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Beau Webster has done everything in his power to keep his Test spot, taking five wickets for Tasmania against South Australia with Alex Carey making 59

AAP11-Nov-2025Beau Webster has taken his first five-wicket haul of the summer for Tasmania – but it came on a day when his chances of keeping his Test spot took a hit.Webster claimed 5 for 50 for the Tigers in Hobart on Tuesday to help dismiss South Australia for 177 in reply to the hosts’ first-innings 209. Tasmania then collapsed by losing nine wickets in an extended last session to reach stumps on day two at 177 for 9, with Henry Thornton taking two wickets in the final over to keep the hosts’ lead to 209 with a tight finish looming.Webster was out for eight as Tasmania crumbled, but was still the star of the day and did everything in his power with the ball to keep his Test spot.Related

• Webster bags eight for the match but Tasmania lose to South Australia

• Webster, Weatherald miss out as Doggett bags five

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• Mark Taylor unsure over Cameron Green's position

However, his wickets came just as Cameron Green was returning to bowl for Western Australia for the first time in six weeks, after battling side soreness.Green bowled with good pace and bounce at the WACA, taking an early wicket and dispelling any concerns over his fitness. If Green is fit to bowl in the first Test from November 21, selectors will be left to decide between keeping Webster or picking a specialist opener in Tasmania teammate Jake Weatherald.A key consideration will also no doubt be that Weatherald’s inclusion would allow Marnus Labuschagne to bat in his preferred position of No.3. Weatherald looked in touch for his 30 on Tuesday, before edging a ball back onto his own stumps off Liam Scott for a pair of squandered starts in this match, after a first-innings 23. He hit Nathan McAndrew for three boundaries in one over, pulling him twice to the rope before a glorious cover drive to the fence.Earlier, Webster was easily Tasmania’s best bowler on Tuesday after having Travis Head caught behind on the opening evening. The seamer bowled Liam Scott through the gate with a ball that swung back in at the right-hander, then also drew Jake Doran’s edge soon afterwards.Beau Webster celebrates his fourth career five-wicket haul•Getty Images

Nathan McAndrew followed in a similar fashion, before Brendan Doggett was the last to go when Webster took the tailender’s off stump.Webster has taken eight wickets at 23.25 since debuting for Australia at the SCG, while also proving a reliable man with the bat at No.6.”Beau does what Beau does, just gets in a nice area,” Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey said. “In conditions like that he gets a lot out of it, and that’s what I’ve seen in his Test career so far.”With wickets that have a bit in it, he comes to the fore and got his five-wicket haul today.”Jake Weatherald, I think, is a really quality player and looked really good for his 30.”Alex Carey drives through cover•Getty Images

Carey (59) was the only South Australian to pass 50, as he played a counter-attacking role in a low-scoring game. On a day when rain, storms and even hail stopped play, the Australian Test wicketkeeper regularly charged the quicks. He used his feet to hit Jackson Bird over the mid-wicket fence, and played another cracking cover drive against Webster.But when Carey guided Gabe Bell to Webster at second slip on 59, it kick-started a collapse of 6 for 33 to end South Australia’s innings.South Australia then went through the Tasmanians by taking nine wickets in an extended final session, with Ben Manenti taking 3 for 26.

Ivan Toney’s much-speculated reunion with former Brentford boss Thomas Frank is increasingly unlikely, with the striker reportedly now expected to remain at Al-Ahli beyond January, and potentially beyond next summer. The 29-year-old forward has adapted seamlessly to life in the Saudi Pro League since joining the Jeddah club in 2024 for around £40 million ($53m), and a potential return to English shores is currently not on the cards.

• Toney expected to remain in Saudi Arabia

  Toney's tally of 42 goals in 62 matches, including 12 this season, has made him one of the division’s most prolific imports. He also fired Al-Ahli to the Asian Champions League title and netted 30 goals across all competitions last campaign. But with the 2026 World Cup creeping into view and England manager Thomas Tuchel offering no assurances over selection, speculation has intensified over whether Toney might seek a return to the Premier League. Spurs, West Ham, and Manchester United have all held early discussions about the possibility of bringing him back to England. However, every indication from Saudi Arabia suggests he is going nowhere, as revealed by

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Al-Ahli dig in: No sale in January

  Al-Ahli’s new sporting director, Rui Pedro Braz, has absolutely no intention of sanctioning a sale or loan in January. The club, backed by significant state investment, would only consider parting with Toney if an elite-level replacement were secured, something they regard as extremely unlikely mid-season. The Saudi side are also buoyed by Toney’s contentment in his current surroundings. talkSPORT reports that his camp has communicated to interested Premier League clubs that the striker is settled, well-paid and not currently pushing for a move. His contract runs until 2028, and his financial terms, worth over £400,000 per week tax-free, create a barrier to any potential return. Moreover, Toney must remain abroad until at least April 2026 to retain his non-UK tax residency status. Any premature return would incur significant tax liabilities, further complicating any approach from English clubs.

  Braz said: "Ivan Toney is a top player, a top striker. The rumours around his possible exit in January are not based on reality. It’s just not true. We’re counting on him, it makes zero sense to address this subject in November."

• Toney still holding out hope for England recall

  Despite diminishing international minutes, Toney remains optimistic that strong form in Saudi Arabia can help him re-establish himself in the England squad before the World Cup. Between March and July 2024, he earned five caps and even contributed at Euro 2024, assisting Harry Kane’s extra-time winner against Slovakia and scoring in the shootout win over Switzerland. Yet since moving to the Middle East, he has been called up just once and played only in England’s 3-1 loss to Senegal. However, Toney insists he has not sought clarification from Thomas Tuchel regarding his standing in the squad.

  He said: "I have to concentrate on myself, give myself the best chance possible, and who knows? If I am selected, I will do my best for my country, but if not I’ll be cheering the boys on. I don’t expect to have a conversation with him. I am sure he has other things to be concentrating on. My job is to do well. It is what it is. If you are good enough, you are good enough; it doesn’t matter where you are playing in the world. As long as you are doing the right things and scoring goals, then you give yourself a chance."

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• AFP
  

  Saudi League detractors brushed aside

  With criticism of the Saudi Pro League coming from sections of the European football community, Toney has staunchly defended the competition’s standard. 

  "The standard in Saudi Arabia is high. They can play football here. The players are not as known as in the Premier League, but there are many who can play there," Toney told in September.

  After a brief break, Toney will be back in action against Damac in the Saudi League on December 19. Meanwhile, Tottenham will look to bounce back to winning ways after two heavy defeats to Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain when they host Fulham on Sunday. 

He thumped 60 off 22 balls as Afghanistan seek victory for a place in Super Fours

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Sep-2025Sri Lanka dominated proceedings for 18 out of 20 overs, but in those two overs, Afghanistan and Mohammad Nabi grabbed the momentum, and indeed the upper hand, as Afghanistan tore into Sri Lanka – primarily Dunith Wellalage – to score a whopping 49 runs off the final two overs and end on 169 for 8.Nabi ended on an incredible 60 off 22 balls, run out off the final delivery of the innings, as he saved his best for last against Wellalage, who had earlier dropped Nabi when he was on 6.For context, Wellalage, a left-arm spinner, was left to bowl the final over after Maheesh Theekshana had been left out of the XI, and the seamers had been bowled out earlier in the innings. That gamble seemed to have paid off for large parts of this innings, as Nuwan Thushara picked up figures of 4 for 18, while Chameera was unlucky to go for 50 runs in his four.Dasun Shanaka, the nominal fifth bowler, had gone for 29 runs, but picked up a wicket, while Wanindu Hasaranga had gone wicketless but was miserly in giving away just 18. But none of that accounted for leaving Wellalage against Nabi, a specialist spin hitter, at the last.Wellage attempted to bowl quick and flat, but he was no match as ball after ball was sent into the stands – over long-off and cow corner, time and time and time and time and time again. It was a brutal display of hitting, and one that a player as young as Wellalage will do well to try and put out of his mind sooner rather than later.But for Afghanistan, it was just what they needed in a must-win game.

In an early boost for Celtic, Club Brugge boss Nicky Hayen is reportedly open to replacing Brendan Rodgers in Scotland as the Bhoys step up their chase for their next manager.

Those in Glasgow were thrown into chaos when Rodgers resigned and majority shareholder Dermot Desmond had his say in brutal fashion on Monday night. Since then, a number of potential candidates have already been mentioned and veteran manager Martin O’Neill has enjoyed his first win as interim boss.

After thrashing Falkirk 4-0 to get back to winning ways in the Scottish Premiership, O’Neill told reporters: “I’m really pleased to win the game in the manner we did, and we played some delightful stuff. Could have scored a couple of more goals, too.

“I’m hoping some of the players have played today are old enough to know who I am, some of the younger lads I wouldn’t be totally sure. They see this man stepping into the dressing room and think ‘what’s happening here?’.

“I’m delighted, satisfied in the sense I thought we played very well. My anxiety has calmed somewhat, and it was really nice to win. When you get a few goals in front you can perhaps enjoy the last 10 or 15 minutes, and it kind of brought me back.”

Alas, the Northern Irishman will know more than most that the true test awaits this weekend when Celtic square off against Rangers in the Old Firm derby. With a place in the Scottish League Cup final up for grabs, the Bhoys should be desperate to get one over on their rivals.

Meanwhile, as the action continues on the pitch so does Celtic’s managerial search. So far, Parkhead chiefs have drawn up a shortlist which includes Craig Bellamy, Robbie Keane and Club Brugge boss Hayen among others.

Nicky Hayen now open to becoming Celtic manager

As reported by Belgian newspaper Nieuwslabd, Celtic now have concrete interest in Hayen and have got serious about the Brugge manager, who is also open to a move elsewhere.

Rodgers upgrade: Celtic have "kamikaze" title-winning manager on the radar

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The report claims that the Bhoys would have to pay a hefty compensation fee if they did go all in on the 45-year-old, but he may prove to be worth every penny.

Having held Celtic to a 1-1 draw in the Champions League last year before thrashing Rangers 9-1 over two legs in the qualifiers back in August, Glasgow should already know all about Hayen’s quality.

Whether Celtic decide to push on and secure his arrival remains to be seen, however. He is certainly a strong candidate for the job, but is far from the only name in the running to replace Rodgers.

One Celtic star has just made himself undroppable

Cristiano Ronaldo sent out a powerful message after scoring yet again in Al-Nassr's 3-1 win over Neom on Saturday. The legendary marksman said he is "working on our dream" in an Instagram post, as he continues his pursuit of 1,000 career goals. He now has 100 goal contributions in just 85 appearances in the Saudi Pro League, a staggering return given he's just four months away from turning 41.

Ronaldo bags penalty in Al-Nassr win

Ronaldo bagged his 953rd career goal in the 65th minute of Al-Nassr's eighth straight win to start their league campaign. Joao Felix won the penalty when he was pushed in the back attempting to retrieve the rebound of Ronaldo's close-range shot that had been saved by their compatriot Luis Maximiano. The ex-Real Madrid and Manchester United superstar dutifully converted from 12 yards out, giving the Saudi giants an unassailable 2-0 lead against an overmatched Neom side, who were reduced to ten men after Luciano Rodriguez' dismissal, when he was adjudged to have intentionally elbowed an Al-Nassr player. 

The spot kick was Ronaldo's 83rd goal in the Saudi Pro League since joining Al-Nassr in 2023. Add in his 17 assists in the competition, he has more than matched the unbelievable goal-getting rate he set earlier in his career, making his assault on 1,000 career goals seem like a formality rather than a challenge. 

Advertisement'Working on our dream' — Ronaldo's message after another landmark goal

The Portuguese's message on social media could be read both as a rallying cry for his personal goals, but also for the club too. Al-Nassr sit atop the table with a perfect record, and a +22 goal difference. They boast the competitions best scoring record with 26 goals, and the most resolute defence having conceded just four times.

Ronaldo leads Saudi goal scorers since joining Al-Nassr

CR7 has been the top goal getter since joining the league in 2023, bagging 35 efforts in the 2023-24 season, and then logging another 25 in the following season. Only his teammate Joao Felix has converted more this season; the 25-year-old took his personal tally to 10 goals on the nascent season with his 86th minute effort earlier today, one more than his international and club teammate.

Ronaldo is comfortably the league's top scorer since joining Al-Nassr. Aleksandar Mitrovic is the next best goal scorer with 47 efforts over the same time frame.

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Getty Images SportRonaldo's pursuit of 1,000 goals continues

The Portugal international's personal mission for that magic landmark continues on international duty, as he will connect with compatriots for their continuing World Cup qualification campaign. Portugal first take on Ireland in Dublin on Thursday, before hosting Armenia on November 16. 

His domestic season continues when Al-Nassr take on 5th placed Al-Khaleej on 23 November, with an AFC Cup tie against Istiklol shortly thereafter. 

Sonny Baker suffers again on debut in only blemish for visitors at Malahide

Matt Roller21-Sep-2025Jordan Cox has spent the past 10 months desperate for another chance in international cricket and grasped this end-of-season opportunity. He cracked 55 off 35 balls at a sold-out Malahide, setting up another comfortable England win to seal this series 2-0, after their spinners restricted Ireland to 154.Named in squads across formats last summer, Cox’s first five England innings revealed an apparent vulnerability against the short ball and brought him just 39 runs. He was on the cusp of a Test debut in New Zealand last November when he fractured his thumb in the nets, and later sought help from a psychologist to help him get over the disappointment of being ruled out of the series.But he has thrived for Essex this year – he has hit three hundreds in the County Championship and one in the Blast – and was a late addition to this squad after he was named MVP in the Hundred. Handed his chance in Dublin, with Oval Invincibles team-mate Sam Curran absent on best-man duties at a friend’s wedding, Cox produced his first convincing knock in an England shirt.Cox’s partnerships of 57 and 49 with Phil Salt and Tom Banton respectively removed any sense of jeopardy from England’s chase after Curtis Campher’s stunning early catch – diving full-stretch to his right at short extra cover – removed Jos Buttler for a second-ball duck. Cox batted through discomfort after jarring his knee while taking a catch; his only frustration was that he could not quite take England home himself.Instead, it was Banton who calmly knocked the winning single into the leg side to seal a six-wicket win with 17 balls unused and duly finishing unbeaten on 37. The singular blemish for England was a second unconvincing white-ball debut of the month for Sonny Baker, whose first four overs in T20Is cost 52 runs.Cox grimaces as he walks off the field•Sportsfile/Getty Images

Cox steps up

Cox has had dreadful luck with injuries. He had not played since the Hundred final due to a minor rib injury, and felt soreness in his knee after taking a catch at midwicket early in Ireland’s innings. He then jarred it on the soft outfield while taking a second, and spent the last two overs off the field receiving treatment.But after Friday’s rain cost him another chance to play for England, he resolved to bat through the pain. “There wasn’t a chance that I wasn’t going to bat, because I might have had to wait another two years,” Cox said. He hit four sixes, including two pick-ups over backward square leg, in his 31-ball half-century.The key, he said, was pretending that he was wearing Oval Invincibles teal instead of England red. “I was just like, ‘Come on, this is just franchise cricket and I’m playing for the Oval, so just enjoy it and have a bit of fun.’ That’s what I do when I’m there. Why not try it everywhere?”Cox looks set to miss the cut when England name their Ashes squad next week, but hopes to be involved in their white-ball tour to New Zealand next month: “I’d love to play for England, whatever that is … My goal, and what I want to achieve in my career, is [to be] in an England shirt.”

Spin to win

Conditions in Dublin’s coastal suburbs could hardly have been further removed from those that these teams will encounter at February’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. The run-chase was delayed by nearly an hour due to squally showers, and the temperature peaked at just 13 degrees Celsius on a bitingly cold day.But on a surface being used for the second time in five days, England stuck to the spin-heavy formula that they will employ at that tournament. Though Jamie Overton showed what might have been for the quicks with 2 for 17 in four economical overs, they were vindicated in doing so. Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson have been ever-present across England’s seven T20Is this summer and returned combined figures of 5 for 38 from six overs, while Rehan Ahmed had Ross Adair caught on the slog-sweep after an explosive cameo of 33 off 23 balls.Dawson struck in the Powerplay, having Paul Stirling caught behind on review, then had Harry Tector caught on the reverse-sweep. Rashid was slog-swept for six by Ireland debutant Ben Calitz but had him caught off the top edge looking to repeat the trick, then trapped Barry McCarthy lbw first-ball. From 102 for 7, only Gareth Delany prevented Ireland being bowled out.Adil Rashid claimed three wickets in the innings•PA Photos/Getty Images

Baker’s struggles

Baker recorded eye-watering figures of 0 for 76 on ODI debut against South Africa earlier this month, and his T20I bow went the same way. Adair tucked into him early, launching him over mid-off for six and slapping him over the off side, before Delany cashed in at the death, picking him up over deep backward square leg for consecutive sixes.Delany marshalled the strike well at the death, turning down several singles to face 25 of the last 28 balls. He belted two more straight fours in Baker’s final over, registering his highest score (48 not out) against a Full-Member opponent. It left Baker with the third-costliest figures for an England T20I debutant; his 11 overs in international cricket to date have brought 128 runs.

UP Warriorz head coach was “very surprised” to bag Sophie Ecclestone for INR 85 lakh, as he expected her to go for 1.50 crore

Daya Sagar28-Nov-20253:39

Karim: ‘Getting Lanning a masterstroke by UPW’

Coming into the WPL 2026 auction with the leanest squad and hence the biggest purse, UP Warriorz (UPW) made some heads turn by buying Shikha Pandey for a whopping INR 2.40 crore, using the RTM (right to match) option for Deepti Sharma, whom they had released earlier, and getting England’s left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone for just INR 85 lakh. Their new head coach Abhishek Nayar, who takes over from Jon Lewis from the upcoming season, said they wanted Pandey for her experience and using the RTM for the Indian names was always their plan.”[Shikha] came for the trials. She is an experienced player and we wanted her experience of having played in high-pressure tournaments,” Nayar told ESPNcricinfo after the auction in Delhi on Thursday. “Her numbers in the WPL are the best among Indian pace bowlers in the last three years, be it in the powerplay or death overs.”We wanted experience in those aspects. Kranti Gaud is a young and exciting player, but like I said we wanted experience.”Pandey last played a T20I for India in February 2023 and has since been playing in T20 franchise leagues around the world such as the WPL, the Women’s CPL and the WBBL. Even though she currently doesn’t have a WBBL deal, she recently played all four games for Trinbago Knight Riders in the WCPL and finished as their top wicket-taker with five scalps and an economy rate of 6.73. Overall, she was joint-third on the wicket-taking charts.Related

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Deepti, Kerr, Shikha get biggest bids; Healy unsold

Like Nayar said, Pandey is the top wicket-taker among Indian pace bowlers in the three seasons of WPL, with a tally of 30 (and economy rate of 6.96), just behind Nat Sciver-Brunt’s 32. The next Indian fast bowler on the list is Arundhati Reddy with 14 wickets. Pandey, Gaud, Tara Norris of USA, and allrounder Deandra Dottin will be the pace-bowling options for UPW.Leading their spin attack will be Deepti and Ecclestone, along with Asha Sobhana, Georgia Wareham and allrounder Chloe Tryon among the other options. While UPW splurged INR 3.2 crore on Deepti, Mumbai Indians spent INR 3 crore on Amelia Kerr, Asha fetched INR 1.1 crore and Georgia Wareham INR 1 crore (from RCB) – all spinners – it came as a surprise to many that Ecclestone got a top bid of just INR 85 lakh, despite being the No. 1 ODI bowler and No. 4 T20I bowler in the ICC rankings.”I was very surprised, everyone was surprised,” Nayar said of Ecclestone’s price. “I thought she would go for something like 1.5 crore. But we got her for a great deal at just 85 lakh. But that’s how the auction works – sometimes you pay less, sometimes more. So I’ve very happy overall.”Even before using the RTM for Ecclestone, UPW used that option for Deepti, who led them earlier this season in the absence of Alyssa Healy. While their decision to release Deepti before the auction might have been surprising, using the RTM for her was not.”We wanted a big purse in the auction, that’s it,” Nayar said. “The first retention price was 3.5 crore, we got her in 3.2 [at the auction]. So, there is still some money saved and we can get an extra player. Getting someone like Pratika Rawal, though she is injured, has become possible.”So the mindset was we are going to get her (Deepti), that is the advantage of having the RTM. If we didn’t have the RTM, I think things would be different but we were very confident with the RTM, we just wanted to try and use it in the auction.”UPW went into the auction with four RTM options and used them on Deepti, Ecclestone, Gaud and Kiran Navgire, but not on Healy, who was the first name to come up in the mega auction and she eventually went unsold. UPW filled the opening slot with former Australia captain Meg Lanning, the third-highest run-scorer in the WPL, behind Sciver-Brunt and Ellyse Perry. They also picked Phoebe Litchfield, whom Lanning has earmarked as a future captaincy candidate for Australia. Will Lanning and Litchfield open together for UPW?

“Our attempt was to get those players who can play for India in the long run, are potential superstars, and who can become the face of this franchise.”Abhishek Nayar on buying the injured Pratika Rawal

“Meg is a leader, we all know,” Nayar said. “Phoebe is also a kind of a leader, we think. She can add a lot of value to the team. She is a fearless cricketer and she can play 360 (degree cricket) or 180. So we were very excited to have someone like that potential and I feel really good to buy her with that money (INR 1.20 crore). But right now we can’t say that they both are going to open for us. If we reveal that here in this interview, teams will already be making strategies about it .”Another opening batter UPW bought was India’s ODI opener Rawal, who was prolific in the recent World Cup-winning campaign at the top with Smriti Mandhana, but is yet to make her T20I and WPL debut. She picked up an injury while fielding in India’s last league game in the World Cup and missed the knockouts after that, and may not be fit in time to play the WPL too.”When you buy a good player there’s no guarantee that she will be fit or not for the season,” Nayar said. “We know that she is not fit right now but we also know that if there’s a superstar rising through Indian cricket, it’s Pratika Rawal. Like I said earlier our attempt was to get those players who can play for India in the long run, are potential superstars, and who can become the face of this franchise. That was an important thing to do because that will be an advantage for the next retention cycle after two years.”

The former Australia allrounder was head coach of San Fransisco Unicorns in the MLC recently

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Nov-2025Former Australia allrounder Shane Watson has been appointed assistant coach of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the IPL 2026 season, joining a team management that includes Abhishek Nayar (head coach) and Dwayne Bravo (mentor).ESPNcricinfo has learned that Watson and former New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee are new additions to the KKR coaching staff, which has been overhauled after the team finished seventh in IPL 2025. Southee has been juggling playing commitments in franchise cricket with a consultant role with England over the past six months.”It’s a great honour to be part of a franchise as iconic as Kolkata Knight Riders,” Watson said in a statement issued by KKR. “I’ve always admired the passion of KKR fans and the team’s commitment to excellence. I’m eager to work closely with the coaching group and players to help bring another title to Kolkata.”KKR is Watson’s second assignment as a coach in the IPL, having been deputy to head coach Ricky Ponting at Delhi Capitals in IPL 2022 and 2023. He recently left his position as head coach of San Francisco Unicorns in the MLC, where he had worked for three seasons. They had wanted him to take on a year-long role but Watson did not want to give up his broadcast and other coaching commitments.A highly-acclaimed T20 player turned commentator, Watson has been part of title-winning teams in the IPL, BBL and PSL. An MVP during Rajasthan Royals’ run to the title in the inaugural season in 2008, Watson finished his IPL career with Chennai Super Kings. He played a key role as an opener in CSK’s run to the title in 2018, scoring 555 runs – the second highest for the team – in 15 innings, including a century in the final. Watson also played two seasons for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2016 and 2017.

Tottenham Hotspur’s defeat against PSG in the Champions League last night was the second time in a matter of months in which Thomas Frank’s men have been bettered by the French side.

The UEFA Super Cup final back in August was the Dane’s first competitive match in charge of the Lilywhites, but he was unable to get one over Luis Enrique’s side.

Such a result once again appeared at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night, with the host’s 5-3 win inflicting the club’s first loss of the current European campaign.

Both fixtures could have fallen in Spurs’ favour, especially after taking the lead in both contests, but ultimately the defensive frailties have cost Frank’s men in each of the meetings.

The inability to keep one player out in Paris last night ultimately contributed to their downfall, with one opposition star constantly tormenting Frank’s men in the defeat.

Vitinha’s stats against Spurs in the Champions League

PSG’s success in the Champions League last season was no doubt down to the quality side Enrique has built over recent years, with Vitinha central to the Parisians’ European triumph.

The Portuguese international has continued his phenomenal form in the current campaign, as seen by his performance against Spurs on Wednesday night.

He featured for the entirety of the contest at the Parc des Princes, scoring a hat-trick during the triumph – achieving such a feat for the first time in his professional career.

The 25-year-old’s first strike was undoubtedly the pick of the bunch, with the midfielder firing Quentin Ndjantou’s perfectly weighted pass into the top corner via the crossbar.

His underlying stats from the contest also reflect his impressive display, with Vitinha completing 87 passes – the most of any player – whilst also completing 100% of his attempted dribbles.

Such a performance led to Spurs boss Frank heaping huge praise on the midfielder, labelling him as the “best midfielder in the world” and that he’ll be the “next Ballon d’Or winner”.

The Spurs star who could be Frank’s answer to Vitinha

After the North London Derby defeat against Arsenal, it was imperative that manager Frank switched up his midfield department for the Champions League clash.

The Dane started with a two-man pivot of Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur at the Emirates, with such a partnership far too negative – which no doubt contributed to the 4-1 hammering.

For the defeat against PSG, the 52-year-old opted for a younger base of the side, with Pape Sarr and Lucas Bergvall just two of the youngsters who featured in the middle of the park.

The duo were unable to produce a winning display, but they did offer a reason to be positive despite falling to a third consecutive defeat under Frank’s guidance.

However, the shining light in the middle of the park was certainly Archie Gray, with the 19-year-old taking full advantage of the rare start handed his direction.

The Englishman joined in a £40m deal from Leeds United last summer but has often had to bide his time for a regular run of first-team appearances since Frank’s arrival.

Yesterday was just his fourth start of the 2025/26 campaign, but he did manage to thrive, even against the defending European champions last night.

Gray featured for 76 minutes before being withdrawn, even linking up excellently with Bergavll in the first half as the Lilywhites took a one-goal lead.

He also won 100% of the tackles he attempted, whilst making two clearances and two recoveries – in what was an exceptional defensive performance at the Parc des Princes.

Archie Gray – stats against PSG

Statistics

Tally

Minutes played

76

Touches

20

Passes completed

7

Passes into final third

2

Tackles won

100%

Clearances made

2

Recoveries made

2

Aerials won

100%

Stats via FotMob

Other stats, such as 100% aerials won and two passes into the final third, also showcase his all-round quality – backing up Ben Mattinson’s claim that he’s a “future £100m” star.

However, if he is to reach such levels and become the club’s very own Vitinha, it’s crucial that Frank hands him the needed game time to help him continue his development.

The player will no doubt be immensely proud of such a showing in Paris, with his efforts no doubt giving the manager a selection headache against Fulham this weekend.

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Posts ByEthan Lamb Nov 27, 2025

The international break is something of a blessing and a curse for Arsenal.

On the one hand, it gives the club respite from their current injury crisis, but on the other, they have to wait two weeks to make amends for the draw away to Sunderland.

However, even though they saw their lead cut on Sunday evening, Mikel Arteta’s side are in a great spot in the Premier League.

Moreover, despite injuries, the side is full to bursting with talent, including one player who’s starting to look like another Myles Lewis-Skelly.

The latest on Lewis-Skelly's future at Arsenal

It would be fair to say that, aside from their run in the Champions League, last season was something of a disappointment for Arsenal.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

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However, there were at least a couple of positives to come from it, such as the emergence of Ethan Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly.

The latter was more of a surprise to most, and yet over the course of the campaign, he became a far more significant part of the side, effectively becoming Arteta’s first-choice left-back.

In fact, by the end of the season, the 19-year-old had made 39 first-team appearances, totalling 2306 minutes, and even made his full debut for England, during which he scored.

However, so far this season has been a totally different story for the youngster, as while he has still made 12 appearances, only four of those have been starts, and overall, he has played just 463 minutes of action.

During the last international break, Thomas Tuchel said that this lack of game time could result in him not picking the Islington-born ace.

Unfortunately, that’s what’s happened this international break.

Lewis-Skelly’s Arsenal record

Season

24/25

25/26

Appearances

39

12

Starts

26

4

Minutes

2306′

463′

Goals

1

0

Assists

2

3

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Unsurprisingly, this has led to reports that other Premier League clubs are now interested in signing the youngster in the winter transfer window.

However, the same reports make it clear that Arteta and Co are keen to keep the Hale Ender at the club, and that they expect him to play more minutes as the season progresses.

With that said, if Arsenal do decide to cash in, they do have another youngster in the side who is showing shades of Lewis-Skelly in his game.

Arsenal's new Lewis-Skelly

Even though Riccardo Calafiori and Pieiro Hincapie are his competition at left-back, the Arsenal player who is showing shades of Lewis-Skelly in his game this season is Cristhian Mosquera.

Now, that might sound like a leap to begin with, but “similarly to Lewis-Skelly,” per analyst Ben Mattinson, the Spaniard has shown an immense level of “physical maturity for his age.”

More than that, though, the 21-year-old has also shown a remarkable mental maturity, which was on full display when he came on and played almost the whole game away to Liverpool, and then started the club’s opening Champions League game against Athletic Bilbao.

While he may have been described as a “monster” by Gunners insider Hand of Arsenal, where most young defenders would need their hand held by a senior teammate or go crashing into ridiculous challenges, the former Valencia gem is thoughtful about when he goes in for a tackle or block.

However, that’s not to say he is adverse to the more physical side of the game, as, just like Lewis-Skelly, he is someone who “loves to battle with physical attackers,” according to Mattinson.

Moreover, while most fans and pundits alike expected the exciting youngster to play a minor role this season, the Valencia-born titan is following in the Hale Ender’s footsteps from last season and playing a far more significant role than most predicted.

For example, he has already made 12 appearances, five of which have been starts, totalling 597 minutes.

Finally, like the Englishman, he is not solely limited to playing a single position, as in addition to playing at centre-back, he can do a job at right-back.

Ultimately, there are some differences between them, but in terms of mentality, raw ability, and attitude, there are plenty of similarities between Mosquera and Lewis-Skelly.

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 12, 2025