MLS and Apple have announced a major shift to their media partnership, with the standalone MLS Season Pass ending after the 2025 season. Beginning in 2026, every MLS match will be available at no extra cost to Apple TV subscribers, giving fans worldwide a single destination to watch the league with no blackouts.
Don’t say it too loudly, but things might be on the up for West Ham United.
After months of poor performances and even worse results, the Hammers finally won a Premier League game on the weekend, as Nuno Espírito Santo’s side dismantled Newcastle United 3-1.
It was a game in which practically the whole team showed up, one in which any number of players could have been man of the match.
Moreover, it was an afternoon in which West Ham’s next big-money star may have announced himself, someone who has shades of Declan Rice to his game.
When talking about the West Ham stars who really shone on Sunday afternoon, it would be ridiculous not to start with Lucas Paqueta.
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Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
The Brazilian has come in for some justified criticism this season, but against the Toon, he was simply sensational.
It was his wonder strike in the 35th minute that started the Hammers’ fightback, and were it not for some good goalkeeping four minutes earlier, that would have been his second in the game.
Someone who was almost as influential on the match was Jarrod Bowen, as while he didn’t score or assist a goal, he came awfully close, rattling the post just before Jacob Murphey’s opener.
Finally, while they’ve been woeful almost every time they’ve played this season, Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo deserve plenty of credit for their resolute defending.
Between them, they made 16 clearances, won five of seven duels and were dribbled past just a single time.
In all, there were unreal displays across the board for West Ham against Newcastle, including from one player who could be their next big-money star and already looks a bit Rice-esque.
While the likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville all deserve credit, the starter who left a significant impression on fans and pundits alike was Freddie Potts.
The academy graduate has featured a few times for the first team, but Sunday afternoon was his first competitive start for the club, and to say he repaid the manager’s faith would be an understatement.
The 22-year-old was utterly sensational in the middle of the park, bringing some much-needed dynamism to the role while maintaining a technical level some might not have expected from him.
|
Potts’ game vs Newcastle |
|
|---|---|
|
Minutes |
90′ |
|
Key Passes |
2 |
|
Crosses |
2 |
|
Passes |
33/39 |
|
Touches |
57 |
|
Tackles (Won) |
3 (2) |
|
Interceptions |
1 |
|
Clearances |
6 |
|
Recoveries |
1 |
|
Ground Duels (Won) |
4 (3) |
|
All Stats via Sofascore |
|
In his 90 minutes of action, the Englishman played two key passes, completed two crosses, was accurate in 33 of 39 passes, took 57 touches, won 66% of his tackles, made six clearances and won 75% of his ground duels.
It was a quintessential all-action display from the midfielder, and if his boots were one size smaller, he could have topped it off with a well-taken goal.
Unsurprisingly, such a strong showing from an academy graduate has led to comparisons with the club’s former captain, with one content creator noting that he has a “similar aura to Rice when he first came through.”
In addition to his development as a player, the content creator credited the Englishman’s “supreme confidence and ability to create time and space on the ball” as reasons for the comparison.
Now, it might sound a little over the top considering it was his first start for the club, but thanks to his ability to protect the ball, carry it into dangerous areas and play the right pass at the right time, it is easy to see where such comparisons come from.
Moreover, as was the case with the former midfielder, there already seems to be a connection between the Barking-born ace and the fans, with journalist Dan Woffenden claiming he “understands what it means to wear the shirt.”
Ultimately, West Ham will want to keep hold of Potts for the long term, but if he does end up emulating Rice and eventually leaves, at least they should once again get massive money for an academy graduate.
West Ham player ratings v Newcastle United as Nuno secures first victory
The Hammers returned to winning ways with a 3-1 win against Newcastle this afternoon.
By
Dominic Lund
Nov 2, 2025
Baltimore Orioles pitcher Félix Bautista was away from MLB for a whopping 556 days before making a return to the mound on Monday during the team's spring training game against the Boston Red Sox.
Bautista last pitched in a professional baseball game on Aug. 25, 2023. He suffered a right UCL tear that resulted in him undergoing Tommy John surgery.
It was a heartwarming and successful return for Bautista, as he put together a quick one-two-three inning on just 13 pitches (nine strikes) in the fifth. He struck out Trayce Thompson—the first batter he faced in 556 days—with a 96-mph fastball, and he couldn't help but break out in a big smile afterwards. He went on to strike out Nate Eaton and got David Hamilton to ground out to end the inning.
The crowd at Ed Smith Stadium rose to their feet as the top of the fifth ended and Bautista walked back to the dugout. He hugged teammate catcher Adley Rutschman and smiled at the crowd.
“That was very exciting," Bautista said via team interpreter Brandon Quinones. "I missed my fans. I missed hearing them every time I stepped onto the field. It was very gratifying being able to go out there today and hear them once again.”
Bautista is expected to make the Orioles' Opening Day roster as long as everything continues to progress well during spring training.
The 29-year-old pitcher played for the Orioles in 2022 and '23, etching a 2.19 ERA and a 1.48 ERA, respectfully, in those two seasons.
They have received plenty of criticism for it over the last couple of years, but Chelsea seem determined to continue building a team full of exciting young talents.
For example, the West Londoners added Jorrel Hato, Alejandro Garnacho, Jamie Gittens and Estevao to Enzo Maresca’s side this summer.
However, one player who is just that little bit older than them is Liam Delap, who, at 22, is arguably still a prospect, but at the same time, needs to start delivering on a more consistent basis.
If he does do that, there is also more than a passing chance he could establish himself as an England regular; if not, Cobham is already producing an incredible gem who could surpass him for club and country.
While Thomas Tuchel arguably has the strongest England squad for a very long time, a narrative that has been doing the rounds this international break is that, after Harry Kane, there aren’t many, if any, obvious strikers to take as backup for the World Cup.
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Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.
For example, Ivan Toney is still playing in the Saudi Pro-League, Ollie Watkins has just one goal and no assists in 16 games this season, and Dominic Solanke is still out injured.
In fact, the search for a backup number nine has been so desperate that there are now genuine conversations around recalling Danny Welbeck ahead of the summer, and while he deserves to be in the conversation, he’ll be 35 this month, so he is not a long-term option.
This, then, is how, even though he’s not had the best of starts this season, Delap could very realistically find himself on that plane to the World Cup next summer.
After all, even though he was playing for a really relatively poor Ipswich Town side last season, the former Manchester City prospect was still able to rack up a reasonable enough tally of 12 goals and two assists in 37 appearances.
So, if he can rediscover some form this year, there is surely a place in Tuchel’s squad with his name on it, but if not, one of Cobham’s most exciting prospects in a long time could eventually usurp him for club and country.
Cobham have long produced Premier League-level youngsters who have gone on to star for Chelsea or other sides, and it looks like Shumaira Mheuka is the next one up.
The 18-year-old goalscoring machine began his footballing journey on the south coast with Brighton & Hove Albion, but made the move to Stamford Bridge in 2022.
In the two and a half years since, the youngster has gone from strength to strength and is without a doubt one of the most exciting up-and-coming centre-forwards in the country.
For example, even though he was just 16 at the start of last season, he ended the campaign with 11 goals and three assists in 30 appearances across the u18s and u21s.
However, while his exploits last year were impressive, what he has been able to do this year has been utterly remarkable.
|
Mheuka’s youth record |
|
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
61 |
|
Goals |
34 |
|
Assists |
9 |
|
Goal Involvements per Match |
0.70 |
|
All Stats via Transfermarkt |
|
So far, the teenage phenom, whom talent scout Jacek Kulig has dubbed “Cobham’s finest,” has scored 13 goals and provided three assists in 12 appearances for the youth sides, totalling 997 minutes.
In other words, he is currently averaging 1.33 goal involvements per game, or one every 62.31 minutes, which is frankly ridiculous.
If that wasn’t enough, the Birmingham-born monster is also doing the business for the national side, racking up a tally of 14 goals and three assists in 20 appearances for the u19s.
With numbers and performances such as these, it’s easy to see why Kulig described the youngster as “the future of Chelsea and English football.”
Ultimately, if Delap doesn’t start performing for Chelsea soon, there is every chance he could be replaced by Mheuka, who could also soon make his way into Tuchel’s plans.
Bye-bye Tosin & Chalobah: Chelsea submit bid to re-sign "the world's best CB"
The iconic defender would be excellent for Chelsea, but bad news for Tosin and Chalobah.
By
Jack Salveson Holmes
Nov 20, 2025
Kylian Mbappe is heading to court as his protracted legal dispute with former club Paris Saint-Germain continues. Despite severing ties with the Ligue 1 giants in the summer of 2024, the World Cup winner claims to be owed €55 million (£48m/$64m) in unpaid wages. That case is now heading to labour courts in the French capital, with a final ruling being sought.
Lance Lynn is hanging up the cleats for good.
The two-time MLB All-Star officially announced his retirement from Major League Baseball while appearing on his wife's podcast .
"Baseball season is upon us, and I'm right here on the couch. And that is where I'm going to stay. I am officially retiring from baseball right here, right now," Lynn said.
Lynn, a first-round pick by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2008, pitched for six different teams over a 13-year career. He spent the first six seasons of his career in St. Louis, helping the Cardinals clinch the 2011 World Series title as a rookie.
Over 364 appearances (340 starts), Lynn logged a 143–99 record, 3.74 ERA and 2,015 strikeouts He received votes for the AL Cy Young award in three straight years from 2019 to '21, and he was named an All-Star in 2012 and '21. Lynn is one of 23 pitchers in MLB history to earn a victory against all 30 teams.
"I enjoyed it. I enjoyed competing and all that," Lynn said. "… If you enjoyed watching me play and cheered for me, thank you. If you cheered against me, you are welcome because you always need someone to root against and you always need someone to root for."
After six years away from St. Louis, Lynn returned to the Cardinals last season on a one-year deal. In 23 starts, Lynn logged a 3.84 ERA with 109 strikeouts. St. Louis declined the club option on Lynn's deal after the '24 season.
Penny for Alexander Isak’s thoughts? Liverpool’s record-breaking striker has been down by the wayside right since the summer, and the fans are desperate to see him recover his form and showcase that world-class quality.
Isak left Newcastle United for Anfield at the end of the summer transfer window, on strike throughout August following a breakdown in relations on Tyneside. It’s been a struggle ever since, with the lack of a pre-season and injury issues in recent months limiting him to just four Premier League starts so far.
This is all symptomatic of the deeper malaise at Arne Slot’s Liverpool. Slot’s Liverpool, last season’s dominant league champions, have been pants this year, with nine losses in their past 12 matches in all competitions.
Not good enough. Isak’s only goal came against Southampton in the Carabao Cup, a competition the Merseysiders have since been dumped out of.
He will surely come good, but FSG will be anxiously waiting for proof that they have got bang for their buck. At the moment, Isak is offering less than Darwin Nunez before him.
Slot’s brand of football is built on structure and. Both he and Jurgen Klopp subscribe to attacking play, but where the German enjoys heavy metal, Slot is more of a purveyor of smooth jazz.
That was last season, though, with the Reds having left so much to desire this season. Liverpool are so tactically imbalanced, lacking the control of last season.
It’s for this reason that Nunez was sold. Wasteful in front of goal, yes, the Uruguayan was also erratic and mercurial, and given that Slot only started him once in the Premier League after Boxing Day, it’s clear he did not view him as the answer.
|
Darwin Nunez – Past 5 Seasons (all comps) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Apps |
Goals + Assists |
|
25/26(Al-Hilal |
10 (6) |
5 (2) |
|
24/25 – Liverpool |
47 (17) |
7 + 7 |
|
23/24 – Liverpool |
54 (33) |
18 + 15 |
|
22/23 – Liverpool |
42 (26) |
15 + 4 |
|
21/22 – Benfica |
41 (32) |
34 + 4 |
|
Stats via Transfermarkt |
||
So, it would not be that bold to assume that selling Nunez to Al-Hilal and replacing him with a clinical superstar like Isak was done with a view toward giving Liverpool more accuracy and presence in the final third.
It’s worth stressing that Isak is anticipated to be a success at Anfield. He is too good – and proven in the Premier League – not to click into gear.
But, as journalist David Lynch put it earlier in November, Isak is “offering Liverpool less than Darwin Nunez did” at the same stage last season, and that will certainly need to change going forward.
There is still full anticipation that the Sweden international will be a success story at the club, though, but the same can’t be said for another of Liverpool’s summer recruits, who has so much to prove after a wretched start to the season.
In fairness, Nunez scored on his Liverpool debut against Manchester City in the Community Shield. He posted a goal and an assist off the bench on his Premier League debut, a draw at Fulham.
But, ultimately, the 26-year-old’s erraticness and his inability to conform to Klopp and then Slot’s tactical systems led to his sale.
Now, Liverpool may have landed their new version of the South American, and not in Isak, but Milos Kerkez, who completed a £40m move from Bournemouth to the Anfield club this summer.
Kerkez, 22, was named as a part of the PFA Premier League Team of the Year for 2024/25, exceptional on the south coast. That fine form is a world away from what Liverpool fans have witnessed over the past three months, with journalist Jean Paul Schiberras claiming he “looks like he has never played football before” in Slot’s set-up.
Following the defeat to PSV, content creator Mark Goldbridge remarked that Kerkez has been “such a bad signing” for Slot’s team. It was a collective shambles on Wednesday evening, but the Hungary international was culpable for lackadaisical defending as the visitors surged forward and took the lead in the second half.
It is incomprehensible to think that Kerkez simply doesn’t have what it takes to play for Liverpool. Last season, he was arguably the best left-back in the league, such a ferocious mix of power and athleticism and energy.
But he is lacking, as it were, street smarts. Kerkez has the skills to succeed at a club like Liverpool, but too often he has suffered from poor decision-making, lacking the awareness and positioning to read danger and ensure he is one, two, three steps ahead.
|
Milos Kerkez in the Premier League |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stats (* per game) |
24/25 |
25/26 |
|
Matches (starts) |
38 (38) |
11 (10) |
|
Goals |
2 |
1 |
|
Assists |
5 |
0 |
|
Touches* |
59.6 |
50.8 |
|
Accurate passes* |
28.6 (80%) |
27.9 (86%) |
|
Chances created* |
1.0 |
0.6 |
|
Dribble (success)* |
0.6 |
0.3 |
|
Recoveries* |
4.7 |
2.8 |
|
Tackles + interceptions* |
2.6 |
1.6 |
|
Clearances* |
2.6 |
3.3 |
|
Duels won* |
4.0 (54%) |
3.6 (61%) |
|
Errors made |
4x |
2x |
|
Data via Sofascore |
||
This is why he is an endangered member of this squad. This is why he faces the potential of leaving with a reputation akin to Nunez, brimming with quality but arriving as a young and uncut gem, ultimately failing to bring it all together.
Is he a liability in this team? Perhaps so. It is useful to use Andy Robertson as a yardstick for the conundrum: last season, the Scotsman was clearly on the decline; a left-back was clearly a priority for FSG to sort out. But there are many calls now for the vice-captain to restore a nailed-down starting berth.
Slot has started using the 31-year-old more frequently, yes, but he has only started two of 12 Premier League fixtures this season, one of which includes the comprehensive 2-0 win over Aston Villa earlier this month.
Described as a “nervous wreck” by pundit Jamie Carragher, it’s clear that Kerkez is feeling the weight of moving to one of the world’s largest outfits. It doesn’t help that Slot’s tactics have proved so dysfunctional this term.
But left-back was a glaring weakness at Liverpool last year, and with Kostas Tsimikas out on loan and Robertson winding down, things have only gotten worse for the champions.
In this, Kerkez is becoming a major problem, a liability as concerning as Nunez was.
Gakpo upgrade: Liverpool could see bid accepted to sign £80m "superstar"
Liverpool are planning to enter the market for a new left-sided forward.
By
Angus Sinclair
Nov 27, 2025
Former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson says he still expects a verdict on the club's 115 Premier League charges "before Christmas". City were charged by the Premier League in early 2023 for allegedly breaching financial fair play (FFP) rules between 2009 to 2018, but fast forward to the present and a decision is yet to be handed out.
A New York Yankees fan who made their way out to the ballpark on Tuesday night experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows in a matter of a few seconds. The lucky fan was able to snag an Aaron Judge home run from their perch in the front row of the right field seats, making a nice grab in the air. Since it simply does not get any better than that, the fan immediately celebrated with other Yankees fans amped up by the souvenir and the fact that Judge continues to put together a historic offense season.
And in times like these, one does not simply exchange a light handshake or moderate any joy, meaning that the glove that caught the ball got jostled around and the original possessor lost possession. At this point, another fan noticed the ball rolling in their direction and slyly pocketed it among the chaos.
That scene is below.
The YES broadcast cameras kept eyes on the situation, and the party of the person who carrolled the ball did end up returning it to the fan who initially caught it.
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has offered his thoughts on Xavi Simons and his performances in training, while addressing the decision to bench him in Spurs’ last four matches.
Spurs welcome Brentford to north London on Saturday, desperately needing to end a dismal run that has seen them plummet to 11th in the Premier League table with just 19 points from 14 games.
Frank’s side approach this clash winless in their last five league outings, including three defeats.
Cristian Romero’s dramatic late overhead kick salvaged a 2-2 draw against Newcastle United in their last match, with a controversial VAR penalty to Newcastle denying them all three points.
Their home form has completely collapsed too, with the club now going six consecutive league matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium without a single victory.
|
Premier League home form table |
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Team |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
Points |
GD |
||||
|
16. Burnley |
2 |
1 |
4 |
7 |
-2 |
||||
|
17. Nottingham Forest |
2 |
1 |
4 |
7 |
-5 |
||||
|
18. West Ham |
2 |
0 |
5 |
6 |
-9 |
||||
|
19. Tottenham |
1 |
2 |
4 |
5 |
-1 |
||||
|
20. Wolves |
0 |
1 |
6 |
1 |
-11 |
||||
That shocking run includes 10 home defeats throughout the entire calendar year of 2025, matching the club’s worst-ever records for home losses in a single year.
Most concerning was their last appearance on home soil, where Fulham raced into a two-goal lead within the opening six minutes before securing a 2-1 victory.
The final whistle brought a cacophony of boos ringing around the stadium, aimed squarely at Frank and his struggling squad.
The ghosts of their 4-1 capitulation at Arsenal last month continue to haunt the team. During that humbling derby defeat, Tottenham managed an expected goals figure of just 0.07, one of their lowest outputs this season, highlighting their serious lack of creativity which has become a concern.
Injury problems compound Frank’s difficulties.
Player reveals Daniel Levy blocked his dream transfer to Chelsea from Tottenham
The ex-Lilywhites chairman held him hostage.
By
Emilio Galantini
Dec 4, 2025
Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski remain sidelined, robbing Spurs of crucial attacking impetus, with James Maddison not expected back until the new year. Meanwhile, Yves Bissouma also has no set return date yet.
The Lilywhites really need Simons to step up right now after his marquee £55 million move from RB Leipzig, but the Dutchman has scarcely been given a chance lately.
Simons’ highlights in a Spurs jersey are few and far between, with the ex-PSG sensation putting in a Player of the Match display against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League and notching an assist against West Ham way back in September.
That is, however, the sum of his contribution this season, with the ex-Eredivisie starlet attracting criticism.
Simons could end up costing the club £125 million when factoring in wages, agent’s fees and other add-ons over a potential seven-year contract, but to be fair to him, it’s hard to justify that price with limited game time.
Speaking in his latest press conference, Frank addressed why he hasn’t been starting for Simons for Tottenham lately — claiming it is down to a matter of form with alternatives and different personnel for contrasting matches.
The Dane also shared how Simons has been impressing in Tottenham training lately, so it is absolutely not a question of work ethic.
With the pressure on Simons to perform, Saturday sets the perfect stage, and he could become a hero by helping to arrest the club’s barren home form through a convincing display against Frank’s former club.