd minute, Ashley Westwood’s free kick found Morrison at the near post, who dove forward with a header to knock the ball home. After replacing Warren Madrigal at halftime, it took Surridge only 15 minutes to strike. Mukhtar intentionally avoided an Andy Najar pass to let the ball get to Surridge, who buried the shot. Biel’s team-leading fifth goal narrowed Charlotte’s deficit in the 68th minute. Nashville’s defenders left Biel with too much space outside the box, and the midfielder capitalized by firing a terrific shot under the bar. Before Charlotte could gather more momentum, Surridge scored again in the 74th minute. A corner kick bounced back to Mukhtar in the box, and Mukhtar’s shot was redirected by Surridge into the net. Charlotte FC defender Harry Toffolo left in the 35th minute with an apparent hamstring injury. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Sam #Surridge #scores #brace #Nashville #handles #Charlotte

Deadspin | Sam Surridge scores brace as Nashville SC handles Charlotte FC
Apr 25, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville SC midfielder Hany Mukhtar (10) shoots the ball during the first half of their game against Charlotte FC at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images

Sam Surridge came off the bench to score a brace in the second half of Nashville SC’s 4-2 win over visiting Charlotte FC on Saturday.

Nashville (7-1-1, 22 points) is on a three-match winning streak in MLS play and sits in first place in the Eastern Conference.

Between the MLS regular season and their run to the CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-finals, Nashville SC has lost only one of 15 matches (10-1-4) in all competitions this season.

Morrison and Pep Biel scored for Charlotte FC (4-4-2, 14 points), who are 1-3-0 in their last three regular-season matches. Two of those losses were to Nashville SC, who also earned a 2-1 victory in Charlotte on April 11.

Surridge missed Nashville’s previous match due to a hamstring injury, and only entered Saturday’s action as a halftime substitute. The forward looked to be fully fit in scoring his eighth and ninth goals of the season.

Hany Mukhtar and Ahmed Qasem each scored within the opening 25 minutes of a dominant first half for Nashville SC. The home side held 61% of the possession, a 9-2 edge in total shots, and a 5-1 edge in shots on target in the opening 45 minutes.

Charlotte FC’s first shot on target salvaged an otherwise miserable first half for the visitors. In the 42nd minute, Ashley Westwood’s free kick found Morrison at the near post, who dove forward with a header to knock the ball home.

After replacing Warren Madrigal at halftime, it took Surridge only 15 minutes to strike. Mukhtar intentionally avoided an Andy Najar pass to let the ball get to Surridge, who buried the shot.

Biel’s team-leading fifth goal narrowed Charlotte’s deficit in the 68th minute. Nashville’s defenders left Biel with too much space outside the box, and the midfielder capitalized by firing a terrific shot under the bar.

Before Charlotte could gather more momentum, Surridge scored again in the 74th minute. A corner kick bounced back to Mukhtar in the box, and Mukhtar’s shot was redirected by Surridge into the net.

Charlotte FC defender Harry Toffolo left in the 35th minute with an apparent hamstring injury.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Sam #Surridge #scores #brace #Nashville #handles #Charlotte

Sports news April 26, 2026

Apr 25, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville SC midfielder Hany Mukhtar (10) shoots the ball during the first half of their game against Charlotte FC at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images

Sam Surridge came off the bench to score a brace in the second half of Nashville SC’s 4-2 win over visiting Charlotte FC on Saturday.

Nashville (7-1-1, 22 points) is on a three-match winning streak in MLS play and sits in first place in the Eastern Conference.

Between the MLS regular season and their run to the CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-finals, Nashville SC has lost only one of 15 matches (10-1-4) in all competitions this season.

Morrison and Pep Biel scored for Charlotte FC (4-4-2, 14 points), who are 1-3-0 in their last three regular-season matches. Two of those losses were to Nashville SC, who also earned a 2-1 victory in Charlotte on April 11.

Surridge missed Nashville’s previous match due to a hamstring injury, and only entered Saturday’s action as a halftime substitute. The forward looked to be fully fit in scoring his eighth and ninth goals of the season.

Hany Mukhtar and Ahmed Qasem each scored within the opening 25 minutes of a dominant first half for Nashville SC. The home side held 61% of the possession, a 9-2 edge in total shots, and a 5-1 edge in shots on target in the opening 45 minutes.

Charlotte FC’s first shot on target salvaged an otherwise miserable first half for the visitors. In the 42nd minute, Ashley Westwood’s free kick found Morrison at the near post, who dove forward with a header to knock the ball home.

After replacing Warren Madrigal at halftime, it took Surridge only 15 minutes to strike. Mukhtar intentionally avoided an Andy Najar pass to let the ball get to Surridge, who buried the shot.

Biel’s team-leading fifth goal narrowed Charlotte’s deficit in the 68th minute. Nashville’s defenders left Biel with too much space outside the box, and the midfielder capitalized by firing a terrific shot under the bar.

Before Charlotte could gather more momentum, Surridge scored again in the 74th minute. A corner kick bounced back to Mukhtar in the box, and Mukhtar’s shot was redirected by Surridge into the net.

Charlotte FC defender Harry Toffolo left in the 35th minute with an apparent hamstring injury.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Sam #Surridge #scores #brace #Nashville #handles #Charlotte

IPL 2026: Pat Cummins says Vaibhav Suryavanshi is his new favourite player after century in RR vs SRH <div id="content-body-70907800" itemprop="articleBody">With Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the absurd has been the normal.A sub-40-ball hundred is probably a once-in-a-career occurrence for a good T20 batter. On Saturday, at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, Sooryavanshi smashed his second such hundred. At this point, no one should be surprised.Almost a year after he had reeled in a 35-ball ton against Gujarat Titans at the same venue, Sooryavanshi eviscerated a stunned Sunrisers Hyderabad to score a 36-ball century.If the context has eluded you, these two are the second and third-fastest hundreds in the history of IPL. Absurd? Not anymore.ALSO READ | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/ipl/rr-vs-srh-ipl-2026-match-highlights-result-score-report-sooryavanshi-century/article70906488.ece" target="_blank">MATCH REPORT: Ishan-Abhishek partnership trumps Sooryavanshi ton as Sunrisers ease past Royals</a>Unfortunately for Sooryavanshi, he ended the day on the losing side, after Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma orchestrated a masterful SRH chase.Nevertheless, with his blazing hundred, Sooryavanshi earned himself a brand-new admirer – SRH skipper Pat Cummins.“Yeah, I think he’s my new favourite player. He hits the ball so hard, and it’s great to watch. It’s good fun,” said Cummins in the post-match press conference.Cummins could afford to be this magnanimous because his side had triumphed on the day of his return from injury.<div class="inline_embed article-block-item"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Vaibhav Sooryavanshi brings up his second IPL hundred in just 36 balls for Rajasthan Royals! 💯The second-fastest and third-fastest IPL centuries both belong to this 15-year-old sensation. 🔥Read about his rise, mindset, and RR’s auction strategy: <a href="https://t.co/bCaywySJhs">https://t.co/bCaywySJhs</a>He… <a href="https://t.co/3Y5TyjFTAJ">pic.twitter.com/3Y5TyjFTAJ</a>— Sportstar (@sportstarweb) <a href="https://twitter.com/sportstarweb/status/2048061720246284401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2026</a></blockquote></div>Even if we were to take away that fact, there is the cold, hard truth of what he had witnessed and experienced.Earlier in the day, as the Aussie pacer ran into bowl to Sooryavanshi in the second over – their first-ever meeting – the Royals opener was in scorching touch.He had just torn into Praful Hinge in the first over, belting him for four consecutive sixes, to four parts of the ground – a pull, a whip of the pads and two sumptuous lofted drives past long on and long off.Before Saturday, no player had ever hit four sixes in the first over of an IPL game. With Sooryavanshi, logic flies out of the window, as do records.What was also evident was that this first-over decimation was Sooryavanshi’s way of payback, as Hinge had dismissed him for a first-ball duck earlier this season.And we cut back to Cummins. Over his short but eventful IPL career, Sooryavanshi has almost always made a point to assert himself early on against the opposition’s premier bowler.Jasprit Bumrah wasn’t spared, nor was Josh Hazlewood. There was no reprieve for Cummins either.The SRH skipper had parked two fielders in the leg-side outposts and dished out a shortish delivery, sliding it away from Sooryavanshi.The seemingly obvious trap had no impact on the Royals opener. Without even retreating to his back foot, he flat-batted the ball for a six in front of the leg-side square.“You’ve got to be right on the money as a bowler, because if you’re not, it’s going a long way. He’s impressive. He’s had a great start to his career. I like the way he plays,” admitted Cummins.At the end of the second over, Sooryavanshi had faced six deliveries and had dispatched five of them beyond the fence. Even for him, this was an unsustainable momentum to maintain.Even as he consolidated, the boundaries kept flowing to all parts of the ground. Scarily for opposition bowlers – of the present and the foreseeable future – there were glimpses of an evolving batter.Sooryavanshi displayed a rare touch of innovation when he employed a reverse hit to score a four against left-arm wrist spinner Shivang Kumar.Even more outrageous was the way he picked an off-cutter from Sakib Hussain early and dismissively swept it away for a six over square leg.When you thought Sooryavanshi can’t surprise you anymore, he finds a way to do so. What is normal anymore?Published on Apr 26, 2026</div><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> #IPL #Pat #Cummins #Vaibhav #Suryavanshi #favourite #player #century #SRH

Guardiola hails ‘extraordinary’ Man City reaction to make FA Cup history <div id="content-body-70907854" itemprop="articleBody">Pep Guardiola hailed Manchester City’s feat of becoming the first side to ever reach four consecutive FA Cup finals after a late fightback denied Southampton a shock victory at Wembley.Saints were heading towards their first final in 23 years when Finn Azaz’s brilliant finish put the Championship side in front 11 minutes from time.City, though, hit back immediately through Jeremy Doku before Nico Gonzalez’s sensational strike edged the semifinal 2-1.Guardiola’s men have lost their last two FA Cup finals to Crystal Palace and Manchester United. They beat the Red Devils in 2023.City, which will face Chelsea or Leeds in the final, is now well in contention for a domestic treble.MATCH REPORT | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/epl/manchester-city-beats-southampton-fa-cup-semifinal-final-may-16-predictions/article70907707.ece" target="_blank">Man City fights back to beat Southampton and reach fourth straight FA Cup final</a>Guardiola’s men lifted the League Cup last month and are locked in a tight battle for the Premier League title with Arsenal.“No team has made four finals in a row. It’s extraordinary and hopefully we can arrive with a good momentum,” said Guardiola.The City manager’s decision to make eight changes from the side that beat Burnley 1-0 on Wednesday looked misguided as Southampton enjoyed the better of the first half.But Guardiola’s side improved markedly after the break and were aided by the introduction of Doku, Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva off the bench.“It was difficult but the wingers (Doku and Savinho) when they came in changed the pace,” added Guardiola.“The first time they crossed the halfway line they made a fantastic goal. Football is always unpredictable but the way we played in the second half was extraordinary.”Published on Apr 26, 2026</div> #Guardiola #hails #extraordinary #Man #City #reaction #Cup #history

Arsenal is back on top of the Premier League, but Mikel Arteta claimed its title challenge could be ruined by two rejected red card decisions in its games against Manchester City and Newcastle.

Arteta’s side is three points clear of second-placed Manchester City after Eberechi Eze’s early strike clinched a vital 1-0 win against Newcastle on Saturday.

But the Gunners boss was frustrated with the decision not to send off Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope for a foul on Viktor Gyokeres in the 74th minute at the Emirates Stadium.

Pope raced out of his penalty area to clatter Gyokeres, escaping with a yellow card because the Sweden striker was wide on the right wing without a clear sight of goal.

ALSO READ | Nervy Arsenal goes back to top as Eze seals vital win over Newcastle

With the prospect of goal difference potentially deciding a gripping title race, Arteta knew Arsenal would have had a chance to rack up a bigger win if Newcastle were reduced to 10 men.

Instead, it had to settle for a result that left the side only one goal better off than City in the goal difference column.

Arteta was also still harbouring a grievance from last weekend’s crucial 2-1 defeat at City, when Abdukodir Khusanov wasn’t sent off after hauling down Kai Havertz.

What three points means to @Arsenal 🔴 pic.twitter.com/6RsQe702Fn
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 25, 2026

The Spaniard believes those two decisions could prove decisive in settling the title race.

“I don’t know why the Newcastle keeper wasn’t sent off. I have seen it 10 times. If you have ever watched football, you know it was a red card. These are the margins,” Arteta said.

“I am saying the reality of the last two games, in crucial moments with everything at stake, we need things to go our way. I’m not making excuses.

“It was a red card today and a red card in Manchester. If they go our way we are in a different world today.”

Arteta’s rant underlined the mounting tension at the Emirates as Arsenal chases a first English title since 2004.

City’s 1-0 win at Burnley in midweek had knocked Arsenal off top spot for the first time since October, raising the spectre of another title race collapse after its blown leads in 2023 and 2024 gifted the trophy to Pep Guardiola’s men.

‘Path of roses’

Arsenal had lost its previous two league games and four of its last six in all competitions.

Once again, the side struggled to impose itself for long periods against Newcastle, but Eze’s superb strike from a well-worked short corner was enough to settle its nerves.

“We talk about game one and how important that was. We certainly did the job. When it’s 1-0 it’s always tough, especially with the quality of players they brought on,” Arteta said.

“We tried to get a second goal but when you can’t do that you have to win it in other areas.”

City has a game in hand on Arsenal and retains control of the title race.

But Arsenal can move six points clear if it beats Fulham next weekend, before City is next in league action against Everton on May 4.

Arteta knows there will be plenty more twists and turns before Arsenal can finally end its long wait for the title.

“We are where we are. I don’t expect after 22 years, it is going to be a path of roses and beautiful music around it,” he said.

“It is so hard to win the Premier League, it is so competitive.

“We have to do what is in our hands. Game one was in our hands. We had to win it and we have done it. We wanted a bigger margin but we were not able to.”

Arteta faces a nervous wait to discover if Eze and Havertz will be fit for Wednesday’s Champions League semifinal first leg at Atletico Madrid.

“They are muscular niggles. We dont think it is too much. We have to see if they are available for Wednesday,” he said.

Published on Apr 26, 2026

#Mikel #Arteta #Arsenal #regains #lead #Premier #League #title #race #making #excuses">

Mikel Arteta as Arsenal regains lead in Premier League title race: I am not making excuses, we need things to go our way Arsenal is back on top of the Premier League, but Mikel Arteta claimed its title challenge could be ruined by two rejected red card decisions in its games against Manchester City and Newcastle.Arteta’s side is three points clear of second-placed Manchester City after Eberechi Eze’s early strike clinched a vital 1-0 win against Newcastle on Saturday.But the Gunners boss was frustrated with the decision not to send off Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope for a foul on Viktor Gyokeres in the 74th minute at the Emirates Stadium.Pope raced out of his penalty area to clatter Gyokeres, escaping with a yellow card because the Sweden striker was wide on the right wing without a clear sight of goal.ALSO READ | Nervy Arsenal goes back to top as Eze seals vital win over NewcastleWith the prospect of goal difference potentially deciding a gripping title race, Arteta knew Arsenal would have had a chance to rack up a bigger win if Newcastle were reduced to 10 men.Instead, it had to settle for a result that left the side only one goal better off than City in the goal difference column.Arteta was also still harbouring a grievance from last weekend’s crucial 2-1 defeat at City, when Abdukodir Khusanov wasn’t sent off after hauling down Kai Havertz.What three points means to @Arsenal 🔴 pic.twitter.com/6RsQe702Fn— Premier League (@premierleague) April 25, 2026The Spaniard believes those two decisions could prove decisive in settling the title race.“I don’t know why the Newcastle keeper wasn’t sent off. I have seen it 10 times. If you have ever watched football, you know it was a red card. These are the margins,” Arteta said.“I am saying the reality of the last two games, in crucial moments with everything at stake, we need things to go our way. I’m not making excuses.“It was a red card today and a red card in Manchester. If they go our way we are in a different world today.”Arteta’s rant underlined the mounting tension at the Emirates as Arsenal chases a first English title since 2004.City’s 1-0 win at Burnley in midweek had knocked Arsenal off top spot for the first time since October, raising the spectre of another title race collapse after its blown leads in 2023 and 2024 gifted the trophy to Pep Guardiola’s men.‘Path of roses’Arsenal had lost its previous two league games and four of its last six in all competitions.Once again, the side struggled to impose itself for long periods against Newcastle, but Eze’s superb strike from a well-worked short corner was enough to settle its nerves.“We talk about game one and how important that was. We certainly did the job. When it’s 1-0 it’s always tough, especially with the quality of players they brought on,” Arteta said.“We tried to get a second goal but when you can’t do that you have to win it in other areas.”City has a game in hand on Arsenal and retains control of the title race.But Arsenal can move six points clear if it beats Fulham next weekend, before City is next in league action against Everton on May 4.Arteta knows there will be plenty more twists and turns before Arsenal can finally end its long wait for the title.“We are where we are. I don’t expect after 22 years, it is going to be a path of roses and beautiful music around it,” he said.“It is so hard to win the Premier League, it is so competitive.“We have to do what is in our hands. Game one was in our hands. We had to win it and we have done it. We wanted a bigger margin but we were not able to.”Arteta faces a nervous wait to discover if Eze and Havertz will be fit for Wednesday’s Champions League semifinal first leg at Atletico Madrid.“They are muscular niggles. We dont think it is too much. We have to see if they are available for Wednesday,” he said.Published on Apr 26, 2026 #Mikel #Arteta #Arsenal #regains #lead #Premier #League #title #race #making #excuses

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Arsenal is back on top of the Premier League, but Mikel Arteta claimed its title challenge could be ruined by two rejected red card decisions in its games against Manchester City and Newcastle.
Arteta’s side is three points clear of second-placed Manchester City after Eberechi Eze’s early strike clinched a vital 1-0 win against Newcastle on Saturday.
But the Gunners boss was frustrated with the decision not to send off Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope for a foul on Viktor Gyokeres in the 74th minute at the Emirates Stadium.
Pope raced out of his penalty area to clatter Gyokeres, escaping with a yellow card because the Sweden striker was wide on the right wing without a clear sight of goal.
ALSO READ | Nervy Arsenal goes back to top as Eze seals vital win over Newcastle
With the prospect of goal difference potentially deciding a gripping title race, Arteta knew Arsenal would have had a chance to rack up a bigger win if Newcastle were reduced to 10 men.
Instead, it had to settle for a result that left the side only one goal better off than City in the goal difference column.
Arteta was also still harbouring a grievance from last weekend’s crucial 2-1 defeat at City, when Abdukodir Khusanov wasn’t sent off after hauling down Kai Havertz.
What three points means to @Arsenal 🔴 pic.twitter.com/6RsQe702Fn
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 25, 2026
The Spaniard believes those two decisions could prove decisive in settling the title race.
“I don’t know why the Newcastle keeper wasn’t sent off. I have seen it 10 times. If you have ever watched football, you know it was a red card. These are the margins,” Arteta said.
“I am saying the reality of the last two games, in crucial moments with everything at stake, we need things to go our way. I’m not making excuses.
“It was a red card today and a red card in Manchester. If they go our way we are in a different world today.”
Arteta’s rant underlined the mounting tension at the Emirates as Arsenal chases a first English title since 2004.
City’s 1-0 win at Burnley in midweek had knocked Arsenal off top spot for the first time since October, raising the spectre of another title race collapse after its blown leads in 2023 and 2024 gifted the trophy to Pep Guardiola’s men.