Fanning, Bancroft and Cartwright all made half-centuries in WA’s 298 for 9 before the quicks cleaned up SA for 232, with Harvey making 76 in the losing chase
AAP24-Sep-2025Western Australia opener Sam Fanning has top-scored before teammate Joel Paris claimed five wickets in a 66-run one-day win against South Australia in Adelaide.Fanning’s 75 from 91 balls and half-centuries from Cameron Bancroft (63) and Hilton Cartwright (55) steered WA to 298 for 9 from 50 overs on Wednesday.SA were bowled out for 232 from 44.3 overs in reply at Karen Rolton Oval with the left-arm seamer Paris taking a career best 5 for 42 to claim player of the match honours.SA’s defence of the Dean Jones Trophy is in early strife with consecutive losses, while WA banked their first win from two outings. WA, led by Paris and 19-year-old quick Albert Esterhuysen (3-42), who was on debut, prevailed after weathering an early onslaught from SA’s Mackenzie Harvey (76 from 65 balls).The aggressive opener struck 11 fours and one six after the early loss of his partner Jake Fraser-McGurk, who smacked three fours but was dismissed for 14 from 10 balls.SA’s top order failed to fire with second-gamer Harry Manenti (39 from 49 balls), Jake Lehmann (33 from 42) and acting captain Jason Sangha (18 from 24) unable to cash in on promising starts.Cameron Bancroft and Sam Fanning posted half-centuries•Getty ImagesEarlier, WA openers Fanning and Joel Curtis made a brisk start with an 86-run partnership in less than 13 overs. The stand was broken when Curtis (44 from 33 balls) edged to wicketkeeper Harry Nielsen from the bowling of Manenti (1-51).Fanning and Bancroft combined for a 92-run partnership, taking the visitors to a position of power at 174 for 1 in the 29th over.But the dismissal of Fanning, who struck three sixes and four fours from 91 balls, allowed SA to stifle momentum as WA lost 4 for 49 in the next 10 overs. Sam Whiteman, Ashton Turner and Ashton Agar all fell cheaply.And when Bancroft was out lbw to legspinner Lloyd Pope, WA were 223 for 5 in the 38th over and could only muster 75 more runs from the next dozen overs.Pope finished with 2 for 51 from 10 overs, Hanno Jacobs took 2 for 61 from nine on debut for SA while pacer Jordan Buckingham was the pick of the bowlers with a miserly 2 for 33 from 10 overs.
Karim Adeyemi has reportedly made his choice between Manchester United and Arsenal as the Borussia Dortmund star is tipped to leave the Bundesliga next summer. The 23-year-old, whose contract runs until 2027, has stalled on extension talks with Dortmund and has privately accepted that a fresh challenge awaits him.
United’s hopes fade despite early contact
According to United have been tracking Adeyemi closely for months, even speaking to his agent Jorge Mendes to gauge his appetite for a Premier League switch. But optimism quickly evaporated once it became clear that the forward favours Arsenal’s project. Moreover, the German club have set a £75 million ($98m) valuation, significantly higher than what United were prepared to pay, and Adeyemi has already told intermediaries that a move to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal is his first choice. His preference leaves United searching for alternatives and further highlights the challenge Amorim faces in persuading top-tier forwards to join a rebuilding side.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesWeapons scandal looms Over Adeyemi
Adeyemi issued a public apology following a €450,000 fine for possessing prohibited weapons, a knuckleduster and a taser, which he had received unknowingly as part of an online “mystery box”.
In a candid Instagram statement, he explained: "You have probably seen the headlines about me in the last few days. It is not easy for me to talk about this. At the beginning of 2024, out of carelessness and without really thinking about what I was doing, I ordered a so-called ‘mystery box’ on the internet. It contained items that are not permitted under weapons legislation. Many months later, the package was delivered and ended up unopened at the police station.
"Nevertheless, it was a huge mistake. One that I am very sorry about, that cost me dearly and that I deeply regret. I know that I am in the public eye and have a role model function. I did not live up to that. That is precisely why it hurts me all the more that I acted so recklessly. I have learned more from this than I can put into words. And I promise you that I will avoid such mistakes in the future. Thank you to everyone who still trusts and supports me."
No penalty imposed by Dortmund
The case could have resulted in up to three years in prison under German weapons law, or ten if brass knuckles were involved, but Adeyemi escaped with a financial penalty. The fine was calculated based on his income, leaving him with an entry in the federal register but not a criminal record.
Dortmund have opted against further sanctions. Manager Niko Kovac made that clear: "It is no reason for me to ban him for the next few weeks. I am not his father, but his coach. People should put things into proper perspective. Everything has now been said about it. The focus is clearly on the Bundesliga. He will get our full support for that.”
Managing director Lars Ricken also defended the player’s character, emphasising his remorse and their belief in his promise to avoid future lapses.
"We naturally took the matter very seriously and have since been able to speak with Karim Adeyemi at length and clearly about his behaviour," Ricken told Sky Sport. "He deeply regrets his mistake. However, it must also be taken into account that he had to pay a hefty fine, no one was harmed, and the player continues to be considered to have no criminal record. Karim Adeyemi has firmly promised us that he will not make such a mistake again. We trust him to keep his word."
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty Images SportGerman federation also weighs in
DFB sporting director Rudi Voller admitted to being blindsided by the situation but urged perspective: "Yes, of course we didn't know [about Adeyemi illegally possessing weapons]. The day after the game in Luxembourg, Lars Ricken called me and told me. He didn't know everything either. Then Julian [Nagelsmann] and I grabbed Karim. We wanted to hear his side of the story. He then tried to explain it to us, more or less.
“We still have the feeling that the lad is developing exceptionally well in the national team. We also live a bit in a time of outrage culture here in Germany…Everyone is always quick to complain, not that I want to sugarcoat it. It's naive or stupid, no matter what you call it."
With contract renewal talks effectively dead, Dortmund now expect a summer sale, and hope the £75m price tag will hold. Arsenal believe he could be a long-term solution for their wide forward positions, especially with Mikel Arteta keen to add pace and penetration to his attack. For United, frustration is familiar. They have pushed hard to identify a forward who can grow alongside Rasmus Hojlund, yet Adeyemi has chosen the red of London instead of Manchester.
Sean Manaea and the New York Mets are in agreement on a three-year, $75 million deal that keeps the left-handed starting pitcher in the front of the team's rotation.
Manaea, who signed a two-year, $28 million deal with the Mets that included an opt-out last season, declined a $13.5 player option in November to become a free agent this year. Now, he's back on a larger, long-term deal. 's Jeff Passan was the first to report Manaea's new, $25 million per year deal with the Mets. The deal is pending a physical according to Jon Heyman of the.
He started 32 games for the Mets last season and posted a 3.47 ERA with a 12-6 record. He had four starts in the playoffs where he pitched 19 total innings through the Mets' run to the NLCS and went 2-1.
Manaea, 32, returns to New York's rotation that features Kodai Senga and David Peterson. The Mets brought in Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes this offseason.
Now, Manaea's new deal helps complete the rotation after the team won the Juan Soto sweepstakes where the superstar outfielder agreed to come over from the Bronx for the largest contract in professional sports history. Soto signed a massive 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets on Dec. 8.
Jurgen Klopp stunned fans by appearing in a Germany tracksuit and teasing a “return to the sideline” in a dramatic announcement video, sparking immediate speculation about a comeback to management. However, while the former Liverpool boss admitted the “tingling” of the touchline had returned, the reveal actually involved him confirming a very different role for the 2026 World Cup.
Klopp teases 'return to the touchline'
Klopp sent shockwaves through both Liverpool and German football circles when he released a dramatic Instagram video hinting at a sensational managerial return. The clip showed him pitchside declaring that the “grass underneath my feet” and the “heated atmosphere in the stadium” had awakened something in him, prompting widespread speculation that he was preparing to step back into coaching. The twist arrived only moments later, however, when he revealed the truth: his return to the touchline will be as a pundit for MagentaTV during the 2026 World Cup.
The video continued with Klopp joking about the assumptions surrounding him, stating that many believed they “always knew better,” before adding that he once thought he would never go back to the sideline. His remarks were framed deliberately to tease supporters, especially when he admitted that he felt the buzz again, describing the sensation as “tingling” after two years away from the dugout. But he made clear that this excitement did not signal a managerial comeback, clarifying instead that he would be working pitchside for broadcast coverage in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
An exchange with German host Johannes B. Kerner added to the intrigue, with Klopp enthusiastically confirming he would be part of the network’s team from the very start of the tournament.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportKlopp's busy life since Liverpool exit
The announcement arrives less than two years after leaving Liverpool and just weeks after reiterating that he may never manage again. Klopp's post-Liverpool career has been defined by strategic involvement off the pitch rather than front-line coaching. As Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer, Klopp oversees football operations across RB Leipzig, RB Salzburg and New York Red Bulls, shaping their long-term development models. More recently, he joined a specialist DFL group dedicated to strengthening youth development and maintaining the Bundesliga’s global competitiveness, a role he accepted enthusiastically as part of his commitment to the future of German football.
Klopp’s dramatic announcement once again demonstrated the level of fascination that surrounds his future, especially after his legendary spell at Liverpool. Since stepping down in 2024, he has insisted repeatedly that top-level management takes an immense toll and that he may never return, telling The Athletic that although “that’s what I think,” even he cannot predict how he will feel years from now.
The reveal also fuels discussion about Klopp’s long-term intentions and whether the “tingle” he referenced signals an eventual shift back to management at some point beyond 2026. The visual of the ex-Dortmund boss wearing a Germany tracksuit is likely to have created a buzz amongst fans for the German national team, with it having previously been suggested that he might be interested in taking over in the future. But, for now at least, Klopp has committed himself to analysis and advisory roles, maintaining distance from the technical area while still engaging deeply with the game.
Klopp's previous experience as a pundit
Klopp’s return to punditry marks his first major broadcast role since the early 2000s, when he revolutionised German football television during the 2006 World Cup as an analyst for ZDF. His screen-based tactical breakdowns, delivered alongside Kerner, were widely praised for their clarity and innovation, helping bring modern tactical analysis into mainstream German broadcasting. That first punditry era even earned him a German Television Award and helped establish him as one of the sport’s most promising tactical minds before he became a coaching superstar.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
GettyCould Klopp actually make a managerial return?
Despite Klopp's insistence that he does not miss coaching, moments like this announcement show that stepping away from the dugout has not fully removed his emotional connection to the pitch. The upcoming Liverpool vs Borussia Dortmund legends match at Anfield in March 2026 — where Klopp is expected to attend as LFC Foundation ambassador — has further fuelled talk of a symbolic temporary sideline return.
Klopp will also spend the first half of 2026 preparing for his role with MagentaTV, where he is expected to be part of the core punditry team from the opening match on June 11 in Mexico. His World Cup coverage is likely to include pitchside analysis, in-depth tactical breakdowns and live reaction to Germany’s performances under Julien Nagelsmann. The 58-year-old will also continue overseeing the Red Bull football group and fulfilling his newly adopted responsibilities within German football governance, and it doesn't appear likely that he'll be returning to the dugout on a full-time basis anytime soon.
He last played for India in 2017, while his previous competitive fixture was for LSG in IPL 2024
ESPNcricinfo staff04-Sep-2025India legspinner Amit Mishra has announced his retirement from cricket at the age of 42. He played all forms of international cricket from 2003 to 2017 and finishes with 22 Tests, 36 ODIs and 10 T20Is. His last competitive fixture came for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2024.”I’ve played cricket for 25 years across three decades with legends like Sachin Tendulkar, under leaders like MS Dhoni, and with current stars like Rohit Sharma,” Mishra told PTI. “Now that I’m slowly stepping away, it’s emotional, of course. Cricket gave me everything – respect, identity, and purpose.”Not everyone gets a grand farewell or big press conference, and that’s okay. What matters to me is that I gave everything I had. I played with heart. I performed whenever I got the opportunity.”
Today, after 25 years, I announce my retirement from cricket — a game that has been my first love, my teacher, and my greatest source of joy.
This journey has been filled with countless emotions — moments of pride, hardship, learning, and love. I am deeply grateful to the BCCI,… pic.twitter.com/ouEzjU8cnp
— Amit Mishra (@MishiAmit) September 4, 2025
Mishra played for four teams in the IPL: Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals), Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad and LSG. Apart from IPL 2022, he played all the other seasons of the tournament from 2008 to 2024. He finishes with 174 IPL wickets from 162 matches, which is eighth on the overall list. He also had the most hat-tricks (three) in the IPL – in 2008, 2011 and 2013.”I’d say the defining moment [in my IPL career] was the hat-trick I took in the 2008 IPL, where I also took five wickets in the match,” Mishra said. “From there, I made a comeback to the Indian team. Before that, I was consistently performing well in domestic cricket, taking 35-45 wickets every season, but I couldn’t get back into the national team.”That IPL hat-trick changed things for me. I had also performed well in Syed Mushtaq Ali the preceding year taking 25 wickets, which helped me get an IPL contract (with Delhi Daredevils).”After that hat-trick, I was back in the Indian team continuously and my career in T20 also started.”Mishra started his career with Haryana on the domestic circuit and made his first-class debut in 2000-01. He impressed with his classical legbreaks and he had an effective googly too. He made his international debut in 2003, in an ODI against South Africa in Dhaka. With Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble taking the spinners’ spots in Tests around that time, Mishra’s Test debut only came in October 2008 against Australia in Mohali, when Kumble was ruled out with an injury. He took a five-wicket haul on debut but he was rarely among India’s premier spinners and did not get a long run in any of the formats.”It was a big thing to fill the shoes of Anil Kumble, there was pressure” Mishra said.Mishra continued to excel in domestic cricket for Haryana and in the IPL, which resulted in comebacks to the India side, including for the 2013 Champions Trophy and the 2014 T20 World Cup.”It was a very disappointing thing,” Mishra said about being in and out of the team over the years. “Sometimes you’re in the team, sometimes you’re out. Sometimes you get a chance in the playing eleven, sometimes you don’t. Of course, it’s frustrating, and I was frustrated many times, no doubt.”But then you remember that your dream is to play cricket for India. You are with the national team, and millions of people are working so hard just to be there. You are one of the 15 players on the Indian team. So, I tried to stay positive.”Whenever I was frustrated, I thought about what I could improve on. Whether it was my fitness, batting, or bowling, I always focused on getting better. Whenever I got a chance to play for the Indian team, I performed well, and I’m very happy about that. I never shied away from hard work.”Mishra finishes with 535 wickets in 152 first-class matches, 252 wickets in 152 List A games, and 285 wickets in 259 T20s. He also scored a double-century in first-class cricket – an unbeaten 202 against Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy in December 2012.
Newcastle United have won five of their six matches across all competitions in October, and the latest phase in Eddie Howe’s plan is starting to take shape.
It’s another trip to St. James’ Park for Fulham in December, with Newcastle drawn against the Cottagers for the Carabao Cup quarter-final. Tottenham Hotspur were put to the sword on Wednesday evening, and the cup defence moves forward.
Howe made changes after that weekend win over Fulham, whose grit was spilt open when Bruno Guimaraes struck low and true on 90 minutes to seal a 2-1 win and allow United to make headway in the Premier League.
Sandro Tonali was rested for that one, replacing Lewis Miley after the hour mark. Against Spurs, the Italian took centre stage, and he dominated and dictated and took home the Player of the Match award.
He really is the difference-maker for the Magpies.
Why Sandro Tonali is Newcastle's main man
It wasn’t always this way. After Tonali joined Newcastle from AC Milan for a hefty £55m fee in 2023, he would struggle to adapt to the Premier League climate before being hit with a lengthy ban for betting breaches, cutting his debut campaign short, with just 12 appearances made.
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali.
But he bounced back last year, forming an ever-tighter relationship with Guimaraes and Joelinton in the centre of the park. The synergised midfield charged a wonderful winning run of form and carried the Toon toward Wembley and victory in the Carabao Cup final.
Now, Tonali is “the best midfielder in the Premier League”, according to pundit Paul Scholes. Whether this is true is open to debate, but he’s certainly in amongst the pack, and the fans would not see him swapped for any other number six in the business.
Against Tottenham, Tonali ran the show, effortlessly good as he defended and attacked and guided the flow of the contest where he pleased.
So energetic and enterprising in his central berth, Tonali covered so much ground against Thomas Frank’s side, and it was his whipped delivery that found Fabian Schar’s head in the box and set the home side on their way.
Newcastle have hit the jackpot with this Serie A star, and, while the season is still young, they appear to have done it again.
Newcastle's new version of Tonali
Newcastle are well-stocked across the field. Tonali is the superstar in the centre, but Guimaraes is too, and Howe has recrafted a frontline with talents like Nick Woltemade, who scored against Spurs and has the potential to be one of the best forwards in the country.
But there was a need to reinforce the St. James’ Park defensive line, too, and Malick Thiaw was chosen to join the project this summer, following the footsteps of his former teammate Tonali at AC Milan.
Eyebrows were raised when Newcastle signed Thiaw in a £35m deal this summer. A talented defender, the German international had suffered regular injury setbacks in Milan, never starting more than 19 Serie A games in any one of his three campaigns.
But he has long been regarded as a “monster in the air” by the likes of journalist Martino Puccio, and he has developed one of the most underrated passing games from any centre-back across Europe.
Now, having started Newcastle’s past five Premier League fixtures and having excelled once again in the Carabao Cup against Tottenham, it’s safe to say Howe has got bang for his buck.
Against the Lilywhites, it was an all-encompassing performance, one that has only reaffirmed his quality and potential inside this squad. Marvelling at the display, Sky Sports’ Keith Downie hailed the player as being “an incredible piece of business” for the club.
Minutes played
90′
Goals conceded
0
Touches
50
Shots (on target)
2 (1)
Accurate passes
38/39 (97%)
Big chances created
1
Possession lost
2x
Tackles won
1/1
Interceptions
3
Recoveries
1
Duels won
2/7
Thiaw’s teething problems have been far less painful. Upon arrival, it was clear Newcastle had landed a progressive centre-half with qualities to advance Howe’s vision. As per data-driven platform FBref, the German ranks among the top 9% of defenders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion and the top 18% for progressive passes per 90.
He is, quite simply, a cut above, and the Chronicle Live handed the ace an 8/10 match rating after he was done with Tottenham, remarking that he didn’t put a foot wrong.
In truth, that score could have been higher still. Not only commanding defensively, Thiaw also got stuck in from an attacking standpoint, winning the ball and adding to the attack ahead of Woltemade’s second-half strike.
In the Premier League, in fact, Sofascore record that Tonali has won 71% of his duels so far this season, completing 88% of his passes and recovering four balls on average each match.
There’s a long way still to go this season, but Newcastle’s two Milan-schooled talents are shaping up to be two of the key components in a campaign which promises so much for the outfit.
Given that we can reasonably expect Thiaw to polish and refine his skillset over the coming months, there’s a sense that United might even have landed one of Europe’s most talented in their position. And in that, he might soon sit alongside Tonali.
Not just Joelinton: Newcastle's "true legend" may now be on borrowed time
Newcastle may well part ways with this Howe mainstay at the end of the campaign.
The Baltimore Orioles were bounced from the 2024 MLB postseason in the wild-card round in a narrow 2-1 defeat against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday.
There's one moment the team, and Colton Cowser in particular, will surely look back on in agony.
After Seth Lugo loaded the bases and was relieved by Angel Zerpa, Cowser stepped into the batter's box in a crucial spot during the bottom of the fifth inning. With one out and the bases full, Cowser was hit by a pitch right on the hand, but it was ruled a strikeout because he swung at the pitch.
It was undoubtedly one of the most painful strikeouts of the 2024 season, and it couldn't have come at a more dire point in the game.
Had Cowser not swung at the pitch that clipped his hands, he would have been awarded first base and the go-ahead run would've come across the plate. Instead, he was called out on strikes for the third time in three at-bats.
Adley Rutschman was up next and grounded out to shortstop to end the inning, leaving all three runners stranded.
The Orioles did not score again in the game, as their season came to an unfortunate end with just one run scored throughout the entirety of their brief stay in the postseason.
Sri Lanka also pick uncapped quick Eshan Malinga, who bagged 13 wickets for SRH in IPL 2025
Madushka Balasuriya07-Jul-2025Former captain Dasun Shanaka and bowling allrounder Chamika Karunaratne have been recalled to Sri Lanka’s T20I squad for the upcoming three-match series against Bangladesh. Also part of the 17-member side is the uncapped right-arm quick Eshan Malinga, who has played six ODIs for Sri Lanka. Dunith Wellalage, too, returns to the fold after being left out for the T20Is in New Zealand late last year.Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Asitha Fernando were among those who missed the cut.Shanaka had last turned out for Sri Lanka in July 2024, but has been a frequent presence on the franchise circuit – most recently with Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 this February, when he impressed in his role as a lower-order finisher during the side’s run to the title.Related
SL batting coach Kandamby: 'Kusal needs to convert starts into hundreds'
'Asalanka key alongside me' – Jayasuriya on SL's rise in ODIs
Bangladesh drop Shanto, make five changes for SL T20Is
Karunaratne, who last played for Sri Lanka in November 2023, has focused his efforts solely on domestic cricket since being dropped. In the last two years, only Wanindu Hasaranga, Karunaratne and Wellalage have scored at least 300 runs and taken at least 20 wickets across all domestic T20 tournaments conducted by SLC, including the Lanka Premier League (LPL).Malinga, meanwhile, is the latest seam-bowling property out of Sri Lanka, having put in an impressive performance for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2025. His 13 wickets across seven games at an average of 18.30 was only below Pat Cummins (16) and Harshal Patel (16) for SRH, though they played twice as many games as Malinga. Since making his T20 debut in 2022, Malinga has gone wicketless only once in 27 innings.Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara and Binura Fernando made up the rest of what is a varied pace contingent for Sri Lanka. Apart from them, both Shanaka and Karunaratne provide seam-bowling options. On the spin-bowling front, meanwhile, there were no surprises, with Jeffrey Vandersay serving as back-up to Maheesh Theekshana and Hasaranga, while Wellalage, Kamindu Mendis and Charith Asalanka were available as well.There are plenty of batting options with Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kamindu, Dinesh Chandimal and Asalanka making up the top- and middle-order options, while Shanaka, Karunaratne, Wellalage and Hasaranga are all capable with the bat down the order.The T20I series against Bangladesh starts on July 10, with the next two matches on July 13 and 16.Sri Lanka’s T20I squadCharith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Binura Fernando, Eshan Malinga
Every West Bromwich Albion manager who has taken on the reins since Carlos Corberan’s exit in late 2024 is undoubtedly trying to achieve success with the Spaniard’s legacy weighing heavily on them.
Corberan would turn the Baggies into regular promotion contenders in the Championship, which made his departure to Valencia last year very much sting.
To make matters worse, the wheels would come off West Brom’s 2024/25 season at a worryingly quick pace after he moved on to La Liga, with his successor in Tony Mowbray only managing to collect a paltry five victories from 17 matches before being dismissed.
Now, the pressure is on Ryan Mason’s shoulders to deliver, and the strain is already beginning to show, with two recent Championship defeats on the spin for the perpetual promotion nearly-men even seeing some Baggies natives begin to grow restless with their new 34-year-old boss.
It hasn’t been completely bleak since Corberan returned to Spain, however, with a lot of star quality still on display from some new signings.
West Brom's mixed recruitment since Corberan left
In the direct aftermath of Corberan leaving, though, there were some underwhelming flops to stomach.
Namely, Adam Armstrong would relocate to the Hawthorns on loan and fail to live up to this well-known image of him being a prolific performer in the EFL’s top league, with just a forgettable three goals falling into his lap from 16 outings in the West Midlands.
Tammer Bany, who was purchased this January for a whopping £3.3m, has also failed to get up and running in England as a post-Corberan purchase.
But, there have been some success stories to hold onto.
Isaac Price is very much the first name that springs to mind in this regard, having signed for the Championship outfit a matter of days after Mowbray was unveiled.
While he was a Mowbray capture, he has very much come into his own this season under the fresh methods of Mason, with a stunning five goals and two assists next to his name in all competitions.
Other members of Mason’s first team are also in with a shout to be the best buy since Corberan moved on, with Chris Mepham one worthy candidate, as the Welsh centre-back has become an everpresent member of his new manager’s defence to soften the blow of Torbjørn Heggem exiting for Bologna.
But, it’s a different defensive monster who could be well handed the honour…
West Brom's best signing post-Corberan
While Price has dominated a lot of West Brom conversations this campaign with his goal and assist output, he has also been prone to a quiet day at the office, frustratingly.
Indeed, the Northern Ireland international would go the entirety of September without collecting a single goal or assist.
During this same month, it could be argued that Nathaniel Phillips was very much settling into his new Hawthorns environment, on the contrary, with the decision to bring in the Premier League-experienced defender for just £3m already looking to be an ingenious move.
The 28-year-old is yet to miss a Championship game this season, and for good reason, with the 6-foot-3 colossus very much living up to his billing as a “lion”, as he was lauded by his former Anfield coach in Pepijn Lijnders.
Indeed, in West Brom blue and white so far, Phillips has won a commanding 5.5 duels on average across his 12 league clashes to date.
Games played
12
Goals scored
1
Assists
0
Touches*
81.9
Accurate passes*
56.6 (86%)
Ball recoveries*
4.3
Clearances*
7.4
Total duels won*
5.5
Clean sheets
3
Looking at the table above in greater detail only further reinforces how much of a sterling purchase Phillips has already been, with his brute strength when rising up for duels also gifting him one goal at his new club, already, away from also cutting an assured presence on the ball with 56.6 accurate passes averaged per tense match.
EFL pundit Sam Parkin would likely agree with Phillips being one of West Brom’s best signings in recent memory, with him labelling the former Derby County loanee as “absolutely sensational” after he collected a clean sheet versus promotion rivals Stoke City.
Mason will need both Price and Phillips performing to their maximum to try and get his side out of their current sticky patch of form.
But, while the first of those named has shone in spurts and looks a top talent for the future, Phillips has been the real deal from minute one of his West Brom journey, with 19 Premier League appearances also under his belt, standing the Baggies in good stead if they can finally break their second-tier hoodoo.
West Brom have signed "explosive" star who is a bigger talent than Fellows
West Bromwich Albion have signed a new explosive star who is an even bigger talent than Tom Fellows.
Wayne Rooney has doubled down on his criticism of Virgil van Dijk after seeing his previous comments branded “lazy” by the Liverpool captain. The Manchester United legend remains of the opinion that the Dutch defender has not been at his best during the 2025-26 campaign, and believes the commanding centre-half would admit as much “if he’s honest with himself”.
Run of defeats after big spend: Questions asked of Liverpool
After seeing a flurry of late goals help them to a faultless opening across domestic and continental competition, the reigning Premier League champions saw the wheels fall off in spectacular style when suffering six defeats through a testing run of seven fixtures. Inevitable questions were asked of whether the Reds were in danger of imploding.
Rooney is among those to have picked fault with Arne Slot’s side, having seen them struggle to replicate the consistency that carried them to the English top-flight title in 2024-25. Few could have predicted that they would wobble so spectacularly after smashing transfer records in the summer window – with historic deals being done for the likes of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.
AdvertisementGettyWhat Van Dijk said in 'lazy' jibe at Man Utd legend Rooney
Liverpool have been accused of lacking leadership on and off the field, with experienced skipper Van Dijk falling under the microscope. He has not taken kindly to seeing his contribution questioned by the likes of Rooney.
Responding to accusations that he has not “really led” his team this season, Van Dijk said: “I didn't hear him [Rooney] last year. It doesn't hurt me. Just to come back to this particular player, obviously a legend, a big player of the game who inspired so many, I can say only positive things but I feel that comment is just I would say it's a bit of a lazy criticism.
“It's easy to blame the other players but he knows we do it together, trying to help each and every one of us to try to get out of this. Last year when things go well you don't hear that at all. It is what it is. [Pundits] have to do that job. He has an opinion and we have to deal with it. There's no hard feelings. I don't take it personally.”
Must do better: Rooney stands by comments on Van Dijk
Rooney is not about to apologise for his comments or backtrack on them. Instead, the ex-England captain maintains that Van Dijk should be demanding more himself and those around him at Anfield.
Speaking on , the five-time Premier League title winner said: “Virgil van Dijk’s similar to [Mohamed] Salah, you know, over the last five years he’s been one of, if not the best defender in the world, and last year it was hard to say anything bad because they were that good, and he was that good.
“I’m sure he’ll come out and tell you, he probably hasn’t been at his best this season, if he’s honest with himself. And as captain, your job as captain if things aren’t going right, is to speak to your team-mates, call meetings with your team-mates, and that’s really what I was saying. You know, as a captain, as a leader, I’m sure he will have been doing that.
“I've got full respect for Virgil. I think he's a fantastic player. My job now as a pundit is to give my opinions on what I feel. I'm sure if you ask him or Arne Slot, he probably hasn't been as good as he has been over the last few years. That was my comment which I stick by.”
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
AFPLiverpool fixtures: Real Madrid & Man City next up
Van Dijk helped Liverpool return to winning ways in their latest outing, with a welcome 2-0 victory being enjoyed when playing host to Aston Villa. That contest saw the Reds pick up their first clean sheet since September 14.
Slot’s side will be back in European action on Tuesday when taking in a glamour Champions League clash with Real Madrid, with the next international break set to be reached after a trip to old adversaries Manchester City on Sunday.