A sporting superhero: can anyone stop Luke Littler at the world darts championship?

The PDC world darts championship has returned, with the opening night at Ally Pally featuring a significant increase in prize money, including a £1 million winners' cheque. This year's event promises to elevate the stakes for competitors and engage fans with its festive atmosphere. Luke Littler, a prominent player, was seen practicing ahead of his match, highlighting the seriousness of the competition.

Manchester United reported an operating profit of £13 million for the first quarter of the financial year, a significant improvement from a £7 million loss in the same period last year. However, the club's total debt has reached a record high of £1.29 billion, with revenue declining to £140.3 million from £143.1 million a year earlier.

The BBC has announced a shortlist for the Sports Personality of the Year 2025, featuring six nominees including Lionesses Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton, alongside Ellie Kildunne, Lando Norris, Luke Littler, and Rory McIlroy. This year's nominations reflect a successful summer for England's women's teams in football and rugby, highlighting their achievements on a prestigious platform.

OL Lyonnes demonstrated their Women's Champions League (WCL) credentials by decisively defeating Manchester United, with Melchie Dumornay scoring two late goals to secure a 2-0 victory. Manchester United manager Marc Skinner defended his decision to make five changes to the lineup, but the team struggled to compete against Lyonnes' dominance throughout the match.

Liverpool secured a vital 1-0 victory against Inter Milan in the Champions League, with Dominik Szoboszlai stepping up to score a crucial penalty in the absence of Mohamed Salah, who was reportedly lifting weights alone. This win marked Inter's first European home defeat since September 2022.

Napoli has intensified its pursuit of Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, making fresh contact in recent days as the player finds himself increasingly sidelined at Old Trafford. The Premier League club's willingness to consider offers for Mainoo adds to the speculation surrounding his future, especially with the January transfer window approaching.