It hurts everybody – James Ward-Prowse knows Southampton are on the brink
James Ward-Prowse knows how bleak Southampton’s plight is after a 4-3 defeat at Nottingham Forest left them staring Premier League relegation in the face. Saints were on the wrong end of a seven-goal thriller at the City Ground which means they will lose their top-flight status if they fail to beat Fulham on Saturday or results elsewhere go against them. They were always in the game against Forest and looked dangerous in attack, but were let down by sloppy defending. “It hurts everybody,” the captain told the club’s official website. “It’s not just me, it’s everybody’s careers, it’s everybody’s opportunity to do something special for this club and it’s not just me, it hurts everybody, it hurts all the fans and everybody associated with the club. “It’s clear we have to win all of our games and that’s the position we find ourselves in. Like I said, every game has increased importance and the challenge hasn’t changed, we have to win our games and obviously hope everything goes our way and we have to focus on the next one now. “Games are won and lost at both ends of the pitch and when you give two goals away in the way that we did, and we scored three goals but it’s still not enough and I think that says a lot about where we are as a team at the minute. “It’s been too easy. Right from the first game against Spurs until now we’ve not really learned anything, not really progressed, we’ve just taken these results as they are and that’s the most disappointing thing. “When you keep doing the same thing and keep getting the same results, we’ve not learnt from it and that’s the frustrating thing.” Forest’s picture is much brighter after a second win in three games lifted them out of the bottom three. It was another impressive atmosphere at the City Ground, where Forest have now taken 27 of their 33 points this season. And boss Steve Cooper hailed the fans’ support. “We’re so lucky to play in front of these supporters as well,” Cooper said. “They don’t half drag us over the line when we need them. I’m just so glad they leave happy with the three points.” Forest looked scintillating in attack at times with Taiwo Awoniyi, Brennan Johnson, Morgan Gibbs-White and Danilo all combining with effect. Cooper added: “We showed great quality with the goals we scored. The first goal, in particular, was some of our technical, attacking, athletic players playing at their very best on that fast attack. “I’m really pleased with some of the attacking play and the goals. We didn’t cover ourselves in glory with the goals we conceded.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Chelsea could use Christian Pulisic ‘to lure’ Victor Osimhen On this day in 2013: David Moyes named as Sir Alex Ferguson’s Man Utd successor Jordan Spieth withdraws from Byron Nelson Classic ahead of PGA Championship
1970-01-01 08:00
Injury-hit Jofra Archer returns from IPL, a doubt for Ashes
England fast bowler Jofra Archer could be a doubt for the upcoming Ashes series after deciding to return from the Indian Premier League with immediate effect because of ongoing problems with his right elbow
1970-01-01 08:00
Gregor Townsend extends deal as Scotland rugby coach to 2026
Scotland has ended any uncertainty over the future of head coach Gregor Townsend heading into the Rugby World Cup by handing him a new contract until April 2026
1970-01-01 08:00
Alderweireld abused online after Belgian league match
Former Belgium defender Toby Alderweireld has been targeted by online hate messages including threats against his family following a Belgian league match
1970-01-01 08:00
Pep Guardiola and Rodri disagree over what Real Madrid tie means to Man City
Rodri and Pep Guardiola disagree over whether Man City's Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid is about 'revenge'.
1970-01-01 08:00
UFC 288: Fights to make next as Aljamain Sterling ruins Henry Cejudo’s return
In the main event of UFC 288 on Saturday, Aljamain Sterling made Henry Cejudo’s return to the ring an unhappy one, retaining the bantamweight title against the former champion. Sterling won a split decision against Cejudo, who was competing for the first time in three years, before facing off with rising star Sean O’Malley in the Octagon. In a welterweight co-main event, Belal Muhammad outpointed an injured Gilbert Burns, who was battling a shoulder issue, and earlier in the night, Yan Xiaonan scored a TKO win over ex-strawweight champion Jessica Andrade. Below, The Independent plays matchmaker for the protagonists of UFC 288. Aljamain Sterling vs Sean O’Malley This one takes care of itself, after Sterling and O’Malley faced off in the ring at the conclusion of UFC 288. O’Malley, who snatched a controversial decision win over former champion Petr Yan last time out, was expected to be next for Sterling anyway, and Saturday’s face-off only confirmed the UFC’s plan. The only other viable contender right now is Merab Dvalishvili (more on him shortly), but he is a teammate and good friend of Sterling, and the pair have vowed never to fight one another. Sterling’s profile does not yet match his impressive, grappling-centric skill set, but it would be boosted significantly if he were to clash with O’Malley – a slick striker and one of the fastest-rising stars in the UFC. Henry Cejudo vs Merab Dvalishvili Cejudo admitted after losing to Sterling that he did not know what would be next for him. His defeat put to bed machinations of reclaiming the bantamweight belt, which he vacated in 2020 after relinquishing the flyweight title, and moving up to featherweight to challenge for gold there. However, the Olympic gold-medalist wrestler quickly decided that he will not make a rapid return to retirement; the American took to Twitter to call out Dvalishvili, who keenly accepted the challenge. Cejudo expressed a desire to face the Georgian, who has won nine straight fights dating back to late 2018, in August, which would mark a quick turnaround. That might be just what Cejudo needs, however, to shed the little ring rust that he exhibited at UFC 288. Belal Muhammad vs Leon Edwards / Colby Covington Saturday’s bout between Muhammad and Gilbert Burns was billed as a No 1 contender’s fight at 170lbs, and the UFC should follow through with that. While champion Edwards is expected to face pantomime villain Colby Covington later this year, Muhammad should fight the winner of that contest – or even challenge Edwards in the near future, if the Covington fight is stalling. Muhammad has history with Edwards, having fought the Briton to a No Contest in 2021, when Edwards accidentally poked the Amerian in the eye. With the exception of that strange bout, Muhammad has won nine fights in a row since late 2019 and is fully deserving of a shot at gold. Most fans have not yet taken to the 34-year-old, but he has an unappreciated charisma, and he is improving quickly enough to suggest that he could find a way past Covington or put on a better showing against Edwards than he did in their first meeting. Yan Xianoan vs Zhang Weili Yan looked a step ahead of a reckless Jessica Andrade in every phase of their fight on Saturday, leading to a TKO win inside two-and-a-half minutes. It was just a second straight win for the Chinese fighter, who suffered back-to-back losses prior to her current streak, but Yan had won 13 fights in a row before that. Furthermore, her victory over former champion Andrade saw her shoot up from sixth to third in the strawweight rankings, and the fighters ahead of her are not due a title shot right now. A clash between Yan and compatriot Zhang, who holds the belt, would be huge for the UFC’s Chinese audience. Such a bout should take place next, and it should take place in China. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Aljamain Sterling retains title against returning Henry Cejudo at UFC 288 UFC's Tony Ferguson arrested following Hollywood crash UFC schedule 2023: Every major fight happening this year UFC’s Tony Ferguson arrested following Hollywood crash Aljamain Sterling retains title against returning Henry Cejudo at UFC 288 UFC 288 LIVE: Cejudo vs Sterling updates and results
1970-01-01 08:00
Los Angeles Lakers take 3-1 series lead over Golden State Warriors despite Steph Curry's triple-double
The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors 104-101 on Monday night in Game 4 of their best-of-seven NBA playoff series to give them a 3-1 lead.
1970-01-01 08:00
Best NBA prop bets today for Suns vs. Nuggets Game 5 (Trust stars to keep shining)
Home teams are a perfect 4-0 in the Denver Nuggets-Phoenix Suns series in the Western Conference semifinals, and the series shifts back to Denver for Game 5 on Tuesday night.While I personally like Denver in this game, there are plenty of prop bets to choose from as well, especially with Nikola ...
1970-01-01 08:00
Best NBA prop bets today for Sixers vs. Celtics Game 5 (Focus on Jaylen Brown's impact)
The Boston Celtics couldn't close out the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday in a pivotal Game 4 and the two teams return to Boston tied at two games a piece in the second round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs.Boston has had issues this postseason closing out games, and the team went away from Jaylen Br...
1970-01-01 08:00
'Trust the process': Joel Embiid's 'improbable' journey from newcomer to NBA MVP
At a Summer League in Las Vegas, a towering figure perched next to basketball trainer Drew Hanlen and introduced himself.
1970-01-01 08:00
Carlo Ancelotti reveals Man City gameplan: 'We aren't planning how to play Haaland'
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has given some insight into his gameplan to tackle Erling Haaland and Manchester City.
1970-01-01 08:00
Lionel Messi wins Laureus World Sportsman of the Year and speaks about 'special' World Cup victory and what motivates him to keep playing
He may have won almost everything there is to win in the game, but Lionel Messi says he'll keep playing as long as he's still enjoying his career.
1970-01-01 08:00