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Everton have struggled during the opening few weeks of the season, losing all three of their Premier League games so far.

Progression into the next round of the EFL was secured, but a win over Doncaster Rovers was also expected. Sean Dyche is now under pressure to get things right in the top flight, otherwise the Toffees could face yet another relegation battle.

Dyche made his eighth signing of the summer before the window closed by luring Armando Broja to Goodison Park. Could he help the club remain in the top flight?

Armando Broja’s Premier League statistics

The Albanian striker made his Premier League debut during a loan spell with Southampton in the 2021/22 campaign, scoring six goals for the Saints that season.

He returned to the Blues for the following campaign yet could only manage one league goal due to suffering a cruciate ligament injury in December 2022, keeping him out for nine months.

The striker has been plagued with injury problems throughout his young career thus far, and he could be missing until November due to an Achilles issue.

This means Dyche won't be able to see the best of Broja until potentially the new year, indicating that he will have to stick with those at his disposal.

Goals

1

Assists

1

Shots per game

0.6

Successful dribbles per game

0.7

Total duels won per game

1.9

Big chances created

1

Could the manager perhaps call on a young talent who has made the move to Merseyside this summer as a potential replacement for the injured loanee? As he may have to gamble sooner rather than later.

Omari Benjamin could solve Broja blow

After impressing during his trial at the club, Omari Benjamin signed a three-year deal with the Toffees ahead of the new season.

During his time at Arsenal, Benjamin showcased his glittering talents for the U18 side, scoring 18 goals in just 33 appearances, emerging as one of the brightest young talents at the club.

His move to Finch Farm, however, came as a surprise, but it is clear Dyche has an outstanding talent in his U18 squad who could potentially gain senior opportunities this term.

Jeorge Bird, a youth reporter for Arsenal, heaped plenty of praise on the centre-forward back in 2022, saying: “Omari Benjamin looks like a good prospect. Can play up front or out wide. Has been prolific for the U16s this season. Wales youth international.”

The youngster has also shone for the Wales U19 side, scoring once in five games while even grabbing an assist, showcasing his qualities on the international scene.

Dyche will continue to use Dominic Calvert-Lewin as his main striker, but if anything were to happen to him, don’t be surprised to see Benjamin receive a call-up to the senior side.

If so, Benjamin certainly has the confidence to make quite an impression in the senior ranks should a chance arise over the next few months.

No doubt about that.

Everton ace was boldly sold by Dyche, now he's outscoring Calvert-Lewin

He enjoyed a very successful 2023/24 campaign away from Goodison.

1 ByEthan Lamb Sep 6, 2024

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland's miserable recent performances in his last three games have been laid bare by some damning statistics

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Norwegian has no goals in three gamesOnly one shot on target in that time'Confidence is not the bestFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Norwegian failed to score for the third game running as City fell to a 2-1 loss at Aston Villa on Saturday, their third consecutive defeat in all competitions and their ninth loss in nine matches. The striker, who is clinging on to his status as the Premier League's joint top scorer by a thread, had the least touches (18) of all the players that started the game.

AdvertisementGettyTHE DAMNING HAALAND STATS

Haaland's blunt displays in the three games since he last scored against Crystal Palace on December 7 were illustrated by an embarrassing array of statistics which surfaced on social media, summarising his performances in the defeats by Villa, Manchester United and Juventus. It was revealed that in addition to not scoring or setting up any goals, the Norwegian had failed to complete any dribbles and had a pitiful three attempts on goal in the 270 minutes he spent on the pitch, just one of which was on target, with the other two being blocked. Haaland also lost possession 22 times and only completed 19 passes.

WHAT HAALAND SAID

"First I'm looking at myself, I haven't been doing things good enough, I haven't been scoring my chances," Haaland told after the Villa loss. "I have to do better, I haven't been good enough."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Haaland scored 10 goals in his first five games of the season, including bagging consecutive hat-tricks against Ipswich and West Ham. It was the fastest start any player had made to a Premier League season. The Norwegian, however, has scored just three times since in the league, with Mohamed Salah drawing level with him as the league's top scorer with 13 goals. Cole Palmer is two behind with 11.

Batter will be given opportunity to “recharge batteries” after scoring 47 runs in eight innings

Matt Roller23-Jun-2021Derbyshire have dropped their captain, Billy Godleman, from their T20 Blast side despite an injury crisis which has stripped the squad back to its bare bones.Godleman has captained in T20 since 2019, when Dominic Cork took over as their Blast coach, and led the side to their first-ever Finals Day that summer, but has suffered a chronic lack of form this season, with 47 runs in eight innings and a top score of 15. He shuffled down to No. 3 in the absence of Wayne Madsen, the club’s all-time leading run-scorer in T20 cricket who tore a hamstring in the opening game of the season but has struggled to make any impact.Cork confirmed on Wednesday that Matt Critchley, the legspinning allrounder, would take over the captaincy for the remainder of the T20 season and that Godleman had been left out of the squad to play Birmingham Bears at Edgbaston on Thursday. Godleman remains the club’s County Championship captain though has managed only 236 runs in 11 first-class innings this season, averaging 23.60.Related

Edgbaston pitch invasion mars Derbyshire win and raises post-Covid crowd concerns

“Now is the right time to pull him out of the cauldron,” Cork said. “It’s been a tough time for Billy. He hasn’t shirked any responsibility, but as a coach, it would be unfair to just keep letting him go on and on. I’ve spoken to him, and he will come out of the squad to recharge his batteries.”With Godleman left out, Derbyshire have only 11 first-team players confirmed to be fit and available for Thursday night’s game, with loanee Alex Thomson ineligible to play against his parent club, though Tom Wood and Anuj Dal will both take late fitness tests as they look to return from injury. Harry Came, the top-order batter, was signed on a three-year deal at the start of the Blast following Ben McDermott’s call-up to the Australia squad on the eve of the tournament, while Thomson and Conor McKerr have been brought in on loan from Warwickshire and Surrey respectively.The club confirmed last week that Madsen’s injury was more serious than first feared, keeping him out for a minimum of eight weeks and making him a doubt for Manchester Originals in the Hundred. Alex Hughes, Ben Aitchison, Dustin Melton, Nick Potts, Sam Conners and Nils Priestley have also been injured, along with Wood and Dal.”I understand the frustration, and I understand the criticism on social media, but Billy has been an integral part of this team for some time,” Cork added. “With nine injuries, it’s not easy, but we’ve just tried to get on with it.”Maybe if there had been players fit, this decision would have been made a little bit earlier, but without having those players available, you have to hope that a player with the pedigree of Billy pulls through. Unfortunately, it hasn’t, and I’ve had to make this decision.”Derbyshire have won only two of their first eight Blast games, and their chances of qualifying for the quarter-finals are minimal. “You need your senior players to be pushing these young lads and showing them the way, especially in T20 cricket,” Cork said.Elsewhere, Somerset’s club captain Tom Abell has torn a hamstring and has been ruled out for an indefinite period of time. Leicestershire have signed Abi Sakande, the former Sussex seamer, on a deal until the end of the season.

Newcastle United sporting director Paul Mitchell is believed to have sent club officials to watch a “fearless” player in action on several occasions, as they consider making a move for him.

Unrest in Newcastle's transfer departement

While the Magpies have made a relatively strong start to the season in terms of points on board in the Premier League, there is a current feeling of unrest at St James’ Park.

That’s due in part to the reported strained relationship between Eddie Howe and Mitchell, who are struggling to see eye to see in their respective roles as manager and sporting director. In fact, a recent report has claimed that the latter could be sacked first, should the situation not improve between the pair.

Meanwhile, Newcastle’s 3-1 defeat away to Fulham in the league on Saturday was a dreadful day at the office, with journalist Luke Edwards lambasting the performance of Anthony Gordon, in particular, describing him as “shocking”, adding that it was “easily” his poorest display for the club.

After an underwhelming summer transfer window at St James’, supporters are desperate for fresh faces to arrive soon, and it looks as though Mitchell is doing his best to make that happen, following a fresh update.

Mitchell sends Newcastle officials to watch 20 y/o winger

According to HITC, Mitchell has ensured that Newcastle have had scouts sent to watch Burnley youngster Luca Koleosho in action multiple times, as they eye a move for him. The Magpies are said to have “joined the chase” for the 20-year-old, who has enjoyed a good start to the season for the Clarets, scoring twice in five Championship appearances.

They are far from the only club keen on signing the attacker, however, with Aston Villa, Brighton, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace all mentioned as suitors, too.

Koleosho may not be the world-renowned name that Newcastle fans will be wanting the club to sign moving forward, but he is an extremely gifted young footballer who could mature into something special over time.

The winger has been capped by both the USA and Italy at youth international level, winning a combined tally of 14 caps, and he has now once again switched his allegiance, this time to Canada. Meanwhile, former Burnley manager Vincent Kompany spoke of his admiration for him during their time working together.

“He’s just a fearless player, it doesn’t really matter who he’s up against. He was up against a top full-back against Arsenal but he’s done it in every single game, because in every game he’s managed to create and make something happen.

“Against Arsenal it was also a better performance defensively for him because that’s something he can put in the memory bank and draw back on. He’s a player that is eager to show his talents in this league and he’s showing good signs.”

Italy Under-21s

1

0

Italy Under-20s

2

0

Italy Under-19s

7

0

USA Under-15s

4

0

Long-term planning is always essential at Newcastle, ensuring there are top-quality young players threatening to come through, and Koleosho could be a great squad option who can grow into something bigger and better over time.

Leicestershire bowled out for 171 as hosts win second Championship match of season

ECB Reporters Network14-Jul-2021Middlesex 324 (Robson 154, Davis 5-66) and 196 (Eskinazi 66*, Parkinson 4-35) beat Leicestershire 228 (Ackermann 82, Inglis 49) and 171 (Inglis 52, Harris 46, Murtagh 4-36) by 121 runs Acting captain Tim Murtagh led the charge for wickets as Middlesex claimed just a second LV= Insurance County Championship win of the season against Leicestershire at Merchant Taylors’ School.The old warhorse took 4 for 36 before limping away from the action just prior to the 121-run win being secured, Leicestershire coming up well short in their pursuit of 293, despite 52 from British-born Australian Josh Inglis.James Harris weighed in with 3 for 50 in the success, this after Stevie Eskinazi made 66 in the hosts’ second innings of 196, Callum Parkinson taking 4 for 35.Both sides will play in Division Three when the Championship resumes on August Bank Holiday Monday.Middlesex’s second innings folded quickly on the final morning thanks to three wickets in as many overs for Parkinson.Nathan Sowter spooned the third ball of the day into the hands of mid-on before the slow left-armer struck twice in three balls to remove Ethan Bamber and Murtagh.Leicestershire’s chase got off to a terrible start when Murtagh bowled Sam Evans for 0, but Marcus Harris, who’d made 185 against the hosts during a successful run chase in the reverse fixture in May, hit five boundaries to send the visitors into lunch 63 for 1.Middlesex though wrestled back control after the resumption. Harris got one to lift from a length, take the shoulder of Lewis Hill’s bat and balloon to Josh De Caires at gully, while Sowter got the prize wicket of Harris for 46 with a peach of a leg-spinner which bowled him through the gate.Skipper Colin Ackermann also didn’t last long, Murtagh finding the edge of the Foxes’ skipper’s bat to give Robbie White a simple catch.Dangers still lurked in the shape of Inglis and in-form wicketkeeper/batsman Harry Swindells. but the latter drove loosely at Bamber and was snaffled by Joe Cracknell at first slip.Inglis though, dropped by Sam Robson at slip on 33, fought hard to reach a first Championship 50 in 79 balls with his seventh four, but Murtagh returned to end his resistance with an out-swinger edged to a diving White, and Parkinson followed next ball bowled by an in-swinger which plucked out middle stump.Ed Barnes prevented the hat-trick and Murtagh limped off soon afterwards with what appeared to be a calf problem, but Harris picked up the baton as Middlesex mopped up the tail.

Jude Bellingham insists he can be a "leader" for Real Madrid after scoring an injury-time winner against Valencia.

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Bellingham heavily involved in 2-1 winMissed penalty but scored in injury timeReal mounted comeback with only 10 menFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Bellingham starred in a wild win for Real over Valencia. Having gone down to 10 men following Vinicius Junior's sending off, Real mounted a late comeback from 1-0 down, as Luka Modric equalised and the England midfielder netted in injury time. The goal came on the back of a penalty miss earlier in the second half, and he has admitted that he had to shake off his "anger" at hitting the post from 12 yards.

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Bellingham says, though, that he knew he was playing well, so never doubted his ability to hit the back of the net. Real now sit two points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid, although their city rivals have a game in hand.

WHAT BELLINGHAM SAID

Speaking to Real Madrid TV, Bellingham said: “When you have this badge you can never give up. With the missed penalty my teammates could have blamed me, but they encouraged me and consoled me. We showed the character of Real Madrid with 10 players. We stood up for ourselves and got three huge points for the league.

“Apart from the goal and the assist, I played well. I had a good rest with my family and I came back with a lot of desire and determination. That's why the penalty didn't affect me because I knew I was playing well. It's nice to score the winning goal, but it's more important that we perform like this. I want to be a leader in the team and I showed that tonight.”

He added: “It was a crazy game. It's so difficult when the team pushes itself so hard and misses a penalty. I felt like I had let the team down and I was angry with myself. I had to concentrate because these things happen. My teammates were amazing. Brahim worked hard on the assist and Lucas got away; it was a group effort. It was a goal from the whole team and Kylian's pass just had to go in.”

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AFPWHAT NEXT?

Real Madrid face Deportivo Minera in the Copa del Rey on Monday before playing Mallorca in the Supercopa de Espana semi-final on Thursday.

Marcus Rashford has been told that he'd be a "good fit" for Paris Saint-Germain as the forward is advised to quit Manchester United.

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Rashford has been linked to Man Utd exitPSG touted to be one of the suitorsMcCoist wants Rashford to join French teamFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Rashford, who has not featured for the Red Devils since their Europa League victory against Viktoria Plzen on December 12, finds himself at a crossroads in his career. Despite showing initial promise this season, Rashford's exclusion from recent matches has been attributed to concerns over his attitude and performance in training. This might have led him to express his openness to a "new challenge" in an interview, signalling potential dissatisfaction with his current role under new United manager Ruben Amorim.

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PSG, who previously showed interest in Rashford during the summer transfer window, are reportedly monitoring his situation closely. The Parisian giants see the versatile forward as a potential replacement for Randal Kolo Muani, who has struggled to find form. Rashford’s ability to operate across the front line makes him an attractive prospect for the Ligue 1 side.

WHAT ALLY MCCOIST SAID

Former footballer Ally McCoist has suggested that PSG could be an ideal destination for the England international.

“I really hope that Marcus Rashford’s next club will be PSG,” he told in an interview with .

“I think Paris would be a good fit for Marcus. There’s a good chance he’d be granted more freedom, and the team would cater to his style of play in comparison to Man Utd. I wouldn’t mind him going to Italy either; there’s a great selection of clubs he can potentially look at. It’ll also give him comfort to see other English players go there and compete in Serie A.”

He added: “Rashford’s next choice of club is of paramount importance in order to progress in his career. He absolutely has to get that decision right – no doubt. It looks to me that the relationship between Rashford and Manchester United has come to an end. If that’s the case, they should both shake hands amicably and go their separate ways. Then, Rashford must crack on because he owes it to himself and his thousands of fans in order to avoid being remembered as ‘one season wonder’ or only having a good 18-month stint.”

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DID YOU KNOW?

Rashford has also garnered attention from clubs in the Saudi Pro League. Teams such as Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Qadsiah have expressed interest in luring the United academy graduate to the Middle East. However, McCoist believes Rashford should focus on competing at the highest levels in Europe before considering moves outside the continent.

“I would be so disappointed if he transferred to the Saudi league or the MLS," he said. "He can do that in the years to come. Right now, he should be at the peak of his powers – and it’s not too late for him to reach the top."

Surrey lose three wickets in final over of rain-affected match that seemed theirs for the taking

ECB Reporters Network07-Aug-2021Leicestershire pulled off a dramatic one-run victory after Surrey lost three wickets in the final over of a rain-affected Royal London Cup match that had seemed to be theirs for the taking.Veteran Rikki Clarke appeared to have steered an inexperienced Surrey into a share of the Group One lead with Glamorgan and Somerset when he hit a six off the final ball of the penultimate over as they chased a revised target of 227 from 39 overs, leaving them four to win from the final six deliveries with three wickets in hand.But in an extraordinary climax, Clarke – who should have been run out twice in that last but one over – was leg before to Ben Mike for 82 with five balls left before Dan Moriarty was run out and Matthew Dunn bowled from consecutive deliveries, giving Leicestershire the spoils with one ball to spare.Earlier, former Durham leg spinner Cameron Steel took 4 for 33 on his Surrey debut, conceding no boundaries in his 10 overs as Leicestershire, having been put in, made 253 for 9 from 50, including a List A-best 75 by opener Harry Swindells, 41 from Arron Lilley and 33 from Ed Barnes.Already deprived of 11 players because of The Hundred and with three in the England Test squad, Surrey were without two more experienced players in Hashim Amla, who has a groin injury, and Mark Stoneman, left out after feeling ill.But after Ryan Patel’s 52 off 33 balls had put them in the driving seat, Leicestershire’s bowlers bounced back with seven wickets in the last 11 overs, Mike finishing with 3 for 34, 16-year-old leg spinner Rehan Ahmed 2 for 25 and Barnes 2 for 34.Swindells had done a fine job in the anchor role for the Foxes, hitting five fours to go with an early six over midwicket off Dunn, holding the innings together for 36 overs before top-edging Steel to short fine leg.Rishi Patel fell into a trap when he was caught on the hook for 20, but apart from Lilley’s 28-ball blitz as the second wicket put on 57 in 53 balls, there was no substantial support for Swindells and it was only through the late industry of Barnes, who made 33 from 36 balls largely in singles, that the Foxes’ total limped past 250 with two many batsmen giving their wickets away carelessly.Steel – who dismissed Lewis Hill, George Rhodes and Lewis Kimber as well as Swindells – should have had a maiden five-for but spilled a low return catch offered by Mike.Ahmed bowled his leg spin beautifully, quickly trapping Patel leg before after the opener had hit eight fours and two sixes in a 27-ball half-century that saw him dropped on the midwicket boundary by Lilley on 48. Steel had been caught at midwicket without scoring.Ben Geddes was stumped going down the track to off-spinner Rhodes, and Surrey began to wobble after Jamie Smith – captain in Amla’s absence – was caught at deep midwicket for 34 and Nico Reifer and Tim David were both caught behind.The drama gathered pace in the penultimate over, which began with Surrey needing 13 from 12 balls, when Clarke should have been run out twice by bowler Gavin Griffiths and McKerr was caught at deep midwicket before Clarke slammed the last ball over Griffiths’ head for six – but the best was still to come.

Having struggled to get his targets over the line in his first summer at the helm, Newcastle United sporting director Paul Mitchell is reportedly looking to land his first major coup by beating Real Madrid to an exciting young target.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies spent their summer chasing the signature of Marc Guehi, only to see their pursuit end in failure. Transfixed on the Crystal Palace captain, the club failed to consider alternatives and as such have been left short within Eddie Howe’s backline.

Sporting director Mitchell has since spoken about the club’s disastrous summer, telling The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards: “Eddie was very clear and it’s not up to me after seven weeks to say, ‘We’ll do this and that’, because I’m in a supporting role. Were there options? Of course there were, as that’s the responsibility of the department and Newcastle.

“That’s why we ended up where we did. It was that player or he felt he was comfortable with the quality we have. You can be on multiple deals at any one time, the focus doesn’t have to be that narrow.

“We probably were too narrow but, coming in mid-July, it’s not my strategy to control, it’s my strategy to support. But there was no player that he (Howe) wasn’t part of deciding and saying, ‘That’s the guy I want’.”

Newcastle star was worth £10m when Howe arrived, now his value's risen 200%

The talent has developed rapidly in a short space of time under Howe.

ByEthan Lamb Sep 19, 2024

Clearly in need of a rethink when it comes to strategy, the sporting director could now make one move in search of doing exactly that. According to iNews, Mitchell is plotting his first proper Newcastle coup by signing Chelsea youngster Josh Acheampong from Chelsea ahead of European giants Real Madrid.

Getting one over on such a club in the transfer market is quite the rarity, representing just how key an achievement it would be for Mitchell and Newcastle.

"Dominant" Acheampong is one for the future

Just 18 years old, Acheampong is one of many young players waiting to break through at Chelsea, but as that long list of names grows every summer, he may be better off turning towards Newcastle and a backline in desperate need of reinforcements. Whilst his best form will come in years to come, the Chelsea academy graduate may well be best-placed to take advantage of the Magpies’ defensive crisis after their summer failure.

The youngster is certainly rated highly too, with analyst Ben Mattinson describing him as a “dominant wide-channel” defender alongside fellow Chelsea gem Ishe Samuels-Smith.

As Mitchell looks to restore some credit with those at St James’ Park, beating Real Madrid to a player who seems destined for great things would be the perfect place to start in 2025. Acheampong would be his first real coup as Newcastle sporting director and perhaps the start of many.

Manchester United are on the verge of completing the first signing of the Ruben Amorim era as INEOS' transfer strategy takes shape.

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Leon in Manchester to complete his medicalTeenager set to become Amorim's first signingWill join the club in July 2025Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

17-year-old Paraguayan left-back Diego Leon has arrived in Manchester ahead of his medical. The club are then expected to formally announce their first signing of Amorim's tenure at Old Trafford, according to . The young left-back will join from Paraguayan top division side Cerro Porteno. United have agreed to pay a transfer fee of £3.2 million ($4m) plus up to £3.6m ($4.5m) in add-ons.

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After completing these formalities in Manchester, the teenager will head back to Paraguay and will only return to England in July 2025 to link up with the first team. Leon's signing gives shape to INEOS' long-term transfer vision, with the club restructuring after the shock exit of sporting director Dan Ashworth towards the end of 2024 just months after joining from Newcastle.

DID YOU KNOW?

United have been on the lookout for a new left-back due to the injury issues of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia over the past 18 months. They are bringing in a talented full-back who could solve those issues in the future. Amorim has also been linked with a reunion with some of his old Sporting CP players at Old Trafford, as well as Portugal international Nuno Mendes.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

Amorim's side will aim to get back to winning ways on Sunday when they lock horns against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium in a third-round FA Cup clash.