Elias Diaz of the Colorado Rockies stretched and dove, head first, making quite a splash

The St. Louis Cardinals are reportedly close to signing former Minnesota Twins ace Sonny Gray.

Jeremy Doku is convinced Manchester City are the best and is determined to prove it. The Belgium winger shone as the champions got back to winning ways in the Premier League on Saturday with a hard-fought 2-1 success over Brighton at the Etihad Stadium. Doku created City’s opening goal for Julian Alvarez and was a constant threat on the left as City put the successive defeats they suffered prior to the international break behind them. Doku, a £55million summer signing from Rennes, said: “It was very important – not only for the table but also just for us in our heads. “It was a difficult game but we are a good team, the best team for me and we have to prove it every time, every game we are on the pitch. Here, we did it.” City looked to be cruising to victory after Alvarez’s seventh goal of the campaign on seven minutes was followed by a clinical strike from Erling Haaland 12 minutes later. Doku, who gave veteran former City player James Milner a particularly torrid time, twice curled efforts narrowly over as the hosts threatened more. The Seagulls rallied after the break Ansu Fati gave them hope with a reply 17 minutes from time. City were then left clinging on after Manuel Akanji was sent off for a second bookable offence in stoppage time, a dismissal that means he will now miss next weekend’s Manchester derby. “Some games like this are difficult but we kept on going,” said Doku. “It was 10 against 11 at the end but we showed that we are there mentality, so aggressive. “We’re happy with the result after some difficult results that we had the past weeks. It was important mentally and I hope we can keep on going like this.” For Brighton, the result was compounded by the loss of Danny Welbeck and Solly March to injury, the pair joining an already lengthy casualty list that includes Julio Enciso, Jakub Moder, Pervis Estupinan and Tariq Lamptey. Yet after being outplayed in the first half, the visitors can take confidence from their recovery in the second period. Goalkeeper Jason Steele said: “It was a game of two halves. In the first half we didn’t play good, nowhere near good enough for our level. “In the second half I think we showed what we’re about a lot more. We were braver, we pressed better and that was the big difference. “We had the chances in the second half to definitely get a point and ultimately we didn’t, so we leave disappointed. “But with the second-half performance, at least we showed ourselves a little bit more.” Read More Newcastle boss Eddie Howe praises ‘ultimate professional’ Jacob Murphy Erik ten Hag says Harry Maguire ‘playing like we want him to’ Ange Postecoglou praises ‘professional’ Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg David Beckham leads tributes to ‘national hero’ Sir Bobby Charlton Collin Morikawa returns to winning ways with six-shot victory in Japan Tributes paid to ‘giant of the game’ Sir Bobby Charlton after his death at 86

What the papers say Executives at Bayern Munich have flown to London to try and convince Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy to sell Harry Kane, according to the Telegraph. The German club will reportedly submit a bid worth around £86million for Kane. Paris St Germain are said to have been close to agreeing a deal with Tottenham but Bayern is Kane’s preferred destination of the two clubs. Bayern are also interested in Manchester United’s David De Gea and Brentford’s David Raya, the Times said. The Evening Standard says Chelsea have had another bid rejected, this time for 20-year-old Marseille striker Elye Wahi. The Blues offered the French club £24million. Former Everton midfielder and now free agent James Rodriguez looks set to join Sao Paulo on a free transfer, the Sun reports. Social media round-up Players to watch Sofyan Amrabat: 90 Min says Manchester United are in talks with the 26-year-old Moroccan midfielder at Fiorentina as they look to move Fred out of the club. Mohammed Kudus: Chelsea have suffered another transfer blow with the 22-year-old Ajax midfielder choosing Arsenal over the Blues as his preferred club, according to Football Transfers. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Manchester City's Julian Alvarez has won four major trophies for club and country this season

Erik ten Hag does not believe Antony’s return will be a distraction after Manchester United announced he will resume training and is available for selection amid police inquiries into allegations of abuse against him. The 23-year-old was given a leave of absence on September 10 and returned to England from Brazil earlier this week, before attending a voluntary interview with Greater Manchester Police on Thursday. Antony has always denied the allegations against him and United confirmed on Friday morning the winger will rejoin training and can resume playing Ten Hag’s side. The Premier League club said in a statement: “Since allegations were first made in June, Antony has co-operated with police inquiries in both Brazil and the UK, and he continues to do so. “As Antony’s employer, Manchester United has decided that he will resume training at Carrington, and be available for selection, while police inquiries proceed. “This will be kept under review pending further developments in the case. “As a club we condemn acts of violence and abuse. We recognise the importance of safeguarding all those involved in this situation, and acknowledge the impact these allegations have on survivors of abuse.” United released the statement just over two hours before Ten Hag faced the media to preview Saturday’s match against Crystal Palace. Antony will not be involved in that Premier League encounter but will return to training with the group on the day of the game. “We make the statement, so I refer to the statement,” Ten Hag said. “I think everything has been made clear in the statement. “No, I don’t think it’s a distraction. We focus on the games and he will do as well.” Asked for details on his return, the Dutchman said: “On Saturday, he will be back in the training, so tomorrow. “I have to see (how fit he is), but I think, yeah (he’s fit).” Antony is facing several accusations of physical aggression towards his former girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin, who spoke to Brazilian outlet UOL earlier this month. The winger has denied those allegations, as well as further assault claims made by Rayssa de Freitas and Ingrid Lana. Antony has not been arrested or charged in either Brazil or by GMP and he left the voluntary interview, where he presented evidence to support his strenuous denials, without any restrictions. United will continue to monitor the situation while police enquiries are going on. A spokesperson for the charity Women’s Aid said: “We know that this morning’s news from Manchester United about their player, Antony, returning to training and selection while police inquiries continue will have an impact on survivors of domestic abuse. “We urge the national football organisations to work with specialist services, like Women’s Aid, to provide much-needed guidance for clubs on domestic abuse and the handling of domestic abuse cases. “An informed and consistent approach is vital in order to create a society where domestic abuse is not tolerated and we will be writing to the national organisations to raise this.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Robbie Henshaw waiting for chance due to form of Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose Matt Fitzpatrick enjoys Ryder Cup birdie run as Europe continue momentum Javan Sebastian: Spell in the ‘normal’ world gave me impetus to succeed in rugby

Pep Guardiola has said he is “not optimistic” the Vinicius Junior racism row that has erupted in Spain will drive a change of attitude in the country. Real Madrid forward Vinicius was racially abused by fans during his side’s game at Valencia in LaLiga last week. The affair has sparked a wave of criticism of Spanish football and the way it deals with such matters. It is thought to be at least the 10th time Brazil international Vinicius has been racially abused this season alone. Manchester City manager Guardiola, the former Barcelona boss, believes the Spanish game can learn from English football on the issue. “They should,” he said. “Here they are so strict. They know what they have to do. “Of course racism is a problem everywhere, not just in one specific place. Everywhere we have (people) thinking we are better than our neighbours, we are better than the other ones, for all generations everywhere. We need to accept the diversity as a strength, like a human being – and still right now, we are far away from that Pep Guardiola “Our ancestors come from migrants, come from wars, come from dictatorships, you have to move from other countries, build families there and come back to where you’re born. “The problem is that there is racism everywhere. Not just for gender but for colour, for attitudes. We believe that our language is better than the other one, our country is better than the other one. “As much as you travel in other countries, you realise we are the same, with the same fears, with the same good things. “We need to accept the diversity as a strength, like a human being – and still right now, we are far away from that. “Hopefully it can be one step to getting better in Spain but I’m not optimistic. I know a little bit the country and I’m not really optimistic. “There are a lot of black people stepping forward to defend what they should not (have to) defend. Hopefully justice can help to do it but in the same time is it going to change anything in Spain?” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Pep Guardiola convinced Man City can make most of opportunity to win treble Ryan Mason believes Tottenham are still an attractive proposition for managers Rankings don’t lie – Dan Evans believes British tennis has soul-searching to do

Former New England Patriots star Asante Samuel had a field day with the cheating allegations from Pittsburgh Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger.

The Los Angeles Clippers enter the next season with the same championship hope they've had for the last four seasons. Let us take a look at who Tyronn Lue has to get them there.The Los Angeles Clippers have spent the majority of their offseason sitting around and doing nothing. The only thi...

Brock Purdy ran for a 5-yard touchdown during a brief tune-up for the season opener for San Francisco before the Los Angeles Chargers backups beat the 49ers 23-12 in the exhibition finale

Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has provided a cryptic update on contract negotiations with Conor Gallagher, whose current deal expires in 2025 and is being monitored by Tottenham Hotspur.

So far, so good for Jack Flaherty since his trade from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Baltimore Orioles at the deadline.Jack Flaherty has made two starts with the Baltimore Orioles since his trade from the St. Louis Cardinals at the deadline. Both were quality starts, as Flaherty went more than ...