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Oct 22, 2025, 10:24 PM ET

BOSTON — Sixers rookie VJ Edgecombe wasted no time making his mark in the NBA, scoring 34 points in his debut to help Philadelphia rally to beat the Boston Celtics 117-116 in their season opener Wednesday night.

Edgecombe scored the most points in an NBA debut since Wilt Chamberlain had 43 on Oct. 24, 1959, and the third most in a debut all time. He also set the franchise scoring record in a debut, breaking Allen Iverson’s mark of 30.

The rookie managed to stand out on a night teammate Tyrese Maxey scored a game-high 40 points. The 74 combined points by Edgecombe and Maxey were tied for the second most by a duo in a season opener in NBA history, trailing only James Harden and Christian Wood’s 75 points for the Rockets in 2020.

YearPlayerPoints1959Wilt Chamberlain431954Frank Selvy35Wed.V.J. Edgecombe341974John Drew321955Maurice Stokes32

Philadelphia led by four with 22 seconds left, but it was down to one when Edgecombe missed a pair of foul shots with 9.1 seconds to play. Payton Pritchard had two shots for the winner and missed both.

Joel Embiid played for the first time since February, scoring four points on 1-of-9 shooting. The 2023 NBA MVP and a two-time league scoring champion had six rebounds in 20 minutes as he returns after a 2024-25 season when he was limited to 19 games because of a sprained left foot, a sinus fracture and arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

Jaylen Brown returned from a hamstring injury in the preseason finale to score 25 points. The 2024 NBA Finals MVP is expected to carry a heavier load this year with fellow All-Star Jayson Tatum, who watched the game from the bench in street clothes, recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Derrick White scored 13 of his 25 points in the third quarter, when the Celtics scored 16 straight to turn a five-point deficit into an 11-point lead. The Celtics led 94-84 with nine minutes remaining before the Sixers scored eight straight points to make it close.

The Associated Press and ESPN Research contributed to this report.

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  Sean AllenOct 21, 2025, 03:00 PM ET

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  Sean Allen is a contributing writer for fantasy hockey and betting at ESPN. He was the 2008 and 2009 FSWA Hockey Writer of the Year.

Is it really enough for a player to provide almost nothing but hits and blocked shots in fantasy hockey? Can those categories pile up at such a rate that managers can overlook empty returns elsewhere?

Based on the early returns this season … well, yeah.

Take the case of Brayden McNabb. The Vegas Golden Knights defender currently sits 16th among all blueliners in total fantasy points this season with 13.0. Aside from a single shot on goal, 12.9 of those fantasy points have come from his nine hits and 24 blocked shots. He is the epitome of earning value through defensive hustle alone, but he’s not alone.

Jump ahead: Goalies | Power Play | Droppables

Player, PositionTeamPercent of
leagues availableFPHBSBrayden McNabb, DVegas Golden Knights57%12.9Andrew Peeke, DBoston Bruins86%12Nikita Zadorov, DBoston Bruins56%11.4Darnell Nurse, DEdmonton Oilers13%11.2Adam Larsson, DSeattle Kraken38%10.1Conor Timmins, DBuffalo Sabres99%9.8Jared Spurgeon, DMinnesota Wild48%9.7Erik Cernak, DTampa Bay Lightning96%9.6Tyler Myers, DVancouver Canucks80%9.3Mike Matheson, DMontreal Canadiens4%8.6Shea Theodore, DVegas Golden Knights28%8.5Braden Schneider, DNew York Rangers95%8.5Jake Middleton, DMinnesota Wild67%8.5Brett Pesce, DNew Jersey Devils97%8.4Auston Matthews, CToronto Maple Leafs0%8.4Simon Edvinsson, DDetroit Red Wings37%8.2Joel Hanley, DCalgary Flames100%8.2Thomas Harley, DDallas Stars6%8.2Victor Hedman, DTampa Bay Lightning1%7.9Nick Seeler, DPhiladelphia Flyers96%7.9Charlie McAvoy, DBoston Bruins5%7.8Alexandre Carrier, DMontreal Canadiens99%7.7Mikhail Sergachev, DUtah Mammoth5%7.7Travis Sanheim, DPhiladelphia Flyers40%7.7Adam Fox, DNew York Rangers1%7.5Alexander Romanov, DNew York Islanders71%7.5Ryan Lindgren, DSeattle Kraken100%7.5Dylan DeMelo, DWinnipeg Jets91%7.5Mattias Ekholm, DEdmonton Oilers46%7.4Radko Gudas, DAnaheim Ducks76%7.4Jacob Trouba, DAnaheim Ducks40%7.3

Why 31? Because it felt wrong to cut off the list right before this generation’s rock star for FPHBS. Trouba has either led the league or threatened to do so in this category for several years.

Matthews stands alone in a sea of blueliners here, showcasing his renewed defensive focus. One of the game’s top snipers has blocked 16 shots through six games. If the power play starts clicking for the Leafs soon, Matthews could quickly become the leader in overall fantasy points.

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What jumps out most from that list is how many of these names have little or no offensive upside, yet they’re carrying steady value week to week. Peeke and Zadorov aren’t even defense partners for the Bruins, yet both benefit from the team’s physical play so far this season. Peeke is second in the league in blocked shots, while Zadorov is second in hits.

Of course, the real fantasy gold comes when a player contributes in those physical categories and chips in offense. Theodore fits that mold perfectly. Vegas has leaned on a five-forward power play early, but with Mark Stone sidelined for several weeks, Theodore will reclaim the quarterback role. That means some added offensive punch to the blocks foundation that’s already keeping him fantasy-relevant — the kind of blend that separates useful depth from true difference-makers.

Mikhail Sergachev is another example, with zero points but a solid base from the physical stats. We know he’ll start scoring eventually given his role as the Mammoth’s top offensive option on the blue line.

Goalie notes

Here’s this week’s goaltending snapshot, showing crease shares, fantasy production, and key notes where relevant.

Buffalo Sabres in six games (four last week):

• Alex Lyon (crease share season/week: 100.0%/100.0%, fantasy points season/week: 17.6/16.2, 84.4% available)

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Shutting out the defending champs and earning positive points in a loss to the Avalanche, it’s not like Lyon is getting a soft schedule to earn these fantasy points. There’s no clear timetable for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to return, so Lyon has some medium-term appeal now that the Sabres have remembered how to score.

Columbus Blue Jackets in five games (three last week):

• Jet Greaves (crease share season/week: 59.8%/66.8%, fantasy points season/week: 7.4/5.4, 91.2% available)

• Elvis Merzlikins (crease share season/week: 40.2%/33.2%, fantasy points season/week: 6.0/0.4, 73.1% available)

Keep your finger on the acquisition button for Greaves, as this already looks close to a 50-50 split of the crease, which is all Greaves needs to be worth a roster spot based on how he closed out last season.

Chicago Blackhawks in seven games (four last week):

• Spencer Knight (crease share season/week: 71.6%/75.8%, fantasy points season/week: 18.8/19.0, 70.8% available)

• Arvid Soderblom (crease share season/week: 28.4%/24.2%, fantasy points season/week: 1.4/2.6, 99.7% available)

Knight is getting a ton of volume and doing enough to earn positive points even when the ‘Hawks lose. Already he seems like a goaltender worth having as a third goalie in leagues with daily lineups, as long as you bench him for the toughest of matchups.

Detroit Red Wings in six games (four last week):

• Cam Talbot (crease share season/week: 55.7%/49.2%, fantasy points season/week: 16.4/13.6, 63.8% available)

• John Gibson (crease share season/week: 44.3%/50.8%, fantasy points season/week: 3.0/11.4, 77.5% available)

Los Angeles Kings in six games (three last week):

• Anton Forsberg (crease share season/week: 50.8%/65.6%, fantasy points season/week: -1.4/-1.4, 98.4% available)

• Darcy Kuemper (crease share season/week: 49.2%/34.4%, fantasy points season/week: -5.8/-0.4, 19.5% available)

Kuemper is not expected to be out for a long time, but his absence could drag out another week or so while the Kings are on the road.

Montreal Canadiens in seven games (four last week):

• Sam Montembeault (crease share season/week: 56.6%/49.4%, fantasy points season/week: -2.4/-4.8, 26.1% available)

• Jakub Dobes (crease share season/week: 43.4%/50.6%, fantasy points season/week: 17.4/9.4, 84.9% available)

New Jersey Devils in five games (four last week):

• Jake Allen (crease share season/week: 53.5%/88.9%, fantasy points season/week: 12.2/12.2, 87.8% available)

• Jacob Markstrom (crease share season/week: 46.5%/11.1%, fantasy points season/week: -0.2/3.6, 42.7% available)

Allen gets the crease for at least two weeks. He’s definitely worth starting for the entire run if your lineup locks, but it’d be better if you could move him and and out of your lineup; To avoid the home-and-home with the Avalanche, for example.

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Jake Allen makes big-time save vs. Flyers

Jake Allen makes big-time save vs. Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers in six games (four last week):

• Dan Vladar (crease share season/week: 66.0%/75.5%, fantasy points season/week: 16.4/14.0, 92.1% available)

• Samuel Ersson (crease share season/week: 34.0%/24.5%, fantasy points season/week: -6.0/-6.0, 97.1% available)

Pittsburgh Penguins in six games (three last week):

• Arturs Silovs (crease share season/week: 50.2%/33.5%, fantasy points season/week: 10.8/6.0, 89.4% available)

• Tristan Jarry (crease share season/week: 49.8%/66.5%, fantasy points season/week: 13.6/8.8, 71.1% available)

Vegas Golden Knights in seven games (six last week):

• Adin Hill (crease share season/week: 51.1%/37.5%, fantasy points season/week: 1.8/5.6, 10.0% available)

• Akira Schmid (crease share season/week: 48.9%/62.5%, fantasy points season/week: 14.0/12.0, 95.0% available)

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With the success the Golden Knights are having, Schmid becomes a must-add with Hill’s injury on Monday. Carter Hart isn’t available to the team until December, so any extended absence for Hill will mean a steady diet of Schmid.

Washington Capitals in six games (three last week):

• Logan Thompson (crease share season/week: 67.0%/67.8%, fantasy points season/week: 14.6/8.0, 9.7% available)

• Charlie Lindgren (crease share season/week: 33.0%/32.2%, fantasy points season/week: 10.0/-4.0, 46.7% available)

Power-play notes

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Florida Panthers vs. Buffalo Sabres: Game Highlights

Florida Panthers vs. Buffalo Sabres: Game Highlights

Josh Doan, RW, Buffalo Sabres (available in 89.8%): The Sabres finally got a power play working this past week and the ultimate combo was a little unexpected. No Alex Tuch, but Doan and Zach Benson were on the top unit. Doan managed three power-play points as the attack came together to collectively average four shots every two minutes on the advantage.

Victor Olofsson, RW, Colorado Avalanche (available in 97.8%): It might not be Olofsson that ultimately sticks and becomes fantasy relevant, but note that the Avs are tinkering with their power-play deployment as they look to sail out of the advantage doldrums. Olofsson replaced Artturi Lehkonen on the top unit Saturday, but they still didn’t manage a goal.

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Trevor Moore, RW, Los Angeles Kings (available in 97.2%): With an injured Anze Kopitar, the Kings stuck to their five-forward power-play guns, moving Moore up to the top unit. That means neither Drew Doughty nor Brandt Clarke are getting the access they need on the advantage, even with the team’s best forward on the sidelines.

Ridly Greig, C, Ottawa Senators (available in 97.8%): A mainstay on the top unit since Brady Tkachuk was injured, we can probably skip Greig on rosters for now. If this power-play unit heats up though, he can be a streaming option.

Dmitry Orlov, D, San Jose Sharks (available in 93.7%): John Klingberg is considered day-to-day, but now we have the answer about who gets to quarterback the advantage in his absence.

Nick Schmaltz, RW, Utah Mammoth (available in 31.6%): This top unit for the Mammoth has been very steady and offers fantasy appeal all around. Schmaltz is the most available of all of them and he quietly leads the team in shots on goal.

Conor Garland, RW, Vancouver Canucks (available in 44.6%): There have been three players on the ice as part of the units that scored all four Canucks power-play goals this season. Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson are no surprises, but Garland has been the third consistent presence.

Shea Theodore, D, Vegas Golden Knights (available in 28.3%): As mentioned at the top of this column, Theodore slides into Mark Stone’s spot on the top power-play unit as Stone is out for a couple of weeks.

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Alex Iafallo, LW, Winnipeg Jets (available in 96.7%): With Cole Perfetti still expected out for a few weeks, it may be time to consider streaming in Iafallo if you need some power-play help. He has what is likely Perfetti’s role on the top unit and has been picking up more than his fair share of stats.

Droppables

Andrei Svechnikov, LW, Carolina Hurricanes (rostered in 62.4%): Appearing on what is essentially the fourth line in some games, Svechnikov isn’t getting time on the top power-play unit either. He has been a volume-driven fantasy producer in the past, so without the volume, he isn’t going to help your roster.

Brandt Clarke, D, Los Angeles Kings (rostered in 57.6%): As mentioned above in the power-play notes, the Kings are very much committed to a five-forward advantage. That means Clarke doesn’t even have the opportunity to compete with Doughty for looks on the top unit. Neither of them will be there.

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Jack Eichel, Pavel Dorofeyev and William Karlsson also scored and Mitch Marner had two assists for Vegas, which still hasn’t lost in regulation (5-0-2).

Akira Schmid stopped 23 shots after relieving Adin Hill, who made four saves before he left the game midway through the first period with an injury. Schmid improved to 4-0-0 this season.

Dorofeyev is tied with Ottawaâ€s Shane Pinto and Winnipegâ€s Mark Scheifele for the league lead with seven goals, while Eichel leads the league with 16 points.

Sebastian Aho scored for the Hurricanes, his second of the season. Frederick Andersen (3-1-0) made 21 saves as Carolina lost for the first time after opening the season with five wins.

Eichel opened the scoring in the first period, when he took a pass from Brandon Saad and ricocheted the puck off Carolina defenseman Kâ€Andre Millerâ€s stick and past Andersen for his sixth goal of the season.

Less than two minutes later, just after Hill left the game, Dorofeyev raced in and deked around Andersen with a forehand-backhand to make it 2-0.

Aho cut the lead in half early in the second period when he beat Schmid from the right circle with a quick wrist shot.

Barbashev extended Vegas†lead back to two goals when he stripped the puck from Miller and raced in to beat Andersen.

Karlssonâ€s empty-net goal provided the final margin.

Just before the game, the Golden Knights placed captain Mark Stone on injured reserve.

The Hurricanes continue their season-high six-game trip at Colorado on Thursday, while the Golden Knights open a three-game trip at Florida on Saturday.

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1

Amorim gets his tactics spot on

The high-stakes duel in one of the fiercest rivalries in the English game came down to a crucial in-game management decision. Arne Slot, a manager lauded for smart substitutions last season, took a gamble in the 62nd minute, making three changes that aggressively shifted Liverpool into a 4-2-4, leaving Curtis Jones and Florian Wirtz dangerously exposed in midfield. The gamble initially appeared worthwhile: after rattling the post twice, Cody Gakpo finally delivered a 78th-minute equaliser to breathe some life into the deflated Anfield crowd. But Ruben Amorim remained calm and trusted his vision. Liverpool were undone just six minutes later after Bruno Fernandesâ€s fantastic cross found Harry Maguire inexplicably alone at the far post, the lack of defensive bodies evident as he thumped in the winner. Slot was hoping for a high-risk, high-reward outcome but ultimately, Unitedâ€s grit in the second half paid off. Amorim has his critics – droves of them – but his tactics, including starting Maguire, were vindicated to earn Unitedâ€s first win at Anfield since 2016. Two league wins on the bounce is a first for Amorim at United. Are the wheels shifting? “Itâ€s an embarrassing stat to have had,†said Maguire. “We have to start putting a bit more consistency together. We have set a benchmark.†Yara El-Shaboury

Match report: Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United

2

Spurs struggle to paper over cracks

Tottenham began the day aiming to go second in the table, yet ended it pondering all-too familiar failings. Despite dominating for long periods Thomas Frankâ€s side created few clearcut chances, reflecting their continued problems playing at home, where they have won just three of their last 18 league games, and taken only four points this season. Mohammed Kudus and Wilson Odobert are threatening from wide areas, but Xavi Simmons has not settled and Mathys Tel looks raw, which suggests scoring goals will continue to be an issue, particularly against deep-lying defences. Were it not for an impressive haul of 10 points out of a possible 12 away from home the boos that greeted the final whistle would have been far louder. Matt Hughes

3

Gunners sharpen focus at Fulham

For Arsenal this was another day like all the others: the Kind Of Game You Just Have to Win To Be Champions. Maybe one day Arsenal will play a Game You Donâ€t Have To Win, or a Game You Would Just Quite Like To Win. But not yet. There will be questions of course. One: is it boring to win like winning is everything when winning is everything (answer: no). And two, is there a case of Bukayo Saka dependence here? Saka was both brilliant against Fulham and also the only sharp creative element as Victor Gyökeres battered away and Eberechi Eze had a quiet day. It is hard to see too much wrong in channeling your main threat through a very good, very reliable academy-reared player. Could be worse eh? Plus Kai Havertz will be back next month and may play ahead of Gyökeres in The Super Vital Games You Really Really Have To Win. Behind all this the key stat is still one goal conceded from open play all season. This is how you win a league. And itâ€s deceptively hard to do. Barney Ronay

4

Maresca swats away disciplinary issues

Ange Postecoglouâ€s misery was Chelseaâ€s satisfaction. Victory at Nottingham Forest was Chelseaâ€s third in a row before hosting Ajax in the Champions League on Wednesday. The frustrating thing for Enzo Maresca was he had to watch from the directors†box, a few rows below Evangelos Marinakis, who departed the stadium at 2-0; Maresca served a touchline ban after being sent off against Liverpool and Malo Gustoâ€s red card late on against Forest, after picking up a second yellow, raised further questions of ill-discipline. Chelsea have received five red cards in six matches, including Marescaâ€s. The Italian argued there is context behind the sendings-off, in this case stating Gusto was desperate to keep a clean sheet, though in reality the versatile defender needlessly fouled Neco Williams midway inside the Forest half, with the hosts trailing 3-0 and going nowhere fast. “It is something we can do better, but Iâ€m not concerned,†Maresca said. “But, for sure, we can avoid it.†Ben Fisher

Unlike Evangelos Marinakis, Enzo Maresca, the Chelsea manager, watched the entirety of their match at the City Ground from the stands. Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

5

Minteh shows what might have been

As Anthony Elanga struggled for Newcastle, a player who got away, Yankuba Minteh, showed what Eddie Howe missed out on. After struggling to meet profit and sustainability rules, Newcastle had to cash out Minteh to Brighton for £30m and Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest for £35m in the summer of 2024, a continued source of regret. Anderson has become an England regular and, even if Lewis Miley showed off his talents as a half-time sub, Newcastleâ€s midfield department is bare beyond Sandro Tonali, Joelinton and Bruno Guimarães. Minteh is ideal for Fabian Hürzelerâ€s high-pressing, quick transition game, his speed a surrogate for the absence of the injured Kaoru Mitoma. He would suit Newcastle, too. Dan Burn had a torrid afternoon against his old club; Minteh ran rings round the team he never played a match for. Coincidentally, his time on Newcastleâ€s books included him impressing on loan at Arne Slotâ€s Feyenoord. John Brewin

6

Guardiola runs rule over Rodri deputies

Pep Guardiola said Rodriâ€s hamstring injury will continue to rule him out for Manchester Cityâ€s next two games – at least. “I donâ€t think [he will be available] for Villarreal or Aston Villa. Itâ€s not [for] long, but itâ€s muscular and you have to be careful. Weâ€ve tried so many times [to ease him back]. Weâ€ve tried to not take a risk, but we have not been able to [prevent more setbacks]. So we will see,†said the manager. To potentially deputise, Guardiola has the returning Mateo Kovacic, whose 86th-minute substitute appearance was a first for City this term after an achilles problem. “Kovacic has a special quality with the ball to keep it, but we cannot forget he came after surgery and a three or four month injury.†Nico Oâ€Reilly may also be unavailable for the Champions League trip to Villarreal. “A knock I think,†said Guardiola. “Weâ€ll see.†Jamie Jackson

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Pep Guardiola ponders his options on the sidelines. Photograph: Xinhua/Shutterstock

7

Kroupi shows quality in striking style

In the absence of Evanilson with a calf injury that could also keep him out of next weekâ€s meeting with Nottingham Forest, Eli Junior Kroupi took his opportunity on his first league start by scoring twice against Crystal Palace in a 3-3 thriller that showed the 19-year-old could prove to be a shrewd investment. Signed from Bournemouthâ€s sister club Lorient for around £12m and sent back on loan to finish as top scorer in Ligue 2 last season, the son of a prolific striker with the same first name, who helped the French side win the 2002 Coupe de France, already has three Premier League goals and also scored twice for Franceâ€s Under-21s last week. “Heâ€s a goalscorer because he smells the chances,†said the Bournemouth manager, Andoni Iraola. “Heâ€s someone who is very aware of the second balls, where the balls can finish. Heâ€s a good finisher. But obviously, he still has a lot of things to improve. The physicality, the rhythm, a lot of things that he has to learn.†Ed Aarons

8

Mbeumo starting to make his mark

It had barely been a minute at Anfield before the controversy began. Bryan Mbeumo struck quickly for the visitors but, in the frantic buildup, Virgil van Dijk had elbowed his own teammate Alexis Mac Allister in the head while challenging Mbeumo for a header. Liverpool were furious as United celebrated in front of the Kop, arguing Michael Oliver should have stopped play under concussion protocol, though Van Dijk admitted post-match that “there was still plenty of football left to be playedâ€. The opener cemented a purposefully aggressive start from Manchester United – a rarity from them at Anfield in recent years – and Mbeumo provided the high-intensity pressing and work ethic the club have desperately lacked. For a club heavily criticised for their recent transfer decisions, the 26-year-old is starting to look like an astute bit of business. YE-S

Bryan Mbeumo laps up the acclaim from the travelling fans, and Amad Diallo, after opening the scoring at Anfield. Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

9

Pereira faces crucial test as woes resume

Will Wolves secure their first league win of the season at home to Burnley or at Fulham? If not, , the head coach, Vítor Pereira, could really be in trouble. In losing 2-0 to a once again impressive, upwardly mobile Sunderland, it was telling that Wolves did not test Régis Le Brisâ€s goalkeeper, Robin Roefs, until the 70th minute. Pereira admits that Jørgen Strand Larsen is “strugglingâ€. The Norway striker is without a league goal this season but, in mitigation, a player disappointed not to join Newcastle in August is carrying an achilles injury and barely able to train between games. Pereira, meanwhile, remains convinced his defensively fragile team will come good. “If in one minute of my work I feel that my players are not with me, that is the end, but I didnâ€t feel it,†he said. “I feel they are frustrated but this is a moment when I need to help them.†Louise Taylor

10

Burnley reap rewards of Florentino move

It was a very busy summer at Burnley as they invested heavily in the hope of building a squad capable of staying in the Premier League. Someone was effectively signed for every position; the final arrival was Florentino Luís on deadline from Benfica. The Portuguese midfielder was a shining light in the clubâ€s academy and it was thought he would follow in the footsteps of Bernardo Silva and Rúben Dias by making a big-money move but Florentinoâ€s career had stalled somewhat. Loan moves to Monaco and Getafe did not work out, so he returned to Benfica, needing to prove himself once more, doing so domestically and in the Champions League. At 26, Burnley saw the right attributes; he is energetic, comfortable in possession and rarely panics even in tight situations. His contributions have been impressive thus far. He looks to be a smart acquisition. Will Unwin

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PHILADELPHIA — Mark Scheifele scored a pair of goals to tie the record for the most career points in Jets franchise history, Connor Hellebuyck made 15 saves, and Winnipeg beat the Philadelphia Flyers 5-2 on Thursday night.

Scheifele tied Blake Wheeler with 812 points for the franchise, which includes the team’s years in Atlanta.

On his first goal, Scheifele fired a snap shot from the right circle past Philadelphia goalie Sam Ersson, beating him over his glove to put the Jets ahead 2-0 at 7:01 of the second period.

His second goal was a one-timer from the left circle on the power play in the third period to extend the lead to 4-1.

Hellebucyk, the reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy winner, won a game in Philadelphia for the first time in his 11-year NHL career. He had lost in each of his four previous tries against the Flyers at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

His team helped him out in the third period, as the defense held the Flyers without a shot on goal for the first 17:39 of the period and held them with a shot at even strength for the entirety of the period.

Vladislav Namestnikov and Morgan Barron also scored goals for the Jets, and Tanner Pearson added an empty-netter to help Winnipeg win their third straight game after losing their season opener against Dallas.

Owen Tippett and Matvei Michkov scored for the Flyers and Ersson finished with 10 saves.

Winnipeg: Returns home to host Nashville on Saturday night.

Philadelphia: Continues its four-game homestand Saturday, hosting Minnesota night.

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Max Greyserman didn’t get his first PGA Tour victory at the Baycurrent Classic, but he got closer to earning a couple of signature-event starts next season.

Greyserman closed in 65 Sunday in Japan, but fell one shot shy of Xander Schauffele. The runner-up showing, however, moved him from 58th to 51st in FedExCup points. Nos. 51-60 at the end of the Tour’s fall season will qualify for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Genesis Invitational.

Current Aon Next 10

• 51. Max Greyserman
• 52. Aldrich Potgieter
• 53. Chris Kirk
• 54. Aaron Rai
• 55. Min Woo Lee
• 56. Jordan Spieth
• 57. Garrick Higgo
• 58. Jake Knapp
• 59. Wyndham Clark
• 60. Joe Highsmith

Four tournaments remaining in FedExCup Fall:

• Oct. 23-26: Bank of Utah Championship
• Nov. 6-9: World Wide Technology Championship
• Nov. 13-16: Butterfield Bermuda Championship
• Nov. 20-23: RSM Classic

At the conclusion of the RSM on St. Simons Island, Georgia, the top 100 (down from 125 in previous years) in FEC points will earn full exempt status in 2026.

Among the notable movers this past week: Micheal Thorbjorsen (third at Baycurrent) jumped 18 spots to 72nd; Takumi Kanaya (T-4) moved from 135th to 113th; and Alex Smalley (T-4) got some breathing room, moving up 10 places to 77th.

Nos. 95-105 on the FedExCup Fall points list (*exempt for 2026):

• 95. Beau Hossler
• 96. Adam Scott*
• 97. Sami Valimaki
• 98. Patrick Fishburn
• 99. David Lipsky
• 100. Max Homa*
• 101. Isaiah Salinda
• 102. Austin Eckroat*
• 103. Joel Dahmen
• 104. Max McGreavy
• 105. Victor Perez

Austin Reaves is ready for the regular season.

The Los Angeles Lakers guard was excellent during Sunday’s 126-116 win over the Golden State Warriors in preseason action, scoring 21 points to go along with three rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block.

The only concern was Reaves leaving in the third quarter with some sort of lower-body injury, though it remains to be seen how serious it is.

Center Deandre Ayton added 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block for the Lakers, while Brandin Podziemski topped the Warriors with 23 points and eight assists.

It was a more efficient outing from Bronny James, albeit mostly in the fourth quarter, as he finished with seven points while shooting 5-of-5 on free throws. He only attempted two shots from the field in 15 minutes.

But Reaves was the story, with fans enjoying his efficient (7-of-10 from the field in 23 minutes) performance:

The Lakers are going to need this version of Reaves early on, with LeBron James set to miss the start of the regular season due to sciatica.

That means players like Reaves, Ayton and Rui Hachimura will need to play a more prominent role around superstar Luka DonÄić.

As for the younger James, fans generally view the preseason as rather meaningless, and on the macro level that’s generally true. It’s the chance for teammates to get more experience playing together after roster changes in the offseason, coaches to install new schemes and plays, etc., but it isn’t a great gauge for how the upcoming season will go.

But on the individual level, it’s a chance for players at the end of the bench to prove that they perhaps they deserve a bigger role. Bronny was given 24 minutes in the team’s first preseason game and 23 minutes in the second, turning those two appearances into 13 points on just 3-of-18 shooting from the field alongside eight rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block.

He played a smaller role on Sunday and was more efficient, mostly because he got to the charity stripe, but at this point it’s hard to imagine him having any sort of role for the Lakers outside of garbage-time minutes in blowouts.

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Matchday One of this season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League saw some exciting matchups and gave us a taste of what’s to come.

The UWCL table has a very Liga F look about it, with the top three spots occupied by Barcelona, Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid after some very impressive wins to open their campaigns.

Manchester United, meanwhile, were surprisingly the only Women’s Super League team to bag all three points on Matchday One.

We asked our writers Emily Keogh, Julien Laurens and Sam Marsden to answer some of our burning questions.

– Women’s Champions League: How the new format plays out
– Don’t know which UWCL team to support? ESPN can help
– Yohannes, Caldentey: Who is the MVP on all 18 UWCL teams?

Q1: Melchie Dumornay ranked No. 21 in the 2024 ESPN Women’s Rank, but has her two-goal performance in OL Lyonnes’ win at Arsenal cemented her as a top 10 player right now?

Keogh: I genuinely believe Dumornay will be a top 10 player sooner rather than later. What sets her apart isn’t just the flair, the flamboyant finishes or the fancy footwork — though she certainly has those in her locker. It’s the way she masters the fundamentals: her presence, physicality, intelligent movement off the ball, and clinical, simple finishing. These are the details that elevate her game. We’ve seen top players lose their edge when they stray from the basics, but Dumornay is doing the opposite and she’s building on them. Her football IQ, relentless work ethic, and sharp reading of the game are driving her development at a remarkable pace. Dumornay was a standout in 2023, and she’s only continued to rise. With Lyonnes looking so strong, 2025 could very well cement her as a top star. It’s unfortunate that players from lower-ranked nations often struggle to gain recognition in the global rankings, though. Haiti’s limited international presence could unfairly hold her back, despite her individual brilliance.

Melchie Dumornay punished two Arsenal mistakes to help OL Lyonnes to a 2-1 win over Arsenal at Meadow Park. Molly Darlington – UEFA

Laurens: I don’t want to say I told you so, but I did. (This is my Parisian arrogance at its best!)

Before the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia, when ESPN writers were asked to pick who would be the revelation of the tournament, I picked Dumornay. And she was. I had seen her grow in France, with Reims first as a 17-year-old and then at Lyonnes, and she’s only gotten better. Now 22, she was excellent at Arsenal on Tuesday off the back of a season where she registered 22 goals and nine assists in 28 games across all competitions.

I voted for her much higher than the 21st position in our renowned and respected FC 50 Women’s rankings last year (and 14th last month in the Ballon d’Or list), but she will definitely be in the top 10 this year. She is among the top 10 players in the world right now, and she has all the tools to even break into the top five despite playing for a tiny nation like Haiti.

Marsden: Probably. In terms of posting the kind of numbers at a top club you need to really stand out, and last year’s rank probably came just too soon for her. She’s possibly also been held back by Lyonnes’ failure to win a Champions League since she joined. But last year’s performances and statistics were no fluke; as she showed at Arsenal, and it’s just a matter of time before she’s flying up that list.

Q2: Does Barcelona’s 7-1 rout of Bayern Munich say more about Barça’s strength, or the size of the gap Bayern need to close in order to keep up with the best sides in Europe?

Laurens: When you look at Bayern Munich’s squad this season, they should not be losing 7-1 away at Barcelona after being 2-0 down after 12 minutes. Even their bench on Tuesday included some top international players. This is a terrible result for them. I was not sure that José Barçala was the right choice as Bayern manager in the summer, and I’m even more skeptical now.

Maybe the Germans thought that this Barça side, which went through a bit of a crisis in the summer, was not going to be very good for some reason? What’s for sure is that you can never underestimate Aitana Bonmatí & Co., even with only 15 or 16 players available. But then, Bayern were also battered by Lyonnes last season in the quarterfinals of the Champions League (6-1 on aggregate), so maybe we should not be expecting too much from them anyway.

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Barcelona’s Brugts: 7-1 win the perfect response to last season’s failure

Esmee Brugts says beating Bayern Munich 7-1 was the perfect start to Barcelona’s attempt to reclaim the Women’s Champions League title.

Marsden: Probably the latter for now. Like Juls says, there is no shortage of talent on that Bayern roster, yet they were awful in Barcelona, with several goals coming from their own slack play at the back. It’s not like they even can claim they were surprised by Barça — coach Barçala said the Spanish champions have some of the most predictable patterns in the game — but they just couldn’t cope with the speed. The good news is they won’t have any harder games than that in the league phase.

As for Barça, it’s hard to proclaim they are as good as they have ever been after one game, but they certainly look like a team desperate to prove a point after last year’s final defeat. The big names are still taking the plaudits for now, but don’t sleep on the younger generation (like World Cup winner Salma Paralluelo) coming through.

Keogh:Bayern played Barcelona at the worst possible time. There’s been a lot of noise around the Catalans lately, and their summer dealings — or lack thereof — has raised real questions about whether they’re still the powerhouse they once were with a dangerously thin squad.

Barcelona, therefore, came into the match with a point to prove and they did just that. But Bayern can’t chalk up the defeat to Barça simply wanting it more. They looked passive, flat, and miles off the intensity we’ve come to expect. Maybe it’s just early teething issues under a new manager, but more likely, it reflects where these two clubs are right now. Bayern have always been a little behind the curve in Europe, but as others pick up momentum, they seem to be slipping further behind. Perhaps a lack of real domestic competition has lulled them into complacency, because they were simply torn apart by Barcelona.

Q3: Taking it a step further, the whole of Liga F really put on a show in MD1, with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid racking up 19 goals across their three matches. We know about Barça, but what can the Madrid teams do? Are these results just down to nice fixtures — Atlético thumped St. Pölten 6-0, while Real Madrid beat AS Roma 6-2 — or are they positioning themselves as dark horses?

Marsden: The Madrid teams are ones to watch this year. Given how Barça dominate in Spain, they have slipped under the radar, but both could cause a few upsets.

Real are buoyed by the belief of beating Barça in a competitive game for the first time earlier this year and have gradually increased their investment in the squad. They have quality in the likes of Caroline Weir, Sara Däbritz and Linda Caicedo. They are strong at home — beating Arsenal before losing the reverse leg in last season’s quarterfinal — and should have no problem reaching the playoff round.

Atlético have also started the season well, including a win over Real in the derby, after underperforming in recent years. Luany and Fiamma Benitez are both firing. Next week’s games will be key in telling us just how good both teams are or whether they benefitted from kind opening fixtures — I don’t think they did — as Real go to Paris Saint-Germain and Atlético host Manchester United.

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Caroline Weir reflects on a big win for Real Madrid over Roma

Caroline Weir looks back on Real Madrid’s crushing 6-2 win over Roma in the opening game of their Women’s Champions League campaign.

Keogh:What I find most interesting is that Atlético had 31 shots, with 18 on target against St. Pölten while Real Madrid had 25 with 14 on target in their match. So, there’s no denying the strength of their attacking capabilities. However, when facing a defence that is more disciplined and structurally sound than St. Pölten or Roma, it remains to be seen how effective they truly are.

Atlético’s next test comes against Man United and while their opening match may not offer much to analyse, they did manage to keep VÃ¥lerenga at bay, limiting the Norwegian side to just two attempts. It was a controlled performance, but hardly a definitive measure. Defensive vulnerabilities are showing across the board — Chelsea and Arsenal being notable examples — breaking down a well-drilled, title-contending back line is where I believe Atlético (and to an extent, Real Madrid) will be more accurately assessed. Both sides are strong contenders for the playoffs, but I’m reserving final judgment — particularly on Atlético — until they face a more cohesive press and organised defence.

Laurens: I am more on the Real Madrid bandwagon than the Atlético Madrid one, which is not really a hot take. Atleti got lucky in the playoffs against BK Häcken and are now rediscovering this competition after a few years of absence. They have some talent in certain positions (Luany and Benitez especially), but we should not expect too much from them.

However, for Real Madrid, it is a different dynamic. They have to show progress and they’re definitely capable of it. Caicedo is a wonderful talent and needs to carry this team to the next level now, raising her side beyond the quarterfinal loss against Arsenal last season. Pau Quesada is a young manager, and it is a big job for him, but he has to deliver. The recruitment was interesting in the summer (Dabritz, Merle Frohms and Sara Holmgaard all arrived) and their opening destruction of Roma on Wednesday is very promising.

Q4: Let’s give some praise for the minnows! Oud-Heverlee Leuven and FC Twente both grabbed big results, the former holding Paris FC to a 2-2 draw in France and the latter frustrating Chelsea to a 1-1 result. These moments are why the new format was created, but can either side sustain this over the remainder of the league phase?

Laurens:Expanding and reformatting this competition meant welcoming newcomers and smaller teams, and it is great for the game. Leuven, the Belgian champions, produced an excellent second half in Paris against Paris FC to get a point while Twente, the Dutch champions, frustrated Chelsea’s star-studded team to also get a draw and create the first surprise of this campaign. They face each other in Belgium next week in what is already a huge game for both of them in the view of finishing in the top 12 of this league phase. It was not just them either. I thought Norwegian champions VÃ¥lerenga did ok away at Manchester United.

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Pusztai: OH Leuven missed opportunities in UWCL draw

Sara Pusztai reacts to OH Leuven’s comeback draw vs. Paris FC in the Women’s Champions League.

Marsden: Five of the nine fixtures were either settled by just one goal or were draws, which is a good sign moving forward, with only really the Spanish sides — and VfL Wolfsburg against PSG — dishing out lopsided results. Leuven’s comeback against Paris FC was brilliant, but Twente holding English champions Chelsea was probably the result of the round, and the beauty of the calendar means they both meet each other next week.

Looking at their respective fixture lists after that, it’s still going to be a struggle for either side to advance, but Twente, especially after matching one of the favourites, could spring a surprise and creep into the top 12.

Keogh: Leuven celebrated being drawn against Barcelona and Arsenal and now we’re beginning to see why. They know, on their day, they can pull off something special. Their comeback against Paris FC was impressive, and based on their second-half performance, they arguably deserved more than just a point. It won’t be so easy against the two most recent winners, but they’re certainly going to influence who makes the playoffs, even if they don’t themselves.

VÃ¥lerenga, despite their 1-0 loss to United, have managed to avoid the traditional “big four.” While their opening performance wasn’t the standout of the round, there was controversy over the penalty decision — one their manager believed should have been overturned by VAR. Had it been ruled out, the result could’ve looked very different. Twente, too, look like they’ve taken lessons from their previous encounters — especially their match-up with Chelsea last season — and executed their game plan with real discipline.

What we’re seeing is a growing tactical maturity among these smaller clubs. They’re learning, adapting, and finding ways to take points off the top sides. With increased investment, expanded backroom teams, and more footage and data to work with, the gap is clearly narrowing. And that’s a promising sign, not just for the underdogs, but for the competition as a whole.

Q5: Dealer’s choice. What’s one thing that stood out to you this week? Could be a player, could be a club, positive or negative. Basically, what’s the one thing you think should be a bigger story?

Keogh: Given the way United claimed their historic first win, you have to give it to Maya Le Tissier for what can only be described as a fairytale moment. Scoring Manchester United’s first-ever goal in European competition to secure their debut victory on the continent — and doing so as captain, at just 23 — is the kind of story that captures the heart of this tournament. Since arriving in 2022, she’s been a rock for this team, quietly becoming indispensable by playing nearly every minute across competitions. But this moment was different. At full-time, she was in tears fully aware of the weight of what that goal meant.

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1:15

Le Tissier: ‘Really special’ to score Manchester United’s first UWCL goal

Maya Le Tissier reflects on a dream start to Manchester United’s first Women’s Champions League campaign.

Laurens: For a long time, PSG were an outside chance of winning this competition. With competitive squads, the Parisians always believed they could cause an upset, make their way to the semifinals — like in 2021, 2022 and 2024 — with an eye on the big prize. The Qatari owners dreamed big for their women’s side, investing in it massively. But while the club finally won the men’s Champions League in Munich last season, the PSG Féminines are in crisis. They lost some key players again in the summer (like Grace Geyoro and Marie-Antoinette Katoto), were humiliated already by Lyonnes in the league, and battered at Wolfsburg on Wednesday too. The Parisians have fallen away quite dramatically.

Marsden: The underperforming Women’s Super League sides. Given their budget, Chelsea should not be dropping points at Twente. Manchester United did what was needed against VÃ¥lerenga, earning a 1-0 win via a penalty, but will need to up their game in next week’s fascinating match against Atlético. Yes, Arsenal can lose to a powerful Lyonnes side, even at home, but more worrying is that the European champions have now failed to win in four matches in all competitions. It is very early days, but I want to see more from what is widely considered Europe’s strongest league.

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Cooper Flaggâ€s official NBA debut is almost here.

Flagg played in his first preseason game on Monday night for the Dallas Mavericks, just months after the franchise selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. While he only played 14 minutes, he helped lead the Mavericks to a 106-89 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

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After a bit of a slow start, Flaggâ€s first points of the night came in the second quarter when he sank a wild acrobatic contested layup. He then backed it up with a 3-pointer off the dribble not even a minute later.

Though he wasn’t scoring early, Flagg looked very comfortable out there. He found Dwight Powell for a wide-open dunk after running the point midway through the first.

By halftime, Flagg was up to 10 points and six rebounds after he shot 3-of-6 from the field. The Mavericks broke open a 26-point lead at the break. The Thunder, who beat the Charlotte Hornets in their preseason opener on Sunday, went just 13-of-49 from the field as a group in the first 24 minutes.

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While the Thunder rallied in the second half — they outscored Dallas by 10 points in the third, and then opened the fourth quarter on a 21-11 run — it came too late. The Mavericks held on to grab the 17-point win and start the preseason 1-0. Flagg, along with the rest of the Mavericks starters, didn’t return in the second half.

While it doesnâ€t actually count, Monday night marked a critical step for Flagg before he officially begins his NBA career on Oct. 22. Thatâ€s when the Mavericks open their regular season against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.

Flagg dominated at Duke, where he won consensus National Player of the Year honors and helped the Blue Devils reach the Final Four. He averaged 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game there, and was long considered the favorite to go No. 1 overall in the draft. The Mavericks, just months after the chaos that came with trading away superstar Luka DonÄić, remarkably won the NBA Draft lottery for the first time in franchise history. They only had a 1.8% chance to do so.

Flagg appeared in just two Summer League games for the Mavericks before the team shut him down. He dropped 31 points in the teamâ€s second game following a very rough start in which he shot just 5-of-21 from the field.

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The Mavericks went 39-43 last season, and largely fell apart after the DonÄić trade. They dealt with several significant injuries, including Kyrie Irvingâ€s torn ACL, and the teamâ€s front office dealt with immense blowback as they limped to the finish just a year removed from their first NBA Finals run in more than a decade. Irving is expected to make a mid-season return to the court.

Itâ€s unclear how much the Mavericks will utilize Flagg throughout the preseason. The team has three games left, starting with a matchup with the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday. Theyâ€ll wrap up with a game against DonÄić and the Lakers on Oct. 15 in Las Vegas.

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But once the season finally gets going later this month and Flagg settles in, expectations in Dallas are sure to be significantly higher after the turmoil the franchise was entrenched in last season. Fair or not, the 18-year-old will play a critical part in getting the team out of it and back to prominence in an already loaded Western Conference.

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1

Duo keen to offer Anderson shelter

Elliot Anderson spent much of Nottingham Forestâ€s 2-0 defeat on Tyneside reminding Eddie Howe how much he lost when Premier League spending rules demanded that the midfielder be sold to fend off the threat of a points deduction. That was back in the summer of 2024 and Anderson, now an England international, has rarely looked back since joining Forest. For much of the first half he eclipsed even Sandro Tonali and, overall, was comfortably Ange Postecoglouâ€s best player. Yet Anderson is human and when his loose pass offered Bruno Guimarães an opening, his subsequent attempt at a recovery tackle was mistimed and sent Guimarães crashing in the area. The Brazilian had already shot Newcastle ahead from 25 yards and from the spot Nick Woltemade scored his fourth goal in five starts. Tellingly, at the final whistle both Postecoglou and Howe made concerted efforts to console Anderson. If Forestâ€s manager is to survive and then thrive at Forest he will inevitably be heavily dependent on Andersonâ€s talent. Howe, meanwhile, would love to buy the Newcastle academy graduate back. Should Forest, with or without Postecoglou, continue to founder Newcastle may yet be in with a chance. Louise Taylor

Match report:Newcastle 2-0 Nottingham Forest

2

More Rodri worries mar City win

Rodriâ€s face told its own story. As he sank to the Brentford turf staring at his feet, there was a barely discernible shake of the head – though his body language spoke volumes. Another setback for the Spanish midfielder? It looked more than likely. Pep Guardiola has tried his best to manage Rodriâ€s game time this season since his tentative return from a serious knee injury; now he must put more faith in alternatives. Nico González is the most obvious replacement in Cityâ€s squad, yet has only been trusted to start one league game since 23 August. The former Porto man was a £49.8m signing in January and will be needed to step up more often after his 22nd-minute introduction for City in west London. On whether he can bring a measure of control akin to peak Rodri, the jury is still out. Dominic Booth

Match report:Brentford 0-1 Manchester City

Players check on Rodri (second left) after the midfielder pulled up. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

3

Mount climbs pecking order for United

Injuries have hampered Mason Mountâ€s United career. His start against Sunderland was only his 17th in the league since joining in 2023 from Chelsea. His pedigree has never been questioned but finding a position and sufficient minutes to play himself into form, has proved problematic. On Saturday, his touch was impeccable and he brought creativity and discipline in equal measure, which might explain why Ruben Amorim selected him over Matheus Cunha. He took his goal superbly, scoring the quickest opener for Amorimâ€s team since his first game in charge 11 months ago. In an intense environment, Mountâ€s experience could prove vital. “I see myself as bringing a lot of energy into the team and setting off the press at times, being a bit of a catalyst going forward,†Mount said. “Thatâ€s always something that I focus on, helping the people around me and really bringing the energy. To get the goal was obviously massive for me.†Will Unwin

Match report:Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland

4

Nuno puts faith in youngster Marshall

Nuno Espírito Santoâ€s decision to bring on Callum Marshall for his debut at the Emirates against Arsenal, instead of the more experienced Callum Wilson, was an enormous show of faith in the 20-year-old Northern Ireland striker who spent last year on loan at Huddersfield. Given that Wilson – who joined on a free transfer in the summer – and Niclas Füllkrug have contributed just one goal between them so far in the Premier League, Marshall could get plenty of more opportunities if the new managerâ€s post-match assessment is anything to go by. “Itâ€s not easy to put a young lad in front of Callum Wilson,†said Nuno. “Itâ€s important for us, as soon as possible, to have total knowledge of who we have in the squad. What Iâ€ve been seeing in training sessions, [Marshall] has energy, heâ€s a good finisher, good mobility, he can recognise the gaps in the space. I think we have something we can use.†Ed Aarons

Match report:Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

5

Calm Frank slowly earns his Spurs

Nobody seems quite sure how good Tottenham can be this season, least of all themselves. What is undeniable is that they are heading in the right direction under Thomas Frank. After a third win from four unbeaten away games this season, belief is growing that Spurs are developing into a far more cohesive and resilient outfit to the one which slumped to their worst Premier League finish under Ange Postecoglou last term. There is a calm assuredness to Frank, who spoke glowingly of his teamâ€s mentality and collective desire in seeing off a pugnacious Leeds side at a raucous, windswept Elland Road. Frank had not beaten his Leeds counterpart and good friend Daniel Farke in five previous meetings in charge of Brentford and Norwich respectively, but goals from Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus, either side of Noah Okaforâ€s first-half equaliser, ensued the tables were turned. It is early days, but things are looking up for Spurs. Ross Heppenstall

Match report:Leeds 1-2 Tottenham

Mohammed Kudus scored what proved to be the winner against Leeds. Photograph: Anna Gowthorpe/Shutterstock

6

Acheampong and Badiashile step up

Enzo Maresca wanted a new centre-back after losing Levi Colwill to a knee injury before the start of the season. His bosses thought otherwise. Chelseaâ€s resources are deep and a panic buy was not required. Then came more injuries, leaving Maresca stretched. There were nerves about Josh Acheampong and Benoît Badiashile lining up against Liverpool on Saturday, but there need not have been. Acheampong is only 19 but few doubt his potential. The teenager dealt with Crystal Palaceâ€s Jean-Philippe Mateta well on the opening weekend and he was assured again as Liverpool were beaten at Stamford Bridge, with Alexander Isakâ€s influence was dimmed by Chelseaâ€s fine defending. For Maresca, the only problem was Acheampong and Badiashile having to go off in the second half. Badiashile has only just returned from injury and it is hoped he was only suffering from cramp. The 24-year-old Frenchman has not always been convincing, but he appears to have stepped up a level since coming back into the starting lineup. Jacob Steinberg

Match report:Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool

7

Glasner stays calm as Eagles finally dip

To his credit, Oliver Glasner refused to blame fatigue as Crystal Palaceâ€s proud 19-game unbeaten run came to an end four days after their Conference League exertions in Poland. “That would be a cheap excuse,†he said while attempting to come to terms with Evertonâ€s unexpected late win at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Defeat to Jack Grealishâ€s first Everton goal was entirely self-inflicted, according to the Palace manager, with Jean Philippe-Mateta missing two clear chances to double the visitors†advantage before Maxence Lacroixâ€s foul on Tim Iroegbunam offered David Moyesâ€s side a way back via the penalty spot. “We didnâ€t decide the game when we could have done and that has happened a few times now,†explained Glasner. “It is part of our development. Weâ€ve made a few steps forward in the last few months and now we have to feel this pain and learn from it.†Andy Hunter

Match report:Everton 2-1 Crystal Palace

Maxence Lacroix fouls Tim Iroegbunam to concede the penalty that let Everton back into the game. Photograph: Peter Powell/Reuters

8

Bogarde has Villa fans on their feet

It is a staple of junior football and if there was a Most Improved Player prize at Aston Villa it would surely go to Lamare Bogarde. The 21-year-old, who signed from Feyenoord at 16, was given a standing ovation upon being substituted in the victory at home to Burnley, a week on from Unai Emery leading the applause when Bogarde was withdrawn late on in the win against Fulham. Emery admires Bogardeâ€s versatility but it was at the base of midfield where the Dutchman, who has started Villaâ€s past two league matches and featured in eight of Villaâ€s 10 games in all competitions, looks most at home. He was Villaâ€s most-fouled player against Burnley, a statistic indicative of his involvement, but perhaps more tellingly he completed 97% of his attempted passes (56 out of 58). Villaâ€s rise has meant academy youngsters have had few opportunities but Bogarde is proving increasingly instrumental. Ben Fisher

Match report:Aston Villa 2-1 Burnley

9

Brightonâ€s note of curious caution

Brighton remain the team to have received the most yellow cards in the Premier League this season after another four in the frustrating draw away at Wolves took them to 22. Manager Fabian Hürzeler was frustrated by the refereeing decisions. “I didnâ€t understand it,†he said. “Every first foul from us was a yellow card and in the hardest league in the world, thatâ€s very frustrating.†He added that he was forced to substitute Carlos Baleba at half-time because of his midfielderâ€s caution. Itâ€s not as if Brighton are overly aggressive or cynical is it? Peter Lansley

Match report:Wolves 1-1 Brighton

Carlos Baleba and Hugo Bueno battle for the ball as their managers watch on from the sidelines. Photograph: David Davies/PA

10

Kluivert family make Patrick proud

If the summer transfer market divested Bournemouth of a first-choice defence, Andoni Iraola retains much of his teamâ€s attacking talent. Antoine Semenyo was the subject of serious interest but instead signed an extension to stay on until 2030. The match-winner in Fridayâ€s late defeat of Fulham is in rare form, his two well-taken goals taking him to second in the Premier League scoring charts. “World class,†said fellow scorer Justin Kluivert on his colleague. “I want to try to keep him at this level, especially, confidence wise,†said Iraola of Semenyo. Kluivert had come off the bench to score a fine goal, completing a fine week for the Kluivert clan. On Wednesday, 18-year-old half-brother, Shane, scored for Barcelona in the Uefa Youth League against Paris Saint-Germain while his full brother, Ruben, scored for Lyon in the Europa League against Red Bull Salzburg on Thursday. Father Patrick shared his delight on social media as a “proud dadâ€. John Brewin

Match report:Bournemouth 3-1 Fulham

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