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Player representatives have reiterated their fear of burnout in the wake of the full fixture release for the 2026 domestic season in England and Wales.Following the announcement of the County Championship and One-Day Cup schedules on Thursday, the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) was particularly critical of the period from late August to late September, which comprises six rounds of Championship fixtures and the 50-over final.The 2026 Rothesay County Championship will be played in three blocks of matches – with each side playing a total of 14 times after counties rejected a proposal earlier this year to cut the number of first-class games to 13, a decision which had already raised the ire of the players’ union.Related

• Warwickshire retire Birmingham Bears moniker for revamped T20 Blast

• Counties reject plan to cut Championship fixtures

Each county will play six matches during the first seven-week block, with all matches during that period starting on a Friday. A mid-summer block will be staged in June with each county playing twice while the third block of matches begins on August 20 with each team playing six times. The final round begins on September 24.Daryl Mitchell, the PCA Chief Executive, said he “feared” for that latter part of the season.”Unfortunately, the County Championship schedule does raise concerns with player burnout with mental and physical dangers attached to an overly intense end to the season following the conclusion of The Hundred,” Mitchell said.”The reduction of just one game could have gone a long way to resolving a period that does not look manageable for the majority. I already fear this section of the season.”This is through no fault of the schedulers, but the decision by the county Chairs to not allow for sufficient minimum standards regarding time between games has meant we have a period of 12 days of Championship cricket in just over two weeks with some lengthy travel for the majority.”Nottinghamshire will open their County Championship title defence at Somerset while Leicestershire and Glamorgan, both back in Division One for the first time in more than two decades, host Sussex and Yorkshire respectively in the opening round from April 3.Nottinghamshire won their first Championship trophy for 15 years and seventh overall when their South African wicketkeeper, Kyle Verreynne, hit a six to secure a batting bonus point and top spot in Division One on the penultimate day of the 2025 season.Lancashire, winners of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup Women’s Competition and the Vitality T20 Women’s County Cup, will begin their 50-over title defence away to Durham on April 11 ahead of a historic first professional Roses clash with Yorkshire at Emirates Old Trafford on April 25.Yorkshire, the 2025 Metro Bank One-Day Cup Women’s League 2 champions, begin life as a Tier 1 side away to Somerset after their elevation to the top flight was brought forward by one year following a restructure of the women’s domestic competition ahead of last season.Men’s One-Day Cup champions Worcestershire Rapids will begin their 2026 campaign at home to Derbyshire Falcons on July 24, with groups randomly drawn and each county playing once against every team in their group.Gloucestershire, Kent Spitfires, Lancashire, Leicestershire Foxes, Northamptonshire Steelbacks, Notts Outlaws, Somerset, Surrey and Warwickshire make up Group A while Group B comprises Derbyshire Falcons, Durham, Essex, Glamorgan, Hampshire, Middlesex, Sussex Sharks, Worcestershire Rapids and Yorkshire.The One-Day Cup Women’s final will be played at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton on Saturday, September 19 followed by both the men’s final at Trent Bridge and the Women’s League 2 Final at Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol the following day.Ellie Threlkeld holds the One-Day Cup aloft•ECB via Getty Images

The second season of the Vitality T20 Women’s County Cup will involve 37 counties vying for a place on finals day at Emirates Old Trafford on August 29, including inaugural champions Lancashire Thunder.The opening round, from April 26, features 28 counties before the nine Tier 1 counties – Durham, Essex, Hampshire, Lancashire Thunder, Somerset, Surrey, The Blaze, Warwickshire and Yorkshire – enter the competition in Round 3 from June 21.Two all-Tier 1 ties have been confirmed for Round 3 with The Blaze at home to Durham and Yorkshire hosting Somerset.The PCA noted favourably a significant reduction in back-to-back games across men’s and women’s T20 fixtures, announced on Tuesday, down from 54 in 2025 to just six next season.Olly Hannon-Dalby, the PCA Chair, believed that holding the men’s Blast Finals Day ahead of the Hundred along with an improved schedule and less travel represented significant progress.”For the first time in a number of years, I feel the men’s Blast will have the energy and priority within the schedule to show everybody just how great this competition is,” he said. “The Vitality Blast lining up on an equal platform with men’s and women’s teams is something I’m very passionate about and is absolutely the right way to grow the game. We’ve seen the success in The Hundred and double headers should be an opportunity to attract bigger crowds for all.”But he echoed Mitchell’s concern over the Championship schedule.”At a time when many counties have threadbare squads, to start six four-day games and a 50-over final in the space of five weeks is so far from optimum it is something that needs addressing,” Hannon-Dalby said.”We will actively be canvassing opinion on how we could avoid this congestion in the future with options such as starting the season slightly earlier or ending it later. Conversations need to continue to prioritise the wellbeing of its players.”

Tasmania chased down their target with 10 balls to spare after the home side had suffered a 7 for 70 collapse following Labuschagne’s dismissal

AAP09-Oct-2025

Marnus Labuschagne’s case for an Ashes call-up continues to grow after scoring his second century in the space of a week in Queensland’s five-wicket One-Day Cup loss to Tasmania.Labuschagne cracked 105 off 91 balls to lead Queensland to 311 of 45.3 overs at Allan Border Field on Thursday.Related

Ashes tracker: Labuschagne shines as Konstas stumbles

McAndrew's five gets defending champions South Australia up and running

In reply, Tasmania reached the victory target with 10 balls to spare courtesy of big knocks from Tim Ward, who made his first one-day century from 88 balls, Jordan Silk and Caleb Jewell.Tasmania (3-0) remain unbeaten on top of the table, while Queensland slipped to a 2-1 record.Labuschagne’s hundred came just days after he scored 160 off 206 balls in Queensland’s Sheffield Shield draw with Tasmania, following on from his 130 off 118 balls in the Bulls’ One-Day Cup opener against Victoria last month.The hot run of form comes at the perfect time for Labuschagne, who is in the midst of a huge bat-off for an Ashes spot at the top of the order.Tim Ward drives during his maiden one-day century•Getty Images

Labuschagne is competing with the likes of Sam Konstas, Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris, Nathan McSweeney, Jake Weatherald and Matt Renshaw to partner Usman Khawaja as opener for the five-Test series against England.There is also the option of Labuschagne returning to his preferred No. 3 position if selectors opt not to pick allrounder Beau Webster, who is battling an ankle injury.Labuschagne cracked eight fours and two sixes in his sparkling knock on Thursday. He was dropped on 91 when spinner Nikhil Chaudhary couldn’t hold on to a sizzling return chance.Labuschagne punched Chaudhary for four behind point to bring up his ton off 89 balls, but he was out a short time later when he edged the spinner behind.The exit of Labuschagne sparked a collapse of 7 for 70 as Queensland failed to capitalise on a strong start. Renshaw, who was called up ahead of Labuschagne for the upcoming ODI series against India, scored 38 off 35 balls.Labuschagne’s most recent Test century came against England in 2023, with his lean run of form since then resulting in his axing for the 3-0 series win over the West Indies.His ODI snub this week added further salt to the wound, but Labuschagne replied in perfect style with his ton on Thursday.

MatériaMais Notícias

Contratado pelo São Paulo no ano passado, o meia-atacante Lucas renovou o contrato para essa temporada, após algumas semanas de suspense. Porém, a sua meta vai além do clube do Morumbi. O objetivo do camisa 7 é voltar à Seleção Brasileira, principalmente agora, que a Amarelinha será comandada por Dorival Júnior, que comandou o jogador no Tricolor em 2023.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFora de CampoInternautas questionam pênalti marcado para o São Paulo contra o Santo André: ‘Ridículo’Fora de Campo20/01/2024São PauloCom estreias e retornos, São Paulo vence o Santo André pela primeira rodada no PaulistaSão Paulo20/01/2024São PauloSão Paulo define situação de NikãoSão Paulo20/01/2024

➡️ Tudo sobre o Tricolor agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! São Paulo

– É a minha meta, Vou trabalhar bastante para voltar para a Seleção. Servir o meu país – disse Lucas Moura em entrevista à TNT Sports, após a vitória são-paulina sobre o Santo André, por 3 a 1, no estádio do Morumbi, pela primeira rodada do Paulistão.

Lucas foi um dos grandes destaques do São Paulo contra o Ramalhão. Logo no primeiro minuto de jogo, ele sofreu uma penalidade, na qual o próprio converteu. Ele também deu uma linda assistência para Luciano marcar o segundo da equipe de três cores.

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Porém, o camisa 7 deixou o campo antes do fim da partida sentindo um desconforto na região posterior da coxa. O atleta, no entanto, tranquilizou sobre a gravidade do problema.

– Foi mais uma câimbra. Começo de temporada é assim, é normal. Melhor prevenir, mas está tudo bem.

➡️Internautas questionam pênalti marcado para o São Paulo contra o Santo André: ‘Ridículo’

Agora, além da mudança de treinador, com a chegada de Thiago Carpini, Lucas Moura vê algumas mudanças de peças. Nikão, que voltou de empréstimo do Cruzeiro, e Ferreirinha, contratado vindo do Grêmio, são profissionais que atuam na mesma faixa de campo que a prata da casa do Tricolor. Além de James Rodríguez, cercado de grande expectativa desde que chegou ao São Paulo, no ano passado, e que faz um trabalho de controle de carga.

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Lucas garante que há espaço no time para eles jogarem juntos e que pode atuar em diversas faixas do ataque para isso acontecer. Ele reforçou que está à disposição para ajudar o São Paulo.

➡️São Paulo define situação de Nikão

– Dispensa comentários. Com a bola no pé. Para craques como ele, sempre tem espaço no time. Fico a vontade jogando pelas pontas e pelo meio. Minha posição de origem sempre foi a camisa 10. Gosto de ficar à vontade no campo. Gosto de participar do jogo e ter a bola. O mais importante de tudo é ajudar o São Paulo – destacou o meia-atacante.

O Tricolor, de Lucas, já tem o seu próximo compromisso na terça-feira (23), quando encara o Mirassol, fora de casa, pela segunda rodada do Paulistão. Depois, o time volta ao Morumbi, no próximo sábado (27), quando encara a Portuguesa.

West Ham have reportedly held discussions over signing a Brazil international duo who’ve both impressed in front of goal this year, with Nuno Espírito Santo badly in need of a new focal point up front.

The club’s January transfer window plans are becoming increasingly focused on three key priorities — a defender, midfielder and forward (Sky Sports).

The urgency for a striker stems largely from the ongoing issues surrounding Niclas Fullkrug’s persistent injury problems, which have severely limited his availability and impact for the Hammers since his move last year.

Fullkrug was brought in with high hopes as a reliable goal-scoring option to lead the line, but his torrid injury record has prevented him from consistently delivering those expected contributions.

Time and again, injuries have sidelined Fullkrug, and this inconsistency has left West Ham very short of choices upfront.

Callum Marshall, while tipped for a promising career, is too inexperienced to lead the Irons’ forward line, while it is believed that Nuno privately doesn’t rate summer signing Callum Wilson.

This has resulted in Nuno experimenting with Lucas Paqueta as West Ham’s false nine in their last two Premier League matches — which both ended in defeat.

The lack of a dependable number nine is a major concern for Nuno as he looks to avoid a dreaded drop back down to the Championship, which is now a serious possibility.

In the last fortnight alone, David Sullivan, Karren Brady and the Hammers board have been linked with a host of intriguing options.

Real Madrid sensation Endrick is apparently a top target for West Ham, but they’ll have to move quickly as Ligue 1 giants Lyon have already made a formal approach with the player himself keen.

Journalist Alan Nixon has said that West Ham have already worked on a loan deal for Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney as well, with the Irons also holding discussions over Gonzalo Garcia (Graeme Bailey).

West Ham "offered" Brazil duo Pedro and Kaio Jorge

Now, according to Hammers News and journalist Graeme Bailey, you can add Brazilian strikers Pedro and Kaio Jorge to West Ham’s list of potential targets this winter.

Pedro, who’s scored 15 goals for Flamengo during this 2025 season, once plied his trade for Fiorentina in Europe but has spent the majority of his career in South America — where he’s earned six caps for the national team.

Jorge’s scored a seismic 20 goals for Cruzeiro this year, and the 23-year-old ex-Juventus sensation is still yet to reach his prime.

Jorge only has one senior appearance for Brazil so far, but considering his stellar 2025 campaign, Carlo Ancelotti will certainly be keeping a keen eye on the striker ahead of next year’s World Cup.

Bailey reports that West Ham have held discussions with agents about signing Pedro and Jorge, with Nuno’s side “offered” the duo by representatives.

That is as far as it’s gone, but there is reason to believe shopping in the Brazilian Serie A market could prove fruitful.

Jorge carries a market value of just £15 million according to Transfermarkt, while Pedro’s value comes in at around £17.5 million — making them pretty affordable options.

They’re also both represented by Bertolucci Sports, an agency that’s helped Brazilian talents like Gabriel Magalhaes, Bruno Guimaraes and Matheus Cunha seal moves to the Premier League in recent years.

A common theme during the England-India Test series has been the frequently replaced balls because the original ones are losing shape. Ever wondered where the replacement balls come from, how they are sorted and selected? Here is all you need to know.Where do the replacement balls come from?Two or three days before the Test, the host association provides used balls from first-class matches played in its venue. If it is Old Trafford, for example, Lancashire provides these balls to the fourth umpire, New South Wales for SCG, Mumbai Cricket Association for Wankhede, and so on.The fourth umpire then inspects the balls putting them through the gauge. If it goes through one and not through the other, it is considered eligible to go into the “ball library”, which is the box you see coming out when a ball is changed during a Test match. Any ball that goes through both the rings is ineligible to start playing with in the first place. So if it goes through both, it is too small to be in use. If it goes through neither, it is too big. If it goes through one and not the other, it is the right size. The number of these potential replacements depends on venues. Tests in India, England and Australia generally tend to have about 20 replacement balls, but in some countries the number can be as low as 12.Related

• India unhappy with replacement ball

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If the fourth umpire sees an issue with most of the balls or doesn’t see enough eligible balls, they bring it up with the rest of the officiating team – on-field umpires, third umpire and match referee – and then they collectively ask the association to provide for more. The same process is followed for new balls. Every new ball is put through the rings before the Test.The endeavour is to have the largest possible range available from semi-new to old, but they are not batched according to age. A ball that has been used for 60 overs on a lush outfield could well be a replacement for one used in a Test on a drier outfield for just 30 overs.The umpire puts the ball through the ring•Getty Images

So are we covered for all contingencies?No, it is not possible to bring an exact like-for-like replacement. The best they can hope to do is get a replacement ball that is nearest to the original ball in wear and tear. It could be older or it could be newer.This is why the umpires are reluctant to change the ball unless it has gone completely out of shape. To maintain the integrity of the competition, the rule of the thumb is to change it only when there is no other way to continue with the existing ball. The teams of course want a ball that suits them; any change is liable to leave one of them unsatisfied.Also remember that the laws doesn’t provide for a ball change for softness. The ball is changed if there is clear damage, wetness or loss of shape. Even with the shape, nowhere do the laws mention the ball has to be round. The only shape criterion for a ball change is that if it goes through neither or both of the rings on the gauge. If it goes through one and not through the other, and if its seam is in place and the ball is dry, you have no option but to continue with it no matter how soft it feels.Are local first-class matches the only source for replacement balls?No, the match officials have to act on their feet sometimes. If they feel they are running out of replacement balls rapidly, they can ask the teams to provide used balls from their nets. They are run through the same tests before they are sent into the ball library.Another source is match balls from earlier in the series. If an innings in an earlier Test in the series has lasted 45 overs, that ball can sent into the library provided it passes the quality checks and no bowler wants to keep it as a souvenir for a five-for.Umpire Paul Reiffel looks for a replacement from the ball library•Getty Images

There have also been cases where the match balls have gone out of shape rapidly and the match referee has had to send for more from the neighbouring county or state association.Hang on, so a good swinging ball that inflicted damage earlier on in the series can come back into play later?Yes, but nobody knows which ball is which. There is no marking done on the ball, and once the balls go into the library it is near impossible to tell them apart.Can umpires change the ball without the involvement of the bowling team?Yes they can, but they do it only when they suspect ball tampering or if they ball is damaged to the extent that just tidying up with a pair of scissors is not enough.The thing with ball tampering is that since it is an accusation of cheating, it needs visual evidence. The umpires avoid making such explicit charges, but do quietly change the ball if they see something is off.Umpire-led changes of the ball are, however, rare. The ball goes to them for a check at every dismissal, during drinks break, if it has hit an LED board or been in the crowd, and during longer intervals. They don’t check it between overs or during overs.5:34

How the Dukes ball is made and why it’s going out of shape

So, the ball change on the second morning at Lord’s – when the ball was clearly out of shape but was also doing a lot for India – would not have eventuated had India not asked for it. As it turned out, the replacement ball did nothing for them and went out of shape in eight overs.Is balls losing shape an issue with a specific brand?Test cricket uses three brands of balls: SG in India, Dukes in England and the West Indies, and Kookaburra elsewhere. Balls losing shape is not limited to any particular brand.There was a time in the late 2010s when SG used to lose shape often, and the Indian players used to bring it to notice despite being sponsored by SG. Kookaburra has often being criticised for the least prominent seam of all three, but its manufacturing process has reinforced the seam in recent years. Dukes just happens to be in the eye of the storm now with frequent complaints from both sides. Even in the concurrent series in the West Indies, especially in the first Test, the players didn’t quite like the ball.However, a lot of it is also gamesmanship. You usually see complaints only when the wickets are not falling. On the last day of Lord’s, when it was in England’s interest to bowl with a softer ball to deny Ravindra Jadeja striking opportunities, the shape of the ball was never brought into question. Often, bowling sides just take a punt when nothing is happening for them in the hope that the library doesn’t have a ball that will be any worse than the one than they have in hand.Dukes has an advantage over the others when it comes to being replaced. The ball has a stamp, the equivalent of a batch number, to identify the year of manufacture. So it is not possible to be playing in 2025 with a Dukes ball that was, say, last used in 2023 or was part of another production batch. SG and Kookaburra don’t have such identification markers.

MatériaMais Notícias

Neste sábado (16), Juventude e CRB se enfrentam em jogo válido pela 28ª rodada do Brasileirão Série B. A partida inicia às 18h (horário de Brasília), ambas as equipes estão em busca de avançar na tabela e conquistar uma posição privilegiada na competição. O confronto promete ser emocionante, e os fãs de futebol não vão querer perder essa partida.

+Já pensou em ser um gestor de futebol? Participe da nossa Masterclass com Felipe Ximenes e descubra oportunidades

RECUPERAÇÃO DA DERROTA

Ocupando a 7ª posição, os donos da casa somam 44 pontos e vem de uma derrota amarga fora de casa para oAtlético-GOpor 3 a 0. Agora, jogando dentro de casa, quer voltar a boa sequência de jogos que vinha emplacando e superar o CRB.

SORRISO APÓS A GOLEADA

A equipe adversária, por outro lado, vem de um magnífico triunfo em cima do líder do campeonato, o Vitória, por 6 x 0 na última rodada. Ou seja, chega com moral para enfrentar o Juventude e colocar empecilhos para a equipe alviverde quebrar a sequência negativa.

FICHA TÉCNICA
Juventude x CRB

Data: 16/09/2023
Local: Estadio Alfredo Jaconi, Caxias – RS
Onde assistir: SporTV e Premiere

PROVÁVEIS ESCALAÇÕES

JUVENTUDE (Técnico: Thiago Carpini)
Thiago Couto; Reginaldo, Danilo Boza, Zé Marcos e Alan Ruschel; Vini Paulista, Jadson, Gabriel Taliari, David e Nenê; Victor Andrade

Desfalques: Erick Farias (lesionado) e Luiz Gustavo (suspenso)

CRB (Técnico: Daniel Paulista)
Diogo Silva; Matheus Ribeiro, Ramon, Gum e Edimar; Falcão, Lucas Lima, e João Paulo; Léo Pereira, Renato e Anselmo Ramon.

Desfalques: Fábio Alemão (suspenso) e Guilherme Romão (lesão)

Varun Chakravarthy has moved to fifth place with 17 wickets from 12 games

ESPNcricinfo staff08-May-20251:25

Rapid Fire: Is this the end of the road for KKR?

Orange Cap tableMumbai Indians’ (MI) Suryakumar Yadav continues to lead the run-scorers’ chart with a tally of 510 runs from 12 innings. One run behind him is B Sai Sudharsan of Gujarat Titans (GT) with his captain Shubman Gill occupying the third spot with 508 runs from 11 innings.Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) Virat Kohli isn’t too far away, with 505 runs, while GT’s Jos Buttler is at No. 5 with 500.Noor Ahmad struck twice in his first over against KKR•BCCIPurple Cap tableCSK’s left-arm wristspinner Noor Ahmad, who starred with 4 for 31 against KKR, has drawn level with GT’s Prasidh Krishna in terms of wickets at the top of the Purple Cap table. Both have 20 wickets each, but Prasidh retains the Purple Cap thanks to his better economy rate – 7.65 compared to Noor’s 8.02.RCB’s Josh Hazlewood is third with 18 wickets, the same as MI’s Trent Boult. Again, Hazlewood has a better economy rate.Meanwhile, KKR’s Varun Chakravarthy has jumped to fifth place after his 2 for 18 at Eden Gardens. He now has 17 wickets from 12 outings.You can also take a look at what the ESPNcricinfo MVP table looks like at this stage.Here are some other IPL 2025 tables. Highest batting strike rates Best bowling economy rates Most sixes Best bowling figures in a match

Newcastle United might have faced inferior opponents, but their comfortable passage through to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup underlined the strength of Eddie Howe’s side.

It felt at times during the summer transfer window that the Magpies would teeter and fall, so intense was the noise around Alexander Isak’s future at St. James’ Park, so glum was the mood.

But in Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, Newcastle have welcomed talented and contrasting strikers equipped to deal with the pressures of leading the line on Tyneside and into the Champions League, United having lost their opener against Barcelona and now in need of results.

However, they also have William Osula, who has gone from strength to strength under Howe’s wing and bagged himself a brace against Bradford City on Wednesday evening.

William Osula's Carabao Cup display

Osula came within a whisker of leaving Newcastle this summer, with Eintracht Frankfurt over in Germany actually tabling a formal £30m offer for the Danish forward.

Sources such as Sky Sports’ Keith Downie have confirmed that the bid had been slapped on the table and then withdrawn on deadline day. Some within the Toon hierarchy may be kicking themselves for not having accepted the offer sooner, but Howe may well be content with the 22-year-old Dane having stayed put, with three goals scored already in 2025/26.

It wasn’t a perfect display against Bradford in the Carabao Cup, but Osula certainly demonstrated a degree of improvement after languishing on the periphery last year, also netting off the bench in the Premier League during the 3-2 defeat by Liverpool in August.

Praised for his complete performance and for “slowly but surely” making the necessary improvements to his game, Osula is a valuable asset as United look to challenge across multiple fronts this term.

However, he wasn’t the only one to catch the eye on Wednesday, with Malick Thiaw putting in another statement showing after his summer transfer. The centre-back has some thick internal competition, but there might come a point when Howe marks him as one of the first names on the team sheet.

Malick Thiaw's start to life at Newcastle

Newcastle welcome Arsenal to St. James’ Park in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, and that’s going to be a tough test indeed for Howe’s side.

It was a bold call to field so many of his finest players, though that is a declaration of the manager’s respect for the Carabao Cup and his desire to successfully defend the crown that was so emphatically claimed last season.

Thiaw helped carry Newcastle through, and he may well have underscored his claim for another starting berth at the weekend, with fans taking to online circles after the win and voicing their excitement at a future Thiaw and Sven Botman partnership.

As per FBref, the German defender, who joined from AC Milan for £35m in August, ranks among the top 7% of defenders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion and the top 16% for progressive passes per 90.

He is not only crisp in possession, but eager to make things happen and progress the play upfield.

And, against Bradford, the 24-year-old proved himself worthy of a place in Howe’s starting line-up for the biggest occasions, energetic and secure in the defensive phases and crisp and creative on the ball.

Minutes played

90′

Touches

82

Accurate passes

67/70 (96%)

Chances created

0

Long balls

5/6

Tackles

1

Interceptions

3

Clearances

4

Ground duels

1/2

Aerial duels

2/2

There’s a certain no-nonsense style to the right-footed defender, who also carries a technical command that stretches above the capacity of most other positional peers competing in the Premier League and across Europe.

Thiaw, while still integrating into Howe’s squad and indeed the Premier League,

He’s been hailed as a “monster in the air” by journalist Martino Puccio for his efforts in Italy with AC Milan, but also “one of the most talented centre-backs in Germany” by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

While Fabian Schar and Dan Burn have been pillars of strength for Newcastle over the past several Howe-led years, it’s clear that in Botman and Thiaw, the tactician has a more dynamic and stable central partnership, and that’s something which could bear dividends in the long run as Newcastle look to build on their recent successes and reach even loftier heights in the coming years.

It would be premature to label Thiaw as undroppable already, but he’s certainly on his way to nailing down a starting spot on the big occasion, and it’s unlikely that many of a Toon persuasion would be dismayed if he were to be named in the rearguard when Arsenal come calling at the weekend.

Reared in Germany and then developed in Serie A, Thiaw has only started once in the top flight thus far, playing most of the recent goalless draw against Bournemouth and receiving a 7/10 match rating from the Chronicle Live after winning four duels, making six clearances and four interceptions, data sourced via Sofascore.

It might have been an even more generous rating, but for a yellow card which prompted Howe to make a change in the dying embers.

In any case, Thiaw is the real deal, and fans can start to get excited about his potential in the Premier League.

Osula did himself no harm in his quest for success at Newcastle, scoring twice against Bradford, but Thiaw’s display was more telling: this is a player tailor-made for a star role in Howe’s team.

Howe could unleash Newcastle's own Yamal in 18-year-old "elite talent"

Newcastle’s academy setting has changed for the better in recent years.

ByAngus Sinclair Sep 24, 2025

سجل ثنائي نادي الزمالك، خوان بيزيرا وسيف فاروق جعفر، هدفي الفريق الخامس والسادس أمام ديكاداها الصومالي، في المباراة المقامة بين الفريقين اليوم السبت.

ويلعب الزمالك ضد ديكاداها، في إطار مواجهة الذهاب لدور الـ32 من بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية، على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي، بعد اتفاق الناديين على إقامة المباراتين في القاهرة.

وسجل خوان بيزيرا، هدف الزمالك الخامس في الدقيقة 77 من عمر اللقاء، بعدما انفرد بالمرمى ووضع الكرة أعلى حارس فريق ديكاداها. هدف الزمالك الخامس أمام ديكاداها

وبتمريرة سحرية من خوان بيزيرا، إلي سيف فاروق جعفر، سجل الأخير هدف الزمالك السادس، من تسديدة من داخل منطقة الجزاء، لتصبح النتيجة 6-0. هدف الزمالك السادس أمام ديكاداها

وكان الزمالك تقدم برباعية، عن طريق أحمد شريف وخوان بيزيرا وعمرو ناصر وسيف الجزيري.

طالع | فيديو.. سيف الجزيري يسجل هدف الزمالك الرابع أمام ديكاداها

ومن المقرر أن تلعب مباراة العودة بين الزمالك وديكاداها، يوم الجمعة المقبل 24 أكتوبر، على ملعب استاد السلام، لمواجهات نفس الدور من منافسات بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية للموسم الحالي 2025-2026.

Xabi Alonso reacted after Real Madrid got hammered by rivals Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby on Saturday. Los Blancos suffered their first loss of the 2025-26 campaign as Diego Simeone's side registered a convincing 5-2 derby win at the Metropolitano Stadium courtesy of a brace from star striker Julian Alvarez. Veteran star Antoine Griezmann was also on target for Atletico.

• Alvarez stars in Atletico's derby triumph

  Atletico took the lead through Robin Le Normand's 14th-minute goal before Kylian Mbappe restored parity. Arda Guler then put Madrid in front in the 36th minute, but they failed to hold on to the lead until the break as Alexander Serloth scored the equaliser at the stroke of half-time. Alvarez then joined the party as he scored two goals in quick succession at the start of the second half. Griezmann then took the goals tally to five with a strike in the 93rd minute.   

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• AFP
  

  Alonso reacts to first loss of the season

  Speaking to reporters after the game, Alonso said: "It was a bad game, we didn't play well either collectively or under pressure, we weren't at the level we should have been. We're in a building phase, today is our first defeat and we have to draw conclusions from what happened but there are no excuses, we're hurt, it's a derby and a deserved defeat. We weren't on our game, we were lacking a gear and the defeat hurts."  

• Carvajal suffers injury

  Real Madrid dealt a fresh injury blow as Dani Carvajal suffered an injury and had to be subbed in the second half, as Eduardo Camavinga came in. Madrid are already dealing with an injury to new signing Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has been ruled out for at least two months and Carvajal's injury further increases Alonso's headache in the right-back role.  

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Bellingham started for the first time in this season

  England star Jude Bellingham, who returned from a shoulder injury earlier this month, featured in Xabi Alonso's starting lineup for the first time in the 2025-26 campaign. He was on the pitch until the 70th minute when Rodrygo replaced him.