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In an attempt to get one over on their rivals, Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly keeping close tabs on Ajax youngster Jorthy Mokio, who’s already been a given a guarantee by Manchester United.

The Lilywhites have set their sights on getting back into the Premier League’s top six and much more in the coming years. The departure of Daniel Levy was completed with that ambition in mind and this weekend’s North London derby against Arsenal hands Thomas Frank the perfect opportunity to prove that he’s the right man for the job.

An unexpected victory over Arsenal, who sit top of the Premier League, would see Tottenham move to within five points of their rivals to continue what has been a solid start.

Speaking to reporters ahead of Sunday’s clash, Frank shared how excited he is to take charge of the fixture for the first time in the Premier League, saying: “Super excited. Of course, before I stepped into the club, of course, I knew about the north London derby, but it’s when you are in it, you sense it and feel that this is important.

“You feel it from the fans, you feel it from the staff members, the players, the people that have been working here for years. This is the big one.

“I always say the next game is the most important game and we always have that, but I’m very, very, very aware there are two games in a year that are even more important – and this is the first of them. We are ready, we are up for it, we are looking forward to it and we will do everything we can to win.”

It’s not just Arsenal that Spurs are looking to get one over on, however. Away from the pitch, they could also beat Man United to the signature of rising star Mokio.

Tottenham keeping close tabs on Jorthy Mokio

According to Caught Offside, Tottenham are now keeping close tabs on Mokio, who is looking to leave Ajax in 2026. The 17-year-old has also attracted the interest of Man United, who are already reportedly preparing a project which will offer him a guarantee of game time.

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The Red Devils are currently the reported favourites to sign the defensive midfielder, but Tottenham’s presence at least gives them a fighting chance to land the latest Ajax sensation.

A well-connected source told Caught Offside: “Manchester United are leading the chase for Jorthy Mokio. They are already working on a project that could offer Mokio guaranteed minutes and a clear development path.”

Dubbed “special” by scout Jacek Kulig, Mokio has already got his name in the history books at Ajax and could now be on his way to the Premier League to make his mark once again.

Spurs have their own Saka & he's "one of the biggest talents in Europe"

The league has morphed into a mature, austere version that suits it better than the glamour and grandeur it initially aimed for

Danyal Rasool09-Apr-2025A decade is never not a milestone, but it can also be an awkward period of time to draw any conclusions from. It’s probably a bit too late to begin evaluating whether you have made the right career choice, and hopefully too early to determine if you have got enough by way of retirement savings. It’s often best looked at through the softened sepia tint of hindsight, which has its own gentle way of smoothing out the roughest edges of circumstance, superimposing melancholy contentment where raw pain once existed. That might make any objective assessment difficult, but it’s always deeply personal.As Pakistan’s own T20 competition hits that milestone, what to make of it remains elusive, and personal. The Pakistan Super League launched its own official song for the tournament a few days out from its start, predictably drawing strong opinions on ultimately inconsequential promotional filler. The slogan it came up with – X – could perhaps be characterised the same way, though, corny pun aside, it gets something fundamental about this tournament right. This is an X to be interpreted rather than solved, with the PSL choosing to focus on the sense of belonging and connection with Pakistan, not the glamour or any delusions of grandeur that, at present, are hard to seriously keep up in Pakistan cricket.Much as the PSL would like to stand out as an independent entity, its fanbase is primarily Pakistan cricket’s fanbase, and the league starts at a time when Pakistan’s worn-down supporters have flitted from hope to disappointment and heartbreak in six months of non-stop international cricket. It’s impossible to say this is the nadir, but it does feel Pakistan appear to have left no stone unturned in their search. Stop-gap solutions for structural problems, the hounding out of high-profile coaching staff they had spent a fortune chasing, the appointments and sackings of captains on an almost monthly basis all culminated in an embarrassing early exit in a Champions Trophy they hosted before three weeks of humbling defeats in New Zealand rubbed salt into their wounds.Related

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That is the backdrop to the tenth anniversary of a league that deserves better. It has become a financial lifeline for the PCB over the years, one of the few brands associated with Pakistan that has actually appreciated in value. It laid the groundwork for Pakistan’s international isolation to end, and has inculcated a sense of regional identity that was never possible in the domestic first-class structure due to perpetual rejigging. Now, perhaps, it is also an escape if you want to watch Pakistan cricket without the sadness that watching Pakistan cricket evokes in so many.The danger of stagnation, though, is ever-present, and, with all six franchises up for rebidding at the end of its tenth year, potentially existential. The most dominant theme in the build-up week of the tournament, tellingly, has been a constantly escalating attack on the management of the PSL by one of the franchise owners. Multan Sultans’ Ali Tareen accused the PCB of letting the league embrace mediocrity, sparking a contretemps with Karachi Kings owner Salman Iqbal, who accused Tareen of “ridiculing and disrespecting” the league. They would later de-escalate, but it has shone a spotlight on how insecurities and fears about the future of the PSL run right to the top.No cricketer possibly did as much for the PSL – and Pakistan cricket – as Darren Sammy did•AFP via Getty ImagesThe PSL appears to have accepted that days of the league attracting the hottest properties in franchise cricket are behind them. The first pick for the first two seasons of the draft were Chris Gayle and Brendon McCullum; this year it was Daryl Mitchell, last year David Willey. The glut of T20 leagues in a window the PSL believed it had to itself saw it constricted from either side when the UAE’s ILT20 and South Africa’s IPL-owners-backed SA20 popped up in the January-February window, drawing talent away. At the other end, the ever-expanding IPL began to spread into March, further reducing the PSL’s breathing space.As a result, the PSL made official what had been a de facto reality for several seasons, accepting its status as a second-tier league and moving directly into the IPL window. This change may not be permanent, and it divided opinion among the franchise owners, but operating in the IPL’s slipstream all but ended any issues around international clashes. While past seasons involved multiple late withdrawals, the replacement draft this time around comprised just two new picks, as just about every player who went unpicked at the IPL was available to the PSL.In its second season at the launch ceremony, the then PCB chairman unveiled the Spirit Trophy for the PSL, which, the official claim went, included 50,000 double-pointed Swarovski crystals. It took, the PCB’s website said, “inspiration from the brilliance of the universe”.Lahore Qalandars winning back-to-back PSL titles buoyed the city•AFP/Getty ImagesThat sort of vapid optimism of the early seasons has dulled, and, as the league bids farewell to its first decade, the pragmatism of middle age has replaced it. The aspiration for the PSL to become a global glamour brand never seemed tenable, but it has carved its way into Pakistan’s cultural identity. No one is pretending it will compete for international eyeballs while games clash directly with the IPL, but there is a recognition Pakistan was never doing this for anyone else, just for Pakistan.And a decade leaves memories Pakistan fans may cling to as a crutch in these unhappy times. Lahore’s overwhelming gratitude when Daren Sammy’s million-dollar smile lit up the Gaddafi Stadium for the first time in 2017 remains one of cricket’s most iconic recent days. So were Kings’ dismantling of arch-nemesis Lahore Qalandars at the National Stadium, Lahore’s emotions overflowing when they went back-to-back after years of propping up the table.It is perhaps the purest and least problematic fun to be had in Pakistan, something cricket fans may want more of, not less, as the international side recedes in relevance at the top end of the global game. Qalandars will take on Islamabad United – two sides as diametrically opposed as you’ll find anywhere in the franchise game – on the opening day. Perhaps, Kings have finally got it right this time under David Warner. Maybe Sultans will stop losing finals. None of it will make a cosmic difference large enough to suggest any inspiration from the brilliance of the universe. It is, after all, everyone’s ” X”. Not a bad way to end a decade.

He achieved this wish on his 35th birthday, helping India seal a dominant win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Sep-20251:13

Wahab: Kuldeep always one step ahead of batters

Three spinners, and just the one frontline quick. This has been India’s way at this Asia Cup, and their captain Suryakumar Yadav said the template had been set earlier this year during their run to the Champions Trophy title. That was an ODI tournament, but India played all their matches in the UAE, which is also hosting this Asia Cup.The spinners played a crucial role in India’s seven-wicket win over Pakistan on Sunday, with Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy sharing six wickets between them. In all, India’s spinners conceded just 65 runs in 13 overs, including one from part-timer Abhishek Sharma.Related

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“That’s what happened a few months back – our team that won the Champions Trophy, they set the tone,” Suryakumar said at the post-match presentation. “But I am always a fan of spinners, because they control the game in the middle and post-powerplay [overs], and I think all the spinners were amazing.”India’s victory was particularly sweet for Suryakumar since it came on the day he turned 35. He celebrated his birthday by scoring an unbeaten 47 and hitting the winning six as India chased down their target of 128 with 25 balls to spare.”It’s a great feeling and it’s a perfect return gift for India,” Suryakumar said. “This is one box I always wanted to tick, stay there till the end, and it was the need of the hour today. And love to stay not out till the end.”The win left India with a 11-3 T20I head-to-head over their arch-rivals. Asked about this, Suryakumar said India don’t treat games against Pakistan any differently to other matches.”For me, and for my boys, and for the whole team, I feel it’s just another game,” he said. “We come on the ground, we prepare for all the oppositions, and that’s how we go about it.”Kuldeep Yadav sent Mohammad Nawaz back first ball•Associated Press

Kuldeep won his second Player-of-the-Match award in a row, returning figures of 3 for 18 to follow up on his four-wicket haul against UAE.”You just have to think who is batting on the crease and react to what they are doing, what their strength is and what they like to play,” Kuldeep said when asked about his plans. “Just follow that, and obviously I had my plans and just executed them.”As he did against UAE, Kuldeep struck with back-to-back deliveries against Pakistan. Having bagged two ODI hat-tricks in his career so far, Kuldeep said he wants his first ball to any batter to be a wicket-taking delivery.”First ball is always wicket-taking ball, you know, you just have to go with that mindset and try to execute that wicket-taking ball,” Kuldeep said. “Because whoever is batting is obviously new on the crease or maybe set, but yeah, he’s facing you the first time in the game and probably you have the chance to get on top of him.”Despite being in terrific form, and leading the tournament’s wicket charts, Kuldeep said he still had areas of improvement in his game.”I still think I need to really work on my bowling as well. Sometimes I feel that I try too many variations, but I have to learn day by day and game by game. I still think there’s a lot of room to improve in.”

Pakistan also have an outside chance, although it’s very remote

S Rajesh18-Dec-2024ESPNcricinfo LtdIndiaThe Brisbane draw means India need to win both their remaining matches in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to be sure of qualification, regardless of other results. Two wins will take them to 60.53, while Australia will only end up on 57.02 even if they beat Sri Lanka 2-0 in their last series. On the other hand, if India win one Test and draw the other, they’ll finish on 57.02, and can be overtaken by Australia (58.77) if they win 2-0 in Sri Lanka.Here are the requirements for India to qualify in each result scenario in the current series: If India win the series 2-1: Australia should beat Sri Lanka by no more than 1-0 margin, or South Africa lose at least 1-0 to Pakistan If the series is drawn 2-2: India will finish on 55.26; Australia will need to lose to Sri Lanka by at least a 1-0 margin, or South Africa lose 2-0 to Pakistan If the series is drawn 1-1: India will finish on 53.51; South Africa will have to lose both Tests, or Australia lose 1-0 in Sri Lanka or draw 0-0; a 0-0 draw will leave Australia and India level on 53.51%, but India will finish ahead on the basis of more series wins in this cycle (three to two). If Sri Lanka win 2-0, they will finish ahead of India If India lose the series 1-2: India will finish on 51.75 and will be out of the final as Australia and South Africa will finish higher even if they lose all their remaining Tests; also, Sri Lanka will finish on 53.85 if they beat Australia 2-0AustraliaAustralia need two wins and a draw to be sure of qualification, but that’s if they manage only a draw in their two remaining Tests against India – in that case, they’ll need full points against Sri Lanka so that they finish on 58.77, ahead of India (57.02); else they will need South Africa to lose at least 1-0 to Pakistan.With two home games to go, though, Australia will want to ensure they finish ahead of India regardless of what happens in Sri Lanka. For that, they need a win and a draw in the two remaining Tests, so that they finish on 53.51 even if they lose 2-0 in Sri Lanka, with India on 51.75. However, a 2-0 win will leave Sri Lanka marginally ahead of Australia, on 53.85, so Australia need at least a draw in one of those two Tests in Sri Lanka (assuming South Africa qualify).If Australia win these two Tests in Melbourne and Sydney, they will qualify regardless of other results.Just one more win and South Africa will be through•Getty ImagesSouth AfricaSouth Africa need to win one of their two Tests against Pakistan to be assured of qualification for the final. If they lose the series 1-0 and manage only four points to finish on 55.56, then Australia and India can both go past that mark: India need a draw and a win in Australia, while Australia need the same in Sri Lanka. If either team doesn’t manage that, then even 55.56 could be enough for South Africa.If South Africa lose both Tests to Pakistan, they’ll drop to 52.78. At least one of India or Australia will surely go past that mark in their remaining matches, but if India get only four points from their last two Tests and Sri Lanka don’t sweep the home series, then Australia and South Africa could still qualify. On the other hand, if India win and draw their two Tests, and Sri Lanka win 1-0, then India and South Africa will qualify.Sri LankaSri Lanka can reach a maximum of 53.85 with a 2-0 series win against Australia. For each of Australia, India and South Africa to stay under that mark, Australia should get no more than a win and a draw in the two Tests against India, who should in turn get no more than a draw, while South Africa need to lose 2-0 to Pakistan. Sri Lanka can qualify in second place as long as only one of those three teams goes past 53.85.PakistanPakistan only have a very remote, mathematical chance, which also depends on South Africa dropping an over-rate point. Even with four wins out of four, Pakistan will finish on 52.38, marginally below South Africa’s 52.78 if they lose 2-0 to Pakistan. If South Africa lose a further point, they will drop to 52.08. Then, with several results going in their favour, it’s still mathematically possible for Pakistan to go second to either Australia or India. In all likelihood, though, Pakistan are out.

After scoring one goal and missing ten ‘big chances’, per Sofascore, in his first 12 appearances for Leeds United, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has finally found his feet at Elland Road.

The former England international has scored in successive games, against Manchester City and Chelsea, to take his tally to three goals in the Premier League.

Calvert-Lewin joined the Whites on a free transfer from Everton in the summer transfer window, and had looked to be a poor signing after his dismal start to the campaign in front of goal.

Daniel Farke will now be hoping that these two quickfire goals from the striker are not a flash in the pan and are a sign of things to come from the experienced forward.

Leeds offered the chance to sign Serie A striker

Despite Calvert-Lewin’s upturn in form in the Premier League in recent days, the Whites have been linked with a possible move for a player in his position in the January transfer window.

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According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Leeds United have been “offered” the chance to sign AC Milan centre-forward to bolster their options in the final third.

The accompanying report from TEAMtalk adds that Sunderland, Fulham, and West Ham United have also been contacted by intermediaries, who are looking to secure a January move for the striker.

It reveals that Milan are open to approaches for the Mexico international, almost a year on from his move to Italy from Feyenoord, but it remains to be seen how much they would demand for his services.

TEAMtalk also does not outline whether or not Leeds are willing to take up the offer to pursue a deal to sign the Mexican marksman, who could come in as an upgrade on Calvert-Lewin.

Why Leeds should sign Santiago Gimenez

The Whites should push to bring Gimenez to Elland Road when the January transfer window opens for business because he could add more quality to the manager’s options in the number nine role.

It has been a difficult year for the 24-year-old marksman since his move to Milan, with just five Serie A goals in 2025, per Sofascore, but that could make this the perfect time for Leeds to sign him.

If he were still at Feyenoord and scoring over 20 goals a season in the Netherlands, Gimenez would be unattainable for Farke’s side. That is why his disappointing form for Milan should be viewed as an opportunity for Leeds, rather than something that should put them off a move for him.

Based on his form for Feyenoord in the previous three seasons, the Mexico international has the potential to arrive at Elland Road as a big upgrade on Calvert-Lewin, whose goal return is nowhere near as impressive as the Milan flop’s.

25/26

1

3

24/25

22

3

23/24

26

8

22/23

23

2

21/22

9

5

As you can see in the table above, Gimenez scored 22 goals or more in each of his last three full seasons, whilst the English striker has not hit double figures for goals since the start of the 2021/22 campaign, which suggests that the former could offer significant more in front of goal.

The Milan forward, who was hailed as a “machine” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has a particularly impressive record in European games, with six goals in 11 Europa League outings and eight goals in 11 Champions League appearances, per Transfermarkt.

Gimenez, as illustrated in the first goal in the clip above, is a penalty box striker who has the strength and composure to hold off physical defenders to get his shot away, which suggests that the physicality of the Premier League would not be an issue for him.

The Mexican number nine won 57% of his aerial duels in the Eredivisie last season, per Sofascore, whilst Calvert-Lewin has won 41% of his aerial contests in the Premier League this term for Leeds.

This suggests that he has the potential to be an excellent option for the Whites as both a goalscorer and as a physical presence up front, if he can get back to the form that he displayed at Feyenoord, which would make him a big upgrade on Calvert-Lewin.

Gimenez, who scored 22 goals from 15.77 xG last season (Sofascore), is at a low point in his career, with one goal this season, but that is why this could be such a shrewd deal for Leeds.

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The 49ers and Farke could gamble on the striker and hope that this has just been a blip in what has otherwise been a prolific career, which would see him arrive at Elland Road in January and get back to his best as an upgrade on Calvert-Lewin.

Glasgow Rangers failed to get back to winning ways in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday night as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Dundee United.

The Light Blues, who were held to a 0-0 draw by Falkirk at Ibrox at the weekend, had to come from behind on two occasions to secure a point on their travels, on a night where they should have aimed for all three points.

Max Aarons was caught as he got to a loose ball first in the box deep into stoppage time to provide Nedim Bajrami with a chance to equalise from the spot in the 98th minute.

That came after their first goal was a stunning long-range strike from Brentford loanee Jayden Meghoma, who rifled in his first goal for the club with a sweet left-footed finish.

Ultimately, Danny Rohl will be unhappy with the fact that his team only came away from the game with one point to show for their efforts after they created seven ‘big chances’, per Sofascore, to the host’s two.

One of the players who was guilty of wasting one of those ‘big chances’ was Macedonia international Bojan Miovski, who should be dropped by the German boss.

Why Rohl should drop Miovski for Rangers

The left-footed marksman was given the chance to lead the line for the Light Blues once again in the Premiership against Dundee United, but he did not do enough on the pitch to suggest that he deserves to keep his place.

Miovski, who was signed from Girona during the summer transfer window, missed the only ‘big chance’ that came his way, as he failed to beat Dave Richards.

To his credit, the Rangers striker was more involved than he usually is. Miovski completed 32 of his 33 passes on the night, despite averaging ten completed passes per game for the season, per Sofascore, which shows that he was trying to get involved and was reliable with his passes.

However, the 26-year-old flop is in the team to score goals, as the main number nine, and he has not been anywhere near good enough in that respect for the Light Blues.

After Wednesday night’s 2-2 draw with Dundee United, the former Aberdeen centre-forward has only scored one goal in 11 outings in the Scottish Premiership for the Ibrox giants.

Appearances

11

Goals

1

Minutes per goal

730

Big chances missed

5

Assists

1

Ground duel success rate

32%

Aerial duel success rate

31%

As you can see in the table above, Miovski has not done enough this season to suggest that he has been a good addition to the squad by former sporting director Kevin Thelwell, as he has struggled in front of goal and physically on the deck and in the air.

That is why Rohl should ruthlessly drop him from the starting XI for the trip to Kilmarnock on Saturday, because he was wasteful again on Wednesday night, and is yet to prove that he can be relied upon week-in-week-out in a Rangers shirt.

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Whilst the goalless Miovski was disappointing again for the Light Blues, Emmanuel Fernandez was even worse than the Macedonia international with what was his worst performance for the Scottish giants since his permanent move from Peterborough United in the summer transfer window.

Where that performance ranks in Emmanuel Fernandez's Rangers career

The English central defender has played seven matches for the Light Blues since his move, and his display against Dundee United was his worst outing for the club to date.

Fernandez, who was given a 3/10 player rating by IbroxNews, was beaten far too easily in the channel for the opening goal from Zach Sapsford, who burst past the centre-back before racing through to chip the ball over Jack Butland.

Heart & Hand content creator David Edgar described it as “dreadful” defending, which is hard to argue with, as he got sucked in on the halfway line and spun with ease.

On top of that error, Fernandez only won ten of his 18 duels and six of his 11 aerial duels. Per Sofascore, he has won 75% of his aerial battles in the league this season, which makes his 55% success rate against Dundee United look poor by his usual standards.

He was even worse than Miovski, therefore, because the central defender was nowhere near his best and was at fault for a goal, whilst the striker at least looked a lot better in his all-round game as a passer, even if his finishing was not good enough.

When looking at his other performances for the Light Blues, it is hard to look past Wednesday night’s showing being his worst display for the club.

1

Livingston (H)

2

Falkirk (H)

3

Braga (H)

4

St Mirren (A)

5

Alloa Athletic (H)

6

Dundee United (A)

N/A

Hibernian (A)

He only played one minute off the bench against Hibernian, which makes it impossible to judge, and he scored goals against Alloa Athletic in the League Cup and Livingston in the Premiership.

Fernandez also won ten of his 12 duels against Falkirk and nine of his 12 duels against Braga, per Sofascore, as Rangers conceded two goals in those games, whilst he was not at fault for the goal conceded in the 1-1 draw with St Mirren under Russell Martin.

Per Sofascore, his 55% aerial duel success rate against Dundee United was his lowest in a game for Rangers in any competition, which speaks to how off the pace he was on the night, without even taking into account his error for the opening goal.

With John Souttar and Derek Cornelius out injured, though, Rohl does not have many alternatives in his position at the moment, so Fernandez may keep his place at the heart of the defence against Kilmarnock.

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If that is the case, the former Peterborough colossus will need to get back to his usual dominant self at the back, after a disappointing game against Dundee United.

Marc Cucurella has helped Estevao along massively since the teenager arrived at Chelsea, contributing to his explosion of form. The Blues agreed a deal with Brazilian side Palmeiras to sign the youngster last year but he was unable to move to Stamford Bridge until after his 18th birthday back in April. Estevao has since made a huge impact in west London, quickly established as a fan favourite.

Estevao was instrumental as Chelsea downed Barca

Estevao scored his fifth Chelsea goal of the season in midweek as the Blues eased to a 3-0 home win over Barcelona in the Champions League. Chelsea went ahead midway through the first half through a Jules Kounde own goal following some good work from Marc Cucurella down the right.

The Brazil international doubled Chelsea's advantage 10 minutes after the break before Liam Delap confirmed the home triumph over Barcelona, who were reduced to 10 men shortly before the interval after Ronald Araujo received his marching orders. Estevao rightly received praise for his showing on the right flank against the Blaugrana, but it was Cucurella who was named Player of the Match in the Stamford Bridge success.

The Spanish left-back was instrumental in minimising compatriot Lamine Yamal's impact down the Barcelona right. Yamal managed just one shot and created only two chances before he was replaced by Dani Olmo with 10 minutes to play.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportCucurella told Estevao to 'put shin pads on' to prepare for Yamal showdown

And Estevao faces off against Cucurella in training, which the notes the Spaniard "takes serisously" despite being one of the biggest jokers in the squad. When the youngster's one-vs-one battle in training is often tougher than actual games, it is incredibly helpful.

It meant that the Brazilian came in for the same treatment that Yamal was on the receiving end of in the capital on Tuesday night. Cucurella even joked that he'd use Estevao in the days beforehand as practise for Chelsea's game against Barcelona as the defender geared up to face Yamal at Stamford Bridge.

While Cucurella insisted that Chelsea's game against Barcelona was "not Yamal vs Cucurella, it's Chelsea vs Barcelona", the Blues star finally relented. When asked about his preparation in training for his battle against Yamal, Cucurella said: "I told Estevao to put shin pads on this week because I’m going to be practising on him."

Cucurella made good on his word to stop Yamal by any means necessary, making five tackles and committing four fouls on the way to Chelsea's 3-0 win. Estevao, meanwhile, created three chances and completed two dribbles to go with his goal a the Brazilian winger tormented Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde.

Cucurella set for another tough task on Sunday

Cucurella can expect another tough test on Sunday afternoon when Chelsea host league leaders Arsenal. Six points separate the pair at the top of the table with the Gunners looking to land a first Premier League title in over 20 years having finished second in each of the last three league seasons.

And the Spaniard is set to face off against Bukayo Saka on home turf to round weekend's Premier League action. And ahead of the game, Blues boss Enzo Maresca lavished praise upon Cucurella, stating that "the more players you have like Marc, the better it is".

"It is the focus and attention he has for 95 minutes," Maresca said of Cucurella ahead of Sunday's London derby. "For defenders you can be good for 94 minutes and then you can drop the attention for one minute and concede something."

The Italian boss then jokingly added: "The good thing about Marc is that for 95 minutes he is always focused – apart from Tottenham away [last season] when we conceded two goals in two minutes because of him! Overall, Marc has always been top, and he is always thinking how he can defend better."

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Getty Images SportMaresca praise for Cucurella ahead of Arsenal showdown

Maresca also praised Cucurella's impact for the club both on and off the pitch. A number of Chelsea stars have commented that the former Brighton man is a big personality in the dressing room, a quality that has impressed Maresca.

"He is the biggest joker, for sure, one of the characters inside the building, and he has the capacity to switch from laughing and joking to being serious," the Italian added. "I want all the players to have that mentality. The more players you have like Marc, the better it is."

Chelsea can close the gap to Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table to three points with a win over the Gunners this weekend. The Blues, though, have drawn their last two home games against their London rivals, and have failed to win their last six home league meetings with Arsenal, losing three times.

Pep Guardiola says his Manchester City side "have to score more goals" after a frustrating 2-1 loss to Newcastle United on Saturday. Although City are the Premier League's top scorers, Guardiola's players were wasteful in front of goal at St James' Park. Now, the former Barcelona boss wants his players to be more clinical in the final third of the pitch.

• Man City rue missed opportunities

  City had 68 per cent possession and 17 shots to Newcastle's nine but only had four efforts on target. They created an Expected Goals (xG) tally of 1.88 but other than Ruben Dias' deflected effort, they couldn't get on the scoresheet again. At the other end, a double from Harvey Barnes ensured the Magpies claimed all three points. In the contest, top scorer Erling Haaland and Phil Foden missed gilt-edged chances but as a team, Guardiola wanted more from his players.

  He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Tight game. Entertaining game. They had chances. We had chances. In the end they scored one more goal.

  "Two or three chances that he [Haaland] always have because he is the best. And yeah, go to the next. Two or three chances that he always have because he is the best. And yeah, go to the next.

  "The second half we started rally well and had the momentum, we were arriving and finding players in the positions. But after we scored a goal, they scored a goal. After it was more difficult because [Sven] Botman was in the pitch, the defence was deep, so yes more difficult."

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  Guardiola wants Man City to share around the goals

  Haaland has scored a whopping 14 goals in the Premier League this season, with City netting 24 in total. But none of his team-mates have notched more than a goal each, leading many to conclude that City rely too much on the Norwegian international. Now, Guardiola has urged his team to take their chances more often.

  "Yes [the chances] were clear, but we have to score more goals. Our players have the ability and quality to do it," he said.

  City still have the sixth-best away record in the division but this is the third time they have lost on the road in the English top-flight this term.

  When asked about another away loss, Guardiola said: "I'm pretty sure all of the teams prefer to play at home than away, we are not the exception for that. Always Newcastle have been difficult, even where they are low in the table and after two defeats in a row. After they clean the head and the mind and have ten days off, we can hit the good moments. We fought, the players were there, but we could not find the result. The season is so long."

• Man City can't always rely on Haaland

  Former City defender Micah Richards believes that Haaland's team-mates need to pull their finger out and contribute more goals going forward. He name-checked Foden and Jeremy Doku but every player needs to pull their weight in a Premier League title bid. 

  He said on Sky Sports: "It's going to chop and change all season. I think Man City though, if you look at the goal scorers, Haaland's scoring all the goals. There's not a player scoring more than one in a game, and that would be a concern because they're too reliant on Haaland. And defensively, I think organisation, if you look, go through the games. Wolves, everyone thought Man City was back. Back to their best. Then they lose against Spurs and Brighton. Good win against United. Arsenal could have gone either way. Burnley, Brentford, Everton. Games you're supposed to win. You go away to Aston Villa and you lose the game. Bournemouth. And then Liverpool was like, okay, Man City are back. When you asked me before the show started, are Man City back? They are in spells, not for the full 90 minutes. They're playing different football. They've not got the energy. They're not pressing the same, but they're still getting over the line. And that big game against Liverpool, you think, okay, that's the turning call. And then today, they had chances. Haaland misses chances. Who else is going to step up? Foden's been in good form. Doku's been playing really well as well. But when you need them to step up in a big moment, today was a big moment to put pressure on Arsenal. They just couldn't do it. Now, it gives Arsenal all the confidence going into the north London derby tomorrow. "

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  Pressure now on Arsenal?

  Former Liverpool player Jamie Redknapp believes that if Arsenal don't win the league this season, this group of players under Mikel Arteta will never end their long wait for that piece of silverware. Moreover, the Gunners could go seven points clear of third-placed City and six ahead of second-placed Chelsea if they beat Tottenham in the north London derby on Sunday.

  He said: "Arsenal are by far the best team. They've got the best squad, [are the] best organised. And they've been the best over the last four or five years. What Manchester City have done previously, where they go on 12, 13, 14 game winning runs, is this team capable of doing it? I don't think so. They're probably ahead of where I thought they would be this year because of the changes they've had. Obviously, people like Kevin De Bruyne have left the club. So they're in a really strong position. But I think this year, if Arsenal don't win it from here, that team won't win it. They won't. It's as simple as that. They're in such a strong position."

Thomas Tuchel believes England's 2026 World Cup draw is "tough" and claimed that the group stage is "always the most difficult". The German coach, who will lead the Three Lions into a major tournament for the first time next summer, stressed that Group L – featuring Croatia, Ghana and Panama – provides no margin for complacency.

• England learn their WC group stage opponents

  England discovered their opponents during the draw ceremony in Washington D.C. on Friday, fronted by Rio Ferdinand and featuring sporting icons Tom Brady, Shaquille O'Neal and Wayne Gretzky. What emerged for Tuchel is a trio of opponents carrying very different histories and styles, but each demanding full respect. England’s first assignment will be a rematch with Croatia, the very nation that shattered their World Cup dreams in 2018 in that agonising semi-final defeat in Moscow. Luka Modric and Co. will form the most formidable obstacle in the group, but Tuchel stressed that his focus must go wider than the headline fixture.

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  What did Tuchel make of the WC draw?

  Tuchel wants to emerge as group toppers but warned his troops that it will not be an easy task. "We have Croatia and Ghana, two regulars in World Cups, and we have Panama," he explained. "I don’t know much about Panama, but we will know everything about them when the tournament starts. For me personally, even in the Champions League, you have to focus on the group – the group is always the most difficult, and we want to escape, and we want to win the group. It’s a tough one."

  "No one should be underestimated," continued Tuchel. "Of course, Croatia is the standout name [and] the highest-ranked team from Pot 2 that we got into our group. It’s a difficult opener against Croatia. We take it from here."

  While Ghana may not carry the global star power of Croatia, Tuchel made clear that the country's football heritage cannot be taken for granted. "Ghana is always full of talent and can always surprise, and has a big history in World Cup football," he said. "Also, Panama will try to make the most of the underdog role. No one can be underestimated – everyone deserves the fullest respect, and we will show that."

• Group stage is 'always difficult'

  Tuchel repeatedly returned to a theme that has defined his career in European competition, insisting the group stage can often be the most mentally demanding part of any tournament.

  "For me, I’ve only experienced group football in Champions League formats," said Tuchel. "The way to approach it was always to give the biggest respect and to put all the focus into winning the group. It always seems difficult, like our group now but we’re confident."

  England will begin the World Cup later than many others, after they were drawn in Group L, and Tuchel believes that provides both an advantage and a challenge.

  "We know now our opponents, we know that we will start late in the tournament which gives us a bit of time," he said. "I know that if you start late in the tournament, the schedule becomes more condensed. The focus will be totally on the group. It’s always a challenge with four ambitious teams together to come out on top. This is where all the energy will go."

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  England’s projected KO Route: Senegal, Mexico and Spain loom large

  If England top Group L, their route through the early knockout rounds is already taking shape. A meeting with Senegal, likely to qualify in third place from Group I, could await in the round of 32. Survival at that stage would set up a daunting round-of-16 showdown against co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City, a high-altitude cauldron that has historically challenged visiting teams. Should England navigate those obstacles, a potential meeting with Brazil in the quarter-final would be a blockbuster fixture. Then they might face Lionel Messi's Argentina in a Dallas semi-final, whereas in the final, they would probably lock horns against Spain, if La Roja make it to the World Cup final.

A Kylian Mbappe-less France secured a comeback, 3-1 win over a plucky Azerbaijan to end their World Cup qualifying campaign on a high. Didier Deschamps made 11 changes from the team that thumped Ukraine 4-0 in midweek, and early on they appeared to miss their biggest stars.

On a night that was supposed to be a procession for the Group D winners, Azerbaijan had other ideas and took the lead in the fourth minute when Renat Dadashov swept in Rahman Dasdamirov's pass across the six-yard box following some slack marking. For 16 minutes, it was bedlam in Baku, but Crystal Palace star Jean-Philippe Mateta powered in a close-range header from Malo Gusto's cross to level proceedings.

It looked like the Chelsea full-back had then put France ahead when his deflected shot nestled in the corner, only for the goal to be chalked off as the ball struck Christopher Nkunku's arm on the way in. It was 2-1 on the half-hour mark, though, when Maghnes Akliouche scored his first goal for his country as he tucked in Gusto's neat cutback following a lovely floated pass from Khephren Thuram.

Juventus midfielder Thuram thought he had opened his own goal-scoring account for France, only for his effort to be ruled out after Hugo Ekitike handled in the box. But the visitors got the breathing room they were seeking just before half-time when goalkeeper Sahruddin Mahammadaliyev, who was later taken off after being dazed from a collision, pushed the ball into his own net from Thuram's strike on goal.

If the first half was a rollercoaster ride, the second was anything but. Azerbaijan, ranked 123rd in the world, began to tire around the hour mark, and had it not been for substitute keeper Aydin Bayramov, it could have been more one-sided.

GOAL rates France's players from Tofiq Bakhramov Stadium…

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Lucas Chevalier (6/10):

On his long-awaited debut, after 16 call-ups, his first action was to pick the ball out of the net following a well-worked goal from the hosts. Didn't have much to do otherwise, in truth.

Malo Gusto (8/10):

The Chelsea man was caught out by a lovely through ball and moments later France were 1-0 down. However, he made up for it with two assists and was a huge attacking threat. Was unlucky to have a goal of his own wiped out.

Ibrahima Konate (7/10):

Despite not having a particularly good season for Liverpool, the big defender looked calm and assured at the back.

Lucas Hernandez (7/10):

Very little seemed to fluster the defender, who linked up well with his younger brother. 

Theo Hernandez (7/10):

While he wasn't as adventurous or as effective in attack as fellow full-back Gusto, he still fired in some good crosses and was more defensively sound.

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Khéphren Thuram (8/10):

Was unlucky not to score any goals but got into some good positions to give himself a chance to do so. His pace and power were self-evident, and some of his passing was delightful, too.

Warren Zaire-Emery (7/10):

His quick feet and athleticism got his team out of a hole on a couple of occasions, but he didn't have the licence to roam.

Christopher Nkunku (6/10):

The former Chelsea man had a stop-start performance, sometimes showing off some real quality but he also made some bad decisions and got tackled frequently.

AFPAttack

Maghnes Akliouche (7/10):

The youngster had an encouraging outing, he beat defenders with regularity, and he got his goal as well. A good night for him.

Jean-Philippe Mateta (8/10):

Took his goal with aplomb, held the ball up well, brought others into play and had a very good all-round display. He could be heading to the World Cup at this rate.

Hugo Ekitike (5/10):

The Liverpool forward has been excellent so far for his new team but he seemed all at sea at times. Seems to be better when leading the line.

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Rayan Cherki (5/10):

The Manchester City summer signing struggled to make an impact.

Florian Thauvin (6/10):

Tracked back well but didn't do a huge amount.

Bradley Barcola (6/10):

The Paris Saint-Germain attacker was repelled well by the Azerbaijan defence.

Didier Deschamps (7/10):

Fielded an experimental side without some of his heavy hitters, and while he would have been concerned with how they started the game, they slowly turned the screw before asserting their dominance. Some players shined, others did not.