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UFC 294 takes place this weekend, as a stacked card culminates in two major fights, both of which came together on less than two weeks’ notice. In the original main event of UFC 294, Islam Makhachev was due to defend the lightweight title in a rematch with Charles Oliveira, but the latter suffered a severe cut over his eye, leading him to be replaced by Alexander Volkanovski. In February, Makhachev narrowly outpointed Volkanovski, who reigns as featherweight champion, and fans had hoped to see a rematch someday – not realising how soon it would in fact transpire. In the co-main event, meanwhile, Kamaru Usman replaces the injured Paulo Costa on short notice, facing rising star Khamzat Chimaev in a huge match-up. Usman lost the welterweight title last year after a dominant reign, and now he makes his middleweight debut against one of the fiercest prospects in MMA. Here’s all you need to know. We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. When is UFC 294? UFC 294 takes place on Saturday 21 October at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The prelims are set to begin at 3pm BST (7am PT, 9am CT, 10am ET), with the main card following at 7pm BST (11am PT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET). How can I watch it? The card will air live on TNT Sports in the UK, with the broadcaster’s app and website also streaming the fights. In the US, ESPN+ will stream the action live, as will the UFC’s Fight Pass. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch the event, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider. Odds Makhachev – 4/9; Volkanovski – 9/5 Chimaev – 2/5; Usman – 2/1 Full odds via Betway. •Get all the latest UFC betting sites’ offers Full card (subject to change) Main card Islam Makhachev (C) vs Alexander Volkanovski 2 (lightweight title) Khamzat Chimaev vs Kamaru Usman (middleweight) Magomed Ankalaev vs Johnny Walker (light-heavyweight) Ikram Aliskerov vs Warlley Alves (middleweight) Said Nurmagomedov vs Muin Gafurov (bantamweight) Prelims Tim Elliot vs Muhammad Mokaev (flyweight) Nathaniel Wood vs Muhammad Naimov (featherweight) Mohammad Yahya vs Trevor Peek (lightweight) Javid Basharat vs Victor Henry (bantamweight) Abu Azaitar vs Sedriques Dumas (middleweight) Mike Breeden vs Anshul Jubli (lightweight) Viktoriia Dudakova vs Jinh Yu Frey (women’s strawweight) Shara Magomedov vs Bruno Silva (middleweight) Read More Alexander Volkanovski’s gamble shows the best and worst of the UFC Alexander Volkanovski admits it’s ‘crazy’ to fight Islam Makhachev on short notice Conor McGregor won’t face sexual assault charges, lawyer says Alexander Volkanovski’s gamble shows the best and worst of the UFC What time does UFC 294 start this weekend? How to watch UFC 294 online and on TV this weekend

In the main event of UFC 294 this weekend, Alexander Volkanovski steps up on short notice to challenge Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title, eight months after their scintillating first clash. Featherweight champion Volkanovski came up narrowly short against Makhachev in February, losing on points, and now he replaces the injured Charles Oliveira on 11 days’ notice for a rematch. In the co-main event, Kamaru Usman is also a short-notice replacement, taking on Khamzat Chimaev on 10 days’ notice after Paulo Costa withdrew amid a slew of surgeries. That bout marks Usman’s middleweight debut, 14 months after his reign as welterweight champion ended, as he faces one of the most dominant prospects in MMA. Here’s all you need to know. We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. When is UFC 294? UFC 294 takes place on Saturday 21 October at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The prelims are set to begin at 3pm BST (7am PT, 9am CT, 10am ET), with the main card following at 7pm BST (11am PT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET). How can I watch it? The card will air live on TNT Sports in the UK, with the broadcaster’s app and website also streaming the fights. In the US, ESPN+ will stream the action live, as will the UFC’s Fight Pass. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch the event, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider. Odds Makhachev – 4/9; Volkanovski – 9/5 Chimaev – 2/5; Usman – 2/1 Full odds via Betway. •Get all the latest UFC betting sites’ offers Full card (subject to change) Main card Islam Makhachev (C) vs Alexander Volkanovski 2 (lightweight title) Khamzat Chimaev vs Kamaru Usman (middleweight) Magomed Ankalaev vs Johnny Walker (light-heavyweight) Ikram Aliskerov vs Warlley Alves (middleweight) Said Nurmagomedov vs Muin Gafurov (bantamweight) Prelims Tim Elliot vs Muhammad Mokaev (flyweight) Nathaniel Wood vs Muhammad Naimov (featherweight) Mohammad Yahya vs Trevor Peek (lightweight) Javid Basharat vs Victor Henry (bantamweight) Abu Azaitar vs Sedriques Dumas (middleweight) Mike Breeden vs Anshul Jubli (lightweight) Viktoriia Dudakova vs Jinh Yu Frey (women’s strawweight) Shara Magomedov vs Bruno Silva (middleweight) Read More Alexander Volkanovski’s gamble shows the best and worst of the UFC Alexander Volkanovski admits it’s ‘crazy’ to fight Islam Makhachev on short notice Conor McGregor won’t face sexual assault charges, lawyer says Alexander Volkanovski’s gamble shows the best and worst of the UFC UFC 294 card in full as Chimaev and Usman clash in tantalising co-main event What time does UFC 294 start this weekend?

UFC 294 was set to be one of the biggest fight cards of the year, and it is arguably even bigger after undergoing two major, late changes. In the main event, Islam Makhachev defends the lightweight title against featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, whom he narrowly outpointed in February, with the latter stepping in for the injured Charles Oliveira. Makhachev submitted Oliveira 12 months ago to win the vacant lightweight belt, and their highly-anticipated rematch was scheduled to take place this weekend in the same venue – the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi – until a severe cut ruled out the Brazilian. In steps Volkanovski, however, for another tantalising rematch. In the co-main event, rising star Khamzat Chimaev will fight former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, who makes his middleweight debut after replacing Paulo Costa – with the Brazilian facing a slew of surgeries on an injured elbow. Here’s all you need to know. We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. When is UFC 294? UFC 294 takes place on Saturday 21 October at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The prelims are set to begin at 3pm BST (7am PT, 9am CT, 10am ET), with the main card following at 7pm BST (11am PT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET). How can I watch it? The card will air live on TNT Sports in the UK, with the broadcaster’s app and website also streaming the fights. In the US, ESPN+ will stream the action live, as will the UFC’s Fight Pass. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch the event, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider. Odds Makhachev – 4/9; Volkanovski – 9/5 Chimaev – 2/5; Usman – 2/1 Full odds via Betway. •Get all the latest UFC betting sites’ offers Full card (subject to change) Main card Islam Makhachev (C) vs Alexander Volkanovski 2 (lightweight title) Khamzat Chimaev vs Kamaru Usman (middleweight) Magomed Ankalaev vs Johnny Walker (light-heavyweight) Ikram Aliskerov vs Warlley Alves (middleweight) Said Nurmagomedov vs Muin Gafurov (bantamweight) Prelims Tim Elliot vs Muhammad Mokaev (flyweight) Nathaniel Wood vs Muhammad Naimov (featherweight) Mohammad Yahya vs Trevor Peek (lightweight) Javid Basharat vs Victor Henry (bantamweight) Abu Azaitar vs Sedriques Dumas (middleweight) Mike Breeden vs Anshul Jubli (lightweight) Viktoriia Dudakova vs Jinh Yu Frey (women’s strawweight) Shara Magomedov vs Bruno Silva (middleweight) Read More Alexander Volkanovski’s gamble shows the best and worst of the UFC Alexander Volkanovski admits it’s ‘crazy’ to fight Islam Makhachev on short notice Conor McGregor won’t face sexual assault charges, lawyer says Alexander Volkanovski’s gamble shows the best and worst of the UFC UFC 294 card in full as Chimaev and Usman clash in tantalising co-main event How to watch UFC 294 online and on TV this weekend

John Fury has demanded that KSI fulfil a £200,000 bet, after the 59-year-old’s son Tommy beat the YouTuber in a boxing match on Saturday. Tommy beat KSI via unanimous decision, after the initial majority decision was revealed to have been the result of incorrect maths. With the win, the 24-year-old stayed unbeaten as a professional, while handing KSI (real name Olajide Olatunji) his first defeat in boxing. As a result, John Fury won a bet with KSI, 30, which had been agreed on a live stream in the lead-up to the bout. “This is a quick video for KSI,” Fury said in a clip posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday (18 October). “You owe me £200,000. “We had a bet, I want paying. Now don’t be like the other fella, Jake Paul. Be a man and pay your bets. We had a bet live on a podcast, we’ve got all the evidence there, we’ll put it all together. “You owe me, John Fury, £200,000. I want paying. Thank you very much.” Fury also shared footage of the bet being made, with KSI saying: “I’m actually gonna give it to charity [if I win], that’s what I’m gonna do.” That particular clip also showed Tommy claiming that he would “obliterate” and “kill” KSI, though the 24-year-old failed to secure a stoppage when the fight took place in Manchester on Saturday (14 October). Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More KSI vs Tommy Fury result changed after judging error Tommy Fury hits out at KSI’s ‘star jumps and hugs’ after beating YouTuber in boxing match Jake Paul announces return to boxing after Tommy Fury’s win over KSI

Joshua Buatsi’s fight with Dan Azeez has been cancelled on four days’ notice, after the latter sustained an injury in the final session of his training camp. The unbeaten Britons were set to put their friendship aside and meet in a light-heavyweight bout on Saturday (21 October), headlining at the O2 Arena in London. However, the fight has been postponed due to Azeez suffering a back injury, it was announced on Tuesday (17 October). Azeez, 34, said: “I’m devastated for this to happen on fight week. It still hasn’t sunk in. I’ve never had to withdraw from a fight in my career before. “I want to apologise to all the fans, especially those travelling to the fight. I am also extremely sorry to my opponent Joshua Buatsi, to my promoter, and to everyone involved who has worked so hard on this date. I hope this fight can be rescheduled as soon as possible.” Meanwhile, Boxxer chief Ben Shalom said: “This is a big shock, but everyone at Boxxer is working very hard to ensure we provide clarity for all fighters, teams and – most importantly – the fans as soon as we can. “I know that Dan would do anything to be in the ring on Saturday night, and for this to happen at this stage is devastating. This is a huge fight for British boxing, but the health and safety of our fighters must come first. “My heart goes out to Dan and Joshua, who have both completed tough camps, and to the fans, with more than 10,000 having made arrangements to come on Saturday. We will provide an update on the rest of the card and communicate a revised date for Buatsi-Azeez as soon as possible.” Azeez last fought in July, bearing Khalid Graidia on points, two months after 30-year-old Buatsi outpointed Pawel Stepien. On Wednesday (18 October), Boxxer announced that the undercard would remain intact and take place at London’s York Hall, headlined by Mikael Lawal vs Isaac Chamberlain. Read More Tommy Fury hits out at KSI’s ‘star jumps and hugs’ after beating YouTuber in boxing match Jake Paul announces return to boxing after Tommy Fury’s win over KSI Dillon Danis explains why he will appeal defeat by Logan Paul

Call it a belated birthday present, perhaps. Sir Jim Ratcliffe turned 71 on Wednesday. For those who have amassed such riches, it is less a question of what others buy them and more what they buy for themselves. And in Ratcliffe’s case, at a cost of £1.3bn, the answer may be a quarter of the club he has supported since he was a child in Failsworth. There are details to iron out and no deal will be finalised just yet but the Manchester United board will vote – though probably not on Thursday – whether to accept Ratcliffe’s offer. The petrochemicals billionaire has already seen off his main competitor: if there was a widespread assumption – one that may have been shared by the Glazer family – that Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani would dramatically raise a bid that many believed was financed by the Qatari state, it never happened. Ratcliffe has been a triumph of persistence and flexibility, amending his own offer from a majority to a minority stake, negotiating with the Glazers. It comes to something when a man of his wealth feels like the underdog but the outsider has prevailed. While Sheikh Jassim also presented himself as a United supporter and while Ratcliffe had attempted to buy Chelsea, the Ineos co-founder has the feel of the local boy made good. And, at points in the past, a place on a football club board would have felt a reward for many who matched that description. Now the sums are so massive that the motivations become most instructive. Thus far, the questions outnumber the definitive answers. Will United be a trophy asset for Ratcliffe? Perhaps not immediately, given that the Glazers will remain the biggest shareholders, at least in the short term. Is it simply an astute business deal? Not on the face of it, given that Ratcliffe has valued United at around double its market price and Sheikh Jassim felt the Glazers’ demands were outlandish. Yet Ratcliffe has proved he can make money: that 25 per cent could yet yield a profit and the Glazers’ reluctance to walk away seemed to stem in part from a belief the club will be worth more again in the future. The most pertinent issue for many supporters, who have long called for the Glazers to go, is whether it leads to a full takeover; and if so, whether the terms of Ratcliffe’s buy-in ensure it, or merely make it optional. Moreover, the new structure, assuming it is improved, does not necessarily promise the investment United require: with other parties holding 75 per cent of the club, Ratcliffe would have less incentive to put his own money in. The presumption at the moment is that the £1.3bn will largely go to the Glazers, not United. The general sense is the club need the money more than their owners. Sheikh Jassim’s promises will now never be tested but he had pledged to invest more than £1bn; with the need to either revamp or rebuild Old Trafford, any plans to improve the infrastructure the Glazers have neglected will not be cheap. So if Ratcliffe pursues such plans, will the debt – currently at £725m – rise over £1bn? United’s current scope for signings is limited more by Financial Fair Play than anything else, but could he bring an improvement in recruitment? The feeling is that Ratcliffe wants control of the football side of the club, where United’s underachievement has been particularly grievous in the last decade. Would that be beneficial? Given United’s record, it may be welcomed. Ratcliffe’s own record in sport is mixed: Nice are currently second in Ligue Un but their fortunes have fluctuated during his ownership and have been pockmarked by transfer-market missteps. Lausanne have been both relegated and promoted under Ratcliffe’s regime. He bought the most successful outfit in world cycling, then known as Team Sky; since rebranded as Ineos, but they have lost their pre-eminence and appear in an identity crisis. But if his initial emphasis is on the pitch – rather than the commercial side of the business the chief executive, Richard Arnold, oversees – there is an obvious focus on the director of football, John Murtough. Inside Old Trafford, there is already a recognition the team has achieved too little and their record in recruitment has been underwhelming since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. Some nevertheless feel that there is more structure and strategy since Ed Woodward handed over the reins: they can point to a new training centre for the women’s and academy teams, the appointment of Erik ten Hag, and a fine season last year. Yet a stumbling, stuttering start to this season, the struggles of several recent signings and the reality that around £400m has been spent in the last two summers feels ill-timed. Accusations United have overpaid are scarcely new but will it prompt Ratcliffe to seek change behind the scenes? The initial noises are that, despite the team’s slump, Ten Hag is seen as far more of a solution than a problem, though it would be instructive to know if that stance were maintained should the next 10 games bring another six defeats. Shifts in ownership do not always bode well for incumbent managers, whereas the Dutchman has enjoyed the backing of Murtough and the Glazers. Ten Hag always projects an air of confidence and decisiveness but many at Old Trafford could be forgiven for wondering what Ratcliffe’s investment means and what comes next. If it has scarcely helped United that they have lingered in limbo for 11 months, since the Glazers put the club up for sale, a boardroom vote could instead bring about a time of uncertainty. Read More The best in the world? Jude Bellingham sparks debate after latest England masterclass Man Utd set timeline to decide on Sir Jim Ratcliffe offer Manchester United Supporters’ Trust calls for ‘clarity’ in takeover process Man Utd manager fumes at Women’s Champions League format after exit Who will make Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024? Michael O’Neill wants Shea Charles to learn from dismissal on frustrating night

Around 270 Premier League games a season will be broadcast live in the UK every year as part of the next broadcast deal as the division looks for an increase on its current £5bn domestic rights deal. It means an extra 70 games a season will be shown, the most live coverage yet, with more than two-thirds of the 380 matches each season being televised. The Premier League have started the process of selling rights for a four-year period, starting in the 2025-26 season, whereas previous deals have been for three years. The Premier League is inviting tenders for five broadcast packages, which will mean 3pm kick-offs on Saturdays are still not televised – a blackout devised to protect attendances in the lower leagues – but all 2pm kick-offs on Sunday, which tend to feature sides in European action on Thursdays, will be shown. The 270 live games will be arranged into five packages of between 42 and 65 matches in a change from the current system of seven packages. No broadcaster will be able to get a monopoly with a maximum of four packages permitted. Those five packages will be linked to current kick-off formats: 12.30 and 17.30 on Saturday, 14.00 and 16.30 on Sunday, plus a 20.00, split across Monday and Fridays. The Premier League has not confirmed where midweek matches will fit into the packages. In the current contract, Sky have four packages, amounting to 128 matches per season, TNT (formerly BT Sport) two, with 52 games, and Amazon Prime one package of 20 matches. The Premier League is also inviting tenders for highlights, including of the 110 games that will not be shown live, and free-to-air highlights of all 380 matches, currently owned by the BBC and used in Match Of The Day. Read More Tottenham Hotspur lose court challenge over regeneration scheme next to stadium Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali being investigated for alleged betting activity Sky Bet tweet featuring Gary Neville banned over appeal to under-18s

Sandro Tonali is being investigated by the Italian Prosecutor’s Office and the Italian Football Federation after being accused of illegal betting on football. The Newcastle midfielder, who is cooperating fully with the police and the Italian football authorities, faces the prospect of a lengthy ban if found guilty. The 23-year-old, who was withdrawn from the Italy squad to face Malta and England after it became known he was the subject of an inquiry, reportedly pleaded guilty to betting on AC Milan matches at a hearing with the Italian Football Federation in Turin on Tuesday. Tonali’s agent said the Italy international is battling a gambling addiction and revealed the player is shocked. Guiseppe Riso said: “Sandro is playing an important game against gambling addiction. He will win this one too. I’d like to thank Newcastle who have always stood by Sandro. He is in shock, shaken and sad. I hope that this experience saves his life and that of many others, that it helps those who fall into the same habit as him.” This week, Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagiolo was banned for 12 months, with five of them suspended, after he admitted breaching betting regulations while Aston Villa winger Nicolo Zaniolo is also being investigated and was also removed from the Italy squad as a result. Illegal betting on matches in Italy carries a maximum penalty of a three-year ban. Newcastle are yet to confirm if Tonali remains available for selection. They face Crystal Palace on Saturday and then Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday. Tonali became the most expensive Italian footballer in history when Newcastle bought him from AC Milan for £55m in the summer. He scored on his debut against Aston Villa and has made 10 appearances for Eddie Howe’s team. Newcastle said in a club statement: “Newcastle United can confirm that Sandro Tonali is subject to investigation by the Italian Prosecutor’s Office and Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in relation to illegal betting activity. “Sandro is fully engaging with the investigation and will continue to cooperate with all relevant authorities. He and his family will continue to receive the club’s full support. “Due to this ongoing process, Sandro and Newcastle United are unable to offer further comment at this time.” Read More Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali being investigated for alleged betting activity Saudi Arabian state-linked group targets two European clubs ‘similar in size’ to Newcastle Gary Neville gambling ad banned because footballer ‘too popular with under 18s’

In the celebratory aftermath of England’s qualification for Euro 2024, Jude Bellingham was in little mood to qualify his opinion. The Real Madrid midfielder just went out and said how Gareth Southgate’s side deserved the win over Italy because they were the “much better” team. There was no diplomacy there, just a striking stridency. It created a very different mood to the last time a match between the two teams led to a tournament qualification, amid scenes that received a new prominence recently due to the David Beckham documentary. That was the 1997 0-0 draw in Rome, which saw England qualify automatically for the 1998 World Cup. The suffocating tension of that match bore so little resemblance to the stroll of Tuesday’s game, at least for Gareth Southgate’s side. Then, Christian Vieri’s late header caused audible gasps within the Stadio Olimpico, no doubt to match those around the country. The ball went just wide, though, to bring huge emotional release and Paul Gascoigne dancing. The sense of achievement was profound. It was admittedly a different football and a very different Italy, with some of the intensity influenced by England’s failure to reach USA 94, but it was still just qualification - and that for a newly expanded 32-team event. It was also a hugely talented squad, filled by some of the most relentless winners the English game has known in so many of Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United stars. And yet this England now has something more, as well as much more than just the expectation of qualification. It is more than the experience of reaching the latter stages of tournaments and so many other psychological milestones like beating Italy away. It is that assuredness, personified by Bellingham. There is something genuinely different in the midfielder, a potential missing ingredient for a team that last came within a penalty shoot-out of victory in this very competition. It is personality as much as performance. It points to an England that can be defined by “winners” at international level, that is able to rise to any given day because they are completely devoid of all the old baggage. This is something that Bellingham’s very youth represents, as well as his admirable willingness to just go straight to Real Madrid rather than feel he has to go to the Premier League. It’s similarly difficult not to think that the mood that fosters also fortifies the confidence of other players with England. That was maybe most visible in Marcus Rashford’s finish, as well as a level of display we haven’t seen so much with his club of late. None of this is to say it’s all down to Bellingham, of course. It’s rather what his mindset represents and rounds off. “He has been a catalyst,” Southgate said after the 3-1 win. “The way he carries himself and plays on the field and shows that, and he has had that since he walked through the door. Plus the power in his play, that gives us something when you are in tight situations and he can suddenly wriggle out of things… That belief, that willingness to engage with the crowd, they are rare traits in a player so young.” They are especially rare in historic England squads, right up to the recent successes. Southgate has navigated his sides through all that from fine man-management of a brilliant generation, where the Football Association have essentially become the latest wealthy western European football nation to industrialise talent production. Bellingham is the sort of player that eventually comes out of that, a final product if you like, but one that often requires a lot of patience. Putting all the pieces in place just gives you the best chance, rather than giving you a certainty of having the best player. These are of course the terms that are already framing the discussion around Bellingham. That isn’t English media exaggeration, either. It was the first question put to Southgate by Italian media. It dominated the late-night football discussion in Spain. The world is talking about Bellingham. It might yet see England dominate these Euros, in the same way they did to Italy to get there. Read More Jude Bellingham once again proves he is the key for England’s Euro 2024 hopes England have qualified for Euro 2024 — now it’s about winning it Gareth Southgate savours win and says England are ‘capable of winning’ Euro 2024 Jude Bellingham once again proves he is the key for England’s Euro 2024 hopes England have qualified for Euro 2024 — now it’s about winning it

England have qualified for Euro 2024 with two games to spare after coming from behind to defeat Italy thanks to two goals from Harry Kane and a brilliant Marcus Rashford strike. Former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca punished some slack England defending to fire Italy into an early lead, in what was a rematch of the Euro 2020 final at Wembley. But England hit back as Kane converted a 32nd-minute penalty, which was won by Jude Bellingham following a bursting run into the Italy box. And Bellingham was heavily involved again as he led an England counter-attack after the break, creating space for Rashford to slam a powerful strike into the corner. Kane made sure of the victory with another breakaway goal late on - his 61st for England - and it means Gareth Southgate’s side can now begin their preparations for Germany next summer. Here are how the England players rated at Wembley Jordan Pickford, 7 The goalkeeper made some key stops with the match level in the first half, particularly from Destiny Udogie’s run shortly before the break. Italy were poor in the second half and Pickford was barely troubled from there. Kyle Walker, 6 The experienced right back was assured and steady and barely let Stephan El Shaarway have a sniff. John Stones, 6 The centre-back is still working his way up to full fitness but his class on the ball was apparent. Perhaps caught a yard short of Scamacca for Italy’s opening goal - but England were also second-best throughout the pitch at the time. Harry Maguire, 6 There were spells in the first half where England needed to move it quicker and Maguire was left looking culpable with his ponderous style in possession. Italy certainly punished some slack defending with the opening goal, but Maguire also grew into the game and made some key blocks. Given the outside noise, this was a decent performance from the centre-back. Kieran Trippier, 5 Seemed outnumbered at times with Domenico Berardi and Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s partnership on the Italian right, while he certainly doesn’t look as comfortable on the opposite side. Kalvin Phillips, 4 Looked sluggish from the opening 10 minutes, where he was late to a couple of challenges and it resulted in an early yellow. There were big gaps in midfield, which were the areas Phillips was in the team to fill in his double-pivot with Rice, and he was perhaps fortunate not to be shown a second yellow after another mistimed challenge. Brought off for Jordan Henderson. Declan Rice, 6 It was rare to see Rice so exposed in midfield and there were a couple of moments where Italy were able to play around him - Italy’s Davide Frattesi and Nicolo Barella were certainly a handful - but it’s a measure of Rice’s authority that he soon got the situation under control. Phil Foden, 8 Made some thrilling bursts from central positions and was also heavily involved in England’s brilliant second goal on the counter-attack. Perhaps still isn’t as threatening on the right wing as Bukayo Saka often is, but shows brilliant flashes of quality in those dangerous inside channels. Jude Bellingham, 9 If there was only one England player who looked sharp in the sluggish opening half hour, it’s no surprise to say it was Bellingham. Helped bring England level with his burst into the box to win Kane’s penalty and then repeated the trick with a lovely flick and drive forward in the move that led to Rashford’s strike. England’s main man, at 20 years old, and his display received a standing ovation. Marcus Rashford, 8 It’s amazing what a goal can do. Looked short of confidence in the first half, even as he almost forced a couple of openings in his battle with Di Lorenzo. But Bellingham’s break allowed Rashford to cut inside from the left and smash a brilliant strike past Gianluigi Donnarumma. It was a sudden flash of last season’s form. Harry Kane, 9 Brought up his 60th England goal from the spot with a typically cool penalty. There were times early on where he looked a little more isolated up front than in previous appearances, but from there the quality link-up play with his fellow forwards flowed, with clever touches and booming switches to both Foden and Rashford. His second goal of the night, as he eased Alessandro Baston away and finished, simply oozed the class of an elite striker. Read More England have qualified for Euro 2024 — now it’s about winning it Jude Bellingham once again proves he is the key for England’s Euro 2024 hopes Jude Bellingham once again proves he is the key for England’s Euro 2024 hopes England have qualified for Euro 2024 — now it’s about winning it Kyle Walker eyes ‘little bit of payback’ as England host Italy

England are on the verge of joining Scotland at Euro 2024 and would join Steve Clarke’s side at the tournament if they defeat Italy at Wembley tonight. Gareth Southgate’s side are three points clear at the top of Group C with just three games remaining in qualifying. They come into the match knowing that a win would secure their place in Germany next summer but losing to the current European champions would not be a killer blow with fixtures against Malta and North Macedonia still to come. Tonight’s clash is a repeat of the heart-breaking Euro 2020 final where Italy won a penalty shootout at Wembley to claim the title. The Three Lions have since redeemed that loss with an impressive 2-1 win against Italy in Naples earlier in this qualifying campaign but a second victory over the Azzurri will cement England’s prowess ahead of the upcoming competition. Luciano Spalleti’s third game in charge of the national side saw Italy beat Malta 4-0 on Saturday to move above Ukraine into second place in the group and he’ll be hoping to keep that winning streak going this evening. Follow all the action from Wembley below plus get the latest odds and tips for England vs Italy right here: Read More Is England v Italy on TV? Channel, start time and how to watch Euro 2024 qualifier online tonight England fans may have turned on Jordan Henderson — but he still has Gareth Southgate When is the Euro 2024 draw?

Chelsea have won a battle to buy a significant portion of land next door to Stamford Bridge in a deal worth around £80m. The move opens up the possibility of the club staying at their west London ground – Chelsea’s home since 1905 – and redeveloping the current 40,000-seater stadium, rather than finding a new site, as the owners seek to deliver a major upgrade which competes with leading Premier League venues. The club will buy 2.4 acres of the site, which sits between the stadium’s West Stand and Fulham Broadway Tube station, from Stoll, a charity which provides housing for veterans. Stoll’s board of trustees consulted with residents of the building, Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions, before making the decision to accept Chelsea’s bid from among a dozen on the table. Chelsea approached Stoll six years ago while under the ownership of Roman Abramovich as they drew up plans for a new stadium. Those plans fell through when Abramovic was forced to sell the club over his links to Russian president Vladimir Putin following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, and Stoll put the land up for sale as it sought much-needed funding. New owner Todd Boehly and the Clearlake consortium resurrected Chelsea’s interest this year and the purchase has now been approved, paving the way for a potential expansion of Stamford Bridge which could see the stadium demolished and rebuilt with the pitch rotated 90 degrees to run west to east. The club had originally proposed to buy only a small part of the land (marked in red, below) but negotiated a larger share (blue). However, Chelsea have still not ruled out relocating to a new site. If they do stay at Stamford Bridge, the club would need to either groundshare with neighbours Fulham at Craven Cottage, or move into Wembley or Twickenham while the work was undertaken. Stoll will retain a portion of the land at the southern end where it will retain 20 flats, and a leaseback deal will ensure residents do not have to move out immediately. The charity says it will invest the funds in new housing for veterans. Read More Eden Hazard announces retirement from football Arsenal can profit from chaotic title race thanks to three wildcard teams Burnley vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest Premier League updates