Tag Futebol

Leeds United are in a dire situation. The Whites continue to lose games in the Premier League consistently, with their most recent defeat coming away to Manchester City, 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium.

Indeed, bagging two goals away to Pep Guardiola’s side was impressive, and the performance going forward was slightly better.

The Whites managed nine shots at Gianluigi Donnarumma’s goal, with four of those finding the target. They were more clinical, too, scoring two out of the three big chances they created.

Yet, with another loss, the pressure continues to mount on Daniel Farke, and the underlying numbers are evidence as to why.

Leeds' underlying numbers this season

Many people expected the West Yorkshire side to be in a relegation fight by the end of the season, including ESPN pundit Bill Connelly, who predicted them to finish 18th. Well, they are now in that exact position in the Premier League, with 11 points to their name.

Goalscoring has been a real issue for the Whites this term. Farke’s side have only bagged 13 goals. That is better than one side, bottom-place Wolverhampton Wanderers, who have only scored seven times.

Leeds are drastically underachieving on their expected goals, too, a metric which currently stands at 16.96 xG. That is almost four goals more than what they have managed, the third biggest underachievement in the Premier League this season.

The spread of goals in their squad is perhaps concerning, too. Summer signing Lukas Nmecha is their top scorer in the Premier League with four, and only three players have found the back of the net multiple times. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is one of those, after he scored his second of the season against City at the weekend.

Looking at those numbers, it might not be a surprise that Leeds are struggling as much as they are. It is why Farke’s job is under pressure, although an alternative could have been identified.

Leeds' Farke alternative

A recent report from talkSPORT suggests that the Whites are ‘admirers’ of former Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou.

Of course, he hasn’t long been out of the game, having left the East Midlands a few months ago, but could already return to the Premier League if Leeds approach.

His first season in North London showed exactly how good he can be. Described as a “highly entertaining” manager by former Spurs star Graham Roberts, Postecoglou played high-octane football, which helped the Lilywhites qualify for the Europa League.

That is a style the Elland Road faithful might be used to. Marcelo Bielsa, one of their best managers in recent years, was famed for his energetic brand of football, a style Anthony Hudson said is “a really positive approach.”

In fact, former Chelsea and Arsenal defender William Gallas has even said that “demands remind me a little bit of Bielsa” because of how “physically exhausting” it can be. Remember Bielsa’s famed murder ball? Well, that could be back at Thorp Arch before too long.

In Postecoglou’s first campaign in the hot seat at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, the Australian won 21 games in 41 that he coached. His side were fluid going forward, bagging 79 times across all competitions.

It is interesting to look at a comparison between the numbers that Postecoglou’s Spurs put up in their first 13 games in the Premier League, compared to Farke’s side from this season. Indeed, they stack up well and hint at the attacking football he could bring to Elland Road.

For example, Spurs had scored 25 goals in those opening 13 matches in 2023/24. They were overachieving slightly when it came to expected goals, too. The Lilywhites racked up 23.83 xG, a steady pace along with their actual total.

Points

26

11

Expected points

20.66xPTS

17.88xPTS

Goals

25

13

Expected goals

23.83xG

16.96xG

Goals conceded

17

25

Expected goals conceced

21.28xGA

18.52xGA

It is easy to see how Postecoglou could be an upgrade on Farke. The Australian manager might play risky football with a high line, but it has proven to be entertaining and a good source of goals.

The numbers highlighted show what fans can expect to see if the Whites execute Postecoglou’s game plan well. He could certainly bring an exciting brand of football to Elland Road and would ultimately be an upgrade on Farke.

Fewer touches than Perri: Farke must bin Leeds star who lost the ball 14x

Daniel Farke must drop one player after Saturday’s defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad.

ByEthan Lamb Nov 30, 2025

The Padres struggled to score again in a playoff game. It's a story the team's fans know all too well after the team's failure in the NLDS last season.

On Tuesday, the Padres scored a run in the second inning against the Chicago Cubs, breaking a 25-inning scoreless streak in the postseason. Then they didn't score again in a 3–1 loss. San Diego has now mustered only one run in its past 33 postseason innings.

Last season, the Padres beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6–5 in Game 3 of the NLDS, scoring all six runs in the second inning before being shut out for the rest of the game. L.A. then blanked San Diego in Game 4 and Game 5, totaling 24 consecutive shutout innings to end the Friars' season.

On Tuesday, San Diego scored on a Xander Bogaerts double in the top of the second inning to take a 1–0 lead. Despite several chances to plate another run, the Padres couldn't capitalize as they finished 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

Chicago battled back with back-to-back solo home runs from Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly in the fifth inning. The Cubs tacked another run on in the eighth inning to secure a 3–1 lead.

Cubs relievers tossed 5 2/3 shutout innings after starter Matthew Boyd was pulled with one out in the fifth inning. They didn't allow a hit or a walk and struck out four batters after Boyd left the game. Chicago's pitchers retired the final 14 Padres batters in order to end the game.

San Diego managed only four hits and one walk on the day. The top three in the Padres' lineup, Fernando Tatis Jr., Luis Arraez and Manny Machado, went a combined 0-for-10 with three strikeouts and a walk.

It will be do-or-die for the Padres on Wednesday, but history is working against them. Since MLB moved to its current playoff format in 2022, no team that has lost the opening game of a wild-card series has come back to win it. San Diego's offense will need to wake up if the team wants to have any chance.

The Cubs have home-field advantage and all the momentum.

There has been a twist regarding Martin O’Neill’s stay as Celtic interim manager involving his relationship with Dermot Desmond.

O'Neill guides Celtic into League Cup final with win over Rangers

The Hoops have enjoyed a resurgence following O’Neill’s return to Glasgow on a short term basis following Brendan Rodgers’ Parkhead departure.

Celtic won 4-0 in O’Neill’s first game back against Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership and then, days later, got the better of rivals Rangers in the Scottish League Cup.

Goals from Johnny Kenny, Callum McGregor and Callum Osmand saw the Hoops win 3-1 in extra time at Hampden Park, booking their spot in the final against St Mirren.

O’Neill’s attention now turns to a Europa League trip to take on FC Midtjylland before a home fixture against Kilmarnock prior to the international break.

Speaking to talkSPORT reporter Jim White, O’Neill admitted he had to return to London to retrieve his passport ahead of the trip to Denmark. The Hoops caretaker was also asked if shareholder Desmond had more of a ‘persuasive tone’ when they spoke about a longer stay in Glasgow, to which O’Neill said:

O'Neill now willing to stay on as Celtic manager

It has now been reported by 67 Hail Hail that O’Neill is in fact ‘willing to stay on as Celtic manager until the end of the season’.

Despite saying on multiple occasions that his role would be short term, the Irishman is open to remaining at Parkhead until 2026, and that is seen as a ‘genuine possibility’.

67 Hail Hail add that O’Neill’s relationship with Desmond ‘is believed to be a crucial part of this idea, with Celtic willing to take their time to find the long-term replacement’.

Martin O’Neill’s record as permanent Celtic manager

Games

266

Wins

200

Draws

26

Losses

40

Trophies

7

Players used

56

As long as results remain positive under O’Neill, then the Hoops will surely be open to the idea of taking their time to find a long-term replacement.

The 73-year-old has steadied the ship at Parkhead, and his next task is to take Celtic higher up the Europa League table. Another three points in the Scottish Premiership will keep the pressure on Hearts, and by the looks of it, there is a real chance we may see the 4-2-3-1 manager in the Celtic dugout until 2026.

He'd revive Reo Hatate: "Insanely talented coach" is keen on the Celtic job Related Charlie Mulgrew shares "big" contract Celtic should now offer Jurgen Klopp

The ex-Celtic star has had his say…

Posts ByTom Cunningham Nov 4, 2025

اختتمت منافسات الجولة الخامسة من مرحلة الدوري من بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، موسم 2025/26، مساء الأربعاء، في النسخة الثانية من المنافسات بعد استحداث نظامها الموسم الماضي.

ويشارك 36 فريقًا في دوري أبطال أوروبا، بدلًا من 32 فريقًا، وتتأهل الفرق التي تحتل المركز الأول إلى الثامن، بشكل مباشر إلى دور الـ16 من البطولة، على أن يخوض الذين يحتلون المراكز من التاسع إلى الرابع والعشرين، مرحلة الملحق، والتي تتمثل في مباراتي ذهاب وإياب، حسب قرعة.

وفي دور الـ16، تلتقي الفرق المتأهلة مباشرة مع أولئك الذين تخطوا مرحلة الملحق، حسب قرعة أيضًا.

وشهد يوم الثلاثاء مباراة بين فريقي برشلونة وتشيلسي على ملعب “ستامفورد بريدج” حيث خسر البرسا بثلاثة أهداف دون رد، في حين استضاف مانشستر سيتي نظيره باير ليفركوزن على ملعب “الاتحاد” حيث تعرض السكاي بلو للهزيمة بثنائية نظيفة.

اقرأ أيضًا | ترتيب هدافي دوري أبطال أوروبا بعد سوبر هاتريك مبابي في مباراة ريال مدريد وأولمبياكوس

وتغلب ريال مدريد على أولمبياكوس بنتيجة 4-3، وسقط ليفربول أمام آيندهوفن بنتيجة 4-1، فيما تغلب آرسنال على بايرن ميونخ بنتيجة 3-1، وحقق باريس سان جيرمان فوزًا على حساب توتنهام بنتيجة 5-3، وظفر أتلتيكو مدريد بفوز في الدقائق الأخيرة أمام إنتر ميلان بنتيجة 2-1. ترتيب دوري أبطال أوروبا

1- آرسنال، 15 نقطة.

2- باريس سان جيرمان، 12 نقطة.

3- بايرن ميونخ، 12 نقطة.

4- إنتر ميلان، 12 نقطة.

5- ريال مدريد، 12 نقطة.

6- بوروسيا دورتموند، 10 نقاط.

7- تشيلسي، 10 نقاط.

8- سبورتينج لشبونة، 10 نقاط.

9- مانشستر سيتي، 10 نقاط.

10- أتالانتا، 10 نقاط.

11- نيوكاسل يونايتد، 9 نقاط.

12- أتلتيكو مدريد، 9 نقاط.

13- ليفربول، 9 نقاط.

14- جالطة سراي، 9 نقاط.

15- آيندهوفن، 8 نقاط.

16- توتنهام، 8 نقاط.

17- باير ليفركوزن، 8 نقاط.

18- برشلونة، 7 نقاط.

19- قره باج، 7 نقاط.

20- نابولي، 7 نقاط.

21- مارسيليا، 6 نقاط.

22- يوفنتوس، 6 نقاط.

23- موناكو، 6 نقاط.

24- بافوس، 6 نقاط.

25- سانت جيلواز، 6 نقاط.

26- كلوب بروج، 4 نقاط.

27- أتلتيك بلباو، 4 نقاط.

28- آينتراخت فرانكفورت، 4 نقاط.

29- كوبنهاجن، 4 نقاط.

30- بنفيكا، 3 نقاط.

31- سلافيا براج، 3 نقاط.

32- بودو جليمت، نقطتان.

33- أولمبياكوس، نقطتان.

34- فياريال، نقطة.

35- كيرات، نقطة.

36- أياكس، بدون نقاط.

ويمكن متابعة ترتيب دوري أبطال أوروبا، مرحلة الدوري، موسم 2025/26، محدث بشكل مستمر من هنا.

Jodhpur’s Devender Kumar does commentary not only in international Afghanistan games but also their domestic fixtures

Daya Sagar13-Sep-2024In 1998, during Desert Storm innings, when a 10-year-old Devender Kumar heard this piece of commentary by Tony Greig on the six Sachin Tendulkar smashed off Michael Kasprowicz, he was dazzled. Greig’s voice attracted him so much that Devender decided commentary would be his career path.”One day I was flicking channels when I heard this piece of commentary on air,” Devender tells ESPNcricinfo on the sidelines of the washed out Afghanistan-New Zealand Test in Greater Noida. “I was attracted to Tony Greig’s voice and the rhythm of his commentary. I felt like this was something special and I should take it up.”After this, I started practising commentary for hours. My father was in the Army and had an analog radio that played both short and medium wave-length radio stations. I used to listen to commentary from all sports, not just cricket, and then repeat this exercise for hours.”This commentary journey, however, was not at all easy for Devender, who hails from Chutarpura, a small village in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. He neither spoke English nor had any sports background. Apart from this, he did not know what he had to do to become a commentator. He practised every day by listening to news and commentary on the radio. He loved the three-hour weekly ” programme on the BBC, through which he got to listen to commentators like John Murray and Alan Green on various sports, including football and tennis.Devender Kumar also does commentary on Afghanistan’s domestic games•Special Arrangement”Through this show, I used to get news from sports the world over every Saturday and Sunday,” Devender says. “In the beginning, I couldn’t even understand what they were saying, because I didn’t know English at all. But their way of talking, the rhythm of their voice, all this attracted me a lot.”Gradually, I started reading English newspapers which improved my vocabulary and I could understand what they were saying. Due to this, my interest in sports and commentary increased and now it has become a 24-hour job.”During this time, Devender also did a nursing course after completing school. After the course, he got a job offer in the USA, but he turned it down because he wanted to pursue commentary full-time. This happened in 2006, in the second half of Tendulkar’s career. Devender just had to commentate on at least one Tendulkar games before his retirement. A job in the USA may have stopped him from achieving this dream.To pursue his dream, Devender came to Jaipur from Jodhpur. He felt that after coming to the capital of his state, his path would become easier and within six months he would start commentating in international matches. But the process to the top was a long and arduous one.Devender used to go to the Sawai Mansingh Stadium every day. Whenever he saw any game going on, he would sit there, roll the newspaper as a mic and start commentating. He practised commentary on many sports including cricket, football, tennis, basketball, handball, volleyball, karate, kabaddi and horse polo. While many people liked Devender’s commentary, a lot of them also made fun of him. But he did not care. He was engrossed in his passion. He had to become an international commentator.Devender says the trend continued for the next ten years. He would wake up at 3am and listen to a radio programme called ” to learn English. After this, he would walk to the stadium which was an hour from his house, at 5am, and observe the different games and commentate on them.”This became my daily routine. I didn’t care about Diwali or Holi, summer or rain,” Devender says. “I would go to the stadium and wherever I saw a game taking place, I would start doing my commentary. Some people used to make fun of me, some even called me ‘crazy’, but some people also liked my commentary. I started getting some work because of this.Devender Kumar with Pashto commentators Fazal Rahimi and Sharafuddin Shakir in Kabul•Devendra Kumar”Then people organising tournaments in Jaipur started calling me for commentary and I used to get INR 500 per day in return. Even if I would get work for three or four days, it would be enough to meet my monthly expenses because the rent for the room I lived in was only INR 500 per month. The remaining money was enough to cover my other expenses.”Gradually, Devender began getting work outside of school and local tournaments in , All India Radio and even Doordarshan Jaipur. He also started doing radio dispatches for Ranji Trophy matches held in Jaipur and got commentary gigs for polo matches held in Jaipur for DD Sports.In 2009, when the now-defunct Champions League T20 was held in India, Lalit Modi, the then IPL chairman who was associated with the Rajasthan Cricket Association, saw Devender’s passion for commentary and sent him to Delhi for an internship. There he met Alan Wilkins for the first time and Wilkins became Devender’s mentor. During this time, Devender also met many other commentators and when the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) needed a commentator, one of them suggested Devender’s name to the board.He was signed up and as luck would have it, his first stint was an ODI match between Ireland and Afghanistan on December 5, 2017 in Sharjah.Devender still gets emotional remembering that day. “I couldn’t believe that I was sitting in the commentary box where Tony Greig served Sachin’s Desert Storm to the world,” he says. “It took me an innings to sink it all in and only when I was going for the commentary in the second innings, I felt that a dream of mine had come true. That is when I posted on my social media, ‘I am making my international cricket debut’.”Today, Devender is the voice of Afghanistan cricket. Since 2016, he has done commentary on almost every international match that Afghanistan have been a part of. He has no professional cricketing background but has the experience of commentating in over 100 international matches. Apart from the international games, Devender also does commentary in Afghanistan’s domestic 50-over and T20 tournaments. He travels to Kabul every year for those and is also called the ‘Voice of Kabul’. Devender has now visited Kabul several times and says the city is a “second home” for him.”When I first got the offer to go to Kabul, people were asking me a lot of questions, but I was clear,” he says when asked about the political situation in Afghanistan. “I can go anywhere for my job because I love it immensely. I had no doubts about going to Kabul.”In fact, once there was a blast at the Kabul Stadium during a domestic T20 game [in 2022]. Many people wanted to call the game off and many international players went home overnight. I not only continued to do commentary in the game but also stayed in Kabul till the end of the tournament. I’m an Army man’s son so these things don’t scare me.”After Tendulkar’s retirement in 2013, Devender’s dream of commenting on his batting remained unfulfilled. But he does not want any of his other dreams to remain unfulfilled. Last year during the Men’s ODI World Cup, he ticked off one of those by calling the India vs Afghanistan match for BBC Test Match Special. He now wants to move to other sports and is confident of fulfilling that dream of his as well.This story was originally published in ESPNcricinfo Hindi and can be read here

For 15 edge-of-your-seat innings, the Mariners and Tigers played a dramatic, thrilling postseason contest in Game 5 of the American League Division Series that ultimately ended in Seattle joy and Detroit heartbreak. And for the impartial fan, this was baseball heaven. There was excellent pitching, clutch hitting, peak drama and even first-class umpiring.

Over the course of 15 innings, 472 total pitches and nearly five hours of game time, home-plate umpire Alan Porter was nearly perfect. Porter correctly called 219 of 228 balls and strikes, a highly-impressive accuracy rate of 96%, according to Umpire Scorecards.

And while Porter wasn't perfect—some may point to his called strike against Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford, or in the Tigers' case, the ruled hit-by-pitch of Mariners outfielder Victor Robles, a somewhat controversial call that went against Detroit's favor.

But overall, this was an outstanding performance by an MLB umpire on the game's biggest stage at a time when umpires are under the microscope seemingly more than ever.

A round of applause for Alan Porter please.

There was a moment after the final whistle that typified Everton’s performance at Old Trafford.

A bloody-nosed Jake O’Brien stood, breathless, beside the centre circle, and David Moyes darted about with raw and passionate joy, congratulating his players after their 1-0 win over Manchester United.

It was a tenacious and draining display, the kind that Toffees fans love, that steeliness of spirit that is so typical of the Merseyside club.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was all passion when he wheeled away in celebration after a sweet finish into the corner before half an hour had been clocked. His weak-footed wonder would prove the match-winning strike.

However, the highly-charged emotions were two-fold, and Idrissa Gueye found himself dismissed before that point, having been adjudged to have slapped none other than teammate Michael Keane.

Everton's enthralling response to Gueye's red card

It looked set to be a long and gruelling evening for Everton after Gueye was dismissed in the first half following an altercation with his own pal Keane.

The dismissal was harsh, but the spat between the two Blues was needless. Gueye will miss Everton’s next three matches due to violent conduct, and he will leave for a sojourn at the African Cup of Nations after the new year.

Even so, Everton responded with the kind of vim and vigour Moyes craves. This was a herculean performance, the visitors leaving the Theatre of Dreams, having willed their way past Ruben Amorim’s lagging side.

Dewsbury-Hall was the man of the moment but Jordan Pickford’s imperious goalkeeping helped matters, for sure.

But, this was a massive collective effort, Dewsbury-Hall the goal-getter but flanked by hard-working Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye, supported by a determined Keane and commanding captain James Tarkowski.

One man trudged off the field during the closing stages having failed an individual objective, but then this Marouane Fellaini-esque Everton star also showed so much promise against a Red Devils backline who struggled to contain him.

Moyes's new Marouane Fellaini

It’s been a testing start to life in Liverpool for Thierno Barry after his £27m move to Everton from Villarreal this summer, but he’s probably put in the best performance of his campaign so far against Manchester United’s backline.

The centre-forward was hailed by one scout for being “very close to clicking”, with his energy and enthusiasm offering shades of Fellaini, who became the most expensive Belgian of all time when joining Everton for £15m (their club-record buy) from Standard Liege in 2008.

It took time and experimentation for Fellaini to find his feet, but once he did, he became a monstrous box-to-box force at Goodison Park, and Barry must take a leaf from the retired star’s book and continue to knuckle down with a continuation of performances like this one at Old Trafford.

Fellaini featured 193 times under Moyes’ wing across stints at Everton and Man United, making him the 14th-highest appearance maker in the Scotsman’s managerial history.

Everton

177

33 + 24

Man United

177

22 + 10

Shandong

141

50 + 14

Standed Liege

84

12 + 7

Barry won’t likely play as many matches in the veteran coach’s system, but that’s not to say the summer recruit cannot forge a long and prosperous career for himself on Merseyside, carrying Moyes’ schoolings right through that Everton career.

He didn’t score against Man United, but the 23-year-old was full of life and bustle, with Sofascore recording that he won 14 aerial battles on the evening. That’s the highest amount of any player in the Premier League this season across a single contest.

Moreover, Barry made three ball recoveries, two clearances and provided an outlet all evening, taking a stride forward toward cementing his place at the front of the ship, even though he hasn’t yet broken his duck.

The Liverpool Echo handed the French striker a 7/10 match rating, but the truth is that he might have enjoyed a higher score after such a battle-ready performance, never easing against United’s centre-halves while demonstrating slick movement throughout.

Moyes went ballistic when Beto squandered possession late on, brought on in the closing stages for freshness and physicality. The established number nine has done his chances a lot of harm this season, and Barry is beginning to show that he has what it takes to nail down a regular starting spot in this system.

This striker is full of potential. He didn’t actually manage a shot at Old Trafford, but impressed nonetheless.

The goals will come. He’s talented and willing to learn. Bonus: there’s something almost Fellaini-esque about his aerial prowess and willingness to get stuck in. Moyes will be delighted.

0 minutes all season: "Generational" Everton star could be Branthwaite 2.0

David Moyes must consider unleashing this talented Everton youngster in the coming weeks.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 7, 2025

His domestic numbers speak for themselves, but if he continues batting the way he did at Newlands, he will soon gain Test cricket’s respect as well

Danyal Rasool03-Jan-2025For all of a glorious sun-soaked day at Newlands, Pakistan didn’t look like they could get Ryan Rickelton out. Even in the first session, while Mohammad Abbas probed and Aiden Markram stuttered, Rickelton was in control of 90.41% of them, or 66 of 73. In the middle session, he was nigh-on impregnable, that figure in excess of 97%. It remained in the mid 90s in the final session.But they almost didn’t have to be. With Wiaan Mulder coming into South Africa’s side for a batter, Rickelton was favourite to miss out. But Tony de Zorzi pulled up late with a thigh strain, and one sliding doors moment had been survived with Rickelton on the right side of it.It needn’t have bothered Pakistan too much. Over the years, though Rickelton has made a habit of mass accumulation in domestic cricket, very little of it has translated to the international game. In 16 Test innings, he’d crossed 30 on just three occasions, and fifty just once. An average of just under 50 in first-class cricket – the fourth highest in the domestic competition since he made his debut – was cut in half in the South African whites. It’s something that hasn’t passed him by, at one point publicly admitting he was unsure he could translate his prolific domestic form into international success.Related

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Even more so, perhaps, because Rickelton had been handed a new challenge, today. With de Zorzi out, he’d open the batting, something he admitted in the press conference later he hadn’t actively pushed for. But South Africa coach Shukri Conrad, whose gregarious personality is so legendary around these parts the mere mention of his name puts a smile on many faces, told him he had the ability to go up top.”I just want a bat. It doesn’t matter where. I feel I’ve trained a lot against the new ball for the Lions. It’s probably a bigger challenge mentally. Days like today are very few and far between for anyone, especially opening the batting,” Rickelton said.There was that callback to his domestic game once more. But one of the things that separate the domestic from the international game is bowlers of true quality at high pace. And With Naseem Shah dropping out of contention with somewhat nebulous fitness issues, Pakistan’s four-pronged pace attack was remarkably monotone, four medium-fast bowlers who rarely cracked 135 and hovered in between the mid 120s and low 130s. On a pitch that the groundsman had perhaps overcorrected after the surreal Test against India last year and shorn it of most of its grass, Rickelton smelled an opportunity for runs at Newlands.And under Table Mountain’s gaze, Rickelton understands how to go about plundering runs. In the two first-class matches he’s played here before, he has scored two unbeaten hundreds and a 90, likely against attacks no slower than Pakistan mustered up here. Once he leaned into a drive from a slightly overpitched delivery from Mir Hamza to get his first boundary, he was set; he would go about punishing the fuller length all day, particularly in the “V”; it was his most productive avenue for run-scoring, and his quickest, too. Off 46 such deliveries, he scored 51 runs, pushing Pakistan’s lengths back and ending the short-lived quest for swing.If all of that implies cashing in against tepid opposition, that may be unfair, because by the time lunch was taken, Pakistan were the happier of the two sides. Rickelton had watched three of his partners fall in quick succession, a regular feature of South African batting in the past, and one Rickelton has too often been a part of.But Rickelton doesn’t necessarily have to look back to the domestic circuit for inspiration. Remember the one time he crossed fifty in his Test career? Well, he also crossed hundred, and once more, three of the top order had fallen around him. As today, he had Temba Bavuma for company, but it was Rickelton who pushed all the way to make the most of his start, helping South Africa to a first-innings total where every run mattered in the end; Sri Lanka pushed all the way into the final day before South Africa finally secured the win, and set his side on their inexorable path to the WTC finals.Ryan Rickelton gets a hug from Temba Bavuma after reaching his century•Gallo Images/Getty ImagesBut as Rickelton grew in confidence as the day wore on, Pakistan’s efforts to break that fourth-wicket stand began to appear more and more feeble. Shaun Pollock on broadcaster commentary appeared surprised Khurram Shahzad didn’t open the bowling after lunch, but when he did come on, he was ordinary enough to almost vindicate that decision. Rickelton was leaving bowlers no margin for error, though Shahzad made plenty, anyway; in three Shahzad overs, he helped himself to six boundaries, and a gritty fifty suddenly motored towards three figures.It was a phase that would define an innings that, by the end of the day, had very much turned into a “big daddy hundred”, as Tristan Stubbs put it during the series against Sri Lanka. And though it may be tempting to characterise it as a day when he entered an invincible zone, what he was actually doing felt rather more sustainable. When Pakistan bowled a good length outside offstump, he was cautious; 103 such deliveries produced 39 runs, but even marginal errors were punished harshly.According to ESPNcricinfo records, when that turned into a short-of-good length, Rickelton was more devastating than he was at any other point. Of 20 balls where the bowlers erred a tad too short, he scored 36. And less surprisingly, perhaps, because Pakistan’s bowlers don’t quite possess the pace, any deliberate short deliveries were swiftly dispatched with, too, bringing 24 runs in 15 balls.This would also produce the shot of the day in an over that epitomised Pakistan’s inadequacies. Having, by Salman Agha’s own admission, run out of ideas during the fourth-wicket stand, they did what they tried at Perth against Australia last season, packing the leg-side field with Aamer Jamal bowling short. When he tried that against Rickleton, though, Rickelton lashed him through the off side for two boundaries.But the best was saved for last, as Rickelton, sitting back in wait for the bouncer, got on top of it and lifted it, Quinton de Kock style, over fine leg for six, all blade, no back-lift and maximum destructiveness.When Bavuma, having got to his own hundred across a 235-run fourth wicket stand, nicked off to Agha, Rickelton put all his shots away. His belligerence, as well as his caution, were simply products of the opportunities the bowling threw up; he isn’t one of those batters who treats shot-making as a drainage pipe for the ego. Since his Jamal takedown, he’d hit just two boundaries, and scored 32 in his next 51 balls. It’s easy to understand why his first-class record shimmers, but batting like that will soon see him gain Test cricket’s respect, too.

Heading into Leeds United’s Premier League clash against West Ham United on Friday night, Daniel Farke was under some pressure in the Elland Road dug-out to pick up a positive result.

There had been reports, in the build-up to this must-win contest against the Hammers, that the top-flight newcomers had RC Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior on their radar as a potential replacement for the German.

Thankfully for Farke, his team hit back by collecting a 2-1 win over Nuno Espirito Santo’s strugglers, with the ex-Norwich City boss able to survive another day in the pressurised Leeds’ hot-seat, subsequently.

Brenden Aaronson really did step up when he was needed to during this tight win, with the American also able to respond to his critics emphatically with a man-of-the-match worthy display against the visitors from East London.

How Aaronson has turned around his Leeds career

Much like Farke has had to fight back against accusations that he isn’t cut out for the bright lights of the Premier League all across his managerial career to date, Aaronson has also had to deal with his fair share of critics deeming him not capable of being a top-flight level talent.

There had been some weight behind these comments, too, with Aaronson being deemed a “lightweight” presence that’s not “good enough” to pull on Leeds white by former Elland Road defender Jon Newsome, off the back of him only firing home one Premier League goal during his side’s disastrous 2022/23 season, which ended in relegation.

He hadn’t started this campaign in the best light, either, leading to the 25-year-old dropping in and out of Farke’s first-team plans. However, he was a force to be reckoned with against West Ham, perhaps saving his up-and-down career in West Yorkshire in the process.

Indeed, away from being the crucial individual who fired Leeds in front after just three minutes, Aaronson also constantly burst forward with purpose across the full match, with one of his three successful dribbles forward nearly resulting in one of the most memorable solo strikes of the season to date.

To his dismay, the resulting shot – after all his hard work had seemingly paid off – shaved the crossbar, with the ex-Red Bull Salzburg attacker also being praised at the full-time whistle for being a presence that “works his socks off” by his relieved manager, when winning a high eight ground duels.

He wasn’t the only presence in Farke’s XI who turned around their ongoing narrative in West Yorkshire, though, against West Ham, as one of Aaronson’s teammates on the night also breathed life back into their own stop-start tale.

The "monstrous" star who also saved his career

A lot of Leeds’ summer recruits have instantly hit the ground running, with Sean Longstaff already becoming an integral part of Farke’s starting lineup, with five big chances created in league action.

Noah Okafor has also seamlessly slotted into his new environment with two league goals already next to his name, but while those named have found adjusting to life in West Yorkshire to be straightforward, Jaka Bijol has struggled, on the other hand.

Before being handed a start against West Ham, Bijol had found himself rooted to the substitutes bench with zero league appearances to shout about, which was a surprise, considering the 6-foot-4 Slovenian didn’t leave Udinese behind for cheap this summer, having cost the Premier League newcomers a substantial £15m.

Thankfully, he made up for lost time with his commanding showing against the relegation-threatened visitors, with six duels won in total, seeing him already live up to his “monstrous” billing that was handed his way by analyst Ben Mattinson in Serie A.

Minutes played

90

Touches

75

Accurate passes

53/57 (93%)

Interceptions

2

Clearances

10

Ball recoveries

5

Tackles won

2/2

Total duels won

6/10

Joe Rodon would steal his thunder by standing out more in the heart of the Leeds backline, considering the Welshman popped up with a header to gift the hosts a 2-0 lead, but Bijol is also deserving of plenty of praise himself, having won all 100% of his tackles come the full-time whistle.

The “aggressive” number 15 – as he was also lauded by ex-Leeds defender Aidy White after the win was secured – further demonstrated a calmness on the ball under pressure with 53 accurate passes amassed, with Farke surely now ready to hand him even more league opportunities moving forward, considering that he’s finally off the mark.

Bijol’s playing days in England so far have been a slow burner, with the ex-Serie A titan now hopeful of even more minutes heading his way, as more wins are also picked by Farke and Co.

Forget Longstaff: £10m star is now Leeds' best signing since Bielsa left

This Leeds United star could now be considered the best signing the Whites have made since Marcelo Bielsa left.

ByKelan Sarson Oct 28, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Neste sábado, a bola voltar a rolar pelo nos gramados do futebol brasileiro com o retorno do Brasileirão 2024. O Cuiabá recebe o Inter na Arena Pantanal, em partida válida pela 9ª rodada do campeonato brasileiro. O pontapé inicial vai ser dado às 18:30 e a transmisão será do SporTV Premiere. (Clique para assinar o Premiere por 30 dias grátis!)

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Confira todas as informações que você precisa saber sobre o confronto entre Fluminense e Juventude (onde assistir, horário, escalações e local).

✅ FICHA TÉCNICA:

🗓️ Data e horário: Sábado, 01 de junho de 2024;
📍 Local: Arena Pantanal, em Cuiabá.
📺 Onde assistir: SporTV e Premiere 2;

⚽ PROVÁVEIS ESCALAÇÕES – CUIABÁ X INTERNACIONAL – BRASILEIRÃO:

Cuiabá

Walter; Railan, Bruno Alves, Gabriel e Ramon; Lucas Mineiro, Denilson e Max; Eliel (Jonathan Cafú), Clayson e Isidro Pitta. (téc. Petit)

Inter

Rochet; Bustos, Vitão, Mercado e Renê; Fernando, Mauricio, Alan Patrick e Wesley; Valencia e Borré (téc. Eduardo Coudet)

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Arena PantanalBrasileirãoBrasileirão 2024CuiabáEduardo CoudetInternacionalPremiere