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The National League Division Series between the Cubs and Brewers has produced plenty of runs right off the bat, literally. The Cubs–Brewers have already made playoff history with the high-scoring first innings of their first two NLDS games.

In Game 1 on Saturday, Chicago opened up the scoring early with Michael Busch hitting a leadoff home run. Milwaukee quickly followed up by scoring six runs in the first inning before eventually winning 9-3.

In Game 2 on Monday, the Cubs scored three runs in the top of the first thanks to a Seiya Suzuki three-run homer. Then, the Brewers answered with three runs of their own in the bottom of the first with a three-run homer by Andrew Vaughn.

Monday's Game 2 marked the first postseason game in MLB history in which both teams hit a three-run homer (or grand slam) in the first inning, via Sarah Langs.

Over the course of the first two games, the two NL Central teams have combined for a total of 13 runs in the first innings alone. This total is the most runs scored in the first innings through two games of the NLDS in MLB history, per Langs. The previous record was held by the 1989 Chicago–Giants series and the 2000 Cardinals–Braves series that produced combined 11 runs each.

We'll see if Game 3 on Wednesday produces a lot of scoring in the first inning again to continue the trend.

This has been the season of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, of Amad and Senne Lammens – but don’t forget about Manchester United’s ever-reliable skipper, Bruno Fernandes.

While no longer perhaps the star attraction, amid Mbeumo’s rich vein of goalscoring form, the Portuguese playmaker is still quietly pulling the strings from his deep-lying midfield berth, scoring twice and registering three assists from his 11 Premier League outings.

Two rare penalty misses have perhaps been the biggest story of the 31-year-old’s campaign thus far, although it would be foolish to suggest that he has been under-par, again leading the way in the division for chances created (29), as per FotMob.

As he admitted ahead of his 300th United appearance last month, the former Sporting CP star is almost relishing the prospect of someone else taking the limelight – alla Mbeumo and Cunha – having for so long shouldered the creative and goalscoring burden on his own at Old Trafford.

A recent hat-trick hero on the international front, the experienced genius is far from over the hill, albeit with Ruben Amorim already hinting at a potential role change later down the line, suggesting that his compatriot might need to adjust to “rotation” next season, should the Red Devils return to European competition.

Whether Fernandes himself decides to stick around following the World Cup also remains to be seen, with a long-term replacement needed regardless.

Latest on Man Utd's midfield search

Speaking in that refreshingly honest interview to mark his milestone match, Fernandes did confirm that he had been close to joining Saudi side Al Hilal over the summer, before ultimately opting to stay put despite receiving a significant salary offer from the Pro League outfit.

Also the subject of interest from Paris Saint-Germain the year prior, the £300k-per-week talent will certainly have options once again should he choose to depart in 2026, albeit having suggested that he won’t even contemplate an exit until after next summer’s tournament in North America.

With a deal that expires in 2027, however, and lingering concerns over his suitability to Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 set-up, Fernandes’ long-term fit in this side is up for debate, regardless of whether he decides to stay or leave, with a young understudy perhaps required.

With that in mind, reports in Spain have suggested that United and INEOS have an offer in the works to sign AZ Alkmaar starlet, Kees Smit, with the 19-year-old said to have ‘caught the eye’ of those in Manchester.

Said to be valued at around €25m (£22m), the report claims that the Old Trafford side are willing to lodge a bid above the Eredivisie side’s valuation, perhaps hinting at their desire to win the race for his signature, amid notable competition.

Compared to Pedri by Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman, the teenager – who has also been linked with Newcastle United – could certainly be a worthwhile punt as far as the INEOS regime are concerned.

Why Man Utd could be targeting the new Bruno Fernandes

Since the arrival of the likes of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Jason Wilcox, there has undoubtedly been a clear focus on recruiting stars of the future, be it Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven, or Leny Yoro and Diego Leon.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Adding Smit into the fold could well help to continue that trend, with the promising Dutchman already earning rave reviews back in Holland, having been hailed as a “supertalent” in the past by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Set to turn 20 in January, the AZ academy graduate has already made 50 senior appearances for his current side, chalking up ten goals and assists in that time, as per Transfermarkt, with 2025/26 proving particularly fruitful thus far.

Largely operating in a central midfield role – but also comfortable in a deeper or more advanced berth, like Fernandes – the £22m gem has scored twice and registered four assists in 19 games in all competitions, four of which have come in just 11 league games.

A player with “superstar potential” – in the view of analyst Ben Mattinson – Smit is particularly adept at striking from range, a trait again similar to Fernandes, with both he and Cunha tied last term for most goals scored outside the box by Premier League players.

Also hailed for his “striker-like finishing” inside the box by Mattinson, Smit does appear to be the complete attacking package, a fact heightened by his likeness to Fernandes in last season’s Europa League.

Indeed, as per FBref, the pair were noted as statistically and stylistically similar players among midfielders turning out in the competition, with the pair both ranking highly for progressive passes and passes in particular.

Goals

Top 4%

Top 17%

Assists

Top 1%

Top 14%

Shot-creating actions

Top 48%

Top 2%

Pass completion

Top 30%

Bottom 15%

Progressive passes

Top 4%

Top 2%

Progressive carries

Top 5%

Top 12%

Successful take-ons

Top 4%

Top 46%

Touches in opposition box

Top 10%

Top 7%

Progressive passes received

Top 9

Top 12%

Smit’s creative streak has also been evident so far this term, with three big chances created and two key passes averaged per game in the Eredivisie, as per Sofascore. Back in England, for comparison, Fernandes has also created three big chances, while averaging slightly more key passes at 2.6 per game.

Both a goalscorer and provider then, like the Portugal man, Smit would surely be a worthy choice to be a potential deputy to Fernandes in the short-term, before seeking to succeed him in that midfield role later down the line.

Looking very much like a young Fernandes on current evidence, it’s easy to see why the teenager is courting quite so much interest.

INEOS have already signed a "machine" who could end Sesko's Man Utd stay

Manchester United already have an elite-level prospect who could steal Benjamin Sesko’s starting role.

2 ByEthan Lamb Nov 18, 2025

Visitors Pakistan would want to ensure their white-ball game isn’t all doom and gloom, while hosts NZ are keen to blood-in new talent

Danyal Rasool28-Mar-2025If Pakistan thought they were at rock bottom before they turned up in New Zealand, the hosts spent the entirety of the T20I series disabusing them of that notion. Sandwiched between one surprise win in the third T20I, Pakistan picked up hidings in Christchurch and Dunedin before travelling up to the North Island for another couple at Mount Maunganui and Wellington. Each game demonstrated how rapidly Pakistan were sinking, and how much further they could still possibly plunge.Little that could happen in the ODIs will convince anyone they have resurfaced. Not least because this is the point in the calendar when ODIs matter least of all, weeks out from the end of a Champions Trophy that went very differently for both sides. The ODI World Cup remains a couple of years away, and the satisfaction of a bilateral ODI trophy in the midst of IPL season and the PSL just a fortnight away will be ephemeral.Besides, the ODIs these two played in Pakistan in the Champions Trophy as well as the build-up to it were a true enough indication of their respective current qualities. With each side boasting full-strength sides – unlike, at least for New Zealand, this series – New Zealand convincingly beat Pakistan on three occasions, going on to win a tri-series as well as making a run all the way to the final of the Champions Trophy. Pakistan, at home, won just one game in five and crashed out of their prestigious home tournament five days after it began.Pakistan have brought in their more experienced players and boast a largely full-strength squad, insofar as that means much given the pathos of the visitors’ current cricketing state. Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Naseem Shah are all back, while Haris Rauf was added earlier this week.Besides, somewhat bizarrely, Pakistan come into this series with a surprisingly good bilateral away record. The ODIs in Pakistan’s leg of their season may not quite have gone according to plan, but before that, they won three successive bilateral series away from home, losing two games and winning seven as they bested Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. It was partly why there was such unbridled, and ultimately, ill-placed optimism in the build-up to the Champions Trophy; this was the one format Pakistan still felt they were highly competitive in.Related

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They may still be over the next week, even as eyeballs this season will be defined by where they fell short instead. On tracks that suited their fast bowlers, Pakistan played an attractive brand of cricket that focused on getting opposition sides out early – ideally within 40 overs and all through the high pace of their quick bowlers. It took a lot of pressure off their batters, who ended up making short work of what their bowlers had guaranteed were below-par chases.However, this relied on a few key factors that do not necessarily chime as favourably for the visitors at present. Saim Ayub’s glittering run of form was instrumental in establishing that path to victory, his combination of big runs at high strike rates breaking the backs of most totals. Shaheen Afridi, meanwhile, looked more impressive towards the tail-end of that 2024 season than he ever has since his injury in 2022, but has been dropped from this format after poor showings in the ODIs in Pakistan. It makes it trickier to recreate a winning template at the very time Pakistan have well and truly broken out of their winnings habits.New Zealand have no such problems with winning habits. It is perhaps unfair, if not uncharacteristic, for one to have to scroll this far down to see first mention for a side that manages to combine machine-like consistency with such joyfully progressive cricket, all on a shoestring budget and, in sheer numbers, a vanishingly small pool of players.But they know how to do this, having taken part in several series against Pakistan over the last three years that have required them to field second or third-string sides. It was mentioned, at least patronisingly if not disparagingly, that a number of their squads for Pakistan tours appeared to have a Plunket Shield or Super Smash feel to it.But New Zealand have gone on to demonstrate this as a sign of quality rather than weakness, as evidenced by their impressive strength in depth most recently in their T20I hammering of Pakistan in the absences of multiple stalwarts.Even in the ODI series, the fresh, exciting talent comes from the hosts rather than the visitors, including the upcoming debut of 21-year old Lahore-born allrounder Mohammad Abbas, whose father Azhar Abbas once played first-class cricket in Pakistan. The 23-year old Canterbury batter Rhys Mariu, who averages just under 62 for his first-class side, has also been called up following Tom Latham’s sidelining with a hand fracture, while 22-year old legspinner Adithya Ashok returns to the ODI squad. Under the captaincy of Michael Bracewell and the more established core of the New Zealand side, it is hard to imagine a healthier, gentler introduction to international cricket anywhere in the world.New Zealand’s stewardship of a sport that is not their national identity, through the cultivation of an elite performance culture that straddles the balance between demanding excellence and sinking their players under the weight of those demands, has seen this side rise to the top in a financial environment where they have no right to do so. Pakistan’s profligacy with their finances, inconsistency of vision, and impulsive short-term decision-making on the other hand makes them the antithesis of all of that.A contest between single-sport cricket mad nation of a quarter of a billion against a pair of Pacific Islands where five million people would probably rather play rugby, this contest should be a mismatch. Of late, it has been shown to be exactly that. Just not the way you might think.

They had beaten Australia earlier this year. And with tactics and belief in place, they knew they could do it again

Firdose Moonda18-Oct-20243:30

Takeaways: How stunning South Africa ended Australia’s reign

“No DNA, Just RSA.”Welcome to another lesson in South African slangs.Just before the Men’s T20 World Cup final earlier this year, ESPNcricinfo introduced its readers to a short and sharp Afrikaans expression that has come to sum up South African sporting achievements. “Hulle weet nie wat ons weet nie (They don’t know what we know),” is a rallying cry to remind South Africans of their difficult past, what differentiates them from people from elsewhere, and their determination, but it’s not the only national proverb.”No DNA, just RSA,” is a shorter, sharper phrase that also does the rounds on social media and is entirely apt for their semi-final win over Australia at the Women’s T20 World Cup. It tells a story of not having anything inherently special inbuilt in you or the systems around you, but channeling a champion mindset of overcoming adversity to come out on top. That is what the South African team did to register just their second T20I win over Australia in 11 attempts, their first at a World Cup and their most complete performance in a major semi-final.Related

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An eight-wicket victory with 16 balls to spare is as comprehensive as it sounds, and it came from a side that only first tasted victory over Australia earlier this year, after failing in eight attempts over 15 years. It also came from a side who made the right decisions against an opposition that has been tactically superior in the women’s game for decades, who had not been beaten in a T20 World Cup match in 15 games and had not lost a semi-final in 15 years.Laura Wolvaardt’s decision to bowl first went against conventional knockout game wisdom of putting runs on the board but was grounded in evidence. Seven of the 11 games played in Dubai at this tournament were won by chasing teams, no-one still really knows what a good score on these surfaces is. And of the five T20Is Australia have lost since the last World Cup, four were when they batted first. “We feel like runs on the board wouldn’t necessarily affect that (Australian) unit. It seems like they can chase whatever they want and are really up for a chase. So we just thought bowling first just suited us a bit better. Hopefully they didn’t know how hard to go, which ended up being the case,” Wolvaardt said afterwards.It wasn’t just a case of uncharacteristic Australian uncertainty, it was that South Africa made it tough for them, particularly in the powerplay. With some swing on offer, Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka were disciplined, and immediately afterwards their spinners backed them up by bowling slow and straight and their fielding was generally energetic. Boundary options were rare for Australia and by the end of the 16th over, they had only hit six fours. They finished with 11 fours and no sixes, and seemed to be “10 to 20 runs short,” on Wolvaardt’s assessment.Still, to watch South Africa chase in a knockout match of a World Cup is to ride an emotional rollercoaster that starts with hope, twists in anticipation, turns at panic and usually ends in disappointment. When Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits managed only four runs off the first two overs, a small but largely South African-supporting crowd grew restless and the boundaries that followed would have done little to decrease their stress levels.2:02

Anneke Bosch: ‘Hopefully leaving our best game for the final’

Brits’ first four was only thanks to a misfield from Annabel Sutherland at long-on and Wolvaardt’s came off an edge. Even when Brits cleared long-on for the first six of the match in the fourth over, hearts were in throats. Taking risks, however calculated they are, has historically also not ended well for South Africa. When Brits was bowled by a Sutherland jaffa, the familiar feelings of dread were resurrected, especially because of who was in next.Anneke Bosch, with a strike rate of 72.97 from three innings before this match, could easily have botched it. Instead, she bossed it.Seemingly out of nowhere, Bosch announced herself with a sweep off Sophie Molineux that beat deep midwicket and then danced down the track to send one over mid-off, and Australia had conceded their highest powerplay at this tournament of 43. But Bosch’s big-hitting did not surprise her own changeroom. Over the last two weeks, anyone from the South African camp who was asked maintained that she had been hitting the ball really well in the nets and that they were keeping her in the side because they believed she would come good. They also insisted she would stay at No. 3, ahead of Kapp, because it helped manage their premier allrounder’s workload. None of it seemed convincing because of Bosch’s record.With only one fifty from her last 14 T20I innings – including a 46 in Pakistan last month when she had to retire hurt – Australia were unlikely to have earmarked Bosch as the game-changer but Wolvaardt said her career-best was a long time in the making. “Anneke and Baakier (Abrahams), our batting coach, meet for coffee for like an hour every single day and just talk about batting,” Wolvaardt said. “He’s really been on her case, chasing her and making sure that she talks to him about her options.”Bosch described Abrahams, who has previously worked at men’s provincial sides in South Africa’s domestic system as having, “opened a whole new world of batting,” for her and boosted her confidence. “We spoke about all the different options and plans against different bowlers in different conditions. A lot of what happened today, we can give credit to him. He kept believing in us, or in me, even after a couple of bad games. He had my back and he believed in me. He told me a good innings is coming.”

“Tune in to watch. There could be something very special happening for a lot of South Africans in the next few days”South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt after making the second straight final

And so to the much-praised additions to the South African coaching staff, who were appointed in May. Abrahams is their first full-time batting coach and has made a noticeable difference to their approach and many of their strike rates but it’s the spin-bowling consultant and former international Paul Adams who has made the most impact on their mindset. As a player who rode the highs of expectation after becoming South Africa’s youngest Test cricketer at the age of 18 to one who suffered the lows of being dropped, going through coaching hiccups at Western Province and the emotional upheaval of the Social Justice and Nation Building hearings, Adams has seen it all. He has used that knowledge to bring a fresh, innovative mindset to the team and does something special and new before every match.This time it was meditation. “We all got in the huddle, he made us close our eyes, picture being here, listen to the sounds, listen to the noise and see ourselves doing well. It was like a guided visualisation,” Wolvaardt said.Happily for South Africa, they had some success they could picture in their mind after they beat Australia in Canberra earlier this year. Ten of the 11 players who were involved in that match were in this semi-final line-up and all of them had their own reasons to believe. “It made us realise that it is possible for us to beat them this time because we have done it before,” Bosch said.As tennis great Billie-Jean said, “If you can see it, you can be it,” and South Africa have done well to adopt that mantra too. The women’s team has always represented a diverse cross-section of society, not just across the racial spectrum but also the socio-economic one. Many of the players in this XI come from challenging backgrounds, where their basic needs were not being met, never mind their sporting ambitions nurtured. Through development programmes, small amounts of funding and a lot of blind faith, here they are. Compare that to Australia’s uber-professionalised system which is far ahead of anyone else’s, and the meaning of “No DNA, just RSA” might become clearer.And that is where the magic lies in what this South African side has already achieved. They have made a habit of delivering masterclasses in the art of possibility and they don’t intend to stop. “I try to make sure every day that I inspire,” Khaka, one of the greatest success stories of this side said. “Especially for the people that come from certain parts that I come from. I just want to send a message: it is possible. Anything that you want, you can do it.”In February 2023, South Africa’s women’s team became the first senior side to reach a World Cup final and now they have done it again. In between their two achievements, the men’s side also reached a World Cup final. Is the next step there for the taking? “Tune in to watch,” Wolvaardt said. “There could be something very special happening for a lot of South Africans in the next few days.”

A significant update has now emerged regarding Raphael Wicky becoming Middlesbrough’s next manager, as the Championship side look to find the right replacement for Rob Edwards in the near future.

The exit of Edwards to Wolves has knocked Boro for six at an important point in the season, but it is vital that they don’t allow it to derail their Championship promotion push in the coming weeks and months.

A number of candidates have already been mentioned as potential options as the Englishman’s successor, including former Young Boys manager Wicky.

It has been claimed that Boro are serious about appointing the 48-year-old as their next boss after he impressed during talks, although he is far from the only candidate being mentioned for the job.

Former striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is a contender for the Championship side, with the Dutchman reportedly given Gareth Southgate’s endorsement, following their time working together with the England national team. Steven Gerrard, Gary O’Neill and Carlos Corberan are some of the other names to have been thrown around.

Wicky keen on taking Middlesbrough job

Now, according to a fresh claim from The Northern Echo, Wicky is keen on becoming Middlesbrough’s next manager, with the Swiss very much in the mix to come in.

He is said to be one of a host of overseas bosses who are “interested” in taking charge at the Riverside Stadium, following his exit from Young Boys last year, having spent two years at the club.

Wicky stands out as a strong option for Boro, with journalist Graeme Bailey describing him as an “impressive” individual, following a successful managerial career to date.

He won both the Swiss league title and Swiss Cup with Young Boys in the 2022/23 season, outlining his winning mentality, and at 48, he is still a relatively young manager who will bring fresh ideas to the Riverside.

It remains to be seen if the 4-4-2 diamond-playing Wicky will ultimately be Boro’s pick as their new boss, but the fact that the job appeals to him can only be a good thing, and his trophy-winning pedigree isn’t something that should be ignored.

Middlesbrough now considering move for ex-QPR manager recommended by Southgate

He’s been out of a managerial job since 2022.

1 ByTom Cunningham Nov 14, 2025

It is vital that the club don’t rush into the decision, however, instead ensuring that they have the best possible choice of manager to hopefully spearhead their return to the Premier League, rather than making a quick call and bringing in the wrong man.

How Middlesbrough feel about Raphael Wicky as Swiss manager holds Riverside talks

Yankees manager Aaron Boone has caught some flak from fans and pundits after his decision to remove ace Max Fried in the seventh inning of the club's eventual 3-1 loss to the Red Sox in Game 1 of the American League wild-card series on Tuesday night. Fried, after working himself out of trouble in the fifth and sixth innings, came out for the seventh having expended 99 pitches. After Fried induced a Jarren Duran groundout, Boone made the trip from the dugout and took the ball from his starter, turning to a Yankees bullpen that has been equal parts brilliant and disastrous this season.

Yankees reliever Luke Weaver got two quick strikes on Red Sox outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela, but it was all downhill from there. A walk, a double and a single later, and the Red Sox had the lead.

After the game, Boone explained the reasoning behind removing Fried from the game.

"They pressured him pretty good in the fourth, fifth, sixth," Boone said. "Had a couple baserunners each inning. So I felt like he kind of cruised through the first few and obviously he ends up pitching great. But I felt like he had to work pretty hard—and I was going to have the sixth be the end but once we finished with the double play, I wanted him to go out and get Duran and felt like we were lined up."

As well as Boone felt Fried navigated through some traffic on the basepaths, the Yankees manager also seemed to see Fried emptying the tank a bit.

"Maybe a little bit I felt that way," Boone said. "I felt like his command was not as good those final few [innings]. He was making so many big pitches and his stuff was good. Look, he gave us what we needed and felt really good about the outing he put forth. But I felt pretty convicted, like, especially we got the double play. Let’s go get one more hitter and be good."

Did Fried feel that he had tired?

"I definitely exerted a lot of energy trying to get out of that, but I definitely had enough in the tank for whatever the team needed. But Booney [Aaron Boone] was confident to be able to give the ball to Weave [Luke Weaver] in that situation," Fried said.

While the Yankees bullpen went on to surrender one more run in the ninth, New York had a chance to rally against Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman, loading the bases with no one out but ultimately falling short.

The Yankees will now turn to Carlos Rodon in a do-or-die Game 2 on Wednesday.

Arsenal are a little bit good, aren’t they? Heading towards the final weekend of November, Mikel Arteta’s charges sit at the top of the Premier League.

Not just in cracking form domestically, defeating rivals Spurs 4-1 last Sunday, they are also more than up to the task in Europe.

Following five match weeks in the Champions League this season, they are top of the table there as well and they are the only team with a 100% record left in the competition.

Their recent win was perhaps one of their most special of the Arteta era. Arsenal dispatched Bayern Munich, unbeaten Bayern this season, winning 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

But, how did they do it?

Arsenal's squad depth reigns supreme against Bayern

What was made all the more impressive about Arsenal’s win against Vincent Kompany’s men was the fact that the Gunners were not at full strength.

No Gabriel? No problem. Jurrien Timber will score from a corner instead. No recognised number 9? Fear not, Mikel Merino will knit things together.

No Martin Odegaard? Well, Eberechi Eze will keep things ticking over. After scoring a stunning hat-trick against Spurs, he registered an assist on Wednesday evening.

No Bukayo Saka? Well, that doesn’t appear to be a problem now either. Saka did start the game but was not at his best against the German giants and while he was still dangerous with his actions, it was the winger’s substitution just after the hour mark that tipped things in Arsenal’s favour.

The first half had been pretty even but the second period was all in favour of the hosts and they really came to the fore once Saka was subbed. In previous seasons, Arteta would rarely dare to take the club’s talisman off but Andrea Berta’s work in the summer transfer window has ensured that we no longer need to worry about that.

Saka went off and before you knew it, Noni Madueke was firing home at the back stick to make it 2-1. The goal had been created by another sub, Riccardo Calafiori, who galloped down the left-hand side like a prize race horse and swung in an inch-perfect delivery.

The third and final goal was tucked home by another substitute in the form of Gabriel Martinelli. Eze clipped a ball over the top and the Brazilian was left with an easy finish after he knocked the ball past an onrushing Manuel Neuer, who did not cover himself in glory at all.

So, it was a win for Arsenal and a win for Berta who fought tooth and nail to spend a shedload on improving the club’s depth. That work could well be decisive as they aim to win both the Premier League and Champions League.

That said, it wasn’t a positive night for everyone in red and white.

Arsenal's biggest concern after Bayern

Seeing Leandro Trossard, a man in the form of his career right now, limp off with an injury in the first half wasn’t ideal but ultimately the quality of Arsenal’s depth shone through. Madueke and Martinelli came on to get Arsenal over the line.

Equally, Calafiori came on and gave Arsenal far more than a certain Myles Lewis-Skelly had given during his 68 minutes on the field.

Chalkboard

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

For supporters, there have been concerns about the form and minutes of the teenager this season. Last term, he burst onto the scene in incredible fashion.

With Calafiori out injured, Lewis-Skelly was the main man at left-back and as a consequence, he became a regular in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad. He even scored on his debut for the Three Lions.

There was that goal and that celebration against Manchester City too. He was nominated for PFA Young Player of the Season as well.

Yet, 2025/26 has been more difficult for Lewis-Skelly. The 18-year-old featured in the first couple of England camps but was told during the November break by Tuchel that he simply needed to be starting more games. Fair enough, right?

He was not dismissing the fact that Lewis-Skelly is a good player, but you simply aren’t going to make it in a World Cup squad if you aren’t playing football.

There have still been some positive performances from the Hale Ender this term. There was that stunning assist for Martinelli’s goal against Atletico Madrid in the earlier stages of the Champions League. It was a piece of play that showcased exactly what he’s all about.

Yet, against Bayern, we saw a player lacking in first-team minutes and ultimately a player lacking in confidence.

Lewis-Skelly’s night wasn’t disastrous but he did endure a more challenging evening than his teammates. The England international was caught out by a brilliant ball in behind from Joshua Kimmich that led to Bayern’s equaliser.

Former Gunner, Serge Gnabry, got in behind the youngster and then laid the ball on a plate for 17-year-old Lennart Karl to score. In a battle of the teenagers, it was the German who triumphed on this occasion.

Lewis-Skelly spent most of the night rather uncomfortable with The Standard handing the full-back a 5/10 match rating, having endured a ‘tough evening against Michael Olise’.

In fairness, few will enjoy a comfortable night against a player of Olise’s calibre but Calafiori’s influence off the bench only served to show why Arteta has preferred the Italian this season.

Lewis-Skelly’s night was made all the worse by his lack of impact in possession. Usually an area that’s so impressive in his game, he had fewer touches of the ball (25) than David Raya (45) while he only completed seven passes. Only 33% of his passes in the opposition half were accurate.

So, this was a rare off night for a kid usually so captivating and so full of energy. He struggled. So what? Yet, he will have to improve if he wants to earn more regular minutes. For now, expect Calafiori to come back into the starting lineup for Chelsea at the weekend.

Arteta now has an even better duo than Gabriel & Saliba at Arsenal

Mikel Arteta has created an Arsenal team full of incredible partnerships, including one better than Saliba & Gabriel.

1

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Nov 27, 2025

Northamptonshire delay trophy presentation but can’t escape defeat

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay27-Sep-2025

Leicestershire 429 (Eskinazi 155) and 260 for 5 dec (Patel 76, Cox 51*, Budinger 50) beat Northamptonshire 189 (Zaib 62, Wright 3-19, Holland 3-28) and 333 (van der Merwe 116, Zaib 58, Bartlett 50, Trevaskis 6-85) by 167 runsNorthamptonshire’s Stuart van der Merwe held up Leicestershire’s Division Two trophy presentation with a century on debut on the final day of this Rothesay County Championship match at Wantage Road.The 20-year-old who trialled at Leicester earlier this season was recently awarded a two-year rookie deal by Northamptonshire after impressing in the One-Day Cup and duly celebrated by scoring 116 from 209 balls, with 12 fours, to frustrate Leicestershire’s push for their seventh win of the season.Already assured of promotion and the Division Two title, Leicestershire finally wrapped up victory by 167 runs just before tea, bowling out Northamptonshire for 333, Liam Trevaskis taking a career best 6 for 85.Van der Merwe shared a sixth-wicket stand worth 80 with Saif Zaib who rounded off a spectacular year with 58, finishing as county cricket’s leading run-scorer with 1425 runs. With six centuries and seven half-centuries, Zaib has scored the third most runs in a Championship season for Northamptonshire this century.Van der Merwe also shared a seventh-wicket stand with of 128 off 187 balls with George Bartlett who scored his third half-century of the season.Earlier Northamptonshire resumed on 120 for 5, chasing an improbable 501 to win. van der Merwe was dropped off Trevaskis by Rishi Patel at wide first slip, but Zaib soon worked Holland off his legs to bring up Northamptonshire’s 150 in the 53rd over.He straight drove Holland for four before running a single off the next delivery to reach his 50, before bringing up the 50 partnership with van der Merwe in style by pulling Trevaskis over midwicket for six.Van der Merwe also started to locate the boundary ropes, dispatching two short balls through the off side in the first over of a fresh Josh Hull spell before driving Holland through the covers.Zaib’s long summer of batting finally ended though when he drove loosely at one from Hull, Stephen Eskinazi taking the catch at gully.Trevaskis had two lbw shouts turned down against van der Merwe as he went to sweep but the Northamptonshire youngster deposited him over deep midwicket when he served up a juicy full toss. With the floodlights on, van der Merwe then took a single off Trevaskis to reach 50 off 103 balls. Bartlett, meanwhile, pulled Chris Wright square for four to get off the mark.After lunch, van der Merwe and Bartlett both swept the spinners for boundaries, while van der Merwe drove Patel through midwicket to bring up Northamptonshire’s 250 and then pulled him for another four next ball.Bartlett hit a wide ball from Wright over the vacant gully position to the ropes before driving Ian Holland straight down the ground as the partnership gathered pace.Van der Merwe had a couple of nervous moments during a testing spell from Wright, playing his final game, but drove Holland confidently through the covers, while Bartlett drove Wright sweetly through midwicket and then punched Holland off the back foot through cover to bring up the 100 partnership off 160 balls.In an eventful over from Logan van Beek, van der Merwe hooked for four before running a single which allowed Bartlett to run one and reach his half-century. Van der Merwe reached three figures off the final ball of the over as he pulled to fine leg, becoming only the third man to score a century on first-class debut for Northamptonshire after Alastair Storie in 1985 and David Sales in 1996.Bartlett fell to the very next ball though when he steered Hull straight to backward point, with Trevaskis soon trapping both George Scrimshaw and Ben Whitehouse lbw. Finally, the left-arm spinner then had van der Merwe brilliantly caught by Budinger at short leg to allow the celebrations began.

It's been eight years, but the Houston Astros can't rid themselves from their sign-stealing scandal that swept across baseball.

The Astros mashed the Los Angeles Dodgers 18–1 on Friday at Dodger Stadium, tagging starter Ben Casparius for six runs on nine hits in three innings—and blowing up reliever Noah Davis's ERA with 10 runs in 1 1/3 innings of work.

In the third inning of that offensive masterclass, Astros rookie Cam Smith hammered a double off the wall in center field. At the time, the Astros led 4–1 and had been raking against Casparius all afternoon. SportsNet LA analyst Orel Hershiser couldn't help himself but mention the trash-banging scandal of 2017.

"I don't want to open an old wound," Hershiser said. "But in some ways, they're swinging at these breaking balls like they know what is coming."

Hershiser, of course, is referencing the Astros' scandal during their championship season in 2017 when the team was found to have illegally used video cameras to steal signs from opponents during games. Houston used a camera in center field to view the sign from the opposing catcher, and a player or team staffer would give an audio cue—like banging a trash can—to tell the batter which pitch was coming next.

Only two players remain on the Astros from that '17 squad—Jose Altuve and right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr.

Since the news story broke in 2019 about Houston's cheating scandal, MLB has cracked down on video usage in dugouts. But the scars from that incident remain, especially among the Dodgers faithful, who watched their team lose the 2017 World Series to the Astros in seven games.

Manchester United have now identified VfB Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller as a target, as director of football Jason Wilcox has followed him for years.

Signing a new midfielder appears to be a top priority for Man United ahead of the January transfer window, having identified a range of targets in the middle of the park.

Target

Current club

Potential cost

Morten Hjulmand

Sporting CP

£50m

Jobe Bellingham

Borussia Dortmund

£42m

Elliot Anderson

Nottingham Forest

£120m

Conor Gallagher

Atletico Madrid

£52m

Andrey Santos

Chelsea

£60m+

The desire to bring in a new option comes amid doubts surrounding Kobbie Mainoo’s future, with it being revealed earlier this month that the Englishman was at one stage close to sealing an exit, although there has seemingly been no progress since then.

Mainoo is not the only midfielder attracting attention either, with Manuel Ugarte catching the eye of Galatasaray, having been unable to dislodge Casemiro in the starting XI.

Two midfielders moving on would exacerbate the need for Ruben Amorim to bring in a new option considerably, and United have now identified a Bundesliga star as a target…

Man Utd now targeting Angelo Stiller

According to Fabrizio Romano, in a report for GiveMeSport, Stuttgart midfielder Stiller is one of the names on Man United’s list of targets, given that Wilcox has watched him for years, indicating the director of football is personally an admirer.

The 24-year-old is one of many targets in the middle of the park, with Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba also named as an option, with Amorim making it clear that bringing in a new midfielder is a priority in 2026.

However, a move for the Stuttgart star may have to wait until next summer, rather than January, with a deal expected to amount to around £44m – £53m.

Lauded as “special” by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley, the German maestro has put in some top performances for Stuttgart over the past year, regularly showcasing his ability to create chances for his teammates.

Having averaged 0.30 assists per 90, the Munich-born midfielder ranks in the 98th percentile compared to his positional peers, while he also places in the same percentile for progressive passes, averaging 9.39 per 90 over the same time period.

The former Bayern Munich midfielder’s performances at club level have also earned him a call-up to his national side, having now picked up five caps for Germany, and his displays over the past year suggest he could be capable of collecting many more.

Man United have a plethora of options on the shortlist, with the likes of Gallagher and Anderson already proving themselves in the Premier League, which could give them the edge, but Stiller remains an exciting target nonetheless.

Man Utd hold key advantage in the race for Morten Hjulmand