Author: Michael

“Another level compared to some” – McGinn cameo in Aston Villa win vs Lille earns plaudits

Aston Villa claimed an important 1-0 win over Lille in France in their round of 16 Europa League tie. Avoid defeat at Villa Park, and they will be in the quarter-final.
Villa endured a listless first half, especially in attack, where the final pass seemed to always break down.
The Villains attacking quartet failed to sync until the second half when Emiliano Buendia picked out Ollie Watkins, who ended his barren duck with a stunning header.

Brennan Johnson shines in new wing-back role as Larnaca hold Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace once again failed to get the better of AEK Larnaca following their 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park yesterday.
Palace hosted Larnaca in the first leg of their Europa Conference League match-up.
Unfortunately, the Eagles failed to convert their chances as Zlatan Alomerovic’s heroics in goal kept them at bay.
Palace stars like Tyrick Mitchell, Evann Guessand, Jean-Philippe Mateta, and Brennan Johnson were all guilty of spurning decent chances.

What’s gone wrong for England?
Four weeks can feel like a long time in sport.
At 19:00 GMT on 7 February, England had just won a 12th successive match – the third longest run of victories in their 155-year history of Test rugby, after crushing Wales by 41 points.
Grand Slam aspirations were in full effect.
By 19:00 GMT on 7 March, England had followed comprehensive defeats at the hands of Scotland and Ireland by losing to Italy for the first time.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic doesn’t need an excuse to pile on points, so when Chicago guard Matas Buzelis started jawing with him Thursday night, it became the fuel for his first 50-point game with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Doncic turned what he called unprovoked trash talk from Buzelis into 51 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in the Lakers’ 142-130 victory.
“It always feels special,” Doncic said after his eighth career 50-point game. “I obviously haven’t had a 50-point game in a year, so it was very special. I mean, in the second quarter, I kind of felt it.

With Gilgeous-Alexander holding the record for most consecutive 20-point games, Kram breaks down the stats.

Luka Dončić #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers lays the ball up during an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Thursday March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Chicago Bulls, 142-130, at Crypto.com Arena on March 12, 2026 and The Sporting Tribune’s Jordan Teller was there to capture the following TST Images.

Deandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball during an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Thursday March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander passes Wilt Chamberlain, breaks longstanding NBA record originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the new 20-point game king.
By scoring over 20 points during Oklahoma City’s 104-102 victory over the Boston Celtics on Thursday night, Gilgeous-Alexander passed Wilt Chamberlain for the most consecutive 20-point games in NBA history with 127.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s current streak of 20-plus point performances dates back to Nov.

Lakers’ JJ Redick praises LeBron James for $218M sacrifice to Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers have won four straight games and seem to be finding their rhythm. For a while, there were serious concerns surrounding the team, but with the regular season winding down, the Lakers are emerging as the contending squad LeBron James envisioned since the summer.
“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” Rich Paul told ESPN.

LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 03: Demetrious Johnson poses on the scale during the UFC 227 weigh-in inside the Orpheum Theater on August 3, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) | Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Let’s start the night off by taking a look back over the three biggest stories of Thursday, March 12, 2026.

UFC cuts five fighters in latest roster purge, including pair of Octagon veterans: A second Erik Silva has been cut. Time is a flat circle.

The Washington Commanders finally added a running back on Thursday, signing Rachaad White to a one-year deal. The move comes one day after Washington did not tender Chris Rodriguez Jr. a contract, and he quickly landed a two-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
After White’s addition, the Commanders now have two running backs under contract for 2026: White and Jacory Croskey-Merritt. That means Washington isn’t done at running back, as it carried four last season and will add at least one more to the roster.
Two former Commanders remain available, Brian Robinson Jr.