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Forest Embracing the Ugly Side of the Game, Says Dyche

Nottingham Forest's Murillo, center, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. (AP)
Nottingham Forest's Murillo, center, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. (AP)
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Forest Embracing the Ugly Side of the Game, Says Dyche

Nottingham Forest's Murillo, center, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. (AP)
Nottingham Forest's Murillo, center, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. (AP)

Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche said his players had embraced the ugly side of the game after their physicality and defensive graft helped them to a stunning 3-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.

Goals from Murillo, Nicolo Savona and Morgan Gibbs-White handed defending champions Liverpool a sixth defeat in seven league games and their heaviest home league loss in more than a decade.

Dyche has guided Forest out of the relegation zone and up to 16th in the table since replacing Ange Postecoglou in October. They have two wins, a draw and one loss in his four league games in charge.

"Of course it is to be enjoyed, it is for the fans and the players, but we have to go again. Everything's not solved but it's a good, strong marker about this group," Dyche told reporters.

"Now they are committed to the cause. You wouldn't be a Premier League player if you don't have talent but what about the hard yards? The ugly side of the game? And staying focused on what the job is-- I thought that was excellent."

Forest also won 1-0 at Anfield last season, handing Liverpool their only home defeat of their title-winning season.

"Last year, this football club used it (their win at Anfield) as a catalyst and they carried on and we hope for that but it doesn't guarantee the next one," Dyche said.

Forest next host Malmo FF in the Europa League on Thursday before welcoming Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on November 30.

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'Chaotic Mess' Kyrgios Determined to Enjoy Himself after Injuries

03 January 2026, Australia, Brisbane: Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios in action during a practice session ahead of the 2026 Brisbane International tennis tournament at the Queensland Tennis Centre. Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP/dpa
03 January 2026, Australia, Brisbane: Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios in action during a practice session ahead of the 2026 Brisbane International tennis tournament at the Queensland Tennis Centre. Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP/dpa
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'Chaotic Mess' Kyrgios Determined to Enjoy Himself after Injuries

03 January 2026, Australia, Brisbane: Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios in action during a practice session ahead of the 2026 Brisbane International tennis tournament at the Queensland Tennis Centre. Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP/dpa
03 January 2026, Australia, Brisbane: Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios in action during a practice session ahead of the 2026 Brisbane International tennis tournament at the Queensland Tennis Centre. Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP/dpa

A philosophical Nick Kyrgios said Saturday he had been a "chaotic mess" throughout his career and now just wants to enjoy himself when he returns to the tour this week.

The temperamental 2022 Wimbledon finalist, one of tennis's most dynamic players when at the top of his game, makes his comeback at the season-opening Brisbane International.

The 30-year-old Australian has slipped to 671 in the world after an injury-ravaged three years which saw him play only six singles matches on the ATP Tour.

Speaking ahead of his opening-round match, Kyrgios said he was feeling fit and had been playing as well as ever in the build-up.

"I think after every injury I have had the last couple of years, and to see how quickly something can be snatched away from you, I have a day-by-day mindset," the former world number 13 said.

"I don't know if I'm a player that needs to prove himself any more than he has. I just want to get through this and be happy with my performance.

"Ultimately I just want to go out there and put on a show for the crowd and for the fans and the people, to be honest.

"I have no agenda and I don't care what my ranking is, don't care what titles I win. I just want to go out there and give the people a good show.

"That's ultimately I guess what I'll go down as, as an entertainer and someone who just was a bit of a chaotic mess, but an entertainer at the end of the day."

Kyrgios, who was granted a wildcard to play in Brisbane, begins his tour comeback against US world number 60 Aleksandar Kovacevic.

Although he has featured only very sporadically on the ATP Tour in recent years, Kyrgios beat women's world number one Aryna Sabalenka last week in a "Battle of the Sexes" exhibition match in Dubai.

Kyrgios could yet be offered a wildcard to play singles at the Australian Open this month.

"Considering how much travel I have had the last month and how much tennis I have played, this is as good as I could feel," he added, according to AFP.

"I think a lot of stress has kind of gone from my life and I feel a lot better.

"I guess my goal is to leave Brisbane with a sense of: that was a fun week, you gave everything you had and whether you came up short or not, you gave a good show to the people.

"I'm just really looking forward to going out there and competing at the highest level again. It's all a blessing at this point."

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Frank Finds it 'Difficult to Enjoy' Being Spurs Head Coach

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brentford v Tottenham Hotspur - GTech Community Stadium, London, Britain - January 1, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
Soccer Football - Premier League - Brentford v Tottenham Hotspur - GTech Community Stadium, London, Britain - January 1, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
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Frank Finds it 'Difficult to Enjoy' Being Spurs Head Coach

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brentford v Tottenham Hotspur - GTech Community Stadium, London, Britain - January 1, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
Soccer Football - Premier League - Brentford v Tottenham Hotspur - GTech Community Stadium, London, Britain - January 1, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Manager Thomas Frank likens his time at Tottenham Hotspur to running a gruelling marathon, saying he is trying to push through a "heavy mile" now that he hopes will pay dividends in the long run.

After their scoreless draw at Brentford on Thursday, Spurs are 12th in the standings with just one win in their last four league games.

During the stalemate, there were chants of "Boring, boring Tottenham" from fans, and Frank was greeted with a chorus of boos when he went to applaud ⁠travelling supporters.

Asked if he was enjoying his time in charge of Tottenham, Frank told reporters on Friday: "When you need to put in a big, big shift and it’s not smooth and it’s tough, it’s probably difficult to enjoy it.

"If I run hard I don't enjoy that ⁠moment but I know I need to keep my head down and run hard to get through it. We are in a situation where you need to run hard, to stay in it.

"When we look back on this spell or maybe this first year when it was tough, you'll think: 'What a learning, what an experience, it made us so much better for the future.' So the short answer is: no. The ⁠reality is you can't."

According to Reuters, the Danish manager said he understood the frustrations of fans and believed success would change their attitude.

"When I put myself out of it and look down, I think: ‘What a privilege to be in charge of this fantastic club in a period where it's a big transition'," Frank said.

"It's definitely a marathon and it definitely seems like it's one of the more heavy miles I'm on now, but head down and keep going."

On Sunday, Spurs host seventh-placed Sunderland.

Sports

Slot Calls for 'Magic' as Liverpool Seek to Bridge Gap to Title Contenders

Arne Slot manager of Liverpooll reacts after the English Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United, in Liverpool, Britain, 01 January 2026. EPA/PETER POWELL
Arne Slot manager of Liverpooll reacts after the English Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United, in Liverpool, Britain, 01 January 2026. EPA/PETER POWELL
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Slot Calls for 'Magic' as Liverpool Seek to Bridge Gap to Title Contenders

Arne Slot manager of Liverpooll reacts after the English Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United, in Liverpool, Britain, 01 January 2026. EPA/PETER POWELL
Arne Slot manager of Liverpooll reacts after the English Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United, in Liverpool, Britain, 01 January 2026. EPA/PETER POWELL

Liverpool manager Arne Slot admitted his side needs "a bit of magic" to unlock tight games as the reigning Premier League champions sit fourth at the season's halfway point, 12 points behind leaders Arsenal.

Despite a seven-game unbeaten run in the league which steadied the ship after six losses in seven games prior, Slot painted a picture of grinding results rather than free-flowing football ahead of Sunday's trip to Fulham.

"Every single game we play, it is hard work. It is two teams quite close to each other," Slot told reporters.

"We are mainly the team that are probably better than the other team but not enough. We are constantly within this 20% difference and if you are inside this 20% difference then going to the floor or not means a lot for ⁠the result.

"I will keep pushing and the players will keep pushing to get to a situation where we are more than that 20%, we can make the difference bigger and then hopefully we are finding a moment when we can fly through the season."

Slot also said Liverpool cannot be considered title contenders at the moment with Arsenal and Manchester City -- separated by four points -- too far ahead ⁠while Aston Villa have also fallen by the wayside after their defeat against the league leaders.

"Realistically, I think there are two teams... with Villa being really close to them but because Arsenal won against Villa they created a bit of a gap (six points) towards Villa as well," Reuters quoted Slot as saying.

"Realistically, those two teams are quite far away from us and we should not look at those two at this moment in time."

While Liverpool have tightened up defensively, Slot highlighted ongoing struggles in attack despite dominating possession.

"It is clear and obvious we find it quite hard to generate enough chances for all the ball possession we have and that's not new for us this ⁠season," he said.

"Sometimes you need a bit of magic to unlock a game or a set-piece. If that happens, then all of a sudden everything looks much nicer, but that is not our season until now."

Slot expects a more open encounter against Marco Silva's Fulham, who drew with Crystal Palace on Thursday and sit 11th in the table.

"I expect a different game against Fulham... When we've played them and what I've seen from them, and they play a home game, so I think they will try to attack a lot and want to have the ball a lot," he said.

"At least that is how I know their manager, so it probably will be a much more open game. So we have to show in games like that we don't concede a lot as well."