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Tottenham Hotspur returned to winning ways on Saturday, defeating Brentford 2-0 courtesy of goals from Xavi Simons and Richarlison.

It was the first time that Thomas Frank’s men have won a game of football since November 4th when they defeated Copenhagen 4-0 in the Champions League.

Since then, the Lilywhites have been on a dire run of form, notably losing the north London derby 4-1. It’s a sequence of results that has thrown doubts over Frank’s future in the dugout.

What won’t help Spurs is that they’ve now received a series of injury blows following the win over Frank’s former side.

Tottenham dealt injury blows against Brentford

Spurs may well have sealed all three points on Saturday afternoon but the game didn’t come without some bad news for the club.

Indeed, they now have injury concerns over Destiny Udogie and Randal Kolo Muani before they face Slavia Prague in Europe on Wednesday night.

.

Udogie missed Saturday’s 2-0 win over Brentford after he sustained a soft tissue injury in the 2-2 draw against Newcastle while PSG loanee Kolo Muani stood out against Brentford but was subbed early and was later seen limping as he left the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Frank was quizzed about those issues after the game, with the Dane asked how long Udogie will be out for.

The manager responded: “Not too long. He got a soft tissue injury, unfortunately, against Newcastle.”

Spurs are already without long-term absentees Dominic Solanke, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison while Mathys Tel will be missing after not being registered in the club’s Champions League squad.

The north Londoners will now hope they can string a positive sequence of results together with the win against the Bees somewhat easing the pressure on the manager.

Speaking after sealing their first home win in the Premier League since August 16th, the boss stated: “Yeah, that is the standard.

“Sometimes there’s more tight games, as we know, but I like what I saw from the team and that’s what we need to build on and try to become even better.”

As good as Simons: Spurs sensation was looking like Bale 2.0 vs Brentford

One Tottenham Hotspur player managed to catch the eye during this afternoon’s victory.

ByEthan Lamb 5 days ago

If Father Time is truly undefeated, he was nowhere to be found Thursday night.

During a busy night on the jam-packed October sports calendar, it was a trio of athletes in their 40s who shined the brightest. It felt like 2012 again on when 40-year-old Joe Flacco and 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers battled head-to-head in a tight game between the Steelers and Bengals. Over in the ALCS, the Blue Jays handed the ball to 41-year-old Max Scherzer in a game they needed badly on the road.

The result: One of the most fun nights of prime-time sports in recent memory. Maybe these guys play forever?

Joe Flacco, Bengals quarterback

Age: 40 years, 274 days
Stats: 31/47; 342 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT, 108.6 RT

Traded to Cincinnati just 10 days ago, Flacco made his first home start at Paycom Stadium in a Bengals uniform on Thursday night. And he made Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin look like a genius for pulling off the move.

Flacco had his best game since Week 5 last season, logging a 108.6 passer rating and connecting with star receiver Ja'Marr Chase 16 times for 161 yards and a score on a whopping 23 targets.

For the first time in five years, Flacco was the younger quarterback on the field opposite Rodgers. And it showed, particularly on one play in the fourth quarter when he scrambled for 12 yards on a hilariously entertaining read option.

RELATED: The 13 Quarterbacks the Bengals Considered Before Trading for Joe Flacco

"The play clock was down, and I said, ‘Ah, screw it.’,'" Flacco said of the read option call. "I was just going to hand it off, but [Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith] came off the edge so damn quick I was like, ‘Alright, I haven’t done this since my first or second year but I’ll do it now.'"

Flacco's still got it. And so does his counterpart from Thursday night.

Aaron Rodgers, Steelers quarterback

Age: 41 years, 319 days
Stats: 23/34; 249 YDS, 4 TD, 2 INT, 103.7 RT

Rodgers threw two interceptions Thursday night that led to 10 Bengals points. But other than that he was fantastic, tossing four touchdowns for the second time this season while targeting nine different receivers in the passing game.

The 41-year-old's most impressive throw of the night was one that fell incomplete. After the Bengals took the lead on Evan McPherson's 36-yard field goal with seven seconds left, Rodgers attempted to add another Hail Mary to his YouTube highlight reel.

RELATED: Aaron Rodgers Was Furious After a Teammate Tackled Him During a TD Celebration

Rodgers rolled to his left to buy some time and launched a pass from his own 36-yard line. The pass traveled 69.8 yards in the air, which Next Gen Stats confirmed was the longest recorded pass attempt since at least 2017.

. Or, uh, This is 41.

Max Scherzer, Blue Jays starting pitcher

Age: 41 years, 82 days
Stats: 5 2/3 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 5 K, 4 BB

Needing a win to even up the ALCS against the Mariners, Toronto handed the ball to Scherzer, its grizzled vet. He didn't want to give that ball back.

Scherzer waltzed through the first four innings, allowing just one run on Josh Naylor's solo homer. When Blue Jays manager John Schneider strolled out to the mound in the fifth inning with a runner on base, Scherzer wanted none of it. He yelled at his skipper to get the heck back into the dugout.

RELATED: Max Scherzer Unleashed Unexpected Weapon to Baffle Mariners, Even ALCS 2–2

At 41 years old with three Cy Young awards on the résumé, Scherzer's got every right to do that.

"I've been waiting for that moment," Schneider said after the game. "It was awesome, I thought he was going to kill me. It was great."

It was Scherzer's first postseason win since leading the Nationals to the 2019 World Series title. By the looks of it, he's not done, either.

The St. Louis Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates in style Monday night, courtesy of a walk-off solo home run by Alec Burleson in the bottom of the ninth inning.

While it was a fun victory on a late summer night, a historically low number of fans were inside Busch Stadium to witness it.

The Cardinals are now just 65-67 on the season and it appears that they will miss the postseason for a third straight year. That lack of success might be the reason why only 17,675 fans were in attendance on Monday night. That number, according to the Derrick Goold, is the lowest in the stadium's history and the first time they have had under 20,000 people at a home game since the stadium was opened in 2006.

That's a tough look for a franchise that has won 11 World Series titles. But it's also a sign of the times for a club that has only won one two playoff series since 2014.

Lots of MLB fans roasted the Cardinals and their fans, who have been known to refer to themselves as the best in baseball.

The Cardinals will host the Pirates in the second game of their series Tuesday night at 7:45 p.m. ET.

The good times keep rolling on for Arsenal this season.

Mikel Arteta’s side continued their winning run against Burnley on the weekend and remain seven points clear of Liverpool atop the Premier League.

It was another convincing performance from the North Londoners, and one in which Declan Rice once again proved that he is one of, if not the best, midfielders in the league.

However, the former West Ham United captain was not the only standout performer, as another of Arteta’s men continued the Ballon d’Or-level campaign he’s having this year.

Rice's sensational season

When Arsenal spent a club-record £105m on Rice in the summer of 2023, there was an awful lot of pressure on the Englishman.

Everyone knew that he was a sensational footballer at the time, but it’s a rare thing for someone to justify being worth more than £100m.

Fortunately for Arteta and Co, he has achieved that and more over the last two and a bit years, first shining as an out-and-out six and then transitioning more into a marauding eight.

His first two campaigns in North London were brilliant, with him producing 17 goal involvements in the first and 19 in the second, but this year, he has taken another massive step forward.

With Martin Zubimendi now in the side, Arteta has once again modified the 26-year-old’s role in the team, with him telling the press on international duty that the manager has “adjusted my position at Arsenal a bit this year to give me a bit more freedom to drop deeper but to also get in the box when I can.”

This has seen the “world-class” international, as dubbed by journalist Tom Marshall-Bailey, spend more time in the middle of the park breaking up opposition attacks, but also then bursting forward to help create opportunities for the team.

For example, according to FBref, he ranks in the top 13% of midfielders in the league for touches in the middle third, and also in the top 1% for progressive carries, the top 4% for expected assists, and more per 90.

Progressive Carries

2.80

Top 1%

Inswinging Corner Kicks

2.69

Top 1%

Total Passing Distance

1104.63

Top 4%

xA: Expected Assists

0.22

Top 4%

Dead-ball Passes

7.84

Top 4%

Crosses

5.82

Top 4%

Corner Kicks

4.03

Top 4%

Total Carrying Distance

304.48

Top 4%

Progressive Carrying Distance

143.28

Top 4%

Carries into Final Third

2.57

Top 4%

Shots from Free Kicks

0.22

Top 6%

Passes Completed

61.34

Top 6%

Passes Attempted

72.54

Top 6%

Progressive Passing Distance

281.08

Top 6%

SCA (Dead-ball Pass)

1.23

Top 6%

GCA (Dead-ball Pass)

0.22

Top 6%

Touches

80.93

Top 6%

Touches (Att 3rd)

22.28

Top 6%

% of Aerials Won

68.4%

Top 7%

Passes Completed (Long)

5.93

Top 8%

Live-ball Passes

64.48

Top 8%

Switches

0.67

Top 8%

Carries

48.69

Top 8%

In other words, the Gunners’ monstrous number 41 is, in the words of Ashley Williams, an utterly “complete midfielder.”

Finally, on top of everything he does during open play, Rice has a shout for being the best setpiece specialist in the world, as whether it’s a corner or a free kick, he can and will drop the ball exactly where his teammates want it – just as he did against Burnley.

With all that said, there is another Arsenal star who is performing at a Ballon d’Or level this season.

The Arsenal star at a world-class level

With Arsenal doing so well this season, there are several players who could be described as playing at a Ballon d’Or level.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

For example, Zubimendi has hit the ground running, Jurrien Timber has been sensational in attack and defence, and Riccardo Calafiori is a joy to watch.

However, when it comes to picking Arsenal’s best player so far this year, it’s impossible to look past Gabriel Magalhães.

The Brazilian has almost entirely rid his game of the mistakes that led to some questioning him in the past, and has instead become one of the most reliable defenders in the league.

Whether the ball is in the air or on the ground, the former LOSC Lille ace always seems to know how to deal with it, and perhaps the most complimentary thing you can say about him is that William Saliba looks that little bit less assured without him in the backline.

Moreover, the 6 foot 3 “colossus,” as dubbed by Adam Keys, has made the Gunners a far more physically imposing team, as few, if any, opposition players can cope with his physicality.

So far this season, he has made 15 appearances for the North Londoners, 13 of which have been starts, playing a massive role in the side, conceding just three goals and standing a chance of beating Chelsea’s record of conceding just 15 in a league campaign.

Finally, it’s not just his defensive brilliance that makes the Brazilian a world-class talent, but also his offensive prowess.

For example, his assist for Viktor Gyokeres means no other defender in the Premier League has been involved in more goals than him since his arrival in 2020.

Moreover, just this season alone, the 27-year-old has been able to score twice and provide three assists, which would be a great return for a top-quality ten, let alone a centre-back.

Ultimately, due to his outstanding defending and exceptional attacking qualities, it has become increasingly clear that Gabriel is currently performing at a Ballon d’Or level this season.

Arsenal's "signing of the summer" has turned Rice into the best in the PL

Arsenal have hit the jackpot with one of Mikel Arteta’s latest additions at the Emirates.

ByEthan Lamb Nov 3, 2025

Ruben Amorim’s polarising tactical set-up is reliant on fluent and efficient wing-backs. Establishing a winning formula down the flanks has proved difficult for the Manchester United manager in his year at the Old Trafford helm, though.

Though the right-sided pairing of Bryan Mbeumo is an imperfect combination, there is much to like about this front-footed and dynamic dimension.

The same can’t be said for Patrick Dorgu down the left, who Amorim admitted last week creates an air of “anxiety” when on the ball at the moment.

Harsh words, but not without the ring of truth. The Red Devils are short on effective options on the left, with Diogo Dalot the stand-in. However, he too leaves much to be desired, as was clear as United secured a from-behind Premier League win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Dalot flatters to deceive at Selhurst Park

Dalot has struggled under Amorim’s wing, having found tough work in adapting to the new system. Content creator Liam Canning actually said a month ago that the Portuguese defender is “becoming a worry long term”, given that he “doesn’t look like he suits the wing back role”.

Such words rung true against Palace at the weekend, albeit with the intensity and aggression improving after the break.

While content creator Adam Joseph feels the left side is “completely toothless”, there are signs of life.

Dalot did win eight duels on the afternoon, as per Sofascore, succeeding with his one tackle and making six ball recoveries besides. But he also failed with two attempted crosses and didn’t create a single chance, illustrating the on-the-ball imbalances that Amorim has yet to iron out.

However, given Dorgu has been so unconvincing and the alternative options are few and far between, it’s unlikely we will see any drastic upheaval in the immediate future.

But Amorim may look to chop and change another part of his backline.

Amorim must drop 3/10 Man Utd star

There has been a promising increase in levels at Manchester United this season, but Amorim still has much ground to cover before his tenure can be confirmed as a success.

Going forward, he may need to make a few tough calls, and one of those calls centres on dropping Leny Yoro, who has struggled of late and must be pulled to the bench.

Yoro, 20, is considered one of the most talented centre-backs in the world, and United scored a coup when beating Liverpool and Real Madrid to his signature.

However, he’s been out of form this season, and journalist Nathan Salt believes he “needs a break from the XI to restore some confidence”.

Yoro was at fault for the penalty which Jean-Philippe Mateta dispatched – controversially – to put the hosts 1-0 up before half-time. The Manchester Evening News gave him a 3/10 match rating after an error-strewn performance that saw him hooked before the hour mark.

Leny Yoro’s Performance vs Crystal Palace

Match Stats

#

Minutes played

54′

Goals conceded

1

Touches

33

Accurate passes

22/23 (96%)

Unsuccessful touches

3

Recoveries

3

Tackles won

0/2

Clearances

3

Duels won

3/6

Data via Sofascore

The timing is at least fortuitous. Lisandro Martinez has completed his long-anticipated return from injury, and the Butcher at his best will be sure to nail down a starting berth in Amorim’s team.

Yoro is strong on the ball and a progressive passer, ranking among the top 14% of positional peers in the Premier League this season for shot-creating actions per 90, as per FBref, but he’s also shorn of confidence.

United fans must retain their excitement over the dynamic, promising defender, who has what it takes to become one of the very best in the business. But, for now, he needs to put the brakes on his campaign.

After the match, content creator Adam Joseph acknowledged that the Frenchman is “going through a tough period in his development”, but that he was “brilliant last season” and will bounce back soon.

This is true, but, for now, Amorim would be wise to take the young centre-half out of the firing line, especially now that Martinez is match fit once again.

Related Not just Zirkzee: Man Utd star who was a "waste of time" is now undroppable

This Man Utd player starred in their 2-1 win away to Crystal Palace

Posts 1 ByJoe Nuttall Nov 30, 2025

يستعد ليفربول لاستعادة أحد لاعبيه السابقين والذي ارتدى قميص النادي فيما مضى، بعد أن حسم مدربه الحالي موقفه من الاعتماد عليه خلال الفترة القادمة.

وأكد آوناي آيمري مدرب أستون فيلا أن النادي قرر عدم التعاقد مع هارفي إليوت بشكل نهائي.

ولعب إليوت خمس مباريات فقط، ولم يشارك كبديل في آخر سبع مباريات في الدوري الإنجليزي، وكانت صفقة إعارته من ليفربول قد تضمنت بند يلزم أستون فيلا بشرائه مقابل 35 مليون جنيه إسترليني بشرط مشاركته في 10 مباريات مع الفريق.

أقرأ أيضاً.. إيفرا: محمد صلاح يذكرني بـ رونالدو.. وكتب نهاية قصته مع ليفربول

وقال إيمري في تصريحات نشرها صحفي “سكاي سبورت” فابريزيو رومانو: “نتحدث معه بشأن وضعه، هو ليس معنا حالياً”.

وأضاف: “نأمل أن نتوصل لأفضل النتائج له ولنا، أقدره وأكن له الاحترام كلاعب وإنسان، إنه يتدرب بشكل جيد ولكن لدينا ظرف خاص به”.

وواصل: “نأمل أن يجد حلاً يمكنه من اللعب بانتظام ومواصلة مسيرته الكروية معنا أو الانتقال لنادي آخر”.

واختتم عن إليوت: “تحدثت معه مرتين أو ثلاث مرات بشأن وضعه الحالي، أولاً بخصوص قراري وثانياً بخصوص الوضع، هو معنا معاراً لكن ليس من المؤكد أنه سينضم لنا بعقد دائم”.

Mets pitcher Nolan McLean debuted ably Saturday with 5 1/3 shutout innings against the Mariners, striking out eight while allowing just two hits.

The Willow Spring, N.C., native, however, went above and beyond to help his own cause in the field.

With one out and the bases loaded in the top of the third inning, Seattle center fielder Julio Rodriguez sent a screaming grounder McLean's way. McLean went behind the back to snare it, threw to Brett Baty at second base, and watched Baty find first baseman Pete Alonso to complete a double play.

The play kept the Mariners off the board and paved the way for a much-needed 3–1 New York victory, which increased the Mets' cushion over the Reds in the National League wild-card race to one game.

McLean joined the squad with a scintillating minor-league season under his belt. He's 8-5 with a 2.45 ERA and 127 strikeouts in 113 2/3 innings for the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies and Triple-A Syracuse Mets.

أبدى داني أولمو، نجم نادي برشلونة، سعادته الكبيرة بفوز فريقه اليوم السبت على ديبورتيفو ألافيس بالدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى، موضحًا أن عودة جميع اللاعبين من الإصابة أمر جيد.

برشلونة حول تأخره بهدف أمام ديبورتيفو ألافيس إلى فوز مستحق بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدف واحد، ضمن منافسات الجولة الرابعة عشر من عمر الدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى.

واستطاع أولمو التألق في لقاء اليوم وسجل هدفين ليساعد برشلونة في تحقيق الانتصار في نهاية المطاف.

اقرأ أيضًا .. رجل مباراة برشلونة وديبورتيفو ألافيس في الدوري الإسباني

وقال أولمو في تصريحات لشبكة “دازن”: “الهدف الأول فاجأنا بعض الشيء، لكننا واصلنا اللعب بنفس الطريقة وهكذا فزنا”.

وأضاف أولمو في حديثه: “لقد أتيحت لهم فرصهم، إنهم لاعبون استباقيون ويلعبون بشكل جيد في المساحات، قدم خوان جارسيا مباراة رائعة وكان حاضرًا عندما احتجنا إليه، وكذلك رافينها”.

وأوضح لاعب لايبزيج السابق: “أحب اللعب هنا، والتسجيل والفوز، نحن سعداء بوجود جميع اللاعبين الذين نستطيع ضمهم إلى الفريق”.

أولمو كان يعاني من الإصابة خلال الفترة الماضية، وذلك قبل أن يعود مرة أخرى ليشارك بانتظام مع الفريق الكتالوني.

وتعززت صفوف برشلونة كذلك بعودة رافينها من الإصابة، إلى جانب تواجد بيدري الذي نزل في شوط اللقاء الثاني اليوم.

Shohei Ohtani has played two seasons in Los Angeles with the Dodgers, and he already has two World Series rings to show for it. These past two seasons are the only two years the three-time MVP has competed in the postseason in general, too. That’s a pretty impressive run.

The Dodgers’ three-peat chances have already become a talking point heading into the 2025 season. While it would mark the fifth time in MLB history for a team to at least win three World Series in a row, it would be the Dodgers’ first time achieving that feat. And, Ohtani’s already imagining what that celebration would be like.

During the Dodgers’ World Series championship parade on Monday, the L.A. superstar was asked if it would be difficult for him to not win the World Series next season as that’s all he’s ever known with the Dodgers.

“I’m already thinking about the third time we’re doing to do this,” Ohtani simply replied.

We’ll see if the Dodgers can deliver on this dream next season.

Los Angeles overcame a tough World Series vs. the Blue Jays to win the title. Game 7 appeared to be in Toronto’s reach until the Dodgers tied up the contest in the top of the ninth. The game went to 11 innings, but Los Angeles came out on top thanks to Will Smith’s homer that inning. Then, Mookie Betts delivered a game-winning double play at the bottom of the inning to seal the deal.

The Yankees saw their season come to a bitter end Wednesday night in a 5–2 loss to the Blue Jays in Game 4 of the American League Division Series. While Toronto is heading to the championship series for the first time in nine years, the Yankees yet again experienced another postseason letdown as their hitters ran out of firepower in the late innings of the game.

The Blue Jays' $500 million man Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had no such issue this series, homering in each of the first three games of the series. He followed that up with a hit and an RBI in Game 4 and watched as his teammates helped finish off the AL East powerhouse in the Bronx.

Afterward, Guerrero held back tears taking in the special moment. That didn't last for long, though, as the Toronto star slugger was later seen partying it up in the locker room.

At one point, Guerrero joined the Fox Sports MLB crew for a postgame interview, and he couldn't resist teaming up with David Ortiz to rib a pair of Yankees legends, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.

"DAAAA YANKEES LOSE," Guerrero said, eliciting lots of laughs all around. Big Papi loved it, and repeated his signature line after him. The two then did it in sync one more time just for good measure:

Too good.

The Blue Jays are set to host Game 1 of the ALCS on Sunday against either the Tigers or Mariners.