The soccer presenter Kelly Cates is known to be leaving Sky Sports activities to exchange Gary Lineker on the BBC’s Match of the Day.
Cates, a well-liked broadcaster and the daughter of the previous Liverpool footballer Kenny Dalglish, is known to be becoming a member of a brand new presenting group together with the Match of the Day 2 presenter Mark Chapman and the BBC sports activities broadcaster Gabby Logan for subsequent season.
When approached by the Guardian, the BBC mentioned it had a coverage to not “touch upon hypothesis”, whereas a spokesperson for Sky Sports activities famous that they’d seen experiences of Cates’ departure and had “nothing so as to add”.
The Day by day Mail reported that Sky bosses have been understood to be “deeply saddened” by the lack of Cates, 49, who has introduced the channel’s Premier League protection since 2017. She had been recognized by the BBC because the main exterior candidate to exchange Lineker.
It’s thought that Cates, who additionally usually presents for BBC Radio 5 Stay, will share rotating internet hosting duties for Match of the Day and Match of the Day 2 with the opposite two presenters.
The trio will substitute Lineker, who will step down on the finish of the season. He has introduced Match of the Day since 1999, and can depart the BBC solely after the 2026 World Cup, which will likely be held within the USA, Mexico and Canada.
Lineker mentioned on his podcast, The Relaxation is Soccer, that he understood that executives have been “seeking to do Match of the Day barely in a different way”, and that it made sense to exchange him with one other presenter.
The present’s new path is anticipated to incorporate a extra digital focus, after the BBC signed a rights deal for 2025-26 that’s thought to incorporate permitting it to submit clips of all targets scored within the Premier League on the BBC web site.
Regardless of an more and more fragmented viewership, by which youthful followers trade pirated clips of matches on social media and watch highlights on YouTube minutes after the ultimate whistle is blown, high executives on the BBC are mentioned to see “untapped potential” in a revamped iteration of the model.
The brand new format can also be rumoured to comprise extra of a information ingredient, in addition to together with extra written content material and evaluation.
Regardless of broadcast TV figures plummeting by 26% since 2015, TV sports activities viewing has proved to be comparatively strong, falling by simply 3%.
Oliver Glasner’s facet prolonged their unbeaten run to 5 Premier League video games with a formidable win over their rivals. Try the very best details and Opta knowledge from the sport with our Brighton vs Crystal Palace stats web page.
Crystal Palace overcame rivals Brighton to earn three priceless factors of their combat towards relegation on a memorable day for Oliver Glasner’s males.
Brighton got here into the sport realizing a win would take them stage with Manchester Metropolis in fifth, whereas Palace had been just one level away from the drop zone. Brighton additionally hadn’t misplaced a house Premier League sport this season. Few folks would have predicted this consequence.
However Palace have been on a good run of late, and finally they deserved a win which moved them as much as fifteenth within the desk.
Trevoh Chalobah opened the scoring from a nook earlier than Ismaïla Sarr headed Tyrick Mitchell’s deep cross into the web to double the guests’ lead six minutes later.
Brighton pushed arduous for an equaliser after the break however couldn’t discover a approach by means of, and Sarr went on to place the outcome utterly past doubt eight minutes from time. A late Marc Guéhi personal objective was nothing greater than a comfort for Brighton.
The win extends Palace’s unbeaten run to 5 matches and leaves Brighton winless in 4. There should be eight factors separating the rivals, however on this efficiency, the groups look much more intently matched than the league desk suggests.
Our Opta match centre delivers you all of the Brighton vs Crystal Palace stats from their Premier League assembly on the Amex Stadium.
The match centre beneath consists of group and participant stats, anticipated targets knowledge, passing networks, an Opta chalkboard and extra. It offers you every thing you could do your personal match evaluation.
Beneath the match centre you could find the official Opta stats on the sport as properly.
Brighton vs Crystal Palace: Submit-Match Details
Brighton have saved only one clear sheet throughout their final 14 Premier League video games towards Crystal Palace (W4 D6 L4), while the Seagulls have now received simply one among their final ten league fixtures towards sides from London (D2 L7).
Crystal Palace beat Brighton for the primary time since February 2021, ending a run of six winless Premier League fixtures towards them (D4 L2). Every of the Eagles’ final three Premier League wins towards them have now come away from house.
Ismaïla Sarr scored twice and assisted a objective for Crystal Palace on this match, making it the second time he’s managed to each rating and help in an away Premier League match this marketing campaign (additionally vs Aston Villa). Solely Liverpool’s Mo Salah (3) has produced extra such shows up to now in 2024-25.
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Palace’s defence was holding agency, with solely a second of inspiration prone to breach it, albeit Brighton’s Brajan Gruda got here near selecting out the highest nook with a deflected free-kick – the trouble, fortunately, landed on the roof of the web.
There was nonetheless time to sprinkle a – and, in fact, Sarr was the person to supply it, racing onto Nketiah’s flick-on, nicking the ball previous a hesitating Dunk and rolling it dwelling past Verbruggen with pleasant composure.
Spirits couldn’t even be dampened by a Brighton comfort aim a couple of minutes later, as a scramble at a nook noticed the ball cruelly deflect in off an unwitting Guéhi.
There was even time left for Nketiah to run clear by means of from Kamada’s through-ball, however his lobbed end evaded the far publish, earlier than Henderson denied Enciso with one closing spectacular save.
By then, nevertheless, there had already been an exodus at Amex Stadium, with Palace changing into the primary crew to win away there this season.
Cooper Kupp had an especially quiet evening on Thursday.
Kupp was focused 3 times, however didn’t report a catch in the course of the Los Angeles Rams’ 12-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
Whereas wet situations prompted Los Angeles’ passing assault to wrestle, six different Rams gamers nonetheless completed the sport with a minimum of one seize.
Kupp’s crew was capable of safe a victory, however fantasy soccer managers had been shocked by his disappointing efficiency.
br_betting @br_betting
Cooper Kupp ending with 0.0 factors on the primary week of fantasy playoffs is INSANE 😭
Actually, no. It really couldn’t. That one is going to hurt for a long, long time. But through years of therapy and self reflection, you might be able to get back to around 80-90% of the person you were before tonight.
It’s worth noting that no other player on the Rams surpassed 25 receiving yards in the contest.
Still, it was unexpected to see Kupp’s minimal impact. The Super Bowl 56 MVP is in the midst of another impressive season, catching 63 passes for 657 yards and six touchdowns in nine appearances prior to Thursday’s defeat.
Kupp missed four games earlier in the year due to an ankle injury, however he is remained a key piece of Los Angeles’ offense after coming again in Week 8. Actually, the Rams personal a 6-2 report since he returned to the sector.
Regardless of profitable simply one of many crew’s first 5 video games to open the 12 months, Los Angeles has continued to spice up its postseason possibilities with its current play. The Rams now sit at 8-6 on the season as an entire and have a 50 % playoff likelihood, by way of Subsequent Gen Stats.
For fantasy managers, Kupp may wrestle to get going as soon as once more in Week 16. Whereas the Rams will journey to face a New York Jets crew that has misplaced 4 straight video games, the Jets nonetheless personal the league’s fourth-best go protection.
It should not be too tough for Kupp to high Thursday’s efficiency, although.
Extremely, McGregor has by no means misplaced a cup last, however “it was mighty shut at this time,” he stated. The captain was as relieved as he was trustworthy.
“The efficiency wasn’t nice, so we needed to grind it out. We needed to maintain our nerve. Even once you’re not excellent, you possibly can nonetheless win. Dig in. Discover one thing additional.”
Pyro, predictably, reappeared and kick-off was delayed, two extra fingers being raised by the ultras to their very own golf equipment and to the footballing authorities who virtually begged them to behave. Extra expenses pending from the SPFL? Let’s examine.
When the motion started, it was toe-to-toe. Rangers had been bodily and uncompromising.
Amid the maelstrom, Taylor misplaced his head, performed a sq. ball that was a nasty concept and likewise poorly executed in any occasion and that was the catalyst for the opener.
The omens had been good for Rangers. Solely 4 groups who’ve scored first within the final 49 League Cup finals have did not win the trophy. However stats do not take note of Celtic’s steepling self perception.
They had been in bother – no area, no management, not many probabilities – however they discovered their approach out of it. Celtic’s psychological energy is a factor of marvel. They had been nowhere close to their greatest and but they’ve one other title to their title.
The shoot-out got here and with it got here recollections of Rangers’ within the Europa League denouement in Seville in opposition to Eintracht Frankfurt. Aaron Ramsey, then. Yilmaz now.
Schmeichel did his factor. There was gamesmanship in the best way he tried to place off some Rangers penalty takers. There have been some mocking phrases in reply from Ianis Hagi after he buried his kick previous the Dane.
Finally, this odyssey got here right down to Yilmaz versus Schmeichel and Maeda versus Butland. Celtic gained, by a whisker or by a mile, it does not actually matter.
A distinct type of victory from earlier than, however the identical feelgood in a single dressing room and presumably the identical silence and despair within the different. Sporting drama at its greatest .
Enzo Maresca has made 10 adjustments to Chelsea’s beginning line-up for tonight’s London derby with Brentford.
Thursday’s journey to Kazakhstan noticed the Blues embark on the longest European away journey within the membership’s historical past, with eight-hour flights to Almaty and again, plus the gamers going through Astana in subzero temperatures.
It meant we did not arrive again till mid-morning on Friday so with simply over two days to organize for tonight’s match with Brentford, Maresca determined to go away nearly all of our senior gamers at house for the journey to Kazakhstan.
So it got here as no shock to be taught Maresca has determined to make 10 adjustments for tonight’s 7pm kick-off at Stamford Bridge, with Tosin Adarabioyo the one one to retain his place.
Pedro Neto’s suspension meant there was all the time going to be one change in comparison with the staff which beat Spurs 4-3 final weekend and Noni Madueke returns on the correct wing.
It means Robert Sanchez is again in purpose and will likely be protected by a again 4 which ought to see Malo Gusto on the correct, Tosin and Levi Colwill within the center, with Marc Cucurella on the left.
Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are the 2 midfielders, with Cole Palmer forward of them, and Jadon Sancho and Madueke on the flanks. Nicolas Jackson leads the road as soon as extra.
Chelsea’s bench consists of Christopher Nkunku, who did not make the journey to Kazakhstan, whereas the remaining had been all a part of the squad which received 3-1 on Thursday, together with academy trio Josh Acheampong, Sam Rak-Sakyi and Tyrique George.
At the moment’s London derby shouldn’t be being televised within the UK however you possibly can observe all of the motion in our Chelsea vs Brentford Match Centre on our official web site and app.
The 2024 fantasy soccer playoffs started on Thursday night time, because the Rams confronted the 49ers in what was speculated to be a high-scoring affair. Sadly, primarily based on the unbelievable lack of statistical success, the fantasy playoffs may need already ended for numerous followers, too.
Extra to the purpose, those that began Cooper Kupp at the moment are dealing with an uphill battle.
The Rams’ famous person extensive receiver, who was began in near one hundred pc of leagues throughout all platforms, didn’t rating a single level within the sport. Not one. It’s solely the tenth time in his NFL profession that he’s been held below 5 factors, and it got here on the worst time for managers.
Kupp wasn’t the one participant who had a foul stat line, although.
The competition didn’t function a single landing, because the scoring was restricted to 6 area objectives. Each quarterbacks, Matthew Stafford and Brock Purdy, mixed to attain 12.2 factors. Going into the night time, Stafford had averaged 14.7 factors whereas Purdy averaged 17.6 factors.
Stafford’s 8.2 factors is the seventh fewest he’s scored in 55 regular-season video games with the Rams. As for Purdy, his four-point stinker is his third-worst complete in his 34 begins with the 49ers. The 2 kickers, Joshua Karty and Jake Moody, outscored each quarterbacks.
They weren’t the one ones who scored fewer factors than these two booters, both.
Karty’s 13 fantasy factors have been greater than Isaac Guerendo (11.5), George Kittle (10.1), Jauan Jennings (5.1), and Deebo Samuel Sr. (4.9). Karty almost equaled the fantasy stats from Kyren Williams (13.4), who entered the week averaging greater than 17 factors per sport.
Puka Nacua was the lone participant who didn’t fail to satisfy expectations. He scored 17.8 factors on seven catches and 108 complete yards. However total, the shortage of statistical success from virtually each startable fantasy participant on this contest (none greater than Kupp’s zero factors) has put loads of fantasy managers in a deep gap heading into the weekend.
Chelsea took benefit of their rivals’ slip-ups to maneuver two factors off the highest of the Premier League however made arduous work of a slim 2-1 win over Brentford.
The Blues didn’t make the identical mistake as Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester Metropolis who had all dropped factors at house earlier within the weekend, however ended up hanging on to victory in opposition to a Bees facet who had picked up just one away level all season.
They took a deserved lead into the break when Marc Cucurella nodded in his first Premier League purpose for the Blues minutes earlier than the interval, having dominated the opening half with out creating a lot in the best way of clear-cut probabilities.
Nicolas Jackson ought to have put the sport to mattress on the hour mark when he ballooned the influential Jadon Sancho’s cross over from six yards out, and with out that the Blues’ slim lead all the time remained precarious.
Group information:
Chelsea welcomed again Malo Gusto and Noni Madueke to their line-up, with Romeo Lavia injured.
Igor Thiago missed out with a calf damage for Brentford, who introduced in Mads Roerslev and Mikkel Damsgaard.
Brentford got here so shut to creating them pay as momentum started to shift and Christian Norgaard pulled an excellent finger-tip cease out of Robert Sanchez, earlier than Fabio Carvalho’s sliding effort bounced down off the bar, no quite a lot of inches from crossing the road.
Enzo Maresca’s celebrations which greeted Jackson’s thunderous second after a fast counter-attack summed up the reduction round Stamford Bridge with 10 minutes left as Chelsea lastly gave themselves a cushion to defend.
However even then, a hospital cross of a throw from Cucurella to Moises Caicedo noticed a Brentford counter completed off stylishly by Bryan Mbeumo, leaving the Blues to see out a nervy seven minutes of added time earlier than they may lastly have a good time stealing a march on their title rivals with victory.
Cucurella’s glorious night ended on a bitter word after the full-time whistle when the goalscorer was proven a second yellow card for an altercation with Kevin Schade.
Maresca: Title winners do not concede that kind of purpose
Chelsea supervisor Enzo Maresca:
“Irrespective of what number of video games we win, I believe we’re not able to compete for the title. One of many explanation why is I believe that groups who know the way to win titles will not concede targets like we did.
“ninetieth minute, our attacking throw-in. If you happen to do not consider me, or suppose I simply say it – I’d love the strain to compete. However we’re not prepared for a lot of causes, and one of many causes is we can not concede the purpose we conceded. It opened the sport up.”
On Marc Cucurella’s purple card: “The second yellow card was for unhealthy perspective, the referee advised me. When the ultimate whistle went I used to be with the teaching workers celebrating, so I did not see something.
“He was prime along with the opposite 10. They have been improbable, and we’re pleased with Marc’s efficiency. On the finish of the sport, the sport is completed, we will handle the second differently. However it’s an expertise for the gamers to study.”
Frank: Chelsea celebrations confirmed we deserved some extent
Brentford head coach Thomas Frank:
“We have been in some ways unfortunate to not get something out of the sport, no less than a draw. The second half was improbable, we went more-or-less toe to toe with one of many favourites within the Premier League.
“The best way we did that second half was vastly spectacular. We had two massive moments, with Christian Norgaard and Fabio Carvalho – after which we put one and put strain on, they ended up taking set items brief and working within the nook.
“The best way they celebrated the second purpose and the win, it meant rather a lot to them – we will need to have induced them plenty of bother so I am more than happy with the efficiency from my group.”
Evaluation: Chelsea transfer nearer to prime – however title credentials look much less convincing
Sky Sports activities’ Ron Walker at Stamford Bridge:
“Chelsea succeeded the place Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester Metropolis had failed by successful at house, however had they been punished by Brentford, as they may have been, it could have been simply as self-inflicted.
“Robert Sanchez and Chelsea’s centre-back choices have been highlighted as their Achilles heel, but it surely was their lack of ability to complete Brentford off and the way of the purpose they did ultimately concede – from their very own attacking throw – which supplies some credence to Enzo Maresca’s insistence they don’t seem to be able to problem for the title.
“From the skin, this may seem like an ideal instance of a group successful with out enjoying nicely – the hallmark of any good facet.
“However the best way Chelsea let Brentford, a facet who had misplaced six of seven on the street, wrestle again management of the sport out of nowhere and are available inches away from getting one thing is one other signal that maturity remains to be creating.
“The Blues have nonetheless come an terrible good distance below Maresca. Whereas their title rivals all have established, skilled names via the backbone of the group, Chelsea are nonetheless on the best way up. They’re getting there, however nonetheless have a solution to go.”
Backside membership Southampton had been booed off and Russell Martin was subsequently sacked after struggling a 5-0 defeat to Tottenham.
Martin had overseen 13 defeats of their 16 video games since promotion again to the highest flight in the summertime. They’re caught in twentieth, already 9 factors from security and at the moment are on the lookout for a brand new boss.
In his programme notes, Martin had referred to as on Saints followers to “hold believing” in his gamers regardless of the predicament they at the moment discover themselves in. Any impact these phrases may need had on supporters was quickly eradicated.
With simply 36 seconds on the clock, James Maddison swept the opener after Djed Spence simply introduced the ball ahead by way of the center of the park. It was the earliest Saints had conceded within the Premier League since November 2013.
It was 2-0 after 12 minutes when Heung-Min Son slotted house after Jan Bednarek’s poor header, and 3-0 two minutes later, with Son turning supplier for Dejan Kulusevski to show the ball house from shut vary.
Southampton’s distress in numbers
Southampton have picked up simply 5 factors from their first 16 Premier League matches this season (W1 D2 L13), with Sheffield United in 2020/21 the one group to have picked up fewer factors at this stage of the marketing campaign in Premier League historical past (2 factors).
Solely Derby County (-32 in 07/08), Sheffield United (-29 in 23/24), Barnsley (-29 in 97/98) and Sheffield Wednesday (-26 in 99/00) have had a worse objective distinction after 16 Premier League matches of a marketing campaign than Southampton’s -25 (11F 36A) this season.
Southampton are the one group in Premier League historical past to go in at half-time shedding by a five-goal deficit on a number of events, doing so vs Leicester Metropolis in October 2019 (0-5) and tonight (0-5). General, Southampton have conceded 5 objectives within the first half of a match on 4 separate events, with no different aspect doing so greater than as soon as.
That was sufficient for the house followers to direct their frustrations in direction of Martin, however the fourth from Pape Sarr – following abysmal defending within the twenty fifth minute – sparked a mass exodus from St Mary’s. It was the earliest Tottenham had led by 4 objectives in a Premier League sport.
Picture: A dejected Russell Martin paces the touchline as his Southampton aspect fall 4-0 right down to Spurs
Martin trudged down the tunnel earlier than the half-time whistle and never solely missed the extraordinary boos from the house followers that greeted it, however Maddison’s second of the night, from the tightest of angles.
There was no such depth within the second half. The truth is, Spurs solely tried a single shot within the second half, with Son, Maddison and Dominic Solanke withdrawn with one eye on Thursday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final in opposition to Manchester United, which is reside on Sky Sports activities.
Thursday nineteenth December 7:00pm
Kick off 8:00pm
Southampton did attempt to scale back the deficit, with Tyler Dibling arguably their greatest menace. Mateus Fernandes headed in late on, however knew he had strayed offside instantly. Finally, they might do nothing to take the gloss off; the job was already accomplished.
Martin earlier than sacking: Boos harm me as a supervisor however I’ll battle on
Underneath-pressure Southampton supervisor Russell Martin chatting with TNT Sports activities straight after the sport:
“I am harm on the first half. We simply do not reply very effectively to setbacks as a gaggle.
“Finally, it is harm us loads this season. We concede so early and now we have an opportunity to foul Djed Spence in the midst of the pitch, and we do not. Then we’re 1-0 down, after which the response after that’s extremely poor. So very disappointing.
Picture: Martin was booed by his personal followers in the course of the Spurs defeat
“In all probability essentially the most disappointing factor is now we have a plan that I really like the week’s coaching. The gamers have been part of that course of, however we do not perform with anyplace close to sufficient intensive aggression, as a result of we concede actually the primary motion they’ve the ball. So then that is right down to mentality and nonetheless wanting to stay to it.
“So I did not recognise our group within the first half. I am happy they caught at it within the second. Nevertheless it’s a troublesome night time.”
On whether or not boos from house crowd have an effect on him: “As an individual, no. As a result of I perceive it is not private. I do not know them and they do not know me.
“As a supervisor, yeah, after all, it hurts me. It hurts the group, however I additionally perceive it.”
Requested the place he goes from right here: “I feel now we have no selection however to work and battle. It is all I’ve accomplished since I have been on this job, and it is all I will proceed to do till I am advised in any other case.”
Ramsdale: I really feel very sorry for Martin
Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale chatting with TNT Sports activities:
“A troublesome one. The early objective sucker-punched us and we simply by no means recovered.
“Give the credit score to Tottenham – James Maddison participant of the match.
“Tonight’s an actual troublesome one for us to take.”
On Russell Martin: “I really feel very sorry for him. I feel the lads are nonetheless making an attempt for him. I do not suppose there’s any query of something on Russell Martin.
“The followers do deserve higher and so they’re sticking with us, and it is one now we have to maneuver on in a short time forward of Wednesday.”
Ange praises senior gamers Son and Maddison: They had been catalysts in win
Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou talking at his post-match press convention about his senior gamers Son and Maddison standing up:
“Yeah, they had been sensible. I feel they sensed that they wanted to tonight. We’re simply unfold so skinny that we’re asking younger gamers and gamers who have not performed loads and others who’re taking part in on a regular basis to go on the market and nonetheless attempt to play to our identification, nonetheless attempt to play the soccer we wish to and I believed they had been each a catalyst for that tonight with each their soccer but in addition their mindset of simply going on the market.
“We needed to begin robust right now. We type of knew we would most likely run out of gasoline on the finish of the sport contemplating the line-up we had on the market and coming off Europe on Thursday night time, so I feel the gamers sensed that and credit score to them that they began the sport that means.”
On the win: “Actually happy with the gamers. Clearly we had a troublesome away European fixture on Thursday night time [at Rangers]. We had 10 first-team gamers unavailable for quite a few causes right now, so out of a squad of 25 you do the sums.
“We requested plenty of them to once more go on the market and dig into their wells of vitality and a pair we put on the market have not performed for ages so the truth that boys can play with such vitality and high quality is simply excellent and actually happy that they get the rewards for it as a result of they deserve it.”
Bronny James’ first street sport within the G League resulted within the highest-scoring output of his younger profession Thursday night time.
The Los Angeles Lakers rookie scored a game-high 30 factors on 13-of-23 taking pictures as his South Bay Lakers fell to the Valley Suns 106-100 in Tempe, Arizona.
The No. 55 decide on this yr’s draft added three rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block. He is now averaging 14.0 factors, 3.5 rebounds and a couple of.5 assists throughout 4 G League video games total.
James, 20, was lately sidelined for a number of weeks whereas coping with a bone bruise in his left heel. The Lakers have been cautious in his restoration, sources advised ESPN on Wednesday, as a result of the heel damage was affecting the identical leg that required left knee surgical procedure to restore a torn meniscus when he was in highschool.
James has performed seven video games within the NBA this season, most lately Sunday in opposition to the Portland Path Blazers, however is averaging lower than 3 minutes per contest.
James’ father, LeBron James, will miss a second straight sport Friday when the Lakers tackle the Minnesota Timberwolves. He is coping with foot soreness, in accordance with the crew.
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