Mark Nicholas says club “leaning towards using MCC colours in livery” as part of joint-venture with Silicon Valley investors

Matt Roller14-Feb-2025MCC have discussed renaming London Spirit and having them play in the club’s egg-and-bacon colours with their new Silicon Valley co-owners.MCC will enter into a joint-venture with Cricket Investor Holdings Limited, a consortium of US-based entrepreneurs who have been dubbed the “Tech Titans”, to run the Lord’s-based Hundred franchise from 2026. They were the highest bidders at a three-hour auction on January 31, which eventually valued London Spirit at £295 million, by far the highest of any of the eight Hundred teams.The two parties have been speaking for several months and have extended those discussions over the past two weeks during their period of exclusivity. “We already have a very good understanding of our respective positions on most of the important matters which will govern our partnership,” Mark Nicholas, MCC’s chair, said in a letter to members on Friday.Related

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These have included discussions around the name of the franchise and their royal-blue kits. “Both parties have maintained an open mind on whether or not to continue with the London Spirit name,” Nicholas said. Any changes to team names or kits would not take place until 2026, with this year’s Hundred seen by the ECB as a transitional season.”There are advantages in using the name of the club, MCC; the name of the ground, Lord’s; and the name of our home city, London; the latter may give us the greatest traction as we look to grow the franchise and its brand,” Nicholas said.”Team colours have also been the subject of discussion and we are leaning towards using MCC colours in the livery. On both name and kit, we will take decisions alongside our new partners. It should be pointed out also that these decisions will need ECB approval.”Nikesh Arora, who is leading the consortium, has also hinted at a change of colour scheme. “All decisions will be taken in the interests of the franchise, collectively with our partners at the MCC,” Arora told the BBC. “If the right answer collectively is, ‘Hey, a little more red or a little more yellow might make it more exciting’, then fine: we’ll have a little more red and a little more yellow.”Nicholas reiterated MCC’s intention to retain their 51% stake in the franchise, and said that four of the team’s seven board members would be MCC-appointed directors, one of whom is likely to be incoming chief executive Robert Lawson.

An “exciting” attacker now wants to join Crystal Palace, despite interest from rival Premier League clubs, as he is keen to play under Oliver Glasner, according to a report.

Palace looking to sign Eze replacement

Despite featuring in Palace’s Premier League opener against Chelsea on Sunday, it appears as though Eberechi Eze’s time at Selhurst Park is coming to an end, having made it clear he wants to join Tottenham Hotspur.

As such, the Eagles are now looking to sign a replacement for their talisman, who controversially had a free-kick ruled out by VAR in what could be his final appearance for the club.

Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss, who is valued at £20m+, has emerged as one of the main targets to replace Eze, but there is set to be competition for his signature, with West Ham United and Newcastle United also named as potential suitors.

However, there has now been a positive update on Crystal Palace’s pursuit of El Khannouss, with it being revealed the attacking midfielder wants to move to Selhurst Park, despite interest from elsewhere.

The Belgium-born attacker is attracted by the prospect of playing under Glasner, and positive talks have now been held over a deal.

Transfer expert Graeme Bailey also added: “I am told that El Khannouss has been considering his options and they are plentiful – varying from England, Europe and Saudi Arabia. However, Palace sources are very happy with how talks have gone, and they like the player.”

El Khannouss could be "exciting" Eze replacement

Prior to his move to Leicester, the Moroccan received very high praise from scout Jacek Kulig, who described the youngster as “one of the most exciting young advanced playmakers in world football”.

Crystal Palace receive reply to £27.6m bid for 21-goal star

He would be a big-money signing at Selhurst Park.

BySean Markus Clifford Aug 19, 2025

Despite his talent, the starlet was unable to lead the Foxes to safety last season, but he is still very young at 21-years-old, and some of the Leicester ace’s performances last season indicate he could flourish in a better side.

Perhaps most notably, the maestro impressed Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola last December, saying: “He (Guardiola) said he was impressed by my play today. I am not. I know myself and this is the player I can be. I have to show that every week now.”

El Khannouss has gotten off to a fantastic start to the Championship campaign, picking up two assists in two games, but given his potential, the 22-time Morocco international belongs in the Premier League, and he could be a fantastic long-term replacement for Eze.

Four of the six bowlers that KKR used went at over 12 an over

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Apr-20252:01

What has worked for Mitchell Marsh this season?

Mitchell Marsh’s fourth fifty of IPL 2025 and Nicholas Pooran’s 36-ball 87 took Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to 238, their second-highest total in the league. Marsh and Pooran launched from the base Aiden Markram had set for LSG with his 28-ball 47. Four of the six bowlers that KKR used went at over 12 an over.Marsh and Markram put on 99, the highest opening partnership in this season so far. They added 59 off the first six with 46 coming off three overs from one end and 13 off the other. The duo took left-arm quick Spencer Johnson for three fours and two sixes, most of them through the leg side, which had the shorter boundary.Narine’s introduction after the powerplay didn’t stop the openers from attacking. Marsh first swept a length ball off the stumps and then rocked back to punish a short, wide ball over cover. A similar shot yielded another boundary in Narine’s following over. Varun Chakravarthy bowled a cheap over in between and decided to bowl around the wicket.After KKR went back to their pacers, Harshit Rana removed Markram with a sharp offcutter. LSG, though, whacked six fours and a six in the following three overs. Varun’s final over went for two sixes, the first a slash from Pooran over the short boundary at cover and then a straight hit from Marsh. Angkrish Raghuvanshi replaced Varun as the Impact Player at the end of the 14th over, with LSG on 154 for 1.Pooran’s six-hitting then took centerstage as he whacked two off Narine and one off Russell. Two more off Harshit brought up a 21-ball fifty.Though Russell had Marsh hole out, Pooran kept going. With the platform set, LSG promoted finishers Abdul Samad and David Miller above captain Rishabh Pant. Russell bowled the 18th of the over to Pooran and conceded 24, the most expensive of the innings. Pooran picked Vaibhav Arora away for a four in the final over and remained unbeaten.

With Manchester City set to host Manchester United in the 197th Manchester derby on Sunday, we’ve taken a look at who could come out on top, the likely line-ups and injury concerns for both sides heading into the all-important affair.

Man City vs Man Utd team news

Starting with Man City, to say that it’s been a frustrating international break would be an understatement. The Citizens have come back with further injury woes and now have as many as 10 players on the treatment table. Given that Pep Guardiola’s side have just suffered back-to-back defeats at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton, it’s the last thing that they needed.

Guardiola spoke about his side’s injury woes in his pre-match press conference, saying: “Omar is injured from Egypt [international duty]. John Stones as well is a doubt. [It’s] not a big issue, but he’s a doubt for Sunday. Rayan Cherki [is also injured] but the rest are fine.”

The Spaniard confirmed that Omar Mamoush will be out for a number of weeks alongside Rayan Ait-Nouri, whilst Stones and Cherki are also doubts to face Man United this weekend. There could, however, be a debut for Gianluigi Donnarumma.

In the red corner, meanwhile, things aren’t much better on the injury front. Ruben Amorim confirmed that Matheus Cunha, Mason Mount and Diogo Dalot are all unavailable after taking knocks before and during the international break, handing his side a frustrating blow.

The Man United boss told reporters: “I think they are out for this game. I don’t know how long it is going to take. We need those players to be a very, very competitive team, but we have very good players that are eager to play, so we will be competitive on Sunday, but they are out, they cannot help us in this game.”

The Portuguese manager also remained coy when asked about a potential debut for Senne Lammens, which means that Altay Bayindir could get one last chance to impress.

Man City predicted line-up (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Nunes; Dias; Ake; Gvardiol; Rodri; Reijnders; Silva; Bobb; Haaland; Doku

Man United predicted line-up (3-4-2-1): Bayindir; Yoro; De Ligt; Shaw; Amad; Mainoo; Casemiro; Dorgu; Mbeumo, Fernandes; Sesko

Man City vs Man Utd recent results

The Manchester derby is never an easy one to predict. For all of Man City’s Premier League dominance across the last six years, they’ve not been without games to forget against their local rivals. And that proved to be the case last season.

Even as Amorim’s side stumbled to a woeful bottom-half finish, they managed to take three points at The Etihad in dramatic fashion – scoring twice in the final two minutes to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Man Utd 0-0 Man City

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Man City 1-2 Man Utd

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Man City 1-1 Man Utd (7-6 penalties)

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Man City 1-2 Man Utd

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Man City 3-1 Man Utd

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What instantly stands out about recent meetings is Man United’s record. The Red Devils have lost just once in five games in normal time against their rivals and will be looking to go five games unbeaten this weekend.

Coming into the game, form would suggest that Man United should actually have the edge. Amorim’s side entered the international break off the back of a last-gasp 3-2 win against Burnley, whilst Man City entered off the back of two defeats in three games.

Man City vs Man Utd predictions and odds

Although recent form says different, the bookies have got Man City as favourites heading into the Manchester derby. At 8/11, the Citizens are being backed to secure their first victory for a month and their first win over their rivals in over a year. Man United, meanwhile, are priced at 10/3 to shock Guardiola and co. at The Etihad once again and a draw sits at 14/5.

Both sides could do with victory here, that is undeniable. A victory for Man United would be a much-needed statement after their nervy showing against Burnley and Carabao Cup upset at the hands of Grimsby.

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As for Man City, they could go without a win in three Premier League games in something that is almost unheard of for Guardiola. In an unpredictable affair, goals and drama can be expected as Manchester rivals clash for the 197th time.

Prediction: Man City 2-2 Man United

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya won the toss at the team’s first home game of IPL 2025 and chose to bowl against Kolkata Knight Riders.There were three changes to the XI that lost the last game to Gujarat Titans with allrounder Will Jacks, left-arm wristspinner Vignesh Puthur and uncapped left-arm seamer Ashwani Kumar coming into the line-up. Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Satyanarayana Raju were left out of the bowling first XI, and with Rohit Sharma likely to come in as the Impact Player for the chase, it means Robin Minz will miss the game as well.Kumar, 23, has played four T20s for Punjab picking up two wickets at an economy rate of 8.50.KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane confirmed Sunil Narine had recovered from the illness which kept him out of the previous game against Rajasthan Royals. As a result, Moeen Ali missed out. KKR are likely to bring in Vaibhav Arora when they bowl second.Rahane, who plays for Mumbai in domestic cricket, said he was “confused” by the pitch, since it had a little grass on it, and thought it was a good toss to lose.Mumbai are still searching for their first win of IPL 2025, having lost away games to Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans.Kolkata Knight Riders batting-first XI 1 Sunil Narine, 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Ajinkya Rahane (capt), 4 Venkatesh Iyer, 5 Rinku Singh, 6 Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 7 Andre Russell, 8 Ramandeep Singh, 9 Spencer Johnson, 10 Harshit Rana, 11 Varun ChakravarthyKKR’s Impact Player options: Anrich Nortje, Manish Pandey, Vaibhav Arora, Anukul Roy, Luvnith Sisodia.Mumbai Indians bowling-first XI: 1 Ryan Rickelton (wk), 2 Will Jacks, 3 Suryakumar Yadav, 4 Tilak Varma, 5 Hardik Pandya (capt), 6 Naman Dhir, 7 Mitchell Santner, 8 Deepak Chahar, 9 Trent Boult, 10 Ashwani Kumar, 11 Vignesh PuthurMI’s Impact Player options: Rohit Sharma, Corbin Bosch, Raj Bawa, Robin Minz, Satyanarayana Raju

كشفت تقارير صحفية أن قطبي الدوري الإسباني برشلونة وريال مدريد يتنافسان على التعاقد مع أحد نجوم منتخب المغرب للشباب بعد تألقه في بطولة كأس العالم تحت 20 عامًا في تشيلي.

وخاض منتخب المغرب نهائي كأس العالم للشباب، فجر يوم الإثنين الماضي، ضد الأرجنتين حيث حقق فوزًا بهدفين دون رد، ليحقق بطولة تاريخية.

وذكرت شبكة “ديفينسا سنترال” الإسبانية أن لاعب واتفورد، عثمان معما، نال اهتمامًا من جانب نادي ريال مدريد بعد أدائه المميز في بطولة كأس العالم للشباب رفقة منتخب المغرب.

وأوضحت أن الانطباعات الداخلية في ريال مدريد بشأن معما كانت إيجابية للغاية، مع العلم أن قوته، سرعته، جودة مراوغته وتمركزه في الجناح الأيمن، دفعت كشافي النادي الملكي إلى الاهتمام به والتفكير به مستقبلًا.

وسيجمع رئيس قسم الكشافة في ريال مدريد، جوني كالافات، معلومات خلال الموسم لتحديد ما إذا كان معما يلبي التوقعات بالنظر إلى المستوى الذي سيقدمه مع واتفورد، وإذا نجح في ذلك، سيكون مؤشرًا قويًا على إمكانية التعاقد معه في المستقبل.

اقرأ أيضًا.. أول رد فعل من ميسي على خسارة الأرجنتين أمام المغرب في نهائي كأس العالم للشباب

وتعاقد واتفورد مع معما مقابل 1.3 مليون جنيه إسترليني ذلك الصيف، ولكنه لم يشارك بعد في أي مباراة في تشامبيونشيب ذلك الموسم، مع العلم أنه يمتلك عقدًا حتى 2029.

ومن المتوقع أن يرتفع سعر معما بعد أدائه المميز في كأس العالم للأندية، كما ستزداد فرصه في الحصول على فرص للعب المنتظم مع واتفورد، ولذلك يراقبه ريال مدريد بحذر، مع العلم أنه يُذكره ببدايات كريستيانو رونالدو.

كما ذكرت شبكة “Fichajes” الإسبانية أن مسؤولي برشلونة يراقبون عثمان معما، مع قدرته على اللعب علي أي من الجناحين، ونال اهتمامًا من جانب بطل الدوري الإسباني بأدائه في مونديال الشباب حيث سجل هدفًا وصنع 4 في 6 مباريات.

وأوضحت أنه بعد انطلاقته، أصبح معما محط اهتمام برشلونة الذي يتطلع إلى الاستفادة من موهبته قبل ارتفاع قيمته التسويقية.

Gian Piero Gasperini was left astonished as AS Roma missed three penalties in a row and went down 1-0 against Lille in the Europa League on Thursday. The incident happened after Roma were awarded a penalty. Artem Dovbyk had to take his penalty twice after Berke Ozer came out of his line to stop both efforts. Finally, Matias Soule took the spot-kick in the third attempt and Ozer once again saved.

• Roma go down after missing three penalties in a row

  Lille took an early lead in the sixth minute of the match through Hakon Arnar Haraldsson's strike, which proved enough for the French side to seal crucial three points in an away fixture. Roma had the opportunity to restore parity in the 82nd minute when they were handed a penalty. However, Lille custodian Ozer made back-to-back three saves to keep the scoreline unchanged. 

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• AFP
  

  Gasperini left astonished

  Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, the AS Roma boss said: "It had never happened to me before to miss three penalties in the same situation. We went behind early, which gave them the best conditions. Roma, despite some technical errors, played with desire and rhythm until the end. Maybe we weren’t strong in taking advantage of the chances but from these games you come out with something more. It was almost unique and accidental. But it happened and undoubtedly compromised the result. The team, in terms of spirit, gave a lot."

• 'We must make fewer mistakes'

  On Roma's overall performance in the game, Gasperini added: "In the second half we had continuity in attack. They are fast and technical, it wasn’t easy, but we had spirit and intensity. Of course we must make fewer mistakes but I have to look at the good things too. This is a competition where there are eight games, not a direct elimination and the team stayed focused until the end. We are sportsmen. Mistakes happen, but there is no such thing as getting discouraged. Luckily we play every three days, so we move on quickly."

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• AFP
  

  Roma made a bright start under Gasperini

  The former Europa League-winning Atalanta boss took charge of AS Roma this summer and so far under his tutelage, the Italian side has made a bright start to their 2025-26 campaign, as they have won four out of their first five Serie A games. The loss against Lille was only the club's second defeat in the new season.

The Lewis family have been tipped to pump more money into Tottenham, following the shock departure of ex-chairman Daniel Levy last week, and these funds could be put towards their recruitment plans.

That is according to Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol, who shared news on a live broadcast that ENIC are planning a cash injection.

Levy helped to transform the Lilywhites into one of world football’s highest-revenue generating clubs over his 24-year tenure running the club, with Tottenham also moving to their state-of-the-art new stadium to seriously bolster their commercial appeal off the field.

Real Madrid

£1.2 billion

Man City

£727 million

PSG

£700 million

Man United

£668 million

Bayern Munich

£664 million

FC Barcelona

£659.5 million

Arsenal

£621.5 million

Liverpool

£620 million

Tottenham Hotspur

£533 million

Chelsea

£474 million

However, Levy attracted criticism for a perceived lack of transfer spending compared to Spurs’ Premier League rivals, and this was undoubtedly a factor in them winning just two major trophies since 2001.

Thomas Frank could now be backed by the ENIC and the Lewis family as CEO Vinai Vinkatesham, who is set for a more hands-on role after Levy’s departure, aims to deliver more success.

Tottenham signed an array of star players during the last window under Levy, with Mohammed Kudus, Joao Palhinha, Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani chief among them.

The latter two are poised to make their Premier League debuts against West Ham in a crunch London derby clash this weekend, and according to ex-Levy employee Bryan King, ex-Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher could be a target to watch out for in this post-Levy era.

Tottenham tipped to sign Conor Gallagher in £45 million deal

They’ll have to wait until January, but King believes that Tottenham signing Gallagher from Atlético Madrid is a very realistic proposition.

As uncertainty continues to surround Yves Bissouma’s future, Gallagher could come as an excellent replacement for the Mali international who has fallen out of favour with Frank.

The England international can play as an attacking midfielder when required, known for his excellent ball-winning ability, energy and tenacity in the middle of the park, and would help to fill Tottenham’s ‘locally trained’ quota for European competitions.

The only caveat is whether Gallagher, given his Chelsea roots, would want to swap Diego Simeone’s side for an ex-rival.

If he decides that is worth the move back to London, Frank would undoubtedly be securing a real asset, and one who Moises Caicedo has called a “machine”.

Strong showing on opening day of campaign puts new-look Warwickshire attack on back foot

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay04-Apr-2025

Tom Clark raises his bat on reaching a century•Getty Images

Sussex 386 for 5 (Clark 140, Simpson 116*, Coles 51) vs Warwickshire Centuries by Tom Clark and John Simpson ensured that Sussex returned to the Rothesay County Championship Division One with a strong day’s work against Warwickshire at Edgbaston.Clark struck an accomplished 140 (279 balls) and Simpson an assertive unbeaten 116 (142) in a partnership of 200 in 44 overs as Sussex recovered from 40 for three to close on 386 for five.Three early wickets for debutant Ethan Bamber appeared to vindicate Warwickshire’s decision to bowl first, but thereafter it was a struggle for an attack missing injured first-choice opening bowlers Olly Hannon-Dalby and Chris Rushworth.Clark and Simpson took full advantage to post their fourth and 16th first-class centuries respectively.Warwickshire, their squad in deep transition, started the season with four debutants – Bamber, Vishwa Fernando, Tazeem Ali and Kai Smith – and two of the newcomers opened the bowling to very different effect. Fernando went for three fours in his first over of a fruitless spell but Bamber unfurled an excellent opening burst of 7-5-8-3. The former Middlesex all-rounder trapped Tom Haines lbw, playing across the line, then removed Daniel Hughes and Tom Alsop with successive balls. Hughes copped an arguable lbw decision before Alsop edged an outswinger to Rob Yates at second slip.The brittle foundation of 40 for three was diligently shored up by a stand of 121 in 37 overs between Clark and James Coles (51, 102). The latter played fluently to be first to his half-century but then rather gave it away when he skied an ill-judged leg-side swipe at Tazeem to give the 18-year-old leg-spinner his first championship wicket.Any hopes the sizeable home crowd harboured of another Sussex clatter proved ill-founded. Instead, Simpson joined Clark to make it back-to-back century stands.Sussex skipper Simpson enjoyed a superb first season at Hove last year, averaging 74.81 with the bat in the championship, and resumed in the same vein as he breezed to a 58-ball half-century. Clark, meanwhile, concentrated implacably and reached his fourth first class century, from 223 balls, with his 15th four, cut off a short delivery from Dan Mousley.On a pitch offering little assistance for the bowlers, the limitations of Warwickshire’s injury-hit attack became clear as the fifth-wicket pair’s partnership passed 150. The depleted nature of that attack does raise a question mark over Warwickshire’s decision to bowl first, though that decision might have a bit to do with the recent history of Edgbaston pitches to flatten out as the match goes on, making wickets even harder to acquire.Clark perished six overs before the close when he edged Ed Barnard behind but in the next over Simpson followed him to three figures, becoming the first Sussex player ever to reach a first class century with a three to backward point on a Friday in Birmingham. Sussex’s return to Division One has been highly encouraging.

Antonio Mohamed said Toluca were hungry to lift the Campeones Cup and the Diablos Rojos delivered on his words in a thrilling 3-2 win over the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park. Despite Gabriel Pec’s 84th-minute strike giving LA Galaxy the lead and a disallowed Paulinho goal earlier, Mohamed’s side dominated the second half and ultimately saw justice served on the field.

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While LA were underdogs against the Liga MX champions, they got off to a strong start. Diego Fagúndez put the Galaxy ahead in the 37th minute, converting from the spot after Gabriel Pec was brought down by Jesús Gallardo in a controversial call from referee Iván Barton. Fagúndez has now recorded a goal or an assist in four straight matches for Greg Vanney’s side. 

Tensions boiled over just before halftime, leading to the dismissal of Toluca head coach Antonio Mohamed for dissent as the teams headed into the break.

pressed early in the second half and quickly found an equalizer through Nico Castro, whose long-range strike in the 53rd minute clipped the post on its way past Novak Micovic. In the 78th minute, Paulinho appeared to give Toluca a 2-1 lead with a headed finish from a set piece, but the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.

Toluca were still reeling from the disallowed goal when the Galaxy struck what looked like the winner in the 83rd minute. Pec, capping off an outstanding performance, beat Hugo González to put his team ahead. But before the clock hit 90 minutes, Franco Romero silenced Dignity Health Sports Park by smashing home a rebound from a set piece in the 88th to make it 2-2.

The match seemed destined for extra time, but Toluca dashed LA’s hopes in the 90+3rd minute. Uruguayan defender Federico Pereira rose to head home a corner, delivering a dramatic 3-2 victory and the championship. Tempers flared at the final whistle but didn’t escalate beyond some shoving.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportDID YOU KNOW?

For Toluca, it marked their first Campeones Cup title and the fourth overall for a Liga MX side, joining Tigres (twice) and Club América as previous Mexican winners.

Getty Images SportTHE MVP

Federico Pereira rose as the game’s MVP, delivering the decisive blow in stoppage time to hand Toluca a dramatic victory and complete the treble. With his late winner, he secured a historic run for , who now add the Campeones Cup to their Liga MX and Campeón de Campeones titles.

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Getty Images SportTHE BIG LOSER

Manager Greg Vanney had admitted in his pre-match press conference that winning the Campeones Cup could help salvage what has been a disappointing MLS campaign, with Galaxy sitting bottom of the Western Conference. But that didn’t happen. The defeat puts Vanney back on the hot seat, as LA have had a disappointing title defense this season. The team is already eliminated from the playoffs and sits last in the Western Conference.