The San Diego Padres-Los Angeles Dodgers rivalry intensified once again as the benches cleared in the ninth inning of Monday's game after right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit by a pitch. With the Padres leading 5-0, Dodgers pitcher Jack Little hit Tatis in his right hand with a pitch and Tatis immediately fell to the ground in pain.

Padres manager Mike Shildt came out to check on Tatis, who was hit by a pitch for the second time in the series. Shildt soon after got into it with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, and the benches of both teams cleared as tension swirled.

Following the game, Shildt stated "enough is enough" while pointing out that Tatis has been hit by a pitch against Los Angeles three times this season and five total times over the last two years. No other team has hit Tatis with a pitch more than four times over his entire career.

“After a while, enough’s enough,” Shildt said, via KWFN-FM in San Diego. “Intentional, unintentional, the fact of the matter is I took exception with it.

"You mess with people's careers, you mess with people's seasons," Shildt said. "We've got a guy that's in there getting drilled and got X-rays. That's not good enough. That's not cool. He's our dude and I got him and I got our whole club."

Roberts said after the game that the Dodgers did not hit Tatis intentionally. "I think anyone would understand there’s no intent there," he said, via AJ Cassavell and Sonja Chen of MLB.com. "And even by my reaction, I didn’t feel good about Tatis—great player, good guy—getting hit."

Tatis's initial X-rays came back negative, but he is scheduled to get a CT scan and MRI on Friday.

Following Tatis getting hit, Padres pitcher Robert Suarez would hit designated hitter Shohei Ohtani with a pitch, resulting in Suarez's ejection. The next day, it was announced that Suarez was suspended for three games and both Shildt and Roberts would be suspended for one game each.

Shohei Ohtani is like the wild card in the card game Uno in that his play can often dictate how the Dodgers—and entire series as a whole—will fare. As National League Championship Series MVP, Ohtani's two-way prowess was on full display during the Dodgers' Game 4 victory, in which he belted three home runs as a hitter and struck out 10 batters over six scoreless innings as a pitcher. Ohtani has continued to amaze in the World Series against the Blue Jays, and he is set to take center stage once again in Game 7 on Saturday night.

The Dodgers earlier Saturday announced that Ohtani will start Game 7 against the Blue Jays, meaning he will also reprise his role as the club's designated hitter.

But, keeping the so-called Ohtani Rule in mind, there are a multitude of other ways Los Angeles could utilize Ohtani. First, let's dive into the rulebook.

What is the "Ohtani Rule?"

While the rule technically isn't named after Ohtani, it has become associated with him given that he's the only player—so far—that the rule largely applies to. Beginning in 2022, the MLB introduced a rule that coincided with the implementation of the designated hitter full time in the National League.

The rule states that if the starting pitcher is also in the lineup as the DH, he can remain as the DH even if he is removed as the pitcher. In the past, if the starting pitcher was also in the lineup, the DH was forfeited and a relief pitcher occupied his spot in the lineup. In starting Ohtani in Game 7, the Dodgers will be making use of the Ohtani Rule as they have for much of the regular season and postseason.

But there are other ways, within the rules, that Los Angeles could use the two-way star.

How could the "Ohtani Rule" affect Game 7?Ohtani starts the game, leaves for a reliever and remains the DH, then returns to close the game

Ohtani entering the game in relief would have been a possibility even if he wasn't named Saturday's starter. Amazingly, it's still a possibility that he could be the game's starting pitcher and come into the game later on as a relief pitcher.

Here's how.

Ohtani could start, be removed from the game in favor of a Dodgers reliever, and remain the team's designated hitter as he always does per the "Ohtani Rule." Here‘s where the twist comes into play. If the Dodgers are clinging to a ninth-inning lead and require his services once more, Ohtani could then re-enter the game as a relief pitcher, but the Dodgers would forfeit the DH spot. Just imagine the peak theater that Ohtani re-entering Game 7 of the World Series as a closer would be. However, this also means that if the game were to continue beyond the ninth inning, a pitcher or pinch hitter would be required to bat in the Dodgers' lineup and Ohtani would not be able to hit again unless…

Ohtani starts the game, leaves for a reliever and remains the DH, then returns to close the game, then becomes an outfielder

This would be the work-around to losing Ohtani's bat after his relief appearance, should the game play out that way. We saw the Dodgers and Blue Jays play an 18-inning contest in Game 3, so another extra innings affair can't be ruled out. Should that happen, Ohtani, after exiting as a reliever, could remain in the lineup as an outfielder. It's a position that Ohtani played in the Nippon Professional Baseball league in Japan, appearing in 62 games for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. However, he has not played the outfield since 2021, when he made six appearances for the Angels. It would be pretty amazing to see Ohtani be a starting pitcher, hitter, relief pitcher and outfielder all in the same game.

This scenario would seem to be less likely than the previous, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts left all options on the table for Ohtani.

"We’ll talk about everything,” Roberts had said on Ohtani playing outfield. “We’ll talk through whatever’s the best. If we get to that point, we’ll see, but he’s not going to play the outfield [in Game 6], I do know that. But, if we get to Game 7, we’ll have a good discussion about everything."

With a repeat championship on the line in Game 7, everything could indeed be on the table for the Dodgers when it comes to Ohtani.

Recent success of NZ and SA amid limited resources meant wholesale change was needed for England to move forward

Vithushan Ehantharajah23-Mar-2025It was in the immediate aftermath of England Women’s dramatic 50-over World Cup final win over India at Lord’s that Heather Knight got a snapshot of how quickly live evolves as a recognisable England captain.Not long after Anya Shrubsole had yorked Rajeshwari Gayakwad to secure the trophy, Knight raced out the Grace Gates to throw up after eating a rogue piece of chicken. Somehow, despite still being in her kit, she managed to do what she needed to do – doubled over next to a fancy car – and re-entered the ground without being spotted.A few days later, dressed in her own clothes at Euston station, nursing a well-deserved hangover, she was stopped by members of the public. They had noticed this fellow commuter, despite her attempts to blend in, happened to be the one losing her mind on the big screens, which were showing replays of that victorious moments and the celebrations that followed.Related

• Charlie Dean: 'Whether I'm ready for leadership, I'm not sure'

• Knight's inglorious exit exposes limits of England women's evolution

• Heather Knight departs as England captain after nine-year reign

• Lewis leaves role as England Women's head coach

• Where it went wrong for Lewis and where to now for England

Despite assuming the captaincy following the seismic axing of Charlotte Edwards the year before, by which point she was an established batter in her own right, it was 2017’s success that propelled Knight as a talismanic figure in the women’s game. One who went on to become a headlining cricketer on the global stage. And, on Saturday, as necessary high-profile collateral following a humiliating 16-0 defeat in the Ashes.After 199 matches in charge, Knight boasts a 67 per cent win percentage, ahead of Edwards’ 64 from a larger sample size. It is a metric that elevates her as England Women’s most successful captain. And yet, that doesn’t quite scratch the surface when assessing her nine years at the helm.Across a period of expanding horizons in the women’s game, Knight moved with the times. Her consistency with the bat throughout, across all formats, reflected as much. A prim and proper base was gradually furnished with flair as she led from the front in pursuit of a more expansive batting from the whole.Through constant tinkering, she incorporated a higher back-lift to improve her boundary-hitting, particularly on slower pitches. Knight’s recent record in T20Is, her weakest international code, showcases the benefits of that graft; since the start of 2020, she has struck 158 fours and 25 sixes in 59 innings, having only managed 73 and 12 in the previous 56.Captaincy, however, took the most work. By Knight’s own admission, she was never the best public speaker and was wary of not possessing the requisite interpersonal skills to knit together a dressing room of varying personalities when she took on the big job in June 2016. She enlisted the help of team psychologists to become a better orator, and went on to undertake a Leadership in Sport course at the University of Buckinghamshire in 2021.The best example of her management skills came in the lead-up to 2017’s success, when she got the squad to confront why England had been found wanting in pressure situations. Such issues had previously been swept under the carpet.They responded well then, and Knight was able to repeat the trick with an altogether different group in 2023, as the Ashes were squared just as Australia were speaking a whitewash into existence. They got their way in the return leg earlier this year.Heather Knight deals with the feeling of defeat•ICC/Getty ImagesA criticism of Knight could probably be that she stopped short of truly imposing herself in the dressing room. Under three different coaches – Mark Robinson, Lisa Keightley and Jon Lewis – she had the scope to mould a team in her image, particularly under the last two.That Knight did not was partly down to loyalty to those coaches, not wishing to impinge on their work. At the same time, she knew her worth; was unafraid to grasp the nettle and disagree with their plans, and not always being diplomatic about it. But a reticence for a more over-arching presence is perhaps a reason why the team felt so lost without her. Even Lewis, who left his role on Friday, tried to rectify this blind spot by attempting to force-feed nous to the rest of the players so they may thrive in her absence.By the end, Knight’s tactical acumen and in-game feel were unparalleled, and that was apparent in 2022’s Commonwealth Games, which she missed with a hip issue, and more so in the Group Stage exit at the 2024 T20 World Cup. Needing to beat West Indies to secure qualification to the latter stages, Knight had to retire hurt in the first innings with a calf injury. Not only did it halt England’s momentum with the bat, but a listless performance in the field allowed West Indies to chase down a target of 142 with six wickets and two overs to spare.That England have never won the Ashes under Knight’s watch will jar, 8-8 draws in 2017/18 and 2023 the best it got. The fact her other two final visits – 2018’s World T20 and 2022’s ODI World Cup – resulted in heavy defeats to Australia reflects an ever-growing gap far beyond Knight’s control. The recent success of New Zealand and South Africa from their limited resources a reason why wholesale changes were needed for the English game to move forward.At this juncture, it is worth taking a step back and acknowledging Knight was far more than just a captain. For the longest time, being a women’s cricketer has required a level of ambassadorial stewardship, and the influx of cash and opportunities has only heightened the political requirements involved. Few have led the line on these fronts quite as well as Knight, who just a few weeks ago criticised her own board for the widening pay gap in The Hundred. Since 2020, she has served as vice-chair of the Professional Cricketers’ Association.During the Covid-19 pandemic, Knight used her role as captain to position herself at the forefront of important conversations, particularly as the women’s game was parked. Balancing the understanding of the economic realities of prioritising the men’s game during the 2020 season, she remained forthright about the sidelining of the women, which included the lack of clarity around her team’s schedule, and the postponement of 2021’s World Cup. That summer, she also signed up to the NHS volunteer scheme, transporting medicine and speaking to those who were self-isolating.As such, the news that Knight will continue on is a boost to all concerned. She remains England’s best batter and one of the most impressive representatives of the women’s game. Her time as captain may have come to an end, but her work as a leader goes on.

After an incredible few months, Arsenal suffered their first defeat since August 31st at the hands of Aston Villa on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta’s side went behind in the first half, and while they did pull one back in the second, they were the victims of a 95th-minute Emiliano Buendía winner.

It wasn’t a terrible performance from the Gunners, but it was also some way off their best, and one of the players who has received plenty of criticism from the fans has been Martin Odegaard.

The captain was certainly not to blame for the result, but he did look a little off the pace at times, and after his underwhelming season last year, he is under the microscope more than most.

While his place in the team is safe for now, there are three players who could replace him in the coming years, and none of them is Eberechi Eze.

Chalkboard

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

3 Ethan Nwaneri

Starting with the player who is perhaps the closest to eventually challenging Odegaard for a place in the starting lineup: Ethan Nwaneri.

The Hale End star is already a regular in the match-day squads, and while there has been some concern from fans over his lack of game time this season, it’s important to remember he is still just 18 years old.

Moreover, due to injuries, he ended up playing a far more significant role in the team last season than anyone would have predicted, and to say he impressed would be an understatement.

Appearances

37

Minutes

1378′

Goals

9

Assists

2

Goal Involvements per Match

0.29

Minutes per Goal Involvement

125.27′

For example, the “phenomenal” prospect, as dubbed by former professional Stephen Warnock, scored nine goals and provided two assists in 37 appearances, totalling 1378 minutes.

That works out to a goal involvement every 3.36 games, or more crucially, one every 125.27 minutes, which helps to justify Joe Cole’s claim that “he’s the most exciting footballer in England and maybe Europe.”

Now, a lot of his game time did come out wide, in place of Bukayo Saka, but the Enfield-born gem is first and foremost an attacking midfielder, as it’s where he spent most of his time in the academy and where his combination of shooting, passing and dribbling abilities are best placed.

There is little chance of Nwaneri replacing the Norwegian this season, but in a couple of years, if he fulfils his potential, there could be a real battle for that ten position.

2 Max Dowman

After Nwaneri, the Arsenal gem who feels like they could seriously rival Odegaard in a few years, is, of course, Max Dowman.

The 15-year-old might just be the most talked-about prospect in the country this season, and based on his form in the academy and for the senior side, it’s not hard to see why.

For example, when it comes to the former, the Chelmsford-born phenom has racked up a comical tally of six goals and one assist in just four appearances across the U19S and U21S.

Then, when it comes to the first team, he has already, in the words of analyst Ben Mattinson, started “humiliating Premier League players.”

For example, he ran rings around Leeds United on his league debut, then became the youngest player in the club’s history to start a game in the Gunners’ League Cup clash with Brighton & Hove Albion.

Finally, if all that wasn’t enough for someone who hasn’t even finished his GCSEs yet, he also became the youngest player in Champions League history when he came off the bench against Slavia Prague.

Now, like with Nwaneri, Dowman is not going to be a serious rival for Odegaard this season, but at the rate he is progressing, that time could come far sooner than most are expecting.

1 Holger Quintero

Last but by no means least, the final Arsenal player who could one day be the star to displace the captain from the team is Holger Quintero.

Now, just a week or so ago, most fans would have absolutely no idea who the 16-year-old was, but now, after the Gunners signed him and his twin brother Edwin Quintero, he has become one of the most exciting youngsters on the club’s books, and for good reason.

According to Mattinson, the Ecuadorian wonderkid is a “skilful attacking midfielder with 1v1 prowess to take on players”, which sounds quite a bit like Dowman, which can’t be a bad thing.

He appears to be more than just another promising youngster, though, as respected talent scout Jacek Kulig has stuck his neck out, labelling him “one of the most exciting U17s in South America.”

He is also someone who could potentially play the probing through balls that Odegaard has started to bring into his game, with Mattinson claiming he has an “excellent weight of pass” and is a “decisive creator with a killer final ball.”

However, due to rules around foreign-born youngsters, the midfielder won’t be able to join up with his new teammates until January 2027, so he is probably the last in line to compete with Odegaard.

Ultimately, the captain’s place in the team is currently safe, as it should be, but with three of the most exciting players in the game coming up behind him, Odegaard might have to step up his game over the next few years.

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1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Dec 8, 2025

Everton have joined the race to sign a want-away England international in January, according to reports, but face competition from the likes of Manchester United.

Grealish admits "love" for Moyes & Everton

The general rule is that fans should never fall in love with a loan player, but what if a loanee falls in love with them? For Jack Grealish and Everton, the admiration is going both ways and the Manchester City man couldn’t help but heap praise on David Moyes and onwatching fans after scoring the winning goal against Bournemouth on Tuesday night.

Speaking to reporters, Grealish said: “It is a brilliant team and I love the manager to pieces. I have only known him a few months and I can’t speak highly enough of him as a person. How he makes me feel, how he makes me want to play for him – credit to him. We are doing well.

“I am so lucky that I have had such great clubs and great fanbases, this is another one of them. They have been so good to me today. They were singing my name before the goal, I feel like they wanted a bit more from me and I gave it to them!”

There was plenty of cautious optimism when Everton signed the England international on loan in the summer. He was struggling under Pep Guardiola, but a move away and much-needed minutes always seemed likely to spark his love for the game back into action.

It’s been such a successful deal that The Friedkin Group could look to strike a similar transfer in January. Reports have already linked Everton with moves for struggling stars like Joshua Zirkzee and they’ve now even set their sights on welcoming Conor Gallagher back to the Premier League.

Everton join Conor Gallagher race

According to reports in Spain, Everton are now racing to sign Gallagher alongside Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and, of course, Man United.

The England international has struggled for consistent game time as of late, starting just three La Liga games so far this season – and is now ready for a return to the Premier League in an attempt to secure his World Cup place.

Man United’s interest has been well-documented in recent weeks, but Everton could yet spoil their January plans by swooping in. Whether it’s the Red Devils or the Toffees, however, deal is unlikely to come cheap. Atletico are reportedly demanding around €60m (£53m) to sell their midfielder this winter.

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BySean Markus Clifford Nov 30, 2025

Despite his current struggles, Gallagher often received praise during his time in England, with Chelsea legend Petr Cech telling reporters in 2024: “He’s one of the players that’s always cared about winning and about the club.

“You find that even young players can have special abilities to be a leader. Conor is one of those players – he’s always worked hard, he’s always cared and he always tries his best.”

Having seen the success of Grealish at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Gallagher could yet follow suit to hand Moyes an impressive addition in January.

Everton eyeing up move to sign former Liverpool star who's been "fantastic"

Leeds United secured a sensational win in the Premier League on Wednesday night. Daniel Farke’s side beat title challengers Chelsea 3-1 at Elland Road, to pick up a huge three points in their quest for top-flight survival.

The game started in perfect fashion for the West Yorkshire outfit.

Defender Jaka Bijol rose highest from a corner to head home, after making a darting run from the edge of the 18-yard box to the corner of the six-yard box before unleashing his powerful header.

Chelsea did not really threaten despite dominating possession, having 71% across the game. Leeds were able to double their lead on the stroke of half-time, thanks to a sublime effort from Ao Tanaka.

The ball broke to Jayden Bogle on the edge of the box, who laid it off to Tanaka. The midfielder smashed it in from range to put his side 2-0 up.

Enzo Maresca’s men were able to pull a goal back just five minutes after the restart through Pedro Neto. However, Leeds resisted their pressure and managed to get a third goal after a calamitous mistake from Chelsea allowed Dominic Calvert-Lewin to score.

It was a superb win for Leeds, with some standout performances across the pitch.

Leeds’ best players vs. Chelsea

One of the most impressive things about this Leeds victory was how hard everyone worked. That was certainly the case for captain Ethan Ampadu. Playing against his former club, the Welshman was the dominant force in midfield.

His stats from the game reflect how well he performed, both on and off the ball. Ampadu had 54 touches of the ball and had an 86% pass accuracy. He also won six duels and made six ball recoveries.

It was an all-action showing from the Wales international.

Another player who shone for the Whites was right wing-back Bogle. He was a real handful for Chelsea going forward, with his performance earning him an 8/10 rating from Graham Smyth, journalist for the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Smyth praised the fact that he ‘drove Leeds forward’, with the defender a real threat in attack.

That all came to a head with his assist for Tanaka, where he pounced on a loose ball before a Chelsea player could reach it, and quickly found his teammate with a first-time pass.

Ampadu and Bogle played well, but they were arguably outshone by one of their teammates.

Leeds’ best signing since Raphinha

It seemed to be a good night for wing-backs at Elland Road. Bogle was not the only one who stood out, with left wing-back Gabriel Gudmundsson one of the best players in a White shirt against Chelsea.

He enjoyed plenty of success defensively, coming up directly against the electric Estevao, and offered a threat going forward.

Gudmundsson won an exceptional 12 from 19 duels and five from eight tackles, as well as creating two chances.

The excellent performance from the Swede was noticed by Smyth, who gave him a 9/10 for his efforts. The journalist praised him for how well he got forward, and credited him for the fact that he ‘got back in to defend and do his bit’.

As far back as September, the left-back was being called “the best” player in the Premier League in his position by journalist James Marshment.

The 26-year-old has made a brilliant start to life at Elland Road, featuring in all 14 of their top-flight games so far, and playing 90 minutes nine times.

There is a case to be made that the defender is Leeds’ best signing since Raphinha. The Brazilian was exceptional for the West Yorkshire side, and really hit the ground running in the Premier League. He managed 15 goals and assists in his first top-flight season.

Chalkboard

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

Well, Gudmundsson is making an equally fast start. To be branded as one of the best players in the league so soon is a testament to how well he has performed.

There haven’t really been any Leeds players who have started this fast, especially on the top-flight since Raphinha, with several of the players they have signed in previous Premier League campaigns now having left the club.

Farke will be desperate for this form to continue, and for Gudmundsson to prove he is one of their best signings since Raphinha.

Better than Calvert-Lewin: 9/10 hero had his best game for Leeds vs Chelsea

This Leeds star shone in their 3-1 win over Chelsea

By
Joe Nuttall

Dec 4, 2025

Martin O’Neill’s time in charge of Celtic couldn’t have gone much better really.

The legendary manager saw his beat their Old Firm rivals, reach a cup final and draw level with Hearts at the top of the SPFL table.

It took the Hoops a while to find their new manager but they finally have their man in the form of Wilfried Nancy who arrives following a stint in MLS.

That said, for those at Parkhead, chiefly Liam Scales, he’s not had much time to think about what could be in store under the new boss.

Scales preparing for new era at Celtic

Republic of Ireland international Scales was asked after the 1-0 victory over Dundee on Wednesday evening whether he had been doing his research on the 48-year-old Nancy.

“No, I haven’t had time,” the defender said. “It’s been so busy. Obviously we know bits and pieces but we can’t get ahead of ourselves. We need to focus on the games that we have and now is the time where we’re going to have to really focus on the tactical changes and whatever he wants us to do.

“It’s hard to do homework on someone you’ve never met because you don’t want to create a false idea of them. It’s better just to wait and really learn from them in person.”

Nancy arrives ahead of a crucial run of games. Celtic will go top of the Premiership if they beat Hearts on Sunday before facing St Mirren in the League Cup final a week later.

“It doesn’t get much bigger than the week he has come in. It’s probably ideal. You want to come in and be part of massive games and he has a chance to win a trophy early on.

“If you come in and do well over the next three games, it’s the best way you can start a job. We’ll be doing our best to make that happen for him because we want to be successful as a team.”

Scales could be set for new role under Nancy

Scales was in excellent form under O’Neill, notably hailed as Celtic’s “player of the year” by some. Evidently, he thoroughly enjoyed his time with the interim manager in the dugout.

The defender said of O’Neill: “He’s been really good. It’s been a positive four weeks or five weeks. We’ve won a lot of games. We’ve obviously won a cup semi-final and won an away game in Europe as well. They were big wins. It’s just been really enjoyable and positive.

“In the game now, the defenders are on the ball a lot and you need to link play. But to go back to basics and just be told that you need to win your headers, you need to win your duels, I’ll keep that with me.”

Whether the centre-back continues his form remains to be seen. After all, Scales could be set for a modified role given Nancy’s preference for a back three. “I’ve played in back threes, I’ve played in back fives, I’ve played in back fours. I just want to be in the team. That’s all I care about.”

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1 ByDan Emery Dec 4, 2025

Liverpool thought they were back, two goals to the good, but these new habits have seeped into the fabric of Arne Slot’s project, and they are proving tough stains to wipe out.

Still jubilant from their win against Chelsea in midweek, Daniel Farke’s Whites met Liverpool with the expected passion and combativeness, fuelled by a raucous home support, and while the champions weathered that early storm and struck twice through Hugo Ekitike, back in the starting line-up, they succumbed to more defensive disaster, drawing the game 3-3.

The Frenchman has been a shining light throughout a dreary campaign for the Redmen, overshadowing record signing Alexander Isak, but Liverpool’s frontline still lacks balance and connectivity, and that’s why FSG are gearing up for a winter raid on Bournemouth for Antoine Semenyo.

The latest on Semenyo to Liverpool

It has emerged that Semenyo, who has been Bournemouth’s talisman this season, has a £65m release clause in his contract that becomes active during the winter transfer window.

Cue the circling sharks.

Liverpool are joined by Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur in their vested interest, but the Reds have been reported to be leading the race for a player earmarked as the perfect successor to Luis Diaz, who joined Bayern Munich in August.

A big-game player with so much dynamism, the Ghana international, 26, has been declared the “best winger in the country” by Chris Waddle, and you would sense that he would only go from strength to strength in a leading role on Merseyside.

Ibrahima Konate’s latest blunder illustrated the desperate need for new defenders, but Slot will feel that Semenyo’s signature is equally important for the Anfield side, whose balance is all wrong in the final third.

And there’s one man in particular who is flattering to deceive.

Liverpool star must be replaced by Semenyo

Liverpool have been in a rut this season, and Cody Gakpo has been carried along in the stream, popping up with some moments in front of goal but lacking the multifacetedness that a winger like Semenyo would bring to the table.

Against Leeds, Gakpo failed with all six of his attempted crosses and lost the ball 13 times. He created only one chance for his teammates (data via Sofascore).

There is a pointed lack of nuance to the Dutchman’s game. Oh, he’s talented, to be sure, and dynamic enough, but Semenyo far outstrips him in such areas, so powerful and athletic and clever with his movements and decisions.

League Stats 25/26 – Gakpo vs Semenyo

Match Stats (* per game)

Gakpo

Semenyo

Matches (starts)

14 (12)

14 (14)

Goals

4

6

Assists

3

3

Touches*

42.2

48.9

Shots (on target)*

2.4 (0.4)

2.4 (1.4)

Accurate passes*

19.1 (79%)

19.7 (78%)

Chances created*

1.8

1.3

Dribbles*

1.1

1.6

Recoveries*

2.7

5.0

Tackles + interceptions*

1.1

2.0

Duels won*

4.9

6.5

Data via Sofascore

Gakpo knows where the back of the net is, and he is skilled in playmaking too, but Semenyo is the talk of the town and rightly so, standing out in a Bournemouth team that might have lost their way in regard to three-point hauls, but remain one of the most interesting attacking outfits in the country.

Conversely, Liverpool are a structural mess, and their Netherlands winger is failing to provide the width and energy and solutions that were presented with a regularity that led to the Premier League title last season.

As analyst Josh Williams put it, it was an “annoying” display from Gakpo, and the 26-year-old needs a contrasting profile down the left if Liverpool are to restore their presence as superstars.

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كشف منتخب مصر الثاني، المشارك في بطولة كأس العرب، عن تعرض واحد من اللاعبين للإصابة، خلال الساعات الماضية.

وسقط منتخب مصر، في فخ التعادل الإيجابي بهدف لكل فريق أمام منتخب الكويت، في اللقاء الذي أقيم في الجولة الأولى.

طالع | ترتيب مجموعة مصر في كأس العرب 2025 بعد التعادل مع الكويت ويقع منتخب مصر في المجموعة الثالثة التي تضم الإمارات والكويت والأردن، ضمن البطولة المقامة في قطر خلال الفترة من 1 حتى 18 ديسمبر.​

وأوضح مصدر خاص لـ”بطولات”: “كريم فؤاد تعرض لكدمة وسيخضع لآشعة غدًا الخميس؛ لكن حالته مطمنئة”.

ويواصل منتخب مصر مبارياته في بطولة كأس العرب، بمواجهة هامة أمام الإمارات، باللقاء الذي يجمع بينهما ضمن منافسات الجولة الثانية من مرحلة المجموعات للبطولة الدولية.

That will open up fresh possibilities for Sri Lankan cricket with day-night Tests becoming more viable in the country

Andrew Fidel Fernando26-Nov-2025

The Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) ground in Colombo will get floodlights and other upgrades in preparation for the Men’s T20 World Cup, which Sri Lanka co-hosts with India in February and March next year. Although the SSC has occasionally hosted daytime limited-overs internationals – especially women’s games – Colombo’s day-night games have all been played at Khettarama (R Premadasa Stadium), which in any case is the highest-capacity stadium in the country.SSC’s first match that will require lights will be the T20 World Cup Group B game between Oman and Zimbabwe, scheduled to start at 3pm local time on February 9. It is one of five matches the SSC is due to host at this World Cup. The first of those – between Netherlands and Pakistan on February 7 – will begin at 11am local time whereas the third fixture – between Pakistan and USA on February 10 – is the only match there to start at 7pm local time. Khettarama is set to host at least eight matches, and possibly the first semi-final and the final if Pakistan make it that far. Pallekele, the only Sri Lanka World Cup venue not in Colombo, will host seven games.Building floodlights at the SSC will open up fresh possibilities for Sri Lankan cricket with day-night Tests becoming more viable in the country. Although Khettarama is the preferred limited-overs venue in Colombo, the SSC and the P Sara Oval are still preferred for Tests, owing partly to their reputation for being boutique Test venues.Related

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Sri Lanka has never hosted a day-night Test, but Sri Lanka’s Test captains have also asked their board to arrange such a fixture, over the years.SLC confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that floodlights construction were already under way at the SSC.The ICC announced the schedule for the T20 World Cup on Tuesday, with the tournament set to run from February 7 to March 8 across five venues in India and three in Sri Lanka.