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The story of how South Africa won one out of their first five Tests and then remained unbeaten in their next seven

Firdose Moonda07-Jun-20256:55

Philander: ‘SA will put up massive fight against favourites Australia’

1st Test vs India, Centurion: won by an innings and 32 runs

Dean Elgar’s daddy hundred in his penultimate Test set up a massive victory for South Africa, ensured they could not lose the series and that the country remained India’s final frontier. Elgar’s 185 came after South Africa’s decision to go in all-pace paid off as Kagiso Rabada’s 14th five-for left India splintered around KL Rahul’s second hundred at Centurion. Elgar had support from David Bedingham, who scored 56 on debut and Marco Jansen, who scored 84 at No. 7, and South Africa took a 163-run first innings lead.It proved enough as the combination of Rabada, left-arm seamer Nandre Burger (also on debut) and Gerald Coetzee dismissed India for 131, with Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill the only second innings batters to get into double figures. South Africa did lose something: their captain, Temba Bavuma to a hamstring injury.Jasprit Bumrah shared the Player-of-the-Series award with Dean Elgar•Gallo Images/Getty Images

2nd Test vs India, Cape Town: lost by 7 wickets

Things went from the sublime to the ridiculous as Newlands played host to the shortest Test – which lasted just seven overs more than a full ODI – and South Africa were bowled out for their lowest total in a hundred years. Mohammed Siraj took 6 for 15 in the first innings as all but two South African batters – Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne – got past ten.India’s response showed signs the surface was improving and led by Kohli’s 46, they scratched together 153. Against the run of play, Aiden Markram produced his seventh Test hundred but Jasprit Bumrah’s 6 for 61 made a mess of South Africa and left India a target of 79. They reached in 12 overs, after lunch on the second day, to share the series spoils. The pitch later received an unsatisfactory rating from the ICC.Rachin Ravindra smashed his maiden Test double century in just his seventh innings•Getty Images

1st Test vs New Zealand, Mount Maunganui: lost by 281 runs

And then from the ridiculous to the barely believable when South Africa took a squad with seven uncapped players to New Zealand as almost all their frontliners were engaged with their new T20 tournament: the SA20. Six made their debut in this Test and it was evident how deep the gulf was between them and New Zealand.A century from Kane Williamson and a career-best 240 from Rachin Ravindra saw New Zealand pile on 511. They bowled South Africa out for 162 and, as if to make a point, batted again. Williamson scored a second-innings ton too and New Zealand left South Africa a humongous 529 to chase. At 5 for 2, it was clear what the outcome would be. South Africa were bowled out for 247 in what can only be described as an embarrassing state of affairs.Kane Williamson became the quickest (number of innings) to 32 Test centuries•Getty Images

2nd Test vs New Zealand, Hamilton: lost by 7 wickets

A more competitive South African side had moments where they looked as though they would pull off an upset for the ages when they took a 31-run first innings lead over New Zealand and then set them a target of 267. The notable performances came from the more established names – Dane Piedt, on comeback from the United States, who took 5 for 89 in the first innings and eight wickets in the match – and Bedingham, who shunned the SA20 for a chance at an international career and scored his first, and to date only, hundred.But there was no stopping Williamson, whose 133* saw New Zealand home and earned them their first series win over South Africa. South Africa’s coach Shukri Conrad binned the tour as an aberration, which he likened to “when Burnley went to Anfield,” and it has been referred to in those terms ever since.Keshav Maharaj picked eight wickets for the match•AFP/Getty Images

1st Test vs West Indies, Port of Spain: drawn

A stung South African side – some of whom had just lost their first ICC white-ball final – regrouped in the Caribbean with a herculean task on their hands. They had to win seven of their eight remaining Tests to have any chance of qualifying for the WTC final. Bavuma returned and scored 86 in the first innings in Trinidad before Rabada and Keshav Maharaj combined to take seven wickets and leave South Africa in control with a 124-run first innings lead. With rain around and victory on their minds, South Africa declared on 173 for 3 and left West Indies 298 to chase. At 64 for 3, South Africa would have sensed victory but despite Maharaj’s best efforts, time and 92 from Alick Athanaze denied South Africa and left their campaign hanging by a thread.Wiaan Mulder put up an all-round show•AFP/Getty Images

2nd Test vs West Indies, Guyana: won by 40 runs

Being bowled out for 160 in their first innings – thanks largely to Shamar Joseph’s 5 for 33 – could have been enough to make that string snap, but the stirrings of a comeback began when South Africa bowled West Indies out for 144. Markram’s 51 and Verreynne’s 59 held together a second innings effort of 246 and left West Indies 263 to chase. They were 104 for 6 when Gudakesh Motie and Joshua da Silva put 77 for the seventh wicket and things seemed to be getting away from South Africa. But, Maharaj broke the stand and took three of the last four wickets to give South Africa a tense win and put them back on track.Kyle Verreynne is all smiles after getting to his second Test century•AFP/Getty Images

1st Test vs Bangladesh, Mirpur: won by 7 wickets

Bangladesh were stunned by a South African attack with two frontline spinners (Piedt had been retained from the wreckage of New Zealand) who bowled them out for 106 but responded strongly to leave South Africa 99 for 5 in the reply. A lower-order rescue act between Verreynne, who scored his second century, and Wiaan Mulder saw South Africa score 308 and hold the advantage. Rabada left Bangladesh reeling with a second six-innings 6 for 46 but Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s 97 and Jaker Ali’s 58 kept South Africa in the field for a ball short of 90 overs. Bangladesh scored 307 and, in poetic synchrony, set South Africa 106 to win. They got there with a few jitters, and without Bavuma. He had re-injured his elbow, after it was a concern in 2022, and Markram led the side.Tony de Zorzi celebrates his maiden ton•AFP/Getty Images

2nd Test vs Bangladesh, Chattogram: won by an innings and 273 runs

Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs and Mulder all scored their first Test centuries in an innings that marked the rebirth of South Africa’s batting prowess after a dearth of hundreds. They declared on 565 for 6, confident they had more than enough. Rabada took a second successive Test five-for in Bangladesh’s first innings, where they made 159, and followed-on. Maharaj claimed 5 for 59 in the second innings as he and Rabada bookended both South Africa’s bowling experience and their success. The match was over inside three days as South Africa claimed a first series win in the subcontinent in more than a decade, since beating Sri Lanka in 2014. Many members of the squad, including Maharaj, have identified this as the turning point that gave South Africa the belief they could go all the way.Marco Jansen finished with 11 wickets for the match•AFP/Getty Images

1st Test vs Sri Lanka, Durban: won by 233 runs

South Africa’s home summer began with great expectation as Bavuma was back from injury and initially, a sense of dread. He top-scored with 70 in Durban but South Africa were bowled out for 191 against a Sri Lankan side with more pace variety than had toured this country before. Then, as though a spell had been cast on Sri Lanka’s batters, they played a baffling array of poor strokes as Jansen ran through them. He plucked career-best figures of 7 for 13 and Sri Lanka were bowled out for 42 – their lowest Test score. Stubbs scored a second Test hundred and Bavuma a redemptive third as South Africa set Sri Lanka an academic 516 to win the game. They were bowled out for 282 against an attack that lost two members – Gerald Coetzee to a groin strain and Mulder to a broken finger.Dane Paterson picked seven wickets in the Test•AFP/Getty Images

2nd Test vs Sri Lanka, Gqeberha: won by 109 runs

With Mulder out, Ryan Rickelton got an opportunity and made it count with a workmanlike debut century at St George’s Park. Bavuma contributed with 78 and Verreynne thrilled with a 133-ball 105 as South Africa’s first innings reached 358. Sri Lanka replied with guts and temperament, led by Pathum Nissanka’s 89 but they had no other milestones to record as Dane Paterson plugged away. At 35 years old, Paterson had proved the worth of his time in the county circuit and the value of having someone with over 500 first-class wickets in the squad as he gave South Africa a 30-run lead. On a good batting surface, they then scored 317, with Bavuma scoring another half-century. Sri Lanka needed 348 to win and things hung in the balance on 205 for 5 after four days. Maharaj took 5 for 76 to seal the series and South Africa’s fifth successive win.Kagiso Rabada roars in satisfaction after making 31 off 26 to take South Africa home•Associated Press

1st Test vs Pakistan, Centurion: won by 2 wickets

Stop. The. Press.South Africa didn’t need to win this match and at times seemed to be doing their best to lose it as they were faced with chasing 148 in the fourth innings and needed a ninth-wicket partnership of 51 to do it. The precursor to all that is that Paterson took 5 for 61 and Pakistan were bowled out for 211 in the first innings. Then Markram scored 89, Khurram Shehzad and Naseem Shah shared six wickets between them, and debutant Corbin Bosch scored an unbeaten 81 to give South Africa a 90-run lead.Jansen then took 6 for 52 as Pakistan were dismissed for 237. South Africa should have won at a canter but were 27 for 3 overnight on day three and Mohammad Abbas had all three. He added three more then next day at 99 for 8, South Africa were about to head into 2025 needing to win their last Test. Amid the devastating news of the death of batting coach Ashwell Prince’s wife, Melissa, the result barely mattered by lunch on day four until Rabada and Jansen formed the unlikeliest of alliances, nudged, nurdled, edged and smashed their way to the most thrilling of victories. South Africa qualified for the WTC final with a game to spare.South Africa celebrate their 2-0 victory against Pakistan•AFP/Getty Images

2nd Test v Pakistan, Cape Town: won by 10 wickets

The job was done and Newlands was a riot as South Africa saved their batting best for last. Rickelton scored the first double-hundred by a South African opener since Graeme Smith in 2013 and the first double by any South African since Hashim Amla in 2016. Bavuma brought up a fourth century and second in the campaign and Verryenne scored his first hundred at home in a first innings domination. Pakistan were bowled out for 194 and 478, and 19-year-old debutant Kwena Maphaka played his first game, and South Africa needed just 58 to win. They completed a magical summer with a clean sweep.Seven Tests wins is their second-longest streak (after nine in 2002-03) but they won’t be chasing that necessarily. One more has been the mantra through the campaign and the next one is Lord’s.

Based on the way he’s performed over the past six months, Kobbie Mainoo has the potential to be a future legend for Manchester United.

The 19-year-old’s quality and class continue to impress week in and week out, and he looks set to become a crucial player for England during the knockout stages of Euro 2024.

Mainoo’s performances and three goals over his 24 Premier League starts last campaign earned him a spot on the plane, and he’s certainly not letting the opportunity pass him by.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe will look to build around the fantastic teenager next season, and he could start with a move for a fantastic talent who’d make the number 37 world-class.

Man Utd want to sign a defensive midfielder

As per a report from Sky Sports, via Dharmesh Sheth, Man United are weighing up a move for Manuel Ugarte.

The Red Devils have made an ‘initial approach’ to Paris Saint-Germain regarding the Uruguayan midfielder.

Despite there being no bid just yet, it’s said that ‘discussions continuing internally over next step.’

Luckily for United, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has announced that the French club are willing to sell the 23-year-old this summer.

Why Ugarte could be perfect for Mainoo

This time 12 months ago, Ugarte was regarded as one of the most highly rated young midfielders in Europe, hence why PSG splashed around £50m on him last summer.

The defensive midfielder started the campaign in the Ligue 1 side's best lineup, but as the season progressed, his involvement decreased.

This meant that across the entire league campaign, Ugarte made just 21 starts in 25 appearances, often operating as a lone defensive midfielder in a 4-3-3.

However, his performance levels were extremely impressive, and given the statistics he produced, he’d be an absolutely perfect fit alongside Mainoo.

Passes completed

48.5

31.1

46.5

Pass accuracy

91%

87%

83%

Tackles

3.9

2

3.3

Interceptions

1.6

0.9

0.7

Balls recovered

7.2

4

5.3

Duels won

6.4

5

5.8

Last season, it was mainly Casemiro who partnered the English midfielder, and the Brazilian was tasked with providing the majority of the defensive support.

However, as you can see from the table, Ugarte is just on another level entirely, particularly defensively and from an athletic standpoint.

The Uruguayan plays with intensity, tenacity, and aggression, which often makes him horrible to play against, and his tackles alone prove how effective he truly is, and it is why he's been called a "machine" by football scout Jacek Kulig.

On top of that, he can read the game brilliantly and mop up loose balls continuously, which would make United much more secure on the counterattack.

This means that Mainoo could be handed the license to impact the game more frequently in the final third, as he has that defensive foundation behind him.

As you can see from the clip below, this is arguably where Mainoo is at his best, due to his technical class, creativity, and ability to pitch in with goals.

On the other hand, Ugarte is also extremely composed on the ball himself, and he retains it brilliantly, which would enable the academy graduate to get on the ball much more frequently.

Another aspect that would make Ugarte an incredible signing is his reliability and availability, which would enable him to strike a telepathic relationship with Mainoo, as he’s only missed five matches in his entire career.

Overall, Ugarte ticks every single box that Man Utd so desperately need, and if he can even make Mainoo better, Ratcliffe must surely look to secure his signature.

What Man Utd's dream XI could look like after £230m spending spree

Marcus Rashford doesn’t make the best eleven.

1 ByTom Lever Jun 7, 2024

Twelve overs were still left in the game when umpires called bad light and the players started shaking hands

Annesha Ghosh26-Jun-20214:02

Mithali Raj – ‘The current bowling attack, especially the spinners over the years have won matches for us irrespective of the wicket we played’

Mithali Raj, India’s Test and ODI captain, has expressed surprise at how their one-off Test against England ended last week. According to her, the visiting side wanted to continue batting when play was called off on the final day with 12 overs still left to be bowled. In response to this assertion from Raj, England captain Heather Knight explained that bad light was the reason for the premature close to proceedings in Bristol.Though no result other than a draw was possible at the time, two of India’s five Test debutants, Sneh Rana and Taniya Bhatia, were batting on unbeaten scores of 80 and 44 respectively, their rearguard ninth-wicket stand having swollen to 104.”We wanted to continue the play and that’s what we informed to the opposite captain, and they continued,” Raj revealed on ahead of the ODI series opener between the two sides. “But then I was told by Sneh Rana because even I was a little on the back foot when I saw the bails coming off and them walking out. So I asked her what happened and she said it was a bad light call taken by the umpire.”That’s what they were told. But then I saw the teams were congratulating [each other], so the umpires told that since both the teams are congratulating, it’s pretty much taken that the match is over. That’s what I was told by Sneh Rana. So that’s what happened.Knight, meanwhile, revealed that Raj was nowhere to be found when England were ready to accept a stalemate.”It became apparent to us that it was going to end in a draw, so we asked to shake hands with the Indian team,” Knight said. “We couldn’t actually find Mithali, so I think eventually a message got back on to us to that we were to carry on, which was fine. And then the umpires [Chris Watts and Sue Redfern] took us off for bad light and then the Indians came over and shook our hands. So that was what happened.”Knight also confirmed that the first ODI on Sunday will be played on a fresh pitch and that Sophia Dunkley, who made a first-innings unbeaten 74 on her Test debut last week, will make her maiden ODI appearance.”Yes, I have [had a chance to take a look at the pitch],” Knight said. “You’ll be pleased to hear it’s a fresh one. It looks pretty good, [with] an even covering of grass. Yeah, [it] looks like a reasonably good batting deck as it usually is with a fresh wicket in Bristol.”The teams head into the three-ODI series, which kicks off the limited-overs leg of the multi-format tour, on an even keel, with two points apiece. Wins in the white-ball games, which also features three T20Is, will be worth two points each.

MatériaMais Notícias

da fazobetai： Os Garotos do Ninho estão prontos para buscar o penta da Copa SP de Futebol Júnior. Nesta segunda-feira, o técnico Fábio Matias comandou o último treino do Sub-20 do Flamengo, no Ninho do Urubu, antes do embarque para São Paulo, onde, em Barueri, o Rubro-Negro fará parte do Grupo 29, ao lado deOeste (SP), Floresta (CE) e Forte (ES). A estreia será na próxima quarta-feira.

RelacionadasFlamengoGaroto do Ninho desmente boatos de saída: ‘Meu foco foi, é e sempre será defender a camisa do Flamengo’Flamengo03/01/2022FlamengoCom Garotos do Ninho e ainda sem Paulo Sousa, Flamengo inicia a preparação para o CariocaFlamengo02/01/2022FlamengoFlamengo: David Luiz e Everton Ribeiro divulgam imagens de treinos individuais nas férias; vejaFlamengo02/01/2022

da roleta： O Flamengo vai com um time jovem para a competição, que, por conta da pandemia do coronavírus, terá jogadores inscritos até 21 anos. O Rubro-Negro, por sua vez, terá a base da equipe que conquistou o Campeonato Brasileiro, a Copa do Brasil e a Supercopa do Brasil pelo Sub-17 em 2021. Afinal, boa parte dos atletas da Sub-20 estarão à disposição para a disputa do Carioca, uma vez que os principais nomes do elenco profissional se reapresentam no dia 10.

Fábio Matias, que assumiu o comando do Sub-20 do Flamengo em junho de 2021, era o técnico do Internacional campeão da última edição da Copinha. Confira abaixo entrevista exclusiva do técnico ao LANCE! projetando 2022.

Newcastle United need some fresh ideas. This much is clear after a turbulent start to the season that has left Eddie Howe searching for answers, his side 14th in the Premier League after 11 matches.

There are internal solutions available to the esteemed English coach, but there’s no question that he views St. James’ Park academy graduate Elliot Anderson as being the missing cog in the machine.

The Magpies reluctantly sold Anderson to Nottingham Forest for around £35m in 2024 to avoid PSR ramifications falling on their head. But now, the 23-year-old is flying, and his boyhood club want him back.

The latest on Newcastle's interest in Elliot Anderson

It is understood that Newcastle and Manchester United are the most likely clubs to do battle for Anderson’s signature next summer. Word on the street, however, is that Forest are set to demand a figure in excess of £100m.

Matches (starts)

37 (33)

11 (11)

Goals

2

1

Assists

6

1

Touches*

54.2

94.4

Accurate passes*

28.7 (82%)

62.1 (87%)

Chances created*

1.0

1.4

Dribbles*

1.0

1.3

Ball recoveries*

5.6

8.4

Tackles + interceptions*

2.5

3.5

Duels (won)*

6.5 (52%)

7.5 (55%)

That might be an exorbitant asking price, but we can see why the City Ground side would be so reluctant to part with their man. Anderson has grown into a world-beater of a midfielder, and he is emerging as the most likely candidate to partner Declan Rice in England’s midfield at the 2026 World Cup over the pond.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed, but with the Tricky Trees likely to prove difficult negotiators, don’t hold your breath.

However, it might be pleasing to note that PIF have been busy at the academy level, reinforcing the youth team with top talents capable of finding a way into Howe’s outfit.

And there’s one who might actually prove a bigger talent than Anderson, once given an opportunity to make his mark.

Newcastle have a bigger talent than Anderson

There has been a concerted effort toward raising Newcastle’s youth system over the past few years. And it is working, with prospects such as Vakhtang Salia added to the fold.

Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich all fancied Dinamo Tbilisi’s talented forward this year, but it is a testament to Newcastle’s development that they won the race, enticing the youngster with a clear pathway toward the first team.

A versatile forward, Salia can play on either flank or in a central striking berth. In Ukraine, he scored eight goals and provided four assists across 57 matches for Dinamo’s seniors.

Salia only turned 18 in August, and it was then that his move to Tyneside was green-lit. However, it’s been a rocky start on English shores for the man who has been likened to Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal. He hasn’t played for United yet, injured early in his new start.

Journalist Graeme Bailey has described him as “one of the best teenage prospects in the world”, and with the right care and attention over the coming years, there is every reason that Salia could be fashioned into a superstar, so naturally gifted and with a physicality on the ball that suggests he could adapt to the brutality of the Premier League.

It is frustrating that Salia should have been disrupted in this way so early into his Newcastle career, but this will teach him about adversity, and in this, he could rival Anderson, who has weathered storms of his own before emerging as a superstar at the City Ground.

Woltemade will love him: Newcastle targeting a "top 5 manager in the world"

Newcastle are in dire straits in the Premier League at the moment.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 19, 2025

The fast bowler’s remarkable catch to remove Liton Das added to an impressive list in Wellington

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Mar-2021

Denesh Ramdin, 2013
Boult has done it again, this time in the field! Anderson was certain that was going to be a boundary as Ramdin got up on his toes to play a rasping cut shot but Boult leaps up and was horizontal with the ground as he reaches his left hand out and grabs an absolute stunner! The entire team mobs Boult as Ramdin walks back and the West Indies tail is exposed.Ajinkya Rahane, 2014
Boult has done it again! What is with him and one-handed screamers! It was a fullish delivery with just a bit of room. Rahane makes his own by staying leg side of the ball and lofts it. But he hasn’t got hold of it. it’s a skier. It was always going to need some catching. Boult was hurtling in from the boundary, dives forward and to his right and sticks out his right hand and clings on! Terrific catch to end a terrific innings as the New Zealand players come and shake hands with RahaneKumar Sangakkara, 2015
Boult has just taken a stunner. And should you be surprised? Ends what has been a truly fantastic innings from Sangakkara, who is accepting all the congratulations from the on-field players. This is definitely an early candidate for best catch of 2015 as Boult leapt high to his left to pluck this in mid-air at backward point, before crashing to the ground.Trent Boult claims a stunning return catch to remove Mitchell Marsh•Getty Images

Mitchell Marsh, 2016
How about that for a disgruntled fast bowler? If DRS denies me, I’ll pluck a one-handed, rip-roaring catch all by myself. Falls face-first into the pitch and then comes up with an expression of utter disbelief. Mouth agape in a big ‘O’ and eyes wide as saucers. This was fuller, but might have just held in the pitch considering Marsh was sucked into the drive and was trying to check it. Boult was in his follow through, stuck out his right hand and it was just too magnetic. He has a knack for picking up screamers. Took one that made it to Sportscenter’s Plays of the Year, if I’m not wrongLiton Das, 2021
Trent Boult has pulled off a blinder. A length ball outside off, Liton went for the pull only to top edge it towards third man. Boult ran to his left, dived full length and plucked it out with his outstretched left hand. Fingertips. Henry cannot believe it as he picks up his third wicketVirat Kohli, IPL 2018
Get out of here Trent Boult! Someone check if that isn’t a robot there! This is sensational. A one-handed leap to his right at deep square after being wrong-footed to his left, then a landing backwards and a cobra pose to keep his chest from touching the rope! Soft signal out. Replays say – OUT. Wow. Unbelievable. It’s a full toss on the pads and it’s flying, flat over Boult’s head because Kohli has got good power on that flick. It’s a stunning recovery from Boult. A leap backwards, holding on with the right hand, landing on his stomach and then stopping all that momentum to complete it. Gets back on his feet and even he’s in shock.

Sean Dyche was once part of a bust-up involving Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, and his comments on the situation have now emerged after taking over as the Reds’ new manager.

Dyche takes the reins as Forest manager following Ange exit

Having proven his ability to come in and stablise clubs during his time with Everton, Dyche has now taken charge at Forest, following a disastrous spell under the helm of Ange Postecoglou, with the Australian failing to win in eight games and lasting just 39 days.

The former Everton man’s first day on the training ground was Tuesday, with the new boss commencing preparations for Thursday’s tough test in the Europa League, as the Tricky Trees take on FC Porto at the City Ground.

Speaking after his return, the 54-year-old made it clear that he has a lot of love for his former club, saying: “I’ve often spoken about my affection for the Club, having started my career here under the great Brian Clough. I didn’t quite make it to the first team, but I have such fond memories from around the place — and hearing the boss’ voice in the distance.”

However, it remains to be seen how the ex-Nottingham Forest youth player finds working with Marinakis, given that the owner’s public falling out with Nuno led to the Portuguese manager’s departure earlier this season.

The Forest owner is known for his fiery temper, having been seen arguing with Nuno on the pitch near the end of the 2024-25 campaign, and The Sun report he was part of a bust-up involving Dyche after Burnley’s Europa League match with Olympiacos in 2018.

Heading into half-time at 1-1, Marinakis reportedly confronted the referees in the tunnel. Shortly after the break, Olympiacos restored their lead and Burnley’s Ben Gibson was sent off, leaving Dyche fuming.

The former Burnley manager’s comments from the time are eye opening: “I don’t know how many people ran on the pitch and surrounded the referee and linesman. The feel of the game changed in the second half, you’re left scratching your head.

“At half-time, there were plenty of people waiting for the ref in the tunnel.

“It wasn’t just the bench, it was people from the offices, even the tea lady! That’s a joke, of course, but it felt like everyone was piling on.”

Dyche has big task on his hands at Forest

Marinakis will no doubt be very frustrated Forest have been unable to kick on since sealing a return to Europe last season, especially considering how much he backed Nuno in the summer transfer window, spending around £206m.

However, having failed to win since the opening day of the campaign, the Tricky Trees have to be considered relegation candidates, with home defeats against a struggling West Ham United side and newly-promoted Sunderland particularly concerning.

Immediate concern for Dyche at Nottingham Forest after Marinakis decision

It probably isn’t what the new manager wanted to hear.

ByCharlie Smith Oct 21, 2025

Dyche is known for making a statement in his first match in charge of a new club, however, defeating then league leaders Arsenal 1-0 in his opening game as Everton boss, and the new Forest manager will be hoping for a similar start against Porto on Thursday.

Michael Olise trolled Harry Kane when he signed his Bayern Munich team-mate's match ball after his stunning display against Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday.

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Kane bagged another Bayern hat-trickTeam-mate left hilarious message for himStriker identified Olise as the culpritWHAT HAPPENED?

Kane scored four times as the German side started their Champions League campaign with a 9-2 win in Munich, ensuring he went home with the match ball for the second game in a row, after netting a hat-trick against Holstein Kiel at the weekend.

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The 31-year-old has made a habit of scoring trebles since joining the Bundesliga team from Tottenham, and it seems his team-mates are growing tired of having to sign balls for him. Kane posed alongside his trophy after Tuesday's game, but a message reading: "Bro not again" caught the attention of many.

WHAT KANE SAID

Kane was asked on social media who left the message on his ball, he replied: "It was my guy Michael Olise".

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR KANE?

The England star has scored nine goals in just five matches so far this season and will hope to add to that record when his side meet Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

da dobrowin： There’s one burning question emerging within Manchester United at present and all are directed at Ruben Amorim – what’s happening with Kobbie Mainoo?

da realsbet： The Englishman was seen as one of the Premier League’s most exciting before the manager’s arrival, but he’s been unable to showcase such talents over the last few months.

He’s mainly been utilised as an impact player, as seen by his tally of six appearances in the league in 2025/25, all of which have come off the substitutes bench, totalling 118 minutes.

Mainoo has gone from an England international mainstay to a player now behind the likes of Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte in the pecking order at Old Trafford – a truly unthinkable thought 12 months ago.

His lack of action will no doubt have had an effect on his progress with the Red Devils, which could see him fail to match the expectations of the fanbase who have previously compared him to a former player.

The reasons behind Paul Pogba’s downfall at Man Utd

As a result of his impressive start to life in the United first-team, Mainoo was tipped to emulate the levels produced by midfielder Paul Pogba during his own time at the club.

The Frenchman cost a staggering £89m in the summer of 2016, a deal that still remains a club-record, leading to huge expectations being placed on him to impress at Old Trafford.

He often matched them in the early stages, as he became known for the odd world-class goal, something which he perfectly demonstrated against Young Boys in 2020.

However, his second stint with the Red Devils was far from plain sailing, with the players often coming into question for various aspects of his game during his six years in Manchester.

Pogba often struggled with his fitness at United, even being forced to train away from the first-team squad during Michael Carrick’s temporary spell in charge back in 2020.

The French international was also quizzed over his best position in the side, with his attributes often not fitting the demands of various managers at the club.

It was largely unclear if he was more suited to a deeper role at the heart of the side or a box-to-box role – but ultimately it contributed to his downfall and subsequent exit.

He would leave the Red Devils for a second time in the summer of 2022, rejoining Juventus on a free transfer for the second time in his professional career.

However, a little over three years on from his exit, current boss Amorim may have stumbled across his next version of the fan-favourite in a somewhat unlikely source.

The Man Utd player who’s Amorim’s own Pogba

Despite Mainoo’s availability over the last few months, the United hierarchy have been on the hunt to land a new midfielder to help bolster Amorim’s squad.

Such an area of the pitch has been brought into question over the last couple of months, with claims that the side have often been overrun in that department – subsequently leading to their dismal league standing last season.

However, it appears as though the 40-year-old has somewhat put an immediate fix to the issue, as his side have claimed four wins in their last six outings across all competitions.

Amorim has even claimed back-to-back wins for the first time in his tenure over recent weeks, highlighting that he’s finally starting to realise what his best starting eleven is.

Despite fixing the midfield issue, he already has his next Pogba in the form of forward Joshua Zirkzee – a statement that may come as a surprise to many supporters.

Whilst the pair operate in hugely different positions during their respective periods with the Red Devils, they both possess serious similarities in numerous key areas.

Upon his arrival at Old Trafford in the summer of 2024, many questioned the Dutchman’s fitness levels – even citing that he looked overweight despite scoring the winner against Fulham on his debut.

Despite being labelled “phenomenal” by one analyst, he’s struggled to nail his place down after Amorim’s arrival, with uncertainty around his best position undoubtedly at the forefront of the manager’s mind.

The 24-year-old even stated that he sees himself as a 9.5, often liking to drop deeper and affect the player, rather than operating as a poacher like Benjamin Sesko.

Joshua Zirkzee – PL stats (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

32

Goals & assists

4

Pass accuracy

72%

Shots taken

1.8

Chances created

0.8

Dribble success

38%

Aerials won

29%

Times dispossessed

2.8

Stats via FotMob

Such a playstyle likely contributed to the Red Devils’ measly tally of just 44 league goals last season, with Zirkzee suffering with a lack of action after the club’s £200m spending spree.

He’s so far only featured for 74 minutes during 2025/26 to date, leading to huge rumours about a potential exit away from the Theatre of Dreams in January.

It’s a real shame to see his move to England fail to hit the heights many anticipated, but it’s further evidence of his similarities to Pogba, given his own demise in the Premier League.

Both are evidently more suited to the Italian top-flight rather than the Premier League, with the recruitment team desperately needing to learn from such examples going forward.

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Posts ByEthan Lamb Oct 23, 2025

باتت مباراة بورتو المرتقبة أمام الأهلي حاسمة بعد تصاعد الغضب الجماهيري البرتغالي عقب الهزيمة الأخيرة أمام إنتر ميامي في الجولة الثانية من مجموعات كأس العالم للأندية.

جماهير بورتو عبرت عن استيائها الواضح من أداء الفريق، وانهالت بالانتقادات عبر مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي، مطالبة بإقالة المدرب، مارتين أنسلمي، فورًا بعد تراجع النتائج واستمرار الأداء الباهت.

أنسلمي يعيش أسوأ فتراته منذ توليه المهمة، حيث لم يقنع الجماهير منذ نهاية الموسم المحلي، وكان يُعول على بطولة كأس العالم للأندية لاستعادة الثقة المفقودة.

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الهزيمة أمام إنتر ميامي كشفت هشاشة الفريق، وزادت الضغط على المدرب، الذي بات بحاجة ماسة إلى انتصار كبير أمام الأهلي لإنقاذ مستقبله الفني مع بورتو.

حتى إدارة النادي لم تسلم من سهام النقد، بعد تمسكها المستمر بأنسلمي، لكن المدرب الأرجنتيني يبقى الهدف الرئيسي لحملة الغضب الجماهيري داخل وخارج البرتغال.

مباراة الأهلي أصبحت أشبه بـ نهائي شخصي لأنسلمي، إذ يرى كثيرون أن أي تعثر جديد يعني نهاية مشواره مع الفريق، خاصة في ظل تراجع الثقة داخل غرفة الملابس، بحسب صحيفة “ريكورد” البرتغالية.

وتتزايد التكهنات حول خليفته المحتمل، حيث يُعد فيتور بيريرا، مدرب ولفرهامبتون الحالي، الاسم الأبرز المطروح لخلافة أنسلمي حال تمت الإطاحة به بعد مواجهة الأهلي.