Mike Hughes
Reporter, BBC Radio Merseyside Sport

Image source, Reuters

Everton take on Norwich City in the third round of the League Cup at Goodison tomorrow night, looking for their sixth consecutive victory.

Saturday's 3-1 win against Middlesbrough was their fourth win in a row in the Premier League and they also confidently saw off Yeovil in the last round of this competition.

Ronald Koeman could hardly have made a more impressive start since becoming manager. It's not just the improvement in results, but the rediscovery of those vital components that are necessary for footballing success. Everton are once again determined, aggressive and resilient and the fans are very impressed.

Club captain Phil Jagielka has spoken of almost a "fear factor" in the dressing room, so keen are the players to prove their worth to the new man in charge.

There could well be changes against Norwich, but they won't be wholesale ones. Ramiro Funes Mori could get a start and Gareth Barry could be rested after a memorable 600th Premier League appearance on Saturday.

You can read our developing story on the release of more British athletes' medical files by hackers here.

Eight GB gold medalists from the Rio Olympics, including Mo Farah, Helen Glover and Justin Rose, have had their details made public. 

Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal, who won doubles gold in Rio, has also had his medical details leaked.

Hackers, calling themselves 'Fancy Bears', accessed records detailing therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs), which allow the use of banned substances due to athletes' verified medical needs.

Image source, Getty Images

Northampton manager Rob Page had an interesting way of dealing with being drawn to face Manchester United in the cup. He's been speaking at the pre-match conference at Sixfields.

"I banned the players from talking about it as we had to focus on the league game in hand," Page said. "I didn't want to take the focus off the league campaign and we've had two wins since the draw was made and some great results in the league, which has been our focus.

"We've got the weekend out of the way now. It was a disappointing result for us so we need to put things right from the weekend and get back the aspects of our game that were missing, which we've had for most of the other matches so far this season."

Northampton's 31-game unbeaten run in the league - dating back to December - ended on Saturday as Chesterfield beat them 3-1.

BBC Radio Stoke commentator Matt Sandoz is not feeling optimistic that the Potters are going to win a league game any time soon...

So far this season, Stoke have just the one point from five games and are bottom of the table.

Hackers allegedly from Russia have released more athletes' medical files stolen from the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) medical database.

The sportspeople named include eight British gold medalists from the Rio Olympics, among them athlete Mo Farah, rower Helen Glover and golfer Justin Rose.

Rower Pete Reed, cyclist Callum Skinner and hockey players Alex Danson, Crista Cullen and Samantha Quek were also identified.

The records released by the group calling itself "Fancy Bears" mostly detail Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs), allowing banned substances to be taken for athletes' verified medical needs.  

There is no suggestion the athletes are involved in any wrongdoing.

Image source, Reuters

England leg-spinner Adil Rashid has released a statement on why he will not be playing for second-placed Yorkshire in this week's County Championship finale.

On Sunday, Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale was asked on social media if Rashid had requested to be rested for the match against leaders Middlesex, starting on Tuesday. Gale tweeted: "Yes, he wants to rest. That's his decision. I'll take 11 lads on the field who will give everything to win." 

On Monday, Rashid wrote on Twitter:, external "One of my closest family members has been very ill and was recently admitted to hospital. I didn't feel that I am in a strong enough mental frame of mind to be at my best. 

"Although I did make myself available if I was required to play, I felt I could be letting the lads down."

Rashid added that a "heavy period of cricket" for Yorkshire and England "has been both physically and mentally draining".

Image source, BBC Sport

Simply head here to watch Match of the Day on the iPlayer (UK only).

The good news for Manchester United and Stoke fans is this is Saturday's edition, so your defeats yesterday don't feature.

Image source, European Photopress Agency

A triathlon coach explains why Alistair Brownlee helping his brother Jonathan over the line at the World Series was within the rules.

There have been questions about whether what the pair did was legal, so where exactly do the rules stand on giving a helping hand? Head here to find out.

Image source, Getty Images

Rangers manager Mark Warburton has been having his say on the Joey Barton issue. The midfielder has been suspended for three weeks, after he was sent home from training last week following a heated argument with a team-mate.

Warburton was speaking at Rangers' pre-match news conference for the Scottish League Cup quarter-final against Queen of South.

He said: "The environment we create for the players and the staff is about giving respectful opinion. I always want opinion. I'll never have a problem with a player knocking on my door to talk about a session. Do it in the right manner or else they'll get a flea in their ear.

"It's about being respectful with the way we deal with each other. That's the way society is these days, it's changing. So I have no problem with players expressing opinions at all. It's how you deliver the message which will always be key to myself and my staff."

England women will take on France in October in a friendly which will mark the start of their Euro 2017 preparations.

The Lionesses will play the side third in the Fifa world rankings at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster on Friday, 21 October at 20:00 BST.

England face Belgium away on Tuesday in their final qualifier and a draw will ensure they top their group.

Qualification is already assured. 

Liam Poss: Miroslav Klose scored with his hand for Lazio against Napoli then told the ref to disallow the goal. They lost 3-0 in the end.    

Arran Higgs: David Purley stopping midway through a GP and attempting to save Roger Williamson from his burning car. No one else stopped.

Interesting example, Arran, although what Purley did - at the 1973 Dutch GP - went beyond simple sportsmanship. His actions, which tragically were in vain, earned him the George Medal for bravery.

What examples of great sportsmanship have you encountered? Tweet #bbcsportsday, text 81111 or head to the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

This is definitely worth a look - BBC three have picked out 10 tweets that sum up the weekend's football.

From Liverpool rubbing salt into Manchester United's wounds to a 21st-century tech problem causing havoc in Bradford, this will raise a smile.

Just head here and enjoy.

A warning for Manchester United's players...

Northampton Town players and manager are facing the media to preview Wednesday's EFL Cup visit of Manchester United.

Left-back David Buchanan is among them...

Some more detail from Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp's news conference and specifically striker Roberto Firmino, who missed Friday's win at Chelsea due to a groin strain.

"The medical department told me he could have played against Chelsea, but I have heard the word risk too often so I decided no," said Klopp.

"I was very happy that it worked out. They told me if I gave him three days he would be perfect so today is the fourth day."

On Tuesday's opponents Derby, who have won only one league game so far this season, he said: "If I was the manager of Derby I'd tried to use this competition for the turnaround. 

"There is no pressure on them. This game is a big opportunity. We watched as many games as possible of them and they created many more chances than they actually used. They have a good quality, very experienced manager."

"So you must be feeling confident facing a side that has lost three on the spin..."  

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester City's record signing Islam Slimani marked his Premier League debut with two goals against Burnley at the weekend.

Ranieri: "It’s difficult to say how many goals Slimani can score. It’s important he plays for his team mates."

Meanwhile, Ranieri was asked what his compatriot Antonio Conte can do at Chelsea: "I think he can bring trophies. He’s a winner. He needs time. I think he can leave some trophies."

Some Leicester team news from Claudio Ranieri, who says: "Ron Robert Zieler make a very good match [against Burnley]. I continue with him. I think Schmeichel is ready for the weekend.

"Danny Simpson is good. After the first match, he’s good. He could play. Nampalys Mendy is not ready for tomorrow. He start to make training session but he’s not ready. I’m thinking also of Yohan Benalouane tomorrow. He’s ready."

Leicester City will meet an old friend when they take on Chelsea in the EFL Cup, namely one N'Golo Kante, who was so instrumental in their Premier League triumph last season.

So how does Foxes manager Claudio Ranieri think the reunion will go? "I’ll give him a very warm welcome. I’m sure our fans must appreciate what he did last season and give a warm welcome back.

"N’Golo was very important for us. Maybe more important for us than Chelsea as they have so many defensive midfielders."

Image source, Getty Images