West Bromwich Albion supporters would have been feeling restless, when you consider the club’s inactivity in the transfer market would have worried fans, alongside the fact a successor to Carlos Corberan still hadn’t been found.
Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray.
They have now found their desired man in Tony Mowbray however, who is back at the helm on a two and a half year contract, having previously been at the helm of the West Midlands club towards the beginning of his managerial career.
He will now will have to deal without Josh Maja’s expertise for a little while, unfortunately, as he navigates his return to management.
Josh Maja's injury setback
Star-man Maja now finds himself sidelined for a number of weeks with a leg injury which will require surgery, as was confirmed by West Brom’s official club website.
That is a big blow for West Brom moving forward, considering the attacker was in the form of his life for the promotion hopefuls before this unwanted setback occurred, with the ex-Sunderland striker powering home 12 league strikes from 26 appearances.
Now, the Baggies really lack a focal point up top, with Karlan Grant ranking as his team’s second top scorer this season in the league with an inferior six, whilst the only fit out-and-out striker at the club now is Devante Cole who has just 109 minutes of action next to his name in the Championship for 2024/25.
Therefore, a major priority for Mowbray now will be to bring in a game-changing attacker to soften the immense blow of Maja being sidelined, and he could well have an exact name in his head already that can come in and make an almighty difference.
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Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The Maja replacement West Brom should look at signing
The player in question here is Ben Brereton Diaz who really shone under Mowbray’s guidance when the pair were together at Blackburn Rovers.
With the Chilean subject of interest from fellow Championship outfit Sheffield United, it could well be a smart swoop on the end of the Baggies to test Southampton’s resolve with a loan bid of their own. Ineed, the ex-Blackburn number 22 would surely be delighted at the prospect of reconnecting with his old manager.
Brereton-Diaz’s improvement at Blackburn under Mowbray
Season
League
Goals
22/23
37
22
21/22
40
7
20/21
15
1
19/20
25
1
Sourced by Transfermarkt
As can be seen, Mowbray ended up getting the very best out of the Saints flop by the time he bowed out from the Riversiders, with his final campaign at the helm seeing Brereton Diaz fire home a blistering 22 strikes in the league from 37 contests.
The veteran manager’s patience paid off in the end after he had once labelled the 25-year-old as “extraordinary” even when the goals weren’t regularly flowing. Now, Mowbray’s familiar arm around the shoulder could perhaps reawaken a beast if Brereton Diaz was to don a West Brom strip shortly.
West Brom fans will be glad this saga involving a manager has now come to an emotional end, but with Mowbray re-entering followed by the added firepower of Brereton Diaz also potentially joining, the long wait would have felt worthwhile.
Fellows stays, Maja rival signs: Mowbray's dream West Brom XI after January
West Bromwich Albion could soon appoint Tony Mowbray to bring their manager hunt to a close.
West Bromwich Albion are seemingly coming to the end of their search for a new manager, amid rampant speculation surrounding Raphael Wicky, albeit with the Baggies still heading into their fifth game in all competitions without Carlos Corberan at the helm today in the FA Cup.
This will be a tough test for the Baggies as they travel to Premier League side AFC Bournemouth, hopeful that an upset could be on the cards for interim boss Chris Brunt.
West Bromwich Albion manager Carlos Corberan.
Away from the ongoing managerial situation, the Baggies have also started to be linked with January additions on the pitch, with this potential deal now looking dead in the water.
West Brom's interest in Isaiah Jones
It did look as if West Brom were going to secure an early January purchase in the form of Middlesbrough attacker Isaiah Jones, with a bumper £5m deal reportedly on the table.
However, no such deal ultimately occurred, with Express and Star journalist Lewis Cox taking to his X account to reveal that links between the two sides had been “wide of the mark”.
This might well come as a blessing in disguise for those at the Hawthorns, with £5m a steep amount to fork out for a winger who is yet to register a single goal or assist for Boro this season, with Luton Town subsequently winning the race for his signature.
Moreover, if West Brom can keep a firm grip on Tom Fellows across January, this development would have made the move for Jones feel even more redundant, considering the homegrown ace’s heroics down Jones’ right flank so far this campaign.
Tom Fellows celebrates for West Brom.
Fellows' market value at West Brom
After being thrown into the deep end once or twice under Corberan during the 2023/24 season, Fellows has since taken to the demands of the Championship like a duck to water.
Market Movers
Football FanCast's Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club's star player or biggest flop worth today?
Indeed, the super confident 21-year-old boasts a stellar goal contribution total of 12 in league action to date, with ten of those startlingly being assists, which often come about when the West Brom youngster is darting forward with pace before setting up chances for clinical players such as Josh Maja to tap home.
Of course, there will be lots of joy in the air that Fellows is continuing to rip the second tier to shreds, with football talent scout Jacek Kulig labelling his sensational showings as “explosive.”
But, the big anxiety will be that a higher up poacher will put forward a sizeable bid for the 21-year-old at some point this hectic month, with Everton previously noted as an interested party watching the Solihull-born forward with intrigue.
Southampton even reportedly had a bid turned down last summer as they went about assembling a new squad for the Premier League, as the Baggies now brace for more frenzied interest.
West Brom will take some solace in the fact that if Fellows was to depart, at least he was a product of their own academy who they managed to snap up for nothing, with the electric number 31 surely worth many millions now.
Player
League games played
G/A numbers combined
1. Josh Maja
26
14
2. Tom Fellows
26
12
3. Karlan Grant
25
8
4. Alex Mowatt
24
6
5. Michael Johnston
22
4
If past transfer window rumours are anything to go by, Fellows could go for around the £15m mark this January, which would amazingly be more than Maja’s reported £10m valuation, with clubs sniffing around too for West Brom’s top goalscorer.
That is £10m more than Jones’ reported value as well, with the Baggies no doubt expanding their horizons away from the Boro attacker if Fellows was to be sold.
Ideally, Fellows would be kept around, but West Brom will know all too well how hard it can be to keep top assets when bigger clubs start lurking.
Enquiry made: West Brom chasing “wonderful" star who'd be Johnston 2.0
West Bromwich Albion fans could have a new loan star to cherish very soon.
Leeds United return to Championship action today as they prepare to welcome Sheffield Wednesday to Elland Road after their FA Cup match last weekend.
Harrogate Town visited West Yorkshire for the third round clash and Daniel Farke’s side needed a second-half header from Largie Ramazani to secure progress through to the fourth round in that tie.
The Whites will now be focused on the league and ensuring that they return to the top of the Championship table by securing all three points this afternoon in the early kick-off.
Leeds, as you can see in the highlights above, dropped two points in their last outing in the second tier, conceding two goals late on to throw a two-goal lead away against Hull.
The January transfer window has been open for business for over two weeks and Farke could look to dip into the market to bolster his squad, to ensure that they do not have many more slip-ups in the race for automatic promotion in the second half of the season.
One player who has been linked with a January switch to link up with the German head coach at Elland Road is Emiliano Buendia, who worked with him at Norwich City.
The latest on Emi Buendia to Leeds United
Speaking on The View podcast on Thursday, as relayed by LeedsUnitedNews, journalist Ben Jacobs revealed that the Whites will need to be creative to secure a deal to bring the Argentina international to West Yorkshire before the end of the window.
The journalist has ruled out an immediate permanent move to join Leeds this month, but revealed that there could be a deal to be done as part of a loan with an obligation in the summer.
Jacobs was quoted as saying: “Villa are open to a permanent sale but that’s not for Leeds right now.
“Or, more-likely, a loan with an option or obligation. A loan with an option would be Leeds paying 100% of the wages, not something Leeds want to do. An obligation, they may be more flexible with the wages.”
Villa reportedly paid a fee of up to £38m to sign the Argentine whiz from Norwich in the summer of 2021 and Jacobs does not believe that the Whites would be willing to pay the kind of money they would want to recoup from that this month.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
However, it appears as though there could be an opening for Leeds to get a deal over the line for Buendia if they can reach an agreement with Villa over a loan, with some of his wages covered for this season, which includes an obligation for the move to become permanent if they are promoted this year.
Signing the Villans ace, who can play as an attacking midfielder or out wide on the right, could put a few of the current squad on their toes, including Brenden Aaronson.
Brenden Aaronson's form this season
The USA international returned to Elland Road in the summer after his spell out on loan with Union Berlin last season and came back with the ambition of turning his career at the club around, having been relegated from the Premier League in his first campaign in England.
It has not been a perfect season for the 24-year-old attacking midfield, so far, but he has done more than enough to show that he can be a valuable member of the squad, certainly at Championship level.
Starts
24
xG
7.55
Goals
7
Big chances created
6
Assists
2
Key passes per game
1.5
As you can see in the table above, Aaronson has contributed with 13 goals and ‘big chances’ created combined in 24 starts in the second tier, although he has slightly underperformed against his xG.
The American midfielder has been unfortunate to only register two assists in those 24 starts, as his teammates have not made the most of the six ‘big chances’ that he has created for them this term.
Despite his relatively strong form in the Championship since his return to the club in the summer, Farke and Leeds could land a huge upgrade on Aaronson by sealing a creative deal to sign Buendia this month.
Why Buendia would be a big Aaronson upgrade
The 28-year-old star missed 56 matches last season due to an ACL injury and has racked up three goals in 18 matches in all competitions for Villa’s first-team and U21 side combined this term.
Buendia, who was once hailed as “magical” by analyst Liam Henshaw, had managed nine goals and eight assists in the Premier League in his first two seasons with Villa prior to that lengthy injury absence.
Before his move to Villa Park in 2021, the Argentine sensation thrived under Leeds boss Daniel Farke during their time together at Carrow Road, winning two Championship titles under the German boss.
In the 2018/19 campaign, Buendia scored eight goals and provided 12 assists in 35 starts as the Canaries won the division and earned promotion to the Premier League.
Norwich were then relegated straight back down to the Championship and the right-footed playmaker stepped his game up another level to be the main man for the Yellows.
Appearances
39
Goals
15
Big chances created
18
Key passes per game
3.1
Assists
16
As you can see in the table above, Buendia enjoyed an extraordinary year in the second tier that term with 33 goals and ‘big chances’ created combined in 39 appearances for Norwich.
These statistics illustrate the kind of quality he could provide in the final third for Leeds at this level, especially given that he would be working under the same manager who got the best out of him in the past.
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Leeds United have been linked with an interest in the Championship attacker.
ByDan Emery Jan 13, 2025
Buendia has the ability to come in as a huge upgrade on Aaronson by offering more quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals, given that his form from the 2020/21 campaign saw him score and create far more frequently than the American ace has this season.
If they brought him in with an obligation to sign him permanently upon promotion, they would also be signing a player who has showcased quality at Premier League level, prior to his injury, whilst Aaronson was ranked the lowest-rated player in the Premier League by Sofascore in the 2022/23 campaign.
Vitor Pereira’s honeymoon period as Wolverhampton Wanderers boss came to a crashing halt last time out versus Nottingham Forest, as Nuno Espirito Santo humbled his former employers 3-0 at Molineux.
Now, it’s a Saturday midday trip for the Old Gold in the FA Cup away at Bristol City, with Pereira praying that a minor cup upset isn’t on the cards and that his Wolves side get back to their best versus the Robins.
Wolverhampton Wanderers managerVitorPereirareacts after the match
Between now and that weekend trip down to Ashton Gate, however, more transfer rumours will no doubt appear, with Wolves allegedly offered this seasoned Premier League performer recently.
Wolves offered chance to sign £60k p/w star
As per a recent report by Caught Offside, Newcastle United are offering out on-the-fringes attacker Miguel Almiron this January to a whole host of Premier League suitors.
Wolves are just one of those clubs named in the report, with both Leicester City and Crystal Palace also keen on adding the Paraguayan to their ranks at some point this hectic month.
Newcastle United's MiguelAlmironbefore the match
A bid in and around £21m mark could be enough for any of those suitors to win their desired man, with Almiron no longer front and centre of Eddie Howe’s Magpies, despite once being a relied-upon option week in week out for the in-form Toon.
Pereira would surely love to add the £60k-per-week man to his Old Gold group, therefore, with the potential there for the experienced 30-year-old to strike up a lethal partnership with Matheus Cunha in attacking midfield to steer his new side away from relegation danger.
Matheus Cunha
What Almiron could offer Wolves
It was clear for all to see last time that Wolves lacked a creative spark against Forest from the attacking midfield spots – owing to Cunha being out with a suspension – with Goncalo Guedes in particular sticking out as below-par with zero successful dribbles tallied up on top of zero duels being won from seven attempted.
Therefore, it will be easy for the Brazilian to come straight back into the first-team fold and re-establish himself as Wolves’ biggest asset going forward, having picked up a ridiculous 14 goal contributions from 19 top-flight outings this season to date.
He could soon be joined in those attacking midfield positions by Almiron if everything slots into place, with Hwang Hee-Chan not exactly covering himself in glory either come the full-time whistle against Forest, as the South Korean failed to hit a single on-target effort at the opposition goal.
Consequently, the wantaway Magpies star might forcibly remove Hwang from the side, with the 5 foot 9 ace proving across various different campaigns at St James’ Park that he has what it takes to perform at an elite level.
Season
Games played
Goals scored
Assists
24/25
7
0
0
23/24
33
3
1
22/23
34
11
2
21/22
30
1
0
20/21
34
4
1
19/20
36
4
2
The obvious standout season – when looking at the numbers above – is of course Almiron’s fruitful 2021/22, where he bagged 11 goals from 34 Premier League games, with Hwang helping himself to just one more last campaign despite often playing as an out-and-out centre-forward.
Moreover, the Old Gold target can even brag that he has scored in the Champions League for his side across his long-standing stay on Tyneside, with this instinctive effort getting his team up and running against Paris St. Germain last year.
Labelled as “magnificent” just last summer by Howe for the passion and the skills he can gift his employers, it would be a sad cutting of the ties if the Paraguayan was to leave for Molineux.
But, Newcastle’s loss would be Wolves’ immense gain, with Cunha and Almiron perhaps forming a feared duo in attack to steer Pereira’s men clear of relegation.
Lemina upgrade: Wolves could land £17m star with "huge amount of talent"
A match that was dubbed ‘El Sackico’ in the build-up ended up going the way of Julen Lopetegui’s West Ham United on Monday night as Wolverhampton Wanderers fell to another crushing defeat in the Premier League.
This loss could be the final straw for Gary O’Neil, who was lucky to still be occupying his dug-out at the London Stadium arguably, having overseen a dire 4-0 defeat to Everton the match before this equally as gloomy away day.
Wolves would have felt hard done by in a number of incidents in the 2-1 loss, as penalty shouts passed them by, but there were still notable underperformers for the Old Gold that let their side down on the big occasion, away from any decisions going against them.
Notable Wolves underperformers vs West Ham
Away from the likes of Matheus Cunha, Matt Doherty and Rayan Ait-Nouri who all shone for the away side – with Doherty even netting his team’s equaliser before Jarrod Bowen’s stunning winner – other faces for O’Neil’s men such as Joao Gomes really underwhelmed.
Introduced into the XI in place of Goncalo Guedes, the 23-year-old notably struggled to ever get going in the high-stakes affair, with only two of his 14 duels being successfully won on the night.
He would also miss a glorious opportunity in the first half after being found in space by eventual goalscorer Doherty, with that strike perhaps changing the complexion of the contest if it had gone in.
Alongside the Brazilian in the centre of the park, Mario Lemina also put in a sub-par showing, as the Old Gold captain failed to impress in attempting to make things happen for his side with just one key pass registered all match.
Sam Johnstone will also be worried he will be axed for Jose Sa to return for his side’s next game versus Ipswich Town – regardless of who is in charge or not – with the former Manchester United man only making two saves away from leaking two goals.
But, whoever does take on the reins for the Tractor Boys clash – or later down the line – should also be preparing to drop Santiago Bueno, who didn’t leave the Hammers match with his head held high whatsoever.
Bueno's performance in numbers
With Craig Dawson out of the XI after his horror show at Goodison Park, Bueno would have hoped he could offer more stability at the back in his absence, away from the experienced head scoring two own goals versus the Toffees.
Whilst it wasn’t quite as nightmarish as that outing, the Uruguayan did still look shaky in the heart of defence, with possession squandered a total of ten times by the South American among other worrying numbers.
Bueno’s numbers vs West Ham
Stat
Bueno
Minutes played
90
Touches
42
Accurate passes
28/38 (74%)
Possession lost
10x
Total duels won
5/8
Clearances
2
Long balls completed
2/5
Stats by Sofascore
As can be seen when glancing at the table above, it was a night to forget for Bueno in terms of his play out from the back, with only a 74% pass accuracy in-tact come the full-time whistle after he had waywardly given up the ball.
He was also at fault for Tomas Soucek’s crucial opener being far easier than it should have been, as the Czech Republic international found himself surprisingly free to loop home a header from a corner, after a whole host of Wolves shirts left him in acres of room.
O’Neil must have thought his team could at least salvage a point when Doherty did equalise, but it wasn’t to be as the porous Old Gold defence slipped up once more when Bowen delivered a sucker punch just moments after the pressurised game had become level.
Handed out a low 5/10 rating after the game by Birmingham World journalist Charlie Haffenden, Bueno will be worried that a new manager replacing O’Neil could see him ditched from the XI moving forward.
There will surely be a sense of inevitability on the 44-year-old’s end that his time in the West Midlands is up, with ‘El Sackico’ perhaps living up to its name.
O'Neil can put the blame on £15m Wolves star if he gets the sack
The Wolverhampton Wanderers central midfielder struggled badly at the London Stadium.
“I’m going to learn how he swings the ball both ways, especially the cross-seam ball”
Matt Roller11-Apr-2022Hasan Ali plans to pick James Anderson’s brains during his six weeks as Lancashire’s overseas player and says he is excited to follow in Wasim Akram’s footsteps after his success at the county in the 1990s.Hasan arrived in Manchester on Saturday and will be available for six County Championship games, starting with Lancashire’s fixture against Kent at Canterbury later this week.Speaking at the club’s press day, he told ESPNcricinfo that he would “take a lot of wickets” and that he was excited to be back at Emirates Old Trafford, the ground where he made his T20I debut in 2016.”Honestly, it’s too cold for me,” he said, laughing. “But yeah, I have to adjust. I would like to thank the Lancashire management for the opportunity. I’m very excited and looking forward to sharing the dressing room with their players; obviously we have Jimmy , Jimmy Anderson, so I’m very happy and very excited.”Honestly, I never spoke with him before. But now I’m going to have a lot of questions to ask him. I’m going to disturb him. [] We know he’s a great bowler. He swings the ball both ways. I’m going to learn how he swings the ball both ways, especially the cross-seam ball. I’m going to learn it.”Hasan briefly played with Saqib Mahmood, another of his new team-mates, for Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League, and spoke to him on Monday morning about conditions at his new home ground.”Saqib spoke with me this morning,” he said. “He told me the ball reverses here. We know how to reverse the ball as Pakistan bowlers, since childhood, we used the reverse-swing because they’re tough conditions for the bowlers in Pakistan, dry conditions. It’s similar here. I know the weather is chill, but the square is dry and the wicket is dry so hopefully [I will] get some reverse.”I played with Saqib for Peshawar Zalmi. He’s a good guy, an exciting player. He just got his Test debut and I’m happy for him. [In the 2021 PSL] he was the best bowler when he left the team. He couldn’t come back [for the second half of the season in the UAE], but he’s a good player.”I’ve been coming here [for] six years. My first tour here was in 2016 – I made my T20 [international] debut in this ground and I know about English cricket. I’ve played a couple of games here, in the World Cup and T20s. The ball does reverse here and I like to reverse the ball.”With Pakistan players still effectively blacklisted at the IPL and many of the world’s leading cricketers taking part in that tournament, Hasan and his international team-mates have been in high demand for counties recruiting overseas players for the early stages of the Championship season.Hasan is one of nine players already in England following Pakistan’s multi-format series against Australia, with a tenth, Shadab Khan, due to arrive for a stint with Yorkshire in the T20 Blast after their ODIs against West Indies in June.”I think that is a pretty good sign for Pakistan cricket,” he said. “We have nine or ten players who are going to play this season and I think that’s a very good thing for us as a unit. We’re going to get a lot of experience from here and we’ll put it into our domestic and international cricket.”Since childhood, honestly, we’ve heard about county cricket. [People tell you that] as a professional, you should play county cricket because you’re going to learn a lot of things from there. I’m going to follow in Wasim Akram’s footsteps here. It’s a good opportunity for me.”I haven’t had the chance [to speak to Wasim]. He was in Australia and he was busy with his family but he said something on social media to me: ‘You’re going to enjoy Lancashire’. That’s enough for me, a legend saying something like that.”I’m here for the first six games and I am going to get a lot of wickets for my team, Lancashire. Fingers crossed. Let’s hope I will take wickets.”
Screens at both ends malfunctioned before a ball was bowled
Mohammad Isam31-Mar-2022The start of the Durban Test was delayed after the sightscreens at both ends malfunctioned before a ball was bowled. The match eventually began at 10:35am, 35 minutes after the scheduled start. Play began from the Umgeni End at Kingsmead, after the groundstaff put together white cloths to cover up the faulty electronic screens.It looked innocuous enough at the beginning when Dean Elgar and Sarel Erwee waited for the issue to be sorted out at the Old Fort End. But black spots from the background kept showing through the gauzy material that the groundstaff were using to cover up the screen.The players left the ground shortly afterwards, and the broadcasters also cut the live feed while the groundstaff tried to solve the problem.This is the first Test in Durban since February 2019, when Sri Lanka pulled off a one-wicket win over the hosts. South Africa are fielding a depleted side this time with eight of their first-choice players choosing to play the IPL rather than this series.Bangladesh also endured a setback on the first morning when Tamim Iqbal and Shoriful Islam pulled up with ailments. The visitors are vying for their first positive result in South Africa having lost all six of their Tests in the country since their first visit in 2002.
Unless your name is Jose Mourinho, then goals galore has been the way forward for the majority of Premier League managers to create one of the most entertaining spectacles in world football.
Whether it’s been dramatic draws or ruthless thrashings, English football has been treated to some historic moments over the years, but who takes the crown for the highest-scoring game in Premier League history? We’ve taken a look at the six matches to feature 10 goals or more.
Highest-scoring matches in Premier League history
Rank
Match
Date
1
Portsmouth 7-4 Reading
September 2007
2
West Brom 5-5 Man Utd
May 2013
3
Arsenal 7-3 Newcastle
December 2012
4
Man Utd 8-2 Arsenal
August 2011
5
Tottenham 9-1 Wigan
November 2009
6
Tottenham 6-4 Reading
December 2007
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6
Tottenham 6-4 Reading, December 2007
Four-goal Berbatov steals the show
Dimitar Berbatov for Spurs.
In a game that ended 6-4 to Tottenham Hotspur, the most surprising fact is that Reading were level with the north Londoners at 1-1 when the break arrived. It was, for those 45 minutes, like any other Saturday afternoon fixture.
But Dimitar Berbatov’s seventh-minute opener, followed by Kalifa Cisse’s equaliser just nine minutes later, were by no means signs of what was to come.
At one stage, Reading were even on course to seal the points, only for Berbatov to cancel the Royals out not once but twice on his way to a hat-trick.
After Ivar Ingimarsson struck, the forward first levelled things up to make it 2-2 before Dave Kitson’s effort forced the Bulgarian to take matters into his own hands yet again with arguably the finish of the afternoon, with the scores now at 3-3 by the time the clock struck minute 72.
However, Reading and Kitson weren’t done there, adding yet another goal to take the lead once again only for Steed Malbranque to step up to level things for a defiant Spurs.
There was no fightback from the Royals following Malbranque’s effort, who paved the way for Jermain Defoe’s goal to hand his side the lead with 12 minutes to go and Berbatov to steal the show with his fourth goal of the game in the 83rd minute.
Defoe enjoys five-star display as Tottenham thrash Wigan
Jermaine Defoe for Spurs.
As it turns out, anything Berbatov can do, Jermain Defoe can do better, much to the detriment of Wigan Athletic. Two years on from their 10-goal thriller with Reading, Tottenham enjoyed goals galore once again – and this time in far more comfortable fashion.
1-0 up at half-time courtesy of Peter Crouch, Defoe and the rest of the Lilywhites seemingly decided to change into their goalscoring boots at the break to hit Wigan for nine in sensational fashion.
Sealing the points and securing the match ball within the space of seven second-half minutes, Defoe found his first of five goals in the 51st minute before netting his hat-trick in the 58th following what proved to be a consolation from Paul Scharner a minute earlier. But Spurs weren’t done there.
In a ruthless mood, Aaron Lennon added a fourth and Defoe followed suit to stretch Spurs’ lead to 5-1 in the 69th minute. Many sides and many strikers would have been satisfied at that point, but Defoe found a fifth in the final three minutes of normal time before David Bentley and Niko Kranjcar turned a thrashing into a historic day for their side.
Look away now, Arsenal fans. When it comes to Sir Alex Ferguson versus Arsene Wenger, Manchester United’s 8-2 thrashing of the Gunners is one that the former will enjoy looking back on a tad bit more than his counterpart.
This was the Red Devils at their ruthless best. As for the north London side, it almost sums up what was to come – this was Robin van Persie’s final trip to Old Trafford in Arsenal colours.
In the blink of an eye, Man United found themselves out of sight courtesy of Danny Welbeck, Ashley Young and the first of three Wayne Rooney goals. Theo Walcott’s effort just moments before the break gave Arsenal hope, but if ever that was crushed, it was in the second half.
Rooney recommenced the onslaught in the 64th minute before Nani made it a five-star display, with Park Ji-Sung ensuring the Gunners were hit for six.
Having missed a first-half penalty, Van Persie eventually got himself on the scoresheet at Old Trafford, only for Carl Jenkinson’s red card to open the door for further Arsenal embarrassment.
Completing his hat-trick, Rooney converted from the spot not long before Young found his brace for goal number eight. United had delivered a damning statement. Arsenal, in historic fashion, had been humiliated.
Man Utd 8-2 Arsenal
Date
28th August 2011
Venue
Old Trafford
Man Utd goalscorers
Welbeck 22′, Young 28′, 90′, Rooney 41′, 64′, pen 82′, Nani 67′, Park 70′
Arsenal goalscorers
Walcott 45′, Van Persie 74′
3
Arsenal 7-3 Newcastle, December 2012
Walcott stars as Arsenal reach seventh heaven
Theo Walcott for Arsenal.
A year on from their nightmare afternoon at Old Trafford, it was Arsenal who found themselves dishing out the goals as Theo Walcott became the star of the show.
Level at the break courtesy of efforts from the winger and Demba Ba, Arsenal and Newcastle United endured quite the 45 minutes in the second half.
Despite shipping seven goals, Newcastle gave themselves hope on two occasions after the interval.
Sylvain Marveaux’s effort levelled things up to cancel out Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s effort and equalised once again courtesy of Ba’s second of the afternoon in response to Lukas Podolski’s header. However, that’s where the Magpies’ hope came to an end.
Sealing the three points, Walcott found his second just four minutes after Ba had equalised before Olivier Giroud’s quickfire brace in the final 10 minutes put the Gunners out of sight.
Star man Walcott then secured the match ball and a stunning 7-3 victory for his side at the Emirates.
Sir Alex Ferguson ends United career with ten-goal thriller
Sir Alex Ferguson's final game at Manchester United.
Even with nothing to play for and retirement to enjoy, it wouldn’t have surprised anyone if Sir Alex Ferguson ripped up his speech to give his side one final version of his infamous hairdryer treatment after they conceded a three-goal lead to eventually draw 5-5 against West Bromwich Albion in his final game.
The legendary manager was initially on course for the perfect farewell, with Manchester United sitting three goals to the good thanks to Shinji Kagawa, Jonas Olsson’s own goal and Alexander Buttner’s effort.
Even when James Morrison and substitute Romelu Lukaku handed West Brom hope, it looked as though the Red Devils would cruise to victory having gone on to gain a 5-2 lead through Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez.
Almost foreshadowing the post-Ferguson era, however, the Baggies soon bounced back to hand the Manchester United icon the most dramatic final 10 minutes of his Premier League career that nobody saw coming.
As the clock struck the 80th minute, so did Lukaku, with Youssouf Mulumbu following up soon after. Suddenly a goal away from a dramatic comeback, a young Lukaku ensured that it was out with the old and in with the new when he made it five apiece in the 86th minute.
West Brom 5-5 Man Utd
Date
19th May 2013
Venue
The Hawthorns
West Brom goalscorers
Morrison 40′, Lukaku 50′, 80′, 86′, Mulumbu 81′
Man Utd goalscorers
Kagawa 6′, Olsson og 9′, Buttner 30′, Van Persie 53′, Hernandez 63′
1
Portsmouth 7-4 Reading, September 2007
Pompey put seven past Reading in 11-goal epic
Portsmouth in 2007.
It’s the second time that Reading have featured on this list, and the second time that they’ve found themselves on the wrong end of the history books, as Portsmouth put seven past the Royals.
On another frustrating afternoon for the visitors, Reading were just 2-1 down at the break after Benjani’s brace was followed up by Stephen Hunt’s effort. They even found themselves level just three minutes after the break courtesy of Dave Kitson, only for a flurry of goals to arrive.
First came Hermann Hreidarsson’s equaliser in the 55th minute to open the floodgates, with Niko Kranjcar striking and Benjani completing his hat-trick to follow suit not long after.
Shane Long’s effort did at least interrupt the Pompey goals, leaving the score at a 5-3 thriller, before Ivar Ingimarsson’s own goal and Sulley Muntari’s spot-kick put the home side further out of reach at 7-3.
Sol Campbell then deflected in Nicky Shorey’s strike to end matters in what proved to be a historic 7-4 epic.
Celtic have 13 days without a competitive match to worry about as they head into the final international break of the year, with the next one not until March 2025.
Brendan Rodgers’ side head into the break on a high after beating Kilmarnock 2-0 on Sunday to move to the top of the Scottish Premiership table on goal difference, ahead of Aberdeen in second.
The Hoops had also beat Bundesliga side RB Leipzig 3-1 in the Champions League at Parkhead in midweek, which came shortly after they had smashed Aberdeen 6-0 to make it through to the final of the League Cup.
These results show that Celtic have been in terrific form across all competitions of late and, because of that, the international break may not have come at the best time.
Hopefully, the break will not stop their momentum and they will be able to carry on from where they left off when they return to action against Hearts away from home in the Premiership.
One thing that Rodgers will be wary of during the break is injuries, as he will not want any of his stars to suffer setbacks whilst playing for their respective countries, and there is a concern over Adam Idah at the moment.
Latest on Adam Idah's fitness
The Republic of Ireland confirmed on Monday that the Celtic centre-forward has decided to withdraw from their squad for the upcoming matches due to an injury.
There was no mention of the nature or severity of the blow, however, but it is one that has prevented him from being able to link up with his country this week.
Idah did have to get patched up during the 2-0 win over Kilmarnock on Sunday after a blow to the head, but continued playing after that incident, and it remains to be seen whether or not this is a continuation of that issue.
The summer signing from Norwich City also had a scan on an ankle injury at the end of October, after a poor challenge from Motherwell’s Liam Gordon caused him some issues, but he has played three times since that clash at Fir Park.
Supporters may not know the severity of the injury until Rodgers sits down for his pre-match press conference next week ahead of the Hearts game, but – right now – it is a concern that Idah is potentially out with an injury.
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Football FanCast's In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.
The Ireland international was brought in from Norwich for a reported fee of up to £9.5m and has largely played a back-up role to Kyogo Furuhashi so far this season.
Adam Idah's season in numbers
In the 2024/25 campaign, the 23-year-old centre-forward has contributed with five goals in 16 appearances in all competitions so far for the Scottish giants, starting five of those matches.
This comes after Idah racked up nine goals and two assists in 19 outings during the second half of the 2023/24 campaign on loan from Norwich, starting just seven of those games, which means that he would have to fire in four goals and two assists in his next three games to equal that return.
Despite his impressive form whilst on loan last season and the significant sum of money paid to bring him back on a permanent deal, Rodgers has preferred Kyogo Furuhashi as his first-choice centre-forward in the Premiership and the Champions League.
The Japan international has started eight of the 11 games in the Premiership and three of the four matches in the Champions League, which has made it hard for Idah to get into a rhythm.
Adam Idah
24/25 Premiership
24/25 Champions League
Appearances
8
4
Starts
3
1
Goals
2
1
Assists
0
0
Big chances created
1
0
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the Irishman has struggled to provide regular quality in the final third of the pitch with his lack of minutes as a starter across both competitions.
Despite not being a regular starter, losing him to an injury would still come as a blow to the Hoops, as he is the only natural striker in the squad other than Kyogo.
Rodgers could, however, ease that blow, should Idah end up out of action for any games after the break, by finally unleashing Daniel Cummings, who has been in sensational form for the academy this year.
Why Daniel Cummings should be unleashed
The 18-year-old centre-forward has showcased his quality in front of goal at youth level since the start of the 2023/24 campaign and an injury for the Ireland international could provide him with an opportunity to shine.
Last season, Cummings fired in 12 goals in 19 appearances in the Lowland League for the B team, but struggled in Europe with a return of zero goals and one assist in five outings in the UEFA Youth League.
This term, however, the Scotland U17 international has scored four goals in four matches in the UEFA Youth League, including two goals against RB Leipzig at home last week.
Along with that, Cummings has also scored a staggering 14 goals in 12 appearances in the Lowland League, which takes his tally up to 18 goals in 16 games across those two competitions for the academy, as well as 26 goals in his last 31 Lowland League matches.
These statistics show that the teenage sensation, who has been dubbed a “hot-shot” by journalist Pete O’Rourke, has been ruthless and prolific for the B team, which has not been the case for Kyogo at first-team level.
Kyogo Furuhashi
24/25 Premiership
24/25 Champions League
Appearances
11
4
Goals
4
1
Big chances missed
12
2
Conversion rate
10%
14%
Assists
3
0
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the Japanese marksman has struggled with his finishing in both the Premiership and the Champions League this term, missing 14 ‘big chances’ in just 15 games.
This suggests that, if Idah is unavailable, Rodgers will need an alternative option if Kyogo is misfiring in a match and that is why Cummings must finally be unleashed for his senior debut, to reward him for his sublime academy form.
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Mominul Haque has the monumental task of changing Bangladesh’s mood in and out of the dressing room. There has been an air of negativity around the team for the past two months. Nine defeats, fiery press conferences and public criticisms in the T20 World Cup was followed by a siege mentality during the T20I series against Pakistan in Dhaka.Everything from the cricket team, the board, and the overall structure and culture of Bangladesh cricket has come into question.On the eve of the first Test against Pakistan, Mominul urged his team to stop worrying about what is being said, and do what they are supposed to do, by bringing the focus back to cricket.Related
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“This is not the first time Bangladesh has gone through such a phase,” Mominul said. “We have overcome such situations before too. People become mentally weak, because they take outside talk seriously. My job is to bring back focus from thinking about what everyone is saying, and focusing on our job. We have to back each other. You cannot shut anyone’s mouth but I think you can shut off your own ears.”But the job at hand – playing a Test match against Pakistan – is doubly hard for Bangladesh as injuries have kept out big names like Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal, while Mahmudullah has retired from Tests. Taskin Ahmed, who has shown good form in his Test comeback, is also out with a finger injury he sustained during the third T20I in Dhaka.”I don’t want to call it a difficult challenge. ‘Difficult’ has a negative meaning. I don’t want to see it negatively. Tamim gives us good starts that we have often capitalised on. Shakib is two players in one. Taskin has been bowling well recently.”We are effectively missing four players. It makes my captaincy a bit more challenging but Mushfiq and I have to take on the added responsibility.”Mominul wants the focus on those who are in the squad, including Abu Jayed, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam, a bowling trio that has carried a major bulk of the attack. “Mustafizur (Rahman) hasn’t played a Test for a long time. Both Taskin (Ahmed) and Shoriful (Islam) are unfortunately injured. But we have to think about those who are in the squad.”(Abu Jayed) Rahi has been our leading wicket-taker in the World Test Championship. Ebadot is also playing Tests regularly. We also have (Mehidy Hasan) Miraz and Taijul (Islam). I have confidence in my bowlers. I think if we bowl well, we can take 20 wickets in this game,” he said.Mominul also expects Liton Das to bounce back from his T20I downturn, which cost him his place during the Pakistan series last week.”There’s a big difference between Tests and T20Is. When we keep mentioning T20s, it becomes difficult for me. I think Liton has overcome the (mental aspect) of it.”He has averaged 45-50 in Tests in the last 12 months. I think he can handle it well. He had a mental break. Everyone is supporting him.”Mominul said that Bangladesh’s next couple of Test series will offer a peak into their Test future. They were without Shakib for almost the entire 2019-21 WTC cycle, although Tamim and Mushfiqur have been heavily involved. Mahmudullah’s Test chapter has also drawn to a close, which means that Bangladesh are now forced to think about younger cricketers for these vacant spots.”Everyone wants results. Not just me. I think it is a good opportunity for the youngsters. You will get a picture of the direction our Test team is taking in this, and some of the future series. We definitely have long-term plans in Tests. We want to build slowly, and within a series or two we will know where our Test team stands.”