Lamine Yamal hit a sensational first-ever hat-trick for Barcelona as La Liga's leaders beat Villarreal 4-1.
The winger was superb, with his second goal a moment of pure inspiration, as #FCB move four clear of Real Madrid.
Match ratings for Goal here: www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/...
This week I watched hurling. South Ruislip was transformed as Westmeath travelled to take on London.
Other sports have seen money and fame warp its sense of purpose, lost in a greedy pursuit of revenues. Hurling makes a nice change.
jackimmcrae.com/2026/02/25/t...
This season, Arsenal have often been accused of being dull, safe and reliant on set-pieces – a far cry from beautiful football seen under Wenger.
Ahead of the #NLD, I rewatched my first ever live #AFC game from 2006 to see what football was really like. jackimmcrae.com/2026/02/22/2...
This week I watched American Football. It is almost a decade since Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the US national anthem and his words still ring true.
With the FIFA World Cup around the corner, Superbowl LX gave a glimpse into what could happen.
jackimmcrae.com/2026/02/10/t...
Kim Little and Mariona Caldentey ran Manchester City ragged as the league leaders were handed their second WSL defeat of the season.
Vivianne Miedema and Khadija Shaw struggled to get into the game and #AWFC ran out deserved winners.
Match ratings here:
www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/...
Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike stepped up for Arne Slot as the big-money summer signings helped fire Liverpool to a comeback victory against Newcastle.
Ibrahima Konate also impressed and got on the scoresheet in the 4-1 victory.
#LFC ratings here:
www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/...
Bayern Munich dropped points in the Bundesliga for the second consecutive game as they struggled to a 2-2 draw against Hamburg.
Goals from Fabio Vieira and Vuskovic ensured the hosts snatched a valuable point after Kane and Diaz had put Bayern ahead.
www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/...
This week I watched ice hockey. The Haringey Huskies won 6-5 against the Chelmsford Warriors.
The hosts had former #AFC and #CFC goalkeeper Petr Cech to thank for his efforts in goal as a strong home crowd cheered the Huskies on to victory.
jackimmcrae.com/2026/01/27/t...
Laura Holden: ‘I don’t want what happened to me to happen to anyone else’
After injuring her ACL, Laura Holden says she was neglected by Aberdeen.
She tells me her mental health was ‘destroyed’ and worries that others in women’s football may be facing similar.
For @sport.theguardian.com, Holden reflects on a difficult two years.
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
This week I watched basketball. London Lions and Niners Chermitz entertained at the Copper Box arena, but it was far from a sell-out crowd.
The Lions are the capital’s only side and should be attracting far more support, even if it isn’t quite the NBA.
jackimmcrae.com/2026/01/14/t...
Phallon Tullis-Joyce frustrates and shuts out #AWFC as ten-player Red Devils survive Jayde Riviere red card.
USWNT goalkeeper earned a valuable WSL point for United who were dominated by wasteful Gunners.
Match ratings here: www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/...
This week I watched darts. Gian van Veen has grown from boy to man to reach the world championship final.
Few sports can have such transformative impact in such a short space of time as darts.
And GvV’s opponent Luke Littler knows that more than most.
jackimmcrae.com/2026/01/03/t...
This week I watched Baller League, where the fun never stops. Even when it should.
After six hours of forced entertainment, shoddy football and countless adverts, the thousands of empty seats do little to suggest this is truly a 'new era of football'.
jackimmcrae.com/2025/12/20/t...
Harry Kane rescues a point for Bayern Munich against bottom-of-the-table Mainz.
Lennart Karl impressed again, but Vincent Kompany's rotated side were almost made to rue missed chances in 2-2 draw as Daniel Batz had the game of his life in the Mainz net.
www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/...
This week I watched chess. It was strange to go to the Emirates and not watch #AFC, but the sport played in silence was captivating.
Not able to truly understand the moves of elite players in the London Chess Classic, watching their emotions became my fascination.
jackimmcrae.com/2025/12/04/t...
Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz look to finally be clicking as Liverpool win 2-0 at West Ham.
Mohamed Salah was left on the bench and may struggle to regain his place as the Reds secure a vital victory.
Liverpool ratings here:
www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/...
This week I watched golf. The ANNIKA at Pelican is trying to be more than just an LPGA event & this year, invited the 461st best US junior and President Donald Trump's granddaughter to make her pro debut.
Unsurprisingly, Kai Trump was not good enough.
jackimmcrae.com/2025/11/18/t...
Hat-trick hero Robert Lewandowski leads Barcelona in cutting La Liga gap to Real Madrid to three points.
Blaugrana defence was shaky, but Marcus Rashford again impresses for #FCB as he continues to make the left-wing his own.
Barca ratings here:
www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/...
Manchester City capitalised on Chelsea's draw with Arsenal to go top of the WSL after closely contested victory over Everton.
Miedema and Shaw were on target, but Yamashita's shot-stopping was key to visitors taking all three points.
City's ratings here:
www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/...
Gianni Infantino continues to cosy up to “close friend” Donald Trump and self-interested politicians who care little for football.
Meanwhile, Arsenal fan @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social has been elected New York mayor and poses a challenge to the game’s ruling authority.
jackimmcrae.com/2025/11/08/p...
As part of a new series, I will be watching and writing about a new sport every fortnight.
This week I watched rugby. I saw England beat Australia 25-7 and wrote about how Henry Pollock adds a necessary youthful verve to England and the sport.
jackimmcrae.com/2025/11/04/h...
Eberechi Eze has shared that he was "prepared to go to Tottenham", before the Gunners dramatically hijacked the deal.
On Sunday, he plays against Crystal Palace for the first time since his move to #AFC, where his importance is already starting to shine.
www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/...
Wrote something short on the “new Jack Wilshere” taking charge of his first game of Luton Town on Saturday.
Everyone already has their own idea of who Wilshere is, or was.
Now, the former #AFC star has a chance to reinvent himself as a coach at #LTFC.
jackimmcrae.com/2025/10/16/t...
Spain were absolutely perfect tonight in a 6-0 midfield masterclass against Turkey.
Hattrick hero Mikel Merino continued extravagent goalscoring form alongside #AFC teammate Martin Zubimendi and the wonderful Pedri.
My full match ratings for @goal here: www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/...
Ahead of the return of the #PremierLeague tonight, I wrote this about Arsenal.
Three second-place finishes and #AFC fan hysteria had made me hesitant to get swept up by excitement.
But, as ever, I have succumbed to the horrible state of anguish: hope.
jackimmcrae.com/2025/08/15/s...
Fermin Lopez steals the show as rampant Barcelona destroy Como 5-0 in Joan Gamper Trophy.
Yamal and Fermin score braces with Raphinha adding another as #FCB ease to victory.
www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/...
For Boxing News, I met with Johnny Greaves to discuss his 100-fight career and new book.
The former journeyman talks about his battles with mental health, depression and suicidal thoughts.
Yet, there is hope in the incredibly open and friendly Greaves.
boxingnewsonline.net/former-journ...
Three days before Perth Glory's final game, Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson asked Megan Wynne about her summer plans.
30 minutes into that game, Wynne injured her #ACL.
She talks to me about the injury, its mental challenges and her missed #WEURO2025 chance.
jackimmcrae.com/2025/06/30/p...
Tonight, Numan Hussain fights for the Southern Area title at York Hall.
For Boxing Scene, I spoke to him and his wife, fellow pro fighter Amy Andrew, about their careers, watching each other fight and being role models for women and the Bengali community.
www.boxingscene.com/articles/whe...
