Stumps Western Australia opener and Test hopeful Cameron Bancroft might have fallen victim to a bizarre dismissal in the Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales.After rain ruined most of day one, 14 wickets fell on Sunday in Perth to put the visitors narrowly in front. Resuming on 35 for 3, New South Wales were dismissed for 170 and then had Western Australia floundering at 116 for 7.Bancroft mirrored New South Wales opener Sam Konstas as Ashes top order hopefuls who did not advance their causes in their first innings at the WACA ground.The Western Australia opener had made 10 when a superb delivery from opening bowler Ryan Hadley appeared to have him caught behind. But replays suggested the noise might not have been an edge, but the ball glancing the off bail on the way through to wicketkeeper Matthew Gilkes.The bail wobbled, but stayed put – meaning Bancroft would have been not out had he not nicked the ball.In better news for Test hopefuls, Western Australia allrounder Cameron Green took a wicket in four overs on Sunday – his first bowling at first-class level since his back surgery late last year.Will Salzmann top-scored for New South Wales with 43 and Gilkes made 36 for them, while Ashton Agar took three wickets late in the innings.Agar (18) and Matthew Kelly (20) came together with Western Australia struggling at 84 for 7, surviving to stumps.Hilton Cartwright made 34, while Hadley had taken 3 for 29 from 12 overs.
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer decided to have some fun in the dugout on Friday night during his team's matchup against the Cleveland Guardians.
With teammate Chris Bassitt on the bump in a 2-2 tie, the two-time World Series champion was caught by SportsNet cameras mimicking umpire CB Bucknor, pretending to flip a coin to determine balls and strikes behind the plate.
Here's a video of the hilarious gesture:
"I think we all know what Max Scherzer is doing here," the broadcast relayed. "The picture tells the story."
Scherzer himself couldn't help but smirk.
The 40-year-old, eight-time All-Star signed a one-year, $15.5 million deal with the Blue Jays back in February, but has started just one game in 2025 due to right thumb inflammation. Scherzer was placed on the IL the following day, March 30, but reportedly threw a "heavy bullpen" recently, signaling that he's on the mend.
For most baseball fans, a dropped home run ball represents a potential once-in-a-lifetime missed opportunity. One young Toronto Blue Jays fan only had to wait five at bats for his chance at redemption.
Blue Jays third baseman Ernie Clement belted a three-run home run to open scoring in the bottom of the second inning of Thursday night's game against the Athletics. The ball, hit to left center, deflected off the young glove-wearing fan, and was eventually retrieved by another fan sitting one row in front of him. The young fan was clearly devastated by his failure to catch the ball.
Five batters later, Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. stepped up to the plate with a runner on second, and he hit a blast to the exact same spot in the outfield. This time, the young Toronto partisan was ready, hauling in the homer from his team's top slugger.
Pure elation.
The way the entire section of fans went nuts after his catch tells you all you need to know. What an amazing moment for someone destined to be a Blue Jays diehard for life after what happened on Thursday.
Toronto would hit another two home runs to blow out the A's 12–0, a cherry on top for a fan who will never forget this game.
West Ham are expected to make an offer to sign one striker who’s ready to green-light an immediate January exit, according to reports this week.
West Ham target new striker in January
The east Londoners have identified recruiting a forward as one of their primary objectives for the January window as Nuno Espírito Santo battles to steer the club away from relegation.
Currently languishing in 18th with just 10 points from 15 Premier League games, the Hammers have managed a meagre 17 goals this season — the fourth-lowest amount in the top flight.
Callum Wilson’s recent form has been a major positive, but with 2024 summer flop Niclas Füllkrug expected to depart, West Ham quite simply need another option up top.
The German international has mustered just three goals in 29 appearances across all competitions whilst battling persistent injury problems since his move from Borussia Dortmund last year.
Niclas Füllkrug is set to leave the London Stadium in January following his lacklustre stint in England, so West Ham are believed to be looking at strikers to replace him.
Sunderland 3-0 West Ham
West Ham 1-5 Chelsea
Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham
West Ham 0-3 Tottenham
West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace
Everton 1-1 West Ham
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
West Ham 0-2 Brentford
Leeds 2-1 West Ham
West Ham 3-1 Newcastle
West Ham 3-2 Burnley
Bournemouth 2-2 West Ham
West Ham 0-2 Liverpool
Man United 1-1 West Ham
Brighton 1-1 West Ham
His lacklustre displays indicate a mutual desire for separation, with Hamburg and Stuttgart reportedly monitoring his availability for a potential Bundesliga return.
West Ham have compiled an extensive shortlist of potential striker targets spanning multiple leagues.
West Ham ready to take huge loss on mainstay who's 'failed to impress Nuno'
The Hammers are willing to sell for a cut-price fee.
ByEmilio Galantini 6 days ago
Santiago Gimenez remains under consideration at the London Stadium, despite his struggles at AC Milan following his January 2025 move from Feyenoord, with intermediaries actively offering the Mexican international to multiple clubs.
Man United’s Joshua Zirkzee has also been linked with a move to Rush Green, while it is believed that West Ham are big fans of Union Saint-Gilloise forward Promise David too.
Now, as per Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, Lazio striker Taty Castellanos is another forward attracting their interest.
West Ham bid expected for Lazio striker Taty Castellanos
West Ham were linked with a move for the Argentine all the way back in 2022 during his time at New York City in the MLS, and that fondness for Castellanos hasn’t gone away.
Lazio's Taty Castellanos vs Atalanta.
According to Il Messaggero, Lazio are actively anticipating an offer worth between £22-26 million from West Ham for the 27-year-old forward.
Lazio desperately need funds to avoid another transfer ban as they continue battling severe financial difficulties.
Crucially, the report indicates Castellanos is prepared to join West Ham, or any other suitor, “straight away” as he looks to greenlight an exit from Rome next month.
The striker’s growing dissatisfaction with life under Maurizio Sarri at Lazio, particularly struggling to adapt to his manager’s tactical approach, means he’s quite keen to leave.
His desire for regular football stems from World Cup ambitions with Argentina, making a January departure increasingly attractive.
Castellanos would apparently give immediate approval to any Premier League approach, though La Liga clubs are also monitoring developments.
West Ham initially registered their interest during the summer transfer window when they made preliminary enquiries about the forward’s availability, with Nuno identifying striker reinforcements as his main January priority.
Lazio have already identified Atlético Madrid’s Giacomo Raspadori as a potential replacement, and the Italy international has told his representatives to explore opportunities within Serie A.
This preparation could prove instrumental in facilitating Castellanos’s London switch, with the clubs potentially willing to conduct business once suitable alternatives are secured.
Wilfried Nancy will manage his first match in charge of Celtic this afternoon as Hearts come to Parkhead in a top-of-the-table clash in the Scottish Premiership.
It will be interesting to see what tactical changes he has been able to implement after only a few days on the training pitch, as his usual system with his former club is different from the 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 shape that the Hoops have played this season.
Per FBRef, Nancy played with a 3-4-2-1 or a 3-4-3 system in 31 of his 43 matches with Columbus Crew this year in all competitions, often playing with two second strikers or number tens behind a main centre-forward.
If the French boss goes with his favoured 3-4-2-1 system, he could ruthlessly drop Luke McCowan from the team that started against Dundee last time out.
Why Wilfried Nancy should drop Luke McCowan
The Scottish midfielder has started the last two league matches on the right wing in Martin O’Neill’s 4-2-3-1 system, but he has been ineffective in a new role, lacking the dynamism and pace required to be effective in that area of the pitch.
McCowan, who has not scored since the opening day of the season, did not score a goal or create a ‘big chance’ for the team against Hibernian or Dundee as a winger, per Sofascore.
He also completed just two of his five attempted dribbles, per Sofascore, struggling with the explosive turn of pace that is often needed to make things happen on the wing, whilst he also lost seven of his 11 duels in total across both matches.
These statistics suggest that McCowan should be dropped irrespective of a change in formation, but a change in shape to a 3-4-2-1 would allow Nancy to ditch the Scotsman by unleashing Johnny Kenny in a new role.
The new role that Johnny Kenny could play for Celtic
It has been a rollercoaster couple of months for the Ireland international, who went from rarely playing under Brendan Rodgers to scoring four goals in O’Neill’s first four games, to now being on the bench behind Daizen Maeda.
Kenny has been an unused substitute in the last three matches, which means that he has still scored four goals in his last five appearances for the club, per Sofascore, and Nancy could bring him back into the fold as an attacking midfielder or second striker.
The two roles behind the striker in a 3-4-2-1 system are unique because it can be a very fluid front three with a lot of movement, and that could suit both Kenny and Maeda, the former of whom has been praised for his “top-drawer” mentality by his former Sligo Rovers coach Conor O’Grady.
Celtic’s Irish striker has shown that he can score goals for the club, with his four-goal burst under O’Neill, but Nancy’s job is to find the best way to fit him into the system to get the best out of him.
Per Transfermarkt, the 22-year-old star has never played as a second striker or as an attacking midfielder in his career to date. It is a role that could suit him quite nicely, though.
How Celtic could line up in a 3-4-2-1
Position
Player
GK
Kasper Schmeichel
CB
Dane Murray
CB
Auston Trusty
CB
Liam Scales
RWB
Colby Donovan
CM
Callum McGregor
CM
Reo Hatate
LWB
Kieran Tierney
AM
Hyun-jun Yang
AM
Johnny Kenny
ST
Daizen Maeda
As you can see in the XI above, Kenny could play as one of two players behind Maeda, who is a relentless pressing forward who can also play deeper or out wide, and could rotate across all three positions.
This fluidity could suit the Irishman because of his mobility and desire to run beyond the last line to create chances for himself, without being the focal point who has to bring physicality and hold up play, because it will be Maeda in that position.
Of course, it is hard to judge how the system will look until Nancy has had a few games to test things out and more time on the training pitch to coach the players, but Kenny seems like a player who could benefit from a 3-4-2-1 formation.
That change in shape, whilst helping the striker, would also allow the manager to drop an underperforming player, McCowan, from the starting line-up to provide the young forward with a chance to shine in a brand-new role in his career.
Better than Maeda: Celtic star is going to be undroppable under Nancy
This Celtic star who was even better than Daizen Maeda against Dundee should be Wilfried Nancy’s first undroppable star.
Reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano has shared what Aston Villa “will” do in January to back manager Unai Emery.
Aston Villa emerge as title contenders after Arsenal triumph
Villa catapulted themselves into legit Premier League title contention following Emiliano Buendia’s dramatic 95th minute winner against Arsenal on Saturday.
Buendia’s last-gasp strike secured a pulsating 2-1 victory over the league leaders at Villa Park, with the substitute’s stoppage-time goal representing far more than just three points.
It also confirms Villa’s extraordinary recent transformation under Emery into genuine challengers.
They now sit third, merely three points behind Arsenal, losing just two of their last 16 games in all competitions whilst recording seven straight wins on the bounce.
Matty Cash opened the scoring with a thunderous back-post finish, capitalising on Eberechi Eze’s defensive lapse to arrow the ball through David Raya’s legs.
Villa thoroughly dominated the opening period, with Ollie Watkins spurning an excellent early opportunity before Cash’s breakthrough rewarded their superiority.
Aston Villa could launch attack to sign £44m striker who's outscoring Watkins
The Villans are looking to bring in a new centre-forward.
ByDominic Lund Dec 8, 2025
Arsenal responded seven minutes after the interval through substitute Leandro Trossard, who converted from close range following Emiliano Martínez’s parried save from Bukayo Saka’s cross.
The Belgian’s equaliser marked his 50th Premier League goal, becoming only the fifth Belgian to reach that milestone.
Both goalkeepers produced exceptional saves to maintain the stalemate, with Martinez spectacularly denying Martin Odegaard’s 20-yard drive whilst Raya repeatedly frustrated Villa’s attacking threats.
The contest appeared destined for a draw until Buendia’s late intervention sparked wild celebrations amongst the Villa faithful.
It was a day to remember for the Villans, with Youri Tielemans also putting in a Player of the Match display against Arsenal after dominating midfield.
With Emery’s side now tipped to challenge the likes of Arsenal and City for top spot, January could prove pivotal after an underwhelming summer window blighted by a lack of spending and PSR concerns.
Taking that into account, Emery has truly worked wonders to guide Villa to this position after their slow start to 25/26, where it even took four Premier League matches to finally score their first goal of the season.
Fabrizio Romano shares exciting January transfer update out of Aston Villa
That lowly run of form and uninspired summer feels like a lifetime ago now, but it is still up to NSWE to provide Emery with the needed support to maintain their lofty status.
Speaking to GiveMeSport, the ever-reliable Romano has some very encouraging news in that regard.
He reports that Villa chiefs are set to back Emery in the January transfer market, and work has already begun behind-the-scenes.
Villa ended last summer as the Premier League’s lowest spenders, investing just £28 million into new additions, but that simply has to change if Emery’s side are serious about competing for major trophies.
In terms of their rumoured targets, it is believed that a striker is on the agenda, with Villa reportedly targeting Man United forward Joshua Zirkzee among other names.
Eddie Howe says there is “no chance” Newcastle will accept a draw as he plots a first Premier League derby victory over Sunderland in ten attempts.
Newcastle prepare for Tyne-Wear derby
The sides meet in the top flight for the first time since March 2016 on Sunday, when the Magpies will make the short trip to the Stadium of Light looking to end a wait for a win in the fixture which dates back to August 2011.
Head coach Howe and many of his players had a taste of what to expect in January last year when they went to Wearside and emerged with a 3-0 FA Cup third round success over the then Sky Bet Championship Black Cats, and he is conscious of the need for balance in their approach.
He said: “If you don’t get the arousal levels right, if you hype the players up too much, then you can go out and not perform because you’re over-thinking things, you’re not playing the game, you’re playing the atmosphere.
“You need cool heads, but you also need to have the fire in there. If the fire’s not there in this type of game, then you’re not going to perform either. It’s a balancing act of trying to get the players in the right frame of mind.”
Newcastle will arrive on Wearside on the back of a four-game unbeaten run in all competitions to face a Sunderland side who have confounded those who predicted they would go the way of many promoted sides and struggle to keep their heads above water.
Despite last weekend’s 3-0 defeat at Manchester City, Regis Le Bris’ men sit in ninth place in the table on 23 points – one more than their neighbours – after 15 games, and it would take a major collapse for them to slip into trouble.
However, asked if he would take a point, Howe, whose side drew 2-2 at Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, replied swiftly:
He continued: “We prepare every game to win. This will be no different.
“We’ve got to get the preparation right in a very short period of time. That’s been a challenge we’ve had all season, and I think we’re doing okay at this moment in time.
“We know we can improve, there’s areas to get better in and we’ve got minimal training time to get those tweaks adjusted. But by kick-off, I can assure everybody that we’ll be ready.”
Newcastle star could miss Sunderland game after new injury "issue" emerges
An ill-timed blow for the Magpies.
ByTom Cunningham 4 days ago
Sunday’s game will be the first clash between Howe and Le Bris – Michael Beale was in charge at Sunderland for the FA Cup tie – but the Newcastle boss has been impressed by what the Frenchman has achieved since taking the helm in July last year.
He said: “I don’t know him and it’s my first time going up against him, but I think they’ve done well this season. I’ve been impressed by how they’ve played.”
حذر محمد صلاح فريقه ليفربول من أنه لن يلعب مجدداً مع الفريق بعد التعادل مع ليدز يونايتد بثلاث أهداف لمثلها، في الدوري الانجليزي الممتاز.
وقد انفجر صلاح غاضباً بسبب استبعاده من التشكيل الأساسي للمباراة الثالثة على التوالي، قبل أن يتم استبعاده من المشاركة ضد إنتر ميلان في دوري أبطال أوروبا.
ويحتل ليفربول المركز العاشر في جدول ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي، وأكد باتريس إيفرا نجم مانشستر يونايتد السابق أن العلاقة بين الريدز وصلاح قد انتهت تماماً وأن تصريحات المصري تذكره بالبرتغالي كريستيانو رونالدو.
أقرأ أيضاً.. فان باستن: محمد صلاح تصرف بـ”غباء” مع سلوت
وقال إيفرا في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “جول” العالمية: “يذكرني هذا قليلاً بمقابلة كريستيانو مع بيرس مورجان عام 2022، ينسى الناس أحياناً أننا بشر وأننا نتعرض للأذى”.
وأضاف :”عندما سمعت ما قاله صلاح، شعرت أن أحدهم يتألم بشدة، ردة فعل الجماهير السلبية تجاهه سخيفة للغاية، صحيح أنه حقق الكثير للنادي لكن في الوقت نفسه، عندما لا تلعب بشكل جيد فإنك يجب أن تتقبل الجلوس على مقاعد البدلاء، أعتقد أنه لن يلعب مع ليفربول مجدداً، لا أحد يعلم، ربما يقدم ليفربول أداء أفضل بدونه وربما يسمحون له بالرحيل في يناير”.
وواصل: “أشعر أن بقائه عام كامل كان أطول من اللازم، كان يجب أن يرحل الصيف الماضي، عندما رحل ماني كنت أعلم أن ليفربول سيواجه مشكلة حتى مع فوزهم بالدوري العام الماضي، كنت أعلم أنهم سيواجهون صعوبات في مرحلة ما”.
واختتم: “يشعر صلاح بأن النادي يتخلى عنه، ليس من الجيد أبداً التحدث عن النادي علناً، لا ألوم ليفربول ولا صلاح، هو إنسان وذهب إلى هناك وأجرى مقابلة وتحدث بصدق وأحياناً لا يكون من الجيد التحدث بصدق لكني أرى أن هذا القرار بمثابة نهاية صلاح”.
West Ham United are keen on a January swoop for an “unbelievable” striker, who now wants a move to the Premier League.
West Ham looking to provide Jarrod Bowen with support in attack
West Ham have become more difficult to beat since the arrival of Nuno, having lost just one of their last six Premier League games, but they will be disappointed they were unable to hold on against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.
The Hammers were in the lead until stoppage time, before Georginio Rutter netted a controversial late equaliser, which Nuno believes should’ve been ruled out, saying: “It was a handball, wasn’t it, and a high foot. No need to speak with the referee. I think it was the main factor.”
Picking up three points against an in-form Brighton side would’ve been an impressive result, but it wasn’t to be, despite Jarrod Bowen putting in an impressive performance, netting his fourth Premier League goal of the season after starting in a central role.
Callum Wilson came off the bench to assist Bowen’s goal, with the former Newcastle United man now up to five goal contributions this season, but with his contract due to expire in the summer, the Irons are looking to provide their captain with some additional support in attack.
That is according to a report from Hammers News, which has provided a new update on West Ham’s Ivan Toney pursuit, stating Nuno’s side are keen on signing the striker in the January transfer window.
The Hammers have already explored a deal for Toney, having been impressed by his performances in England for Brentford, and the centre-forward now wants to make a return to the Premier League ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
However, it is unlikely the east Londoners will be able to get a deal over the line, given the Al-Ahli star’s huge wage demands, which could be a major obstacle.
West Ham now lining up concrete January move for £80k-a-week Chelsea player
The Hammers are looking to sign a “leader” in the upcoming transfer window.
ByDominic Lund Dec 7, 2025 "Unbelievable" Toney could help fire West Ham to safety
Despite West Ham being difficult to beat in recent weeks, they are still in real trouble, currently sitting two points from safety and inside the relegation zone.
The former Brentford striker has proven he has what it takes to help fire the Hammers to safety, maintaining a fantastic attacking record across his three seasons in the Premier League with the Bees.
Season
Premier League appearances
Goal contributions
2021-22
33
17
2022-23
33
24
2023-24
17
6
Former manager Thomas Frank also waxed lyrical about the Englishman upon his departure, saying: “It’s been a pleasure to work with Ivan over the last four years. He has averaged more than one goal every two games, which is an unbelievable number.”
With West Ham at real risk of relegation, they definitely need to make some new additions in the January window, and Toney is exactly the calibre of signing they should be looking to make.
Tomás Pochettino, meio-campista do Fortaleza, entrou no radar do São Paulo. O Lance! apurou que ainda não houve proposta oficial e que a intenção do Tricolor seria tentar um empréstimo, especialmente por questões financeiras.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasSão PauloSão Paulo: Pablo Maia entra na mira da Europa e RússiaSão Paulo12/12/2025São PauloGaloppo, Jandrei, Erick e Moreira: o que esperar do futuro dos emprestados do São PauloSão Paulo12/12/2025FortalezaFortaleza rescinde com Palermo e anuncia ex-São PauloFortaleza11/12/2025
O Fortaleza, porém, trabalha com a possibilidade de uma venda, o que torna o cenário mais complexo. Pochettino tem contrato até 2027 e, após o rebaixamento para a Série B, o clube avalia seus ativos para 2026.
Além de Pochettino, o São Paulo também acompanha a situação de Gastón Ávila, zagueiro emprestado ao Fortaleza pelo Ajax. A ideia, novamente, seria um empréstimo. O clube cearense considerava mantê-lo para a próxima temporada, caso fosse do interesse do jogador, mas o valor para uma compra, próximo de 20 milhões de reais, é inviável no momento. Para o São Paulo, uma negociação definitiva também está fora do alcance, o que reforça o empréstimo como alternativa.
continua após a publicidade
➡️São Paulo: Pablo Maia entra na mira da Europa e Rússia
No planejamento para 2026, o São Paulo prioriza reforços por empréstimo com opção de compra, modelo semelhante ao aplicado na chegada de Marcos Antonio no último ano.
São Paulo tem padrão definido para reforços em 2026
O São Paulo definiu um plano para a vinda de reforços em 2026. Sem poder gastar muito ou lidar com folhas salariais além da realidade do clube, é esperado que duas ou três peças pontuais cheguem ao time. A intenção é que sejam atletas jovens e em moldes parecidos com o de Marcos Antonio no último ano – empréstimos com opções de compra.
continua após a publicidade
➡️Tudo sobre o Tricolor agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! São Paulo
Pensando em 2026, uma das ideias é ter de cinco a seis jogadores de Cotia integrados entre os profissionais também. O São Paulo ainda aguarda para saber se irá disputar ou não a Copa Libertadores ano que vem.