Paul Hayward
@paulhayward.bsky.social
Sportswriter at The Observer.
Co-host of the 'How It All Played Out' sports history podcast.
Author of 'England Football - The Biography.'
Co-host of the 'How It All Played Out' sports history podcast.
Author of 'England Football - The Biography.'
Who owns a nation's team?
We all do. In theory.
Which is why England's bazballists need to see in Brisbane - it's not all about them.
My commentary for @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
We all do. In theory.
Which is why England's bazballists need to see in Brisbane - it's not all about them.
My commentary for @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Slavish adherence to Bazball risks disenfranchising England’s fans | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Who owns a nation's team?
We all do. In theory.
Which is why England's bazballists need to see in Brisbane - it's not all about them.
My commentary for @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
We all do. In theory.
Which is why England's bazballists need to see in Brisbane - it's not all about them.
My commentary for @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Have a look. So much good stuff in the new Observer app and website.
The Observer is no longer just a Sunday paper; you can now get a little bit of Sunday every day.
Our new website and app are live, and we’re publishing daily for the first time in 233 years.
Sign up today: https://bit.ly/3M6Okw3
Download our app here: https://bit.ly/4oE3ZAR
Our new website and app are live, and we’re publishing daily for the first time in 233 years.
Sign up today: https://bit.ly/3M6Okw3
Download our app here: https://bit.ly/4oE3ZAR
November 27, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Have a look. So much good stuff in the new Observer app and website.
Reposted by Paul Hayward
A piece from Arsenal in praise of Eberechi Eze, whose hat-trick in the 4-1 win over Spurs felt like a declaration by the Premier League's finest 'reject.'
For @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
For @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Eberechi Eze leads Arsenal's derby rout | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 9:25 PM
A piece from Arsenal in praise of Eberechi Eze, whose hat-trick in the 4-1 win over Spurs felt like a declaration by the Premier League's finest 'reject.'
For @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
For @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
A piece from Arsenal in praise of Eberechi Eze, whose hat-trick in the 4-1 win over Spurs felt like a declaration by the Premier League's finest 'reject.'
For @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
For @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Eberechi Eze leads Arsenal's derby rout | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 9:25 PM
A piece from Arsenal in praise of Eberechi Eze, whose hat-trick in the 4-1 win over Spurs felt like a declaration by the Premier League's finest 'reject.'
For @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
For @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Vicario, the Spurs keeper, took five free-kicks from his own half in the first-half here at Arsenal.
Four were too long and the other was too short.
I would suggest it's not his speciality.
Four were too long and the other was too short.
I would suggest it's not his speciality.
November 23, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Vicario, the Spurs keeper, took five free-kicks from his own half in the first-half here at Arsenal.
Four were too long and the other was too short.
I would suggest it's not his speciality.
Four were too long and the other was too short.
I would suggest it's not his speciality.
For the North London derby, this week's health check is on Arsenal. Team, fans, ownership, money, women's team, stadium and much more...
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
The audit: Arsenal | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 3:12 PM
For the North London derby, this week's health check is on Arsenal. Team, fans, ownership, money, women's team, stadium and much more...
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
The good news is that England are still capable of winning Test matches in Australia if they stop being slaves to an ideology and play the circumstances in front of them.
Can they, will they?
Can they, will they?
Australia 1 An Idea 0
My commentary on England throwing a Test match away in the wrong place at the worst possible time.
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
My commentary on England throwing a Test match away in the wrong place at the worst possible time.
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Ben Stokes’s England just can’t kick their fatal addiction | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 1:36 PM
The good news is that England are still capable of winning Test matches in Australia if they stop being slaves to an ideology and play the circumstances in front of them.
Can they, will they?
Can they, will they?
Australia 1 An Idea 0
My commentary on England throwing a Test match away in the wrong place at the worst possible time.
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
My commentary on England throwing a Test match away in the wrong place at the worst possible time.
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Ben Stokes’s England just can’t kick their fatal addiction | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Australia 1 An Idea 0
My commentary on England throwing a Test match away in the wrong place at the worst possible time.
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
My commentary on England throwing a Test match away in the wrong place at the worst possible time.
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Thursday: most-evenly balanced Ashes series in Australia in recent memory.
Saturday: England lose first Test inside two days.
Saturday: England lose first Test inside two days.
November 22, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Thursday: most-evenly balanced Ashes series in Australia in recent memory.
Saturday: England lose first Test inside two days.
Saturday: England lose first Test inside two days.
The 2026 World Cup's dichotomy between small national qualifying glee and dystopian politics at the top.
My commentary for @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
My commentary for @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
World Cup qualifiers reignited joy of football despite – not thanks to – Fifa | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 8:21 AM
The 2026 World Cup's dichotomy between small national qualifying glee and dystopian politics at the top.
My commentary for @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
My commentary for @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
"He knew nothing about it." America's own intelligence agencies said he knew all about it.
This is how bad it is.
This is how bad it is.
Trump suggests Khashoggi had it coming: "You're mentioning someone that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about. Whether you like him or didn't like him, things happen. But he knew nothing about it. You don't have to embarrass our guest."
November 18, 2025 at 7:46 PM
"He knew nothing about it." America's own intelligence agencies said he knew all about it.
This is how bad it is.
This is how bad it is.
As Barry McGuigan says here, an Anthony Joshua-Jake Paul fight would be incredibly dangerous - unless the whole thing is panto. If Joshua lands properly, Jake Paul's health will be in serious jeopardy.
November 17, 2025 at 10:36 PM
As Barry McGuigan says here, an Anthony Joshua-Jake Paul fight would be incredibly dangerous - unless the whole thing is panto. If Joshua lands properly, Jake Paul's health will be in serious jeopardy.
This is disastrous for marine and wildlife on the south coast. And it's no surprise to see the appalling Southern Water at the centre of it...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Plastic beads spreading on Sussex coast after ‘catastrophic’ spill, meeting told
Local people describe devastating impact of millions of toxic beads from Southern Water site near Camber Sands
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:56 PM
This is disastrous for marine and wildlife on the south coast. And it's no surprise to see the appalling Southern Water at the centre of it...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Paul Hayward
We are devastated to confirm that bio-bead pollution has reached Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. We're working to assess the damage to the precious saltmarsh habitat and plan the clean-up.
Full statement here: https://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/news/bio-bead-pollution-at-rye-harbour-nature-reserve
Full statement here: https://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/news/bio-bead-pollution-at-rye-harbour-nature-reserve
November 14, 2025 at 10:58 AM
We are devastated to confirm that bio-bead pollution has reached Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. We're working to assess the damage to the precious saltmarsh habitat and plan the clean-up.
Full statement here: https://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/news/bio-bead-pollution-at-rye-harbour-nature-reserve
Full statement here: https://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/news/bio-bead-pollution-at-rye-harbour-nature-reserve
Reposted by Paul Hayward
How the lucky ones are fleeing England for the Ashes in Australia - the best sporting holiday money can buy.
My commentary for @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
My commentary for @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Where the heart wants to be: England’s happy Ashes exodus | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 10:32 PM
How the lucky ones are fleeing England for the Ashes in Australia - the best sporting holiday money can buy.
My commentary for @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
My commentary for @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
How the lucky ones are fleeing England for the Ashes in Australia - the best sporting holiday money can buy.
My commentary for @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
My commentary for @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Where the heart wants to be: England’s happy Ashes exodus | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 10:32 PM
How the lucky ones are fleeing England for the Ashes in Australia - the best sporting holiday money can buy.
My commentary for @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
My commentary for @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Why Ukraine, not Roman Abramovich, is the real victim of the three and half year freeze on the Chelsea sale money...
My commentary
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
My commentary
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Roman Abramovich complains about his money, but he is winning, even as a pariah | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Why Ukraine, not Roman Abramovich, is the real victim of the three and half year freeze on the Chelsea sale money...
My commentary
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
My commentary
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Britain in the 21st century...
November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Britain in the 21st century...
As the Ashes approach, this week's 'How It All Played Out' is on the Kerry Packer revolution and how it shaped the cricket we watch now.
By me and @markpougatch.bsky.social
thttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/how-did-a-rebel-circus-transform-the-ashes/id1811806941?i=1000736442011
By me and @markpougatch.bsky.social
thttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/how-did-a-rebel-circus-transform-the-ashes/id1811806941?i=1000736442011
How did a 'rebel circus' transform The Ashes?
Podcast Episode · How It All Played Out · 12/11/2025 · 35m
podcasts.apple.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:22 PM
As the Ashes approach, this week's 'How It All Played Out' is on the Kerry Packer revolution and how it shaped the cricket we watch now.
By me and @markpougatch.bsky.social
thttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/how-did-a-rebel-circus-transform-the-ashes/id1811806941?i=1000736442011
By me and @markpougatch.bsky.social
thttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/how-did-a-rebel-circus-transform-the-ashes/id1811806941?i=1000736442011
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.
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...