Sports

The P/PTSD Perspective: Who is Running Vikings, Jefferson Trade, and Surprise QB

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14 February 2026

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Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell reacts after a play against the Detroit Lions in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

PurplePTSD works in partnership with Vikings Territory, similarly doing their utmost to offer top-notch coverage of the Minnesota Vikings. As a result, we’re promoting five of their top articles of the past month in “The P/PTSD Perspective.” Take a peek at some of their best stuff.

The P/PTSD Perspective: February 14th, 2026

1) ESPN Reveals Who’s Really Running the Vikings: At no point has there been too much mystery, folks. Vikings co-owner Mark Wilf said that Rob Brzezinski would be leading things and that’s what’s taking place. Speculation exists about Kevin O’Connell having the power but the reality appears to be that Brzezinski has the final call.

Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell in 2025, Week 18. — Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell is seen during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

2) Justin Jefferson Breaks Silence on Bills Trade Speculation: In theory, anything is possible. Could the Bills trade for Justin Jefferson? Sure, that could happen. Just know that it’s a two-way street. Minnesota could trade for Josh Allen, but it doesn’t mean it’s going to happen.

3) The Vikings’ QB Search Just Added an Unexpected Name: At this stage, the lone surprise would be if Kevin O’Connell came out of retirement to try being an NFL passer yet again. Basically every available passer (alongside some passers who aren’t available) has been linked to the Vikings.

4) The Vikings’ Salary Cap is a Mess for 1 Central Reason: No team can fully live up to the ideal, but the goal is nevertheless out there: having a constant supply of young, cost-controlled players from the draft is the best way to keep a budget balanced. Minnesota too often failed to draft players who could help the team win on Sunday.

5) Aaron Jones Slams the Vikings: The veteran runner has been around and is a well-respected leader. Listening to him when he speaks is wise. No matter who ends up as the Vikings’ QB1, the performance from last season can’t be replicated. Too much talent on Minnesota’s roster.

Nov 9, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) hands the ball off to running back Aaron Jones Sr. (33) against the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Enjoy the extra reading, Vikings fans.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

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Tiger’s cheerleading gesture and a Scheffler jail question

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14 February 2026

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Welcome! Where are you, you ask. I’m calling this the Weekend 9. Think of it as a spot to warm up for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We’ll have thoughts. We’ll have tips. We’ll have tweets. But just nine in all, though sometimes maybe more and sometimes maybe less. As for who I am? The paragraphs below tell some of the story. I can be reached at nick.piastowski@golf.com.

Tiger Woods is back next week.

Not back back, as his return from injury is still unknown. (Should you be curious, he is listed among the Masters entrants on the Masters website.) But in some capacity, he’ll be around the Genesis Invitational at venerable Riviera CC, where he’s the tournament host. Maybe he’ll be on the grounds all week. Maybe for just a few days. Maybe no days, though you’ll still see and hear his name. Whatever the case may be, you’ll probably be interested. If he talks, you’ll wonder about his opinions, even though his words are by and large carefully measured. If he walks, you’ll study his gait in an attempt to get a read on when he might come back. In short, Woods’ presence is enormous.

And that’s occasionally made me think of Scottie Scheffler, who’ll also be at Riv, and who also is playing this week.

And then I start to think of the NBA, which, notably, is hosting its all-star game on Sunday.

Maybe there’s something here, or maybe it’s just cabin fever, but here goes: The thought deals with mega stars — and following the mega stars. When mega stars leave, mega-star voids are created, and folks almost immediately measure potential mega stars against the mega star they’re replacing, in the process perhaps ignoring that the replacements may be doing something great. The NBA felt that post-Michael Jordan. Put another way, it’s much easier to follow a non-mega star.

And I’ve wondered if that’s why there’s such a conversation around ‘what makes Scottie’ great, when in fact he’s coming directly after Woods. Last week, I asked Dave Berri about it all. He’s an author and teacher on sports economics, and my question was whether Woods’ standing was so enormous that it was diminishing current players.

“There’s a certain audience that came to golf because of Tiger Woods,” Berri started. “You can’t replicate that if you’re not bringing in other people who are similar to him, so that audience may not stay with you. So there’s that. I don’t think you can change that easily. …

“You can’t make a Tiger Woods. That was a pretty unique event, right? A father who desperately wanted his son to be a pro golfer. But how do you get that to happen? In order to get that to happen again, you’ve got to go find somebody. Who wants to go invest in that, right? Who wants to train somebody from a very early age to be a pro golfer, and they have to have the resources to do that.”

Still, Berri said, stars come, stars go and stars come again.

“In sports, there’s always going to be another winner,” he said.

“And therefore the winner attracts the audience. Like Tom Brady leaves the NFL, well, what’s going to replace him? Well, next year there’ll be another Super Bowl winner and there’ll be a quarterback on that team and then they’ll be the Tom Brady.

Bryson DeChambeau — Will Bryson get a billion? And what the LPGA needs. An authority has thoughts

By:

Nick Piastowski

“And you’ll just keep doing this.”

Should Scheffler continue his dominant run, we’ll see if that’s true.

Let’s see if we can find eight more items for the Weekend 9.

2. I also asked Berri if a player being thought of as being ‘nice’ would affect their appeal.

“‘Very nice’ doesn’t work,” he said.

An instruction tip for your weekend

3. I thought the exchange below between Justin Rose and GOLF’s James Colgan was good. It came before this week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and Colgan’s question is in italics.

Justin, knowing what you know now about your career, I’m just curious what your advice would be to yourself at the very beginning.

“Yeah, well, at the very beginning I think obviously there was definitely — well, let’s call it the moment where I finished fourth in The Open as an amateur and turned pro off the back of that.

“Although I didn’t turn pro off the back of that, there was a decision that had been made quite a long time before the Open to turn pro. But I think off the back of that Open Championship, I think obviously expectations went up and suddenly there was such an importance in my own head of getting a European Tour card, like being on Tour.

“I think that if I look back at it now, 45 years old, didn’t quite appreciate how long a career is. I think at a tender young age of 17, 18, 19, 20, wherever you’re playing your golf, you want to be playing in an environment that’s obviously challenging you to be better. You want to be playing at a level where you’re still being pushed, but you want to play in an environment that maybe is kind of still giving you that freedom to play the game, that freedom to grow.

“I felt like I just maybe put too much emphasis on having to have it right there and now and not really thinking, OK, this is just what’s good for my game, what’s good for my progression, what’s good for my learning, because if you keep stacking the little gains on top of one another over time, like the compounding of that takes you to a pretty good place.

“So just my advice to myself would be a career’s a long time.”

Another instruction tip for your weekend

4. I thought the video below, from GOLF Top 100 Teacher Cameron McCormick, was good.

A golf story that interests me

5. I thought the video below, featuring longtime pro Steve Flesch from a recent episode of the “Second Shot All-American” podcast, was interesting. In the video, Flesch said he played with Woods all four rounds at the 2000 National Car Rental Golf Classic Disney — and they had an exchange on the 72nd hole.

“One of the easiest, nicest guys in the world to play with because he was a guy who recognized good shots and he would compliment you,” Flesch said. “It isn’t visible so much when you see him on TV — it looks like he’s Mr. Stoic and game face and all that, but you’d be walking down the fairway and he’d be like, ‘Hey, nice shot, Fleschy,’ or ‘Good putt,’ or ‘Good birdie.’ Very subtle.

“But the 2000 Disney tournament, I played great the first two days. It was at the Magnolia course at Disney World and I think I shot a pair of 66s or something starting out and I’m paired with Tiger on Saturday. And I’m like, well, OK — it’s only my third year on tour — I’m like, this is what it’s about. But I figured in my head at night, if I can beat Tiger the next two days, I’ll win the golf tournament. Fair enough assumption, right? Like, OK. Well, the next day I go out and I think I shoot five- or six-under and I’m two ahead of Tiger. So, I mean, he shot probably 67 on Saturday. We’re in the final group again on Sunday. And I’m again, can I beat Tiger? Well, going to the back nine, I played well. I was two or three ahead of him and I get to the last hole and I’m two or three ahead of him.

“Well, this guy Duffy Waldorf, who you’ve all probably heard about, he shot 62 that day. I’m like, son of a — I’m like, you got to be. Here I did what I thought I needed to do — beat Tiger — but Duffy’s a shot ahead of me. So I got to birdie the last hole to get in the playoffs. So I hit a decent drive, hit a good shot in there — I think I hit like a 6 or 7 on there, about 8 feet, 10 feet behind the hole. And I’m big on reading the putts from the other side of the hole. I don’t get as good a read from behind the ball as I do from the other side of the hole. And I’m always reading my putts while other guys are putting so I’m not taking a lot of time.

“Anyway, I walk around the other side of the hole to read my putt. And Tiger’s kind of about 15 feet on the same line as me and he walks around too. So he’s right behind me. He’s kind of right over my shoulder. And I have a picture of this somewhere. But all I’m thinking about is my line, right? And all of a sudden I hear him say, ‘Hey, knock it in, Flesch. You’ve played great. You deserve it.’ And I’m like, ‘What?’ I’m looking like, ‘Did he just say that?’ He knew he wasn’t going to win. And he was just like, ‘Dude, knock it in. You deserve it. You played well.’ And I’m like, ‘Man, that’s pretty freaking cool.’”

Another golf story that interests me

6. I thought the video below, taken from the Bob Does Sports YouTube page, was interesting. In it, host Robby Berger asked about Scheffler’s arrest before the second round of the 2024 PGA Championship and whether Scheffler knew it would be a big story.

“So, when I was sitting in the cell — like they put me in like a holding cell, I think — and so, I’m in a cell by myself and that was the cell that I stretched In,” Scheffler said. “But if you went to the front of the cell and looked out that way [points], I could see a TV and I saw myself on the TV.

“So that’s when I was like, “Holy smokes.’ First, my head’s still spinning. I’m like, ‘How the heck am I in here?” But then I saw myself on the TV and then I saw they delayed it and I was like, ‘Oh, maybe I can get out of here in time and I can still play.’”

Good news for your weekend

7. The video below, taken from the “Good Inside with Dr. Becky” podcast, was good. In it, Tony Finau described an interaction he had with his dad while growing up.

“My dad was tough on us,” Finau said. “He was a drill sergeant. There was no throwing clubs. There was no attitude. That was the first thing — clean up the attitude. So anyway, I’m a freshman in high school and I’m playing in the state championship of golf, high school golf. And I’m in the final group. I’m leading the tournament and I get to the last hole with — I’m a freshman and a senior I’m playing with and we’re neck to neck for the state title. We both hit it in the fairway.

“Anyways, I have a 5-foot par to tie and go to a playoff as a freshman to win state championships. I proceed to miss the putt. I knew the situation. I missed the putt and because I missed the putt, I was extremely disappointed in myself. I tried to backhand the next one in and I missed that. And then I try and tap in the next one and I missed that. So I five-putted the last green of the state championship tournament of my freshman year to win state. And so I finished second place, which for most freshmen, that’d be a really nice finish. For me, I looked at it and said, ‘You’re supposed to win this.’ Everybody was around the green watching and I was just totally embarrassed by how I acted and what I did.

“I’ll never forget the drive home. I got in the car and pretty much silence all the way home. And my dad just said to me, ‘Son, are you OK?’ That’s pretty much all he said. He may have thrown in a couple other things, but I’m getting a little emotional just because I still remember that moment. And it was like, I’m waiting for him to scold me. I’m just waiting for him to lay the law down. And I was embarrassed because of how I acted and feeling like I should have won the tournament. I was defeated. I defeated my own self and I’m expecting this thrashing in the car and just an absolute scolding and it was the opposite.

“And so I think what I learned from that and that I try to take with me as a parent is your kids need you there as someone that can help them recover and heal and strengthen them.”

More good news for your weekend

8. I thought this story here, written by the BBC’s Ethan Gudge, was good. It tells the story of how Dougie Haynes, a caddie, is walking the entire length of New Zealand while carrying two bags to raise money for charity.

One more piece of good news for your weekend

9. I thought this story here, written by Science News Explores’ Maria Temming, was good. It tells the story of how 15-year-old Brady Sage won an engineering fair thanks to a project that found ideal tee heights.

What golf is on TV this weekend?

10. Let’s do 10 items! Here’s a rundown of golf on TV this weekend:

– Saturday

10 p.m. (Friday)-midnight ET: LIV Golf Adelaide third round, FS2

Midnight-3 a.m. ET: LIV Golf Adelaide third round, FS1

4:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m. ET: PIF Saudi Ladies International final round, Golf Channel

1 p.m.-3 p.m. ET: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am third round, Golf Channel

3 p.m.-7 p.m. ET: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am third round, CBS

3 p.m.-5 p.m. ET: PGA Tour Champions Chubb Classic second round, Golf Channel

8 p.m.-11 p.m. ET: LIV Golf Adelaide final round, FS1

11 p.m.-1 a.m. (Saturday) ET: LIV Golf Adelaide third round, Fox

– Sunday

1 p.m.-3 p.m. ET: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am final round, Golf Channel

3 p.m.-6:30 p.m. ET: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am final round, CBS

3 p.m.-5 p.m. ET: PGA Tour Champions Chubb Classic final round, Golf Channel

A game for your weekend

11. Let’s do 11 items! Enjoy a golf-themed crossword puzzle here, which was shared by the civilbeat.org website.

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Australia's Anthony wins gold as rivals crash out in chaotic moguls

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14 February 2026

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Australia’s Jakara Anthony becomes the first ever women’s dual moguls Olympic champion, beating the Team USA duo of Jaelin Kauf and Elizabeth Lemley into silver and bronze.

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Tottenham appoint Igor Tudor as interim manager until end of season

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14 February 2026

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Igor Tudor has been appointed as interim Tottenham manager until the end of the season following the sacking of Thomas Frank.

The Independent reported Tudor, the former Croatia and Juventus centre-back, had emerged as the leading candidate for the role after Spurs assessed a range of options, with the club opting for an experienced short-term solution.

Spurs have now confirmed the appointment, choosing to bring in Tudor before landing on a long-term successor for Frank after the end of the campaign. It’s understood there is no option to extend the deal past the summer.

“It is an honour to join this club at an important moment,” Tudor said, with the club currently sitting 16th in the Premier League and just five points above the relegation zone.

Igor Tudor has agreed to take charge of Tottenham until the end of the season as they battle to avoid relegation to the Championship (AFP/Getty)

“I understand the responsibility I have been handed and my focus is clear. To bring greater consistency to our performances and compete with conviction in every match.

“There is strong quality in this playing squad, and my job is to organise it, energise it and improve our results quickly.”

Sporting director Johan Lange added: “Igor brings clarity, intensity and experience of stepping into challenging moments and producing impact.

“Our objective is straightforward – to stabilise performances, maximise the quality within the squad and compete strongly in the Premier League and Champions League.”

Tottenham’s next game is not until 22 February but it comes against Premier League leaders and north London rivals Arsenal. Frank was dismissed on Wednesday, following the 2-1 defeat against Newcastle.

Tudor’s last role ended in the sack when Juventus dismissed the 47-year-old in October after just seven months in charge.

Despite the sour end in Turin, Tudor succeeded in his interim spell in charge of the Italian side as he led them to Champions League qualification after replacing the sacked Thiago Motta.

He was handed a two-year deal in the summer, but results dipped after the start of the next campaign and he was sacked amid an eight-game winless run where Juventus failed to score in four games.

Prior to Juventus, Tudor’s coaching career includes spells at Lazio, Marseille, Udinese, Hellas Verona, Hadjuk Split, Galatasaray, PAOK and Turkish side Kardemir Karabukspor.

Tudor emerged as the leading candidate as Tottenham decided to name a short-term interim until the end of the season (AFP via Getty Images)

Frank was sacked after just eight months in charge and following a run of just two wins in 17 Premier League games. Results were better in the Champions League, with Spurs qualifying for the last-16 in fourth place of the league phase.

Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is among the candidates for the permanent role, following the 2026 World Cup where he will take charge of the United States.

Marco Rose, the former RB Leipzig boss, and Edin Terzic, who took Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final in 2024, are also contenders ahead of what is expected to be a competitive managerial market in the summer.

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Pitch report from Colombo: India vs Pakistan to be played on used surface | Cricket News

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14 February 2026

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Pitch report from Colombo: India vs Pakistan to be played on used surface

Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha during a practice session ahead of an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 cricket match between India and Pakistan, at R Premadasa Stadium, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. (PTI)

TimesofIndia.com in Colombo: The marquee India vs Pakistan match on February 15 will take place on a used pitch in Colombo, with the surface expected to be slow and testing for batters, the TimesofIndia.com can confirm. The match will be played on the same pitch, where Zimbabwe defeated Australia by 23 runs on Friday.Interestingly, it was the fast bowlers who called the shots. Blessing Muzarabani (4/17) starred with the ball, registering the best bowling figures for Zimbabwe in a T20 World Cup match. Muzarabani and fellow pacer Brad Evans (3/17) shared seven wickets between them. The duo were superb with the new ball, slicing through Australia’s top order.

Salman Agha press conference: Pakistan captain on hand shake, India and Playing XI

Batting first, Zimbabwe scored 169 for 2 and, in reply, the 2021 champions were bundled out for 146.At the pre-match press conference, Salman Ali Agha hinted that the spinners might play a big role on Sunday.“It’s possible that spinners dominate here,” Agha told reporters in Colombo.“I feel fast bowlers will also have a role to play. Fast bowling is such a skill that on any surface you can’t write it off. So I think they will surely have a role. We have good spinners but also quality pacers who can be called upon if needed,” he added.The big boundaries and the used surface could test India’s belligerent batting line-up. Pakistan might opt for a five-prong spin attack against India. It is likely they will field Abrar Ahmad, Usman Tariq, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan and Saim Ayub.India could also be tempted to add either Washington Sundar or Kuldeep Yadav to their playing XI.After all these years, this could be the first time the focus shifts to Pakistan’s spinners versus Indian batters. Earlier, it used to be Pakistan’s pace attack against India’s batters. Times have changed, and the used surface could make the contest more balanced.

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2026 NBA Slam Dunk contest picks, odds, field: NBA predictions from elite expert

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14 February 2026

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The annual exhibition of high-flyers will be on display at the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk contest on Saturday night. The four-man field features two rookies in Jase Richardson and Carter Bryant, as well as two vets in Jaxson Hayes and Keshad Johnson. Mac McClung, who has won each of the last three competitions, won’t be going for an unprecedented fourth victory at the Slam Dunk Contest 2026. Each player will have two dunks in the first round, with those with the highest average score advancing to the finals, which will also consist of two dunks.

The Intuit Dome in Los Angeles will host the NBA Slam Dunk contest, the third event of NBA All-Star Saturday Night, which begins at 5 p.m. ET. The latest 2026 NBA Slam Dunk contest odds via FanDuel Sportsbook have Bryant as the +180 favorite, followed by Hayes at +250. Johnson comes in at +320, while Richardson — son of two-time slam dunk champion Jason Richardson — is the biggest longshot at +350. Hayes is looking to become the first 7-footer to win the dunk contest. Before making any 2026 Slam Dunk Contest picks or predictions, you need to see the best bets from SportsLine’s NBA expert Larry Hartstein.

New users can target the DraftKings promo code, which offers $300 in bonus bets if your first $5+ bet wins:

Hartstein is SportsLine’s senior analyst and a founding member of the Early Edge podcast. He’s excelled in multiple sports, and enters the All-Star break having nailed eight of his past 13 NBA prop picks. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen strong returns.

Now, Hartstein has analyzed the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk contest from all angles and is delivering his picks for SportsLine. You can head to SportsLine now to see Hartstein’s NBA Slam Dunk Contest best bets.

Top 2026 NBA Slam Dunk contest picks, predictions

One shocker: Hartstein is fading Bryant, despite being the +180 favorite. The Spurs rookie clearly has lots of promise as an overall player, as just three days before the dunk contest, San Antonio cut former top-10 pick Jeremy Sochan to get Bryant on the court more. But with Bryant’s youthful exuberance also comes a bit of risk, as he’s gone on record in saying one of his planned dunks will “test my limits,” which sounds like a great idea on paper. However, adding complexity to a dunk raises the probability of then missing that dunk, which would hurt his score from the judges.

Missed dunks have been an issue for the rookie in games, as he’s only connected on nine dunks across 14 dunk attempts (64.3%). Granted those came against defenses, but for comparison, those five missed dunks are more than Johnson and Richardson combined this season, while Hayes has connected on 90.4% of his dunks.

Additionally, nearly all of Bryant’s dunks have come in garbage time, so the unknown of how he’ll perform when the spotlight is on him is yet another reason to fade the favorite. You can see who to back here.

New users can check out the latest Kalshi promo code CBSSPORTS to get a $10 cash bonus after making $10 in trades:

How to make NBA Slam Dunk contest 2026 picks

Hartstein’s Slam Dunk contest winner is a longshot he says “explodes to the rim.” You can find out who it is, and see the rest of Hartstein’s NBA Slam Dunk contest best bets at SportsLine.

So who wins the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk contest? Visit SportsLine now to see Hartstein’s picks for the Slam Dunk Contest 2026, all from the NBA expert who is on an 8-5 roll on NBA prop picks, and find out.

NBA 2026 Slam Dunk contest odds, field

See picks at SportsLine.

(FanDuel odds)
Carter Bryant +180
Jaxson Hayes +250
Keshad Johnson +320
Jase Richardson +350

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Is Man City vs Salford City on TV? Channel, live stream and radio coverage for FA Cup tie

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14 February 2026

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Is Man City vs Salford City on TV? Channel, live stream and radio coverage for FA Cup tie – Manchester Evening News

Need to know

How to follow and watch the action and Manchester City face near neighbours Salford City, owned by members of Manchester United’s ‘Class of 92’

Manchester City celebrate during their 8-0 win over Salford in the FA Cup third round last season(Image: Getty Images)

Everything you need to know about watching Manchester City vs Salford City in the FA Cup fourth round

Kick-off time: Because the match kicks off at 3pm on a Saturday, it is subject to the UK’s broadcasting “blackout” and will not be shown live on any domestic television channel. While the BBC and TNT Sports are the primary FA Cup broadcasters, they have selected other fixtures for their live televised slots this weekend.
Radio coverage: BBC Radio Manchester will be providing dedicated live radio commentary of the match for listeners in the local area. You can access this via traditional radio frequencies or by searching for the station on the BBC Sounds app.
National radio: BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT will provide regular updates and live reports from the Etihad. Both stations are also available online.
City platforms: The Official Man City App and website will host a Matchday Centre featuring live text updates, statistics and integrated radio commentary for City+ or Recast subscribers. This digital hub is the most comprehensive way for City fans to follow the game without a video feed.
Salford coverage: Fans of the Ammies can purchase an audio match pass through the official SCFC TV service on the club’s website. This provides a club-specific commentary feed available to subscribers in the UK and worldwide.
Highlights: BBC One will provide a round-up of the day’s action during coverage of the day’s 5:30pm kick-off between Aston Villa and Newcastle. There will be full highlights on Match of the Day from 10:55pm.
Streaming: There will be highlights on the BBC Sport and TNT Sports websites shortly after the final whistle. The FA’s social media channels will also show the best bits from the day’s action.
International viewers: If you are travelling outside the UK, the match may be available on various local networks depending on your region’s FA Cup broadcast partner. In the US, there will be coverage on the ESPN Deportes network.
READ MORE: Marc Guehi reaction proves he will give Man City something every trophy-winning machine needs

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Luke Matheson relishing limelight of Macclesfield’s shock FA Cup run after teenage stardom

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14 February 2026

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Few things could have prepared Macclesfield players for the spotlight that came with their shock FA Cup win over Crystal Palace last month, but defender Luke Matheson has done this sort of thing before.

As they prepare for Monday night’s fourth-round tie at home to Brentford, the 23-year-old Matheson is calling on memories he made after breaking through at Rochdale while still in school.

He was just 16 when he grabbed the headlines with a stunning strike in Dale’s Carabao Cup third-round tie away to Manchester United, making it 1-1 to force a shootout in which United prevailed 5-3 at Old Trafford.

Luke Matheson’s strike forced Manchester United to a shootout with Rochdale in the Carabao Cup third round in 2019 (AFP/Getty Images)

“I was on the bus to school the next morning with my mates, refreshing Instagram, it was 1,000 (likes) here, another 1,000 there,” Matheson said. “It was one of the most surreal things I’ve ever been through.

“I think it was only about a month before that I’d actually made my full league debut. Even being on that pitch, even to travel to that game, was enough for me. Then to score took it to another level.

“I’ve seen the ball hit the roof of their net and I remember hearing the roar and just running to that. It’s a day I’ll never forget and definitely one of the best days of my life.”

A few months later, Matheson played an hour of Rochdale’s FA Cup third-round tie at home to Newcastle, with Aaron Wilbraham’s late goal earning a 1-1 draw and a replay at St James’ Park, where Matheson started in a 4-1 defeat for the League One side.

Matheson at St James's Park ahead of Rochdale's clash with Newcastle — Matheson at St James’s Park ahead of Rochdale’s clash with Newcastle (Getty Images)

Matheson was getting call-ups for the England Under-18s while trying to study for his A levels.

“My mum and dad were both teachers so they kept me grounded,” he said. “Going away for England in school, I wasn’t allowed to go if I hadn’t done my homework. Having that kind of upbringing prepared me for life as well as being a footballer.”

Barely two weeks after the replay against Newcastle Matheson signed for Wolves, initially returning to Rochdale on loan.

Looking back now, Matheson admits the Wolves move did not work out.

“I did it backwards,” he said. “I came through into a first team, then went to Wolves and came through at Under-23s. For me and my career, it almost felt like I’d taken a step backwards, because a lot of boys at that under-23s level are trying to get into a first team.”

After loans with Ipswich, Hamilton and Scunthorpe, Matheson left Wolves having not played for the first team.

He joined Bolton but could not crack their first team, heading out to Bohemians and Alfreton before being released last summer and signing for a Macclesfield side looking to reach the National League.

“I was a kid (at Rochdale), but I’ve now got a little bit more experience,” he said. “I’ve been around different clubs, different experiences, different managers.

“I think we’re lucky in our changing room that individuals bring experience from all over the country. This group here is probably the closest team of players I’ve ever been involved with.

“As cliched as it sounds, it’s like a family. You see the stadium packed out and as a player it’s what you dream of.

“We can’t wait to get back out there.”

After producing arguably the greatest shock in FA Cup history to dump out holders Palace, the Silkmen play host to another Premier League side in Brentford on Monday as they dream of another magic night.

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Ireland vs Italy live: Latest score and upates as Azzurri eye Six Nations upset in Dublin

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14 February 2026

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Ireland hand Six Nations debuts to Ulster pair in new-look side to face Italy

Andy Farrell has freshened up his side for today’s fixture, with a couple of Six Nations debutants from Ulster and Edwin Edogbo awaiting his first cap.

Harry Latham-Coyle14 February 2026 11:15

The harsh truths Ireland must confront after heavy France defeat

It was a tough start to the tournament for Andy Farrell’s side, with an opening night defeat to France displaying a few tough truths about Ireland.

Harry Latham-Coyle14 February 2026 11:05

Ireland vs Italy live

Round two of the Six Nations leaps into action with a fascinating clash between Ireland and Italy in Dublin. The mood in the two camps could not be more contrasting, with Andy Farrell’s hosts reeling from a tough night in Paris that perhaps illustrated a wider slump, and the Azzurri eying a first ever win here after beating Scotland and the conditions in Rome.

Kick off at the Aviva Stadium is at 2.10pm GMT.

Harry Latham-Coyle11 February 2026 10:10

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Arkansas recruiting: Jordan Smith, the No. 2 player in Class of 2026, puts ‘trust’ in John Calipari

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14 February 2026

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Jordan Smith, the No. 2 overall player in the Class of 2026, committed to Arkansas at his ‘Senior Night’ at Fairfax (Virginia) Paul VI Catholic High School on Friday. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound combo guard picked the Razorbacks over finalists that included Duke, Indiana, Kentucky, Georgetown and Syracuse.

Smith is the third commitment for Arkansas for the 2026 recruited class. He joins No. 12-ranked JJ Andrews, a five-star wing and No. 26-ranked Abdou Toure, a four-star wing.

Arkansas’ 2026 class is now No. 5 in the country, behind Duke, Michigan State, Kansas and Michigan according to 247Sports.

Smith picked Arkansas because of his relationship with Razorbacks coach John Calipari and the opportunity to immediately contribute in a big way.

“I have just all the trust in coach (John) Calipari,” Smith told 247Sports. “His resume speaks for itself. And just what he has done with other guards in my situation who play like me and impact winning. I feel like he has done a really good job. I also feel like he is a genuine person. Character speaks a lot in today’s world and he has the best character. I relate to him a lot.”

Smith has similarities to current Arkansas guard Acuff

Calipari has a long-standing history of developing elite guards and getting them ready for the NBA Draft. Current freshman Arkansas point guard and former five-star prospect Darius Acuff is having one of the best seasons in all of college basketball.

Smith certainly recognized how Calipari handles top guards and has a proven track record of success at the next level. Acuff’s success this season in Fayetteville was a very easy comparison for Smith.

“Me and Acuff are the same size and the same height, so just to see how Acuff is playing and how Calipari has put him in different positions to help him succeed and to get to the next level – I really see inspiration in that,” Smith said. “I feel I can come in and make an impact right away, so with Calipari’s help, I feel like I can do anything.”

When Smith took his visit to Arkansas in the fall, Calipari’s message, history and the opportunity he presented to Smith made a lasting impression that changed the course of his recruitment.

“It felt like home when I got there, it just felt like home,” Smith said. “Of course, I had to take other visits just to see if it would feel the same and honestly, the other ones didn’t feel the same as (Arkansas). The first feel I got from there – it was a real high intensity practice. It looked fun there… There are really no distractions there either, so I feel like I can really do what I need to do to get to the next level.”

Where Smith will have biggest impact

There may not be a player in high school basketball who impacts winning in more ways or with the same consistency as Jordan Smith. The Paul VI and Team Takeover guard has terrific physical tools and even better competitive intangibles that allow him to change the game on both ends of the floor. He averaged 19.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.1 steals per game during the recent EYBL season.

Physically, Smith is long and powerful with a 6-foot-8.5-inch wingspan and chiseled physique. He’s also a good athlete who excels defensively, has switchability on that end of the floor because of his physical strength and toughness, and is also an elite perimeter rebounder.

Offensively, Smith gets downhill like few other guards in the class and has consistently developed his ball skills over the years so that he now has legitimate on/off-ball versatility. He can initiate offense and make decisions (3.4 assists vs. 1.5 turnovers), put pressure on the rim with his force and physicality when he turns the corner, or take smaller guards into the post. He’s an improved shooter, with a notably high release, but still more consistent with his mid-range pull-up than his 3-point shooting with some occasional sidespin (25% on 3-pointers and 68% on free throws.

Smith’s transition to subsequent levels will also be lightened by the fact that he doesn’t need to be an offensive focal point to impact the game. He can do it with his defense, rebounding, energy, competitiveness or unselfishness. His intangibles are truly elite, so while he may not have totally ideal size or ball skills, he’s extremely hard to bet against.

How Smith will fit at Arkansas

Acuff is on a one-and-done track. He was the top-ranked point guard in high school basketball a year ago, looks like he could be the SEC Player of the Year this season and challenge for a spot in the lottery of June’s NBA Draft.

There was only one player in high school basketball who had a chance to replace him, and that’s Smith.

Now, that doesn’t mean that Smith is exactly the same type of player as Acuff and that’s why the roster construction around him will be important.

Acuff is a true lead guard who operates with the ball in his hand and is the first domino in the vast majority of the offensive possessions he’s on the court floor. Smith is capable of playing that role, but he can also slide off the ball. In fact, one thing that distinguishes Smith is the multitude of ways he can impact the game without having to have the ball in his hands. Even defensively, he should be one of the most college-ready freshmen in the country next season.

With a wide open 2027 NBA Draft in mind, Smith and his representation are undoubtedly looking for plenty of on-ball volume. Simultaneously, though, Smith would be ideally suited next to other guards that can share those ball-handling responsibilities and provide some additional shot-making.

If DJ Wagner and Meleek Thomas were to return for the 2026-27 season, that would check both of those boxes. Wagner doesn’t have much NBA buzz at this point, so a senior season should be probable. Thomas is likely to test the waters, but could find a return to college as a fringe first-rounder with a chance to help his stock as more of a focal point next season. If either of those depart, then Arkansas will need another impact guard out of the portal.

No one covers Arkansas like HawgSports, the market leader in Razorbacks athletics coverage. With a trusted team of insiders — Trey Biddy, Danny West, and Connor Goodson — HawgSports delivers unmatched daily updates, recruiting/portal scoop, and team news. Fans rely on the site’s deep knowledge of the program and its relentless commitment to keeping them informed. Join the conversation and experience the power of the HawgSports community. Right now, get 2 months of VIP access for just $1 and unlock all the insider content and features today!

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