Gallery: Weekend In Sport

As Christmas draws closer, football and darts are set to fill up the sporting calendar. But there was still room for some cricket, rugby, and swimming in the latest weekend in sport…

HUMPHRIES BEGINS DEFENCE

Luke Humphries kicked off his world title defence with a dominant 3-0 win over Thibault Tricole on the opening night.

The world number one coasted along with an average of 90.79 as he took all nine legs in the second round of the PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace in London.

Ahead of the tournament, the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) have partnered with financial services firm Vanquis.

AMAD STRIKE SINKS CITY

Manchester City’s dismal run of form continued with a 1-2 loss to Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola’s out of form side had been leading until the 88th minute but a Bruno Fernandes penalty and Amad Diallo late winner secured a big victory for Ruben Amorin’s men.

Guardiola delivered a brutal self-analysis as he told Match of the Day, “I am not good enough. I am the boss. I am the manager. I have to find solutions and so far I haven’t. That’s the reality.

“Not much else to say. No defence. Manchester United were incredibly persistent. We have not lost eight games in two seasons. We can’t defend that.”

On Friday, Manchester City reported record revenue of £715m in the club’s annual report for 2023/24.

ROUT IN EXETER

Ten-try Toulouse produced another clinical display in defence of their Investec Champions Cup title to thump Exeter Chiefs 21-64 in a bonus-point victory at Sandy Park.

The reigning champions crossed the whitewash through Antoine Dupont, Julien Marchand, Thibaud Flament, Theo Ntamack, Blair Kinghorn and Paul Graou, with two tries apiece for Matthis Lebel and Pierre-Louis Barassi in an emphatic performance.

Elsewhere in rugby, Championship clubs have united to request a special general meeting to discuss a vote of no confidence in RFU Chairman Tom Ilube and Chief Executive Bill Sweeney.

TOFFEES MAKE HISTORY

Manchester City missed the chance to close the gap on Women’s Super League leaders Chelsea as Everton beat them in the league for the first time.

First-half goals from Lucy Hope and Honoka Hayashi stunned a City side that enjoyed 79% possession in the opening 45 minutes, earning Evertona first-ever victory against City in the WSL following 16 straight defeats.

Subway has become the new title partner of the Women’s League Cup, after signing a multi-year agreement with Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL).

WILLIAMSON STARS AS STOKES LIMPS OFF

England were forced to toil hard after Kane Williamson hit a scintillating 156 to help New Zealand post a mighty 453 on day three of the third Test in Hamilton, with the tourists falling to 18-2 in reply.

England captain Ben Stokes also limped off after pulling up while bowling in the second session and received treatment for a left-hamstring issue, forcing him to the sidelines for the remainder of the New Zealand second innings.

Cricket District, the multi-platform media network that creates social-first content for cricket fans, recently announced its successful Series A investment round, with a number of notable investors.

SILVER SWIM FOR GB

Great Britain’s women won silver in the 4x100m medley relay on the final day of the World Aquatics Short Course Championships in Budapest.

Earlier in the year, the BBC has secured the broadcasting rights to the British Swimming Championships as the Aquatics GB rebrand was announced.