Double World Cup-winning allrounder signs off from 15-year international career

Alan Gardner29-Sep-2025

Chris Woakes walks out to bat at The Oval, in his final England appearance•Getty Images

Chris Woakes, the England allrounder, has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing down the curtain on a 14-year career representing his country across all three formats.Woakes, 36, was omitted from England’s Ashes squad last week after a battle to regain fitness following a shoulder dislocation suffered in the fifth Test against India at the end of July. Rob Key, England Men’s managing director, said afterwards that Woakes “isn’t in our plans… at all” and he has now decided to call time, posting a statement on Instagram.It means his final act in an England shirt – after 62 Tests, 122 ODIs and 33 T20Is – was walking out to bat at No. 11 in the Oval Test against India with his arm in a sling, in a vain attempt to help secure a series-sealing victory on the fifth day.Related

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“The moment has come, and I’ve decided that the time is right for me to retire from international cricket,” he said.”Playing for England was something I aspired to do since I was a kid dreaming in the back garden, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have lived out those dreams. Representing England, wearing the Three Lions and sharing the field with team-mates over the last 15 years, many of whom have become lifelong friends, are things I’ll look back on with the greatest pride.”Making my debut in 2011 in Australia seems like yesterday, but time flies when you’re having fun. Lifting two World Cups and being part of some amazing Ashes series is something I never thought was possible, and those memories and celebrations with my team-mates will stay with me forever.”To my Mum and Dad, my wife Amie and our girls Laila and Evie, thank you for your unwavering love, support and sacrifices over the years. None of this would have been possible without you.”To the fans, especially the Barmy Army, thank you for the passion, the cheers and the belief. To my coaches, team-mates and everyone behind the scenes both with England and Warwickshire, who helped me play for my country – your guidance and friendship has meant the world.”I look forward to continuing to play county cricket and exploring more franchise opportunities in the near future.”Chris Woakes was part of England’s World Cup wins in 2019 and 2022•IDI via Getty Images

A double World Cup-winner, Woakes was England’s Player of the Series during the 2023 Ashes, returning to the side midway through the series to help orchestrate a draw from 2-0 down. However, his involvement on the 2025-26 tour was put into doubt the moment he walked off clutching his shoulder on day one at The Oval.In all, he took 396 wickets across formats for England, putting him eighth on the list. His most enduring contribution was in ODIs, where he led the attack that won the 2019 World Cup, and eventually finished with 173 wickets at 30.01, the fifth-most by an Englishman.Woakes made his debut as far back as the 2010-11 tour of Australia, playing in two T20Is and three ODIs. In his second ODI appearance, at Brisbane, he picked up the Player of the Match award after taking 6 for 45 – at the time the second-best figures for England Men in the format.His Test debut came at the scene of his final appearance, at The Oval in the 2013 Ashes, but he spent much of his career waiting for opportunities in the pecking order behind James Anderson and Stuart Broad (though Woakes would end with a better average than both in English conditions).A breakthrough came in the summer of 2016, when he claimed 34 wickets at 17.20 in six Tests against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. He scored his only Test hundred two years later, against India at Lord’s, by which time he was the senior new-ball bowler in the ODI side.Woakes was often behind James Anderson and Stuart Broad in England’s pecking order•Getty Images

With 16 wickets at 27.87 – including a brilliant analysis of 3 for 20 against Australia in the semi-final – he was one of the key cogs in England’s 2019 World Cup win. Two years later, his skills with the white ball won him a return to the T20I side, and he went on to help England lift another World Cup in Australia in 2022.Latterly, following the retirements of Broad and Anderson, Woakes led the line in the Test side, with 2024 (32 wickets at 24.09) proving his second-most prolific calendar year with the ball. However, he struggled for penetration against India this summer, with 11 wickets in five Tests before slipping while attempting to field the ball on the boundary and being ruled out of the rest of the decider – at least until his dramatic reappearance, arm strapped up under his jumper, ready to bat left-handed if required.ECB chair, Richard Thompson, said: “The images of Chris walking out to bat with his arm in a sling to try and win a Test match this summer reflected how much he cared about playing for his country and being the best team-mate he could be.”He has been a gentleman off the field, with the skills and fierce determination to win on it, regularly rising to the occasion on the biggest stage with bat as well as ball. There are so many special memories, from brilliance with the new ball in the 2019 World Cup and winning the T20 World Cup in 2022 to his series-changing impact in the 2023 Men’s Ashes which earned him the player of the series honour.”We are indebted to have players like Chris represent England and I want to thank and congratulate him for everything he has done in an England shirt for the past 14 years.”Key added: “Chris Woakes is one of the finest people to have played the game. An extraordinary career carved out alongside two of England’s greatest ever bowlers. A man who helped every team he played in, even before he walked onto the field.”

Arsenal legend Ian Wright believes England is "not ready for a black superstar" like Jude Bellingham amid a wave of ongoing criticism for the midfielder. The Real Madrid star has endured limited game time for the Three Lions in recent months and was criticised for his reaction to being substituted in Albania. Now, however, ex-striker Wright has leapt to the defence of the 22-year-old.

Bellingham under scrutiny

Despite being an important player for Madrid and playing a big role in England's run to the final of Euro 2024, Bellingham is not a guaranteed starter under manager Thomas Tuchel. The German caused a stir in June when he said his mother finds some of Bellingham's on-field actions "repulsive" – something he later apologised for. The former Borussia Dortmund talisman was then left out of England's games in October, despite recovering from shoulder surgery. Then, when the attacking midfielder was accused of a negative reaction to being taken off late on in England's 2-0 win over Albania at the weekend, Tuchel said he would review his actions. 

When asked whether Bellingham is possibly not buying into the collective of the England team, he told reporters: "That is a bad impression. It should be about the collective. What we did in camp is all about the collective. I have to then review it – I was happy about the goal. I had a quick talk with Morgan Rogers, and I was sure that everyone celebrated together. I will have a look at it. That is not the image we want to transport. We feel everyone is committed and that everyone accepts tough decisions, be it before the match or in the match."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWright 'worried' for Bellingham

As the criticism continues to rain down on Bellingham, Wright has come to the aid of the youngster, saying that media coverage of him is influenced by his skin colour and that he "frightens certain people".

He said on Stick to Football: "What they said about Jude not celebrating was complete fabrication, it was a lie. What they’ve tried to do is build something, because England have won so easily, they’ve not conceded any goals. They needed something else to pile on top of the narrative. 

"I’m worried for Jude simply because he’s somebody that they can’t control. You can’t control him. Coming off the, ‘Who else?’ and what he’s done at the World Cup (European Championship), he’s showing people that ‘I’m here, I’m black and proud and ready to go'.  I’m an Englishman, even though when I was younger, people used to say to me, ‘Yeah but you’re not really English, are you?’ — ‘Yeah, I’m English.’ I don’t think they’re ready for a black superstar who can move like Jude’s moving, they can’t touch him, like I just said. He goes out there, performs, does what he does, says, ‘Who else?’ It’s too uppity for these people.

“I’ll put it in football terms. They love N’Golo Kante, he’s a humble black man, he gets on with what he’s doing. I’m not saying he’s an Uncle Tom or anything, that’s how his personality is. But if you get a (Paul) Pogba or a Bellingham, and you get that kind of energy, that does not sit well with the people, that kind of person. For someone like Jude, for some reason, frightens people because of his capability and the inspiration he can give.

"It’s something that you’re taught as a black man when you’re going out there, you just want to do the best you can and keep your head down and be, for want of a better word, a humble f*****g slave. This is dragging up from that kind of energy. Because if you are outspoken, black, playing to that level and not caring, that frightens certain people, and that’s what’s going to happen with Jude."

False narrative over Bellingham's behaviour

This is the second time in a matter of days that Wright has stuck up for the Birmingham City academy product. After the Albania match, Wright accused the media of making a mountain out of a molehill when it came to Bellingham's conduct.

"They [the media] need to create this kind of beef because there's nothing else to talk about till the World Cup, so it's gonna be this all the way to the World Cup," Wright wrote on Instagram. "They hate that they can't get to him. They hate that they can't influence his career like they have done to so many before him. A blessed young man with talent and love in abundance."

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Getty Images SportWhat comes next for Bellingham?

Now that England have qualified for the World Cup and played their last games of 2025, the Three Lions stars will head back to their clubs for the foreseeable future. Bellingham is likely to be part of Tuchel's 2026 World Cup squad but whether this media storm blows over or if he can usurp Morgan Rogers in the starting XI remains to be seen.

Celtic appear to be inching ever closer to finally appointing their long-term successor to Brendan Rodgers, who resigned last month after a loss to Hearts in the Scottish Premiership.

Martin O’Neill has been in interim charge for the Hoops since Rodgers left the club, and oversaw three wins in four matches before the international break, including a 4-0 victory over Kilmarnock last time out.

The experienced boss may not manage another game for the Scottish giants, though, as Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy appears to be on his way to Parkhead.

Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph reports that the French manager has been given permission to speak with the club this weekend to discuss a move to Glasgow.

If Nancy does take over at Parkhead, he will be looking to build on the success that Rodgers, as shown in the graphic above, achieved during his second stint at the club.

The Columbus Crew tactician should also look to build on some of the good work that O’Neill has done in his interim spell, as the experienced boss has got the best out of Johnny Kenny.

How Johnny Kenny could fit in Wilfried Nancy's set-up

The Ireland international has scored four goals in four matches under O’Neill in recent weeks, having only scored two goals in his first 17 appearances for the club in all competitions, per Transfermarkt.

This shows that the former Shamrock Rovers star has stepped his game up since Kelechi Iheanacho suffered a hamstring injury last month, as he has shown that he can be relied on to score goals for the Hoops.

Kenny has been playing as the sole number nine in a 4-2-3-1 system for O’Neill, after playing a similar role in a 4-3-3 set-up for Rodgers, but Nancy’s preferred formation, per Transfermarkt, is a 3-4-2-1.

Diego Rossi, who is a similar profile of player to Kenny in terms of his build and attributes, has typically been deployed as one of two second strikers operating behind a focal point centre-forward in that 3-4-2-1 shape, although he has also played as part of a front two in a 3-5-2 or a 4-4-2.

Appearances

48

37

Shots

112

123

xG

13.14

15.54

Goals

21

19

xA

5.60

6.46

Big chances created

14

11

Assists

7

5

As you can see in the table above, Rossi has thrived in that role under Nancy in the last two seasons, racking up 40 goals and 12 assists in all competitions.

Kenny, therefore, could look to thrive as one of the two players behind a starting number nine, as he perhaps lacks the physicality to play as the focal point on his own in that system.

With this in mind, the Hoops could land an upgrade on him as an out-and-out centre-forward by signing a Premier League player who is a reported target.

Celtic eyeing move for Premier League striker

According to 67HailHail, Celtic are monitoring Brighton & Hove Albion centre-forward Evan Ferguson ahead of a potential swoop for his services in the January transfer window.

The report claims that he was linked with a move to Parkhead in the summer transfer window before the Ireland international, understandably, opted to sign for Serie A side Roma on loan.

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It adds that his loan spell with the Italian giants could be cut short, though, in January because of his struggle for form, with no goals in ten matches so far.

Celtic are keeping tabs on his situation with a view to chasing a deal to sign him on loan for the second half of the 2025/26 campaign to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch.

Despite his struggles with Roma this season, which is why he may become available in January, Ferguson could arrive as a dream first signing for Nancy at Parkhead.

Why Evan Ferguson would be a dream first signing for Wilfried Nancy

The Ireland international would come in as a dream first signing because he could be the focal point that the French head coach needs to play his 3-4-2-1 formation with the Hoops.

Celtic, since they sold Adam Idah in the summer, do not have a physical and imposing centre-forward who can act as a focal point, as Kelechi Iheanacho and Johnny Kenny are both more suited to playing with another striker or as a second striker behind a number nine.

Ferguson, standing at 6 foot 2, can provide that natural number nine presence to lead the line as the centre-forward in a 3-4-2-1, acting as an upgrade on Kenny as the main number nine.

In fact, former Match of the Day host Gary Lineker once likened him to Manchester City’s monstrous forward Erling Haaland. He said: “I do see a hint of Haaland about him, his stature, his movement, his youth and stuff like that.”

He has a physically imposing presence that could make him a handful for Premiership defenders to deal with, whilst his career so far also suggests that he could offer more quality than Kenny as an out-and-out number nine.

Age

21

22

Height

6 ft 2

5 ft 8

Senior Ireland caps

26

0

Senior Ireland goals

8

0

Top 5 European leagues + SPFL games

75

15

Top 5 European leagues + SPFL goals

13

5

As you can see in the table above, Ferguson has 26 more caps and eight more goals than Kenny, who is older than him, for Ireland, whilst he has also scored eight more top-level goals.

The Brighton loanee has struggled in the Serie A this season, undoubtedly, but he managed six Premier League goals each season as a teenager in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 campaigns, per Sofascore, which is no mean feat.

The 21-year-old marksman, whose finishing was hailed as “phenomenal” by James Milner, has shown incredible promise in the Premier League and at international level for Ireland, whilst Kenny has never played at a level above the Premiership and is yet to be capped by Ireland, although he is in the current squad.

This suggests that Ferguson would be an upgrade on his international teammate as an out-and-out centre-forward, potentially taking his place or forcing Nancy to unleash him in the Diego Rossi role behind Ferguson.

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Overall, the Brighton striker would be a dream first signing for the French boss, should he take over at Parkhead, because of the role that he could play in the team, and the quality that he could bring to the pitch.

Eighteen years and 206 days. It was a long wait. Entire careers started and ended in the time between India’s previous ODI victory at home against Australia in 2007 and the 102-run triumph in New Chandigarh on Wednesday.The final margin may make the win seem easy but it took spirited bowling from India following Smriti Mandhana’s century to draw level at 1-1 in the three-match series. Riding on Mandhana’s 12th ODI ton, India posted 292, a total that seemed lower than what they should have got. In response, India’s seamers stifled the top order and the spinners put pressure on the middle to hand Australia their biggest ODI defeat. All this after being thrashed in the opening match at the same venue.

Australia fined for slow over rate

Australia have been fined 10% of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against India in the second ODI on Wednesday in New Chandigarh. Australia were ruled two overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.

Match referee GS Lakshmi imposed the sanction on the visiting team in accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. According to the code of conduct, players are fined 5% of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time. Australia captain Alyssa Healy pled guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

Australia wanted to “get out in the heat and acclimatise,” said their captain Alyssa Healy after asking India to bat on a flat track. India’s innings was Mandhana or bust. She hit a six off her eighth ball, won an unfavourable match-up against Ashleigh Gardner, and made use of the first powerplay to race to a 45-ball fifty. With India a batter short after Jemimah Rodrigues was ruled out of the series with viral fever, Mandhana never let the tempo drop.With Shafali Verma no longer in India’s ODI plans, Mandhana has taken on the role of aggressor and got to her century off just 77 balls, the second quickest for India. Only Meg Lanning (15) and Suzie Bates (13) have more hundreds than Mandhana. Her presence in the middle meant Australia couldn’t use their legspinners to full effect. Georgia Wareham went for 29 in her first two overs, with India’s vice-captain hitting her for three fours and two sixes, while Alana King was only introduced in the 34th, the over after Mandhana fell.While Mandhana thrived, the other India batters struggled. Pratika Rawal couldn’t find a way around Australia’s tactics and 20 off her 32 balls were dots. Harleen Deol did not score a run off 17 of her first 19 balls. Deepti Sharma made 40 off 53 but hit just two fours. Darcie Brown picked up three wickets, having found her rhythm towards the end of the innings.Kranti Goud removed Alyssa Healy early•Getty Images

Australia were tasked with achieving their highest chase in ODIs and fast bowler Renuka Singh, playing her first international following a stress injury last year, took only six balls to strike. Georgia Voll, who had come in because Phoebe Litchfield was rested for a minor quad strain, bagged a five-ball duck in her first international match in India. Soon, Kranti Goud dismissed Healy for the second time in two games. After the first powerplay, Australia were 25 for 2, their lowest 10-over powerplay total since the 2017 World Cup.Ellyse Perry kept Australia on track with Beth Mooney and then Annabel Sutherland. India dropped a few catches: Richa Ghosh failed to hold on to a tough leg-side chance after Perry attempted a paddle, Deol dropped a miscue from Mooney after running in from long-off, and Radha dropped Sutherland off her own bowling. Perry and Mooney added 50 off 73 balls before Perry and Sutherland put on 46 off 45 balls.India also had an injury scare when Renuka walked off clutching her left calf. She bowled a spell of six consecutive overs at the start of the chase and was brought back after a five-over break. While Renuka came back on to the field a few overs later, she did not bowl anymore.It was Sneh Rana who deceived Mooney with a wider line – with Arundhati Reddy, in for Rodrigues, taking a running catch – and then Radha dealt the chase a severe blow by dismissing Perry caught and bowled. When Reddy ended Sutherland’s aggressive innings, India sensed a win, which was sealed by Deepti taking two wickets in two overs. She had Gardner and Tahlia McGrath caught in the outfield to all but shut out Australia.There was no coming back from there and Goud bowled Wareham and had Megan Schutt caught and bowled to complete a memorable win.

Daniel Farke – already relegated from the Premier League in the past – was under intense pressure heading into the new season at Leeds United due to his prior top-flight record, although this time was going to be different. Right?

While the 2025/26 campaign is only 11 games old, the worry will be that the German coach is slipping back into old habits, with the Elland Road side currently just two points above the drop zone.

That position is perhaps to be expected for a newly-promoted outfit, although with the Whites currently on a run of four losses from their last five league outings, the mood is unsurprisingly beginning to sour.

Nothing drastic is expected to happen over the next few weeks, even with the international break providing the perfect time to separate, although there is a sense that the ex-Norwich City man is now on borrowed time.

With Aston Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool all visiting Elland Road across the next five fixtures, with trips to Manchester City and Brentford to come, it is crunch time for those in Yorkshire.

Will Farke survive the test? If not, just who could replace him?

Daniel Farke's overall Premier League record

It may not be too bold to suggest that the 49-year-old has been a dead man walking since the summer, with reports emerging that the 49ers’ ownership were considering replacing the promotion-winning coach, even despite the success of guiding Leeds back into the top-flight at the second attempt.

A year prior, for comparison, rivals Manchester United had almost publicly sought out a replacement for Erik ten Hag, albeit while ultimately deciding to back the Dutchman following his FA Cup heroics. Just two months into the new season, however, the former Ajax boss was relieved of his post.

The doubts over Farke following last term no doubt stemmed from his dire previous record in the Premier League, with his first taste of England’s top tier ending in Norwich finishing rock-bottom in 2019/20.

Having stayed on to oversee the attempt to swiftly bounce back, he was then sacked just 11 games into the 2021/22 campaign, having failed to win any of the first ten league games of the season.

At the time of his dismissal from Carrow Road, Farke’s record in the Premier League stood at 49 games played, eight draws, six wins and a remarkable 35 losses, having shipped 101 goals in that time with a points per game ratio of just 0.53.

Games

60

Wins

9

Draws

10

Losses

41

Goals scored

41

Goals conceded

121

Points

37

Points per game

0.62

With three wins, two draws and six losses in the first 11 games of 2025/26, there is little to suggest that the one-time Borussia Monchengladbach boss is faring much better, with Leeds facing a very real threat of a swift return to the second tier.

Rightly or wrongly, Farke was given the chance to prove himself again in the Premier League, although that show of faith may well have backfired.

Does a successor need to be found?

How Leeds can swiftly upgrade on Farke

Appointing a new manager, particularly mid-season, is such a delicate act to get right, with notable names such as Carlos Corberan and Ange Postecoglou among those who could potentially come back onto the 49ers’ radar.

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Prior speculation has also suggested that Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior could also be in the equation, if Leeds are to make a change, with the ex-Hull City manager currently doing a fine job in France.

Described as “one of the best coaches ever” by pundit Clinton Morrison, Rosenior has taken the BlueCo-owned side to new heights in 2025/26 thus far, with the Ligue 1 outfit currently fourth in the table and just five points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

Unlike Farke’s dismal record so far this term, the Englishman’s 12 league games have yielded seven wins, four losses and a solitary draw, following on from a season in which his side finished seventh in 2024/25 to claim a Conference League spot.

What makes that progression even more remarkable is that the average age of Rosenior’s squad at Strasbourg is just 22.6, as per Transfermarkt, albeit with his starting lineup regularly dipping even below that average.

Of course, Ligue 1 provides a different test to the Premier League, although the one-time Brighton man’s attack-minded, progressive style of play is bearing fruit, with his side scoring 24 times already from their 12 league games this term.

For contrast, Farke’s struggling squad have scored just ten times in their 11 Premier League outings – the joint-second worst record in the division.

A man who once lauded Leeds hero Marcelo Bielsa as a “genius” amid his fine work at Elland Road, Rosenior could be another wildcard option to try and follow in the Argentine’s footsteps.

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ByKelan Sarson Nov 13, 2025

خسر الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي آرسنال مباراته أمام نظيره أستون فيلا في اللقاء الذي جمعهما عصر اليوم، السبت، ضمن منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وواجه آرسنال نظيره أستون فيلا اليوم، السبت، في إطار منافسات الجولة الخامسة عشر من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز “بريميرليج”، على ملعب “فيلا بارك”.

وانتهت المباراة بين آرسنال وأستون فيلا بهزيمة الجانرز بنتيجة 2/1 ليصعد فيلا إلى وصافة جدول ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي. 

بتلك النتيجة، لازال آرسنال في صدارة جدول ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي برصيد 33 نقطة، مبتعدًا بثلاث نقاط عن أستون فيلا الذي صعد إلى وصافة الجدول بعد فوزه اليوم برصيد 30 نقطة.

وافتتح أهداف اللقاء اللاعب كاش، لصالح أستون فيلا في الدقيقة 36 بالشوط الأول بعدما استقبل عرضية متقنة من زميله وسدد الكرة بقوة بين قدمي الحارس الإسباني رايا.

اقرأ أيضًا | إيزاك: لا أحتاج لأحد لتقييم مستواي مع ليفربول.. ونركز على تحقيق الانتصارات

وأحرز هدف التعادل لصالح آرسنال الدولي البلجيكي تروسارد في الدقيقة 52 بعدما استقبل عرضية أرضية من زميله ساكا وسددها تروسارد في المرمى الخالي من حارس أستون فيلا.

وأضاف بوينديا الهدف الثاني القاتل لصالح أستون فيلا في الدقيقة 95 من وقت المباراة بعد ارتباك داخل منطقة الجزاء حيث سدد لاعب فيلا الكرة في مرمى الحارس رايا ليكتب ثلاث نقاط ثمينة لصالح رجال أوناي إيمري.

وسدد رجال أرتيتا 14 تسديدة على مرمى الحارس إيميليانو مارتينيز، بينهم 8 بين القائمين والعارضة، فيما سدد أستون فيلا 10 تسديدات منهم 4 على المرمى.

واستحوذ الجانرز على الكرة بنسبة 54% فيما استحوذ فريق أستون فيلا على الكرة بنسبة 46%. أهداف مباراة آرسنال وأستون فيلا في الدوري الإنجليزي

Taylor Ward is lucky he has attentive teammates.

The Los Angeles Angels outfielder ran headfirst into the left field wall while attempting to chase down a fly ball off the bat of Houston Astros second baseman Ramon Urias in the bottom of the eighth inning. Ward missed the ball, but got a face-ful of the wall and fell to the field in a heap.

He eventually got up and signaled to the Angels' bullpen that he needed help, and the team's relievers responded, rushing out to check on him and provided a towel to soak up the blood running down his face.

Video is below.

That is a scary scene.

The outfield at Daikin Park can be difficult to navigate due to its intricate angles.

Ward left the game and was replaced in left field by Luis Rengifo, who moved from second base, with Christian Moore taking over that spot.

Despite Ward's absence, the Angels won the game 3-0. Hopefully, he winds up being OK.

No result Nilakshika Silva struck the fastest fifty at this World Cup to boost a flagging Sri Lankan innings, after it looked like they were in danger of squandering their best start with the bat all tournament. It proved to be in vain, as rain washed out the game after the completion of the first innings. The result leaves them and New Zealand sharing one point apiece.Silva’s knock perfectly complemented a half-century from Chamari Athapaththu and meant that, having opted to bat first in Colombo, Sri Lanka managed to post a very competitive 258 for 6.There were also meaningful contributions from Vishmi Gunaratne and Hasini Perera, but it was Silva’s timely intervention that meant Sri Lanka managed 80 runs in the final 10 overs – a significant uptick for a side that has averaged a scoring rate under five during that period. In the end, she ended with 55 off 28, including seven boundaries and the solitary six of the innings.Sophie Devine was the pick of the bowlers, picking up three wickets – including the prize scalp of Athapaththu – but also proved expensive, going for 54 in her nine overs. There were also wickets for Bree Illing – who had replaced Lea Tahuhu in the XI – and Rosemary Mair.New Zealand were let down by their fielding, with several chances being missed out on over the course of the Lankan innings. The first miss was inside the first powerplay, where Athapaththu got a faint nick through to the keeper when on 12, but one that was not picked up by either the umpire or any of the New Zealand fielders, aside from keeper Izzy Gaze, who made a lone appeal. With the Lankan skipper going on to score a 20th W-ODI fifty, it proved to be a rather costly error in judgment.Vishmi Gunaratne and Chamari Athapaththu gave Sri Lanka a strong start•AFP/Getty Images

Sri Lanka’s innings was boosted by a host of similar missed chances and fortunate reprieves.Gunaratne was on a pained 19 off 45 when she was trapped lbw by Amelia Kerr, but with six seconds left on the clock she was convinced by Athapaththu to take the review. As it transpired, there was a just the smallest murmur on Ultra Edge to indicate that there had been some bat on the ball.Gunaratne received further lifelines across her innings. Amelia first got only fingertips on a low drive back from Gunaratne, which burst through her hands. Suzie Bates spilled a gilt-edged chance at mid-on a short while after that, also off Amelia.That period of fortune for Sri Lanka culminated with Athapaththu shanking one to deep point to hole you, but Sri Lanka kept ticking along thanks to lady luck. Several times, direct hit opportunities went begging as Sri Lanka sought tight singles, while the New Zealand outfielders were guilty of some costly misfields.Gaze, meanwhile, missed a stumping opportunity as well as a tough caught-behind chance, while Perera was fortunate not to be given lbw when she missed a pull on a Mair slower delivery. It struck her in the midriff, but replays showed the delivery was so slow that it would have dipped on to the stumps. No review was taken despite an appeal.Despite these fortunate instances, Sri Lanka’s batting was perhaps more conservative than usual, likely owing to their poor record through this tournament. Here they lost just two wickets leading up to the 40th but their scoring rate was still under five an over. By the time they felt safe enough to up the ante, they lost three wickets in the span of a couple of overs.From 183 for 2 they found themselves 198 for 5, but despite the fall of wickets, Silva was unbowed as she singlehandedly raised the rate of scoring, culminating in a trio of boundaries in a 16-run final over as Sri Lanka head to the break with the momentum. In the end, the rain made sure of an unsatisfactory conclusion.

Aston Villa have now made contact to sign Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Garcia on loan in the January transfer window, but there could be competition from a plethora of rival Premier League clubs.

Villa’s interest in signing Garcia is nothing new, with claims they had even submitted an offer and wanted to get a deal over the line as quickly as possible, amid a lack of game time for the forward at Real Madrid.

The 21-year-old has appeared for just 96 minutes in La Liga this season, which will be a concern, given that he is now at an age where receiving consistent game time is important, otherwise his development could be hampered.

The Villans’ interest in signing a new forward also comes amid Evann Guessand making a slow start to life in the Premier League, having failed to register a goal or an assist, meaning Unai Emery may need a fresh injection of quality this winter if his side are going to push for the European places.

Aston Villa make contact to sign Gonzalo Garcia on loan

According to a report from Football Insider, Aston Villa have now made contact to sign Real Madrid forward Garcia on loan in the January transfer window, having registered their interest, but the Spanish heavyweights are yet to come to a final decision on his future.

Xabi Alonso’s side have concerns about a lack of depth in attack, meaning it could be worth keeping the Madrid-born starlet as a back-up option, especially considering Endrick is also set to go out on loan this winter.

Should the La Liga side sanction a departure, there may be stiff competition for the youngster’s signature, with Brighton & Hove Albion, Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers also being named as potential suitors by journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Although the young Spaniard has been unable to force his way into Alonso’s plans in La Liga, he certainly made a name for himself at the Club World Cup in the summer, receiving high praise from scout Jacek Kulig.

Not only that, but the centre-forward has also impressed at international level for Spain U21s, scoring in each of his last three matches, while also captaining his side during two of his five international caps.

With Ollie Watkins arguably not the player he once was, having scored just one Premier League goal this term, Aston Villa could do with bringing in a young striker with high potential, and Garcia has proven he could be a future star.

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ByDominic Lund Nov 19, 2025

Eddie Howe has finally got the better of Pep Guardiola now in a Premier League environment.

At the 19th time of asking, Howe managed to get one over on the highly successful Manchester City manager, as Newcastle United romped back into top-flight action with a 2-1 win at St James’ Park.

Newcastle were good value for the win, too, as Harvey Barnes chipped in with a double to steer the Toon to another memorable victory on their own patch.

How Harvey Barnes downed Manchester City

The former Leicester City winger is now up to six goals for the season in all competitions, despite his appearance against Guardiola’s men only being his fifth Premier League start of the campaign.

With a brace under his belt, though, he’s surely a shoo-in for more starts as the congested winter fixture schedule hits. Journalist Henry Winter simply described his display as “clinical” when powering two quickfire efforts past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Barnes would manage to put away those two efforts confidently, with just four shots registered in total. But, away from stylishly getting the better of the new City number one with his opener, the 27-year-old also managed to win three duels and attempt three mazy dribbles as a constant livewire.

The only worry will be whether Barnes can stay fit to keep up this electric form, with three Premier League goals now next to his name from limited starts. Across the last three seasons on Tyneside, he has missed a concerning 38 games via injury.

Thankfully, though, Newcastle have a rising star in their ranks who could go on to be a bigger talent than the Toon winger.

Newcastle's 18-year-old Barnes replacement

Howe has shown frequently throughout his time as Newcastle boss to date that he is willing to chuck a starlet into the first team picture if they’re deemed ready for the challenge of senior action.

Indeed, Lewis Miley first made his senior debut under Howe when he was just 17 years of age, while another budding homegrown prodigy in Sean Neave, occupied a space on the bench against City, all while still being a wide-eyed 18-year-old prospect.

Could Seung Soo-Park be the next to bridge the gap between the U21s and the first team?

The future certainly looks bright for the South Korean attacker, who excelled for Suwon Bluewings back in his native Korea at just 17 years of age, becoming the youngest ever player in the history of Korean league football.

One goal and three assists came his way from 28 appearances for Suwon, with Barnes reduced to playing all the way down in League One at around the same age with Milton Keynes Dons, out on loan from then parent side Leicester City.

Park has even been described as a “similar [player] to Mbappe” by Asian football expert John Duerden for his frightening speed when bombing forward, which was seen in the summer when Park was handed opportunities in pre-season, with three dribbles successfully completed up against Espanyol.

With two duels won against Tottenham Hotspur in another pre-season test, it might not be the wildest suggestion in the world to state that Park could be gifted some senior minutes in the bread and butter of the Premier League soon, with the Korean sensation hailed for showing a “maturity beyond his years” by academy coach Steven Harper when first joining.

Gordon

13

4 + 1

Elanga

18

0 + 1

Barnes

18

6 + 2

Of course, the ex-Suwon winger does have both Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga in his way, too, down the left-hand side, but if he can manage to live up to all his early hype, he should be able to surpass those in front of him down the line.

Indeed, Elanga is yet to get up and running with zero goals for the season. Moreover, Barnes is also prone to a hit-and-miss performance in Newcastle black and white, having only managed five goals during the entire 2023/24 season.

For the time being, Howe will rely on Barnes, who is thankfully in a purple patch right now.

Yet, in the long term, don’t discount Park leapfrogging the Englishman, with a stunning Mbappe-style talent potentially on Howe’s hands.

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