Paul Hayward
@paulhayward.bsky.social
Sportswriter at The Observer.
Co-host of the 'How It All Played Out' podcast.
Author of 'England Football - The Biography.'
Co-host of the 'How It All Played Out' podcast.
Author of 'England Football - The Biography.'
After Spurs and Brentford I went to Sunderland for our latest Premier League club health check.
They're fourth.
How? Why?
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
They're fourth.
How? Why?
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
The audit: Sunderland | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 11:16 AM
After Spurs and Brentford I went to Sunderland for our latest Premier League club health check.
They're fourth.
How? Why?
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
They're fourth.
How? Why?
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
There are people in this industry who wouldn't know impartiality if it ran them over pontificating about impartiality.
November 10, 2025 at 7:55 PM
There are people in this industry who wouldn't know impartiality if it ran them over pontificating about impartiality.
Reposted by Paul Hayward
The fact that the BBC has made serious culpable errors does not negate the point that there is a real and concerted right-wing media campaign to destroy it. Both points can be true at the same time and the campaign would not end even if the errors did.
November 10, 2025 at 1:08 PM
The fact that the BBC has made serious culpable errors does not negate the point that there is a real and concerted right-wing media campaign to destroy it. Both points can be true at the same time and the campaign would not end even if the errors did.
Love these tales of woe from people who flee Britain (in this case to Malta)...
Hardly any point in keeping the two spare houses...
Hardly any point in keeping the two spare houses...
November 9, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Love these tales of woe from people who flee Britain (in this case to Malta)...
Hardly any point in keeping the two spare houses...
Hardly any point in keeping the two spare houses...
Reposted by Paul Hayward
Vital piece of investigative reporting from Sky. They've uncovered the X algorithm which feeds users extremist right wing material from the moment they join the site. It is a far-right radicalisation engine, by design.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Vital piece of investigative reporting from Sky. They've uncovered the X algorithm which feeds users extremist right wing material from the moment they join the site. It is a far-right radicalisation engine, by design.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
This week's 'How It All Played Out' is on the forgotten hero, Althea Gibson, whose lifestory is a film begging to be made...
By Mark Pougatch and me...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
By Mark Pougatch and me...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
Before Ashe. Before Serena. The champion tennis forgot - Althea Gibson
Podcast Episode · How It All Played Out · 05/11/2025 · 29m
podcasts.apple.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:30 PM
This week's 'How It All Played Out' is on the forgotten hero, Althea Gibson, whose lifestory is a film begging to be made...
By Mark Pougatch and me...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
By Mark Pougatch and me...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
Just think...
Conor Bradley will always be able to recall shutting down Vinicius Junior in a Champions League game against Real Madrid at Anfield.
He made a good memory for himself last night.
Conor Bradley will always be able to recall shutting down Vinicius Junior in a Champions League game against Real Madrid at Anfield.
He made a good memory for himself last night.
November 5, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Just think...
Conor Bradley will always be able to recall shutting down Vinicius Junior in a Champions League game against Real Madrid at Anfield.
He made a good memory for himself last night.
Conor Bradley will always be able to recall shutting down Vinicius Junior in a Champions League game against Real Madrid at Anfield.
He made a good memory for himself last night.
Tom Brady cloned his late dog.
Could this be the way to replace your star striker: just make a replica in a lab?
Via @nytimes.com
Could this be the way to replace your star striker: just make a replica in a lab?
Via @nytimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:05 AM
Tom Brady cloned his late dog.
Could this be the way to replace your star striker: just make a replica in a lab?
Via @nytimes.com
Could this be the way to replace your star striker: just make a replica in a lab?
Via @nytimes.com
If that performance was representative, Liverpool will be challengers to Arsenal.
All the usual tactical and team selection analysis aside, it was based on the players showing up for work with the right attitude again.
All the usual tactical and team selection analysis aside, it was based on the players showing up for work with the right attitude again.
November 4, 2025 at 10:03 PM
If that performance was representative, Liverpool will be challengers to Arsenal.
All the usual tactical and team selection analysis aside, it was based on the players showing up for work with the right attitude again.
All the usual tactical and team selection analysis aside, it was based on the players showing up for work with the right attitude again.
Baffled by this big "talking point" stuff at Anfield.
Not a chance that was a handball by Tchouameni, whose arm was close to his body.
VAR correct.
Not a chance that was a handball by Tchouameni, whose arm was close to his body.
VAR correct.
November 4, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Baffled by this big "talking point" stuff at Anfield.
Not a chance that was a handball by Tchouameni, whose arm was close to his body.
VAR correct.
Not a chance that was a handball by Tchouameni, whose arm was close to his body.
VAR correct.
It's a changed world when Bournemouth can buy a player from Juventus and sell him to Real Madrid for £50m.
Dean Huijsen looks as comfortable in a Real shirt as he did in a 'Cherries' one.
Dean Huijsen looks as comfortable in a Real shirt as he did in a 'Cherries' one.
November 4, 2025 at 8:29 PM
It's a changed world when Bournemouth can buy a player from Juventus and sell him to Real Madrid for £50m.
Dean Huijsen looks as comfortable in a Real shirt as he did in a 'Cherries' one.
Dean Huijsen looks as comfortable in a Real shirt as he did in a 'Cherries' one.
And people wonder why Bernie Sanders talks of the American oligarchy...(source: Forbes)
November 4, 2025 at 12:09 AM
And people wonder why Bernie Sanders talks of the American oligarchy...(source: Forbes)
At Sunderland v Everton.
Two thoughts...
Impressive by Sunderland's almost all-new team to play so badly for 25 mins then snap out of it to dominate Everton.
And...Everton's long sequence of buying the wrong strikers is baffling.
Two thoughts...
Impressive by Sunderland's almost all-new team to play so badly for 25 mins then snap out of it to dominate Everton.
And...Everton's long sequence of buying the wrong strikers is baffling.
November 3, 2025 at 9:56 PM
At Sunderland v Everton.
Two thoughts...
Impressive by Sunderland's almost all-new team to play so badly for 25 mins then snap out of it to dominate Everton.
And...Everton's long sequence of buying the wrong strikers is baffling.
Two thoughts...
Impressive by Sunderland's almost all-new team to play so badly for 25 mins then snap out of it to dominate Everton.
And...Everton's long sequence of buying the wrong strikers is baffling.
How to defuse a protest?
Beat Newcastle 3-1.
But West Ham fans aren't surrendering to the double-bind of owners and a stadium they don't like.
My live piece for @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Beat Newcastle 3-1.
But West Ham fans aren't surrendering to the double-bind of owners and a stadium they don't like.
My live piece for @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
West Ham fans protest against a stadium that never felt l...
A 3-1 victory against Newcastle, the team’s best performance in months, could not disguise fans’ anger
observer.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 11:00 AM
How to defuse a protest?
Beat Newcastle 3-1.
But West Ham fans aren't surrendering to the double-bind of owners and a stadium they don't like.
My live piece for @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Beat Newcastle 3-1.
But West Ham fans aren't surrendering to the double-bind of owners and a stadium they don't like.
My live piece for @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
The Rob Burrow MND Centre in Leeds is now open....
November 3, 2025 at 10:18 AM
The Rob Burrow MND Centre in Leeds is now open....
How the new breed of tech-driven clever clubs is making inroads into the dominance of the Premier League's big six.
With mentions of course for Bournemouth, Sunderland, Brighton, Brentford, Crystal Palace etc
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
With mentions of course for Bournemouth, Sunderland, Brighton, Brentford, Crystal Palace etc
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
The Premier League’s big data clubs are threatening the b...
Cleverness, ingenuity and innovation have narrowed the gap between the empires and the dreamers
observer.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 2:47 PM
How the new breed of tech-driven clever clubs is making inroads into the dominance of the Premier League's big six.
With mentions of course for Bournemouth, Sunderland, Brighton, Brentford, Crystal Palace etc
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
With mentions of course for Bournemouth, Sunderland, Brighton, Brentford, Crystal Palace etc
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
This week's 'How It All Played Out' looks at the dramatic fall of Mary Decker in her clash with Zola Budd and shows how Budd was exploited from the start of her career under a GB flag of convenience..
By me and Mark Pougatch.... podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/w...
By me and Mark Pougatch.... podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/w...
Was she tripped? The most infamous Olympic collision: Mary Decker v Zola Budd
Podcast Episode · How It All Played Out · 29/10/2025 · 35m
podcasts.apple.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:51 PM
This week's 'How It All Played Out' looks at the dramatic fall of Mary Decker in her clash with Zola Budd and shows how Budd was exploited from the start of her career under a GB flag of convenience..
By me and Mark Pougatch.... podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/w...
By me and Mark Pougatch.... podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/w...
So good it makes you think in Alan's voice.
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge) - Series 1: Episode 1
Alan Partridge makes a bravely personal and personally brave return to television - to make Britain’s first ever documentary about mental health.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 9:09 PM
So good it makes you think in Alan's voice.
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
On long throws...
The victims are currently bamboozled by them, but their analysts will jump on it, so their players attack the first ball, and/or don't let the second one fall to the opposition.
The victims are currently bamboozled by them, but their analysts will jump on it, so their players attack the first ball, and/or don't let the second one fall to the opposition.
October 27, 2025 at 9:02 PM
On long throws...
The victims are currently bamboozled by them, but their analysts will jump on it, so their players attack the first ball, and/or don't let the second one fall to the opposition.
The victims are currently bamboozled by them, but their analysts will jump on it, so their players attack the first ball, and/or don't let the second one fall to the opposition.
With Liverpool's troubled start Mark Pougatch and I recalled previous examples of title defences starting badly - and looked beyond metrics to the human element, on 'How It All Played Out.'
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
The worst title hangovers in Premier League history
Podcast Episode · How It All Played Out · 27/10/2025 · 18m
podcasts.apple.com
October 27, 2025 at 8:37 PM
With Liverpool's troubled start Mark Pougatch and I recalled previous examples of title defences starting badly - and looked beyond metrics to the human element, on 'How It All Played Out.'
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Truro City fans made a record 914-mile round trip, only to see their team lose a two-goal lead and draw 2-2.
Heroes, all.
Heroes, all.
October 26, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Truro City fans made a record 914-mile round trip, only to see their team lose a two-goal lead and draw 2-2.
Heroes, all.
Heroes, all.
Reposted by Paul Hayward
There's an architectural arms race with Europe's biggest stadiums.
As Barcelona prepare to return home next month, a piece on football's building boom..
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
As Barcelona prepare to return home next month, a piece on football's building boom..
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Cathedrals of capital: Europe’s stadium arms race escalates
As Barcelona’s revamped Spotify Camp Nou begins to reopen, the game’s new temples promise both grandeur and gridlock
observer.co.uk
October 22, 2025 at 12:24 PM
There's an architectural arms race with Europe's biggest stadiums.
As Barcelona prepare to return home next month, a piece on football's building boom..
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
As Barcelona prepare to return home next month, a piece on football's building boom..
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Why the Mo Salah debate masks the bigger problem of Liverpool's switch-off.
A piece from Brentford for @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
A piece from Brentford for @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Mo Salah’s back with a stunner but not even he can rescue...
Brilliant Brentford condemn ailing champions to fourth league defeat in a row
observer.co.uk
October 26, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Why the Mo Salah debate masks the bigger problem of Liverpool's switch-off.
A piece from Brentford for @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
A piece from Brentford for @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Here at Brentford...
It's easy to focus on team selection and transfer trading but so many of these Liverpool players aren't doing their jobs.
Brentford were superb. 3-2 ft.
It's easy to focus on team selection and transfer trading but so many of these Liverpool players aren't doing their jobs.
Brentford were superb. 3-2 ft.
October 25, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Here at Brentford...
It's easy to focus on team selection and transfer trading but so many of these Liverpool players aren't doing their jobs.
Brentford were superb. 3-2 ft.
It's easy to focus on team selection and transfer trading but so many of these Liverpool players aren't doing their jobs.
Brentford were superb. 3-2 ft.