Throughout the years, Tottenham Hotspur supporters have been truly blessed with the chance to watch numerous elite-level attackers feature for the club.

Players such as Heung-min Son, Teddy Sheringham and Harry Kane all managed to make themselves club-legends in North London, with the latter breaking nearly every record in sight.

The 32-year-old currently sits at the top of the Lilywhites’ all-time scoring charts on 280, which saw 208 of his efforts come in the Premier League – with only Alan Shearer scoring more.

However, Spurs’ lack of success on the pitch ultimately led to his departure in 2023, which has left boss Thomas Frank unable to have the chance to work alongside the talisman.

He will no doubt want his own elite-level talent within the final third, potentially landing a player of that calibre during the upcoming January transfer window.

Spurs’ hunt for new attackers in January

Over the last couple of months, Spurs have been just one Premier League side linked with a potential deal for Porto star Sami Aghehowa in the winter window.

The Spaniard has been in tremendous goalscoring form during the early stages of 2025/26, as seen by his remarkable tally of 13 goals in his first 22 appearances across all competitions.

However, the Portuguese outfit don’t want to lose their star man anytime soon, subsequently slapping an €80m (£70m) asking price onto the 21-year-old’s head.

He’s not the only centre-forward in their sights ahead of the upcoming window, with Crystal Palace star Jean-Philippe Mateta another player being considered by Fabio Paratici.

According to one Spanish outlet, the Lilywhites are seriously considering tabling a bid for the Frenchman in January, as his contract talks at Selhurst Park look to have stalled in recent weeks.

It also states that the Eagles may be forced to offload the 28-year-old in the near future to avoid losing him for nothing, with his current deal set to expire in June 2027.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be Frank’s next Mbeumo

During Frank’s time in charge at Brentford before taking the Spurs job, he often had numerous top-level attackers at his disposal, which helped make the Bees an established top-flight club.

The Dane mainly relied on forward Bryan Mbeumo during the latter years of his spell at the GTEC, with the Cameroonian international providing a constant source of goals in the Premier League.

During the 2024/25 season, the 26-year-old netted a career-best 20 league goals, ending the campaign as just one of five players to achieve the feat in the division.

He no doubt thrived under the 52-year-old across the capital, so much so that the manager made a fierce attempt to land his signature after taking the reins in North London.

However, a reunion just wasn’t meant to be, as Mbeumo opted for a move to join Manchester United during the summer, subsequently leading Frank to hunt for a new talisman.

The likes of Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison have often provided the goods in attacking areas for Spurs this campaign, but Frank could get his new star forward with a move for Mateta this winter.

The Palace star has registered 30 goals in the last two full seasons in England’s top-flight, whilst already making huge waves during the first 15 games of the new campaign.

Mateta already has seven goals in 2025/26, but it’s his underlying stats from his outings at Selhurst Park that would make him Frank’s next star attacker in the capital.

The French international, who’s been dubbed “world-class” by one analyst, has registered 1.6 shots on target per 90 this season, which such a tally ranking him in the top 7% of all players in the league.

Jean-Philippe Mateta – PL stats in 25/26

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

15

Goals scored

7

Shots on target

1.6

Dribbles completed

53%

Crosses completed

75%

Aerials won

2.5

Touches in opposition box

4.1

Recoveries made

3.5

Stats via FotMob

Such a figure showcases his relentless nature in front of goal, handing the Spurs side the constant nuisance and goal threat they have lacked since Kane’s departure.

He’s also completed 53% of his attempted dribbles to date, whilst achieving a 75% cross completion rate – highlighting his all-round nature within the final third.

His biggest asset is his hold-up play, which could allow the Lilywhites to have the needed focal point they’ve craved, with the striker winning 2.5 aerials per 90 so far this season.

It could hand Frank the aerial presence needed to dominate in the 18-yard box, but also an option to help link the play and create intricate moves off a direct ball into the striker.

Whilst he operates in a different role to Mbeumo, the pair have both demonstrated their goalscoring prowess in recent times, with clinical goalscorers often hard to come by in the modern game.

Mateta could provide Frank with exactly what he wants in the January window, with such a move handing the Dane the perfect attacking option to kickstart his career in charge of the Lilywhites.

Related Their new Son: Spurs have held advanced talks to sign a future £100m player

Tottenham are looking to add fresh quality to their attacking flanks in 2026.

Posts 1 ByAngus Sinclair Dec 8, 2025

قام ماركوس تورام، نجم نادي إنتر ميلان، بتحذير ليفربول، وذلك قبل المباراة التي سوف تجمع بين الفريقين في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا على ملعب جوزيبي مياتزا.

إنتر ميلان سوف يستضيف نظيره ليفربول غدًا الثلاثاء، ضمن منافسات الجولة السادسة من مرحلة الدوري في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويرغب نادي إنتر ميلان في استغلال حالة ليفربول السيئة خلال هذا الموسم، حيث دخل الريدز في سلسلة سلبية من عدم تحقيق الفوز في كافة المسابقات.

ودخل ليفربول في أزمة مع نجم الفريق محمد صلاح، والذي أكد أنه ليس سعيدًا بوضعه الحالي مع النادي الإنجليزي وأن علاقته قد انقطعت مع المدرب آرني سلوت.

وأكد تورام خلال المؤتمر الصحفي الخاص باللقاء، والذي نقلته ”lefigaro”، أن إنتر ميلان يعتبر فريقًا صلبًا حقًا في دوري أبطال أوروبا خلال السنوات الأخيرة ومن الصعب أن يتعثر.

وتمكن إنتر ميلان من الوصول إلى نهائيين في آخر ثلاث سنوات من دوري أبطال أوروبا ويعتبر فريق صعب حقًا في المسابقة.

أقرأ أيضًا .. أورنستين يوضح حقيقة رحيل محمد صلاح عن ليفربول في الميركاتو الشتوي

وقال تورام: “إنتر ميلان نادرًا ما يتعثر في دوري أبطال أوروبا في المواسم الأخيرة، منذ انضمامي إلى إنتر حققنا الفوز في مباريات مهمة، في مباراة بهذا الحجم، كل شيء وارد لكن من المؤكد أننا افتقدنا شيئًا ما في المباريات الحاسمة هذا الموسم”.

وأضاف تورام في حديثه: “نعلم ما نحتاجه للتحسن، نادرًا ما يتعثر إنتر ميلان في دوري أبطال أوروبا في المواسم الأخيرة”.

كما تطرق تورام إلى أزمة محمد صلاح مع ليفربول ومستوى الفريق السيئ بشكل عام، حيث أوضح: “الحقيقة هي أنه عندما تظهر الشكوك يريد البطل إظهار قيمته الحقيقية، لم أشاهد مباريات ليفربول هذا العام، صلاح من أفضل لاعبي العالم، لكن ليفربول يضم العديد من اللاعبين الأقوياء، سيحاولون إثبات خطأ ادعاء الجميع بأن هذا هو الوقت المناسب لمواجهتهم”.

واختتم تورام في حديثه: ”قد يعتقد الجميع أن هذا هو الوقت المثالي لمواجهة ليفربول ولكن ربما لا، سنواجه فريقًا قويًا يضم لاعبين مميزين، علينا مواصلة ما قدمناه مؤخرًا بل وتحسينه”.

Glasgow Rangers decided to sack sporting director Kevin Thelwell and CEO Patrick Stewart at the end of last month after a dismal start to the season and a managerial change.

Russell Martin was brought in by Thelwell and subsequently replaced by Danny Rohl after just 17 matches, whilst the former Everton chief’s work in the transfer market was also called into question.

The £8m signing of Youssef Chermiti from Everton, for example, has been in the spotlight because the Portuguese striker has only scored one goal so far this season, per Sofascore.

English club pushing to sign Rangers flop

Whilst there are question marks over the Portugal U21 international, the Gers look set to cash in on a player who has been an even worse signing than the centre-forward.

Transfer Focus

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

According to the Daily Record, English Championship side Sheffield United are ‘pushing’ to secure a deal to sign Glasgow Rangers central midfielder Joe Rothwell in the January transfer window.

The report claims that the Blades are in pole position to snap up the experienced Englishman ahead of the second half of the season, and that they are confident that they can get a deal over the line.

It adds that moving Rothwell on from Ibrox would free up ‘substantial’ funds, possibly in wages, to allow Rohl to dip into the market for a replacement.

Why Rothwell has been a worse signing than Chermiti

The criticism of the deal to bring Chermiti to Ibrox for £8m is completely understandable. He is a striker who has scored one goal in 17 matches after being their most expensive signing in 25 years, since Tore Andre Flo signed for £12m in 2000.

However, as much as some supporters may not want to hear it when they want instant results, he is also a 21-year-old prospect who needs time to find his feet and find his confidence.

This means that the Portugal U21 international still has time on his side to make a success of his Rangers career and prove that Thelwell was right to splash £8m on his services in the summer.

Rothwell, meanwhile, is a 30-year-old midfielder who is at the other end of his career and is unlikely to improve much past this point, which is why selling him to Sheffield United after half a season makes sense, given his struggles in a Rangers shirt.

Since signing from Bournemouth for an undisclosed fee, the Englishman has provided no goals and two assists in 19 appearances in all competitions, per Transfermarkt.

Kilmarnock

Not in squad

Dundee United

Not in squad

Falkirk

Not in squad

Livingston

Unused sub

Dundee

Not in squad

Hibernian

Unused sub

Kilmarnock

Unused sub

Dundee United

83 minutes

Falkirk

70 minutes

Livingston

17 minutes

As you can see in the table above, Rothwell has either been an unused substitute or has failed to make the matchday squad for the last seven games in the Scottish Premiership.

Chermiti, meanwhile, has had minutes in all nine of the matches that he has been available for in the Premiership this season, per Transfermarkt, which shows that he is still trusted by Rohl.

Rothwell, it seems, is not trusted by the German head coach, as evidenced by his lack of minutes on the pitch and this potential transfer to Sheffield United in January. Heart & Hand content creator David Edgar even went as far as to describe him as a “rotten” signing.

The former Leeds United star was signed, as an experienced 30-year-old midfielder, to make an immediate impact for Martin in the middle of the park, but it clearly has not worked out for him at Ibrox, which is why a move to Bramall Lane in January appears to suit all parties involved.

His age and experience are why he has been such a disappointing signing for the Light Blues, because he should have been the anchor of the midfield to provide a platform for the rest of the team to build from in possession, as a reliable and experienced performer.

It has not worked out like that, though, and now he looks set to move on from Glasgow after less than a year at the club, which speaks to how much of a flop he has been.

Rohl must drop Fernandez & "rotten" Rangers flop who belong in Caixinha era

Danny Rohl should drop this Glasgow Rangers duo who belong in the Pedro Caixinha era after their performances against Ferencvaros.

ByDan Emery 1 day ago

That also shows that he has been an even worse signing than Chermiti, despite the money involved in that deal, because the Portuguese talent, at least, appears to have a future at Ibrox under Rohl in the short term and has plenty of time left ahead of him to improve and develop

India suffered a 408-run defeat, their biggest ever in Test cricket, in Guwahati

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Nov-20256:06

Karim: ‘Harmer’s variations upset India batters’

India’s failure to capitalise on their chances sent them tumbling to a 2-0 series defeat against South Africa, according to their stand-in captain Rishabh Pant.”They [South Africa] definitely played better cricket, but at the same time, in cricket you can’t take anything for granted,” Pant said at the post-match presentation. “You can play at home or away, but at the same time, cricket demands that determination and that extra.”There are moments in the game where you need to capitalise [on] it as a team, as a batting unit. But as a team, we didn’t capitalise on those enough for a longer period of time, and that cost us the whole series.”In the second Test in Guwahati, where Pant took over captaincy from the injured Shubman Gill, India let South Africa get away and post 489 after they had the visitors at 246 for 6 at one point.South Africa went on to bat India out of the Test, setting them an improbable 549. On the final day, India’s batters had their chances – both B Sai Sudharsan and nightwatcher Kuldeep Yadav were reprieved – but they eventually folded for 140, suffering a 408-run loss, theirbiggest ever in Test cricket.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

This was India’s second series defeat in their previous three home series. Last year, they suffered an unprecedented 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand, which ended a proud run of 17 straight home-series wins over a 12-year period. Pant called on India to stick together and find a way past this rut.”Definitely it’s a little disappointing, but as a team we need to get better,” Pant said. “And you’ve got to give credit to the opposition that they played better cricket than us,” Pant said. “Because, in series like this, which has already been tough, if we dwell too much… you’ve got to take the learning and stick as a team.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Até quando? Mais uma vez, infelizmente. Após a vitória do Botafogo sobre o Universitário, no Peru, os torcedores alvinegros saíram do estádio com cerca de dez peruanos fazendo gestos racistas. Confira abaixo.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasBotafogoJeffinho brilha, Botafogo vence o Universitario e garante vaga nas oitavas da LibertadoresBotafogo16/05/2024Fora de CampoTorcedores do Botafogo se revoltam: ‘Marcariam esse pênalti se fosse contra?’Fora de Campo16/05/2024Fora de CampoFelipe Neto critica decisão de arbitragem em jogo do BotafogoFora de Campo16/05/2024

➡️ Tudo sobre o Fogão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Botafogo

Os gestos sequer foram repreendidos pela segurança do estádio. Os peruanos saíram do local normalmente como se nada tivesse acontecido.

A medida dos torcedores visitantes saírem depois de uma boa parte da torcida local deixar o estádio é comum. Isso é para evitar confusões nos arredores.

Em tese, a Conmebol tem regras para punir atos de racismo. É o caso do segundo parágrafo do Artigo 15 do Código Disciplinar da Conmebol de 2023 especifica sobre os casos de discriminação por parte dos torcedores e prevê multa de 100 mil dólares (R$ 492 mil) e 400 mil dólares em caso de reincidência (R$ 1,970 milhão).

continua após a publicidade

“Qualquer Associação Membro ou clube cujos torcedores insultarem ou atentarem contra a dignidade humana de outra pessoa ou grupo de pessoas, por qualquer meio, tendo como motivo a cor da pele, raça, sexo ou orientação sexual, etnia, idioma, credo ou origem, será sancionado com uma multa de pelo menos CEM MIL DÓLARES AMERICANOS (USD. 100.000). Em caso de reincidência, o infrator poderá ser punido com multa de DÓLARES AMERICANOS QUATROCENTOS MIL (USD 400.000).”

Em nota oficial, o Botafogo repudiou o ato “criminoso, absurdo e inaceitável”. Além disso, o Alvinegro espera “ações concretas por parte das autoridades”. Confira o pronunciamento abaixo.

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BotafogoFutebol NacionalLibertadoresSTARPLUSUniversitário

The home side have handed out two debuts for the first time since 2019 while there remains much interest in the Perth pitch

Matt Roller20-Nov-2025Big picture: England’s perfect stormThe multi-purpose Perth Stadium staged a Metallica concert earlier this month and another heavy-metal tour begins there on Friday morning. No series can compete with the Ashes for anticipation, and months of speculation will finally come to an end when the first ball of the 2025-26 series is bowled in front of a sold-out crowd.The first Test arrives with an unmistakable sense of English optimism, fuelled by the injury status of both teams’ fast bowlers. For once, the absentees are Australian: Pat Cummins (back) and Josh Hazlewood (hamstring) are unavailable, while Jofra Archer and Mark Wood will play in the same team for only the second time in Tests.Related

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It represents the best-case scenario for England, who have spent the last three-and-a-half years under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum’s leadership building a team capable of competing in Australia. They are both aware that the next seven weeks will provide a lasting verdict on their tenures: McCullum has dubbed it “the biggest series of all of our lives”.Four years ago, England returned from Australia as a broken team, thrashed 4-0 on a tour made even more miserable by oppressive Covid restrictions. Since then, they have changed their approach to become Test cricket’s most aggressive team, with a settled batting line-up and a regenerated bowling attack since the retirements of Stuart Broad and James Anderson.But context is key: even being competitive on this tour would represent a marked improvement from England’s last three away Ashes series. The scarcity of the draw in the modern era means that they will likely need to win three Tests out of five to regain the urn; they have not managed to win even once in their last 15 in Australia, losing 13.Reports of Australia’s demise are an exaggeration: they have won 14 out of 18 Tests since the drawn 2023 Ashes in England, and are unbeaten in their last six series at home. Steven Smith, their stand-in captain, is an all-time great with a formidable record against England; in Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon, they can boast two of the four Australians with over 400 Test wickets.Ready to go: Steven Smith and Ben Stokes pose ahead of the Ashes•Getty ImagesBut there are hints of vulnerability, not least with Australia fielding two debutants in an Ashes Test for the first time since January 2011. Jake Weatherald will become Usman Khawaja’s sixth opening partner since David Warner’s retirement, and Brendan Doggett is the first fast bowler to win an Australia cap in four years.Two years ago, Australia took a 2-0 lead in England but were clinging onto a 2-2 draw by the end of the tour, ultimately saved from a series defeat by the rain in Manchester. It left the clash of styles between England’s power and Australia’s pragmatism in an unsatisfactory stalemate, whetting the appetite for this rematch.This is the first time since 1982-83 that an Ashes series in Australia has not started at the Gabba, with Perth now locked in as the host of the first Test of the summer. Starc said on Wednesday that Australia’s players would rather be in Brisbane, while England will hope that a change of venue brings a change in their fortunes.Form guideAustralia: WWWLW
England: LDWLWJofra Archer prepares for the opening Test•PA Photos/Getty ImagesIn the spotlight: Mitchell Starc and Jofra ArcherIn the absence of Cummins and Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc is the last man standing in Australia’s long-established pace trio, a fact which he joked made him feel “old” after training on Wednesday. He is the undisputed leader of the attack, and England’s approach against him will be instructive: Starc leaked 4.78 runs per over in the 2023, but was the leading wicket-taker on either side despite missing the first Test. If Australia bowl first, memories will immediately return to the first ball of the 2021-22 series, when he cleaned up Rory Burns at the Gabba to set the tone for a 4-0 win.He may only have played two Tests in the last four years, but Jofra Archer’s gradual comeback to international cricket after back and elbow injuries has culminated in him being available this week. It will be his first Ashes appearance since his maiden Test series six years ago, when he took 22 Australian wickets at 20.27 and hit Steven Smith on the head with a lightning-fast bouncer at Lord’s. He is expected to open the bowling alongside Gus Atkinson, and Ben Stokes plans to use him in “short, sharp bursts” to break games open. Archer’s return to red-ball cricket in the English summer was a reminder of his potency against left-handers, and Australia are expected to field five in their top eight.Team news: Another batting reshuffle for Australia, England set for all paceAustralia will hand debuts to two 31-year-olds: opening batter Jake Weatherald, the top run-scorer in last season’s Sheffield Shield, and seamer Brendan Doggett. There is also a recall for Marnus Labuschagne, who was the spare batter during their most recent series against West Indies, with Cameron Green shuffling down to No. 6 at Beau Webster’s expense. Steven Smith returns as captain in Cummins’ absence, leading Australia for the 41st time in Tests.Australia: 1 Jake Weatherald, 2 Usman Khawaja, 3 Marnus Labuschagne, 4 Steven Smith (capt), 5 Travis Head, 6 Cameron Green, 7 Alex Carey (wk), 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Nathan Lyon, 10 Scott Boland, 11 Brendan Doggett.England named a 12-man squad on Wednesday, but went no futher, with Shoaib Bashir expected to be the one to miss out. Mark Wood has been cleared to play what will be his first match since February’s Champions Trophy – and his first Test match since last August – after hamstring soreness last week, and is set to form part of a five-man, all-pace attack. Ollie Pope, who captained their most recent Test against India, has been replaced by Harry Brook as vice-captain but retains his spot at No. 3 after pressure from Jacob Bethell.England (probable): 1 Zak Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Ollie Pope, 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Ben Stokes (capt), 7 Jamie Smith (wk), 8 Brydon Carse, 9 Gus Atkinson, 10 Mark Wood, 11 Jofra Archer.1:45

Will Australian pitches affect England’s Ashes chances?

Pitch and conditionsCurator Isaac McDonald predicts that his pitch will offer fast bowlers the “pace and bounce” that has long been associated with cricket in Western Australia, and that cracks could open up as the Test wears on. The weather has been relatively cool in Perth in the build-up and will continue throughout, with forecast highs of 28 degrees Celsius and the possibility of occasional showers over the weekend. Around 10,000 England fans are in Perth for the first Test, with more than 40,000 expected to attend across the series.Stats and trivia Australia have won 13 and drawn two of their last 15 men’s Ashes Tests on home soil. Their last defeat to England in Australia was in January 2011. Perth last hosted a men’s Ashes Test in 2017/18, when Australia won by an innings and 41 runs at the WACA. Each of the five previous men’s Tests staged at Perth Stadium has been won by the team batting first. Jofra Archer and Mark Wood have only played once together previously in Tests, against West Indies in Southampton (July 2020). Mitchell Starc needs 13 wickets in the series to overtake Wasim Akram as the most prolific left-arm fast bowler in Test history. Brendan Doggett will become the third indigenous man to play for Australia in men’s Tests, after Jason Gillespie and team-mate Scott Boland.Quotes”The first three days are sold out, which is outstanding. There’s going to be plenty of viewers on TV, both here and back in England as well, so hopefully we can put on a good show and entertain plenty of people.”
“We’ve obviously come here with a goal, and that goal is to get on that plane in mid-January, returning to England, being Ashes winners. But we know it’s going to be very, very tough.”

Ben Stokes admitted that England had not been “able to stand up to the pressure” applied on them by Australia after his side went 2-0 down in the series in Brisbane. He said England had to show more fight but reiterated his belief that he could lead them back from the brink, with a 3-2 result now their only route to regaining the Ashes.England’s captain pinpointed dropped catches on the second night as one of the tourists’ key failings, undermining their rally with the pink ball under lights. Having been 290 for 3, Australia fell to 329 for 6 – still behind England’s first-innings 334 – but capitalised on a host of reprieves to eventually stretch their total beyond 500 on the third day.Stokes added that he did not believe there was a skills deficit with Australia but conceded England’s mentality in tough situations had twice been found wanting after two chastening defeats. For the second Ashes in a row, England find themselves 2-0 down after two games and, although they came back to draw in 2023, that would not be enough to reclaim the urn from Australia. Only once in Ashes history has a side won 3-2 after being 2-0 down, and that was Don Bradman’s Australia in 1936-37.Related

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“Very disappointing,” Stokes said at the post-match presentation. “A lot of it comes down to not being able to stand up to the pressure of this game, this format, when the game is on the line. In small passages, we’ve been able to bring the game back into some kind of control and then we’ve let us slip away. We’ve done that again here this week, and it’s very, very disappointing, in particular, because of the ability of the players that we have in that dressing room.”We need to think a bit harder and deeper about those moments and what we’re taking mentally into those, and overall show a bit more fight when it’s needed.”We sit there and watch what’s going on in front of us, what Australia are looking to throw at us, and what plans they’re trying to bowl to,” he added. “And then it’s up to us as players to be able to go out there with a plan and how to negate the threat.”To me, it just seems to be a constant theme at the moment, that when you know the game is in a pressure moment, Australia keep outdoing us. They say Australia isn’t a place for weak men. We’re definitely not weak, but we need to find something, because we’re two-nil down now we’ve got three more games to go, and we need to, sort it.”Speaking to TNT Sport after the game, he said that errors in the field had hurt England the most. England put down five chances on day two – Jamie Smith off Travis Head, Ben Duckett off Alex Carey and Josh Inglis, Brydon Carse off Michael Neser and Joe Root off Carey – as Australia carved out a match-defining lead of 177.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

“A huge part of it was that we had to take 15 wickets,” Stokes said. “You can’t drop catches. They always come back to bite you. And I think it definitely showed there. If we were able to hold on to our chances, we shouldn’t have been batting last night [day three]. No one means to do that kind of stuff. No one means to drop catches. No one means to not bowl an area where you set plans to but, yeah, those kind of things just can’t happen at this level.”On the gap between the sides, he said: “It’s a mentality. It’s a mindset about how you take yourself out there in those situations. You know, Test cricket has its own pressures anyway, and how you handle those moments, how you handle yourself in those moments, how you get yourself into a clear head, a clear space to make good decisions. That’s so important to being successful at this level.”England had posted their highest score in Australia since 2018 after opting to bat first in the day-night Test, buoyed by Joe Root’s maiden hundred on Australian soil. But after Head’s reprieve on 3, Australia’s openers raced off to a 77-run opening stand, with Jake Weatherald’s punchy 72 from 78 setting the tone – and Stokes took some of the blame for a wayward bowling effort, as he and Brydon Carse in particular leaked runs.”Not being able to execute skill is something that you can live with, because no one means to bowl away from the plan that we’re trying to do. We knew exactly how we needed to bowl on that wicket, and we weren’t able to do it for a long enough period to put the Australian batters under pressure. And that was evident in the way that Australia were able to score so quickly and so easily against us.”I think Jofra and Gus set the tone very nicely, actually, when we first took ball, but then myself and Brydon sort of let the game get away from us quite quickly. So, yeah, just not being able to execute what’s needed, not only with batting and also with the ball. We’ll be having some conversations that I’ll be keeping in the dressing room.”Asked about lessons from previous tours – England have lost 5-0, 4-0 and 4-0 in their last three Ashes series down under – Stokes said that he wanted to maintain belief within the dressing room.”Don’t panic, don’t flap, don’t waver, and just have complete and utter belief in our guys as a team. Because I know we can do this. I believe emphatically in the group, I believe empathy, myself, as a captain, as a leader, that I can get the guys into a place where they need to be to able to win these next three games.”

Manchester City were delighted after VAR intervened to stop the award of a penalty to Real Madrid in just the second minute of the Champions League clash at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night. Vinicius Jr was seen punching the air in delight after the referee pointed to the spot, but Matheus Nunes' foul was adjudged to have happened just outside the box on a night where City ran out 2-1 victors over the Spaniards.

• Thriller at the Bernabeu

  The defeat puts significant pressure on Madrid manager Xabi Alonso, who has seen his side relinquish the lead at the top of La Liga to arch rivals Barcelona and now drop down the European rankings after losing to Pep Guardiola’s side. Rodrygo opened the scoring for Real Madrid in the 28th minute with a low shot from a counter-attack, ending his long goal drought, but City responded quickly, with Nico O'Reilly poking home an equaliser from close range after a goalmouth scramble. Just before half-time, Erling Haaland converted a penalty after Antonio Rudiger fouled him in the box, sealing the comeback win for City. Despite a second-half push from Real, including a Jude Bellingham chip over the bar and an Endrick header clipping the crossbar, City held on to a crucial victory. The win moves Guardiola's men to fourth in the Champions League standings, while Real drop to seventh. 

  But one of the main talking points from the evening will be the early would-be spot-kick, which was controversially overturned by VAR.

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• Haaland: 'We need to finish strong'

  Speaking to after the match, Haaland told reporters: "Difficult to come here, it's a tough place. Game was a bit chaotic, we couldn't really control it. We get the win in the end, super happy. This is a place you want to play, these are games you want to play. With this new format in Champions League you get to play more games which is nice. I like it. It could have looked completely different today if we didn't win because of the Leverkusen defeat, this win is really important. Two more games left. We need to finish strong and hopefully we can be in the first eight because then we're through." 

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  Key man Mbappe misses out 

  France superstar Kylian Mbappe was an unused substitute after picking up a muscle injury. And the French superstar's absence was a big miss for the hosts. Haaland added: "We know about their injuries, we have some too but they have many. You don't want anyone to be injured but we expected him to play. I expected to come up against Kylian today. But when a player like that is out – you're not happy because you want to play the best – but it gives you a bit of a psychological boost. You want to play the best players and after one minute (Raul) Asencio was trying to push me and beef with me which I like personally – I don't mind it. With Antonio Rudiger as well we have had some great battles, but today he wanted it too much and we got the penalty."

Mason Mount has vowed to build on his positive run of form with Manchester United after a stop-start career at Old Trafford. The midfielder volleyed home a Bruno Fernandes cross to score his second goal in three matches and his third of the season as the Red Devils hammered Wolves 4-1 away from home on Monday to move into sixth in the Premier League table.

Mount enjoying best season at Man Utd

Mount has now scored as many goals this season as in his two previous campaigns with United – which were both overshadowed by serious injury problems. The midfielder was limited to five league starts in his first season since signing for United from Chelsea for £60m in 2023 while he only made eight starts in his second campaign. He has missed a combined 52 matches in his three seasons but he looks to be on the path back to full fitness after playing in 12 of United's 15 league games this season.

AdvertisementAFPMount: I've had setbacks

"Anytime I play I obviously want to play to the best of my ability and perform," Mount told after the win over Wolves. "I've had setbacks. I've had difficult times, I feel now I'm ready to keep pushing on and building on these performances. Getting in the goals, that's the most important thing as a forward player and just keep going and working hard. That's exactly what I'm focusing on now."

On his volley, Mount added: "As soon as I see Bruno [Fernandes] with the ball and has time and space to turn, that's my trigger to try and get in behind and try and time my run. I thought it was going to be a bit close [to offside] but the defender dropped back and bit and kept me onside. Delighted with that. And as I said before, it was about being ruthless in the second half and finishing our chances off.

"We all know the calibre of player he [Fernandes] is. When he gets on the ball he's always trying to create something. He's a joy to play with as a player that's higher up the pitch because you know he's having a look and he's going to play the ball over the top."

Mount praises response after 'frustrating' equaliser

United became the first team to concede a league goal against Wolves since October when Jean-Ricner Bellegarde equalised just before half-time. But they brushed off the disappointment of being pegged back after Fernandes' scrappy opening goal and restored their lead with a goal before Bryan Mbeumo before Mount struck and Fernandes wrapped the points up from the penalty spot.

Mount was pleased with how he and his team-mates responded to the equaliser. He added: "Obviously, first half we let them back in it before half-time and we go into the changing room frustrated and disappointed with the end to the first half. The manager had a few things to say and we come out there and it was down to us to attack with purpose and finish our chances we were creating. We're happy with the second half, parts of the first half as well. Overall, very happy with that.

"I thought some of the combinations going forward were crisp, were sharp and that's what we can do. Attacking with freedom. We know we can do that. It's about us creating as many chance as we can as forward players and trying to get on the scoresheet. I thought going forward we were solid, and as a defence it's about defending as a team and not letting them have any chances to get back into the game."

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AFPAmorim feels 'nothing' despite going sixth

United coach Ruben Amorim claimed he was not thinking about the team climbing into sixth and he stressed the importance of beating Bournemouth in the next game at Old Trafford, where United have failed to win in their last two games against Everton and West Ham. 

"Nothing," he said. "It's always the same feeling we should have more points. But that's in the past, let's focus on the future. We need to win the next one, this one is in the past. Let's go."

Pitcher Steven Matz has reinvented himself in 2025—and the Boston Red Sox appear hopeful he can reinvent their bullpen.

The Red Sox are acquiring Matz from the St. Louis Cardinals for infielder Blaze Jordan, according to a Wednesday night report from ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Matz, 34, is in the first year of a shift to the bullpen after 10 years as a starter. That move has gone fairly well—in 32 games this season, he is 5-2 with a 3.44 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 55 innings pitched. His 2.88 FIP suggests he may be even better than his numbers let on.

Among most baseball fans, Matz remains best known for his stellar—albeit injury-marred—early years with the New York Mets. The Long Island native helped the Mets win the National League pennant in 2015, and went 9-8 in a very good rookie season in 2016.

He reportedly joins a Boston team clinging to the American League's second wild-card spot; it leads the Seattle Mariners by one game.