Category Uncategorized

Manchester United dropped yet more points at Old Trafford after another lacklustre performance under Ruben Amorim. The Red Devils were held to a 1-1 draw by relegation-threatened West Ham United, failing to create many substantial chances despite having the lion’s share of the possession.

Indeed, the first half went by without the home side creating too many chances of note. The closest they came was thanks to an effort from Joshua Zirkzee.

The Dutchman, who was one of the best players in Red on the night, saw his well-directed effort cleared off the line by former United right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

It took United until the second half to break the deadlock. It was a rare Premier League goal from Diogo Dalot, which was enough to put Amorim’s side ahead, and what a strike it was.

The ball dropped to the wing-back in the penalty area, and after a superb first touch, he fired the Red Devils ahead.

United never looked like doubling their lead, with Amorim making substitutions but once again opting against bringing Kobbie Mainoo on.

They paid the price with seven minutes left. The Hammers equalised thanks to a late strike from player of the match Soungoutou Magassa.

Indeed, Amorim’s underwhelming substitutions did not help United’s cause.

Amorim’s in-game management vs. West Ham

One of the biggest criticisms against the United manager throughout his 12-month tenure has been his in-game management. Well, the substitutions he made against the Hammers on Thursday night were underwhelming.

Zirkzee, who was linking up play nicely, was replaced by Mason Mount, and Manuel Ugarte was also brought on. That meant there was once again no place for Mainoo, who still cannot get the chance to showcase his skills for an extended period in the Premier League.

Lisandro Martinez also came on with the score at 1-1. It was a positive thing to see the 2022 World Cup winner coming stepping onto the Old Trafford pitch for the first time since February, but bringing a centre-back on when your side is chasing a goal to win the game is a strange call.

United social media presence, Alice said, the manager’s “subs and in-game management is shocking time and time again.” She also called out the decision to take Zirkzee off, and bringing Ugarte on over Mainoo when the Red Devils “need control” to help get over the line.

However, there was one substitution Amorim did get right, taking off one player who struggled.

The United star who's been overhyped

It was not the return from injury that Matheus Cunha may have hoped for. He was replaced by Ugarte on the 77-minute mark, after a performance which was “ineffective”, according to journalist Laurie Whitwell.

Indeed, the Brazilian struggled to get into the game against the East Londoners. He only had 46 touches across the 90 minutes, losing the ball 18 times and failing to create a chance in that time.

Off the ball, United’s number ten won just three from 11 duels.

Cunha key stats vs. West Ham

Stat

Number

Touches

46

Number of times ball lost

18

Pass accuracy

69%

Duels won

3/11

Key passes

0

Crosses completed

0

Expected goal involvements

0.29xGI

Stats from Sofascore

His disappointing performance earned him a 5/10 rating from Goal journalist Richard Martin. He noted that Cunha failed to make any sort of impact, describing his efforts at Old Trafford as ‘underwhelming’.

It remains to be seen if Amorim will keep Cunha in the starting lineup for the next game, a trip to his former club, Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Brazilian has not really hit the ground running for the Red Devils so far, with just one goal and no assists in 11 Premier League games.

Whilst that is not necessarily just his fault, United fans may well have wanted more from one of their marquee summer additions. Perhaps there was an element of Cunha getting overhyped, with CEO Omar Berrada suggesting he could be “Cantona-esque” for the club.

That is a lot of pressure for someone to have placed on them immediately after joining a huge club, despite the Brazilian’s obvious confidence.

Things have not really gone that way for Cunha so far in a United shirt, and his performances have certainly left a little to be desired, as the game against West Ham showed.

With other options, such as Mount and Mainoo, at Amorim’s disposal, he may well make the bold decision to rotate his number 10 out of the starting 11 next Monday. Cunha can certainly add a little bit extra in the final third to make him a more dangerous option going forward.

Related £30m Man Utd flop has been so bad he makes Ugarte look like a good signing

INEOS have made great strides of late with regard to Man Utd’s recruitment, although it hasn’t all been perfect.

Posts 1 ByRobbie Walls Dec 4, 2025

Tottenham are looking to get back to winning ways against Fulham tonight with Thomas Frank handed a key selection decision ahead of the Premier League clash.

Tottenham face Fulham after back-to-back defeats

Spurs face a crucial test when Fulham visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Frank desperate for a response following Wednesday’s devastating 5-3 Champions League defeat to PSG.

The Parc des Princes encounter saw Spurs’ unbeaten European run spectacularly ended despite twice taking the lead, with Vitinha’s sensational hat-trick ultimately proving the difference.

The result leaves Tottenham fifteenth in the Champions League standings, significantly increasing pressure on Frank to arrest their recent slide.

The Lilywhites have won just one of their last five games in all competitions, a 4-0 rout of Danish minnows FC Copenhagen, with London rivals Chelsea and Arsenal recently putting them to the sword.

25/26 Premier League

Spurs

League rank

xG

11.0

17th

Non-penalty xG

11.0

16th

Progressive passes

413

12th

Shots

110

19th

Shots on target

40

15th

Average shot distance

15.6 yards

17th

Stats via FBref

Dominic Solanke’s continued absence through injury compounds Tottenham’s attacking concerns. The striker has been out since undergoing ankle surgery earlier in the season, managing just 47 minutes of football all campaign.

His unavailability places enormous responsibility on Randal Kolo Muani and Richarlison to provide a consistent goalscoring threat, though Frank has suggested that the former will be given the nod against Fulham after his breathtaking PSG performance.

The Frenchman donned a mask for his fractured jaw, scoring a brace and providing an assist against his parent club, with Frank confirming that Kolo Muani is fit enough to start this evening.

However, one man who won’t be taking part is star defender Cristian Romero.

Tottenham "liability" left Thomas Frank "raging"

The Argentine endured an evening to forget away to PSG, with talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook branding him a “liability” that would have left Frank “raging”.

Romero is set to miss tonight’s clash with Fulham through suspension, meaning that Kevin Danso is more than likely set to partner Micky van de Ven at the heart of Frank’s defence.

This could be enough to get the job done against a Fulham side who are firm candidates for relegation after a lacklustre start to 2025/2026, but Frank will be wary that Marco Silva’s men have won two of their last three Premier League games.

Even after Romero’s disasterclass at PSG, the 27-year-old remains a key figurehead for Spurs and partners van de Ven to devastating effect at times.

Ange Postecoglou always had a much better time as Spurs boss when both men were available to play his high line, but Danso has proved that he can do a solid job when called upon.

The opener exuded confidence ahead of Pakistan’s first game of the Asia Cup in Abu Dhabi, against Sri Lanka

Danyal Rasool22-Sep-20251:39

Chopra: Clear difference in Pakistan’s intent with the bat

Pakistan may be sitting at the bottom of the Super Four table after another fairly convincing defeat against India, but their best performer on the night felt the game showed what Pakistan were capable of. Sahibzada Farhan, who dominated the first ten overs of the contest and scored a 34-ball half-century, was confident Pakistan were well set up to put themselves on the board against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.”The way we batted today, the boys are very confident,” Farhan said, speaking after the game against India. “The wickets in Abu Dhabi are true and the ball comes onto the bat, and we’ll play to win.”Unlike Sri Lanka, who have played two of their four games in Dubai, Pakistan’s four matches at the Asia Cup have all taken place there. Without a formal training session, they will go into a game which may end up proving an eliminator for the losing side, with Sri Lanka having begun the Super Fours with defeat to Bangladesh. Farhan, though, dismissed the idea that preparation was a concern.Related

• Similar goals, similar problems: SL, Pakistan resume borderline sappy yet competitive rivalry

“We’re very well prepared. The boys are confident ahead of the Sri Lanka game because this wasn’t a one-sided game; it was one we took right to the end.”That increased optimism is largely down to Farhan himself. His start, particularly in the way he took down Jasprit Bumrah in the powerplay, as well as the aggression against Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel in the four overs that followed, took Pakistan to 91 for 1 in ten overs, their highest midway total against India. Despite a post-drinks slowdown which robbed them of momentum, Pakistan posted 171, requiring India to complete the highest successful chase of the tournament for victory.”I worked a lot on my six hitting,” Farhan, who hit three sixes and is Pakistan’s highest run-scorer of the tournament, said. “When I used to score runs before, there were very few boundaries among them. If we’d won this game, it would have been very valuable to me. Performing against India is very highly rated but I just regret we didn’t win the game today.”The mistake we were making in previous matches was losing wickets early on and not utilising the powerplay. This time around our powerplay was brilliant, with 91 in 10 overs. There was a collapse in the middle and we’ll look to rectify that.”When, with a six of Axar, Farhan reached his half-century, he opted to celebrate in a manner that raised eyebrows at the time, with Farhan cocking his bat and miming the firing of a gun. It was just one of the flashpoints in an ill-tempered game between the two sides, though Farhan said there was nothing to read into it.”That celebration was just a spur of the moment. I rarely celebrate when I get to fifty,” he said. “But when I got there I suddenly got the idea of celebrating, and so I did without knowing or caring how people would interpret it. We should play aggressive cricket against any team, not just India, the way we played today.”Farhan hoped Pakistan and India aren’t done with each other yet in the Asia Cup. “We’d love to be able to meet India again in the final.”Their trip to Abu Dhabi is likely to have a huge say in determining how realistic that ambition is.

Dani Dyer is in danger of seeing her worst nightmare become a reality, with Jarrod Bowen facing a huge transfer call at West Ham. Nigel Winterburn has been discussing the Hammers captain’s future with GOAL, in an exclusive interview, with the England international being likened to Premier League legend Matt Le Tissier when it comes to mulling over personal ambition.

Career crossroads: Bowen facing future decision

Bowen has been at the London Stadium since 2020, reaching 250 appearances for West Ham and 20 caps for his country. He is a talismanic presence for the Hammers, with a leadership armband now being filled, but has seen the east London outfit struggle for consistency as a collective.

Conference League success was savoured in 2023, with Bowen netting a dramatic winner in the final of that competition, but little progress has been made since then – despite the Hammers’ skipper registering 34 goals across the last two seasons.

He will turn 29 before the end of the calendar year and appears to be approaching an important career crossroads. Bowen must decide whether he wants to remain loyal to West Ham – with family ties to the club now boasted through wife Dani and her Hammers-made father Danny – or open himself up to offers from elsewhere.

AdvertisementAFPStay or go? Bowen faces Le Tissier-esque poser

Quizzed on whether individual targets could lead Bowen to explore other options, ex-West Ham defender Winterburn – speaking in association with – told GOAL: “For me, football is about ambition. Sometimes you can, as a player, be at the right club, at the right time and they can be successful. With Bowen, it’s difficult to know what his real thoughts are.

“I’m not saying pushing for a move, but will he – if a big offer comes in for him – want to entertain it? Will West Ham entertain that offer for him? He’s a talented player. It’s so hard to judge whether that player wants to move to the next level in the Premier League – which could mean, maybe, slightly less game time. At West Ham, he is guaranteed to start every single week if he is fit, I don’t think that’s in question. If you moved to one of the top four, you could say that might be in question – you might not start every week.

“We saw a little bit of this years and years ago, the same sort of situation, with Matt Le Tissier. He didn’t want to leave Southampton, but there were some good offers for him. I think Man United might have been one at the time. He felt comfortable where he was and that’s what he wanted to do. You have to respect that.”

Dyer nightmare: Bowen transfer fear revealed

Dyer has made no secret of the fact that she wants to remain close to her roots in the East End, with the ex-Love Island contestant afraid of what a move for Bowen would mean. A source has told : “Dani’s terrified it could put a big dampener on Christmas. Even if nothing happens until January, there will still be that elephant in the room.

“They’ve always joked that Danny would rather Jarrod cheat on his daughter than leave West Ham. Of course, he understands Jarrod may have to leave for the sake of his career – he’s just praying the team turn things around and that Jarrod gives West Ham one last chance.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty/InstagramBowen contract: When West Ham deal expires

Pressed further on whether Bowen is in ‘now or never’ territory when it comes to a career-defining transfer, given his age, Winterburn added: “You would think that. I’m not sure about January, but maybe next season. You may start to question if he didn’t move next season, then his commitment to West Ham – it’s not in doubt anyway – but it would suggest that would be it. That would be where he would see most of his career being until he decides to retire.”

Bowen, who tied the knot with Dyer back in May, is working on a long-term contract at West Ham that is due to run until 2030. His partner and in-laws will be hoping to see that agreement honoured, but there remains a chance that a change of scenery will be sought in 2026 – with the Hammers forward still clinging to World Cup dreams with England.

Bruno Fernandes was back to his best to guide Manchester United past a sorry Wolves and into the Premier League's top six. The United captain scored twice and got an assist in a 4-1 win at Molineux although it was not a trouble-free night for the Red Devils, who suffered the embarrassment of being the first team to concede a league goal to Wolves since October.

Wolves went into the game having lost their last eight matches in all competitions and without scoring a league goal in more than two months. They made things easy for United, which was just as well as the Red Devils did not exactly bring their A game. Diogo Dalot should have made more of a piece of quick-thinking by Fernandes which played him through on goal but he couldn't beat Sam Johnstone.

United did take the lead through more awful Wolves defending, as Casemiro capitalised on Andre's dilly-dallying on the ball to rob his countryman and send it to Matheus Cunha. The former Wolves forward bungled his pass to Fernandes, who then fell over but still managed to score past Johnstone.

United had a triple chance to double the lead which saw Bryan Mbeumo denied by Sam Johnstone, Cunha's follow-up shot blocked on the line by Toti Gomes and then Amad Diallo whistled the rebound wide. The visitors must have been kicking themselves as Bellegarde scored in the second minute of added time at the end of the half after United had failed to clear their lines. It was Wolves' first league goal since October 26, when they were beaten at home by Burnley.

United, for once, responded well to the setback and came out looking determined to put things right. They got their lead back in the 51st minute thanks to a quick breakaway move which led to Dalot passing for Mbeumo to slot into an unguarded net. They then went for the jugular as they had to and sealed the points. 

Mason Mount produced a smart volley to finish off a Fernandes pass and then the captain rounded off a pleasing evening for him by bagging a penalty after a handball, given by VAR, against Yerson Mosquera. 

GOAL rates Man United's players from Molineux…

• AFP
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Senne Lammens (6/10):

  Transmitted confidence, especially when dealing with crosses. Had few shots to make and blameless for the goal.

  Noussair Mazraoui (6/10):

  Brushed off a bruising challenge by Jhon Arias and delivered a composed display, calmly averting the danger on the rare occasions there was any.

  Ayden Heaven (5/10):

  Surprising to see him start after his poor game against West Ham. Looked very relaxed and nearly ran into trouble in the first half. Made a couple of good interventions, especially against Arias and Fer Lopez, but his lack of authority when Wolves scored showed he is not suitable to lead the three-man defence.

  Luke Shaw (7/10):

  Strong all-round display, even withstanding his casual play against Lopez and needing help from Heaven. His aggressive defending helped United play on the front foot. It was his tackle on Bellegarde which sparked the counter leading to Mbeumo's goal.

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  Midfield

  Amad Diallo (6/10):

  Didn't really get into the game. Fired wide after Cunha's shot was hacked away while in the second half he made a promising dribble then didn't know what to do next. 

  Casemiro (7/10):

  Put in a combative performance, harrying Andre to help create the opening goal. Protected the defence well around the area.

  Bruno Fernandes (8/10):

  Back to his dominant best after a poor display against West Ham, having his say in all four goals. Managed to score after slipping over; drove the team forward leading to the second goal; put in a peach of a cross for Mount and then calmly slotted in the penalty. 

  Diogo Dalot (7/10):

  An excellent display which showed he can help the team despite playing on his weaker left side. Should have done better with his chance but made amends with good wing play, teeing up a header for Cunha with the outside of his foot and then generously setting up Mbeumo to score.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Attack

  Bryan Mbeumo (7/10):

  Gave a typically energetic performance and took the rough with the smooth. Should have scored when Johnstone denied him but kept his head up and could hardly miss Dalot's gift after bursting forward. Booked for a foul on Arias after trying to compensate for losing the ball to him.

  Matheus Cunha (6/10):

  A rusty display against his old club. Got an assist despite bungling his pass to Bruno and should have done better with his attempt even with Gomes clearing it off the line. Couldn't get the ball out of his feet when it fell to him in the area although to his credit he set Dalot on his way when United restored their lead. 

  Mason Mount (7/10):

  Capped a fine display with a fine finish. Involved in United's best moves, demonstrating his footballing intelligence as well as his technique.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• AFP
  

  Subs & Manager

  Lisandro Martinez (6/10):

  Got the away crowd going with a couple of meaty challenges.

  Leny Yoro (6/10):

  Gave the team a bit more leadership in defence.

  Kobbie Mainoo (6/10):

  Played it simple to ensure United had no late panic.

  Patrick Dorgu (N/A):

  Replaced Dalot in the 84th minute.

  Joshua Zirkzee (N/A):

  Got six minutes plus added time but looked in no hurry to increase the damage on Wolves.

  Ruben Amorim (7/10):

  Watched his team mostly dominate and recover well from a setback, with the important caveat they were playing a historically awful Wolves side.

Manchester United have now reportedly been offered the chance to sign an England midfielder for just £26m when the January transfer window arrives.

Man Utd seeking midfield reinforcements

In the summer, it was Ruben Amorim’s frontline that took the focus as INEOS welcomed Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko in an impressive window. Now, when 2026 arrives, it looks as though Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to turn his attention towards Man United’s midfield.

Those at Old Trafford were eyeing a move for Carlos Baleba at the end of the summer window, before Brighton & Hove Albion priced them out of a move. Months on, it seems as though the midfielder has fallen down Man United’s shortlist of targets, with Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson now taking centre-stage.

The 23-year-old is quickly becoming the most sought-after player in the Premier League, but he’s not the only option on United’s list of targets in the middle of the park.

They’ve also reportedly been told that they can now sign Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid at a bargain price in January. The former Chelsea man could be on his way back to the Premier League as he looks to earn his way back into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Man Utd now offered bargain Conor Gallagher deal

According to Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, Man United have now been told that they can sign Gallagher for just €30m (£26m) when 2026 arrives. The England international has become surplus to requirements at Atletico Madrid and he’s now ready to leave the club in pursuit of consistent game time.

Dubbed “intense” by Simeone, Gallagher could provide the legs in United’s midfield that Casemiro is otherwise unable to provide these days. The 25-year-old is a true midfield workhorse, who also has a knack for popping up with goals when needed.

Although United’s big target is Anderson, they’d be doing their top four prospects no harm by welcoming Gallagher in the January transfer window, especially at just £26m.

Man Utd eye move for £80m star who Man City would "love" to buy in January

The Red Devils could be in a direct fight with their Premier League rivals to land his signature.

BySean Markus Clifford Nov 29, 2025

Whether INEOS will be willing to act as early as the winter window remains to be seen, however. They may yet put all of their funds towards winning what is looking likely to be a hectic race for Anderson next summer.

INEOS can fund Elliot Anderson move by offloading Man Utd's "best player"

Joshua Kimmich has long been one of Europe’s most tactically gifted players, but the debate around his best position has followed him for nearly a decade. Now, German legend Philipp Lahm weighs in with clarity. From Bayern Munich’s shifting systems to Germany’s evolving identity, Lahm explains why Kimmich’s versatility is both a blessing and a burden, and where he truly belongs on the pitch.

• Lahm explains where Kimmich should really play

  At Bayern, Kimmich has spent the last few seasons orchestrating play as a No. 6, the heartbeat of midfield. For Germany, however, recent tournaments have seen him pushed back to right-back, a role he mastered earlier in his career.

  Lahm, the one player Kimmich is most often compared to, finally offered a clear and thoughtful answer. Reflecting on his own positional shifts during the 2014 World Cup, Lahm explained the unique circumstances behind his temporary move into midfield.

  “My situation was a little different because Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira were both returning from long-term injuries. So I initially played in midfield and then returned to the full-back position because it was better for the team,” said Lahm.

  Germany’s balance dictated Lahm’s role at the time. But with Kimmich, Lahm sees no such tactical necessity forcing him back into defence. Instead, he believes Kimmich is strongest where he can influence the game everywhere which is certainly the middle of the pitch.

  Speaking at his induction into the German Sports Hall of Fame, Lahm stated: “To be honest, I actually see him as number eight, with a number six next to him. That would be my optimal position for Joshua Kimmich.”

  He further dismissed concerns about Kimmich’s positional switches: “Of course, it helps a player if he plays in one position for a longer period of time, also for the safety of the team. But there are always exceptions, and Joshua Kimmich has proven that he can play both positions at a high level.”

  Kimmich’s evolution at Germany mirrors Lahm’s career arc, with leadership responsibilities growing each year. Now captain of the national team, he is steering a side in transition, a path Lahm once walked. Both crossed the 100-cap mark, both led their countries through identity shifts, and both became tactical cornerstones for club and country.

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  What connects Kimmich and Lahm

  Comparisons between Kimmich and Lahm are inevitable because of the similarities and the overlap in their careers. Lahm retired, Kimmich stepped in. Lahm mastered both full-back and midfield, Kimmich followed the same path.

  After Lahm’s retirement in 2017, the Bavarians needed a modern full-back who could also drift into midfield, Kimmich filled the void seamlessly. Over the years, as Bayern shifted toward a more possession-dominant style, he moved into midfield permanently and became the club’s main tempo-setter. This mirrored Lahm’s late-career shift under Pep Guardiola, who famously called Lahm “the most intelligent player I have ever coached.”

  The comparison also persists because Kimmich embodies Lahm’s traits with leadership, discipline, tactical discipline, and versatility. He has captained Germany, orchestrated Bayern’s midfield and continues to be the emotional engine of both teams.

  But Kimmich brings something different too, a more aggressive passing range, sharper deliveries and a directness Lahm rarely displayed. Their careers are intertwined, but their identities are distinct. Lahm recognises this, praising Kimmich’s adaptability while reminding critics that he is his own player.

• Bayern’s evolution: From Lahm’s era to Kimmich’s rise

  Lahm’s Bayern era was defined by control, precision and tactical perfection. He was the anchor of a team that won a treble and consistently dominated Europe. His reading of the game was so sharp that Guardiola shifted him from full-back to defensive midfield without hesitation and the transition was flawless. 

  Kimmich’s journey followed a different rhythm. Early scepticism about his size, physicality and defensive experience faded quickly as he became one of Europe’s top right-backs from 2016 to 2019. After mastering that role, Bayern’s changing systems moved him into midfield, where he powered the sextuple-winning 2019-20 season.   

  As Germany moved into a new era after the retirements of icons such as Lahm, Schweinsteiger, and later Toni Kroos and Ilkay Gundogan, Kimmich stepped into a central role. His performances in Nations League campaigns, Euro qualifiers and friendly fixtures showcased his ability to dominate games with passing range, tactical reading, and relentless work rate. Kimmich’s influence grew further when he was appointed the captain of Germany, becoming the face of a country trying to rebuild its footballing identity after years of inconsistency.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Kimmich's chance to shine at the 2026 World Cup

  Kimmich’s positioning debate is not just tactical — it shapes the identity of both Bayern Munich and Germany. For Bayern, the question is whether he remains the heartbeat of midfield or shifts again depending on future managers. His ability to dictate tempo, orchestrate build-up, and deliver in big matches makes him irreplaceable.

  For Germany, the discussion is even more crucial. The national team is rebuilding after several disappointing tournaments, and Kimmich’s exact role will determine the stability of the midfield and the freedom of emerging attackers. The upcoming 2026 World Cup is a huge occasion for Kimmich to step up and bring the trophy to Munich like Lahm. 

England have deferred a final decision on their team for the first Ashes Test until Friday morning as they weigh up the merits of picking a spinner in Perth.Ben Stokes has often named an XI two full days out from Tests since taking over as captain, but on this occasion England announced they had trimmed their 16-man squad down to 12 names on Wednesday. Stokes said before England’s training session on Thursday afternoon that they would “probably” have a final team later in the day, but has instead opted for a final look at the pitch on the first morning.England’s biggest decision surrounds the possible inclusion of Shoaib Bashir on a pitch expected to offer pace and bounce for their fast bowlers. Australia’s Nathan Lyon has a formidable record at Perth Stadium, with 29 wickets at 20.86, but visiting spinners have a combined record of eight wickets at 87.50 at the venue.Related

• Weatherald and Doggett handed debuts in first Ashes Test

• Perth curators ride the storms as pitch battle adds Ashes intrigue

• Stokes yearns to join 'lucky few' in Ashes history

• Smith: If the result doesn't go our way, we can turn it around

Bashir has not played competitively since taking the final wicket in England’s fifth-day win over India at Lord’s in July, having broken the little finger on his left hand earlier in the match. He was expensive in England’s warm-up match last week, returning figures of 2 for 151 off 24 overs, but Stokes backed him to play a role at some stage in the series.”Team sport takes all 11 [players] to influence a game at some point,” Stokes said. “All 11 guys who get the honour of being selected in the next five games will be just as important as each other. He was always going to be in the 12-man [squad]. Seeing the way the game at Lilac Hill went, it felt like we could just get him as many opportunities to bowl as possible.”It leaves open the possibility that England will field an all-seam attack for only the third time since Stokes took over as captain three years ago, which would see Jofra Archer and Mark Wood paired together for only the second time in Tests. They have lost on both previous occasions, against Australia at Lord’s in 2023 and against India at The Oval in August.Wood appeared to be a major doubt after hamstring soreness in England’s warm-up game, but Stokes was bullish about his prospects on Thursday. “He’s flying,” Stokes said. “I know you guys say he only bowled eight overs in the game, but he’s been bowling for a long, long time. He has always been someone who can just hit the ground running in a game, and he’s bowling rapid.”Some of England’s unused squad members may feature for England Lions in their four-day match against a Cricket Australia XI at Lilac Hill, which also starts on Friday. Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks and Matthew Potts are all in contention to play.England XII: Ben Stokes (capt), Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Chelsea’s opening goal in the 1-1 draw against Arsenal on Sunday should have been disallowed under IFAB Law 11.

Arsenal unable to take all three points against ten-man Chelsea

With Moises Caicedo being shown a straight red card after fouling Mikel Merino in the first half, the Gunners would’ve been expecting to pick up what could be a crucial three points at Stamford Bridge, but the hosts refused to lie down.

In fact, Trevoh Chalobah opened the scoring for Enzo Maresca’s side just after half-time, although the north Londoners were ultimately able to come away with a point, as Mikel Merino was able to level things up just over ten minutes later.

Speaking after the game, Maresca made it clear he had no problem with Caicedo being given his marching orders, although he did question why Tottenham Hotspur’s Rodrigo Bentancur was not sent off for a similar challenge last month.

However, Mikel Arteta may have complaints of his own, with VAR being accused of going “completely blind” and missing Enzo Fernandez in an offside position during Chalobah’s opening goal.

IFAB’s Law 11 describes offside offences, and Fernandez’s position battling against Cristhian Mosquera certainly meets the criteria for ‘interfering with an opponent’.

A player in an offside position at the moment the ball is played or touched* by a team-mate is only penalised on becoming involved in active play by:

interfering with play by playing or touching a ball passed or touched by a team-mate or interfering with an opponent by: preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision or challenging an opponent for the ball or clearly attempting to play a ball which is close when this action impacts on an opponent or making an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball

However, the goal stood and Maresca’s side managed to hold out for a draw, despite having ten men for most of the game, so Arteta arguably has a right to feel aggrieved the Gunners were unable to extend their lead at the top.

Arsenal should have taken three points regardless

Although there is a case to be made that Chalobah’s goal should’ve been ruled out, Arsenal will be kicking themselves, given that Caicedo’s early red card presented them with a golden opportunity to pick up a victory.

Arteta concurs that it was two points dropped, saying after the game: “I think overall it’s been a really positive week because the difficulty was immense.

“But I have this flavour that today we should have and we could have won the game and we haven’t. That’s a learning point from it.”

Arteta must drop 4/10 Arsenal star who lost every single duel vs Chelsea

Arsenal were not at their free-flowing best as they drew with Chelsea.

ByMatt Dawson Dec 1, 2025

That said, the north Londoners shouldn’t be too disheartened, as getting a point at Stamford Bridge is still a good result, and they have a healthy lead at the top of the Premier League table, currently sitting five points clear of Man City.

Kostas Tsimikas is keen to make a return to Merseyside when his season-long loan with Serie A side Roma comes to end, saying he’s a “Greek Scouser and always will be”. Tsimikas has had to battle for his place at Roma, but with Liverpool’s defensive frailties, he believes he can still make an impact at Anfield.

Greek star struggles in Eternal City

Tsimikas has made six appearances in Serie A and four in the Europa League, but has struggled to cement a regular place in the team and has fallen down the pecking order behind Angelino and other defenders. Roma only agreed to a straight loan deal with no obligation to buy, a decision the club is reportedly happy about given his limited impact and inconsistent performances. Operating primarily as a left wing-back in manager Gian Piero Gasperini's 3-4-3 formation, Tsimikas has struggled to nail down the left-back slot. Notably, during a Europa League match against Lille in October it was his crucial early error which led to the only goal of the game, and Tsimikas was substituted at half-time, with Italian media labeling his performance a "nightmare".

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTsimikas: 'I was the Greek Scouser'

Tsimikas told : "I miss the city. I lived there for five years. I love everything in Liverpool. They have a special part of my heart. The people are very kind, some of the kindest I’ve ever met in football. They’d always try to support the team, in good, in bad, they would always do their best to try to help you. I want everything for this club, because from day one, I was fully committed there. I was the Greek Scouser and I always will be, I’ll keep it for my whole life."

And when pressed on whether he’d like to return to Anfield, Tsimikas added: "You never know. The most important thing for me is to be healthy, to train hard, to play more games. Next year is a different story for me. I want to be successful, I want to win things. Only God knows what will happen in the next year."

Three years, three very different managers

Tsimikas joined Liverpool in Jurgen Klopp’s final year and then spent a season under Arne Slot before joining Roma under Gasperini, three managers with very different football ideals. But Tsimikas says he’s trying to learn something different from each one of them. He said: “I think Gasperini is more direct. Slot was more detailed about the game plan, whereas Gasperini is a lot more physical as well. At the moment, for me, it’s about getting used to the playing style, and it’s a little tougher for me. But I have to try to give my best every time the coach gives me the opportunity to play. The team comes first, and I want to be a big part of that, hopefully celebrating at the end of the season with a trophy.” 

He added: "I remember going to Denmark (to play for Esbjerg). I was just a kid. Everything was dark because I went at Christmas time. It was the first time I left Greece. And it made me more physical, it made me into a man."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportWest Ham test facing struggling Reds

The Greece international will be keeping a keen eye on Liverpool’s match with West Ham today and the line-up chosen by beleaguered Reds boss Slot, who is under pressure to ring the changes, particularly in defence. The Anfield side’s defence has been leaky this season, with a number of basic errors from defenders contributing to their demise on a regular basis, the recent 4-1 defeat by PSV Eindhoven was marked by a blatant handball from captain Virgil van Dijk to concede a penalty and Ibrahima Konate allowed the ball to bounce past him for PSV’s third goal.