MILAN -- Ederson is a serious doubt for Manchester City's crucial Premier League clash with Liverpool on Sunday, according to Pep Guardiola.

The Brazilian goalkeeper was forced off with a thigh injury at half-time of the 1-1 draw with Atalanta and was replaced with Claudio Bravo, who was later sent off.

Defender Kyle Walker ended the night in goal.

"I don't know right now," said Guardiola when asked whether Ederson will be available at Anfield. "It's a muscular problem. It's not big but he didn't feel comfortable and that's why we decided to make a substitution but honestly right now I don't know."

Ederson will have a scan on Thursday to determine the seriousness of the problem but speaking about David Silva's injury on Saturday, Guardiola suggested any muscle injury requires at least 10 days of treatment.

Bravo will be suspended for the next Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk, but will be available to line up at Anfield if required.

The Chile international has not started a Premier League game since May 2018, but Guardiola is convinced he is ready to step in if the news on Ederson is not positive.

"He's ready to play on Sunday," said Guardiola. "It is what it is. If Ederson can play he will and if not it will be Claudio. That's all.

"I know him and why should I have doubts about him? We've had incredible situations to overcome and we'll have to do it now.

"Hopefully some players can recover. We had the bench with two players from the academy we have no more players. We have to recover well and prepare for the game on Sunday."

Following Bravo's dismissal, Walker was nominated to take the gloves for the final nine minutes. He saved a late free kick from Ruslan Malinovskyi to earn praise from his manager.

"We didn't think before but [goalkeeping coach] Xabier Mancisidor suggested him for his courage and he's quick," said Guardiola.

"He went in and it was just one shot on target. Congratulations for the courage, the desire to help the team and for going in that position."

Rugby union will "bankrupt itself" if clubs are not stopped from breaching salary cap rules, says Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond.

Premiership champions Saracens face a 35-point deduction and a £5.36m fine after an inquiry into business dealings between owner Nigel Wray and players.

Diamond spent two years as Saracens head coach between 2004 and 2006.

"It's a bit naive to think they can get away with it with the processes in place," he said.

"There's got to be a punishment to make them stop doing it. And it's not about them and us - the other 11 clubs pointing the cross-hairs at them.

"It's for the good of the game because if it's not stopped the game will bankrupt itself."

European champions Saracens described the sanctions as "heavy-handed" and will appeal against the penalty, with the punishments suspended until the outcome. A final verdict is not expected until next year.

Clubs cannot spend more than £7m on player salaries, although they are allowed two whose wages do not count towards the cap. Teams can also receive extra money for fielding home-grown players or to pay for injury cover.

"If you commit a robbery in the UK you get a rollocking. You may go to prison for six months," said Diamond.

"If you commit two in the same year and the year after and another one the third year, the judge has to say 'listen, there's a habitual offender here'.

"If you don't give him a substantial penalty he's going to keep doing it. I think that's what they've done.

"What they've done in the past is done and maybe they should take down the integrity and honesty signs from the stadium for a year."

Saracens chairman repeats stance

In a club interview, Saracens chairman Wray stood by his statement on Tuesday, believing the club have not broken the rules.

He said investments he had made with players did not provide certain income, and could not be compared to a salary.

"The size of the fine must be one of the largest ever in sport, despite the fact the disciplinary tribunal said we had not deliberately breached the wage cap," he said.

"We do not believe that we have breached the wage cup - investment is not salary."

Asked about the consequences of the penalties faced by the club, Wray said: "There's no obligation whatsoever to get rid of any players."

CONCORD, N.C. – The Xtreme DIRTcar Series is adding a new event to its winter schedule on Saturday, Dec. 7, at Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tenn.

The $5,000-to-win Grinch 40 completes the Xtreme schedule, with six events from November through February at tracks across the southeast, including the season finale on Feb. 29 at Modoc Raceway, which will be a $7,000-to-win event.

The staff at Volunteer is excited to host its first super late model race of the season under new track owner Landon Stallard.

He said the season just couldn’t end without treating the track’s loyal fans to one last great show, featuring some of the Southeast’s best on the dirt late model circuit.

“We’re so glad we get to provide our great fans with the opportunity to see some quality super late model racing,” Stallard said. “We were honored to even be asked to be a part of it.”

The finale at Modoc will determine the Xtreme DIRTcar Series champion, who will collect $20,000 from the point fund.

GLENDORA, Calif – AMALIE Motor Oil has extended its title sponsorship of NHRA drag racing’s traditional east coast opener, the AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, in a multi-year agreement.

One of the most legendary races on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series circuit, the AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals is a destination race for fans and drivers alike.

It also traditionally serves as the season opener for the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro Stock Motorcycle category.

“AMALIE Motor Oil is excited to announce the continuation of our title rights sponsorship of the AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals,” said Rick Barkett, “We are fortunate to have one of the premier drag racing events in the world so close to our global headquarters in Tampa, Florida. The 50th anniversary Gatornationals this season was a huge success and we look forward to being an integral part of this great event for many more years.”

AMALIE Motor Oil has been involved in NHRA drag racing across numerous platforms through its presence in NHRA’s contingency program as well as its sponsorship of drivers including Top Fuel pilot Terry McMillen.

This renewal will continue to build upon the partnership and provides AMALIE Motor Oil with opportunities to connect with NHRA fans including product placement, signage, interactive displays, media exposure and more.

“AMALIE Motor Oil is a valued partner to NHRA Championship Drag Racing,” said Brad Gerber, NHRA vice president and chief development officer. “We are extremely happy to continue our relationship with AMALIE Motor Oil as the title sponsor for one of our largest, longest running and most iconic events.”

WINNIPEG, Manitoba -- Winnipeg Jets forward Bryan Little remained hospitalized Wednesday, a day after being struck near the ear by a puck.

Little was skating behind the net midway through the third period in a 2-1 home loss to New Jersey when teammate Nikolaj Ehlers fired a rising slap shot from the point. The puck hit Little on his left side and he fell to the ice, putting his head in his hands as blood dripped.

The Jets said Wednesday that Little was taken to St. Boniface Hospital and needed 25-30 stitches to close a cut, then was transferred to the Health Sciences Centre's neurological unit for further observation.

The team said the 31-year-old center was alert at all times and in good spirits Wednesday morning. Little has two goals and three assists in seven games after sitting out the first nine of the season because of a concussion.

Real Madrid's teenage forward Rodrygo scored a blistering hat-trick as his side pummelled Galatasaray 6-0 at home on Wednesday to take a giant step towards qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages.

The 18-year-old Brazilian put the 13-times European champions ahead in the fourth minute by turning two defenders in the area and firing into the bottom corner to score for the first time in Europe's elite competition.

Rodrygo struck again in the seventh by nodding home a cross from compatriot Marcelo, completing the fastest double in Champions League history.

- Champions League group stage: All you need to know
- ESPN Champions League fantasy: Sign up now!

Real did not ease off after their rampant start and extended their lead in the 13th minute with a typically cheeky 'Panenka' penalty from captain Sergio Ramos.

Karim Benzema netted their fourth on the stroke of halftime, knocking the ball into the net after another thrilling piece of play from Rodrygo.

Benzema struck again from close range in the second half to move on to 50 Champions League goals for his club, moving ahead of Real great Alfredo Di Stefano as the Spanish side's third top scorer in Europe's top competition.

But the night belonged to Rodrygo, who rounded off a dream home European debut at the Santiago Bernabeu by completing his treble in added time, racing towards goal and exchanging passes with Benzema before tapping into the net.

The Brazilian, who became the second-youngest player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League after Real great Raul, was serenaded by the home crowd.

"Hearing the Bernabeu singing my name is a dream come true," Rodrygo said. "I'm so happy, it has been a joyous night but I must try and stay calm."

Benzema, a veteran of great European nights at Real's home, was delighted for his strike partner.

"Rodrygo is only 18 years old but he is fearless. I love to see a young footballer play this way," the Frenchman said.

"We scored six goals and didn't concede any so we are in a party mood tonight."

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane also praised the youngster's performance.

"When he has the chance to play, he plays well and he's done it again," Zidane said. "It doesn't surprise me, we all know the quality he has. He came here to do what he's doing. This is just the beginning. Let's hope he carries on like this. We need to stay calm with him."

Real, who picked up only one point from their first two games in the competition, are second in Group A with seven points from four matches.

Their next opponents Paris Saint-Germain are top with 12, with Club Brugge third on two and Galatasaray bottom on one.

Victory over PSG, who have reached the last 16, would send Real into the knockout stage with a game to spare.

MILAN -- Manchester City produced a chaotic second-half display in a famous old stadium on Wednesday. They cannot afford another on Sunday.

A trip to the San Siro is usually the highlight of any European campaign, but beforehand, this one was reduced to a glorified warmup with Anfield and Liverpool to come in four days' time. That, though, was before Atalanta jolted City during a cavalier second 45 minutes, Gabriel Jesus missed a VAR-awarded penalty, Ederson was substituted at half-time, Claudio Bravo was sent off and Kyle Walker ended the night in goal.

The bare facts are that the game ended 1-1 and City will have to wait to qualify for the knockout rounds. Pep Guardiola, though, had said the best way to get ready for Liverpool was with a polished display here and, in the second half at least, it was far from it.

The sight of Kevin De Bruyne arrowing the ball out of play with Joao Cancelo in acres of space summed up a second-half performance that lacked the usual swagger and spark.

"In the second half we suffered a lot," Guardiola admitted afterwards.

Despite starting the night with a five-point lead at the top of Champions League Group C, he stuck to his word and picked a strong team. Ederson, Fernandinho, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Raheem Sterling and De Bruyne were all asked to start against a team who were demolished 5-1 at the Etihad Stadium just two weeks ago.

With Aymeric Laporte, Leroy Sane, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Rodri injured and Phil Foden suspended, Guardiola could argue he had no one else, but there was still an element of risk given the size the game they face next. If Ederson, forced off at half-time, is not available at Anfield, the gamble will not have paid off: Bravo, sent off for bringing down Josip Ilicic nine minutes from time, has not started a league game since May 2018.

Walker, for his part, kept a clean sheet and was serenaded by the visiting fans at the end with chants of "England's No. 1." The right-back has occasionally taken part in goalkeeping sessions at the City Football Academy.

The result should never have been in doubt beyond the seventh minute.

Atalanta midfielder Remo Freuler joked in his pre-match news conference that City are so good they can thread passes "through your earhole," and while Bernardo's wasn't quite that accurate, it still carved open the home defence for Jesus to flick into Sterling's path. Sterling doesn't often miss these days, and the City fans high up behind Ederson's goal were already celebrating before the ball was casually ushered into the corner with a swing of the winger's right boot. That's 18 in 20 games for club and country this season and five already in the Champions League.

The Italians will be sick of the sight of him after his hat trick in Manchester.

Speaking before the game, Guardiola said he felt his teams have a duty to entertain. Sterling was at the heart of that here in the first half -- as he has been for much of the past 18 months -- but it will be interesting to see if Guardiola takes the same approach against Liverpool.

City have not won at Anfield for 16 years, and last season's meeting on Merseyside turned into a cautious 0-0 draw. Guardiola has already insisted City do not have to win on Sunday if they want to win a third straight title but he cannot afford to lose.

Liverpool have not lost a league match since they were beaten at the Etihad in January, and a nine-point lead for Jurgen Klopp's side would be a significant advantage, even if it is only November.

A City team sent out to attack on Sunday will create chances, but it is the other end of the pitch that will give Guardiola a headache. Fernandinho has barely put a foot wrong since being pressed into action at centre-back, but a front three of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah -- bursting with pace and full of energy -- presents a very specific challenge.

Fernandinho has the tactical intelligence to know, more often than not, where to be, but even that is little help when three red shirts are running at you full pelt. At 34 years old, the Brazilian is not the quickest, and he was forced to take a booking for barging Hans Hateboer when the Atalanta man threatened to race past. The space Alejandro Gomez found on the left to cross for Mario Pasalic to head in the equaliser on 49 minutes will not have gone unnoticed by Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson, either.

"We were not as neat and tidy in the second half," said Guardiola. "We began to tire but credit to Atalanta."

With two more chances to seal their place in the round of 16, City will not live to regret a disappointing, disjointed second half in the San Siro. The same again at Anfield on Sunday will have far greater consequences.

SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Francisco Giants have narrowed their search for a new manager to three finalists, according to multiple reports.

Former Phillies manager Gape Kapler, Astros bench coach Joe Espada and Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro are the final three vying to replace Bruce Bochy.

Giants President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi is taking his time making the hire. He has known since February that Bochy would retire.

Others who had been considered were Dodgers bench coach Bob Geren, Giants coaches Ron Wotus and Hensley Meulens, and Athletics coach Mark Kotsay.

The 44-year-old Kapler was fired Oct. 10 after two seasons in Philadelphia and a 161-163 record. With Bryce Harper their blockbuster acquisition, the Phillies finished 81-81 for their first non-losing season since 2012.

Last week, Espada's Astros lost Game 7 of the World Series to the Washington Nationals. Quatraro and the Rays beat Oakland in the AL wild-card game before losing in a five-game division series to Houston.

Bochy managed the Giants to World Series championships in 2010, '12 and '14. San Francisco went 77-85 in his final year. The club could look quite different heading into 2020 with lefty ace and 2014 World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner among baseball's top free agents.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

NEW YORK -- Two days into the free-agent market, the players' association already is angry at a club.

Union head Tony Clark issued a statement Wednesday in response to remarks attributed to Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos during a conference call with media.

"Every day you get more information. And we've had time to connect with 27 of the clubs -- obviously the Astros and (Nationals) being in the World Series, they were tied up -- but we had a chance to get a sense of what the other clubs are going to look to do in free agency, who might be available in trades," Anthopoulos said, according to the union.

Baseball's labor contract prohibits clubs from acting in concert in free-agent negotiations. The union filed a collusion grievance following the 2017-18 offseason.

"The statements made by Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos call into question the integrity of the entire free-agent system," Clark said in a statement Wednesday. "The clear description of club coordination is egregious, and we have launched an immediate investigation looking into the matter."