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He has 18 wickets at the World Cup already, is juggling cricket, hockey and higher education, and everything suggests he is a star in the making

Firdose Moonda05-Feb-2024Kwena Maphaka was 15 years old when he played his first Under-19 international, just six when he played for his school’s Under-9 team, and three when he first picked up a cricket ball and realised he might know what to do with it.”I’ve been told I started playing because my brother needed someone to play backyard cricket with,” he told ESPNcricinfo from Johannesburg, as South Africa prepare to play India in the U-19 World Cup semi-final in Benoni on Tuesday. “The first memory that I have is from about four years old, and it was of typical garden cricket with an older brother. He would get me out early and then I’d bowl at him the whole day and he’d hit me out of the garden. Well, I wouldn’t call it bowling. I was just throwing the ball at him.”Whatever it was, it worked.Related

• Not yet 19, Maphaka has a chance to 'be the man for the team'

• South Africa call up Under-19 World Cup star Maphaka for West Indies T20Is

• Mumbai replace injured Madushanka with South Africa teenager Maphaka

• Under-19 World Cup 2024: Musheer, Weibgen, Maphaka in ESPNcricinfo's Team of the Tournament

• Under-19 World Cup: Six things about India as they chase their sixth title

A little more than a decade after being made to chase leather by his brother, Maphaka is hunting down records instead. Already, he has more wickets than any South African at U-19 World Cups – 25 over two editions – and the joint-most by a South African in a single edition of the tournament: 18. He is five away from the most wickets by any bowler at an U-19 World Cup – Bangladesh’s Enamul Haque had 22 in 2004 – and the way he has been going so far suggests that he could get there. Maphaka’s haul from five matches includes three five-fors, the most by any player at U-19 World Cups, but the wickets aren’t the only clues that he is a future star.Maphaka is quick – “the guys in the team say around 140” – and gets late inswing, and has a hostile bouncer and an accurate yorker. Most importantly, he also has the learnings and experience after playing in 17 youth ODIs across three years – the most by a South African in that time period – including two World Cups.In the 2022 World Cup, Maphaka (15 at the time) played three of South Africa’s six matches and took seven wickets at an average of 18.28 with an economy rate of 5.56. This year, he has led the attack in all five of South Africa’s games. His 18 wickets have come at an average of 9.55 and his economy rate is 3.95, which speaks to the biggest improvement he believes he has made between tournaments: “I’ve got quicker but the main thing I’ve worked on is to have control with pace. If you are just fast, you are going to get hit everywhere, but if you’ve got control, there’s something special.”

“I’ve always wanted to make as high a team as I can in every sport I play. If everything goes well with cricket, this will probably be my last year of hockey so I just want to make it as memorable as possible”Kwena Maphaka

In West Indies at the last World Cup, Maphaka benefitted from being coached by veteran domestic (and now national men’s Test) coach Shukri Conrad and experienced professional Rory Kleinveldt. They told him to “continue working on my stock ball and try to get a little more variation into my game and also to work on my batting quite a bit”.He took that advice back with him St Stithians, an elite Johannesburg institution where he is currently in his final year of high school and where he competes in multiple disciplines. Maphaka has dabbled in gymnastics and athletics and done a 100-metre sprint “in 11 seconds flat” and still plays tennis and hockey, the latter at provincial level. “A big aspiration of mine is to make the Southern Gauteng Under-18 A team this year,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to make as high a team as I can in every sport I play. If everything goes well with cricket, this will probably be my last year of hockey so I just want to make it as memorable as possible.”You may also have heard of St Stithians because it is the alma mater of one of the country’s finest cricketers of all-time: Kagiso Rabada, who has become a “mentor” to Maphaka and “sent me a good-luck message before the World Cup”. Maphaka will know it only took Rabada eight months to make his senior international debut after he won the U-19 World Cup with South Africa in March 2014.”I just try to take it one day at a time,” Maphaka said. “My main focus is the Under-19 World Cup. I try to focus on things that are happening now rather than focus on things that may or may not happen later.”Kagiso Rabada made his international debut not long after being a star in South Africa’s 2014 U-19 World Cup win•ICCBut things have already happened. Maphaka has an SA20 deal with Paarl Royals – though he could not play this season because of the World Cup – and has played for the South Africa A side and has started to play some domestic cricket at the Lions. He hopes that next year, with schooling over, he will be contracted, but has also left space for further study. “I am really into sports management and psychology. I would either go into sports management and clinical psychology and sports psychology,” he said. “But cricket is a sport of discipline and patience and that’s something that I really like about it. My dream would be to represent South Africa in all three formats.”That’s for the future. For now, Maphaka is laser-focused on the World Cup. After bowling South Africa to victories over West Indies and Sri Lanka – the former in a game where West Indies were 190 for 5 chasing 286 and he had to dismiss the tail – he is looking to the India game and the good vibes his team has created. “I always like a challenge. Going up against the best is the best way to prove yourself. It’s a great way to test yourself and India are definitely one of the best teams,” he said. “And we expect the Benoni crowd is probably going to be the biggest. It’s going to be special to see how much people care about this team.”Among them will be Maphaka’s parents, who have been to every game so far, and his older brother Tetelo, a left-arm spinner who is also on the fringes of provincial selection. And this time, Maphaka won’t have to bowl all day to him.

With spots in the semi-finals on the line, both teams are hoping for improved displays with the bat

Firdose Moonda23-Mar-2022West Indies are banking on an improved batting performance as they make a bid to win their final Women’s World Cup league-stage match against South Africa and strengthen their chances of reaching the knockouts. Currently, West Indies are on six points and need a victory and other results to go their way to reach the semi-finals, but know they won’t get there unless they put more runs on the board after failing to cross 170 in their last four matches.Related

• Qualification scenarios: Who needs to do what to make the semi-finals

After starting the tournament strongly with 259 for 9 against New Zealand in their opening match, West Indies have steadily made smaller totals: 225 for 6 against England, 162 against India, 131 against Australia, 140 for 9 against Bangladesh and 89 for 7 in a rain-reduced encounter against Pakistan. Of those, West Indies were only chasing in the match against India and their dwindling bat-first efforts have put their attack under significant pressure as the tournament has progressed.”It’s really difficult, especially as a bowler, that you have to go out and defend small totals, but hopefully tomorrow we’ll have all the batters showing up to the party and putting runs on the board,” Anisa Mohammed, the West Indies offspinner, said ahead of the South Africa match. “We know that some players have performed and some haven’t, so runs are due from some of the other players and we’re hoping that tomorrow will be the day.”West Indies’ inconsistency in run-scoring is evidenced in the statistics. They only have one batter among the tournament’s top 10 run-getters – Hayley Matthews – and even her form has sagged. Matthews scored 119 in the opener and 45 and 43 in the two matches that followed, but 0, 18 and 1 since. Shemaine Campbelle, Deandra Dottin and Stafanie Taylor have recorded half-centuries but those innings have been surrounded by low scores. Other than her one fifty, Taylor has scores of 30, 0, 1, 4 and 18, and averages 17.16 in the tournament.It didn’t help West Indies that they started the tournament without their preferred opener, Rashada Williams, who was ruled out of the early matches with a concussion, and that Kycia Knight, batting mostly at No.3, has not got into double figures. This has meant that unless Matthews and Dottin have fired, the middle order has routinely had to do a rebuilding job.Laura Wolvaardt is the second-highest run-getter in this World Cup but is yet to reach three figures•AFP via Getty ImagesInterestingly, South Africa have faced similar problems. Their campaign began without Lizelle Lee, who arrived late following the birth of her first child, and their experiment with Tazmin Brits at the top of the order did not work. Once Lee returned, they moved Brits to No. 3, but after scores of 8, 2, 23 and 18 and problems getting off strike, they’ve dropped her entirely and selected Lara Goodall in her place. Lee, meanwhile, much like Dottin, has not lived up to her reputation, while Laura Wolvaardt has been South Africa’s stand-out batter.She’s the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament and has reeled off four successive half-centuries, but hasn’t yet reached three figures. In fact, no South African batter has at this tournament and Wolvaardt looks their best bet, but she, by her captain’s own admission, needs to accelerate a little earlier on to get there.”I think she would think she’s batting too slow at times,” Sune Luus said. “But I think if it isn’t for her 90 or big 50 on the day, you know, we wouldn’t be getting our scores that we’ve been getting. Laura’s world-class. I know she always measures herself up towards a Meg Lanning or some of the greater batters in the world but I think she’s up there as well. And you always have to remember she’s only 22 and she’s breaking records already. So I think she’s been phenomenal and she’s been the glue to our batting line-up.”Apart from Luus, who has scored three fifties and averages 45.20 at this World Cup, and cameo roles from Marizanne Kapp, who has been batting at No.6 in this tournament, Wolvaardt hasn’t had much to work alongside. Mignon du Preez, like Taylor, has barely showed the worth of her experience. While Taylor has one half-century, du Preez has not crossed 20 in nine ODIs this year and South Africa will need her if they want to get over 250 on many more occasions.So far, they’ve only managed that once in the tournament, scoring 271 for 5 against Australia, and though it was their best total, it was not enough to challenge the table-toppers. Luus put the result down to the bowlers not showing up as well as they have thus far – and there were also four dropped catches – and praised the batting effort, which has become better as the tournament has gone on.Mignon du Preez is yet to pass 20 in the tournament•Getty Images”We batted brilliantly to get to 270. I think obviously they’re one of the best bowling attacks in the world as well and for our batters to match that and to get 270, we did a brilliant job,” she said. It’s just about getting the bowlers to fight on the day as well and obviously didn’t happen yesterday, but I think that’s a rare thing for our bowlers. I’m pretty sure they’ll bounce back again tomorrow.”West Indies’ faith also lies in their attack, provided their batters can give them something to work with. “We know that we have a good enough bowling team that we’ll be able to go out and defend our total,” Mohammed said. “So I think it’s more a matter of our batting giving us some runs to work with and hopefully we can take it up in the field as well.”West Indies will need to up the ante in the outfield because they’ve had more than their fair share of missed opportunities. ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball data puts their dropped catches at 15, the most by any team in the tournament so far. South Africa are in second place, with 14, but both teams have also claimed some blinders. Dotting flew airborne to dismiss Laura Winfield-Hill in West Indies’ second match while du Preez was in similar action when she completed a grab off Australia’s Rachael Haynes.Overall, then, these two teams can consider themselves fairly well-matched as recent results show. Two of their last five encounters have ended in ties, and their high-stakes clash may add more drama to a World Cup of thrillers. Mohammed and Luus both called it “crucial,” albeit more so for West Indies. Nothing less than victory will do for them, and they’re prepared to give it their all.”We’ve found ourselves in this position, having a must-win match tomorrow and then hope that South Africa can beat India or there can be an upset somewhere along, but we can only control the things we can control,” Mohammed said. “We have to play our best game tomorrow and just sit and wait and hopefully be able to go into the semi-finals.”

After a winter of financial wrangling, arrivals of Williamson and Paterson offer an overdue sense of optimism

Andrew Miller02-Apr-2025It’s hard these days to claim that the clouds at Middlesex have ever entirely rolled away. And yet, with the sun beating down on a glorious April afternoon at Lord’s, ahead of Lancashire’s visit for Friday’s County Championship opener, it felt possible for a moment to believe in new beginnings – even if several cold hard realities remain lurking on the fringes of the club narrative.”It’s always niggling away in the background, obviously, but I think the club as a whole have navigated through really well,” Richard Johnson, Middlesex’s head coach, told ESPNcricinfo, after a winter of discontent and, at times, outright rancour. “This group have been amazing to be honest. We haven’t let it affect the changing-room at all, and you feel like you’re coming to the other side now.”In terms of the club’s immediate balance sheet, that would appear to be the case. In February, Middlesex’s ugly and protracted row with their former CEO Richard Goatley reached a conclusion of sorts with the recovery of some £100,000 of unauthorised expenses, while the club’s slender profit of £131,000 in 2023 – attained largely through the cost-cutting that contributed to that season’s relegation – has allowed them to shake off the spectre of ECB special measures.And now, in theory, it’s onwards and upwards into a brighter new era, as epitomised by Middlesex’s trio of overseas signings for the coming season … which is three more than they allowed themselves last time out while still deep in the depths of austerity.Related

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Williamson backs international windows and WTC 'tweaks'

Switch Hit: New season, fresh vibe

James Anderson to sit out April but refuses to bow out yet

The great Kane Williamson is clearly the biggest deal of these (even if the nature of that arrangement, as a spin-off of his Hundred deal with London Spirit, begs as many questions as it answers). However, the most immediately consequential could be South Africa’s former Nottinghamshire stalwart, Dane Paterson, who has a date with destiny looming at the World Test Championship final on June 11, and four home matches in the meantime in which to hone his Lord’s length.”It’s a win-win, he’ll be highly motivated,” Johnson said. “He can’t wait to get over and start playing. His performances for Nottinghamshire over the last three or four years have been amazing – 180 wickets at 23 – so he’s full of experience, and someone you can lean on as a player and a coach to perform.”Add to the mix Ireland’s Josh Little, primarily for the T20 Blast, plus Gloucestershire’s ex-Pakistan spinner Zafar Gohar, and such is the quality, it’s easy to overlook the fact that Middlesex have actually streamlined their squad since last season – with the departures of Ethan Bamber to Warwickshire and Mark Stoneman to Hampshire among the most significant.”We’ve recruited really well, even though we’ve had to let some good people go,” Johnson said. “Kane brings that stardust, and he’s not even someone I can say we lacked when we weren’t able to bring in overseas players, because to get a player of that quality is quite unusual.Kane Williamson will feature for Middlesex as part of his deal with London Spirit•Getty Images”I don’t even know how that side of things works,” he added. “All I got was a phone call to say, ‘do you fancy Kane Williamson playing for you?’ And I was like, ‘yeah, okay, no problem!’ To have someone of his stature around, one of the top-four batters of his generation, is just brilliant for our younger players and senior players alike, because you can gain so much from having a guy like him in your changing room.”For Toby Roland-Jones, Middlesex’s veteran seamer and Championship captain, Williamson’s arrival is no less of a surprise, but one that he is eager to lean into, not least given his long and successful stint in charge of New Zealand, which culminated in victory in the inaugural World Test Championship final in 2021.”When someone of that magnitude comes in, his impact can spread a little bit further than just runs on the pitch,” Roland-Jones said. “I’m looking forward to picking his brains, and exploring how he sees the game, once you’re over the ropes.”With captaincy, everyone tries to be themselves and have their own stance,” he added. “But you’re always learning on this job, whether you’re 37 or 21, and fundamentally, any chance you get to see a different side of the game, or even just get a bit of confirmation that you’re aligning with certain views, is great. That’s the thing that keeps us all coming back.”Dane Paterson was a quality performer for Nottinghamshire before his move to Middlesex•Getty ImagesRoland-Jones himself is back for a third season as captain, conscious of the creep of time as he enters his 38th year, but no less committed to the cause than he was when taking a hat-trick to seal Middlesex’s last County Championship title way back in 2016.”I do feel good,” he said. “I’m probably somewhere in the middle of those two adages, of knowing when it’s time, but also of pulling the pin too early. But my mentality towards the game and bowling has always been to push things as far as I can. If I can find the right balance over the next year or two years, or whatever it is, then I’ll be in a good place to know when it’s right. It certainly doesn’t feel like that at the moment, but ask me in October when I’m struggling to get out of bed in the morning!”Last summer’s haul of 52 wickets at 22.55 backs up Roland-Jones’ assertion that he’s still got what it takes. Sadly, however, the chance to compare his creaking bones with those of English cricket’s most venerable seamer, James Anderson, will not come to pass this week. Anderson had been due to lead Lancashire’s attack at the age of 42, but has now been ruled out until May with a calf strain.”I was also looking forward to seeing him run in, and I feel for him,” Roland-Jones said. “I think the boys were excited to match up and test themselves out too, and I hope he has a speedy recovery. But, fundamentally, arguably the best English bowler of all time is missing the first game of the year here in April, and that serves us better than him playing. So from that side of things, I can probably accept it.”The chance to get out there and play – in what should be perfect spring conditions, and in what on paper promises to be a clash between two of the likelier promotion candidates – could be just the tonic that Middlesex need. After a glut of negative headlines, and amid that nagging existential angst, it’s time to let the cricket do the talking.”We’ve been close in two different ways the last two years,” Roland-Jones said, reflecting on the narrow margins by which Middlesex were relegated in 2023 and then missed out on an immediate return with last summer’s third-place finish. “In those situations, you probably get a clearer picture of the good parts of your squad, as well as those bits that are missing.”Certainly, the guys upstairs have tried to address that. I do feel like we’re going into this campaign with more depth in key positions, and a bit of added confidence and experience from some of the guys who are still establishing themselves and hopefully maturing and growing more and more. It feels like we’re really nicely placed.”

Liverpool could reportedly ask former manager Jurgen Klopp to make a sensational return to Anfield if they sack Arne Slot. The Dutchman replaced the 58-year-old in 2024 and led them to Premier League title success in his first season in charge. But amid a wretched run of form, Klopp has emerged as a candidate if Merseyside chiefs lose patience with his successor.

• Slot under huge pressure

  With Liverpool's heavy 4-1 defeat at home to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Wednesday, they have now lost nine of their last 12 games in all competitions – a 71-year low. The former Feyenoord manager said that with the players they have, which include spending more than £400 million ($528m) on transfers this summer, this run "cannot continue". However, club legend Jamie Carragher thinks Slot may have just a week to save his job, with the former defender saying the games against West Ham, Sunderland, and Leeds United over the next week or so will decide his fate.

  He wrote in The Telegraph: "Arne Slot has a week to save his job. It is hard to believe that sentence is being written, but Liverpool’s next three games are against West Ham United, Sunderland and Leeds United. Anything fewer than seven points will make an already unacceptable situation untenable. No matter how much goodwill the manager has, Liverpool Football Club cannot sustain the drop in standards witnessed over the past three months. No one knows better than me how much that reality will be hurting everyone connected with my old club. Liverpool do not willingly sack coaches, especially those that bring great success."

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  Klopp to make Liverpool return?

  According to The Sun, Liverpool are considering reaching out to Klopp over possibly managing the defending English champions until the end of the season if Slot cannot turn the club's fortunes around. The German, who is now Global Head of Soccer for Red Bull, would be seen as a short-term option, with Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique their top long-term target. The report adds that conversations have taken place among Liverpool executives over worries Slot has 'lost the dressing room', with the board potentially waiting until the new year to see if he can arrest the club's slide. This comes shortly after German journalist Michael Reif claimed Liverpool aren't just in a "mess", but that they have been "practically burned to the ground", while warning that Slot should "watch out" over a potential Klopp return.

• Slot speaks out on Liverpool future

  After the PSV drubbing, Slot said he spoke with the club's owners about his Liverpool future. The Dutchman has vowed to fight on, saying his job is safe for now. 

  He told reporters on Thursday: "We've had the same conversations that we've had since I got here. We fight on. We try to improve, but the conversations have been the same as they have been for the last one and a half years."

  When pressed on what he can change to arrest the dreadful run of results, Slot added: "That's not so easy to say. It's normal to reflect on a game with decisions you have made. Maybe you do it a little bit more if you lose. In the end, it's about doing what this club is about. Keep fighting no matter how difficult it is I would be nice if we rewards ourselves in he moments we play well. People are focused on he parts we don't play well but there are large parts where we do play well."

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  Slot's Liverpool facing crunch fixtures

  Liverpool's dire run of results has seen them drop to 12th in the Premier League, just a matter of months after they topped the division. Now they are a whopping 11 points behind league leaders Arsenal after 12 games and going by their current form, things could get even worse. For instance, Sunday's trip to West Ham looks quite daunting now, especially as the Hammers have picked up seven points from their last three games. Moreover, the Reds have lost six of their last seven league matches but fixtures against West Ham, Sunderland, and relegation-threatened Leeds are as good an opportunity as any to turn their fortunes around.

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has again defended divisive attacker Brenden Aaronson, who has been the subject of more abuse from his own fans, albeit while admitting that the USMNT star is an "annoying" player. It comes as Leeds are struggling to tread water on their return to the Premier League, sitting just inside the relegation zone on goal difference, with the pressure also mounting on Farke himself.

• Aaronson criticism 'more than unfair'

  With the second most goal-shy attack in the Premier League through 12 games, Leeds aren't scoring enough to get the points they need to be higher up the table. Aaronson has featured in all of those fixtures, starting nine of them, supposedly as a chief source of creativity from the right.

  The American has contributed one goal and one assist and is frustrating fans, many of whom have openly let him know about it. Even Farke admitted he understood it because of inconsistencies in performances, but is also keen to point out that the criticism is "more than unfair".

  He said after Leeds' 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa on Sunday: "I have to say Brenden is a player who polarizes and can be annoying even for me. Sometimes he’s not clear enough and can be a bit hectic. But I have to say what we're doing in criticizing this young man – then we don't have to do all these mental health awareness days.

  "He represents so many skills we want to stand for as Leeds United. He works his socks off, gives everything, is relentless and leaves his heart on the pitch. It's more than unfair at the moment. In the last three performances he was always there covering 13 kilometers per game. Why we're looking so solid on our right side – with all respect to Jayden [Bogle] – Brenden is so crucial to protect him."

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  Farke concerned about impact of negative comments

  Farke went on to address concerns about the kind of impact that persistent criticism and abuse could ultimately have on Aaronson.

  "I'm just worried how we are as a society, with social media stuff, how we are as human beings," he said. "You just see the negative comments. If you see 5,000 negative comments about yourself as a 25-year-old guy, you think the whole world is on your shoulders.

  "I could make my life easy and also slam him and then everyone would say, 'Yes, Daniel, tell him, great, we don’t like him anyway.’ But I protect human beings. This is what I do. I work with human beings, I don't work with robots. I also see what this lad is doing. And he is always a fantastic team-mate. He works his socks off.

  "We feel better if we can put our anger just on other human beings. I don't like it. And when everyone is on his back, for such a young lad, is it really like how we want to treat human beings in our society? At least I don't want to treat them [like that].

  "So we can criticize them, and we can think, 'Okay, you should not play football games' – whatever. But also, come on, watch, judge his performances, be at least a little bit fair. And if you don't want to do this in terms of relationship, come on, be a bit respectful with a young lad of 25-years-old. And then, otherwise, we don't have to have all this mental health awareness days, and we can put it into the bin."

• Farke defended Aaronson in September

  Farke also staunchly defended Aaronson back in September. "It's important to not put too much weight on his shoulders. Sometimes the feeling with Brenden is that we are a bit over-critical in public,” the Leeds manager said at the time. "We know Brenden has challenges in his offensive game in terms of decision-making, being a bit clearer and more straightforward. This is something we speak a lot about.It's not like I press a button and do my magic and he's a completely different player. In training we bring him more into positions where he has to take decisions. It's not like he is not willing to score or not highly motivated. Sometimes because he is so on it he is perhaps losing a bit of his calmness. But it's not helpful if everyone is always criticizing him."

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  Leeds needs points fast

  It's more promising for Aaronson that his two Premier League goal contributions so far this season have both come within the last four games. Sadly for an already struggling Leeds, things aren't about to get any easier, with Manchester City away on Saturday, followed by visits of Chelsea and Liverpool.

  To avoid another relegation back to the Championship, they need to start picking up points fast.

GOAL brings you the lowdown on how British players are doing away from home, with many footballers now taking their talents abroad in search of prosperity. Despite the riches and the glamour of the Premier League, it's far from the be all and end all. You can still carve out a fantastic career even while out of the intense spotlight of the English media.

For example, the captain of the Three Lions decided to leave the Premier League just as he was closing in on becoming its all-time leading scorer, while two of his international team-mates are shining at Real Madrid and Scotland's Ballon d'Or nominee is living like a king in Italy.

Every Monday this season, GOAL will provide you with the latest on British stars playing on the continent and beyond. Here's what happened this weekend following a manic international break…

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  Kane plays sidekick role

  By Harry Kane's high standards, this was a pretty slow week for him. He scored once as Bayern Munich smashed Freiburg 6-2 at the Allianz Arena. Therefore, he contributed to merely 16.7 percent of his side's goals. What gives?

  Even despite finding the back of the net again, Kane was merely a member of the supporting cast as the Bavarians were forced to come from behind at home. Their visitors rudely sailed into a two-goal lead inside the opening 17 minutes, with both efforts coming from corners. Bayern, whose draw with Union Berlin before the international break interrupted their 16-match winning streak to open the season, took that personally.

  Goals from Kane, Lennart Karl, Nicolas Jackson and Dayot Upamecano, plus a fine brace from Michael Olise, saw Vincent Kompany's men eventually run out rampant winners, but it was difficult to ignore their weaknesses defending dead balls ahead of a trip to set-piece kings Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday.

  "The first 20 minutes weren't good from us, but then we showed character," Kane said post-match. "The goal to take the lead shortly after half time obviously helped us. We came out with significantly more energy in the second half. We did really well both with and without the ball and showed the true face of FC Bayern. It was a really good win."

  In good news for Kane on an individual note, he is now joint-top of the European Golden Shoe rankings after Erling Haaland drew a blank in Manchester City's 2-1 loss at Newcastle on Saturday, with both strikers now level on 14 goals apiece.

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  Bellingham saves Madrid as Trent finally impresses

  Poor Jude Bellingham was surprisingly the subject of a strange campaign from certain corners of the English media during his week away with the Three Lions. Fortunately, the Spanish press recognise his talent is less worthy of inflammatory sh*t-stirring, particularly with Real Madrid lingering from one crisis to another in recent weeks.

  Pressure is already mounting on head coach Xabi Alonso despite a fairly positive start to life in the Bernabeu dugout, with the uncertain future of star winger Vinicius Jr one of the main talking points. Results are starting to slide a little too – their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool team in the Champions League a fortnight ago has already aged like milk.

  On Sunday, Madrid made the trip to Elche, whose fast start to life back in La Liga has slowed in recent weeks, yet they still gave a decent account of themselves during this clash at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero. Aleix Febas gave the hosts a surprise lead at the start of the second half, before Bellingham's header from a corner was turned in by Dean Huijsen to pull Los Blancos level.

  When Alvaro Rodriguez put Elche back in front with six minutes to go, it appeared Madrid would be crashing to defeat, but Bellingham tapped home the second ball from a free-kick after his initial effort was denied to ensure it ended 2-2 and rescue a late point for the visitors.

  Bellingham was not the only England international to prove his worth to Madrid, with Trent Alexander-Arnold also turning some doubters into believers with his wicked deliveries from set plays, even despite his haphazard defending. , who gave the right-back a rating of 8/10 when Bellingham only got a 7, wrote: "Honestly, his set pieces are a real treat. He's delivering the ball with flair… and Madrid is getting something out of every attack. The Englishman takes a long-range shot and it sails high. He gets caught out of position for Elche's 1-0 goal. All of Madrid's danger stems from a Trent cross. A low, powerful ball that hits the crossbar. He's everywhere. And another set piece… and a Madrid goal."

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  Tomori keeps out Inter in derby win

  The first Derby della Madonnina of the season swung the way of AC Milan on Sunday, emerging as 1-0 winners in their 'away' match against Inter. A second-half strike from Christian Pulisic was all that separated these two great rivals, though the Nerazzurri spurned several chances to get on the scoresheet, with Hakan Calhanoglu denied from the penalty spot by former Rossoneri team-mate Mike Maignan.

  Fikayo Tomori started on the right of a back three and was tasked with trying to clamp down wing-back extraordinaire Federico Dimarco as well as Inter captain Lautaro Martinez. The latter was hooked with 25 minutes remaining despite his side chasing a goal, if you want to know how that particular battle turned out.

  At 27, Tomori was the elder statesman in a Milan backline which featured 26-year-old Matteo Gabbia in the middle, while the incredibly raw Strahinja Pavlovic, 24, conceded the penalty for a trip on Marcus Thuram. In fact, Tomori is actually the oldest defender in the entire Rossoneri squad, save for summer signing Pervis Estupinan by a few months, and Massimiliano Allegri has heavily leant on the forgotten England man upon his return to San Siro, featuring in all but two games so far this season.

  Allegri proclaimed pre-match that 'whoever wins the most duels will win the derby'. Tomori responded by winning six of his seven in the air and on the floor, while he made all three of his tackles, six clearances, two interceptions and one block.

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  McTominay helps get Napoli back on track

  It was always going to be hard for Scott McTominay to return to club level with Napoli and exceed what he achieved over the November international window. His early submission for the 2026 Puskas Award – an outrageous overhead kick, obviously – was the first of many screamers during Scotland's 4-2 win at home to Denmark that saw them book a World Cup spot for the first time since 1998, only enhancing his modern-day legend.

  That ought to have served as quite the palette cleanser given Napoli's indifferent defence of their Serie A title. The reigning champions of Italy went into the international break with Antonio Conte playing up the possibility of leaving the club, as is usually customary wherever he goes but is a warning sign nonetheless. A 3-1 triumph against Atalanta at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona snapped a run of three games without victory and would have vastly improved the mood around Naples.

  David Neres' first-half double got Napoli on their way, and McTominay's quick thinking allowed the Brazilian to score his second, slipping the winger in down the left before he fired across goalkeeper Marco Carnasecchi to double the hosts' advantage. For those of a Manchester United persuasion wanting to check in on their alumni, Rasmus Hojlund teed up Neres for his first goal of the evening too.

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.

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.

ByAngus Sinclair Oct 29, 2025

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.”

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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.

يستعد فريق برشلونة لمواجهة في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، بعدما خاض مباراة مساء اليوم الأحد أمام إلتشي في بطولة الدوري الإسباني “الليجا”.

واستقبل برشلونة خصمه إلتشي على ملعب “مونتجويك” في إطار مباريات الجولة الحادية عشر للدوري الإسباني موسم 2025-2026.

وتمكن فريق برشلونة من تحقيق الفوز على حساب إلتشي بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدف، وسجل له لامين يامال، فيران توريس، وماركوس راشفورد.

وأصبح رصيد برشلونة 25 نقطة في المركز الثاني خلف المتصدر ريال مدريد والذي يملك 30 نقطة.

ويخوض برشلونة مباراته القادمة في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، ضمن مباريات مرحلة الدوري، ويلاقي نظيره كلوب بروج. موعد مباراة برشلونة وكلوب بروج

تقام المباراة يوم الأربعاء المقبل الموافق 5 نوفمبر الجاري، وتنطلق في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية.

After storming the Championship with 100 points last term, Leeds United were always going to need a busy summer window to prepare for their Premier League return.

Under the stewardship of 49ers Enterprises, the club pushed to strengthen Daniel Farke’s squad, with signings in multiple positions.

Anton Stach, Jaka Bijol, Lucas Perri, Sean Longstaff, Gabriel Gudmundsson, James Justin, Sebastian Bornauw and Dominic Calvert-Lewin all arrived.

Perhaps the most intriguing addition was Swiss forward Noah Okafor, who joined from AC Milan for £18m, bringing Champions League experience to Elland Road.

Departures also shaped the window. Rasmus Kristensen, Maximilian Wöber, Junior Firpo and Largie Ramazani all moved on.

Fans were especially vocal about Ramazani, whose loan to Valencia was seen by some as a risk given his ability on the wing.

The early weeks of the season have been a rollercoaster.

Leeds edged Everton 1-0 at home on the opening day but then suffered a 5-0 hammering at Arsenal.

A hard-fought goalless draw with Newcastle steadied the ship before a cruel stoppage-time own goal from Gudmundsson condemned them to defeat at Fulham.

Amid the mixed results, one problem has stood out above all others. To put it plainly, Leeds are short of goals, they need a talent like Ramazani in their ranks.

Why losing Ramazani has been a blow

Ramazani’s loan departure was framed as a blow to Leeds’ wide options.

The 24-year-old Belgian, valued at £6m via Transfermarkt, joined from Almería and played 29 Championship games last season, registering six goals and two assists.

His pace and direct running gave Leeds an outlet in transition, and his ability to stretch defences created space for others.

Now on loan at Valencia, Ramazani has continued to show flashes of his potential.

For Leeds supporters, seeing him leave after only one season felt premature, particularly given his adaptation to English football appeared to be underway.

However, while losing the wide forward has reduced Leeds’ width, it has not addressed their bigger problem: a lack of reliable goalscorers.

Ramazani’s output, even in the Championship, was respectable but not prolific.

His nine goal involvements across 30 matches last term underlined his inconsistency in decisive moments.

As results so far this season have shown, what Leeds arguably miss more than an extra winger is a forward with an eye for goal.

Leeds real loss came two years ago

If Ramazani left a hole out wide, the departure of Max Dean may yet prove far more costly through the middle.

The 21-year-old centre-forward, who can also operate off the wings, came through Everton’s youth system before joining Leeds’ academy.

He quickly made his mark, scoring 20 goals and adding five assists in 43 appearances whilst on loan at MK Dons.

Dons head coach Mike Williamson hailed him after a brace against Morecambe in December 2023, describing him as “an infectious character.”

It was that blend of energy and end product that led Belgian side Gent to sign him, where he has since scored 13 goals and two assists in 30 appearances.

His trajectory shows a player who has adapted quickly at every step along his footballing journey.

Statistically, Dean is not as active on the ball as Ramazani, but he is far more efficient in front of goal.

Last season, Dean registered seven goal involvements in 17 games compared to Ramazani’s nine in 30.

His 48.5% shot accuracy also edges the Belgian’s 45%, while his 1.48 shots on target per 90 highlight his ability to test goalkeepers regularly.

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Though Ramazani surpasses him in terms of progressive carries and creative actions, Dean’s finishing instincts arguably address Leeds’ more pressing needs.

Dean’s England U20 debut in 2024 only added weight to the argument that Leeds might have given up on him too soon.

At 21, he still has time to develop into a top-level forward, and his knack for being in the right place at the right time is a trait Leeds could use as they adjust to the Premier League.

For all the discussion around Ramazani, Dean represents the type of player Leeds currently lack: a forward who can turn half-chances into goals.

In a side that has so far relied on penalties and moments of fortune, that cutting edge might have made the difference between mid-table comfort and early-season frustration.

It's not Darlow: Leeds star is in danger of becoming their new Meslier

This Leeds United star is in danger of becoming the next Illan Meslier at Elland Road.

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Dan Emery

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