While Arsenal dropped points prior to the international break, this weekend represented a colossal opportunity for Mikel Arteta’s men to stamp their authority on this Premier League title race.

Manchester City and Liverpool suffered defeat, meaning that once the Gunners had beaten fierce rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, their advantage over City in third was now seven points.

As Jamie Carragher put it at full-time on Sky Sports, the only team who can stop Arsenal from winning the league are Arsenal.

They have the tactics, they have the defensive shape and they now have the attacking firepower and depth to their squad to take on anyone.

As Arsenal swatted aside Spurs, they did so without a recognised centre-forward, they did so without captain Martin Odegaard and they did so without Gabriel, one of the most influential players in the entire division this season.

The man to thank? Well, it was certainly Eberechi Eze.

The key men as Arsenal defeat Spurs

Coming into this game the narrative was all about Eze.

The attacking midfielder had famously rejected a move to Spurs in the summer in favour of returning to his boyhood club.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank was quizzed on that in his pre-game press conference and muttered a response that he will now live to regret: “Who’s Eze?”

The Dane said that with a smile. Well, he certainly knows who Eze is now.

He became the first Arsenal player to score a hat-trick in the north London derby since Alan Sunderland in 1978 and he did so in some style.

It was Leandro Trossard who has opened the scoring but Eze, signed for £67.5m over the summer from Crystal Palace, stole the show.

Arsenal have lacked a player with his ability to shoot on sight and boy did he do so on Sunday evening. His first was a brilliant taken effort in a crowded penalty area but his second and third goals came with more space.

The quality, however, was equally as good each time. The England international scored a stunning goal for his country over the international break and was bang in form again here. The way he dispatched his second on his weaker foot spoke volumes of the form this man is in.

The third was also sumptuous. Fed the ball by Trossard, the former Palace star took one touch to set himself, ignored Bukayo Saka to his right and rifled the ball home.

Eze deserved most of the plaudits but the aforementioned Trossard did too. He scored and assisted, meaning that in the 32 games where he has found the net for Arsenal, he has never been on the losing team.

An amount of praise must be passed to Piero Hincapie too.

With Gabriel injured and out of the side the Ecuadorian stood in at centre-half and was exemplary on his first start in the Premier League, winning all three of his contested aerial duels.

Still, there was a rather underrated performance elsewhere that we’re yet to mention.

Arsenal star shows shades of Ozil and Odegaard

An attacking midfielder lights up the Emirates again and you’d be forgiven for thinking that Eze was the most alike to a certain Mesut Ozil and Odegaard.

Yet, in rather surprising circumstances, the player who evoked memories of those dazzling Arsenal players was Mikel Merino.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

When the Spaniard signed for the Gunners in 2024 he was renowned as something of a duel monster. While he’s played regularly in midfield for Arteta, he has been most impactful as a makeshift striker.

Injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus last term meant that the Spain international needed to fill in as a centre-forward. He performed admirably too, notably scoring against Real Madrid and rescuing that win against Leicester when he first featured as the number 9.

Arsenal signed Viktor Gyokeres in the summer but have still had to rely on Merino with Jesus, Havertz and the Swede on the sidelines in recent weeks.

The £32m midfielder netted twice against Slavia Prague in the Champions League a few weeks ago but perhaps saved his finest display of the season for Spurs on Sunday.

He started the game slowly but held the ball up admirably and although he won’t run the channels like Gyokeres, he made the team click and was the catalyst for Eze’s hat-trick. That was outlined by analyst Raj Chohan on social media.

That wasn’t the best thing Merino did, however. The pass for Trossard’s goal was remarkable.

He received the ball 25 yards from goal, waited for precisely the right moment to clip the ball into the box and he did so delightfully, finding the Belgian who swivelled and then found the net.

It was a scarily good pass, one that evoked memories of a certain Ozil.

In the process of being hailed as “Arsenal’s most underrated player” by club insider, Hand of Arsenal, he stated that “if that pass is made by Ozil we are raving.”

Minutes played

88

Touches

44

Accurate passes

16/22 (73%)

Shots

1

Key passes

1

Successful dribbles

0/2

Tackles won

5/5

Ground duels won

8/15

Aerial duels won

2/7

Recoveries

3

CBS reporter James Benge had a similar viewpoint, remarking that it was “an Arsene Wenger building an entire midfield out of diminutive playmakers” type of pass.

Cast your mind back to the days of Ozil, to some of Odegaard’s magical assists in Arsenal colours, it was right out of their playbook and it broke down what had been a stubborn Spurs defence up to that point.

Merino is not the most stylish of players, he is not the Rolls-Royce. However, what he will always guarantee is a mighty strong shift and a very efficient performance. He delivered just that on Sunday again, all with a bit of Ozil flavour.

Not just Eze: £27m star just had his best game for Arsenal

Eberechi Eze scored a remarkable hat-trick as Arsenal defeated Spurs.

ByMatt Dawson Nov 23, 2025

Over the last couple of years, Tottenham Hotspur have splashed the cash in the attacking department to try and soften the blow of Harry Kane’s departure in 2023.

The Lilywhites spent £55m on the services of Mohammed Kudus this summer, with the Ghanaian occupying a starting role under Thomas Frank off the right-hand side of the frontline.

He’s already made an immediate impact in North London, as seen by his tally of one goal and four assists in the Premier League – with the latter the joint-highest of any player in the division.

However, club-record signing Dominic Solanke has struggled for fitness this campaign, with the £65m addition currently being restricted to just 31 minutes of league action due to an ongoing ankle issue.

Despite the struggles of the Englishman, one first-team member who’s been injury-free has often struggled to meet the high expectations he’s set for himself at the club.

How Johnson compares to Premier League wingers in 2025/26

Last season was arguably the best of Brennan Johnson’s professional career, with the winger ending the campaign on a total of 18 goals across all competitions.

Such a tally was the highest in the first-team squad, which undoubtedly helped catapult the Lilywhites to Europa League glory under Ange Postecoglou’s guidance.

However, many expected the Welshman to kick on after scoring the winner in the final, but Kudus and Frank’s arrival has seen a huge decline in his numbers during the first few months of 2025/26.

The 24-year-old has only registered a total of 0.9 shots per 90 in the league this season, with such a tally ranking him in the 12% percentile – meaning 88% of wingers have managed more in the Premier League.

He’s also created just 0.7 chances per 90 to date, placing him in the 18th percentile, which has restricted him to registering zero assists for his teammates at present.

Johnson has massively struggled to get past the opposition, with his tally of 0.5 dribbles completed per 90 showcasing his lack of impact – subsequently placing him in the 23rd percentile compared to other wingers.

As a result of his dismal form in North London, the club have been constantly on the lookout for other talents, which has resulted in one player appearing on their radar.

Frank's answer to Semenyo

In recent weeks, Spurs have been just one side touted with a potential winter move for Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo after his incredible start to the current campaign.

The Ghanaian has been Andoni Iraola’s shining light to date, as reflected in his remarkable tally of six goals and three assists in just his first 11 matches of 2025/26.

Such form has captured the attention of numerous Premier League outfits, with Arsenal, Liverpool and the Lilywhites just three clubs on red alert for his signature.

It was reported this week that the 25-year-old has a £65m release clause that becomes active from January 1st, which could see one of the aforementioned sides grab themselves a bargain.

However, with competition being fierce for his services, it’s unclear how much of a chance Frank’s men will have in completing a deal for one of the country’s hottest prospects.

Should the Lilywhites miss out on a deal, the fans shouldn’t worry, with the club already having their answer to Semenyo in the form of winger Wilson Odobert, a player described as “a mixture of [Bradley] Barcola and Aaron Lennon” by one Sky Sports analyst.

The Frenchman joined the club in a £25m deal from Burnley last summer, but has had to bide his time in North London, often resorting to minutes off the substitutes bench.

However, in recent weeks, he’s made a major impact on Frank’s side, registering an assist against Manchester United and subsequently securing a point in the 2-2 draw.

Despite his lack of action, Odobert has been labelled a “super talent” by former boss Postecoglou, with Frank needing to hand him a more consistent starting role.

When comparing his stats to those of Semenyo, the 20-year-old has managed to outperform the in-form star in numerous key areas – subsequently showcasing the talent he possesses.

Odobert has managed to achieve an average of 4.5 progressive carries and 4.3 progressive passes per 90 – with both of the aforementioned tallies higher than the Cherries star.

How Odobert & Semenyo compare in the PL (2025/26)

Statistics (per 90)

Odobert

Semenyo

Games played

10

11

Goals & assists

1

9

Progressive carries

4.5

3.1

Progressive passes

4.3

3.5

Pass accuracy

84%

69%

Key passes made

1.4

0.9

Passes into final third

26

1.1

Take-ons completed

54%

42%

Carries into final third

1.9

1.8

Stats via FBref

He’s also completed more of the passes he’s attempted, with more of his efforts being key passes per 90 – subsequently offering a more creative threat in attacking areas.

The Frenchman’s dominance is further reflected in his higher take-on success rate, with Frank desperately needing to place more faith in the youngster.

£65m for Semenyo would still be an excellent deal in the current climate, but ultimately, the Lilywhites should look to avoid a move for the winger in the near future.

Such a transfer would only halt Odobert’s progress in North London, with the youngster still having bags of potential to fulfil during his period under Frank’s guidance.

Related Spurs have their new Parrott in academy star who's been "compared to Kane"

This Tottenham Hotspur youngster could be a future star in North London despite his struggles this season.

Posts ByDan Emery Nov 20, 2025

Changing styles and systems has been a common thread at Tottenham Hotspur in recent times.

From the fluid football of Mauricio Pochettino to the win-at-all-costs pragmatism of Jose Mourinho. From the gung-ho, all-action style of Ange Postecoglou, to the more conservative, measured approach of Thomas Frank.

The latter man is currently trying to steady the ship again following a turbulent and chaotic ‘second season’ under Postecoglou, although there is a sense that the Dane needs to take the handbrake off, even with the Lilywhites currently residing in fifth in the Premier League table.

With 11 games played, the north Londoners have collected 18 points, scoring 19 goals and shipping just ten. Two years earlier, for comparison, Postecoglou’s first 11 league games yielded 26 points, having scored 23 goals and conceded 13.

Of course, that rampant start wasn’t maintained, although the enigmatic Aussie swiftly got supporters onside. As was evident amid the jeers at his substitutions in the recent 2-2 draw with Manchester United, Frank is yet to do just that.

Patience is required, however, with further investment likely to be needed, not least in the forward ranks. How about Antoine Semenyo, anyone?

Latest on Tottenham's interest in Semenyo

Frank is still fine-tuning his frontline, in the absence of Dominic Solanke, having unleashed 14 different attacking combinations in just 18 games this season, while never using the same one more than twice, as noted by the Daily Mail.

Ex-West Ham United man Mohammed Kudus has perhaps been the brightest spark off the right, with six goals and assists already in 2025/26, although a solution still needs to be found on the opposite side, following Son Heung-min’s emotional summer exit.

Enter, Semenyo, with the “best winger in the country” – as hailed by Spurs great Chris Waddle – reportedly among the targets that Spurs are considering heading into 2026, having previously been in the mix for his signature, alongside Man United, over the summer.

As reported this week by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, the north London side are still among the clubs keen on signing the Ghanaian, with the 25-year-old having a £65m release clause that comes into effect for a specific time period in January.

Previously valued at closer to £70m, it looks as if Bournemouth are now almost powerless to prevent their star man from leaving in the near future, with that £65m figure set to reduce even further over the summer.

With nine goals and assists in 11 league outings this term, unsurprisingly, Semenyo has also caught the attention of clubs such as Liverpool and Manchester City, with it yet to be seen whether Spurs can nudge ahead in that intriguing battle for his services.

Should they miss out on the ex-Bristol City man, all is not lost, however, with Frank and co already having an internal solution to unleash in the near future.

Spurs' answer to Antoine Semenyo

As already stated, after trialling the likes of Wilson Odobert, Richarlison and Xavi Simons off the left flank, a true permanent successor to Son on that side still needs to be found, with the South Korean moving on after netting 173 goals in 454 games in all competitions for the club.

Semenyo, for what it’s worth, would be a dream solution, with his breathtaking ability having been evident in the recent win over Fulham, as he tore down the left flank before somehow converting from an acute angle.

With Liverpool and City in the mix, however, there may well be a bigger fish, with Spurs instead needing to look elsewhere to find Son’s true heir in that wide role.

Thankfully, in the form of his compatriot Yang Min-Hyeok, the north Londoners may already have just that, with the teenage winger described as “like Son Heung-min” by journalist Jason Lee, who tipped him to be “Korea’s next superstar”.

While yet to actually feature for his parent club, Yang has shown more than just flashes of his quality out on loan in 2025, first starring during a six-month stint at Queens Park Rangers, where he scored twice and registered one assist in 14 games.

Games (starts)

38 (37)

Goals

12

Big chances missed

5

Assists

5

Big chances created

8

Key passes*

0.9

Pass accuracy*

78%

Successful dribbles*

0.9

Fouls won*

0.8

Back in the Championship again this season, now with Portsmouth, the 19-year-old has again chalked up three goal involvements from ten games across all fronts, enjoying a particularly fruitful October amid an initial slow start to life on the south coast.

Currently travailing the EFL, like Semenyo did in the past with Bristol, Newport County and Sunderland, the early signs are certainly promising for Yang, having been “on fire” for Pompey in the view of talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Not just blessed with blistering pace, what also sets Yang apart – much like Semenyo and Son – is his two-footedness. Indeed, both of his goals for QPR came with his left, while both of his efforts for Pompey have come with his right.

The former Gangwon gem – who scored 12 times in 38 senior games at his former club – looks destined to be a fixture of Frank’s first-team heading into next season, with Spurs able to save themselves millions by not signing another winger to block his pathway and development.

With fellow teenager Mikey Moore – currently out on loan at Rangers – also in the equation, that left-hand side looks to be in safe hands. Semenyo might well not be needed.

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ByEthan Lamb Nov 19, 2025

Western Australia have lost seven wickets and are still 54 runs behind after the second day’s play

AAP05-Oct-2025

Ryan Hadley picked up three wickets•Getty Images

Stumps Western Australia opener and Test hopeful Cameron Bancroft might have fallen victim to a bizarre dismissal in the Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales.After rain ruined most of day one, 14 wickets fell on Sunday in Perth to put the visitors narrowly in front. Resuming on 35 for 3, New South Wales were dismissed for 170 and then had Western Australia floundering at 116 for 7.Bancroft mirrored New South Wales opener Sam Konstas as Ashes top order hopefuls who did not advance their causes in their first innings at the WACA ground.The Western Australia opener had made 10 when a superb delivery from opening bowler Ryan Hadley appeared to have him caught behind. But replays suggested the noise might not have been an edge, but the ball glancing the off bail on the way through to wicketkeeper Matthew Gilkes.The bail wobbled, but stayed put – meaning Bancroft would have been not out had he not nicked the ball.In better news for Test hopefuls, Western Australia allrounder Cameron Green took a wicket in four overs on Sunday – his first bowling at first-class level since his back surgery late last year.Will Salzmann top-scored for New South Wales with 43 and Gilkes made 36 for them, while Ashton Agar took three wickets late in the innings.Agar (18) and Matthew Kelly (20) came together with Western Australia struggling at 84 for 7, surviving to stumps.Hilton Cartwright made 34, while Hadley had taken 3 for 29 from 12 overs.

Former captain reaffirms commitment to Tests and ODIs, starting with the West Indies series in December

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Nov-20251:36

Kane Williamson: Right time to give team clarity ahead of World Cup

Kane Williamson has announced his retirement from T20 internationals after months of speculation about his playing future, but has reaffirmed his focus on playing for New Zealand in Test cricket, starting with their three-match series against West Indies in December.Williamson, 35, has featured in 93 T20Is for New Zealand since his debut in October 2011. However, he opted out of their three-match series against Australia at the start of the month, then missed the subsequent 1-0 loss to England with a groin injury.He returned to action for this week’s 3-0 ODI series victory over the same opponents – his first appearances for New Zealand since the Champions Trophy final against India in March – but had flagged beforehand his shifting priorities, telling NZC of the “delicate balance” between time with his young family and committing to the team of which he has been a part for 15 years.Related

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Now he has opted to call time on the shortest format, just months before the next T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in February. He retires as New Zealand’s second-highest run-scorer in the format, with 2,575 runs at an average of 33.44, 18 fifties and a highest score of 95. He captained the team in 75 of his matches, including T20 World Cup semi-final appearances in 2016 and 2022, and one losing final in 2021.”It’s something that I’ve loved being a part of for a long period of time and I’m so grateful for the memories and experiences,” Williamson said. “It’s the right time for myself and the team. It gives the team clarity for the series moving forward and ahead of their next major focus which is the T20 World Cup.”There’s so much T20 talent there and the next period will be important to get cricket into these guys and get them ready for the World Cup. “Rob Walter, the New Zealand head coach, said: “You get to different life positions and the game does require a lot and demand a lot. So, understandably, Kane decided to step away from T20 internationals. And we’re now looking to the Test series at the end of the year and that will be our primary focus now.”I don’t think you can underestimate [his] value in all aspects,” Walter added. “Obviously, performance is one thing, but I think it’s probably the lesser of all the things that he brings to the team. A magnificent team man.”He’s a real sounding board for the guys in the team. He’s experienced a hell of a lot. He’s delivered incredible performances under pressure in World Cup finals. There’s a whole package there that obviously the team loses, but respectful of his decision.”Williamson had already handed over the white-ball captaincy to Mitchell Santner, while his No. 3 berth in the T20I team had been taken over by Rachin Ravindra, with the likes of Tim Seifert, Tim Robinson and Mark Chapman challenging for regular berths.”Mitch is a brilliant captain and leader – he’s really come into his own with this team,” Williamson said. “He really has such a great understanding of the game and this format having played for a long time and has done incredibly well. Now he has got the reins and he’s excited for the opportunity. I am looking forward to watching him. It’s now their time to push the Black Caps forward in this format and I’ll be supporting from afar.”In a statement, NZC said that Williamson’s next competitive fixture was likely to be for Northern Districts against Auckland in the Plunket Shield, starting November 26, as preparation for the first Test against West Indies, which begins at Christchurch on December 2, which indicated he would miss the upcoming ODIs against West Indies.Kane Williamson’s last T20I came at the 2024 World Cup•Getty Images”I’ve got such deep care for this team,” Williamson said. “The Black Caps is a special place and one you want to give yourself to, and get the most out of yourself for. It’s a journey and a pursuit, and that’s what I love about the international game and this environment.””I’ll continue to keep the lines of communication open with Rob [Walter] and NZC who have given me a huge amount of support throughout.”Scott Weenink’s NZC’s chief executive, said he respected Williamson’s decision and saluted his contributions to the T20I team.”Kane’s performances as a player and his service as captain of the T20 side have been nothing short of immense,” he said.”His runs in all conditions around the world reflect the world class batsman that he is and are equally matched by the influence of his leadership on and off the field.”His knock of 85 in the T20 World Cup final [in 2021] was one of the more special T20I innings played by a New Zealander, albeit in a losing course. The T20 team experienced great consistency and success under Kane’s watch and he certainly leaves the team in good health.”Speaking last week, Williamson had acknowledged that his continued involvement with New Zealand would require an ongoing dialogue with Walter and the board, but Weenink insisted that he had earned the right to decide how he finished his ODI and Test careers.”We’ve made it clear to Kane he has our full support as he reaches the back end of his illustrious career,” he said. “We would, of course, love to see him play for as long as possible, but there’s no doubt whenever he does decide to finally call time – he will go down as a legend of New Zealand cricket.”With Kane committed to play the West Indies Test series in December, I’d encourage all Kiwis to take the opportunity to get out and witness one of our greatest ever cricketers play.”He will continue to play T20 franchise cricket, having spent much of the English summer just gone playing for London Spirit and Middlesex in an extended tie-up.

MatériaMais Notícias

Em estreia em casa, Artur Jorge consegue sua primeira vitória à frente do Botafogo. O Glorioso venceu o Atlético-GO com gol de Mateo Ponte, no primeiro tempo. O clube alvinegro estava há 12 partidas sem uma vitória no Campeonato Brasileiro. A última vez que saiu com os três pontos foi contra o América-MG, no dia 18 de outubro de 2023.

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Fogão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Botafogo

O técnico português modificou a equipe para o confronto. Matheus Nascimento começou como titular, e Tiquinho Soares, camisa 9, foi para o banco. Durante coletiva, Artur Jorge explicou o que motivou a sua decisão.

– Temos que avaliar tudo aquilo que é o momento, o contexto. Vínhamos de dois jogos muito exigentes do ponto de vista físico, queríamos poupar mais o Tiquinho nesse jogo. E foi em total consonância com ele, porque conversamos antes, achamos que era melhor, vamos ter domingo mais um jogo, depois Libertadores, Flamengo, uma sequência muito difícil.

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O treinador valorizou o resultado positivo após dois jogos difíceis, mas pondera que o time ainda não desempenhou o que se espera para a temporada. Para o português, a defesa foi pilar importante durante a partida.

 – A vitória é o que fica. Primeiro jogo em casa, uma vitória, em frente aos nossos torcedores. Muito satisfeito pelos três pontos, não tanto pelo que fizemos. Temos a sensação clara de que podemos e devemos fazer muito melhor. Fica o registro de uma vitória em que a equipe lutou muito. Foi competente defensivamente quando teve de sofrer e estar mais próxima da nossa baliza. Mas diferente para o que queremos para o Botafogo. Queremos uma equipe menos sofredora e mais dominadora. Hoje não aconteceu isso e ficamos com os três pontos.

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O Botafogo volta à campo no domingo (21), pela terceira rodada do Brasileirão, contra o Juventude, às 18h30, no Nilton Santos.

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BotafogoBrasileirãoFutebol NacionalTiquinho Soares

Cat Macario and Jaedyn Shaw put on a show to help secure a win in the USWNT's final match of 2025.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Cat Macario can’t stop scoring, and she got the U.S. women’s national team rolling once again, helping lift the Americans to a 2–0 win over Italy to close out their 2025 campaign.

A cheeky chip from Macario in the 20th minute set the tone for the USWNT’s second victory over Italy in three days and marked her eighth international goal of the year. Lily Yohannes picked out Macario breaking free down the right side, and the forward lifted her head to spot goalkeeper Francesca Durante off her line before calmly chipping her for the opener. Macario nearly added another later in the half, pressing the Italian back line and using every surface of her foot to hold up play, flick, and turn in the box. She earned her 28th cap on Monday and now has 16 goals in 29 appearances.

"Cat is just such a special player, and I know if she gets the ball in front of the goal, 10 times out of 10, it is probably going to be a goal," Yohannes said of Macario's clinical edge. 

Jaedyn Shaw doubled the lead in the 41st minute. Shaw, who recently turned 21, earned her 29th cap and 13th start for the senior team. After being left off two straight FIFA windows, she returned to the squad in October and has made the most of it — all while helping lead Gotham FC to an NWSL Championship. Her finish put the U.S. firmly in control heading into halftime.

Emma Hayes made early second-half changes, including Avery Patterson for Emily Fox, Kennedy Wesley for Naomi Girma and Emma Sears for Alyssa Thompson. The midfield trio of Yohannes, Lindsey Heaps, and Claire Hutton remained intact to start the half, showcasing the chemistry they’ve built. Jaelin Howell later replaced Heaps as the U.S. continued to dictate tempo.

Despite Hayes making five changes to the starting XI from Friday’s match – and fielding a trio of teenagers – the U.S. never lost its rhythm. The Americans again started fast, scored early, and dominated possession with 64 percent of the ball.

"We try and be intentional in how we organize players. But I'm very much about coaching every one of our 26 players to play as us always, and I focus on that," Hayes said. "And of course, we organize our team to set up against opponents and spaces we want to exploit, but we can always dominate by developing our game style." 

The USWNT end the year on a high note at 12-3-0, and Hayes closed her first full calendar year in charge with 25 wins.

GOAL rates the players from Chase Stadium…

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Goalkeeper & Defense

  Claudia Dickey (8/10): 

  Another clean sheet is all Dickey needed to solidify her position as the No. 1 keeper at the moment. Dickey had a strong performance against Italy the second time around, making a couple of saves and controlling the backline, and finding moments to spring the attacking players in behind when Italy was pushing high. 

  Jordyn Bugg (8/10): 

  The fact that Bugg is just 19 years old and has now earned three starts on the senior team is no small nod. Her composure next to Girma is a pairing to be feared for opponents. 

  Naomi Girma (8/10): 

  Girma didn't have a whole lot of action in the first half, but when she won the ball, she kept it and led the backline with her composure and possession. 

  Kate Wiesner (6/10): 

  Wiesner earned her first start for the USWNT, and on a team where the outside back position is more competitive than ever, she held her own. Wiesner got caught too high in moments and struggled to recover, but other than that, she was a natural back there and helped keep Italy off the scoreboard.

  Emily Fox (8/10): 

  Another solid performance from Fox, who any anytime she steps on the field for the USWNT, reminds us all how dangerous she is going forward. Fox was all over the right side of the pitch and forced the Italians to step to her, which would free up outlets down the wing.

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• Getty Images
  

  Midfield

  Lily Yohannes (8/10):

  It shouldn't be surprising anymore just how good on the ball Yohannes is, but it is. Yohannes, the youngest player on the roster at 18 years old, plays with maturity, finesse, and aged discipline. Next to Heaps and Hutton, she's able to push up and sit just below Macario. Her one-two flare comes out with this team.

  Lindsey Heaps (8/10):

  After not seeing Heaps at all in the first meeting against Italy, she captained Monday's match and had her midfield locked in. Heaps and Hutton play very similarly, and both work off of each other in the double pivot. Heaps' leadership was refreshing because even in moments when the USWNT would get split or broken down, she remained organized and led those around her.

  Claire Hutton (8/10): 

  Hutton has been a sponge on the USWNT and is playing beyond her years. Another teenager who plays like she's far from one, Hutton was lights out on Monday. She played quickly, and her combination play mixed in with her vision to switch the point of attack was a work of art.

• Imagn
  

  Attack

  Cat Macario (9/10):

  The only thing Macario could have done to get a better rating, or a perfect rating, would have been another goal. But, all jokes aside her nose for goal, refined touch, and ability to go at defenders is the Macario we've all been waiting to see again. Macario finishes the year with 8 goals for the USWNT.

  Jaedyn Shaw (8/10): 

  Shaw's goal, or strike rather, was clinical. She didn't just score, though; she also played the entire game and found ways to get on the ball in various spots all over the field. Her game has evolved immensely in the past few months, and she's another key player in the attacking line for Hayes to consider come 2027. 

  Alyssa Thompson (7/10): 

  A relatively quiet game for Thompson, who usually finds a way to get an assist, goal, or some stat for us to drop our jaws at. While she may not have scored, Thompson made endless runs in the first half, which created all kinds of chaos for Italy's defense. 

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  Subs & Manager

  Kennedy Wesley (7/10):

  A solid performance from Wesley, who earned her first start and cap for the USWNT in their 6-0 victory over New Zealand. At that time, she was the 25th player to date to earn a start and cap under Hayes. She didn't concede in the backline and had a clean performance next to Bugg, having to step into big shoes to fill, entering the game for Girma. 

  Emma Sears (7/10): 

  Sears was knocking on Italy's door for a goal, but unfortunately, just couldn't find the back of the net. She was aggressive and creative up top, but just couldn't finish on the night.

  Avery Patterson (7/10): 

  Patterson was running full-field sprints most of the second half, but was effective nonetheless. Her contributions to the attack were major, as she was creative with her services and also clever in her one-v-one chances.

  Lilly Reale (7/10): 

  Reale settled in just fine at outside back after playing most of the first meeting vs Italy in the same spot. Reale played a dangerous service late in the second half, that was close to a third goal for the United States.

  Croix Bethune (6/10): 

  Bethune had some solid moments on the ball for the USWNT, but struggled to see it as much as Yohannes did when she was in.

  Jaelin Howell (6/10): 

  Howell hadn't seen USWNT action since 2022, and found a way to settle into the game and get herself back into the mix despite having big shoes to fill with the subbing of Heaps. Howell didn't see much of the ball, but when she did, she maintained possession.

  Emma Hayes (9/10): 

  What more can Hayes ask for? The team delivered, again, and she earned her 25th win as head coach. Not a bad way to end the year.

Australia captain Pat Cummins says he is “less likely than likely” to play in the first Test against England as he begins running for the first time following his back injury with less than six weeks to go before the series starts in Perth.Cummins’ back has been almost a daily talking point in Australia since it was revealed he has a lumbar bone stress issue in early September. He has not bowled a ball since Australia’s last Test series in the Caribbean in July.Speaking at Kayo Sports’ Summer of Cricket Launch in Sydney on Monday, Cummins was sober about his chances of playing in the first Test in Perth against England on November 21.Related

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“I’d say probably less likely than likely,” Cummins said. “But we’ve still got a bit of time.”I’m running today and running kind of every second day, and each runs a little bit longer, and then we get into bowling prep next week. So I’m probably a couple of weeks away before actually putting on the spikes and bowling out on the turf. But it’s been a good couple of weeks. Each session feels better and better.”Cummins was asked how long he would actually need to prepare his body to play in a Test match.”You’d want probably at least a month in the nets,” he said. “If you are to play in a Test match, you want to make sure you are right to bowl 20 overs in a day and you don’t have to think about it. Four weeks is pretty tight, but I think somewhere around that mark.”Cummins added his back was feeling better having taken a long time to settle after the lumbar bone stress was initially diagnosed.But he outlined that even going from low level running to bowling is going to be a slow process as he needs to do specific gym work to reactivate his bowling muscles and see how his back responds before heading to the nets.”It’s kind of a little bit stiff, just probably a little bit from the injury but then also because it hasn’t been used for a while,” Cummins said. “Each session you do a little bit of run and make sure you pull up alright. So I’m actually feeling really good at the moment. A few of the symptoms hung around for a little bit longer than I would have liked but they’re all gone now. I’m just trying to kind of increase the workload and make sure body’s responding.”Some of the gym work becomes a bit more bowling prep work. So you do a lot more kind of getting your muscles ready, side holds to try to simulate that. Maybe some med ball work, but trying to kind of transition before you actually go into the nets and start bowling.”Pat Cummins says ‘he’s less likely than likely’•Associated Press

Australia coach Andrew McDonald said last week that a decision on Cummins’ availability for the first Test would likely be made on Friday following a week of increased running and gym work. But the coach was confident his skipper would play a part in the Ashes even if he wasn’t ready for the first Test. Cummins was cautious about specifying how many Tests he could play in the series.”I think it’s a bit early to know,” Cummins said. “With these things it’s pretty hard to go from not bowling or anything at all to suddenly playing five Tests. First steps are trying to kind of give us a shot at being right, and then we’ll work it out a bit closer to time.”Cummins admitted he had some level of frustration surrounding the timing of the injury and the prospect of missing part of the Ashes series.”Some days I’m kind of annoyed because it’s the Ashes, and it’s a big summer and then other days I’m kind of realistic,” Cummins said. “I’ve had the last seven or eight years of almost uninterrupted home summers, so I felt like I’ve had a really good run as a fast bowler.”Someone like Josh [Hazlewood], he’s been a little bit more unlucky, so maybe it’s my turn. But it’s such a big summer ahead. Obviously, you want to be in a mix, even with the India One-Day series and T20 series, I wish I was part of that. But it’s not to be. It’s part of cricket. You’re going to get injuries.”Cummins was confident that the injury would not affect him long term given Australia has huge period of cricket looming in 2026 and 2027 beyond this summer’s Ashes and T20 World Cup.”It’s a back injury that I haven’t had for about seven or eight years, and I’ve played a lot of cricket between that,” he said. “So if anything looking back when I was, say, 20 years old and I had this injury, I was a bit worried about what my body could actually handle. But I know in myself that if I get it right, do it properly, when I come back I shouldn’t have to worry about it all. And hopefully I can play as much, even more cricket than I had previously in the last few years.”

Arsenal and Liverpool have stepped up their interest in RB Leipzig’s rising midfielder Assan Ouedraogo, with both clubs sending scouts to watch the 19-year-old in recent weeks. Already on the radar of Manchester United and Chelsea, the German international’s surge in form and long-term potential has made him one of Europe’s most closely monitored young talents.

Premier League giants expand race for Leipzig sensation

The transfer race for Ouedraogo is accelerating quickly. The Leipzig midfielder, who has broken into the first-team picture this season, has attracted serious attention across Europe thanks to his rapid development and standout Bundesliga performances. Reports first emerged this week linking United and Chelsea with concrete interest, with scouts regularly attending Leipzig matches. But the competition has intensified further as reports that Liverpool and league leaders Arsenal have now joined the chase. Both clubs reportedly monitored Ouedraogo in person before his recent injury setback.

The 19-year-old has featured in all 12 Bundesliga matches for Leipzig this season and earned his first senior Germany call-up, scoring on his debut against Slovakia in a 6-0 win. His rise, however, has momentarily paused due to a left hamstring tendon injury announced by Leipzig on Tuesday. With his contract running until 2029, and Leipzig unwilling to negotiate mid-season, the stage is set for a long, expensive pursuit of one of Germany’s brightest prospects.

AdvertisementAFPWhy Europe’s elite are circling the 19-year-old

Interest in the young midfielder highlights a growing pattern among Europe’s biggest clubs: the Bundesliga has become a hunting ground for emerging stars before their value explodes. Leipzig’s reputation for developing quality players from Josko Gvardiol to Dominik Szoboszlai makes Ouedraogo an especially attractive target for long-term planning. His numbers this season explain the surge in attention. With three goals and four assists in just 12 appearances across all competitions, the 19-year-old has already shown that he can influence games from midfield, blending technical creativity with physical power. 

Leipzig believe he could eventually reach a valuation close to their €90 million record sale of Gvardiol if he continues along this trajectory. And with Barcelona also sending scouts to monitor him, the race for his signature is already widening beyond the Premier League. All of this underlines how Ouedraogo’s versatility, athletic maturity and rapid development have positioned him as one of Europe’s most coveted young midfielders, a profile that top clubs are eager to secure before competition intensifies further.

Injury concern but value rising fast

Despite his tendon injury, clubs are not deterred. Ouedraogo’s camp and Leipzig expect him to return within weeks, and his market value is expected to skyrocket next year.

Behind the scenes, multiple clubs have already made informal inquiries, while Die Roten Bullen remain firm that any summer negotiation would likely start far above the €50m mark. His long-term deal keeps the club in a strong bargaining position, especially as they continue positioning themselves as a selling club that extracts top value.

Ouedraogo’s rapid rise from Schalke’s academy to one of the Bundesliga’s most hyped players has only increased speculation around his long-term future, especially with the midfielder eyeing an outside chance of making Germany’s senior squad for upcoming international competitions.

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AFPWhat comes next for Ouedraogo and his suitors

With Ouedraogo sidelined, interested clubs will continue to monitor his recovery and performances in the second half of the season. Arsenal and Liverpool, in particular, are expected to intensify scouting efforts, while United and Chelsea remain firmly in the frame.

Leipzig, meanwhile, are preparing for a wave of transfer pressure next summer. If Ouedraogo maintains his current development curve, the Red Bull Arena could become the centre of a multi-club bidding war. His next steps, both on the pitch and in the market will be watched closely across Europe, as the Bundesliga’s newest breakout star positions himself for one of 2026’s most high-profile transfer battles.

In the midst of a standout rookie campaign, Atlanta Braves righthander AJ Smith-Shawver is slated to miss the rest of the season after an MRI exam revealed a torn UCL in his pitching elbow, according to the team.

He left a start against the Philadelphia Phillies Thursday after he felt a pop in his elbow in the third inning of the opening game of Atlanta's day-night doubleheader. Moments before leaving the start, he took a line drive off the bat of Bryson Stott that struck the back of his ankle. Smith-Shawver stayed in the game, but left after he got Trea Turner to fly out in the next at bat.

"[His evaluation] showed a tear on his imaging," Braves manager Brian Snitker said Friday before Atlanta began a weekend series with the Boston Red Sox. "He'll consult with the physicians or doctors and they'll decide what the next step is."

With the torn UCL, that next step could be either Tommy John surgery or the internal brace procedure, which requires approximately six months less of rehab. No matter the path forward, Smith-Shawver's season is over prematurely and he's also slated to miss at least the first two months of the 2026 season according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman.

The 22-year-old rookie is 3-2 with a 3.86 ERA through nine starts and 44.1 innings pitched this season. He has thrown 42 strikeouts and allowed 21 walks in a promising start to his full rookie season. The Braves are third in the NL East sitting at 26-29.

Shortly after starter Spencer Strider returned to the mound following a lengthy stay on the injured list, Atlanta's rotation suffered a tough blow with the loss of their standout rookie.