Daily Talking Points: Harry Kane Shines, Crystal Palace Sack Sage

Today’s Daily Talking Points. Harry Kane’s penalty beats Croatia on his record night, Crystal Palace sack Pierre Sage after 16 games and the rest of Friday 13th November 2026 football, rugby, darts and boxing talking points.

1 England 2-1 Croatia: Kane penalty wins it on record-breaking night

International Football

Harry Kane scored the winning penalty as England beat Croatia 2-1 at Wembley, on the night he became the most-capped player in the history of the England men’s team. Morgan Rogers put Thomas Tuchel’s side ahead in the first half before Petar Sucic equalised after a mistake by Jarell Quansah. Quansah then won the penalty, which Kane converted in the 64th minute.

Kane’s 126th cap took him past Peter Shilton’s record of 125, and the goal was his 92nd for his country. The win guarantees England a top-two finish in Group A3 and a place in the Nations League quarter-finals in March. They finish the group away to Spain on Sunday.

Read the full story → By James Chettle

2 Pierre Sage sacked by Crystal Palace after five months in charge

Premier League

Crystal Palace sacked manager Pierre Sage on Thursday afternoon after 16 games in charge, with the club bottom of the Premier League on seven points from 10 league games. Three of his coaching staff left with him. Palace said in a statement that “an update on the process of appointing a new Manager will be provided in due course”.

Sage’s exit came hours after Manchester United dismissed Michael Carrick, the first time this season that two Premier League managers have lost their jobs on the same day. BBC Sport reports that Thomas Frank, the former Brentford and Tottenham boss, is in advanced talks to take over. Palace want a new manager in place before their next match, at Coventry on 21 November.

Read the full story → By James Chettle

3 Pochettino Man Utd start date: when the new boss takes charge

Premier League

Mauricio Pochettino is expected to start work at Manchester United’s Carrington training ground on 18 or 19 November, after a deal was agreed for the USA head coach to replace Michael Carrick. The appointment has not yet been officially confirmed. Pochettino will first take charge of the USA’s two matches against Haiti before travelling to Manchester.

That timetable leaves him only a few sessions before his first game, away to Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday 22 November. His US Soccer contract includes a $10m release clause, which United have told the federation they will trigger, and he is expected to bring several members of his backroom team with him. Pep Guardiola has emerged as the federation’s top target to replace him.

Read the full story → By James Chettle

4 Barcelona 1-1 Arsenal: Maanum earns Gunners draw at Camp Nou

Women’s Football

Arsenal held Women’s Champions League holders Barcelona to a 1-1 draw at Camp Nou, becoming the first side to take points off the Spanish champions in this season’s league phase. Frida Maanum gave Arsenal a 22nd-minute lead against the run of play, and Caroline Graham Hansen equalised in the 59th minute.

Barcelona had close to 20 attempts in the first half alone, and Arsenal could still have won it late on when Alessia Russo blazed over from a good position. The result extends Arsenal’s unbeaten run to six matches in all competitions and leaves them fourth on eight points. Barcelona drop to second, level on 10 points with leaders Lyon after four games.

Read the full story → By James Chettle

5 England team vs Japan: Borthwick makes 10 changes as McParland in line for debut

International Rugby

Steve Borthwick made 10 changes to his England side for Saturday’s Nations Championship match against Japan at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. Scrum-half Archie McParland is named on the bench and is in line for his Test debut, while George Ford comes in at fly-half and Maro Itoje keeps the captaincy. Henry Pollock starts at number eight.

The rotation follows last weekend’s 45-22 win over Australia. “We’re all delighted for Archie,” Borthwick said. “He’s an outstanding young talent who has worked hard to get to this point.” The head coach does not expect an easy afternoon against a Japan side beaten 28-21 by Wales last weekend. The match kicks off at 4.40pm and is live on ITV1 and ITVX.

Read the full story → By James Chettle

6 Josh Kelly vs Jaron Ennis set for Atlanta on 27 February

Boxing

Josh Kelly will defend his IBF super-welterweight title against unbeaten Jaron Ennis at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on 27 February. Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed the fight on Wednesday. Ennis will put his WBA and WBO titles on the line, so the winner will hold three of the four major belts in the division.

Kelly, from Sunderland, became the city’s first world champion in January and has won nine fights in a row, but Ennis will start as a clear favourite. Sebastian Fundora holds the WBC belt, the only major title not at stake, and has already said he wants the winner. DAZN will show the fight in the UK, with the main event expected at around 4am GMT.

Read the full story → By Lucy McDonald

7 Michael van Gerwen targets fourth Grand Slam title from Group L

PDC Majors

Michael van Gerwen returns to the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton as the 10th seed in Group L, chasing a first title at the event since he won it three years in a row from 2015 to 2017. He faces Henry Coates in Saturday’s evening session, with Jeffrey de Graaf completing the group.

Only the group winner reaches the last 16 this year, and group matches are best of nine legs, which leaves little time to recover from a bad patch. Van Gerwen went out in the group stage in 2024 and lost to Danny Noppert in the last 16 last year. Luke Littler, winner of the last two titles, could match his hat-trick this month.

Read the full story → By Jack Shaw

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Your Daily Talking Points Question of the Day

Harry Kane now has 126 caps and 92 England goals: is he the greatest player the country has produced?

The Dave.Sport Talking Points is published each day, to show you the response of the sports fan to the news of football, rugby, darts and boxing. This article is AI researched and generated from stories already reported and published by the Dave.Sport editorial team.