Category Uncategorized

Game 7 of the World Series unfolded in truly epic fashion on Saturday night and it resulted in an absolutely gut-wrenching loss by the Blue Jays to the Dodgers. Thanks to a Will Smith home run in the top of the 11th and a clutch double play in the bottom of the frame Los Angeles won its third Fall Classic in the last six years to officially establish a dynasty. Toronto, meanwhile, has a very long offseason of painful reflection ahead after coming close to its first championship in over 30 years.

It was as brutal a loss as you’ll ever see in sports and Sportsnet broadcaster Caleb Joseph was not happy about it. Appearing on the Canadian broadcast after the game, Joseph did not hesitate to declare he believed the better team did not win the series, even dropping a curse word on television as he memorialized the best Blue Jays season in decades.

“There were a lot of wet eyes and I don’t blame them for that,” Joseph said as he described the scene at Rogers Centre following the defeat. “It’s going to sound like sour grapes, and I don’t really give a s—, but I think the better team did not win this series. I think the Blue Jays are the better team. I feel like they played baseball a certain way, it was infectious, it grabbed the attention of the fans, and it’s disheartening to see that the better team did not win. That’s not to take anything away from the Dodgers, but the Blue Jays, they did so many things correct, so many things right.”

Joseph did spend the 2020 season with the organization and has followed their postseason run with Sportsnet. So the strong emotions are perhaps not a surprise.

But it ultimately doesn’t matter who was the “better team” in the way Joseph is talking about. The Dodgers won four out of seven games and thus they are the victor. The Blue Jays had their chances but couldn’t take advantage. Through that lens, the better team was from Los Angeles, and another World Series trophy belongs to the franchise as a result.

Joseph’s comments undoubtedly resonated with the Canadian audience who have loyally watched Sportsnet throughout this run. But no amount of lamenting who was the better team changes the outcome: the Blue Jays lost. The Dodgers won. And that’s how it'll be remembered forever.

Bangladesh clean swept Afghanistan 3-0 in the T20I series in Sharjah, as they successfully followed a chasing template in all three matches. Saif Hassan continued his good form with an unbeaten 38-ball 64 that powered Bangladesh to a six-wicket win in the third T20I.Afghanistan once again fell well short after being sent in to bat first. They had an ordinary powerplay, followed by an even worse middle overs. Only a late burst from Darwish Rasooli and No. 10 Mujeeb Ur Rahman got them to 143 for 9 in 20 overs.Tanzid Hasan got Bangladesh off to a quick start before Saif took over with his big-hitting. He struck seven sixes and two fours, including several swings, flicks and sweeps on his way to his fourth T20I fifty. Bangladesh did lose a couple of wickets in the middle, but Nurul Hasan struck the winning runs to wrap up victory with two overs to spare.

Tanzid provides early fireworks

Azmatullah Omarzai provided Afghanistan with the early wicket of Parvez Hossain, when the left-hand batter skied him in the fifth over. Parvez looked good in the early exchanges, striking a four and a six in his innings of 14. But when he tried to loft Omarzai, he was caught at mid-off.Saif started with a six later in the same over, before Tanzid crashed two fours in a row off Rashid Khan in the seventh over.Darwish Rasooli’s innings of 32 propelled Afghanistan•ACB

Tanzid then belted Mujeeb for a six over long-on, before Rasooli dropped a sitter off Tanzid’s top edge in the 11th over. But thankfully, for Abdollah Ahmadzai, who was the bowler, Tanzid top-edged his next delivery, a slower one, to mid-off. But Tanzid’s run-a-ball 33, and his 55-run second-wicket stand with Saif, had given Bangladesh a good base in their 144-run chase.

Saif slays, Jaker flails

Like earlier in the series, Bangladesh, though, fell into the pattern of getting into panic mode after a good partnership. Captain Jaker Ali survived two lbw appeals in three balls against Rashid. Both times the ball pitched outside leg stump. Saif then laid into Ahmadzai with a 92-metre six in a 22-run over that should have made life comfortable for Bangladesh.Instead, with just 35 runs to get in 38 balls, Jaker fell to Mujeeb. Jaker took a second review in his 11-ball stay, but this time it didn’t save him. Mujeeb then had Shamim Hossain bowled for a golden duck to make things a little interesting.Saif, meanwhile, cleverly played out Rashid’s last over, the 15th of the innings, with forward-defensive shots, even as it meant giving away a maiden. It didn’t put much pressure on Bangladesh, however, although he made up for it by striking debutant Bashir Ahmad for two sixes in the 16th over. Saif reached his fourth fifty with the second six in the over, a slog sweep that went for 95 meters.Nurul, at the other end, remained not out on 10, including hitting the match-winning runs, a six off Ahmadzai, who had an evening to forget in Sharjah. Nurul thus ended unbeaten in all three matches of the T20I series.Mohammad Saifuddin got three wickets•Afghanistan Cricket Board

Saifuddin leads Bangladesh’s charge

Bangladesh’s bowlers continued their dominance in the powerplay in this T20I series. Afghanistan were 39 for 3 after six overs, with Shoriful Islam once again giving Bangladesh an early breakthrough. He removed Ibrahim Zadran in the third over, before Shamim took a screamer at cover to dismiss Rahmanullah Gurbaz off Nasum Ahmed in the fourth over.Wafiullah Tarakhil’s wicket in the sixth over rounded off Afghanistan’s struggle in the powerplay. Sediqullah Atal looked good during his 23-ball 28, before Mohammad Saifuddin had him caught at deep point in the 11th over. Omarzai then skied Rishad Hossain for 3, before Mohammad Nabi and Rashid fell cheaply, and in successive overs.Bangladesh dominated with the ball till the 15th over, and with Afghanistan at 106 for 8, they might have expected to take the last two wickets rather quickly.

Rasooli, Mujeeb salvage some pride

Bangladesh almost had the ninth wicket in the 17th over when umpire Ahmed Shah Pakteen adjudged Mujeeb lbw, only for a review to save Mujeeb. Rasooli struck Rishad for a four and six later in the over, before Mujeeb got two fours off Shoriful in the 18th over. Rasooli, who scored 29, fell trying to slash Saifuddin, thus giving the latter his third wicket, and ending a 34-run ninth-wicket stand.New batter Bashir then survived a caught-behind chance, with the ball having dropped an inch in front of wicketkeeper Jaker. Mujeeb struck one more four to take Afghanistan past 140, thus giving their bowlers something to aim at.

MatériaMais Notícias

Durante a partida contra o Bolívar pela Libertadores, os torcedores do Flamengo aproveitaram para criticar o desempenho de Wesley na altitude. Para alguns rubro-negros o lateral-direito está dando um desgosto absurdo. Confira as reações abaixo.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFutebol NacionalZico doa parte da renda do Jogo das Estrelas a 19 instituiçõesFutebol Nacional24/04/2024FlamengoAuditores relataram tratamento ‘grosseiro e rude’ de Gabigol, do Flamengo, com coletoresFlamengo24/04/2024FlamengoPela Libertadores, Flamengo quer voltar a vencer fora e melhorar retrospecto na altitudeFlamengo24/04/2024

➡️ Tudo sobre o Mengão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Flamengo

Tudo sobre

FlamengoFora de campoFutebol NacionalLibertadores

At one point during the international break, it appeared as if both Napoli and Atalanta would have new coaches in place for this weekend's meeting between the two sides at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. However, while the Bergamaschi inevitably sacked Ivan Juric the day after their shocking 3-0 defeat at home to Sassuolo, Antonio Conte remains in charge of the Partenopei – which is actually something of a surprise.

Conte may have led Napoli to just their fourth Serie A title six months ago, but his relationship with his players appears to be even worse than their results right now, with the coach comparing his team to a corpse after exhibiting zero signs of life in their latest loss at Bologna.

So, what on earth is going on with the Italian champions? Has Conte really lost the dressing room? Or is he simply trying to provoke a reaction out of his underperforming team by casting doubt on his future?

Getty Images Sport'Great knowledge of what football really means'

Conte is obviously no stranger to controversy. The notoriously combustible coach has repeatedly fallen out with his employers – and usually over perceived parsimony in the transfer market. His legendary lament at Juventus that "You cannot eat at a €100 restaurant with €10 in your pocket" has become a part of the lexicon of Italian football. Even by Conte's standards, though, it was jarring to hear him bemoaning a lack of investment before he'd even taken charge of his first match as Napoli coach last year.

In that particular instance, though, Conte did have some cause for complaint, as the horribly handled Victor Osimhen affair held up the club's summer recruitment for far longer than it should have done. The equally-outspoken Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis also acknowledged that last season's Scudetto success was made all the more remarkable for the fact that Conte had had to deal with the sale of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for financial reasons midway through their title challenge.

"He managed through incidents and injuries to make do with what he had, using not one, but four or five different tactical systems," De Laurentiis enthused at the trophy parade in May. "Conte showed the whole world that systems are useless and that all you need is a great knowledge of what football really means. So, for him who took us all the way to win the second Scudetto in three years, I ask for an applause, thank you, thank you, thank you!"

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'There had been errors'

However, in the very same speech that De Laurentiis used to thank Conte, he also wished him "continuing success in his professional life" – which appeared to confirm rumours that the coach had already decided to part company with the Partenopei after just one season in charge – and return to Juventus.

Conte insisted all along, though, that he wouldn't make a decision on his future until after he had spoken to De Laurentiis and, after showdown talks with the president, he revealed that he would continue as coach because the club had acknowledged that certain mistakes had been made over the course of the campaign.

"I think everyone is aware of what happened in January," Conte told in June. "During the season, some things didn't really make me happy. New players arrived only in the last week [of the summer window]: (Scott) McTominay, (Billy) Gilmour, (David) Neres and (Romelu) Lukaku. Honestly, I didn’t like that.

"But I believe I was good at accepting the situation and not giving excuses to my players and myself. When you sign [a contract], there are honours and duties. But when we spoke, they admitted there had been errors. It happens, though, in the first year of marriage, so once I was reassured on certain things, we agreed to continue and now we must defend the Scudetto."

Getty Images Sport'Nine new players are too many'

Unfortunately, this particular marriage could very easily end in divorce – but not because of any fresh tension over transfers between Conte and the club.

Napoli pretty much gave Conte everything they wanted during the summer, signing eight players for a combined cost of roughly €200 million (when the obligatory fees are taken into account), while at the same time making free agent Kevin De Bruyne their second-highest earner after Lukaku. By Serie A standards, this constituted a colossal spending spree – and yet Conte has used Napoli's recruitment as an excuse for his side's patchy performances so far this season.

"Last year we won a championship where the players pushed themselves to the limit; we had unity in every way," Conte told after a shocking 6-2 Champions League loss at PSV. "In my opinion, nine new players are too many.

"We opened the transfer window because we were forced to do so. We tried to strengthen the squad but it takes time and patience. Bringing nine new players into the dressing room isn't easy. The old guys, myself and those from last year, need to step up our game and find unity again."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

AFPDe Bruyne blow

However, while Napoli looked like their old selves in beating Inter four days after being embarrassed in Eindhoven, they've struggled ever since to score goals due to a general lack of cohesion and creativity.

The loss of De Bruyne to a serious hamstring injury sustained while converting a penalty in the Inter game has understandably had a devastating impact on Napoli's attack, and partly explains why the goals have dried up for Rasmus Hojlund in recent weeks – which is a major problem given Lorenzo Lucca is looking like a poor signing and Lukaku is still not back to full fitness. Indeed, Napoli have now failed to score in their last three games in all competitions.

However, what's really troubling Conte is his team's work-rate, as the Partenopei are not playing with anything like the same dynamism as last season. The obvious explanation is that a team unburdened by European football last season is still getting used to the added stress and strain of competing in the Champions League. Some supporters and pundits are pointing the finger at Conte, though.

England’s poor 50-over form continues as South Africa claim first ODI series win in country since 1998

Matt Roller04-Sep-2025

Matthew Breetzke went on the attack as South Africa posted an imposing 330 for 8•AFP/Getty Images

Matthew Breetzke had not been born when South Africa last won a bilateral ODI series in England. By extending a remarkable start to his career in the format, he helped them clinch this one with a match to spare. On his return from a hamstring injury, Breetzke hit 85 to underpin South Africa’s total of 330, before their bowlers closed out a tense win under the floodlights.Breetzke, 26, was born five-and-a-half months after South Africa’s 2-1 triumph in the 1998 Texaco Trophy but will now lift the series trophy in Southampton on Sunday after his team took an unassailable 2-0 lead at Lord’s. Unlike in Leeds, England at least competed but none of their three half-centurions – Joe Root, Jacob Bethell and Jos Buttler – kicked on past 61.The chase went down to the final ball, which Jofra Archer needed to hit for six to take the game into a Super Over. But his inside-edged hoick off Senuran Muthusamy brought only a single and South Africa were deserving winners, backing up the thrashing they inflicted on Tuesday with a clinical, calculated performance.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

This was an eighth defeat in 11 ODIs for England in 2025, and their captain Harry Brook refused to blame fatigue after an exhausting summer. “In my eyes that’s just an excuse,” he said. We’re good enough and fit enough to be able to keep playing for the time being… Chasing 6.5 an over from ball one is a tough task. But that’s exactly why we’ve picked this side: we’ve a long batting order. To get within one blow of that score is a really good effort.”South Africa had been stuttering at 93 for 3 after 19 overs when Tristan Stubbs joined Breetzke, but a fourth-wicket partnership of 147 off 126 balls laid a strong foundation before Dewald Brevis’ cameo launched them towards 300. They fell four runs short of the record ODI total at Lord’s, which has stood since the 1975 World Cup, but this was clearly a fighting effort.Breetzke’s innings was the highest by a South African in an ODI at Lord’s, and he achieved the unprecedented feat of passing 50 in each of his first five innings in the format. By the time he fell 15 runs short of a second hundred, he had taken his ODI aggregate to 463 and executed South Africa’s clear plan to put England’s part-time spinners under severe pressure.England got away with picking only four frontline bowlers in their 3-0 win against West Indies in June, but South Africa were merciless in targeting Bethell and Will Jacks; with Root curiously unused, they returned combined figures of 1 for 112 from their 10 overs. Brevis was particularly severe on Bethell, hitting him for consecutive sixes, while Stubbs laid into Jacks.The margin of victory obscured the fact South Africa were ahead of the game from the moment Nandre Burger had Jamie Smith caught behind off the first ball of the chase. Root dominated the scoring in a second-wicket stand of 66, with Ben Duckett desperately out of form at the other end; his dismissal for 14 off 33, bowled reverse-sweeping Keshav Maharaj, was a mercy kill.Jofra Archer nearly took England over the line•AFP/Getty Images

Where Duckett looked exhausted by his non-stop summer, Bethell had been short on time in the middle and was pushed up to No. 4 to take on South Africa’s two left-arm spinners. Temba Bavuma responded by bringing on Aiden Markram’s offspin, but Bethell slog-swept and pulled sixes as his two overs cost 27 runs.He brought up a 28-ball half-century by launching Burger over mid-on, five balls after Root had cruised to his own off 57. But they fell in quick succession, too: Bethell sliced the relentless Corbin Bosch to backward point, and Root was beaten in the flight by Maharaj to be stumped in an ODI for the first time in a decade.Brook and Buttler added 69 for the fifth wicket, launching sixes off Bosch and Muthusamy respectively. But Muthusamy found extra bounce to have Brook chipping to cover, and despite Buttler’s outrageous reverse-slap for six on his way to 50 – a landmark he celebrated with a look to the skies after his father’s recent passing – the required rate climbed past nine an over.Lungi Ngidi got the big wicket of Jos Buttler at the death•AFP/Getty Images

The game looked as good as won when Lungi Ngidi flummoxed Buttler with a dipping slower ball, and Burger removed Jacks and Brydon Carse in the same over to leave 40 required off the last three. Despite Archer’s best efforts – with two lusty sixes and a pair of reverse-slaps for four – they always looked like falling short.It looked like an important toss when Brook put South Africa into bat, with the start delayed by 15 minutes after a morning of heavy showers. Archer and Saqib Mahmood – recalled at Sonny Baker’s expense – both found extravagant seam movement early on, but Markram and Ryan Rickelton were equal to it, adding 73 for the first wicket.Rickelton fell for 35, top-edging Archer behind to Buttler, before Adil Rashid struck twice in quick succession, with Bavuma done on the outside edge and Markram furious with himself after chipping back a return catch on 49. But that only brought Breetzke and Stubbs together, whose partnership took the game away from England – and they never quite recovered.

Big picture: Both top orders under scrutiny in Grenada

Picturesque Grenada is the perfect place for a holiday but the batting units of West Indies and Australia are anything but relaxed ahead of the second Test at the National Stadium in St George’s.Both batting line-ups will be looking for some respite in the surface after 40 wickets fell in three days on a very tricky pitch in Barbados, where only four half-centuries were scored in the match and no one passed 65.West Indies’ batting issues have long been their Achilles heel, and they will once again be severely tested by Australia’s attack. Whilst they would love to improve their batting overall, it is the early phases of a new-look top seven that needs time to gel and, in some cases, re-acclimatise to Test cricket after years out of the format, with Shai Hope and Roston Chase both showing positive signs in Barbados.Related

• In unknown Grenada, Cummins and Chase aim for adaptability

• Will West Indies' new solution work for their old batting problem?

• Lyon passes on song duties but no end in sight of playing days

• Kraigg Brathwaite reaches 100 Tests: 'I was in total disbelief that I could score a hundred for West Indies'

Their most experienced batter, Kraigg Brathwaite, plays his 100th Test this week and there would be hope that such a significant milestone can inspire more runs from both he and his colleagues. But his nemesis, Mitchell Starc, will play his 99th Test and after dismissing him twice in Barbados, the left-arm quick will be hoping to claim him twice more to edge closer to 400 Test wickets, given he only needs nine for the milestone.West Indies can make easier gains in the field after shelling seven chances across the first Test, many of them severely costly in a low-scoring game. They are contemplating reshuffling the slips cordon despite looking like playing an unchanged line-up. The West Indies fast bowlers, who were magnificent in Barbados, will be hoping their good work is better rewarded in Grenada.Australia’s batting woes are less systemic than their opponents’ but arguably more worrisome given they have not found any consistent runs from their top three since David Warner’s retirement in January 2024.Steven Smith’s return at No. 4 provides extraordinary reinforcement to the middle-order firewall that once again bailed them out in Barbados. Australia’s coach Andrew McDonald, and Smith too, have urged for public patience on both Sam Konstas and Cameron Green. The former will play just his fourth Test match and his second since being recalled at the start of the series, while the latter has only played five first-class innings at No. 3 and is in just his third Test after 15 months out of the format due to injury.How both play, following timid showings in Barbados may be just as important as how many they get, given both are likely to play the entire series no matter what. But with the Ashes looming on the horizon, Australia are very keen to bed down a top six that has been a big game of musical chairs for 18 months.

Form guide

West Indies: LWLLW
Australia: WLWWW

In the spotlight: Kraigg Brathwaite and Cameron Green

Kraigg Brathwaite reaching 100 Tests for West Indies is a remarkable achievement. He may well be the last to do it if the global game, and West Indies cricket, continues to trend in the direction it has been for the last decade or more. For Brathwaite to serve so loyally as opener and captain in a struggling side for so long speaks volumes of his character. He deserves great recognition for his service. But there is no escaping his record.No Test batter has played 100 Tests with a lower average than his 32.83. The last of his 12 Test centuries came in February 2023. Since then, he has scored just three half-centuries in 33 innings, averaging 19.60. West Indies aren’t flush with options to replace him but as the selectors have pivoted to a more positive style of batter for this new WTC cycle, Brathwaite would need some runs to justify adding more Tests to his resume. Although, at 32, there is no reason why he cannot regain some form despite such a lean run. Grenada might provide that opportunity, given he scored one of his 12 Test centuries at the venue in 2015.Cameron Green is at the other end of the spectrum, but not quite as green as it has been suggested by his coach. Green, 26, has played 30 Test matches and his middling record is frustrating fans and undoubtedly frustrating him. Australia’s coach has urged for patience, and that isn’t unreasonable given he has hardly batted at No. 3 and is coming off a significant injury. It should be noted too that his career has been very stop-start of late. He has not played more than five Tests in a row since 2022 and has been selected to bat in four different positions in the last three years.But the point where the caveats get cast aside is coming at some stage. Without some consistent scores at Test level, he is in danger of falling into a void that some equally talented players have fallen into before him, where he is too good for domestic first-class cricket, as his domestic average of 59.24 proves over 62 innings, while underachieving at Test level with a mark of just 33.30.1:13

Konstas and Green face vital test for Australia

Team news: West Indies wait to name XI, Smith returns for Inglis

Roston Chase did not confirm his team, saying they were still weighing up whether to play an extra quick – which would likely be Anderson Phillip – in place of left-arm spinner, and vice-captain, Jomel Warrican.West Indies (probable): 1 Kraigg Brathwaite, 2 John Campbell, 3 Keacy Carty, 4 Brandon King, 5 Roston Chase (capt), 6 Shai Hope (wk), 7 Justin Greaves, 8 Jomel Warrican/Anderson Phillip, 9 Alzarri Joseph, 10 Shamar Joseph, 11 Jayden SealesSmith slots back into the side at the expense of Josh Inglis with the rest remaining unchanged for the visitors. The advantage of Beau Webster is that he provides both seam and spin-bowling support.Australia: 1 Usman Khawaja, 2 Sam Konstas, 3 Cameron Green, 4 Steven Smith, 5 Travis Head, 6 Beau Webster, 7 Alex Carey (wk), 8 Pat Cummins (capt), 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Josh Hazlewood

Pitch and conditions: Straw-coloured pitch with an even covering

There was genuine intrigue ahead of Barbados as to how the pitch would play and both sides were surprised. The National Stadium in St George’s is even more of an unknown. No Australian player or staff member has been involved in an international here, as Australia have not played at the venue since 2008 and have never played a Test there. West Indies have more insight, but only marginally. They have played four Tests at the venue but just two since 2009, in 2015 and 2022. There has been a mixture of scores but a consistent theme with the side batting second winning the last three.West Indies coach Daren Sammy was optimistic after seeing the surface two days out. “It’s normally a really good cricket wicket,” Sammy said. “[There’s a] much more even cover of dead grass.” Chase suggested it could take some turn later in the game. There is a chance of some scattered thunderstorms during the match.

Stats and trivia

• After a draw in the first Test ever played in Grenada in 2002, the last three have been won by the team batting second. In the last two matches, the losing team elected to bat first at the toss.
• Six players have scored Test centuries in Grenada, including Kraigg Brathwaite. Chris Gayle is the only player with a double-century.
• Express pace has not necessarily been the key in Grenada with Daren Sammy and Kyle Mayers both taking Test five-fors there while Shakib-Al-Hasan is the only spinner to have taken a five-wicket haul there.
• Kraigg Brathwaite will become the 59th player to play 100 Tests batting in positions 1-6. His current average of 32.83 is the lowest of those who have played 99. The next lowest is Ben Stokes with 36.32.
• Mitchell Starc needs nine wickets to reach 400 in Tests

Quotes

“I thought we were in the game for quite a while, so I’m just looking forward to the batsmen coming up to par this game. I thought that the bowlers did a great job, so it’s just for the batsmen to come and give the bowlers something to bowl at.”

Frank Lampard’s plans for allowing Patrick Bamford to train at high-flying Coventry City have now been explained. The England international was spotted at the club's training ground after being released by Premier League side Leeds United in the summer, fuelling speculation that the striker could earn a contract with the Championship leaders.

• Bamford departed Leeds after being deemed surplus to requirements

  Bamford ended his seven-year association with Leeds in August after being deemed surplus to requirements by manager Daniel Farke. After joining the Whites in 2018 from Middlesbrough, the 32-year-old scored 60 goals in 205 appearances for the club, helping them earn two promotions to the Premier League. After emerging as a key figure for Leeds under former boss Marcelo Bielsa, Bamford was called up to the England senior squad in 2021, earning his first and only cap in the 4-0 victory over Andorra in September of that year.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Whites boss Farke held 'open and honest' conversation with Bamford

  Confirming Bamford was not part of his plans for the 2025-26 season, Farke said in July: "I had a really open and honest conversation with Patrick, which was important. He knows how much I rate him as a player and I would have preferred a fit Patrick Bamford for the last two seasons.

  "But he is a player who needs to be the main man. He needs an arm round the shoulder after some difficult seasons. I was not willing to tell him he was the main man at Premier League level.

  "In the second day of pre-season, I got him into my office and told him he is not in my plans for the upcoming season.

  "It would have been easy for me to hide behind the sporting director or wait until we got someone else in, but he has done so much for this club, he deserves respect and transparency.”

• Report claims Bamford was spotted training at Coventry on Friday

  After initially being linked with a move to La Liga side Getafe which failed to materialise, Bamford’s hopes of finding a new club looked to have received a boost on Friday. According to the former Chelsea forward was spotted training with Coventry ahead of their clash with Watford on Saturday.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Coventry boss Lampard not looking to strengthen attacking options

  However, a new report in has since clarified that manager Lampard is simply allowing his former Chelsea team-mate to train at the club, and is not looking to bolster his attacking options. After joining Chelsea in 2012, Bamford only briefly rubbed shoulders with Lampard, embarking on a series of loan spells with the likes of Milton Keynes Dons, Derby County and Middlesbrough. During the same period, Lampard – Chelsea’s all-time leading scorer with 211 goals in all competitions – spent two more years at Stamford Bridge before ending his legendary spell at the club by joining Manchester City in 2014. After joining from West Ham in 2001, Lampard spent 13 years in total at Chelsea, lifting 11 major honours.

INEOS have been left “furious” with a “totally destructive” internal problem at Manchester United, it has been revealed.

INEOS furious as internal issue emerges

It has been far from an ideal start to the Premier League season for Man United, most recently suffering a 3-0 defeat against rivals Manchester City, and there have been widespread reports suggesting the players are starting to lose faith in Ruben Amorim.

Some members of the squad are having doubts about the manager, with one of the main issues thought to be his unwillingness to adapt his style of play, despite the fact it is clearly not working, judging by his terrible win percentage.

Speaking after the Manchester derby defeat, the 40-year-old made it clear he still believes in his three-at-the-back system, saying: “I am not going to change. When I want to change my philosophy, I will change. If not, you have to change the man. We talk about that every game that we lose. I believe in my way, and I am going to play my way until I want to change.”

INEOS appear to be willing to stick with their manager for the time being, despite recent links to Jose Mourinho, and insider Graeme Bailey has now revealed the United hierarchy have been left very angry with the recent leaks about the players’ discontent.

Time running out: 5 ways that Ruben Amorim can save his job at Man Utd

INEOS are running out of patience.

ByTom Cunningham Sep 17, 2025 INEOS' support of Amorim has to be questioned

It is understandable that INEOS are angry about potential leaks, given that players revealing club secrets is not conducive to success, but the idea that Amorim is “building something” at Old Trafford has to be called into question.

As previously highlighted, the Portuguese manager has the worst win percentage of any permanent United boss since World War II, with his side winning just two of their last 13 Premier League matches.

The Red Devils have made their poorest start to a league campaign since the 1992-93 campaign, having taken just four points from their opening four games, and the fixtures don’t get any easier, with Chelsea up next this weekend.

As such, it is difficult to envisage Amorim lasting much longer in the job unless there is a major improvement, but it has been widely reported that INEOS will have to shell out £12m if they choose to pull the plug before November, which could affect their decision-making.

Bukayo Saka is "starting to feel good again" after continuing his injury comeback on the international stage with an England goal. The Arsenal superstar sent Wembley into raptures with a thunderous strike as the Three Lions swept aside Wales 3-0 in a commanding friendly victory that had redemption written all over it.

England blitz Wales in early storm

England flew out of the gates like a side possessed. Barely three minutes in, Morgan Rogers, the Aston Villa midfielder making his mark, struck a clean, first-time finish past Karl Darlow to give Tuchel’s men the lead. Marc Guehi was in the mood for assists, setting up Rogers for the opener before turning provider again moments later. His header inside the six-yard box allowed Ollie Watkins, deputising for the injured Harry Kane, to poke home from close range and make it 2-0 inside 11 minutes. Then came Saka’s moment. He trapped a fast pass from Ezri Konsa before cutting inside, and with a swift swing of his left boot, the ball rocketed off his instep and dipped viciously into the top corner. The Wembley crowd erupted as the Arsenal winger grinned from ear to ear, the look of a man finally free from pain and frustration.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportFrom pain to perfection: Saka roars back in style

After months battling a hamstring injuries that forced him to miss England’s March and September fixtures, Saka announced his return to the international fold with an emphatic reminder of his brilliance. A month ago, he was sidelined, questioning his body’s limits. Now, he’s the beating heart of both Arsenal and England once again.

"I started this season by picking up an injury, which kind of killed me a bit but I’m starting to feel good again," he said post-match. "I’m still not at my sharpest but I’m starting to feel good again and I’ve scored in the last three games so I’m happy with that and want to continue like that. I’ve missed a lot of England games, especially under Thomas (Tuchel) as well and I haven’t scored for a while either so to come back and put the ball in the back of the net is a special feeling and one I’m really excited about."

While some might fear the competition for attacking spots under Tuchel, Saka relishes it. With players like Jarrod Bowen, Cole Palmer, and Jack Grealish all battling for wing positions, the Arsenal ace says it only fuels his drive.

"It’s pretty new to me but at the same time, like I said, it’s fair and it’s healthy and it’s only going to get the best out of me and any other players that are around me," he said. "It’s just about us pushing each other and trying to get each other to perform at the highest level."

A record-breaking Gunner

Saka’s goal wasn’t just another Wembley wonder, but it was also historic. His strike took his England tally to 13 goals, making him Arsenal’s highest-scoring men’s player in Three Lions history, overtaking Cliff Bastin’s long-standing record of 12. It was almost poetic that the record came five years to the day since Saka made his England debut, also against Wales, back in October 2020. For Arsenal, it’s another badge of pride. Few players have carried the Gunners’ flag for England as proudly or as productively as Saka. In surpassing names like Bastin and Ian Wright, he’s etched his name in both club and national folklore.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportTuchel's England roll on

After demolishing Serbia 5-0 in Belgrade last month, the Three Lions sit top of Group K in World Cup qualifying, five wins from five, 13 goals scored, none conceded. Tuchel’s men are playing with swagger, balance, and belief, the hallmarks of a potential world champion. Next up for Tuchel’s side is a trip to Latvia on Tuesday night, where they’ll aim to extend their perfect run in Group K. England cruised past the same opponents 3-0 at Wembley earlier this year, thanks to goals from Reece James, Harry Kane, and Eberechi Eze. Saka will be looking to continue with his rich vein of form. The months of pain, the lonely rehab sessions, the doubts, all got washed away by one swing of his boot at Wembley on Thursday evening.

Chelsea were grabbing the majority of headlines yet again over what was yet another hectic transfer window at Stamford Bridge, but one of their most surprising moves of the window came in the form of a transfer U-turn over young defender Ishe Samuels-Smith.

Back in July, Enzo Maresca’s side agreed a deal worth around £6.5 million to sell the 19-year-old to sister club Strasbourg, with Samuels-Smith agreeing terms on a five-year deal.

Joao Pedro

Noni Madueke

Jamie Gittens

João Félix

Jorrel Hato

Djordje Petrovic

Liam Delap

Lesley Ugochukwu

Dario Essugo

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Mamadou Sarr

Renato Veiga

Estevao

Armando Broja

Kendry Paez

Carney Chukwuemeka

Alejandro Garnacho

Mathis Amougou

Basir Humphreys

Kepa Arrizabalaga

Marcus Bettinelli

Christopher Nkunku

Nicolas Jackson

Alfie Gilchrist

Lucas Bergstrom

Ben Chilwell

That appeared to be that for the player, who left Chelsea two years after signing from Everton, without having made a single senior appearance.

However, in a turn of events nobody expected, it was announced on Tuesday morning that the teenager had re-joined Chelsea just 33 days after signing for Strasbourg, with Samuels-Smith also heading out on loan to Swansea City.

The Englishman never even got to make his debut across the channel, and is still waiting to make any form of professional debut at all, despite impressing with seven assists in 44 total appearances for Chelsea’s Under-21s.

Samuels-Smith will be desperate to get his first taste of senior action, and perhaps a move to the Swansea.com stadium could provide exactly that for the promising youth international.

Transfer sagas like this are extremely rare at the best of times, and it highlights how you can never rule anything out when it comes to the Blues’ recruitment policy.

The question on supporters’ minds, though, is why instigate a return for Samuels-Smith at all?

Why Chelsea re-signed Samuels-Smith with Tyler Dibling comparison made

As per BBC journalist Nizaar Kinsella, Chelsea re-signed Samuels-Smith for a multitude of reasons.

Firstly, Ismael Doukoure’s decision to commit his future to Strasbourg was likely to limit his game time, with the youngster also facing stiff competition from Ben Chilwell who’s also just joined them.

Samuels-Smith is also deemed an “important” player by BlueCo, so the call to bring him back and agree a Championship loan was seen as the best option to further his development.

There is a “similarity” in his case with that of Tyler Dibling as well, who Chelsea let return to Southampton partly due to homesickness and were basically refunded the transfer fee they paid in 2022.

It was a strategic move by BlueCo, who were thankful to have included a buy-back clause in the deal which saw Samuels-Smith join Strasbourg, so the process to bring him back to west London was relatively straightforward.