Ruben Dias has explained why Erling Haaland is “very similar” to Cristiano Ronaldo, with the Manchester City and Portugal defender having played with both. At club level, Dias has seen Haaland hit another purple patch that has helped him to reach 324 career goals three years quicker than five-time Ballon d’Or winner CR7 managed – with the prolific Norwegian seemingly taking his game to even greater heights.
Haaland goals in 2025-26: How many has he scored?
A red-hot start to the 2025-26 campaign has been enjoyed by Haaland, with the target being found on 23 occasions through 13 appearances for club and country. He came agonisingly close to claiming a ninth Premier League hat-trick last time out when bagging a brace for City in their 2-0 victory over Everton – with several big opportunities being spurned.
Just three months after turning 25, Haaland has reached 324 goals. He has hit that point considerably quicker than Ronaldo, who remains in the process of chasing down 1,000 – with the Portuguese GOAT, who now plies his trade for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, sitting on 949 and counting.
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Qualities shared by Haaland and Ronaldo
Dias will be hoping to help Ronaldo challenge for World Cup glory next summer, having starred alongside Haaland in City’s quest for more domestic and continental honours. He is understandably delighted to be a team-mate of two iconic goalscorers that boast similar traits.
Dias told reporters when asked about how Haaland and Ronaldo compare: “It's a good reflection of his state of mind. In that he is very similar to Ronaldo. Everyone wants to score goals, but both of them have this ability to just keep on scoring and scoring. We're just happy that Erling is in this moment and we want him to continue. We want to keep pushing him because we want him to break records that have not been beaten before.
“You need to ask Erling and Cristiano (about what makes them so special), but obviously mentality is key in everything that everyone does. That will be a big part of it. But also natural talent and a lot of other things.”
Best version of Haaland? Dias answers tough question
Haaland hit 52 goals for City in his debut campaign at the Etihad Stadium, helping them to a Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup treble. His 36 efforts in the English top-flight that season was a new record.
Quizzed on whether Haaland is even better now, Dias added: “I don't really know because Erling has beaten the Premier League goals record before, so better than ever? He's always been brilliant and on a very special level. Last season was obviously tricky for us, but it was probably the moment after winning so much.
“I actually don't know what his numbers are, but we will keep pushing him. We will push everyone on the pitch because only that way will we achieve great things. If anyone thinks we have won enough here then they're in the wrong place. If players keep pushing themselves for better individual form then a better collective form comes out. That's the only way.”
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Premier League record? Future targets for Haaland
Haaland is working on a contract at City through to 2034. Alan Shearer has told of his all-time Premier League goal record of 260 potentially being eclipsed by a man that currently has 96 to his name: “Yes, Haaland is the perfect centre-forward. His record is phenomenal, appetite to score is fantastic. I love it. He’s quick, strong, agile, he reacts quicker than most around the six-yard box which is impressive and his ability to put the ball in the back of the net is magnificent. If you’re building a footballer or centre-forward, you wouldn’t look too far away from Haaland being the perfect one.
“Haaland could definitely break my Premier League goal record. There’s no doubt that if he does another seven or eight years, maybe even less then he’ll have a brilliant chance of breaking it. But there’s so many ifs and different things that could happen to that. There are so many ifs and buts, but absolutely, if Haaland was to stay in the Premier League another six or seven years then he’s definitely someone who could, and probably will break my record.”
It remains to be seen how long Haaland will remain in Manchester. He continues to attract interest from the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona, as they remain in the market for the best players on the planet, and is already considered to be one of, if not the best goalscorer that the Premier League has ever seen – topping the likes of Shearer and Harry Kane.
Tottenham Hotspur continued their impressive start to life under Thomas Frank with a 3-0 win over West Ham United at the London Stadium on Saturday.
Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergval, and Micky van de Ven scored the goals for the Lilywhites to claim all three points against their London rivals, taking them to three wins from four matches.
One thing Spurs have not had so far this season, though, is an academy graduate playing any minutes in the Premier League, as they are still looking for their next Harry Kane.
Why Spurs need to find their next Harry Kane
Not every supporter will feel this way, or as strongly as others do, but it can be a source of pride to have a player from the team’s academy shining week-in-week-out. One of their own.
Kane was the ultimate version of that. He burst through the academy and loan systems to emerge as an incredible performer, moving on from North London in 2023 with a club-record 280 goals in all competitions, per Transfermarkt.
As well as being one of their own, England’s all-time top scorer was also the king of derby day for Tottenham with an impressive goalscoring record against Arsenal.
Kane achieved all of this, though, after he scored two goals for Leicester City, five goals for Leyton Orient, nine goals for Millwall, and no goals for Norwich City on loan before his first-team breakthrough, per Transfermarkt.
With this in mind, Spurs may be brewing their next version of Kane in one of their current young talents who are struggling out on loan at the moment, Mikey Moore.
Why Mikey Moore is the next Harry Kane in the making for Spurs
The 18-year-old winger was sent out on loan to Glasgow Rangers during the summer transfer window, but has not had the best start to life north of the border.
In five appearances in all competitions for the Scottish giants, Moore has yet to find the back of the net and his only assist came against Alloa Athletic, a lower league outfit in the League Cup, per Transfermarkt.
The England youth international has not hit the ground running for Russell Martin’s team at Ibrox, particularly in the Scottish Premiership, since completing his first loan move away from Spurs.
25/26 Premiership
Mikey Moore
Appearances
3
Starts
2
Shots on target
0
Goals
0
Key passes
1
Big chances created
0
Assists
0
Dribble success rate
17%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Moore has struggled in his first three league outings for Rangers, with no shots on target and no ‘big chances’ created for his team.
The 18-year-old talent is still finding his way at first-team level, though, and these are negative experiences that will provide the harsh lessons that he will need to learn from to kick on and progress, as Kane did after struggling in his loan spells away from Tottenham.
Moore, who analyst Ben Mattinson claimed has “superstar potential”, caught the eye at academy level for Spurs with a return of 19 goals and 13 assists in 24 matches for the U19s, per Transfermarkt.
These statistics show that the English youngster has the potential to deliver goals and assists on a regular basis, but it is down to him to start to show that in the first-team when he returns from Rangers next summer.
Spurs will be hoping that Moore, who has scored one goal for Tottenham’s first-team, uses the 2025/26 campaign as a big learning experience to teach him what to and what not to do at senior level as a regular starter.
Kane used his time at Millwall, Norwich, Leyton Orient, and Leicester to propel him to glory in the first-team, and Moore may well be on his way to following the England captain’s footsteps.
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At the age of 18, the winger has so much time left ahead of him to grow and develop. Hopefully, he will eventually be able to star for Spurs as their first-choice left winger in the future.
كشفت تقارير صحفية إسبانية حقيقة نية نجم فريق إنتر ميامي، ليونيل ميسي، الانخراط في سباق انتخابات رئاسة نادي برشلونة الإسباني، التي ستقام العام المقبل.
ومن المقرر أن تنطلق انتخابات المنافسة على مقعد رئيس نادي برشلونة في الربيع المقبل.
وظهرت تقارير صحفية اليوم، من أمريكا، تفيد أن ليونيل ميسي ينوي المشاركة في انتخابات برشلونة بطريقة ما، عن طريق دعم أقوى المرشحين المحتملين لمنافسة خوان لابورتا على ذلك المقعد (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).
ولكن صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية ذكرت أن الأمر ليس كذلك، حيث تحدثت قائلة: “بدأ المرشحون لرئاسة برشلونة في اتخاذ خطواتهم، حتى خوان لابورتا نفسه يتخذ قراراته بناءً على الانتخابات المقبلة، التي لا يزال موعدها مجهولاً، كما أن جميع المرشحين، بلا استثناء، بمن فيهم لابورتا، يتمنون الحصول على دعم ميسي”.
وأضافت: “بفضل المودة الكبرى التي يحظى بها من جانب جماهير برشلونة، والبصمة التي لا تمحى التي تركها والنجاحات التي حققها، وقيادته فريقًا كان محل حسد أوروبا بأكملها لعقد من الزمان، وسمح للنادي بجني أموال طائلة، سواء من خلال الجوائز أو البطولات أو حقوق الصور، لقد أوصل ميسي النادي إلى مكانة لم يسبق لها مثيل، وليس من قبيل الصدفة أن يختاره مشجعو برشلونة كأكثر لاعب محبوب في تاريخهم”.
وواصلت: “لهذه الأسباب جميعها، يُعد الحصول على دعم ميسي أحد الأسلحة التي سيسعى جميع المرشحين إلى الفوز بها في سباق الرئاسة، بمن فيهم الرئيس الحالي نفسه، الذي يسعى للبقاء في منصبه، الجميع يتمنى الأمر ذاته، فيلاجوانا، فونت، سيريا، كامبروبي وحتى لابورتا نفسه”.
وأكدت: “الأمر مختلف تمامًا حيث لن يبحث ميسي بنشاط عن مرشح، لقد جدد عقده مؤخرًا مع إنتر ميامي لثلاثة مواسم ويريد اللعب في الدوري الأمريكي حتى نهاية مسيرته، ويشعر بالقوة البدنية الكافية لمواصلة النضال، وعائلته سعيدة في ميامي، صحيح أنه يتابع ما يحدث في برشلونة، لكن حياته في فلوريدا في الوقت الحالي”.
وأفادت: “لذلك احتمال بحثه عن مرشح من أجل دعمه هو صفر، لا يمكن تخيل أن يتصل ميسي بأحد لهذا الغرض، الأمر مختلف تمامًا إذا تمكن أحدهم من التواصل معه وشرح مشروعه وإقناعه في النهاية”.
واختتمت: “مع ذلك لم يبدأ المرشحون العمل في هذا السيناريو بعد حيث أن السباق الانتخابي لا يزال في مراحله الأولى، وميسي لم يخط خطوة واحدة، ولن يطرق الباب”.
While the injury to Martin Odegaard certainly took the shine off things, it was a brilliant weekend for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners completely outplayed West Ham United, beating them 2-0 in what was the manager’s 300th game in charge, and with Liverpool losing on Sunday, they now sit atop the Premier League table.
However, it wasn’t just a milestone match for the boss, as Bukayo Saka also made his 200th league appearance against the Hammers, in which he produced his 100th league goal involvement.
The Hale Ender has been the face of Arsenal for some years now, and while he rightly got plenty of plaudits at full-time, it was another strong showing from one of his teammates, someone who has a claim to being one of the best signings of the Emirates era.
Saka's 200 Premier League games
Saka made his Arsenal debut under former manager Unai Emery in November 2018, coming on as a substitute in a game away to Ukrainian side Vorskla Poltava. He then made his full debut for the club a few months later at home against Qarabağ.
However, his first Premier League appearance came on New Year’s Day 2019, when he came off the bench against Fulham.
The Englishman wouldn’t feature again in the competition until the following season, when he started for the first time and got 45 minutes of action against Aston Villa before being taken off at half-time due to Ainsley Maitland-Niles being sent off.
Impressively, the 24-year-old’s first league goal involvement came the very next game against Manchester United, when he once again started off the left and provided an assist for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Three more assists would come before the Hale Ender finally scored his first goal in the competition in a game against Wolverhampton Wanderers, a game that saw Arteta play him on the right.
A return of nine goal involvements in 32 games marked a real improvement in the following campaign, but it was in the 21/22 season that the talismanic winger really began to show the rest of the league what he could do.
The Ealing-born monster racked up an impressive tally of 11 goals and seven assists in 38 appearances, and chalked up his first brace in a 5-0 thumping of Norwich City at Carrow Road.
Unsurprisingly, the England international has become an increasingly significant goal threat as the seasons have passed. Even though he missed almost four months of action last year, he still managed to produce 17 goal involvements in 25 league appearances.
Moreover, it was last season, in the game against West Ham at the London Stadium, in which he managed to produce four goal involvements in just 74 minutes of action; a goal and three assists.
Saka’s PL record
Season
Games
Goals
Assists
18/19
1
0
0
19/20
26
1
5
20/21
32
5
4
21/22
38
11
7
22/23
38
14
12
23/24
35
16
12
24/25
25
6
11
25/26
5
2
0
All Stats via Transfermarkt
In all, while there is still so much to come from Saka, he has already established himself as one of the very best in the Premier League over the years.
However, there was another Arsenal star who shone against the Hammers, and looks like he is becoming another Saka-esque star.
Arsenal's new Saka-esque star
The good news for Arteta is that there are quite a few players in this squad who could be classed as his best signing.
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Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
However, in this instance, the player who deserves far more credit than he currently gets, and is becoming something of a Saka-esque star, is Jurrien Timber.
The Dutch international joined the club from Ajax in the summer of 2023 for a fee of around £38m, and despite missing practically all of the 23/24 season through an ACL injury, he has been immense in red and white.
He might not bomb up and down the pitch in the same explosive fashion as a Jeremie Frimpong, but the 24-year-old is a wall at the back, and to his credit, has become more of an attacking outlet over the last year or so.
For example, FBref now ranks him in the top 9% of full-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for through balls, the top 10% for progressive passes and the top 12% for goal-creating actions, all per 90.
Timber’s Scout Report
Statistics
Per 90
Percentile
Tackles (Att 3rd)
0.62
Top 1%
npxG/Shot
0.14
Top 7%
Passes Blocked
0.73
Top 7%
Pass Completion %
86.5%
Top 8%
GCA (Shot)
0.05
Top 8%
Through Balls
0.19
Top 9%
Tackles (Mid 3rd)
1.08
Top 9%
Progressive Passes
5.95
Top 10%
Touches (Att Pen)
2.66
Top 10%
Goal-Creating Actions
0.38
Top 12%
Penalty Kicks Won
0.03
Top 12%
GCA (Take-On)
0.03
Top 13%
Tackles
2.64
Top 14%
All Stats via FBref
On top of that, the Utrecht-born star has already scored two goals and provided two assists in just seven league appearances this season, with that second assist leading to Saka’s penalty.
However, while his continual improvement going forward is certainly a bonus, what really makes the Dutchman such an incredible player – and why the club view him “as one of the best in the world,” per Graeme Bailey – is his defensive brilliance.
He is an absolute rock at right-back and constantly makes life nightmarishly difficult for opposition wingers, which is just what he did against the Hammers.
In his 97 minutes of action, he made one clearance, two interceptions and six tackles as well as winning eight of 12 ground duels. He was an immovable object from the first minute to the last.
Now, you may be wondering to yourself: while this is all impressive, what makes Timber a Saka-esque star for Arteta?
Well, simply put, the manager can rely on him to put in consistently strong performances; he just does not let him down.
Ultimately, with his attacking play improving, his defensive abilities being some of the best in the league, and his consistent performances, it’s hard to disagree with analyst Ben Mattinson when he describes Timber as being “one of the best Emirates-era signings.”
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It’s generally felt across the Tottenham Hotspur fanbase that Thomas Frank has made a solid start to life at the helm.
Contextualising the Danish tactician’s early months in the hot seat: Spurs finished 17th in the Premier League last season, malfunctioned under Ange Postecoglou. Still, they won the Europa League and salvaged a pathway into the Champions League, but all was not well, and Ange probably did need to leave.
Tottenham are more stable under Frank’s wing. Gone is the fevered energy that the previous system was defined by, with a smoother and calmer approach in its place.
This, however, has had offensive ramifications. The Londoners are third in the Premier League after seven matches, 13 points on the board. They have scored 13 goals, but boast an xG (expected goals) total that leaves plenty to be desired.
Premier League Top Six ( + xG totals)
Club
Goals Scored
xG
(1st) Arsenal
14
11.9
(2nd) Liverpool
13
10.9
(3rd) Tottenham
13
7.4
(4th) Bournemouth
11
8.4
(5th) Man City
15
12.1
(6th) Palace
9
12.7
Data via FBref
Still, context. James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, two key sources of creativity, have not touched a blade of grass this season as they recover from injuries.
Using this statistical thread, we can observe the biggest winners and losers from the early months of the Lilywhites’ campaign.
Biggest winners & losers of Frank's tenure so far
Maddison and Kulusevski aside, who are losers in that they are incapacitated, there have been plenty of differing fortunes down N17 this season.
To a lesser degree, Dominic Solanke has also been beset with injury issues this term. Arriving from Bournemouth for an initial £55m fee in 2024, the striker has struggled for consistency ever since his arrival, regarding both form and fitness.
After joining Tottenham on a permanent basis this summer, having spent the second half of last term on loan, Mathys Tel is struggling to find his footing, although the versatile French forward scored before the international break and has bundles of ability. He has started only two top-flight fixtures and was excluded from the club’s Champions League squad.
However, Mohammed Kudus has been flying since making a cross-London switch from West Ham United. The snappy winger, 25, has one goal and four assists across seven Premier League outings thus far. Squawka confirm he has attempted (57) and completed (30) more dribbles than any other player in the division.
Plenty of promise across the frontline. Defensively, Tottenham look stronger too. In midfield, loanee Joao Palhinha has made a strong start, and Sky Germany suggest a permanent deal with Bayern Munich could be struck before long.
However, the fact remains that Spurs need more impetus up top, and there’s one forward who might have scored a few since the summer, but could be on borrowed time all the same.
Spurs forward is already on borrowed time
With Solanke’s fitness levels failing him and Tel yet to earn Frank’s trust on the big occasions, Richarlison has been the focal frontman at Tottenham this season.
The opening weeks of the season promised much, but Richarlison has struggled to impress over the past month; the goals have dried up and, as per Sofascore, he has averaged only six passes per match in the Premier League.
TalkSPORT pundit Gabby Agbonlahor even acknowledged the Brazilian was “on fire” in front of goal at the start of the campaign, with a brace on the opening day against Brighton & Hove Albion, but that one goal from nine appearances since underlines the issues with the 28-year-old leading the line.
While Agbonlahor’s comments might be somewhat incendiary, there’s a truth underlying the argument. Richarlison is a fierce striker on his day, and is more than capable of stringing together a purple patch, but consistency across the span of a season has long been his enemy, and is something he has yet to demonstrate at Tottenham.
Given that he cost such a hefty sum when moving from Everton in 2022 for £60m, there’s a sense Richarlison may indeed be on ‘borrowed time’, especially since the board were open to cashing in this summer, with a return to Everton mooted before David Moyes’ side explored other options.
At the start of the season, the fearsome forward had his manager’s trust; however, having been benched during the win at Leeds United before the break, it’s fair to suggest that mindset might have shifted.
Richarlison has entered the penultimate year of his £90k-per-week contract at Tottenham, and given the obvious need for something more in attack, it’s not out of the question that he will be sold before his deal in north London expires.
Whether this enacts sustainable and positive growth in the final third for Tottenham remains to be seen, but Frank is a manager worth his salt, and while he has publically named Richarlison among his most trusted lieutenants at number nine, it’s likely he harbours tacit uncertainties around his ability and how this will affect Tottenham as they look to build on last year’s success and challenge both domestically and out on the continent.
Across 101 matches for Tottenham, Richarlison has posted 23 goals and 11 assists. This isn’t good enough to warrant a prominent position at the front, and Frank and co are likely to move for a new centre-forward with a more impressive track record in front of goal to keep the momentum moving forward and take this team to an even higher sphere.
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Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool are in a "crisis" after their fourth Premier League defeat in a row to Brentford. It is nothing short of a nightmare run for the reigning champions, who were beaten 3-2 by the Bees despite their staggering £450 million spend ($600m) in the transfer window. They have struggled at the back, conceding nine goals in four league games in defeats to Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Brentford.
Slot’s men suffer another blow in west London
Goals from Dango Ouattara, Kevin Schade and Igor Thiago sealed a famous win for the Bees, despite strikes from Milos Kerkez and Mohamed Salah threatening a comeback. The result piled further pressure on Slot, who suddenly finds himself under the scanner after inspiring the Reds to a record-equalling 20th Premier League title in May. Looking at their performance against Brentford, Carragher didn’t hold back, warning that the issues at Liverpool run far deeper than form.
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'Crisis time' – Carragher’s brutal verdict
Speaking on , Carragher said: "I don't think they've got enough [physicality]. To lose four games in a row for a team like Brentford, or a team battling relegation, would be a disaster. To see the champions lose four games in a row, with the expenditure in the summer, I think we're in crisis time. There will be a lot of serious questions being asked of everyone, the playing staff, and the manager. When they've looked at what they've spent, they'll be looking for a lot more. Liverpool have to look at the physicality and height within their team because, right now, I don’t think they have enough."
Slot also admitted post-match that his team’s performance was one of the worst of his tenure. The Dutchman appeared visibly dejected as he faced the media and said: "Disappointing, again. You are always hoping if you win a game of football during the week, although it is only two days' rest when you come over here, of course you are hoping for a better result, but I was also hoping and expecting a better performance, because the performance was far from what we are used to. Even if we are losing, our performances have been better than tonight."
Slot admits Liverpool have been 'found out'
Slot believes Liverpool must reinvent themselves as their Premier League rivals have chalked up a blueprint to beat them. Their defensive problems have been laid bare, and the Dutch manager must go back to the tactics board to conjure a new plan for his troops.
"I have said many times already, teams have a certain playing style against us, which is a very good strategy to play and we haven't found an answer yet," he admitted. "Every time going 1-0 down doesn't really help as well after five minutes. It's a bit of that, that teams know which strategy to play against us. We are still, even today when we don't play well, able to score two goals and create more chances than only the two we scored from open play. But you cannot even compete, which we don't do at the moment, we don't compete up there because we simply concede too many goals and that is not something I only look at our defence [for], that's something we do with 11 players together."
Slot also pointed to the disruption caused by Liverpool’s busy summer overhaul. The club signed several high-profile names, including Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, in an effort to refresh the squad. However, the new arrivals are still struggling to adapt to Slot’s system.
"Yes, it definitely also has to do with if you change quite a lot in the summer then I think it's not a surprise that it can go a bit like this," he said. "But I didn't expect it to go with four losses in a row, let that be clear. That it is always a bit of a bumpy road if you change, that is not so surprising, but four losses in a row and I don't know if that has been as an excuse but from the last six games we have played, there have been five away. So, sometimes this is also not really helpful if you are on the run of form that we are."
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Pressure mounts on Slot ahead of a defining week
Slot faces a crucial test in the coming days as he looks to stop the rot. Liverpool return to Anfield on Wednesday for a Carabao Cup clash against Crystal Palace, who have beaten the Reds twice already this season. After that, the fixtures don’t get any easier as Aston Villa and Manchester City await in the league. Failure to turn things around quickly could see Liverpool’s season unravel even before Christmas.
Krunal Pandya, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood and others also react to RCB’s maiden IPL title
ESPNcricinfo staff03-Jun-20252:38
Aaron: Patidar a huge factor in RCB’s title win
Rajat Patidar: It is really special for me, special for Virat Kohli and all the fans who have supported us for years. So I think they all deserve it. After Qualifier 1, we thought we could do this. I think 190 was a good score on this track because it was a bit slow. The way our bowlers executed their plans, that was tremendous to watch.[On Krunal Pandya] Of course, he is a wicket-taking bowler. Whenever I come under pressure, I check where KP is. I had a lot of belief in him.Related
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Suyash [Sharma] also bowled really well throughout the season and all the bowlers, fast bowlers, Bhuvi [Bhuvneshwar Kumar], Yash [Dayal], [Josh] Hazlewood. And the way Romario [Shepherd] came in and the way he gave two-three overs and that breakthrough [Shreyas Iyer’s wicket], I think that was really special.It’s a great opportunity for me to captain him [Virat Kohli] and it was a great learning for me. And as I said, I think he deserves it more than anyone else – Virat Kohli and all the fans. And after that, I think everyone who has supported, everyone, the management, the support staff, the coaching staff. I think the way they have supported every player, I think that was beautiful.Krunal Pandya, Player of the Match: When we batted in the first innings, I had a discussion with the batters and realised that the slower you bowl, the better it is, and it is difficult [for batters to hit]. In this format, as a bowler, you need guts to do that because the margin of error becomes very minimal. I just backed myself and thought that if I could vary my pace and keep it more on the slower side, I would create chances, rather than just firing it in.
Entry but make it BOLD. pic.twitter.com/JihkcQCJXO
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) June 4, 2025
What has been my biggest strength is learning what the situation required. I have always backed my gut and instinct, and today also, I realised that if I was able to take a couple of wickets in the middle – I had to be slightly brave, then the game would be in our hands. I just thought that if I could bowl slow, I would be able to get a couple of wickets. And I am glad that happened.If you had bowled quick on that surface, it would have been good [for] batters. But if you kept varying your pace, there was some help. In the second innings, it slightly got better to bat compared to the first innings.When I joined RCB, I told them that I love winning trophies. After three-and-a-half months, glad that I was able to fulfil what I said on day one – I literally manifested.[On his fourth IPL trophy] It’s been pretty good, right? I mean, ten years, four IPL trophies. I told Hardik [Pandya] also on the phone that in the Pandya household, there would be nine trophies in 11 years.Phil Salt: It’s an unbelievable feeling right now. Honestly, I don’t quite know where I am at the minute. I’ve not had the most sleep, but so proud of the boys. Everywhere we go, we are the best-supported team. It’s ridiculous, the fanbase. And we’ve got AB [de Villiers] here, we’ve got Chris [Gayle] here. Everyone has come back. If you play for them, you love the franchise. If you support them, you love them, and we’re so grateful for that. Thanks for supporting us, thanks for coming out in numbers. Early on in the comp, there were a few games where we were behind the eight ball, and we sort of rode the crowd, so you have won more games than you think this IPL for us.
This belongs to the #ನಮ್ಮRCB fans. Thank you so much for unconditional love #playbold #IPL2025 #rcbfans pic.twitter.com/1Sp6kTi9Ha
— Rajat Patidar (@rjjtt_01) June 3, 2025
Jitesh Sharma: I can’t express anything right now. I’m very happy for Virat as he has been waiting for this for 18 years. As a human, I can understand that when a man waits for a trophy for 18 years, how he feels. I’ve said this before that when you play for others, you do something extraordinary. When you play for yourself, you’re conservative. You feel insecure. But when you want to do something for someone else, it’s magical.Josh Hazlewood: I think 190 was a very good score. I think the wicket was a little bit up and down. It may have got better as the night went on, but I think our guys fought it out with the bat really well to post that score. Everyone chipped in and the bowlers held their nerves.[On Kohli winning it after 18 years with RCB] Yeah, it probably means everything. A few of us come and go to other franchises, but to be there from the start and just slug it out for 18 seasons and to get the result tonight, I think we’ll see a bit of emotion.[On returning for the playoffs before the WTC final] You only get better playing in situations like this, gaining that experience. It only adds sort of strings to your bow, so I’m very happy I came back, feel a part of this franchise I’ve been at for a number of years, and yeah, it’s awesome.Dinesh Karthik: It’s a team that waited 18 years, played a lot of good cricket, had to wait its time. It belongs to every fan. Virat Kohli, he has been around for 18 years. Greats like AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, they all tried their hearts out. Support staff like Basu Shanker, [Ramesh] Mane – all these guys have waited 18 years, so I’m very happy for them.
To see @RCBTweets finally win after 18 years fills me with immense pride. So many great players have worn that jersey. Special congrats to @imVkohli. You’ve been the face of RCB, carrying the hopes of millions with unmatched dedication and belief. No one deserves this more.
— Ross Taylor (@RossLTaylor) June 3, 2025
Right from the start, we believed we were a team that was good. We had a lot of bases covered. If we played the way we wanted to, I knew things would work in our favour. Great to see the boys stand up at different points of time. Even today, it was a high-pressure game; they [PBKS] really pushed us – it was not an easy wicket to bat on. But I think we put up a score that was above par. There was a bit in the pitch. But this game, the final, it’s not about the pitch. It’s about the emotion, it’s about how much you have in your tank and the fire to win, and I think we had that a lot today.Andy Flower put us through the rigour, really pushed us to become good support staff. I have become a better batting coach than when I started, obviously it’s my first time… the way he groomed me, helped me… Mo Bobat had a plan and a vision from the start. That’s the culmination of the efforts.Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Of course, we knew it [the pitch] was not easy. So we thought 180 would be a good score to defend and we got 190. So it was ten more than what we thought. The way we executed our plans says a lot about the bowling unit. I think his [Krunal Pandya’s] spell changed the scenario for us, the way he bowled in the middle overs. But yes, the change of pace wasn’t easy, but we talked about it, that we’re not going to overuse it. We’ll use our other options and then use a slower option.Mayank Agarwal [On coming in as a replacement]: Life is very, very unpredictable. If we can stay put, keep grinding, it can turn and it can turn 360 [180 degrees].
شبت النيران في إحدى الحافلات التي تقل جماهير فريق برشلونة الإسباني، قبل المباراة أمام كلوب بروج البلجيكي في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.
ويستعد برشلونة لمواجهة كلوب بروج مساء اليوم الأربعاء، ضمن مباريات مرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا موسم 2025-2026.
اقرأ أيضًا | تشكيل برشلونة أمام كلوب بروج في دوري أبطال أوروبا.. موقف لامين يامال
ونشرت صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية مقطع فيديو أوضحت خلاله أن النيران اشتعلت بأحد الحافلات التي تقل جماهير برشلونة لملعب المباراة قبل مواجهة كلوب بروج.
ونشرت الصحيفة مقطع فيديو آخر بعد إخلاء الحافلة من المشجعين، ولم يُذكر وجود أي ضحايا للحادثة.
😱
📹@JaimeNil2 pic.twitter.com/zGeLYlRgnq — Diario SPORT (@sport) November 5, 2025
وخلال مقطع الفيديو المنشور، ظهر صوت جماهير برشلونة واضحًا وهو يسب فريق ريال مدريد بلفظ نابٍ.
😱
📹@JaimeNil2 pic.twitter.com/zGeLYlRgnq — Diario SPORT (@sport) November 5, 2025
وتنطلق مباراة برشلونة وكلوب بروج في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت مصر، الحادية عشر بتوقيت المملكة العربية السعودية، ضمن مباريات الجولة الرابعة لمرحلة الدوري.
وكان برشلونة قد حقق الفوز في مواجهتين بـ دوري أبطال أوروبا، وتعرض للهزيمة في مباراة واحدة، ويملك ست نقاط.
Manchester United have now reportedly received an early response in the battle to sign a Premier League rival for Ruben Amorim in 2026.
Amorim: "It's more excitement than fear" at Man Utd
There’s still plenty of work for Amorim to do at Man United. The Red Devils invested well in the summer, but were brought back down to earth in the opening weeks of the season.
Carabao Cup defeat against Grimsby Town followed by a 3-0 thrashing in the Manchester derby even led to uncomfortable questions about the manager’s future, but he’s claimed that there is an “excitement” within United this season.
Just how long that excitement lasts is the big question. What is clear is that INEOS will back their man away from the pitch. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co. spent around £200m in the summer transfer window and recent reports suggest that more spending is on the way.
The likes of Dusan Vlahovic and Adam Wharton have both been linked with moves to Old Trafford in recent weeks and there’s no doubt that they’d make significant impacts under Amorim.
Vlahovic is far from a bad option, either. The Juventus striker is fighting for his place in Turin and arguably winning what was once a losing battle, scoring four goals in his first five games this season.
Wharton is particularly one to watch, however. The Crystal Palace star is the latest Eagle to rise at Selhurst Park and interest from the very top always seemed inevitable. If United are looking to upgrade on Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte then he is their man alongside another England international.
Man Utd receive early response in race for Anderson
According to The Boot Room’s Graeme Bailey, Nottingham Forest have issued a hands-off warning to Man United about Elliot Anderson. The Midlands club are keen to keep hold of the impressive Englishman, with both Liverpool and the Red Devils plotting 2026 moves to secure his signature.
Bailey told TBR: “Anderson has been top class for Forest, and they are aware of the interest is emerging. But I am told that Forest have no intention of entertaining any interest in him, and with Ange Postecoglou arriving – they want him to be a cornerstone to his team going forward.”
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The 22-year-old has been a standout at the City Ground all season and that was no different in midweek when Forest travelled to face Real Betis. Anderson was at the centre of everything positive that Ange Postecoglou’s side did and has done no harm to his hopes of securing a World Cup place next summer in recent weeks.
Dubbed “phenomenal” by England teammate and Chelsea star Reece James in the September international break, Anderson is the type of player that Man United should do everything to sign next summer.
The international break is finally over, and Blues in west London will hope Chelsea have retained that winning feeling when Estevao Willian struck late to secure all three points against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago.
It was a crucial Premier League win for Enzo Maresca’s men, who haven’t quite got going this term and had lost two on the bounce before sinking the champions.
Now, Chelsea will hope to use that momentum as they tackle Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday afternoon.
Chelsea did it without the all-consuming Cole Palmer, who has endured an injury-disrupted start to the 2025/26 campaign.
And they are going to have to do it again this weekend and beyond, with the Italian coach revealing some deflating news concerning the England star’s fitness.
The latest on Cole Palmer's fitness
It was not the news Chelsea fans would have wanted or expected when Maresca sat down for his pre-match press conference on Friday morning.
Palmer’s niggling groin injury has proved worse than Maresca feared, and he faces a further six weeks on the sidelines.
The 23-year-old has only featured four times across all competitions this season, scoring twice, and this comes as a significant blow as Stamford Bridge gears up for the gruelling winter period.
Talismanic and prolific, Palmer is irreplaceable, but Chelsea will have to try, and are sure to take solace in their recent performance against Liverpool.
Matters are worsened, however, by Enzo Fernandez’s expected absence, the Argentine midfielder having withdrawn from international duty due to ‘inflammation of the knee’. Though he is optimistic about making the matchday squad, Maresca has another option in Facundo Buonanotte, who he could unleash against the Tricky Trees.
Maresca must unleash Facundo Buonanotte
Chelsea added Buonanotte’s signature for a £2m loan fee this summer, pinching the Brighton playmaker after his loan spell with Leicester City last year.
The Foxes got relegated from the Premier League, but the 20-year-old was one of the brighter sparks across the early stage of the campaign, scoring four times and assisting twice too before December.
Intelligent, direct and capable of manipulating tight spaces, he could add the dimension Chelsea need, especially with Moises Caicedo in such redoubtable form at the heart of the midfield.
Hailed for his “immense potential” and for having a “left foot made of gold” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Buonanotte feels like a ready-made replacement for Palmer, slotting into a similar positional berth.
Moreover, he ranked among the top 2% of peers across the 2024/25 Premier League season for tackles, the top 1% for blocks and the top 13% for interceptions per 90 last season, data courtesy of FBref, and so could perform with the combativeness of Fernandez too, should he be considered unfit to start.
Matches (starts)
31 (14)
Goals
5
Assists
2
Touches*
31.9
Shots (on target)*
1.2 (0.4)
Pass completion
80%
Big chances created
7
Dribbles*
0.9
Recoveries*
2.5
Tackles*
1.7
Duels won*
4.3
Creative and energetic on the ball, Buonanotte might not be the finished product, but he is brimming with potential and could fit the mould Palmer has vacated as he works toward recovery in the infirmary.
Forest have been out of sorts this season, but Chelsea cannot afford a slip-up, and must maintain their fluency as they look to string back-to-back wins together in the Premier League.
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