Over the past five years, Newcastle United’s fixtures with Brighton & Hove Albion have become a compelling Premier League rivalry defined by fine margins, contrasting styles, and tactical discipline.

The Magpies have often found Brighton’s fluid attacking shape difficult to contain.

Their 3–0 defeat in March 2021 under Steve Bruce was a low point in the club’s modern history – a result that underlined the growing gulf between a stagnant Newcastle and an ascendant Brighton.

Eddie Howe’s appointment marked a turning point, and by March 2022, Newcastle struck back with a 2–1 victory at St James’ Park, signalling their resurgence.

That resurgence peaked in May 2023, when Howe’s side thrashed Brighton 4–1 in one of their most complete performances of the season – a result that helped secure Champions League qualification.

But since then, Brighton have regained the upper hand.

Evan Ferguson’s stunning hat-trick in September 2023 sealed a 3–1 win at the Amex, while the Seagulls edged a dramatic 2–1 FA Cup victory after extra time at St James’ Park in 2025.

When the sides met in October 2024, Brighton’s 1–0 away win continued their dominance, meaning Newcastle have managed just one win in their last six meetings.

The rivalry has become symbolic of Newcastle’s fluctuating form – moments of brilliance offset by costly lapses – and no player embodies that sting of regret quite like Yankuba Minteh.

Why Yankuba Minteh was sold by Newcastle

Minteh’s story is one that still frustrates many Newcastle fans.

The Gambian winger, just 21 years old, joined the Magpies from Odense BK in 2023, instantly impressing with his blistering pace and low centre of gravity.

But due to the club’s rush to remain PSR compliant in the summer of 2024, he was sold to Brighton for a fee of around £30m – a decision that has since come back to haunt them.

Since making the move to the south coast, Minteh has thrived.

This season, he has already played seven times for Brighton, registering one goal and two assists, while his underlying performances show his growing maturity.

Matches

7

Minutes Played

591

Shots

11

Progressive Carries

37

Progressive Passes

7

His dribbling, directness, and unpredictability have made him one of the Premier League’s most exciting young wingers.

The most symbolic moment came last season when he scored against his former club in Brighton’s home win over Newcastle.

His celebration – part praise, part provocation towards the travelling Toon Army – encapsulated both his passion and his defiance.

It was a reminder of what Newcastle had lost: a young winger capable of changing games.

Minteh’s 2024/25 campaign ended with six goals in 32 appearances, establishing him as a key piece in Fabian Hurzeler’s system.

Internationally, he continues to shine for Gambia, scoring seven goals in 19 caps since making his debut in 2022.

His evolution at Brighton highlights Newcastle’s biggest frustration – selling a player they had barely begun to utilise.

And now, as the two clubs prepare to meet again in the 3pm kick-off this Saturday, Minteh stands as both a warning and an inspiration for Eddie Howe: talent must be trusted early, or it risks flourishing elsewhere.

Newcastle's answer to Minteh

While Minteh is thriving in Brighton blue, Newcastle may already have their answer in Anthony Elanga.

The Swedish international has endured a mixed start to life on Tyneside since his move from Nottingham Forest, but recent performances suggest he’s turning a corner.

Elanga, 23, has been central to Howe’s efforts to reignite Newcastle’s attack.

Though the Magpies have been solid defensively – keeping six clean sheets already this season – their forward line has struggled to find rhythm.

Elanga’s energy, pace, and ability to stretch defences could be the key to unlocking that potential.

His performances have improved as the season progresses: sharper off the ball, more decisive in transition, and increasingly willing to take on defenders.

It’s that blend of directness and discipline that earned him the tag of “dangerous” by analyst Ben Mattinson – traits that made Elanga a standout at Forest and once an attacking outlet under Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.

Much like Minteh, Elanga thrives when given space to run at full-backs, but his tactical versatility has allowed Howe to use him both wide and centrally.

His developing chemistry with Nick Woltemade gives Newcastle new dimensions going forward.

Crucially, Elanga represents something Newcastle lost with Minteh – fearless attacking intent.

The Swede’s willingness to press high, carry the ball aggressively, and exploit space behind defenders fits perfectly into Howe’s transition-heavy system.

With Brighton’s full-backs pushing high, Elanga’s pace could prove decisive in this weekend’s clash.

If he can produce the kind of form that once made him one of Manchester United’s brightest young prospects, Newcastle may finally have their revenge.

He already dazzled last term with 17 goals and assists in the Premier League for Nottingham Forest, as per Sofascore, far eclipsing Minteh’s own record of ten goal involvements on the south coast.

For Howe, this fixture is more than another Premier League match – it’s a test of progress, identity, and belief in youth.

Minteh’s success elsewhere may still sting, but in Elanga, Newcastle have a player ready to define their future rather than haunt their past.

Newcastle are brewing the homegrown Elanga in 18-year-old "huge talent"

Newcastle’s attack has struggled this season, but rising star could be the future spark they need

ByWill Miller Oct 17, 2025

أصدر نادي باريس سان جيرمان الفرنسي بيانًا رسميًا بشأن إصابة المغربي الدولي أشرف حكيمي، وعثمان ديمبلي بالإضافة للثنائي نونو مينديز وديزيري دوي.

وخاض باريس سان جيرمان مباراة أمس الثلاثاء أمام بايرن ميونخ الألماني، في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، على ملعب “حديقة الأمراء”.

وتعرض باريس سان جيرمان للهزيمة من بايرن ميونخ بهدفين لهدف، ضمن مواجهات الجولة الرابعة لمرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وشهدت المباراة إصابة لعثمان ديمبلي ولم يتمكن من استكمال المباراة، كما غادر أشرف حكيمي بإصابة قوية بعد تدخل عنيف من الكولومبي لويس دياز لاعب بايرن ميونخ، والذي تلقى بطاقة حمراء.

وأفاد باريس سان جيرمان في بيان رسمي أن حكيمي تعرض لالتواء شديد في كاحله الأيسر، مما سيبعده عن الملاعب لعدة أسابيع.

ولم يحدد باريس سان جيرمان بعد عدد الأسابيع المتوقعة لغياب حكيمي، لكن ورد في تقارير إن المدة ستتراوح من 6 إلى 8 أسابيع (طالع التفاصيل).

وعثمان ديمبيلي يعاني من إصابة في ربلة الساق اليسرى، وسيبقى تحت الرعاية الطبية خلال الأسابيع القليلة المقبلة.

وبالنسبة لنونو مينديز يعاني من التواء في ركبته اليسرى، وسيبقى تحت الرعاية الطبية خلال الأسابيع القليلة المقبلة، ويواصل ديزيريه دويه برنامجه التأهيلي.

وسيقدم باريس سان جيرمان آخر المستجدات بعد فترة التوقف الدولي في شهر نوفمبر الجاري والتي تبدأ يوم 10.

James Rodríguez is reportedly set to leave Club León at the end of the Apertura 2025, as his contract expires in December and neither side intends to renew. With only six months remaining before the 2026 World Cup, the former Real Madrid star will have to find a new destination and could either stay in Liga MX or make the move to MLS.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  An imminent goodbye

  According to Mediotiempo, Rodríguez’s time with Club León will come to an end once the Apertura 2025 concludes. The Colombian joined La Fiera last semester on a one-year deal, originally drawn by the chance to play in the FIFA Club World Cup. However, León’s participation was canceled after FIFA disqualified them for violating ownership regulations, leaving James without that international showcase.

  Since then, things haven’t gone as expected. León were knocked out in the quarterfinals of the Clausura 2025, and in the current Apertura campaign, they sit second-to-last (17th place) in the table. Rodríguez has gradually lost prominence within the team, scoring just three goals in 12 matches this season and five across 32 total appearances with the club.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Ambriz won’t stand in James’ way

  While the arrival of head coach Ignacio Ambriz briefly raised hopes, results failed to improve, with defeats to Toluca, Santos, and Atlas, and only a draw against Pumas in recent weeks. The report suggests that both the club and the player see separation as the best solution moving forward.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  MLS clubs keeping an eye on the Colombian

  The same outlet reported that several major Liga MX teams are monitoring the 33-year-old’s situation, while MLS sides have also expressed interest in signing the 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner once his contract expires in December.

  With the 2026 World Cup just around the corner, Rodríguez now faces a pivotal decision about the next chapter of his career – one that could determine his final act in top-level football.

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  What comes next for Club León?

  León will close the Apertura 2025 regular season with two challenging fixtures – first visiting América on Matchday 16 and then hosting Puebla on Matchday 17 – as the club looks to finish the campaign on a positive note. 

MatériaMais Notícias

O CRB recebe o Guarani neste sábado (23), às 17h (Brasília). A partida é válida pela 29ª rodada da Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro e terá transmissão da Band e do Premiere.

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+ Condição especial para matrícula no curso Gestor de Futebol, aprovado por Dante, Petković, Léo Moura e outros craques. Saiba mais!

O clube alagoano vem de derrota para o Juventude na última rodada, mas vive bom momento. A goleada por 6 a 0 contra o líder Vitória ainda segue fresca na mente da torcida, mas com o resultado negativo para os gaúchos, viu a diferença para o G4 aumentar para seis pontos.

Em uma sequência de três vitórias seguidas, o Guarani quer continuar vencendo e se tornar líder do campeonato. A fase positiva começou no clássico contra a Ponte Preta, venceu por 1 a 0, placar que se repetiu contra a Chapecoense. No último jogo, vitória maiúscula contra a Tombense por 3 a 0, no Brinco de Ouro da Princesa.

+ Abel Ferreira, técnico do Palmeiras, é denunciado pela Associação Brasileira de Árbitros

Data e horário: 23 de setembro de 2023, às 17h
Local: Estádio Rei Pelé, em Maceió, Alagoas
Onde assistir: Premiere e Band

PROVÁVEIS ESCALAÇÕES

CRB
Diogo Silva; Hereda, Gum, Fábio Alemão, Edimar; Falcão, Lucas Lima, João Paulo; Léo Pereira, Renato e Anselmo Ramon. (Técnico: Daniel Paulista)

GUARANI
Pegorari, Diogo Mateus, Lucão, Alan Santos e Mayk; Matheus Bueno, Matheus Barbosa e Bruninho; Bruno José, João Victor e Derek. (Técnico: Umberto Louzer)

“Even we bowled pretty good yorkers throughout the campaign and we just couldn’t get those yorkers going,” MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene said

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Jun-20253:14

Shreyas Iyer’s hat-trick of sixes turned the match

Head coach Mahela Jayawardene pointed to the “blunders” on the field and lack of “execution” with the ball as the primary reasons for Mumbai Indians’ (MI) exit from what had been a “good campaign” in IPL 2025. On Sunday night, which spilled into Monday, MI lost in Qualifier 2 to Punjab Kings (PBKS) by five wickets to miss a shot at their record sixth IPL title.”It was a good campaign for us, the way we started and how we regrouped as a team and played some really, really good cricket,” Jayawardene said in the press conference after the game. “We had our opportunities getting to the playoffs, and we had a really good game first half and even today, I thought we played some good cricket except for Kings playing better cricket than us. Especially with the bat, they were solid, especially chasing 200. It’s not that easy, they executed that pretty well.”We made a few blunders obviously with those two catches but I think that’s how the game goes, we had those luck going our way in the previous games. It was a good game of cricket and we came short, I think that’s as simple as that.”Related

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After being asked to bat first, MI posted a competitive 203 for 6, but it wasn’t enough to contain a clinical chase led by PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten 87. Jayawardene said that MI’s bowling approach was to take the pace off the ball and rely on yorkers – something they had done well throughout the season – but execution let them down at critical points.At the end of ten overs, PBKS needed 106 needed off 60 and MI were 61% on ESPNcricinfo’s win predictor. However, Iyer and Nehal Wadhera’s 84-run stand off just 47 balls took the game away from MI.”In phases, they batted well,” Jayawardene said. “We also came back and took the wickets and were in it, which is that middle phase, [but] we just couldn’t control that after the tenth over. Those four-five overs, we just couldn’t keep the pressure going, and that’s where especially Nehal and Shreyas, their partnership probably took the game away from us.2:30

Why didn’t Hardik and Santner complete their quota of overs?

“We also took some pace off, but like I said earlier, our execution wasn’t up to the mark, we have to take that [blame]. Even we bowled pretty good yorkers throughout the campaign and we just couldn’t get those yorkers going as well [today].”So it’s just execution and that can happen and they put us under pressure as well, so when they hit those vital blows in that middle phase, especially those sixes, that’s something that we need to stop in this kind of situation, but we just couldn’t do that.”What could MI have done differently? According to Varun Aaron, smarter use of the pitch and the ground dimensions might have helped MI regain control in the middle overs.”Definitely not bowl the length they bowled tonight,” he said on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out show. “They bowled too full. I definitely think they could have gone short and slow on this wicket, which [could have] got him [Iyer] out, especially with the boundaries being longer on one side. They just bowled too full.”

Leicestershire Foxes climbed to second place in the North Group table after an emphatic Vitality Blast victory over East Midland rivals Notts Outlaws at the Uptonsteel County Ground.Chasing a modest 157 on what looked a good pitch, the home side eased home by four wickets with 14 balls to spare thanks to a maiden T20 half-century from England’s Rehan Ahmed, who hit 52 from 37 balls, sharing a 69-run fourth-wicket partnership with Foxes skipper Louis Kimber (35 off 15).The Outlaws were bowled out for 156 in 19.3 overs, which always looked too few, with no one bettering Lyndon James’s 30 from 26 balls. Daniel Sams hit three sixes in his 28 from 17 but the Foxes were impressive with the ball, led by Logan van Beek (3 for 15) and Tom Scriven (2 for 18).Spinners Matt Montgomery and Calvin Harrison took two wickets each, the latter holding three catches, but the Outlaws never threatened to deny Leicestershire a fifth win of the season, with their own qualification hopes in the balance.Joe Clarke (24 off 12) and Freddie McCann (17 off 11) gave the visitors some powerplay punch after the Foxes opted to bowl first but at 65 for 3 midway through the seventh over they had already lost three of their most potent batters.Clarke, who waited for TV to check the catch, perished at deep backward square off Sam Wood. Jack Haynes was caught behind off a bottom edge before McCann, who cleared the ropes off Wood and van Beek, was beaten by Rehan’s third delivery and stumped.Tom Moores picked out deep midwicket as the home attack drove down the scoring rate before the Outlaws lost James for 30 from 26 thanks to a brilliant run out executed off his own bowling by Scriven.Sams and Montgomery counter-attacked, adding 47 in 25 balls as the former twice launched Rehan over the on-side boundary before pulling a huge maximum off Scriven.But Montgomery and Liam Patterson-White both found fielders, and Sams stretched for a wide ball and was caught behind. Van Beek took two in two to finish the innings, having Harrison caught at extra cover and Dillon Pennington bowled, the Foxes conceding just 18 runs in the last four overs.Sol Budinger, superbly caught at midwicket after 22 from 12, and Rishi Patel, top-edging a pull, were powerplay casualties in Leicestershire’s chase, which realised 50 for 2. Shan Masood looked well set before being bowled by Harrison’s legspin for 27 off 22 but the Foxes were in a good position at 89 for 3 after 10 overs, needing 68 more as Rehan and Kimber began to cut loose.Harrison’s success in removing Masood felt less of a blow as Kimber clobbered him for three mighty maximums, leaving 35 needed with seven overs still in hand.Kimber holed out for 35, Rehan was caught on the rope soon after hitting Harrison for his third six to go to 50 off 35, and Cox found a fielder too, before Ben Mike struck the winning boundary.

Outgoing captain says they also did not start well with the ball, which allowed Sri Lanka to take a big lead

Mohammad Isam28-Jun-2025Bangladesh’s inability to bring their Galle confidence to Colombo cost them the Test series, according to outgoing captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. He said that the 1-0 loss was set in motion when the top order failed to cash in on their decision to bat first.Shanto believed that batting first would give his team the best use of the SSC pitch. Instead, Bangladesh were bowled out for 247, before Sri Lanka piled on the pressure by scoring 458. The visitors then folded for 133 on the fourth morning, with only one batter crossing 25.”It was very disappointing [the way we played in Colombo], especially after the outstanding way we played in Galle,” Shanto said on Saturday. “We didn’t perform well in this Test as a team. We didn’t bat well in the first innings. It is a major reason we lost the Test. We were confident coming into the Colombo Test. We faced new conditions. Our first innings batting wasn’t up to the mark. Our first four batters got out in the 30s or 40s. It becomes difficult for the new batter to play a long innings. We need to improve in that area.Related

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Shanto steps down as Bangladesh Test captain after series loss against Sri Lanka

“We didn’t take a wrong decision at the toss. We batted poorly in the first innings. If you look at the conditions today, the ball is spinning more. The wicket was little bit slower in the first innings, but four or five batters couldn’t make a big score after getting good starts. We made 247, but if they scored big, then we would have made 400-450. It would have been a different game.”This was in stark contrast to Galle, where Bangladesh had scored 495 batting first. Sri Lanka replied with 485, but Shanto struck his second century in the match to put Bangladesh in another commanding position. Sri Lanka, set 296 to win, lost four wickets in the fourth innings before the game was drawn, leaving Bangladesh as the more confident of the two teams coming into Colombo.Shanto said that Bangladesh’s bowling was also not up to the mark at SSC, especially with the new ball. It allowed Sri Lanka to get away to a good start, and although Bangladesh fought back to take eight wickets on the third day, the hosts had already piled up a 400-plus total.”We didn’t start well with the ball. We gave away runs at almost five runs an over. It made life hard for the rest of the bowlers as the batters had the momentum. They batted freely. We took eight wickets in a short time yesterday so if we had done it from the start, Sri Lanka wouldn’t have batted for such a long time,” he said.

“I think we can take Nayeem’s bowling as a positive from this Test series”Najmul Hossain Shanto

Shanto said that Nayeem Hasan was one of the positives from the Test series, particularly because he has been getting such few opportunities since his 2018 debut.”I think we can take Nayeem’s bowling as a positive from this Test series. I think he got the opportunity to play seven Tests in the last seven years. To come in and perform like this isn’t easy – especially coming back strongly after not starting well in this Test. Taijul [Islam] — we know how important he is for the team, bowling 40-45 overs in a row in the same area, it’s a very difficult job. Mushfiq played a long innings after a long time, which was good to see.”Shanto also defended the selection of Anamul Haque, who scored just 23 runs in the two Tests. Anamul looked out of place against fast bowling, although Shanto said that they had very few options after the previous set of openers Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Zakir Hasan couldn’t quite cement their top-order places over the last 12 months.”Bijoy has 9,000 runs in first-class cricket,” Shanto said. “He has 24 centuries and 49 fifties. Why won’t we take an experienced player? Our openers have been struggling for the last 12 months. They didn’t contribute regularly. We wanted an experienced player who made a lot of runs. It is unfortunate that he couldn’t contribute for the team. I believe that he can do better in future opportunities. We can’t blame him alone. We didn’t do well as a team.”

July 7, 2025 may not invoke the same grand feeling of that unforgettable summer afternoon at Lord’s last month, but it’ll still have a reverence of its own for Wiaan Mulder, who, only weeks earlier, stood on the winner’s podium as a newly crowned World Test Champion.One of cricket’s most iconic and celebrated records – Brian Lara’s majestic 400 not out, which he held like a crown jewel after reclaiming it from Matthew Hayden – was in real danger of being knocked off its perch after 21 long years. When Mulder, South Africa’s stand-in captain, went into the lunch interval unbeaten on 367, it seemed a matter of time before history books would be rewritten. Then came a quiet message from the change room, like a bolt from the blue. South Africa had declared. Mulder had declared.”Why did he do that?” is a question that lingered on for much of the day as Zimbabwe collapsed in just 43 overs, and were asked to follow-on. With so much time left in the match, the decision will be rightly debated for a while. Sure, barring Blessing Muzarabani, the quality of Zimbabwe’s attack was hardly Test class, but the opportunity to etch yourself into Test history doesn’t come knocking everyday.Related

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South Africa declared on 626 for 5. Mulder’s feat became all the more special as it came in front of his father, who had made the trip to soak in the occasion after he had been informed of Mulder’s promotion to captaincy in the lead-up to the game after Keshav Maharaj had been ruled out due to an injury. Along the way, Mulder may have cemented himself as South Africa’s new No. 3, a spot once occupied by legends he may have grown up watching, Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla among them.In the morning session, every run or over carried the weight of a milestone either impending or ticked off. Records came; records went. Mulder went past some heavyweights in South Africa: Gary Kirsten, Daryl Cullinan, Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers. And soon after his triple-ton, he went past 311 to eclipse Amla, and achieve the highest Test score by a South African.Mulder could’ve chosen a calmer, more serene path if he had wished. South Africa’s run-scoring on the opening day, where they surged to 465 for 4, meant time was never going to be a consideration. Mulder, though, had other ideas. Except for his first boundary very early in the day off Muzarabani, off a streaky edge that flew through vacant third slip, there was control and authority in every stoke he played and every run he ran.Mulder’s authority stemmed from his own confidence, and Zimbabwe’s hit-me lengths. Without any swing on offer, even with the second new ball that they took late on the opening day, the pacers erred on the shorter side and kept getting punished square of the wicket on both sides. When spin came on, Mulder channeled the golfer in him to club them downtown. He hit 49 fours and four sixes in all – one of them landed out of the ground – forcing them to bring out a different ball.Wiaan Mulder and Dewald Brevis added 88 off just 94 balls for the fifth wicket•Zimbabwe Cricket

Amid Mulder’s run-fest, that South Africa lost Dewald Brewis was lost on everyone. He survived on 24 when Craig Ervine put down a regulation chance in the fifth over off Muzarabani at slip, but couldn’t capitalise. On 35, Brevis attempted to flay a cut, only to get a thick outside edge to the wicketkeeper. Kyle Verreynne then came and enjoyed a good hit out to remain unbeaten on 42.The day’s big moment – Mulder’s triple – arrived in the 101st over when he clipped a low full toss off Tanaka Chivanga to fine leg to wild applause and cheer from his team-mates on the balcony. It had come off 297 balls, the second-fastest in Test history, behind Virender Sehwag’s that had come off 278 balls against South Africa in Chennai 17 years ago.After Mulder got past the 300, there was carnage aplenty as Muzarabani was dispatched for three boundaries in an over, the third of those helping him surpass Amla. There was more punishment in the next as Mulder cleared his front leg to wallop him out of the ground to enter the 360s. This is when everyone seemed to be readying for the moment, when the declaration came.Mulder wasn’t done yet. With the ball, he took out Wesley Madhevere and Ervine in quick succession. Madhevere was out to a nip-backer that flattened the stumps; Ervine was felled by an effort ball that lifted off the deck to have him fend one into the hand of backward point. Mulder’s fiery spell wasn’t the highlight, though. Debutant Prenelan Subrayen and Senuran Muthusamy’s flight and loop were equally noteworthy. Subrayen ended with 4 for 42.Sean Williams, who spent much of the first evening and the opening session on the sidelines due to an illness, came out swinging and raised his half-century off just 32 balls, the fastest by a Zimbabwean. But he ran out of partners, and remained stuck on 83 as last man Chivanga’s wicket meant Zimbabwe were bundled out for 170.Made to follow-on, Zimbabwe lost Dion Myers early, but Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Nick Welch batted a tricky last 30 minutes to take them to stumps on 51 for 1, with Zimbabwe still needing 146 to surpass Mulder.

Hosts keep slim Finals Day hopes alive by chasing down target of 104 at Chester-le-Street

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay11-Jul-2025Durham 104 for 5 (Windsor 36*) beat Hampshire 103 for 7 (Southby 25, Turner 3-17) by five wicketsDurham Women gave their slim chances of making the Vitality Blast Finals Day a timely boost with a bonus point win over Hampshire Hawks, with the five-wicket defeat ending the visitors’ own chances of qualifying.It was the host’s bowlers who put them in charge at a sun-kissed Banks Homes Riverside with seamer Phoebe Turner taking three wickets in the 12th over to turn the game Durham’s way before restricting the hosts to just 103 for 7 from their 20 overs.After winning the toss and choosing to bat, the Hawks made a decent start in reaching 30 without the loss of a wicket off four overs, with Australia star Ellyse Perry looking dangerous. But when Perry was caught at cover by Katherine Fraser in Mady Villiers’ first over for 23 off 16 balls it triggered a collapse that saw the Hawks lose five wickets for 28 runs as Durham blew away the southern outfit’s middle order.Turner was executioner in chief, removing skipper Georgia Adams for 4, opener Rhianna Southy for 25 and Naomi Dattani for 1 in a devastating over.Turner was supported by the legspin of Katie Levik who finished with 1 for 11 off her four tight overs and Villiers who took for 2 for 23.Only a seventh-wicket partnership of 35 saved the Hawks’ blushes with Freya Davies’ unbeaten 20 and 12 from Mary Taylor adding some much-needed gloss to a lethargic batting performance.New Zealand legend Suzie Bates got Durham off to a flyer but they were pegged back in the third over when Daisy Gibb had Emma Marlow caught behind without scoring.The battle of the Antipodean stars then proved a relishing prospect with Bates hitting Perry’s first ball for a boundary before the Australian had the last laugh when the batter edged her sixth ball behind to leave Durham 35 for 2 at the end of the powerplay.With Villiers brilliantly caught in the deep by Kemp off a Bex Tyson full toss for 14 the home side’s nerves were kicking in and they only increased when Bess Heath was bowled by Adams for 1 to leave Durham 49 for 4.It was left to skipper Hollie Armitage and Emily Windsor to steady the ship with three consecutive boundaries from Windsor off Adams’ 12th over proving a crucial turning point in the run chase.Armitage fell caught and bowled by Davies for 17 but the 40 run partnership for the fifth wicket meant Durham needed just 15 runs to win with Windsor finishing unbeaten on 36 off 23 balls to seal the win in the 16th over.

Manchester United are keen to strengthen at every given opportunity and may now find themselves ahead in the race to sign one of England’s rising stars.

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim keen to steady ship

Ruben Amorim is under pressure at Old Trafford and needs to strike together a run of results in order to avoid further scrutiny from external sources, albeit speculation is continuing to mount over his future.

Despite claims that the Portuguese boss could change his formation for coming fixtures, Dean Jones has claimed Amorim may instead look to alter personnel in an attempt to improve performances at Old Trafford.

He said: “I have spoken to connections close to the club, and there seems to be an expectation that this time, something does change. Realistically, it probably will not be the system.

“Because they have worked so tirelessly on his formation, he will probably roll it out again – but one thing he can do this time is change the personnel. This is the area that people seem to feel is most likely to change.”

Steve Parish is working tirelessly to stop Oliver Glasner making a future move to Old Trafford. The Crystal Palace boss would likely be a key contender if the role became vacant, but Amorim is still the man charged with turning around their Premier League fortunes.

Not just Hojlund: Man Utd must rue selling a CF who's outperforming Mbeumo

Manchester United may have made a mistake in allowing one former player to depart Old Trafford.

By
Ethan Lamb

Oct 3, 2025

Ultimately, the problems Manchester United have faced in recent years are far deeper than who is in the dugout, though the expectation on the manager is always a major talking point.

Either way, player recruitment is always on the agenda at the global giants and the Red Devils could have the advantage in the race for a player who could ignite their season.

Manchester United looking to win Hayden Hackney race

According to TEAMtalk, Manchester United are ahead of Fulham in the race to sign Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney, and they may look to formalise their interest in the England Under-21 international come 2026.

Tottenham Hotspur are also watching with intent and will have been impressed with what they’ve witnessed, given his return off a goal and two assists in nine appearances across all competitions.

Labelled “outstanding” by pundit Neil Maddison, the Three Lions youth international is out of contract in the summer of 2027, and it remains to be seen if Boro are tempted to cash in come January or whether he will stay for their promotion push under Rob Edwards.

Manchester United made an approach for Carlos Baleba during the summer, illustrating their appetite to strengthen the engine room, and it appears that INEOS have their eyes fixed on some form of midfield reinforcement come the January window.