Arsenal remain top of the Premier League table for another week.

On Saturday evening, in a game that was far from thrill a minute stuff, Mikel Arteta’s team battled to a 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage against Fulham; Gabriel’s flick-on from a corner bundled over the line by Leandro Trossard’s thigh.

Cue the familiar song: set piece again, olé olé!

That makes it five wins on the spin across all competitions for the Gunners while, in a second successive Premier League match, their opponents failed to register a single shot on target, the first time Arsenal have achieved this since doing so against Birmingham and, coincidentally, Fulham during the Invincibles season of 2003/04.

While man of the match Bukayo Saka and match-winner Trossard, more on him in just a second, will get the headlines, another of Arteta’s most-trusted disciples also underlined his importance to this team in West London.

Arsenal's star man against Fulham

With Eberechi Eze deployed centrally to fill Martin Ødegaard’s void, the biggest team selection headache facing Arteta on Saturday was who to deploy on the left wing.

Both options had been on target during the international break; Trossard netted for Belgium in Cardiff, while Martinelli scored for Brazil in Tokyo, but Arteta will certainly feel vindicated in his decision.

Having scored as a substitute against Athletic Club and Port Vale last month, Trossard has started each of the last five Premier League and Champions League fixtures, forcing over the line his first league goal of the campaign at the weekend, and what an important one it could prove to be.

This, though, is nothing new, with the Belgian taking his tally to 31 goals and 25 assists for the Gunners, averaging a goal contribution every 130 minutes.

In fact, since his debut in January 2023, only Saka (42 goals) has scored more times for Arsenal than Trossard, just ahead of Kai Havertz and Martinelli, both on 29 goals.

So, while Trossard will rightly get plenty of plaudits, which other Arsenal player deserves to be spotlighted for their eye-catching performance at Craven Cottage?

Mikel Arteta's new favourite chaos merchant

The emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly was one of the key storylines of last season.

In the space of only five months, the teenager went from playing in the EFL trophy in front of 2,400 people to starting Champions League quarter-finals and semi-finals against Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

This season though, the England international is yet to start a Premier League match, through no fault of his own, it should be reiterated, purely because Arteta is enamoured with what Riccardo Calafiori offers.

The Italy international accumulated just 1,497 minutes during his first season in North London, starting only 16 matches across all competitions, but has started all eight Premier League fixtures to date this time round, so far managing to remain injury-free.

His performance at Fulham on Saturday evening was Calafiori at his chaotic best.

Calafiori vs Fulham

Stats

Calafiori

Match rank

Expected goals

0.04

9th

Shots off target

1

3rd

Defensive actions

5

6th

Clearances

4

4th

Accurate passes

27

9th

Pass completion %

87%

9th*

Duels contested

9

6th

Aerial duels contested

5

4th

Touches

50

9th

Average rating

6.8

11th

*minimum 16 passes completed.

Stats via SofaScore

As the table outlines, while Calafiori’s statistics don’t stand out for any one metric in particular, he ranks highly for a wide variety of numbers, underlining that he is contributing all over the pitch.

Early in the first half, the £42m Italian thought he had broken the deadlock, only for his thunderous volley to be disallowed due to offside, one that journalist Charles Watts posits may be one of the best disallowed goals in modern Arsenal history.

Now that you’re thinking about it, Pépé vs Chelsea in the FA Cup Final, Trossard at Leicester and Gabriel against Bournemouth are the other leading contenders.

Back to Calafiori, he continues to impress, with Andrew Mangan of Arseblog labelling him ‘defensively very solid again’ while, paradoxically, James Benge of CBS asserts that he is “the most electrifying man in sports entertainment”.

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To support this, amazingly, the left-back has attempted 16 shots in the Premier League this season, scoring at Old Trafford on the opening day of course, the second-most of any Arsenal player, behind only centre-forward Viktor Gyökeres.

It’s for that reason that he has, undoubtedly, been just as important as star man Saka of late.

Indeed, the fact the defender is able to combine being an excellent defensive presence with being a chaotic on-ball contributor, something this Arsenal team often lacks, especially when coming up against a low block, is absolutely invaluable.

Saturday saw Arteta’s team keep their eighth clean sheet in just 11 matches across all competitions this season, staggering numbers that would not be possible if one quartet of their back four was in any way a defensive liability.

William Saliba and Gabriel rightly get plenty of plaudits, while Jurriën Timber’s exceptional performances this season have earned plenty of praise too, but Calafiori’s contribution should not be overlooked, given that he offers this team so much, literally all over the pitch.

Related As bad as Gyokeres: Arteta must boldly drop 6/10 Arsenal star after Fulham

Arsenal won 1-0 at Craven Cottage but it wasn’t all plain sailing for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Posts ByJoe Nuttall Oct 19, 2025

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O conselheiro do Palmeiras, Guilherme Romero, ganhou mais de 6 mil seguidores nesta terça-feira (24), após seu vídeo no Conselho Deliberativo do Verdão viralizar nas redes sociais.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasQuem é o conselheiro do Palmeiras que rompeu com Leila Pereira e viralizou na internetPalmeiras24/10/2023PalmeirasMessi do Palmeiras e multa de R$ 300 milhões: Estevão trilha caminho de EndrickPalmeiras24/10/2023PalmeirasGabriel Vareta, zagueiro do Palmeiras se prepara para fase final do Paulista Sub-20Palmeiras23/10/2023

+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

+ Aposte R$100 e receba R$700 com Veiga e Palmeiras contra o São Paulo na Lance! Betting

Guilherme foi um dos conselheiros de oposição a discursar na importante reunião que ocorreu no CD do Palmeiras nesta última segunda-feira (23).

Ex-diretor do Verdão no mandato de Maurício Galiotte, Guilherme explicou os motivos de ter se voltado contra Leila Pereira, uma vez que fez confiou na atual presidente alviverde.

continua após a publicidade

Confira entrevista completa abaixo:

Você apoiou a candidatura de Leila Pereira. Qual foi o principal ponto que te desagradou para você ter virado um opositor dela?

As gestões de Paulo Nobre e Maurício tiveram papéis importantes no clube. Paulo quebrou a ciranda financeira e reestruturou a SEP. Mauricio reestruturou o futebol e cresceu o clube em marca e resultado esportivo, chegando a 100 títulos da base e duas Libertadores.

A Leila tinha tudo para ser a Presidente que iria maximizar a nossa marca em faturamento, visibilidade e títulos, até porque tem experiência empresarial para tal.

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O que vimos foi um enfraquecimento sequencial do elenco, uma elitização do clube social e uma distância gigantesca do torcedor de seu clube, onde só parecem importar as marcas da presidente, a piscina patrocinada e o avião, ao invés da nossa história centenária.

Acredita que a oposição possa se unir em torno de um nome para tentar brigar de frente com a Leila no ano que vem?

A oposição tem obrigação moral de fazer isso. Não adianta fazer nota, criticar e não ter um projeto de governo que seja propositivo. Vejo que temos ideias que são construtivas e para isso vai servir nossa oposição. Teremos um nome para a próxima eleição e com chances de vitória. E, o mais importante, teremos ideias construtivas e propositivas.

+ Do amor ao ódio: o passo a passo da implosão da relação de Leila Pereira com organizada do Palmeiras

Qual o próximo passo da oposição do Palmeiras contra as atitudes da presidente? Acha que o que acontece no clube social pode refletir no campo?

Acho que já está refletindo há algum tempo. As promessas não cumpridas não refletiram? Cadê as grandes contratações? Temos 200 milhões de jogadores trazidos e precisamos improvisar dois laterais em uma semifinal de libertadores.

Eu entendo isso como grande reflexo. Além disso, a Presidente, quando claramente diminui a história do clube e coloca suas empresas acima dele, enfraquece a instituição, e com isso entendo que perde poder de cobrança frente ao elenco, a arbitragem, federações e afins. Infelizmente, eu acho que ela ainda não entendeu o tamanho do Palmeiras.

Manchester United are reportedly staring at a major financial headache ahead of next summer, with the club set to miss out on around £10 million ($13M) due to the scheduling of the 2026 World Cup in North America. The global showpiece event, kicking off on June 11, 2026, just 18 days after the Premier League season concludes, has thrown United's pre-season blueprint into disarray.

• 2026 World Cup wrecks Man Utd's plans

  According to the the Red Devils had hoped to embark on another money-spinning post-season tour, similar to their lucrative visits to Malaysia and Hong Kong this summer just gone. That trip, which came right after the conclusion of the campaign, earned the club a tidy £10m windfall. But those plans are now off the table as there simply won’t be enough time between May 24 and the start of the World Cup for the club to travel, train, and recover adequately. The decision is already being described internally as a logistical nightmare, and one that could potentially have knock-on effects on both finances and fan engagement.

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  Friendlies in Saudi Arabia?

  Summer tours are not just about fitness, but they’re an essential revenue stream. Financial margins are tighter than ever at Old Trafford, especially after missing out on European football, and United are desperate to recoup as much as they can.  The club’s commercial department has spent the last few weeks running simulations on whether the World Cup could completely saturate football interest in the U.S. market. The final, which is scheduled for July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, falls right around the time United traditionally kick off their own pre-season tours. This has led United to consider whether they should pivot towards the Middle East, another region where the club has historically drawn massive crowds and sponsorship interest. 

  Talks are reportedly underway to see if a mid-season friendly in Saudi Arabia can be organised, which could bring in a hefty payday. There is indeed a growing appetite to return to Asia next summer, particularly after three consecutive pre-season tours in the United States as part of their £60m ($78m)-a-year deal with Snapdragon. United’s failure to qualify for this season’s Champions League cost them approximately £100m ($130.5m) in potential revenue, including a £10m penalty paid to Adidas, triggered by the performance clause in their record kit deal. That financial strain has put added pressure on the commercial and operations teams to maximise income from every opportunity, including global fan tours.

• Man Utd back in form after struggles

  While meetings and discussions are underway in the boardroom, things on the pitch are finally showing signs of recovery. After a shaky start that saw United win just two of their first seven games, Amorim’s men have stabilised, going four league matches unbeaten following a dramatic 2–2 draw with Nottingham Forest. The Portuguese boss has slowly moulded United into a more cohesive, hard-working outfit by making little tweaks to his preferred 3-4-3 formation, and they are finally reaping the rewards. The team sits eighth in the table, but only two points behind second-placed Manchester City, proof that progress is being made.

  "Ruben’s got a very clear idea. It’s a lot more flexible, the idea, than what people give it credit for," Jason Wilcox said in an interview on the club’s podcast. "We’ve got to start with the end in mind and understand that the game model, how Manchester United are, is really important.  

  "We have to pull the jigsaw pieces together and put the jigsaw pieces together. We would love to have all the pieces in place where we can see a very clear picture, but whilst we’re building the picture, it’s even more difficult when you lose some football matches, because people start questioning things. But myself and Ruben, Omar, the ownership, we’re really clear on the direction of travel, and this is really important."

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  Tottenham next: A chance for redemption for Amorim

  Next up is a blockbuster away clash with Tottenham Hotspur, the same side that denied United silverware in last season’s Europa League final. For Amorim's men, it’s not just about revenge, but it’s about maintaining momentum in a campaign that has demanded resilience. They struggled in the early months but have finally resurrected themselves on the back of a sensational October. The Red Devils will be eager to get another three points and mount a meek title challenge before the international break sets in. 

England quick averaged 76mph during furious spell that helped England to snatch victory in third T20I

Valkerie Baynes08-Jul-2025Blazing a trail for cricket’s fast-bowling women suits Lauren Filer just fine, but she’ll gladly pull others along with her.Filer averaged 76mph in bowling the fastest recorded over in women’s cricket during England’s thrilling five-run victory over India in the third T20I at The Oval on Friday. She was twice clocked at 79mph in her fourth over – the 16th in India’s pursuit of 172 – and she said the magical 80mph mark was firmly on her radar.”Not to sound cocky, but I think I knew that I’d be able to push close to 80,” Filer said of that over. “I sort of touched on 78 every so often over the last year and, for me on Friday, the great thing about it was the fact that it was more consistent, that’s what I’ve been trying to do.Related

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“It’s not necessarily hitting that one ball that’s 80, that’s not going to make the difference. The difference is the consistency of increasing my speed. From the game in Trent Bridge, I think I was averaging 73, then I went up to 75 in Bristol and now obviously 76 at The Oval.”That’s what I’m trying to aim for and hopefully again I can hit that 80 number. I’m just going to try and keep consistently bowling at that mid-70s and in the women’s game that’s not heard of very often, so that’s my aim.”Filer has made some technical changes, including increasing her run-up since returning from the knee injury which kept her out of England’s T20I series against West Indies earlier in the season. As a result, she feels more “in time”.”Bowling’s all about feel,” she said. “It’s not about trying to lug it down as fast as you can because on Friday I didn’t necessarily feel at my quickest, but actually it’s usually then is when you probably are bowling your quickest, it’s all about flow and rhythm.”So it is more just getting into time and cleaning up my action. I’m quite limby, it’s all limbs go everywhere, so it’s all just bringing it together and that’s what’s happened over the last couple of games.”Filer has a propensity to fall over in her follow-through, which particularly stood out during the Ashes in January. There, she said her front foot was sliding a long way along the surfaces, causing her to fall over, which wasn’t a problem in the moments when she went tumbling in London last week.”It’s nothing that’s to be massively concerned about,” she said. “Sometimes it’s the pitch and then sometimes it’s just me.”Sometimes I just land and I just get in a position where I end up having to just tuck and roll and I’ve sort of mastered that, which is good because it just hurts less.Filer is hoping to breach the 80mph barrier•ECB via Getty Images”We’re not too concerned as long I’m staying on my feet the majority of the time. It’s not affecting me massively and I can still generally bowl quick with this action. If I can do that, I don’t want to tweak with it too much because it could end up affecting it negatively.”Last year, Shabnim Ismail breached 130kph (80.7mph) for the first time in the women’s game, playing for Mumbai Indians against Delhi Capitals at the WPL, reaching 132.1kph (82.08mph) nine months after she retired from international cricket.South African Ismail also holds the record for the fastest delivery in women’s international cricket – 128kmph (79.54mph) against West Indies in 2016.The prospect of putting herself in that 80mph bracket brings a sense of excitement for Filer in terms of highlighting fast bowling in the women’s game.”That’s probably the reason why I want to hit it,” she said. “It’s not necessarily a personal milestone in myself, but actually proving that women can get to that milestone and hopefully others can follow as well.”I don’t want it just to be one or two people. We want loads of women to be able to be bowling at that speed. After Friday people are probably talking about it more than they were and hopefully if I can hit it then it encourages other people to try and aim for that and actually make the game even more exciting than it already is.”Filer isn’t the first bowler in this England women’s team to speak of bowling at 80mph. Five years ago, a then-17-year-old Issy Wong said she had ambitions to reach the milestone because it had “never been hit by a girl yet”.Wong is still re-establishing herself in England’s T20I squad after battling problems with her rhythm and run-up in 2023, having made her international debut the previous year. She took 1 for 36 from her four overs at The Oval, her first outing of the series with India, having played two T20Is against West Indies.Filer took 2 for 30 in the latest game against India, that pivotal over resulting in a dropped catch off Harmanpreet Kaur, the key wicket of Smriti Mandhana for 56 and a spicy welcome for Richa Ghosh, pinged hard on the helmet, all in the space of three deliveries.England will need more of the same as their next encounter, at Old Trafford on Wednesday, remains a must-win game for the hosts if they are to keep the five-match series alive. India lead 2-1 after a thumping 97-run win in the opening match at Trent Bridge and 24-run victory in Bristol.Winning matches for England, Filer says, is her main aim and the reason she has her eye on the speed gun.”I’ve always sort of kept a number on the speeds, but it’s not necessarily a judgement piece for me. It probably shows me whether I’m doing my technical stuff right,” she said.”If I don’t do some of the technical stuff that I have been doing right then I end up being slower. So for me it’s more of a thing to see if I’ve done my stuff well. I generally come off a pitch and ask the analyst what my average speed was and what my fastest ball was just to see where I was at.”I want to help us win games and if that means bowling 80 miles an hour or getting close to it, if that’s the way, then great. If it’s not, then I’ve got to focus on my variations or doing something else that’s going to help us win games.”

He averages 18.16 in his last 12 T20Is and was dropped from the ODI side after the first game in Colombo

Mohammad Isam09-Jul-2025

Litton Das hits out in the nets•AFP/Getty Images

When Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 99 runs in the third ODI in Pallekele, it was Bangladesh’s third consecutive ODI series defeat in the last nine months, bringing their underperforming batters under the microscope.But with the T20I series starting on Thursday, there is little time for the Bangladesh batters to regroup. Moreover, the focus now shifts to their T20I captain Litton Das, a man who was dropped after the first ODI in Colombo, extending his nearly two-year-long slump in the format.Under Litton, Bangladesh lost the last two T20I series against UAE and Pakistan. Litton’s form is also a concern – he has scored 218 runs at an average of 18.16 in 12 T20Is since October. When the team was playing the third ODI in Pallekele, Litton was training with the T20I side.Related

'I have to do it every day' – Shamim on mixing the mercurial with the mundane

“For me, every series and every match is important,” Litton said. “Wherever I play, I try my best. That’s all I can do. But sometimes, failures come, and the success rate hasn’t been good. This is part of life. There are players who succeed in one year and struggle in the next. Understanding why that happens is important, and I hope to find out and overcome it.”I didn’t play good ODI cricket, and that’s why I was on the bench. During that time [third ODI], I practised for T20Is, and I will try to use that preparation in the T20I series.”Through his performances in domestic cricket and T20Is, Litton also hopes to come back to the ODI side. “As a professional, I have to adjust, and I believe I do that well. They gave me opportunities in the ODI format, but I couldn’t capitalise on it. Hopefully, I will play domestic cricket, score runs, and maybe they will call me again. I have been playing T20Is, and I hope I can make a comeback.”Litton Das’ T20I form has also been a concern•CWI

Shortly before Litton spoke in Pallekele, Bangladesh’s chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain said that they felt Litton had worked back into some batting form since he was dropped for the Champions Trophy earlier this year.”We lost Shakib, Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim in quick succession, so we need time to fill the gap in the middle order,” Ashraf said. “Litton had a bit of time to return to good form after the Champions Trophy. We also felt that since he did well in the Test series [against Sri Lanka], he could fit into the ODI middle-order, given our gap in experience. He has a bit of experience, so we designed the middle order with Litton in mind. We will definitely be questioned if the man we kept faith in didn’t give us the due returns.Ashraf said that the selection committee had picked Litton for the Sri Lanka ODIs for his experience.”We picked him based on what we needed in the series. Performance is not always stat-based. Selectors’ confidence is a factor.”He has served Bangladesh cricket for ten years. He is one of our finest batters. He is having a really bad time. We want to take the responsibility of his selection, we picked him after consulting the team management.”

Down 5-4 in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Arizona Diamondbacks had the bases loaded with a chance to do some damage and potentially come away with a comeback win over the New York Mets. Corbin Carroll got a slider low in the zone, took his swing, and watched his ball go out of the playing field for a grand slam.

As Carroll left the box, he took a few seconds to stare. You might think he was admiring his hit, but he admitted during media availability after the game that what he was actually doing was glancing at the Statcast data—his exit velocity and launch angle—on the hit to see if it was a home run or not.

"I looked up at the exit velo and the launch angle in right field and I was pretty sure," Carroll said. "I didn't know off the bat so I gave it a look."

Asked if he looked at the data on for a 440-foot home run earlier in the game, Carroll said, "No I was running a little bit. We got a big center field so, yeah, can never be too sure."

The solo home run to center earlier in the game went off the bat at 108.8 MPH with a launch angle of 27 degrees. His grand slam later was off the bat at 102.5 miles per hour with a launch angle of 33 degrees.

Earlier in the game, the Mets battled for a lead out of a 4-0 deficit.

The Atlanta Braves' season is over following the club's 5-4 loss to the San Diego Padres in the wild-card series on Wednesday—and the defeat could spell the end of starting pitcher Max Fried's tenure with the team.

Fried, a free agent this offseason, became emotional when he was asked what it has meant to him to wear the Braves uniform following the club's playoff elimination.

"To me … It means everything," Fried said, according to Zach Klein of WSB-TV. "It's the organization that traded for me and gave me an opportunity to come to the big leagues and be an established big league player."

"Everyone, from my teammates here day-in, day-out, coaching staff, front office, organization, fans, city … Obviously, don't know what's going to happen. But I've absolutely loved every minute of it and hope there are many more."

If Wednesday was indeed Fried's final start as a member of the Braves, it was a cruel ending. The southpaw lasted just two innings, surrendering eight hits and five earned runs in the loss. In the bottom of the first inning, Fried was hit in the hip by a line drive off the bat of Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr.

During the game, Braves manager Brian Snitker told the ESPN broadcast that Fried's hip was bothering him and that the injury factored into the decision to go to the bullpen early.

As poorly as Fried's outing went, it can certainly be argued that the Braves don't even get into the postseason without his eight-inning gem against the Kansas City Royals this past Friday in what may have been his final start at Truist Park.

But it will be difficult for Fried—and Braves fans to deal with an injury and an early exit representing some of the last memories of his tenure with Atlanta.

Fried, who will turn 31 in January, pitched to an 11-10 record with a 3.25 ERA and 128 strikeouts in 174 1/3 innings in 2024. He told reporters at the All-Star Game that he'd "love" to remain in Atlanta. But given the way he pitched in '24, it's fair to expect the Braves to have competition in retaining his services.

Game 1 of the New York Yankees-Los Angeles Dodgers World Series will be underway in a matter of hours. There's so much to discuss as these two blueboods square off in their first shared Fall Classic since 1981. Two incredible atmospheres will host all the drama as baseball crowns its ultimate champion.

Joey Votto was asked about the differences between playing in New York vs. playing in Los Angeles on , and his answer didn't disappoint.

"No disrespect to LA, but there is nothing like being in New York with a good Yankees team, at Yankee Stadium. There is nothing like it. I'll tell a quick story. I was in New York at the old stadium. First time. The roster was Jeter, A-Rod, Hideki Matsui, the roster was deep. It was the seventh inning and I was on the field up 3-1 thinking sort of thing. And all of the sudden you could just feel the energy of the crowd. This is a regular season game. You could feel the ghosts. There's no ghosts. I'm not a ghosts believer but you could feel the ghosts inside the stadium."

Votto added that with this Yankees roster replete with stars and the brightest lights descending on the Bronx that there's a chance to create a new aura there.

Time will tell. About a week's time.

Warwickshire 485 (Barnard 108*, Bamber 107, Mousley 75, Davies 52, Critchley 5-171) drew with Essex 602 for 6 dec (Westley 134, Allison 133, Pepper 107*, Walter 86) and 96 for 1 Tom Westley passed fifty for the fifth time in eight Rothesay County Championship innings before rain arrived at Chelmsford to confirm the inevitable draw between Essex and Warwickshire.The rejuvenated Essex captain was 51 not out, with seven fours in his 103-ball innings, to follow his 148 first time round. He had put on 86 in 28 overs with Paul Walter for the second wicket before umbrellas went up and the players scampered for shelter. Walter had contributed 35 to a stand that took Essex’s lead to a nominal 213.The match was effectively over as a contest late on the third evening when Ed Barnard struck the boundary that took Warwickshire past their follow-on target of 453, despite having just one wicket in hand. What had become a damp squib was officially called off at 3.25pm.The 14 points Essex gained kept them just ahead of the relegation places in Division One, while Warwickshire’s dozen points mean they are safely in mid-table.Barnard, meanwhile, gained reward for his overnight effort the morning after when he was left unbeaten on 108 in Warwickshire’s first-innings 485, 117 behind Essex’s 602-6 declared. The remarkably consistent all-rounder’s 123-ball knock took his season’s tally to 815 runs with three centuries. Matt Critchley’s marathon spell of 40 overs for Essex returned figures of 5 for 171.With Dean Elgar absent from the field since day one with a calf injury, Essex promoted Noah Thain to open their second innings. But Essex’s faith in the up-and-coming all-rounder was not fulfilled as Ethan Bamber got one to lift off the pitch and take the outside edge with only two against his name.Westley drove his first ball for four, but was fortunate when he reached 19 that a diving Kai Smith could not cling on to a catch in Beau Webster’s first over.Westley reached his fifty from 103 balls, clipping Hannon-Dalby past an unusual legside field comprising six fielders in a semi-circle between short mid-on and square leg. It turned out to be the last meaningful action before rain set in a 2.24pm.Walter had been comparatively subdued at the other end, though he did strike two boundaries in the last over before lunch that brought up the fifty partnership from a leisurely 18 overs.Barnard, 90 not out overnight, had become the game’s fifth century-maker when he swept Critchley for four from the 114th ball he faced. He had already launched the leg-spinner over midwicket for six during the 23 minutes that Warwickshire’s first innings extended into the fourth morning.Oliver Hannon-Dalby had kept Barnard company the previous evening when the ninth-wicket pair ensured Warwickshire moved safely beyond the follow-on mark. He remained unfazed for 27 balls in total, 15 in the morning, before Westley introduced his occasional off-breaks and had the No11 lbw with his fourth delivery.

Newcastle United striker Yoane Wissa has suffered a setback in his injury recovery, with Eddie Howe ruling him out for a further period of time.

The 29-year-old sealed a £55m move to St James’ Park during the summer transfer window, coming in alongside Nick Woltemade to make up for the loss of Alexander Isak.

While Woltemade has hit the ground running at Newcastle, becoming a firm favourite and scoring four goals in six Premier League appearances, Wissa is still awaiting his debut for the club.

The Congo international suffered a posterior cruciate ligament when representing his country in September, almost immediately after sealing his move to the Magpies, and hasn’t made it onto the pitch since.

There has been hope that Wissa could potentially make his Newcastle bow before the November international break, but a new update has poured cold water on that dream.

Wissa out for further period for Newcastle

According to journalist Craig Hope on X, Wissa is likely to remain injured for Newcastle beyond the internationals, in a new setback for him.

“Yoane Wissa is ‘not close’ to a Newcastle return and looks set to miss his proposed comeback date this side of the November international break.”

Meanwhile, Howe provided more depth on the situation, saying: “It (his comeback) is definitely not West Ham (on Sunday). He’s working very hard. He’s on the grass. He’s getting the fitness work in that he needs. I’d say he’s not close to training with the group at the moment, not through injury but through fitness, and making sure we build his robustness. I’m not trying to be evasive. I don’t know when the moment will be when he’s back with the squad.”

It has been such a frustrating start to Wissa’s Newcastle career, with the former Brentford man no doubt desperate to hit the ground running, only to be struck down by injury.

Thankfully, Woltemade has thrived since coming in, making his teammate’s absence less of an issue, but he can be such a potent weapon for the Magpies when he returns to full fitness, with Thomas Frank lauding him as “incredible” during their time together at Brentford.

For Newcastle fans, it’s a case of being patient with Wissa and accepting that it may be a while before they see the best of him in a Magpies shirt.

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Posts ByKelan Sarson Nov 1, 2025

Even when he does eventually make his debut, it is going to take time for him to find a full level of fitness, and he needs to be eased in with care by Howe, in order to not aggravate the issue further.

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