Frank Lampard urges Coventry to play without fear in Premier League

A look at six of the best and worst of the new season’s strips gives us Pro Evo chic, throwbacks done right, and how – and how not – to use stripes The Premier League season kicks off on Friday and league debutants such as Christos Tzolis and Victor Muñoz, along with masses of fans, will be pulling on their teams’ shiny new strips. There were some lovely efforts at the World Cup (not least by the co-hosts the USA), and others more tedious than a 0-0 draw. It’s a mixed bag once again. Manchester City have gone with an ombre design, which feels – apposite for a gradient fading of colour – exhausted as a look in 2026. In the most surprising but successful collaboration since Olivia Rodrigo and Robert Smith,Sunderland have teamed up with Elvis Presley, or his estate, anyway, for a pink away shirt that nods to the supporters’ longstanding unofficial anthem Can’t Help Falling in Love...

Updates from all Thursday’s races at York Unexpected Item claims International Stakes There’s a jockey change in this race, by the way, as Tony Piccone’s flight from France to ride Tokaido was cancelled. Clifford Lee steps in to chase a share of the £300k first prize. 2.25 York, Harry’s Half Million by Goffs, 6f, 2yo..

Updates as County Championship returns Sign up for the Spin | Mail Tanya No play at three grounds for now: Old Trafford, Edgbaston, and here at Derby where thunder has just rolled alluringly. Arrive at Derby in teeming rain. Apparently Ben Stokes had a net at 8.30am but it all looks very soggy now...