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With three defeats on the spin heading into the international break, it’s safe to say Arne Slot’s Liverpool were experiencing a mini crisis in confidence.

Now, after a 2-1 loss to Manchester United on Sunday evening, it’s clear that the Reds are engulfed in a major crisis, with 17 shots at the Red Devils’ goal not enough to nick a win, as the reigning Premier League champions went empty-handed for a fourth game in a row.

Mohamed Salah, again, showed signs of rust against Ruben Amorim’s visitors, as another big game passed the declining Egyptian by.

Salah's performance in numbers vs Manchester United

The 33-year-old attacker was seen as one of the world’s best last season as Liverpool romped home to the top-flight title.

Times have changed, however, with the once untouchable number 11 no longer his usual clinical self, with a total of three shots failing to beat Senne Lammens in goal for Amorim’s challengers.

Staggeringly, for a star that scored a blistering 29 goals last season in the Premier League, Salah is now without a non-penalty strike for seven straight top-flight games, with one big chance also agonisingly missed, as Harry Maguire broke Reds hearts late on.

With zero successful dribbles completed as well, on top of possession being carelessly given away 16 times, it’s clear that Salah is no longer the “top class” version of himself he has previously been – as he was once branded by Jurgen Klopp – with Slot perhaps ready to axe his usually undroppable number 11 for games to follow.

The Dutchman could well axe quite a few underperformers after the alarming defeat at the hands of their arch rivals, with one summer recruit once again struggling to get to grips with his new environment against the Red Devils.

3/10 Liverpool star was even worse than Salah

Salah wasn’t alone in letting his team down during the 2-1 defeat, with his attacking teammate in Alexander Isak, only managing 19 touches of the ball when leading the line for the lacklustre Reds.

Having cost a mind-blowing £125m to obtain from Newcastle, Isak must get up and running fast to dodge claims that he’s an expensive flop.

Milos Kerkez wasn’t purchased on the cheap, either, with the former AFC Bournemouth defender costing a mighty £40m to bring into the building this summer.

Unfortunately, despite being labelled as “one of the most explosive LBs in Europe” by one analyst ib social media shortly after leaving the South Coast behind for Anfield, Kerkez had a night to forget against the visitors from Manchester, as his Liverpool woes go on.

Kerkez’s performance in numbers

Minutes played

90

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches

62

Accurate passes

34/39 (87%)

Big chances created

1

Accurate crosses

1/8

Possession lost

15x

Total duels won

4/6

Stats by Sofascore

Indeed, when analysing the numbers, there are some positives for Kerkez to latch onto, with the Hungarian creating one big chance to try and steer his new employers back into the contest.

However, the negatives do start to pile up quickly on further inspection, with the 21-year-old only managing to register one accurate cross from eight attempted, which also led to the defender giving up possession a haphazard 15 times in total.

His unassured nature on the ball even led to Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp labelling him as a “nervous wreck” at half-time of the 2-1 defeat, with fellow pundit Gary Neville also once noting that Kerkez looks “naive” when donning Liverpool red, as opposed to excelling for the Cherries.

It could be time for Slot to bring back in the experienced head of Andrew Robertson for some calm, therefore, with London Evening Standard journalist Sam Tabuteau agreeing with the verdict on the young defender when brandishing a disappointing 3/10 rating his way at the close of the match, with Amad given “acres of space” down the left channel courtesy of the 21-year-old.

Kerkez will hope he can push on from this torrid start at Anfield in the games to come, but if Slot is potentially willing to drop Salah, he won’t bat an eyelid in getting rid of the promising full-back if needs be, as a drastic change of lineup could be needed to get the Reds out of their sophomore slump.

أعرب الاتحاد الأوزبكي لكرة القدم عن سعادته بخوض مباراة ودية أمام منتخب مصر، التي ستقام في مدينة العين ضمن استعدادات المنتخبين لخوض نهائيات كأس العالم 2026.

وتقام مباراة مصر وأوزبكستان يوم الجمعة المقبل في تمام الساعة السادسة مساءً بتوقيت “القاهرة” ضمن دورة ودية يشارك فيها أيضًا منتخبي إيران وكاب فيردي.

وتأتي المباراة ضمن سلسلة من التجارب التحضيرية التي سيخوضها المنتخبان قبل الحدث العالمي المرتقب، حيث يحرص كل طرف على اختبار جاهزية لاعبيه والوقوف على نقاط القوة والضعف.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مران منتخب مصر | مشاركة محمد الشناوي وتدريبات استشفائية لمحمد إسماعيل استعدادًا لـ أوزبكستان

وفي هذا السياق، قال جاي كيالا، المدير التقني للاتحاد الأوزبكي لكرة القدم، في تصريحات خاصة عبر بطولات: “نحن سعداء جدًا بهذه المباراة الودية أمام منتخب مصر في مدينة العين”.

وأضاف كيالا مشيدًا بالمستوى الفني للطرفين: “قدم منتخبا مصر وأوزبكستان أداءً قويًا وأظهرا جودة عالية خلال الفترة الماضية، ما يثبت سبب تأهلهما إلى كأس العالم 2026”.

وأتم: “بالنسبة لنا في أوزبكستان، وباعتبارها المشاركة الأولى في تاريخنا بالمونديال، تعد هذه المباراة تجربة مهمة لقياس مستوانا أمام أحد أكثر المنتخبات قوة واحترامًا في القارة الإفريقية”.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Corinthians chegou a abrir dois gols de vantagem contra o Fluminense, mas caiu de produção na segunda etapa e viu o rival empatar o duelo no Maracanã. Com o resultado, o Timão perdeu a oportunidade de se distanciar da zona de rebaixamento do Campeonato Brasileiro.

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+ Garanta a sua vaga no curso que formou craques como Pet, Dante e Léo Moura! Cupom: LANCE1000

Com 32 pontos após vinte e sete rodadas disputadas, o clube do Parque São Jorge ocupa atualmente a décima terceira colocação no Brasileirão, apenas dois pontos à frente do Santos, que abre o Z4.

De acordo com o Departamento de Matemática da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), o Corinthians tem maior probabilidade de cair para a segunda divisão (19,5%) do que chances de disputar a próxima Copa Libertadores (0,37%) e viu seu objetivo na competição nacional, muito por conta da instabilidade administrativa da atual diretoria, ser definido: permanecer na primeira divisão.

continua após a publicidade

Os próximos três jogos do Timão serão fundamentais nesta luta. Na sequência, o time encara o América-MG (20º), Cuiabá (10º) e Santos (17º), todas equipes que possuem o mesmo objetivo que o clube paulista na competição.

Tudo sobre

BrasileirãoCorinthians

Zimbabwe end their tri-series campaign with no wins in four games with serious questions around their batting depth

Firdose Moonda24-Jul-2025

New Zealand smashed the highest score of the tri-series and any hope of Zimbabwe earning a consolation win as they laid down a marker ahead of Saturday’s final against South Africa.After choosing to bat first – despite captains in this tri-series usually bowling – a second-wicket stand of 108 between Tim Seifert and Rachin Ravindra set New Zealand up well. Both went on to score half-centuries before a Michael Bracewell cameo of 26 of 16 balls pushed New Zealand to 190. They bowled Zimbabwe out in 19 overs, as only three Zimbabwean batters got into double figures.As dominant as New Zealand were, Zimbabwe will be particularly unhappy with their lapses in the field. They put down three catches – Tim Robinson on 0, Seifert on 13 and Bracewell on four – and bowled seven wides and a no-ball in a messy display which left them needing to complete their second-highest successful chase to win.Any chance of that happening was blown away when Zimbabwe were reduced to 44 for 5 in the eighth over. Ish Sodhi took three of those wickets, bowling in the powerplay, and proved too much to handle for Zimbabwe’s top-order. A sixth-wicket stand of 51 between Tony Munyonga and Tashinga Musekiwa leant the innings some respectability Sodhi’s career-best 4 for 12 scripted a simple win for New Zealand. With 150 T20I wickets, he also climbed to third on the all-time wicket-takers’ list in the format.Zimbabwe will be spectators on Saturday and have no more fixtures scheduled before they host the Africa Region T20 World Cup Qualifiers in September.Ngarava among the wickets again Richard Ngarava has been Zimbabwe’s most successful bowler of the series and almost struck with his second ball when Robinson chased a delivery that angled away and got a thick outside edge. Ryan Burl at wide slip could not hold on. There was not too much damage done from that miss as Ngarava had Robinson caught at deep third off the second ball of his next over. Ngarava was brought back at the death and though he was hit for three successive by Seifert, he eventually foxed him with a slower ball that he feathered through to Clive Madande. Two balls later Bevon Jacobs tried to hit a short, wide ball out of the ground but was done for pace and sliced it to backward point.Ngarava’s change-ups worked again when he had Mitchell Santner caught behind off a slower ball in an over that lasted 10 balls. His next challenge is to enhance his wicket-taking skills with a bit more discipline in order to truly lead Zimbabwe’s attack.Ish Sodhi (150*) moved past Shakib Al Hasan (149) to take the No. 3 spot on the T20I wicket-takers’ list•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Seifert sees another opportunity to cash inDon’t drop Seifert. He was put down on 0 by South Africa in the previous match and went on to score 66* in a clinical run-chase. In this match, he was on 13 and had already hit two fours when Munyonga, at deep backward square, put him down off Tino Maposa and Seifert didn’t need a second invitation.Two overs later, he smacked Dion Myers into the leg side for his third four and the runs kept coming. Wellington Masakadza was sent through extra cover, Myers through the slip area and Sikandar Raza past short fine. Seifert brought up his 12th T20I fifty off 33 balls and went on to score his first six when he deposited Raza over long-on. He was especially good in a wide ‘v’ down the ground with 50 of his runs coming between extra cover and mid-wicket before he eventually fell to Ngarava for 75.Myers might be an opening option In search of a solid start, Zimbabwe asked Myers to open the batting, ahead of Wessly Madhevere, for the first time in his T20I career and he was off to a flier. He drove and cut Matt Henry for back to back boundaries to give Zimbabwe a blazing start and then showed off his pull shot to end the first over on 14 without loss. Myers was less in control against Zakary Foulkes, who he inside-edged over the keeper but showed intent against legspinner Sodhi, albeit without success.He walked across his stumps off the second ball he faced from Sodhi and tried to flick him fine but gave himself too much room and was bowled. A score of 22 from 18 balls is not much to write home about but given how poorly Zimbabwe have batted through this series, it could be an option worth exploring in future.Henry gets Raza and Zimbabwe unravel Zimbabwe were 28 for 3 after five overs thanks largely to a Sodhi double-strike and New Zealand clearly in control despite Henry’s expensive opening. He switched ends to complete the powerplay, started with a wide and then went short to Sikandar Raza, who met with him aggression. Raza swiped Henry to the leg side three times, and the third was well enough to get four before Henry adjusted his length and caught Raza in the crease. Raza was given out lbw and indicated he was not happy with the decision which left Zimbabwe 37 for 4 and in danger of their lowest score against New Zealand which sits at 84.They got to 130 but were never in the hunt to chase down the target and have serious questions about their batting depth.

MatériaMais Notícias

A Seleção Brasileira foi derrotada por 2 a 0 pelo Uruguai, em Montevidéu, mas a maior preocupação ficou por conta da lesão de Neymar, que saiu chorando de campo no fim do primeiro tempo. A suspeita é de uma torção grave no joelho esquerdo, mas antes de qualquer diagnóstico, o médico do Brasil, Rodrigo Lasmar, falou dos próximos passos até entender qual é o problema. Confira o que disse o doutor no vídeo acima:

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+ Você quer trabalhar no seu clube do coração? Matricule-se no curso Gestor de Futebol e entenda como!

+ Uruguai passa fácil pelo Brasil e assume a vice-liderança das Eliminatórias

England bowler says ODIs are a “fresh start” after the team went down 2-3 in T20Is against India

Valkerie Baynes15-Jul-2025

A series of T20Is as mere hors d’oeuvres to a main event consisting of ODIs seems an upside-down way of looking at whatever feast of cricket an increasingly packed international menu has to offer.But the three 50-over matches against India which make up the remainder of England Women’s summer represent just that for both teams with a World Cup less than two months away.India, who will host that tournament, comprehensively outplayed England in three of their five T20s while England won two tight contests on the final ball.Related

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For Kate Cross, who comes into England’s ODI squad after missing the T20Is along with Alice Davidson-Richards and Emma Lamb, the nature of those victories carried some negatives which the side will be looking to eradicate, but also positive signs.”We won some really key moments under pressure and we managed to win two really close games under pressure,” Cross said. “That’s something that is talked about with this group, how we might not necessarily always win those moments, so they were two huge positives.”If you think of the Edgbaston game, if we’d been in that really strong position to win it and then gone on to lose that game, then a lot more questions would be being asked. We won it, so that was great but equally we don’t want to be in those positions. We want to try and kill games sooner.”Every cricketer that you talk to will be trying to do that, but mistakes are made along the way and pressure is put on you as a cricketer and teams are allowed to bowl well and bat well and take spectacular catches in the deep that change the momentum of the game.”It certainly looked like we’ve looked calmer under pressure on Saturday, which is the sign of a team that’s moving in the right direction. The calmer we can be under those pressure moments, then the better we’ll be in those huge moments in World Cups and Ashes series and going down to the wire against India in a three-match one-day series.”The last time England played in Southampton, the match went down to the wire too, with Australia winning the second of three ODIs on the final ball to level that leg of the Women’s Ashes.England managed to keep the T20 series against India alive from 2-0 down at The Oval when India fluffed their lines chasing 172, a catch by Sophie Ecclestone as Harmanpreet Kaur tried in vain to clear mid-off for the six runs the visitors needed off the last ball the decisive moment.In the final match, at Edgbaston with the series already gone India’s way 3-1, England were in prime position to overhaul a target of 168 at 95 without loss after 10 overs. But they collapsed to 163 for 5 and needed a single off the last ball, Ecclestone the successful protagonist once more.”It feels like almost a line drawn in the sand with that series and then we’re going to go again with the one-day series,” Cross said on the eve of ahead of the opening ODI at Southampton.”With the result, it wasn’t the way we wanted the series to go, so it’s a fresh start. We’re nil-nil again now, aren’t we? It’s an opportunity to try and get a win on the board tomorrow and go one-nil up in the series.”You’ve got the same Smriti Mandhana coming out opening the batting, so it is trying to work out opportunities of how you might get those players out or how you might face bowlers. It’s always nice how the narratives are created through series like this when you get to play against the same team.”Kate Cross hopes to come into the ODI series with set plans for Smriti Mandhana•Getty Images

How to negate Mandhana emerged as a theme from the T20Is. She was leading run-scorer by some distance, with 221 runs at an average of 44.20 and 137.26 strike rate. Her maiden century in the format set the tone as India won the opening match at Trent Bridge by 97 runs and she scored a half-century in England’s five-run victory at The Oval.Facing India’s spin-heavy attack featuring N Shree Charani – Player of the Series with 10 wickets, including 4 for 12 on T20I debut in Nottingham – will be a focus for England, who will welcome back captain Nat Sciver-Brunt from injury to bolster their response.England’s fielding, which brought them undone in the group stage of the T20 World Cup and was further exposed during their 16-0 Ashes defeat in January, went from improved to echoes of past shortcomings against India, keeping it firmly in the work-in-progress category.”We’re getting still quite a lot of press around our fielding and it’s not where we want it to be,” Cross said. “We know that there’s been some mistakes made in key moments, but hopefully if we can be judged in six months, eight months, 12 months’ time where the new regime has had chance to bed in hopefully … you’ll only then see the changes which will fit with the new regime.”When Charlotte Edwards was appointed as head coach in April, she was given just five months and six ODIs to prepare her side for the World Cup. Cross, who fondly remembers receiving her debut cap from former England captain Edwards, believes her coach is up to the task.”She’s the biggest badger I know,” Cross said. “She’s literally watched every ball that you bowl or every ball that you face. She’s really on it. She’s got about seven laptops around her apartment, I think, to watch all the Blast games.”But her knowledge around the game is just phenomenal. We feel really lucky that we’ve had a coach with that sort of experience come in, but also with the career that she had in the game, to come in to help guide us and make us a better team.”She’s just not changed at all. She’s still the same Lottie that was my captain eight or nine years ago. So it is been really lovely for me personally to have her around. She’s always chuckling and making you laugh, which is a really nice place to be in an international dressing room.”

أشاد الإعلامي أحمد شوبير بقرار الجهاز الفني لـمنتخب مصر، بقيادة حسام وإبراهيم حسن، القاضي باستبعاد أي لاعب يخرج عن النص أو يخلّ بمبادئ الانضباط، مؤكدًا أن الالتزام واحترام قميص المنتخب الوطني هما الأساس في اختيارات الجهاز الفني.

وجاءت تصريحات شوبير بعد تعبير ناصر ماهر، لاعب الزمالك، عن استيائه من عدم انضمامه إلى قائمة المنتخب، وهو ما أعاد التأكيد على أن الانضباط والسلوك المهني يمثلان معيارًا رئيسيًا في قرارات الجهاز الفني خلال المرحلة المقبلة.

طالع أيضًا | إبراهيم حسن يهدد ناصر ماهر بعد تصريحاته الغاضبة: الاستبعاد سيكون مصيرك

وقال شوبير في تصريحات عبر برنامجه الإذاعي صباح اليوم الاثنين: “أعجبني كثيرًا ما قاله إبراهيم حسن بالأمس، فقد تحدث بكلمات جميلة جدًا، ما يعجبني أكثر في إبراهيم وحسام حسن خلال الأشهر الثلاثة الماضية هو صمتهما التام، على طريقة أغنية أم كلثوم (سكوت)؛ يعملان في صمت دون الالتفات لأي أحد، فكل ما يهمهما هو العمل بشكل صحيح”.

وأضاف: “ما زال محمد عبد المنعم، ومصطفى فتحي، وعمرو الجزار بعيدين عن المشاركة بسبب الإصابة، وقد تم استبعادهم لهذا السبب، وأؤكد أن أي لاعب لن يلتزم بالمعايير والانضباط لن يكون له مكان في المنتخب، وهذا أمر في غاية الأهمية”.

وتابع: “وجهت نصيحة إلى ناصر ماهر بالأمس، وقلت له: أنت لاعب جيد وتسير بخطى ثابتة، ومستواك في آخر ثلاث مباريات كان مميزًا بعد فترة من التراجع، فشد حيلك في المرحلة المقبلة حتى تُقنع الناس وتفرض نفسك على الجهاز الفني كما فعل أحمد الشناوي حارس المرمى”.

واختتم: “أُعجبت كذلك بتصريحات إبراهيم حسن بالأمس، خصوصًا عندما أكد أن حسام لا يحمل أي موقف شخصي تجاه أي لاعب، وأنه سيختار دائمًا الأفضل من أجل مصلحة المنتخب، وهذا موقف رائع للغاية”.

Tottenham Hotspur are now showing real interest in signing a “relentless” new midfielder who has “striker-like finishing”, with a number of Europe’s top clubs keen.

Spurs looking to strengthen in midfield

Tottenham have made a patchy start to life under Thomas Frank, most recently drawing 0-0 away at AS Monaco in the Champions League, and they could have lost if not for the performance of Guglielmo Vicario, who received a SofaScore match rating of 10 for his efforts.

The Lilywhites recorded an xG of just 0.88, as a result of only creating one big chance throughout the match, with Lucas Bergvall failing to make an impact, being substituted on the hour mark after failing to complete a single dribble or get a shot away.

Given that Rodrigo Bentancur also has just one goal and no assists to his name in all competitions this term, it wouldn’t be surprising if Frank were to try and bring in a new creative spark, and a new midfielder has now emerged as a target.

That is according to a report from The Boot Room, which states Tottenham are now showing real interest in signing AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit, having sent scouts to watch him in action for the Eredivisie side last weekend.

At the end of August, it was revealed the Dutch club are looking to hold out for up to €30m (£26m) for Smit, but the price tag could feasibly be driven up amid widespread interest, with the likes of Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Chelsea also keen.

Transfer expert Graeme Bailey adds: “Talking to scouts in Europe, there are not many more names that create as much excitement as Smit.

Related Thomas Frank names the Tottenham player scoring for fun in training lately

The Spurs boss is very impressed.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini Oct 22, 2025

“Many clubs believe Smit is the real deal and from what I am being told there is a very good chance he moves next year.”

"Relentess" Smit could be real attacking threat for Spurs

Scout Ben Mattinson has waxed lyrical about the threat the Dutchman poses going forward, saying: “For a midfielder, Kees Smit has striker-like finishing in the box. The quality and consistency of his finishing is top drawer. He attacks the box throughout games and gets into some dangerous areas to score from midfield.”

Mattinson has also praised the 19-year-old for his engine and ability in possession of the ball, describing him as “relentless” earlier this year.

Despite still being a teenager, the Alkmaar maestro has already established himself as a regular starter for the Dutch club, chipping in with one goal and two assists in the Eredivisie so far this season.

As such, Smit could be a fantastic long-term addition to Frank’s squad, but it would be a gamble, given that he is yet to prove himself in one of Europe’s major leagues.

تحدث ماركو أسينسيو، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي فناربخشة التركي عن أمنيته في تمثيل منتخب إسبانيا في كأس العالم 2026 المقبل.

وصعد منتخب إسبانيا لكأس العالم للمرة الـ 17 في تاريخه بعد التعادل أمام تركيا في الجولة الأخيرة من تصفيات أوروبا المؤهلة إلى المونديال، وتصدر مجموعته.

ويشارك 48 منتخبًا في النسخة المقبلة من بطولة كأس العالم، صيف 2026، حيث تمتلك قارة أوروبا 16 مقعدًا في النظام المستحدث للمنافسة العالمية.

وقال أسينسيو، في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “آس”: “لقد نمت خلال مباراة إسبانيا ضد تركيا لأنني لم أرغب في التأخر عن التدريب صباحًا، تأخرت المباراة كثيرًا بسبب فارق التوقيت”.

وأكمل: “كأس ​​العالم بطولة مميزة للجميع، والتواجد مع المنتخب الوطني أمر بالغ الأهمية، هدفي هو اللعب لإسبانيا مجددًا وأعمل بجد لتحقيقه، إذا استدعاني المدرب فسأرغب في تمثيل بلدي على أكمل وجه”.

اقرأ أيضًا | برشلونة يحسم موقفه من خوض مباراة ودية في المغرب أو بيرو

وعن مباراة جالطة سراي، كشف: “أحتاج إلى التسجيل، ستكون مباراة صعبة لكن لدينا مباريات مهمة أخرى قبلها، أولها مباراة تشايكور ريزي سبور، سنركز على هذه المباراة، نتعامل مع كل مباراة على حدة لكن بالطبع مباراة الديربي مهمة جدًا لنا وللجماهير وللنادي بأكمله ونريد الفوز”.

وأردف: “لعبت كجناح أيمن وجناح أيسر ولاعب وسط متقدم،، كنت أُجري خلف الدفاع طوال المباراة، لكل مركز أسلوبه الخاص، وأحاول التكيف قدر الإمكان، الأهم هو ما يُقرره المدرب لكنني أشعر براحة أكبر كلاعب وسط مُهاجم”.

وعن أهدافه مع فناربخشة: “قبل وصولي تعرفت على المشروع وأهداف النادي، فناربخشة يطمح دائمًا للفوز والنجاح في دوري أبطال أوروبا”.

وأتم: “رئيسنا يُظهر لنا ثقة كبيرة ودعمًا كبيرًا وهذا أمر أساسي، عندما يتواصل الرئيس مع اللاعبين بهذه الطريقة يُعزز ذلك ثقته بنا ويُظهر ثقته بنا وهذه الثقة تنعكس على أرض الملعب”.

Newcastle United confidently got back to winning ways against Athletic Club in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Whenever Eddie Howe’s downbeat Magpies have needed a confidence boost, they have relied on Europe’s elite competition so far this season, with three wins from four in the Champions League now, a far cry from their Premier League form, where they have registered only three wins from ten clashes.

The 2-0 victory that was comfortably picked up against Ernesto Valverde’s visitors would have also been a great morale booster for both Dan Burn and Joelinton, with the under-fire pair amongst the goals to steer Howe’s men to another mid-week victory on Europe’s grandest stage.

Burn & Joelinton's Champions League revival

Safe to say, neither player in question were in the good books at St. James’ Park against West Ham United.

Combined, the Blyth-born centre-back and the Brazilian would only win four of their 11 duels at the London Stadium, with Alan Shearer’s comments that the overall team performance against the Hammers was “lethargic” stemming somewhat from the declining duo’s half-hearted showings.

Yet, this time around, Burn certainly got the Shearer seal of approval when he headed home a thumping effort to gift the Toon a 1-0 lead.

On top of getting the ball rolling on Tyneside, the 6-foot-7 warrior would also come away from the 2-0 win with seven duels won and four ball recoveries, with the star his side has relied on over the years to be physical and valiant back at the forefront against the visitors from Bilbao.

Joelinton also looked back to his intimidating best when he fired home the game-clinching second for the Magpies, with the number 7 shaking off any recent signs of decay, too, when winning his own high tally of four duels.

Yet, while it is encouraging that both Newcastle stalwarts put in significantly improved performances, the worry will be that they will just revert to putting in sub-standard displays when the bread and butter of the Premier League returns.

The same is unlikely to be said of their Player of the Season so far.

Newcastle star looks like their Player of the Season already

There are a couple of names that spring to mind to be in the running to be an early contender for Newcastle’s player of the season prize.

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Nick Woltemade has instantly hit the ground running with four Premier League goals after a bumper £65m move from Stuttgart. Yet, he was quiet during the 2-0 win, with only one shot on goal and nine accurate passes next to his name.

Sandro Tonali is also very much at the top of the Newcastle list when looking at who has stood out this season, but it was surely expected that the Italian would be classy again this campaign, having once been noted as a possible £100m player for the future on Tyneside.

On the contrary, while Magpies fans would have been excited this summer that more centre-back depth had been sought after, nobody would have quite been anticipating the instant success Malick Thiaw would find in his new location, after leaving AC Milan behind.

Indeed, Thiaw has already been described as an “incredible bit of business” by Sky Sports’ Keith Downie, and for good reason, too, as the £35m spent on his services this summer continues to look like a very wise investment.

In the Premier League this season, the German has looked unfazed by whatever new challenge awaits him, with an 87% pass accuracy, on top of him winning a rock-solid 4.9 duels per game.

Thiaw vs Bilbao

Stat

Thiaw

Minutes played

90

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches

89

Accurate passes

67/75 (87%)

Successful dribbles

1/1

Interceptions

1

Clearances

6

Blocked shots

2

Ball recoveries

5

Total duels won

10/12

Stats by Sofascore

He continued his near faultless start to life in England with yet another composed showing on Wednesday night, with an impressive six clearances and five ball recoveries amassed when doing his defensive basics flawlessly.

Winning ten duels, too, which eclipsed Burn’s own sturdy haul on the night, while registering a high 67 passes, the hope will be that the 6-foot-4 fan favourite only gets better with time, having already made a compelling enough argument to be one of Newcastle’s candidates for Player of the Season, just 13 games into his Tyneside stay.

Thiaw spoke of his desire to be taken to the “next level” under Howe’s guidance when joining in the summer, after a stop-start time in Italy, with the first steps he’s made at St James’ Park showing off a star that’s already bloomed into a guaranteed starter.

Related Newcastle now hold internal talks to sign Ederson amid Joelinton concerns

The Magpies are looking to upgrade their midfield, as there are now doubts over the Brazil international.

Posts 1 ByDominic Lund Nov 5, 2025