This was neither a classic Madrid derby nor a vintage performance from Los Blancos, but there will be plenty to cheer for Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane despite a 0-0 draw. His side looked solid defensively against Joao Felix and Diego Costa, and as such they reduced the home side to mere speculative efforts.

Real enjoyed the better chances too. Gareth Bale in particular will feel he could have done better from close range, while Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos both forced Jan Oblak into smart saves. Zidane should consider this a useful point gained, not two dropped.

Positives

Real looked solid throughout and this point takes them back to the top of the league. Zidane may feel frustrated his side couldn't make it four wins in a row given they had the better chances, but he will be enthused by the team's defensive solidity against quality opposition. Thibaut Courtois had little to do, so much so that Atletico whiz kid Felix was substituted after 70 minutes.

Negatives

The attacking triumvirate of Eden Hazard, Bale and Benzema looked off the pace. Hazard was well marshalled and had to endure some rigorous challenges early on, but despite taking up some dangerous positions he failed to make an impact in the final third. Substitute Luka Modric delivered a delicious cross on 71 minutes, but there was no one on the end of it to finish.

Manager rating out of 10

6 -- Zidane's side looked confident, were solid at the back, and you never sensed they were going to lose this one. Zidane could, however, have introduced Modric earlier, such was the ineffectiveness of Casemiro and Federico Valverde.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Thibaut Courtois, 5 -- The Belgian had very little to do. He watched on as an effort from Felix fizzed past his right post in the first half, and then made a key parry from a tricky Kieran Trippier cross. Was a bystander for much of the game.

DF Dani Carvajal, 5 -- Formed part of a defensive quartet that did well to stifle the home side, but he may feel disappointed with his contributions going forward. His crossing was particularly poor.

DF Sergio Ramos, 7 -- Constantly booed by the home crowd, but his solidity quietened their mood. The skipper did well to marshal Diego Costa, offering a trademark reducer early on to set the tone.

DF Raphael Varane, 6 -- The defender will probably have expected a busier evening facing the likes of Costa and Felix, but alongside Ramos he limited the home side to speculative efforts that didn't trouble Courtois. Dependable and comfortable in possession.

DF Nacho, 6 -- The left-back picked up the first yellow card of the evening following a substantial challenge on Trippier, and he had a quiet game thereafter. He did, however, supply a good cross for Bale on the hour mark, which the Welshman failed to convert.

MF Toni Kroos, 7 -- Went about his business quietly, as he so often does, but also forced Oblak into the first save of the game with a speculative shot from range. He then came close soon after with another long-range effort; this time the German displaying excellent technique to catch the ball on the bounce and force Oblak into a save low to his left.

MF Casemiro, 4 -- Not the Brazilian's finest performance. He hustled and bustled in the middle, and though he successfully stifled the opposition, he was wasteful when he had the ball at his feet. His crossing was wayward and his passing was poor at times.

MF Federico Valverde, 4 -- Not a particularly memorable evening for the Uruguayan. Like Casemiro, he was quick to close the opposition, yet he was ineffectual going forward and was eventually replaced by Modric.

FW Gareth Bale, 7 -- Bale had Real's first shot at goal, from distance, but didn't trouble the keeper. He then headed over from Nacho's cross on 17 minutes. He looked a menace when running with the ball at his feet, strong and powerful, but didn't do it often enough. Had a brilliant chance to score but blazed over from close range following another Nacho cross.

FW Karim Benzema, 7 -- Benzema plays such a pivotal role for this team and his presence was key to Real's counter play, holding the ball up and bringing others into play. He had to wait patiently for his first effort on goal and his header was the closest Real came to finding the net; Oblak making a brilliant save to his left.

FW Eden Hazard, 4 -- The Belgian struggled to make his mark on the game. He had to endure some heavy challenges early on and though he took up some dangerous positions, and occasionally looked dangerous on the break, he looked tired. Substituted on 77 minutes for James Rodriguez.

Substitutes

MF Luka Modric, 6 -- Came on and made an immediate impact, crossing dangerously only to find no one in the box to get on the end of it. May have felt frustrated he didn't come on earlier.

MF James Rodriguez, N/R -- Came on for the exhausted Hazard on 77 minutes.

FW Luka Jovic, N/R -- Made a brief cameo, replacing Benzema in the 88th minute.

LIVERPOOL, England -- When Riyad Mahrez struck a precise free kick into the bottom corner of the Everton goal after 71 minutes, there were few inside Goodison Park who were surprised.

It wasn't that Manchester City were playing well -- they weren't -- but this is a side who have now won 53 of their past 62 games against teams outside the traditional top six.

After an hour and with the score at 1-1, Raheem Sterling missed a golden chance, passing the ball wide of Jordan Pickford's post from 10 yards without a blue shirt in sight. It should have been one of those "maybe it's not their day" moments. Except for the past two-plus years, it has almost always been their day. It was again here and a tricky away game for any title challenger has been safely negotiated. The gap between City and Liverpool remains at five points.

-- Man City ratings: Mahrez, De Bruyne both 8/10 in Everton win

"We knew Liverpool won again, and the gap was eight points, so big," Pep Guardiola said afterward. "We won three points, and it's five in September, with a lot of points to play for."

The Liverpool fans travelling back after their narrow 1-0 win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane would have been entitled to think there was a chance of a slip-up. Their confidence would have grown a little more at half-time when news came through that Dominic Calvert-Lewin had cancelled out Gabriel Jesus' early opener but with this City team, you can never get too excited. After racking up 198 points over the past two seasons, they just know how to win.

They will play better than this, and the way Pep Guardiola reacted to Sterling making it 3-1 on 85 minutes -- clenching both fists and contorting towards the floor -- was evidence that it was a difficult afternoon. The result, though, was what most supporters had expected before kick-off; another City win.

There was a time when City struggled against Everton. Guardiola needed four attempts before recording his first win -- a run of games that included a 4-0 defeat at Goodison Park in January 2017. It was a result that prompted a questioning of his methods and an examination of whether or not he could be successful in England. All those questions have been answered and then some. The only one remaining seems to be: How good can they get?

Guardiola has, of course, had plenty of backing from his board, and against Everton he was able to leave Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Bernardo Silva on the bench while still fielding a front four of Sterling, Mahrez, Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne.

Aguero had scored in each of his first six league appearances of the season, but it didn't matter that he wasn't in the team. His understudy, Jesus -- Brazil's first-choice centre-forward -- did a fine job of filling in, heading City in front after 24 minutes. It was laid on a plate for the 22-year-old by De Bruyne, whose delicious flick of a cross with his right foot was his eighth assist of the season. No one else has more than four.

De Bruyne was at the heart of City's crucial second, too, drawing a foul from Yerry Mina on the edge of the penalty area. Mahrez capped a fine individual performance by fizzing the free kick past Pickford. Even on a day when they didn't play particularly well and with key players either on the bench or slightly below their best, Guardiola found others ready to provide that extra edge.

Here it was Jesus, Mahrez and Ederson, after the Brazilian goalkeeper made two vital second-half saves. On Tuesday, when Dinamo Zagreb visit the Etihad Stadium in the Champions League, it may well be three different names, as Man City have a squad built to compete for everything.

It is only September, but it is already a two-horse race for the title. Liverpool edged a nervy game at Sheffield United earlier in the day, but City were able to respond a couple of hours later. It is the type of battle that used to be enjoyed by Manchester United and Arsenal, who meet at Old Trafford on Monday night.

It is a rivalry that inspired books and television programmes, but it is one consigned to the past. The Premier League's big two are now City and Liverpool, and they proved that again on a wet, windy afternoon when excuses would have been easy to find.

"We know which team we're playing [in the title race] right now," said Guardiola. "They are seven victories in a row, champions of Europe and playing good football, this is our rival and we know we can't drop too many points because last season they lost just one game."

After last season's titanic battle, the relentlessness of this race -- even this early -- should not be a surprise.

NORMAN, Okla. -- Jalen Hurts and the No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners put up some big numbers Saturday as the storied college program became just the sixth team in FBS history to reach 900 wins.

The Sooners joined Michigan, Ohio State, Texas, Alabama and Nebraska as the only teams to reach the milestone. Notre Dame also has an opportunity Saturday to join the Sooners in the 900 club if the Fighting Irish can beat Virginia.

Oklahoma is in its 125th season of football, posting the fifth-best winning percentage nationally in its first 124, with only 13 losing seasons. The Sooners own seven national championships.

?????????#OUDNA pic.twitter.com/3DO3YOvVuW

— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) September 28, 2019

Hurts continued his statistical onslaught, throwing for 415 yards and three touchdowns in three quarters of play in the Sooners' 55-16 victory over Texas Tech on Saturday at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

Hurts also rushed for 70 yards and another score, and his 485 yards of total offense ranked eighth in Oklahoma history.

"Jalen made some nice throws," Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley said. "He's seeing the field pretty well. ... He was a little more confident today, a little bit more steady."

It was the second time this season Hurts has recorded 450 or more offensive yards, making him the fourth Oklahoma player to do it multiple times in the same season. His yards per attempt Saturday (17.3) is the third-highest in a game in Big 12 history.

Oklahoma receiver CeeDee Lamb was Hurts' most productive target, catching seven passes for 185 yards and three scores. The Sooners (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) finished with 644 offensive yards.

Hurts finished with a passer rating of 254.7, making it the fourth consecutive game he's had a rating of at least 245. No other FBS player since at least 1996 has recorded more than two such games (minimum 18 passing attempts) in a season.

He was particularly effective throwing the ball downfield Saturday, completing a career-high five passes -- for 278 yards -- that were thrown 20 or more yards downfield.

"I think we came out with the right intent today," Hurts said. "I think we had good energy as a team, came out really focused and I think we took another step as far as playing a more complete game."

Hurts has thrown for 12 touchdowns this season -- three in each game -- and has rushed for five.

"Just did some things better than he did in the first three games," Riley said of the senior. "He was patient, did some things with his feet as well, decision-making continues to be good, throwing the deep ball well. So it was a solid day for him."

Oklahoma next plays at Kansas on Oct. 5.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Trevor Lawrence connected with Tee Higgins on a 38-yard touchdown pass with 9:54 left and top-ranked Clemson stopped a late 2-point conversion to hold off North Carolina 21-20 on Saturday.

The Tigers (5-0, 3-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) had trouble all day in trying to extend their school-record winning streak to 20 games. They didn't go ahead for good until Lawrence's scoring strike in the fourth, then came up with the clinching stop after the Tar Heels pulled within a point with 1:17 left on Javonte Williams' short run.

The Tar Heels (2-3, 1-1) went for 2 and the lead, but the Tigers strung out Sam Howell's option run to the right and dragged him down short of the end zone to effectively clinch the win -- though it was far tougher than expected as a 27-point road favorite.

The Tar Heels gave themselves a shot late, but fell to 0-10 against No. 1-ranked teams in The Associated Press college football poll.

THE TAKEAWAY

Clemson: The Tigers had made everything look easy through the opening month of the schedule. The closest call had been a 24-10 win against a ranked Texas A&M team that didn't reach the end zone in until the final seconds of a game long since decided. But Clemson had all kinds of trouble getting going Saturday, from Travis Etienne's first-half fumble to set up a UNC touchdown to multiple false-start penalties that continued undercutting the Tigers' attempts to build momentum. In the end, the Tigers did just enough to stay unbeaten and avoid a shocking upset.

North Carolina: The Tar Heels have lost three straight after a 2-0 start in Mack Brown's return to the program he led more than two decades ago. Their first four games came down to the final drives to make them a tested bunch, and this one unexpectedly followed suit. The defense hung in against the Tigers' high-powered offense and made Clemson work for everything, while the offense did just enough to stay close. before coming up with a 16-play TD drive spanning 8 1/2 minutes to put them on the brink of a win.

UP NEXT

Clemson: The Tigers have an open date next weekend followed by a visit from Florida State on Oct. 12.

North Carolina: The Tar Heels travel to Georgia Tech next Saturday.

TORONTO -- Kawhi Leonard has moved on and Danny Green is gone, but the Toronto Raptors still have an NBA title to defend.

This season, a group led by All-Star guard Kyle Lowry, breakout talent Pascal Siakam and defensive standout Marc Gasol is turning "We the North" into "We Want More."

"If I had to express it in one word, I would say 'hungry,'" Gasol said Saturday when asked what he expects of the new-look Raptors. "I think it's a very hungry team. We all understand what Kawhi meant to the team and how well he played in the playoffs. But we also understand how good we can be as a team, and we're all going to invest everything in it to be that team."

Leonard signed a free-agent deal with the LA Clippers after leading Toronto to a six-game NBA Finals victory over Golden State in his lone season north of the border. Once Leonard passed on returning to the Raptors, Green did the same, signing with the Los Angeles Lakers.

General manager Masai Ujiri, who traded franchise icon DeMar DeRozan to San Antonio to acquire Leonard and Green, insisted he had no reason to be upset with the way his big move worked out.

"That's just the nature of the business," Ujiri said. "We understand it and we move on as an organization. I think there are many bright spots with our team, whether it's our veteran players, whether it's our players coming up and the younger group we're developing."

Still, even Ujiri couldn't fail to notice what had changed around him since the start of training camp last year, when he sat at the podium in front of a packed crowd, flanked by newcomers Leonard and Green. This year, Ujiri was on stage all by himself.

"I'm lonely," he joked.

One thing hasn't changed: The Raptors still have talent. Lowry, Toronto's longest-tenured player, has been an All-Star for five straight seasons. Siakam is poised to take another step after running away with the league's Most Improved Player award last season, while Gasol, veteran Serge Ibaka and youngster OG Anunoby round out an imposing frontcourt.

"I think guys are going to step up, I think guys are up for the challenge," Ujiri said.

The ultra-competitive Lowry certainly is. His expectation this season? Another title.

"It's always the same goal for me," Lowry said. "I'm more motivated than ever."

MORE CHANGE COMING?

Don't expect this Raptors group to stick together much longer. Lowry, Gasol, Ibaka and guard Fred VanVleet are all eligible for free agency at the end of the season. So is forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who signed with Toronto in free agency. The Raptors will have money to spend next summer and are likely to look at younger players rather than paying to retain veterans.

PASCAL'S FUTURE

Siakam has two years left on his rookie contract, but the Raptors have already approached the young star about a new deal.

"We've had conversations with Pascal's representation and we're excited," Ujiri said. "He's somebody we're definitely going to keep."

With Leonard and Green gone, coach Nick Nurse sees room for Siakam to become more of a playmaker.

"He's going to be given a great chance, a great opportunity here to really expand his role and his game," Nurse said. "There's going to be lots of opportunity for him to have the ball."

VanVleet isn't putting a limit on his expectations for Siakam's growth.

"There's nothing he can't do," VanVleet said.

CONTENDERS TO THE THRONE

After another busy summer of free agency, Ujiri sees new balance around the league and no clear-cut challenger to Toronto's title.

"If you say who's going to come out of the East, I think it's a question," Ujiri said. "I think, for the first time, it's a question who's going to win the NBA championship. I don't think anybody knows. I don't think anybody knows who's going to come out of the West and there are very, very strong teams there."

CHRISTMAS WISH

The reigning champs got a Christmas Day game, Toronto's first holiday appearance since visiting the Knicks in 2001. This year, the Raptors are hosting Boston in a noon start.

"It means everything," guard Norman Powell said. "I've grown up always looking forward to the Christmas Day games, watching the NBA after opening up gifts and presents. I know everybody's really tied and locked into those games."

BANNER MOMENT

Toronto opens the season at home to rookie sensation Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans on Oct. 22. The Raptors will raise their championship banner and hand out rings before tipoff.

"I think that's when it's going to finally hit me," Lowry said. "I just feel I haven't let it sink in as much. When the banner rises and the rings come on, that's when you really feel it."

Two-time championship coach Erik Spoelstra has agreed to a long-term contract extension with the Miami Heat, league sources told ESPN.

Spoelstra, who would have been entering the final season of his deal, quietly negotiated a new contract that allows him to continue as the league's second-longest-tenured active coach with one team, trailing only San Antonio's Gregg Popovich.

The extension will keep him under contract through the 2024-25 season, league sources said.

Spoelstra will be starting his 12th season as the franchise's head coach when the Heat open training camp on Tuesday. Spoelstra has a .590 regular-season winning percentage and .602 in the playoffs, including four trips to the NBA Finals and two NBA titles (2012 and 2013).

Spoelstra has developed a reputation as one of the league's best-prepared coaches, consistently maximizing and developing his talent. Beyond the Big Three era with Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh, the Heat have succeeded with a number of reclamation projects, including undervalued and overlooked minor league players.

Miami missed the playoffs a season ago but acquired All-Star guard Jimmy Butler in the offseason to reshape a roster that is hopeful to return to the postseason for the ninth time in Spoelstra's tenure.

Spoelstra, 48, has spent his entire professional life with the Heat. He started in the video room and worked his way up as an advance scout and eventually the assistant coaching staff before replacing Heat president Pat Riley in 2008 as head coach.

New York Yankees ace James Paxton underwent an MRI on Saturday morning and said he was diagnosed with "nerve irritation," which apparently caused the tightness in his left glute on Friday night.

Paxton said he took medication and doesn't expect it to be an issue heading into the playoffs.

Paxton was removed from Friday night's start against the Texas Rangers after one inning. His departure ended his career-best streak of victories in 10 consecutive starts.

The left-hander is 15-6 with a 3.73 ERA this season and has not lost a start since July 26.

ESPN's Marly Rivera contributed to this report.

Kansas City Royals outfielder Jorge Soler hit his 46th and 47th home runs of the season Saturday, breaking a tie with Mike Trout for the American League lead with one day to go in the regular season.

No Royals player has ever led the AL in home runs.

Earlier this month, the Los Angeles Angels shut down Trout, who has 45 home runs, for the remainder of the season due to a nerve issue in his foot.

Houston Astros infielder Alex Bregman and Minnesota Twins designated hitter Nelson Cruz are tied for third in the AL with 41 homers apiece.

Mets rookie Pete Alonso leads the NL with 52 home runs.

DENVER -- Milwaukee outfielder Ryan Braun will miss the final two scheduled games of the regular season this weekend because of a mild left calf strain but hopes to be available after that for the playoff-bound Brewers.

An MRI on Braun's calf Saturday morning confirmed the injury, sustained during Friday night's loss to Colorado. Braun hit an RBI single in the first inning and played left field in the bottom half before he was pulled in the second. He said the strain was at the top of his calf, close to the back of his knee.

Braun says he will receive treatment over the next couple of days, but won't test his calf before Monday. Milwaukee has clinched a playoff berth and could end up in a tiebreaker Monday against St. Louis for the NL Central title. If the Brewers don't win the division, they will play Washington in the wild-card game Tuesday night.

The 35-year-old Braun has been in and out of the lineup all season because of back issues. He is hitting .284 with 22 home runs and 75 RBIs.

Third baseman Mike Moustakas was back in the lineup Saturday. He missed Friday's game with left elbow soreness but says he is feeling better.

Dutch athlete shows superb finishing speed to win, while GB’s three 800m men advance

Sifan Hassan won the women’s world 10,000m title with the greatest extended finishing speed ever witnessed in a 25-lap race.

At the IAAF World Championships in Doha, she covered the last 1500m in an extraordinary four minutes flat.

The race was painfully slow for a lap but after a lap of 80.98, European under-23 champion Alina Reh picked up the pace to a more respectable 75.62, 74.80 and 74.68.

The opening kilometre was 3:13.86 but the second was 3:06.95, with Reh ahead on 6:20.81.

The 74/75-second lap pace continued through 3000m in 9:29.08 and the whole field of 19 was covered by three seconds.

Reh’s position as leader ended during the fourth kilometre as she began to slow to 76 seconds.

Rosemary Wanjiru then split the field up with laps of 72.08, 71.87, 72.10 and 72.55.

This 30-minute tempo reduced the medal contenders to seven – three Kenyans, three Ethiopians and Hassan.

The Dutch athlete was caught out by the change of pace and was a few seconds back for a few laps but gradually she closed up and sat at the back of the pack.

Wanjiru led through 4000m in 12:30.99, with Hassan on 12:33.40, and Agnes Tirop was ahead at 5000m (15:32.70) from Wanjiru (15:32.93), Senbere Teferi (15:33.12), reigning 5000m champion Hellen Obiri (15:33.39), Netsanet Gudeta (15:33.61), Letsenet Gidey (15:33.77) and Hassan (15:33.82).

Chasing was Japan’s Hitomi Niiya (15:37.95), while Emily Sisson (15:41.23) led a pack of Americans and Europeans which included Britain’s Steph Twell (12th, 15:41.99).

Reh was struggling and going back (15:45.39) and she dropped out dramatically clutching her stomach a few laps later before being taken off on a stretcher.

The laps dropped slightly to 73 seconds as Wanjiru led through 6000m (18:36.29) but Gudeta was off the back and it was down to six.

There was no real significant increase through 7000m as Obiri (21:39.89) went ahead but at 8000m world leader Gidey (24:44.89) went ahead and with four laps to go, changed pace dramatically.

The next lap was a sensational 64.91 and she followed that with a 65.33.

Through 9000m, Gidey – striding out beautifully – led in 27:37.22, five metres clear of Tirop (27:38.06) with Hassan (27:38.19) looking measured and in control just ahead of Obiri (27:38.35) with Wanjiru (27:41.02) clearly no longer a medal challenger.

The penultimate lap was a mere 66.16 as Hassan burst past just before the bell and began a long drive to the finish.

Briefly Gidey responded but Hassan blasted the next 200m in 29.80 and the race was over.

Her last lap was 61 seconds, her last 1000m 2:39, last 3000m 8:38 and second half 14:43 but it is the last 1500m which will astound all those waiting now to see whether Hassan runs the 1500m or 5000m later in the championships.

Her final 1500m was 3:59.09 – quicker than the last five world 1500m finals.

Hassan’s overall time was a world-leading 30:17.62, with Gidey second on 30:21.23 and Tirop leading the Kenyan challenge in 30:25.20 as Wanjiru (30:35.75) picked off a fading Obiri (30:35.82).

“What an incredible feeling. I could never have imagined how good this feels,” said Hassan. “It took a while for the race to really get going but as it passed by I got better and better. It was a difficult race but I remained calm and focused and I turned out to be the best today. I have matured over the years. I have a lot more focus now than before which really helped me today. I am just so happy.”

Back in seventh, Susan Krumins excelled to be top European-born athlete with seventh in 31:05.40 just ahead of top American Marielle Hall (31:05.71).

In 14th, Australian Sinead Diver broke Jo Pavey’s world over-40 record with 31:25.49. Pavey’s time was 31:33.44.

Twell found the final three kilometres hard and finished 15th in a respectable 31:44.79 as 11 of the first 14 set PBs.

“I am pleased,” said Twell. “It is my second-fastest 10km on the track.

“I would have liked to have gone quicker and with the group but I stuck to my task and I was really happy with that.

“I didn’t quite have the sharper legs that I used to have for the 1500m and 5km to be able to hold on to the pace and in four weeks’ time I have a marathon so I am in a very different preparation.”

Ajee’ Wilson and GB’s men advance in 800m

The women’s 800m semi-finals saw both Britons fail to qualify.

Raevyn Rogers controlled the opening semi, starting fast (26.89 at 200m), easing back to the bell (400m in 57.88), slowing even more through 600m (89.61), then reaccelerating to the line to win in 1:59.27 from Winnie Nanyondo’s 1:59.75.

Alex Bell was not too far back at 600m but lost ground on the bend as she lacked her usual kick and finished fifth in a non-qualifying 2:01.23.

The second semi saw event favourite Ajee’ Wilson employ similar tactics to Rogers with 200m splits of 27.51, 31.89, 31.11 and 29.80 and she won easily in 2:00.31. Rababe Arafi was second in 2:00.80.

European indoor champion Shelayna Oskan-Clarke was well placed but slightly boxed through 400m and 600m. She was third into the straight but was starting to fade when Hedda Hynde passed her on the inside and then she lost her balance 10 metres before the line and fell heavily. She got up to finish eighth in 2:10.89 but was already out of a qualifying position.

In the final heat, former world champion Eunice Sum tried a similar control role and led into the straight though faded in the last 50 metres and was easily overtaken by Ugandan Halimah Nakaai, who sprinted impressively to an easy win in 1:59.35 from Sum’s 2:00.10.

Nakaai though was boxed into the straight and clearly pushed Natoya Goule to get a clear run and the Jamaican lost her balance.

However, as Goule got through as a fastest loser anyway, the Ugandan was surprisingly allowed to go through to the final.

The men’s 800m heats saw six competitive races and qualification for all three Britons with Elliott Giles particularly impressive.

Donavan Brazier, a 1:42.70 man this year, won the opening heat with a strong finish in 1:46.04. European silver medallist Andreas Kramer was only fourth in a non-qualifying 1:46.74.

The second heat was won by world junior silver medallist Ngeno Kipngetich in 1:46.07. Close behind, Jamie Webb was well placed into the straight but had to fight hard to keep his third automatic qualifying place and his 1:46.23 just about held off USA’s Brannon Kidder’s 1:46.40 and fast finish.

The third heat saw Qatar’s Abubaker Haydar Abdalla set a furious pace of 24.30, 50.80 and 77.98 through 200m, 400m and 600m. Though he took a painful 14.49 for the last 100m and was overtaken by Canada’s 1:43.20 performer Brandon McBride, who won in 1:45.96, he finished in a clear qualifying spot of second in 1:46.11.

Defending champion Pierre-Ambroise Bosse was third in 1:46.14.

The fourth heat saw Mark English run uncharacteristically from the front with 25.10 and 51.89 splits which gave him a good lead though he was fading at 600m and ended up struggling home seventh in 1:47.25.

It was close up front with Olympic fifth-placer Ferguson Cheruiyot narrowly winning in 1:45.98.

Adam Kszczot, the silver medallist of the last two championships, ran an unusually poor race for him and was only fifth in 1:46.20, despite the fastest last 100m of 12.89, though his time was good enough for a fastest losers spot.

The fifth heat was the fastest yet and won by 1:42.05 performer Emmanuel Korir in 1:45.16 from Mostafa Smali’s 1:45.27.

London 2017 fourth-placer Kyle Langford, not at his fittest, found the last 100 metres tough but his 1:46.14 fifth place was sufficient for a place by time.

The best British performance by far came at the end as Giles took control of the final heat on the second lap and led past 600m in 78.77 and he held his form well with a 26.76 final 200m to win in 1:45.53 and hold off 1:42 performers Clayton Murphy and Amel Tuka (who both ran 1:45.62) while Alvara de Arriba ran 1:45.67 in fourth to also nab a fastest losers spot.

World leader Nijel Amos, who has run 1:41.89 this year, failed to show for his heat after reportedly suffering an Achilles injury.

Check out the dedicated Doha 2019 section on our website here.