Every West Bromwich Albion manager who has taken on the reins since Carlos Corberan’s exit in late 2024 is undoubtedly trying to achieve success with the Spaniard’s legacy weighing heavily on them.

Corberan would turn the Baggies into regular promotion contenders in the Championship, which made his departure to Valencia last year very much sting.

To make matters worse, the wheels would come off West Brom’s 2024/25 season at a worryingly quick pace after he moved on to La Liga, with his successor in Tony Mowbray only managing to collect a paltry five victories from 17 matches before being dismissed.

Now, the pressure is on Ryan Mason’s shoulders to deliver, and the strain is already beginning to show, with two recent Championship defeats on the spin for the perpetual promotion nearly-men even seeing some Baggies natives begin to grow restless with their new 34-year-old boss.

It hasn’t been completely bleak since Corberan returned to Spain, however, with a lot of star quality still on display from some new signings.

West Brom's mixed recruitment since Corberan left

In the direct aftermath of Corberan leaving, though, there were some underwhelming flops to stomach.

Namely, Adam Armstrong would relocate to the Hawthorns on loan and fail to live up to this well-known image of him being a prolific performer in the EFL’s top league, with just a forgettable three goals falling into his lap from 16 outings in the West Midlands.

Tammer Bany, who was purchased this January for a whopping £3.3m, has also failed to get up and running in England as a post-Corberan purchase.

But, there have been some success stories to hold onto.

Isaac Price is very much the first name that springs to mind in this regard, having signed for the Championship outfit a matter of days after Mowbray was unveiled.

While he was a Mowbray capture, he has very much come into his own this season under the fresh methods of Mason, with a stunning five goals and two assists next to his name in all competitions.

Other members of Mason’s first team are also in with a shout to be the best buy since Corberan moved on, with Chris Mepham one worthy candidate, as the Welsh centre-back has become an everpresent member of his new manager’s defence to soften the blow of Torbjørn Heggem exiting for Bologna.

But, it’s a different defensive monster who could be well handed the honour…

West Brom's best signing post-Corberan

While Price has dominated a lot of West Brom conversations this campaign with his goal and assist output, he has also been prone to a quiet day at the office, frustratingly.

Indeed, the Northern Ireland international would go the entirety of September without collecting a single goal or assist.

During this same month, it could be argued that Nathaniel Phillips was very much settling into his new Hawthorns environment, on the contrary, with the decision to bring in the Premier League-experienced defender for just £3m already looking to be an ingenious move.

The 28-year-old is yet to miss a Championship game this season, and for good reason, with the 6-foot-3 colossus very much living up to his billing as a “lion”, as he was lauded by his former Anfield coach in Pepijn Lijnders.

Indeed, in West Brom blue and white so far, Phillips has won a commanding 5.5 duels on average across his 12 league clashes to date.

Phillips’ league numbers for West Brom
Stat – per 90 mins*	Phillips
Games played	12
Goals scored	1
Assists	0
Touches*	81.9
Accurate passes*	56.6 (86%)
Ball recoveries*	4.3
Clearances*	7.4
Total duels won*	5.5
Clean sheets	3
Stats by Sofascore

Looking at the table above in greater detail only further reinforces how much of a sterling purchase Phillips has already been, with his brute strength when rising up for duels also gifting him one goal at his new club, already, away from also cutting an assured presence on the ball with 56.6 accurate passes averaged per tense match.

EFL pundit Sam Parkin would likely agree with Phillips being one of West Brom’s best signings in recent memory, with him labelling the former Derby County loanee as “absolutely sensational” after he collected a clean sheet versus promotion rivals Stoke City.

Mason will need both Price and Phillips performing to their maximum to try and get his side out of their current sticky patch of form.

But, while the first of those named has shone in spurts and looks a top talent for the future, Phillips has been the real deal from minute one of his West Brom journey, with 19 Premier League appearances also under his belt, standing the Baggies in good stead if they can finally break their second-tier hoodoo.

West Brom have signed "explosive" star who is a bigger talent than Fellows

West Bromwich Albion have signed a new explosive star who is an even bigger talent than Tom Fellows.

By
Kelan Sarson

Oct 29, 2025

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has shared an injury update on his squad, and they could be without one of their players until after the new year.

The Blues made light work of London rivals Tottenham in their last outing, cruising to a 1-0 win on enemy turf, and Thomas Frank’s side hardly laid a glove on them.

It was a much-needed victory for Maresca’s men, who were dispatched by newly-promoted Sunderland in their previous Premier League clash the weekend prior.

The loss at home to Regis Le Bris’ side sparked major outrage after what was a very disappointing performance, with reports in the aftermath suggesting that Maresca’s long-term Chelsea future is far from certain amid interest from Juventus.

Luckily for the Italian, Chelsea have responded to that defeat in good fashion — knocking Wolves out of the Carabao Cup via a dramatic 4-3 win at Molineux to then claim the London derby spoils.

It has been a mixed start to 25/26 for Chelsea after what was a stellar summer, having won both the Conference League and Club World Cup earlier this year, but Maresca is believed to be dissatisfied with the squad at his disposal overall.

Chelsea ended the last summer transfer window as one of England’s most lavish spenders, investing nearly £300 million in new recruits, but the west Londoners failed to shore up their centre-back options or bring in a world-class goalkeeper.

Rank

Club

Gross Spend

Sales

Net Spend

20.

Bournemouth

£136.7m

£202.5m

+£65.8m

19.

Brighton

£67.7m

£127.5m

+£59.8m

18.

Brentford

£92.8m

£152m

+£59.2m

17.

Wolves

£105.6m

£126.5m

+£20.9m

16.

Chelsea

£296.5m

£314.4m

+£17.9m

BlueCo are reportedly ready to prioritise the signing of a centre-back for Chelsea in January, but Maresca hasn’t exactly been helped by injuries and suspensions either.

Summer signing Liam Delap was missing for weeks with a hamstring problem and couldn’t play against Tottenham last weekend after his red card at Wolves.

Malo Gusto was also suspended recently, with Trevoh Chalobah, Robert Sanchez, Joao Pedro and Delap all sent off in the last 44 days alone.

Chelsea’s current disciplinary issues are a real conundrum for Maresca to solve, and it’s the last thing he needs considering their troubles with fitness issues this campaign.

Right now, Pedro Neto, Benoit Badiashile, Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill and Dario Essugo are all unavailable through injury, and Maresca might not welcome back the latter until 2026.

Chelsea could be without Dario Essugo until January

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of their Champions League clash with Qarabag, Maresca suggests that Essugo could be out injured until January.

Essugo, who’s been called a ‘frightening’ player by members of the media like journalist Antonio Mango, hasn’t been able to showcase his best since joining Chelsea in the summer, and it’ll be a while before he gets to do so.

That being said, there is some good news.

Chelsea’s manager believes that star forward Palmer, who’s been battling a niggling groin problem since the start of the season, could return for their blockbuster European showdown against Barcelona.

Chelsea play their last game before the next international break against Wolves this weekend, and their Barça clash is scheduled to take place around three days after they return to action away to Burnley on November 22.

South Africa 137 for 3 (Markram 86) beat England 131 (Smith 54, Maharaj 4-22, Mulder 3-33) by seven wicketsEngland’s batters lasted more than 100 balls, but not much more. They were dismissed in 147 balls for their fourth-lowest total against South Africa in a display of batting that could best be described as fatigued, perhaps from a month of playing in the Hundred.By the time South Africa’s batters had faced 100 balls, the job was as good as done. Aiden Markram scored the fastest fifty by a South African opener, off 23 balls, and dominated an opening stand of 121 with Ryan Rickelton to take South Africa home and open the series with an emphatic win. They batted for 125 balls.The whole match lasted just 272 balls, perhaps as a nod to the difference in preparation for these two sides for this series to where there are on the road to 2027. While South Africa played a series Australia, England only had an optional training session as they rolled in straight from the Hundred. That may also mean England are just beginning their planning for the next World Cup, while South Africa see themselves as on the path as they seek to adopt a more fearless style of play. England often use that kind of language but their loose drives and soft chips were more reckless than brave against a well-drilled South African attack.Keshav Maharaj, recently elevated to No. 1 on the ICC’s ODI bowling rankings, was the most successful bowler and picked up the third four-for of his career. Wiaan Mulder scooped 3 for 33 to mark only the second time he has taken three wickets in an ODI. South Africa also took all their catching chances, seven in total, after a ragged showing in Australia, and made good on Temba Bavuma’s decision to bowl first.England started off in signature style as Jamie Smith closed out the first over with back-to-back drives off full Nandre Burger deliveries and Ben Duckett pushed one past Lungi Ngidi that went for four. But Burger also found swing and in his second over, Duckett was tempted to play at a good-length ball without moving his feet and nicked off to continue a tough run. Duckett only had one score over 20 in eight innings in the Hundred but concerns about his form seemed immaterial when Joe Root drove Burger for four with a high elbow off the second ball he faced and held the pose for good measure.Runs kept coming in boundaries as Root took two off Ngidi and Smith took advantage of width from Burger. However, Bavuma stuck with his frontline seamers and it paid off. Root prodded at an Ngidi ball and edged behind, Ryan Rickelton diving to his right to hold the ball in his glove but it popped out as he hit the ground. He was able to get both gloves to the rebound and claimed the catch, which was confirmed on replay.Harry Brook responded by tonking Ngidi’s first ball for four and Smith just kept swinging. Corbin Bosch was brought on in the ninth over but was guided past third and then through midwicket as Smith entered the 30s. England finished the Powerplay on 57 for 2, with 44 of those runs in boundaries.The Smith-Brook partnership grew to 38 and the pair were on top of South Africa’s seamers when a moment of misjudgement separated them. Brook hit Mulder into the covers and called for two but the second run wasn’t on, Tristan Stubbs swooped in and threw to Rickelton, who broke the stumps and England were 82 for 3. Still, with Smith batting well, they would not have had many concerns. Smith brought up his second ODI fifty, and second successive one, when he sent Maharaj through the covers for four off the 46th ball he faced.At the end of that over, Jos Buttler hit the ball to the boundary, where Tony de Zorzi dived to stop four and hurt his hamstring in the process. He left the field for treatment, did not field again and was not required to bat.An incident like that could easily have shifted momentum England’s way but the opposite happened. In the next over, Smith flicked Mulder to fine leg, Bosch made good ground to his left and took an excellent one-handed catch and the collapse had begun. England lost seven wickets for 29 runs in 43 balls and almost all of them were avoidable.Jacob Bethell was lured into a drive by a floated up Maharaj delivery, got a thin edge and the ball was parried off Rickelton’s gloves to Markram at slip. He took the catch while almost blindsided by his own keeper. Will Jacks popped a simple return chance back to Maharaj; Buttler was leaden-footed when he drove and inside-edged Mulder to Rickelton and Jofra Archer nicked the next ball low to first slip, where Markram picked up another. Mulder was on a hat-trick but Maharaj cleaned up. He had Adil Rashid trapped in front of leg stump and removed debutant Sonny Baker’s middle stump to dismiss England inside 25 overs.Baker would be the first to attempt to defend their score. Given the opening over on debut, his second ball slid down leg and Markram helped it on its way for four. Baker then overcompensated and offered width as Markram cashed in on the off side. The first over went for 14 runs.Rickelton, who has struggled for rhythm from the Australia tour, could not find any early on in England either. He could not get Archer’s first four balls away and then edged the fifth one in the direction of first slip. Root claimed the catch as he seemed to think he got his fingers under the ball and while some replays agreed, others seemed to show the ball bouncing just in front. Rickelton was given not out. Archer finished the over by hitting him on the pads but England didn’t review. If they had, Hawk-Eye showed the ball would have been hitting leg stump and Rickelton would have been out for a duck.Instead, he watched as Markram continued to show Baker no mercy and took 20 off his second over, including two sixes. Rickelton’s opportunity finally came against Baker in his third over and he just about found his touch. He drove Baker for four, edged him short of slip and then flicked off the pads. Despite his first three overs costing 44 runs, Baker got a fourth over and still could not get it right. He overpitched, Markram drove for four, then down the ground and then over the covers to bring up his half-century off 23 balls, with 44 runs scored in boundaries.Baker’s four overs cost 56 runs and he was taken out of the attack before bring brought back in the 12th over and delivering a boundary-free six balls. His relief was short-lived. Baker’s next two overs cost 18 runs and his final analysis of 7-0-76-0 was the most expensive by an England player on debut.Markram had three figures in his sights but with 11 runs left to win was strongly caught by Smith at cover, who intercepted a ball that was destined for the boundary. Bavuma tried to finish it quickly but was caught at mid-off and Tristan Stubbs’ nightmare run continued as he was bowled for a duck to leave Rashid on a hat-trick. Across all formats, Stubbs has only scored one half-century in 35 innings this year. Dewald Brevis finished it off with a six as England lost for the third successive time to South Africa.

Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has defended his decision to call up Barcelona star Lamine Yamal for crucial World Cup qualifiers, stating he is in "perfect shape". The selection comes despite recent friction with Barcelona over the 18-year-old's pubalgia injury that has created tension between the Spanish national team and the Catalan club.

'He's in perfect shape' – De la Fuente defends Yamal selection

De la Fuente has selected Yamal for his latest squad, confirming the Barcelona forward will be involved in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers despite recent injury concerns. The 18-year-old, who missed the previous international window with a persistent groin issue, has been recalled for the crucial fixtures against Georgia and Turkey.

The decision to include Yamal comes amid a backdrop of friction with his club. Barcelona manager Hansi Flick previously criticised the Spanish federation (RFEF) for "failing to take care" of young players. De la Fuente, however, has vigorously defended the selection, citing the player's recent return to form and the high stakes of the upcoming matches.

Speaking at the press conference, De la Fuente was adamant that the winger is fit to play and dismissed suggestions he was being rushed back. The manager cited Yamal's recent performances for Barcelona, where he has started the last six matches, as proof of his fitness.

"I think the answer is obvious. I watched his last game, and I believe he’s in perfect condition," De la Fuente stated. "His coach said he was ready to play. He's getting back to being the player he always has been, and we celebrate that. He will stay with us as long as we consider it appropriate.

"Watching the game the other day, Lamine is fit to play. We have two very important games and we need to field our best players. We have two hugely important matches to qualify for the World Cup, the stakes are massive and we want the best players with us."

AdvertisementBarcelona friction continues as Flick and De la Fuente yet to speak

The call-up risks reigniting tensions between the RFEF and Barcelona. Flick had been vocally critical of Yamal's management during the last international break, though the Barcelona boss reportedly softened his stance this week, stating it was "not his problem" if the player was selected.

When asked if he had spoken with Flick to clear the air or discuss Yamal's fitness, De la Fuente confirmed no such conversation had taken place.

"No, we haven't spoken again, we've only spoken once, anyway," the Spain manager said. "I'm sure we'll speak at some point."

De la Fuente also addressed the broader topic of managing the player's development under such an intense spotlight.

"It's a natural process. He's 18. Any player would still be in development," De la Fuente explained. "I stand by what I said a year ago about Lamine. We have to support him in his development. Both from the club and here. Everyone who has a relationship with him. It's everyone's responsibility. At the club they'll advise him and direct him, and the same at the federation."

Fornals returns as Morata and Rodri miss out

The inclusion of Yamal was not the only headline news from the squad announcement. Real Betis midfielder Pablo Fornals has earned his first call-up since 2021, a reward for his excellent club form under Manuel Pellegrini.

"I'm happy for Pablo because I consider him 'one of my own'," De la Fuente said. "He's a very well-liked player. He's earned it. He's doing an exceptional job at Betis. I don't think he'll have any problem being with us because of the knock he received."

The most significant omissions were captain Alvaro Morata and Manchester City midfielder Rodri. De la Fuente confirmed Rodri's absence was to provide the key player with a rest.

Morata's exclusion, however, appears tactical, with the manager opting to look at other forwards.

"Morata remains just as important to us. He's a player for the future," De la Fuente clarified. "We wanted to look at other players. There's nothing wrong with him. He knows all this, he understands the situation."

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Williams injury and Barcelona contingent detailed

In Morata's absence, the attacking options include Mikel Oyarzabal, Yeremy Pino, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, Samu Aghehowa, Borja Iglesias and Barcelona's Fermin Lopez, whose form was also highlighted by the manager.

"We want to take advantage of the great form Fermin is in," De la Fuente noted. "He's a player who fits both Barcelona's style of play and ours."

Athletic Club's Nico Williams misses out, reportedly suffering from the same groin issue that recently sidelined Yamal. Other notable injury absences include defenders Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand.

The squad features a heavy Barcelona presence, with Yamal, Torres, Olmo, Fermin and Pau Cubarsi all included, making it five players from the Catalan club. In contrast, Real Madrid are represented by a single player, defender Dean Huijsen.

Leeds United fans have been blessed with some outrageous attackers to cheer on over recent years.

The obvious names that immediately spring to mind here are the likes of Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter, and Raphinha, but Pablo Hernandez is also deserving of equal levels of adoration from the Elland Road masses for the magic he regularly conjured up during his time in West Yorkshire.

Hernandez would notch up a stunning 36 goals and 39 assists for the Whites in the Championship during Marcelo Bielsa’s heyday at the helm, with the much-loved Leeds boss even going out of his way to laud his Spanish playmaker as a “silent leader” who can “harm the opponent” at a moment’s notice.

Unfortunately, though, the silky attacking midfielder would only go on to collect a measly two assists for the West Yorkshire titans in the Premier League.

Noah Okafor has already matched that same amount of goal contributions for the newly promoted Whites in the here and now, as the electric Swiss international attempts to go down in his new club’s history books as a similarly entertaining spark.

Okafor's promising Leeds start

Much like Hernandez, too, Okafor has already been showered with plenty of lavish praise when pulling on Leeds white.

Leeds-based content creator Oscar Mario has dubbed the ex-AC Milan attacker as a “difference-maker” for Farke’s side, with the two goals that he’s already confidently put away this season, undoubtedly placing him in the same bracket as the captivating Spaniard before him.

With Okafor also constantly looking to bomb forward with pace to carve out an opening – as seen in him ridiculously completing six successful dribbles versus Wolverhampton Wanderers – it’s very clear that he could go on to be a fan favourite in the same ilk as Hernandez, only this time, with the talent to be a success in the top-flight.

Yet, with no assists next to his name as of the time of writing, he hasn’t quite hit the same creative peak as the former Leeds number 19 just yet, with an unexpected creative force elsewhere in Farke’s camp perhaps more in line to be viewed as a Hernandez-type talent, with the star in question boasting league-best numbers in this regard.

The Leeds star showing shades of Hernandez

While Hernandez was known for firing home an audacious strike or two during his five-season stint in England, he is definitely more commonly remembered as an ace who could “change the course of a game” with an “exceptional” assist, as former Leeds player Noel Whelan once put it.

His 2018/19 offering in the second tier for Bielsa’s Whites saw the quick-witted midfielder create a mammoth 16 big chances in total, with Sean Longstaff potentially heading towards the same jaw-dropping numbers in the Premier League for Farke’s men this campaign, if his early scintillating form in the tough division is anything to go by.

Games played

9

Goals scored

1

Assists

2

Touches*

46.2

Accurate passes*

27.1 (85%)

Key passes*

2.0

Big chances created

5

Tackles*

3.0

Ball recoveries*

3.0

Total duels won*

5.0

Indeed, Longstaff has looked a man reborn since leaving boyhood employers Newcastle United behind this summer for a modest £12m, with five big chances already created by Leeds’ new star man, putting him at the very top of the list of the Premier League’s most effective playmakers.

If he can keep this unbelievable run of form going, he could give Hernandez’s Championship peak a run for its money.

The “outstanding” number eight – as Farke has also already lovingly labelled him – further has the necessary bite in his game to be a long-term success at the very pinnacle of English football, with tackles and duels also won aplenty this season, when looking at the table above, away from just offering up an incisive pass.

Ultimately, Farke will just want all of his troops to come together and battle hard to ensure relegation is staved off.

But, with Longstaff in the same conversations as Bruno Fernandes in what he offers going forward, he will hope his unbelievable start in West Yorkshire can be kept up, as he strives to be the driving force that pushes his new side way away from the relegation zone come next May.

Farke has found a new Dallas-type player in “unbelievable” Leeds star

Daniel Farke has now stumbled upon Leeds United’s next Stuart Dallas-type figure in this unbelievable star.

ByKelan Sarson Oct 27, 2025

Eight wickets down, 32 runs still to get, and a WTC final spot at stake; there were more than a few jangling nerves at SuperSport Park

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Rabada and Jansen were already doing that. Rabada hit the second and eighth balls he faced for four, Jansen was five off six at the break and together, they had put on 17 runs. They had started to steady a collapse that started when Bavuma walked despite not inside-edging Mohammed Abbas and resulted in four wickets falling in the space of 12 balls. Bavuma retreated to the bathroom but Jansen and Rabada had to keep things going on, and they settled on their plan early.”I came in and I said to him, I’m going to look to be positive,” Rabada said. “Without any hesitation, he (Jansen) said, ‘okay.’ And he had his own game plan. I didn’t tell him how to bat. His main thing was one ball at a time, play it on his merit and that’s what he did. He was a bit more orthodox. I was a bit more unorthodox.”Post-lunch, Rabada took the first risk, when he drove away from his body and edged Abbas but the chance fell short. “I was going after the drive and it felt like I could get nicked off, and I did,” he said. “And it bounced short. So I’m thankful for that.”It didn’t stop him from playing his shots. In the next over Naseem Shah offered it short and wide, Rabada got up on his toes and cracked the shot over cover, just as he planned to. “I said to myself, ‘just give me a cut, give me a cut, I’m setting up for the cut’,” Rabada said “And then he gave me a cut. I set it up nicely and connected it.”For Conrad, who sat stony-faced on the dressing room balcony, “there were little visions of Brian Charles (Lara) at times,” as he watched Rabada bat. Bavuma was still in the bathroom. He only dared to emerge an over later, when Jansen had crisply hit Abbas through cover and South Africa needed 15 runs. “I could hear the guys clapping and Kyle Verreynne shouting. The way he was shouting, it was positive shouts, so I thought, ‘okay, let me come show my face’,” Bavuma said.Still, Rababa and Jansen were not so sure. They knew Pakistan’s bowling quality, they had seen their top and middle order blown away and they understood that they were the last pair South Africa could rely on. “I just kept thinking, I’m not going to leave it to Patto (Dane Paterson),” Rabada said. “Not that I don’t have any faith in him but sometimes there’s two voices in your head: the one voice says, you’re not going to do this. And the other one has to overpower it.”The first ball Rabada faced off Aamer Jamal was a no-ball and he took a single off it. Thirteen needed. He had to wait until the penultimate ball of the over to face again, after Jansen ducked, watched one down leg, defended and then cut him for one. Rabada smoked the final ball of the over back over Jamal’s head and then creamed the last one through the covers to leave South Africa one hit away. But it was only after he got Jansen back on strike and South Africa needed two to win that Rabada believed South Africa had it.The South Africa players did a lap of honour after sealing a spot in the WTC final•Gallo Images”Before that, I just kept thinking, ‘don’t drop the ball, just keep with your processes’. The main thing I was thinking was, continue to stay positive,” he said. “If I looked to get into my shell, and I got out trying to do that, then I would have been more upset. If I got out being positive, I would have accepted that.”Bavuma may not have. By then, he was fully invested in Rabada getting the runs. “How he did it. I couldn’t care, to be honest,” Bavuma joked. “It’s weird with him. You never know what type of KG is going to come out with the bat: it’s the one who wants to play all correct, and then there’s the other guy who played the way that he did today.”In the end, Rabada finished with the third-highest score by a No.10 in a successful chase and called it “without a doubt” the best Test innings of his career. “With a lot of pressure on, it’s the one innings that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”He won’t be the only one. Bavuma emerged from his self-imposed exile to see Rabada bat and then saw him down at the stairs and “jumped on him with joy”, so much so that he “found myself to be taken aback by the emotion.” In the moment Conrad was left speechless. “I don’t think we can put into words what that was. You can’t script that,” he said. And for the 3,600 people who were in the ground and the many, many others watching on television screens, it sent a message about what to do when your team is under pressure. As Bavuma and Conrad and Rabada and Jansen did: be yourself.

The Los Angeles Dodgers were swept by the Milwaukee Brewers to open the second half of the season. Los Angeles stopped the three-game slide with a win over the Minnesota Twins on Monday night but it was back to the bad habits in a 10-7 loss on Tuesday, the club's seventh defeat in its last 10 games. The suddenly mistake-prone Dodgers made two more errors, each of which cost the team a run—and the latter of which resembled something you'd see from a little league team, and not one of the best teams in the majors.

But it hasn't just been poor fielding that has sunk these Dodgers lately. It's been nearly every facet of the game. Since July 4, a 14 game stretch, the Dodgers have averaged just 3.4 runs per game and its injury-ravaged pitching staff has yielded an average of 5.9 per contest. That's far from a winning recipe.

And manager Dave Roberts sincerely hopes that things don't get much worse.

"It better be rock bottom," Roberts told reporters after Tuesday's loss. "As far as how we've been pitching, how we've been playing defense. I think the offense is kind of starting to tick up, which is good. There's certainly more in there. But I think as far as quality of baseball, it's been a tough watch. It really has."

Perhaps the only fortunate part of this slump for the Dodgers is its timing: a week before MLB's trade deadline, which will give Dodgers brass a chance to perhaps jolt the roster with some imports, ideally in the form of some late-inning relievers to ease the club's overtaxed bullpen.

Other than that, it's on Los Angeles to pull itself out of this free fall. As the Dodgers look to maintain a 3.5-game lead in the National League West, the club's next five series will come against teams above .500.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot quipped after Sunday's 3-0 loss at Manchester City that the very best time to judge a team is at the end of the season. "The next best time," the Dutchman argued, "is after 19 games, because then you've all faced the same opponents." However, we don't really need to wait until the halfway point of the Premier League campaign to determine whether Liverpool are capable of retaining their title. The Reds' race is already run after five dreadful defeats in 11 games.

"It feels like too many," as even Slot conceded in his post-match press conference at the Etihad. "The last thing I should speak about is the title race, as the reality is that we are eighth."

Indeed, the only real question now is whether Liverpool can salvage their season by finishing in the top four while at same time building up enough momentum in the coming months to mount a serious Champions League challenge.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  VAR farce no excuse

  Slot was rightly bemused by the decision to disallow Virgil van Dijk's equaliser at the Etihad. However, he didn't even attempt to argue that the Reds had deserved to go in level at the break. "In the first half," Slot said, "they were better than us in every aspect of football."

  The stats certainly supported that assessment. As well as registering just one short on target during the entire game, Liverpool also lost more than 60 percent of their duels. Plenty of attention was obviously given to the way in which Conor Bradley struggled to contain Player of the Match Jeremy Doku (not least because he was given so little help by Ibrahima Konate and Mohamed Salah), but the truth was that Liverpool lost head-to-heads all over the pitch. Not a single member of Slot's side had a good game – or played with anything like the requisite intensity for such an important and demanding Premier League fixture.

  "You can't be considering Liverpool for the title. The decision [on the disallowed goal] might have gone against them, but overall, City looked technically and physically better than Liverpool," ex-Manchester United captain Roy Keane told . "They have still got that attacking quality and, at times, they'll cause teams problems, but defensively, the goals they've given away, the decision-making, lack of intensity and energy, chopping and changing by bringing subs on – they still looked really flat."

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  Refusing to blame players

  Slot insisted that Liverpool didn't want for effort at the Etihad and that he had no concerns over his players' attitude or application.

  "It's easy to win duels if the game plan and the tactics are working and I think that’s what happened against [Aston] Villa and [Real] Madrid," the former Feyenoord coach said, alluding to last week's morale-boosting wins at Anfield. "But we struggled a lot with them bringing so many players into the centre of the pitch and it was difficult then for some of our players to make the right decisions. So I think it wasn't about my players not wanting to make the duel, they had to run a lot because they [City] were so much better on the ball than us.

  "I would first and foremost, then, always look at the game plan of us and them and not blame my players at all because, in the second half, when we were doing better, I think you could also see that they were able to win much more duels. In that period of time, I think we definitely deserved a goal."

  Keane ridiculed Slot's assessment of the second half by arguing that, "the game was over! It's easy to play well when you're not playing for anything." That's not strictly true, though. Had Cody Gakpo taken a glorious chance to halve Liverpool's deficit shortly after coming on, the visitors would have been right back in the game. 

  However, there is simply no denying that the Reds are not the relentless force they were last season.

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  £400m spent to look weaker

  Too often this season Liverpool have started games in second gear, thus resulting in the concession of a succession of costly early goals. We're also still awaiting an adequate explanation as to why Slot's side look like a "weak team", as Keane put it, after spending more than £400 million ($525m) strengthening their squad during the summer. 

  Slot has a point when he says that Liverpool have been hindered by fitness problems. Bradley and Alexis Mac Allister are only now getting back up to speed after missing pre-season and their issues have undoubtedly affected the overall balance of the team, while new signings Jeremie Frimpong and Alexander Isak have endured injury-interrupted starts to their respective Anfield careers.

  However, Florian Wirtz has yet to make any kind of impact on the Premier League, and while Hugo Ekitike has shown off his Kop icon credentials, former Bournemouth ace Milos Kerkez has been so poor that he's lost his place in the starting line-up to an Andy Robertson in decline.  The net result is a complete absence of cohesion in a once-settled side, as underlined by their Premier League record of six wins and five defeats.

  "I think last season they had a lot more consistency, and Slot's job was easier, because he was inheriting a squad from Jurgen Klopp," former Liverpool striker Dean Sturridge argued on . "But this season, they have made new signings, some players have hit the ground running, but other players haven't got there yet.

  "It's an unforgiving league. This expectation is for the players, just because of the price tag, to come here and be world-class footballers straight away. But it's rare that happens in the Premier League because the demands are high and the intensity of each team they're facing is better than around the world. I think some of the players are surprised by the intensity of the league – Florian Wirtz is one of them – so the chemistry the team had last season has clearly disappeared." The question is, what is Slot going to do about it?

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  Existing issues and new problems

  Liverpool obviously haven't become a bad team overnight. For starters, their struggles actually pre-date – and unquestionably drove – their summer spending spree.

  The Reds have played 47 times in all competitions since the turn of the year and won only 21 of those games, losing 16 in total. There are, of course, mitigating circumstances, with two of their Premier League defeats coming after they'd wrapped up their record-equalling 20th English title. But fatigue was undoubtedly a factor during a somewhat shaky second half of last season – and played a pivotal role in a trying week in March during which they were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain before being upset by Newcastle in the final of the Carabao Cup.

  There was, then, an acceptance that Liverpool required greater strength in depth in defence ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, as well as more creativity in midfield and a more clinical finisher up front. For all the money spent, though, Liverpool still have issues in every department.

  Because of his issues adjusting the pace and physicality of the Premier League, Wirtz has been moved onto the left, where the inconsistent and often one-dimensional Gakpo has failed to fill the void left by Luis Diaz, whose incisive dribbling skills are being badly missed.

  For all Trent Alexander-Arnold's defensive deficiencies, the right-back's absence is being keenly felt from an offensive perspective (and most keenly by Salah). Bradley is simply not capable of the same line-splitting passes from deep nor can he serve as an auxiliary midfielder – or at least not as effectively as Alexander-Arnold.

  A fully-fit Isak should obviously end up providing the kind of cutting edge that Slot has repeatedly claimed has cost Liverpool points this season (despite Ekitike's promising start), but Konate's calamitous form is making the failure to get a deadline-day deal for Marc Guehi over the line looking like a potentially ruinous mistake. 

  Basically, the new signings have failed to solve existing problems – and actually created new ones.

Even as the humidity went up due to the extended monsoon, both batters kept their cool and raised maiden Test tons, putting South Africa well on top

Mohammad Isam29-Oct-20241:47

Stubbs: ‘Getting to three figures was a big relief’

In local cricket circles, they say that if you have survived Mirpur, Sylhet or Chattogram is a breeze. This is obviously about the pitches at these venues. South Africa’s batters navigated the Shere Bangla National Stadium surface well last week, so when they got to the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram, it was time to cash in. They did, finishing the first day on 307 for 2, and it was thanks mainly to the tenacity of the young pair of Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs.The two of them hit centuries – the first in Tests for both of them – after South Africa opted to bat, added 201 for the second wicket, and complemented each other when they batted together. Stubbs said afterwards that de Zorzi helped him through his nervous start and a tough period after lunch to keep the pressure on Bangladesh throughout the day.”To get to the three figures was a big relief more than anything,” Stubbs said. “This definitely ranks as my favourite hundred. Till lunch, I was scoring quite freely. After lunch, I was trying hard to get off strike. The ball was [reversing]. It was a good period for them. I grafted it out and once I got the rhythm back, I felt quite comfortable.Related

• De Zorzi and Stubbs hit maiden tons to make it South Africa's day

“When the ball got a bit softer after lunch, we thought Taijul [Islam] got one or two to spin. He beat me on the outside [edge]. There was also a little bit of tail on the ball to keep you thinking. They also got the ball to [reverse] just enough to get you thinking. It was a good batting wicket but it was hard to score freely. You were going to get yourself out by giving them your wicket.”Stubbs got through his 198-ball stay by banking on the reverse sweep, his most profitable shot after the cover drive. Stubbs struck three fours with the reverse sweep, including one that went through the covers. De Zorzi, too, was strong on the sweep, which encouraged Stubbs to stick to what worked for him best.”My plan was to sweep before the game, but then I struggled with the actual sweep,” he said. “So it was more the reverse sweep today. Tony was sweeping very well today. Sometimes when it is working on that day, you commit with it. He did it really well.”I was really nervous up front. It was nice batting with Tony. He was very calm. He was flowing quite nicely. I give huge credit to him. Straight after lunch, he started cramping. The mental strength to go through the whole day was unbelievable. We kept reminding each other to not take anything for granted. It was really enjoyable batting with him.”De Zorzi ended the day having batted through the 81 overs for 141 not out, to Stubbs’ 106.Tony de Zorzi batted through the opening day•AFP/Getty ImagesSouth Africa’s major challenge in Bangladesh has also been the unseasonal heat. The extended monsoon has caused the humidity to go up, too, so the visitors have had to endure some tough weather in both Dhaka and Chattogram, where it usually cools down around this time of the year.”It was flippin’ hot in the Caribbean [too],” Stubbs pointed out. “Then we went to the UAE last month. It is about getting used to the uncomfortable heat. I sweat a lot so it is all about trying to keep my gloves dry. Fortunately, I have a nice sponsor who has given a lot of gloves for this tour. That’s the biggest challenge.”Incidentally, Chattogram has been a happy place for South Africa’s batters over the years, especially when it comes to putting together partnerships.In 2003, Boeta Dippenaar and Jacques Rudolph put together 429 for the unbroken third-wicket stand at the old MA Aziz Stadium across the city. It is still the highest Test stand against Bangladesh. And five years on from that, Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie added 415 for the opening stand at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium – a world record for the opening wicket. De Zorzi and Stubbs haven’t threatened those numbers, but theirs is a partnership that is likely to have a similarly big impact on this Test match.

The funding from CABS, the financial institution, will go directly to the five provincial teams

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Jul-2025

The development comes during a bumper year for Zimbabwe•Zimbabwe Cricket

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has received a sponsorship of US$ 50,000 from CABS, a Zimbabwe-based financial institution, aimed at directly supporting the country’s five first-class provincial teams.According to a ZC release, the funding will go to Eagles, Rhinos, Tuskers, Mountaineers and Southern Rocks, the five teams that compete in the Logan Cup, the Pro50 Championship and the domestic T20 competition. The release also said it will be a direct-to-team funding model, that will help them make investments in key areas such as coaching, talent development and player welfare. The direct funding model enhances financial transparency and governance, that will help in clearer budgeting and stronger accountability, the release stated.”We are grateful to CABS for coming on board as a valued partner in our domestic cricket journey,” ZC managing director Givemore Makoni said. “This kind of corporate support plays an important role in strengthening the game’s foundation and enabling long-term growth.Related

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“For our provincial teams, it means greater stability and the ability to invest more consistently in key areas such as player welfare, coaching and talent development – factors that are essential to building a stronger pipeline for the future of Zimbabwean cricket.”CABS managing director Mehluli Mpofu said: “This sponsorship is more than support for cricket – it is a commitment to the dreams of Zimbabwe’s young people. Across the country, there are talented, passionate youths who see sport as a pathway to opportunity, purpose and pride.”At CABS, we recognise that potential. By investing in domestic cricket, we are answering their call, building platforms for growth and helping shape a future where every young Zimbabwean has a chance to shine.”CABS has a long-standing relationship with cricket, dating back to 2004 when it supported T20 competitions. The release also said the institution has “quietly but consistently backed cricket development initiatives, helping to uncover and nurture emerging talent across the country” over the past two decades.The development comes during a bumper year for Zimbabwe in which they have already played seven Tests and also hosted a T20I tri-series recently with South Africa and New Zealand. They are set to host New Zealand for two Tests starting July 30.