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Game 7 of the World Series unfolded in truly epic fashion on Saturday night and it resulted in an absolutely gut-wrenching loss by the Blue Jays to the Dodgers. Thanks to a Will Smith home run in the top of the 11th and a clutch double play in the bottom of the frame Los Angeles won its third Fall Classic in the last six years to officially establish a dynasty. Toronto, meanwhile, has a very long offseason of painful reflection ahead after coming close to its first championship in over 30 years.

It was as brutal a loss as you’ll ever see in sports and Sportsnet broadcaster Caleb Joseph was not happy about it. Appearing on the Canadian broadcast after the game, Joseph did not hesitate to declare he believed the better team did not win the series, even dropping a curse word on television as he memorialized the best Blue Jays season in decades.

“There were a lot of wet eyes and I don’t blame them for that,” Joseph said as he described the scene at Rogers Centre following the defeat. “It’s going to sound like sour grapes, and I don’t really give a s—, but I think the better team did not win this series. I think the Blue Jays are the better team. I feel like they played baseball a certain way, it was infectious, it grabbed the attention of the fans, and it’s disheartening to see that the better team did not win. That’s not to take anything away from the Dodgers, but the Blue Jays, they did so many things correct, so many things right.”

Joseph did spend the 2020 season with the organization and has followed their postseason run with Sportsnet. So the strong emotions are perhaps not a surprise.

But it ultimately doesn’t matter who was the “better team” in the way Joseph is talking about. The Dodgers won four out of seven games and thus they are the victor. The Blue Jays had their chances but couldn’t take advantage. Through that lens, the better team was from Los Angeles, and another World Series trophy belongs to the franchise as a result.

Joseph’s comments undoubtedly resonated with the Canadian audience who have loyally watched Sportsnet throughout this run. But no amount of lamenting who was the better team changes the outcome: the Blue Jays lost. The Dodgers won. And that’s how it'll be remembered forever.

Tottenham Hotspur dropped points for just the second time this season on home soil last night, with their meeting with Wolverhampton Wanderers ending 1-1.

Santiago Bueno looked as though he had secured Vitor Pereira’s side their first league win of the Premier League campaign, but Thomas Frank’s side managed to stage a late fightback.

Joao Palhinha’s effort deep into stoppage time saw the Lilywhites claim a late point, extending the side’s unbeaten run to five games across all competitions.

It certainly wasn’t a vintage showing in North London, but it’s certainly a sign of a good side if they can avoid defeat even when not producing one of their best displays.

However, if Frank’s side are to be a success in the near future, the Dane desperately needs to address one issue that arose in the meeting with the West Midlands outfit.

Spurs’ biggest issue against Wolves last night

In front of goal this season, Spurs have been largely impressive, scoring 11 times in their six league outings – averaging nearly two goals per game in 2025/26.

However, their showing against Pereira’s side last night was a somewhat toothless one, subsequently being unable to break down the opposition, who have failed to win a single top-flight outing.

Whilst the Lilywhites had 51% of the play, completing 111 passes into the final third, but could only muster a total of three shots on target during the 90 minutes.

Even when managing to get a shot off, Frank’s men struggled with their accuracy, only managing to get 30% of their shots on target – undoubtedly leading to their inability to secure all three points.

Their subsequent chances only accrued an xG of just 0.87, with the visitors achieving a higher total of 1.15 – subsequently doing so despite managing fewer efforts on goal.

The Lilywhites’ attack was made up of over £150m worth of talent last night, but numerous of such players failed to make the desired impact in forward areas.

The Spurs player who needs to be dropped after Wolves

Xavi Simons joined Spurs in a £52m transfer from RB Leipzig late in the summer window, but as of yet, the Dutchman has struggled to hit the ground running in North London.

The 22-year-old has made five appearances in all competitions, but has only registered one goal contribution, with his assist for Pape Sarr against West Ham United his only tangible reward.

In his showing against Wolves yesterday, Simons only managed a 25% dribble success rate, whilst only completing 27% of the crosses he attempted – highlighting his lack of impact in North London.

In the majority of his matches to date, the youngster has operated in an unnatural role off the left-hand side, which has no doubt contributed to his lack of success since his big-money move.

However, the same can’t be said for Richarlison, with the Brazilian striker being Frank’s first choice number nine in the absence of Dominic Solanke since the start of the 2025/26 campaign.

Whilst the 28-year-old started the season in superb fashion, netting two goals in the opening day triumph over Burnley, he’s ultimately struggled to hit such heights in recent weeks.

He’s now only managed to find the back of the net once in his last seven outings across all competitions, hitting a blank against Wolves once again last night.

Despite not scoring, Richarlison may have been able to save himself with his all-round showing, but it was an evening to forget for the talisman in North London as he looked way off the pace throughout the draw.

His lack of impact was highlighted by his tally of just 20 touches, a figure lower than that of goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who managed 29 throughout the contest.

Richarlison’s dismal showing was further reflected in his tally of just five passes completed, at a success rate of just 56%, whilst also losing possession eight times – losing the ball 40% of the time he touched it.

His further tallies of 0% dribbles completed and 33% duel success rate also indicate how alien he was during the meeting with Pereira’s men, often being dominated by the opposition backline.

As a result of his showing, the £50m forward was handed a measly 4/10 match rating by Football London journalist Alasdair Gold – topping off what was a disappointing performance from the Brazilian.

After such a showing, boss Frank has no choice but to make a change at the top end of the pitch, with such a position becoming an issue given the lack of tangible rewards produced in recent games.

The Champions League clash at Bodo Glimt could present an excellent opportunity to try something slightly left field in an attempt to try and rectify the problem currently apparent at the top end of the pitch.

Saved by Palhinha: Frank must instantly drop Spurs star who dropped a 6/10

Tottenham salvaged a point against Wolves in the Premier League.

By
Angus Sinclair

Sep 28, 2025

The India opener took part in every training session leading up to the Super Four game against Pakistan, and batted long hours

S Sudarshanan09-Sep-20231:44

Gill on the challenge of facing Pakistan’s bowlers

It is like the process you followed for your math exam. Prepare hard, solve a few problems – the more complex the better – to ready yourself for the toughest questions.In Colombo, Shubman Gill has been that guy. India had two optional nets and one full session under lights in the days leading up to their Asia Cup Super Four game against Pakistan. Gill took part in every one of them – even the optional training on Thursday and Saturday – and batted long hours. After all, he will be keen to perform better than the last time he faced Pakistan, which was in the group stage where he made 10 off 32 balls.Face left-arm throwdowns, work consciously on the forward stride, look at footage, chat with the batting coach, and repeat. Gill had his nets routine pretty much set on each of the first two days. Last week was the first time he had played against Pakistan in senior men’s cricket. Given India could play them at least three times – if both teams make the Asia Cup final – in the next couple of months, he left no stone unturned to be ready.Related

• How Shubman Gill took down Shaheen Shah Afridi to hand round one to India

• Gill, Afridi among big gainers in ICC ODI rankings

• Ind vs Pak the only Asia Cup Super Four game with a reserve day

• Rain, Rahul's return on the radar in India vs Pakistan rematch

So much has Gill faced Nuwan Seneviratne, India’s left-arm throwdown specialist, throughout the tournament that it wouldn’t be a surprise if he had the Sri Lankan on speed dial. The indoor nets on Thursday was all about getting his footwork right against left-arm over-the-wicket angle and, importantly, not falling over while playing deliveries straightening into him.”[Seneviratne] has been with us for the past seven-eight years,” Gill said before training. “We have two right-arm throwdown side-arm specialists, and as a variation, we also have a left-arm side-arm specialist. It helps in various conditions.”On Saturday, it was a tad different. His training on the eve of the India-Pakistan match was about the hard lengths. It was perhaps the shortest batting stint he had had in the nets all Asia Cup.Shubman Gill made 10 off 32 in the opening match of the Asia Cup•Getty ImagesHaving survived probing spells from Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, Gill fell to first-change Haris Rauf in the last meeting against Pakistan. It was an in-between length that he inside-edged onto his stumps.He worked on picking lengths early and putting them away. He received a good mix of full and hard-length deliveries, and a few bumpers along the way. It was not the prettiest Gill net to watch: he was beaten on both edges, edged a few balls, and lost his off stump once. He had a short chat with batting coach Vikram Rathour and continued for about 15 minutes more.”Shaheen swings the ball more. Naseem relies more on pace,” Gill said. “If he gets help from the surface, he hits good areas. Both are different bowlers and pose different challenges.”Before getting to [international] level, every batter would have faced left-arm bowling at some stage. Whenever you play a new bowler it makes a difference, [more so] because we don’t play Pakistan as often as we do some other teams. Coming up against a quality bowling attack like Pakistan’s, [not having played them that often before] makes a difference.”Sometimes there’s no technical flaw as such. Bowlers are also there to bowl, and you might get some good deliveries. You might get some unfortunate dismissals. When you are playing well there might be a few things going your way. You have to trust your game, back yourself and get those quick runs.”The prep’s done, and Gill will hope it translates into runs as he faces Sunday’s big test.

England moved within touching distance of unprecedented World Cup qualifying history after a composed 2-0 victory over Serbia at Wembley maintained their flawless defensive record. With Thomas Tuchel's side yet to concede in the campaign, a clean sheet against Albania would make them the first European nation ever to complete an eight-game qualifying cycle without letting in a single goal.

• England beat Serbia in penultimate qualifier

  England cruised to another victory as they defeated Serbia 2-0 at Wembley on Thursday, stretching their perfect record in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. Bukayo Saka opened the scoring on the half-hour mark with a crisp volley, before Eberechi Eze came off the bench to curl home a superb late finish and seal a seventh straight win.

  The match followed a familiar pattern in this qualifying cycle, with England asserting dominance early and forcing Serbia to defend deep for long spells. Harry Kane’s movement, Saka’s incisiveness and Declan Rice’s control ensured Serbia were rarely able to build sustained attacks, while England’s defence remained largely untroubled aside from isolated counterattacks.

  England’s clean sheet was also significant, extending their run to seven games without conceding, already a rare feat in UEFA World Cup qualifying. Serbia created a handful of half-chances but were kept at bay through Jordan Pickford’s alert positioning and the strong recovery defending of Ezri Konsa and John Stones. With the win, England closed in on a piece of history never before achieved in a European qualifying group of eight matches.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Three Lions closing in on a World Cup qualifying record

  The victory places England on the brink of an unprecedented defensive milestone, one that would underline the transformative impact Tuchel has had since taking charge. Should the Three Lions avoid conceding in their final qualifier against Albania, they would become the first European nation ever to complete an eight-game World Cup qualifying campaign without letting in a goal. It would surpass even the great England side of 1990, which finished a six-game campaign without conceding.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Tuchel's side maintain flawless campaign

  Beyond the clean sheet streak, England’s qualifying journey has showcased the depth and discipline required to thrive under Tuchel’s demanding standards. Pickford has now kept ten consecutive competitive clean sheets, supported by a defensive line that has remained calm under pressure and excelled at denying opponents high-value opportunities. Stones, Konsa and Rice have all played crucial roles in sustaining England’s impeccable defensive record.

  This campaign has also highlighted Tuchel’s insistence on competition for places, with no player guaranteed a starting role regardless of club form or reputation. Tuchel has repeatedly stressed that his focus is on building collective unity, and England’s ability to rotate without losing fluidity underscores how deeply the squad has bought into his approach.

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• Albania trip last up in qualifying

  England now travel to Tirana for their final World Cup qualifier to take on Albania, where the chance to make history may serve as a major motivational factor despite the game being a dead rubber. Top spot in the group is already secured and Albania are locked into second place.

  Should England secure the clean sheet, they will step into the 2026 World Cup not only as qualifying history-makers but also as one of the tournament’s most tactically complete and defensively formidable sides.

The Toronto Blue Jays are gearing up for the postseason, but they'll play the final stretch of the regular season without one of their most important players.

Bo Bichette has been sidelined since early September with a sprained left PCL, and manager John Schneider provided an update on the shortstop's progress on Tuesday.

Schneider told reporters that the team received a positive update on Bichette's PCL injury, and that the 27-year-old would only require rest and rehab in order to get back out on the field. Schneider said Bichette would not return during the regular season, but could resume baseball activity as early this week. That could indicate a return during or just before the postseason is a possibility.

The Blue Jays hold a five-game lead in the AL East and are in the midst of a five-game winning streak. They've not yet clinched a playoff berth, but with the best record in the American League, are on pace to not only secure a spot in the postseason, but to do so as the No. 1 seed.

Bichette has bounced back in 2025 after a down year in '24. He's slashing .311/.357/.483 with 18 home runs, 94 RBIs and a 3.4 WAR across 139 games.

The Blue Jays conclude their regular season schedule at home against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sept. 28.

Stats highlights as Australia pull off their biggest Ashes chase in 75 years

Sampath Bandarupalli20-Jun-2023281 Target successfully chased by Australia against England in Birmingham. It is their fourth-highest successful target chase in the Ashes and their highest since chasing down 404 at the Headingley way back in 1948. Australia had not won any of the 31 Ashes Tests between 1949 and 2022, where the fourth-innings target was 250 and more, which includes 18 defeats.ESPNcricinfo Ltd2011 The last instance of Australia chasing down a target of 250-plus runs before they did it at Edgbaston was against South Africa in 2011. Pat Cummins, making his debut, scored the winning runs with a boundary off Imran Tahir in Johannesburg, like he did off Ollie Robinson on Tuesday. Australia lost 19 out of 21 Tests when the target was 250-plus runs between 2012 and 2022.26 Consecutive innings where England bowled out the opposition in Tests before failing against Australia in the fourth-innings in Birmingham. It is the joint-third longest streak for a team in bowling out the opponents in Test cricket, behind England’s 59 innings between 1885 and 1896 and Australia’s 33 innings between 1999 and 2001.