Sports
Chaotic Man United vs. Spurs finale another roller coaster of emotions for fans
Matthijs de Ligt extended Manchester United‘s unbeaten run to five games with a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer against Tottenham, moments after Richarlison looked to have handed Spurs a remarkable victory.
Having been booed by his own supporters for replacing Xavi Simons with Mathys Tel on 79 minutes, Spurs head coach Thomas Frank was vindicated when Tel cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo‘s first-half opener with an 84th-minute equalizer. And when Richarlison headed Spurs into the lead one minute into the six minutes of stoppage time, the home side appeared to have pulled off an incredible fightback to beat United for a fifth successive game.
But Spurs saw three points snatched out of their hands when De Ligt headed home from a corner in the 96th minute to claim a deserved point for United.
Despite the dropped points and restless home crowd, Spurs moved up to third place in the Premier League, while United maintain their push for a Champions League spot in seventh. — Ogden
Another tumultuous day for Frank
Spurs were booed off at half-time for the second weekend in a row. The full-time whistle was greeted with disbelief; the product of three late goals creating the ultimate roller coaster of emotions for all concerned.
When the dust settles, a draw in one sense may feel satisfactory. But on the other hand, conceding a 96th-minute equalizer from a set-piece to a team with 10 men will feel bitterly disappointing.
Somewhere in the midst of all this, Frank has to process another sign of dissent from the home supporters pointing to the undercurrent of concern that permeates this club at the moment. With Spurs 1-0 down, Frank opted to replaced Simons with Tel on 79 minutes; loud boos greeted the decision, ramping up pressure on the Tottenham boss as his team faced another afternoon bereft of creativity in front of goal.
And so in that context, for Tel to spin in the box and fire a deflected shot past Senne Lammens to equalize just five minutes later will have felt like a huge vindication for Frank. Persevering with Richarlison when many others may have taken him off also paid off, only for Spurs to throw away three points in stoppage time.
The end product is Spurs sit third in the table at full-time, yet Frank knows the job of convincing all connected to the club that he can thrive in the role is far from done. — Olley
Man United will miss Mbuemo and Amad Diallo when they go to AFCON
Mbeumo and Amad Diallo have become crucial members of Ruben Amorim’s forward line this season and their growing understanding was borne out again with Amad’s cross creating Mbeumo’s first-half goal.
Mbeumo has now scored six league goals for United since his £70 million summer transfer from Brentford and he has made the team much more threatening when going forward. Meanwhile, Amad has kicked on since last season by proving himself equally capable of playing on both flanks in Amorim’s 3-4-3 system.
But the bad news for United is that both players will head off to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) next month and could be away for almost six weeks. With Mbeumo representing Cameroon and Amad turning out for Ivory Coast, United can expect both players to be involved in the knockout stages, so Amorim must find a way to replace their attacking qualities at busy stage of the season.
Joshua Zirkzee has barely kicked a ball for United this season and Benjamin Sesko is still adjusting to the Premier League following his £74 million summer arrival from RB Leipzig, so Amorim has a big problem ahead unless United are prepared to add to the squad at the beginning of the January transfer window. — Ogden
Richarlison ends goal drought, but Solanke’s return is vital
This was another difficult day for Randal Kolo Muani and, for long periods, Richarlison. The Tottenham pair started together for the first time, Richarlison operating off the left with Kolo Muani through the middle in a 4-2-3-1 shape. They completed just two passes to each other and Kolo Muani left the field at half-time having touched the ball 12 times — the fewest of any player on either team.
Again, mitigation can be found in the fact that Kolo Muani arrived on loan from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day and has subsequently struggled for fitness due to a muscular problem. Richarlison was in a barren run of form but his first goal for club or country in 13 matches, an expertly-glanced header past Lammens, triggered a euphoric celebration containing more than a trace of catharsis.
De Ligt’s equalizer left Richarlison on his knees at full-time in recognition of a lead squandered, but he must hope his goal becomes a turning point.
And yet, the feeling remains that Frank’s fortunes would be improved significantly by the return of Dominic Solanke, who has not played since August after undergoing ankle surgery. There is hope he can play again after this month’s international break. Frank badly needs him not only to start but to get back up to speed as quickly as possible.– Olley
Sesko struggling, but Man United aren’t helping him
Sesko is struggling to prove his worth at Manchester United following his summer transfer and he limped out of this game with an injury having only entered the game as a 59th-minute substitute.
The 22-year-old center forward has registered just two goals and one assist for United this season, and Amorim admitted ahead of this game that the Slovenia international has found it tough to settle at Old Trafford. But while Sesko made a mess of a great chance after being released late on by midfielder Manuel Ugarte — Sesko seemed to injure himself when challenged by Spurs defender Micky van de Ven — United’s use of his talents is not helping the striker.
Rather than deliver crosses into the penalty area for the 6-foot-5 forward, United constantly forced Sesko out wide where his lack of pace and mobility saw him repeatedly lose the ball.
Sesko has his strengths and weaknesses, but United are playing to his weaknesses right now. They need to find a way to keep him playing through the middle and leave the wide areas to players who can make use of the ball — ideally those who can cross for Sesko to convert crosses into the net.
However, as Sesko limped off in the 88th minute, leaving United with just 10 players after using all of their substitutes, he cut a disconsolate figure. He clearly needs to do better, but United must also raise their game to help him. — Ogden
Is United’s youth record still valid?
Jack Fletcher’s selection as a substitute for Manchester United ensured that Amorim kept alive an incredible 88-year club record by having an academy player in the matchday squad for the 4,333rd consecutive game. An injury to Kobbie Mainoo had put the record in jeopardy until Amorim selected 18-year-old Fletcher for a place on the bench.
United have a proud history of producing their own players, from the “Busby Babes” in the 1950s to the “Class of 92” of David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Gary and Phil Neville. Others including Danny Welbeck, Marcus Rashford and Fletcher’s father, Darren, have helped United maintain their record over the years.
But while Fletcher is a legitimate academy graduate having played for the youth team over the past two years, he actually joined United as a 16-year-old, alongside twin brother Tyler, in a £1.25 million transfer in 2023 after spending nine years in Manchester City‘s academy.
So while United have kept their record intact, it is beginning to seem tenuous and Amorim admitted before the game that Fletcher was only selected because he wanted to keep the historical run going. When it is a record based on merit, that’s fine. But have United now reached the stage of tokenism in order to keep their record alive? — Ogden
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Kelani Jordan and Lola Vice’s feud will come to a head on Saturday when the two meet in an underground match at NXT Vengeance Day.
In an underground match, WWE officials remove the ropes around the squared circle and the ring turns into an impromptu mixed martial arts-style match. The only way to win is to knock out your opponent or make them submit.
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Kelani Jordan enters the ring during NXT at the WWE Performance Center on Jan. 13, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. (Conor Kvatek/WWE via Getty Images)
For Jordan, she may be considered the underdog as Vice has a legitimate MMA background that could provide the edge in the matchup. However, Jordan told Fox News Digital that she’s ever confident in what she’ll be able to bring to the ring.
“I feel like I’ve been ready because I stay ready, but I reached out to Shayna Baszler to help me just learn the techniques of a martial artist,” Jordan said. “But also, she’s a former UFC fighter, so I’ve been training with her and I feel more than prepared for the match on Saturday.”
Baszler had a brief stint in UFC before she tried her hand in pro wrestling. She was a two-time NXT women’s champion and WWE women’s tag team champion before she departed the company last year.
But Baszler returned to NXT TV this week to give Jordan a helping hand.
Kelani Jordan in action against Lola Vice during NXT at the WWE Performance Center on Jan. 13, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. (Kevin Sabitus/WWE via Getty Images)
“One, she’s taught me all the techniques and just being able to, like, how to get out of things that Lola goes for, submissions, Lola throws a lot of kicks because she’s based in taekwondo background,” Jordan said of the help Baszler gave her. “So, I was able to learn ways to counter that but also up my offense because I’m not a specialist in submissions and Shayna is known for being the ‘submission magician.’ She helped me learn actual submissions, things that I could go for or counter for Lola. But also, she made me realize and humbled me to make sure like, OK, she’s the real deal. She definitely taught me a lot in that aspect.”
Jordan has already made Vice submit in recent weeks and suggested she could hone in on some of the frustration she’s felt with her colleague.
“Two weeks ago, Lola was able to see a different side of Kelani Jordan. Me and Lola go way back. We were in the finals of the (NXT) Breakout Tournament together,” she said. “We also had many big (premium live event) moments together. But also she was my best friend in the locker room and she kicked me out.
“I feel like when things like that happen, a different side of you comes out. I think Lola’s gonna be in for a rude awakening when she realizes, one, I’ve been training from one of the best, someone who paved the way in NXT. Also, I have a lot of vengeance to get out on her.”
Kelani Jordan and Lola Vice kick each other during NXT at the WWE Performance Center on Jan. 13, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. (Kevin Sabitus/WWE via Getty Images)
Vengeance Day is set to take place at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. The event will start at 7 p.m. ET and can be seen on Peacock.
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The rest of the card looks like this:
- Joe Hendry (c) vs. Ricky Saints for the NXT Championship.
- Izzi Dame (c) vs. Tatum Paxley for the NXT Women’s Championship.
- Blake Monroe vs. Jaida Parker in a street fight.
- Tony D’Angelo vs. Dion Lennox in a parking lot brawl.
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Making bold sporting statements without real repercussions can be fun, and fantasy baseball certainly is fun, so it is time again for us to combine these fun things into one column. Well, really it is two columns, as we get bold separately with the American League and the National League, making myriad predictions and hoping some (or several) may hit. Perhaps not, but at least they should make one think.
For example, a year ago we predicted that Athletics DH Brent Rooker would hit 50 home runs. He did not, but he did not struggle. We predicted Houston Astros RHP Hunter Brown would whiff 200 hitters and make the All-Star team. That did occur. Tampa Bay Rays OF Chandler Simpson very nearly stole 45 bases, but three Chicago White Sox did not hit 25 home runs. Byron Buxton and Mike Trout did play a lot! Grayson Rodriguez and Liam Hendriks did not.
Some (most) of these predictions will look a bit silly in six months, if not sooner. Still, there is a basis for making each of these bold statements, and perhaps it makes you think. Perhaps the player in question has a particular skill — or opportunity — that defies groupthink. Perhaps the statement is not a positive one. Fantasy baseball managers tend to follow rankings and projections but trusting your gut is important, too. Trust yourself. Take a few chances. Perhaps some of these bold picks will look wise in a few months.
With that in mind, let us get bold yet again for the pending season, starting with the American League.
Athletics: Could an Athletic hit 50 home runs this season? With reigning AL Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz, anything seems possible. Let’s give Rooker 40 blasts. … SS Jacob Wilson trades some contact for pop, hitting .280 with 18 home runs. … RHP Luis Severino can’t be that bad again in home games (6.01 ERA): Overall, he wins 13 games with a 3.80 ERA. … RHP Justin Sterner saves 18 games.
Baltimore Orioles: 2B Jackson Holliday (hand) makes his season debut in mid-April and still reaches 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases. … Two Orioles hit 40 home runs (SS Gunnar Henderson, 1B Pete Alonso). … OF prospect Enrique Bradfield Jr. debuts in July. He steals 26 bases. … LHP Trevor Rogers surprisingly is for real: 15 wins, 2.80 ERA, All-Star appearance. … RHP Andrew Kittredge saves more games than Ryan Helsley.
Boston Red Sox: OF star Roman Anthony hits 40 home runs and he is not the primary leadoff hitter for long. … Seven Red Sox hit 20 home runs, including 1B Triston Casas. … LHP Garrett Crochet whiffs 275 hitters and earns the AL Cy Young Award. … RHP Sonny Gray fans 180 hitters for his fifth team, and he wins a career-high 15 games.
Chicago White Sox: New 1B Munetaka Murakami and SS Colson Montgomery each hit 31 home runs, although neither infielder hits above .220. … New 2B Luisangel Acuna steals 28 bases. … Staff ace RHP Shane Smith makes the AL All-Star team again! … RHP prospect David Sandlin debuts in July, and he posts a 3.40 ERA in 12 starts.
Cleveland Guardians: Three Guardians hit 30 home runs, with newcomer 1B Rhys Hoskins joining 3B Jose Ramirez and 1B Kyle Manzardo. … Brittle OF Chase DeLauter, new No. 2 hitter, bats 510 times. … DH David Fry earns his catcher eligibility in June, and he finishes as a top 15 fantasy catcher. … RHP Tanner Bibee makes his first All-Star game. He wins 15 games and strikes out 200.
Detroit Tigers: OF Kerry Carpenter hits 32 home runs, knocks in 99 runs. … Prospect Max Anderson takes the 3B job in late-May, hits .290 over 420 PA. … RHP Justin Verlander wins 13 games with a 3.40 ERA. He starts Game 2 of the playoffs. … RHP Kenley Jansen saves 36 wins, sailing past 500 saves for his career and he retires.
Houston Astros: 1B Christian Walker leads the team with 30 home runs, with OF Yordan Alvarez and 3B Isaac Paredes adding 28. … Year 2 goes better for OF Cam Smith. He hits .270 with 22 home runs. … New RHP Mike Burrows wins 12 games with 160 strikeouts. … RHP Bryan Abreu saves 25 games and makes the All-Star team. Be very careful about LHP Josh Hader.
Kansas City Royals: Four Royals hit 30 home runs, led by slugging OF Jac Caglianone and solid 1B Vinnie Pasquantino with 34. … OF Starling Marte, active leader in stolen bases (and caught stealing), adds 22 steals. … OF Isaac Collins becomes the every-day 2B and posts a .375 OBP with 22 steals. … RHP Stephen Kolek (oblique), not in the Opening Day rotation, still wins 12 games with a 3.40 ERA.
Los Angeles Angels: SS Zach Neto delivers the third 30/30 season in franchise history (Bobby Bonds, Mike Trout). … Healthy OF Josh Lowe rediscovers his 2023 numbers, hitting 22 home runs and stealing 28 bases. … Speaking of health, RHP Grayson Rodriguez posts a 3.50 ERA over 26 starts, with myriad strikeouts. … LHP Drew Pomeranz saves 20 games.
Minnesota Twins: 2B Luke Keaschall scores 90 runs as leadoff hitter, batting .285 with 32 stolen bases. … OF Byron Buxton and 3B Royce Lewis each bat more than 500 times, and each reaches 30 home runs. … RHP Zebby Matthews breaks out with a 3.50 ERA and 170 strikeouts.
New York Yankees: OF Trent Grisham nearly does it again, hitting 30 home runs with 90 walks. … Grisham and C Ben Rice are among six Yankees who reach 30 home runs. … RHP Gerrit Cole (elbow) returns in May, and he wins 14 of his 22 starts with a 3.20 ERA. … LHP Ryan Weathers surprises with a 3.50 ERA in 24 starts.
Seattle Mariners: 2B Brendan Donovan scores 90 runs as leadoff hitter, while adding a .295 batting average. … SS prospect Colt Emerson debuts in May and he hits 15 home runs. … Five Mariners starting pitchers (Bryan Woo, Logan Gilbert, Luis Castillo, George Kirby, Bryce Miller) make at least 28 starts with an ERA better than 3.50.
Tampa Bay Rays: An improved 3B Junior Caminero hits .280 with 50 home runs, and he ends up second in MVP voting. … OF Jonny DeLuca stays healthy enough to steal 30 bases, while OF Chandler Simpson steals 62 bases. … RHP Brody Hopkins debuts in July and dominates with a 2.80 ERA in 14 starts. … RHP Griffin Jax saves 28 wins.
Texas Rangers: OF Wyatt Langford stays healthy enough to appear in 152 games, reaching 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases. Ian Kinsler was the last Ranger to reach 30/30 (2011). … 1B Jake Burger and DH Joc Pederson bounce back and each delivers 28 home runs. … RHP Nathan Eovaldi leads the staff with a 2.80 ERA in 26 starts and makes his third All-Star team.
Toronto Blue Jays: OF George Springer nearly does it again, hitting .280 with 28 home runs and 96 runs scored. … New 3B Kazuma Okamoto hits cleanup, protecting 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and he hits 28 home runs. … RHP Dylan Cease makes his first All-Star team, posts a 3.36 ERA. … RHP Louis Varland leads the team with 22 saves.
The road to the 2026 men’s Frozen Four heats up as the sport’s six leagues embark on their conference tournaments.
The six league champions will earn automatic berths into the 16-team NCAA field, with the other 10 spots going to the top teams in the NPI rankings. The NCAA tournament bracket will be revealed March 22 at 3 p.m. on ESPNU and the ESPN App.
Regional play in the NCAA tournament begins March 26 and culminates with the Frozen Four in Las Vegas on April 9 and 11. All games will air on the ESPN networks and stream on the ESPN App.
Below are the schedules for every conference tournament, which will be updated with results as the tournaments progress.
All times Eastern.
Atlantic
After the four lowest seeds play in the first round, the Atlantic tournament moves to best-of-three series in the quarterfinals and semifinals, followed by a single-game final. Bentley won its first regular-season title, but the Falcons will have to win the conference tourney to move on to the NCAAs. No Atlantic teams are in the at-large picture.
First round
No. 8 Niagara 5, No. 9 Army 4
No. 10 Mercyhurst 5, No. 7 Canisius 2
Quarterfinals, Friday-Sunday
(best of three)
Mercyhurst at No. 1 Bentley
No. 5 RIT at No. 4 Holy Cross
No. 6 Air Force at No. 3 Robert Morris
Niagara at No. 2 Sacred Heart
Semifinals, March 13-15
Best-of-three series at two highest remaining seeds
Final, March 21
at higher remaining seed
Big Ten
The tournament is all single games on campus sites, with the No. 1 seed — regular-season champion Michigan State — getting a bye into the semifinals. The Spartans have been duking it out with Michigan for the No. 1 ranking in the country most of the season. Penn State also is safely in the NCAA field, with Wisconsin in good shape for an at-large spot as well.
Quarterfinals, March 11
No. 5 seed at No. 4 seed
No. 6 seed at No. 3 seed
No. 7 Notre Dame at No. 2 seed
Semifinals, March 14
at two highest remaining seeds
Final, March 21
at higher remaining seed
CCHA
The CCHA tournament is on campus sites, with best-of-three quarterfinals followed by single games in the semifinals and final. Top seed Minnesota State emerged from a late logjam to win its eighth regular-season title in the last nine seasons. Entering the tournament, Augustana is the only conference team on the right side of the NCAA bubble — and even its position is precarious. Minnesota State, St. Thomas and Bowling Green are close, but on the outs for now. These results will be watched closely by all the at-large contenders.
Quarterfinals, Friday-Sunday
(best of three)
No. 8 Ferris State at No. 1 Minnesota State
No. 5 Bowling Green at No. 4 Michigan Tech
No. 6 Bemidji State at No. 3 Augustana
No. 7 Lake Superior State at No. 2 St. Thomas
Semifinals, March 14
at two highest remaining seeds
Final, March 20
at higher remaining seed
ECAC
The top four seeds receive first-round byes and host the best-of-three quarterfinals. Winners advance to the single-game semifinals and final. Cornell, Dartmouth and Quinnipiac, which won its sixth straight regular-season ECAC title, are virtual locks to earn at-large NCAA berths.
All games are available on the ESPN App.
First round
Friday
No. 11 St. Lawrence at No. 6 Harvard
No. 9 RPI at No. 8 Clarkson
Saturday
No. 12 Brown at No. 5 Union
No. 10 Yale at No. 7 Colgate
Quarterfinals, March 13-15
(best of three)
First-round winner at No. 1 Quinnipiac
First-round winner at No. 2 Dartmouth
First-round winner at No. 3 Cornell
First-round winner at No. 4 Princeton
Semifinals, March 20
at Lake Placid, New York
Final, March 21
at Lake Placid, New York
Hockey East
This tournament is single-elimination throughout. The top five seeds receive first-round byes into the quarterfinals, which are held on campus sites. Providence, which has clinched the No. 1 seed with the first regular-season Hockey East title in program history, also has locked up an at-large NCAA spot. Of the other at-large contenders, Boston College is in the best shape, with UConn sitting right on the cut line entering the last weekend of the regular season, and UMass and Maine clinging to slim at-large hopes.
All games are available on the ESPN App.
First round, March 11
No. 9 seed at No. 8 seed
No. 10 seed at No. 7 seed
No. 11 Vermont at No. 6 seed
Quarterfinals
March 14
No. 5 seed at No. 4 seed
First-round winner at No. 1 Providence
First-round winner at No. 2 seed
First-round winner at No. 3 seed
Semifinals, March 20
at Boston
Finals, March 21
at Boston
NCHC
The NCHC tournament moves entirely to campus sites this year. The top four seeds — North Dakota, Denver, Western Michigan and Minnesota Duluth — are safely in the NCAA tournament field.
Quarterfinals, Friday-Sunday
(best of three)
No. 8 Omaha at No. 1 North Dakota
No. 7 Miami (Ohio) at No. 2 Denver
No. 6 Colorado College at No. 3 Western Michigan
No. 5 St. Cloud State at No. 4 Minnesota Duluth
Semifinals, March 14
at two highest remaining seeds
Final, March 21
at higher remaining seed
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