Leeds United need to pick up wins in the Premier League, and fast.

The Whites’ clash with Nottingham Forest this weekend already feels like a pivotal clash when judging their campaign’s narrative so far, with another defeat pushing them closer to the relegation zone, after stumbling to a horrible 3-0 loss against Brighton and Hove Albion.

If the defeats keep piling up, Leeds could dismiss Daniel Farke, even after all his promotion heroics, with Liam Rosenior allegedly already being looked at as one possible replacement.

He can save his skin for another day if he steers Leeds to a victory at the City Ground, with the German surely tempted to drop Brenden Aaronson for this vital showdown, who is struggling to hit consistent form in the Premier League.

Aaronson's ongoing Premier League struggles

If you sat someone down and played them Aaronson’s highlight reel from Leeds’ recent 2-1 home success against West Ham United in isolation, they would surely think the American was a well-established Premier League star.

Indeed, Aaronson put in a man-of-the-match-worthy showing against Nuno Espirito Santo’s men, as a rare top-flight goal came his way.

On top of that, he also won eight ground duels, completed all three of his dribbles, and notched up two key passes for his troubles. Safe to say, he was a thorn in West Ham’s side all night long.

That’s what makes his no-show performance against Brighton the match directly after his West Ham display so much more bewildering, as Aaronson receded into his shell with zero shots or zero dribbles registered.

However, to the hardened Leeds regulars, this isn’t the greatest shock to see such a notable dip in form, with ex-Leeds player Jon Newsome once calling out Aaronson for being “lightweight” when occasionally ducking away from challenges and tussles.

Also said to not be “good enough” to be a regular at the top level by Newsome, which is backed up by that meagre one goal being his only meaningful goal contribution so far this season, he could be dropped for Leeds’ next crunch tie against Sean Dyche’s Tricky Trees.

Games played

46

Minutes played

3024 mins

Goals scored

3

Assists

2

Regularly falling victim to goalless displays in the EFL, too, Aaronson now looks to be on borrowed time as a Premier League must for Farke.

He isn’t the only figure who massively underwhelmed at the Amex, though.

Once "indispensable" Leeds star is also on borrowed time

Unfortunately, the cruel beast of the top division is sometimes a hard one to adjust to.

Thankfully, Joe Rodon has taken to his new, daunting environment well, after being in Farke’s XI week in, week out in the Championship, with two goals already collected. Fellow Welshman, Ethan Ampadu, on the other hand, has been up and down so far since promotion was sealed.

The Leeds captain is, arguably, a victim of his own success in Farke’s current set-up, with Ampadu judged as an “indispensable” part of Leeds’ midfield when promotion was being eyed up, according to talent scout Jacek Kulig.

His numbers back that up, too, with the Wales international making 4.4 ball recoveries and winning 5.1 duels on average last season, when injuries weren’t stopping him in his tracks. Rodon would manage just 4.0 and 4.3, on the contrary.

Yet, even such a well-recognised part of the German’s lineup is prone to an off-display here and there, too, as the former Chelsea man experienced away at the Seagulls.

Ampadu would only win 50% of his duels against Fabian Hurzeler’s men, with the Brighton boss perhaps even enraged that Ampadu wasn’t sent off when taking out two-goal sensation Diego Gomez in the second half, as the usually assured presence of the number four was nowhere to be seen.

With Anton Stach now at the ex-Norwich City manager’s disposal, who has won 4.7 duels this season in the Premier League – which trumps Ampadu’s own count of 4.4 – Farke might be prepared to drop Ampadu here and there for other midfield stars to shine.

After all, with his poor injury record also seeing him miss three games this season already, it’s clear that this depth will need to be utilised, with Ampadu arguably not one of the first names on the teamsheet, like he used to be.

Rarely-seen Leeds talent could be a surprise Aaronson replacement

Daniel Farke could soon surprisingly throw this Leeds United academy gem into the first team.

1 ByKelan Sarson Nov 4, 2025

Ellie Anderson three-for trumps Kate Cross’ hard-fought fifty for hosts

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay04-Sep-2025An impressive bowling display set Somerset up for an entertaining five-wicket DLS victory against high-flying Lancashire at Emirates Old Trafford as they boosted their Metro Bank One-Day Cup semi-finals hopes.Sixth-placed Somerset restricted their second-placed hosts to 169 for nine from 44 overs and chased a revised 164 from the same allocation inside 35 for a bonus point.Ellie Anderson’s seam accounted for three wickets and Amanda-Jade Wellington’s leg-spin two before Niamh Holland and unbeaten Dani Gibson contributed 44 apiece to help secure a fifth win in 11 games. Wellington also added a steadying 25 not out to cap her impressive day.Inserted, Lancashire had been put under early pressure at 69 for seven inside 24 overs before England seamer Kate Cross’s composed 51 off 58 balls led a fightback which ultimately failed to prevent a fourth defeat in 11.Both sides maintained the group-table positions they held at the start of the day.This fixture was interrupted for just over an-hour-and-a-half by rain from 1.10pm onwards.The Red Rose made a disastrous start on an overcast and damp Manchester morning.Anderson – three for 44 from 10 overs – did the early damage with three of the first four wickets, including Ireland overseas batter Gaby Lewis superbly caught low down at cover by Holland for a debut eight.She also bowled Seren Smale and had Fi Morris caught at backward point following a sliced drive. The 21-year-old was bowling from the end named after her fellow Anderson, Sir James.Somerset let a few catches go begging, but none were too damaging.Australian Wellington’s spin then further tightened the screw.She had Ailsa Lister caught behind and a sweeping home captain Ellie Threlkeld caught at short fine-leg, finishing with an excellent two for 19 from 10 overs.But Cross and fellow England fast bowler Mahika Gaur calmly settled the ship with their side’s highest eighth-wicket partnership in List A cricket since the start of the professional era in 2020, including regional Thunder matches.Gaur contributed a determined career best 20, while Cross was more expansive. She was particularly strong against spin in hitting nine fours.It has been a bittersweet few weeks for Cross having been left out of England’s squad for the forthcoming World Cup before – on Sunday – winning the Hundred with the Northern Superchargers.Just after Gaur miscued the left-arm spin of Olivia Barnes to cover – 141 for eight in the 39th over – the rain came.Cross reached her fifty off 57 balls shortly after the resumption before heaving Mollie Robbins’ seam to deep midwicket. Robbins claimed the first and last wickets of the innings.Somerset made a stress-free start to their chase, with Holland and Bex Odgers sharing 64 inside 14 overs for the first wicket.The latter contributed 24 before falling lbw on the reverse sweep to the spin of Hannah Jones.And that was the start of a collapse which threatened their victory as the score slipped from 64 for none to 109 for five.Holland was caught behind off the seam of Danni Collins – 82 for two in the 19th over – before Fran Wilson and captain Sophie Luff both fell cheaply. Cross bowled the latter.But Gibson and Wellington steadied the ship and saw their side home by sharing 58 unbroken. Gibson hit four fours and a six in 36 balls.In the semi-finals race, Somerset are three points behind fourth-placed Surrey with three games remaining. Lancashire, meanwhile, are five points clear of Durham in fifth.

The San Diego Padres topped the Los Angeles Dodgers, 6–5, in Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Tuesday night, putting the boys in blue on the brink of elimination.

The game featured several big swings, three huge home runs, two lights-out bullpens and an atmosphere as charged as you'll see in the MLB playoffs. This emerging rivalry never fails to live up to the hype.

There were several takeaways worth examining ahead of Game 4.

Padres bullpen picks up Michael King

The Padres likely expected more from Game 3 starter King, but no matter, their bullpen was up to the task of covering for him.

King lasted five innings and allowed five runs on five hits and a walk, and only managed three strikeouts while nearly coughing up a 6–1 lead. It was a far cry from his first postseason start last week against the Atlanta Braves when he fired seven shutout innings and racked up 12 strikeouts. On Tuesday night, San Diego's relievers picked up the slack.

Jeremiah Estrada, Jason Adam, Tanner Scott and Robert Suárez combined to throw four innings of one-hit ball while striking out six and walking none. Suárez earned a four-out save after entering with two outs in the eighth and promptly retiring Teoscar Hernández on a popout. In the ninth, he struck out Max Muncy, got a groundout from Will Smith, then K'd Gavin Lux to end the game.

This is the kind of performance Padres general manager A.J. Preller had in mind when he paid a hefty price to acquire Adam and Scott at the trade deadline.

Dodgers responded well to deep deficit

San Diego jumped all over L.A. starter Walker Buehler in the second inning, plating six runs, racing to a 6–1 lead and sending Petco Park into a frenzy. Given their recent history of playoff flops, the Dodgers could have folded up the tent and saved their best effort for Game 4, but they didn't do that.

Right after San Diego's scoring outburst, L.A. opened the top of the third with consecutive singles from Miguel Rojas, Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts to load the bases with no outs. After Freddie Freeman lined out to left field, Hernández blasted King's 1–2 sweeper over the center field wall. That made it 6–5 and completely changed the nature of the game.

The Dodgers didn't mount much offense after that, however. King settled in a bit and the Padres' bullpen stepped up to finish things off. But Los Angeles didn't quit when it could have. Expect the Dodgers to come out fighting in Game 4.

Fernando Tatis Jr. is still a superstar

In case you had written him off at some point over the last couple of years, Tatis is still one of the best baseball players on the planet. He connected on an 0–2 fastball from Buehler (who did not locate his heater high enough in this instance) and blasted it over the left field wall for a two-run homer to polish off San Diego’s six-run second inning.

This is Tatis's first taste of real playoff action as he was suspended for San Diego's 2022 run to the NLCS and he played in front of mostly empty stadiums during the 2020 postseason. It's safe to say he's enjoying the big stage.

This postseason Tatis is 10-for-18 with four home runs, seven RBIs, two doubles and three walks. He's batting .556 with a .636 on-base percentage and a 1.333 slugging percentage for an absurd 1.970 OPS. That's the highest ever in a single postseason (minimum 20 plate appearances).

It gets better. In 11 career postseason games, Tatis has six home runs, 12 RBIs, four doubles and eight walks against seven strikeouts. In those games he's slashing .425/.531/.975. His 1.506 OPS is the fourth highest in MLB history through 11 playoff games.

Over the last few seasons, Tatis has dealt with injuries, a position switch and a PED suspension. That may have pushed him out of some people's minds. He has spent this postseason reminding fans who he is.

This rivalry keeps living up to the billing

The Dodgers and Padres don't like each other very much and that has been proven on many occasions over the years. What’s also been proven since the Padres’ recent rise is the two teams often play outstanding, exciting, eventful games against each other. Tuesday night was no exception.

There have been huge moments over the last few years, with players sniping at each other, managers being petty and sending messages through press conferences—and also some dang good baseball games.

The year-in, year-out duel between these two franchises has become the best theater MLB has to offer over the past few seasons. It has become the game's best rivalry west of the Mississippi—maybe the best rivalry, period. Luckily for fans, it just keeps getting better.

Petco Park is an unreal big game atmosphere

On Tuesday night a record 47,744 fans turned Petco Park into as loud and rowdy of an atmosphere as you'll find anywhere in baseball. It was absolutely electric.

The fans booed the visiting Dodgers mercilessly, broke out a deafening "Beat L.A.” chant, erupted in euphoria during big moments and sang along as Blink-182's Tom DeLonge led them in a chorus of "All the Small Things."

Any questions about San Diego's status as a sports city should be put to rest. Petco is rocking this postseason.

West Ham have now reached out to a striker ahead of the January window with injury-prone flop Niclas Füllkrug vying for the London Stadium exit door, according to a new report.

Fullkrug’s time at West Ham has been marked more by injury woes than by impact on the pitch, as persistent fitness problems have severely limited his ability to deliver the goals West Ham hoped for when they signed him.

Arriving with high expectations as a striker capable of adding much-needed firepower, especially after 16 goals in all competitions during his last season at Borussia Dortmund, Fullkrug’s tenure has been marred by repeated setbacks.

The 32-year-old, who cost West Ham chair David Sullivan and co around £27 million to sign in the summer of 2024, missed a combined 28 games for club and country last term through injury.

Niclas Füllkrug’s missed games for West Ham and Germany — 2024/2025

Injury

Missing from

Missing until

Games missed

Achilles tendon

08/09/2024

02/12/2024

16

Hamstring injury

11/01/2025

01/04/2025

12

It’s led to critics like Gabriel Agbonlahor and many others questioning West Ham’s strange decision to invest that much money in a 30-plus-year-old forward with a history of physical problems.

Luckily for Nuno Espírito Santo, reliable club insider ExWHUemployee has claimed that Fullkrug is due to return after the next international break and is actually ahead of schedule in his recovery.

However, the injuries have come far too frequently for West Ham’s liking, with Nuno left to pick up the pieces recently.

The Portuguese went with Lucas Paqueta as a false nine to cover Fullkrug in West Ham’s Premier League defeats against Brentford and Leeds, but Callum Wilson was given the starting spot for their 3-1 win against Newcastle last weekend.

Insiders suggest that Nuno actually doesn’t fancy Wilson at West Ham, but he’s left with little choice to select him as their only natural striker bar inexperienced youngster Callum Marshall.

West Ham’s shortage of striker options has led to credible reports that they’re in the market for another centre-forward in January, as well as a defender and midfielder (Sky Sports).

West Ham sound out Ivan Toney with Niclas Füllkrug 'determined' to leave

Now, according to TEAMtalk, there’s been an update on their pursuit of Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney.

Journalist Alan Nixon has previously reported that West Ham have done some work on a deal for Toney ahead of January, with the Hammers still apparently in contention.

The 29-year-old, who’s poised for a tough battle to get into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad ahead of next summer’s World Cup, has been largely excluded from the Three Lions set up since his move to Saudi Arabia.

Toney’s only been called up just once in that time, and with USA 2026 looming, he could well be tempted by the prospect of a return to Britain.

Al-Ahli want around £30 million to part ways permanently in the winter, but it is an asking price nobody is willing to pay right now, so the most likely solution is a loan to buy.

Even then, the Irons would have to find a way around his sky-high wages, with Toney earning north of £400,000-per-week in the Gulf.

Nevertheless, TEAMtalk state that West Ham have sounded out Toney about a potential January move, but they’re not alone, with Tottenham and Everton also circling.

All of this comes with Fullkrug described as ‘determined’ to leave the club mid-season, following what’s been a nightmare one-and-a-half year stay thus far. It is added that Nuno personally sees Toney as a “proven goal threat to ignite their season”.

According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Fullkrug has already informed West Ham of his decision to leave, so the signing of a striker is definitely one to watch in January.

Sufyan Yousuf, Zikria Islam, Faisal Shah and Nadeem Khan are the uncapped players in the 17-man squad to be led by Jatinder Singh

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Aug-2025

Oman have named as many as four uncapped players for their maiden Asia Cup appearance next month. Sufyan Yousuf, Zikria Islam, Faisal Shah and Nadeem Khan are the uncapped players in the 17-man squad which will be led by experienced opener Jatinder Singh.”It is real that we are participating in the Asia Cup – a major tournament and a fantastic opportunity for our players to showcase their skills on a global stage,” Oman head coach Duleep Mendis said while looking ahead to their first Asia Cup. “Playing against teams like India and Pakistan is a moment to embrace for any cricketer. Anything can happen in a fast-paced T20 game, where one over of brilliance can change everything.”Our build-up has been strong, with the ongoing National T20 tournament providing competitive exposure, and our training sessions have been intense and focused. It’s not just about skills – in high-pressure games against elite teams, mental strength is equally crucial. We are hopeful of making an impact in this Asia Cup and showcasing Oman as a growing cricketing nation.”Oman enters the Asia Cup with a blend of experience and youth, determined to leave a mark against Asia’s cricketing powerhouses. The tournament will not only test their skills but also their mental toughness on one of the most watched platforms in the sport.”Oman are in Group A and begin their Asia Cup campaign on September 12 against Pakistan before taking on UAE on September 15 and India on September 19.Oman’s most recent appearance was in the Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 in Lauderhill in the USA in May. This will be their second appearance in a major multi-nation tournament after the T20 World Cup last year.Oman squad for Asia CupJatinder Singh (capt), Hammad Mirza, Vinayak Shukla, Sufyan Yousuf, Ashish Odedara, Aamir Kaleem, Mohammed Nadeem, Sufyan Mehmood, Aryan Bisht, Karan Sonavale, Zikriya Islam, Hassnain Shah, Faisal Shah, Muhammed Imran, Nadeem Khan, Shakeel Ahmed, Samay Shrivastava.

MatériaMais Notícias

Morreu nesta quinta-feira (23), aos 94 anos, Rubens Minelli, um dos maiores treinadores da história do futebol brasileiro. A morte foi confirmada pelas redes sociais de Palmeiras e Internacional, clubes em que o treinador conquistou o Brasileirão. Ainda não há informações sobre seu velório e sepultamento.

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COmo atleta, Minelli atuou como ponta-esquerda, mas teve carreira curta, graças a uma fratura na perna que o forçou a abandonar os gramados ainda aos 27 anos. Como treinador, se destacou não apenas pelas conquistas – ao lado de Muricy Ramalho, é o único técnico a vencer três Campeonatos Brasileiros de forma consecutiva, em 1975, 1976 e 1977 -, mas também pela veia estudiosa e revolucionária.

Em 1969, quando comandou o Palmeiras na conquista do Robertão – posteriormente equiparado ao Campeonato Brasileiro – sugeriu a centralização de todos os processos de trabalho em um único local, naquilo que seria o conceito do Centro de Treinamento, comum a todos os clubes na atualidade.

Em termos táticos, o técnico também foi responsável por importantes inovações. Foi Rubens Minelli que popularizou no Brasil o volante de infiltração, que invade a área para finalizar as jogadas. O jogador de maior destaque na função, sob o comando do treinador, foi Paulo Roberto Falcão, no Internacional.

Rubens Minelli começou sua carreira de treinador no América-SP em 1963. Passou também por Botafogo-SP, Sport, Francana e Guarani antes de chegar ao Palmeiras. Além do Verdão, teve passagens de destaque por Portuguesa, Internacional, Grêmio, Atlético-MG e São Paulo.

Conquistou quatro Campeonatos Brasileiros (em 1969 pelo Palmeiras; 1975 e 1976 pelo Internacional; e 1977 pelo São Paulo), uma Copa do Brasil (em 1989 pelo Grêmio), um Campeonato Paulista (em 1973 pela Portuguesa), e seis Campeonatos Gaúchos (em 1974, 1975 e 1976 pelo Internacional; e 1985, 1988 e 1989 pelo Grêmio).

Alguns clubes treinados por Rubens Minelli se manifestaram em suas redes sociais:

Hoje, o mundo do futebol perdeu o ex-técnico Rubens Minelli. Comandante do inesquecível time Bicampeão Brasileiro (1975 – 1976), Minelli será sempre exaltado com carinho por todos os colorados. Nossos pensamentos estão com a família, amigos e todos os fãs neste momento difícil.… pic.twitter.com/XhpSTWwnb7

— Sport Club Internacional (@SCInternacional) November 23, 2023

A Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras lamenta profundamente a morte de Rubens Minelli, comandante do clube na conquista do tetra brasileiro, em 1969, e um dos maiores treinadores do país em todos os tempos. Minelli, que iniciou a carreira de técnico em nossas categorias de base, deixa… pic.twitter.com/8hyDhvliLf

— SE Palmeiras (@Palmeiras) November 23, 2023

Lamentamos o falecimento do ex-técnico Rubens Minelli, que comandou o Tricolor nos anos de 1985 e 1989. Aqui, conquistou o Torneio de Rotterdam, o Troféu Palma de Mallorca e também o Gauchão. Nossos sentimentos aos familiares e amigos de um dos maiores treinadores brasileiros. pic.twitter.com/Ju9rP80V6h

— Grêmio FBPA (@Gremio) November 23, 2023

A Portuguesa lamenta a perda de Rubens Minelli, técnico da rubro-verde entre os anos de 1971 e 1972, e comandante da equipe lusitana durante a inauguração do estádio do Canindé em janeiro de 1972. Nossos sentimentos aos familiares, amigos e fãs neste momento de luto. ???????? pic.twitter.com/6IxRfs3T4D

— Portuguesa ❤️???? (@Lusa_Oficial) November 23, 2023

O Galo lamenta a morte do ex-treinador Rubens Minelli, que dirigiu o Clube em 1984.

Considerado um dos maiores técnicos da história do futebol brasileiro, Minelli morreu nesta quinta-feira, 23/11, aos 94 anos. O Atlético se solidariza com os familiares e amigos do ex-treinador. pic.twitter.com/VPpQB7zhVv

— Atlético (@Atletico) November 23, 2023

LUTO

Perdemos, nesta quinta-feira (23), um dos grandes treinadores que comandaram o Paraná Clube. Rubens Minelli, o primeiro técnico da nossa história, nos deixou hoje aos 94 anos.

Leia a nota completa no site: https://t.co/p5UKF7cPNK pic.twitter.com/SNaC9XUGEx

— Paraná Clube (@ParanaClube) November 23, 2023

Comandante do São Paulo no título brasileiro de 1977, Rubens Minelli dirigiu o clube em 166 jogos, com 79 vitórias, sendo o sétimo colocado no ranking de técnicos que mais comandaram o Tricolor até os dias de hoje. Para sempre na nossa história! pic.twitter.com/pN9Rgf6lCE

— São Paulo FC (@SaoPauloFC) November 23, 2023

Premier League cult hero Papiss Cisse endured the worst 60 seconds of his career while playing in a Sunday League clash for Wythenshawe FC Vets in the Cheshire Veterans Football League. Cisse, who formerly represented Newcastle United in the English top tier and the Senegal national team, now plies his trade for the non-league side.

• Worst 60 seconds of Cisse's career?

  During a clash between Wythenshawe and South Liverpool, Cisse was seen taking a penalty and he miserably failed in the attempt as his weak effort was comfortably saved by the opposition goalkeeper. The Senegalese striker then attempted a shot on goal from the rebound ball but it was once again cleared for a corner.

  Cisse himself ran towards the corner and took the set-piece but another terrible strike of the ball saw it go out of play even before reaching the front post. An X user watching the clip online wrote: "That is the worst corner I’ve ever seen."

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• Watch the clip

• Cisse bounced back with six goals

  Cisse made up for the 30 seconds of utter embarrassment by scoring six goals in the second half as Wythenshawe registered a 13-0 win over their opponents on Sunday, November 9. Wythenshawe also boast former Premier League stars like Stephen Ireland, Joleon Lescott and George Boyd in their ranks. 

  With the presence of several ex-stars in their roster, Wythenshawe are unsurprisingly dominating the league this season. Cisse, too, has been in outstanding form as he recently scored all of his team's goals in their 6-2 win over Collegiate Old Boys. They have also registered big wins like 5-2, 7-1, 10-1, and 9-1 in the current campaign. 

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  Cisse's journey in football

  Cisse began his career with a Senegalese club named AS Douanes before moving to France, where he played for Metz, Cherbourg and Chateauroux. He also spent two seasons in the Bundesliga at Freiburg before completing a sensational move to the Premier League to join Newcastle. He spent four seasons in the English top flight and scored 37 goals.

  He later played for Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng and Turkish clubs Alanyaspor and Fenerbahce. At the start of 2025, Cisse briefly joined Dubai-based club Palm City before returning to England and playing for Sunday league club Wythenshawe.

  Speaking to Sky Sports earlier this year, Cisse recalled his initial experience in the Premier League as he said: "When I came to the Premier League, the Bundesliga helped me a lot because it's a similar game. In two, three weeks I adapted because physically I was ready to challenge the Premier League. Scoring goals, I have that already. It was just to manage with my team-mates, to know how they are playing.

  "My first game I was on the bench. Alan Pardew, he told me: 'You're going to sit on the bench and you're going to watch what's going on in the Premier League'. And that helped me a lot, these first 45 minutes. My eyes were open. 'Be ready, be ready'.

  "I always say to people scoring a goal in football is the best thing ever. The emotion is unbelievable. I love that. Newcastle fans, they are the best. Honestly, the love from these fans is amazing. It's incredible. I never have that anywhere else, ever. Only in Newcastle."

Essex 321 for 8 (Critchley 103, Benkenstein 75, Westley 53, Holland 3-34) beat Leicestershire 261 (Masood 103, Benkenstein 3-53) by 60 runsAfter losing their opening three Metro Bank One-Day Cup matches, Essex backed up Friday’s emphatic victory over Surrey by defeating Leicestershire Foxes by 60 runs, dealing a blow to the latter’s chances of qualifying for the knock-out stages of a competition they won two years ago.A maiden List A century from opener Matt Critchley, supported by a 52-ball 75 by Luc Benkenstein, skipper Tom Westley’s 53 from 58 and Simon Harmer’s vigorous unbeaten 41 off 24 enabled Essex to rack up 321 for 8.Ian Holland (3 for 34) was excellent with the ball for the Foxes but Critchley’s solid 103 from 116 balls empowered Benkenstein and Harmer in particular to cut loose, the two hitting four sixes apiece. With no spinner in their side, the home attack lacked variety but did not help themselves by bowling 12 wides.Shan Masood (103 from 127) made the first century of his spell with Leicestershire but, with Roman Walker’s List A career-best 44 the next best against an Essex attack that had four spinners, the home side were bowled out for 261. Benkenstein took 3 for 53 with his leg breaks.After opting to bowl first on a green-tinged pitch, Leicestershire were rewarded in the fifth over when Robin Das nibbled at an outswinger by Holland and was caught behind.Ben Mike troubled Tom Westley early on but with Rishi Patel left out due to poor form with the bat and with no other spin option available after Liam Trevaskis pulled out through injury, the Foxes struggled to make inroads as Westley and Critchley added 99 in just under 19 overs. Westley survived a difficult chance to cover on 42 but hit seven boundaries in reaching 52 from 56 balls.He soon departed, superbly caught on the square leg boundary by Tom Scriven. Sol Budinger’s direct hit ran out Charlie Allison, but Critchley found another assertive partner in 20-year-old Benkenstein, who hauled Chris Wright and Wood over the rope at deep midwicket before ramping Roman Walker for another six in a 37-ball half-century, having escaped a chance to backward point on 39.The fourth-wicket pair added 127, Critchley overtaking his previous best of 64 not out as he collected nine fours in his hundred. Benkenstein hammered Mike down the ground for his fourth six but reached for a wide ball and was caught at short third.Ireland international Curtis Campher, after his debut unbeaten 123 against Surrey, was yorked first ball, after which Holland dismissed Critchley and Simon Fernandes. Scriven bowled Jamal Richards but Harmer cleared the rope four times in the last three overs.A testing target quickly became tougher as Jamie Porter removed both the Foxes’ openers in his first three overs without conceding a run, clipping Budinger’s off stump and striking Holland’s back pad in front. Lewis Hill edged Charlie Bennett to slip, leaving Leicestershire 16 for 3 in the sixth.Masood and skipper Peter Handscomb brought a wealth of experience but they needed not only to bat deep but score briskly with the required rate creeping up. They added 73 in 15 but then Handscomb found Allison on the legside boundary. New man Ben Cox was soon leg before to Westley’s off spin, leaving the home side 92 for 5.Masood completed a fifty from 70 balls but Harmer bowled Scriven for 15, after which Mike was out to Benkenstein’s leg spin without scoring.Walker batted nicely as he and Masood added 98 for the eighth wicket, Masood numbering 11 fours before he was lbw to Critchley’s leg spin, but the Foxes by then were well beaten, Benkenstein adding two more wickets as Walker and Wright found men on the boundary.

Celtic have won the Scottish Premiership title in 13 of the last 14 seasons, but might just be facing genuine competition for this season’s trophy.

Last Sunday, Brendan Rodgers’ team were beaten domestically for the first time this season, defeated 2-0 by Dundee at Dens Park.

This, though, had been on the cards for a while.

Across the previous four Premiership outings, the Hoops had required stoppage time goals to beat both Kilmarnock and Motherwell, as well as being held to goalless draws by Rangers and Hibs, thereby failing to score on six occasions across all competitions to date.

So now, on Sunday lunchtime, they will travel to league leaders Hearts, the Jambos currently five points clear at the top, so which “animal” should Rodgers select in attack for this eagerly-anticipated clash at Tynecastle?

The latest Celtic injury news

Celtic did claim their first European victory of the season on Thursday, fighting back from a goal down to beat Sturm Graz 2-1 in the Europa League, but this win may have come at a cost, or three to be exact.

During the first half, featuring for the first time since picking up an injury against Kairat on 20 August, Alistair Johnston suffered a recurrence of this hamstring tear, which is a major blow for both the player and Rodgers.

Even before that, as early as the fourth minute, Kelechi Ịheanachọ had hobbled off too, which is not ideal considering he’s the only senior centre-forward at the club.

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Then, right at the end, star centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers was stretchered off having picked up a serious Achilles tendon injury that could see the American international sidelined until March; an enormous blow.

On top of this, Daizen Maeda is also already sidelined, unlikely to feature at Tynecastle on Sunday, while also a doubt for the following Sunday’s clash with Rangers in the League Cup semi-finals at Hampden.

The Japanese striker scored 33 goals last season, per Transfermarkt, four of which came in the Champions League, with former Celtic striker Chris Sutton thereby asserting that he ranks among the club’s best-ever bargain buys, alongside Henrik Larsson and Ľubomír Moravčík.

Now, though, with neither Maeda nor Ịheanachọ, Rodgers has to trust the Celts’ rarely-seen “animal” to lead the attack.

Celtic's new Daizen Maeda

When Ịheanachọ hobbled off very early against Sturm Graz, it was Johnny Kenny who was introduced, so it stands to reason that he will be the number nine for the foreseeable.

The young Irishman joined Celtic back in January 2022 from Sligo Rovers, before being immediately loaned out to Queen’s Park, subsequently making a name for himself in a different shade of green and white hoops.

His form at Shamrock Rovers certainly caught the attention of those across the Irish Sea, with the table below documenting his eye-catching form in Dublin.

As the table above notes, Kenny scored 13 goals in the League of Ireland last year; only two players bagged more, but it was his European form that caught the eye.

The youngster scored five goals in six Conference League appearances, helping Rovers reach the knockout phase, on target against Larne, APOEL Nicosia and Rapid Wien, before bagging a brace when Borac Banja Luka were battered 3-0 at Tallaght.

Speaking on Premier Sports, following Shamrock Rovers’ credible 1-1 draw in Vienna last November, former teammate Ronan Finn asserted that Kenny has become a “different animal” in recent years, adding that “physically he’s got stronger” and that his ceiling is sky-high.

Stylistically, Kenny proved to be not only a clinical finisher in the box, but also an energetic nuisance to defenders, constantly closing them down and running all day, characteristics he certainly shares with Maeda.

Since returning to Celtic in January, he has seen limited game time, just 438 minutes to be precise, heading home his first goal for the club at Pittodrie back in May, before also netting during the drubbing of Livingston in August.

So now, set to enjoy a run in the team, can he replicate the success enjoyed by Maeda?

When the Japanese forward first arrived in January 2022 from Yokohama F. Marinos, he was very raw, often erratically missing chances, but has now become a well-rounded attacker who is a pivotal figure in this side.

Well, as already alluded to, Kenny possesses similar traits, simply needing an opportunity to showcase what he is capable of, so could he come to the fore and be the hero at Tynecastle on Sunday as Celtic’s new Maeda?

Rodgers must finally ditch Yang & unleash Celtic's "terrific talent"

With Celtic under pressure to beat Sturm Graz in the Europa League, Brendan Rodgers must bench Yang Hyun-Jun and start his “terrific talent” instead.

By
Ben Gray

Oct 23, 2025

The Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays made a trade, just not the type of trade you'd think.

On Monday, the Twins announced they traded home series with the Rays for next season. Tampa Bay will take on Minnesota at home on May 26-28, and the Rays will now travel to the Twin Cities for July 4th weekend, from July 4-6.

Due to damage at Tropicana Field caused by Hurricane Milton, the Rays will play their home games next season at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the spring training home of the New York Yankees. The home series swap keeps a July 4th weekend series at a big league ballpark like Target Field in Minneapolis.

The MLB announced some other shifts to the Rays' 2025 schedule because of the move, too. The team swapped home series with the Los Angeles Angels. The Rays and Angels will play at Steinbrenner field from April 8-10, while the second meeting between the two clubs from August 5-7 will take place at Angels Stadium.

"These proactive schedule adjustments have been made to optimize the number of games played in the best weather conditions given the Rays' transition to an outdoor ballpark," the MLB said in a statement which announced the schedule swaps.

The Rays are in flux with their stadium situation but the Twins had fun with the so-called trade.