Kyle Schwarber had a monster night at the plate on Monday as he crushed his 39th and 40th home runs of the season, with the latter being a grand slam hit at Citizens Bank Park.
Schwarber's first homer of the night made him the HR leader in the National League, so Phillies fans were prepared when he came up to the plate in the bottom of the sixth inning when the bases were loaded. The baseball park erupted in "MVP" chants for Schwarber, and he answered their cheers by providing an electric grand slam.
A video was posted by MLB on Monday night highlighting the sounds at Citizens Bank as Schwarber was up at the plate, and then it showed how loud the stadium became once the 390-foot homer soared in the air.
Chills.
Schwarber currently has the third-best odds in the NL for winning the MVP award this season. Shohei Ohtani is leading the race to win his third-straight MVP title (-700) with Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong in second with +900 odds, via ESPN. Schwarber follows them with 10-1 odds.
Monday night's game definitely helped Schwarber's MVP case, that's for sure.
India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav agreed that selecting a squad of 15 can sometimes gets challenging, with multiple options in the race for one slot, but said that the players understand the team’s needs and have their focus on one simple goal: to help India win matches.”It’s a good headache to have so many options, [whether] fast bowlers, [or] spinners,” Suryakumar said ahead of the first T20I against Australia in Canberra. “From the top to No. 7, everyone is flexible; anyone can bat anywhere. It is a little difficult during squad selection, but in this team, the atmosphere is such that everyone knows that the goal is to win.”If we want to win the match, then never mind the combination. So, even if someone has done well in the last two matches, but he is not fitting in the combination for the next game – for example, if we want to play an extra spinner or play an allrounder instead of a fast bowler – the player understands. We have reached that situation.”Related
Tanveer Sangha drafted into Australia's T20I squad to replace Zampa
Shreyas Iyer 'on the road to recovery' after laceration to spleen
Battle for T20 World Cup favouritism begins
Suryakumar jokingly suggested that he maintains “a good friendship with everyone”, making it easier to tell them when they are not playing. But he has asked all 15 members of the squad to be ready at all times.”See, only 11 people can play, 15 cannot play, but according to me, anyone can get an opportunity at any time,” he said. “In the Asia Cup, Rinku Singh did not get the opportunity till the final, but he got a chance at such a time, when he needed 3-4 runs to win [the match] and he hit the boundary. I keep telling everyone to keep preparing and you never know when your opportunity can come. It can come in an important game; anything can happen.”Suryakumar was also glad to have Jasprit Bumrah back in the India squad after the fast bowler was rested for the ODI series and expected him to be the “guy who will take charge” against Australia, particularly in the powerplay.”As you saw in the Asia Cup, he took the responsibility of bowling two overs minimum in the powerplay,” Suryakumar said, “It is good that he is raising his hand. It is going to be a good challenge against the Aussie team in the powerplay.”The way he has played his cricket for the last so many years, he has kept himself right on the top, and he knows how to prepare for a good series. He knows how to come and play cricket here. I think he has visited this country the most of all the guys. So all of them have spoken to him. He is very open and very helpful in that, but yeah definitely when he takes the ground, starting from tomorrow, it will be a good thing. Good to have him in the squad, when we play in Australia.”Jasprit Bumrah will make a return to the India squad•Getty Images
India haven’t had recent success in Australia. They lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1 in December-January and then went down in the ODI series 2-1 earlier this month. But Suryakumar doesn’t feel the recent losses will have any bearing on the T20I series, particularly considering India’s form, having lost just two of their last 15 T20Is.”According to me, it’s a different format,” he said. “The team is the same, but the format is almost different: Test, one-day and T20. And [as for] the brand of T20, we will continue playing the brand of cricket that we have been playing. There is no need to change anything and according to me, there are always challenging conditions, when you go to Australia, England, South Africa, [or] New Zealand. There is challenging cricket in all these countries, but at the same time, how you adapt to it and how you think about how to play shots, how to make runs.”I think it is non-negotiable at this level, you do your preparation and come. I feel it’s a good thing, good challenge to have going forward and we are playing five T20s, so I think it will be more fun.”Suryakumar Yadav has not scored a half-century in his last 14 innings•AFP/Getty Images
Suryakumar’s own form has been under scrutiny. He had a lukewarm Asia Cup 2025, managing just 72 runs in seven innings at an average of 18.00. The 35-year-old, however, isn’t fussed about his form as long as India keep winning.”I feel I have been working really hard,” he said. “I have had good few sessions back home, good two to three sessions here, so I am in a good space. I think that is really important… runs, it will come eventually but I think working hard towards the team goal, it’s more important what team wants from you in different situations. I take one game at a time and if it starts then I think it will be a good thing.”The one area where India have struggled in recent times has been their fielding. They were guilty of dropping many chances in the Asia Cup, and while Suryakumar reckons that fielding lapses are a part of the game, he wants the team to give the fielding department special attention.”See, catches do get dropped,” he said. “As a fielder, when you attempt a catch, sometimes you spill it. A batter gets dismissed, a bowler at times doesn’t get wickets. This is a part of the game. But, according to me, what you do after that is important. It was an optional session today, but everyone came to work on their fielding.”That means the team is working towards something really special. This is a department which I have told them we have to work really hard if we want to be the best fielding unit in the world. You have seen teams taking good catches, saving runs… they win matches through their fielding.”Sometimes the batting and bowling go awry, but you can also win matches through fielding. We are working hard. But there is no guarantee that if you take 25 catches today, then you won’t drop one tomorrow. You can drop, it’s part of the game but how much you want the ball to come to you, how much intent and opportunity you create, that is important for me. If someone drops a catch, it’s not a problem. There is disappointment, but at the same time, if you put in the effort, then there’s no problem.”
Visitors complete an innings victory in Brisbane, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-game Youth Test series
ESPNcricinfo staff02-Oct-2025
It was a comprehensive victory for the visiting Indian side•Getty Images
India Under-19s, led by centuries from Vedant Trivedi and Vaibhav Suryavanshi, followed by an eight-wicket match haul from D Deepesh, comfortably beat Australia Under-19s in Brisbane to take a 1-0 lead in the two-game Youth Test series.Quick bowler Deepesh, son of former Tamil Nadu cricketer Vasudevan Devendran, first took 5 for 45 to bowl the hosts out for 243, while left-arm seamer Kishan Kumar chipped in with a three-wicket haul. The only strong batting performance by an Australia U19s batter was No. 3 Steven Hogan’s 92, which came in 246 balls.India Under-19s then responded with 428 in their first innings. Suryavanshi set the tone with an 86-ball 113 that had nine fours and eight sixes. No. 4 Vedant Trivedi, the Gujarat batter, then top-scored with 140 with 19 fours. Khilan Patel, the allrounder from Gujarat, then struck 49 at a strike rate of 100 from No. 8 to ensure the visitors took a 185-run lead.Kishan and Deepesh then wrecked Australia U-19s top-order in their second innings, reducing them to 24 for 3. Khilan ran through the middle-order after that to take 3 for 19. A fighting 43 from No. 9 Aryan Sharma brought the deficit down before Deepesh took two of the last three wickets to finish with 3 for 16 himself.The two teams meet again in Brisbane for the last game of the tour on October 7.
Team’s record when playing five bowlers overseas means Shardul Thakur should be involved from outset
Sidharth Monga18-Jun-20251:47
Does India’s attack hold the edge over England’s?
That wonderful feel of slowly building anticipation for Test cricket is upon us. There has already been the wonderful World Test Championship final, but the week in the lead-up to the start of a five-Test series is something else. The weather is set fair in an unusually dry Leeds, England have started training already at arguably the most intimate and raucous Test venue in the country, the groundstaff are doing their best to retain enough moisture in the surface before they give it a final trim, and India will start training on Wednesday after having played against India A behind closed doors in the outskirts of London last week.When you dust off the whites for a fresh season, it is inevitable the mind starts tracing back memories of the last season. There has been six months of limited-overs cricket since India last donned the whites, but the memories of the 3-1 series defeat in Australia hardly need refreshing. How they led the series in Perth, how they celebrated saving the follow-on in Brisbane, how they were one collapse away from drawing Melbourne, how Sydney could have gone either way had Jasprit Bumrah not got injured.Scratch a little, and you will also remember, for the first time in a long time, looking at an Indian team and not being certain how they planned to go about taking 20 wickets as cheaply as possible. From 2018 onwards, India’s focus had been on taking 20 wickets even if it meant asking the batters to do more. Virat Kohli, the captain then, was clever enough to realise that in effect he was asking himself and the batters to do less because his bowlers were getting the opposition out cheaply.Related
Pant relishes 'senior' tag but also focuses on 'individual' game
Dry Leeds could bring batters respite
England the next stop in Jaiswal's audacious journey
India series as commercially important as the Ashes, says ECB chief executive
The leadership team of Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid continued with the same philosophy. In fact, Dravid as captain was the first to try to play five bowlers whenever he could. He dropped VVS Laxman once to play the extra bowler. He invested in Irfan Pathan to manufacture that extra threat.In Australia 2024-25, though, India never played four quick bowlers for the fear of no batting post No. 7. It is tough to know if the composition of the XI would have been different had Shardul Thakur – not a complete tailender at No. 8 – been in good form and not just coming out of a surgery. Still the enduring theme in the series was to guard against a blowout once six wickets were down. Even when India played a fifth bowler, it was Washington Sundar, which is a bob each way, especially in conditions designed to take spinners out of the game.The comfort of those extra runs derived from the tail is notional unless you can play proper allrounders, which is what R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja become in Asia. Outside Asia and the West Indies, Jadeja and Ashwin had limited utility with the ball. In the absence of that proper allrounder, India kept choosing that notional comfort over depth and penetration in their attack.Bumrah bowled fewer overs than Pat Cummins in the series, but he sent down a larger share of India’s overs than Cummins did for Australia. That despite practically missing the Sydney Test. Having to keep returning for spells can disrupt the rhythms of exertion and rest. He took 46% of India’s wickets. Need we be reminded of the most telling visual of the series when Australia were piling on third-innings runs in Melbourne, and Bumrah finally told the captain Rohit that he was not able to exert anymore? Now he is going to be smarter about it, and play just the three Tests.14:58
What combination do India go with in the first Test?
At that point when Bumrah ran out of “”, strength, India and Australia had taken the same number of wickets – 34 – in the first 40 overs of all innings. In fact India had done so at a better average and economy rate. This is where India ran out of bowling, averaging twice per wicket than Australia did with the old ball. Nitish Kumar Reddy bowled just 44 overs in five Tests, unwittingly undoing all the good work he did with the bat.It is no surprise that India had a win-loss record of 6-7 when they played four quicks and 5-10 when they played three of them in Tests outside Asia and the West Indies from 2018 to 2022.One of those famous wins was at The Oval in 2021 when India had the extra bowling to stay competitive despite being bowled out for 191 in the first innings and then still had batting depth in Rishabh Pant and Thakur taking India to a huge third innings.Thakur’s comeback from injury and his form in domestic cricket – 35 Ranji Trophy wickets at 22.62 – should give India enough reasons to go back to playing five bowlers at least for the start of the series. The need for the extra bowling has been impressed upon the team management. Especially when Bumrah is available only for three Tests, which offsets to an extent that this is an easier tour: outside Chris Woakes, no fast bowler in England’s squad for Leeds has played more than five Tests. That will be big relief from having to face the Australian attack at home, and should reduce the anxiety around the batting.However, there is every chance England will look to eliminate Thakur. Like they did at Edgbaston in 2022 to give him match figures of 18-0-113-1. Only if Thakur – provided he does play as the fourth quick at Headingley – is attacked successfully by England will we really know the real extent of India’s commitment to taking 20 wickets as cheaply as possible. Whether he does play four quicks – not including Reddy among them – and how he reacts to any early reverses will be the one true test of Shubman Gill’s captaincy.
Sunderland are now reportedly in pole position to sign a midfield star who Regis Le Bris already knows well ahead of rivals Newcastle United.
Le Bris eyes Sunderland reaction vs Bournemouth
It’s not often that Sunderland have been handed setbacks this season, but defeat against Fulham last time out was exactly that for Le Bris’ side.
Whilst it was just their third loss of the season and there’s no reason to think that last week’s result could derail their strong start, the Black Cats will be eyeing a reaction against Bournemouth.
Three points could take the Black Cats to as high as third if other results also go their way and after 13 games that would simply be remarkable. In many ways, those at the Stadium of Light are replicating the impressive work that Bournemouth have gradually enjoyed since their own promotion.
Le Bris admitted his admiration for the Cherries, saying: “Bournemouth are a good model for us. They way they have built in the last four seasons in the league is really interesting for us.”
An Isidor repeat: Sunderland line up move to sign "special" £4.7m star
Sunderland could win their next Wilson Isidor by going after this star in January.
ByKelan Sarson Nov 24, 2025
It must be said, however, that Sunderland’s model has so featured more investment and the type of investment that could see them land Matteo Guendouzi ahead of Newcastle in January.
Sunderland leading Newcastle in Guendouzi race
According to TeamTalk, Sunderland are now ahead of Newcastle in the race to sign Guendouzi in 2026 in a deal that could be worth up to £26m. Le Bris knows the Lazio midfielder well from their time together at Lorient and admitted that he’s still in contact with his former midfielder a few weeks ago.
It would be a statement move if the Black Cats landed a transfer target ahead of their rivals, who are backed by the extensive riches of PIF. But that’s the position they find themselves in after such an impressive start to the Premier League campaign.
Minutes
888
1,080
Progressive Passes
45
66
Tackles Won
5
13
Ball Recoveries
43
55
It’s easy to see why Sunderland are chasing a reunion between Le Bris and Guendouzi, given how the Frenchman has compared to star man Granit Xhaka so far this season. The transfer report even states that the Black Cats view Guendouzi ‘as the perfect midfield partner for Xhaka, adding experience and bite to their engine room’.
Previously dubbed a “great professional” by former Hertha Berlin sporting director Arne Friedrich, Guendouzi also has unfinished business in the Premier League after leaving Arsenal under a dark cloud in 2021 and could earn redemption at Sunderland.
Isidor upgrade: Sunderland open talks to sign "unstoppable" £26m striker
Retired tennis great and Real Madrid supporter Rafael Nadal has advised Vinicius Junior to "respect the authority" of Xabi Alonso amid speculation that the Brazilian's relationship with the head coach has reached a breaking point. Nadal emphasised on the need to hold conversations in order to preserve both the image of the club and the unity within the Real Madrid dressing room.
'Crisis' spoils Alonso's dream start to Madrid spell
Alonso's start to life as Real Madrid manager could barely have been any better. In the first 14 games this season, Madrid managed to win 13 games, with the only blip coming in the form of a 5-2 thrashing from cross-city rivals Atletico Madrid. While they also produced a convincing win against Barcelona, all hell broke loose during this month's Champions League visit to Anfield. Los Blancos faced a Liverpool side that had lost six of its previous eight matches going into the clash. Yet Alonso’s team collapsed, looking bereft of ideas in a flat, uninspired performance. Since then, the Reds have dropped two more games, making this current Madrid side appear even worse with every new Liverpool defeat.
The loss to Arne Slot's men seemingly dampened the spirits within the Madrid dressing room. Indeed, in the previous two La Liga outings, they have failed to record a win, with their winless run now stretching to three games. It has been a difficult away stretch for Alonso and his players, failing to beat either Rayo Vallecano or the newly-promoted but highly entertaining Elche.
AdvertisementAFPNadal sends advice to Vinicius
Amid the ongoing crisis, Spanish media reports suggest that Alonso has lost the backing of a significant portion of the Madrid dressing room. Journalists have highlighted Vinicius' angry reaction to being substituted during last month’s Clasico as a potential turning point, with some claiming the Brazilian now maintains only a “strictly professional” relationship with the Bundesliga-winning former Bayer Leverkusen manager.
Speaking to on Monday, one of tennis' all-time greats Nadal, who is an avid Real Madrid fan, addressed the recent rumours of a fallout between Vinicius and Alonso. He explained how the duo can overcome their alleged problems.
“I think it can be resolved through dialogue, with everyone on the same page," said Nadal. "I believe Vini needs to understand who is in charge and respect that authority, and also the club, given what it means to be a Real Madrid player. But I think he's doing his best, and those things that come out of him, which sometimes aren't well-received, can be corrected through dialogue and an awareness that things can be improved.
“The first person who needs to want to explore that path of improvement has to be him. When I hear him speak in interviews, saying that he wants to improve in every aspect, I think he needs to find strong allies, and I'm convinced that Real Madrid will have the right people, and he will be there to advise him.
“The basic principle is wanting to do it. And Real Madrid has in Vinicius an asset that they can't devalue and that they have to protect, regardless of any performances that might not be to everyone's liking. As a player, he's a club asset; it's a situation that Real Madrid, being the immense club it is, knows how to manage, and I think they've done it well.
"The proof is that Vinicius' performance is now better than it was before. Football has a problem that is also a great strength; ultimately, many stories are written every week, and that magnifies things, but footballers are people, and that's how things are resolved, as human beings, by talking, understanding each other, and trying to project an image – one that is truly genuine – of unity, respect, and everyone pulling in the same direction."
Vinicius reportedly tells Madrid he won't renew due to Alonso
Earlier this week, reported that Vinicius, whose contract with Madrid expires in 2027, has informed the club of his intention to not renew "while his relationship with head coach Alonso remains so strained." This could come as a huge blow to Madrid's future, with the club viewing their dashing No.7 as a valuable asset.
However, amid all the talk in the media, Alonso ensured that they "haven't fallen apart." Speaking to reporters in the aftermath of the 2-2 draw against Elche on Sunday, he said: "We haven't fallen apart. We're still competing; the context of each match is different. The result is what matters, and we're aware of that and self-critical. The spirit is good; we have to respond to adversity. This is Real Madrid. We live with criticism; we want to improve.
"The connection is improving; we have more time and interact more, we know each other better. We're all in the same boat, we celebrate victories. We suffer if we don't win. The connection is good. We need to turn this situation around, starting with Athens."
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty Images SportMadrid need to turn things around immediately
Madrid face three consecutive away fixtures, starting with Wednesday’s high-stakes Champions League trip to Greek giants Olympiacos. A win in Europe now feels essential – both to stem the rising noise around Alonso’s leadership and to jolt a struggling squad back into the confidence they so clearly need.
Despite dropping four points in their previous two league games, Madrid sit at the top of the table, albeit with just a one-point lead over a Barcelona side that seems to have regained their form following losses to Paris Saint-Germain, Sevilla, and the 15-time European champions.
One of the brightest talents in Manchester United’s current squad is undoubtedly Kobbie Mainoo. Although manager Ruben Amorim has criminally underused him this season, there is no denying the natural skill he possesses. After all, the Stockport-born midfielder was starting in a European Championship final aged 20.
It is certainly a surprise, therefore, that the Red Devils academy graduate has played so little this term. He is yet to start a game in the Premier League, despite being so highly rated by his peers. Former teammate at United, Anthony Elanga, once said he possesses “similar attributes” to Paul Pogba.
The Frenchman is another United academy graduate who was just as highly rated aged 20.
How Pogba and Mainoo compare at 20
Both United academy stars already had, or in Mainoo’s case, have, a huge reputation by the time they were 20 years of age. Whilst the Englishman is still plying his trade at Old Trafford, Pogba had departed for Juventus.
The 2013/14 campaign is perhaps best when looking at Pogba’s contributions at around 20. He was sensational for the Turin giants that season, playing 51 games, scoring nine times and assisting 15, which included one of each in the Supercoppa final against Lazio.
As for Mainoo, things have not been quite as easy. Amorim has not given him much of an opportunity this term, and he has only played 228 minutes for his boyhood club across all competitions.
Last term, though, he scored a dramatic late equaliser against Lyon in United’s historic Europa League win.
It is certainly interesting to compare the two players at the same age.
Pogba was starting week in, week out for one of the biggest clubs in the world, whilst Mainoo is consistently ignored by Amorim despite his obvious talent.
Whilst many might think Mainoo is the heir to Pogba’s throne at Old Trafford, there could be another player who is actually Amorim’s own version of the French superstar.
Amorim’s own Paul Pogba at Man Utd
There are not many things Pogba cannot do on a football pitch. The Frenchman is one of the greatest modern midfielders, oozing class with the ball at his feet, dictating play from deep and excelling in the final third.
Well, in Brazilian legend, Casemiro, Amoirm arguably has someone else who fits that mould. The former Real Madrid star has enjoyed a real resurgence this term, after being told to “leave the football before the football leaves you” by Jamie Carragher a couple of seasons ago.
In 2025/26, we are watching one of the most intriguing versions of the Brazilian international. Casemiro has been integral in the pivot next to Bruno Fernandes, playing all ten Premier League games he’s been available for, chipping in with three goals and one assist.
Indeed, that is something new that has really been added to his game. The former Los Blancos star is a huge threat going forward and has 33 goal involvements for the Red Devils, more than half of what he got as a Madrid player.
Described as a “monster” by teammate Luke Shaw, the 33-year-old is, as always, a specialist at breaking up play, but he’s now added a new trait to his game: being able to control play.
This season in the Premier League, he’s completed 3.5 long-balls per game on average, and in 2024/25, played an average of 18.9 forward passes per 90 minutes.
Casemiro – last two PL seasons
Stat (per 90)
2024/25
2025/26
Goals and assists
0.1
0.7
Chances created
1.4
0.8
Long balls completed
3
3.5
Forward passes
18.9
16.6
Duels won
8.5
6.7
Stats from Squawka
We’ll never know how Amorim would have deployed Pogba, given he never had the Frenchman at his disposal. Yet, we might be seeing an idea, with Casemiro’s new threat in the final third and his ability to dictate play.
It is easy to see how the Brazilian is Amorim’s own Pogba. United fans might well be hoping they can see Casemiro be unleashed next to Mainoo soon, to form an exciting midfield pivot.
Casemiro 2.0: Man Utd make £79m bid for "one of the best DMs on the planet"
Man Utd’s midfield could be improved grealty with this signing
Rahul anchored the chase, ending up unbeaten on 58; India still at No. 3 on WTC points table
Sidharth Monga14-Oct-2025It took India a little over an hour on the final day and a further loss of two wickets to knock off the 121-run target to seal the 2-0 series win against West Indies. The win took them to 61.9% points on the World Test Championship points table, still at No. 3.KL Rahul anchored the chase, ending up unbeaten on 58, taking his series tally to 192, only behind Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 219. Kuldeep Yadav was the leading wicket-taker with 12 strikes. This was also the first series win for captain Shubman Gill after drawing 2-2 in England.India began the day needing 58 runs to win after they had declared their first innings in only 4.5 sessions and then enforced the follow-on. They ended up bowling 200 overs on the trot and were set 121 to get.India lost B Sai Sudharsan and Gill on the final morning. Sudharsan, whose No. 3 position is not yet sealed, might leave the series with some doubt still. He scored 87 in the first innings, but got out playing a loose drive in the second, resulting in a stunning slip catch by Shai Hope.Gill looked in a hurry to end things, hit a six and a four in a Roston Chase over, and then ended up skying one.Rahul was more solid, and punctuated his effort with two sixes, one a straight loft against Khary Pierre and the other a slog-sweep off Jomel Warrican, who got him out in the first innings.This was India’s tenth straight win against West Indies. This was also India’s 122th Test win, going past South Africa to No. 3.
Life before VAR was different. When goals would fly in undissected and celebrations could go on uninterrupted. That was a life without the need for weekly referee shows and the dreaded wait for the finest offside calls, but it is ultimately the reality of modern-day Premier League football.
Alas, what if it wasn’t? What if VAR didn’t exist? And the Premier League was forced to rely on the timing of the linesman’s flag and the whistle of the referee and referee only?
Stat site quawka have played out that scenario and put together the Premier League table without VAR errors this season.
Premier League Set-Piece Goals Rankings 2025/2026
Who are the best from corners, free-kicks and throw-ins?
ByCharlie Smith Nov 12, 2025
The ‘errors’ are voted by Squawka followers in polls based on the most controversial VAR calls every week and the latest standings have now been revealed.
Note: The standings have been compiled on the basis that penalties which should have been awarded would have been converted.
20 Wolverhampton Wanderers: +/- 0 places
Unfortunately for Wolverhampton Wanderers fans, not even a life without VAR errors would be enough to stop their current rot. The Midlands side are yet to have an error go against them, but have actually had one go in their favour.
With or without VAR, Rob Edwards’ side sit rock bottom on two points and without a single win in the first 12 games of the Premier League season. Whether it comes courtesy of refereeing decisions or on their own merit, Wolves desperately need three points from somewhere.
19 Leeds United: -1 place
With one error going their way, Leeds United should be among the few sides grateful for VAR in the Premier League this season. The Whites would be two points worse off without it and one position lower than where they currently find themselves.
Defeat at the hands of Aston Villa left Daniel Farke’s men in the dropzone last time out and those at Elland Road now have the task of keeping their composure in a desperate attempt to survive at the first time of asking.
18 Burnley: +1 place
Although they’ve had one error go against them and none in their favour, Burnley’s point total wouldn’t change without VAR. The Clarets would remain on 10 points, but in 18th rather than 19th. That shows just how tight the relegation scrap is down at the bottom and the difficulty of the task on Scott Parker’s hands.
The Burnley boss will at least be hoping to have more VAR calls go in his side’s favour in the coming months.
17 West Ham United: +/- 0 places
Like Burnley, West Ham United’s point total wouldn’t change if VAR wasn’t around. The Hammers would still sit just outside the dropzone on 11 points, despite having one VAR error in their favour.
Nuno Espirito Santo has so far done an impressive job to steer those at the London Stadium in the right direction, but will be well aware that there’s still plenty to do, with or without the help of VAR.
16 Nottingham Forest: +/- 0 places
At their third attempt this season, it seems as though Nottingham Forest have got their managerial appointment right. Sean Dyche mirrored Nuno’s achievement from last season by winning at Anfield, but did so in far better style – thrashing the Reds 3-0 in shocking fashion.
It was in that game that the Tricky Trees had a VAR error go against them, when Igor Jesus’ goal was controversially disallowed for handball just before the break. It wasn’t enough to stop Forest, however, whose points and position have not been affected by the technology.
15 Brentford: -1 place
Having had two VAR errors go in their favour and two go against them, it’s been a busy season for the technology at Brentford. As it turns out, the Bees would rather have the video assistant available, given that they’d have lost a point without it and drop down to 15th.
It has been a solid start for Keith Andrews, who is proving doubters wrong every week, but he will be well aware that every point matters in the Premier League.
14 Fulham: +1 place
Fulham managerMarcoSilva
If anyone has reason to complain about VAR this season, it is Fulham. The West London side would move up one place in the Premier League and would have collected an extra two points without the technology this season.
Marco Silva’s men have had one error go their way and three go against them – the worst difference in the Premier League. As they look to push on from early relegation concerns, the Cottagers will be desperate for that to change.
13 Newcastle United: +1 place
Just like Fulham, Newcastle United would be two points better off without VAR and would be sat in 13th, rather than 14th. Of course, it still wouldn’t be enough to hide how poor Eddie Howe’s side have been at times in the current campaign, but life without the technology would have at least taken them closer to European places.
Howe is unlikely to look for excuses, however, and will be aware that the Magpies simply must kick on before they are down and out in the race for Champions League qualification. They’ve had two errors go their way and three against them.
12 Liverpool: +/- 0 places
Liverpool can’t even fall back on VAR controversy to hide just how disastrous their title defence is going. The Reds would still sit on just 18 points after 12 games without the technology.
That said, no team in the Premier League has had more VAR errors go against them than the four that Liverpool have. Whilst Arne Slot’s side simply haven’t been good enough, they could certainly do with a tad more luck when it comes to the officiating.
11 Bournemouth: -3 places
Without VAR, Bournemouth would be one point worse off and sit 11th rather than eighth — highlighting just how tight much of the Premier League table is after 12 games. The Cherries have largely impressed in the current campaign, but have had the fortune of enjoying two VAR errors in their favour and none against them.
Just one point adrift of the Champions League places, Andoni Iraola could yet Bournemouth to greater heights than ever before in the Premier League.
Arsenal have identified a marquee Nottingham Forest star as one of their top transfer targets heading into 2026, according to a report this week.
Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta splashed nearly £270 million on new recruits last summer, and the Italian’s investments have paid dividends thus far.
This was evident in the North London derby last weekend, when Arsenal put arch rivals Tottenham to the sword in a 4-1 win, piling pressure on Thomas Frank and cementing Mikel Arteta’s side as the overwhelming Premier League title favourites.
A hat-trick from summer signing Eberechi Eze, who was once on the verge of joining Spurs before Berta hijacked the deal, and Leandro Trossard’s strike saw Arsenal claim all the bragging rights on Sunday while extending their lead at the top of the table to six points.
Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest
Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 1-1 Man City
Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal
Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
Arsenal 2-0 Brighton
Burnley 0-2 Arsenal
Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal
Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 4-1 Tottenham
Another new recruit, Piero Hincapie, was also handed his first Premier League start by Arteta with star defender Gabriel Magalhaes sidelined due to a thigh injury.
The Ecuadorian shone in Gabriel’s stead, with Arteta hailing his exceptional display against Spurs on the eve of their Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.
Arsenal’s water-tight backline is one of the major reasons why they’re top of the pile and unbeaten in all competitions since August, with Arteta very well-stocked in defence after both Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera’s arrivals in the summer.
Both men have performed exceptionally when called upon, but according to Spanish media sources, Berta and co are still planning to reinforce their backline in future windows.
Arsenal identify Nottingham Forest star Murillo as top target
Indeed, it is now believed that Arsenal have identified Nottingham Forest centre-back Murillo as a priority transfer target, entering a three-way battle with Chelsea and Barcelona for the Brazilian’s signature.
Arteta has apparently earmarked the young defender as crucial to strengthening his backline for the long term.
The Spanish tactician particularly values Murillo’s ball-playing prowess, ability to break defensive lines and his left-footed profile, which Arteta believes would bring even more balance to Arsenal’s central defence.
However, Forest have set a large price tag for their defensive jewel, and Evangelos Marinakis could charge up to £79 million for Murillo to ward off potential suitors like Arsenal.
Since arriving from Brazil, Murillo has become a cornerstone of Forest’s backline.
The 23-year-old’s links with a move away are nothing new, and Arsenal have been named as suitors for Murillo even before now. Despite their many options at the back, Berta’s admiration for the South American hasn’t gone away, and it is clear to see why.
Murillo ended 2024/2025 as Forest’s best-performer by average match rating in the Premier League last season, according to WhoScored, with only Matz Sels and Nikola Milenkovic playing more minutes than the ex-Corinthians sensation.