Sports 24-Hour Briefing
×Formula 1
Last updated: October 13, 2026, 5:30 AM ET
Verstappen and Leclerc
Leclerc's strong start gave him a real opening on Verstappen, yet the chance slipped away and the move never materialised. Red Bull carries a hidden advantage into 2027, with Verstappen sitting just 0.196 seconds clear of the field after two wins in the last three races.
Football/Soccer
Last updated: October 13, 2026, 5:30 AM ET
Premier League
Manchester City thrashed 10-man Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield, silencing a vitriolic home crowd, and Erling Haaland was among the scorers in a match that also featured a controversial red card. Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola criticised the dismissal of Ryan Gravenberch as undeserved, while ex-referee Dermot Gallagher called the first yellow card "very harsh." Ten people were arrested and a police officer was hurt as the heightened atmosphere spilled over. Fans of City brought inflatable bananas to Anfield, while Liverpool supporters greeted the visitors with a frosty welcome following the club's guilty verdict. Virgil van Dijk insisted the rivalry should not be viewed differently, and commentators have described City's new villain status as a taste of what is to come.
Coventry produced a 4-1 demolition of Newcastle, their first home Premier League win in 25 years, and the result lifted them out of the drop zone. Manager Lampard's side stunned the visitors with four goals, and Newcastle boss Matthias Jaissle apologised to travelling supporters, while Carragher said his side had been "beaten up" again. Sky Sports tracked the match live as the Sky Blues celebrated.
Arsenal's season is under scrutiny after a woeful WSL start, and Mikel Arteta confirmed injuries to Piero Hincapié and Martin Zubimendi while defending his training programme. Troy Deeney named his latest team of the week after the round of fixtures. Leicester suffered another bruising afternoon, with boos ringing out during a defeat at Peterborough, and Peterborough's chairman denied making an illegal approach for Savage.
Champions League & Europe
Luis Enrique is central to PSG's plans as the club bids for a third successive Champions League title. Manchester United face a testing week, with Michael Carrick backing his side to rebound from a "challenging, stickier" spell, and Paul Merson warned that Carrick is under pressure. Diego Simeone described United as dangerous, and the club are linked with Atlético's Giuliano Simeone. Bruno Fernandes's form has been questioned as the skipper yet to recapture last season's highs. Bayern Munich will be without Manuel Neuer, with Urbig to start in goal. Liverpool are reportedly eyeing Hull goalkeeper Tzolakis as a potential Alisson successor.
Spain & Women's Football
The USWNT fell 2-0 to world champions Spain, with Spain's clinical finishing highlighting the gap, and head coach Hayes wants a faster start in the second friendly. England take a two-goal lead into their Women's World Cup qualifier, but questions remain over finishing ruthlessness. Gotham FC lose key players for the NWSL playoffs, and St. Louis City equalled the MLS record for an unbeaten run after beating LA Galaxy 6-2. Fifpro warned that the women's game's billion-dollar boom is leaving players behind.
MLS & Americas
Lionel Messi scored twice as Miami won 4-0 over DC United in his first match since leaving the Argentina national team. Inter Miami ended a winless run, while Nashville still top the power rankings. Corinthians hired Clarence Seedorf amid a relegation battle in Brazil.
Scandal & Governance
FIFA president Gianni Infantino appears to have received an undisclosed $1.7M World Cup payment, raising questions over FIFA regulations. Andy Burnham held a formal meeting with the Manchester City chairman, and the details are to be released. Mensur Suljovic faces a probe after inciting jeers and alleged sexist comments. Cristiano Ronaldo has been provisionally suspended by Portugal's federation after a walkout, while Vinícius Júnior apologised after a red card for a hair pull. Ronaldo still scored for Al Nassr in Riyadh despite a security delay. Football Australia is monitoring the fallout from attacks on Riyadh, which has raised doubts over the Asian Cup hosting. Andy Carroll thanked the public for their support following a sexual assault case. Saracens sacked Totoa Auvaa after a further incident.
Other Sport
Josh Allen had a monster day as the Bills beat the Rams in overtime, and Lando Norris accepted blame for his collision with Oscar Piastri at the Singapore Grand Prix. Dan Brundle gave his verdict on the weekend's strategy. Zverev was confirmed as year-end No. 1 after Alcaraz's exit in Shanghai. Australia closed in on a first Test win in Durban, with Matt Renshaw starring. Fury and Joshua will fight for the WBA heavyweight title in Cardiff. The London Lions made history against the Portland Trail Blazers but were outclassed. Four Super League clubs backed the NRL deal after criticism from Leigh. Harry Smith insisted England have a winner's mentality ahead of the Rugby League World Cup. Claressa Shields targets a fight with Lauren Price in 2027. Pietersen could influence England's Ashes batters, and England have renewed contracts for Ollie Pope and Shoaib Bashir.
Club & Other News
Doug Loft, former Port Vale and Gillingham captain, died aged 39. Scotland's World Cup play-off will allow alcohol at seats. Gateshead expect overdue wages to be paid on Tuesday as a takeover nears. The elite calendar was called not sustainable amid 55-game seasons. Sky's Huddle segment examined whether Shanahan found his Julio Jones with the 49ers. Ben Bayer's Championship roundup highlighted Swansea's rise and Burnley's win. Sky Sports Racing previewed the day's cards at Southwell, Hereford and Wolverhampton. Man City's defiant display after the guilty verdict drew attention across the league. Haaland and his father bought property on Manchester City's Abu Dhabi development.
NBA Basketball
Last updated: October 13, 2026, 5:30 AM ET
Cooper Flagg and the Rising Star Narrative
Cooper Flagg's ascension is starting to feel inevitable, as the NBA China Games showcased his evolving game and growing leadership.
Knicks Contract Talks
Former Knicks great Carmelo Anthony endorsed the team's decision to halt extension discussions and focus on the season. Karl-Anthony Towns, however, publicly voiced disappointment after the team announced it was tabling all extension talks, calling the news "news to me."
Sixers and Warriors Updates
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope argued that Philadelphia's success this season hinges on chemistry, with players needing to genuinely like one another. In Golden State, veteran center Kristaps Porzingis is expected back at the team facility on Tuesday.
Mavericks and Lakers Preseason
Kyrie Irving made his long-awaited return to the court in Dallas' China preseason game, scoring 17 points in his first appearance. Meanwhile, Walker Kessler nears his preseason debut for the Lakers after completing a full practice following a finger injury.
Injury Report
Kings second-year center Maxime Raynaud avoided a serious injury and will be reevaluated in two weeks.
Throwback Uniforms and Memorabilia
The Pacers, Spurs, Nuggets and Nets unveiled ABA-inspired uniforms and courts honoring the league's milestone ABA anniversary. A game-worn Michael Jordan road jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals sold for a record $14 million, setting a new benchmark for sports memorabilia.
Warriors Extension
Golden State locked up guard Brandin Podziemski on a five-year, $110 million extension.
NFL Football
Last updated: October 13, 2026, 5:30 AM ET
Bills Survive Rams in Overtime Thriller
Josh Allen finally broke through his overtime struggles, leading Buffalo to a 37-34 win over Los Angeles on Monday night. Entering the game 0-7 in overtime contests, Allen came through with his usual late-game theatrics. The emotions spilled over after the final whistle, when Rams offensive lineman Jackson threw a punch at Bills linebacker Chubb at midfield.
Rams Reassess Special Teams
The Rams' night was undone in part by their kicking operation, which suffered a missed field goal and a blocked attempt. Los Angeles plans to evaluate everything about the unit in the wake of those blunders.
Commanders Tie Giants in Chaotic Finish
Washington and New York played to a 27-27 tie after the Commanders botched the final play of overtime. Quarterback Jayden Daniels took responsibility, saying "it's on me" for the chaotic closing seconds. Daniels' admission came as the NFC East produced a rough week in which no division team secured a victory, a result that kept Dallas' playoff hopes alive.
Ravens and Texans Find Late Wins
Baltimore edged out a 30-23 overtime victory with backup quarterback Tyler Huntley at the controls while Lamar Jackson remains sidelined. Huntley's clutch performance rewarded the coaching staff's faith in him. Elsewhere, Houston acquired wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. from Arizona, reuniting him with quarterback C.J. Stroud after the 1-4 Texans sought an offensive spark. The reasons behind the deal reflect Arizona's decision to move on from the former first-round pick.
Injury Report Across the League
Green Bay suffered a significant blow when defensive tackle Javon Hargrave tore his Achilles, ending his season. Packers linebacker Micah Parsons will not be ready to return for Sunday's game against Dallas. San Francisco receiver Deebo Samuel is expected to miss at least a couple of weeks with a hamstring issue. Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. left Sunday's overtime loss with a rib injury that he does not expect to be long term, and sources say the injury is not considered serious. Steelers receiver Roman Wilson will be out multiple weeks with a finger injury.
Chargers and Dolphins Under Pressure
The Chargers have opened 0-5 for the first time since 2003, and coach Jim Harbaugh says he and ownership are "in this fight together." In Miami, coach Jeff Hafley is not considering a quarterback change, though he insists the passing game must improve. The Packers, meanwhile, roasted Bears receiver Luther Burden after a 31-7 Green Bay win.
Coaching and Front Office Moves
Arizona's Mike LaFleur says change is coming for the Cardinals, though not among the playcallers. Dallas added veteran coach Mike Pettine to assist first-year defensive coordinator Christian Parker. Chicago coach Ben Johnson remained noncommittal about his starting quarterback should Caleb Williams be unable to play against Atlanta.
Standouts and Milestones
Mike Evans delivered seven catches for 113 yards and a touchdown as San Francisco beat Seattle 32-29. Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs passed Barry Sanders for the most NFL touchdowns before turning. Drake Maye rebounded from a slow start with a dominant Week 5 win despite mounting New England injuries. Pittsburgh's Jaylen Warren continued his strong run while Rico Dowdle is out. In Jacksonville, nose tackle DaVon Hamilton delivered the crucial snap on Cam Little's walk-off extra point.
to Week 6
Oddsmakers have released lines for every Week 6 matchup, and analysts have flagged early value plays that emerged once the numbers opened. Fantasy managers looking for waiver help should consider Jordan Love and MarShawn Lloyd, who top the list of available options. Week 5's fantasy results highlighted Maye, Warren and Gibbs as standouts, while other players struggled. For a deeper look at the league's personalities, ESPN examined how NFL stars like Matthew Stafford approach coaching their own children, and a profile of Josh Allen's Hollywood endorsement career highlighted his growing off-field profile.
MLB Baseball
Last updated: October 13, 2026, 5:30 AM ET
Brewers and Dodgers
The Brewers proved their way can beat anyone, including the Dodgers, and Milwaukee came into its NLCS rematch determined to show the outcome would be different. In Game, Milwaukee outlasted Los Angeles 2-1 behind a Turang homer, a win that came after the Brewers had failed to score more than one run in any game of a four-game sweep by the same club earlier in the playoffs. Manager Pat Murphy praised his team's resilience in the aftermath.
Los Angeles faces its own questions. Shohei Ohtani's lingering injuries will determine whether he plays in Game, with the club's decision hinging on his health. Meanwhile, Miguel Rojas remains on the NLCS roster after being sidelined by a back issue.
Guardians and Rays
The Guardians stole Game 1 on the road, winning 7-3 over Tampa Bay as DeLauter and Ramírez ignited the offense, while the pitching staff held the Rays to a single run over the final eight innings. Cleveland enters the series after a whirlwind Game 5 and cross-country flight, a contrast to Tampa Bay's rest-heavy path that has sparked debate over rest versus rust.
Both clubs made minor roster moves. Tampa Bay added rookie right-hander Brody Hopkins and dropped Garrett Cleavinger, while Cleveland made one change of its own. Guardians manager named Tampa Bay native Parker Messick to start Game, a homecoming of sorts for the young pitcher.
Postseason Umpiring and Analysis
Robot umpire challenges are favoring hitters in the playoffs, with batters succeeding on ABS challenges more often than in the regular season. In the American League, the White Sox collapsed after squandering a 2-0 ALDS lead, striking out 21 times and managing just three hits in the decisive Game.
ESPN's panel has ranked the four remaining clubs and offered predictions for both championship series. Analysts also examined how each of the four surviving teams was assembled, from superstar signings to under-the-radar finds.
NHL Hockey
Last updated: October 13, 2026, 5:30 AM ET
Injuries & Lineup Updates
Minnesota forward Nico Sturm, was taken to a hospital for precautionary evaluation after a puck struck his head during the Wild's victory. Dallas Stars forward Matt Duchene will be sidelined for up to three months following core muscle surgery. Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin will miss Tuesday's matchup against the Canadiens due to an upper-body injury.
Blackhawks Return
Chicago captain Connor Bedard, who was recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, is likely to make his season debut Tuesday against the Penguins.
Rangers Push Forward
The New York Rangers defeated the Canucks 6-2 two days after losing starting goaltender Igor Shesterkin for the season, relying on Garand in net. Fantasy managers looking to replace Shesterkin can find goalie options among this week's pickups.
Flyers Struggle
The winless Philadelphia Flyers suffered a 4-1 loss to the Hurricanes on Sunday, marking the worst start in franchise history, while fans chanted for coach Tocchet's firing. Carolina later trolled Philadelphia on social media, taking shots at the city's Eagles and Phillies as well.
Western Conference Preview
The Golden Knights and Wild meet in an early-season Western showdown as the NHL slate features just three games Monday.
Around the League
Odds and best bets were posted for the day's biggest sporting events, including Dodgers vs. Brewers and Bills vs. Rams on Monday Night Football.
Obituary
Former Capitals forward Bobby Gould, who spent most of his 11-year NHL career in Washington, died at age.
General Sports
Last updated: October 13, 2026, 5:30 AM ET
College Football
Texas suffered a damaging upset against Oklahoma, and CFP hopes now look sharply diminished for the Longhorns as Georgia remains firmly in control of the picture. Week 6 produced multiple surprises across the sport, and the postseason projections have been reshaped accordingly. Three top-10 SEC teams fell, leaving the conference's upset-filled weekend as one of the most dramatic of the season, as the best moments from Week 6 make clear. The updated Top 25 rankings reflect that turbulence, while the AP poll keeps Georgia at the summit.
Michigan has opted to stick with Underwood at quarterback, with Whittingham confirming Beck will continue calling plays. At Texas, Sarkisian defended Arch Manning after the upset loss, arguing that the Manning name has drawn outsized criticism. UCLA, meanwhile, has voiced serious concern over the knee injury sustained by quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
Oregon coach Dan Lanning said defensive tackle Bear Alexander will avoid discipline over a helmet-punch incident that injured Iamaleava. Texas A&M coach Mike Elko, meanwhile, expressed regret for his "cesspool" remarks about Aggie fans following the loss to Missouri. Alabama, for its part, is unlikely to see Ryan Coleman-Williams in the trip to Tennessee, according to DeBoer.
NFL
The NFL's Week 5 slate produced plenty of talking points, led by the social media trolling that accompanied several victories, with the Jets' "Cleveland Brown" jab standing out. ESPN's NFL Nation reporters weighed in on the biggest questions, including whether the Ravens can win big with Tyler Huntley and whether the Vikings are legitimate contenders. Elsewhere, the Week 5 overreactions centered on whether the Titans should consider a new quarterback and whether the NFC East winner could post a losing record.
WNBA
The Valkyries have made a remarkable ascent, with their rapid rise from expansion side to Finals contender completed in just two years. Meanwhile, the Dream still do not have a confirmed venue for their WNBA Finals home games, as conflicting events at State Farm Arena remain unresolved.
MLB Postseason
Milwaukee opened the NLCS with a win over the Dodgers, a hard-fought result between the league's top two seeds.
Golf
Grant Forrest celebrated a huge Spanish Open victory in Madrid, speaking of his validation and relief after holding his nerve over the closing holes.
Football
Wales take a 1-0 lead into their play-off semi-final second leg, and have been given a history lesson ahead of the Albania clash. In Ireland, former All-Ireland winner John McEntee has been appointed Monaghan manager, replacing Bannigan.
Rugby League and Union
England's Rugby League World Cup squad has been shaken up, with Lewis left out of the opener while captain George Williams partners Harry Smith in the half-back pairing. In the Premiership, a try-heavy round has sparked debate over scoring inflation and points pile-ups, alongside the return of old-school Saracens.
Cricket
Director of cricket Rob Key believes Brydon Carse can return to England colours, while Ollie Pope has pulled out of the Afghanistan Premier League draft, a controversial league he has now withdrawn from.
Horse Racing
Trainer Willie Mullins has been fined and his horse disqualified by a British Horseracing Authority panel following a doping test.
Boxing
Callum Smith will face Dmitry Bivol for the unified world light-heavyweight title in Russia. Lauren Price will defend her unified welterweight titles against Kotaskova, a bout broadcast on BBC.
Other Sports
Great Britain's Sky Brown won silver at the World Skate Games Olympic qualifier, while Matt Richardson has been withdrawn from the British cycling squad for next week's World Championships. Arizona State is in talks with Dave Hakstol about taking over its men's hockey program. The Welsh Rugby Union has named Lyndon Faulkner as its new chairman, while BBC Sport has examined the complex issue of egg-freezing in sport.