PBKS captain says the job is half done after finishing runners-up in IPL 2025

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Jun-20252:06

Aaron: Iyer ‘one of the best captains in the IPL’

Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer praised the “fearless nature” of the youngsters in his side during their run to the IPL 2025 final, which they lost by six runs to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.”I am very proud of each and every individual who has participated in the team,” Iyer said on the broadcast after PBKS finished runners-up in his first season as their captain. “And a lot of youngsters who have played their first season and the fearless nature that they showed, it was simply phenomenal. I keep on saying the same thing again and again but hats off to every individual who has been here, who has contributed as support staff, management. I think without them, we wouldn’t have reached so far. So kudos to them. And also, you know, job is still half-done and we have to receive the trophy next year.”When asked about the positives from this season, in which they topped the league table with 19 points, Iyer said, “Definitely, the way we turned up to every game, every individual stepping up at the right time and saying that ‘I can win the match’. There are so many youngsters in the team. I think they have gained a lot of experience out of these matches. And I’m sure that next year when they come, they’ll be having immense experience with them. And with that, we can build the tactics and strategies around so that we can play some decent cricket.”Related

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One of the stand-out aspects of PBKS’ run to the final was the performances of their uncapped players, such as openers < Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya, middle-order batters Shashank Singh and Nehal Wadhera, left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar and fast bowler Vijaykumar Vyshak.After the defeat in the final, Iyer thought 200 was a par score, implying their target of 191 was gettable. He said Krunal Pandya's spell was "phenomenal" – the left-arm spinner took 2 for 17 in four overs, the wickets those of Prabhsimran Singh and Josh Inglis."Considering the game we played last against MI [where PBKS chased down 204], I personally felt that 200 was a par score," Iyer said. "But they bowled brilliantly, especially Krunal, the way he came in. He carries a lot of experience. He has done it over a period of time. And even today, the way he bowled, it was simply phenomenal. And I think that was the turning point."

MatériaMais Notícias

A Série C do Brasileirão está na reta final e muito pode ser definido neste fim de semana. A rodada pode definir o adversário do Brusque na final, além de acesso antecipado e eliminações da competição. O Lance! explica tudo que está em jogo a duas rodadas do fim da segunda fase.

RelacionadasPalmeirasCom dúvidas, Palmeiras se reapresenta após empate com o Boca Juniors pela LibertadoresPalmeiras29/09/2023Atlético MineiroAtlético-MG: Arana vence no STJD e é liberado para atuar no BrasileirãoAtlético Mineiro29/09/2023São PauloSão Paulo demonstra interesse em mais um jogador do FlamengoSão Paulo29/09/2023

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

Grupo B

No Grupo B, o Brusque somou 12 pontos em quadro partidas e garantiu a liderança e vaga na final da Série C. A única definição que pode vir já nesta quinta rodada é a eliminação antecipada do Operário-MS, que tem três pontos. O Fantasma visita o São José-RS, que pode ir a sete pontos com uma vitória. Situação igual a do São Bernardo-SP, que tem quatro pontos e recebe o Brusque. Em caso de vitória de gaúchos e mineiros, os sul-mato-grossenses estariam eliminados.

Grupo C

Já no Grupo C há muita coisa em jogo neste fim de semana. No sábado (30), o Botafogo-PB, que tem três pontos, recebe o Volta Redonda e uma vitória mantém o Belo vivo na competição, além de depender só de si na última rodada. O cenário é o mesmo do Voltaço, que somou quatro pontos.

+ Manipulação de apostas: julgamento tem Alef Manga condenado e jogador eliminado do futebol

No entanto, um empate na Paraíba pode eliminar dos dois times, já que o Amazonas chegaria a nove pontos em caso de vitória sobre o Paysandu, que já tem 10, no domingo (1). Já a situação do Papão é mais simples: se o Volta não vencer, a equipe paraense garante vaga na Série B 2024; se os cariocas vencerem, um empate no Pará basta para a classificação.

James Anderson doesn’t have many regrets in his long and illustrious career. However, as he dives back into life at Lancashire at the age of 42, he does wish he’d had the chance to play more T20 cricket – after 11 years without a single game in the format.Anderson, who is set to feature for Lancashire against Worcestershire on Friday evening, has made a remarkable impact in his three Vitality Blast fixtures to date. He has claimed seven wickets at 10.14 and an economy-rate of 6.45, including a best of 3 for 17 in his comeback fixture against Durham at Chester-le-Street.”I’m absolutely loving it, it’s been amazing,” Anderson said at Lord’s this week, during an event for DP World.Related

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“I’ve only played three games – and my opinion might change very quickly over the next couple of weeks – but I feel like I’ve missed out over the last 10 years. It is so much fun. I wouldn’t change anything in my Test career, but it would have been nice to play a little bit more [T20] over the last 10 years.”Anderson remains England’s leading wicket-taker in ODI cricket, with a tally of 269 scalps that may never be beaten. However, he claimed just 18 in his 19 T20Is, with his last match in the format coming against South Africa at Centurion in 2009.”I was really nervous before my first game, but just being around Lancashire for the last however-many years, I’ve been dipping in and out,” he said. “It has been nice to settle in and get to know the guys properly, and try to have an impact in the team and on the squad. Hopefully, I can stay fit and keep doing it for the rest of the year.”He credits his ability to adapt to the format, despite such a long absence, to his unrelenting thirst for self-improvement: a trait that was in evidence throughout his Test career, with his mastery of the wobble-seam delivery a key example of this.”I do watch a lot of cricket. I’ve been around a lot of cricket. I was with the England white-ball team in the winter, so you do kind of learn all the time, watching different things – watching The Hundred, watching the Blast over the last ten years.”I’ve always had slower balls, but it’s getting back into nailing them down. It’s something I’ve loved throughout my career, developing skills and working at them.”Even so, it has been a curious experience watching Anderson in action in the Blast, without his habitual cordon of slips to back him up, and with his breakthroughs coming in unconventional areas of the ground.”All of my wickets have been caught either in the ring or on the boundary,” he said. “But that is the nature of the game. It is a bit different to what I’m used to, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.””The game I played [against Northamptonshire], the edges I got – you don’t have a slip in – went for four. You have to deal with that, and obviously they’re trying to hit you out of the ground. I have found it really fun. I am trying to learn all the time and tap into the other guys who’ve played a lot of T20 cricket to see where it takes me.”Anderson’s desire to extend his career was shown by his entries into both the IPL auction and the Hundred draft. Though he went unselected in both, the Hundred does have the intriguing second chance of a potential wildcard pick, which are awarded to the stand-out performers in the T20 Blast.”I have no idea,” he said, on that prospect. “I haven’t heard anything. I just keep ploughing along. What I am finding out is that there is a lot of cricket in a county season, and it is tough. We have two more T20s and then two Championship games, and I want to play in those, so it’s about trying to manage your body as well. It has been great though. I have absolutely loved it.”James Anderson was speaking at a DP World Beyond Boundaries Initiative, a mission to make the game of cricket more accessible across the globe

“It’s not something I would say I was looking forward to,” Shai Hope says on Test cricket, but now that he is back, he wants to have an “impact”

Andrew McGlashan25-Jun-2025Returning to Test cricket was not an overwhelming motivation for Shai Hope, but now that he’s back for the first time since 2021, he’s ready to commit to a fresh era under new captain Roston Chase.Hope, who leads West Indies in both white-ball formats, had been approached to be interviewed for the role of Test captain after Kraigg Brathwaite stepped down. But he declined to be included in the process, in part, he said, due to the workload of being a three-format player, which was also in the conversations with head coach Daren Sammy about a return to the Test side.To add to the scrutiny of his recall, Hope has been handed the wicketkeeping gloves for the opening match against Australia in Barbados, just the third time in Tests he’s started as the designated keeper, although he’s a regular in the role in limited-overs cricket.Related

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“Representing West Indies, they always give me a lot of joy and pride,” Hope told ESPNcricinfo in Barbados. “I think that was the main focus, just being able to represent the region and bring my impact on the game and obviously the transfer of that inspiration back into the next generation.”I’m happy to be back. It’s not something I would say I was looking forward to in terms of, ‘I have to play Test cricket again’. But if the opportunity came, I would always be willing to take it.”I believe if I’m doing something, I’m committed to it,” he added. “So if I decided to come back and play Test cricket, my main focus would be to give it my all. If success is there or not, the decision to leave me in or include me, that’s up to the decision makers. But, yes, as long as I’m being committed to the task at hand, I think I’m going to give my all.”With a T20 World Cup early next year and the build towards the 2027 ODI World Cup, where West Indies face a scrap for direct qualification through the rankings after having missed on the 2023 edition, there will be a lot of pressure on Hope in the months and years ahead.

“I guess they felt as though I would have been the perfect person to come in at this stage in my career and see what impact I can have. And that’s what I’m trying to do”Shai Hope

“The reality is the best or the most elite players, they don’t play all throughout the year in all three formats,” he said. “So there’s some rest involved, [and] there’s some give or take. But I pride myself on being as fit and being as ready as possible for whatever is thrown at me. And that’s what I’m going to try to do. If I’m playing all three formats, let’s say for the next two, three, five, ten years, however long, I want to make sure I’m doing it the best I can.”The amount of cricket I’ve been playing for the last couple of years, the workload has been pretty intense. It’s just about managing that a little bit better. We understand the magnitude of games that we have over the next cycle.”It’s about seeing what’s best for West Indies cricket. I guess they felt as though I would have been the perfect person to come in at this stage in my career and see what impact I can have. And that’s what I’m trying to do.”In this Test side, alongside Chase, the recalled John Campbell and debutant Brandon King, Hope is part of a reshaped batting order.Pat Cummins and Roston Chase will lead their sides at the Frank Worrell Trophy•AFP/Getty ImagesHe announced himself to the world with twin centuries against England, at Headingley, in 2017 to help West Indies to victory and followed that with 62 at Lord’s in the final match of the series. His next outing against Zimbabwe brought 90, amid a golden two-month period, but only two more half-centuries followed over a four-year stretch until he was left out after playing Sri Lanka in 2021. Since that series, he has played just four first-class matches – two for Barbados and two for Sussex.”Shai Hope is a class player,” Chase said. “He has a lot of experience in the international arena. He’s also the captain in the white-ball format. I’m just looking for him to lead by example as a senior player and someone that I can lean on in pressure situations and to help me lead the troops in being a competitive Test team.”Hope was wicketkeeper in his most recent red-ball outing, against Trinidad and Tobago in March, where he reportedly struggled with the gloves, but Chase backed him to put in the hard work needed to do the role at Test level.”He’s been in the international arena for some time and, at this level, you have to put those things behind you very fast,” Chase said. “[I know] that he will be able to put that behind him. I’ve seen him working on his keeping a bit more now, too. So, hopefully that should put him in good stead and do a great job for us.”

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was spotted close to a trophy-laden manager recently, and the tactician is now reportedly open to talks over replacing Ange Postecoglou at the City Ground.

Nottingham Forest consider Ange Postecoglou replacements after poor start

Postecoglou’s tenure at Forest has been nothing short of a nightmare so far, putting the Australian’s future at the club under intense scrutiny.

Appointed with the aim of instilling a vibrant, attacking style, Postecoglou instead finds himself navigating a storm of poor results, mounting criticism, and growing fan unrest just weeks into his reign.

Since taking charge, Postecoglou has become the first permanent Forest manager in over a century to go six games without a win. His side have struggled to translate his high-intensity, possession-based philosophy into results, often appearing disjointed and lacking cohesion on the pitch.

Ange Postecoglou’s tenure at Nottingham Forest so far	Competition
Arsenal 3-0 Forest	Premier League
Swansea 3-2 Forest	Carabao Cup
Burnley 1-1 Forest	Premier League
Real Betis 2-2 Forest	Europa League
Forest 0-1 Sunderland	Premier League
Forest 2-3 FC Midtjylland	Europa League
Newcastle 2-0 Forest	Premier League

Defensive frailties have been brutally exposed, and the team has conceded goals at an alarming rate, compounding the pressure on a manager desperate to turn things around.

Fans openly chanted for his dismissal when Forest fell to a shock 3-2 defeat at home to FC Midtjylland in the Europa League, with many questioning the club’s decision to appoint him.

Postecoglou, if he is sacked inside the next 10 days, could become the shortest-reigning manager in Premier League history — breaking former Charlton Athletic boss Les Reed’s record — who was shown his P45 after just 41 days in the 2006/2007 season.

It may not be during this international break after all, according to reliable media sources like Fabrizio Romano, but Sky Sports have reported that Marinakis isn’t afraid to be ruthless and pull the trigger if Postecoglou doesn’t turn things around quickly.

Should the club decide to part ways with Postecoglou, a shortlist of replacement candidates is already emerging in the media.

Leading the pack among rumored successors is Fulham’s Marco Silva. The Portuguese is respected for his experience navigating the Premier League with limited resources, and Silva also boasts a good relationship with Marinakis following their successful period at Olympiacos together.

Silva is a long-term target for Forest, so this is apparently one to keep an eye on, while Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner is also a “prime candidate” to replace Postecoglou, according to TEAMtalk.

There is another option too — former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez.

Rafael Benitez open to Nottingham Forest managerial talks

The Spaniard, who guided Liverpool to a Champions League title in 2005, also won La Liga twice at Valencia and led Chelsea to a Europa League triumph 12 years ago.

Benitez also boasts a Coppa Italia, Italian Super Cup, FA Cup, UEFA Cup, Club World Cup, Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup on his illustrious CV, with the 65-year-old’s last job in management coming at Celta Vigo in 2024.

He hasn’t coached in England since leaving his lacklustre spell at Everton in 2022, but the tactician’s undoubted experience could be appealing to the Tricky Trees.

Benitez was spotted in “close proximity” to Marinakis during Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Olympiacos in the Champions League last week, and a report from GiveMeSport has now shared an update on the prospect of his potential move to Forest.

Rafa Benítez’s managerial career
Clubs	Tenure	Matches in charge	Titles/achievements
Real Valladolid	1995-96	25
Osasuna	1996	9
Extremadura	1997-99	92	Segunda promotion
Tenerife	2000-01	46	Segunda promotion
Valencia	2001-04	162	La Liga X2 UEFA Cup
Liverpool	2004-12	350	Champions League FA Cup UEFA Super Cup
Internazionale	2010	25	FIFA Club World Cup Supercoppa Italiana
Chelsea	2012-13	48	Europa League
Napoli	2013-15	112	Coppa Italia Supercoppa Italiana
Real Madrid	2015-16	25
Newcastle United	2016-19	146	EFL Championship
Dalian Professional	2019-21	38
Everton	2021-22	22
Celta de Vigo	2023-24	33
All statistics and information courtesy of Transfermarkt

GMS report that Benitez would entertain an approach to manage Forest, as he’s keen to manage in the Premier League again, and the former Newcastle boss is under genuine consideration as an option.

Known for his tactical discipline and ability to organize teams defensively, Benitez could help to stabilize a struggling Forest side. His proven track record of guiding teams through relegation battles and achieving promotion — like he did during his spell at Newcastle — shows that he can thrive under pressure.

However, his inactivity lately is perhaps a cause for concern, especially given the increasing demands and pressure on managers to succeed.

Can Danny Röhl claim a win in his first Scottish Premiership match in charge of Rangers?

Amazingly, eight games into this league season, Rangers have still only won once.

Last weekend, with youth team coach Steven Smith at the helm, they required a late equaliser from James Tavernier to salvage a 2-2 draw with Dundee United at Ibrox.

This makes it the club’s worst start since 1978, excluding seasons they were outside the top-flight, and the Gers have not finished lower than third since 1985/86, which could be a genuine possibility right now.

The Light Blues are eight points behind fierce rivals Celtic but 13 adrift of current league leaders Hearts. The top two face each other at Tynecastle on Sunday, but Rangers are not involved in any title conversation, simply seeking to climb into the European places.

On Thursday night, Röhl did take charge of his new team for the first time, but one would not call it a dream start, given that they were demolished 3-0 by Brann in the Europa League.

In the next fortnight, the Light Blues face Kilmarnock, Hibs, Celtic, and then Roma, which certainly is not an easy set of fixtures, so which summer signing who looks completely “cooked”, so much so that he’s holding back teammates, should Röhl leave out of his team?

Nicolas Raskin's importance to Rangers

Last season, as Rangers endured a generally underwhelming campaign, Nicolas Raskin was named both the club’s Players’ Player of the Year award, as well as Supporters’ Player of the Year award last season, continually excellent even when the team was not.

Thus, one would assume that any new manager would make the Belgian one of the first names on the team sheet, but Russell Martin seemingly had other ideas.

Following a breakdown in the relationship between the pair, the short-lived boss decided to leave Raskin on the bench for crucial Champions League qualifiers against Viktoria Plzeň and Club Brugge, while he wasn’t in the squad at all for home games against Celtic and Hearts.

In the meantime, the 24-year-old has started each of Belgium’s last three outings, scoring against Kazakhstan in Brussels, thereby hoping to feature prominently at next summer’s World Cup, alongside Kevin De Bruyne, who isn’t bad, is he?

Back at club level, following that mini-exile, Raskin has started each of Rangers’ last seven matches, heading home the opener against Hibs in the League Cup quarter-finals, likely to be a central figure as Röhl looks to remould this underperforming team.

However, to truly get the best out of the Belgian, does the new boss need to move on from one of Rangers’ worst-performing summer signings?

The Rangers star who is holding Nicolas Raskin back

Fair to say, the Rangers support have not been won over by a large proportion of their summer signings.

Youssef Chermiti, Jayden Meghoma, Nasser Djiga, and Thelo Aasgaard, to name but a few, have so far certainly not impressed, but Joe Rothwell has been one of the most underwhelming additions.

When he arrived from Bournemouth in July, Kai Watson labelled him an “excellent passer” and “exactly what this Rangers midfield needs”, concluding he would be “a very smart signing”.

Well, so far, that has certainly not been the case, as the table below makes clear.

Total minutes

958

7th

Assists

1

2nd

Pass completion %

95.8%

1st

Accurate passes per 90

28.1

8th

Key passes per 90

0.9

6th

Progressive passes

4

13th

Passes into final 3rd

3

12th

Shot-creating actions

1

13th

Average rating

6.72

12th

As the table documents, while Rothwell may rank first in terms of pass completion percentage, he is simply not doing anything with this high volume of passes.

This is emphasised by the fact he’s recorded just 0.9 key passes per game in the Premiership and only four progressive passes in the Europa League, while seven players have notched more accurate passes on a per 90 basis, which isn’t ideal given that this is supposed to be his main attribute.

His lack of mobility in the middle of the park has also come under scrutiny.

Neil McCann, speaking on Sky Sports commentary during August’s 1-1 draw with St Mirren, asserted that he looked completely “cooked”, while Kenny Macintyre, speaking on BBC Sportsound, exclaimed that “Joe Rothwell… has looked knackered in every game”.

In short, the Englishman is offering very little either in or out of possession, which is hindering those around him, given that Raskin is putting in chaotic displays, feeling as though he has to do everything, with Brann’s third goal on Thursday underlining how easy this team are to play through.

So, ahead of a crucial run of games, Röhl will be desperate for Mohamed Diomandé to be fit enough to return, while any of Connor Barron, Lyall Cameron, or the aforementioned Aasgaard should complete the trio, as they’d all offer far more than Rothwell right now.

Röhl has plenty to ponder right now, it would have been a sobering flight back from Bergen this week, but one of his top priorities has to be getting the best out of Raskin, something Rothwell’s continued inclusion is certainly not doing.

Worse than Antman: Rohl must drop Rangers flop who's "nowhere near ready"

Glasgow Rangers manager Danny Rohl should drop this flop who was even worse than Oliver Antman.

ByDan Emery Oct 24, 2025

كشف نادي ريال مدريد الإسباني في بيان رسمي، اليوم الإثنين، عن إصابة حارس مرماه البلجيكي تيبو كورتوا، والتي تعرض لها خلال مباراة الأمس أمام رايو فاليكانو.

وخاض ريال مدريد مباراة أمام رايو فاليكانو، في إطار مواجهات الجولة الثانية عشر للدوري الإسباني “الليجا”، وقد انتهت بالتعادل السلبي.

وشهدت هذه المباراة إصابة لفيدي فالفيردي لاعب ريال مدريد، وأعلن النادي في بيان رسمي اليوم طبيعة إصابته (طالع التفاصيل من هنا).

إلى جانب فالفيردي، أوضح ريال مدريد أن كورتوا خضع للفحص الطبي اليوم من قبل الجهاز الطبي للنادي الإسباني، وأظهرت الفحوصات إصابته في العضلة المقربة الطويلة بساقه اليمنى، وسيتم متابعة تعافيه.

لم يكشف ريال مدريد عن المدة التوقعة لغياب كورتوا، لكن بحسب صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية، سيغيب عن الملاعب لمدة تتراوح بين 10 إلى 12 يومًا، ولن يسافر مع بلجيكا خلال فترة التوقف الدولي بنوفمبر الجاري.

وقد تقرر غياب حارس المرمى البلجيكي عن منتخب بلاده في فترة التوقف الدولي، حيث تخوض بلجيكا مواجهتين ضد كازاخستان وليختنشتاين.

Mary Earps says she never meant to “intentionally hurt” anyone as she hit back at Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor’s claims that she showed a lack of “respect” to Hannah Hampton following her comments about the goalkeeper. The former England shot-stopper took to social media to defend herself after she was also accused of disrespecting Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman.

Earps did not feel 'comfortable' with Hampton recall

In an excerpt from her upcoming autobiography, , which is being serialised by Earps revealed she criticised Wiegman’s decision to bring Hampton back into the England fold in 2023. Behind then-no. 1 goalkeeper Earps in the pecking order, Hampton was an unused substitute when the Lionesses won Euro 2022, before being left out of subsequent squads, reportedly due to poor behaviour, although Wiegman said it was for “something personal” at the time.

Saying she did not feel “comfortable” with Hampton’s recall, Earps wrote in her autobiography: "I felt protective of the good energy we now had in goalkeeper training and the morale of the wider team. Bad behaviour is being rewarded.”

While Earps remained as England’s first-choice goalkeeper for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, saving a penalty in the final as Wiegman’s side lost 1-0 to Spain, she was usurped by Hampton in 2024, with the Chelsea goalkeeper going on to help her country win Euro 2025 in the summer. Earps announced her retirement from international football before the start of the tournament.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportBompastor leapt to Hampton's defence after Earps' comments

Earps’ comments came less than 24 hours before Hampton kept a clean sheet in Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over London City Lionesses in the Women’s Super League on Saturday afternoon.

After the game, Blues head coach Bompastor was quick to defend the 24-year-old, saying in her post-match press conference: "I think Hannah is fine, but of course it's tough because Hannah is an athlete but also a person. That's never nice to hear these comments.

"Since I joined Chelsea she has grown so much and is such a professional athlete and also a good person. We have a really good relationship together and I want to show her my support in this situation."

Getty Images SportChelsea manager also came to the aid of Lionesses boss Wiegman

Bompastor also told Earps to “think about it before you speak” as she came to the aid of Wiegman – a manager who has won three successive European Championships across spells with the Netherlands and England.

"I would also like to say it's more about respect,” added Bompastor. “With what I read in terms of the comments coming from Mary Earps, it's not acceptable to not show respect to your team-mates or managers. We are talking about Hannah, but also I want to raise my voice for Sarina.

"When you use some words saying something about someone who won the Euros three times in a row, you should probably think about it before you speak. Hannah has been fine with us and all the club – myself, the staff and the players – are all behind her. If you look at what Hannah said in the previous comments about Mary Earps then what Mary is saying about her now, one of them is class and Hannah is the class one.”

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Earps takes to social media to hit back at Bompastor

However, Earps – now of Paris Saint-Germain – fired back at Bompastor on Saturday evening, arguing she was being misrepresented after she also labelled Hampton a “very good goalkeeper” in a separate interview with .

Writing on Instagram, Earps said: “It's not easy to be as vulnerable and open as I have been in the book, and I understand that my honesty and rawness will divide opinion. That's ok, everyone is entitled to feel what they feel and I respect that.

"Things have escalated really quickly today, women pitted against each other. It's gut-wrenching to be portrayed as someone you're not.

"I know that the negative is what gets clicks but it's sad that that's the only thing being discussed – I also said some really positive things and gave credit where it's due.

"I know that people like to create drama, but please remember, this book is about my life and my experiences.

"This is not a soap opera, this is real life. Pulling out a paragraph, or a sentence here and there is not a reflection of the contents of the book. Please see through the headlines, and read it in its entirety.

"I would never intentionally say things to hurt someone. That's not my style.

“People can experience the same situation differently, this is not about heroes and villains, just different perspectives – multiple things can be true at once.”

And so Tottenham Hotspur are not there yet. This much we can tell.

Residual problems from the dysfunction of the Ange Postecoglou era were always going to creep into the new campaign, but there’s an undeniable air of frustration as Aston Villa grew into the game on Sunday afternoon and left Spurs’ ground with all the spoils, having fallen behind early in the first half thanks to Rodrigo Bentancur’s strike.

Tottenham have enjoyed a steady start to Thomas Frank’s tenure, but one win from four in the Premier League of late has emphasised the scale of the task.

Creatively, Tottenham weren’t at their sharpest on Sunday, and this played into Villa’s hands as the hosts retreated, pulled deeper as they sought to group and defend their advantage.

They succumbed to the pressure, and questions were asked post-game of Xavi Simons, whose duty as playmaker-in-chief was left unfulfilled against Unai Emery’s side.

Xavi Simons still leaving something to be desired

At the base of midfield, Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur did a fine job of protecting the Tottenham backline, winning between them 19 duels on the afternoon, as per Sofascore.

But Villa finished the match having won 53% of the duels, speaking of issues from other areas of the field.

And there’s no denying Simons struggled. Signed from RB Leipzig for £51m this summer, the diminutive creator has yet to get going in the Premier League, with Villa’s assured build-up and robustness in the challenge reducing Simons to an inconsequential display.

The 22-year-old has arrived in a new environment and is hardly getting the best service at this early stage of his Tottenham career, but neither is he covering himself in glory with impactful performances. Both things can be true.

Xavi Simons vs Aston Villa

Match Stats

#

Minutes played

79′

Goals

0

Assists

0

Touches

36

Shots (on target)

0 (0)

Accurate passes

20/24 (83%)

Chances created

1

Dribbles

0/1

Recoveries

3

Tackles won

2/4

Duels won

5/14

Data via Sofascore

Frank discussed after the defeat his side’s issues in creating chances, and despite retaining the majority of possession – as is typically the case when Tottenham play at home – there was little of impetus and authority from the talented number ten, and though he dropped deep to contribute more, there has hardly been enough on show throughout these opening months.

In fact, football.london branded the Dutchman with a 5/10 match rating, writing about his work rate and willingness to get stuck in but also acknowledging his lack of attacking flair and impact.

There is anticipation and expectation, however, that Simons will grow into his skin and thrive in the Premier League. However, he’s not the only summer signing who’s struggling to bring it all together so far, with Randal Kolo Muani still to announce himself.

Randal Kolo Muani may be wasted money

From an attacking standpoint, centre-forward remains a problem for Tottenham Hotspur. It’s an age-old problem, for the scale of Harry Kane’s brilliance means that his departure only two years ago very much feels a lifetime ago.

Quite simply, Spurs are not creating anywhere near enough chances, and though they sit sixth in the standings, two points behind second-placed Manchester City, more offensive influence and cohesion is required if Spurs are to finish strongly in the Premier League and challenge for silverware once again.

Premier League 25/26 – xG Leaders

Team

Goals Scored

xG Total

(1) Crystal Palace

12

17.1

(2) Man United

11

14.9

(3) Man City

17

14.4

(4) Arsenal

15

13.6

(5) Liverpool

14

13.6

(14) Tottenham

14

8.3

Data via FBref

Kolo Muani certainly has the talent and goalscoring ability to contribute toward that goal, but injuries have limited him to a bit-part role so far.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward arrived in north London on a one-year loan deal on transfer deadline day, arriving with a weight of expectation after reviving his career on loan with Juventus last year, scoring ten goals and providing three assists across 22 matches for the Italians, demonstrating sharp and athletic movements and ranking among the top 7% of Serie A forwards for goals scored per 90, as per FBref.

Once hailed as a “superstar” by German legend Lothar Matthaus, the 26-year-old has what it takes to be a star at Tottenham, but injuries have limited him to just two outings so far this season, and though he only featured briefly against Aston Villa, he did indeed leave much to be desired.

Football.london saw it fit to brand Kolo Muani with a 5/10 match rating in spite of his brief cameo, and that’s because he missed a sitter late on, fluffing his lines during a goalmouth scramble with only moments left on the clock.

It was an “incredible” miss, as former Premier League goalkeeper Rob Green put it, and one which might have served as a springboard for the France international’s career in London, but it wasn’t to be. Moreover, he lost both of his contested ground duels, and will need to be more convincing in the challenge going forward.

Though there’s plenty of time to right the wrongs and nail down a starting spot at number nine this season, Kolo Muani is pitted against thick competition at the front of the ship, and if Dominic Solanke clicks into gear, he might have a tough task ousting the Englishman.

For now, we must reserve judgement on a player who has suffered an injury-hit start to his Tottenham career, and who has a proven pedigree that suggests he could be the man Frank and Spurs are searching for.

But if he doesn’t take the chances that fall his way, especially with Tottenham lacking creativity and the fitness of two linchpins in James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, then it could be a long and difficult campaign for the Les Bleus star.

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Posts ByBen Gray Oct 19, 2025

Arsenal staff have been taken aback by summer signing Noni Madueke behind-the-scenes, with a twist now coming to light on the forward’s injury return timeline.

Mikel Arteta is now without star defender William Saliba once again, not to mention winger Gabriel Martinelli.

Delivering a pre-match injury update ahead of the Gunners’ Carabao Cup fourth round clash at home to Brighton on Wednesday evening, Arteta didn’t delve into too much detail on the extent of their problems, but the duo have now joined their injury list.

Saliba and Martinelli are accompanied by Gabriel Jesus, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Madueke, who are all unavailable for selection right now due to various issues.

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 1-1 Man City

Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal

Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

Fulham 0-1 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

Jesus has been sidelined since the turn of the year after rupturing his ACL in an FA Cup defeat to Man United, and reports have suggested that the Brazilian may not be back in action until 2026.

Odegaard, meanwhile, is suffering real bad luck with injuries right now.

The Arsenal captain had only just returned from a shoulder problem when he set up Gabriel Magalhaes’ winner away to Newcastle, but it didn’t take long for Odegaard to be sidelined once again.

The £240,000-per-week playmaker picked up a medial collateral ligament injury in the 2-0 win over West Ham just prior to the last international break, and that is expected to keep him out until mid-November.

Luckily for Arteta, the north Londoners could soon welcome Havertz back.

The Germany international has apparently been blowing away Arsenal rehab staff with his recovery and is fighting to be fully match fit ahead of schedule, according to insider HandOfArsenal.

Now, as per GiveMeSport, nearly the exact same can be said of Madueke too.

Arsenal staff taken aback as Noni Madueke nears faster injury return

According to their information, Arsenal staff have been left impressed by Madueke’s attitude during recovery, and the England international winger is now set to return to training earlier than anticipated.

Madueke is said to be making “faster-than-expected” progress in his comeback from a knee injury which has kept him out since Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Man City.

The former PSV Eindhoven star, known for his pace, dribbling, and creativity, has been a bright prospect since joining Arsenal, and his return is expected to inject more flair and unpredictability into their front line.

Madueke’s ability to wreak havoc on defenders in one-on-one situations offers a new dimension, but also takes some pressure off Arsenal’s key forwards, with Arteta pretty light in that area right now.

His form right after joining Arsenal in the summer, despite early protests over his arrival, resulted in Madueke being considered as Andrea Berta’s arguable best signing of the window thus far.

Arsenal’s plan is for the 23-year-old to complete several controlled sessions before resuming full contact training, and he’s apparently used the time to work on other aspects of his game, like strength and conditioning.

His response to the setback has been nothing short of incredible, according to GMS, and Arteta will certainly be impressed behind-closed-doors.