The offspinner had claimed five wickets then forged the match-winning stand with No. 11 Cameron Gannon after a WA collapse
AAP14-Nov-2025Western Australia captain Sam Whiteman made the most of Queensland’s butter fingers before Corey Rocchiccioli guided the tail home in a thrilling one-wicket Sheffield Shield victory over Queensland.Set 272 for victory from 90 overs on Friday at the WACA Ground, WA went from a comfortable 155 for 2 to a shaky 249 for 9 as Queensland’s attack put the squeeze on.Related
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But Rocchiccioli (24 not out off 37 balls) and No.11 Cameron Gannon (10 not out off 13 balls) showed nerves of steel in an unbeaten 23-run final-wicket stand to guide WA to their first win of the season with 7.3 overs remaining.Whiteman, in his 100th Shield match, was the rock at the top of the order, with his knock of 81 off 170 balls helping set up victory. But he had some luck along the way.The 32-year-old was yet to score when he was dropped at second slip by substitute fielder Hugh Weibgen, who was on the field for the rested Matt Renshaw (knee).Whiteman was dropped again on 47, this time in the deep by another substitute fielder – Benji Floros.Cameron Bancroft, Hilton Cartwright and Cameron Green failed to go on with their starts, while Cooper Connolly was out for just 2 as Queensland worked their way back into the contest.Xavier Bartlett loomed as the biggest threat to WA’s victory hopes, with the home side going from slipping to 159 for 4 when he struck twice in the space of three overs by having Green caught on the pull and Connolly flashing a top edge to the keeper.Whiteman’s luck finally ran out when he hooked Gurinder Sandhu to the deep and Angus Lovell took a tumbling catch, reducing WA to 180 for 5.WA still needed 55 more runs for victory when Aaron Hardie fell for 12, and when Josh Inglis departed for 28, WA’s tail was well and truly exposed.But Rocchiccioli and Gannon stood up when counted, reviving WA’s season after they began with two losses and a draw.It wasn’t only Queensland’s dropped catches on Friday that proved costly.They were cruising at 183 for 4 in their second innings late on Thursday before a collapse struck. Player of the match Rocchiccioli snared four quick wickets as Queensland slumped to 187 for 8 by stumps.Rocchiccioli claimed another wicket on Friday morning to help dismiss Queensland for 203.
da betano casino： Just five days after the transfer window slammed shut the shock news emerged from Tottenham Hotspur that Daniel Levy would be leaving the club.
da poker： It’s the end of an era and whatever you say about the former chairman’s stint at Spurs, he did deliver success. Under his watch, a remarkably impressive new stadium was built, they reached a Champions League final and won the Europa League. Not bad, really, eh?
Sadly, the Lilywhites have largely always been the bridesmaid rather than the bride. They’ve failed to soar to the next level but under Thomas Frank they will hope things change.
Perhaps a big £100m investment could help? Last week, it was announced that ENIC, which, before this transaction, owned nearly 86.91% of Spurs, have provided £100m in new funding to Spurs. The sum has been provided to ENIC via the Lewis family trust which did own 70% of ENIC and 61% of Spurs.
Essentially, ENIC have provided the cash in exchange for shares, increasing its ownership stake in the club, increasing its percentage in Tottenham Hotspur to 87.62%.
The Athletic understand that the £100m may not be added to a transfer war chest, but extra investment can’t he a hindrance. Perhaps there will be some extra room for manoeuvre in the transfer window anyway.
Will a Harry Kane return come about as a result?
Could Harry Kane return to Spurs?
When Kane left north London behind in August 2023, he did so with the blessing of the fanbase.
The club could not provide him with the silverware he craved and so he departed for Bayern Munich having scored 280 times in 435 outings, making him the club’s all-time record goalscorer.
Harry Kane record @ senior level
Team
Games
Goals
Spurs
435
280
England
107
74
Bayern
106
103
Millwall
27
9
Orient
18
5
Leicester
15
2
Norwich
5
0
Since heading to Germany, he has taken his game to a whole new level and is now in the conversation to win the Ballon d’Or next year, currently ranking as the fourth favourite to take home the award.
Why? Well, the England skipper has been in remarkable form during 2025/26. He has scored a mind-boggling 18 goals in just ten fixtures, cementing himself as the most prolific forward on the planet.
Despite that, there is a hope that one day he will return to Spurs. Reports in recent months have suggested that they were ready to launch a bid to re-sign their former striker if given encouragement by the player.
Kane’s currrent deal in Germany ends in 2027 and there is a release clause of £56.7m that could reportedly be activated next summer.
Sadly for Spurs supporters, the player could look to extend his terms. Speaking to the press last week, the centre forward commented: “In terms of staying longer I could definitely see that. I have not had those conversations with Bayern yet but if they were to arise I would be willing to talk and have an honest conversation.”
It’s safe to say Frank could certainly do with Kane. While the former Brentford boss has made Spurs look like a more organised and defensively sound outfit, they are struggling to score goals.
Four players hold the honour of being the club’s top scorer this term, with Joao Palhinha, Brennan Johnson, Richarlison and Micky van de Ven all level on three. That rather says it all, really.
That being said, by the time Kane’s deal at Bayern ends, he will be 34. Younger legs will be required.
The Harry Kane alternative Spurs must sign
Bringing back their record scorer to the club would be an incredible way for ENIC to begin the post-Levy era but it’s perhaps not the smartest use of their funds.
A striker will likely be signed within the next year but they must not neglect the flanks either. That’s where Bournemouth talisman, Antoine Semenyo, comes in.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Far-fetched? Quite possibly, but reports emerged last week indicating that Spurs were preparing a move to sign the winger in January, with Frank allegedly making it clear that he is “the perfect fit” for his team.
Few would find a reason not to sign Semenyo in 2026. Erling Haaland aside, he has been the best player in the Premier League this season, scoring six goals and registering three assists in his seven outings to date.
The wide forward has taken his game to a whole new level. In 2024/25, he exited the campaign having scored 13, 11 of which came in the league. He’s currently on course to obliterate that record, rubberstamping precisely why every top side in the division, Spurs included, should be looking to sign him next year.
In the words of former Spurs and England star, Chris Waddle, Semenyo is now “definitely the best winger in England right now”.
Predominantly preferred off the right flank, Mohammed Kudus may not be too pleased about this signing but the summer arrival has the skillset to play off the left and through the middle too.
One has to say; the thought of Kudus, Spurs’ “player of the season” in the words of reporter Alasdair Gold, linking up with Semenyo is a scary thought indeed.
It would, of course, be scary to see him linking up with Kane but that feels like a pipe dream right now. Semenyo is certainly more realistic and he could use Kudus’ marvellous creativity to take him to even greater heights.
Both representing Ghana at international level, there is a pre-existing relationship there both on and off the field.
Kane is every supporter’s dream but Semenyo would be an incredible signing. There is a reason both Liverpool and Arsenal are reportedly interested in his services.
Biggest star since Kane: Spurs are brewing "one of England's best talents"
Tottenham Hotspur already have their next biggest England star on Thomas Frank’s books.
Tottenham Hotspur have seen a shift in their recruitment strategy over the last few years – something which Fabio Paratici no doubt was at the centre of.
The Italian spent two years at the club between 2021 and 2023, subsequently turning the hierarchy’s attention to investing in younger talents for the immediate and long-term future.
In the summer of 2022 alone, the 53-year-old completed deals for full-backs Destiny Udogie and Djed Spence – that’s despite the latter being unwanted by then-boss Antonio Conte.
However, in the present day, both players have become key members of Thomas Frank’s first-team squad, showcasing the impressive work done in the transfer market.
The aforementioned duo will be hoping they achieve more sustained success than one player who demonstrated glimpses of quality during the early days of his career in North London.
The real reason behind Dele’s decline at Spurs
Back in the summer of 2015, Spurs forked out a reported £5m for the signature of attacking midfielder Dele – with many supporters unaware of the youngster.
At just 19, many anticipated the Englishman to join the youth setup in North London, but he would make himself an immediate fan-favourite as a result of his tremendous displays.
For the first three years of his stint at the Lilywhites, he was a regular starter – racking up 146 appearances, scoring on 46 occasions and laying on 35 assists for his teammates.
Such form saw Dele claim the PFA Young Player of the Year two years in a row, becoming just one of five players to achieve such a feat in the history of the Premier League.
However, in a remarkable interview with Gary Neville back in the summer of 2023, the former Lilywhites star opened up on his trauma from his younger years, which no doubt had an effect on his footballing career.
He was often called into question by José Mourinho for his attitude and laziness, also suffering numerous injuries, which plagued his progress in North London.
Dele suffered 11 separate injury setbacks in his seven-year period in North London, with such issues preventing his progress and seeing him miss 44 first-team matches.
His time with the Lilywhites came to a disappointing end back in January 2022, subsequently joining Everton on a free transfer – an unthinkable ending given his previous form.
The Spurs star who’s their best teenage star since Dele
Many supporters questioned Dele’s attitude during his time with Spurs, but after his courage to speak out about his mental health struggles, it’s safe to say many fans empathise with the midfielder.
Such issues have taken a huge toll on his professional career, with the former Lilywhites star now without a club at the age of 29 after leaving Como this summer.
However, there’s no denying he will forever be remembered by the fans for his countless moments of magic that gave everyone involved with the football club memories to last a lifetime.
From Goal of the Season strikes against Crystal Palace, to his memorable double against Chelsea that ended the Blues’ unbeaten 2016/17 record at White Hart Lane.
Such levels are rarely seen from such a young talent, but there’s current generation of supporters has their next remarkable youngster in the form of Lucas Bergvall.
Like Dele, he joined the Lilywhites for less than £10m, arriving as an unknown quantity to the majority of supporters after previously plying his trade for Djurgarden.
However, the Swedish youngster has rapidly developed into one of the club’s best players, a simply remarkable feat given he’s still just 19 years of age.
Despite his tender age, the midfielder has already racked up 56 appearances for the first-team and has subsequently featured in all but one game since Frank took the reins.
Bergvall even netted his first Premier League goal in the win over West Ham United last month, leading to head of scouting Rob Mackenzie labelling him as “a genuine generational talent”.
His underlying stats from 2025/26 highlight that the praise is certainly warranted, with the teenager completing 70% of the dribbles he’s attempted to date, whilst also ranking in the top 12% of all players in the league for assists registered.
However, out of possession, the Swede has been just as impressive, winning 2.6 tackles per 90 and coming out on top in a total of 5.5 duels per 90 – stats which make him the perfect box-to-box option.
Games played
7
Goals & assists
2
Pass accuracy
84%
Dribble success
70%
Tackles won
2.6
Duels won
5.5
Recoveries made
3.8
Shots taken
1.2
Frank and Co will desperately be hoping Bergvall can continue on his current trajectory in North London, with the youngster having all the tools to be a key member of the squad in their hunt for added silverware.
There’s little doubt that he’s the best teenage star they’ve had on their hands since Dele’s emergence, but everyone will be hoping that the end to his story with the Lilywhites is a happier one.
Not Simons: Spurs flop is becoming their biggest waste since Ndombele
One Tottenham Hotspur player is rapidly struggling to match the fee paid for his signature in recent times.
West Ham United have made another disastrous start to the season, with under-fire manager Graham Potter at the centre of reports that he could be sacked after just nine months in charge of the east London club.
Graham Potter's terrible West Ham start in numbers
Numbers never lie, and the statistics from Potter’s tenure at West Ham so far make for pretty grim reading.
Potter’s men have shipped 11 goals already this term, and out of every West Ham side in Premier League history, only Avram Grant’s Hammers from 2010/2011 have conceded more at this stage of the season — they were relegated.
Potter has also recorded the second-worst Premier League win percentage of any West Ham manager since the competition’s inception, behind only Grant, and even the maligned Julen Lopetegui fared better last season.
Worst West Ham managers in the Premier League
Win percentage
9. Sam Allardyce
30.7%
10. Julen Lopetegui
30%
11. Gianfranco Zola
27.8%
12, Graham Potter
27.3%
13. Avram Grant
18.9%
via StatMuse
West Ham’s losses so far have all come by a three-goal margin too, and it’s the joint-earliest a Premier League team has lost this many games by such a score since Bournemouth in 2022/2023 — who eventually avoided a drop to the Championship by the skin of their teeth.
To make matters even less flattering for Potter, he also boasts the worst overall record of every single present Premier League club since his appointment in January.
Taking all of this into consideration, alongside the lack of a real playing identity under the 50-year-old, it is hardly surprising that West Ham are backing Potter for now but have a number of managers on their shortlist in case they decide to part company.
According to reliable media sources, like GiveMeSport’s Ben Jacobs, West Ham have internally discussed hiring Sean Dyche, Nuno Espírito Santo and former boss Slaven Bilic.
The latter, who was a fan favourite and managed the Irons from 2015 to 2017, took charge of 109 games before David Sullivan and the board replaced him with David Moyes on an interim basis.
Now, Bilic is emerging as a favourite for the potential West Ham job, as Sullivan apparently favours re-hiring the Croatian over alternative candidates (Ben Jacobs).
The 57-year-old’s stance on a return to east London has now emerged too, courtesy of Jack Rosser in The Sun.
Slaven Bilic would love to re-join West Ham amid Graham Potter uncertainty
According to Rosser, Bilic would be open to a West Ham comeback as senior figures present him as an option, but there is an err of caution as it is also believed that the tactician has offers from elsewhere.
In his opening season, Bilic guided the club to one of their highest ever league finishes, seventh, which also earned them a place in the early Europa League qualifying rounds.
West Ham finished 11th in his second campaign before Bilic was shown the door early in his third season, having left with the club sitting in the relegation zone, but Rosser also reports that Bilic would come in on an initial caretaker basis.
Slaven Bilic’s managerial record at West Ham
Number
Matches
109
Wins
42
Draws
30
Losses
37
Goals scored
160
Goals conceded
167
Points
156
Average points per game
1.43
via Transfermarkt
Amid the fierce backlash from West Ham supporters, who are planning protests this Saturday before their home game against Crystal Palace, the board is under mounting pressure, and it is vital they get their next appointment right if Potter does leave.
Bilic has been out of management for well over a year, departing Saudi side Al-Fateh in 2024, and it is very debatable whether the ex-Hammers defender is really the right man to take them forward, especially with Nuno also readily available.
That being said, Bilic was once a popular figure, with Aaron Cresswell hailing his passion.
The World Test Championship is likely to expand to 12 teams from 2027
Tristan Lavalette11-Nov-2025
Temba Bavuma and South Africa are the current holders of the WTC mace•International Cricket Council
The next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle is likely to feature all 12 Full Members in one division after plans to split nations into two tiers failed to gain widespread support, while a resurrection for the short-lived ODI Super League is also on the cards.A working group, led by former New Zealand batter Roger Twose, tasked with addressing pressing issues over cricket’s three formats provided recommendations to the ICC board and Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) during last week’s quarterly meetings in Dubai.There had been a sense of urgency behind it with countries already having started conversations for bilateral series that will be part of the next WTC cycle (2027-29).A two-tier system, which has cropped up in talks periodically for over a decade, was again among topics discussed when the working group was formed at the ICC annual conference in July.But doubts over whether a funding model could be implemented contributed to scuppering the two-tier model. It had been mooted that India, England and Australia could support those in division two through a financial distribution, but those talks did not go far.Nations likely to occupy division two, such as West Indies, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, were opposed to the idea due to the likely lack of playing opportunities against the bigger nations.Promotion and relegation was also a thorny issue, the big three concerned about the financial impacts of relegation.”We wouldn’t want, as England, we may go through a fallow period, and that means, what, we fall into Division Two and we don’t play Australia and India?” ECB chief Richard Thompson told the BBC in August. “That couldn’t happen. There has to be a sense that common sense needs to play out here.”Instead the working group has proposed a 12-team WTC, with Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Ireland, potentially part of an expanded league for the next cycle, which begins in July 2027. The teams will be expected to play a minimum number of Tests – the exact number is not yet known – during the cycle. No extra funding is likely to be available for hosting Tests – which has been part of the struggle for members such as Ireland.”It guarantees that everyone is playing Test cricket,” a board director told ESPNcricinfo. “Those that really want to play the format now have opportunities and there is an incentive for other teams to play them.”There were also developments on the white-ball formats, with the ODI Super League possibly to be revived, having been scrapped following the 2023 World Cup.The 13-team league, which only began in July 2020, had been developed in a bid to create more context for the waning 50-over format. But it fell by the wayside amid an increasingly cramped calendar much to the chagrin of smaller Full Members and Associates.The proposal did not detail how many teams would be part of a new league, which can only return from 2028.”The Super League could help revitalise the 50-over format,” one administrator said. “Maybe the problem is not that the format is necessarily dead, it’s finding the proper structure.”There does not appear to be any push to increase the number of teams at 50-over World Cups, which will be a 14-team competition in 2027 after being limited to just ten in the previous two editions.The T20 World Cup is also set to remain at 20 teams even though there is a push from some administrators to incrementally increase it by four, with the aim ultimately of getting to 32 teams.Hall of Famers Matthew Hayden and Hashim Amla with the WTC mace•ICC via Getty
Associate members have also put forward a proposal into revamping the T20 World Cup qualifying format. In a similar concept to the men’s Olympic qualifying pathway, and commonly seen in other major sports, a global qualifier would determine the final spots and may feature not only Associates but Full Members who did not automatically qualify through rankings.A global qualifier is hoped to provide a revenue source for Associates, while appeasing some Asian nations who believe the current regional pathway limits their chances of qualifying for T20 World Cups.Associate administrators hope the global tournament can be part of the qualification process for the 2028 T20 World Cup.Despite having some influential support, with leagues popping up around the globe, the 90-minute T10 won’t be an official format.The board is expected to debate these issues at the next ICC meetings early next year.
da bet sport： Durante a comemoração de um dos gols feitos pelo Remo na grande vitória por 3 a 1 fora de casa diante do Cruzeiro, na última quinta-feira (28), pela Série B, o atacante Jeffersom foi chamado de “macaco” em som que, aparentemente, veio de um torcedor do Cruzeiro presente na arquibancada da Arena Independência.
>Confira a classificação atualizada da Série B
Nas redes sociais, o Remo frisou o momento onde o vídeo que circula nas redes sociais capta com precisão a ofensa racista proferida contra o jogador do Leão da Amazônia além de fazer um questionamento direto a Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF).
RelacionadasVídeoLANCE! Rápido: Fim do sonho do Cruzeiro e gol contra bizarro em goleada do Bragantino. Assista!Vídeo29/10/2021VídeoVÍDEO: assista aos melhores momentos de Cruzeiro x Remo pela Série B do BrasileirãoVídeo29/10/2021CruzeiroLuxemburgo reclama de arbitragem após derrota do Cruzeiro para o Remo: ‘Deixou o jogo moroso’Cruzeiro29/10/2021
da fezbet： Na mesma postagem, o clube paraense também marcou o perfil do Observatório da Discriminação Racial no Futebol, iniciativa que tem justamente o intuito de denunciar casos do tipo bem como exaltar ações que caminhem na direção do combate direto ao racismo no esporte.
-Até quando isso? O que ainda vai precisar acontecer para tomarem alguma atitude? – questionou o Remo.
Até o momento da publicação deste conteúdo, o Cruzeiro não se pronunciou oficialmente sobre o tema.
The Boston Red Sox parted ways with their longest-tenured active player by trading Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants on Sunday. Devers, who signed with the Red Sox as a free agent at the age of 16, spent his entire major league career with the Red Sox from 2017 until Sunday, when he was sent to San Francisco.
The surprising trade took place months after the Red Sox signed Alex Bregman, who replaced Devers at third base. Devers initially stated that he would only play third base, before later agreeing to serve as the team's designated hitter. Tension re-emerged when the Red Sox asked Devers to play first base following the injury to Triston Casas, which frustrated Devers. Devers remained the team's designated hitter, up until the Red Sox agreed to trade him over the weekend.
Though the end of Devers's tenure in Boston was marred by the rocky end, he had many great moments over his time with the Red Sox, from becoming a three-time MLB All-Star, signing a 10-year, $313.5 million extension with Boston, and winning the World Series in 2018.
Following the trade, Red Sox manager Alex Cora posted a picture of him and Devers after winning the World Series nearly seven years ago, capturing one of the special moments Devers had as part of the franchise. Cora simply captioned the post, "Gracias," and tagged Devers.
As Devers heads to San Francisco, Cora and the Red Sox have to say goodbye to one of their biggest stars in recent years. Devers will see with his former team very soon though, as the Giants are set to face the Red Sox from Friday to Sunday.
Erling Haaland gave yet another reminder of his monstrous goalscoring powers as he scored twice in Manchester City's 3-1 win over Bournemouth, and afterwards the Cherries' boss Andoni Iraola and captain David Brooks admitted there was almost nothing they could do to stop him. Haaland drew a rare blank in last week's 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa but responded in a typically ruthless fashion.
Getty Images Sport
Bournemouth are Haaland's latest victims
The City striker produced a lung-bursting run from behind the halfway-line after latching on to a Rayan Cherki header to slot the hosts in front and combined with the French playmaker again to restore their lead after Tyler Adams had equalised. Haaland has 13 Premier League goals in 10 matches this season, with 17 in 13 games in all competitions. Including his goals for Norway since the season began, he is on 26 strikes.
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Haaland 'always going to be a threat'
Bournemouth captain Brooks told : "We look to press but Manchester City are extremely comfortable on the ball. In the first half we created a lot of opportunities for ourselves through the press. But the big man up top for them – Haaland – is always going to be a threat. It's almost impossible [to prepare to face Haaland]. He's 6ft 5in, strong, a massive threat when the ball is falling to him. He took his chances well.
"It was always going to be a tough game against Manchester City. It's probably the hardest week to prepare for. We knew we had to come here and be the best version of ourselves. A few minor details cost us today."
Getty Images Sport
Iraola: 'You're not recovering from Haaland'
Head coach Iraola added: "In the first half they punished us with Haaland behind our defensive line, probably the coordination between the centre-backs was not spot on. The first goal we were in a good moment before the goal, we were playing in their half but in our attacks we lose the ball, we jump, we don’t cover in behind and he punishes us. You make the smallest mistakes and they punish you.
"The timing the speed was top class. You sit deeper and maybe Haaland scores two headers at the second post because maybe they have 25 crosses. You lose one metre against Haaland, you are not recovering. It is going to be three metres at the end of the play."
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Guardiola puts Haaland on same level as Messi & Ronaldo
Pep Guardiola put Haaland on the same pedestal as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and said the Norwegian was so dominant that it didn't matter that City's other forwards were not contributing many goals this season. No City player aside from Haaland has scored more than one Premier League goal this season.
"It's a little like when you play with Messi or Cristiano," Guardiola said. "The influence is so big. Of course we need the goals from Phil [Foden] and Tijjani [Reijnders] and the other ones."
Asked whether Haaland was truly on the same level as Messi and Ronaldo, Guardiola had no doubts at all. "Has he reached that level? You see the numbers of that guy? Oh my God, yeah, of course he's at their level. So the numbers from Cristiano and Messi have been for 15 years. You see Messi still in MLS, he scores two or three goals every day. Cristiano in Saudi is the same. But he [Haaland] is at that level.
"The first goal, the way he shoots the ball, going down on the grass [saying] 'I am going to score this'. I have said many times, he is incredibly coachable and I am tough with him sometimes. I always try to be open minded with him and there are players who say, ‘What are you talking about?' He is completely down to earth, he wants to do it and he lives for the goals. Without him, it would be tough to be honest."
MLB's playoff races are heating up as the regular season nears its final week. Every game matters and, as baseball fans know, magic numbers start to matter. But what the heck is a magic number and where did the term originate?
What is a magic number in MLB?
A magic number is the combination of wins a given team needs and losses by its closest competitor to mathematically clinch a goal, whether it be a playoff spot, division title or wild card spot. There are two ways a given team's magic number can decrease. Each win for a given team decreases the magic number by one. Each loss by a given team's closest competitor also decreases the magic number by one. Should a given team's closest competitor change—for instance, the second place team is surpassed by another team—the magic number will also adjust.
With the formula below, a magic number determines how close a given team is to clinching its given goal.
Games remaining +1 – (losses by second place team – losses by first place team)
Where did the term magic number first originate?
The term magic number dates back to 1947, when it was used in an article published on Sept. 12 in . Discussing the pennant race between the Yankees and Red Sox, the author wrote, "The Yankees reduced the magic number to four. That is the combination of games the Yankees must win or the Red Sox must lose in order to insure the flag for the Yankees."
Back then, a team simply needed to finish first in the American or National League to win the pennant and earn the right to play in the World Series. Magic numbers were a lot simpler to calculate back then! But the term stuck as MLB drastically changed its route to the World Series over the years, and has become a key reference point for broadcasters, pundits and fans as they follow the postseason races to the conclusion of the regular season.
A “sensational” £100m midfielder has now emerged as Manchester United’s top midfield target ahead of Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba, with Ruben Amorim personally keen.
Man Utd keen on new midfielder amid Bruno concerns
Amorim has been forced to find a way to fit talisman Bruno Fernandes into his system, but there are concerns about whether the Portugal international is suited to playing in central midfield, with ex-Chelsea man Craig Burley criticising his positional awareness.
Burley said: “They have got no legs in midfield, we’ve talked about this with Casemiro and Ugarte. Bruno Fernandes is playing there, but it’s not his position.
“He doesn’t understand the defensive aspects and the positional aspects of being a deeper-lying midfielder. And it also negates, which we’ve talked about at length, his ability to influence 30 yards further up the field.”
Man Utd submit offer to sign two "special" English midfielders in double swoop
The Red Devils have tabled a proposal for two midfielders.
ByDominic Lund Oct 15, 2025
Perhaps with that in mind, the Red Devils have set out to bring in a new central midfielder, and summer target, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, has remained on the shortlist, with a report from early September revealing plans to smash their transfer record in 2026.
However, according to a report from The i Paper, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton has now overtaken Baleba as Man United’s top target in midfield, with Amorim personally keen, as the manager is a fan of his directness and willingness to pass forward.
The Brighton midfielder, on the other hand, has made a disappointing start to the season, which has caused United to think twice about pursuing the Cameroonian, with one insider saying: “A calming influence, a midfielder on a different level with the ball at his feet wouldn’t go amiss right now,”
“Baleba can get about the pitch more, but does he possess Wharton’s quality on the ball? The club could do with the latter.”
"Sensational" Wharton would be very different option to Baleba
The Palace star, who reportedly has a price tag of £100m, is a very different type of player to Baleba, posing more of an attacking threat, while, as previously mentioned, expressing a willingness to drive the ball forward, which is why he has caught Amorim’s eye.
Average per 90 (past year)
Adam Wharton
Carlos Baleba
Assists
0.15
0
Shot-creating actions
3.94
1.88
Progressive passes
5.98
3.33
Tackles
1.90
2.47
Interceptions
1.39
1.53
As shown, the Cameroon international excels more from a defensive point of view, which suggests he is more of a like-for-like replacement for Casemiro, although there have recently been widespread reports suggesting the ex-Real Madrid man could sign a new contract.
As such, Baleba may not be a necessary signing, and it is probably a wise idea to focus on signing Wharton, who has received very high praise from Sky Sports’ Nubaid Haroon in the past.