Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports.

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UPCOMING

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BBO--THIS WEEK IN BASEBALL

DESCRIPTION: Baseball’s regular season is set for a dramatic final week in the state of Ohio. The Cleveland Guardians have a chance to complete the biggest comeback in the history of divisional play. And the Cincinnati Reds are now tied for the final wild card in the NL. By Baseball Writer Noah Trister. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 09/22/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--ON FOOTBALL-BACKUP QBS

DESCRIPTION: Backup quarterbacks had a big day Sunday. Carson Wentz and Marcus Mariota were sharp in leading their teams to lopsided wins as fill-in starters. Mac Jones overcame a costly turnover and engineered a game-winning final drive. Wentz was 14 of 20 for 173 yards and two touchdowns in Minnesota’s 48-10 rout over Cincinnati. Mariota was 15 of 21 for 207 yards and one TD, and also ran for 40 yards and a score in Washington’s 41-24 win against Las Vegas. Jones completed 27 of 41 passes for 284 yards with one TD and one interception in San Francisco’s 16-15 win. By Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi. UPCOMING: 1,000 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 09/22/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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FBN--NFL-IRELAND

DESCRIPTION: Ireland has sent a quite a few of its people to America over the years. America will be returning the favor this week. The Steelers-Vikings matchup at Croke Park in Dublin is expected to draw a larger-than-usual chunk of U.S.-based fans compared to other international games. It will be the first NFL regular-season game in Ireland, and all sides are hopeful it could lead to more. That would be good news for fans in the States, who have shown massive interest in this one. The NFL says there’s been a higher proportion of U.S. interest in this one compared to games in other markets. BY Ken Maguire.

UPCOMING: By 09/22/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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FBC--AP TOP 25-EXTRA POINTS

DESCRIPTION: Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire says he and his players know they’ve been derided presumably for trying to buy a championship by lavishing NIL riches among one of the nation’s highest-rated transfer classes. On3 reported the sum to be $28 million. McGuire says team chemistry rather than money is the reason his 4-0 team is out to its best start since 2013. By College Football Writer Eric Olson. 750 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 09/22/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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CAR--NASCAR-TITLE TURNAROUND

DESCRIPTION: After a virtually perfect first round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, Joe Gibbs Racing suddenly is dealing with an internal feud of Denny Hamlin vs. Ty Gibbs and an external threat from Team Penske. While the Gibbs Toyotas were struggling and spinning each other at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, the Penske Fords of Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano were dominating at a 1.058-mile oval that bears many similarities to Phoenix -- the championship venue where Penske has won three consecutive titles. By Nate Ryan.

UPCOMING: By 09/22/2025 2:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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SOC--BALLON D’OR

DESCRIPTION: PARIS — The men’s and women’s winners of soccer’s prestigious Ballon d’Or award are announced at a gala ceremony in Paris. UPCOMING: 600 words.

UPCOMING: By 09/22/2025 5:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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FBN--49ERS-ANALYSIS

DESCRIPTION: SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers are celebrating a 3-0 start to the season after a third straight narrow win but have bigger concerns about the severity of a knee injury to star defensive end Nick Bosa. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow. 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 09/22/2025 8:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--LIONS-RAVENS

DESCRIPTION: BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Ravens scored 81 points in their first two games. The Detroit Lions scored 52 last week. Those two explosive offenses meet in a Monday night showdown. By Noah Trister. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 09/22/2025 11:55 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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FBN--CHIEFS-GIANTS

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs beat the Giants 22-9 for their first win this season

SUMMARY: Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs beat the New York Giants 22-9 to pick up their first win of the season. Mahomes was 22 of 37 for 224 yards and a touchdown pass to Tyquan Thornton. His vintage performance slinging the ball around helped the Chiefs avoid what would’ve been their first 0-3 start since 2011. Russell Wilson threw two interceptions as the Giants fell to 0-3. Fans chanted for Jaxson Dart, but the first-round pick got only a handful of snaps with Wilson attempting his team’s every pass.

WORDS: 675 - MOVED: 09/22/2025 12:47 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:182d08b4c1eef36754b2d93d35e09eb5&mediaType=text

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FBN--JETS-BUCCANEERS

Baker Mayfield leads undefeated Buccaneers to another thrilling victory, 29-27 over winless Jets

SUMMARY: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are off to their best start in 20 years, thanks to another thrilling finish orchestrated by Baker Mayfield. Chase McLaughlin’s fifth field goal, a 36-yarder as time expired, gave the Bucs a 29-27 victory over the New York Jets, who rallied from a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit to take the lead before Mayfield led his team on a late scoring drive to win in the final minute for the third straight week. The Bucs are 3-0 for the first time since 2005. The Jets are 0-3 for the third time in the last six years.

WORDS: 981 - MOVED: 09/22/2025 12:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1602a6e032093710cd91abe7ebd579c9&mediaType=text

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FBN--COWBOYS-LAMB INJURED

With CeeDee Lamb injuring his ankle, Cowboys’ offense stalls in loss to Bears

SUMMARY: Dallas Cowboys star receiver CeeDee Lamb left Sunday’s 31-14 loss to the Chicago Bears because of an ankle injury. The four-time Pro Bowler was hurt on a run in the first quarter. He took a handoff and twisted his ankle as he was tackled by Noah Sewell. Lamb ad a noticeable limp when he returned at the start of the second quarter and was ruled out for the remainder of the game at halftime. Lamb, who had 1,194 yards receiving last season, is off to a good start this season. He came into the game with 16 catches for 222 yards.

WORDS: 705 - MOVED: 09/21/2025 11:21 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f680ebe44541ca3ee8bfc42d705ba1a0&mediaType=text

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BBO--MARINERS-RALEIGH

Mariners slugger Cal Raleigh hits MLB-leading 58th home run against Astros

SUMMARY: Cal Raleigh has hit his major league-leading 58th homer, a two-run shot for the Seattle Mariners in the second inning Sunday night against the Houston Astros. The Mariners were up 5-0 after a grand slam by J.P. Crawford in the second when Raleigh, batting left-handed, connected off Jason Alexander for his home run to right field to extend the lead. The shot came a night after Raleigh passed Ken Griffey Jr. for the franchise single-season home run record with his 57th. Griffey hit 56 in both 1997 and 1998.

WORDS: 348 - MOVED: 09/21/2025 10:59 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a3fda89b62ee2bd27801a11771b86675&mediaType=text

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BBO--MARINERS-ASTROS

Crawford’s grand slam and Raleigh’s 58th homer lead Mariners to sweep over Astros

SUMMARY: J.P. Crawford hit a grand slam and Cal Raleigh slugged his major league-leading 58th home run to lead the Seattle Mariners to a 7-3 win over the Houston Astros. The Mariners completed a three-game sweep that gave them a three-game lead in the AL West over the Astros with six remaining. Seattle, which has won four straight and 14 of 15, holds the second American League playoff seed by two games over AL Central-leading Detroit, which has dropped six in a row. The Mariners, looking to win the AL West for the first time since 2001, finished 8-5 against the Astros this season. Houston is tied with Cleveland for the final AL wild card.

WORDS: 323 - MOVED: 09/21/2025 10:19 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6632559d05e44a12a3fc88b211d611b5&mediaType=text

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FBN--COWBOYS-BEARS

Caleb Williams ties career high with 4 TD passes, Ben Johnson gets 1st win as Bears beat Cowboys

SUMMARY: Caleb Williams tied a career high with four touchdown passes and the Chicago Bears gave Ben Johnson his first win as a head coach by beating the Dallas Cowboys 31-14. The Bears got a win they sorely needed coming off a 52-21 blowout loss at Detroit. Johnson called out his team’s practice habits during the week. But he had to like what he saw against the Cowboys. Johnson’s offense broke off several big plays in racking up 385 yards. It added up to a rough day for Dallas defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus in his first appearance at Soldier Field since the Bears fired him as head coach last November.

WORDS: 945 - MOVED: 09/21/2025 9:49 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:34b9136d5eab262d7eaba92e3ab9cee8&mediaType=text

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FBN--49ERS-BOSA

49ers’ Nick Bosa exits win vs. Cardinals with knee injury, gives thumbs-down to crowd

SUMMARY: San Francisco 49ers star Nick Bosa left the win against the Arizona Cardinals with a knee injury. He exited the field favoring his right leg after a third-down pass rush in the first quarter. He went to the medical tent and later to the locker room. Bosa was ruled out at halftime. San Francisco rookie Mykel Williams also left with a wrist injury but returned quickly. Bosa, the 2022 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year, has been crucial for the 49ers. The team has been missing several key players because of injuries, including George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk.

WORDS: 451 - MOVED: 09/21/2025 9:01 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fc9d1282075ddaadbcd4642ac3ea6804&mediaType=text

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FBN--CHARGERS-HARRIS HURT

Chargers’ Najee Harris injures Achilles tendon during non-contact play against Broncos

SUMMARY: Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris hurt his left Achilles tendon during a non-contact play in the win against the Denver Broncos. The injury happened in the second quarter on Sunday. Harris went down with just over five minutes remaining and had to be helped off the field. He did not return to the game. Before the injury, he had six carries for 28 yards. Harris missed training camp due to an eye injury from a fireworks mishap in July. He played in the Chargers’ first two wins of the season. Chargers guard Mekhi Becton also sustained a concussion in the second quarter and did not return.

WORDS: 392 - MOVED: 09/21/2025 8:53 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bd6168f020dd0643bcb2ae025732b601&mediaType=text

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FBC--T25-COLLEGE FOOTBALL POLL

Miami jumps to No. 2 behind Ohio State in AP Top 25, Oklahoma into top 10

SUMMARY: Miami jumped LSU and Penn State into the No. 2 spot behind Ohio State in The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll. Oklahoma is in the top 10 for the first time in two years and Indiana and Texas Tech made big moves after lopsided wins over ranked opponents. Miami has its highest ranking since 2017. Penn State, which had been No. 2 since the preseason, was idle and slipped to No. 3. LSU fell one spot to No. 4 after an easy win. Georgia, Oregon, Oklahoma, Florida State, Texas A&M and Texas round out the top 10.

WORDS: 784 - MOVED: 09/21/2025 8:46 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:08b8bbda2d65d5175ea99102e57520da&mediaType=text

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FBN--BLOCKED KICKS

Two blocked field goals returned for TDs contribute to a wild early slate of NFL games

SUMMARY: NFL fans saw two game-changing blocked field goals that were returned for touchdowns minutes apart. First, Philadelphia’s Jordan Davis blocked a 44-yard attempt by the Rams’ Joshua Karty on the final play of the game that would have won it for Los Angeles. Davis scooped the ball and returned it 61 yards for a touchdown to give the Eagles a 33-26 victory. Jalen Carter blocked Karty’s 33-yard try earlier in the fourth quarter. Shortly after Davis’ heroics in Philadelphia, the Jets’ Will McDonald jumped over the Buccaneers’ snapper, blocked a 43-yard try by Chase McLaughlin and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown to give New York a 27-26 lead at Tampa Bay with 1:49 remaining. Baker Mayfield led the Bucs to McLaughlin’s winning field goal.

WORDS: 407 - MOVED: 09/21/2025 8:37 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f1a4f2d05d657a8103d07171029c113b&mediaType=text

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BKL—MERCURY-LYNX

Williams scores 23 as Lynx win Game 1 of semifinals over Mercury 82-69

SUMMARY: Courtney Williams scored a game-high 23 points, Kayla McBride scored 21, and Napheesa Collier added 18 points and nine rebounds as the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx defeated the Phoenix Mercury 82-69 on Sunday in Game 1 of the best-of-five semifinal series. The Lynx trailed by as many as nine and faced a seven-point deficit at halftime. As Phoenix threatened to even the game down the stretch, it was Williams and McBride making big shots to keep the Mercury at bay. Game 2 is Tuesday in Minneapolis before the teams head to Phoenix for Game 3 on Friday. Kahleah Copper led Phoenix with 22 points and Alyssa Thomas had 18. Mercury leading scorer Satou Sabally was held to just 10 points.

WORDS: 503 - MOVED: 09/21/2025 7:52 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e3c9d65c91356fbc018d79fb1dba2913&mediaType=text

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HKN--OBIT-PARENT

Hall of Famer Bernie Parent, who led the Philadelphia Flyers to two Stanley Cup titles, dies at 80

SUMMARY: Bernie Parent, the Hall of Fame goalie for the Philadelphia Flyers, has died at 80. The Flyers made the announcement Sunday but provided no details. Former teammate Joe Watson says Parent died overnight in his sleep. Known for his iconic steel-eyed stare, Parent led the Flyers to their only two Stanley Cup championships in 1974 and 1975. He was featured on the cover of Time magazine in 1975. Parent’s career began with Boston in 1965, and he later became a star for the Flyers, earning numerous accolades. His No. 1 jersey was retired by the Flyers, and he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984. Parent remained a beloved figure in Philadelphia throughout his life.

WORDS: 1268 - MOVED: 09/21/2025 7:11 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:adf9fa9d4eba56c4b0f1485b757fae4d&mediaType=text

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CAR--NASCAR-NEW-HAMPSHIRE

Blaney opens 2nd round of NASCAR Cup playoffs with New Hampshire win as Penske dominates

SUMMARY: Ryan Blaney opened the second round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs with an emphatic victory for Team Penske, which flaunted its speed at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Blaney, the 2023 Cup champion, led 116 laps, including the final 39, to beat Josh Berry by 0.937 seconds for his third victory of the season. Blaney, who is trying to reach the Championship 4 season finale for the third consecutive year, became the first driver to advance into one of the eight available spots in the third round of the Cup playoffs.

WORDS: 972 - MOVED: 09/21/2025 6:55 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2a2330468375c8e74ad953ba79d92036&mediaType=text

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FBN--RAMS-EAGLES

Jordan Davis seals Eagles’ 33-26 thrilling win over Rams with Philly’s 2nd blocked FG of 4th quarter

SUMMARY: Jordan Davis blocked a field-goal attempt by the Rams’ Joshua Karty on the final play of the game and returned it 61 yards for a touchdown to give Philadelphia an exhilarating 33-26 win over Los Angeles. It was the Eagles’ second blocked kick of the fourth quarter. The Rams led 26-21 midway through the fourth when Jalen Carter blocked Karty’s 36-yard try, and Jalen Hurts then led the Super Bowl champion Eagles on a 91-yard drive for the go-ahead score. That left 1:48 on the clock for Matthew Stafford, who led the Rams into position for Karty’s 44-yard attempt with 3 seconds left. Davis instead wedged his way through, knocked the ball down, scooped it and rumbled to the end zone.

WORDS: 1023 - MOVED: 09/21/2025 6:40 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6d49ebb58ac383b2280f600fce616981&mediaType=text

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BBO--BLUE JAYS CLINCH

Blue Jays are 1st AL team to clinch playoff spot; best record in league, East title still in play

SUMMARY: The Toronto Blue Jays became the first American League team to secure a spot in the postseason with an 8-5 win over the Kansas City Royals. The AL-best and AL East-leading Blue Jays locked up a playoff spot with a week remaining in the regular season after a less-than-stellar start of 16-20 in early May and trailing by as many as eight games in the division in late May. This is Toronto’s third playoff berth in four years and fourth in six seasons. They missed the postseason in 2021 and 2024. Playoff success has been elusive for the Blue Jays, who haven’t won a postseason game since 2016. They are trying to win their first division title since 2015.

WORDS: 518 - MOVED: 09/21/2025 6:33 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7dd0800f07cae959e790a95f1a6a2fe4&mediaType=text

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FBN--BENGALS-VIKINGS

Vikings sail past bumbling Bengals 48-10 in Wentz’s debut behind pair of TDs on D by Isaiah Rodgers

SUMMARY: Isaiah Rodgers helped make Carson Wentz’s debut at quarterback for Minnesota a rousing success. Rodgers set a Vikings record with two defensive touchdowns and forced three of Cincinnati’s five turnovers in a 48-10 romp that was the worst loss in Bengals history. Jordan Mason rushed for 116 yards and two scores, Will Reichard made a 62-yard field goal for the longest in Vikings history as the first half ended. Wentz threw for two scores over three quarters. Jake Browning was intercepted twice in a rough start for the Bengals without Joe Burrow in their first game since his toe surgery.

WORDS: 761 - MOVED: 09/21/2025 6:31 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6dd3effabef1002c7e9f18a48d8d524c&mediaType=text

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BKL--FEVER-ACES

Kelsey Mitchell scores 34 points, leads Fever to Game 1 upset win over Aces, 89-73

SUMMARY: Kelsey Mitchell scored a playoff-career high 34 points and the Indiana Fever beat the Las Vegas Aces 89-73 on Sunday in Game 1 of the best-of-five semifinal series. After seeing their double-digit lead shrink to three points with 2:51 left in the third, the Fever closed the quarter on an 11-0 run to extend their advantage to 14 points, seizing control of the game and never looking back. Mitchell, who finished fifth in MVP voting with 93 points, scored 17 points in the first half, setting the tone for the Fever’s offense. The victory spoiled A’ja Wilson’s celebration for becoming the WNBA’s first player to win four MVPs in her career. The 29-year-old, who was also named the AP Player of the Year, finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds.

WORDS: 505 - MOVED: 09/21/2025 6:03 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:17faa1779c3bebbf1c701cf8fc890396&mediaType=text

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FBN--VIKINGS-DEFENSE-RODGERS

Isaiah Rodgers races into Vikings record book with pair of defensive touchdowns vs. Bengals

SUMMARY: Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers became the first player in team history with two defensive touchdowns in the same game. He scored on an 87-yard interception return and a 66-yard fumble return in the first half of a 48-10 win over Cincinnati. Rodgers forced three of the four turnovers by the Bengals. The last NFL player with two defensive touchdowns in the same game was Indianapolis cornerback Kenny Moore with a pair of interception return scores against Carolina in 2023. Rodgers became the 11th player in the Super Bowl era with interception and fumble return TDs in the same game.

WORDS: 588 - MOVED: 09/21/2025 5:57 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:32b81d7073a7c16ddb8fa0a4ad07ae01&mediaType=text

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BKL--WNBA MVP

Aces’ A’ja Wilson earns historic fourth WNBA MVP award, winning honor back to back

SUMMARY: Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson has won the WNBA MVP for an unprecedented fourth time. Wilson won the award last season as the unanimous choice and also in 2020 and 2022. Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie and Lauren Jackson all won the award three times. Wilson led the league in scoring (23.4 points per game) as well as blocked shots (2.3) and helped the Aces win their last 16 regular-season games, earning the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. For the second consecutive season, Wilson averaged at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks and a steal per game.

WORDS: 581 - MOVED: 09/21/2025 5:39 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9dbf1eb3125c59797f4fd57737684b01&mediaType=text

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SOC--ENGLISH ROUNDUP

Arsenal snatches 1-1 draw with defensive Man City with Martinelli’s stoppage-time goal

SUMMARY: Arsenal has equalized in the third minute of stoppage time through Gabriel Martinelli to snatch a 1-1 draw with Manchester City, whose rare ultra-defensive performance under Pep Guardiola narrowly failed to deliver a win in the Premier League. Erling Haaland scored a ninth-minute goal on the counterattack and City went on to frustrate Arsenal with a defensive masterclass that was so unlike a team coached by Guardiola. Yet there was a late twist when Eberechi Eze played a ball over City’s packed defense and Martinelli latched onto it before lobbing goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. It left Liverpool the defending champion, with a five-point lead after just five games.

WORDS: 752 - MOVED: 09/21/2025 2:34 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fd939c04a1631afecc24694043e053f0&mediaType=text

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BKL--STORM-QUINN

Seattle Storm announce that Noelle Quinn will not return as coach

SUMMARY: The Seattle Storm have announced on Sunday that Noelle Quinn will not return as coach, days after the franchise lost in the first round of the WNBA playoffs. The Storm lost in a decisive Game 3 to Las Vegas on Thursday after finishing seventh in the standings in the regular season. Quinn was the only Black female head coach in the WNBA this season. Her staff was under investigation last season into allegations of workplace policy violations by the coaching staff. The Storm hired outside counsel and they found no policy violations.

WORDS: 272 - MOVED: 09/21/2025 2:27 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fa78b1352230197c0bb19031e629db3a&mediaType=text