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The highest praise that anyone in the Premier League can receive is a comparison with Thierry Henry. The Arsenal legend is one of, if not the greatest players in the competition’s history. He arrived in North London as a young player who initially found it tough against the physicality of English football. Years later, however, he left as an Invincible icon.

Even in the era of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, it’s difficult to place anyone above Henry.

Not Isak or Ekitike: Slot has found the new Suarez in Liverpool's "unicorn"

This Liverpool star could certainly leave a legacy for the ages in the Premier League.

By
Angus Sinclair

Sep 16, 2025

The former striker is, of course, so often the talk of North London, but what makes him so special is how rival clubs also speak about his greatness.

Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been among those to speak so highly about Henry over the years, once telling reporters: “He’s the kind of player that you need forever, especially in the Premier League where he was more than any other place.

“He was okay in Barcelona and the (France) national team, but the real Thierry Henry, the player that we are all going to miss forever, is the one that made unbelievable seasons and incredible history in the Premier League.”

There have been plenty of players to receive comparisons with the former Gunner, too. Liverpool’s record signing Alexander Isak is often likened to the Frenchman in style, but it remains to be seen whether the Swede can match his legacy when all is said and done.

That said, it’s not Isak that Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher decided to compare with the Arsenal legend. Instead, he named another player who he believes is the Henry of his position.

Carragher: Van Dijk is the "Henry of centre-backs"

Speaking on CBS’ coverage of the Champions League following Liverpool’s late victory against Atletico Madrid, Carragher claimed that Virgil van Dijk is the “Henry of centre-backs” in what is the highest praise that he could offer the Dutchman. Fresh from a winning goal against Atletico, it’s clear to see why the Reds skipper has been compared to a player of Henry’s class.

With two Premier League titles, a Champions League medal and everything in between, it’s hard to argue with Carragher’s statement. Van Dijk is imperious and is arguably ageing like fine wine at the heart of Arne Slot’s backline.

For all of Liverpool’s impressive spending in the summer, their best deal may well have been their captain’s new contract. Renewing alongside Mohamed Salah, Van Dijk set the tone of what was to come and may now reap the rewards for doing so. One more league title would of course take the Dutchman one above Henry.

Having never lost to Portugal before this week, the U.S. responded with a pair of goals in the first 10 minutes en route to a 3-1 win

Facing a short turnaround after a frustrating loss to Portugal, U.S. women's national team coach Emma Hayes stuck to the plan. She surely knew her team needed a performance, and she got one by trusting her side's youngest stars to provide a response.

Led by two Olivia Moultrie goals and a late finish from substitute Sam Coffey, Hayes' young side earned a 3-1 win over the very same team that won 2-1 on Thursday – remarkable, considering the USMNT had never previously lost to Portugal. Following that loss, Hayes and many of her stars said that they needed to improve as a collective.

The USWNT surely did that thanks to the efforts of some of the team's newest faces, with six starters in Sunday's XI just 20 years old or younger. Moultrie was the star, of course. Her two goals came within the first 10 minutes, with a Jessica Silva finish for Portugal sandwiched in between, the team's only shot on goal.

Both finishes were more placement than power, with Moultrie showing the composure needed to find the corner of the net twice in the game's early moments – including the opener just 44 seconds into the game.

It was Moultrie's second international brace. The then 18-year-old scored two of the USWNT's five goals in a 5-0 win over the Dominican Republic on Feb. 20, 2024. Just three weeks ago, Moultrie scored her first NWSL brace, securing a 2-1 win for the Portland Thorns over Bay FC.

"I was talking to Emma about it, and just feeling the trust in both club and country and allowing all the work I’ve put in to just showcase itself," Moultrie told TNT after the match. "People are like, 'Have you changed anything recently?' Am I’m like, 'No, not really.' I’m just trying to stay consistent with what I’ve been told by my coaches and staff, and do the work, do the film, talk to my teammates.

"And honestly, just try to do the right thing and stay patient, especially in my positioning, which has been a big thing with me and Emma."

From there, the young talent settled in. Excluding Emily Sonnett – who had more caps (111) coming into the game than the rest of the XI combined (100) – the average age of the U.S. XI was 20.7 years old. That lineup also included three teenagers – although one of those was Lily Yohannes, who treated Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field ike her own personal playground.

"I just had so much fun playing with Claire and Lily in the midfield," said 20-year-old Jaedyn Shaw, referencing the 19-year-old Claire Hutton and 18-year-old Yohannes. "They have so much composure. They’re incredibly smart players as well, so it’s been so much fun to play off of them… we can’t just be bullied out here, we have to bring it as well. Being able to solve problems ourselves is really important in the evolution of this team."

By the time Coffey put the result out of reach from a corner in the 82nd minute, the young USWNT had solidified some measure of revenge. They also likely solidified some trust from their coach, who gave them an opportunity that most seized.

GOAL rates the USWNT's players from East Hartford, Connecticut.

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  Goalkeeper & Defense

  Claudia Dickey (5/10):

  Decent on the ball, but could she have done more on the goal? Outside of that, didn't have to do too much.

  Lilly Reale (6/10):

  Seemed to have some jitters early on, which makes sense given her lack of experience. She did seemingly grow more comfortable as the game wore on, though.

  Emily Sonnett (5/10):

  Another goal from a header right in front of her. Just not the best window from her through two matches.

  Jordyn Bugg (6/10):

  A somewhat mixed bag – nothing overly positive or negative, which is just fine for a player still gaining vital experience.

  Avery Patterson (6/10):

  Super effective going forward and looked very comfortable on that right-hand side. At the very least, the USWNT have found an Emily Fox backup. They may have also found a contender, too.

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  Midfield

  Olivia Moultrie (8/10):

  The announcers were calling her "Two-goal Moultrie." Rightfully so. The young midfielder has shown a knack for scoring in bunches, and she send a message by doing so again on Sunday.

  Claire Hutton (7/10):

  A very solid performance but, most notably, one that proved that she complements Yohannes. Considering the talent of both of them, it's a duo you might see frequently going forward.

  Lily Yohannes (8/10):

  Portugal couldn't get near her. She the tempo all match, serving as an outlet before often spraying a pass right where it needed to go. All class all game.

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  Attack

  Alyssa Thompson (5/10):

  Just didn't quite get going. Wasn't as dangerous as she was on Thursday, a match in which she also was held without a goal contribution.

  Jaedyn Shaw (7/10):

  Great setup on Moultrie's second goal, and she generally combined well with those around her. A good performance to reintroduce herself.

  Ally Sentnor (7/10):

  Was a bit too eager at some points but, hey, can you blame her? She did get the assist on Coffey's goal, though, to end the match on a high.

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  Subs & Manager

  Emily Fox (7/10):

  A nice luxury for Hayes to be able to bring a player of Fox's abilities off the bench. 

  Emma Sears (6/10):

  Came in to replace Thompson, but didn't really get much to work with.

  Sam Coffey (9/10):

  What else could you ask for from a substitute? Coffey popped up with another goal, providing a fantastic finish in a way that is becoming all too familiar.

  Yazmeen Ryan (6/10):

  Came on a little too late to get much of the ball.

  Lo'eau LaBonta (N/A):

  Played just a few minutes to give Yohannes a late break.

  Emma Hayes (9/10):

  A perfect response for her team, and it came via her trusting her youngsters. Spot on in that regard, although there are clearly some little things to iron out defensively.

Tottenham legend Harry Kane has a tempting release clause in his Bayern Munich contract, which becomes active as early as January, and Spurs boss Thomas Frank has opened the door to a potential return for the club’s all-time record goalscorer.

What Thomas Frank said about Harry Kane re-joining Tottenham

Since leaving N17 in a deal worth £86 million two years ago, Kane has continued to turn heads in Germany.

The 32-year-old remains one of Europe’s most devastating number nines, finishing both of his first full seasons at Bayern as the Bundesliga’s top scorer with 36 goals in 2024 and 26 in 2025.

Kane finally got his hands on a piece of major silverware to show for his exceptional displays at the end of last season, with Vincent Kompany’s side restoring their dominance of Germany by taking the title right back off Bayer Leverkusen.

The former Spurs superstar also has a German Super Cup in his trophy cabinet, and he’ll be hoping to add even more pieces of silverware before the time comes for him to leave the Allianz Arena.

Once he decides to call time on his Bayern career, a return to North London is seen as a real possibility, with Kane still just 47 goals off Alan Shearer’s all-time Premier League goalscoring record.

Tottenham also have a first option for Kane if they decide to open talks with Bayern, according to The Telegraph, and German news outlet BILD first reported back in February that his contract will have a £54m exit clause this winter.

When asked about the clause, Frank was surprised, but insisted that the centre-forward is welcome back at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium any time.

While Frank is not convinced he’ll re-join any time soon, a new report has claimed that Spurs are ready to pull the trigger – on one condition.

Tottenham ready to re-sign Harry Kane on one condition

According to a Spanish media source, Tottenham “will not hesitate” to pursue a deal for Kane, if they’re given encouragement that he’d be open to a reunion.

Taking this into account, it would appear the decision rests solely on the ex-Lilywhite favourite’s shoulders, and the prospect of a sensational comeback may well tempt him.

Not only does Shearer’s record still stand, but Frank’s new-look Tottenham side have displayed real promise. It would be the ultimate sign-off on a stunning career if he managed to win a major trophy back at Spurs, especially after many chances to do so alluded him before an exit to Bavaria.

Kane has enjoyed another electric start to the season, netting two hat-tricks in the league alone already, with Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig the victims of his attacking prowess.

The forward opened Bayern’s account for the campaign in their 2-1 Super Cup win over Stuttgart too, with Kane’s brace against Chelsea also handing Kompany’s men a convincing 3-1 win over Tottenham’s London rivals in the Champions League.

He has aged like a fine wine, and £54m would still be a meagre price to pay for England’s greatest ever striker.

Amid the late show at Stamford Bridge, former Chelsea manager Glenn Hoddle was left blown away by what one of Enzo Maresca’s most impressive players did against Liverpool.

Caballero: Chelsea "deserved" Liverpool victory

After racing into the lead against the Premier League champions before Cody Gakpo’s equaliser eventually pegged them back, the stage was set for Chelsea and teenage star Estevao Willian to steal the spotlight, and that he did. The talented Brazilian was perfectly placed to tap home at the back post to hand the Blues a major scalp against Liverpool in the 95th minute.

The last-gasp winner sent Stamford Bridge wild and even had Enzo Maresco doing his best impression of Jose Mourinho down the towards the corner flag. The moment led to the manager’s second booking and subsequent red, but he won’t care. Chelsea, having won two of their opening six Premier League games prior, may finally now have lift off.

Speaking in Maresca’s absence, assistant manager Willy Caballero claimed that Chelsea “deserved” to beat a lacklustre Liverpool side even if it came in dramatic fashion.

Saved by Estevao: 5/10 Chelsea star showed why he looks lost without Palmer

Chelsea ran out 2-1 winners vs. Liverpool thanks to Estevao’s late goal

By
Joe Nuttall

Oct 5, 2025

The former shot-stopper told reporters: “He (Maresca) was so happy and wanted me to praise the players because of the effort they showed. We believe we deserved the victory after the chances we created and how we played. Thanks to our football and the effort of our players, we scored in the last seconds and got the three points.”

It’s hard to argue with that claim. The Blues were the ones pushing for a winning goal and got what they had been searching for against the Reds. Several stars deserve plenty of praise, but Hoddle was left in awe of what one particular star did in Saturday’s stunning victory.

Hoddle blown away by "excellent" Caicedo

Moises Caicedo has arguably been Chelsea’s most important player in the last 12 months. After a mixed start to life at Stamford Bridge, he has proven to be worth every penny of the £100m fee that the Blues paid for his signature in 2023 and is even beginning to add goals to his game.

After unleashing an incredible strike into the upright to open the scoring against Liverpool, Caicedo received high praise from club legend Hoddle, who said:

Caicedo is unlikely to hit a sweeter strike all season. Chelsea’s star just about summed up an afternoon for the Blues to savour and one that they must now push on from after the international break. As for the midfielder himself, he must simply just pick up where he left off.

Bayern Munich have filed an official protest with UEFA and threatened legal action after Paris police imposed last-minute travel restrictions on their supporters ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League showdown against Paris Saint-Germain. The German club labelled the decision “unacceptable” and received backing from the host PSG themselves.

• Bayern furious with last-minute police order in Paris

  The German giants have taken their frustrations public after the Paris Police Prefecture issued a “general order” just 24 hours before their Champions League meeting with PSG. The order, delivered on Monday afternoon, required all Bayern fans traveling by coach to gather at a toll booth outside the French capital before being escorted by police to the Parc des Princes. Additionally, all other supporters were instructed to travel solely via public transport and to return the same way after the match.

  The German club reacted swiftly, filing an official protest with UEFA during a meeting later that day, calling the sudden decision “surprising” and “unacceptable.” Bayern also confirmed that the new measures mean fan buses will not be permitted to leave Paris until around 5:00 AM CET, hours after the final whistle. The restrictions have drawn strong criticism from both clubs, with PSG supporting Bayern’s stance against the ruling.

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• Bayern announce legal action and UEFA complaint

  Bayern’s statement outlined their dissatisfaction with how French authorities handled the matter, stressing that all necessary travel and safety details had been planned weeks in advance. The club confirmed they would be pursuing legal avenues alongside their protest lodged with UEFA.

  “This Monday afternoon, the Paris Police Prefecture issued a general order at short notice to regulate the arrival of fans and set up a police control zone for the Champions League match between FC Bayern and Paris St. Germain at the Parc des Princes stadium. After FC Bayern was only informed of this surprising measure today, the club immediately lodged a protest at today's UEFA meeting and will take further legal action. Paris St. Germain supports FC Bayern in this matter.

  "The general ruling affects all fan coaches and stipulates that they must gather at a toll booth outside the city before the match. It also stipulates, among other things, that all other Bayern fans must travel to the stadium exclusively by public transport. After the match, everyone must return to their original means of transport. The coaches will then be escorted out of the city by the police.

  "For FC Bayern, the short notice of the decree is unacceptable, as all the relevant information has been available for weeks, as is the case with all matches involving the German record champions. Furthermore, there has been no change in the risk situation with regard to FC Bayern fans since the last meeting in Paris in 2023. Due to the official regulations it is expected that the fan coaches will only be able to leave Paris in the early hours of the morning (from around 05:00 CET) to make their way home.”

• PSG side with Bayern amid growing tensions

  Interestingly, PSG themselves backed Bayern’s complaint, confirming that they were not involved in the police directive and expressing solidarity with their visitors. The situation has sparked tension just hours before one of the most anticipated fixtures of the Champions League group stage.

  The move by French authorities has revived memories of the 2022 Champions League final in Paris between Real Madrid and Liverpool, when organisational chaos outside the Stade de France led to severe crowd congestion, tear gas incidents, and a 37-minute delay to kick-off. An independent report later found that UEFA bore “primary responsibility” for what could have been a “mass fatality catastrophe.”

  The new restrictions, seen by many as an overcorrection, have caused widespread frustration among both clubs. Bayern maintain that there has been no change in the security landscape since their last visit to the Parc des Princes, while PSG reportedly described the late decision as “regrettable.”

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  Clash of Europe’s in-form teams

  The controversy arrives on the eve of a blockbuster encounter, as on the pitch, all eyes now turn to Tuesday’s showdown at the Parc des Princes, a clash that not only determines who tops the standing but also reignites one of Europe’s fiercest modern rivalries. The tension off the field has only heightened anticipation, with Bayern looking to make a statement win against the defending champions, and PSG aiming to cement their position as Europe’s most in-form side.

  PSG and Bayern head into the tie unbeaten in the Champions League group phase, each having secured three wins from three matches. The reigning champions, PSG, currently top the table on goal difference, while Vincent Kompany’s Bayern trail closely behind, having scored one goal fewer.

  Kompany’s men enter the fixture in electric form, riding a 15-match winning streak across all competitions, a new record for the Bavarian club that eclipses AC Milan’s 1992-93 benchmark. The trio of Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz have spearheaded their attack, contributing 54 goals already this season.

Liverpool have lost three games in a row. It’s a marker of how high Anfield has risen over the past decades that this has been met with hysteria across England and dejection across the red halves of Merseyside streets.

By one point Liverpool trail Premier League pace-setters Arsenal, who have already been defeated by Arne Slot’s side this term. Liverpool have broken records with their spending across the summer transfer window, and they won the top-flight title at a canter last year.

But we can’t ignore the tactical imbalances and issues in bedding new players in. Teething problems have lingered far longer than anyone would have anticipated.

Many games have been entertaining, but Liverpool have lost the control and confidence they oozed throughout the 2024/25 campaign. Will Slot rekindle that flame? So many late goals across the past two months, flying both directions, is evidence that improvements are needed.

Defensively and in midfield, Slot’s side have left plenty to be desired. But they are also being let down up top, with the 33-year-old Mohamed Salah’s struggles telling of the need for a new right-sided forward.

Why Liverpool need to sign a Salah heir

Salah has entered his ninth campaign as a Liverpool player, but he has been part of the problem engulfing Slot’s side so far, scoring three goals and supplying three assists across all competitions but drifting through games and lacking even a small measure of his trademark vim and vigour.

Salah has seldom gone through dry spells in front of goal in the Premier League, but his last-minute penalty at Burnley is his only strike since the opening day win over Bournemouth.

Still, he’s one of the greatest forwards in the competition’s history, and the veteran will retain full confidence in his ability to return to form. He practically led Liverpool to the title last year, after all.

It’s painful to consider, but there is also the possibility that Liverpool have extended Salah’s contract by two years so that they can receive a payment from suitors in 2026. There’s a sizeable chance Saudi Arabian outfits will return for the Egyptian King at the end of the season, tempting him with a glinting late-career pay packet.

Should Salah leave, Liverpool will need a high-level replacement, and the English giants appear to have focused their sights on Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise.

Well, if Spanish sources are correct, Liverpool have been informed by Bayern Munich that a bid worth €150m (£131m) could be enough to sign the 23-year-old next year. The Anfield side would rather pay closer to €100m (£86m) for Olise’s signature.

Olise was widely regarded as one of the best attacking midfielders in the Premier League when at Selhurst Park, and he has only improved since moving to the Bundesliga.

Though Bayern are looking to bank a pretty penny for the France international’s sale, FSG and Reds sporting director Richard Hughes has shown they are willing to break the bank for the right signing.

What Michael Olise would bring to Liverpool

Olise, crucially, is a proven Premier League star. He left Crystal Palace and signed for Bayern Munich during the summer of 2024 for about £50m, and that looks a real coup for the German giants.

Pundit Micah Richard remarked while Olise was an Eagle that he “is going to be a superstar”. Richards was right. Awe and adoration in south London has been transported and developed over in Germany, with Olise having hit 54 goal involvements from 65 matches with Die Roten, including five goals and six assists from just ten fixtures in 2025/26.

He doesn’t boast the same devastating goalscoring ability as Salah, but Liverpool’s summer investments in Isak and Hugo Ekitike tell of a goalscoring shift back to the centre. In other words, this is the perfect profile to replace the ageing winger at Liverpool, whose underlying metrics are not at the same level as Olise.

Salah has not been at the races this season, but scaling it back across 12 months, the depth of Olise’s top form in Germany is emphasised.

Across all competitions, Liverpool’s star forward scored 34 goals and assisted 23 more, after all.

Olise hasn’t cracked the same clinical heights, but he is “one of the best talents in the world”, in the eyes of Palace manager Oliver Glasner, who helped take the ace’s game to the next level.

With Salah having completed only 13% of his dribbles in the Premier League this season, as per Sofascore, averaging a measly 0.9 successful ground duels per match too, there’s been little to write home about, and Slot’s hesitance to deploy Federico Chiesa or Jeremie Frimpong on the right during Liverpool’s big matches makes a telling comment on his thoughts about a big-money signing in the shape of Olise.

Might it be that Liverpool part with their club legend at the end of the season? The news that Hughes is already sounding out a move for an elite talent such as Olise highlights the desire to sign such a player.

And given that he knows the Premier League well, with 36 direct contributions in the competition, the young and ever-improving Olise may well be the perfect addition to ease the fateful day when Salah hangs up his Liverpool boots.

Klopp sold Liverpool star for £9.5m, now he's outperforming Salah & Wirtz

Liverpool must rue selling a star who is outplaying Florian Wirtz and playing like Mo Salah.

By
Dan Emery

Oct 6, 2025

​Folding your grandmother’s chaise lounge on a breezy day at the beach. Closing an umbrella in the teeth of a windstorm. Madly checking all your pockets when you’ve misplaced your keys. The swing of Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman has no comparison among major league hitters, so you are left to find endeavors in everyday life with such mechanical quirks.

The Freeman swing is no oil painting, unless you had a Jackson Pollock in mind. Freeman starts with his bat off the shoulder and parallel to the ground. His back elbow is raised. As the pitcher winds up, Freeman snaps the bat to attention, upright, as if a predator put on alert by the sudden scent of prey. Then he pulls his hands close to his body and throws the barrel at the ball with what looks like a flick of the wrists. He finishes with two hands high, the wrists having completely turned over, in the manner of someone who has striped a 300-yard drive down the center of the fairway.

This is the swing that has launched 2,329 hits, postseason included, including the one that salted away World Series Game 3 on Monday, a spoiler alert though it came just three batters into the game. Freeman ripped a two-run homer off a shaky Clarke Schmidt to send the Los Angeles Dodgers on their way to a 4–2 victory over the New York Yankees in a game that wasn’t nearly as close as the final score indicated. The Dodgers and Freeman, the presumptive MVP, are one win away from ending the World Series in a rout.

Freeman is on one of the greatest hitting heaters the World Series has ever seen. So hobbled by a sprained ankle a week ago that he did not play in the Dodgers’ NLCS clincher, Freeman joined Hank Bauer (1958) and Barry Bonds (2002) as the only players to homer in the first three games of a World Series. Amazingly, Freeman hit his three World Series homers in a span of just 10 swings.

BACCELLIERI: World Series Game 3 Takeaways: Buehler, Dodgers Bullpen Keep Yankees’ Bats Quiet

Including the 2021 World Series playing for the Braves, Freeman has homered in five straight series games, tying George Springer for the World Series record.

“There are points throughout the course of the season when the swing is actually good,” Freeman said, “but it felt like it was a constant battle all season long with my swing. It kind of happens like that. It seems hard: hit a round ball with a round bat. There’s a lot of different ways to do it. I’m thankful that it’s in a good spot right now when we need it the most. I’m just seeing the ball very well. You know, I'm swinging at the strikes, taking the balls … what you're trying to do every game. And thankfully I've been able to do it.”

​Freeman has had a Hall of Fame career. He is one of only 33 players who have played 2,000 games with an OPS+ of at least 142. Thirty of those players have been on a Hall of Fame ballot and all of them have been voted in except for PED-tainted sluggers Manny Ramirez and Bonds. This World Series is burnishing Freeman’s reputation as one of his generation’s greatest pure hitters. This is his magnum opus. His career postseason OPS is .890, 17th all-time (min. 200 plate appearances) and just ahead of Reggie Jackson.

​Those are the numbers. How Freeman gets it done, line drive after line drive, year after year, is worthy not just of admiration but peer review.

APSTEIN: Walker Buehler Burnishes Big-Game Reputation in Dodgers’ Game 3 Win

​About eight miles south of Yankee Stadium, on the fourth floor of the Museum of Modern Art, hangs an Abstract Impressionism painting by Jackson Pollock titled . Pollock created it by flinging and pouring ropes of paint across a huge canvas stretched over the floor. You can stand back from it and, though there is no discernible pattern or point of focus, see what you will. Order, chance, chaos, rhythm, nature … all of it or some of it. It’s what great art does: It stimulates the mind.

​With Pollock’s work in mind, I asked the Dodgers to stand back and look at , otherwise known as the Freeman Swing, and tell me what they see.

Thomas Frank attempted to assuage concerns over Tottenham defenders Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence by saying their decision to snub him after the dire derby defeat against Chelsea was only a “small issue”. Both players headed straight down the tunnel following their side’s poor performance on Saturday evening, bypassing their manager in the process.

• Video shows Frank's anger as Spurs duo ignore him

  After an insipid display which produced just one shot on target, the home supporters made their feelings clear as boos rang around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium following the conclusion of the match. As is custom, Spurs boss Frank went onto the pitch as he and the rest of the players planned to show their appreciation for their fans' support during the game, despite the disappointing loss.

  However, in a video which has been widely shared across social media, Tottenham duo Van de Ven and Spence opted to leave the pitch instead of greeting supporters, to the anger of head coach Frank. The Dane was rooted to the spot as he glared towards his departing charges, who quickly made their way to the tunnel.

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  Tottenham head coach opts against criticising the pair

  But when asked about the incident after the game, Frank refused to criticise Van de Ven and Spence, saying: “All the players are, of course, frustrated. They would like to do well, they would like to win, they would like to perform. I understand that. 

  “I think it’s difficult to be consistent in good times and bad times, that’s why I went around to the fans as I did, it’s more fun when we win, I can tell you that.”

  And when pressed on whether it was “acceptable” for both players to give him the cold shoulder, Frank added: “I understand why you ask the question. But I think that’s one of, how you can say, small issues. 

  “We have Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence doing everything they can. They’ve performed very well so far this season. Everyone is frustrated. We do things in a different way, I don’t think it’s a big problem.”

• Spurs midfielder Simons has struggled since summer move

  While Frank has steered Tottenham to fourth in the Premier League following his appointment in the summer, their home form has been disappointing so far. Spurs have won just one home game in the league under Frank, against Burnley on the opening weekend of the season, having suffered defeats against Bournemouth, Aston Villa and now Chelsea. The north Londoners also drew against winless Wolves on home soil on 27 September.

  Tottenham’s performances have also been met with criticism, recording their lowest-ever expected goals figure (0.05xG) in the league against Chelsea. One man who was signed with a view to helping Spurs excel in the final third this season was Xavi Simons, but the Netherlands international has struggled since his summer switch from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.

  The 22-year-old, who has registered one assist in seven league appearances in 2025-26, was double-substituted against Chelsea, having been brought on in the first half before being withdrawn after 73 minutes.

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  Frank explains decision to double-substitute Netherlands star

  However, when asked by GOAL if he was worried over Simons' confidence and whether double-substituting him would make matters worse, Frank said: "No, it's part of the reason we didn't start him because he's played two starts in a short turnaround. It’s that energy and freshness I talked about. He played 90 minutes on Wednesday night [against Newcastle], so that’s why we decided that [to bench him]. He played 70 minutes here. So I think it was nothing, it's just it looks different that he comes on after a few minutes then gets subbed off."

  When pressed on whether Simons’ inability to muster up enough chances has frustrated him, Frank added: “I think when players make mistakes on the pitch, if they lose a ball or miss a pass, of course I can get irritated in general in a specific situation. But that's part of football. How many times have you seen a player miss a pass or do something that happens, that can be flow or confidence or everything. Whatever it is, mistakes are part of football.”

Kevin Kiermaier has always loved a longshot. He went to community college, he was a 31st-round pick, he played for the low-budget Tampa Bay Rays. 

“I always root for the underdog, no matter what,” he says. 

Well, until this week. It’s hard to pull for David when you play for Goliath, and even Kiermaier—who joined the Los Angeles Dodgers at the trade deadline—cannot make the case for his new team as an underdog in this week’s World Series against the New York Yankees. 

“It’s two of the top dogs,” he says. “You can’t write it up any better.”

Well, as long as you grew up wearing Dodger blue or pinstripes. If you’re not inclined to pull for the team making its fourth World Series appearance in the last eight years or the team with the most titles in history, you’re left rooting for them to cancel the whole thing. 

Want to see the little guy succeed? Your choices are the Dodgers, who spent $1.2 billion this offseason … or the Yankees, the team comedian Joe Lewis once compared to U.S. Steel. 

They each finished first in their league, which marks only the fifth time in the wild card era that the top seeds have met in the World Series. They ranked No. 2 (Yankees, $296.7 million) and No. 3 (Dodgers, $266.8 million) in payroll. They boast between them, according to FanGraphs, the No. 1 (Aaron Judge), No. 2 (Juan Soto), No. 3 (Shohei Ohtani), No. 6 (Freddie Freeman) and No. 7 (Mookie Betts) players over the past four years. Judge and Ohtani will almost certainly win their respective league’s Most Valuable Player awards next month. 

asked members of both teams to explain why unaffiliated fans should fall in love with their band of plucky upstarts. It didn’t go great. 

West Ham boss Nuno Espírito Santo has been dealt another injury blow ahead of their crunch clash with newly-promoted Leeds United on Friday, and one which will force the tactician to play around with his starting eleven yet again.

Nuno slammed after controversial West Ham line-up against Brentford

Nuno faced the wrath of critics after he named what was a bizarre starting eleven to play Brentford on Monday.

The Hammers, who fell to their fourth home league defeat of the season — an all-time club record at this stage of the campaign — deployed Olly Scarles and Kyle Walker-Peters on their opposite sides, with Tomas Soucek and Andy Irving chosen in midfield ahead of the more dynamic Soungoutou Magassa and Freddie Potts.

After Niclas Fullkrug’s thigh injury was confirmed by Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann, plenty of debate surrounded who would play the striker role against Brentford.

Despite an expectation that Nuno could hand Callum Marshall his first ever Premier League start against Brentford, or play Jarrod Bowen in that role as the England international has done before, West Ham’s boss instead opted for Lucas Paqueta as a makeshift number nine.

The Brazil international was sloppy in possession and often left isolated, with the experiment ultimately failing to pay off.

West Ham legend Tony Cottee was among the critics to blast Nuno’s “awful” team selection after their uninspired 2-0 defeat, but the former Nottingham Forest boss moved to defend his choices.

Now, as per Nuno himself, he’ll have to tinker with the team once more, with defender Konstantinos Mavropanos now joining Fullkrug and George Earthy on the treatment table.

West Ham dealt Mavropanos injury blow with Igor Julio in line for recall

Speaking to reporters before West Ham’s trip to Leeds, Nuno confirmed that Mavropanos will miss their imminent clash.

The Greek international was forced off against Brentford and unable to finish the 90 after coming on as a substitute, and Mavropanos will be absent from West Ham’s matchday squad for the trip to Elland Road as a result.

The 27-year-old’s unavailability means that summer signing Igor Julio, who was left out of the squad entirely to play Brentford, is surely in line for a recall.

According to reports, Julio has been impressing in West Ham training as he fights for a place in Nuno’s starting eleven, and the Hammers hardly have anything to lose by giving him a shot.

Both Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo really struggled to contain Brentford on a night to forget for the pair, with West Ham also conceding more league goals than any other side in the top flight so far.

Described as a strong one-v-one defender with “excellent” technique by members of the press, the Brazilian has also been called an “animal” by former Seagulls coach Inigo Calderón.

Julio hasn’t been given a chance to stake his claim in the squad this term, playing just one league minute so far, but the time could be now as Nuno looks for inspiration from somewhere.