Anantaajith Raghuraman

Napoli 2 Chelsea 3 – A statement win for Liam Rosenior as Joao Pedro ensures top eight finish The Athletic's writers break down an intense night at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona

Napoli 2-3 Chelsea FT thoughts w/ @reallycerys.bsky.social & @sjohnsonsport.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social:

- Chelsea's early fragility
- Napoli's underlaps cause problems
- Another away win
- Joao Pedro at the double

www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...

The extraordinary story of a soccer coach, a kidnapping and a Saudi job that didn’t exist Adrian Heath was duped into thinking he was on the verge of a new job – only to be held at knifepoint in Morocco. Turns out he's not alone

Ex-MLS coach Adrian Heath thought the offer of a coaching job in Saudi Arabia could be a logical next career step.

Instead, it led to the former Everton player being kidnapped in Morocco, held at knifepoint, and left fearing for his life.

@paultenorio.bsky.social

Another Champions League win. Both strikers on the scoresheet. Top two confirmed.

All in all, about as well as a trip to San Siro that could have gone for Arsenal.

@gunnerblog.bsky.social, Stuart James & @anantaajith.bsky.social break down the talking points ⤵️

www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...

Inter 1 Arsenal 3 – Gabriel Jesus and Viktor Gyokeres guide Arsenal to top two finish in Champions League The Athletic's writers analyse Tuesday night's heavyweight Champions League clash at San Siro

Post-match thoughts from Inter 1-3 Arsenal w/ Stuart James and @gunnerblog.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social

- Clinical Jesus
- A set-piece special
- What Inter did well
- Gyokeres scores

www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...

Newcastle 0 Man City 2 – Semenyo strikes (and officials take six minutes to disallow his second goal) Guardiola's team take a strong lead into the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final — but there was controversy during their win

Post-match thoughts from NEW 0-2 MCI in the Carabao Cup w/ @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social & Sam Lee for @theathleticfc.bsky.social

- Bernardo crucial again
- The disallowed goal
- Semenyo's impact
- Cup rule change
- City's gameplan
- Where this leaves Newcastle
www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...

Atletico 1 Real Madrid 2: Breaking down Valverde’s stunner, where does this leave Alonso? Xabi Alonso's side scraped through to Sunday's Supercopa de Espana final against Barcelona

Atletico 1-2 Real Madrid: post-match thoughts with @dermotmcorrigan.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social

- Valverde's rocket
- Rodrygo rediscovering his form
- Madrid's shaky defending
- What this means for Alonso

www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...

Ivory Coast 1 Cameroon 1 – Was Amad strike goal of tournament so far? How vital is Mbeumo? Our writers break down the action from an enthralling AFCON group F encounter.

Ivory Coast 1-1 Cameroon: immediate thoughts with Carl Anka for @theathleticfc.bsky.social:

- Ivory Coast's midfield
- Amad's stunning finish
- Mbeumo's importance
- Wayward finishing

www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...

Morocco 2 Comoros 0: El Kaabi’s wonder strike and Diaz delivers in AFCON opener Our writers analyse the key talking points from the opening game of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations

Instant thoughts from Morocco 2-0 Comoros in the #AFCON2025 opener w/ @eduardotansley.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social:

- Hosts struggle but find a way in 2nd half
- How good was El Kaabi's goal? 🚲
- Brahim Diaz's importance
- Is there hope for Comoros?

www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...

The crucial Tonali/Guimaraes switch that helped Newcastle beat Manchester City After a difficult period, Eddie Howe enjoyed a tactically-successful evening on Saturday

Why Eddie Howe switched Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes in the 2-1 victory against Manchester City, and how it empowered Newcastle's attacking transitions.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...

'There was a huge boom and my body shook': The Stade de France terrorist attacks, 10 years on

Nobody who was at the Stade de France on 13 November 2015 will ever be able to forget it. Ten years on from the terror attacks that traumatised a nation, here’s an account of what happened for @theathleticfc.bsky.social seen through the eyes of those who were there www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...

Brentford 3 Newcastle 1 – What’s going so wrong on the road? What happened to Burn after the break? Newcastle simply do not like playing away from St James' Park - The Athletic analyses their latest defeat on the road

😱 Brentford 3 Newcastle 1: Briefing ... 😱

⚫️So much for the "period of reflection."
⚪️Abysmal away form - #NUFC are soft.
⚫️Barnes' goal
⚪️Burn's red

w/ @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social @anantaajith.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/6787431/2025/11/09/brentford-3-newcastle-1-howe-away-form-burn-sent-off

📍Gtech Community Stadium for Brentford-Newcastle
@theathleticfc.bsky.social

Liverpool 1 Real Madrid 0: Are Arne Slot’s side back to their best? The big talking points analysed from Tuesday's big Champions League tie at Anfield

FT thoughts on LIV 1-0 RMA with @jamespearcelfc.bsky.social & @dermotmcorrigan.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social

- Wirtz impresses, Bradley shines
- Courtois' annual masterclass vs LIV
- PL set-piece magic strikes
- Was that a penalty?
- Corner turned?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...

India win maiden cricket World Cup after beating South Africa by 52 runs The hosts had made the final after beating defending champions Australia, ending their run of 15 consecutive match wins in the tournament.

Seismic moment for India at the Women's World Cup - deserved champions after two incredible performances in the semifinals against Australia and South Africa tonight 👏

Brief summary for @theathletic.com @nytimes.com

www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...

Checking in on the new signings and their contributions early in the season ⏬

Has Emery become Pep’s kryptonite at Villa Park? Sunday was only the third occasion in Guardiola's career that he has lost three consecutive away matches against the same opponent

Unai Emery’s biggest strength has long been his aptitude to coach subtle nuances into his teams. The positions of his midfielders against Manchester City, for a third straight home game, were critical in beating Pep.

Piece out now on @theathleticfc.bsky.social #AVFC

www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...

Are Sunderland good? The win away to Chelsea was far from a fluke; it was a culmination of all Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland have built

www.nytimes.com/athletic/675... By @cerysjoneswriter.bsky.social and @anantaajith.bsky.social

Is Liverpool's Premier League title defence already over?

Analysis from Brentford 3-2 Liverpool, by @adjones-journo.bsky.social, @anantaajith.bsky.social & Tim Spiers

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...

Real Madrid vs Barcelona: The four tactical issues that could decide El Clasico The Athletic looks at the key areas where the game will be won and lost ahead of their top-of-the-table La Liga clash

With the first Clasico of 2025-26 tomorrow, @thom-harris.bsky.social & I looked at 4 tactical issues that could prove crucial for @theathleticfc.bsky.social

- Madrid's pace v Barca's high line
- Yamal v Carreras
- Could corners be decisive?
- Out-of-possession flaws
www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...

The Alternative Premier League: No 9 – Who creates big chances, and who misses them? Here's how your team is getting on when it comes to creating clear cut opportunities, and sticking them in the back of the net

The latest Alternative PL Table for @theathleticfc.bsky.social looks at big chances created and converted for all 20 teams, breaking down which players are creating/receiving the most

- Palace lead the way
- Man City's Haaland reliance
- Wolves' woes

... and more ⏬

www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...

Real Madrid 1 Juventus 0: Jude Bellingham’s first goal of the season the difference at the Bernabeu The Athletic's writers break down a narrow win for Xabi Alonso's side at the Bernabeu on Wednesday evening

Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus post-match thoughts with @dermotmcorrigan.bsky.social and @jacklang.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social:

- Bellingham’s goal
- Guler vs Yildiz
- McKennie’s steady display
- Courtois shines
- What this means for both teams

www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...

Another game, another back-post goal conceded for Liverpool.

I wrote this piece earlier in the week on that very issue.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...

Nottingham Forest 0 Chelsea 3: Guiu makes the difference, Acheampong’s magic moment A triple halftime substitution helped Chelsea stroll to an ultimately comfortable win at Nottingham Forest

Forest 0-3 Chelsea post-match thoughts with @sjohnsonsport.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social:

- Acheampong's big moment
- Guiu shines off the bench
- Santos struggles

www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...

Pod On The Tyne: A show about Newcastle United: Wilson arrives, Academy in focus, Lasses draw with Bristol Another weekly Pod on the Tyne rolls around and, with many of the lads away on international duty, you'd think it'd be a quiet one. How wrong you are, friend!Newcastle United now have a CEO AND a S...

🔲 Why Ross Wilson as sporting director? 👀
🔳 #NUFC academy in focus 🔍
🔲 @georgecaulkin.bsky.social i/ws Steve Harper 🗣️
🔳 Lasses™️ new home report 🏟️
🔲 Brighton bound (Waugh, too...) ⬇️
🔳 Woltemade = ⚽

🎧 New free-to-listen Midweek @podonthetyne.bsky.social w/ Taylor Payne: pod.fo/e/33decc

This week's Alternative Premier League Table is all about fouls and bookings

Key takeaways:

🔴 Man Utd & Arsenal the only teams yet to be booked for dissent
⚫️ Newcastle lead in fouls in the att 3rd
🔵 Man City exercising more control than 2024-25

More below @theathleticfc.bsky.social ⏬

The Premier League is returning. So too is our alternative table.

This week, we rank the teams by fouls conceded — Marco Silva's Fulham and Vitor Pereira's Wolves lead the way.

✍️ @anantaajith.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...

We need to talk about Adam Wharton.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...

The Athletic’s Agent Survey: From best and worst deals to selecting champions and relegation candidates Welcome to our 2025 survey, which analyses a summer transfer window that saw the 20 Premier League clubs spend £3.11bn on 155 players

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜’𝐬 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲

We asked the game’s dealmakers about:

▪️ Best and worst deals
▪️ Under-the-radar signings that could surprise people
▪️ Will more players go on strike?

Meet the worst football team in the world… and their superstar hairdresser Ibis Sport Club once went almost four years without winning a game - the Brazilians' attitude to their status has brought them global fame

A day in the life of the worst football team in the world www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

Eight expectations about football from 25 years ago that have proven misguided From pay-per-view coverage to the loss of technical midfielders to indoor stadiums – some expectations from 2000 haven't come true

🔮 Europe & South America's World Cup duopoly will end
🔮 London clubs will move out of the city/share grounds
🔮 The USMNT will be a serious force
🔮 Fewer top managers will be ex-players

@zonal-marking.bsky.social looks at some expectations about football from 25 years ago.