Daniel Farke must wonder how he never won promotion with the Leeds United team he inherited heading into the 2023/24 season as the West Yorkshire outfit’s new manager.

Thankfully, the EFL promotion expert did guide Leeds back up to the Premier League at the second time of asking, with a Championship title even being secured along the way, but his previous side disastrously slipped up in the playoff final, even with the likes of both Georginio Rutter and Archie Gray starring week in week out.

Crysencio Summerville, despite his unbelievable display, was another unfortunate member of that team, leaving for West Ham United after the season’s conclusion.

The attacker is still held in high esteem at Elland Road, despite his celebrated stay at the club ultimately ending in disappointment.

What made Summerville so magic

Summerville eventually got a chance to shine again in the top-flight with the Hammers, having initially burst onto the scene as a promising talent in the tough division when Leeds routinely battled against the drop.

An encouraging four goals and three assists came the tricky winger’s way across 28 Premier League outings during the 2022/23 season, with the Rotterdam-born attacker certainly sticking out as a bright spark in an otherwise depressing period for the Whites, as relegation was confirmed.

He was only getting started when looking back, however, with the former Whites number 10 striking fear into Championship defences all season long during the following campaign.

Summerville had the goals and assists to back up his immense footwork and trickery on the left channel, with 20 goals and 19 assists in regular action crowning him as the second tier’s Player of the Season.

Journalist Jake Winderman would even go all out to declare the 5-foot-9 ace as “world-class” for those sublime heroics, while Farke himself stated that the “sky is the limit” for what his star asset could go on to achieve.

Summerville has since shown flashes of his excellence with West Ham, despite injury issues threatening to stop him in his tracks.

After an injury-disrupted 2024/25 season saw just 19 Premier League appearances fall into his lap, the 23-year-old is now up to a quickfire two assists for this campaign, from just five clashes.

While the former fan favourite at Leeds underwent a testing first term away from West Yorkshire, Farke was scrambling for his new Summerville-like star to latch onto, with Manor Solomon stepping into the role effortlessly as another unpredictable talent on the left wing.

Now out on loan with Villarreal, away from parent side Tottenham Hotspur, Solomon was once viewed as a fitting replacement for the immense magic served up by Summerville and Rutter, with a devastating ten goals and 13 assists notched up last campaign by the diminutive 26-year-old helping Leeds to achieve a promotion feat not even their revered Dutchman could clinch.

Solomon would even score Leeds’ title-clinching goal when bursting forward with his usual Elland Road exuberance versus Plymouth Argyle on the final day, with the former Shakhtar Donetsk attacker also receiving similar glowing praise to that of Summerville, lauded as “unplayable” by former Whites boss Neil Redfearn.

The hope was surely to tie down the entertaining forward to a long-term deal past his loan stint, but nothing would come to fruition despite speculative talk suggesting Solomon was up for a reunion, as Leeds looked at other top-flight-ready recruits instead.

So, with Solomon now gone, who has become Leeds’ new Summerville?

Leeds' new Summerville-type figure at Elland Road

Leeds could well have been hesitant to dive in and secure Solomon permanently based on his sketchy track record in the Premier League.

The new Villarreal man is, unfortunately, more known for being ravaged with injuries at that level than being a rip-roaring success, with just four goals and two assists picked up, missing 61 games through injury for both Spurs and Fulham.

Staggeringly, he has already been absent from five games this season through more injury-related difficulties, as Leeds sense they have dodged a bullet somewhat.

In stark contrast, new signing Noah Okafor has been there and done that in some challenging top-flight environments, with a 25-goal haul for RB Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga even seeing scout Jacek Kulig refer to the Swiss international as “prolific” force.

On top of that, he was also previously on the roster of AC Milan for 57 matches, culminating in seven goals being put away with confidence.

Therefore, the powers that be at Leeds would have felt assured that dropping £18m on his services this summer was money well spent, and they have already been vindicated, with two strikes picked up in the Premier League by the direct number 19.

While his calmness in front of goal stands him in good stead to be a Summerville-type figure for Farke’s men moving forward, it’s his ardent manner to always bomb forward and try and create an opening out of nothing that also makes the similarity stick, with Summerville finding that he was constantly fouled in the Championship for also being a brash attacking presence.

Okafor last three PL matches

Stat

v Wolves

v Bournemouth

v Spurs

Touches

40

27

34

Unsuccessful touches

4

2

6

Goals

1

0

1

Key passes

0

1

2

Successful dribbles

6/14

3/4

1/2

Stats by Sofascore

Okafor has come into his own in this regard across Leeds’ last three matches in the league, with the pacey 25-year-old managing an absurd six successful dribbles against Wolverhampton Wanderers, despite only accumulating 40 touches.

Yet, much like in Summerville’s case, it isn’t showboating for showboating’s sake, with two goals picked up across his last three Premier League outings making him a firm starting figure for Farke, which is only reinforced by him amassing three key passes in his attempts to assist teammates around him.

Dubbed as an “explosive” presence by scout Antonio Mango when first securing a move to England, it now appears as if Okafor was the Summerville-like ace Leeds had been crying out for all along.

After all, even an opposition defender for Coventry City in Milan van Ewijk had to hold his hands up at Summerville being an “exceptionally good” dribbler when the Sky Blues clashed with Farke’s men in the second tier.

Okafor will hope, in time, that he’s also remembered as a feared force for defenders to wrestle with, with the early signs of his Leeds career pointing in the direction that he will be a fan favourite for many years to come, particularly if he can be one driving factor behind the Whites becoming top-flight regulars again.

Related Radrizzani reveals Leeds could've replaced Marsch with two "world-class" managers

The former Leeds owner has revealed that he has a number of regrets about his time at Elland Road.

Posts ByDominic Lund Oct 14, 2025

Manchester United supporters very much enjoyed Grimsby Town's downfall as the League Two side crashed out of the Carabao Cup after losing 5-0 against Brentford on Tuesday. Grimsby fans were on cloud nine only a couple of months ago after they dumped the Red Devils out of the competition following an epic penalty shootout win over the Premier League giants. Goalkeeper Andre Onana in particular had a nightmare outing and was later loaned out to Turkey.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Grimsby stunned Man Utd in round two

  United made a sloppy start to the 2025-26 campaign as they lost their opening Premier League fixture against Arsenal and before being held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham. However, things became worse after their Carabao Cup second fixture against Grimsby as they played out a 2-2 draw against the fourth-tier and then were dumped out after a 12-11 loss in the penalty shootout.

  Onana had a nightmare game and the loss prompted United to act swiftly in the transfer market as the Cameroonian was loaned out to Turkish Super Lig giants Trabzonspor, while Senne Lammens was signed from Royal Antwerp on deadline day.

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• The reaction on social media

  United fans were mocked and humiliated after their club's exit from the Carabao Cup. But some supporters of the Red Devils decided to get their own back on Grimsby after they were beaten 5-0 by Brentford.

  @Lasha_069 wrote on X: "But you have won your “win against Manchester United” trophy already…idiots…Grimsby will always stay as Grimsby and no one ever will remember it’s name…"

  A use with the handle @ZirzkeeSzn11 posted: "Out you go hahahahaha bye bye."

  @Deen__K wrote: "You never see anything, fools."

  @eyebee_art could not stop laughing as the post read: "Let's all laugh at Grimsby town fc" and then several laughing emojis.

  A fan named @utd_BigC wrote: "Not only down. You'll perish."

• Grimsby coach took a dig at Man Utd ahead of Brentford clash

  Ahead of the Brentford clash in the League, Grimsby boss David Artell had taken yet another dig at the Red Devils as he claimed that the Bees would make for a much tougher opponent than Ruben Amorim's side. Artell said in his pre-match press conference: "I don’t want loads of letters from Manchester United fans from Kenya or Norway – or Stretford – but I think they’re still in that process of finding their way again. Brentford are fully in, fully understanding. That makes it so much more difficult. I think everyone agrees that Man United are still – maybe not in transition per se – but finding their way under a new manager that needs to be given time."

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• AFP
  

  Has Carabao Cup loss helped Man Utd?

  A lot has happened since the fateful night at Blundell Park. While United still struggled in the next few games, they have finally managed to regain form as they are now on a three-game winning streak in the Premier League. The Carabao Cup exit may been seen as a sort of blessing in disguise for the Red Devils as they got even more time to prepare for their Premier League games on the training ground, having not qualified for European football this season. Manager Amorim even admitted after beating Brighton – who had won on their last three visits to Old Trafford – that his side were starting to benefit from that added preparation time.

  United have the chance to win a fourth consecutive league game for the first time since February 2024 when they take on Nottingham Forest on Saturday in Sean Dyche's first Premier League home match in charge at the City Ground.

Leeds United are back in the big time. They are playing in the Premier League under Daniel Farke and are looking to avoid relegation at the first time of asking.

They are on one of the biggest stages at club level in Europe, playing some of the best teams in the world, and this means that the club, the manager, and the players have a big platform to showcase themselves.

Whilst some may view that in a negative sense of players looking to audition themselves to bigger clubs in the future, which does happen, there are other ways to look at it.

For example, playing in the Premier League means that the players are testing themselves against the best, and that can attract attention from their country’s international managers, opening the door to potential call-ups.

Kalvin Phillips is a prime example of that. He emerged as a regular for England under Gareth Southgate after impressing in the Premier League with Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds in the 2020/21 campaign.

Although his initial call-up came before his top-flight debut, it was during his time at the top level that saw him fully establish himself and play in a European Championship final for England.

The Leeds players who are playing for an England call-up

Farke has a clutch of English players who will be hoping that their performances in the Premier League for Leeds this season will enhance their chances of making the England squad for the World Cup next summer.

As aforementioned, the club’s promotion to the division means that their players have the platform they need to show Thomas Tuchel that they have what it takes to make the squad.

Only two players in the current Leeds team have been capped by England at senior level, James Justin and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but there are other players who may hope that their form this season can earn them a maiden call-up before the trip to America.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

28

11

James Justin

27

1

Sam Byram

32

0

Alex Cairns

32

0

Jack Harrison

28

0

Sean Longstaff

27

0

Jayden Bogle

25

0

Sean Longstaff, for example, has yet to be capped by England but he has produced some impressive performances for the Whites, including a goal and an assist in the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth.

Jayden Bogle has also nailed down the right-back position at Elland Road and may hope that his performances can earn him a call-up. Competition from Djed Spence, Reece James, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kyle Walker, and Tino Livramento, though, means that it will be difficult.

Jack Harrison, Alex Cairns, James Justin, and Sam Byram, meanwhile, are all 28 or older and are currently back-up options in West Yorkshire, which does not suggest that they will be forcing their way into England contention any time soon.

However, one thing that we have seen with England in recent years is that young players can very quickly burst onto the scene and emerge as key players for the Three Lions.

Jude Bellingham made his England debut at 17. Myles Lewis-Skelly made his at 18. Bukayo Saka, who scored against Wales last week, made his debut at 19.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

Because of the platform that the Premier League provides, a young player can very quickly go from making their debut to being in England conversations, as Saka did at Arsenal after making his debut at the age of 17. The winger has since scored 13 goals in 46 caps for his country.

Leeds, therefore, could unearth their own Saka-type player by unleashing Harry Gray in the first-team this season, as he has the potential to be a future star for club and country.

Why Harry Gray could be a Bukayo Saka-type player

The teenage striker, who is the brother of Archie Gray, has been in fantastic form for the club at youth level, and could be in line for more first-team involvement in the near future.

Farke handed him a senior debut against Stoke City in the Championship as a 16-year-old last season, whilst the manager also placed him on the bench against Wolves in the Premier League this term as a 17-year-old, which is the same age that Saka made his top-flight bow.

Gray has scored seven goals in six matches for the U21s this season, with four goals in four Premier League 2 outings (Transfermarkt), and a hat-trick in one of his two England National League Cup appearances against Scunthorpe United.

To date, the teenage sensation has scored eight goals in 11 games for the U18s and seven goals in 13 appearances for the U21s in the Leeds academy, which shows that he has been a prolific scorer for both age groups.

Analyst Ben Mattinson claimed that he can see the striker breaking into the first-team this season because he is a “very well-rounded striker profile and one of England’s best prospects in his generation”, which is certainly high praise.

Gray, who was described as “Leeds United’s newest wonderkid” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, will have to oust Calvert-Lewin from the team if he wants to emerge as a regular starter for the Whites in the Premier League.

Appearances

26

5

xG

6.75

1.34

Goals

3

1

Big chances missed

16

5

Minutes per goal

543

357

As you can see in the table above, Calvert-Lewin’s wastefulness in front of goal for Everton last season has carried over into the start of his career at Elland Road.

These statistics suggest that there could be an opening for Gray to fill if the 11-cap England international fails to turn his form around and prove that he can be a reliable striker for the Whites.

Therefore, there is a world in which the 17-year-old striker makes his breakthrough and becomes a starter for Leeds in the Premier League this season, if he can translate his prolific form at youth level over to the first-team.

Whether that would be enough to immediately put him in contention to make the England squad, that is up to Tuchel, but playing in the top-flight provides him with the potential to become the next Saka-type star to emerge as a teenage sensation for the Three Lions.

Leeds have signed an "explosive" star who looks like the new Summerville

Daniel Farke could have his next Crysencio Summerville-like star in this unplayable Leeds United ace.

ByKelan Sarson Oct 15, 2025

First, though, it is down to Farke to provide Gray with an opportunity to showcase his quality in the Premier League if Calvert-Lewin continues to struggle in front of goal.

On transfer deadline day, Liverpool’s bid for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi fell through.

The Reds and their sporting director Richard Hughes had done all that they could, but Arne Slot was steadfast in his confidence in his pre-existing defensive options.

However, that was before Giovanni Leoni was forced off against Southampton, on his Reds debut, having ruptured his ACL. Now he will spend the majority of the season recovering.

How Liverpool will replace Leoni

Liverpool signed Leoni from Parma in Serie A for an initial £26m fee in August. The 18-year-old had scarcely been on the senior stage in his homeland, but he had shown enough promise for a swarm of suitors to buzz overhead, and it was Liverpool who were victorious in claiming their quarry.

Leoni has been developing within the Anfield ranks over the past month, piecing together his skillset and role and on-field personality in Slot’s system.

For the young Italian to have been withdrawn in such visible agony and dismay on his first appearance for the Merseysiders was sad to see. He had impressed against Southampton, having played most of the match and looked a cut above his partner Joe Gomez, who has played little football recently and who will now be expected to raise his game as he covers Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.

Minutes played

81′

Touches

102

Accurate passes

88/91 (97%)

Possession lost

3x

Tackles

1

Interceptions

3

Clearances

6

Ground duels won

1/2

Aerial duels won

3/3

Liverpool’s options at the back are suddenly sparse, and Slot may need to turn toward the academy to plug a potential gap, handing Amara Nallo more responsibility.

Nallo could be the Leoni replacement

Nallo, 18, is right at the start of his Liverpool career, and already he has made his senior debut under Slot’s wing.

However, that one ended somewhat unceremoniously, with the teenager sent off during Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Girona in the Champions League in January 2025.

Slot said Nallo “will learn” from his mistake, but there’s no question that it marks a blemish on an otherwise impressive highlight reel at this starting stage of his career.

Indeed, Nallo had previously been hailed by West Ham coach Carlton Cole as being a “Rolls-Royce of a centre-back”, physical, commanding and calm on the ball. These traits are inherent, and they could be guided toward something worthy of a regular role in Slot’s squad, given time.

Time, in this instance, isn’t on Nallo’s time; or rather, the young defender must now prepare for a potential hike in importance, with rotation limited after Leoni’s injury.

Nallo’s two-footedness suggests he could be the perfect replacement, in fairness, able to replace Van Dijk when need be or operate from the right side.

Poached from West Ham United as a youth, Nallo has already racked up 52 appearances for Liverpool’s development sides – on top of that senior bow – and he could now be ready to take the plunge and feature regularly in the place where Leoni was set to stand.

After all, Slot has already handed the youngster his professional debut, and entrusting him with opportunities this season is hardly out of the question.

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استقرت لجنة الحكام باتحاد الكرة المصري على حكام مباراتي الدور نصف النهائي من بطولة كأس السوبر المصري، والمقرر لها في الإمارات.

وتقام بطولة كأس السوبر المصري، في الإمارات، خلال الفترة من 6 إلى 9 نوفمبر، بمشاركة أندية الأهلي والزمالك وبيراميدز وسيراميكا كليوباترا.

ويلتقي الزمالك مع بيراميدز، يوم الخميس المقبل على ستاد آل نهيان في أبوظبي في دور نصف نهائي من بطولة كأس السوبر المصري.

طالع|بالتوقيت الشتوي.. مواعيد مباريات السوبر المصري 2025

ويلعب الأهلي مع سيراميكا كليوباترا، يوم الخميس أيضا، في مباراة نصف النهائي الثاني، على استاد هزاع بن زايد بمنطقة العين.

واستقرت لجنة الحكام على إسناد إدارة مباراة الأهلي وسيراميكا لـ محمود البنا، بينما سيدير محمد معروف مباراة الزمالك وبيراميدز.

ويشارك الأهلي بصفته بطل الدوري والزمالك بطل كأس مصر وسيراميكا كليوباترا بطل كأس الرابطة وبيراميدز يشارك بدعوة من اللجنة المنظمة.

 

Four India A batters scored half-centuries in the second dig after Lions took a 30-run first-innings lead

Nagraj Gollapudi02-Jun-2025

Yashasvi Jaiswal scored an attacking 64•Bipin Patel

In the end, the first unofficial Test in Canterbury was mostly an extended batting session for both teams with bowlers toiling hard on a benign pitch. After England Lions were bowled out on the cusp of the lunch break on Monday having taken a 30-run lead, four India A batters scored brisk half-centuries before the teams agreed to a draw an hour after tea.Those picking some easy runs included the India A opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Abhimanyu Easwaran, as well as Dhruv Jurel and Nitish Kumar Reddy. Jaiswal and Abhimanyu got off to aggressive starts and got to the 50-mark without breaking much sweat. While Jaiswal would be slightly disappointed about playing a loose stroke for the second time in the match, he did not berate himself on his way out like his captain did.For Abhimanyu, tour matches are a sort of litmus test. He might have played for India A for several years, might have played 100-plus first-class matches, might have been picked in the India squad many times over the last few years, but his Test debut still remains a fair distance away. On the first day, after being asked to bat, Abhimanyu was back in the dressing room about half-hour into the morning, trapped lbw for 8. On Monday, he clipped a four off his legs and looked determined to score quickly and score big.Abhimanyu Easwaran played a stroke-filled innings•Bipin Patel

Lunging forward, he would hit successive fours through the covers against Lions’ seamer Zaman Akhter to move close to a half-century, which he reached with a steer for a single. On 68, though, Abhimanyu attempted to reverse a delivery from legspinner Rehan Ahmed, who pitched it outside leg. It was an erroneous decision as he saw his leg stump uprooted.Jurel, who walked in at one-down, and Reddy enjoyed some batting time before the game was called off. Both players are in the fray for spots in the first Test in Leeds starting June 20. Having missed out on the century by a mere six runs on the first day, Jurel once again showed his free-flowing strokeplay, and is likely to be competing against Karun Nair for a specialist batter’s position in the middle order.Reddy, on the other hand, will look to build on his bowling in the second match against Lions that starts in Northampton from June 6. Though cleared to play in March by the BCCI medical staff after he suffered a side strain, Reddy started to bowl only in the past few weeks and has been since then gradually building his workload. He bowled 14.5 overs in Canterbury while picking up one wicket, that of tailender Eddie Jack.

MatériaMais Notícias

Novorizontino e ABC se enfrentamnesta segunda-feira (25), às 21h, no Estádio Jorge Ismael de Biasi, no encerramento da 29ª rodada doBrasileiro Série B. O Tigre do Vale é 4º colocado, com 48 pontos, enquanto o alvinegro potiguar, com 16, vê sua situação se tornar irreversível a cada resultado negativo.

+Olho no Brasileirão! Assine o Prime Video e acompanhe todos os jogos do seu time do coração!

O Novorizontino chega embalado após a goleada sobre o Ceará, que vinha em ascensão no campeonato: 4 a 1, com grande atuação do atacanteDouglas Baggio. César Martins, Aylon, Geovane e Tiago Pagnussat, contra, marcaram os gols do time paulista, que tem seis dos dez jogos restantes a serem disputados em seu estádio, onde tembom aproveitamento.

O ABC tem 10 rodadas para conseguir omilagre da salvação do rebaixamentoou confiimar as expectativas e disputar aSérie Cem 2024. O alvinegro potiguar está a 14 pontos do primeiro time fora do Z-4 com 30 por disputar. Contra o Sport, Thonny Anderson foi punido com o terceiro amarelo e será desfalque na equipe comandada porArgel Fuchs.

ONDE ASSISTIR/TRANSMISSÃO: SPORTV e PREMIERE

+Confira a classificação do Brasileirão Série B!

NOVORIZONTINO X ABC
29ª RODADA DO CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO SÉRIE B

Data:25 de setembro de 2023
Horário:21h
Local:Estádio Jorge Ismael de Biasi, em Novo Horizonte, São Paulo.
Onde assistir:SPORTV e PREMIERE

Possível escalação do Novorizontino: Jordi; Ligger, Adriano Martins e Reverson; Willean Lepo, Geovane, Marlon e César Martins; Douglas Baggio, Rodolfo (Ronaldo) e Aylon. Técnico: Eduardo Baptista

Possível escalação do ABC: Michael; Jucimar, Afonso, Fabrício e Jhonnathan; Ramon e Nathan Melo; Anderson Cordeiro; Matheus Anjos e Fábio Lima; Paulo Sérgio. Técnico: Argel Fuchs.

After almost two decades of waiting, when Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally became IPL champions, it wasn’t just a title triumph for Virat Kohli. It was the culmination of a journey that began in 2008 when he was a fiery young batter who would go on to become one of the most influential cricketers of his generation. It was also a full-circle moment for a player and a franchise that have become one and the same over time.As former RCB pacer Varun Aaron put it on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out show, “He [Kohli] has been the king of the castle in RCB for 18 years.” Aaron went to say, “At the end of the day, if they haven’t won a trophy, the first person they’re going to look at is Virat Kohli. And Virat Kohli, he loves to win. He can’t take second as even an option. So this is huge for him. Also, the kind of adoration and love he gets from the fans, from the franchise, is just huge.”And this is what they’ve been expecting for the longest time. It has come good. RCB have been the most loved team in the Indian Premier League by far. And now I don’t know where Virat’s going to go after this.”Tom Moody summed up Kohli’s IPL journey, saying it was a story of how a career was born, shaped, and lived out within a single franchise.”His cricketing career was nearly born at RCB,” Moody said. “So that’s why I think he’s so emotional, because he’s been so invested as a young player with a young mind, without knowing the body of work that he’s going to do in the game and that status that he was going to get in the game.”So you can see the connection that this has to him, because he’s been through all those ups and downs. We saw the stats earlier on about how many times RCB have made the finals in the 18 seasons. Ten times [in the playoffs]. Four times final. You can see why he’s emotional.”It’s nearly like the young Virat Kohli coming out of him, just celebrating and rejoicing in an emotional way.””When fans see the main player give everything on the field, they’re obviously going to feel that this guy deserves something”•AFP/Getty Images

Kohli has grown, faltered, risen and roared – all in RCB colours. With 8661 runs in 259 innings at a strike rate of 132.85 and an average of 39.54, he is the highest run-getter in IPL history.Between 2011 and 2023, he led RCB 143 times, the third-highest number of matches played as a captain in the IPL. He led RCB to the final in 2016 where they lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). His 973 runs in that massive season still remains a record in the IPL.”The biggest Indian player after Sachin Tendulkar, I would say, who’s played day in day out for 18 years, he’s hardly ever missed matches, he’s hardly ever missed IPLs, he’s turned up season after season,” Aaron said looking back. “And given everything, when fans see the main player give everything on the field, with bat and even on the field, they’re obviously going to feel that, you know what, this guy deserves something.”While RCB gave Kohli a stage, it’s equally true – as Aaron put it – that “RCB has had its role in making Virat, but Virat has also made the franchise.”

While SL are set to play three seamers in Colombo, Bangladesh are likely to go the other way and pick three spinners

Andrew Fidel Fernando24-Jun-2025Bangladesh have a tough decision to make. If Mehidy Hasan Miraz comes back into the XI for the second Test – and according to coach Phil Simmons there is no guarantee he will – who makes way?The theory seems to be that the player who stood in for him at Galle goes out. But what if that player – offspinner Nayeem Hasan – took a vital 5 for 121 in the first innings, and a tidy 1 for 29 in the second. Nayeem was the equal-highest wicket-taker in that match, which ordinarily should ensure he plays the next match in the series.But he is an offspinner, and so is Mehidy, who is returning to the team. Taijul, by dint of experience as well as being a left-arm spinner, will likely keep his place.”You assume that [Mehidy] will be in the team for the second match,” said Simmons, implying that he still may not be ready. “But at the same time, everyone else has to do their job and we can’t worry about Mehidy coming in.Related

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There is a chance, though, that three spinners can play, according to Simmons. Sri Lanka appear to be going in the opposite direction – they are considering playing three seamers at the SSC. But Bangladesh have the problem of a performing offspinner, whom they are understandably reluctant to keep out.”The first thing is that we will assess what the wicket looks like and the conditions, and then we decide which way we’re going to go – if it’s the three spinners”, Simmons said. “Nayeem had a wonderful game up in Galle. To leave him now is a little difficult. But if a decision has to be made, people understand that it’s what is good for the team.”Having dominated the back end of that Galle Test – Bangladesh were the side pushing for a victory on day five – spirits in the visitors’ camp are high, Simmons said.”They players are really good. When you play good cricket, it helps to lift you. The players’ mental strength is there, and physically they are very good.”

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last nine matches across all competitions and sit pretty at the top of the Premier League table, boasting a 100 per cent record in the Champions League to boot.

Mikel Arteta answers Arsenal critics

There is a sentiment going around that the Gunners have adopted a ‘boring style of play’, but as long as they get the job done, Mikel Arteta won’t be in the least bit bothered.

Besides, this ongoing narrative is in stark contrast to their imperious win over Atlético Madrid in the Champions League last Wednesday, and club legend Paul Merson was quick to note that nobody blows away Diego Simeone’s side like Arsenal did that night.

Four goals inside just 14 minutes cemented what was a statement three points for Arteta’s men, and summer signing Viktor Gyokeres silenced his own doubters with a quick-fire brace to end his barren run without scoring.

The result means Arsenal still haven’t lost a single game in all competitions since their narrow defeat at Anfield in late August, and even that was down to a sumptuous late free-kick from Dominik Szoboszlai which David Raya could do nothing about.

The catalyst for Arsenal’s amazing run has undoubtedly been their rock-solid defence, which has leaked the fewest goals of any Premier League side, with just three scored past them in nine top flight games.

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

Much to pundit Jamie O’Hara’s detest, who said last week that Arsenal are “killing” the Premier League with their guerrilla tactics, the north Londoners have proved a constant menace through dead balls and long-throws — which have acted as a secret weapon that no opponent can match.

Gabriel already has four goal contributions as a direct result of corners and free-kicks, bagging a header against Atlético and setting up Gyokeres for his second, and teams barely have an answer to the Brazilian’s constant set piece threat.

It’s been a very promising start to 25/26, and their excellent Champions League run has now forced Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher into a U-turn.

Jamie Carragher admits he got one thing very wrong about Arsenal

Speaking live on CBS Sports last week, analysing Arsenal’s win over Atlético, Carragher admitted that Arsenal are now one of the favourites to win the competition — despite previously saying they’re not a Champions League team.

After a summer of lavish spending, where Andrea Berta splashed nearly £270 million on eight major signings, the pressure is on Arteta to end the club’s two-decade-long wait for a league title.

Arsenal’s water-tight defence has formed the backbone for what could well be a successful challenge after years of near-misses, with both Gabriel and Saliba privately promising to remain at the club for years to come last summer.

With David Raya, who’s won back-to-back Golden Glove awards, commanding his area and defenders who don’t give an inch, Arsenal are proving they can grind out results when it matters most.

That kind of steel is exactly what you need to win a marathon like the Premier League, where every point counts and slip-ups are severely punished, with Arteta’s looking like real favourites for the crown as things stand.