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All the action and talking points around England’s IPL contingent after week six

Andrew Miller04-Nov-2020Week six of the IPL, the struggle for play-off places is over, and so is the involvement of most of England’s representatives. Click here for week five’s update. Archer goes grossly under-rewarded after stunning displaysIt’s the World XI at one end, and Ilford 2nds at the other. Graham Gooch’s famous appraisal of Sir Richard Hadlee’s New Zealand has found a modern-day echo in the exploits of Jofra Archer, who has absolutely no right to be propping up the IPL table in the company of his under-performing Rajasthan Royals team-mates. True to this season’s irresistible form, Archer signed off a stellar personal tournament with another incredible week, and in such a tight table, you have to wonder what a modicum of back-up could have done for Rajasthan’s title hopes.ESPNcricinfo LtdInstead, his 20 wickets at 18.25 were exactly half of the 40 claimed by his team’s full stable of quick bowlers, with only the erratic rookie Kartik Tyagi providing any meaningful support with nine at 40.77. As for his economy rate of 6.55 – the best among any of the tournament’s front-line quicks – that figure could have been exponentially lower had Rajasthan bitten the bullet (as they were often tempted) and trusted Archer with a third over in his favoured Powerplay (a phase of the game in which he produced a remarkable 10 wickets and an all-time low economy rate of 4.34). Instead, they chose to hold him back to paper over his team-mates’ shortcomings at the death. In that role, Archer did take a few licks throughout the tournament, but he had his moments too – not least against Kings XI in perhaps his most symbolic moment of the tournament. One ball after being tonked over midwicket by the mighty Chris Gayle, Archer fired in the yorker to bowl the Universe Boss for 99, and received a hand-slap of mutual admiration for his efforts.Morgan thwarted at the last after hitting top formWhen KKR made their captaincy switch midway through the tournament, with Eoin Morgan taking over from Dinesh Karthik, the management might have thought they were signing up for ice-cool tactics in the clutch moments, as befits a man whose leadership credentials have gone through the roof since the World Cup. But as things turned out, Morgan barely got the chance to play any match-up poker, with KKR’s fragile batting conspiring time and again to leave their own bowlers with no place to hide.Instead, he was obliged to lead from the front – or middle, to be more accurate – with a range of cannily paced cameos keeping his team competitive to the bitter end, until Sunrisers’ scalping of the table-topping Mumbai Indians denied them a play-off berth in the final group-stage game. Morgan’s pièce de résistance was his final innings of the campaign, an outstanding 68 not out from 35 balls against Rajasthan, including five fours and six sixes, which dragged his side from a flaky 99 for 5 to a formidable 191 for 7. He saved his most savage blows for his England team-mate Ben Stokes, but showcased that icy temperament in the final over of the innings, as he twice turned down singles off Kartik Tyagi before thumping his final ball clean down the ground for six.Eoin Morgan was at his explosive best•BCCIStokes builds into opener’s role but bowling remains erraticAfter a low-key start to his truncated tournament, Ben Stokes found his range with the bat in the final rounds of Rajasthan’s campaign, with two more feisty onslaughts following his breakthrough century against Mumbai Indians. His 25-ball 50 against Kings XI was a fierce injection of impetus that set up a comprehensive win, but his 18 from 11 against KKR proved to be the alpha and omega of his team’s qualification hopes – while he was in situ, taking the attack to a rampant Pat Cummins, the prospect of a top-four slot was firmly on the cards. As soon as he was gone, those cards collapsed with a familiar flutter, as the team’s inherent instability flooded to the fore once again.3:22

What makes Ben Stokes an unreliable T20 bowler?

As for Stokes’ bowling, it remains curiously impotent in this format, given what a game-changing influence he tends to be in Test and 50-over cricket. His one telling outing came against Kings, as he scalped the dangermen KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran for his only wickets of the campaign. Two days later, he was left wondering once again why Kolkata’s got it in for him – and why he ever consents to bowl at the death anymore – as Morgan and Pat Cummins combined to pump 24 runs from his third, and Rajasthan’s 19th, over of their campaign-crippling loss.Sam Curran coasts to the end of eye-catching campaignAn unremarkable week by his elevated standards, but a quietly impressive one all the same. Having gone from being a lone spark in a misfiring engine, Sam Curran reverted to being a useful cog in a belatedly revved-up machine, as CSK finished their tournament on a relative high with three wins in a row once their elimination had been confirmed. This week, he didn’t take a wicket or bowl his full allocation of overs in either match, but Curran served up his total of five overs at a meagre cost of 36, and was also at the crease to help settle a tense chase against KKR – even though it was his not-out partner, Ravi Jadeja, who did the heavy lifting with three sixes and a four in the final eight balls of the game. But either way, after being pigeon-holed as a Test cricketer in his early England outings, Curran will travel to South Africa later this month with his white-ball credentials higher than they’ve ever been. And if CSK have any sense, he’ll be at the heart of their rebuilding efforts when the next IPL rolls around in barely six months’ time.Bairstow benched after flat-lining form Jonny B Gone. After his barnstorming 97 against Kings in week 3, it seemed that Jonny Bairstow was primed for mid-tournament lift-off. Instead, he’s paid the price for mustering barely that many again in his next five games, culminating in a 20-ball 19 against the same opponents two weeks later, when his ill-timed sweep in a well-set run-chase exposed a flaky middle-order and precipitated an appalling collapse. It was all the evidence that Sunrisers needed to hurry Kane Williamson back off the bench, and Bairstow’s fate was more permanently sealed when Wriddhiman Saha latched onto his opportunity at the top of the order, first with a blistering 85 from 47 against the previously high-flying Delhi Capitals, and then as David Warner’s foil against Mumbai, as Sunrisers’ brand-new bromance was sealed in an unbeaten 151-run opening stand, and a ten-wicket play-off-securing victory.Jordan proves his value after sticky start to campaignIt wasn’t to be in the end for Chris Jordan, or for Kings XI, whose remarkable late-season revival came so close to propelling them into the play-offs. After losing six of their first seven contests (including one Super Over and a two-run defeat), Kings were briefly installed as the tournament’s form team with a run of five wins in a row, only for that illusion to be shattered in consecutive thumpings by Rajasthan and CSK. Nevertheless, from his somewhat abject beginnings, Jordan finished his own campaign very much in credit, nailing his yorkers and trusting his variations even as other seamers of his ilk were reverting to the basics. His two economical wickets against KKR set up the last of Kings’ victories, while his third-ball removal of a hitherto rampant Stokes gave them a flicker of belief before the wheels came off. All told, Jordan claimed nine wickets at 33.77 in as many matches, but given that he went wicketless in his first three games while leaking his runs at nearly two a ball, his back-end record (average 18.77, economy 8.24) was far more to write home about.Chris Jordan in his delivery stride•BCCIButtler runs out of rope with qualification on the line Jos Buttler’s final week of IPL action epitomised the frailties at the heart of Rajasthan’s faltering campaign. His form was as good as it’s been all tournament long, but his role – reappraised from opener to finisher after a succession of middle-order mishaps in the early rounds – was very much after the Lord Mayor’s Show, for better and for worse. Against Kings, there could be no complaints about his impact as he rocked up in the 15th over and duly sealed a vital win with an unbeaten 22 from 11 balls; but against KKR, Rajasthan were 32 for 4 before he’d faced his first delivery, and 37 for 5 only moments after he’d laced the lethal Cummins for a first-ball drive through the covers. Even with his back to the wall, Buttler managed to rack up 35 from 22 before being forced into one boundary swipe too many. But then again, had he converted more of those sorts of scores from the top of the order, with contests begging to be seized in the early rounds, Buttler and his Rajasthan team-mates wouldn’t have been left eating the scraps at the bottom of the table.Banton, Curran, Moeen sit on the fringesTom Banton is set to swap six weeks on the fringes at KKR to a further three weeks as an England reserve in South Africa – which isn’t quite the career progression he signed up for this winter. But Tom Curran, included in both ODI and T20I squads, will be hoping to show that his hard yakka on the UAE’s variation-killing surfaces can reap better rewards on the more seam-friendly decks of Cape Town and Paarl. As for Moeen Ali, he – like Bairstow – is set to remain at the IPL for a few days longer than the rest of the England squad, but his chances of being involved in the play-offs are considerably skinnier.

As the Los Angeles Dodgers look to repeat as World Series champions, they are in a similar place to where they were one year ago heading into the final days before the trade deadline. Once again, the Dodgers are in need of help in the bullpen and outfield, and potentially another starter.

Adding pieces ahead of the deadline proved critical for the Dodgers last season on their World Series run. They traded for Tommy Edman, who became the National League Championship Series MVP. They also acquired Jack Flaherty, who by the time the playoffs rolled around, was one of only three starters the team used in the postseason due to all their pitching injuries. And reliever Michael Kopech went 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA across seven innings during the postseason.

The Dodgers tried to avoid having any major needs at the deadline this year by addressing them during the offseason with their signings of Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, and Tanner Scott, but injuries have riddled both the rotation and bullpen. Snell, Sasaki, and relievers Scott, Kopech, Blake Treinen and Brusdar Graterol are expected to come back from injury before the postseason, but last season the Dodgers had several pitchers return only to suffer another injury. Given the Dodgers' drastic pitching injury history, depth is crucial heading into the final stretch.

Outfield isn't necessarily a dire need, but with Michael Conforto's inconsistent fielding and several Dodgers' bats slumping this season, it certainly wouldn't hurt to add another outfielder and bat to the lineup.

Before the trade deadline hits, here are four ideal fits the Dodgers could target.

Ryan Helsley – RP, St. Louis Cardinals

Unless you've been living under a rock, you likely are aware the Los Angeles Dodgers have one of the most talented rosters in the history of baseball.

The Dodgers' player-acquistion success, however, has been tempered this year by a string of unusual injuries. In March, shortstop Mookie Betts suffered from a frightening undisclosed illness. In April, first baseman Freddie Freeman fell in the shower.

Now, a new hiccup has befallen the world champions, as Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts toldJon Heyman of . Betts stubbed his toe at home Wednesday and is day-to-day; he will not be in the lineup when Los Angeles opens its much-hyped series against the New York Yankees Friday.

Per Heyman, Betts may have X-rays on the toe.

Betts, the 32-year-old 2018 American League MVP, is slashing .254/.338/.405 with eight home runs and 31 RBIs this season. His Dodgers lead the San Diego Padres by two games in the National League West Division.

Former India women captain Shantha Rangaswamy has been elected president of the Indian Cricketers’ Association (ICA), and former Delhi men opener Venkat Sundaram named secretary.Sundaram had served as the ICA’s president since December 2024, when he was elected unopposed following the death of the former president Aunshuman Gaekwad.Deepak Jain is the treasurer, while the member representatives are Jyoti Thatte and Santhosh Subramoniam.The ICA board has nominated former India women captains Sudha Shah and Shubhangi Kulkarni as its representatives in the BCCI’s Apex Council and the IPL Governing Council.The male representative to the BCCI Apex Council is V Chamundeswara Nath from the Hyderabad Cricket Association.”This election marks a notable moment for the ICA, with two women now serving on the ICA Board, and for the first time, a female president and a female nominee to the IPL Governing Council – reflecting the Association’s commitment to inclusive representation and progressive leadership,” a release stated.

Christian Pulisic has delivered in big moments for club and country – and with the Milan derby looming, the USMNT star looks poised for another signature performance.

It was September 23, 2024, and Christian Pulisic just needed half a yard. In fairness, it was all he had as Milan's clash with arch-rivals Inter had been a testy, ugly affair for the first eight minutes, the standard tug of war between two teams that were desperate not to lose.

And then Pulisic broke it open.

A tiny bit of green space formed in front of him as Inter adjusted their defensive structure. Pulisic put his head down, and from 30 yards away, weaved through the defense. He beat one man, accelerated past another, and shielded the ball away from a third before poking past Yann Sommer to give Milan a 1-0 lead. It was a memorable goal, and one of the more important in the derby's recent history. Milan would go on to win 2-1, and even if it was a season to forget, the had their signature win over the team they hate the most – with Pulisic as the clear architect. 

But this was nothing new for the American. Indeed, Pulisic has, historically, relished playing in the Milan derby. His goalscoring record in it was admittedly poor at first, but in the last year, he has scored twice across three fixtures and turned in a starring role in the other. And ahead of the first Milan derby of the year, and coming off some well-earned rest, the American could yet make the difference in the historic fixture once again. 

GettyPulisic comes through in clutch moments

It’s clear by now that Christian Pulisic likes big games. What counts as a “big game” is up for debate, but scan the most important fixtures of his career and the pattern is obvious. There were the decisive moments against Real Madrid in the 2021 Champions League, the brilliant goal versus Liverpool four years later, and another night of tormenting at the Bernabéu last season.

The same holds true for the USMNT. Some players elevate when they put on the national team shirt – Pulisic is one of them. He has been a leading performer since his teens, delivering again and again for his country. His late winning penalty against Mexico in the Nations League final remains one of the signature moments of this U.S. era.

His goal against Iran at the 2022 World Cup pushed the U.S. into the Round of 16 amid a turbulent camp. Now 27, he already has 51 goal contributions for his country and looks poised to add plenty more. There’s a real chance he finishes his career as the USMNT’s all-time leader in goals and assists.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe history of the Milan derby

That same form has carried straight into the Milan derby. This is as fierce as it gets – one of the great matchups in European football, if not all of sports. The history is deep. The two clubs share a stadium, their ultras claiming opposite ends, and their split dates back to 1908, when Inter broke away over a dispute about signing foreign players.

Since then, the rivalry has stayed remarkably balanced. They've met 228 times: Milan have won 74, Inter 85, with 65 draws between them. Across all those games, only 16 goals separate the sides. Yes, each club has had its highs and lows – Inter have certainly held the upper hand in recent years – but over time, they’ve remained near equals occupying the same space.

And Pulisic has become a central figure in the modern chapter of it all. His first few derbies didn’t quite land – some flashes, but no goals or assists in his first four. Then he caught fire. In September, he scored the opener that sparked a statement win. A month later, he delivered a vital second goal in the Supercoppa Italiana final, helping fuel a dramatic comeback and secure much-needed silverware in an otherwise forgettable season. And even when he didn’t score, like in last April’s 3-0 win, Pulisic was sensational.

GettyRivals and contenders

This year, the rivalry seems wonderfully balanced. The two clubs have taken different paths recently. Inter have been the steadier force, built through sharp transfer business and a clearly defined style. They finished third in 2023, won Serie A in 2024, and took second last year. Milan, meanwhile, won the title in 2022 but have been rather inconsistent ever since.

A series of poor managerial appointments and mixed success in the transfer market has left them a step or two behind. They crashed out of the Champions League group stage last season, cycled through two coaches, and ultimately missed out on European football altogether. Several signings failed to pan out – including the marquee arrival of Santi Giménez, who has yet to deliver at the level expected.

This year, though, the two have experienced rebirths of sorts. Milan made a shrewd, if rather boring, decision to hire Max Allegri. The Italian doesn't play sexy football, but he is a proven manager with an admirable track record.  They aren't exactly a riveting watch, but they are a nightmare to play against. Inter, meanwhile, have struggled for consistency with a side that is perhaps just past its age bracket to dominate. 

After 11 games, Inter sit atop the table with 24 points; Milan follow closely with 22, despite facing a slightly tougher schedule. It’s early, but both clubs are winning again – and the derby finally feels like a clash of equals.

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AFPLeao and Pulisic's partnership

The technicalities of the matchup are tasty. Inter are more expressive than in recent years, but worryingly short at the back and inconsistent in midfield. Lautaro Martinez remains the star man up front, while Marcus Thuram offers plenty of goalscoring threat alongside him. Nicolo Barella is everywhere in midfield and remains one of the finest players in his position in football. 

But there are some key weaknesses. New signing Petar Sucic has been slightly inconsistent alongside Barella. Turkish legend Hakan Calhanoglu has found the net five times and remains deadly off set pieces – but his legs are gone. And at the back, none of the three central defenders has been particularly convincing. Twelve goals conceded doesn't seem like a lot, but for a team that prides itself on defense, it's a slightly worrying mark. 

Milan, however, aren't the most attacking side. This is what Allegri does – chokes the game until there is basically nowhere to move. The Italian has often elected to play without a recognized striker, rotating Pulisic, Leao, Christopher Nkunku, and Gimenez in forward positions. Luka Modric looks a far more shrewd signing than many expected, but their midfield lacks muscle. Their 17 goals scored are the third most in the league, but the fact that they have conceded just nine goals is far more indicative of the way Allegri wants to play. 

MatériaMais Notícias

O Santos venceu o Flamengo, de virada, por 2 a 1, no Mané Garrincha, e abriu boa vantagem para a zona de rebaixamento. O Rubro-Negro abriu o placar com Pedro, mas o Peixe empatou com Nonato. Ainda no primeiro tempo, Gerson foi expulso, e acabou facilitando a vida para o Santos, que obteve a vitória com Joaquim, que acertou uma bomba no final do segundo tempo para garantir os três pontos.

Com o resultado o Santos chegou aos 37 pontos, abrindo cinco de vantagem para o Goiás, o primeiro da zona de rebaixamento. Já o Flamengo caiu para a 6ª posição, com 50 pontos.

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CINCO LANCES QUE MARCARAM A PARTIDA
> !100 reverências! Pedro mostrou todo o oportunismo para abrir o placar e alcançar marca histórica pelo Mengão
> !Tudo igual! Nonato recebeu na entrada da área e acertou uma bomba, no cantinho, para empatar para o Santos
> Menos um. Gerson foi expulso após o árbitro ser chamado pelo VAR para ver uma cotovelada do volante.
> Vira, virou! Joaquim arriscou de muito longe, acertou o cantinho e deu a vitória ao Santos.
> !Bagunçou! Bruno Henrique toma uma caneta desconcertante de Soteldo, faz a falta e toma vermelho por reclamação

COMO FOI O PRIMEIRO TEMPO?

O Santos começou o jogo mais ligado e levando perigo contra o Flamengo nos contra-ataques. Quando acordou, o Rubro-Negro abriu o placar com Pedro, que escorou a bola que sobrou após cobrança de escanteio. O Flamengo seguiu pressionando e poderia ter ampliado com Ayrton Lucas, que acertou o travessão em um chute de fora da área. A sorte acompanhou o Santos, que empatou logo em seguida, com Nonato, em lindo chute da entrada da área. A situação para o Flamengo ainda piorou, após a expulsão de Gerson. O volante levou cartão vermelho por acertar uma cotovelada em Furch. O árbitro tinha dado cartão amarelo, mas mudou de ideia depois de ser chamado pelo VAR.

E A ETAPA FINAL?

Com um jogador a menos, o Flamengo passou a jogar com mais cautela, indo ao ataque sem o mesmo ímpeto do primeiro tempo. O Rubro-Negro conseguiu construir algumas boas jogadas, mas não chegou a finalizar com perigo. O Santos teve mais a bola, mas esbarrou na falta de criatividade para achar os espaços na área do Flamengo. Quando o jogo se encaminhava para o final, o zagueiro Joaquim, arriscou de muito longe e foi feliz, ao acertar o cantinho para dar a vitória ao Santos. Na comemoração, Lucas Braga, no banco de reservas, levou o segundo cartão amarelo e foi expulso. Bruno Henrique também foi expulso nos acréscimos, após fazer falta em Soteldo, depois de levar uma caneta.

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O QUE VEM POR AÍ?

O Flamengo volta a jogar no domingo (5), às 16h, contra o Fortaleza, na Arena Castelão. O Santos recebe o Cuiabá, segunda-feira (6), às 21h, na Vila Belmiro.

FICHA TÉCNICA
Campeonato Brasileiro 2023 – 31ª rodada
Flamengo 1 x 2 Santos

Local: Mané Garrincha, Brasília (DF)
Data e horário: Quarta-feira (1/11), às 20h (Brasília)
Árbitro: Rafael Rodrigo Klein (RS)
Assistentes: Guilherme Dias Camilo (Fifa-MG) e Jorge Eduardo Bernardi (RS)
Árbitro de Vídeo (VAR): Pablo Ramon Goncalves Pinheiro (Fifa-RN)

Cartões amarelos: Gabigol (Flamengo); Rodrigo Fernández, Lucas Braga (Santos)
Cartão vermelho: Gerson e Bruno Henrique (Flamengo); Lucas Braga (Santos)

GOL: Pedro (20′ do 1ºT/1-0); Nonato (32′ do 1ºT/1-1); Joaquim (43′ do 2ºT/1-2)

FLAMENGO (Técnico: Tite)
Rossi; Wesley (Matheuzinho/intervalo), Fabrício Bruno, Léo Pereira e Ayrton Lucas (Everton Cebolinha/45′ do 2ºT); Thiago Maia, Gerson e Arrascaeta (Rodrigo Caio/11′ do 2ºT); Luiz Araújo (Victor Hugo/intervalo), Bruno Henrique e Pedro (Gabigol/intervalo)

Santos (Técnico: Marcelo Fernandes)
João Paulo; Lucas Braga (João Lucas/32′ do 2ºT), Joaquim, Messias e Kevyson; Rincón (Mendoza/intervalo), Rodrigo Fernández (Dodi/21′ do 2ºT), Jean Lucas e Nonato (Maxi Silvera/17′ do 2ºT); Julio Furch (Lucas Lima/32′ do 2ºT) e Soteldo.

Wrexham chief executive Michael Williamson admitted to being left "exhausted" as Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s side continue to chase their Premier League dream. The man tasked with turning the wild English top-flight ambition into reality has lifted the lid on the relentless pressure of managing one of the world’s most-watched football clubs.

• Wrexham's firestorm behind the fairytale

  Williamson is a former Inter Milan executive who joined the club in the summer of 2024, immediately after Wrexham sealed their rise from League Two. Less than a year later, they made it three promotions in a row, storming into the Championship. Now, as the co-owners set their sights on the Premier League, Williamson has revealed the heavy toll of that meteoric rise.

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  "I Haven’t Slept in Weeks"

  Speaking candidly on with former players Ben Foster and Ben Tozer, Williamson described his 18 months in charge as "like drinking from a fire hose".

  "Probably the best way to describe it is like drinking from a fire hose," he said. "I feel like the last 18 months has just been taking all the momentum that's been built up over the last couple of years, with the documentary and the success on the pitch, and trying to build the foundations around that to make sure it's sustainable in the long term. We ultimately want to keep pushing ourselves and keep trying to move up the pyramid."

  Despite the glitz and glamour surrounding Wrexham’s rise, Williamson painted a picture of intense personal strain.

  "It is an exhausting job," he admitted. "I take things very seriously. I'm constantly thinking, analysing and obviously have worries, but I don't stress. The important part of it is trying to take a step back. It doesn't mean I don't have a problem sleeping at night, I do. I suffer from insomnia and haven't been sleeping in the last three weeks."

  When he first walked through the doors of the Racecourse Ground, Williamson found a club riding the wave of global fame. However, behind the scenes was an overstretched, under-resourced operation waiting to crumble. There were just 40 permanent staff, and since he held the reins, the number has swelled to 120. The scale of the task hit him immediately. The growth had been explosive, which was primarily driven by success on the pitch, the Welcome to Wrexham series, and their growing global fanbase, but their infrastructure was years behind.

  "We previously had people who were doing six, seven or eight jobs at the club, and it's just not sustainable for the speed that we're moving at," Williamson said. 

• Building Wrexham fit for the top flight

  Under Williamson’s direction, Wrexham are now racing to catch up on the field. The construction of a new 7,750-capacity Kop stand has been fast-tracked, while a state-of-the-art academy and a dedicated women’s team facility are also in the pipeline. This summer alone, the club spent a record-breaking £33 million on 13 new signings, which underlines the ambition fuelling the club. 

  "We're trying to build a football club that is a community-based organisation, but to arrive at the Premier League and ultimately stay there," he said.

  He stressed that money alone isn’t enough, and the real challenge is protecting the club’s culture.

  "I think the challenge is making sure everyone understands what the DNA and the values of the club are," he said. "You have to understand when you're coming into a club like Wrexham that you have to be humble to learn what it means to be a part of Wrexham."

  While the short-term focus is on stability in the Championship, Williamson knows the real goal is years away. 

  "We're having to invest in a squad on the pitch because of the consequences of back-to-back-to-back promotions. That's also rooted in the fact that we don't have an academy pipeline historically," he said. 

  "We're starting to see the foundations of what the academy can be, and the type of investment into that is critical for long-term success. But we're talking about five to seven years before some of those things are seen."

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  From Miami to North Wales: A life transformed

  For Williamson, the job has been a personal upheaval as well as a professional one, since he had to relocate his family from Miami to North Wales. 

  "That's one area that took a little time to settle in, all honestly," he said. "As far as the office goes, that was one of those things where I just came in and I sat and I listened. I tried to ask questions and I tried to create a positive environment as I think there were definitely some morale concerns within the club."

  On the pitch, Wrexham’s first few months in the Championship were a wake-up call. The team struggled initially to adapt to the higher tempo and physicality of the division. But under Phil Parkinson, they have steadied the ship, and most recently grinded out a hard-fought draw against Portsmouth away from home. And Williamson insisted the squad is improving with every game.

  He said, "If you look at where we are right now, we are very competitive. We have been competitive in every single match that we've played in the Championship. In fact, if you look back on it, we could be sitting on 10 or 12 more points right now. That's how difficult it gets, and it's a game of moments. There are moments where 13 new players are all kind of feeling each other out a little bit, and it's only going to get better. That's what I'm excited about."

  Wrexham sit 14th in the Championship with 18 points, and their next challenge comes on Saturday against Charlton Athletic at the Racecourse Ground. 

It was yet another devastating result for Manchester United. The Red Devils slumped to another defeat, this time losing 3-1 away from home to Brentford. Ruben Amorim’s side have now lost three games in the top flight this season, winning just two and drawing the other.

That is merely a continuation of the dismal form shown under their Portuguese manager. United have only won 12 games under Amorim in not far off one year, and are yet to win back-to-back games in the Premier League.

Their trip to the Gtech Community was a chance to do just that. However, two first-half goals from Igor Thiago in the first half, and a late strike from Vitaly Janelt were enough to seal the three points for the Bees.

The only real positive for United was the fact that Benjamin Sesko bagged his first goal for the club. It was a strike that showed lots of fight, scrapping for a ball in the penalty box before finally firing a shot into the back of the net.

It was another disappointing day at the office for Amorim’s side. No one really covered themselves in glory. One player who struggled was defender Luke Shaw.

Shaw’s performance vs. Brentford

One of the Red Devils’ most experienced players, Shaw, once again started as the left centre-back in Amoirm’s infamous back three system. He has certainly had better performances in a United shirt.

The England international, who is normally excellent on the ball, was surprisingly poor in possession in West London. Out of possession, he struggled against the physicality of Brentford’s forwards, including goalscorer Thiago.

In terms of his numbers from the lunchtime kickoff, the 30-year-old had 71 touches, losing the ball 17 times. He only won one duel from four attempted, and made one error, which led to a Brentford shot, per Sofascore.

Goal journalist Richard Martin seemingly agreed that the experienced defender did not put in his best performance against the West Londoners. He gave him a 5/10 for his efforts and highlighted his struggles with the ball at his feet, describing him as “sloppy in possession.”

It was certainly not Shaw’s best day at the office, although he was not United’s worst player at the Gtech Community Stadium.

The United player who worse than Shaw

Shaw was certainly not the only player in a United shirt who struggled against the Bees. Harry Maguire was at fault for the first goal, and goalkeeper Altay Bayindir could have done better for the second strike.

However, Bruno Fernandes put in a surprisingly poor performance. The United captain had his afternoon summed up by Statman Dave, who called the situation a “nightmare.” Indeed, he struggled to get involved creatively and, crucially, missed a penalty.

That effort from 12 yards was certainly not his finest moment of the season. The second penalty he’s missed in West London this season, Fernandes struck his effort low to the goalkeeper’s left, which Caoimhin Kelleher easily managed to tip away.

It was a moment that summed up Fernandes’ afternoon. The Portugal international, once again operating deeper in a pivot, struggled to create a chance, playing just one key pass, and losing the ball 18 times.

Indeed, Martin seemed to agree that the United captain had a day to forget at the Gtech Community Stadium. He gave Fernandes a match rating of 4/10 and, unfortunately, did not have anything positive to discuss from his performance.

United’s number eight certainly was not involved enough creatively, either. Perhaps that is more on Amoirm rather than the reflection of a poor showing. Fernandes would surely be able to create more chances if he were playing further forward, rather than in a pivot. With that being said, perhaps you’d have expected him to create more with United chasing the game.

It was definitely a day to forget for Fernandes. Normally, such a consistent penalty taker, he missed from the spot to make it 2-2 and give United a fighting chance of getting a positive result.

Not just Obi: Man Utd have "dangerous" attacker who can be the next Rooney

Man United fans can get excited about this player’s talent.

By
Joe Nuttall

Sep 26, 2025

Bayer Leverkusen coach Kasper Hjulmand cannot understand the criticism Florian Wirtz is currently facing. Signed by Liverpool for the second-highest transfer fee in British football history over the summer, the German international has been below par in the first two months of his career at Anfield. Hjulmand, however, is confident that Wirtz will "prove to everyone" what he is really capable of.

Wirtz yet to hit the ground running for Liverpool

After two outstanding seasons at Leverkusen under coach Xabi Alonso, Wirtz moved to Liverpool over the summer. If all bonus clauses are fulfilled, the Reds' transfer costs will amount to €150 million (£130m/$175m). So far, however, the 22-year-old has fallen far short of the high expectations.

After seven league games and two Champions League matches, Wirtz is still waiting for his first goal for the reigning English champions. In the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea before the international break, the attacking player did not make it into manager Arne Slot's starting line-up. He has also failed to score for the German national team recently. His unimpactful displays have drawn intense criticism from large sections of the media, prompting the likes of former Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp and ex-international team-mate Ilkay Gundogan to come to his defence.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesKasper Hjulmand confident in Wirtz's abilities

"Come on, he's only just arrived there. Believe me, he'll prove himself to everyone. Even the experts in England. I'm sure of it," said Leverkusen boss Hjulmand in an interview with . "Show me the player who can perform at his best from day one in a new club and a new league. It's impossible. Florian is a fantastic footballer with outstanding qualities. We all know how fast-paced everything is in football: if he scores two great goals in the next two games, people will say, 'Now he's arrived.' That will be just as wrong as the recent criticism.

"Give him time, let him play – and everyone in Liverpool will see how good he is. I have no doubt that he will prove himself."

Wirtz unfazed by underwhelming start to Liverpool life

Wirtz has no qualms about the fact he will turn things around sooner rather than later. Reflecting on his early struggles at Anfield, Wirtz recently said: “I know what I can do, and I know that eventually I’ll show it fully on the pitch. So I just stay calm. That’s good advice.

“Of course, I’d like to have scored or assisted already, but I know that it will come. Sometimes things don’t go your way, but I work every day to improve. I know I can play good football, and it’s just a matter of time.”

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GettyLiverpool eager to end three-game losing streak

With the international break now over, domestic duties will return this weekend. Slot's troops had lost three consecutive games heading into the international break. They will need a win against Manchester United on Sunday in order to reignite their hopes of retaining their Premier League crown.

MatériaMais Notícias

São Paulo e Lucas Moura se acertaram: o atacante, revelado pelo próprio clube e idolatrado pela torcida, quer voltar a atuar no time do Morumbi por pelo menos até o final do ano, como o Lance! revelou. O problema é que a negociação ganhou um novo elemento. Um time não revelado da MLS, liga dos EUA, que quer contar com o jogador e inclusive já teria oferecido o sonhado ‘último contrato lucrativo’ com o qual ele tanto sonha. Mas uma ‘engenharia’ mantém viva o sonho de todas as partes em ter um final feliz já neste sábado (29).

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Na verdade, a ideia da diretoria encabeçada por Julio Casares e que foi aceita por Lucas Mouras não tem nada de novo. Já foi usada pelo Tricolor em 2014 com outro ídolo revelado no clube: Kaká.

+ Renove o seu estoque de camisas do Tricolor com o cupom LANCEFUT 10% OFF

Na ocasião, o então meia deixou deixou o Milan, da Itália, e acertou um contrato com o Orlando City. Entretanto, como as regras de transferências e limite de estrangeiros não permitiram a chegada imediata do pentacampeão mundial à franquia da MLS, ele acabou emprestado ao São Paulo para atuar no Morumbi no segundo semestre daquela temporada.

Segundo o Lance! apurou com fontes ligadas à cúpula são-paulina, é exatamente o que São Paulo e Lucas Moura tentam acertar agora.
Isso porque entre a tarde e noite de sexta-feira (28), após o contato do Tricolor e o não acerto com o Monterrey, do México, o atacante recebeu duas sondagens fortes: dos EUA e do futebol árabe. Após consultar sua família e estafe, Lucas decidiu-se pela terra do Tio Sam.

E aí está a oportunidade do clube do Morumbi, já que ele não poderia se transferir de imediato justamente pelas mesmas questões de Kaká em 2014. A promessa dos estadunidenses é de abrir a vaga de estrangeiro até dezembro. E aí, para não ficar parado, o São Paulo seria a melhor das opções.

Valores de quanto Lucas Moura receberá nesta segunda passagem pelo Morumbi não são revelados. A reportagem estimou com conselheiros que os salários serão pouca coisa a mais que o teto estabeelcido pelo clube, que corresponde aos vencimentos do atacante Calleri.

O Tricolor monitora desde o início do ano a situação de Lucas. Conversou com seu estafe e com ele várias vezes e, sem fazer proposta, deixou as portas abertas para o retorno do atacante, vendido em 2012 ao PSG, da França, após ajudar na conquista da Copa Sul-Americana.

Por estar sem clube desde junho, quando se encerrou seu contrato com o Tottenham, da Inglaterra, Lucas Moura poderia ser registrado no BID (Boletim Informativo Diário) da CBF mesmo após o fechamento da janela de transferências, na próxima quinta-feira (3/8).

Os prazos para inscrição nas competição são os mesmos de James: até segunda-feira (31) para as oitavas de final da Copa Sul-Americana ante o San Lorenzo, da Argentina, até dia 8 de agosto para o jogo de volta da semifinal da Copa do Brasil contra o rival Corinthians. E dia 26 de agosto para o restante do Campeonato Brasileiro.

+ Confira os jogos e classificação resultados do Brasileirão-23 na tabela do LANCE!

PRÓXIMOS JOGOS DO SÃO PAULO

30/7 (domingo) – Bahia – 11h* – Morumbi – Brasileirão
3/8 (quinta) – San Lorenzo – 19h* – Nuevo Gasómetro – oitavas -0 Sul-Americana
6/8 (domingo) – Atlético-MG – 16h* – Morumbi – Brasileirão
10/8 (quinta) – San Lorenzo – 19h* – Morumbi – oitavas – Sul-Americana
13/8 (domingo) – Flamengo – 18h30 – Maracanã – Brasileirão

*horários de Brasília (DF)