Nottingham Forest beat Manchester City 3-1, City's third league defeat in a row, leaving them six points behind Arsenal

34 stories 62 sources

Signals on this beat

New teams still learning High ↑

Manchester City's manager said he and his players still need to know each other. [2]
Australia's football coach said his squad has few chances to be together. [55]
Wales's rugby coach blamed rust from a long break. [29]

Coaches under pressure Building ↑

Sacking Ohio State's coach, Ryan Day, would cost the university about $75m. [16]
Nebraska fired its attacking coach after 4 defeats in a row. [20]
Aberdeen fans called for their manager to go after a 4-0 home defeat. [49]

Video reviews deciding games High →

A video review denied Arsenal a penalty because Kai Havertz was ruled offside. [8]
Tottenham will complain after a review cleared a Leeds player of a red card. [47]
A review overturned a UCF touchdown before UCF won anyway. [62]

Rain and fog in charge Building ↑

Heavy rain stretched Formula One qualifying in Brazil to 2 and a half hours. [31]
Rain ended India's chase in Wellington and the result went to a formula. [38]
Fog at Altrincham hid the far side of the pitch from commentators. [46]

The stories

34 on this beat today.

Every story told the same way: what happened, who is involved, why it matters, how it works, the truth and the good news.

01
Nottingham Forest beat Manchester City 3-1, City's third league defeat in a row, leaving them six points behind Arsenal

6

points between leaders Arsenal and second-placed City

City won their first 7 games, then lost 3 in a row [2]

15.49 vs 6

Forest's expected points against the points they had before Saturday

Forest then scored 3 against City, more than in their previous 6 home games combined [5]

1986

the last time Man United were in the bottom 3 this late in a season

their manager then, Ron Atkinson, was sacked that November [9]

34

1-0 wins for Arsenal under Mikel Arteta

no club has more since he arrived in 2019 [8]
What happened
- Nottingham Forest beat Manchester City 3-1 at Forest's City Ground on Saturday. [2]
- City have now lost 3 league games in a row, after winning their first 7. [2]
- City stay second in the Premier League but are 6 points behind the leaders, Arsenal. [1]
- Forest's Jair Cunha took the ball off City defender Josko Gvardiol and scored in the 6th minute. [2]
- Liam Delap ran from his own half to make it 2-0 in the 18th minute. [2]
- Rayan Cherki pulled one back for City early in the second half. [2]
- Delap then scored again on a fast break, from a pass by Morgan Gibbs-White. [1]
- Delap spent 10 years in City's academy, its school for young players, before leaving in 2019. [5]
- Forest bought him from Chelsea in the summer for £45m, the Athletic says. [1] The BBC puts the fee at £50m. [5]
- Before Saturday he had scored 1 goal from 24 shots in his first 8 games for Forest. [5]
- Gvardiol lost the ball for the first goal. [3] Two City players, Iliman Ndiaye and Elliot Anderson, got in a muddle for the second. [3]
- City still had 78% of the ball and 33 touches in Forest's penalty area, to Forest's 14. [11]
- City's manager, Enzo Maresca, said: "In the first half we lost all the duels." [4]
- Maresca replaced Pep Guardiola, the club's most successful manager, this summer. [2]
- Maresca said of his players: "They need to know me and I need to know them." [2]
- Earlier on Saturday, Arsenal beat Hull 1-0 with a goal from their captain, Martin Odegaard. [7]
- It was Arsenal's 34th 1-0 win under manager Mikel Arteta, who arrived in 2019. [8]
- Arsenal have 27 points from 10 games, equal to their best start under Arteta. [8]
- A video review denied Arsenal a penalty because Kai Havertz was ruled offside. [8]
- Forest's win pushed Manchester United down to 18th, into the bottom 3. [10]
- The bottom 3 clubs at the end of the season drop down a division. [9]
- United have not been there this late in a season since November 1986. [9] Their manager then, Ron Atkinson, was sacked. [9]
- United have 7 points, the SI table shows. [10]
- Forest have 9 points and are 16th; Sunderland are bottom with 5. [10]
Who is involved
- Liam Delap Forest's striker, raised in City's academy; scored twice
- Josko Gvardiol lost the ball, first goal
- Ndiaye and Anderson mix-up, second goal
- Enzo Maresca City's manager since the summer, when he replaced Pep Guardiola; has lost 3 in a row
- Oliver Glasner Forest's Austrian manager; won his first home league game with the club
- Mikel Arteta Arsenal's manager since 2019; his team are 6 points clear
- Michael Carrick Manchester United's manager; his team are now in the bottom 3
How it unfolded
1. First 7 games 7 wins
2. Next 3 games 3 defeats
3. This summer Maresca replaces Guardiola
4. Saturday a 3rd defeat in a row
5. 7 Nov Forest beat City 3-1; United fall into the bottom 3 [2]
6. Now United in the bottom 3 again
7. Sunday Brighton v Brentford
8. In 3 weeks City visit leaders Arsenal [1]
9. 24 Oct City have won all 7 league games [1]
10. Next 2 games City lose 2-1 at Aston Villa and 1-0 to Brighton [1]
Why it matters

City go into the international break, when national teams play, 6 points adrift. [3]
Only 2 teams have been this far behind after 10 games and still won the title, the BBC says. [3]

How it works

Analysts use expected points: what a team's chances would usually earn it. [5]
Forest's chances were worth 15.49 points, but they had only 6 before Saturday. [5] So the table made them look worse than they played. [5]

Seen it before

A pupil can fail one test on a bad day, but a year of marks shows how good they are.
The truth
- What is really going on Manchester City changed their manager this summer, won their first 7 league games, and have now lost 3 in a row to fall 6 points behind Arsenal. [2][1]Arsenal, under the same manager since 2019, won 1-0 for the 34th time in his reign. [8]
- Why it works on people Three defeats in a row for a famous club feel like proof of a collapse, though City are still second after 10 games.
- Maresca says City had the better chances in all 3 defeats. [4] The Athletic says Forest fully deserved this win. [6]
- Who gains Arsenal — City's third defeat in a row lets Arsenal go into the international break 6 points clear. [3]
- Who pays Michael Carrick, Manchester United's manager — Falling into the bottom 3 puts his job in doubt, and ESPN says a defeat by Villa could end it. [9]
- Nobody knows yet
  What punishment Manchester City face for breaking the Premier League's money rules.
  
  City have appealed against the guilty verdict, and the possible sanctions are not yet known. [3]
What comes next

If Brighton beat Brentford on Sunday, City drop to third. [1] City visit Arsenal in 3 weeks. [1]

02
Argentina take World Cup bans to sport's court
What happened
- Argentina's football association will take FIFA's World Cup final punishments to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. [12]
- CAS, as the court is known, is a sports court based in Lausanne. [13]
- FIFA's appeals committee kept Paredes's 10-match ban. [12]
- It cut team-mate Nahuel Molina's ban from 7 games to 4. [13]
- The FA's $321,000 fine for its fans' discriminatory chants also stands. [13]
Who is involved
- Argentina's FA appealing
- FIFA kept the ban
How it unfolded

Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final, almost 4 months ago. [13]
At the final whistle, Leandro Paredes threw a Spanish player to the ground and grabbed his throat. [13]
1. End of Nov CAS rules on Morocco v Senegal
2. Later Argentina's case
Why it matters

In August, FIFA agreed that friendlies would count towards the bans, as Argentina had asked. [14]

How it works

Sports lawyers call this a fresh review: CAS can judge the whole case again from the start. [13]
So Argentina's FA will first ask FIFA for the grounds of its decisions, then take them to CAS. [13]

Seen it before

A pupil who disputes a mark first asks the teacher how it was given, then takes it higher.
The truth
- Argentina's FA says it has strong enough arguments, but its statement does not say what they are. [13]
- Nobody knows yet
  Whether CAS will cut Leandro Paredes's 10-match ban.
  
  Argentina's FA must first get FIFA's written grounds, and CAS is still deciding the Morocco and Senegal case. [13][14]
What comes next

CAS is still deciding another final's case, Morocco against Senegal, by the end of November. [14]
03
Oregon rout Ohio State; Day's $75m contract
What happened
- Oregon beat Ohio State 41-28 at Ohio State's own stadium on Saturday. [15]
- Ohio State led 14-0 early, then let in 38 points in a row. [16]
- Freshman quarterback Luke Fahey has lost both games he has started since Julian Sayin hurt his arm. [15]
- Ohio State have not lost 3 regular-season games since 2011. [15]
Who is involved
- Luke Fahey freshman, 0-2 as starter
- Julian Sayin injured first choice
How it unfolded

Coach Ryan Day won the national title in 2025 and has an 87-14 record. [16]

Why it matters

Ohio State's only route into the College Football Playoff is now the Big Ten title game, Sporting News says. [15]

How it works

Sports lawyers call it a buyout: a school that sacks a coach without cause still owes his guaranteed pay. [16]
Day is contracted until 2031, so sacking him now would cost about $75m. [16]

Seen it before

Ending a phone contract early can mean paying for all the months that are left.
The truth
- Day's critics point to his 2-4 record against Michigan, Ohio State's great rivals. [16]
- Who gains Ryan Day, Ohio State's coach — A contract that would cost about $75m to end without cause makes him very expensive to sack. [16]
04
Hutchinson wins a world title at last
What happened
- Scotland's Willy Hutchinson beat Joshua Buatsi in Manchester to win the WBC light-heavyweight world title. [21]
- The judges scored it 117-112, 115-113 and 115-113. [21]
- Sporting News's ringside scorer also had it 115-113 to Hutchinson. [22]
- The arena's upper tier was closed because tickets sold slowly. [21]
Who is involved
- Willy Hutchinson new WBC champion
- Joshua Buatsi beaten
How it unfolded

It was a rematch: Buatsi beat Hutchinson in 2024 and knocked him down twice. [21]
The fight began as one for a stand-in 'interim' title. [21]
1. 2024 Buatsi wins
2. Saturday Hutchinson wins
3. 12 Dec Bivol v Smith
4. Then a possible all-belts fight
Why it matters

Hutchinson is Britain's first light-heavyweight world champion since 2017, the BBC says. [21]

How it works

In boxing, an interim title is a stand-in belt. [21] It can become the real one if the champion gives his up. [21]
Champion David Benavidez moved up a weight, so Saturday's interim fight was upgraded to one for the full title. [21]

Seen it before

A vice-captain who stands in all season takes the armband for good when the captain leaves.
The truth
- Who gains Willy Hutchinson — David Benavidez giving up the belt turned his interim title fight into one for the full WBC title. [21]
Good news
- Willy Hutchinson wrote in a book at 13 that he would become a world champion. On Saturday in Manchester, at 28, he won the WBC light-heavyweight title.
What comes next

He may fight the winner of Dmitry Bivol against Callum Smith on 12 December. [21]
05
Khawaja says Smith talked him out of speaking
What happened
- Usman Khawaja, a retired Australia batsman, says Steve Smith talked him out of going public in 2018. [42]
- Khawaja says the whole team knew, including the 4 bowlers who denied it in 2021. [42]
- He made the claims in Instagram videos before his book, Sabr, comes out on Tuesday. [41]
- Khawaja said: "I haven't thrown anyone under the bus." [41]
Who is involved
- Usman Khawaja retired Australia batsman
- Steve Smith captain in 2018
- Pat Cummins bowler
- Josh Hazlewood bowler
- Mitchell Starc bowler
- Nathan Lyon bowler
How it unfolded

In 2018, Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were banned over sandpaper used on the ball. [42]
1. 2018 Smith, Warner, Bancroft banned
2. 2021 bowlers deny knowing
3. Now Khawaja's book
Why it matters

Pat Cummins, Australia's captain now, faces fresh questions over his honesty, The Age says. [43]
The truth
- Cricket Australia says there will be no new inquiry, though its officials have known of the material for a while. [43]
- The bowlers' representatives declined to comment. [43] The coach in 2018, Darren Lehmann, disputes that everyone knew. [43]
- Who pays Australia's 2018 bowlers — Khawaja's claim that everyone knew puts their 2021 denial back under question. [42]
- Nobody knows yet
  Whether Cricket Australia will reopen the 2018 sandpaper inquiry.
  
  CA says there will be no new inquiry, and the four bowlers' representatives declined to comment. [43]
06
All Blacks pull away from Scotland
What happened
- New Zealand beat Scotland 43-21 at Murrayfield in Edinburgh on Saturday. [26]
- The Nations Championship is rugby's new tournament, with a northern and a southern table. [25]
- Scotland's hooker Ewan Ashman scored 3 tries in the first half. [25]
- But New Zealand won the second half 19-0. [27]
- Beauden Barrett, 35, scored twice and now has 50 Test tries. [27]
Who is involved
- Beauden Barrett 35, now 50 Test tries
How it unfolded

Scotland have still never beaten New Zealand. [26]

Why it matters

New Zealand are 4-0 and race unbeaten South Africa for the southern place in the 29 November final. [26]

How it works

Coaches call it the lineout drive: kick a penalty to the corner, throw the ball in, then push over together. [25]
All but 1 of the 7 first-half tries featured a lineout from a penalty kicked to the corner. [25]

Seen it before

Friends pushing a stuck car together move it further than any of them could alone.
07
Springboks score 66 in Turin; France beat Fiji
What happened
- South Africa, the world champions, beat Italy 66-7 in Turin on Saturday. [28]
- The Springboks scored 9 tries, all converted, and led 45-0 at half-time. [28]
- Fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu kicked 10 out of 10 and scored 26 points. [28]
- Italy were without several injured regulars. [28]
- France beat Fiji 54-17 to go top of the northern table. [25]
- France's fly-half Romain Ntamack seemed to dislocate his shoulder. [25]
Who is involved
- Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 26 points, kicked 10 of 10
Why it matters

France will face the world champions without either of their two best fly-halves, the Guardian says. [25]

How it works

Tournaments rank teams level on wins by points difference: points scored minus points let in. [28]
South Africa and New Zealand have both won 4 out of 4 in the southern table. [25] The 66-7 win stretched South Africa's lead over New Zealand on points difference. [28]

Seen it before

Two pupils with the same mark can be split by who got the bonus question right.

What comes next

France play South Africa in Paris on Friday. [28]

08
Wales scrape past Japan
What happened
- Wales beat Japan 28-21 in Cardiff, in their first Test since July. [30]
- Winger Josh Adams scored 2 tries, the winner in the 69th minute. [30]
- In the last minute he won a penalty deep in his own half that stopped Japan drawing. [30]
- Wales lost 5 lineouts, the throw-ins that restart play. [30]
- Japan's coach Eddie Jones said: "That could have been a historic win for us." [30]
Who is involved
- Josh Adams 2 tries for Wales
How it unfolded

Japan have never won in Cardiff. [30] Their win over Wales in July last year ended a Welsh run of 18 Test defeats. [30]

Why it matters

The narrow win leaves Wales with 2 wins and 2 defeats before New Zealand come to Cardiff. [30]
How it works
Why a team of new arrivals plays like strangers

Psychologists who study teams call it team familiarity: players who have played together know each other's next move, and only games together build that.

The twist

A club can buy talent in a day, but players learn where each other will be only by playing many games together.

The picture

Arsenal's managersince 2019
City's managersince summer
Arsenal's manager has had years with his players, and City's has had months. Arsenal lead the league; City have lost 3 in a row.
Step by step
1. A team changes its manager or many of its players
2. Nobody yet knows where the others will run or pass
3. Small mix-ups follow: a pass to nobody, a gap at the back
4. Only games played together build the shared picture
5. Teams that stay together make fewer mix-ups
The same force, elsewhere today

Where this chain is also running, in today's other stories.
- Manchester City's 5-0 win in the WSL
  
  Lauren Hemp said she and Khadija Shaw just click, through a connection built over time, and they have now combined for 5 goals this season.
- Newcastle's draw at Fulham
  
  Matthias Jaissle replaced Eddie Howe just before the season, and his players again showed little of the high-energy style he wants.
- Wales's narrow win over Japan
  
  Coach Steve Tandy said his side looked clunky in their first Test since July, because time apart undoes some of what playing together builds.
- Australia's football squad for Jordan
  
  Coach Tony Popovic said the team has few chances to be together, and 7 new players now have to learn his plan in one camp.
Where you've seen this

Surgery teams

a surgeon who works with the same nurses often needs fewer words to ask for the next tool

A school band

players who rehearse together all year come in on time without looking at each other

Building crews

a crew that has built many houses together knows who carries what, so a new crew is slower at first

The catch

Familiarity is one cause among many: City won their first 7 games with the same new group, and Forest won with a new manager too.

And the whole of it

The same learning goes on in any new class, job or family, and most readers have been the new arrival in one of them. From the stands, a fan sees the misplaced pass, not the months of getting to know each other that would have stopped it.
What comes next

Japan play England next weekend. [30]

09
Shaw's hat-trick puts City top of the WSL
What happened
- Khadija Shaw scored 3 goals as Manchester City beat West Ham 5-0 in the Women's Super League. [44]
- At the same time, Chelsea drew 1-1 at home with Everton. [44]
- Chelsea had 20 shots, and Everton did not have one on target. [44]
- Shaw has 12 goals in 9 league games, 2 short of Vivianne Miedema's record of 97. [44]
- City's Lauren Hemp said her link with Shaw is "a connection we've built over time". [44]
Who is involved
- Khadija Shaw 12 goals in 9 games
Why it matters

City are now 2 points clear of Chelsea, whom they play next Saturday. [44]

How it works

Lauren Hemp said she and Khadija Shaw just click, through a connection built over time, and they have now combined for 5 goals this season.
The idea, in story 08: Why a team of new arrivals plays like strangers →
10
Rain hands India a 4-run win
What happened
- India beat New Zealand by 4 runs in Wellington after rain stopped the match. [38]
- New Zealand were bowled out for 134 in a game cut to 47 overs a side. [40]
- India, chasing 135, were 113 for 7 after 26 overs when the rain came. [38]
- Gurnoor Brar took 4 wickets for 30 runs and was player of the match. [38]
- India's batters hit 78 of their 113 runs in boundaries, Cricinfo says. [39]
- New Zealand have now lost the toss 6 times out of 7 on this tour. [39]
- India lead the 5-match series 2-0. [38]
Who is involved
- Gurnoor Brar 4 wickets for 30 runs
Why it matters

The first game of the series was also decided by rain rules, so rain has shaped both results. [38]

How it works

Cricket settles rain-cut one-day games with the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, called DLS. [40]
When rain ends a chase, DLS compares the score with a 'par score' for that moment. [38] India were 4 runs above it, so they won. [38]

Seen it before

If a race is stopped early, you can still check who was ahead of the pace they needed.
The truth
- India needed 23 more runs with 3 wickets left, so nobody can know who would have won. [38]
11
Alabama beat LSU in Baton Rouge
What happened
- Alabama, ranked 5th, beat LSU, ranked 14th, 31-13 in Baton Rouge on Saturday night. [17]
- Quarterback Keelon Russell came back from the injury tent with a taped ankle and threw 3 touchdown passes. [17]
- Alabama scored the last 21 points after LSU led for the only time. [17]
- It was LSU's 3rd defeat of the season and its first at home. [18]
- Lane Kiffin, in his first year as LSU coach, was hired to take them to the College Football Playoff. [18]
Who is involved
- Keelon Russell 3 touchdown passes on a taped ankle
- Lane Kiffin LSU coach, first year
Why it matters

LSU must now beat Texas on 14 November and Tennessee on 21 November to keep a chance. [18]
12
Norris takes pole in Brazil's flooded qualifying
What happened
- Lando Norris will start first in Sunday's Sao Paulo Grand Prix after the fastest qualifying lap. [31]
- Heavy rain stretched qualifying to 2 and a half hours. [31]
- Mercedes driver George Russell said: "The visibility was zero." [32]
- Lewis Hamilton starts 20th and Max Verstappen 21st after taking new engines. [31]
- Kimi Antonelli, the new world champion, starts 2nd after Russell's 5-place penalty. [31]
Who is involved
- Lando Norris McLaren, starts first
Why it matters

Mercedes win the teams' title on Sunday if they outscore Ferrari by 3 points. [31]

How it works

F1 calls it a grid penalty: places lost at the start for fitting a new engine part. [31]
Charles Leclerc was 4th fastest, but a 10-place penalty for a new engine puts him 14th. [31]

Seen it before

A runner who breaks a rule before a race still runs, but from the back.
The truth
- Who gains Mercedes — Engine penalties push both Ferraris down the grid, and Mercedes take the teams' title if they outscore Ferrari by 3 points. [31]
What comes next

More rain is forecast for the race. [31]
13
Alcaraz and Shelton meet again in Paris
What happened
- Carlos Alcaraz beat Casper Ruud 6-4 6-4 to reach the Paris Masters final for the first time. [33]
- Alcaraz missed 4 months this year with a wrist injury. [33]
- He comes into the final on a run of 8 wins in a row. [33]
- Alcaraz said: "I'm ready to take on Ben Shelton in the final." [33]
How it unfolded

He plays Ben Shelton, who knocked him out of the US Open in a 5-set match in September. [33]
1. September Shelton beats Alcaraz
2. Sunday Paris final
Why it matters

Shelton has also reached 6 finals this year, as many as Alcaraz. [33]
14
Rybakina pulls out of the WTA Finals
What happened
- World number one Elena Rybakina has pulled out of the WTA Finals with a viral illness. [34]
- She was due to start defending her title in Indian Wells on Sunday. [34]
- Rybakina won the Australian Open and the US Open this year. [34]
- She won 54 of her 68 matches this season. [34]
- She said: "My body is just not physically ready to compete." [34]
Who is involved
- Elena Rybakina won the Australian and US Opens
Why it matters

She was trying to be the first to win the event 2 years running since 2014, when Serena Williams did. [34]
15
Real Madrid draw level with Barcelona
What happened
- Real Madrid won 3-0 at Valencia to go level on points with Barcelona at the top of Spain's league. [50]
- Kylian Mbappe scored for the 7th match running. [50]
- It was Madrid's 8th win in a row under coach Jose Mourinho. [50]
- In Germany, Bayern Munich beat Mainz 2-1, but goalkeeper Manuel Neuer made another error. [50]
- It was Neuer's 5th mistake leading to a goal in 17 games, after 10 in the 248 before. [50]
Who is involved
- Jose Mourinho Real Madrid coach
Why it matters

Barcelona play Atletico Madrid, 3rd, on Sunday to try to move clear again. [50]
They will be without midfielder Rodri, who has a hamstring injury. [51]

How it works

Sports scientists call it load management: limiting a player's minutes so the body can recover. [51]
Rodri had played in each of Barcelona's last 14 games, starting 11 of the last 12. [51]

Seen it before

A runner who trains every day with no rest often has tired legs on race day.
The truth
- Coach Hansi Flick says he agreed Rodri's minutes with him. [51] Sports Illustrated says the injury is not necessarily from his playing time. [51]
- Nobody knows yet
  Whether Rodri's injury came from playing too much.
  
  Hansi Flick says the minutes were agreed with the player, while critics point to 11 starts in 12 games. [51]
16
Non-league Kidderminster knock out Doncaster
What happened
- Non-league Kidderminster beat League One Doncaster 3-0 in the FA Cup first round. [45]
- Kidderminster's manager, Paul Wotton, said Doncaster play 2 leagues higher. [45]
- League Two Exeter won 2-1 at League One leaders Huddersfield. [45]
- Reading beat Peterborough 5-0, with Charlie Savage scoring against his father Robbie's team. [45]
- In thick fog at Altrincham, the commentators could not see the far side of the pitch. [46]
- Altrincham led 2-1, but Notts County equalised late and won on penalties. [46]
Who is involved
- Paul Wotton Kidderminster manager
- Charlie Savage scored for Reading
- Robbie Savage Peterborough manager
Why it matters

The wins put Kidderminster and Exeter into the second round at the expense of League One clubs. [45]
The truth
- Commentator Steve Bower said the game was "very, very close to getting called off". [46]
Good news
- Non-league Kidderminster beat Doncaster, a club two leagues higher, 3-0 to reach the FA Cup second round.
17
Leeds win; Spurs complain about a tackle
What happened
- Leeds beat Tottenham 1-0 with a late goal from substitute Noah Okafor. [47]
- It ended a run of 5 league games without a win for Leeds. [47]
- Manager Daniel Farke switched from 3-5-2 to 4-2-3-1, then 3-4-3, during the game. [47]
- Leeds's Jayden Bogle caught Mathys Tel on the Achilles, and Tel had to go off. [47]
- After a 4-minute video check, the video referee ruled the foul lacked the force for a red card. [8]
Why it matters

Tottenham's bid for 4 straight league wins, a first in 3 years, ended. [47]

How it works

Coaches call this a change of shape: the same players, moved into a new pattern on the pitch.
Farke's switch to a back 4 after half-time led to a long spell of Leeds pressure. [47]

Seen it before

A class that moves its desks into groups suddenly talks to different people.

What comes next

Tottenham will send a formal complaint to Pro Ref, the referees' body. [47]
18
Fulham and Newcastle share a late draw
What happened
- Fulham drew 1-1 with Newcastle after Rodrigo Muniz scored a late equaliser. [48]
- Jacob Murphy had scored for Newcastle in the 80th minute after a Fulham error. [48]
- It was Muniz's first league goal since August 2025. [48]
- Fulham's Alvaro Arbeloa and Newcastle's Matthias Jaissle are both young managers from abroad. [48] Jaissle replaced Eddie Howe just before the season. [48]
- Fulham's Josh King, 19, went off injured a day after his first England call-up. [48]
Who is involved
- Alvaro Arbeloa Fulham manager
- Matthias Jaissle Newcastle manager
- Josh King 19, hurt
How it unfolded

Jaissle had accused his players of not following instructions in Monday's defeat by Everton. [48]
1. Aug 2025 Muniz's last league goal
2. Saturday Muniz scores
Why it matters

Both clubs are too close to the bottom 3 for comfort, the Guardian says. [48]

How it works

Coaches call it man-to-man marking: each defender follows one attacker around the pitch.
Newcastle's marking forced Fulham to play long balls, which suited the strong Muniz. [48]

Seen it before

In a game of tag where everyone is guarded, the free move is a long throw over their heads.

Matthias Jaissle replaced Eddie Howe just before the season, and his players again showed little of the high-energy style he wants.
The idea, in story 08: Why a team of new arrivals plays like strangers →
19
Rangers close in; Aberdeen in trouble
What happened
- Rangers won 2-0 at St Mirren to move within 1 point of Celtic, the Scottish leaders. [49]
- Rangers are unbeaten in 12 games in all competitions. [49]
- Aberdeen lost 4-0 at home to Hibernian, and fans called for manager Stephen Robinson to go. [49]
- Robinson said: "I will keep fighting until told otherwise." [49]
Why it matters

On goal difference, Hibs moved above Aberdeen into 10th place. [49]

What comes next

Celtic go 4 points clear again if they beat Kilmarnock at home on Sunday. [49]
20
Utah and Kansas City win NWSL quarter-finals
What happened
- Utah Royals, 7th seeds, beat 2nd seeds San Diego Wave 1-0 in the NWSL quarter-finals. [52]
- It was Utah's first playoff win. [52]
- San Diego had 62% of the ball and 16 shots to Utah's 8. [52]
- Kansas City Current beat Angel City 1-0 with an extra-time penalty from Michelle Cooper. [52]
- Kansas City and Angel City had each scored 54 goals in the regular season, the joint most. [53]
- Kansas City were the only NWSL team unbeaten at home all regular season. [52]
Who is involved
- Michelle Cooper scored the extra-time penalty
Why it matters

San Diego have now lost 4 playoff games in a row. [52]
Good news
- Utah Royals won the first playoff game in their history, beating second seeds San Diego Wave 1-0.
What comes next

Kansas City play Gotham or Seattle in next weekend's semi-finals. [52]
21
Rahm leads in Abu Dhabi, McIlroy 2 back
What happened
- Jon Rahm leads the Abu Dhabi Championship by 1 shot going into Sunday's final round. [35]
- He shot 66 on Saturday to reach 18 under par. [35]
- McIlroy's 67 included a double-bogey 6 at the 10th hole. [36]
- Rory McIlroy is 2 shots back after a bogey at the 17th hole. [35]
- McIlroy's gap equals the 2-shot penalty he took on Thursday for improving where his ball lay. [35]
- 70 players started this $9m event, and the top 50 go on to next week's finals in Dubai. [35]
Who is involved
- Rory McIlroy 2 shots behind
- Jon Rahm leader
How it unfolded
1. Abu Dhabi 70 players
2. Next week, Dubai top 50
Why it matters

McIlroy is chasing a 5th straight season title on the European tour, which would tie Colin Montgomerie's record of 8. [35]
22
Wilson beats Higgins in China
What happened
- Kyren Wilson beat John Higgins 10-8 to win snooker's International Championship in China. [37]
- Higgins, 51, was trying to become the oldest winner of a ranking event. [37]
- Wilson won 3 frames in a row in the evening to lead 9-7. [37]
- It is the 12th ranking title of Wilson's career. [37]
Who is involved
- John Higgins 51, four-time world champion
How it unfolded

He also won the Northern Ireland Open 2 weeks ago. [37]
1. 2 weeks ago Northern Ireland Open
2. Saturday International Championship
Why it matters

Wilson is the 16th player to win ranking events back to back. [37]
23
Clarke stops former champion Billam-Smith
What happened
- Cheavon Clarke stopped former world champion Chris Billam-Smith in the 7th round in London. [23]
- It was the first time Billam-Smith had been stopped in his career. [23]
- Billam-Smith had been a nearly 5-to-1 betting favourite. [24]
- Only the lower tier of the Copper Box arena was open to fans. [23]
Who is involved
- Cheavon Clarke winner
- Chris Billam-Smith former world champion
How it unfolded

Clarke had also beaten him twice as an amateur, in 2016. [24]
1. 2016 Clarke wins twice as an amateur
2. Saturday Clarke wins as a pro
Why it matters

Clarke, now with 13 wins and 2 defeats, said he will take on anyone next. [23]
The truth
- Billam-Smith at once protested that the referee stopped it. [23]
24
Australia's football team picks a weakened squad
What happened
- Australia named a weakened squad for friendlies in Qatar on 13 November and in Jordan 3 days later. [55]
- The players' union said they had "overwhelmingly" asked for the Jordan game to be moved. [55]
- Captain Maty Ryan and veterans Jackson Irvine and Milos Degenek are left out. [55]
- The squad has 7 players who have never played for Australia. [55]
Who is involved
- Maty Ryan captain, left out
- Jackson Irvine left out
- Milos Degenek left out
How it unfolded

The games were meant to prepare for the Asian Cup, now moved from January to December 2027. [55]
1. 13 Nov Qatar v Australia, Doha
2. 3 days later Jordan v Australia, Amman
3. Was January the Asian Cup
4. Now December 2027 the Asian Cup
Why it matters

Indonesia cancelled its own friendly in Jordan, but Australia's game has not moved. [55]

How it works

Coach Tony Popovic said the team has few chances to be together, and 7 new players now have to learn his plan in one camp.
The idea, in story 08: Why a team of new arrivals plays like strangers →
The truth
- It is unclear whether senior players stayed away for safety reasons. [55]
- Nobody knows yet
  Whether Australia's men will play in Amman on 16 November.
  
  Football Australia says it is still assessing security, and it is unclear whether senior players chose to stay away. [55]
25
Ohio State keeps Wexner's name
What happened
- Ohio State University will keep Les Wexner's name on its football training building. [56]
- Wexner, a billionaire who founded L Brands, has given Ohio State more than $200m. [56]
- 512 petitions asked for his name to come off, citing his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. [56]
- Wexner denies wrongdoing and has not been charged with any crime. [56]
- A university committee had asked for a fuller review, but the provost ended the process. [56]
How it unfolded

Ohio State recently agreed to pay $100m to settle a case by survivors of former sports doctor Richard Strauss. [56]

Why it matters

Strauss survivor Steve Snyder-Hill said: "Basically, it was expected." [56]

How it works

University naming rules set a burden of proof: how much evidence is needed to remove a name. [56]
Ohio State's 2022 rule needs "substantial evidence" already in the public record, so unproven claims were not enough. [56]

Seen it before

A school will not take a name off its honours board because of a rumour.
The truth
- The university's own committee had written that "it is important to conduct a more fulsome review". [56]
- Who gains Les Wexner — Ohio State's rule needs substantial public evidence to remove a name, so the provost could end the review and keep it. [56]
- Who pays Strauss abuse survivors — Ending the review early keeps up a name that petitioners linked to the handling of Strauss abuse claims. [56]
26
Texas rally to beat Missouri
What happened
- Texas came from behind to beat Missouri, ranked 19th, 34-20 away from home. [19]
- Quarterback Arch Manning threw for 297 yards and 3 touchdowns. [19]
- Missouri led 20-13 before Texas scored the last 3 touchdowns. [19]
- Texas are 7-2 after 2 narrow defeats by unranked teams. [19]
Who is involved
- Arch Manning 297 yards, 3 touchdowns
Why it matters

The win keeps Texas in the playoff race before they visit LSU on 14 November. [18]
27
Nebraska sack their attacking coach
What happened
- Nebraska fired its attacking coach, Dana Holgorsen, after a 4th straight defeat. [20]
- Head coach Matt Rhule handed the play-calling to quarterbacks coach Glenn Thomas. [20]
- Nebraska scored at least 31 points in each of its first 5 games. [20] It failed to reach 18 in any of the next 4. [20]
- It lost 24-13 at Illinois on Friday despite 426 yards of offence. [20]
Who is involved
- Matt Rhule head coach
- Glenn Thomas now calls the plays
Why it matters

Nebraska are 5-4, with little time to turn the season round. [20]
The truth
- Who pays Dana Holgorsen — He lost his job as Nebraska's attacking coach after a run of 4 defeats, while the head coach stays. [20]
28
Allgaier wins his 2nd NASCAR second-tier title
What happened
- Justin Allgaier won the title in the O'Reilly Series, NASCAR's second tier, for the 2nd time. [54]
- He finished 7th in the final race at Homestead, enough to win by 14 points. [54]
- Defending champion Jesse Love came 2nd overall. [54]
- Brandon Jones won the race, Toyota's 700th NASCAR win. [54]
Who is involved
- Justin Allgaier 2-time champion
Why it matters

Allgaier won 6 races this year, the most of his career. [54]

How it works

A points championship rewards a whole season: points come from every race, not only wins. [54]
So Allgaier's 7th place in the last race was enough, because his lead held by 14 points. [54]

Seen it before

A pupil with good marks all year can pass the course after an average final exam.

What comes next

Love moves up to NASCAR's top series with the Wood Brothers team next season. [54]
29
A $200,000 pitch stands in the Perth Bears' way
What happened
- Rugby league's newest club, the Perth Bears, wants its first match at North Sydney Oval. [57]
- The trial game is planned for 20 or 21 February. [57]
- Cricket NSW says lifting the cricket pitch out and back would cost close to $200,000. [57]
- The job takes 5 weeks, and the machine needed is in Adelaide. [57]
- Cricket NSW has shut down talks with the Bears. [57]
Who is involved
- Cricket NSW shut down talks
- Perth Bears want the ground
How it unfolded

The Bears' fans have long hoped the club would return. [57]

Why it matters

It is not clear who would pay the $200,000 bill. [57]
The truth
- Nobody knows yet
  Who would pay to move the North Sydney Oval pitch for the Perth Bears.
  
  Cricket NSW put the cost close to $200,000 and has shut down talks, with no payer named. [57]
30
Women's footy coaches stretched thin
What happened
- Only 3 women now coach senior teams in the AFLW, Australia's top women's league in Australian football. [58]
- Natalie Wood, Essendon's coach until this year, worked up to 70 hours a week. [58]
- Port Adelaide assistant Sam Virgo quit this week, saying she was burnt out. [58]
- AFLW senior coaches work with part-time staff, unlike coaches in the men's AFL. [58]
Who is involved
- Natalie Wood up to 70 hours a week
Why it matters

The most successful AFLW coaches so far are former AFL players already known in the system. [58]
The truth
- The Age's writer argues the job is harder for women, who often carry more of the work at home. [58]
- Who pays Women coaching in the AFLW — They do the job with part-time staff, and Essendon's former coach worked up to 70 hours a week. [58]
31
Irish kickers head to US college football
What happened
- 20 athletes from Ireland now play in US college football's top division or the NFL, Leader Kicking says. [59]
- Many are Gaelic footballers who learned to kick an American football only in the last few years. [59]
- Paddy McAteer kicked a 60-yard field goal for Indiana a week ago. [59]
Who is involved
- Paddy McAteer Indiana kicker
How it unfolded

Tadhg Leader, a former Canadian league kicker, started the scheme in 2022. [59]
1. 2022 Leader Kicking starts
2. Now 20 athletes in the US
Why it matters

The NFL sent equipment to nearly 1,000 schools in Ireland as it tries to grow abroad. [59]
Good news
- Twenty athletes from Ireland now play US college football at its top level or in the NFL, and the kicking scheme that found them says its graduates have earned more than $3m in scholarships.
32
Jack Ham stable after an emergency
What happened
- Jack Ham, 77, a Hall of Fame linebacker, was stable in hospital after a medical emergency at Husky Stadium. [60]
- He works on Penn State's game broadcasts and arrived on the team bus. [60]
- Coach Matt Campbell credited broadcaster Steve Jones, Ham's partner for nearly 27 years, with getting him care. [60]
- Penn State then beat Washington 28-25. [60]
Who is involved
- Jack Ham 77, Hall of Fame linebacker
Why it matters

Ham played for Penn State and the Pittsburgh Steelers, and has called Penn State games since 2000. [60]
The truth
- Penn State did not release details of what happened. [60]
- Nobody knows yet
  What happened to Jack Ham.
  
  Penn State has not released details of the emergency. [60]
Good news
- Jack Ham, a 77-year-old Hall of Fame linebacker, was stable in hospital on Saturday night after a medical emergency at Husky Stadium. His broadcasting partner of nearly 27 years, Steve Jones, helped get him care straight away.
33
The NFL hands out 31 fines in a week
What happened
- The NFL gave out 31 fines for Week 8, its second-highest week of the season. [61]
- Pittsburgh's Jaquan Brisker was fined $17,911 for a hit on Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson. [61]
- Brisker called the penalty "babying the quarterback". [61]
- Dallas's DeMarvion Overshown was fined $9,528 for a hit with his helmet. [61]
Who is involved
- Jaquan Brisker fined $17,911
Why it matters

Each fine was for a hit that sent a player into the concussion checks and out of the next game. [61]

How it works

Leagues call it a review after the game: officials study film and fine hits the referee missed.
Overshown drew no penalty on the field, but the review still fined him. [61]

Seen it before

A teacher who rereads homework at night can still mark a mistake missed in class.
34
Kansas lose to UCF on the last play
What happened
- UCF beat Kansas 33-32 with a touchdown and extra point in the last seconds. [62]
- Kansas had come back from 19 points down to lead 32-26. [62]
- A first UCF catch in the end zone was overturned on review because the ball was still loose. [62]
- Then a pass interference penalty gave UCF one more play from the 6-yard line. [62]
Why it matters

It is another painful late defeat for Lance Leipold's Kansas, Sports Illustrated says. [62]

More Sports editions

Usman Khawaja says the whole Australia team knew about the 2018 sandpaper plot, and a 2018 reviewer asks Cricket Australia to look again Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, retires from Portugal after 23 years, 146 goals and a fall-out with coach Jorge Jesus LIV Golf plans to wind down after BC Partners pulls out of a $300m rescue, ending a tour that took more than $5bn of Saudi money

Across the beats

A booking app says US Thanksgiving flights average $402, up 31% on last year, and a 15% sale on a Christmas hotel would only match last year's rate Only 6.4% of stroke survivors in England, Wales and Northern Ireland get the 3 hours of daily therapy a guideline sets, an audit finds UK councils, MPs' staff and tribunals report a surge of complaints they believe chatbots wrote, and some ombudsmen now limit their length

Nottingham Forest beat Manchester City 3-1, City's third league defeat in a row, leaving them six points behind Arsenal

34 on this beat today.

Why a team of new arrivals plays like strangers