The flip-flap is a skill that involves a quick two-touch feint to fool defenders. Shea Lacey executed one against Manchester City on Friday night before floating a perfect cross in the box where Chido Obi made no mistake, finding the back of the net with a header from close range.

But it was a chance was gift-wrapped from Lacey, who was congratulated by three of his teammates as the remainder surrounded Obi.

It spoke volumes that Lacey was congratulated by Jayden Kamason, Sonny Aljofree and Jim Thwaites for his role in the goal, but dazzling in academy games is nothing new for the Liverpool-born player.

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Lacey now trains with the senior group on a day-to-day basis, meaning he is viewed as a first-team player, but the lack of senior fixtures this season has seen him drop down to the U21s for minutes, which is the reason why he started for United in their Premier League 2 semi-final play-off clash.

Michael Carrick was present at the Joie Stadium to watch the mini-Manchester derby. Carrick took his seat just a minute before the game kicked off, alongside his assistant, Steve Holland, and Travis Binnion, who recently stepped up from being U21 manager to become a first-team coach.

Carrick’s presence meant the game would have been viewed as an audition by the likes of Lacey, Obi and Thwaites, who all have hopes of featuring for the first-team next season when there are more games to go around.

Lacey will sense a big opportunity this summer. His cameos for the first-team against Burnley and Brighton in January were full of promise, and he has benefited from training with the senior squad each day.

The youngster’s route to the first-team does not look as daunting due to Amad’s lack of form, either. Amad has contributed just two goals and three assists this season, so Lacey must back himself to get minutes on the right wing.

He couldn’t have done much more to enhance his first-team credentials with his showings for the under-21s. He was quiet in the first quarter against City, who opened the scoring within the first few minutes of the game, but he exploded into life by providing the wonderful assist (the flip-flap) for Obi to make it 2-1.

Although the goal was all about Lacey’s genius and imagination, Obi deserved credit for being in the right position at the right time. That is a knack all top strikers must possess, and Obi had brought United level earlier in the half by sniffing out a poacher’s goal in the same manner.

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At the end of Obi’s career, his first-half brace against City certainly won’t make the highlight reel of his best goals, but the ability to find chances in the box is what great strikers build successful careers off.

Obi’s finishing instincts have never been in doubt since his transfer from Arsenal in 2024. But there have been question marks about what he can do out of possession, his work rate for the team, and his hold-up play.

United decided to keep Obi in the academy this season for that exact reason – he required major improvement off the ball. The good news is that the decision has paid off in spades, with Obi looking markedly better in that area.

He looked to relish the battle against City’s centre-backs, going to shoulder-to-shoulder in aerial duels and scrapping for second balls. There was even a shout of “well done, Chido” from U21 interim boss Adam Lawrence on the touchline when he won a header among blue shirts.

Lawrence had a bigger smile on his face when Lacey made it 3-1 on the stroke of half-time with a composed penalty. Interestingly, Lacey uses Bruno Fernandes’ technique when he steps up to take spot kicks.

Lacey and Obi were not the only players on the pitch who were hoping to impress Carrick, though. Thwaites pulled the strings from the base of the midfield, while Jack Moorhouse made it 4-1 just after play resumed for the second half.

You will struggle to find a better ball carrier than Moorhouse across the academy system in Britain. He is an outstanding dribbler and demonstrated his ability to run at speed by extending United’s advantage.

Last season, Ruben Amorim named Moorhouse on the bench for home and away Europa League quarter-final legs against Lyon, and he was included in two Premier League matchday squads, so he will be targeting first-team involvement again in 2026/2027, when the calendar returns to ‘normal’.

City produced an almost immediate response to Moorhouse’s goal, making it 4-2, and pushed hard in the closing stages as they attempted a comeback. It got nervy when Floyd Samba netted his second in the 82nd minute, but United survived the late pressure to beat City on their own turf.

Manchester derby wins at any level should be celebrated, but United’s U21s deserve extra kudos for securing an impressive win against their rivals in a semi-final, which sets up a final against Brighton next week.

The win was made even sweeter by Carrick being there to watch it in person.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens spent three seasons of his 16-year Hall of Fame career with the Dallas Cowboys.

Although 16 seasons have passed since Owens played in the league, his time with the franchise famously dubbed “America’s Team” remains memorable. Owens first played for the Cowboys in 2006, before abruptly exiting after the 2008 campaign.

This week, Owens briefly revisited his time wearing “The Star” on his helmet, but he made it clear the team has not been at the front of his mind for quite some time. “I don’t concern myself with the Cowboys,” Owens told the Action Network.

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas, on Nov. 27, 2008. (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Owens then suggested the less-than-harmonious feelings are mutual, saying: “The Cowboys haven’t concerned themselves with me since I left there. That’s speaking of Jerry Jones or anybody really from that organization… The way things ended there with the Cowboys, I couldn’t care less. I have nothing to say about them.”

JOURDAN LEWIS BECOMES LATEST FORMER COWBOYS PLAYER TO VOICE FRUSTRATION WITH TEAM

Owens signed a three-year deal with the Cowboys in 2006 and was rewarded with a three-year contract extension in 2008. Around the time of his March 2009 release, reports suggested he had become a source of tension inside the Cowboys’ locker room.

He was cut roughly two months after Dallas finished 9-7 and missed the playoffs. Dallas struggled offensively at times that season, though Owens still totaled 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns. Those were considered productive numbers by any standard, but they also marked his lowest totals in three seasons with the Cowboys.

Owens’ connection with then-offensive coordinator Jason Garrett also came under scrutiny during his stint with the team.

Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett talks to Terrell Owens during a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas, on Nov. 23, 2008. (Getty Images)

Owens joined the Buffalo Bills after he parted ways with the Cowboys. Despite snapping his streak of three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons during his lone year in Western New York, Owens praised Buffalo, describing it as a rare NFL market that still embraces him years after he left.

“The Buffalo Bills have been very gracious in inviting me out and involving me in some of their community initiatives,” Owens said. “I went there for a couple of games and for Thurman Thomas’ jersey retirement.”

Former wide receiver Terrell Owens gestures to the crowd before the game between the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on Dec. 6, 2021. (Rich Barnes/USA TODAY Sports)

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Owens appeared in 14 games with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010, marking his final NFL season. He was a five-time All-Pro selection and six-time Pro Bowler during his standout career.

He skipped the Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremonies in Canton, Ohio, in 2018, choosing instead to hold his own ceremony at his alma mater, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

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Basically everyone can see that most of the d-lineman got bumped down (other than Jalen Redmond) due to the DT draft picks. Likewise, there has been some added competition at corner, center, and even punter.

Lost in the shuffle, perhaps, has been the impact on veteran linebacker Blake Cashman.

For a little while, I’ve written about the status of Ivan Pace Jr. on the Vikings’ roster. After all, the former UDFA had gone from rookie starter to playing a minimized role as a sophomore. And then his third season involved getting fully demoted, placed in a LB3 job behind Eric Wilson and Cashman. Going into 2026, is Mr. Pace the linebacker who is most impacted? Or, perhaps, is his teammate facing the toughest battle?

Blake Cashman Among The Vikings’ Roster Losers

After the 2026 NFL Draft, Dustin Baker considered the impact within the team’s in-house talents. Ivan Pace came in at No. 2 for players most impacted by the draft haul.

“Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson will start as off-ball linebackers in 2026,” Baker begins. “Then, the Vikings used a 2nd-Round pick on Jake Golday. He’s the new youth movement at ILB. Pace Jr. is scheduled to be a Viking through the 2026 campaign. If Golday is worth the draft pick, that probably puts Pace Jr. on the chopping block next offseason.”

No doubt, Mr. Pace is facing an uphill battle. At no point has he been a fantastic option in coverage, but he at least excelled when allowed to come forward. Let the ‘backer blitz and chase down runners, right? The great issue last season were the missed tackles.

Where Pace can find some optimism is that he’s still young and has a history of playing strong ball. The former Cincinnati Bearcat is still only 25. Even better, his cap charge is coming in at roughly $3.5 million. Sitting on the defender for the upcoming season has merit if only to help on specials and be a backup linebacker. Doing more than that — getting back to becoming a starter — means arriving at a nice bonus for the team and player alike.

What of Blake Cashman?

The veteran is still a good football player, doing well last season even as he took a step back from his debut Vikings season. In 2024, Cashman was excellent. His stats showed 112 tackles to stand alongside 4.5 sacks, 11 quarterback hits, 8 tackles for loss, and 8 passes defended. Just great ball from the free-agent addition.

Working against him, though, is that he has battled injuries in each season in Minnesota. Worse yet, Cashman is coming up on his 30th birthday (May 10th). There’s then the reality of a roster cut. Doing so would mean freeing up $7,632,353 if it occurs after June 1st.

Does he meet a similar fate to Harrison Phillips, somebody who got traded away last August?

Moving on from Blake Cashman would be about more than just cap savings. After all, the decision to cut or trade could have already occurred if money was so tight. What would be needed is to see a roster competition where Minnesota feels really good about the other linebackers.

Begin with Eric Wilson. He was brought back on a reasonably hefty three-year deal. At minimum, Mr. Wilson appears likely to be around for two more seasons.

Next up would be Pace. He does need a bounce back, something that feels far off given the recent play. Nevertheless, the option is there. On just a basic level, Pace is a great fit for a Brian Flores who is all gas and no brakes.

Choosing Jake Golday in the 2nd is indicative of enthusiasm for what he can offer. Again, there does need to be a process of proving to be ready, but that’s not too hard to envision.

What would then make things intense for the Vikings’ roster is if the UDFA linebacker adds — Keli Lawson and/or Scooby Williams — step up. Or does the safety depth show itself to be fantastic? All of Josh Metellus, Jay Ward, Theo Jackson, Tavierre Thomas, and Jakobe Thomas are very likely to make the 53-man roster. Seeing Kahlef Hailassie be too good to cut would make things snug, especially with Flores being so willing to shuffle a safety into linebacker spot.

Oh, and then there’s that Harrison Smith guy. Welcoming him back to town means carving out a roster spot. He, too, can play in the box.

Linebacker Blake Cashman is very likely to be a key component of Minnesota’s roster for 2026. He’s a good ball player and a very good leader, fully earning the green dot due to his abilities as a communicator and versatile skills. What does need to be remembered, though, is the investment in Wilson, the 2nd devoted to Golday, and then the retention of Pace. All of the sudden, Cashman needs to compete in a way he didn’t in the past pair of seasons.

Keep an eye on the ‘backer battle.

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

The Minnesota Vikings drafted nine players during the 2026 NFL draft. Each of those Vikings rookies will go on their own journey, with expectations for a first-round draft pick wildly different from those for a seventh-round pick.

Caleb Banks Headlines Minnesota’s Rookie Outlook

The purpose of this article is to set realistic expectations for each of the non-Vikings rookies that were selected in the draft. Minnesota also hit the undrafted free agent market hard, making 19 signings. Those players won’t be included here, but their aim should be to surprise everyone and make the final roster. We turn our attention now to the draftees.

Pick 18: DI Caleb Banks, Florida Gators

The choice of Caleb Banks has come under criticism and is seen as a sign, largely due to his injury history, which includes a current foot injury. Banks is a risk, but he showcased his talents at the combine despite carrying the foot injury.

He is a good fit in Brian Flores’ defense and if he can stay healthy, he should see plenty of opportunity in his rookie season. Banks’ length and strength give the Vikings a unique presence on the defensive front, allowing them to move across a variety of alignments. A healthy Banks can make an immediate impact in Minnesota.

Pick 51: LB Jake Golday, Cincinnati Bearcats

Minnesota used its second-round pick to add much-needed depth at linebacker. Jake Golday has intriguing length and athleticism with starter potential.

He will have time to develop his weaknesses, such as his instincts and anticipation, with veteran LB Eric Wilson returning this year as the placeholder at the position. Golday should shine on special teams early and look to make his mark when he gets the chance in the rotation on defense.

Pick 82: DI Domonique Orange, Iowa State Cyclones

Selecting another DT with their third pick in the draft, the Vikings seemed to be making this draft about making Flores happy. Domonique Orange is a massive defensive line prospect with elite power potential, supported by impressive weight-room strength.

His first-step explosiveness allows him to generate strong speed-to-power as a bull rusher. Expect Orange on the field on early downs and short yardage. His overall playing time this year may hinge on the health of Banks, but Orange can be a reliable lineman for the Vikings from Day 1.

Pick 97: T Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern Wildcats

The first offensive pick of the draft, being a tackle, was a bit of a surprise. Still, Caleb Tiernan is a smart, balanced, and experienced player whose limitations stem from a naturally high pad level and shorter arm length.

That could see him kick inside to guard, where the Vikings seriously lack depth with Blake Brandel on course to be the new starting center. Tiernan’s technique and football IQ give him a path to a starting role, but early in his career he can cover multiple positions, where his value this season lies.

Pick 98: S Jakobe Thomas, Miami (FL) Hurricanes

Many thought that Minnesota would prioritize the safety position and look for a starter to replace Harrison Smith. Instead, they waited until late on Day 2 to draft Jakobe Thomas.  

He offers intriguing size and physicality as an enforcer-type safety, but inconsistency in his play means plenty of development is needed for him to handle more than a rotational role, which is what he will be in his rookie season. 

Pick 159: FB Max Bredeson, Michigan Wolverines

The Vikings selected Max Bredeson as a fullback. He never had a single rushing attempt in his college career. However, he did show he can catch passes. His value is rooted in his blocking ability, highlighted by a career-best 85.2 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus in 2025. The retirement of C.J. Ham has left the Vikings with holes at FB and on special teams that Bredeson should be able to fill.

Pick 163: CB Charles Demmings, Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks

Cornerback was another position the Vikings were expected to look at early by many, but instead, it was a late-round developmental prospect that landed in Minnesota. Charles Demmings drew attention at the Combine with an explosive athletic profile and strong testing numbers.

He measured 6-foot-1 and 194 pounds and ran a 4.41 40-yard dash and posted elite explosiveness with a 42-inch vertical and 11-foot broad jump. His ball skills and tackling efficiency support sleeper potential, though he will require development at the next level. His rookie year will likely be spent in the shadows.

Pick 198: HB Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Demond Claiborne gives the Vikings an interesting third option at running back. With a sprinter’s track background that clearly translates to the field, his speed and acceleration can stress defenses. Claiborne offers solid receiving upside and can be the team’s RB3 with special-teams value.

With Aaron Jones’ recent injury history, he might be thrown in for a bigger workload. If Kevin O’Connell uses him smartly, he can be effective.

Pick 235: C Gavin Gerhardt, Cincinnati Bearcats

Gerhardt brings extensive experience, having played 3,374 career snaps. In 2025, he earned a 68.4 overall grade from PFF with a 75.2 pass-blocking mark and a 66.1 run-blocking grade. He allowed just seven pressures and no sacks across 426 pass-blocking snaps, including only one pressure on 99 true pass sets.

His job is to make sure he’s second in line behind Brandel for the center job, and if the switch for Brandel doesn’t work he might get his chance.

Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.

With the first pitch of his start against the New York Yankees on Friday, Milwaukee Brewers phenom Jacob Misiorowski reared back and threw a 102.4 mph fastball for a called strike.

It was the slowest pitch he’d throw that inning.

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MLB’s hardest-throwing pitcher lived up to his reputation on Friday and then some, firing 36 pitches measured by Statcast at 100 mph or faster. Ten of them came in the first inning, when he blew away the top of the Yankees order.

The New York Knicks took an insurmountable 3-0 series lead in their NBA playoff matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers, winning 108-94.

Jalen Brunson scored 33 points and dished out nine assists. Mikal Bridges added 23 points with Josh Hart notching 12 to give the “Nova Knicks” 68 combined points in Philadelphia. The Knicks’ bench also outscored the Sixers’ reserves 28-11, led by 15 from Landry Shamet.

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Despite pleas from Joel Embiid and the best efforts of the 76ers’ ticket office, plenty of Knicks fans — including celebrity supporters Spike Lee, Tracy Morgan, Timothee Chalamet, Ben Stiller and Fat Joe — populated Xfinity Mobile Arena and provided loud support for the road team. Once again, the Sixers’ home court sounded like Madison Square Garden East.

Embiid returned to the Sixers’ lineup after missing Wednesday’s Game 2 loss. He tussled early on with Karl-Anthony Towns in the post, though the Knicks center pulled Embiid toward the perimeter to create lanes to the basket and offensive-rebound opportunities. Sixers coach Nick Nurse adjusted by putting Dominick Barlow on Towns, allowing Embiid to roam near the basket for rim protection and rebounding.