Ex-MLS coach Adrian Heath thought the offer of a coaching job in Saudi Arabia could be a logical next career step. Instead, it led to the former Everton player being kidnapped in Morocco, held at knifepoint, and left fearing for his life. @paultenorio.bsky.social

Another Champions League win. Both strikers on the scoresheet. Top two confirmed. All in all, about as well as a trip to San Siro that could have gone for Arsenal. @gunnerblog.bsky.social, Stuart James & @anantaajith.bsky.social break down the talking points ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...

Post-match thoughts from Inter 1-3 Arsenal w/ Stuart James and @gunnerblog.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social - Clinical Jesus - A set-piece special - What Inter did well - Gyokeres scores www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...

Post-match thoughts from NEW 0-2 MCI in the Carabao Cup w/ @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social & Sam Lee for @theathleticfc.bsky.social - Bernardo crucial again - The disallowed goal - Semenyo's impact - Cup rule change - City's gameplan - Where this leaves Newcastle www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...

Atletico 1-2 Real Madrid: post-match thoughts with @dermotmcorrigan.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social - Valverde's rocket - Rodrygo rediscovering his form - Madrid's shaky defending - What this means for Alonso www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...

Ivory Coast 1-1 Cameroon: immediate thoughts with Carl Anka for @theathleticfc.bsky.social: - Ivory Coast's midfield - Amad's stunning finish - Mbeumo's importance - Wayward finishing www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...

Instant thoughts from Morocco 2-0 Comoros in the #AFCON2025 opener w/ @eduardotansley.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social: - Hosts struggle but find a way in 2nd half - How good was El Kaabi's goal? 🚲 - Brahim Diaz's importance - Is there hope for Comoros? www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...

Why Eddie Howe switched Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes in the 2-1 victory against Manchester City, and how it empowered Newcastle's attacking transitions. www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...

Nobody who was at the Stade de France on 13 November 2015 will ever be able to forget it. Ten years on from the terror attacks that traumatised a nation, here’s an account of what happened for @theathleticfc.bsky.social seen through the eyes of those who were there www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...

😱 Brentford 3 Newcastle 1: Briefing ... 😱 ⚫️So much for the "period of reflection." ⚪️Abysmal away form - #NUFC are soft. ⚫️Barnes' goal ⚪️Burn's red w/ @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social @anantaajith.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/6787431/2025/11/09/brentford-3-newcastle-1-howe-away-form-burn-sent-off

📍Gtech Community Stadium for Brentford-Newcastle @theathleticfc.bsky.social

FT thoughts on LIV 1-0 RMA with @jamespearcelfc.bsky.social & @dermotmcorrigan.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social - Wirtz impresses, Bradley shines - Courtois' annual masterclass vs LIV - PL set-piece magic strikes - Was that a penalty? - Corner turned? www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...

Seismic moment for India at the Women's World Cup - deserved champions after two incredible performances in the semifinals against Australia and South Africa tonight 👏 Brief summary for @theathletic.com @nytimes.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...

Checking in on the new signings and their contributions early in the season ⏬

Unai Emery’s biggest strength has long been his aptitude to coach subtle nuances into his teams. The positions of his midfielders against Manchester City, for a third straight home game, were critical in beating Pep. Piece out now on @theathleticfc.bsky.social #AVFC www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...

www.nytimes.com/athletic/675... By @cerysjoneswriter.bsky.social and @anantaajith.bsky.social

Is Liverpool's Premier League title defence already over? Analysis from Brentford 3-2 Liverpool, by @adjones-journo.bsky.social, @anantaajith.bsky.social & Tim Spiers 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...

With the first Clasico of 2025-26 tomorrow, @thom-harris.bsky.social & I looked at 4 tactical issues that could prove crucial for @theathleticfc.bsky.social - Madrid's pace v Barca's high line - Yamal v Carreras - Could corners be decisive? - Out-of-possession flaws www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...

The latest Alternative PL Table for @theathleticfc.bsky.social looks at big chances created and converted for all 20 teams, breaking down which players are creating/receiving the most - Palace lead the way - Man City's Haaland reliance - Wolves' woes ... and more ⏬ www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...

Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus post-match thoughts with @dermotmcorrigan.bsky.social and @jacklang.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social: - Bellingham’s goal - Guler vs Yildiz - McKennie’s steady display - Courtois shines - What this means for both teams www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...

Another game, another back-post goal conceded for Liverpool. I wrote this piece earlier in the week on that very issue. www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...

Forest 0-3 Chelsea post-match thoughts with @sjohnsonsport.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social: - Acheampong's big moment - Guiu shines off the bench - Santos struggles www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...

🔲 Why Ross Wilson as sporting director? 👀 🔳 #NUFC academy in focus 🔍 🔲 @georgecaulkin.bsky.social i/ws Steve Harper 🗣️ 🔳 Lasses™️ new home report 🏟️ 🔲 Brighton bound (Waugh, too...) ⬇️ 🔳 Woltemade = ⚽ 🎧 New free-to-listen Midweek @podonthetyne.bsky.social w/ Taylor Payne: pod.fo/e/33decc

This week's Alternative Premier League Table is all about fouls and bookings Key takeaways: 🔴 Man Utd & Arsenal the only teams yet to be booked for dissent ⚫️ Newcastle lead in fouls in the att 3rd 🔵 Man City exercising more control than 2024-25 More below @theathleticfc.bsky.social ⏬

The Premier League is returning. So too is our alternative table. This week, we rank the teams by fouls conceded — Marco Silva's Fulham and Vitor Pereira's Wolves lead the way. ✍️ @anantaajith.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...

We need to talk about Adam Wharton. www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜’𝐬 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲 We asked the game’s dealmakers about: ▪️ Best and worst deals ▪️ Under-the-radar signings that could surprise people ▪️ Will more players go on strike?

A day in the life of the worst football team in the world www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

🔮 Europe & South America's World Cup duopoly will end 🔮 London clubs will move out of the city/share grounds 🔮 The USMNT will be a serious force 🔮 Fewer top managers will be ex-players @zonal-marking.bsky.social looks at some expectations about football from 25 years ago.

Enzo Maresca said #CFC didn’t have a discipline problem last season. He is saying the same this season. The numbers say otherwise. No PL club has more bookings over the last 3 years. More here from myself, @reallycerys.bsky.social & @anantaajith.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...

Wrote about the incredible synergy between Messi and Alba, creating a near-unstoppable two-man combo, and how it evolved from their first season together in 2012-13, all the way to the present day in Miami for @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...

Boca Juniors coach Miguel Angel Russo has died at the age of 69, the Argentine club said on Wednesday.

A breakdown of why Liverpool are in a mini-funk heading into the intl break w/ @adjones-journo.bsky.social & @greggevans40.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social - Teams shutting down Gravenberch - Issues out wide & out of possession - Substitution inconsistency www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

For 45 mins, Everton looked laboured & tactically confused. The rejigged setup did not work Then came the HT adjustments & fightback. Alcaraz, in particular, superb This felt like the new stadium's first proper 'Goodison' moment www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool post-match thoughts with @adjones-journo.bsky.social and @sjohnsonsport.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social: - Liverpool errors and Caicedo's rocket - Chelsea's defensive crisis - How did Mamardashvili do? www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

Is Antoine Semenyo the best player in the Premier League right now? The Bournemouth star scores with his right foot, scores with his left and is asking every team he faces — including Fulham last night — some serious questions 📝 @anantaajith.bsky.social 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

Few better players to watch live in the Premier League right now than Antoine Semenyo Two great goals - one with either foot -, a constant threat with the ball and incredible work-rate without it Simply thrilling @theathleticfc.bsky.social

Everybody's favourite football metric xG drives this week's Alternative PL Table for @theathleticfc.bsky.social A deep dive into how and how well teams create opportunities, where they take their shots from and why some have struggled while others have thrived ⬇️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

Another reminder last night of the gaps in this Everton squad. West Ham noticeably quicker & sharper in key areas & exploited #EFC's makeshift right flank Diouf, a standout at left back, an example of what Moyes' side are missing @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

Pep Guardiola said after City 5-1 Burnley that Nico O'Reilly's run at the start of the 2nd half "sent a message" about their playing style Broke down why that was the case and how O'Reilly symbolizes Guardiola's use of ball-carriers for @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/666...

🔙 Gabriel’s redemption arc 🤔 Why did VAR overturn Gyokeres’ penalty? 💪 Woltemade’s ruthless efficiency After Arsenal's dramatic late comeback win at Newcastle, @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social , Art de Roche & @anantaajith.bsky.social take a look at the talking points ⤵️ 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

Wrote a quick #MCIBUR preview for @fotmob.com, which includes some crazy stats on Erling Haaland's start to the season and City's dominant record against the Clarets: www.fotmob.com/en-GB/topnew...

Nutrition plays a crucial role in performance. Story here on how the Red Roses have tackled nutrition during the Women's Rugby World Cup 🌹🍽️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/654...

We often say that the most entertaining games of football are played at a “good tempo”. For @theathleticfc.bsky.social, I tried to quantify exactly what that is, and which Premier League teams play with a fast and slow tempo. Link below! www.nytimes.com/athletic/662...

Long balls have long been a fruitful strategy to bypass presses But after briefly going out of fashion as controlled possession grew, it's back for good in the PL I break down how each team uses them in this week's Alternative Table for @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...

Marcus Rashford's Barcelona loan spell has lift-off. Newcastle, in typical fashion, started aggressively, but Barcelona are too good a side to be dominated for long and the moment the visitors were waiting for arrived in the 58th minute from a familiar face. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...

Newcastle 1-2 Barcelona post-match thoughts with @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social: - Lift-off for Rashford - The Schar question - What did both teams learn? www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...

▪️ Where does this leave Thomas Tuchel and England? ▪️ How did Morgan Rogers spark England into life? ▪️ What was the atmosphere like? ▪️ Was this an Anthony Barry masterclass? @jackpittbrooke.bsky.social and @anantaajith.bsky.social dissect the main talking points after England's victory in Serbia.

Throughout Ruben Amorim’s tenure, Manchester United’s wide combinations have been present, but other tactical problems, poor execution and the lack of a reliable goalscorer have impacted their productivity. Piece on United's wide combinations involving the No 6. www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...

⚫ Averages PL-high 0.21 xG per shot ⚪ Impeccable timing when arriving in the area ⚫ 2nd-most headed goals last season in PL, despite being 5'8" ⚪ Can play with & instead of Woltemade 👀 What Yoane Wissa brings to #NUFC, via @anantaajith.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...