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1. Horoscope for Wednesday, October 21, 2026  Chicago Sun-Times
2. Daily Horoscope for October 21, 2026  Chicago Tribune
3. Your Daily Horoscope: October 21, 2026  Baltimore Sun
4. Horoscopes Today, October 21, 2026  USA Today
5. Your Daily FinanceScope for October 21, 2026  Yahoo

1. United Nations report highlights significant increase in U.S. climate pollution  NPR
2. As climate summit approaches, UN reports existing 1.5C warming limit is no longer achievable  CNN
3. UN projections say world is losing ground in fight to curb climate change, faulting US a bit  ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos
4. Climate: The 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement is no longer viable  Unric
5. U.S. Is an Outlier Among Rich Nations in Slowing Climate Progress, U.N. Data Says  The New York Times

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Kirill Marchenko enjoyed a goal in his return to Columbus, while Easton Cowan continued to show major progress on a memorable night for the Maple Leafs.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 32 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder opened their season with a 116-104 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, the team that ended their dreams of a title defence last season.

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As the Edmonton Oilers held off the Minnesota Wild for a 4-3 overtime win on home ice, McDavid dished out a trio of assists, including his 20th helper of the year on Evan Bouchard's game-winning goal.

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Yankees predicted to sign $85M former Silver Slugger finalist to revitalize World Series hopes originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Yankees are heading into the offseason with several things to address. Both the regular season and postseason were major letdowns compared to the standards the organization has set.

The American League Division Series went about as poorly as it could have for New York. The Yankees were swept by their AL East rival, the Tampa Bay Rays, who would go on to play in the World Series.

“Tampa Bay is moving on to the American League Championship Series, to play the winner of the Cleveland Guardians-Chicago White Sox series, winning 4-3 to complete a sweep of the Yankees in the division series that affirmed the Rays' summerlong dominance of their division rival,” ESPN’s Buster Olney wrote.

It was an up-and-down season for the Yankees, as they were without Aaron Judge for much of it. Judge was also left off the ALDS roster because of his injury.

“Judge has made his position clear -- he wants to be part of everything that transpires this month. However, Judge’s strained right calf has not healed enough for him to claim a spot on the 26-man roster for the Yankees' showdown against the Rays in the American League Division Series,” MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch wrote.

With Judge coming off an injury, SI’s Joe Najarian believes the Yankees should sign Seiya Suzuki and allow Judge to take on a designated hitter role.

“The Yankees would need to make quite a few moves to make this work, though. Because Suzuki is a full-time right fielder, Aaron Judge would become the everyday DH while Spencer Jones and Cody Bellinger play center and left field, respectively. It would also mean getting rid of both trade deadline additions (Luis Garcia Jr. and Heliot Ramos) and Giancarlo Stanton. But after his injury-plagued season, Judge will inevitably be limited to DH duties in the future. And given how good Suzuki was in 2026, the Yankees' post-Judge outfield would be in very good shape if they sign the Japanese slugger,” Najarian wrote.

Suzuki could be a strong addition to New York's lineup, particularly given his raw power and the short porches at Yankee Stadium. With his power at the plate, he could help bolster the Yankees' offense while allowing Judge to spend more time at designated hitter.

Suzuki recently completed his $85 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. He has been a Silver Slugger finalist twice during his MLB career, making him an intriguing potential addition to New York's lineup. If the Yankees pursue him, he could provide another offensive weapon as the organization looks to get back into World Series contention.

More MLB news:

• Phillies predicted to replace Alec Bohm with 39-HR slugger, Triple Crown winner to bolster lineup
• Yankees predicted to replace Jazz Chisholm with $12M two-time Silver Slugger winner, 4x All-Star
• Braves predicted to trade for $8.5M All-Star, Silver Slugger winner to replace Ha-Seong Kim
• Braves' disappointing $45M Silver Slugger went off the grid following second PED suspension

Photo by: Rick Osentoski

The Boston Celtics opened the 2026-27 NBA season with a disappointing 121-113 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, blowing a 22 point lead despite a spectacular debut from Paul George.

Boston looked to be in control for much of the afternoon at Little Caesars Arena. However, Detroit mounted a furious second-half comeback, dominating the fourth quarter to spoil George’s first game in a Celtics uniform.

Paul George Shines in Celtics Debut

George was the clear standout for Boston, finishing with a game-high 38 points on 12-of-21 shooting. He knocked down seven three-pointers, added five rebounds and three assists, and recorded five steals in an impressive all-around performance.

His 38 points set a Celtics franchise record for the most points scored by a player in his debut with the organization.

Payton Pritchard and Derrick White each contributed 17 points, while Jayson Tatum finished with 13 points and 11 assists. Tatum struggled to find his shooting rhythm, making just six of his 23 attempts from the field.

Despite George’s historic performance, Boston lacked consistent offensive production from the rest of the lineup when the game tightened in the second half.

Detroit Completes the Comeback

The Celtics carried a 58-45 advantage into halftime and extended their lead to 22 points early in the third quarter. George appeared to have Boston firmly in control, but the Pistons refused to go away.

Detroit gradually chipped away at the deficit before taking control in the fourth quarter. A decisive scoring run helped the Pistons seize the lead, and Boston struggled to respond as the home team built separation.

Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren led Detroit with 22 points apiece. Duncan Robinson added 21 points, including several crucial shots down the stretch, while Javonte Green provided a major spark off the bench with 19 points.

Detroit outscored Boston 76-55 in the second half, turning what looked like a comfortable Celtics victory into an eight point defeat.

Boston Looks to Bounce Back

The loss highlights Boston’s need to maintain its intensity for all four quarters. George’s debut offered plenty of encouragement, but the Celtics will need more consistent shooting and defensive execution moving forward.

Boston will look to respond when it hosts the New York Knicks on Friday, October 23.

This 4-3 overtime loss for the Montreal Canadiens was the result of a series of bad decisions, and the last one will haunt the player who needed a win most.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 04: Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after the NFL match between Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders as part of the London NFL Series 2026 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 04, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) Getty(Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) GettyJonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after his team's 38-14 victory against the Tennessee Titans. Getty

The Minnesota Vikings‘ run game has managed just fine with Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason through five games, four of which Mason missed with a thumb injury, but neither is under contract beyond this season and neither profiles as a full-time starting running back moving forward.

That said, Minnesota might still be better served to explore deals for a defensive tackle or a safety rather than a RB ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline on November 10, given their immediate needs as viewed through the lens of this campaign.

But when opportunity knocks and a game-changing player is waiting on the other side, it’s typically a door that soon-to-be-great teams open.

Enter Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts.

Vikings Offense Trending Up, as Team Prepares for Colts After Bye Week

GettyMinnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray.

The Vikings host the Colts on Sunday, October 25 in a game that could render Minnesota an undefeated 6-0 and put Indianapolis’s season on the brink with five losses through seven games. Colts QB Daniel Jones is struggling after returning from an Achilles tendon tear last year, while the defense ranks 24th in yards allowed per game through Week 6.

Indy just fired long-time general manager Chris Ballard on Monday, and head coach Shane Steichen could be next — really at any point during the year, or after it. Players like defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and quarterback Anthony Richardson could be on the trade block in Indianapolis, though neither has the potential to shake up the league the way a Taylor trade might.

That is particularly possible if the three-time Pro Bowler lands with a team like the Vikings, who are atop the NFL in defense and special teams with an offense that is getting healthy and trending upward coming off a bye that followed quarterback Kyler Murray’s best game of the season in Week 5.

Colts Star Jonathan Taylor Among Top Running Backs in NFL

GettyRunning back Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts.

Taylor does not turn 28 years old until January and is under contract through the 2028 campaign. He inked a two-year contract extension worth $44 million total in early August.

The running back is a workhorse who led the NFL in rush attempts last year with 323 carries. He added a league-leading 18 rushing TDs and 1,585 yards on the ground. Taylor also caught 46 passes for 378 yards and two scores.

He has a strong argument as a top-three running back behind Bijan Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons and Jahmyr Gibbs of the Detroit Lions after tallying 492 rushing yards and seven scores alongside 15 receptions for 163 yards across six games played thus far.

Taylor might lose that argument given the play of Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III, but Taylor is inarguably near the top of league at his position, which should continue over the next few seasons assuming relative health.

If Minnesota inquires about Taylor, the Vikings will probably have to fork over a second-round pick, and potentially another mid-to-late-round asset, to acquire him. But that is a price worth paying if the payoff is a Super Bowl.

Just ask the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles, who paid Saquon Barkley big money in free agency ahead of that season. They went on to win the championship, while Barkley led the league in rushing and earned Offensive Player of the Year honors, as well as a ring, in the process.

This article was originally published on HEAVY

The post Vikings Trade Pitch Succeeds Jones, Mason With $44 Million Pro Bowler appeared first on HEAVY.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 17: Ben Kindel #81 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates with the puck during the game at T-Mobile Arena on October 17, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Penguins 6-2. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Getty Images

SALT LAKE CITY — Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ben Kindel was being evaluated at a Salt Lake City hospital on Tuesday after having a medical emergency on the team’s flight home from a four-game trip.

The club said the 19-year-old Kindel had an unspecified issue shortly after the team’s plane took off from the Salt Lake City airport on Tuesday.

The plane returned to the airport while Kindel was tended to on the flight by the team’s medical staff. He was taken by ambulance to the University of Utah hospital.

The team said Kindel was conscious, alert and stable.

Kindel, in his second season with the Penguins after being selected with the 11th overall pick in the 2025 draft, has two goals and two assists in nine games. He played 18 minutes, 53 seconds in a 5-4 loss to Utah on Monday night.

The Cincinnati Bengals are concerned about stopping the outside run, a strength of the Ravens, this weekend. Getty

Coming off a bye week, the Cincinnati Bengals find themselves fourth in the AFC North. It’s not where they had hoped to be at this point in the season, but with 12 games left, there’s plenty of time to figure things out.

One thing the bye week did do was give the Bengals a chance to look in the mirror and figure out what has gone wrong so far this season. On the defensive side of the ball, that includes containing outside runs and keeping quarterbacks from scrambling. Incidentally, those are strengths that the Baltimore Ravens, their next opponent, pride themselves on offensively.

As it stands now, the Ravens are 4-2. That puts them in a three-way tie for first in the AFC North. That makes every game against a conference rival that much more important. So, the Bengals have been focusing on those outside runs.

Cincinnati Bengals Defensive Coordinator Al Golden on Outside Runs

One thing is clear, the Bengals are aware of the issues that they have on outside runs. Defensive coordinator Al Golden recently shared that it’s become a point of emphasis for the Bengals.

“We must improve on the perimeter run game,” Golden said. “That’s one of the things we are working through right now and just trying to make sure conceptually and tactically we’re doing it the way we need to do it to improve there.”

Through six weeks, the Bengals are giving up 5.0 yards per carry. That’s 30th in the NFL. They’re also just 31st in terms of explosive plays allowed. The edge has become the key piece of the defense giving up those mistakes. 11 of 16 explosive runs the Bengals have allowed have come on either an outside run or a quarterback scramble. An explosive run is defined as being 12 or more yards.

Golden went on to put the blame for those issues on his own shoulders. Still, it’s not just him who needs to be better coming out of the bye week.

“It’s on me,” Golden said. “Everything starts with what we’re doing tactically and how we’re teaching it and what we need to improve and what needs to change and where can we be in a different call. But certainly, everybody has a part in it. We all need to improve on it, whether that’s beating blocks, playing better force, coaches putting the guys in better position to make plays and then tackling.”

There is a Saving Grace for the Bengals This Week

The Ravens, in many respects, seem designed to take advantage of this weakness on the Bengals defense. Derrick Henry remains one of the game’s best running backs, even if he did lose a step. Then, Lamar Jackson is the prototypical dual-threat quarterback, good enough at passing the ball that you can’t sell out stopping his scrambling, putting the defense in a lose-lose situation.

There is a silver lining for the Bengals, though. Jackson is injured. He hasn’t played since October 4th, and he’s still day-to-day. There’s no guarantee he plays at all, and if he doesn’t, then the Ravens become much more manageable to deal with.

Injury reports will be coming out throughout the week. However, it’s clear that even if Jackson does play, he’s likely to not be completely healthy.

This article was originally published on HEAVY

The post Bengals Defense Concerned Ravens Will Exploit Major Weakness appeared first on HEAVY.

The UCLA Bruins might be the defending national champions, but it's their crosstown rivals that have all the fanfare going into the 2026-27 women's basketball season.

The USC Trojans land at No. 3 in the preseason USA TODAY Women's Basketball Coaches Poll released Tuesday, fueled by the return of Juju Watkins. UCLA, meanwhile, will start the year at No. 12 after most of their championship core departed for the WNBA.

The Bruins, after years of coming brutally close, finally broke through and won the 2026 NCAA Women's Tournament for their first national title in program history. But as confetti fell on their heads in Phoenix, Arizona, on March 22, the realization settled in: this was it for this generation.

Lauren Betts, Gabriela Jaquez, Kiki Rice, Angela Dugalić, Gianna Kneepkens and Charlisse Leger-Walker were all taken in the WNBA draft three weeks later; a new record for most players selected in a single round (5) and most players drafted from a single school in one draft (6).

This year's roster looks a little different with two incoming freshmen and a top five-ranked transfer portal class anchored by Addy Brown, Donovyn Hunter, KK Bransford, Bonnie Deas and Elina Aarnisalo – who returns to Westwood after a yearlong-stint at North Carolina.

Aarnisalo, a 5-foot-10 junior guard who shot 40.4% from 3 for the Tar Heels last season, strikes the balance between the rookies and vets – five total returners – on this team. That's crucial for a UCLA team that says they're not rebuilding.

"We understand the standard," head coach Cori Close told reporters at Big Ten media day. "The road map has sort of been set forth for us and I think this team – the transfers, the freshmen – they have purposely signed up because of the championship standards, because of a process that we have created, that we really believe in. And it’s not for everybody."

But even if the standard remains the same in Westwood, the spotlight has undeniably shifted to South Central.

JuJu Watkins missed her entire junior year with a torn ACL. She's back, along with reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year Jazzy Davidson. Kennedy Smith, an All-Big Ten defender, also returns for her junior season.

Watkins and Davidson were each the No. 1 recruit in the nation when they signed with the Women of Troy; they'll welcome one more member to that club this year in Saniyah Hall, a 6-1 guard out of SPIRE Academy in Geneva, Ohio. And she's not the only highly ranked prospect in this USC recruiting class.

Head coach Lindsay Gottlieb also added Sara Okeke and Sitaya Fagan, a pair of international forwards from Spain and Australia, respectively. Okeke was the MVP of the 2025 FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket.

USC opens their season against UNLV on Monday, Nov. 2 in Las Vegas as part of the Hall of Fame Series while UCLA hosts Lehigh at Pauley Pavilion.

LA has been a hub of women's college basketball this decade. Rankings aside, that's set to continue this year.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: JuJu Watkins' return powers USC to No. 3 as UCLA begins title defense at No. 12 in Coaches Poll

What are Arsenal Women?

Six weeks ago, the answer was easy: Women’s Super League title contenders with the infrastructure to match.

It is now easier to answer what Arsenal are not than what they are.

For one, they are not title contenders. They are not good at figuring out a way through a low block. They are not putting away chances. They are not defending with cogency.

What Arsenal are is more sobering.

They are eighth in the WSL. They are winless in five successive WSL matches for the first time in their history. They are a team that has scored five and conceded seven, the only team that failed to put at least two past newly-promoted Birmingham City and not put at least one past newly-promoted Crystal Palace.

It’s grim reading. The draw with Birmingham at home is also an extension of the theme. That this came so swiftly after an international break in which Alessia Russo, Olivia Smith, Frida Maanum, Georgia Stanway, Geraldine Reuteler and Stina Blackstenius scored goals and after staff met for a “review of the season” is cause for concern.

Against Birmingham, Arsenal once again couldn’t think their way through a low block. They registered 43 touches in the opposition box and 27 shots, yet managed to put just four of those on target. They were undone by a counter-attack down their left side, where Birmingham focused 40 per cent of their attack. Leah Williamson and Lotte Wubben-Moy struggled to find fluency, the latter at fault for allowing Neve Herron to slip a pass through her and into the feet of Oceane Hurtre on the other side.

In many ways, the performance was a microcosm of the woes afflicting Arsenal at both ends of the pitch.

Arsenal’s attacking collapse

The headline source of anguish for Arsenal fans this season has been the team’s underperformance in front of goal.

For the past five seasons, Arsenal have tended to overperform. Under Jonas Eidevall in the 2021-22 season, they outperformed their expected goals by 24.3, scoring 65 goals from an expected 40.7. Of the 65 scored that season, Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead got 25 of them (14 and 11 respectively, just under 40 per cent).

Arsenal did not reach those heights in subsequent seasons, but the overperformance remained steady — until this season. Arsenal have scored five goals in the WSL, six fewer than the quality of their chances suggest they should be given their xG of 11.2.

Arsenal rank third in the WSL for shots taken, yet their conversion of those shots has been strikingly poor. At 4.1 per cent, they have the worst conversion rate in the WSL. The next lowest is Everton at 6.9 per cent. Arsenal’s percentage of shots on target that actually beat the goalkeeper (14 per cent) represents a league low.

Former Arsenal forward Kelly Smith was appointed as an assistant coach ahead of the 2023-24 season to work with the attacking players. In the 2023-24 season, Arsenal’s attacking conversion rates increased to 16.1 per cent, before dropping back down to 13.2 per cent (still higher than previous seasons) before plummeting this season.

The source of the profligacy this season is difficult to pinpoint.

Arsenal added attacking players in the summer, winger Lisa Baum and forward Selina Cerci, but other than Baum (who has two goals in the WSL, the most of any Arsenal player), head coach Renee Slegers has relied on familiar faces in Russo, Smith, Caitlin Foord and Blackstenius.

Only Smith and Russo have managed a goal in the WSL. This time last season, Arsenal’s attacking line boasted 14 goals, with Blackstenius responsible for four, Russo and Frida Maanum three apiece, Chloe Kelly two and Smith and Foord one apiece. Neither Kelly nor Maanum have started a WSL match this season due to injury.

Slegers spoke of a front line lacking confidence. Arsenal’s expected goals per shot has slightly dropped, suggesting lower-quality shots in general, albeit not commensurate with the drop-off this season. Their shots on target have also decreased this season to 30.6 per cent vs 38 per cent as an average of the previous five seasons.

That Arsenal have not managed a win in any of their home games this season can seem baffling. Against Palace, Arsenal boasted 76 per cent possession and 70 touches in the opposition final third, the most by a team without scoring in a WSL match since 2018.

In the 1-1 draw with Manchester United, Arsenal had 59 per cent possession and 59 touches in the final third, as well as four big chances. United, by contrast, managed three touches in Arsenal’s final third.

Yet possession does not equate to threat. Arsenal have registered a league-high 2,173 passes in the opposition half (excluding crosses) and a league-high 1,403 passes in the final third. Yet, many of their performances this season have been marked by ponderous build-up play and an inability to puncture low-to-mid blocks. Some opposition also cited a predictability (and inefficiency) to Arsenal’s attack. Arsenal rank second in the league for open-play crosses (104), according to Opta, yet ninth for successful open-play crosses (20.2 per cent). 

Russo remains the focal point, and though the England striker is known to drop deep to help build up attack through the middle, she’s actually having more touches in the box this season (7.1 per 90) than she was in the previous two (6.8 and 5.4).

Still, some variation in attack could be welcomed. Fitness issues have deterred the use of Germany forward and summer signing Cerci, who underwent a knee procedure last week, according to the club. The club also confirmed fitness has played a role in the lack of minutes provided to Geraldine Reuteler, who joined in the summer as an option in the No 10 position.

Defensive issues and vulnerability to the counter-attack

As The Athletic wrote earlier this season, a blueprint is emerging for how teams approach Arsenal: sit in a low-to-mid block and put the attacking onus on them.

Another plan has also begun to take shape: attack down Arsenal’s left on the counter.

Of the attacking touches Arsenal have conceded this league season, 41.6 per cent have arrived down the left flank, the highest proportion in the WSL and an uptick from previous seasons when it was 36 per cent, 36.9 per cent and 39 per cent respectively.

Long-time left-back Katie McCabe departed the club in the summer upon the expiry of her contract, joining rivals Chelsea. McCabe, a natural left-footer, was replaced by Ona Batlle, a right-footer who has predominantly played at right-back throughout her career.

While playing a right-footed player on the left is not in itself a problem, it is notable that when centre-back Steph Catley (left-footed) is not deployed regularly alongside Williamson as was the case last season, Arsenal’s backline of Emily Fox, Williamson, Wubben-Moy and Batlle are all right-foot dominant. Opponents have picked up on and targeted this (Birmingham head coach Amy Merricks remarked after her side’s draw that she swapped Hurtre from the left to the right for this reason).

Birmingham mustered three chances on the break amounting to 0.72 xG, including a miss from Lily Crosthwaite on 16 minutes and Hurtre’s goal. The week prior, Manchester City found joy on the counter when they sliced through Arsenal with just two quick passes before Khadija “Bunny” Shaw finished off the move to give City their final goal in the 4-2 win.

Arsenal are conceding around 0.17 xG per game from Opta-defined fast breaks this season, a jump from 0.03 last season. Meanwhile, Arsenal rank 11th in the league for percentage of duels won (46.6 per cent).

Watching Arsenal defend these situations, a lack of fluency between defensive partners is notable, something unhelped by the inconsistency of the centre-back pairing, with Wubben-Moy starting the past three matches due to injury to Catley.

Yet, the lack of fluency is not an exclusively defensive problem. As The Athletic reported two weeks ago, a lack of clarity on the pitch has been a problem cited by some within the squad. This was visible in the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in September when Slegers made a triple substitution for Stanway, Mariona Caldentey and Baum on the hour, with Foord, Kelly and Blackstenius brought on. Captain Kim Little shouted back to the bench, “Am I playing as a six now?“ as players attempted to suss out where they were meant to be.

While substitutions have represented a source of frustration for fans amid the squad’s ongoing struggles, Slegers sits top for the number of subs made per game this season, having used all five substitutions in every game apart from last weekend’s defeat to Birmingham when she made four.

Given Arsenal’s 25-player squad (so large that Slegers lobbied UEFA to expand the acceptable matchday squad size for European competitions), such rotation is necessary, though the tangible impact of the substitutions has been disappointing, as the City defeat showcased. As The Athletic reported previously, pressure to perform could be a factor, as well as drifting confidence amongst players.

Six fixtures into the season, Slegers has already ruled Arsenal out of the WSL title race. Arsenal still have the Champions League and FA Cup trophies for which to fight. Slegers remains in post despite the poor results, but one thing is clear: significant improvements in all areas are needed if Arsenal are to recover anything from this season.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

Arsenal WFC, Women's Soccer

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Manchester City v AEK Athens - UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD3 - Getty Images SportEnglish playmaker inspires Etihad rout

Foden is determined to keep building his goal tally after registering a treble and an assist during the Citizens' 150th Champions League fixture. Having been sent off in last month's Manchester derby before ending a scoring drought dating back to December at the weekend, he now boasts four goals in four days. Victory also provided the ideal response to last week's 4-2 home defeat against holders Paris Saint-Germain.

Tactical switch unlocks clinical displayTactical switch unlocks clinical display

The hosts opened the scoring when Elliot Anderson poked home his first goal for the club after fellow summer signing Enzo Fernandez clipped a free-kick against the crossbar, before Foden converted Rico Lewis' pass. Seven minutes after the restart, Stavros Pilios netted the first goal City had ever conceded against Greek opposition following four previous clean sheets against Aris and Olympiacos, only for Foden to tee up Rayan Cherki and add two further strikes.

Expressing his delight with the collective performance while naming his second strike into the top corner as his favourite in a post-match interview with the club's official website, Foden said: "I enjoyed that a lot. The lads were great again. We showed determination again, it wasn't pretty at times. We were giving sloppy passes away. But, we stuck at the game plan and we kept going and in the end we broke them down. Overall I'm delighted.

"[My favourite goal is] probably the second to be honest. The way it went in. I'm delighted to score goals now, I'm a forward so I have to keep scoring and helping the team. It'll only do good for my confidence."

Reflecting on his bid to recapture peak form following two indifferent seasons and his enjoyment of a central attacking role, he continued: "Slowly but surely [getting back to my best], still got a long way to go. I'm going in the right direction. Scoring along the way definitely helps.

"I've just got to keep working hard and try to be as best as I can for the manager and for the team. Especially when I changed into the false 9 role, I really enjoyed it a lot. In between the lines and in the pockets where I like to be and linking the play. I really enjoyed that role tonight."

Academy graduates earn European bows

With top scorer Erling Haaland left unused on the bench following a recent injury scare, head coach Maresca handed Champions League debuts to youngsters Floyd Samba, Allan, Ryan McAidoo, Vitor Reis and Kaden Braithwaite.

Meanwhile, Foden's treble took him to 23 goals in the competition proper, moving him clear of Steven Gerrard (21) and level with Frank Lampard among Englishmen behind Harry Kane (57), Wayne Rooney (30), Raheem Sterling (27) and Paul Scholes (24).

Detailing how he is helping to guide the club's emerging prospects amid an ongoing injury crisis, Foden added: "Just trying to help them as best as I can, along with the captains, like Ruben [Dias] and Erling. Trying to help the young ones.

"It shows the trust the manager has. We've got a lot of injuries at the moment and he's not scared to use the young lads. They've been playing really well so they deserved to play tonight. I'm really happy for them."

Domestic leaders face Villa testDomestic leaders face Villa test

Getting their European campaign back on track provides the ideal platform for City as they look to preserve their flawless start in the Premier League. Maresca's men will travel to face Aston Villa on Saturday for a 12:30 BST kick-off. With Haaland well rested and Foden firing on all cylinders, the visitors should be well equipped for a testing afternoon at Villa Park.

UConn's Solo Ball and Braylon Mullins watch the team warm up before the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Exhibition Series preseason game against Syracuse at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., Tuesday, October 13, 2026. (Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media)

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Dan Hurley considered playing Braylon Mullins in the first half of the UConn men's basketball team's exhibition bout with Michigan State on Tuesday night. 

Mullins, out for nearly a month with an undisclosed injury, had practiced for three straight days and appeared just about ready to make his 2026-27 debut. He participated in pregame warm-ups, but by the time the Huskies returned to the floor for their final warm-ups prior to the opening tap, Mullins was in civilian clothes alongside fellow injured shooter Solo Ball.

"We shut him down," Hurley said of Mullins. "We should have him ready for Purdue, as long as there's no setbacks."

UConn hosts Purdue on Oct. 27 at PeoplesBank Arena in its final exhibition tune-up. Hurley feels it's important for Mullins, a Big East All-Freshman team pick last season after averaging 12 points per game, to get in at least one exhibition before the games start to count on Nov. 2 in Hartford against Gardner-Webb.

"Obviously, we've got to protect a player's health," Hurley said. "But, these are excellent reps to get right now."

UConn's offense looked very sharp in Tuesday night's 78-70 win over Sparty at Breslin Center, even without Mullins.

"Braylon is such a prolific player," Hurley explained, "him not being available forced us to cut better, work on execution and our shuffles and twirls, the things we do to put pressure on the rim without ball screen and roll or post-up."

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This article originally published at UConn's Braylon Mullins sits out second exhibition, but should be ready for Purdue next week.