Ja Morant's first game against Grizzlies takes painful turn after Trail Blazers star exits originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Ja Morant's first game against the Memphis Grizzlies was always going to attract attention. The former face of the franchise spent seven seasons in Memphis, developed into one of the NBA's most electrifying guards and became one of basketball's most recognizable personalities.
His departure in June marked a significant change for both Morant and the organization that selected him with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
Thursday night provided the first opportunity for the two sides to face each other.
Unfortunately for Morant, the reunion did not end the way he hoped. The Portland Trail Blazers guard exited with a left hamstring injury during the fourth quarter of a 124-103 loss to Memphis.

#memphis #grizzlies

Former Texas A&M football players delivered several notable performances in Week 7 of the NFL season, including a breakout game from Cleveland Browns rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion and a career milestone for Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Cashius Howell.
Concepcion recorded career highs with eight receptions for 129 yards in Cleveland's 27-24 victory over the Tennessee **** ans. He also added 23 rushing yards on three carries, for 152 total yards from scrimmage. His performance earned him a nomination for the NFL's Rookie of the Week award.
The former Aggie became the first Browns rookie wide receiver since 2016 to surpass 100 receiving yards in a game. His 129 yards also ranked eighth in franchise history for a rookie in a single game. Over seven games, Concepcion has caught 30 passes for 315 yards, establishing himself as an emerging weapon in Cleveland's offense.
Howell also had a memorable afternoon in Cincinnati's 35-13 win over the Baltimore Ravens. The rookie defensive end recorded his first career NFL sack, bringing down quarterback Tyler Huntley for a four-yard loss on Baltimore's opening second-half drive.
The play helped force a punt as Cincinnati rallied from a 13-0 halftime deficit and scored 35 unanswered points to win. Howell, a second-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft, recorded 11.5 sacks in his final season at Texas A&M before moving to the professional level.

#howell #recorded #Browns

Could the Washington Commanders get star left tackle Laremy Tunsil back this season? A recent social media post from Tunsil gave Washington fans a glimmer of hope that one of the league's best offensive linemen could return before the end of the season.
Tunsil, who signed a two-year extension in the offseason, once again became the NFL's highest-paid offensive lineman, tore his triceps during a training camp practice on Aug. 8. It was a devastating blow for Tunsil personally and for the Commanders. Most believed Tunsil would miss most, if not all, of the upcoming 2026 regular season.
At 1-4-1, Washington is coming off its bye week and hosts the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night. Despite a rough start, the Commanders remain firmly in the NFC East mix. Could a few Washington wins push Tunsil to return sooner than anticipated?
First, here's the social media post that got everyone talking this week.
It's been nearly three months since Tunsil's triceps surgery. The injury usually keeps players out for 4-6 months, with offensive linemen often on the higher end because of the strenuous nature of the position. With Tunsil's social media post, head coach Dan Quinn was asked about his star left tackle.

#tunsil #Commanders #post #star

Former **** nal forward Gabriel Jesus has revealed that he turned down an approach from Brazilian heavyweights Flamengo during the summer transfer window out of loyalty to boyhood club Palmeiras. Instead of returning to South America, the 29-year-old attacker completed a deadline-day switch from north London to Spanish giants Barcelona.
Speaking to TV Bandeirantes, the Brazil international disclosed that Rio de Janeiro outfit Flamengo attempted to lure him back to his homeland once it became clear he was no longer part of Mikel Arteta's plans. Although the striker enjoyed a trophy-laden spell at Manchester City earlier in his career, recurring fitness setbacks hampered his progress at the Emirates Stadium. That uncertainty prompted several clubs across Europe and South America to enquire about his availability.
Having progressed through the Palmeiras academy between 2013 and 2015, the forward won the 2015 Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A Best Newcomer award alongside the Copa do Brasil before claiming the 2016 Bola de Ouro as the Verdao lifted their first league **** le in 22 years.
Across 83 appearances in Sao Paulo, he registered 28 goals and nine **** ists prior to moving to England. Explaining why that history stopped him from negotiating with Flamengo, Jesus said: "They wanted to talk to me, but I politely said: 'I really appreciate the contact, but just as there are players from Flamengo's youth academy that you want to come back, I'm also a product of Palmeiras' youth system.'"
Rather than heading back to South America prematurely, the centre-forward opted to remain in European football by penning a three-year contract with Barcelona running until June 2029. While he has no immediate plans to leave Catalonia, the attacker stressed that only his former club will be considered when he eventually returns home, adding: "I am Palmeiras, my mind is Palmeiras, 100% Palmeiras in a possible return. I don't know when."

#south #back #jesus

The Washington Commanders appear to be making a change with their latest addition. Last week, the Commanders hired former NFL head coach and longtime defensive ****** istant Steve Wilks to a role on the coaching staff. According to head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters, Wilks would spend part of the week in Ashburn working on game planning with the coaching staff and would not be involved in on-field player instruction.
For the first time since his hire became official, defensive coordinator Daronte Jones spoke about what Wilks brings to the Commanders.
"That was something that we had talked about back in training camp, but just for the value of experience that he has, we felt like we could use his resources and his expertise in some categories and experience," Jones said on Thursday.
Jones was asked whether Wilks' presence would let him, as a first-time NFL defensive coordinator, focus on other areas.
"Yeah, still working through how. It definitely does free me up in certain ways and just still manufacturing, working through how exactly we wanna disperse that, the workspace. So, we're still working through those a little bit."

#wilks #week #head

One email changed everything for George Spencer.
Eight years after asking how he could get involved in a sport he had watched as a spectator, the 30-year-old is preparing to represent Great Britain at a world championship for the third time.
This weekend, he will travel to Germany to compete against some of the world's best athletes in a sport that involves chopping and sawing through wood with axes, chainsaws and crosscut saws.
What started with a simple email after watching an event in Liverpool in 2018 soon became what Spencer describes as an "obsession".
"My friend said I should see about getting involved so I emailed them and got invited to a newcomers' taster day," he said.

#eight

Dawson Sutton experienced an eventful afternoon in Friday's Love's RV Stop 225 at Talladega Superspeedway, finishing 19th after leading one lap and encountering tire problems. The Rackley W.A.R. driver started 26th and demonstrated competitive speed during the middle portion of the race.
Sutton advanced through the field as the opening stages featured shifting drafting lanes and changing pit strategies. His No. 26 Chevrolet became particularly competitive during Stage 2, when he finished seventh and collected four valuable points.
Sutton also benefited from an efficient pit stop following the stage, moving toward the front as competitors employed different tire strategies. However, his afternoon became more challenging when a tire problem caused him to slow during the final stage.
The issue contributed to a caution for debris, forcing Sutton to recover lost track position during the remaining portion of the race. Despite the setback, he continued competing and avoided the late accident that eliminated multiple drivers. Sutton ultimately completed 85 laps and finished 19th, one lap behind winner Sammy Smith.
The result earned him 23 points and helped him maintain 18th in the overall NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series standings with 366 points.

#tire

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Logan Cooley completed a hat trick against his hometown team with a second left, Mikhail Sergachev scored at 3:27 of overtime and the Utah Mammoth stunned the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 on Thursday night.
After Ben Kindel put Pittsburgh ahead 3-2 with 25 seconds left, Cooley — playing his third NHL game in Pittsburgh — batted the puck in from the left side of the net for sixth goal in four games and seventh of the season.
Cooley became the third Pittsburgh native with a hat trick against the Penguins, joining Brandon Saad and R.J. Umberger. At age 5, Cooley took part in Sidney Crosby's first Little Penguins Learn to Play Hockey program.
Cooley scored for the first time in seven games against Pittsburgh. He had two first-period goals to give the Mammoth an early 2-0 lead, and scored in the third for his third career hat trick.
In overtime, Sergachev beat Arturs Silovs off a rebound in front.

#pittsburgh #trick #left

Chants of "Barry! Barry!" resounded throughout Bridgestone Arena prior to the Nashville Predators game against the Washington Capitals.
The former coach of both teams, Barry Trotz, became the newest member of the Predators' Golden Hall on Oct. 29, with the ceremony taking place at center ice before the game. Majority owner Bill Haslam, former general manager David Poile, and CEO Sean Henry joined Trotz for the presentation.
"I've been blessed to work with three wonderful organizations, and two of them are here tonight," Trotz said during his induction speech. "I'm honored and humbled to be inducted into the Golden Hall and standing beside Predators greats."
Trotz is the sixth member of the Golden Hall, which was established in 2023 to honor the franchise's elite players and important figures. He joins Poile, goaltender Pekka Rinne, defenseman Shea Weber and broadcasting duo Pete Weber and Terry Crisp.
Trotz concluded his speech by thanking the fans in attendance: "Thank you for making Smashville my home. Thank you, I love you, and God bless."

#hall

Oct. 29—VERMILLION, S.D. — Long before Austyn Modrzewski became the starting quarterback at the University of South Dakota, he was a first grader in Littleton, Colorado, who had already discovered something special about throwing a football.
He initially lined up at running back when he started playing tackle football. But it did not take long for those around him to recognize that the ball belonged in his hands, and preferably in the air. Even at that age, Modrzewski was doing something rare for a young player in his area: leading an offense that could throw the football.
By second grade, he was training specifically to play quarterback. Sunday mornings and several days throughout the week became practices for his mechanics, improving his footwork and developing a position that had already become his passion. By third grade, he was learning to read defenses.
Football was never simply something Modrzewski played. It was something he worked to understand. He competed across state lines, trained year-round and developed an appreciation for the quarterback position long before most children his age had even thought about their athletic futures.
"I always wanted to be a running growing up back because they always get the ball," Austyn Modrzewski said earlier this season. "And in the first practice, we didn't have a quarterback so I kind of just stepped up and started throwing some ****** . I had fun doing it, and I was like, 'I'm not half bad at throwing.'"

#modrzewski #long #austyn #even

AA Milne's first Pooh book was published a century ago in October 1926. Generations of children loved it, but its inspiration, the author's own son, told the BBC that he took to "running away when people bring up the subject".
"Pooh, promise you won't forget about me, ever. Not even when I'm a hundred." This is the plaintive cry made by Christopher Robin to his teddy bear, Winnie-the-Pooh, in the final chapter of The House in Pooh Corner.
British novelist and playwright AA Milne needn't have worried. The first Winnie-the-Book was published 100 years ago in October 1926, and introduced a cast of characters modelled on the author's son and the soft toys he played with: lovably dim Pooh Bear, nervy Piglet, hyperactive Tigger, pessimistic Eeyore. Far from being forgotten, in the century since then the characters have taken on a life far beyond the parameters of their idyllic home, the Hundred Acre Wood.
BBC Radio 4, Desert Island Discs: Christopher Milne, 13/11/1976
From 1966, they became the subject of animated and live-action Disney films, in what is now one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time. Pooh Bear has even courted controversy in Poland for being "inappropriate", sparked memes mocking the Chinese president Xi Jinping, and prompted tongue-in-cheek pop-culture theories in which the residents of the Hundred Acre Wood have been "diagnosed" with different psychological conditions.

#christopher #acre #wood

Phoebe Dynevor became internationally famous through Bridgerton, and that sudden success also brought increased attention to her personal life. The British actress has experienced everything from relatively private relationships to a highly publicized romance followed by photographers and tabloids. Over time, however, Dynevor has become increasingly careful about separating her career from her relationships. Her romantic history has included actors and figures outside the entertainment spotlight, but her relationship with Cameron Fuller ultimately became the most significant chapter. After beginning their romance in 2023, the couple became engaged and later married.
Before Bridgerton transformed her public profile, Dynevor was linked to several men, including British actor Sean Teale and executive Simon Merrill. These relationships attracted comparatively limited attention, partly because they occurred before she became internationally recognizable as Daphne Bridgerton. The success of the Netflix period drama dramatically changed the amount of interest surrounding her life away from the screen.
That became especially clear in 2021, when Dynevor dated American comedian Pete Davidson. Their relationship generated intense media attention as the pair were photographed together and followed by celebrity publications. Dynevor later reflected on the experience of suddenly having strangers interested in something she considered an ordinary part of being a young woman. The relationship ended after several months, with their demanding schedules and distance widely reported as challenges.
A quieter chapter began when Dynevor was linked to actor and producer Cameron Fuller in 2023. The pair initially kept much of their relationship away from public attention, although they gradually began appearing together at events. Fuller comes from an entertainment industry family and has worked both in front of and behind the camera.
Their relationship reached another milestone in 2024. Dynevor attended the Met Gala wearing a pale pink Victoria Beckham gown and revealed a diamond ring on her left hand, bringing widespread attention to their engagement. Fuller and Dynevor largely continued their low key approach afterward rather than turning their wedding preparations into a constant public storyline.

#fuller #relationships

Kate Middleton reportedly made it clear to the late Queen Elizabeth what role she would play before marrying Prince William. According to a royal author, the Princess of Wales expressed her thoughts on taking on royal responsibilities.
She allegedly clarified that she would always prioritize her family over royal obligations. The 44-year-old reportedly refused to be "pigeonholed" into obeying certain duties. For those unversed, William and Middleton got married on April 29, 2011.
Kate Middleton reportedly laid out her expectations regarding royal duties to the late Queen Elizabeth before marrying Prince William. Royal biographer Robert Jobson discussed the matter in his book, "Catherine, The Princess of Wales: The Biography." According to Jobson (via RadarOnline), the mother of three had established a few "fundamental life rules" that she intended to follow after joining "The Firm."
The Princess of Wales reportedly made her intentions clear to the late queen and her son, now King Charles. "She was clear from the outset that she would not be pigeonholed into carrying out particular duties. Her priority, she emphasized, would always be her family," the author wrote.
Furthermore, a source told the outlet that Middleton was "determined" to prevent the palace's expectations from "overshadowing her private life." Her commitment to maintaining those boundaries reportedly became even more important after she welcomed her three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

#royal #william

Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Actor Eric Bauza, the voice of Bugs Bunny and other Looney Tunes characters in recent years, has died, according to his family. He was 46.
His death was announced late Sunday on his Instagram account. The statement from his family said that he "has passed away suddenly" and more details would be later announced.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said in a report that Bauza died Sunday at his residence. The cause was hypertensive cardiovascular disease.
Emmy Award-winning writer and producer Aaron J. Waltke offered his condolences online following the death of Bauza, whom he worked with on several projects.
"Working with Eric Bauza was such a tremendous joy. He was always so kind and open-hearted, even before he became the voice of our childhood," Waltke said on X.

#announced #actor

Freshman libero Gabi Rodriguez added another milestone to her impressive first season as No. 19 Texas A&M defeated Auburn on Sunday.
Rodriguez recorded 16 digs and a career-high 10 **** ists, marking her first double-double in college. Her performance helped the Aggies defeat the Tigers in four sets and end a three-match losing streak.
Texas A&M needed stability in the back row after losses to Oklahoma, Arkansas and Florida. Rodriguez provided it again while becoming more involved in setting up the offense. Her 10 **** ists ranked second on the team behind Kirra Musgrove, who finished with 41.
Rodriguez has reached double-digit digs in 17 of the Aggies' 19 matches and now has 254 this season. She previously became the fastest freshman in program history to reach 200 career digs, doing it in just 16 matches.
She followed that performance by setting a career high with 21 digs against Arkansas.

#rodriguez #double

Travis Hunter made NFL history, but the Jaguars still left London with a loss originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Travis Hunter produced the kind of two-way performance Jacksonville hoped to see when it selected him second overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Jaguars still lost, but Hunter's day in London was historic.
Hunter caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Trevor Lawrence early in the fourth quarter, then intercepted Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud in the end zone on the Texans' next drive. He became the first NFL player since Brian Dawkins in 2002 to record both a receiving touchdown and an interception in the same game.
The Jaguars ultimately fell 34-31 when Houston kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn made a 49-yard field goal as time expired. Hunter's rare contribution helped Jacksonville stay within reach, but the Texans got the final points.
Hunter finished with four catches for 59 yards and the touchdown. His interception was his second of the season and came with Houston threatening to extend its lead.

#hunter

England manager Sarina Wiegman has signed a two-year contract extension with the Lionesses.
The 56-year-old's previous deal was due to expire after next summer's World Cup, but her new contract will run until the end of Euro 2029.
Dutchwoman Wiegman guided England to their second straight European Championship ****** le with victory over Spain in the Euro 2025 final.
The victory meant the Lionesses became the first England team - women's or men's - to win a major trophy on foreign soil.
"I am so happy to be able to carry on with this squad and cannot think of a better job in football," said Wiegman.

#england #year

Sunday's 18-16 home loss to the Cardinals dropped the Rams to 2-4 and continued a start that has many people scratching their heads given how high the hopes were for the team heading into the season.
Everyone ******* ociated with the team is fielding questions about why things have gone so poorly, including running back Kyren Williams. Williams was asked about why he thinks the offense has been inconsistent from drive to drive over the first six weeks and he pointed to his role in his answer.
"I can't tell you, bro," Williams said, via Adam Grosbard of the Orange County Register. "Probably because I'm not out there."
Williams played 70 percent of the snaps in the first five games and he outsnapped Blake Corum 42-16 on Sunday while fielding 13 touches to 11 for Corum. Williams' workload is in line with last season, but down from its peak in 2024 and he's seeing fewer carries than at any point since he became a starter. He was asked if he'd like to see that change in the coming weeks.
"I can't really call that. It's not on me," Williams said. "But I just think no matter what, we gotta continue to have the energy. You gotta continue to, when plays are made, be excited, be happy so we uplift not only the offense but the defense and the special teams and just being able to have that camaraderie to where we're playing off of each other and I think that's what is going to allow us to be where we want to be."

#williams #team

The goal that pushed the Minnesota Wild past the Blue Jackets in a 2-1 win Oct. 18 at Grand Casino Arena was shot into an opening roughly the size of a basketball above goalie Cam Talbot's shoulder during a power play in the second period.
More: Columbus Blue Jackets stumble in 2-1 loss to Minnesota Wild
The guy who sent it there, Kirill Kaprizov, leads the NHL with 10 goals in nine games and makes $17 million a season. There wasn't much Talbot could've done, even with an unobstructed view of Kaprizov's shot, but the veteran backstop wore it anyway.
"Yeah, I think I gave him a little bit too much [to shoot at]," Talbot said. "He put it in a great spot, but the other four guys are doing their job. That's my guy. I've got to make that save."
Talbot's answer plus his impressive ability to remain solid into his upper 30s is how he became the first goalie in NHL history to play and win games for nine separate franchises during his Blue Jackets debut Oct. 9 in a victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was the least of the Jackets' concerns in St. Paul, Minnesota, where the Wild forced him to make 32 saves to keep it a one-goal differential.

#goal #shot #play

One ESPN ****** yst claims to have some insight on the biggest story surrounding the Detroit Red Wings.
In an episode of the Frankly Hockey podcast featuring NHL ****** ysts John Buccigross and Frank Seravalli published on Friday, Oct. 16, Buccigross said he had information that indicated the Red Wings will soon be making a blockbuster deal.
"I think there's going to be a trade within seven to 10 days in Detroit," he said.
Seravalli then asked Buccigross to confirm that he was talking about disgruntled star Dylan Larkin, to which Buccigross said yes, "that's coming."
Larkin's trade request became public knowledge on June 4, with the native Michigander having played a big role on the Red Wings since his rookie season in 2015-16. About a month after the news broke, the Red Wings parted ways with longtime general manager Steve Yzerman and named Shawn Horcoff the interim GM on Sept. 15.

#john

When Kawhi Leonard became a Toronto Raptor for the first time in the summer of 2018, he looked shellshocked. "There's just more questions you have to ask me in order for me to tell you about myself," he said, introducing himself to an organization and city he reportedly had no interest in joining.
Leonard had fallen out with his former team, the San Antonio Spurs – one of the most respected franchises in professional sports – due to differences in opinion about an injury that had limited him to just nine games in the 2017-18 season. The Los Angeles native had hoped to end up in southern California, but instead the Raptors risked it all by swapping franchise cornerstone DeMar DeRozan for one year of an injured, malcontent Leonard. It worked: Leonard led the Raptors to their maiden championship on the back of a historic playoff run, averaging 30.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.9 **** ists and 1.7 steals en route. Leonard won his second finals MVP to go alongside the one he had claimed with the Spurs when he helped them to the **** le in 2014.
Related: LeBron James is everything Philadelphia wants. And everything it can't stand | Bryan Armen Graham
"The narrative of not wanting to come to this city is gone," the team's president, Masai Ujiri, said at that 2018 press conference, speaking to insecure Raptors fans who had watched American players like Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, and Chris Bosh leave Toronto since the franchise opened its doors in 1995. "We should move past that. Believe in this city. Believe in yourselves … We are proud of who we are."
But even a historic season wasn't enough to convince Leonard to stay north of the border. After a long and contentious free-agency period managed by his uncle, Dennis Robertson, Leonard spurned the reigning champions in favor of his hometown Los Angeles Clippers. "There wasn't as much anger in 2019 as there was with Vince Carter or some of the other guys who left," says Bruce Arthur, who has covered Leonard since 2018 for the Toronto Star. "I think he was given a little bit of special dispensation because he was going home, because he had delivered a **** le, and because I never felt like there was ever a connection outside of Kawhi the basketball player, with Toronto."

#SPURS #vince #carter #believe

Sevilla players Juan Iglesias and Kike Salas have criticised the refereeing following their side's 4-1 defeat to Real Madrid, with both questioning why the officials did not intervene over an alleged elbow by Arda Guler on Peque during the first half.
The incident became a major talking point after Real Madrid took control of the contest through goals from Guler and Kylian Mbappe.
The Sevilla players believe the contact on Peque should have been reviewed and potentially resulted in a red card, while Iglesias also highlighted a separate challenge involving Robbie Ure during Mbappe's goal.
Iglesias argued that the incident involving Guler and Peque deserved closer scrutiny, explaining that Sevilla's players had discussed the contact during half-time.
While stopping short of declaring the decision definitively incorrect, the defender made clear that he believed a foul had occurred.

#peque #incident #contact

Steven Gerrard was the epitome of a local lad living out the dreams of the supporters watching on.
Across an incredible career atLiverpool, Gerrard became the beating heartbeat of the Reds' side. A box-to-box force of nature, Gerrard led Liverpool to a wealth of major honours, often appearing to singlehandedly drag his boyhood side over the line.
Gerrard was the driving force in Liverpool's 2005Champions League success in Istanbul, when Rafael Benitez's side somehow recovered from three goals down against AC Milan to win. A year later, another defining performance led to FA Cup success and the 'Gerrard Final' was born.
In 2026, he wasvoted as number one in a list of Liverpool's 100 Greatest Players.
For England, Gerrard won 114 caps and scored 21 goals, further cementing himself as one of the finest footballers the country has ever produced.

#reds

Sevilla manager Luis Garcia Plaza has strongly criticised the refereeing after his side's 4-1 defeat to Real Madrid, arguing that Arda Guler should have been sent off following an alleged elbow on Peque during the first half.
The Sevilla coach believes the decision deprived his team of a fair opportunity to compete at the Santiago Bernabeu, insisting the match should have continued with Real Madrid down to ten men from around the 25th minute.
Although Garcia Plaza acknowledged that Real Madrid deserved to win with both teams at full strength, he questioned how the contest might have unfolded had the Turkish midfielder been dismissed.
The incident involving Guler and Peque became the central issue in Garcia Plaza's post-match ****** sment.
The Sevilla forward appealed after being struck while the two players were running towards goal, but the referee did not send off the Real Madrid midfielder.

#guler #peque

Enzo Maresca had predicted Phil Foden would score, and he did score. For much of Foden's career that would scarcely have seemed an outlandish prediction. Not now. Foden's had struck 27 times for Manchester City alone in 2023-24. Yet when Ipswich arrived at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, his drought spanned 35 games for City, plus two for England that may have cost him a place at the World Cup.
But there are two Fodens. Maresca remembered the teenage prodigy, the player who had won the individual awards, the seeming generational talent before he became the goal-shy City substitute. "With Phil I said many times, I know him from years ago, for me he's one of the best Premier League players," said the City manager, who had worked with Foden in his previous times at the Etihad Stadium. "And since day one it's my duty to help him to again be one of the best players."
That process got off to something of a false start. By the time City kicked off against Ipswich Foden had, in effect, sat out four-and-three-quarter games. His first-half red card in the Manchester derby was followed by a three-match domestic suspension. He was an unused substitute in the Champions League defeat against Paris Saint-Germain.
Even before being banned, he had been usurped, and under successive managers. In first Pep Guardiola's valedictory season and then Maresca's first in charge, Rayan Cherki has been the No 10 who has starred and sparkled. Foden has provided less magic. Perhaps it says something for the luxuries Maresca enjoys that Foden has felt the more prosaic player in his position.
Perhaps it is an added complication, too, that in Enzo Fernandez he has costly competition emerging, with the £125m signing spending the second half against PSG operating as the most advanced of the midfield trio. A lesson of that defeat may be that, against elite opposition, Maresca requires both Ayyoub Bouaddi and Elliot Anderson to anchor the midfield, perhaps meaning Fernandez is the most advanced of the trio.

#perhaps #enzo #phil

Excluding independents, it was the only non-conference matchup of Week 7.
For such a unique matchup this late in the season, it was bound to produce a unique result: South Florida defeated Kent State, 29-2.
Kent State became the first FBS team to score exactly two points since UMass did in a 20-2 loss to Florida Atlantic on Nov. 20, 2020.
The Golden Flashes led 2-0 after the first quarter Saturday night in Tampa. Immediately after a turnover on downs at the South Florida 3-yard line, Kent State managed to salvage some points through its defense. True freshman defensive end Dion'Dre Taylor stuffed USF running back D.J. Crowther in the end zone to hand the Golden Flashes their first lead against a non-conference FBS opponent since Sept. 9, 2023, when they led Arkansas 3-0.
It appeared as if Kent State would build on that early advantage. After the safety, the Golden Flashes drove down to the USF 1-yard line. Kent State lined up in a tush push formation, attempting a quarterback sneak to extend the lead. However, an unclean center-quarterback change left the ball on the floor, and former 5-star defensive end recruit C.J. Hicks scooped it up and ran 99 yards for his first career touchdown.

#Kent #conference #matchup

Six months ago, Sonay Kartal could not stand up and brush her teeth without "being in agony".
The pain caused by a stress fracture in her back eventually subsided, but the 24-year-old Briton still had a long road to full recovery, which needed to be navigated with patience and hard work.
Kartal did not make her return to competitive action until little under a month ago.
But on Monday, she became the new British number one after an extraordinary week at the Wuhan Open, where she reached the biggest final of her career in just her third tournament back.
"In the first month or so, I was at home in bed - sometimes I had good days but there were also bad days where I wasn't really able to walk without some form of pain," Kartal said.

#pain #month #sonay

Nordi Mukiele didn't mince his words after Sunderland's defeat at Bournemouth – and perhaps that's exactly what was needed.
"I don't know. Maybe because we became arrogant, this is what I think," he said. "It's just the beginning, football is like this. You can accept and just stand up and go back to work."
He went further, questioning whether enough was being done on the training ground and admitting that, against Bournemouth, Sunderland didn't look like a team desperate to win.
"Maybe we became arrogant."
"We struggle everywhere."

Nordi Mukiele shares his honest views after Sunderland's defeat to Bournemouth 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/6lgD20tUMx
Coming from one of the few players who emerged from the south coast with any real credit, those comments should make us all sit up and take notice.

#nordi #mukiele #sunderland

Titans' Cam Ward finally got a win, but his brutal numbers still made unwanted history appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
A 26-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts was just what the doctor ordered for the Tennessee ******* ans as coach Robert Saleh got his first win with the franchise. Cam Ward's bright spots were pointed by OC Brian Daboll in the days leading up to the game, leading to a mediocre performance in Week 6.
Ward did enough to help his team secure the W, but he didn't do well on the stat sheet by traditional metrics. The former top overall pick became the fifth QB since 2024 to start and finish a game, attempt 20+ passes, throw for less than 105 yards and still win, according to NFL on FOX.
On the positive side of the equation, the other four guys to join him have all done well thus far, including Bryce Young, Jalen Hurts, Bo Nix and Caleb Williams.
Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)

#leading #game

Lady Gaga showed off her 10-carat engagement ring in a makeup tutorial she posted on Instagram.
The pop star and her fiancé Michael Polansky recently became parents.
She confirmed her engagement to Polansky in 2024.
Lady Gaga gave fans a glimpse of her at-home glam in a new Instagram video. The Grammy winner, 40, showed off her makeup routine—and her massive engagement ring—weeks after she was confirmed to have welcomed her first child with fiancé Michael Polansky.
Gaga began her video bare-faced before applying several products from her own beauty brand, Haus Labs. Her 10-carat engagement ring, which is worth approximately $1 million, was front and center throughout her tutorial. Featuring an oval-cut diamond set in 18kt white and rose gold, the impressive sparkler was designed by Sofia Jewelry, according to People.

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