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General: August review

bet365 News Team Updated: 30 Aug 23 11:16 Published: 31 Aug 22 12:25

August saw the return of the Premier League, while Oleksandr Usyk again proved too much for Anthony Joshua to handle and there was more drama in Formula 1, cricket and rugby league.

Due to the winter World Cup, the domestic club football action resumed earlier than usual so it was in the first week of August when the Premier League returned.

Already there's been plenty of talking points and no shortage of drama.

Premier League: Gunners make winning start

Arsenal have surged to the top of the table with four wins from four - the only side with a perfect record - but defending champions Manchester City and Tottenham are hot on their heels in the early stages.

The stand-out results so far include newly-promoted Fulham holding last term's runners-up Liverpool to a 2-2 draw on the opening weekend, while Brentford stunned Manchester United with a thumping 4-0 home win over the Red Devils.

Bournemouth were hammered 9-0 by Liverpool on 27th August - only the fourth time in Premier League history a team has won by a 9-0 scoreline - and it was a result which triggered the Cherries' board to sack Scott Parker, who became the first top-flight boss to lose his job this season on 30th August.

Transfers: United splash the cash

With the transfer window open throughout August, there have been plenty of eye-catching deals done too. Manchester United have splashed out over £85million to sign Brazilian forward Antony from Ajax, while they have also brought in experienced midfielder Casemiro from Real Madrid in a £60million deal.

Newcastle have landed striker Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad for around £60million, West Ham have signed Lucas Paqueta from Lyon in a move that could eventually be worth over £50million, while Amadou Onana has gone to Everton from Lille for £33million.

Elsewhere, amongst other deals, Matheus Nunes has made the switch from Sporting Lisbon to Wolves for £38million and Carney Chukwuemeka has joined Chelsea from Aston Villa for £20million.

Meanwhile, Rangers have this month qualified for the Champions League group stage for the first time in 12 years after seeing off PSV Eindhoven in the play-off round and reigning European champions Real Madrid comfortably picked up the UEFA Super Cup with a 2-0 win over Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt.

Boxing: Joshua downed by Usyk again

In boxing, Anthony Joshua was much improved in his defining heavyweight rematch with Oleksandr Usyk but, again, the Briton was defeated by the supreme Ukrainian fighter.

Usyk, who had dominated their previous fight last year, won by split decision this time in Saudi Arabia and it could mean a huge future bout with Tyson Fury will be lined up.

Fury, despite announcing his retirement, is likely to be very tempted to return to the ring to fight the former cruiserweight champion.

Golf: McIlroy stars in season finale

In golf, Rory McIlroy became the first player to win the FedEx Cup three times after a dramatic final day in the PGA Tour's Tour Championship.

The 33-year-old eventually overhauled Scottie Scheffler's six-shot lead to finish on -21, one ahead on of the American and Sungjae Im at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club to take the lucrative $18million prize.

Formula 1: Verstappen returns with a bang

Formula 1 returned in August with the Belgian Grand Prix, in which reigning world champion Max Verstappen edged closer to regaining his crown thanks to a fine drive to win from 14th place on the grid at Spa.

Sergio Perez completed a dominant one-two for Red Bull, while Ferrari's Carlos Sainz held off Mercedes' George Russell to take third place.

Cricket: England and Proteas resume rivalry

Alongside the Hundred returning for its second year in cricket, the international action has also continued with England and South Africa's three-Test series finely poised at 1-1 after the first two matches.

The Proteas won the first Test by an innings and 12 runs at Lord's but England hit back at Old Trafford last week to win by an innings and 85 runs inside three days in the second Test to level the series.

It means the series is set up perfectly for the final Test, which gets under way at The Oval on 8th September.

In the Hundred, Trent Rockets have guaranteed top spot in the table and with it a place in Saturday's final day in the men's competition at Lord's.

Rugby League: Saints finish top

In rugby league, St Helens have picked up the League Leaders' Shield in Super League and will now focus their attention on the play-offs but it's misery for Toulouse, who have been relegated from the top flight.

US Open: Raducanu out early

In tennis, the US Open is underway but there's been early disappointment for defending women's champion and British star Emma Raducanu after she lost in the first round to Alize Cornet in straight sets.