The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Yankees on Friday night in a 2024 World Series rematch, 8-5. They did so with a shorthanded roster, too, taking down the pinstripes without the talents of star Mookie Betts, who was held out of the game with a toe injury. Shortly before first pitch it was revealed Betts had stubbed his toe against a piece of furniture at his house and ESPN reported X-rays revealed he had fractured the toe.

After the game Betts confirmed the fracture and shared how, exactly, this happened.

Per Dylan Hernández of the Los Angeles Times, Betts hurt his toe during a nighttime trip to the bathroom. In the darkness he banged his toe against the wall. He also noted it's a pain tolerance injury and expects to be back soon.

Remarkably this makes for the second bathroom-related injury of the Dodgers' season. Earlier this year reigning World Series MVP Freddie Freeman missed time because he slipped while getting into the shower and hurt his ankle.

While unfortunate the mishap didn't affect Freeman too much. The slugger was held out of nine games and went on a tear upon his return in early April that has yet to subside; he's batting .368 for the year with 37 RBI in 46 games. Los Angeles hopes Betts will be similarly unbothered by his own incident.

The Dodgers will take on the Yankees again on Saturday, but it seems like Betts won't be back on the field until next week.

Liverpool are now reportedly rivalling Newcastle United in the race to sign a young midfield star who’s been compared to Dominik Szoboszlai.

Slot: Liverpool don't have "Jacob Murphy profile" to unlock Isak

It’s been a tumultuous time for Liverpool and record signing Alexander Isak. The Reds are yet to unlock the Swede’s best form, despite splashing out £125m to break a British record and welcome their next star man from Newcastle in the summer.

Arne Slot, however, is remaining patient and recently pinpointed exactly why Isak is yet to replicate his Newcastle form at Anfield. The Dutchman told reporters: “With Jeremie Frimpong being injured and Conor Bradley being out it is not like we have so many options on the right-hand side, and it is a bit similar on the left.

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“Alex could benefit maybe from a Conor or a Jeremie type of player who goes outside, instead of both wingers we have who come inside and full-backs who can come in with crosses.

“But the main difference for him is that we are facing a low block many times. It is not that it never happened at Newcastle but not as much, I think. This season the league has changed, we see so many more low blocks than last season.

“But I see this not only against us, I see this in many games. It makes it harder for him compared to his time at Newcastle but I think it is also him adjusting to his teammates and his teammates adjusting to him. But it is obvious and clear that we have not the profile of [Newcastle’s] Jacob Murphy, for example, available at this moment at this time.”

Whether Liverpool find their own version of Murphy in the January transfer window is now the big question. They’ve already been linked with Antoine Semenyo, who’d certainly offer the same quality, but he may not be the only one on his way.

Liverpool join race to sign Alex Toth

As reported by Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Liverpool have now joined the race to sign Alex Toth from Ferencvaros in 2026. The 20-year-old midfielder has been watched closely by scouts across the Premier League, including both those at Anfield and at St James’ Park and now seems destined for a big move.

Dubbed an “aggressive presser” by Hungarian journalist Bence Bocsak, it’s clear to see where the Szoboszlai comparisons have come from.

Liverpool’s press is certainly something that needs addressing in midfield too, which makes Toth a viable option when 2026 arrives. The Reds have got one over on Newcastle before and could yet do so yet again next year.

Not Isak: £45m star is now Liverpool's most frustrating player since Nunez

Bournemouth are next on the agenda for Ruben Amorim and Manchester United, with intrigue mounting over just who the Portuguese will have at his disposal on Monday night, not least in the forward areas.

Indeed, it has yet to be confirmed whether Bryan Mbeumo and Amad – alongside Noussair Mazraoui – will be in line to feature for the final time before heading off to AFCON, albeit with the trio pictured in first-team training on Thursday.

Among those not involved by all accounts, however, was £74m man, Benjamin Sesko, with it yet to be seen whether the Slovenian will make his return after sustaining a knee injury against Tottenham Hotspur last month.

The 22-year-old – who has scored just twice following his summer arrival from RB Leipzig – limped off in that 2-2 draw in north London, having squandered two potential openings following his introduction off the bench.

Regardless of his early “struggles”, as noted by Amorim, the loss of United’s number 30 remains a blow considering the lack of genuine alternatives, with Joshua Zirkzee a self-described ‘nine-and-a-half’.

That burden and reliance on Sesko could be aided in 2026, however, with a new centre-forward perhaps on the agenda.

Man Utd's search for a striker

There was talk of moving for another Premier League proven figure like Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha, in the form of Ollie Watkins over the summer, before Jason Wilcox and co ultimately settled on a long-term gamble, in the form of Sesko.

That decision, while still perhaps too soon to judge, has potentially backfired as far as INEOS are concerned, with Sesko yet to prove that he can be the man to end United’s long-standing number nine woes.

Not since the days of Robin van Persie has any Red Devil hit 20 Premier League goals in a season, with Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund notably scoring just seven top-flight goals between them in 2024/25.

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With that in mind, Caught Offside are reporting that United could be in the mix for further reinforcement at the top end of the pitch, having joined Chelsea in the race for Strasbourg striker, Joaquin Panichelli.

As per the report, it is the west Londoners who are leading the race for the Argentine’s signature, due to their BlueCo connections, although the Old Trafford side – alongside Aston Villa – are believed to have indirectly expressed their interest via intermediaries.

Enzo Maresca’s side, clearly, hold the advantage, yet if INEOS can lodge a suitable bid, they could provide Amorim with a wildcard Sesko upgrade.

How Panichelli compares to Sesko

There’s no suggestion that Sesko should be written off already, with United’s £74m investment highlighting their plan to back the young striker to be the main man later down the line, if not necessarily this season.

As was felt by Hojlund before him, however, he can’t shoulder the goalscoring responsibility on his own, having yet to prove he is a truly clinical and consistent striker.

The one-time Red Bull Salzburg starlet’s tally of two goals makes for grim reading with the New Year approaching, with Panichelli, meanwhile, regarded as “one of the most in-form strikers in Europe right now”, in the view of scout Antonio Mango.

The 23-year-old forward has enjoyed a real breakout season under the watchful eye of Liam Rosenior, having already scored nine goals in just 15 Ligue 1 outings in 2025/26.

It must be noted that he hasn’t scored in any of his last four, although, as seen below, only five strikers across Europe’s top five leagues have bettered his tally to date, further supporting Mango’s standout claim.

A true, old-fashioned centre-forward, where Panichelli also catches the eye due to his work ethic when leading the line, ranking in the top 2% of European forwards for interceptions and the top 7% for tackles per 90, as per FBref.

For comparison, Sesko ranks in the just the bottom 35% and the bottom 12% for those same two metrics, respectively, albeit while unsurprisingly ranking in the top 22% for aerial duels won.

It’s not as if the Strasbourg man’s form is a flash in the pan either, having netted 20 league goals in Spain last season for CD Mirandes, while on loan from Alaves.

Having been in red-hot form in front of goal over the last 18 months, the 6 foot 3 marksman could represent a left-field solution to Amorim’s centre-forward woes, provided United can see off Chelsea in the tussle for his signature.

Sesko might require patience, but if the Red Devils are after someone to make an immediate impact, Panichelli might just be that.

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They have received plenty of criticism for it, but Chelsea have signed some extraordinary young talents in recent seasons.

For example, despite still being just 18 years old, Estevao has been a revelation for Enzo Maresca’s side this season.

The young Brazilian has already scored five goals and provided one assist in just 843 minutes, and looks like he could be something truly special.

So, fans should be ecstatic that Chelsea have now signed another highly rated wonderkid who’s been compared not only to Estevao but also to Moises Caicedo.

How Chelsea are repeating their Estevao success

As if Estevao’s doing what he’s doing this season wasn’t already enough, Chelsea fans will have a few more wonderkids making their way to the club in the summer.

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Perhaps the pick of the bunch, and the one who feels most ready to have an impact akin to the Brazilians, is Geovany Quenda.

The Blues paid a whopping £44m for the Portuguese gem back in March, and while that’s a lot of money to spend on someone who is still just 18, he already looks value for money.

For example, in 22 first-team appearances this season, totalling 1273 minutes, the dynamic winger has scored five goals and provided eight assists.

In other words, the “relentless” teenage sensation, as dubbed by Mattinson, is averaging a goal involvement every 1.69 games, or every 97.92 minutes.

Appearances

22

Starts

12

Minutes

1273′

Goals

5

Assists

8

Goal Involvements per Match

0.59

Minutes per Goal Involvement

97.92′

Points per Game

2.32

Another wonderkid who’ll be making their way back to Stamford Bridge in the summer alongside Quenda is Kendry Páez.

The Ecuadorian midfielder is currently on loan with RC Strasbourg in Ligue 1 and, despite being just 18 years old, is making quite an impression.

In all, he has made 17 first-team appearances for the French outfit and was named young player of the month for September.

Perhaps even more impressive than his club record, the teenage star has also already won 23 caps for Ecuador and will undoubtedly play a role for them at the upcoming World Cup.

The conveyor belt of young talent is going to stop next year though, as BlueCo have now got their hands on another incredible prospect who has been compared to Estevao and Caicedo.

Chelsea's next wonderkid

It was announced on Wednesday that the consortium that owns Chelsea and Strasbourg, BlueCo, had agreed to sign Burkina Faso youngster Mohamed Zongo.

The 16-year-old will join the French club once he is 18, and according to the report, so long as he performs well, he will likely then move to the Blues at a later date.

While this isn’t a story that is going to get the fans all that excited, it is another example of the West Londoners’ owners being proactive and seeking out the best young talent in the world, which is a category Zongo most definitely belongs in.

For example, respected scout Jacek Kulig has dubbed him “one of the most exciting U17 talents in Africa.”

On top of that, U23 scout Antonio Mango has described him as a “magic” talent who has “incredible vision” and “ability to open up the game from all angles and areas.”

Something else that should excite the Stamford Bridge faithful is that he appears to be reasonably versatile, playing as both an attacking midfielder and a right-winger.

Interestingly, journalist and Chelsea writer Lloyd Canfield made a bold statement that the youngster “plays like a unique mix of Estevao and Moises Caicedo.”

The comparison to the Brazilian feels rather straightforward given the 16-year-old’s position and skillset.

However, when it comes to the Ecuadorian, Canfield argues that it’s his ability to shoot from range and control possession in the middle of the park that makes the comparison reasonable.

Ultimately, it’s going to be a while before fans can get a proper look at him, but if what those in the know say is true, BlueCo and, potentially, Chelsea have a real star on their hands.

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West Ham are willing to take a significant financial hit by selling a mainstay player who hasn’t done enough to impress Nuno Espírito Santo, according to a new report.

West Ham enjoy mini Nuno revival ahead of Aston Villa clash

West Ham supporters have witnessed encouraging signs of recovery under Nuno, with the Hammers suffering just one defeat across their previous six fixtures as they prepare to face Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.

The Portuguese’s impact has gradually manifested following a nightmare start that saw West Ham collect merely four points from nine Premier League matches.

West Ham’s results in the Premier League so far

Sunderland 3-0 West Ham

West Ham 1-5 Chelsea

Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham

West Ham 0-3 Tottenham

West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace

Everton 1-1 West Ham

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

West Ham 0-2 Brentford

Leeds 2-1 West Ham

West Ham 3-1 Newcastle

West Ham 3-2 Burnley

Bournemouth 2-2 West Ham

West Ham 0-2 Liverpool

Man United 1-1 West Ham

Brighton 1-1 West Ham

Recent performances suggest Nuno has successfully identified solutions, with his side demonstrating renewed resilience.

Their latest outing saw them salvage a dramatic 1-1 draw at Brighton on Sunday, with Jarrod Bowen’s exceptional sliding finish almost securing all three points before Georginio Rutter’s controversial stoppage-time equaliser denied them.

Prior to that, West Ham fought back to claim a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford against Man United, with Soungoutou Magassa’s late intervention sending the travelling contingent into raptures.

The mini-revival includes other positive results against Newcastle, Burnley and Bournemouth, with only the 2-0 home defeat to Liverpool interrupting their momentum.

That defeat was largely self-inflicted, as Lucas Paqueta received a bizarre red card for dissent that arguably cost them the game.

Saturday’s clash at home to Aston Villa represents another significant test. Unai Emery’s side currently sit third, just three points behind Arsenal following their recent victory over the Gunners, and some suggest they could well be outside title challengers.

Villa are also on a formidable run of form, winning seven of their last seven games in all competitions, with Emery’s last defeat coming at the very start of November.

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It is a tall order for West Ham to upset the applecart, especially with Villa buoyed by their dramatic weekend win over the league leaders, so they’ll need every man at their very best.

That includes £40 million defender Max Kilman, who’s attracted criticism this season.

West Ham ready to take huge loss on Max Kilman

However, according to club insider Claret & Hugh, the Englishman might not be relied upon for very long.

It is believed that West Ham are willing to green-light Kilman’s departure for £25 million in January, representing a substantial £15 million loss on their record defensive acquisition signed just 18 months ago.

The 28-year-old arrived from Wolves last year as part of Julen Lopetegui’s extensive recruitment drive that witnessed ten players secured for £145 million.

However, few acquisitions from that recruitment spree have justified their substantial price tags.

Recent speculation linking Kilman with Crystal Palace has been dismissed by C&H sources close to the London Stadium hierarchy as fabricated transfer gossip.

Nevertheless, insiders have also confirmed that West Ham would immediately accept any legitimate £25m proposal, highlighting their eagerness to recoup finances on the struggling defender.

Kilman featured regularly under both Lopetegui and Graham Potter, establishing himself as an ever-present selection despite underwhelming performances.

The same can be said under Nuno, with the centre-back starting 13 out of West Ham’s 14 league matches this season and playing the third-most minutes out of any player in their squad.

However, Kilman has apparently ‘failed to impress’ Nuno in that time, and reports suggest that West Ham are in the market for a new centre-back next month.

Toulouse defender Charlie Cresswell, who was ‘close’ to joining in the summer, is believed to a top target for the club in that regard (ExWHUemployee).

عزز فريق برشلونة تقدمه أمام ريال بيتيس بهدف خامس، من ضربة جزاء، خلال مباراة الفريقين بالدوري الإسباني، والمقامة مساء اليوم السبت.

ويحل برشلونة ضيفًا على ريال بيتيس، في مواجهة ضمن مباريات الجولة الخامسة عشر للدوري الإسباني موسم 2025-2026.

وتحصل برشلونة على ضربة جزاء بعد عودة الحكم لتقنية الفار وتم احتسابها في الدقيقة 58 من عمر المباراة.

اقرأ أيضًا | ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإسباني بعد هاتريك فيران توريس في مباراة برشلونة وريال بيتيس

وتوجه لامين يامال للتسديد ونجح في تسجيلها بشباك ريال بيتيس، ليمنح برشلونة الهدف الخامس خلال المباراة.

وكان ريال بيتيس تقدم بهدف مبكر عن طريق أنتوني، ليرد برشلونة، وسجل فيران توريس هاتريك، وأحرز روني باردجي هدفًا.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Internacional e o meia Alan Patrick confirmaram a renovação de contrato. Conforme apurou o Lance!, o vínculo do camisa 10, ampliado até o final de 2027, já havia sido assinado. Apesar do Colorado ter lutado contra o rebaixamento no Campeonato Brasileiro e do time ter sido eliminado nas copas do Brasil e Libertadores, o capitão teve o melhor rendimento em números da carreira. O contrato do meia foi prorrogado há alguns meses mesmo sem o anúncio oficial.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasInternacionalO que o Lance! sabe da situação de Odair Hellmann e o InternacionalInternacional12/12/2025InternacionalO que o Lance! sabe da saída de D’Alessandro do InternacionalInternacional12/12/2025InternacionalVolante do Internacional desperta interesse de clubes brasileirosInternacional11/12/2025

➡️Tudo sobre o Colorado agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Internacional

A documentação do camisa 10, de 34 anos, havia sido assinada no primeiro semestre depois de assédio de equipes da MLS, dos EUA. Chicago Fire e FC Dallas fizeram sondagens projetando uma proposta pelo jogador.

Inter e Alan Patrick renovam contrato

O momento em que a ampliação de contrato foi assinada era positivo, tanto para o jogador quanto para o clube, que acabaram caindo de rendimento depois. Naquele período, o Inter vinha da reconquista do Campeonato Gaúcho e de um bom começo no Brasileirão.

continua após a publicidade

Jamais o clube projetou uma queda técnica coletiva, saídas precoces nas copas do Brasil e Libertadores e campanha insuficiente no Nacional. A informação foi ocultada pelos dirigentes e estafe do atleta nos últimos meses em virtude do foco na fuga do rebaixamento. Além da prorrogação, houve valorização salarial para o meia.

Em números individuais, o 2025 de Alan Patrick foi o melhor da carreira. Ele fez 21 gols e deu 13 assistências em 50 partidas. Nesta quarta-feira, três dias após a conclusão do ano, o meia usou as redes sociais para fazer um balanço do ano.

continua após a publicidade

“Uma alegria imensa em poder voltar a conquistar um título com essa camisa no primeiro semestre. Mas, depois a temporada virou e temos que reconhecer com humildade que falhamos e temos que melhorar muito como todo”, começa o texto, que termina com o Inter é para quem acredita! Obrigado 🙌🏽❤️🤍”.

Os números do 10Em 202551 jogos21 gols13 assistênciasNo Inter239 jogos60 gols 41 assistências

Tudo sobre

Alan PatrickFutebol NacionalInternacional

Arsenal made it six wins from six in the Champions League on Monday night as Mikel Arteta’s men secured a 3-0 win over Club Brugge.

The Gunners tasted defeat against Aston Villa only a few days ago, but a much-changed team responded in emphatic fashion, with Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli both on the scoresheet.

Madueke scored a fierce opening goal, running through the heart of the Brugge team before unleashing a devastating effort from outside of the box that crashed in off the bar.

His second, a header from close range, was a lot simpler but there was nothing simple about Martinelli’s strike.

The Brazilian cut inside from the left and bent the ball into the far corner to cap off a phenomenal 3-0 win on the road in Europe.

Understandably, Arteta was delighted with what he saw from his players.

Arteta raves over Arsenal's attacking performance

Martinelli and Madueke have both struggled with injury this term but certainly made their chance count in Belgium on Wednesday night.

Speaking to the press after the game, Areta waxed lyrical over the two wingers, saying: “Madueke and Martinelli were outstanding today, the level of threat and two finishes spectacular. Jesus back after 11 months, to see him perform in the manner he did was really positive.”

Perhaps the biggest positive for the Gunners was Gabriel Jesus’ return to the side. The Brazilian hasn’t been seen in the first team since suffering a horrific ACL injury against Manchester United back in January.

While the striker didn’t score, he managed more touches than the man he replaced, Viktor Gyokeres, despite playing just half an hour.

Arteta was ecstatic to see the forward back in action, saying: “For 11 months, he’s been fighting against another very difficult injury and to see him back with that smile, with that energy and with that quality in his first performance back with us is really impressive and we’re all delighted for him.

“You can see how much we love him! If he continues to perform in that manner, he will bring something else to the team and I am really happy to see that.”

Arteta praises underrated Arsenal star

While the forward line grabbed the headlines in Brugge this week, praise must be handed to the lesser-spotted Christian Norgaard.

The Danish midfielder has barely kicked a ball since signing from Brentford in the summer but more than took his chance on Wednesday, albeit in an unfamiliar role.

Due to injuries to Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Cristhian Mosquera, Norgaard played at centre-back and looked very solid, helping his team keep a clean sheet.

The manager was delighted with his performance, stating: “Christian Norgaard is someone who probably prepares the best out of all of them. He is somebody who makes us better every day. Any position, any condition, his attitude is always immaculate.”

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There are no other changes to the squad that recently played Afghanistan at home

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Nov-2025

Fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani has been ruled out of Zimbabwe’s upcoming T20I tri-series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka due to a back injury. Left-arm seamer Newman Nyamhuri, yet to be capped in T20Is, has been named his replacement.There are no other changes to the squad that recently played Afghanistan at home, which Zimbabwe lost 0-3. Muzarabani, who had missed the last two T20Is of that series, picked up 2 for 41 in the first T20I.Nyamhuri, 19, has played four Tests and four ODIs, having made his international debut in December 2024. He was named in the T20I squad for the tri-series against South Africa and New Zealand in July but did not feature in any of the games.Led by Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe will open their campaign against hosts Pakistan in Rawalpindi on November 17, before facing Sri Lanka at the same venue on November 19. Zimbabwe will then travel to Lahore, where they will meet Pakistan again on November 23 and Sri Lanka on November 25. The top two teams on the points table will contest the final on 29 November in Lahore.Zimbabwe squad for T20I tri-series: Sikandar Raza (captain), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Bradley Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Wellington Masakadza, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Brendan Taylor

England have deferred their decision on whether to hit Australia with an all-pace attack in the first Ashes Test at Perth’s Optus Stadium after confirming a 12-man squad featuring both Mark Wood and Shoaib Bashir.Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum still have designs on letting their fast bowlers loose on what is expected to be the fastest pitch of the series. Wood is deemed fit, having recovered from a tight hamstring sustained in the warm-up match with the Lions last week. While he is expected to make the final XI, England are giving themselves time before deciding whether to go all-in with their seamers.Wood bowled for 40 minutes at the Perth nets during Tuesday’s training session, and sent down just two overs on Wednesday afternoon, before taking part in light fielding drills on the outfield with physical preparation coach Pete Sim. He then had a long look at the pitch with stadium curator Isaac McDonald.Wood would be one of five players in the XI with previous Test experience in Australia, along with Stokes, Joe Root, Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope. The 35-year old was also the standout quick on the 2021-22 tour, taking 17 wickets at 26.64.Related

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That includes a career best 6 for 37 in the last Test of that tour, a day-nighter in Hobart, when England also opted to field an XI without a specialist spinner. It was the second time they had done so in that series after the second Test in Adelaide (also a pink-ball match), which was acknowledged as an error in hindsight when seamer Ollie Robinson resorted to sending down a few overs of offspin.You have to go back to Boxing Day 1998 for the last time England fielded an XI for a red-ball match in Australia without a specialist spinner. They also did not field one in their last Test in July, against India at the Kia Oval, with Bashir out with a finger injury and Liam Dawson, his replacement for the fourth Test, dropped.Bashir’s characteristics – a high release point and knack of overspin – suits Australian pitches, something Stokes and McCullum raved about when bringing him into the set-up at the start of 2024 for the tour of India.It is worth noting that Nathan Lyon averages 20.86 at this ground, with 29 dismissals from five Tests, though is obviously a far more accomplished and seasoned operator than Bashir, whose 68 dismissals have come at 39.00 in his 19 Tests so far. The 22-year old struggled during the match between England and the Lions, bowling in three of the four innings and returning figures of 2 for 151 from 24 overs.

England squad for Perth Test

Ben Stokes (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Mark Wood