Says that while Babar isn’t quite there yet in comparison to Kohli, “he’s on track to be one of the modern greats”
Shashank Kishore23-Aug-2022Wasim Akram believes Pakistan’s win over India in the 2021 T20 World Cup has made them believe “they can compete against India day in and day out”. He feels what was once a one-sided rivalry at World Cups has suddenly come alive.”Pakistan team is on the rise for the past couple of years,” Akram said during a media session organised by Star Sports. “They’ve been consistent, and I think the win against India, although that was a year ago during the World Cup, gave them a bit of confidence that they can compete against India day in and day out.”Related
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All you need to know about the 2022 Asia Cup
When Pakistan won their opening game of the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE by ten wickets, it was their first win against India in six attempts at the competition. It was also the first time Pakistan had won a men’s World Cup fixture in any format against India, across 13 matches. It was a win that spurred their impressive run to the semi-finals, where they lost to eventual champions Australia.As they look to finetune their preparations for this year’s T20 World Cup in Australia, Pakistan will look to channel that spirit of 2021. This weekend, India and Pakistan will lock horns for the first time in a year when they meet in the Asia Cup in Dubai. In fact, over the next two weeks, they could potentially meet three times, ahead of their high-stakes T20 World Cup fixture in Melbourne on October 23.Akram is optimistic of Pakistan’s chances, but is aware that the team’s strength – the top order – could become a weakness. Since the start of last year’s T20 World Cup, Pakistan’s top three have scored 67.53% of all the runs made by the team in T20Is. This has largely been down to Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman.Akram: “It’s a bit too early to compare Babar to Kohli, but he’s on track to be one of the modern greats”•AFP/Getty Images”The only thing I’m worried about is the middle order,” Akram said. “There is no experience apart from Iftikhar Ahmed coming in at No. 4, and then you’ll have probably Haider Ali, a young sensation who hasn’t been consistent. Babar Azam and Rizwan are the key as far as the T20 format is concerned.”I think in general they’re confident, but it depends on how they feel or what sort of mindset they’re in when they arrive before the India-Pakistan game because that game can make or break the Asia Cup for either side.”Akram agreed that comparisons between Babar and Virat Kohli were inevitable, given the kind of impact they have had on their respective teams, but it’s best avoided. To him, Babar is not yet there, but has all the makings of being a modern-day great.”It’s only natural,” Akram said of the comparison. “When we played, people compared Inzamam-ul-Haq with Rahul Dravid or Sachin Tendulkar. Before that, it was Javed Miandad versus Sunny [Sunil] Gavaskar. Gundappa Viswanath and Zaheer Abbas. So [the comparison] is only natural.”Babar has been very consistent because he has the right technique. He enjoys his batting, is still very hungry, physically fit, still young and is the captain across formats. He’s learning and learning very quickly. As far as comparisons go, he’s on the right track to be where Virat Kohli is. It’s a bit too early to compare him to Kohli at this stage, but he’s on track to be one of the modern greats.”
Newcastle United have lofty ambitions this season. Missing out on qualification for the Champions League this term will have hurt Eddie Howe and his men, especially as they tasted the highs of the competition following a fourth place finish during 2022/23.
As such, the Magpies will need to strengthen their squad this month to reach Europe’s premier club competition, especially with so many good teams in the Premier League battling it out for the top four.
Newcastle United managerEddieHowe
Howe can take solace in the fact he has perhaps two of the finest attacking talents in the top flight, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon performing wonderfully this season.
The duo have arguably kept the Toon in with a fighting chance of securing a Champions League spot for next term, plus with a shout of ending their 70-year major trophy drought.
The 2-0 win over Arsenal in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final will have the supporters dreaming of another Wembley appearance.
If they manage to keep Isak fit for the next six months, Newcastle will have every chance of achieving everything Howe set out to do this season.
Alexander Isak’s amazing season in numbers
Last season, the Swedish sensation scored 25 goals in all competitions for the club. It might not have been enough to secure them European football, but if it wasn’t for his ability in front of goal, Newcastle may have finished outside the top half of the table.
After a slow start – registering just one goal until the end of October in the Premier League – Isak has been on fire recently. Indeed, he has netted a goal in every one of the club’s previous seven league games, with the highlight being a hat-trick against Ipswich Town.
Across his 18 league matches, the former Borussia Dortmund striker scores a goal every 113 minutes, averages 3.1 shots per game and currently has a goal conversion rate of 24%.
Furthermore, when compared to his fellow peers in the Premier League, Isak truly shows how good he is.
This term, the striker ranks in the top 5% of strikers for non-penalty goals (0.8), the top 8% for total shots (3.38) and shot-creating actions (3.69) and in the top 18% for touches in the opposition penalty area (6.34) per 90 minutes, which is yet more evidence of his talents, establishing himself as one of the best strikers in the top flight.
With Gordon so often acting as a provider, imagine the club having another player who could supply Isak the way the former Everton starlet does.
Alexander Isak’s PL stats for Newcastle United
Metric
2022/23
2023/24
2024/25
Goals
10
21
13
Shots per game
2.3
2.8
3.1
Scoring frequency (minutes)
152
108
113
Goal conversion percentage
20%
27%
24%
Big chances created
2
5
7
Via Sofascore
There are still a few weeks left in the transfer window. Could the Magpies secure the signature of a player who was arguably among one of Europe’s finest just two seasons ago?
Newcastle eye move for Serie A sensation
According to French publication L’Equipe, Newcastle have emerged as a surprise name in the race for Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratkskhelia during the winter window, yet PSG are the firm favourite to sign him.
While the French giants lead the race, they currently have some reservations with regard to the finances of the deal, which may just open the door slightly for the Magpies to pounce.
Kvaratskhelia
If Howe wanted to add some star quality to his first-team squad, it would cost the club around €80m (£68m) to make it happen. For this sort of money, however, they would be bringing in a player who is at the very peak of his powers and could sparkle in the Premier League.
Still only 23, the Georgian has plenty of scope to improve further. Is Newcastle the ideal club for him?
Why Kvaratkskhelia could be a dream signing for Isak
Kvaratkskhelia became a household name during his maiden season in Serie A for Napoli. Having joined the club from Dinamo Batuni in the summer of 2022, the winger was outstanding as the Naples side captured their first league title since the days of Diego Maradona.
In 34 league games, the 23-year-old netted 12 goals while recording ten assists. Additionally, he averaged 1.6 key passes and succeeded with 2.2 dribbles per game along with creating 14 big chances in what was a stunning way to announce his arrival in a top-five league.
During that campaign, football talent scout Jacek Kulig lauded the player as “unstoppable” and it is hard to argue against that.
Another 20 goal contributions followed last season, although Napoli couldn’t make it back-to-back Scudetto triumphs, falling down to tenth place in what was a disappointing campaign.
Napoli forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
He might not have been as productive during the current season, scoring just five goals in Serie A, but his side are occupying the top spot in the league at the time of writing.
When compared to his positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues, Kvaratkskhelia currently ranks in the top 1% for total shots (3.95), the top 18% for successful take-ons (2.67) and in the top 9% for progressive carries (5.78) per 90 over the previous 365 days.
These statistics could allow the winger to shine in the Premier League, while Isak can hit new heights if he plays ahead of the Georgian, that’s for sure.
His ability to move the ball into the final third will give Isak more chances in front of goal and this will only improve Newcastle’s league standing.
At this moment in time, bringing in the Napoli star may seem like a pipe dream, but if they can provide a decent pitch to the player and his agent of the direction that Howe wants to take the club, they may just have a chance of signing him.
If they do secure his signature, it would signal a massive statement of intent by sporting director Paul Mitchell and could be the catalyst which helps the Magpies make a return to the Champions League next season.
Their own Kane: Newcastle could sign "superstar" Isak replacement for £0
Newcastle United have a number of new strikers on their radar.
O Juventude recebe às 19h30 (de Brasília), nesta quarta-feira (20), o São Paulo, no Estádio Alfredo Jaconi, para abrir a disputa da terceira fase da Copa do Brasil. Após uma vitória e uma derrota nas duas primeiras rodadas do Campeonato Brasileiro, o Juve vai atrás de mais uma classificação na Copa onde já passou por Porto Velho-RO e Real Noroeste-ES.
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Apesar de difícil, o duelo traz boas lembranças ao torcedor jaconero. Além de ter levantado a taça da competição em 1999 e ter em sua galeria um título nacional ainda inédito para o rival do confronto, em 2016, após vitória no Morumbi por 2 a 1 e derrota em Caxias por 1 a 0, o Juventude eliminou o São Paulo e avançou às quartas de final da mesma Copa do Brasil.
O presidente do Juve, Walter dal Zotto, revela a importância da equipe ter garantido espaço até aqui no campeonato:
– A Copa do Brasil é uma competição extremamente atrativa para os clubes e com o Juventude não é diferente. Estão em jogo elementos importantes, como a rentabilidade, visibilidade e, no nosso caso, também, uma importância histórica por termos sido campeões em 1999. Como tem sido ao longo dos últimos anos, encaramos o desafio da Copa do Brasil com toda a seriedade possível – declarou.
Em campo, o técnico Eduardo Baptista avalia o duelo contra o São Paulo e as atenções voltadas para a Copa do Brasil:
– Jogo muito diferente, outro campeonato bem diferente do Brasileiro. Vamos para os primeiros 90 minutos em casa e temos que ter isso mente, jogar com o regulamento se for preciso. Vamos pegar um adversário muito difícil. Equipe jovem, bem treinada, temos que estar bastante atentos em campo. Temos alguns atletas que estão prontos para estrear e se tornam opções para enfrentar o São Paulo.
Afridi returns to Pakistan early to prepare for international duty, Haris Rauf back for Yorkshire
ESPNcricinfo staff12-May-2022
Shaheen Shah Afridi has helped Middlesex to the top of the Division Two table•Getty Images
Shaheen Shah Afridi will fly home to Pakistan ahead of schedule to prepare for Pakistan’s white-ball series against West Indies in June, after being rested from Middlesex’s latest LV= Championship match against Nottinghamshire at Lord’s.Afridi, whose 14 wickets at 25.42 have been instrumental in Middlesex’s table-topping start to the season, had been due to leave for his international commitments in early June, but the club confirmed they had reached an agreement to give him an extended break to spend time with friends and family. He will return to England for the latter stages of the Vitality Blast at the end of next month.”We have thoroughly enjoyed having Shaheen here with us at Lord’s for the last month,” Alan Coleman, Middlesex’s head of men’s performance, said. “He has settled into the group really well and has been a real asset for us on the field. It has been a pleasure working with him.””Shaheen has played international cricket in all three forms of the game already this year and came to Middlesex off the back of a busy playing schedule, so we are fully understanding and supportive of his request to go home and recharge ahead of him representing his country.”We look forward to his return in late June, when we hope he will be in a position to make an impactful return to us and help us in our Vitality Blast campaign.” Mohammad Rizwan, Hasan Ali and Mohammad Amir are also sitting out their respective counties’ Championship fixtures this week but Haris Rauf is back for Yorkshire after a side injury.Rauf did not bowl in the second innings of his most recent game and missed Yorkshire’s draw against Essex last week but was named in their XI for the Roses match against Lancashire on Thursday morning. Hasan has been rested.Rizwan is unavailable for Sussex’s fixture away against Leicestershire due to a family bereavement. “The club would like to send our best wishes to Riz and his family at this difficult time,” a statement said.Amir, meanwhile, has a tight hamstring and will miss Gloucestershire’s game against Somerset as a result. “He requires a period of rest after being away from red-ball cricket for a number of years and bowling a large number of overs in a short space of time since joining Gloucestershire,” a club statement said.Gloucestershire confirmed that they are “exploring the potential” to select Amir in their Championship fixtures against Kent and Lancashire when Marcus Harris will be in Sri Lanka with Australia A.Amir was initially signed as a short-term replacement for Naseem Shah after he injured his shoulder on his debut for Gloucestershire, and the club said he would play for their second XI in the coming weeks before returning to the first team during the T20 Blast.Amir’s absence has compounded Gloucestershire’s injury crisis, with Chris Dent, Ben Charlesworth (both foot) and David Payne (ankle) all unavailable this week. As a result, they have brought in three short-term loan signings: Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire, one week), Brad Wheal (Hampshire, two weeks) and Zak Chappell (Nottinghamshire, one month).Chris Woakes remains unavailable for Warwickshire due to what the club called “a niggling knee problem” while Olly Stone is “some way off a first-team return”. Ollie Pope is back in Surrey’s squad after missing their win against Northamptonshire due to illness.Stuart Broad will play for Notts at Lord’s while James Anderson is back in action for Lancashire. His England team-mate Saqib Mahmood misses out, however, despite being named in a 13-man squad.
The festive period is upon us, but Arne Slot is hardly going to be feeling merry as he prepares for a thick catalogue of fixtures that could define the narrative surrounding Liverpool as they head into the new year.
Admittedly, other teams are in worse positions. Liverpool sit atop the Premier League pile with a four-point advantage over second-placed Chelsea, holding a game in hand too.
Liverpool team photo
Hosting hard-working Fulham in the top flight this afternoon, the Reds will be confident in their ability to get the job done, though Fulham are indeed industrious and capable of leaving higher-profiled opponents unstuck.
Slot has made a masterful introduction to life on Merseyside, taking Jurgen Klopp’s team and working on its mechanics to create something astounding.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot
The injuries have been mounting, however, and the Dutch coach will need to be careful when naming his team after fielding a strong line-up for the 1-0 win at Girona in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
Liverpool team news
Liverpool’s only summer signing, Federico Chiesa, has only made three appearances since his £15m move from Juventus in the summer due to injury, but he’s been back in training – as has Diogo Jota – and could make Saturday’s matchday squad.
Unfortunately, Liverpool’s defence is still hampered by the continued absences of Ibrahima Konate, Kostas Tsimikas and Conor Bradley, though all will be hopeful of reappearing before the month’s end.
Alisson Becker will be looking to reprise his role after making his anticipated comeback in the Champions League in midweek, keeping a clean sheet against lively Girona in a busy performance.
At the other end of the pitch, Darwin Nunez toiled once again, and perhaps he should be dropped for the visit of the Londoners.
Why Slot must drop Darwin Nunez
Nunez is such a polarising figure, agonisingly wasteful but tenacious as they come and with a personable charm that arrests you even after an ineffective effort at number nine.
But with just three goals and two assists across 19 matches under Slot’s wing, the Uruguay international, 25, needs to up his game or face an uncertain future at Liverpool.
He led the line on Tuesday but was unable to offer little of note, missing a few chances and fading. The Liverpool Echo’s Ian Doyle’s 5/10 match rating reflected this, and he was withdrawn after 70 minutes.
With Jota having returned to first-team training this week, it might be that the Portuguese moves straight back into the starting line-up, with his clinical edge sure to cause a threadbare Fulham backline a weight of problems.
Diogo Jota could feast on Fulham's defence
Jota has missed the past 12 matches in all competitions for Liverpool with a muscular injury. The £140k-per-week ace is back now, and though starting him from the outset might feel like something of a risk – indeed, Slot may opt against it – if he is green-lit, it could be a difference-making decision for the title-chasing Redmen.
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota
As per FBref, Jota ranked among the top 1% of positional peers in the Premier League last season for goals scored (0.79) per 90, making a firm comment on the level of goalscorer that Liverpool have at the front of the ship.
With Mohamed Salah having already chalked up 12 assists from 22 appearances this season – as well as scoring 16 goals – Liverpool will only improve with him in the mix, always clinical and able to pounce on the brilliance of his Egyptian teammate.
24/25
10 (9)
4
2
23/24
32 (19)
15
4
22/23
28 (15)
7
8
21/22
55 (39)
21
6
20/21
30 (19)
13
1
As you can see, he’s not always going to be fully fit, but when he is, the dynamic striker will invariably bring goals and assists to Liverpool’s team.
He’s almost Nunez’s inverse, in several ways, for he’s not the flashiest, nor is Jota endowed with the pace and athleticism that his Uruguayan peer possesses, but instead, there’s an express focus to his playing style that has made him one of the Premier League’s deadliest marksmen since he joined the Anfield side from Wolverhampton Wanderers for a £41m fee in 2020.
That’s not to say that he’s a statue. In fact, Jota is actually very clever with his movements and hungry to turn over possession, hailed as a “pressing monster” by assistant coach Pep Lijnders.
Against Fulham, such incisiveness could be crucial, especially since the hosts must make sure that they take full advantage of Marco Silva’s selection woes.
Fulham manager Marco Silva.
In his pre-match conference, the Portuguese manager confirmed that Joachim Andersen has not yet completed his rehabilitation, which is good news for the Merseysiders given that the £30m summer signing has won 59% of his duels and averaged 5.3 clearances per game, as per Sofascore.
Moreover, Calvin Bassey, the Cottagers’ other usual centre-half, is suspended after accumulating five yellow cards, and the “monster”, as journalist Josh Bunting has called him, having played every minute of the Premier League season so far.
Fulham picked up a point against Arsenal last weekend and have lost only one of their past nine matches in the division, speaking highly of their togetherness and tactical understanding within Silva’s carefully constructed squad.
Liverpool will need to be on their a-game, must not be lulled into a false sense of security.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Likewise, they must be ferocious in attack and pounce on any openings that present themselves to Slot’s men. Jota’s something of a master at taking what comes his way, and that is exactly why, fitness providing, he must start over Nunez for this one.
Slot needs to sell Liverpool "problem" who earns more than Gakpo & Diaz
Arne Slot’s side have been brilliant this year, but Liverpool could still upgrade one or two positions.
Pep Guardiola has presided over the greatest era in Manchester City’s history, winning six Premier League titles, the Champions League and a handful of other domestic and European honours.
However, his era of dominance has looked like coming to an end, with the club going on a poor run of results in recent weeks that could derail their campaign.
One of Sir Alex Ferguson’s biggest strengths was breaking up a winning – but ageing – side in order to establish future success. It might have meant short-term pain, but the longer-term ambition was there.
Guardiola appears to be struggling in this regard, failing to move on those who look like they have run out of ideas, with the club suffering some heavy defeats in the process this term.
With this in mind, we have delved into some of the Spaniard’s heaviest and most embarrassing defeats since arriving in England in 2016.
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ByTom Cunningham Nov 21, 2024 9 Monaco 3-1 Man City, March 2017 Mbappe magic dumps City out of Champions League
City won the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Monaco 5-3 and headed to the principality with an excellent chance of continuing their European campaign.
This was a Monaco side boasting youngsters such as Kylian Mbappé and Tiemoue Bakayoko that had scored 123 goals prior to the second leg. Mbappé and Fabinho scored to give the French side a two-goal lead.
Leroy Sané netted in the second half to restore City’s aggregate advantage, but Bakayoko deservedly sent the Ligue 1 outfit through to the quarter-finals.
8 Barcelona 4-0 Man City, October 2016 Messi dominates as Pep's side floored on return to Barca
A few months into Guardiola’s reign, City had enjoyed a decent start, winning six of their eight Premier League ties, while securing four points from six in the Champions League.
It was the away clash against Barcelona which would be Guardiola’s first true test, but his side crumbled under the pressure.
Lionel Messi, so often Guardiola’s saviour between 2008 and 2012, turned tormentor on this October evening.
The Argentinian gem scored a hat trick to put Barcelona 3-0 up before Neymar added a fourth with just a few minutes of the game left, ensuring the Spanish boss left his homeland with his tail between his legs.
7 Man City 2-5 Leicester, September 2020 City crumble as five-star Foxes thrash Guardiola
Since his first match in charge of Barcelona in 2008, Guardiola’s team had never conceded five goals in a single match.
However, against Leicester City in the third game of the 2020/21 season, that incredible record was smashed as the Foxes managed to score five goals at the Etihad.
Riyad Mahrez opened the scoring for the home side after just four minutes, indicating a straightforward victory was in motion, yet Leicester scored four times over the next 70 minutes to storm into a 4-1 lead, with Jamie Vardy securing the match ball with his second penalty of the day.
City did score a second, but Youri Tielemans scored a coveted fifth with a few minutes left. Following a poor start, City started to click towards the end of 2020 and claimed their third league title under Pep.
6 Liverpool 3-0 Man City, April 2018 Rampant Reds storm into first-leg Champions League lead
The League Cup had already been won while the league title was practically sewn up ahead of the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Liverpool at Anfield.
Almost surprisingly, Pep hadn’t won the competition since leaving Barcelona, failing to reach the final during his spell at Bayern Munich, while City crashed out to Monaco the year before.
The Reds had defeated City 4-3 earlier in the season and they dominated proceedings during the first half, scoring three goals in a frantic 31-minute blitz to take control of the tie.
Jürgen Klopp had turned into Guardiola’s nemesis during his time in Bavaria, and the German outmanoeuvred him yet again in the second leg as Liverpool marched to the final. City would have to wait a little while longer to taste success in the competition.
5 Sporting 4-1 Man City, November 2024 City humbled in Europe as Gyokeres stars
Geovany Quenda for Sporting vs Manchester City.
Heading into the clash against Sporting CP, City had suffered defeats to Tottenham Hotspur in the EFL Cup, before losing 2-1 to Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Not since April 2018 had the club lost three games in a row, but departing Sporting manager Ruben Amorim gave the Manchester United fans something to cheer about.
Phil Foden opened the scoring, yet a Viktor Gyokeres hat-trick and a late strike by Maximiliano Araújo secured a famous Champions League win for the Portuguese outfit.
Things were only going to get worse for City over the next few weeks, with Guardiola about to suffer arguably the most damaging defeat of his eight-year tenure.
4 Wigan 1-0 Man City, February 2018 Will Grigg strike upsets would-be champions
Guardiola’s second season was looking much more promising than his first. In February, City were sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League after winning all but four of their 27 games, while they had sealed their place in the EFL Cup final against Arsenal.
Before then, the Etihad side had an FA Cup fifth-round tie against Wigan Athletic to negotiate. On the surface, it looked like a straightforward victory for the team, but it turned into a nightmare.
The League One side ended Guardiola’s chances of winning the quadruple as Will Grigg struck with just over ten minutes remaining, taking advantage of the fact City were down to ten men after Fabian Delph was sent off.
Five years previously, the Latics had defeated City in the FA Cup final by the same scoreline and lightning struck twice that evening. City ended up winning the Premier League and League Cup, so it wasn’t a bad campaign in the end.
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ByBarney Lane Oct 31, 2024 3 Norwich 3-2 Man City, September 2019 Champions humbled by new boys Norwich
2018/19 had been an excellent season, with the Spaniard leading the club to a treble of the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup – the first time a domestic treble had been achieved by an English side.
In a bid to win their third league crown in succession, City won three and drew one of their first four matches, and a trip to Carrow Road to take on newly promoted Norwich City wasn’t expected to be a problem.
Goals from Kenny McLean and Todd Cantwell had the Canaries two goals up against the defending champions and in dreamland.
Sergio Agüero reduced the deficit, and it looked like they would kick on and at least secure a point, but Norwich netted a third through Teemu Pukki to record a historic win, and was certainly one of Guardiola’s most embarrassing ones at the helm.
2 Everton 4-0 Man City, January 2017 Guardiola treated to Goodison trouncing in first season
Prior to the away clash against Everton, City had lost four times in the top flight throughout the first half of the 2016/17 season, but never by more than two goals.
It was clear Guardiola was still getting to grips with English football, and the Toffees delivered a harsh lesson to his team.
The Goodison Park side scored four goals against a shellshocked City side, who didn’t quite know what had hit them in a chastising defeat.
Over the remaining 17 league games, City lost just once as it looked like the Spaniard learned what had gone wrong against Everton, and it proved to be a watershed moment, as the club won the next two domestic titles.
1 Man City 0-4 Tottenham, November 2024 Pep hits new low as bogey side Spurs run riot
Still reeling from the defeat to Sporting, another defeat arrived just four days as Brighton took all three points against City, who lost more ground on Liverpool in the Premier League title race.
A clash against Spurs represented a chance to get back to winning ways, especially considering the north Londoners’ Jekyll-and-Hyde form under Ange Postecoglou this season.
The away side took plenty of confidence into the game after their win against the same opposition just a few weeks earlier, and they scored the opener after just 13 minutes, with James Maddison netting the first goal of the evening.
Seven minutes later, the Englishman was at it again, dinking a neat finish over Ederson to open up a two-goal advantage for Spurs as they took full control of the game.
Former City player Pedro Porro scored the third as he unleashed a strike into the top corner, and it looked like City were dead and buried.
Spurs weren’t finished there, as Timo Werner raced past Kyle Walker before laying the ball off to Brennan Johnson, who duly scored their fourth goal of an incredible game.
This 4-0 defeat is Guardiola’s heaviest home loss, while it was City’s fifth in a row. You have to go all the way back to 2006, when the club was managed by Stuart Pearce, for the last time they lost five competitive matches consecutively.
Despite this dreadful run of form, the Spaniard has signed a new two-year extension at the club as he looks to win more silverware.
Philippe Clement continues to battle to save his job as Rangers manager and Ally McCoist has cautiously endorsed a title-winning boss replacing him at Ibrox.
Clement still feeling the heat at Rangers
It’s fair to say that it has been an up-and-down season for the Gers to date, with plenty of wins thrown in, but also many too many disappointing performances and results. On Sunday, Rangers booked their place in the Scottish League Cup final after a 2-1 win over Motherwell at Hampden Park, as they set up a mouthwatering meeting with rivals Celtic next month.
Despite this, there is no question that Clement is still under an enormous amount of pressure to keep his job, considering his side are now nine points adrift of both the Hoops and Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership title race and hardly looked convincing at the weekend either.
Potential successors to the Belgian have been mooted in recent times, with Malmo manager Henrik Rydstrom linked with coming in and beginning a new era at Ibrox. Now, another name has been mentioned, courtesy of Rangers legend McCoist.
McCoist talks up Gerrard to replace Clement
Speaking on talkSPORT [via Rangers News], McCoist got behind the idea of Steven Gerrard returning to Rangers as manager, but was quick to point out that he wouldn’t necessarily solve all the problems going on at the club.
“He would be welcomed back. He won the title in his time at Rangers and he would be welcomed back. But I have to tell you Jeff [Stelling] the problems at Rangers go far greater than the manager at this moment in time and a lot deeper. I think they need to get things sorted at the top level before anything else.
“It works its way down if things aren’t right at the top. No full-time chairman, director of football or chief executive. There is none of that happening at this moment in time and that has to happen. I don’t care what anyone says, it must have an effect on the pitch if things are not good off it. So in answer your question, would he be welcomed back? I think he would, yeah. But he clearly has his work cut out over there [Saudi] at this moment in time.”
Former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard.
Opinion is likely to be split when it comes to McCoist’s comments, with some liking the idea of a Gerrard reunion, not least because he won the Scottish Premiership back in 2020/21 – the club’s only title triumph since the 2010/11 season.
That said, the 44-year-old’s reputation has been damaged since a failed spell in charge of Aston Villa – Unai Emery has shown him up hugely – not to mention being booed recently by fans of current club Al-Ettifaq, following just one win in his last seven matches at the Saudi Pro League side.
Al-Ettifaq
47
1.38
Aston Villa
40
1.18
Rangers
192
2.15
There would clearly be plenty of fans happy to see Clement moved on and Gerrard come back, and while that could prove to be successful, there would be risks to it, especially with so much going on high up at the club.
Pakistan wicketkeeper will be available from April until mid-July
Matt Roller16-Dec-2021Mohammad Rizwan will play county cricket for the first time in 2022 after signing a deal to play for Sussex between April and mid-July.Rizwan will arrive in England after the conclusion of Australia’s tour to Pakistan on April 5 and will be available for the majority of the County Championship season and the whole of the T20 Blast.He will open the batting alongside Luke Wright in the Blast, replacing Phil Salt – who has left for Lancashire – as a top-order keeper/batter, and is a replacement for Ben Brown in the Championship side following his request to be released from his contract two years early.Rizwan is the fourth Pakistan international to sign for a county for 2022 after Shan Masood (Derbyshire), Zafar Gohar (Gloucestershire) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (Middlesex) and with a relatively clear window in their international schedule in the first half of the season, it would be no surprise if more players were to follow.Related
Rashid Khan returns to Sussex for 2022 Blast
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Shaheen Shah Afridi joins Middlesex for 2022 season
Gohar re-signs for 2022 season with Gloucestershire
County ins and outs 2021-22
Ian Salisbury, Sussex’s Championship and 50-over head coach, said that his former county team-mates Mushtaq Ahmed and Saqlain Mushtaq had provided character references for Rizwan which suggested he would be “a wonderful addition to our dressing room”.”I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t really disappointed to learn we’d be losing a player of Ben Brown’s quality,” Salisbury said. “Now that has happened, though, we have to look forward and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to act quickly over the last week or so to secure the services of one of the world’s best keeper-batters as a replacement.”Mohammad’s first-class and Test records speak for themselves and it’s a huge coup to welcome him to Sussex for a big chunk of next season’s Championship. He and Travis [Head] are exactly the kind of experienced, international cricketers that our emerging lads can learn a huge amount from.”Sussex won the wooden spoon in last year’s County Championship, finishing bottom of Division Three with a young team. As well as Rizwan, they have signed Fynn Hudson-Prentice and Steven Finn this winter and Travis Head is due to return as captain – and the club’s other Championship overseas player – despite struggling in his first season at Hove.James Kirtley, Sussex’s T20 coach, described Rizwan as “one of the most exciting cricketers in the world” and said that he was “an excellent replacement” following Salt’s departure. “I am extremely pleased to be filling that gap with an international player of his calibre,” he said. “He is a natural leader and a player who will inspire. I am very much looking forward to welcoming him to Sussex as the latest in a long line of successful cricketers that have played for Pakistan and Sussex.”
Although Enzo Maresca appears to be building a promising squad at Chelsea which could see them challenge for trophies this season, how much would he love to call on several Stamford Bridge icons from years gone by.
José Mourinho’s squad from 2004-2007 is arguably one of the finest in the club’s history, featuring the likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Ashley Cole to name just a few.
Two Premier League titles, two League Cups and an FA Cup were won during those three fantastic years. Yes, future teams have claimed the Champions League and countless other silverware, but it was Mourinho’s first team which proved to be the catalyst for future success.
Being able to call on players such as Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke and Jadon Sancho, Maresca is forming a solid English contingent to have at his disposal.
In terms of attacking talent, the Italian has enough players to fill three teams. Defensively, however, there could be some improvements, especially considering the Blues have conceded 15 goals in all competitions this term.
Imagine if Maresca had someone of Cole’s ability at left-back for the Stamford Bridge side? As the former English defender was certainly one of the finest players in the club’s recent history.
Ashley Cole’s Chelsea statistics
The defender began to make waves with Arsenal around the turn of the century. Under Arsène Wenger, Cole made his senior debut during the 1999/00 season in the League Cup before establishing himself as a first-team star the following campaign.
Cole helped the Gunners win the Premier League in 2003/04, with the club going unbeaten in the process. In the summer of 2006, however, Chelsea were beginning to show interest, and it was clear the Englishman wanted to move.
Ashley Cole’s Chelsea statistics
Season
Games
Goals
Assists
2013/14
26
0
2
2012/13
51
1
5
20111/12
48
0
9
2010/11
48
0
5
2009/10
35
4
6
2008/09
49
1
4
2007/08
41
1
2
2006/07
39
0
4
Via Transfermarkt
After 228 appearances for the North London side, Cole joined the Blues for £5m with William Gallas going the other way, not a bad deal.
Over the next eight seasons, Cole would win the Champions League, another Premier League title and a host of FA Cups during his time at Stamford Bridge. More than that, however, was that the defender firmly established himself as one of the best left-backs in the world due to his performances.
Known for his ability to bomb down the left flank with ease, Cole was an attacker’s dream, registering 37 assists during his time at the club. Overall, he made 337 appearances for Chelsea before leaving ahead of the 2014/15 campaign, but it was clear that the Blues managed to have the best years of Cole’s career.
Over the years, many youngsters were hailed as the ‘next Ashley Cole’, yet none of them ever proved they had what it took to succeed the defender.
One of those talents is currently a free agent, having never made the grade at Chelsea, despite spending seven years at the club, making only eight first-team appearances in that time.
Chelsea's next Ashley Cole
The Dutchman played twice for the Blues during the 2009/10 campaign under Carlo Ancelotti, before featuring another six times the following season, with the Italian manager giving the youngster some experience.
First Impressions
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Before that, he spent time on loan with both Newcastle United and Coventry City, playing seven and 20 games respectively for the Championship sides.
He was hailed by Clinton Morrison during his time with the Sky Blues, who said that he could be “the next Ashley Cole” after he shone during a performance against Ipswich Town in 2009.
This should have been a confidence booster, but aside from those appearances under Ancelotti, Van Aanholt never played another first team game for the Blues again, spending time out on loan at Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem.
Two and a half seasons back in his homeland saw the left-back make nearly 100 appearances, and it was clear he needed steady football to fulfil his potential.
Sunderland swooped in the summer of 2014, finally luring Van Aanholt away from Chelsea on a permanent deal for a fee of just £1.5m.
What Patrick Van Aanholt is doing now
Three seasons at Sunderland saw the former Chelsea starlet finally make some progress, missing just 32 Premier League matches across his three-year spell in the north-east.
While not exactly reaching the heights of Cole, Van Aanholt’s career did begin to blossom. First, he made the move to Crystal Palace, spending a total of four and a half seasons back in London for the Eagles, before making the move to Galatasaray in 2021.
Last term, he made 24 appearances for PSV Eindhoven as they claimed the Eredivisie title, yet he currently finds himself without a club three months into the new season having been released from his contract at the Dutch side.
Patrick Van Aanholt
Aged 34, the left-back is entering his final few years as a professional player and his next move might just be his last.
Once touted as the next Cole, it didn’t quite work out for the player at Chelsea, failing to live up to this earlier potential which had been placed on him by fellow players and supporters.
It is a testament to his character that Van Aanholt still made a solid career for himself, featuring over 200 times in the Premier League along with playing 19 times for the Netherlands at senior level, making the squad for Euro 2020.
In the current team, Levi Colwill appears to be the defender with the highest potential, especially with his current performances despite only joining in the summer.
There will never be another Ashley Cole, as the former England international was a generational talent.
Chelsea wasted £48m on Conte flop who earned 2x more than Madueke does
Chelsea certainly wasted a huge amount on the disappointing big-money transfer.
Everton have been dealt a “fresh injury concern” regarding a “monster” figure at the club, according to a new update from reliable journalist Lewis Steele.
Big day for Dyche as Everton host Newcastle
The Blues got some much-needed respite last weekend, having won 2-1 at home to Crystal Palace to secure their first Premier League win of the season. For Sean Dyche, the result was particularly important, with the Englishman under significant pressure to keep his job leading up to the match and new owners likely to have their own opinions about his position.
For now, it looks as though the Everton manager is safe, having enough credit in the bank after keeping his side in the top flight last season, but he will know the importance of now kicking on and not facing another relegation battle.
Dwight McNeil for Everton
Next up for the Blues is Saturday’s visit of Newcastle United in the league, which represents another chance for them to pick up valuable points before the international break. Granted, the Magpies are the superior team, but all is not going too swimmingly there currently, with injuries in Eddie Howe’s defence and some shocking away form handing the Toffees a serious chance of another positive result.
Another win for Everton at Goodison Park would leave the fans in far more positive spirits heading into the break, suggesting that a massive corner has been turned. That being said, a resounding home defeat would once again raise question marks about Dyche’s long-term future.
Everton suffer injury blow to "monster" figure
According to Steele on X, Everton centre-back Jarrad Banthwaite has suffered a “fresh injury concern” with a quad problem, making him a doubt to face Newcastle this weekend.
Not having the £35,000-a-week-earning Branthwaite available for the showdown with the Magpies would be such a big blow for Everton, considering his only Premier League appearance of the season came against Palace last weekend, coinciding with his side’s first win of the season.
The England international may only be 22 years of age, but he has already become one of the first names on Dyche’s team sheet, with Ian Wright waxing lyrical over him last season.
“He has got everything. You watch how he plays, left-sided as well, he plays out well. Very brave. And then when you listen to his interview he sounds like somebody who is like yeah, I’m there, I’m here. He should be called up. And not only that, he should be played. Let’s have a look at him. I’m telling you we have a monster on our hands at left-sided centre-half. A monster.”
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He’s proven in the Premier League…
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Oct 3, 2024
As Steele alludes to, Everton’s record with Branthwaite is far stronger than without him, so the hope is that he overcomes this issue and starts at home to Newcastle. Should he be out, the chances of defeat are immediately increased.