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UP Warriorz couldn’t capitalise on the blazing start from Grace Harris and couldn’t defend their below-par total

Srinidhi Ramanujam26-Feb-2025Nat Sciver-Brunt put on an exceptional all-round show to propel Mumbai Indians to the top of the table with an eight-wicket win over UP Warriorz in Bengaluru. She took three wickets and followed it up with an impressive unbeaten 75 off 44 balls to chase down the target of 143 with 18 balls remaining.Warriorz initially rode on Grace Harris’ quickfire 45 and Vrinda Dinesh’s solid 33 but lost eight wickets for 54 runs to eventually end with a below-par total.Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews stitched together a solid 133-run stand for the second wicket and made the chase look easy. Though Matthews struggled her way to a 50-ball 59 after getting a life early on, Sciver-Brunt’s boundary-laden knock made sure MI raced to their third win in four games. Warriorz are fourth on the points table now with two wins after five games.With 254 runs from four matches, Sciver-Brunt is now the leading run-scorer of this WPL, overtaking Ellyse Perry’s 235.Another Sciver-Brunt showSciver-Brunt came in early when MI were 6 for 1 in the fourth over, with Matthews struggling to get her timing and rhythm right. Chinelle Henry was swinging the ball both ways, making it difficult to score off her. But Sciver-Brunt took only five balls to change things around.She welcomed Saima Thakor with a hat-trick of fours in the sixth over – hitting to long-on, deep square-leg and deep cover – staying deep in the crease, and putting her bottom hand to good use and effortlessly manoeuvring the ball to both sides of the pitch.When there was width on offer, she cut fiercely, and when the length was short, she pulled behind and in front of square and toyed with the Warriorz bowlers. She brought up her fifty off 29 balls with nine fours, bringing the equation down to 54 off 47 balls. This included a hat-trick of fours off Henry as well, in the 11th over.From there, it was a cakewalk for MI as Matthews also found her range and started hitting boundaries. Overall, Sciver-Brunt struck 13 fours in her 44-ball stay.Grace Harris gave UP Warriorz a blazing start•BCCIHarris moves up, Vrinda moves downAfter four matches, Warriorz took a cue from the WBBL and the Hundred and promoted Harris to open for the first time in WPL after her struggles in the middle order. The move felt just right as she looked in her element from the start.With Kiran Navgire falling in the first over, it was up to Harris and Vrinda to steady the innings on a pitch that was holding up a bit, and the two shared 79 runs off 52 balls to give Warriorz solidity.Harris began with a scoop against Sciver-Brunt and punished Shabnim Ismail for three fours on the bounce in the second over. She kept attacking and smashed 6, 4, 4, 6 off Matthews in the fourth. She swept and pulled towards square leg, muscled the ball to long-on, and rolled her wrists to bisect the gap between mid-on and midwicket.On the other hand, Vrinda – who had scored only 40 in the previous four matches – looked in much better touch and played second fiddle to Harris well. She played a lofted cover drive elegantly to start the third over and followed it with a hook in the same over. Unlike Harris, Vrinda found boundaries on the off side with classy cover drives in her 30-ball 33.The first two partnerships gave Warriorz 81, the most for them in this WPL so far.Middle overs remain a problem for WarriorzIt was something the Warriorz captain Deepti Sharma had admitted recently, that they needed to do better in the middle overs. But they couldn’t, squandering a strong start by losing wickets in clumps, again, to lose the plot. From 81 for 1, they collapsed to 123 for 7, losing five of those wickets in the middle overs for 30 runs.It began when Amelia Kerr removed Harris in the tenth over after the batter was dropped on 44 by Ismail off Jintimani Kalita. Offspinner Sanskriti Gupta then bowled a momentum-changing 11th over when she dismissed both Vrinda and Tahlia McGrath in the space of four balls. Warriorz slowed down and did not quite recover after that.Overall, they have lost the most wickets (24) in the middle overs (7 to 16) in this WPL so far and have been the slowest (6.72) in that phase too.

Manchester United are now preparing a £50m+ bid for an “unbelievable” star, who is keen on a move to Old Trafford, and they are frontrunners in the race for his signature.

Man Utd's midfield called into question by Scholes

After a very disappointing start to the new campaign, Man United legend Paul Scholes has questioned the decision to deploy Bruno Fernandes in an unfavoured position, saying: “There’s too much indecision in the midfield area, you think of Casemiro. He’s been a brilliant player, but we know his deficiencies, don’t we?”

“Fernandes [and Casemiro], they’re the two he’s [Amorim] going with, and Fernandes for me, he’s someone who fills in as a midfielder, he might get away with it for one, two or three games. He’s not got the discipline to be a central midfield player.”

Given that Fernandes has been one of United’s best players for quite some time, chipping in with 19 Premier League goal contributions last season, there is a feeling the 30-year-old is being shoehorned into the starting XI.

However, despite scraping a 3-2 victory against Burnley, Ruben Amorim’s play-style clearly isn’t working, meaning the 40-year-old may need to bring in a central midfielder who is better suited to his system in January.

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Man United are now preparing a £50m+ bid for Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, who is eager to embark on a new challenge at an elite club, meaning he is keen on a move to Old Trafford.

United have identified Wharton as a key target for the January transfer window, having also expressed interest in the summer, but Oliver Glasner blocked an exit, given that Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi were also attracting widespread interest.

Man Utd agree personal terms with 109 career-goal striker wanted by Wilcox

The Red Devils are making progress in their pursuit of a new centre-forward.

ByDominic Lund Sep 3, 2025

The 21-year-old has been identified as a long-term replacement for Casemiro, but there could be competition for his signature, with Chelsea said to be frontrunners alongside the Red Devils.

"Unbelievable" Wharton could be ideal signing for Amorim

Man United need to bring in a midfielder suited to Amorim’s style of play, and the Palace star fits the bill in that regard, having flourished under Glasner’s 3-4-2-1 system.

Guehi has been left particularly impressed by his teammate’s ability in possession, claiming the Englishman is “unbelievable” on the ball last season, but that is far from his only strength, as detailed by former WhoScored contributor Ben McAleer.

The fact Wharton is strong at winning back possession means he could be a solid long-term heir to Casemiro, but the Brazilian may still have plenty left to give, given the level of some of his performances over the past year.

Statistic

Average per 90

Tackles

4.14 (99th percentile)

Clearances

2.77 (94th percentile)

Blocks

2.37 (99th percentile)

Aerials won

2.18 (94th percentile)

“There’s nothing to it,” Pakistan batter says of speculation he is planning to end international career

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Feb-2025Fakhar Zaman has dismissed speculation that he is planning to retire from international cricket, and said that he was targeting a return from the injury that cut short his Champions Trophy within the next month.Fakhar, the hero of Pakistan’s 2017 Champions Trophy win with a hundred in the final, strained an oblique muscle chasing a ball in the very first over of Pakistan’s opening game against New Zealand in Karachi. He went off the field immediately, came back later but eventually could only bat at No.4 – instead of his usual opening slot.He struggled visibly with the injury during a 41-ball 24, as Pakistan crashed to a 60-run defeat. Fakhar was distraught in the dressing room after the dismissal and, given the uncertainty surrounding his arrival into the side, and that he turns 35 in April, the fact that it could have been his last game for Pakistan was not lost.But talking to PCB digital, Fakhar confirmed that he was not going anywhere. “I heard about this [retirement rumours] a lot and even my friends messaged me about it, but there’s nothing to it,” he said. “The ODI format is my favourite format. Yes, with my thyroid, there was a thing that I could take more time getting back into it. But I want to play T20s, ODIs, even Tests again. As far as my comeback is concerned, I spoke to the doctor and I can start playing cricket again within the month.”Related

Pakistan in NZ: Babar-Rizwan dropped for T20Is with Agha captain; no Shaheen for ODIs

Fakhar Zaman struggles while batting after fielding injury

Injured Fakhar Zaman ruled out of Champions Trophy

Aaqib's post mortem: Lack of experience hurt Pakistan

Fakhar had not played international cricket since the 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies last June, where Pakistan were eliminated in the group stage too. He last played an ODI at the 2023 ODI World Cup, another event where Pakistan exited before the knockout stages.In the run-up to this tournament, however, he had been left out of Pakistan’s central contracts. And he had also been issued a show-cause notice after a tweet he put out last September criticising the decision to drop Babar Azam from the Test side. Later, when chairman Mohsin Naqvi organised a “connection camp” to get senior players to air their views, Fakhar was among the most outspoken, singling out a senior official for trenchant criticism.That would seem to be in the past for now, with Fakhar committing to a return with Pakistan. “The doctor has advised me that I can start training again in three weeks. So I think I should be back to playing cricket in a month’s time.”Pakistan were knocked out of the Champions Trophy when they lost to India. Fakhar was replaced by Imam-ul-Haq, a move which only enhanced the scrutiny on their top order’s seemingly outdated methods. In both the defeats, the focus was on laborious innings by Babar (64 off 90 balls against New Zealand) and captain Mohammad Rizwan (46 off 77 balls against India), the former stymying momentum in a big chase and the latter leading to a below-par target being set.Pakistan had already lost Saim Ayub to injury before the tournament and the subsequent loss of Fakhar was a double-whammy that coach Aaqib Javed identified as one of the pivotal reasons for their poor showing. Fakhar has a career strike rate of nearly 94 in ODIs and was clear about the way to play in the modern game.”The biggest thing is the situation. If you are chasing 150-200 runs you go in with a different mindset and if you are chasing 350, you have a different mindset,” Aaqib said. “But strike rate does matter, especially these days. And you have to play risky cricket. Cricket has become so fast-scoring, all teams come with that plan. If you take risks, you can score runs, although yes, you can also lose your wicket doing that.”

AC Milan cruised into the Coppa Italia round of 16 with a 3-0 win over Lecce at San Siro, but the biggest cheer of the night was for Santiago Gimenez. The Mexican striker finally broke his goal drought with his first of the season, ending months of frustration following the rumours about his future at the Serie A club.

Gimenez ends drought in Lecce win

The 24-year-old opened the scoring in the first half, tapping in from close range after a Davide Bartesaghi assist. The goal came just two minutes after Lecce saw Jamil Siebert was sent off, leaving the visitors with 10 men. Milan took full advantage, with Christopher Nkunku and Christian Pulisic adding goals to complete a comfortable 3-0 win.

AdvertisementGettyGimenez’s Milan journey so far

Gimenez joined AC Milan from Feyenoord in a €37 million deal in January this year, making him one of the most expensive Mexican players ever. He burst onto the scene with quick goals in his first two games, but things soon got tougher as his form dipped and talk of an early exit started doing the rounds, with Roma, Brentford and Newcastle all linked. However, the 24-year-old rejected the move and made it clear that he wants to stay at San Siro and fight for his place. The Mexican international received backing from new manager Massimiliano Allegri, who praised his key contribution in the win over Bologna last week.

Mexican striker fully committed to Milan dream

Speaking to after Tuesday's game, Gimenez admitted the relief of finally finding the net, saying: “As a striker, you have to score goals. In the last few games, I’ve had chances, but the ball just wasn’t going in. The important thing is that one goes in so the others can follow.” 

On speculation linking him with a move away in August, he was clear: "As a child, I dreamed of playing for AC Milan. I'm in my dream team, and I want to fulfill my dreams wearing this jersey. I never thought about leaving."

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Getty ImagesWhen do AC Milan play next?

The Rossoneri now have two big games ahead in Serie A, facing league leaders Napoli on Sunday before travelling to Juventus on October 5. Gimenez has seven goals in 25 appearances since joining Milan, and with his first of the season behind him, fans will hope he can rediscover the form that made him such a big signing.

After failing to win once more in the Scottish Premiership, one journalist believes that Russell Martin is done at Ibrox and has suggested when Rangers could decide to sack their manager.

Martin admits Ibrox atmosphere is "difficult"

It couldn’t have been a much worse start for Martin. Rangers have been inescapably woeful. The Gers sit 10th and haven’t won a single game in five attempts in the Scottish Premiership to mark their worst start to a league campaign in 47 years. It’s history that the 49ers do not need at the start of a new era and history that Ibrox has turned toxic in the face of.

Boos echoed around the stadium as Rangers fell to defeat once again last weekend. Even as Martin returned from the tunnel after half-time, he was met with the anger of his own home fans. This time it was Hearts who benefitted, picking up their first Ibrox victory since 2014, and compiling Martin’s misery to a new level entirely.

Martin admitted that the atmosphere at Ibrox is currently “difficult”, but also claimed that some fans didn’t want him at the club in the first place – telling reporters: “I don’t think many of them wanted me here in the first place.

“We have a lot of new guys in there. We have a lot of players trying to feel their way in an environment that’s really difficult to feel their way into. Really, really difficult. So we just have to make sure they’re alright as human beings first and improve their performance. But there’s anxiety at the moment.”

Rangers flop who's "not helped his team" is as big a problem as Martin

This Glasgow Rangers flop has been as much of a problem for the team as Russell Martin this season.

ByDan Emery Sep 16, 2025

Whether that is the case or not, however, there’s no denying that time is running out for Martin to save his job and one journalist has now set a date that he could be sacked.

When Rangers could sack Russell Martin

According to the Daily Record’s Andy Newport, Martin could be sacked if he doesn’t get a result against Hibernian in the Scottish Cup on Saturday. If the Gers exit the cup competition, it will mark five games without a win and potentially game over for Martin’s tenure.

Newport told Daily Record: “In the eyes of the supporters, he’s toast, he’s done. When he came in, it was the most lukewarm of receptions he got when he was appointed, and the scepticism and the concerns the fans have had since then have only grown. If Martin doesn’t get a result against Hibs, that’ll be the end for him.”

That verdict is no real shock. The biggest surprise is arguably that he is still in a job after the Hearts game and Ibrox’s reaction to that result. Alas, as things stand, Martin seemingly has one last chance to save his job in Scotland.

Former USMNT forward Herculez Gomez hailed Christian Pulisic’s excellent start to the season for AC Milan. Gomez highlighted the USMNT star’s transformation since moving to Serie A, contrasting his consistency with the flashes of brilliance – but ultimate inconsistency – that characterized him at previous clubs in his career.

Getty Images SportMilan move unlocks Pulisic

Gomez contextualized Pulisic's journey through European football, noting that while the Pennsylvania native showed undeniable quality during his previous stints, consistency proved elusive. Pulisic had a breakthrough at Dortmund as a teenager, and then a  promising but injury-interrupted stint at Chelsea before moving to Milan.

“Christian Pulisic here, you’re talking about those moments he had of brilliance against teams like Real Madrid while he was a Dortmund,” Gomez said on the Futbol Americas podcast. "And then he would go to Chelsea and he had isolated moments. Champions League runs. He was a big part against Porto. He was a big part against Real Madrid and of why they advanced to the final and in winning the Champions League. And during that Premier League, Chelsea run, it was lockdown Pulisic.

"He had a good string of games where, like, this is exactly who we thought Christian Pulisic was going to be. And as many, in the pool players for Chelsea found out, it wasn't going to be that way. His future wasn't at that club. Now he comes over to AC Milan, and he's been there just over two seasons. And since the time that Christian Pulisic has been in Milan, has been in Serie A, he has absolutely without a doubt been one of the best players in the league, by far."

AdvertisementStatistical dominance

Gomez emphasized Pulisic's statistical impact in Italy's top flight this season, as the American has established himself as the league's most productive attacking player.

“Easy to say he's productive," Gomez said. "Since he got to Italy, 46 goal contributions, goals and assist – more than any other player in Italian football. Lautaro Martinez, more than him – and he was a Ballon d’Or candidate a few seasons ago. And I'm not talking shortlist of 30, I'm talking about top-five type player. Christian Pulisic is on an epic run that he's never been on.

“And you can say what you want about Serie A… this is a very good league, tactically, very difficult to be productive in. And Christian Pulisic is being productive. And he's being productive with all types of coaches. He's being productive in all types of systems.”

Gomez said that Pulisic is finally reaching his potential.

“He is now, who many thought he could be," he said. "If you're asking yourself, the world, if Christian Pulisic is world-class, here's the evidence. It's not fandom. It's what he's doing right now, what he's been doing in Serie A and what hopefully he stays healthy and will continue to do to do.”

Gold Cup controversy

Gomez also addressed Pulisic's controversial decision to skip this summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup to rest his body in preparation for the season ahead. He suggested the American's form represents clear vindication of that choice.

“He decided that the best thing for himself in the summer was to take a break, because his body needed it,” Gomez said.. “Most people don’t know… he had a hip issue. So he decided to prioritize his health and not go with the USMNT in a secondary tournament… when he decided that, he’s now proving that was best for his health."

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Getty Images SportMilan's recent success

The timing of Pulisic's career renaissance couldn't be better for both his club and country with the American thriving so far this season. He has contributed to eight goals in seven games, a tally that includes six in the Serie A alone. The Rossoneri face Juventus next before the October international break on Oct. 5.

New boys – like Arya – Suryansh Shedge and Musheer Khan also come in for praise from the Punjab Kings head coach

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Mar-2025Punjab Kings (PBKS) head coach Ricky Ponting is impressed with the young batters in his IPL 2025 squad, singling out opener Priyansh Arya, finisher (and medium-pace bowler) Suryansh Shedge, and 19-year-old batting allrounder Musheer Khan as the ones he is expecting good things from.”Priyansh Arya, I think, is a very special potential opening batsman for us going forward in the tournament,” Ponting said at an event in New Chandigarh. “Depending on which way we go with our overseas make-up, he’s very exciting.”Left-hand batter Arya had first attracted attention when he thumped six sixes in an over in the Delhi Premier League. At the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024-25, he scored 325 runs, with a century, at an average of 40.62 and a strike rate of 176.63. Arya is one of three opening batters in PBKS’ squad, the others being Prabhsimran Singh and Josh Inglis.Related

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Like Arya, Shedge also had a successful SMAT last season. He had the highest strike rate (251.92) for any batter to have faced at least 50 balls in the tournament, with his cameos helping Mumbai successfully hunt down 230 (against Andhra) and 222 (against Vidarbha). Musheer, meanwhile, will be back in action after September 2024, when he suffered injuries in a car accident.”Suryansh Shedge is also someone who has been very impressive in our training so far,” Ponting said. “When I talk about energy and fun, another player that I am impressed with is Musheer Khan. He’s brought a lot to the group already. He has got an infectious attitude, and around the training ground and around the team so far, he’s been someone that I’ve really enjoyed working with.”PBKS, who had finished ninth last season and have never won the IPL title, start their campaign this season against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad on March 25. Apart from having a new head coach in Ponting, PBKS also have a new captain in Shreyas Iyer. They had last made the IPL playoffs back in 2014, which is also the only time they got to the final.

Chasing 112, KKR went from 62 for 2 to be bowled out for 95

Sidharth Monga15-Apr-20253:37

T20 batting mindset feat. Rayudu

Last year Punjab Kings (PBKS) pulled off the highest successful chase in the IPL when they came across Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). This year, they have nailed the lowest successful defence, bowling KKR out for 95 after posting just 111. And this after they failed to defend 245 in their previous match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.At 62 for 2, KKR were 98% favourites to win, but Yuzvendra Chahal triggered a sensational collapse in conditions that were almost as helpful for the seamers as in Test cricket. Arshdeep Singh and Marco Jansen then applied the finishing touches with incisive short bowling, something KKR had used to end up with a paltry target to chase.The ball seamed 0.5 degrees on average, and both the batting sides approached the game with high intent. Anything full flew because of the pace in the pitch, but once wickets fell, they did so in clutches. Accordingly, things happened quickly, the game swung wildly. PBKS went from 39 for 0 in 19 balls to 15 for 4 in the next 17. They lost their last six wickets for 37. KKR were 7 for 2 in 1.2 overs but scored 55 in the next 38 balls. Chahal then inspired a collapse of six wickets in 5.2 overs. The final twist was Andre Russell taking 16 off one Chahal over to rearrange his figures to 4-0-28-4, but the big left-arm quicks turned to seal the win that took PBKS into the top four.Ramandeep Singh and Harshit Rana combined for three wickets inside the powerplay•Associated PressPrabhsimran and Arya hit the ground runningKKR beefed up their fast bowling with Anrich Nortje ostensibly because they wanted to test the young Indian batters in PBKS, who have been doing the heavy lifting for them. However, the openers targeted Vaibhav Arora’s second over to threaten a repeat of their high-scoring exploits. Harshit Rana, though, turned things around with shorter lengths. The wickets themselves might look innocuous but the short balls did create doubts as they stopped a little and also seamed appreciably. Priyansh Arya found deep square leg, Shreyas Iyer cut a short and wide ball straight to deep point, and Prabhsimran Singh was cramped on the cut. All three catches ended up with Ramandeep Singh.KKR spinners mop upProbably expecting high pace, PBKS reinforced their overseas batting by bringing in Josh Inglis for Marcus Stoinis. However, both their overseas batters failed to read Varun Chakravarthy from the hand. Inglis was bowled off a wrong’un trying to slog-sweep, Glenn Maxwell looking for a single.Glenn Maxwell was bamboozled by Varun Chakravarthy•Associated PressPBKS even went for an SOS substitution, which would leave Maxwell as the fifth bowler. Sunil Narine, though, took out the Impact Player Suryansh Shedge and Jansen in the same over. A run-out between Arshdeep and IPL debutant Xavier Bartlett ended what looked like a sorry innings. The KKR seamers took 4 for 23 in 29 balls pitched shorter than 8m in length, while 24 balls fuller than that went for 49 runs.Jansen and Bartlett strike earlyContinuing with the trend, Jansen, given the first over ahead of Arshdeep, wasted no time in testing the middle of the pitch. The ball seamed in to beat Narine’s pull, and took the top of the stumps. Bartlett, renowned for new-ball wickets in the BBL, got Quinton de Kock with the rare traditional length ball as de Kock got a massive top edge on the flick.A few fielding errors got the partnership between Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi going, and there were calculations about the net-run-rate boost that could help KKR get to the top of the table.Chahal brings PBKS backThe IPL’s highest wicket-taker, Chahal, had had an indifferent start this year with just two wickets in the first five matches. He had to take a fitness test and then reassure Ricky Ponting to play him in this match. The dew had already set in, as seen in how a Bartlett throw from the boundary actually slipped out for four overthrows behind him. Still, Chahal kept giving the ball a rip, slowed his pace down, and took out not just the set batters, Rahane and Raghuvanshi, but also Rinku Singh and Ramandeep.Yuzvendra Chahal was the hero as PBKS stunned KKR•BCCIRahane was beaten on the sweep, had got himself outside the line, but failed to review the lbw call. That was among Chahal’s quicker balls at 84.3kph, but once he got a look-in, he started to loop it. Raghuvanshi and Rinku were both beaten in the flight. Raghuvanshi got a thick edge to backward point, and Rinku was stumped after having been dragged out of the crease by the dip and the drift. Ramandeep premeditated a paddle sweep first ball and top-edged it to leg slip where the anticipating Iyer had already reached from first slip.Russell gives PBKS a scareAlmost halfway into the league stage, Russell’s strike rate read 92, his season tally 23 off 25 and match score 1 off 4. The last player who could support him, Rana, had been softened up and then bowled by Jansen’s short-pitch bowling. KKR still needed 33 with two wickets in hand. This is when Russell showed up and hit Chahal for two sixes and a four to cut the required runs to half.Arshdeep had Arora in his sight for a whole over if he could manage. He pitched two balls up from around the wicket. The second could have been a single if Russell had sprinted off, but he didn’t. Arshdeep now went over the wicket and started to dig the ball in. Arora was hit on the arm as he looked to duck, beaten as he fended, and then lucky to survive as he fended again. For the last ball of the over, Arshdeep went around the wicket and bowled a snorter to take the edge right in front of Arora’s nose.The over ended, and Russell still had another shot at the target. However, he bottom-edged the first ball of the next over to kickstart rapturous celebrations in Mullanpur.

Newcastle United’s start to the 2025/26 Premier League season has been one of promise mixed with frustration.

Eddie Howe’s side opened with a cagey 0-0 draw against Aston Villa, a match in which they dominated large periods but lacked a cutting edge.

Their second fixture produced drama at St James’ Park.

Coming from 2-0 down against Liverpool, Newcastle looked set to have completed the comeback before Rio Ngumoha’s 100th-minute strike condemned them to a 3-2 defeat.

The pattern continued away at Leeds, another 0-0 stalemate where chances were few.

It wasn’t until the fourth game that Newcastle finally claimed three points, grinding out a laboured 1-0 home victory over Wolves.

That was followed by another goalless encounter, this time away at Bournemouth – a match that underlined both Howe’s tactical experiments and the team’s ongoing attacking malaise.

In those two goalless games against Leeds and Bournemouth, Howe trialled different variations of a back three.

Yet, the results suggest the system still requires tweaking, with Newcastle struggling for rhythm in possession and fluency in the final third.

Newcastle stifled by the system against Bournemouth

Against Bournemouth, Howe’s team took to the field in a 3-4-2-1, aiming to nullify the hosts’ high-pressing 4-2-3-1.

Nick Woltemade, the record signing, led the line.

The German forward showed neat touches and even had a penalty appeal waved away, but he still appeared to be adjusting to the physical demands of English football.

In midfield, Howe rotated heavily. Lewis Miley and Joe Willock replaced Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton, but neither was able to stamp authority on proceedings.

Newcastle’s lack of thrust was reflected in the numbers: just 0.14 expected goals (xG) compared to Bournemouth’s 0.46.

Defensively, there were nervy moments.

Tino Livramento was caught at the back post, allowing David Brooks to score what looked like the opening goal before it was ruled out for offside.

Malick Thiaw also rode his luck, avoiding what could have been a second-half red card.

The raw statistics painted a bleak picture for Newcastle: 4 shots to Bournemouth’s 11 and 390 completed passes to the Cherries’ 498.

One positive came in the form of Lewis Hall, who looked composed on his return to the starting XI after a lengthy injury layoff.

The former Chelsea man provided balance on the left flank and showed glimpses of the technical security Newcastle have been missing in recent weeks. The same can’t be said of one of his teammates, however…

Bournemouth draw the latest example of Willock’s decline

Amid Newcastle’s struggles, the spotlight inevitably fell on Joe Willock.

The midfielder was handed his first league start of the season at Bournemouth, but his subdued display was another reminder of how far his career has drifted from the explosive start he made at St James’ Park.

Willock first arrived on loan from Arsenal in February 2021, tasked with helping Steve Bruce’s side escape relegation.

He wasted no time, scoring on his debut in a 3-2 win over Southampton before embarking on a remarkable run of goals in seven consecutive matches – equalling Alan Shearer’s long-standing record from 1996.

By the end of that season, Willock had eight goals in 14 games, second only to Callum Wilson despite arriving mid-season.

Bruce urged the board to make the move permanent, and in the summer, Newcastle obliged with a £25m deal.

Willock went on to contribute significantly in Howe’s first full campaign, helping Newcastle secure a fourth-place finish and a return to the Champions League.

But since then, injuries have derailed his progress.

Hamstring Injury

12 matches missed

Achilles Tendon Injury

18 matches missed

Achilles Tendon Injury

8 matches missed

Thigh Injury

2 matches missed

Muscle Injury

1 match missed

Calf Injury

2 matches missed

He missed 38 matches in 2023/24 and another seven last season, with one content creator on X remarking that the “explosive bursts of pace” once central to his game have all but disappeared.

The Bournemouth match showed the scale of his struggles.

In the 62 minutes before being replaced by Harvey Barnes, Willock registered no shots, 32 touches, and just 12 successful passes from 15 attempts (80%), as per Sofascore.

Defensively, he was combative, winning six of nine ground duels, but he lost both of his aerial contests and offered little drive going forward.

His match rating of 6.8 reflected an industrious but uninspiring performance.

For a player once hailed as Newcastle’s answer to Shearer in terms of clutch goalscoring, his trajectory has become symbolic of the team’s own attacking issues.

Howe will hope that minutes in the upcoming League Cup clash against Bradford can help Willock rediscover some rhythm, but at present, he looks far from the dynamic midfielder who carried Newcastle to safety just four years ago.

Fewer touches than Pope: 4/10 Newcastle flop is on borrowed time under Howe

This Newcastle United flop is now on borrowed time on Tyneside after struggling against AFC Bournemouth.

ByKelan Sarson Sep 22, 2025

Villarreal have unveiled plans to fly fans to Miami for their La Liga clash against Barcelona, offering free travel for supporters attending the December 20 fixture. CEO Fernando Roig Negueroles defended the controversial move, insisting the game is “about image and the future, not business,” as UEFA reluctantly approved Spain’s first-ever domestic match staged abroad.

Villarreal confirm Miami clash amid controversy

Villarreal’s CEO has defended the club’s decision to play their La Liga fixture against Barcelona in Miami on December 20. Speaking from Rome during European Club Association meetings, Roig Negueroles emphasised that the move is not motivated by money as he stressed the club won't earn "a single euro" from the game. The decision marks the first time a domestic European league match will be staged in a foreign country, with UEFA granting approval on an exceptional basis despite its longstanding opposition.

AdvertisementAFPVillarreal chief on fan access and club strategy

Aware of the logistical challenges, Villarreal have sought to mitigate inconvenience for fans, the chief executive announced that those able to travel will be offered free flights and tickets, while season-ticket holders unable to attend will receive a refund of 25-30 per cent of their season pass. He stressed the move aims to expand Spanish football’s international presence, telling that the initiative will be a "positive" for the nation's game.

CEO responds to criticism and financial concerns

Critics and fans have questioned whether playing abroad undermines competitive integrity or prioritises profit. Roig Negueroles, though, was clear that Villarreal will not receive direct financial compensation for the match, ensuring that any gains benefit fans. 

"I don't think it's a bad thing; I think it's opening up Spanish football to other countries, to other markets, and that's a positive thing," he said. "Villarreal will not receive anything for playing a match in Miami. We prefer that all available money go to season ticket holders. It's about image and future. We have schools in the United States, and we believe that any growth we can make there will benefit Spanish football."

He added: "The competition isn't manipulated when you play at a different stadium. Two years ago, we played seven matches at Levante's stadium and nothing happened."

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GettyUEFA reluctantly approves La Liga abroad

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin admitted the decision to stage matches abroad was “regrettable” but justified it as an exceptional measure under current regulatory gaps. Similar approval was granted to Italy’s Serie A for AC Milan’s fixture in Perth. Ceferin warned the approvals should not set a precedent, maintaining that domestic matches should ideally remain on home soil. FIFA’s ongoing review of international match regulations influenced UEFA’s exceptional consent, illustrating the evolving landscape of European football governance.