Do not pinch yourself, Sunderland fans, your beloved team does actually sit in a mind-blowing fourth position in the early Premier League standings right now.

Ever since Regis Le Bris’ transformative appointment last summer, the Black Cats have found themselves slowly but surely rising to absurd new heights, with a dramatic promotion via the playoffs, now being met with an incredible five victories from their opening nine top-flight contests.

The Wearside underdogs even got the better of Chelsea last time out in the Premier League to secure that amazing top-four position, as a last-gasp Chemsidine Talbi effort left Robert Sanchez rooted to his spot.

The Black Cats’ away end was anything but stationary, though, as flailing arms galore were seen at Stamford Bridge, as the hardened travelling masses try to grow used to their side competing with the big boys, and even beating them.

It’s been quite a breakneck journey for Le Bris and Co. since the ex-Lorient boss was handed the Stadium of Light reins back in the summer of 2024, with the Black Cats very much putting the transfer market to good use in signing some fantastic gems over the last year or so.

Sunderland's best signings since Le Bris joined

There would have been plenty of apprehension in the air when Le Bris was first announced as Sunderland boss, as the then-Championship underachievers gambled on a managerial option that had never taken charge of an EFL game before.

Thankfully, their left-field thinking paid off, with Wilson Isidor undoubtedly sticking out as one of the Frenchman’s finest bits of business since moving to England.

Already, Isidor has shown he can cut it in the Premier League with four top-flight strikes next to his name, with the sweetest effort of them all arguably being this instinctive effort that got the ball rolling for Le Bris’ men in West London.

With 13 Championship goals also under his belt, which ensured the glory of promotion was achieved, he is certainly a firm fan’s favourite now, after also being seen as an out-there purchase when initially joining the ranks on loan from Zenit St. Petersburg.

Isidor’s fellow compatriot in Enzo Le Fee is also in this conversation, with Le Bris flexing his Ligue 1 connections to bring in the ex-Roma midfielder in January, proving to be a crucial moment in their hunt for promotion.

Without Le Fee’s added star quality, the Black Cats might well have come up short in their goal to finally return to the Premier League, with two assists picked up from their three cagey playoff matches, resulting in the number 28 being seen as an ice-cold customer on Wearside in tense moments.

Le Fee entering the building on loan and then staying put permanently arguably paved the way for Sunderland to be very ambitious this summer, with faces such as Omar Alderete leaving the glamour of La Liga behind for a chance at Premier League success with Sunderland, a wild thought when the Black Cats were once marooned in the second tier.

Of all the standout purchases this summer, Granit Xhaka is surely the one that sticks out the most, with the Swiss international a regular once upon a time at Arsenal, before becoming a Bundesliga-winning warrior with Bayer Leverkusen.

It almost felt too good to be true; therefore, when the 33-year-old battler ditched Germany for Sunderland this summer, with there surely being a catch along the way.

Yet, Xhaka has proven to be a fine wine on his return to England, with the £13m summer buy currently ranking fifth in the division for big chances created (four), despite being in the supposed twilight years of his career.

Chipping in with three assists, too, it must still be hard for Sunderland fans to come to terms with the spectacular talents their side can now convince to move to Wearside, with Le Bris commenting after the Chelsea win that his brand-new captain is “setting the standards” for everyone around him.

While Xhaka is rightly stealing the headlines for being a masterstroke of a signing, there is another figure who has slipped under the radar, who could be deemed as an even better signing that Le Bris has pulled off, away from the number 34’s wild return to England.

Sunderland's best signing under Le Bris

If Xhaka were to have an off-day, the Frenchman thankfully has fellow midfield talent Noah Sadiki to call upon, with the summer signing from Belgium yet another face who has been “incredible” this season, as he was recently labelled by journalist James Copley.

In the heart of defence, though, Sunderland are arguably not blessed with the same levels of depth, with an ageing Luke O’Nien perhaps not cut out for the pressures of the Premier League, in reserve.

Thankfully, ever since his £9.5m arrival to the building during the action-packed summer transfer window, Nordi Mukiele has been a trustworthy component of Le Bris’ side in this spot on the pitch, with the assured number 20 already being referred to as a “colossus” by journalist Andy Sixsmith, off the back of him looking near faultless since entering the Black Cats ranks.

While Xhaka has also looked equally imperious and confident, he already knew all the rhymes and rhythms of the unforgiving division, having been put through the wringer at Arsenal.

Games played

7

Goals scored

1

Assists

0

Touches*

65.1

Accurate passes*

32.6 (81%)

Tackles*

3.0

Ball recoveries*

3.7

Clearances*

7.4

Total duels won*

7.3

Clean sheets

3

Mukiele, on the other hand, only knew Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga before his switch, but has since stepped up to already be seen as an undroppable part of Sunderland’s unfolding success story, as can be seen by looking at his phenomenal Premier League numbers to date.

Amazingly, despite the ex-Gunners midfielder also holding a fierce reputation for being a “monster”, as he was once labelled by Arsenal-based writer Connor Humm while still at the Emirates, Mukiele has managed to win more duels on average this season with a commanding 7.3 duels conjured up, next to Xhaka’s slightly lesser 6.2.

To further back up the argument that Mukiele is Le Bris’ best bit of business since leaving Lorient behind for Wearside, the 27-year-old has also been vital so far this season with his ability to be adaptable and versatile for his team’s cause, with a goal even coming his way against Wolverhampton Wanderers in mid-October, when drafted out to a right-back spot to fix some injury concerns.

Landing such a committed character for just £9.5m, which is also cheaper than the modest amount forked out to win Xhaka, surely means he is a frontrunner to be seen as Le Bris’ smartest move since becoming Sunderland manager, with Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley even stating last month that he “can’t believe” the Premier League newcomers managed to pick him up.

The concern, too, with their captain is that he is 33 years of age, with more seasons on the agenda where he’s running himself into the ground – past this campaign – perhaps a tall order.

Whereas, Mukiele has time on his side, with a hope that his full-blooded efforts just continue on, as Sunderland strive to remain near the top of the Premier League tree for as long as possible, courtesy of their never-say-die number 20.

Le Bris can axe Traore for £18m gem who’s "grown into the Sunderland shirt”

Regis Le Bris could be looking to replace Bertrand Traore with this Sunderland star.

ByKelan Sarson Oct 25, 2025

In his absence, India will have to make a choice between the uncapped Anshul Kamboj and Prasidh Krishna

Sidharth Monga22-Jul-20252:21

Manjrekar: India’s quicks not staying fit a serious issue

India captain Shubman Gill has confirmed that Akash Deep has not returned to full fitness in time for the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford. Akash Deep sustained a groin injury during the Lord’s Test, and bowled into Morne Morkel’s mitt two days before the Test but not in the nets. His replacement will be either Anshul Kamboj or Prasidh Krishna.India had already confirmed this would be the last of the three promised Tests that Jasprit Bumrah plays in this series. That leaves India with a call to make on the final morning between Prasidh, who is taller and can bring extra bounce into play but has gone at an average of 55.16 and economy of 5.33 in this series so far, and the uncapped Kamboj, who is closer to a like-for-like replacement for Akash Deep in terms of being able to extract seam movement.Gill said Kamboj was close to making his debut, but didn’t rule out Prasidh. Prasidh was asked to move away from his good length and bowl short on flat decks in the first two Tests. “He [Kamboj] is very close to making his debut,” Gill said. “We’re going to see tomorrow between him and Prasidh as to who is going to make it to the XI.”Related

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Kamboj’s batting could also be a factor. He averages 16.20 with the bat in first-class cricket, and can strike the ball hard. He has hit 22 sixes in 24 first-class matches, striking at 73.08 per 100 balls. Prasidh has scored just 198 first-class runs at 8.6 per dismissal.Gill repeated that he had full faith in anyone from the squad making it to the final XI. “The kind of skillset that he brings to the table is exactly what we want in this team and he’s there because we believe that he can win us the match,” Gill said of Kamboj. “Even in the second Test match, when Akash Deep was brought in, a lot of people had questions why he’s been brought in, but it’s mainly the belief that we have within our squad that any player that comes in the team is able to or can win matches for us.”The third fast bowler is not the only decision India need to make. They have lost their fourth quick from the last two matches – Nitish Kumar Reddy – to a knee injury. Unlike Akash Deep, whom they trust to be available for The Oval, Reddy has been ruled out of the series. India look set to replace him with a specialist batter in B Sai Sudharsan, leaving them room to replace Washington Sundar with Shardul Thakur should the conditions demand that.Two days out, the conditions in question didn’t look as seam-friendly as you might expect in rain-hit Manchester, but Gill said another day of drizzle and the consequent covering of the pitch might result in help for seam bowling.2:50

Nets watch – Pant keeps, Kamboj bowls and India’s slip cordon

“When I saw the wicket yesterday, it didn’t look that damp,” Gill said. “But obviously, now having to look at the weather, I don’t think there is much chance for the wicket to dry that moisture out. So I think there will be a little bit more for the bowlers. And generally at this venue, it’s a little bit quicker than the other venues we have seen. There’s a bit more pace and bounce.”It will be interesting to see where Karun Nair bats if Sai Sudharsan does come back in. In the first Test, when both played, Sai Sudharsan batted at No. 3 and Nair at No. 6. Nair has had starts after that but has not topped 40 in three Tests. Gill backed Nair to come good.”We think Karun is batting well,” Gill said. “First match, he didn’t really play at this number. It’s difficult when a player is making a comeback in a series like this, but I don’t think there’s been any issue with this batting. I think he’s been batting well. Sometimes it’s also about getting that click. Once you’re able to make your fifty, then you’re able to get back into your zone and get some big runs. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened for him so far, but we are hopeful that he will be able to turn it around.”Gill also confirmed that Rishabh Pant was good to keep wicket after a finger injury kept him away from keeping at Lord’s.India’s likely XI for the fourth Test vs England1 KL Rahul, 2 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3 Karun Nair, 4 Shubman Gill (capt), 5 Rishabh Pant (wk), 6 B Sai Sudharsan, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Washington Sundar/Shardul Thakur, 9 Anshul Kamboj/Prasidh Krishna, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Mohammed Siraj

A two-person bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has observed that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise was “responsible” for the gathering of about “three to five lakh people” outside the M Chinnaswamy stadium on June 4, a day after RCB had won their maiden IPL title.Eleven people died and over 50 were injured as a result of the stampede caused outside Chinnaswamy stadium, after the police did not have any means to control the swelling crowd.The two-person bench of CAT comprising Justice BK Shrivastava and Santosh Mehra said RCB, which is owned by Diageo, had “created nuisance” by going ahead with the IPL victory celebrations without seeking or getting necessary regulatory permissions. The remarks were part of the 29-page order issued on Tuesday by CAT, which was hearing a case filed by Vikash Kumar, Inspector General and Additional Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru (West).Related

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Vikash, along with four other cops, were suspended by the Karnataka government which alleged “substantial dereliction of duty” and not seeking “guidance” which led to the situation going “out of control, meant a lot of misery, loss of precious life and embarrassment” to the state government. Vikash challenged his suspension, and the CAT quashed the government order saying the top cop should be reinstated.The CAT order stated that neither RCB nor M/S DNA Entertainment Network Private Limited, the franchise’s event management firm, had sought any permission formally to conduct the victory parade at Chinnaswamy stadium, which has been the home base for the team since beginning of the IPL in 2008. To organise any event like that, the CAT pointed out that under the Licensing and Controlling of Assemblies and Public Procession (Bengaluru city) order, 2009, an application has to be made seven days prior (excluding the date of submission and the event). No such application was filed by RCB or DNA.

‘Gathering of immense proportion’

The order said that on June 3, the day of the IPL final, Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) chief executive officer Shubhendu Ghosh wrote a letter, on behalf of DNA Network, to the Inspector at Cubbon Park Police Station (adjacent to Chinnaswamy stadium) that in case RCB won the IPL, there would be “potential victory parades” around the ground which would “end with victory celebrations” inside the stadium. The victory parade route was submitted in the same, but no permission was sought.The CAT order said that when the letter was submitted, it was “not certain” RCB would win the final and importantly it did not contain “any request for granting the permission” to organise the victory parade and celebrations.”The organiser did not wait for the response of the Police,” the order said. “At the eleventh hour, they submitted a letter and started the scheduled programme.”The order also put out the sequence of announcements made by RCB on June 4 on the franchise’s various social media handles starting with the “victory parade is scheduled in Bengaluru” post.The first post was put out at 7.01 am, the order said, and at 8 am RCB “posted a link” on their Instagram: “Army, We can’t wait to be back to the Home of Champions and celebrate with all of you today. Details out soon.” At 8.55 am, the same post was issued again, this time accompanied with a statement from Virat Kohli, RCB’s most senior player.The order said at 3.14 pm on June 4, RCB issued another post on all three social media handles saying the victory parade was being held at 5 pm IST the same day and would be followed by celebrations at Chinnaswamy stadium. The CAT pulled up RCB for “unilaterally” putting up information on celebrations without “obtaining the permission” or without the “consent” of the police.While the RCB post advised fans to “follow guidelines set by police and other authorities” so the roadshow would be enjoyed peacefully, it also said there were free passes being issued on the franchise website with a “limited entry” disclaimer. The order said since the post had no information about “disbursement of passes” it “implied” the event was “open to all”.According to the order, the first post (7.01 am) received 16 lakh views, second (8 am) 4.26 lakh views, the third (8.55 am) 7.6 lakhs views while the fourth (3.14 pm) 17 lakh views.The order said all that resulted in the “gathering of immense proportion” with nearly three lakh people gathered around Chinnaswamy Stadium, whose official capacity is 35,000. The order also stated the police machinery was already stretched having had to regulate in the night immediately after RCB’s victory in the IPL final against Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad on June 3.It was hard for the police to control the large number of people who turned up to catch a glimpse of RCB•Associated Press

‘Police are not God or have magic powers’

The burden on the cops increased further with the Karnataka government organising a felicitation programme. “Therefore, prima facie it appears that RCB is responsible for the gathering of about three to five lakh people,” the order said. “RCB did not take the appropriate permission or consent from the Police. Suddenly, they posted on social media platforms and as a result of aforesaid information the public were gathered. Because of the shortage of time on 04.06.2025, the Police was unable to do the appropriate arrangements. Sufficient time was not given to the Police. Suddenly, RCB created the aforesaid type of nuisance without any prior permission.”The order defended the police saying cops are also “human beings” and they are “neither God (Bhagwan) nor Magician and also not having the magic powers like “” which was able to fulfil any wish only by rubbing a finger.”CAT is a quasi-judicial body which deals with issues related to government and public servants. RCB itself is not part of the proceedings. The tribunal’s observations will have no bearing on the inquiry set up by the Karnataka government to probe the stampede. The inquiry is being conducted by former High Court Justice Michael da Cunha.

MatériaMais Notícias

O empate em 1 a 1 com o Flamengo na noite deste sábado (8) marcou o retorno do técnico Mano Menezes à Neo Química Arena dirigindo o Corinthians. De volta ao Timão há duas semanas, o treinador foi quem comandou o clube alvinegro na primeira partida oficial no estádio, em 2014. 

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Na ocasião, Mano estava na sua segunda passagem pelo Time do Povo, que entrou na quinta rodada do Brasileirão daquele ano na terceira colocação e invicto, com dois empates e duas derrotas. O adversário não poderia ser melhor, o Figueirense, que era o lanterna e tinha perdido todas as partidas até o momento. 

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Em campo, no entanto, o clube catarinense estragou a inauguração da arena corintiana e venceu por 1 a 0, gol marcado pelo meia Giovanni Augusto, que duas temporadas depois defenderia o Corinthians.

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Ainda assim, nos nove anos de Neo Química Arena o aproveitamento do Timão no estádio é ótimo: são 189 vitórias, 89 empates e 43 derrotas, em 321 jogos, um aproveitamento de 68,1%.

– A casa do Corinthians sempre foi algo muito forte, para a equipe e para todos. Como sentimento, é muito bom ter o torcedor como ele torce aqui, no momento de dificuldade se coloca mais ao lado da equipe, aumenta o volume e isso dá força. Então, não é à toa o aproveitamento que temos aqui e temos que parabenizar esse comportamento do torcedor porque é único – disse Mano, na entrevista coletiva após a partida contra o Flamengo. 

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O treinador corintiano acredita que o público que esteve presente no duelo contra o clube carioca ficou satisfeito com o que viu. Os flamenguistas saíram na frente, com gol de Gerson, no início do segundo tempo, mas o Timão buscou o empate no fim, com Fábio Santos, em cobrança de pênalti. 

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– Algumas coisas os torcedores devem ter gostado do que viram, do time competindo, e queremos uma identidade entre torcida e time para superar os adversários que temos pela frente – pontuou o treinador corintiano.

Nos próximos dias, Mano terá um período para colocar cada vez mais os seus conceitos em prática no Timão. Com o período de datas Fifa, serão 11 dias até o próximo jogo, contra o Fluminense, no dia 19 de outubro, pela 27ª rodada do Brasileirão.

After winning an unprecedented Champions League title back in May, expectations were high for this Arsenal side coming into the 2025-26 season. Could the Gunners use their European success as a springboard and really challenge for the Women's Super League title this time around? Could they finally end Chelsea's incredible dominance which has now seen them claim each of the last six league crowns, as well as 13 of the last 18 domestic honours?

So far, the answers to those questions appear to be unchanged and, as such, negative. Before the international break, Arsenal endured a four-game winless run for the first time since January 2022, and although they were able to stop the rot with wins over Brighton and Benfica before players headed off on national-team duty, neither performance was particularly convincing. As they prepare to resume WSL action this weekend, the Gunners are five points behind leaders Chelsea, having won just three of their first six games, and sit fifth in standings, behind north London rivals Tottenham.

It was only five months ago that this Arsenal team, under new head coach Renee Slegers, stunned Barcelona in the Champions League final having enjoyed an historic comeback victory over Real Madrid in the quarter-finals before battering eight-time European champions Lyon in their own backyard in the semis. So why have they been unable to build on that at the start of this season and what can they do to reignite what has so far been a sluggish and disappointing campaign? 

• Getty Images
  

  Be temporarily pragmatic

  One of the most notable struggles Arsenal have had in the early stages of this season has come in the form of high-profile mistakes when playing out from the back. That's been a particular issue amid the absence of Leah Williamson, whose quality in possession is a big reason why the Gunners are usually so good in building out from the defence, and whose spell on the sidelines has certainly had a negative impact on that facet of the team's game thus far this season.

  Encouragingly, Slegers took steps to address these errors, explaining after the win over Brighton: "We’ve been working on the build-up and, when the ball is in our own half, how we can have more forward intent so we don’t have to go backwards and teams can just go high and player for player and everyone is under pressure."

  It has had an immediately positive impact, not just because Arsenal have won their last two games but because they've kept two clean sheets in them, at least in part due to the fact that they've not been putting themselves in precarious situations in possession.

  A few days later, Slegers explained that she saw this as a "medium- or long-term" measure. "We want to find ways to beat that press but also not to invite the press and that is what we have been working on," she added.

  It's vital that, despite turning things around a little in recent weeks, Slegers sticks with this for the time being and doesn't allow those errors to creep back into Arsenal's game, especially while Williamson remains sidelined. If those issues return, it would be seriously problematic. 

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• Getty Images
  

  Show more positivity and urgency in the final third

  Arsenal have been underwhelming in attack too, particularly with the lack of urgency shown in the opposition's half. Take the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, for example, where the Gunners were 1-0 up until a late, late equaliser from their visitors punished them for not finishing the game off.

  "I just don’t think we have the intensity and urgency in and around the box to kill the game, because we get an early goal," Slegers noted after that result. "But as long as it’s 1-0, the opposition always feels like they’re still in the game. You only need one moment and that’s what happened today."

  That felt like the case in the 1-0 win over Brighton, too, despite Arsenal's lead coming about as a result of a rather lucky own goal. Fortunately, the Seagulls were unable to make them pay for that lack of chance creation as the Gunners ended their winless run.

  But Slegers' side should absolutely not be resting on their laurels in these games. If they want to really turn that form around and reel off the results that are needed to get them back into the WSL title race, while proving that they can put up a sturdy European title defence, they have to show more urgency and positivity in the final third and a greater will to get shots off when the space opens up, rather than passing up the opportunity to get a strike on goal, regardless of the scoreline.

• Getty Images
  

  Create chances for Russo

  It's especially important for Arsenal to look more dangerous in the final third because Alessia Russo, who had her best goal-scoring season to date last term, has been starved of service. In the WSL, the England international ranks 16th for shots and 31st for shots on target, per 90 minutes, with her able to score just one goal from open play, and one penalty, in the competition as a result. That simply has to improve if the Gunners are to return to their best.

  It's not really on Russo, either. To watch Arsenal is to watch some great build-up and some especially electric wide play, only for the final ball to disappoint. So often, the crosses from the wings are particularly poor, which has been frustrating given how great a lot of the work before that is. Russo's movement, positioning and awareness in the box has come on leaps and bounds, and her team-mates need to improve balls into the area for her to allow her to continue to showcase that and make Arsenal a more efficient and effective team going forward.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Reignite Kelly's form

  Factoring into the need for that service for Russo to improve is the form of Chloe Kelly, which Arsenal need to reignite to make themselves a more dangerous attacking prospect. The England star was outstanding after signing for the Gunners on loan back in January, providing a series of game-changing moments and performances during her four months back in north London, so much so that the club opted to make the move permanent in the summer.

  Despite continuing that theme of being an elite difference-maker at the European Championship, where her heroics were key to England's second successive continental triumph, Kelly has struggled for form at the start of this new season. That is clearly down to fitness to some degree, with some heavy strapping on her knee visible earlier this month. If the Gunners can nurse her back to full health, though, she could provide a real boost to a team that has lacked attacking spark on more than one occasion, with her quick-thinking assist for Russo in the win over Benfica just before the international break a great reminder of as much.

Green made his first half-century at No.3 for Australia and hopes it’s a sign of things to come

Andrew McGlashan06-Jul-2025

Cameron Green hopes that his vital half-century on the third day in Grenada can kick-start his career as a Test No. 3 having battled conditions where he admitted batters were often left “praying” that they weren’t undone by the unpredictable bounce.Having survived the second evening against a fired-up Jayden Seales, Green navigated a ball that was still new on the third morning, largely alongside the faultless Steven Smith in a stand of 93 that provided a cornerstone for Australia’s innings.After an early rain interruption, Green saw a delivery from Anderson Phillip shoot low past his off stump, beat wicketkeeper Shai Hope and run away for four byes. “Praying…that’s all you can really do,” he said. “You just try and forget about it as much as possible.”Related

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Green was able to keep his focus and compile a 122-ball half-century that was brought up with a crunching straight drive, only to under edge his next delivery into the stumps and he tossed his bat to the ground in frustration.Still, this was Green’s most substantial contribution yet since being handed the No.3 role against South Africa in the World Test Championship final last month. It was a much-needed encouraging sign at a time when Australia’s top three remains under significant scrutiny.”You always need innings here and there just to get you back and get you going, hopefully today was certainly one of those,” he said. “A lot of good things I can get out of just spending time in the middle. I think the ball’s faced has been trending up. The runs haven’t been there, but there’s certainly little positives I can take out of it.”Hopefully my output can be a little bit better than it has been, but today was a nice sign that things are hopefully trending well.”Green, who fell four balls after being given a life in the first innings, added he does not take notice of what is being said about his game outside of the changing room, but he isn’t blind to the expectations of an Australia top-order batter.”You all know when you’re playing that there’s runs that need to be made certainly when you’re batting up the order for Australia,” he said. “It’s a tough game, so being able to bounce back from tough times is equally as important.”Unsurprisingly, it was a surface where Green never felt fully ‘in’ given a ball was rarely far away from playing a few tricks although he admitted it may not always have looked that way when Smith was on strike.”Certainly, last night was tricky [and then] with the new ball today you had to start again and there were a few ball changes, so I never really felt at any point it looked that good,” he said. “You’d probably ask a different question to Steve. I think he was batting on a different wicket. He’s clearly a class above and that’s a tough wicket, so to play as well as he did was incredible.”Cameron Green dropped his bat in frustration after being bowled by Shamar Joseph•AFP/Getty Images

Smith was so alert to the challenges of the pitch that after facing an early delivery from Phillip which kept low, he altered his trigger movement to stay stiller at the crease.”This innings, I decided to bat on middle to stay a bit more still [to] try and negate lbw as much as possible with the ball shooting a little bit low,” Smith told the broadcast after play. “Try and use my full face as much as possible. I thought I did that pretty well. Then anything loose, just try and cash in on it. You’ve got to try and put the bad balls away to put the pressure back on the bowler. It was a nice partnership with Greeny. I thought he played really nicely and sort of set us up for the rest of the innings.”Smith termed Australia as being in a “nice spot” with a lead of 254 and three wickets in hand heading into the fourth day although added a target over 300 would be the aim.”I don’t think the wicket is going to get any better to bat,” he said. “They’ll probably be a few more tricks, particularly with the newer ball. I think we saw today when they had that ball change, it started to do a few more things, and it was tricky. I think the new ball is going to be pretty crucial for us when we get that opportunity.”West Indies believe the chase remains within their grasp although allrounder Justin Greaves, who claimed the wickets of Smith and Beau Webster, said they need to take some lessons from how Australia’s middle-order has played.”The new ball does pretty much everything,” he said. “As soon as the ball gets a bit softer, it gets a bit easier for batting. Whatever score we can limit Australia to, possibly under 300, we’ve got to try and believe we can get it.”We just need to be positive when we go to bat. Probably taking some notes from both Travis Head and Beau Webster throughout the series…just having that positive mindset.”

Association with Taunton included two KSL titles with Western Storm prior to the county era

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Aug-2025

Trevor Griffin, Somerset Women’s head coach, has decided to stand down at the end of the season, following the club’s disappointing results in the first year of the Tier 1 professional era.Griffin was named in the role in October 2024, having previously overseen the fortunes of Taunton-based Western Storm. However, Somerset finished bottom of the standings in the Blast, and are currently sixth out of eight in the 50-over competition, facing a battle to reach the semi-finals. They were also eliminated at the first hurdle in the Women’s County Cup, following a Super Over loss to Durham.”Now feels like the right time for the team to hear a new voice and for me to start my next chapter,” Griffin said. “The role of any leader is to identify what their team needs in order to continue to develop and grow, and I feel this is the best thing for the squad and for me. I feel that I need to recharge before focusing on my next opportunity.”I’m incredibly proud to have been the first Women’s Head Coach at Somerset and it’s been an honour to wear the Wyvern. I want to say a heartfelt thank you to all at the club for agreeing to this and I’d also like to thank the Members and supporters because it’s been a genuine privilege to be part of this journey. The backing from the fans has meant a great deal, and I’ll always be grateful for the support shown throughout my time here.”Griffin’s spell at Taunton was stretched across two separate spells with Western Storm, initially from 2017 to 2019 – during which time the team twice won the Kia Super League – and a second stint from 2022 onwards. He also coached at Sunrisers and Sydney Thunder in the BBL, as well as working with London Spirit in the Women’s Hundred.”I’m proud of what I’ve achieved so far,” he said. “Winning the KSL twice with Western Storm was very special. I was the first women’s coach to secure a role overseas and the first to win the Women’s Big Bash.”I’ve absolutely still got the coaching bug and my love for cricket remains as strong as ever. There are exciting opportunities on the horizon both here and abroad and I can’t wait to embrace these new challenges; I’m really energised and excited about what my next role will bring but Somerset will always hold a special place in my heart.”Somerset Director of Cricket, Andy Hurry, said: “Trevor has been synonymous with elite women’s cricket in the region for many years and everyone associated with the Club would like to thank Trevor for his hard work, dedication and passion over the years.”As the first professional Head Coach of Somerset Women, Trevor will always be a part of the history of the Club, and he leaves behind incredibly strong foundations on which the team can build and progress.”

Cristiano Ronaldo has laughed off questions regarding his 1,000th goal being scored in the 2026 World Cup final, suggesting that anybody expecting that to happen has “been watching too many movies”. CR7 admits that such a scenario would be “perfect”, but prefers to keep his focus locked on the present – with the all-time great also reluctant to speculate on his potential involvement at Euro 2028.

• Individual targets: Prolific Ronaldo sets personal goals

  Having achieved just about everything – a World Cup triumph aside – Ronaldo has to set more individual targets during the latter stages of his record-shattering career. One of those sees him chasing down four figures on the goal front, with that milestone very much in sight.

  Given how prolific he has been for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr and the Portugal national team – with 143 efforts recorded for his country – it may be that Ronaldo further cements his legacy before gracing another international tournament.

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  Dream ending: Could Ronaldo reach 1,000 goals in World Cup final?

  He will be heading to a sixth World Cup regardless of what he has achieved on the personal front, with the evergreen 40-year-old as hungry as ever to savour tangible success. He has written plenty of Hollywood scripts down the years, allowing the history books to be rewritten, but is not giving too much thought to delivering a fairytale ending on American soil.

  Quizzed on whether his 1,000th goal could come in the game that lands him a World Cup winners’ medal, Ronaldo said: “You've been watching too many movies, that would be too perfect. Getting back to reality, all this data makes me happy. A national team never depends on one player, but I like being able to make a difference with goals. It's always good to score goals, that's my position. I want to play in this next World Cup, otherwise I wouldn't be here, but let's take it step by step. If that happened, it would be a good sign, I'd end my career on a high note.”

• Evergreen at 40: How Ronaldo moves with the times

  Ronaldo is showing no sign of slowing down on the goal front, with the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward priding himself on being able to move with the times. He added on being prolific at an age that few reach as a professional: “Scoring goals is the hardest thing in football. I think I was smart to adapt to modern football, physically and mentally, to different club contexts, the national team, different leagues. I think a truly intelligent player adapts to the circumstances of football, and that's how it should be. I'll think like that until I retire from football. You have to adapt; football isn't the same as it was five years ago. What makes the difference between great players is their brains, their heads.”

  While retirement does not dominate his thoughts at present, Ronaldo has admitted that a day in which his boots are hung up for the final time may come “soon”. He has conceded that the 2026 World Cup will be his last.

  He has, however, signed a contract with Al-Nassr until 2027 and stated that: “Let's be honest, when I mean soon I mean probably one, two years. I'm enjoying the moment. But when I mean soon, it's not really soon, because I give everything for football. I'm in the game for the last 25 years, I did everything. I have many records. I'm really proud. So let's enjoy the moment, live the moment.”

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  Will Ronaldo play at Euro 2028? Portuguese GOAT responds

  With Ronaldo’s fire still burning, and many tipping him to play on beyond the age of 42, could he grace another European Championship – having previously captured that crown with Portugal in 2016? Ronaldo said when that question was put to him: “The important thing is to focus on this game. The national team is here to play in a final stage. It's another very important competition for the country, for the players, for me too, and everything else isn't relevant right now. Now it's about enjoying the moment.”

  Euro 2028 will be heading to the UK and Ireland. Ronaldo has some happy memories in England from his two spells at Old Trafford and is preparing to line up against Irish opposition on Thursday as Portugal seek to wrap up automatic qualification for next summer’s World Cup.

Away from narrowly scraping past Everton 1-0 on the opening day, Daniel Farke’s Leeds United have only tasted victory once more in Premier League action.

That was on the road back in September when the top-flight newcomers convincingly got the better of bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-1.

Anton Stach’s glorious free-kick hitting the back of the net was the pick of the strikes from this comprehensive win, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin also broke his Whites duck when heading home the initial equaliser.

Those with connections to Elland Road would have hoped this would be the kick-starter the ex-Everton marksman needed to then find himself deep in a purple patch of form.

Yet, he was frustratingly back to drawing blanks heading into the international break…

Why Calvert-Lewin is struggling at Leeds

The 28-year-old is arguably a streaky centre-forward, with the hit-and-miss number nine scoring seven of his 16 Premier League goals for ex-employers Everton during the 2020/21 season within his first five outings.

Unfortunately, he hasn’t sparked into life as a similar goal machine just yet in West Yorkshire, with both the 2-2 draw against AFC Bournemouth and the loss to Tottenham Hotspur before the break seeing Calvert-Lewin spurn chances galore, instead of adding to his early Leeds tally.

Minutes played

89

90

Goals scored

0

0

Assists

0

0

Shots

3

2

Shots on target

3

1

Big chances missed

3

1

In all fairness, Calvert-Lewin is getting into some great positions to try and score – with nearly all of his efforts across the two league clashes being on target.

However, despite accumulating four on-target efforts, he failed to find the back of the net.

When the pressure is ramped up towards the back end of the season, Farke might not feel too comfortable relying on the Sheffield-born striker to deliver the goods, with ex-Leeds legend Nigel Martyn even once stating that Calvert-Lewin doesn’t strike him as a “natural finisher” when he was also spurning chances regularly on Merseyside.

With Joel Piroe also not Premier League-recognised in reserve, Leeds must now wish they could turn back time to a player who could easily take Calvert-Lewin’s number nine shirt from him.

Former Leeds star now worthy of the number 9 jersey

The 6-foot-2 striker’s difficulties in the injury department haven’t even been mentioned yet, with a worrying 21 games missed over his previous two seasons for Everton owing to extended periods in the treatment room.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

Former Thorp Arch prodigy Max Dean has also had his fair share of injury troubles since leaving West Yorkshire behind, with a cruciate ligament tear completely derailing a positive 2024/25 season for the promising Englishman in Belgium.

Still, when he has been fit, he has left Calvert-Lewin completely in the dust with his goal-scoring prowess.

Indeed, while Calvert-Lewin could only collect a meagre three goals all of last season, Dean was a man possessed for KAA Gent, with a blistering 13 strikes amassed from just 1,497 minutes of action.

Of course, injury disaster then struck, but with the former England youth international now edging ever closer to being back available for the Jupiler Pro League outfit, some regret must still be lingering that Leeds didn’t persist more with one of their own, considering he also put away a stunning 16 goals for their U23s from 38 total appearances.

Games played

73

Goals scored

33

Assists

7

Value when leaving

£700k

Value now

£4m

With a goal-heavy stint at MK Dons also under his belt, netting 20 in 43, it’s clear that Dean was prematurely let go by Leeds in 2023, having actually never made a senior outing.

As a marker of his impressive rise, his transfer value now stands at an impressive £4m according to Football Transfers. When he first made the switch to Milton Keynes, he was worth far less at an estimated £700k.

Dubbed as “special” player by his ex-Gent manager in Wouter Vrancken, the 21-year-old will just be aiming to get amongst the goals again for Gent when he’s finally fully fit, away from any talk that he could have stolen Calvert-Lewin’s number nine shirt if still at his boyhood side.

It’s sad, though, that Leeds has had such little bearing on his fledgling career in reality, as Farke now strives to get a tune out of Calvert-Lewin in tense games to come.

Leeds outcast is quickly becoming Farke's new Bamford & it's not DCL

Leeds might see a repeat of the Bamford sitution

1 ByJoe Nuttall Oct 14, 2025

Fan of the Philadelphia Phillies didn't have much patience on Sunday.

It didn't take long for Phillies fans to jump on their team during Game 2 of the NLDS against the New York Mets. After their team fell behind 2-0 early, Philadelphia's fans began booing their own players after they went scoreless in the first four innings. The boos were not subtle and came on every at-bat.

Nick Castellanos seemed to get it the worst.

Say what you want, but it appeared to work. The Mets were up 3-0 in the bottom of the sixth when Bryce Harper launched a two-run home run and Castellanos followed that up with a solo shot to tie the game at 3-3.

The Phillies led 1-0 for most of Game 1, but a five-run eighth inning rally helped the Mets take the lead for good in a 6-2 victory. Game 2 is still up for grabs.