Why Ukraine, not Roman Abramovich, is the real victim of the three and half year freeze on the Chelsea sale money... My commentary observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Britain in the 21st century...

As the Ashes approach, this week's 'How It All Played Out' is on the Kerry Packer revolution and how it shaped the cricket we watch now. By me and @markpougatch.bsky.social thttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/how-did-a-rebel-circus-transform-the-ashes/id1811806941?i=1000736442011

After Spurs and Brentford I went to Sunderland for our latest Premier League club health check. They're fourth. How? Why? observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

There are people in this industry who wouldn't know impartiality if it ran them over pontificating about impartiality.

The fact that the BBC has made serious culpable errors does not negate the point that there is a real and concerted right-wing media campaign to destroy it. Both points can be true at the same time and the campaign would not end even if the errors did.

Vital piece of investigative reporting from Sky. They've uncovered the X algorithm which feeds users extremist right wing material from the moment they join the site. It is a far-right radicalisation engine, by design. news.sky.com/story/the-x-...

This week's 'How It All Played Out' is on the forgotten hero, Althea Gibson, whose lifestory is a film begging to be made... By Mark Pougatch and me... podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...

Just think... Conor Bradley will always be able to recall shutting down Vinicius Junior in a Champions League game against Real Madrid at Anfield. He made a good memory for himself last night.

Tom Brady cloned his late dog. Could this be the way to replace your star striker: just make a replica in a lab? Via @nytimes.com

If that performance was representative, Liverpool will be challengers to Arsenal. All the usual tactical and team selection analysis aside, it was based on the players showing up for work with the right attitude again.

Baffled by this big "talking point" stuff at Anfield. Not a chance that was a handball by Tchouameni, whose arm was close to his body. VAR correct.

It's a changed world when Bournemouth can buy a player from Juventus and sell him to Real Madrid for £50m. Dean Huijsen looks as comfortable in a Real shirt as he did in a 'Cherries' one.

And people wonder why Bernie Sanders talks of the American oligarchy...(source: Forbes)

At Sunderland v Everton. Two thoughts... Impressive by Sunderland's almost all-new team to play so badly for 25 mins then snap out of it to dominate Everton. And...Everton's long sequence of buying the wrong strikers is baffling.

How to defuse a protest? Beat Newcastle 3-1. But West Ham fans aren't surrendering to the double-bind of owners and a stadium they don't like. My live piece for @theobserveruk.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

The Rob Burrow MND Centre in Leeds is now open....

How the new breed of tech-driven clever clubs is making inroads into the dominance of the Premier League's big six. With mentions of course for Bournemouth, Sunderland, Brighton, Brentford, Crystal Palace etc observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

This week's 'How It All Played Out' looks at the dramatic fall of Mary Decker in her clash with Zola Budd and shows how Budd was exploited from the start of her career under a GB flag of convenience.. By me and Mark Pougatch.... podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/w...

So good it makes you think in Alan's voice. www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

On long throws... The victims are currently bamboozled by them, but their analysts will jump on it, so their players attack the first ball, and/or don't let the second one fall to the opposition.

With Liverpool's troubled start Mark Pougatch and I recalled previous examples of title defences starting badly - and looked beyond metrics to the human element, on 'How It All Played Out.' podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

Truro City fans made a record 914-mile round trip, only to see their team lose a two-goal lead and draw 2-2. Heroes, all.

There's an architectural arms race with Europe's biggest stadiums. As Barcelona prepare to return home next month, a piece on football's building boom.. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Why the Mo Salah debate masks the bigger problem of Liverpool's switch-off. A piece from Brentford for @theobserveruk.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Here at Brentford... It's easy to focus on team selection and transfer trading but so many of these Liverpool players aren't doing their jobs. Brentford were superb. 3-2 ft.

How to get an embarrassing tantrum published - here, by the BBC...

Some facts.. observer.co.uk/news/nationa...

Tom Peck in The Times on Vote Leave campaign director and snappy dresser Dominic Cummings...

Labour responds to @theobserveruk.bsky.social's story tonight

With a Clasico on Sunday, this week's 'How It All Played Out' challenges some myths around the world's most irresistible club game. By me, Mark Pougatch and special guest Guillem Balague.. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/m...

There's an architectural arms race with Europe's biggest stadiums. As Barcelona prepare to return home next month, a piece on football's building boom.. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Britain is so in denial about its monarchical system that a Labour government thinks it should be up to the royal family to decide on 'prince' Andrew's punishment. You'd think it was our decision, not theirs.

After eight years as The i Paper's Chief Football Correspondent, my role has been made redundant. I'm currently freelancing. I source news and write in-depth features, interviews and analysis. Open to any opportunities so please get in touch. Email [email protected].

How two beautiful Aston Villa goals put politics back in its box for a few precious moments. Live piece from Spurs... observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

How two beautiful Aston Villa goals put politics back in its box for a few precious moments. Live piece from Spurs... observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Travelling around London for work today, I was struck by how much civility and consideration survives the march towards division and hatred. The people who stoke that (mostly for personal gain) can't be allowed to win.

"Relieved of his duties" is my favourite sacking euphemism. It makes Ange Postecoglou sound like a first World War general who's made a blunder on the Western Front.

Italia 90 was the dividing line between the death trap of the 1980s and the Premier League entertainment revolution. But how influential was it, really? This week's 'How It All Played Out,' with me and @markpougatch.bsky.social for @globalplayer.com podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/h...

The 7 basic plots of modern TV.. - True crime serial killer - Police procedural (serial killer) - Celebrity odyssey (eg up the Ganges) - Celebrity jeopardy (eg Traitors) - Influencer fly-on-wall - Gritty sweary comedy - Espionage labyrinth And some good stuff, eg Blue Lights, anything Partridge.

Care workers... The dangerous path Britain is on as the immigration debate mutates into xenophobia.

How Wayne Rooney liberated his voice and his personality by talking - after the long silent siege of his playing career. Commentary for @theobserveruk.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

How close is a cure for MND? With Lewis Moody's diagnosis I spoke to experts on the front-line about recent cases in sport. For @theobserveruk.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/nationa...

How close is a cure for MND? With Lewis Moody's diagnosis I spoke to experts on the front-line about recent cases in sport. For @theobserveruk.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/nationa...

Not sure why fans should be the only people you can't criticise (Tuchel, Wembley). God knows everyone else in sport gets stick.

In this week's 'How It All Played Out' by me and Mark Pougatch, how Barry McGuigan united Ireland in a time of murderous conflict. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

In the replies to this there's a long list of people struck down. Thanks to all those who contributed. Should say - this isn't just about people in sport. Every expert says the challenge is one of underfunding for research/a cure.

A pet theory of mine... The golden age of creativity in sport (roughly, 1965-75) - in 'How It All Played Out,' by me and @markpougatch.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/h...

Naples is proving quite restorative for players discarded in Manchester... McTominay, De Bruyne, even Hojlund.