Manchester City made it five Premier League games unbeaten yesterday, as Pep Guardiola’s men secured a 2-0 triumph over Everton at the Etihad.

The result keeps the Citizens just a couple of points off current leaders Arsenal, even moving ahead of Liverpool ahead of their clash with Manchester United tomorrow.

However, it was yet another superb showing in England’s top-flight, with Guardiola’s men limiting the opposition to minimal chances whilst taking advantage of the ones that fell their way.

Stats such as 71% possession with seven shots on target further highlight the dominance in the North West – something which has been extremely common during the manager’s tenure.

He will certainly have one player to thank for the success against the Toffees, with his performance against David Moyes’ men nothing short of breathtaking.

Erling Haaland’s excellence against Everton

When you think of a clinical goalscorer, the first name that springs to mind is Erling Haaland, with the Norwegian taking his career to new heights after joining Man City in 2022.

He’s now featured 155 times for the Citizens, scoring a staggering 136 times – subsequently adding multiple to his tally during the win at the Etihad yesterday.

The 25-year-old netted his two efforts within just five second-half minutes – taking his tally to 11 despite featuring in just eight league outings throughout 2025/26.

He was also the most fouled player on the pitch during the triumph, whilst also registering 38% of his entire touches in the game within the opposition box.

Haaland also won 75% of the ground duels he entered, along with a staggering four shots on target – once again being Guardiola’s most threatening option in attacking areas.

Despite the showing of the centre-forward, one other first-team member showcased his worth and is rapidly becoming as undroppable as the City talisman.

The City star who’s becoming as undroppable as Haaland

After missing out on the Premier League title last season, Guardiola and City dipped into the transfer market to try and bolster numerous key areas of the squad.

The goalkeeping department has had a huge overhaul in recent times, with James Trafford and Gianluigi Donnarumma both making the move to the Etihad, with Ederson moving on to join Galatasaray.

The latter of the new duo has cemented his place within the starting eleven, already keeping three clean sheets within his first five league outings for the Citizens.

However, it wasn’t the only area of the pitch that was bolstered, with the hierarchy spending big money on Tijjani Reijnders from Serie A side AC Milan.

The Dutchman made an immediate impact on his debut, registering a goal and an assist in the 4-0 battering of Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.

He’s since started every game for the club in the Premier League, with his showing against the Toffees evidence of the quality that he possesses in the middle of the park.

The 27-year-old may have been unable to register a goal or an assist, but his underlying stats from the victory are evidence of the star quality he has in his arsenal.

Minutes played

59

Touches

41

Passes completed

93%

Dribbles completed

100%

Tackles won

100%

Recoveries made

1

Ground duels won

3

Chances created

2

Reijnders may have only featured for 59 minutes at the Etihad, but he still managed to thrive at both ends of the pitch – undoubtedly playing a key role in the triumph.

He completed 93% of the passes he attempted, whilst also achieving a 100% dribble success rate – highlighting the threat he posed when having the ball at his feet.

However, without the ball, the Dutch star also managed to thrive, as seen by his superb tallies of 100% tackles won, one recovery made and three ground duels won.

Other stats, such as two chances created and 100% long balls completed, further showcase his all-round quality – which is rapidly making him one of the club’s most crucial players.

As a result of his performance, Reijnders was handed an impressive 7/10 match rating by One Football – further highlighting his superb showing at the Etihad.

After such a showing, Guardiola simply can’t drop the midfielder from his starting eleven, with his addition already looking like an excellent one just eight games into the campaign.

There’s little disputing that Haaland is the club’s most important player at present, but there’s no reason why Reijnders can’t join him in such a category in the months or years ahead.

Pep already sold Man City's next Rodri & he's "better" than Declan Rice

Man City could do with this Premier League star in his prime right now.

ByAngus Sinclair Oct 18, 2025

There is now a “real prospect” of Liverpool completing the signing of an “extraordinary” France international as they seek to break out of their recent rut.

Van Dijk's leadership breaks Liverpool slump

The Premier League champions are back in action away to Brentford on Saturday evening, looking to build on Wednesday’s 5-1 win away to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk revealed after the win in Germany that he held a meeting with just the players at the start of the week, following a dreadful run of form.

“On Monday everyone was sad because we lost to Man United at home,” said Van Dijk. “It was tough under the circumstances so on Monday we came together but it wasn’t a crisis meeting. Nobody wants to lose four games in a row but it was the situation we faced.

“Obviously we also had a proper debrief with the manager but we also had a separate one as players. I wanted to say some things. It’s not something I do after every game. After my meeting everyone was happy!”

Away from Liverpool’s on-pitch duties, an exciting new transfer rumour has emerged, with FSG seemingly planning to spend their way out of their recent run.

Liverpool in race to sign Champions League winner

Speaking to TEAMtalk, journalist Dean Jones claimed that Liverpool have a “real” chance of signing Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, but face competition for his signature.

Camavinga has a €1bn release clause in his Real Madrid contract, but stands out as a wonderful option for Liverpool, should he and Xabi Alonso fail to fully click at Madrid, resulting in Los Blancos cashing in for a more reasonable figure.

The 22-year-old Frenchman has won two Champions League crowns in his career, as well as a couple of La Liga titles, while Carlo Ancelotti has called him an “extraordinary” player, which is high praise from a legendary manager.

Liverpool have signed a Salah-type player who's got the "pace of Torres"

Liverpool are watching before their eyes the birth of a superstar.

ByAngus Sinclair Oct 24, 2025

Camavinga would bring class, elegance and substance to Liverpool’s midfield, not to mention being able to shine at left-back, and given his age, he could mature into a genuinely world-class midfield at Anfield. Arne Slot does have great depth there, but if the chance arises to sign him, it would be foolish to say no.

Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele has picked up another injury and was forced off early in Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich. The French winger, who was crowned the best male player in the world only weeks ago, lasted barely 25 minutes before limping off in visible distress, just moments after seeing what he thought was an equaliser ruled out by VAR.

• The goal that wasn’t

  In the 23rd minute, Dembele thought he had given PSG hope. A lofted cross from Achraf Hakimi was met by the 28-year-old’s chest before he poked it into the Bayern net. But celebrations turned to disappointment within seconds as VAR intervened. After a lengthy review, the replays showed Dembele had strayed fractionally offside in the build-up. The goal was chalked off, and Bayern’s lead, earned earlier through Luis Díaz’s tidy finish, remained intact, as the mood inside the stadium turned sour. Only two minutes later, the situation worsened as Demele, grimacing and clutching his thigh, signalled to the bench. Luis Enrique immediately called for a substitution, replacing him with Bradley Barcola. He strode straight down the tunnel, visibly frustrated, as the Parc des Princes fell into a stunned silence.

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• AFP
  

  A familiar and frightening sight

  For PSG fans, this was a painful case of deja vu as just days earlier, Dembele had sparked injury fears during PSG’s 1-0 league win over OGC Nice. Having come off the bench in that game, cameras caught the winger in conversation with Achraf Hakimi during stoppage time, clearly distressed. "It hurts, it hurts so bad," he was caught saying as he pointed to his right hamstring. "I'm hurting in my hamstring…I’m hurting too much." The comments immediately set alarm bells ringing in Paris. Dembele has battled hamstring problems throughout his career, right from his Barcelona days, and it appeared another setback was looming just as he was rediscovering top form.

• Luis Enrique’s reassurance proves hollow

  PSG manager Luis Enrique had tried to ease fears before the Bayern clash, insisting that his star man was "fully fit". 

  He said: “There’s no risk, he’s fully fit. He’s completed all training sessions over the last two weeks and played the last two matches. His physical condition is improving.”

  But within half an hour, that optimism crumbled. Dembele's sprint down the tunnel told its story of frustration and a player who knows his body all too well. It was his fourth appearance since recovering from the hamstring injury suffered while on international duty with France in September, but now there’s genuine concern that the Ballon d’Or winner faces yet another long spell on the sidelines. 

  Speaking to Canal+ after the match, Luis Enrique said: "I don't know. I think it has nothing to do with the previous injury. It's something new. We need to be very careful, we're looking to improve the players' condition."

  With Dembele gone, PSG’s attacking spark dimmed. Bayern, ruthless as ever, wasted little time pressing their advantage. Diaz doubled his tally seven minutes later, punishing a disjointed PSG backline with a thunderous strike. However, just before half-time, Diaz launched into a reckless tackle on Hakimi, catching the Moroccan full-back’s ankle with a high, late challenge from behind. Hakimi screamed in agony, rolling on the turf as medics rushed in. Referee Maurizio Mariani initially showed a yellow card but was summoned to the monitor. After reviewing the tackle, the official had no choice but to brandish a straight red. He was carried off, tears streaming down his face, as team-mates gathered around him. The timing could not be worse with Hakimi expected to captain Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations next month on home soil. Now, it remains to be seen if the injury rules him out of the tournament, which will be a devastating blow for the country.

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  PSG left counting the cost

  With Hakimi injured, Dembele out, and tempers fraying, Paris looked like a team unravelling. By full-time, PSG’s night had gone from frustrating to disastrous. Joao Neves managed to pull one back in the 74th minute, but Bayern held firm to seal a 2-1 victory. For Luis Enrique, the defeat is about more than lost points, as it’s about mounting injuries that plague the reigning champions. Vincent Kompany’s side now sit firmly at the summit of the Champions League group stage table with 12 points from four matches. They must already have their eyes on the next challenge, which is a heavyweight clash against Arsenal at the Emirates on November 26. It will be a titanic clash with the top two going at each other for top spot.

يستعد فريق مانشستر سيتي، بقيادة المدرب بيب جوارديولا، لخوض أكثر من مباراة في مختلف المسابقات، وذلك خلال شهر ديسمبر من العام الحالي، 2025.

ويحتل مانشستر سيتي المركز الثاني في جدول الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، في الوقت الحالي، برصيد 25 نقطة، كما يمتلك 10 نقاط ويحتل المركز التاسع في جدول دوري أبطال أوروبا، مرحلة الدوري.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مانشستر سيتي يخاطر بإثارة غضب منتخب مصر بسبب عمر مرموش

ويستعد مانشستر سيتي كذلك لخوض مباراة في إطار منافسات ربع نهائي بطولة كأس رابطة الأندية الإنجليزية، كاراباو.

ولن يتمكن النجم المصري عمر مرموش من خوض كافة مباريات فريق مانشستر سيتي ذلك الشهر، حيث يستعد للمشاركة رفقة منتخب مصر في بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا، حيث ستكون أولى مباريات الفراعنة يوم 22 من ديسمبر. مواعيد مباريات مانشستر سيتي في شهر ديسمبر 2025

فولهام ومانشستر سيتي، الجولة الرابعة عشر من الدوري الإنجليزي، يوم الثلاثاء 2 ديسمبر 2025، 9:30 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، 10:30 بتوقيت السعودية.

مانشستر سيتي وسندرلاند، الجولة الخامسة عشر من الدوري الإنجليزي، يوم السبت 6 ديسمبر 2025، 5 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، 6 بتوقيت السعودية.

ريال مدريد ومانشستر سيتي، الجولة السادسة من دوري أبطال أوروبا، يوم الأربعاء 10 ديسمبر 2025، 10 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، 11 بتوقيت السعودية.

كريستال بالاس ومانشستر سيتي، الجولة السادسة عشر من الدوري الإنجليزي، يوم الأحد 14 ديسمبر 2025، 4 عصرًا بتوقيت القاهرة، 5 بتوقيت السعودية.

مانشستر سيتي وبرينتفورد، ربع نهائي كأس كاراباو، يوم الأربعاء 17 ديسمبر 2025، 9:30 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، 10:30 بتوقيت السعودية.

مانشستر سيتي ووست هام، الجولة السابعة عشر من الدوري الإنجليزي، يوم السبت 20 ديسمبر 2025، 5 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، 6 بتوقيت السعودية.

نوتينجهام فورست ومانشستر سيتي، الجولة الثامنة عشر من الدوري الإنجليزي، يوم السبت 27 ديسمبر 2025، 2:30 ظهرًا بتوقيت القاهرة، 3:30 بتوقيت السعودية.

MatériaMais Notícias

da dobrowin： Após mais de um ano sem ser convocado para a Seleção Brasileira, o meia Philippe Coutinho, do Barcelona, voltou a ser chamado para o técnico Tite, para os duelos contra Colômbia e Argentina, pelas Eliminatórias para Copa do Mundo, no Catar, em 2022. E ele foi o primeiro atleta a se apresentar, ainda na noite do último domingo (7).

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da betsson： Empolgado, o atleta promete trabalhar duro para aproveitar esse período de oito dias com o grupo do Brasil.

>> Baixe o novo app de resultados do L!

-Trabalho é o principal, tecla que sempre bato, eu batalhei bastante para vir aqui e ser convocado pela primeira vez, trabalhei bastante par a em manter aqui e batalhei muito para, depois de três cirurgias, poder voltar. Segredo de tudo é o trabalho, dedicação, é isso que eu proponho a mim, que a cada dia que passe, tanto na seleção quanto no clube. Não tive sequência de cinco, seis jogos seguidos, jogando, para estar no meu melhor nível, mas pelo meu trabalho, tenho certeza que as pessoas vão voltar a olhar com outros olhos – disse Phillipe em entrevista coletiva virtual realizada nesta segunda-feira (8).

O meia também não escondeu a felicidade com a sua nova fase podendo vestir a camisa verde e amarela.

-Sempre encaro como a primeira convocação, venho aqui e dar meu máximo para me manter aqui, fui o primeiro a chegar, cheguei ontem a noite com uma felicidade enorme, falava brincando com o Vini (Rodrigues, assessor de imprensa da Seleção), porque geralmente não gosto de dar coletiva, mas falei para ele me colocar que eu iria, então tô muito feliz mesmo – ressaltou o atleta.

Coutinho está de volta aos gramados desde setembro, após passar nove meses afastado por conta de duas cirurgias no menisco do joelho esquerdo. O procedimento foi realizado pelo Dr. Rodrigo Lasmar, médico da Seleção Brasileira.

-Depois de tudo o que eu passei, de tudo o que aconteceu no ano que passou, momento muito difícil, onde gerou muitas incertezas na minha cabeça e, enfim, com muito trabalho muita dedicação, pude voltar a jogar futebol, claro que aproveito para agradecer ao Doutor Rodrigo Lasmar que me operou, cirurgia foi um sucesso, acompanhou todo o passo a passo da cirurgia e hoje, graças a Deus, tô de volta, e essa frase é uma parada que eu sinto, porque depois de tudo o que eu passei me sinto merecer de tudo isso, de tá aqui de volta, de tá mais forte mentalmente e depois de tudo o que eu passei – ressaltou o meia da Seleção.

Coutinho vestiu a camisa da Seleção Brasileira em 63 ocasiões e tem 18 gols marcados com a Amarelinha.

Marsh fell for 4 as WA slumped to 98 for 4 on a day when only 30 overs were bowled due to rain

AAP06-Dec-2025Mitchell Marsh’s Test audition has failed, dismissed cheaply for the second time in Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria at the MCG.In his first red-ball game since being dropped by Australia following last year’s Boxing Day Test, Marsh made just 4 in WA’s second innings on Saturday after managing 9 on day one.Related

• Gannon takes five but Macdonald, Short and Perry put Victoria on top

• Stobo's stunning spell helps NSW seize control at SCG

He lasted just six balls as he fell to Victorian seamer Sam Elliott, who is enjoying one of the best games of his first-class career.Marsh, who last played a Shield match in October 2024, had been touted as a potential shock factor at the top of Australia’s order in this summer’s Ashes.But another Test call-up seems unlikely with Travis Head and Jake Weatherald making a promising start to their opening combination for Australia.Marsh had to wait more than half a day on Saturday to get an opportunity to bat, with no play possible until midway through the second session due to rain in Melbourne.With WA starting day three on 5 for 1, Marsh was quickly in the game after nightwatchman Corey Rocchiccioli was trapped lbw by Elliott.The visitors crumbled to 17 for 3 when Marsh exited, before captain Sam Whitemanand fellow veteran Hilton Cartwright rallied.The pair got WA to 75 for 4, a lead of 14, when bad light stopped play midway through the final session. But play was able to resume again, with WA getting to 98 for 4 at stumps and Whiteman unbeaten on 56.With the weather likely to be fine on Sunday, Victoria will still fancy their chances of running through WA and securing an outright win.

He is the only addition to their squad from their last series, which they lost 1-0 in Sri Lanka

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Nov-2025Top-order batter Mahmudul Hasan Joy has returned to the Bangladesh squad that will face Ireland over two Test matches in Sylhet and Dhaka later this month.Joy has played 18 Tests and was seen as a highly promising addition to the team after scoring the first-ever Test match century by a Bangladesh batter in South Africa, in 2022. He lost his place in the side after averaging 14.92 in seven Tests since the start of 2024 but good form in the new season of the National Cricket League, during which he scored 127 and 51 for Chattogram Division against Rajshahi Division, has helped him mount a comeback.Najmul Hossain Shanto leads the 15-member team. He had quit as captain at the end of Bangladesh’s last Test series in June, which they lost 1-0 to Sri Lanka, but the BCB has reinstated him and said he will remain in charge until the end of this World Test Championship cycle in 2027. Anamul Haque, Mahidul Islam Ankon and Nayeem Hasan, who were part of that Sri Lanka tour, have been left out.Related

Ashraful named Bangladesh's batting coach

Ireland name five uncapped players in Test squad for Bangladesh

Shanto reinstated as Bangladesh Test captain until end of WTC cycle

Mushfiqur Rahim, should he play both matches against Ireland, will become the first Bangladesh cricketer to play 100 Tests. The 38-year-old made his debut back in 2005 and is already their most capped player and their highest scorer in the format. He is also in form having made 115 for Sylhet Division at the same ground where the first Test against Ireland will take place.Bangladesh have picked four fast bowlers in Ebadot Hossain, Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud and Khaled Ahmed to complement their three spinners Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam and Hasan Murad, who is still awaiting his Test debut. Murad picked up a match haul of 9 for 135 for Chattogram in the NCL in October. Taijul, meanwhile, is 10 short of going past Shakib Al Hasan and becoming Bangladesh’s highest wicket-taker in Tests.The two matches against Ireland are scheduled for November 11-15 in Sylhet and November 19-23 in Dhaka. They are not part of the WTC.Bangladesh Test squad for Ireland seriesNajmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Hasan Murad.

Chelsea are now firmly in the race to sign an England international also wanted by Barcelona, who has been described as “one of the best” in Europe.

Blues miss opportunity to go top of the table

The Blues squandered their chance to go top of the Premier League table on Saturday afternoon, with Fabio Carvalho bagging a stoppage-time equaliser for Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, to ensure the spoils were shared in a 2-2 draw.

Enzo Maresca was forced into making three half-time substitutions, given that a number of players are yet to reach full match fitness, including Wesley Fofana, who made his first Premier League start of the season.

Maresca is a little light on options in defence, having not brought in a replacement for Levi Colwill during the summer transfer window, with the Englishman set for a lengthy spell on the treatment table due to an ACL injury.

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, however, signing a new centre-back is on the to-do list, with Chelsea now firmly back in the race to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, who nearly joined Liverpool in a £35m deal on deadline day.

Speaking about the west Londoners’ interest, Bailey said: “Chelsea know all about Guehi, but this summer they opted not to bring in a new central defender, even after Levi Colwill’s injury. However, the chance to add a homegrown star, currently one of the best in Europe – it is just not logical for them not to be involved.

Chelsea scouts spotted watching 17 y/o gem who's been dubbed the new Kante

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“Chelsea know Guehi’s character, he is a fantastic person and everyone who meets him relays that fact – I was told by one high ranking Premier League executive that signing him is one of the ‘least risky’ transfers that anyone could do.

There could be fierce competition for the defender’s signature, however, with Liverpool still thought to be in pole position, while the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are also named as potential suitors.

Guehi could be upgrade on Colwill

There are indications the Palace captain could be an upgrade on Colwill, given that he is far more established at international level, having picked up 25 caps for England, compared to just five for the Chelsea defender.

Not only that, but the 25-year-old has outperformed Colwill across a number of key defensive metrics over the past year, while also proving himself as more of an attacking threat.

Guehi could be a fantastic signing for Chelsea, and should they qualify for the Champions League once again, moving to Stamford Bridge is likely to be an attractive proposition next summer.

For the third time this season, Eddie Howe has the job of picking up his Newcastle United players after suffering defeat in the Premier League against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Danny Welbeck’s double secured a 2-1 victory for Fabian Hurzeler’s men, which has left the Magpies currently sitting in the bottom half of the table after the first eight outings.

The result leaves Howe with a huge task on his hands to try and turn the situation around, after winning just 25% of the league outings in 2025/26 to date.

Both of their victories have come on home soil, with their tally of just three points out of a potential 12 away from home certainly becoming a real concern for the 47-year-old.

However, at one stage, it appeared that the Magpies may have been able to get something out of the contest after the brilliance of one first team member.

Nick Woltemade’s brilliance against Brighton

After Alexander Isak joined Liverpool from Newcastle this summer, his replacement was already going to have huge boots to fill given the Swede’s success at St James’ Park.

The hierarchy chose Nick Woltemade as the man to take the responsibility on his shoulders, something which the German has done brilliantly in recent weeks.

He’s made five appearances in the Premier League since his big-money transfer to Tyneside, but has had an immediate impact – netting four goals with his latest coming against the Seagulls.

Such an effort was arguably his best to date, incredibly flicking Lewis Miley’s cross into the bottom left-hand corner past the despairing Bart Verbruggen.

Woltemade also completed a dribble, made five passes into the final third and won two aerial battles – subsequently showcasing his incredible all-round display.

However, despite such a showing, numerous other Magpies players struggled to impress at the AMEX, which could put their places in the starting eleven at huge risk.

The Newcastle player who could be on borrowed time

Losing in the Premier League is to be expected given the competitive nature of the division, but the fashion in which Newcastle did so on Saturday is nothing short of unacceptable.

Howe has instilled huge expectations into the fanbase, given the recent success, but such a showing against Hurzeler’s side fell way below the high stands his men have set.

Anthony Elanga was one player who once again struggled on the South Coast, subsequently being replaced at the break as a result of his first-half showing.

However, he wasn’t alone in that regard, with Brazilian international Joelinton another starter who was withdrawn from the contest after just 45 minutes.

He’s been a player who’s been called into question by the supporters for his lack of impact, with his outing against the Seagulls certainly doing himself no favours.

The 29-year-old only registered a total of 39 touches of the ball, whilst only making three passes into the final third and was unable to create any clear-cut chances.

Joelinton also failed to complete any of the long balls he attempted, even losing possession six times and often being wasteful when having the ball at his feet, having been described as “tough to watch” by Magpie Media.

Minutes played

45

Touches

39

Passes completed

21

Long balls completed

0

Possession lost

6x

Dribbled past

2

Dribbles

0

Shots

0

Key passes

0

Crosses

0

Aerials lost

100%

Match rating

4/10

Out of possession, the Brazilian was dribbled past twice, whilst also losing 100% of the aerial battles he entered in what was an afternoon to forget for the midfielder.

As a result of his dismal showing, he was handed a measly 4/10 match rating by Newcastle World journalist Jordan Cronin – further showcasing how disappointing he was in the defeat.

After such a showing, there’s no denying he needs to be dropped from Howe’s starting eleven, especially after Miley registered an assist after replacing him.

Joelinton has been an excellent addition for the club, but it appears as though he could be on borrowed time given his recent slump in form over the last few weeks.

Fewer touches than Pope: Howe must drop 4/10 Newcastle man after Brighton

Newcastle United suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion this afternoon.

ByEthan Lamb Oct 18, 2025

So this Ashes is a big deal, is it?
As the oldest rivalry in cricket (yes, we are deliberately overlooking USA vs Canada) the Ashes is always a big deal. But the 2025-26 series has been amped up to what feels like a new level – and this despite England’s woeful record in Australia, which reads P15 W0 L13 over their last three tours of the country.Why’s everyone so excited then?
There are a number of factors at play. Foremost is the style of cricket England have adopted – dubbed “Bazball” by one of ESPNcricinfo’s own – and the sense that they will come and have a go in a manner than few English teams in Australia have managed this century. There is also the hangover from the last Ashes, in England in 2023, which ended 2-2 but sparked all sorts of back-and-forth over “moral victories” and who really came out on top.Related

• Will this Ashes be the making of Bazball 2.0?

• The Ashes: the sun is hot, the spiders are large, the trash talk is garbage

• England's Ashes squad have pace in abundance, but do they have the miles?

They didn’t manage to Bazball Australia at home, then?
No, but they did come back from 2-0 down, and were arguably only denied victory in the series by rain in Manchester. But let’s not go over all that again. England have been planning for the next campaign down under ever since, and have assembled what might be their fastest-ever bowling attack in a bid to win in Australia for the first time since 2010-11.So should Australia be worried?
Not on the face of it, given England have rarely even come close to winning a Test in the (Un)Lucky Country in the intervening period – and have particularly painful memories of a grueling visit, wreathed in Covid regulations, in 2021-22. Australia, meanwhile, have won five of their last seven Test series, including four in a row, and last experienced defeat in India in 2022-23. At home, they haven’t been beaten since 2020-21 (again by India). They also reached the final of the World Test Championship, although lost out on the mace to South Africa.I sense a ‘but’ coming here…
You guessed it. But Australia, who have picked a squad with only one player under the age of 30, are in the rare position of having significant question marks over their XI. Notably, it looks like they will field a debutant opener, while the man at the other end, Usman Khawaja, might be on borrowed time. They have also been beset by untimely injuries: captain, Pat Cummins, will miss the first Test as he continues to rehab from a back stress reaction, while another of Australia’s “Big Three” seam attack, Josh Hazlewood, is out with a hamstring strain.All eyes are on when Pat Cummins could play a role in the Ashes•Getty Images

So England will be taking on a weakened opposition?
On paper, yes, although Scott Boland (Test bowling average in Australia: 12.63) is a more than capable back-up for Cummins, while Brendan Doggett, another likely debutant, has both form and pedigree after his long wait for a baggy green. Steven Smith won’t miss a beat as stand-in captain, either. Whether this is the “worst Australia side since 2010-11” is up for debate, but their selection quandaries have certainly added to the intrigue around the build-up.Ah yes, the old ‘phoney war’…
As daft as ever, and impossible to get away from. But at least it’s almost time to take out the trash talk.Any other reasons for optimistic Englishmen to stay up through the night?
Well, Australian pitches have certainly made for entertaining viewing over recent seasons and might help level the playing field. Whether England have brought the right attack for the conditions is another debate.Will this be Joe Root’s Ashes?•Getty Images

They do arrive with the No. 1 and No. 2-ranked Test batters, Joe Root and Harry Brook (the latter for the first major Test of his supreme away record), as well as a fit Ben Stokes, after a shoulder tear sustained during the English summer. They’ve been lucky with injuries (so far), with Mark Wood surviving his own hamstring-knack scare over the weekend. And the only major talking point around their batting order – the identity of No. 3 – was put to bed during the warm-up game against England Lions by Ollie Pope making scores of 100 and 90.All aboard the Bazball bus, then!
At least until the wheels fall off. The series starts in Perth, where England have only ever won once (at the old WACA Ground) – with Optus Stadium hosting an Ashes Test for the first time. Then it’s on to the pink-ball day-night game at the Gabba in Brisbane, followed by Adelaide, which last hosted England for a daytime Test in 2013-14. If the Ashes are still alive come the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, we should have a series on our hands.Sounds like the chances are good?
Let’s see. It’s certainly their best shot in a long while. At the very least, it’s to be hoped that England won’t have conceded the contest inside 12 days’ cricket.Fingers crossed! Anything else I should know?
Regardless of whether England can be competitive/win a Test/not suffer complete embarrassment, let’s hope that Root finally scores a hundred on Australia soil. Otherwise Matthew Hayden’s middle stump is going for a walk – and not in the good way.