Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou cut an irritated figure as he snapped back at a reporter following his side's 1-0 loss to Arsenal.

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• Tottenham lose 1-0 at home to Arsenal
• Postecoglou snaps at reporter post-game
• Insists he "always wins things" in second season

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Spurs fell to a disappointing North London Derby defeat to Arsenal on Sunday, leaving manager Postecoglou ruing his side's profligacy in front of goal. After the match, a journalist questioned if he still felt Tottenham would challenge for trophies this term – before responding in an irritated fashion. The former Celtic boss reiterated his statement from the build-up to the game claiming he "always" wins things in his second year in charge of a team, and chastised the reporter for asking him the same question in an awkward exchange.

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  WHAT ANGE POSTECOGLOU SAID

  When asked if he thought Spurs could win silverware this season, he told Sky Sports: "Yes, absolutely. If I can answer the question or are you going to keep asking? I will correct myself. I don't usually win things, I always win things in my second year… nothing's changed. I just sort of said it now, I don't say things unless I believe them."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Pressure may be mounting on Postecoglou after the loss, one that saw Spurs slip to 13th in the Premier League with four points from as many games. Fans believe the Australian should be getting more out of this team but he remains confident Tottenham can end their 16-year wait for a trophy. While he has lifted silverware in his second seasons at Celtic, Yokohoma F. Marinos, and more, this is his biggest test yet in management.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Postecoglou's team will hope to pick up a much-needed victory when they host London neighbours Brentford next weekend. Before that, they travel to Coventry City in round three of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.

Newcastle United are reportedly set to face a battle off the pitch with one of their early summer transfer targets also now wanted by Manchester United.

Newcastle transfer news

Even with drama still to come on the pitch, reports suggest that Newcastle are wasting no time in pursuing their summer targets away from the action at St James' Park, with an agreement reportedly reached with Lloyd Kelly. The Bournemouth defender is set to leave the Cherries at the end of the season with his contract up, allowing him to join up with Eddie Howe at Newcastle.

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ByEthan Lamb May 14, 2024

Kelly's arrival will be the start of solving the Magpies' defensive depth problem. Without both Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman in the long-term due to ACL injuries, the Bournemouth defender should instantly provide adequate cover that Newcastle have so desperately lacked in the current campaign.

The Englishman won't solve all of their problems in that area, however, and PIF seem to be well aware of that after reports suggested that Newcastle are targeting a similar deal to sign Tosin Adarabioyo. The Fulham defender is also out of contract this summer, allowing the Magpies to swoop in and land a free deal.

It may not be that simple though. According to TalkSport, Manchester United want to hijack Newcastle's move to sign Adarabioyo following Raphael Varane's announcement that he will be leaving Old Trafford this summer. The Red Devils would be dealing the Magpies an unexpected blow in pursuit of boosting their defensive options and potentially laying down a marker ahead of competing against Howe's side next season.

As the end of the season approaches and the end of Adarabioyo's contract, the Fulham defender looks set to have a crucial decision to make regarding his future in the Premier League,

"Special" Adarabioyo should choose Newcastle

Pictures of the Old Trafford roof leaking following Saturday's loss against Arsenal sums up where Manchester United find themselves in many ways. The Red Devils are back to square one under Erik ten Hag and represent an environment in which fresh faces often fail to thrive.

Newcastle, meanwhile, have seen the likes of Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes reach their best form since completing moves to St James' Park – Adarabioyo should follow suit. He has the potential to seal a regular place in Howe's starting side too, especially after the praise of Marco Silva.

The Fulham boss said via Bein Sports: "He is a key player for us. He is one of the leaders in our dressing room and we need these guys to step in in the right moments and he did it.

“We missed him a lot, we missed him because he didn’t play the first three months of the season. Tosin is a special player for us, I can’t hide that situation.

“The way he can defend the box but also on the ball he is a special player for me, the way I want to play, the way he can build (from the back)."

The offspinner ended her international career late last year after being dropped by England

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Aug-2020Former England allrounder Laura Marsh has announced her retirement from all forms of cricket.Marsh, 33, called an end to her international career late last year after being left out of the England squad and has now cited the postponed launch of the Hundred as one of the key reasons behind her full retirement.

Enjoy the next chapter Lor #glassofred

— Heather Knight (@Heatherknight55) August 12, 2020

She had been due to play for Oval Invincibles in the new format but the Covid-19 pandemic forced the ECB to move the opening season to 2021.”I have made the decision to retire from all forms of cricket. With the cancellation of The Hundred competition this year, I feel that it is the right time to hang up the boots,” Marsh wrote on Twitter. “I want to say a huge thank you to all the teams and organisations I have represented over the years.”I owe a huge amount to both Kent & Sussex for the role they played in my development as a player.”Big thanks also to The Surrey Stars, Sydney Sixers, NSW Breakers and Otago Sparks. Every team I played for developed me as a player and a person and I am fortunate to have made some lifelong friends and memories over the years.”

أثنى آندي روبرتسون، لاعب فريق ليفربول، على زميله النجم المصري محمد صلاح بعدما قادهم إلى الفوز في مباراة اليوم ضد جيرونا، في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وحل ليفربول ضيفًا على خصمه جيرونا، في الجولة السادسة من دوري أبطال أوروبا، مرحلة الدوري حيث فاز الضيوف بهدف دون رد.

ويعود الفضل في ذلك الفوز الصعب إلى محمد صلاح، الذي سجل هدف المباراة الوحيد من ضربة جزاء.

وقال روبرتسون، في تصريحات نشرها الموقع الرسمي للنادي: “نعم، لقد سجل أهدافًا، أعتقد أن محمد صلاح يلعب بشكل أفضل مما فعل الليلة – كما فعل معظمنا – ولكن عندما نحتاج إليه أكثر فإنه يتقدم”.

وأضاف: “إنه جيد جدًا في تنفيذ ركلات الجزاء، ولا نشك أبدًا في قدرته عندما نحصل على ركلات الجزاء، لحسن الحظ، نجح في تسجيل الهدف”.

اقرأ أيضًا | ليس محمد صلاح.. سلوت: تمنيت رؤية لاعب ليفربول يسجل هدفًا.. وأشعر بالأسف تجاه جيرونا

وواصل: “لقد كان الأمر يتعلق باللعب بأسلوبنا ولحسن الحظ نجحنا في الحد من فرصهم، إنه (محمد صلاح) من صنع فوزنا بالمباراة مرة أخرى”.

وأردف: “6 انتصارات من أصل 6، لا يمكنك أن تطلب أفضل من ذلك، ليس من السهل القيام بذلك، وإلا لكان هناك المزيد من الفرق التي تفعل هذا الأمر، كان أداؤنا جيدًا وفزنا في المباريات”.

واعترف: “ولكننا سبق وأن لعبنا بشكل أفضل كثيرًا مقارنة بالليلة، هذا أمر مؤكد، لم نكن في أعلى مستوياتنا الليلة، لكن في هذه المرحلة يتعلق الأمر بالفوز بالمباريات وضمان التأهل، وأعتقد أننا فعلنا ذلك”.

وأكد:”أعتقد أنه كان علينا أن نكون أكثر سيطرة، في بعض الأحيان في الشوط الأول خاصة كانت مباراة كرة سلة – ذهابًا وإيابًا – وهذا ما أرادوه، منحنا حارس مرمى فريقنا الكثير للقيام به، وهذا ليس من عاداتنا”.

وشدد: “يمكننا أن نلعب بشكل أفضل بكثير مما فعلنا لكن الحصول على ثلاث نقاط أمر بالغ الأهمية، خاصة خارج ملعبنا في دوري أبطال أوروبا”.

وفيما يخص فوزه بجائزة رجل مباراة اليوم، قال: “لقد حصلت على واحدة من قبل، أعتقد منذ عامين! أنا سعيد بالحصول عليها، من الواضح أن الأمر يتعلق بالفريق ولكن من الجيد دائمًا الحصول على هذا التقدير”.

Sorry Hampshire slump to fifth defeat in a row as holders keep quarter-final hopes alive

ECB Reporters Network16-Sep-2020

Tom Westley hits inside-out over cover•Getty Images

Aron Nijjar celebrated career-best bowling figures as Vitality Blast holders Essex Eagles thrashed Hampshire by 54 runs to keep their faint quarter-final dreams alive.Left-arm spinner Nijjar ripped through a shaky Hampshire batting line-up with figures of 3 for 22, while Jack Plom celebrated his maiden professional wickets to take 2 for 18.Tom Westley had earlier clubbed his first half-century of the year, with Dan Lawrence marooned on 49, as Essex reached 168 before Hampshire could only manage 114 for 9 in response.Needing 169 to win, Hampshire’s batting was a revolving door of wickets. George Munsey attempted three reverse-sweeps off Nijjar, with the third slapped to Sam Cook at third man, who took an outrageous catch high over his head. Captain James Vince was adjudged to have tickled down leg side to fall for a golden duck, the fourth time he had departed first ball in T20s against Essex, which also handed 21-year-old fast bowler Jack Plom his first wicket on his third appearance in the format.Sam Northeast and Joe Weatherley attempted to rebuild with a stand of 16, before the former hammered straight to Matt Quinn at mid-on and Ian Holland was bowled by Sam Cook.Nijjar then dismissed Weatherley and Lewis McManus in three balls – caught and bowled and knocked back by a long hop, respectively – leaving Hampshire on 38 for 6.James Fuller pulled a rare boundary, one of 14 in the innings, but was caught by Nijjar on the midwicket boundary.Fast bowler Quinn bowled a maiden at Chris Wood in the 13th over, before Simon Harmer had the top scorer caught at cow corner for 18.Ryan Stevenson swung away to cow corner but despite Mason Crane and Shaheen Shah Afridi remaining unbeaten, the Eagles recorded back-to-back Blast wins.Having chosen to bat first, Essex used partnerships to their advantage throughout their innings on a pitch perfect for batting.Cameron Delport and Westley got them off to a solid start with 57 in the first seven overs, despite Pakistani fast bowler Afridi’s three Powerplay overs going for just 11.Delport had struck two sixes in his 31 but didn’t quite time a straight slog off Crane as Stevenson pulled off a diving catch at long-off.Westley had struck Ian Holland for three off-side boundaries before using his feet to club Stevenson over midwicket and Crane through the covers as he reached a 35-ball half-century. It was Essex’s red-ball captain’s maiden fifty of 2020, having only managed 236 runs in his previous 15 innings in all competitions.He was dropped on 50 by Afridi at deep cover, but fell having added another single, when he nicked Stevenson behind to Lewis McManus – having put on 38 with Lawrence.Michael Pepper was yorked by Wood, but Lawrence and Ryan ten Doeschate ran hard to add an unbeaten 58 in the death overs.Lawrence had thrashed an aggressive 81 against Sussex in his previous outing but was more circumspect with just one six and four boundaries in his 49 not out, while ten Doeschate contributed 29 off 20 deliveries. The score was about par, but proven much too much for the sorry hosts – who have lost five matches in a row.

A Bayern Munich star would be keen on joining Arsenal this summer, amid his contractual standoff at the Allianz Arena with some uncertainty surrounding the player's future.

Edu and Arteta targeting new defender for Arsenal

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu Gaspar are thought to be targeting new defensive additions ahead of the summer transfer window's opening on June 14, and many names have already been linked via the press.

£150,000-per-week ace unhappy at Arsenal and could now leave this summer

The Gunners are open to selling.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 4, 2024

The likes of Nuno Taveres, Kieran Tierney and Oleksandr Zinchenko have been tipped to potentially leave Arsenal as well, leading to suggestions that the north Londoners could move for a new full-back within the next few months.

Fenerbahce star and Turkey international Ferdi Kadioglu has been subject to intense interest from Arsenal in this regard, with some reports even claiming that the 24-year-old is keen on making a move to the Emirates Stadium.

Ben White, Jakub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu have been utilised in the full-back areas by Arteta over 2024, while Zinchenko has come under some criticism. It was reported this week that Zinchenko is unhappy at Arsenal and seeking more game time after falling down the pecking order, so this could well be the Ukraine international's final summer in London.

It will be interesting to see if Arsenal chiefs do opt to bring in a new option in that position, and one very interesting name who's been floated this week is Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich.

Kimmich would be interested in joining Arsenal

As per Sky Germany reporter Kerry Hau, speaking on a live broadcast (via Bayern and Germany), Kimmich would be interested in joining Arsenal among other elite clubs – as the 29-year-old is "left hanging" over an extension.

"So far, Bayern have not communicated a clear indication to Joshua Kimmich that they want to extend his contract," said Hau.

"Max Eberl has not told Kimmich clearly: 'We want to extend with you after the Euros' – That's why the player has somewhat been 'left hanging'. In case of a move, Kimmich would only join an absolute ambitious top club. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal would be options for him. But at the moment, there are no talks with any other club."

Given his versatility and experience at the highest level, there is little doubt he'd be a world-class addition. Kimmich has been lavished with praise by high-profile figures in the beautiful game and has won trophies galore in Bavaria.

"The No. 6 role that Joshua is playing for Bayern Munich and for the national team has become like the quarterback role in American Football," said former Bayern, Germany and USA head coach Jurgen Klinsmann in May 2021.

"Joshua plays that to perfection. He is not only feisty in terms of winning the ball back, he knows right away what to do with the ball and who to connect to. He keeps the tempo of the game in place."

Monchengladbach 1-2 Bayern

8.77

Bayern 7-0 Bochum

8.57

Bayern 2-0 FC Koln

8.49

Bayern 8-1 FC Mainz

8.40

Darmstadt 2-5 Bayern

8.23

Meanwhile, the £319,000-per-week star has also been subject to real praise from new Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho.

"I see him as a top right-back, left-back, centre-back, No.6, No.8, No.10… he has the qualities to be anything," said Mourinho to DAZN (via GOAL) in 2020.

"I think he looks to me, very intelligent related to football, very intelligent, understands the moments of the games and understands the difference between positions and understands what he has to do here and what he has to do there.

"I think he’s phenomenal, an absolutely phenomenal player."

Birmingham 179 for 6 (Hain 61, Mousley 40) beat Worcestershire 163 for 8 (D’Oliveira 61, Rutherford 45) by 16 runsBirmingham Bears took a big step towards the Vitality Blast quarter-finals with a 16-run victory over arch-rivals Worcestershire Rapids at Edgbaston.On a chilly, autumnal night in Birmingham, the Bears totalled 179 for 6. After Rob Yates’ enterprising 37 at the top of the order, a solid total was assured by Sam Hain (61, 33 balls) and Dan Mousley (40, 31). Rapids captain Ed Barnard led his team’s bowling with an intelligent spell of 4-0-20-2.Hamish Rutherford’s violent 45 (23 balls) gave the Rapids’ reply a lightning start and Brett D’Oliveira played beautifully for 61 (40 balls) but then fell to Henry Brookes with his team still needing 26 from 13 balls. That equation proved beyond the tail as the Rapids fell short on 163 for 8.The Bears chose to bat first, having omitted Dom Sibley after the England opener scored just four runs in three T20 innings. The aggressive Adam Hose was promoted to open but it was Yates who provided early impetus with 37 from 20 balls with five fours and two sixes.The Rapids hit back hard, though, as the Bears, from 64 for 1 in the eighth over, lost three wickets for six runs in 11 balls. The impressive Barnard forced miscues into the infield from Hose and Michael Burgess and D’Oliveira had Will Rhodes caught at mid-wicket.Hain and Mousley, playing only his second T20, rebuilt with a stand of 80 in 53 balls which ended when the latter was caught off Morris. Hain continued his exceptional T20 form, reaching his half-century from 30 balls before edging Pat Brown behind in the final over.The Rapids’ reply was spectacularly launched by Rutherford whose 45 came from just 23 balls, five of which he smote for six. His first-over assault on Tim Bresnan forced the Bears to change their plans and bring linchpin Jeetan Patel on early.Patel bowled Jack Haynes in his first over and Jake Libby sliced Olly Stone to point but Rutherford threatened to win the game single-handed before he fell to Jake Lintott’s first ball, superbly caught in the deep by sub fielder Sibley.Lintott ran out Ben Cox with a direct hit but D’Oliveira advanced to a 31-ball half-century and batted with enormous aplomb until he edged Henry Brookes behind. The game was still very much in the balance but the 19th over, from Stone, cost just four runs and brought the removal of Daryl Mitchell’s off stump to leave the Rapids’ lower order needing 18 from the final over – a challenge well beyond them.

Sophia Dunkley and Katie George added to T20 World Cup squad

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Sep-2020Georgia Elwiss has been ruled out of England women’s five T20Is against West Indies due to a back injury, with Sophia Dunkley and Katie George included in a 16-strong squad for the series.Head coach Lisa Keightley has largely stuck with the squad knocked out of this year’s T20 World Cup thanks to a semi-final washout against India, with Elwiss the only member of that group not selected. Allrounder Bryony Smith and left-arm spinner Linsey Smith are both on standby.Some 24 women’s players had gone into the biosecure bubble at Derby ahead of the series, and the seven not selected will be available for the final round of Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy fixtures and the final (if their teams qualify). Those seven players are Lauren Bell, Alice Davidson-Richards, Kirstie Gordon, Emma Lamb, Bryony Smith, Linsey Smith and Issy Wong.West Indies arrived in the UK on August 31, and both teams have been playing intra-squad warm-up matches in Derby over the past two weeks. The series starts on September 21.”It’s been a challenging summer for everyone and we are privileged to be in a position to play an international series, and to get the chance to showcase the women’s game,” Keightley said.”We have worked hard since the group came back together in preparation for this series and we’re in a great place going in to the Vitality T20Is against West Indies.”England squad to play West Indies: Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Katie George, Sarah Glenn, Heather Knight (captain), Amy Jones, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield, Danni Wyatt.

Celtic are plotting a move to sign a "world-class" talent who is earning £10,000-a-week with his current club.

Celtic eye new goalkeeper

Earlier this year, Celtic no.1 Joe Hart announced that he would be retiring at the end of the Scottish Premiership season, ending his career on a high after the Hoops clinched yet another title.

"I wanted to get the message out, as of June I am going to stop playing football", Hart explained in February. "This is something that I have thought about for a while, there's no right or wrong time is there?

"There is obviously a conversation around the goalkeeping position for next season and I think it's really important that with the blessing of the club we get the message out and it takes one thing out of what people are going to speculate over.

"I have gone down every avenue to keep myself in the best possible shape to give my all on game day and I do really think I am at that peak, but I am aware time waits for no man and I don't want my body to be retiring me. That was one of the key factors, thinking I can smash through the finish line."

Following news of Hart's impending exit, the Scottish champions have been linked with a number of new keepers heading into the summer. Celtic have reportedly made an offer of around £6.4m for the services of Trabzonspor goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir, who has been a long-term target for the Scottish outfit. Southampton shot-stopper Alex McCarthy is also being monitored ahead of him becoming a free agent this summer.

Elsewhere, Middlesbrough shot-stopper Tom Glover appears to be of interest, while Motherwell goalkeeper Liam Kelly is said to be on Celtic’s list of summer targets, although rivals Rangers are also keen.

Report: Celtic ahead of Rangers in bid to sign 24 y/o who "does everything"

What an addition this could be at Parkhead.

ByHenry Jackson May 24, 2024

Now, however, another name, arguably of a much higher quality, has seemingly caught the eye of those at Celtic Park.

Celtic plot move to sign £10,000-a-week player

According to Football Insider, Celtic are long-term admirers of Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher and are plotting their move. Crucially, it is added that the goalkeeper views this summer as the ideal time to move if he is to become the first choice at another club and also the first choice for the Republic of Ireland.

Kelleher, who earns £10,000-a-week on his current deal, which runs until 2026, was handed a more regular starting berth for Liverpool across the 2023/24 season following injury issues with Alisson. He made 26 appearances across all competitions for the Reds, keeping five clean sheets in the process and there have been claims recently that he is pushing to leave Merseyside.

Said displays earned the 25-year-old high praise from Liverpool and Netherlands stopper Virgil van Dijk. Speaking alongside Kelleher after being named man of the match in the League Cup final versus Chelsea, the Dutchman said:

“He should have got it. I’m probably one of his biggest fans, I think. I have always said he is world class and he stepped up today, again. It’s good to see. He’s a good boy, good goalkeeper and that’s what we need at a club like Liverpool.”

Vivianne Miedema has urged the powers that be to take care of players amid increasingly 'dangerous' schedules in both men's and women's football.

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Miedema describes football calendar as 'dangerous'Comments come after Rodri suggested possible strikeBoth players recently struck down with ACL injuriesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

More and more players are speaking out about how demanding football is becoming for the athletes, with Manchester City midfielder Rodri last month even going as far as saying that men's players were getting 'close' to going on strike due to the relentless schedule. Those comments came just days before the Spain star suffered a season-ending ACL injury.

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Fellow Man City star Miedema had a very similar situation herself in the 2022-23 season while at Arsenal. In a column for Dutch newspaper , she wrote about the "worrying pattern" that had made the schedule "simply too full" for the men and the women. A month later, she ruptured her ACL and would have to endure a complex recovery, requiring two surgeries.

WHAT MIEDEMA SAID

Speaking to the this week, Miedema emphasised the point again. "[Change] is way too slow," she said. "It’s something, especially in women’s football, we’ve been shouting about for years. It’s not about not wanting to play the games. People can easily turn around and be like, 'Why do you not want to be a professional footballer? Why do you not want to play more games?' But if you put everything together and look at the physical and the mental health that we are put in, it’s dangerous.

"It’s going to lead to not just physical injuries but also mental health issues. If we don’t start taking care of our players right now, I don’t know when it will be the right time. We see players, left, right and centre falling out with big injuries. They’re probably burned out, they’re not fresh to play football. As football fans, you always want your best players on the pitch. The way football is going right now, that’s not going to happen."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Leah Williamson, Miedema's former Arsenal team-mate, has previous expressed her belief that the demanding schedule is "one of the main reasons" why there is an ACL crisis in women's football. In recent times, several organisations have started to conduct research into why this epidemic is occurring, but Miedema is frustrated that "so many different entities are doing similar or the same instead of putting everyone together and a bigger plan in place".

As someone who has endured the long road to recovery that an ACL injury requires, she knows how difficult it can be and clearly would not wish it on anybody else. "There’s times and games where I feel really good and I definitely feel like I’m up to my level," she explained. "It’s a process of trying to trust your body again. It’s very easy to say 'you’re signed off, you’re fit' – but that’s just on paper. I’ve had set-backs along the way. At times, I do feel like me. Then at other times I know it’s different. Even now, there’s still slight adjustments we need to make."