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Enzo Maresca revealed why he is "not worried" about Chelsea's disciplinary record after Malo Gusto became the latest player to be sent off towards the end of their Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. The Blues have now had to cope with sending off in four out of their last six matches across all competitions. Despite being a man down, Maresca's side comfortably clinched a 3-0 win over Forest.

Gusto sent off in Chelsea's win over Forest

Gusto became the fourth Chelsea player, after Robert Sanchez, Trevoh Chalobah and Joao Pedro, to be sent off in Chelsea's last six matches across all competitions. Gusto was given his marching orders in the 87th minute after he pulled off a mindless challenge on Neco Williams, who was attempting to make a quick counter-attack down the left side after receiving the pass from his goalkeeper. Gusto was immediately booked for the second time in the match and was then shown the red card.

The sending off, however, did not affect the Blues as they were already leading 3-0 courtesy of goals from Josh Acheampong, Pedro Neto and Reece James. The win helped Chelsea to move up to the eighth position as they now have 14 points from their first eight matches. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMaresca 'not worried' about Chelsea red cards

Blues boss Maresca, however, is not too bothered with yet another Chelsea sending off, as he claimed that he is "not worried" about Gusto being shown a red card.

Speaking to reporters after the match, the Italian coach said: "Again, it's something that we can do better, but I'm not concerned. I know that there are some of you that say, why is he not concerned? I'm not concerned, because I like to analyse. It's a moment that we consider a red card, yes. We can avoid that, yes, for sure we can avoid that. But also for me, the desire of the players is important. Today, with 3-0, 90 minutes the game is finished. Malo [Gusto] can avoid that, because it's useless to make a second foul on a yellow card, for sure. But also the good part is, Malo is showing that he doesn't want to concede nothing. They don't want to concede a goal, they are playing for a clean sheet. It's the balance, we can avoid that for sure."

Chelsea's first-half performance raised concern

Despite the thumping win at the City Ground, the Blues' performance was far from convincing, especially in the first half, as they posted an unwanted stat. Forest dominated proceedings from the start and had 66.4% possession for the final 15 minutes in the first half. Chelsea were certainly caught off guard as they kept chasing shadows for the entire first 45 minutes. According to Opta, Chelsea had more errors (3) leading to shots in their box than any other Premier League match played this season. Maresca's side were evidently missing their Ecuadorian talisman, Moises Caicedo, in midfield as Forest had little trouble finding spaces at the back. It was the first time that Caicedo has started on the bench since Christmas Eve 2023, a game against Wolves, which ended a stretch of 65 consecutive starts.

Maresca revealed how he tried to motivate his team at the break: "My message was 'guys, off the ball, we are good off the ball and on the ball, we are not good enough'. We gave the ball away too much. It was a bit lazy. A lazy mistake that we can avoid that. In the second-half, we adjusted something tactical. Sloppy, not lazy. We looked sloppy in the build-up."

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Getty Images SportEnd of the road for Postecoglou

Minutes after the full-time whistle at the City Ground, Forest announced that head coach Ange Postecoglou was relieved of his duties, only a month after appointing him as the new manager. Postecoglou returned to the Premier League in September after Forest sacked Nuno Espirito Santo but the Australian's stay was short-lived as owner Evangelos Marinakis is now looking for his third head coach in a season which promised so much following the club’s return to European football.

On the manager's sacking, the official statement from the club read: "Nottingham Forest Football Club can confirm that after a series of disappointing results and performances, Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties as head coach with immediate effect. The Club will make no further comment at this time."

Forest will next host Portuguese giants FC Porto in the Europa League league stage clash at the City Ground on October 23.

After Thomas Frank took the reins early in the summer, no Tottenham Hotspur fan would’ve predicted the incredible start he’s made – filling the gap after Ange Postecoglou’s dismissal.

The Dane has only tasted defeat once in his first five competitive outings, winning the other four – most notably against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at the Etihad.

However, this afternoon’s meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion will present another tricky clash for the 51-year-old to navigate if he is to keep up his tremendous start.

Fabian Hurzeler’s side are currently on a two-game winning streak over the Lilywhites – subsequently doing the double over them during the 2024/25 campaign.

If Spurs are to put such a run to an end, the manager will have to make sure one player hits the ground running after a quiet start to his career at North London.

Why Xavi Simons has struggled at Spurs

Xavi Simons was one of Spurs’ big-money additions made during the summer transfer window, joining Frank’s men in a £52m deal from
Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.

The attacking midfielder’s arrival in England generated huge excitement, and understandably so, given the talent and potential he possesses at the age of just 22.

His tally of 19 combined goals and assists last campaign showcases that he’s able to either find a teammate or find the back of the net alone, subsequently adding a new dimension to the Lilywhites’ attack.

However, two games into his spell in England, he’s operated off the left-hand side rather than his natural number ten position – something which has undoubtedly limited his success to date.

Simons may have registered an assist in the Premier League, but the youngster still has so much more to offer, with Frank needing to give him the opportunity to star in a central position.

Should the manager make that call, he will have to drop one player from the heart of his side – leading to a decision which could be somewhat controversial for the fanbase.

The Spurs player who should be dropped to allow Simons to thrive

Since Frank took the reins during the off-season, the Dane has utilised a flat midfield trio, but that could all be about to change in the trip to face the Seagulls this afternoon.

Lucas Bergvall has arguably been the club’s shining light over the last couple of weeks, scoring in the victory against West Ham United last Saturday.

The Swede even claimed the Man of the Match award in the Champions League on Tuesday night, further showcasing how impressive he’s been during the early stages of the campaign.

He’s often featured alongside Pape Sarr at the heart of the side, but if Simons is to operate behind the striker, the 23-year-old may have to be the one to give way.

Like Bergvall, he scored in the clash at the London Stadium last Saturday, but he could well be sacrificed if the Dutchman does shift inside off the left flank.

It would be a controversial decision from Frank, especially after Sarr was labelled “sensational” by one analyst after his recent displays in the Premier League.

His performance against Villarreal in midweek was arguably one of his poorest of 2025/26, potentially leaving the door open for the manager to test out the big-money signing as part of his midfield trio.

Pape Sarr – stats against Villarreal

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Minutes played

69

Touches

34

Pass accuracy

77%

Possession lost

6x

Tackles won

1

Interceptions made

0

Shots taken

1

Duels won

1/3 (33%)

Stats via FotMob

Sarr was replaced with just over 20 minutes left of the European clash, registering just a 77% pass completion rate – highlighting his sloppy nature with the ball at his feet.

He also failed to make any interceptions against the Yellow Submarine, unable to offer the ball-winning presence which he’s so often showcased in North London.

The Senegalese international also tends to operate in a box-to-box role, potentially leaving the side too open should he play alongside – with Frank potentially utilising Joao Palhinha and Bergvall in a pivot slightly behind Simons.

Such a tactical dilemma is not necessarily a bad thing for the new manager, as it highlights the quality and depth he currently has at his disposal in the capital.

However, it’s crucial that the Dane gives out equal opportunities to keep the players happy, something which could see Simons finally get his opportunity in a number ten position against the Seagulls.

Related It's not Simons or Bergvall: Frank has found his own Dele in £20m Spurs ace

Tottenham Hotspur have hit the jackpot with one player who’s set for incredible things in his career.

Posts ByEthan Lamb Sep 18, 2025

Aussie shares 230-stand with fellow centurion Ollie Price as Glamorgan rue decision to bowl first

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay11-Apr-2025

Cameron Bancroft marked his first appearance as Gloucestershire captain with a century to lead his side to a formidable 368 for 3 on the opening day of the Rothesay County Championship Second Division game with Glamorgan at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol.The 32-year-old Australian hit 163, off 267 balls, with 19 fours and two sixes, sharing a second-wicket stand of 230 with Ollie Price, who contributed a patient 101, as the visitors were made to rue their decision to bowl first under cloudless skies.The only wicket-takers were Ned Leonard, who struck twice, and Shoaib Bashir, although Zain ul Hassan and Timm van der Gugten were commendably economical as spectators basked in warm sunshine.Bancroft, who only flew into the country to start his third spell as a Gloucestershire player on Wednesday, rode his luck somewhat in the morning session when the Glamorgan seamers bowled without much fortune.On 2, he survived a huge appeal for a catch behind off Asitha Fernando and, having moved to 33, edged the same bowler fractionally short of the diving Kiran Carlson at third slip. A greater escape came on 48 when wicketkeeper Chris Cooke failed to hold a difficult one-handed chance wide to his right off ul Hassan.Those moments apart, Bancroft relished the unseasonable weather, producing an array of sweetly timed shots. He and Ben Charlesworth gave Gloucestershire a solid start with a stand of 62 before Charlesworth, on 19, aimed a big drive at Leonard and nicked through to Cooke.It was Glamorgan’s only success of the morning session as Bancroft went to fifty with a back-foot punch through the off side off ul Hassan to collect his eighth four and Price provided careful support in taking the score to 100 for 1 off 27 overs at lunch.Glamorgan turned to off-spinner Bashir in the afternoon session, but Bancroft greeted him with a glorious square-driven boundary and later a straight six as the England player’s first four overs went for 30 runs.Price had contributed 28 when the century stand with Bancroft was brought up. His partner moved to 99 with two fours through the off side off van der Gugten and two overs later a scampered single off Leonard took him to a 31st first-class ton off 166 balls, with 13 fours and a six. The innings had also taken Bancroft past 11,000 first-class runs.When Leonard opted to bowl short with six fielders on the leg side, the Aussie top-edged a pull for his second six, then made room for a four through the covers. All the while Price was accumulating steadily before reaching a half-century off 140 balls, with seven fours.It was 225 for 1 at tea, with Bancroft on 119 and Price 57. It was the latter who pressed the accelerator with a flurry of boundaries at the start of the final session to move into the nineties.The 23-year-old then cracked successive fours off Bashir to move to his fifth first-class hundred off 220 balls, with 15 boundaries. Two balls later he lost concentration and was pinned lbw on the back foot to make the score 292 for 2 with the second new ball about to become due.It was taken immediately, but did little to dampen Gloucestershire’s day as Bancroft and Miles Hammond batted positively, Hammond cracking five fours in no time to ensure there was no respite for the tiring Glamorgan bowlers.Bancroft progressed to 150 off 259 balls, having extended his boundary count to 16 fours and two sixes, before a tired looking waft at a wide ball from Leonard saw him caught behind.His innings had occupied six hours and 26 minutes. Hammond was unbeaten on 37 at the close of a largely one-sided day.

The allrounder has been approved as a replacement player following the collision which ruled out Daniel Sams and Cameron Bancroft

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff05-Jan-2025

Australian T20 legend Dan Christian has come out of retirement and to the rescue of the BBL’s injury-hit Sydney Thunder.The 41-year-old allrounder last played professionally for Sydney Sixers two summers ago and has since served as an assistant coach at Thunder.Christian has not played a professional match of cricket since Sixers’ BBL12 semi-final loss to the Brisbane Heat but has been keeping fit with UNSW in the NSW Premier Cricket competition.Related

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He will join an elite club of players to feature in the BBL in their 40s that includes Brad Hogg, Brad Hodge, Peter Siddle, Fawad Ahmed and the late Shane Warne.Christian is available for the remainder of the tournament, which has already featured big improvements from reigning wooden spooners Thunder.Christian’s comeback follows injuries to Daniel Sams and Cameron Bancroft, both sidelined after a horror collision in the field during last week’s win over the Perth Scorchers.Sams (concussion) and Bancroft (fractured shoulderblade, broken nose, concussion) joined a mounting injury toll that has also sidelined Jason Sangha, Nic Maddinson and Tanveer Sangha.”I made the decision during the off season that a return to the BBL or any other T20 leagues was never entirely off the table for me,” Christian said. “The body feels great, and I wanted to ensure I was prepared if an opportunity arose.”The incident with Cam Bancroft and Dan Sams was extremely unfortunate, but I’m really grateful for the opportunity it’s presented. I wish them all the best with their recoveries and hope they’ll be back on the park soon.”In addition, Thunder could lose Sam Konstas to Test duties later in the tournament and expect to farewell internationals Sherfane Rutherford and Lockie Ferguson as they head to the ILT20.”We’re very fortunate to have Dan already within the club,” said Thunder general manager Trent Copeland. “He’s a legend of the BBL and we’ve got no doubt he’s still up to the level. We can’t wait to see him jump back into this environment and make an impact.”Christian is considered a T20 specialist, having played 409 games for 18 different teams in six different countries across a globetrotting career.He represented Australia 43 times in white-ball cricket and has won three BBL titles – one each with Brisbane Heat, Melbourne Renegades and Sixers.

It delayed his departure for the team’s training camp in Dubai but he is expected to resume batting later this week

Andrew McGlashan19-Jan-2025 • Updated on 20-Jan-2025

Stand-in Test captain Steven Smith has been given the all-clear to head to Australia’s training camp in Dubai ahead of the Sri Lanka series after seeing a specialist about the elbow problem he picked during the BBL.Smith, who has a history of elbow problems, sustained the injury to his right arm, the one he had surgery on in 2019, while throwing in the field for Sydney Sixers in their washed-out match against Sydney Thunder on Friday.It delayed Smith’s departure to Dubai as he sought further advice from a specialist, but he was given the green light on Monday.”Smith is expected to return to batting later in the week to begin his preparation for the first Test against Sri Lanka,” a CA statement saidRelated

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'It doesn't look great': Kuhnemann's SL tour in jeopardy

Smith is due to lead Australia in the two Tests in Galle with Pat Cummins on paternity leave.Australia retain hope that left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann will be able to play a part on the tour despite having surgery on a fractured right thumb he sustained against Hobart Hurricanes last week.”He will remain in Australia while the surgical wound heals further,” CA said. “He is planned to resume bowling this week with a view to joining the squad in Sri Lanka if he continues to progress well.”With the injury being to Kuhnemann’s non-bowling hand, his major challenge will revolve around batting and fielding.Kuhnemann, who played three Tests in India on the 2023 tour, which included taking 5 for 16 in Indore, had shaped as a key figure in Australia’s bowling set-up for the two Tests with the Australia hierarchy putting a lot of stock in the value of the left-arm spinner.Should he not make the tour, it increases the chance of allrounder Cooper Connolly, who bowls left-arm spin, making a Test debut after just four first-class games which are yet to bring a wicket.”I haven’t been reading too much into it [the injury],” Connolly said after helping Perth Scorchers to victory over Adelaide Strikers. “But if the opportunity arises for me to make my debut then I will try to take the most of it. I think it’s just about going over there and learning what it’s like playing in those subcontinent conditions and just enjoying the boys around me and the coaching staff.”Meanwhile, Cummins will seek further advice as he recovers from “increased left ankle soreness” following the Test series against India where he sent down the most overs of any bowler. He was named captain of Australia’s Champions Trophy squad last week, but it remains uncertain if he will make the tournament.”He will seek specialist rehabilitation advice this week and is likely to require a period of physical preparation and recovery,” CA said. “The [national selection panel] will continue to monitor Cummins’ recovery leading into the Champions Trophy.”

Tottenham still have a few key items on the agenda this summer, both in terms of incomings and outgoings.

As Spurs maintain their ongoing talks to sign both Savinho from Man City and Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace, in what would be a statement quick-fire deal ahead of the new Premier League season this weekend, chairman Daniel Levy is also looking to balance the books with sales.

According to reports, there remains a possibility that striker Richarlison could leave before the transfer deadline on September 1, and Tottenham are believed to be considering Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson as a potential replacement for the Brazilian (Fabrizio Romano).

Uncertainty also surrounds the future of Bryan Gil, who confirmed in an interview earlier this year that he’s mutually agreed to part ways with Tottenham.

“That’s something my agent will tell me where things are going, but they [Spurs] told me, and I told them, that the best thing is for us not to continue being linked to Tottenham,” said Gil to Estadio Deportivo in April.

“They bet on me when I was young, and they’ve treated me fairly well, but if I have to go back there, I’ll focus on giving my best as always. I’m calm because no one can have a bad word to say about me not being professional. Without playing, I’ve always trained well, I’ve done what I had to do, so whatever has to happen, will happen. We’ll see where we are next year.”

No obvious suitors have made any progress when it comes to a swoop for Gil, though, so the Spaniard’s departure could be one for later in the window.

The same can be said for Israeli winger Manor Solomon, who’s attracting serious interest from the Premier League.

Manor Solomon to leave Tottenham in late-window move after calls

The former Fulham star, who joined Spurs on a free transfer in 2023, has struggled with injury during his time in N17 and spent 2024/2025 on loan at Leeds United – where he impressed with 10 goals and 13 assists in all competitions.

Despite his resurgence at Elland Road and playing a key role in their push for promotion, Solomon could leave Tottenham during the final few weeks of the window, as explained by Fabrizio Romano.

“Manor Solomon could leave in the final weeks of the window with La Liga and PL clubs calling in the recent days,” said Romano, via X.

“Movement started with Spurs aware of interest.”

The 26-year-old appears poised to join fellow left-winger, Son Heung-min, in quitting Spurs after the latter sealed an MLS record £20 million move to Los Angeles FC recently.

Unlike Son, Solomon never quite left his mark at Spurs, and his sale would count as pure profit in the eyes of PSR considering he joined for free.

Any club who lands the player would be getting a serious attacking option, though one not quite good enough to force his way into Thomas Frank’s plans.

“He didn’t really get his opportunities at Spurs last year but he’s very well established at international level, playing over 35 games for Israel,” said former Tottenham keeper Paul Robinson to MOT Leeds News last year.

“Looking at his quality and directness, he’s someone who belongs in the Premier League.”

حلل خورخي فالدانو، أسطورة نادي ريال مدريد، سبب معاناة فينيسيوس جونيور مع الفريق الملكي خلال الفترة الماضية، وذلك بعد الهبوط الذي حدث في مستوى الدولي البرازيلي.

فينيسيوس فشل في إثبات نفسه مع ريال مدريد هذا الموسم وإقناع المدرب تشابي ألونسو بقدراته، حيث جلس الدولي البرازيلي على دكة البدلاء في مباراتين هذا الموسم وتم استبداله في بعض المباريات الأخرى.

وغضب فينيسيوس بشكل كبير ، عقب استبداله خلال مواجهة ريال مدريد الأخيرة أمام إسبانيول ببطولة الدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى يوم السبت الماضي، والتي انتهت بفوز ريال مدريد 2-0.

ووضع ألونسو فينيسيوس في منافسة غير متوقعة مع رودريجو جوس على مركز الجناح الأيسر في ريال مدريد هذا الموسم.

أقرأ أيضًا .. تقارير: نجم بايرن ميونخ يرفض تجديد عقده ويعرض نفسه على ريال مدريد

ويرى فالدانو في حديثه إلى برنامج ”Fútbol en Movistar” ، أن فينيسيوس لم يعد اللاعب الذي كان عليه في السابق وعليه إقناع ألونسو بمستواه.

وقال فالدانو عن فينيسيوس: ”عليه الآن تحسين مستواه أولاً، ثم إقناع المدرب بقدراته”.

وعن اعتراض فينيسيوس على خروجه أمام إسبانيول أضاف فالدانو في حديثه: “هذه المواقف العلنية ليست صحية على أي حال”.

ويعتقد فالدانو ، أن مشكلة فينيسيوس الحقيقية تبدو مع ألونسو، ويجب على البرازيلي الحذر في التعامل مع مدربه.

وأوضح فالدانو: “فينيسيوس رجل يحظى بدعمٍ كبير من ريال مدريد، لقد ناضل ضد العالم، الناس وحتى النادي الذي وقف بجانبه كثيرًا”.

واختتم: ”هنا نبدأ بطرح مشكلة أخرى، لم يعد فينيسيوس غاضبًا من العالم بل غاضبًا من مدربه، ولطالما وضع ريال مدريد مصلحة النادي فوق مصلحة اللاعب، لذا عليه أن يكون أكثر حذرًا لأن هذا النوع من الإيماءات ينطوي أيضًا على عدم احترام للاعب الذي سيدخل الملعب بدلًا منه”.

Pakistan captain also pointed out that second new ball “as well as the way we didn’t manage to hold our nerve with the ball cost us”

Danyal Rasool25-Aug-20243:24

Masood: ‘Bangladesh’s discipline was commendable’

A first loss against Bangladesh left Pakistan with a lot to rue, and captain Shan Masood admitted his side had made “a lot of mistakes” over the Test. After four fairly attritional days where just 17 wickets fell, Bangladesh, spearheaded by spinners Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, rolled Pakistan over for 146, setting up a 30-run target and sealing a dramatic ten-wicket victory on the final day.”As a team, we made a lot of mistakes over the four days and Bangladesh were worthy winners,” Masood said. “They were very disciplined in their batting. We gave them a few chances as well when Mehidy and Mushfiqur [Rahim] were playing. As a bowling unit where we lost the game was the second new ball. That’s where we could have imposed ourselves on the game and let ourselves down.”It was that passage of play that assistant coach Azhar Mahmood also referenced after the third day. At the 82-over mark, Bangladesh had scored 239 having lost half their side, but in the final ten overs of the day, when Pakistan took the new ball, they pounced on some errant bowling, totting up 67 runs in that passage of play to swing momentum their way.Related

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As the pitch continued to flatten out over the third and fourth day, Bangladesh reached, and then surpassed, Pakistan’s first innings total. The home side had called Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi in when they were 448 for 6, allowing Bangladesh, who batted to the last man, to take a 117-run lead. It became just the third time in Test history a side declared a first innings with six or fewer wickets down and went on to lose the game.”If you asked me now, we would have liked another 50-100 runs,” Masood said. “That would have kept us in the game. The forecast also indicated the weather would be disruptive during the game. Those were our thoughts behind the declaration as well. We only lost six wickets in the first innings. We could have easily scored 550-600 if we’d carried on batting. But we also let ourselves down with the bat today.”Masood, too, maintained the united front Pakistan have put out with respect to an all-pace attack. Despite the absence of a specialist spinner being an anomaly with respect to Pakistan’s historic squad selection – only once in the past 28 years have they played an all-pace attack at home – Masood pointed to workload and the nature of the surface they expected.”I don’t want to be commenting on day five because we didn’t expect the game to hold up for four or five days,” Masood said. “When you play three fast bowlers in this weather that’s a lot of workload on the fast bowlers. If you play a spinner, the spinner’s probably bowling 30 overs.” He did, however, appear to contradict himself, acknowledging later that Pakistan’s belief there would be disruptive weather over the game may have prompted them to hasten their declaration. At the same time, Pakistan’s part-time spinners sent down 50 overs in Bangladesh’s first innings, workload that a specialist spinner may well have been able to pick up to a similar extent.Pakistan’s fast bowlers bowled 117.3 overs in the first Test•AFP/Getty Images

“The fast bowler was played looking at the extreme weather conditions where we could help each other share the load. Naseem and Shaheen hadn’t played Test cricket for a while and Pakistan haven’t played Test cricket for ten months. If we played three fast bowlers and lost one through injury, we could have been like ‘why didn’t we play that fourth fast bowler?'”The all-pace attack, and the belief it would prove the quickest route to 20 wickets, though, did not pan out. Pakistan’s quicks ended up bowling 117.3 overs, the second-highest collective total for a Pakistan fast bowling unit in the last two decades. Masood did bemoan the injury to Aamer Jamal, whose all-round ability may have freed up an extra position for a spin bowler. “Hindsight,” as Masood said, “is always 20/20; you can always fit the spinner in, but you have to look at the full balance of the side. You need seven people that can bat properly and four frontline bowlers with a little help here or there.”He accepted Bangladesh’s spinners were useful on the final day, though he believed his side should never have let the game come to that. “Even their spinners were only useful on the fifth day,” he said. “We had many opportunities as a side with bat and ball to take spin out of the game as a factor. We had time to apply pressure on them when we had a 200-run lead, and half their side was out. If you look at the way we bowled the third new ball, we got their last four out very quickly because we utilised that well. That second new ball, as well as the way we didn’t manage to hold our nerve with the ball cost us.”As Masood pointed out, Pakistan never took two wickets in quick succession to place real pressure on Bangladesh, and their first innings straddled three days and three new balls before Pakistan finally prised them out. He pointed to key passages of play within the innings that made a difference, while heaping praise on Bangladesh’s discipline.”At the end of the day, it was how the first two innings went that decided it all. I thought there were plenty of opportunities we could have taken, and then we could have had a little bit of a lead and we could have been the side putting pressure on Bangladesh instead of the other way round. We were slightly unlucky in certain aspects, too. Some of our players inside-edged the ball onto the stumps, while a lot of Bangladesh’s inside edges ran away for four. Those are the sort of margins you can’t control.”On the first four days, we were the ones that were very proactive, we were trying to take decisions, we declared quite early, we scored at a quicker rate. Those things don’t count at the end of the day when you lose the game. But their discipline was commendable, and you have to give credit to them. Every team plays their own way. That doesn’t mean either is wrong or right, you have to find one that brings you results and be consistent with it. Everyone has their own way of playing and Bangladesh certainly brought their own A game, and we found it hard to deal with.”Masood has been around Pakistan cricket to understand the damage this defeat will cause to this Test side. “We’re all upset. The whole nation is upset. As a leader of this team, we apologise to the nation for failing to give people the result they wanted. We accept our mistakes as a team.”There is no sign any panic buttons will be hit, though. Masood appeared comfortable with the decision to field an all-pace attack, while he left the door open for the return of Abrar Ahmed for the second Test, saying it would depend on the pitch and weather conditions.”Even if you lose, it doesn’t mean you’ve done everything wrong,” he said. “On the first four days, we were the ones that were very proactive, we were trying to take decisions, we declared quite early, we scored at a quicker rate, at around four runs an over.”But, as he noted dryly, “those things don’t count at the end of the day when you lose the game.”

أعلن حمزة الجمل، المدير الفني لنادي إنبي، تشكيل الفريق الرسمي، لمواجهة الأهلي، في المباراة المقرر بينهما اليوم الأحد، ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

ويلاقي الأهلي نظيره إنبي، في إطار الجولة السادسة من عمر مباريات بطولة الدوري المصري، وذلك على ملعب استاد المقاولون العرب.

طالع | تشكيل الأهلي أمام إنبي في الدوري المصري.. عودة مروان عطية

ويحتل فريق إنبي، المركز التاسع في جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري، برصيد 8 نقاط، حيث حقق الفوز في مباراتين والتعادل في مثلهما والخسارة في لقاء.

بينما يتواجد فريق النادي الأهلي في المركز السادس عشر، بترتيب الدوري المصري، برصيد 5 نقاط، من الفوز في مباراة والتعادل في مواجهتين والخسارة في لقاء. تشكيل إنبي أمام الأهلي في الدوري المصري

حراسة المرمي: عبد الرحمن سمير.

خط الدفاع: أحمد صبيحة وأحمد كالوشا ومحمد سمير ومروان داوود.

خط الوسط: أحمد العجوز ومودي ناصر ومحمد حمدي وأحمد كفتة.

خط الهجوم: محمد حتحوت وأحمد ذكي.

Newcastle United have now moved ahead of Chelsea in the race to sign a £60 million star with a bid now being prepared and salary terms already agreed, according to a recent report.

Rashford among Newcastle targets as Howe seeks new forwards

The Magpies have added just one new player to their squad so far this summer, and that is winger Antonio Cordero, who joins the club on a free transfer at the start of July following the expiration of his contract at Malaga. Cordero is not expected to be the only arrival at St James’ Park, as the Magpies continue to be linked with several high-profile players.

Related Big upgrade on Burn: Newcastle open talks to sign "outstanding" £60m star

Newcastle are looking to overhaul their defence

Posts 2 ByJoe Nuttall Jun 19, 2025

It was reported earlier this week that Newcastle made contact over signing defender Evan Ndicka from AS Roma. Newcastle are in the market for a new central defender, as they’ve been heavily linked with a move for Marc Guehi, but Ndicka is another option who could come at a cheaper price.

Meanwhile, they are also in the market for attacking reinforcements, and they have held internal talks over signing Mohammed Kudus from West Ham, as the forward is free to leave the Premier League side.

In fresh news, Newcastle are now also interested in signing Marcus Rashford on a season-long loan deal.

The Englishman’s future at Old Trafford looks to be coming to an end but he has yet to receive any concrete offers to leave United. The Magpies are now weighing up making a loan bid, as they can offer Rashford Champions League football, but the Red Devils are more interested in selling Rashford this summer than loaning him out again.

Newcastle move ahead of Chelsea in Joao Pedro race

As such, a permanent move for Rashford may not be on the cards for the Magpies, as according to Brazilian outlet UOL Esporte, Newcastle are now preparing a bid to sign Joao Pedro from Brighton & Hove Albion.

The report states that the Magpies have moved ahead of Premier League rivals Chelsea in the race to sign Pedro, as they have already agreed personal terms with the forward. However, Chelsea’s interest in Pedro has reportedly ‘shaken’ the player, and now both clubs are preparing to make an official offer.

It isn’t clear how much Newcastle would be willing to spend on Pedro, but it’s been previously reported that Brighton value the forward at around £60 million. The 23-year-old scored 10 goals in 27 league games during the 2024/25 season, but a falling out at the club means he is now likely to leave during this summer transfer window.

Joao Pedro’s Brighton stats

Apps

70

Goals

30

Assists

10

Newcastle chasing Pedro may be seen as them looking to replace Alexander Isak, but Pedro being able to operate anywhere across the frontline as, well as a number 10, makes him a player who could be a perfect partner for the Swede.

The Brazilian has had back-to-back impressive campaigns in the Premier League now, and a move to Newcastle could accelerate his career further, as he will be able to play on the biggest stage of them all, the Champions League.