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The tourists went to tea at Edgbaston on 182 for 3, thanks largely to Jaiswal’s 87

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Jul-2025Yashasvi Jaiswal fell 13 short of a sixth Test century – and fourth against England – as Ben Stokes prized out the opener as the only wicket in what was an otherwise solid middle session for India on day one of this second Test.The tourists went to tea at Edgbaston on 182 for 3, thanks largely to Jaiswal’s 87 that kept up the left-hander’s steak of scoring at least 50 in all seven of his Tests against England. But the home skipper was able to cap the damage caused by the opener, who slashed at a wide delivery outside off stump through to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith.Related

Bumrah rested; Washington, Reddy, Akash Deep in for India after England bowl

Rishabh Pant rises to No. 6 among Test batters; Travis Head also gains in rankings

Gill wants top order to take 'more responsibility' after Leeds loss

Shubman Gill remains unbeaten on 42 at the interval, with plenty on his shoulders already as India made sweeping changes after going 1-0 down in the series. The big news was that Jasprit Bumrah would sit out this Test, with Akash Deep, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar drafted into the XI.Those changes give India a completely different feel from the defeat at Headingley, with Sai Sudharsan and Shadrul Thakur dropped. Explaining the decision to rest Bumrah, Gill revealed the India management felt Lord’s will offer Bumrah more than this track.So far, it has offered more to bat than ball. Jaiswal negotiated what early movement there was, watching Chris Woakes prise out KL Rahul early for a torturous 2 from 26 deliveries in an impressive new ball spell which read 1 for 15 from seven overs, including four maidens on the bounce. Woakes was unlucky not to make more inroads after standing umpire Sharfuddoula turned down two close LBW appeals – the first against Jaiswal on 12, the second against Nair on 5. Both were reviewed only to come back with fractional Umpire’s Call on the predicted path into the stumps.Fellow opening bowler Brydon Carse had to wait until six minutes before lunch to get his reward, when hard length surprised Karun Nair (promoted to No.3) on 31, splicing to Harry Brook at second slip. That ended a productive stand of 80 for the second wicket which Nair had driven initially before Jaiswal took the wheel.Yashasvi Jaiswal missed out on a century•PA Images via Getty ImagesHe moved to his half-century off 59 deliveries, accelerating into it with the help of some wayward bowling from Josh Tongue. Three boundaries from the Nottinghamshire quick’s third over were followed by three-in-a-row from what turned out to be Tongue’s sixth and final one of his spell, as Stokes ordered his quicks to instigate their usual bumper ploy.A hook took Jaiswal to 49, before he leapt into a vicious cut high over point to pass fifty, followed by a celebratory four – his 11th – carved past third. And he showed patience through the middle session, driving Carse through cover five balls after lunch, and later guiding Tongue past the cordon for the last of 13 boundaries to take him to 81.Perhaps he ran out of patience when going after Stokes. Nonetheless, there is a foundation for a big score, that Gill and Rishabh Pant preserved. The latter in particular seemed watchful, with 14* off 28, showing one moment of malice when he stepped out to Shoaib Bashir and lifted him over wide long on for the first six of the innings.

Are we witnessing history unfold before our very eyes in Scottish football?

No club outside the Old Firm has been crowned champions of Scotland since Aberdeen in 1984/85, with Celtic themselves hoovering up 13 of the last 14 Premiership titles.

However, right now, it is Heart of Midlothian who lead the way, five points clear of faltering Celtic, and the pair meet at Tynecastle on Sunday lunchtime in, potentially, one of the biggest matches played on Scottish soil for a generation.

Brendan Rodgers will take his team to Tynecastle depleted, potentially without five key starters, so should the Celts’ “exceptional” forgotten youngster come into the team and, belatedly, be entrusted to start matches?

Cameron Carter-Vickers injury latest

On Thursday night, any celebrations sparked by Celtic’s come-from-behind Europa League victory over Sturm Graz were very much tempered by a trio of injury concerns.

Right at the end of the game, Cameron Carter-Vickers suffered a nasty injury, with Rodgers later revealing that the USA international has sustained a serious Achilles tendon injury which will see him sidelined for potentially up to five months.

This came after both Kelechi Ịheanachọ and Alistair Johnston were forced to withdraw during the first half on Thursday, joining Jota and Daizen Maeda in a star-studded and crowded treatment room.

Thus, none of this quintet will feature at Tynecastle on Sunday, with Maeda the only one in contention to return in time for the League Cup semi-final against Rangers a week later, but Carter-Vickers will be a particularly impactful absentee.

Since joining from Tottenham in the summer of 2021 under Ange Postecoglou, initially on loan but then permanently for £6m, he has been an absolutely integral figure, as the table below documents.

Callum McGregor

208

Cameron Carter-Vickers

172

Daizen Maeda

171

Greg Taylor

167

Kyōgo Furuhashi

165

Reo Hatate

154

Joe Hart

153

James Forrest

129

Matt O’Riley

124

Alistair Johnston

116

Anthony Ralston

114

Liam Scales

112

Jota

99

As the table documents, since Carter-Vickers’ arrival in Glasgow, only captain Callum McGregor has made more appearances for the club than the American international, featuring in 172 of 224 fixtures, around 77%, despite various injury problems, including requiring knee surgery two years ago, but that ratio will drastically drop in the coming weeks and months.

His performances have earned high praise, with former long-serving captain Scott Brown believing he is the club’s best centre-back since Virgil van Dijk, labelling him “solid, strong and quick”, praising his reading of the game and leadership qualities.

So, how on earth does Rodgers go about filling this ginormous void in the middle of his back line?

Well, now would be the time for him to trust his forgotten “exceptional” youngster.

Celtic's ready-made Carter-Vickers deputy

Liam Scales has been Carter-Vickers’ centre-back partner throughout this season, with fellow United States international Auston Trusty seemingly next in line to come into defence.

However, as documented by Art de Roché of the Athletic, managers of possession-heavy teams are often hesitant to start two left-footed centre-backs together.

Meanwhile, Trusty’s form last season suggests he may not be the best candidate, as he made five errors that led to shots or goals in the Premiership, per Sofascore, more than any other defender in the squad.

Chalkboard

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

Thus, should forgotten man Jahmai Simpson-Pusey return from the footballing wilderness and be thrust into the spotlight at Tynecastle?

The 19-year-old, who is right-footed, joined on loan from Manchester City during the summer, but is yet to make his senior debut, an unused substitute for both legs of the Champions League play-off against Kairat, but otherwise not even on the bench for any other fixture.

​​​​​​​

His sole outing in hoops to date came for Celtic B in the KDM Evolution Trophy, starting a 5-3 defeat to East Fife in front of just 616 spectators at Bayview, probably not what he had envisaged when he made the move north of the border.

Simpson-Pusey,​​​​​​​ though, does boast an impressive pedigree, captaining Manchester City to FA Youth Cup success in 2024, featuring regularly for the Sky Blues in the UEFA Youth League and other underage competitions, notably named Premier League 2 player of the season last year, per Transfermarkt.

With the Citizens enduring something of an injury crisis, he made six senior appearances during the most recent campaign too, starting against Brighton in the Premier League, Sporting in the Champions League, and Salford in the FA Cup, thrown in at the deep end.

Thus, he is certainly highly rated by Pep Guardiola, who labelled him “exceptional” following an EFL Cup tie at Tottenham a year ago, while the Scouting App praised his ‘very good passing ability​​​​​​​’ and ‘physical presence’, noting that he thrives in a high line.

These all sound like comparable traits to Carter-Vickers, who is regularly tasked with playing penetrative passes forward, while his usual starting position is on the half-way line, given how much Celtic dominate possession in domestic competitions.

Thus, stylistically, Simpson-Pusey appears to be the ideal deputy, not that Celtic supporters have seen any evidence of this to date.

The teenager was not included in Celtic’s European squad but, following a change in UEFA regulations, if a player is injured long-term, they can be replaced for the remainder of the league phase; clubs can only make this change once a season.

Thus, Simpson-Pusey could yet feature in the Europa League so, before the Hoops travel to Midtjylland next month, he needs to be given an opportunity to prove his worth, starting with Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash in Edinburgh.

Celtic's "game winner" can replace Kuhn at RW & it's not Nygren

Brendan Rodgers could finally replace Nicolas Kuhn by unleashing this star in a new role.

ByDan Emery Oct 25, 2025

Kylian Mbappe has been told he has made a “massive mistake” which will “tarnish his image” after the Real Madrid superstar hit back at a new song criticising his controversial ownership of French side Caen. The 26-year-old forward took aim at French rapper Orelsan over social media on Friday after being made the subject of his fiery ‘diss track’.

Mbappe slams French rapper Orelsan over social media

In a song titled ‘La petite voix’, which translates to ‘The Little Voice’ in English, Orelsan has slammed France captain Mbappe’s position as Caen’s majority owner – a role he has held since completing his takeover of the club in 2024.

In one verse, Caen-based Orelsan sings: “You’re going to sink your city like the Mbappes.” The song is part of the musician’s new album, ‘La fuite en avant’, which translates to ‘The Headlong Rush’ in English.

In a heated response on X, Mbappe accused Orelsan of "begging" for a free stake at Caen, writing: “You’re welcome to come and save the city you love so much.

“PS: The guy kept begging us to get in with 1% without paying because he doesn’t have a penny but wanted to look like the little guy from Normandy.”

AdvertisementAFPFrance captain is heavily criticised by Caen supporter

However, Mbappe’s retort has been met with criticism from Caen fans, who continue to protest against his ownership of the club.

Following the former Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain striker’s social media post, one Caen supporter, Sebastien, told French television channel "We're stunned, like everyone else. It’s sad.

“Orelsan is a huge celebrity in Caen. Kylian Mbappe has made a massive blunder that will tarnish his image. If he thinks he can turn the Caen fans against Orelsan, he's going to have a very hard time; Orelsan is an idol. The song is a parody. Responding at face value is risky.”

Meanwhile, former Caen defender Brahim Thiam has also questioned Mbappe’s response, arguing the song is not directly aimed at him, despite mentioning his name.

Writing on X, Thiam said: “The punchline comes from an Orelsan song title that talks about his evil twin, a little voice that criticises everything and everyone, even his family, his buddies, and his wife – it's not a personal matter, lol…

“It's a shame to expose the club through this kind of post.”

AFPCaen suffered relegation to France's third tier under Mbappe

In July 2024, Mbappe became one of Europe’s youngest football club owners after purchasing an 80 per cent stake in Caen through his firm, Coalition Capital, investing around £17.5 million (€20m/$23m). However, what once began as a symbolic homecoming – with Mbappe returning to the club that nearly signed him as a youngster – has now quickly turned sour.

In April 2025, Caen hit rock bottom as a 3-0 defeat against Martigues confirmed their relegation from Ligue 2, sending the club into France’s third division for the first time in 41 years. Supporters subsequently stormed the pitch in protest, unfurling a banner reading: “Mbappe, SMC is not your toy.”

In the wake of Caen’s relegation, sixteen staff members were laid off in a controversial restructuring of the club, with Mbappe receiving further scorn from fans.

Christophe Vaucelle, head of the Malherbe Normandy Kop, summed up the local sentiment, saying: “The Mbappe clan bears some responsibility. They arrived, stayed invisible, and disconnected from the fans. The situation is catastrophic.”

Caen are currently 10th in France’s third tier, having won just three of their 13 league games this season. The club have also drawn seven and lost three under manager Maxime d’Ornano's stewardship.

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Up next for Mbappe and Real: A trip to Rayo Vallecano in La Liga

While Mbappe continues to receive criticism back home, he has been in fine form for Real in 2025-26. Los Blancos’ no. 10 has scored 18 goals in 15 games in all competitions for Xabi Alonso’s men, who are currently top of La Liga and seventh in the Champions League standings.

Real are looking to bounce back from their 1-0 reverse against Liverpool in Europe’s premier club competition on Tuesday when they travel to Rayo Vallecano in the league on Sunday afternoon. The hosts are currently 10th in the Spanish top flight, having taken 14 points from their 11 games this season.

The New York Yankees fans who interfered with Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts during Game 4 of the World Series have officially been banned from Yankee Stadium.

On Wednesday, the Yankees issued a statement announcing the two fans, identified as Austin Capobianco and John Peter, will not be allowed to attend Game 5 despite having tickets.

The incident came as Betts jumped at the wall in foul territory to catch a popup hit by Gleyber Torres. Capobianco grabbed Betts's glove and pried the ball out with both hands. Peter also grabbed Betts. The All-Star outfielder was furious and Torres was immediately ruled out by right-field umpire Mark Carlson.

The Yankees' statement reads, in part:

"Last night two fans were ejected form Yankee Stadium for egregious and unacceptable physical contact with Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts. The safety and security of players, fans and Stadium staff is the foundational element of every even held at Yankee Stadium, and it cannot be compromised.

"Tonight marks the final home game of (the) year, and we want every ounce of our fans' passion on display. Yankee Stadium is known for its energy and intensity, however the exuberance of supporting one's team can never cross the line into intentionally putting players at physical risk.

"The Yankees and Major League Baseball maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward the type of behavior displayed last night. These fans will not be permitted to attend tonight's game in any capacity."

Capobianco is a season ticket holder and was planning to attend Game 5. He and Peter now will not be allowed to attend. There is no word if they are banned for future games after the World Series.

The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers are set to meet in the World Series for the first time since 1981 to renew MLB’s most common Fall Classic matchup, and there is no shortage of story lines.

New York vs. Los Angeles. Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman vs. Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton. 2004 Boston Red Sox postseason hero Dave Roberts facing off against 2003 Yankees postseason hero Aaron Boone in the managerial battle of wits. And plenty more talking points that will surely surface throughout the series.

The Dodgers took two of three from the Yankees when the teams met at Yankee Stadium in June, but both rosters have undergone significant changes since then. And of course, games are managed much differently in the World Series than they are in the summer.

Here’s your guide to the most anticipated Fall Classic in years, as the staff picks x-factors for both teams and predicts how it’ll all play out in the country’s two most populated cities.

1. What's the biggest x-factor for the Dodgers to win?

Tom Verducci: Blake Treinen. His sweeper is video-game crazy good. He is Dave Roberts’s best arm, which means he is someone Roberts will not be able to save for the ninth inning. Time to damn the Law of Exposure. Roberts has to put Treinen on Soto, Judge, Stanton in every meaningful spot from the seventh inning on. His stuff is so good you don’t worry about hitters seeing him multiple times in a series.

Stephanie Apstein: Whether Alex Vesia can pitch—effectively—after missing the NLCS with an intercostal injury. As the Dodgers' top lefthanded reliever, he is their best shot at navigating the pocket of lineup that includes Juan Soto. If he can't go, or if he struggles, that will ask a lot of Anthony Banda, their only other lefty. 

Emma Baccellieri: Starting pitching. L.A. has an entire rotation's worth of starters on the IL. Having a great bullpen helps, of course, but only so much. The Dodgers will still need quality work from the trio of Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Can Flaherty bounce back after his last disastrous outing against the Mets in the NLCS? Can they get any meaningful length from Buehler? The Dodgers don't need their starters to be outstanding. But they do need them to be at least adequate. 

Will Laws: How will Freddie Freeman look in the wake of a sprained ankle that caused him to miss Games 4 and 6 of the NLCS? He’s 1-for-15 in his last three games while trying to gut through the injury. Los Angeles scored just fine without him against the Mets, but the Yankees’ pitching staff is a different beast, and the former NL MVP makes the Dodgers’ lineup much more fearsome when at full strength.

Nick Selbe: Can any starting pitcher step up? The Dodgers' bullpen was outstanding in the NLCS, but they'll need at least two serviceable starts from Jack Flaherty, Yoshinobu Yamamoto or Walker Buehler. The Cleveland Guardians' vaunted bullpen was not enough to overcome lackluster starting pitching against the Yankees (Cleveland starters accounted for just 38% of innings during the ALCS). Los Angeles doesn't need Sandy Koufax 2.0 to show up, but it will need  from its starters.

2. What's the biggest x-factor for the Yankees to win?

TV: Gleyber Torres. He’s been terrific at getting on base in front of the thick of the lineup. You know he’s feeling good when he’s slashing fastballs for line-drive singles to right field. His defense and base running can be problematic, but the offense can make a difference.

SA: How deep the starting pitchers can go. The Yankees have a typically impressive bullpen assembled from other teams' castoffs, but it is less deep than it has been in previous years, and the Dodgers become vastly more dangerous each time they see a pitcher. New York needs to limit how many chances Los Angeles gets to see its leverage arms. 

EB: Whether they can meaningfully attack the L.A. bullpen. The relief corps has generally been a huge strength in this playoff run for the Dodgers, but they've had to carry a pretty heavy workload, and it's not going to get any lighter in the World Series. They're virtually guaranteed to have at least one (more) bullpen game here. Will the Yankees be able to make adjustments and benefit from repeated exposure to this group? That's especially key if this series goes long.

WL: Carlos Rodón’s starts have an especially wide range of outcomes, as we’ve already seen this postseason. If New York’s likely Game 2 (and Game 6, if necessary) starter can pitch like he did in his first ALCS outing, New York will be in terrific shape. If he looks more like he did in the ALDS, that’ll put a lot of pressure on a bullpen that was already exposed a bit last round.

NS: Base running might seem like a boring answer, but it could prove to be the difference. The Yankees ranked last in FanGraphs' base running metric, 24th in stolen bases and 29th in speed score. They had so many gaffes against Cleveland that radio broadcaster John Sterling exclaimed they ran the bases “like drunks.” In a series that looks like it will be tight, the little things could determine who comes out on top.

Newcastle United's midfield general, Sandro Tonali, might return to his former club, AC Milan, in the future. The potential comeback was hinted at by the player and pundits alike before Italy's World Cup qualifier against Norway, which was played at the San Siro, the home of Milan and Inter. Having represented the club for multiple seasons, his return is much anticipated by Rossoneri fans too.

Tonali an important member at Newcastle and Italy

Since his move to Newcastle in the summer of 2023, and facing a ban sometime later, Tonali has regained his position in the lineup, and under head coach Eddie Howe, has established himself as a vital cog in the system. Even for Italy, after debuting under Roberto Mancini back in 2019, he is now the go-to man for Gennaro Gattuso, as well as for the former manager Luciano Spalletti. Tonali recently featured in the World Cup qualifier against Moldova, which Italy won thanks to two late goals. After the game, the midfielder reflected on his potential return to the San Siro for the national team.  

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWhat did Tonali say?

After defeating Moldova, Tonali said about returning to San Siro, where he spent three seasons: "Exciting. The last time I was there was almost three years ago. Every time I return there in my career, I will be excited. I can’t say I experience it like the first time, but it will always be like returning for the second time." 

Post these comments, journalist Carlo Pellegatti revealed Tonali's ambitions on his YouTube channel (via Sport Witness). As per the Italian media, the 25-year-old wants to return to Milan and also captain the side. However, such a move is not expected to develop in the next few years, since he is contracted to Newcastle until 2029, and acquiring his services would demand a hefty transfer fee. 

Italian media ignites hopes of Tonali's potential return

Rising to the limelight at Brescia, Tonali caught the attention of Milan, whose recruiters initially signed him on loan in 2020. After bossing their midfield for a season, the 25-year-old was signed on a permanent deal in 2021, and thereby spent two successive seasons commanding the middle third and acting as the defensive shield.  However, in 2023, he was bagged in by Newcastle, with a lucrative transfer fee. As per Pellegatti, he is sure that Tonali would once again return to the club that helped him gain prominence in European football. He said, "I’m quite sure, not next year or the next few years, Milan doesn’t have the money for Tonali’s transfer fee and salary. I’m sure though that he will return to Milan, he wants to return to Milan. I don’t know at what age, but he wants to end his career at Milan, maybe even as captain."

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Getty Images SportWhat comes next for Tonali?

After playing the entire game against Moldova on Thursday, Tonali was excluded from the matchday squad for the Norway clash at San Siro. Tonali would now return to the Newcastle camp, with important domestic and continental fixtures lined up for the Italian defensive midfielder. Placed 14th in the Premier League, with 12 points from 11 games, the Magpies need to return to winning ways after the international break. Their last fixture before the break was against Brentford, which they lost 3-1. They will resume action on November 22 against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, and the following week will face Marseille in the Champions League and Everton in the English top flight. While these fixtures will pose an immense challenge to Tonali and his teammates, Howe will hope for a turnaround like no other. 

The Magpies' position in the continental showpiece is by far the better. They are placed sixth with three wins and one loss in four games. A matchup against 25th-placed Marseille might be the match that Howe will target as the game-changer of the season. Moreover, a win over the French outfit will elevate their status over City and Paris Saint-Germain, in case the duo drop points in that week.

Only an improbable NRR swing can deny champions an automatic return to Lord’s after 22-ball win

ECB Media25-Aug-2025Oval Invincibles all but booked their place in The Hundred Final at Lord’s next Sunday, with a crushing victory over London Spirit in a one-side Bank Holiday clash at the Kia Oval.Sam Billings’ team will be there, barring a run-rate miracle later this week, without the agonies of going through Saturday’s Eliminator, having won the toss and chosen to field against their London rivals.Their day started on the back foot, as Jamie Smith launched into a habitual powerplay onslaught. He sent the first two balls of the match from Jason Berhrendorff to the boundary, but he was then out for 28 from the 20th ball of the innings, having faced 15 of them. The game never looked quite so easy after that, the highlights being a stunning one-handed catch from Will Jacks to get rid of Surrey teammate Ollie Pope from a Sam Curran slower ball, and rapid cameos from Jamie Overton and Ryan Higgins, who exactly matched Smith’s stats despite a slow start. The two put on a tournament-high sixth wicket stand of 54.A total of 152 for 7 seemed a little below-par on a decent surface, but a first-baller for Tawanda Muyeye gave the Spirit hope. Then Jacks and Jordan Cox put on 64 in 35 balls, Jacks taking the lead with some clean striking, a 92-metre maximum over extra cover off Overton the standout moment of his 27-ball 45.Sam Curran joined Cox, so often a profitable partnership this year, and they eased their way towards their target before the Spirit’s most successful bowler, Liam Dawson, tempted Curran with a wide one that he skied to point. Cox (47 from 27), the competition’s leading run-scorer, hit Overton for six and four before he was castled trying to ramp the same bowler.But that merely brought in Donovan Ferreira who again showcased his muscular hitting, ending with 24 off 9 as the Invincibles booked their passage to the final (barring an almost impossible 200+ swing) by six wickets with 22 balls to spare.Of his catch, Meerkat Match Hero Jacks said: “We were struggling to see the ball today, so I picked it up late, pure luck!”And of the batting effort: “It felt brilliant with the bat, the wicket only got better as the lights came on and Coxy made it easy for me. We’ve been looking for that top spot, we know how important it is to get straight to the final and to be able to watch the two teams play the night before. We’ve still got things to improve on… but we’re looking forward to Sunday.”

Everton have enjoyed a solid start to the campaign. Negativity has wended its way in over recent weeks – and understandably so – but few expect the 14th-place Premier League side to slump into the drop zone and remain there.

Of course, neither are David Moyes’ team firing on all cylinders, and after a hard-fought draw at high-flying Sunderland on Monday evening, the issues relating to goals and strikers remained at the forefront.

Perhaps more concerning was the way the Toffees tapered off after the interval, almost knocked out of kilter by Granit Xhaka’s deflected howitzer moments into the second half; the Black Cats were on the hunt for much of the affair thereafter.

Moyes needs to fix these problems and ensure Everton push for an elusive place in the top half. But, in order to do this, he must find solutions to the current problems.

How Moyes can solve Everton's problems

Not to be unduly pragmatic, but the data suggests Everton are headed for a mid-table Premier League finish, settled somewhere on the bottom half of the ladder.

How to dissect the glaring conundrum on Moyes’ desk? Between them, Beto and Thierno Barry have scored one goal in the league this season, and the slew of missed chances are piling up.

Barry will be desperate to break his duck after moving to the Hill Dickinson from Villarreal for a £27m fee in July. A smart deal for a promising attacking talent wrapped up nice and early.

Things need to improve in the final third, with Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish keeping things afloat.

However, Moyes’ job would be a whole lot more unstable were the defenders not playing their part. James Tarkowski has not looked his sharpest so far this term, though Jordan Pickford is as important as ever. An issue down the defensive flanks is as noisy a talking point as the one at number nine.

With Jarrad Branthwaite yet to make his seasonal bow as he recovers from a hamstring injury, the Blues’ secure defence could have crumbled over the past few months, but there’s been an unlikely hero who is keeping Everton away from the maw of the relegation zone.

The Everton flop saving Moyes' skin

Toward the end of the 2024/25 campaign, it looked nailed on that Michael Keane would close the door on his Everton career, drawing to a close a career on Merseyside with many ups and downs.

Keane, 32, penned a new deal at the start of the summer, and that’s a move which has proved incredibly shrewd, for he has started all ten Premier League fixtures so far as Branthwaite recovers.

Once said to have “failed a succession of managers” at Goodison Park by writer Jim Keoghan, Keane looks as sharp and cultured as he ever has, really making a positive impression as the protective tissue in front of Pickford’s goal. Against Sunderland, for example, Liverpool World handed him a 9/10 match rating for his defensive contribution.

Looking at how Keane has fared alongside Tarkowski, you might argue he has been the superior man. Certainly, he has been less error-strewn in his efforts than the vice-captain.

Matches (starts)

10 (10)

10 (10)

Goals

0

1

Assists

0

0

Touches*

58.6

51.1

Accurate passes*

35.9 (81%)

31.1 (85%)

Chances created*

0.5

0.1

Recoveries*

2.4

2.9

Tackles + interceptions*

2.3

1.7

Clearances*

6.9

7.7

Ground duels*

2.2 (61%)

1.3 (62%)

Aerial duels*

4.3 (70%)

2.9 (62%)

Errors made

4

0

The significance of Keane’s fine form in the rearguard cannot be understated. Branthwaite is indeed sidelined and may yet be uncleared for several months.

Imagine a world in which the Friedkin Group had opted against renewing Keane’s deal, content with the options at hand. It would have been disastrous and to the detriment of Moyes’ first full season back in charge.

Just look at the England international’s display at the Stadium of Light. His fearlessness to make one near-the-line clearance showcased his determination and spirit, and he has been a credit to Moyes’ team this year.

Issues persist at right-back, and while he’s imperfect in the role, Jake O’Brien has proved largely effective in an unnatural berth. Recalling him to central defence alongside Tarkowski might have had an adverse effect on the squad’s fluency, not least because of the lack of options in the position.

Would it be too much to claim Keane has been the signing of the summer for the Toffees? Perhaps not, considering the circumstances. His steely displays in front of Pickford’s goal might even be keeping Moyes in a job as he looks to find a successful formula to stave off any worries of yet another relegation-threatened campaign.

Moyes can drop Barry & Beto by unleashing "magic" Everton star in new role

Everton have got some major problems in the final third this season.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 5, 2025

Just over six months after the Detroit Tigers traded starting pitcher Jack Flaherty to the Los Angeles Dodgers ahead of the 2024 MLB trade deadline, Flaherty is returning to Detroit on a new two-year deal.

Per Jeff Passan of ESPN, Flaherty and the Tigers have reached an agreement on a two-year, $35 million contract which includes an opt-out after the first season. Flaherty will earn $25 million during the 2025 season, and is guaranteed $10 million for the 2026 season. If he makes at least 15 starts in 2025, his guarantees will jump up to $20 million in 2026.

Flaherty originally joined the Tigers ahead of last season, when he signed on a one-year, $14 million deal. Flaherty went 7-5 with a 2.94 ERA across 18 starts for Detroit before they traded him to the Dodgers in late July.

As the Dodgers dealt with numerous injuries to their starting rotation, Flaherty emerged as the team's Day 1 starter for the National League Championship Series and World Series. Though inconsistent at points during his brief run with the Dodgers, he pitched a seven-inning shutout in his first start of the NLCS and also helped the Dodgers to wins in Games 1 and 5 of the World Series, bringing Flaherty his first championship.

The 29-year-old joins Detroit before his second spring training with the team later this month and for his ninth MLB season.

USAC’s suspension will not impact USA’s participation in the T20 World Cup starting in February in India and Sri Lanka

Nagraj Gollapudi23-Sep-2025The ICC has finally decided to suspend USA Cricket (USAC), in the process hitting the reset button as it attempts to overhaul the leadership and governance structure of the sport in a key market. The decision was taken by the ICC Board after a virtual meeting on Tuesday. USAC’s suspension will not impact the national team’s participation in the T20 World Cup starting in February in India and Sri Lanka or the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.The suspension comes just over two months after the ICC, at its annual general meeting in July, had granted USAC three months to hold “free and fair elections” and carry out “comprehensive” governance reforms. At the time, the ICC reiterated that USAC would continue to remain “on notice”, as it has been since July 2024. The ICC Board also warned USAC that it reserved the right to take any action it deemed fit based on the progress of reforms.Eventually, on Tuesday evening, the ICC suspended USAC with “immediate effect” and temporarily took over “management and administration of USA national teams.”Related

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“The decision, taken by the ICC Board during its meeting earlier, was based on USA Cricket’s repeated and continued breaches of its obligations as an ICC Member under the ICC’s Constitution,” an ICC press release said. “These include, but are not limited to, the failure to implement a functional governance structure, lack of progress toward achieving National Governing Body status with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), and significant actions that have caused reputational damage to cricket in the United States and around the world.”The suspension does not have an immediate impact on cricket being part of the LA 2028 Games. The ICC clarified that USA teams will still be able to participate in ICC events as well as make preparations for the Olympics. Calling it “unfortunate but necessary” the ICC said it was forced to take such extreme action to “protect the long-term interests of the game and the ICC’s top priority remains ensuring that the athletes and the sport itself are not impacted due to the suspension.”During the time USAC had been put on notice, the ICC had been working with it to draw a “roadmap” and facilitate its securing national governing body (NGB) status from the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC). This is mandatory for all sports that were added to LA28 Games. As hosts, USA are expected to be one of the six teams to contest for medals in both men’s and women’s categories.That roadmap, which comprises six steps, was drawn by the ICC’s Normalisation Committee, headed by chairman Jay Shah. Prior to that, the committee met USAC top brass Venu Pisike (chairman) and Johnathan Atkeison (CEO) twice – first in April virtually and then in person in June. The roadmap called for USAC to start an organisational revamp by bringing in three new independent directors to replace the incumbents on the Board. Following that the USAC Board would step down and prompt fresh elections. At this point USAC would apply for NGB status.Simultaneously, the ICC also said a comprehensive review and reform of the USA Cricket Constitution “shall be undertaken” in close consultation with the Independent Directors and relevant ICC stakeholders. With USAC unable to meet these terms, it was suspended.USAC was being considered for suspension at the ICC’s AGM in July and only managed its three-month reprieve by making “commitments” to the ICC Board to meet the criteria required for membership.”When USAC was notified of the AGM’s decision,” the ICC press release said, “it was specifically advised in writing that, along with fulfilling the commitments it made to the Board and taking immediate steps in that respect, it must (i) not do/omit to do anything that might jeopardise cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics, and (ii) not do anything (by act or omission) that brings cricket or the ICC into disrepute or is contrary to the best interests of cricket or the ICC.”For USAC to lift its suspension, it will need to follow procedure that the Normalisation Committee, in coordination with the ICC management, will outline and which “will include demonstrable and specific changes to USA Cricket’s governance structure, operations and overall status in the Cricket ecosystem. The normalisation committee will also monitor USA Cricket’s progress and provide consultatory support.”The ICC remains committed to supporting the growth of cricket in the United States, protect the sporting ecosystem and its constituents, namely the athletes and bolstering its march towards a more significant role on the global stage.”