Tag Futebol

Everton return to action in the Premier League this afternoon, hosting Brentford as Sean Dyche looks to create some space between his side and the relegation zone.

After losing the opening four league fixtures of the season, Everton have toughened up and been defeated only one time across seven outings, but with four draws in that timeframe, more work is needed.

23/24

Gtech Stadium

1-0 win

23/24

Goodison Park

3-1 win

22/23

Goodison Park

1-0 win

22/23

Gtech Stadium

1-1 draw

21/22

Goodison Park

3-2 loss

21/22

Gtech Stadium

1-0 loss

The Goodison Park side have won their last three matches against the Bees, and with the home advantage, must be optimistic that they can make progress.

Everton team news

Jarrad Branthwaite returned from injury before the international break, keeping a clean sheet against West Ham United, and will be crucial against a mean Brentford frontline.

There’s further good news on the injury front, for Dwight McNeil is expected to be fit after missing the Hammers draw two weeks back.

Armando Broja and Youssef Chermiti have both taken to first-team training but will not feature on Saturday. Moreover, Tim Iroegbunam, James Garner and Seamus Coleman remain out.

Chalkboard

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

Despite pulling out of international duty, deadly duo Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa are expected to be fit, and the same again for Ethan Pinnock. Mbeumo, in particular, will be a force to be reckoned with on Merseyside.

Why Bryan Mbeumo is the biggest threat

Believe it or not, Tottenham Hotspur are the only team to have outscored Brentford in the Premier League this season, something that will have been discussed repeatedly at the Everton tactical table over the past two weeks.

1.

Tottenham

23

2.

Man City

22

2=

Brentford

22

4.

Liverpool

21

4=

Chelsea

21

Everton languish in 18th place at the other end of such standings, with just ten strikes from 11 matches so far. Branthwaite’s return will be crucial, especially with Mbeumo having scored eight goals from 11 Premier League matches this term – that’s a tally bettered only by Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.

It’s going to be vital that the Toffees stand firm at the back while mustering all the attacking power that they can. It begs the question: should Dominic Calvert-Lewin reprise his starting berth at number nine once again?

The 27-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has been in dreadful form of late, blanking across his past seven Premier League matches. Funnily enough, Everton are actually creating a bit, and he should be dropped for this one.

Lacking mobility, it’s probably the right call. Broja may not be ready to make his debut, but Beto has shown promising signs this season and could be the man for the job.

Why Everton should unleash Beto from the outset

Beto joined Everton from Udinese for a £26m fee in 2023, but he failed to adapt to life on English shores, only bagging three goals in the Premier League.

This year, Dyche has used him as a second-half option, and indeed, to impressive effect. Beto scored the last-gasp equaliser in Everton’s draw against Fulham several matches back and hit the post and netted (though it was chalked off after a VAR review) in the following fixture against Southampton.

He’s more athletic and mobile than Calvert-Lewin and will be determined to finally be awarded a starting berth to showcase his suitability.

Ranking among the top 24% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for successful take-ons and the top 15% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90, as per FBref, he’s clearly got something that Calvert-Lewin’s who bears all the resemblance of a deep-rooted tree at times, lacks.

And given that journalist Sam Tighe has hailed him as a striker who “spooks defenders” through his muscular physicality and surprising springiness, it’s surely time to unleash him.

It would, to the least, provide Everton with more than they currently yield with Calvert-Lewin up top. Mbeumo – and Wissa – are bound to cause problems at Everton’s ground, and McNeil’s creativity and Iliman Nidaye’s electric-paced efforts will fall flat without a reliable talisman.

Who knows, perhaps this will prove to be the springboard that Beto needs to live up to that rather lofty price tag and prove himself within the Premier League scene.

Given that the 26-year-old has won 56% of his aerial battles in the top flight this year too, as per Sofascore, it would appear that he has the frame and aerial understanding to compensate for Calvert-Lewin’s prospective absence – after all, he’s 6 foot 4.

Dyche needs to find an answer to the threat of Mbeumo, and while Beto isn’t a player who’s cut from the same cloth, he has his talents and can apply them to emphatic effect at Goodison Park this afternoon.

Everton have enjoyed their football when playing Brentford in recent encounters but must be wary of a fluid and ferocious strikeforce.

Maybe the visitors will get themselves on the scoresheet. It’s up to Dyche to make the requisite adjustments and ensure that his team score more.

488% profit: Everton hit gold selling ace who's now scoring less than Beto

Everton sold a forward for a big profit and he’s scored less than Beto since leaving.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Nov 21, 2024

Whilst the postponement of the Merseyside derby has left many disappointed, Liverpool could still be on for some good news amid reports that one of Arne Slot’s star men is now increasingly likely to sign a fresh Anfield deal.

Liverpool transfer news

The Reds’ trip to Goodison Park represented their first opportunity to put things right following a midweek game to forget against Newcastle United, in which Fabian Schar netted a late equaliser following a rare Caoimhin Kelleher mistake.

After two points dropped at St James’ Park, nerves will undoubtedly begin to kick in if Slot’s side drop further points and open the door back up to Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea in the Premier League title race during the festive period.

As Storm Darragh continues to wreak havoc, Liverpool are facing a storm of their own away from the pitch, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah all on course to leave as free agents at the end of the season as things stand.

Related Bigger blow than Trent: Real Madrid hoping to sign Slot's Liverpool star

Real Madrid are hoping to raid Liverpool for more than just Alexander-Arnold in 2025…

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Dec 6, 2024

Recent reports have at least indicated that Van Dijk is nearing a breakthrough in negotiations, but until the Dutchman is pictured with pen in hand and contract signed, his future remains in doubt. Those at Anfield should certainly take that report as a positive, whilst also potentially celebrating more good news.

According to GiveMeSport, Salah is now increasingly likely to sign a new Liverpool deal which will see the Egyptian get his wish and stay put at the Merseyside giants. The winger has made it clear over recent months that his desire is to stay at the club and that he’s simply waiting for an offer to do exactly that. Now, it seems as though all parties are nearing the end of a frustrating saga.

"Special" Salah still at the peak of his powers

In usual cases, it’s understandable when a club becomes hesitant over offering a 32-year-old on £350,000 a week a fresh deal. But Salah is no usual case; he is no usual 32-year-old Premier League star. In fact, there’s a strong argument that there hasn’t been a better player in English football or perhaps even European football than the Liverpool star this season, and he has more than earned a new deal as a result.

Slot is among those to have lavished deserved praise on the Egyptian, telling reporters after Salah’s sensational brace against Newcastle in midweek (as relayed by Flashscore): “What makes him for me even more special is that in the first hour or before we scored to make it 1-1, you thought, ‘He’s not playing his best game today’.

“Then to come up with a half-hour or 45 minutes with an assist, two goals, having a shot on the bar, being a constant threat, that is something not many players can do if they’ve played the first hour like he did.

“That is also what makes him special. If you just look at the goals, his finish is so clinical. He’s a special player, but that’s what we all know.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Envoltos em polêmicas, preteridos da lista de inscritos para o Mundial de Clubes e pressionados por uma nova geração que conquistou pela primeira vez no clube a Copa São Paulo de juniores, algumas das revelações da base do Palmeiras vão ter o Campeonato Paulista para mostrarem seu valor e reconquistarem a confiança do técnico Abel Ferreira.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFora de CampoScarpa solta o verbo contra amigos que torceram para o Chelsea e promete cortar relações; vejaFora de Campo14/02/2022PalmeirasPalmeiras mantém ingressos com preço reduzido para jogo contra o Santo AndréPalmeiras14/02/2022Palmeiras‘Novo Pelé’? Endrick, do Palmeiras, é eleito o oitavo jogador mais promissor do futebol mundialPalmeiras14/02/2022

Esse processo de avaliação por parte de comissão técnica e diretoria já começa nesta quarta-feira (16), às 19h (de Brasília), quando o Verdão vai a Araraquara enfrentar a Ferroviária pela sétima rodada do Estadual.

Com apenas um dia de preparação para a partida após o desembarque de Abu Dhabi e já de olho na decisão da Recopa Sul-Americana contra o Athletico-PR, que começa na próxima semana, Abel deverá usar os reservas no duelo contra a equipe interiorana.

O zagueiro Renan e os meias Gabriel Menino e Patrick de Paula deverão ser utilizados nesse jogo e na maioria dos compromissos pela primeira fase do Estadual, onde o Palmeiras segue invicto e lidera seu grupo com folgas, mesmo tendo dois jogos a menos disputados por causa do Mundial.

De todos, Renan é o que parece estar em situação mais confortável, afinal conversou com Abel e ficou sabendo que sua não-inscreveu se deveu por necessidade de abrir espaço para uma vaga no elenco para o ataque.

Mas os outros dois estão na berlinda. Segundo o LANCE! apurou ambos não teriam cumprido o cronograma de sono e treinos no voo para Abu Dhabi, além de desagradarem o treinador pelas constantes brincadeiras em concentrações e treinos, algo que ele destacou publicamente.

Patrick de Paula vem sendo acompanhado de perto pela diretoria do Verdão desde que foi flagrado em uma balada clandestina durante a pandemia, no ano passado. Desde então, integrantes de torcidas organizadas entregaram à diretoria denúncias sobre sua presença em festas, o que foi negado pelo jogador em reuniões. Os dirigentes chegaram a levantar com Abel a hipótese de obrigá-lo a passar a dormir no próprio CT, mas o português é contra medidas que avancem contra a vida particular de seus jogadores.

Por outro lado, Menino é o que mais está em situação mais perigosa junto à comissão técnica, apesar de já ter sido convocado para a Seleção Brasileira. O jogador teria o costume de responder às broncas de Abel, o que já o desagradaria. Além disso foi o único a reagir ao corte no Mundial, fazendo postagens em suas redes sociais e chegou a curtir a postagem do Chelsea sobre o título mundial, atitude que caiu como uma bomba no grupo e o fez entrar em uma possível lista de transferências.

CA chief executive Hockley says he was aware of the case but found out details only last week

Andrew McGlashan20-Nov-2021The current Cricket Australia board would not have endorsed Tim Paine as Test captain if the information around his explicit text messages to a female colleague in 2018 had been available, the chairman of the body has said.Paine resigned on Friday when details of the code of conduct case, which cleared him of wrongdoing, was made public. There has been considerable turnaround in the board and executive of CA since that time, with neither current chairman Richard Freudenstein or chief executive Nick Hockley with the organisation three years ago – although an overlap remains.Related

Cricket Tasmania furious at Cricket Australia's treatment of Tim Paine

Tim Paine knew explicit messages could emerge at any time

No wishing away the issues as England and Australia brace for Scandal Ashes

CA left with reputational and cricketing questions to answer

The twists and turns of Paine's international career

“While I cannot speak about the original decision-making in 2018, what I can say is that faced with the same circumstances and with the benefit of all the relevant information about this matter, Cricket Australia would not make the same decisions today,” Freudenstein said in a statement at the beginning of a press conference on Saturday.”I acknowledge the decision clearly sent the wrong message to the sport, to the community and to Tim that this kind of behaviour is acceptable and without serious consequences. The role of the Australian cricket captain must be held to the highest possible standards.”He said he had been told about the closed case when he came onto the board two years ago, while Hockley confirmed he was aware of its existence although only delved into it deeply last week when it became clear the story was going public. Paine was listed as captain when Australia’s Ashes squad was announced on Wednesday morning.”Faced with the same circumstances and with the benefit of all the relevant information about this matter, Cricket Australia would not make the same decisions today”•Getty Images

Freudenstein added that amendments to the code of conduct have been implemented over the last three years and that CA’s current policies were appropriate. “Think it’s important to note a lot of things have changed since that time, the player education, there’s a full programme addressing a whole range of things including texting which has been in place since 2018-19 and we’ve undertaken a full review of our anti-harassment and discrimination policies,” he said.Although having been made aware of the case, Freudenstein said he did not believe it warranted looking into again during the intervening time until forced to by it being made pubic. “You don’t go onto a board and ask to see every integrity decision that’s been closed over the previous years,” he said. “I was given a very high-level briefing that there had been an incident and a thorough investigation and no misconduct found. There would be no reason to investigate that further. It was something that had been put to bed.”He indicated that the board would undertake a review of past integrity findings while the credentials of Paine’s replacement, expected to be Pat Cummins, would be heavily scrutinised. “We may just need to look back…I’m very confident in the way integrity decisions are made. We’ll have a review over the past few years but I’m sure that will lead to no further changes.”Paine had been central to CA’s attempts to forge the men’s team in a new image after the ball-tampering scandal but despite the nature of his exit from the captaincy there is confidence that any gains won’t be undone.”The team over recent years has really prioritised team culture,” Hockley said. “Think we have made great strides. Certainly we are very clear on the vision for cricket to be the most inclusive sport with a culture of respect and its core. As Tim has said he’s owned that particular mistake. Going forward it’s incumbent on everybody to have the highest standards to represent Australia particularly on a leadership position.”Paine had been due to return to action following his neck surgery with a club game in Hobart on Saturday, but rain prevented any play. George Bailey, the national selector, was spotted at the ground but did not make any comment on the situation.Freudenstein reiterated that Paine remained available for selection for the Test side and that decision was now solely in the hands of the selectors. “The board of Australian cricket is comfortable he is available to play,” he said

La Liga giants Barcelona now want to sign another Chelsea player who head coach Enzo Maresca thinks is “vital”, alongside the already-linked Carney Chukwuemeka, with the Catalans looking to Stamford Bridge to shore up one area of the park.

Chelsea players who could leave in January

Barring two defeats in the Premier League to title contenders Man City and Liverpool, the west Londoners have started this campaign in absolutely excellent fashion.

What Enzo Maresca really thinks of Joao Felix after £45m move to Chelsea

The Portuguese completed a permanent return to west London over the summer.

ByEmilio Galantini Oct 22, 2024

Maresca’s side were quite unlucky to lose to Liverpool at Anfield, creating more chances and dominating the possession on Merseyside, but it was a learning curve for Chelsea who otherwise displayed real promise over these first two months of the campaign.

The likes of Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, Moises Caicedo, Nicolas Jackson and others have displayed real quality and showed exactly why they’re starting for Chelsea week in, week out. However, some fellow members of the squad haven’t been as fortunate, with Chelsea’s manager relegating them to bit-part roles.

Newcastle (home)

October 27

Man United (away)

November 3

Arsenal (home)

November 10

Leicester City (home)

November 23

Aston Villa (home)

December 1

Maresca is apparently unconvinced by summer signing Joao Felix, who is yet to start a single top-flight game, and it is believed a few of his teammates could depart on loan or permanently in the January transfer window.

Chelsea are prepared to loan out Mykhailo Mudryk in January, with the Ukranian struggling for both form and consistent game time. Meanwhile, the likes of Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile have been linked with Chelsea exits as well.

Ben Chilwell is very likely to leave Chelsea in the winter too, despite Maresca recently reintroducing him to the senior squad and handing the left-back a 45-minute cameo during their 5-1 win over Barrow in the EFL Cup.

Man United are registering an interest in Chilwell ahead of January, with midfielder Chukwuemeka drawing admirers from Europe. The 20-year-old, on a reported £100,000-per-week at Stamford Bridge, is believed to be of interest in Serie A. AC Milan have opened talks with Chukwuemeka’s reps, and the former Aston Villa gem is also wanted by Barcelona.

Barcelona register interest in signing Romeo Lavia from Chelsea

According to journalist Simon Phillips, writing via his Substack, Barca have already held talks with Chukwuemeka’s agents with the player up for sale.

Hansi Flick’s side want to bolster the midfield, and Chukwuemeka isn’t the only Blue on their radar. Indeed, another Chelsea midfield ace in Romeo Lavia is also attracting their attention,

Phillips writes that Barcelona have registered their interest in signing Lavia from Chelsea, but Maresca and the club’s hierarchy consider the Belgian a “vital” part of their project and won’t even entertain an enquiry.

The former Man City and Southampton starlet’s career at Cobham has been dampened by injuries so far. However, Lavia is seen as a player with serious potential. City boss Pep Guardiola, commenting on the 20-year-old last year, was full of praise for Lavia during his time at St. Mary’s.

“I am really impressed with what Romeo has done and is doing,” said Guardiola on Lavia.

“We had, and we have, an incredible opinion about him. We thought to keep him, but maybe he would not (get) enough minutes like he has in Southampton.”

The defensive midfielder has started two league games this season, most recently against Liverpool, but was forced to sit on the sidelines for a period beforehand with a hamstring problem.

أوضحت صحيفة “ذا أثليتك” تفاصيل تتعلق باحتفال أحد لاعبي فريق ريال مدريد الإسباني، والذي يكرره عقب كل هدف يحرزه مع فريقه.

وخاض ريال مدريد مباراة مؤخرًا أمام أتلتيكو مدريد وتغلب عليه بهدفين مقابل هدف، وسجل له رودريجو وإبراهيم دياز.

وسجل إبراهيم دياز هدف فوز ريال مدريد أمام أتلتيكو مدريد بالديربي في دوري أبطال أوروبا ليلة الثلاثاء بالدقيقة 55.

وتوضح “ذا أثليتك” أن دياز كان يحتفل بإشارة “البندقية”، في إشارة إلى مباراة لعبها مع أخته الصغرى.

ثم أصبح احتفال المغربي الدولي بذراعيه المفتوحتين، وهو ما سجله مؤخرًا قانونيًا كعلامة تجارية له، ويشير الاحتفال إلى أنه بالجهد يمكن تحقيق أي شيء.

وتحدث دياز لاحقًا عن المباراة قائلاً: “كل شيء لا يزال مفتوحًا، من الجيد أننا فزنا على أرضنا ولكن في مباراة الإياب يجب أن نعطي كل ما لدينا، هذه هي بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا”.

وأضاف: “وكل شيء صغير يصنع الفارق، أنا هنا للمساهمة وهذا هو الشيء الوحيد الذي يتعين علي فعله”.

واحتفل دياز بالهدف وحصل على إنذار لقفزه على الجماهير، ثم أهدى الهدف إلى مدرب أتلتيكو مدريد، دييجو سيميوني، قائلاً له: “تحدث الآن، تحدث الآن” أثناء عودته لاستئناف المباراة.

وأوضحت تقارير أن الأمر يعود لتصريحات أدلى بها سيميوني قبل اللقاء حول تصوره لعدم مشاركة دياز في اللقاء في ظل تكرار أنشيلوتي لحلول معينة في خط الوسط.

على الرغم من ذلك أشاد سيميوني لاحقًا بدياز حين علم بوجوده في التشكيل، لكن لم يعلم المغربي بذلك (طالع التفاصيل من خلال الرابط).

ويلتقي ريال مدريد مع رايو فاليكانو يوم الأحد المقبل في الدوري الإسباني، ثم يواجه أتلتيكو مدريد في مباراة الإياب بدور الـ 16 لدوري أبطال أوروبا يوم الأربعاء القادم.

Bayern Munich are desperate to try and tie down star man Jamal Musiala to a new contract amid interest from Liverpool, according to reports, with Arne Slot’s side ready to rival Manchester City for the forward’s signature.

Slot's strong start at Anfield

Though bizzarely overlooked for the Premier League’s manager of the month award, it was a perfect August for Arne Slot in his new role as Liverpool boss. He oversaw three wins from three, scoring seven goals without reply in the process as his side blew away Manchester United after wins against Brentford and newly promoted Ipswich Town.

One of just two sides (the other being Manchester City) to have taken maximum points from the first three games, the Dutchman appears to have rejuvenated a stale-looking Liverpool side even without much summer business, and is finding a way to get the best out of the likes of Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai, the former of whom struggled under Jürgen Klopp in his final season.

Though there will undoubtedly be bumps in the road across the course of the season, but it has been a sensational start from the former Feyenoord coach.

Liverpool now register interest in "wonderful" Real Madrid target for Slot

He’s a future star.

1 ByTom Cunningham Sep 13, 2024

But the prospect of personnel problems continues to loom amid the contracts of key trio Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil Van Dijk all coming to an end in 2025, something that Slot has done his best to avoid being dragged into.

“It’s again the boring answer you are going to get from me as long as there is no news. We don’t talk about contract situations here”, Slot explained. “Is it a distraction? No, it isn’t because I’m fully focused on the individuals and the team.

“They are part of the team and I’m trying to work with them in the best possible way to get the best out of them. It’s not a distraction for me at all.”

But should any of their stars leave, Liverpool may feel the need to make a marquee signing to replace them, leaving Bayern Munich on red alert.

Bayern keen to tie down Musiala amid Premier League interest

That comes as Caught Offside report that Liverpool are showing “increasing interest” in Bayern Munich talent Jamal Musiala, who is down to the final two years of his contract in Bavaria. The Germany international has emerged as a world-class talent at the Allianz Arena, and Bayern are “confident” of keeping him at the club under fresh terms before his current deal comes to an end, but as of yet have made little progress.

Should they fail to do so there will be no shortage of interest in his services, and the report claims that both Manchester City and Liverpool are among his suitors.

His massive talent comes with a similarly massive fee, with Bayern ready to demand a record £150m for his services should they become resigned to his exit, though both Liverpool and City have shown previously that money is no problem should the right player become available, and neither side spent heavily in the 2024 summer window.

Jamal Musiala at Bayern Munich

Appearances

166

Goals

44

Assists

31

Yellow Cards

8

Minutes per goal/assist

125

European giants PSG and Real Madrid would also likely be interested, but with the star-studded line up already at the Santiago Bernabeu and Jude Bellingham in Musiala’s role, a move to the Spanish capital may be difficult.

While at present it seems likely that Musiala remains at the Allianz Arena, Liverpool are positioning themselves towards the head of the queue should he change his mind.

Mustafizur Rahman had earlier played a key role in keeping Australia to just 121 for 7

Andrew McGlashan04-Aug-2021You wait years for a T20 victory over Australia then two come along at once. Bangladesh stumbled but eventually found composure in their chase to take a 2-0 lead in Dhaka with Afif Hossain and Nurul Hasan guiding them home with eight balls to spare.The pitch – a new one – was again slow, although looked rather less slow when Mitchell Starc was racing in with the new ball after Australia’s batting had laboured to post 121, in which Mustafizur Rahman was outstanding. At 67 for 5 the chase was wobbling significantly but with such a small target, the required rate was never an issue and the sixth-wicket pair managed to show a calmness that had eluded a few others.After struggling in the Powerplay, Australia had given themselves a foundation to launch in the closing overs with a stand of 57 between Mitchell Marsh and Moises Henriques, and with a fair wind 140 would have been achievable. However, the innings almost went into reverse after Shakib Al Hasan removed Henriques, and when Marsh edged behind it meant there wasn’t a set batter for the final push. The last five overs brought 31 for 4.Mustafizur’s fizz
If you want an in-depth look at the story of Mustafizur’s career then read this. Suffice to say this was the type of performance that made his name. His 3 for 23 were his best figures in T20Is since 2017 and the third best of his career. Effectively a fast spinner most of the time, Australia’s batters had all sorts of problems facing his brisk cutters that gripped on the surface. He completely befuddled Josh Philippe with a short delivery that held in the surface and dipped slowly under the bat, so much so that Philippe could almost turn and watch it take leg stump. It was wonderful deception. Later in the innings he knocked back Matthew Wade’s leg stump then found himself on a hat-trick when the next delivery spat at Ashton Agar and took the glove. It was Bangladesh’s two left-arm seamers who did most of the damage as Mustafizur and Shoriful Islam claimed 5 for 50 between them.Mahedi’s charmed life
At one point during the chase, the camera picked out a cat roaming around the empty stands. It is arguable whether it or Mahedi Hasan had more lives. At times there was a rather frenetic nature to Bangladesh’s chase, not least when Mahedi kept lofting deliveries tantalisingly out of reach of Australia’s fielders. On at least four occasions he evaded fielders, although when he did middle one off Adam Zampa it went a long way back into the stands. When he fell, missing a wild charge at Zampa, it was the third wicket for nine runs in three overs as Australia pressed hard. That had included the key duo of Shakib, playing across the line to Andrew Tye, and captain Mahmudullah dragging on against Agar.Closing it out
Afif had provided some late impetus in yesterday’s match with the highest strike-rate among Bangladesh’s batters, but this was an even better innings. There had been some doubt as to whether there would be DRS for this series and Afif was left grateful there was when he was given lbw to Marsh on 1 only for replays to show it pitched outside leg. In the 13th over he took advantage of a seventh delivery from Tye to clear the leg side for six, and bring the requirement back under a run-a-ball, although he saved his best for a sublime cover drive off Starc. Nurul played a vital hand and victory then rushed into view as Afif hit three boundaries in seven balls.

Already looking to strengthen his attacking options in 2025, Ange Postecoglou now reportedly personally wants Tottenham Hotspur to sign one particular physical presence to partner Dominic Solanke up front.

Tottenham transfer news

The Lilywhites have started the season in inconsistent fashion on the results front, with one win, one draw and one loss summing up their difficulties. But the performances have been promising at times and the return of summer signing Solanke back from injury should at least provide Spurs with a welcome boost in North London.

Of course, up next is one of the biggest games of the Premier League calendar in the form of the North London derby. Spurs host an Arsenal side who enter proceedings with plenty of injury concerns, including club captain Martin Odegaard, in what is the perfect opportunity for the Lilywhites to bounce back from Newcastle United defeat in perfect fashion.

They’ve had injury concerns of their own, however. As mentioned, Solanke has been missing since the opening day and Spurs, as a result, have had their lack of attack depth exposed in a problem they’re already eyeing a solution for.

Related Ranking Tottenham Hotspur's 10 best managers by win percentage

Where does Ange Postecoglou rank among Tottenham’s best managers?

Posts ByMark Marston Jun 1, 2024

According to reports in Spain, Postecoglou now personally wants to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin as a physical presence next to Solanke in his starting Spurs side. Calvert-Lewin – standing at 6 foot 2 and scoring another header on Saturday against Aston Villa – would certainly provide exactly that alongside crucial Premier League experience.

What’s more, the fact that the Everton forward will be out of contract next summer makes the deal one that Spurs would be wise to pursue, should they be given the opportunity. Even if the Englishman hasn’t been at his best in the last two seasons at Goodison Park, just having such a different option to partner and back Solanke up may well prove to make all the difference for Postecoglou and his side.

"Outstanding" Calvert-Lewin can partner Solanke

If Spurs sign Calvert-Lewin and get him back to his best then they’ll suddenly have two Premier League strikers capable of scoring double figures in goals a season. And in pursuit of a top four place, that would quickly prove to be crucial for Postecoglou.

Sean Dyche will be frustrated to see his forward leave if he does depart, however, having been full of praise for Calvert-Lewin last season, telling BBC Sport “I thought he was excellent. His physical performance was outstanding.

“I said to him after the match, ‘That is the sort of performance that gets you back around the England squad’. It is too early yet and I am not making any bold statement because Gareth Southgate has a lot of players to choose from, but certainly with that kind of performance he should be recognised as a top centre forward.”

The fact that it would likely be a free deal too, means that Spurs would not be running a great risk by signing Calvert-Lewin. All signs point towards a deal that the Lilywhites would be wise to pursue next summer, especially if Postecoglou does want a physical presence to partner big-money signing Solanke in North London.

Wayne Rooney was left disappointed as Plymouth Argyle once again went down against Sheffield United on Saturday.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Rooney disappointed after Plymouth lossWinless in last sixth Championship gameBeaten 2-0 against Sheffield UnitedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Pilgrims' winless run extended to six games in the Championship as they went down 2-0 against the league leaders at Bramall Lane. Gustavo Hamer and Kieffer Moore were on target as United extended their lead to three points over Leeds United at the top of the table. Plymouth, on the other hand, remain 23rd in the table, one point above rock-bottom Hull City.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Amid speculations over manager Rooney's future at Home Park, the Manchester United legend expressed his frustration after another defeat, claiming his team did not deserve to lose the clash. He also praised his players for having control for a large part of the match.

WHAT WAYNE ROONEY SAID

Speaking to reporters after the match, the 39-year-old said: "We are disappointed with the result. I didn't feel we deserved to lose the game but that's what Sheffield United are, they are a very efficient team, good in both boxes, and that's what they have done again today.

"I thought a lot of our play was good. We controlled the game for large portions of it and then missed opportunities where I feel we can do a little bit better. Performance-wise was good but the result very disappointing."

He added: "It was a better performance, I think that's clear for everyone to see. I thought it was a really good reaction to going a goal down. I felt as the game was going on we could potentially get something out of it, and then it opened up a little bit towards the end and Sheffield United broke and got a penalty, and then the game was done then really. From our point of view I think there were lots of positives for us to look at but also things for us to improve on. I always talk to the players about details – passing it to the right foot, what type of cross you put into the box, little things like that. If we can do that, we will be okay."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR PLYMOUTH?

Plymouth will be back in action next Saturday as they will aim to return to winning ways against Middlesbrough at home in a Championship clash.