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Seventeen-year-old Lennart Karl made history for Bayern Munich in the Champions League, scoring a sensational solo goal on his first start and earning comparisons to Franck Ribery from German legend Didi Hamann. The former Bayern midfielder praised Karl’s “carefree” flair and fearless one-on-one style as the teenager’s breakout performance lit up Europe.

Lennart Karl’s record-breaking night in Europe

Bayern's prodigy Karl announced himself on the European stage in stunning fashion as Bayern cruised to a 4-0 victory over Club Brugge in the Champions League. Making his first start in the competition, Karl became Bayern’s youngest-ever goalscorer in the tournament’s history, surpassing Jamal Musiala’s record.

The moment came inside the opening five minutes when Jonathan Tah slipped a pass to the teenager in midfield. Karl evaded two defenders with his solid footwork before unleashing a curling left-foot shot from outside the box that soared beyond goalkeeper Nordin Jackers. His composure and technique belied his age, sparking wild celebrations with Harry Kane and Aleksandar Pavlovic.

At just 17 years and 242 days, Karl etched his name in the record books and set the tone for Bayern’s dominant night. The Bavarians, unbeaten in all competitions under Vincent Kompany, made it three wins from three in their group with goals from Kane, Luis Diaz and Nicolas Jackson completing the rout.

AdvertisementGetty Images'reminds me of Ribery’ – Hamann’s verdict

Former Bayern star Hamann was among the first to heap praise on the youngster’s dazzling display. Writing in his latest column on , Hamann described Karl as a “carefree” player whose confidence and flair evoke memories of Franck Ribery during his peak years at the Allianz Arena.

“For someone not even 18 to play at this level in the Champions League isn’t something to be taken for granted, and it shows that Karl is highly talented. He also has a healthy sense of self-confidence. I like his boldness in trying new things," Hamann said. “He plays carefree, as if he were on the football pitch. One-on-one, he’s incredibly difficult to stop. He keeps trying, even if he gets stuck. That kind of attitude helps every team. He’s an incredibly interesting player, and his style reminds me of Franck Ribery.” 

Ribery, the former Bayern magician, retired as one of the most adored figures in the club’s modern history. Between 2007 and 2019, he dazzled fans with 86 goals and 120 assists in 273 Bundesliga appearances, combining flair and determination in equal measure.

The Frenchman not only became his country’s all-time record holder for both appearances and goals in the German top flight but also amassed more than 21 trophies with Bayern during a glittering 12-year spell that defined an era alongside Arjen Robben, who was present at Allianz Arena to witness Karl make history.

Kompany urges caution amid growing hype

While Karl’s explosive rise has delighted Bayern fans, boss Kompany was quick to call for calm after the match. The Belgian coach, who has managed the teenager carefully this season, admitted he fears the attention could distract from Karl’s development. “I’m not a fan of hype, and now he will be getting some of that. I’m a fan of training and calm,” Kompany said after the game. “His performance today was good. Everyone knows he can score goals, and if he keeps going like this, he’ll get a chance, but maybe at the right time he’ll need a bit of calm.”

However, Hamann who also highlighted Karl’s growing importance to Kompany’s plans: “Vincent Kompany kept Karl hidden for a while, but after his performance and his goal against Brugge, he can no longer hide him. If Bayern need a goal with half an hour to go, the coach will have to bring him on.”

Karl himself remained grounded despite the buzz surrounding his goal. “I had a good feeling about the situation and then I just had a go. I was just in the zone.” he said, as he held the Man of the Match trophy. 

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AFPBayern’s youth evolution under Kompany

Karl’s emergence comes at a crucial time for Germany's record champions, who have sought to rejuvenate their squad under Kompany’s leadership. Alongside Pavlovic and Tom Bischof, the teenager represents the new generation of talent blending into a team still led by experienced stars like Kane, Diaz, Manuel Neuer and Joshua Kimmich.

The Bavarians’ attack has been in record-breaking form this season, with 27 goals after seven Bundesliga games, equalling a club record, and their unbeaten run stretching to 16 matches. Karl’s fearless approach and creativity have added another dimension to their play, offering Kompany tactical flexibility in the wide and central attacking roles.

Bayern now turn their attention back to domestic action, where they face Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga. For Karl, the focus will be on managing expectations as Bayern’s fixture list intensifies. As Bayern push for silverware on multiple fronts, Karl’s breakthrough could prove one of the defining stories of their season. Whether he becomes the next Musiala or the modern-day Ribery, one thing is clear, Bayern’s latest wonderkid has arrived on the biggest stage.

There are plenty of ways to bet on the Major League Baseball action on Sunday, but two of my favorite plays happen to be in the prop market on two starting pitchers.

Usually, I like to back some of the best pitchers in the league in the prop market, but this Sunday I’m actually fading two pitchers in different props. 

With Zack Wheeler and Corbin Burnes taking the mound in Baltimore, I have questions about one of their strikeout props, and there’s also a starter in the Kansas City Royals-Los Angeles Dodgers game that could be in a rough spot.

Here’s a breakdown of the two props I’m betting on Sunday.

Best MLB Prop Bets for Sunday, June 16Corbin Burnes UNDER 6.5 Strikeouts (-135)Brady Singer OVER 5.5 Hits Allowed (-160)

Corbin Burnes UNDER 6.5 Strikeouts (-135)

Baltimore ace Corbin Burnes has been great in 2024 – posting a 2.08 ERA in 14 starts, but the strikeout numbers haven't really been there compared to previous years.

Burnes has fallen under 6.5 punchouts – his line on Sunday – in 12 of his 14 starts this season, only clearing this prop one time since striking out 11 hitters on Opening Day. 

The Phillies average 8.24 strikeouts per game this season, but I’m not sold on Burnes cruising past this number. He ranks in just the 62nd percentile in strikeout percentage this season, and he has just 16 strikeouts over his last three starts (five, five and six) despite throwing seven innings in each of them. 

This number is simply too high to back since Burnes is 2-for-14 on it this season. 

Brady Singer OVER 5.5 Hits Allowed (-160)

Kansas City Royals starter Brady Singer is in for a tough matchup against the No. 1 team in OPS on Sunday. 

The Dodgers rank third in Major League Baseball in hits this season, and Singer has gotten off to an awful start in June, allowing 16 hits across two starts. 

Over his last five outings, he’s allowed nine, six, four, nine and seven hits in those games, pushing his season-long WHIP to 1.22. 

Singer is going to have a tough time with this Dodgers lineup, especially since he was tagged by another elite offense – the New York Yankees – for seven hits and seven runs in his last game. 

Take the OVER on this prop, even though you have to lay some juice.

Paris Saint-Germain wing-back Nuno Mendes has revealed he never had any intentions to leave the Ligue 1 giants. He was being chased by Manchester United for over two transfer windows, but his claim that he is happy in the French capital has now spilled water on the Premier League side's approach, with the Portuguese star eyeing further glory with Luis Enrique's team.

Portugal international thriving with PSG

Mendes, currently deemed one of the best left-backs in the world, rose to the limelight during his displays with PSG and the Portuguese national team last season. Although he is yet to establish himself as a heavyweight in the national camp despite lifting the Nations League this year, his contributions behind the Parisians' Champions League success and clean sweep of domestic trophies last season were immense. In a recent interview with , he claimed that his representatives communicated frequently with club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and that he wanted to stay at the club to take them to the zenith. This indirectly indicates that although he was a favourite inside the United boardroom, he never wanted to join them.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMendes reiterates PSG commitment

Mendes extended his stay at PSG last season, adding four more years to his existing contract. Speaking about having any interest from other clubs, he stated: "No. My agent spoke a lot with the president. I always wanted to continue here, to put PSG at the top level. It was on both sides that we wanted it. It's a pleasure to play here." 

The 24-year-old has always been seen as a great attacker, but he struggled while defending at times. He explained how PSG supremo Luis Enrique shaped him into a better defensive option, adding: "At the beginning, I wasn't very strong in defense. I knew how to attack with speed. Luis Enrique noticed that, he helped me a lot defensively, and today I'm good [on both sides]. I try to balance the attacks, rest a little when necessary. The coach did a good job, and not just for me. [Versatility] is something that Luis Enrique brought us and that we will keep for life, even if he leaves or if we leave.

"It also comes from me, knowing what I can do to improve, but he has taught me a lot. Before, in one-on-one defense, it was a bit difficult, because I only thought about attacking. But he told me: 'You have to defend better and then I'll give you the freedom to attack.'"

Reinvented as a left-back

As a kid, Mendes was more of an attacking threat. He started as a left winger in seven-a-side football and later when he played in a 11-member team, he was shifted to a left-back. He claimed that it was not his decision to take on the position, but is currently enjoying his trade. 

"It wasn't me who chose, it happens… But today, I feel good as a full-back: defender and attacker. I'm trying to get out of my comfort zone," he said. "I have a lot to learn, but right now I can't say I have any flaws or that I'm doing anything wrong. I always try to be at my best and perform at a high level to help the team. I don't focus on my flaws. I consider myself a good full-back, I don't like to say that I'm the best. You have to show that on the pitch and I always try to do that."

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Getty Images SportWhat's in store for Mendes?

A stellar 2024-25 season has uplifted the expectations in the PSG camp and among the club's faithful. Mendes is currently Enrique's go-to man when it comes to the left-back position. After a stunning 7-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League and a 3-0 victory against Brest in Ligue 1, Mendes and PSG's upcoming assignments come in the form of an away trip to Lorient on Wednesday and a home game against Nice on Saturday. Table toppers in both the domestic league and the continental showpiece event, PSG's toughest encounter awaits them on November 4 against Bayern Munich. Bayern are on a historic run, having equalled Milan's record from 1992-93 of winning 13 straight matches at the start of the season. They share the same points as PSG in the Champions League and the encounter between the two is expected to keep the fans on the edge of their seat. 

Nottingham Forest chiefs privately want owner Evangelos Marinakis to replace Ange Postecoglou with a “master” tactician, with the latter relieved of his duties immediately after their 3-0 defeat to Chelsea.

Ange Postecoglou sacked by Nottingham Forest after Chelsea loss

Goals from Josh Acheampong, Pedro Neto and Reece James cemented Postecoglou’s title as the shortest reigning manager in Premier League history, but his departure has been inevitable for quite some time.

Forest failed to win a single game during the Australian’s brief 39-day tenure in charge, with reports over the international break suggesting that Marinakis and co performed due-diligence on a host of potential replacements.

Arsenal 3-0 Forest

Premier League

Swansea 3-2 Forest

Carabao Cup

Burnley 1-1 Forest

Premier League

Real Betis 2-2 Forest

Europa League

Forest 0-1 Sunderland

Premier League

Forest 2-3 FC Midtjylland

Europa League

Newcastle 2-0 Forest

Premier League

Forest 0-3 Chelsea

Premier League

Postecoglou also broke a 100-year record at the City Ground, making the worst start out of any new Forest boss in a century, forcing Marinakis to call time on the former Tottenham boss after a nightmare stint.

In his final pre-match press conference, the 60-year-old went down swinging, perhaps realising that a loss to Chelsea this afternoon would spell the end.

Marinakis had apparently made up his mind about sacking Postecoglou before their clash with Chelsea had even finished, with the Greek billionaire even seen storming out of his seat (talkSPORT).

Postecoglou was informed of the decision just moments after the full-time whistle blew (talkSPORT), and he then said goodbye to his Forest players in the dressing room before the club officially announced his departure.

Now, attention turns to who could replace Postecoglou in the hot seat.

A succession of managers have been linked within the past fortnight — including Sean Dyche, Oliver Glasner, Steve Cooper and Rafael Benitez — but it is Fulham boss Marco Silva who’s seriously admired by the Forest hierarchy.

Nottingham Forest chiefs want Marinakis to replace Postecoglou with Marco Silva

According to the BBC, internal figures at the club have identified Silva as their “preferred option” to succeed Postecoglou.

The 48-year-old, who reportedly has an £8 million release clause in his contract, is poised to become a free agent at the end of this season, and it’s believed that Silva is likely to leave Craven Cottage in 2026 after rather public spats with the owners about their transfer activity.

However, it’ll be much more difficult to prise him out of West London immediately, as Forest are mindful of the compensation fees due if they decide to try and appoint Silva right now.

Marinakis has only just paid off Nuno, and will also have to compensate Postecoglou now that Forest have parted company with him too — meaning the club aren’t overly keen on shelling out yet more money for a new manager.

The Tricky Trees have studied alternatives to Silva amid the difficulties surrounding his appointment, but if Marinakis does decide to invest the cash, it is clear that he’s a very ideal candidate.

The former Everton and Hull City boss has worked wonders at Fulham on a shoe-string budget since guiding them back to the Premier League at the first time of asking in 2022.

They briefly contended for Europe last season as well, despite their meagre transfer spend compared to rivals, and Silva has been lavished with praise as a “master” tactician by players who’ve worked with him.

Gripes about South Africa’s qualification path fall away as ICC showpiece descends on Lord’s

Andrew Miller09-Jun-20251:38

Conrad: ‘Quietly confident we can pull one over them’

It’s simply too late to fix this mess. Perhaps we should all just give up.It’s not the most inspiring message to send to future generations, but that is the gist of the naysaying that surrounds the World Test Championship. As with climate change, or the fate of the rhinos, so it has been with the ICC’s sticking-plaster approach to the sport’s oldest, most endangered format.The flaws are manifest, and were recently excoriated from the pulpit of Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, which decried this week’s final as a “shambles masquerading as a showpiece”.”The ICC cannot allow the championship to continue as if designed on the back of a fag packet,” Lawrence Booth, ‘s editor, wrote, as he railed against a format in which South Africa have been the inadvertent beneficiaries of a less-is-more approach.Related

England must engage with the WTC's oddities, not fight them

Conrad on SA's C-word tag: 'Unfair to burden this group with anything that's gone before'

Markram: Playing two-Test series throughout WTC cycle could help us in the final

Boucher: 'Winning WTC final could be the turnaround for Test cricket in South Africa'

The WTC final is the biggest match of Temba Bavuma's career, but he's dealt with this kind of pressure before

The fewer games a relatively strong team plays, the less chance there is of that precious points-per-Test ratio getting diluted. Hence a side that began this cycle by sending a C-Team to New Zealand, where they were duly routed in two Tests while the best players in the country stayed at home to take part in the SA20, have now marched all the way to the final off the back of seven wins in a row.And yet, buried within that very gripe is the proof of concept that this tournament so desperately needs.The two-Test series may well be the bane of the international schedule – too cumbersome to fit snugly into any given gap, yet too insubstantial to provide any real satisfaction to the combatants or their fans. But, as soon as it became clear in November last year – thanks to India’s shock 3-0 defeat on home soil to New Zealand – that a path was opening up for South Africa to storm into the reckoning, their subsequent home series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan took on a life of their own.This is context, is it not? A means to make the meaningless meaningful, and to drag a few otherwise uninvested bystanders along for the ride – as was unquestionably the case at Centurion in December, when South Africa flopped over the line by two wickets in what Shukri Conrad memorably declared to be a “Camel classic”.And now the game has gathered at Lord’s, where the ICC’s blanket branding guidelines have conferred the grand old ground with that global-event feeling, and where on Wednesday, the third staging of the World Test Championship final will take place. Rare is the major tournament that does not have a few aggrieved teams wondering what might have been as they consider their early exit. But equally rare is a final that fails to crown a worthy champion.6:55

Philander: ‘SA will put up massive fight against favourites Australia’

“I’m tired of speaking about it, to be honest,” Conrad said, ahead of South Africa’s training session on Monday. “We’re here and that’s all that matters. We get a chance to walk away as the World Test champions, playing Australia. It doesn’t get any bigger than that. So, yeah, what’s gone before counts for absolutely nothing at the minute.”The bells and whistles that surround the final – including a glitzy Hall of Fame induction dinner at the Beatles’ former fiefdom, Abbey Road Studios – serve as a reminder that the ICC is, first and foremost, an events organiser rather than cricket’s legal guardian. Notwithstanding the increasingly blurred lines in cricket’s upper echelons, it can only cut its cloth according to the share of the fabric that the game is willing to allocate.And so, not unlike the second edition of MCC’s World Cricket Connects, the high-brow symposium which took place in Lord’s Long Room over the preceding weekend, any attempt to gather the game’s great and good is infinitely preferable to no attempt at all – even if, in both cases, the short-term output has been frustratingly impenetrable.As Sourav Ganguly, the former BCCI president and chair of ICC Cricket Committee, put it in an official MCC release at the WCC’s conclusion: “It was a lovely event, with a lot of quality people.” If the same can be said of the WTC final by next Monday, it will have been a week well spent.The difficulty for Test cricket, and its eternal quest for context, is that it remains eternally judged by its past – and that phenomenon will surely go into overdrive in 18 months’ time at the game’s next Big Gathering, the 150th anniversary Test that is scheduled for the MCG in March 2027.This was also the case for England’s one-off Test against Zimbabwe last week – the first such staging since James Anderson’s debut series 22 years ago, and one which couldn’t help but be defined by the distance (economic, as much as temporal) that has grown between the two nations in the interim.It’s a point that Conrad leant into as well, as he assessed the compromises that South Africa have been forced to reach, with both their players and the wider format, in an era of the game that is so driven by the bottom line.”Whenever I go into the stores here, I start calculating what it costs. So it’s no surprise we can’t compete [economically],” he said. “So it’s about prioritising certain tours, and whenever we’re not playing and there’s an opportunity for them to earn some US dollars, then we’ll obviously encourage that.Shukri Conrad has overseen South Africa’s journey to the WTC final•ICC via Getty Images”As long as we can plan things properly in advance, then absolutely, I’ve got buy-in from all of our players. They’re as committed to Test cricket as they ever have been, or more committed if that’s possible.”Could there have been an alternative path for the game? Hindsight suggests that the moment may have come and gone approximately a quarter of a century ago – before T20 cricket had been conceived, and when India and Pakistan were still on broad speaking terms.Back at the turn of the Millennium, West Indies were still the sport’s most recent powerhouse; Sri Lanka were still a rising force; South Africa were still in the throes of post-Apartheid release. England were beginning to get their act together after a decade of Australian Ashes dominance, but were still eminently capable of losing to all-comers.And, for the top table’s two newest teams, Zimbabwe embodied that sense that a small, well-drilled outfit with a common sense of purpose could still take the fight to one of cricket’s flabbier, more distracted big beasts. As for Bangladesh, their weight of population was an extraordinary asset that was crying out for a bit of meaningful investment.History relates that the sport chose self-interest over community development, and so we are left with this: an unsatisfactory shebang on the one hand, but – at least to judge by the first two stagings of the WTC final – a passable attempt to keep those five-day fires burning.At the inaugural final in 2021, New Zealand’s success was widely hailed as just desserts for a golden generation that had fallen inches short in a succession of white-ball campaigns. Two years later, Australia’s victory (again over India) completed the set for a mighty all-formats generation, and – in Steve Smith’s opinion – whet their appetite for this week’s defence.”It was great to be able to win a Test Championship final, and to be back here again and have the opportunity to defend our crown,” Smith said on Monday afternoon. “Every game is important with the Test Championship on the line. That’s the reason it came in, to make every Test more relevant.”The combatants themselves aren’t giving up on the concept. Nor, therefore, should we.

Already thinking about 2026 reinforcements after an inconsistent start to life in North London, Thomas Frank and Tottenham Hotspur are now reportedly eyeing an impressive Champions League star.

Thomas Frank praises "dangerous" Grealish before Everton clash

Following defeat against Aston Villa and a disappointing draw in Monaco, Tottenham will be looking to avoid ending a frustrating week on their most sour note yet against Everton.

In many ways, however, victory after a draw in midweek and defeat last weekend would sum up Frank’s start fairly well. There’s been plenty of signs that he’s the man for the job, but also one too many that suggest there’s a long way to go. Ahead of visiting the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time, the Dane heaped praise on Sunday’s opponents and Jack Grealish, in particular.

Three points could see the Lilywhites rise to as high as second if results go their way and there’s no doubt that would send quite the statement so early into Frank’s tenure.

Securing Champions League football should be seen as the ultimate priority, especially if those in North London want to attract some impressive European stars.

Tottenham eyeing Kalulu move

As reported by Tutto Juve, Tottenham are now eyeing a move to sign Pierre Kalulu, who has played every single minute for Juventus so far this season.

The defender, who can play both wing-back and centre-back, is not someone that Juventus want to sell but they may have no choice. Amid financial constraints, the Italian giants could show the 25-year-old the door for as little as €30m (£26m) in the January transfer window – allowing Spurs to come swooping in.

Dubbed “phenomenal” by scout Jacek Kulig during his AC Milan days and now thriving at Juventus, Kalulu even impressed in defeat against Real Madrid in midweek.

"Impressed me a lot" – Thomas Frank says he's been thrilled by benched Tottenham star

The Dane had kind words for his player who’s been struggling for minutes.

ByEmilio Galantini Oct 25, 2025

Although Juventus eventually lost out courtesy of Jude Bellingham’s goal, the defender kept Vinicius Junior quiet on the night. Up against one of the most tricky wingers European football has to offer, he stifled the Brazilian to zero shots on target, zero successful crosses and just one key pass.

Deepti Sharma the bowler as Lord’s ODI briefly veers towards controversy again

Valkerie Baynes19-Jul-2025Smriti Mandhana’s knowing smile said it before her words did. India’s return to Lord’s for the first time since Deepti Sharma ran out Charlie Dean backing up to sweep their ODI series here nearly three years ago would always pose the question and Mandhana knew it was coming.”Doesn’t happen, right? You come to Lord’s and that question is not asked?” Mandhana said. “We didn’t really think anything about all of that incident. Only today, there was one random appeal for Tammy Beaumont, when that happened. And again, Deepti was bowling.”That’s when we cracked a joke that Lord’s and Deepti has an, I don’t know how I term it in words, but we had a small joke around it.”The whole match last time, of course it was overshadowed quite a lot because of that one incident. But I would say the way we all actually played cricket in terms of that whole series, I mean, one incident cannot overshadow it, and the chat was only about how good we played and we have to just keep continuing that.”But if the venue, teams and individuals reconvening for the second of three ODIs in this series – which England won this time against the backdrop of two significant rain interruptions to draw level 1-1 – didn’t already promise some drama, a number of on-field incidents delivered.The first, which Mandhana referenced, came when India appealed for Beaumont to be dismissed obstructing the field.Beaumont had set England’s initial pursuit of 144 in 29 overs off to a flyer on 25 off 17 balls with England 36 without loss in the fifth over. She clipped a Deepti delivery towards midwicket and set off for a run but turned back as Jemimah Rodrigues pounced and fired the ball back to the striker’s end.Beaumont’s left foot was grounded inside her crease as she brought her right leg forward and the ball ricocheted off her pad as wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh threw her arms up in appeal. After an umpire review, Beaumont was adjudged not out.”I was not in a really good angle, to be fair, probably it was not visible at all,” Mandhana said. “Jemi definitely felt that maybe she kicked it or something. They referred it and it was not out, so I’m sure that they should have seen all the angles. That’s the only view I have on it.”But I was in no angle, to be fair, to see what happened. At mid-on you don’t see what exactly happened from that way. So not being diplomatic, but genuinely I did not see it.”Amy Jones, who top-scored for England with an unbeaten 46, was at the other end when it happened and spent a nervous few moments “talking it through” with Beaumont as they awaited the result of the review.”It was weird,” Jones said. “I’ve never been out there for one of those before, I don’t think. The umpires were happy that Tammy was in her crease, so she wasn’t trying to not get run out, but obviously they appealed for obstructing the field.”I learned that even if you’re in, you can still be out, but obviously Tammy had no intent of actually obstructing them. I think she was just trying to get back into her crease, so all okay in the end. She didn’t know if it could result in a wicket or not.”In Deepti’s next over, she pulled out of her delivery stride and Beaumont, who wasn’t backing up excessively, made it back into her crease safely at the non-striker’s end. Mandhana shrugged that off after the match, saying Deepti “actually pulls out quite a lot”.”I would say that every match she would’ve played maybe once or twice she has the habit,” Mandhana added. “Maybe she wants to watch the batter or she has her own strategy. But it was not discussed at all.”Why would we discuss all of those things? We came here to play good cricket and that was the only discussion which we had. She does that quite a lot. I think it’s more to do with seeing what the batter is doing.”Beaumont ultimately fell lbw to Sneh Rana for 34 off 35 balls after staging a 54-run opening stand with Jones.The match was reduced further by a heavy evening downpour with England 102 for 1 from 18.4 overs, eight balls shy of the 20 overs needed to constitute a match.Nat Sciver-Brunt, who had put on 48 runs with Jones, was bowled by Kranti Goud on the second ball after the resumption with a revised target of 115 off 24 overs.With England needing 13 more runs off the last five overs, India reviewed for caught behind off new batter Sophia Dunkley, despite the stump mic picking up Ghosh saying there was no bat involved, which was proved on the replays.Again, Jones found herself in conversation with her batting partner about keeping calm in the moment.”I thought they played that very well,” she said. “We tried not to get drawn into it. It was always going to happen. It’s part of the game. So we did acknowledge it when Dunks came out. I was like, ‘it’s a bit annoying out here’.”It’s what most teams would do. So I tried to leave that to the umpires. It is a part of the game.”With the series level, the final ODI in Durham on Tuesday has plenty at stake, lots of recent history behind it and promises to be entertaining.

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has challenged Lucas Paqueta to lead the Hammers' revival after the FA formally closed its spot-fixing investigation into the Brazilian. Cleared of all major charges but sanctioned for non-cooperation, Paqueta is now being urged by his manager to embrace his No.10 role and help drag the Irons out of the relegation zone.

Paqueta cleared of all wrongdoing in spot-fixing case

Espirito Santo has set a clear target for Paqueta following the end of the Football Association’s lengthy spot-fixing investigation into the Brazilian midfielder. The 28-year-old was accused of deliberately picking up yellow cards in four Premier League games between 2022 and 2023 to manipulate betting markets, but an independent commission ruled the allegations “not proven,” after a 314-page review found no evidence of deliberate wrongdoing.

Paqueta was instead reprimanded for failing to cooperate fully with the FA’s inquiry, a sanction the commission described as the 'mildest possible' and imposed without suspension or fine. He had provided limited answers during questioning on legal advice, which the panel accepted was due to stress and language barriers. The FA was ordered to pay 90% of the costs after the case collapsed, ending a two-year saga that also saw Paqueta’s £85 million move to Manchester City collapse.

With the investigation finally over, the midfielder has publicly indicated he is committed to West Ham, despite reports linking him with a January exit. His social media post, a smiling picture in a Hammers shirt beside his children, came just hours after reports claimed he was pushing to leave. West Ham, who rejected summer offers from Aston Villa and Flamengo, are hoping Paqueta’s clearance will now spark a turnaround in form as they sit 19th in the Premier League table.

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesEspirito Santo set plans for Paqueta as West Ham continue to struggle

Espirito Santo, speaking ahead of West Ham’s clash with Newcastle, admitted the off-field noise had affected Paqueta’s performances but insisted the Brazilian remains vital to the team. “The noise doesn’t help,” Nuno said. “Finally, it ends, but at the same time, there are rumours around. We have to protect ourselves and work in the best way. He’s going to play on Sunday and help his teammates.”

The Portuguese coach revealed he had a personal chat with Paqueta about the responsibility that comes with his position. “I’ve spoken to him about many things. We need Lucas. I told him personally and the squad that being a No.10 is more than a number. It’s a symbol,” Nuno explained, underlining his belief that Paqueta must now lead by example. “That’s what we need from Lucas. We need him to help his teammates because they trust him. We know there is more to come from him, and we need him as a No.10.”

Nuno also acknowledged the challenge ahead, particularly against Paqueta’s compatriots Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes. “It’s not only going to be in midfield — there are going to be battles everywhere,” he said. “But we’re going to face one of the best midfields in the Premier League. I think during the game they won’t be friends! After the game, they (Bruno and Lucas) can be friends again!”

Paqueta remains West Ham's best shot at redemption

The conclusion of the FA’s investigation represents a huge personal relief for Paqueta, who has endured over two years of uncertainty that derailed his career trajectory. The former Lyon playmaker was on the brink of joining Pep Guardiola’s City in August 2023 before the allegations surfaced, forcing the eight-time Premier League champions to withdraw their £85 million offer. Since then, Paqueta has remained one of West Ham’s most consistent performers, recording three goals in ten appearances this season despite the club’s poor form.

The midfielder’s creative output has been a rare bright spot in an otherwise dire campaign, with his vision, ball progression, and pressing helping to sustain West Ham’s attacking play. His ability to dictate tempo and find pockets between the lines remains unmatched in the squad, and Espirito Santo is banking on the Brazilian's rediscovered focus to reignite the team’s midfield engine. The new boss believes that, freed from external distractions, Paqueta can finally return to the dynamic form that made him one of Europe’s most sought-after creators.

Transfer speculation, however, refuses to fade entirely. While Aston Villa made a late approach in the summer and Flamengo remain interested in bringing their academy graduate home, West Ham have held firm. The club sees Paqueta as essential to both their Premier League survival hopes and their long-term rebuild under Nuno, who is determined to build the team around him.

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GettyWest Ham's dreadful form could see them relegated

Paqueta is expected to start when West Ham travel to St. James’ Park this weekend to take on Newcastle United. With the investigation settled and his manager’s full backing, Paqueta’s task is simple — deliver on the pitch and inspire a team short on confidence and consistency.

Nuno has made clear that Paqueta’s leadership and creativity will be central to West Ham’s hopes of escaping the relegation zone. The Irons have lost seven of their first nine matches and sit four points from safety, their defence leaking 20 goals and morale at a low ebb. But with Paqueta back in focus and Nuno eager to establish discipline and clarity, the club will hope their Brazilian playmaker can transform resilience into results and begin the long climb away from the bottom three.

Shohei Ohtani never ceases to amaze.

Just one day after the Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter became the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season thanks to a three-homer, 10-RBI performance against the Miami Marlins, Ohtani was at it again against the Colorado Rockies on Friday night at Dodger Stadium.

Facing Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland with one runner on and two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, Ohtani worked the count full. Freeland then delivered a 92-mph fastball at the letters, a pitch that almost certainly would have been ball four.

But Ohtani had other ideas, as he crushed the pitch 423 feet over the center field wall for his 52nd home run of the year as the Dodger Stadium crowd let out an audible gasp.

There is perhaps only one baseball player on the planet who could have hit a pitch that high in the zone out of the park—and that's Ohtani.

Ohtani made some more history in the Dodgers' 6–4 win, as he homered and stole a base in the same game for the 14th time this season, breaking the previous mark for a single season set by then-New York Yankees outfielder Rickey Henderson in 1986.

Ohtani, the presumptive National League MVP, has posted a .297/.378/.635 slash line with 125 runs scored, 52 homers, 122 RBI and 52 stolen bases in 151 games played this season.

Detroit Tigers ace starting pitcher Tarik Skubal had no trouble handling the Cleveland Guardians lineup during Game 2 of the American League Division Series, as he pitched seven shutout innings and struck out eight batters to help his club earn the victory.

But Skubal did get himself into trouble with his mother.

After inducing a grounder that resulted in an inning-ending double play in the bottom of the fifth inning, Skubal yelled, "Shut the f**k up" at the Progressive Field crowd as he walked off the mound.

Skubal's mother was not a fan of the language, and she let him know it in a post on X (formerly Twitter), even resorting to using his middle name—the universal sign that a line has been crossed.

Making an appearance on on 97.1 The Ticket on Wednesday ahead of Game 3, Skubal shared that he also received an admonishing text message from his mother in addition to the scolding tweet.

"She texted me after the game, 'Love you,' whatever, but she was saying the same thing, she's like, 'You can't do that on the road,' " Skubal said. "And I'm like, 'I know, Mom, I know. I don't what got into me.'"

"That was really funny."

Skubal, the presumptive AL CY Young award winner, has been lights-out for the Tigers this season, and in the postseason, where he has yet to allow an earned run in two starts. But apparently, one is never too old—or too successful—to avoid being reprimanded by their middle name.

"Tarik Daniel is when I was in trouble growing up, so I haven't got that in a while, probably since high school is the last time I was really in trouble with my mom."

While Skubal acknowledged that the moment gave him an adrenaline boost, he also admitted that getting so fired up towards fans was probably not wise.

"I guess I wish I would have just kept it within our team and our guys and not really interact with the fans, just because it becomes a slippery slope and some bad things can happen, especially if fans are drunk, whatever, (stuff) happens," Skubal said. "I should probably just keep that within our team going forward, but it was fun. Obviously, I fed off of it."

Skubal's Tigers won Game 3 on Wednesday by a score of 3–0. Unless Cleveland forces a Game 5, Tigers fans are unlikely to see Skubal on the mound again until the American League Championship Series.