Heading into their showdown with Manchester United at Old Trafford at the weekend, Sunderland might well be judged as the favourites to pick up another early Premier League win over their hosts, despite the stature of their opponents.

Whilst it has been well documented in recent years, the drastic slide at the Theatre of Dreams, the Black Cats will still feel amazed that they’re four points ahead of Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils when making the trip down to Manchester, with just one defeat from their opening five league clashes lifting them all the way up to fifth in the early standings.

Regis Le Bris has managed to turn the one-time promotion nearly-men into a well-oiled unit in the daunting top-flight, with the defence – in particular – gaining many a plaudit, even so soon into the 38-game marathon.

Sunderland's incredible defence

Glancing at the Premier League table briefly, only two teams in the entire rest of the division have a sterner defensive record than Le Bris’ men, with Arsenal and Manchester City only leaking three goals so far this season.

Despite their newly promoted status having the potential to work against them, the Wearsiders have only given up four goals themselves, with both Omar Alderete and Robin Roefs sticking out as two standout aspects of this water-tight defence.

Alderete’s tough approach to proceedings – which has seen him average a commanding 4.3 duels won per league clash away from powering home this header against Nottingham Forest – has already resulted in Sunderland-based journalist Andy Tomlinson heralding him as an “unbelievable” signing, with the Paraguayan making his transition to the testing English game look effortless so far.

He has undoubtedly been backed by Roefs, constantly putting in game-changing displays, with the Dutchman coming up trumps with six huge saves last time out to deny Forest a goal in a 1-0 away win.

Slight rumours are swirling in the air that Mukiele, who is yet another sterling defensive signing, could be ruled out of the Black Cats’ upcoming trip to Old Trafford, with injury concerns being spoken of.

Yet, even if this gossip is proved to be true, Le Bris will know he does have some substantial depth to call upon, in the form of another particularly valuable defensive titan…

The "stunning" star worth more than Alderete & Roefs

With Luke O’Nien returning back to the squad at the City Ground after injury, it does feel as if Sunderland have strong reinforcements all across their backline, in case the newly formed unit does have to be unfortunately broken up.

Daniel Ballard also coming back into the first team fold only heightens the depth at Le Bris’ disposal, with the Northern Ireland international not looking out of place whatsoever this season when thrown into Premier League action as one of the more long-standing servants at the Stadium of Light.

Before Alderete and Roefs could properly settle into their new environment, Ballard was already leaving his mark on the intense division with this bullet header finding the back of the net on the opening day.

Amazingly, this commanding effort was the 26-year-old’s seventh goal for the club, with the ex-Arsenal man pulling on Sunderland red and white now a colossal 93 times, having been hailed as “stunning” by journalist Josh Bunting.

Purchased for just £2m back in 2022 as Sunderland regularly settled for mediocrity in the Championship, it’s staggering to see the journey the authoritative number five has gone on with the club, with his value now far exceeding his modest initial price tag.

Games played

93

Games missed with injury

71

Goals scored

7

Assists

2

Promotions

1x

Value when signed

£2m

Value now

£9.4m

Even with the centre-back’s injury setbacks seeing him miss a whopping 71 games over his four seasons to date on Wearside, Ballard’s value – as per Football Transfers – currently sits at a healthy £9.4m.

To further add to the intrigue, both Alderete and Roefs, despite taking to English shores like a knife through butter, have worths that come in slightly under Ballard’s bumped-up valuation, with the South American just shy of his defensive counterpart at £9.3m, while Roefs sits at £6.6m as a shrewd pick-up.

Therefore, while all the new defensive purchases continue to steal the limelight, Le Bris will have full faith in Ballard remaining resolute at the back throughout the challenging season to come when thrown into action.

Not Isidor: Sunderland "monster" is becoming the club's modern day Phillips

Regis Le Bris could now have his very own Kevin Phillips at Sunderland in this monster.

ByKelan Sarson Sep 30, 2025

Sean Dyche was once part of a bust-up involving Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, and his comments on the situation have now emerged after taking over as the Reds’ new manager.

Dyche takes the reins as Forest manager following Ange exit

Having proven his ability to come in and stablise clubs during his time with Everton, Dyche has now taken charge at Forest, following a disastrous spell under the helm of Ange Postecoglou, with the Australian failing to win in eight games and lasting just 39 days.

The former Everton man’s first day on the training ground was Tuesday, with the new boss commencing preparations for Thursday’s tough test in the Europa League, as the Tricky Trees take on FC Porto at the City Ground.

Speaking after his return, the 54-year-old made it clear that he has a lot of love for his former club, saying: “I’ve often spoken about my affection for the Club, having started my career here under the great Brian Clough. I didn’t quite make it to the first team, but I have such fond memories from around the place — and hearing the boss’ voice in the distance.”

However, it remains to be seen how the ex-Nottingham Forest youth player finds working with Marinakis, given that the owner’s public falling out with Nuno led to the Portuguese manager’s departure earlier this season.

The Forest owner is known for his fiery temper, having been seen arguing with Nuno on the pitch near the end of the 2024-25 campaign, and The Sun report he was part of a bust-up involving Dyche after Burnley’s Europa League match with Olympiacos in 2018.

Heading into half-time at 1-1, Marinakis reportedly confronted the referees in the tunnel. Shortly after the break, Olympiacos restored their lead and Burnley’s Ben Gibson was sent off, leaving Dyche fuming.

The former Burnley manager’s comments from the time are eye opening: “I don’t know how many people ran on the pitch and surrounded the referee and linesman. The feel of the game changed in the second half, you’re left scratching your head.

“At half-time, there were plenty of people waiting for the ref in the tunnel.

“It wasn’t just the bench, it was people from the offices, even the tea lady! That’s a joke, of course, but it felt like everyone was piling on.”

Dyche has big task on his hands at Forest

Marinakis will no doubt be very frustrated Forest have been unable to kick on since sealing a return to Europe last season, especially considering how much he backed Nuno in the summer transfer window, spending around £206m.

However, having failed to win since the opening day of the campaign, the Tricky Trees have to be considered relegation candidates, with home defeats against a struggling West Ham United side and newly-promoted Sunderland particularly concerning.

Related Immediate concern for Dyche at Nottingham Forest after Marinakis decision

It probably isn’t what the new manager wanted to hear.

Posts ByCharlie Smith Oct 21, 2025

Dyche is known for making a statement in his first match in charge of a new club, however, defeating then league leaders Arsenal 1-0 in his opening game as Everton boss, and the new Forest manager will be hoping for a similar start against Porto on Thursday.

Mitchell Perry also added a half-century to grow a big lead before the home side claimed an early wicket

AAP15-Jul-2025Liam Scott, Josh Philippe and Mitchell Perry turned the screws on Sri Lanka A on day three to put Australia A in command of the four-day game at Darwin’s Marrara Oval.After the hosts resumed on Tuesday on 241 for 4 in reply to Sri Lanka A’s 272 – and lost Nathan McSweeney to the day’s first ball for 94 – batters six, seven and eight completed impressive half centuries to build Australia A a formidable first-innings score.Related

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McSweeney anchors Australia A as he bids for second chance

When the innings came to an end around an hour before stumps, Australia A had gone from a shaky 127 for 4 on day two to be all out for 486 – a lead of 214.In reply, Sri Lanka A were quick out of the blocks with Lahiru Udara taking 12 runs from Perry off the first five deliveries of the innings. He soon fell, however, skying an attempted pull off paceman Henry Thornton to keeper Philippe on 17.McSweeney had resumed seeking six more runs for the century that would shore up his message to national selectors, after being overlooked for Australia’s current tour of the West Indies.Instead he was out on the first delivery of the morning, bowled between bat and pad by a sharp delivery from paceman Pramod Madushan which moved back off the seam, his innings ending off 220 balls and including six fours.McSweeney’s South Australia team-mate Scott began the day on 52 and added 42 more off 104 balls as he and Philippe put on 98 for the sixth wicket.But Scott also departed for 94, this time off 221 balls, the allrounder holing out to mid-on against left-arm spinner Sonal Dinusha, who was the pick of Sri Lanka A’s bowlers.Philippe and Perry kept the runs coming in a 58-run stand before the former was trapped lbw to Nishan Peris for an aggressive 85 off 107 deliveries, with five fours and a six.Perry continued in building a more steady 61 before he was also caught off Dinusha, mistiming a drive to extra cover.

One Ibrox manager target has ruled himself out of contention to return as Rangers boss, the PA news agency understands.

Significant Rangers manager update from Ibrox

Steven Gerrard had been the front-runner to replace the sacked Russell Martin as head coach, but it is understood that after holding constructive discussions with the club, he felt the timing was not right for a return to Ibrox.

PA understands the conversations were positive, and both sides agreed to leave the door open for the future.

Martin was sacked last weekend after just four months in charge, with the team having won just one of their opening seven William Hill Premiership matches.

Gerrard, who left his role in charge of Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq in January, is a hero to many Gers supporters after leading them to the title in 2020-21, which remains the only time they have won the league since their financial implosion in 2012.

He left the club later that year after three years in charge to take over at Aston Villa. In an interview with the ‘Rio Ferdinand Presents’ podcast released this week, Gerrard revealed he had “a bit of unfinished business” in management and wanted “to be at a team that’s going to compete to win because I think that suits me better”.

Rangers star has already admitted he dreams of move away from Ibrox in Gerrard worry

Another concern for the Gers.

By
Tom Cunningham

Oct 11, 2025

Rangers Under-19 coach Steven Smith is currently overseeing first-team training on an interim basis along with B team coach Brian Gilmour, goalkeeping coach Sal Bibbo and head of performance Rhys Owen.

Other names to have been touted as potential successors to Martin include Hearts boss Derek McInnes, former Rangers player Kevin Muscat and ex-Everton boss Sean Dyche.

James Vince hit the turbo button to smoke 98 not out to beat Sussex Sharks and put Hampshire Hawks on course for the Men’s Vitality Blast quarter-finals.Captain Vince led from the front in a magnificent 49-ball knock to chase down 168 and secure a third straight Hawks victory – and only failed to reach figures by hitting the winning runs with a four rather than a six.James Fuller supported with three wickets before Joe Weatherley partnered up for 62 – and 43 himself – as Hampshire found form at the right time of the competition.They now have seven wins – the traditional benchmark for qualification – while Sussex have stalled. They have lost their last three matches.Vince has blown hot and cold in the Blast, with three half-centuries but plenty of single-figure scores. This was a boiling day for him.The second ball he faced flew over the square ropes, with two more joining it to go with 12 other boundaries – it was vintage Vince, punishing anything that wasn’t an A-class delivery.A record 12-ball half-century looked temporarily on before settling for 19 balls, and from there he found a rhythm to tick off the runs quickly and risk-free.Toby Albert put 54 on with him at the top before frustrating himself with a pull to midwicket and Danny Lamb snuck one past Tom Prest. But in-form Weatherley provided the firmest support, while also plundering a quartet of sixes to make sure there was no pressure on the chase and Vince.He fell for 43, and Hilton Cartwright followed before Fuller helped Vince to get over the line.Sussex’s innings came in three acts. The cagey start, the run-frenzied middle and then the run drought at the death.Having chosen the bat, neither side could get an advantage in what felt like an ‘eight-pointer’ match due to their positions in the table and their closeness to qualifying.The Sharks probably edged the powerplay with a six off the last ball taking them to 51 for 1 – with Daniel Hughes been and gone after cutting to cover.That maximum sparked Tom Clark and George Thomas into life as they whacked 63 in the following six-and-a-half overs. Clark’s pair of sixes off Benny Howell was the apex of the innings, as the duo ran hard and piled the pressure onto the hosts.But both departed in the 13th over, Fuller dislodging each of them to spark a slow down – with only 60 runs coming from the last eight overs.Scott Currie repeated Fuller’s trick by seeing off Tom Alsop and James Coles in the 16th over, before only conceding four runs in the 18th over.Chris Wood also only went for four runs in the following over with two more wickets – the latter of which a controversial boundary catch which caused a fracas at the interval – as Hampshire took control.The visitors snared 15 runs from the last to take them to 167 for 7. But it was far from enough as Hampshire won with 16 balls to spare.

Ravindra Jadeja reached the ground early to get some batting practice, and ended up partnering Shubman Gill in a 203-run stand

Sidharth Monga03-Jul-20251:11

‘Jadeja-Gill partnership the most important one of the Test so far’

Ravindra Jadeja flouted the new BCCI standard operating procedures (SoPs) on the second day of the second Test against England in Birmingham. After the Australia tour, the BCCI decreed that no player would move to or from the ground on their own, that they will all move together on the team bus. Jadeja didn’t do that on Thursday.But don’t expect any sanctions. Because Jadeja broke the SoPs to come in early so that he could hit a few extra balls before resuming his innings. He knew India had collapsed twice in Leeds, and this time he had done half the job of rescuing India from 211 for 5 on a flat pitch. There was no way India could afford to be dismissed on a below-par score again.Jadeja resumed on 41, his partnership with Shubman Gill was 99, but the new-ball threat was around. “Somewhere I felt that I should go and bat extra because the ball was still new,” Jadeja said. “I felt if I can see the new ball off, it would become easy for the rest of the innings. Luckily I could bat till lunch, and then Washy [Washington Sundar] also batted well with Shubman. The more you bat in England, the better it is because you never feel you are set in England. At any time a ball can swing and take your edge or bowl you.”Related

Gill makes the highest Test score by an India batter in England

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Jadeja had a chance to unfurl his sword celebration when reaching fifty but got a rare snorter from Josh Tongue to be dismissed on 89. He added 203 runs with Gill to help India go past 500.”When you contribute with the bat for the team, it feels great, when you are playing outside India, and the team needs you more, it feels good,” Jadeja said. “From 210 for 5, to put together a big partnership to take the team forward, it is a challenge. I took it as a challenge. If you can stick around with the captain and put together a big partnership, it gives you confidence as a cricketer and a batter that in the coming matches also you can contribute.”Jadeja never fails to get under the skin of England. His habit of playing a front-foot shot and running straight down the pitch irked England captain Ben Stokes, who kept remonstrating with the umpires even after Jadeja became fully conscious of staying off the danger area.”He felt I was [creating a] rough for myself,” Jadeja said. “The fast bowlers were doing it anyway. I don’t need to do that. He was repeatedly telling the umpire that I am running on the wicket. I had no such intention. It might have happened once or twice by mistake, but I didn’t mean to.”Even though India took three wickets with the new ball, this does seem like a pitch that could do with some rough. Jadeja said bowling would take a lot of discipline and in-out fields because the ball was not moving off the straight. He said India were not looking in terms of the final result from the match, but just looking to bowl with similar energy on day three.

The last time MLB staged a Players' Weekend in 2019, it was monochromatic. It's back in 2024 and will be a stark contrast with a flood of color.

Players' Weekend makes its return this season, and it'll bring character and personality to the basepaths in new ways.

Players' Weekend Theme Days

Each day of Players' Weekend is themed differently. Friday is deemed fun day, Saturday is deemed cause day, and Sunday is apprecation day.

Here's how the MLB laid out the importance of each day:

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes took home the first of what could be many more league awards in his career Monday, winning NL Rookie of the Year after a historic first season in the MLB.

Skenes made his Pirates debut in early May but quickly took the big leagues by storm, routinely spinning triple-digit heat as he pitched to the brilliant tune of a 1.96 ERA with 170 strikeouts in 133 innings and earned an All-Star nod. He joins Jason Bay (2004) as the only two Rookie of the Year winners in Pirates franchise history.

The 22-year-old star was all smiles as he accepted the prestigious award alongside girlfriend Livvy Dunne in a special on-air moment. During the Zoom ceremony on MLB Network, Skenes was asked what he loved most about pitching in the MLB, and he had an intriguing answer for his fans.

“I think the coolest part is seeing lineups multiple times,” Skenes said. “And figuring out how to get them out different ways. I faced the Cubs four times this year, I faced the Reds three times, and I thought it was a huge deal in college, two years ago now, when I faced Arkansas twice in one year. So I’m growing up quick on that end.”

Skenes could be in line to take home another of the league’s top honors, the NL Cy Young Award, which will be announced Wednesday.

As Liverpool prepare to square off against Eintracht Frankfurt in hope of getting back to winning ways for the first time in four games, a medical expert has provided an injury update on Ryan Gravenberch.

Carragher makes fresh Man City comparison amid Liverpool form

Liverpool were dominant last season as they shocked the rest of the Premier League by stealing the crown in their first year under new manager Arne Slot. Any concerns that they would drop off entirely without Jurgen Klopp were put to bed in emphatic fashion and those at Anfield quickly rewarded Slot for such an impressive debut campaign.

In an unprecedented summer for the Reds, they spent around £400m, broke their transfer record twice, and welcomed the likes of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike. On the transfer front, Liverpool couldn’t ask for much more.

Yet, just a few months later, Slot has been left scratching his head wondering just how his super-team have just lost their fourth straight game, against Manchester United at Anfield of all teams. It is the toughest period of the Dutchman’s reign so far and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has delivered his verdict.

Liverpool must hope to bounce back like Man City did in the second-half of last season, but will have to wait for one player to return from injury before they are back to full strength and can begin their return to form.

Injury expert delivers Gravenberch verdict

When it rains it pours for Liverpool. The Reds watched on as Ryan Gravenberch was forced off with injury to compile their misery in a fourth straight defeat in all competitions last weekend.

Mac Allister upgrade: Liverpool preparing huge offer to sign £69m "monster"

Arne Slot’s Liverpool midfield is malfunctioning this season.

1

By
Angus Sinclair

Oct 21, 2025

The Dutchman, alongside Virgil van Dijk, is arguably the most irreplaceable player in Slot’s squad, but those at Anfield must now figure out how to do exactly that.

Injury expert Physio Scout delivered insight on Gravenberch’s twisted ankle this week, claiming that the midfielder is likely to miss up to two weeks of action in the likeliest scenario, albeit there is another much worse possibility.

“Lateral ankle sprains often look worse than they are if swelling and instability are minimal,” they said. “A Grade 1 sprain and a quick return are most likely… However, any ligament damage confirmed on imaging could see him sidelined for several weeks.”

Assuming a Grade 1, this could see the midfielder make a return to action against Real Madrid on November 4 or in the absolute best-case scenario, as soon as Brentford this weekend.

Already ruled out for the Frankfurt game after being omitted from Liverpool’s travelling squad, it’s imperative that Liverpool get Gravenberch back into their side as soon as possible.

Chelsea star Axel Disasi, who was long relegated to the club’s infamous "bomb squad", was reportedly spotted training with the first team despite Enzo Maresca repeatedly insisting there is "no way back" for the French defender. The 27-year-old, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, has been frozen out since the summer. But fresh images from Cobham appear to show Disasi back among the first team players as he was spotted sprinting after Liam Delap in a drill, as reported by the Daily Mail.

How Disasi landed in Chelsea's bomb squad

Disasi was signed from Monaco in January 2023 for £38.5m. He made 61 appearances before his sudden demotion with the other outcasts. He had the opportunity to go out on loan again last summer, with West Ham, Bournemouth and Sunderland all interested. But he rejected each offer as he preferred a move abroad instead. That move never materialised, and now he waits for a January escape.

During the summer, several senior players were told to train away from the squad while their futures were sorted, banished to the so-called "bomb squad". Disasi was among those axed, joining Raheem Sterling, Renato Veiga and others in the outcast group. In August, Disasi made headlines by giving supporters a rare look inside the bomb squad’s makeshift quarters. In an Instagram post simply captioned "Life", he shared pre-season photos and one of which showed the barren room changing room. There were no plush leather chairs, but just wooden benches, small windows, and an old air-conditioning unit.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportDisasi's professionalism wins admirers

Despite being exiled, Disasi has not sulked. In fact, he has embraced a mentoring role within the academy. Recently, he captained the Under-21s to a commanding 4-1 win over Reading. He earned praise internally for his attitude, and his professionalism has not gone unnoticed. 

However, Chelsea legend Pat Nevin warned that the outcasts must be handled with care, as he feels that they could negatively impact the spirit of the dressing room. 

He told BetIdeas.com: "The PFA is not the main problem. The main problem is bigger than that. Your main problem is if you treat two players like that and the rest of the team sees it, which they will, because it's their mates – and I know players can be selfish and are selfish and have to be selfish – they all know that's what I'm going to get. Now, management doesn't always think along these terms because it's short term. There's a big danger there. And it is a warning. Being on just about every side of the game and seeing it, it can damage spirit. 

"Players are selfish and they take care of themselves. But Raheem Sterling is liked, he's popular within that dressing room. You certainly don't just blank your mates. So Chelsea need to be careful because in the end if they have got these players that are in six, seven, eight year contracts. Nicholas Jackson was the main man. He's great. And then suddenly he's in the bomb squad. And then he's not, ‘We want you back in’. So be careful because everybody now knows that's what happens. I promise you that's dangerous. When you treat workers like that, the other workers know this. Just be careful."

No way back at Chelsea

Maresca didn’t mince his words when questioned last month about the bomb-squad players.

He said: "They are Chelsea players because they have a contract with the club," the Blues boss said. "In this moment, they are still training apart. The idea is to continue in exactly the same way. Since we started the season, I didnt see one of them. I didn't see Renato (Veiga), I didn't see Axel (Disasi), I didn't see Raheem (Sterling), because they train at a different time on a different pitch. I haven't seen them since we started the season."

When asked whether any could return, the Italian was blunt: "With us? No."

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Getty Images SportThe January exit plan

Although the defender trains with the first team, Chelsea reportedly intend to offload him when the January window opens. However, the Blues have registered both Disasi and Sterling in their Premier League squad, which could benefit them in the busy festive period, which includes two Champions League games against Barcelona and Atalanta and a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Cardiff City. In the short term, the Blues return to Premier League action on November 22 with a trip to Burnley. Whether Disasi will be anywhere near the matchday squad remains to be seen.