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Opener’s career best helps Middlesex reel in 388 target – the highest successful List A run chase in England as Alex Lees, David Bedingham tons go in vain

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay13-Aug-2025Opener Sam Robson’s stunning career best 169 not out off 139 balls helped Middlesex chase 388 – the highest ever successful List A run chase in England – to beat Durham by five wickets in a thrilling Metro Bank One Day Cup clash at the Banks Homes Riverside.Durham pair Alex Lees and David Bedingham hit contrasting centuries in their imposing 387 for 4. Having been inserted, it was the county’s highest ever home total in this format.Captain and opener Lees batted through for 138 not out off 132 balls and South African Bedingham blazed 107 off 67 with eight sixes. But it wasn’t enough to prevent a second defeat in four Group B matches.Robson, like Lees, batted with controlled aggression and was the cornerstone of a remarkable chase in perfect batting conditions, achieved in 48 overs. Middlesex won their second game in three to boost hopes of a top-three finish.A handful of counties have posted higher second-innings totals in List A matches, but no one had bettered Worcestershire’s successful pursuit of 377 to beat Leicestershire at New Road in 2018. Until today.Both teams lost a wicket in their first over.New-ball seamer Toby Roland-Jones bowled Emilio Gay for a golden duck with a beauty two balls into a sun-soaked contest. He was the day’s standout bowler with 1 for 43 from 10 overs.Much to the bemusement of representatives from both counties, India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal sat in Durham’s fan zone prior to the game.Leg-side dominant, Lees hit his two sixes over midwicket and wide long-on and shared 141 for the second wicket with in-form Will Rhodes from 1 for 1 in the opening over. Rhodes contributed a well-paced 63.While Lees became the first Durham player to score centuries in the County Championship, T20 Blast and One Day Cup in the same season, Bedingham was much more aggressive – vicious on the pull and down the ground.Lees was on 71 when Bedingham came to the crease, and there was a brief moment when the South African could have reached his hundred first. However, Lees got there off 106 balls, followed by Bedingham’s off 65.Luke Hollman took a superb catch at long-on to help teenaged seamer Jamie Feldman remove Bedingham at 289 for 3 in the 42nd over, though both sides were loose in the field.Colin Ackermann crashed 53 off 27 balls to give Durham the advantage at halfway.However, Middlesex responded in kind en-route to their highest List A total.Joe Cracknell was caught behind down leg pulling at Ben Raine.But, from 2 for 1, Robson and Josh De Caires advanced in dynamic fashion by sharing 120 inside 16 overs. The latter had contributed 63 off 48 balls when he was caught behind reverse sweeping against George Drissell’s off-spin.Middlesex reached 200 for 3 after 28 overs, by which time Durham’s new fast-bowling signing Archie Bailey had uprooted the middle stump of captain Ben Geddes for 24.Former England Test opener Robson, aged 36, was strong on both sides of the wicket without hitting a six until his side neared 300.The right-hander reached his fourth career century off 89 balls, by which time Middlesex were 237 for 3 in the 33rd over. Robson was in the midst of a 114 partnership with Jack Davies. Bailey bowled Davies for 61 off 42, at 280 for 4 in the 37th over, but Robson ploughed on.With 10 overs left, Middlesex needed 78, with Hollman now a helping hand. He contributed 47 to a near match-sealing partnership of 103 with Robson, who hit 19 fours and two sixes to record his county’s second-highest List A individual score.

Football is a fickle game, but the feel-good factor has certainly returned to Manchester United in recent weeks, with Ruben Amorim’s men now in the midst of a rare three-game winning run in the Premier League.

While the prior win at Anfield may have been the cliched ‘statement’ performance, the subsequent display against Brighton provided even greater reason for encouragement.

Like the red arrows – or Sir Alex Ferguson’s beloved geese – United swarmed the Seagulls on Saturday night, with the frontline, in particular, simply proving too hot to handle.

This much-debated 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 set-up has no doubt had its critics, but the weekend triumph showcased what it can look like in full flow, with so many avenues available to hurt the opposition.

If it’s not Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha, it’s Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro making an impact, with even the high press of the backline working to emphatic effect amid Luke Shaw’s involvement in the opening two goals.

Where Amorim’s machine currently looks at its best, however, is on the right flank, making it all the more troubling that the Portuguese will soon be without the dynamic duo of Amad and Bryan Mbeumo.

How many games Amad and Mbeumo could miss due to AFCON

There was a moment on the opening weekend that seemed to illustrate everything wrong with Amorim’s approach, with the left-footed pair of Amad and Mbeumo getting in each other’s way inside the area against Arsenal.

With both men looking to come in onto their favoured left foot, they had been occupying the same areas in the early weeks of the season. That has all changed since Sunderland, however.

There were shades of Yorke and Cole about the two men against the Black Cats, while they also combined again to devastating effect against Liverpool, with opposite number Milos Kerkez enduring a torrid day at the office.

As Amad has himself spoken of, there is a fluidity emerging regarding United’s right-sided duo, with the pair comfortable alternating between a no.10 or right wing-back berth mid-game.

Mbeumo, signed for a total fee of £71m this summer, now boasts five goals already for the Red Devils, while Amad has created two ‘big chances’ and provided one assist in the Premier League thus far, as per Sofascore.

Frustratingly, this developing partnership is set to be halted in the near future, with the upcoming African Cup of Nations set to kick off on 21 December. Amad and Mbeumo will be representing Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroon, respectively.

While festive fixtures are yet to be totally confirmed by broadcasters, United currently face Aston Villa (21st), Newcastle United (27th) and Wolverhampton Wanderers (30th) in late December, with further fixtures at risk in January should their nations progress.

Possible games without Amad & Mbeumo
Opponent	Provisional date
Bournemouth	15th December
Aston Villa	21st December
Newcastle*	27 December
Wolves*	30th December
Leeds	3rd Jan
Burnley	7th Jan
FA Cup 3rd round	10th Jan
Man City	17th Jan
*look certain to miss

There should be no pressure applied for the pair to forego their international commitments, however, with Amorim and co instead needing to find international solutions to help fill that double-barreled void.

How Man Utd can replace Mbeumo and Amad

As per journalist Samuel Luckhurst, the impending departure of the two widemen will likely see United block potential January exits, with the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee having been tipped to depart in the New Year.

In truth, the club’s attacking options are light as it is following the summer exits of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Antony, with Amorim unable to afford his frontline getting any weaker.

Thankfully, an obvious solution to the Mbeumo absence would be Mason Mount, with the Englishman – who was named on the bench last time out – comfortable either in a left-sided or right-sided number ten role.

That would then leave Cunha and Sesko to complete the attacking trio, with the likes of Zirkzee and Mainoo in reserve – while a surprise chance could emerge for academy sensation, Shea Lacey.

If Amorim is looking for a more natural replacement for either Mbeumo or Amad, however, it might be Patrick Dorgu who he turns to, with the left footer able to provide another “explosive” presence down the right flank – as U23 scout Antonio Mango has described him.

While predominantly deployed on the left flank following his January arrival from Leece, the young Dane has been ousted from that role of late, with Diogo Dalot slotting in at left wing-back in each of the last three victories.

It would seem bizarre to have a right-footer on the left, and a left-footer on the right, although that approach is working currently, ensuring Dorgu might be the man to fill that Amad-Mbeumo-shaped hole.

Indeed, prior to moving to Manchester, the versatile 21-year-old had regularly lined up as a right winger in Italy, with three of his five Serie A goals coming from a right-wing or right midfield berth, as per Transfermarkt.

An impressive ball carrier, like Amad and Mbeumo, Dorgu currently ranks in the top 7% of full-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive carriers per 90, as per FBref, as well as in the top 5% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 – highlighting his willingness to get forward.

Too often, the £30m signing produces a wayward attempt when cutting onto his right foot from the left, with there the chance that he might well benefit from being able to cut in onto his preferred foot instead from the opposite flank.

Noted as a statistically similar player to Amad in this season’s Premier League, as per FBref, Dorgu might well be the man to replace the Ivorian in something of a new role, having only featured on the right a handful of times to date under Amorim – namely on debut against Leicester City.

The ten-cap Denmark international will have big shoes to fill over the Christmas period, but he might just be the international solution that Amorim is in need of.

Not Cunha or Mbeumo: Man Utd gem is becoming one of the "best in the world"

Manchester United have yet another world-class star on their hands under Ruben Amorim.

2

By
Ethan Lamb

Oct 30, 2025

Aston Villa have now submitted a concrete bid for a “great dribbler” who’s “keen” on a move to Villa Park.

Villa stepping up pursuit of new forward

Despite a disastrous start to the Premier League season, failing to score in their opening four games, Villa have now emerged as potential title contenders, moving just three points behind leaders Arsenal after the 2-1 victory against Mikel Arteta’s side last time out.

Unai Emery has played down suggestions his side could mount a title push, however, saying: “I know 38 matches is very difficult. We are not a contender. If we were in game 35, perhaps we can speak differently.”

Danny Murphy has also pointed out another reason the Villans may not be able to compete with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City, saying: “I don’t see them as title contenders, only because of a lack of strength in depth. But their best XI can beat anybody.”

With the January transfer window now on the horizon, however, Emery will be presented with the opportunity to increase his squad depth, and a new forward is of interest, with Strasbourg’s Joaquin Panichelli, Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee and Bologna’s Santiago Castro emerging as targets.

According to a report from Bolavip (via Sport Witness), Aston Villa have also submitted an offer worth for Gremio forward Alysson Edward, having scouted him on a number of occasions this year.

Gremio are set to decide whether to accept the bid in the coming days, and the offer is now with Gremio’s new president, Odorico Roman.

Fabrizio Romano has also taken to X to confirm that a €12m (£10m) fee has been proposed, with the Brazilian eager to make the move to Villa Park.

"Great dribbler" Alysson showing promising signs in Brazil

Journalist Bence Bocsak has made it clear he is an admirer of the 19-year-old, saying: “Big fan of him. Still raw but he’s a very progressive player and a great dribbler. Has the tools to go far.”

Not only is the teenager a strong dribbler, but he is also a well-rounded winger, averaging 2.46 tackles per 90 over the past year, and 0.84 interceptions, placing him in the 96th and 93rd percentile, compared to other attacking midfielders and wingers.

The only thing the Gremio star may need to improve is his end product, having only chipped in with one goal and two assists in 41 matches for Gremio.

Emery's a fan: Aston Villa willing to make mega-money bid for £52m "baller"

The Villans are lining up a winter move for a new midfielder.

ByDominic Lund 5 days ago

Alysson could be one for the future, and a £10m deal wouldn’t break the bank, but with Aston Villa potentially in a title race, it may be better to bring in a more experienced forward next month, considering Ollie Watkins is on just three goals in all competitions.

The Premier League is the most watched league on the planet and home to the greatest players in the world.

Mohamed Salah cemented himself as one of the best wingers of all time last season, picking up the PFA Player of the Year award for a record third time. But who is the best player in the English top flight right now?

Ranking factors Current form Importance to team Reputation and honours 50-41

50. Samuel Chukwueze

Fulham

49. Ruben Dias

Man City

48. Omar Alderete

Sunderland

47. Ollie Watkins

Aston Villa

46. Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool

45. Yankuba Minteh

Brighton

44. Ismaila Sarr

Crystal Palace

43. Gianluigi Donnarumma

Man City

42. Ruben Dias

Man City

41. Jan Paul van Hecke

Brighton

40. Josko Gvardiol

Man City

The notable fallers this week, understandably, include two Liverpool players. Salah has gone from being the best player in the top-flight to someone Arne Slot can afford to drop. The Egyptian falls out of the top 50 after a week in which he claimed the club had “thrown him under the bus”. He has been on the bench in the last three games and will be off to AFCON soon.

Times are also tough for centre-back Virgil van Dijk, who looks a shadow of his former self in defence. Against Sunderland in their 1-1 draw, he allowed Chemsdine Talbi the freedom of Anfield to get his shot away. The forward’s effort deflected off Van Dijk and flew into the net. It was a moment that summed up the Dutchman’s campaign, later going on to concede three against Leeds as well.

40-31

40. Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Leeds

39. Lewis Hall

Newcastle

38. Iliman Ndiaye

Everton

37. Martin Zubimendi

Arsenal

36. Sandro Tonali

Newcastle

35. Malick Thiaw

Newcastle

34. Jeremy Doku

Man City

33. Riccardo Calafiori

Arsenal

32. Bryan Mbeumo

Man Utd

31. Granit Xhaka

Sunderland

Dominic Calvert-Lewin deservedly shoots up the rankings this week. He has struggled to find his form in recent years but has now scored in three successive games for Leeds. Has Daniel Farke finally found someone capable of saving them from relegation?

Newcastle defenders Malick Thiaw – a scorer of two goals a weekend prior – and Lewis Hall both feature inside the top 40.

30-21

30. Pedro Neto

Chelsea

29. Nico O’Reilly

Man City

28. Rayan Cherki

Man City

27. Matty Cash

Aston Villa

26. Jack Grealish

Everton

25. Dominik Szoboszlai

Liverpool

24. Enzo Fernandez

Chelsea

23. Nick Woltemade

Newcastle

22. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Everton

21. Antoine Semenyo

Bournemouth

Antoine Semenyo is one of the biggest fallers in recent weeks. During the opening months of the term, the Cherries winger looked like one of the best players in the league. Now, however, he’s failed to register a goal involvement across his last seven matches.

Elsewhere, Nico O’Reilly soars up the rankings following an impressive few weeks for Manchester City while Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is into the top 30 having netted three goals in his last four games.

20-11

20. Jean-Philippe Mateta

Crystal Palace

19. David Raya

Arsenal

18. William Saliba

Arsenal

17. Morgan Rogers

Aston Villa

16. Eberechi Eze

Arsenal

15. Gabriel Magalhaes

Arsenal

14. Daniel Munoz

Crystal Palace

13. Bukayo Saka

Arsenal

12. Elliot Anderson

Nottingham Forest

11. Mikel Merino

Arsenal

The most underrated player in world football right now is quite possibly Mikel Merino. Mikel Arteta has transformed the Spaniard from a duel-winning monster in midfield to an elite number 9. He has scored vital headers against Chelsea and Brentford across recent game weeks and features inside the top 20.

It’s been a trickier few weeks for the Gunners, hence why the likes of Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes have both dropped out of the top ten.

10 Marc Guehi – Crystal Palace

Denied his move to Liverpool in the summer, Guehi has responded in emphatic fashion at Crystal Palace. He’s one of the finest centre-backs in the country and has even added goals to his game this term, scoring that last-gasp winner against Fulham last weekend.

9 Bruno Guimaraes – Newcastle

There are not many more influential midfielders or captains in the Premier League right now than Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes. He scored from a corner against Burnley last weekend, only cementing himself as a true icon at St James’ Park.

8 Jurrien Timber – Arsenal

Is there a better right-back in world football right now than Timber? We don’t think so. The Netherlands international has made Arsenal’s right flank his own and has been tremendous across the last few weeks, notably registering an assist in the Gunners’ big win against Spurs and then even filling in at centre-half against Brentford and Aston Villa.

7 Moises Caicedo – Chelsea

Caicedo may well have been sent off for a late challenge on Merino during Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with the Gunners but he’s still very much one of the best in the division. Red card aside, he has been phenomenal in 2025/26.

6 Igor Thiago – Brentford

Only second to Erling Haaland in the Premier League’s scoring charts, Igor Thiago is enjoying quite the season as Keith Andrews’ leading man. He has scored nine goals in his last ten outings for the Bees.

5 Reece James – Chelsea

All of the talk this season has been about how good Declan Rice and Caicedo are but James has more than proven he’s a match for both players in midfield. delivering a man of the match performance against Arsenal a few weeks ago.

4 Phil Foden – Manchester City

When Phil Foden is on, he is on it. The 2023/24 Premier League Player of the Year had a quiet campaign by his standards in 2024/25 but he’s finally rediscovering his mojo. Foden scored a brace against Leeds United and Fulham before finding the net versus Sunderland last weekend.

3 Bruno Fernandes – Man United

Put a little quality around him and suddenly you see the real Bruno. The United skipper has easily been one of the finest assets in the top-flight this term and his performance against Wolves proved it. During that game he scored twice and also registered an assist as Ruben Amorim’s side won 4-1 at Molineux.

2 Erling Haaland – Man City

While the fierce Norwegian has blanked in recent matches against Newcastle, Leeds and Sunderland, he did score in that ridiculous 5-4 win over Fulham, also assisting twice. Haaland is absolutely unstoppable and is on track to obliterate the record for goals in a 38-game Premier League season.

1 Declan Rice – Arsenal

Adding end product to his game over the last 12 months, Rice is perhaps the standout midfielder in world football at present. Adding another assist to his tally against Tottenham, Arsenal’s number 41 dominated proceedings in the North London derby and his partnership with Martin Zubimendi looks virtually unplayable.

Never mind the context of World Cups or Ashes, just let the good times roll in chilly Christchurch

Alan Gardner17-Oct-20252:42

What can England learn from their New Zealand white ball tour?

Big picture: Road to the Ashes World CupVery rarely does the international schedule seem to fit together in any logical way, but the next two weeks of bilateral white-ball competition should suit both England and New Zealand down to a tee (and not just because of the plentiful opportunities for golf).It’s true that for England, this tour comes hard on the heels of a long home summer and with a much-anticipated Ashes campaign looming in the background. But having already done their team-bonding thing down in Queenstown, the prospect of easing into the southern summer with some guilt-free tonking around some of world cricket’s more scenic venues should be right up their street – not least because of the local knowhow provided by Brendon McCullum, Jeetan Patel and Tim Southee.New Zealand, meanwhile, can look forward to bumper crowds – Saturday’s first T20I at Hagley Oval is already sold out – for what is otherwise an off-peak time of the season; so early in spring that the domestic programme hasn’t even got underway yet. Having made a bit of a false start against Australia earlier in the month, it’s also a good opportunity to try to get back on track with their T20 World Cup preparations.Related

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Williamson to miss England T20Is, targets return for ODIs

Switch Hit: Black Caps and Pat's back knack

Quality trumps context as England, New Zealand prepare for early-season showdown

On that front, Mitch Santner returns after abdominal surgery and will retake the reins from Michael Bracewell. New Zealand are unbeaten in bilateral series since Santner was made permanent white-ball captain last December, and have plenty of T20I cricket to come – including five-game match-ups against West Indies (at home) and India (away) as they build into the World Cup.England are also led by a new-ish captain, with Harry Brook back from a mini-break (during which he also got engaged) that saw him miss last month’s trip to Ireland. No one in the touring party can avoid the pre-Ashes rumbling – Brook is fully aware of priorities for the winter – but this series will provide vital game time for a T20I side that is still coming together, with a three-match series in Sri Lanka their only other outing before the World Cup. Never mind whether Jacob Bethell can stake a claim for the Test No. 3 spot, Tom Banton has a T20 finisher role to nail down.Somehow, for the next three games, we have both context aplenty and the sense that this is a bit of a free hit. What’s not to like?Form guideNew Zealand LLWWW (last five T20Is, most recent first)
England WWWLWHarry Brook takes part in a traditional welcoming ceremony•Getty ImagesIn the spotlight: Jacob Duffy and Phil SaltJacob Duffy has had a phenomenal 12 months in T20I cricket for New Zealand, taking 30 wickets at an average of 12.76, and rising to the top of the ICC bowler standings (he currently sits in fifth). A tall right-arm seamer who is fast enough and has all the tools you need, 31-year-old Duffy is the epitome of under-the-radar New Zealand excellence. Alongside Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson, he could provide the sort of Test-match examination in seamer-friendly conditions that may start English minds casting ahead to the Ashes (perish the thought).Phil Salt has proven over and again that he is a T20 gun, ending the English summer in record-breaking form (having begun it out of the side while on paternity leave). His fourth T20I hundred underpinned England’s mahoosive 304 for 2 against South Africa last month, and there is every chance that he could cause similar havoc on his first outing in New Zealand, where the boundaries tend to be small and the wind a useful aid to hitting. After all, the man is bound to have done his research.Team news: Santner and Ravindra fitNew Zealand have confirmed the return of both Santner and Rachin Ravindra to the XI after both missed the Australia series with injury. Devon Conway, Zak Foulkes and Bevon Jacobs are the squad members to sit this one out.New Zealand: 1 Tim Seifert (wk), 2 Rachin Ravindra, 3 Tim Robinson, 4 Mark Chapman, 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Michael Bracewell, 7 James Neesham, 8 Mitchell Santner (capt), 9 Kyle Jamieson, 10 Matt Henry, 11 Jacob DuffyEngland named their team more than 48 hours in advance, with Brook back and Jordan Cox dropping down to take on a finisher role in the absence of Will Jacks. The presence of Sam Curran and Bethell in the top seven means England can call on three seamers and three spinners. Zak Crawley is with the squad but must wait for a T20I debut.England: 1 Phil Salt, 2 Jos Buttler (wk), 3 Jacob Bethell, 4 Harry Brook (capt), 5 Tom Banton, 6 Sam Curran, 7 Jordan Cox, 8 Brydon Carse, 9 Liam Dawson, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Luke WoodPitch and conditions: Wrap up warmConditions are likely to be fresh this early in the New Zealand spring, with extra layers needed for a game under floodlights. Seamers have tended to prosper at Hagley Oval – Santner termed it a “spinners’ graveyard”. As well as a chilly breeze, there might also be some rain around to contend with.Stats and trivia England have previously played three bilateral T20I series in New Zealand, and won all of them. Their last trip came a few months after the 2019 ODI World Cup final and featured a tied game at Eden Park, with England again winning the Super Over. Since the last T20 World Cup, New Zealand have won 12 and lost five – their only series defeat a 2-0 loss to Australia earlier this month. Jos Buttler is 164 runs away from becoming the fourth man to score 4000 in T20Is. Brook is 84 shy of 1000 T20I runs; Jimmy Neesham needs another 20.Quotes”Some wins would be nice. It’s the start of a bit of a nice build-up for us: England, West Indies, India away before the World Cup. But first things first we want to win a series in front of our own fans here in Christchurch.”
“We’ve got a great opportunity here against a very strong side to go out there and try and capitalise on the momentum we’ve already made. The last game we played together as a full group, we got 300.”

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has a chance to recalibrate now that the Premier League has put the brakes on for the November international break.

It has not been good enough this season. Ahead of the latest pause, Newcastle needed to get something from their trip to the Gtech. It didn’t happen, and Keith Andrews’ side emerged 3-1 victors and with Dan Burn sent off to boot.

The truth is that the Magpies need a reset. It was always going to be tough to match the form of last season, with Sandro Tonali and Alexander Isak charging an incredible winter winning run that led to triumph in the Carabao Cup. Isak has been sold, and the summer transfer window was a turbulent one.

Everton

13th

28.0

Aston Villa

6th

27.9

Newcastle

14th

27.6

Fulham

15th

27.6

Burnley

17th

27.1

But United are getting old. Too many starters this season ripened some time ago, and in this, Howe must work toward developing further the younger members of his squad.

Newcastle must promote their future

Newcastle might have a somewhat elderly Premier League squad, but that’s not to say they lack up-and-coming stars.

For example, injuries have kept Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall on the sidelines for much of the campaign. 22 and 21 respectively, the dynamic full-backs will be integral to the rekindling of Howe’s system. Last season, Alice Talks Footy hailed Hall as “the best left-back in the league”, and his fellow Cobham graduate as a “super impressive” up-and-comer.

Likewise, Lewis Miley has shown signs of development this season, growing into his skin in central midfield. The Geordie talent has impressed alongside Tonali and the all-action skipper, Bruno Guimaraes, and he could end up replacing a teammate in Joelinton, who has flattered to deceive at times this term.

Has the 29-year-old Joelinton exhausted his physicality? Undoubtedly, the Brazilian is missing some of his usual sharpness and intelligence in the middle of the park.

25/26

1.4

4.2

24/25

2.0

5.7

23/24

2.0

4.9

22/23

2.2

7.0

21/22

2.1

6.9

20/21

1.1

6.0

19/20

0.9

7.5

Joelinton has played so much football at Newcastle, no holds barred, that it’s understandable he might be slowly winding down.

However, there’s another Toon star whose form this season has been more concerning, for they have yet to reach their prime, and there is a worry that so many injuries have knocked this talent too far out of kilter.

"The future of this club" is now struggling

Newcastle have always been resilient and organised under Howe’s wing, and even amid the frustration of wretched away form this term, Newcastle’s xGA (expected goals against) total stands at just 11.1 in the Premier League, a more impressive figure than all in the division save for Manchester City and Arsenal.

But, even so, improvements need to be made in central defence, and the form of Sven Botman is admittedly becoming a concern for Howe as he waits for his star man at the rear to click into gear.

Sports writer Joel Bland actually commented on Botman’s “embarrassing” effort to clear one of Brentford’s notorious long throws at the weekend. The ball was cannoned in after the interval, Newcastle one goal to the good after Harvey Barnes’ first-half finish, but Botman’s tame clearance allowed Kevin Schade to nod home from close range.

You might call it a schoolboy error. When dealing with aerial danger, it is well-known to sweep the ball away, not divert it cross-box and into the melee.

In this, Botman failed in his duties, and newspaper Chronicle Live saw it fit to brand the centre-half with a 3/10 match rating, having been ragdolled by Igor Thiago all afternoon besides.

Botman needs to recover his former level of security and completeness at the back. He was redoubtable in front of Nick Pope in 2022/23, his debut year in England, keeping 11 clean sheets and conceding only 33 goals all season, the joint-best record, shared with champions Manchester City.

It was only at the start of the current campaign that Bruno described the Netherlands star as being “the future of this club”, along with Malick Thiaw, who swapped AC Milan for St. James’ Park in a package worth around £35m this summer.

But Thiaw has outperformed his counterpart this season, and that having suffered regular injury issues of his own in Italy over the past several years. With Botman having spent plenty of time in the thick of the Premier League action this term, having started seven matches in a row, he should be sharper and more commanding at this point.

The fact that this is not the case is bound to be on Howe’s mind, though the manager may feel that the reintegration of Hall on the left side of the backline could smooth out some creases and allow Botman to connect with a more natural wide fit that Burn, whose industriousness can only stretch so far.

This all comes with the addendum that Botman has indeed been ravaged by injuries in recent years, stripped bare by setbacks after that tremendous debut campaign in England’s north east.

It is only natural he would take some time to rebuild himself to that one-time level, but Newcastle need quick results if they are to shape this campaign, and the £90k-per-week defender has entered the penultimate year of his contract, and he will need to convince PIF that they would be foolish not to extend his career on Tyneside.

But the Dutchman needs to improve – fast. His form has slumped in recent weeks, and he is paling in comparison to Thiaw beside him, the summer recruit very quickly establishing himself as the cream of Newcastle’s defensive crop.

As bad as Botman: Howe must drop Newcastle dud who lost the ball 20x v Bees

Newcastle United had another away day to forget in the Premier League when losing 3-1 versus Brentford.

2 ByKelan Sarson Nov 10, 2025

Manchester United’s recent showing against Nottingham Forest may have ended their three-game winning run, but their 2-2 draw did extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League.

Ruben Amorim’s side are now over a month unbeaten and finally starting to show glimpses of a side who are capable of battling at the top end of the table once again.

The 40-year-old’s 3-4-2-1 system is finally starting to come good, with the Red Devils fanbase finally having a reason to be excited after numerous months of disappointment on the pitch.

The £200m investment during the summer transfer window shows the hierarchy’s backing of the manager, with the additions making an immediate impact at Old Trafford.

One of whom managed to impress once again at the City Ground, subsequently matching the levels produced by one of his compatriots, who also caught the eye against Sean Dyche’s men.

Casemiro & Cunha’s impressive displays against Forest

Matheus Cunha was just one of United’s big-money additions during the summer window, arriving in a £62.5m deal from fellow Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers.

He’s since made himself a regular starter, once again impressing for the Red Devils, as seen by his underlying stats in the draw against Forest yesterday afternoon.

The Brazilian completed three dribbles, won five fouls and came out on top in 11 duels – with all three of the aforementioned tallies the highest of any player on the pitch.

Cunha was unable to get on the scoresheet, but the same can’t be said for compatriot Casemiro, who once again managed to impress during his revival at Old Trafford.

The 33-year-old scored his third league goal of the campaign, leaping highest from Bruno Fernandes’ corner to give the Red Devils a 1-0 lead against Dyche’s men.

Despite his defensive midfield role, he created three chances for his teammates, also making 11 passes into the final third whilst completing 100% of his dribbles – in what was an all-round phenomenal showing.

Out of possession, the experienced star was just as impressive, winning three tackles and making eight recoveries – tallies which have made him a key man under Amorim once again.

Despite the showing from the aforementioned duo, one other first-team member once again managed to catch the eye, with such a display cementing himself as one of the world’s best.

The United star who’s becoming one of the best in the world

As previously mentioned, central midfielder Fernandes once again managed to pop up with a key assist – taking his tally to four goal contributions across all competitions in 2025/26.

The Portuguese international still posed a huge threat going forward despite operating in a deeper role – creating four chances in the first half, the most of any player on the pitch.

However, as a result of dropping deeper, he’s now able to dictate the play more, as seen by his tally of 65 passes completed yesterday – also the highest tally of any player in Nottingham yesterday.

Over recent weeks, Amorim has been able to build an established starting eleven – even being unchanged in the last two outings – which has no doubt aided the recent upturn in form.

His formation has allowed for numerous players to become first-team regulars and take their careers to the next level in recent months – as seen by Amad Diallo’s upturn in form in Manchester over the last 12 months.

The Ivorian often struggled to nail down a consistent starting role under Erik ten Hag, but he’s now arguably one of the first names on Amorim’s teamsheet.

He’s had to feature in a somewhat unfamiliar right-wing-back role in the last 12 months, but the 23-year-old has since taken to the position like a duck to water.

Amad has notched 22 combined goals and assists in the last year under Amorim, with his latest strike coming late on in Saturday’s 2-2 draw in the East Midlands.

He found himself unmarked on the edge of the 18-yard box after a clearance from a corner, before nailing a powerful effort past Matz Sels into the bottom left-hand corner.

The attacker also completed 100% of the crosses he attempted, whilst maintaining five passes into the final third – backing up one analyst’s claim that he’s now one of the “best in the world”.

Other figures, such as 100% tackles won, six recoveries and four shots registered, further showcase his incredible all-round showing against the Reds.

Minutes played

90

Goals scored

1

Crosses completed

100%

Tackles won

100%

Recoveries made

6

Shots taken

4

Shots on target

3

Passes completed

39

As a result, there’s no denying that Amad is rapidly cementing his place at RWB in Amorim’s system, with his ability at both ends of the pitch making him a phenomenal talent.

Should he continue on his current trajectory, there’s no reason why he can’t help the side achieve new heights in the years ahead under Amorim’s guidance.

Fewer passes than Lammens: 3/10 Man Utd flop has now got to be dropped

Man Utd drew 2-2 away to Forest, and this star struggled

ByJoe Nuttall Nov 2, 2025

Newcastle United and PIF have now made their first move in the race to sign Brentford striker Igor Thiago, who has matched Nick Woltemade all the way for goals so far this season.

Whilst the Magpies have clear problems in front of goal in the Premier League – proven by their 3-1 defeat against West Ham United last weekend – their problems once again disappeared on the European stage.

Easing to a 2-0 victory over Athletic Club, both Dan Burn and Joelinton got themselves on the scoresheet in a refreshing change for Eddie Howe. With a trip to face Brentford up next, the Newcastle boss will simply be hoping for a repeat.

Speaking to reporters after securing a third-straight Champions League victory, Howe said: “Yes, it’s a big prize for us and our eyes are very much on it, and I want the players to be feeling the same.

“We said at the start of the Champions League campaign that we didn’t want to have that feeling that we were just pleased to be in the competition. It’s serious. We want to progress. We’ve put ourselves in a stronger position now to do that after the first defeat, but there are still many challenges ahead.”

Progressing on the European stage has certainly been no problem for those in Tyneside so far, but there’s no denying that their Premier League form has suffered at the same time.

Howe must boldly drop Newcastle star who has now moved clear of Isak

Newcastle fought their way to a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao in the Champions League.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 6, 2025

Finding the balance and squad depth needed to thrive in both competitions should be Newcastle’s priority in 2026. As things stand, they’re six points adrift of the top four and, to make matters worse, it is Sunderland who sit in fourth place.

Following a slow start, those at St James’ Park should set their focus on the January transfer window and potentially welcoming attacking reinforcements.

Newcastle launch first Igor Thiago move

As reported by Trivela and ESPN Brazil and relayed by Sport Witness, PIF have now launched their first enquiry to sign Thiago for Newcastle in an addition that would certainly help solve their recent goalscoring woes.

Just like in their search for a striker in the summer, however, the Magpies aren’t alone. Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa have also reportedly enquired about Thiago’s availability to spark an all Premier League race for his signature.

Appearances

11

16

Goals

7

7

Assists

0

0

Having matched Woltemade for goals so far this season, Newcastle’s interest in Thiago should come as no surprise. Dubbed “powerful” by Brentford boss Keith Andrews earlier this season, the towering forward also crucially earned Alan Shearer’s seal of approval.

The Newcastle legend said: “He barely played last season because of injury but he got his two goals in that half and that’s what a striker is going to get judged for. He looks like he can fill the void left by Mbeumo and Wissa.”

After signing Yoane Wissa in the summer, Newcastle should make a return to West London to sign Thiago when 2026 arrives.

Newcastle hold internal talks to sign Ederson

There is more at stake for West Indies, who will want to boost their chances of qualifying for the 2027 World Cup

Abhimanyu Bose15-Nov-2025New Zealand’s hot run of formNew Zealand have been enjoying a good run of form in ODIs: since the start of 2025, they have played three series at home and won all of them, losing just one of the nine matches. Their last two series at home – against Pakistan and England – were 3-0 whitewashes.In February, they had won a tri-series in Pakistan that also involved South Africa, winning all their games. That was a precursor to the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and UAE, where New Zealand finished runners-up, losing only their two games against India, including the final.New Zealand’s pace threatWest Indies’ faced trial by spin in their recent ODI series in Bangladesh, but it will be a complete turnaround as they will now face a different challenge altogether.During New Zealand’s most recent ODI outing, also at home, England were bowled out under 225 on all three occasions, with fast bowlers taking 27 of the 30 wickets to fall.Blair Tickner, who came into that series as an injury replacement for Kyle Jamieson, led the charts with eight wickets while Zak Foulkes and Jacob Duffy took seven apiece.New Zealand will also be boosted by the return of their most experienced pacer, Matt Henry, who missed out the last two ODIs against England with a calf strain.While West Indies may feel more comfortable taking on quicker bowling than spinners, they will still need to be ready for a high-quality attack that will be raring to carry on the momentum gathered against England.Blair Tickner finished the series against England with eight wickets•Getty ImagesSeales key for West IndiesWith injuries to Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph and Jediah Blades, the responsibility will fall on Jayden Seales to lead a relatively inexperienced West Indies pace attack.Matthew Forde has played just 13 ODIs, while Johann Layne and fast-bowling allrounder Shamar Springer have received their maiden call-ups.Allrounder Justin Greaves has bowled in just nine of his 18 ODIs and picked just six wickets, so he will likely be expected to play just a holding role with the ball.With a batting line-up that is still unsettled, West Indies know the onus will be on the bowlers to a lot of the heavy lifting in the series.John Campbell is set to return to the ODI side after six years•Getty ImagesWill the West Indies batters stand up?It has long been the case for West Indies that they pick promising batters who show sparks at the international level, but fail to maintain consistency.Keacy Carty in ODIs has been among the ones to deliver on their promise, with four centuries and five fifties, but two of those centuries came against Ireland. He has not crossed fifty in his last seven innings.Alick Athanaze returned to the ODI setup in the Bangladesh tour after being dropped at the end of last year, and showed good application to get starts in testing conditions, but needs to begin converting those starts.Amir Jangoo began his ODI career with a century on debut, but failed in the three ODIs against Ireland and the one game he got in England.Captain Shai Hope is their Mr Dependable in the department, but he will need support from his team-mates. In an attempt to bolster their batting, West Indies have opted to give John Campbell another shot, after six years out in the cold in the format, in place of Brandon King.Can he make an impact on his ODI comeback, like he did in Tests with a fine century against India?

Wayne Rooney was ridiculed after admitting it was “hard” to watch his wife Coleen during her stint on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, revealing he struggled emotionally while alone in Plymouth, as she became a fan favourite in the jungle. The former Manchester United striker explained why viewing her on the show left him feeling overwhelmed during a difficult period in his managerial career.

• Wayne and Coleen Rooney's differing ends to 2024

  Coleen’s appearance on I’m A Celebrity in late 2024 became one of the most talked-about moments of the show’s recent history, as she entered the Australian jungle after years of avoiding reality TV. Her decision came at a time when her young children were older, allowing her to commit to a long stint away from home. Coleen embraced the challenge head-on, participating in 'Bushtucker Trials' and endearing herself to viewers with her competitiveness and resilience.

  While Coleen flourished on screen and ultimately finished as the runner-up, her success contrasted sharply with Wayne’s struggles back in England. The United legend was enduring a turbulent spell as manager of Plymouth Argyle, battling a disastrous run of results and mounting pressure. As Coleen captured the nation’s attention, Wayne was facing relentless scrutiny and the stress of a looming relegation fight. This unique overlap created widespread public discussion around the couple, with many viewers joking about Wayne struggling while his wife dominated the headlines.

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• Getty Images Entertainment
  

  Wayne reveals why it was 'hard' to watch Coleen on I'm A Celeb…

  Coleen revealed on why she finally agreed to join the show, saying: "I just felt like the time was right. The kids were all a little bit older. I think in the past, the kids have been too young to leave them for that amount of time. But, also, I'd made this decision to start doing some better work again. So I thought that would be the good a good start."

  She added that although she was not naturally drawn to reality TV, this particular show had always appealed to her competitive side. "Also, I think it's I've never been one for reality TV. Like, there's not much I would do. I've always said if I was to do one, I'd do that. I'm quite competitive."

  Wayne, meanwhile, admitted that the experience of watching the show was unexpectedly difficult for him. "It was hard watching, you know," he confessed to a spate of laughs, prompting the interviewer to ask why. "I was away in Plymouth, so I was on my own as well," Rooney continued, while Coleen laughed beside him as he recalled his lonely viewing nights.

  The former England captain added that the impact took him by surprise. "So in the apartment on my own, so I'm watching it, and then it was, it was emotional."

• Coleen's positive public image after I'm A Celeb…

  Coleen’s appearance on the show coincided with one of the highest-profile public redemptions in recent celebrity TV history. After years of being at the centre of the so-called 'Wagatha Christie' saga involving Rebekah Vardy, she used the jungle setting to reshape her public image. Her warmth, humour, and willingness to take on difficult tasks quickly made her a favourite among viewers, and her journey to the final cemented her as one of the breakout stars of the series.

  At the same time, Wayne was enduring a managerial nightmare at Plymouth Argyle. His team entered a severe slump, conceding goals at an alarming rate and failing to secure wins during the very weeks Coleen was excelling on television. The pressure intensified with each match, ultimately resulting in Rooney’s departure from the club on December 31, 2024.

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  Coleen's TV future — Wayne's uncertain managerial career

  With Coleen’s public profile rejuvenated and her popularity soaring, there has been speculation that she may pursue further media projects following her successful stint on I’m A Celebrity. Her openness about the experience suggests she is more comfortable stepping back into the spotlight than at any point in recent years. Whether she chooses more television or focuses on other professional ventures remains to be seen.

  For Wayne, the future is more uncertain. After leaving Plymouth, he has been linked to several coaching roles but remains at a crossroads following another setback in his managerial career. The Manchester United legend has been taking up punditry duties and working with the BBC's 'The Wayne Rooney Show' to keep himself occupied as he decides upon his future.