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Tottenham’s hopes to survive in the Premier League are dealt a devastating blow late on when Georginio Rutter scores an equaliser for European hopefuls Brighton in the 95th minute.

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Image source: Getty ImagesByAdwaidh RajanBBC Sports journalist40 minutes ago86 commentsAny suggestion that Andoni Iraola was distracted by his decision to leave Bournemouth were firmly rejected by his players during their statement win against Newcastle. The club confirmed this week that Andoni Iraola will leave Bournemouth when his contract expires in the summer. This will end a three-year reign as manager. Marcus Tavernier, Cherries winger, told BBC Match of the Day that it had made him want to work harder and finish the season with something special. “He has done so much for this club and its players, it is only fair that we show him the reaction to end off with something we will remember for a very long time.” Iraola continued: “You’re always worried when you have to give this kind news because you don’t know what everyone will react.” I trust my players and I know that they will push to the end. Could the 2-1 win over Newcastle have been Iraola’s audition? His latest victory as Bournemouth’s manager has put more pressure on Eddie Howe. The Magpies are now only three points ahead of 15th placed Leeds. Iraola said to BBC Radio Solent that he had no idea what his future held. “I don’t have a clue if I will be coaching next season. I’m not in a hurry to find out. The decision was not affected by any other club. “But one thing’s for sure – the 43 year-old is not going to be out of a job for very long.” The 43-year-old is unlikely to be out of work for long. In his first season he led them to 12th place, achieving then-club-high 48 points. He was rewarded with an extension of his contract until the end 2025-26. The following season the Cherries finished 9th with a new record of 56 points and reached quarter-finals in the FA Cup. This campaign, Iraola placed Bournemouth, who had never played continental soccer, right in the middle of a The Cherries’ run is even more impressive when you consider that key players Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez have left the club this season. Illia Zabarnie, Antoine Semenyo, and Illia Zabarnyi are also gone. [embedded text]”He’s been absolutely magnificent,” said former England and Arsenal defender Martin Keown to Final Score. “Let’s not forget how many players left during the summer. These guys have joined. How are they doing it?” His points per match and win percentage are both the highest amongst all Cherries managers. Iraola stated that the club had tried everything. “In December, they made a formal offer. I tried to express my feelings. “I have been so satisfied with the seasons I’ve been here, I don’t want to risk it. It’s not because I’m tired, but I’m more motivated than ever to finish this season. Sometimes you have to pick the right moment to leave a place. “Keown said: “It would have been a shame for him to leave the Premier League. I want him to stay here, I love what he does. Keown’s wish could still be granted, as many English clubs are currently looking for a new manager. No Semenyo, no problem? How Bournemouth continues to defy odds7 days agoWhich English club could move for him Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace’s previous manager, had confirmed his departure before Iraola. Iraola was on Palace’s shortlist to replace the Austrian, but it would have taken a major coup for the FA Cup holders if they had managed to secure the Bournemouth manager. There are other Premier League teams that might be interested in Iraola. Michael Carrick, who is serving as interim manager at Manchester United until the end the season, could be looking for a replacement in the summer. Arne Slot, the Dutchman’s successor, has also been under pressure. Chelsea, under new boss Liam Rosenior, have also struggled to impress. Manchester City is also preparing to live without Pep Guardiola. His contract runs until 2027. Recent reports suggest that the club is courting Enzo Maresca, former Chelsea manager, as Guardiola’s replacement. Rory Smith, The Observer’s football correspondent, recently asked: “Where does Iraola sit in terms of City United Liverpool and Chelsea?” I think he will be a contender in all of them. “I think he’d be able to fine-tune the teams.” I think that the principles would stay the same, high-octane, but I suspect that he could adjust it a bit to the squad,” he said to BBC Monday Night Club. And then there is Newcastle. Howe’s reign at Real Madrid is over, and the Magpies have suffered a series of setbacks since then. Iraola is a former player of Athletic Club. Ernesto Valverde, who announced in March that he was leaving the club this summer, is a manager at the club. Iraola, who was born in the Basque Country and played 510 games for the club between 2003 and 2015, has strong ties with the club. “I’ve played there for many years and it was a surprise for me. Ernesto is my biggest football reference. It’s his decision, but I’m not affected by it, except for the supporters. “Smith added: “It is the club where he learnt a lot of footballing principles. Many of his elements come from [Marcelo] Bielsa’s Athletic team. “That job is open, if he wishes to return to Spain. This job will have a huge emotional pull. But the interest from Spain may not be limited to Bilbao. Alvaro Arbeloa replaced the sacked Xabi alonso at Real Madrid. However, the La Liga giants are nine points behind Barcelona with seven games left and were knocked from the Champions League this week by Bayern Munich. The allure of Real Madrid and their star-studded squad could tempt the former Spain full back. Or would he prefer a stint in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen before moving on to bigger names. Iraola is a fascinating character and the story of his journey could be one of the most captivating stories of the summer. [embedded content]What information do we collect from this quiz?Related topicsPremier LeagueBournemouthFootballMore on this storyFollow your club with BBC Sport12 MarchListen to the latest Football Daily podcastGet football news sent straight to your phone16 August 2025

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By Dennis ” There There Allen

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ByPhil CartwrightBBC Sports journalist1 hour agoJust prior to the start of England’s Women Six Nations match against Scotland on Saturday, Red Roses Head Coach John Mitchell was asked if he thought this was the biggest test for his team’s depth since he assumed charge. “Yes, absolutely,” he responded. “But you need to adapt and respond.” “But you have to adapt and respond to it.” Emily Scarratt, Abby Dow, and Hannah Botterman have all retired. Earlier this week, the injured quartet of Natasha Hunt (Morwenna talling, Hannah Botterman, and May Campbell) were ruled out of the tournament. Tatyana Heard suffered the same fate before the tournament even began, and Alex Matthews’ shoulder injury prevented her from playing in Edinburgh. This game is a great way to get feedback, and we can only improve. This game gives us tremendous feedback and we can just keep getting better. “They dominated from the first minute to the 80th minute.” It didn’t really matter if it was their starters, their bench or players with 113 caps – everyone came in and did their job. “We’ve seen England do this in bits before, but never so polished. They were outstanding. “Maggie Alphonsi,” another member of England 2014 world champions added: “It’s an impressive display. You could say that after the way they played Ireland, they were very rusty. They left many opportunities behind. “Today, the team took advantage of every opportunity they had when they entered the opposition’s 22. “All of the forwards really stepped it up. Last weekend, you didn’t see the forwards really get into the game or win the collisions, or go forward. Today, they owned the game. This England team has a great power game. “Kildunne has 50 international tries” There were also changes in England’s back-row for the trip to Murrayfield. Zoe Harrison, who replaced Holly Aitchison at fly-half, had a fantastic day with the boot converting all twelve tries. England’s lightning-quick play was a feature, causing Scotland to have problems throughout. “Everyone around her has done well today,” she added. “Ellie’s attempts have been very well-taken, but a lot is due to the work done by others around her. Alphonsi said: “People questioned whether Kildunne was able to do it on the wings and she’s putting in a show. “Rugby Union Weekly – Ruthless Red Roses thrash Scotland ‘Mums Thank Me for Changing the Narrative’: How Motherhood in Rugby has Evolved1 day agoHow Mitchell will use Sing and Kildunne going forward is his “biggest challenges”, according to Daley McLean. The former England fly-half commented, “What we saw today was the difference between them.” “Ellie’s top end pace is similar to that of a wings and her strength. Emma is a good aerial threat, and she has a good kicking game. “Using them is probably John Mitchell’s biggest challenge. Emma would have been England’s full-back if Ellie hadn’t been there. She could also have started for other nations at the Six Nations. “She’s probably unfortunate that she’s a full-back behind someone like Ellie. But for England, it’s about how you use the players to suit what your team needs to accomplish. “On this evidence it will be difficult for any team to stop England from clinching a fifth consecutive Grand Slam and an eighth successive Women’s Six Nations championship. Winless Wales are the next opponents in Bristol on April 25, followed by a trip in Italy (9 May), and a possible Grand Slam decider eight days later in France. [embedded text]Related topicsRugby UnionEnglish Rugby

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Image Cons: Arbez 4France produced a second-half power show to shrug off a resilient Wales in Cardiff.Wales led through a penalty try as they aimed to end a run of nine defeats in a row at the hands of France.But the visitors simply had too much muscle, class and know-how to be denied a comfortable 38-7 win at the Arms Park.France even survived a spell down to 13 players as Madoussou Fall Raclot hit back before seizing control through Manae Feleu, Lea Marie and player of the match Pauline Bourdon Sansus.Anais Grando added to her try last week with two late scores but it was not enough to prevent France slipping to second in the Six Nations table, behind England on points difference after the Red Roses crushed Scotland 84-7.Women’s Six Nations – Reaction as six-try France overpower WalesLynn ‘super impressed’ by Williams’ Wales leadership23 hours agoWomen’s Six Nations: Fixtures, results, standings and BBC coverage1 day agoWales were eyeing a first victory in the tournament for two years and a first over France in a decade with the scores level at half-time.They had matched Les Bleues, taking the lead through their driving lineout after France prop Yllana Brosseau was shown a yellow card.Gwenllian Pyrs spearheaded an impressive maul and France scrum-half Bourdon Sansus was lured into conceding a penalty try and a second card for the visitors in two minutes.But France not only had the nous but the power up front to emerge from the nine-minute spell with 13 players on level terms, as lock Fall Raclot finished a series of drives to score their first try.Wales, who lost Carys Cox to injury before kick-off, made some headway with fellow centre Courtney Keight and full-back Kayleigh Powell.But there was an over-reliance on the lone kicking of fly-half Lleucu George who had an off-day with the boot.In contrast, France boasted so many options, pinning Wales back time and again through Carla Arbez, Bourdon Sansus and Pauline Barrat.Wales were committed in defence against such overwhelming power as Powell and Seren Singleton – making her first Test start – provided big hits, and Kelsey Jones held up Assia Khalfaoul over the tryline to remain 7-7 at half-time.The defensive effort would take its toll as the French response in the second half was inevitable and immediate.Captain Feleu and scrum-half Bourdon Sansus pulled the strings to ensure France swiftly took control.Each scored a try, as well as creating another for wing Murie in the space of 13 devastating minutes.Wales, to their immense credit, refused to buckle as Singleton and Jenna De Vera, just moments after taking the field for her Test debut, pulled off try-saving tackles.But Grando crossed twice late on to inflict a scoreline that did not reflect Welsh effort.Wales: Powell; Singleton, Dallavalle, Keight, Joyce; George, Lockwood; Pyrs, Jones, Tuipulotu, Aiono, Crabb, Lewis, Williams (capt), King.Replacements: Reardon, Davies, Rose, John, Metcalfe, Evans, Bevan, De Vera.France: Barrat; Grando, Rousset, Vernier, Murie; Arbez, Bourdon Sansus; Brosseau, Lazarko, Khalfaoui, Zago, Fall Raclot, Berthoumieu, M Feleu (capt), L Champon.Replacements: Riffonneau, Mwayembe, Deshaye, Soqeta, Escudero, A Chambon, T Feleu.Sin bin: Brosseau (14), Bourdon Sansus (15)Referee: Robbie Jenkinson (IRFU)Assistants: Precious Pazani (ZRU),Emily Hope (RFU)TMO: Estelle Whaiapu (NZR)Related topicsWales SportRugby Union