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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" version="2.0"><channel><title>Yahoo! Sports - News, Scores, Standings, Rumors, Fantasy Games</title><link>https://sports.yahoo.com</link><description>Yahoo! Sports - Comprehensive news, scores, standings, fantasy games, rumors, and more</description><language>en-US</language><copyright>Copyright (c) 2025 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.</copyright><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 07:16:08 +0000</pubDate><image><width>126</width><height>15</height><generator>Yahoo Sports</generator><link>https://sports.yahoo.com/</link><url>https://s.yimg.com/cv/apiv2/uhlog/uh.png</url></image><item><guid isPermalink="false">c66be31c-a7e7-3ddb-973c-755ee7461b74</guid><title><![CDATA[UFC 319 bonuses: Back-to-back spinning elbows take home $50,000 in Chicago]]></title><link>https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/08/17/ufc-319-bonuses-back-to-back-spinning-elbows-take-home-50k-in-chicago/85697544007/</link><description><![CDATA[Some killer stoppages took home bonus money in the "Windy City."]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<body><p>The UFC handed out four bonuses after Saturday's card in the “Windy City,” and all four went to fighters on the main card.</p><p>After UFC 319, four fighters picked up an extra $50,000 for their performances at United Center in Chicago. Check out the winners below. </p><h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">Performance of the Night: Tim Elliott</h2><p>Fighting for the first time in 20 months, Tim Elliott (21-14-1 MMA, 10-11 UFC) looked like someone ready to make some moves at flyweight with a second-round submission of former Rizin champion Kai Asakura (21-6 MMA, 0-2 UFC) to open up the main card. Elliott caught Asakura with a brilliant guillotine choke for his second straight submission win.</p><h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">Performance of the Night: Carlos Prates</h2><p>In a rarity, Carlos Prates (22-7 MMA, 5-1 UFC) found out while he was in the cage still after his first-round knockout of Geoff Neal (16-7 MMA, 8-5 UFC) that he was getting a bonus. He used his microphone time to tout his birthday (Sunday) and his dramatic spinning elbow knockout with one second left in the opening round – and Dana White obliged with the bonus before even seeing the rest of the card. What’s crazy is, Prates’ spinning back elbow KO was great – but not even the best one of the night. </p><h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">Performance of the Night: Lerone Murphy</h2><p>Lerone Murphy (17-0-1 MMA, 9-0-1 UFC) was a betting underdog against former Bellator standout Aaron Pico (13-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC), who was making his UFC debut. But Murphy left no doubt when he drilled Pico with a spinning back elbow that had him out on the canvas for a scary long time. </p><h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">Performance of the Night: Khamzat Chimaev</h2><p>In one of the most dominant title fight performances in UFC history, Khamzat Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) easily took the middleweight belt from Dricus Du Plessis (23-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC) with a 50-44 sweep of the scorecards. </p><p><em>This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: <a href="https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/08/17/ufc-319-bonuses-back-to-back-spinning-elbows-take-home-50k-in-chicago/85697544007/">UFC 319 bonuses: Back-to-back spinning elbows take home $50K in Chicago</a></em></p></body>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>MMA Junkie</source><dc:publisher>MMA Junkie</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 07:06:01 +0000</pubDate><category>ufc</category><category>sports</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">1cd5a6f6-2699-354f-bd70-ed9504833787</guid><title><![CDATA[Real Madrid midfielder’s future remains uncertain with move to former club complicated]]></title><link>https://onefootball.com/en/news/real-madrid-midfielders-future-remains-uncertain-with-move-to-former-club-complicated-41523204</link><description><![CDATA[Dani Ceballos, for long, has been a peripheral figure at Real Madrid and things have not changed for the midfielder under new manager Xabi Alonso.The 29-year-old star does not have a big role in Alons...]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img alt="Real Madrid midfielder’s future remains uncertain with move to former club complicated" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/madrid_universal_articles_561/99af1b25f5118559edcb8db91d8c1b0c" data-uuid="6b81ef81-5bd2-36b3-9056-1fe87099e939"><figcaption>Real Madrid midfielder’s future remains uncertain with move to former club complicated</figcaption></figure><p>Dani Ceballos, for long, has been a peripheral figure at Real Madrid and things have not changed for the midfielder under new manager Xabi Alonso.</p><p>The 29-year-old star does not have a big role in Alonso’s plans, as was seen by how sparingly he was used at the FIFA Club World Cup.</p><p>Ceballos did himself no favours when he got a chance in the pre-season friendly against WSG Tirol earlier this week, putting up a dull display in Innsbruck.</p><p>Getting a start in the injury-enforced absence of players like Jude Bellingham and Fede Valverde, the midfielder underwhelmed.</p><h2>Future remains uncertain</h2><p>Now, according to <a href="https://as.com/futbol/primera/ceballos-se-vuelve-transparente-n/" target="_blank">AS</a>, Ceballos’ future continues to remain uncertain as the summer transfer window enters its final stretch.</p><p>The midfielder has been linked with a departure all through the summer but there has been no movement thus far. And as we enter the last phase of the window, there is still no clarity as to where the Spaniard will play next season.</p><p>A return to Real Betis continues to resurface as a possibility every summer, though the financial obstacles remain the same, making the operation complicated.</p><img height="0" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/madrid_universal_articles_561/cac48ed779e239d2ab19e5ab9acf4b9b" width="2048" data-uuid="b05a489c-4e54-33dd-9e45-44852b7db68e"><p>What next for Ceballos? (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)</p><p>After all, Real Betis would struggle to cover Real Madrid’s transfer fee demands and Ceballos’ high salary, under La Liga’s Fair Play restrictions.</p><p>Ceballos himself has not hidden his feelings about a <a href="https://madriduniversal.com/real-madrid-midfielder-only-wants-to-join-former-club-if-he-leaves-this-summer-report/" target="_blank">potential move back to Betis</a>. </p><p>Before rejoining Real Madrid for pre-season, he shared a <a href="https://madriduniversal.com/real-madrid-midfielder-fuels-transfer-speculation-with-latest-social-media-post/" target="_blank">training photo on social media</a> with the track <em>Quiero ser libre</em> (“I want to be free”) by <em>Los Chichos</em> playing in the background – a thinly veiled message. </p><p>He had already fanned speculation earlier in the summer, stating: <strong>“Betis is my home and always will be. I’m open to everything.”</strong></p><p>Valverde’s recovery will push Ceballos back to the bench against Osasuna. The season is long, and Real Madrid’s midfield depth will be tested, so his opportunities may yet arrive. </p><p>For now, however, he remains a peripheral figure under Xabi Alonso and continues to stare at an uncertain future.</p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>Madrid Universal</source><dc:publisher>Madrid Universal</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 07:05:00 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">9668215a-91c6-3ba8-bb2c-20c3110da42d</guid><title><![CDATA[6 Steelers standouts from preseason Week 2 loss to Buccaneers]]></title><link>https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/steelers/2025/08/17/steelers-preseason-week-2-lew-nichols-roman-wilson/85695559007/</link><description><![CDATA[Lew Nichols, Roman Wilson, Derrick Harmon, and three more Steelers highlight the top performances in the Week 2 preseason loss to the Buccaneers.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/article/steelers-hc-mike-tomlin-frustrated-034329216.html" data-3p-content-referrer="https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/steelers/2025/08/16/steelers-hc-mike-tomlin-frustrated-with-self-inflicted-wounds-in-loss/85696017007/" data-original-link="https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/steelers/2025/08/16/steelers-hc-mike-tomlin-frustrated-with-self-inflicted-wounds-in-loss/85696017007/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> unfortunately lost 14-17 to the <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/article/steelers-rookie-derrick-harmon-destroys-010727913.html" data-3p-content-referrer="https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/steelers/2025/08/16/steelers-derrick-harmon-ben-scott-preseason/85695111007/" data-original-link="https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/steelers/2025/08/16/steelers-derrick-harmon-ben-scott-preseason/85695111007/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> in their second preseason matchup of 2025 — but some of the overall performances were amazing.</p><p>Selected from both sides of the ball, here are six <a href="https://sportsdata.usatoday.com/football/nfl/teams/pittsburgh-steelers/356" target="_blank">Steelers</a> standouts from the <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/article/steelers-vs-buccaneers-live-score-221715052.html" data-3p-content-referrer="https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/steelers/2025/08/16/steelers-preseason-week-2-live-blog-buccaneers/85693641007/" data-original-link="https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/steelers/2025/08/16/steelers-preseason-week-2-live-blog-buccaneers/85693641007/">preseason Week 2 contest</a> against the Buccaneers — from possible second-year breakouts to once-injured players looking to kickstart their comeback tour early.</p><h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">WR Roman Wilson</h2><p>The second-year Steeler had a preseason game for the ages, leading all wideouts with 72 receiving yards on just two receptions — and he accomplished this feat in the first quarter. If Wilson can replicate even a sliver of his preseason performance with Aaron Rodgers in the regular season, there may be no stopping this future connection.</p><h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">S Sebastian Castro</h2><p>Undrafted rookie defensive back Sebastian Castro had a tremendous day on defense — leading the Steelers with five combined tackles, flying all over the field, and hitting ball carriers with some extra umph. It's hard to imagine Pittsburgh bringing five safeties onto the 53-man roster, but if there were any defender to make an exception for, it would be Castro.</p><h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">RB Kaleb Johnson</h2><p>Johnson bounced back in a major way from his disappointing performance in last week's preseason opener — displaying excellent vision and explosiveness against the Buccaneers while producing 59 yards from scrimmage on just 12 touches.</p><h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">DE Derrick Harmon</h2><p>Harmon's dominance against the Buccaneers on Saturday showed exactly why the Steelers named him the starting defensive end. Strong against both the run and the pass, Harmon bulldozed Buccaneers rookie guard Ben Scott on his highlight play of the night for his first sack as a Steeler — leaving fans hopeful this display of excellence is just a small taste of what's to come.</p><h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">RB Lew Nichols</h2><p>Another running back makes the list — and Nichols was arguably the most surprising of the six. On the run everyone is talking about, Nichols broke tackle after tackle with an incredible display of contact balance on a 37-yard rush — which could have gone for a touchdown if he hadn’t been tripped up.</p><h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">LB Cole Holcomb</h2><p>The only Steeler to make the six-standouts list in back-to-back preseason matchups, Holcomb once again silenced any doubters with a strong outing against the Buccaneers. Putting together a four-tackle performance with limited playing time, Holcomb could force the Steelers to give him back his starting inside linebacker role before even playing a regular-season snap.</p><p>For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X <a class="" href="https://twitter.com/TheSteelersWire">@TheSteelersWire</a> and give our <a class="" href="https://www.facebook.com/SteelersWire/">Facebook page</a> a like.</p><p><em>This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: <a href="https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/steelers/2025/08/17/steelers-preseason-week-2-lew-nichols-roman-wilson/85695559007/">Steelers WR Roman Wilson leads 6 standouts in Week 2 preseason loss</a></em></p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>Steelers Wire</source><dc:publisher>Steelers Wire</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 07:00:52 +0000</pubDate><category>sports</category><category>nfl</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">71dceb33-654c-3ed8-9996-71ae6f844eb4</guid><title><![CDATA[Manchester United vs Arsenal – Match preview and team news]]></title><link>https://onefootball.com/en/news/manchester-united-vs-arsenal-match-preview-and-team-news-41523170</link><description><![CDATA[Manchester United and Arsenal clash at Old Trafford on Sunday in a blockbuster Premier League opener.After a calamitous campaign saw United slump to a 15th-place finish, Ruben Amorim has been backed w...]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img alt="Manchester United vs Arsenal – Match preview and team news" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_football_faithful_articles_458/6a46f288d15878bebecda06cc0f389cc" data-uuid="a90b1596-f180-3288-897d-57638c690c8a"><figcaption>Manchester United vs Arsenal – Match preview and team news</figcaption></figure><p><strong>Manchester United and Arsenal clash at Old Trafford on Sunday in a blockbuster Premier League opener.</strong></p><p>After a calamitous campaign saw United slump to a 15th-place finish, Ruben Amorim has been backed with a major attacking overhaul to ignite a recovery. Their opponents, Arsenal, arrive with their own clear objective: to finally go one better than their recent second-place finishes and win the Premier League title.</p><p>This fixture is always charged with history, but Sunday’s encounter carries extra intrigue. United’s new striker Benjamin Šeško was heavily linked with the Gunners before signing for the Red Devils.</p><h2>Manchester United vs Arsenal – Match preview and team news</h2><ul><li>Date: Sunday 17th August 2025</li><li>Kick-off: 4:30pm BST</li><li>Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester</li><li>Last Meeting: Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal, March 9th, 2025, Premier League</li></ul><h2>Team News</h2><h2>Manchester United</h2><p>Rúben Amorim is set to unleash his new-look attack, with summer signings Benjamin Šeško, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha all in contention for their first competitive starts. In a further boost, fellow forward Joshua Zirkzee has recovered from a pre-season injury and is also available.</p><p>In defence, however, the continued absence of Lisandro Martínez will force a reshuffle. Young centre-back Leny Yoro is expected to partner Harry Maguire and either Luke Shaw or Matthijs De Ligt in a back three.</p><h2>Arsenal</h2><p>Mikel Arteta is also set to integrate key new signings from the start. Midfielder Martin Zubimendi is in line for his debut, while striker Viktor Gyökeres is expected to lead the line immediately, with Gabriel Jesus sidelined with a long-term injury. Fellow new arrival Noni Madueke is also poised to feature.</p><p>The Gunners have been strengthened by the return to fitness of both Leandro Trossard and Jurriën Timber, with the latter bolstering a formidable defence alongside William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães. Arteta reports no new injury or suspension concerns, giving him a strong squad to choose from.</p><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block;text-align:center;"></ins><h2>Form</h2><h2>Manchester United</h2><p>Rúben Amorim’s side navigated pre-season unbeaten, winning the Premier League Summer Series in the process. However, three draws from their five matches suggest the new-look team is still a work in progress as they build cohesion.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="art">🔜🏟️</p>— Manchester United (@ManUtd) <a href="https://twitter.com/ManUtd/status/1956826298866864434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2025</a></blockquote><h2>Arsenal</h2><p>Mikel Arteta’s men had a mixed pre-season, recording a number of convincing victories against strong opposition while losing against Premier League rivals Spurs and Spanish side Villarreal. However, their consistent performances in the previous seasons have underlined their credentials as genuine title contenders, and they will arrive at Old Trafford full of confidence.</p><h2>Predicted Lineups</h2><p><strong>Manchester United:</strong> Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Diallo, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Cunha, Šeško.</p><p><strong>Arsenal predicted: </strong>Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Ødegaard, Rice; Saka, Gyökeres, Martinelli.</p><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block;text-align:center;"></ins><h2>How to watch Manchester United vs Arsenal?</h2><p>The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Premier League in the UK, with coverage starting from 4pm BST. Subscribers can also stream the action live via the Sky Go app.</p><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Read- <a href="https://thefootballfaithful.com/premier-league-preview-the-fans-view-manchester-united/" target="_blank" title="Premier League Preview: The fans’ view – Manchester United">Premier League Preview: The fans’ view – Manchester United</a></strong></p><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>See More- <a href="https://thefootballfaithful.com/premier-league-preview-the-fans-view-arsenal/" target="_blank" title="Premier League Preview: The fans’ view – Arsenal">Premier League Preview: The fans’ view – Arsenal</a></strong></p><h2>Subscribe to our social channels:</h2><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/FootyFaithful" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thefootballfaithfuldotcom/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/FootyFaithful_">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUgN0WQEhxRbfTdlbkEG7zQ" target="_blank">YouTube</a></strong></p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>The Football Faithful</source><dc:publisher>The Football Faithful</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:55:00 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">2528b668-1a98-32b8-8605-e4cea614bde8</guid><title><![CDATA[Crystal Palace XI vs Chelsea – Predicted lineup and team news]]></title><link>https://onefootball.com/en/news/crystal-palace-xi-vs-chelsea-predicted-lineup-and-team-news-41523157</link><description><![CDATA[Crystal Palace begin their 2025/26 Premier League campaign with a challenging London derby away to Chelsea, but they do so as a club brimming with confidence. The Eagles head to Stamford Bridge as the...]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img alt="Crystal Palace XI vs Chelsea – Predicted lineup and team news" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_football_faithful_articles_458/a69b505ab31ae9aaac6fb34d869d9288" data-uuid="f0a3a6a6-c527-3cf4-949e-3e828706139f"><figcaption>Crystal Palace XI vs Chelsea – Predicted lineup and team news</figcaption></figure><p><strong>Crystal Palace begin their 2025/26 Premier League campaign with a challenging London derby away to Chelsea, but they do so as a club brimming with confidence. </strong></p><p>The Eagles head to Stamford Bridge as the reigning FA Cup and Community Shield holders, marking the most successful period in the club’s history.</p><p>Manager Oliver Glasner’s task is now to build on that historic success and establish the team as a consistent force in the top half of the table. The opening fixture provides an immediate test of their ambitions, and the manager’s team selection will be shaped by a couple of key injuries as he looks to maintain the squad’s winning momentum.</p><h2>Crystal Palace XI vs Chelsea – Predicted lineup and team news</h2><h2>Crystal Palace team news</h2><p>Oliver Glasner has a largely settled squad to choose from, with the core of the team that delivered a historic cup double remaining intact. The only major summer addition is left-back Borna Sosa, who arrives from Ajax to provide competition for Tyrick Mitchell. Veteran goalkeeper Walter Benitez has also joined to provide cover for Dean Henderson.</p><p>However, Glasner’s attacking options are slightly limited for the trip to Stamford Bridge. Striker Eddie Nketiah has been ruled out with an injury, while creative midfielder Daichi Kamada faces a late fitness test after picking up a knock in the Community Shield.</p><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block;text-align:center;"></ins><h2>Crystal Palace predicted lineup</h2><p><strong>Crystal Palace predicted XI:</strong> Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Muñoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Mateta.</p><h2>When is Chelsea vs Crystal Palace?</h2><p>The Premier League fixture takes place at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, 17th August 2025, with kick-off scheduled for 2pm BST.</p><h2>How to watch Chelsea vs Crystal Palace?</h2><p>The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event in the UK, with coverage starting at 1pm BST. Subscribers can also stream the action live via the Sky Go app.</p><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Read- <a href="https://thefootballfaithful.com/premier-league-preview-the-fans-view-crystal-palace/" target="_blank" title="Premier League Preview: The fans’ view – Crystal Palace">Premier League Preview: The fans’ view – Crystal Palace</a></strong></p><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>See More- <a href="https://thefootballfaithful.com/crystal-palace-lose-appeal-against-europa-league-removal/" title="Crystal Palace lose appeal against Europa League removal">Crystal Palace lose appeal against Europa League removal</a></strong></p><h2>Subscribe to our social channels:</h2><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/FootyFaithful" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thefootballfaithfuldotcom/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/FootyFaithful_">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUgN0WQEhxRbfTdlbkEG7zQ" target="_blank">YouTube</a></strong></p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>The Football Faithful</source><dc:publisher>The Football Faithful</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:50:00 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">9d1a3c1f-4e55-3a0a-984b-c32db2907f4a</guid><title><![CDATA[Britain's Murphy stakes title claim with sensational knockout]]></title><link>https://www.bbc.com/sport/mixed-martial-arts/articles/cd0dk0zdlego?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Bheadline%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D</link><description><![CDATA[Lerone Murphy stakes his claim for a title shot with a sensational knockout of Aaron Pico, while Khamzat Chimaev dominates Dricus du Plessus to win the middleweight belt at UFC 319.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img alt="Lerone Murphy celebrates his win over Aaron Pico" height="563" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/bbc_us_articles_995/fc216335ca7e345068fb5a8d9628e63a" width="1001" data-uuid="1224b1ae-a14d-305e-84ff-d0aaf2787951"><figcaption>Murphy recorded his ninth straight win in the UFC [Getty Images]</figcaption></figure><p><strong>Britain's Lerone Murphy thrust his name into the featherweight title picture by knocking Aaron Pico out in sensational fashion at UFC 319 in Chicago, Illinois.</strong></p><p>The 34-year-old, who took the fight on three week's notice, ended the bout with a stunning spinning back elbow in the first round.</p><p>Victory extended Murphy's winning start to his career to 17 as he called for a title bout with Australian champion Alexander Volkanovski.</p><p>"This sport's all about moments and I just created one," said Murphy. </p><p>"I needed something like this. I took the fight on three weeks' notice, I believed in myself, I knew the opportunity was there. I'm next in line – let's go Volkanovski."</p><p>Murphy's win followed fellow Briton Michael 'Venom' Page's victory over middleweight Jared Cannonier earlier on the card.</p><p>Page, nicknamed MVP, outpointed Cannonier in trademark fashion with the American unable to deal with his speed and elusiveness.</p><p>In the main event, Russia's Khamzat Chimaev delivered one of the most dominant performances in UFC history as he beat South Africa's Dricus du Plessis for the middleweight title.</p><p>Chimaev landed a remarkable 529 strikes to Du Plessis' 45 and controlled over 21 minutes of the bout on the ground as all three judges scored it 50-44 in his favour.</p><h2>Murphy finally earns statement win</h2><figure><img alt="Lerone Murphy in action against Aaron Pico" height="576" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/bbc_us_articles_995/2210209b09022ae2157742c439212cf9" width="1024" data-uuid="b9ff613a-0b1e-32e5-9caf-16392f015d8e"><figcaption>Murphy's win was his third finish in nine UFC fights [Getty Images]</figcaption></figure><p>Manchester's Murphy came into the bout with Pico sixth in the UFC's featherweight rankings after winning eight successive fights in the promotion.</p><p>Despite his winning streak, Murphy's reserved personality in comparison to some of his brash peers means he has sometimes failed to get the credit he deserves for his work in the octagon.</p><p>A lack of highlight reel moments, with Murphy earning five straight decision wins before facing Pico, also affected his star power.</p><p>But that all changed with his stunning knockout of Pico.</p><p>The American, who was making his UFC debut after building a daunting reputation in Bellator where he won 13 of 17 bouts, started strongly.</p><p>He applied the early pressure, landing combinations and takedowns with Murphy struggling to get off the back foot.</p><p>But after navigating the first three minutes, Murphy used Pico's forward motion against him as he span around, landing a crisp elbow to deliver the knockout and send the American crashing to the floor.</p><p>"Pico is good, that's the hardest first minutes I've ever had. But he was too aggressive and I used his aggression against him," said Murphy.</p><p>UFC president Dana White often praises fighters who step up on short notice and he showed his appreciation immediately after the contest by granting Murphy a $50,000 (£36,900) performance-of-the-night bonus.</p><p>UFC commentator and former heavyweight and light-heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier later tipped Murphy for a title shot.</p><p>"It's Lerone Murphy next because of what he did, landing the spinning elbow like that. Everyone else can wait in line," said Cormier.</p><p>Page's win over Cannonier represented the 38-year-old's second in a row at middleweight and third in four UFC bouts since joining the promotion at the end of 2023.</p><p>Page knocked down Cannonier in the first and second round in a typically entertaining display, combining speed, footwork and distance management with showboating. </p><p>The crowd cheered 'MVP' as he taunted Cannonier throughout and the judges scored the contest 29-28 in Page's favour.</p><p>Page said pre-fight he was on his "last lap in MMA" and targeting an elusive world title, and victory over ninth-ranked Cannonier moves him a step closer to his goal.</p><h2>Formidable Chimaev lives up to promise</h2><figure><img alt="Khamzat Chimaev after beating Dricus du Plessis" height="545" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/bbc_us_articles_995/6226cf233504b9b4c2d9c939a42f4d0c" width="968" data-uuid="e964f79b-ad06-3788-94b5-1a6eda186853"><figcaption>Chimaev earned his ninth win in the UFC [Getty Images]</figcaption></figure><p>Chimaev, 31, is one of the UFC's most exciting talents and long been predicted to become a champion.</p><p>He came into the bout with Du Plessis, who was making the third defence of his belt, unbeaten after winning the first 14 fights of his career but his momentum had been stifled over the past two years.</p><p>Chimaev fought just once in 2023 and once again in 2024 after illness and injuries led to a number of cancelled fights.</p><p>He also suffered visa issues, due to his ties to controversial Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, which prevented him from fighting in the United States.</p><p>After <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/mixed-martial-arts/articles/czxpy10p6x2o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">crediting President Donald Trump for securing his visa</a>, he returned to the US as the favourite to beat Du Plessis but few could have predicted how dominant it would be.</p><p>Chimaev took Du Plessis down every round at will, with the South African having no answer to his grappling.</p><p>Such was Chimaev's supremacy, his 529 strikes marked a UFC record for a single fight.</p><p>His 21 minutes and 40 seconds of control time, meanwhile, was the second most in a UFC bout after Sean Sherk recorded 22 minutes and 18 seconds against Hermes Franca in 2007.</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/mixed-martial-arts/articles/cvg7dly0z3ro?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">MMA schedule and results 2025</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/articles/crgy3zy4meyo?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">Watch every Born to Brawl episode</a></li></ul><h2>More MMA from the BBC</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cl5q9dk9jl3o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">Notifications, social media and more with BBC Sport</a></li></ul><img class="tracking-img" height="1" src="https://a1.api.bbc.co.uk/hit.xiti/?s=598314&p=sport.mixed-martial-arts.articles.cd0dk0zdlego.page&x1=%5Burn%3Abbc%3Aoptimo%3Aasset%3Acd0dk0zdlego%5D&x4=%5Ben-gb%5D&x5=%5Bhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fsport%2Fmixed-martial-arts%2Farticles%2Fcd0dk0zdlego%5D&x7=%5Barticle%5D&x8=%5Bsynd_nojs_ISAPI%5D&x9=%5BBritain%27s+Murphy+stakes+title+claim+with+sensational+knockout%5D&x11=%5B2025-08-17T06%3A48%3A03.337Z%5D&x12=%5B2025-08-17T06%3A48%3A03.337Z%5D&x19=%5Byahoo.north.america%5D" width="1" data-uuid="18c5c634-b705-313c-9e44-7e86638c9599">]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>BBC</source><dc:publisher>BBC</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:48:08 +0000</pubDate><category>Sports</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">a84a2316-77da-3d49-bc27-7208df9a8070</guid><title><![CDATA[Extended Manx Grand Prix offers more 'flexibility']]></title><link>https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2015v9yqjzo?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Bheadline%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D</link><description><![CDATA[A longer schedule allows for bad weather and gives visitors more downtime, says Clerk of the Course.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img alt="A smiling Gary Thompson - he has short grey hair and blue glasses, and wears a navy blue t-shirt with MGP and Classic TT logos. In the background is a long table with lots of computers on it; chairs are pulled up on either side of it." height="3213" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/bbc_us_articles_995/a04f2037735d06fa47aa9bc58b067aee" width="5712" data-uuid="f7c0a8eb-d603-3923-8408-2f341a20cb8f"><figcaption>Clerk of the Course, Gary Thompson, will oversee racing in both the MGP and Classic TT classes [BBC]</figcaption></figure><p>An extended schedule for the Manx Grand Prix, heralding the return of the Classic TT, gives organisers greater "flexibility", the clerk of the course has said.</p><p>Qualification events, set to run concurrently from Sunday until 29 August, will get under way on the 37.2mile (60km) Mountain Course later.</p><p>The government announced the <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/motorsport/articles/c7v6vy6pp8qo?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">Classic TT would be re-introduced</a> for 2025 at the end of last year, with the MGP programme expanded from nine to 13 days in an effort to attract more motorsport fans to the island.</p><p>Gary Thompson said the weather forecast for the race period was "really good, after a dismal few years" but a longer event meant there was "lots of room to use contingency plans" if needed.</p><p>The revised schedule will see the racing will be split into two tranches, with the Supertwin, Supersport, Junior and Senior MGP races, on contemporary vehicles, set to take place first, on 23 and 25 August.</p><p>They will be followed by the Formula 1, Lightweight, Historic Junior, Historic Senior and Classic Senior TT races on 27 and 29 August.</p><p>Qualifying for the MGP is set to start proceedings, followed by sessions for the Classic classes, with Thompson saying "if we do lose sessions for whatever reason" there was "plenty of contingency for qualifying towards the bank holiday weekend, and [on] Tuesday and Thursday during the race schedule".</p><figure><img alt="The tower at the Isle of Man TT grandstand, with a row of international flags visible on the front. The grandstand is a red-brick structure with large glass windows all round and Isle of Man TT banners in blue, white, yellow and red." height="677" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/bbc_us_articles_995/b5dc55420adccb86253592f1d9e78034" width="1204" data-uuid="33ef34d9-e225-369c-8dbf-3eb1056d0667"><figcaption>The MGP and Classic TT racing runs until 29 August [BBC]</figcaption></figure><p>First held alongside the MGP in 2013, the Classic TT brand was scrapped by the government after a review following the coronavirus pandemic.</p><p>The clerk said he was pleased to see its return, adding race organisers had "listened to feedback" after the August festival was shortened to nine days in 2022.</p><p>Mr Thompson said the revamped schedule would give riders and spectators "plenty of downtime and more chance to explore the island", as well as enjoying the event.</p><p>"Each event complements each other," he explained.</p><p>"You have four races on modern bikes in the MGP, and then, for the Classic, you have <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/motorsport/articles/cvg6vl53y38o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">iconic machines being ridden by some of the best riders in the world</a>, like Michael Dunlop, Davy Todd, John McGuinness and Conor Cummins.</p><p>"For the pure bike enthusiast, to come to the Isle of Man and see their TT heroes on machines from the past – it's sights and sounds you can't describe," he said.</p><p>Roads around the course are due to close at 12:45 BST on Sunday and reopen no later than 18:00 BST. </p><p><em>Read more stories from the </em><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/europe/isle_of_man?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D"><em>Isle of Man</em></a><em> on the BBC, watch </em><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b006pfjx/north-west-tonight?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D"><em>BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer</em></a><em> and follow BBC Isle of Man on </em><a href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/bbcisleofman/"><em>Facebook</em></a><em> and </em><a href="https://twitter.com/BBCIsleofMan"><em>X</em></a><em>.</em></p><h2>More on this story</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/motorsport/articles/cvg6vl53y38o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">TT stars to return for rebranded classic races</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz9g1xpq88qo?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">Manx Grand Prix visitors below pre-pandemic levels</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyvry12rleo?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">Return of Classic TT to cost departments £150k</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/motorsport/articles/c7v6vy6pp8qo?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">Classic TT brought back to boost visitor numbers</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/motorsport/articles/c17gxp7exleo?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">Browne wins Classic Superbike Manx Grand Prix</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/motorsport/articles/cevj81zz1n7o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">Lougher grabs late Lightweight Manx Grand Prix win </a></li></ul><h2>Related internet links</h2><ul><li><a href="https://manxgrandprix.co.uk/">Manx Grand Prix</a></li><li><a href="https://www.iomttraces.com/classic/">Classic TT</a></li></ul><img class="tracking-img" height="1" src="https://a1.api.bbc.co.uk/hit.xiti/?s=598314&p=news.articles.c2015v9yqjzo.page&x1=%5Burn%3Abbc%3Aoptimo%3Aasset%3Ac2015v9yqjzo%5D&x4=%5Ben-gb%5D&x5=%5Bhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fnews%2Farticles%2Fc2015v9yqjzo%5D&x7=%5Barticle%5D&x8=%5Bsynd_nojs_ISAPI%5D&x9=%5BExtended+Manx+Grand+Prix+offers+more+%27flexibility%27%5D&x11=%5B2025-08-17T06%3A47%3A16.847Z%5D&x12=%5B2025-08-17T06%3A47%3A16.847Z%5D&x19=%5Byahoo.north.america%5D" width="1" data-uuid="ba0333a6-5cfc-3988-9631-b132d8aa011b">]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>BBC</source><dc:publisher>BBC</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:47:24 +0000</pubDate><category>News All</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">17a9936d-4436-365f-8fb6-7af80400972d</guid><title><![CDATA[Why Arsenal are ready to win the league as stakes rise for Arteta]]></title><link>https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cd7y29lzj1lo?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Bheadline%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D</link><description><![CDATA[The additions of midfielder Martin Zubimendi and striker Viktor Gyokeres show Arsenal's ambition in what will be Mikel Arteta's most important season as manager.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img alt="A graphic of Bukayo Saka in an Arsenal shirt" height="519" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/bbc_us_articles_995/eacc22fab846e4f9338ac85fa537b7bd" width="921" data-uuid="9d2f74a2-d551-302b-be7b-b57671086b5b"><figcaption>[Getty Images]</figcaption></figure><p>This season is set to be the most important in Mikel Arteta's five and a half years in charge of Arsenal.</p><p>They have revamped their squad with £190m worth of signings as they look to win the Premier League for the first time in 21 years.</p><p>The Gunners have finished second for the past three seasons in a row but have now made a big push over the summer to end that drought.</p><p>Arsenal have added two important cogs to the spine of their team with the signing of midfielder Martin Zubimendi and striker Viktor Gyokeres.</p><p>Here, BBC Sport looks at why Arsenal - who begin their campaign away to Manchester United on Sunday (kick-off 16:30 BST) - believe they are now ready to win the league this season.</p><h2>How have Arsenal strengthened over the summer?</h2><figure><img alt="Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta carrying a football" height="768" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/bbc_us_articles_995/92faf618e3ea4dd7e5b274cd8acd2ce5" width="1024" data-uuid="a16f7fba-71db-3d89-b041-acb00fc92621"><figcaption>Arteta is hoping to win his first trophy since the FA Cup in 2020 [Getty Images]</figcaption></figure><p>Speaking before the first summer match in Singapore, Arteta said he "sees the right balance" and that "all the ingredients are there" for Arsenal to win this season.</p><p>The addition of six new players and the potential of another has given fans a lift, but also raised expectations.</p><p>The added depth in the squad has given Arteta a real boost and the possibility of lots of variations in his team as he looks to break down stubborn defences.</p><p>Declan Rice looks to have been permanently released into the more advanced midfield role he excelled in so much last season, thanks to the arrival of Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.</p><p>Arteta has also got rid of the 'tier system' so there is no drop off in the team. Tier One players were expected starters but the new signings have been brought in to make sure that there is not a huge dip in performance if any of the starting XI are unavailable.</p><p>There has been a big emphasis on increasing the goal threat from every position this summer - using runs in behind and getting shots off - and on how to get the best out of Gykores' key attributes after the striker scored 97 goals in 102 appearances for Portuguese side Sporting.</p><p>Arteta said if you leave Gyokeres "with the space one against one, he's going to destroy you" earlier this summer.</p><p>He added: "He's going to create a lot of space as well for us and there is the moment that, in any situation, there is a player there that can score a goal."</p><h2>What happens if they don't win?</h2><p>It will not be a shock to Arteta that fans are expecting trophies at Emirates Stadium this season.</p><p>During crunch matches during the last campaign you could feel the desperation from the crowd to see success.</p><p>The Arsenal boss has had his fair share of critics, who have questioned his ability to win trophies given he has only won the FA Cup and that was in his first season as manager.</p><p>There were even messages of 'Arteta out' sprayed on walls near the stadium after the signing of Noni Madueke, which shows that some supporters may not have as much patience as most in the stadium.</p><p>Whatever happens, Arteta has given himself a squad with more quality and with players at the right age who are ready to make the next step - but pressure could come from within if Arsenal don't get over the line after their summer spending. </p><ul><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c07d34mg321o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">Portugal to Premier League - how will Gyokeres fare?</a></li></ul><h2>What have we seen in pre-season?</h2><p>Arsenal know they are expected to compete in multiple competitions this season and the players and staff are not scared of saying they need to win a trophy.</p><p>Different versions of the phrase 'getting to a new level' were used by Arteta and others throughout pre-season, with signs mentioning similar at the team's kit launch on a rooftop in Singapore.</p><p>Arteta does not like the word friendlies and sees the games they have played before the start of the Premier League season as "tests".</p><p>The intensity and sharpness was noted by opponents and the evolution of the Arsenal side could be seen from the first game against AC Milan.</p><p>Arsenal started with Ethan Nwaneri in a central role which seems to be the strongest area of Arsenal's squad this season with Rice, Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino also options.</p><p>Madueke has been signed from Chelsea to play on the wings, a position where Nwaneri broke into the side, but he is a natural midfielder and his pathway into the team seems to be there.</p><p>One of the key takeaways from Arsenal from their five summer matches is a more direct approach.</p><p>The Gunners scored 17 fewer goals than Liverpool last season and finished 10 points behind the champions in second place. Arsenal have looked to address that with their recruitment and attempts to increase the goal threat from all positions.</p><p>Goalkeeper David Raya is frequently kicking the ball long and goals from Kai Havertz and chances created for Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have come when Arsenal have played the ball into space behind the opposition defence.</p><p>The arrival of new set-piece coach Nicolas Jover is expected to ensure the Gunners are again a huge threat in this area.</p><p>A new faster-paced attacking style has been evident through summer, especially when Odegaard, Zubimendi and Rice started together.</p><p>While Myles Lewis-Skelly impressed by drifting into midfield from left-back during his breakthrough season, there has been more emphasis on him fulfilling traditional full-back duties in this system.</p><p>Arteta hopes the changes will benefit Gyokeres and his imposing physical style along with his ability to burst through centre-backs.</p><h2>What do Arsenal need to do differently to win?</h2><p>Over last season's 38 league games, Liverpool had in excess of 100 more shots and scored 17 more goals than Arsenal.</p><p>Seven of those were penalties but that still leaves a gap of 95 non-penalty shots, 2.5 more shots every game. </p><p>If the Gunners had taken the same number of non-penalty shots as the champions and continued scoring at the rate that they did (12.3%) then they would've scored an additional 12 goals, showing that Arsenal's main problem last season was that you can't score the chances you don't make. </p><p>Arsenal were decimated by injuries to key players last season, leaving them without key components of their attack.</p><p>And that led to performances where Arsenal were kept at bay by sides who defended deep.</p><p>They tended to build up slowly with the ball with lots of passes, allowing the defensive team time to regroup, and then resorted to crosses and hoping to win a header.</p><h2>The 'peak' squad make up </h2><p>Zubimendi and Gyokeres - aged 26 and 27 respectively - are at or about to hit their peak, and have been brought into the team to win things now.</p><p>And the majority of the Arsenal team - and the squad in general - are either at or approaching what we'd consider the peak age of a player's career.</p><p>Eight of the '1st XI' last season are aged between 23 and 27, with only Raya who is still at the club older than that.</p><p>The connections of Zubimendi and Merino, former team-mates at Real Sociedad, alongside the experience of Odegaard, is another example of what Arsenal are trying to build.</p><p>Club coaches have been impressed with the character of their signings as they looked to bring in leaders who are ready to deal with the pressure that will come this season.</p><p>Arsenal do have younger players for the future like Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri (both just 18) while Saka and Califiori are still only 23, but this is a team Arteta believes is ready to win now.</p><p>With other summer signings Norgaard, 31 and Kepa Arrizabalada, 30, they have increased the wider squad experience too.</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">Latest Arsenal news, analysis and fan views</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62099717?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">Get Arsenal news sent straight to your phone</a></li></ul><img class="tracking-img" height="1" src="https://a1.api.bbc.co.uk/hit.xiti/?s=598314&p=sport.football.articles.cd7y29lzj1lo.page&x1=%5Burn%3Abbc%3Aoptimo%3Aasset%3Acd7y29lzj1lo%5D&x4=%5Ben-gb%5D&x5=%5Bhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Farticles%2Fcd7y29lzj1lo%5D&x7=%5Barticle%5D&x8=%5Bsynd_nojs_ISAPI%5D&x9=%5BWhy+Arsenal+are+ready+to+win+the+league+as+stakes+rise+for+Arteta%5D&x11=%5B2025-08-17T06%3A43%3A51.006Z%5D&x12=%5B2025-08-17T06%3A43%3A51.006Z%5D&x19=%5Byahoo.north.america%5D" width="1" data-uuid="5333c162-b5bb-32ff-b00d-70ac31d11c2d">]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>BBC</source><dc:publisher>BBC</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:47:00 +0000</pubDate><category>Sports</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">3437b4db-8ea9-36b2-9cbc-851888d7a7db</guid><title><![CDATA[Chelsea vs Crystal Palace – Predicted lineup and team news]]></title><link>https://onefootball.com/en/news/chelsea-vs-crystal-palace-predicted-lineup-and-team-news-41523151</link><description><![CDATA[Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea kick off their 2025-/26 Premier League campaign at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday with expectations significantly raised. After guiding the Blues to a top-four finish in his...]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img alt="Chelsea vs Crystal Palace – Predicted lineup and team news" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_football_faithful_articles_458/2b33be87a6743ca813c2d316e6389c97" data-uuid="d6518e82-edf6-3d35-935c-bbbca1498424"><figcaption>Chelsea vs Crystal Palace – Predicted lineup and team news</figcaption></figure><p><strong>Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea kick off their 2025-/26 Premier League campaign at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday with expectations significantly raised. After guiding the Blues to a top-four finish in his first full season, the Italian is now tasked with moulding his squad into genuine title contenders.</strong></p><p>The first starting XI of the new season will offer a glimpse into how Maresca plans to take that next step, with a number of new attacking signings set to be integrated. Fresh from their FIFA Club World Cup triumph in the summer, Chelsea face a tough opening-day London derby against a Crystal Palace side full of confidence after their own cup successes.</p><h2>Chelsea vs Crystal Palace – Predicted lineup and team news</h2><h2>Chelsea team news</h2><p>Manager Enzo Maresca is set to hand debuts to a number of new attacking signings. Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Estevao Willian, and Jamie Gittens all in contention to feature. The new arrivals are expected to form a new-look forward line alongside last season’s standout performer, Cole Palmer.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">MD1 on our minds. 🧠 <a href="https://t.co/c4Whlu9PAP">pic.twitter.com/c4Whlu9PAP</a></p>— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC/status/1956417355539439746?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2025</a></blockquote><p>However, Maresca’s defensive plans are impacted by the long-term absence of Levi Colwill, who is recovering from an ACL injury. The manager will also be without striker Nicolas Jackson, who serves a suspension carried over from the end of last season.</p><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block;text-align:center;"></ins><p>In a boost to the backline, Trevoh Chalobah has returned to full fitness.</p><h2>Chelsea predicted lineup</h2><p><strong>Chelsea predicted XI:</strong> Sánchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Adarabioyo, Cucurella; Caicedo, James; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Pedro.</p><h2>When is Chelsea vs Crystal Palace?</h2><p>The Premier League fixture takes place at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, 17th August 2025, with kick-off scheduled for 2pm BST.</p><h2>How to watch Chelsea vs Crystal Palace?</h2><p>The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event in the UK, with pre-match build-up starting at 1pm BST. Subscribers can also stream the action live via the Sky Go app.</p><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Read- <a href="https://thefootballfaithful.com/premier-league-preview-the-fans-view-chelsea/" target="_blank" title="Premier League Preview: The fans’ view – Chelsea">Premier League Preview: The fans’ view – Chelsea</a></strong></p><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>See More- <a href="https://thefootballfaithful.com/chelsea-will-not-entertain-loan-offers-for-renato-veiga/" target="_blank" title="Chelsea close door on loan exit for defender">Chelsea close door on loan exit for defender</a></strong></p><h2>Subscribe to our social channels:</h2><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/FootyFaithful" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thefootballfaithfuldotcom/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/FootyFaithful_">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUgN0WQEhxRbfTdlbkEG7zQ" target="_blank">YouTube</a></strong></p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>The Football Faithful</source><dc:publisher>The Football Faithful</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:45:00 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">11832b69-ac1a-3b34-a793-08d921764ffd</guid><title><![CDATA[Jannik Sinner ends Terence Atmane’s dream run to set up another Carlos Alcaraz clash]]></title><link>https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/jannik-sinner-carlos-alcaraz-cincinnati-open-scores-results-b2809059.html</link><description><![CDATA[The two rivals will battle again in the Cincinnati Open final]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<img alt="Jannik Sinner is into the Cincinnati Open final (Getty Images)" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_independent_us_sports_articles_270/284f59091f233d42b614d126cd527c2d" data-uuid="0430535a-9cac-33de-8ad3-e7e5dbdd7c5a"><p><a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/jannik-sinner">Jannik Sinner</a> and <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/carlos-alcaraz">Carlos Alcaraz</a> will clash in Sunday's <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/cincinnati-open">Cincinnati Open</a> final after the world's top two players won their respective semi-finals on Saturday.</p><p>World No 1 Sinner and second-ranked Alcaraz will meet in a repeat of the <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/jannik-sinner-carlos-alcaraz-wimbledon-centre-court-lorenzo-musetti-b2788543.html" title="Jannik Sinner’s coach expects ‘amazing’ Carlos Alcaraz rivalry to ‘get better’">French Open and Wimbledon finals earlier this summer.</a></p><p>Sinner celebrated his 24th birthday by halting French wildcard Terence Atmane's surprise run to the last four in a 7-6 (4) 6-2 win.</p><p>World No 136 Atmane - who had never been inside the top 100 but will now climb to 69 - went toe-to-toe with Sinner in a tight opening set, but the defending champion found an extra gear in the tie-break and cruised to victory in the second.</p><p>It was Sinner's 26th successive hard-court win and his 12th in a row on all surfaces.</p><p>"It was a very, very tough challenge," Sinner said on court after being serenaded with "Happy Birthday" by the crowd. "Every time when you play against someone completely new it's very difficult."</p><p>Alcaraz brushed off Alexander Zverev in straight sets, beating the German 6-4 6-3.</p><p>In the doubles event, British pair Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool saw their 22-match winning streak come to an end in the semi-finals.</p><p>The Wimbledon champions had won their last four events but lost to Nikola Mektic and Rajeev Ram 7-6 (4) 7-6 (2).</p><p><em>PA</em></p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>The Independent</source><dc:publisher>The Independent</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:44:56 +0000</pubDate><category>tennis</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">64e03d42-24d3-3502-b5fb-6ef2a44b288b</guid><title><![CDATA[Can Rees-Zammit can become a rugby star again?]]></title><link>https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/clyrdldy1x2o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Bheadline%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D</link><description><![CDATA[Bristol Bears' new signing has "stardust" but can he live up to the hype of his return from NFL to rugby union?]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img alt="Louis Rees-Zammit training with Jacksonville Jaguars, signing his Bristol contract and running with the ball for Wales" height="1080" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/bbc_us_articles_995/b67f75492c5796064506ee8e2cf44b82" width="1920" data-uuid="352c9727-c913-31df-ab50-6a8ee535ce11"><figcaption>Louis Rees-Zammit last played rugby union in January 2024 [Getty/Bristol Bears/Huw Evans Agency]</figcaption></figure><p>San Francisco 49ers have been scrubbed out and Leicester Tigers have been pencilled in on 28 September in Louis Rees-Zammit's diary.</p><p>The 24-year-old is a rugby player again after a failed bid to crack the NFL.</p><p>Bristol was <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c5ye5196qdqo?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">confirmed as the Wales winger's chosen destination</a> on Thursday after his exit from Jacksonville Jaguars.</p><p>Pat Lam's men are working towards their Prem Rugby opener against Leicester at Ashton Gate in six weeks' time - 20 months since his last game rugby or, in fact, any form of competitive sport.</p><p>That will only heighten the focus on his comeback and former Wales fly-half says he has the 'stardust' to make an immediate impact.</p><p>But what can we expect from the prodigal son's return?</p><h2>Bristol a 'perfect match'</h2><figure><img alt="Gabriel Ibitoye dives over to score a try for Bristol against Harlequins" height="2155" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/bbc_us_articles_995/9259ac0b26ab5cb1b5cccf53f0d0acac" width="3830" data-uuid="c040d2c8-4bd0-332b-b26f-15a8ebdb8e0b"><figcaption>Bristol scored at least four tries in 16 of 18 Premiership games last season [Getty Images]</figcaption></figure><p>When Rees-Zammit announced his intention to return to rugby it sparked a transfer frenzy.</p><p>Crucially, Bristol had finances available despite the salary cap and spaces to fill in the back three.</p><p>"He's a very talented player and there were a lot of clubs from Japan, France and England chasing him [so] we're chuffed he signed," said head of recruitment Gethin Watts, formerly of Ospreys, Cardiff and the Welsh Rugby Union.</p><p>Bristol's expansive style helped with the sales pitch to Rees-Zammit's brother and agent Taylor.</p><p>Only champions Bath scored more than their 95 league tries as Bristol only twice missed out on a try-bonus and wing Gabriel Ibitoye finishing joint top scorer by crossing 13 times.</p><p>"The way we play the game, and the way he wants to play the game – it's a perfect match," said Watts.</p><p>Former Bristol and Ospreys coach Sean Holley believes that the move can help the rapid Rees-Zammit add to his game.</p><p>"I do see Pat using him as a versatile back-three player," he said to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.</p><p>"Bristol use their wingers really well and bring them off the wing and like to give them the ball in hand.</p><p>"They want to get the ball quickly and shift it wide but Louis will be encouraged to get involved elsewhere.</p><p>"There is a lot of kicking in rugby now, particularly in England, so we might even see him at full-back, which will be good because we want him to develop his kicking skills."</p><p>Bristol have stressed they have not broken the bank to sign Rees-Zammit for the 2025-26 season but a switch to the breakaway R360 league is mooted for next year.</p><h2>Treading carefully</h2><figure><img alt="Louis Rees-Zammit runs in the red jersey and helmet of Kansas City Chiefs" height="576" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/bbc_us_articles_995/23caff0ff1d43cb2f7dd4cb32f739a41" width="1024" data-uuid="1c143c32-df8b-3c40-ac62-eebb4779cc2c"><figcaption>Louis Rees-Zammit had spells training with Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars [Getty Images]</figcaption></figure><p>Bristol's squad members not involved in summer Test rugby checked back in for duty on 16 July.</p><p>Rees-Zammit is a month behind the majority of his new teammates but will be well-conditioned, albeit for different demands.</p><p>He was shifted from running back to wide receiver in American football - even acting as kicker in one practice game - but his only defensive work would have come in special teams coverage.</p><p>Rees-Zammit was in a sport of short bursts. Bristol's stunning end-to-end try in their <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cwyj2x8nr21o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">breathless semi-final against Bath</a> in June showed just what he is returning to.</p><p>"Physically he's in a good place, but there's a responsibility on us to integrate him back into rugby carefully," said Watts.</p><p>"We're not going to rush him in straight away. We need to assess him. Training [in the NFL] is completely different to how we do things over here."</p><p>Time will tell whether adding muscle for the NFL has impacted Rees-Zammit's top-end speed, in the short-term at least, but first it will be about the basics.</p><p>"Pat and his coaching team will need to get him back passing, kicking, catching," said Holley.</p><p>"All the physical attributes are there with Louis Rees-Zammit and he will have honed them even more in America. Muscle memory is a strange thing and it won't take him that long."</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/c1w8lvgrxngo?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">Rees-Zammit aiming to be 'best in the world' - Lam</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cj6yryrzdgxo?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">Rees-Zammit in mix for Wales autumn return - Tandy</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/american-football/articles/c78zeqwg0e0o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">Why is it so hard to break into the NFL?</a></li></ul><h2>A rapid Test return?</h2><p>A Six Nations winner and a British and Irish Lions tourist, Rees-Zammit stunned rugby - including Warren Gatland - by revealing his shock NFL switch on the morning the Wales head coach was naming his Six Nations squad.</p><p>His 32 caps mean he is still eligible to play for Wales under the cap rule despite not signing for a Welsh region.</p><p>And new Wales head coach Steve Tandy has already hinted at a possible return as early as this autumn.</p><p>"You wouldn't rule anything out. Zammo [Rees-Zammit] brings a big effect and excitement by coming back," said Tandy.</p><p>In his absence Wales have fielded Josh Adams, Tom Rogers, Blair Murray, Rio Dyer, Ellis Mee, Josh Hathaway, Mason Grady and Keelan Giles but none have the star quality with a strike rate of 14 tries in 32 Tests.</p><p>"He's a fantastic athlete with strength, speed, pace, he's an X-factor player," said former Lion Hook.</p><p>"He has the attributes to compete with the best players in the world in his position.</p><p>"It doesn't help that he would be coming into a Wales team struggling but he has that x-factor and stardust. I just hope he can live up to that.</p><p>"Payers like Henry Pollock, Marcus Smith, Finn Russell, Antoine Dupont, Cheslin Kolbe generate enthusiasm and a buzz around any team they play in.</p><p>"Louis fits into that category and if he had been available he would have been in with a shout for a starting Lions berth this summer. He is that good."</p><h2>Box office hit</h2><p>With a record low of just two Lions tourists, Wales is desperate for a star.</p><p>Even if November is deemed too early for a Test return, his comeback could still generate excitement - and funds - in Wales.</p><p>Scarlets will also be rubbing their hands together as the wing could pull more fans to their Champions Cup clash against Bristol in December.</p><p>And the 24-year-old is sure to be used as a major marketing tool when Bears return to Cardiff's Principality Stadium where they will again host a Prem Rugby fixture, against Harlequins on 28 March.</p><img class="tracking-img" height="1" src="https://a1.api.bbc.co.uk/hit.xiti/?s=598314&p=sport.articles.clyrdldy1x2o.page&x1=%5Burn%3Abbc%3Aoptimo%3Aasset%3Aclyrdldy1x2o%5D&x4=%5Ben-gb%5D&x5=%5Bhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fsport%2Farticles%2Fclyrdldy1x2o%5D&x7=%5Barticle%5D&x8=%5Bsynd_nojs_ISAPI%5D&x9=%5BCan+Rees-Zammit+can+become+a+rugby+star+again%3F%5D&x11=%5B2025-08-16T09%3A15%3A22.45Z%5D&x12=%5B2025-08-17T06%3A35%3A59.605Z%5D&x19=%5Byahoo.north.america%5D" width="1" data-uuid="585a47c5-2ef7-3311-b0ff-04ddca57129f">]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>BBC</source><dc:publisher>BBC</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:38:35 +0000</pubDate><category>Sports</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">2a7a3247-251d-3b5c-bf22-a9ddfd0a7ba9</guid><title><![CDATA[Chelsea vs Crystal Palace – Match preview and team news]]></title><link>https://onefootball.com/en/news/chelsea-vs-crystal-palace-match-preview-and-team-news-41523131</link><description><![CDATA[Chelsea host Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in a London derby that kicks off the 2025/26 Premier League season for both clubs.The fixture pits two newly-crowned champions against each oth...]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img alt="Chelsea vs Crystal Palace – Match preview and team news" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_football_faithful_articles_458/9baf5b36c9c049ec636127882626b61c" data-uuid="3c2f77ed-c4ca-3e82-b042-7638a145cbb4"><figcaption>Chelsea vs Crystal Palace – Match preview and team news</figcaption></figure><p><strong>Chelsea host Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in a London derby that kicks off the 2025/26 Premier League season for both clubs.</strong></p><p></p><p class="p1">The fixture pits two newly-crowned champions against each other, with Chelsea entering the campaign as FIFA Club World Cup winners and Palace buoyed by their historic FA Cup and Community Shield double.</p><p></p><p class="p1">Chelsea, backed by a number of summer signings, are aiming to mount a serious title challenge, while Oliver Glasner’s Palace will be looking to build on the momentum of last season’s triumphs.</p><p></p><p class="p1">Although the hosts are unbeaten in their last 15 league meetings with the Eagles, Palace’s formidable defensive organisation promises a stern test on the opening day.</p><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block;text-align:center;"></ins><h2>Chelsea vs Crystal Palace – Match preview and team news</h2><ul><li>Date: Sunday 17th August 2025</li><li>Kick-off: 2pm BST</li><li>Venue: Stamford Bridge, London</li><li>Last Meeting: Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea, Jan 4th, 2025, Premier League</li></ul><h2>Team News</h2><h2>Chelsea</h2><p></p><p class="p1">Manager Enzo Maresca could hand competitive debuts to a raft of new attacking signings, including Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Estevao, and Jamie Gittens, who will look to support chief playmaker Cole Palmer.</p><p></p><p class="p1">However, Maresca is without key defender Levi Colwill, who is sidelined long-term with an ACL injury, while striker Nicolas Jackson serves a suspension carried over from last season. In a timely boost for the backline, both Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana have returned to full fitness.</p><h2>Crystal Palace</h2><p></p><p class="p1">Crystal Palace’s squad has a familiar look, with Borna Sosa the main summer arrival from Ajax to provide competition for Tyrick Mitchell at left-back. The team will continue to be built around key assets such as Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi, though both are subject of transfer interest.</p><p></p><p class="p1">Oliver Glasner will be without forward Edward Nketiah due to injury, and midfielder Daichi Kamada is a major doubt after picking up a knock in the Community Shield victory. Aside from those concerns, Palace report a clean bill of health.</p><h2>Form</h2><h2>Chelsea</h2><p></p><p class="p1">Chelsea enjoyed a successful summer, lifting the FIFA Club World Cup and following it with an impressive run of results in their pre-season friendlies. Enzo Maresca’s side will be looking to carry that winning momentum into the new campaign.</p><h2>Crystal Palace</h2><p></p><p class="p1">Palace head into the season on a high after their historic cup double, though their pre-season friendly results were mixed. Oliver Glasner will be aiming to replicate the superb defensive resilience that proved the foundation of last term’s success.</p><h2>Predicted Lineups</h2><p></p><p class="p1"><b>Chelsea:</b> Sánchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Adarabioyo, Cucurella; Caicedo, James; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Pedro.</p><p></p><p class="p1"><b>Crystal Palace:</b> Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Muñoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Mateta.</p><h2>How to watch Chelsea vs Crystal Palace?</h2><p></p><p class="p1">The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League in the UK. Coverage is scheduled to begin at 1pm BST for the 2pm kick-off. Subscribers can also stream the action live via the Sky Go app.</p><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Read- <a href="https://thefootballfaithful.com/liverpool-injury-arne-slot-frimpong/" target="_blank" title="Liverpool injury scare as Arne Slot explains substitutions">Liverpool injury scare as Arne Slot explains substitutions</a></strong></p><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>See More- <a href="https://thefootballfaithful.com/arne-slot-antoine-semenyo-liverpool-bournemouth/" title="“We don’t want this in football” – Arne Slot condemns alleged racist abuse of Antoine Semenyo">“We don’t want this in football” – Arne Slot condemns alleged racist abuse of Antoine Semenyo</a></strong></p><h2>Subscribe to our social channels:</h2><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/FootyFaithful" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thefootballfaithfuldotcom/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/FootyFaithful_">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUgN0WQEhxRbfTdlbkEG7zQ" target="_blank">YouTube</a></strong></p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>The Football Faithful</source><dc:publisher>The Football Faithful</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:35:00 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">f337c048-bad0-362f-a24a-1bf9f9b1706d</guid><title><![CDATA[The Premier League returns, Isak runs away and West Ham fraudulence]]></title><link>https://onefootball.com/en/news/the-premier-league-returns-isak-runs-away-and-west-ham-fraudulence-41523130</link><description><![CDATA[Just like the Premier League, our weekly feature on the best football posts from social media is back! That said, some fans are less excited about the top flight’s return than others. Is that a th...]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img alt="The Premier League returns, Isak runs away and West Ham fraudulence" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_football_faithful_articles_458/d94ce466c06a99d1b4c06a2d8fa930c3" data-uuid="fc8c53dc-6d89-3018-9a94-36bd6835daa9"><figcaption>The Premier League returns, Isak runs away and West Ham fraudulence</figcaption></figure><p><strong>Just like the Premier League, our weekly feature on the best football posts from social media is back! </strong></p><p><strong>That said, some fans are less excited about the top flight’s return than others. </strong></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Is that a threat? <a href="https://t.co/k5CFT6UNWS">pic.twitter.com/k5CFT6UNWS</a></p>— JW (@WiggyWWFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/WiggyWWFC/status/1956740024235348445?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2025</a></blockquote><p><strong>This prediction did not go the way this Wolves supporter had in mind. </strong></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="und">4-0?👀 <a href="https://t.co/UMAZ1dKtsc">pic.twitter.com/UMAZ1dKtsc</a></p>— Gabriel🐺 (@wwfcgabriel) <a href="https://twitter.com/wwfcgabriel/status/1956741759544811895?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2025</a></blockquote><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Read – <a href="https://thefootballfaithful.com/our-writers-predictions-for-the-2025-26-season/">Our writers’ predictions for the 2025/26 season</a></strong></p><p><strong>Tell you what, though; Sunderland are very happy to be back in the big time right now. </strong></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Yeah, we're back.</p>— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SunderlandAFC/status/1956747084788281704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2025</a></blockquote><p><strong>The early signs are not looking great for West Ham, mind you. </strong></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hi, <a href="https://twitter.com/BarclaysUKHelp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BarclaysUKHelp</a><br><br>I have a transaction of around £800 coming out of my account in June 2025 from West Ham United with the reference “season ticket”.<br><br>I would like to report this transaction as fraud and get my money back. Please see to this with complete urgency.<br><br>Thank you!</p>— Uber West Ham (@UberWestHam) <a href="https://twitter.com/UberWestHam/status/1956742758888051007?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2025</a></blockquote><p><strong>Unfortunately, we will have to go through this season without one of the most chaotically entertaining players in the game after Liverpool sold Darwin Nunez. </strong></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="zxx"><a href="https://t.co/SGBBbne1Oi">pic.twitter.com/SGBBbne1Oi</a></p>— shan❤️ (@5lfcshan) <a href="https://twitter.com/5lfcshan/status/1955210945644441703?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2025</a></blockquote><p><strong>Liverpool are hoping to replace Darwin with Alexander Isak, who has decided to move out of Newcastle before a transfer has even been completed. </strong></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Isak after Liverpool's latest rejected bid: <a href="https://t.co/ksauMwMsET">https://t.co/ksauMwMsET</a><a href="https://t.co/8dwmvZY2Ag">pic.twitter.com/8dwmvZY2Ag</a></p>— Matt Jones (@MattJFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattJFootball/status/1955209853816713286?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2025</a></blockquote><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Read – <a href="https://thefootballfaithful.com/howe-isak-transfer-saga-newcastle-united/" title="Howe wants Isak saga resolved quickly as Newcastle struggle for goals">Howe wants Isak saga resolved quickly as Newcastle struggle for goals</a></strong></p><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block;text-align:center;"></ins><hr><p><strong>Hell hath no fury like a football fan whose club has sold one of their players to a rival. </strong></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="qme">😭😭😭 <a href="https://t.co/SCafyjt4qd">pic.twitter.com/SCafyjt4qd</a></p>— Daniel (@danielluker_) <a href="https://twitter.com/danielluker_/status/1956661817071087734?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2025</a></blockquote><p><strong>Everton pulled off one of the deals of the summer by signing Jack Grealish on loan. </strong></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Can’t believe it <a href="https://t.co/cMmy25B4Y9">https://t.co/cMmy25B4Y9</a><a href="https://t.co/uzpG7ks9Bj">pic.twitter.com/uzpG7ks9Bj</a></p>— Alf(ie) (@alfie__03) <a href="https://twitter.com/alfie__03/status/1955295159958077896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2025</a></blockquote><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Read – <a href="https://thefootballfaithful.com/nine-things-were-excited-about-for-the-2025-26-season/">Nine things we’re excited about for the 2025/26 season</a></strong></p><p><strong>The winger is following the path laid by some of the true greats of the game. </strong></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">First Gareth Barry, then Fabian Delph, now Jack Grealish…<br><br>The Aston Villa captain to Man City backup to Everton rebound pipeline is alive and well. <a href="https://t.co/ttr2cFF5Rw">pic.twitter.com/ttr2cFF5Rw</a></p>— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZachLowy/status/1954975303618744533?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2025</a></blockquote><p><strong>It’s a move that signals the Barclays is well and truly back. </strong></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Moyes signing a certified pintman<br><a href="https://t.co/9KJxFotcTN">pic.twitter.com/9KJxFotcTN</a></p>— G_mble (@G_mble9) <a href="https://twitter.com/G_mble9/status/1954892169619100000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2025</a></blockquote><p><strong>Surely someone at Chelsea has at the very least floated this idea?</strong></p><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Read – <a href="https://thefootballfaithful.com/worst-premier-league-away-kits-2025-26/">Ranking the worst Premier League away kits in 2025/26</a></strong></p><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block;text-align:center;"></ins><hr><p><strong>The Alejandro Garnacho updates from Fabrizio Romano are just empty calories at this point. </strong></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">“I don’t have much time left but don’t forget Alejandro Garnacho, he WILL be Chelsea player” <a href="https://t.co/97AGATvgX4">pic.twitter.com/97AGATvgX4</a></p>— ͏chibu? (@chibusworld) <a href="https://twitter.com/chibusworld/status/1956623619481633086?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2025</a></blockquote><p><strong>This is both nonsense and makes complete sense at the same time. </strong></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Florian Wirtz is the Lionel Messi of Kiernan Dewsbury-Halls</p>— SB (@ShowBoat00) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShowBoat00/status/1956451082965799152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2025</a></blockquote><p><strong>So how has Gameweek 1 of Fantasy Premier League been for you so far?</strong></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">People that are new to FPL thinking that the game is going to be fun. <a href="https://t.co/3WkjZNQc5G">pic.twitter.com/3WkjZNQc5G</a></p>— FPL Raptor (Ross) (@FPL__Raptor) <a href="https://twitter.com/FPL__Raptor/status/1956709796175880642?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2025</a></blockquote><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Read – <a href="https://thefootballfaithful.com/fpl-the-best-fantasy-premier-league-team-names-for-2025-26/" title="Fantasy Premier League: The best FPL team names for 2025/26">Fantasy Premier League: The best FPL team names for 2025/26</a></strong></p><p><strong>This is some great taunting from West Brom following their win over Wrexham. </strong></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="qme">💙🤍 <a href="https://t.co/v02YXnfSvo">pic.twitter.com/v02YXnfSvo</a></p>— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WBA/status/1956712549556138311?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2025</a></blockquote><p><strong>That’s a defeat, alright. </strong></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">We lost.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BCFCu18?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BCFCu18</a><a href="https://t.co/Og9pKBHZZL">pic.twitter.com/Og9pKBHZZL</a></p>— Birmingham City Academy (@BCFCAcademy) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCFCAcademy/status/1956686236233371961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2025</a></blockquote><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Read – <a href="https://thefootballfaithful.com/premier-league-records-that-could-be-broken-in-2025-26/" title="Premier League records that could be broken in 2025/26">Premier League records that could be broken in 2025/26</a></strong></p><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>See Also – <a href="https://thefootballfaithful.com/every-new-premier-league-kit-2025-26/" title="Every new Premier League kit ahead of the 2025/26 season so far">Every new Premier League kit released for the 2025/26 season so far</a></strong></p><h2>Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media:</h2><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/FootyFaithful" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thefootballfaithfuldotcom/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/FootyFaithful_" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUgN0WQEhxRbfTdlbkEG7zQ" target="_blank">YouTube</a> | <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@thefootballfaithful" target="_blank">TikTok</a></strong></p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>The Football Faithful</source><dc:publisher>The Football Faithful</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:35:00 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">c8f0589d-e83f-3e21-90f8-66140035d184</guid><title><![CDATA[Leeds United vs. Everton lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest as Calvert-Lewin prepares to face old club]]></title><link>https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/leeds-everton-lineups-starting-xi-team-news-premier-league/b42bf89f07c3975ac8f25835</link><description><![CDATA[Leeds United will look to mark their Premier League return with a win while Everton aim for stability and improvement under David Moyes.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img alt="โดมินิค คัลเวิร์ต-เลวิน ในสีเสื้อ เอฟเวอร์ตัน" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_sporting_news_articles_584/b3de183904605f9fd35a2944ce12572d" data-uuid="6eab3a99-854f-3ec3-961c-7203988ce240"></figure><p><em><a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/leeds-everton-lineups-starting-xi-team-news-premier-league/b42bf89f07c3975ac8f25835?utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=appeared_on">Leeds United vs. Everton lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest as Calvert-Lewin prepares to face old club</a>originally appeared on <a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us?utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=appeared_on">The Sporting News</a></em></p><p>Leeds United are returning to the <a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/uk/football/premier-league" target="">Premier League</a> after two years and they will hope to start their 2025/26 campaign with a win against Everton on August 18 at Elland Road. </p><p>The Whites are back in the English top flight after winning the Championship last season, having secured 100 points and showed a lot of promise under the tutelage of Daniel Farke.</p><p>They will hope to continue that form in the Premier League, but they are going to face a stern test against Everton to start their new campaign as they desperately aim to stay in the top flight. </p><p>Leeds are very much active in the transfer market as Farke wanted to add a couple of more players before they take the field against the Toffees. They have secured the signing of former Everton man Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has been a free agent for two months after leaving Merseyside.</p><p>After finishing 13th in the Premier League standings last season, Everton fans will expect improvement from David Moyes' men in the upcoming campaign as they have made some really good signings to improve their roster.</p><p>📲 <a href="https://sn-now.com/WhatsApp" target="_blank">Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp</a></p><p>They have brought in Thierno Barry from Villarreal, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Chelsea, Adam Aznou from Bayern Munich and Mark Travers from Bournemouth. </p><p>They also made Carlos Alcaraz's loan move permanent whilst securing the signature of Jack Grealish on loan from Manchester City.</p><p>However, Moyes still wants to add a right winger, defensive midfielder and a right-back in this transfer window as they have been linked with several players.</p><p><strong>MORE:</strong><a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/jack-grealish-man-city-what-went-wrong-everton-pep-guardiola/28bd515fa7ddce5815aa5b43" target="">Why things went wrong for Jack Grealish at Manchester City</a></p><h2>Leeds United vs Everton lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest</h2><p>Farke will miss the services of <strong>Jaka Bijol</strong> in the Premier League opener as he is suspended for the fixture after getting sent off in his last match for Udinese. </p><p>There are also doubts regarding <strong>Jayden Bogle</strong>'s availability, with the full-back nursing a hip injury and facing a last-minute fitness test. Belgian centre back <strong>Sebastiaan Bornauw</strong> is also a doubt.</p><p><strong>Lucas Perri</strong> is expected to start in goal, replacing <strong>Illan Meslier</strong>, while <strong>Pascal Struijk</strong> will lead the defense with <strong>Ethan Ampadu</strong> and new signing <strong>Anton Stach</strong> providing stability in midfield. </p><p>Last season's top scorer in the Championship, <strong>Joel Piroe</strong>, is expected to start the Premier League campaign with <strong>Calvert-Lewin</strong> potentially starting from the bench against his former team. </p><p style="margin-left:40px;"><strong>Leeds United predicted starting XI (4-3-3, right to left):</strong> Perri (GK) — Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundson — Ampadu, Stach, Tanaka — James, Piroe, Gnonto</p><p style="margin-left:40px;"><strong>Injured:</strong> Bogle (hip, doubt), Bornauw (calf)<br><strong>Suspended:</strong> Bijol</p><hr><p>Everton are in much better space with their injuries and suspensions heading into the 2025/26 season. <strong>Vitaliy Mykolenko</strong> is a doubt due to a groin issue, and <strong>Jarrad Branthwaite</strong> will miss out after suffering an injury in training this week.</p><p><strong>Harrison Armstrong</strong> and <strong>Nathan Patterson</strong> are the other two absentees from this match for the Toffees. </p><p>New signing <strong>Aznou</strong> could replace <strong>Mykolenko</strong> if he is unable to feature. The rest of the back line pick themselves, with <strong>Jordan Pickford</strong> in goal and <strong>James Tarkowski</strong>, <strong>Michael Keane</strong> and <strong>Jake O'Brien</strong> filling the other three spots.</p><p><strong>Dewsbury-Hall</strong> is expected to make his Premier League debut for Everton partnering<strong> Idrissa Gueye</strong> in midfield, and <strong>Grealish</strong> may feature on the left flank with <strong>Barry</strong> leading the line. </p><p style="margin-left:40px;"><strong>Everton predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): </strong>Pickford (GK) — O'Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Aznou — Dewsbury-Hall, Gueye — Ndiaye, Alcaraz, Grealish — Barry</p><p style="margin-left:40px;"><strong>Injured:</strong> Patterson (hamstring), Armstrong (thigh), Branthwaite (undisc.), Mykolenko (groin, doubtful)<br><strong>Suspended:</strong> None</p><h2>Leeds United vs. Everton FC match details </h2><ul><li><strong>Date:</strong> Monday, August 18, 2025</li><li><strong>Kickoff time:</strong> 8 p.m. local time / 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT</li><li><strong>Location:</strong> Elland Road, Leeds (England)</li><li><strong>Competition:</strong> Premier League</li><li><strong>Referee:</strong> Chris Kavanagh</li><li><strong>VAR:</strong> John Brooks</li></ul><h3>Latest Premier League news</h3><ul><li><a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/chelsea/news/rio-ferdinand-reveals-his-wish-target-alejandro-garnacho/de9b1f5b027f84014a26a0be" target="">Rio Ferdinand reveals his wish for Chelsea target Alejandro Garnacho</a></li><li><a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/manchester-city/news/man-city-set-transfer-condition-sign-real-madrid-rodrygo/050e95e52a1cfb69c9535a61" target="">Man City sets transfer condition to sign Real Madrid's Rodrygo</a></li><li>Ex-England player makes claim about Jack Grealish's international future after Everton move</li></ul>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>The Sporting News</source><dc:publisher>The Sporting News</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:30:02 +0000</pubDate><category>soccer</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">17d64040-71ff-317b-ab27-2294c1135cad</guid><title><![CDATA[Report: Man United ‘closely following’ versatile forward with 13 goals & 11 assists]]></title><link>https://onefootball.com/en/news/report-man-united-closely-following-versatile-forward-with-13-goals-11-assists-41523111</link><description><![CDATA[Manchester United are reportedly keeping tabs on the PSG attacker Kang-in Lee. The 24-year-old is unlikely to get regular game time at the French club, and it would be ideal for him to move on this s...]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img alt="Report: Man United ‘closely following’ versatile forward with 13 goals & 11 assists" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/stretty_news_articles_240/ebcc2f140b2d60525eb4a2a330732eb9" data-uuid="5c8807d6-b28b-3e4a-9a67-aa4a1e04d102"><figcaption>Report: Man United ‘closely following’ versatile forward with 13 goals & 11 assists</figcaption></figure><p><strong>Manchester United are reportedly keeping tabs on the PSG attacker Kang-in Lee. </strong></p><p>The 24-year-old is unlikely to get regular game time at the French club, and it would be ideal for him to move on this summer. According to a report from <a href="https://www.caughtoffside.com/2025/08/16/arsenal-man-united-closely-following-kang-in-lee/">CaughtOffside</a>, Manchester United are ‘closely following’ him. It will be interesting to see if they step up their interest in the player and come forward with an official offer to sign him.</p><p><a href="https://strettynews.com/2025/01/09/not-just-kolo-muani-man-utd-tracking-another-psg-attacker/">Lee has been linked with Manchester United in the past.</a></p><h2>Can Man United accommodate Lee?</h2><p>They have already signed Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. It will be difficult for the South Korean international to hold down a regular starting spot at Manchester United. He will not want to leave PSG only to sit on the bench at another club. It remains to be seen how the situation develops.</p><p>The 24-year-old is a naturally right-sided winger, but he is versatile enough to operate anywhere across the front three. <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.co.in/kang-in-lee/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/557149">He has 13 goals and 11 assists to his name in 86 appearances for PSG</a>. He has not been a regular starter for the French club, and he needs to move on and join a team, but he will be playing regularly.</p><p>More Stories / <span class="topic">Latest News</span></p><p><a href="/2025/08/17/man-united-closely-following-kang-in-lee/">Report: Man United ‘closely following’ versatile forward with 13 goals & 11 assists</a></p><p><a href="https://strettynews.com/2025/08/17/man-united-closely-following-kang-in-lee/"> Aug 17 2025, 7:14</a></p><p><a href="/2025/08/17/man-united-make-harry-maguire-transfer-decision/">Multiple clubs in contact for “very important” Man United star, Amorim has made his decision</a></p><p><a href="https://strettynews.com/2025/08/17/man-united-make-harry-maguire-transfer-decision/"> Aug 17 2025, 6:44</a></p><p><a href="/2025/08/16/fabrizio-romano-man-united-keen-carlos-baleba-brighton-amorim/">“I can guarantee that” – Fabrizio Romano insists Man Utd adamant to buy star liked by Amorim</a></p><p><a href="https://strettynews.com/2025/08/16/fabrizio-romano-man-united-keen-carlos-baleba-brighton-amorim/"> Aug 16 2025, 16:06</a></p><h2>Kang-in Lee could fancy a Man United move</h2><p>The opportunity to move to Manchester United can be quite attractive for the player, but he must seek game time assurances before committing to a transfer. The 24-year-old is a prodigious talent for the bright future, but he needs ample gametime to fulfil his potential.</p><p>It will be interesting to see if Manchester United can convince the player to join them. They need more depth than quality on the side if they want to fight for major trophies. The 24-year-old would be a handy option.</p><p>Arsenal are keeping tabs on the player as well, and Manchester United should look to make their move quickly if they are serious about signing him.</p><p><em><strong><a class="title" href="https://strettynews.com/2025/08/17/man-united-make-harry-maguire-transfer-decision/">Multiple clubs in contact for “very important” Man United star, Amorim has made his decision</a></strong></em></p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>Stretty News</source><dc:publisher>Stretty News</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:30:00 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">ed38942b-7118-4880-85a5-70222d372b6e</guid><title><![CDATA[UFC 319 takeaways: Khamzat Chimaev flings Dricus du Plessis around with the greatest of ease]]></title><link>https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/article/ufc-319-takeaways-khamzat-chimaev-flings-dricus-du-plessis-around-with-the-greatest-of-ease-062753506.html</link><description><![CDATA[Five key takeaways from UFC 319, including Khamzat Chimaev's dominance but also Dricus du Plessis' incredible heart.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-08/0bf53a80-7b31-11f0-b33d-201a64b19cbf" data-crop-orig-src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-08/0bf53a80-7b31-11f0-b33d-201a64b19cbf" style="height:3169px;width:4754px;" alt="CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 16: Khamzat Chimaev of the United Arab Emirates throws Dricus du Plessis of South Africa during their middleweight title bout in UFC 319 at the United Center on August 16, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)" data-uuid="0e9e4362-95a4-3ad7-9b0b-8843fb43c913"/><figcaption>Khamzat Chimaev had no trouble putting Dricus du Plessis anywhere he wanted him, even if he had to settle for a decision win in the end. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)</figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Geoff Stellfox via Getty Images</div></figure><p>UFC 319 brought us the changing of the guard in the middleweight division, as <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/breaking-news/live/ufc-319-results-khamzat-chimaev-obliterates-dricus-du-plessis-for-middleweight-title-060009957.html">Khamzat Chimaev dominated Dricus du Plessis</a> to claim the UFC 185-pound title. But that’s not the only noteworthy action to come out of Saturday’s pay-per-view event in Chicago.</p><p>Here are the top five takeaways from UFC 319 at the United Center:</p><p><strong>1. Khamzat Chimaev just became UFC middleweight champ while fighting like your school’s cruelest wrestling coach.</strong> He took Dricus du Plessis down at will and smothered him with an ease that was almost apologetic. In the entire history of UFC title fights, I’m not sure we’ve seen a fight that was that long yet that one-sided. Most people absorb more strikes changing an unruly baby’s diaper than Chimaev absorbed in five championship rounds.</p><p>The only problem is that when you do all that and never really even come close to finishing the fight, well, you don’t make many new fans. The same people who cheered Chimaev earlier in the week were booing him by the time he gave his victory speech.</p><p>Then again, here’s where we have to start asking ourselves if that even matters anymore. Chimaev has the belt. We’ve yet to see anyone at middleweight who’s seemed like they might be capable of taking it from him. Selling pay-per-views will no longer be a concern <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/article/three-big-questions-about-the-ufcs-bombshell-77-billion-deal-with-cbs-and-paramount-164747381.html">beginning with the new Paramount deal</a>. So what does Chimaev care if people like his brand of dominance or not? Any man who can get in and out of a big time title fight like that while putting himself at so little risk is probably not going to be convinced to do otherwise by a bunch of boos.</p><p id="eee4e33e3d0245c99239b9bb7d8d50fe"><core-module id="eee4e33e3d0245c99239b9bb7d8d50fe" type="curatedLinks" title="More from Uncrowned" headerLink="" subheadline="" listid="debcd0f9-416d-4638-ba02-90609a5bc16a"/></p><p><strong>2. Chimaev looked for it everywhere but still could not find the quit in DDP.</strong> There was a moment midway through this fight when, having clearly established his dominance on that mat, Chimaev slapped on a rear-naked choke. A lot of fighters — even many celebrated champions — might have been demoralized enough by then to let him have it. But du Plessis not only fought through it, he was still there giving it all he had in the final minute of the final round. He even took Chimaev’s back and threatened with a choke of his own in the final 60 seconds.</p><p>I know that’s bound to be little comfort to him now. And you don’t get much credit in this sport for losing (and losing so, so thoroughly) with grit and dignity. But it does seem like we’ve all been watching DDP win so many fights while wondering how he keeps doing it despite never looking like he’s really all that good. In a way, even though he lost decisively here, I think we got some glimpses of the answer to that question.</p><figure><img src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-08/b9a249c0-7b31-11f0-bfde-502e8e9428a5" data-crop-orig-src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-08/b9a249c0-7b31-11f0-bfde-502e8e9428a5" style="height:2930px;width:4395px;" alt="CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 16: A referee runs to stop a fight while Lerone Murphy of England strikes Aaron Pico of the United States during their featherweight bout in UFC 319 at the United Center on August 16, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)" data-uuid="8fee64ad-60d1-350a-889a-8ffd54e7b1d2"/><figcaption>Aaron Pico suffered a brutal knockout loss at the hands of Lerone Murphy in his UFC debut. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)</figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Geoff Stellfox via Getty Images</div></figure><p><strong>3. We knew the Bellator/PFL imports have had it rough in their UFC debuts, but rough doesn’t even begin to describe what happened to Aaron Pico.</strong> He started out all aggression and forward pressure, as he’s known to do. But that also made him entirely too predictable, so that as soon as Lerone Murphy got a little space to work he could count on <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/breaking-news/article/ufc-319-carlos-prates-and-lerone-murphy-deliver-rare-spinning-back-elbow-kos-in-back-to-back-fights-035100344.html">Pico charging straight into that spinning back elbow</a>.</p><p>That’s a very big win for Murphy, who’s somehow struggled to get fans to remember him despite being incredibly good. Flatlining a guy like Pico in a spot like this is a good way to change that. But it also makes you wonder where Pico goes from here. The promise of potential can only carry you so far, and for so long. Lots of fighters have rebounded from bad UFC debuts to have great UFC careers. But I can’t think of any who did it after getting slept like <em>that</em> the first time out.</p><p><strong>4. Imagine being Carlos Prates after the spinning elbow knockout of Geoff Neal.</strong> Imagine basking in the cheers as you walk from the cage after a glorious return to the win column. Imagine walking all the way down that aisle, through the curtain, past all the other fighters and various backstage attendants, all the way out to the loading dock of the United Center where you can finally stand in the halo of a buzzing outdoor light next to a stinking green dumpster and light up that first post-fight cigarette. I don’t even smoke and that somehow sounds good.</p><p>Prates needed that rebound win even worse than he needed that post-fight smoke. A highlight reel finish is a great way to make people forget about what was honestly a pretty forgivable loss.</p><p><strong>5. Apparently nobody told Tim Elliott that his job was to lose and help Kai Asakura look good. </strong>The gentleman of a certain age went out there and fought like he simply didn’t know he was one of the night’s biggest underdogs. And when he locked up that guillotine choke you could almost see it on Asakura’s face (there beneath the wincing and the struggling) as he seemed to wonder, hey wasn’t this supposed to be when I got my first UFC win after being thrown to the champ in my first fight?</p><p>Elliott is 38 and deep into his second stint with the UFC, so you can’t tell me the matchmakers put him into this fight hoping it would be a shot in the arm for his career. He was there to be comeback fodder for Asakura, and he simply wasn’t having it. If you don’t love to see a savvy old dog pull off a win in those situations, you’re just a young whippersnapper who doesn’t understand … yet.</p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator>Ben Fowlkes</dc:creator><source>Uncrowned</source><dc:publisher>Uncrowned</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:27:53 +0000</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">1c17c403-c1f7-3680-b64e-96aafe9ac2a3</guid><title><![CDATA[The sense of freedom that pushed helicopter pilot James Vowles to the skies]]></title><link>https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/freedom-helicopter-pilot-james-vowles-skies/10751213/</link><description><![CDATA[Williams chief and qualified helicopter pilot James Vowles opens up on his passion for speed and aviation]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/motorsport_articles_445/1753af33917ee3ed14589615efe333ec" data-uuid="6a2b4277-87f4-37d2-a929-325ffbd6bfc4"><figcaption>Motorsport photo</figcaption></figure><p>When <a href="https://www.motorsport.com/team/williams/13/" target="_blank">Williams</a> team principal James Vowles and his wife Rachel took to their annual New Year's tradition of setting themselves a challenge, the idea was to learn a new skill over the new year. Taking piano lessons, learning a new language; you get the idea.</p><p>But in 2020 Vowles set himself a slightly loftier target. Unbeknownst to his wife, the then <a href="https://www.motorsport.com/team/mercedes/5/" target="_blank">Mercedes</a> engineer embarked on secret helicopter flying lessons. "It took over a year, because we even went through the next new year's process," Vowles tells Motorsport.com. "Whenever I had time, I would be disappearing for half a day and effectively going to an airfield in High Wycombe and learning how to fly.</p><p>"In the end, I got through 56.5 hours of flight and 11 theoretical exams. As you imagine, it wasn't easy to keep it secret for her the entire time, so when I thought she was getting suspicious I booked us to go on a London helicopter tour.</p><p>"The whole business - about 25 people - were completely in on this. I just casually picked up the briefing, they put me in the front because I have longer legs and then I asked if I could play around with a few switches. Then I fired up the helicopter and took off. I wish we had filmed Rachel's reaction... The cloud ceiling was too low that day, so we just flew around the airfield, but I took her back up to London one week later. I think I broke our tradition with that one."</p><h3>James Vowles is qualified to fly a Robinson R-66 Turbine helicopter</h3><figure><img src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/motorsport_articles_445/811f24f8b0ed6ba6a4d40ebeb19ac9a8" data-uuid="5112fd7c-aa43-321e-bcda-8de4e2ec919b"><figcaption>James Vowles is qualified to fly a Robinson R-66 Turbine helicopter</figcaption></figure><p>Naturally, Vowles didn't suddenly wake up with the idea of flying helicopters, he rather acted on a lifelong passion for the skies.</p><p>"I wind it all the way back to when I was four or five and I had my first bicycle," he reflects. "It represented freedom, you could suddenly go so much further and explore so much more. And aviation is an extension of that and you can see the world in a way that so few people get to see in a normal sense. Most people have taken a commercial flight, but that's different to you choosing how you want to explore the world, and when you wake up in the morning and go do it. That's what I enjoy about aviation, is that freedom to do something that is unique.</p><p>"When I was tiny, one of my dreams was to be an Air Force fighter jet pilot. I just enjoyed any vehicle that provided the speed. So, what has the most speed? Well, you might as well go over Mach 1 if you're going to do it..."</p><h2>How helicopters keep Vowles on his toes</h2><p>But along the way Vowles' interest gradually shifted from fixed-wing aircraft to helicopters, which don't exactly provide the same speed fix as a high-performing jet, but a much more hands-on way of flying Vowles connected with.</p><p>Taking off in the Robinson R-66 Turbine he leases requires a hefty boot of rudder - or anti-torque pedal to be precise; helicopter-specific techniques for hovering and landing require a great deal of precision, whereas your typical general aviation planes are much more forgiving.</p><h3>James Vowles, Williams, flies a Robinson helicopter</h3><figure><img src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/motorsport_articles_445/08e0b1e99e777058702132fceda57981" data-uuid="ac7e4d05-a777-39d5-baca-828f4bab5dc7"><figcaption>James Vowles, Williams, flies a Robinson helicopter</figcaption></figure><p>The bubble-shaped glass canopy provides excellent visibility, helping Vowles attain that sense of freedom he craves. And having enjoyed plenty of experience racing GT cars as an amateur racer, he soon found parallels that sped up his learning process.</p><p>"I tried fixed-wing flying as well, but I didn't find it interesting," he explains. "If you just let go of the controls in a fixed-wing aircraft, it will stay there. What I wanted is the challenge of having no choice but to be in a state of flow controlling the aircraft. And that's what a helicopter does. It keeps you on your toes, and it's about micro-adjustments to a unit that you have to be completely connected to. So, in a sort of weird way it's surprisingly like driving a race car.</p><p>"When you first hover, if you can stay within the airfield they treat that as good. The first hover I did was, I think, a maximum movement of three metres left and right. I'm pretty sure that anyone that drives a race car has what you need to fly a helicopter, because it's very similar. You're just in tune with what the movement of the helicopter is and the micro-adjustments you need to make. As far as I understand, it's when your in-ear balance gets in tune with what you can do in sequence with your hands and feet.</p><p>"You're just in tune with what the aircraft is doing and reacting to it the whole time. And I think that's what I really enjoyed."</p><p>Due to his busy life as an F1 team principal, with tons of commitments on top of a 24-race calendar, Vowles is flying nowhere near as much as he would like – "not often at all" – but he makes sure to stay current and take his yearly flying exams to retain his licence.</p><p>"I maintain my license every year, but probably only something like six to 10 hours a year," he says. "I'd much rather do more, but because of where the helicopter I lease is based, by the time you get there, do your checks and start, it's about four and a half hours. It's not a sensible use of my time. In the period I started flying we've had two small children, so when I'm free my time should really be spent on my family.</p><p>"So, what I have been doing, for example, is getting a helicopter up to various places I need to go, like Goodwood, which is a good use of my time."</p><h3>James Vowles, Williams, flies a Robinson helicopter</h3><figure><img src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/motorsport_articles_445/a9eea7f1dea031de70ef86b5b2869011" data-uuid="e8968339-63d4-3291-ac6e-37bd464a2e91"><figcaption>James Vowles, Williams, flies a Robinson helicopter</figcaption></figure><p>The annual check ride to maintain a helicopter licence includes practicing several techniques and lifesaving emergency procedures, the most crucial of which is a technique called autorotation. Perhaps contrary to popular belief, helicopters don't simply fall out of the sky in case of an engine failure. While helicopters don't have the benefit of wings to provide lift, by descending at a specific airspeed a pilot can keep the rotors spinning even without power to glide to a safe landing area.</p><p>That's why the technique is a must for any pilot to become and stay qualified, but that doesn't make practicing the emergency procedure any less unnerving. "What I enjoy about it is that helicopters should really screw themselves into the ground, and yet they don't. They fly," he says. "We have to get certified once a year, which is different to fixed-wing. And for good reason, as there's a lot more to stay on top of. You have to be doing several autorotations a year, fully putting it to the ground.</p><p>"You do feel like you are crossing a bridge and your stomach gets a little bit lighter, because the helicopter is plummeting to the earth, but you've got a minute or so to control it and put it exactly where you want to. That's one of the tests we go through, despite the fact that engine failures don't happen."</p><p>But Vowles doesn't subscribe to the idea that helicopter flying is inherently dangerous. "That's the first perception about it, but the reality is that it's the pilot that causes most of the problems," he points out. "However, I'll nearly always have a second pilot with me, because frankly, why not? At the end of the day, if something happens to me the safety of others is far more important."</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDz8xUJNCX5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDz8xUJNCX5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> View this post on Instagram</a><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDz8xUJNCX5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by James Vowles (@jv.f1)</a></p></blockquote><h2>The lessons F1 teams can learn from the Blue Angels</h2><p>While eventually becoming a motorsport engineer rather than pursuing a career in the Royal Air Force, Vowles did see a childhood dream come true when ahead of May's Miami Grand Prix, he and his driver <a href="https://www.motorsport.com/driver/alex-albon/109625/" target="_blank">Alex Albon</a> were invited by the Blue Angels, the United States Navy's famed demonstration squadron. Both Vowles and Albon were given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to conduct a full sortie with the team, flying in the back seat of two-seat F/A-18 Super Hornets.</p><p>Flying high-performance fighter jets in close formation – as close as 18 inches apart wingtip to wingtip – requires an enormous amount of training, coordination, accountability and teamwork. And inevitably, that intricate process tickled the brain of a perfectionist motorsport engineer and team principal leading a squad of 700 people to the top of Formula 1. The overlap between the two organisations is far-reaching.</p><p>"The first thing I took away from that was the level of detail on everything, even on items that I didn't think were relevant. And I'm a detail-oriented person!," he chuckles. "How we exit the building, how you walk to the plane, when you salute from in the aircraft, when the canopies are closed – all at the same time."</p><h3>Super Hornets of the US Navy's Blue Angels in diamond formation</h3><figure><img src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/motorsport_articles_445/5c7548dfc42a2f50491929102e0ec36e" data-uuid="34b1f406-cf94-3fa3-b8ae-416078ae229d"><figcaption>Super Hornets of the US Navy's Blue Angels in diamond formation</figcaption></figure><p>He adds: "Everything is about a world-class set of structures. Their accountability is world-class, the best I've ever seen. It's not about blaming. It's not about what you should have done differently. It's: 'Here's what I did differently. I timed it wrong, it banked too hard, I moved out of your wake which caused someone else problems.' Everything was about self-reflection to a very high level of detail. I think there's a lot we in the world can learn from that.</p><p>"That, and I also think the Hornet is the best aircraft in the world!"</p><p>While Vowles may not be getting the amount of seat time he would like, he still has plenty of flying goals on his bucket list. Combining his passion with his young family might be tough right now, but one day he wants to show them the world from above.</p><p>"When there's time and my family's a little bit older, I want to use these skills to actually get us to fun places that we wouldn't go to normally,' he says. "I haven't been to the Isle of Wight yet, or a lot of places in Scotland, and that'd be a really good way to do it.</p><p>"I think that's really why I did this. To provide us the ability to go and explore the world."</p><h3>James Vowles, Williams Racing at the Blue Angels</h3><figure><img src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/motorsport_articles_445/e8891ca75e5e3952e413a9c9014210c2" data-uuid="08c4221c-673e-32d6-aa6e-1f84b27a87a5"><figcaption>James Vowles, Williams Racing at the Blue Angels</figcaption></figure><p>To read more Motorsport.com articles <a href="https://www.motorsport.com/">visit our website</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>Motorsport</source><dc:publisher>Motorsport</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:27:41 +0000</pubDate><category>Sport</category><category>Williams</category><category>Car</category><category>Formula 1</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">51cfc2e7-fa43-3d1b-b3cc-ebf57d9abfa6</guid><title><![CDATA[Braves look to avenge 2011 wildcard collapse by reversing near-impossible history]]></title><link>https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/atlanta-braves/news/braves-look-avenge-2011-wildcard-collapse-reversing-near-impossible-history/a254cdccc18c3e526ce5a28b</link><description><![CDATA[There seems to be no hope whatsoever for the Braves to make the playoffs, however, there is a way. The Braves are surging and they have a chance to make history in a new way.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_sporting_news_articles_584/4b7bd0e57d5aea255bb25a5806cc7df5" data-uuid="1ea8983c-ea5b-3248-aacb-1ec267cc4e88"></figure><p><em><a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/atlanta-braves/news/braves-look-avenge-2011-wildcard-collapse-reversing-near-impossible-history/a254cdccc18c3e526ce5a28b?utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=appeared_on">Braves look to avenge 2011 wildcard collapse by reversing near-impossible history</a>originally appeared on <a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us?utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=appeared_on">The Sporting News</a></em></p><p>The Atlanta Braves have had a very disappointing season, whether due to pitching struggles or inconsistent hitting. The two facets of the game have rarely clicked at the same time all year. Brian Snitker has led the Braves to the postseason for seven consecutive seasons, but with the team's current struggles during his contract year, <a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/atlanta-braves/news/braves-predicted-replace-brian-snitker-2-time-world-series-champion-nl-manager-year/285fa4df9f2431d021af1d09" target="">it seems like his time at the helm may be nearing its end.</a></p><p>“Because of that consistent recent success, Snit would normally be afforded a ‘mulligan’ year—even though going from the second-best preseason World Series odds to possibly the third-best odds of winning the draft lottery is a pretty serious mulligan,” Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller wrote. “At 69, though, he's already the oldest manager in the National League by a several-year margin and was likely to retire at the end of this season, which is the last one in his current contract.”</p><p>One of Snitker’s assistants may also be on the move after this season.</p><p>“With that said, the Braves cannot be successful in 2026 without fixing whatever problems they have with keeping their pitchers healthy. The organizational depth clearly isn't built to withstand the rash of injuries that has hit Atlanta's rotation the past few seasons, and at the end of the day Kranitz may not be built for it either,” <a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/atlanta-braves/news/braves-predicted-shake-coaching-staff-send-vital-coach-packing-manager-brian-snitker/ae07f52a0ba9b94737462191" target="">HTHB’s Chase Owens wrote.</a></p><p>Although the Braves are likely to miss the playoffs, a postseason appearance isn’t entirely out of reach—if Atlanta can reverse history.</p><p>“It’s still a long shot, but suddenly the most stunning comeback we’ve seen in a long time becomes feasible. The Braves have been on the opposite end of this situation before. In 2011, they were eight and a half games ahead of the Cardinals at the start of September, and the Cardinals came back. While not an example fans want to remember, the precedent of a crazy comeback is out there to use as inspiration, even if it was at a team’s own expense almost 15 years ago,” <a href="https://www.si.com/mlb/braves/analysis/hear-me-out-atlanta-braves-can-reenter-playoff-picture-01k2t6jmn6cq" target="_blank">SI’s Harrison Smajovits wrote.</a></p><p><a href="https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vakw2IH60eBZ4UO1Iz1b" target="_blank">Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp</a></p><p>The Braves currently sit 10 games behind the final wild card spot, but the team is surging. Both the offense and pitching are clicking, and in baseball, anything can happen. While a comeback may seem far-fetched, those who fail to remember history are doomed to repeat it. If the Braves can clinch a playoff berth, they just might turn back the clock.</p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>The Sporting News</source><dc:publisher>The Sporting News</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:25:03 +0000</pubDate><category>mlb</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">171a3e08-3f71-306f-8990-4c93bcdfed10</guid><title><![CDATA[Transfer: Boualia chooses Espérance despite Egyptian interest!]]></title><link>https://onefootball.com/en/news/transfer-boualia-chooses-esperance-despite-egyptian-interest-41523098</link><description><![CDATA[Renowned African journalist Micky Jnr has reported that Espérance Sportive de Tunis are on the verge of completing the signing of Algerian winger Kouceila Boualia from JS Kabylie.At 24 years old, Bou...]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img alt="Transfer: Boualia chooses Espérance despite Egyptian interest!" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/foot_africa_articles_352/0ce987697bf760aaa55caec283d27af4" data-uuid="f90478f2-a9ef-3d21-9001-281df3657495"><figcaption>Transfer: Boualia chooses Espérance despite Egyptian interest!</figcaption></figure><p>Renowned African journalist Micky Jnr has reported that Espérance Sportive de Tunis are on the verge of completing the signing of Algerian winger Kouceila Boualia from JS Kabylie.<!--filtered--><!--filtered-->At 24 years old, Boualia can play as an attacking winger or an attacking midfielder, giving Espérance even more firepower in their attacking lineup for the upcoming season.<!--filtered--><!--filtered-->The player has featured in 117 matches for JS Kabylie across all competitions, netting 20 goals and providing 15 assists.<!--filtered--><!--filtered-->Boualia endured a tough spell following a cruciate ligament injury that sidelined him for the 2021/2022 season. However, he has since regained his form and returned to competitive action in September 2022.</p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>Foot Africa</source><dc:publisher>Foot Africa</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:25:00 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">5c3e8337-04e8-3a55-84f1-3375f5c65992</guid><title><![CDATA[Dana White reacts to Khamzat Chimaev's UFC 319 title win: 'I had every round a 10-8']]></title><link>https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/08/17/dana-white-ufc-319-khamzat-chimaev-title-win-reaction/85696913007/</link><description><![CDATA[Dana White shares his thoughts on Khamzat Chimaev's dominant win over Dricus Du Plessis at Saturday's UFC 319.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>CHICAGO – Dana White expected Khamzat Chimaev vs. Dricus Du Plessis to be different from what unfolded.</p><p>This past Saturday, Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) challenged champion Du Plessis (23-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC) for his UFC middleweight title in the main event of UFC 319. As the odds predicted, Chimaev left UFC 319 with his unbeaten record and a UFC championship belt after <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/article/ufc-319-results-khamzat-chimaev-045819502.html" data-3p-content-referrer="https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/08/17/ufc-319-khamzat-chimaev-schools-dricus-du-plessis-to-win-title/85694626007/" data-original-link="https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/08/17/ufc-319-khamzat-chimaev-schools-dricus-du-plessis-to-win-title/85694626007/">handing Du Plessis a 50-44 score</a> on all three judges' scorecards.</p><p>White, CEO of the UFC, isn't totally surprised that the fight ended up being dominant for Chimaev, but he did think there was going to be more action.</p><p>"The lead up to this fight, I said, 'I bet the main event is the Fight of the Night.' I didn't see that coming, but not shocked either," White told reporters at the UFC 319 post-fight press conference. "The way that he dominated, if he could do it the first round, more likely you’re going to do it the second and throughout the rest of the fight."</p><p>Chimaev is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, stars actively fighting in the UFC today. He made big waves in the MMA world after taking a fight immediately after his debut win in 2020. Since, Chimaev's career has only gone up.</p><p>"The night when we were on Fight Island, and he said, 'I want to fight next Saturday,' ever since then, the guy has been a rocket ship," White said. "He's obviously very popular, too. People love him and fighting back here in the United States, and obviously, Chicago loves him, too."</p><p>As far as Du Plessis, the South African fighter saw an 11-fight winning streak come to an end. That run not only saw him win the UFC middleweight title, but also defend it twice. Despite getting dominated, White has much respect for what Du Plessis showed in the cage.</p><p>"I had every round a 10-8, except maybe for the last round," White said. "To be in the position that the was in, and the crucifix and just getting dominated on the ground and getting punched on the face and elbowed, it's a frustrating place to be, and I thought he handled it well. Every round trying to get in the fight and win, yeah, impressive."</p><p><em>This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: <a href="https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/08/17/dana-white-ufc-319-khamzat-chimaev-title-win-reaction/85696913007/">Dana White reacts to Khamzat Chimaev's UFC 319 title win</a></em></p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>MMA Junkie</source><dc:publisher>MMA Junkie</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:21:38 +0000</pubDate><category>ufc</category><category>sports</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">6027a2df-6fdc-391b-bffb-9b493eaa178b</guid><title><![CDATA[Is Manchester United vs Arsenal on TV? Channel, kick-off time and how to watch Premier League fixture]]></title><link>https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/man-utd-arsenal-tv-channel-watch-stream-premier-league-b2808467.html</link><description><![CDATA[Ruben Amorim’s new-look United host title contenders Arsenal, with Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko among the new faces on display at Old Trafford]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/manchester-united">Manchester United</a> battle <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/arsenal">Arsenal</a> in the big game of the opening weekend of the 2025/26 <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/premier-league">Premier League</a> season. </p><p>Title challengers Arsenal hope to finally get over the line under <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/mikel-arteta">Mikel Arteta</a>, with <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/viktor-gyokeres">Viktor Gyokeres</a><a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/article/thierry-henry-explains-why-viktor-121527151.html" data-3p-content-referrer="https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-viktor-gyokeres-thierry-henry-b2807641.html" data-original-link="https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-viktor-gyokeres-thierry-henry-b2807641.html">tipped to be the “perfect match” after his £64m move from Sporting CP</a>. </p><p>While <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/ruben-amorim">Ruben Amorim</a> is in desperate need of results after a dismal debut campaign and an entirely new front three, in the shape of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/benjamin-sesko">Benjamin Sesko</a>, could accelerate the side’s development.</p><p>Martin Zubimendi adds class to the Gunners’ midfield, too, with Noni Madueke offering another wide option to bring further depth.</p><p>Here’s everything you need to know about the big game at Old Trafford: </p><h2><strong>When is Man United v Arsenal?</strong></h2><p>Man United v Arsenal headlines the Sunday action in the Premier League on 17 August at Old Trafford, with kick-off set for 4:30pm BST.</p><h2><strong>How can I watch it?</strong></h2><p>Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event, coverage on both channels starts at 4pm BST, following Chelsea v Crystal Palace. A live stream will be available via NOW TV and Sky Go for subscribers as well.</p><h2><strong>Team news</strong></h2><p>Benjamin Sesko will make his Premier League debut, with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha also likely to start in a new-look front three. It could push Bruno Fernandes into a deeper role.</p><p>Joshua Zirkzee and Andre Onana should both shake off knocks to be available, though Noussair Mazraoui (hamstring) and Lisandro Martinez (knee) are both out.</p><p>Viktor Gyokeres will lead the Gunners’ line in his Premier League debut, though Kai Havertz has impressed in pre-season and provides another option for Mikel Arteta.</p><p>Leandro Trossard should shake off a groin injury to be available, though Gabriel Jesus is a way off a return after a serious knee injury.</p><figure><img alt="Viktor Gyokeres could be the signing which lifts Arsenal into the realm of title winners (Getty)" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_independent_us_sports_articles_270/054c1ec54a3f07402a0f05baa4c4a62b" data-uuid="c9e2f77e-6a81-380e-b809-01b1d85604a4"><figcaption>Viktor Gyokeres could be the signing which lifts Arsenal into the realm of title winners (Getty)</figcaption></figure><h2><strong>Predicted line-ups</strong></h2><p><strong>Man United XI:</strong> Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Cunha; Sesko</p><p><strong>Arsenal XI: </strong>Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli</p><h2><strong>Odds</strong></h2><p>Man United win 13/5 </p><p>Draw 9/4</p><p>Arsenal win 2/1</p><p><em>The Independent vets </em><a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/betting-sites-b2584371.html"><em>betting sites</em></a><em> for useability, security and responsible gambling tools. You can claim </em><a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/free-bets-b2581138.html"><em>free bets</em></a><em> here to use across a range of sports. Please read the terms.</em></p><h2>Prediction</h2><p>This one could be lively with both sides desperate for the points. Arsenal’s record is not impressive at Old Trafford, with two wins in 11, and the feel-good factor at Old Trafford could carry them to a point.</p><p><strong><em>Man United 1-1 Arsenal</em></strong></p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>The Independent</source><dc:publisher>The Independent</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:20:35 +0000</pubDate><category>football</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">4b116c3f-0c2d-3ea7-a8f0-74ec4326cf96</guid><title><![CDATA[Is Chelsea vs Crystal Palace on TV? Channel, kick-off time and how to watch Premier League fixture]]></title><link>https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea-crystal-palace-tv-channel-watch-stream-premier-league-b2808421.html</link><description><![CDATA[Enzo Maresca’s Blues look to take a leap into the title race after winning the Club World Cup, while the Eagles continue to fly high after winning the Community Shield against Liverpool last weekend]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/chelsea-fc">Chelsea</a> host <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/crystal-palace-fc">Crystal Palace</a> in the opening weekend of the <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/premier-league">Premier League</a> season at Stamford Bridge. </p><p>Enzo Maresca’s side are riding high after <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/article/chelsea-justified-club-world-cup-224209471.html" data-3p-content-referrer="https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea-psg-club-world-cup-final-result-donald-trump-gianni-infantino-b2788236.html" data-original-link="https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea-psg-club-world-cup-final-result-donald-trump-gianni-infantino-b2788236.html">winning the Club World Cup this summer</a>, but a condensed pre-season could provide problems early on this term. </p><p>Particularly with the Eagles entering the contest with confidence after <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/article/crystal-palace-exploit-flaws-look-170028202.html" data-3p-content-referrer="https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/liverpool-palace-result-community-shield-penalties-b2805105.html" data-original-link="https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/liverpool-palace-result-community-shield-penalties-b2805105.html">downing Liverpool on penalties in the Community Shield last Sunday</a>. </p><p>A new-look Chelsea could see the likes of Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato and Estevao Willian make their debuts, while Palace are yet to make significant moves in the market, with Borna Sosa offering cover at left-back.</p><p>Here’s everything you need to know about the Premier League fixture:</p><h2><strong>When is Chelsea vs Crystal Palace?</strong></h2><p>Chelsea vs Crystal Palace headlines the early Premier League slot on Sunday 17 August at Stamford Bridge, with kick-off set for 2pm BST.</p><h2><strong>How can I watch it?</strong></h2><p>Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event, coverage on both channels starts at 1pm BST. A live stream will be available via NOW TV and Sky Go for subscribers as well.</p><h2><strong>Team news</strong></h2><p>Nicolas Jackson is out suspended and out of favour, with a move away on the cards before the end of the window, while Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended by the FA since December 2024 after failing a drugs test.</p><p>Levi Colwill is will be out for several months with a knee injury. Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia are doubts after missing pre-season since the Club World Cup. Wesley Fofana (thigh) has returned to training and has a chance to play. Trevoh Chalobah is a doubt after picking up a knock against Milan, but should push through given the shortage of options at the back.</p><p>Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure are still out with knee injuries. Eddie Nketiah is out with a hamstring injury too. </p><p>Matheus Franca (adductor) and Caleb Kporha (back) remain doubts. While Daichi Kamada is contending with a knee problem picked up in the Community Shield. </p><p>Marc Guehi will play against his former side, despite speculation linking him with a move away, and the England defender is fit after a bout of cramp against Liverpool. </p><h2><strong>Predicted line-ups</strong></h2><p><strong>Chelsea XI:</strong> Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Adarabioyo, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Gittens; Joao Pedro</p><p><strong>Crystal Palace XI: </strong>Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Mateta</p><h2><strong>Odds</strong></h2><p>Chelsea win 3/5 </p><p>Draw 16/5 </p><p>Crystal Palace win 4/1 </p><p><em>The Independent vets </em><a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/betting-sites-b2584371.html"><em>betting sites</em></a><em> for useability, security and responsible gambling tools. You can claim </em><a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/free-bets-b2581138.html"><em>free bets</em></a><em> here to use across a range of sports. Please read the terms.</em></p><h2>Prediction</h2><p>The Blues should have plenty of firepower, though Colwill’s injury shakes things up at the back for Enzo Maresca, affording the Eagles a chance to hurt them. We’ll lean towards Chelsea and a few more options off the bench to make the difference.</p><p><strong><em>Chelsea 2-1 Crystal Palace</em></strong></p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>The Independent</source><dc:publisher>The Independent</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:20:28 +0000</pubDate><category>football</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">0c165bd3-920a-3c18-8f6e-fdd9196ac01c</guid><title><![CDATA[Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid – Match preview and team news]]></title><link>https://onefootball.com/en/news/espanyol-vs-atletico-madrid-match-preview-and-team-news-41523091</link><description><![CDATA[Espanyol and Atletico Madrid go head-to-head in their La Liga opener on Sunday.Both sides will be searching for a positive start to the season, in an intriguing matchup that marks Atletico’s quest t...]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img alt="Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid – Match preview and team news" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_football_faithful_articles_458/d42b9eb9e14038a98cf2499f06873afb" data-uuid="02b0887e-bcf0-3448-9d5f-2f694ad440c4"><figcaption>Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid – Match preview and team news</figcaption></figure><p><strong>Espanyol and Atletico Madrid go head-to-head in their La Liga opener on Sunday.</strong></p><p>Both sides will be searching for a positive start to the season, in an intriguing matchup that marks Atletico’s quest to challenge Barcelona and Real Madrid for the title.</p><h2>Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid – Match preview and team news</h2><ul><li>Date: Sunday 17th August 2025</li><li>Kick-off: 8:30pm BST</li><li>Venue: RCDE Stadium</li></ul><h2>Team News</h2><h2>Espanyol</h2><p>Espanyol have completed a busy summer transfer window with several new signings ready to make their debuts. Manager Manolo González has integrated fresh faces including goalkeeper Marko Dmitrović from Leganés, striker Kike García from Deportivo Alavés, and defender Carlos Romero on loan from Villarreal for a second spell. The Blue and Whites also secured winger Tyrhys Dolan from Blackburn Rovers and defender Miguel Rubio from Granada on free transfers.</p><p>Roberto Fernández has joined permanently from Braga after an impressive loan spell, while Ramón Terrats returns on loan from Villarreal to strengthen the midfield options. José Salinas has arrived from Elche to bolster the defensive ranks, with Hugo Pérez also joining from Villarreal B.</p><h2>Atletico Madrid</h2><p>Atletico Madrid have undergone a significant squad overhaul with Diego Simeone investing heavily in new talent. The headline signing is Italy international forward Giacomo Raspadori from Napoli, who becomes their eighth summer addition. Los Rojiblancos have also brought in creative midfielder Álex Baena from Villarreal, Argentina international Thiago Almada from Botafogo, and defensive midfielder Johnny Cardoso from Real Betis.</p><p>The defensive reinforcements also include Slovakia centre-back Dávid Hancko from Feyenoord and Spanish right-back Marc Pubill from Almería.</p><p>Pablo Barrios is managing a minor muscle injury sustained during pre-season and remains doubtful for the opener, though reports suggest he could be available. José María Giménez continues his rehabilitation from a muscular strain suffered during the Club World Cup and may miss the fixture.</p><p>Notable departures include Rodrigo De Paul’s move to Inter Miami and Saúl Ñíguez’s transfer to Flamengo, creating space for the new arrivals to make an immediate impact.</p><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block;text-align:center;"></ins><h2>Form</h2><h2>Espanyol: N/A</h2><p>Manolo González’s team concluded their pre-season campaign with mixed results but showed encouraging signs in victories over Union Berlin and Wolfsburg. The Catalan side drew 2-2 with Newcastle United in their final friendly, demonstrating their ability to compete with Premier League opposition. Last season’s late surge helped them secure survival, and they’ll look to build momentum from those positive displays.</p><h2>Atletico Madrid: N/A</h2><p>Diego Simeone’s side endured a disappointing Club World Cup exit in the group stage, falling short against PSG and facing early elimination. However, they’ve recovered well in pre-season with notable victories including a 2-0 win away at Newcastle United. Antoine Griezmann and Julián Álvarez have shown promising chemistry in recent outings.</p><h2>Predicted Lineups</h2><p><strong>Espanyol:</strong> Dmitrović; El Hilali, Cabrera, Rubio, Romero; Lozano, Expósito; Dolan, Puado, Carreras; Fernández.</p><p><strong>Atletico Madrid:</strong> Oblak; Pubill, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri; Cardoso, Koke; Baena, Griezmann, Almada; Álvarez.</p><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block;text-align:center;"></ins><h2>How to watch Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid?</h2><p>UK fans can catch the action live on Premier Sports, with streaming available via their platform. Spanish viewers can follow the match on DAZN La Liga. International audiences have access through ESPN+ in the United States, while other regions can check local broadcast partners.</p><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Read Also – <a href="https://thefootballfaithful.com/iconic-duos-baby-aguero-and-peak-forlan-ripping-up-la-liga-for-atletico/" target="_blank">Iconic Duos: Baby Aguero and peak Forlan ripping up La Liga for Atletico</a></strong></p><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>See More – <a href="https://thefootballfaithful.com/noughties-nines-fernando-torres-el-nino/" target="_blank">Noughties Nines: Fernando Torres – El Niño</a></strong></p><h2>Subscribe to our social channels:</h2><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/FootyFaithful" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thefootballfaithfuldotcom/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/FootyFaithful_">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUgN0WQEhxRbfTdlbkEG7zQ" target="_blank">YouTube</a></strong></p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>The Football Faithful</source><dc:publisher>The Football Faithful</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:20:00 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">d7b30016-03e4-3bc8-b827-1271f24c0ad8</guid><title><![CDATA[Barcelona duo reflect on debut, Muriqi incident after Mallorca 0-3 Barcelona – “He hit me in the face”]]></title><link>https://onefootball.com/en/news/barcelona-duo-reflect-on-debut-muriqi-incident-after-mallorca-0-3-barcelona-he-hit-me-in-the-face-41523089</link><description><![CDATA[Joan Garcia marked his official Barcelona debut with a clean sheet in the 3-0 win at Son Moix, offering security between the posts despite having little to do against a Mallorca side reduced to nine m...]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img alt="Barcelona duo reflect on debut, Muriqi incident after Mallorca 0-3 Barcelona – “He hit me in the face”" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/barca_universal_articles_732/19e96b0f16620e2f8a891138392eff93" data-uuid="93963f89-8f94-340a-9d6f-10779ee88042"><figcaption>Barcelona duo reflect on debut, Muriqi incident after Mallorca 0-3 Barcelona – “He hit me in the face”</figcaption></figure><p>Joan Garcia marked his official Barcelona debut with a clean sheet in the 3-0 win at Son Moix, offering security between the posts despite having <a href="https://barcauniversal.com/joan-garcia-7-lamine-yamal-8-5-mallorca-0-3-barcelona-player-ratings/" target="_blank">little to do against a Mallorca side</a> reduced to nine men before halftime. </p><p>The 24-year-old’s night was not without drama, however, as he suffered hand discomfort during the warm-up and later took a kick to the face from Vedat Muriqi, which saw the striker being sent off.</p><h2>What Joan Garcia said about Mallorca game</h2><p>Speaking to the media after the game, Joan Garcia talked about the incident with Muriqi, offering some key insights as to how the entire ordeal took place.</p><p><strong>“He hits me in the face. I haven’t seen it repeated, but it hits me in the face. I don’t know which part of my body, but it hits me in the face. If VAR said it was red, I guess that’s what it is,”</strong> he said (<a href="https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20250816/1002515818/joan-garcia-muriqi-me-da-cara-me-pondre-poco-hielo.html" target="_blank">Mundo Deportivo</a>). <strong>“I’ll put some ice on it now.”</strong></p><p>Another hotly debated moment came when Ferran Torres doubled Barça’s lead while Mallorca captain Raillo was down on the pitch. </p><p>Garcia defended his teammate’s decision to play on: <strong>“It’s the referee who has to blow his whistle, and until he blows his whistle, we have to play.”</strong></p><p>Garcia also offered his thoughts on Barcelona’s overall performance and his personal debut.</p><p><strong>“Very happy to play my first league match, it’s special, especially since it came with a win and keeping a clean sheet,”</strong> he said. </p><p><strong>“It was a bit strange. It’s not normal for a team to be down two in the first half, but in the end, these are the situations in the game. </strong></p><img height="0" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/barca_universal_articles_732/f72da1d80ec7c64f97cd5cc58e71c8e6" width="2048" data-uuid="45ed22cf-5359-3c02-9997-9ec2a035f050"><p>Things could have ended very badly for Joan Garcia. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)</p><p><strong>“We knew how to play the game. We would have liked to score a goal a little earlier to make sure, but we’re happy with the victory,”</strong> he added. </p><p>The Barcelona goalkeeper went on to talk about Hansi Flick and how he has been guiding him this summer.</p><p><strong>“He asks me, above all, to always be alert to the movements behind me and to help the team as much as I can. This is a role I feel comfortable in, but I need to keep improving, and I’m very happy,” </strong>he said. </p><p><strong>“A Barcelona goalkeeper must be alert to many things, and with the opponent’s numerical disadvantage, fewer balls reach the goal, but I feel great happiness,” </strong>he added. </p><p>Finally, the Barcelona goalkeeper talked about his registration process, which took longer than necessary but was finally done in time.</p><p><strong>“I was calm. I would have liked my registration to be completed earlier, but the club was conveying confidence and reassurance to me, so I was at ease,”</strong> he concluded. </p><h2>What Jofre Torrents said after the Mallorca game</h2><p>Joan Garcia wasn’t the only one who made his debut on the night, as youngster Jofre Torrents was also handed his first-team debut when he appeared as a substitute.</p><p><strong>“Honestly, I’m really happy. As I said, it was my lifelong dream to play an official match with Barcelona, the best team in the world – honestly, I’m really happy and very proud, and now I have to keep working,”</strong> the youngster said after the match (h/t <a href="https://x.com/esport3/status/1956815280006431039?t=txSKCrvttblzY6o3Z3sQxg&s=08" target="_blank">Cat Radio</a>).</p><img height="0" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/barca_universal_articles_732/f187991e786b60f80223157fe9549c50" width="2048" data-uuid="a3117edf-1990-3b4a-9e05-67d929e2b3d1"><p>Flick has full faith in Jofre Torrents’ abilities (Photo by Rafa Babot/Getty Images)</p><p>When asked about Barcelona stepping off the gas pedal after the red cards, the defender replied, <strong>“I think it’s clear that we’re not used to playing against nine players, but that’s no excuse. </strong></p><p><strong>“We are Barcelona, and the fewer players the opponent has, the more we should capitalise on it. I tried to give my best, and that’s all there is to it.”</strong></p><p>The youngster also talked about the Lamine Yamal goal, adding, <strong>“When I saw Lamine Yamal cut inside and find space, I almost knew the ball was going in.”</strong></p><p>Finally, Torrents offered his thoughts on his future, especially <a href="https://barcauniversal.com/real-betis-loan-offer-for-defensive-prodigy-rejected-by-barcelona/" target="_blank">amid interest from Real Betis</a>, who were keen on signing the fullback on a loan deal. Torrents, though, has no plans to leave Barça.</p><p><strong>“My goal and dream is to play as many matches as possible with the club of my life, Barcelona. And with every opportunity the coach gives me, I will try to make the most of it,” </strong>he concluded. </p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>Barca Universal</source><dc:publisher>Barca Universal</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:20:00 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">7541d04f-ad77-3d30-b7a1-ed4740d13d34</guid><title><![CDATA[CHAN 2025: The fixtures for this Sunday, August 17!]]></title><link>https://onefootball.com/en/news/chan-2025-the-fixtures-for-this-sunday-august-17-41523020</link><description><![CDATA[This Sunday, August 17, the African Nations Championship for local players (CHAN 2025), jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, continues its run and will take place until August 30.This editio...]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img alt="CHAN 2025: The fixtures for this Sunday, August 17!" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/foot_africa_articles_352/9075c4a242d9891b8b17862376f14e6c" data-uuid="80456263-91b2-3a19-8fb2-8cb44db21640"><figcaption>CHAN 2025: The fixtures for this Sunday, August 17!</figcaption></figure><p>This Sunday, August 17, the African Nations Championship for local players (CHAN 2025), jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, continues its run and will take place until August 30.<!--filtered--><!--filtered-->This edition serves as a major preparatory step ahead of these three countries hosting the final phase of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.<!--filtered--><!--filtered-->After Kenya, the Group A leader with 7 points, secured their spot in the quarter-finals,<a href="https://foot-africa.com/en/news/chan-2024-dr-congo-vs-morocco-date-time-tv-channels-and-head-to-head-history-840375/"> the battle for second place is heating up between Morocco and the Democratic Republic of Congo, both sitting on 6 points.</a><!--filtered--><!--filtered-->This Sunday at 12:00 GMT, Morocco will face DR Congo in a decisive clash for a ticket to the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, Kenya will take on Zambia at the same time in a match with nothing at stake for the Zambians, who are already eliminated.</p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>Foot Africa</source><dc:publisher>Foot Africa</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:20:00 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">b0285f1d-2a4c-3e3b-b0bc-6008ecc03b18</guid><title><![CDATA[Three plotlines to get the blood racing as Man United play Arsenal]]></title><link>https://onefootball.com/en/news/three-plotlines-to-get-the-blood-racing-as-man-united-play-arsenal-41523075</link><description><![CDATA[Manchester United welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford today for their first Premier League match of the 2025/2026 season.The Red Devils have played the Gunners 243 times in one of English football’s cla...]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img alt="Three plotlines to get the blood racing as Man United play Arsenal" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_peoples_person_articles_356/0c6fbd6a56bc0f5a487347418cd9a914" data-uuid="15c2db53-d162-36e4-a32f-426132996698"><figcaption>Three plotlines to get the blood racing as Man United play Arsenal</figcaption></figure><p>Manchester United welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford today for their first Premier League match of the 2025/2026 season.</p><p>The Red Devils have played the Gunners <a href="https://www.11v11.com/teams/manchester-united/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Arsenal/" target="_blank">243 times</a> in one of English football’s classic fixtures.</p><p>United have come out on top 102 times, whilst Arsenal have been victorious in 90.</p><p>There have been 51 draws overall. Here are three plotlines to get excited about.</p><h2>Great Old Trafford record vs Arsenal</h2><p>Last season was a polar opposite for both teams as the Gunners finished second and United 15th in the table.</p><p>Nonetheless, they drew 1-1 at Old Trafford and United were probably unfortunate not to take all three points.</p><p>Ruben Amorim’s side have enjoyed a <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c776d3e5e67t#Head-to-head" target="_blank">good recent record</a> versus Arsenal at home, losing just two of their last 18 home matches versus Mikel Arteta’s team.</p><p>They have won 10 and drawn six of these games but both defeats came against Arteta in November 2020 and May 2024.</p><h2>Opening day joy</h2><p>The Red Devils are opening their season for a ninth consecutive year at Old Trafford.</p><p>This is the longest run of any top-flight team in English football history.</p><p>In addition, according to The BBC, they “have won their opening match of a Premier League campaign more often than any other side (22), while also having the best win rate on matchday one of any side to play in more than one season (67%).”</p><p>This included beating Fulham 1-0 last season with Joshua Zirkzee grabbing a debut goal.</p><h2>United aiming to break Arsenal streak again</h2><p>Whilst much has been made about Arteta’s lack of trophies as Arsenal boss, he has certainly turned the team into a very difficult side to beat.</p><p>The Gunners are currently on a 14 game unbeaten streak in away matches in the Premier League since losing 0-1 to Newcastle in November 2024.</p><p>They have won seven and drawn seven of these matches and it is their second longest run in Premier League history.</p><p>Their longest was 27 games unbeaten between April 2003 and September 2004, which United famously ended at Old Trafford through goals from Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney in a titanic tussle.</p><p><em>Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images</em></p><p><a href="https://www.easypolls.net" style="text-decoration:none;">online polls</a></p><hr><p>Follow us on Bluesky: <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/peoplesperson.bsky.social" target="_blank">@peoplesperson.bsky.social</a><!--filtered--><!--filtered--></p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>The Peoples Person Articles</source><dc:publisher>The Peoples Person Articles</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:15:00 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">9bbd905d-6d26-35e0-983e-9d037c59b47d</guid><title><![CDATA[👀 Leading by example: this Bundesliga club is really struggling right now]]></title><link>https://onefootball.com/en/news/leading-by-example-this-bundesliga-club-is-really-struggling-right-now-41523063</link><description><![CDATA[It's one of those summers that makes football romantics' eyes light up: 1. FC Köln and Hamburger SV are back in the Bundesliga. Two big traditional clubs, two passionately crazy fan bases, and two mi...]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img alt="�� Leading by example: this Bundesliga club is really struggling right now" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/onefootball_articles_802/fcc74e1c760632b715001904177ffb98" data-uuid="59f68438-c7d4-3741-9a1f-b40617012ed9"><figcaption>👀 Leading by example: this Bundesliga club is really struggling right now</figcaption></figure><p>It's one of those summers that makes football romantics' eyes light up: 1. FC Köln and Hamburger SV are back in the Bundesliga. Two big traditional clubs, two passionately crazy fan bases, and two million-cities where football is lived and breathed at the same time.</p><p>Both clubs start as promoted teams, both are undisputedly a gain for the league, and both have an environment that - we'll put it neutrally - is capable of enthusiasm. </p><p>If things go well sports-wise, this enthusiasm turns into a virtually limitless wave of euphoria that can overwhelm many an opponent. If things don't go as well sports-wise, this enthusiasm makes it almost impossible for the clubs to work in peace.</p><p>But despite all the mentioned parallels: The mood could hardly be more different a week before the season starts. While in Cologne you almost get the feeling that the FC has secretly activated Champions League mode in preparation, alarm bells are already ringing in Hamburg. At least at first glance.</p><h2>Cologne: Confidence like a title contender</h2><p>Because the preparation of the Domstädter reads like a textbook campaign for optimism. Statement wins against Leicester City (3:1) and Atalanta (4:0) make the red and white football hearts on the Rhine beat faster</p><p>The squad is Bundesliga-experienced and has been further strengthened by promising newcomers. The promoted team invested a whopping 20 million euros this summer. That's a statement!</p><p>Not least, the Müngersdorfer recently presented their most expensive signing since 2019 with Rav van den Berg: The center-back comes from FC Middlesbrough for a proud eight million euros.</p><div id="jwplayer_R2cBp9wC_div"></div><p>The handwriting of the new coach Lukas Kwasniok is already clearly recognizable, and the basic structure around goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe, defense chief Timo Hübers, and sweeper Eric Martel has been in place for several years. </p><p>In short: Cologne seems ready for the Bundesliga!</p><h2>Major construction site Hamburg</h2><p>And then there's the HSV. The Northerners have been stuck in the 2nd league for seven long and painful years. The logical consequence: With the exception of newcomers Yussuf Poulsen, Jordan Torunarigha, and Nicolai Remberg, you have to search for Bundesliga experience in the Hanseatic squad with a magnifying glass.</p><p>At least as fatal is that the said squad still has blatant gaps just two weeks before the end of the transfer period. A center-back and a playmaker are still to come. At least. </p><p>In addition, the team needs time to learn the new playing system installed by Merlin Polzin. In the top division, the Hamburgers want to define themselves much more through their work against the ball than they have been in the last seven years. So far, so good. </p><img height="683" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/onefootball_articles_802/5c381f439370103f3339a22a427bac7c" width="1024" data-uuid="68ecfc1f-f66f-3f5b-be6d-30e36419c78e"><p>📸 Alex Bierens de Haan - 2025 Getty Images</p><p>The way the former Bundesliga dinosaur lost all five test games so far provides a reason for concern. The newly formed defense is still wobbly, and offensively, the team is currently lacking almost any ideas. The Polzin team also didn't look good in the first cup round. Against fifth-tier Pirmasens, the HSV only won after extra time (2:1). </p><p>Nevertheless, people remain calm on the Waterkant. The unrest is allegedly only being stirred up from outside the club. The start-up difficulties after the successful promotion, on the other hand, were consciously planned. </p><h2>Different paths here</h2><p>And yet: The fact that there is a certain discrepancy between the goings-on at FC Köln and HSV can be seen alone by looking at the transfer spending. The Rhinelanders have invested 15 million euros more so far.</p><p>But how is that possible when you consider that both clubs were only two points apart at the end of the last season?</p><p>Well: A look at the TV money table of the Bundesliga clubs answers this question to a large extent. While the HSV starts in 18th place with 31.4 million euros, the FC is in 13th place and receives 42.9 million euros.</p><p>This difference can be relatively easily explained by the sporting performance of the recent past. The Hanseatic city was stuck in the 2nd league for seven years, while the West Germans were only in it for two years.</p><div id="jwplayer_XXiePIII_div"></div><p>In addition, the people of Cologne were able to sell some players for considerable sums, such as Jonas Urbig, Damion Downs, and Max Finkgräfe, and thus create important scope for their own activities.</p><p>Another factor that should not be underestimated: The transfer ban, which prohibited the FC officials from signing new players between December 2023 and January 2025. </p><p>What enormously restricted the club's short-term performance capability at least ensured that the Billy Goats were able to save a decent pile of money during this period. Additionally, few of their own players were sold, which means that not insignificant parts of the Bundesliga squad from 2023/2024 are still on board.</p><h2>Anticipation vs. skepticism</h2><p>All of this ensures that the mood in Cologne is currently the way people like it on the Rhine: optimistic, loud, and perhaps a little bit megalomaniacal.</p><p>In the north of the republic, on the other hand, there is much more skepticism. Of course, everyone knows how quickly a successful start to the season can bring back optimism. But currently, the focus is much more on the question of how quickly the newly formed squad can get used to the high quality in the Bundesliga.</p><h2>Same stage, different script</h2><p>In the end, it's clear: Both clubs start in the same season, with the same number of points, the same opponents, the same chances.</p><p>And that's what makes it so exciting: Because football wouldn't be football if everything couldn't turn out completely differently on the first matchday. Maybe the HSV will knock out the Kölner Erzrivalen from Mönchengladbach, maybe the FC will get a slap in the face from the other carnival club from Mainz. The current mood could turn around 180 degrees in no time.</p><p>Because that's what both clubs have in common: Positive and negative emotions are just as quickly gone as they came.</p><p><em>This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. <a href="https://onefootball.com/de/news/einer-macht-vor-wie-es-geht-dieser-buli-klub-ist-gerade-am-struggeln-41523061">You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.</a></em></p><hr><p>📸 Selim Sudheimer - 2025 Getty Images</p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>OneFootball</source><dc:publisher>OneFootball</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:11:00 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">4f2521c7-fd88-3754-8468-07b1707e7df5</guid><title><![CDATA[A drive for uncharted success motivates ASU to build consistency]]></title><link>https://www.on3.com/sites/asu-devils/news/a-drive-for-uncharted-success-motivates-asu-to-build-consistency/?yptr=yahoo</link><description><![CDATA[In its program history, Arizona State has been ranked 24 times in the AP’s preseason Top 25 poll, and just seven of those seasons have taken place since the turn of the century, and only three of those years are in the College Football Playoff era. Last Monday, when the Sun Devils came in at […]]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<img alt="ASU Head Coach Kenny Dillingham " class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" height="776" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/warchant_13/7e9f92d910ed4bceb00c106f64496add" width="1518" data-uuid="d2d0aa71-15c6-3823-bcb6-c5dd080699ba"><pre class="wp-block-code"><code><a href="https://www.SanTanFord.com"> <img src="https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=95,format=jpg/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/07/25180034/2024-San-Tan-Ford-Banner-3.jpg"> </a></code></pre><p>In its program history, Arizona State has been ranked 24 times in the AP’s preseason Top 25 poll, and just seven of those seasons have taken place since the turn of the century, and only three of those years are in the College Football Playoff era. Last Monday, when the Sun Devils came in at No.11 in the 2025 preseason poll, it marked the third-highest preseason ranking in the program’s history and the best ranking since 1998. </p><p>However, when ASU is projected to be in the upper echelon of college football, it’s usually a drastic indicator of how the season will unfold. The last time ASU went wire-to-wire in the AP Poll was in 2014, when it had a preseason ranking of No. 19 and then proceeded to finish the season at No. 12.</p><p>In the other four of the Sun Devils’ top five preseason rankings, they were slotted in at No.3, No.8, No.12, and No.13, all between 1972 and 1998 under three separate head coaches. In just one of those seasons did ASU have a winning record. </p><p>When ASU was picked No.3 in 1976 under legendary head coach Frank Kush, the team finished 4-7, losing its first four games of the season. In 1998, when the team was touted at No.8 in the nation, they went on to finish 5-6, losing all four games that year against ranked opposition, and in 1984 when projected to be the No.13 best team in the country ASU finished 5-6 as well, not winning consecutive games until week 10. </p><p>For this very reason, the Sun Devils have thrown preseason hype out of the window, and according to head coach <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/kenny-dillingham-134879/">Kenny Dillingham</a></strong>, Saturday, defying the status quo for highly ranked teams in Tempe is a major goal for the program. </p><p>“I’ve shown (the players) the stats on when ASU is ranked in the top-15 over the last 50 years, what happens? It’s never good.” Dillingham said. “We’re trying to beat history; we’re not just facing opponents; we’re facing 50 years of history.</p><p>“Anytime you face 50 years of history, that’s not an accident; it’s 50 years of history. That’s difficult to overcome, and I try to reiterate to them how hard that is and how this is going to be one of the most challenging tasks they’ll ever face.” </p><p>On Saturday, Dillingham and ASU held an intersquad scrimmage under the lights of Mountain America Stadium. The practice was live football for nearly two hours with no tackling; however, the defense didn’t need any hard hits to set the tone. </p><p>Offensively, the gears are still shifting, and players are continuing to improve, but the productive plays are more spread out than desired. Often during the scrimmage, the offense would take one step forward, then two steps back, and despite their high level of talent, Dillingham understands that won’t be a recipe for success during the season. </p><p>“That was the definition defensively of you give up a big play and then you survive and win in the low red zone, that’s what good defenses do,” Dillingham noted. “Offense, it was self-destruct, every drive there was a false start or a low red zone (missing assignment). </p><p>“That starts with me when I look at mistakes like that, I think to myself, ‘okay, what are (the coaches) doing wrong, because at the end of the day it’s our job to get 11 people to do the right thing.”</p><p>Dillingham did give the offensive players lawful grace. Going up against a defense returning 11 starters from one year to the next is always an uphill battle, especially when those defenders know you’re every move and trick.</p><p> On top of that, the offense is calling a heap of plays, which won’t be the case during game weeks when the coaching staff narrows down a particular game plan rather than exposing the entire offense. </p><p>“We have way more new guys on offense than we do on defense,” Dillingham noted. “That’s kind of normal in camp; it’s also normal to make more (missing assignments) before a game week because you have the big arsenal of plays. We have a pretty big playbook, but we’ll get into a game plan and shrink that thing down. The MAs should shrink pretty drastically.” </p><p>The lackluster offensive plays we’re not often either. Dillingham was detailed in delivering the information, as many of the penalties and sacks allowed happened when the offense was in and around the red zone, looking to attack for touchdowns.</p><p>“It’s not every play, it’s once every four to five plays,” Dillingham said. “We’re explosive, but our consistency isn’t there, and if we wanna be a great offense, we’re going to be explosive and consistent. Which means if our explosive plays don’t score, it’s gonna lead to three points over and over and over again.”</p><p>A tangible factor to ASU’s false-starting issue Saturday could also be attributed to the changes up front. Over the last five practices during week three of camp, redshirt freshman lineman <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/wade-helton-174640/">Wade Helton</a></strong>, who transferred from Iowa State alongside his twin brother<strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/brent-helton-174654/"> Brent Helton</a></strong>, has slotted in at center amongst the first team. </p><p>The coaching staff has iterated that the starting lineup up front is not yet decided, which has seen graduate Ben Coleman shift between center and his position in 2024 left guard. When Coleman is at center, redshirt senior Jimeto Obigbo plays at left guard, and while Helton is at the helm, Coleman is back at left guard. </p><p><br>To give the offensive line some credit, the defensive front they are facing is a ferocious bunch. In 2024, ASU had the best run defense in the Big 12 conference, being the only team that allowed less than 115 rushing yards per game. </p><p>Finishing near the middle of the pack in the pass rushing department, however, gave many players, particularly the edge rushers, another point to prove headed into the new season, and it’s shown all camp, including Saturday. All of ASU’s primary edge rushers are in their fifth season as collegiate players; <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/clayton-smith-23963/">Clayton Smith</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/justin-wodtly-70010/">Justin Wodtly</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/prince-dorbah-96919/">Prince Dorbah,</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/elijah-oneal-163311/">Elijah O’Neal </a></strong>have often harassed sophomore quarterback <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/sam-leavitt-104361/">Sam Leavitt</a></strong>, and they’ll likely do the same to other Big 12 signal callers as well. </p><p>“Hopefully our defense is good, and that’s why it’s hard to go against them,” Dillingham laughed. “It’s always more worrisome if your offense is scoring tons of points in camp than if your defense is playing good. </p><p>“Clayton (Smith) shot me a photo of him weighing 260 today, so I mean, they want it, there’s a want to there with that group, and it shows up. You can see the chaos they’re causing in this camp.” </p><pre class="wp-block-code"><code> <a href="https://www.on3.com/sites/asu-devils/join/"> <img src="https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=95,format=jpg/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/07/30211349/ASUDevils-x-The-Athletic-1080x1350-1.png"> </a> </code></pre>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>The Osceola</source><dc:publisher>The Osceola</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:10:05 +0000</pubDate><category>DevilsDigest Football</category><category>Arizona State Sun Devils</category><category>DevilsDigest</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">8af14392-d70d-3235-9c0c-ec6481ca0368</guid><title><![CDATA[A drive for uncharted success motivates ASU to build consistency]]></title><link>https://www.on3.com/sites/asu-devils/news/a-drive-for-uncharted-success-motivates-asu-to-build-consistency/?yptr=yahoo</link><description><![CDATA[In its program history, Arizona State has been ranked 24 times in the AP’s preseason Top 25 poll, and just seven of those seasons have taken place since the turn of the century, and only three of those years are in the College Football Playoff era. Last Monday, when the Sun Devils came in at […]]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<img alt="ASU Head Coach Kenny Dillingham " class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" height="776" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/golden_bear_report_339/7e9f92d910ed4bceb00c106f64496add" width="1518" data-uuid="8fa2cf03-a9bf-391f-8278-cd8527d0f059"><pre class="wp-block-code"><code><a href="https://www.SanTanFord.com"> <img src="https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=95,format=jpg/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/07/25180034/2024-San-Tan-Ford-Banner-3.jpg"> </a></code></pre><p>In its program history, Arizona State has been ranked 24 times in the AP’s preseason Top 25 poll, and just seven of those seasons have taken place since the turn of the century, and only three of those years are in the College Football Playoff era. Last Monday, when the Sun Devils came in at No.11 in the 2025 preseason poll, it marked the third-highest preseason ranking in the program’s history and the best ranking since 1998. </p><p>However, when ASU is projected to be in the upper echelon of college football, it’s usually a drastic indicator of how the season will unfold. The last time ASU went wire-to-wire in the AP Poll was in 2014, when it had a preseason ranking of No. 19 and then proceeded to finish the season at No. 12.</p><p>In the other four of the Sun Devils’ top five preseason rankings, they were slotted in at No.3, No.8, No.12, and No.13, all between 1972 and 1998 under three separate head coaches. In just one of those seasons did ASU have a winning record. </p><p>When ASU was picked No.3 in 1976 under legendary head coach Frank Kush, the team finished 4-7, losing its first four games of the season. In 1998, when the team was touted at No.8 in the nation, they went on to finish 5-6, losing all four games that year against ranked opposition, and in 1984 when projected to be the No.13 best team in the country ASU finished 5-6 as well, not winning consecutive games until week 10. </p><p>For this very reason, the Sun Devils have thrown preseason hype out of the window, and according to head coach <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/kenny-dillingham-134879/">Kenny Dillingham</a></strong>, Saturday, defying the status quo for highly ranked teams in Tempe is a major goal for the program. </p><p>“I’ve shown (the players) the stats on when ASU is ranked in the top-15 over the last 50 years, what happens? It’s never good.” Dillingham said. “We’re trying to beat history; we’re not just facing opponents; we’re facing 50 years of history.</p><p>“Anytime you face 50 years of history, that’s not an accident; it’s 50 years of history. That’s difficult to overcome, and I try to reiterate to them how hard that is and how this is going to be one of the most challenging tasks they’ll ever face.” </p><p>On Saturday, Dillingham and ASU held an intersquad scrimmage under the lights of Mountain America Stadium. The practice was live football for nearly two hours with no tackling; however, the defense didn’t need any hard hits to set the tone. </p><p>Offensively, the gears are still shifting, and players are continuing to improve, but the productive plays are more spread out than desired. Often during the scrimmage, the offense would take one step forward, then two steps back, and despite their high level of talent, Dillingham understands that won’t be a recipe for success during the season. </p><p>“That was the definition defensively of you give up a big play and then you survive and win in the low red zone, that’s what good defenses do,” Dillingham noted. “Offense, it was self-destruct, every drive there was a false start or a low red zone (missing assignment). </p><p>“That starts with me when I look at mistakes like that, I think to myself, ‘okay, what are (the coaches) doing wrong, because at the end of the day it’s our job to get 11 people to do the right thing.”</p><p>Dillingham did give the offensive players lawful grace. Going up against a defense returning 11 starters from one year to the next is always an uphill battle, especially when those defenders know you’re every move and trick.</p><p> On top of that, the offense is calling a heap of plays, which won’t be the case during game weeks when the coaching staff narrows down a particular game plan rather than exposing the entire offense. </p><p>“We have way more new guys on offense than we do on defense,” Dillingham noted. “That’s kind of normal in camp; it’s also normal to make more (missing assignments) before a game week because you have the big arsenal of plays. We have a pretty big playbook, but we’ll get into a game plan and shrink that thing down. The MAs should shrink pretty drastically.” </p><p>The lackluster offensive plays we’re not often either. Dillingham was detailed in delivering the information, as many of the penalties and sacks allowed happened when the offense was in and around the red zone, looking to attack for touchdowns.</p><p>“It’s not every play, it’s once every four to five plays,” Dillingham said. “We’re explosive, but our consistency isn’t there, and if we wanna be a great offense, we’re going to be explosive and consistent. Which means if our explosive plays don’t score, it’s gonna lead to three points over and over and over again.”</p><p>A tangible factor to ASU’s false-starting issue Saturday could also be attributed to the changes up front. Over the last five practices during week three of camp, redshirt freshman lineman <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/wade-helton-174640/">Wade Helton</a></strong>, who transferred from Iowa State alongside his twin brother<strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/brent-helton-174654/"> Brent Helton</a></strong>, has slotted in at center amongst the first team. </p><p>The coaching staff has iterated that the starting lineup up front is not yet decided, which has seen graduate Ben Coleman shift between center and his position in 2024 left guard. When Coleman is at center, redshirt senior Jimeto Obigbo plays at left guard, and while Helton is at the helm, Coleman is back at left guard. </p><p><br>To give the offensive line some credit, the defensive front they are facing is a ferocious bunch. In 2024, ASU had the best run defense in the Big 12 conference, being the only team that allowed less than 115 rushing yards per game. </p><p>Finishing near the middle of the pack in the pass rushing department, however, gave many players, particularly the edge rushers, another point to prove headed into the new season, and it’s shown all camp, including Saturday. All of ASU’s primary edge rushers are in their fifth season as collegiate players; <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/clayton-smith-23963/">Clayton Smith</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/justin-wodtly-70010/">Justin Wodtly</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/prince-dorbah-96919/">Prince Dorbah,</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/elijah-oneal-163311/">Elijah O’Neal </a></strong>have often harassed sophomore quarterback <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/sam-leavitt-104361/">Sam Leavitt</a></strong>, and they’ll likely do the same to other Big 12 signal callers as well. </p><p>“Hopefully our defense is good, and that’s why it’s hard to go against them,” Dillingham laughed. “It’s always more worrisome if your offense is scoring tons of points in camp than if your defense is playing good. </p><p>“Clayton (Smith) shot me a photo of him weighing 260 today, so I mean, they want it, there’s a want to there with that group, and it shows up. You can see the chaos they’re causing in this camp.” </p><pre class="wp-block-code"><code> <a href="https://www.on3.com/sites/asu-devils/join/"> <img src="https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=95,format=jpg/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/07/30211349/ASUDevils-x-The-Athletic-1080x1350-1.png"> </a> </code></pre>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>Golden Bear Report</source><dc:publisher>Golden Bear Report</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:10:05 +0000</pubDate><category>DevilsDigest Football</category><category>Arizona State Sun Devils</category><category>DevilsDigest</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">a2aa2eca-13d4-3e7c-80ea-75f39c42efcb</guid><title><![CDATA[A drive for uncharted success motivates ASU to build consistency]]></title><link>https://www.on3.com/sites/asu-devils/news/a-drive-for-uncharted-success-motivates-asu-to-build-consistency/?yptr=yahoo</link><description><![CDATA[In its program history, Arizona State has been ranked 24 times in the AP’s preseason Top 25 poll, and just seven of those seasons have taken place since the turn of the century, and only three of those years are in the College Football Playoff era. Last Monday, when the Sun Devils came in at […]]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<img alt="ASU Head Coach Kenny Dillingham " class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" height="776" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/big_gold_nation_960/7e9f92d910ed4bceb00c106f64496add" width="1518" data-uuid="460ffc0c-38be-31ce-b680-2a3b9f1d3bdf"><pre class="wp-block-code"><code><a href="https://www.SanTanFord.com"> <img src="https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=95,format=jpg/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/07/25180034/2024-San-Tan-Ford-Banner-3.jpg"> </a></code></pre><p>In its program history, Arizona State has been ranked 24 times in the AP’s preseason Top 25 poll, and just seven of those seasons have taken place since the turn of the century, and only three of those years are in the College Football Playoff era. Last Monday, when the Sun Devils came in at No.11 in the 2025 preseason poll, it marked the third-highest preseason ranking in the program’s history and the best ranking since 1998. </p><p>However, when ASU is projected to be in the upper echelon of college football, it’s usually a drastic indicator of how the season will unfold. The last time ASU went wire-to-wire in the AP Poll was in 2014, when it had a preseason ranking of No. 19 and then proceeded to finish the season at No. 12.</p><p>In the other four of the Sun Devils’ top five preseason rankings, they were slotted in at No.3, No.8, No.12, and No.13, all between 1972 and 1998 under three separate head coaches. In just one of those seasons did ASU have a winning record. </p><p>When ASU was picked No.3 in 1976 under legendary head coach Frank Kush, the team finished 4-7, losing its first four games of the season. In 1998, when the team was touted at No.8 in the nation, they went on to finish 5-6, losing all four games that year against ranked opposition, and in 1984 when projected to be the No.13 best team in the country ASU finished 5-6 as well, not winning consecutive games until week 10. </p><p>For this very reason, the Sun Devils have thrown preseason hype out of the window, and according to head coach <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/kenny-dillingham-134879/">Kenny Dillingham</a></strong>, Saturday, defying the status quo for highly ranked teams in Tempe is a major goal for the program. </p><p>“I’ve shown (the players) the stats on when ASU is ranked in the top-15 over the last 50 years, what happens? It’s never good.” Dillingham said. “We’re trying to beat history; we’re not just facing opponents; we’re facing 50 years of history.</p><p>“Anytime you face 50 years of history, that’s not an accident; it’s 50 years of history. That’s difficult to overcome, and I try to reiterate to them how hard that is and how this is going to be one of the most challenging tasks they’ll ever face.” </p><p>On Saturday, Dillingham and ASU held an intersquad scrimmage under the lights of Mountain America Stadium. The practice was live football for nearly two hours with no tackling; however, the defense didn’t need any hard hits to set the tone. </p><p>Offensively, the gears are still shifting, and players are continuing to improve, but the productive plays are more spread out than desired. Often during the scrimmage, the offense would take one step forward, then two steps back, and despite their high level of talent, Dillingham understands that won’t be a recipe for success during the season. </p><p>“That was the definition defensively of you give up a big play and then you survive and win in the low red zone, that’s what good defenses do,” Dillingham noted. “Offense, it was self-destruct, every drive there was a false start or a low red zone (missing assignment). </p><p>“That starts with me when I look at mistakes like that, I think to myself, ‘okay, what are (the coaches) doing wrong, because at the end of the day it’s our job to get 11 people to do the right thing.”</p><p>Dillingham did give the offensive players lawful grace. Going up against a defense returning 11 starters from one year to the next is always an uphill battle, especially when those defenders know you’re every move and trick.</p><p> On top of that, the offense is calling a heap of plays, which won’t be the case during game weeks when the coaching staff narrows down a particular game plan rather than exposing the entire offense. </p><p>“We have way more new guys on offense than we do on defense,” Dillingham noted. “That’s kind of normal in camp; it’s also normal to make more (missing assignments) before a game week because you have the big arsenal of plays. We have a pretty big playbook, but we’ll get into a game plan and shrink that thing down. The MAs should shrink pretty drastically.” </p><p>The lackluster offensive plays we’re not often either. Dillingham was detailed in delivering the information, as many of the penalties and sacks allowed happened when the offense was in and around the red zone, looking to attack for touchdowns.</p><p>“It’s not every play, it’s once every four to five plays,” Dillingham said. “We’re explosive, but our consistency isn’t there, and if we wanna be a great offense, we’re going to be explosive and consistent. Which means if our explosive plays don’t score, it’s gonna lead to three points over and over and over again.”</p><p>A tangible factor to ASU’s false-starting issue Saturday could also be attributed to the changes up front. Over the last five practices during week three of camp, redshirt freshman lineman <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/wade-helton-174640/">Wade Helton</a></strong>, who transferred from Iowa State alongside his twin brother<strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/brent-helton-174654/"> Brent Helton</a></strong>, has slotted in at center amongst the first team. </p><p>The coaching staff has iterated that the starting lineup up front is not yet decided, which has seen graduate Ben Coleman shift between center and his position in 2024 left guard. When Coleman is at center, redshirt senior Jimeto Obigbo plays at left guard, and while Helton is at the helm, Coleman is back at left guard. </p><p><br>To give the offensive line some credit, the defensive front they are facing is a ferocious bunch. In 2024, ASU had the best run defense in the Big 12 conference, being the only team that allowed less than 115 rushing yards per game. </p><p>Finishing near the middle of the pack in the pass rushing department, however, gave many players, particularly the edge rushers, another point to prove headed into the new season, and it’s shown all camp, including Saturday. All of ASU’s primary edge rushers are in their fifth season as collegiate players; <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/clayton-smith-23963/">Clayton Smith</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/justin-wodtly-70010/">Justin Wodtly</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/prince-dorbah-96919/">Prince Dorbah,</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/elijah-oneal-163311/">Elijah O’Neal </a></strong>have often harassed sophomore quarterback <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/sam-leavitt-104361/">Sam Leavitt</a></strong>, and they’ll likely do the same to other Big 12 signal callers as well. </p><p>“Hopefully our defense is good, and that’s why it’s hard to go against them,” Dillingham laughed. “It’s always more worrisome if your offense is scoring tons of points in camp than if your defense is playing good. </p><p>“Clayton (Smith) shot me a photo of him weighing 260 today, so I mean, they want it, there’s a want to there with that group, and it shows up. You can see the chaos they’re causing in this camp.” </p><pre class="wp-block-code"><code> <a href="https://www.on3.com/sites/asu-devils/join/"> <img src="https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=95,format=jpg/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/07/30211349/ASUDevils-x-The-Athletic-1080x1350-1.png"> </a> </code></pre>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>Big Gold Nation</source><dc:publisher>Big Gold Nation</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:10:05 +0000</pubDate><category>DevilsDigest Football</category><category>Arizona State Sun Devils</category><category>DevilsDigest</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">cf0ced70-dc14-3cab-b872-945710bbe2e9</guid><title><![CDATA[A drive for uncharted success motivates ASU to build consistency]]></title><link>https://www.on3.com/sites/asu-devils/news/a-drive-for-uncharted-success-motivates-asu-to-build-consistency/?yptr=yahoo</link><description><![CDATA[In its program history, Arizona State has been ranked 24 times in the AP’s preseason Top 25 poll, and just seven of those seasons have taken place since the turn of the century, and only three of those years are in the College Football Playoff era. Last Monday, when the Sun Devils came in at […]]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<img alt="ASU Head Coach Kenny Dillingham " class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" height="776" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/wazzu_watch_679/7e9f92d910ed4bceb00c106f64496add" width="1518" data-uuid="c3394702-dcf9-38c4-a375-44b44b5f7880"><pre class="wp-block-code"><code><a href="https://www.SanTanFord.com"> <img src="https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=95,format=jpg/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/07/25180034/2024-San-Tan-Ford-Banner-3.jpg"> </a></code></pre><p>In its program history, Arizona State has been ranked 24 times in the AP’s preseason Top 25 poll, and just seven of those seasons have taken place since the turn of the century, and only three of those years are in the College Football Playoff era. Last Monday, when the Sun Devils came in at No.11 in the 2025 preseason poll, it marked the third-highest preseason ranking in the program’s history and the best ranking since 1998. </p><p>However, when ASU is projected to be in the upper echelon of college football, it’s usually a drastic indicator of how the season will unfold. The last time ASU went wire-to-wire in the AP Poll was in 2014, when it had a preseason ranking of No. 19 and then proceeded to finish the season at No. 12.</p><p>In the other four of the Sun Devils’ top five preseason rankings, they were slotted in at No.3, No.8, No.12, and No.13, all between 1972 and 1998 under three separate head coaches. In just one of those seasons did ASU have a winning record. </p><p>When ASU was picked No.3 in 1976 under legendary head coach Frank Kush, the team finished 4-7, losing its first four games of the season. In 1998, when the team was touted at No.8 in the nation, they went on to finish 5-6, losing all four games that year against ranked opposition, and in 1984 when projected to be the No.13 best team in the country ASU finished 5-6 as well, not winning consecutive games until week 10. </p><p>For this very reason, the Sun Devils have thrown preseason hype out of the window, and according to head coach <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/kenny-dillingham-134879/">Kenny Dillingham</a></strong>, Saturday, defying the status quo for highly ranked teams in Tempe is a major goal for the program. </p><p>“I’ve shown (the players) the stats on when ASU is ranked in the top-15 over the last 50 years, what happens? It’s never good.” Dillingham said. “We’re trying to beat history; we’re not just facing opponents; we’re facing 50 years of history.</p><p>“Anytime you face 50 years of history, that’s not an accident; it’s 50 years of history. That’s difficult to overcome, and I try to reiterate to them how hard that is and how this is going to be one of the most challenging tasks they’ll ever face.” </p><p>On Saturday, Dillingham and ASU held an intersquad scrimmage under the lights of Mountain America Stadium. The practice was live football for nearly two hours with no tackling; however, the defense didn’t need any hard hits to set the tone. </p><p>Offensively, the gears are still shifting, and players are continuing to improve, but the productive plays are more spread out than desired. Often during the scrimmage, the offense would take one step forward, then two steps back, and despite their high level of talent, Dillingham understands that won’t be a recipe for success during the season. </p><p>“That was the definition defensively of you give up a big play and then you survive and win in the low red zone, that’s what good defenses do,” Dillingham noted. “Offense, it was self-destruct, every drive there was a false start or a low red zone (missing assignment). </p><p>“That starts with me when I look at mistakes like that, I think to myself, ‘okay, what are (the coaches) doing wrong, because at the end of the day it’s our job to get 11 people to do the right thing.”</p><p>Dillingham did give the offensive players lawful grace. Going up against a defense returning 11 starters from one year to the next is always an uphill battle, especially when those defenders know you’re every move and trick.</p><p> On top of that, the offense is calling a heap of plays, which won’t be the case during game weeks when the coaching staff narrows down a particular game plan rather than exposing the entire offense. </p><p>“We have way more new guys on offense than we do on defense,” Dillingham noted. “That’s kind of normal in camp; it’s also normal to make more (missing assignments) before a game week because you have the big arsenal of plays. We have a pretty big playbook, but we’ll get into a game plan and shrink that thing down. The MAs should shrink pretty drastically.” </p><p>The lackluster offensive plays we’re not often either. Dillingham was detailed in delivering the information, as many of the penalties and sacks allowed happened when the offense was in and around the red zone, looking to attack for touchdowns.</p><p>“It’s not every play, it’s once every four to five plays,” Dillingham said. “We’re explosive, but our consistency isn’t there, and if we wanna be a great offense, we’re going to be explosive and consistent. Which means if our explosive plays don’t score, it’s gonna lead to three points over and over and over again.”</p><p>A tangible factor to ASU’s false-starting issue Saturday could also be attributed to the changes up front. Over the last five practices during week three of camp, redshirt freshman lineman <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/wade-helton-174640/">Wade Helton</a></strong>, who transferred from Iowa State alongside his twin brother<strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/brent-helton-174654/"> Brent Helton</a></strong>, has slotted in at center amongst the first team. </p><p>The coaching staff has iterated that the starting lineup up front is not yet decided, which has seen graduate Ben Coleman shift between center and his position in 2024 left guard. When Coleman is at center, redshirt senior Jimeto Obigbo plays at left guard, and while Helton is at the helm, Coleman is back at left guard. </p><p><br>To give the offensive line some credit, the defensive front they are facing is a ferocious bunch. In 2024, ASU had the best run defense in the Big 12 conference, being the only team that allowed less than 115 rushing yards per game. </p><p>Finishing near the middle of the pack in the pass rushing department, however, gave many players, particularly the edge rushers, another point to prove headed into the new season, and it’s shown all camp, including Saturday. All of ASU’s primary edge rushers are in their fifth season as collegiate players; <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/clayton-smith-23963/">Clayton Smith</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/justin-wodtly-70010/">Justin Wodtly</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/prince-dorbah-96919/">Prince Dorbah,</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/elijah-oneal-163311/">Elijah O’Neal </a></strong>have often harassed sophomore quarterback <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/sam-leavitt-104361/">Sam Leavitt</a></strong>, and they’ll likely do the same to other Big 12 signal callers as well. </p><p>“Hopefully our defense is good, and that’s why it’s hard to go against them,” Dillingham laughed. “It’s always more worrisome if your offense is scoring tons of points in camp than if your defense is playing good. </p><p>“Clayton (Smith) shot me a photo of him weighing 260 today, so I mean, they want it, there’s a want to there with that group, and it shows up. You can see the chaos they’re causing in this camp.” </p><pre class="wp-block-code"><code> <a href="https://www.on3.com/sites/asu-devils/join/"> <img src="https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=95,format=jpg/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/07/30211349/ASUDevils-x-The-Athletic-1080x1350-1.png"> </a> </code></pre>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>Wazzu Watch</source><dc:publisher>Wazzu Watch</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:10:05 +0000</pubDate><category>DevilsDigest Football</category><category>Arizona State Sun Devils</category><category>DevilsDigest</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">0c6e460c-0b9b-3d58-93e1-843da99ed45b</guid><title><![CDATA[A drive for uncharted success motivates ASU to build consistency]]></title><link>https://www.on3.com/sites/asu-devils/news/a-drive-for-uncharted-success-motivates-asu-to-build-consistency/?yptr=yahoo</link><description><![CDATA[In its program history, Arizona State has been ranked 24 times in the AP’s preseason Top 25 poll, and just seven of those seasons have taken place since the turn of the century, and only three of those years are in the College Football Playoff era. Last Monday, when the Sun Devils came in at […]]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<img alt="ASU Head Coach Kenny Dillingham " class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" height="776" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/inside_hilltopper_sports_140/7e9f92d910ed4bceb00c106f64496add" width="1518" data-uuid="963a6665-8538-3f1a-8422-b1f0c5362ad8"><pre class="wp-block-code"><code><a href="https://www.SanTanFord.com"> <img src="https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=95,format=jpg/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/07/25180034/2024-San-Tan-Ford-Banner-3.jpg"> </a></code></pre><p>In its program history, Arizona State has been ranked 24 times in the AP’s preseason Top 25 poll, and just seven of those seasons have taken place since the turn of the century, and only three of those years are in the College Football Playoff era. Last Monday, when the Sun Devils came in at No.11 in the 2025 preseason poll, it marked the third-highest preseason ranking in the program’s history and the best ranking since 1998. </p><p>However, when ASU is projected to be in the upper echelon of college football, it’s usually a drastic indicator of how the season will unfold. The last time ASU went wire-to-wire in the AP Poll was in 2014, when it had a preseason ranking of No. 19 and then proceeded to finish the season at No. 12.</p><p>In the other four of the Sun Devils’ top five preseason rankings, they were slotted in at No.3, No.8, No.12, and No.13, all between 1972 and 1998 under three separate head coaches. In just one of those seasons did ASU have a winning record. </p><p>When ASU was picked No.3 in 1976 under legendary head coach Frank Kush, the team finished 4-7, losing its first four games of the season. In 1998, when the team was touted at No.8 in the nation, they went on to finish 5-6, losing all four games that year against ranked opposition, and in 1984 when projected to be the No.13 best team in the country ASU finished 5-6 as well, not winning consecutive games until week 10. </p><p>For this very reason, the Sun Devils have thrown preseason hype out of the window, and according to head coach <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/kenny-dillingham-134879/">Kenny Dillingham</a></strong>, Saturday, defying the status quo for highly ranked teams in Tempe is a major goal for the program. </p><p>“I’ve shown (the players) the stats on when ASU is ranked in the top-15 over the last 50 years, what happens? It’s never good.” Dillingham said. “We’re trying to beat history; we’re not just facing opponents; we’re facing 50 years of history.</p><p>“Anytime you face 50 years of history, that’s not an accident; it’s 50 years of history. That’s difficult to overcome, and I try to reiterate to them how hard that is and how this is going to be one of the most challenging tasks they’ll ever face.” </p><p>On Saturday, Dillingham and ASU held an intersquad scrimmage under the lights of Mountain America Stadium. The practice was live football for nearly two hours with no tackling; however, the defense didn’t need any hard hits to set the tone. </p><p>Offensively, the gears are still shifting, and players are continuing to improve, but the productive plays are more spread out than desired. Often during the scrimmage, the offense would take one step forward, then two steps back, and despite their high level of talent, Dillingham understands that won’t be a recipe for success during the season. </p><p>“That was the definition defensively of you give up a big play and then you survive and win in the low red zone, that’s what good defenses do,” Dillingham noted. “Offense, it was self-destruct, every drive there was a false start or a low red zone (missing assignment). </p><p>“That starts with me when I look at mistakes like that, I think to myself, ‘okay, what are (the coaches) doing wrong, because at the end of the day it’s our job to get 11 people to do the right thing.”</p><p>Dillingham did give the offensive players lawful grace. Going up against a defense returning 11 starters from one year to the next is always an uphill battle, especially when those defenders know you’re every move and trick.</p><p> On top of that, the offense is calling a heap of plays, which won’t be the case during game weeks when the coaching staff narrows down a particular game plan rather than exposing the entire offense. </p><p>“We have way more new guys on offense than we do on defense,” Dillingham noted. “That’s kind of normal in camp; it’s also normal to make more (missing assignments) before a game week because you have the big arsenal of plays. We have a pretty big playbook, but we’ll get into a game plan and shrink that thing down. The MAs should shrink pretty drastically.” </p><p>The lackluster offensive plays we’re not often either. Dillingham was detailed in delivering the information, as many of the penalties and sacks allowed happened when the offense was in and around the red zone, looking to attack for touchdowns.</p><p>“It’s not every play, it’s once every four to five plays,” Dillingham said. “We’re explosive, but our consistency isn’t there, and if we wanna be a great offense, we’re going to be explosive and consistent. Which means if our explosive plays don’t score, it’s gonna lead to three points over and over and over again.”</p><p>A tangible factor to ASU’s false-starting issue Saturday could also be attributed to the changes up front. Over the last five practices during week three of camp, redshirt freshman lineman <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/wade-helton-174640/">Wade Helton</a></strong>, who transferred from Iowa State alongside his twin brother<strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/brent-helton-174654/"> Brent Helton</a></strong>, has slotted in at center amongst the first team. </p><p>The coaching staff has iterated that the starting lineup up front is not yet decided, which has seen graduate Ben Coleman shift between center and his position in 2024 left guard. When Coleman is at center, redshirt senior Jimeto Obigbo plays at left guard, and while Helton is at the helm, Coleman is back at left guard. </p><p><br>To give the offensive line some credit, the defensive front they are facing is a ferocious bunch. In 2024, ASU had the best run defense in the Big 12 conference, being the only team that allowed less than 115 rushing yards per game. </p><p>Finishing near the middle of the pack in the pass rushing department, however, gave many players, particularly the edge rushers, another point to prove headed into the new season, and it’s shown all camp, including Saturday. All of ASU’s primary edge rushers are in their fifth season as collegiate players; <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/clayton-smith-23963/">Clayton Smith</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/justin-wodtly-70010/">Justin Wodtly</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/prince-dorbah-96919/">Prince Dorbah,</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/elijah-oneal-163311/">Elijah O’Neal </a></strong>have often harassed sophomore quarterback <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/sam-leavitt-104361/">Sam Leavitt</a></strong>, and they’ll likely do the same to other Big 12 signal callers as well. </p><p>“Hopefully our defense is good, and that’s why it’s hard to go against them,” Dillingham laughed. “It’s always more worrisome if your offense is scoring tons of points in camp than if your defense is playing good. </p><p>“Clayton (Smith) shot me a photo of him weighing 260 today, so I mean, they want it, there’s a want to there with that group, and it shows up. You can see the chaos they’re causing in this camp.” </p><pre class="wp-block-code"><code> <a href="https://www.on3.com/sites/asu-devils/join/"> <img src="https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=95,format=jpg/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/07/30211349/ASUDevils-x-The-Athletic-1080x1350-1.png"> </a> </code></pre>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>Inside Hilltopper Sports</source><dc:publisher>Inside Hilltopper Sports</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:10:05 +0000</pubDate><category>DevilsDigest Football</category><category>Arizona State Sun Devils</category><category>DevilsDigest</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">e3d31c99-a05e-3acb-9c62-b610ad37249e</guid><title><![CDATA[A drive for uncharted success motivates ASU to build consistency]]></title><link>https://www.on3.com/sites/asu-devils/news/a-drive-for-uncharted-success-motivates-asu-to-build-consistency/?yptr=yahoo</link><description><![CDATA[In its program history, Arizona State has been ranked 24 times in the AP’s preseason Top 25 poll, and just seven of those seasons have taken place since the turn of the century, and only three of those years are in the College Football Playoff era. Last Monday, when the Sun Devils came in at […]]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<img alt="ASU Head Coach Kenny Dillingham " class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" height="776" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/flyer_hoops_685/7e9f92d910ed4bceb00c106f64496add" width="1518" data-uuid="35499f0d-c997-3c0a-a65a-91b8366e4772"><pre class="wp-block-code"><code><a href="https://www.SanTanFord.com"> <img src="https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=95,format=jpg/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/07/25180034/2024-San-Tan-Ford-Banner-3.jpg"> </a></code></pre><p>In its program history, Arizona State has been ranked 24 times in the AP’s preseason Top 25 poll, and just seven of those seasons have taken place since the turn of the century, and only three of those years are in the College Football Playoff era. Last Monday, when the Sun Devils came in at No.11 in the 2025 preseason poll, it marked the third-highest preseason ranking in the program’s history and the best ranking since 1998. </p><p>However, when ASU is projected to be in the upper echelon of college football, it’s usually a drastic indicator of how the season will unfold. The last time ASU went wire-to-wire in the AP Poll was in 2014, when it had a preseason ranking of No. 19 and then proceeded to finish the season at No. 12.</p><p>In the other four of the Sun Devils’ top five preseason rankings, they were slotted in at No.3, No.8, No.12, and No.13, all between 1972 and 1998 under three separate head coaches. In just one of those seasons did ASU have a winning record. </p><p>When ASU was picked No.3 in 1976 under legendary head coach Frank Kush, the team finished 4-7, losing its first four games of the season. In 1998, when the team was touted at No.8 in the nation, they went on to finish 5-6, losing all four games that year against ranked opposition, and in 1984 when projected to be the No.13 best team in the country ASU finished 5-6 as well, not winning consecutive games until week 10. </p><p>For this very reason, the Sun Devils have thrown preseason hype out of the window, and according to head coach <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/kenny-dillingham-134879/">Kenny Dillingham</a></strong>, Saturday, defying the status quo for highly ranked teams in Tempe is a major goal for the program. </p><p>“I’ve shown (the players) the stats on when ASU is ranked in the top-15 over the last 50 years, what happens? It’s never good.” Dillingham said. “We’re trying to beat history; we’re not just facing opponents; we’re facing 50 years of history.</p><p>“Anytime you face 50 years of history, that’s not an accident; it’s 50 years of history. That’s difficult to overcome, and I try to reiterate to them how hard that is and how this is going to be one of the most challenging tasks they’ll ever face.” </p><p>On Saturday, Dillingham and ASU held an intersquad scrimmage under the lights of Mountain America Stadium. The practice was live football for nearly two hours with no tackling; however, the defense didn’t need any hard hits to set the tone. </p><p>Offensively, the gears are still shifting, and players are continuing to improve, but the productive plays are more spread out than desired. Often during the scrimmage, the offense would take one step forward, then two steps back, and despite their high level of talent, Dillingham understands that won’t be a recipe for success during the season. </p><p>“That was the definition defensively of you give up a big play and then you survive and win in the low red zone, that’s what good defenses do,” Dillingham noted. “Offense, it was self-destruct, every drive there was a false start or a low red zone (missing assignment). </p><p>“That starts with me when I look at mistakes like that, I think to myself, ‘okay, what are (the coaches) doing wrong, because at the end of the day it’s our job to get 11 people to do the right thing.”</p><p>Dillingham did give the offensive players lawful grace. Going up against a defense returning 11 starters from one year to the next is always an uphill battle, especially when those defenders know you’re every move and trick.</p><p> On top of that, the offense is calling a heap of plays, which won’t be the case during game weeks when the coaching staff narrows down a particular game plan rather than exposing the entire offense. </p><p>“We have way more new guys on offense than we do on defense,” Dillingham noted. “That’s kind of normal in camp; it’s also normal to make more (missing assignments) before a game week because you have the big arsenal of plays. We have a pretty big playbook, but we’ll get into a game plan and shrink that thing down. The MAs should shrink pretty drastically.” </p><p>The lackluster offensive plays we’re not often either. Dillingham was detailed in delivering the information, as many of the penalties and sacks allowed happened when the offense was in and around the red zone, looking to attack for touchdowns.</p><p>“It’s not every play, it’s once every four to five plays,” Dillingham said. “We’re explosive, but our consistency isn’t there, and if we wanna be a great offense, we’re going to be explosive and consistent. Which means if our explosive plays don’t score, it’s gonna lead to three points over and over and over again.”</p><p>A tangible factor to ASU’s false-starting issue Saturday could also be attributed to the changes up front. Over the last five practices during week three of camp, redshirt freshman lineman <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/wade-helton-174640/">Wade Helton</a></strong>, who transferred from Iowa State alongside his twin brother<strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/brent-helton-174654/"> Brent Helton</a></strong>, has slotted in at center amongst the first team. </p><p>The coaching staff has iterated that the starting lineup up front is not yet decided, which has seen graduate Ben Coleman shift between center and his position in 2024 left guard. When Coleman is at center, redshirt senior Jimeto Obigbo plays at left guard, and while Helton is at the helm, Coleman is back at left guard. </p><p><br>To give the offensive line some credit, the defensive front they are facing is a ferocious bunch. In 2024, ASU had the best run defense in the Big 12 conference, being the only team that allowed less than 115 rushing yards per game. </p><p>Finishing near the middle of the pack in the pass rushing department, however, gave many players, particularly the edge rushers, another point to prove headed into the new season, and it’s shown all camp, including Saturday. All of ASU’s primary edge rushers are in their fifth season as collegiate players; <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/clayton-smith-23963/">Clayton Smith</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/justin-wodtly-70010/">Justin Wodtly</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/prince-dorbah-96919/">Prince Dorbah,</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/elijah-oneal-163311/">Elijah O’Neal </a></strong>have often harassed sophomore quarterback <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/sam-leavitt-104361/">Sam Leavitt</a></strong>, and they’ll likely do the same to other Big 12 signal callers as well. </p><p>“Hopefully our defense is good, and that’s why it’s hard to go against them,” Dillingham laughed. “It’s always more worrisome if your offense is scoring tons of points in camp than if your defense is playing good. </p><p>“Clayton (Smith) shot me a photo of him weighing 260 today, so I mean, they want it, there’s a want to there with that group, and it shows up. You can see the chaos they’re causing in this camp.” </p><pre class="wp-block-code"><code> <a href="https://www.on3.com/sites/asu-devils/join/"> <img src="https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=95,format=jpg/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/07/30211349/ASUDevils-x-The-Athletic-1080x1350-1.png"> </a> </code></pre>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>Rivals Dayton</source><dc:publisher>Rivals Dayton</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:10:05 +0000</pubDate><category>DevilsDigest Football</category><category>Arizona State Sun Devils</category><category>DevilsDigest</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">fa54d930-5d33-37d8-b686-0ab8d8240aa3</guid><title><![CDATA[A drive for uncharted success motivates ASU to build consistency]]></title><link>https://www.on3.com/sites/asu-devils/news/a-drive-for-uncharted-success-motivates-asu-to-build-consistency/?yptr=yahoo</link><description><![CDATA[In its program history, Arizona State has been ranked 24 times in the AP’s preseason Top 25 poll, and just seven of those seasons have taken place since the turn of the century, and only three of those years are in the College Football Playoff era. Last Monday, when the Sun Devils came in at […]]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<img alt="ASU Head Coach Kenny Dillingham " class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" height="776" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/herd_nation_418/7e9f92d910ed4bceb00c106f64496add" width="1518" data-uuid="f4e1a94e-6835-3de6-adfe-31d40392c27d"><pre class="wp-block-code"><code><a href="https://www.SanTanFord.com"> <img src="https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=95,format=jpg/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/07/25180034/2024-San-Tan-Ford-Banner-3.jpg"> </a></code></pre><p>In its program history, Arizona State has been ranked 24 times in the AP’s preseason Top 25 poll, and just seven of those seasons have taken place since the turn of the century, and only three of those years are in the College Football Playoff era. Last Monday, when the Sun Devils came in at No.11 in the 2025 preseason poll, it marked the third-highest preseason ranking in the program’s history and the best ranking since 1998. </p><p>However, when ASU is projected to be in the upper echelon of college football, it’s usually a drastic indicator of how the season will unfold. The last time ASU went wire-to-wire in the AP Poll was in 2014, when it had a preseason ranking of No. 19 and then proceeded to finish the season at No. 12.</p><p>In the other four of the Sun Devils’ top five preseason rankings, they were slotted in at No.3, No.8, No.12, and No.13, all between 1972 and 1998 under three separate head coaches. In just one of those seasons did ASU have a winning record. </p><p>When ASU was picked No.3 in 1976 under legendary head coach Frank Kush, the team finished 4-7, losing its first four games of the season. In 1998, when the team was touted at No.8 in the nation, they went on to finish 5-6, losing all four games that year against ranked opposition, and in 1984 when projected to be the No.13 best team in the country ASU finished 5-6 as well, not winning consecutive games until week 10. </p><p>For this very reason, the Sun Devils have thrown preseason hype out of the window, and according to head coach <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/kenny-dillingham-134879/">Kenny Dillingham</a></strong>, Saturday, defying the status quo for highly ranked teams in Tempe is a major goal for the program. </p><p>“I’ve shown (the players) the stats on when ASU is ranked in the top-15 over the last 50 years, what happens? It’s never good.” Dillingham said. “We’re trying to beat history; we’re not just facing opponents; we’re facing 50 years of history.</p><p>“Anytime you face 50 years of history, that’s not an accident; it’s 50 years of history. That’s difficult to overcome, and I try to reiterate to them how hard that is and how this is going to be one of the most challenging tasks they’ll ever face.” </p><p>On Saturday, Dillingham and ASU held an intersquad scrimmage under the lights of Mountain America Stadium. The practice was live football for nearly two hours with no tackling; however, the defense didn’t need any hard hits to set the tone. </p><p>Offensively, the gears are still shifting, and players are continuing to improve, but the productive plays are more spread out than desired. Often during the scrimmage, the offense would take one step forward, then two steps back, and despite their high level of talent, Dillingham understands that won’t be a recipe for success during the season. </p><p>“That was the definition defensively of you give up a big play and then you survive and win in the low red zone, that’s what good defenses do,” Dillingham noted. “Offense, it was self-destruct, every drive there was a false start or a low red zone (missing assignment). </p><p>“That starts with me when I look at mistakes like that, I think to myself, ‘okay, what are (the coaches) doing wrong, because at the end of the day it’s our job to get 11 people to do the right thing.”</p><p>Dillingham did give the offensive players lawful grace. Going up against a defense returning 11 starters from one year to the next is always an uphill battle, especially when those defenders know you’re every move and trick.</p><p> On top of that, the offense is calling a heap of plays, which won’t be the case during game weeks when the coaching staff narrows down a particular game plan rather than exposing the entire offense. </p><p>“We have way more new guys on offense than we do on defense,” Dillingham noted. “That’s kind of normal in camp; it’s also normal to make more (missing assignments) before a game week because you have the big arsenal of plays. We have a pretty big playbook, but we’ll get into a game plan and shrink that thing down. The MAs should shrink pretty drastically.” </p><p>The lackluster offensive plays we’re not often either. Dillingham was detailed in delivering the information, as many of the penalties and sacks allowed happened when the offense was in and around the red zone, looking to attack for touchdowns.</p><p>“It’s not every play, it’s once every four to five plays,” Dillingham said. “We’re explosive, but our consistency isn’t there, and if we wanna be a great offense, we’re going to be explosive and consistent. Which means if our explosive plays don’t score, it’s gonna lead to three points over and over and over again.”</p><p>A tangible factor to ASU’s false-starting issue Saturday could also be attributed to the changes up front. Over the last five practices during week three of camp, redshirt freshman lineman <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/wade-helton-174640/">Wade Helton</a></strong>, who transferred from Iowa State alongside his twin brother<strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/brent-helton-174654/"> Brent Helton</a></strong>, has slotted in at center amongst the first team. </p><p>The coaching staff has iterated that the starting lineup up front is not yet decided, which has seen graduate Ben Coleman shift between center and his position in 2024 left guard. When Coleman is at center, redshirt senior Jimeto Obigbo plays at left guard, and while Helton is at the helm, Coleman is back at left guard. </p><p><br>To give the offensive line some credit, the defensive front they are facing is a ferocious bunch. In 2024, ASU had the best run defense in the Big 12 conference, being the only team that allowed less than 115 rushing yards per game. </p><p>Finishing near the middle of the pack in the pass rushing department, however, gave many players, particularly the edge rushers, another point to prove headed into the new season, and it’s shown all camp, including Saturday. All of ASU’s primary edge rushers are in their fifth season as collegiate players; <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/clayton-smith-23963/">Clayton Smith</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/justin-wodtly-70010/">Justin Wodtly</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/prince-dorbah-96919/">Prince Dorbah,</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/elijah-oneal-163311/">Elijah O’Neal </a></strong>have often harassed sophomore quarterback <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/sam-leavitt-104361/">Sam Leavitt</a></strong>, and they’ll likely do the same to other Big 12 signal callers as well. </p><p>“Hopefully our defense is good, and that’s why it’s hard to go against them,” Dillingham laughed. “It’s always more worrisome if your offense is scoring tons of points in camp than if your defense is playing good. </p><p>“Clayton (Smith) shot me a photo of him weighing 260 today, so I mean, they want it, there’s a want to there with that group, and it shows up. You can see the chaos they’re causing in this camp.” </p><pre class="wp-block-code"><code> <a href="https://www.on3.com/sites/asu-devils/join/"> <img src="https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=95,format=jpg/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/07/30211349/ASUDevils-x-The-Athletic-1080x1350-1.png"> </a> </code></pre>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>Herd Nation</source><dc:publisher>Herd Nation</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:10:05 +0000</pubDate><category>DevilsDigest Football</category><category>Arizona State Sun Devils</category><category>DevilsDigest</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">446b5e0f-7e5f-3d71-b049-e2d22825d783</guid><title><![CDATA[A drive for uncharted success motivates ASU to build consistency]]></title><link>https://www.on3.com/sites/asu-devils/news/a-drive-for-uncharted-success-motivates-asu-to-build-consistency/?yptr=yahoo</link><description><![CDATA[In its program history, Arizona State has been ranked 24 times in the AP’s preseason Top 25 poll, and just seven of those seasons have taken place since the turn of the century, and only three of those years are in the College Football Playoff era. Last Monday, when the Sun Devils came in at […]]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<img alt="ASU Head Coach Kenny Dillingham " class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" height="776" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/go_powercat_44/7e9f92d910ed4bceb00c106f64496add" width="1518" data-uuid="664d4bcd-cabe-3520-8502-bcddc435ed46"><pre class="wp-block-code"><code><a href="https://www.SanTanFord.com"> <img src="https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=95,format=jpg/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/07/25180034/2024-San-Tan-Ford-Banner-3.jpg"> </a></code></pre><p>In its program history, Arizona State has been ranked 24 times in the AP’s preseason Top 25 poll, and just seven of those seasons have taken place since the turn of the century, and only three of those years are in the College Football Playoff era. Last Monday, when the Sun Devils came in at No.11 in the 2025 preseason poll, it marked the third-highest preseason ranking in the program’s history and the best ranking since 1998. </p><p>However, when ASU is projected to be in the upper echelon of college football, it’s usually a drastic indicator of how the season will unfold. The last time ASU went wire-to-wire in the AP Poll was in 2014, when it had a preseason ranking of No. 19 and then proceeded to finish the season at No. 12.</p><p>In the other four of the Sun Devils’ top five preseason rankings, they were slotted in at No.3, No.8, No.12, and No.13, all between 1972 and 1998 under three separate head coaches. In just one of those seasons did ASU have a winning record. </p><p>When ASU was picked No.3 in 1976 under legendary head coach Frank Kush, the team finished 4-7, losing its first four games of the season. In 1998, when the team was touted at No.8 in the nation, they went on to finish 5-6, losing all four games that year against ranked opposition, and in 1984 when projected to be the No.13 best team in the country ASU finished 5-6 as well, not winning consecutive games until week 10. </p><p>For this very reason, the Sun Devils have thrown preseason hype out of the window, and according to head coach <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/kenny-dillingham-134879/">Kenny Dillingham</a></strong>, Saturday, defying the status quo for highly ranked teams in Tempe is a major goal for the program. </p><p>“I’ve shown (the players) the stats on when ASU is ranked in the top-15 over the last 50 years, what happens? It’s never good.” Dillingham said. “We’re trying to beat history; we’re not just facing opponents; we’re facing 50 years of history.</p><p>“Anytime you face 50 years of history, that’s not an accident; it’s 50 years of history. That’s difficult to overcome, and I try to reiterate to them how hard that is and how this is going to be one of the most challenging tasks they’ll ever face.” </p><p>On Saturday, Dillingham and ASU held an intersquad scrimmage under the lights of Mountain America Stadium. The practice was live football for nearly two hours with no tackling; however, the defense didn’t need any hard hits to set the tone. </p><p>Offensively, the gears are still shifting, and players are continuing to improve, but the productive plays are more spread out than desired. Often during the scrimmage, the offense would take one step forward, then two steps back, and despite their high level of talent, Dillingham understands that won’t be a recipe for success during the season. </p><p>“That was the definition defensively of you give up a big play and then you survive and win in the low red zone, that’s what good defenses do,” Dillingham noted. “Offense, it was self-destruct, every drive there was a false start or a low red zone (missing assignment). </p><p>“That starts with me when I look at mistakes like that, I think to myself, ‘okay, what are (the coaches) doing wrong, because at the end of the day it’s our job to get 11 people to do the right thing.”</p><p>Dillingham did give the offensive players lawful grace. Going up against a defense returning 11 starters from one year to the next is always an uphill battle, especially when those defenders know you’re every move and trick.</p><p> On top of that, the offense is calling a heap of plays, which won’t be the case during game weeks when the coaching staff narrows down a particular game plan rather than exposing the entire offense. </p><p>“We have way more new guys on offense than we do on defense,” Dillingham noted. “That’s kind of normal in camp; it’s also normal to make more (missing assignments) before a game week because you have the big arsenal of plays. We have a pretty big playbook, but we’ll get into a game plan and shrink that thing down. The MAs should shrink pretty drastically.” </p><p>The lackluster offensive plays we’re not often either. Dillingham was detailed in delivering the information, as many of the penalties and sacks allowed happened when the offense was in and around the red zone, looking to attack for touchdowns.</p><p>“It’s not every play, it’s once every four to five plays,” Dillingham said. “We’re explosive, but our consistency isn’t there, and if we wanna be a great offense, we’re going to be explosive and consistent. Which means if our explosive plays don’t score, it’s gonna lead to three points over and over and over again.”</p><p>A tangible factor to ASU’s false-starting issue Saturday could also be attributed to the changes up front. Over the last five practices during week three of camp, redshirt freshman lineman <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/wade-helton-174640/">Wade Helton</a></strong>, who transferred from Iowa State alongside his twin brother<strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/brent-helton-174654/"> Brent Helton</a></strong>, has slotted in at center amongst the first team. </p><p>The coaching staff has iterated that the starting lineup up front is not yet decided, which has seen graduate Ben Coleman shift between center and his position in 2024 left guard. When Coleman is at center, redshirt senior Jimeto Obigbo plays at left guard, and while Helton is at the helm, Coleman is back at left guard. </p><p><br>To give the offensive line some credit, the defensive front they are facing is a ferocious bunch. In 2024, ASU had the best run defense in the Big 12 conference, being the only team that allowed less than 115 rushing yards per game. </p><p>Finishing near the middle of the pack in the pass rushing department, however, gave many players, particularly the edge rushers, another point to prove headed into the new season, and it’s shown all camp, including Saturday. All of ASU’s primary edge rushers are in their fifth season as collegiate players; <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/clayton-smith-23963/">Clayton Smith</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/justin-wodtly-70010/">Justin Wodtly</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/prince-dorbah-96919/">Prince Dorbah,</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/elijah-oneal-163311/">Elijah O’Neal </a></strong>have often harassed sophomore quarterback <strong><a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/sam-leavitt-104361/">Sam Leavitt</a></strong>, and they’ll likely do the same to other Big 12 signal callers as well. </p><p>“Hopefully our defense is good, and that’s why it’s hard to go against them,” Dillingham laughed. “It’s always more worrisome if your offense is scoring tons of points in camp than if your defense is playing good. </p><p>“Clayton (Smith) shot me a photo of him weighing 260 today, so I mean, they want it, there’s a want to there with that group, and it shows up. You can see the chaos they’re causing in this camp.” </p><pre class="wp-block-code"><code> <a href="https://www.on3.com/sites/asu-devils/join/"> <img src="https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=95,format=jpg/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2025/07/30211349/ASUDevils-x-The-Athletic-1080x1350-1.png"> </a> </code></pre>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>EMAW Online</source><dc:publisher>EMAW Online</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:10:05 +0000</pubDate><category>DevilsDigest Football</category><category>Arizona State Sun Devils</category><category>DevilsDigest</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">9ddd765b-44df-32c3-b864-8be6a2d6c8d7</guid><title><![CDATA[Brock Bowers and Geno Smith needed each other in their careers more than they ever even knew, and it showed against 49ers]]></title><link>https://atozsports.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders-news/brock-bowers-catch-from-geno-smith-preseason-49ers/</link><description><![CDATA[The Las Vegas Raiders have found their duo with Geno Smith and Brock Bowers.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p><i><a href="https://atozsports.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders-news/brock-bowers-catch-from-geno-smith-preseason-49ers/">Brock Bowers and Geno Smith needed each other in their careers more than they ever even knew, and it showed against 49ers</a> originally appeared on <a href="https://atozsports.com">A to Z Sports</a>.</i></p><p>It's been a long, long time since the <a href="https://atozsports.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders-news/">Las Vegas Raiders</a> had an elite offensive duo with their quarterback and a weapon. In 2025, they could have several that qualify, but one specific one that has to do with Geno Smith and Brock Bowers.<br><br>Every team needs an elite duo with their quarterback, whether it be a Tom Brady-Rob Gronkowski type of duo, or even a Joe Burrow-Ja'Marr Chase type of duo, that the <a href="https://atozsports.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals-news/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> have. The Raiders haven't had that in some time, especially when it comes to the tight end position.</p><p>They had the tight end part of the equation last year with their rookie Brock Bowers. In his second year, he's already the best tight end in the league; now he just needs someone good to throw him the ball and complete the other end of that equation. Geno Smith is that.<br><br>For Smith, he has never really played with a guy like Bowers. He's played with D.K. Metcalf and other really good receivers, but never really an elite tight end. Now he has one, and hopefully, now the Raiders have that QB-TE duo that teams like the Kansas City Chiefs in the division have.<br><br>And, in a way, the two of them need each other more than they ever even knew, and we are already seeing that, as they appear to have an elite connection brewing.</p><h2>Geno Smith and Brock Bowers connect for a highlight play vs. the 49ers in the preseason</h2><p>Now, I know what everyone is going to say – I know it's just <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/article/ashton-jeanty-already-making-people-013046683.html" data-3p-content-referrer="https://atozsports.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders-news/ashton-jeanty-preseason-vs-49ers-run-over-defenders-stiff-arm/" data-original-link="https://atozsports.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders-news/ashton-jeanty-preseason-vs-49ers-run-over-defenders-stiff-arm/">a preseason game</a>, but can't we have a little fun here? Not to mention, the Raiders' offense to start the game was their starters, and the <a href="https://atozsports.com/nfl/san-francisco-49ers-news/">49ers' defense</a> to start that preseason game was their starters, or most of them.<br><br>And yet, Brock Bowers still "mossed" the defender, as Randy Moss would say, after catching a high pass from Geno Smith. And, it was one of the nicest catches we have ever seen Bowers make.</p><p><strong>View the <a href="https://atozsports.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders-news/brock-bowers-catch-from-geno-smith-preseason-49ers/">original article</a> to see embedded media.</strong></p><p>It would appear that the two of them have a pretty good chemistry already, because as we know from all reporters on-site every day at training camp, those kinds of plays happen between those two all the time in practice.<br><br>And if that's true, this could only end up being something that we see all the time.</p><p><i>This story was originally reported by <a href="https://atozsports.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders-news/brock-bowers-catch-from-geno-smith-preseason-49ers/">A to Z Sports</a> on Aug 17, 2025, where it first appeared.</i></p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>AtoZ Sports</source><dc:publisher>AtoZ Sports</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:08:21 +0000</pubDate><category>Geno Smith</category><category>NFL</category><category>Brock Bowers</category><category>Las Vegas Raiders News</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">45c353e6-7def-36d1-8447-4a6e032a936f</guid><title><![CDATA[MLB Umpire Facing Intense Criticism For Missed Calls in Angels-Dodgers]]></title><link>https://athlonsports.com/mlb/mlb-umpire-cb-bucknor-facing-criticism-missed-calls-angels-dodgers</link><description><![CDATA[An MLB umpire drew heavy criticism after multiple missed calls in the Dodgers vs. Angels game.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><i><a href="https://athlonsports.com/mlb/mlb-umpire-cb-bucknor-facing-criticism-missed-calls-angels-dodgers">MLB Umpire Facing Intense Criticism For Missed Calls in Angels-Dodgers</a> originally appeared on <a href="https://athlonsports.com">Athlon Sports</a>.</i></p><p>The Los Angeles Angels completed a six-game season sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers with a 6-5 win on Wednesday. It knocked the Dodgers out of first place in the National League West and gave the Angels a glimmer of hope in trying to snag a Wild Card spot.</p><p>The home plate umpire for the game was C.B. Bucknor, and his history has been well-documented. <a href="https://www.thebiglead.com/posts/mlb-worst-umpires-angel-hernandez-bucknor-wendelstedt-kulpa-01h2rf5ejrf2">The Big Lead ranked </a>Bucknor as the second-worst umpire in a 2023 rankings list, and the only one ahead of him was Angel Hernandez. </p><p>Bucknor also had plenty of questionable games behind the plate this season, including <a href="http://season-high%2028%20calls">missing a season-high 28 calls</a> in a game in June against the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals. </p><p>Bucknor, who umpired his first MLB game <a href="https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/umpire.php?p=bucknch88">in 1996</a>, became the talk of the baseball world Wednesday night for another heroic performance.</p><h2>Bucknor Facing Backlash After Awful Outing</h2><p></p><figure><img height="800" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/athlon_sports_articles_610/114365b05a6894509a317de968a8c7a5" width="1057" data-uuid="719eb6be-11f7-330f-9948-9eca2efefec4"><figcaption>Home plate umpire C.B. Bucknor (54) calls a strike during the sixth inning of a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p></p><p>Bucknor faced plenty of criticism for the calls he made during the game against the Angels and Dodgers, and it started even in the first inning. </p><p>"I went through the 1st inning of the Dodgers vs Angels game to see how many missed calls CB Bucknor had. Bucknor missed 7 calls in the 1st inning alone," one user wrote with a video. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">I went through the 1st inning of the Dodgers vs Angels game to see how many missed calls CB Bucknor had. Bucknor missed 7 calls in the 1st inning alone. <br><br>It’s actually mind boggling that he is still allowed to umpires games 🤦♂️ <a href="https://t.co/DRkjzkvsEc">pic.twitter.com/DRkjzkvsEc</a></p>— js9innings (@js9inningsmedia) <a href="https://twitter.com/js9inningsmedia/status/1955817391218196612?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2025</a></blockquote><p>An Angels fan account also posted a screenshot of some of Bucknor's missed calls. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">CB Bucknor is having an all-time bad game, aka a typical Wednesday night for him.<br><br>14 missed calls so far, and this is just for Angels pitchers. <a href="https://t.co/9DlXEP9iJb">pic.twitter.com/9DlXEP9iJb</a></p>— SellTheHalos (@BeyondTheHalo) <a href="https://twitter.com/BeyondTheHalo/status/1955842520119959929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2025</a></blockquote><p>According to the Balls and Strikes account on X, which posts reports after each game. Bucknor missed 24 calls, 12 in favor of each team. </p><p>They even <a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/?q=GamePk+%3D+%5B776752%5D+AND+PitchResult+%3D+%5B%22called_strike%22%5D+AND+GameDayPitchZone+%3D+%5B11%2C12%2C13%2C14%5D+Order+By+Timestamp+DESC">provided video links</a> of the missed balls and strike calls from the game. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Final: Dodgers 5, Angels 6<br>Umpire: CB Bucknor<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetsGoDodgers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetsGoDodgers</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RepTheHalo?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RepTheHalo</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LADvsLAA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LADvsLAA</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LAAvsLAD?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LAAvsLAD</a><br>Missed Balls: <a href="https://t.co/dBH7ySecGE">https://t.co/dBH7ySecGE</a><br>Missed Strikes: <a href="https://t.co/7p92wXBFdp">https://t.co/7p92wXBFdp</a><br>Video may not be available immediately after the game <a href="https://t.co/9Ajp3Nui1D">pic.twitter.com/9Ajp3Nui1D</a></p>— BallsAndStrikes (@umpstrikezone) <a href="https://twitter.com/umpstrikezone/status/1955853215305433336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2025</a></blockquote><p>The criticism continued from baseball fans online. </p><p>"CB Bucknor cooking up one of the worst umpired games of all time," one user <a href="https://x.com/jkunzel1/status/1955810079741239604?s=46&t=YAm5wwmcnC6J27chz4RDIQ">wrote</a>. "CB Bucknor needs to be investigated there’s no way he misses this many strike calls every game, batters are surprised they get to walk," another <a href="https://x.com/traaang/status/1955841263972094209?s=46&t=YAm5wwmcnC6J27chz4RDIQ">stated</a>. </p><p>Another fan called for Bucknor to be fired. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Enough is enough get rid of cb Bucknor <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MLB</a><a href="https://t.co/nhDk3IMbkq">pic.twitter.com/nhDk3IMbkq</a></p>— Pranav (@teddybear0015) <a href="https://twitter.com/teddybear0015/status/1955810926344724652?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2025</a></blockquote><p>"CB Bucknor is the new Angel Hernandez," <a href="https://x.com/KingofJUCO/status/1955851853125837119">said</a> another. "CB Bucknor should be unemployed btw," another <a href="https://x.com/Ralph_MasonJr/status/1955858239184363670">wrote</a>. "CB Bucknor is an embarrassment to baseball," another <a href="https://x.com/JScottie27/status/1955853624875114821">wrote.</a></p><p>Dodgers writer Blake Harris also posted a screenshot from the first inning. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">This many missed calls would be a pretty bad night for an umpire <br><br>This was CB Bucknor in the TOP OF THE 1ST INNING <a href="https://t.co/izpZgHRQtr">pic.twitter.com/izpZgHRQtr</a></p>— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlakeHHarris/status/1955811376984940917?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2025</a></blockquote><p>Dodgers' slugger Shohei Ohtani struck out looking in the eighth inning.</p><p>After striking out, he turned to Bucknor in disbelief after the pitch was out of the strike zone. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Shohei Ohtani did not seem to appreciate the difference in these calls from CB Bucknor from the first pitch to the last pitch of his at bat <a href="https://t.co/jlFYhCaylE">pic.twitter.com/jlFYhCaylE</a></p>— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) <a href="https://twitter.com/TalkinBaseball_/status/1955847906121912632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2025</a></blockquote><p>So, it was yet another awful performance from Bucknor, and this time, plenty of fans took notice. </p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/article/calls-mount-umpires-firing-mets-203358377.html" data-3p-content-referrer="https://athlonsports.com/mlb/calls-mount-for-umpire-john-bacon-firing-after-mets-loss-to-yankees" data-original-link="https://athlonsports.com/mlb/calls-mount-for-umpire-john-bacon-firing-after-mets-loss-to-yankees">Related: Calls Mount for Umpire's Firing After Mets' Loss to Yankees</a></strong></p><p><i>This story was originally reported by <a href="https://athlonsports.com/mlb/mlb-umpire-cb-bucknor-facing-criticism-missed-calls-angels-dodgers">Athlon Sports</a> on Aug 14, 2025, where it first appeared.</i></p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>Athlon Sports</source><dc:publisher>Athlon Sports</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:05:45 +0000</pubDate><category>MLB</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">6a1e54a4-d305-3f4e-8de2-09a37a10291e</guid><title><![CDATA[Real Madrid to blow Liverpool away with SENSATIONAL €18m contract offer]]></title><link>https://onefootball.com/en/news/real-madrid-to-blow-liverpool-away-with-sensational-18m-contract-offer-41523000</link><description><![CDATA[The 2025/26 Premier League season is underway but there are still several moving parts for defending champions Liverpool. There have been significant outgoings for Arne Slot’s side thus far - with T...]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img alt="Real Madrid to blow Liverpool away with SENSATIONAL €18m contract offer" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/anfield_watch_articles_625/fdb34e2bfabe11b05b423b332b461ae0" data-uuid="ef617e70-dc04-37d6-8345-1a9f19db0cf4"><figcaption>Real Madrid to blow Liverpool away with SENSATIONAL €18m contract offer</figcaption></figure><p><strong>The 2025/26 Premier League season is underway but there are still several moving parts for defending champions Liverpool. </strong></p><p>There have been significant outgoings for Arne Slot’s side thus far - with Tyler Morton and Darwin Nunez becoming the latest players through the Anfield exit door.</p><p>🚨2025/26 LFC x adidas range🚨</p><img height="0" width="1080" data-uuid="fb744013-601e-38d5-9764-f391c6de1649"><p>LFC x adidas</p><p><a href="https://assets.ikhnaie.me/click.html?wgcampaignid=1523405&wgprogramid=7413">Shop the away range TODAY</a></p><img height="0" width="1080" data-uuid="fb744013-601e-38d5-9764-f391c6de1649"><p>LFC x adidas</p><p><a href="https://assets.ikhnaie.me/click.html?wgcampaignid=1523405&wgprogramid=7413">Shop the home range today!</a></p><img height="0" width="1080" data-uuid="fb744013-601e-38d5-9764-f391c6de1649"><p>LFC x adidas</p><p><a href="https://assets.ikhnaie.me/click.html?wgcampaignid=1523405&wgprogramid=7413">Shop the goalkeeper range today</a></p><img height="0" width="1080" data-uuid="fb744013-601e-38d5-9764-f391c6de1649"><p>LFC x adidas</p><p><a href="https://assets.ikhnaie.me/click.html?wgcampaignid=1523405&wgprogramid=7413">Shop the new adidas range today!</a></p><p>We could see more go before the transfer window closes - with Ben Doak and Harvey Elliott among those earmarked for a departure.</p><p>🔴</p><p>Question marks also exist over <a href="https://www.anfieldwatch.co.uk/liverpool-fc/players/ibrahima-konate/" title="Ibrahima Konate">Ibrahima Konate</a> - despite the Frenchman being a preferred starter for the side under Slot. The 26-year-old’s contract expires in 2026 and so far no agreement has been reached over a new deal.</p><iframe></iframe><h2>Barca and Madrid fight for Konate</h2><p>If there is no accord then Liverpool may opt to cash in on the former RB Leipzig man this summer - with €50m mentioned as a potential price tag.</p><p>The power is very much in Konate’s hands. Unless Liverpool can make him an enticing offer then he will be entitled to talk to potentially interested overseas clubs about a free transfer as soon as January.</p><p>Barcelona are among the teams reportedly interested - and could make a bid as early as the current transfer window - but it’s perhaps Real Madrid who are considered frontrunners for his signature.</p><iframe src="https://youtube.com/embed/NDr3Gtjyv3M"></iframe><h2>Madrid willing to pay ONLY €30m for Konate</h2><p>A new report in <a href="https://www.defensacentral.com/fichajes/acuerdo-en-real-madrid-30-millones-bonus-por-su-nuevo-central_315388_102.html">Defensa Central </a>claims that Los Blancos are willing to pay €30m for Konate this summer - plus another €5m in bonuses - if they are given any encouragement by the Reds.</p><p>However, the same reports adds that Konate could cash in beyond his wildest dreams if he holds out for a Bosman until 2026.</p><p>“Florentino Pérez believes the best time to secure the center-back's services is when his contract with the Reds expires, in the middle of next year,” the report reads.</p><p>“Real Madrid would be happy to give the French defender a signing fee of between €15 and €18 million, a considerable argument to persuade the still- Reds number 5 to sign.”</p><img height="0" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/anfield_watch_articles_625/cd2676dee03324b7f690047dbd2b20a2" width="0" data-uuid="7cadf4fc-9221-31dd-b9d5-8a329ba269c7"><p>© IMAGO</p><h2>Konate's incredible €18m payday</h2><p>The figures on offer are in line with what the 15-time European champions paid to Trent Alexander-Arnold in order to convince him to swap Anfield for the Bernabeu this summer.</p><p>With Konate said to be making around £140k per week at Liverpool, the financial incentives for committing to Real Madrid are therefore huge.</p><p>It has previously been reported that Konate would be willing to settle for a £200k per week deal in order to stay on Merseyside. But right now it doesn’t seem likely that the club will get him to sign.</p><p>Therefore Liverpool could MISS OUT on a potential €50m payday - and Konate could be raking in €15m to €18m of that proposed sum all to himself.</p><p><a href="https://www.anfieldwatch.co.uk/liverpool-fc/news/liverpool-transfer-news-newcastle-united-giovanni-leoni-alexander-isak/"><strong>Having signed Giovanni Leoni </strong></a>and with Marc Guehi potentially arriving before the end of the window - it could be all change in the heart of Liverpool’s defence.</p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>Anfield Watch</source><dc:publisher>Anfield Watch</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:05:00 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">b7036607-3a32-3dd0-8d11-c5a801be2aac</guid><title><![CDATA[Ipswich Town vs Southampton – Match preview and team news]]></title><link>https://onefootball.com/en/news/ipswich-town-vs-southampton-match-preview-and-team-news-41523050</link><description><![CDATA[Ipswich Town and Southampton go head-to-head in the Sky Bet Championship at Portman Road on Sunday.Both sides will be searching for a positive start to their respective campaigns in this eagerly antic...]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img alt="Ipswich Town vs Southampton – Match preview and team news" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_football_faithful_articles_458/b1d818d89d1fdb86b1c5b383ff71970b" data-uuid="391c3d8b-273e-30c7-9f80-99a68103bd21"><figcaption>Ipswich Town vs Southampton – Match preview and team news</figcaption></figure><p><strong>Ipswich Town and Southampton go head-to-head in the Sky Bet Championship at Portman Road on Sunday.</strong></p><p>Both sides will be searching for a positive start to their respective campaigns in this eagerly anticipated clash between two relegated Premier League outfits.</p><h2>Ipswich Town vs Southampton – Match Preview and Team News</h2><ul><li>Date: Sunday 17th August 2025</li><li>Kick-off: 12pm BST.</li><li>Venue: Portman Road</li></ul><h2>Team News</h2><h2>Ipswich Town</h2><p>Miens Cajuste has returned on loan from Napoli for a second season, while Azor Matusiwa and Cédric Kipré are among the other arrivals to have bolstered Kieran McKenna’s squad depth. However, the Tractor Boys will again be without Wes Burns, who is undergoing surgery following an ACL injury, and full-backs Conor Townsend and Harry Clarke remain sidelined with knee issues.</p><h2>Southampton</h2><p>New boss Will Still is getting to grips with his Saints squad after replacing Russell Martin in June, and could introduce summer recruits Joshua Quarshie and Damion Downs into the starting side. There are no fresh injury concerns after Saints opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over Wrexham, giving Still a full first-team squad to select from.</p><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block;text-align:center;"></ins><h2>Form</h2><h2>Ipswich Town: DD</h2><p>The Tractor Boys were held to a 1-1 draw at Birmingham City on the opening day, George Hirst’s stoppage-time penalty rescuing a point. In midweek, Ipswich exited the Carabao Cup on penalties to League Two Bromley.</p><h2>Southampton: WW</h2><p>Saints began life under Will Still with a 2-1 victory over Wrexham at St Mary’s, second-half goals from Jack Stephens and Ryan Manning overturning an early deficit to secure three points. Southampton followed that win with cup progress, beating Northampton Town 1-0 in midweek.</p><h2>Predicted Lineups</h2><p><strong>Ipswich Town:</strong> Palmer; Davis, Woolfenden, O’Shea, Greaves; Cajuste, Matusiwa; Philogene, Taylor, Clarke; Hirst.</p><p><strong>Southampton:</strong> Bazunu; Sugawara, Edwards, Stephens, Quarshie, Welington; Downes, Charles; Fraser, Robinson, Armstrong.</p><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block;text-align:center;"></ins><h2>How to watch Ipswich Town vs Southampton?</h2><p>Ipswich Town v Southampton will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Ultra HDR ,</p><h2>What time is kick-off?</h2><p>12:00 BST. 17th August, Sunday.</p><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Read Also – <a href="https://thefootballfaithful.com/mikel-arteta-viktor-gyokeres-arsenal-destory-premier-league/" target="_blank">Arteta backs Arsenal signing to ‘destroy’ Premier League defences</a></strong></p><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>See More – <a href="https://thefootballfaithful.com/the-most-exciting-non-big-six-premier-league-transfers-this-summer/" target="_blank">The most exciting non-Big Six Premier League transfers this summer</a></strong></p><h2>Subscribe to our social channels:</h2><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/FootyFaithful" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thefootballfaithfuldotcom/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/FootyFaithful_">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUgN0WQEhxRbfTdlbkEG7zQ" target="_blank">YouTube</a></strong></p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>The Football Faithful</source><dc:publisher>The Football Faithful</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:05:00 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">0915ab44-e7b9-3333-af4f-64463496ab24</guid><title><![CDATA[PSG XI vs Nantes – Predicted lineup and team news]]></title><link>https://onefootball.com/en/news/psg-xi-vs-nantes-predicted-lineup-and-team-news-41523052</link><description><![CDATA[PSG face Nantes at the Stade de la Beaujoire on Sunday for an exciting Ligue 1 encounter in the season opener.This match marks the beginning of PSG title defence, and fans can expect a competitive aff...]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img alt="PSG XI vs Nantes – Predicted lineup and team news" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_football_faithful_articles_458/f2dd7a53c06b96cee80f2c4539abdedd" data-uuid="ccae365c-34bc-3216-ba95-817902cf7d88"><figcaption>PSG XI vs Nantes – Predicted lineup and team news</figcaption></figure><p><strong>PSG face Nantes at the Stade de la Beaujoire on Sunday for an exciting Ligue 1 encounter in the season opener.</strong></p><p>This match marks the beginning of PSG title defence, and fans can expect a competitive affair as Nantes look to make their home ground a tough place to visit .</p><h2>PSG XI vs Nantes – Predicted lineup and team news</h2><h2>PSG Team News</h2><p>Paris Saint-Germain face selection headaches, with midfielder João Neves suspended after his red card in the Club World Cup final, and young midfielder Senny Mayulu sidelined by a thigh injury.</p><p>Gianluigi Donnarumma has been omitted following his announced departure, clearing the way for new signing Lucas Chevalier to make his competitive debut between the sticks and recent high-profile defensive signing Illia Zabarnyi from Bournemouth (€63M) strengthens the backline.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Paris Saint-Germain are delighted to welcome Illia Zabarnyi to the Club. <br><br>The 22-year-old central defender, who will wear the number six shirt, is the Club’s first-ever Ukrainian player.<br><br>🔗 <a href="https://t.co/mRwNZS3uXI">https://t.co/mRwNZS3uXI</a><a href="https://t.co/NojPN9mhgO">pic.twitter.com/NojPN9mhgO</a></p>— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) <a href="https://twitter.com/PSG_English/status/1955189167136125273?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2025</a></blockquote><p>Luis Enrique’s squad remains formidable. Ousmane Dembélé, Desire Doue, Goncalo Ramos, Bradley Barcola and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are all vying for spots in a fluid front three. PSG will deploy their favoured 4-3-3, blending experience and youth to unlock Nantes’ defence.</p><p>Overall, PSG’s lineup is built to sustain dominance domestically and compete strongly in European competition. Recent squad changes have added depth in key areas, especially in goal and central defence.</p><p>The exclusion of Donnarumma and suspension of Neves create some adjustments, but the squad depth compensates well with quality alternatives ready to step in. This lineup reflects PSG’s ambition to continue collecting trophies in 2025/26.</p><h2>PSG Predicted Lineup</h2><p><strong>PSG predicted XI:</strong> Chevalier; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, Ruiz; Doue, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia.</p><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block;text-align:center;"></ins><h2>When is Nantes vs PSG?</h2><p>Kick-off is 7:45pm BST on Sunday, 17 August 2025, at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.</p><h2>How to Watch Nantes vs PSG?</h2><p></p><p style="text-align:left;">In the UK, the Nantes vs PSG Ligue 1 match on Sunday, 17 August 2025, will be available to watch live on the Ligue 1 Pass streaming service. Ligue 1 Pass holds exclusive live coverage of Ligue 1 matches in the UK, including this fixture. The match is scheduled to kick off at 19:45 BST.</p><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Read Also – <a href="https://thefootballfaithful.com/five-ligue-1-transfer-targets-for-premier-league-clubs/" target="_blank">Five Ligue 1 transfer targets for Premier League clubs</a></strong></p><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>See More – <a href="https://thefootballfaithful.com/the-managers-to-win-the-uefa-super-cup-with-different-clubs/" target="_blank">The managers to win the UEFA Super Cup with different clubs</a></strong></p><h2>Subscribe to our social channels:</h2><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/FootyFaithful" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thefootballfaithfuldotcom/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/FootyFaithful_">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUgN0WQEhxRbfTdlbkEG7zQ" target="_blank">YouTube</a></strong></p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>The Football Faithful</source><dc:publisher>The Football Faithful</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:05:00 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">ae105b49-7d2c-3348-b1a1-d111bd8bf102</guid><title><![CDATA[Three things to watch as the Mets take the field in Williamsport for Little League Classic]]></title><link>https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/mlb/mets/2025/08/17/ny-mets-what-to-watch-in-little-league-classic-against-mariners/85675570007/</link><description><![CDATA[Clay Holmes will be pitching in his third Little League Classic on Sunday for the Mets. Many others will be experiencing the event for the first time.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — The Mets are ready to embrace their roots when they venture to the Little League International Complex in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on Sunday.</p><p>In a day chock full of events, the Mets will celebrate youth baseball by greeting the Little League players at the airport and taking in the action of the Little League World Series before closing out their series with the Mariners at 7:10 p.m. at the Journey Bank Ballpark at Bowman Field.</p><p>"From the time you show up, you get on the buses with the Little League kids, they’re full go," Clay Holmes, a two-time participant in the Little League Classic, told NorthJersey.com and The Record. "Obviously they’re asking baseball stuff but it’s anything. Anything goes with kids that age. It kind of just shows you the aspect of when baseball is fun and baseball is simple and when it’s just about the team and winning. It’s refreshing to be around."</p><p>Sunday will be the eighth installment of the classic, which the Mets have participated in once going back to August 2018 when they took down the Phillies, 8-2. They enter coming off a 3-1 victory over the Mariners on Saturday, behind a eight-strikeout performance by Nolan McLean in his debut.</p><p>The event will be a change of pace and a bit of nostalgia for the Mets, who are looking to turn a corner after losing 14 of their last 16 games entering Saturday's action. But it won't be a reprieve, the Mets players know that they still need to stay locked in on the mission at hand.</p><p>With the Little League Classic on deck Sunday, here are three things to know about the Mets' trip to Williamsport:</p><h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">Clay Holmes hits the Little League trifecta</h2><p><img alt="New York Mets starting pitcher Clay Holmes (35) delivers a pitch during the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on July 2, 2025, at Citi Field." height="2384" id="84449649007" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/the-bergen-record/a920385140058236b1a43e8c039cdc32" width="3576" data-uuid="34cc01bc-da7f-3b14-a12f-cca011619cda"></p><p>Holmes remembers of the innocence of taking the mound as a 12-year-old.</p><p>"It was pretty simple, just kind of rip it and let go in the zone," Holmes said.</p><p>The task will be a little more difficult on Sunday night when he takes on the ninth-highest scoring offense in Major League Baseball. </p><p>The start is a big one for Holmes, who pitched in the game as a member of the Pirates and Yankees in 2019 and 2024, respectively. The veteran right-hander only lasted 3⅔ innings and allowed five earned runs on six hits and five walks last time out in a no-decision against the Braves.</p><p>"I’ll treat it just kind of like any other game really, and make sure that I take care of my routine and stay on top of just the preparation and what I need to do to be ready," Holmes said. "It’s an important game. Obviously right now the wins matter."</p><p>During the week, Carlos Mendoza continued to back Holmes in his starting role, saying, "he's going to continue getting opportunities." The former closer enters the game with a 9-6 record, 3.71 ERA and 1.35 ERA across a career high 126 innings.</p><p>Holmes has had mixed results in Williamsport. Back in 2019, he threw two scoreless innings with four strikeouts working around one hit and three walks for the Pirates. Last season, he blew a save against the Tigers in an eventual 10-inning loss.</p><h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">A business trip for Pete Alonso and others</h2><p><img alt="Aug 12, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) is doused with water by left fielder Brandon Nimmo (9) and third baseman Brett Baty (7) after becoming the franchise all-time home leader at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images" height="2900" id="85641084007" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/the-bergen-record/32d63b65fe6991628c67032a44d034db" width="4350" data-uuid="833ae030-9085-3fa8-8534-1ca98665c429"></p><p>Pete Alonso joked that he expects to learn more from the little leaguers than they will from the five-time All-Star first baseman.</p><p>"They’re probably gonna be talking in some sort of lingo that I’m not gonna understand," Alonso told NorthJersey.com.</p><p>Alonso said that others who have played in the game, like Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil, have cautioned to fuel up on coffee to match the energy of the kids once they land for the big day ahead.</p><p>With the Mets looking to continue to shake off a team-wide slump, the game is a big one for the club's postseason hopes. They enter Sunday 1.5 games up on the Reds for the final playoff spot in the National League.</p><p>"You got to be locked," Alonso said. "It’s fun seeing the perspective. These kids have fresh eyes on the game. At the end of the day, we’re all big kids at heart. It should be really exciting."</p><p>The experience will mean that much more for the Mets if they can carry some momentum into a weeklong road trip next week, which includes stops in the Washington, D.C., and Atlanta.</p><p>"It’s fun to be there, but at the same time, we’re there, we’re playing a big league game and the wins and losses matter," Holmes said. "There’s still that aspect to it. It’s not like you’re just at a carnival. It’s like, ‘Hey, there’s something important here, and there’s a win to be had.'"</p><h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">Francisco Lindor enters swinging a hot bat</h2><p><img alt="Aug 16, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) reacts after hitting a RBI double against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images" height="4656" id="85693919007" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/the-bergen-record/33cdee71d5fbb4f5f7590a8dd10cbf4d" width="6976" data-uuid="250c4173-dfd2-3211-8b12-f9cb249ea213"></p><p>As Francisco Lindor goes, the Mets offense generally goes, and the shortstop is back to stacking up influential performances after going 0-for-30 in late July and 0-for-19 earlier this month.</p><p>In Saturday's 3-1 win, Lindor posted his fourth straight multi-hit performance. Over the Mets' last five games, Lindor is 11-for-20 with three home runs, nine runs, six RBIs and no strikeouts. </p><p>"What was happening was it was 0-for-20, 0-for-30, that's not the standard we have here," Lindor said. "Hopefully when I do go through it again, it's not as long. Just try to ride this wave as long as I can and try to stay up on it and hopefully it can be all the way to the end of the year."</p><p>Lindor is hoping to carry over that recent success in the Mets' momentous trip on Sunday.</p><p>"I never had the opportunity to be in the Little League World Series and I only saw it on TV, so I'm sure it's going to be a dream come true for a lot of players, a lot of kids out there," Lindor said. "And for us, it's going to be a good experience and it's going to take us back to where everything started."</p><p><em>This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: <a href="https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/mlb/mets/2025/08/17/ny-mets-what-to-watch-in-little-league-classic-against-mariners/85675570007/">NY Mets: Things to watch in the Little League Classic against Mariners</a></em></p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>The Bergen Record</source><dc:publisher>The Bergen Record</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:02:30 +0000</pubDate><category>mlb</category><category>sports</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">85ee5526-860e-3abc-8f6d-bb7e8d6fc131</guid><title><![CDATA[Tua Tagovailoa Doesn't Hold Back After Dolphins 'Embarrassed' By Lions]]></title><link>https://athlonsports.com/nfl/miami-dolphins/tua-tagovailoa-doesnt-hold-back-after-dolphins-embarrassed-by-lions</link><description><![CDATA[The Miami Dolphins have struggled through training camp and the first preseason game, but may have hit a new low in Wednesday's joint practice with the Detroit Lions. Reporters watching practice noted that Detroit outclassed the Dolphins on both offense and defense, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa struggling with timing and mistakes against the aggressive Lions' secondary. Speaking to reporters after practice, Tagovailoa refused to give himself a grade but admitted that his team was frustrated against the NFC Super Bowl contenders.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><i><a href="https://athlonsports.com/nfl/miami-dolphins/tua-tagovailoa-doesnt-hold-back-after-dolphins-embarrassed-by-lions">Tua Tagovailoa Doesn't Hold Back After Dolphins 'Embarrassed' By Lions</a> originally appeared on <a href="https://athlonsports.com">Athlon Sports</a>.</i></p><p>The Miami Dolphins have struggled through training camp and the first preseason game, but may have hit a new low in Wednesday's joint practice with the Detroit Lions.</p><p>Reporters watching practice noted that Detroit outclassed the Dolphins on both offense and defense, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa struggling with timing and mistakes against the aggressive Lions' secondary. </p><p>Speaking to reporters after practice, Tagovailoa refused to give himself a grade but admitted that his team was frustrated against the NFC Super Bowl contenders.</p><p>"For a grade, I wouldn't give myself a grade," <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/dolphins-encounter-frustrating-day-during-joint-practice-with-lions">Tagovailoa said</a>, via NFL.com. "I don't think that's fair to grade yourself. </p><p></p><figure><img height="718" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/athlon_sports_articles_610/637f1743274274c4c679c4e4ecbf1f28" width="1200" data-uuid="3e831395-85eb-3142-b0e6-e9afd48490a1"><figcaption>Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.Sam Navarro-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p></p><p>"My assessment -- I still wouldn't give myself a grade. I think that's for you guys to do with however you guys report that and whatnot. I think today offensively was a very frustrating day in regards to what we wanted to do, what we said we wanted to do. Came out and we just weren't able to get things jumpstarted, so that was very frustrating today."</p><p>Tagovailoa is coming off a season where he appeared in just 11 games, completing 72.9% of his passes for 2,867 yards with 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions.</p><h2>Dolphins Struggled in 'Lopsided' Practice</h2><p>Chris Cwik of Yahoo Sports <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/dolphins-get-embarrassed-during-disastrous-scrimmage-vs-lions-as-lopsided-a-joint-nfl-practice-as-ive-ever-seen-195930632.html">noted</a> that the Dolphins were "embarrassed" by the Lions in Wednesday's practice, which came after Miami already stumbled through mistakes in their preseason opener against the Chicago Bears.</p><p>The Athletic's Colton Pouncy had an even more <a href="https://x.com/colton_pouncy/status/1955667649318551768">brutal assessment</a>, calling it one of the worst performances he had seen from a team.</p><p>"That was the most lopsided joint practice I’ve ever seen. Lions dominated both sides," Pouncy shared in a post on X.</p><p>The practice may not bode well for Tagovailoa and the Dolphins, who dropped to 8-9 last season and return to a division with Super Bowl contending Buffalo Bills and a rising New England Patriots team.</p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/article/dolphins-tyreek-hill-responds-tua-190142581.html" data-3p-content-referrer="https://athlonsports.com/nfl/miami-dolphins/tyreek-hill-responds-to-tua-tagovailoas-comments-on-rebuilding-their-relationship" data-original-link="https://athlonsports.com/nfl/miami-dolphins/tyreek-hill-responds-to-tua-tagovailoas-comments-on-rebuilding-their-relationship">Related: Dolphins' Tyreek Hill Responds to Tua Tagovailoa's Comments on Rebuilding Their Relationship</a></strong></p><p><i>This story was originally reported by <a href="https://athlonsports.com/nfl/miami-dolphins/tua-tagovailoa-doesnt-hold-back-after-dolphins-embarrassed-by-lions">Athlon Sports</a> on Aug 14, 2025, where it first appeared.</i></p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>Athlon Sports</source><dc:publisher>Athlon Sports</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:01:43 +0000</pubDate><category>NFL</category><category>Miami Dolphins</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">0266ccf9-6673-3ac9-b3b5-8fe977d9f89c</guid><title><![CDATA[Flick talks Joan Garcia, Rashford, Yamal and red cards after Mallorca 0-3 Barcelona – “Not completely satisfied”]]></title><link>https://onefootball.com/en/news/flick-talks-joan-garcia-rashford-yamal-and-red-cards-after-mallorca-0-3-barcelona-not-completely-satisfied-41523033</link><description><![CDATA[Barcelona kicked off the 2025/26 La Liga campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win at Son Moix against Mallorca. Goals from Raphinha, Ferran Torres, and Lamine Yamal sealed all three points, though red card...]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img alt="Flick talks Joan Garcia, Rashford, Yamal and red cards after Mallorca 0-3 Barcelona – “Not completely satisfied”" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/barca_universal_articles_732/4bc9fda85d91c323c66bcaedc557165c" data-uuid="bc76bfea-e4db-3906-aa8b-4a444b3f294d"><figcaption>Flick talks Joan Garcia, Rashford, Yamal and red cards after Mallorca 0-3 Barcelona – “Not completely satisfied”</figcaption></figure><p>Barcelona kicked off the 2025/26 La Liga campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win at Son Moix against Mallorca. </p><p>Goals from Raphinha, Ferran Torres, and Lamine Yamal sealed all three points, though red cards shown to Mallorca’s Manu Morlanes and Vedat Muriqi had played a key role in the proceedings.</p><p>Although the scoreline may suggest otherwise, Barcelona actually looked quite off, especially after the two red cards, which forced them to take the foot off the gas pedal.</p><h2>What Flick said after win against Mallorca</h2><p>Speaking to the media after the game, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick admitted he wasn’t entirely happy with the team’s performance.</p><p><strong>“It’s positive to start with three points, but I can’t say I’m completely satisfied. With two more men, we should have controlled the game more and created more chances,” </strong>he said (h/t <a href="https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20250816/1002515816/flick-descontento-me-gustado-partido-jugar-50.html" target="_blank">Mundo Deportivo</a>).</p><p>Flick went on to allude to the same point of Barcelona looking careless after two red cards.</p><p><strong>“I didn’t like the game. After a 2-0 deficit and two red cards, I think the team played at 50 percent, and I didn’t like it. </strong></p><p><strong>“We can do better. Playing at 50 or 60 percent against nine players isn’t possible. We have to play faster. We have to improve some situations,”</strong> he added. </p><p>Flick also talked about Ferran Torres’ goal, which caused quite the controversy as Mallorca felt the goal shouldn’t have been allowed due to Antonio Raillo being on the ground.</p><img height="0" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/barca_universal_articles_732/95ef25261dcd103175482577c427c4ce" width="2048" data-uuid="69bb4092-04ca-3c85-99f4-c86b31c787f9"><p>Referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero’s decision to continue play for Ferran’s goal didn’t sit well with Mallorca (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)</p><p><strong>“I’m telling the team that we have to play until the referee stops the game. It’s a referee’s decision and we have to accept it,”</strong> he said. </p><p>The Barcelona coach went on to heap praise on Lamine Yamal as well for <a href="https://barcauniversal.com/joan-garcia-7-lamine-yamal-8-5-mallorca-0-3-barcelona-player-ratings/" target="_blank">his electric performance against Mallorca</a>.</p><p><strong>“The important thing is that he plays at this high level. He’s special, and everyone looks up to him. What I see is that he’s very motivated,” </strong>he said. </p><p>Finally, Flick talked about Barcelona’s debutants, Joan Garcia and Marcus Rashford. He also talked about youngster Jofre Torrents.</p><p><strong>“Joan had a great game. He can continue like this,”</strong> Flick said about the goalkeeper. As for Rashford, the coach added, <strong>“It wasn’t good for him because there was no space.”</strong></p><p>When asked about Torrents, who has been <a href="https://barcauniversal.com/real-betis-loan-offer-for-defensive-prodigy-rejected-by-barcelona/" target="_blank">courted by Real Betis recently</a>, Flick concluded, <strong>“It wasn’t a good part for him because there was no space.”</strong></p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>Barca Universal</source><dc:publisher>Barca Universal</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">5e8ce5fa-6928-3461-9419-b4c80d422b7f</guid><title><![CDATA[Multiple clubs in contact for “very important” Man United star, Amorim has made his decision]]></title><link>https://onefootball.com/en/news/multiple-clubs-in-contact-for-very-important-man-united-star-amorim-has-made-his-decision-41523008</link><description><![CDATA[Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has been linked with a move away from the club during the summer transfer window.However, he is regarded as an important member of the team, and Manchester Uni...]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img alt="Multiple clubs in contact for “very important” Man United star, Amorim has made his decision" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/stretty_news_articles_240/097b196a61a08ce903c9baabbfdbe58c" data-uuid="2d41e204-a588-35e4-93dc-e820c39d81aa"><figcaption>Multiple clubs in contact for “very important” Man United star, Amorim has made his decision</figcaption></figure><p><strong>Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has been linked with a move away from the club during the summer transfer window.</strong></p><p>However, he is regarded as an important member of the team, and <a href="https://strettynews.com/2025/08/06/manchester-united-reject-offers-harry-maguire-premier-league/">Manchester United do not plan to cash in on him</a>. Ruben Amorim is reportedly a fan of the defender, and he has decided not to let the defender move on.</p><h2>Amorim makes Maguire decision</h2><blockquote>Pete O’Rourke revealed on Football Insider: “A few clubs have been interested and made contact to check whether he would be available, but those talks have not been allowed to develop.“From what I hear, Ruben Amorim is a fan of him, and he doesn’t want to see him go. They see Maguire as a very important part of the squad, both on the pitch and off it.“He’s a leader and an experienced head in the dressing room for the younger players, but he’s also one of their better centre-backs every time he plays. He’s an integral part of what Amorim is looking to do, and there are no plans to let him go.”</blockquote><p>More Stories / <span class="topic">Latest News</span></p><p><a href="/2025/08/17/man-united-make-harry-maguire-transfer-decision/">Multiple clubs in contact for “very important” Man United star, Amorim has made his decision</a></p><p><a href="https://strettynews.com/2025/08/17/man-united-make-harry-maguire-transfer-decision/"> Aug 17 2025, 6:44</a></p><p><a href="/2025/08/16/fabrizio-romano-man-united-keen-carlos-baleba-brighton-amorim/">“I can guarantee that” – Fabrizio Romano insists Man Utd adamant to buy star liked by Amorim</a></p><p><a href="https://strettynews.com/2025/08/16/fabrizio-romano-man-united-keen-carlos-baleba-brighton-amorim/"> Aug 16 2025, 16:06</a></p><p><a href="/2025/08/16/man-united-call-off-carlos-baleba-morten-hjulmand/">Breaking: Man Utd ‘call off’ Baleba pursuit as new primary midfield target emerges</a></p><p><a href="https://strettynews.com/2025/08/16/man-united-call-off-carlos-baleba-morten-hjulmand/"> Aug 16 2025, 14:18</a></p><h2>Harry Maguire is a reliable performer</h2><img height="0" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/stretty_news_articles_240/0bb9dd58b03af08205604d3b2cfc7238" width="1200" data-uuid="1525f583-66e5-394a-a9d8-36fd14718709"><p>Maguire’s resurgence has been a joy to watch. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)</p><p>There is no doubt that Maguire is a reliable performer, and he’s also <a href="https://strettynews.com/2025/05/06/bruno-fernandes-man-utd-unsellable/">one of the leaders in the dressing room</a>. Manchester United are already lacking in depth in the defensive unit, and letting him move on would be a mistake.</p><p>Manchester United have looked vulnerable at the back, and they need to improve in that area of the pitch. Ideally, they should look to sign a quality central defender instead of selling their best players. It will be interesting to see how the situation develops.</p><p>They have done some impressive business during the summer transfer window so far, and it will be interesting to see if they can improve the midfield and the defence before the window closes. They will be hoping to push for a place in the top for the season, and they will look to do well in the domestic competitions as well.</p><p>Players like Maguire will be very useful for them as they look to win trophies in the coming months.</p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>Stretty News</source><dc:publisher>Stretty News</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">fae78785-7391-30c5-9517-922fec84afe7</guid><title><![CDATA[Bone broth and notebooks - meet England's latest bowling recruit]]></title><link>https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/articles/ce836lpjz9zo?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Bheadline%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D</link><description><![CDATA[Sonny Baker explains how eating bone broth and writing in notebooks has helped him become the latest fast bowler to be called up by England.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Sonny Baker is rarely short of words.</p><p>With the great James Anderson a Hundred team-mate for a month, England's newest pace bowler has had to rein it in.</p><p>"I've been fairly self-conscious," he tells BBC Sport.</p><p>"I know I ask a lot of questions, so I've been trying to ease him into that and not just spray him straight away."</p><p>When the 22-year-old received a phone call from an unknown number on Friday morning – a number that it later became clear belonged to England coach Brendon McCullum who was about to <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/c98ln56494vo?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">give him his first international call-up</a> – for once, Baker was truly tongue-tied.</p><p>"I said to him 'I promise I'm normally more talkative than this. I'm just a bit lost for words'," says Baker.</p><p>"Baz was like 'Yeah, I've heard…'."</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/c07p52xr8nzo?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">Cox thrills as Invincibles hit record Hundred score</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/c8ryyn1z4mro?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">'Closest thing to Jimmy' - young quick Baker shines for Originals</a></li></ul><p>Baker, who grew up in Devon and switched his cricketing home from Somerset to Hampshire last year, loves talking and fast bowling is his favourite topic.</p><p>Whether tactics, the mechanics of an action or looking after his body, the Hampshire quick is a self-confessed bowling nerd.</p><p>At times, it pushes the boundaries.</p><p>He drinks bone broth every day in an attempt to avoid a repeat of the back stress fractures that dogged the early part of his career.</p><p>"You basically put bones in boiling water, the same as a slow cooker, and it just dissolves the minerals out of the bone," he says. "You get collagen in there as well.</p><p>"If you chuck root veg or whatever in there, a bit of black pepper, it tastes quite nice.</p><p>"I think it has made a big difference."</p><p>Baker had his first stress fracture at 17, at which point he was considering a career as a teacher.</p><p>Others followed in 2022 and 2023 but, whether down to the bone broth or not, Baker has been free of such issues since and is making up for lost time.</p><p>After impressing in Australia with England Lions last winter, he was awarded an <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cn4m9rwm041o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">England development contract</a> in February before he had played a match in the County Championship.</p><p>A Division One debut came in April – a first five-wicket haul a week later. But it has been while playing for Manchester Originals in The Hundred that Baker has really caught the eye.</p><p>David Warner was hopping when Baker opened with five consecutive dots while no-one, not even England bowler Jofra Archer, has bowled more balls quicker than 87mph than Baker – a statistic that makes the youngster grin.</p><p>"It's what I find fun about the game," Baker says. "The injuries I've had have almost given me clarity on that.</p><p>"Some days you're going to go for runs and it would be so much easier if I bowled 70mph nibblers.</p><p>"I could know where it's going, balls wouldn't get edged to four, I'd go for a lot less and suddenly I wouldn't feel so rubbish in myself.</p><p>"But you also wouldn't have those days where it starts reverse swinging and everyone's thinking 'give this kid the ball. Let's go' and come out of the bar to watch.</p><p>"It's the trade-off, isn't it? I know that it's likely to come with more injuries. I'm at peace with that."</p><p>Others have not been as fortunate as Anderson when it comes to Baker's fulfilling his thirst for knowledge.</p><p>He remains refreshingly enthusiastic and during The Hundred in 2022 chewed the ear of Pakistan quick Wahab Riaz.</p><p>He also used his contacts to track down and phone up Brett Lee and Shaun Tait – two of the quickest bowlers Australia has ever produced.</p><p>"Earlier in my career I, not asked questions for the sake of asking them, but I didn't know what answers I was trying to get," he says.</p><p>"I would just ask things to try and collect all the information that I possibly could to think whereas as I've learned a bit more, I've probably got more specific with my questions."</p><p>Baker is also a prolific note-maker, something he puts down to his education.</p><p>At the time of his first stress fracture he was targeting a place to study biology at the University of Oxford and now he records analysis on opposition batters in a little book, along with plans and hopes for the future.</p><p>"I've just found it keeps me involved in the analysis stuff and then really remember it," Baker says.</p><p>"It would be an absolute nightmare if you're not really sure whether you're meant to bowl wide or straight and then you pick the wrong one.</p><p>"You can't really justify that to yourself at the end of the game."</p><p>The Hundred means there is already a page in Baker's notebook titled with the name of an Australian great.</p><p>Of the 12 balls Baker bowled to Steve Smith when Welsh Fire hosted Manchester Originals last Monday, three were hit for four and another three resulted in a false shot.</p><p>"It has been surreal, writing notes on Steve Smith thinking 'am I actually going to be opening the bowling at him?'" Baker says. </p><p>This is the company Baker now keeps, however and, having rehabbed in Sydney after his most recent back injury, he has spent the past two winters in Australia.</p><p>Another will likely come this year with the young quick expected to be part of the Lions squad shadowing the Test team around the Ashes series.</p><p>From there anything can happen.</p><p>Far more unlikely names have been plucked by England to make a Test debut down under.</p><p>"I mean, that would be good fun, wouldn't it?" Baker says.</p><p>"I'll refer back to notes on any matters and Steve Smith is one of the red-ball GOATs [greatest of all-time] so I'd definitely be coming back to that analysis if I end up needing it.</p><p>"But let's just worry about the next few games first. Let's not get too far out of ourselves.</p><p>"We've got a Hundred to try and win and then South Africa series to try and win and then Ireland series try and win way before we think about any of all of that stuff."</p><img class="tracking-img" src="https://a1.api.bbc.co.uk/hit.xiti/?s=598314&p=sport.cricket.articles.ce836lpjz9zo.page&x1=%5Burn%3Abbc%3Aoptimo%3Aasset%3Ace836lpjz9zo%5D&x4=%5Ben-gb%5D&x5=%5Bhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fsport%2Fcricket%2Farticles%2Fce836lpjz9zo%5D&x7=%5Barticle%5D&x8=%5Bsynd_nojs_ISAPI%5D&x9=%5BBone+broth+and+notebooks+-+meet+England%27s+latest+bowling+recruit%5D&x11=%5B2025-08-17T05%3A58%3A46.168Z%5D&x12=%5B2025-08-17T05%3A58%3A46.168Z%5D&x19=%5Byahoo.north.america%5D" width="1" height="1" data-uuid="e0ec32ad-cb68-35fe-acd6-7243e28b5506">]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>BBC</source><dc:publisher>BBC</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 05:58:50 +0000</pubDate><category>Sports</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">46f27f36-ac86-3e5f-923b-8692dfdaa515</guid><title><![CDATA[Teddy Bridgewater makes a case for a roster spot that will be impossible for the Bucs' brass to ignore in win over Steelers]]></title><link>https://atozsports.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers-news/tampa-bay-buccaneers-news-bucs-qb-teddy-bridgewater-strong-performance-in-preseason-win-over-pittsburgh-steelers/</link><description><![CDATA[The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continued their winning ways in this 2025 preseason, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 17-14 on a 48-yard field goal as the clock hit all zeroes. But the real action for Tampa Bay took place hours earlier, when the starters were on the field. Starters being a relatively ...]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p><i><a href="https://atozsports.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers-news/tampa-bay-buccaneers-news-bucs-qb-teddy-bridgewater-strong-performance-in-preseason-win-over-pittsburgh-steelers/">Teddy Bridgewater makes a case for a roster spot that will be impossible for the Bucs' brass to ignore in win over Steelers</a> originally appeared on <a href="https://atozsports.com">A to Z Sports</a>.</i></p><p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continued their winning ways in this 2025 preseason, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 17-14 on a 48-yard field goal as the clock hit all zeroes.</p><p>But the real action for Tampa Bay took place hours earlier, when the starters were on the field. Starters being a relatively loose term, as a number of true first stringers didn't play, including Baker Mayfield as expected. </p><p>That meant recently acquired Teddy Bridgewater saw his first action of the preseason, and he made the most of it in compelling fashion. He engineered back-to-back touchdown drives in the first quarter to push the Buccaneers to a 14-0 lead, and the offense looked good with him under center. </p><p>Bridgewater finished 6/11 for 85 yards and 2 touchdowns in three drives. He ended the Bucs' first touchdown drive with a pass into the end zone to RB Bucky Irving, who pulled it in over his shoulder in stride for the game's first points. </p><p><strong>View the <a href="https://atozsports.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers-news/tampa-bay-buccaneers-news-bucs-qb-teddy-bridgewater-strong-performance-in-preseason-win-over-pittsburgh-steelers/">original article</a> to see embedded media.</strong></p><p>On the following drive, Bridgewater looked the way of rookie Emeka Egbuka and lobbed a ball in the air, which the Ohio State product ran to and caught just inside the back corner for a second touchdown. </p><p><strong>View the <a href="https://atozsports.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers-news/tampa-bay-buccaneers-news-bucs-qb-teddy-bridgewater-strong-performance-in-preseason-win-over-pittsburgh-steelers/">original article</a> to see embedded media.</strong></p><p>Bridgewater showed a level of touch with the football and comfort with OC Josh Grizzard's gameplan that was notable, particularly in how little time he's been with the team and that he has been coaching high school football for the last couple of years (absent a brief return late last season with Detroit). Honestly, it's the best a Bucs quarterback has moved the offense two games into the preseason. </p><p>Conversely, Kyle Trask struggled on Saturday night in Pittsburgh, going 3/10 for 19 yards. It's worth noting that he wasn't running with the ones and twos this time around like he was last week. He was in with plenty of third stringers, so the level of play around him wasn't nearly as good. </p><p>But it's impossible for Jason Licht and Todd Bowles to ignore how effective Bridgewater was tonight, and his years of experience compared to 11 career pass attempts for Trask should put the former in solid position to claim the QB2 role behind Baker Mayfield. </p><p>That is, provided he doesn't fall flat next Saturday night in the preseason finale against Buffalo. But for the time being, it sure seems like Trask needs to show something big next weekend. Because Bridgewater definitely showed the coaches tonight that he can still play the game at a level of a capable backup in this league. </p><p><i>This story was originally reported by <a href="https://atozsports.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers-news/tampa-bay-buccaneers-news-bucs-qb-teddy-bridgewater-strong-performance-in-preseason-win-over-pittsburgh-steelers/">A to Z Sports</a> on Aug 17, 2025, where it first appeared.</i></p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>AtoZ Sports</source><dc:publisher>AtoZ Sports</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 05:53:30 +0000</pubDate><category>Tampa Bay Buccaneers News</category><category>NFL</category><category>Tampa Bay Buccaneers</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">575fb28b-a8b7-37e9-a02e-a7c23146c37b</guid><title><![CDATA[Southampton XI vs Ipswich – Predicted lineup and team news]]></title><link>https://onefootball.com/en/news/southampton-xi-vs-ipswich-predicted-lineup-and-team-news-41523021</link><description><![CDATA[Southampton continue their Championship season with a trip to face Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Sunday.Southampton arrive having secured a dramatic 2-1 turnaround against newly-promoted Wrexham at ...]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img alt="Southampton XI vs Ipswich – Predicted lineup and team news" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_football_faithful_articles_458/58dfe8ea961575688bdcb4c2f6497d55" data-uuid="60887bdb-04e7-3216-b0d3-6f8f89da8813"><figcaption>Southampton XI vs Ipswich – Predicted lineup and team news</figcaption></figure><p><strong>Southampton continue their Championship season with a trip to face Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Sunday.</strong></p><p>Southampton arrive having secured a dramatic 2-1 turnaround against newly-promoted Wrexham at St Mary’s, overturning a first-half deficit with two late goals to claim victory. Head coach Will Still will demand consistency to avoid a replay of their early defensive lapses.</p><p>In midweek, Southampton maintained their winning start under Still. Progress in the Carabao Cup was secured with a 1-0 win at Northampton Town. Matheus Fernandes, subject of interest from West Ham, got the decisive goal.</p><h2>Southampton XI vs Ipswich – Predicted Lineup and Team News</h2><h2>Southampton Team News</h2><p>Will Smallbone remains sidelined with a calf injury and will miss several weeks. James Bree is also out with a leg problem sustained during pre-season. Defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis is nearing match fitness after an ankle injury but Still confirmed he won’t be rushed back.</p><p>Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu continues to recover from a meniscus injury. Tyler Dibling, Sam Edozie and Joe Aribo have been training separately as their futures remain uncertain with the transfer window still open. Flynn Downes is available after training all week following a minor issue.</p><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block;text-align:center;"></ins><h2>Southampton Predicted Lineup</h2><p><strong>Southampton predicted XI</strong>: Bazunu; Sugawara, Edwards, Stephens, Quarshie, Welington; Downes, Charles; Fraser, Robinson, Armstrong.</p><h2>When is Ipswich Town vs Southampton?</h2><p>The match takes place at Portman Road on Sunday, 17 August 2025. Kick-off is at 12:00pm BST.</p><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block;text-align:center;"></ins><h2>How to Watch Ipswich Town vs Southampton?</h2><p>.The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football in the UK. Overseas viewers can stream via their local rights holders or via EFL iFollow for £11.99.</p><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Read Also – <a href="https://thefootballfaithful.com/the-most-exciting-non-big-six-premier-league-transfers-this-summer/" target="_blank">The most exciting non-Big Six Premier League transfers this summer</a></strong></p><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>See More – <a href="https://thefootballfaithful.com/a-best-xi-of-premier-league-transfers-this-summer/" target="_blank">A best XI of Premier League transfers this summer</a></strong></p><h2>Subscribe to our social channels:</h2><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/FootyFaithful" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thefootballfaithfuldotcom/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/FootyFaithful_">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUgN0WQEhxRbfTdlbkEG7zQ" target="_blank">YouTube</a></strong></p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>The Football Faithful</source><dc:publisher>The Football Faithful</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 05:50:00 +0000</pubDate><category>Soccer</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">861a09fb-1d8f-3afc-b75e-e39b5395193d</guid><title><![CDATA['I'm always under pressure' - how Man Utd plan to restore 'good days']]></title><link>https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c8x5d107p0lo?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Bheadline%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D</link><description><![CDATA[Manchester United have to be significantly better this season. Before their Premier League opener against Arsenal, Simon Stone looks at the task ahead of Ruben Amorim.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img alt="Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim" height="460" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/bbc_us_articles_995/0a37599cb9369a97edcca049e430f5cf" width="820" data-uuid="ee97c244-9ad6-32d6-94fd-a6036100a12b"><figcaption>Ruben Amorim has been Man Utd manager for nine months [Getty Images]</figcaption></figure><p>Ruben Amorim used the previous Premier League game at Old Trafford to deliver the most difficult post-season address at Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson reflected on 'the most traumatic seven days in the history of the modern club' in 1992.</p><p>Then, Ferguson was looking back on a shocking week, when his side lost three successive games to effectively hand what seemed certain to be a first league title in 25 years to Leeds with a game to spare.</p><p>Ferguson had a sizeable straw to clutch at given his side had won silverware in three successive campaigns. As it turned out, the long wait to be champions was extended by just 12 months.</p><p>There was no safe island that offered Amorim similar refuge on 25 May.</p><p>"I want to apologise for this season," he said. "Now, we have to make a choice or we stay stuck in the past. We either fight each other or we stick together and move forward.</p><p>"Today after this disaster season I want to tell you: 'The good days are coming'."</p><p>Amorim has said he will be more cautious with his public statements over the coming months than he has been so far as United's head coach.</p><p>It will be a shame if he sticks to this pledge because he speaks with refreshing openness and honesty, which is fabulous for journalists, and also engenders a hope for success from those who appreciate his direct approach.</p><p>However, the problem applying spin about a brighter future when addressing a dreadful present is that the future eventually becomes the present, which is where Amorim is now.</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ceqy017533yo?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">'People think I'm uneducated' - getting to know Wayne Rooney</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c39dx8mjd39o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">'World-class potential' - Sesko joins Man Utd for £74m</a></li></ul><h2>How Amorim has adjusted to life at Man Utd</h2><p>There are few clubs more scrutinised in world football than Manchester United.</p><p>"I am always under pressure to perform," said Amorim, as he looked ahead to the Arsenal game. "It is impossible to be here and not feel the pressure every day."</p><p>Amorim has been United manager for nine months. In that time, he was won 15 games and lost 16, including the most important one, to Tottenham in Bilbao in the Europa League final.</p><p>He has also been to Malaysia, where his team were booed off, Hong Kong and the United States. Tens of thousands of fans turned up to watch his side in each of these places. </p><p>For every game of the double header in the Premier League Summer Series, an initially sparse crowd for match one turned into an attendance of about 50,000 for the second. That is the reality of life at United. The demands and the numbers of those doing the demanding - fans, sponsors, broadcasters - are enormous.</p><p>Amorim now understands this and has made subtle tweaks to reduce the impact.</p><p>He has put together a six-player leadership group - Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire, Noussair Mazraoui, Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot - to run the dressing room so he doesn't have to.</p><p>A conscious decision has been taken to reduce his media commitments - both internal and external - to allow him to spend more time 'on the grass'. Even the new media room at United's Carrington training ground has been strategically placed to minimise the distance from his office and the coaches' room close by.</p><p>Amorim is by nature a jovial figure. A smile is never far from his face. This summer, that has transmitted itself to the training pitch.</p><p>The word from the pre-season training camp in Chicago has been one of positivity. Players are encouraged to take responsibility rather than adhere to the prescriptive discipline of Erik ten Hag's time. Amorim does not have the same stern demeanour as the Dutchman, either when speaking with his players or his coaches.</p><p>He is very much a modern man, engaging with fans and happy to take numerous selfies as he routinely stops to meet them at Old Trafford, sometimes two hours after a game has finished.</p><p>Yet a code of conduct has been laid out covering a range of subjects, with timekeeping amongst them. Failure to adhere to group standards will not be overlooked.</p><p>It was in Chicago where he made the startling admission he travelled to games last term fearing for what was going to happen.</p><p>Asked for his current assessment on Friday, his response was measured: "Confident.</p><p>"I know in some moments we will struggle because it is a game against Arsenal [on Sunday]. But we are more prepared, I think.</p><p>"I feel we have more players who can help us to change the momentum of the game. We have more options. If things are not working well, we can change things. That gives me more confidence in every game."</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c77vp1x32g5o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">'I wore this shirt growing up' - Man Utd sign Mbeumo</a></li></ul><h2>What impact will summer rebuild have?</h2><p>Amorim could be excused for thinking someone is having a cruel joke at his expense when he assesses an opening that starts with Arsenal at Old Trafford, includes a trip to Manchester City and home game with Chelsea in United's first five games, and then Liverpool at Anfield in match eight on 18 October.</p><p>By that point, it will almost be 12 months since the dismissal of Ten Hag and assessments will be being made about what has changed.</p><p>And that is the rub.</p><p>United, led by chief executive Omar Berrada, went for an imaginative choice rather than the safe options - which included Marco Silva, Thomas Frank and Graham Potter - suggested by then sporting director Dan Ashworth as Ten Hag's replacement.</p><p>Amorim came to prominence at Sporting by delivering outstanding results with a specific formation. Three central defenders, wing-backs and two inside forwards behind a number nine. The immediate collateral damage in shaping a United squad to fit that system was the discarding of five players - four of whom are senior internationals who prefer to play wide.</p><p>The full extent of the additional impact Amorim has made by bringing in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, at a combined cost in the region of £200m, to fill the attacking roles remains to be seen.</p><p>However, the intention is for skipper Fernandes to play deeper in one of the two midfield slots. How much meaningful time on the pitch is afforded to England duo Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo, whose contract stand-off remains unresolved, is open to question.</p><p>At the back, team selections in five unbeaten games in three countries across pre-season, suggest Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt are battling for a single slot as the middle defender, while Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez, when fit, are vying to be first choice on the left of the three.</p><p>De Ligt has proved adept at moving into midfield when United's keeper has the ball. This, Amorim reasons, clears the space for his side to get possession into the areas of the field where they can cause more damage. Fernandes' task, in Amorim's ideal world, is to get on the ball as often as possible, and then make the right decisions.</p><p>It's all very technical. In theory, it also provides support in midfield, which tended to be completely overrun during Ten Hag's time because the Dutchman wanted to stretch the space in that area of the field, something Casemiro was not able to do, while none of those asked to partner him made a particular success of either.</p><p>Casemiro's game intelligence, his ability to read situations and the Brazilian's calmness under pressure brought him back into favour under Amorim towards the end of last season.</p><p>The 33-year-old does not have limitless energy but he was preferred to Christian Eriksen, who was about to leave the club, and, more significantly, Manuel Ugarte, who cost £50.8m to sign from PSG less than 12 months ago, for the Europa League final against Tottenham in May, which United lost.</p><p>It seems Amorim regards finding an upgrade in this area of the pitch to be more of a priority than replacing goalkeeper Andre Onana. </p><p>That Amorim talks a good game is not in question. Now his team have to deliver.</p><p>The target is clear. Amorim has said European qualification is the aim. His players have said the same. More importantly, a financial outlook provided for the club by an external agency spoke about delivering a place in the Europa League at the end of this season as a stepping stone to a return to the Champions League in 2027-28.</p><p>It would be unfair to judge United's season on one game, or even eight looking at that fixture list. But, as Amorim has previously said, he used up a lot of goodwill from the stands last season.</p><p>He promised this season will be better. It has to be.</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">Latest Manchester United news, analysis and fan views</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62294536?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D">Get Man Utd news notifications</a></li></ul><img class="tracking-img" height="1" src="https://a1.api.bbc.co.uk/hit.xiti/?s=598314&p=sport.football.articles.c8x5d107p0lo.page&x1=%5Burn%3Abbc%3Aoptimo%3Aasset%3Ac8x5d107p0lo%5D&x4=%5Ben-gb%5D&x5=%5Bhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Farticles%2Fc8x5d107p0lo%5D&x7=%5Barticle%5D&x8=%5Bsynd_nojs_ISAPI%5D&x9=%5B%27I%27m+always+under+pressure%27+-+how+Man+Utd+plan+to+restore+%27good+days%27%5D&x11=%5B2025-08-17T05%3A48%3A38.923Z%5D&x12=%5B2025-08-17T05%3A48%3A38.923Z%5D&x19=%5Byahoo.north.america%5D" width="1" data-uuid="bd9ed10b-da35-3ec9-89ae-0b0bb164ca8e">]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>BBC</source><dc:publisher>BBC</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 05:48:43 +0000</pubDate><category>Sports</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">318f0a2b-1a00-39f8-bd09-c76e58182cf0</guid><title><![CDATA[Evander plays villain as FC Cincinnati defeats Portland Timbers]]></title><link>https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2025/08/17/evander-plays-villain-as-fc-cincinnati-defeats-portland-timbers-mls-supporters-shield/85695560007/</link><description><![CDATA[Evander plays villain as FC Cincinnati defeats Portland Timbers.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Greeted by heckles and boos at his former stadium, midfielder <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/article/evander-bridge-fc-cincinnatis-locker-043017433.html" data-3p-content-referrer="https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2025/07/14/fc-cincinnati-evander-inter-miami-cf-columbus-crew-mls/85050160007/" data-original-link="https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2025/07/14/fc-cincinnati-evander-inter-miami-cf-columbus-crew-mls/85050160007/">Evander</a> basked in the hostile environment.</p><p>In his return to <a href="https://www.timbers.com/providencepark/">Providence Park</a> on Aug. 16, the Brazilian became the villain as he led <a href="http://fccincinnati.com">FC Cincinnati</a> to a 3-2 victory over his former club, the <a href="https://www.timbers.com/">Portland Timbers</a>.</p><p>Meanwhile, the Orange and Blue rose to the top of the Supporters' Shield race after squandering that chance just <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/article/fc-cincinnati-loses-charlotte-fc-002110624.html" data-3p-content-referrer="https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2025/08/10/fc-cincinnati-loses-to-charlotte-fc-after-controversial-red-card-mls/85602969007/" data-original-link="https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2025/08/10/fc-cincinnati-loses-to-charlotte-fc-after-controversial-red-card-mls/85602969007/">last week</a>.</p><p>"After a relatively slow start for (Evander) on an individual level, he really grew into the game, and of course, had an impact on two of the goals, which is nothing new," FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan said.</p><p><img alt="FC Cincinnati midfielder Evander (10) celebrates with Matt Miazga (21) after scoring a goal during the first half of the 3-2 victory over the Portland Timbers at Providence Park Aug. 16." height="5504" id="85696471007" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/cincinnati-com-the-enquirer/89714b88e391b6e9699cf472e9bee792" width="8256" data-uuid="7a745d32-481a-3241-850d-c2660b8108ad"></p><h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">A fast start for FC Cincinnati</h2><p>Forward Kévin Denkey, who returned to the starting lineup after missing about a month of action, got FC Cincinnati on the board first, moments after the Orange and Blue almost conceded a goal.</p><p>The Timbers' Kevin Kelsy had a prime opportunity as he struck a header in front of the goal while banging with FC Cincinnati goalkeeper <a href="https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2025/06/27/fc-cincinnatis-roman-celentano-growing-consistency-each-mls-season/84332876007/">Roman Celentano</a>, but his attempt hit the crossbar.</p><p>Moments later, Denkey seized the moment after midfielder Bucha played a ball to him that midfielder Evander smartly let through. The Togolese striker collected the ball, took a touch to his right to find space and slotted home a shot into the bottom corner of the net to deliver FC Cincinnati a 1-0 lead.</p><p>Bucha doubled the Orange and Blue's lead in the 25th minute when he picked out the top corner of the near side of the net with a powerful strike after receiving the ball from Evander.</p><p>In the 36th minute, Evander provided FC Cincinnati a 3-0 lead when he fired a curling ball into the top corner of the goal. Defender Matt Miazga supplied the assist after gaining possession from a poor pass by the Timbers. </p><p>After the finish, the Brazilian No. 10 held his arm up to his ear as he basked in Providence Park's boo's. Evander played two seasons with the Timbers, scoring 24 goals and logging 19 assists, before FC Cincinnati acquired him. </p><p>"They're allowed to do that," Evander said of the fans booing him. "They can do whatever they want. So, I was just focused on trying to represent Cincinnati, because that's the club that I'm playing for right now. And to win the game."</p><h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">FC Cincinnati staves off Timbers' push</h2><p>But only a minute later, Kelsy, a former FC Cincinnati player, responded by pulling a goal back to keep the Timbers in the match. </p><p>As tensions grew in the second half, the midfielder Stiven Jimenez made an ill-advised challenge in the box, which gave up a penalty kick for Kelsy to make the score 3-2.</p><p>Jimenez, who saw increased minutes during <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/article/rotated-fc-cincinnati-beaten-chivas-025221858.html" data-3p-content-referrer="https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2025/08/07/rotated-fc-cincinnati-beaten-by-chivas-eliminated-from-leagues-cup/85567299007/" data-original-link="https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2025/08/07/rotated-fc-cincinnati-beaten-by-chivas-eliminated-from-leagues-cup/85567299007/">Leagues Cup</a>, slotted into the midfield for his first MLS start, with midfielder Brian Anunga unavailable for selection after being sent off against Charlotte FC and Obinna Nwobodo still out with a long-term injury.</p><p>Soon after, forward Kei Kamara, who came on in the 59th minute, rang the crossbar after Evander cut back a ball across the box to him.</p><p>Later, Jimenez was wrapped up in defensive action again, but Timbers' shouts for a handball in the box went unfufilled in the 79th minute. </p><p>Ultimately, FC Cincinnati saw out their lead despite a barrage of chances from their opponents, with a couple of missed transition moments themselves.</p><p>"It certainly wasn't easy, and could have been a different outcome, so I'm pleased for the guys that they are able to experience that joy of a very important win tonight," Noonan said. </p><p><img alt="FC Cincinnati midfielder Pavel Bucha (20) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first half against the Portland Timbers at Providence Park Aug. 16." height="5504" id="85696479007" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/cincinnati-com-the-enquirer/a2e627fe06ca1fe6a2aaf54c0833c917" width="8256" data-uuid="2cf28f54-b568-326a-9186-ac4b7a92e3a5"></p><h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">The sprint to the finish line continues at TQL Stadium</h2><p>After entering the match third in the Supporters' Shield race, FC Cincinnati rose to first with 52 points after the second-place Philadelphia Union, on 51 points, lost to the New York Red Bulls.</p><p>Inter Miami, which beat the LA Galaxy, still control the shield race despite being fourth in the Eastern Conference because they have three games in hand over the top sides. Seven points behind FC Cincinnati, the <a href="https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2025/07/23/why-fc-cincinnati-fans-booed-messi/85302310007/">Lionel Messi</a>-led side still have the highest points potential.</p><p>"There (are) so many strong teams that are pushing for a Supporters' Shield," Noonan said. "The margins are small."</p><p><img alt="FC Cincinnati midfielder Evander warms up before a game against the Portland Timbers at Providence Park on Aug. 16." height="5504" id="85696160007" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/cincinnati-com-the-enquirer/250bc032b6e179bfd9da903111864924" width="8256" data-uuid="6dfcc2ae-0ef7-3369-8cba-ee3b7faf7dfa"></p><p>Finally checking off Portland from the cities FC Cincinnati has never traveled to since starting MLS play in 2019, the Orange and Blue have two places still to go — Carson, California, for the LA Galaxy, and San Diego for San Diego FC. </p><p>FC Cincinnati will travel to Carson later this season, but next on their slate is a home game against New York City FC on Aug. 23.</p><p><em>This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: <a href="https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2025/08/17/evander-plays-villain-as-fc-cincinnati-defeats-portland-timbers-mls-supporters-shield/85695560007/">Evander plays villain as FC Cincinnati defeats Portland Timbers</a></em></p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>Cincinnati.com | The Enquirer</source><dc:publisher>Cincinnati.com | The Enquirer</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 05:44:57 +0000</pubDate><category>soccer</category><category>sports</category></item><item><guid isPermalink="false">6fc1336d-c1f3-3bc4-9339-ba569aae9277</guid><title><![CDATA[Brian Daboll makes important statement about starting Giants QB job following strong performance from rookie Jaxson Dart]]></title><link>https://atozsports.com/nfl/brian-daboll-makes-important-statement-about-starting-giants-qb-job-following-strong-performance-from-rookie-jaxson-dart/</link><description><![CDATA[Jaxson Dart has been dominant in his first two preseason games with the New York Giants. After playing mistake-free and efficient football, it begs the question of whether the Giants could start Dart sooner than many anticipated. Ginats fans are clamoring for a chance to see Dart take snaps with ...]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p><i><a href="https://atozsports.com/nfl/brian-daboll-makes-important-statement-about-starting-giants-qb-job-following-strong-performance-from-rookie-jaxson-dart/">Brian Daboll makes important statement about starting Giants QB job following strong performance from rookie Jaxson Dart</a> originally appeared on <a href="https://atozsports.com">A to Z Sports</a>.</i></p><p>Jaxson Dart has been dominant in his first two preseason games with the New York Giants. After playing mistake-free and efficient football, it begs the question of whether the Giants could start Dart sooner than many anticipated.</p><p>Ginats fans are clamoring for a chance to see Dart take snaps with the starting offense after his recent run.</p><p>When the media asked Brian Daboll after the Giants' 31-12 victory against the New York Jets, he quickly shut down that possibility by saying, "Russ is our starter, and we're going to keep developing Jaxson."</p><p><strong>View the <a href="https://atozsports.com/nfl/brian-daboll-makes-important-statement-about-starting-giants-qb-job-following-strong-performance-from-rookie-jaxson-dart/">original article</a> to see embedded media.</strong></p><h2>Should Dart be in the mix to start?</h2><p>Through the first two preseason games, Dart is on a prolific run. Tonight, Dart threw for 142 yards with only two incompletions on 16 passing attempts, with two total touchdowns. Overall, this preseason Dart is 26/35 for 291 yards and three total touchdowns.</p><p>Stats aside, Dart has also been incredibly decisive. He hasn't hesitated and appears very comfortable in most situations. His aggressiveness and willingness to attack are extremely refreshing, especially coming off their last first-round quarterback, Daniel Jones.</p><p>The most impressive aspect of his play is the lack of turnovers in this stretch. He hasn't been completely perfect in his decision-making, but the natural instincts he's displayed are phenomenal for a quarterback who was widely considered developmental.</p><p>Coming from a Lane Kiffin offense that doesn't produce elite NFL decision-makers, this two-game stretch has exceeded everyone's expectations.</p><p><strong>View the <a href="https://atozsports.com/nfl/brian-daboll-makes-important-statement-about-starting-giants-qb-job-following-strong-performance-from-rookie-jaxson-dart/">original article</a> to see embedded media.</strong></p><p>Although it's fun to get excited about a rookie quarterback showing flashes of talent, it doesn't mean he's ready to start. We do need to bring ourselves back down to earth and remind ourselves that he's facing primarily backups in these two games.</p><p>Daboll made a direct point to lower fans' expectations after today's game. He went as far as to point out that even though Dart has played very well, there is a wall he could eventually hit.</p><p>"We have a plan, we had a plan a while ago ... You just have to keep working with them, and understand that there's going to be a lot of downs. I know there's some ups right now, and there's going to be a lot of downs. We just gotta keep growing and communicating. Just keep getting better."</p><p>Rookie performances like Jayden Daniels' and CJ Stroud's are the exception and not the rule. While it's not what fans want to hear, Daboll is right to reframe Darts' performances in the overall path of his development.</p><p>Daboll referred to their plan, which clearly was to keep Russell Wilson in no matter what for Week 1. But it does raise the question of whether that plan has a specific week in mind for Dart's first start. How does the plan change if the Giants are struggling or Dart looks better than expected? </p><p>Based on Daboll's response, it seems unlikely that we'll see Dart take preseason snaps with the first-team offense. However, one can hope he changes his mind before their final game against the New England Patriots this Thursday.</p><p><i>This story was originally reported by <a href="https://atozsports.com/nfl/brian-daboll-makes-important-statement-about-starting-giants-qb-job-following-strong-performance-from-rookie-jaxson-dart/">A to Z Sports</a> on Aug 17, 2025, where it first appeared.</i></p>]]></content:encoded><dc:creator></dc:creator><source>AtoZ Sports</source><dc:publisher>AtoZ Sports</dc:publisher><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 05:43:06 +0000</pubDate><category>Russell Wilson</category><category>NFL</category><category>Jaxson Dart</category><category>New York Giants News</category><category>Brian Daboll</category></item></channel></rss>
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