Recapping matchday four: Are Madrid in crisis?​​

Our writers answer the burning questions, provide analysis and break down performances.

​Our writers answer the burning questions, provide analysis and break down performances. Our writers answer the burning questions, provide analysis and break down performances.   

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Nov 6, 2024, 09:46 PM ET

Matchday 4 of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League is in the books and the 36-team table is starting to take shape.

Shock losses for Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have set alarm bells ringing, while Viktor Gyökeres‘ three-goal performance against Manchester City has made the entire football world sit up and take notice.

ESPN writers Gab Marcotti, Mark Ogden and Julien Laurens reflect on some of the burning questions after four rounds.

Are Real Madrid in crisis, and what does Carlo Ancelotti need to do to get this team firing again?

Ogden: Madrid are absolutely in crisis. Back-to-back defeats shouldn’t be a big deal, just something that goes with the territory, but this is Real Madrid, where no defeat is acceptable. And when you are hammered 4-0 at home by Barcelona and then lose again in the next game, against a fellow European heavyweight in AC Milan, things have gotten really bad.

There are mitigating factors, such as the retirement of Toni Kroos, Dani Carvajal‘s season-long injury, Jude Bellingham having to tone down his attacking game to accommodate Kylian Mbappé, and Mbappé himself, who is nowhere near the player Madrid expected him to be. Mbappé’s best position is wide left, but the same applies to Vinícius Júnior, so how do you solve that problem?

It’s a tough one for Ancelotti, who will know that his job will be on the line if Madrid don’t emerge from their slump quickly. Ancelotti has said before that his number-one job is keeping the club president happy — and Florentino Perez won’t be happy right now.

Marcotti: It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that Real Madrid are a team made with Panini stickers, and that it would be a challenge to make the pieces fit together. We’ve said all along that the team was unbalanced and Ancelotti would need to somehow make it work. He hasn’t been able to (yet) and, while they have more firepower than anyone and that can paper over a lot of cracks, at some point it catches up to you (especially when Thibaut Courtois isn’t between the sticks).

Their possession game hasn’t been great and obviously Kroos is a huge loss (as is the fact that Luka Modric is now literally the oldest player in the history of the club and obviously can’t give you as many minutes as in the past). Solutions? I’d imagine you’d have to turn to the transfer window in January.

Short-term I think you have to accept that neither Vinícius nor Mbappé will work off the ball, so pressing and winning possession high isn’t going to happen. That means you need to control games and hopefully not just end up with a bunch of sterile possession. You can try giving more playing duties to Eduardo Camavinga, or possibly try to get Bellingham to go back to his original spot in midfield. At least that way you’d have some sort of a base. And maybe you can think of a hybrid back three with Aurélien Tchouaméni dropping in there in certain situations, allowing the full-backs to push up (but, again… do you want Ferland Mendy pushing up? I’m not sure).

The only other alternative is seeing if you can get Bellingham to play some sort of center-forward role with Mbappé around him. But that would mean Vinícius in left midfield, which isn’t ideal either if he’s not going to help his full-back. The ugly truth is that this is a collection of star individuals, not a team. Somebody needs to make a sacrifice. And even that may not be enough.

Laurens: “‘Allo Toni? It’s Carlo. Please come back, this is a mess! I need you, we need you. I beg you!”

This is what Real Madrid have to do right now. Get on the phone to Kroos and convince him to come out of retirement to sort the unbalance and add some technical leadership to the midfield. Ancelotti, Perez, sporting director Juni Calafat, Antonio Rüdiger, the tea lady, the Bernabéu cleaner, the Ciudad Deportiva groundsman — I don’t care who, but someone needs to make the call and get Kroos to come back. The team is in crisis and while the Germany legend returning would not solve all the problems, at least the team would be better structured and have more control on the ball.

Then there is the small matter of the forward line. Mbappé is not a No. 9 and will never be a proper one. But he can still do a job there if the team around him is set up right. Leave the left side to Vinícius, get Bellingham higher up closer to Mbappé, Federico Valverde on the right, and give more responsibilities to Camavinga at the heart of midfield.

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What is going wrong at Manchester City?

The “ESPN FC” crew try to make sense of Man City’s recent slump after they lost their third game in a row to Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League.

Has Gyökeres proved this season that he can deliver on the biggest occasions and deserves a major move? Or is this just a flash in the pan?

Ogden: He isn’t a flash in the pan. Gyökeres scored 43 goals in 50 games for Sporting CP last season having made the leap from Coventry City in the Championship to the Portuguese top-flight, and he is continuing to prove himself as a formidable centre-forward this season.

The big question is whether he can do it at a higher level than the Portuguese Primeira Liga. A Champions League hat trick against Manchester City is an emphatic way to silence his naysayers, but there is no doubt that Gyökeres has enjoyed a meteoric rise. Three years ago, Brighton & Hove Albion let him go for just £1 million to Coventry after unproductive loan spells at St. Pauli, Swansea City and Coventry, who nonetheless saw enough in him to sign the Sweden international permanently. To be nowhere at 23, but a sensation at 26 is remarkable, but my view is that he is the real deal. He is quick, strong, great in the air and a powerful finisher; Sporting will do well to keep him.

Marcotti: He’s obviously not a flash in the pan, because he’s done it for a while. Then again, Gyökeres being really good would mean that Brighton — a club known for their skill in spotting and nurturing talent — got it badly wrong because he was on their books for five years between the age of 19 and 24 and he never played.

There’s probably some prejudice against him because there’s a whole history of big, strong center-forward types who score a ton of goals in the Portuguese league and don’t exactly set the world on fire elsewhere (see Mehdi Taremi, Darwin Núñez, Carlos Vinícius… heck even Simon Banza scored 21 last year). Last year, he scored three goals from open play in the Europa League, this year he has three from open play in the Champions League. With Sweden, he has 10 in 24. He’s a serviceable striker, sure, but I think teams are going to be reluctant to pay Erling Haaland-type money, given he’s already 26 and is still rough around the edges.

Laurens: 66 goals in 66 games in all competitions for Sporting is not a fluke. But the Champions League is the best arena to judge him and his hat trick against Manchester City on Tuesday (albeit including two penalties), and five goals in four games (one against Lille and one against Sturm Graz) shows he can do it there too.

He is a proper finisher, clinical in front of goal, strong physically, and can run in behind too. Is he ready for the Premier League, the best and toughest league in the world? Probably yes. He will need to step up though as the Portuguese league is too easy for him. He needs to work on his link-up play and become a more complete all-round striker, but at 26, he has plenty of time for that.

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How Hansi Flick has silenced his critics at Barcelona

Jurgen Klinsmann joins “ESPN FC” to give his thoughts on Hansi Flick’s fantastic start at Barcelona.

Are Barcelona a force again on the European stage while their biggest rivals Real Madrid are in crisis mode?

Ogden: Barcelona are probably the best team in Europe right now, but it’s still only early November and the best teams tend to come good at the business end of the season. Hansi Flick has done better than anyone would have expected, especially with so many young players and the injuries that hit his squad. And don’t forget, Ilkay Gündogan jumped ship for a return to Manchester City late in the transfer window. Maybe Barça are just on the crest of a wave right now — Raphinha certainly is — but I would still back Madrid, City and Liverpool against Barcelona in the knockout stages. Let’s not overlook the fact that two of Barcelona’s wins have been against Young Boys and Red Star Belgrade, so not the toughest tests.

Marcotti: I mean, they were in the quarterfinals last year and beat Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg before self-destructing at home. So, I wouldn’t say “again”. Flick has done really well, but — before we get too excited — two of their four wins have come against Red Star and Young Boys. Another was against Bayern, sure, in a game that could have gone the other way. They play high-risk, high-reward football and it works for them. I think — and we saw at the weekend against Espanyol as well — they need to add a dimension to their game now that the injured guys (Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araújo) are either back or coming back. I don’t think they can sustain this intensity or this style of play without doing that.

Laurens: Absolutely Barcelona are a force, but there is a “but” as well. They are because they have the best front three in Europe (along with Liverpool) in Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha. They have great variety and depth in the midfield positions with Marc Casadó, Pedri, Fermín López, Dani Olmo, Gavi and De Jong. They have a clear identity, great momentum and confidence too, while more injured players are going to come back soon. They play the offside trap better than anyone and have already caught opponents 108 times offside so far this season.

However, the “but” is that they play a very risky brand of football with their all-attacking style and super-high defensive line. Red Star took advantage of it to score and make it 1-1 on Wednesday and, once teams have worked them out, they will concede many more chances, especially against good sides. Bayern got demolished but threatened massively in the first half. Real Madrid also had their moments too, despite their heavy Clasico defeat.

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Nicol: Leverkusen win best Liverpool performance ‘by far’

Steve Nicol loves what he saw from Liverpool’s dismantling of Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League.

Now at the halfway stage of the league phase, what do you like — or dislike — the most about the new format?

Ogden: I’d be surprised if any of the big teams miss out on qualification — even PSG, who are stuck beneath the trapdoor right now — but the best element of the new format is the opportunity it has given to the likes of Brest, Aston Villa and Celtic to give themselves a chance of a place in the knockout stages. The old group stage made it tough for outliers to qualify, especially if they had two big clubs in the group, but every team knows they have chances to win games now and many of the less fancied teams have worked that out and started strongly. Celtic, for instance, have struggled to compete in the group stage in recent seasons, but they have now won two and drawn one and have a great chance of qualifying. That’s what we want: surprises and new stories.

Marcotti: I think it’s been great. Just this midweek we’ve had Manchester City, Real Madrid, Arsenal, PSG and Bayer Leverkusen all losing. Oh, and RB Leipzig have lost four in four, which is hilarious. We’ve seen some great goals and some good games. To me, that’s just as important in this phase of the competition, especially given two thirds of the teams are going to advance. And, by the way, we have Sporting, AS Monaco and Brest in the top five and VfB Stuttgart, Leipzig, Bologna, Girona and, yes, PSG currently missing out on the next round. So much for all that nonsense about big leagues and big teams dominating.

Laurens: Apart from my beloved PSG’s results so far in the competition, I’m loving everything about this new format. We are halfway through this league phase, and we have seen big games every week, big teams struggling, small teams excelling. Some big stars haven’t been good, some more unknown players are emerging. There has been late drama and controversy. Now, the second part will start to make things even more interesting and properly tense as every point will now really count. We will start looking at all the different scenarios on who needs what to do what. It will be fun!

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Our writers answer the burning questions, provide analysis and break down performances.

Milan’s Morata hospitalized after training collision​​

Spain captain Álvaro Morata has been taken to hospital after suffering a head injury during an AC Milan training session, sources have told ESPN.

​Spain captain Álvaro Morata has been taken to hospital after suffering a head injury during an AC Milan training session, sources have told ESPN. Spain captain Álvaro Morata has been taken to hospital after suffering a head injury during an AC Milan training session, sources have told ESPN.   

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Spain captain Álvaro Morata has been taken to hospital after suffering a head injury during an AC Milan training session, sources have told ESPN.

NYCFC coach Cushing denies links to Arsenal​​

New York City FC head coach Nick Cushing confirmed he will remain with the club in 2025, dispelling rumors linking him to the managerial role at the Arsenal women’s team.

​New York City FC head coach Nick Cushing confirmed he will remain with the club in 2025, dispelling rumors linking him to the managerial role at the Arsenal women’s team. New York City FC head coach Nick Cushing confirmed he will remain with the club in 2025, dispelling rumors linking him to the managerial role at the Arsenal women’s team.   

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Nov 7, 2024, 02:11 PM ET

New York City FC head coach Nick Cushing confirmed he will remain with the club in 2025, dispelling rumors linking him to the managerial role at the Arsenal women’s team.

Though Cushing quickly emerged as a potential candidate to take over Arsenal following the departure of former manager Jonas Eidevall in October, the MLS coach insists there has been no contact from the English club.

“Listen, I’ve been asked twice now, once last week if there’s been contact and then about the story still living,” he told ESPN. “It’s news to me, the story is news to me. I’ve obviously seen it out there, but from within myself and within here [at the organization], there is no story.

“I just confirmed I will be here next year, 100%. I’ve been in the group for 19 years. It’s gonna be my 20th next year.”

Cushing first joined City Football Group in 2006, boasting a junior role at Manchester City Women before earning the managerial position in 2013. He led the team to lift the 2014 FA Women’s League Cup and 2016 Women’s Super League title during his seven-year spell.

In 2020, Cushing moved away from Manchester City Women to become the assistant coach to Ronny Deila at New York City FC. He spent two years in that position, aiding the team during the 2021 MLS Cup-winning season prior to replacing Deila as interim manager in 2022 and permanent coach in 2023.

Despite the speculation, his focus remains on leading NYCFC to the MLS Cup once again.

“Hopefully we can take this team far this year. Ultimately the reality is my focus now is on playoffs and my team beyond the playoffs. My focus is how do we get this team from seven to four, where I believe we are going to get from three to one,” he said.

“Developing the style and the identity that we’ve got now because it’s the way I see the game. It is my character, right? How brave we are, how high we push the line, how aggressive we are in pressing, how offensive we are. I want to play a brave form of the game. I want to go on attack teams and be on the front foot. Developing that has been probably my favorite part of the training programme and the team now.”

New York City FC concluded the 2024 MLS campaign in sixth place on the Eastern Conference table with 50 points, and now heads into the third match of the Round 1 best-of-three series against FC Cincinnati.

The series is currently tied 1-1, forcing Cushing to earn a victory during Saturday’s game at TQL Stadium in order to advance to the Conference semifinals.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

New York City FC head coach Nick Cushing confirmed he will remain with the club in 2025, dispelling rumors linking him to the managerial role at the Arsenal women’s team.

Wave make NWSL’s 1st signing direct from NCAA​​

San Diego Wave FC announced Thursday that the club has signed University of Texas forward Trinity Byars, making Byars the first active NCAA athlete to sign with an NWSL team since the league’s recent elimination of the draft.

​San Diego Wave FC announced Thursday that the club has signed University of Texas forward Trinity Byars, making Byars the first active NCAA athlete to sign with an NWSL team since the league’s recent elimination of the draft. San Diego Wave FC announced Thursday that the club has signed University of Texas forward Trinity Byars, making Byars the first active NCAA athlete to sign with an NWSL team since the league’s recent elimination of the draft.   

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Nov 7, 2024, 01:29 PM ET

San Diego Wave FC announced Thursday that the club has signed University of Texas forward Trinity Byars, making Byars the first active NCAA athlete to sign with an NWSL team since the league’s recent elimination of the draft.

Byars, a senior at the University of Texas, signed with San Diego Wave through the 2026 season with a mutual option for 2027. The transaction was made before the Oct. 10 roster freeze.

The NWSL and NWSL Players Association ratified a new collective bargaining agreement this summer that eliminated all forms of player drafts and granted players full free agency, meaning this offseason marks the first in the league’s history that college and youth players are free to sign directly with teams of their choice.

In a shift toward competing with global leagues, the NWSL became the first U.S. league to voluntarily remove the draft mechanism.

“The draft is an antiquated model that treats people as property to be bought and sold,” the NWSLPA said in its August news release about the new CBA, which runs through 2030. “The new terms will empower players to decide which team environment is the best fit for their needs and their development.”

Byars joins San Diego after missing most of her senior season at Texas because of a serious knee injury sustained on Sept. 1.

Byars will report to San Diego with the rest of the roster in January in order to complete her rehab from a torn ACL, a Wave spokesperson told ESPN. The club is anticipating a nine-month recovery from the time of her injury, though that could vary based on her progress.

She has been a regular in the U.S. youth national team scene, representing the country from the U14 through U23 levels.

“We are thrilled to welcome Trinity to the San Diego Wave,” Camille Ashton, the Wave’s sporting director and general manager, said in a statement. “Trinity has proven to be one of the most dynamic and exciting forwards at the collegiate level. Her ability to play between the lines and threaten in behind is special and we believe she will be an incredible addition to our team.”

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

San Diego Wave FC announced Thursday that the club has signed University of Texas forward Trinity Byars, making Byars the first active NCAA athlete to sign with an NWSL team since the league’s recent elimination of the draft.

Sources: Madrid eye Jan. deals, keen on TAA​​

Real Madrid are considering making signings in the winter transfer window with Trent Alexander-Arnold their preferred option to address their defensive issues, sources told ESPN.

​Real Madrid are considering making signings in the winter transfer window with Trent Alexander-Arnold their preferred option to address their defensive issues, sources told ESPN. Real Madrid are considering making signings in the winter transfer window with Trent Alexander-Arnold their preferred option to address their defensive issues, sources told ESPN.   

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Real Madrid are considering making signings in the January transfer window and the club continues to retain interest in Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold as their preferred option to address their defensive issues, sources told ESPN.

However, sources told ESPN there is an understanding at the club that agreeing a deal with Liverpool in January would be difficult and they are exploring other options as well.

A source told ESPN that reinforcing the defence is considered a priority after successive defeats at the Bernabéu to Barcelona and AC Milan.

Alexander-Arnold emerged as Madrid’s top candidate following a season-ending injury to Dani Carvajal last month. However, it was unclear whether Madrid would wait until the summer to sign the full-back as a free agent when his Liverpool contract expires or would try to sign him in the winter transfer window.

But Lucas Vázquez‘s struggles at right-back in the defeats to Barcelona and Milan have sped up Madrid’s pursuit of the England international and a source told ESPN they are keen to address their defensive problems in January.

While Ancelotti has publicly maintained that Madrid aren’t expecting any reinforcements, sources told ESPN that the Italian and his coaching staff believe they were short on players after the departure of Nacho Fernandez in the summer and are eager to make additions to the squad.

David Alaba has been injured for almost a year and sources told ESPN that there is pessimism about his recovery as the timetable has been repeatedly extended and his cartilage problem continues to persist.

With Jesús Vallejo out of Ancelotti’s plans, Éder Militão and Antonio Rüdiger are the only centre-backs available to the Italian. Aurélien Tchouaméni, who was often fielded at centre-back, has been ruled out for a month after spraining his ankle against Milan, a source told ESPN.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Real Madrid are considering making signings in the winter transfer window with Trent Alexander-Arnold their preferred option to address their defensive issues, sources told ESPN.

Mexico legend Guardado retiring from club game​​

Mexico legend Andrés Guardado announced his retirement from professional soccer and will likely play his last match with fringe Liga MX playoff contenders León this Sunday.

​Mexico legend Andrés Guardado announced his retirement from professional soccer and will likely play his last match with fringe Liga MX playoff contenders León this Sunday. Mexico legend Andrés Guardado announced his retirement from professional soccer and will likely play his last match with fringe Liga MX playoff contenders León this Sunday.   

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Mexico legend Andrés Guardado announced his retirement from professional soccer and will likely play his last match with fringe Liga MX playoff contenders León this Sunday.

Amad double hands United 1st Europa League win​​

A brace from Amad Diallo earned Manchester United a 2-0 win over PAOK Salonika in the Europa League on Thursday.

​A brace from Amad Diallo earned Manchester United a 2-0 win over PAOK Salonika in the Europa League on Thursday. A brace from Amad Diallo earned Manchester United a 2-0 win over PAOK Salonika in the Europa League on Thursday.   

A brace from Amad Diallo earned Manchester United a 2-0 win over PAOK Salonika in the Europa League on Thursday, as interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy achieved what Erik ten Hag had failed to do with the club’s first victory in this season’s competition.

United had drawn their three previous Europa League games, but Amad‘s looping header back across the goal into the bottom corner from a Bruno Fernandes cross five minutes after the break sent Van Nistelrooy’s side on their way.

With both sides searching for their first win the Greek visitors to Old Trafford had their chances to take something from the game and United keeper André Onana had to tip over a shot from Mady Camara in the first half.

PAOK had an excellent opportunity to equalise in the 64th minute, but the unmarked Taril Tissoudali could not get enough power in his shot from close range to beat Onana and Diallo made sure of victory 13 minutes from time.

This time he did it all alone, dispossessing Baba Rahman and holding off the defender’s challenge to make his way to the edge of the area before unleashing a curling shot which took a slight deflection on its way into the far corner.

Getty Images

United have six points in the Europa League standings.

“It’s been a long time since we won in Europe. Today we showed why we are one of the best teams. It was important to win today,” Amad told TNT Sports.

“It is important to score every time. This season I have been unlucky so I am happy to score two today. But the most important thing was to win.”

Van Nistelrooy, the former United striker who will shortly make way for new manager Ruben Amorim, replaced Ten Hag 10 days ago and is unbeaten during his three games in charge.

“It was a pretty poor first half if I’m being nice,” Van Nistelrooy said. “The second half way was better. That was clear.

“[Amad] made a difference today because of his goals but he was very sharp. Well done to him, good game. Positionally we weren’t good in the first half. We were much better at that in the second half.”

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

A brace from Amad Diallo earned Manchester United a 2-0 win over PAOK Salonika in the Europa League on Thursday.

Will Amorim era of Man United mean a new cast of stars? Amad’s Europa League goals hint so​​

Amad Diallo led Man United to a Europa League win after previously being ignored by Ten Hag. Does it portend a shake-up in United’s lineups?

​Amad Diallo led Man United to a Europa League win after previously being ignored by Ten Hag. Does it portend a shake-up in United’s lineups? Amad Diallo led Man United to a Europa League win after previously being ignored by Ten Hag. Does it portend a shake-up in United’s lineups?   

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MANCHESTER, England — Ruben Amorim still has to prepare for one more Sporting Lisbon game before taking over as Manchester United‘s new head coach, but Amad Diallo can only hope his soon-to-be boss was watching his performance against PAOK FC.

The 22-year-old winger struggled for opportunities under former manager Erik ten Hag, who was sacked by the club last week. Recalled to the team by caretaker Ruud van Nistelrooy for Thursday’s Europa League tie against the Greek champions, he was United’s best player and scored both goals in a 2-0 win.

Amad‘s back post header early in the second half helped his team edge in front in a game, which had been finely balanced up until that point. His second, a curling effort from the edge of the penalty area, sealed United’s first win in European competition for more than a year.

Amorim will be busy balancing his preparations for Sporting’s game at Braga on Sunday with early assessment of the squad he will inherit when he starts work at Old Trafford on Monday. In that sense, it was perfect timing for Amad — he did more than enough against POAK for his new coach to put a tick next to his name.

“He is a great character,” Van Nistelrooy said of Amad. “A hard worker and he shows it in every training session. Every day after training he comes to me and wants to do extra finishing, extra crossing, how can I improve my heading.

“He’s constantly focused on learning and getting better, living in a professional way and he’s very motivated to get the best out of his career. I was very pleased for him.”

On the final whistle, United’s official Instagram account posted a picture of Amad with the caption, “let him cook.” The problem, though, is that he’s hardly been allowed in the kitchen. It became a mystery to some United fans as to why he was continually overlooked by Ten Hag.

The Ivorian was responsible for one of the best moments of Ten Hag’s reign, when he ran half the length of the pitch to score a stoppage time winner against Liverpool in the FA Cup last season. Despite his heroics that day, he struggled to regularly break into the team.

Amad scored on a rare Premier League start against Brighton in August, but was dropped for the next game against Liverpool a week later. Handed another start against Southampton, he registered an assist for Marcus Rashford in a 3-0 win. Since then, his involvement has been largely limited to the role of impact substitute.

In from the start against POAK, he made the most of his chance. He was unlucky not to win a penalty when a quick and direct run into the box was only ended by a clumsy challenge from Baba Rahman. Shortly afterwards, his ferocious pressing, which ended with a crunching tackle on the opposite side of the pitch was met with a huge cheer from the Stretford End.

His looping header in the 50th minute put United in front, but Amad’s second goal was better. After robbing Rahman of the ball, he took a couple more touches and bent his finish into the far corner. He went off in the 80th minute, the game won, and got a bear hug from Van Nistelrooy and a standing ovation from the home fans.

Van Nistelrooy wasn’t happy with United’s first-half performance — POAK had more shots and more shots on target in the first 45 minutes — but Amad saved the Dutchman from an embarrassing blemish on his caretaker CV.

“The first half wasn’t good, that’s clear,” said Van Nistelrooy. “I addressed the positioning a lot at half-time. We left positions too much in the first half and that’s why we couldn’t get going.

“In the first half Amad was our best player and in the second half he decided the game for us. He was excellent. The second goal had everything in it that for me is Amad Diallo. He fought to take the ball off the PAOK defender, pushed through to get the shot and had the quality to curl it round the goalkeeper.”

As impressive as he was, Amad still has reason to feel nervous about Amorim’s arrival.

As an out-and-out winger, his position doesn’t really exist in the Portuguese coach’s favoured 3-4-3 system. Instead of forwards ordered to stay high and wide, Amorim usually picks two narrow attackers behind a central striker. It’s possible Amad could fill one of the wing-back roles, but that would require more defensive responsibility than he’s used to.

Concerns about where they might fit in under Amorim are not limited to Amad. Established senior players like Bruno Fernandes and Rashford will also be trying to work out what their role might be once he takes charge.

Van Nistelrooy is in the same boat. He’s overseen two wins and a draw from his three games as interim boss, but ahead of his final assignment against Leicester on Sunday he’s still waiting to hear whether or not he will be retained as part of the new-look backroom staff.

“I’ve got to check my phone now, we’ll see later,” he joked during his post-match news conference.

The next time United play in the Europa League against Bodo/Glimt in three weeks’ time, Amorim will be on the touchline. Amad and Van Nistelrooy can only hope they get prominent roles when the new era gets underway.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Amad Diallo led Man United to a Europa League win after previously being ignored by Ten Hag. Does it portend a shake-up in United’s lineups?

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Sixers star Paul George said his return to L.A. against the Clippers on Wednesday night drew a fair and split reaction, but he didn't understand or care for the boos ​ Sixers star Paul George said his return to L.A. against the Clippers on Wednesday night drew a fair...

The Panthers have agreed to a four-year extension with running back Chuba Hubbard, the team announced Thursday. ​ The Panthers have agreed to a four-year extension with running back Chuba Hubbard, the team announced Thursday. The Panthers have agreed to a four-year...

Philadelphia 76ers All-Star Tyrese Maxey is expected to miss a couple of weeks because of a right hamstring injury, sources told ESPN on Thursday. ​ Philadelphia 76ers All-Star Tyrese Maxey is expected to miss a couple of weeks because of a right hamstring injury,...

Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell is expected to be activated off the physically unable to perform list on Thursday barring any unforeseen developments, sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. ​ Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell is expected to be activated off the...

Billy Napier will continue to coach Florida, according to AD Scott Stricklin, who put to rest rampant speculation about the embattled coach's future with the Gators. ​ Billy Napier will continue to coach Florida, according to AD Scott Stricklin, who put to rest...

Texas wide receiver Johntay Cook II is no longer with the program. ​ Texas wide receiver Johntay Cook II is no longer with the program. Texas wide receiver Johntay Cook II is no longer with the program.  playArch Manning finds Johntay Cook II for his 4th passing TD...

Can Jared Goff win his first MVP? Will the Ravens make the Super Bowl? Our experts predict the rest of the year. ​ Can Jared Goff win his first MVP? Will the Ravens make the Super Bowl? Our experts predict the rest of the year. Can Jared Goff win his first MVP? Will...

Nine weeks in, here's how the races for MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Rookie of the Year and more awards are shaping up. ​ Nine weeks in, here's how the races for MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Rookie of the Year and more awards are...

The elite rider was among thousands of racing professionals who marched in the French capital to warn government of the consequences of raiding racing's coffers ​The elite rider was among thousands of racing professionals who marched in the French capital to warn...

The former undisputed heavyweight world champion was forced to pull out of the original date earlier this year after suffering an ulcer flare-up ​The former undisputed heavyweight world champion was forced to pull out of the original date earlier this year after...

Rasmus Hojlund has scored just 18 goals since arriving at Manchester United in the summer of 2023 and Alan Shearer believes club chiefs are to blame for his struggles ​Rasmus Hojlund has scored just 18 goals since arriving at Manchester United in the summer of 2023...

Thomas Partey has been handed a new role with Arsenal this season but the Ghanaian midfielder has lost his place in his country’s international squad for upcoming games later this month ​Thomas Partey has been handed a new role with Arsenal this season but the...

The two boxing stars will finally go glove-to-glove in a mouthwatering heavyweight showdown at the AT&T Stadium in Texas on Friday, November 15 ​The two boxing stars will finally go glove-to-glove in a mouthwatering heavyweight showdown at the AT&T Stadium in...

Since the YouTuber-turned-boxer made his professional debut in 2020, the 27-year-old has faced several accusations that his boxing fights are fixed ​Since the YouTuber-turned-boxer made his professional debut in 2020, the 27-year-old has faced several accusations that...

Eddie Jones' England tenure has come in for criticism after Danny Care detailed issues within the camp and Jamie George insists winning doesn't have to come at the cost of individuals ​Eddie Jones' England tenure has come in for criticism after Danny Care detailed...

Curtis Jones has been included in Lee Carsley's final squad as England's interim manager - and could finally make his senior debut in the matches against Greece and Ireland ​Curtis Jones has been included in Lee Carsley's final squad as England's interim manager - and...

Brighton star Carlos Baleba has emerged as the next star off of the Seagulls production line and has now spoken out on a potential transfer to Arsenal and Liverpool ​Brighton star Carlos Baleba has emerged as the next star off of the Seagulls production line and has...

Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann sprung a few surprises with his latest squad, not least naming a international player for Latvia in the list of stars he was calling up ​Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann sprung a few surprises with his latest squad, not least...

Was Arteta right to rage over Arsenal penalties? Plus, Mings’ huge handball error​​

Manager Mikel Arteta was furious at two refereeing decisions after Arsenal suffered a 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League. What was the VAR view?

​Manager Mikel Arteta was furious at two refereeing decisions after Arsenal suffered a 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League. What was the VAR view? Manager Mikel Arteta was furious at two refereeing decisions after Arsenal suffered a 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League. What was the VAR view?   

Manager Mikel Arteta was furious at two refereeing decisions after Arsenal suffered a 1-0 defeat to Internazionale in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.

The Gunners were denied a penalty as Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer connected with the head of Mikel Merino, only for Merino to concede a spot kick for a handball shortly afterward.

“I don’t understand [the handball decision],” Arteta said. “There is no danger at all. You cannot react because the ball is very close. But OK. They decide that is a penalty.

“But if that is a penalty then the one on Merino where he [Sommer] punches him in the head has to be a penalty 1,000%. These are the margins in this game and it’s very difficult to accept.”

But was Arteta’s anger misplaced, or should the VAR have stepped in?

Possible penalty: Challenge by Sommer on Merino

What happened: The game was in the 28th minute when Gabriel Martinelli swung a cross into the box from the left flank. Mikel Merino got to the ball first but headed over, with goalkeeper Yann Sommer then making contact with the Arsenal player’s head in attempt to punch clear. Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs signalled for a goal kick and a possible penalty was checked by the VAR, Christian Dingert.

VAR decision: No penalty.

VAR review: Goalkeepers have a right to rush out and challenge for the ball with their fists, yet at the same time they must be aware of the players who are around them.

It’s hard to be sure, but Sommer might have got a slight touch on the ball before it came off Merino’s head. Even so, that would not remove the possibility of a penalty being awarded if the challenge was deemed to be reckless or dangerous.

In UEFA competitions, where there is a much lower threshold for fouls, we’d expect to see a spot kick awarded in a situation like this. So you can absolutely understand Arteta’s frustration.

Sommer makes full contact with Merino’s head, clearing pushing it back, and the Arsenal player then went to ground holding his head.

The VAR has decided that this is normal football contact; a goalkeeper collision as part of a genuine attempt to play the ball and there wasn’t enough in it to be deemed a reckless act.

At Euro 2020, France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris conceded a penalty when he came out to punch and caught Portugal midfielder Danilo in the head.

At the 2022 World Cup, Argentina were awarded a penalty against Poland when goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny caught Lionel Messi with an outstretched arm. Szczesny came out to claim a cross in the 36th minute, Messi got to his head to the ball first, but Szczesny then collided with the striker. The VAR, Paulus Van Boekel of Netherlands, advised a penalty review. But the contact was so slight that the decision seemed harsh.

Looking at league play last season, Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez came out for a cross and clattered into Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus. The referee didn’t give the spot kick on the field, and the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents Panel said the only thing which saved that from being a VAR mistake was an offside player in the buildup.

Possible penalty overturn: Handball by Merino

What happened: Inter Milan were awarded a penalty in first-half stoppage time when Hakan Çalhanoglu played a ball into the area, and when Mehdi Taremi tried to help it on it hit Merino’s hand. Referee Kovacs pointed to the penalty spot.

VAR decision: Penalty stands, scored by Çalhanoglu.

VAR review: Fans of English football have become insulated from handball penalties this season. So far in the Premier League only one spot kick has been awarded across 100 matches — by the VAR against Aston Villa‘s Matty Cash at Fulham.

Referees are putting all the focus on a player having the right to actually have arms, deeming handball should only be penalised if a player’s arm is completely outside the body and creating a clear barrier. Villa’s Cash had his arm fully extended, but even with there was doubt over proximity.

The Premier League is certainly the outlier, with the Champions League having the highest frequency of handball penalties of any competition, though marginally ahead of Ligue 1.

Merino was stood right next to Taremi but his arm was in a raised position and it blocked the path of the ball, so under UEFA’s definition that is expected to be penalised.

The main frustration is that many competitions now have their own interpretation of the wording, either lenient like the Premier League to really strict like the UCL and France. It will be hard for Arsenal fans to accept as the league has moved back to the interpretation used before the 2018 law change (which caused such a huge upsurge in spot kicks.) Yet it’s effectively a two-tier law, as Arsenal discovered on Wednesday.

Possible red card: Arteta for interfering with play

What happened: The game was in the 63rd minute when the ball ran along the touchline and, as Matteo Darmian moved toward it, Arteta picked it up before it went out of play. Referee Kovacs showed the yellow card, but should it have been red?

VAR decision: No red card.

VAR review: By the letter of the law this should be a red card, as Law 12 states: “Sending-off offences include (but are not limited to) entering the field of play to interfere with play.”

We’ve seen two such red cards this year in British football, for West Bromwich Albion manager Carlos Corberán and Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes.

The referee chose to use his discretion and only show Arteta a yellow card, as the ball looked to be running out of play, but by rights this should have been a red.

However, the VAR is not charged with intervening in such matters where the referee has obviously seen the incident but chosen not to show a red card.

Possible penalty overturn / red card: Mings handball

What happened: Club Brugge were awarded a penalty in bizarre circumstances in the 50th minute. Aston Villa had a goal kick, and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez played it to defender Tyrone Mings … who thought play hadn’t started yet and picked up the ball. Referee Tobia Stieler pointed to the penalty spot, but took no disciplinary action against Mings.

VAR decision: No red card. Penalty stands, scored by Hans Vanaken.

VAR review: A crazy situation — especially when you consider we saw a very similar situation in April which didn’t result in a penalty.

In the earlier example, Arsenal were playing Bayern Munich in the quarterfinal. Goalkeeper David Raya had the ball in the centre, he then passed to Gabriel, who picked the ball up and placed it down again before passing it back to Raya. Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg chose to use his discretion (the spirit of the law, as noted in Law 5, gives a referee some leeway in certain circumstances to manage the game) and allowed the kick to be taken again, rather than giving a penalty.

That wasn’t the case for Villa, with Stieler choosing to give the spot kick — and many would argue that Nyberg was wrong in not doing so too.

There is one key difference: In the Arsenal game there was no pressure being put on the ball by a Bayern player, so you could argue this was an inconsequential mistake and the referee was fair to allow the retake. In the Villa game, Ferran Jutglà ran into the area to close down Mings at the moment Martínez played the ball.

Mings was already on a yellow card and this was a deliberate handball, so why wasn’t he shown a red card, or at least a second yellow? That’s the real question for the VAR because a penalty is undoubtedly correct in law.

Deliberate handball isn’t in itself an offence that requires disciplinary action, just like when a goalkeeper handballs outside the box. It’s all about the impact on the opposition.

Stieler could have chosen to book Mings if he felt Jutglà was being prevented from playing the ball, but the VAR cannot rule on yellows.

It then comes down to a red card, and whether the VAR felt the Mings handball was an offence of denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO). Jutglà was moving in on the ball but it was not running with pace, so he would definitely get to it if Mings hadn’t handled. But it’s not a classic case of DOGSO where an attacker is going past a defender making a foul, Mings would still be there to make a challenge. So the only real argument is for a yellow for possibly stopping a promising attacker, which the VAR cannot give.

Even though Jutglà was running in to close down, Mings still had plenty of time so his decision to pick up the ball is even more perplexing. He must not have thought Martínez had put the ball in player. But he could easily have been given a second yellow by the referee.

Whatever you think about the merits of the two individual incidents, it’s difficult for fans to make sense that the two can have opposing outcomes — one a retake and the other a penalty.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Manager Mikel Arteta was furious at two refereeing decisions after Arsenal suffered a 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League. What was the VAR view?

PSG fans unveil ‘Free Palestine’ sign in UCL game​​

Fans from Paris Saint Germain’s Auteuil Kop unveiled a giant “Free Palestine” banner before the kickoff of their Champions League game against Atlético Madrid on Wednesday, eight days before France take on Israel in Paris in a Nations League game.

​Fans from Paris Saint Germain’s Auteuil Kop unveiled a giant “Free Palestine” banner before the kickoff of their Champions League game against Atlético Madrid on Wednesday, eight days before France take on Israel in Paris in a Nations League game. Fans from Paris Saint Germain’s Auteuil Kop unveiled a giant “Free Palestine” banner before the kickoff of their Champions League game against Atlético Madrid on Wednesday, eight days before France take on Israel in Paris in a Nations League game.   

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Fans from Paris Saint Germain’s Auteuil Kop unveiled a giant “Free Palestine” banner before the kickoff of their Champions League game against Atlético Madrid on Wednesday, eight days before France take on Israel in Paris in a Nations League game.

England drawn in Nations League group with Spain​​

England have been drawn in a Nations League group with holders and world champions Spain.

​England have been drawn in a Nations League group with holders and world champions Spain. England have been drawn in a Nations League group with holders and world champions Spain.   

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

England have been drawn in a Nations League group with holders and world champions Spain.

England squad: Harwood-Bellis, Hall earn call-ups​​

England interim head coach Lee Carsley has given Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Lewis Hall their first senior call-ups for the team’s final two Nations League fixtures.

​England interim head coach Lee Carsley has given Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Lewis Hall their first senior call-ups for the team’s final two Nations League fixtures. England interim head coach Lee Carsley has given Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Lewis Hall their first senior call-ups for the team’s final two Nations League fixtures.   

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Nov 7, 2024, 09:00 AM ET

England interim head coach Lee Carsley has given Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Newcastle full-back Lewis Hall their first senior call-ups for the team’s final two Nations League fixtures.

Harwood-Bellis, 22, was captain of England’s under-21 side during Carsley’s time in charge and has played in every game for Southampton in the Premier League this season as they sit 19th in the table after 10 matches.

Hall, 20, has established himself as Newcastle’s first-choice left-back this season after completing a permanent move to St. James’ Park in the summer. He spent last season on loan with Eddie Howe’s side, making 22 appearances in all competitions and scoring two goals.

The pair are part of an eight-man contingent who won the U21 European Championship under Carsley in 2023 (Harwood-Bellis, Hall, Cole Palmer, Angel Gomes, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Levi Colwill).

“They’re both players that have played a lot of minutes this season. They’ve showed that they can consistently play in the Premier League at a high level, [they are] players that I both know really well,” Carsley told a news conference on Thursday.

“I think obviously the relationship and longevity that I’ve known Taylor from obviously Man City and captain of the under-21s, having such a successful summer, getting the promotion and now playing in the Premier League week in, week out. He’s a player that really deserves it. Outstanding captain. Brilliant example to the rest of the players within the under-21s.

“Lewis is a player that has took his time to settle in. High quality, left footed, like you say, a player that deserves to be in. He’s shown he can be really consistent. Looking forward to working with him. I’ve worked with Lewis a few times now, so there’s such competition at right-back in terms of the amount of right-backs that we’ve got. We haven’t got the same problem or challenges at left-back, so it’s a good challenge for Lewis to see if he can maintain that spot. the first time.”

Liverpool‘s Curtis Jones, who earned his first call-up in October has retained his place in the squad, while Tino Livramento dropped out. John Stones was not included after picking up an injury, while City teammates Kyle Walker, Rico Lewis and Jack Grealish will join up with the squad at St. George’s Park.

However, there was no place in Carsley’s squad for Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers who has become a key player for Unai Emery this season.

Carsley’s team will face Group B2 leaders Greece in Athens on Nov. 14 before rounding off their Nations League campaign by hosting Republic of Ireland at Wembley on Nov. 17.

England will secure promotion back to League A if they win their final two matches, while a second-placed finish will result in a two-legged playoff against a team that finished third in League A.

Tuchel was confirmed as England’s next permanent head coach on Oct. 16 and will lead the country into the 2026 World Cup, hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States. The 51-year-old will start work on Jan. 1, 2025 and will be assisted by Anthony Barry, with whom he worked at Chelsea and Bayern Munich.

“He [Tuchel] hasn’t had any influence on the squad selection,” Carsley said. “I’ve spoken to him by text, but it’s literally congratulations. I think he’s highly respectful of the job that knowing and myself, but the staff are doing so we’ve been left to it like we always have.

“I still see this as a massive privilege and the trust that the FA have shown in myself and the rest of the staff, the three camps that we’ve got, this is the final two games. We are really looking forward to a tough game in Greece and the Republic Island at home.”

England squad:

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Southampton).

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Rico Lewis (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Conor Gallagher (Atletico Madrid), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Angel Gomes (Lille), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal).

Forwards: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

England interim head coach Lee Carsley has given Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Lewis Hall their first senior call-ups for the team’s final two Nations League fixtures.

Germany wrongly name Latvia player in NL squad​​

Germany had to hurriedly revise its squad list for the Nations League on Thursday after accidentally including a player from Latvia.

​Germany had to hurriedly revise its squad list for the Nations League on Thursday after accidentally including a player from Latvia. Germany had to hurriedly revise its squad list for the Nations League on Thursday after accidentally including a player from Latvia.   

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Germany had to hurriedly revise its squad list for the Nations League on Thursday after accidentally including a player from Latvia.

Williams: Barça players kept texting me to join them​​

Spain star Nico Williams has revealed some Barcelona players tried to convince him to leave Athletic Club and join them at the Camp Nou in the summer.

​Spain star Nico Williams has revealed some Barcelona players tried to convince him to leave Athletic Club and join them at the Camp Nou in the summer. Spain star Nico Williams has revealed some Barcelona players tried to convince him to leave Athletic Club and join them at the Camp Nou in the summer.   

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Nov 7, 2024, 05:36 AM ET

Spain star Nico Williams has said some Barcelona players repeatedly messaged him to leave Athletic Club and join them at the Camp Nou in the summer.

Williams, who excelled for Spain at Euro 2024, was hotly pursued by Barça in the summer transfer window before eventually deciding to remain at Athletic at least for another season.

Asked about the summer, Nico told La Revuelta TV show: “It was difficult.”

“On top of that, the ‘bastards’ of [Barça] Lamine [Yamal] and [Alejandro] Balde and others didn’t help. They would say to me ‘brother come now, come now.'”

He added that his Spain teammates playing at Barça would text him “all the time.”

Despite Barça signing his compatriot Dani Olmo, Williams said he continues to get messages from Barça fans on social media.

“It’s difficult to evade yourself from that,” he said. “I still get messages despite not being linked.

“It’s a bit of everything. Many people say ‘go to Barca’ and others say ‘we don’t need you anymore.'”

LaLiga leaders Barça have had a strong start to the season under Hansi Flick, who replaced Xavi Hernandez as manager at the end of last season.

Barça midfielder Pedri has said Flick’s approach to discipline is different to Xavi’s.

“Xavi, for example, would fine you €5000 [$5,382] if you arrived late one day and if you arrive late the next day, it would be double,” Pedri said

“Flick has taken away the fines. Now if you arrive late, you don’t play. For me, it is much worse not to play.”

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Spain star Nico Williams has revealed some Barcelona players tried to convince him to leave Athletic Club and join them at the Camp Nou in the summer.

Mbappé omitted from France squad amid poor form​​

Kylian Mbappé has not been included in France’s squad for their Nations League fixtures against Israel and Italy, Didier Deschamps confirmed on Thursday.

​Kylian Mbappé has not been included in France’s squad for their Nations League fixtures against Israel and Italy, Didier Deschamps confirmed on Thursday. Kylian Mbappé has not been included in France’s squad for their Nations League fixtures against Israel and Italy, Didier Deschamps confirmed on Thursday.   

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Kylian Mbappé has not been included in France’s squad for their Nations League fixtures against Israel and Italy, Didier Deschamps confirmed on Thursday.

How much will Arsenal miss Edu after sporting director’s shock departure?​​

Edu has successfully overseen Arsenal’s transfers for the past five years. Why is he leaving so unexpectedly, and what will the Gunners do now?

​Edu has successfully overseen Arsenal’s transfers for the past five years. Why is he leaving so unexpectedly, and what will the Gunners do now? Edu has successfully overseen Arsenal’s transfers for the past five years. Why is he leaving so unexpectedly, and what will the Gunners do now?   

When Arsenal announced Mikel Arteta had signed a new contract on Sept. 12, the Premier League club’s manager was effusive in his praise of sporting director Edu Gaspar.

“He was the first one to knock on my door before I joined and he made a big call to put all the trust he had in me to drive this massive boat in the direction and the way we both had a vision to do it — and it’s been pivotal,” Arteta said. “Our relationship has been incredibly strong, very honest, very transparent and I’m very grateful for that.”

At the same time, Edu reciprocated that sentiment. “We have a strong belief in what we are doing and what we want to achieve together,” he said. “Mikel’s new contract gives us stability and clear direction as we aim for new heights.”

But on Monday, less than two months later, the Gunners announced that Edu had resigned. Sources have told ESPN he is set to head up Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis’ multi-club model, which includes Greece’s Olympiacos and Portugal’s Rio Ave.

But how key a figure has Edu been for Arsenal? Why are they losing him in such unexpected fashion? And where they go from here?

How important was Edu to Arsenal?

Edu joined the club in 2019 after spending three years working with the Brazil national team as their technical director. Having made 127 appearances for Arsenal as a midfielder in the ‘Invincibles’ squad which won the 2003-04 Premier League title without losing a game, Edu’s appointment was greeted warmly by many supporters. He was brought in as part of a wider attempt to add sporting expertise following the departure of long-serving manager Arsene Wenger a year earlier.

Some of Edu’s early transfers were criticised, however, as fans questioned the closeness of his relationship with certain agents, but that negativity dissipated as a radical overhaul of the squad began following Arteta’s appointment to replace Unai Emery in December 2019. The Gunners were ruthless, paying up the contracts of nine first-team players to leave the club and, allied to concerted — and often intelligent — spending, results improved over time and Arsenal became serious contenders for the Premier League title again.

Edu was promoted from technical director to sporting director in November 2022 as a reflection of his influence, the club’s first-ever occupant of both positions. The move gave him formal responsibility for the academy as well as men’s and women’s football. Sources have told ESPN he was instrumental in recent modifications to Arsenal’s training base at London Colney and was often the troubleshooter in any disputes which arose there. Arteta used him as a sounding board — one source suggested Edu was one of the few people the Spaniard could “vent” his frustration at — and his charming, charismatic personality made him a popular figure both internally and externally.

Arteta described their “special chemistry” when reflecting on Edu’s exit on Tuesday. The pair were both essential in re-establishing core club values and driving up standards to improve the culture which had drifted into mediocrity during the latter part of Wenger’s 22-year reign, creating a stagnant feel Emery was unable to shake.

How did his departure arise?

Reports of interest in Edu from elsewhere surfaced in Brazil over the summer. A source told ESPN that around the end of the summer transfer window, senior figures at the club held an informal conversation with the 46-year-old in which those rumours were discussed, but nothing was explored further. There was no indication at that stage he had a formal offer to consider.

The situation gathered pace in the past fortnight, however. Another source told ESPN that Arsenal’s hierarchy became aware that something could be in the offing around two weeks ago and internal discussions began. Dialogue involving Edu, Arteta, executive vice-chair Tim Lewis, managing director Richard Garlick, and co-chair Josh Kroenke accelerated last weekend.

However, Edu had not indicated any intention to leave to a wider audience and did so only on Monday morning when he began to circulate the news at London Colney. Multiple sources have told ESPN that there was genuine shock among staff.

One source strongly rejects any notion that there was a power struggle which led to Edu’s exit, more that he was made a hugely lucrative offer which promised a much wider remit across several clubs than a one-club sporting director position could ever provide. Arsenal are technically part of a multi-club operation, given owners Kroenke Sports Enterprises (KSE) also count MLS franchise Colorado Rapids among several sports teams in their stable, but they do not pool players in the same way.

However, working with Marinakis offers something immediate, and reports have suggested Edu will be paid in the region of £5 million a year to oversee Forest, Olympiacos and Rio Ave. One source suggests Arsenal made a counter-offer to improve Edu’s salary but that was swiftly rejected as his mind was made up.

There had been minor disagreements involving Edu. Sources have told ESPN that the club were split over whether to sign Spain midfielder Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad, with Arteta particularly keen on adding his experience to the squad. Similarly, there was frustration at the loss of promising 16-year-old striker Chido Obi-Martin to Manchester United, with sources telling ESPN his relationship with the player’s agent had become strained. But sources insist these were small issues which inevitably crop up in such a role and Edu’s departure was greeted with both surprise and sadness by staff.

Sources said that Edu was emotional in addressing players and staff at London Colney on Tuesday when saying his final goodbyes before the squad flew to Italy for their Champions League game at Inter Milan. Sources added that he leaves on good terms with senior figures at the club.

play

Should Arsenal have signed some striker support for Kai Havertz?

Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens debate if Arsenal made a mistake in the transfer window by not signing an alternative option to forward Kai Havertz.

What will Arsenal do now?

It has been confirmed to ESPN that Edu has begun a six-month notice period and will not be involved in the day-to-day running of the club during that time. He cannot therefore begin work for Marinakis until late-April/early-May 2025. In the meantime, Edu’s assistant Jason Ayto will step up on an interim basis and assume some of the responsibilities that were vacated while the search for a successor begins.

Arsenal’s football management unit comprises Arteta, Garlick, Lewis, and James King reporting up to KSE, specifically owner Stan Kroenke and more often his son, Josh. King starts work at the club on Monday having rejoined to take up Garlick’s old role as director of football operations, after Garlick became managing director earlier this year when Vinai Venkatesham left.

Sources have told ESPN that several executives will fly out to Los Angeles on Monday to meet with the Kroenkes to discuss plans for the next two transfer windows. This meeting always takes place during the November international break and was not a specific response to Edu’s departure.

However, there is no succession plan in place given how central Edu was to Arsenal’s strategy and the unexpected nature of his departure. The club will hire a replacement for Edu but there is no timescale set for an appointment and a proper process will be followed. Arsenal have previously appointed individuals with a connection to the club in prominent roles — Edu, Arteta, and academy boss Per Mertesacker were all former players. However, this was a happy coincidence rather than a strategy and therefore the net will be cast much wider.

The club are yet to identify the right profile for a sporting director — some have a skillset suited to negotiating, others to mediation or presentation. There is an acknowledgment that Edu is an extremely difficult character to replace like-for-like given he offers the all-round package of experience and success in the role while also being a club legend.

Sources said there is no particular urgency in the context of transfers with the January transfer window looming. The mood around the club suggests that they are not likely to be particularly proactive in January, instead ready to respond if injuries deepen or a particular long-term target unexpectedly becomes available.

Edu’s exit has also not disrupted the appointment of a new Arsenal women’s head coach following Jonas Eidvall’s resignation. A source told ESPN the process is being led by director of women’s football Clare Wheatley and Ayto, with an appointment not thought to be close and Edu therefore not involved at such an early stage of the process.

There is also confidence drawn from King’s prior knowledge of the club — he left Arsenal in 2022 after six years to join the Professional Footballers’ Association as general counsel — and Ayto’s progression as Edu’s understudy. Sources have told ESPN that Ayto played an important role in reorganising Arsenal’s scouting system under Edu and has impressed senior figures at the club in the way he supported Edu on transfer policy. Ayto is also leading Arsenal’s ongoing attempts to become more clinical and aggressive with their academy, increasing the budget to sign players in younger age groups and developing player-specific pathways to first-team football rather than the catch-all approach of before.

Meanwhile, Garlick will take on some of Edu’s responsibilities and has experience in transfer negotiations from his previous role at Arsenal and past job at West Bromwich Albion. A source also said that the club feel they are in a strong place regarding contracts, given the club’s big names are all settled and tied down on relatively long-term deals.

That said, Edu’s exit creates a significant hole to fill and a degree of uncertainty about the future. Arteta claimed publicly that “the excitement, the passion, the understanding of where we want to take this journey remains intact.”

Time will tell if Edu’s departure is a surprise bump in the road or a turning point Arsenal will come to regret. They had an Invincible, but they may feel a little vulnerable now.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Edu has successfully overseen Arsenal’s transfers for the past five years. Why is he leaving so unexpectedly, and what will the Gunners do now?

Not currently rated by ESPN, Cole Leinart held several Power 4 offers and picked SMU over Colorado, Arizona and Utah to become the second member of coach Rhett Lashlee's 2026 class. ​ Not currently rated by ESPN, Cole Leinart held several Power 4 offers and picked SMU...

After unveiling the 2023-24 national championship banner, No. 3 UConn began its title defense with an impressive 92-56 victory over Sacred Heart. ​ After unveiling the 2023-24 national championship banner, No. 3 UConn began its title defense with an impressive 92-56...

The woman involved in an altercation that led to the arrest and suspension of Georgia wide receiver Colbie Young last month has retracted her statement to police and requested that all criminal charges against him be dropped. ​ The woman involved in an altercation...

Big East Conference preseason player of the year Ryan Kalkbrenner scored a career-high 49 points in a season-opening win against UT-Rio Grande Valley, the fifth-most scored in a game in Big East history. ​ Big East Conference preseason player of the year Ryan...

Mookie Betts is likely to move back to the infield, manning second base or shortstop, for the Dodgers in 2025. ​ Mookie Betts is likely to move back to the infield, manning second base or shortstop, for the Dodgers in 2025. Mookie Betts is likely to move back to the...

Multiple sources told ESPN that Cowboys QB Dak Prescott is likely to need a longer recovery period than four weeks even if he is placed on IR. ​ Multiple sources told ESPN that Cowboys QB Dak Prescott is likely to need a longer recovery period than four weeks even if...

JJ Redick was effusive in praising LeBron James' effort on a night when the Lakers coach said the rest of the team failed to compete in a 131-114 loss to Memphis. ​ JJ Redick was effusive in praising LeBron James' effort on a night when the Lakers coach said the rest...

Unpacking which teams should be most upset with the first CFP rankings of the year. ​ Unpacking which teams should be most upset with the first CFP rankings of the year. Unpacking which teams should be most upset with the first CFP rankings of the year.  playNo. 1...

West Ham’s Kudus has ban extended to 5 games​​

West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus’s ban has been extended to five matches and he has been fined £60,000 ($77,286) for violent conduct in last month’s defeat at Tottenham.

​West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus’s ban has been extended to five matches and he has been fined £60,000 ($77,286) for violent conduct in last month’s defeat at Tottenham. West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus’s ban has been extended to five matches and he has been fined £60,000 ($77,286) for violent conduct in last month’s defeat at Tottenham.   

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus’s ban has been extended to five matches and he has been fined £60,000 ($77,286) for violent conduct in last month’s defeat at Tottenham.

Neymar out 4-6 weeks, Al Hilal future in doubt​​

Neymar is expected to undergo treatment and rehabilitation lasting four to six weeks after suffering a hamstring injury.

​Neymar is expected to undergo treatment and rehabilitation lasting four to six weeks after suffering a hamstring injury. Neymar is expected to undergo treatment and rehabilitation lasting four to six weeks after suffering a hamstring injury.   

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Neymar is expected to undergo treatment and rehabilitation lasting four to six weeks after suffering a hamstring injury.

Dynamo decline 2025 option for Héctor Herrera​​

The Houston Dynamo announced the departure of Designated Player Héctor Herrera following the 2024 Major League Soccer campaign, after choosing to decline the forward’s 2025 contract option.

​The Houston Dynamo announced the departure of Designated Player Héctor Herrera following the 2024 Major League Soccer campaign, after choosing to decline the forward’s 2025 contract option. The Houston Dynamo announced the departure of Designated Player Héctor Herrera following the 2024 Major League Soccer campaign, after choosing to decline the forward’s 2025 contract option.   

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

The Houston Dynamo announced the departure of Designated Player Héctor Herrera following the 2024 Major League Soccer campaign, after choosing to decline the forward’s 2025 contract option.

Barça speaking ‘own language’ amid goal flurry​​

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick wants his team to keep their rampant scoring streak going after beating Red Star Belgrade 5-2 in the Champions League on Wednesday to extend their winning run to seven games in all competitions.

​Barcelona coach Hansi Flick wants his team to keep their rampant scoring streak going after beating Red Star Belgrade 5-2 in the Champions League on Wednesday to extend their winning run to seven games in all competitions. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick wants his team to keep their rampant scoring streak going after beating Red Star Belgrade 5-2 in the Champions League on Wednesday to extend their winning run to seven games in all competitions.   

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Nov 6, 2024, 07:08 PM ET

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick wants his team to keep their rampant scoring streak going after beating Red Star Belgrade 5-2 in the Champions League on Wednesday to extend their winning run to seven games in all competitions.

Barça have netted at least three times in each of those seven victories — including four against both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid — and have scored three or more goals in 10 of their 16 matches this season.

Across LaLiga and the Champions League, they have already netted 55 goals, an average of over 3.4 per game, and Flick says the players’ love for competing is driving them.

“The performances are really good,” Flick said in his post-game news conference. “I really enjoy the team and I think the results, they speak their own language.

“What we are doing, really focused in every match, you can see it. [The players] are doing good about the match plan we have. They realise it on the pitch and this is good to see.

“I hope [we can maintain it] — for sure we have the confidence. Not just because of this match, but because of the whole season we have played [until] now.

“The team is doing great because they love to play football and they love to compete against any team. The best of the best, they like to compete against every team. We want to be some time [in this form] and we are working hard for that.”

It’s the first time since 2011-12 Barça have managed three or more goals in three straight Champions League games, while the last time they scored three of more times in seven successive games in all competitions was in 2017.

The majority of the team’s goals have come from Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, with the duo both on target in the win in Belgrade, Barça’s third win in four European outings this season.

Lewandowski scored twice after Silas had cancelled out Iñigo Martínez‘s opener, with Raphinha and Fermín López killing the game off before Milson’s late consolation for the home side.

The goals were Lewandowski’s 18th and 19th of the season and his 98th and 99th in the Champions League. Only Cristiano Ronaldo (140) and Lionel Messi (129) have scored more.

“If I knew before, maybe I don’t change him,” Flick joked when asked about taking Lewandowski off in the second half with the Polish forward closing in on his 100th goal in the competition.

“But we have to also think about the next match against Real Sociedad in LaLiga on Sunday. Today he scored two really important goals. The first goal especially, to make it 2-1, was very important for us.”

Defender Jules Koundé also shone in the win, providing the assists for three of the five goals from right-back.

“He is a good example for the whole team,” Flick said of the French international. “We have a lot of players that improved a lot this season, they increase their performance and Jules is an absolute professional player.

“He is very focused on the pitch and in the training. I appreciate that. That he also today gave the last pass to the goals is really good to see.”

The three points, which moved Barça into the top eight in the new Champions League table, were slightly tainted by a nasty looking cut to centre-back Pau Cubarsí‘s face in the second half.

Flick played down the incident, though, and suggested the 17-year-old will be fit to face La Real at the weekend.

“Pau has a cut, but he’s doing good,” Flick said. “He’s OK. It’s needed some stitches, but he’s good. He’s laughing, so it’s OK.”

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick wants his team to keep their rampant scoring streak going after beating Red Star Belgrade 5-2 in the Champions League on Wednesday to extend their winning run to seven games in all competitions.

Emery: Mings handball ‘biggest mistake’ I’ve seen​​

Aston Villa’s winning run in the Champions League ended after a bizarre penalty incident Wednesday that coach Unai Emery described as the “biggest mistake” he’s ever seen in his career.

​Aston Villa’s winning run in the Champions League ended after a bizarre penalty incident Wednesday that coach Unai Emery described as the “biggest mistake” he’s ever seen in his career. Aston Villa’s winning run in the Champions League ended after a bizarre penalty incident Wednesday that coach Unai Emery described as the “biggest mistake” he’s ever seen in his career.   

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Aston Villa’s winning run in the Champions League ended after a bizarre penalty incident Wednesday that coach Unai Emery described as the “biggest mistake” he’s ever seen in his career.

Arteta slams penalty calls in Arsenal loss to Inter​​

Mikel Arteta has vented his anger at the denial of a “1000 percent penalty” and insisted Arsenal produced their best European display in years despite losing 1-0 at Inter Milan.

​Mikel Arteta has vented his anger at the denial of a “1000 percent penalty” and insisted Arsenal produced their best European display in years despite losing 1-0 at Inter Milan. Mikel Arteta has vented his anger at the denial of a “1000 percent penalty” and insisted Arsenal produced their best European display in years despite losing 1-0 at Inter Milan.   

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Mikel Arteta has vented his anger at the denial of a “1000 percent penalty” and insisted Arsenal produced their best European display in years despite losing 1-0 at Inter Milan.

Hakan Çalhanoglu‘s spot-kick in first-half stoppage-time settled a tight contest at Stadio San Siro and handed the Gunners a fresh setback in their Champions League campaign.

Mikel Merino was adjudged to have handled in the box 17 minutes after being involved in an incident at the other end of the pitch in which he was clattered by Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

“I don’t understand [the handball decision],” said Arteta.

“There is no danger at all. You cannot react because the ball is very close. But OK. They decide that is a penalty.

“But if that is a penalty then the one on Mikel Merino where he punches him in the head has to be a penalty 1000 percent. These are the margins in this game and it’s very difficult to accept.

“We were told at the start of the season that wasn’t a penalty. That was clear. Today it was a different story.”

After a slow start in which Denzel Dumfries hit the crossbar in the second minute, Arsenal increasingly dominated possession but were unable to find a way past Sommer.

The result leaves Arsenal 12th in the Champions League table.

Despite falling to their third defeat in six games across all competitions, Arteta was defiant ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Chelsea.

“All the big games we have played in Europe, this is by far the best one that we played in the last few years,” he said.

“If we play the way we played, we have a good chance to win against Chelsea.”

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Mikel Arteta has vented his anger at the denial of a “1000 percent penalty” and insisted Arsenal produced their best European display in years despite losing 1-0 at Inter Milan.

Fan’s death overshadows Bayern Munich UCL win​​

Bayern Munich are mourning the death of a fan who attended the team’s 1-0 win over Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday.

​Bayern Munich are mourning the death of a fan who attended the team’s 1-0 win over Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday. Bayern Munich are mourning the death of a fan who attended the team’s 1-0 win over Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday.   

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Bayern Munich are mourning the death of a fan who attended the team’s 1-0 win over Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Arena makes MLS return as San Jose coach, GM​​

The San Jose Earthquakes signed Bruce Arena to be the team’s sporting director and manager, the former LA Galaxy and United States coach told ESPN.

​The San Jose Earthquakes signed Bruce Arena to be the team’s sporting director and manager, the former LA Galaxy and United States coach told ESPN. The San Jose Earthquakes signed Bruce Arena to be the team’s sporting director and manager, the former LA Galaxy and United States coach told ESPN.   

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

The San Jose Earthquakes signed Bruce Arena to be the team’s sporting director and manager, the former LA Galaxy and United States coach told ESPN.

Champions League as it happened: Atlético stun PSG, Barca smash Red Star Belgrade​​

ESPN brings you live analysis and updates from match day four of the Champions League.

​ESPN brings you live analysis and updates from match day four of the Champions League. ESPN brings you live analysis and updates from match day four of the Champions League.   

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

ESPN brings you live analysis and updates from match day four of the Champions League.

On and off the pitch, uncertainty is starting to creep up at Arsenal​​

Defeat to Internazionale in the UEFA Champions League has only raised more questions about Arsenal’s run of form and how they can fix it.

​Defeat to Internazionale in the UEFA Champions League has only raised more questions about Arsenal’s run of form and how they can fix it. Defeat to Internazionale in the UEFA Champions League has only raised more questions about Arsenal’s run of form and how they can fix it.   

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MILAN — The uncertainty around Arsenal grows. Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat to Internazionale is not a severe blow to their UEFA Champions League hopes, but it does make a top-eight finish and the automatic qualification that comes with it more doubtful.

It continues a difficult week where uncertainty arose off the field in unexpected fashion with the abrupt departure of sporting director Edu Gaspar and questions grow over their durability in the Premier League title race after falling seven points behind leaders Liverpool. All three situations can be rescued and resolved, but the Gunners have been a picture of stability and sustained progress for more than two years. This is in danger of feeling different.

The breaks aren’t going their way at present. Injuries have disrupted their rhythm and manager Mikel Arteta was visibly frustrated with the officiating here at San Siro after Mikel Merino was denied a penalty at one end before conceding one at the other. With 28 minutes on the clock, Merino appeared to be taken out by goalkeeper Yann Sommer but VAR must have detected the faintest touch on the ball as a corner was awarded.

On the stroke of half-time, Merino handled a free kick in the box in one of those unfortunate incidents where the ball strikes his hand in what this competition’s interpretation of the rules deems an unnatural position, yet at the same time, it appears difficult to see what else he could have done. Arteta could not conceal his frustration.

“I don’t understand [the handball] decision,” he said. “There is no danger at all. You cannot react because the ball is very close. But OK, they decide that is a penalty.

“But if that is a penalty, then the one on Mikel Merino where he punches him in the head has to be a penalty 1,000%. These are the margins in this game and it’s very difficult to accept.

“We were told at the start of the season that wasn’t a penalty. That was clear. Today, it was a different story.”

Hakan Çalhanoglu stroked home his penalty and Inter had a lead to defend. And defend they did, as Inter had one shot in the second half as Arsenal dominated possession and probed for an equaliser.

They carried a greater threat than in defeat at Newcastle United last weekend but set pieces were their main weapon until a late onslaught pushed the total number of crosses into the box to 46 but nobody in the form to capitalise on them. It all felt a little predictable.

“The concern is the result and that in both boxes we didn’t do what we have to do,” said Arteta. “And then we didn’t, someone else didn’t. For sure this is the way I want to see my team.

“All the big games we have played in Europe, this is by far the best one that we played in the last few years.”

That final line is stretching the credibility of a manager defending his players somewhat, but it is a further sign Arteta believes there is nothing fundamentally wrong, more another case where luck and fine margins went against them.

Yet, there are too many players struggling below their best at present. This was another evening where Leandro Trossard took a backward step, Gabriel Martinelli looked blunted and Kai Havertz looked more like the player lost at Chelsea than the one found by Arsenal. The oft-repeated criticism that Arsenal should have done more to strengthen their attacking options in the summer transfer window will grow louder after this.

A lot is riding on Martin Ødegaard to restore the cutting edge to their football. Ødegaard made his long-awaited return from an ankle injury that has sidelined him for the Gunners since Aug. 31 in stoppage-time, but by then it was too late to really affect anything with Inter’s trench dug deep in their own box.

The Arsenal captain is a sublime player capable of knitting together a stuttering team, but it is a big ask to do so immediately following almost two months out. He may well only have come on against Inter because Havertz had to leave the field following a clash of heads that left him requiring stitches. And so, Arsenal ended beaten, bloodied and bowed.

Arteta insisted they will soon turn the corner. “If we play the way we played, we have a good chance to win against Chelsea,” he said.

“I told them I’m proud of them. I haven’t seen them play in Europe in the manner they have today. And we are very disappointed because we didn’t get what we wanted out of the game that’s for sure.”

It’s now three defeats in six games, which includes two in a row for the Gunners. They need a result at Stamford Bridge if that feeling of uncertainty is not to develop into something more ominous.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Defeat to Internazionale in the UEFA Champions League has only raised more questions about Arsenal’s run of form and how they can fix it.

Ruben Amorim has been hugely successful by playing an attacking brand of football with a three-man defence at Sporting Lisbon, but it might not suit Manchester United ​Ruben Amorim has been hugely successful by playing an attacking brand of football with a three-man...

The Dallas Cowboys dropped to 3-5 this season with a loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday - and owner Jerry Jones shared a message to the team's fans after the game ​The Dallas Cowboys dropped to 3-5 this season with a loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday - and...

Family can be brutal when it comes to constructive criticism, and Mike Tyson was advised by his kids to quash any plans of returning to boxing following his retirement, long before his Jake Paul bout ​Family can be brutal when it comes to constructive criticism, and...

Matt Whyman, author of new book 'Inside Mercedes F1: Life in the Fast Lane', gives Mirror Sport the inside story on Lewis Hamilton's decision to leave for Ferrari ​Matt Whyman, author of new book 'Inside Mercedes F1: Life in the Fast Lane', gives Mirror Sport the...

Arsenal suffered their second defeat in a row by losing 1-0 away to Inter Milan in the Champions League, leaving Mikel Arteta furious with referee Istvan Kovacs ​Arsenal suffered their second defeat in a row by losing 1-0 away to Inter Milan in the Champions League,...

The last man to beat boxing legend Mike Tyson in the ring has left the sport behind and is now working as a tree surgeon after fighting addiction for more than a decade ​The last man to beat boxing legend Mike Tyson in the ring has left the sport behind and is now...

Viktor Gyokeres furthered his profile with a hat-trick in the Champions League on Tuesday night amid links with Manchester United - but the Premier League outfit are set to have plenty of transfer competition ​Viktor Gyokeres furthered his profile with a hat-trick in...

Shola Shoretire remains Manchester United's youngest player to ever feature in a European game and will now return with PAOK for a Europa League clash at his old home ​Shola Shoretire remains Manchester United's youngest player to ever feature in a European game and...

Russell Wilson has been in inspired form since taking over as the Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback, leading the team to wins over the New York Jets and New York Giants ​Russell Wilson has been in inspired form since taking over as the Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback,...

Ruben Amorim will take over as Manchester United's new head coach on November 11 and former Red Devils star Dimitar Berbatov has issued a warning to the incoming boss ​Ruben Amorim will take over as Manchester United's new head coach on November 11 and former Red...

The Rangers will give Bruce Bochy the latitude to continue managing beyond 2025, a source told ESPN. ​ The Rangers will give Bruce Bochy the latitude to continue managing beyond 2025, a source told ESPN. The Rangers will give Bruce Bochy the latitude to continue...

Oilers superstar Connor McDavid is ready to return to the lineup against the Golden Knights after beating his initial two to three Tweek timeline for an ankle injury. ​ Oilers superstar Connor McDavid is ready to return to the lineup against the Golden Knights after...

Rory McIlroy said he has been hunkered down in a studio -- first in Florida, then in New York -- for three weeks, just hitting balls at a screen with a modified swing and not even looking at the flight of his shots. ​ Rory McIlroy said he has been hunkered down in a...

Rutgers star freshman Ace Bailey is out for Wednesday's game against Wagner after suffering an injury in practice on Monday, the school announced, delaying the debut of the projected top-five pick. ​ Rutgers star freshman Ace Bailey is out for Wednesday's game against...

Unbeaten Oregon is the No. 1 team in the first rankings released by the College Football Playoff selection committee, followed by Ohio State, Georgia, Miami and Texas. ​ Unbeaten Oregon is the No. 1 team in the first rankings released by the College Football Playoff...

Free agent pitcher Kyle Hendricks has agreed to a one year, $2.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels, sources familiar with the situation told ESPN. ​ Free agent pitcher Kyle Hendricks has agreed to a one year, $2.5 million contract with the Los Angeles...

Browns general manager Andrew Berry was noncommittal when asked Wednesday about quarterback Deshaun Watson's standing with the franchise. ​ Browns general manager Andrew Berry was noncommittal when asked Wednesday about quarterback Deshaun Watson's standing with the...

Two weeks into the season, some teams have had surprising slips while others are ascending the ranks. ​ Two weeks into the season, some teams have had surprising slips while others are ascending the ranks. Two weeks into the season, some teams have had surprising...

Cole Palmer might not feature for Chelsea in crunch clash against Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday at Stamford Bridge after being injured by Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez ​Cole Palmer might not feature for Chelsea in crunch clash against Arsenal in the...

Ruben Amorim takes over at Manchester United on Monday and he prefers a 3-4-3 formation which is not what the players have been used to at Old Trafford ​Ruben Amorim takes over at Manchester United on Monday and he prefers a 3-4-3 formation which is not what the...

Rory McIlroy has endured a brutal season, suffering painful near misses at numerous high profile tournaments as his agonizing 10-year wait for major championship glory goes on ​Rory McIlroy has endured a brutal season, suffering painful near misses at numerous high...

Donald Trump was re-elected President of the United States this week, defeating Democrat Kamala Harris at the polls, and celebrated in front of his voters at the Palm Beach Convention Center ​Donald Trump was re-elected President of the United States this week,...

Manchester United battled to a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at the weekend during Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first Premier League game at the helm but it was a costly weekend for the Red Devils ​Manchester United battled to a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at the weekend during Ruud van...

Mohammed Kudus has been fined £60,000 and had his suspension extended to five games after sparking row in West Ham's defeat away to rivals Tottenham last month ​Mohammed Kudus has been fined £60,000 and had his suspension extended to five games after sparking row in...

Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres took his goal tally for the season to 23 in 17 games on Wednesday by scoring a hat-trick in the Champions League against Manchester City ​Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres took his goal tally for the season to 23 in 17...

Noel Gallagher was a surprise member of the TNT Sports commentary team during Manchester City's Tuesday night game with Danny Murphy airing concerns around his involvement ​Noel Gallagher was a surprise member of the TNT Sports commentary team during Manchester City's...

Rory McIlroy has endured a number of tough moments throughout the 2024 campaign, and in a bid to improve the Northern Irishman has put himself through an intense three weeks ​Rory McIlroy has endured a number of tough moments throughout the 2024 campaign, and in a bid...

Ryan Giggs was named as Salford City's director of football earlier this year but the Welshman has begun getting involved in the dugout and during the pre-match warm-ups ​Ryan Giggs was named as Salford City's director of football earlier this year but the Welshman...

Guardiola on challenge facing Man City: I love it​​

Manchester City’s 4-1 Champions League defeat at Sporting on Tuesday saw them lose three matches in a row for the first time since 2018 but manager Pep Guardiola said he is looking forward to the challenge of getting them back on track.

​Manchester City’s 4-1 Champions League defeat at Sporting on Tuesday saw them lose three matches in a row for the first time since 2018 but manager Pep Guardiola said he is looking forward to the challenge of getting them back on track. Manchester City’s 4-1 Champions League defeat at Sporting on Tuesday saw them lose three matches in a row for the first time since 2018 but manager Pep Guardiola said he is looking forward to the challenge of getting them back on track.   

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Nov 6, 2024, 03:43 AM ET

Manchester City‘s 4-1 Champions League defeat at Sporting on Tuesday saw them lose three matches in a row for the first time since 2018 but manager Pep Guardiola said he is looking forward to the challenge of getting them back on track.

The defeat in Europe’s elite club competition came after they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Tottenham and had a 32-match unbeaten run in the Premier League ended by Bournemouth.

Injury-hit City were without Rodri, Jack Grealish, Rúben Dias and John Stones and gave a first start to 19-year-old defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey in the match.

“It is a tough challenge, but I am here. It will be a tough season — we knew that from the start. But this is what it is. I like it, I love it, I want to face it and lift my players and try it,” Guardiola told reporters.

“I have to try and find an explanation. Sometimes it is just football. We have to accept it. Life is that, sport is that.”

City, second in the Premier League behind Liverpool, travel to face eighth-placed Brighton on Saturday.

“We are coming back to Manchester to prepare the game against Brighton. I am not giving up. Maybe people are waiting but I am not giving up,” Guardiola said.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Manchester City’s 4-1 Champions League defeat at Sporting on Tuesday saw them lose three matches in a row for the first time since 2018 but manager Pep Guardiola said he is looking forward to the challenge of getting them back on track.

Onana: Man United squad can adapt to Amorim​​

André Onana has insisted that Manchester United’s squad can adapt to incoming boss Rúben Amorim’s tactical demands once the new head coach starts his job.

​André Onana has insisted that Manchester United’s squad can adapt to incoming boss Rúben Amorim’s tactical demands once the new head coach starts his job. André Onana has insisted that Manchester United’s squad can adapt to incoming boss Rúben Amorim’s tactical demands once the new head coach starts his job.   

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MANCHESTER, England — André Onana has insisted that Manchester United‘s squad can adapt to incoming boss Rúben Amorim’s tactical demands once the new head coach starts his job.

Amorim is set to start his reign at Old Trafford on Nov. 11 after caretaker Ruud van Nistelrooy has taken charge of United’s next two games.

There is set to be a switch from 4-3-3 to Amorim’s favoured 3-4-3 once the 39-year-old arrives from Sporting CP.

It has prompted questions about whether the squad will be able to cope with the change, but Onana, who revealed he watched Sporting’s impressive 4-1 win over Manchester City on Tuesday, says the players are ready for the challenge.

“It’s a different system but my teammates, we are all pragmatic,” Onana told a news conference on Wednesday.

“Everyone here is capable of doing it. It won’t be an issue for us.”

Amorim’s arrival has also raised questions about Van Nistelrooy’s long-term future. The Dutchman arrived as Erik ten Hag’s assistant in the summer before being promoted to interim boss last week.

The club are set to unveil a new backroom staff once Amorim has been unveiled and Van Nistelrooy has admitted he is still in the dark about whether he will be part of it.

“I haven’t spoken with him [Amorim],” Van Nistelrooy said. “No contact so far, so no changes in that. I don’t know when either.

“It’s difficult to comment on [my future] now. I am waiting for conversations to take place. I have to say that I feel the responsibility to do well over the next week and that is my job. I am focused on that.

“I welcome Ruben, I am happy to help him and that is the situation at the moment.”

United face PAOK in the Europa League on Thursday and have been given a boost ahead of the game with the return of Leny Yoro to team training.

The defender, a summer signing from Lille, is yet to make his competitive debut after suffering a broken foot during preseason. Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Mason Mount and Anthony also trained at Carrington on Wednesday, but Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo remain out.

“He [Yoro] has been managed very well since his injury in preseason,” Van Nistelrooy said.

“We knew it would be a long one. It’s a big moment for him, that first time he is back in team training. Obviously we will get him back partially over the coming weeks and look to get him back as quickly as possible.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

André Onana has insisted that Manchester United’s squad can adapt to incoming boss Rúben Amorim’s tactical demands once the new head coach starts his job.

Chelsea duo praise Bompastor’s smooth takeover​​

Chelsea duo Erin Cuthbert and Zecira Musovic praised new manager Sonia Bompastor following their unbeaten start to the season and the smooth transition to her leadership.

​Chelsea duo Erin Cuthbert and Zecira Musovic praised new manager Sonia Bompastor following their unbeaten start to the season and the smooth transition to her leadership. Chelsea duo Erin Cuthbert and Zecira Musovic praised new manager Sonia Bompastor following their unbeaten start to the season and the smooth transition to her leadership.   

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Chelsea duo Erin Cuthbert and Zecira Musovic praised new manager Sonia Bompastor following their unbeaten start to the season and the smooth transition to her leadership.

Ex-Brazil int’l Sandro signs for non-league team​​

Former Tottenham Hotspur and Brazil midfielder has signed for English seventh-tier side Harborough Town as they continue to make waves in the FA Cup.

​Former Tottenham Hotspur and Brazil midfielder has signed for English seventh-tier side Harborough Town as they continue to make waves in the FA Cup. Former Tottenham Hotspur and Brazil midfielder has signed for English seventh-tier side Harborough Town as they continue to make waves in the FA Cup.   

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Former Tottenham Hotspur and Brazil midfielder has signed for English seventh-tier side Harborough Town as they continue to make waves in the FA Cup.

Source: Madrid woe as Tchouaméni out for month​​

Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni will be out of action for a month, a source has told ESPN, after spraining his ankle in the club’s 3-1 Champions League defeat to AC Milan.

​Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni will be out of action for a month, a source has told ESPN, after spraining his ankle in the club’s 3-1 Champions League defeat to AC Milan. Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni will be out of action for a month, a source has told ESPN, after spraining his ankle in the club’s 3-1 Champions League defeat to AC Milan.   

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Nov 6, 2024, 10:04 AM ET

Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni will be out of action for a month, a source has told ESPN, after spraining his ankle in the club’s 3-1 Champions League defeat to AC Milan.

Tchouaméni was substituted at half-time in Tuesday’s loss at the Bernabéu, with the team trailing 2-1.

Madrid confirmed in a brief statement on Wednesday that Tchouaméni “has been diagnosed with a sprain in his left ankle.”

A source told ESPN that the France international was expected to miss four weeks of action.

That would see Tchouaméni absent for Saturday’s crucial LaLiga game with Osasuna, as Madrid look to make up ground on leaders Barcelona at the top of the table, and then France’s UEFA Nations League matches with Israel and Italy.

He would also miss Madrid’s LaLiga game with Leganés, a Champions League tie with Liverpool, and further league games with Getafe and Athletic Club.

Madrid have been hit by a series of injuries to key players this season.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and full-back Dani Carvajal both missed the defeat to Milan, while centre-back David Alaba is a long-term absentee as he recovers from an ACL tear.

Madrid’s players and coach Carlo Ancelotti are under pressure after being heavily beaten 4-0 at home by Barcelona in El Clásico, and then losing 3-1 to Milan.

In the Champions League, they have lost two of their four league phase ties, after they were earlier beaten 1-0 away at Lille.

They also struggled in their other two games, needing two late goals to beat Stuttgart 3-1, and coming back from 0-2 down to overcome Borussia Dortmund 5-2.

In LaLiga, Madrid are nine points behind Barcelona, having played one game fewer after last weekend’s game at Valencia was postponed.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni will be out of action for a month, a source has told ESPN, after spraining his ankle in the club’s 3-1 Champions League defeat to AC Milan.

Amorim tempers Utd expectations after City romp​​

Rúben Amorim has warned Manchester United supporters not to expect the his new team to play as Sporting CP does when he takes over the team.

​Rúben Amorim has warned Manchester United supporters not to expect the his new team to play as Sporting CP does when he takes over the team. Rúben Amorim has warned Manchester United supporters not to expect the his new team to play as Sporting CP does when he takes over the team.   

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Nov 6, 2024, 05:05 AM ET

Rúben Amorim has warned Manchester United supporters not to expect his new team to play as Sporting CP do when he takes over.

Expectations at Old Trafford are high after Amorim, who will take over as Man United’s new manager on Nov. 11, led Sporting to a 4-1 home win over Manchester City on Tuesday.

It was City’s first loss in the Champions League this season.

“It doesn’t mean anything,” Amorim said. “I’ve said it before. We can’t transfer one reality to another. Manchester United can’t play that defensively. It doesn’t mean anything, it’s going to be different team and world, no time to train. I would say it was a fluke, we were lucky in the game and I will make other assessments later.”

The impressive victory was Amorim’s last home game in charge of Sporting.

“I couldn’t ask for anything better,” he said. “But we had luck — this was a one off.”

Amorim, who has won two Portuguese league titles with Sporting since joining in 2020, including their first in 19 years, was given a standing ovation at the Alvalade stadium.

“It was a very important moment for all,” he said. “They [Sporting fans] know what I did for them and they know what they did for me. It’s a moment that I will cherish for life. We all deserved to have a moment like this. It wasn’t the best moment in Alvalade, that was when we lost to Manchester City 5-0 [in February 2022] and everyone applauded at the end.

“I take this to the Premier League, but when I get there it will be a different world. When I’m at the next club, the approach will have to be different.

“It’s going to be fun and I’m ready for the challenge.”

Amorim signed a contract at Old Trafford until 2027 with the option of an additional year held by the club.

In ending City’s record 26-game unbeaten run in the Champions League, Sporting also consigned the Premier League champions to a third straight loss in all competitions — something that hasn’t happened since April 2018.

Amorim is not getting carried away and said he has great respect for Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola.

“He’s so much better than me at the moment,” Amorim said. “But I believe a lot in my new club. We will start from a low level, and we will improve the team, the club.”

Amorim’s last game with Sporting will be Sunday’s league game at Braga.

Sporting have won all 10 of their league games this season and lead the standings, three points clear of FC Porto.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Rúben Amorim has warned Manchester United supporters not to expect the his new team to play as Sporting CP does when he takes over the team.

Mendy partially wins unpaid wages case vs. City​​

Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy on Wednesday won a partial victory in his case against the Premier League club for over 11 million pounds ($14.3 million) in unpaid wages, after he was charged with and acquitted of sexual offences.

​Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy on Wednesday won a partial victory in his case against the Premier League club for over 11 million pounds ($14.3 million) in unpaid wages, after he was charged with and acquitted of sexual offences. Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy on Wednesday won a partial victory in his case against the Premier League club for over 11 million pounds ($14.3 million) in unpaid wages, after he was charged with and acquitted of sexual offences.   

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy on Wednesday won a partial victory in his case against the Premier League club for over 11 million pounds ($14.3 million) in unpaid wages, after he was charged with and acquitted of sexual offences.

NWSL awards: Chawinga a lock for MVP, but who are coach, rookie of the year?​​

Who has starred in the NWSL this season? Jeff Kassouf weighs in with his picks for Most Valuable Player, Coach of the Year and more.

​Who has starred in the NWSL this season? Jeff Kassouf weighs in with his picks for Most Valuable Player, Coach of the Year and more. Who has starred in the NWSL this season? Jeff Kassouf weighs in with his picks for Most Valuable Player, Coach of the Year and more.   

Just like the top four teams in the NWSL were vastly superior to the rest of the pack this season, there are (in this humble writer’s opinion) a few obvious choices for individual awards.

That has been the story of this campaign: Last year’s historic parity was replaced by a landscape in which the best teams just kept winning and the bad teams couldn’t keep up. Top individual performers were also clearly superior to their peers in several cases.

With the regular season complete and the playoffs just days away, here are ESPN’s picks of the best players in the NWSL for 2024.

Most Valuable Player

Temwa Chawinga, Kansas City Current

I am one of the first people to argue that the Golden Boot winner should not automatically win the MVP award, and I’ve previously cast my votes with care to recognize players who consistently deliver in midfield and defense. This is not the year for that: Chawinga is the league MVP, and there is no argument.

Chawinga scored 20 goals in her first season in the league, breaking Sam Kerr‘s previous mark of 18. The Malawi star proved to be an electric forward from her debut in March, adapting quickly to read defenses and time her runs accordingly. Her speed is as unmatched as her work ethic, and she uses both skills to get behind defenses and to track back when the Current get caught in transition.

Chawinga also showed off her range of technical abilities with the type of goals she has scored this season, from line-drive shots and tap-ins, to the recent game-winning chip in the Summer Cup. (Yes, the latter does not technically count toward this MVP award, but it’s illustrative of her skill.)

The MVP race looked like a neck-and-neck battle between two newcomers, Chawinga and Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda, but Banda only scored once following the Olympic break in July and early August. Since the league’s return, however, Chawinga has delivered with incredible consistency, scoring eight goals in the nine games she played — with one tally each in all eight of those matches.

It’s scary to think that the best single-season goal scorer in league history is an unfinished product, but the 26-year-old has plenty of room to grow. She should be tormenting NWSL defenses for years to come.

Honorable mentions

Barbra Banda, Orlando Pride: Thirteen goals could have won her a Golden Boot in some previous seasons. She is the proven goal scorer the Pride has needed, and a big reason Orlando set records en route to the NWSL Shield.

Trinity Rodman, Washington Spirit: Eight goals and six assists only tells part of the story for a player who looks largely unstoppable when she gets the ball on the wing. Her confidence is through the roof, and the world is taking notice.

Coach of the Year

Seb Hines, Orlando Pride

Let’s rattle off a few stats: 23 games unbeaten to start the season, 60 points, 18 wins, an eight-game winning streak. All of those set new league records. All of those were achieved by an Orlando team that any careful observer knew was much improved, but that even the most partisan fan could not have imagined would put together arguably the best season in league history.

Credit to the players, yes, and credit to Hines, whose rise from an assistant coach under three different regimes to an interim coach who earned himself the job — and became the first full-time Black head coach in NWSL history — is a remarkable story.

Even with Banda and Marta as headline names, Orlando’s roster on paper doesn’t match the firepower of the rest of the top four in the league. Orlando, however, has gotten career-year performances from almost every player, including less-heralded names like the versatile Kerry Abello, Kylie Strom, and Summer Yates.

Hines has also nailed the tactics, including in heavyweight showdowns against Kansas City, with every player fully buying into their role. As Marta said after Orlando won the Shield (the franchise’s first trophy), we might never see another season like this. Hines was the conductor of this magnificent orchestra.

Honorable mentions

Juan Carlos Amoros, NJ/NY Gotham FC: After winning a championship last year, Gotham attracted a quartet of USWNT stars. Like Hines in Orlando, however, Amoros has gotten the most out of every player, reaching deep into his roster to earn results — including a late-season victory over the Pride.

Jonatan Giráldez and Adrián González, Washington Spirit: Giráldez arrived from Barcelona midseason after González guided the ship as interim, and together they combined to lead the Spirit to a second-place finish and 18 wins, tying Orlando’s new league record.

Vlatko Andonovski, Kansas City Current: Offseason signings like Chawinga and Bia Zaneratto paid off in a big way as Kansas City contended for the Shield most of the season, one year after finishing second-from-bottom. Andonovski’s decision to overhaul his goalkeeper and center-back combination in the summer also stabilized the team defensively.

Rookie of the Year

Croix Bethune, Washington Spirit

Bethune tallied five goals and 10 assists in only 17 games while earning herself a place on the USWNT’s Olympic roster (and, ultimately, a gold medal) despite being uncapped at the time the roster was named. Her 10 assists tied Tobin Heath‘s record from 2016.

Imagine what Bethune could have done if she hadn’t missed the final nine matches due to a torn meniscus that she suffered while throwing out a celebratory first pitch at a baseball game?

Bethune’s composure on the ball is that of a veteran, and her vision made her one of the best attacking midfielders in the NWSL this year, regardless of any qualifiers about age or experience. She was a rookie playing at MVP-worthy levels, much like defender Naomi Girma did for the San Diego Wave in 2022.

Bethune was under pressure entering the season as the No. 10 expected to replace Ashley Sanchez after two huge draft-day trades. While Sanchez has excelled with the North Carolina Courage, Bethune filled the role brilliantly, allowing Rodman and striker Ouleye Sarr to thrive around her.

Despite her injury, Bethune still ended the season tied with Banda for the most goal-creating actions (18), per FBRef.

Honorable mentions

Hal Hershfelt, Washington Spirit: Bethune was the No. 3 pick in the draft and Hershfelt was the No. 5 pick. They both became immediate starters in Washington and made the trip to France for the Olympics with the USWNT. Hershfelt is a more understated workhorse who patrols the deeper areas of the midfield.

Claire Hutton, Kansas City Current: Earlier this year, an executive at another NWSL team told ESPN that the 18-year-old Hutton is “the real deal,” while Andonovski said she could play at the 2027 World Cup. Hutton owned the holding mid role typically reserved for veterans, only missing time for the Under-20 World Cup.

Emma Sears, Racing Louisville FC: A recent call-up to the USWNT — and historic one goal, one assist debut — confirmed Sears is a winger with special talent, even if she wasn’t a focal point of Louisville’s attack.

Ally Sentnor, Utah Royals: The stats (three goals, four assists) won’t wow anyone, but Sentnor’s talent is clear even amid Utah’s early-season struggles. A USWNT look at the January futures camp should follow.

Midfielder of the Year

Vanessa DiBernardo, Kansas City Current

This is a newly created award and thus the voting could go in any direction. And what is the point of creating this award if not to honor those whose work goes beyond goals and assists? And how many great midfielders of yesteryear won nothing at all because they weren’t the flashy, scoring types?

Bethune would be a justified winner of this award, too, but this season has featured numerous vintage performances by NWSL veterans who turned back the clock. It might be the hardest decision of all the awards, and my vote is going to the do-everything midfielder who is the common denominator in so much of Kansas City’s success.

DiBernardo is Kansas City’s engine. Sure, it helps to have Chawinga, Zaneratto, Debinha, and Michelle Cooper to find with a final pass, and DiBernardo has done that too with six assists. She has also scored some spectacular goals — five total this season, including from open play, free kicks, and the historic first goal in CPKC Stadium history.

But the intangibles run deep for the 32-year-old DiBernardo, and she is very much the glue to this team. DiBernardo has done everything for Kansas City: from playing as an attacking midfielder tasked with linking up play, to more defensive roles, like when Kansas City sat in conservatively for a scoreless draw in Orlando.

Honorable mentions

Marta, Orlando Pride: Marta is having her best NWSL season to date at 38 years old. She finished the regular season with nine goals, capped off by Saturday’s incredible game-winner. She’s playing with joy and freedom we haven’t seen in years, and she is doing it in a free No. 10 role. Marta ranks 16th in the league in chances created, per TruMedia.

Ashley Sanchez, North Carolina Courage: The best possession team in the league runs through Sanchez, who is playing with more freedom than she ever had in Washington. Her form earned her a USWNT recall this fall.

Taylor Flint, Racing Louisville FC: Flint was the best defensive midfielder in the league this year in several statistical categories, including tackles and interceptions. She likely didn’t get as much attention for her work because it is an unglamorous position, and Louisville was too inconsistent as a team.

Defender of the Year

Emily Sams, Orlando Pride

USWNT head coach Emma Hayes said in June that Sams was arguably the best player of the NWSL season at that point. Hayes had just named Sams as an Olympic alternate following injury to Catarina Macario, and Sams would go on to earn the rare feat of winning an Olympic gold medal (by making a gameday roster) while remaining uncapped.

Sams took time to grow into her role as a rookie in 2023, adapting to the NWSL for a Pride team that was undergoing its own wider transformation. This year, she was the central anchor to a defense that earned 13 shutouts. Her one-on-one defending is spectacular, and she is exceptional at recovering in the rare moments she or her team get caught out of position.

Orlando’s defending has truly been a team effort that starts with smart pressure from the forward line, but Sams is the standout among many high performers for the Pride.

At 25, Sams has a shot at becoming a long-term answer at center-back for the USWNT alongside Girma (who is arguably the best defender in the world, but had few opportunities to shine in league play this year due to San Diego’s wretched season).

Honorable mentions

Kaleigh Kurtz, North Carolina Courage: Kurtz has played every single minute at center-back for the Courage for three straight seasons. Her game isn’t flashy (central partner Malia Berkely is the big-pass distributor), but she is consistent. Per TruMedia Kurtz ranked second in the league in blocked shots and expected goals prevented by blocked shots.

Tara McKeown, Washington Spirit: McKeown earned her first ironwoman award this season, an incredible feat considering she spent last season learning the center-back position as a converted forward. She ranked third in the league in tackles, per TruMedia.

Goalkeeper of the Year

Ann-Katrin Berger, NJ/NY Gotham FC

We’ve saved the most difficult award for last. Several goalkeepers have strong cases to win this award, but Berger gets this writer’s vote for a few reasons.

For one, Berger has dealt with rotation in front of her in a way that Orlando’s Anna Moorhouse has not. That continuity goes a long way in establishing a defensive unit. Gotham has been strong defensively despite rotation in front of her thanks in large part to Berger’s shot-stopping ability.

Berger ranked first in the league in post-shot expected goals minus goals allowed, a measurement of shot-stopping ability per FBRef. She frequently makes outrageous, difficult saves.

Berger is also a savvy player capable of sparking Gotham’s attack from a quick throw or an accurate punt upfield. There are goalkeepers whose teams hope to play through and then there are goalkeepers who can serve as an extra playmaker. Berger is the latter.

Honorable mentions

Anna Moorhouse, Orlando Pride: A league record 13 shutouts in a season, and a first call-up to England, made for a career year for Moorhouse. She might rightfully feel slighted if she doesn’t win this award, but Berger has the individual statistical edge in shot-stopping categories as well as with her feet.

Mandy Haught, Utah Royals FC: Yes, she conceded 34 goals, but Utah was awful for the first half of the season. Haught still ranked second in the league in post-shot expected goals minus goals allowed. Like when Alyssa Naeher won this award in 2014 while playing for a bad Boston Breakers team, Haught was spectacular individually and when considering the circumstances.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Who has starred in the NWSL this season? Jeff Kassouf weighs in with his picks for Most Valuable Player, Coach of the Year and more.

Republican former baseball star Steve Garvey was defeated by Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff on Tuesday in the race for the California U.S. Senate seat long held by the late Dianne Feinstein. ​ Republican former baseball star Steve Garvey was defeated by Democratic Rep....

Blues forward Dylan Holloway was hit in the neck area by a puck late in the first period Tuesday night and departed on a stretcher before being taken to a hospital for observation. ​ Blues forward Dylan Holloway was hit in the neck area by a puck late in the first...

Lamar Jackson didn't practice Tuesday, but Ravens coach John Harbaugh said his star quarterback will be playing Thursday night against the Bengals. ​ Lamar Jackson didn't practice Tuesday, but Ravens coach John Harbaugh said his star quarterback will be playing...

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy posted an apology Tuesday night for comments he made during his weekly Monday news conference, where he suggested fans being negative about the 3-6 Cowboys "can't pay their own bills." ​ Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy posted an apology...

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has started talks with agent Scott Boras about keeping Juan Soto with New York, and they also discussed power-hitting first baseman Pete Alonso. ​ Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has started talks with agent Scott Boras...

Joel Embiid's suspension will span the 76ers' next three games, with his return set for next Tuesday vs. the Knicks. ​ Joel Embiid's suspension will span the 76ers' next three games, with his return set for next Tuesday vs. the Knicks. Joel Embiid's suspension will...

Shohei Ohtani had surgery Tuesday to repair a labrum tear after partially dislocating his shoulder during the World Series, the Dodgers announced. ​ Shohei Ohtani had surgery Tuesday to repair a labrum tear after partially dislocating his shoulder during the World...

Lightning strike kills player during match in Peru​​

Lightning killed a 34-year-old player and injured four others during a football match in the Peruvian Andes.

​Lightning killed a 34-year-old player and injured four others during a football match in the Peruvian Andes. Lightning killed a 34-year-old player and injured four others during a football match in the Peruvian Andes.   

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Lightning killed a 34-year-old player and injured four others during a football match in the Peruvian Andes.

Lozano, Giménez out for Mexico’s NL quarterfinals​​

High-profile injured stars Santiago Giménez and Hirving “Chucky” Lozano were left out of Mexico’s 27-man roster that will take part in a two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal with Honduras on Nov. 15 and 19.

​High-profile injured stars Santiago Giménez and Hirving “Chucky” Lozano were left out of Mexico’s 27-man roster that will take part in a two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal with Honduras on Nov. 15 and 19. High-profile injured stars Santiago Giménez and Hirving “Chucky” Lozano were left out of Mexico’s 27-man roster that will take part in a two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal with Honduras on Nov. 15 and 19.   

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

High-profile injured stars Santiago Giménez and Hirving “Chucky” Lozano were left out of Mexico’s 27-man roster that will take part in a two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal with Honduras on Nov. 15 and 19.

Club World Cup: No player rest days after WCQs​​

Teams competing in next year’s FIFA Club World Cup must arrive in the United States three to five days before their first game, FIFA confirmed on Tuesday.

​Teams competing in next year’s FIFA Club World Cup must arrive in the United States three to five days before their first game, FIFA confirmed on Tuesday. Teams competing in next year’s FIFA Club World Cup must arrive in the United States three to five days before their first game, FIFA confirmed on Tuesday.   

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Teams competing in next year’s FIFA Club World Cup must arrive in the United States three to five days before their first game, FIFA confirmed via tournament rules published on Tuesday.

This leaves players facing the prospect of no rest days between international World Cup qualifiers and the start of the club tournament.

FIFA has contacted qualified teams for the 2025 Club World Cup — a 32-team, 63-game tournament which starts on June 15 — with their rules and regulations for the tournament which will conclude with a final at a yet-to-be-announced venue on July 13.

As part of the newly disseminated rules, clubs were also told they must field their strongest teams in games and face fines if they fail to do so, the source told ESPN.

The tournament, a project driven by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, has led to growing unrest within the game as players’ unions and league associations taking action against FIFA in the European courts.

Leading players have also voiced their concern over the amount of games they are being forced to play with coaches including Manchester City‘s Pep Guardiola and Real Madrid‘s Carlo Ancelotti complaining about the workload on their squads.

And with an international break scheduled between June 6-10 next year for qualifying games for the 2026 World Cup, FIFA’s insistence on clubs arriving in the U.S. three to five days before their first game could see international players forced to represent their national team less than a week before playing in the Club World Cup.

The Champions League final is due to be staged in Munich on May 31 — a week before the international break — and it raises the prospect of players from City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich going from a Champions League final, into and international round of fixtures, and then the Club World Cup without the prospect of a break until mid-July.

FIFA’s Club World Cup regulations also state that owners cannot have shares in more than one club and team must have a tournament squad of 26-35 players, with special transfer windows opened between June 1-10.

FIFA will judge any disputes between Club World Cup teams who each want to take the same player to the tournament.

The tournament straddles the June 30 date when player contracts typically expire — as Kylian Mbappé‘s did when moving in July as a free agent to Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain — and has forced FIFA to find solutions for new transfer issues.

Potential free agents at qualified teams include Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, Bayern Munich trio Alphonso Davies, Joshua Kimmich and Leroy Sané, Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries and Madrid’s Ferland Mendy.

Pending free agents can officially start talks in January with other clubs and reach agreements to sign for them next season.

However, the June 15 start of the Club World Cup is technically still this season and FIFA has given member federations the option of opening an exceptional transfer window from June 1-10 to push deals through.

It means players in Europe could play for one team in the Champions League final on May 31 and for a different team 15 days later at the Club World Cup.

FIFA also will let Club World Cup teams change their squad list mid-tournament, from June 27-July 3 to “replace players whose contracts have naturally expired.”

However, players can represent only one team at the Club World Cup and would not be eligible to transfer and play for another in the second half of the tournament.

FIFA has yet to confirm tournament prize money or details of the tournament draw, which is expected early in December.

The 32nd and last entry, from South America, will be decided on Nov. 30 by the Copa Libertadores final between Brazilian teams Atlético Mineiro and Botafogo in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Teams qualified by winning a continental club championship from 2020 to 2024, or were ranked highly by consistently good results in competitions. Countries were limited to two entries unless they had more than two title winners. Brazil will have four teams in the U.S. and Mexico will have three.

FIFA added Lionel Messi‘s club Inter Miami to the lineup last month to represent the host nation based on its regular-season record, rather than wait for the MLS Cup final on Dec. 7. Inter Miami will play in the opening game at the Miami Dolphins stadium.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Teams competing in next year’s FIFA Club World Cup must arrive in the United States three to five days before their first game, FIFA confirmed on Tuesday.

Ancelotti: Madrid ‘should be worried’ by Milan loss​​

Carlo Ancelotti said his Real Madrid team “should be worried” after they were beaten 3-1 at home by AC Milan in the Champions League, in their first game since losing 4-0 to Barcelona in El Clásico.

​Carlo Ancelotti said his Real Madrid team “should be worried” after they were beaten 3-1 at home by AC Milan in the Champions League, in their first game since losing 4-0 to Barcelona in El Clásico. Carlo Ancelotti said his Real Madrid team “should be worried” after they were beaten 3-1 at home by AC Milan in the Champions League, in their first game since losing 4-0 to Barcelona in El Clásico.   

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Carlo Ancelotti said his Real Madrid team “should be worried” after they were beaten 3-1 at home by AC Milan in the Champions League, in their first game since losing 4-0 to Barcelona in El Clásico.

Slot gushes over Liverpool’s Díaz: ‘Like him a lot’​​

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Arne Slot said he “loves” Luis Díaz just like fans in Liverpool and Colombia after the forward scored a Champions League hat trick in a 4-0 win against Bayer Leverkusen at Anfield.

Liverpool moved clear at the top of the Champions League table with a fourth straight win in this season’s competition following Díaz’s hat trick and a Cody Gakpo header. But with Díaz being handed an unfamiliar central role by Slot, the Colombia international took advantage by scoring three times in 29 minutes against the German champions.

And Liverpool coach Slot said he has as much affection for Díaz as the fans after watching him net his hat trick.

“Not only do people in Colombia love ‘Lucho,’ the fans in Liverpool love him too,” Slot said. “I heard many times the fans singing his song and the manager likes him a lot as well. I don’t love him, but I like him a lot.”

“It’s not possible for every player to play every game. I only have four attackers available with the injuries we have and, with the fixture list it’s impossible to play them. But for me, ‘Lucho’ is a starter.”

Diaz has scored 9 goals in 15 games in all competitions for Liverpool this season and become a key figure for Slot. And he paid tribute to the former Feyenoord coach for quickly filling the void left by former manager Jurgen Klopp.

“Things have gone so well with the new manager, it wasn’t easy for him to come in and fill Jurgen Klopp’s shoes,” Diaz said. “Hopefully, we’ll have something to show for it at the end of the season.

“The most important thing is the three points in this edition of the Champions League so we can keep progressing in the competition.

“We have top-quality players all over the pitch and I really enjoyed playing in that position today. I’m just happy to be on the pitch.

“I need to go and find that ball now because I need to keep it somewhere special at home.”

Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso was coaching a team at Anfield for the first time, having played for Liverpool between 2004 and 2009 — a period in which he helped the club win the Champions League in 2005. He said the defeat against his former team was “painful.”

“The result is painful, the performance is more painful,” Alonso said. “It can happen that you come to Anfield and lose. To lose 4-0 is not nice.

“They are a top, top team and they punished us. It was a pity we couldn’t hold 1-0 for 15 to 20 minutes. They did it against Brighton, they did it against us.

“To be a top, top team, we need to go through those difficult moments — to suffer in moments that are not that nice, especially in the Champions League. That can happen in this competition.”

In addition to topping the Champions League, Liverpool are also leading the Premier League with 25 points from 10 games, two points ahead of second-placed Manchester City.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

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Amorim: Pep ‘so much better than me’ right now​​

Rúben Amorim attempted to play down expectations at Manchester United after leading current club Sporting CP to a 4-1 victory over Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday.

​Rúben Amorim attempted to play down expectations at Manchester United after leading current club Sporting CP to a 4-1 victory over Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday. Rúben Amorim attempted to play down expectations at Manchester United after leading current club Sporting CP to a 4-1 victory over Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday.   

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Nov 5, 2024, 07:17 PM ET

Rúben Amorim attempted to play down expectations at Manchester United, insisting he is not yet on the level of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, despite leading current club Sporting CP to a 4-1 victory over City in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Amorim, who will take over as Man United’s new manager on Nov. 11, endeared himself to fans of his new club by leading his soon-to-be former side to a stunning win in Lisbon.

Ahead of his final home game in charge of Sporting after more than four years, Amorim had quipped that United fans “will think that the new Sir Alex Ferguson has arrived” if he was able to lead Sporting to victory over City — one of the favorites for the European title.

While that might be too strong — after all, Ferguson is regarded as one of soccer’s greatest managers after his trophy-laden spell at Old Trafford from 1986-2013 — United supporters might be thinking they finally have a coach who can bring the good times back to a club that have lost their way since Ferguson’s departure more than a decade ago.

Someone who can take on — and beat — City’s esteemed manager Pep Guardiola, too.

“He’s so much better than me at the moment,” Amorim said, “but I believe a lot in my new club. We will start from a low level, and we will improve the team, the club.”

Especially if Amorim eventually brings Viktor Gyökeres with him to Manchester.

The Sweden striker led Sporting’s fightback from a goal down at Estadio Jose Alvalade by netting a hat trick — including two penalties — in a stunning result in the fourth round of league games in the revamped competition. That’s 23 goals in 17 games for Gyökeres this season.

Amorim has already said he wouldn’t look to sign Gyökeres in January but expects the striker to be heading to a bigger team at the end of the season.

“Viktor has to stay until the end of the season,” Amorim said, “and then his life maybe is going somewhere else.”

Sporting fans unfurled a huge banner ahead of kickoff bearing the message “Obrigado (thank you) Ruben Amorim,” five days after the 39-year-old coach signed to become the new United manager. His move to Old Trafford was delayed, allowing him to complete his commitments with Sporting, which included the match against City and concludes with a trip to Braga on Sunday.

His first game in charge will be against Ipswich Town after the international break and he will be up against Guardiola and City again in December. He knows the challenge will be a bigger one to that in Lisbon where he says he has enjoyed the “best phase of his life.”

“When I’m at the next club, the approach will have to be different. Not much is taken from here because we will have to play differently in the future,” he said.

“Both are historic clubs. It will certainly be a different game.”

He has already vowed not to read the newspapers once he arrives in England.

“I’m certainly not going to read anything for six months. I did the same at Sporting. I’m not going to read anything or have access to anything. It’s the only way to do my job.” he said.

Amorim was thrown in the air by Sporting’s players after the game and walked around the field with the team in a farewell to fans.

“Of course we will miss him a lot, we have done amazing things together,” Gyökeres said of Amorim, who has led Sporting to two Portuguese league titles in his four full seasons at the club.

“We have to look forward to the next challenge ahead of us, but first of all we have another game in Sunday.”

And on the future for Sporting, he said his replacement will inherit a strong foundation.

“The coach who comes will have a good legacy. Above all, there will be a structured club, which has won in recent years, and an intelligent audience that will realise that it will be necessary to give the next coach time to fine-tune some things.”

In ending City’s record 26-game unbeaten run in the Champions League, Sporting also consigned the Premier League champions to a third straight loss in all competitions — and that hasn’t happened since April 2018.

Erling Haaland missed a penalty in the 69th minute for City when the score was 3-1. City had taken the lead through Phil Foden in the fourth minute.

“It was written, because the first half was very tough on us,” Amorim said. “We were very lucky, but then the second half we scored twice in the first minutes and the environment, everything, helped us. lt was an amazing night.”

Information from The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Rúben Amorim attempted to play down expectations at Manchester United after leading current club Sporting CP to a 4-1 victory over Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Silva: Man City in ‘dark place’ after Sporting rout​​

Manchester City’s shock 4-1 defeat away at Sporting in the Champions League on Tuesday has left them in a “dark place,” according to captain Bernardo Silva.

​Manchester City’s shock 4-1 defeat away at Sporting in the Champions League on Tuesday has left them in a “dark place,” according to captain Bernardo Silva. Manchester City’s shock 4-1 defeat away at Sporting in the Champions League on Tuesday has left them in a “dark place,” according to captain Bernardo Silva.   

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Nov 5, 2024, 06:38 PM ET

Manchester City‘s shock 4-1 defeat away at Sporting CP in the Champions League on Tuesday has left them in a “dark place,” according to captain Bernardo Silva.

A hat trick by Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres saw Sporting hit back from a goal down to stun Pep Guardiola’s 2022-23 European champions who have now lost three games in a row in all competitions for the first time since 2018.

“In the beginning of the second half, we just gave them too many opportunities to be there and to score goals,” the Portugal midfielder said. “Disappointing, because we’re a bit in a dark place right now, and everything looks to be going the wrong way even when we play well.

“Definitely, we need to look inside, check what we’re not doing well and start being better very quickly. Otherwise it will be difficult to come back from these losses.”

While injury-hit City are certainly not in a crisis, the English champions have experienced a humbling week.

First they were knocked out of the League Cup by Tottenham Hotspur, then their 32-match unbeaten run in the Premier League was ended by Bournemouth at the weekend.

When Phil Foden gave them an early lead in Lisbon on Tuesday they seemed to have clicked back into gear and but for some wayward finishing they might have been out of sight.

But the way they lost control of the match after Gyokeres equalised close to half-time was completely unexpected.

They fell behind immediately after the interval and then conceded two needless penalties, both converted by Gyokeres, either side of Erling Haaland blasting a spot kick against the crossbar.

“It’s football, and look, as I said, it’s difficult to find reasons for what’s happening right now to us,” Bernardo Silva said. “I don’t remember in seven and a half seasons this team losing three games in a row. It just looks like everything is going in the wrong way right now.

“Obviously, we need to do better. Our injured players need to come back because we need them. And it’s just not good enough at the minute.”

City, who were without the likes of Rodri, Jack Grealish, Rúben Dias and John Stones and gave a first start to 19-year-old defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, are away at Brighton and Hove Albion at the weekend in the Premier League.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Manchester City’s shock 4-1 defeat away at Sporting in the Champions League on Tuesday has left them in a “dark place,” according to captain Bernardo Silva.

Pulisic helps Milan to ‘special’ win at Real Madrid​​

Christian Pulisic hailed AC Milan’s win at the home of Champions League holders Real Madrid as a “really special night” after the United States star helped set the Italian side on the path to a memorable 3-1 victory at the Bernabeu.

​Christian Pulisic hailed AC Milan’s win at the home of Champions League holders Real Madrid as a “really special night” after the United States star helped set the Italian side on the path to a memorable 3-1 victory at the Bernabeu. Christian Pulisic hailed AC Milan’s win at the home of Champions League holders Real Madrid as a “really special night” after the United States star helped set the Italian side on the path to a memorable 3-1 victory at the Bernabeu.   

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Nov 5, 2024, 06:03 PM ET

Christian Pulisic hailed AC Milan‘s win at the home of Champions League holders Real Madrid as a “really special night” after the United States star helped put the Italian side on the path to a memorable 3-1 victory at the Bernabeu on Tuesday.

Pulisic sent in a corner for Malick Thiaw to head the visitors into a 12th-minute lead before subsequent goals from Álvaro Morata and Tijjani Reijnders ensured back-to-back wins for Milan.

“Amazing result for us,” Pulisic told CBS Sports. “I mean to come here and play is, of course, not easy [because of] their history in the Champions League.

“A tough place to come and play, so for us to put on a performance like that and win the game, obviously a really special night for us.”

Vinícius Júnior had equalized from the penalty spot in the 23rd for Madrid after he’d been tripped in the box.

But Pulisic again played a role as Milan went back ahead. His pass into the box found Rafael Leão, whose shot was saved by Andriy Lunin only for Morata to pounce on the rebound and restore the visitors’ lead against his former club.

Morata had already been given a hostile reception from the home fans, who evidently remember the goal he scored to take Juventus through to the 2015 final at their team’s expense.

Reijnders scored Milan’s third goal as the home fans made their frustrations known at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

It was Milan’s first win against Madrid in 15 years, handing last year’s champions back-to-back defeats for the first time since October 2021.

“We won because the players had the courage to come here and not be afraid of anything, playing the game we wanted,” Milan head coach Paulo Fonseca told a postgame news conference.

“We prepared for a match in which we wanted to keep the ball; in the first half we did important things and in the second half we suffered more, but we deserved to win, no doubt about it.”

Milan now have six points and sit 18th after four of their eight games of the new 36-team league phase of the Champions League, which would be good enough for a spot in the playoffs for the quarterfinals.

It has been a tough start to the season in Serie A, however, with Milan sitting seventh ahead of a trip to Cagliari on Saturday.

“Our coach just said enjoy tonight, we got to rest up tomorrow because we’ve got a big game coming this weekend and if we don’t win that one then this doesn’t mean anything,” Pulisic said.

“So we’re going to try to enjoy as a team tonight, have a little celebration, but tomorrow it’s right back to work.”

Information from The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Christian Pulisic hailed AC Milan’s win at the home of Champions League holders Real Madrid as a “really special night” after the United States star helped set the Italian side on the path to a memorable 3-1 victory at the Bernabeu.

Liverpool wanted Alonso, but Slot proves he’s the better choice​​

Arne Slot’s hiring proved that the Reds made the better decision.

​Arne Slot’s hiring proved that the Reds made the better decision. Arne Slot’s hiring proved that the Reds made the better decision.   

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LIVERPOOL, England — Xabi Alonso said he “didn’t have time for tourism” ahead of his return to Liverpool as Bayer Leverkusen coach, but if he was planning for a happy homecoming, a 4-0 defeat and a humbling at the hands of the man who claimed the job that many wanted him to take was probably the last thing he expected.

“Painful,” was how Alonso described his evening. That was something of an understatement. The Liverpool fans sang Alonso’s name at the end of the game, but not before they serenaded Arne Slot, the coach who has made a stunning start to life as manager at the club as Jurgen Klopp’s successor.

Having secured his status as a Liverpool legend by helping Rafael Benitez’s team to UEFA Champions League success in 2005, Alonso was the overwhelming fans’ choice to replace Klopp when it was announced that the German would be leaving at the end of last season.

Alonso’s decision to commit his future to Leverkusen, who were on course for their first-ever Bundesliga title, was initially met with disappointment by the Liverpool fans. However, the club already had their sights set on Slot, then the Feyenoord coach, and it was the 46-year-old who was chosen to fill the void left by Klopp.

Six months on, Liverpool are top of the Premier League and Champions League, and Slot is the new darling of the Anfield crowd. Nobody is talking about Alonso anymore and after this emphatic win, the debate is officially over.

Slot has made his mark and his Liverpool are threatening to rule in England and Europe this season. Alonso, on the other hand, has struggled to sustain Leverkusen’s incredible form from last season, when they won the Bundesliga without suffering a defeat. It is now two wins from eight games and the magic touch he displayed not so long ago has now disappeared. He’s still a rising star in the coaching world, but Alonso was taken to school by Slot at Anfield and it was a brutal lesson for the 42-year-old.

A second-half Luis Díaz hat trick and a Cody Gakpo header sealed Liverpool’s victory after a cagey first half had ended goalless. But just as they did against Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League at the weekend, Slot’s team went up several gears after the interval to blow their opponents away.

Díaz was central to that, scoring his first hat trick for Liverpool while playing in an unfamiliar centre-forward role. The Colombia international’s first — a cool chip over goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky following a sublime Curtis Jones pass — was the pick of his hat trick.

When you analyse the changes that Slot has made since replacing Klopp, they have been subtle rather than significant. The players are the same and not much happens without Mohamed Salah influencing it up front or Virgil van Dijk influencing it in defence. But is it the same as it ever was? Not quite.

Slot’s Liverpool are more solid at the back than Klopp’s team, with fewer attacking runs by their full-backs, and against Leverkusen, midfielder Ryan Gravenberch sometimes played so deep that he occupied the role of a third centre-half. He was also given the task of shadowing Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz to nullify the creative hub of Alonso’s team.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Slot said he had been surprised by Alonso’s formation and decision to play striker Victor Boniface in a wide position.

“Leverkusen played without a No. 9 and I have never seen Boniface play from the left,” he said when he admitted that it took until the second half for his players to click.

“In the second half, we adjusted the game plan and took more risks.”

And that seems to be the key with Slot’s Liverpool. They play one way in the first-half before upping the ante in the second half. Klopp’s Liverpool were in top gear for 90 minutes and it was brought success and excitement to Anfield, but Slot is finding another way and it was good enough to dismantle the champions of Germany.

“The result is painful, the performance is more painful,” Alonso said. “It can happen that you come to Anfield and lose. To lose 4-0 is not nice.

“They are a top, top team and they punished us. It was a pity we couldn’t hold 1-0 for 15 to 20 minutes. They did it against Brighton, they did it against us.

“To be a top, top team, we need to go through those difficult moments — to suffer in moments that are not that nice, especially in the Champions League. That can happen in this competition.”

Leverkusen and Alonso are no Champions League novices, but they looked like it in the second half. And that is perhaps the biggest tribute to Slot and Liverpool. They made a formidable team look ordinary.

When Real Madrid visit Anfield on matchday five later this month, they would do well take heed of the warning.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Arne Slot’s hiring proved that the Reds made the better decision.

Real Madrid’s Mbappé project isn’t getting better; it’s getting worse​​

Another toothless display from Kylian Mbappé and Real Madrid has the European champions staring down a surprise Champions League exit.

​Another toothless display from Kylian Mbappé and Real Madrid has the European champions staring down a surprise Champions League exit. Another toothless display from Kylian Mbappé and Real Madrid has the European champions staring down a surprise Champions League exit.   

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MADRID — Ten days after losing 4-0 in El Clásico, Real Madrid did not just need to beat AC Milan on Tuesday. They needed a statement win. There needed to be proof that this team was starting to jell, that coach Carlo Ancelotti had the answers, and that the new, Kylian Mbappé-led project was headed in the right direction.

Instead, Tuesday’s 3-1 defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu was more of the same: more evidence that something has gone badly wrong for the Spanish and European champions, and another hint that the kings of Europe might just, unthinkably, struggle to progress from the Champions League 36-team phase after two losses in four games.

Madrid’s performance against Milan was reminiscent of what we saw in their 5-2 comeback win against Borussia Dortmund two weeks ago. But it was just the bad parts, with none of the good. There was another disappointing, disjointed first half, going 2-1 down. But this time, there was no spirited, Vinícius Júnior-inspired second-half fightback to emerge victorious.

Instead, the night got worse and worse. Ancelotti tried everything, making five substitutions — throwing on Eduardo Camavinga, Brahim Díaz, Dani Ceballos, Rodrygo and Fran García in the second half — in a bid to jolt the team into life. It only added to the confusion. By the end, Madrid had created plenty of chances — 23 shots, 10 of them on target — and an xG (expected goals) of 2.44, but just one goal scored.

There were moments when it felt like a different outcome was possible, that might have sparked yet another Madrid turnaround. Antonio Rüdiger had a second-half goal — which would have made it 2-3 with 10 minutes left — disallowed for offside. Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan made a late, point-blank save from Diaz’s header. But overall, this was a night to forget for Madrid.

Nothing quite came off. There were wildly, almost comically off-target shots from players as gifted as Luka Modric and Jude Bellingham. There was Mbappé, missing chance after chance. He ended the game with eight shots, but just three of them on target, and an xG of 0.54. There was frustration from the Madrid fans, in particular at some individual performances, with whistles for out-of-form midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni when he was withdrawn at half-time.

Should it really be this hard? This is a team with Vinícius and Mbappé in attack, Bellingham and Federico Valverde in midfield, Rüdiger and Éder Militão at the back. The names are elite. The team performances, at least this season, are absolutely not. And on the touchline, the pressure is growing on Ancelotti.

Madrid’s Champions League performances this campaign have all been varying degrees of unconvincing. Against VfB Stuttgart, they needed late goals from Rüdiger and Endrick to give them a 3-1 win. At Lille, they lost 1-0, having missed numerous chances. The 5-2 comeback against Dortmund was thrilling, powered by a career-best second-half display from Vinicius, but it came after an equally troubling first half.

It’s hard to ignore the impact that Mbappé’s long-anticipated arrival has had on this team, and its knock-on effect, the uncertainty it has bred in the positioning and status of Vinicius and Bellingham. Vinicius has still, largely, starred this season. Here, he won and scored a “panenka” penalty which made it 1-1, getting Madrid back into the game after Malick Thiaw‘s header had put Milan ahead.

Bellingham’s season so far is baffling. His all-round game hasn’t been bad. But by Nov. 5, 2023, in his debut season, he had scored 13 goals for Real Madrid. He has none this campaign. Ancelotti doesn’t seem sure what to do with Bellingham, returning him on Tuesday to the left-midfield berth he occupied for much of last season, having played on the right in recent weeks, including against Barcelona. Bellingham’s last goal for his club came 176 days ago.

Madrid’s defence, one of their great strengths last season, is now porous. They have shipped 10 goals in their last four games. Here, Andriy Lunin‘s goal was repeatedly left exposed, a wide-open midfield as much to blame as the backline. Milan’s Rafael Leão, in particular, enjoyed himself up against back-up right-back Lucas Vázquez.

And then there was Álvaro Morata, playing the role of archnemesis for the Bernabéu crowd, scoring against his former team — his seventh goal against Madrid, having previously found the net for Juventus and Atletico Madrid — to ensure Milan went in 2-1 up at the interval. After his goal, there was a hint of a smile, a finger to his lips, before a more traditional non-celebration against a former club. Morata worked hard for Milan, dropping deep, an all-round centre-forward, the kind of role that Mbappé has never enjoyed.

Things could have been even worse for Madrid. Lunin saved at full stretch from Leão in the 52nd minute. As Madrid looked for an equalizer, creating chances, Milan were every bit as dangerous on the counterattack. Tijjani Reijnders‘ goal on 73 minutes made it 3-1, and any comeback unlikely.

Madrid now have a long, month’s wait to play again in the Champions League, facing Premier League leaders Liverpool. Before that, there’s an international break, and games with Osasuna and Leganés in LaLiga. Winnable games, or potential banana skins? By the time they go to Anfield, the pressure building on the team and its coach might be ready to reach boiling point.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Another toothless display from Kylian Mbappé and Real Madrid has the European champions staring down a surprise Champions League exit.

John Textor has turned his sights on Watford after failing to swap Crystal Palace for Everton earlier this year in pursuit of expanding his multi-club ownership model ​John Textor has turned his sights on Watford after failing to swap Crystal Palace for Everton...

Pop star Taylor Swift was in attendance at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday night as the Kansas City Chiefs took on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with Jason Kelce clearly excited to see her ​Pop star Taylor Swift was in attendance at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday night as the...

The former undisputed world heavyweight champion was quick to name his top-five favourite current fighters, with several big names missing out ​The former undisputed world heavyweight champion was quick to name his top-five favourite current fighters, with several big...

Rafael van der Vaart left former team-mate Wesley Sneijder laughing hysterically after claiming he would have grown drugs had he not made it as a professional footballer ​Rafael van der Vaart left former team-mate Wesley Sneijder laughing hysterically after claiming...

Bryson DeChambeau has been parading his U.S. Open trophy around since his victory over Rory McIlroy in June and most recently took it back to his former college at SMU ​Bryson DeChambeau has been parading his U.S. Open trophy around since his victory over Rory McIlroy...

Manchester United's new head coach Ruben Amorim is due to take the reins in the middle of the month and speculation has already begun over what he will do in the role ​Manchester United's new head coach Ruben Amorim is due to take the reins in the middle of the month...

Arsenal's sporting director Edu has turned his back on the Champions League club in favour of joining Evangelos Marinakis' ambitious multi-club model including Nottingham Forest ​Arsenal's sporting director Edu has turned his back on the Champions League club in...

Billy Horschel claimed a dramatic victory at the DP World Tour's flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship, to leave himself fourth in the season-long standings ​Billy Horschel claimed a dramatic victory at the DP World Tour's flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship,...

Arsenal were dealt the shock news that Edu was leaving his role as sporting director with the Brazilian unable to land the job he so craved at the Emirates despite the offer of more money ​Arsenal were dealt the shock news that Edu was leaving his role as sporting...

Fans were almost treated to the heavyweight boxing match of the century before Tyson Fury explained why his $500million showdown against Mike Tyson fell to pieces ​Fans were almost treated to the heavyweight boxing match of the century before Tyson Fury explained why...

Neymar on latest injury: Nothing more than cramp​​

Neymar was not too downcast after being forced to leave Monday’s Asian Champions League Elite match due to injury, saying it is nothing more than cramp.

​Neymar was not too downcast after being forced to leave Monday’s Asian Champions League Elite match due to injury, saying it is nothing more than cramp. Neymar was not too downcast after being forced to leave Monday’s Asian Champions League Elite match due to injury, saying it is nothing more than cramp.   

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Nov 5, 2024, 04:45 AM ET

Neymar was not too downcast after being forced to leave Monday’s Asian Champions League Elite match due to injury with the Al Hilal forward saying he felt the issue was nothing more than a strong cramp.

Brazil forward, who limped off 30 minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute in Al Hilal’s 3-0 win over Esteghlal, said doctors had warned him about the potential for muscle issues following his return from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

The 32-year-old returned to action two weeks ago, having been out since Brazil‘s CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October last year when he suffered the injury.

“It felt like a cramp, only very strong!” Neymar posted on Instagram. “I’m going to have some tests and I hope it’s nothing too serious.

“It’s normal for this to happen after a year, the doctors had already warned me, so I have to be careful and play more minutes.”

Neymar has played only seven games for Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal since moving from Paris Saint-Germain for a reported fee of around €90 million ($97.90m) in August last year.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Neymar was not too downcast after being forced to leave Monday’s Asian Champions League Elite match due to injury, saying it is nothing more than cramp.

Arturo Vidal being investigated for alleged assault​​

Chilean authorities said Monday they are investigating an alleged sexual assault case involving players at soccer club Colo Colo, including former international Arturo Vidal.

​Chilean authorities said Monday they are investigating an alleged sexual assault case involving players at soccer club Colo Colo, including former international Arturo Vidal. Chilean authorities said Monday they are investigating an alleged sexual assault case involving players at soccer club Colo Colo, including former international Arturo Vidal.   

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Chilean authorities said Monday they are investigating an alleged sexual assault case involving players at soccer club Colo Colo, including former international Arturo Vidal.

New Utd boss Amorim: City job ‘crossed my mind’​​

Rúben Amorim has admitted it “crossed his mind” that he could follow Sporting CP director of football Hugo Viana to Manchester City, but said he was only ever focused on becoming Manchester United’s new head coach.

​Rúben Amorim has admitted it “crossed his mind” that he could follow Sporting CP director of football Hugo Viana to Manchester City, but said he was only ever focused on becoming Manchester United’s new head coach. Rúben Amorim has admitted it “crossed his mind” that he could follow Sporting CP director of football Hugo Viana to Manchester City, but said he was only ever focused on becoming Manchester United’s new head coach.   

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Rúben Amorim has admitted it “crossed his mind” that he could follow Sporting CP director of football Hugo Viana to Manchester City, but said he was only ever focused on becoming Manchester United‘s new head coach.

Amorim will lead Sporting against City in the Champions League on Tuesday in his penultimate game as boss before taking the reins at Old Trafford.

His decision to succeed Erik ten Hag came just two weeks after City hired Viana, Sporting’s director of football, to replace Txiki Begiristain at the end of the season.

Amorim disclosed that he had thoughts about possibly working at the Etihad Stadium as well, but the 39-year-old insisted he’s happy with his decision to join United.

“It’s something that crosses your mind but I never had any doubts,” Amorim told a news conference on Monday.

“My decision has been made and that’s the club I want to work for. That’s where I want to continue my career as a coach. It crossed my mind, but I decided on the club I wanted and I didn’t want anything else. I wanted Manchester United and that’s what I did.”

Amorim, who will begin his new role on Nov. 11, and Pep Guardiola will go head-to-head in Lisbon on Tuesday a little over a month before they meet again in the Manchester derby at the Etihad on Dec. 15.

Guardiola’s City side claimed a resounding 5-0 win at Sporting in the 2022 Champions League round of 16.

“They play quite similar like we faced two seasons ago, the pattern is so clear,” Guardiola said on Monday. “They have changed players but have the same manager and same mentality.”

Plenty of United fans are likely to tune into Sporting’s game against City to get an early look at their new coach.

Amorim, however, has warned against assessing his suitability for the United job based on one match against Guardiola’s team.

“The conclusions that people will draw from this match are not important for me,” he said.

“If it’s a negative outcome [against City] the expectations will drop. If we win tomorrow, people will think the new Alex Ferguson has arrived and obviously it will be difficult to live up to that expectation.

“I’m not interested in the conclusions people will draw, what I’m interested in is to win the match and then start a new life in Manchester.

“We could have one situation or the other, it could increase expectations. I don’t know what is better for me.”

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Rúben Amorim has admitted it “crossed his mind” that he could follow Sporting CP director of football Hugo Viana to Manchester City, but said he was only ever focused on becoming Manchester United’s new head coach.

Arsenal sporting director Edu resigns from post​​

Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar is set to leave the club, a source has told ESPN.

​Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar is set to leave the club, a source has told ESPN. Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar is set to leave the club, a source has told ESPN.   

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Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar has resigned from his post, the club confirmed in a statement on Monday.

Edu joined Arsenal in July 2019 as technical director and led a culture shift at the club that saw Mikel Arteta hired as manager and the side battle for the Premier League title in the past two seasons. Edu was later promoted to become the club’s first-ever sporting director in November 2022.

The Brazilian’s tenure as director came after a four-year playing career between 2001 and 2005, during which he won the Premier League title in 2001-02 and 2003-04 under Arsene Wenger.

Sources have told ESPN that Edu has been approached by Nottingham Forest and Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis to lead their multi-club group with an offer that would include a considerably increased salary.

Sources added that talks are at an advanced stage with Edu keen on taking up the position.

Edu communicated his decision to senior club officials at Arsenal’s London Colney training ground on Monday morning, sources told ESPN, with many being surprised at the move given the central role he has played in the north London team’s resurgence.

A source added that it is currently unclear whether there is anything in the terms of his departure which would delay him from taking up another job.

“This was an incredibly hard decision to make,” Edu said. “Arsenal has given me the opportunity to work with so many amazing people and the chance to be a part of something so special in the club’s history.

“I’ve loved working with so many great colleagues across our men’s, women’s and academy teams, especially Mikel [Arteta], who has become a great friend.

“Now it is time to pursue a different challenge. Arsenal will always remain in my heart. I wish the club and its supporters only good things and all the very best.”

Arsenal co-chair Josh Kroenke said in the statement: “We respect Edu’s decision and thank him for his immense contribution and dedication to drive the club forward.

“Everyone at the club wishes him well. We are all so fond of him and the positive energy he brings to everything and everyone.

“Change and evolution is a part of our club. We remain focused on our strategy and winning major trophies. Our succession plan will reflect this continued ambition.”

Arsenal suffered their second Premier League loss in three games on Saturday, falling to a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United at St. James’ Park. That result followed a home draw with Liverpool and a 2-0 reverse at Bournemouth.

The expected return of captain Martin Ødegaard from an ankle injury should boost morale at the north London club ahead of another big week that sees them take on Inter Milan at San Siro on Wednesday before a trip to Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea on Sunday.

Arteta’s team are fifth in the league, seven points behind pacesetters Liverpool.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar is set to leave the club, a source has told ESPN.

Balotelli booked within 5 minutes of Serie A return​​

Mario Balotelli made his first Serie A appearance in four years when he came on as a late substitute in Genoa’s 1-0 win over Parma on Monday and earned a yellow card within five minutes.

​Mario Balotelli made his first Serie A appearance in four years when he came on as a late substitute in Genoa’s 1-0 win over Parma on Monday and earned a yellow card within five minutes. Mario Balotelli made his first Serie A appearance in four years when he came on as a late substitute in Genoa’s 1-0 win over Parma on Monday and earned a yellow card within five minutes.   

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Mario Balotelli made his first Serie A appearance in four years when he came on as a late substitute in Genoa’s 1-0 win over Parma on Monday and earned a yellow card within five minutes.

Fans prefer new stadium over Old Trafford refurb​​

Manchester United fans are in favour of building a new stadium rather than redeveloping Old Trafford, a club survey has revealed.

​Manchester United fans are in favour of building a new stadium rather than redeveloping Old Trafford, a club survey has revealed. Manchester United fans are in favour of building a new stadium rather than redeveloping Old Trafford, a club survey has revealed.   

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Manchester United fans are in favour of building a new stadium rather than redeveloping Old Trafford, a club survey has revealed.

The club are consulting supporters over a project which could end up costing £2 billion ($2.6bn). Fans were asked whether they would prefer to see a new stadium built on the site of Old Trafford or for the existing stadium to be developed.

United say that they have received more than 50,000 responses with 52% favouring a new stadium. Redeveloping Old Trafford was chosen by 31% of fans with 17% saying that they are undecided.

A task force set up by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, which includes Gary Neville and Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham, are set to report their conclusions by the end of the year.

Ratcliffe favours building a new stadium, but sources close to the club have told ESPN that a final decision has not been made.

Rick McGagh, Director of Fan Engagement at United, said in a statement: “We know how important our home is to fans, and we need to listen to them and gain all their views and insights in order to develop the world-class stadium they deserve.

“We are able to view the results through different lenses to understand if our season ticket holders feel differently about anything than say our official members. And if younger fans have different views to older fans.

“This insight is incredibly helpful and allows the project team to understand the differences as well as the commonality in our fanbase.”

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Manchester United fans are in favour of building a new stadium rather than redeveloping Old Trafford, a club survey has revealed.

Ødegaard injury: Arsenal captain back in training​​

Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard returned to training on Tuesday as he edges closer to a comeback from a foot injury.

​Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard returned to training on Tuesday as he edges closer to a comeback from a foot injury. Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard returned to training on Tuesday as he edges closer to a comeback from a foot injury.   

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Nov 5, 2024, 07:30 AM ET

Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard returned to training on Tuesday as he edges closer to a comeback from an ankle injury.

The Norway international took part in Arsenal’s session at Sobha Realty Training Centre ahead of their clash against Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Ødegaard’s last Arsenal appearance came at the end of August against Brighton, before picking up an ankle injury on international duty for Norway. Last week, Mikel Arteta said he was hopeful of Ødegaard returning to full fitness before the November international break.

Arsenal, who are fifth in the Premier League, have struggled in the midfielder’s absence and are winless in their last three league outings.

His return to training is a bright spot for Arsenal after a tumultuous few days, that include the defeat to Newcastle United as well as the resignation of their sporting director Edu.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard returned to training on Tuesday as he edges closer to a comeback from a foot injury.

Will Vinicius Jr. rise above Ballon d’Or snub to be even better? The choice is his​​

A week after finishing second in the Ballon d’Or, Vinicius has two choices: succumb to the sting of near-victory, or rise above. Which will he choose?

​A week after finishing second in the Ballon d’Or, Vinicius has two choices: succumb to the sting of near-victory, or rise above. Which will he choose? A week after finishing second in the Ballon d’Or, Vinicius has two choices: succumb to the sting of near-victory, or rise above. Which will he choose?   

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There’s a long and glorious history of the greats in life using failure, rejection and criticism to spur them on to heights that, perhaps, they wouldn’t have achieved without facing what they considered to be gross unfairness. The question now is whether Vinícius Júnior is about to join the ranks of those who suffered “the slings and arrows of life’s outrageous fortunes” and retorted, defiantly, with: “Is that really all you’ve got?”

The fascination, after his and Real Madrid‘s furious reaction to last week’s Ballon d’Or snub, is augmented by the fact that other people, no matter how talented, take slights, put-downs and setbacks personally, allow adversity to corrode their focus and allow the permanent chip on their shoulder to clip their ability to soar. Is that what the Brazilian is made of instead?

A quick reminder of the context here: Madrid’s star player was reportedly furious at not having placed first in the Ballon d’Or voting, having thought he would win outright and having prepared extravagant fiestas to celebrate his taking of the throne. Also, Madrid’s president, Florentino Perez, cancelled the club’s attendance at last week’s Paris gala and subsequently, he, Vinícius, and the entire staff of the European and Spanish champions came under extreme criticism for what was considered “crybaby” behaviour.

Vinicius swiftly used social media to proclaim: “I’ll do 10 times more if I have to. They’re not ready.” A post viewed over 128 million times! Now, if he’s preparing to inflict a tempest of brilliance on Madrid’s rivals to “show” those who have done him “an injustice,” it’s worth reflecting on how just such circumstances have had a catalytic impact on a few high-achievers in these situations.

The Beatles were famously rejected by DECCA studios, thought of as derivative and nothing special, before becoming the greatest recording artists in history. Fred Astaire, 37 years after his death, is still regarded as one of Hollywood’s all-time greats, but when he was first assessed by MGM studios, their verdict was “Can’t act. Can’t sing. Slightly bald. Not handsome. Can dance a little.”

The list goes on. Michael Jordan being cut by the Emsley A. Laney High School team for being too small didn’t slow him down from becoming one of the greatest basketball players of all time. David Beckham, who was hung out to dry by England manager Glenn Hoddle after the 1998 World Cup, thus unfairly becoming the country’s No. 1 villain, only used that thorn in his side to produce brilliance the next season and inspire Manchester United to the Treble.

Remember Lionel Messi? Perhaps he was always destined to achieve preternatural greatness, but he still had to suffer the ignominy of being told by one of Barcelona‘s directors that he was only going to be the size to make him a good table-footballer — not much more.

Maybe you feel that to put Vinicius’ perceived slap in the face in this category is an exaggeration? That’s fine for you, but let me assure you it’s precisely how angry and hurt the proud, touchy Brazilian feels.

The question, with AC Milan in town on Champions League duty this week, is: how ready is he to channel his fury and direct it towards still more superlative performances?

It’s a pertinent question, not because his character, resourcefulness or competitive aggression are really in question. These personality traits are partly what have led him to soar when, initially, manager Zinedine Zidane didn’t much fancy him in Real Madrid’s first team, or played him on the right and when the media were obsessed with Vinicius’ inability to keep a calm head when trying to finish goal chances. These tenets were also central to the way in which he reacted (you remember this?) when microphones caught Karim Benzema tearing into Vinicius while muttering angrily to teammate Ferland Mendy in Mönchengladbach on a torrid Champions League night.

To have a man that you admire, and who’s one of the team leaders, telling his fellow Frenchman: “Don’t give the ball to Vinicius … it’s like he’s playing for the other team” must have felt devastating. Yet within a matter of weeks, Vinicius was delivering assists for Benzema, their relationship was wholly repaired, and they went on to thrive as a prolific attacking duo. Vitriol from a trusted teammate became a trampoline to greatness; it’s downright impressive. But, sometimes, even the most exceptional can allow these types of potholes in their life to drive them down a bad route.

This time I’ll ignore song and dance and film and focus on football.

There’s no arguing whether or not Roy Keane was one of the great modern midfielders: not only ferocious but a blindingly good footballer. Yet when Alf-Inge Haaland, Erling‘s dad, insulted him as the Irishman injured his ligaments during a Manchester derby, Keane waited nearly four years before serving up one of the nastiest football tackles you’ll ever see and ensured eternal infamy as he, more or less, ended Haaland Sr.’s career.

While I was wholly supportive of Keane when Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy prepared poorly for the 2002 World Cup and then falsely accused Keane of half-hearted attitude when being asked to wear the national shirt, it could still be viewed as the wrong reaction for Keane to walk out on Ireland’s training camp and miss the chance to drive forward a team that, according to many of his contemporaries, had the potential to reach the last four or even the final. I’ll leave it to you to decide on whether the Irishman’s reaction to life’s “slings and arrows” was wise or flawed: the fact remains that there was another way to treat these putdowns, a way to harness them and use them positively, rather than be driven by blind fury.

Which path will Vinicius choose?

I’m not boasting to remind readers that I have been, from the outset, one of those who had most faith in the young Brazilian and who always believed that this was a world-class talent, even when he looked so inexperienced. Now that he is approaching 300 games and 100 goals for Real Madrid, I’d point out that for their senior side, he’s been sent off just once in all that time. Once more each for his original club, Flamengo, and for Madrid’s (Castilla) B team.

Overall, his disciplinary record is statistically excellent. (He’s only missed four LaLiga matches due to suspension in roughly six years. a measure that equates to a booking more or less every six matches.) He gets kicked, bullied and racially abused regularly, and is often unsupported properly by referees. In context, his record is almost Zen-like. Nevertheless, it is completely inarguable, even from one of his strongest supporters, that Vinicius’ behaviour is increasingly intemperate, provocative and aggressive, and already looks like earning him more red and yellow cards for dissent.

Hopefully he’s now developed the maturity and has sufficiently good counsel around him from people like Carlo Ancelotti and Luka Modric, to avoid letting this sting that he’s feeling increase his tempestuousness rather than motivating a tempest of outstanding football. Deep down, I suspect that had his employer not cancelled the expedition to Paris, Vinicius would’ve attended the gala and, even if his face had looked like he was chewing a wasp, I think he would’ve sucked up his medicine while Rodri received the coveted golden award.

The 24-year-old is genuinely at something of a crossroads. We know that there was a gargantuan offer from Saudi Arabia for him to abandon LaLiga; we also know that he, sometimes justifiably, feels abused and improperly protected. Until now, he has processed brilliantly those times when it feels like everything is against you.

Vinicius is instinctively a showman at heart, but he has harnessed that inclination to evolve into a devastating effective, decisive and, often, inspirational attacker. How he chooses to channel his fury, and disappointment at this setback is going to form a very interesting second act in the career of an extraordinary, iconic and, to me, extremely exciting sportsman. But don’t believe for one second that there isn’t a wrong path to go down when, you stare the world in the face and say to yourself: “I will f—— show them!”

I desperately hope that Vinicius chooses well.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

A week after finishing second in the Ballon d’Or, Vinicius has two choices: succumb to the sting of near-victory, or rise above. Which will he choose?

Rory McIlroy is gunning to secure the Race to Dubai title at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links this week but faces plenty of competition from the 70-man field ​Rory McIlroy is gunning to secure the Race to Dubai title at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at...

Barcelona has now been hit by the extreme weather conditions in Spain with Robert Lewandowski's wife, Anna, showing the extent of the damage as part of their home is flooded ​Barcelona has now been hit by the extreme weather conditions in Spain with Robert...

PGA Tour caddie Bryan Kopsick has shared how much he earned from his year working with Canadian golfer Ben Silverman, who enjoyed the best season of his career to date ​PGA Tour caddie Bryan Kopsick has shared how much he earned from his year working with Canadian...

Luke Littler has enjoyed an incredible rise in the sport, having emerged as a 16-year-old at the World Darts Championships at the beginning of this year - and he will now be tasked with getting revenge over Keane Barry ​Luke Littler has enjoyed an incredible rise in...

West Ham scored a controverisal late penalty to beat Manchester United 2-1 at the London Stadium on October 27, with Erik ten Hag sacked by the visitors a day later ​West Ham scored a controverisal late penalty to beat Manchester United 2-1 at the London Stadium on...

Both Liverpool and Arsenal are currently unbeaten in the Champions League, but Jamie Carragher feels only one side out of the two has a chance to lift the trophy ​Both Liverpool and Arsenal are currently unbeaten in the Champions League, but Jamie Carragher feels only...

Three former Barcelona stars and two Real Madrid Galacticos form Paul Scholes' collection of most difficult five opponents and he sees no need to include a goalkeeper ​Three former Barcelona stars and two Real Madrid Galacticos form Paul Scholes' collection of most...

Incoming England manager Tuchel will not be at the 2026 World Cup qualifying draw next month or influence Lee Carsley's squad selection for this month's Nations League games ​Incoming England manager Tuchel will not be at the 2026 World Cup qualifying draw next month...

Hull City loanee Oscar Zambrano has been hit with a ban after he tested positive for drugs with South America's governing body taking action - although he intends to appeal ​Hull City loanee Oscar Zambrano has been hit with a ban after he tested positive for drugs...

Wentworth Club has denied claims it is in talks to sell the iconic golf course to Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, which bankrolls the breakaway circuit LIV Golf ​Wentworth Club has denied claims it is in talks to sell the iconic golf course to Saudi Arabia Public...

Madrid to auction old Bernabéu lockers for $13k​​

Real Madrid are auctioning off the old home dressing room at the Bernabéu after the stadium’s redevelopment, the auction house Sotheby’s has announced.

​Real Madrid are auctioning off the old home dressing room at the Bernabéu after the stadium’s redevelopment, the auction house Sotheby’s has announced. Real Madrid are auctioning off the old home dressing room at the Bernabéu after the stadium’s redevelopment, the auction house Sotheby’s has announced.   

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Nov 4, 2024, 11:25 AM ET

Real Madrid are auctioning off the old home dressing room at the Bernabéu after the stadium’s redevelopment, the auction house Sotheby’s has announced.

The stadium works — ongoing since 2020, with a total cost of just over €1 billion ($1.09bn) — are now nearing completion, and have included an overhaul of the first-team dressing rooms previously used by stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane.

London-based Sotheby’s said on Monday that bidding for each of the 24 individual lockers, which include a player’s name and photo, will start at £10,000 ($12,967).

The dressing rooms were in use from 2001 until 2022, and the lockers will be auctioned as they were during the 2021-2022 season, when Madrid won a LaLiga and Champions League double with a squad including Karim Benzema, Vinícius Júnior, Luka Modric and Gareth Bale.

The lockers will include a certificate of authenticity, and a list of which players used them over two decades.

Sotheby’s said that during that period, a total of 544 home matches were played at the Bernabéu and 20 trophies were won, including six Champions Leagues and six LaLiga titles.

Some of the proceeds of the auction will go to the club’s charitable partner, the Real Madrid Foundation.

A 10-foot wide mosaic of the Real Madrid badge, which previously stood at the entrance to the locker room, is also being auctioned, with bidding starting at £12,000 ($15,561).

The items are being exhibited in London from Nov. 20 until Nov. 26, while bidding will begin on Nov. 12, and run for two weeks.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Real Madrid are auctioning off the old home dressing room at the Bernabéu after the stadium’s redevelopment, the auction house Sotheby’s has announced.

Neymar subbed off injured in second Al Hilal game​​

Neymar made his second appearance for Al Hilal as he continues his return following a year-long absence due to an ACL tear, but it didn’t last long.

​Neymar made his second appearance for Al Hilal as he continues his return following a year-long absence due to an ACL tear, but it didn’t last long. Neymar made his second appearance for Al Hilal as he continues his return following a year-long absence due to an ACL tear, but it didn’t last long.   

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Neymar made his second appearance for Al Hilal as he continues his return following a year-long absence due to an ACL tear, but it didn’t last long.

How Orlando went from a laughingstock to record holders in the NWSL​​

Orlando Pride’s turnaround in recent years is remarkable, from being riddled with controversies and poor performances to becoming one of the best NWSL teams. Here’s how they did it.

​Orlando Pride’s turnaround in recent years is remarkable, from being riddled with controversies and poor performances to becoming one of the best NWSL teams. Here’s how they did it. Orlando Pride’s turnaround in recent years is remarkable, from being riddled with controversies and poor performances to becoming one of the best NWSL teams. Here’s how they did it.   

Imagine a cursed franchise or suffering fan base — say, the Cleveland Browns, to name one easy example. Now imagine that team putting together the best season in league history, rattling off 23 games without defeat.

What sounds unthinkable is reality for the Orlando Pride in 2024. The franchise that was once the laughingstock of the National Women’s Soccer League is now the team everyone is chasing heading into the playoffs, and it is one of the best sports stories of the year.

“People wrote us off,” Orlando coach Seb Hines said after his team clinched the NWSL Shield in October, marking its 23rd match without a loss. “People didn’t want to come to the club. People had no hope with this club.”

Hines isn’t exaggerating. Waves of players have left Orlando in recent years amid ongoing tumult, and years of poor performances made the team an afterthought even in a small, 14-team league. That dire history is what makes this year’s run even more remarkable. Among the Pride’s league records are an eight-game winning streak this year and an unbeaten streak that reached 24 games including last year’s finale. Their 18th win of the season on Saturday also set a record — one that the Washington Spirit would match later that night — as did reaching 60 points.

“Pride is a dangerous thing, so I don’t want to talk about how proud I am of it, but I will say what this staff and group of athletes has accomplished is exceptional — it’s extraordinary,” said Haley Carter, Orlando’s VP of soccer operations and sporting director.

Carter joined the club in early 2023 and helped map out a long-term plan to revive its fortunes. Without question, Orlando is ahead of schedule. Now comes a test that many more seasoned teams have failed: Ahead of Friday’s quarterfinal with the Chicago Red Stars, can the Pride back up the best regular season with a championship?

Years of futility, followed by an overhaul

Maybe Orlando was not cursed, but the team endured numerous low points on and off the field in the years since its launch in 2016. They were a perennial doormat, finishing in the bottom three of the standings in all but one season of the team’s existence (2017, Orlando’s only previous playoff appearance) prior to 2023. The Pride’s last-place finish in 2019 was marked by 53 goals conceded in 24 games, which is still tied for a league record.

The following year brought trouble off the field, too. As the NWSL became the first team sports league in the U.S. to return to play from the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, Orlando was the lone squad in the league to watch from home.

Five days before the scheduled start of the tournament, several Pride players tested positive (or, in some cases, inconclusive in the early days of retesting) for COVID, forcing the team to withdraw from the tournament. The spread of the virus throughout the team came following multiple groups of players visiting crowded social establishments in Orlando.

The locker room was fractured by the incident. By the time former general manager Ian Fleming was hired in the 2020-21 offseason, his first order of business was to handle a series of trade requests.

Fleming said shortly after he was hired that “the name value” of players didn’t matter if they weren’t producing on the field. Orlando was the oldest team by minute allocation in 2021 and had long boasted marquee names such as six-time world player of the year Marta, and United States veterans Alex Morgan, Sydney Leroux, Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris.

In December 2020, before his official announcement as GM, United States defender Emily Sonnett was transferred to the Washington Spirit less than a year after arriving in Orlando.

Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC were entering the NWSL as expansion teams in 2022, and were attractive destinations for players across the league. Morgan and former first-round pick Taylor Flint (nee Kornieck) were traded to San Diego Wave FC in late 2021. Krieger and Harris were also moved to NJ/NY Gotham FC. A few months into the 2022 season, Leroux was traded to Angel City.

Orlando received $665,000 in combined allocation money from those deals alone, in addition to draft picks and players, which led the Pride to rack up over $1 million in additional spending above the cap. That money served as the fuel for their ongoing rebirth.

Only Marta and defenders Carrie Lawrence and Carson Pickett remain on the roster now from spring 2020. Pickett left later midway through 2020 and returned in a mid-season trade this year. “This club is like a whole different club to me now,” Pickett told ESPN, noting how many teams across the NWSL have improved.

Making it come together on the field

Success didn’t come to Orlando overnight.

Amanda Cromwell was a splashy head-coach hire from UCLA ahead of the 2022 season, but her tenure lasted only seven regular-season games before she was suspended and eventually fired for alleged retaliation and harassment. Hines, who had served as an assistant for the Pride under three different full-time head coaches, took over on an interim basis.

The seeds of this season’s success were first planted in summer 2022 as Hines & Co. rattled off a seven-game unbeaten streak. A six-game winless streak followed as the Pride finished 10th of 12 teams, but Hines had instilled belief in the team and in ownership, earning him the coaching job full-time.

Orlando was markedly improved last year — especially defensively — and won 10 games. The Pride missed the playoffs as the odd team out of a three-way tiebreaker. There were holes in the roster, including the lack of a go-to scorer, but over the course of the season, Orlando became a team that nobody wanted to play.

“I think it was a blessing how we didn’t make playoffs, because we used that fuel going into this year, and we continued that momentum all the way to winning the Shield,” Hines said recently. “So, you look at it, you think it’s a quick fix, but it certainly hasn’t been. We’ve gone through dark times.”

Carter and Hines made savvy roster additions in the offseason, like signing midfielder Angelina in free agency. The big splash came in March when Orlando paid $740,000 — the second largest global women’s transfer fee in history — to sign Zambian forward Barbra Banda. Her four-year contract is worth around $2.1 million including bonuses, with all that stacked up allocation money from previous years being put to use. Orlando had its star striker.

Banda has scored 13 goals this season, a club record that would have won the NWSL Golden Boot in several previous seasons. Marta, meanwhile, is 38 years old and playing like she is a decade younger, putting in her best campaign since arriving in Orlando. The big names are delivering for the Pride this year, though Orlando is also greater than the sum of its parts. Emily Sams has arguably been the best defender in the league this year, which earned her a spot at the Olympics and a gold medal before her first cap. Center-back partner Kylie Strom is the epitome of the NWSL’s ethos as an every-game starter who fought her way back to the league after being waived by the Boston Breakers in 2017 and going to Europe.

Haley McCutcheon has been a workhorse as a holding midfielder. Julie Doyle is a dynamic winger entering her prime who can play off the shoulders of Banda. Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse set a single-season NWSL record with 13 clean sheets. Everyone in every position is performing at their peak.

“I can tell you guys, I don’t think you’re going to have [this] again, with this team or another team,” an emotional Marta said after the team clinched the NWSL Shield. “I’m sorry, but it’s so special, and the way that we did it was incredible.”

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How do you stop Barbra Banda?

Washington Spirit coach Jonatan Giráldez discusses Orlando Pride’s Zambian striker, who is second top scorer in NWSL this season.

Can this success be sustained?

The thing about curses — or consistent futility, for the less superstitious — is that they usually end at some point. The Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox eventually won another World Series despite the Steve Bartman incident and the Curse of the Bambino. England’s men’s national team did, eventually, win a penalty shootout again.

Orlando’s unprecedented run this season is a clear indication that times have changed for the Pride. This isn’t a decent team that finally slogged its way to the playoffs; it is dominant and unrecognizable to the franchise’s past.

However, the harsh reality in American sports is also that history remembers who wins in the playoffs. Many — supposedly cursed — teams in other sports have managed to put together strong campaigns only to fall flat in the postseason, further perpetuating the narratives that doom is always lurking around the corner.

Pride players and staff are readily aware of the task at hand. With the playoffs expanded to eight teams for the first time, they are the first Shield winners in league history tasked with winning three knockout games to secure a league title. The unbeaten season ended with two losses following that Shield-clinching victory at home, an understandable letdown from the high of celebration and in the context of roster rotation and a jarring travel week due to an impending hurricane landing on Florida.

Still, the fairy-tale campaign will still go down as arguably the best in league history alongside the 2014 Seattle Reign (who went 16 games unbeaten to start the season) and the 2018 North Carolina Courage, who only lost once in 24 matches. The 2024 Pride bested North Carolina’s previous points record by three, albeit in two extra games.

There is a distinct difference between those two Shield winners: the 2014 Reign fell short in the NWSL Championship, while the Courage backed up its dominant regular season with emphatic playoff victories and a title. How will the Pride be remembered?

“Reality is, we’ve got to win a championship,” Hines said ahead of the regular-season finale.

Whatever happens over the coming weeks, the success of this season finally looks like the turning point for a much-maligned franchise on and off the field.

The team is gaining relevance locally after years of playing mostly in front of empty purple seats at home. On Sept. 28, the team defeated the Houston Dash in front of 17,087 fans, the most since its inaugural game in 2016 in a larger stadium down the road.

Facilities have improved through the years, and players want to be there. The Pride took over and renovated the training grounds of the co-owned Orlando City SC in 2020, giving them their own practice fields, gym, and facility. Pickett left the Pride right when those were being opened. She remembers sharing facilities with the men’s team and youth clubs, and dodging divots on the fields as they trained.

“I think overall, the NWSL is moving in a really positive direction,” Pickett said. “To stay at the top and to hold the standard that we’ve created, you have to continue to move forward. And if you’re lacking, then no one’s going to want to go to your club and you’re going to suffer from that.

“So, I think the whole trajectory of NWSL is moving forward and getting better. And that’s what I feel like Orlando had to do.”

It all adds up to a culture shift in Orlando. Carter admits that “culture” is a “buzzword,” but she sees the tangible shift in it from players who are “proud to play for the badge” for the first time. Pickett describes a locker room free of egos despite its success.

Consistency is a challenge in the NWSL, a league where winds shift quickly, and team fortunes can yo-yo drastically from season to season. Last year’s champion, Gotham FC, finished in last place in 2022 amid a record 12-game losing streak. Last year’s Shield winners, San Diego Wave FC, finished 10th of 14 teams this season.

“Building something great takes time,” Carter said. “It’s exceptional to see the kind of success that we’re seeing in the kind of timeline that we’re seeing it in. But keeping that moving forward, the focus is not on wins and losses — and it’s never been on wins and losses. It’s been on doing things the right way and making sure that we have the right people in place that are going to support the vision.”

Orlando’s 23 games without defeat this season is a record that will likely stand for a long time. What’s next is the question, and reverting to the past cannot be the answer.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Orlando Pride’s turnaround in recent years is remarkable, from being riddled with controversies and poor performances to becoming one of the best NWSL teams. Here’s how they did it.

Jon Rahm has been one of the standout stars of the LIV Golf Invitational Series in recent months, and his caddie Adam Hayes has no doubt been reaping the rewards ​Jon Rahm has been one of the standout stars of the LIV Golf Invitational Series in recent months, and his...

Ruben Amorim has coached several players who are now operating in the Premier League and Tottenham's Pedro Porro - once of Sporting Lisbon - has talked up his personal touch ​Ruben Amorim has coached several players who are now operating in the Premier League and...

Wrexham suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at Harrogate Town in the FA Cup first round on Sunday, and head coach Phil Parkinson has issued a blunt message in return ​Wrexham suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at Harrogate Town in the FA Cup first round on Sunday, and head coach...

Xabi Alonso had the chance to join Liverpool in the summer but chose to remain with Bayer Leverkusen - and will soon take the German side to Anfield in the Champions League ​Xabi Alonso had the chance to join Liverpool in the summer but chose to remain with Bayer...

Wrexham Lager, which was recently purchased by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, is looking to move to a new, larger premises in the city centre to support the growth in demand ​Wrexham Lager, which was recently purchased by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, is...

Ruben Amorim is less than a week away from taking charge at Manchester United but one former manager has warned the new boss to brace himself for intense media attention ​Ruben Amorim is less than a week away from taking charge at Manchester United but one former...

Arsenal have been caught by surprise after Edu confirmed he would be leaving his role as sporting director with the Brazilian potentially joining a Premier League rival ​Arsenal have been caught by surprise after Edu confirmed he would be leaving his role as sporting...

Ex-Liverpool star Xabi Alonso will return to Anfield on Tuesday night as Arne Slot's side will be hoping to continue their scintillating form when they host Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League ​Ex-Liverpool star Xabi Alonso will return to Anfield on Tuesday night...

The San Francisco 49ers have opened the practice window for star running back Christian McCaffrey, who has missed the entire 2024 NFL season due to injury ​The San Francisco 49ers have opened the practice window for star running back Christian McCaffrey, who has...

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson - who fights Jake Paul this month - was told to sell his £55,000 pet tiger after it bit a woman's arm clean off ​Former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson - who fights Jake Paul this month - was told to...

Red Bulls end Crew MLS Cup defense in shootout​​

Carlos Coronel made three consecutive penalty shootout saves and Daniel Edelman converted the winning goal in the bottom of the seventh frame when the New York Red Bulls stunned the Columbus Crew to sweep the best-of-three first-round series on Sunday…

​Carlos Coronel made three consecutive penalty shootout saves and Daniel Edelman converted the winning goal in the bottom of the seventh frame when the New York Red Bulls stunned the Columbus Crew to sweep the best-of-three first-round series on Sunday… Carlos Coronel made three consecutive penalty shootout saves and Daniel Edelman converted the winning goal in the bottom of the seventh frame when the New York Red Bulls stunned the Columbus Crew to sweep the best-of-three first-round series on Sunday…   

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Nov 3, 2024, 07:42 PM ET

Carlos Coronel made three consecutive penalty shootout saves and Daniel Edelman converted the winning goal in the bottom of the seventh frame as the New York Red Bulls stunned the Columbus Crew to sweep the best-of-three first-round series on Sunday in Harrison, New Jersey.

The score was tied 2-2 after regulation before the Red Bulls won on penalty kicks 5-4.

The defending MLS Cup champion Crew were the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and had the second-most points — setting club records during the regular season for most goals (72) and points (66) — in MLS behind Inter Miami.

New York, the No. 7 seed, won 1-0 in Columbus on Tuesday.

Columbus leads the all-time series across all competitions 40-37-14. However, the Red Bulls are 23-13-7 at home against the Crew, including 3-0-1 in the playoffs with all three wins coming at Red Bull Arena. New York is 4-1-1 in its last five playoff matches at home.

With the Crew season on the line, Christian Ramirez, who entered 10 minutes earlier, tied it 2-2 in the 96th minute with a header from a corner kick by Alex Matan.

The Red Bulls took a 2-1 lead in the 80th minute on Emil Forsberg‘s penalty kick. He was fouled by Rudy Camacho barely a yard inside the top of the penalty area to set up the kick, which he hammered to the bottom left corner.

Max Arfsten gave Columbus the lead in the 55th minute before Dante Vanzeir equaled nine minutes later.

Arfsten, who entered a minute earlier for DeJuan Jones, took a slick layoff from Cucho Hernandez and curled a shot past Coronel.

The Red Bulls on the transition notched the tying goal when Forsberg found Vanzeir in space for a strike from the left side of the box.

Columbus did everything but score in a dominant first half that had the Crew leading in shots 9-2.

But the Crew had to be wondering if it was just not their day in the 40th minute when within 30 seconds both Diego Rossi and Hernandez hit the left post on consecutive shots and a follow-up attempt by Steven Moreira was blocked by Sean Nealis.

Colonel stopped shootout attempts by Yevhen Cheberko, Arfsten and Matan in the last three of seven rounds. The Red Bulls’ Noah Eile, Wikelman Carmona, Elias Manoel, Forsberg and Edelman found the net.

Columbus was seeking to join the Los Angeles Galaxy (2011-12), Houston Dynamo (2006-07) and D.C. United (1996-97) as repeat winners and keep their quest alive to tie D.C. for second place with four MLS Cups, one behind the Galaxy.

Information from Reuters and The Associated Press was used in this story.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Carlos Coronel made three consecutive penalty shootout saves and Daniel Edelman converted the winning goal in the bottom of the seventh frame when the New York Red Bulls stunned the Columbus Crew to sweep the best-of-three first-round series on Sunday…

Mo Salah posts cryptic note on Liverpool future​​

Mohamed Salah has posted a cryptic message about his Liverpool future a day after scoring his team’s winning goal against Brighton.

​Mohamed Salah has posted a cryptic message about his Liverpool future a day after scoring his team’s winning goal against Brighton. Mohamed Salah has posted a cryptic message about his Liverpool future a day after scoring his team’s winning goal against Brighton.   

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Nov 3, 2024, 01:45 PM ET

Mohamed Salah has posted a cryptic message about his Liverpool future a day after scoring his team’s winning goal against Brighton.

Arne Slot extended his impressive start to his tenure with the 2-1 comeback victory, with the Egypt international scoring what the coach called a “Mo Salah special” to complete the turnaround.

Salah, 32, is one of a number of stars the Merseyside club risks losing for free at the end of the season, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk also out of contract next June.

“Top of the table is where this club belongs. Nothing less,” Salah wrote on social media on Sunday.

“All teams win matches but there’s only one champion in the end. That’s what we want. Thank you for your support last night.

“No matter what happens, I will never forget what scoring at Anfield feels like.”

Salah told Sky Sports at the start of the season that this could be his final season with Liverpool, the team he joined in 2017 from AS Roma.

After his winner at Anfield on Saturday, he now has 164 goals in 273 appearances for the club. He won the Premier League under Jürgen Klopp in 2020 and the Champions League in 2019, as well as an FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

Slot has remained tight-lipped on the future of Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold repeatedly when asked this season.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Mohamed Salah has posted a cryptic message about his Liverpool future a day after scoring his team’s winning goal against Brighton.

Chelsea: Martinez went for Palmer’s legs, clear red​​

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca said Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez should have been sent off for going “for the legs” of Cole Palmer with a reckless challenge which resulted in a yellow card for the defender during Sunday’s 1-1 draw.

​Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca said Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez should have been sent off for going “for the legs” of Cole Palmer with a reckless challenge which resulted in a yellow card for the defender during Sunday’s 1-1 draw. Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca said Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez should have been sent off for going “for the legs” of Cole Palmer with a reckless challenge which resulted in a yellow card for the defender during Sunday’s 1-1 draw.   

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Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca said Manchester United’s Lisandro Martínez should have been sent off for going “for the legs” of Cole Palmer with a reckless challenge which resulted in a yellow card for the defender during Sunday’s 1-1 Premier League draw at Old Trafford.

Argentina international Martinez was booked by referee Robert Jones in the third minute of stoppage time for the foul on Palmer in which he caught the England forward high on the knee.

Video Assistant Referee Michael Salisbury reviewed the challenge before announcing that Jones’s on-field decision would stand because, according to the Premier League, it was deemed to be a “reckless challenge and not serious foul play.”

Former United captain Roy Keane, working at the game as a pundit for Sky Sports, said, “Martinez is a lucky boy. It’s a nasty tackle,” and Chelsea coach Maresca claimed that he told the referee that Martinez should have been sent off.

“They [TV] showed me [the challenge] before the press conference,” Maresca told reporters. “I think it’s quite clear for all of us and they [officials] took a different decision.

“When there is no intention to go for ball and you only go for the player, it’s a red. He [referee] didn’t say nothing, but when you go for a player or the legs, there is no doubt about the decision. I think it is quite clear it is a red.”

Ruud van Nistelrooy, United’s interim coach, said he didn’t see the challenge as a red, but admitted he had yet to see a replay of the incident.

“I haven’t seen it,” Van Nistelrooy said. “I saw it on the touchline and I didn’t see it as a red, but I would have to watch it again to give an opinion.”

Maresca, meanwhile, said that Chelsea are waiting to assess the full extent of Palmer’s injury.

“He [Palmer] is waiting in changing room with ice,” Maresca said. “We hope it’s nothing important.”

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca said Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez should have been sent off for going “for the legs” of Cole Palmer with a reckless challenge which resulted in a yellow card for the defender during Sunday’s 1-1 draw.

Sources: Amorim to have say on United renewals​​

Manchester United will give new head coach Rúben Amorim a say before making contract decisions on players approaching the end of their deals, sources have told ESPN.

​Manchester United will give new head coach Rúben Amorim a say before making contract decisions on players approaching the end of their deals, sources have told ESPN. Manchester United will give new head coach Rúben Amorim a say before making contract decisions on players approaching the end of their deals, sources have told ESPN.   

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Manchester United will give new head coach Rúben Amorim a say before making contract decisions on players approaching the end of their deals, sources have told ESPN.

Amorim has signed an initial two-and-a-half year contract at Old Trafford and will start work on Nov. 11 after overseeing his final two games as Sporting CP boss.

Victor Lindelöf and Christian Eriksen are among the United players out of contract at the end of the season, and sources have told ESPN that the club will give Amorim time to form his own opinions before concrete decisions are made.

Harry Maguire and Amad Diallo also have deals until the end of the season, although in both cases the club hold options to extend by an additional year until 2026.

Amorim had agreed to become United head coach rather than manager and his influence over recruitment will be reduced compared to predecessor Erik ten Hag.

Sources have told ESPN that he will be asked for his opinion about which players to retain, but final decisions will be made by CEO Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox.

Amorim is set to oversee a switch to his favoured 3-4-3 system when he takes over leaving the door open for players to impress if they can quickly adapt to his tactical plan.

Maguire struggled to nail down a regular place under Ten Hag, but the 31-year-old, who almost joined West Ham in 2023, has experience playing in three-man defence. He had a successful spell in a back three under former England manager Gareth Southgate.

United were willing to listen to offers for Lindelof in the summer only for an injury during preseason to put an end any hope of a move away.

The Sweden international is fit again and knows Amorim from their time together at Benfica. He’s free to talk to clubs outside the Premier League from January and has been linked with a move to Fenerbahce to reunite with former United boss Jose Mourinho.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Manchester United will give new head coach Rúben Amorim a say before making contract decisions on players approaching the end of their deals, sources have told ESPN.

Mourinho blasts Turkish refs in ferocious rant​​

Jose Mourinho did not hold back in a ferocious rant following Fenerbahce’s 3-2 Super Lig win against Trabzonspor on Sunday, accusing the VAR of drinking tea instead of officiating.

​Jose Mourinho did not hold back in a ferocious rant following Fenerbahce’s 3-2 Super Lig win against Trabzonspor on Sunday, accusing the VAR of drinking tea instead of officiating. Jose Mourinho did not hold back in a ferocious rant following Fenerbahce’s 3-2 Super Lig win against Trabzonspor on Sunday, accusing the VAR of drinking tea instead of officiating.   

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Nov 4, 2024, 03:52 AM ET

Jose Mourinho did not hold back in a ferocious rant following Fenerbahce‘s 3-2 Super Lig win against Trabzonspor on Sunday, accusing the VAR of drinking tea instead of officiating and saying he would not have joined the club had he known “the full truth” about refereeing in Turkey.

Trabzonspor were awarded two penalties in the second half following VAR interventions, and with the score tied at 2-2 late in the game Mourinho was incensed when a challenge on Bright Osayi-Samuel went unpunished.

The Portuguese coach suggested the VAR, Atilla Karaoglan, had missed the incident as he was drinking tea.

Despite having late penalty claims waved away, the visitors got the win when Sofyan Amrabat scored deep into stoppage time, prompting the former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United manager to race onto the pitch to celebrate with a knee slide.

“I blame the Fenerbahce people that brought me here,” Mourinho told beIN Sports Turkiye in a lengthy rant. “They told me only half of the truth.

“They didn’t tell me the whole truth because if they told me the whole truth, I wouldn’t come. But, with half of the truth and my boys, we fight opponents and the system.”

Mourinho added that Karaoglan should never be involved in officiating another Fenerbahce game.

“The referee was just a little boy that was there on the pitch, but the referee was Atilla Karaoglan, so man of the match,” he said.

“He goes from the invisible man to the most important man in the match.

“Isn’t a red card on Bright, Karaoglan was what, drinking tea at that time, didn’t see that red card for that player?” he added.

“He was alert to give the two penalty decisions [to Trabzonspor] when the referee didn’t give, then was having Turkish tea when it was a clear penalty for us and did not give it.

“I think I am speaking on behalf of every Fenerbahce fan, we don’t want him again.”

Information from Reuters contributed to this report.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Jose Mourinho did not hold back in a ferocious rant following Fenerbahce’s 3-2 Super Lig win against Trabzonspor on Sunday, accusing the VAR of drinking tea instead of officiating.

Should Lisandro Martínez have been sent off for challenge on Cole Palmer?​​

Should Lisandro Martínez have been sent off for his challenge on Cole Palmer? That and all the other big VAR situations this weekend in the Premier League.

​Should Lisandro Martínez have been sent off for his challenge on Cole Palmer? That and all the other big VAR situations this weekend in the Premier League. Should Lisandro Martínez have been sent off for his challenge on Cole Palmer? That and all the other big VAR situations this weekend in the Premier League.   

Video Assistant Referee causes controversy every week in the Premier League, but how are decisions made, and are they correct?

After each weekend we take a look at the major incidents, to examine and explain the process both in terms of VAR protocol and the Laws of the Game.

In this week’s VAR Review: Should Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez have been sent off for his challenge on Chelsea‘s Cole Palmer? Why was Crystal Palace‘s stoppage-time winner at Wolverhampton Wanderers disallowed? And are Ipswich Town being hard done by with VAR?

Possible red card: Martínez foul on Palmer

What happened: The game was into the third minute of stoppage time when Palmer tried to lift the ball past Martínez, with the United defender sticking out a leg to stop his opponent. Referee Rob Jones tried to play an advantage, but brought it back after Chelsea quickly lost possession. Martínez was shown a yellow card but the VAR, Michael Salisbury, checked for a possible red.

VAR decision: No red card.

VAR review: Red cards for serious foul play through VAR aren’t a rarity in the Premier League, but it’s been a long-standing issue for the video referees to get the balance right.

Last season, there were 10 serious foul play red cards through VAR, though the Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel ruled a further six should have been given. It’s a success rate of 62.5% on this area of law, with cases of serious foul play making up a quarter of the 24 missed subjective interventions.

We’re yet to see a VAR red card for serious foul play this season, and Martínez can consider himself fortunate. It’s only the Premier League’s high bar for an intervention — the root cause for a VAR second guessing — which prevented Jones being sent to the monitor (we’ll come back to this discussion again shortly.)

Indeed, it’s that same high bar which led to Bruno Fernandes‘ red card against Tottenham Hotspur not being overturned. It usually creates a situation where a VAR can look for any evidence to support the on-field decision rather than being more forthright about what they can actually see.

Martínez caught Palmer high around the knee area with his studs showing, and only a lack of any real force could have led the VAR to judge a yellow card was a justifiable disciplinary outcome.

High contact with studs, in a way which couldn’t realistically be considered a genuine attempt to play the ball, could easily be seen as endangering the safety of the opponent. And if Jones had produced a red card, the VAR wouldn’t have told the referee he’d made a mistake. We saw this last season, when Arsenal‘s Fabio Vieira was sent off in a 3-1 win over Burnley. It’s a perfect example of why VAR isn’t going to give consistency of decision-making when the on-field call has the weight.

With the Premier League’s high bar, it’s often too easy to support an on-field call of a yellow card (or in the case of Fernandes, the red.)

Verdict: Just about the correct call for no VAR intervention, taking into account the process in the Premier League.

Possible penalty overturn: Sánchez foul on Højlund

What happened: Man United were awarded a penalty in the 70th minute when Robert Sánchez brought down Rasmus Højlund. It was checked by the VAR. (watch here)

VAR decision: Penalty stood, scored by Fernandes.

VAR review: As with the penalty Newcastle United were awarded against Manchester City earlier this season, when Éderson brought down Anthony Gordon, once the VAR has identified contact between the on-rushing goalkeeper and the boot of the attacker there isn’t going to be an intervention.

Højlund gets a toe to the ball first, and Sanchez does catch the striker.

Verdict: No VAR intervention.

Possible penalty: Issahaku challenge on Chaplin

What happened: Ipswich Town had a free kick in the 77th minute. After a melee inside the area the ball fell to Conor Chaplin. Fatawu Issahaku came running out and collided with the Ipswich player, who went to ground. Referee Tim Robinson allowed play to continue, which resulted in Kalvin Phillips fouling Ricardo Pereira and picking up his second yellow card. The VAR, Stuart Attwell, checked for a possible penalty. (watch here)

VAR decision: No penalty.

VAR review: Ipswich have endured a baptism of fire to life with VAR. Mark Ashton, the club’s chairman and CEO, pulled no punches in an interview on Friday, saying “we will not go quietly into the night,” and that “[PGMOL chief refereeing officer] Howard [Webb] is going to see my number flashing up a hell of a lot more.” And those comments came before Saturday’s events.

All clubs will, naturally, feel they should be getting more decisions than they do. Perhaps for Ipswich — the only club in the division who hadn’t experienced VAR before — expectation levels needed to be lowered and they need to realise that subjective interventions don’t happen all that often.

No club can ever get every decision they want — because most calls sit in the subjective grey area where either decision is acceptable; there’s no definitive right call.

Ipswich sit at the bottom of the VAR overturns table this season, with three going against them and not one in their favour. But while Ipswich may feel aggrieved, the KMI Panel has judged that all three decisions were correct, and there hasn’t been a missed VAR intervention which should have gone their way.

Many are going to disagree, but while the challenge on Issahaku could be a penalty on the field, it probably doesn’t meet the Premier League’s high bar for an intervention.

Last season, Brentford‘s Ivan Toney was bundled over in the box by Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson. A penalty wasn’t awarded, which was backed up by the VAR. The KMI Panel unanimously said that it should have been given as a spot kick on the field by referee Michael Oliver, but voted 4-1 that the VAR was right not to get involved.

Against Man City at the start of the season, Ipswich were denied a penalty and the KMI Panel ruled that while it should have been awarded by the referee, the VAR was right not to get involved — it would be no surprise if the same decision was reached on this too. It leaves Ipswich with grounds for complaint with refereeing, but also frustration with VAR process.

If the penalty had been awarded through VAR then Phillips’ second yellow card would have stood. The only cards that are rescinded are those directly resulted to the play, such as through DOGSO (Denying an Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity), and not those issued for other disciplinary matters.

Verdict: As referee Robinson saw the incident and described it as a collision between the players, it goes down as referee’s call.

Possible DOGSO red card: Handball by Dawson

What happened: The game was in the 49th minute when Jean-Philippe Mateta tried to help a ball through to Ismaïla Sarr, who would have been through on goal. The ball hit Craig Dawson, and possession switched to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner was adamant that Dawson should have received a red card for DOGSO (denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity), but referee Anthony Taylor gave no free kick, let alone a card.

VAR decision: No red card.

VAR review: The ball did hit Dawson’s arm, but it was close to his body by his side. For this to be an offence, Dawson would need to have made, as Glasner claimed, a deliberate movement to block the ball going through to Sarr, but there doesn’t appear to be evidence of this.

Then it would be a question of Sarr having an obvious scoring chance; he would have been ahead of the Wolves defence though with Toti Gomes close behind.

Verdict: No VAR intervention.

Possible goal: No foul by Muñoz on Sá

What happened: Crystal Palace thought they had scored a dramatic winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time.José Sá collected a cross into the area but was challenged by Daniel Muñoz, and Mateta put the loose ball into the net. However, referee Taylor blew for a foul on the goalkeeper as soon as the ball crossed the line. (watch here)

VAR decision: No goal.

VAR review: The referee held his whistle to give the VAR the chance to review the incident, but Taylor’s decision was correct.

When a goalkeeper has even one finger on top of the ball when it’s touching the ground, they are deemed to be in control and cannot be challenged. Sá has his hand on the ball so is in control, and Muñoz cannot in any way bundle into him — even if the Palace player didn’t actually touch the ball.

Had the goal been awarded it would have been disallowed. In the 2021-22 season, Aston Villa had a goal ruled out through VAR against Leicester City, with Jacob Ramsey kicking the ball when goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel had a glove on the ball as it was touching the ground.

Verdict: No VAR intervention.

Possible red card: Rodríguez foul on Gibbs-White

What happened: Morgan Gibbs-White collected the ball on the edge of the box in the 18th minute, with the Nottingham Forest player brought down by a tackle from Guido Rodríguez. Referee Peter Bankes showed the yellow card, which was checked by the VAR, Alex Chilowicz.

VAR decision: No red card.

VAR review: This wouldn’t be the case in other top European leagues, but in the Premier League the point of contact on a challenge of this nature is important.

Rodríguez catches Gibbs-White around the boot area, which is only likely to be a yellow card. That changes if a player jumps into the challenge with additional force, but for a standard challenge we wouldn’t expect to see a red card.

Verdict: No VAR intervention.

Possible red card: Tarkowski foul on Archer

What happened: Cameron Archer was brought down by a strong challenge by James Tarkowski in the 24th minute, with the Everton defender booked by referee Andy Madley. The VAR, Matt Donohue, considered a possible red card.

VAR decision: No red card.

VAR review: If the Rodríguez tackle lacked the extra intensity for a possible red card, then the Tarkowski challenge came very close.

Tarkowski’s attempt to win the ball also saw him come in low, but with more force. It’s a bad challenge, but again it didn’t quite meet what we’d expect for an intervention.

Verdict: No VAR intervention.

Possible DOGSO red card: Bendarek foul on Beto

What happened: Jan Bednarek was shown the yellow card in the 76th minute after bringing down Beto. The referee showed the yellow card, but was there a case for a DOGSO red card? (watch here)

VAR decision: No red card.

VAR review: DOGSO has been a running theme for a number of weeks now, with a number of borderline decisions — though only Arsenal‘s William Saliba has been sent off through VAR.

Bednarek knows that Beto is going to out-pace him, so brings down the Everton striker. Beto has already played the ball toward goal, so the direction of play ticks the box for DOGSO. What saves the Southampton defender is that the foul itself takes place in a wide area, meaning there’s a case that Taylor Harwood-Bellis may be able to make a challenge on the cover.

Verdict: No VAR intervention.

Some factual parts of this article include information provided by the Premier League and PGMOL.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Should Lisandro Martínez have been sent off for his challenge on Cole Palmer? That and all the other big VAR situations this weekend in the Premier League.

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Rasmus Hojlund largely struggled as Manchester United played out a draw with Chelsea on Sunday, with the Danish international striker now being blasted for his performance ​Rasmus Hojlund largely struggled as Manchester United played out a draw with Chelsea on Sunday,...

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Solanke shines as Spurs come back to thrash Villa​​

Two second-half goals from Dominic Solanke and a sublime James Maddison free kick helped Tottenham Hotspur come from behind to overwhelm Aston Villa 4-1 on Sunday and end the visitors’ seven-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.

​Two second-half goals from Dominic Solanke and a sublime James Maddison free kick helped Tottenham Hotspur come from behind to overwhelm Aston Villa 4-1 on Sunday and end the visitors’ seven-match unbeaten run in the Premier League. Two second-half goals from Dominic Solanke and a sublime James Maddison free kick helped Tottenham Hotspur come from behind to overwhelm Aston Villa 4-1 on Sunday and end the visitors’ seven-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.   

Two second-half goals from Dominic Solanke and a sublime James Maddison free kick helped Tottenham Hotspur to come from behind and overwhelm Aston Villa 4-1 on Sunday, ending the visitors’ seven-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.

Spurs climbed to seventh in the table on 16 points, two points behind Villa who stayed fifth. Should Chelsea win or draw at Manchester United later on Sunday, Villa would drop down to sixth.

Unai Emery’s Villa led at halftime through Morgan Rogers, but Spurs were level soon after the break when Brennan Johnson tapped in at the far post.

Solanke’s two goals in four minutes, including a flowing team move finished off with a delightful dink over Emiliano Martínez, secured the win, before Maddison curled in a free kick in stoppage time.

Emery, whose side had looked comfortable in the first half, said he was disappointed with the result, but not too worried about the manner of the defeat.

“We are disappointed, frustrated but we are accepting it,” Emery told Sky Sports. “We know our way, it is 38 matches, the league is very tight.”

Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Villa’s goal punctuated a drab first half at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Rogers poking home from a yard out after Lucas Digne’s corner was flicked on into the six-yard box.

Spurs skipper Son Heung-min provided an assist on his return from injury, whipping an excellent outswinging ball across the goal for Johnson to slot home at the back post shortly after halftime.

Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs had struggled to break down Villa in the first half, largely resorting to shots from distance, but they upped their intensity in the second period and two quick goals from Solanke sealed the win.

His first was a flowing one-touch team move, with Solanke latching on to Dejan Kulusevski’s cute pass and chipping the ball over the onrushing Martínez.

Minutes later,a mistake by Villa defender Pau Torres set Spurs charging forward again with second-half substitute Richarlison squaring for Solanke to grab his second goal.

Postecoglou was full of praise for Solanke, a £65 million signing from Bournemouth this summer, describing his effort levels as “unbelievable.”

“I just can’t speak highly enough of what he’s contributing to our team at the moment,” Postecoglou told reporters.

Maddison put the gloss on a fine display late on, caressing the ball around the Villa wall from 20 yards out and into the top corner past a helpless Martínez.

Spurs have bounced back well from a disappointing defeat at Crystal Palace last weekend, knocking Manchester City out of the League Cup in midweek, but Postecoglou was keen to stay grounded.

“You don’t fall off cliffs and you don’t climb mountains within a week,” Postecoglou said. “I’m totally focused on the long game here.”

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Two second-half goals from Dominic Solanke and a sublime James Maddison free kick helped Tottenham Hotspur come from behind to overwhelm Aston Villa 4-1 on Sunday and end the visitors’ seven-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.

Wrexham dumped from FA Cup with shock loss​​

Wrexham have been eliminated from the English FA Cup in the first round, losing 1-0 away at lower-league Harrogate Town on Sunday.

​Wrexham have been eliminated from the English FA Cup in the first round, losing 1-0 away at lower-league Harrogate Town on Sunday. Wrexham have been eliminated from the English FA Cup in the first round, losing 1-0 away at lower-league Harrogate Town on Sunday.   

Wrexham have been eliminated from the FA Cup in the first round, losing 1-0 away at lower-league Harrogate Town on Sunday.

Harrogate, 17th in League Two, were not fancied by many heading into the game against a Wrexham team who are looking to earn their third successive promotion and are third in League One.

The Welsh side, part-owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, conceded against the run of play midway through the first half. Harrogate forward Jack Muldoon leapt highest from a corner and directed his header past Arthur Okonkwo in the Wrexham net with what was the home team’s first chance of any real note.

Wrexham created a host of good chances, particularly in the second half as their added firepower was summoned by manager Phil Parkinson from the bench in an attempt to turn the game around.

George Wood/Getty Images

However, James Belshaw was more than resolute in the Harrogate goal, making excellent saves from Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, George Dobson and Paul Mullin. Right-back Ryan Barnett arguably had the best chance of all, but was unable to control his finish and blazed the ball over the bar.

The Dragons did have the ball in the net in the closing stages of the game after Modou Faal poked home from close range, only to see the offside flag go up to rule it out.

The closing stages were fraught in Yorkshire as Wrexham went direct, with former Premier League player James McClean putting a number of crosses into the box to no avail.

The final act was a ball launched into the area that was plucked appropriately from the sky by Belshaw, who blew a kiss to the travelling Wrexham fans behind his goal after the full-time whistle.

Wrexham return to league action on Saturday against Mansfield Town.

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Wrexham have been eliminated from the English FA Cup in the first round, losing 1-0 away at lower-league Harrogate Town on Sunday.

Olmo nets two, ‘wants more’ in return to Barca XI​​

Dani Olmo said he wants “more” after scoring a brace in his first start since September as Barcelona beat Espanyol 3-1 in Sunday’s Catalan derby at the Olympic Stadium.

​Dani Olmo said he wants “more” after scoring a brace in his first start since September as Barcelona beat Espanyol 3-1 in Sunday’s Catalan derby at the Olympic Stadium. Dani Olmo said he wants “more” after scoring a brace in his first start since September as Barcelona beat Espanyol 3-1 in Sunday’s Catalan derby at the Olympic Stadium.   

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Nov 3, 2024, 03:15 PM ET

Dani Olmo said he wants “more” after scoring a brace in his first start since September as Barcelona beat Espanyol 3-1 in Sunday’s Catalan derby at the Olympic Stadium.

Raphinha was also on target as Barça moved nine points clear at the top of the league after 11 games. Espanyol scored a late consolation through Javi Puado.

“I feel good,” Olmo, who recently returned from a month-long injury layoff, told reporters. “I was really looking forward to returning and being able to help the team on the pitch. I’m back, enjoying it, playing, winning … and I want more.”

Olmo, a €60 million summer signing from RB Leipzig, now has five goals in five league appearances — only three of which have been as a starter — and is averaging 1.67 goals per 90 minutes in LaLiga.

The Spain international’s return adds another dimension to an attack that was already finding the net regularly.

In total, Barça have now scored 40 goals in the league this season and are the only team in Europe’s top five leagues to have four players on at least five goals: Robert Lewandowski (14), Raphinha (7), Lamine Yamal (5) and Olmo (5).

“We are a team with a lot of goals in it,” Olmo added. “Both the forwards and the midfielders that get forward can contribute in that regard. We can play direct and we create a lot of chances.”

Both Olmo’s goals arrived in the first half, the first via a brilliant Yamal assist and the second from the edge of the box, with Barça coach Hansi Flick praising his goal scoring ability.

“He knows how to score goals, this was for us very important today,” Flick said in his post-game news conference. “We are very happy Dani is back. Maybe he is not 100% still, but he’s back and was able to start. This is also why we won this match.”

Barça have now won six games in a row in all competitions, scoring at least three times on each occasion, but they lost control of the match in the second half against Espanyol.

Flick said he was happy to win his first Catalan derby in charge of the club but that the players will have to improve for the midweek Champions League game against Red Star Belgrade.

“I’m not happy of course for the second half, but I say to the team sometimes it happens,” Flick added. “We lost the concentration, the tension. We made a lot of unforced errors. But it happens sometimes. Until now, the team made a good season with unbelievable performances.

“Also the first half [we were good], but not in the second half today. I accept that because we won, but on Wednesday we need another level.”

The game began with a minute’s silence for the more than 200 people who have lost their lives in the flooding in the east of Spain this week, which led to Valencia and Villarreal‘s fixtures against Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano, respectively, being postponed.

Injured Barça forward Ferran Torres is from the Valencia region — the are worst affected — and revealed in an Instagram post he did not go to Sunday’s derby because he did not have the energy to attend after a difficult week.

“I totally understand that,” Flick said. “It was normal, when [Torres] asked this, I said OK, of course. In this moment, there are much more important things than football and he chose that. It’s normal.”

Olmo added: “Maybe the games shouldn’t have been played [this weekend]. I am sending all my support to those affected by [the floods] and encourage people to collaborate and help however they can.”

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Dani Olmo said he wants “more” after scoring a brace in his first start since September as Barcelona beat Espanyol 3-1 in Sunday’s Catalan derby at the Olympic Stadium.

Bruno apologised to Ten Hag after Man Utd sack​​

Bruno Fernandes has revealed he called Erik ten Hag to apologise after the Dutchman was sacked by Manchester United.

​Bruno Fernandes has revealed he called Erik ten Hag to apologise after the Dutchman was sacked by Manchester United. Bruno Fernandes has revealed he called Erik ten Hag to apologise after the Dutchman was sacked by Manchester United.   

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Bruno Fernandes has revealed he called Erik ten Hag to apologise after the Dutchman was sacked by Manchester United.

Fernandes scored a penalty as United drew 1-1 with Chelsea in their first Premier League game since Ten Hag’s dismissal on Monday.

The midfielder said he has spoken to his former boss following the decision and admitted the players must take their share of responsibility for Ten Hag’s departure.

“Whenever you see a manager go you have to take some of the blame on yourself, it is because the team is not doing so well,” Fernandes told Sky.

“It is easier to get rid of a manager than 15 players. I spoke to the manager [Ten Hag] and apologised to him, I was disappointed he has gone and I tried to help him. I wasn’t scoring goals, we are not scoring goals and I feel responsible.

“It is not good for anyone at the club when the manager goes. The team is not the best, the results are not the best and he is the one who pays for it.”

Following Ten Hag’s departure, United have beaten Leicester in the Carabao Cup and drawn with Chelsea in the Premier League under caretaker boss Ruud van Nistelrooy.

He has another two games in charge before Rúben Amorim takes the reins on Nov. 11.

Van Nistelrooy admitted it’s been a “difficult” week at the club and said the players have had to “look in the mirror” after a poor start to the season.

“It has been very difficult from last Monday to today, six days, a rollercoaster of emotions,” Van Nistelrooy said. “It’s very sad seeing Erik leave.

“The next day you have to start to focus on getting the lads ready for Leicester because 75,000 people show up here at Old Trafford and the players feel they have an obligation to do better.

“They look in the mirror and their reactions then and today show they think about things.”

Van Nistelrooy’s long-term future remains up in the air after Amorim stated his intention to bring his own coaching staff to Old Trafford.

The 48-year-old will lead the team against POAK in the Europa League on Thursday and against Leicester in the Premier League on Sunday but is still waiting to learn whether he will stay beyond the November international break.

“I am open for the future,” he said. “We all will be backing him [Amorim] and helping him to get Man United where we want them to be.

“I look forward to get to know him better. He has done very well in Portugal. He’s a young, talented coach and he’s done very well in Portugal.”

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Bruno Fernandes has revealed he called Erik ten Hag to apologise after the Dutchman was sacked by Manchester United.

Man United show scars of Ten Hag era in draw against Chelsea​​

As Man United wait for the Rúben Amorim era to begin, their players showed plenty of issues from Erik ten Hag’s tenure in Sunday’s draw with Chelsea.

​As Man United wait for the Rúben Amorim era to begin, their players showed plenty of issues from Erik ten Hag’s tenure in Sunday’s draw with Chelsea. As Man United wait for the Rúben Amorim era to begin, their players showed plenty of issues from Erik ten Hag’s tenure in Sunday’s draw with Chelsea.   

MANCHESTER, England — Moisés Caicedo put the brakes on Manchester United‘s mini-revival under Ruud van Nistelrooy by earning a Premier League point for Chelsea with a stunning second-half volley in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Van Nistelrooy, who is in charge as interim head coach following last week’s sacking of Erik ten Hag, inspired United to a 5-2 win against Leicester City in the Carabao Cup in midweek in his first game. And although Bruno Fernandes put United ahead with a 70th-minute penalty to give them hope of a crucial win, Caicedo cancelled out the goal with one of his own four minutes later.

Van Nistelrooy will remain in temporary charge for next week’s games against PAOK Thessaloniki in the Europa League and Leicester again in the Premier League next Sunday. Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim will then arrive on Nov. 11 to become United’s sixth permanent boss since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, but he will need to inspire a rapid turnaround to put United back on track this season. — Mark Ogden

Ten Hag caution still scars United

Van Nistelrooy’s natural attacking instincts have already made a difference to Manchester United during his two games in charge, but the scars of Ten Hag’s cautious approach still run deep.

United’s toothlessness is borne out by the fact that they have led for a total of 90 minutes in the Premier League this season — and 55 of those came against struggling Southampton.

Only Fulham, Southampton, Brentford and now Chelsea have fallen behind against United this season. Incredibly, for a club of their resources, only Southampton and Crystal Palace have scored fewer than United’s league goals.

The Red Devils’ five-goal display in the midweek win against Leicester was an example of the team playing with more freedom under Van Nistelrooy, and they played with flair against Chelsea, too. But while United were often caught out when attacking under Ten Hag, they were also laboured and deliberate when playing out from the back, and Van Nistelrooy was quick to stamp out any repeat of that against Chelsea.

The former United striker clearly wants his players to look forward whenever they have the ball, but one crucial failing of Ten Hag’s team was that the players too often took the safety-first option of playing the ball backwards. When defender Matthijs de Ligt did just that in the first half, opting to pass back to goalkeeper André Onana rather than playing it forward to Alejandro Garnacho, Van Nistelrooy berated the Netherlands international on the touchline and urged him to pass forward next time.

There were other occasions when Van Nistelrooy pointed forward, but when a team has been struggling as United have, players tend to take the easy option to reduce the risk of making a mistake. That is an issue that still affects this United side. — Ogden

Caicedo showing why Chelsea coveted him

Had things been different, Caicedo could have been lining up in United red on Sunday rather than Chelsea blue. Instead, he scored a fantastic equaliser that earned Enzo Maresca’s team a valuable point.

United tried to sign Caicedo from Independiente del Valle in Ecuador before his move to Brighton & Hove Albion. From there, he joined Chelsea in a deal worth £115 million in 2023.

The huge fee brought with it added pressure, but after a stop-start first season at Stamford Bridge he’s finally starting to look like the player who was so effective at Brighton.

His goal against United was a stunner; a volley from the edge of the penalty area from a ball that was dropping out of the sky. It’s a hard skill, but Caicedo executed it perfectly, and Onana had no chance — it was almost past him before he had time to react.

Caicedo’s overall performance earned him the man-of-the-match award. He walked off at full time having won the midfield battle against Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte alongside his midfield partner, Romeo Lavia.

Chelsea are still a work in progress under Maresca, but if Caicedo can find this level consistently he will help them take a big leap forward this season. — Rob Dawson

Amorim most solve United’s central quartet

Amorim has plenty waiting in his in-tray when he officially takes charge of Manchester United a week on Monday, but few are more crucial than the problem the current Sporting coach will have with his central defenders and midfielders.

The new manager is almost certain to quickly impose his favoured 3-4-3 formation on United, but he needs the personnel to make it work. When he watches this game back, he will be alarmed by the shortcomings in defence and midfield.

The central quartet of defenders De Ligt and Lisandro Martínez, and midfielders Casemiro and Ugarte, are enough to give Amorim nightmares.

De Ligt is too slow and reckless to impress Amorim, and the former Ajax, Juventus and Bayern Munich defender was caught out too often against Nicolas Jackson.

Martínez, meanwhile, will alarm Amorim with his decision-making and unhealthy habit of turning a routine situation into a dangerous one. For some reason, Martínez takes way too many chances with over-zealous challenges, and he was fortunate not to give away a penalty for a first-half shove and foul on Levi Colwill.

Martínez was booked for a stoppage-time foul on Cole Palmer that could have been a red. The knee-high challenge was reviewed by VAR but Martínez escaped further punishment. That kind of rash challenge happens too often with the Argentina defender, and at some point, he and United will pay a heavy price.

Ugarte is similarly unreliable in midfield and he was substituted late in game when, after a series of fouls following a booking, looked like being sent off for persistent offending. The summer signing from Paris Saint-Germain is struggling to adjust to the pace of the Premier League, just as Casemiro has always found difficult since his 2022 arrival from Real Madrid.

Four expensive signings in key areas and Amorim can’t rely on any of them. — Ogden

Palmer’s Mancunian roots

Palmer had a quiet game at Old Trafford, but there are plenty at United who remain hopeful he might grace the stadium on a more regular basis in the future.

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Michallik: Chelsea’s key players had ‘horrible’ games vs. Man United

Janusz Michallik criticises the performances of Chelsea’s biggest names after they fail to fire in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United.

He came through Manchester City‘s academy, but he’s a boyhood United fan. He also regularly returns to see family and friends in Manchester since his move to London 18 months ago.

It won’t be easy to prise Palmer away from Chelsea, who have the 22-year-old England star under a mammoth contract until 2033. That hasn’t stopped some United recruitment staff believing there’s a chance he could one day end up at the club, though.

Being young and English, Palmer is exactly the type of player that United sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox are looking to attract to spearhead a new era under Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

United fans were quick to remind Palmer of his City past, particularly when one tame pass rolled under his boot and out of play in the first half. If he were to arrive at United and have the impact he’s already had at Chelsea, all those years at the Etihad Stadium would be quickly forgotten. — Dawson

Where does Enzo fit in Chelsea midfield?

Enzo Fernández started this season as Chelsea captain having been controversially handed the armband by Maresca despite being accused of “unhibited racism” by teammate Wesley Fofana for singing a derogatory song while on international duty with Argentina. The £105m signing is now out of the team and wondering when he will make his next Premier League start after being named among the substitutes again by Maresca at Old Trafford.

Fernández has been left out of the team for the last three league games by Maresca, with Caicedo and Lavia being chosen instead to play at the heart of midfield. That pairing is showing signs of a positive blend in midfield, and Fernández will struggle to regain his place.

He made a brief appearance from the bench in the closing stages, but Chelsea are now starting to look more settled under Maresca, and Fernández must now find a way to fight back into the team.

When he signed from Benfica in January 2023, Fernández was regarded as a major capture by Chelsea, but he has failed to live up to the billing. Now he faces a real battle on his hands to prove he is worth a starting spot. — Ogden

Van Nistelrooy doing job prospects no harm

Van Nistelrooy isn’t getting the top job at Old Trafford, but the Dutchman is improving his chances of getting another managerial role elsewhere.

The 48-year-old was looking for a No.1 job in the summer and spoke to Burnley before United came calling with an offer to become Ten Hag’s assistant. Van Nistelrooy said at the time the only assistant job he would accept was back at Old Trafford, where he had such an impressive playing career between 2001 and 2006.

His immediate future once Amorim comes in is up in the air. He is still under contract, but Amorim has already made it clear he will bring his own coaches with him from Sporting. If there’s no role for Van Nistelrooy in Amorim’s staff, his caretaker role at United should open other doors.

He started the job with a thumping 5-2 win over Leicester on Wednesday and came away from a testing league game against Chelsea with a creditable draw. United’s first 30 minutes were good and a step up from what we saw in Ten Hag’s final few weeks.

Those performances won’t have gone unnoticed by clubs in the Premier League and Championship who may be looking for a new manager in the new year. — Dawson

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

As Man United wait for the Rúben Amorim era to begin, their players showed plenty of issues from Erik ten Hag’s tenure in Sunday’s draw with Chelsea.

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