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Stephens sees red as Saints suffer drubbing defeat to Blues 

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Southampton captain Jack Stephens received his second red card of the season after pulling Marc Cucerella’s hair, leaving his side to be battered by the in-form Chelsea side. 

The Saints had shown signs of improvement after the international break, putting in a valiant performance against the league leaders Liverpool and being held at Brighton after a controversial VAR decision. 

It was an end-to-end start of the game, but Chelsea would draw first blood, as Enzo Fernández’s corner met the towering header from Axel Disasi to open the scoring for the Blues. 

The lead wouldn’t last long, as four minutes later, Kyle Walker-Peters danced his way past Malo Gusto, and drove in a cross for Joe Aribo, who coolly slotted it in to draw the Saints level. 

But Southampton would once again be the authors of their own downfall, as a slack pass out from goalkeeper Joe Lumley gifted Nkunku the easiest goal he will ever score – Southampton’s ninth error leading to a goal already this season. 

Maresca’s side would see a flurry of chances in the following 15 minutes, but Noni Madueke was the only man able to slot his curling effort into the far post. 

Things went from bad to worse for the Saints, as a moment of madness from captain Jack Stephens saw him pull the hair of Marc Cucerella when lining up for a corner.  

After referee Micheal Oliver checked the VAR screen, he gave the Saints skipper a straight red for his acts, and received resounding boos throughout St Mary’s. 

Ten-man Saints were left defending for their lives throughout the rest of the match in order to limit the damage they had already suffered. 

However, their defensive efforts could not stop Cole Palmer grabbing his eight goal of the season, and Jadon Sancho securing his first goal for the Blues since arriving in the summer. 

Southampton’s style benefits opposition yet again 

The second goal Southampton conceded came from an all too well-known error at the back, as Joe Lumley gave the ball directly to Christoher Nkunku, who tucked it away with little pressure.

This was the ninth time this season that a Saints error had led to a goal, four more than any other team has conceded. 

A lot of questions arose before the season as to whether Russell Martin would stick to his signature style of play or adapt it to ensure survival. 

But Martin has stayed dedicated to his playstyle, and while he has received plaudits from Pep Guardiola, it has also made the Saints the victims of their own demise, as they’ve struggled to translate their convincing performances from the Championship into the Premier League against tougher opposition. 

Blues extend their purple patch 

Chelsea have continued their unbeaten run throughout November into the new month, as this victory extends their streak to seven games. 

The win also carries the Blues into second in the table, as they jump above Arsenal on goal difference. 

With just two losses all season, Maresca’s side seem to have planted themselves well within the title race, but the Argentine manager claims that despite their high position and strong performances, they should not be considered title contenders. 

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Winchester News Online

Greenham Common holds half marathon in aid of baby charity

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On Sunday, Run Forest Run organised a half marathon alongside a 10k run, canicross route and a kids race all having the goal of raising money for the charity New life who help provide essential and specialized equipment for neonatal units helping premature and seriously ill babies survive and live their life.

New Life was launched by Trevor Goodall 30 years ago after his two sons died after they were born underweight.

Since then the charity has raised more than £2m.

The half marathon, which was making its second appearance on the common, was won by Lawrence Gillard in a time of 1:26:46.

In the 10k ,out of 99 runners, Danny Hawkins came out on top completing the route in just over 34 minutes and with their furry companion in the canicross, Mark Chance crossed the line first in 42:52.

The course passed the control towers and bunkers which were previously used in the Cold War.

The nearby airfield was previously used as a filming location for some Star Wars films as well as Fast and Furious.

It wasn’t only the other runners they were racing against but having to navigate cattle and herds around the area.

One of the founders of Run Forest Run, Mark Hayes said: “We’ve got six events planned for next year and possibly two others.

“We had about 400 runners last year, and raised around £22,000 and we always have New life special care babies as our primary charity.”

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Sport

Billie Jean King – Battle of the Sexes – 1973

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This is a portrait of Billie Jean King, courtesy of Jonathan Exley - Billie Jean King Enterprises, Inc.

The year was 1973. The lights of the Houston Astrodome glared down on a tennis court that had become more than just a playing field — it was a stage for a cultural revolution.

Cameras flashed, tension buzzed in the air, and two players stepped onto the court — one a confident showman, the other a determined trailblaser carrying the hopes of millions.

As the first serve sliced through the air on that September evening, millions around the world weren’t just watching a tennis match — they were witnessing a fight for equality, respect, and change.

Billie Jean King is a legendary American tennis champion and advocate for gender equality whose career and impact extends far beyond the court.

With 39 Grand Slams titles and a historic victory in 1973, “Battle of the Sexes” match, she not only proved her athletic ability but also challenged stereotypes about women within the world of sport.

As a founder of the Women’s Tennis Association and a leader behind equal prize money, King became a powerful force for fairness and inclusion, later emerging as a voice for LGBTQ+ rights.

Her legacy as both a world class athlete and a fearless activist changed the game for generations to come.

The “Battle of the Sexes” was a famous match, between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, a former men’s champion who was adamant that men were superior athletes.

The match was played in front of more than 30,000 fans at the Houston Astrodome and watched by roughly 90 million people worldwide, the event was a both a sporting spectacle and a major milestone in the fight for gender equality.

Billie Jean King defeated Riggs in straight sets (6-4, 6-3, 6-3), this proved that women could compete in the highest level which inspired greater respect and opportunities for female athletes around the world.


The event’s impact was immediate. Women’s tennis surged in popularity, drawing new audiences, sponsorships, and media coverage. King used the momentum to push for lasting change.

This helped the US Open to become the first major tournament to offer equal pay. Her win also empowered a new generation of female athletes to come out and code and what was rightfully theirs.

More than five decades later, the Battle of the Sexes remains a cultural milestone.

It symbolised more than just a tennis match, it was a statement about equality, perseverance, and the power of sport to challenge societal norms.


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Culture

Review of The Roses 2025

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The Roses film poster

If something looks perfect from the outside does it mean it actually is?

That’s the concept that director Jay Roach brings to life in the new movie The Roses released in August 2025.

The Roses is a reimagining of the 1989 film The War of the Roses which was originally based on Warren Adler’s 1981 novel.

Although unlike the novel the characters instead are shown to struggle with their different careers either rising or falling.

It has been adapted, in my opinion, to make it resonate with women a lot more as in both the novel and first film the women were stay at home mothers who felt unsatisfied.

This appears to be one of the main reasons for the divorces with Barbara (Kathleen Turner) eventually turning to a catering business.

However, within the new modernised version Ivy’s (Olivia Colman) successful career is a point of contempt for Theo (Benedict Cumberbatch).

While it starts off with a more realistic depiction of parents struggling with the loss of a career and a start of a new one, it slowly divulges itself away from the typical divorcee movie.  

I watched this movie at the Everyman (luxury I know!) and the grip it had on me as an audience member was outstanding.

With the selection of actors involved in this movie it’s no surprise that there is a mix of comedy and drama making it a satirical black comedy.

While it was delightful to watch, I feel that some audience members might criticise the realism of the movie.

Yet I go to the cinema to be transported from real life so the mix of realism and shock factor was highly entertaining. 

A contrasting mix of comedy and darkness

The performances from the actors was exactly what the movie needed.

The chemistry, or lack thereof, between Colman and Cumberbatch was so believable that you would think that they were married in real life.

Their delivery of both the comedy and the rage was again so believable that it sucked me as the audience into what was the “dirty laundry” of their personal lives.

With a supporting cast including Andy Samberg, Allison Janney and others their characters mostly brought the comedy relief needed in to break the movie up.

They also gave us a contrast to the main relationship being shown which helped us recognise how some of the actions were exaggerated for our benefit. 

However, some critics online have noted that while it is undeniably a satirical dark comedy, the dark comedy seemed to be held back some times, therefore not always giving it the edge it needed.

I think that for a 15 certificate movie it had just the right amount to stretch over its wide audience.

Another criticism that The Roses received was that the contrast between the comedy and cruelty was sometimes so abrupt that it didn’t hit as hard as it could have.

At some points the comedy seemed out of place which almost gave the film a sort of jarring feel as they changed between the emotions.

The ending is ambiguous which can have mixed reactions from the audience.

Some may like to have the movie tied up neatly at the end whereas others like that they can believe what they want to believe.

I am the latter in the case of this movie as I enjoyed the fact that I could believe either the more macabre ending or not.  

To me the ending, without giving any spoilers, had me on the edge of my seat with a real 360 turn.

Again it had the perfect amount of shock factor and comedy which highlighted the overall tone throughout.

I felt that it drew the entire film together nicely especially with the ending performance from Coleman and Cumberbatch. 

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