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Leeds United lost in the Championship for the first time since November as they were beaten 1-0 by Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Whites were hit with a hammer blow in the second half as Colby Bishop raced through to dink the ball over Illan Meslier and into the back of the net to put the hosts in front.

Daniel Farke’s side created three ‘big chances’ and racked up 2.27 xG but could not take their opportunities in front of goal, and were made to pay for it.

There were numerous disappointing performances by Leeds players across the pitch in Hampshire, including from attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson and a certain Joel Piroe who missed a couple of sitters…

Brenden Aaronson's performance against Portsmouth

The USA international was once again selected to start in the number ten position for the Whites, tasked with knitting the midfield and the attack together.

Unfortunately, the former RB Salzburg man made it six games without a goal or an assist to show for his efforts, and just one goal and zero assists in his last 12 outings in the Championship.

Aaronson ended the defeat to Portsmouth with zero shots on goal and zero key passes, whilst he also lost all seven of his duels throughout the game. This shows that he was kept out of the match in and out of possession by the Pompey defenders.

He did, however, only have 20 touches of the ball, completing 73% of his attempted passes, and the midfielder could point to a lack of service into him as the reason why he struggled.

Performance in Numbers

There was, though, a Leeds player who was even worse than Aaronson in the middle of the park for Farke, as Ao Tanaka put in his worst performance of the season to date.

Ao Tanaka's worst performance for Leeds

The Japan international, who was once described as a “tiger” and an “unbelievable” signing by his manager, started alongside Ilia Gruev in midfield, but struggled to impact the game on or off the ball.

Tanaka, who was handed a 4/10 player rating by LeedsLive, was even worse than Aaronson as he completed a lower percentage (71%) of his passes, despite playing in a holding midfield role, and made an error that directly led to a shot for the opposition.

The American, at least, did not do anything to create a chance for Portsmouth, as Tanaka did, whilst they both lost 100% of their ground duels.

Tanaka	Vs Portsmouth	24/25 Championship (per game)
Pass accuracy	71%	90%
Ground duels won	0	3.7
Ground duel success rate	0%	54%
Possession lost	11x	8.1x
Dribbled past	2x	1.1x
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Japanese midfielder’s performance – which lasted just 68 minutes – was significantly worse than his average level in and out of possession in the Championship this season.

It was his worst Sofascore rating (6.1), his lowest pass completion rate (71%), his joint-lowest ground duel success rate (0%), and his joint-lowest ground duels won (zero) of the season as a starter so far.

This illustrates how far off his best the central midfielder was, as he put in his worst display in a Leeds shirt this season. Farke will now be hoping that Tanaka, and Aaronson, can get back to their best against Millwall at Elland Road on Wednesday night.

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The Japanese maestro must improve his use of the ball by getting back to his usual levels of efficiency, to ensure that Leeds can dicate the tempo of the game and create more chances in the final third.

MatériaMais Notícias

Contratado a peso de ouro no início da temporada, o meia Marlos, de 34 anos, pode ir embora do Athletico nos próximos dias. Com apenas 12 jogos disputados, o jogador está chateado e pretende encerrar o seu contrato para respirar novos ares.

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O último jogo de Marlos pelo Athletico ocorreu no dia 26 de maio, quando ajudou o seu time a derrotar o Caracas, na Libertadores.

Petraglia

Em meio ao desejo de ir embora, Marlos foi procurado pelo mandatário do Furacão, Mario Celso Petraglia, que pediu ao atleta para refletir antes de tomar uma decisão.

Tottenham Hotspur are now monitoring an “insane” midfielder, with a summer transfer possible if they are willing to pay the £50m+ asking price, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.

Tottenham planning midfield rebuild

Tottenham are planning to rejig their midfield in the summer transfer window, with manager Ange Postecoglou now making the call to cash-in on Yves Bissouma, in order to fund a move for Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, who is expected to cost around £66m.

Bissouma has attracted interest from a number of Premier League clubs, namely Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Everton, and the 28-year-old’s time in north London could be coming to an end, having played a more sporadic role in recent weeks.

Wharton is not the only midfielder on the shortlist, however, with AS Monaco’s Lamine Camara also of interest, while Spurs are also in the race to sign Sunderland’s Jobe Bellingham, who could be allowed to leave the Championship club for a big fee this summer.

Sky Sports: Tottenham express interest in signing "prolific" £66m striker

Spurs are now showing interest in a striker, who’s also being targeted by Arsenal, according to Florian Plettenberg.

ByDominic Lund Mar 4, 2025

Not only are Tottenham in the running for the Sunderland star, but they are also one of the clubs keen on signing a player who’s drawn comparisons to his brother Jude.

Plettenberg has recently confirmed Spurs are now “monitoring” Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Hugo Larsson, who is attracting widespread interest ahead of the summer transfer window, with Arsenal, Liverpool and several other unnamed teams also keen.

A summer move is said to be a possibility, should Frankfurt receive a fee of at least €60m (£50m), with the German club expecting “concrete offers” to be put forward.

Tottenham Hotspur’s upcoming fixtures

Date

AZ Alkmaar (a)

March 6th

AFC Bournemouth (h)

March 9th

AZ Alkmaar (h)

March 13th

Fulham (a)

March 16th

Chelsea (a)

April 3rd

"Insane" Larsson could be an excellent signing

Freelance scout Ben Mattinson has lauded Larsson as being “very similar to Bellingham”, while also praising him for his engine and ability to drive the ball forward.

Postecoglou is well-known for his high-pressing, attacking style, which means it is important to have players with good stamina, indicating the Frankfurt star could be a perfect fit for the Australian’s system.

Not only that, but the Swedish midfielder has also proven himself to be a consistent goal threat, ranking in the 89th percentile for non-penalty goals per 90 over the past year, when compared to his positional peers.

At just 20-years-old, Larsson could be a fantastic long-term addition to Postecoglou’s squad, so it is promising news Tottenham could be in the race for his signature this summer.

Napoli have contacted Kevin De Bruyne's representatives over a potential move to Italy, according to a report.

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De Bruyne will leave Man City this summerNapoli keen on free transfer

Liverpool and Chicago Fire also want Belgian star

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Belgium international De Bruyne will leave Manchester City when his contract expires at the end of the season and The Times claim Napoli are keen on a deal. Antonio Conte's Serie A title hopefuls have reached out to confirm their interest and a potential move would keep the 33-year-old in top-level European football given they have already qualified for the Champions League next season.

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However, Napoli are not the only team considering a move for the six-time Premier League champion. Liverpool are said to have made a shock approach that would keep him in England, while Major League Soccer outfit Chicago Fire are also in the running if De Bruyne opts to try something different.

DID YOU KNOW?

De Bruyne confirmed at the start of April he would not remain at the Etihad Stadium beyond the current campaign. He leaves having established himself as one of the greatest midfielders in Premier League history, scoring 72 goals alongside 119 assists.

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR NAPOLI AND DE BRUYNE?

Napoli have stolen a three-point advantage at the top of Serie A with three games to play, with Conte closing in on a fifth Italian championship after previous successes with Juventus and Inter. De Bruyne, meanwhile, will continue his City farewell tour against Southampton on Saturday.

Everton and James Tarkowski made it a Goodison goodbye to remember in an affair full of drama as he slammed home at the death to snatch a point and dent what has seemed an inevitable Liverpool title charge.

Everton

Game stats

Liverpool

36%

Possession

64%

10

Shots

6

3

On target

4

3

Bookings

3

2

Corners

3

Everton player ratings Jordan Pickford – 6

Although the England number one had little to do, it was a frustrating evening for Jordan Pickford who parried Curtis Jones’ effort into the path of Salah as Liverpool found what they believed to be the winner.

Jake O'Brien – 8

One of O’Brien’s best performances in an Everton shirt as he continues to make up for a slow start in a rejuvenated run under David Moyes, he was unfortunate not to end the game with three points.

James Tarkowski – 8

Dominant up against Luis Diaz and then against Darwin Nunez, Tarkowski enjoyed an evening to savour, equalising with a thumping finish at the death to send Goodison Park into bedlam.

Jarrad Branthwaite – 7.5

Just like his centre-back partner, Branthwaite enjoyed a fine evening, and continues to rediscover last season’s form as he made what seemed like a million clearances.

Vitaliy Mykolenko – 5.5

Back from injury, the Ukraine endured a quiet evening and summed that up with a late cross into the stands just when Everton needed a pinpoint delivery.

James Garner – 6

Although not as prominent as his teammates, Garner still managed to push his side onto the front foot in what could have resulted in victory on another day.

Idrissa Gueye – 7.5

Among those who deserved three points at Goodison Park, Idrissa Gueye took control in the middle of the park in a scrappy affair, breaking up play throughout.

Jesper Lindstrom – 6

Did well to keep Andrew Robertson busy and push the Liverpool frontline into their defensive half, albeit whilst failing to make his mark on the scoresheet.

Abdoulaye Doucoure – 7

Moving up next to Beto at times, Doucoure handed Virgil van Dijk a rare uncomfortable game, but loses marks for heading a crucial chance wide of the mark. Sent off after the full-time whistle to add to the drama.

Iliman Ndiaye – 6

Earning the free-kick which led to Beto’s opening strike, Ndiaye left his mark before limping off in tears midway through the half. Everton will certainly be hoping for a swift return.

Beto – 9

One of the best games that he has enjoyed at Goodison Park, Beto handed Ibrahima Konate a nightmare at times in a true derby battle, whilst also netting his third goal in two league games.

Substitutes: Jack Harrison, Carlos Alcaraz, Tim Iroegnunam

Liverpool player ratings Alisson – 7

The Brazilian would have been left angered by his side’s lack of sharpness for Beto’s goal, but otherwise enjoyed a quiet game on the shot-stopping front.

Conor Bradley – 6

In a game full of angst, Conor Bradley was among several who received a booking from Michael Oliver, before he tested the referee’s patience with one foul too many for Arne Slot, who hooked the right-back on the hour mark.

Ibrahima Konate – 6.5

Losing a crucial aerial battle in the dying embers, Konate will be desperate to move on from what was a difficult evening at times up against Beto.

Virgil van Dijk – 7.5

Unusually scrappy by his standards and forced to shift out of first gear by a resilient Beto and Doucoure, but still mopped up with aplomb several times.

Andrew Robertson – 6

Again Liverpool’s achilles heel at times, Robertson – like many – failed to escape Oliver’s book and faced the same fate as Bradley when Slot introduced Kostas Tsimikas.

Ryan Gravenberch – 6.5

By his standards, the Dutchman struggled to take control of proceedings and instead found himself sucked into a scrappy affair before Slot brought his game to an end on the hour mark.

Alexis Mac Allister – 7

Found an excellent equaliser by heading home despite his unlikely aerial prowess. Mac Allister is creating a habit of enjoying important moments.

Dominik Szoboszlai – 6.5

Entering the derby in fine form, Szoboszlai struggled to gain control at times up against a frantic Everton midfield. Tested Pickford with a fine effort in the first half.

Mohamed Salah – 8

For a moment, it looked as though the Egyptian King was set to bow out at Goodison Park with one last royal goodbye, only for Tarkowski to spoil his moment.

Luis Diaz – 4

Continuing Liverpool’s number nine problem, Diaz struggled to get into the game and continued to look like a player shoehorned out of position.

Cody Gakpo – 6

Unusually quiet despite recent form, Gakpo followed the initial trend of a frustrating night for Liverpool’s frontline before being replaced by Darwin Nunez.

Substitutes: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kostas Tsimikas, Darwin Nunez, Curtis Jones

Hayley Matthews briefly threatened in the chase but was cut off by a superb catch from Grace Harris

AAP18-Oct-2022Brisbane Heat openers Georgia Redmayne and Grace Harris have set a franchise-record opening stand to set up a 21-run win in the WBBL clash with the Melbourne Renegades.Redmayne and Harris combined for a stunning 165-run stand in Mackay that featured scintillating shots all around the ground and slick running between wickets. The partnership was the highest for any wicket in the Heat’s history and the third-best in WBBL history.Heat have a strong record against the Renegades and their 180 total was the fourth best in their history, with three of those coming against their Melbourne opponents.The powerful Harris gave the innings early impetus with three boundaries in the opening over. Redmayne, a stylish left-hander, started sedately but warmed to her task. Her timing and placement throughout the innings was impeccable. She started the final over within reach of a century but was at the non-striker’s end for the final two deliveries.Renegades began their innings with a flourish, opener Hayley Matthews racing to 35 from 19 deliveries. She was looking dangerous before Harris flung herself to the left to take a splendid diving catch in the covers.The required run rate blew out to over 12 with six overs remaining and the Heat cruised to their second win in a row. Impressive legspinner Amelia Kerr was the pick of the Heat bowlers.