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Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has told his players to bring the aggression to their latest attempt to ruffle the feathers of Premier League title contenders Arsenal.

The Gunners finished as runners-up to Liverpool last season and currently lead the pack chasing the champions this time around.

However, they lost to the Magpies on three occasions last season, including both legs of the Carabao Cup semi-final, and have not scored a single goal in their last three visits to St James’ Park with Howe’s men having turned up the heat to get the better of them.

Asked about that edge they appear to have against Mikel Arteta’s side, their 47-year-old head coach said: “I think we play better when there is that edge in our game. Many times, I say that to the players themselves.

“If we’re not in that sweet spot of aggression and competitiveness, we don’t play the same way. I think we have players that really respond to that type of game.

“Of course there’s a balance depending on what style of game we’re in. I’d like to think we can navigate our way through a game and utilise all the skills we have in our psychological framework to help us win.”

Howe could silence Nwaneri by unleashing £40m Newcastle "machine"

Newcastle host Arsenal in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie, leading 2-0.

ByAngus Sinclair Feb 5, 2025 Newcastle's season waiting for a jump start

Newcastle’s start to the season has been hampered by the Alexander Isak saga and while they have largely played well, results have not necessarily followed.

Their recent record against Arsenal – they have won four of the last six encounters in all competitions – is a source of satisfaction but Howe knows it will count for little once the first whistle sounds.

He said: “You don’t think about that going into the game, you think, ‘This is a fresh game and a fresh opportunity to impress’, so we’ve always had that line that you draw under the past.

“The past isn’t relevant, but you need to take whatever confidence you can positively and take that with you, so we’ll look to do that. But this is a fresh game and Arsenal are a new team.”

Howe will celebrate four years at St James’ in November, and a great deal has changed since he took to the dugout for the first time against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium – he had been prevented from doing so for Brentford’s visit to Tyneside a week earlier by Covid-19 – and presided over a 2-0 defeat.

He said: “That was a proud day because it was my first day in the dugout, but it was a tough day as well and it, I think looking back, paved the way for how tough it was going to be to stay in the league because at that stage, we were a long way from the team that we are today.

“I think we’ve come a long way in a relatively short period of time, although four years in footballing terms is a lifetime, really. But we’re still here and we’re still fighting.”

Manchester United are looking to build a squad capable of challenging for major honours under Ruben Amorim and could be set to up their pursuit of a midfielder in January, per reports.

Manchester United begin to take shape after transfer window

The transfer window has come and gone, leaving the Red Devils in a position to kick on after managing to secure several arrivals before the deadline earlier this week.

Coming in hours before the close of play, Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens joined the club for £18.2 million from Royal Antwerp and could face a baptism of fire in back-to-back Premier League fixtures against Manchester City and Chelsea.

Speaking about whether he could assume the number one jersey, Jay Motty of Stretford Paddock believes there is every chance the Belgian could get the nod over Andre Onana or Altay Bayindir.

He stated: “It was obvious we needed another option because neither Andre Onana or Altay Bayindir have covered themselves in glory.

“I know there’s a lot of pressure on a young goalkeeper coming in but hopefully he can rise to it because we knew we had to do something. I get that Emi Martinez has won a World Cup, but in the Premier League he can be erratic. Let’s not ignore his faults. With Lammens we don’t know if he’s going to be good enough for Manchester United, but there’s every reason to think he’s got a chance of that.”

With the Red Devils set to return for Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba in 2026, their mission to build a talented squad appears far from finished, and they now have another midfield operator in their sights should the opportunity arise.

Manchester United plotting new move for Conor Gallagher

According to reports in Spain, Manchester United are plotting a January move for Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher and will consult several avenues to try and bring the former Chelsea star back to English shores. The Red Devils are considering a both loan with an option to buy and a permanent deal if circumstances align, with the La Liga giants willing to offload the England international to offer themselves financial flexibility in the market.

Conor Gallagher in the Premier League

Appearances

136

Goals

18

Assists

13

Viewed as the main candidates to offer him a route back into English football, United are moving ‘increasingly close’ to his signature, and it remains to be seen whether they can offer a package to match his demands.

Registering four goals and six assists in 53 appearances for Atletico Madrid, Gallagher imposed himself in La Liga last term by winning 110 duels, per Fotmob, although he has only started one match in 2025/26. Labelled “priceless” by Mauricio Pochettino despite Chelsea sticking a £50m valuation on him at the time, his experience in the top-flight speaks for itself, and it may only be a matter of time before the Cobham graduate returns to familiar surroundings.

NGO’s letter to ICC also asks if it would be prepared to recognise the Afghanistan women’s national team in exile, allowing it to train, compete and receive ICC financial support

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Mar-20252:01

Firooza Amiri: If Afghan women can play sports, they can study as well

Human Rights Watch has called on the ICC to suspend Afghanistan’s membership and ban the Taliban-run nation from competing in international cricket.The request came via an email addressed to ICC chair Jay Shah, dated February 3 and made public on March 7, with the subject line: “Suspending the Afghanistan Cricket Board and Implementing a Human Rights Policy”.Human Rights Watch describes itself as an independent, international, non-governmental organisation that conducts research and advocacy on human rights abuses by states and non-state actors around the world.”We are writing at this time to urge the International Cricket Council (ICC) to suspend Taliban-run Afghanistan from ICC membership, and from participating in international cricket, until women and girls can once again participate in education and sport in the country,” the email said.Related

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“We also urge the ICC to implement a human rights policy based on the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.”We note that you have pledged ‘to allocate more resources to women’s cricket’ during your tenure at the helm of global cricket and ‘champion the ICC’s mission further by allocating more resources and attention to women’s cricket’.”However, since retaking power in August 2021, the Taliban have imposed a long and growing list of rules and policies that bars women and girls from exercising their fundamental rights, including to freedom of expression and movement, many forms of employment, and education beyond sixth grade. These affect virtually all their rights, including to life, livelihood, shelter, health care, food, and water.”The email went on to say that the ICC’s anti-discrimination policy for international cricket states that it is committed to ensuring that wherever cricket is played, it can be enjoyed by all participants regardless of their respective backgrounds. It pointed out that the policy also strives to ensure all participants can enjoy sport without being subjected to intimidating conduct on the basis of – among other factors – sex, gender, marital status and/or maternity status.The email also argued that while payments to Afghanistan’s Women’s team were suspended in 2021, the country’s men’s team continues to receive financial and logistical support, apparently in contravention of the ICC’s own anti-discrimination rules.Nahida Sapan and Firooza Amiri speak to the media ahead of the Cricket Without Borders match in Melbourne in January•Getty Images

“By not allowing women and girls to play cricket, and not allowing a national team for women and girls to compete internationally, the Afghanistan Cricket Board is failing to abide by this Anti-Discrimination Policy,” Human Rights Watch said.”We note that cricket has been included as a sport in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, and yet the Taliban’s ban on women and girls participating in the sport is a severe violation of the Olympic Charter’s guarantee that ‘the practice of sport is a human right’.”Since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, women have been forced to adhere to an increasingly restrictive range of laws barring them from most areas of public life, including sport. Shortly before that, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) had agreed to contract 25 women’s players, most of whom now live in exile in Australia.In July last year, former members of the Afghanistan women’s national team, no longer recognised as such by the country’s Taliban rulers, wrote to the ICC asking to be recognised as a refugee team.Several of those players united in an Afghanistan Women’s XI for an exhibition match against a Cricket Without Borders XI at Melbourne’s Junction Oval in January.A protest outside Lord’s on the eve of the Afghanistan-England Champions Trophy match in Lahore in February•PA Photos/Getty Images

Around that time, the ECB came under pressure from a group of British MPs to boycott their recent Champions Trophy fixture against Afghanistan – who knocked England out of the competition – while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged the ICC to “deliver on their own rules”.England and Australia have opted not to play Afghanistan in bilateral games, while agreeing to face them at ICC events, with ECB chief executive Richard Gould calling for a “co-ordinated, ICC-led, response” rather than unilateral action from individual countries.The issues of banning or boycotting the men’s team is complex, with some of the formerly contracted Afghanistan women’s players telling ESPNcricinfo’s Powerplay podcast that they didn’t want to see their male counterparts prevented from playing because they offered hope, but they did want them to do more for the women and girls who were being denied the same rights.Afghanistan fans settle down to watch their team play England in Lahore•Getty Images

Human Rights Watch asked for a timely response from the ICC to a number of questions, including what steps the governing body is taking towards developing a human rights policy, why it hasn’t suspended the ACB from playing international cricket until women and girls have access to education and sport and, would it be prepared to recognise the Afghanistan women’s national team in exile, allowing it to train, compete and receive ICC financial support.It also asks what steps the ICC has taken or plans to take to “pressure the Afghanistan Cricket Board to include women and girl players in their competitions” and what funding or other support has been or will be provided to the Afghanistan Cricket Board.”The International Cricket Council should follow in the steps of other sport governing bodies, such as the International Olympic Committee, by calling on the Taliban to include Afghan women and girls in sport, and committing to a human rights frame work,” the email concluded.The ICC has been contacted for comment.

West Ham United have sparked into life on the transfer front.

While he isn’t the flashiest addition, Callum Wilson entering the building on a free transfer from Newcastle United will still have caught the eye as the Premier League outfit adds in strikers in the wake of Michail Antonio’s exit.

On top of that, Mads Hermansen has also finally arrived from Leicester City to boost the Irons in between the sticks, costing a reported £20m in the process.

Graham Potter and Co. could soon make it a hat-trick of exciting buys with a new target reportedly on their agenda, who could follow in Wilson’s footsteps by costing nothing.

West Ham in talks to sign attacking midfielder

With Kyle Walker-Peters also entering Potter’s ranks after his Southampton contract expired, there is a theme popping up.

It would, however, cost West Ham a pretty penny to land Mateus Fernandes from the Saints, with a previous £30m price tag being placed above the up-and-coming 21-year-old’s head amid interest from the likes of the Hammers.

Fernandes isn’t the only target centrally, though, with a report from Roma News indicating that West Ham are now locked in negotiations with AS Roma star Lorenzo Pellegrini over a standout free transfer taking place.

The Serie A side will allow for this to happen so they can free up some wage costs and make a signing or two themselves this summer, but any potential deal rests on Guido Rodriguez also leaving the London Stadium, before anything significant whirs into motion.

Pellegrini could even go on to be Potter’s own iteration of Manuel Lanzini, with the Roma number seven hopeful he can be as impactful as his fellow Argentine compatriot if a move to England does get off the ground.

How Pellegrini can be Potter's own Lanzini

Before heading to his native Argentina to line up for River Plate, Lanzini was a fan favourite figure at the London Stadium.

Across 226 games for the Hammers, it’s fair to say the diminutive playmaker left his lasting impact, culminating in him amassing 32 goals and 26 assists in total, which included that ​​​​​​memorable effort being cannoned home against arch rivals Tottenham Hotspur back in 2020.

His consistent brilliance for the Hammers even saw his then-teammate Declan Rice hail him as a “special” talent to line up alongside, with Pellegrini hopeful he can reach this same level of performance if he calls East London home shortly.

Of course, the 29-year-old isn’t being chucked to one side by Roma for no reason, with Pellegrini just fresh off a below-par offering last season in Serie A that saw him tally up a weak two goals and two assists.

But, much like Lanzini in the Premier League, the Rome-born attacker has shown off his class over the majority of his extensive stay in the Italian top-flight, away from this worrying drop-off in form.

Even the Hammers’ favourite was guilty of going missing in certain contests, with only one league goal coming his way during his final swansong campaign, which ended his love affair with West Ham on a somewhat damp note.

Games played

316

Goals scored

55

Assists

59

Europa League appearances

53

Champions League appearances

14

Trophies

1x

Amazingly, away from that off-season last time out, Pellegrini has managed to collect a sizeable 55 goals and 59 assists for his boyhood club, with his Roma boss in Claudio Ranieri, going as far as to describe the 29-year-old as “exquisite” when he performs at the peak of his powers.

Capable of lighting up a pitch on his day with skilful displays with the goals and assists to match, he does feel as if he’s the next coming of Lanzini for those at the London Stadium, with Pellegrini also adept enough to line up in a more traditional central role if needed, as well as down the left wing, much like the ex-Irons number 10.

On a free transfer, this really could be a steal, with Rome royalty in Francisco Totti even labelling him as a “leader” for his efforts at the Stadio Olimpico.

Ideal Antonio replacement: West Ham agree terms to sign £13m "diamond"

Following his release, ending a ten-year association with the club, West Ham have reached an agreement to sign Michail Antonio’s replacement for £13m.

Aug 10, 2025

Voll continued her stunning rise in the international arena while Perry produced a vintage knock

Tristan Lavalette07-Dec-2024

Georgia Voll smashed a maiden century to continue her stunning rise in the international arena, while Ellyse Perry produced a vintage knock, as Australia clinched the ODI series after a crushing 122-run victory over India at the Allan Border Field.Australia posted 371 for 8, their third-highest total in ODIs, and it proved more than enough despite some belated fight from India on a benign surface in searing heat.India’s batting order equipped themselves much better than in game one when they were rolled for 100 with Richa Ghosh’s move to the top of the order paying off with an attractive half-century.But India never came close to pulling off a monumental chase and lost wickets regularly to be dismissed for 249 in the 45th over with opener Priya Punia unable to bat after suffering a niggle in the field. Their slim hopes effectively ended when captain Harmanpreet Kaur fell to quick Megan Schutt for 38 off 42 balls in the 28th over.India fined for slow over rate

India were fined 10% of their match fee for maintaining a slow over rate in Brisbane. Match Referee David Gilbert imposed the sanction after India were found two overs short when time allowances were taken into consideration. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur pleaded guilty and accepted the penalty, so there was no formal hearing.

India will rue a ragged performance with the ball and in the field as their dreams of a first series victory over Australia in Australia in ODIs ended in familiar disappointment.With the home team having comfortably won the series opener by five wickets at the same venue, Australia’s top order decimated India’s flagging attack after electing to bat. Voll, who has replaced injured captain Alyssa Healy for the series, ignited Australia and backed up her unbeaten 46 on debut by blasting 101 off 87 balls to underline her rich form after an eye-catching WBBL.Her belligerent hitting was on full display, clubbing 12 fours in total, and she combined in a 130-run opening partnership with fellow 21-year-old Phoebe Litchfield, who scored 60 off 63 balls. While Australia’s young stars provided another glimpse of the future, Perry wound back the clock with stunning power-hitting as she became the fourth women’s player from her country to pass 4000 ODI runs.Perry put the finishing touches with 105 off 75 balls, marked by an Australian record of six sixes, while Beth Mooney scored 56 of 44.In oppressive Brisbane heat reaching 35 degrees celsius, India were helpless although debutant offspinner Minnu Mani had an encouraging all-round performance with two wickets and an unbeaten 46 from 45 balls.Australia captain Tahlia McGrath resisted the temptation to bowl first and their batters had to front up in potentially tricky early conditions with the match starting at 9.45am local time.India’s new-ball bowlers Renuka Singh, who hustled Australia in game one with three wickets, and Saima Thakor hoped to conjure swing and make early breakthroughs before the peak heat of the day. But they bowled too full and runs flowed when Litchfield smashed a four on the second delivery before Voll took over with four fours in six balls to get Australia off to a flier.Litchfield did have a slice of luck on 5 after mis-hitting Thakor to mid-on only for Punia to spill a chance diving forward. It proved costly as Harmanpreet turned to the spin of Deepti Sharma and Priya Mishra within the powerplay but to no avail.Voll’s maturity continued to impress as she used her feet superbly against the spinners but made sure she didn’t overhit. Her driving was also a feature as she reached her half-century in 43 balls.Litchfield had been largely overshadowed before igniting her innings with well-executed reverse sweeps to roll to a 58-ball 50. They were totally untroubled until Voll was deceived on 64 by a superb googly from Mishra, who impressed late in game one, and given out lbw before successfully reviewing with ball-tracking suggesting it would miss leg stump.India were finally rewarded in the next over when Litchfield hit Thakor straight to cover, but the respite was fleeting with Perry in an aggressive mood as she unfurled her trademark lofted drive to devastating effect. Voll cruised towards a century with her only scare being on 86 when she was almost run out by a direct hit from Mani after attempting a quick single, but grounded her bat in the nick of time.It wasn’t long before Voll flicked Mani to the leg side to bring up her century as she calmly raised her bat and helmet with her proud mother beaming amid the applause in the terraces. Voll could not power on after she edged behind a wide delivery from Thakur, but Perry took over with a flawless century off 72 balls having earlier notched 7000 runs across formats in international cricket.Perry was eventually bowled by Deepti and her wicket triggered a late collapse, but Australia still easily surpassed the previous ground record of 325 for a women’s ODI.With Punia unable to bat, India rejigged their batting order and Ghosh, who batted at No. 6 in the first ODI, made a bright start by whacking Schutt to the boundary on the third delivery. But India’s hopes quickly crashed when opener Smriti Mandhana was bowled off the inside edge from quick Kim Garth and Australia’s disciplined attack kept the run rate under control despite the efforts of Ghosh.Legspinner Alana King ended Ghosh’s 72-ball 54 by bowling her around the legs as the pressure fell on Harmanpreet, who had started with a first ball boundary and she also clubbed a short ball from McGrath over the ropes. But Harmanpreet fell in the 28th over and the result was a formality despite late fight from Jemimah Rodrigues, who smacked 43 off 39 balls, and Mani.Annabel Sutherland claimed the spoils with 4 for 38 as Australia continued a satisfying return to the field following their T20 World Cup disappointment.

Tottenham are in dire need of attacking reinforcements as we fast enter the business end of this summer transfer window, especially after Son Heung-min’s departure to the MLS and a heartbreaking update on James Maddison’s knee injury.

Spurs announced on Thursday morning that the latter is set to undergo surgery on a ruptured ACL, which is expected to keep him out for a very large portion of 2025/2026, with Maddison joining fellow chief creator, Dejan Kulusevski, back on the sidelines after only just returning to action.

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

It’s a hammer blow for Thomas Frank, who was banking on Maddison to be their star number 10 this season.

Having already been robbed of participating in the Europa League final due to that same right knee, the England playmaker will now watch from the side once again as Spurs try to forge ahead without him.

The pressure is now firmly on Spurs’ recruitment team, specifically chairman Daniel Levy and technical director Johan Lange, to dig their heels in and source an immediate replacement for Maddison as soon as possible.

Reports have linked the club with a move for Eberechi Eze at points this window – an ideal fit stylistically, but with Crystal Palace digging their heels in and Arsenal pursuing a deal for the 27-year-old, it won’t be easy.

Tottenham have also contacted Man City over a move for Jack Grealish in recent days, according to Fabrizio Romano, but Everton are currently in more formal talks and ahead of Frank’s side in the race right now.

Harvey Elliott is another attacking midfielder who emerge as a target for Spurs, as per talkSPORT.

However, RB Leipzig are currently in discussions over the England Under-21 sensation, so Spurs will need to decide whether they’re going to potentially rival Ole Werner’s side pretty soon.

Frank is faced with the near-impossible task of somehow filling the voids left by Maddison, Son Heung-min and the injured Dejan Kulusevski, with a report by Turkish news outlet Takvim now claiming Tottenham could turn to the Süper Lig for answers.

Tottenham to make "official offer soon" for Galatasaray star Baris Yilmaz

As per the media outlet, Galatasaray forward Baris Yilmaz is of serious interest to the north Londoners.

The 25-year-old, who played in a variety of attacking roles last season, ended 24/25 with 14 goals and six assists in all competitions – starting on the right against Tottenham when the Turkish champions beat them 3-2 in the Europa League.

Now, Takvim states that the player’s agent recently met with Galatasaray chiefs to discuss his future at the club – sending them a clear message about Tottenham’s serious interest.

The unnamed representative informed Okan Buruk’s side, as quoted by Takvim, that Tottenham “will make an official offer soon” for Yilmaz.

Galatasaray are set to demand around £30 million for the Turkey international, who also played a key role during his country’s surprise run to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals last year.

Yilmaz has been linked with a move to the Premier League for some time, and members of the media believe he could be a “fascinating” option for any English side.

“Yilmaz is different,” said journalist Graeme Bailey to the Geordie Boot Boys in January.

“He’s a fascinating player. He can play anywhere across the front three and is a very clever footballer. He’s a good age. He’s an interesting one to keep an eye on. Nottingham Forest have looked, and there are others in the Premier League too.”