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Batters have looked to hit with the breeze while bowlers try to utilise it in their defence

Matt Roller21-Jun-2024At each of the five T20 World Cup games staged in St Lucia over the past week, there have been two matches going on: one team against the other, and both teams against the wind.Walk up to Daren Sammy Cricket Ground into the Beausejour Hills and the stiff breeze blowing in from the east is the first thing you notice. It is confirmed by the billowing flags hoisted next to the Party Stand, while players and umpires have their shirts buffeted throughout games. It is not far from the sea and the surrounding hills help to create strong winds with gusts of up to 20mph.Throughout this leg of the tournament, the breeze has blown diagonally across the ground, from behind the Party Stand on the north-eastern side – which is low and open – and towards the grandstand on the south-western side. Balls hit hard and flat can avoid it but any shot played in the air is liable to be blown one way or the other, and it has played on almost every player’s mind.Related

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With the wind blowing diagonally rather than straight across the ground, and three different strips used, there have been a number of subplots in these five games. In the first two, the breeze went towards the shorter boundary: bowlers tried to get hit towards the bigger side, and batters used their feet to create an angle that would allow them to hit with the wind.In the next two, the wind blew towards the bigger side, but the ends seemed to have more of an impact: in England’s win over West Indies, Phil Salt scored 27 off 22 balls at one end, while the breeze was coming towards him, and 60 off 25 at the other when it seemed to help straight shots carry over the rope.And on Friday, the first 10.30am start of the St Lucia leg, the wind seemed to be even stronger. On a fresh, central strip, the dimensions were relatively even – one square boundary measured 66 metres, the other 69 metres – and both South Africa and England made their plans accordingly: with the bat, use the breeze to attack; with the ball, use it as a defensive weapon.It has even influenced England’s team selection: they have changed the balance of their side since the start of the tournament, with Sam Curran replacing Will Jacks to provide both an extra seam-bowling option and another left-handed batter. “It gives us another option for the left-hand/right-hand combination, to try and have somebody hitting with the wind,” Jos Buttler said.It was clear in England’s bowling innings that they were trying to use it to their advantage, often bowling straight to a batter at one end and then hanging the ball wide at the other. “The wind’s been playing a big part in all the games,” Buttler said. “It was just a simple plan to try and get people to hit into the wind as opposed to with it.”The game’s costliest overs – which went for 21 runs each – were both influenced heavily by it. In South Africa’s powerplay, England posted two leg-side boundary-riders when Jofra Archer bowled to Quinton de Kock and he used the breeze to flick a ball at his hip over Reece Topley’s head at long leg and pull another over midwicket. It brought an over-correction to a shorter length, which de Kock was alert enough to uppercut for four.2:36

How big a factor is wind in St Lucia?

“Wind’s definitely a big factor, especially opening the batting when you’ve only got two guys out,” de Kock said. “You’ve got to use that wind as much as you can: don’t fight it, just try and use it. But I think it’s going to be like that [for] the whole of the rest of the World Cup when wind definitely plays a big factor.”When South Africa bowled at the death, Ottneil Baartman’s plan to bowl in the blockhole seemingly failed to account for the wind blowing behind him: he attempted five yorkers, and the breeze helped ensure that all five were full tosses. Three of them were hit for four and another for six.Some batters have used it much better than others. David Miller went with the wind to hit two short-side boundaries off Mark Wood in the 16th over, and to swing Archer over square leg for six. Moeen Ali, by contrast, picked out a leg-side boundary-rider while hitting into the breeze for the second match in succession.Fittingly, the game’s decisive moment was elevated by the wind. With 14 required off the last over and Harry Brook on strike, England were well placed as he tried to loft Anrich Nortje over mid-off. It was a percentage option to a slot ball, his poor connection flying away with the breeze and out of Aiden Markram’s reach.But Markram back-pedalled and took a superb diving effort, correctly judging the ball’s trajectory after spending 19 overs in the field working out just how vital the wind was. “I don’t think the TV does it justice,” de Kock said. “There was a massive left-to-right wind from my direction – maybe like 40-50kph.”It’s not that the ball’s just getting pushed, but also getting moved that way and he actually turned on the inside, so the ball’s always moving towards the boundary. Credit to Aiden. Everybody takes high catches but he practises those catches all the time… he won us a moment in the game today.”Ahead of the final game on this beautiful island on Monday, Australia and India should take note. There is nothing they can do to change the winds: it is a question of how they should adjust their sails to reach their destination.

Take a peek into the life of one of Pakistan’s most exciting fast bowlers

Shashank Kishore03-Sep-2022There is a boisterous energy Naseem Shah brings to everything he does on the cricket field. And he makes things happen. If his fiery lifters to Virat Kohli elicited a raised brow and a nod from the batter, his late seam movement back into KL Rahul to clang into his stumps triggered an Imran Tahir-like sprint of celebration. Even his handshake comes off with a sideways high-five vibe. It’s all or nothing.When Naseem is running in, everyone must stop what they are doing and watch. At training, and at press boxes. Even in the dining room, people put down their spoons and forks and watch him. On Sunday, he bowled Rahul first ball, and then welcomed Kohli with a sharp bouncer and a smile. Everyone’s eyes were on him. Even the private security guards whose job it is to survey the crowed for signs of trouble couldn’t help but steal a glance.Yet, for all that aggression, there’s a boyish charm to Naseem, in the way he just seems to enjoy everything about the game. Bowling is what he loves, though. Even at the end of a long two-hour session, if he still has the ball in hand, you know batters are going to be challenged, if not cop blows. It doesn’t even matter that they are all his team-mates.Related

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Naseem plays with a smile; angry barbs aren’t his way. If you know his story, just 19 years’ worth, you would know why playing cricket means so much to him. He has seen poverty knock on his door. He has had to deal with the loss of a parent – his mother. He’s experienced challenges every step of the way. It has all been in search of a dream. A dream that may have once seemed as far from becoming a reality as his hometown in the Lower Dir in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is to Karachi or Islamabad. But not anymore.Naseem has overcome setbacks on the field too. Some serious, like multiple stress fractures on his back that has had him spend more time on hospital beds, looking at PET scans and reports, than the nets or at the ground. And others not quite so frightening, but worrying all the same, like his shoulder troubles earlier this year.In between, he has roughed up batting line-ups with swing, seam and raw pace. He is the youngest bowler ever to pick up a Test hat-trick. He has played in England, West Indies, Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and is now in the UAE for the Asia Cup. In a month’s time, he is likely to be on the flight to Australia, the country of his Test debut, for his maiden [T20] World Cup.Not bad, you’d think, for someone who didn’t have a pair of spikes till four years ago. He didn’t know what a leather ball was or what seam position meant. All he knew was bowling fast. No compromises.A 16-year old Naseem Shah takes off after picking up a Test hat-trick against Bangladesh in February 2020•Associated PressMudassar Nazar, the former Pakistan allrounder, remembers watching Naseem in his debut season, in 2018, and being spellbound. Mudassar was director of academies at the PCB and was in charge of honing the skills of young cricketers who had been handpicked to be part of the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.”In his maiden first-class season, I remember a game where Naseem was bowling to a tailender, a No. 11, I presume,” Mudassar recalled in a chat with ESPNcricinfo. “You could see the guy was scared of Naseem. He kept exposing all three stumps, it was basically an open invitation for Naseem to clean him up. But he kept bowling short, bowling bouncers at him. He was so aggressive that he wanted to knock him out. We had to sit him down and tell him this is not how you bowl; the prime objective is to get people out.”The NCA in Lahore shares a wall with the Abdul Qadir Academy, where Naseem began his formal training at 15. He had just moved into his uncle’s house in the city, from where he would cycle long distances to reach the academy. On his first day there, he was handed an old ball. Two overs later, Naseem made a beeline for the new ball, and he wasn’t to be denied. Clearly, he was special. Saud Khan, a man with an eye for talent and one of the coaches at the academy, was Naseem’s first instructor, and Sulaman Qadir, one of Abdul Qadir’s sons, his mentor.For six months, Naseem’s routine was something like this: cycle to training, bowl for four hours, cycle home, grab some food, then go back and do it all over again in the evening. It wasn’t for everyone. But for Naseem, it was all he wanted to do. Once word about him spread, he was immediately drafted into one of several age-group camps at the PCB Academy.This period coincided with Mudassar’s return to Pakistan from Dubai, where he had been in charge as head of cricket development at the ICC Academy. Mudassar, a veteran of 76 Tests and 122 ODIs, had been at the forefront of the academy’s development since its launch in 2009, but couldn’t refuse an offer when then PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan came calling.Naseem Shah got his first Pakistan cap from Waqar Younis in November 2019•Getty ImagesMudassar’s first task was to identify a pool of players at the Under-16 level to take part in PCB’s exchange programme with Cricket Australia in early 2017. Sure enough, Naseem figured in that list. It was Mudassar’s first proper sighting of the fast bowler, long before he played that first-class game where he roughed up tailenders with bouncers.”My first impression was the guy can bowl sharp, and that he was quick, but can get quicker,” Mudassar said. He continued after a long pause: “But he had a terrible bowling action that was putting a lot of strain on his back. Much of it came about because of non-stop cricket. He’d bowl at the NCA, then hop over to the academy next door and bowl there. And this took a toll on him without him realising it.”Towards the end of 2017, Naseem had his first stress fracture and it needed six-seven months of rehab. “He dealt with the news of his injury better than me, or better than many other kids would,” Mudassar said. “But that desperation to play was there. It was a stressful time, but he was so composed. Every morning, he’d come and say, ‘sir, ‘ [I want to play]. Our challenge as coaches was to control hm and tell him he needed to look after himself.”Mudassar has undertaken several courses about biomechanics and injury management over the years. His ability to explain a complex issue in layperson’s terms helps put things into perspective.”Naseem’s action is side-on, and his front arm kept falling away from his body instead of going across his body,” Mudassar said. “That would take the head position with it, and all his energy, instead of going straight down the pitch, would be going towards gully. This put immense stress on his back.”He would be so fond of bowling that you couldn’t keep him still. You have to do a certain number of repetitions to get a message from your brain to form your muscle memory. But because young players are so fond of playing, it’s easy to go back to old habits. We had to control Naseem for six months. And inch by inch, we worked on bringing his front arm across. Only once we were fully satisfied, he was able to do that, we let him play.”Mudassar Nazar played 76 Tests and 122 ODIs for Pakistan•Getty ImagesWithin two months of getting fit, Naseem was playing for Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited in a Quaid-e-Azam Trophy game against Lahore Blues. Less than a year later, he was in Australia, making his Test debut. He was that good. He didn’t need to play Under-19 or ‘A’ team cricket. It was straight into the senior team.”The boy simply wanted to knock batters out with his aggression and pace, the main thing was to get him to understand how to bowl to every batter, how to bowl on different kinds of pitches and how to get people out,” Mudassar said. “He slowly started to play more matches. Which is why he was also in the scheme of things for the Under-19 World Cup in 2020. But you knew he was way ahead of his mates at that level.”Naseem made his Test debut in Brisbane, a week after he had received the news of his mother’s death. The fastest flight home was going to take 48 hours. He chose to stay on.Since his debut, Naseem has become a regular member of the Pakistan line-up, and although he only made his T20I debut a couple of days ago, he looks a shoo-in for the T20 World Cup squad. Especially now that it is clear he was only suffering from cramps when he went down, screaming in pain and clutching his leg, in the India game earlier this week.But, for all his gifts – his pace, his swing, his aggression – there are still things Naseem can get better at. “I don’t see him using the crease yet,” Mudassar said. “But as he bowls more, he’ll pick up the finer aspects. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that he stays fit. This boy, like his second name, Shah – which means emperor in Urdu – will rule the world.”

He became only the seventh bowler and the fourth pacer to the landmark

Sreshth Shah28-Jul-2020Courtney Walsh – March 2001 v South Africa, Port of SpainThe first man to reach 500 wickets, Walsh pinned Jacques Kallis lbw on the backfoot on the third day of the second Test. At the time of his dismissal, Kallis was displeased with the decision, suggesting an inside edge onto his pads; but Walsh didn’t care, and neither did the home fans. Walsh retired a month later, but not before adding a further 19 wickets to his tally.Shane Warne – March 2004 v Sri Lanka, GalleIn the spring of 2004, all eyes were on the two greatest spinners of the generation to see who would reach the 500-mark first. And it was the Australian who pipped Muttiah Muralitharan to the mark, when he forced Hashan Tillakaratne to top-edge a heave on the final day of the first Test with the visitors hunting for the win. Warne took 208 more wickets in the next three years to finish with 708 wickets, still the second-highest in the history of Test cricket.Muttiah Muralitharan – March 2004 v Australia, KandyWhile Warne got to 500 in the final innings of the first Test, Muralitharan got there in the first innings of the second Test, and that too at his home town. Fighting a stomach bug, Muralitharan took 4 for 48 in 15 overs, including the wicket of Michael Kasprowicz with an offbreak that bowled him through his defences. Although Warne’s match-winning performances dampened the Test match for Sri Lanka, Muralitharan reached the mark 21 Tests before the Australian. At the time, Muralitharan said that he wished to reach at least 650 wickets. He finished with 800, which is still 92 more than anyone else.Glenn McGrath – July 2005 v England, Lord’sMcGrath entered the iconic 2005 Ashes with 499 wickets, and the first English wicket – of Marcus Trescothick – helped the quick reach 500 when the opener edged one to Justin Langer at slip. It was a start Australia deperately needed, having been bowled out for 190 in the first innings. McGrath’s impetus helped them take a first-innings lead and even win the opening Test. Before the second game, however, McGrath injured his right ankle and the series turned on its head. Over the next 18 months, McGrath took 55 more wickets and at the time of his retirement, his tally of 563 was the most by a fast bowler.Anil Kumble – March 2006 v England, MohaliIn his 105th Test, Kumble became the second-fastest man to 500 when he trapped Steve Harmison lbw on the third day of the rain-hit second Test against England. It was his second wicket in two balls, with Kumble bowling Geraint Jones in the previous delivery with a wrong’un. He led through the game with nine wickets in a Player-of-the-Match performance. Kumble finished on 619 wickets, and remains the third-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket.James Anderson – September 2017 v West Indies, Lord’sLord’s became the first ground to witness two men getting to the hallowed figure when Anderson bowled opener Kraigg Brathwaite at the start of the second innings, ending an 11-year wait for a man to reach 500 Test scalps. In typical Anderson fashion, it was an inswinger that did Brathwaite, crashing into the batsman’s middle stump. The day got even better as Anderson took another six to wreck West Indies, finishing with 7 for 42 for the innings. Anderson is currently inching towards the 600-wicket mark, and if he gets there, will be the first pacer to do so in Test history.Stuart Broad – July 2020 v West Indies, Old TraffordBroad was on the field when Anderson got to 500, and Anderson accompanied him too when Broad got there three years later. The opponents were the same, and co-incidentally, so was the batsman. Kraigg Brathwaite, looking to defend off the back foot, was trapped lbw with a ball staying low and hitting him on his back leg on the final day of the final Test of West Indies’ tour. Broad got to the mark in his 140th Test, and is the slowest in terms of matches to get there.

نجح الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي فلامينجو البرازيلي، في تعزيز تقدمه على بيراميدز، في نصف نهائي بطولة كأس إنتركونتيننتال، -كأس التحدي-.

ويلتقي بيراميدز مع فلامينجو، الآن، في مواجهة نارية، تقام ضمن نصف نهائي كأس إنتركونتيننتال في قطر.

طالع| تشكيل بيراميدز أمام فلامينجو في كأس إنتركونتيننتال.. مايلي يقود الهجوم

وسجل دانيلو، الهدف الثاني لصالح فلامينجو في الدقيقة 52 من رأسية بعد عرضية مميزة استقبلها من كرة ثابتة.

وجاء هدف فلامينجو الأول في الدقيقة 24 من زمن الشوط الأول، عن طريق ليو بيريرا، بعد عرضية قابلها اللاعب برأسه في الشباك.

وكان فلامينجو قد فاز على كروز أوزول في كأس إنتركونتيننتال، بهدفين مقابل هدف، ليتأهل لنصف النهائي ويواجه بيراميدز.

أما بيراميدز، فوصل إلى دور نصف النهائي، بعد تخطي أوكلاند سيتي النيوزيلندي بنتيجة 3-0 في مباراة الدور التمهيدي الأول، ثم الفوز على الأهلي السعودي في دور ربع النهائي. هدف فلامينجو الثاني أمام بيراميدز في كأس إنتركونتيننتال

It's not a good time to be a Colorado Rockies fan.

The Rockies own MLB's worst record through the first month-plus of the 2025 campaign, and quite frankly, it's not even close. The team has won just six games through its first 37 contests and owns a stunningly bad run differential of -109.

Colorado dropped both games of a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, capping off a series sweep at Coors Field. They were outscored 21–3 throughout the two games.

Kyle Freeland, who drew the start for the first game and surrendered five runs and 11 hits across just three innings, got emotional when addressing the media after the loss. When asked about what he'd say to fans amid the team's historically woeful start to the season, he issued a heartbroken response.

"Keep believing in us," Freeland said, seemingly fighting back tears, before leaving the podium.

Freeland is one of the longest tenured players on Colorado's roster, currently in his ninth season with the organization. Having been with the Rockies since his MLB debut in 2017, he was present for the team's consecutive postseason appearances in '17 and '18. He has also been present for the following seven seasons of mediocre sub-.500 baseball, and it would appear the losses are taking a toll on him.

For reference, the Rockies' 6–31 record equates to a winning percentage of .162. Only one team in MLB history has had a worse winning percentage through a full season: the 1899 Cleveland Spiders who finished the year 20–134. If Colorado can't turn things around quickly, they could find themselves approaching those historic lows come season's end.

Weep for Colorado Rockies fans.

With Thursday's 2–0 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, the Rockies were swept in four games, falling to 8-42 this season. That is the worst 50-game start in the modern MLB era, which dates back to 1901.

But that's not all.

In order to find a worse 50-game start in MLB history, you have to go all the way back to a time when sustained, engine-powered airplanes didn't exist and starting pitchers routinely threw 600 innings per season.

The 1895 Louisville Colonels, who started 7-43, are the only team in recorded MLB history to compile a worse record through the first 50 games of a season, according to .

The 2024 Chicago White Sox set the modern-era record for the most losses in a single season, with 121. But the Rockies are unfortunately cratering past the White Sox, as Colorado is on pace for 136 losses, which would surpass the 1899 Cleveland Spiders, who lost more games (134) than any team in MLB history.

The Rockies on May 11 fired manager Bud Black one day after losing by 21 runs to the San Diego Padres, with team owner, chairman and CEO Dick Monfort stating his belief that the club is "capable of playing better."

The Rockies are 1–9 in the 10 games since firing Black and turning managerial duties over to third-base coach Warren Schaeffer.

Colorado's next nine games are against the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs and New York Mets—clubs that boast a combined .575 winning percentage this season.

Leeds United are hoping to convince Raheem Sterling to move to Elland Road in the January transfer window, with a move now in the works.

With Wilfried Gnonto’s future up in the air ahead of the upcoming transfer window, the Whites are looking to bring in a new forward, and the need to bolster their attacking options has been exacerbated by the slow start the likes of Lukas Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have made.

The summer signings have scored just two goals between them from open play in the Premier League this season, with Daniel Farke’s side the joint-second lowest scorers in the top flight, having found the back of the net just 10 times in their opening 11 games.

Chance creation in general has also been an issue for the 2024-25 Championship winners, most recently recording an xG of just 0.69 in the 3-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest, which suggests they may need to bring in a new attacker capable of picking out the likes of Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha in dangerous areas.

How Leeds are hoping to convince Raheem Sterling to move to Elland Road this January

According to a report from SportsBoom, Leeds are preparing a move for Chelsea outcast Sterling ahead of the January transfer window, with Enzo Maresca making it clear the 30-year-old doesn’t have a future at Stamford Bridge.

The Whites are set to battle Crystal Palace for the forward’s signature, but they are hoping the prospect of receiving regular first-team football will convince the Englishman to move to Elland Road.

The Blues are willing to pay part of the winger’s wages in order to get him off the books, given that he is yet to make a Premier League appearance this season, having become part of Maresca’s ‘bomb squad’.

It would be a risk for the 49ers to sign the former Manchester City man, given that he may be very rusty after spending such a long time on the sidelines, but his previous exploits in the Premier League suggest it could be worth launching an ambitious move.

The Kingston-born winger has a whopping 123 Premier League goals to his name, having been a major part of Guardiola’s all-conquering Man City side, with perhaps his best years coming from 2017-18 to 2021-22.

Raheem Sterling’s attacking record by season

Premier League appearances

Goal contributions

2017-18

33

30

2018-19

34

27

2019-20

33

24

2020-21

31

18

2021-22

30

19

The £325k-a-week Chelsea man has also been described as “absolutely outstanding” by Paul Merson during his time with the Blues, suggesting he could still have more to give in the Premier League.

Leeds certainly need a spark from somewhere, having struggled to create chances as of late, and Sterling could be a fantastic signing if he is able to rediscover his best form.

Raheem Sterling has been named as one of the best wingers in Premier League history 20 Best Wingers in Premier League History

Where does Mohamed Salah rank in the greatest Premier League wide men?

ByCharlie Smith May 23, 2025

Ligue 1 referee chief Amaury Delerue has defended the controversial decisions made by both the on-field and VAR officials during Paris Saint-Germain’s 3-2 win over Lyon. The last-minute defeat left Lyon players furious but Delerue has explained the process behind the officials' decisions and insisted that each call was made correctly.

• Lyon frustrated with calls all in favour of PSG

  Lyon were left furious after a series of key moments went against them in their match against PSG. In the 27th minute, Ilia Zabarnyi’s apparent handball inside the penalty area went unpunished. Soon after, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s goal stood despite Vitinha’s tackle from behind on Tanner Tessmann. Just before half-time, a challenge by Kang-in Lee on Nicolas Tagliafico inside the PSG box was ignored. The controversy deepened when Tagliafico was shown a straight red card for a late tackle on Vitinha, leaving Lyon with 10 men. VAR upheld the decision, sparking outrage from the Lyon players and staff.

  Lyon’s assistant coach Jorge Maciel launched a scathing post-match rant, claiming that only the four referees on the pitch failed to notice the fouls committed during the game. He said: “I think there are 59,000 people in the stadium, and only four of them didn’t see the fouls we analysed. We don’t even need to watch the replays. When it happens one way, we don’t understand it. When it happens with the arrogance of not even having the opportunity to discuss it, we don’t understand it.”

  Maciel went on to accuse the officials of favouring PSG, suggesting that the champions didn’t need to “play with 16 men” as they are already the best team in Europe.

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  Delerue defends the referees

  In an interview with, Ligue 1 referee association chief Delerue defended the officials appointed for the match and explained the reasoning behind their key decisions.

  He clarified why no handball was called on Zabarnyi, saying: “The VAR followed IFAB protocol by reviewing all available angles and images, none of which clearly showed that the decision not to award a penalty was definitely wrong, or whether Zabarnyi actually touched the ball.”

  Delerue also justified the decision regarding Lee’s challenge on Tagliafico, stating: “Lee’s intervention is not punishable under the laws of the game. It was natural contact that did not prevent Tagliafico from playing the ball.”

• Vitinha finds the loophole

  PSG, who were without key players such as Achraf Hakimi, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, and Nuno Mendes due to injury, took an early lead through Warren Zaire-Emery within the first ten minutes. Lyon quickly equalised through Moreira, but Kvaratskhelia restored PSG’s advantage soon after. Ainsley Maitland-Niles struck again to make it 2-2, and the match appeared to be heading for a draw until Joao Neves rose highest to score from a late corner, sealing the win for Luis Enrique’s side. The result moved PSG back to the top of the table, while Lyon slipped to seventh.

  Kvaratskhelia’s goal came right after Vitinha’s foul on Tessman. Delerue admitted that Vitinha took advantage of a loophole in the rules to avoid punishment when he said, “This is a very complex situation on which the DA was unable to reach a 100 percent unanimous decision. The contact affected Tessman’s ability to maintain control of the ball, which is why we would primarily consider it a foul during recovery and disallow the goal. But we are in a grey area, which is why the VAR’s decision not to challenge the central referee is understandable.”

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  PSG using the international break to grow stronger

  Enrique will use the international break to recover key players from injury and refine his tactical system. The PSG manager aims to learn from their defeat against Bayern Munich, make the necessary adjustments to avoid similar mistakes in future matches, and further strengthen his team’s overall performance.

  They sit top of the French top flight with a two-point lead over Marseille and Lens, while Lyon's defeat – winless in four games – are seventh in the table and seven points adrift of the reigning champions.

Everton secured their third Premier League win of the campaign this afternoon with a comeback victory over Crystal Palace at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees went a goal down in the first half after Daniel Munoz put the visitors ahead, but a second-half fightback from David Moyes’ men secured a sensational victory.

Iliman Ndiaye slotted home a penalty with less than 15 minutes remaining, before Jack Grealish bundled home in stoppage time to secure all three points.

The result takes the side just a couple of points outside the top four of the Premier League, with a real buzz emerging around Merseyside given the impressive displays in recent weeks.

There’s no denying that multiple players played a pivotal role in the triumph over the Eagles, with their showings ending their superb 19-game unbeaten record.

Ndiaye & Grealish’s performances against Palace

As previously mentioned, Ndiaye and Grealish were the players who managed to find the back of the net for Everton – subsequently allowing the side to claim a needed victory.

The Senegalese international has made himself a fan-favourite over the last 12 months since his move, with his showing against the Eagles another one he should be proud of.

Alongside his goal, he created two chances for his teammates, whilst also completing four passes into the final third – further showcasing his creative nouse in attacking areas.

He wasn’t alone in impressing, with Grealish finally netting his first goal for the Toffees after numerous assists following his loan move from Manchester City this summer.

The Englishman completed two dribbles – the most of any player on the pitch – whilst also being fouled four times, with the opposition often unable to get near the 30-year-old.

Such performances showcase how impressive Moyes’ side were to complete the turnaround, but one player failed to take advantage of the chance handed his way this afternoon.

The Everton player who was saved by Ndiaye and Grealish

Despite the impressive showings of the aforementioned duo, numerous Everton players failed to make a huge impression on the contest against Oliver Glasner’s men.

Tyler Dibling was handed his first Premier League start for the Toffees today, but he was unable to prove to the fanbase why the hierarchy forked out £40m for his signature this summer.

The youngster only managed to complete a total of six passes against the Eagles, whilst also completing none of the three dribbles he attempted – highlighting his lack of impact in attacking areas.

However, the big-money addition wasn’t alone in failing to impress, with striker Thierno Barry also struggling to make the most of a rare start at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Like Dibling, the 22-year-old cost a pretty penny this summer, costing a fee in the region of £27m after starring for Villarreal in LaLiga during the 2024/25 campaign.

Today was just his second league start since his transfer, but it appears like the wrong call from Moyes, especially given his lack of impact in Merseyside.

He only featured for the first half before being replaced by Beto at the break, but his withdrawal was understandable after achieving a total of just 18 touches.

Minutes played

45

Touches

18

Passes completed

4

Pass completion rate

50%

Big chances missed

1

Dribbles completed

0

Ground duels won

0

Fouls committed

1

His subsequent tally was lower than goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, with the shot-stopper achieving a total of 48 – further showcasing the striker’s lack of impact.

Barry also only managed to register four passes at a completion rate of just 50%, whilst also missing a big chance in the process – making today an afternoon to forget for the talisman.

As a result of his showing, Barry was handed a measly 4/10 match rating by journalist Jack Dawson, topping off what was a dismal outing for the forward.

As a result, Moyes desperately needs to drop the Frenchman after the international break in order to allow Beto to reclaim his starting role at the top end of the pitch.

There’s no denying that Ndiaye and Grealish saved the forward amid his poor showing, with the duo undoubtedly being the shining lights in the sensational victory.

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Newcastle United were solemn and nervous when Alexander Isak left for Liverpool on transfer deadline day, having forced his way out and disrupted Eddie Howe’s early-season preparations.

The Sweden striker is one of the best in the business, after all. But through Nick Woltemade and a general reshuffle of the attacking cabinet, there’s much cause for optimism once again.

But the drawn-out saga of the summer cannot be allowed to repeat itself down the line. Ross Wilson knows this, and the newly-recruited technical director is renowned for his interpersonal skills and capacity to work well alongside the manager. In this regard, Howe’s position at the peak of the heirarchal pyramid is underscored. He is the main man at Newcastle.

The i Paper have revealed that contract extensions for three key players – Sven Botman, Tino Livramento and Sandro Tonali – are in the pipeline to prevent a future quandary such as this. The terms, it is believed, would contain release clauses, similar to the £100m buyout woven into the new contract Bruno Guimaraes penned in 2023.

Anthony Gordon, too, extended his stay at St. James’ Park last year and had a release clause printed on the paper. Gordon, 24, is arguably United’s attacking talisman now Isak has gone, with Woltemade young and raw, albeit with four goals in black and white already.

Keeping Gordon at the club was crucial, especially after Liverpool sniffed around for the £100m-valued England international last summer. A tough start to the campaign it has been, but he’s proving his worth and rising in importance for club and country.

Gordon's newfound seniority

Gordon was awarded the honour of Newcastle’s Player of the Year for 2023/24 after a rousing campaign that helped the club through amid so many injuries.

But he toiled through last season, unable to replicate that excellent form and fizzling out across the second half of the season. His absence through suspension for the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool perhaps summed up his year.

But Gordon has scored three times in the Champions League this season and has nailed down an important position on the left flank in Thomas Tuchel’s England line-up.

Lively against Wales and clinical during the recent thrashing of Latvia, the £150k-per-week ace is growing in stature; he is a testament to hard graft, pitted against much adversity across the opening years of his professional career.

With Isak gone and Woltemade hardly expected to reach the same heights this season, fast start to life in England or not, it’s crucial that Gordon embraces his ever-evolving senior role and ensures Howe’s objectives are ticked off this term.

Gordon is a big talent, one of the finest England have. However, the Toon’s own production line has produced some exciting stars in recent years, with Elliot Anderson, somewhat bitterly, being a case in point.

But there’s another rising teenager gathering pace underneath the surface; he hasn’t yet made his first-team debut, but looks every bit a potential Three Lions star down the line.

Newcastle could have a bigger English talent than Gordon

Few and far between were the academy success stories on Tyneside in the years between Alan Shearer’s hatching in the city as a youngster and the advent of the PIF era.

To put that another way: it hasn’t been good enough. But there has been a focus on changing more than just the upper levels of the St. James’ Park set-up, these past four years.

That’s changed, and the latest example of this would be Sean Neave, who has been described by Magpies Media as being “the best Geordie striker prospect in a long, long time.”

Aged 18, Neave has already been promoted from the U18s to Newcastle’s U21 squad, the floor below senior level. Just 16 matches have been played, and a return of seven goals and three assists makes a convincing comment on the natural finisher’s potential.

Already, he stands at 6 foot 2, bearing a ranginess that is not too dissimilar to Isak’s gangly presence. With speed and a willingness to engage with defenders, playing off their shoulders, there’s a sense that Neave has taken a few pages from the Swede’s book as he has developed across these past few years.

Might Gordon have another strike partner to play with down the line? The winger’s connection with Woltemade already shows promise, but this differing profile could bear dividends. Who knows, Neave might even supersede Gordon as the star man.

Newcastle U18

37

21 (7)

Newcastle U21

16

7 (3)

Newcastle YL

7

1 (1)

Newcastle

–

–

One week ago, Newcastle U21s defeated Boston United 3-1 in the National League Cup. Did Neave get in on the action? He did indeed, bagging all three goals within 25 minutes and taking home the match ball.

Howe has already included the youngster in several matchday squads, but he still hasn’t handed the striker his first senior showing. That unforgettable occasion might just be on the horizon for the striker, whose prodigious potential is being recognised.

If he keeps it up, he may well be playing alongside Gordon for club and country in the coming years, having unquestionably demonstrated the requisite ability for a place in the Premier League. Moreover, Newcastle’s attacking depth might prove a positive thing for the teenager, who can slowly integrate without a weight of expectation on his shoulders.

While Neave’s strength leaves something to be desired, this is only natural. He is 18 and has not yet grown into his skin. This will come. Howe will ensure it.

But the natural talent and innate goalscoring ability are right there for all to see, and though Gordon is the cream of the English crop on Tyneside at the moment, that may well change if Neave continues to take confident strides over the coming years.

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