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Everton have enjoyed a solid start to the campaign. Negativity has wended its way in over recent weeks – and understandably so – but few expect the 14th-place Premier League side to slump into the drop zone and remain there.

Of course, neither are David Moyes’ team firing on all cylinders, and after a hard-fought draw at high-flying Sunderland on Monday evening, the issues relating to goals and strikers remained at the forefront.

Perhaps more concerning was the way the Toffees tapered off after the interval, almost knocked out of kilter by Granit Xhaka’s deflected howitzer moments into the second half; the Black Cats were on the hunt for much of the affair thereafter.

Moyes needs to fix these problems and ensure Everton push for an elusive place in the top half. But, in order to do this, he must find solutions to the current problems.

How Moyes can solve Everton's problems

Not to be unduly pragmatic, but the data suggests Everton are headed for a mid-table Premier League finish, settled somewhere on the bottom half of the ladder.

How to dissect the glaring conundrum on Moyes’ desk? Between them, Beto and Thierno Barry have scored one goal in the league this season, and the slew of missed chances are piling up.

Barry will be desperate to break his duck after moving to the Hill Dickinson from Villarreal for a £27m fee in July. A smart deal for a promising attacking talent wrapped up nice and early.

Things need to improve in the final third, with Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish keeping things afloat.

However, Moyes’ job would be a whole lot more unstable were the defenders not playing their part. James Tarkowski has not looked his sharpest so far this term, though Jordan Pickford is as important as ever. An issue down the defensive flanks is as noisy a talking point as the one at number nine.

With Jarrad Branthwaite yet to make his seasonal bow as he recovers from a hamstring injury, the Blues’ secure defence could have crumbled over the past few months, but there’s been an unlikely hero who is keeping Everton away from the maw of the relegation zone.

The Everton flop saving Moyes' skin

Toward the end of the 2024/25 campaign, it looked nailed on that Michael Keane would close the door on his Everton career, drawing to a close a career on Merseyside with many ups and downs.

Keane, 32, penned a new deal at the start of the summer, and that’s a move which has proved incredibly shrewd, for he has started all ten Premier League fixtures so far as Branthwaite recovers.

Once said to have “failed a succession of managers” at Goodison Park by writer Jim Keoghan, Keane looks as sharp and cultured as he ever has, really making a positive impression as the protective tissue in front of Pickford’s goal. Against Sunderland, for example, Liverpool World handed him a 9/10 match rating for his defensive contribution.

Looking at how Keane has fared alongside Tarkowski, you might argue he has been the superior man. Certainly, he has been less error-strewn in his efforts than the vice-captain.

Matches (starts)

10 (10)

10 (10)

Goals

0

1

Assists

0

0

Touches*

58.6

51.1

Accurate passes*

35.9 (81%)

31.1 (85%)

Chances created*

0.5

0.1

Recoveries*

2.4

2.9

Tackles + interceptions*

2.3

1.7

Clearances*

6.9

7.7

Ground duels*

2.2 (61%)

1.3 (62%)

Aerial duels*

4.3 (70%)

2.9 (62%)

Errors made

4

0

The significance of Keane’s fine form in the rearguard cannot be understated. Branthwaite is indeed sidelined and may yet be uncleared for several months.

Imagine a world in which the Friedkin Group had opted against renewing Keane’s deal, content with the options at hand. It would have been disastrous and to the detriment of Moyes’ first full season back in charge.

Just look at the England international’s display at the Stadium of Light. His fearlessness to make one near-the-line clearance showcased his determination and spirit, and he has been a credit to Moyes’ team this year.

Issues persist at right-back, and while he’s imperfect in the role, Jake O’Brien has proved largely effective in an unnatural berth. Recalling him to central defence alongside Tarkowski might have had an adverse effect on the squad’s fluency, not least because of the lack of options in the position.

Would it be too much to claim Keane has been the signing of the summer for the Toffees? Perhaps not, considering the circumstances. His steely displays in front of Pickford’s goal might even be keeping Moyes in a job as he looks to find a successful formula to stave off any worries of yet another relegation-threatened campaign.

Moyes can drop Barry & Beto by unleashing "magic" Everton star in new role

Everton have got some major problems in the final third this season.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 5, 2025

Manchester United can count themselves lucky that their unbeaten run is still intact. The Red Devils secured a late point away to Tottenham Hotspur, drawing 2-2 in North London, after a largely uninspiring performance once again from Ruben Amorim’s team.

Last season, the Lilywhites were something of a bogey team for United, who lost to Spurs four times. However, when Bryan Mbeumo scored just past the half-hour mark, it looked like that run could be coming to an end.

It was a good goal too, with Amad swinging a cross in for the Cameroonian attacker to guide home with his head.

The Red Devils were passive for most of the game, happy for Spurs to dominate the ball. Eventually, they did buckle under the pressure. In the 83rd minute, Mathys Tel saw his strike take a deflection and fly past Senne Lammens after excellent back-to-goal play.

Eight minutes later, in the first of six added minutes, Richarlison got his head on Wilson Odobert’s shot to direct it home. United seemed dead and buried, but Matthijs de Ligt was the saviour, heading home Bruno Fernandes’ corner to secure a draw.

It was a lacklustre performance from Amorim’s side, with De Ligt a key man at the back.

De Ligt’s stats vs. Spurs

Dutch international De Ligt capped off a good week for him personally by getting on the scoresheet. He was also recalled to the Netherlands squad after a fantastic start to the season at Old Trafford.

His last-gasp header to earn a point for United was an impressive effort.

He managed to shake off his marker and ghosted towards the back post, rising unmarked to head past Guglielmo Vicario in the Spurs goal.

Defensively, the former Ajax star impressed. He was the player whose deflection sent Tel’s strike into the back of the net, but it is hard to blame him after good centre-forward play.

Aside from that, De Ligt made six clearances and three recoveries, mainly operating at right centre-back, having largely bullied the likes of Richarlison ahead of him.

The heroic late goal from the Dutchman, meanwhile, would have brought relief to United fans and players alike. That includes another starter, who struggled against Spurs.

The United star who struggled against Spurs

Despite the performance of De Ligt, United were disappointing against Thomas Frank’s side. It was a largely toothless performance going forward, with Amorim’s side managing just five shots in the entire game.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

One of those attacking players who struggled was Matheus Cunha. The Brazilian has shone this season as something of an Amorim favourite, but, operating as a number nine on Saturday, was largely anonymous.

He certainly had a tough day going up against Cristian Romero and Mickey van de Ven.

In fact, Cunha didn’t really manage to get himself into the game at all. The former Atletico Madrid star only managed 35 touches in the 72 minutes he played, less than Lammens’ 37.

He also had four touches in the Spurs box and won one out of seven ground duels.

Touches

35

Passes completed

17/24

Touches in opposition box

4

Ground duels won

1/7

Passes into final third

2

Shots

1

Well, it was a performance which MEN writer Steven Railston also seemed to think left a little to be desired. He gave Cunha a 5/10 for his afternoon’s work, and said the 17-cap Brazil star was ‘not at his best’ at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

It will certainly give Amorim something to think about. United’s next game sees them take on Everton, and with two more physically imposing centre-backs in Michael Keane and James Tarkowski, he might decide against starting Cunha against the Toffees.

There are other options if he decides to rotate the Red Devils’ number 10 out of the lineup. Benjamin Sesko is, of course, one player who could start, although he picked up an injury against Spurs. Joshua Zirkzee is another player Amorim could turn to, and his hold-up play could be important against the Toffees.

Whatever decision the United boss chooses, he will need his side to create more going forward. On another day, they could have easily been put to the sword in North London.

Forget Mbeumo: "Phenomenal" Man Utd star was the real player of the month

Bryan Mbeumo has won the Premier League Player of the Month, but one other Manchester United star may feel hard done by.

ByEthan Lamb Nov 7, 2025

Over the summer, Ange Postecoglou was relieved of his duties as manager of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.

He had promised supporters that season three is always the best. Alas, Spurs fans swiftly saw him exit the club, replaced by Thomas Frank.

While Postecoglou had guided the Lilywhites to the Europa League, thus engineering plenty of credit in the bank, they did ultimately finish 17th in the Premier League.

A major trophy was won but their league form was inexcusable. The same could now be said of Spurs under Frank.

Things started off rosy but they have unravelled in recent months. It’s all beginning to become rather Ange, isn’t it? The lack of ability to create goal-scoring opportunities and play attractive football is not rubbing off well on supporters.

Spurs could replace Frank already

As of 30th November 2025, the Dane has only been in charge of Spurs for 171 days. Yet, after a matter of months, Frank is already feeling the heat.

A week ago, the north Londoners put in a drab performance against rivals Arsenal, conceding four in the process. A few days later, while they did look more threatening in attack, they shipped five against European champions PSG.

A defeat against two of the continent’s very best is hardly a surprise, but their 2-1 loss to Fulham only rubbed further salt in the wounds.

This has been a terrible week for Tottenham and it’s hardly a surprise that Fabio Paratici and Co have been told to earmark possible replacements.

Manager Focus

Who are the greatest coaches in the land? Football FanCast’s Manager Focus series aims to reveal all.

According to reports in Spain, one name to have emerged on the club’s shortlist is former Barcelona player and manager, Xavi.

While the Spaniard is also on the radar of Manchester United, it’s thought that the Spurs board are considering making a change in the dugout if things have not improved by the end of December. In that eventuality, they will look to speak with Xavi about the job.

It’s stated that Spurs and United see Xavi as ‘an ideal coach to lead a new phase’, largely thanks to the fact that he has ‘modern ideas’ and ‘believes in young players’.

Why Xavi would be perfect for Spurs

Spurs have been there and done it before with a big-name manager. Antonio Conte’s spell ended in tears, as did Jose Mourinho’s. He steered them to a League Cup final at Wembley but was remarkably sacked on the eve of that big game.

As a result, caution must be heeded here. Is Xavi really the best port of call? Fears that another Conte or Mourinho situation could play out are understandable.

Yet, the fact of the matter is that Spurs have tried everything now. The relatively untested route of Postecoglou did end with a trophy but his spell was incredibly topsy-turvy. They’ve also been there and done it with a Premier League-proven manager. Nuno Santo ended poorly and the Frank regime is hardly going well, is it?

It’s rather sad. Frank is a nice man. He’s likeable. The first few months saw something of a revival too. Postecoglou’s defence was a total mess but the former Brentford manager had sorted that out.

Across Tottenham’s first seven games under Frank’s stewardship, they kept five clean sheets. There was better organisation and defensively they were far more resolute. Job done, right? The biggest problem under Ange was fixed. Think again.

The honeymoon period is now over. Spurs have won just one of their last seven games in all competitions. Across that time, they have shipped 15 goals. It’s far from ideal.

So, why would Xavi represent an upgrade? Well, in the words of Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, the former midfielder is “the best manager in the world.”

Whether or not you agree with that sentiment, the experience he boasts is extraordinary. As a player, he won the World Cup, two European Championships, eight LaLiga titles and four Champions Leagues.

As a manager, he navigated Barca through choppy waters. Under financial pressure, the Spanish giants still won LaLiga and while they did spend big on the likes of Raphinha and Ferran Torres, a lot of the work done in the transfer market was bringing in players on a free transfer.

Xavi was also the boss who gave a certain Lamine Yamal his debut aged 15. He also handed a first-team debut to Fermin Lopez, now a regular in the Barca team and to centre-half Pau Cubarsi.

Speaking about the Spanish manager’s philosophy, Arsene Wenger once said: “Personally, I like Xavi, and I give him credit for having the courage to bring these young players on board. That’s the difficult thing. He believed in them and gave them a chance to play. It’s true that he didn’t win the league last season, but he did win it the season before that. So I think he did a good job.”

The fact of the matter is that the Spaniard trusts young players and this couldn’t be more perfect for a Spurs squad boasting some of the finest young talent around. Take the likes of Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray, Luka Vuskovic and Luca Williams-Barnett as prime examples. The 45-year-old could be game-changing for players like that.

Born and bred in La Masia, it’s hardly a surprise that Xavi also favours attractive and possession-based football. Frank, on the other hand, does not.

Sure, Spurs were more organised during the opening months of the Frank regime but as manager of Tottenham, the fans expect to see exciting football too.

While the Londoners have enjoyed 53.8% of the ball this season, the sixth-best tally in the division, they have struggled big time with their creativity. Their 9.5 shots per game is the third-lowest tally in the entire Premier League. Only Wolves and Burnley are below them. Remarkably, they are also registering no through balls per game. No other team is worse in that regard.

As a consequence, they sit 16th in the league for expected goals, with a record of 14.33 xG.

To put some of those numbers into context, when Xavi won the league with Barca in 2022/23, they enjoyed the most possession in the league (64.8%), and had the second highest volume of shots per game (15.1).

While Xavi had a better team in his armoury, he is clearly a better tactical coach and the fact that he’s won some of football’s biggest honours puts him on a pedestal far above Frank.

He’s played under the likes of Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique, he’s certainly been able to learn a thing or two. Spurs would certainly be better off should they seal the remarkable capture of Xavi heading into 2026.

As bad as Vicario: Frank must finally bin 5/10 Spurs flop after Fulham

Tottenham were condemned to a third defeat in six days as they were overcome by Fulham’s early flurry.

By
Angus Sinclair

Nov 30, 2025

Vitinha produced the performance of his life as Paris Saint-Germain beat Tottenham 5-3 in a wild Champions League encounter at the Parc des Princes. The midfielder scored his first-ever career hat-trick, inspiring a comeback after PSG trailed twice on the night. With the French champions closing in on a top-eight league-phase finish, the win underlined Vitinha’s growing influence in Luis Enrique’s project.

• Vitinha leads PSG’s comeback with landmark hat-trick

  PSG were forced to dig deep after Tottenham twice took the lead in a chaotic Champions League night in Paris. Richarlison opened the scoring before Vitinha struck an equaliser just before half-time, the moment that set the tone for a career-defining display. Spurs went ahead again early in the second half, but Les Parisiens responded instantly, with the Portuguese midfielder producing a composed finish to drag his team level.

  His joy was evident when speaking to about scoring multiple goals for the first time in his professional career, he said: “It’s the first time. Even two, it’s the first time [laughs]. I had never scored two in the same game.”

  The European champions soon flipped the match on its head, with Fabian Ruiz and Willian Pacho striking before Vitinha completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot to seal the victory and take the match ball home on a night that showcased his growing attacking instincts. The win reinforces PSG’s strong Champions League campaign, marking their fourth victory in five matches and pushing them closer to securing a top-eight finish.

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• AFP
  

  Vitinha reveals the mindset shift behind his hat-trick

  After the match, Vitinha opened up about the mental shift that helped unlock the best goalscoring night of his career. He explained the belief behind his sudden scoring touch: "It was incredible, I think it's partly in your head. If you don't think about scoring a lot of goals, you probably won't. You have to believe, you have to… push too. Of course, always for the good of the team and never against the team, but you have to believe, show up, feel that the ball will come to you… And the truth is that I had luck combined with the goals and I'm overjoyed. I never… never thought I'd score three goals in a game. Very happy to have scored, but mainly for the victory. It was important to be behind twice and have the personality to come back. It's extremely important and I'm very happy for myself and for the team." 

  Speaking to PSG media, he acknowledged that Joao Neves’ recent hat-trick against Armenia may have planted the seed: “Actually, I had never thought about scoring a hat trick. Maybe Joao [Neves] inspired me! But it's true that when it happens, you think: 'maybe I can too'. It's a bit psychological. I'm very happy with this hat trick, but above all with the team and its personality, because it managed to overcome difficulties once again, with the help of this environment and these incredible fans. I think we formed a great team here, all together, at the Parc. They never stopped believing in us, even when we were behind twice.”

• Frank hails Vitinha as 'the next Ballon d'Or winner'

  Tottenham manager Thomas Frank was left impressed despite the defeat, calling the midfielder one of the standout players in world football right now. 

  Speaking to reports, Frank said: "Of course, I think it was performance that was up there where we could get something out of the game, a draw or a win. So that's a little frustrating thing that we conceded some goals. Of course, one with a little bit of margin from Vitinha, not top corner but top, top corner. And then, of course, goal three and four. Those are the ones we definitely need to avoid if we want to get something out of here, but something to build on. Strikers scoring two goals. The whole team, I think, all performed well. Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, positive. When we played against a decent team where they have one Ballon d'Or winner and I think the next one is playing in midfield. Vitinha. Wow, what a player."

  He doubled down in his post-match interview with : “Vitinha is the best midfielder in the world. He will be the next Ballon d'Or winner.”

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• AFP
  

  PSG eye top-eight finish as momentum grows

  The victory puts the Ligue 1 giants in a commanding position in the league phase. They now have 12 points, level with Bayern Munich but ahead on goal difference, and stand as one of the most consistent performers against Premier League opposition this year. It also marked PSG’s sixth win in 10 matches against English clubs in 2025, including their Super Cup triumph over Spurs in August.

  Up next, PSG return to Ligue 1 action where they face Monaco this weekend, a match that offers another platform for Vitinha to showcase his soaring form. With confidence high and Champions League progression in sight, PSG appear well-placed to maintain their momentum heading into a decisive stretch of the season.

The imbalance of T20 and Test cricket could be creating workload issues for fast bowlers

Firdose Moonda20-Jan-2025Joburg Super Kings completed their trip to the Western Cape winless, after losing to both MICT and Paarl Royals and head into the second half of the competition with a depleted seam attack. It was confirmed midway through their trip that Gerald Coetzee has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament with a hamstring injury, after playing only one game, which takes their total count of absent seamers to four.Nandre Burger and Lizaad Williams were ruled out before the event started with a lower back stress fracture and a knee problem respectively, while the experienced Beuran Hendricks was ruled out shortly after the tournament started. Now, without Coetzee, JSK are down to three frontline quicks in Sri Lanka’s Matheesha Pathirana, Hardus Viljoen and Doug Bracewell (who has yet to play a game) and allrounders David Wiese and Evan Jones.JSK’s troubles are a symptom of a broader problem in South African cricket: the proliferation of injured quicks, which has blighted the summer. As the numbers on the sidelines grow, so do the theories over the reasons, and there seems to be a prevailing one.”We actually did a count last night,” Albie Morkel, JSK’s assistant coach said after their loss to MICT on Wednesday night. “Currently there’s about nine South African fast bowlers injured across all the teams, so it is a worrying thing. We are trying to find reasons why, maybe it’s the lack of cricket, I don’t know. We lost three big guys in Lizaad, Nandre, and Gerald recently, so it’s big for us and we have to juggle with the guys that we have.”Morkel’s point may extend to a discussion on loads in general which is something CSA, like other boards around the world, monitors. That includes bowling too much and bowling too little, and then switching between the two extremes too quickly, which results in drastic changes in a short space of time. One source pointed to the structure of South Africa’s domestic system which, for two of the last three seasons, has started with a T20 competition, and then gone into a first-class tournament. This, in essence, has taken bowlers from delivering four overs a match for several weeks to being required to bowl 15-plus overs a day in a short space of time.An example of this is Coetzee, who played 22 T20s in 2024 but no first-class matches before he played a Test against Sri Lanka. In the Test, Coetzee bowled 16 overs – four times more than he had bowled in a single game all year, and hurt his groin, which ruled him out of the rest of the international summer. On his comeback seven weeks later, Coetzee bowled three overs for JSK and has since picked up a hamstring injury.Lungi Ngidi is back in action but down on pace after his groin injury•SportzpicsCSA are hopeful that Coetzee will recover before the final Champions Trophy squads need to be named on February 11 but they will still need to address Coetzee’s longer-term problems. He has struggled with injuries since he was at school and often in similar areas: hamstrings, hip and groin. One problem could be how much he puts his body through by bowling quickly, which CSA tried to address when they put him, and Marco Jansen, on a 12-week conditioning break between August and October this year. Jansen has returned refreshed, quick and with a renewed appetite for batting; Coetzee initially came back faster, but has since been injured.Without a careful analysis of the actions of Jansen and Coetzee, which CSA have access to, it could be difficult to explain why one has remained fit and the other hasn’t, unless you simply put it down to rotten luck. That may also be the only way to explain the persistent problems facing Anrich Nortje. He was due to play in South Africa’s white-ball series against Pakistan but broke his toe in the nets (while facing David Miller, of all people!) and then suffered a back injury on comeback.Nortje has had long-standing back and hip problems, which ruled him out of the 2023 ODI World Cup, but has also shown he can come back strongly. He was South Africa’s leading wicket-taker, and the joint second-highest, at the 2024 T20 World Cup, but there is something interesting to note about his recent playing history. Since September 2023, Nortje has only played T20s: 35 matches, and opted out of a CSA central contract, which may have required him to play Tests and ODIs as well, to ease his body back into the rigours of competitive cricket.Related

SA replace injured Nortje with Bosch for Champions Trophy

Paarl Royals hit by Miller niggle; Ngidi absence concern for South Africa

Groin injury rules Ngidi out of action till January

Fractured toe puts Anrich Nortje out of T20Is against Pakistan

Baartman out of third ODI against Pakistan with right knee problem

So there may be something to the too-little-cricket argument and it could also apply to Lungi Ngidi, who was discovered to have a groin injury in November. Ngidi has only played two first-class matches in the last two years – both Tests – and six ODIs (but no domestic 50-over matches) and 25 T20s in that time. Ngidi did not play any cricket between the ODI series against Ireland in October the start of the SA20 in January, which meant he missed the entire home international season, including all four Tests. He has since played three of Paarl Royals’ five matches, including two in a row on January 11 and 13, but did not play on Monday night against JSK. The official word is that he is fit for selection but the evidence of his appearances is that he has been bowling slower than expected, which may be a worry ahead of the Champions Trophy.The other three injured quicks included Wiaan Mulder, who broke his right middle finger while batting in the Durban Test against Sri Lanka, and Ottneil Baartman, who had a calf problem. Both have since returned to action. Daryn Dupavillon makes up the ninth name and has a hamstring injury that has ruled him out of the SA20.That number would leave most national sides, and the domestic systems, in trouble but South Africa have still managed to field excellent quicks in their Test squad, while the SA20 sides are fairly well stocked. If there is a silver lining, it’s that when the depth has been tested, it’s passed. However, South Africa will still want to consider the root cause of the issue and see if they can resolve it.

Umpiring great retired in 1996 after officiating in 66 Test matches

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Sep-2025Harold “Dickie” Bird, one of the most beloved umpires in cricket’s history, has died at the age of 92.Bird, who officiated in 66 Tests and 69 ODIs, including three World Cup finals, was synonymous with his home county Yorkshire, for who he began his career as a top-order batter in 1956, and later went on to serve as Yorkshire president in 2014.He averaged 20.71 in 93 first-class matches, making two centuries including a best of 181 not out against Glamorgan in 1959. But when, after moving to Leicestershire in 1960, his career was cut short by injury four years later, his switch to umpiring would set him on the path to becoming a household name.Bird’s idiosyncrasies would become part of his appeal, including his famously anxious attitude to timekeeping. Having made his umpiring debut in May 1970, he travelled to London for his second match – Surrey versus Yorkshire at The Oval – arrived at 6am for an 11am start, and was caught by a policeman attempting to scale the wall of the still-locked ground.As an umpire, he was famously reluctant to raise his finger for lbw appeals – several of his decisions would have been quickly over-turned in the age of DRS. In mitigation, he was at least consistent in offering the benefit of the doubt to batters … with one possible exception. On the morning of his final Test, England versus India at Lord’s, he arrived in the middle with tears in his eyes after a guard of honour from the players. And duly gave Mike Atherton out lbw in the first over of the match.Other memorable moments included his decision, during the West Indies Test at Old Trafford in 1995, to call a halt to play for an excess of sunlight, which had been reflecting off a greenhouse behind the bowler’s arm. In that same fixture, as related by Atherton in his autobiography, Bird dropped the pocket-ful of marbles that he used to count the deliveries in an over.”Play was halted momentarily while Dickie scrambled around on his hands and knees looking for his counters,” Atherton wrote. “‘I’ve lost me marbles! I’ve lost me marbles! He cried. Most of us thought he had lost his marbles a long time ago.”He was frequently the victim of practical jokes – particularly at the hands of Ian Botham and Allan Lamb. On one occasion, Lamb arrived at the middle with his 1980s brick-style mobile phone still in his pocket. Bird duly stashed it in his coat, whereupon Botham rang the device from the dressing-room, telling a startled Bird to pass on a message for his team-mate to get a move on.Bird himself had believed his likeliest route to sporting success was football, although as he related in his autobiography, a cartilage operation on his knee at the age of 15 put paid to that ambition. Instead, he became a fixture in Barnsley’s 1st XI cricket team, where his team-mates included Michael Parkinson – who would later become a world-renowned chat-show host – and later, Geoffrey Boycott.”I have known Dickie nearly 70 years as a friend,” Boycott wrote in his tribute to Bird. “When I was 15 I was taken to Barnsley Cricket Club by my Uncle Algy. I was in awe of him because every week Dickie was the star batsman.”Boycott added that Bird was a “very good technical batsman” but added that “nerves got the better of him” during his Yorkshire career. As an umpire, however, he described him as “absolutely brilliant”.”Players all over the world respected and admired him for his firmness, fairness, and he did it with a sense of humour. He was loved by so many and became a legend.”In 2009, Bird was honoured with a bronze statue on Barnsley’s Church Lane, set in his familiar umpiring pose with one finger raised. The council was soon obliged to place it on a higher plinth than had been intended, due to the public’s temptation to hang objects on said finger.He was appointed an MBE in 1986 and an OBE in 2012 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to cricket, having stood in his last first-class match in 1998, Yorkshire versus Warwickshire at Headingley.In a statement, Yorkshire confirmed that he had died peacefully at home”He leaves behind a legacy of sportsmanship, humility, and joy — and a legion of admirers across generations,” Yorkshire added.”The thoughts of everyone at the Yorkshire County Cricket Club are with Dickie’s family and friends during this time. He will be truly missed by all at the Club having spent an incredible amount of time in support of everyone here and will be remembered as one the greatest characters in Yorkshire’s history.”

Brighton owner Tony Bloom says it is "entirely false" that he placed bets on his team's matches since he took over the club. Reports emerged that the British billionaire was the anonymous gambler behind winnings of £52 million ($70m), which allegedly included bets on the Seagulls. Now, in a statement on behalf of Bloom, the Premier League club has responded to these "misleading" claims.

'Secret £600m betting syndicate'

Earlier this week, Bloom was accused of running a 'secret £600 million ($800m) betting syndicate' and that some of the accounts used allegedly belonged to a former chief of staff of Reform UK MP Nigel Farage. Moreover, claimed that Bloom is the professional gambler known as "John Doe", who is referred to in a legal case in the United States where investigators are trying to unmask an anonymous gambler on a lucrative hot streak. The Football Association prevents club owners from placing bets on matches or competitions involving their own team. Despite that, Bloom is one of several owners allowed to continue gambling on other tournaments and games as he was included in a 2014 policy permitting such an act. Now, the 55-year-old, who is a professional gambler and runs a £600m-valued ($800m) London-based sports betting consultancy called Starlizard, has tried to set the record straight.

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'Inaccurate and misleading report'

A statement issued by Brighton on Bloom's behalf states that he has never placed bets on the Seagulls since taking over the club in 2009. He described these allegations as "inaccurate and misleading" and said that lawyers have made contact with The Guardian about their story.

A statement on the club's website reads: "Following an inaccurate and misleading report in The Guardian earlier this evening, I can categorically assure our supporters that I have not placed bets on any Brighton & Hove Albion matches since becoming the owner of the club in 2009. In 2014, in addition to new rules on betting, The FA introduced a policy with quite onerous provisions for owners of football clubs with interests in betting. These provisions allow certain football club owners, including me, to continue to bet on football under strict conditions. In particular, the policy prevents me from betting on any match or competition that Brighton & Hove Albion is involved in. Since 2014, I have always fully complied with these conditions, and all of my bets on football are audited by one of the world’s leading accounting firms on an annual basis to ensure full compliance with The FA’s policy. Lawyers acting on my behalf have this evening directly contacted The Guardian to make my position on this entirely false allegation very clear. Separately, our club is in direct contact with both The Football Association and The Premier League regarding this matter."

The rise of Tony Bloom

To many, Bloom is best known as Brighton's owner, along with being a minority shareholder in Belgian top-flight team Union SG. He is also a minority owner of the Australian team Melbourne Victory and Scottish Premiership side Hearts. For those less accustomed to the Brighton-born businessman, Bloom started out at an accountancy firm, before becoming an options trader, and then he got into gambling professionally. Nicknamed 'The Lizard' for his poker-playing prowess, Bloom launched Starlizard in 2006, with their modus operandi focusing on using data to analyse and predict the outcome of sporting events. The success of that enterprise has allowed him to venture into racehorse ownership and charitable foundations, as well as taking Brighton from League One to the Premier League. This comes a matter of decades after the club nearly went out of existence in the late 1990s. Since then, they have played in the Europa League as well for the first time in their history.

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Getty Images SportWhat comes next for Bloom's Brighton?

Aside from off-field matters such as this, Bloom, who is a boyhood Brighton fan, will be keeping a watchful eye on his team's Premier League clash with West Ham on Sunday. The Seagulls sit tenth in the table whereas the Hammers are third from bottom. A win could see the Albion jump into the top five if results go their way.

“If you do not spare even a 23-year-old boy to run your YouTube channel, it’s unfair,” Gautam Gambhir says about Kris Srikkanth’s criticism of Harshit Rana

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Oct-2025Are Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli still part of India’s plans for the 2027 World Cup? The ODI captaincy has passed from Rohit to Shubman Gill, and both Rohit and Kohli are now in their mid-30s and retired from Tests and T20Is. What does their selection for the ODI series in Australia later this month say about their future?India head coach Gautam Gambhir isn’t looking that far ahead.”Look, 50-over World Cup is still two-and-a-half years away, and I think it is very important to stay in the present,” he said in a press conference after India beat West Indies 2-0 in their Test series. “That is very important. Obviously, they are quality players, they are coming back, their experience is going to be a handful in Australia as well. Hopefully, those two guys will have a successful tour, and more importantly, as a team, we will have a successful series.”Related

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As Test and ODI captain and T20I vice-captain, Gill can expect a packed schedule with little scope for taking breaks between series. Gambhir felt he was in a good space to do this.”First and foremost, I need one,” Gambhir joked when asked if Gill could benefit from having a mental-conditioning coach. “I think he is scoring runs, so he does not need any bit of it. So probably I think he is in a good space. I think all of us are in a good space.”I think when you get the results, you are always in a good space. But if you don’t get the results, I think it is my responsibility to keep him and the entire group in a good space. That is my job. Sometimes it is not only about skills, but it is also about the mental aspect of the game as well. Especially guys who are playing all the three formats. It is not only about Shubman, it is about everyone in that dressing room. I have equal responsibility towards everyone.”Kris Srikkanth had alleged that Harshit Rana is in the national team because he is close to Gautam Gambhir•AFP/Getty Images

Gambhir calls Harshit Rana criticism’ shameful’

One of the selections for the Australia tour that has attracted comment from ex-players in the media is that of Harshit Rana, with the fast bowler part of both the ODI and T20I squads. Among those who have commented on the selection is former India captain and chairman of selectors Kris Srikkanth, who alleged in his YouTube channel that Rana was only part of the squad because he was Gambhir’s yes-man.”Look, it’s a bit shameful. And I will be very honest with you. If you do not spare even a 23-year-old boy to run your YouTube channel, it’s unfair,” Gambhir said. “Because ultimately [Rana’s] father is not an ex-chairman [of selectors] or an ex-cricketer or an NRI. He plays cricket on his own merit. And he will continue to play on his own merit.”Targeting someone individually is not fair. You can target people’s performance. And there are coaches and selectors who target people’s performance. But if you say such things to a 23-year-old kid, then social media amplifies it more, and in social media, you are told things in such a way, imagine [what it does to] the mindset [of the player]. In the future, your child can also play cricket, anyone’s child can play cricket.”At least you can realise that he is a 23-year-old kid. He is not 33. Criticise me, I can still handle it. But a 23-year-old boy is a 23-year-old boy. I think that is why we need to be careful. What you say is only to run your YouTube channel. Every one of us has moral responsibility towards Indian cricket. Indian cricket doesn’t belong to me, it doesn’t belong to people sitting in the dressing room, it belongs to all of you as well. It belongs to every Indian who genuinely wants Indian cricket to do well. Criticise, but do it on performance. Don’t do it because you want to target an individual.”

A century announced the precocious 14-year-old to the world. Now the challenge is to shield the child within the prodigy and build him a strong support system

Greg Chappell02-May-2025In the world of sport, there are few things more thrilling than the arrival of a prodigy – a fresh face bursting onto the scene with a brilliance that seems to defy age, logic, or the rhythms of experience. That is exactly what 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi delivered in his phenomenal third appearance for Rajasthan Royals recently. A century off just 35 deliveries, replete with audacious sixes and classical drives, set not only a record for youth but a standard of excellence that seasoned professionals might envy.The cricketing world stood stunned. A schoolboy had just torn apart a professional attack, and in doing so, lit up a billion imaginations.And yet, within the rapture, there must be reason. With the rise of a star this young, the question is not just how far he can go but whether he will survive the journey at all.Suryavanshi’s century was a triumph of talent, timing, and temperament. It was no fluke: those who had seen him in age-group cricket, especially the Royals’ high-performance director, Zubin Bharucha, knew the spark was real. But even he could not have scripted such a sensational entry.To see a teenager wield a bat with the authority of a man twice his age, in front of tens of thousands, and millions more watching on television, was to witness the magic of sport. But this magic can come at a cost.Related

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At 14, Suryavanshi is still a child – physiologically, neurologically, emotionally. His brain is still wiring itself, his values still forming, his identity still fragile. In that context, such acclaim, such expectation, such public adulation, can become a double-edged sword.Child prodigies are a double narrative. On one hand, they dazzle and uplift, giving fans hope and a sense of wonder. On the other, they often carry burdens they are not yet equipped to shoulder. History across sports offers numerous lessons.Take the case of Freddy Adu, the American footballer labelled “the next Pele” at just 14. The pressure of that label consumed him, and a once-promising career dissolved under the strain of expectation and premature exposure. Or Michelle Wie, the golf phenom who entered the professional circuit as a teenager, only to battle injuries and mental fatigue for years.We’ve seen this in cricket too. Sachin Tendulkar succeeded as a teenager not simply due to talent but because of a solid support system – a stoic temperament, a wise coach, a family that protected him from the circus. On the other hand, Vinod Kambli, equally talented and perhaps more flamboyant, struggled to balance fame and discipline. His fall was as dramatic as his rise. Prithvi Shaw is another wunderkind who has fallen but may yet find a way back to the pinnacle.

It is incumbent on the cricketing ecosystem – the BCCI, the franchises, mentors, and the media – to protect Suryavanshi. Talent must be guided, not glorified; nurtured, not just marketed

These stories don’t question the ability of youth, but they challenge the wisdom of how that ability is nurtured – or exploited.I’m reminded of a different kind of prodigy from my own playing days – not a teenager but a man who, in his own way, arrived with similar brilliance and left with barely a trace.Bob Massie’s debut at Lord’s in 1972 remains etched in cricketing lore: 16 wickets, moving the ball like it was obeying his will. That match, against a powerful England side, turned him into an overnight sensation. Bob was 25, not 14, but even so, the storm of expectation that followed was overwhelming.I played alongside Bob and watched the aftermath. On the following tour, to the West Indies, he began to struggle. The conditions were harsh, the ball deteriorated quickly, and the swing – his greatest weapon – disappeared. He tried harder, overcompensated, and in the process lost his action, and more critically, his confidence.It’s one of the saddest truths in sport: when your weapon is gone and you don’t yet know who you are without it, the game can feel cruel and unforgiving. Bob played just six Tests. The man who once danced with destiny at Lord’s faded into obscurity, not because he lacked skill but because no one had prepared him for what came after success.He later admitted the pressure became too much, and he made the wise, if painful, decision to move on from cricket. But what if he had been 14 instead of 25?This is the peril facing Vaibhav Suryavanshi.It is incumbent on the cricketing ecosystem – the BCCI, the franchises, mentors, and the media – to protect him. Talent can’t be bubble-wrapped, but it can be provided a buffer. It must be guided, not glorified; nurtured, not just marketed.There are a few things that the game must do to protect rising talent.Bob Massie’s rise and devastating fall is a lesson in how fleeting a promising career can be without support•Fairfax Media/Getty ImagesLicensed child psychologists should be part of every elite youth programme. The emotional volatility of adolescence demands specialised care. Cricket teaches technique, but life teaches resilience. Young players need mentors to discuss everything, from media scrutiny to self-worth. Every innings need not be broadcast, nor every run celebrated. There is merit in anonymity during growth phases.Commercial interests must come second to mental health. Contracts should mandate educational continuation, limit media exposure, and schedule periodic sabbaticals. Family or trusted adults must remain central to decision-making. They are not just cheerleaders but the final line of protection for the child within the athlete.Let us not misunderstand the significance of Suryavanshi’s century – it was a marvel, one of those once-in-a-generation moments that define eras. But we must understand the story is just beginning.The world will now demand repeat performances. Commentators will analyse his technique frame by frame. Advertisers will come calling. Social media will canonise or crucify him with equal vigour.And yet, all he might want is to go home, play a video game, or have an ice cream with friends.We must allow him that. We must allow him to be a teenager.To be young and gifted is a rare blessing. But to remain grounded when you have that gift is a greater achievement. For every Tendulkar who rises, there are many like Bob Massie who fade, not because they were any less worthy, but because the structures around them weren’t strong enough to hold them when their world shifted.Vaibhav Suryavanshi has the tools. He has the temperament. But most importantly, he needs time. Let us celebrate him, yes, but also protect him. Let us not confuse early genius with invincibility. The boy has already played like a man. Now it is time for the men around him to ensure the boy within remains whole.And if we do that – if we cherish his humanity as much as we do his hundred – then perhaps, just perhaps, this will not be a quasar that burns bright and vanishes but a star that lights up cricket’s skies for decades to come.

Tottenham Hotspur is a club that has so often been home to numerous elite-level attackers, many of whom have captured the hearts of supporters in the process.

Harry Kane will remain as the Lilywhites’ best-ever goalscorer, with his remarkable figures during his decade-long stint in North London backing up such claims.

The Englishman scored 280 times in his 435 appearances for the club, subsequently breaking the late Jimmy Greaves’ long-standing goalscoring record.

He also formed a deadly partnership with Heung-min Son during his time in the first team, with the duo linking up together on 47 occasions – the most of any pairing in Premier League history.

However, current boss Thomas Frank has been unable to rely upon either of the stars after taking the reins during the off-season, after both were sold in the last handful of years.

Numerous other teams currently boast players of similar characteristics, which has often seen them produce the goods on a consistent basis against them in the Premier League.

The pain Bukayo Saka has inflicted on Spurs in the PL

The North London derby is one of the first dates all Spurs fans look for in the calendar every year, with such a fixture having huge importance in terms of bragging rights.

Winger Bukayo Saka has been a player the Lilywhites supporters have certainly envied over the last few years, with the Englishman often producing the goods against the Lilywhites.

He’s helped Mikel Arteta’s side claim numerous victories in the clashes between the two sides in recent years, subsequently inflicting pain on the Lilywhites faithful as a result.

After his debut for the Gunners five years ago, he’s racked up 10 appearances against Spurs, even finding the back of the net in 50% of the matches he’s featured in.

From solo efforts, as seen in the clash back in April 2024, to assists for Gabriel in the meeting at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – Saka has constantly proved to be a nuisance.

Given the levels he’s achieved in the Premier League over the last couple of years, the Lilywhites faithful will no doubt have wished that they had a player of his calibre in their ranks.

The Spurs star who could be their answer to Saka

In the present day, Spurs boss Frank does have numerous attacking options at his disposal, but many have failed to meet the expectations in 2025/26 to date.

Brennan Johnson has fallen down the pecking order after the Dane’s arrival, subsequently only starting five of the club’s 11 league outings in the Premier League this season.

The Welshman has only registered two goals, but has failed to match the levels he produced last season, which saw him find the net on 18 occasions across all competitions.

His failures have led to youngsters such as Wilson Odobert being handed the chance to impress in North London, but the manager will no doubt want further options off the left-hand flank.

Son’s departure has seen an elite-level talent vacate the squad, leaving a huge hole for one player to potentially fill in the long-term future under Frank.

Mikey Moore could well prove to be the beneficiary in the years ahead, with the teenager deserving of a consistent run in the first-team to allow him to reach his full potential.

The 18-year-old made 19 appearances across all competitions last season, taking advantage of the injury crisis and even registering his first senior goal in the Europa League.

However, he’s been sent on loan to Rangers this campaign in an attempt to gain valuable first-team minutes elsewhere to help aid his development and build on last season’s success.

During his temporary stint in Scotland, the teenager has shown glimpses of his quality, subsequently netting his first goal for Danny Rohl’s side against Dundee last weekend.

Underlying figures such as 1.7 dribbles completed per 90 and 7.7 ball recoveries per 90 further indicate his all-round talents – something which is extremely rare given his tender age.

Moore’s performances at Rangers have already seen him receive huge praise from analysts around Spurs, with one of which labelling the winger as “the best prospect in the country”.

However, it’s crucial that the club manage expectations of the youngster, especially if he is to reach the levels that many people around North London know he is capable of achieving.

Despite that, fans have a reason to be excited, with Moore’s rise through the academy and immediate impact as a teenager extremely similar to Saka’s emergence at Arsenal.

Like his compatriot, he has the tools to make a name for himself in the North London derby, subsequently handing the fans memories to cherish in such an iconic fixture.

Should he continue on his current trajectory, there’s no reason why the youngster can’t play a huge role in the Spurs first team, potentially helping Frank claim added silverware in the near future.

Spurs have "one of Europe’s best finishers" & he could end Richarlison's stay

Tottenham Hotspur can offload Richarlison if Thomas Frank shows faith in one other squad member.

By
Ethan Lamb

Nov 14, 2025