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On Monday evening, Liverpool left St. James’ Park with all the goods, but Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United strengthened that tight bond with their devoted fanbase and proved once again their tenacity and will to win.

On face value, one point from the opening two fixtures of the Premier League is frustrating viewing for Magpies fans, but, strikerless and disrupted by the Alexander Isak saga that has shaped Newcastle’s summer transfer window, the squad have showcased remarkable togetherness against Aston Villa and the defending champions.

It seems that the next few days will finally shed light on whether Isak will stay or go, with Yasir Al-Rumayyan in town and leading crunch talks to reach a resolution.

In the event that the rebel Sweden striker does get his wish, Newcastle would require not one but two new number nines, and that might be tricky to achieve at the eleventh hour of his breakneck transfer window.

And, of course, the unsavoury situation has been exacerbated by Anthony Gordon’s red card, picked up against Liverpool on Monday night.

Anthony Gordon's night of anguish

Gordon apologised after the match: he apologised to the fans, to the club and to Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk. His intentions were pure. But even so, the versatile forward is now banned for three Premier League matches: Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bournemouth.

It’s a concern, for Gordon had started Newcastle’s opening fixtures as a stand-in centre-forward, and unless United act with rapidity in the coming days, Saturday’s visit to Elland Road will see William Osula handed his first top-flight start in England.

The 24-year-old Gordon, who won Newcastle’s 2023/24 Player of the Season, struggled to reach the same talismanic heights last year, but he returned to United’s pre-season camp with renewed vim and vigour, and is expected to play a defining role in the term ahead.

However, his passion got the better of him once again, his third red card as a Magpie.

Newcastle need to start getting some points on the board, and to achieve that, they must land themselves an out-and-out striker.

Luckily, PIF have just the player in mind.

Newcastle to bid for Premier League striker

According to The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder, Newcastle are planning to launch another bid for Wolves striker Jørgen Strand Larsen, having already seen a £50m offer knocked back on Monday afternoon. The Toon, for clarification, remains in talks for the Norway international.

Previous reports outline the Old Gold wish to see £65m banked for the striker they signed on a permanent deal this summer, following his successful 2024/25 loan stint at Molineux.

Ryder intimates the 25-year-old Strand Larsen has been earmarked as a replacement for Callum Wilson, who left Newcastle at the end of his contract in June, with a move greenlit by Al-Rumayyan.

In other words, he is not considered Isak’s potential successor, and may yet play alongside the Sweden star this season.

Why Newcastle want Jorgen Strand Larsen

Newcastle have signed several talented players this summer, yet the focal striking berth remains untouched, with Wilson’s exit indeed depleting the ranks.

The England international was sidelined for most of last season through injury, so Strand Larsen would feel like quite the imposing fresh presence, having scored 14 times across his debut campaign in England’s top flight last year.

Following that thought, it’s unlikely that Newcastle would welcome both Strand Larsen and Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, who is desperate to join the Tynesiders and has been the subject of a rejected bid, yet remains at the Gtech, with his employers not looking to sell.

Strand Larsen could be the perfect alternative, potentially even surpassing the DR Congo international. What we know for sure, in any case, is that the Norwegian would mark an upgrade on Gordon, who is a great player but not a striker.

Left winger

65

18

17

Centre-forward

10

2

0

Right winger

10

1

6

Attacking midfield

3

0

0

Sofascore record that Gordon has actually missed three big chances across his one-and-a-half matches in the Premier League this season, without scoring a goal.

Ten shots all told prove that Gordon has the hunger to moonlight as a striker, but when you’ve got someone like Strand Larsen who operates with a similarly relentless ball-striking emphasis, it’s clear that Howe would land himself an upgrade, for the Wolves star is equipped to score goals with consistency as the frontman of a side who have demonstrated their creative capacity over these past two matchweeks.

Indeed, data-driven site FBref have recorded that Strand Larsen ranks among the top 1% of Premier League strikers last season for shot accuracy, with 61.1% of his efforts hitting the target.

And anyway, Gordon’s pace and fleet running are best utilised out wide, sure to work in wonderful tandem with a target man like Strand Larsen, who was hailed by pundit Alan Shearer last season for being a “nuisance” of a forward who showcased at times some neat hold-up play and a willingness to use his focal role to promote the overall fluency of his team.

Strand Larsen is a top talent, to be sure, and he’s demonstrated across his debut year in the English game that he has what it takes to thrive as a chief goalscorer for a team battling against the threat of relegation.

Luckily, Newcastle’s sights are set on a different part of the league ladder, but there’s every chance that he could prove to be a wonderful addition for Howe’s side, who could do with a goalscorer such as him to mark an upgrade on Gordon, who has made it clear in recent weeks that he is not a viable solution to the conundrum at number nine.

Huge upgrade on Strand Larsen: Newcastle in talks to sign "special" £50m CF

Yoane Wissa isn’t the only forward Newcastle are trying to sign before the closure of the transfer market.

ByAngus Sinclair Aug 25, 2025

West Ham United fans gathered in large numbers outside the London Stadium ahead of Saturday's Premier League encounter against Crystal Palace to demand the departure of the board. The Hammers have endured a torrid start to the 2025-26 season, with the fans having lost their patience with the current ownership. There have been calls to boycott the next home game, too.

West Ham owners urged to step down

Thousands of disgruntled West Ham supporters staged a protest outside the London Stadium, demanding the departure of owner David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady. Chants of “Sack the board” and “BS (Brady and Sullivan) out!” echoed as fans gathered near the directors' entrance ahead of the club’s latest Premier League fixture on Saturday.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportFans threaten to boycott home games

Protest organisers have pledged to march before every home match this season and are calling for a boycott of the upcoming clash against Brentford on October 20. The unrest follows a letter of no confidence sent to the board earlier this month, to which the club responded with a 1,376-word statement detailing recent investments in the squad and infrastructure.

Despite West Ham's poor home form – winless at the London Stadium since February – protest leaders insist the demonstrations are not purely results-driven. Instead, they point to longstanding frustrations over the club’s management and the controversial 2016 relocation from Upton Park to London Stadium. Protesters even carried banners which read, "Long Live The Boleyn," a reference to their former home ground for 112 years.

Frustration boiling over among players and Potter

The season began with an embarrassing 3-0 defeat to newly-promoted Sunderland, followed by a 5-1 shellacking against head coach Graham Potter's former employers, Chelsea, at home. In the post-match press conference, Potter's emotions seemed to have gotten the better of him, with the West Ham boss interrupting one of the journalists by telling him "there's a lot of other people here that might want to ask a question."

Even the players have struggled to maintain their composure. In August, Jarrod Bowen had to be restrained by team-mates Tomas Soucek and Alphonse Areola, as well as stewards, as he attempted to confront a West Ham supporter following a 3-2 loss to Wolves in the Carabao Cup.

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AFPWill West Ham sack Potter anytime soon?

Following Saturday's 2-1 home loss to Palace, English media are reporting that the club is seriously considering sacking Potter. The ex-Brighton and Chelsea head coach infamously holds the record of earning the lowest points from his first 10 home games among any West Ham manager in history. Reports suggest that 42-year-old Gary O'Neil is being eyed as Potter's replacement, with the London-based outfit reeling at 18th position after four losses from their first five Premier League games.

Leeds United are now “keeping close checks” on an “exceptional” player, and there is a “good chance” he completes a move to Elland Road.

Leeds looking to bolster midfield options

One of Daniel Farke’s main tasks this summer has been to improve his central midfield options, bringing in the likes of Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach, but two of the manager’s Championship promotion-winners stole the headlines against Everton.

Ao Tanaka was voted the Player of the Match by Leeds fans after the 1-0 victory against Everton, and the Japan international was not the only midfielder who impressed, with Ethan Ampadu winning six of the eight duels he contested to keep the Toffees at bay.

However, there has now been a disappointing new injury update on both Tanaka and Ampadu, with the two midfielders being ruled out due to MCL injuries.

As such, Farke may feel a need to dip bring in another central midfielder before the transfer deadline, and transfer expert Graeme Bailey has now revealed the Whites are in a strong position to get a deal for one of their former players over the line…

Speaking to Leeds United News, Bailey suggested that Kalvin Phillips could soon be on his way to Elland Road, saying: “Leeds are keeping very close checks on Kalvin Phillips – am told that Man City might be trying to pay up his contract – there is still a good chance he ends up at Elland Road.”

Phillips still has nearly three years remaining on a £150k-a-week deal with City, but Pep Guardiola’s side are clearly eager to get him off the books, which could open the door for a return to Leeds.

Leeds now showing strongest interest in signing "incredible" £70m maestro

The Whites are very keen on bringing in a new central midfielder.

1 ByDominic Lund Aug 27, 2025 Signing Phillips could be gamble worth taking for Leeds

If Man City are willing to pay off the 29-year-old’s contract, bringing him in could be a risk worth taking for Farke, given that the former Leeds man has proven he has what it takes to perform at Premier League level in the past.

The defensive midfielder made 49 appearances across the Whites’ two previous stints in the Premier League, during which time his form was good enough to earn regular call-ups for the Three Lions, with the Englishman picking up 31 international caps.

Despite being lauded as an “exceptional human being” by Man City boss Pep Guardiola, the ex-Ipswich Town loanee didn’t exactly set the world alight at Portman Road last season, however, given that he suffered two major injury setbacks.

That said, given that Phillips could potentially be available on a free transfer, he would be a low-risk signing for Leeds, who are perhaps in need of more depth in midfield, given that they are light on options following injuries to Ampadu and Tanaka.

Both are exceptional ODI outfits, coming in with a string of wins to their name. Both will also already have one eye on their respective semi-finals, which quickly follow Sunday’s game

Karthik Krishnaswamy01-Mar-20252:19

Kumble: ‘Not in favour of resting players at this stage’

Big picture: Kohli joins 300 clubScroll down to the form guide section. Actually, no need, because, spoiler warning, both teams have WWWWW next to them going into this match.These are two exceptional ODI outfits in potentially title-winning form, deep and balanced thanks to the allrounders they possess. They are well-suited to conditions at this Champions Trophy – particularly, perhaps, to those in Dubai where this contest will take place – thanks to their spin options and the variety of batting gears in their top orders.There has also been, especially over the last five years and a bit, a lot of history between these two teams.Related

Phillips confident NZ have the resources to find success in slower Dubai

KL Rahul plays down India's injury worries ahead of NZ clash

India wary of keeping bowlers fresh for semi, says ten Doeschate

Dot-ball 'beast' Bracewell stays under the radar but soars high

Trial by spin on slow Dubai pitches a key step in Gill's evolution

This should, for all those reasons, be a main-course kind of contest, but it’s an appetiser in the context of where this Champions Trophy stands. India and New Zealand are both through to the semi-finals, and know exactly where and when their respective semi-finals will be played. All that remains to be decided is whom they will face there, and it’s unlikely there’s a “preferred” opponent for either team, given it’s a choice between South Africa and Australia.With that in mind, and the short turnaround before the semi-finals – particularly in the case of India, who only have a one-day gap before their game on March 4 – Sunday night’s contest may not necessarily be played at vein-throbbing intensity. There’s a chance of big names resting, and also – as India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate suggested on Friday – of key bowlers not completing their full ten-over quotas.There’s one man whose intensity is never short of vein-throbbing when he’s on the field, though, and he’s set to play a very special match. Virat Kohli is set to play his 300th ODI, becoming the 22nd player and seventh from India to get to that landmark. Given how infrequently ODIs are now played, and given how far away Kohli’s closest contemporaries are – Mushfiqur Rahim (274) and Rohit Sharma (272) are the only two to have played more than 250 – will he also be the last to get there?Virat Kohli is poised to play his 300th ODI•Alex Davidson/Getty ImagesForm guideIndia WWWWW
New Zealand WWWWWIn the spotlight: Shreyas Iyer and Kyle JamiesonIndia’s batting is yet to face a truly daunting test in this Champions Trophy. They have batted second in both their games so far, and chased down targets of 229 and 242. Whether they bat first or second on Sunday, they are likelier to face a stiffer challenge from New Zealand, particularly from their fingerspinners Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell through the middle overs. It is perhaps in this context that Shreyas Iyer becomes especially important. Where Kohli and KL Rahul have gone at strike rates in the low 80s against spin in the middle overs since the start of 2023, Iyer has struck at 95.24. New Zealand know how dangerous Iyer is against spin – he hit five sixes while scoring 48 off 35 balls against their spinners during his century in the Mumbai World Cup semi-final of 2023.If the Kohli generation is India’s golden generation, it probably peaked around the time of the inaugural World Test Championship of 2019-21. And it’s quite possible that India may have won that trophy had they not happened to run into Kyle Jamieson. This towering and hugely gifted fast-bowling allrounder has gone through a testing time since then, mostly due to injury, and he’s now set to face India for the first time in any format since December 2021. Jamieson hasn’t yet had the same impact in ODIs that he has had in Tests; could the sight of his favourite opponents bring out his best?Team news: Daryl Mitchell fit, but where does he fit in?India only have a day’s gap between this match and their semi-final, but had a six-day gap between their previous match, against Pakistan, and this one. Do they believe, then, that their key players are adequately rested for 200 overs over three days? Or do they rest one or two of them? And what of the players on the bench, and their match-readiness should they suddenly be required in a knockout game? Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami went off the field with niggles at various stages during the Pakistan game, but both, according to the team’s press-conference representatives, are fit.India didn’t train on Saturday, but Rishabh Pant had an extended session in the nets on Friday, which suggests he could get a game – he has only played one ODI, back in July 2024, since his return from injuries suffered during his car crash. Given that as many as five left-hand batters could feature in New Zealand’s top eight, there’s a chance India may replace one of their two left-arm fingerspinners with the offspinner Washington Sundar. If Pant plays and adds his left-handedness to India’s top five, it relieves them of the need for Axar Patel as a floater.India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Shreyas Iyer, 5 Rishabh Pant (wk), 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Washington Sundar, 9 Harshit Rana, 10 Kuldeep Yadav/Varun Chakravarthy, 11 Mohammed Shami/Arshdeep Singh.India, especially, will have a question of balancing workloads to address•Associated PressDaryl Mitchell is fit again after missing the match against Bangladesh with an illness, and this leaves New Zealand with a major top-order headache. Rachin Ravindra, who was himself returning from injury, replaced Mitchell and scored a match-winning hundred against Bangladesh. Will Young scored a hundred in the tournament-opener against Pakistan. Devon Conway, who had replaced Ravindra at the top of the order, has also been among the runs, scoring 97 against South Africa in the tri-series that preceded the Champions Trophy.New Zealand (probable): 1 Devon Conway, 2 Rachin Ravindra, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Daryl Mitchell, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 Glenn Phillips, 7 Michael Bracewell, 8 Mitchell Santner (capt), 9 Kyle Jamieson, 10 Matt Henry, 11 Will O’Rourke.Pitch and conditions: spin to win?Dubai has been the most spin-friendly of the four Champions Trophy venues, with spinners currently returning an average of 37.07 and an economy rate of 4.36 here. Rawalpindi is second on both counts, at 40.60 and 4.81.This, of course, may also have something do to with the quality of India’s spinners. In any case, the pitches in Dubai, far from being square turners, have tended to be merely slow, with the large outfield also serving as an ally to the slower bowlers.Bangladesh and Pakistan both won the toss against India and chose to bat, reflecting the trend for dew not to be much of a factor at this time of the year. It’s possible that bat-first may still be the way to go, given the tendency for the pitches here to slow down over 100 overs.A clear, pleasant day is expected on Sunday, with a maximum temperature of 24 degrees Celsius.Vital runs aside, Tom Latham now has 100 ODI catches as a keeper to his name•ICC/Getty ImagesStats and trivia India and New Zealand have only met once before in the Champions Trophy: the final in 2000 when an unbeaten Chris Cairns century led New Zealand to a four-wicket win. India have won each of their last five completed ODIs against New Zealand; New Zealand won five in a row before that stretch. Tom Latham’s unbeaten 118 made all the headlines, but he also enjoyed a big moment on the field during New Zealand’s tournament-opener against Pakistan: the catch of Shaheen Shah Afridi, off Matt Henry, was his 100th as wicketkeeper in ODIs.Quotes”That’s a lot of ODI games and a lot of international games and yeah, he’s been… I mean, words fall short to express how good a player he’s been, and what a great servant of Indian cricket he’s been.”

Barcelona have been told to get rid of Hansi Flick due to his methods with Robert Lewandowski. Legendary goalkeeper Jan Tomaszewski did not mince his words, declaring that a squad the veteran striker “should have won everything", including the Champions League, last season as he blamed the German coach for their failure.

Lewandowski saved the day off the bench

Thrown on in the second half of Barcelona's midweek clash against Real Oviedo with the game tied at 1-1, the veteran needed just five minutes to turn the tide. Frenkie de Jong rose to nod down a perfect header, and the Polish hitman met it with a delicate flick that nestled past the keeper to give Barcelona the lead. Barca went on to complete a 3-1 turnaround, but the headlines focused less on the three points and more on the fact that their No.9 is being used as a super-sub rather than the spearhead.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportFrom main man to bench weapon

For a player who built his career as the ultimate talisman, Lewandowski’s new reality under Flick is striking. Instead of leading the line week in, week out, he has been eased back into action after a preseason setback. So far, that has meant brief cameos rather than 90-minute stints, but the 37-year-old has performed well in his new role. He bagged a brace against Valencia earlier in the campaign and has now scored three times off the bench. Few strikers in Europe can boast such efficiency. But to Tomaszewski, treating Lewandowski like a ‘Plan B’ borders on criminal.

Tomaszewski tore into Barca boss

The outspoken Poland legend did not hold back when quizzed on Lewandowski's situation, telling : "Barcelona have a squad for the Club World Cup, which they didn't even participate in in America. They definitely have a squad for the Champions League, the most important trophy. Unfortunately, the coaching staff should stick it out until the end, and I hope their contract isn't extended, because 'Mr. German' isn't performing very well.  With such a footballing 'gun' he should have won everything in Europe, and they lost to Inter, a good team, but the subsequent 5-0 final against PSG exposed them."

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Lewandowski remains patient

After the Ovideo win, Lewandowski insisted that he is unfazed by the new role and remains "patient" as he awaits further opportunities to prove his worth to Flick this season. 

“I’m patient," he claimed. "The most important thing is that if I play, I want to score a goal to help the team. Physically, I feel very good.” 

Last season’s finalists have been off the boil in IPL 2025

Sreshth Shah02-Apr-20253:35

‘The latest Venkatesh Iyer should walk in at is No. 4’

Big picture: Rematch of the IPL 2024 finalThe last time Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) met, it was in the IPL 2024 final. But three games into IPL 2025, they are at the wrong end of the points table. SRH are eighth and KKR tenth, and the only team either of them have beaten is Rajasthan Royals, sandwiched in between at ninth.For defending champions KKR, their whole batting line-up has been fragile. Last season, their opening partnership set games up by averaging 43.9 at a strike-rate of 207. This season they are averaging 15.3 and striking at 100. The batters between Nos. 4 to 8 – which includes the retained quartet of Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell and Ramandeep Singh – are averaging 17.22 and striking at 117.3. They appear to have picked up a vulnerability to the short ball too. Nine of the 12 KKR dismissals to fast bowling this season are to balls pitched between the 8 and 10 metre mark or shorter.SRH have had poor powerplays with both bat and ball. The shots off Abhishek Sharma’s bat have sounded sweet but he has scored only 31 runs in three innings. Against Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals, their batters kept attacking even as wickets tumbled to finish with totals that turned out to be below-par. Their fast bowling was supposed to be an upgrade but they’ve not made an impact in the first six overs. Their powerplay economy (11.4) is the poorest among all teams this year, and even with the quality of Pat Cummins, Mohammed Shami and Harshal Patel, the economy rate (11.7) of their pace attack is in the doldrums. Only RR’s quicks (11.8) have fared worse.Although both teams are facing similar issues, their approaches remain different. Cummins said after the last defeat that SRH will not change their batting plan, while KKR mentor Dwayne Bravo said on match-eve their batters will have to move beyond being aggressive and be crafty. Thursday will show which philosophy succeeds.3:12

Cricinformed: Are Sunrisers selling themselves short?

Form guide
Kolkata Knight Riders LWL
Sunrisers Hyderabad LLWTeam news: No major injury concernsSRH are expected to back their primary XII, but the type of pitch (more on that later) could dictate whether they play Adam Zampa, Wiaan Mulder, seamer Simarjeet Singh or spinner Zeeshan Ansari. Anrich Nortje, KKR’s fastest bowler, is still not match ready.Kolkata Knight Riders: (probable) 1 Sunil Narine, 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Ajinkya Rahane (capt), 4 Venkatesh Iyer, 5 Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 6 Rinku Singh, 7 Andre Russell, 8 Ramandeep Singh, 9 Harshit Rana, 10 Spencer Johnson, 11 Varun Chakravarthy, 12 Vaibhav AroraSunrisers Hyderabad: (probable) 1 Travis Head, 2 Abhishek Sharma, 3 Ishan Kishan, 4 Nitish Kumar Reddy, 5 Aniket Verma, 6 Heinrich Klaasen (wk), 7 Abhinav Manohar, 8 Pat Cummins (capt), 9 Wiaan Mulder/Adam Zampa, 10 Harshal Patel, 11 Mohammed Shami, 12 Simarjeet Singh/Zeeshan AnsariBig questionAdam Zampa made a return to the IPL on the back of great performances since 2024. In that period, his 50 appearances have brought 76 wickets at a strike rate of 14.3 and economy of 7.7. He is especially useful between overs 7-16 since 2024, where he has bowled 80% of all his overs. Is it time for him to be a permanent fixture in SRH’s line-up?In the spotlight: Aniket Verma and Andre RussellNitish Kumar Reddy was SRH’s standout domestic player in 2024 and the team has found another exciting talent in Aniket Verma this season. Even with wickets tumbling, Aniket, bought for INR 30 lakh, has found a way to smash bowlers. His 13-ball 36 against LSG was a trailer of what would follow as he went on to hammer a 41-ball 74 against DC. Aniket has been among the most destructive players of spin in IPL 2025, hitting them for a boundary once every three balls, at a strike rate of 238. His 11 sixes against spin is second only to Nicholas Pooran’s 12. With KKR possessing Narine and Varun Chakravarthy in their bowling XI, will Aniket continue his dominance?2:47

Bangar: Don’t see any change in SRH’s approach

Since the end of IPL 2024, Andre Russell has scored only 586 runs in 41 T20 games at an average of 18.9. He also has just nine runs in two innings this IPL. Last season, Russell had given KKR power at the death, averaging 31.20 with a strike-rate of 185. His highest score in IPL 2024 of 64 not out came against SRH at Eden Gardens.Pitch and conditions: Turn on the cards?The surface at Eden Gardens has been in focus over the last week. The pitch that was used in the season opener against RCB backfired on KKR, with the captain Rahane asking for something slower that would suit the team’s spinners. Two pitches have been prepared for this fixture, both having very little grass, which suggests the team’s demand may well have been met.Key Stats: SRH’s dependency on their openers KKR won all three games against SRH in IPL 2024: one league game, the first qualifier and the final. KKR have also won eight of the last ten matches against SRH. KKR have the second-lowest powerplay run-rate (7.8) this season, ahead of only CSK’s 7.4. They also have the joint worst powerplay bowling strike-rate of 54. Travis Head has the second highest strike-rate against fast bowling (206) since IPL 2024 (min. 100 balls faced). Abhishek Sharma has the best IPL strike-rate of 206 for the first ten deliveries of an innings (min. 75 balls) Heinrich Klaasen has never been dismissed by Sunil Narine in five IPL innings, scoring 34 runs off 22 balls. Against Varun Chakravarthy, Klaasen has scored 35 runs off 20 balls, but has been dismissed once. SRH have an 80% win record when both Head and Abhishek survive the powerplay. It drops to 71% when one of them is dismissed and dips to 17% when both are out.Quotes”The bowlers have an attacking plan, but also have a defensive plan. When we are under pressure, you will see our bowlers go to a defensive plan. But when we are also picking up wickets, we will continue to try and pick up more.”
“Our team is suited to play an aggressive style, but we don’t speak about 300 as an expectation that are put on us by other people. We try to play a positive brand of cricket. It’s a strength of ours and we try to double down on our strengths.”

Championship side and three-time FA Cup winners Sheffield Wednesday are facing a huge 15-point deduction after failing to clear players' salaries on time. The Owls have made a nightmare start to their 2025-26 campaign as they have won just one out of their first eight league games and are currently placed third from the bottom in the Championship.

Sheffield Wednesday staring at severe sanctions

According to , Sheffield Wednesday could be slapped with a 15-point deduction for failing to clear the salaries of some of their squad members. The Owls have defaulted on salary payments in five out of the last seven months. They are likely to face severe sanctions from the EFL for breaking financial and the case will be referred to an independent disciplinary commission.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportThree points for each failed payment

The 15-point deduction has been calculated on the basis of three points being deducted for failing to pay in each of the five months. Although the decision will be made on past examples of how clubs have been punished due to similar offences. In 2023, Reading were docked one point for failing to clear salaries, while in the 2023-24 campaign, Wigan Athletic faced an eight-point penalty.

Sheffield Wednesday's crisis worsens

Sheffield Wednesday have got off to a terrible start to their 2025-26 Championship campaign, collecting just one win from their opening eight games. Their only win of the new season in the Championship came against Portsmouth, as they find themselves languishing in the relegation zone.

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Getty Images SportFive transfer embargoes on Sheffield

Currently, five transfer embargoes are placed on the Owls and they won't be able to sign and register new players until they fully settle their salary dues to the players. Owner Dejphon Chansiri has already cleared the payments of junior players and admin staff, while a handful of first-team stars are yet to receive full payments. 

Manchester United’s midfield department has fallen way below the standards expected from the fanbase during recent seasons – undoubtedly contributing to their lowly Premier League standing in 2024/25.

Ruben Amorim, who’s been in the role since November last year, still has yet to find the perfect combination between the two midfielders in his 3-4-2-1 system.

Club captain Bruno Fernandes is almost certain to operate in one of the aforementioned roles after Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha were brought into Old Trafford during the summer.

Casemiro has been the player to feature alongside him so far this campaign, but questions are undoubtedly being asked about his long-term future given the Brazilian turns 34 in February.

Manuel Ugarte is another option currently at the manager’s disposal, but he evidently wanted further reinforcements given their activity in the summer transfer window.

Why Man Utd wanted to sign Baleba this summer

During the summer transfer window, United made their move to land Carlos Baleba from Brighton & Hove Albion in an attempt to bolster the midfield department.

The Red Devils even entered talks with the player and his representatives over a move to join the club, but the £100m asking price proved to be a huge stumbling block.

A lot was made about the move for the 21-year-old, but why did Amorim desperately want the youngster?

He made 34 appearances in the Premier League last season, scoring three times, including a phenomenal long-range strike against West Ham United back in April.

However, his underlying stats highlight how impressive he was out of possession, subsequently winning 1.6 tackles per 90 – undoubtedly providing the ball-winning presence the side have lacked.

Baleba also came out on top in 6.7 duels per 90, also making 6.6 recoveries per 90, showcasing his phenomenal ability without the ball at his feet on the South Coast.

Missing out on such a talent will have been a bitter blow for the Red Devils’ ambitions in 2025/26, but Amorim may be forced to rely upon one player already plying his trade in Manchester.

The United star who’s a bigger talent than Baleba

The last few months under Amorim have been unsuccessful to say the least, with the 40-year-old only achieving a 40% win percentage over the last 10 months at the helm.

His 3-4-2-1 system requires a very specific type of player – especially in the midfield department – with a deeper option needed alongside the attacking Fernandes at the heart of the side.

Ugarte would appear the best fit, but his lack of form has led to cause for concern – especially after the hierarchy forked out £50m for his signature last summer.

Kobbie Mainoo has struggled to cement his place under the former Sporting CP boss, only starting 19 league games to date and often having to resort to minutes off the substitutes’ bench.

A future “£100m-plus footballer” in the words of United writer Alex Turk, the youngster is adored by many at Old Trafford after his rapid rise to stardom, becoming a key member of the side under Erik ten Hag in the 2023/24 campaign.

However, his lack of action has led to the player himself voicing his displeasure at his lack of action, even requesting a loan move away from his boyhood club in the recent window.

No move materialised away from Old Trafford, with the Englishman deserving of the opportunity to start on a regular basis – hopefully replicating the numbers he produced last season and helping the Red Devils rise up the table.

When comparing his figures to those of Baleba from 2024/25, Mainoo managed to outperform him in key areas – showcasing the quality he possesses despite his tender age.

Mainoo, who’s been labelled “exceptional” by journalist Phil Brown, won more tackles per 90 (1.6) whilst also achieving a better tackle success rate (61%).

Games played

25

34

Minutes played

1651

2661

Pass accuracy

87%

86%

Key passes made

0.8

0.7

Tackles won

1.6

1.5

% of tackles won

61%

60%

Take-ons completed

1.3

1.1

Carries into opposition box

0.6

0.1

Such figures showcase that the youngster is actually a better ball-winner than Baleba, with the decision to keep hold of him this summer a blessing in disguise if he can replicate such numbers.

He also dominated in possession, completing more of the passes he attempted (87%) and completing more take-ons per 90 (1.3) – which could allow him to progress the play and provide the new additions ahead of him with key chances in the final third.

There’s no denying Baleba would’ve offered another excellent option at the heart of Amorim’s side, but ultimately, his £100m asking price was way out of range given the previous business conducted.

As for Mainoo, he’s more than deserving of a run in the first-team to regain his starting position, with Amorim desperately needing to utilise the youngster in their hunt for success.

Ten Hag sold Man Utd's "young Giggs" for just £15m, now he's like Mbeumo

Manchester United made a huge mistake in allowing one talented star to leave under Erik ten Hag.

1 ByEthan Lamb Sep 11, 2025

Another European away trip ends in frustration for Celtic, with Brendan Rodgers’ side held to a 1-1 draw by Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday evening to mark a mixed start to their latest Europa League adventure.

There were no doubt echoes of Kairat about the first-half in Belgrade, with the visitors left with little to show for their dominance in possession, having also been forced to rely on the brilliance of Kasper Schmeichel to keep the home side at bay.

A rather uneventful opening 45 – excluding that stunning save from the veteran Dane – was subsequently followed by a far more exciting second period, with the introduction of summer signing, Kelechi Iheanacho, finally sparking the Hoops into life.

It was to be the experienced Nigerian who ultimately broke the deadlock for the Scottish champions with a tidy close range finish, albeit with another man of Premier League years past – Marko Arnautovic – reducing the arrears just ten minutes later.

There was to be no further breakthrough from either side, ensuring Rodgers will be left to ponder what he could have done differently following a Jekyll and Hyde display from his Glasgow outfit.

Iheanacho provides solution to Maeda problem

It isn’t exactly a new opinion to suggest that Celtic’s summer business was far from perfect. Indeed, even the positives – such as the arrival of Sebastian Tounekti – need to be scrutinised, particularly amid the stockpiling of talent on the left flank.

With the injured Jota already onboard, Rodgers and co have since added two players who predominantly operate off the left, in the form of Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Tounekti, the latter of whom opened his account against Partick Thistle at the weekend.

Such reinforcements have left the Celtic boss with a headache to solve regarding last season’s talisman, Daizen Maeda, with the 33-goal star subsequently relocated into the vacant number nine berth on Wednesday night.

Minutes

45

45

Touches

7

14

Goals

0

1

Pass accuracy

75%

88%

Key passes

0

0

Shots

0

3

Total duels won

0

0

Possession lost

2

3

Offside

2

0

While no stranger to that role, the Japanese speedster almost had an air of a player who didn’t want to be there, having regularly been too slow in getting himself back onside. In all, he made just seven touches, and failed to win a single duel, as per Sofascore, in what was a simply anonymous 45-minute outing.

For all the talk of desperation surrounding the addition of Iheanacho, the one-time Leicester City looked like an instant upgrade following his entrance at the break, having linked play so effectively again, as he did on Sunday.

Despite seeing two efforts denied by the impressive figure of Matheus in the opposing goal, the 28-year-old’s eventual goal was one of pure poise and composure, expertly receiving Benjamin Nygren’s pass before curling the ball home with ease.

It is still early days, although the free transfer signing already looks like he could have forced his way into Rodgers’ starting lineup. Elsewhere, however, his new teammate Reo Hatate looks to have played his way out of it…

One Celtic star's dismal display in numbers

There’s no getting away from what was a forgettable performance from Maeda in Belgrade, albeit with the makeshift striker getting little in the way of support from his teammates, with chances at a premium in that uninspiring first half.

Among those toiling behind him was his compatriot, Hatate, with the 27-year-old looking bizarrely lax and laboured in the centre of the park, prior to his withdrawal just after the hour mark.

As ever, there was purpose to Callum McGregor’s play at the base of the midfield, while new man Nygren was an effective link between that central trio and the attacking unit, creating three ‘big chances’ and completing 100% of his attempted dribbles.

The elegant Swede was the creative hub in the second half, in particular, although on the opposite side, Hatate’s influence continued to wane, having been unable to provide a single key pass all night.

Not only did he lose 50% of his total duels, but the former Kawasaki Frontale star also lost possession on 13 occasions, at a rate of once every 3.3 touches.

Wasteful and slack on the ball, it was no surprise to see Celtic’s number 41 eventually hooked heading into the closing stages, with perhaps now the time for Rodgers to hand a regular role to Arne Engels – or Paulo Bernardo – instead in that central role.

Yes, as he showcased with his August stunner against Aberdeen, Hatate is capable of a magic moment when at his best. Sadly, however, those moments appear to now be few and far between, with just one goal and no assists from his eight outings in 2025/26 thus far.

Chalkboard

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

With Engels and Bernardo waiting in the wings, it begs the question as to why Rodgers hasn’t been tempted to alter that midfield pecking order in recent weeks. Perhaps after last night’s showing, that situation might well have changed…

"Phenomenal" Celtic star looks like the biggest loser from Tounekti's rise

This Celtic star may end up being the biggest loser from Sebastian Tounekti’s form.

ByDan Emery Sep 23, 2025

After keeping wicket for 20 overs on a hot afternoon, Buttler scored an unbeaten 97 off 54 balls

Ekanth19-Apr-20251:30

Rayudu: Prasidh a great prospect for India going forward

It got tight for Gujarat Titans (GT) in the end, but Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 97 ensured their first successful chase of a 200-plus total in Ahmedabad. It was also the first time Delhi Capitals (DC) ended up being unsuccessful in defending a 200-plus total.Buttler stitched partnerships of 60 with B Sai Sudharsan and 119 with Sherfane Rutherford after keeping wicket for 20 overs on a hot afternoon.Mukesh Kumar’s wide yorker dismissed Rutherford and left GT needing ten off the final over. The tension was short-lived as Starc missed the wide yorker and Rahul Tewatia slog swept the first ball of the last over over midwicket for six. He then squeezed the next ball past the keeper for four to complete the chase with four balls to spare.Buttler takes down StarcButtler was hit on the groin early in his innings by a length ball from Starc, but he overcame that blow and cleared the boundaries.When Axar brought Starc back in the 15th over, hoping for reverse swing from around the wicket, there wasn’t any. The lengths were good, and the line was outside off, but Buttler scythed the ball with ease, finding gaps in front of and behind point.A change of angle made no difference. Starc went full and was driven through mid-off. A bouncer drew a top-edged pull, but it did not carry to Vipraj Nigam running in from deep backward square leg. That 20-run over brought the required rate down to nine from 11.GT’s top order sets the platform againGT are top heavy. Their plan is for one of the top three to bat deep into the innings, and it was Buttler’s turn today on a batting-friendly pitch.He came in early in GT’s chase of 204 after Shubman Gill had gifted his wicket looking to pinch a quick single to Karun Nair at midwicket. Buttler then set up exhibition of fours through the off side alongside Sai Sudharsan.Axar and Vipraj came on to bowl in the powerplay but did not find turn and were taken for three sixes and a four. Sai Sudharsan got boundaries off front and back foot against Mukesh Kumar as GT scored 67 in the powerplay.Kuldeep Yadav had Sai Sudharsan pulling to deep midwicket with his third ball. Rutherford then started slowly as the required rate rose.The mounting pressure was released when Rutherford sliced a drive against Kuldeep that sailed over long-off. Mohit Sharma was introduced in the 13th over to replicate the role he performed for GT in previous years. He started with two slower bouncers but they sat up and Rutherford pulled them for sixes.Buttler drilled a full ball from Mohit through mid-off to bring up his 32-ball fifty.Capitals start well on a belterGill won the toss in the afternoon and put DC in to bat. With Faf du Plessis not having recovered and DC leaving out Jake Fraser-McGurk, DC paired up Abhishek Porel with Karun Nair at the top.Porel’s boundaries in the first over – drive on the up over mid-off and help-along flick behind square – showed that the bounce on the pitch was even. Porel, though, couldn’t capitalise on the start as he fell to a full toss from Arshad Khan.KL Rahul’s shift in approach then kept DC ticking. Rahul cut Siraj for four and pumped him down the ground for six. His innings, though, was cut short on 28 off 14 balls by an outswinging yorker from Prasidh Krishna. Nair fell for 31 off 18 balls when he glided Prasidh to deep third.A pristine cover drive from Tristan Stubbs off Prasidh brought up DC’s hundred in the ninth over. But he and Axar were relatively sedate after that during their 53-run stand off 36 balls. They were happy to take Rashid Khan and Ishant Sharma for ones and twos.Rashid bowled quicker and at the stumps in his first two overs. When he slowed the pace down in his third, Stubbs took him for six down the ground but then miscued a swipe across the line. Rashid ran back but couldn’t hold onto the catch near mid-on. GT reached 150 in 15 overs.Pacers contain DCIshant was struggling in the heat and went off the pitch after two overs. Siraj returned and removed Stubbs, who reverse-swept a yorker and the ball lobbed to short third.GT’s death bowlers attempted a lot of yorkers with short balls peppered in between. It nearly worked at the start of the 17th over, but Rashid dropped Axar.The DC captain could not hit a boundary in his last nine balls and was out caught behind for 39 off 32 balls. He charged at Prasidh and tried to slap a length ball over cover and got an edge. Prasidh then got rid of Nigam next ball, thanks to a brilliant diving catch from Buttler.Ashutosh Sharma gave DC the finishing kick they were looking for. He scored a six and a four off Arshad early in his innings and hit two sixes off Prasidh later. R Sai Kishore – whose only over was the final one of the innings – went for just nine, but it was enough for GT to cross 200.