Hitting coach Dillon Lawson was fired by the New York Yankees after a 7-4 loss to the Chicago Cubs, a rare midseason change by a franchise that has prized stability since Hal Steinbrenner took over from his father as controlling owner

Jude Bellingham plays down comparisons with the great Diego Maradona after scoring a superb solo goal in Real Madrid's 3-2 win over Napoli.

LaLiga president Javier Tebas says Jude Bellingham is from a “different planet” and hailed the England midfielder’s impact on the Spanish league. Bellingham has made a stunning start to life at Real Madrid following his summer switch from Borussia Dortmund, scoring 13 goals in his first 14 games in all competitions. The 20-year-old, who has pulled out of international duty with England this week due to a shoulder problem, has been the star attraction at the Bernabeu and is already the new star of LaLiga. Tebas admits people are surprised by how good Bellingham is and it is too early to estimate just how important he will be for the Spanish league from a commercial perspective. “It’s only been a few months, it’s too soon to know the full extent, but in the viewing levels in the UK Bellingham is having a big impact in our league,” Tebas told the PA news agency. “He’s an important player and the United Kingdom and other English-speaking areas are attracted to our league because of him. “Bellingham is a top player, we knew he was a great player but we didn’t realise the level he could reach, at Real Madrid it’s like he’s from a different planet. “I’m sure he’ll stay for a few more seasons.” Tebas, who was speaking at the Web Summit in Lisbon, admitted that the Premier League was bigger than LaLiga, but it was his league that had the best player in Europe. “We have got the best player in Europe who is English,” Tebas said of Bellingham. “We can’t compare the two countries. “Obviously the Premier League is bigger but the best player in Europe is playing in Spain. “So we have the choice to get the best players to come to Spain.” Read More Rory McIlroy aware ‘loose lips sink ships’ as progress made towards golf future ‘Drained and stressed’ Ronnie O’Sullivan withdraws from Champion of Champions Liam Cooper wants Scotland to ‘do ourselves justice’ at Euro 2024 Virgil van Dijk backs Liverpool to challenge Manchester City for Premier League title Anybody can beat anybody on the day – Kane Williamson hopeful NZ can upset India Denver Broncos capitalise on second chance to beat Buffalo Bills

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Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola said Marcus Tavernier’s double in his side’s 3-1 win at Sheffield United was just reward for his recent performances. Tavernier struck early in both halves, either side of Justin Kluivert’s effort, as the Cherries notched their first Premier League away win of the season to maintain their climb away from relegation danger. Oli McBurnie headed the Blades’ late consolation as Bournemouth cruised to their third win in four top-flight matches. After seeing his side sweep the Blades aside, Iraola was delighted with 24-year-old Tavernier’s contribution. Iraola said: “He was playing really well in the last games but he had some chances he didn’t finish, against Burnley and Newcastle. “But it was a matter of time because he has the quality. It’s good he gets the reward because he is contributing in such different ways to the team. I’m really happy for him.” Tavernier, who missed the first month of the campaign through injury, scored five Premier League goals last season. With Dominic Solanke scoring six times this season and Kluivert – son of former Netherlands striker Patrick – notching his first goal for the club, Iraola saluted his side’s all-round offensive threat. “Today also we added Justin scoring in the league and Tav scoring two goals,” the Spaniard added. “I think we have talent there, I think we have goals there, behind Dom. We were having the chances. “They were not scoring the goals before and I think it is good for them confidence-wise to come here and to score in such an important game.” After Tavernier had given the Cherries a 12th-minute lead, the Blades gifted the visitors a second in first-half stoppage time. Goalkeeper Wes Foderingham was dispossessed on the edge of the box by Kluivert, who then steered the ball into an empty net and manager Paul Heckingbottom acknowledged his side’s performance levels had dropped. “Yeah that’s been the topic of conversation in there,” he said. “If we give goals away like that we’re not going to win games in this league, we know that. “We started poorly and never really recovered. We can’t hide behind mistakes, though, we need to play better than that and get it out of our heads before the next game.” The Blades face another relegation rival in bottom club Burnley at Turf Moor next Saturday and Heckingbottom added: “We’re going to have moments in this league, we are not stupid enough to know we will be at our best every week. “But we have to try. We have to quickly get this out of our heads for Burnley next week.” Read More Brighton boss explains ‘big, big celebration’ and says no disrespect was meant Joe Root joins England captain Ben Stokes in skipping next Indian Premier League Ding Junhui defies illness to defeat defending champion Mark Allen in York No cause for a party, Rob Edwards warns Luton after victory over Palace West Ham defeat is toughest one to take yet – Burnley boss Vincent Kompany Jonathan Obika’s last-gasp equaliser earns Motherwell point at Celtic

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Rasmus Hojlund says Erik ten Hag retains the dressing room’s support as misfiring Manchester United look to kickstart their stumbling season. A promising first campaign under the Dutchman brought Carabao Cup glory and Champions League qualification but things have gone awry this term. United sit eighth in the Premier League, have been knocked out of the Carabao Cup and suffered their ninth defeat in 17 matches on Wednesday evening. The late 4-3 loss at Copenhagen damages their chances of reaching the Champions League knockout phase but Hojlund says the squad believe Ten Hag will turn things around. “A really good coach,” the 20-year-old summer signing said. “He cares about every single detail, and he helps me a lot, gives me a lot of confidence and supports me. “I think every player in the dressing room support him. I hope it is just a matter of time (before we will be successful). “The first 30 minutes today was some of the best football we have been playing this season.” Hojlund’s first-half brace had put United in control against his former club, only for Marcus Rashford’s debatable red card and two contentious goals to change the dynamics. We need a little luck at the moment. We miss the small things Rasmus Hojlund “Not so good,” the Denmark striker said of his emotions after the chastening 4-3 loss. “A special game for me. It was nice to score two goals. “But, having said that, it is a shame that we concede a red card because we were playing very well in the first 20-25 minutes.” Asked about the decisions that went against United on Wednesday, Hojlund said: “We need a little luck at the moment. We miss the small things.” Wednesday’s loss leaves the Red Devils bottom of Group A with a trip to Galatasaray and home clash against already-qualified Bayern Munich remaining. Premier League matters now take precedence as Ten Hag’s men look to build on their stoppage-time win at Fulham last weekend at home to Luton on Saturday. It is United’s final match before the international break and is set to see more Old Trafford protests against the Glazer family. Nothing has been finalised in terms of the club’s future direction nearly a year on from the controversial owners’ announcement of a strategic review. A potential full sale seems to have been put on ice, while Sir Jim Ratcliffe is understood to be closing in on a deal to purchase around 25 per cent of the club. The 1958 fan group are planning more protests against the Glazer family ahead of the Luton match as they call for the American owners to relinquish full control. After demonstrations were paused following the death of United great Sir Bobby Charlton, a protest is planned from 2pm at the North West Quadrant towards the back of the Stretford End. Steve Crompton, a spokesman for The 1958, said: “The fight remains in full force. “There was a natural impasse to reflect the sad passing of Sir Bobby but we will never give up until the greedy Glazers have been removed from our club in their entirety. “Let there be no doubt. The fight is not over. In many ways it’s only just begun.”

The Cincinnati Reds have optioned infielder/outfielder Nick Senzel, the second overall pick in the 2016 amateur draft, to Triple-A Louisville