Everton were pegged back by Jarrod Bowen’s second-half goal at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, leaving David Moyes’ side three games without a win, but there was much to like about this Monday night effort in the Premier League.

However, there’s a sense that the Toffees might be somewhat one-dimensional in their approach play right now, funnelling the ball out to Jack Grealish, who wasn’t at his best against the Hammers but remained the brightest spark.

Problems persist regarding number nine. Beto toiled once again, missing a good opportunity to score in the first half, and Thierno Barry lacked composure and positional intelligence across his second-half cameo.

However, there were bright sparks for Moyes and his team as they drew this match against West Ham United.

Everton's best performers vs West Ham

James Tarkowski hasn’t quite looked himself so far this season, and all of an Everton persuasion will be eager to see Jarrad Branthwaite complete his long-awaited return from injury and settle back into the backline.

However, the decision to extend Michael Keane’s contract before the summer was rubber-stamped after his thumping header after 18 minutes, rising and directing into the net with such emphatic power.

Grealish we have mentioned, but his alternative wideman, Iliman Ndiaye, was also bright, winning four duels and creating two chances, as per Sofascore. However, the Senegalese’s sharpness when it matters could do with some work.

Off the bench, Tyler Dibling also looked bright. The teenager stepped in for Ndiaye and put in a promising late-stage display, leading The Athletic’s Patrick Boyland to comment that he “would like to see much more” of the fleet-footed talent.

However, there’s another man who often goes under the radar who deserves a bit of credit. Indeed, James Garner put in an impressive, workmanlike performance in the middle of the park, showcasing his technical skill besides with the delivery for Keane’s thumping header.

Might Moyes have unearthed the next Leighton Baines?

Everton's new Leighton Baines

Garner has been at Everton for a while now, joining from Manchester United for £15m in 2022. He has played 92 times for the Merseysiders and has made a positive impression since Moyes replaced Sean Dyche at the start of the year.

As Sofascore reveal, Garner took 82 touches, more than any other player on the field, completed 88% of his passes, won three of four ground duels and found the target with four long balls across the evening. The Liverpool Echo handed him a 7/10 match rating for his labours.

Given that he has already played three times as a stand-in left-back this season, the 24-year-old could grow into Moyes’ next Baines, should he continue to go from strength to strength.

Now Everton’s assistant manager, Baines was one of the most talented left-backs in the Premier League during his long stint at Goodison Park, hailed by Kevin Phillips for having “a wand of a left foot”.

Baines made creativity an art form for defenders before it was cool. He boasted such accuracy on the ball and was intelligent with his passes. Furthermore, Baines was very much a set-piece specialist.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

259

64

Andy Robertson

310

60

Leighton Baines

420

53

Graeme le Saux

327

44

Kieran Trippier

209

38

While Garner isn’t a defender, his versatility lends itself to the berth, and there’s no denying he has an eye for a pass that doesn’t differ all that much from Baines’ back in his heyday.

Moreover, he has a power in his ball-striking which nearly came up trumps. His ferocious strike late on bore testament to that.

It’s worth pointing out that Garner’s contract expires next summer, and with work still needed across a range of positions, it feels vital that the industrious Englishman’s terms are renewed.

Moyes has previously acknowledged the scale of Everton’s rebuild and that it would take more than just the one transfer window to bring it all together.

Recent results have underscored that, for sure, but with players like Garner doing the hard yards, Moyes will be sure to retain the essence of his long-standing philosophy while imbuing his team with new modern touches. Garner embodies both.

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Real Madrid are expected to receive numerous offers for wonderkid Gonzalo Garcia in the upcoming January transfer window. However, head coach Xabi Alonso is set to block any potential departure, as he trusts the Spain Under 21 star to be an important rotational piece. Gonzalo was the top scorer at the Club World Cup, but has made just one start in the 2025-26 season.

Gonzalo's Club World Cup exploits earn him a promotion

Madrid went to the Club World Cup with Kylian Mbappe and Endrick carrying injuries. It proved to be a blessing in disguise for both the club and Gonzalo, as the 21-year-old started all six games, scored four goals, and produced one assist to finish as the tournament's top scorer. The club ended their search for a profile who could be a physical presence inside the box. Madrid rewarded Gonzalo with a new contract until 2030 and, by default, a promotion to the first team. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportGonzalo struggling for game time in the 2025-26 season

His impact at the Club World Cup seems to have been forgotten quickly. The academy graduate has featured in just six of the 10 games Madrid have played, starting just once and racking up a meagre 101 minutes of game time. Mbappe's incredible form – which has seen him plunder 14 goals already – as well as Rodrygo's continuation has stymied his progress. 

Clubs will try to poach Gonzalo in January

Several clubs showcased interest in acquiring the rising star's services over the summer, including Premier League outfits. However, Gonzalo eventually stayed put and didn't entertain any offers. His lack of prominence in the ongoing season is set to attract interest from a lot of clubs in the January transfer window, according to a report from . 

Endrick has marked his return from injury and is determined to fight for his spot in Madrid despite not having played a single game under Alonso yet. reports that having to fight for minutes with the Brazilian teenager could be another factor which could prompt Gonzalo to seek minutes elsewhere. 

On the contrary, Serie A heavyweights Juventus are reportedly keeping tabs on Endrick ahead of a potential January swoop. Not just Juve, but the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, West Ham and Real Sociedad also setting their sights in coveted young striker.

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AFPAlonso counts on Gonzalo

Despite the high likelihood of offers coming Gonzalo's way in winter, manager Alonso doesn't want to lose a player he has blind faith in. The former Bayer Leverkusen coach sees Gonzalo as a crucial jigsaw of Madrid's rotational puzzle, and hence will not allow him to leave in January.

To be heralded as Arsenal’s signing of the summer takes some doing. After all, this was one of the best transfer windows we’ve ever seen in the club’s illustrious history.

It didn’t take Andrea Berta long to settle into his role, replacing Edu as the Gunners’ Sporting Director.

While his biggest project was to sign a new striker, notably welcoming Viktor Gyokeres to the Emirates Stadium, the Italian transfer chief did not stop there.

What a window this was. Even when you thought they were done with the signing of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace, Berta surprised us all by completing a deal for Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie on Deadline Day. It wouldn’t be a transfer window at Arsenal without a hybrid defender arriving during the Mikel Arteta era.

Eze’s acquisition was exciting, as was Gyokeres’. In adding those two players, they’ve strengthened two of the big weak points in the side; goals and unpredictability from the left flank.

Yet, Berta made a number of underrated signings during his first window at the club.

Arsenal's most underrated signings of 2025

It remains to be seen how someone like Christian Norgaard settles in at Arsenal. While the Dane played a prominent part in pre-season, he’s not been seen in competitive action yet due to injury.

However, having captained Brentford under Thomas Frank, he will no doubt bring valuable experience to what is still a relatively young crop of players.

For those we have seen, two players immediately stand out. Noni Madueke is one of them.

When the winger arrived at Arsenal during pre-season, it’s safe to say fans were unhappy. Not another Chelsea reject, they cried. Quite. That being said, protests that were lodged disapproving of the deal were rather bizarre.

Since moving to the red side of London, it’s safe to say that Madueke has proven a number of supporters wrong. Against Liverpool prior to the international break, the 23-year-old looked like Arsenal’s best player.

Despite not scoring or assisting against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, he also arguably looked like the best player on the park.

The England international was relentless in his endeavours down the right flank, twisting Morato and Neco Williams inside and out. Madueke completed a whopping five dribbles and also completed five key passes.

Minutes played

78

Shots

0

Successful dribbles

5/8

Touches

65

Accurate passes

22/31

Key passes

5

Accurate crosses

4

Duels won

10

Tackles

3

In previous years, when Arsenal have been without Bukayo Saka due to injury, they have struggled. However, with Madueke now in the squad, they look far better equipped to deal with a problem like that one.

Another hugely underrated signing is Cristhian Mosquera. Arriving from Valencia for just £13m in the summer, very few expected the Spaniard to play too many minutes this campaign.

Aware of the player’s potential, the 21-year-old has already exceeded all expectations, standing in for the injured William Saliba.

When the Frenchman hobbled off in the early exchanges of the clash at Anfield two weeks ago, everyone feared the worst. That said, Mosquera stood in with ease and looked at home next to Gabriel Magalhaes in Arsenal’s backline.

The same could be said of the youngster’s performance against Forest this weekend. Mosquera was phenomenal, notably making a last-man tackle in the second half to deny what looked like a certain goalscoring opportunity.

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Described as “an incredible signing” by Gunners writer Dan Critchlow, the centre-back looks like he could dominate Premier League attackers for years to come.

Despite his impressive start to life in the English capital, he’s not quite the best signing Berta made during the summer months.

Arsenal's signing of the summer is emulating Xhaka

When Granit Xhaka left the Gunners behind in the summer of 2023, very few expected to see him back in the Premier League two years later.

Well, Xhaka left Bayer Leverkusen behind as a league champion and came back to England, moving to newly-promoted Sunderland.

Since returning, we’re seeing more of the Xhaka of old. A deeper-lying playmaker who breaks up the play.

Yet, that hasn’t always been the case, as his final season at the Emirates proved. That campaign was arguably the best of his career, scoring nine goals and assisting seven in all competitions.

Since then, Arteta has been searching for a replacement. He initially struggled to do so.

Kai Havertz was signed with the idea of filling the Swiss’ void in the left 8 position but ultimately ended up being better as a striker. Declan Rice has perhaps found the most success in that role, involved in 19 goals last term.

However, in £60m arrival Martin Zubimendi, they’ve signed another player capable of emulating the former club skipper.

Zubimendi isn’t the aggressive tackler that Xhaka is or was, but there are certain qualities that the Spaniard has offered and will offer that are reminiscent.

Like Xhaka, the 26-year-old controls and dictates the tempo of a game brilliantly. In fact, in that regard, he’s probably even better.

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has already described him as “the second best” midfielder in the world behind Rodri. Speaking of Rodri, talking about his international colleague last week, he said: “He [Zubimendi] has the discipline and mentality that can lead him to become one of the best, if he isn’t already.”

The Spaniard is certainly more disciplined than Xhaka ever was but in their ability to break up the play and dictate, they are alike. Zubimendi showed during the 3-0 win over Forest that he can contribute in the final third like Xhaka too.

The Switzerland star has near immaculate technique and we all know how much of a rocket his left foot was. Well, the former Real Sociedad star emulated just that on Saturday, hammering home a volley from the edge of the area.

Not usually a goalscorer, Zubimendi rolled back the years at the Emirates with a Xhaka-like goalscoring display from the middle of the park.

It was the summer arrival who rounded off the scoring late on when he headed home Leandro Trossard’s cross. It was the first brace of his professional career and a 10/10 performance that cemented him as “the signing of the summer” in the words of club insider AFC Camden.

If he has an Arsenal career like Xhaka then we are in for quite the ride.

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Warwickshire fight back with the ball but face deep fourth-innings chase

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay17-May-2025

Kyle Abbott put Hampshire in charge•Dave Vokes/Hampshire Cricket

High-class fast bowling from Kyle Abbott put Hampshire in command against Warwickshire in their Rothesay County Championship tussle at Edgbaston.Abbott took five for 47, his second five-for in successive games, as Warwickshire were bowled out for 194 to sustain a first innings deficit of 106. It was superb, pitched up, swing bowling at the head of a strong collective effort from a seam attack against which only Ed Barnard (58, 55 balls) looked comfortable.Hampshire then leaned hard on Fletcha Middleton’s 76 (124 balls) as they reached 159 for six in their second innings. They lead by 265 overall, a significant advantage on a pitch still assisting the seamers.Warwickshire resumed on the second morning on 27 for two and swiftly lost both overnight batters. Nightwatcher Olly Hannon-Dalby edged Abbott to first slip before John Turner struck a crucial blow when Tom Latham, fresh from 184 on his debut last week, fell for just five when he edged to third slip.On a grey morning, against a swinging ball, batting was tricky. Sam Hain and Beau Webster grafted hard to add 62 in 21 overs, but Hampshire’s seamers sustained the pressure and Abbott removed both just before lunch. Hain’s dogged 23 (77 balls) was ended by a perfect outswinger. A nifty inswinger brought Webster’s fluent 41 (66) to a close when he inside-edged a drive on to his middle stump.Barnard, nudging the England selectors in this match with a half-century to follow his four wickets, defied with discipline but without support. Zen Malik was late on a straight ball from Brad Wheal and Ethan Bamber flicked James Fuller to mid-wicket. Barnard reached an accomplished 43-ball 50 but then nicked Abbott to wicketkeeper Ben Brown who collected again when Che Simmons edged Turner.Hampshire’s second innings began in the game’s first sunshine but the ball continued to move around and while Middleton settled, partners came and went. None of the other top six batters passed 15 as Mark Stoneman edged Hannon-Dalby to first slip, Bamber drew fatal edges from Nick Gubbins and Tom Prest and Webster removed Ben Brown, lbw, and Liam Dawson, caught at second slip, in three balls.At 99 for five, Hampshire were in danger of relinquishing their advantage but Middleton and Toby Albert added 52 in 15 overs to reassert their side’s control. Albert (29 not out, 52 balls) made important runs for the second time in the match while Middleton reached 50 (71 balls) for the first time in ten attempts this season. Though he was bowled by Simmons just before the close, on a pitch which examines the batters’ powers of technique and diligence, his work, like Fuller’s in the first innings, was of immense value.

Glasgow Rangers head coach Russell Martin will have been delighted that his side picked up their first win of the Scottish Premiership season last weekend.

The Gers had failed to win any of their opening five matches in the division, their worst start to a league campaign in 47 years, but picked up a last-gasp winner on Sunday thanks to Max Aarons.

His excellent finish, as shown in the clip above, won the match for the Ibrox giants after they found themselves drawing 1-1 heading into stoppage time.

It was Aarons’ first minutes on the pitch for Rangers since he was shown a straight red card against Club Brugge in the 6-0 loss in Belgium back in August, and what a return to action it was for the full-back.

Whilst the Bournemouth loanee was finally brought back into the fold after being an unused substitute for three successive matches, there was another player who was suffering a similar fate on the bench.

Mohamed Diomande was an unused substitute against Livingston after he was shown a straight red card in the 1-0 defeat to Genk in the Europa League at Ibrox last week.

Why Mohamed Diomande was rightfully dropped

Even taking the red card out of the equation, the Ivorian midfielder was rightfully dropped from the starting line-up for that Premiership clash because his performances in the league have not been up to scratch this season.

The left-footed star may have been punished against Livingston because of his red card in Europe, but his league form overall this season warranted him being left out of the side regardless of what happened against Genk.

Diomande had caught the eye in the Premiership last season with a return of four goals and seven assists, per Sofascore, which led to a bid from Besiktas in the summer transfer window.

The central midfielder put in impressive performances on a consistent basis, delivering quality in the final third, which is why he had interest from elsewhere.

Unfortunately, Diomande’s form since Martin came through the door at Ibrox has nosedived to the point where it was justified to leave him out on Sunday.

Mohamed Diomande (Premiership)

24/25

25/26

Appearances

36

5

Sofascore rating

7.19

6.38

Goals

4

0

Assists

7

0

Dribbled past per game

0.5x

0.6

Ground duel success rate

57%

49%

Aerial duel success rate

48%

17%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Ivorian lightweight has been dominated in duels on the deck and in the air in the Premiership this season, without making up for it with any goals or assists for the team.

Given his dismal start to the season in the Premiership and in the Europa League, Diomande should now be worried that the club are reportedly looking at a free agent midfielder.

Rangers considering free agent swoop

According to journalist Mark Hendry, via his Substack, Glasgow Rangers have been offered the chance to sign free agent central midfielder Pierre Ekwah after his exit from Saint-Etienne.

The former West Ham United and Sunderland midfield whiz ripped up his contract with the Ligue 2 club on deadline day at the start of September, which means that he is now free to discuss a move elsewhere and can be registered before the January window.

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Hendry’s report adds that Ekwah has been offered to both Celtic and Rangers in a bid to find a new club after his ext from the French team, but it remains to be seen whether either of the Scottish giants are willing to take a punt on him.

The Gers are considering whether or not to make a move for the midfield star, but they were linked with a move for the Frenchman towards the end of the summer transfer window.

This suggests that the recruitment team at Ibrox and Martin are well aware of the 23-year-old and his talents, which is why they should push to get a deal done for him as a free agent in the coming days or weeks.

Why Rangers should sign Pierre Ekwah

The Ibrox giants should swoop to sign Ekwah ahead of Celtic to bolster their options in the middle of the park because he could come in as an immediate and instant upgrade on Diomande.

As aforementioned, the Rangers central midfielder’s levels have dropped off this season, which has left a gap to fill in midfield for Martin because the Ivorian was such an important player for Philippe Clement and Barry Ferguson in the 2024/25 campaign.

Ekwah’s performances in Ligue 1, one of Europe’s major leagues, last season suggest that he has the quality to come in and hit the ground running as a key player for the Gers if he is fit and ready to go.

The left-footed central midfielder left Saint-Etienne after they were relegated to Ligue 2, but his displays in their relegation campaign showed that he was good enough to play at the top level.

24/25 Ligue 1

Pierre Ekwah

Percentile rank vs CMs

Tackles

57

Top 17%

Duels won

145

Top 11%

Duel success rate

57%

Top 14%

Aerial duel success rate

71%

Top 7%

Interceptions

47

Top 3%

Blocks

12

Top 6%

Ball recoveries

157

Top 8%

Stats via FotMob

As you can see in the table above, the 23-year-old star was one of the most effective defensive midfielders in Ligue 1, as he ranked very highly among his positional peers in a host of statistics.

Ekwah, who former manager Tony Mowbray claimed could do “amazing” things with his feet, is a powerful and combative central midfielder who has shown that he can compete physically in a major European league, whilst Diomande has struggled badly with the physicality in the Premiership this season.

Along with his defensive attributes, the former Saint-Etienne star also completed 88% of his passes in Ligue 1 last season, per Sofascore, whilst Diomande has completed 84% of his attempted passes in the Premiership this term.

Therefore, Rangers and Martin could land an instant upgrade on the struggling Ivorian midfielder by swooping to sign a free agent star who excelled in Ligue 1 in the 2024/25 campaign.

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Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has been ruled out of the upcoming T20I series in Pakistan because of a thumb injury that he suffered during IPL 2025. Khaled Ahmed has been named his replacement.Mustafizur was hit on his left hand while playing for Delhi Capitals against Punjab Kings on May 24 while attempting a caught and bowled off Josh Inglis. According to the Bangladesh physio Delowar Hossain, the injury could take up to three weeks to heal.”Mustafizur suffered a clip fracture on his left thumb while playing his last match of the Indian Premier League yesterday,” Hossain said. “This injury requires a period of rest and rehabilitation. As per our current assessment, he will be unavailable for selection for the next two to three weeks. We will conduct a follow-up evaluation after two weeks to monitor his recovery progress.”Related

• Despite injuries, Simmons rallies behind Bangladesh's quicks to step up in Pakistan

• Litton Das named Bangladesh T20I captain; Mahedi Hasan to be his deputy

• Nahid Rana pulls out of Bangladesh's tour of Pakistan

• Soumya Sarkar ruled out of T20Is in Pakistan

Mustafizur is the third player to become unavailable for the series that begins on May 28 in Lahore. Nahid Rana had withdrawn for personal reasons, while Soumya Sarkar injured his back and was replaced by Mehidy Hasan Miraz.Mustafizur’s replacement Khaled has had a productive 2024-25 season, taking 77 wickets at 21.74 in all formats of competitive cricket. He took 20 wickets at an average of 21.55 in the recent BPL season.Bangladesh play Pakistan in three T20Is in Lahore on May 28, 30 and June 1, having just lost a T20I series 2-1 to UAE in Sharjah.

حلل جو كول، نجم الكرة الإنجليزية السابق، أسباب تراجع مستوى نجم نادي ليفربول، موضحًا أن هناك سبب واحد قد يجعل اللاعب يتألق مع الريدز خلال الفترة المقبلة.

ليفربول تعاقد مع العديد من اللاعبين خلال فترة الميركاتو الصيفي الأخير بحثًا عن تحسين مستوى الفريق، من بينهم فلوريان فيرتز، وميلوس كيركيز، وألكسندر إيزاك، وهوجو إيكتيكي.

وكانت جماهير ليفربول تنتظر فيرتز كثيرًا، حيث تعاقد النادي الإنجليزي مع اللاعب بأكثر من 100 مليون يورو وبعقد طويل الأمد قادمًا من باير ليفركوزن.

لكن فيرتز على عكس التوقعات فشل في إثبات نفسه مع ليفربول وبقى اللاعب الشاب محل انتقادات من الجميع.

ويرى كول في تصريحات نقلتها شبكة “ليفربول إيكو”، أن بقاء فيرتز كبديل مع ليفربول خلال الفترة الماضية سيفيده كثيرًا بالفعل.

وقال كول: “نعم، لقد أربك التعاقد مع فلوريان فيرتز خط وسط ليفربول، ولكن ليس بطريقة يمكن تحميلها لـ فلوريان فيرتز”.

وأضاف: “لا شك أنه لاعب من الطراز الرفيع، لا يمكن أن تلعب كصانع ألعاب مع ألمانيا وتفوز بلقب الدوري الألماني، وتقدم ما قدمه مع باير ليفركوزن، دون أن تكون لاعبًا مميزًا”.

اقرأ أيضًا .. ديفيد فيا: محمد صلاح أفضل لاعب إفريقي في العالم

وأوضح: “نعلم أن فيرتز لاعب مميز وقد أظهر ذلك في لمحات سريعة، لا تلقِ باللوم على اللاعبين الأربعة الجدد أو اللاعبين الأربعة المغادرين أو المدرب، إنها مجرد مجموعة من كل شيء”.

وأردف: “لو كان بإمكان ليفربول استئناف الموسم لكانوا على الأرجح قد ضموا لاعبًا أو اثنين إلى الفريق قائلين أنهم سيواصلوا ما يفعلوه وسيغيرون الفريق تدريجيًا وبحلول يناير، ستبدأون في البحث عن ضم فيرتز إلى أجواء الفريق بانتظام، مع منحه الوقت الكافي للتواجد على مقاعد البدلاء”.

وتابع: “لا بأس بقول ذلك، لكن محاولة سلوت شرح ذلك للمالكين الذين اشتروا لكم لاعبًا بقيمة 100 مليون جنيه إسترليني وهو على مقاعد البدلاء ستكون عملية بيع صعبة”.

واستكمل: “إنها مجموعة من ثلاثة أو أربعة أشياء مختلفة، لكن فيرتز لاعب ذو جودة”.

واستطرد: “سواءً كان فيرتز اللاعب المناسب لليفربول أو الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز عليه أن يثبت ذلك، لا يمكنه التهرب من ذلك”.

وقال: “هناك لاعبون معينون، لاعبون جيدون، ينتقلون إلى أندية لكنهم لا يناسبونهم”.

واختتم: ”فيرتز بدأ بداية سيئة، لذا تسلط عليه الأضواء وسيتعين عليه القتال وفي العام المقبل عليه إثبات جدارته كلاعب كرة قدم في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز”.

Manchester United star Jess Park has withdrawn from the Lionesses squad for international friendlies against Brazil and Australia due to a delayed concussion. The 24-year-old was ruled out of the Red Devils' Champions League win over Atletico before the international break and experienced some symptoms after joining the England camp. Jess Naz has been added to Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses squad in Park's place.

• Lionesses issue Park update

  A statement from the Lionesses read: "Jess Naz has been added to the England squad that will face Brazil in Manchester this Saturday and Australia in Derby next Tuesday. The Tottenham Hotspur forward, who has won six caps, last featured for the Lionesses as a substitute in February’s 1-0 win against Spain at Wembley. Naz comes in to replace Manchester United’s Jess Park, who has withdrawn from the squad after the midfielder sustained a delayed concussion following Manchester United’s last Barclays WSL fixture.

  "Park reported to St. George’s Park on Monday as part of the 24-player squad to continue her graded return to play but has experienced some symptoms during this process and has returned to her club to continue her rehabilitation."

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• Getty Images/GOAL
  

  Park starring for Man Utd after City move

  Park swapped Manchester City for United on deadline day and has gone on to star for the Red Devils. She opened her account for her new club in a win over the London City Lionesses and then bagged a brace as United beat Everton 4-1 on October 12. 

  Manchester United boss Mark Skinner has been full of praise for Park and her flourishing relationship with Ella Toone. He told reporters: "I genuinely believe her and Tooney become alive and are electric together. We just have to be able to adapt and evolve it. In training, we've been working on Jess opening up her body and where she might receive the ball and different ways to finish. They both [scored lots in training]. In the number 10 role you usually have one touch to set the ball, then a second to hit it. It was working on that speed and both were excellent."

  Skinner had also backed Park to shine for the Lionesses in the upcoming international break: "If Sarina feels she needs tight areas unlocking, then there is no better than Jess or Tooney right now to do that. If you need better ball control in tighter areas, you can't get two better than them."

• Opportunity knocks for Naz

  Park's withdrawal has opened the door for Tottenham's Naz to link up with the squad for the two matches. The 25-year-old received her first call-up to the Lionesses squad in May 2024 and will be hoping to add to her tally of seven caps after linking up with Sarina Wiegman's squad again. Naz has been an ever present for Tottenham so far this season in the Women's Super League and League Cup.

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• Wiegman discusses squad selection

  Wiegman has spoken about her squad selection for the two friendly matches after being forced to shuffle her pack and handing a first senior call-up to 19-year-old Katie Hinds. She told reporters: "Of course it's nice to do. They were surprised. Some were quieter than others. They didn't expect it that much so it is really nice to give that message. I hope they just go out there and play football and show what they're about.

  "You're always thinking a little bit further ahead. The next goal is qualifying for the World Cup and then going to the World Cup. There are 10 camps before the World Cup, although let's not forget to qualify first.

  "These next two windows there are friendlies. There is a chance to try many players and hopefully if you do really well and you win the group there will be opportunities to play more friendlies. We want to get as many opportunities to see many players, but also keep winning games.

  "We are also watching other countries too, what are the trends, what are the styles of plays. But also what do we want to work on."

Wrexham have endured a difficult start to the Championship campaign and could be set for a change in the dugout, with speculation over movement likely to be fueled further by a recent known face who has been spotted at the Racecourse Ground.

Wrexham hold Phil Parkinson talks after QPR defeat

After a run of three defeats in five league matches this term, the Red Dragons find themselves in the Championship relegation zone after a 3-1 defeat to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

Phil Parkinson is a man under pressure after recording a bigger net spend than the likes of Aston Villa, Celtic and Rangers during the summer, and talks have now taken place over the Wrexham manager possibly being replaced after a poor run of results, according to talkSPORT.

Internally, club chiefs could take a ruthless approach as they look to build on three successive promotions under the 57-year-old, and his job may now be under threat after four years in North Wales.

Speaking after his side fell to another damaging loss, Parkinson lamented his team’s contribution at both ends of the pitch, saying: “The previous home games, we looked like we can create chances and score. But the goals we conceded, one one hand, you’ll say they were clinical, but when we analyse them all, we’ll know we could have done better.

“The strikers are better (in the Championship). To be fair to Burrell and Kone, they were in League One last year.”

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Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have brought plenty of big names to the Racecourse during their tenure, and supporters may be intrigued to know that a former Premier League winner was in attendance at their latest encounter in the second tier.

Former Manchester United star Phil Jones spotted at Wrexham

Taking to social media platform X, Mailsport correspondent Nathan Salt shared a picture of former Manchester United star Phil Jones in the stands as Wrexham lost out to QPR.

The 33-year-old, who was once dubbed “phenomenal” by Sir Alex Ferguson due to his versatility, was at the Red Devils working voluntarily within their Under-18 set-up.

Salt later explained why Jones was invited to take in the action, stating: “Been one suggestion put to me by someone I respect in the game that Wrexham have been putting feelers out to add to the coaching staff. Jones was in with Utd’s U18s on a voluntary basis last season. Could fit the bill.”

Wrexham CEO Mike Williamson is the one who invited him to the match, per the reporter, suggesting that movement could be on the cards one way or another at the Welsh outfit.

With Parkinson’s future at the club uncertain, it remains to be seen where Jones, a Premier League winner with the Red Devils, may fit, albeit he would likely be ruled out of taking over himself due to a lack of senior coaching experience.

Lancashire attack finds bounce and movement to reduce Northamptonshire to 67 for 6 before lunch

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay09-May-2025Lancashire 133 for 3 (Harris 53*) trail Northamptonshire 238 (McManus 53, Balderson 4-55) by 105 runsLewis McManus led a spirited fightback with a fine 53 off 89 balls to rescue Northamptonshire after they suffered an early batting collapse on day one of this Rothesay County Championship match against Lancashire at Wantage Road.All-rounder George Balderson took 4 for 55 and Anderson Phillip 3 for 65 as Lancashire’s attack obtained plenty of bounce and movement to reduce Northamptonshire to 67 for 6 before lunch after electing to bat.But keeper-batter McManus forged a series of enterprising partnerships with the tail to wrestle back the initiative. The last four wickets added 171 runs in 38 overs as Northamptonshire finished 238 all out, Liam Guthrie hitting 43 to register his highest first-class score.Northamptonshire took two early wickets after tea, but Keaton Jennings hit a sparkling 41 off 45 balls, and with Marcus Harris making 53 not out (119 balls) in a sometimes nervy unbeaten stand of 74 with Matty Hurst (31), Lancashire closed on 133 for 3 trailing by 105.Earlier, Lancashire’s bowling discipline stood in contrast to some loose strokeplay from home batters, Ricardo Vasconcelos (39) the only top-order batter to prosper.Will Williams struck in the day’s second over, the ball flying off the splice of Luke Procter’s bat to gully. George Bartlett and James Sales took the score to 33 when Bartlett was adjudged caught at third slip off Balderson. Sales cracked Phillip through extra cover for four, but the West Indian squared him up next ball as he edged low to Jennings at second slip.Rob Keogh was next to go, pushing outside off-stump, caught low down by Harris at third slip.Vasconcelos meanwhile was finding runs all around the wicket, hitting six over square-leg, driving and pulling comfortably before Phillip jagged one back to trap him lbw.Three balls later Saif Zaib had a rush of blood, charging down the pitch to Balderson, edging to Jennings at second slip to leave Northamptonshire reeling.Harrison (29) and McManus showed greater application ensuring no further wickets fell before lunch and extended their seventh-wicket partnership after the interval to 60. Harrison hit three boundaries, muscling Balderson through midwicket and punching through extra cover.Lancashire shelled two catches in quick succession, with Harrison and McManus both benefiting. Phillip though returned to the attack to quickly break the partnership, nipping one back to take Harrison’s inside edge, keeper Hurst taking the catch.Ben Sanderson had some fun in a quickfire stand of 32 off 20 deliveries with McManus, driving square for four and edging over the slips for another boundary. He punched Willliams through cover before the bowler snared him lbw.McManus was in excellent touch, driving pleasantly and particularly strong off his legs. He clipped Bailey square for four and whipped him in a similar direction for six. He added 57 in 10 overs with Guthrie before falling in lowkey fashion, caught off the leading edge off Bailey, the ball ballooning up to Luke Wells running from mid-off.Guthrie played offense. Facing Balderson, he smashed through midwicket and pulled a no ball for another boundary, departing when he hit the all-rounder straight to mid-on.Guthrie then gave Northamptonshire the best start with the ball, trapping George Bell in front with his third delivery.Bohannon has proved Northamptonshire’s nemesis averaging 83.77 against them and scoring 155 at Emirates Old Trafford last month. He was unable to extend that run further though, Harrison pulling off an incredible diving catch at third slip off Sanderson.Jennings took four early boundaries off Guthrie, flaying Procter through deep extra cover and playing an exquisite late cut. He drove Procter down the ground to bring up Lancashire’s 50 in 12.5 overs but fell soon after, bowled by Australian quick Harry Conway, playing his first home game for Northamptonshire.Harris looked less comfortable early doors, edging just in front of the keeper and wide of the slips and was dropped in the slips on 28. He started to hit his stride though with some handsome drives.Dropped at short-midwicket before he had scored, Hurst played some attractive shots, cutting Harrison for four shortly before stumps.