A Kylian Mbappe-less France secured a comeback, 3-1 win over a plucky Azerbaijan to end their World Cup qualifying campaign on a high. Didier Deschamps made 11 changes from the team that thumped Ukraine 4-0 in midweek, and early on they appeared to miss their biggest stars.

On a night that was supposed to be a procession for the Group D winners, Azerbaijan had other ideas and took the lead in the fourth minute when Renat Dadashov swept in Rahman Dasdamirov's pass across the six-yard box following some slack marking. For 16 minutes, it was bedlam in Baku, but Crystal Palace star Jean-Philippe Mateta powered in a close-range header from Malo Gusto's cross to level proceedings.

It looked like the Chelsea full-back had then put France ahead when his deflected shot nestled in the corner, only for the goal to be chalked off as the ball struck Christopher Nkunku's arm on the way in. It was 2-1 on the half-hour mark, though, when Maghnes Akliouche scored his first goal for his country as he tucked in Gusto's neat cutback following a lovely floated pass from Khephren Thuram.

Juventus midfielder Thuram thought he had opened his own goal-scoring account for France, only for his effort to be ruled out after Hugo Ekitike handled in the box. But the visitors got the breathing room they were seeking just before half-time when goalkeeper Sahruddin Mahammadaliyev, who was later taken off after being dazed from a collision, pushed the ball into his own net from Thuram's strike on goal.

If the first half was a rollercoaster ride, the second was anything but. Azerbaijan, ranked 123rd in the world, began to tire around the hour mark, and had it not been for substitute keeper Aydin Bayramov, it could have been more one-sided.

GOAL rates France's players from Tofiq Bakhramov Stadium…

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Lucas Chevalier (6/10):

  On his long-awaited debut, after 16 call-ups, his first action was to pick the ball out of the net following a well-worked goal from the hosts. Didn't have much to do otherwise, in truth.

  Malo Gusto (8/10):

  The Chelsea man was caught out by a lovely through ball and moments later France were 1-0 down. However, he made up for it with two assists and was a huge attacking threat. Was unlucky to have a goal of his own wiped out.

  Ibrahima Konate (7/10):

  Despite not having a particularly good season for Liverpool, the big defender looked calm and assured at the back.

  Lucas Hernandez (7/10):

  Very little seemed to fluster the defender, who linked up well with his younger brother. 

  Theo Hernandez (7/10):

  While he wasn't as adventurous or as effective in attack as fellow full-back Gusto, he still fired in some good crosses and was more defensively sound.

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• AFP
  

  Midfield

  Khéphren Thuram (8/10):

  Was unlucky not to score any goals but got into some good positions to give himself a chance to do so. His pace and power were self-evident, and some of his passing was delightful, too.

  Warren Zaire-Emery (7/10):

  His quick feet and athleticism got his team out of a hole on a couple of occasions, but he didn't have the licence to roam.

  Christopher Nkunku (6/10):

  The former Chelsea man had a stop-start performance, sometimes showing off some real quality but he also made some bad decisions and got tackled frequently.

• AFP
  

  Attack

  Maghnes Akliouche (7/10):

  The youngster had an encouraging outing, he beat defenders with regularity, and he got his goal as well. A good night for him.

  Jean-Philippe Mateta (8/10):

  Took his goal with aplomb, held the ball up well, brought others into play and had a very good all-round display. He could be heading to the World Cup at this rate.

  Hugo Ekitike (5/10):

  The Liverpool forward has been excellent so far for his new team but he seemed all at sea at times. Seems to be better when leading the line.

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• AFP
  

  Subs & Manager

  Rayan Cherki (5/10):

  The Manchester City summer signing struggled to make an impact.

  Florian Thauvin (6/10):

  Tracked back well but didn't do a huge amount.

  Bradley Barcola (6/10):

  The Paris Saint-Germain attacker was repelled well by the Azerbaijan defence.

  Didier Deschamps (7/10):

  Fielded an experimental side without some of his heavy hitters, and while he would have been concerned with how they started the game, they slowly turned the screw before asserting their dominance. Some players shined, others did not. 

يُعد طريق منتخب فرنسا إلى نهائي بطولة كأس العالم 2026 محفوف بالتحديات بعد إجراء قرعة دور المجموعات، مساء أمس الجمعة، في مركز “جون كينيدي” في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية.

وتستضيف كل من الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، كندا والمكسيك نهائيات النسخة المقبلة من بطولة كأس العالم، في الفترة بين 11 يونيو و19 يوليو.

وتُعد تلك هي النسخة الأولى من بطولة كأس العالم، بعد استحداث نظامها، حيث سيشارك فيها 48 منتخبًا، سيتم تقسيمهم على 12 مجموعة، ويتأهل متصدر ووصيف كل مجموعة إلى دور الـ32، بالإضافة إلى أفضل 8 منتخبات في مركز ثالث.

وحسبما كشفت القرعة، يتواجد منتخب فرنسا في المجموعة التاسعة، والتي تضم كل من: السنغال، العراق/بوليفيا/سورينام، النرويج.

ولكن ماذا عن طريق الوصول إلى النهائي؟ حسبما كشفت شبكة “rmcsport” الفرنسية، فإن مسار الديوك بقيادة المدرب ديدييه ديشامب محفوف بالمخاطر القوية.

اقرأ أيضًا | طريق البرتغال حتى نهائي كأس العالم 2026.. هل يصطدم بـ مصر والأرجنتين؟

وأوضحت أن مجموعة منتخب فرنسا ليست سهلة، ولكنها تبقى في متناول يدهم، نظرًا لسجلهم الحافل، وفي حال تحقيق الصدارة، فإنهم سيواجهون أحد أفضل ثمانية فرق تحتل المركز الثالث في دور الـ 32، لذلك، من الصعب التنبؤ بخصم فرنسا في هذه المرحلة.

وفي حال صدارة فرنسا وتخطي دور الـ32، فإنها ستواجه في دور الـ16 الفائز من متصدر المجموعة الخامسة ضد فريق يحتل المركز الثالث، ومن ثم فقد تكون ألمانيا هي الخصم المحتمل في تلك المرحلة، مما يعد مباراة نارية.

أما حال تأهل فرنسا إلى دور ربع النهائي، في المسار نفسه، فقد يواجه البرازيل أو هولندا أو المغرب، قبل مواجهة محتملة لـ إسبانيا في نصف النهائي، مع إمكانية إعادة مباراة نهائي لوسيل من جديد ضد الأرجنتين، وربما إنجلترا.

ولتسهيل الأمر، يمكن قراءة مجموعات كأس العالم:

المجموعة الأولى: المكسيك، جنوب إفريقيا، كوريا الجنوبية، الدنمارك/مقدونيا الشمالية/التشيك/جمهورية أيرلندا.

المجموعة الثانية: كندا، إيطاليا/أيرلندا/ويلز/البوسنة والهرسك، قطر، سويسرا.

المجموعة الثالثة: البرازيل، المغرب، هايتي، اسكتلندا.

المجموعة الرابعة: أمريكا، باراجواي، أستراليا، تركيا/سلوفاكيا/كوسوفو/رومانيا.

المجموعة الخامسة: ألمانيا، كوارساو، كوت ديفوار، الإكوادور.

المجموعة السادسة: هولندا، اليابان، أوكرانيا/بولندا/ألبانيا/السويد، تونس.

المجموعة السابعة: بلجيكا، مصر، إيران، نيوزيلندا.

المجموعة الثامنة: إسبانيا، كاب فيردي، السعودية، أوروجواي.

المجموعة التاسعة: فرنسا، السنغال، العراق/بوليفيا/سورينام، النرويج.

المجموعة العاشرة: الأرجنتين، الجزائر، النمسا، الأردن.

المجموعة الحادية عشر: البرتغال، جمهورية الكونغو الديمقراطية/جامايكا/كاليدونيا الجديدة، أوزبكستان، كولومبيا.

المجموعة الثانية عشر: إنجلترا، كرواتيا، غانا، بنما.

The New York Mets lost at home to the Cleveland Guardians, 7-6, on Monday night and now sit 1.5 games back of the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East.

The Mets had Mark Vientos at first base against the Guardians, which was just the second time this season he has played that position. He was immediately tested in the first inning when Cleveland's Angel Martines hit a lazy foul pop up between home and first.

This looked like it should have been an easy out but Vientos overran it and could only watch as the ball fell to the ground behind him.

Mets announcer Ron Darling didn't hold back, saying: "I don't know what to say. I mean, c'mon. It's a pop up. Let's go!"

Here's how that played out:

That mistake didn't end up costing the Mets, as Martinez ended up fouling out to the catcher but it was a tough look for Vientos. And it's safe to say Darling wasn't too impressed by it.

The season is well settled at this point, but Newcastle United are still without the kind of fluency that has come to be expected across the past few years under Eddie Howe’s management.

In fact, 14th in the Premier League after 11 matches, there is concern over the club’s direction after an eventful summer of ups and downs.

While it feels absurd, unthinkable, to imagine Howe’s job is at risk, there’s no question that PIF expect an upswing in performances and results, and should that not occur, the Tynesiders may be forced into a tough decision down the line.

Howe is a club legend, the harbinger of all that has been good at St. James’ Park in recent years. But improvements are needed, nonetheless; the form on the road has been shocking this season.

Howe needs his players to step up, especially in attack. At the nadir would be Anthony Elanga, whose £55m summer transfer from Nottingham Forest has so far not gone to plan.

Why Elanga is struggling at Newcastle

It has been over a year since Newcastle first lodged an offer for Elanga. They failed to convince Evangelos Marinakis to part ways with the fleet-footed winger at the end of the 2024 summer transfer window, though they secured their quarry one year later.

It was a move laced with excitement, and Elanga could still prove a thrilling addition to Howe’s squad, but the right-sided forward has yet to register a goal or an assist for the Toon, and analyst Raj Chohan said the £100k-per-week talent has been “a massive overpay” on PIF’s part.

Certainly, Elanga and Anthony Gordon would appear perfect for Nick Woltemade at number nine, whose wide-ranging attacking skillset has proved unable to service either winger in the Premier League. Despite this, the German has been in fine form this season.

Howe has shown his tactical and coaching acumen over the past few years, but if he has run out of steam, there’s a manager waiting in the wings who could be the perfect successor.

The manager who could revive Elanga at Newcastle

According to The Mirror earlier in November, Newcastle have compiled a shortlist of managers who would be suitable for the job, should a managerial vacancy emerge in the not-too-distant future.

On this list is Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, whose performance on the south coast over the past several years has established him as “one of the best in the league”, in the eyes of Como scout Ben Mattinson.

Bournemouth caused a stir when they sacked Gary O’Neil after keeping them up in 2023, opting to replace him with the fresh and innovative ideas of Spaniard Iraola, who had impressed in his homeland with Rayo Vallecano over three campaigns.

But the Cherries haven’t looked back, posting a record-breaking Premier League return of 56 points last season, having implemented an attractive and progressive style of football.

Indeed, Iraola’s message of intensity underscores his potential to succeed at Newcastle, and it is this methodology that could see him prove the perfect coach to oversee Elanga’s resurgence.

Semenyo is the frontal part of a durable and exciting team. A key part of the attraction toward Iraola’s managerial skill is his ability to withstand upheaval. Many Cherries left during the summer, and Bournemouth have still impressed this season, five wins from 11 in the Premier League this year.

We have seen how Iraola has moulded Semenyo into one of the most dangerous players in the Premier League. The Ghanaian is the talk of the town and is expected to earn a big-money transfer in 2026.

Newcastle are likely to miss out, but if Iraola did end up at Newcastle, he might be the perfect manager to fashion Elanga into a star of a similar standing, taking his pace and power and weaving it into something deadly.

After all, even against the backdrop of a testing start to life in Newcastle, Elanga still ranks among the top 10% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists and the top 5% for crosses per 90, as well as the top 1% for percentage of shots on target (all data via FBref).

That latter metric is curious. It speaks of real potential as a goalscorer for Newcastle. Iraola’s adept wing play could see such success come to fruition, with Semenyo well known as a frequent pepperer of the goal.

This is all, obviously, hypothetical. Iraola is the manager of a high-flying Premier League outfit in Bournemouth, and the Magpies hierarchy continues to display a show of faith in Howe’s ability to turn things around.

But if things do not improve, and change is needed, it is clear that the 43-year-old Iraola will rank highly on the club’s list, having hit his stride and then some at the Vitality. Surely he would be tempted by a move to Tyneside, with Newcastle demonstrating over the past several years an ability to exceed expectations and win silverware.

This is all down to Howe, but he will not be in the dugout forever, and in Iraola, Newcastle could score themselves new teachings to inculcate into an outfit that has developed something of a knack for success, and is now ready to take that next step forward.

Newcastle already have the new Anderson & he's "England's next superstar"

Eddie Howe could unearth Newcastle United’s next Elliot Anderson by starting this promising star more often.

By
Kelan Sarson

Nov 18, 2025

Manchester United had a busy summer reshaping their attack to help cater to Ruben Amorim’s infamous 3-4-2-1 system. There were two major outgoings in forward areas, with two academy graduates departing.

Alejandro Garnacho moved on a permanent deal to Chelsea, and Marcus Rashford joined Barcelona on loan with an option to buy.

Of course, the Red Devils needed to sign replacements, with two big-money signings moving to Old Trafford. One of those was Bryan Mbeumo, who has hit the ground running since his move from Brentford.

Matheus Cunha has also shone after his summer transfer from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

However, United appear not to be done there, with another attacking target lined up.

Latest on Man Utd's search for a forward

You cannot knock the signings of Mbeumo and Cunha, who have both performed well since moving to Old Trafford. Cameroon star Mbeumo has been particularly impressive, with seven goals and assists in just 12 games for the Red Devils.

Well, INEOS could now look to add to that firepower up front with a move for Borussia Dortmund and Germany forward Karim Adeyemi.

Sky Sports Germany are reporting that the 13-time Premier League champions are ‘in talks’ with his agent, Jorge Mendes, over a potential move for the attacker.

Transfer Focus

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

23-year-old Adeyemi will be out of contract in June 2027, and at this stage, it is unclear whether he will extend his stay at the Signal Iduna Park.

This could give United, and other top European clubs, a chance to pounce.

A price is not confirmed should a move materialise, but there is a rumoured release clause of £70.5m in his potential new deal, a fee Dortmund could demand.

Why Man Utd could be targeting Garnacho 2.0

The 2025/26 campaign has been impressive from Adeyemi, who is performing well and putting up a good goals and assists output. Yet, he’s been an important player for Dortmund, showing great versatility by operating on both flanks and as a number nine.

This term, the 11-cap Germany international has found the back of the net three times and assisted three goals, in 14 appearances so far. On top of that, Seb Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic’s German football correspondent, says he thinks this is the “best football of his career.”

Perhaps this impressive form is a continuation of his 2024/25 campaign, by far his most productive in that famous Yellow shirt so far. In 41 appearances, he scored 12 goals and assisted 11, including a famous Champions League hat-trick against Celtic.

If United were to bring Adeyemi to the club, he could be the second coming of Garnacho, with the pair noted as statistically similar players among those in their position in Europe’s top five leagues, as per FBref.

The Argentine is showing his former club what they’re missing out on by selling him this summer. For Chelsea, Garnacho already has two goals and two assists in ten games.

It may be a sale that will always leave Red Devils fans wondering what could have been. Their former number 17 showed flashes of brilliance for the club, but struggled when Amorim took over.

He managed ten goals and assists under the tutelage of the Portuguese manager, including this stunning strike against Brentford.

It is easy to see how the players are similar. The pair are quick, direct wingers who utilise their pace well, looking to drive at defenders. On top of that, their underlying numbers from this season are similar.

For example, Adeyemi – described as a “pace monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson – averages 1.43 key passes per 90 minutes, compared to Garnacho’s 1.58 key passes each game.

Goals and assists

0.54

0.79

Key passes

1.43

1.58

Shot-creating actions

4.47

3.15

Take-ons completed

2.32

1.32

Ball recoveries

2.86

2.89

Both attackers are versatile forwards who could play as a number 10 or even at wing-back under Amorim. They offer similar creativity in the final third and possess blistering pace, which can hurt defenders.

There is no doubt that £70.5m is a large fee for the German. Yet, Adeyemi could enhance the quality of United’s attack and be the second coming of one of their most exciting academy graduates in recent years.

INEOS have already signed a "machine" who could end Sesko's Man Utd stay

Manchester United already have an elite-level prospect who could steal Benjamin Sesko’s starting role.

2 ByEthan Lamb Nov 18, 2025

Focus shifts to Ashes for Hazlewood after a stirring spell in the second T20I against India at MCG

Alex Malcolm31-Oct-20252:24

Hazlewood: ‘My skill set has grown in the last few years’

Josh Hazlewood says he is bowling as well as he ever has in white-ball cricket, but he’s urged Australia’s selectors to pick as many allrounders as possible for the Ashes as his attention turns to Sheffield Shield cricket after a stunning T20I performance against India at the MCG.Hazlewood returned Test-match type figures of 3 for 13 from four overs to rip through India’s top-order and help Australia claim a 1-0 series lead with three games to go.But Hazlewood will now leave Australia’s squad to prepare for a Shield match against Victoria starting November 10, which will be his last game before the first Ashes Test on November 21.The injury to Pat Cummins has highlighted Hazlewood’s importance heading into the Ashes series and he has been repeatedly asked if he can get through five Tests against England after going down with injury in each of the only two Tests he played last summer.Related

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Hazlewood was asked about the importance of the allrounders in the Test side as debate rages over whether Australia can fit both Cameron Green and Beau Webster in the same top six. But Hazlewood said the allrounders were vital.”First player picked [should be] an allrounder, I think,” Hazlewood said after his Player of the Match effort on Friday. “Going back to those 20-odd Test matches we played with no allrounder, they were hard yards. So if [they] can be in the team, be it bowling, [Ca Green] Greeny is obviously an outstanding player, Beau has done great for us whenever he’s played. The more the merrier, I say. They can bowl as much as they want.”Hazlewood’s recent white-ball form has been sublime. Unlike Mitchell Starc, who has retired from T20I cricket and also skipped the ODI series against South Africa in August to have a long break from bowling, Hazlewood made a conscious decision with the selection panel and CA’s medical staff to play as much as he possibly could throughout the winter. A significant break in the winter of 2024 led to side and calf injuries for Hazlewood that saw him miss five Tests, the Champions Trophy and half the IPL.Hazlewood will not focus on red-ball bowling before the Ashes begin•Randy Brooks/Associated PressThe decision to keep bowling is paying dividends at the moment having got through the second half of the IPL, four winter Tests, T20I and ODI series against South Africa, T20Is against New Zealand, ODIs against India and now two T20Is against India. But he says he won’t know if it is the right one until the end of the Ashes.”Everything’s going swimmingly now,” Hazlewood said. “I think I can’t really say if it’s worked perfectly until probably after the summer. If I get through everything, it’s probably the template moving forward, to put myself in the best position to play as many games as possible. Still resting the odd one here and there, if it doesn’t sort of match up with travel or turnarounds and stuff like that.”While Australia’s squad fly to Hobart on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s third T20I before heading north to Queensland for the last two matches on the Gold Coast and Brisbane next Thursday and Saturday respectively, Hazlewood will head home to Sydney to rest before playing for New South Wales against Victoria in a Shield game at the SCG that starts on November 10.”The next week, I’ll just probably get in the gym a couple of times,” Hazlewood said. “Don’t really need to bowl a hell of a lot, probably later in the week with the Shield game starting Monday week at home. So it will be a little bit of a de-load the next few days, and then go again. So things are good.”India opener Abhishek Sharma could not hide the joy on his face when he was informed in the press conference that Hazlewood would miss the final three games of the T20I series after he had tormented India’s batters across the tour to-date.”Oh, is he? I didn’t know this,” Abhishek said.”I was watching him in the ODIs as well. We knew that he’s going to give us this much difficulty and challenges. So obviously, the way he bowled today, even I got surprised.”I haven’t seen something like this in T20s. It was something new for me as well, because I’m a batter that wants to dominate. But when I was seeing on the other side how he’s bowling, and even to me it seems like he had a plan and he was just executing it.”

Surprise package Sunderland were undone by Raul Jimenez’s late winner as Fulham eased clear of the Premier League drop zone with a hard-earned 1-0 win at Craven Cottage.

In a game of plentiful good intentions but few clear-cut chances, the Black Cats – superbly marshalled by midfield anchor Granit Xhaka – looked like hanging on for a point in a West London monsoon.

But six minutes from time, 34-year-old Mexican striker Jimenez beat Sunderland defender Dan Ballard to substitute Samuel Chukwueze’s teasing cross to prod home his third goal of the campaign.

In the week when head coach Marco Silva was reportedly offered a new three-year contract, Fulham’s perseverance in testing conditions was just the tonic after a worrying start to the season.

Fortified by their tenacious 2-2 draw with leaders Arsenal which left them fourth, the Black Cats were determined to extend their unbeaten run to five games – but they were caught napping at the death.

Compact and committed, Sunderland’s five-man defence had weathered the storm as Fulham dominated the first 45 minutes.

Harry Wilson, confidence high after his hat-trick for Wales in the World Cup qualifying rout of North Macedonia, raced on to Sander Berge’s pass and curled his finish just wide.

Two minutes later, Kevin’s skimming effort from the edge of the box was parried by the diving Robin Roefs, who soon kept out the Brazilian winger’s header from Berge’s cross and the Norwegian midfielder’s low effort towards the bottom corner.

Ballard was booked for clattering into Wilson, but Sunderland’s occasional excursions into Fulham territory were rarely threatening.

When Bertrand Traore drove into the box and extended Bernd Leno, his finish lacked sufficient power to beat the home keeper, and the Sunderland bench were convinced Calvin Bassey thwarted the escaping Wilson Isidor’s breakaway with a foul – although referee Darren England did not agree.

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Many fans and media figures alike flocked to social media to criticise the referee, who was infamously on VAR duty when Liverpool’s Luis Diaz saw a perfectly good goal ruled out due to a miscommunication surrounding the offside check.

One fan said it was “one of the worst refereeing performances I’ve seen in a very long time” while media personality Chris Hughes lamented England’s “absolutely abysmal” display, claiming it “cost us” the game,

Popular Black Cats magazine A Love Supreme had the harshest verdict however, claiming the 39 year-old should be docked wages and not allowed back on a football pitch.

At the other end, Black Cats keeper Roefs was relieved to escape when his heavy touch almost gifted Josh King an opening.

Ten seconds into the second period, Enzo Le Fee’s angled drive fizzed just wide of Leno’s left-hand post as Sunderland showed more ambition.

But they lived dangerously when Wilson, the home side’s likeliest source of joy, dragged Fulham’s best opportunity wide from 18 yards after collecting Ryan Sessegnon’s pass midway through the second half.

Substitute Emile Smith Rowe’s fierce drive soared just wide as Fulham cranked up the pressure in search of a late winner.

And Reinildo Mandava’s last-ditch tackle to deny Wilson was typical of the Wearsiders’ determination to preserve the stalemate.

But just when they looked like escaping with a point, Jimenez dug deep to hand Fulham their fourth win of the season – all of them at home.

He continues to outbowl his numbers, beating the bat, testing patience, and proving that impact isn’t always measured in wickets

Sidharth Monga21-Jul-20253:25

Siraj: Been bowling well, but luck hasn’t been with me

Since Mohammed Siraj made his debut in the Boxing Day Test of 2020, only Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc have played more Test matches than his 39 as specialist fast bowlers. Only Cummins, Starc, Jasprit Bumrah and Kagiso Rabada have taken more wickets than his 113.However, he doesn’t get spoken of in the same breath. Part of it is because he is the only one in the top-five fast bowlers in this period averaging over 30. In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy of 2024-25, Siraj looked good but ended up with an underwhelming average of 31.15 in seam-friendly conditions where Bumrah, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland averaged a tick over 13.The bowling average alone doesn’t quite capture Siraj’s bowling. In all Tests that Siraj has played, pace bowling has picked wickets at an average of 28.29, which puts his 30.88 in a little perspective. On top of that, he has not enjoyed a lot of luck since the start of that Australia tour.Related

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Bumrah to play fourth Test; Pant on track to keep as well

Knee injury rules Nitish Kumar Reddy out of England tour

The markers beyond wickets taken only suggest an excellent Test bowler. In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Siraj drew a false shot every four balls, which is quite healthy, but got a wicket roughly once every ten balls as against others who were doing it every eight balls. His pace doesn’t drop, he has a mix of outswing and the wobble-seam delivery, he keeps hitting the good length, but he is no Bumrah, who can conjure his money in the bank seemingly at will.For Siraj, it is more about having to wait for the luck to fall in place. He is aware he hasn’t quite enjoyed the luck in these two series. “I have been bowling very well, but the luck hasn’t been a little on my side,” he said. “As a bowler, I of course want wickets every time I bowl well, but you have to tell yourself that if not in this match, you will get it in the next.” [The man upstairs is watching]. If he has brought me this far, he will take me ahead as well. Don’t get so irritated if you don’t get wickets. Even in the last match, it was so frustrating when I beat Joe Root, drew edges, did everything, but the only thing missing was his wicket. But I have to tell myself to keep it simple and keep bowling good balls, and the results will come.”Mohammed Siraj is pumped after a successful review•Getty ImagesIn that spell against Root on the fourth afternoon, Siraj drew nine false shots in 23 balls. He was asked if he goes back and looks at his wickets and wonders if he needs to make changes and perhaps get a little bit fuller or straighter, because when you are judged on results, you can get restless.He is very much like Bumrah in this regard. “If I go searching, I will leak runs,” he said. “My plan is to stay consistent and keep hitting the good areas. If I have to get wickets, I will get them from there. If I end up just building pressure instead, it could get us wickets from the opposite end. So at that time the mind doesn’t wander to my wickets.”There is also something to be said about Siraj not having his workload managed because the other bowlers around him always tend to get rotated. While it speaks of Siraj’s heart, sometimes a break can do wonders, but he doesn’t have that luxury. “I am thankful god has kept me healthy, touch wood,” Siraj said. “Workload is one thing, and it goes in the book that Siraj has bowled this many overs, but for me, it is just another opportunity. I want to do well and want to help win matches for the country.”I want to play as many matches as I can, and all I want is to give my 100%. That when I hit the bed, I shouldn’t feel I could have done more, no matter the results.”Siraj is less philosophical when it comes to his batting. At Lord’s, he, the last man, batted for 64 minutes and added 23 runs with Ravindra Jadeja to take India within 22 of the target. His dismissal provided the most iconic image of the series: he on his haunches, having been bowled after middling a back-foot defensive, and the England players cutting short their celebration and checking on him.Oh, the agony! Mohammed Siraj watches as the ball trickles onto dislodge his leg bail•Getty Images”To get out after middling the ball…” Siraj said. “The way we were batting, me and Jaddu bhai, it never felt like I could get out. I had this much confidence from batting there that I could only get out if I made a mistake. Unfortunately, I got out even after middling the ball. That was heartbreaking.””For a long time,” Siraj said when asked how long the heartbreak stayed with him. “I remember in 2021 at Lord’s, I took the last wicket. Then I was in this situation. I am a very emotional person. Jaddu fought hard, Jassi also fought for 54 balls, but at the end of the day, we lost after working so hard.”At one point, it looked like we would lose by 80 runs. Then we fought hard. We even took it past tea. That hurts more. Had we lost by 80, it would have been fine. To get that close and lose is heartbreaking. But after a while I told myself the series is not yet over. There are still two more Tests. These matches will be fun.”Siraj is the leading wicket-taker in this series so far, but he is still averaging 32, which is better than all of England’s mainline quicks, but not as good as Bumrah and Akash Deep. How rewarding it will be if he can turn it around and make match-defining contributions in the remaining matches and be more than just the workhorse that others admire. He has a lot of catching-up to do on the wickets column.

In an instant blow for new manager Vitor Matos, “top clubs” are now reportedly making moves in an attempt to sign Swansea City’s Harlan Perry, who has been the academy’s Player of the Year for four consecutive seasons.

It’s the last thing that Matos needs, with the pressure on to arrive and turn things around in Wales. As things stand, the Jacks sit 20th and only four points above the Championship’s dropzone with the manager’s debut against Derby County up next.

Upon arriving, the former Liverpool coach shared how optimistic he is that Swansea can turn their season around – telling the club’s website: “Swansea, for me, have always had a style. Something that distinguished the club from all the others.

“Somehow we have got a bit far away from what is the DNA of the club. So it will take steps, it will take a bit of time, but I really believe we can take steps in the right direction.

“For that, we will need everyone, the whole club, all the fans and us all to have the same vision. That’s what I want. I see the fans are still behind and pushing the team, we will need them and I see players who want to change the momentum and we need to find the right idea and the right vision to do it.

“That’s the most important thing. It is clear we need to win games and points, but we need to focus on the process and I really believe if we can play to our best then the more chances we will have to win. That’s the direction we need to have.”

It’s a DNA built from the first-team to the academy, but one that Swansea’s best young player may yet miss as contract concerns continue to emerge.

"Top clubs" now moving to sign Harlan Perry

As reported by Rudy Galetti, “top clubs” are now moving to sign Perry from Swansea in what would be a free deal. The 17-year-old has been the academy’s Player of the Year in the last four seasons, but is yet to sign a professional contract – opening the door for a potential exit.

Vitor Matos decides to take Swansea City job as release clause cost revealed

A major boost for the Swans.

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The midfielder turns 18 this week – it’s then that clubs will be able to offer him a long-term contract to deal those in Wales a major blow.

Whilst Matos’ first priority should of course be turning results around, he must also ensure that Swansea keep hold of players with impressive potential like Perry, even if it means selling for a larger profit at a later date.

Instant blow for Matos as "one of Swansea's key players" could now leave

Ruben Amorim could not hide his frustration after Manchester United were beaten 1-0 at home by 10-man Everton on Monday. The Portuguese said his team were nowhere near good enough to be competing for the places towards the top of the Premier League. He even declared that he wished his players had showed the same fighting spirit as Everton which led to Idrissa Gueye's red card.

• United fail to take advantage of red card

  Gueye was sent off in the 13th minute for raising his hands to team-mate Michael Keane's face in frustration after Casemiro had whistled a shot wide following passive defending from Everton. The Toffees had dominated the early stages of the game and they became emboldened by the red card, taking the lead through Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's piledriver and then defending it astutely throughout the second half even as the Red Devils had 75 percent possession.

  Amorim said he did not agree with the decision to send off Gueye and he was happy to admit that Everton fully deserved to win. It was the first time the Toffees had won at Old Trafford since 2013, when David Moyes was in charge of United. It was also Moyes' first victory at Old Trafford as an opposing manager in 18 attempts.

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  Amorim: We deserved to lose

  Amorim told a press conference: "I think they were a better team with 11. They then worked really well with 10 men for 70 minutes. So I think we deserved to lose. We didn't play well. We didn't play with the right intensity. I know which point we are in the moment. So we are not there, not even near the point that we should be to fight for the best positions in the league. We have a lot to do, and we need to be perfect to win games. We were not perfect.

  "I feel afraid of returning of this feeling of last season, that is my biggest concern. So we need to work together. We are going to work together. I'm not going. The players are trying, but we need to be better so we have training tomorrow, and we are going to prepare the next one."

• Amorim: Fighting is not a bad thing

  Amorim admitted he was envious of Everton's determination to win the game and their desire, even though it led to a sending off. He explained: "Fighting is not a bad thing. Fighting doesn't mean that they don't like each other. Fighting is that if you lose the ball, I will fight you, because we will suffer a goal. That was my feeling. And I don't agree with that sending off. We can fight with team-mates. I know it's violent conduct, and the referee explained but I don't agree with that. I hope my players, when they lose the ball, they fight each other. Now they cannot get sent off a sent off, but that [players fighting with each other] is a good feeling, not a bad feeling."

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  United 'not ready' to capitalise on Liverpool & City defeats

  United had the opportunity to go up to fifth in the Premier League after Bournemouth dropped points against West Ham, Tottenham were thrashed by Arsenal and arch rivals Liverpool and Manchester City were beaten by Nottingham Forest and Newcastle respectively.  Instead they are 10th in the table after 12 matches, level on 18 points with Everton and 11 points off leaders Arsenal.

  The Red Devils visit fifth-placed Crystal Palace next Sunday but Amorim was disappointed that they were not energised by the other results on the weekend and performed so sluggishly against Everton.

  "It is my responsibility to explain the game, and today, it was not one mistake of one individual, it was the team," said the United boss. "The way we saw the results of the weekend. We should get inside the pitch with a different level of excitement, that is, that is my feeling. It doesn't matter if you are playing well, making good passes, but the feeling and Old Trafford was there, saying we are all here to give a big step up, and I felt that we were not ready again."