Everton blanked against Aston Villa at the weekend, but David Moyes must be pleased with his side’s start to the 2025/26 campaign.

An exodus was needed this summer, but the dramatic upheaval on the blue side of the River Mersey emphasised the need for accuracy in the transfer market.

Seven points from four Premier League games and a three-match unbeaten run have given the Toffees a platform, but it could have been three wins from three save for some shoddy finishing against the struggling Villa.

Beto was the culprit.

Beto misfires against Aston Villa

He’s come on leaps and bounds under Moyes’ wing, has Beto, but there’s no doubt that the Bissau Guinean striker has flaws within his game, and is prone to ghosting on different occasions across the campaign.

The 6 foot 4 forward fits Moyes’ mould: he is a tower of a talisman and commands the skies well; he has scored twice across five games in all competitions this season, three of which came from the starting whistle.

But Beto has only one goal in the Premier League, and could maybe have tripled his tally against Aston Villa, horribly scuffing a chance into a yawning net when played through by Iliman Ndiaye.

Thierno Barry was signed in the summer to add competition at number nine, but the 22-year-old is raw and not yet settled within the harsh climes of the Premier League.

It’s at moments like these that some fans might wish for another goalscoring option.

Everton will regret selling Beto upgrade

It’s a shame that Moise Kean didn’t prove to be a talismanic figure in Toffee blue.

Kean initially started his professional career with a weight of expectation, such a prodigy he was billed. Things got a little stagnant, though, it’s got to be said, with his £25m move from Juventus to Everton aged 19 doing little to further his career.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

Under Farhad Moshiri’s ownership, Everton signed Kean in 2019, but it’s not unfair to stress that the Italian failed to bring it together, scoring twice in the Premier League across 32 fixtures, picking up a red card too. The criticism lacing Moshiri’s dysfunctional reign is thick, but a move for Kean spoke of ambition, for sure.

But it didn’t work out, and after a spin of loan spells, Kean found himself back in Turin for a similar figure that Everton first paid for him. Thus, financially, it wasn’t a shocking blow, but the player’s struggles certainly suggest it was a poor signing.

Perhaps viewed as the successor to Romelu Lukaku’s former place in Everton’s team, Kean was one of many misfires in the transfer market during that long and interminable period of struggle, and his recent exploits back in Italy highlight what might have been in England.

Because Kean struggled even after leaving, peripheral at Juventus. But a move to Fiorentina has resurrected his career and then some, having scored 25 goals and supplied three assists across all competitions at La Viola last season.

It’s clear that Kean needed that return to his home country to develop into the player he is today, but Everton saw something and failed to make it work.

Powerful and clinical and with a “scary” physicality, as has been noted by reporter Carlo Garganese, Kean very much might have been Everton’s next version of Lukaku. Indeed, two years after the Belgian’s mammoth sale to Manchester United, it’s not improbable that Lukaku’s name was brought up during internal discussions ahead of the successful bid for the teenager.

His dribbling has come on so much. Data from FBref reveals Kean ranks among the top 14% of strikers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored, but also the top 8% for successful take-ons per 90, demonstrating an athleticism that Lukaku used to project with such strength on his opponents.

It’s something Moyes might have made good use of in this current Everton setting. The Merseysiders and their boss have pulled away from pragmatic perceptions and have shaped into a modern hybrid form.

Man United

4

7.9

Chelsea

9

7.7

Man City

5

7.6

Brighton

4

6.6

Everton

5

6.3

Fifth Everton sit in the xG (expected goals) rankings for the Premier League campaign so far. Early days, of course, but evidence of growth and newfound attacking impetus.

The caveat being they have only scored five goals, highlighting room for improvement in the ball-striking department. It’s not an egregious deficit by any means, but a striker of Kean’s ability could add that difference to stretch Everton even higher up the table.

Lukaku, in his Everton form, would surely be riding the crest of a wave right now, and Kean could be too. The Azzurri star, after all, was named ‘the new Lukaku’ upon his big move to Goodison Park.

So Moyes and Everton have Beto, and that’s not all that bad. The 26-year-old is a strong and sturdy striker; he commands the box well, tussling with defenders and knocking headers down to his teammates. He is a better player for Moyes’ appointment.

Only, Kean is clearly a cut above, and while it’s hopeless to rue missed opportunities to develop stars who weren’t shining at the time, it must be a frustration for the new board.

Whether Barry comes good is another question, and the Frenchman certainly has the potential to overtake Beto and set his marker as Everton’s starring striker, but he’s not there yet, and Kean could have been a difference-maker this season.

Now worth more than Grealish: Everton must regret selling "phenomenal" star

Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Aston Villa brought into sharp focus Everton’s lack of quality strikers, so they must regret selling this phenomenal striker.

Sep 14, 2025

It would be fair to say that Nuno Espírito Santo has quite the job on his hands at West Ham United.

Prior to his arrival, the Hammers looked like genuine relegation candidates and had lost four of their five opening Premier League games.

Fortunately, the Portuguese coach was the beneficiary of the new manager’s bump against Everton, as his side fought back for a point and looked miles better than they did in previous matches.

Unsurprisingly, it was Jarrod Bowen who scored the all-important goal for the East Londonders, and so long as he’s firing, the club stand a brilliant chance of climbing the table.

With that said, there are several other players in the squad Nuno could help improve, including one who could become as much of a world-beater as Bowen.

Bowen's West Ham rise

Back in January 2020, West Ham opted to spend around £20m on Hull City’s incredibly exciting, but relatively unknown, winger: Bowen.

It was a steady, if unspectacular, start to life in the capital for the Englishman, as in the 13 appearances that season, he scored just a single goal and provided four assists.

Things began to improve, and dramatically so, for the 28-year-old in the following campaign. In just 40 appearances, totalling 2,644 minutes, he managed to score eight goals and provide six assists for the Hammers.

Bowen’s West Ham Record

Appearances

245

Starts

220

Minutes

19521′

Goals

77

Assists

52

Goal Involvements per Match

0.52

Minutes per Goal Involvement

151.32′

Points per Game

1.46

All Stats via Transfermarkt

However, it was the subsequent two seasons that really saw the former Hull gem cement himself as one of the best attackers in England, as a tally of 31 goal involvements in 21/22 was rewarded with his first England cap that summer, and then his defining moment in a West Ham shirt came a year later.

It was in Prague, in the 90th minute of the Conference League final, when he slotted home the winner, etching his name into the club’s history books and earning them their first European title.

Since then, the game-changing winger has continued to be the club’s most effective attacker, and under Nuno, could be one of the main reasons they start to climb the table this year.

However, with the former Nottingham Forest coach now in the dugout, there is another West Ham ace who could end up reaching a similar level to Bowen.

The West Ham star Nuno could transform into a world-beater

Now, when a new manager arrives at a club, there is a genuine chance that they’ll be able to improve a great deal of the players.

Chalkboard

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

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Yet, in this instance, there is one player in particular that Nuno could help become a genuine world-beater at West Ham: El Hadji Malick Diouf.

The former Slavia Prague gem only joined the club in the summer, but has already impressed so much that people are now expecting big things of him, with Sky Sports’ Joe Thomlinson going as far as describing him as “one of the finds of the season.”

It’s not hard to see why, as in just six league games, he has already provided three assists, and on another day, he could have picked up two more against Everton due to the number of brilliant crosses he fired into the penalty area.

In fact, it was one of these crosses that eventually led to Bowen’s all-important goal.

The Senegalese international is a machine on the left-hand side and has already been described as “one of the best full-backs in the league” by one analyst.

So, why could Nuno make him even better? Well, there are a few reasons, but the most significant is in how he sets up his teams.

For example, while managing Wolverhampton Wanderers, the São Tomé-born coach would often deploy a back five and use wing-backs to get the ball up the pitch as fast as possible.

Then, while he did end up primarily playing a back four at Forest, the 51-year-old still utilised his full-backs to provide the width in his teams and to get the ball up to his attackers.

So, should he maintain this emphasis on his full-backs getting up the pitch as fast as possible and delivering crosses for his forwards, then Diouf should see his numbers explode, as even under the turgid football of Potter, he was a genuine attack outlet.

Ultimately, it’ll take a long time for the “explosive” full-back, as dubbed by one analyst, to reach the level of Bowen, but from what he has shown thus far, combined with Nuno’s coaching philosophy, he may well get there.

Related West Ham planning £35m bid for "fascinating" forward who's "similar" to Jarrod Bowen

The board want to back Nuno Espirito Santo.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini Oct 2, 2025

Shukri Conrad, South Africa’s Test coach, will take over charge of the white-ball sides in an expansion of his current role that will run until the home ODI World Cup in 2027. Conrad succeeds Rob Walter, who resigned in April, and ends South Africa’s dalliance with a split coaching role for now.In a significant change, Conrad will work with a selection convener, who has yet to be named. This marks a departure from the current set-up, in which the head coach was in charge of all selection.The decision to do away with a separate white-ball coach and add to Conrad’s already existing role meant that Cricket South Africa did not need to advertise the position or conduct interviews. The organisation did, however, put out a call for a selection convener. Applications closed on April 29 and the position will be announced shortly.Related

• Conrad confident SA players will prioritise national duty over T20 leagues

• 'We've got to do tough better, but we're starting to do tough now'

• Rob Walter resigns as South Africa white-ball coach

“I’m truly honoured to be entrusted with the responsibility of leading the national team across all three formats,” Conrad said in a CSA statement. “Coaching the Test side has been the greatest privilege of my cricket journey, and to now oversee the white-ball teams as well is something unbelievably special. I’m genuinely excited about the prospects that lie ahead. South African cricket has incredible white- ball talent, from the calibre of our senior players to the emerging group of juniors aspiring to represent the Proteas. There’s a strong foundation to build on, and I believe we have what it takes to achieve something special.”Conrad had initially applied for both the white- and red-ball positions, when CSA sought a replacement after Mark Boucher left the post in 2022. At that point, CSA also decided to do away with a selection panel and leave the responsibility with the head coaches. He filled in for Walter at the start of his tenure, in January 2023, when South Africa played a must-win series against England in order to secure qualification for the 2023 ODI World Cup. They won the series 2-1 and ODI captain Temba Bavuma, who had struggled for form and been dropped from the T20 sides, scored a stirring century in the second match.It was also during that series that Conrad decided to appoint Bavuma as his Test captain. Bavuma is currently in charge of both the Tests and ODI sides, while Aiden Markram leads the T20I side.While the South Africa job is Conrad’s first as an international coach, he has significant experience in the country’s domestic game. He coached both the Lions and Cobras’ franchises (under South Africa’s previous domestic structure) and won four titles with the two teams, three in white-ball formats. He has also masterminded South Africa’s run to this year’s WTC final, where they will play Australia. Under Conrad, South Africa have won their last seven Tests – their second-longest winning streak after nine victories in 2002-03.”Shukri’s track record with the red-ball team speaks for itself. He has laid a solid foundation and instilled a strong identity within the Test environment. I’m excited to see him bring the profile and structure to the white-ball space,” Enoch Nkwe, CSA director of national teams and high-performance. “Having been part of the national setup over the past two years, he understands the demands of international cricket.”He has also established sound relationships with the players and we have no doubt that he is the best person for the job. We are confident he will help us maintain our current upward trajectory and remain competitive across all three formats.”

تحدث الألمان هانز فليك، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة عن مباراة إلتشي ضمن منافسات الدوري الإسباني.

ومن المقرر أن يواجه برشلونة نظيره إلتشي مساء غدٍ، الأحد، على ملعب “مونتجويك” في تمام الساعة السابعة والنصف مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، الثامنة ونصف بتوقيت مكة المكرمة.

وخسر برشلونة بثنائية مقابل هدف أمام ريال مدريد في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات الجولة العاشرة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني “لا ليجا”.

وقال فليك، في المؤتمر الصحفي للمبارة والذي نقلته صحيفة “آس”: “يعجبني أسلوب لعب إلتشي، إنهم يلعبون كرة قدم جيدة ويلعبون كفريق واحد، سيكون من المهم الضغط عليهم بالطريقة التي نريدها، كنت سعيدًا في الأيام القليلة الماضية لأنني أحببت ما رأيته، عاد أولمو وليفاندوفسكي، لكننا فقدنا بيدري”.

وعن حالة لامين يامال البدنية، صرح: “هناك حديث عن لامين أسبوعيًا، إنه بخير وتحدثت معه منذ وقت قصير، إنه يشعر ببعض الإجهاد في هذه الأيام لكنه يتحسن ويبذل قصارى جهده ويتقدم بشكل جيد”.

وعن الاعتناء به أوضح: “نحن نفعل ذلك، نتحدث معه كثيرًا ونعتني به كالمعتاد، نحن صادقين جدًا معًا وأنا سأحميه وأدعمه دائمًا، إنه شاب رائع وصغير جدًا، سنواصل هذا الطريق معًا”.

واستطرد عن تغيير مركز لامين: “أعتقد أن أفضل طريقة لاستعادة مستواه المعهود حاليًا هي العودة إلى أفضل مستوياته، في بعض المواقف على الملعب يستطيع اللعب من مركز الوسط الهجومي، أهم شيء بالنسبة له هو لمس الكرة فهذه هي نقطة قوته”.

وعن إصابة بيدري: “فاجأتنا الإصابة التي حدثت لبيدري، بعد اللعب ضد ريال مدريد، شعر بالإرهاق فقط ثم اكتشف الإصابة، علينا تقبل الأمر بأننا نفتقد أحد لاعبينا الأساسيين الذي يمنحنا الاستقرار والاستحواذ على الكرة بشكل كبير، علينا أن ندبر أمورنا”.

اقرأ أيضًأ | برشلونة يتلقى دفعة معنوية قوية قبل مواجهة إلتشي في الدوري الإسباني

عن كثرة الإصابات التي ضربت الفريق: “أحيانًا تكون الأمور هكذا، علينا تقبل الأمر فلا يزال الطريق طويلًا حتى نهاية الموسم”.

وبشأن تطورات حالة خوان جارسيا ومشاركة ليفاندوفسكي أمام إلتشي: “مع خوان جارسيا نتعامل مع الأمر يومًا بيوم، يبدو جيدًا لكن لا ينبغي أن نضغط عليه، سنرى إلى أي مدى سيتمكن ليفاندوفسكي وأولمو من اللعب غدًا”.

وحول الأداء الضعيف في المباريات السابقة قال فليك: “عندما لا يكون الجميع متاحًا للعب المباريات، يصعب إدارة الفريق، هذا يصعب عليهم الوصول إلى أفضل مستوياتهم، الآن مع أولمو وليفاندوفسكي سيرفع اللاعبون الآخرون مستوياتهم”.

وكشف عن كوبارسي: “عمره 18 عامًا هذا طبيعي لأنه ليس في 24 أو 26 من عمره، حين تكون دائمًا في قمة تألقك، يلعب بمستوى عالي جدًا، 95% من اللاعبين من الطراز الرفيع، أنا سعيد جدًا به، ربما لا يقتصر الأمر على ذلك فالآخرون ليسوا في أفضل حالاتهم أيضًا، علينا أن نحسن أداء الجميع وهذه مهمتنا”.

وتطرق للحديث عن مباراة الكلاسيكو ومشاهدتها من داخل القفص الزجاجي: “لا أريد أن أنظر إلى الوراء، لم يعجبني الأمر بالطبع لأنني أريد أن أعمل بجد وأكون على مقاعد البدلاء في كل مباراة”.

وأتم بالإجابة حول ما كان لامين مخطئًا بتصريحه الشهير عن سرقة ريال مدريد قبل لقاء الكلاسيكو: “بالنسبة لي ريال مدريد أصبح من الماضي ولا أريد الحديث عنه”.

Bayern Munich were "absolutely" correct to hand Vincent Kompany a new contract, says club legend Lothar Matthaus. The former Germany star says the positive effect of the Belgian coach's leadership is evident throughout the club, praising Kompany for his influence on team spirit and the positive atmosphere that has returned to the Bundesliga champions.

• Kompany's extension delights legends at Bayern

  The Belgian, who guided Bayern to the Bundesliga title in his first season in charge, has quickly become a symbol of leadership, calm authority, and unity in Bavaria. The announcement comes as Bayern continue their flawless start to the new campaign, winning all 11 competitive matches this season and equalling the best start ever recorded by a German club. Kompany, who arrived from Burnley in the summer of 2024, has already restored a sense of stability and togetherness that many felt had been missing since the era of Hansi Flick.

  “I’m grateful, honoured and would like to thank Bayern for the trust and the working environment they’ve given me from day one,” Kompany said after signing the deal this week. “It feels like I’ve been here a lot longer and that I know the club well. It’s been a great experience so far. We’ve started on a wonderful journey.”

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• AFP
  

  'Not just about trophies' – Matthaus praises Kompany's impact

  Matthaus spoke glowingly about the 39-year-old’s impact, likening the current environment at the club to the eras of Jupp Heynckes and Ottmar Hitzfeld. “The contract extension with Vincent Kompany is absolutely the right decision for me,” Matthaus told . “The way Kompany leads the team is reflected throughout the entire club. Since Kompany has been here, that atmosphere has returned, and I think it’s wonderful.”

  Matthaus emphasised that Kompany’s contribution extends beyond just winning titles. “It’s not just about trophies,” he said. “We may have won a few titles under other coaches during the time of Oliver Kahn and Hasan Salihamidzic, but in the long run, the climate at FC Bayern is crucial. The togetherness that was missing for many years seems to be working again.”

  He further praised the synergy between Kompany and Bayern’s leadership trio of Max Eberl, Christoph Freund, and CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen. “If you interact like this every day and create a positive atmosphere, then it also reflects the club to the outside world,” Matthaus added.

• Bayern's top brass united behind the Belgian coach

  Bayern president Herbert Hainer also lauded Kompany’s influence, describing him as a coach who has “brought a breath of fresh air and togetherness” back to the club. “He’s doing an incredibly good job,” Hainer said. “We’re playing very attractive football, scoring lots of goals. There’s an incredible sense of togetherness, that comes from the coach, who does that brilliantly both from a sporting and personal point of view.”

  CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen echoed those sentiments, saying Kompany has “brought the fun back to Bayern, and the spark has really caught on.” Dreesen noted that the Belgian’s style of play and man-management have turned Bayern into “a real team that plays dominant and attractive football.”

  Sporting director Max Eberl went a step further, calling Kompany “a lucky find for FC Bayern.” He added: “He’s made fantastic progress with the team. The togetherness, this energy, this desire to win, the coach has instilled that in the players. We want to keep riding this wave.”

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Kompany leading from the front as Bayern chase European glory

  Kompany’s Bayern are now characterised by a modern, pressing-heavy philosophy combined with fluid possession play, a hallmark of his tactical vision. Under his guidance, Bayern have scored an astonishing 194 goals in 67 matches, while maintaining defensive discipline and collective energy.

  What truly sets Kompany apart, however, is his empathetic leadership style. Known for open communication and respect for every squad member, he has managed to rebuild the sense of family that once defined Bayern’s most successful eras. “I understand how the club thinks, but also the players,” Kompany said. “We have the same goals. I want to write history together, where people say: ‘This is Bayern.’” When asked about the contract news ahead of Bayern’s Champions League clash with Club Brugge, he replied: “My only request was that it’s not a big topic and we can quickly put the focus back on the next match. I just want to win tomorrow.”

  With 14 wins in 14 matches across all competitions, the Rekordmeister are currently top of both the Bundesliga and their Champions League league phase group. They will host Belgian runners-up Club Brugge next, as Kompany looks to extend the club’s perfect start and further solidify his growing legacy in Munich.

Former Juventus defender Danilo believes the club’s clash with Real Madrid on Wednesday could serve as the catalyst for the Bianconeri to turn their season around. Currently sitting seventh in the Serie A table and still winless in the Champions League, Juventus find themselves in a difficult spell. However, Danilo noted that there is a growing chemistry within the squad that hadn’t been seen before, and urged patience as the team continues to develop.

Juventus winless in six games after brilliant start

Juventus suffered their first loss of the season against Como, inspired by a brilliant individual performance from the 2024-25 Serie A Young Player of the Season, Nico Paz. The Argentine midfielder’s precise cross to the far post was met by defender Marc-Oliver Kempf, who tapped it home in the third minute to give Como an early lead. Despite Juventus goalkeeper Michele De Gregorio making several key saves, Paz sealed the win in the 79th minute with a curling strike beyond De Gregorio’s reach to make it 2-0.

The defeat saw Juventus slip to seventh place in the Serie A table after what had been a strong start to the campaign with three consecutive wins, including a thrilling 4-3 triumph over Inter in the Derby d’Italia. Since then, however, the Bianconeri have gone six games without a win, drawing five times against Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Villarreal Atalanta and Hellas Verona.

However, former Juventus defender Danilo believes the match against Real Madrid could serve as a springboard for the Bianconeri to turn their season around.

AdvertisementReal Madrid clash could spark change for struggling side

In an interview with , Danilo called for unity and urged Juventus to view their upcoming match against Real Madrid as an opportunity to turn things around. He said: “In these moments, we need unity; everyone needs to help each other. Now there's the Champions League, a different story, and the match against Madrid could be an opportunity. Juventus never gives up in difficult times.”

While Danilo admitted he is not aware of the day-to-day dynamics within the squad, he noted that there appears to be greater chemistry between the players and the coach compared to previous seasons. “I'm not involved in the day-to-day dynamics, and giving an opinion on the spot would be disrespectful to the group, the coach, and the club. From the outside, however, it seems to me that compared to a year ago, the spirit is different, the attitude different: there's a chemistry between the players and the coach that wasn't there before.”

Acknowledging the challenge of facing Real Madrid, Danilo emphasized that getting a positive result at the Bernabeu could serve as a turning point for Juventus. “The Bernabeu is a very important test; Madrid are clearly in a much better moment, top of La Liga, six points in the Champions League, but if Juve get a result, and they can, it could be the match that changes the season.”

Getty Images SportDanilo pleads for more time to be given to Tudor

Igor Tudor was appointed interim coach of Juventus last season following the sacking of Thiago Motta. After unsuccessful attempts to bring in Gian Piero Gasperini or Antonio Conte, Juventus confirmed Tudor as the permanent head coach. However, with results currently poor, Tudor has come under mounting pressure. While the club have publicly backed him, they have quietly explored two other managerial options as potential replacements. Sacking Tudor and appointing a new coach could prove difficult, as Juventus are still paying Motta, and adding a third coach to the payroll could further complicate the club’s ongoing issues with UEFA Financial Fair Play compliance.

Danilo stressed the importance of patience and reaffirmed his trust in Tudor. “Patience is needed. They've changed several players, and the transfer window has been delayed, which has affected our preparations. It won't be an easy year for Juve, but I have faith in Tudor.”

He also drew a comparison with Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, suggesting that even the most promising managers face early challenges in conveying their ideas. “Xabi Alonso has a modern, different vision of football, and he's also struggling to convey it to his players. But obviously, it's much easier to work when the results come in, and we always end up back there.”

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Getty Images SportJuventus' Champions League test and Mbappe challenge

Juventus and Tudor will look to strengthen a defence that has conceded 10 goals in their last six games. In attack, the team has managed just eight goals over the same period and will look to improve. However, their biggest challenge will be containing Kylian Mbappe, who has scored five goals in his last two matches.

Karachi Kings knocked out of PSL 2025 after posting a below-par 190

Madushka Balasuriya22-May-2025Fakhar Zaman set it up and Abdullah Shafique knocked it down, as Lahore Qalandars overcame a sloppy outing in the field to overhaul a competitive but eventually below-par target of 191 to knock out Karachi Kings. Qalandars will play Islamabad United in the second Qualifier on Friday.David Warner’s 75 had earlier kept Kings in the game, but on a good batting surface supporting contributions were few and far between. Haris Rauf was the pick of the bowlers for Qalandars with figures of 3 for 35, but it was the pressure exerted by the spinners through the middle that derailed Kings’ innings.Related

Shaheen's fury, Shafique's grace – the night Qalandars fought back

No DRS for remainder of PSL 2025 games

Rishad returns to Lahore Qalandars for PSL finals

The replacement's diary: Why I said yes to the PSL

In fact most of Qalandars’ battle wounds were self inflicted, with them dropping Warner twice – the nadir of an abysmal fielding performance – but once the chase began, all that was swiftly forgotten.Fakhar set the tone, before Shafique expertly broke the chase with a pair of game-breaking partnerships. He was visibly upset at not being able to see the game through, but by the time he was dismissed the contest was as good as done.Fakhar sets it up for ShafiqueFakhar continued his rich vein of form at the top of the order, this time rollicking 47 off 28 to give Qalandars the ideal start to their chase. Thirty-eight of those runs came in boundaries, and propelled him to a healthy strike rate of 167.85But while Fakhar was in full flight, his team-mates trundled along closer to the ground. For a while it seemed Qalandars might fail to capitalise on Fakhar’s platform – despite his innings, they were scoring at less than the required 10 an overEnter Shafique, who alongside Kusal Perera, set about putting together an 83-run stand, which essentially turned the game in Qalandars’ favour. Perera, usually a dominant figure in the middle, identified early the mood Shafique was in and simply focused on turning over the strike. Shafique fulfilled his role, finding boundaries when required to keep Qalandars within touching distance of the required scoring rate, before settling in and upping the ante. It took an outstanding grab from a backpedaling James Vince to dismiss him, but by then the requirement had been brought down to 33 off 28.David Warner top-scored for Karachi Kings with 75•PCBQalandars blow hot and coldDuring the pitch report, 200 was deemed a par score, so having restricted Kings to 190, one would assume Qalandars would have been relatively happy with their first innings having been asked to chase. Well, yes and no.On a fairly belting track, Qalandars would have been forgiven for thinking they’d given Kings an unnecessary lifeline in an innings that the Kings were in danger of letting flounder. On most days the two drops off Warner – on 47 and 61 – would be bad enough, but those were just the most egregious of the four dropped catches in the innings. Add to this four no-balls and the resulting free hits, 12 wides and countless examples of sloppy fielding, and there is an argument that Qalandars might have been able to cut Kings’ score by at least 20%.But despite one of the worst fielding efforts of this PSL, Qalandars’ bowlers stuck to their tasks diligently. Rauf was the pick of the bunch with his three wickets, while Mohammed Naeem’s three overs went for just 15 – both bowlers though were guilty of dropping a chance each, and having a chance spilled off their bowling.Middle overs make the differenceAfter weathering a Warner-led rapid start, in which Kings were ticking along at quicker than 10 an over inside the powerplay, Qalandars dragged things back through the middle overs courtesy some tight overs of spin from Naeem and Shakib Al Hasan – a period that might have been even better, had Qalandars simply held on to their chances.But even with those dropped catches, Kings lost four wickets through overs 7-16, while scoring just 74 runs. They managed to raise their scoring at the death to put forward a fighting total, but it always seemed a little short.But where Kings struggled, Qalandars found a spark. Led by Shafique, they struck 104 runs through the same middle over period and lost two fewer wickets. It meant the Sri Lankan pair of Perera and Bhanuka Rajapaksa were given the fairly straightforward task of knocking over the remaining runs at a touch over run-a-ball, which they did with minimal fuss.

Veteran spinner gets one over old club with three matchwinning wickets

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay13-Jun-2025Derbyshire Falcons broke their duck for the season and recorded a first Blast victory at Trent Bridge since 2013 as Samit Patel delivered a reminder to his former club that he can be a match-winner even at the age of 40.The veteran left-arm spinner, who took 208 T20 wickets in 21 seasons in Nottinghamshire colours, claimed another three for 14 as the Falcons consigned the Outlaws to a third straight defeat on their own turf, going down by 46 runs as they finished on 153 for nine chasing a target of 200.Opener Aneurin Donald’s 73 off 34 balls gave the Falcons a platform that was ultimately exploited by Brooke Guest (37 off 24) and Ross Whitely (35 off 16) in an unbroken sixth-wicket partnership of 65 of 33 balls out of 199 for five, after leg spinner Calvin Harrison had taken three for 32.Home skipper Joe Clarke posted his third half-century of the season but with Matt Montgomery’s 27 the next best score, his side were never in serious contention, leaving them with just two wins from their opening six matches. Afghanistan’s teenage spinner Mohammad Ghazanfar (two for 26) and on-loan Fynn Hudson-Prentice (two for 38) backed up Patel with the ball.Put in, Derbyshire were 61 without loss in their batting powerplay, Donald riding his luck profitably as he survived chances on five and 39.Harrison found some turn to bowl Caleb Jewell with his first ball and was involved again as Donald, having raised his sixes tally to five after going past fifty in 25 balls, found the all-rounder’s big hands at wide midwicket off left-arm spinner Liam Patterson-White, who returned the favour as Wayne Madsen holed out to cover, giving Harrison a second wicket.Rob Lord, on his Blast debut, picked up his maiden wicket as Patel failed to clear mid-off before Harrison had Martin Andersson leg before sweeping. But Guest and Whitely, the latter smiting two sixes as Australian pacer Sams conceded 30 in his last two overs, took Derbyshire to their highest total of the season.A stiff task quickly became harder for Notts as Ghazanfar removed Lyndon James, caught at midwicket, and Jack Haynes, leg before, in his first seven deliveries before Freddie McCann somehow managed to shovel a ball from Fynn Hudson-Prentice over his own shoulder and on to the stumps, leaving them 22 for three before a horrible moment at the start of the sixth over saw wicketkeeper Guest and Ghazanfar, running in from mid-on, collide going for the same catch off Clarke on 25, with neither man holding on, after which a dazed Ghazanfar left the field, thankfully only temporarily.Clarke was dropped again at extra cover on 46, the shot taking him to his third fifty of the season, but a 55-run partnership with Matt Montgomery (27 off 19) ended when the latter was bowled by Patel, who celebrated extravagantly as the Notts skipper slapped a wide delivery straight to Pat Brown on the extra cover boundary at 99 for five, picking up his third in his next over as Tom Moores missed.Sams was caught on the cover boundary, Patterson-White and Lord falling to Brown in the last over as Notts finished on 153 for nine.

Barcelona have identified Victor Osimhen as a potential successor to the ageing Robert Lewandowski, who is expected to leave the reigning La Liga champions at the end of the season. Osimhen joined Galatasaray permanently from Napoli ahead of the 2025-26 season in a record-breaking move, but he could return to one of Europe's big five leagues next season if Barca are serious about signing him.

Osimhen back on Barcelona's radar

According to a report from Catalan outlet , Barcelona have set their sights on Osimhen and are considering signing the former Napoli frontman next summer. The reigning La Liga champions have made acquiring a new striker one of their top priorities while planning in advance for the 2026-27 season and beyond, in light of the possibility that the ongoing season will be Lewandowski's last in the Blaugrana colours. 

Osimhen's potential move to Barcelona will mark his return to one of Europe's most elite clubs, having spent the 2024-25 season on loan in the Turkish Super Lig at Galatasaray. After scoring 37 goals in 41 matches across all competitions, the Turkish champions fought tooth and nail to make the striker's signing permanent over the summer.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportAll signs point towards Lewandowski leaving next summer

Barcelona will be in dire need of rejuvenating their frontline ahead of the 2026-27 season, owing to recent reports which claim that Barcelona are unwilling to renew Lewandowski's deal. Having turned 37 years old in August, the former Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich star has shown a dramatic decline in both his performances as well as his ability to cope with the demands of the intensity required to compete at the highest level in Europe. 

The Catalans made a surprise swoop in the summer of 2022 by signing Lewandowski from Bayern Munich. It would be naive to suggest that his spell in Catalunya has been underwhelming. He won the Pichichi in his debut campaign, scoring 23 goals in La Liga and 33 goals in all competitions to end Barcelona's four-year wait for a league title. He reached the milestone of a century of goals for Barcelona in the final game of the 2024-25 season, taking just 147 games to achieve the feat. Even though he finished the previous season with 42 goals in 52 games, his contract was already extended in February until June 30, 2026, with reports claiming that the Polish international wished to retire at Barca.

Things, however, have changed quite a lot since the end of last season. Lewandowski is no more a shoo-in in head coach Hansi Flick's starting XI, with the 37-year-old happy with a reduced role. His struggles with injuries, too, have played a big factor in keeping him out of the lineup. He has already missed four games this season, in addition to the five he missed towards the end of last season. Nevertheless, there is optimism for Flick and Barca after returning to team training earlier this week.

Rumours suggest that a move to Saudi Arabia next season could be on the cards. Pini Zahavi, Lewandowski's agent, has denied any such reports. "Lewandowski's contract with Barcelona expires in the summer of 2026, and no decisions have been made yet," he said. "We'll have to wait and see what happens in the coming days. There's nothing official regarding negotiations with Saudi Arabian teams. There are no offers at this time."

Signing Osimhen will be an arduous task for Barcelona

Pulling off Osimhen's transfer will test Barcelona's financial capacity to the hilt. The Nigerian international currently earns €15 million (£13m/$17.5m) per annual, in addition €1m as loyalty bonus and €5m in image rights compensation. He is, therefore, the highest-paid player in Super Lig history. Galatasaray broke the bank to land Osimhen's signature, splurging a league-record €75m (£65m/$88m) to sign him on a four-year contract. 

It appears unlikely that a player with such a hefty price tag will depart without specific conditions being met – chief among them, the player’s own desire for a new challenge. Likewise, Galatasaray are not expected to part ways with him for anything less than a substantial offer.

Any potential pursuit of Osimhen will ultimately depend on the club’s financial standing, with the hierarchy fully aware that investing in a proven goal scorer represents a major financial commitment. The club will also be mindful of not getting a big-money signing unless they are fully confident of avoiding registration drama, which is contingent on the club meeting the 1:1 rule of La Liga. As things stand, the Catalan giants are not there yet.

This context helps explain why sporting director Deco has publicly played down the prospect of signing a new No.9, unless, of course, an exceptional market opportunity presents itself. “Perhaps you can do without one. This isn’t the time to talk about signings. Ferran can play as a 9,” said Deco. “PSG won the Champions League without a penalty-area player. Talking about a ‘9’ is a bit of a mistake, although there are good players.”

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GettyBarca keeping tabs on other strikers, too

The Catalan giants have been linked with a number of strikers over the past few months. While it remains to be seen if they can get either of these signings over the line, speculation suggests that the likes of Harry Kane, Etta Eyong, Dusan Vlahovic, Erling Haaland, Serhou Guirassy and Julian Alvarez are on Barca's shortlist for next season.

MatériaMais Notícias

O desejo de registrar uma história vencedora fez quatro clubes se unirem para serem declarados campeões. Treze, Central, Inter de Limeira e Criciúma encaminharam o pedido para que sejam reconhecidos, em conjunto, como vencedores da Série B de 1986. O sonho de fazer com que o Torneio Paralelo ganhasse novo significado ficou mais acentuado há cerca de um mês.

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O reconhecimento de que o Torneio dos Campeões, vencido pelo Atlético-MG em 1937, é equivalente ao Brasileiro, deu mais fôlego para a união das equipes do Torneio Paralelo. Antes pleiteado com mais afinco pelo Galo da Borborema e a Patativa, o movimento teve a adesão do clube paulista e da equipe catarinense.

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– O Treze e o Central tomaram a iniciativa, cada um em sua federação. A gente escreveu ao Criciúma e à Inter de Limeira e, assim, a campanha conjunta foi ganhando forma – detalhou ao Lance! o presidente do Treze, Artur Bolinha, acrescentando:

– Procuramos a Federação (Paraibana) com uma argumentação para que pudéssemos solicitar o pedido à CBF. Nosso objetivo é mostrar que os quatro tiveram condições de estar em 1986 na elite do futebol. Caso houvesse uma disputa, todos teriam condições de subir como campeões da Série B. E agora, com esse precedente do Atlético, podemos mostrar que houve essa questão de não terminar a Série B – explicou.

Vice-presidente do Central, Sivaldo Oliveira frisou que uma eventual homologação servirá como registro.

– Os quatro clubes se classificaram para jogar a Série A no mesmo ano! É o campeão de cada grupo reivindicando um título, e isso não vai afetar o ranking da CBF. Cada um tinha o seu grupo e venceu. Esperamos que a entidade concorde – declarou.

Presidente do Conselho da Inter de Limeira, Paulo César Scaraviello Júnior apontou que a esperança da equipe paulista é por uma justiça histórica.

– Algum tempo atrás fomos convidados e pleiteamos esse título. Após o reconhecimento do Atlético-MG, ganhou corpo a situação. Por mais que haja quatro campeões na Série B, esse reconhecimento apagará um erro que foi não deixarem a Inter de Limeira disputar a Primeira Divisão de 1986. A equipe foi campeã paulista, mas logo depois teve de disputar o que era equivalente a uma Segundona. A única vantagem que tinha era a possibilidade de se classificar para a segunda fase, na qual poderia jogar com times da elite. A Inter mostrou sua força, foi campeã do grupo e isso deve ser reconhecido. Seria importante esse título, mesmo dividindo com três agremiações – afirmou.

Em pronunciamento oficial, o diretor de relações internacionais do Criciúma, Rodolfo Moretti, justificou o fato do clube se juntar aos demais.

– Seria um registro histórico de um feito considerável à época. Com isso, também resgatamos a história vencedora daquele time de 1986, campeão catarinense daquele ano e que também ascendeu à elite do futebol brasileiro – disse.

QUANTA HISTÓRIA: 1986, O ANO QUE AINDA DÁ O QUE FALAR

Originalmente, o regulamento da Copa Brasil (nome do Campeonato Brasileiro de 1986) não previa a disputa de uma Série B. Os quatro clubes que pleiteiam o título disputaram o Torneio Paralelo (veja os detalhes abaixo).

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AS ‘MARCAS’ DA COMPETIÇÃO

O Torneio Paralelo não deixou ps feitos das equipes que se classificaram para as fases finais do Brasileirão apenas na memória. Na fachada do Estádio Presidente Vargas, em Campina Grande, o Treze expõe a frase “Campeão brasileiro de 1986 – Série B”.

Em Caruaru, o Central também passou a estampar no concreto de seu estádio o posto de campeão da Série B do ano de 1986. Em 2019, ano no qual a Patativa comemorou seu centenário, um outro episódio em torno das memórias da competição chamou atenção.

Um torcedor entregou à diretoria da época uma réplica do troféu da Série B como presente, que tinha na base o escudo do Central e a inscrição de “campeão da Série B de 1986”. Mesmo com a CBF não declarando campeões naquela edição, dirigentes ergueram a “taça” no Estádio Lacerdão.

GALO DA BORBOREMA: SONHO ACALENTADO HÁ DÉCADAS

O Treze tenta há anos colocar no papel seu título de campeão da Série B de 1986. O mandatário Artur Bolinha vê a nova investida com otimismo.

– O reconhecimento trará apenas uma questão de justiça para os clubes que tiveram campanhas merecedoras de estar na Série A. Foram disputas muito difíceis. Isso vai coroar grandes times – afirmou.

Destaque do Galo da Borborema na época, Fernando Baiano vê com expectativa a possibilidade de se tornar campeão da Série B com décadas de atraso.

– Esse título deveria vir há mais tempo. Estávamos numa fase muito boa, fizemos uma campanha forte e devíamos ser congratulados. Éramos treinados pelo Waldemar Carabina e contávamos com jogadores de peso como Rinaldo, Cláudio Mineiro, Bill… Não é à toa que o (jornalista e ex-ténico da Seleção Brasileira) João Saldanha dizia que crescíamos quando jogávamos em Campina Grande – afirmou.

PATATIVA: BUSCA POR HOMOLOGAR SEU PRIMEIRO TÍTULO NACIONAL

Em Limeira, o clima é de que a homologação da Série B de 1986 fará jus a uma equipe histórica. A cidade não digeriu situações que rondaram o time que foi campeão paulista meses antes, ao derrotar o Palmeiras por 2 a 1 no Morumbi.

– O nosso incômodo não é ter de dividir título hoje. Incômodo foi um time campeão paulista não disputar a Taça de Ouro (nome dado na época à Série A). Nos deram essa consolação de disputar o Torneio Paralelo. A classificação veio, felizmente, e só mostraram a força da nossa equipe – disse o conselheiro Paulo César Scaraviello Júnior.

Meia do Leão de Limeira, Tato contou que, na época, a situação pegou a equipe de surpresa.

– Fomos campeões paulistas e não subimos para a primeira! Alguém pegou nossa vaga, pareceu muito estranho – declarou.

O ex-jogador destacou o empenho da equipe paulista no Grupo G.

– Tínhamos perdido muitos jogadores. O Kita foi para o Flamengo, Juarez para o Palmeiras. Mesmo assim, ficou uma base forte e fomos lutando até o final – contou.

Aos seus olhos, a equipe tem motivos para almejar o título na CBF.

– O Atlético-MG foi contemplado recentemente. A Inter de Limeira é um time grandioso. Seria bacana para nós – afirmou.

Presidente do Conselho, Paulo César Scaraviello Júnior acrescentou.

– Para a Inter de Limeira, um reconhecimento vai ser uma “reparação histórica”. Serão quatro campeões? Paciência! Mas a equipe mostrou que poderia chegar até a final se a Série B continuasse. Vamos ficar tão orgulhosos quanto no título de 1988 (a equipe de Limeira tem uma Série B no currículo). Caso ocorra, a homologação da Série B de 1986 pagará uma dívida eterna – disse.

TIGRE: ESPERANÇA NA DIRETORIA. MAS…

O Criciúma também se manifestou pelo quarteto se juntar em busca do reconhecimento do Torneio Paralelo como título da Série B de 1986. No entanto, nem todos apoiam a atitude de pleitear a conquista.

Lateral que mais tarde venceu a Copa do Brasil de 1991, Sarandi ressaltou.

– Sou de acordo com o que estabelecia o regulamento, que não especificava o Torneio Paralelo como título. Ele era um passo para disputar a sequência da Série A. Permitia que a gente fosse avançando, até que terminou no meio do caminho – disse, acrescentando:

– Naquele ano, fomos campeões estaduais. Depois, enfrentamos clubes do Sul. Conquistamos a vaga e fomos “guindados” ao Brasileirão – justificou.

Sarandi valorizou a maneira como o Tigre se consolidou para garantir a vaga à fase seguinte.

– Ficou a lembrança do início de uma instituição. Fomos campeões estaduais, fomos bem no Paralelo, bem treinados. Anos depois, veio a conquista da Copa do Brasil – afirmou.

Em compasso de espera, quatro clubes aguardam um aceno da CBF para saber se podem acrescentar uma estrela no peito.