MANCHESTER: Manchester City moved back ahead of Liverpool to the top of the Premier League with a 1-0 win at Burnley, while Chelsea consolidated their place in the top four thanks to another error from Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea in a 1-1 draw on Sunday.
Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat to Leicester means Chelsea now hold a two-point lead over the Gunners in the chase for Champions League football next season with United a further point back in sixth with just two games remaining.
In contrast to the faltering form of all four contenders for third and fourth, as Tottenham also lost at home to West Ham on Saturday, the top two continue to cede no ground in the title race.
City extended their winning run to 12 straight Premier League games and now just need to win their final two at home to Leicester and away to Brighton to retain their title and stretch Liverpool’s long wait to win the league to at least 30 years.
Pep Guardiola cut a frustrated figure as City labored for the first 45 minutes at Turf Moor.
However, they clicked into gear after the break and wave upon wave of attack on the Burnley goal was finally rewarded after the hour mark when Sergio Aguero’s shot squeezed just 29 millimeters over the line before Matt Lowton hacked the ball clear.
The goal was Aguero’s 20th in the Premier League this season.
“We could have won by more distance, I’m so happy for the victory and now we have a week to prepare and hopefully we arrive at Brighton with the chance to be champions,” said Guardiola.
United halted a run of seven defeats in nine games, but failed to capitalize on Tottenham and Arsenal’s defeats as De Gea, so often his side’s savior in recent seasons, was at fault again to hand Chelsea a share of the points at Old Trafford.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had made five changes to his starting line-up and was rewarded with a bright start as United scored for the first time from open play in just short of nine hours of football through Juan Mata.
However, two minutes before the break De Gea spilled Antonio Rudiger’s speculative long-range effort and Marcos Alonso levelled on the rebound.
De Gea was also at fault for goals in United’s previous three games in defeat to Barcelona, Everton and City.
“David is unquestionable for me,” said Mata of his compatriot. “His level has been fantastic for this club. The amount of points he has saved us is incredible.
“We all have good and bad moments in our careers but the important thing is how we react.”
Arsenal’s top four challenge has collapsed over the past week, conceding three times in three straight league defeats for the first time since 1967.
The Gunners were dominated from start to finish by Brendan Rodgers’s Leicester, although the visitors were not helped by a 36th-minute red card for Ainsley Maitland-Niles at the King Power.
Leicester were unlucky not to lead long before then, but made the extra man advantage count as Youri Tielemans opened the scoring and Jamie Vardy struck twice late on.
“The second yellow card gave us a lot of problems to control our gameplan and be efficient,” said Arsenal boss Unai Emery.
“We continued with one player less but knowing it was going to be difficult. That has conditioned the result a lot.”
Victory keeps the Foxes in the hunt for seventh, which could reap a place in the Europa League next season if City win the FA Cup.
Manchester City back on top, David de Gea costs Manchester United once more
Manchester City back on top, David de Gea costs Manchester United once more
- Manchester City moved back ahead of Liverpool to the top of the Premier League
- United halted a run of seven defeats in nine games, but failed to capitalize
How Saudi agent Ahmed Almualim defied the odds to take Saud Abdulhamid to Roma
- Saudi international’s agent tells Arab News he risked his own money to seal the historic summer transfer
- Abdulhamid has become one of the standout players for the Green Falcons and will line up for Herve Renard’s team against Indonesia on Tuesday
RIYADH: At the end of August, Saud Abdulhamid became the first Saudi player to join a club from a top European league on a permanent basis. The right back left Saudi Arabian powerhouse Al-Hilal to sign for AS Roma in Italy’s Serie A for a reported fee of $3 million.
Now a Champions League player, he continues to be one of Saudi Arabia’s standout players in a difficult period in which Robert Mancini departed and Herev Renard returned to take charge of the 2026 World Cup campaign.
Thursday’s 0-0 draw with Australia leaves the Green Falcons in third place on six points, behind Australia on goal difference. Hope of automatic qualification remain a strong possibility, but there is little margin for error as Saudi travel to Indonesia for their sixth match in the 10-qualifier group.
Since impressing with Al-Ittihad and then Al-Hilal, the clubs he represented at professional level since 2018, Abdulhamid’s career has been on upward trajectory in recent years.
Football agent Ahmed Almualim, the man behind Abdulhamid’s move to AS Roma, spoke exclusively to Arab News about the financial and professional risks he took to get his client to Italy and the changing landscape of Saudi football.
Ahmed, how did you become an agent, were you always passionate about football or is it business first of all?
I became an agent in 2014. Since I was young, I was always passionate about football. I started my career as a sports journalist when I was very young, aged 19, back in 2009. Before that, I used to write some articles about football, about transfers, on a few blogs. I kept working as a sports journalist until 2014, when I stopped and I started my career as a football agent. It’s more than 10 years now that I’ve been an agent!
Do you have a favorite team in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, it’s not a secret (he laughs). My favorite team in Saudi Arabia is Al-Ahli from Jeddah. I worked as a sports journalist and I used to specifically cover news about Al-Ahli’s transfers. From there, people got to know more about me. I used to go to the stadium when I was young with my friends. Nobody in my family took me, but I went with my friends and neighbours. They all supported Al-Ahli. We were so passionate.
Was it difficult for you to move into this field?
It’s very difficult to work as a football agent because you need certain tools. These tools are the local and the international connections. You need to know people inside clubs, the presidents, the sporting directors, the players. It’s the same for clubs abroad. I work full-time as a football agent and I really enjoy what I’m doing.
Of course, sometimes, in some moments, during some windows, when I have a bad window, I really start thinking: “OK, why do I have to do this job as a full-time job? I can do it as a part-time job like most of the agents in Saudi.” But then I start to motivate myself again and I say: “No, this is my job in football, I’m an agent, a professional one like in Europe, so I have to continue.” And I try to move on.
Did you ever think it was possible to do business with local players moving outside Saudi Arabia?
One of my most important goals when I started was to do business like this, taking players to Europe and opening the borders. And I started this at a lower level. I took a Syrian player, Mahmoud Al-Mawas, to Romania. I had one player in Denmark. Two years ago, I signed a player in Portugal. The most important goal I set for myself was to do something different to what was already on the market.
Saudi players were moving from one domestic club to another, but I wanted to do things differently and not just to transfer a player from Ittihad to Al-Hilal, from Al-Hilal to Al-Ahli, from Al-Ahli to Al-Nassr and so on. I wanted to be the first different agent in this market. I brought many offers from abroad to Saudi national team players but they didn’t want to move on.
How did Roma's interest in Saud Abdulhamid come about?
It’s a story with two chapters. The first one was written in May, when I received a communication from one of the head scouters asking about the player and the conditions for a potential transfer. It started from there. And the second episode started when Florent Ghisolfi became the sporting director of AS Roma. Previously, he was the sporting director of Nice and there he also showed interest in Saud. He knew Saud was in his last year of contract at Hilal. So when he was appointed this season as a sport director of AS Roma, he reconnected with us and showed his interest again.
Do you think that this would have been possible without the Saudi Pro League expanding to the level it has?
People now know the Saudi league more and more. And I think also the players. More and more international players are involved in the league. This gave Saudi a push and a dose of belief that the whole product can be trusted. So, yes, the development of the Saudi league definitely helped. Without the current vibe, it would have been really difficult for such a transfer to take place.
How does it make you feel knowing you orchestrated Abdulhamid’s historic move?
I believe this transfer helped the image of the whole footballing country. It will help other Saudi players to get a chance in Europe, maybe. I believe this move has opened the door for Saudi players in years to come. I’m really proud we did it. It was one of the targets I had set for myself and I’m happy I delivered.
Many people were against this transfer. People who didn’t look at the bigger picture. As an agent, I dropped my interest just to support Saud, in the interests of Saudi Arabian football. I sacrificed a lot of money for this deal to happen.
Can you tell us something about this transfer that an agent would normally try to keep as a secret?
Tough one. OK, let me tell you that right before he signed for Roma, Saud was close to joining Rennes in France. They had a very strong interest in him. He chose to go to Rome because of the challenge. Rennes’ interest was kept secret, it wasn’t mentioned anywhere.
How has Saud settled in Rome?
He’s happy in Rome and everything is in progress for him. He got some minutes. He’s an international player. He featured for the national team on plenty of occasions. He played in the biggest tournament there is, the World Cup. He also played in the Asian Champions League. It wasn’t that big a deal for him to adapt. He was prepared mentally for it to happen. He’s really aware of the challenges that are in store for him. He lives a normal life. He got a house. It was normal for him to start on the bench, we were speaking to the coach and the sporting director and they explained everything. He needs to know the culture of the league, Italian football is difficult. It’s different to any other European country.
Is the development of the SPL helping you as an agent?
It has helped me. And that’s because now it’s so easy to be connected to international agents. They want to do business in Saudi Arabia. From that point, we can cooperate. I can help the international agents to place their players in the Saudi market. And they help me connect to the European clubs. By doing so, I can place the players I already work with in Europe.
From an agent’s perspective, how did Ronaldo signing for Al-Nassr change the landscape of the Saudi League?
In the beginning, I thought it was just a rumor. When I saw he had arrived in Riyadh, I started believing everything was possible in Saudi, starting at that point. It was a big, big, big thing, a massive event. Nobody could believe it. And Ronaldo became the icon of the Saudi league. Because of Ronaldo, many world class players started joining the league. He showed them that it’s a good championship. And this league can grow further and improve in the next few years.
Do you, as an agent, feel that you’re playing a part in this football revolution?
Now, after I did the deal for Saud to AS Roma, I see myself as a small part of this revolution in Saudi sport. I am privileged to have been able to send the best Saudi player to one of Europe’s most historic clubs.
Do you think big stars in Europe might start looking for local agents in Saudi Arabia, were you approached by any big names?
Yes, there are many stars in Europe who got in touch. They showed interest to join the league. They saw how strong it is and how it’s improving. It’s better and better every year.
Of course, the financial aspect plays a big role in the players’ wishes to join. Many top players, including from the Premier League and LaLiga, have contacted me to see how they can come to the Saudi championship.
Many deals that seem done then collapse. What is the most frequent cause?
One of the craziest reasons is that some clubs refuse to pay the agents. They agree about terms with other clubs, they accept the salaries that the players want, but then they don’t take the agents seriously. That’s wrong, because agents are an important part of any deal. It’s not just happened to me, but to many agents, many times, to find themselves in such situations.
What do you do for your players apart from representing them in negotiations?
I try to hire specialists to take care of them. For example, one to take care of nutrition. We need to find the right way to develop their body structures. I have my people working in communications, so players receive professional guidance in this area as well. It’s important that they are aware of how they should handle their media duties. We have a team working together, in my company everyone is a specialist in what they need to do.
Did you ever advise a player to do something even if it was outside your financial interests?
I lost a lot of money after Saud’s move to AS Roma. I did it because I thought he should go to Europe. I believed he could develop more if he went there. That’s my principle, I say the truth whatever it costs me financially. I don’t like to control players.
Zurdo Ramirez beats Billam-Smith by unanimous decision in Riyadh’s Latino Night event
- The Mexican southpaw improved his record to 47-1, including 30 KOs, while the British champ went down 20-2, 13 KOs, after three straight title defenses
- In the opening undercard match, Saudi boxer Ziyad Almaayouf settled for a hard-fought draw against Mexico’s Juan Garcia
RIYADH: WBA cruiserweight title holder Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez defeated WBO champ Chris Billam-Smith by unanimous decision on Saturday in the main event of Riyadh’s “Latino Night” to become the undisputed world champion in the division.
The Mexican southpaw improved his record to 47-1, including 30 KOs, while the British champ went down 20-2, 13 KOs, after three straight title defenses.
Ramirez showcased his power and precision before a packed crowd at Riyadh’s The Venue, headlining an unforgettable evening that celebrated the rich heritage of Latin American culture and the global appeal of boxing.
Ramirez took control of the fight from the opening bell, using his size advantage and sharp combinations to pin Billam-Smith on the back foot. The British fighter displayed immense heart, landing counter shots and working the body, but Zurdo’s power and precision proved overwhelming.
In his post-fight interview, Ramirez dedicated his victory to his fans and the Latino community. “I’m a proud Mexican and Latino — I will represent the Latino Night very well,” he told Arab News before the fight. And he did!
Riyadh witnessed an electrifying evening of boxing during the Latino Night, a marquee event of the Riyadh Season, celebrating the spirit of Latino culture through sport and entertainment. Fans packed the arena to witness high-octane action and support fighters representing the vibrant legacy of Latin America.
The evening began with an undercard packed with great talent and exciting matchups. Fighters from across the Latin America showcased skill and determination, thrilling the crowd with breathtaking rounds, technical displays, and a few dramatic comebacks. Each bout built anticipation for the night’s culminating showdown.
Ziyad Almaayouf draws with Juan Garcia in opener
Saudi boxer Ziyad Almaayouf delivered a spirited performance in the opening fight, settling for a hard-fought draw against Mexico’s Juan Garcia.
The bout showcased Almaayouf’s sharp boxing skills and Garcia’s relentless pressure, with both fighters trading heavy shots and testing each other’s endurance across all six rounds.
Almaayouf, backed by a passionate home crowd, landed cleaner combinations early in the fight, but Garcia’s aggression in the later rounds allowed him to claw back on the scorecards, leading to a split draw decision.
The result left fans buzzing, with many praising Almaayouf’s resilience and composure under Garcia’s constant attacks.
In a post-fight interview with Arab News, Almaayouf, dubbed “Zizo”, he said that he won the fight tonight despite what the judges decided. “I’m always going to think that I did enough to win the fight. This is just the opinion of two judges.”
“If you go back 10-15 years ago and you ask the world: would they see a Saudi professional boxer standing in the middle of the ring with a tough Mexican fight as such, they wouldn’t believe it,” he added. “But tonight, we showed that can happen.”
He said that the rematch is his next step.
For Garcia, the result marked a testament to his durability and fighting spirit, earning him respect as a worthy opponent in a thrilling opener to an unforgettable night.
Latino Night in Riyadh marked another milestone in Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a global hub for sports and entertainment. By blending cultural celebration with world-class boxing, the event left a lasting impression on fans and participants alike.
As the arena emptied and the lights dimmed, one thing was clear: Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez had not only won a fight but had also solidified his position as a global ambassador for the enduring legacy of Latino boxing.
Hull clings to one-shot lead over Korda, Zhang at LPGA Annika
- Hull found water at the 18th hole and made bogey but kept the lead alone when Korda three-putted for bogey in near-darkness at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida
MIAMI: England’s Charley Hull fired a two-under par 68 and clung to a one-stroke lead over top-ranked Nelly Korda and China’s Zhang Weiwei after Saturday’s third round of the LPGA Annika tournament.
Hull found water at the 18th hole and made bogey but kept the lead alone when Korda three-putted for bogey in near-darkness at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.
“Played pretty solid. I felt like I played well all day,” Hull said. “But finishing in the dark wasn’t that fun. Shame to finish on a bogey but it was a good up-and-down.”
That left Hull on 12-under 198 with US star Korda, a six-time winner this year, shooting 67 to stand second on 199 with Zhang, who fired an LPGA career-low 62 to leap into contention.
“I just felt it was amazing day,” Zhang said. “I don’t know how to play that well today. Just keep patient and just like normal and then I holed a lot of putts. That made me so surprised on some holes.”
Thailand’s Wichanee Meechai and South Korea’s Im Jin-hee shared fourth on 201 with Germany’s Olivia Cowan fifth on 202 and a pack on 203 including Japan’s Minami Katsu, Mexico’s Gaby Lopez and Americans Rose Zhang and Bailey Tardy.
World number 12 Hull, a two-time LPGA winner seeking her first tour victory since October 2022, won her fourth Ladies European Tour title — and first in three years — two weeks ago at Riyadh.
Korda, in her first event after a neck injury sidelined her last month, seeks her first victory since June.
Hull opened with a birdie, added another at the par-5 seventh and had three birdie-bogey runs in the final seven holes — at the par-3 12th and par-4 13th, the par-5 14th and par-3 15th and the par-4 17th and 18, where she sank a four-foot bogey putt after a splashdown on her approach.
“It was kind of dark. Then it got the wind up, and I hit a really good 7-iron in and hit it pure. It just come up short in the water,” Hull said.
“Tricky little up-and-down, but my putt, I could barely see the hole. I couldn’t see the break or anything. So it was pretty dark to finish in.”
Korda stumbled early with bogeys at the second and fourth holes but closed the front nine with back-to-back birdies. She added birdies at 11 and 14, birdied 16 and 17 then had a three-putt bogey at 18 after a four-foot par putt miss.
“I had a good middle of the round. Just played some solid golf on the back nine and started hitting my driver a little better,” Korda said.
She wasn’t happy about finishing in the dark either.
“Was a little bit of poor planning by starting so late for us,” Korda said. “Whenever you’re sitting on 18 and the sun is already down, it’s never nice, especially with how slick these greens are and you can’t properly see.
“At the end of the day I’m the one that missed it.”
Zhang, 27, is a five-time China Tour winner whose best LPGA finish was a share of 10th at Portland in 2022.
US Open runner-up Fritz back in another big final and faces Sinner again for ATP Finals crown
- In Sunday’s final, Fritz will face top-ranked Jannik Sinner — the player he lost to in the US Open final
TURIN, Italy: Taylor Fritz is starting to make reaching big finals a habit. He feels like he belongs among the very best players in tennis, too.
The American followed his runner-up finish at the US Open by beating Alexander Zverev 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (3) on Saturday to play for the trophy at the ATP Finals.
“I have believed that I belong, that I’m one of the best players,” Fritz said. “It’s not results-based. It’s more I can feel how I’m playing. This week is huge.”
In Sunday’s final, Fritz will face top-ranked Jannik Sinner — the player he lost to in the US Open final. Sinner also beat Fritz in straight sets in the group stage this week.
Sinner advanced with a rapid 6-1, 6-2 win over Casper Ruud.
Fritz became the first American finalist since James Blake lost the 2006 final to Roger Federer. The last American to win the elite eight-man event was Pete Sampras, who beat Andre Agassi in 1999.
“I trust my game and I trust my level and I don’t feel nearly as uncomfortable in these situations anymore because I’ve been playing the top guys at big events a lot lately,” Fritz said. “I’m getting more comfortable in the moment. I’m really, really confident in my game.”
Fritz upbeat after loss to Sinner
Fritz came away encouraged from his 6-4, 6-4 loss to Sinner on Tuesday.
“I felt much more comfortable from the baseline. ... I had chances to break him in both sets,” Fritz said. “He had an equal amount of chances, and he took his. He played the big points better than I did. It didn’t feel anywhere near as one-sided as the Open.”
Sinner noted that Fritz “played a great match.”
“The difference was just a few points. Tomorrow will be very similar. ... But finals are always different than group matches.”
Fritz trying to match Gauff
If Fritz wins the trophy, it will mark an American sweep of the season-ending events after Coco Gauff won the WTA Finals last week.
Fritz’s run in New York made him the first American man to reach a Grand Slam singles final in 15 years. He’s playing at the ATP Finals for the second time. On debut two years ago, he beat Rafael Nadal in his opener and made it to the semifinals, losing to Novak Djokovic.
“It’s awesome to come back and already go a step further,” Fritz said. “I’m all about always trying to do better than the year before.”
At the start of the week, Fritz told The Associated Press his “career has always been a very steady progression and just improving a little bit each year.”
Fritz has Zverev’s number
It was Fritz’s fourth consecutive victory over Zverev, who replaced Carlos Alcaraz at No. 2 in the rankings this week.
“He’s an uncomfortable player for me.” Zverev said. “It’s no secret.”
Fritz also beat Zverev at Wimbledon and the US Open, plus the Laver Cup.
Fritz will finish year at career high
Fritz was already assured of finishing the year in the top five for the first time and he’ll rise to a career-high No. 4 on Monday.
Zverev has seen Fritz’s improvement up close — especially on one key stroke: “His forehand used to break down quite a lot. ... I feel like the ratio is a lot more toward winners now.”
It was a matchup of big servers between the 6-foot-5 (1.96-meter) Fritz and the 6-foot-6 (1.98-meter) Zverev, and when Fritz broke Zverev for 4-2 in the first set, it marked the first time that Zverev lost a service game in four matches in Turin.
Eventually, though, the match turned into a physical duel from the baseline. Fritz rallied from 0-40 and held his serve for 3-2 in the third after a nine-minute game full of long rallies – winning one such exchange that lasted 30 strokes.
Fritz was then under pressure one service game after another but somehow managed to keep holding.
Fritz got ahead early in the tiebreaker and finished Zverev off with an audacious inside-out forehand winner on his first match point.
Fritz finished with 15 aces to Zverev’s 10 in a match that last 2 hours, 20 minutes.
“I felt like statistically and shot-wise, my level maybe was even higher than his until the important moments. That’s where I kind of blew it,” Zverev said. “This one will hurt more than the other few.”
Doping case hangs over Sinner
Sinner is playing at home for the first time since it was announced before his US Open title that he tested positive in two separate drug tests this year.
A decision to clear Sinner of wrongdoing was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency in September and a final ruling in the case is expected next year.
Last year, Sinner lost the final to Djokovic, who withdrew injured this year.
Coaches share preparation insight ahead of NEOM Beach Soccer Cup finals
- Head of NEOM sport Jan Paterson opened press conference by welcoming officials, coaches, and players, expressing her satisfaction with event's success
NEOM: Coaches, alongside Beach Soccer Worldwide President Joan Cusco and Jan Paterson, managing director of NEOM Sport, addressed the media on Saturday ahead of the final day of the NEOM Beach Soccer Cup 2024.
Jan Paterson opened the conference by welcoming officials, coaches, and players, expressing her satisfaction with the event's success.
“This is the third edition of the NEOM Beach Soccer tournament, and each year we grow stronger. We are immensely proud to host such significant events here in NEOM, as they help attract international sports, inspire residents, and create platforms for athletes to compete at the highest levels,” she remarked.
Cusco also praised the tournament's development.
“It is an amazing event, without a doubt. Every year, we witness the growth in infrastructure, improvements in facilities, and the work of a highly professional team. NEOM’s top-tier amenities and stunning location enhance the experience for both participants and fans, making this event truly special,” he noted.
The men's final sees Brazil, aiming for their third consecutive title, facing the UAE.
Brazilian coach Marco Octavio Barbosa expressed confidence in his team’s readiness: “We are well prepared and understand that we are playing against a strong team ranked 7th in the world.”
Victor Vasques, head coach of the UAE, acknowledged the challenge ahead but emphasized his team’s determination. “There’s no doubt Brazil is the best, but we will fight until the end,” he said.
In the women’s final, Spain face Brazil, with both teams poised for a competitive clash.
Abderrahim Omar El-Gazzi, Spain’s head coach, spoke about his team’s ambitions, saying: “We are looking forward to a crucial match against Brazil and are motivated to win every tournament we enter.”
Brazil’s women’s coach, Fabrico Santos Da Silva, voiced his belief in his team’s capability.
“We have played excellent football so far and deserve to win the final against Spain. Spain is a strong side, but I have the best female football players in the world, and we can achieve this,” he said.
