Thomas Tuchel says he has no issue with N'Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek after they missed Chelsea's pre-season tour of the United States due to not being fully vaccinated.

Kante and Loftus-Cheek did not travel to the USA with the rest of the squad for training and three friendlies.

The midfield duo have instead been training at Cobham and although Blues head coach Tuchel says their absence is far from ideal, he accepts the choices they have made.

"We don't blame people and don't put the finger on them," said the German.

"There's a personal decision to take and both of them took their personal decision.

"It doesn't matter if I understand it, if I like it or, for the professional life, it's a disadvantage right now.

"We would have liked both of them here but once we knew, we needed to provide the best solution, which is to provide training at Cobham on a high physical level. They will be fit when we are back there."

Kante has been sidelined by a knee injury, but Tuchel expects the France midfielder to be play a big part in the upcoming season.

"N'Golo knows what pre-season is all about and for him especially it gives us the possibility to build him up very individually," he added.

"He has coaches there in London who take care of him and he is integrated in the Under-23 and Under-19 training, so he also has team training.

"We need N'Golo to have more minutes on the pitch. He is one of our key figures and the key players need to be on the pitch otherwise they cannot be key players, so this is how we are handling things at the moment."

Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar eased off in their tussle for the yellow jersey on Friday, as Mads Pedersen won stage 13 of the Tour de France in style.

Having been involved in an early breakaway lodged by Filippo Ganna, Pedersen stuck at the front of the race on the 193 kilometre route from Le Bourg-d'Oisans to Saint-Etienne.

And he made the vital move at just the right time, attacking with 12km remaining, splitting the six-man breakaway in two and leaving him up against Fred Wright (Bahrain Victorious) and Hugo Houle (Israel–Premier Tech).

Trek–Segafredo rider Pedersen attacked just as the peloton stopped racing further back, with Jumbo-Visma – protecting the yellow jersey of Vingegaard and the green jersey of Wout van Aert – INEOS Grenadiers and UAE Team Emirates comfortable enough to take a steady approach after successive days of hard riding in the mountains.

Having been denied victory in his native Denmark in the opening three stages, Pedersen always looked good to go on and end his wait for a Grand Tour stage win, and he did so in style, executing another perfectly timed effort during the final sprint to ensure he was able to celebrate while he crossed the line.

"It's incredible to finally take a win," the 26-year-old said. "I knew the shape was really good and I definitely missed out on the opportunities in the first week.

"In the last two weeks of this race there's not a lot of chances for a guy like me.

"So to take the chance today and get the reward is really nice, not only for me but for the whole team. We came here with riders only for stages and now we have one, so it's such a relief."

Van Aert came over in seventh, easily winning a bunch sprint at the front of the GC group, to further consolidate his grip on the green jersey.

Wright idea, but not enough power for Fred

It was a spirited ride from 23-year-old Wright, who kept on Pedersen's wheel right until the end.

"I was trying to get Mads to do some of the work at the end, but it's hard man, I just didn't quite have it over the top of that kicker," Wright told ITV Sport. "All I could do was hug the wheel, I was surprised I didn't get dropped to be honest."

As for his tactics in the sprint, Wright added: "I don't know, to be honest, I was just going to try and surprise him."

Wright hit a top speed of 59km/h in the final 1,000 metres, whereas Pedersen clocked in at 59.2km/h.

STAGE RESULTS

1. Mads Pedersen (Trek–Segafredo) 4:13:03
2. Fred Wright (Bahrain Victorious) same time
3. Hugo Houle (Israel–Premier Tech) same time
4. Stefan Kung (Groupama-FDJ) +0:30
5. Matteo Jorgensen (Movistar) +0:30

CLASSIFICATION STANDINGS 

General Classification

1. Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) 50:47:34
2. Tadej Pogacar (UAE-Team Emirates) +2:22
3. Geraint Thomas (INEOS Grenadiers) +2:26

Points Classification

1. Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) 333
2. Tadej Pogacar (UAE-Team Emirates) 164
3. Fabio Jakobsen (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) 155

King of the Mountains

1. Simon Geschke (Cofidis) 43
2. Louis Meintjes (Intermarche–Wanty–Gobert Materiaux) 39
3. Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) 36

Riyad Mahrez is "hungry to achieve more" with Manchester City after signing a new contract with the Premier League champions.

The Algeria international has spent the past four seasons with City, having joined from Leicester City in a £60million transfer, and his new deal will run through until June 2025.

Mahrez has scored 63 goals and assisted a further 45 across 189 appearances for City, winning seven major trophies across that successful period. 

He also famously won the Premier League with Leicester City in 2016, but the 31-year-old is eager to add more trophies to his collection with Pep Guardiola's side.

An emotional Tiger Woods conceded he is unlikely to play The Open at St Andrews again after missing the cut at the 150th edition of golf's oldest major on Friday.

The 15-time major winner carded a second-round 75 to sit nine over par, well short of the projected cut mark at the home of golf.

Woods was desperate to compete in this landmark tournament after his career was nearly ended by a car crash in February last year, and he admitted this was probably his final outing at an Open on the famous links.

It was fitting, then, that the 46-year-old – who has twice lifted the Claret Jug at the Fife course – was given a stunning ovation as he concluded his round, which left him with tears in his eyes.

"It's very emotional for me. I've been coming here since 1995... I think the next one comes around in what, 2030? I don't know if I will be physically able to play by then," he said.

"So to me it felt like this might have been my last British Open here at St Andrews. And the fans, the ovation and the warmth, it was an unbelievable feeling.

"I understand what Jack [Nicklaus] and Arnold [Palmer] had gone through in the past. I was kind of feeling that way there at the end – just the collective warmth and understanding. They understand what golf's all about and what it takes to be an Open champion.

"I've been lucky enough and fortunate enough to have won this twice here, and it felt very emotional.

"I just don't know what my health is going to be like. And I feel like I will be able to play future British Opens, but I don't know if I'll be able to play that long enough that when it comes back around here, will I still be playing?"

Woods admitted he was choked up by the response of the fans and his fellow professionals, including Rory McIlroy.

"As I walked further along the fairway, I saw Rory right there," he said. "He gave me the tip of the cap.

"It was a pretty cool, the nods I was getting from guys as they were going out and I was coming in, just the respect, that was pretty neat. And from a players' fraternity level, it's neat to see that and feel that.

"And then as I got closer to the green, more into the hole, the ovation got louder and you could feel the warmth and you could feel the people from both sides. It felt like the whole tournament was right there.

"I had a few tears. I'm not one who gets very teary-eyed very often about anything. 

"I put my heart and soul into this event over the years and I think the people have appreciated my play in the event. I've won it three times.

"Life moves on and I think that's what people understand, and they knew my circumstances this year, of just playing, period.

"I was very lucky to have had a great team around me to get me to where I was physically able to play three times this year and very thankful to all of them for getting me to this spot."

Scott McTominay hopes a fluke could spark a flood as he attempts to transform himself into a goalscoring Manchester United midfielder.

United beat Melbourne Victory 4-1 after recovering from going behind early, with McTominay's deflected equaliser followed by efforts from Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and an own goal.

McTominay's 20-yard shot looped up wickedly off a defender and soared over goalkeeper Paul Izzo, and it was swiftly followed by a close-range strike from Martial as United snatched a half-time lead.

Scotland international McTominay managed only one Premier League goal last season, having hit four in each of the previous two campaigns.

Bruno Fernandes is the only United midfielder to have topped five league goals in any of those last three seasons, which points to an obvious problem at the heart of the team.

The Red Devils managed just 57 goals in the 2021-22 Premier League, and under new manager Erik ten Hag they will be expected to present as a more potent outfit.

"It's all of us, not just myself. I know I can score more goals," McTominay said. "The manager wants more players in the box, which is where you score goals."

The signing of Christian Eriksen on Friday should give United more thrust in that area, while the club are also eager to sign Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong.

McTominay believes the straight-talking Ten Hag has the ideal understanding of how to get the best out of United's playing pool, by avoiding complicating his ideas.

"For us, the level of detail which he's talking about is so easy to understand. All his ideas can come at once, and we can take them on board," McTominay said.

Speaking to MUTV, the Scotland international added: "Whenever we've got a new manager, there's a lot of new ideas and a lot of things we have to take on board, in terms of the ideas the manager wants.

"Everyone's so, so happy with the new coach in terms of the detail and the attention to the work we're doing, and everyone's so fit now, and we can get fitter. I can get fitter and the whole team can, which is obviously a benefit for the future as well."

Ten Hag played different starting XIs in each half as he took another opportunity to look at his wider pool of players, rather than the established stars, just as he did when United beat Liverpool 4-0 on Tuesday.

He felt United were rewarded for persistence and was glad to give outings to Ethan Laird and Tahith Chong, a fringe pair who are fighting to become established in the first-team squad but may be loaned out.

"That's why we took them with us. I wanted to have an impression of all the players," Ten Hag said. "They got the chance to show what they can do, what they are capable of, if they can contribute immediately to Man United or it may be a loan period is better.

"All the possibilities are there, but it is good United had some talents, but they need improvements and they need development."

Jonny Bairstow has been recalled to England's T20I squad for the series against South Africa as Ben Stokes takes a rest, while Matthew Potts has landed a maiden ODI call-up.

Bairstow enjoyed run-laden Test outings against New Zealand and India but was rested for the three-match T20I series against Rohit Sharma's side, who defeated England 2-1.

The Yorkshire batter kept his spot in the ODI squad for the series against India, which is finely poised at 1-1 ahead of the decider at Old Trafford, and will now feature again in the shortest format against South Africa.

England Test captain Stokes is another in action against India, but he has been omitted from the T20I squad to face South Africa in an effort to manage his workload and will also miss domestic limited-overs competition The Hundred.

Adil Rashid is back in both white-ball squads after missing the India clashes due to undertaking the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, while Potts is part of England's 15-man 50-over squad for the first time.

Potts impressed with his bowling in the five-day outings against India and New Zealand, and he will join Durham team-mates Stokes and Brydon Carse for the ODI series, which starts at Chester-le-Street on Tuesday.

Reece Topley is another named in both squads after his 6-24 at Lord's on Thursday, taking England's record ODI bowling figures, and will hope to boost his hopes of featuring at the T20 World Cup in November.

Buttler's ODI side will head to Old Trafford and Headingley to conclude their three-match tussle against the Proteas, before the T20I series starts in Bristol on July 27.

Richard Gleeson is again included in the squad for the shortest format, having dismissed India trio Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant on his debut at Edgbaston.

Harry Brook is another who will look to stake his claim to take Eoin Morgan's spot in the T20I side's middle order, with the three-match T20I series heading to Cardiff on July 28 before concluding at the Ageas Bowl three days later.

England ODI squad: Buttler, Moeen Ali, Bairstow, Carse, Curran, Livingstone, Overton, Potts, Rashid, Root, Roy, Salt, Stokes, Topley, Willey.

England T20I squad: Buttler, Moeen Ali, Bairstow, Brook, Curran, Gleeson, Jordan, Livingstone, Malan, Rashid, Roy, Salt, Topley, Willey.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has upheld FIFA and UEFA's decision to ban Russian national teams from their competitions.

Both governing bodies imposed the suspensions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February.

The Football Union of Russia (FUR) lodged an appeal with CAS, with the men's national team having been preventing from trying to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar and the women unable to feature in the European Championship - which started this month.

Zenit, Sochi, CSKA Moscow and Dynamo Moscow also challenged UEFA's decision to leave them unable to play in European competitions.

CAS on Friday revealed all six challenges were dismissed by a panel of arbitrators.

A CAS statement said: "In all of these cases, the panel determined that the escalation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the public and government responses worldwide, created unforeseen and unprecedented circumstances to which FIFA and UEFA had to respond.

"In determining that Russian teams and clubs should not participate in competitions under their aegis while such circumstances persisted, the panel held that both parties acted within the scope of the discretion granted to them under their respective statutes and regulations.

"In so holding, the Panel found it unnecessary to characterise the nature of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, but only to focus on the consequences of such conflict for the competitions affected.

"The panel finds it unfortunate that the current military operations in Ukraine, for which Russian football teams, clubs, and players have themselves no responsibility, had, by reason of the decisions of FIFA and UEFA, such an adverse effect on them and Russian football generally, but those effects were, in the panel’s view, offset by the need for the secure and orderly conduct of football events for the rest of the world."

Scottie Scheffler hailed Tiger Woods' resilience despite the golf great enduring an Open Championship to forget at St Andrews.

Woods carded a disappointing,six-over par 78 in his first round on Thursday, leaving himself with plenty to do to make the weekend.

The 15-time major winner could not muster up a good enough second round, however, with his 75 meaning he missed the cut at nine over. He appeared to be wiping away tears as he received a huge ovation from the crowd on his way to the 18th hole on what could be his last professional visit to the home of golf.

Scheffler had no such issues as the 2022 Masters champion carded 68, meaning he was one shot off the lead when he headed to the clubhouse.

When it was put to Scheffler that Woods might well have made his final Open appearance at St Andrews, the world number one was quick to stress the resilience the 46-year-old has shown across his career, not least to return to top-level golf after sustaining serious injuries in a car crash in February 2021.

Scheffler told reporters: "I don't know if this will be Tiger's last one here. He may have spoken about it a bit.

"But he's a pretty resilient guy and he loves to compete. We'll see what he has in store for us the next few years.

"Any time you can see that guy out on the golf course, especially the Old Course, it's really special. For us as players, to have him around is pretty cool.

"When he got in that car wreck, didn't know if we'd have him back. Just to have him out here playing golf is pretty special for all of us."

Woods was the last player to win both the Masters and The Open in the same year – back in 2005 – though Scheffler is well in the hunt to achieve that feat in 2022.

"No, to be honest with you, I'm just here trying to do my best and put myself in position," the 26-year-old replied when asked if he had thought about such an achievement.

"Thinking about prior wins isn't going to help me play good this week. Just trying to stay in the moment and hit some good shots."

That composure and mentality is something Scheffler is planning to take into his final two rounds.

"For me, just coming in like I usually do and try to do my best, not overthink things and focus on the task at hand," he said.

Christian Eriksen is excited to work under Erik ten Hag and still has "major ambitions" to achieve in his career after completing a move to Manchester United.

The Denmark international was confirmed as United's second signing of the window on Friday, following the arrival of full-back Tyrell Malacia, and he has signed a three-year contract.

It caps a remarkable year for Eriksen, who was brought back to life on the pitch after suffering a cardiac arrest when playing for Denmark against Finland at Euro 2020 last July.

After being told he could not play for Inter on medical grounds, Eriksen was offered a route back into top-flight football by Premier League side Brentford in January.

Eriksen made a big impact in his short time with the Bees, scoring once and assisting four more goals in 11 league appearances to help the club beat the drop.

But the playmaker opted against signing a fresh contract with Thomas Frank's side and is now relishing the chance to get going at heavyweights United.

"Manchester United is a special club, and I cannot wait to get started," he told his new club's official website. 

"I have had the privilege of playing at Old Trafford many times but to do it in the red shirt of United will be an amazing feeling."

To highlight Eriksen's importance, he created 30 chances following his Bees bow in March, with only Martin Odegaard (38) and Kevin De Bruyne (42) topping that in the division over the period.

Indeed, between making his debut on March 5 and the end of the season, only six Premier League teams earned more points than Brentford (22 from 11 games).

The Dane started his career with Ajax, whom United boss Ten Hag also spent four-and-a-half years in charge of prior to taking charge of United last month.

"I have seen Erik's work at Ajax and know the level of detail and preparation that he and his staff put into every day," said Eriksen, who has won five major honours in his career. 

"It is clear that he is a fantastic coach. Having spoken with him and learned more about his vision and the way he wants the team to play, I am even more excited for the future. 

"I still have major ambitions in the game. There is a huge amount that I know I can achieve, and this is the perfect place to continue my journey."

Manchester United have completed the signing of Denmark international Christian Eriksen on a three-year deal.

Eriksen had become a free agent following his short-term stay with Brentford, who were keen to keep hold of the playmaker.

A number of other teams had also been tipped to move for Eriksen, including his former club Tottenham, but United announced his arrival on Friday.

Eriksen said: "Manchester United is a special club, and I cannot wait to get started."

It marks a remarkable step for Eriksen, who was brought back to life on the pitch after suffering a cardiac arrest when playing for Denmark against Finland at the European Championship in June 2021.

He made a full recovery but was not allowed to play for Inter on medical grounds as Italy prevents players from competing after having a cardioverter-defibrillator fitted.

Such rules do not apply in the Premier League, though, and Brentford offered the 30-year-old a route back into the game in January on a deal until the end of the 2021-22 campaign.

Eriksen made a huge impact by scoring once and assisting four more goals in 11 league appearances to help Brentford, who had been out of form prior to his arrival, stay up.

To highlight Eriksen's importance, he created 30 chances following his Bees bow in March, with only Martin Odegaard (38) and Kevin De Bruyne (42) topping that in the division.

Indeed, between making his debut on March 5 and the end of the season, only six Premier League teams earned more points than Thomas Frank's side (22 from 11 games).

That form led to a recall to the Denmark national side in March, and Eriksen scored in his first two games back against the Netherlands and Serbia.

Frank remained hopeful Eriksen could be persuaded to sign a new deal with Brentford, but that was not the case.

Eriksen becomes United's second signing of the window following the arrival of full-back Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord.

Raphinha sealed his move to Barcelona on Friday as club president Joan Laporta hailed the Brazilian winger, declaring: "We think the beautiful game is coming back."

At the age of 25, Raphinha follows compatriots Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Neymar in arriving at Camp Nou with high expectations on his shoulders.

He could soon be joined by Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, who has been Barcelona's prime target, but Laporta was not missing a chance to trumpet the club's first big-money signing of the close season.

"This is very exciting for us. For all of us who have lived through golden times at the club, there were always Brazilians," Laporta said.

"He takes the baton of illusion and magic. From the club, we think that the beautiful game is coming back.

"It's Xavi who has loved him, he has insisted a lot, and the club have done everything they could. We are grateful because you showed the desire to come to Barca. That has been key."

Barcelona have found the funds to complete the deal, with the fee reportedly setting back the club €67million (£56.57m).

Raphinha scored 11 times in the Premier League for Leeds United in his last season, after netting six goals in the 2020-21 campaign following his arrival from Rennes.

He managed only three assists last term but created 65 chances, with only seven players in the league teeing up more goalscoring opportunities.

Laporta added: "We hope you work, train and continue to be like you are. We need your joy. We have always liked the beautiful game at Barca.".

Raphinha was unveiled at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, the club's training ground, rather than at Camp Nou.

He was nevertheless satisfied to seal his switch to LaLiga, saying it gave him "great pride".

"I have many idols who have passed through here and have made history. If I manage to do half as much as them, I will already achieve a lot," Raphinha said.

"I'm living a childhood dream, my family too. I'm going to do my best for Barca."

Dustin Johnson has no plans to revisit memories of his 2015 St Andrews collapse after taking the lead at the 150th Open Championship.

The former world number one shot a second-round 67 to move to nine under and top of the leaderboard.

Johnson conceded he was unlikely to remain at the summit come the end of the day, but he will be out to avoid a repeat of his weekend slump at the home of golf seven years ago.

Back then, the American held the 36-hole lead but carded consecutive 75s to fall well short, and he was not keen to dig that out of the memory bank following Friday's fine showing.

"To be honest, I don't even remember the third round from seven years ago," he said. "I've played a lot of golf since then, and that was a long time ago.

"Obviously any time playing in a major and playing golf courses, you learn stuff about yourself, but that was quite a while ago.

"I don't want to go back to it, obviously. It wasn't very good."

Johnson is now waiting to see how the weather will impact his strategy for the weekend as he eyes a third major and first Open title.

"Once I see what the wind direction is and we get the pins later, we kind of go through and map out a game plan," he said.

"It's all based on the wind how you attack the golf course and kind of where you hit it and where you want to hit it.

"I feel like I'm swinging well. Obviously, it's just avoiding the bunkers as much as possible. It's really hard not to hit it in one of the bunkers. I've been in three so far, and two of them I had to chip out sideways, and the other one I had a shot.

"If I can just keep out of the bunkers and just keep playing kind of smart golf where, when I have a good number and a club that I can get it close to the hole, I can be aggressive. But when not, just kind of hit it to 30, 40 feet and try to two-putt."

World number one Scottie Scheffler's 68 kept him within one of the lead, while Tyrrell Hatton's 66 also had him at eight under.

Adam Scott, playing alongside Johnson, signed for a 65 to seven under, with Rory McIlroy a further stroke back ahead of his 14:59 BST (local time) tee-off.

After early rain, conditions have been proving favourable for low scoring, but Tiger Woods was primed to miss the cut after moving to seven over through 15 holes on Friday.

Gabriel Jesus will bring a winning mentality to Arsenal following his arrival from Manchester City, according to new team-mate Granit Xhaka.

The Brazil striker officially joined Arsenal from fellow Premier League side City last week in a deal worth around £45million.

He scored 95 goals in 234 appearances for Pep Guardiola's side in all competitions and won eight major trophies, including four Premier League titles.

Arsenal have also added Matt Turner, Marquinhos and Fabio Vieira to their squad, and Xhaka expects the new arrivals' attitude to rub off on others in the Gunners' ranks.

"The new signings bring something more than only games and wins; they bring the mentality of winning something and that is what we need here," he told Sky Sports. 

"It's not so easy just to speak, but you have to show it on the pitch as well.

“They bring experience and of course Gabby knows the Premier League. He has already won everything, but the most important thing is to bring players that have hunger.

"You can win a lot of trophies and say 'okay, it's enough', but these guys they want to win much more with us. This is what makes us happy to have them."

Jesus took just 90 seconds to score on his first appearance for Arsenal in last week's pre-season friendly victory over Nurnberg.

Excluding penalties, the former Palmeiras ace has averaged 0.81 goals per 90 minutes since arriving at City six years ago.

Of players to have played at least 5,000 minutes over that period, only former City colleague Sergio Aguero (0.91) and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (0.88) boast a better return.

With Jesus set to lead their line in the 2022-23 season, Arsenal will be expected to challenge for a Champions League spot, having finished just outside the top four last time out.

The Gunners have gone back-to-back seasons without any silverware, and six campaigns without a top-four finish, which is something Xhaka is eager to put an end to.

"I would prefer to win the Europa League to get back into the Champions League if I'm honest because it's a trophy," he said.

"But if we can get in the top four in the Premier League and win the Europa League, that would be more special."