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Wembley, Sunday evening: Pep Guardiola clutches the gleaming Carabao Cup, a record-breaking fifth of his career, and for 90 minutes the Premier League table is rendered irrelevant. Manchester City’s 2-0 victory over Arsenal answers at least one question of the weekend—on the day, the blue half rules the rivalry. The match itself was decided long before Rayan Cherki’s impudent keepy-uppies drew a frustrated hack from Ben White. City were already two goals to the good, and while Mikel Arteta’s side still lead the league by nine points, the final felt like a line in the sand drawn by the champions. Guardiola, without European football to distract him, celebrated with the vigour of a coach who knows this trophy may yet be the springboard to another domestic surge. Arsenal, meanwhile, were left to rue a high-profile goalkeeping gamble: James Trafford, starting ahead of David Raya, exuded calm; Kepa Arrizabalaga, chosen by Arteta, erred for the decisive moment. The quadruple dream is gone; the title race is not, but the psychological ledger has a fresh entry. North of the capital, Tottenham Hotspur attempted to summon unity. Flares, drums and a slick social-media campaign—“Let’s Do This, Together”—framed the visit of Nottingham Forest. For 45 minutes the plan almost worked, yet boos still rippled around the stadium at the interval, and a calamitous second half left Spurs a solitary point above the drop. Seven matches remain, 21 points to play for, but the fear inside the club is that the belated show of fan solidarity has arrived too late to alter momentum. Igor Tudor’s side specialise in self-inflicted implosions; the supporters now face the awkward task of sustaining vocal backing while relegation looms. Elsewhere, Jordan Pickford reached a personal milestone—100 Everton clean sheets—while producing two stunning denials of Enzo Fernandez in a 3-0 dismantling of Chelsea. At 6 ft 1 in he is not the prototype modern giant, and his command of the six-yard box can wobble, but for pure shot-stopping there has been no more consistent performer this season. With Vicario and Sanchez both making costly errors at the weekend, the question lingers: how many sides chasing Europe might have climbed the table had they gambled on the England No. 1? City have their trophy, Arsenal still have the league lead, Spurs have desperation, and Pickford has the quiet satisfaction of being the league’s most under-discussed game-changer. The run-in starts now.

Mumbai: Long before Abhishek Sharma rocketed to global attention with a 21-ball 52 in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final, the left-hander’s gift for clearing the rope was already folklore in Punjab’s age-group dressing rooms. In an exclusive conversation with TOI, childhood friend and Punjab Kings teammate Nehal Wadhera traced the origins of the innings that clinched India’s title, insisting the warning signs were there for anyone who cared to watch an Under-14 match in the north-western state. “Abhishek and I have been playing together since Under-14. So, yes, Abhishek definitely had those hitting skills from the start,” Wadhera said, recalling a 410-run chase on a turning track in an Under-16 state tournament. Captaining the side, Abhishek partnered Shubman Gill to gun down the target; one finished on 150, the other 180. “We always knew what he was capable of,” Wadhera added. The world caught up in Bridgetown. Entering the 2025 edition as the No. 1-ranked T20 batter, Abhishek stumbled through three ducks and a rash of single-digit scores, his place under scrutiny. A measured 55 against Zimbabwe in the Super 8s steadied the ship, but the crescendo arrived in the final. Walking out with Sanju Samson, Abhishek blazed six fours and four sixes in a 98-run opening stand that set up India’s triumph over New Zealand. Wadhera, watching from afar, saw nothing new. “The game that we are watching now, we already knew about it. But he has definitely worked on it. How he has maximised the opportunities in the powerplay is really commendable. All thanks to Yuvraj Singh and his father, who coach and mentor him.” While Abhishek re-wrote headlines, Wadhera has quietly scripted his own IPL arc. Debuting under Rohit Sharma at Mumbai Indians in 2023, he switched to Punjab Kings for INR 4.20 crore in the 2025 mega auction and responded with 369 runs at a strike rate above 145, propelling the franchise to its maiden final. A six-run loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru still stings, but the 25-year-old believes the squad’s settled core and Shreyas Iyer’s liberating captaincy have positioned Punjab as 2026 contenders. “For a head coach, maintaining a positive environment is the most important thing,” Wadhera said of Ricky Ponting, recalling a Dharamshala camp where boundaries were greeted with the Australian’s trademark grin. “He’s doing a really good job.” Personal milestones can wait, Wadhera insists; the only box left unticked is the trophy. If Abhishek’s journey from backyard sixes to World Cup glory is any indication, childhood dreams have a habit of ageing into reality. SEO keywords:

Wembley, Sunday – When the teamsheet landed 90 minutes before kick-off, the only real surprise was between the posts. Mikel Arteta, a coach who has spent six years cultivating a reputation for cold, unsentimental choices, elected to start Kepa Arrizabalaga ahead of first-choice David Raya in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City. By full-time, that decision had swung from magnanimous to costly: Arsenal were beaten 2-0, the opening goal born from Kepa’s failure to deal with Rayan Cherki’s cross, the second a header from Nico O’Reilly four minutes later that sealed the trophy for City. Arteta’s explanation afterwards was framed in moral, not tactical, terms. “I have to do what I feel is right, which is honest and which is fair,” he said. “He’s played all the competition… it would have been very, very unfair for him and for the team to do something different.” The manager denied promising Kepa a start, insisting players must “earn it”, yet the selection felt pre-ordained as a reward for five cup appearances rather than a cold assessment of who gave Arsenal the best chance to lift silverware. History suggests Arteta is usually immune to such sentiment. In 2021-22 he dropped Bernd Leno, who had featured in every previous round, for Aaron Ramsdale at the semi-final stage. Christian Norgaard started the first three ties of this season’s competition, then disappeared for the semi-final and beyond. Goalkeepers, it appears, have been placed in a separate category, perhaps because their opportunities are so scarce: Kepa and third-choice Tommy Setford have yet to play a minute of Premier League football this term, making cup starts precious currency. The numbers, however, pointed to Raya. The Spaniard ranks among the league’s most reliable claimants of high deliveries and is integral to Arsenal’s build-up, repeatedly drawing City’s press before finding team-mates in tight pockets. Kepa, by contrast, looked uncertain from the outset, racing rashly at Jeremy Doku and earning a booking, then misreading the flight of Cherki’s centre to allow O’Reilly the simplest of finishes. It was the third time the 29-year-old has taken centre stage in a League Cup final for all the wrong reasons: in 2019 he famously refused substitution before Chelsea lost on penalties to City; four years ago he blazed over from 12 yards as Liverpool triumphed at Wembley. Arteta argued that “errors are part of football”, yet the identity of the error magnified the gamble. Guardiola, meanwhile, demonstrated the alternative path, leaving European champion Gianluigi Donnarumma on the bench and handing James Trafford a clean sheet without drama. City’s collective display was superior in every department, but Arsenal might have weathered the storm with surer handling at the first hurdle. Long-term, the manager may still feel vindicated. Kepa, a £71 million capture by Chelsea in 2018 and a 13-cap Spain international, has started all eight of Arsenal’s domestic cup fixtures this season, helping them into the FA Cup quarter-finals. Loyalty could buy continued depth at a position where competition is fragile. Yet the immediate cost is a first trophy of the campaign surrendered, and a fresh question mark over Arteta’s willingness to wield the axe when the stakes are highest. If Arsenal return to Wembley in May, the sentimental streak may be shorter. On Sunday, pragmatism would have been brutal – and, on the balance of play, probably decisive.

Dragon Park, Newport – Craig Bellamy’s office is as stripped-back as the tactical blueprints he projects on the wall. A laptop, two framed Wales shirts and a photograph of the late Gary Speed are the only adornments in an otherwise bare room. Yet within minutes of sitting down the 46-year-old head coach turns the space into a cinema of obsession, toggling through thousands of video files that chronicle every training session he has overseen since taking the Wales job in July 2024. “I do way more than I need to,” Bellamy shrugs, cursor dancing across folders labelled Bosnia, Italy, Northern Ireland. “But I need my mind busy. If it’s not football, it’s history, geography, conflict, people. That’s how I relax.” The admission is telling. Between now and Wales’ World Cup play-off semi-final against Bosnia-Herzegovina on 26 March, there are no fixtures, yet Bellamy’s calendar is crammed: Tottenham one day, Manchester City the next, a dash to Hong Kong, back for an evening in Wrexham, a breakfast talk in Bangor. “Boom, boom, boom,” he smiles, mimicking the rhythm of the M4 corridor he now knows better than any motorway in Europe. It is a pace he chooses. International football’s lulls can suffocate a first-time senior manager, so Bellamy fills the vacuum with information. He has watched Yugoslavia’s 1990 Under-21 side, studied the Balkans war, traced the childhood of Bosnia’s manager. “I need to know who they are, what they come from. It won’t give me set-piece routines, but it gives me respect – and an edge.” The approach is exhaustive, but Bellamy insists it is healthier than the compulsions that once ruled him. In his autobiography he detailed the depression that followed an “absentee husband” lifestyle; fathering three children by 17, divorce, the relentless fight for Premier League survival. Coaching, he says, has replaced the internal combustion with external curiosity. “As a player I lived in a bubble of fear: am I being sold, am I being replaced? Now I’m curious about everything.” That curiosity is anchored at Dragon Park, Wales’ development hub on the Newport outskirts. While the FAW’s administrative HQ sits 40 miles west in the Vale of Glamorgan, Bellamy prefers the synthetic whiff of this “football place”, where analysts drift in and out but largely leave him alone. “Socially I can be awkward,” he admits. “But talk football and you can’t get rid of me.” The four-hour conversation with BBC Sport Wales proves the point. It ricochets from tactical periodisation to bedtime Barbie duties with his daughter, from the geopolitics of the former Soviet bloc to the guilt of missing school pick-ups. Bellamy’s partner, he says, issued one non-negotiable when the national job was offered: “Don’t be moaning. You commit, we’re all in.” That pact now stretches to Euro 2028, co-hosted on Welsh soil. Initially viewed as a short-term appointment ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Bellamy has recalibrated. “Very few people get this opportunity. Why wish it away?” The remark carries extra weight because he never appeared at a major tournament as a player; the play-off route this spring represents both personal and collective redemption. He inherited a nation already awakened by Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup, yet believes the cycle must harden. “We punch above our weight – but I like expectations. These are the qualities a Wales player needs: intensity, belief, balls.” The last word is delivered with a grin, echoing the fearless forward who once terrorised defences for Liverpool and Newcastle, but the sentiment is measured. “Hope isn’t enough. I want the squad to feel what I didn’t as a player – genuine belief.” Whether that translates to a World Cup berth will hinge on victories over Bosnia and, potentially, Italy in a Cardiff final. Preparation, at least, will not be lacking. As the interview ends Bellamy clicks back to the Bosnia folder, another reel of clips queued for dissection. Somewhere between Newport and the play-off pitch, the complex mind of Wales’ head coach is already two moves ahead.

Goiania, Brazil — Marco Bezzecchi turned a difficult Friday into a flawless Sunday, mastering a shortened Brazilian Grand Prix to claim his fourth consecutive MotoGP victory and seize the championship lead. Starting from the middle of the front row, the 27-year-old Aprilia rider rocketed away from second on the grid and never surrendered control, completing the 23-lap contest around the Ayrton Senna Circuit 2.1 seconds clear of teammate Jorge Martin. The Italian’s triumph, his second of the season after winning last month’s Thailand opener, vaults him 11 points ahead of previous standings leader Pedro Acosta. “It was a tough weekend,” Bezzecchi admitted. “We started in a bad way, and it was difficult to keep the motivation super high. But the guys did a wonderful job, and I pushed myself over the limit to try to compensate everything I could. At the end we found the way to make the bike in a fantastic way.” Behind the runaway leader, the battle for the final podium spot provided late-race fireworks. VR46’s Fabio Di Giannantonio fended off a charging Marc Marquez to secure third, denying the reigning world champion a rostrum finish on MotoGP’s return to Brazil after a 21-year absence. Race officials trimmed the grand prix distance from 31 to 23 laps only minutes before the start, citing extreme heat and track surface concerns. The decision followed Saturday’s disrupted sprint, which was delayed more than an hour while workers repaired a sizeable hole adjacent to the starting grid. Bezzecchi crossed the line with his fourth straight checkered flag and pointed skyward in tribute to close friend Roberto Lunadei, a 42-year-old mechanic who died in a road accident last week. The paddock now heads north, with the US Grand Prix scheduled for March 27-29 at Austin’s Circuit of The Americas. SEO keywords:

Frederick, Md. — As civic dialogue swirls around a proposed cricket park, city leaders are urging residents to move past early impressions and examine the specifics now on the table. The initiative, still in the discussion phase, centers on creating a dedicated venue for cricket somewhere within city limits, a move advocates say would broaden recreational offerings and reflect the area’s changing demographics. “If you’ve been following the conversation about the proposed cricket park in Frederick, and perhaps forming a few impressions along the way, now may be a good time to take a closer look at what’s actually being discussed,” officials noted in a statement released Monday. The remark signals an effort to reset public understanding before any formal proposal lands before the mayor and Board of Alders. No site has been selected, no funding mechanism has been identified, and no timeline has been announced, but the very mention of a cricket-specific facility has already sparked both enthusiasm and skepticism across social-media channels and neighborhood listservs. Proponents argue that Frederick’s growing South Asian and Caribbean communities would benefit from a space designed for a sport that claims more than two billion fans worldwide. Critics question the cost, location, and whether demand justifies carving out scarce urban acreage for a single-use field. City staff say the next step is a feasibility study that will examine potential sites, environmental impacts, and shared-use possibilities that could accommodate cricket matches without locking out other activities. Public information sessions are expected later this summer, giving residents an opportunity to review preliminary findings and voice priorities. For now, officials are stressing one message: the cricket park is an idea under review, not a done deal. They encourage anyone with a stake in Frederick’s parkland future to follow the details as they emerge rather than rely on second-hand summaries.

MIDLAND, Texas—The Scharbauer Sports Complex echoed with cheers and cleats this weekend as the West Texas All-Star Classic brought together youth squads from every corner of the state. Teams from Odessa, Midland, Lubbock, El Paso and San Angelo converged for three days of nonstop action, spanning age groups from 5-and-under flag football through 14-and-under tackle. Pool play on Saturday and Sunday set the stage, with each program battling for one of the coveted quarterfinal and semifinal berths in its division. By Championship Sunday the stakes were unmistakable: every snap, every route and every tackle carried title implications. When the final whistles blew, a new batch of divisional champions had been crowned, adding their names to the growing legacy of the event.

London – Impian Arsenal meraih quadruple musim ini pupus setelah mereka tunduk 0-2 dari Manchester City dalam laga puncak Carabao Cup di Stadion Wembley, Minggu (22/3) malam WIB. Kekalahan ini memastikan The Gunners menutup pintu gelar pertama mereka musim ini sekaligus menutup peluang menyapu empat trofi sekaligus. Sejak peluit dimulai, Arsenal tampak kesulitan menembus barisan pertahanan City. Tekanan intensif datang di paruh kedua, ketika Nico O'Reilly mencetak dua gol krusial yang memastikan trofi Carabao Cup kembali ke Etihad. Performa tim besutan Mikel Arteta terlihat jauh dari harapan, dan kegagalan ini memperlihatkan celah yang masih harus ditutup oleh skuad London Utara. Dengan kepergian satu gelar, Arsenal kini maksimal bisa meraih triple. Mereka masih bertarung di tiga kompetisi lain: Liga Inggris, Liga Champions, dan Piala FA. Di pentas Liga Inggris, Arsenal berada di puncak klasemen dengan keunggulan sembilan poin atas City, menjadikan kompetisi domestik sebagai misi paling realistis untuk menyabet trofi. Sementara itu, di Liga Champions, mereka sudah melangkah ke perempat final dan akan berhadapan dengan Sporting Lisbon pada babak delapan besar. Di ajang Piala FA, The Gunners akan menjamu Southampton pada 4 April mendatang, laga yang di atas kertas seharusnya bisa mereka menangkan. Meski masih punya tiga peta perjuangan, kekalahan di final Carabao Cup tetap menyisakan rasa pahit. Arsenal butuh bangkit cepat untuk memastikan musim ini tetap berakhir manis dengan trofi bergengsi lainnya.

Manchester United’s long-standing admiration for Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies has been confirmed by Sport Bild’s Christian Falk, yet any concrete pursuit remains on hold after the Canadian international signed a contract extension at the Allianz Arena. Falk reports that United officials first positioned themselves at the negotiating table when uncertainty lingered over Davies’s future in Bavaria, and the Premier League club continues to monitor developments. The 23-year-old’s new deal complicates a potential transfer, but sources indicate that Bayern would at least entertain a conversation should an enticing offer arrive. Persistent injury setbacks have prompted internal debate among Bayern bosses over whether additional cover is required on the left flank, especially with Hiroki Itō viewed as a capable deputy. While no formal bid has been tabled by United, Falk insists that the reigning German champions would weigh the merits of a lucrative proposal, mindful of the significant financial outlay already committed to secure Davies’s extension. Despite the speculation, selling the dynamic full-back still appears improbable. Bayern’s reluctance is underscored by Davies’s importance when fit, even as his recent spell of ailments raises questions about squad depth. For United, left-back remains a priority area with Luke Shaw’s ongoing fitness concerns, yet prising Davies away from Bayern would demand a premium fee and persuasive negotiations. For now, United’s interest remains in the scouting phase, and any move hinges on Bayern’s willingness to reverse course on a prized asset they fought to retain. The situation bears watching as the summer window approaches, but the balance of power clearly lies with the Bundesliga giants.

Milwaukee’s roster has been overhauled again, yet the front office insists the mission remains unchanged: keep the Brewers in October. After missing the 2022 postseason, the club has reeled off three straight playoff berths and now faces 2026 with a younger, retooled squad built around emerging arms and a still-potent lineup. The winter began with a seismic departure. Freddy Peralta, the last link to the Burnes-Woodruff-Peralta rotation that defined Milwaukee’s recent golden era, was shipped to the Mets for right-hander Brandon Sproat and infielder Jett Williams. Sproat, who debuted late last season, brings a heavy sinker and a full five-pitch mix, while Williams immediately becomes the Brewers’ most dynamic infield prospect and is expected to seize an everyday role once camp breaks. To cushion the blow of losing their ace, president of baseball operations Matt Arnold pivoted to volume and upside. Southpaw Kyle Harrison arrived from San Francisco in the Caleb Durbin deal; the 23-year-old fanned 15 in 9.2 Cactus League innings this spring, though the long ball remains a concern after he surrendered four homers in the same stretch. Durbin also netted David Hamilton—an 80-grade burner who tormented catchers all spring—and lottery-ticket lefty Shane Drohan, whose four-seam generated whiffs at a 37-percent clip in Triple-A last year, third-best in the circuit. Venezuelan left-hander Angel Zerpa, acquired from Kansas City in a separate swap, could prove the most impactful addition. Zerpa did not allow a run and surrendered only three hits while striking out eight across 5.1 innings in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, showcasing the cross-fire angle that has made him virtually unhittable for fellow lefties. He joins Aaron Ashby and Jared Koenig to give manager Pat Murphy a trio of quality left-handed relievers. Brandon Woodruff’s acceptance of the qualifying offer provides a veteran anchor for a rotation that will otherwise lean heavily on 24-year-old Jacob Misiorowski, now the de facto staff ace. Sproat and Harrison slot in behind them, with swingman Tobias Myers and rookie Brandon Sproat also in the mix after José Quintana’s departure. Offensively, the core remains star-studded. Christian Yelich, Jackson Chourio, William Contreras, Brice Turang, and offseason acquisition Andrew Vaughn project to form one of the National League’s deepest lineups. Switch-hitting infielder Luis Rengifo, picked up for his career .834 OPS versus lefties, and Gary Sanchez—returning as Contreras’s backup—add functional depth. The Brewers have made a habit of turning unheralded moves into October appearances. If Misiorowski ascends, Zerpa’s WBC dominance translates to the majors, and Williams hits the ground running, Milwaukee believes it can extend its decade-long contention streak without skipping a beat.

Barcelona’s slender 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano on Sunday came at a visible cost, with midfielder Pedri admitting the squad is beginning to feel the toll of an increasingly congested calendar. A second-half header from Ronald Araujo proved enough to settle a subdued contest at the Estadi Olímpic, but the post-match conversation centered on fatigue rather than flair. Speaking after the final whistle, Pedri did not hide the physical challenge of backing up a midweek Champions League triumph over Newcastle with a league assignment just three days later. “Your legs feel it after a Champions League match and with this schedule,” the 21-year-old told reporters. “There’s no point in making excuses. We have to keep adding points; there’s one less matchday and it brings us closer to the top.” Hansi Flick’s side lacked their usual rhythm for long stretches, misplacing passes and struggling to generate the high-tempo transitions that have defined their early-season form. Rayo, organized and aggressive, restricted Barcelona to a handful of clear chances until Araujo rose highest at the near post to meet a corner kick on 67 minutes, powering his effort beyond goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski. The victory moves Barcelona one step nearer the summit of La Liga before the competition pauses for the international window, yet respite for the players will be limited. Pedri is set to join up with Luis de la Fuente’s Spain squad for friendlies against Serbia and Egypt, extending his run of consecutive competitive weeks without a break. Upon the resumption of club football, the calendar offers little mercy: Atlético Madrid visit Catalunya in the league, and a fresh Champions League fixture looms days later. With every match carrying added weight in the title race and European qualification battle, Flick must balance rotation with results while safeguarding a core of players already showing signs of wear. Sunday’s grind served as a reminder that depth and recovery protocols may prove every bit as decisive as tactics between now and May.

San Diego – Arizona’s march through the West Region required every ounce of its depth Wednesday night, but when the horn sounded inside a raucous Viejas Arena the top-seeded Wildcats were still standing, 73-64 victors over No. 9 Utah State and owners of a fourth Sweet Sixteen berth in the past five seasons. Guard Brayden Burries, limited to seven first-half minutes after picking up two quick fouls, re-entered with 14:41 remaining and promptly detonated an 18-point second-half cushion, drilling a momentum-stopping three and then creating a late isolation bucket that pushed the lead to 73-64 with under a minute to play. The Aggies, who clawed within five on multiple occasions, never drew closer. The Wildcats’ early script mirrored their opening-round rout of Long Island: tenacious defense, rim pressure, and opportunistic outside shooting. Arizona buried 4 of 8 threes in the first 13 minutes while holding Utah State to 4-of-15 inside the arc, racing to a 27-16 advantage. Yet the Aggies, widely regarded as the nation’s premier mid-major, refused to fold. A 9-0 Wildcat burst that made it 51-33 with 14:41 left appeared to be the knockout punch, but Utah State answered with a methodical 18-8 surge, trimming the deficit to 59-51 and forcing Arizona into six second-half turnovers in a three-minute span. With 7:27 to go and the scoreboard reading 56-49, Arizona’s Koa Peat picked up his fourth foul, sending Utah State to the line and the partisan Wildcat crowd into anxious murmurs. The Aggies twice sliced the gap to five, the last time at 66-61 on a pair of free throws with 3:24 remaining. Each time, Burries responded—first with a pull-up jumper, then with a step-back triple that restored a double-digit cushion and quieted the Utah State contingent that had turned Viejas into a wall of sound. Arizona finished 8-of-19 from beyond the arc and 19-of-48 inside it, numbers that underscored the game-long tactical chess match: Utah State packed the paint, daring the Wildcats to beat them from deep, while Arizona countered with relentless dribble penetration and second-chance opportunities. The Aggies shot 38 percent overall and were out-rebounded 37-29, a margin that loomed large in a contest decided by a handful of possessions down the stretch. The victory sends Arizona into the regional semifinal, keeping alive national-title expectations that have trailed the program all season. Utah State exits at 28-7, its best campaign in school history, having pushed the tournament’s No. 1 seed to the final media timeout before running out of answers—and time. Arizona now awaits the winner of Thursday’s Iowa-Florida clash, setting up a potential blue-blood showdown in the Sweet Sixteen. For the moment, the Wildcats can exhale, having survived their first true March test and proven, once again, that they have more dudes when it matters most.

Orlando, FL — Antoine Griezmann’s long-rumored move to Major League Soccer took a decisive step forward on Thursday when the France forward boarded a flight to Florida after receiving permission from Atlético Madrid, multiple sources confirmed to World Soccer Talk. The 34-year-old, whose contract with the Spanish club expires in June, will finalize what is expected to be the most lucrative free-transfer deal in MLS history, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano. Griezmann has agreed to a two-year pact with Orlando City, occupying one of the club’s Designated Player slots and inheriting the No. 7 shirt once the summer transfer window opens on 8 July 2026. Orlando originally pursued Griezmann during the primary window but accepted Atlético’s refusal to release their captain mid-campaign. The Lions will instead trigger the pre-arranged agreement when the European season concludes, allowing the forward to finish his Rojiblancos tenure with a Copa del Rey final and a Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona still on the horizon. “Antoine wants to leave Atlético on the highest possible note,” a source close to the player said. “Once those objectives are met, he is fully committed to beginning a new chapter in Orlando.” That chapter could culminate in a star-studded Florida Derby against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, though supporters will have to wait. The first 2026 league meeting between the intra-state rivals ended in a 4-2 Miami victory on 1 March; the second, scheduled for 2 May at Miami Freedom Park, will also precede Griezmann’s arrival. A first competitive clash between the former Barcelona teammates would therefore require a postseason encounter or patience until the 2027 MLS kickoff. Griezmann’s arrival is poised to elevate Orlando’s profile ahead of the 2026 season’s stretch run and into the league’s expanded playoff format. Club officials declined comment on contract figures, but industry estimates place the total package among the top three compensation packages ever granted by an MLS side. For now, the Frenchman will use Atlético’s brief post-Madrid-derby hiatus to tour Orlando’s training ground at Osceola Heritage Park and complete medical examinations. Should Atlético advance through the Champions League, Griezmann would return to Madrid immediately after the weekend to resume preparations, keeping alive the possibility of a European farewell in the 30 May final. Either way, Orlando City supporters can begin the countdown: 90 days until one of Europe’s most prolific attackers of the past decade lands in Central Florida—and, eventually, lines up opposite Messi under the Florida sun.

Jerry Hanlon, a fixture on the Michigan sideline for more than two decades, has died at 96. Hanlon spent 23 seasons with the Wolverines, the bulk of that tenure working under legendary head coach Bo Schembechler. Known for his demanding style and keen eye for line play, Hanlon was widely credited with molding the tough, rugged offensive and defensive fronts that became a hallmark of Michigan football during his era. His longevity and influence helped shape the program’s identity, leaving an imprint that extended well beyond his retirement.

BRISBANE, Australia — Australia’s next international cricket campaign will stretch across eight months, open in the tropical Top End and close under lights at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with a 150th anniversary Test against England in March 2027. Cricket Australia released the 27-match home itinerary on Monday, confirming the men’s national team will visit 14 venues between Aug. 13 and the landmark England fixture scheduled for Mar. 11-15. The season begins with a two-Test series against Bangladesh, to be played in Darwin and Mackay, before Australia switches to white-ball mode for three one-day internationals and five Twenty20s against England. A three-Test tour of South Africa in October follows, marking the first meeting between the sides since the Proteas defeated Australia in last June’s World Test Championship final at Lord’s and the first Australian visit to the republic since the 2018 ball-tampering controversy. On returning home, Australia will meet trans-Tasman rival New Zealand in a rapid-fire four-Test series held across four weeks starting Dec. 9. A tour of India is pencilled in for early 2027 before attention turns to the MCG’s commemorative clash with England. Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg said the extended home programme, new regional venue allocations and marquee anniversary match would showcase both tradition and growth. “The 150th anniversary Test match will be a wonderful conclusion to the summer with the cricket world coming to the MCG to celebrate the game’s historic rivalry,” Greenberg noted. England enters the contest following a post-Ashes performance review after losing the most recent series in Australia 4-1 in January.

Bayern Munich’s women underscored their dominance of the Frauen-Bundesliga with a ruthless 5-0 demolition of SGS Essen on Friday night, extending their remarkable winning streak to 17 league matches and keeping the Meisterschale firmly in their sights. The contest was effectively decided inside the opening nine minutes. Giulia Gwinn’s pinpoint cross in the 4th minute found Pernille Harder unmarked, and the Denmark international steered home the opener. Moments later, Essen captain Jaqueline Meißner was shown a straight red for a last-ditch foul on Franziska Kett. From the resulting free-kick, Linda Dallmann, fresh from signing a new deal with the club, headed in Bayern’s second. Despite the early two-goal cushion and numerical advantage, Bayern adopted a measured tempo, conserving energy ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg at Manchester United. The hosts reached the interval with their lead unchanged. The third goal arrived in the 67th minute when Harder earned and converted a penalty, and the floodgates reopened. In the 71st minute, Bernadette Amani’s sumptuous outside-of-the-boot pass released Carolin Simon, whose cross was tapped in by Natalia Padilla-Bidas. Edna Imade, continuing her impressive form since joining the club, completed the rout two minutes from time. The victory preserves Bayern’s 11-point advantage over VfL Wolfsburg with six fixtures remaining; three more wins will seal a fourth consecutive league title. Attention now turns to Old Trafford, where the Bavarians aim to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2021.

Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith has started every game but six since entering the league in 2021, yet the path to becoming a two-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion was nearly derailed before his NFL career began. During an otherwise routine offseason workout at the University of Tennessee, Smith felt his body shut down without warning. “I can’t stand up straight. I can barely catch my breath,” Smith recalled. “I’m like, ‘Damn. Am I that out of shape? What is going on?’ …I lost 13 pounds in a day. I feel horrible.” The then-college lineman received an urgent call from the team physician: stay put; an ambulance was on the way. Hours later, doctors delivered a sobering diagnosis—blood clots had formed in both of his lungs. The physician’s next words remain seared into Smith’s memory: “They can be fatal.” Catching the clots early likely saved his life, though physicians still classified the episode as severe. While the diagnosis rocked his world, Smith’s first concern reflected the single-minded focus that would later define his professional career. “I just remember thinking at the time, almost ignorantly, like, ‘Will I still be able to play football?’” he said. “Like, what’s my timeline for getting back?” Only after doctors reiterated the life-threatening nature of the condition did the offensive lineman grasp the gravity of his situation. Following treatment and a full recovery, Smith entered the 2021 NFL Draft with a clean bill of health. The Chiefs selected him in the sixth round with the 226th overall pick, and he immediately became a mainstay on the league’s most explosive offense. Smith’s durability and performance earned him Pro Bowl nods in both 2024 and 2025, and last summer the Chiefs locked him up with a four-year, $94 million extension that made him the highest-paid guard in football. Given both his on-field production and the medical scare he overcame, few players have proven more worthy of the lucrative deal.

Spokane, WA — Within minutes of Gonzaga’s 70-66 Round-of-32 loss to Texas on Saturday, a FanDuel tweet lit the match: “Should Gonzaga fire Mark Few?” The reaction was swift, loud, and—according to anyone who has followed college basketball this century—absurd. Few has guided the Bulldogs to 27 consecutive NCAA tournaments and nine Sweet 16s in the past 11 years. Over the last decade, no program owns more March victories than Gonzaga’s 28, a total that eclipses blue-blood brands Kansas, Duke, and Kentucky. Yet the Zags’ third seed and early exit were enough to turn Twitter into a digital kangaroo court. Kansas-centric account @RockChalkBlog, followed by 23,000 users, typified the pile-on: “Another year where Gonzaga boatraces a swath of crap in the WCC, racks up lots of wins, gets a bloated seed, and comes up short in the NCAA tournament. It’s never happening for Mark Few, ever.” The facts suggest otherwise. Gonzaga finished 30-3, defeated eight Power-Four opponents, and beat three teams that advanced out of the tournament’s first round. The West Coast Conference placed three schools in the field, and Santa Clara—one of those supposed “cupcakes”—had Kentucky on the ropes until a last-second half-court heave. The Bulldogs checked in at No. 7 in the NCAA’s NET metric, and a season-long injury to second-leading scorer Braden Huff likely cost them a No. 2 seed. Historical context also undercuts the critique. Gonzaga is 2-0 versus Kansas in the past five seasons, including an 89-68 thrashing of the fourth-seeded Jayhawks in the 2024 NCAA event. Former ESPN analyst Darren Rovell offered a different angle to his 1.8 million followers, suggesting the Bulldogs’ relevance was an “anomaly” that name-image-likeness money would erase. Since NIL’s 2021 arrival, however, Gonzaga has produced an Elite Eight and two Sweet 16s—hardly a program poised to cede ground to the next High Point. Critics from NBA meme pages, Missouri radio hosts, and Seattle sport-talkers joined the chorus, but none could explain how a Jesuit school in Spokane with no football bowl budget keeps outrunning most of the nation. The answer remains Mark Few, whose nearly three-decade tenure provides the continuity that modern mid-majors almost never achieve. As Gonzaga prepares for its move into the restructured Pac-12—where it will devote the bulk of its resources to basketball while future league mates subsidize football—the path to a 28th straight tournament berth looks more probable than another early exit. Zags backers, the message is simple: let the timeline rage. History, metrics, and the roster returning in 2025 all say Few’s program will be back in the second weekend sooner than the detractors think. Keywords:

With the 13th overall pick in hand and two more selections inside the top 100, the Los Angeles Rams are under no pressure to force a wide receiver selection in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Head coach Sean McVay’s offense already features Puka Nacua as a movable chess piece, so the front office is expected to focus on adding an outside X or Z receiver who can win one-on-one match downsfield and expand the vertical element of the attack. If the board does not break their way on Thursday night, three Day-2 prospects have emerged as ideal fits. The first name gaining traction inside the building is Vanderbilt’s 6-2 X receiver Jordan Sarratt. Projected for the second round, Sarratt lacks elite long speed but compensates with impeccable timing on back-shoulder throws, elite body control in the red zone, and the strongest pair of hands in the class—evidenced by his FBS-best 44 career touchdown receptions. NFL Draft Buzz notes that while he will not rip off 70-yard slants, he is a reliable chain-mover who understands how to sit in zone windows and finish drives, a trait the Rams covet inside the 20. USC’s Ja’Kobi Lane has seen his stock climb since a strong Senior Bowl week and a faster-than-expected 40-yard dash at the Combine. At 6-3, Lane plays above the rim, routinely winning contested catches and using his length to create separation on isolation routes. His vertical and broad-jump numbers confirmed the explosive lower-body power visible on film, and teams that value play-action shots and red-zone jump balls have taken notice. The Rams are comfortable developing raw elements of his route tree so long as the physical upside is real, and Lane’s ceiling as a traditional boundary X receiver matches McVay’s desire to attack outside the numbers. Georgia State transfer Ted Hurst offers a different flavor as a developmental Z receiver. After two dominant seasons at Division-II Valdosta State, Hurst made the jump to the Sun Belt and improved his receiving grade while trimming his average depth of target from 17.2 to 12.6 yards, illustrating a growing feel for finding space underneath. At 6-4, 206 pounds, with a 99th-percentile broad jump, he has the frame and fluid hips to handle McVay’s motion-heavy scheme, and Los Angeles believes he can add 10-15 pounds without sacrificing acceleration. Press coverage remains a question, but the Rams feel they can manufacture free releases through formation variety early in his career. Armed with picks 61 and 93, the Rams can afford to be patient. The 2026 receiver class is historically deep, with starting-caliber talent expected to spill into Day 2. Whether they wait for Sarratt’s contested-catch mastery, Lane’s high-point athleticism, or Hurst’s upside as a movable Z, Los Angeles is poised to walk away with a rookie who can contribute immediately to Matthew Stafford’s arsenal.

Madrid, Spain—Antoine Griezmann, Atlético Madrid’s all-time leading scorer and a 2018 World Cup winner, is traveling to the United States this week with the club’s permission to complete what multiple Spanish and American outlets are calling “the last big contract of his brilliant career.” Marca, Cadena SER and The Athletic, in a joint byline by Matteo Moretto, David Medina, Tom Bogert, Mario Cortegana and Paul Tenorio, reported late Sunday that the 35-year-old forward will sign a two-year deal with Orlando City SC, holding an option for the 2028/29 campaign once Major League Soccer aligns its calendar with Europe beginning in 2027/28. Griezmann is expected to be unveiled in Florida after the current European season concludes in May and will wear his trademark No. 7 shirt for the Purple Lions. Negotiations between Orlando and the Frenchman accelerated over the past month, but Griezmann had long insisted he would not abandon Atlético mid-campaign. He now hopes to depart Spain on a high note: Atlético meet Real Sociedad—his former club—in the Copa del Rey final on April 18 in Seville, then face FC Barcelona in next month’s UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. Despite beginning 2024-25 in a rotational role, Griezmann has delivered a series of decisive performances since November, tallying 13 goals and four assists in 42 matches across all competitions. His five Copa del Rey strikes lead the squad, while his six goals as a substitute are the most by any player in LaLiga this season, underscoring the challenge awaiting new majority owners Apollo Sports Capital when they attempt to replace the club’s iconic No. 7 this summer. Griezmann departs Atlético having amassed 211 goals in all competitions, the most in club history, and twice finishing third in Ballon d’Or voting during his two spells in the Spanish capital. His impending arrival in MLS instantly elevates Orlando’s profile despite the team’s recent struggles, and positions the Lions to market one of global football’s most recognizable stars.

Wembley Stadium, Sunday – Pep Guardiola reminded Mikel Arteta why tactical chess remains his forte, masterminding a 2-0 Carabao Cup final triumph that ended Arsenal’s 20-month unbeaten run against Manchester City and delivered the club’s first trophy of the campaign. The victory was City’s first over Arsenal since a 4-1 league rout in April 2023, a span in which Arteta’s side had morphed into a muscular, set-piece powerhouse, reeling off two wins and four draws in the intervening six fixtures. Yet the final followed a different script: after an even opening half-hour, City seized control and never loosened their grip, finishing with 1.51 expected goals to Arsenal’s 0.63 and a second-half xG margin of 1.18-0.17. Arteta’s plan began brightly. Arsenal pressed in a high four, forced long passes, and probed with angled balls toward Viktor Gyökeres, targeting a makeshift City back line of Nunes, Khusanov, Aké and O’Reilly. White pumped diagonals, Rice switched play, and Haaland dropped ever deeper to escape the squeeze. The turning point arrived as Guardiola adjusted off the ball. City’s forwards pinned Arsenal’s full-backs while Bernardo Silva and Rodri squeezed the midfield, severing the supply lines to Rice and Zubimendi. With Raya absent, Kepa’s distribution under pressure became a liability; Gabriel and Saliba were repeatedly forced into hurried back-passes that ended at the goalkeeper’s feet. City’s back four stepped high, gambling four-v-four that Gyökeres lacked either the pace to run beyond or the strength to hold up play. For a 30-minute stretch bridging halftime, the pattern was incessant: Arsenal hoisted hopeful long balls, City reclaimed possession, and waves of sky-blue attacks followed. The breakthrough, when it came, originated from a Kepa error under the high press; the second soon after extinguished the contest. Arteta’s response was delayed. Neither Rice nor Zubimendi dropped between centre-backs to disrupt City’s shape, and Gyökeres’ anonymity persisted. Only at 2-0 did Calafiori enter and Saka drift centrally, upgrades in technique that arrived too late. By then Rodri and Bernardo had completed 143 passes—Rice and Zubimendi managed 63—and the trophy was headed to the blue half of Manchester. The defeat revives questions Arteta last faced in the summer of 2023, when he rebuilt Arsenal around Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber. With no transfer window before the clubs’ next must-not-lose meeting, the Spaniard must decide whether to lean further on emerging technical options—Calafiori, the injured Ødegaard, January target Ebere Eze—or double down on the physical profile Guardiola so effectively blunted at Wembley. Guardiola, meanwhile, has again set the standard: adapt first, control the ball, and let the scoreboard do the talking.

BIRMINGHAM — Labaron Philon’s shot refused to fall, yet the sophomore guard still steered second-seeded Alabama to a 90-65 second-round victory over Texas Tech, ensuring the Crimson Tide’s continued march through the South Region. Philon, who torched Hofstra for 29 points on Thursday, finished with a modest nine points on 2-for-12 shooting, including 2-for-8 from beyond the arc. The off-night from the field, however, did little to diminish his overall impact: he dished out a career-high 12 assists, corralled six rebounds and flirted with his second straight triple-double before finishing with four turnovers in 29 minutes. The performance flipped the script on his traditional role. After averaging 20.4 points entering the weekend, Philon became the game’s primary playmaker, repeatedly collapsing the Red Raiders’ zone and finding open teammates for easy looks. His 12 assists tied the program’s NCAA Tournament record for a single game, set in 1991. Alabama shot 54 percent from the floor, and Philon initiated much of the offense. He recorded five assists in the first 10 minutes as the Tide built an early double-digit cushion, then added seven more after halftime as the lead ballooned past 20. His lone first-half field goal came from deep, a right-wing triple that gave Alabama a 19-10 advantage. He added a second three midway through the second half to push the margin to 28. Despite the shooting slump, Philon’s fingerprints were everywhere. He grabbed a team-high five rebounds in the opening period, finished with six overall, and his four turnovers were offset by the dozen assists that kept possessions alive. The guard entered the day fifth on Alabama’s single-season scoring list with 681 points; the nine-point output leaves him 16 shy of overtaking Mark Sears’ 2024-25 campaign and Brandon Miller’s 2022-23 tally for third place. With the win, Alabama advances to the Sweet 16 for the third time in five years. Philon’s next opportunity to climb the record books — and rediscover his stroke — arrives next weekend.

Antoine Griezmann is expected to touch down in the United States shortly to put the finishing touches on a landmark transfer to Orlando City SC, sources confirmed to The Athletic. The 35-year-old French forward, who remains under contract with Atlético Madrid through June 2027, has agreed to join the Lions next summer on a deal that runs through the end of the 2027–28 Major League Soccer season, with a club option for an additional year. Orlando City had hoped to accelerate the move during the winter window, but Griezmann’s desire to finish the current campaign with Atlético proved decisive. The Colchoneros remain alive in the Champions League and have booked a place in the Copa del Rey final, heightening the stakes for the veteran attacker. Since the opening of the 2025–26 campaign, Griezmann has featured in 43 matches for Diego Simeone’s side, registering 13 goals and six assists across all competitions. His prolific output has further cemented his status as Atlético’s all-time leading goalscorer and ensured a fitting farewell tour in the Spanish capital. The Mâcon-born star, capped 137 times for France with 44 international goals, will depart Europe after successful spells with Real Sociedad, Barcelona and, most notably, Atlético, where he helped deliver the 2018 UEFA Super Cup. Orlando City, eager to add a marquee name ahead of the 2026 MLS season, view Griezmann’s experience and scoring pedigree as a transformative acquisition as the club targets silverware in the coming years.

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick delivered a clear message to Fermín Lopez after the 21-year-old midfielder reacted angrily to his second-half substitution in Sunday’s La Liga victory over Rayo Vallecano at Camp Nou. Lopez, who had started the match and showcased his trademark dynamism, shook his head and muttered as his number was raised on the fourth official’s board, making way for Dani Olmo with the game still in the balance. Addressing the media post-match, Flick underlined that squad rotation is non-negotiable and that every player must embrace the bigger picture. “At that time we wanted to make changes and he has to accept it because Olmo is also a fantastic player,” the German coach said. “Dani Olmo gives us more control and is very good near the box while Fermín gives us a lot of dynamism and energy as he showed today and especially against Newcastle.” The substitution proved effective; Olmo’s composure helped Barcelona see out the win and maintain their perfect start to the domestic campaign. Yet the flash of frustration from Lopez offered a snapshot of the fierce competition for minutes within Flick’s revamped squad. Both Lopez and Olmo will now swap club duties for international colors, joining Luis de la Fuente’s Spain squad for upcoming friendlies against Serbia and Egypt. The brief hiatus may offer Lopez time to reset, but Flick’s public reminder suggests the youngster’s pathway to regular starts will depend as much on attitude as aptitude.

Orlando City is on the verge of landing one of world football’s most decorated attackers. Multiple sources briefed on the negotiations confirmed to The Athletic that Atlético Madrid and France World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann has been granted permission by the Spanish club to travel to Orlando during his two scheduled days off to finalize a move to Major League Soccer this summer. The 34-year-old striker, Atlético’s all-time leading scorer with more than 200 goals, will sign a contract through the 2027-28 campaign—the first season MLS will align its calendar more closely with Europe’s major leagues—holding an option for 2028-29. Sources add that Griezmann is expected to inherit Orlando City’s No. 7 shirt once the deal is formally announced. Talks between Orlando and Griezmann’s camp stretched for weeks, with the Lions initially hoping to secure the forward before the league’s primary transfer window closed. Griezmann elected to remain in Madrid to pursue Copa del Rey and Champions League glory, but maintained his longstanding interest in experiencing American soccer. He has frequently vacationed in the United States, attended NBA games, and publicly expressed a desire to play in MLS at some stage of his career. Griezmann’s arrival would mark the highest-profile acquisition in Orlando City history and the centerpiece of a roster overhaul that accelerated after the club parted ways with longtime coach Óscar Pareja following a 1-4-0 start that left the Lions 13th in the Eastern Conference. Orlando spent the offseason investing in young talent, signing three Brazilian prospects to Under-22 initiative contracts, but results have lagged; the Lions were thumped 5-0 by Nashville SC this past weekend. The Central Florida side has never shied away from marquee names. Since joining MLS as an expansion club in 2015, Orlando has featured Ballon d’Or winner Kaká and former Manchester United winger Nani. Griezmann would join Lionel Messi, Son Heung-min, Thomas Müller, James Rodríguez and French teammate Hugo Lloris among the league’s headline stars. Across all competitions this season, Griezmann has supplied 13 goals and four assists: six goals in La Liga, five in the Copa del Rey and two in the Champions League. Atlético, currently fourth in Spain’s top flight, will meet Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final on April 18 and face Barcelona in the Champions League quarterfinals on April 8 and 14. At international level, Griezmann has earned 44 goals for France, finished third in the Ballon d’Or voting twice, and lifted the 2018 World Cup while finishing runner-up in 2022. His club honors include a Europa League, UEFA Super Cup and Spanish Supercopa, though a Copa del Rey medal has eluded him. Orlando City is controlled by the Wilf family—Mark and Zygi Wilf, owners of the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings—who purchased the club in 2021. After finishing second in the East in 2023 and fourth in 2024, the Lions slipped to ninth last season, heightening the urgency for a statement signing capable of re-energizing the squad and fan base. Should the deal cross the finish line, Griezmann would immediately become one of MLS’s most lethal finishers and the face of Orlando’s ambitious reboot.

PARIS — Maghnes Akliouche illuminated Groupama Stadium with a dazzling solo strike and American forward Folarin Balogun converted a second-half penalty as AS Monaco came from behind to defeat Olympique Lyon 2-1 on Sunday, sealing a sixth consecutive Ligue 1 victory for the principality club. The win keeps Monaco’s momentum surging while deepening Lyon’s woes, and the round was further highlighted by Lille’s triumph at Stade Vélodrome against Marseille, tightening the race at the top of the table. Akliouche’s moment of brilliance arrived after Lyon had taken an early lead, the midfielder weaving past defenders before finishing emphatically to level the contest. Balogun then calmly dispatched from the spot to complete the turnaround, ensuring Monaco left with all three points and extending the league’s longest active winning streak. With the victory, Monaco continues to climb the standings, capitalizing on the struggles of traditional powers Lyon, who have now slumped through another defeat. Elsewhere, Lille’s away success against Marseille underlined the shifting balance of force in the division, as the northerners strengthened their own European ambitions. The results set up a fascinating mid-table logjam and intensify the pressure on Lyon to reverse their form before the season slips further from their grasp.

Los Angeles—YouTube-turned-wrestling personality Logan Paul issued a public apology to seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady on Sunday afternoon, less than 24 hours after the two crossed paths at the Fanatics flag football event in Los Angeles. Paul, who competed in Saturday’s exhibition, addressed Brady directly in a social-media post, acknowledging an unspecified incident that occurred during the star-studded charity game. While the 29-year-old did not elaborate on what prompted the mea culpa, he described the moment as “a lesson in respect” and thanked Brady for “setting the standard.” Brady, 46, has not publicly responded to the apology. The Fanatics event, which pairs celebrities with former NFL players, concluded without further controversy.

London — While dug-out discussions and board-room negotiations dominate the Premier League’s mid-week agenda, two names have surged to the forefront of Wednesday’s whispers: Manchester United coach Michael Carrick and Liverpool striker Alexander Isak. Carrick, currently part of Erik ten Hag’s back-room staff, finds himself indirectly at the centre of Old Trafford’s recruitment drive as United map out reinforcements at left-back. Sources tell TEAMtalk that the club have placed 17-year-old Arsenal prodigy Myles Lewis-Skelly at the summit of their shortlist, convinced the England youth international is ready for regular senior football. Lewis-Skelly, eager for minutes, is open to a switch that would accelerate his development, forcing Carrick and the coaching staff to weigh the merits of promoting raw talent over seasoned alternatives. Should a deal for the teenager stall, United have lined up two proven Premier League operators: Crystal Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell and Fulham’s Antonee Robinson. Both defenders are viewed as immediate competition for Luke Shaw, whom United believe requires genuine pressure for his starting berth. Across the M62, Liverpool are bracing for a summer of suitors after Spanish outlet Fichajes revealed Atlético Madrid have already enquired about Alexander Isak. The Reds, who signed the Swedish centre-forward for a club-record fee last summer, have slapped a firm €100 million (£86.9 m, $115.9 m) valuation on the 24-year-old and have no intention of dropping their asking price. Elsewhere, Manchester City have moved swiftly to extingish any suggestion of Erling Haaland departing for Spain; Football Insider reports the champions will block any approach from Real Madrid or Barcelona. At Stamford Bridge, negotiations over a new contract for Enzo Fernández have hit an impasse, with Fabrizio Romano indicating the Argentine will survey external options if talks remain frozen through the season’s end. Tottenham, meanwhile, could yet turn to a familiar face if results force the club’s hand: Harry Redknapp has volunteered his services on an interim basis should current boss Igor Tudor exit before the campaign concludes. In the North East, Newcastle’s pursuit of a marquee No. 9 has led them to Chelsea cast-off Liam Delap and on-loan Blues forward Nicolas Jackson, while Bruno Guimarães’ representative has already held preliminary discussions with Manchester United, despite manager Eddie Howe publicly dismissing the link. Bayern Munich, Arsenal and United are monitoring Hoffenheim’s versatile attacker Bazoumana Touré, with negotiations expected to open around €50 million. Barcelona expect to rebuff post-2026 World Cup advances for Raphinha, and Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni has emerged as a €70 million target for the Catalan giants. Real Madrid, contemplating a squad overhaul if Álvaro Arbeloa remains in charge, could part with Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Dani Ceballos and Fran García, while young striker Gonzalo García’s path is complicated by Endrick’s impending return. Finally, Antonio Rüdiger’s renaissance has prompted Madrid to consider extending the German’s stay, and Atlético have tabled a €40 million bid for Atalanta midfield general Éderson as Diego Simeone seeks fresh impetus in the engine room. With the season entering its decisive stretch, Carrick’s influence on United’s transfer strategy and Isak’s valuation at Anfield ensure both figures remain at the heart of today’s gossip columns.

BARCELONA, Spain — Vinícius Júnior rediscovered his Bernabéu swagger on Sunday, striking once from the spot and once from the edge of the box to propel Real Madrid to a dramatic 3-2 derby triumph over Atlético Madrid that keeps the La Liga title race alive and well. The Brazilian’s double—his first league goals against Atlético after 12 previous scoreless derbies—erased an early deficit created by Ademola Lookman’s 33rd-minute opener and ultimately nudged Madrid within four points of leaders Barcelona with nine fixtures remaining. Coach Álvaro Arbeloa’s side looked vulnerable when Federico Valverde, fresh from scoring a third straight league goal to make it 2-1, was sent off in the 78th minute for a heavy challenge on Álex Baena. Julián Álvarez promptly struck the post, but Vinícius’s 72nd-minute curler proved decisive, greeted by a roar that included Spanish tennis icon Rafael Nadal in the VIP seats. “Another great game by Vini,” Arbeloa said. “It was an example of his character, his talent. I’m lucky to have him on my team.” Vinícius, who earlier this season heard jeers after a 5-2 derby humiliation and the dismissal of former coach Xabi Alonso, credited persistence. “I have worked hard all season for games like this. When this time of the season arrives the goals and assists just flow.” Atlético, missing goalkeeper Jan Oblak and fielding Juan Musso, rallied through Nahuel Molina’s 66th-minute thunderbolt, yet could not find a third. Diego Simeone’s side remain focused on looming Champions League and Copa del Rey commitments. Both Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham returned as second-half substitutes after injury lay-offs, while Andriy Lunin deputised for the injured Thibaut Courtois. The victory caps a resurgent spell for Madrid that already includes eliminating Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City from Europe. Barcelona earlier beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0 through Ronald Araújo’s header, and Alaves produced the day’s other shock by overturning a 3-0 deficit at Celta Vigo to win 4-3—the first such road comeback in La Liga this century.

London – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has anointed academy graduate Nico O’Reilly as the club’s “signing of the season” following the 20-year-old’s match-winning display in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley. O’Reilly’s first-half double proved decisive as City dispatched Arsenal 2-0 to lift the first major domestic trophy of the campaign. The midfielder's brace, both goals struck with composure beyond his years, sealed a record-extending triumph for the Sky Blues and prompted Guardiola to lavish praise on the youngster. “Signing of the season,” Guardiola declared in the aftermath, underlining the impact of a player who has risen through the club’s youth ranks rather than arrived through a high-priced transfer. The victory maintains City’s stranglehold on the competition and offers Guardiola’s squad fresh momentum heading into the season’s decisive months, with O’Reilly’s emergence providing an uplifting subplot to another successful Wembley outing.

Kansas City—Second-seeded Iowa State clamped down on the defensive end and rode that pressure to an 82-63 second-round victory over seventh-seeded Kentucky on Saturday night, keeping its NCAA Tournament hopes alive. The Cyclones held the Wildcats in check for much of the contest, turning timely stops into transition chances that stretched a tight game into a double-digit decision. The win vaults Iowa State into the tournament’s second weekend and sends Kentucky home earlier than anticipated. Iowa State’s 19-point margin was forged through relentless ball pressure and disciplined rotations that limited Kentucky’s open looks. The Cyclones converted the resulting turnovers into efficient offense, building a lead they never relinquished in the closing stages. With the 82-63 triumph, Iowa State advances while Kentucky’s postseason run ends at the first hurdle. SEO keywords:

London — Manchester City delivered a commanding performance to defeat Arsenal and claim the English League Cup, underlining their intent in the Premier League title race. The comprehensive victory at Wembley Stadium showcased City’s dominance from the opening whistle, leaving the Gunners with no answer to the champions’ relentless pressure and clinical finishing. The win not only adds another piece of silverware to City’s burgeoning trophy cabinet but also serves as a resounding statement of intent with the league campaign approaching its decisive stretch. By outclassing their closest rivals on a national stage, Pep Guardiola’s side has cranked up the psychological pressure on the chasing pack. With the season entering its final months, the emphatic nature of Wednesday night’s triumph suggests City have hit peak form at precisely the right moment, sending a clear warning across the Premier League that they remain the team to beat.

Manchester United’s public courtship of Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes is being viewed in some quarters as a potential decoy, with the club instead positioning themselves for a surprise move for Nottingham Forest’s Adam Wharton. The suggestion, featured prominently in Monday’s Paper Round, implies that United’s recruitment team could be using the high-profile Guimaraes link to obscure their true intentions in the market. Wharton, a dynamic presence in the Forest engine room, has reportedly caught the eye of Old Trafford scouts, and the notion of a clandestine switch has gained traction among insiders who believe United are prepared to pivot quickly if negotiations elsewhere stall. By floating Guimaraes as a marquee target, United may be attempting to deflect attention—and rival bids—away from the 20-year-old Englishman. Meanwhile, the managerial carousel continues to spin, with Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim again tipped as a leading candidate to succeed Jose Mourinho should the Portuguese tactician vacate his current post. Amorim’s reputation for vibrant, high-pressing football has made him a favourite among Europe’s elite, and United are understood to be monitoring developments closely as they weigh up long-term succession plans in the dugout. With the summer window looming, the coming weeks promise to test United’s ability to balance headline-grabbing moves with shrewd, under-the-radar acquisitions.

Piscataway, N.J. — Less than a week after crowning five medalists at the individual state championships in Atlantic City, Jackson Township showed why depth still matters most, rolling past Morris Hills 47-15 to capture the NJSIAA Girls Wrestling Team Championship at Rutgers Athletic Center on February 22, 2026. The Jaguars’ dominance was on display from the opening whistle, but the bout that best illustrated their superiority came at 120 pounds, where senior Marlowe Donato—fresh off a third-place finish at Boardwalk Hall—methodically dismantled Sophia Salazar 9-0 for a major decision that widened Jackson’s already comfortable margin. “We don’t need superstars; we need six minutes of effort across fourteen weight classes,” veteran head coach Joe Lemke told reporters afterward, echoing the philosophy that carried Jackson to a flawless 19-0 dual-meet record this winter. “Tonight was another example of our girls buying in, executing technique, and trusting the training.” Donato’s victory capped a remarkable two-week stretch for the senior, who reached the individual semifinals last weekend before battling back through the consolation bracket to secure bronze. Her major over Salazar provided four critical team points and set the tone for a lineup that surrendered only three bouts all evening. Jackson’s path to the inaugural team title was paved during the individual tournament, when Donato (114), Briana Dugo (126), Ava Bonilla (100), Madison Reach (107) and Victoria Tandari (132) combined for 79 points to edge Central Regional 72 and claim the state’s championship banner. By adding the dual-meet crown seven days later, the program became the first in New Jersey history to sweep both major postseason prizes in the same season. “We heard all year that we didn’t have a state champ, so we couldn’t win anything meaningful,” Donato said while clutching her latest medal. “But wrestling is a team sport, and every point counts—tonight we made that point loud and clear.” The Jaguars will celebrate the historic double this week before shifting focus to sustaining a run that, according to Lemke, shows no signs of slowing. “We had freshmen and sophomores in the lineup tonight who will only get better,” he noted. “If they keep buying in the way this senior class has, Jackson will be in the conversation for a long time.”

Wembley Stadium, London – Pep Guardiola etched his name deeper into football history on Sunday as Manchester City defeated Arsenal 2-0 to secure the 2025-26 Carabao Cup, the 40th trophy of the Catalan’s managerial career and the first piece of silverware for the club since their Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid. Needing a response after a bruising aggregate loss to the Spanish giants and underwhelming league results against Nottingham Forest and West Ham, City produced a controlled performance that never allowed Arsenal’s resurgent side to settle. Nico O’Reilly, the 20-year-old academy graduate, proved the difference with a quick-fire second-half brace, slotting home in the 60th and 64th minutes to settle the contest and spark jubilant scenes among the City faithful. The victory propels Guardiola to second on the all-time list of most decorated managers, trailing only Sir Alex Ferguson’s benchmark of 49 trophies gathered across nearly four decades at St. Mirren, Aberdeen, and Manchester United. It also ends a rare barren year for Guardiola, who had gone the previous campaign without lifting a trophy for the first time since his arrival in England. “Nobody – even myself – would bet £1 today for a victory,” Guardiola admitted afterwards, praising the resilience of a squad that had been written off after recent setbacks. “The players proved it again – the older players and especially the new ones.” Sunday’s triumph adds a third League Cup to City’s haul under Guardiola and maintains the 53-year-old’s remarkable record of claiming major honours at every senior post he has held. Since taking over Barcelona’s first team in 2008, Guardiola has accumulated trophies at Camp Nou, Bayern Munich, and now the Etihad, becoming the most decorated manager in both Barcelona and City history and finishing second only to Ottmar Hitzfeld at Bayern. Arsenal, appearing in their first final under Mikel Arteta since his departure from Guardiola’s coaching staff, struggled to build meaningful attacks and rarely tested City’s back line. Arteta’s side arrived at Wembley on a confident run of form, but City’s high press and disciplined shape suffocated the Gunners’ attempts to play out from the back, ensuring Guardiola maintained his perfect record against his former protégé in knockout competition. The result also underscores City’s ability to rebound from disappointment, a trait that has defined Guardiola’s tenure. With the Carabao Cup secured, attention now turns to the Premier League and FA Cup, where City remain in contention and will look to close the gap on Ferguson’s enduring tally. For Guardiola, trophy No. 40 is more than mere consolation; it is further evidence of a coaching career defined by relentless innovation and an insatiable hunger for silverware. SEO keywords:

East Rutherford, N.J.—The New York Jets’ latest balance sheet reads like a cautionary tale of modern roster management: $48 million in cap space—roughly 16 percent of this year’s ceiling—has evaporated into “dead” charges tied to two quarterbacks no longer on the roster, ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported Tuesday. That figure represents the combined cap remnants of Aaron Rodgers and Justin Fields, the team’s last two opening-day starters. While Rodgers’ exit after an injury-marred tenure was well-documented, the revelation that Fields will count $8 million against the 2026 cap while serving as Patrick Mahomes’ backup in Kansas City underscores the lingering cost of past decisions. Compounding the optics, the Jets will pay Geno Smith $3.3 million to lead an offense still searching for stability. Smith, whose 2025 season with the Las Vegas Raiders ended disastrously, returns to the franchise that drafted him, tasked with bridging the gap until the front office can target a quarterback of the future—most likely in the heralded 2027 draft class. Head coach Aaron Glenn, now in his second season, has been aggressive in free agency as he attempts to reverse a decade-long spiral. Yet league insiders caution that the roster’s ceiling remains low, and ownership’s patience could wane quickly if early-season losses pile up. For a fan base that has endured serial disappointments, the arithmetic is stark: nearly one-sixth of this year’s spending power is tethered to players wearing different helmets, leaving Glenn with limited flexibility to accelerate the rebuild. Jets officials have not commented on the cap allocation, but the numbers illustrate the uphill climb facing an organization still trying to escape football purgatory.

Madrid—Vinicius Junior etched his name across another Madrid derby, burying a brace to propel Real Madrid to a dramatic 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid on Sunday night and stretch the club’s winning run to five matches in all competitions. Trailing 1-0 at the interval after Ademola Lookman’s 31st-minute opener, Los Blancos emerged for the second half with renewed intent. The turnaround began seven minutes after the restart when Brahim Díaz earned a penalty that Vinicius dispatched with trademark composure. Federico Valverde then thundered the hosts ahead, only for Nahuel Molina to level matters with a spectacular long-range effort. Yet the final word belonged to Vinicius. In the 72nd minute he collected a sumptuous pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold—on the pitch barely eight minutes after replacing Dani Carvajal—shifted inside, and curled a sublime right-footed finish beyond the goalkeeper to seal the points. The hosts were forced to defend a man down when Valverde received a straight red card in the 77th minute, but Andriy Lunin’s stoppage-time stop ensured the scoreline remained 3-2. The result leaves Real Madrid four points behind league-leading Barcelona. Manager Álvaro Arbeloa’s decision to drop Alexander-Arnold for disciplinary reasons backfired early; Carvajal was repeatedly exposed as Lookman raced clear for the opener. The Englishman’s introduction swung the balance, his instant assist underlining why many view him as the more complete option at right-back. Vinicius, who topped the player ratings with a 9.0, now has five goals in his last four outings. Dean Huijsen impressed in central defense, helping limit Antoine Griezmann and Julián Alvarez to a single shot on target, while Aurélien Tchouaméni controlled midfield traffic before Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Eduardo Camavinga closed out the contest. Real Madrid next turn their attention to mid-week European action, buoyed by derby delight and the knowledge that when Vinicius is in this mood, any deficit feels retrievable.

Timothy Fosu-Mensah, once tipped as a bright prospect from Manchester United’s academy, is attempting to resurrect his career on familiar turf. The 26-year-old Dutch defender, a free agent since departing Bayer Leverkusen in 2024, has been training with Crystal Palace’s Under-21 squad as he targets a return to competitive football, according to GIVEMESPORT sources. Fosu-Mensah’s story mirrors that of several players who have left Old Trafford in search of regular minutes. While Scott McTominay has flourished in Serie A with Napoli, others have found the path less forgiving. After joining United from Ajax in 2014, Fosu-Mensah made 30 first-team appearances, but injuries and inconsistency stalled his progress. A permanent switch to Leverkusen in 2021 offered hope, yet a run of fitness setbacks limited his impact and ultimately led to his release three years later. Now, the defender is betting on a venue where he previously enjoyed stability. During a 2017-18 loan spell at Selhurst Park, Fosu-Mensah featured 24 times for Palace’s senior side, experience that should ease his reintegration. Club coaches have tailored a conditioning programme aimed at restoring match sharpness, and insiders say the Netherlands international is responding well, both physically and mentally. Although Fosu-Mensah never reached the heights many projected, his résumé remains attractive: 49 Premier League appearances and three senior caps for the Netherlands. By opting to train rather than wait idly for offers, he is sending a clear message to potential suitors about his determination. Several English top-flight clubs are understood to be monitoring his progress, mindful of a low-risk signing who could provide defensive cover and versatility across the back line. For Palace, the arrangement carries little downside. The club gains an extra body for Under-21 fixtures while affording a former loanee the platform to prove his readiness. Should Fosu-Mensah demonstrate sustained fitness and form, negotiations over a short-term deal could accelerate before the summer window closes. Whether he can follow McTominay’s lead and reignite his career remains to be seen, but the first step on the road back is already under way in South London.

Liverpool’s pursuit of genuine width this summer may have found its answer in the form of Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh, who after tormenting the Reds on Sunday declared himself ready for a move to Anfield and a reunion with former Feyenoord coach Arne Slot. Slot’s current attacking unit, while prolific, has developed a pronounced imbalance. Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo, nominally stationed wide, habitually drift inside to operate as inside-forwards, compressing central lanes and allowing opponents to defend narrowly. The only natural touchline-hugger on the books, 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha, is deemed too raw to shoulder the responsibility week in, week out. Minteh, 20, showcased every attribute Liverpool lack during Brighton’s weekend victory. Matched up against Bundesliga sprint champion Jeremie Frimpong, the Gambian repeatedly burned the Dutch defender in behind before tracking back at full throttle to stifle the Bayer Leverkusen loanee’s own forays forward. His lung-busting two-way display produced the decisive moment: a pinpoint, outside-of-the-boot cross that Jack Hinshelwood converted for the winner. The winger’s willingness to maintain width, combined with a league-leading number of sprints per 90 minutes, addresses Slot’s public lament that he currently has no “Jacob Murphy profile” to stretch defences and create space for central threats such as Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike. Minteh’s post-match admission that he is “ready for that step” signals a concrete opportunity for Liverpool to correct the tactical asymmetry that has hampered their fluidity this season. With the transfer window approaching, Brighton’s dynamo has placed himself firmly on Liverpool’s shortlist, offering pace, industry and the directness Anfield has been missing.

Aston Villa moved a decisive step closer to Women’s Super League safety after Kirsty Hanson struck late to complete a comeback victory over fellow strugglers Leicester City, while Liverpool and Brighton also edged further from the relegation zone with hard-earned draws. Hanson’s decisive intervention, timed deep into the closing stages, turned the contest on its head and denied the Foxes what would have been a precious point in their battle to avoid the drop. The result lifts Villa into calmer waters, extending the buffer between themselves and the bottom places ahead of the season’s final reckoning. Elsewhere on a tense weekend at the foot of the table, Liverpool and Brighton both carved out draws that, while not securing wins, proved sufficient to nudge the pair slightly clearer of the relegation scrap. Each point gained at this stage of the campaign carries added weight, and the stalemates leave both clubs marginally better placed to preserve their top-flight status. With only a handful of fixtures remaining, the fight for survival remains delicately poised, but Villa’s late surge, underpinned by Hanson’s heroics, provides renewed momentum as the season enters its defining stretch.

Cincinnati moved quickly to patch a defense that hemorrhaged 28.9 points per game last season, announcing three multi-year signings headlined by edge rusher Boye Mafe, safety Bryan Cook, and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. Mafe, who collected 24 tackles-for-loss in 34 starts for Seattle, landed a three-year, $60 million deal after former Bengal Trey Hendrickson departed for Baltimore. ESPN analyst Seth Walder awarded the move an A-, citing Mafe’s 86th-percentile pass-rush win rate and breakout 2023 campaign. “I think Mafe will go a long way to helping the Bengals get their defense back on track,” Walder wrote. Cook’s arrival on a three-year, $42.5 million pact drew a B grade. The ex-Chief missed only 5.7 percent of tackle attempts in 2025, a sharp contrast to new Bills safety Geno Stone’s 16.1 percent miss rate. Over 62 games in Kansas City, Cook logged 238 tackles, three interceptions, and 15 passes defended while earning an 83.5 PFF mark. The third addition, veteran Jonathan Allen, received a D from Walder. Despite facing a below-average double-team rate, Allen managed just 3.5 sacks and a 53.2 overall grade last season, raising questions about the two-year, $26 million investment in the 30-year-old. With the Annual League Meeting set for next Sunday and pro days ramping up ahead of the draft, Cincinnati’s front office now turns its attention to the next phase of roster construction while hoping the early defensive spending reverses the unit’s third-worst scoring ranking.

England will face Australia in eight white-ball contests between 13 November and 2 December, Cricket Australia has confirmed, before returning in March 2027 for a historic day-night Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to celebrate 150 years since the first-ever Test. The itinerary opens with three one-day internationals: Perth on 13 November, Adelaide on 15 November and Hobart on 18 November. A five-match T20 international series follows, beginning at the MCG on 21 November and moving through Gold Coast (24 November), Brisbane (27 November), Sydney (29 November) and finishing in Canberra on 2 December. After the limited-overs leg, England will head to South Africa for three Tests and three ODIs running from 17 December to 15 January. Their next engagement in Australia will be the standalone pink-ball Test from 11-15 March 2027, exactly 150 years after Australia defeated England by 45 runs in the inaugural Test at the same venue, where Charles Bannerman’s 165 anchored the hosts’ first innings. Cricket Australia has extended an invitation to King Charles to attend the anniversary match, recalling the presence of the late Queen Elizabeth II at the centenary Test in 1977. England are expected to schedule a warm-up fixture ahead of the marquee MCG clash, mindful of the criticism that followed their compressed preparation for the 2025-26 Ashes series, which they lost 4-1. Looking further ahead, the next Ashes series in England in 2027 will be staged at Lord’s, The Kia Oval, Edgbaston, Trent Bridge and Southampton’s Utilita Bowl, with Headingley and Emirates Old Trafford not selected. England’s 2026 home summer will feature Tests against New Zealand and Pakistan plus white-ball meetings with India and Sri Lanka, the New Zealand series starting at Lord’s on 4 June.

TAMPA, Fla. — Two seasons removed from capturing the 2024 American League Rookie of the Year trophy, right-hander Luis Gil may not break camp with the New York Yankees when they open the regular season this week. Manager Aaron Boone confirmed Sunday that the club will deploy a four-man rotation through the season’s first turn, an alignment that renders a fifth starter unnecessary until April 11. Max Fried will take the ball on Opening Day against the visiting Tigers, followed by Cam Schlittler, Will Warren and Ryan Weathers in subsequent games. The decision leaves Gil, 26, in roster limbo. Rather than travel north with the team, he will remain at the Yankees’ minor-league complex and throw a 85-pitch live batting-practice session on Wednesday. Because Gil has one minor-league option remaining, the Yankees can assign him to Triple-A for the first two weeks and recall him as early as April 9, when a fifth starter is first required. Pitching coach Matt Blake said the club has not ruled out using Gil in a piggyback capacity behind Weathers on Monday, April 7, in Seattle, though that scenario appears less likely after the club’s recent bullpen calculations. New York would like to retain Rule 5 pick Cade Winquest as well as relievers Brent Headrick and Jake Bird, moves that become easier if Gil begins the year in the minors. Veteran swingmen Ryan Yarbrough and Paul Blackburn are available for multi-inning work if the bullpen is pressed for length. Gil’s final spring outing on Friday offered encouragement. Facing the Baltimore Orioles, he struck out seven over five innings, generated five swings-and-misses on his four-seam fastball—the most he has recorded this spring—and unveiled a new sinker. The Yankees had spent the preceding week tweaking his release point in an effort to restore deception on the heater, his primary weapon. “I think we feel good about the adjustment he made going into the last outing,” Blake said. “He got the quality of the fastball back, the velo was up, the miss. All of those things are important to see. Now it’s just a matter of what that looks like in the first couple of weeks in the season.” Optioning Gil would afford him continued repetitions in a controlled environment while the big-league club sorts through early-season roster logistics. Blake emphasized that the organization still views Gil as a starting pitcher long-term. “I think he’d like to obviously be a starter with us,” Blake said. “He understands the position we’re in, which is the way the schedule lines up for the first two weeks in particular. Now it’s just a matter of making sure we do right by him and make sure we keep him in rhythm and then find the best balance for the bullpen and our starting group.” The Yankees have yet to finalize their back-end relief corps, but the math points toward Gil beginning 2026 on the farm, leaving the club’s three bubble relievers on the Opening Day roster.

WEMBLEY, England — Manchester City lifted the first major piece of domestic silverware this season, overpowering Arsenal 2-0 in Sunday’s English League Cup final and, in the process, sounding an ominous warning in the wider title race. Local product Nico O’Reilly, a 21-year-old left-back who joined the club’s academy as a boy, etched his name into City folklore with two second-half headers that turned a tight contest into a coronation. Both goals came within four breathless minutes just after the hour mark, the first punishing a rare fumble from Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and the second a clinical finish from a pinpoint corner. “It’s an unbelievable feeling to win a final and to beat this team,” O’Reilly told Sky Sports, clutching the trophy on the Wembley pitch as family members celebrated nearby. “We know how good they are. We need to build on it now; it’ll give us momentum.” The victory was more than a mere cup triumph. It was Pep Guardiola’s 16th major honor since arriving at the Etihad and a record-extending fifth League Cup. Across a managerial career that has also taken him through Barcelona and Bayern Munich, the Catalan has now collected 34 senior trophies, further burnishing his reputation as the most relentless winner of the modern era. Guardiola, ever respectful of his former assistant Mikel Arteta, praised the opposition while savoring another psychological jab in the duel for Premier League supremacy. Arsenal still hold a nine-point advantage at the summit, but City have a game in hand and will host the Gunners in Manchester before the season is out. “Every time you win a title it looks more difficult than in the past,” Guardiola said. “Mikel has created a team that is almost unbeatable. I’m really pleased because I know the opponent we played.” Sunday’s defeat ended Arsenal’s pursuit of an unprecedented English quadruple, leaving the club to focus on the league, the FA Cup and the Champions League. Arteta, visibly crestfallen, insisted he had no regrets about sticking with Kepa in goal after the Spaniard featured in earlier rounds. “I’m very sad. It’s a hard one to take, especially for our players and our supporters,” the Arsenal manager said. “We will manage that energy in the right way and we have to go through that pain and disappointment. It’s normal and it’s part of football.” City’s triumph also underlined a familiar theme: Guardiola’s ability to peak when trophies are on the line. The result marked the third time in recent seasons that he has denied Arteta in a direct duel for major honors, following two prior Premier League races that went down to the wire. For O’Reilly, the afternoon was the stuff of childhood dreams. The defender’s entire family had traveled to northwest London, and his brace ensured they would make the journey home celebrating a piece of club history rather than merely a day out. City now turn their attention back to the league, where the gap at the top is far from insurmountable. With momentum, a game in hand and a pivotal clash against Arsenal looming, the title race may have just gained a dramatic new narrative. Elsewhere on Sunday, Tottenham’s survival hopes took another hit as Nottingham Forest cruised to a 3-0 victory, leaving Spurs hovering one point above the relegation zone. Aston Villa strengthened their top-four credentials with a 2-0 win over West Ham, while Sunderland snatched late bragging rights in the Tyne-Wear derby, defeating Newcastle 2-1 at St. James’ Park. Manchester City, though, own the day’s headlines. The League Cup is theirs, and on this evidence, they have no intention of stopping there.

Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo has emerged as a surprise summer-transfer candidate after intermediaries began canvassing leading European clubs about a potential deal, TEAMtalk and ESPN report. The 26-year-old, who has started 25 Premier League matches this season, has managed only six goals and three assists, form he admitted he “cannot explain” following the full 90 minutes at the Amex on Saturday. Across all competitions in 2025/26, his tally stands at eight goals and four assists, respectable numbers that have still invited questions over his ability to impose “sustained dominance” on matches. Gakpo’s elevated status under head coach Arne Slot—cemented when he was asked to fill the void left by Hugo Ekitiké’s recent injury—makes the development all the more unexpected. Yet with a contract tied to Anfield until June 2030, Liverpool would demand a sizeable fee before sanctioning any departure. Sources indicate that RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich and Tottenham have all been sounded out about their interest, with Jurgen Klopp’s presence at the Red Bull network potentially smoothing negotiations should Leipzig firm up their pursuit. Liverpool, for their part, are already eyeing Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon as a possible replacement should an attractive offer arrive before the window closes. For a player long viewed as a central cog in Slot’s tactical blueprint, the coming weeks could therefore deliver one of the summer’s more surprising exits.

Newcastle United winger Harvey Barnes is poised to receive his second senior England call-up after Crystal Palace forward Eberechi Eze withdrew from Thomas Tuchel’s squad with a calf injury. Eze, 27, missed Arsenal’s Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City on Sunday and will undergo a follow-up scan this week after sustaining the problem in last Tuesday’s Champions League defeat to Bayer Leverkusen. “We have to do another scan in six or seven days and wait and see the results,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed on Sunday. Barnes, 28, has been rewarded for a prolific season on Tyneside in which he has contributed 14 goals and five assists in 50 appearances across all competitions. The winger has featured in every Premier League match bar one and started all 12 of Newcastle’s Champions League fixtures, establishing himself as a key component of Eddie Howe’s attack. The impending invitation ends a six-year wait since Barnes earned his solitary England cap in a friendly against Wales in October 2020. Scotland had recently attempted to persuade Barnes to switch allegiance ahead of the next World Cup through his Scottish grandparents, but the player declined the approach and remains committed to the Three Lions. England are preparing for back-to-back Wembley friendlies against Uruguay on 27 March and Japan four days later. Barnes is expected to link up with the squad once the formalities are completed, though the Football Association has yet to confirm the replacement. In a further blow to Tuchel’s defensive options, Leverkusen have announced that centre-back Jarell Quansah will also miss the international window after sustaining a left-thigh muscle injury in the same Champions League tie that ended Eze’s participation.

Beaver Stadium, best known as the thunderous home of Penn State football, briefly traded cleats for blades as defenseman Jackson Smith glided across a temporary rink for the Nittany Lions’ Big Ten showdown with Michigan State. The outdoor setting provided a dramatic backdrop for Smith, whose steady presence on the blue line has been one of the few constants during a roller-coaster season that now leads the Lions straight into the NCAA Tournament. Smith and his teammates are set to face No. 2 seed Minnesota-Duluth at Albany’s MVP Arena on March 27, a single-elimination test that arrives with little margin for error. The matchup marks the first meeting between the programs and Penn State’s third NCAA appearance in four years, but the Lions carry scant momentum after going 3-7-2 down the stretch and failing to record a victory over a ranked opponent in that span. Center Reese Laubach recently acknowledged the team’s fragile psyche, saying players were “starting to check out” after a lopsided loss to Wisconsin. Yet Laubach also reminded observers that the current roster “is light years ahead” of last year’s Frozen Four squad, urging a return to selfless, team-first play. Injuries have ravaged the lineup since January, though the return of star center Charlie Cerrato for the final three games offered a late boost. Now healthy and refreshed after a two-week hiatus, Penn State will need every healthy body—including Smith’s reliable defense—to slow a Bulldogs attack led by the Plante brothers. Max Plante ranks fifth nationally with 49 points, while Zam Plante sits 11th with 46. The Albany Regional shapes up as a minefield, featuring No. 1 overall seed Michigan and AHA champion Bentley. With Michigan, Michigan State, and Wisconsin also securing bids, the Big Ten has placed four teams in the field, underscoring the conference’s depth and the challenge that awaits Smith and the Lions if they hope to return to the Frozen Four. Penn State and Minnesota-Duluth drop the puck at 9 p.m. ET, their first-ever meeting, with a berth in college hockey’s final four hanging in the balance.

Wembley Stadium, London — Manchester City captured the first major domestic trophy of the 2025-26 campaign, defeating Arsenal 2-0 in Sunday’s English League Cup final to hand Pep Guardiola his fifth triumph in this competition as City manager. The breakthrough arrived just after the hour mark when Manchester-born left-back Nico O’Reilly, a product of the club’s academy, reacted quickest to a Kepa Arrizabalaga fumble and headed home the opener. Four minutes later, O’Reilly rose unmarked to nod in a second, effectively sealing the contest and sparking jubilant scenes among the City support. The brace from the 20-year-old defender proved decisive, ending Arsenal’s hopes of an unprecedented quadruple and delivering Guardiola his 16th major trophy during his tenure in Manchester. Across his managerial career, the Catalan has now amassed 34 titles, including successes at Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Sunday’s result may also resonate beyond the confines of the cup, handing City a timely psychological edge ahead of the Premier League run-in. Guardiola’s side sits second, nine points behind league-leading Arsenal with a match in hand, and the pair are still scheduled to meet at the Etihad Stadium. Speaking to Sky Sports pitch-side, O’Reilly beamed: “My whole family came down today … I know they’ll be buzzing and I can’t wait to see them.” With the League Cup secured, City turn their attention to sustaining momentum on all remaining fronts, while Arsenal must regroup quickly to preserve their advantage in the title race and keep their Champions League and FA Cup dreams alive.

Wembley, Sunday – Nathan Ake hailed Manchester City’s 2-0 Carabao Cup final victory over Arsenal as “very special” and believes the triumph can ignite a late-season push on multiple fronts. Second-half goals from 20-year-old midfielder Nico O’Reilly sealed City’s first trophy since 2023 and delivered Ake his second League Cup medal since arriving at the Etihad in 2020. The Dutch defender, now 31, collected his 11th major honour with the club and underlined the importance of returning to winning ways after a barren 2025-26 campaign. “Obviously, last season we didn’t win anything so we wanted to win something this season,” Ake told reporters pitch-side. “This was a perfect way to do it against title contenders. It was a good win.” City dominated the second period against Mikel Arteta’s side, and O’Reilly’s brace capped an impressive individual display that highlighted the club’s next generation. Ake, one of the senior figures in Pep Guardiola’s squad, praised the youngsters’ mentality and stressed that standards at the club never drop. “Suddenly, you’re one of the older ones – it’s a bit weird!” he smiled. “We have a lot of young and talented players, but as you saw, a lot of mentality as well. The manager already touched on it every day in training and in meetings, that we’re expected to win.” The victory narrows the psychological gap to Arsenal, who lead City by nine points in the Premier League but have played one more match. With an FA Cup quarter-final still to come, Ake insists the squad will chase every available prize. “It’s a massive boost,” he said of lifting the Carabao Cup. “Every title is one you take. This gives a little boost. We go again after the international break and you never know what can happen. We have the FA Cup as well. We’re going to give everything and then we’ll see.” City now head into the international break buoyed by silverware and determined to ensure the 2026-27 season ends with more trophies in the cabinet.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has moved ahead of Sir Alex Ferguson in the history books after lifting a record-extending fifth Carabao Cup on Sunday. A 2-0 victory over Arsenal at Wembley, sealed by two quick-fire goals from academy graduate Nico O’Reilly on the hour mark and again four minutes later, delivered the season’s first piece of silverware to the Etihad and nudged Guardiola past the tally Ferguson, Jose Mourinho and Brian Clough each collected in the competition. The triumph continues a remarkable sequence for the Catalan, who arrived in Manchester in 2016 to succeed Manuel Pellegrini and has since collected eight league titles. While Ferguson’s 13 Premier League crowns remain an English benchmark, Guardiola now stands alone in the League Cup pantheon, adding another layer to the perennial debate over which coaching icon can claim outright supremacy. Critics point to the contrasting financial landscapes that framed each manager’s era, arguing Ferguson delivered sustained success at Old Trafford without the same level of investment afforded to Guardiola. Supporters of the City boss counter that his tactical innovation and relentless pursuit of perfection set a new standard in the modern game. The statistical swing comes only days after Guardiola surpassed Ferguson in another category: Champions League fixtures managed. City’s mid-week 2-1 defeat at the Etihad marked the 55-year-old’s 191st outing in Europe’s premier tournament, eclipsing Ferguson’s 190. Whether the numbers tilt the argument in Guardiola’s favour or merely add fuel to a timeless discussion, Sunday’s result ensures his name now sits atop the Carabao Cup roll of honour, carving another line in the ledger of managerial greatness.