Usually in baseball, the true blockbuster trades take place the All-Star Game. This can create awkward situations at the game itself—remember shortstop Manny Machado's 2018 exit from the Baltimore Orioles?—but rarely does it affect the balloting for the Midsummer Classic.
That's not the case this year. On Sunday, the Boston Red Sox traded designated hitter Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants for four players—in effect forcing him to change horses in mid-All-Star race.
As Tim Healey of pointed out Monday, Devers's nearly 800,000 All-Star votes will now transfer from the American League to National League. That puts him a distant second to baseball's most famous designated hitter—Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The new American League leader is Ryan O'Hearn of the Orioles, who is slashing .310/.391/.502 in a solid year for the league's most disappointing team.
Devers previously made All-Star appearances in 2021, 2022 and 2024. He is 1-for-2 lifetime with a double and a walk in the contest.
A New York Mets' ball boy wasn't having the best night during his team's win over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday, as cameras caught his embarrassing gaffe that has since gone viral on social media.
In the bottom of fifth inning, Mets' Jared Young fouled off a fastball from Nats pitcher Jake Irvin, and the ball bounced off the boards and back onto the field. The Mets ball boy chased after it onto the grass, but on the way he lost his balance and tumbled forward before appearing to totally face-plant on the field.
Following that unfortunate moment, Mets gameday host Mike Janela reported some good news: Mets' closer Edwin Diaz apparently checked on the ball boy after his slip-up to make sure he was okay and in good spirits.
"I can report that after the next half inning, Edwin Diaz came out from the bullpen to check on and laugh a lot with the ball boy here. The Mets vibes remain pristine," Janela wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
All class from Diaz.
In part due to Diaz's small gesture, the ball boy can walk away from the hapless incident with his head held high. The Mets went on to win 5-0 in the second game of their series against the Nats.
Renuka Singh, Alyssa Healy set to return to action in what will be the first international at the New Chandigarh stadium
Sruthi Ravindranath13-Sep-20251:11
Healy: ‘India a sleeping giant for a long time now’
Big Picture: A dry run for the ODI World CupCan either team get better preparation than this in the lead-up to the ODI World Cup? India get to face the defending champions, while Australia get to play one of the tournament hosts and have a chance to acclimatise to the conditions well before other competing teams.Having won nine of the 11 ODIs they have played this year and having beaten England in their backyard in July, India will carry a lot of confidence into this series. However, Australia can be a formidable opponent: they have beaten India in 12 out of the 13 ODIs since Harmanpreet Kaur’s epic knock in the 2017 ODI World Cup semi-finals.India were whitewashed 3-0 in the last two series they had played against Australia. Four out of the last five times they’ve met in an ICC tournament, India have lost, including the semi-final of last year’s T20 World Cup. India will want to use this series not just as a dry run to get their team combination right but also to come up with plans to get past the Australia hurdle. If India win this series, they will enter the World Cup as favourites.Australia, meanwhile, haven’t played ODIs this year since January, when they wiped England out 3-0 in the Women’s Ashes. The last tournament they played was the T20I series against New Zealand in March. But they have ten players who were also part of the 2022 ODI World Cup side in this squad, and have lost just three out of 28 matches they played since that tournament. So, they will back themselves to shake off the rust and hit the ground running. They will be playing in New Chandigarh, a non-World Cup venue, but they will benefit from some quality practice, specifically against spin in the middle overs, which is expected to play a big role in the ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.Related
Harmanpreet says India believe they can beat Australia 'any day'
Australia ready to embrace 'little bit of unknowns' at ODI World Cup
Healy hopes wicketkeeping 'tinkering' avoids recurrence of injury
She gets knocked down but she gets up again: Sneh Rana's journey
Form GuideIndia WLWWW (last five matches, most recent first) Australia WWWWWIn the spotlight: Alyssa Healy and Sneh RanaA ruptured plantar fascia at the 2024 T20 World Cup, a knee injury during the WBBL, and a stress fracture in the right foot during the Women’s Ashes. Australia captain Alyssa Healy has been dealing with recurring injuries since late last year which also affected her wicketkeeping. But she made a strong comeback for Australia A in the recent white-ball series against India A, making scores of 91 and 137 not out in the last two one-dayers and also keeping wicket, saying she made a few wicketkeeping ‘tinkering’ to avoid such injuries. A force for Australia in World Cups, she will hope to remain injury-free as she gears up for her first ODI World Cup as captain.Offspinner Sneh Rana has been on a roll ever since her comeback into India’s white-ball sides. A superb WPL season resulted in an ODI call-up, and she impressed immediately with 15 wickets in five games in the tri-series in Colombo in May. She followed that up with three wickets in the ODIs against England. With India expected to go spin-heavy for this series, and the World Cup that follows, Harmanpreet indicated during the squad announcement press conference that Rana will continue to be crucial in the middle overs.Alyssa Healy is set to return to action from injury•Getty Images
Team news: Renuka Singh returns from injuryWith Renuka Singh back for the series from injury, she is expected to start ahead of Arundhati Reddy, who had played the ODIs against England, with Kranti Goud as the other fast bowler. India are also likely to go in with Rana, N Sree Charani and Deepti Sharma as spin options.India (probable): 1 Pratika Rawal, 2 Smriti Mandhana, 3 Harleen Deol, 4 Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), 5 Jemimah Rodrigues, 6 Richa Ghosh (wk), 7 Deepti Sharma, 8 Sneh Rana, 9 N Shree Charani, 10 Kranti Goud, 11 Renuka SinghWill Australia tinker with the XI that last played against England in January? Though left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux is back in the side after a lengthy injury lay-off, she has not been given the green light to play. Healy said Molineux wasn’t “quite ready for the ODI format” and that Australia are “ready to have her back when she’s ready to go” at the press conference on the eve of the first ODI.Australia (probable): 1 Alyssa Healy (capt, wk), 2 Phoebe Litchfield, 3 Ellyse Perry, 4 Beth Mooney, 5 Annabel Sutherland, 6 Ash Gardner, 7 Tahlia McGrath, 8 Georgia Wareham, 9 Alana King, 10 Kim Garth, 11 Megan SchuttPitch and conditionsThis will be the first international fixture at the New Chandigarh stadium, which has hosted 11 IPL matches in the last two years, so the conditions are a bit of an unknown for both sides. The weather is expected to be a bit cloudy on Sunday, with the possibility of showers in the afternoon, and clear for the rest of the day.Georgia Voll and Ash Gardner at the nets•PTI
Stats and TriviaIndia last beat Australia in an ODI at home in February 2007. They have lost all ten encounters since.Harmanpreet is set to become the third Indian to feature in 150 Women’s ODIs.Megan Schutt is set to become the ninth Australian to feature in 100 Women’s ODIs.Since June 2024, Smriti Mandhana has scored 1346 runs in 23 ODI innings, 581 runs more than the next best batter. She has scored six hundreds in this period, three more than any other batter.Quotes”No doubt, they [Australia] have been very dominating. They have played well all over the world and dominated. But we are also at a stage where, as a captain, we have the belief we can beat them on any day. The processes in the last one and a half years has been good, we have improved quite a lot. Even in England, we beat one of their best sides. These show that we are on the right track.” “This is the most stable Indian team I’ve seen and I think they’re in a really good place heading into this World Cup, so I’m looking forward to that challenge. The rivalry continues to grow. I know how much they love beating Australia and I know how good they are in their home conditions and that’s really a challenge for us. I think it’s going to be a really enjoyable, hard-fought series.”
Karim Benzema has fiercely defended actress Lyna Khoudri, his partner, against a far-right activist who criticised her participation in a tribute to the victims of the November 13, 2015 terrorist attack. The Al-Ittihad striker fired back on social media, dismissing the activist as "just an extra in our world" for mistaking the solemn ceremony for a staged performance.
Benzema defends partner against far-right criticism
Benzema has publicly confronted a far-right activist who launched an attack on his partner, actress Khoudri, following her involvement in a solemn tribute to the victims of the attacks in France. Khoudri participated in a commemoration on , reading Charlotte Delbo's poem "Prayer to the Living to Forgive Them for Being Alive," marking the 10th anniversary of the tragic events outside the Stade de France.
Activist Damien Rieu criticised Khoudri due to her previous alleged actions and her connection to Benzema. Rieu posted on social media: "To honour the victims of November 13, they could find no one other than Lyna Khoudri, partner of @Benzema, who liked a post justifying the beheading of Samuel Paty (and who lost her lawsuit against me when I denounced it)."
Benzema swiftly responded to Rieu on his own account, defending Khoudri and condemning the activist's remarks. "There are those who pay their respects, and those who put themselves on display… You have to be incredibly shallow to mistake a tribute for a staged performance, Damien. You're just an extra in our world," the former French international declared. This strong rebuke highlights Benzema's readiness to protect his partner and address what he perceives as a cynical attempt to politicise a moment of remembrance.
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The emotional context of the November 13 tribute
The tribute marked a poignant anniversary for France, recalling the coordinated terrorist attacks that occurred on November 13, 2015. These attacks, which included bombings outside the Stade de France during a France-Germany football match, claimed 130 lives and injured hundreds more. The stadium, where the French national team faced Ukraine on the day of the anniversary, holds particular significance as one of the attack sites.
Khoudri's participation in the tribute involved reading a powerful poem, a common form of remembrance and a way to honour those lost. Benzema's reaction underscores his belief that such a solemn occasion should be respected and not used as a platform for personal or political attacks. His statement implies a clear distinction between genuine acts of remembrance and what he views as superficial displays of criticism.
Benzema targeted by Saudi star
While engaging in this off-field defence, Benzema is also navigating a challenging period in his professional career with Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League. The reigning champions have experienced a difficult start to the season, currently sitting in eighth place after 11 matches, having already suffered three defeats.
Benzema, 37, who joined Al-Ittihad on a contract until June 30, 2026, has been a central figure for the club, serving as team captain. However, his performances have recently come under scrutiny. Following Al-Ittihad's 1-0 defeat to Al-Ahli in the Western Derby, former Al-Ittihad defender Rashed Al-Raheeb publicly criticised the foreign players, specifically targeting Benzema.
In an interview with , Al-Raheeb stated: "The Frenchman Karim Benzema, the team captain, was absent from the match and did nothing, as was his compatriot Moussa Diaby, who was not at his usual level. Meanwhile, Al-Ahli’s foreign players shone and dominated for the full 90 minutes." He also questioned coach Sergio Conceicao's decision to keep Benzema on the pitch despite his "modest level." This criticism highlights the pressure on Benzema to deliver consistent performances for his new club.
Al-Ittihad's current form shows a mixed bag, with a recent 3-0 win against Sharjah followed by a 4-4 draw with Khaleej, and the 1-0 loss to Al-Ahli. Benzema's personal statistics show a career with 345 goals and 84 assists in 635 club appearances, including a highly decorated tenure at Real Madrid where he won numerous titles, including five Champions League crowns and four La Liga titles.
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Real Madrid legend under scrutiny ahead of key games
Benzema and Al-Ittihad face a demanding schedule, with an upcoming match against Al-Riyadh on November 21, followed by a Champions League fixture against Al Duhail on November 24. These matches will be crucial for Al-Ittihad to improve their league position and progress in continental competition.
The latest incident, while unrelated to his on-field performance, further highlights the level of attention and expectation placed upon the veteran striker, both in his professional and personal life, particularly within the context of French public debate and the Saudi Pro League's global ambitions.
Led by Son Heung-Min and Denis Bouanga, Los Angeles FC cruised into the next round of the MLS Cup Playoffs with a dominant 4-1 win over Austin FC in Game 2 on Sunday night. The star duo tormented Austin’s back line from the start, combining to seal a sweep of the first-round series and book LAFC’s spot in the Western Conference semifinals.
Getty Images SportLAFC's stars shine
The Son-Bouanga duo wreaked havoc throughout the first half and, once they got going, there was little Austin could do to stop them. It began with a Son goal in the 21st minute, and Bouanga's goal four minutes later gave the visitors a huge advantage early. The hosts were given a lifeline just a few minutes later, though, when they were awarded a penalty, but Myrto Uzuni's shot from the spot was saved by Hugo Lloris to preserve the lead.
Bouanga made them pay in the 44th minute, making it 3-0, but Austin FC did keep some hope alive heading into the halftime whistle thanks to another penalty, which was converted this time by Daniel Pereira to pull Austin FC back within two.
Unfortunately for them, that was as close as they'd get, as LAFC would see out the second half to end Austin's season. They wouldn't leave the Lone Star State without one more good measure, though, as Jeremy Ebobisse scored in stoppage time to finish the game off at 4-1 while booking a date with No. 2 seed Vancouver Whitecaps in the next round.
AdvertisementImagnThe MVP
Son was magnificent but, somehow, DenisBouanga was actually better. With two goals and an assist to go with it, albeit one that required Son to do much of the hard work, LAFC's longtime talisman did exactly what you'd expect from a star player. It's worth remembering that this LAFC team does have two of those star players and, when they're clicking in this sort of way, it's hard to imagine any team in MLS with the quality to stop them.
Getty Images SportThe big loser
There was a pathway back for Austin FC, a route back into a game that was slipping away. That pathway, though, was fired straight into the hands of Lloris, and that was that.
Myrto Uzuni, the man who missed that spot kick, will be kicking himself for his effort. When a goalkeeper of Lloris' quality is in net, you have to make him work. Uzuni didn't do that and, moments later, the game was out of reach. Against LAFC, you need to take your chances. Uzuni, ultimately, didn't, and it's one of several reasons Austin FC's season ended.
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Getty Images SportMatch rating (out of five): ⭐⭐⭐⭐
For all the concerns surrounding Newcastle United’s lack of cutting edge this season, their defence has remained reassuringly reliable.
Eddie Howe’s side may still be searching for rhythm in attack, but defensively they’ve been among the Premier League’s most resolute outfits.
They’ve kept six clean sheets already this campaign and boast the second-lowest expected goals conceded (4.9) in the division, behind only Arsenal.
That solidity has been essential in keeping Newcastle within touching distance of the top four, particularly given their Champions League commitments.
Malick Thiaw, signed from AC Milan, has seamlessly filled the void left by Fabian Schär’s injury, forging a composed, ball-playing partnership with Sven Botman at the heart of defence.
Calm on the ball and dominant in duels, the German has been one of Newcastle’s most consistent performers so far.
Yet, just as things were settling, Howe has been hit with significant defensive injuries.
Both Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall – the club’s two starting full-backs – have suffered setbacks that will sideline them for an extended period.
Their absence leaves Newcastle light in wide defensive areas, forcing a reshuffle that may test the depth of the squad during a congested autumn fixture list.
For a side competing on multiple fronts, rotation is vital.
But with natural full-backs out and makeshift options stepping in, the coming weeks will reveal whether Newcastle’s defensive solidity can withstand the strain.
Hall and Burn's success at Newcastle
Few players symbolise Newcastle’s progress under Howe more than Hall.
Still only 19, the left-back has made the position his own since arriving from Chelsea, blending energy with composure in possession.
His overlapping runs and delivery from wide areas have been key to Newcastle’s attacking transitions, while defensively, his pace allows the team to hold a high line.
However, Hall’s hamstring injury – which Howe has confirmed “won’t be short-term” – is a major blow.
It leaves Newcastle without their first-choice full-back during a period when they face high-pressing, counter-attacking sides both domestically and in Europe.
In his absence, Dan Burn has been tasked with filling the void.
The 6 foot 7 defender has long been a fan favourite for his commitment and leadership, but left-back is far from his natural role.
Burn’s experience and aerial dominance make him a solid stopgap, yet his lack of recovery pace can be exposed, particularly when facing quick, direct wingers.
One-on-one duels and balls played in behind remain areas of weakness.
Howe’s tactical adjustments have tried to compensate, with Botman often covering wider to protect Burn.
But upcoming fixtures present new challenges.
Newcastle’s next league outing sees them travel to Brighton, where Yankuba Minteh’s speed and trickery could test Burn’s positional awareness.
Stronger sides than Nottingham Forest – who rarely exploited the left channel in Newcastle’s last league match – will certainly target this imbalance.
There’s also the question of whether Newcastle could turn to the free-agent market for temporary cover.
While Howe is reluctant to disrupt squad chemistry, the defensive injuries are stretching his options thin.
With both full-backs unavailable and Champions League fixtures piling up, the pressure is mounting for a new solution – perhaps one that already exists within the club’s own ranks.
Newcastle's academy left-back solution
Enter Leo Shahar, the 18-year-old full-back who many within Newcastle’s academy believe is ready to make the leap.
A natural right-back who is also comfortable on the left, Shahar joined from Wolves last year after a decade in their youth system, where he was regarded as one of the most technically gifted defenders of his age group.
Since arriving at St James’ Park, he has quietly impressed at youth level.
Shahar has already made four Premier League 2 appearances this season and featured twice in the UEFA Youth League, scoring once.
Leo Shahar – 2025/26
Premier League 2
4 appearances
299 minutes
UEFA Youth League
2 appearances
180 minutes
Source: FBref
His consistency and versatility have earned him a growing reputation, and his development was rewarded when he made his first-team debut in pre-season against Atlético Madrid.
Internationally, Shahar’s rise has been just as rapid.
Having represented England across multiple youth levels, he made his under-19 debut in September, capping off a year of steady progress.
Youth coach Thomas Hammond has described him as a “promising talent,” words that suggest he may soon be trusted with senior minutes.
Tactically, Shahar fits the modern mould Howe demands from his full-backs: quick, comfortable in tight spaces, and adept at playing out from the back.
His natural balance on either side of the pitch could be invaluable as injuries continue to bite.
And unlike Burn, he offers the pace and agility to handle one-on-one duels – an attribute that Newcastle have missed in Hall’s absence.
With Newcastle set for a gruelling run that includes Champions League clashes and key Premier League fixtures, Howe may have little choice but to dip into his academy talent.
It’s a risk, but one with potential reward. Giving Shahar his chance now could accelerate his development while easing the load on an injury-hit squad.
Newcastle’s long-term vision under Howe has always been about building sustainably – blending elite signings with homegrown talent capable of stepping up when needed.
Leo Shahar might just be the next example of that philosophy in action.
Anderson 2.0: Newcastle have "next young English superstar" on their hands
Newcastle sold homegrown talent Elliot Anderson for PSR reasons – now he’s starring for England
يستضيف فريق مانشستر سيتي الإنجليزي خصمه فريق بوروسيا دورتموند الألماني، مساء يوم الأربعاء، وذلك في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، موسم 2025/26.
تأتي تلك المباراة في إطار منافسات الجولة الرابعة من دوري أبطال أوروبا، مرحلة الدوري لذلك الموسم، على ملعب “الاتحاد” معقل مانشستر سيتي.
ويتساوى مانشستر سيتي مع بوروسيا دورتموند في عدد النقاط، برصيد 7، ولكن أفضلية الأهداف لصالح الفريق الألماني.
ومن المتوقع تواجد النجم المصري عمر مرموش على دكة بدلاء مانشستر سيتي في مباراة اليوم ضد بوروسيا دورتموند، حيث يفضل بيب جوارديولا الاعتماد على تشكيلته المعتادة كما هو الحال في المباريات الماضية.
تشكيل مانشستر سيتي أمام بوروسيا دورتموند في دوري أبطال أوروبا.. موقف عمر مرموش تشكيل مانشستر سيتي المتوقع أمام بوروسيا دورتموند اليوم في الدوري الإنجليزي
حراسة المرمى: دوناروما.
خط الدفاع: ماتيوس نونيز، جون ستونز، روبن دياز، ريان آيت نوري.
خط الوسط: نيكو جونزاليس، سافينيو.
خط الوسط الهجومي: تيجاني ريندرز، فيل فودين، جيريمي دوكو.
خط الهجوم: هالاند.
ويمكنك متابعة مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من خلال مركز المباريات من هنا.
Mark Bellingham, the father of Jude and Jobe, has seen some of his behaviour branded “an absolute joke” by England legend Sir Geoff Hurst. Bellingham senior has been billed as “the most powerful man in English football”, given the prominence of his two sons, but has also generated lively debate with his antics behind the scenes – with officials at Borussia Dortmund being confronted at one stage after Jobe was substituted at half-time.
The incident occurred during the 2025-26 Bundesliga season opener between Dortmund and St Pauli. Jobe Bellingham was making his German top-flight bow in that contest, having completed a £33 million ($44m) transfer from Sunderland over the summer. Things did not go entirely to plan for the 20-year-old midfielder, with the decision being taken to hook him at the interval.
That call did not go down well with Mark, who was in the crowd to watch his son in action, who made a march towards the dressing room. Questions were asked of high-ranking personnel at Dortmund, without getting to head coach Niko Kovac, leading BVB to ban friends and family from being granted access to the tunnel area during a game.
AdvertisementHurst's take on unfortunate behaviour
Hurst is a big fan of the Bellinghams – particularly Real Madrid ‘Galactico’ Jude – but is less than impressed to discover that their father wants to be so hands-on. The 1966 World Cup winner said at an event in Bristol, as reported by : “A thing that’s irritated me is a picture in one of the papers about the most powerful man in English football – and it’s Jude Bellingham’s father. He was complaining when his son was taken off in a game – and that is an absolute joke. If you don’t eradicate that kind of thing, that is an absolute disgrace.”
Right man for England? Tuchel questioned
Jobe Bellingham has found starting berths at Dortmund hard to come by since then, while Jude – who underwent shoulder surgery over the summer – was left out of the latest England squad as he works on recovering full match fitness.
Hurst is among those hoping to see the Three Lions break a 60-year wait for major honours in 2026 and emulate the achievements of his class of '66. England’s hat-trick hero from that memorable day at Wembley is, however, not convinced that the managerial reins should have been handed to ex-Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel.
He said: “Overall, you have to strongly argue the managers who have had the best results for our national side have been English, starting with Sir Alf Ramsey. And I must admit I generally prefer to have, as many other countries do, a national manager who shares the same nationality as the players.
“But, unfortunately, we haven’t had that many to pick from who are operating at the highest level in the Prem, because there are so many foreign managers now. And not many English managers in the Premier League have been that successful over the years.
“It’s very simple when it comes to management – if Tuchel does well next summer and we do well in the World Cup, he will have done a fantastic job. But if we get knocked out in the first round, he’ll have been an absolute waste of time.”
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Getty ImagesWorld Cup glory bid: England out to end 60 years of pain
Ex-West Ham striker Hurst went on to say: “Thomas Tuchel appears to have all the credentials to be a successful England manager but it just comes down to results. We’d all be absolutely thrilled to bits whichever nationality our manager is if we win the World Cup again – it’s long overdue. But I think it’s going to be tough. I don’t think he started that well and a couple of our friendlies were very poor. And it does take a while for the manager to get to know the good players, the bad players and to see which are good team players.
“It took Alf Ramsey three years prior to the World Cup for him to collect a group of players with the right characters. The England game against Serbia was much better – a fantastic 5-0 win away from home.
“Managers get criticised at national level just like they do at club level. That comes with the territory. But I’m not a negative person. I’m always very hopeful that we’re going to do well – and I’m now as optimistic as ever. I’d still probably favour an English boss – but good luck to him.”
England, who sit top of their World Cup qualification group, will be back in action on Tuesday when taking in a trip to Latvia, where a victory will be enough to book their place at the tournament. Prior to that, the Young Lions will take on Andorra in a European U21 Championship qualifier on Monday, with Jobe Bellingham forming part of Lee Carsley’s plans.
It looked like the script was written. With seven minutes remaining, Chloe Kelly had come back to haunt her former side, levelling things up for Arsenal at Manchester City with a superb strike that seemed to swing the momentum in the Gunners' favour. But the player who has so often been the hero in 2025, for club and country, would see her efforts reduced to a footnote as Iman Beney's even later effort condemned the north London side to a 3-2 defeat, one which ended their unbeaten start to the new Women's Super League season and leaves their title charge in a precarious position already.
Having come into the game off the back of draws at Manchester United and at home to Aston Villa, Arsenal have now dropped points on as many occasions through the first five games of this campaign as Chelsea did in the entirety of last year, to clinch their sixth successive league triumph. Slip-ups are going to have to be few and far between if anyone is going to dethrone the Blues and unfortunately for the Gunners, that hasn't been the case thus far this term.
It was a barn-storming game, in which Arsenal had to twice come from behind. Khadija Shaw gave City the lead and should've really made it 2-0, while the Gunners could've been level-pegging earlier had Stina Blackstenius finished a chance one-on-one after Mariona Caldentey got the visitors on the scoresheet. Even once Kelly did that, with 83 minutes on the clock, Slegers' side threatened and had their opportunities, but it was the talented teenager Beney, off the bench for City, who decided this five-goal thriller, moving the hosts into second while the Gunners remain fifth.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from the Joie Stadium…
Goalkeeper & Defence
Daphne van Domselaar (6/10):
Made some crucial saves to keep Arsenal in it, even if she did still have some iffy moments.
Emily Fox (5/10):
Had a few sloppy moments and could've done better for City's opener.
Lotte Wubben-Moy (4/10):
Her and Catley should've kept more of an eye on Shaw at various moments, including for the opening goal, rather than being drawn towards the ball. Didn't cover herself in glory for the winning goal.
Steph Catley (5/10):
Solid in possession but, again, could've kept more of a handle on Shaw, who found herself in good space on more than one occasion.
Katie McCabe (5/10):
Has some sloppy moments in terms of her defensive positioning and didn't do enough to prevent City's winners.
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Midfield
Kim Little (6/10):
Fantastic on the ball to ensure Arsenal had several dominant spells.
Mariona Caldentey (5/10):
Scored a terrific goal to level the scores just after half time but didn't create as much for others as usual.
Victoria Pelova (5/10):
Had some nice moments in possession and worked hard in the press, but struggled to get involved in key areas for the most part.
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Attack
Olivia Smith (5/10):
Was excellent in running at her marker and in her pressing, but her final ball so often let her down.
Alessia Russo (5/10):
Struggled for any sort of service all game.
Caitlin Foord (6/10):
A constant threat down the left and in central areas when she drifted inside.
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Subs & Manager
Chloe Kelly (6/10):
Scored a terrific goal off the bench. A real surprise she hasn't been more involved through the start of this season.
Beth Mead (6/10):
A lively introduction who posed problems for the City back line.
Stina Blackstenius (4/10):
Provided a different kind of threat and got a few looks at goal but really should've scored to level things up earlier, when put through one-on-one.
Kyra Cooney-Cross (N/A):
Only on for the final 10 minutes after a frustrating lack of game time so far this term.
Frida Maanum (N/A):
Another late sub.
Renee Slegers (4/10):
Made a bold call in swapping the in-form Reid out for Wubben-Moy in the back line and it wasn't one that paid off. Subs were effective and her team fought back twice, but the defence let the Gunners down.
Arsenal will have spent near £300m once the summer transfer window ends at 7pm on Monday evening. Still, the Gunners’ luxurious new squad was not enough to fend off another of the market’s big spenders, Liverpool.
Truth be told, Arne Slot’s side were there for the taking. Mikel Arteta’s men enjoyed more of the ball in the first half and looked threatening, but could not make their advantage tell.
In the end, they were undone by a moment of magic. Arsenal played with the handbrake on and the Reds made them pay.
Last season you may well remember Declan Rice’s stunning free-kicks against Real Madrid. It’s hard to forget them. Well, Rice eat your heart out.
Dominic Szoboszlai stepped up and struck a beautiful free-kick over the ball and past David Raya with not long left on the clock.
What went wrong for Arsenal at Anfield
After winning on the Premier League’s opening weekend against Manchester United, much was made of Arsenal’s unbeaten run against the big teams.
Indeed, as the north Londoners headed to Merseyside on Sunday, they did so having not lost their last 22 games against the division’s traditional big six; Manchester City, Liverpool, Man United, Spurs and Chelsea.
Well, that record came to an end in disappointing fashion this weekend as Arsenal rather lost with a whimper.
The tone was set in the opening exchanges. William Saliba went down off the ball and went off, replaced by Cristhian Mosquera. To his credit, the summer signing did well, winning four of his five duels, according to Sofascore.
The performance stemmed from Arsenal’s attack. While Arteta may have a fantastic record against the biggest sides in English football, it’s becoming a regular occurrence now that they struggle to get out of second gear.
Barring the annihilation against Manchester City last season, very rarely have the Gunners managed to romp to victory.
Excusing that City game, it’s 11 matches since Arsenal scored more than twice in those ‘big-six’ fixtures. Fair enough against the best sides in the land, but it speaks volumes of a team who aren’t given much creative freedom or license.
Viktor Gyokeres, like he did against Manchester United, looked isolated up top and was devoid of much service. That’s hardly a surprise considering Arsenal started Ethan Nwaneri, Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze on the bench. Also without Bukayo Saka, this one was always going to be a bit of a struggle.
Mikel Merino was chosen in the Odegaard role but despite scoring twice against Liverpool in 2024/25, he didn’t really turn up on this occasion, completing just 77% of his passes.
To his credit, Noni Madueke was probably the best player for the visitors. Handed an opportunity in his favoured role on the right-hand side, he regularly looked to make things happen.
He had three shots, the most of any Arsenal player and completed his one and only dribble. It’s a pity his partner on the opposite side of the pitch failed to show the same vigour.
The root of Arsenal's problems in attack
For the vast majority of this summer window, Arsenal supporters have had two cravings. One was for the club to sign a new striker and they did so by welcoming Gyokeres to the Emirates Stadium.
The other desire was to see Andrea Berta sign a left winger. He’s semi-done that, welcoming Madueke and Eze into the fold.
It was Madueke who started on the left against Leeds United last week and it was Eze who finished Sunday’s clash in that role, substituted on with 20 minutes to go. The new signing was vibrant, certainly more so than the man he replaced, Gabriel Martinelli.
The Brazilian is a puzzling talent. In 2022/23, he finished as the club’s joint-top scorer, registering 15 goals.
Since then, it has been an arduous few years for the wide player who has struggled to replicate that form. His performance against Liverpool showcased why he’s become a bit of a scapegoat in recent times.
Full of pace, Martinelli will always guarantee energy, but his lack of incisiveness in the final third completely killed Arsenal in the first half.
David Raya
6/10
Jurrien Timber
6/10
William Saliba
N/A
Gabriel
7/10
Riccardo Calafiori
6/10
Martin Zubimendi
6/10
Declan Rice
6/10
Mikel Merino
5/10
Noni Madueke
8/10
Gabriel Martinelli
3/10
Viktor Gyokeres
5/10
There were two moments in particular. One came in the opening exchanges when he found the chance to break through the centre of the pitch. Gyokeres looked to make two runs in behind but Martinelli didn’t get his head up. He eventually ran down a blind alley into the penalty area and lost the ball having failed to make up his mind over what to do with it.
The same happened slightly later in the half when he decided to hold the ball up rather than get after Szoboszlai who was playing out of position at right-back.
It said it all that the Hungarian, even before his showstopping goal, was on course to win the man of the match award.
Martinelli only lasted 70 minutes but he really should have been hooked sooner, having failed to have a single shot, manage one dribble or create a key pass.
Minutes played
70
Touches
15
Accurate passes
6/7 (86%)
Key passes
0
Shots
0
Dribble attempts
0
Crosses
0
Duels won
2
It was a really poor afternoon for the Brazil international who left the pitch after amassing just 15 touches, 40 fewer than goalkeeper David Raya.
As Arsenal podcaster and writer Phil Costa noted during the 90 minutes, he’s “so clunky and indecisive.” Is it any wonder the Gunners have moved to secure the services of Eze and Madueke this summer?
On this evidence, Martinelli should find himself back on the bench after the international break. Eze simply has to start when they face Nottingham Forest in two weeks.
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