On Sunday, Marc Cucurella slipped twice within 6 mins in Chelsea’s 4-3 win over Spurs. Both mistakes led to goals. After the 2nd, he swapped the brand new Puma Future 8s for the previous model. On his boot switch, soleplates and a kit man’s pre-match preparations. www.nytimes.com/athletic/598...

Dan Ashworth has left his role as Manchester United sporting director after just five months. @david-ornstein.bsky.social, Laurie Whitwell & @adamcrafton.bsky.social

Could switching Jack Grealish to a central position be the catalyst for a Manchester City revival?

"Say nothing." That's what Caroline Ullring did, for over 20 years. Last year, Karen Clark, a fellow former junior tennis player, told Ullring she wanted to talk. Two women lived with the secret of an assault by the same tennis coach decades apart. Then they found each other. bit.ly/3ZllOKb

Pep Guardiola is not alone regarding his long-term struggles at Anfield: every PL-winning manager has at least one 'hoodoo' stadium where they have lost more matches than they have won. Here, I look at the top-flight grounds they fear the most... www.nytimes.com/athletic/596...

The Premier League table has not been so congested this late into a season in almost 20 years, with just four points separating third from 13th. Is it the injuries, depth in quality, or maybe even... a lack of quality? I take a look here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/593...

You may or may not know @theathleticfc.bsky.social has an excellent daily newsletter written by @philhay.bsky.social - with Phil off today, Ali Rampling has taken the wheel. Great read and info on how sign up is here. www.nytimes.com/athletic/593...

The Premier League and homegrown players... @eliasburke.bsky.social analyses which clubs have none and who have used the most www.nytimes.com/athletic/593...

PSR, Poaching and returning Golden Oldies. Premier League homegrown players: Which clubs have none and who uses the most? www.nytimes.com/athletic/593...

This is really good and an important read at a time of year where their 2024 contemporary U16s across the country are finding out scholar decisions. I talk about Player Care departments a lot and, now especially, their largely excellent work comes into clear focus and importance.

Man United's success under Fergie can be attributed to many factors: Fergie himself, world-class talent, and one of the most intimidating stadiums in club football. But there might be a secret, underrated ingredient: video games. On football's most popular pastime: www.nytimes.com/athletic/591...