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Arsenal handed Bayern Munich their first defeat of the season with a commanding 3-1 Champions League win at the Emirates, ending the German champions’ 18-game unbeaten run. Vincent Kompany admitted his side were deservedly second best, while Arsenal strengthened their position as the competition’s only perfect team after five group-stage victories.

• Arsenal outclass Bayern to end their unbeaten run

  Arsenal and Bayern arrived at the Emirates stadium as Europe’s two most in-form sides, both unbeaten in the Champions League and dominating their domestic leagues. But from the opening whistle, it was the Premier League leaders who showed greater intensity, control and aggression in key moments.

  The hosts struck first through Jurrien Timber, who rose above Manuel Neuer to nod in Bukayo Saka’s corner. Bayern equalised when 17-year-old Lennart Karl reacted quickest in a crowded box, but the Bundesliga champions struggled to build on that moment. Too many attacks broke down in midfield, and Arsenal constantly regained control through quick combinations and wide overloads.

  The second half was even more one-sided. Noni Madueke’s clever movement allowed him to turn in Riccardo Calafiori’s low cross, restoring the Gunner's lead. The Bavarians pushed for a response, but their biggest chance, a Serge Gnabry acrobatic attempt went begging. Moments later, Neuer’s misjudged rush off his line allowed Gabriel Martinelli to score from distance, wrapping up Arsenal’s first victory over Bayern in 10 years.

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  Kompany accepts defeat, Gnabry highlights Arsenal’s strength

  Kompany didn’t hide behind excuses after the final whistle, acknowledging that Arsenal were fully deserving of the result. "I don't like excuses," the Belgian said to reporters. "We've lost now, and let's be honest: Arsenal were better today, and we have to fix that from Saturday onwards."

  Former Arsenal academy product Serge Gnabry echoed his manager’s honesty, pointing to moments where Bayern simply couldn’t cope with Arsenal’s constant pressure. "You have to accept that you lose sometimes," said Gnabry to "Arsenal are a very strong opponent; they haven't won all their games so far for nothing. They had a period where they pressed us back with a lot of corner kicks. We didn't manage to do much in the second half."

• Arsenal’s perfect run continues as Bayern's ends

  The Premier League leaders' performance underlined why they remain the Champions League’s last team with a 100 per cent record. Their pressing structure suffocated Bayern’s build-up, their set-piece dominance caused repeated problems, and their transitions exploited every defensive gap left by Kompany’s side.

  For Bayern, the defeat ends an 18-match unbeaten run and exposes cracks that had not been punished in earlier European fixtures. After impressive wins over Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, they were second-best in intensity and duels, areas usually considered Die Roten's strengths. Even with 12 points from five matches, their hold on top spot in the group is no longer guaranteed.

  The Gunners, meanwhile, have now established themselves as genuine contenders for the Champions League’s latter stages, the only club still boasting 15 points from 15.

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  Bayern turn attention to St. Pauli as Arsenal prepare for Chelsea

  Arsenal will ride the confidence of this statement victory straight into a Premier League showdown with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, a fixture that could further strengthen their grip at the top of the table. Mikel Arteta’s side look increasingly balanced, and the win over Bayern will only deepen belief within the squad.

  For Bayern, the focus is now on a swift response. Kompany’s side face St. Pauli in the Bundesliga this weekend, aiming to put the defeat behind them and reinforce their commanding league position. With 31 points from 11 games and only one draw so far, Bayern remain in control of their domestic campaign — but this loss will serve as a reminder of the margins at the highest level. A convincing performance at the weekend would help steady the mood as the Champions League group stage nears its conclusion.

  All eyes will now be on how both sides respond, with knockout qualification approaching and momentum in Europe more valuable than ever.

The Blue Jays' Game 7 win in the ALCS on Monday night confirmed one thing: Shohei Ohtani is, in fact, headed to Toronto.

The Dodgers will face the Blue Jays in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night in what's expected to be a thrilling postseason battle between the NL and AL champs. On one side, the Dodgers trounced the Brewers in the NLCS and enter the World Series as heavy favorites to claim their second straight title. On the other, the Blue Jays downed the Mariners thanks to George Springer's three-run homer in Game 7 and punched their ticket to their first Fall Classic since 1993.

While both teams are aiming to make some history this October, what's in the past doesn't always stay in the past. Ahead of the Dodgers–Blue Jays series, a notorious tweet from MLB Network's Jon Morosi about Ohtani flying to Toronto during 2023 free agency has recirculated on social media and elicited many (perhaps too many) jokes.

Before Ohtani signed his then-record-breaking contract with the Dodgers in December '23, the two-way star was linked to the Blue Jays, who were considered very serious contenders in the Ohtani sweepstakes and reportedly went to great lengths to try to recruit him. Ohtani ended up picking the Dodgers, but not before Morosi shared a now-infamous post about Ohtani being "en route to Toronto" that in turn sparked a hilarious bit of plane-tracking chaos.

With Ohtani now boarding a plane for Toronto for Game 1 at Rogers Centre, MLB fans couldn't resist making the same joke:

Enzo Maresca questioned the quality of Chelsea's bench strength after the Blues suffered a shock loss to Leeds United. It was a disjointed and error-strewn performance that saw the Blues fall 3-1 at Elland Road on Wednesday night. The defeat has reignited concerns over the club’s squad depth as the Italian guides a young squad who are still learning to navigate the Premier League’s unforgiving rhythm.

• Maresca's experiment backfires

  Maresca made five changes from the side that drew with Arsenal against Leeds. It was a rotation forced as much by necessity as design. Reece James, who delivered an immense midfield display against the Gunners, was rested to protect his fitness. The captain returned on Saturday at Bournemouth. But Chelsea was again without Moises Caicedo, who continues to serve a three-match ban following his red card in the north London derby. The Chelsea manager admitted that he regretted some of his decisions at Leeds, particularly the omission of 18-year-old Josh Acheampong, whose involvement he later suggested might have offered greater stability. Meanwhile, summer signing Tosin Adarabioyo endured a difficult evening, and Maresca did little to shield him in public, noting the centre-back did not play well. The 45-year-old sought to explain the gulf in performance between his starters and players on the fringes, saying he cannot pretend there is no hierarchy within the squad.   

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  What did Maresca say about Chelsea squad

  Speaking to reporters, ahead of the Bournemouth clash, Maresca said: "Most of the rotation we do is because the other one cannot play. But I always try to be honest with you. In football, in life, in any job, there is a level. Andrey [Santos], unfortunately, is not Moi [Caicedo]. Tosin is not Wes. They have different skills. They are different. If I say to you that Andrey is like Moi, you can understand for yourself that I am a liar. There is a level at all jobs. Like me. Plenty of managers are better than me. Some not. But there is a level at all jobs. So, for me, [this] is the reality."

  Maresca later conceded that squad management has become the most challenging aspect of this campaign at Stamford Bridge. The constant churn of fixtures and the fragility of some players have left him struggling to maintain consistency.

  "We are in a process where we are trying to understand and to learn why, for instance, at Leeds we were not good enough," he said. "I don’t know if the solution is to have 12 or 14 players and the rest just play some minutes. But we are trying to understand. If today you play every three days, two days like now with the same 11, I don’t know [if it’s possible].

  "I would like to play Reece [James] every game. He is much better. He is already playing two games a week; he needs to aim for three games a week. So he is already improving in that. But I also would like Moi not to be suspended or Wes every game. For sure, we need Reece for the next games." 

  Asked whether Fofana could soon cope with the intensity of three fixtures a week, Maresca was blunt: "It’s too early. He’s doing well one game per week. Hopefully, he can play two games per week. What we don’t want with Wes is another four, five, six months out."

• Leeds punished a passive Chelsea performance

  Leeds entered the evening in the relegation zone but played with the hunger and cohesion that Chelsea lacked. Maresca’s players appeared passive and mostly came out second best during duels and half-balls.

  Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Maresca did not sugar-coat his assessment. He said: "A very poor night, they [Leeds] deserved to win the game, they were better in all aspects. [We will] Just try to analyse and learn from this game and focus on the next one. It's not about possession; in possession, you need a purpose. Today, they were better in all aspects. Congratulations to them. After the goal we scored, we had one or two clear chances, but the third goal killed the game completely, then it's much more difficult. It's reality, it's Premier League, you need to perform every game, no matter if you are at home or away or who the other team is. It's important to see where we are going to be in February or March, but most important is to understand what we did bad tonight and then try to improve."  

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  What comes next?

  Chelsea will hope to regain momentum when they travel to Bournemouth on Saturday. The Cherries have lost four of their past five matches, presenting an opening for Maresca’s side to steady themselves after a turbulent week. Arsenal lost to Aston Villa, and that allows the Blues to reduce the gap with the leaders if they manage to emerge triumphant at the Vitality Stadium.   

The England captain insisted it was not a “skill issue” that caused the meltdown in Perth as the tourists plot their fightback

Vithushan Ehantharajah29-Nov-20252:51

Ehantharajah: This defeat will hurt for England

One of the few success stories from Jon Ronson’s , a book that delves into the worryingly compelling world of online humiliation and real-world consequences, comes from Max Moseley.The ex-Formula One boss’, ermmm, extra-curricular peccadilloes were plastered all over the papers in 2008. And yet, not only did he manage to survive those stories – even retaining his position as FIA president – he emerged more popular than before simply because he refused to be shamed by them. Even considering the economic and social factors that allowed Moseley to emerge unscathed from such scandal, the underlying reason why, Ronson posits, was through owning the facts of his now public sexual proclivities.Related

• 'Shellshocked' Stokes hails Head for 'knocking the wind' out of England

• Bazball's last stand: build your own Ashes fantasy adventure

• Stokes: Calling England arrogant is a step too far

England have not disgraced themselves to that degree on this Ashes tour. Entire universes separate a two-day defeat in the opening Test match and, say, a lifelong penchant for questionable dress-up and sadomasochism. But to go by the coverage here in Australia – and some back home – Bazball has bared its arse to the world.And so, on Saturday, not governed by shame but duty, Ben Stokes took the initiative. England assistant coach Marcus Trescothick had been pencilled in to address the media at the start of a training session at Allan Border Field, some 8km north of The Gabba, where England will be situated from Sunday. Stokes, however, decided the first official engagement since last Saturday, in the immediate aftermath of Australia’s eight-wicket win, should come from him.It was an opportunity for clarity amid what he perceives to be a sea of conjecture and unfair criticism. He disagreed with the notion his team were arrogant and gave context to their no-show for the Prime Minister’s XI fixture in Canberra. At the forefront, however, came home truths around a key position squandered – 105 in front after lunch on day two, with nine second-innings in hand, that eventuated in one of England’s most embarrassing Ashes defeats.Ben Stokes gets back into training ahead of the second Test•Getty Images”We had our foot on the throat of Australia at that time,” said Stokes, ruefully. “And I guess a good one [thought] is…you’ve never got enough when it comes to the bat and you’ve never got enough on the board when you’re trying to bowl a team out.”That’s a mentality thing. If you can think of it more like that, that will send guys out there with that real clear mind – not only about how we want to operate but where the game currently is sat. You’ve never won til you’ve won, and last week was a great example of that.”We were in such a commanding and controlling position in that Test, particularly after the first innings – being [effectively] 105 for 1, getting a lead and making them chase down 200 [205] there was still a lot of belief that we were going to do this. That doesn’t mean we don’t look back on important moments and know we could have been better, and in how we executed that.”You can all agree with me, it’s not a skill issue or a quality issue that we have with regard to that moment in that game happening. We’re all really, really good players. We’ve all shown that at different moments throughout our careers. It’s just having an understanding of where that was at that moment in time. Being 100 for 1 in the third innings was an unbelievably strong position to be in.”The introspection in the days since has come both as a team and individuals. Stokes revealed he has been wondering what he could have done differently in the field, particularly in the early stages of Head’s remarkable 123 from 83 deliveries. Stokes, shellshocked in the immediate aftermath, has since found faults in his own captaincy. He was perhaps guilty of sifting through plans too quickly, not letting them settle. Spamming the bumper ploy when England’s success had come through nailing a length. Not bowling Joe Root early enough to change the pace as Head – a leftie – began swinging for the fences.There will be much interest in England’s approach with the bat in Brisbane•Gareth Copley/Getty Images”We’ve used that time to reflect on all those kinds of things, not only from a team point of view but me as a captain – the job I have to do out there. The next time we’re potentially in a situation like that, I’ll be in a better place to handle something that happens so quickly.”I know there were areas in that fourth innings where I could have been a lot better as captain. I am the person who makes decisions about how we go out there and operate, and I am the one who gives the plans to the bowlers. On reflection of myself, I wasn’t as clear as I normally am in those moments.”That’s something I have thought about, what I can do better as a captain and a leader. Making sure wherever the game is, whatever the momentum is swinging or not, the key thing for me is to be completely crystal clear with my bowlers.”

That’s why it was such a strange feeling at the end of that game because it happened very, very quickly. We lost a game we were in control of and we all know thatBen Stokes

Clear messages, full hearts, can’t lose – therein lies the actual essence of what Stokes and Brendon McCullum have tried to instill since they joined forces in 2022. Stripping away the add-ons of Test cricket has always come with the ultimate goal of being better at Test cricket. And even in defeat, all Stokes and McCullum ask is whether you can be satisfied in having committed to your role in your own way.Self-flaggelation is discouraged – the final two sessions at Perth Stadium underlines cricket does a good enough job at promoting self-hatred – but honesty remains a vital tool. And it was instructive that Stokes decided to reiterate the blueprint here and now, when it is under its most intense scrutiny.”We keep it very simple, which is always looking to put the opposition under pressure, but then also understanding the moment we need to absorb the pressure that is being piled on to us from the opposition,” he said. “We know that we are very, very good at the first bit and we all know there are areas that we can be better doing the second bit. That is the key of it. We do that and understand that. We don’t take anything for granted around anything.Ben Stokes said England have taken time to reflect on what went wrong in the first Test•Getty Images”We’re not going ‘oh, well’, because we don’t do that. We don’t shrug it off and think ‘next time hopefully it will happen’. We are professional sportsmen, we pride ourselves on how we go about things and we pride ourselves on the results of the games we’re playing in.”We all know that we definitely could be better in those moments and I think it showed in that third innings. That doesn’t take away how well we played for the vast majority of that game, although it was quick. That’s why it was such a strange feeling at the end of that game because it happened very, very quickly. We lost a game we were in control of and we all know that.”It is likely the majority of the XI will get the chance to show they have learned from last week’s mistakes. Mark Wood is expected to miss out, but the 10 remaining could be rolled out again, each with their own shot of redemption.The second Test, ultimately, represents a do-over. The chance to shape the narrative, even if the odds are skewed very much in Australia’s favour given their dominant record in day-night cricket.Harnessing that energy and channeling it into squaring the series will not be easy. Even with the time that has passed since the opening defeat, there are still five days to go. Five more days of talking, five more days of wondering. England will be gagging for the pink-ball Test to begin.

Manchester United managed to return to winning ways in the Premier League last night, after a dominant 4-1 thrashing of bottom-placed side Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Ruben Amorim’s men produced one of their best performances of the campaign to date, to put themselves into sixth place and just a point off the top four.

Hearts will no doubt have been in the mouths of all supporters at the break, after Jean-Ricner Bellegarde ensured the game was level going into the break.

However, three goals in the second half secured a seventh league victory of the 2025/26 campaign for the Red Devils – now extending their run to just one loss in the last nine outings.

One player deserves massive credit for his showing at Molineux on Monday night, with the first-team member massively excelling during the well-deserved triumph.

Bruno Fernandes’ stats against Wolves

Bruno Fernandes has often struggled throughout the ongoing campaign, as Amorim has decided to utilise him in a deeper-lying midfield role rather than the number ten position.

It’s required the Portuguese international to think more defensively, which has no doubt had an effect on his output within the final third in the Premier League.

However, his showing against Rob Edwards’ men was arguably his best of the season to date, with the 31-year-old notching two goals and an assist in the triumph.

Such a tally takes him to 10 combined goals and assists in his first 15 appearances of the season, but it was his underlying figures that highlighted his impressive display.

He featured for the entirety of the contest and registered 55 completed passes, whilst creating five chances for his teammates – with both the highest of any player in the meeting.

Bruno also completed 12 passes into the final third, and only misplaced eight passes in total, further highlighting his incredible performance with the ball at his feet.

However, without the ball, the midfielder was just as impressive, as seen by his tally of 100% tackles won, seven recoveries made and a total of five combined aerials and ground duels won.

The United player who is as undroppable as Bruno

As seen by his tally of 15 starts out of a possible 15 in 2025/26, there’s little denying that Bruno is undroppable and certainly one of Amorim’s most important players.

Numerous other players are starting to force themselves into such a bracket, with Bryan Mbeumo just one player who should be a starter week in and week out.

The Cameroonian international netted once again in the clash in the West Midlands, subsequently taking his league tally to six this campaign – the most of any player in the squad.

He registered four shots on target against the hosts, whilst also completing two dribbles – largely being a menace to the Wolves backline during the victory last night.

However, the backline has been a cause for concern over the last couple of weeks, especially with the absence of centre-back Matthijs de Ligt in the last two matches.

As a result, youngster Ayden Heaven has been thrown in at the deep end, but he’s managed to impress – with his showing at Molineux certainly one to remember.

It was just his second start of the season, but the 19-year-old appeared unfazed and produced numerous impressive figures that could make him undroppable within the manager’s current side.

The teenager registered 36 passes during his minutes on the pitch, subsequently achieving a completion rate of 100% – the highest of any player who started the match.

He also made seven clearances, three of which were with his head, whilst making three recoveries, which enabled him to be in the right place at the right time when called upon.

Heaven’s dominance at the heart of the three-man defence was further highlighted by his impressive tally of six combined duels won – also at a success rate of 100%.

It’s no mean feat for such a young defender to start in the middle of a Premier League defence, but Heaven has made it look routine over the last couple of weeks.

Given his tender age, expectations will no doubt need to be managed by Amorim, but it is certainly hard not to get excited by the youngster after his showing at Molineux.

He’s certainly done enough to cement his place in the starting eleven for the run-up to Christmas, potentially being a huge asset for the club in their hunt for Premier League glory in the years ahead.

Bad news for Mainoo: INEOS make £70m "passing machine" Man Utd’s no.1 target

Man United’s need for a new centre-midfielder is as pressing as ever.

By
Angus Sinclair

4 days ago

Though Australia have made day-night Tests work, conditions, dew and the pink ball’s inconsistent movement continue to limit the format’s wider appeal

Andrew McGlashan02-Dec-20257:36

Are England prepared for Brisbane pink-ball challenge?

Ten years ago last week, Martin Guptill faced up against Mitchell Starc at Adelaide Oval for the first ball in day-night Test. What played out was a gripping, low-scoring encounter, including a dose controversy, which Australia won by three wickets. The crowds flocked in, and TV ratings were huge.Seen as a way to boost attendance and attractive to broadcasters, day-night Tests had been an evolution talked about since the early 2000s. There had been a plan to stage a 2010 Test between England and Bangladesh under lights at Lord’s but it would take another five years of negotiations and domestic trials for it to come to fruition. An AU$1 million bonus helped sweeten the deal when Australia and New Zealand took the field.James Sutherland, the former Cricket Australia CEO, had been one of the catalysts behind bringing day-night Tests to life. When India declined a pink-ball Test on the 2018-19 tour, citing the fact they had yet to play any, he said: “It’s the way of the future and India may or may not come around to that idea for this tour but I still believe it’s the way of the future. I think everyone in world cricket knows that.”Related

• From Beefy to Broad Ban – inside England's Brisbane angst

• Bashir, Jacks in frame as England mull taking the pink for a spin

• Khawaja gets a good workout ahead of pink-ball Test

• Steven Smith bats with 'eye blacks' ahead of pink-ball challenge

• Root unperturbed by 'challenge' of facing pink-ball master Starc

India have since played five, including two in Adelaide, but the upcoming pink-ball Test at the Gabba will be just the 24th in the men’s game overall, of which more than half (13) have been staged in Australia. While Brisbane is the venue this week, Adelaide Oval has become the ‘home’ of the pink-ball Test. It remains a central part of the Australian cricket calendar, but the format hasn’t changed the game globally the way that may have first been envisaged.”In Australia, why it works is we have great weather at this time of year in the summer, with world-class stadiums and facilities and excellent flood lighting,” Joel Morrison, Executive General Manager, Events & Operations at Cricket Australia told ESPNcricinfo. “And ultimately there’s been significant investment over a long period of time in optimising the pink ball and the wickets to best support the day-night format in Australian conditions.”I think the fact that it is now a staple of the Australian summer means that people know there is always a day-night Test match being played, so they can rely upon that when we’re playing at home. Then just the unique nature of Test cricket under lights, there’s something quite special about seeing players in whites under lights with big crowds and the pink ball. It really just gives a great point of difference to the game and is a great example of how the game of Test cricket over its history has continued to evolve and it’s quite a unique spectacle.””So those elements coming together mean we’ve got a recipe that works very effectively in Australian conditions. We see big crowds turning up to because they’re more accessible, and it is also validated by a strong viewership for those games, which helps promote Test cricket.”

Why day-night Tests haven’t worked

What has become clear over the years is that you need a particular set of conditions to come together to make for an ideal day-night scenario: limited impact from dew, a pitch that helps the pink ball – which has been an ongoing challenge to perfect – retain a degree of hardness for longer, but does not combine to make conditions unplayable, and a climate that provides reasonable assurance of warm evenings.England staged one game in 2017 against West Indies at Edgbaston where the night sessions were cold (a British summer doesn’t guarantee warmth) and the crowd had thinned out by the end. Writing in his column, Alastair Cook, who made 243 in that match, also said the longer twilight in the UK, with the sun setting late on summer nights, extended the period where the ball dominated.Alastair Cook drives in the evening sunlight at Edgbaston during the pink-ball Test•Getty ImagesSouth Africa tried one in 2017 against Zimbabwe which ended in two days. For a period after that the country’s challenging power situation – which often involved load-shedding – made it impractical. It’s uncertain if they will revisit it.In India, the dew was an issue, and concerns over the ball. Sri Lanka’s three main Test grounds – SSC, P Sara and Galle – don’t have lights (although the SSC soon will) and Pallekele is too wet for parts of the year. Pakistan were keen on them in the UAE but have not explored it since bringing international cricket back home.Having been part of the first, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) were initially keen but have only hosted two, the first of which saw England bowled out for 58 inside the first session. Not all their boutique venues have lights. In West Indies, which had initially been thought of as a prime market, the pink Dukes ball has swayed things too far in the way of the bowlers.Former England captain Michael Atherton sat on the MCC World Cricket Committee when the day-night format was initially being discussed. “The whole point was to play them in places where the crowds are struggling somewhere like, say Bridgetown where Test crowds have not been great, but it goes dark early, it’s warm and it’s obvious you can play and get people in after work,” he said on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast. “This Ashes Test at the Gabba would be sold out anyway and the notion that they are going to play that 150th Test anniversary Test [between Australia and England] in 2027 under lights is complete nonsense.”

“This Ashes Test at the Gabba would be sold out anyway and the notion that they are going to play that 150th Test anniversary Test [between Australia and England] in 2027 under lights is a complete nonsense.”Atherton

The point about whether the Ashes series a day-night Test was brought up by Joe Root this week. For Australia’s players, even those who hold some reservations, it has just become part of the summer. Having a match every season has naturally meant they have been able to adjust.”I mean, would I prefer to play red ball over pink ball? Probably,” Marnus Labuschagne, the leading run-scorer in pink-ball Test cricket, said. “Just because you play it more, you’re used to the colour of the ball. There’s a few intricate things about the pink ball that make it a bit of a different game. But I think as with anything when it first came along everyone was like, no we just want red ball, [but] it’s become something that traditionally Australia have been very good at.”

A bowlers’ game, but not always

Leading into this Test in Brisbane, Stuart Broad, who played in seven day-night Tests was concerned it could become a “lottery.” There has not been a single draw in day-night Test cricket. The average length of a match has been approximately 264 overs. For comparison, the average length of a result red-ball Test in the last ten years has been approximately 300 overs, so the difference isn’t vast. In Australia it narrows even more: 287 overs vs 309.There have been some Tests on the extreme shorter end of the scale: India beat England in two days in Ahmedabad when the spinners proved unstoppable. Root claimed 5 for 8 and Axar Patel skidded the ball through the visitors. As previously mentioned, South Africa dismantled Zimbabwe in quick time in Gqeberha. More recently, West Indies were rolled for 27 by Starc and Scott Boland in Jamaica, a match that used the pink Dukes ball, perhaps for the final time.But for all the focus on the ball in day-night Tests, which now has a black seam rather than a white one, the pitch plays a decisive role and runs have been possible: David Warner and Azhar Ali have scored triple centuries. Naturally, the individual statistics are heavily weighted towards Australians. Labuschagne has made 958 runs at 63.86 with four centuries.Mitchell Starc has 81 wickets with the pink ball at 17.08•Getty Images”I don’t really know why my record has been good against a pink ball, but it’s something that I have enjoyed,” he said. “It’s obviously got its challenges because it provides so much opportunity at different times. You have to change your game, you have to adapt and there’s certain times where there’s a bit of [a lull] and then there’s certain times where the game speeds up.”Starc is the king of the format with the ball having claimed 81 wickets at 17.08 including 6 for 9 in his last outing in Jamaica. There is some irony to that given Starc was strongly opposed to the format when it began, although he has mellowed somewhat these days. “It’s good for the record,” he joked at Sabina Park.”You don’t want to overdo what it is,” he added after the extraordinary haul in his 100th Test. “I think it’s a great product in Adelaide. I think there’s a spot for it. You just look at how it’s been picked up by Adelaide and the public there. It’s certainly a fantastic week to be a part of there when it’s a pink-ball test. It’s not this year. I’m still a traditionalist, so I still very much love the red-ball game. I’ve grown to see a place for it in the calendar.”Alongside the format’s inaugural outing in Adelaide, two of the closest Tests have come at the Gabba. In 2016-17, Pakistan were within touching distance of chasing down a world-record 490 thanks to a magnificent fourth-innings century from Asad Shafiq and a surface that knocked the life out of the ball. Then two seasons ago, West Indies pulled off an eight-run heist when Shamar Joseph tore through Australia.Whether this week’s match can produce a finish to match either of those remains to be seen but, while a decade on Australia remains a bastion for the format, it feels like the prospects of the day-night game being revolutionary for the Test cricket have passed.

Manchester United slung themselves back into the win column with a hard-fought, turnaround win at Selhurst Park on Sunday afternoon.

When Crystal Palace took the lead through Jean-Philippe Mateta’s first-half penalty, there was a sense that Ruben Amorim’s squad would struggle to find the spirit to fight back. But, credit to the manager, his principles and the deepening tactical understanding led to goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount after the interval.

United are eighth in the Premier League after 13 matches, yet trail second-place neighbours Manchester City by only four points.

This is an imperfect and imbalanced team, but one whose potential is starting to be realised. However, Amorim needs to add to his squad depth, for sure, if he is to shape his side into proper contenders.

Man United looking to add depth

Man United have a team filled with quality, but it’s not an expansive pool of talent, and it would be remiss to suggest there aren’t any stragglers.

In midfield, something hasn’t felt quite right from the get-go in Amorim’s system, and now Jason Wilcox and co must look to bring in some new quality.

Well, according to the Mirror’s John Cross, Man United are looking to take advantage of Federico Valverde’s contractual stalemate at Real Madrid and bring him to Old Trafford in 2026.

Los Blancos view their versatile midfielder at £100m, whereas United believe his price tag falls into the £70m ballpark.

With the 27-year-old’s future at Xabi Alonso’s outfit in doubt, this could be the perfect opportunity for INEOS to swoop in and seal a coveted signature.

What Fede Valverde would offer Man United

There’s no question that Casemiro has proved Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher wrong after his infamous rant, but the 33-year-old is surely approaching the twilight of his Premier League career.

With Kobbie Mainoo’s future at the Theatre of Dreams uncertain, United could do a lot worse than packaging their engine room with a player like Valverde who has “world-class technical ability”, as said by journalist Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo.

The Uruguay international splits his time between the centre of the pitch and a right-back berth, and he is immense in both roles. As per FBref, he actually ranks among the top 11% of positional peers for pass completion, the top 19% for progressive carries and the top 20% for successful take-ons per 90.

He is not an anchor, but in La Liga this term, he has won 58% of his duels and averaged 1.6 tackles per game (data via Sofascore), and he is unquestionably among the most physical and tenacious profiles in Spanish football.

Valverde might not be an out-and-out defensive midfielder, but his completeness and dynamism in the centre of the park suggest he could be the perfect partner for a more mobile playmaker beside him.

That’s not to say Valverde isn’t an elite distributor, though, and he might come to be an incredible asset to pair up with a tough-tackling and single-minded number six.

Casemiro has been a dutiful and underrated part of Amorim’s project this season, but he is out of contract at the end of the term and lacking his typical combativeness – this season in the Premier League, he has won just 54% of his ground battles.

Valverde has the range and breadth to be a significant upgrade for a Man United side that just need a few on-the-money additions to become real contenders once again.

Imagine him & Mbeumo: Man Utd submit bid to sign "unbelievable" £53m winger

Man United and INEOS are already preparing a winter bid to strengthen Amorim’s team.

By
Angus Sinclair

Dec 1, 2025

West Ham have reportedly signalled their willingness to sanction the permanent departure of struggling striker Niclas Fullkrug, but a potential return to the Bundesliga withWolfsburg has hit a significant snag due to administrative delays involving incoming sporting director Pirmin Schwegler and the German international's substantial salary package. The delay will have rival clubs across Europe on alert to the situation.

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  The largely forgettable tenure of Fullkrug in London appears to be drawing to a premature close. Having arrived from Borussia Dortmund with a reputation as a traditional, hard-working target man capable of flourishing in the Premier League, the German international has struggled to adapt to the rigours of English football. Hampered by niggling injuries and an inability to fit into the Hammers' tactical system, Fullkrug has found himself on the periphery of the squad.

  However, while West Ham chiefs have reportedly agreed that a sale is the best course of action for all parties in the upcoming transfer window, facilitating his exit is proving far more complex than a simple handshake deal. According to reports from , a return to his homeland is the striker's preferred option, with Wolfsburg said to already be in agreement over a fee with West Ham, but the deal is currently in a state of limbo due to a vacuum in the German club's hierarchy.

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  The Schwegler deadlock

  The primary obstacle preventing an immediate agreement is the current restructuring of Wolfsburg's sporting department. The Bundesliga outfit have identified Schwegler as their new sporting director, a man tasked with overhauling the squad and identifying the necessary reinforcements to climb the table. However, Schwegler is not yet officially in his post.

  The report details that until Schwegler has his feet under the desk and is fully operational in his new role, no major transfer decisions – particularly one as financially significant as signing a German international striker from the Premier League – can be signed off. While the will to complete the transfer exists on both the player's side and, seemingly, from Wolfsburg’s scouting department, the lack of an executive trigger-puller means negotiations cannot advance to the final stage.

  West Ham, eager to recoup a portion of the fee they paid Dortmund and clear Fullkrug's wages from their books to fund their own January business, are reportedly growing impatient with the delay.

• The wage barrier

  Even if Schwegler were to arrive tomorrow, a significant financial hurdle remains: Fullkrug’s salary. Upon moving to the Premier League, the striker secured a lucrative contract reflective of the English top flight's financial dominance. indicates that his current earnings at West Ham are significantly higher than the salary structure currently in place at the Volkswagen Arena.

  Wolfsburg, while backed by corporate owners, operate within a stricter financial framework than their Premier League counterparts. For the move to materialise, a compromise is essential. This would likely require Fullkrug to accept a substantial pay cut to return to the Bundesliga, or for West Ham to agree to a severance package or wage subsidy that makes the numbers work for the German club. As of now, neither solution has been finalised, adding another layer of complexity to the stalling talks.

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  European rivals circling

  This paralysis has not gone unnoticed elsewhere in Europe. While Wolfsburg dither over directors and decimal points, other clubs are monitoring the situation with keen interest. The report highlights that Fullkrug’s availability has alerted teams in the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A.

  In England, there is always a market for a physical striker with international pedigree, and lower-half Premier League clubs looking to survive the drop may view Fullkrug as a gamble worth taking. Meanwhile, interest from Spain and Italy adds an intriguing dimension. La Liga clubs, often in search of a focal point for their attack, and Serie A sides, where the pace of the game might better suit Fullkrug’s style, have reportedly made inquiries.

  For Fullkrug, the priority remains playing football. With the national team setup always in flux, he knows he cannot afford to spend another six months warming the bench at the London Stadium. Whether his escape route leads him back to the Bundesliga under Schwegler’s new regime, or to a fresh adventure in Europe, will likely depend on who can untangle the financial and administrative knots first. For now, West Ham are ready to sell, but the buyer is yet to step forward with a pen in hand.

Rahane, Sarfaraz and Suryakumar’s efforts go in vain; Shami picks up 4 for 13 against Services

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Dec-2025

Samson, Sharafuddeen and Asif propel Kerala

Sanju Samson, Sharafuddeen and KM Asif were the stars as Kerala handed Mumbai their first loss of the season, beating them by 15 runs in Lucknow.Samson, who is back to opening the innings this season, laid the platform with 46 off 28 balls. Vishnu Vinod struggled in the middle and managed only 43 not out off 40 balls, but Sharafuddeen’s unbeaten 35 off 15 took the side to 178 for 5.Sharafuddeen then removed Ayush Mhatre in the first over of the chase but Ajinkya Rahane (32 off 18) and Sarfaraz Khan (52 off 40) kept Mumbai going. By the time Sarfaraz got out, Mumbai needed 80 from eight overs. Suryakumar Yadav brought it down to 31 required from three. But Asif’s three wickets – including Suryakumar’s for 32 off 25 – in the 18th over derailed Mumbai. They needed 18 from the final over with two wickets in hand. Asif took only four balls to wrap up the innings and complete his five-for.File photo: Ayush Badoni had a solid outing with both bat and ball•PTI

Badoni seals Delhi’s win over Karnataka

Ayush Badoni’s 35-ball 53 and 4 for 12, backed up by Priyansh Arya and Tejasvi Dahiya’s fifties, helped Delhi get the better of Karnataka by 45 runs in a high-scoring Group D contest in Ahmedabad. Batting first, Delhi thumped 232 for 3 in their 20 overs. Devdutt Padikkal then hit a 38-ball 62 while R Smaran struck 72 off 38 balls, but with little support from the others, Karnataka were bowled out for 187 in 19.3 overs.Delhi lost opener Yash Dhull in the second over to Vidyadhar Patil but Arya and Badoni forged a 110-run stand in 9.2 overs for the second wicket. Arya struck six sixes and two fours in his 33-ball 62 while Badoni hit four fours and two sixes.When both batters fell within two overs of each other, Karnataka may have sniffed a chance of a comeback, but Dahiya and Nitish Rana gave them none. They added 105 runs for the fifth wicket in just 41 balls. Dahiya hit five sixes and three fours in an unbeaten 19-ball 53 while Rana remained 46 not out.Karnataka lost wickets regularly in the chase. BR Sharath fell in the opening over to Ishant Sharma, while Mayank Agarwal was removed by Digvesh Rathi inside the powerplay. Rathi also picked up Karun Nair as Karnataka slipped to 48 for 3 in seven overs. Smaran and Padikkal gave Karnataka hope with a 76-run stand for the fourth wicket, but once Padikkal fell to Ishant, the end was nigh.Badoni then wrecked the Karnataka middle order, picking up four wickets in two overs. Prince Yadav closed the innings with two wickets, giving Delhi crucial points after their loss against Tripura.File photo: Raj Limbani picked up 3 for 5 in 2.1 overs•ICC/Getty Images

Limbani, Sheth star as Baroda crush Gujarat

Fast bowler Raj Limbani picked up 3 for 5 in 2.1 overs and allrounder Atit Sheth 2 for 14 in three as Baroda crushed Gujarat by eight wickets in Hyderabad. Hardik Pandya also had a decent outing a day after being named in India’s T20I squad to face South Africa, picking up 1 for 16 in four overs, which included a maiden, and scoring 10 off six from No. 3 in the small chase.The match, originally scheduled to take place at the Gymkhana Ground, was relocated to the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium. “Fan turnout, enquiries, and crowd movement exceeded our projections by a huge margin, “a senior organising official told PTI. “To ensure safety and smooth match operations, we decided to shift the match to the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium.”Sent in, Urvil Patel and Aarya Desai added 29 runs for the opening wicket, but it all went downhill thereafter for Gujarat. Hardik removed Urvil for 7 with Desai falling the very next ball to Limbani. Dhrushant Soni was run out, Rasikh Salam removed Saurav Chauhan, and Krunal Pandya too picked up a wicket. Sheth then picked up two lower-order wickets before Limbani had Hemang Patel caught and bowled as Gujarat were bowled out in 14.1 overs.Shashwat Rawat and Vishnu Solanki were quick in the chase, adding 55 runs in just five overs. Hardik struck two fours in his innings, while Rawat remained unbeaten on 30 off 19 to seal Baroda’s chase in 6.4 overs. Legspinner Ravi Bishnoi was the only Gujarat bowler to take a wicket, returning 2 for 26 in 1.4 overs.File photo: Mohammed Shami was named the Player of the Match•Garima Agarwal/CAB

Shami, Akash Deep headline Bengal’s win

Mohammed Shami picked up his second-best T20 haul of 4 for 13 in 3.2 overs, while Akash Deep returned 3 for 27 as Bengal defeated Services by seven wickets in Hyderabad. Sent in, Services were bowled out for 165 in 18.2 overs. Abishek Porel and Abhimanyu Easwaran then struck quick fifties as Bengal got over the line in 15.1 overs.Shami got Gaurav Kochar with the first ball of the game before dismissing Ravi Chauhan for a nine-ball 26 in the third. Akash Deep then got into the act, removing Nitin Tanwar inside the powerplay. Mohit Ahlawat and Vineet Dhankhar added 67 for the fourth wicket but both fell in back-to-back overs. Akash Deep then picked up Pulkit Narang and Sandeep Nishad before Shami ended the innings, adding two more wickets to his tally.Bengal lost opener Karan Lal in the second over, but Porel and Easwaran kept the chase going with a 93-run stand in 50 balls. Porel struck eight fours and two sixes in his 56 off 29 balls, while Easwaran scored 58 off 37. Yuvraj Keswani (36* off 19) and Akash Deep (14* off five) ensured Bengal got over the line with 29 balls to spare.R Sai Kishore steered TN’s innings with a half-century•TNPL/TNCA

Sai Kishore, Jagadeesan wipe Tripura out