The Sunday Crossword No 3020, Sunday 04 Nov 2018

ACROSS
1   Cat turned against me in confused situation (4-2) MESS-UP {ME}{PUSS<=}
5   Our lot, retreating, long offering no resistance (6) SUPINE {US<=}{PINE}
9   A vital test's been arranged for racing driver (9,6) SEBASTIAN VETTEL*

10 Is power held by quiet, retiring editor given to wrong person? (9) MISPLACED {M{IS}{P}LAC<=}{ED}
11 Crown obtained by one occupying seat of ancient kings (5) TIARA {T{1}ARA}
12 Large old university, not English? True (5) LOYAL {L}{O}{YALe}
14 Left fine miscellany in collection of representative works (9) PORTFOLIO {PORT}{F}{OLIO}

16 What raises blood pressure? Democrat in realm reversing nothing (9) ADRENALIN {A{D}RENA}{NIL<=}
18 Failure in variety of roles (5) LOSER*
20 Comfort leader in last stand (5) EASEL {EASE}{Last}
21 Male swan, bereft of company, wandering bird (9) BRAMBLING {coB}{RAMBLING}

23 Imprisoned in dark den, lucky one getting free (5,4,3,3) UNDER LOCK AND KEY*
24 Class? There's not so much about (6) LESSON {LESS ON}
25 Leave area without vegetation (6) DESERT [DD]

DOWN
2   Graduate in chaotic system lacking time for mission (7) EMBASSY {BA} in {SYStEM}*
3   Part of process is altering fibre (5) SISAL [T]
4   Most important pair, batting around middle of innings, supported by friend (9) PRINCIPAL {PR}{IN}{C}{innIngs}{PAL}
5   Sign of agreement after second year in council (5) SYNOD {S}{Y}{NOD}
6   Abundant input fell disastrously (9) PLENTIFUL*
7   Sport to be announced in ring, first off (7) NETBALL {kNE{T.B.A}LL}
8   Event, initially unprofitable ball, involving outfit with unknown song (7,5) ELEANOR RIGBY {Ev..t}{LEAN}{OR{RIG}B{Y}

9   Working on usual items at the same time (12) SIMULTANEOUS*
13 Innkeepers in line as well as noblemen (9) LANDLORDS {L}{AND}{LORDS}
15 Tormented about area, north and south, being plundered (9) RANSACKED {R{A}{N}{S}ACKED}
17 Live screening beginning to upset balance (7) RESIDUE {RESID{Up..t}E}
19 Adhesive label with small heart (7) STICKER {S}{TICKER}
21 Toast knight after summit (5) BROWN {BROW}{N}
22 Extra payment in end for job with responsibility (5) BONUS {joB}{ONUS}

GRID