حسم التعادل السلبي نتيجة المواجهة القوية التي جمعت بين الجزائر والسودان، ضمن منافسات الجولة الأولى للمجموعة الرابعة في بطولة كأس العرب 2025 المقامة في دولة قطر، في مباراة اتسمت بالندية والإثارة على مدار شوطيها.
ودخل المنتخبان اللقاء برغبة واضحة في تحقيق انطلاقة قوية بالبطولة، حيث تبادلا السيطرة خلال الشوط الأول، مع محاولات هجومية خجولة لم تُترجم إلى أهداف، وتألق حارس المنتخب السوداني منجد النيل الذي كان العامل الأبرز في الحفاظ على نظافة شباكه بعدما تصدى لأكثر من محاولة جزائرية خطيرة.
طالع أيضًا | رئيس الاتحاد الكويتي: كنا نأمل الفوز على مصر.. وسأتواصل مع وزارتي الدفاع والطيران
ومع نهاية الشوط الأول، شهدت المباراة لحظة مفصلية حين أشهر الحكم المصري أمين عمر البطاقة الصفراء الثانية ثم الحمراء في وجه لاعب المنتخب الجزائري آدم وناس بعد تدخل قوي، ليُكمل “الخضر” اللقاء بعشرة لاعبين، وهو ما أثّر على الأداء الهجومي للمنتخب في النصف الثاني من المباراة. طرد آدم وناس خلال في مباراة الجزائر والسودان بـ كأس العرب
واستغل منتخب السودان النقص العددي في صفوف الجزائر، وبدأ في فرض سيطرة أكبر على وسط الملعب، مع ارتفاع معدل الاستحواذ ومحاولات متكررة لتهديد مرمى الخصم، ورغم تلك الأفضلية، إلا أن الدفاع الجزائري ظهر متماسكًا ونجح في احتواء الهجمات السودانية، لتنتهي المباراة بالتعادل السلبي.
ويأتي التعادل ليمنح كل من الجزائر والسودان نقطة واحدة في بداية مشوارهما بالبطولة، في انتظار المواجهة المرتقبة بين العراق والبحرين المقرر انطلاقها بعد قليل ضمن الجولة الأولى من المجموعة ذاتها، والتي قد تعيد ترتيب الحسابات مبكرًا.
Former Tottenham manager Glenn Hoddle has tipped a ‘world-class’ member of Thomas Frank’s squad to snub new contract talks amid interest from world football’s elite sides.
Tottenham enjoy mini Thomas Frank revival after two consecutive wins
Frank’s Tottenham tenure was heading towards crisis territory just days ago, but consecutive victories over Brentford and Slavia Prague have injected fresh optimism into a campaign that threatened to derail completely.
Saturday’s 2-0 triumph against Brentford represented far more than three precious points — it also went a long way to vindicating Frank’s approach after mounting pressure following a dismal five-match winless streak.
The victory, sealed through first-half strikes from Richarlison and Xavi Simons, ended Tottenham’s agonizing wait for a home Premier League win since their opening-day demolition of Burnley.
Frank described the performance as “very complete,” highlighting his side’s dynamism, unpredictability and defensive discipline that restricted Brentford to just four attempts throughout the match.
Owen Hargreaves says "exceptional" Tottenham star outshone Simons against Prague
It was a great night for Spurs in Europe.
ByEmilio Galantini 5 days ago
Simons, who has attracted criticism since his £52 million arrival from RB Leipzig, put in a Player of the Match display.
The Netherlands international orchestrated both goals, curving his run brilliantly to deliver Richarlison’s tap-in before producing a sensational solo effort, driving from halfway into Brentford’s penalty area to slide past Caoimhin Kelleher.
Tuesday’s 3-0 Champions League victory over Slavia Prague continued the momentum, extending Tottenham’s remarkable home European record to 23 consecutive matches without defeat.
An own goal from David Zima, and penalties from Mohammed Kudus and Simons, elevated Spurs into the top eight of the Champions League standings with 11 points from six games.
Kudus was Tottenham’s ‘best player by far’ on the night as he continues to justify his £55 million transfer from West Ham in the summer, but Micky van de Ven once again proved himself indispensable too.
According to recent reports, Spurs are ready to offer van de Ven a ‘double your money’ contract in an attempt to ward off the likes of Real Madrid and Chelsea, who’ve shown interest in the Dutchman.
Van de Ven is an indispensable member of the Lilywhites backline and scored what was perhaps their goal of the season against FC Copenhagen recently, mimicking Son Heung-min’s famous Puskas winner with a mazy run from deep inside his own half.
Interest in the 24-year-old is inevitable, with Hoddle now commenting on the defender’s long-term future.
Glenn Hoddle tips van de Ven to snub Tottenham contract offer
Amid claims that Spurs are eager to tie down their superstar centre-back, Hoddle has now told Capital Football that he expects van de Ven to snub Tottenham’s advances over a new deal.
Hoddle adds that he is the club’s ‘only’ world-class player, and could ply his trade at basically any team in the world.
The former Wolfsburg star was also a vital member of Ange Postecoglou’s team and key to the Australian’s high line. Whenever van de Ven was absent through injury, you noticed, and he’d be an equally hard player to replace for Frank.
Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is the only Spurs star to play more Premier League minutes this season than van de Ven, highlighting just how pivotal he is for Tottenham’s new boss.
Replacing him would be a near-impossible task, but luckily for the club, he’s already contracted until 2029.
The Colorado Rockies turned the first triple play of the new MLB season Tuesday. In the top of the second inning, Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson hit a ground ball to third base with runners on first and second.
Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon fielded the ball near the bag and tagged third. He then fired the ball to Kyle Farmer at second, who cleanly turned it and hit Michael Toglia at first base to beat Wilson and quickly end the inning.
The 5-4-3 triple play marked the fifth triple play in Rockies history and the first since 2015. After the play, McMahon and starting pitcher Germán Márquez slapped their gloves together to celebrate the feat as Colorado improbably got out of an early jam. Farmer smiled with Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar as they ran toward the dugout.
The Rockies' last triple play came on Sept. 1, 2015 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Athletics haven't hit into a triple play since 2021 when they did so against the New York Yankees according to the AP.
Before Saturday, the last triple play across the MLB occurred on Sept. 24, 2024 when the San Diego Padres turned one in the ninth inning to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers and clinch a playoff berth.
Glasgow Rangers head coach Danny Rohl has won his first three Scottish Premiership matches in charge of the club, after Russell Martin failed to string back-to-back wins together.
The Gers beat Dundee 3-0 at Dens Park on Sunday in the last game before the international break, and there was a first league goal for winger Djeidi Gassama.
He cut in from the left wing to curl a brilliant finish into the far corner, as show in the clip above, after he had failed to score in his first ten appearances in the division after his move from Sheffield Wednesday in the summer.
Gassama has now scored six goals in all competitions for the Light Blues, having scored four goals in the Champions League qualifiers and one in th Europa League, per Transfermarkt, after a £2.2m move from the Owls.
The French winger will be hoping that his goal against Dundee will be a platform to build from for the rest of the season, as he looks to provide consistent quality at the top end of the pitch on the left flank.
Rangers will also be hoping that is the case so that they can mark him down as another successful attacking signing, of which there have been a few in recent seasons.
Ranking Rangers biggest talents since they last won the Premiership
Since the Gers won the Premiership title under Steven Gerrard in the 2020/21 campaign, the Scottish giants have not had too much success on the pitch or with managers.
A couple of domestic cup wins has not been enough to see continuity in the dugout, which is a cause for concern, but the Light Blues have had some exciting players to watch in the last few years.
It is hard to look past Vaclav Cerny and Hamza Igamane as being two of the biggest talents at the club since the last league win. Cerny provided 18 goals and nine assists in all competitions, whilst the Morocco international managed 16 goals and three assists.
Calvin Bassey, who was sold to Ajax for £19.6m, also has to be up there because he is the club’s most expensive sale of all time, and is currently playing consistently in the Premier League with Fulham.
Arguably the biggest talent Rangers have had since they last won the league, though, is attacking midfielder Malik Tillman, who was on loan from Bayern Munich in the 2023/24 campaign.
Biggest Rangers talents since they last won the league
Rank
Player
1
Malik Tillman
2
Hamza Igamane
3
Calvin Bassey
4
Vaclav Cerny
5
Abdallah Sima
The USA international provided 12 goals and five assists in all competitions for the club during his loan spell, per Transfermarkt, and provided many moments of quality for the supporters to enjoy.
On top of his excellent performances for Rangers, Tillman has gone on to enjoy a successful career away from Ibrox. He currently plays for German giants Bayer Leverkusen and is valued at £30m by Transfermarkt, which is more than any other player on that list.
It is, therefore, hard to argue against the goalscoring midfielder being the biggest talent Rangers have had since they last won the league, because he is currently the most valuable former or current Gers player, per Transfermarkt, from then to now.
Whilst Gassama will be hoping to follow in Tillman’s footsteps in the months and seasons to come, there is another Gers star who could be the club’s biggest talent since the American.
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Mikey Moore has not had the perfect start to his career at Ibrox, since signing on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, but recent performances suggest that he is turning a corner.
Why Mikey Moore could be the biggest Rangers talent since Malik Tillman
The England youth international failed to provide a goal or an assist for Russell Martin in five Premiership appearances, in what was a very difficult opening couple of months for him at the club.
Since Martin’s exit, though, Moore has scored one goal and provided one assist in four appearances in the division, matching Gassama’s tally from 11 league outings this season, per Sofascore.
Like the French forward, the Spurs loanee scored his first goal for the club in the 3-0 win at Dens Park on Sunday, as he picked up the ball in a central position and finished brilliantly into the bottom corner.
The 18-year-old starlet is still learning and developing each week as he gains vital first-team experience, and it is showing in his improved performances on the pitch, with two goal contributions in the last four league matches after none in the first five.
Moore is getting better each week, as evidenced by his improved form in front of goal, and that is an exciting prospect when you consider his form for Spurs at academy level.
The English forward scored 19 goals and provided 13 assists in 24 matches at U18 level for the Premier League side, per Transfermarkt, which shows the kind of output that he has the potential to offer if he can get to his very best.
Moore, who Como scout Ben Mattinson claimed has “superstar potential”, could develop into a brilliant forward for Rangers if he can add the consistency that was shown in his performances at academy level, after finally getting off the mark in the Premiership on Sunday.
Most valuable Glasgow Rangers players (25/26)
Player
Market value
Mikey Moore
£14m
Nicolas Raskin
£10m
Mohamed Diomande
£7m
Youssef Chermiti
£7m
Nasser Djiga
£7m
Valuations via Transfermarkt
As you can see in the table above, the Spurs loanee is currently the most valuable player in the Rangers squad, at £14m, and that is whilst he is also the youngest player in the team.
At the age of 18, Moore has so much time left ahead of him to progress and develop, and he is already showing signs of growth in his performances for the Gers.
Rangers launch first enquiry to sign versatile defender who dominated Chermiti
The Gers desperately need reinforcements.
ByTom Cunningham Nov 7, 2025
That is why the English winger could be the club’s biggest talent since Tillman because he is a future “superstar” who could go on to be worth as much, if not more, than the American star.
In surprising praise for his former rival, Steven Gerrard claimed that one Manchester United legend would now be the best in his position in the Premier League.
Gerrard has say on Man United rivalry
Gerrard’s Premier League title never quite arrived. Whether it was down to the sudden emergence of a beach ball in front of Pepe Reina or his own disastrous slip against Chelsea many years later is something that many at Anfield will still be thinking about, but it’s also worth considering the strength of Liverpool’s rivals in this era.
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By
Ben Gray
Oct 7, 2025
This was Man United at their very best. For large parts of this era, they were unstoppable under Sir Alex Ferguson – winning 13 Premier League titles in total. Even Champions League miracle men at Anfield couldn’t stand in the Red Devils’ way and Gerrard has now had his say as to why those at Old Trafford had the edge and the part he played in the rivalry between Man United and Liverpool.
The rivalry was often so fierce that it arguably came to the detriment of England’s Golden Generation. Both camps failed to put their egos aside for the benefit of the Three Lions and ultimately failed as a result.
Now, years later, the respect is finally there in full and Gerrard has even gone as far as to say that one Man United legend would be the “best” in his position these days.
Gerrard: Scholes would be the "best" if he played now
Handing surprising praise to his old rival, Gerrard said that Paul Scholes would be the “best midfielder” in the Premier League nowadays with the technical aspects of his game standing out.
The Liverpool legend told Rio Ferdinand: “I think Scholesy if he played now would hands down be the best midfielder in the Premier League. That’s a fact.”
Scholes in the Premier League
Stats
Appearances
499
Goals
107
Assists
61
Title Wins
11
For so long, there has been a debate around who takes top spot between Frank Lampard, Gerrard and Scholes – a midfield three which somehow never worked for England – but Gerrard seems to believe that it would be the former United man in top spot if all three played in the modern game.
It’s some of the highest praise that Scholes could have received, given the talent in the Premier League these days. Gerrard even put him above Manchester City’s Rodri in what should please those at Old Trafford. And to say that Ruben Amorim could do with a player of Scholes’ calibre now would be an understatement.
أدلى المدير الفني لفريق مانشستر سيتي، بيب جوارديولا، بتصريحات عقب فوزهم المثير في مباراة اليوم ضد ليفربول، في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، موسم 2025/26.
واستضاف ملعب “الاتحاد” قمة منافسات الجولة الحادية عشر من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي، حيث حقق مانشستر سيتي فوزًا بثلاثة أهداف دون رد.
وقال جوارديولا، في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية: “كان الشوط الأول رائعًا وضغطوا علينا أكثر في الثاني، نسينا اللعب بعض الشئ، خاصة في أول خمس إلى عشر دقائق، فقدنا الكرات ومنحناهم الزخم، ثم سنحت لهم فرصة أو اثنتين”.
وأضاف: “لم يعجبني الشوط الثاني ضد ليفربول، لكننا قدمنا أسبوعًا رائعًا بالنسبة لنا، نيكو أوريلي؟ كان مذهلًا، بشكل عام كان الجميع استثنائيين، هو يستطيع اللعب في ذلك المركز، حضوره في الكرات الثابتة والطويلة سريع، إنه ذكي ويلعب بشكل رائع”.
اقرأ أيضًا.. شبكة إنجليزية: لاعب مانشستر سيتي تفوق على محمد صلاح “التائه” بسهولة
وواصل: “أعتقد أنه كان جيدًا جدًا، لقد كان يُقدم أداءً رائعًا، كان محمد صلاح كابوسًا لنا على مدار سنوات عديدة، لطالما عاقبنا بسرعة، قلت لـ أرويلي (عليك أن تكون شرسًا)، وأن تتلقى المساعدة كلما امتلك صلاح الكرة، لاعبان أو ثلاثة قريبون منه، كان دوكو وبرناردو سيلفا وفودين قريبون منه لعدم تركه في موقف واحد أمام واحد”.
واسترسل: “لقد كانت معركة جماعية مذهلة، كان دفاعه دفاعيًا ممتازًا، خاصة في الشوط الأول. لكن نيكو ارتقى بمستواه خطوة للأمام، عليك أن تثبت أمام أفضل الأجنحة كيف تتصرف وتؤدي، وليس هناك مثال أفضل من مواجهة صلاح، والتعامل معه ببراعة!”.
وفيما يخص أداء جيريمي دوكو، قال: “اسمعوا، أعلم أنني جيد لكن لا تبالغوا في تقديري، اللاعبون هم من يقومون بذلك بأنفسهم، علينا أن نحاول منحهم زخمًا جيدًا وتواصلًا جيدًا، هل تعتقد أنني أعلمه كيفية مراوغة الفرص؟ إنها موهبة طبيعية، قدم مباراة رائعة ضد أحد أفضل المدافعين في الدوري الإنجليزي”.
Fiorentina goalkeeper David de Gea has admitted he feared a 6-0 loss before VAR intervened in his club's dramatic 2-2 draw with Bologna in Serie A. The goalkeeper dismissed pressure as "an excuse" as La Viola remain winless in the relegation zone, relying on two late penalties to salvage a point against their 10-man opponents.
Dramatic comeback salvages point amid protests
Fiorentina's winless start to the 2025-26 campaign looked set to continue in disastrous fashion. Bologna, who remain fifth in the table, established a commanding lead through goals from Santiago Castro in the 25th minute and Nicolo Cambiaghi early in the second half.
The hosts were met with harsh protests from the Franchi crowd as the match unravelled. The turning point arrived when Bologna's Thijs Dallinga appeared to score a third goal, only for VAR to intervene and rule the goal out for an offside against Riccardo Orsolini.
Buoyed by the reprieve, Fiorentina were awarded a penalty, which Albert Gudmundsson converted in the 74th minute. Bologna's task was made more difficult when Emil Holm received a red card in the 83rd minute. Deep into stoppage time, Fiorentina earned a second spot-kick, allowing Moise Kean to secure the equaliser after four minutes of stoppage time.
The statistics reflected a chaotic match. Fiorentina registered 17 total shots, with six on target, while Bologna managed six shots, hitting the target three times. Possession was split evenly at 50-50.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportDe Gea admits 6-0 fear after disallowed goal
Speaking to , De Gea confessed the panic that set in after Dallinga's disallowed goal, believing the match was lost.
"After the 3-0, we thought we could lose 6-0, then I don't know why the goal was disallowed, but we gained confidence and almost won," De Gea stated. "The truth is, we could have easily lost, but we played a good last 25 minutes."
The goalkeeper acknowledged the result was ultimately positive given the circumstances. "In the end, though, it's a good point because the game was almost lost, but it's true that we're struggling a bit. We all have to do a little better, and even if it's not easy for the fans, we all have to go in the same direction."
Fiorentina 'can't be afraid' – De Gea
During his post-match press conference, De Gea was adamant that the team's poor mentality is not a valid reason for their position in the table, rejecting the idea that pressure is affecting the squad.
"If we're afraid to play… We're men, we play for Fiorentina: we can't feel the pressure, for me that's an excuse," he said. "We're doing badly on the pitch, some young players may feel the pressure, but this is the time to do better. We're close to getting this victory, I'm sure that when we win we'll start playing better and winning more."
He also addressed the chaotic nature of the match's officiating, stating: "A bit of chaos… Sometimes things go your way, sometimes they don't, it's a bit strange. But this is football today and we have to accept it."
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Goalkeeper highlights Serie A and Conference League disparity
While Fiorentina have performed adequately in the UEFA Conference League, winning both of their games so far to go top of the table, their domestic form is dire. De Gea pointed to the significant gap in quality between the two competitions as a reason for the discrepancy.
"The level of these two teams we faced in the Conference is lower than in Serie A," De Gea explained. "We played well in the Conference, but in the league we're not the same because it's tougher, we play against strong teams. We're struggling a lot and you can feel it in the locker room too: the only solution is to work and fight game after game.
"Certainly no one expected this start to the season. We haven't won yet, and we're struggling. The team isn't performing well, but we have to stay positive.
"As Kean said, we need to believe more among ourselves… We have to believe more than anyone else, raising the bar and winning games. Serie A is tough, but that's football: we have to stay united with the fans, it's very hard for them too, but we have to follow the same path."
Tottenham Hotspur are now expected to submit an opening offer for a “special” forward, having sent scouts to watch him in action over the weekend.
Spurs looking to sign new forward after disappointing draw
Thomas Frank has made a solid start to life as Tottenham boss, but there have been a couple of worrying results, having lost 1-0 at home to AFC Bournemouth at the end of August, and they came close to suffering another loss on Saturday afternoon.
Heading into the game, Wolverhampton Wanderers were the only side yet to pick up a point in the Premier League, but they very nearly took all three against Spurs, with a late Joao Palhinha goal salvaging a draw for the hosts.
It was a game devoid of many real chances, with Frank’s side recording an xG of just 0.91, which is arguably a worrying sign in a match against a struggling side, and the Lilywhites have now entered the mark to sign a new forward.
That is according to a report from Brazil (via Sport Witness), which states Tottenham are expected to make an opening bid in the region of £25.7m for Vasco da Gama forward Rayan, having sent scouts to watch him in action at the weekend.
Zenit St Petersburg are also keen on the 19-year-old, and the Russian side have already submitted an offer of their own, so Spurs may need to move swiftly to ensure they win the race for his signature.
The teenager is described as a 1v1 winger, who is capable of playing on both wings, which suggests he could be a viable alternative for Savinho, who is now set to extend his Manchester City contract until 2031.
Thomas Frank hails 2 more Tottenham stars alongside Palhinha after Wolves draw
The Spurs boss called it “huge”.
ByCharlie Smith Sep 28, 2025 "Special" Rayan could be future star
Lauded as “special” by Vasco da Gama manager Fernando Diniz, the starlet has already established himself as an important player for the Brazilian side, making 83 appearances in all competitions, during which time he’s picked up 15 goals and two assists.
Diniz isn’t the youngster’s only admirer either, with scout Ben Mattinson praising the Brazilian for his finishing ability a little over a year ago.
After missing out on Savinho, Tottenham were unable to bring in another out-and-out winger during the summer transfer window, so it would make sense to explore a move for an alternative option this January.
It would be a risk to sign Rayan, given that he is unproven outside Brazil, but the Rio de Janeiro-born forward clearly has a lot of potential, and a fee in the region of £25m could end up being a bargain in the long run.
Tottenham Hotspur kick-started their Champions League 2025/26 campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over LaLiga outfit Villarreal in North London last night.
It wasn’t a vintage performance from Thomas Frank’s men, but it was a performance that got the job done and secured all three points in their opening encounter.
The Lilywhites will need to produce better displays going forward if they are to secure automatic qualification to the knockout stages of the competition.
There’s no doubt the Dane will ensure the side don’t replicate such a display, especially when the side travel to face Bodo Glimt in their next European outing at the end of the month.
However, if the side is to produce a better display in Norway, the manager will need to drop one player after his dismal showing against Marcelino Garcia’s men.
Why Richarlison needs to be dropped by Frank
While Richarlison has been a live wire for Spurs this campaign, netting two goals to date, his showing against Villarreal was arguably one of his worst in the new season.
The Brazilian was handed the responsibility of leading the line once again, but failed to produce a performance highlighting the trust put into him by boss Frank.
He only registered 23 touches during his 77-minute performance, completing just three passes in the process – subsequently failing to maintain possession for the Lilywhites.
The 28-year-old also failed to complete any of his attempted dribbles and failed to register a single effort on goal, further showcasing his lack of positive impact in the final third.
Richarlison’s dismal outing didn’t stop there, even picking up a yellow card for a late challenge on Juan Foyth – showing glimpses of his rash past, which has led to questions previously being asked about his attitude.
There’s no denying that the manager should drop him from his next starting eleven, but he shouldn’t be alone in being excluded after his recent showing in the Champions League.
The Spurs star who should be dropped alongside Richarlison
The start to the Frank reign at Spurs has been a positive one, with his side winning four of the first five competitive games he’s taken charge of in 2024/25.
Wins against Manchester City, Burnley and West Ham United were certainly more convincing, but the same can’t be said for the showing against the Spanish outfit last night.
The three points will be the most important aspect, but the manager will no doubt be concerned about his team’s lack of talent during the 1-0 triumph on home soil.
Richarlison was just one player who failed to deliver, but Djed Spence also fell into such a category despite his own recent rise to stardom in North London.
The full-back has started every game of Frank’s tenure, subsequently leading to the 25-year-old claiming his maiden England call-up during the recent international break.
However, his recent success is credit to the player, but his outing against Villarreal showed glimpses of arrogance – resulting in a debut Champions League performance to forget.
Spence featured for 69 minutes against the Spanish outfit, winning just one tackle and failing to make a single interception – falling way below the standards he’s set for himself.
Minutes played
69
Touches
52
Tackles won
1
Interceptions made
0
Possession lost
9x
Misplaced passes
6
Recoveries made
0
Match rating
5/10
He also lost possession nine times, misplacing six of his attempted passes, even registering just 52 touches of the ball – a tally fewer than that of goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who managed 55.
As a result of his showing, Spence was handed a measly 5/10 match rating by Football London journalist Alasdair Gold – further highlighting his struggles in Europe’s biggest competition.
Such a showing will cast doubt over his position in the first-team squad, which could see Destiny Udogie handed a rare start in the Premier League this weekend.
The Englishman and Richarlison certainly endured evenings to forget last night, with Frank needing to try alternative solutions if he is to maintain the excellent start to life in the role.
He'll be Frank's own Bale: Spurs have hit gold on "phenomenal" £20m star
Tottenham Hotspur have unearthed themselves a new gem over the last couple of months.
Newcastle United’s search for a new striker has intensified as the transfer window enters its decisive stages.
The club are locked in a complex situation involving Alexander Isak, who has made it clear he has no intention of reintegrating into Eddie Howe’s squad.
The Swede has not featured in either of Newcastle’s opening Premier League fixtures and has refused to train, citing broken promises and a desire for change.
Without a recognised number nine, the Magpies have looked blunt in attack.
Against Aston Villa and Liverpool, Newcastle created opportunities but lacked a clinical edge, with makeshift forward Anthony Gordon even seeing red in the latter fixture.
That dismissal leaves William Osula as the only available striker, underlining the urgency of the situation.
Newcastle line up move for new striker target
Eddie Howe’s men have moved for several targets already this summer.
Bids for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa and Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen have been rejected, while they’re also now tracking Atletico Madrid’s Alexander Sorloth.
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With Liverpool circling around Isak, the club have turned to the continent for solutions.
According to reports in Italy, via Sport Witness, intermediaries are attempting to engineer a deal between Newcastle United and AS Roma for Ukrainian striker Artem Dovbyk.
The Magpies are said to have proposed a dry loan, though Roma are holding firm: they want either a permanent sale or guarantees that a deal will eventually be made permanent.
Villarreal are also interested in the forward. The Spanish side, having agreed a £26m deal to sell winger Yeremy Pino to Crystal Palace, have the funds available to pursue Dovbyk, though they too have only offered a loan arrangement.
Roma are demanding around €30m (£25m) for the 28-year-old, who joined from Girona last summer.
Why Dovbyk could be a better fit than Sørloth
Dovbyk scored 12 goals and registered three assists in 32 Serie A appearances during his debut season in Italy, following on from a remarkable final campaign in Spain where he fired Girona into the Champions League with 24 goals and eight assists.
The Ukrainian international has 36 caps and 11 goals for his country and has drawn praise from some high-profile figures.
Former Manchester City, Liverpool and Italy forward Mario Balotelli recently remarked: “In terms of style, I would say he is similar to Haaland.”
With Isak unwilling to return and Callum Wilson having left for West Ham after his contract expired, the Magpies are short of options.
Newcastle United'sCallumWilsonsalutes their fans after the match
Dovbyk is now seen as one of the most viable replacements to fill the void and give Howe the focal point his system demands.
The arrival of a new number nine at St James’ Park has been a pressing issue for months, and much of the conversation has centred on whether Newcastle should prioritise Dovbyk or another prominent target: Sørloth.
Sørloth, who enjoyed a prolific campaign with Atlético Madrid last season, netted 20 goals and supplied two assists across 35 La Liga appearances.
The 29-year-old Norwegian stands taller than Dovbyk’s 1.89 at 1.95m and has extensive international experience, with 63 caps and 24 goals for his country.
His form in Spain has reignited his reputation following a disappointing spell in the Premier League with Crystal Palace, where he failed to score in 16 appearances.
By comparison, Dovbyk is slightly younger at 28 and has demonstrated consistency in two of Europe’s top leagues.
His record for Girona marked him out as one of the most lethal strikers in La Liga, and his transition to Serie A saw him continue to contribute regularly.
For Newcastle, that track record of adaptation could be crucial in the Premier League. A statistical comparison between the two highlights the differences in their playing styles.
Matches Played
35
32
Goals
20
12
Assists
2
2
Progressive Carries
32
24
Progressive Passes
31
16
Sørloth’s numbers showcase his volume shooting and ability to dominate games as a target man.
According to FBref, he registered 4.48 shots per 90 last season with Atlético compared to Dovbyk’s 2.27, and scored 19 non-penalty goals compared to Dovbyk’s ten.
His shooting accuracy was also higher, with 51.3% of attempts hitting the target against Dovbyk’s 41%.
AS Roma's Artem Dovbyk celebrates scoring their first goal withLorenzoPellegrini
However, Dovbyk edges his rival in other areas. He is more efficient in possession, completing 74.1% of his passes compared to Sørloth’s 63.8%, and averages more shot-creating actions per 90 (1.94 to 1.73).
He is also less reliant on sheer volume, with his ten non-penalty goals last season coming from an expected goals figure of 10.3 – suggesting he converts chances at the rate they are expected, without overperforming.
Sørloth, by contrast, scored 19 from 16.0 expected goals, hinting at a potentially unsustainable level of finishing.
Alexander Sorloth celebrates scoring for Atletico Madrid.
Stylistically, Dovbyk offers Newcastle a profile closer to Isak’s. He can link play, operate as a focal point, and combine technical quality with aerial presence. Sørloth, meanwhile, provides sheer firepower.
His 22 goal involvements outweigh Dovbyk’s 14, but his reliance on high shooting volume may raise concerns about sustainability in a league where space is harder to find.
For Newcastle, the decision could come down to balance. They require not just goals, but a striker who complements their pressing game and fluid attacking style. Dovbyk’s blend of technical skill, physicality, and adaptability suggests he may be the more suitable long-term option, particularly if Isak departs for Liverpool.
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