Chelsea’s US$530m second XI, City survive Watford scare, what happened overnight in world of sport

Last night I got to spend some time with a few of Hong Kong’s Paralympians, who were being honoured for their success in Paris, and inspiring does not even come close to describing them.

Achieving all they do against the odds is something that should be celebrated on a daily basis, not just every four years, but that’s a conversation for another time.

Inspiration can be found at all levels of sport, which I guess is why we find it so compelling. Take Italian side Como, who won their first top flight game in more than 20 years. Just one of the things that happened while you were sleeping.

A costly second XI

With games coming thick and fast at the start of the season, although really that is now the default setting in football, Chelsea and Manchester City both made sweeping changes to their starting XIs for the third round of the League Cup.

And there was no better example of the haves and have nots than in the 11 new players costing some £400 million (US$533 million) that Chelsea fielded in their 5-0 thrashing of fourth-tier opponents Barrow. Christopher Nkunku scored a hat-trick, giving him six goals in seven games this season, and he still can’t get a regular place in Enzo Maresca’s side.

Little over 48 hours on from their 2-2 draw with Arsenal, City boss Pep Guardiola made nine changes, including a debut for 16-year-old Kaden Braithwaite, as the champions beat Watford 2-1.

In other games, Aston Villa’s second string were also pushed by lower-league opposition, but had enough to overcome Wycombe 2-1. League Two side Walsall came closest to an upset as they took Leicester to penalties after a 0-0 draw, but lost 3-0 in the shoot-out.

Rain stops play

England finally got the better of Australia in a one-day international, winning a rain-hit match in Chester-le-Street by 46 runs, thanks largely to captain Harry Brook’s maiden hundred.