Nat Sciver-Brunt expected to be fit after groin injury curtailed involvement in T20Is

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Jul-2025Nat Sciver-Brunt is expected to play a full part in England’s three-match ODI series against India later this month, after being named as captain in a 15-player squad despite missing the end of the T20I series with a groin injury.Sciver-Brunt suffered the injury while batting during the second T20I and was subsequently ruled out of the remaining three games. Tammy Beaumont took charge for Friday’s third match at the Kia Oval, where England kept their series hopes alive with a tense five-run win that reduced their deficit to 2-1.However, England’s selectors are optimistic that she will be fit again by the time of the first ODI at the Utilita Bowl on July 16, with subsequent fixtures at Lord’s on July 19, and Chester-le-Street on July 22.Also included in the squad is Sophie Ecclestone, who missed the West Indies ODIs early this season while recovering from injury, but returns in place of the legspinner Sarah Glenn. Hampshire’s Maia Bouchier – who was last week called into the T20I squad as Sciver-Brunt’s replacement – is also back in contention.Lauren Filer, who averaged 76mph in bowling the fastest recorded over in women’s cricket during the Oval victory on Friday, has again been included in the ODI set-up as she continues her comeback from a knee injury.England have been challenged hard by India in the course of the T20I series, having lost the first two matches by heavy margins, particularly the series opener at Trent Bridge where Smitri Mandhana’s century set her team up for an emphatic 97-run win.However, the fight that England showed to get across the line in a tense finale at The Oval pleased their new head coach, Charlotte Edwards, who sees the ODI series as another vital test of her team’s credentials as they rebuild after their disappointments at the T20 World Cup and the Ashes last winter.England Women ODI squad to face India•ESPNcricinfo Ltd”India have really pushed us during the Vitality IT20 series,” Edwards said. “We knew they would and we’ve learned a lot about the team in the three games so far. There have been some good moments but we’re a team in transition and we need to keep working hard to do what we’re trying to do more consistently, and for longer. That’ll be asked of us again in the ODIs.”Friday night was high drama and we were delighted to keep ourselves in the series, I’m very proud of the character and the fight the players showed. Hopefully we can keep that going at Emirates Old Trafford and Edgbaston and into the Metro Bank ODI series.”The squad has largely stayed the same since the ODI series against West Indies, but Soph [Ecclestone] comes back into the side meaning Sarah Glenn misses out this time around. We’ve also added in Maia Bouchier to bolster our batting line-up and continue to offer competition for places. This series is the perfect preparation for the ICC Women’s World Cup in India this autumn, but it’s also a series we’re determined to win.”England Women ODI squad to face IndiaNat Sciver-Brunt (capt), Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Alice Davidson-Richards, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones, Emma Lamb, Linsey Smith

أكد وليد صلاح الدين، مدير الكرة بالنادي الأهلي، أن بطولة كأس السوبر المصري تحمل أهمية كبيرة، مشيرًا إلى أن المارد الأحمر يستعد للمباراة النهائية أمام الزمالك بشكل جيد بعد فترة من الأداء المميز.

ومن المقرر أن يلتقي الأهلي والزمالك، اليوم الأحد، على ملعب محمد بن زايد بولاية أبو ظبي، للمنافسة على لقب بطل كأس السوبر المصري.

وقال وليد صلاح الدين في تصريحات عبر قناة “أون سبورت”: “بطولة السوبر مهمة فعلًا، واستعداداتنا الحمد لله جيدة، ونحن نلعب كرة جيدة منذ فترة طويلة، منذ قدومي، خضنا حوالي 11 مباراة مع الكابتن عماد النحاس، حققنا خلالها ثلاثة تعادلات وثمانية انتصارات، وإن شاء الله ستكون المباراة المقبلة التاسعة ونتوج بالبطولة”.

طالع أيضًا | مصطفى عبده: الأهلي قد يُكرر الـ6-1 أمام الزمالك في السوبر

وتابع: “الأداء في المباريات السابقة كان دائمًا مميزًا، فنحن نتفوق على أي فريق في الملعب من حيث الاستحواذ وصناعة الفرص، اللاعبون يبدون جهدًا كبيرًا ويظهرون انضباطًا عاليًا في التدريب والمباريات”.

وأضاف: “حتى الآن، غاب عن الفريق عنصر التوفيق قليلًا، والحمد لله حققنا الفوز في آخر مباراة، وأود أن أحيي الكابتن علي ماهر وفريق سيراميكا، فهم فريق محترم وبذلوا جهدًا كبيرًا، وكانت المباراة ممتعة للجميع، ومع ذلك، كنا الأفضل طوال التسعين دقيقة في صناعة الفرص والاستحواذ والجانب البدني، والحمد لله توجنا بالانتصار”.

واختتم: “إن شاء الله، ننتظر دعم جماهيرنا أمام الزمالك في مباراة النهائي، فهم سندنا وذخيرتنا، ونأمل في العودة بالبطولة إلى مصر”.

Newcastle United find themselves in a delicate situation as the Premier League transfer window approaches its final weeks.

The Magpies are in urgent need of a striker to fill the void left by Alexander Isak, whose refusal to reintegrate with the squad has caused disruption ahead of the new season.

While the club has made several signings, including Anthony Elanga, Malick Thiaw, Aaron Ramsdale, a permanent solution in attack remains elusive.

Isak’s unsettled stance stems from an approach by Liverpool, and he has made it clear that he does not intend to train with Newcastle despite continuing to receive his reported £140k-per-week wages.

The side’s need for a replacement is immediate, although any potential new signing will not be available for their opening fixture against Aston Villa this Saturday.

Adding further complexity to Newcastle’s forward planning, the club recently missed out on Benjamin Sesko, who opted for Manchester United, while deals for other targets such as Yoane Wissa slowly edge towards completion.

This leaves Newcastle in a challenging position.

They must secure a striker capable of stepping into the squad and maintaining Premier League standards, without overpaying or rushing a decision.

Premier League striker keen on Newcastle switch

Enter a 24-year-old striker whose profile has drawn both excitement and cautious scrutiny.

Nicolas Jackson has emerged as a potential replacement, with his performances at Chelsea generating interest across Europe.

While there has been no formal bid from Newcastle yet, this “monster” of a player, as noted by John Obi Mikel, is reportedly ‘keen on a move’ to St James’ Park, as has been reported by Mark Douglas of the i.

Douglas notes that despite the striker’s willingness to move to Tyneside, the Magpies have yet to lodge a bid for the Blues exile.

If that deal does progress, the comparison to Anthony Gordon is unavoidable.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Gordon, who joined Newcastle from Everton in 2023 following an acrimonious exit, was initially considered a gamble by fans and pundits.

At the time, his record was respectable but not spectacular, with just seven goals scored at Goodison Park in all competitions.

However, since his move, Gordon has thrived under Eddie Howe, recording 22 goals and 23 assists in 106 appearances for the Magpies.

Jackson represents a similar gamble for Newcastle.

Like Gordon, he is young, somewhat untested, and carries a notable price tag – reportedly as much as £80m.

Yet the potential upside is significant, especially for a team seeking a clinical finisher to partner with the likes of Wissa this coming season.

Why Jackson could be another Gordon for Howe

To understand the potential for Jackson at Newcastle, it helps to examine Gordon’s trajectory.

At 24, Gordon’s profile mirrored Jackson’s in several ways: a relatively young player with talent but inconsistent performances at his previous club.

Gordon’s 2023/24 season was his breakthrough.

According to data from FBref, he produced 4.30 progressive carries per 90, 3.15 progressive passes per 90, and 4.45 shot-creating actions per 90.

He contributed significantly both in terms of attacking output and defensive work, registering 1.71 tackles and 0.84 blocks per 90.

Gordon’s touch volume in the attacking third (22.8 per 90) highlighted his influence in key areas, a benchmark Jackson may aim to emulate at Newcastle.

In 65 Premier League appearances for Chelsea, Jackson has scored 24 goals and contributed ten assists.

Notably, he was on the scoresheet in the Conference League final against Real Betis in May, underlining his capacity to perform on bigger stages.

While Jackson has demonstrated his attacking prowess, he has also attracted scrutiny for disciplinary issues, including red cards against Newcastle in a 2-0 defeat at St James’ Park and against Flamengo at the Club World Cup.

These incidents suggest an element of volatility, though they also reflect the intensity and commitment he brings to the pitch.

In terms of performance metrics, Jackson’s numbers, as per FBref, highlight a player capable of influencing games in multiple ways.

He averages 3.08 shots per 90 minutes, with 1.38 on target, translating to a 44.7% shot-on-target rate.

His progressive carries (1.90 per 90) and passes (1.54 per 90) are slightly lower than more creative forwards, but his shot-creating actions per 90 of 2.80 demonstrate his ability to generate opportunities.

Pass completion sits at a solid 75.9%, while his progressive passing distance per 90 of 35.8 meters shows an emerging ability to link play beyond the immediate attacking third.

Jackson – PL Stats 2024/25
Matches Played	30
Starts	28
Minutes Played	2,220
Goals	10
Assists	5
Shot on Target Percentage	44.7%
Pass Completion Rate	75.9%
Shot Creating Actions per 90	2.80
Tackles	22
Blocks	15
Yellow Cards	7
Red Cards	1
Source: FBref

Gordon’s success underscores the potential payoff of taking calculated risks on younger forwards with room for growth.

Just as Gordon has adapted and flourished under Howe’s management, Jackson could follow a similar path, benefiting from clear guidance, consistent playing time, and the confidence of the coaching staff.

What’s more, Newcastle’s interest in Jackson comes at a pivotal time The club is navigating the financial pressures of PSR while managing high-profile departures and arrivals.

Securing a striker who can hit the ground running, and potentially blossom into a top Premier League talent, is a priority.

Jackson’s style, combining physical presence with technical flair, could offer Howe tactical flexibility.

If Newcastle can integrate him effectively, Jackson might not only replace Isak but provide a long-term solution in attack.

Of course, there are risks.

Yet the upside is clear: a young, talented forward with a proven scoring record in Europe and the mentality to succeed under the right management.

For Newcastle, the gamble may well be worth taking, just as it was with Gordon a year ago.

More of a bully than Isak: Newcastle set to submit bid for £70m "monster"

Newcastle United target Champions League striker following Alexander Isak saga

3

By
Will Miller

Aug 14, 2025

أغلق بيب جوارديولا مدرب مانشستر سيتي، الباب أمام العودة كمدرب لبرشلونة، لكنه سُئل عن موضوع لم يتطرق للحديث إليه من قبل وهو إمكانية تولي رئاسة النادي الكتالوني، وأوضح موقفه.

وسبق لجوارديولا تدريب برشلونة لعدة سنوات، وحقق حقبة رائعة مع البلوجرانا، وكانت أبرز إنجازاته التتويج بالسداسية التاريخية، قبل أن يغادر لتدريب بايرن ميونخ الألماني.

ويتولى جوارديولا حاليًا منصب المدير الفني لفريق مانشستر سيتي الإنجليزي، والذي يدربه منذ يوليو 2016.

وفي مقابلةٍ له مع إذاعة RAC1 يوم الاثنين، سُئل جوارديولا عن إمكانية توليه رئاسة نادي برشلونة لكرة القدم، وتحدث عن الانتخابات المقبلة للنادي.

اقرأ أيضًا | سواريز: ما زلت أملك عاطفة تجاه برشلونة.. ورؤية ميسي يضغط في عمره مذهلة

وقال جوارديولا: “برشلونة فريدٌ من نوعه في هذا الجانب، لأن لكلٍّ شخص رأيه، فقط من هم في الداخل يجب أن ينتبهوا للضجيج، لهذا السبب هو أكبر وأروع نادٍ في العالم، لأن الجميع يريد الترشح؛ ولهذا السبب نستطيع القيام بذلك”.

وعن إمكانية ترشحه لرئاسة برشلونة يومًا ما، رد جوارديولا: “أنا لا أرفض برشلونة، أنت دائمًا من حيث بدأت، لكن، ارتداء ربطة عنق في المقصورة الرئاسية؟ لا، لا أتصور نفسي أفعل ذلك (ضاحكًا)”.

 

MatériaMais Notícias

da bwin： Sem vencer nos últimos dois jogos do Campeonato Brasileiro, o Internacional volta a campo neste fim de semana e o time de Diego Aguirre vai receber a Chapecoense, no Beira-Rio.

+ Veja no aplicativo do LANCE! o resultado dos jogos da rodada

Para o confronto, o Colorado ainda segue com os desfalques que foram designados para disputar as Eliminatórias, mas terá o retorno de Cuesta.

Após cumprir suspensão diante do Atlético-MG, o argentino retorna ao time titular e quer ajudar o Inter a vencer.

Confira a provável escalação: Daniel; Saravia, Bruno Méndez, Víctor Cuesta e Moisés; Rodrigo Dourado, Rodrigo Lindoso, Caio Vidal, Mauricio e Patrick; Yuri Alberto.

RelacionadasPonte PretaPonte Preta não venceu os últimos três jogos da Série BPonte Preta08/10/2021Futebol NacionalMozart aproveitou a semana livre para ‘ajustar’ o CSAFutebol Nacional08/10/2021Futebol LatinoMarcelo Bielsa observa atentamente jovem promessa do EspanyolFutebol Latino08/10/2021

Youth football is in Pep Guardiola's blood. He emerged from Barcelona's famed La Masia academy and then took his first steps as a coach after being appointed manager of the Catalans' B team all the way back in 2007. When he became first-team coach at Camp Nou one year later, he promoted the likes of Sergio Busquets and Pedro, plus the returning Gerard Pique, as Barca swept to the treble in style.

Guardiola has seen just as many talented players come through the academy in his nearly 10 years at Manchester City, but there is a key difference between the two clubs, as the bulk of the youngster to have come through at City have failed to establish themselves as regulars in his first team. While Nico O'Reilly, Rico Lewis and academy poster boy Phil Foden have gone on to do great things for their boyhood clubs, they are in a tiny minority.

When Guardiola's side face Aston Villa on Sunday, they will come up against one of the biggest success stories of all the players to have left the club: Morgan Rogers, who left City in 2023 for Middlesbrough but has since gone on to become one of the most important players for Villa and a genuine rival to Jude Bellingham in the England squad.

Rogers is far from alone in going on to prove his former employers wrong since walking out of the doors of the City Football Academy (CFA). As Guardiola said last month, "Imagine the amount of players who unfortunately left. They were top, top-class players and could not have the space [in the team]. My God, the starting XI you could have right now in the first team if you start to count the incredible players in other clubs that was educated and played here in Man City and in the academy."

GOAL takes a look at the best players who came through City's youth ranks but never made the cut, assessing whether the club was right or wrong to let them leave…

• AFP
  

  Morgan Rogers

  Ever wondered why Rogers and Palmer both do the 'ice cold' celebration after scoring? The pair were thick as thieves as City academy team-mates between 2019 and 2021, and each scored in the 2020 FA Youth Cup final against Chelsea. But there is no question that Palmer shone brightest at that level. Rogers, playing on the opposite wing, played half the number of games and was far less productive, contributing to just 12 goals. 

  And while Palmer was fast-tracked into the first team, Rogers was sent out on loan to Lincoln City and Blackpool, both in League One, and Bournemouth in the Championship before joining Middlesbrough in the summer of 2023. It moulded him into the brilliant player who won the PFA Young Player of the Year award for his first full season at Villa. 

  But while City would have loved to have had the current version of Rogers, the truth is no one questioned him leaving at the time. Not even Rogers, who admitted last month: "I wasn’t good enough, simple as that. I wasn’t ready, I wasn't ready to be there, I wasn't myself, I wasn't the person that they signed in terms of what they expected me to go on and be. Yeah, it wasn't the right player at the right time for me or the club."

  Verdict: Hit

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  Cole Palmer

  Palmer, above any other City academy player in the 21st century, is the one that got away. And while other players exploded after leaving City, Palmer was doing it while on their books and they knew exactly how good he was.

  He scored 42 goals and set up a further 19 in 61 games for the Under-18s and Under-21s while he took his chances in the first team, contributing to a goal every 185 minutes despite most of his appearances coming off the bench. City could see exactly how good Palmer was becoming just before they let him leave for Chelsea as he scored in two of his final three games for the club, in the Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup.

  Still, not many City fans were complaining about the £42m fee they received when Palmer left and his rise at Chelsea took many by surprise, as he scored 22 Premier League goals and set up 11 in his first campaign.

  Palmer could have been Kevin De Bruyne's heir at the Etihad Stadium and filled the gap of a having a highly productive winger to replace Riyad Mahrez. And imagine the pride among supporters seeing Palmer emulate Foden as the local academy boy who developed into a first-team star.

  Verdict: Miss

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Jeremie Frimpong

  Jeremie Frimpong moved from Amsterdam to Manchester aged seven with his mother and his six siblings, and two years later he enrolled in City's academy. He remained there for nine years, but he felt held back as he would play in one age group below his own.

  When he wanted to discuss a new contract in 2019, Frimpong was bluntly told he was too small and not physical enough for the senior team, while he was also compared to players in his age group who had made more progress. Frimpong instead left for Celtic, where he played regularly and developed into the high-flying right-back he is today.

  When he was playing a pivotal role in Bayer Leverkusen's romp to the Bundesliga title in 2024, many City fans began to wonder if they had made a mistake overlooking him. Those feelings became more pronounced last term when the team had no consistent right-back due to Kyle Walker's nose-diving performances while Frimpong joined title rivals Liverpool for £29.5m in the summer. 

  Verdict: Miss

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Michael Olise

  Michael Olise is a man of few words, but he has let his performances do the talking of late to devastating effect. He has gone from being rejected by some of the biggest clubs around in Arsenal, Chelsea and City to becoming one of the leading lights for Bayern Munich and a regular supplier of goals for Harry Kane.

  Olise arrived at City aged 15 after being rejected by Chelsea, but he did not make the grade and spent just one season at the CFA, dropping down a level with his next move by joining Reading. There he excelled and within two years he was in the Royals' senior team, soon tearing it up in the Championship. 

  Crystal Palace subsequently snapped him up for £8m, a bargain considering that three years later they would sell him to Bayern for £52m. Olise notched 17 goals and 17 assists while winning the Bundesliga title in his first season at the Allianz Arena, and this term he has picked up where he left off, prompting City and the other big clubs who sent him packing to ponder exactly how they failed to spot his talent.

  Verdict: Miss

Celtic supporters may not have been very pleased with how the summer transfer window ended, but there was plenty of promising work done by the club up to when they signed Kelechi Iheanacho.

Some fans decided to boycott the opening 12 minutes of the 2-1 win over Kilmarnock last weekend. Podcaster John Dykes claimed that it was partly down to the lack of quality recruitment work and the club’s failure to qualify for the league phase of the Champions League.

Despite the concerns of the fanbase, Celtic were still able to muster up three points in their Scottish Premiership clash, thanks to a 96th-minute penalty from one of their new signings, Iheanacho.

The Nigeria international, who joined on a free transfer the day after the summer window officially slammed shut, was the 11th first-team signing made after the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

Brendan Rodgers and the recruitment team will be hoping that supporters will look at the window a little more favourably by the end of the season, if the players brought in kick on and deliver high-quality performances.

The concern, though, will be if they fail to really kick on and prove their worth on a consistent basis, as has been the case for winger Hyun-jun Yang.

Why Hyun-jun Yang is in an awkward position at Celtic

The South Korea international was signed from Gangwon FC for a fee of £2m in the summer of 2023 to bolster Rodgers’ options on both flanks in his first season back in Scotland.

Unfortunately, Yang has been unable to establish himself as a regular starter for the Scottish giants on the wing. He currently finds himself in an awkward position where he does not seem to be fully trusted by the manager.

In fact, the forward was reportedly close to a move to English Championship side Birmingham City on deadline day, only for the Blues to pull out of a deal because they were unwilling to wait for Celtic to finalise their own move for Sebastian Tounekti.

The Hoops, of course, signed Tounekti from Hammarby late on deadline day, but the timing of that move meant that they brought the Tunisia international in and Yang had to remain at Parkhead.

This has left the 23-year-old winger in a position where he knows that the club and Rodgers were willing to let him move on in the summer, yet he now has to stay until at least January.

Appearances

3

Starts

2

Unused substitute

2

Goals

0

Key passes per game

0.3

Big chances created

1

Assists

0

Dribbles completed per game

0.3

As you can see in the table above, Yang has already been an unused substitute in two of the opening five Premiership matches, failing to provide a goal or an assist in the three games he has featured in.

Ultimately, the South Korean attacker has never shown real consistency in his end product in the final third, with seven goals and nine assists in 71 appearances in all competitions, per Transfermarkt.

Yang has shown signs of improvement during his time at the club, progressing from one league goal in the 2023/24 campaign to five league goals last season. However, it has not been enough for him to establish himself as a star in Glasgow.

Chalkboard

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

It is incredibly early on in his Parkhead career, but summer signing Michel-Ange Balikwisha needs to ensure that he does not end up becoming the next Yang for Celtic on the wing.

Why Balikwisha could be the next Yang for Celtic

The Hoops swooped to sign the Belgian forward from Royal Antwerp for a fee of £5m during the summer transfer window to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch.

Balikwisha, like Yang, is a versatile winger who can play on the left or the right flank. He also showed some promise in the final third with his performances for his former club.

The 24-year-old flanker scored four goals and created seven ‘big chances’ in 12 starts in the Pro League for Royal Antwerp in the 2024/25 campaign, per Sofascore, which shows that he offered quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals in Belgium.

This is why Balikwisha, as Yang was when he arrived from Gangwon, is an exciting addition to the squad. However, he has yet to show any real drive at the top end of the pitch after two flat performances in the Premiership.

The right-footed winger has been thrown in at the deep end with starts against Rangers and Kilmarnock, playing on the left wing in the former and on the right in the latter, but failed to impress in either outing.

Minutes

65

58

Shots

0

0

Key passes

0

1

Big chances created

0

0

Dribbles completed

0/0

0/1

Crosses completed

0/1

1/2

As you can see in the table above, Balikwisha did not register a single shot on goal and only attempted one dribble, which he failed to complete, in over two hours of football in his first two appearances for the Scottish giants.

Motherwell midfielder Andy Halliday has been unimpressed with the winger. The experienced Premiership player said: “I think Balikwisha has started really, really slowly. I’ve never seen a winger turn down one versus one opportunities so much.

“It was exactly what I seen against Rangers and I thought it was the exact same at Kilmarnock at the weekend. I think he’s too passive in terms of getting the ball in one v one situations, turning and passing it back.”

You could put it down to the fact that he is settling into life at Celtic and may have been nervous to really attack those two games, but fellow new signing Tounekti stepped in for his debut against Kilmarnock and delivered four chances created and five dribbles completed, per Sofascore.

As Halliday put it, Balikwisha was too passive in both games and that is a worrying sign because that has been one of Yang’s biggest problems during his time at Celtic, averaging just 0.7 completed dribbles and 0.4 shots on target per game in the Premiership last season, per Sofascore.

The South Korea international’s Parkhead career reached a point where the club were willing to let him join Birmingham, in part because he has failed to asert himself on the pitch to be a consistent performer in the final third.

Worth more than Tounekti: Celtic are brewing the new Reo Hatate at Parkhead

Celtic have a brilliant midfield star who could be the club’s next Reo Hatate in the middle of the park.

ByDan Emery Sep 16, 2025

Hopefully, Balikwisha’s first two appearances for the Hoops are not a sign of things to come, because he will need to offer far more at the top end of the pitch week-in-week-out to avoid becoming the next Yang in Glasgow.

da dobrowin： In a chaotic and eventual showdown at St. James’ Park, Newcastle United looked like they’d done just enough to get the better of Arsenal.

da fazobetai： That was until Mikel Arteta’s battling Gunners mounted an extremely late comeback to turn around a contest that was 1-0 in the Magpies’ favour on the 84th minute mark to an incredible 2-1 win courtesy of Mikel Merino being the goalscoring hero once more, before Gabriel then sealed all three points at the death.

Truthfully, Eddie Howe’s hosts were dancing dangerously when it came to holding onto that one-goal upper hand, with lady luck arguably on their side even before Nick Woltemade’s opener when VAR overturned a penalty kick for the away side.

Still, their luck had very much run out come the full-time whistle, with several underperformers letting Howe down on the big occasion to leave the Magpies stuck on a meagre one win in the early Premier League standings.

Newcastle's biggest underperformers vs Arsenal

On another day, the hosts might well have held onto a share of the points, but Nick Pope’s rash kick in a bid to start a counterattack with very few minutes remaining on the clock aided Arsenal’s late comeback, as an eventual corner beat the ex-Burnley keeper.

Of course, without Pope in between the sticks, full stop, Newcastle would have succumbed to a far heavier loss, with the 33-year-old making five saves in total, but he won’t want to watch back his costly goal kick anytime soon.

Away from Pope, Anthony Gordon also struggled after being reinstated into the starting lineup, with the number 10 only managing an unmemorable 30 touches of the ball before being hauled off by Howe.

Joelinton also wasn’t at his dependable best, arguably, with the forceful Brazilian going on to win just three of his 15 duels in the frenetic affair.

But, there was one underperformer – in particular – who stood out like a sore thumb throughout, who will now surely be ditched by Howe for his side’s upcoming Champions League trip to Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.

Howe got it wrong starting 6/10 Newcastle star

While Arsenal didn’t have it all their own way during the tight clash, they did routinely gain a lot of joy down the left-hand side through Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber.

Indeed, the pair managed to successfully register six dribbles between them, with the Dutchman and the Englishman growing in confidence knowing they didn’t have the most formidable foe in front of them in Dan Burn, who was drafted out to the left for this clash, a decision which Howe must now rue.

Before touching on his troubling display up against Saka and Timber, Burn was also uncharacteristically beaten in the air for Gabriel’s 97th-minute winner, with his 6-foot-7 frame not giving him an advantage on this occasion.

Away from the last-gasp winner exposing one of the colossus’ lesser-known weaknesses, Burn also never looked at ease with the ball at his feet, when shoved out to the left flank, with his wayward passing throughout just one element of his out-of-sorts game that must have made Howe regret selecting him in that role.

Burn’s performance in numbers

Stat

Burn

Minutes played

90

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches

56

Accurate passes

15/32 (47%)

Possession lost

26x

Dribbled past

3x

Total duels won

8/20

Stats by Sofascore

It was very much an evening all round to forget for the Blyth-born battler, with only 47% of his passes on the St James’ turf reaching their intended target, which led to Burn lackadaisically surrendering possession a whopping 26 times.

To make matters worse, it wasn’t just his aerial clash with the Gunners six that saw him be surprisingly outmuscled, with only eight of his 20 duels being won.

Saka also gained a lot of joy out of Burn when bombing forward, with the former Brighton and Hove Albion defender falling victim to being dribbled past three times in total to really ramp up his horrendous afternoon.

Newcastle World’s Jordan Cronin might well have been feeling generous when gifting Burn a 6/10 rating after the match, but even he would state that the long-standing servant looked “largely out of place” as a left-back option.

Howe will have been given plenty to chew over after his side collapsed to a late defeat, with Burn just one player in isolation who will now be fearful of the chop for the trip to Belgium on Wednesday night.

Related Newcastle now want to sign £35m Brazilian striker to rival Woltemade and Wissa

The Magpies could make a swoop after struggling to score in the early part of the season.

Posts BySean Markus Clifford Sep 28, 2025

Newcastle United’s Premier League campaign has started with more frustration than fluidity.

A goalless draw with Aston Villa on opening day saw Eddie Howe’s side look the more dangerous outfit, but they lacked the cutting edge to secure three points.

Stalemates against Leeds and Bournemouth then further highlighted the side’s lack of rhythm in the final third. Against Leeds, Newcastle were wasteful despite moments of control, and at Bournemouth, Howe’s decision to trial a more defensive 3-4-2-1 setup blunted their attacking potential even further.

The Magpies have generated just 4.6 expected goals (xG) across their first five league fixtures – a figure better only than the three promoted sides, Wolves, and Aston Villa.

The midweek 4-1 win against Bradford City in the Carabao Cup was a welcome tonic, with a strong XI fielded to sharpen patterns in attack.

Yet with a Champions League trip to Royale Union Saint-Gilloise before facing Arsenal on Sunday, Howe must find a way to get more out of his new-look attack.

The question is whether his summer signing in attack, Nick Woltemade, can be trusted to lead the line consistently so early in his Premier League career.

Why Woltemade needs time to adapt

Newcastle made a statement when they secured Nick Woltemade this summer, fending off Bayern Munich, who had three bids rejected for the striker.

Standing at 1.98m and fresh from a 12-goal Bundesliga season with Werder Bremen, Woltemade brings a blend of aerial presence and technical quality.

He also impressed for Germany at the U21 Euros and earned senior caps in recent international fixtures, including an assist in the 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland.

He introduced himself to the St James’ Park crowd with a debut goal against Wolves, but his performances have shown the reality of adapting to English football.

In the Bundesliga last season, Woltemade was involved in 14 goals across 28 matches, averaging 4.38 shot-creating actions per 90, per FBref.

His ability to progress the ball is also evident, carrying it forward 26 times per 90 minutes and adding 2.89 progressive passes, per FBref.

These numbers highlight a striker who is comfortable linking play rather than just finishing chances. Yet so far in England, those qualities have been less visible.

He also contributes defensively, averaging 0.56 tackles and 1.28 blocks per 90 last season, which shows that he is willing to press. However, Howe will be aware that a club-record signing will be judged primarily on goals, and right now, Woltemade still looks like a player learning the rhythm and relentlessness of the Premier League.

Patience is needed, but Newcastle may not be able to wait if they want results quickly.

Osula can be the difference for Newcastle

That’s where William Osula comes in.

The 22-year-old striker, signed from Sheffield United for £15m, has flown somewhat under the radar since his arrival.

He made 25 appearances across all competitions, scoring five and assisting twice, but crucially showed signs of being the “natural #9” that Newcastle desperately need, as described by U23 scout Antonio Mango.

Osula was nearly allowed to leave on deadline day, with Frankfurt circling, but Newcastle pulled the plug following Yoane Wissa’s injury on international duty. It already looks a shrewd decision.

The Dane scored his first Premier League goal last season against Ipswich last season, and this campaign has already opened his account with a strike in the loss to Liverpool. Midweek against Bradford, he made a statement.

Match Rating

8.2

Goals

2

Shots on Target

4

Dribbles

3 (2 successful)

Touches

39

Passes

16 (15 accurate)

Ground Duels

11 (5 won)

This was a centre-forward performance full of hunger, sharpness, and clinical finishing – precisely what Newcastle have lacked in their league fixtures.

His pressing from the front also allowed the midfield to play higher up, easing pressure on the defence. For a side starved of attacking fluency, Osula represents the kind of direct, instinctive forward who can turn half-chances into goals.

A partnership potential with Woltemade, once the German fully settles, could give Newcastle multiple tactical options.

One towering, playmaking striker alongside a more mobile, poacher-type forward. With tough opponents on the horizon, Howe must balance pragmatism with ambition.

Newcastle: Eddie Howe impressed with £25k-a-week Magpies player in training

He starred in the week against Bradford City.

ByCharlie Smith Sep 25, 2025

Yet if Newcastle truly want to ignite their season, unleashing Osula more consistently might be the spark that transforms their attack.

Homegrown allrounder has had limited opportunities this summer

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Sep-2025Paul Coughlin, the Durham allrounder, has agreed a move to Lancashire ahead of the 2026 season.Coughlin, 32, came through Durham’s academy before moving to Nottinghamshire in 2017, where he won England Lions recognition. After an injury-plagued two-year spell, he returned to the northeast and was part of the side that won promotion back to Division One of the County Championship in 2023.However, he has only made five first-team appearances this season and Durham announced on Sunday that he would be leaving at the end of his contract.”I’m thrilled to be making the move to Lancashire,” Coughlin said. “It’s a club with a great history and big ambitions, and I’m really looking forward to getting started with a new chapter in my career.”The chance to commit to Lancashire for the future and be part of what they’re looking to achieve here is something that I’m hugely excited about.”I know Keaton Jennings and Michael Jones very well from our time at Durham together and it will be great to link-up with both again at Lancashire and meet the rest of the lads.”Lancashire have endured a difficult summer, with Dale Benkenstein leaving his role as head coach and Keaton Jennings giving up the four-day captaincy as hopes of Championship promotion were dashed. They reached T20 Blast Finals Day but a depleted side fell at the first hurdle, beaten by eventual champions Somerset.Mark Chilton, Lancashire’s director of cricket performance, said: “We are delighted to have secured Paul’s services as we continue to strengthen our squad ahead of the 2026 season. This move represents an exciting new challenge for Paul, who has already demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest level. We believe that a fresh environment will provide the platform for him to return to his very best.”Paul’s all-round qualities will add significant depth and versatility across both red-ball and white-ball formats, and we look forward to welcoming him to Emirates Old Trafford in the winter.”