Ange Postecoglou’s tenure at Tottenham has divided opinion – however how good a job has the Australian coach carried out in case you zoom out and take a look at the larger image?

Spurs have fluctuated between wonderful and disastrous runs of kind since Postecoglou was appointed as Antonio Conte’s everlasting successor in the summertime of 2023.

It’s simple to overlook now that the 59-year-old really made the perfect begin of any coach in Premier League historical past final season, having led Spurs to eight wins and two attracts from his first 10 matches on the helm.

However it might be an understatement to say that Postecoglou’s Spurs struggled to keep up that early title-worthy kind. They picked up only one level from 15 obtainable instantly after that sturdy begin and later misplaced 5 of the final seven matches of final season.

The mix finally levelled out at Spurs ending up fifth within the Premier League desk, which may in all probability be thought-about about par when you think about their switch spending, the lack of talisman Harry Kane, and wage invoice.

On the one hand, they did effectively to complete forward of Chelsea and Manchester United – each of whom spend significantly extra by way of transfers and wages – however however they’ll take into account it a missed alternative to be pipped to Champions League qualification by Aston Villa after two of their fast rivals dramatically underperformed.

Having made strikes within the switch market to additional form the squad in Postecoglou’s picture in the summertime, Spurs have continued to oscillate between spectacular and underwhelming.

They’ve been very good in huge wins over Everton, Manchester United and West Ham however hapless in defeats to Newcastle and Brighton and disappointingly flat as they had been defeated 1-0 by Arsenal within the North London derby.

Regardless of the blended document, the person himself is bullish and has reiterated he absolutely believes that he’s received what it takes to ship success for Tottenham.

“In my 26 years of managing I’ve had success and most of that has come within the second yr, not all of it. Typically it’s occurred within the first yr, generally within the third yr,” Postecoglou informed reporters within the wake of Spurs’ early season defeat at residence to Arsenal.

“I don’t see why that places further stress. It doesn’t put further stress on me as a result of I really like the truth that I’ve carried out that. It’s what I wish to do right here.

“I’d prefer to assume that simply saying the reality is the best way to go ahead however I believe generally that’s too confronting for individuals, they’d a lot relatively I didn’t.

“I’ve made it fairly clear what my expectations are. However that doesn’t imply that I cease, that simply fuels the fireplace of ‘why didn’t I do it?’

“There’s no likelihood in any universe I might have gotten right here from Australia and be sitting right here answering questions at one of many largest golf equipment on the earth and the perfect competitors on the earth if I didn’t have some kind of self-belief based mostly on one thing of substance.

“I used to be by no means going to get right here with my attraction and beauty.”

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READ NEXT: The 11 Tottenham gamers out on mortgage in 2024-25 & how they’ve been faring

TRY A QUIZ: Are you able to title each supervisor to take cost of Tottenham within the Premier League?

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Right here’s how the Premier League desk stacks up in case you return to the beginning of final season, after Postecoglou was appointed by Tottenham that summer season.

As they had been final season, Spurs stay fifth over Postecoglou’s whole reign up to now, which is a surprisingly respectable place given among the low factors and criticism that the supervisor has confronted. There’s solely a small hole behind Aston Villa, suggesting that the membership can problem for Champions League qualification with slightly extra consistency this season.

Notice: all groups have performed 45 matches until in any other case specified. We’ve additionally solely included the 17 groups which have been within the Premier League all through, excluding final season’s relegated sides and this yr’s newly-promoted trio.

1. Man Metropolis – 108pts, GD +71
2. Arsenal – 106pts, GD +71
3. Liverpool – 100pts, GD +56
4. Aston Villa – 82pts, GD +18
5. Tottenham – 79pts, GD +22 (Performed 46)
6. Chelsea – 77pts, GD +22
7. Newcastle – 72pts, GD +24
8. Man Utd – 68pts, GD -4
9. Brighton – 60pts, GD -4
10. West Ham – 60pts, GD -18 (Performed 46)
11. Fulham – 58pts, GD -4
12. Bournemouth – 56pts, GD -15
13. Everton – 53pts, GD-19
14. Crystal Palace – 52pts, GD -6
15. Brentford – 49pts, GD -9
16. Wolves – 47pts, GD -27
17. Nottingham Forest – 46pts, GD -17

Sport Recap: Soccer | 10/19/2024 3:04:00 PM

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Regardless of taking part in by means of harm, Brady Cook dinner led a pair of lengthy landing drives that helped No. 19 Missouri register the come-from-behind victory over Auburn, 21-17, earlier than a sellout crowd on Homecoming at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Subject on Saturday.

Cook dinner, hobbled by an harm suffered on the sport’s first possession, missed practically the whole first half and far of the third quarter earlier than rallying Mizzou (6-1, 2-1) to its eighth consecutive Homecoming victory. That stretch marked the longest consecutive for the varsity that invented the custom, and first victory over Auburn (2-5, 0-4) because the 1973 Solar Bowl. Moreover with Saturday’s win, MU is bowl eligible for the fifth consecutive season.

Trailing 17-6, Cook dinner returned to the sport with 31 second remaining within the third quarter and accomplished a Third-and-10 go over the center that Mookie Cooper took 78 yards to the Auburn two-yard line. It was the longest non-scoring go completion at Missouri in not less than the final 60 years. On the primary play of the fourth quarter, Marcus Carroll barreled into the top zone for a landing and Cook dinner ran for a two-point conversion to deliver MU inside 17-14.

The 2 groups exchanged 5 punts till Missouri took over at its personal five-yard line with 4:26 to play. Cook dinner marched the Tigers 95 yards in 17 performs, changing a 4th-and-5 play with a 16-yard completion to Luther Burden III, and a Third-and-10 to Theo Wease Jr. On the 9, Jamal Roberts ran for 5 yards to the 4, then broke three tackles on his approach to the top zone for the rating that put Mizzou up for good with simply 46 ticks remaining.

On Auburn’s closing possession, Daylan Carnell, Dreyden Norwood and Tre’Vez Johnson every broke up a go and Johnny Walker Jr. sacked quarterback Payton Thorne.

Cook dinner accomplished 11-of-22 passes for 194 yards. Burden III caught six passes for 49 yards and have become the twelfth Tiger to high 2,000 profession receiving yards. He now has 167 receptions for two,027 yards.

With the rating tied 3-3 at halftime, Auburn took the second-half kickoff and shortly scored on a 47-yard landing go from Thorne to Cam Coleman to take a 10-3 lead. Simply over a minute later, Burden III muffed a punt on the 15-yard line that bounded into the top zone the place it was recovered for a landing by Auburn’s Antonio Kite to up the result in 17-3.

Backup quarterback Drew Pyne, who for his practically three quarters of play accomplished 10-of-21 passes for 78 yards, led a 44-yard drive on MU’s subsequent possession that ended with a 38-yard subject objective by Blake Craig to drag the deficit to inside 17-6. Auburn’s Cities McGough then missed a 30-yard subject objective earlier than Cook dinner returned to ship his heroics.

Within the first quarter, Craig kicked a 51-yard subject objective, the fourth 50-plus subject objective of his younger profession, tying him with Jeff Jacke for third on the MU profession lists, and McGough countered with a 32-yarder for Auburn.

Missouri’s protection restricted Auburn to 286 whole yards, and simply 22 yards – 4 speeding and 18 passing, within the fourth quarter alone.

Security Marvin Burks Jr. and linebacker Corey Flagg Jr. every had 9 tackles, whereas linebacker Triston Newson added seven.

Earlier than as we speak Auburn had been 150-1 during the last 20 years when main by 14-or-more factors within the second half.

UP NEXT
The Tigers journey to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, subsequent week to tackle the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday, Oct. 26. Sport time at Bryant-Denny Stadium will likely be both 2:30, 3:15 or 6:30 p.m. and the sport will likely be televised on both ABC or SEC Community.

GET YOUR ARKANSAS TICKETS NOW!
A restricted variety of reserved single-game tickets stay obtainable for the Nov. 30 Arkansas recreation. Reserved season tickets have bought out in addition to single-game reserved tickets for video games towards Auburn and Oklahoma.

Buy single-game tickets now by calling 1-800-CAT-PAWS or shopping for on-line.

FOLLOW THE TIGERS
For all the newest data on Mizzou Athletics, please go to MUTigers.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, comply with the Tigers on X , Instagram and Fb.

Everton beat Ipswich 2-0 at Portman Street to safe their first away victory of the Premier League season and go away the Tractor Boys nonetheless on the lookout for a maiden win since sealing promotion.

The guests had been medical with their ending as Iliman Ndiaye scored within the seventeenth minute and Michael Keane doubled the Toffees’ benefit 5 minutes earlier than the break.

Ipswich had wasted a golden alternative to take the lead by way of Jack Clarke however he skied his effort excessive over the bar and so they had been additionally denied a first-half penalty when referee Michael Oliver was known as to the VAR display screen to reverse his preliminary resolution.

Aro Muric was by far the busiest of the 2 goalkeepers whereas Everton’s England stopper Jordan Pickford was troubled little or no all through because the well-drilled Everton defence held agency.

Francis Ngannou returned to MMA on Saturday night time and made a press release. Lower than six months for the reason that dying of his 15-month-old son Kobe and somewhat greater than seven months since Anthony Joshua knocked him out contained in the boxing ring, the previous UFC heavyweight champion, who by no means misplaced his title within the cage, defeated Renan Ferreira in the principle occasion of the PFL Tremendous Fights: Battle of the Giants combat card.

Ngannou had not participated in an MMA contest since he defended his UFC title towards Ciryl Gane in January 2022. The 38-year-old appeared glorious towards the bigger Ferreira on Saturday. Ngannou used his wrestling and hanging to dominate the combat and depart the cage with a first-round knockout victory through devastating floor strikes.

After his win, an emotional Ngannou mentioned he solely took the combat due to his son, and he hoped that nobody would overlook Kobe’s title earlier than dedicating his win to him.

Within the night’s co-main occasion, 39-year-old Cris Cyborg picked up a title in a fifth promotion with a call win over Larissa Pacheco in a hard-fought ladies’s featherweight contest that was entertaining and would possibly warrant a future rematch if Cyborg, who has additionally held belts with Bellator, Strikeforce, Invicta FC, and UFC, desires to incorporate that contest on her farewell tour.

Under, we take a look at the outcomes, winners, losers, and video highlights of the PFL Battle of the Giants combat card, which occurred at The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The principle card aired on ESPN+ PPV, following prelims on ESPN+.

PFL Battle of the Giants Winners

Francis Ngannou: Francis Ngannou comes throughout as a genuinely good individual. This interview after his win on Saturday night time, provides a glimpse into what he went by way of to compete on the PFL Battle of the Giants card on Saturday night time.

Francis Ngannou: Francis Ngannou knew the path to victory towards Renan Ferreira could be on the mat. With that, the previous UFC champion received an early takedown in the principle occasion of Saturday’s PFL Battle of the Giants after which proceeded to place a thumping on his opponent through heavy floor strikes.

With the win, Ngannou claimed the PFL Tremendous Fights heavyweight title.

Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco: Cris Cyborg added a PFL title to her trophy case with a unanimous choice win over Larissa Pacheco in a hard-fought five-round battle. Along with changing into a PFL Tremendous Fights champion, the 39-year-old Cyborg is the present Bellator featherweight champ. She additionally gained belts within the UFC, Strikeforce, and Invicta FC.

Cyborg was barely extra aggressive than Pacheco all through the combat. Sure, Pacheco opened cuts above each of Cyborg’s eyes, however she appeared rather more targeted on scoring with counters all through the combat, which allowed Cyborg to attach with mixtures. Cyborg additionally did extra harm when the combat hit the mat.

Cyborg’s measured strategy on this contest, one thing she’s developed over the previous few years, served her properly. Cyborg may need been on the improper aspect of this contest if she received concerned in a slugfest with Pacheco. She fought good and properly, and that earned her the win.

As for Pacheco, the long run stays brilliant for the 30-year-old competitor.

Johnny Eblen: Johnny Eblen retained his Bellator middleweight title and his good file with a call win over Fabian Edwards in a rematch of their September 2023 matchup, which Eblen gained through knockout.

Eblen’s wrestling, clinch work, and floor management shut down Edward’s offense all through the five-round battle.

Zafar Mohsen: Zafar Mohsen shut down the wrestling of Husein Kadimagomaev and had more practical hanging, which was sufficient for him to select up a call win within the featherweight bout that preceded the three title fights on Saturday’s PFL combat card.

Paul Hughes: When the PFL booked Paul Hughes towards former Bellator champion A.J. McKee, there have been some who thought that the matchup could be too huge of a step up in competitors for the previous Cage Warriors champion. Hughes answered these questions and extra on Saturday with an unimaginable efficiency.

Hughes’ hanging was on level all through the combat. He combined up his targets and methods and got here very near ending the competition within the closing seconds of the primary stanza. Hughes has energy and pace on his toes, and his combat IQ is spectacular. The 27-year-old additionally did properly towards McKee’s wrestling, preventing off takedowns and never accepting positions when McKee picked up a bonus.

Hughes is able to face powerful competitors in PFL’s light-weight division.

Raufeon Stots: Raufeon Stots had a gradual begin towards Marcos Breno. Breno managed every thing in regards to the first 4 minutes of the competition. Nonetheless, Stots weathered the storm and received his wrestling working. That wrestling and floor management led him to select up a rear-naked choke submission within the third spherical.

Makkasharip Zaynukov: Makkasharip Zaynukov placed on a dominant efficiency towards Dedrek Sanders. Zaynukov confirmed his hanging early, mixing up his targets and methods, however have been he shined was on the mat. His takedowns and management have been on level for the primary two rounds of the combat. Then, within the third stanza, Zaynukov opened up his hanging on the mat and appeared for the end, which didn’t come.

Ibragim Ibragimov: Ibragim Ibragimov did his factor towards Nacho Campos. That factor was dominating on the mat by way of wrestling whereas remaining targeted and in search of openings for strikes and submissions.

The 20-year-old from Dagestan confirmed a number of composure and abilities in overwhelming his opponent, Nacho Campos, throughout their featherweight matchup. His type and strategy ought to be acquainted to those that have been following the event and progress of MMA in Dagestan.

Ibragimov seems prepared for a step up in competitors regardless of his younger age. He moved to 8-0 with the choice win and lived as much as his “Mauler” nickname.

Taha Bendaoud: Taha Bendaoud needed to maintain his combat towards Tariq Ismail standing. He couldn’t do this. Ismail’s takedowns and floor hanging have been an excessive amount of for Bendaoud, who was bleeding from facial cuts because the combat wore on. Nonetheless, Bendaoud’s lively guard paid off within the second spherical as he snatched up a triangle choke when Ismail received lackadaisical along with his hanging.

PFL Battle of the Giants Losers

Renan Ferreira: Renan Ferreira’s path to victory in the principle occasion of Saturday’s combat card was through touchdown one thing huge on the toes. He didn’t do this, and as soon as Francis Ngannou received an early takedown it appeared prefer it was only a matter of time earlier than Ngannou would finish the combat on the mat.

Dan Miragliotta: Referee Dan Miragliotta allowed Renan Ferreira to take too many undefended floor strikes from Francis Ngannou in the principle occasion.

Fabian Edwards: Fabian Edwards appeared to have a sport plan of utilizing his pace and motion to attain on counters towards Johnny Eblen. The issue with that strategy was that Eblen’s stress and wrestling did not present Edwards the alternatives to implement his technique.

Edwards might have adjusted because the combat wore on, upped his stress, and compelled Eblen to combat off his again foot. He didn’t do this till the ultimate spherical, which allowed Eblen to regulate the combat on the bottom and within the clinch.

Husein Kadimagomaev: Husein Kadimagomaev was an enormous betting favourite over Zafar Mohsen, however he couldn’t get his wrestling going through the three-round featherweight bout. With out his wrestling, Kadimagomaev was on the improper finish of a call.

A.J. McKee: A.J. McKee picked up the second lack of his MMA profession on Saturday when Paul Hughes defeated him through cut up choice. McKee struggled with the stress Hughes placed on him all through the three-round battle. McKee didn’t do properly when Hughes pressured him to his again foot, and his wrestling was largely ineffective towards the youthful and fewer skilled fighter.

McKee’s earlier loss was to Patrício Pitbull in a rematch for the Bellator featherweight title in 2022. Along with his loss on Saturday, McKee’s profitable streak of 4 straight ended.

Marcos Breno: Marcos Breno had a improbable first 4 minutes of his combat towards Raufeon Stots. He was very efficient along with his hanging, throwing every thing with energy and seeming to catch Stots a number of instances. He was excellent in touchdown to the physique. Nonetheless, Breno couldn’t maintain Stots on his heels, and as soon as Stots established his wrestling sport, Breno struggled, evenbtually getting submitted within the third spherical.

Dedrek Sanders: Dedrek Sanders had no reply for the wrestling and floor management of Makkasharip Zaynukov. When he did try and implement his hanging, he was reaching in an excessive amount of and placing himself off stability.

Nacho Campos: Nacho Campos had no reply for the wrestling and floor management of Ibragim Ibragimov.

Tariq Ismail: Tariq Ismail appeared good within the early going towards Taha Bendaoud, however he may need allowed his confidence to get one of the best of him.

Ismail’s takedowns, floor management, and floor hanging appeared to have him on the best way to a victory, however he left himself open for a triangle choke towards the fence, and when Bendaoud discovered that opening, he completed the combat.

PFL Battle of the Giants Struggle Card

PFL Battle of the Giants PPV Card

Francis Ngannou defeats Renan Ferreira through KO at 3:32 of Spherical 1 (Floor strikes)

Cris Cyborg defeats Larissa Pacheco through unanimous choice (49-46 x 3)

Johnny Eblen defeats Fabian Edwards through unanimous choice (48-47 x 3)

Zafar Mohsen defeats Husein Kadimagomaev through unanimous choice (30-27 x 3)

Paul Hughes vs A. J. McKee through cut up choice (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Prelims

Raufeon Stots defeats Marcos Breno through submission at 3:01 of Spherical 3 (Rear-naked choke)

Makkasharip Zaynukov defeats Dedrek Sanders through unanimous choice (30-26)

Ibragim Ibragimov defeats Nacho Campos through unanimous choice (30-27 x 3)

Taha Bendaoud defeats Tariq Ismail through submission at 3:51 of Spherical 2 (Triangle choke)

Video Highlights

Associated Tales

Francis Ngannou: Greatest Method To Honor My Son Is To Do One thing Optimistic

PFL Battle Of The Giants: Ngannou Vs. Ferreira Preview, Odds, Decide

PFL Tremendous Fights: Cyborg Vs. Pacheco – Preview, Odds And Predictions

Francis Ngannou Earns Renan Ferreira’s Respect For $2 Million Payday

How To Watch PFL Tremendous Fights Battle Of The Giants Struggle Card

Kobe.

His identify was Kobe.

Francis Ngannou defeated 6-foot-8, 261-pound Brazilian Renan Ferreria with a devastating, first-round knockout contained in the MMA cage on the PFL Tremendous Fights in Saudi Arabia. However all he might take into consideration was Kobe, the identify of his son who died in April at 15 months previous.

“I hope they’ll keep in mind his identify, as a result of with out Kobe we wouldn’t be right here tonight,’’ Ngannou stated with tears in his eyes. “I wouldn’t have (fought).”

In actual fact, Ngannou, the previous UFC champion,, stated he arrived for his heavyweight bouts not sure of his destiny. And never as a result of it was his first MMA battle since January 2022, after which he left the UFC due to a contract dispute.

Extra:Francis Ngannou, ex-UFC champ, hopes to revive his ardour for combating as he mourns

It was his first battle because the loss of life of his son. Lower than six months since, in accordance with Ngannou, docs did not detect a mind malformation that resulted in Kobe’s loss of life. Earlier than then, Ngannou stated, he tried to know how different mother and father who misplaced youngsters should really feel.

“However by no means get wherever near the way it feels precisely,” he stated.

However right here he was Saturday, nonetheless heavy with grief, headed again to the cage. He might have taken off extra time, he stated, however added, “I don’t suppose a lifetime will probably be sufficient to grieve.”

And so Ngannou agreed to battle one of many greatest and most fearsome fighters in MMA. He entered the ring trying sculpted at 6-4 and 255 kilos, however feeling unsure.

“This battle for me was additionally a approach for me to seek out out if I might nonetheless battle, if I nonetheless have it,” he stated. “If I can take care of this, with the stress, with the battle week, with the media and all the things.”

And take care of the large, in a pay-per-view even billed because the “Battle of the Giants.”

Within the first spherical, Ngannou secured a takedown, knocked out Ferreira after which, as if not sure the place to go subsequent as a medical workforce tended to Ferreira, stayed on his knees.

“It’s like, ‘OK, it’s over. I did what I got here right here to do,'” he stated. “I’ve to return into my actuality. You recognize, to face it.”

Quickly after got here the tears. And a postfight interview the place he obtained to say the identify he needs to be remembered.

Kobe.

Francis Ngannou devoted his Skilled Fighters League (PFL) heavyweight title win over Renan Ferreria to his late son Kobe after successful the ‘Battle of the Giants’ occasion with a first-round knockout.

Ngannou, who was a earlier UFC heavyweight champion, returned to the blended martial arts enviornment for the primary time since making the swap to boxing and his defeat to Anthony Joshua again in March.

The Cameroonian took management of the battle from the beginning with some heavy kicks earlier than dragging his Brazilian opponent to the mat. Ngannou adopted up with a collection of devastating punches and ended the battle with 88 seconds remaining within the opening spherical.

In his post-fight interview the 38-year-old was tearful and emotional as he paid tribute to his son Kobe who died at simply 15 months previous earlier this yr.

“The previous two days had been very robust, filled with emotion, I couldn’t do something with out fascinated by it [Kobe’s passing],” he mentioned.

“I attempted to remain sturdy and inform myself to do the whole lot to maintain transferring but it surely’s onerous. It’s simply onerous. I solely did this battle due to him.

“I needed to battle for him… I hope they will keep in mind his title, as a result of with out Kobe, we wouldn’t be right here tonight, I wouldn’t have fought. Thanks everybody for coming.”

The occasion was designated as a ‘tremendous battle’ and differed from the PFL’s traditional format of an everyday season and playoffs to make sure that belts had been at stake for Ngannou’s return.

He is a well-liked champion having risen from childhood poverty in Cameroon to the highest of blended martial arts together with his crowning achievement being his UFC heavyweight title win in March 2021.

As soon as his UFC contract expired, he fought Joshua and Tyson Fury in profitable heavyweight boxing matches earlier than debuting within the PFL in an enormous increase to the model’s competitors with the UFC.

Within the night’s co-main occasion for the PFL Tremendous Fights ladies’s featherweight belt, Brazilians Cris Cyborg and Larissa Pacheco went to warfare over 5 rounds, with the vastly skilled Cyborg rising victorious through unanimous resolution.

Extra reporting from Reuters.

Tottenham responded to their “worst defeat” underneath Ange Postecoglou with an excellent second half show to safe a 4-1 victory over West Ham at residence.

Of their first match since surrendering a two-goal lead in opposition to Brighton, Tottenham went behind at residence versus the Hammers with Mohammed Kudus arriving on the again put up to show residence a Jarrod Bowen pull again.

Spurs had been dominating possession and stepped up the tempo after going behind. Dejan Kulusevski was a brilliant spark and pulled the hosts degree with an inside run and strike from the best wing.

1-1  was the half-time rating and the match appeared like a detailed contest. The second half was something however. Son Heung-min slipped a wonderful ball into the field for Future Udogie to arrange Yves Bissouma’s purpose earlier than an unlucky personal purpose prolonged Tottenham’s lead.

Having been concerned within the earlier two targets Son then drifted into house on the left and completed off a wonderful solo run to place the sport out of West Ham’s attain. Kudus was visibly annoyed and let that present late within the recreation by gathering a purple card.

Relive the updates from Tottenham vs West Ham within the Premier League in right this moment’s reside weblog

PFL Tremendous Fights: Battle of the Giants in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was headlined by three title fights throughout PFL and Bellator. Johnny Eblen efficiently defended his title in a rematch towards Fabian Edwards, whereas Francis Ngannou and Cris Cyborg, who have been making their PFL debuts, gained Tremendous Fights belts towards Renan Ferreira and Larissa Pacheco, respectively. Now that the mud has settled, what’s subsequent for the three winners? Andreas Hale, Brett Okamoto and Jeff Wagenheim provide their last ideas on the occasion.

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What’s subsequent for ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’?

A break — though I have to say, I do not understand how lengthy of a break Ngannou will take.

It was unbelievable that he needed to take this combat. Kobe, his son, died in late April, and we’re solely in mid-October. He hasn’t even had six months to course of his loss. He took the combat to honor his 15-month-old son and, I imagine, grieve. Ngannou is the type of human being who grieves in movement fairly than sitting nonetheless. This combat gave him one thing to speculate his ache.

Now that it is over, what’s modified? On the postfight information convention Saturday, he basically mentioned he’ll grieve for the remainder of his life. I count on that when the mud settles from this combat, it will not be lengthy earlier than Ngannou begins to crave one other problem as a result of he is not the type of particular person to sit down. The excellent news is that I imagine he could have choices. Someway, he continues to search out unbelievable new methods to encourage yearly. As he mentioned in his postfight interview, he has discovered one thing of a house in Saudi Arabia, which has hosted his previous three fights (two boxing, one MMA) and promotional powers that be will certainly need him again — and pay for it.

My intestine is that his subsequent combat is in a boxing ring, however it’s going to depend upon how sure dominoes fall. The PFL has already acknowledged it desires its Tremendous Fights champions to defend belts. I imagine we’ll see Ngannou in competitors once more within the first half of subsequent yr, and I imagine, a method or one other, he’ll get two appearances. — Okamoto

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A Cyborg-Pacheco rivalry is finest case situation for PFL, ladies’s MMA

Cris Cyborg gained a aggressive unanimous resolution over Larissa Pacheco to change into the PFL Tremendous Struggle ladies’s featherweight champion. Choosing up one other world title at age 39, Cyborg nonetheless has a declare to being one of many best ladies’s blended martial artists within the sport’s historical past. Nevertheless, because of the aggressive nature of the combat, the place Cyborg’s face was left a bloody mess of cuts and bruises, this will likely have been the absolute best end result for PFL.

With Ngannou and Eblen profitable dominantly and with out a worthy challenger, the PFL may gain advantage from a rivalry that may carry eyeballs again to the product. A rematch between Cyborg and Pacheco treatments that as one thing followers can sink their enamel into.

It is solely pure, given how the combat performed out.

Though the scores have been 49-46, the combat steered that Pacheco, 30, might ultimately be Cyborg’s successor. Cyborg was pressured to deploy a unique sport plan, combating tactfully fairly than blowing the competitors away together with her energy. The multi-promotion world champion fought intelligently, mixing takedowns together with her placing, a stark departure from her calling card of overpowering the opposition. However Pacheco — the one girl to defeat present UFC title contender Kayla Harrison — is youthful, sooner and arguably stronger than her counterpart.

It was a battle of youth vs. expertise, with Cyborg profitable on factors, however Pacheco doing extra harm. It was the primary time Cyborg was pressured to make use of her intelligence fairly than energy to win a combat. A undeniable fact that was crystalized within the third spherical when Pacheco beckoned to fulfill her within the middle of the cage for a firefight. A youthful Cyborg would have gleefully answered the decision. Nevertheless, this wiser model of Cyborg relented and performed it sensible fairly than permit her ego to drag her right into a fistfight that might have ended badly for her.

Though Pacheco misplaced, she has one thing to construct upon for a return bout. She now is aware of what she is coping with, and the rematch would undoubtedly carry some intrigue because of the changes they have to make.

Rivalries are at all times finest for enterprise within the combat sport, and the PFL has one which helps bolster its product and girls’s MMA. With two extra fights on Cyborg’s contract, a rematch appears probably — and crucial. — Hale

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Little left to do for Johnny Eblen in new PFL

Eblen was in a no-win scenario, getting into the cage to defend his Bellator middleweight championship towards a challenger he had knocked out barely a yr in the past. How was he purported to surpass that efficiency? He did not surpass it, as issues turned out, however Eblen, 32, managed to get his hand raised towards Fabian Edwards, 31, for a second time. This one went the gap and was aggressive.

So, ought to they only run it again once more?

I am being facetious. There is not any have to go the trilogy route when one fighter is 2-0 versus the opposite. However I elevate that situation to guide me to this query: What is left for Eblen?

He is among the finest 185-pounders on the planet — No. 5 within the ESPN divisional rankings — however he is a champion with out a clearcut challenger. He is twice defeated Bellator’s No. 2 middleweight, Edwards. The subsequent in line could be Anatoly Tokov, and Eblen has crushed him, too. A greater rematch would have been towards Gegard Mousasi, however Bellator’s mum or dad firm, the PFL, launched him and Mousasi’s combat is with the corporate, as he is suing.

A transfer over to the PFL is not within the playing cards for Eblen, since there is not any 185-pound division. So what is going to the matchmakers do subsequent with Eblen? Or is it time to contemplate a transfer to the UFC? — Wagenheim

Tottenham Hotspur scored three objectives in eight second-half minutes to beat 10-man West Ham United 4-1, bouncing again after throwing away a two-goal lead and shedding to Brighton & Hove Albion earlier than the worldwide break.

Mohammed Kudus put West Ham forward early on, just for Dejan Kulusevski to stage in direction of the tip of an entertaining first half.

Ange Postecoglou surprisingly withdrew James Maddison at half-time, however that change paid off as Spurs swiftly pulled clear.

Yves Bissouma swept residence within the 52nd minute. Then goalkeeper Alphonse Areola scored an personal aim within the fifty fifth minute, earlier than Son Heung-min struck the third aim within the sixtieth minute that settled the competition.

So as to add to West Ham’s woes, Kudus was despatched off late on as they drop to fifteenth within the Premier League desk with eight factors from as many matches, whereas Spurs go seventh with 13.

How the match unfolded

The guests struck first within the 18th minute when Jarrod Bowen confirmed nice tenacity to maintain an assault alive earlier than crossing for Kudus, who scored on the far submit.

Brennan Johnson was responsible of a obtrusive miss when he nodded Future Udogie’s cross huge, however Spurs did stage within the thirty sixth minute, Kulusevski’s strike hitting each posts and crossing the road regardless of West Ham goalkeeper Areola getting fingertips to it.

Pedro Porro despatched a scissor kick huge shortly earlier than half-time, however Spurs’ relentless strain was rewarded quickly after the interval with Bissouma side-footing in after glorious mixture play from Son and Udogie.

Spurs’ third aim got here in fortuitous trend as Son’s shot deflected off Jean-Clair Todibo and Areola earlier than squirming over the road. However there was no luck about their fourth aim because the South Korean raced by to fireplace residence.

Son clipped the foot of the submit one minute later, and West Ham’s depressing outing was capped when Kudus noticed pink for violent conduct.

Postecoglou’s change pays off

Coming after a 3-0 rout of Manchester United at Previous Trafford, Spurs’ 3-2 defeat at Brighton final day trip led many to explain Postecoglou’s fashion as reckless, slightly than entertaining.

Nonetheless, for as unhealthy as Spurs have been within the second half at Amex Stadium, they have been glorious after the break right here, with a shock half-time swap the catalyst.

Maddison performed a key function in Kulusevski’s leveller, capitalising on a West Ham turnover to drive over midway and discover the Swede close to the appropriate nook of the field, but he didn’t emerge for the second half as Postecoglou selected to introduce Pape Sarr.

That substitution proved a masterstroke, permitting Kulusevski to function in a No 10 function to devastating impact.

His intelligent reverse move performed in Son to pressure the personal aim, whereas it was Sarr who supplied the help when Son made it 4-1 on the hour-mark, his pinpoint move permitting the Spurs skipper to drive at Areola and arrow his end contained in the close to submit.

Postecoglou now has a variety headache forward of subsequent week’s journey to Crystal Palace, with Kulusevski staking his declare for a central function and Sarr bringing recent power to the midfield.

No lift-off for Lopetegui

Having thrashed Ipswich City 4-1 previous to the worldwide break, West Ham have been eyeing their first back-to-back Premier League victories since March.

The Julen Lopetegui period appeared to have lift-off when Kudus gave them a shock lead in opposition to Spurs, the winger scoring for a second straight match, however the Hammers’ defence started to creak underneath fixed strain and so they may don’t have any complaints when Kulusevski equalised.

Within the second half, West Ham merely failed to put a glove on their hosts. Bissouma was granted the liberty of the penalty space to attain Spurs’ second aim, and the next mix-up between Areola and Todibo summed up the guests’ efficiency.

So as to add to Lopetegui’s frustrations, Spurs’ third aim got here simply as he was readying a triple substitution in a bid to show the tide.

In the long run, West Ham have been arguably lucky to restrict their hosts to 4 objectives, with Kulusevski, Johnson and Timo Werner all passing up late possibilities. Johnson additionally ought to have scored within the opening interval.

To make issues worse for West Ham, they may even be with out key attacker Kudus for matches in opposition to Man Utd, Nottingham Forest and Everton following his late dismissal.

Membership experiences

Spurs report | West Ham report

What managers stated

Ange Postecoglou: “We needed to combat arduous within the first half. Going a aim down wasn’t ideally suited however we clawed our manner again into it, and it isn’t simple. West Ham are a giant bodily aspect and they’ve some velocity as properly.

“Second half we have been excellent. We upped the tempo and performed some high quality soccer, defended after we wanted to and received our ending proper.”

Julen Lopetegui: “To begin with we’re very upset for our followers. The abstract is that they [Tottenham] deserved to win to be honest. We began properly and we deserved to take the lead regardless of their two huge possibilities. We defended properly, attacked properly and had extra possibilities too.”

Subsequent Premier League fixtures

Key details

Because the begin of final season, Tottenham have received eight of the 12 residence Premier League video games wherein they’ve conceded first (L4) that is no less than twice as many residence wins after falling 1-0 behind as some other aspect within the competitors on this time.

This was West Ham’s heaviest Premier League defeat in a recreation which they scored the opening aim since January 2013, once they misplaced 5-1 at Arsenal.

Tottenham have saved only one clear sheet throughout their final 19 residence Premier League video games (a 4-0 victory over Everton in August), whereas Spurs’ one clear sheet on residence soil in 2024 is the joint-fewest shutouts amongst ever-present sides within the competitors (alongside Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Wolves).

Because the begin of final season, solely Sheffield United (seven) have conceded extra personal objectives within the Premier League than West Ham (5), whereas Tottenham have benefitted from extra personal objectives than some other aspect within the competitors throughout that interval (seven).

Tributes have poured in for the Olympic biking champion Sir Chris Hoy after he revealed he had obtained a terminal most cancers prognosis.

In an interview with the Sunday Occasions, Hoy, who received six golds and one silver medal for Crew GB, mentioned medical doctors had instructed him he had between two and 4 years to stay.

Whereas Hoy, 48, had mentioned earlier this 12 months he had been receiving remedy for most cancers, he didn’t say which kind, however he instructed the Sunday Occasions he had been identified with main most cancers in his prostate, which had unfold to his bones.

His spouse, Sarra, has additionally been identified with a number of sclerosis, a degenerative illness. The couple have two kids, Chloe and Callum.

“As unnatural because it feels, that is nature,” Hoy instructed the Sunday Occasions. “You already know, we had been all born and all of us die, and that is simply a part of the method. You remind your self, aren’t I fortunate that there’s drugs I can take that can fend this off for so long as doable.”

“Hand on coronary heart, I’m fairly optimistic more often than not and I’ve real happiness,” he added. “That is larger than the Olympics. It’s larger than something. That is about appreciating life and discovering pleasure.”

Hoy made no reference to his private information as he introduced from the Monitor Biking World Championships on the BBC on Sunday afternoon.

After the publication of the article, social media platforms have been stuffed with tributes and assist from associates and well-wishers.

“You’re unbelievable Chris, sending a lot love and power,” the Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell mentioned.

The tv pundit and ex-footballer Ally McCoist wrote: “You, my buddy are a famous person in each sense of the phrase. Love and power from all of us.”

The Olympic bike owner Mark Cavendish referred to as Hoy a “hero of a human being”.

The Edinburgh-born athlete has been credited with taking part in a key position in making British Biking a hit.

Hoy shared an image on Instagram from the World Monitor Biking championships in Copenhagen, and wrote: “You may even see within the information this weekend some articles about my well being, so I simply wished to reassure you all that I’m feeling match, sturdy and optimistic, and overwhelmed by all of the love and assist proven to my household and me. Onwards!”

“Such unhappy information,” the prime minister, Keir Starmer, wrote on X. “Chris is a British sporting legend. To face his prognosis with such positivity is inspiring. The entire nation is behind him and his household.”

The UK well being secretary, Wes Streeting, mentioned: “I’m in awe that Chris Hoy is assembly his most cancers with the identical positivity and resilience that has outlined his life and profession. The entire nation shall be cheering him on as we have now carried out so many instances earlier than and sending him and his household a lot love.”

“I ship each good want to Sir Chris Hoy and his household,” the Scottish first minister, John Swinney, wrote. “He has all the time impressed us by all that he has carried out. He’s an individual of unbelievable braveness and that shines by way of in the present day.”

“Chris Hoy is without doubt one of the best to ever characterize our nation,” mentioned the Olympic rower Matthew Pinsent. “Ideas with him, Sarra and his rapid household.”

“An article to cease you in your tracks,” the soccer commentator Jacqui Oatley posted. “Devastating to learn the prognosis of Sir Chris Hoy in addition to that of his spouse, Sarra. Life will be so merciless. However the class and humility with which he tells this story is really humbling.”

“Blown away by the resilience and dedication of Sir Chris Hoy this morning,” the tv presenter Dan Walker mentioned. “Shortly after being instructed that he has between 2-4 years to stay due to his terminal most cancers … his pretty spouse, Sarra, was identified with MS. The person stays an unbelievable inspiration. Sending like to the entire household.”

Scottish Motion for Psychological Well being (SAMH), for which Hoy is an envoy, mentioned it could assist him and his household “each step of the best way”.

Billy Watson, the charity’s chief govt, described Hoy as “some of the outstanding and galvanizing people who I’ve the pleasure to know”, including: “It’s his easy decency, his love for his household, and his want to create optimistic change for others that makes him who he’s.

“His dedication to bettering Scotland’s psychological well being stays as sturdy as ever and we are going to stand with him and his household each step of the best way.”