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And who has the fastest T20I hundred for India by balls faced?

Steven Lynch23-Jul-2024England reached 50 in 4.2 overs at Trent Bridge, and Ben Duckett got there from just 32 balls. Were either of these fast starts a record? asked Chris Seargent from Australia
England’s rocket-powered start at Trent Bridge – they reached 50 in 4.2 overs, despite losing Zak Crawley for a duck – would appear to be the fastest any team has posted a half-century from the start of a Test. England got there in 4.3 overs in their second innings against South Africa at The Oval in 1994, thanks to Graham Gooch (29 off 16 balls) and Mike Atherton (20 off 14). Note that we don’t have ball-by-ball data for all Tests.Ben Duckett reached 50 at Trent Bridge in just 32 balls, the joint third-fastest half-century for England in Tests after Ian Botham, who got there in 28 against India in Delhi in 1981-82, and Jonny Bairstow, in 30 against New Zealand at Headingley in 2022. Botham also smacked a 32-ball fifty against New Zealand at The Oval in 1986.Duckett’s 50 came up in just 9.1 overs from the start of the match, which again seems to be a record (remember that we don’t have full data for all matches though). Charles Davis, the Melbourne statistician, tells me that Australia’s Justin Langer reached 50 after 9.4 overs against New Zealand in Hobart in 2001-02.England’s team at Trent Bridge had an unfamiliar look. When was the last time England took the field in a Test without Jimmy Anderson or Stuart Broad? asked Peter Huntley from England
The second Test against West Indies at Trent Bridge was only the second time in 17 years that England had gone into a home Test without either Jimmy Anderson or Stuart Broad in the side. The run started in 2007: Anderson did not play in the four-Test series against West Indies in May and June, but he was back in July for the series against India, and then Broad made his debut in December against Sri Lanka in Colombo. After that, the only home Test in which either of them appeared until last week was the rain-affected draw against West Indies at Edgbaston in 2012. The pair did miss quite a few of England’s overseas Tests in this period.Abhishek Sharma hit a century in 46 balls against Zimbabwe recently. Was that India’s fastest in T20s? asked Aparna Mahendra from India
Abhishek Sharma followed a duck on his T20I debut, against Zimbabwe on July 6, with a round 100 in his second match, in Harare the following day.There have been two quicker centuries for India in T20Is, both scored against Sri Lanka. Suryakumar Yadav got there in 45 balls in Rajkot in January 2023, but Rohit Sharma needed only 35 deliveries to hurtle to three figures in Indore in December 2017. KL Rahul also scored a 46-ball century, against West Indies in Lauderhill (USA) in August 2016. For the list of the fastest centuries in T20 internationals – a table headed by a batter from Estonia – click here.Rohit Sharma’s 35-ball hundred is the fastest for India in T20Is, and joint fourth overall•BCCIWhich current county cricketer – an Australian international – is the son of an English tennis player who appeared at Wimbledon? asked Kyle McKenzie from Australia
The answer to this little mystery is the offspinning allrounder Chris Green, who has been playing for Lancashire. He was born in South Africa, but has played one T20I for Australia, against India in Raipur in December 2023.Green has played for various T20 franchises, and first-class cricket for New South Wales and Lancashire. He is no relation to the even taller Australian Test allrounder Cameron Green. His parents, Warren and Lisa, were both professional tennis players. Lisa Gould, as she was then, was one of five British women to reach the second round of the singles at Wimbledon in 1987, a number not matched until 2024, when five ladies made it through again.Unsurprisingly, Green was also a good tennis player in his youth, and eventually had to choose between his two sporting loves. “It was a very tough decision – I could never decide growing up,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald in 2019. “I learnt to walk on a tennis court and then cricket came as a second passion. I think the challenge of individual sports, where you are actually isolated by yourself, can become a little bit consuming. I think I’m definitely more people- and team-oriented than individual-oriented.”Further to last week’s questions about the Lord’s Test and Jimmy Anderson’s farewell, how many people played Tests for longer than his 21 years? asked Jamie Banks from England
The Test career of Jimmy Anderson lasted from May 22, 2003 (against Zimbabwe at Lord’s) to July 12, 2024 (against West Indies, also at Lord’s). That’s a total span of 21 years 51 days, which gives Anderson the 12th-longest Test career of all. And his 188 Tests places him second by appearances, behind only Sachin Tendulkar’s 200.Tendulkar, whose Test career lasted 24 years and one day, is one of those above Anderson for longevity: leading the way is the Yorkshire and England allrounder Wilfred Rhodes, whose 58 Tests spanned almost 31 years, between June 1899 and April 1930.None of those with longer careers than Anderson bowled at any great pace, although Dave Nourse, whose Test career lasted almost 22 years, did occasionally take the new ball for South Africa – including in his last Test, at The Oval in 1924, when he was 45. Imran Khan, who was usually quicker than Anderson, played his first Test in June 1971 and his last in January 1992: he is one of is one of just 18 men who had Test careers longer than 20 years.The only woman whose Test career lasted longer than 20 years is the New Zealander Vera Burt (formerly Robinson). She played against Australia in March 1948 and England a year later, then was recalled after almost 20 years to play her third and final Test, against England in Wellington in February 1969.Shiva Jayaraman of ESPNcricinfo’s stats team helped with some of the above answers.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

Also: where does Jasprit Bumrah’s five-for stand among the best bowling performances in the IPL?

Steven Lynch17-May-2022 I noticed that Gus Logie played 158 ODIs for West Indies, of which 49 were against Pakistan. Is that the highest percentage against a single opponent, given a minimum of 100 matches played? asked Rafay Iqbal from England

You’re right that the diminutive West Indian batsman Gus Logie played 49 of his 158 one-day internationals – 31.01% – against the same opponent, Pakistan. I think it was just an accident of the schedule at the time – it doesn’t seem to be because of any particular proficiency against Pakistan’s bowlers, as Logie’s average of 20.66 against them was lower than those against any of his other seven opponents (apart from Zimbabwe, whose bowlers he only faced twice).Given a minimum of 100 matches, Logie comes in only fifth on the list. On top is his long-time team-mate Michael Holding, whose 102 matches included 35 against Australia (34.31%). This is rather more understandable, as West Indies were regular participants in Australia’s annual triangular one-day tournament in Holding’s time.Chamara Kapugedera of Sri Lanka played 34 of his 102 ODIs against India (exactly a third, or 33.33%); Pakistan legspinner Abdul Qadir had 33 of his 104 matches (31.73%) against West Indies, and 36 of Richard Hadlee’s 115 ODIs for New Zealand came against Australia (31.30%).Where does Jasprit Bumrah’s 5 for 10 come on the list of best bowling performances in the IPL? asked Gautham Singh from India

That stunning spell by Jasprit Bumrah for Mumbai Indians against Kolkata Knight Riders in Navi Mumbai last week was statistically the fifth-best performance in the IPL.The best figures also came for Mumbai: the West Indian seamer Alzarri Joseph claimed 6 for 12 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2019. Remarkably, that was Joseph’s IPL debut: before signing for Gujarat Titans this season, he had played only two other matches; later in 2019 (he sent down five overs, and had 0 for 75). As I write he has 12 wickets from ten games in all in the IPL.The Pakistan seamer Sohail Tanvir took 6 for 14 for Rajasthan Royals against Chennai Super Kings in Jaipur in 2008, while the Australian legspinner Adam Zampa claimed 6 for 19 for Rising Pune Supergiants against Sunrisers in Visakhapatnam in 2016. The only cheaper five-for than Bumrah’s came when Anil Kumble took 5 for 5 for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Rajasthan Royals in Cape Town in 2009.Colin Munro holds the record for the most sixes in a first-class innings: 23 for Auckland vs Central Districts in 2014-15•Hannah Peters/Getty ImagesBen Stokes hit 17 sixes in his first innings of the English season. Was this a record for a county match? asked Dilan Gunasekera from Sri Lanka

That remarkable onslaught by England’s new Test captain, Ben Stokes, for Durham against Worcestershire at New Road did indeed contain a record for the number of sixes in a Championship innings. Stokes’ 161 from 88 balls included 17 sixes – one more than Andrew Symonds hit in his unbeaten 254 for Gloucestershire against Glamorgan in Abergavenny in 1995; Graham Napier also hit 16 for Essex vs Surrey at Whitgift School in 2011.Only four first-class innings have contained more sixes. The New Zealander Colin Munro smote 23 in his 281 for Auckland against Central Districts in Napier in 2014-15, while Shafiqullah Shinwari (200 not out in a total of 299 for 5) clouted 22 for Kabul against Boost in Kunar in Afghanistan in 2018. Bhanuka Rajapaksa (Burgher vs Ports Authority in Colombo in 2018-19) and Najeeb Tarakai (Speen Ghar vs Mis Anaik in Kunar in 2018-19) both hit 19 sixes in an innings. Another Sri Lankan, Oshada Fernando, hit 17 for Chilaw Marians against Colts in Colombo in 2018-19.Was Anya Shrubsole, who retired recently, England’s highest wicket-taker in ODIs? asked Christine Hemingway from England

Anya Shrubsole took 106 wickets in 86 ODIs, putting her fourth for England behind Katherine Brunt (167), Jenny Gunn (136) and Laura Marsh (129). Clare Taylor (102) and Isa Guha (101) also took more than 100 wickets in ODIs for England. Shrubsole’s best performance – both statistically and memorably – was her 6 for 46 to propel England to victory over India at Lord’s in the 2017 World Cup final, an achievement that made her the first woman to feature on the cover of Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack.Overall, Shrubsole lies 20th on the list, with Brunt fifth; a long way clear at the top is India’s Jhulan Goswami, with 252 wickets. Next come Cathryn Fitzpatrick (Australia) and Anisa Mohammed (West Indies), with 180 apiece.Shrubsole also took 102 wickets in T20Is, the most for England (Brunt is next with 98). Four other women have reached 100 wickets; Anisa Mohammed currently leads the way with 125.How many people have captained, kept wicket and opened the batting in the same Test? asked Soham Agarwal from India

Only three men have managed this impressive all-round feat. The first was the old South African captain Percy Sherwell, who did it in seven matches between 1907 and 1910-11. In the first, at Lord’s in 1907, he made 115 in the second innings. In his first Test as captain, against England at home in 1905-06, Sherwell had gone in at No. 11.The others to do all three jobs were Gerry Alexander of West Indies in two Tests in 1958-59, and Pakistan’s Imtiaz Ahmed three times between 1959-60 and 1961-62.The only woman to do it was Australia’s Margaret Jennings, in the last of her eight Tests, against India in Perth in January 1977.Shiva Jayaraman of ESPNcricinfo’s stats team helped with some of the above answers.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

There might still be plenty of the season to go, but West Ham United look like they are in real trouble.

Nuno Espírito Santo was able to get something of a new manager bounce away to Everton, but since then, the team have lost to Arsenal and Brentford and remain in the Premier League relegation zone.

Moreover, while the former is understandable, the performance at home against the Bees was hugely worrying.

Therefore, to ensure the club can arrest their terrible form against Leeds United, Nuno needs to make a number of changes to the team, such as dropping Tomáš Souček.

The changes Nuno needs to make at West Ham

Starting at the back, Nuno needs to replace Kyle Walker-Peters and Oliver Scarles with Aarron Wan-Bissaka and El Hadji Malick Diouf.

The former would offer more protection on the right-hand side, and the latter would add far more explosiveness and ingenuity to the left.

For example, the former Slavia Prague gem already has three league assists to his name in eight games, and the equalising goal against Everton came about because of his brilliant crossing.

There needs to be dramatic changes up top as well, with Lucas Paqueta moving back into the ten position and Callum Wilson starting up top.

The Brazilian was utterly anonymous in the false nine, and while he’s not been in brilliant form this season, he’s still one of the Hammers’ most creative players and therefore has to be somewhere he’ll see more of the ball.

Moreover, with the former Lyon star in the middle, Nuno can move Crysencio Summerville back out to the left.

This should have a significant impact on the side, as while the Flying Dutchman lacks somewhat in terms of actual output, he is an incredibly direct and tricky winger who can move opposition defenders around.

Additionally, with Diouf behind him, the left-hand side could be a seriously productive area of the pitch for the East Londoners.

Finally, Andy Irving has to be dropped in favour of the far more mobile, exciting and technically complete Soungoutou Magassa.

The young Frenchman still has a lot to learn at this level, but unlike the Scotsman, he’s blessed with “pure athleticism” and can “spray passes wide out to the wings” according to respected analyst Ben Mattinson.

With that said, there is one more change Nuno should make to the team – a change that would see him drop Souček.

The West Ham star who should start ahead of Souček

Now, it should be said that while he should be dropped from the starting lineup for the game against Leeds, there is certainly still a space in the squad for Soucek.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

After all, the Czech international is someone you can trust to give his all for the team whenever he’s on the pitch.

However, as was abundantly clear against Brentford, that isn’t enough to be starting anymore, as his dire lack of athleticism is a problem, as is his less-than-impressive passing range.

Therefore, if Nuno wants to help start a new, more exciting and progressive chapter at the club, he should look to start academy gem Freddie Potts alongside Magassa.

It would certainly be a young and relatively inexperienced pairing, but even then, it would be better than what fans have seen so far this season.

For example, Mattinson has described the academy product as a promising midfielder who is “so smooth on the half-turn and composed under pressure.”

On top of that, he is also someone who can get the ball up the pitch quickly for his side, thanks to his impressive “passing range and powerful carrying.”

Finally, while he does lack top-flight experience, the Barking-born ace did incredibly well on loan in the Championship with Portsmouth last season.

He ended up making 38 appearances for the side, of which 36 were starts, scoring one goal, providing four assists, and helping keep the club in the second tier.

Appearances

38

Starts

36

Minutes

3108′

Goals

1

Assists

4

Ultimately, it would be bold, but given how poorly West Ham are performing, Nuno needs to be bold, and therefore, he should start Potts against Leeds.

Nuno can finally drop Paqueta for West Ham teen with "the world at his feet"

With Paqueta playing so poorly, Nuno should do something bold and bring in the exciting West Ham gem.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 22, 2025

Tottenham have made contact with a “complete” young player over a move to the club, with plenty of other clubs providing stiff competition including Scottish giants Rangers.

Tottenham given £100m cash injection

It has been a positive start to life in north London for Thomas Frank, with Spurs performing well overall in the Premier League and sitting third in the table.

Tottenham have now been given a fresh boost, with their owners, Enic, who are run by the Lewis Family Trust, injecting £100m into the club to “further strengthen the club’s financial position and equip the club’s leadership team with additional resources to continue the focus on driving long-term sporting success”.

A source close to Spurs also added: “This is initial additional funding. As the club’s management decides what’s needed to deliver success, more money will be available. The Lewis family is committed to backing the club to be successful.”

This will be music to the ears of the fanbase, who will feel that life after Daniel Levy is going well, and it’s now a case of using the money wisely, potentially on new signings moving forward. One player has now been mentioned as a potential option for the north Londoners.

Tottenham make contact with "complete" winger

Writing on X, journalist Rudy Galetti claimed that Tottenham have made contact with AS Trencin winger Sani Suleiman, looking to beat the likes of Rangers and Bayer Leverkusen to his signature.

Not a lot is known about Suleiman, given his age and where he is currently playing, but he could be an exciting long-term acquisition for Spurs, being capable of shining on both wings. The report does say that he has impressed with his speed, creativity, and ability to impact games.

At just 19, he has already scored 15 goals at senior level, as well as winning three caps for Nigeria’s Under-20s, and Galetti himself has described him as “complete” recently.

It is always important for Spurs to plan for the future, rather than simply focusing on the present, and signing players of Suleiman’s calibre and potential is vital.

Move over Spence: Spurs must unleash "one of the best talents England have"

Frank manages at Tottenham some of England’s finest up-and-coming talent.

2

By
Angus Sinclair

Oct 12, 2025

Granted, it is hard to predict the trajectory of a young player, with so many hurdles to clear in their career, from injuries to consistency, but if Frank and the recruitment team at the club see him as a good option, they need to be trusted.

افتتح منتخب المغرب مشواره في بطولة كأس العرب 2025 بفوز مستحق على منتخب جزر القمر بنتيجة 3-1، في المباراة التي أقيمت ضمن الجولة الأولى لدور المجموعات للنسخة الحالية من البطولة المقامة في قطر.

سجل المنتخب المغربي هدفه الأول مبكرًا في الدقيقة الخامسة، عندما استغل سفيان بوفتيني ركلة ركنية من الجانب الأيسر ليقابلها برأسية رائعة أسكنت الشباك، مانحًا نسور الأطلس بداية قوية في اللقاء.

وعزز طارق تيسودالي تقدم المغرب بعد ست دقائق فقط، مستفيدًا من تسديدة ارتطمت بمدافع جزر القمر لتغير اتجاهها وتدخل المرمى، ليصبح التقدم المغربي هدفين دون رد قبل مرور ربع ساعة من بداية المباراة.

طالع أيضًا | تشكيل منتخب مصر الثاني أمام الكويت في كأس العرب.. شريف يقود الهجوم

وفي الدقيقة الرابعة من الوقت بدل الضائع للشوط الأول، أضاف كريم البركاوي الهدف الثالث بعد متابعة عرضية من الجبهة اليمنى، مسجلاً برأسية مميزة ليختتم الشوط بتفوق كبير للمغرب.

وفي الشوط الثاني، قلص منتخب جزر القمر الفارق في الدقيقة 56، بعدما انطلق زاكواني على الجبهة وسدد عرضية أرضية اصطدمت بمدافع المغرب وسكنت الشباك بالخطأ، ليمنح فريقه بصيص أمل قبل أن يحافظ المغرب على تقدمه حتى نهاية المباراة.

وتضم المجموعة الثانية التي ينافس فيها المنتخب المغربي ومنتخب جزر القمر إلى جانبهما منتخبي السعودية وعمان، حيث يسعى نسور الأطلس لاستمرار الانتصارات لضمان التأهل إلى الأدوار الإقصائية مبكرًا. أهداف مباراة المغرب وجزر القمر في كأس العرب

The New York Yankees may be plotting some changes to the infield.

Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt was seen taking reps at a new position, second base, ahead of the team's game against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday. That could be indicative of a potential test run at the position for the 37-year-old.

With Giancarlo Stanton likely to return from the injured list in the not-too-distant future, New York may be forced to make some adjustments defensively. If Goldschmidt did indeed get some game action at second base, that would suggest Ben Rice, who has served as the team's DH in Stanton's absence, would likely be moved to first base, potentially pushing D.J. LeMahieu to a bench role.

Jazz Chisholm, who played second base in each of his first 29 games this season before missing a month with an oblique injury, returned to the lineup on Tuesday and was slotted in at third base.

Goldschmidt, a longtime first baseman, is in his 15th MLB season and has never played another defensive position in his career. He's made 1,878 starts at first base and 68 as the designated hitter, but has never spent even a single inning at a different position in the field.

The Yankees have not made any indication as to whether Goldschmidt would actually move to second base, but seeing him get some work in at the position prior to Wednesday's game was certainly intriguing.

Manchester United have been known to splash the cash in the transfer market over the last couple of years, with INEOS backing various managers in their quest.

Since the summer of 2022, over £800m has been spent on new additions at Old Trafford, but their spending has failed to catapult them to Premier League glory in recent years.

The Red Devils kept up their spending spree under Ruben Amorim during the recent summer window, with over £200m being spent on new additions to help bolster the squad.

The vast majority of the funds were injected into the attacking department, handing the manager a new infamous trio to help him in his quest for silverware at the Theatre of Dreams.

However, the hierarchy look set to continue their mammoth backing in the months ahead, resulting in numerous big-money talents being touted with transfers for the January window.

United’s hunt for new additions in the January window

With the window rapidly appearing on the horizon, United have already been heavily linked with a move for Nottingham Forest sensation Elliot Anderson this winter.

The Red Devils have been reportedly targeting a move for the 23-year-old, but it could be an expensive one, with Sean Dyche’s men currently demanding £100m for his signature.

Whilst the window is currently closed, it’s not stopped Amorim’s men from making their move, with the club already making contact with his current employers over a potential deal.

However, he’s not the only player in their sights, with Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo another player that is reportedly they’re hunting for in January.

According to one Spanish outlet, Amorim’s men are set to make a €60m (£52m) bid for the Ghanaian international who’s already registered nine goal contributions in the Premier League this season.

Such a report also confirms that the Red Devils see the 25-year-old as a primary target to improve the front line, potentially linking with one talent as a result of his potential transfer.

Why United’s £52m target would be an Mbeumo repeat

During their recent summer spending spree, United forked out a staggering £71m for the services of Bryan Mbeumo, with the attacker joining from fellow Premier League side, Brentford.

Eyebrows were raised about the deal, undoubtedly because of the reported price tag, but a couple of months on, it’s safe to say it’s been a phenomenal piece of business.

The 26-year-old has already scored five times and registered one assist in his first 11 league outings, with such a tally the highest in the current first-team squad.

Within such efforts, numerous of which have been crucial, with the big-money addition scoring in the clash against Liverpool at Anfield – subsequently securing the club’s win at such a ground for the first time in nearly a decade.

However, despite his record, the hierarchy are still targeting attacking reinforcements, which could lead to their pursuit of Semenyo in the months ahead.

The similarities are there for all to see, with both players operating in wide roles, but often wanting to cut inside onto their favoured foot – Semenyo going so from the left, whilst Mbeumo features off the right.

Like the Cameroonian, the Ghanian has been the shining light for a less-established top-flight club, which could see the Cherries star make his own step to a “big six” outfit.

When comparing their respective stats from the ongoing season, Semenyo has managed to outperform him in numerous key areas, showcasing how much of a sensational addition he would be.

The 25-year-old, who’s been labelled “the best winger in the country” by Chris Waddle, has already racked up more combined goals and assists – arguably being a more threatening option in the final third.

How Semenyo & Mbeumo compare in 2025/26

Statistics (per 90)

Semenyo

Mbeumo

Games played

11

11

Goals & assists

9

6

Shot on target accuracy

61%

54%

Successful dribbles

1.9

0.8

Dribble success rate

47%

42%

Duels won

6.6

2.8

Aerials won

2.4

0.2

Possession won in final third

0.9

0.7

Stats via FotMob

His underlying figures also highlight his quality in 2025/26, with Semenyo even registering a higher shot on target accuracy rate – making him a more all-round option in attacking areas.

He’s also completed more dribbles per 90, along with a higher success rate – further highlighting his quality with the ball at his feet, but Semenyo’s talents don’t end there.

The winger has dominated out of possession, winning more duels and more aerial battles, which could make him the perfect option for Amorim at Old Trafford.

£52m would be another huge investment from the hierarchy, but it’s a transfer that would add further firepower to the club’s already potent attacking department.

Given the success of Mbeumo since his own transfer, the hierarchy should be all over a deal for Semenyo, with the forward one of the most in-demand players in the division at present.

Related The new Ronaldo: Man Utd preparing British-record bid for £200m superstar

Manchester United are looking to make further attacking investments after this summer’s spending.

Posts 2 ByAngus Sinclair Nov 17, 2025

Manchester United’s run of three wins in a row came to an end away to Nottingham Forest.

The Red Devils were held 2-2 by Sean Dyche’s side. A late goal ensured that Ruben Amorim’s side will travel back up to Manchester with a point.

It was the Red Devils who took the lead in the first half. United midfielder Casemiro got himself on the scoresheet for a second consecutive game, this time scoring a header from a corner, delivered by Bruno Fernandes.

Despite going into the break 1-0 up, United were soon trailing. Within five minutes of the restart, Forest took the lead. Morgan Gibbs-White headed home a cross from Rob Yates before Nicolo Savona got on the end of a scrap in the penalty box and tapped in from yards out.

It needed something special for United to find an equaliser, and luckily, that was provided to them by Amad. The Ivorian winger sweetly struck a volley from the edge of the area on his left foot, with his first-time effort nestling into the back of the net.

Despite the result, Casemiro’s performance will certainly please Amorim.

Casemiro's performance vs. Forest

Brazil international Casemiro has enjoyed a spectacular rejuvenation under Amorim. Once told to “leave the football before the football leaves you” by Jamie Carragher, United’s number 18 showed at the City Ground why he is such a key player.

After his goal and assist against Brighton last weekend, the experienced midfielder was back in the goals. His header came relatively unchallenged from Fernandes’ corner, although there is a debate as to whether or not a corner was the right decision. It is not clear that the ball went out.

His numbers across the game show how well he played. Casemiro completed 82% of his passes and created an impressive three chances. The former Real Madrid star also won 10 duels and three out of three tackles.

Steven Railston, Red Devils journalist for the Manchester Evening News, gave United’s midfield general a 6/0 for his efforts. He noted the “brilliant” goal and explained that it was his first 90 minutes of the season in the top flight.

Casemiro’s performance was certainly an impressive one. He has been able to turn his career under Amroim around and is now a key player.

However, he is not the only player in that mould who stood out at the City Ground.

Another Man Utd star has revived his career

There were certainly some strong performers in a United shirt despite the fact that they could only manage a draw in Nottingham. Casemiro was, of course, one of those players, and he ended up scoring a crucial goal.

At the other end of the pitch, it was another experienced player who stood out for the Red Devils. Luke Shaw has enjoyed a huge rejuvenation under Amorim this season, too, and his performance against Forest was commanding.

Operating in that left centre-back role once again, the England international was excellent off the ball, winning seven duels from nine attempted. As you would expect from a player with his technical quality, Shaw completed 61 out of 67 passes.

Touches

79

Pass accuracy

91%

Passes completed

61/67

Opposition half passes completed

26/31

Ground duels won

4/5

Aerial duels won

3/4

Tackles won

3/3

One person who saw how well Shaw played against the men in Garibaldi Red was United fan channel host Mark Goldbridge. He said the Red Devils’ number 23 was the “best player on the pitch” in the first half.

That certainly sums up how well the England defender performed at the City Ground. He was excellent off the ball and offered great progression when he had it. After a tough season with injury last year, the United defender has shone in 2025/26.

Shaw has certainly turned his career under Amorim around, becoming a key part of his back three. The game against Forest was a prime example of his class.

Amorim has homegrown Wharton in Man Utd star who had a "meteoric rise"

Manchester United may already have their own version of Adam Wharton at the club.

ByDan Emery Oct 31, 2025

Newcastle United struck victory late on against Fulham to escape from the lower levels of the Premier League and build on the Champions League victory over Benfica, which reminded fans of their attacking quality.

Though injury-hit Fulham proved pests at St. James’ Park on Saturday, nearly escaping with the spoils shared before Bruno Guimaraes’ late goal, slotted smoothly into the net after fine work from substitute William Osula, Benfica were outclassed, and Eddie Howe is beginning to get a tune out of his side.

The Magpies are all about evolution, and the rise of Sandro Tonali and Lewis Miley’s newfound confidence have seen the midfield refashioned, a glimpse of things to come shown over these past few weeks.

But evolution may come at some players’ expense, and Joelinton’s place in the Tyneside engine room is not quite so nailed-on as it once was.

Joelinton's Newcastle future

Joelinton’s is one of the most rousing success stories in the Premier League. Written off after his first couple of seasons in Newcastle as the club’s record signing, the wasteful striker has been repurposed as a physical beast of a midfielder, combining strength and smartness to bulldoze through to the final third.

But the 29-year-old has lacked clarity this season, and Miley’s form at number six and Jacob Murphy’s hints of promise in a dynamic midfield berth suggest the Brazil international may not be quite as indispensable as he once was.

Indeed, United blogger Thomas Hammond has even gone as far as to suggest that Joelinton might have reached “the start of the end”, still as crafty and physical as ever, but undoubtedly the weakest link in a midfield also comprised of Guimaraes and Tonali.

Joelinton has played 11 matches in all competitions this season, and he has only scored twice, both strikes coming against Bradford City in the Carabao Cup.

This is a natural part of any footballer’s career. Joelinton has plied his trade for the club for five years, and he has been an instrumental part of the rise.

But he’s not the only one who might be on borrowed time. In fact, there’s a mainstay who’s been on Tyneside for even longer, and he too is in danger of being replaced.

The Newcastle "legend" on borrowed time

Newcastle have signed some corkers over the past four years, but Howe’s brilliance can be found in the rebirth of several existing stars.

Joelinton is one, while Jacob Murphy is a marvel in polishing his skillset and becoming a purposeful player in a European squad. But Fabian Schar’s rise is just as impressive.

Once hailed as a “walking mistake” by journalist John Gibson, the 33-year-old arrived on a three-year deal from Deportivo La Coruna in 2018 for a nominal fee and ebbed and flowed through those first years on Tyneside.

But he kept working and won Howe over when the English tactician was appointed, not only with 237 total appearances in black and white to his name, but with 21 goals and ten assists and only Guimaraes above him on the outing tally since Howe’s arrival.

Howe’s Most-used Players at Newcastle

Rank

Player

Apps

1

Bruno Guimaraes

164

2

Fabian Schar

160

3

Dan Burn

159

4

Jacob Murphy

145

5

Joelinton

139

Data via Transfermarkt

But for all this experience, Newcastle’s newbies are starting to shine. Take Malick Thiaw, who arrived from AC Milan in a £34m deal this summer and has won Tyneside over with strong and dynamic defensive performances. The 24-year-old exudes composure and style on the ball.

A continuation of these five-star displays may make Schar’s berth in the team somewhat redundant. The Swiss international, after all, had sat through three of his past four available fixtures on the bench before being used as a second-half substitute during the weekend win over Fulham.

For Schar and Dan Burn to have forged such a steely alliance at the back is quite the thing. Below you see the partnership listed among the division’s greatest, and that duo have worked wonders in spite of injuries to the likes of Sven Botman.

As things stand, Schar, hailed as a “true legend of the club” by one Newcastle content creator, is among the list of ageing Newcastle players who face the end of their Toon careers come the close of the campaign.

Howe has rooted his project in the experience and intelligence of his mature squad, but with the likes of Guimaraes and Tonali and Botman all younger but cultured members of the squad, it may be that veterans such as Schar could depart having given so much to the city, and leaving at the right time at that.

Premier League 25/26 – Oldest Average XIs

Club

Players Used

Av. Age

Everton

19

28.0

Aston Villa

23

27.9

Newcastle

21

27.5

Fulham

22

27.5

Burnley

22

27.0

Data via Transfermarkt

Whether the defender pens another extension on his current deal remains to be seen, but there’s no question that his significance in Howe’s squad is diminishing after many years of tireless service.

He is less than two months away from his 34th birthday, and while there’s a sense he could still play a part in Newcastle’s journey, Schar may grow warm to the prospect of trying his hand somewhere new before the autumn years of his career.

like Joelinton, Schar might be on borrowed time, with signs that he is falling from a once-untouchable position in Howe’s line-up. But, as with Joelinton, the Switzerland native has worked so hard over the past several years, and if he is approaching the final stretch, he would leave with his head held high and with silverware in tow.

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Posts ByKelan Sarson Oct 28, 2025

أعلن الألماني هانز فليك، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة قائمة فريقه لمواجهة سيلتا فيجيو ضمن منافسات الدوري الإسباني.

ومن المقرر أن يواجه برشلونة نظيره سيلتا فيجو مساء اليوم، الأحد، في إطار منافسات الجولة الثانية عشر من بطولة الدوري الإسباني “لا ليجا”.

ويستضيف ملعب “بالايدوس” مباراة برشلونة وسيلتا فيجو، والتي من المقرر إذاعتها في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة الحادية عشر بتوقيت مكة المكرمة.

اقرأ أيضًا | تشكيل برشلونة المتوقع أمام سيلتا فيجو اليوم في الدوري الإسباني

ويمتلك برشلونة 25 نقطة في المركز الثالث بشكل مؤقت خلف فياريال الذي لعب مباراة أكثر، في حين أن سيلتا فيجو لديه 13 نقطة في المركز الثالث عشر في الوقت الحالي، في جدول ترتيب الدوري الإسباني.

ويأمل برشلونة في تحقيق الفوز على سيلتا فيجو من أجل صُنع دفعة إيجابية قبل الدخول في فترة التوقف الدولي المقبل.

وشهدت القائمة عودة المدافع الدنماركي أندرياس كريستنسن، من الإصابة لأول مرة منذ فترة طويلة، لكن لا تزال مشاركته محل شك.

ويستمر غياب كل من بيدري وجافي وخوان جارسيا ومارك أندريه تير شتيجن ورافينها عن التواجد ضمن قائمة برشلونة. قائمة برشلونة لمباراة سيلتا فيجو في الدوري الإسباني

في حراسة المرمى: فوتشيك تشيزني – كوشين – إدير ألير.

في خط الدفاع: جول كوندي – بالدي – رونالدو أراوخو – باو كوبارسي – أندرياس كريستنسن – جيرارد مارتن – إريك جارسيا – تشافي إسبارت.

في خط الوسط: فيرمين لوبيز – كاسادو – داني أولمو – فرينكي دي يونج – بيرنال – درو فرنانديز.

في خط الهجوم: فيران توريس – روبرت ليفاندوفسكي – ماركوس راشفورد – لامين يامال – روني باردجي.

✈️ 𝗦𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗗 𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧 #𝗖𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗮𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗰̧𝗮 pic.twitter.com/fUYqfbhjNZ — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 9, 2025