The initial plans for the new stadium had included a fully-fixed roof but the latest modeling has raised significant doubts over where it would work for cricket

AAP26-Mar-2025

A concept design of the proposed new stadium in Hobart•Tasmania Government

Tasmania’s proposed waterfront stadium that is a condition of the state’s entry into the AFL could end up with a less extensive roof after concerns about shadows and its ability to host cricket.Cricket Australia (CA) and Cricket Tasmania have written to the state government raising worries about designs for the 23,000-seat Macquarie Point venue.Construction of a roofed stadium on the Hobart site is a contractual obligation of a deal with the AFL for a 19th licence and entry into the men’s league in 2028.Related

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Hobart's new stadium designed to host indoor Test cricket

In a letter obtained by the ABC, the two cricket bodies say the roof design means the stadium is unlikely to be conducive to hosting Test matches. They also say holding one-day and T20 fixtures could be challenging.The letter raises concerns about the impact of shadows cast by the roof on the field of play, particularly on the cricket pitch block throughout the day.”For this reason, we would like to discuss with you what opportunity there is to consider a stadium design option that does not have a roof, or that has an operable roof,” the letter to the state government says.Cricket Tasmania and CA support the stadium, slated to cost AU$775 million, and want to see it progress, a spokesperson said.The stadium design includes a transparent fixed dome-shaped roof supported by steel and timber.  Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff, who inked the deal with the AFL, said all parties were working through the challenges.The government was committed to a roof but open to design options including a partial roof, Mr Rockliff said.”This is not just an AFL stadium, it is a multi-purpose stadium that needs to cater for events, other codes of sport,” he told reporters.It is planned that Tasmanian cricket will move away from Bellerive Oval when the new stadium is completed•Cricket Australia/Getty Images

Macquarie Point Development Corporation CEO Anne Beach said designs were being finessed.”Because we have a fully transparent covering, you then have a fair bit of contrast on a fully clear day,” she told a parliamentary inquiry on Wednesday. “The beams have been made as efficient as they can, so they are relatively small. But they are still there, so they do cast a shadow.”There were several ways to address shadows including reducing the number of timber beams and adjusting building materials, Ms Beach said.The extent of the roof “might be something” that needed to be looked at, she said.”We are in constant dialogue with the Tasmanian government about the design for the Macquarie Point stadium,” a CA spokesperson said. “We want to ensure the stadium is fit for purpose for all forms of cricket so we can bring the best possible international and domestic cricket to the stadium and maximise benefits for all Tasmanians.”The AFL has reiterated its commitment to a roofed, 23-000-seat stadium at Macquarie Point. The federal government is chipping in AU$240 million for development at the site, while the AFL is contributing AU$15 million.The project, with a 2029 build goal, is being assessed by an independent planning body which will provide a draft report by the end of March and a final report in September.  It must then be voted through state parliament to get the green light.Tasmania’s Labor opposition supports the stadium but has raised concerns about the delivery.”Nowhere in the world has cricket been played under a cross laminated timber roof,” Labor MP Josh Willie said. “It is up to the premier [in terms of] how he is going to deliver the project.”

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For Newcastle United, strikers have always been at the heart of the club’s identity.

From Alan Shearer’s record-breaking heroics to the short but sparkling spells of players like Demba Ba and Papiss Cissé, Newcastle’s frontmen have shaped eras on Tyneside.

Shearer is the undisputed benchmark, a local hero who scored 206 goals for the club and remains the Premier League’s all-time top scorer. But Newcastle’s striker lineage is full of memorable names.

Ba’s 29 Premier League goals earned him a big move to Chelsea, Cissé’s wonder strikes helped fire the Magpies to fifth under Alan Pardew, and Ayoze Pérez developed from a Tenerife prospect into a Premier League regular.

Even Salomón Rondón, who spent just a single season on loan, left an impression with his strength and work rate, although Mike Ashley’s refusal to sanction a permanent deal frustrated supporters.

Yet the hunt for a true successor to Shearer’s crown has often defined Newcastle’s modern history. In the recent past, one player in particular has carried the burden of comparison: Alexander Isak.

How Isak compares to Shearer's start

When Shearer arrived at Newcastle for £15m in 1996, he did so as the most expensive player in the world.

Shearer was the archetypal English centre-forward. Powerful, commanding in the air, and unerringly ruthless in front of goal.

He embodied grit and consistency, traits that made him one of the most revered strikers in football history.

Isak, meanwhile, represents a new generation. His acrimonious transfer to Liverpool in 2025 for a British-record £125m confirmed his status as one of the continent’s top forwards.

Signed from Real Sociedad in 2022, the Swedish striker gave Newcastle exactly what they had been missing: goals at the highest level.

In just 109 appearances, he scored 62 times and provided 11 assists, his efficiency and composure drawing attention from Europe’s elite.

That included 54 goals across his three Premier League campaigns at St James’. For context, Shearer’s first three seasons at the club – albeit while impacted by injury in 1997/98 – yielded only 41 league goals.

Isak somewhat differs from Shearer in style, however. Where Shearer bulldozed through defenders and imposed himself physically, Isak glided past opponents with skill, pace, and creativity.

He was as comfortable linking play outside the box as he was finishing inside it.

His 23 league goals last season helped Eddie Howe’s side to reach the Champions League last season, stretching defences and creating space for teammates such as Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy along the way.

Like Shearer, Isak thrived under pressure, scoring in big games and shouldering the weight of expectation from a fanbase that reveres its strikers.

Though his time on Tyneside was shorter than his predecessor, Isak proved that Newcastle could still nurture world-class forwards capable of defining an era. Could there have been another player of Shearer-ilk lost along the way, however?

Aleksandar Mitrovic was meant to be Shearer 2.0

Before Isak, it was Aleksandar Mitrović who was one of many players tipped as Newcastle’s long-term number nine.

Signed from Anderlecht in 2015 for £13m, the Serbian striker arrived with raw potential and a reputation for physical dominance.

Matches Played

59

Starts

33

Goals

13

Assists

10

Shots on Target

49

At the time, manager John Carver was bold in his assessment:

Stylistically, the comparison made sense.

Mitrović, like Shearer, thrived on aerial duels, physical presence, and link-up play. But while Shearer channelled his aggression into goals, Mitrović often let his emotions boil over.

The Serbian received two red cards in black and white. It was only after leaving St James’ Park that Mitrović truly blossomed.

At Fulham, he became one of the Championship’s most feared strikers, scoring 111 goals in 206 appearances and breaking the all-time record for goals in a single season with 46.

He dragged Fulham back into the Premier League, becoming a cult hero at Craven Cottage.

His career then took him abroad. At Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, he scored 68 goals in just 79 appearances, forming a lethal partnership with Serbia teammate Sergej Milinković-Savić.

In 2025, he moved again, this time to Qatar Stars League side Al Rayyan, where he hopes to continue delivering elite numbers.

Mitrović may not have fulfilled the Shearer prophecy at Newcastle, but his career proves he was always capable of being a prolific scorer.

He simply needed the right environment to thrive.

Newcastle may have an Ekitike & Isak hybrid in "absolutely ridiculous" star

Newcastle have quietly enjoyed a successful transfer window, even with the late sale of Isak to Liverpool.

2 ByAngus Sinclair Sep 5, 2025

Leeds United are battling to secure more arrivals before the transfer window closes, and a Bundesliga manager has hinted he could be set to replace a midfielder who has been heavily linked with a move to Elland Road.

Leeds United draw a line through Arsenal defeat

After the thrill of an opening day victory over Everton, Leeds took on a timely reminder of how bruising life can be in the Premier League last weekend in a 5-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Daniel Farke is acutely aware of the tough challenge ahead if his team want to secure survival, and he was quick to rue the Gunners’ ruthless nature in front of goal on a day to forget in the capital when speaking in his post-match press conference.

He stated: “It was always a difficult game for us here, travelling without our captain, Arsenal’s first home game, the whole stadium was buzzing. We had to suffer a lot in the first 15 minutes, then we came into the game, so it’s annoying to concede the first goal from a set-piece. They had five shots on goal and five goals, and it’s difficult when they’re as effective as they were today.”

Drawing a line through an immensely frustrating result, Leeds have swiftly moved on to their pursuit of Strasbourg winger Dilane Bakwa, who is also wanted by Nottingham Forest in the final stretch of the market period.

Bournemouth star James Hill could also complete a late move to Elland Road, and there are more links appearing by the hour as the Whites go all out to secure survival.

With plenty left in the budget, Farke and company may be on alert after recent developments involving someone who has been a target at the club over the last few months.

Leeds target Julian Weigl could be sold by Borussia Monchengladbach

Earlier this year, Leeds made contact to sign Borussia Monchengladbach captain Julian Weigl and it now appears that he could be on the move sooner rather than later.

Bild report that manager Roland Virkus has confirmed he is now considering replacing Weigl after releasing him for talks at an unnamed club, which meant he missed out during his side’s 0-0 draw against Hamburg on the Bundesliga’s opening weekend.

Bad news for Piroe: Leeds have opened talks to sign £17m "monster"

Leeds United have reportedly made contact over a potential signing that would be bad news for Joel Piroe.

ByDan Emery Aug 24, 2025

Virkus stated: “If Julian really leaves the club, which is not yet certain, then as a club manager you naturally think about what else you can do in this position.”

With Al-Shabab also thought to be among Weigl’s closest admirers, whoever lands the experienced German international will be inheriting a savvy operator in the engine room, who has scored three times and laid on 6 assists in 94 appearances for his club.

Farke has previously worked with the 29-year-old at Borussia Monchengladbach, so could a reunion now be on the cards between the two at Elland Road? Only time will tell on that front.

تحدث كوكي، قائد نادي أتلتيكو مدريد، عن إلغاء مباراة برشلونة وفياريال والتي كان من المفترض أن تلعب في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، ضمن منافسات الدوري الإسباني.

وكانت مباراة برشلونة وفياريال ستلعب في نهاية هذا العام في ولاية ميامي بالولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، قبل أن يتم التراجع عن هذا القرار، وسوف يلعب اللقاء في ملعب لاسيراميكا.

وفي تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “آس”، تطرق كوكي إلى اعتراض اللاعبين والأندية على إقامة لقاء برشلونة وفياريال في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، موضحًا أن الجميع يطالب بالشفافية والعدل فقط بين الأندية.

رسميًا.. الإعلان عن لاعب الأسبوع في الدوري الإنجليزي

وقال كوكي: ”كان قادة الأندية يطلبون الشفافية فقط، الجميع طلبوا معرفة سبب نقل مباراة في الدوري الإسباني إلى ميامي لا غير، كنا نطلب معلومات ولم نكن مع أو ضد ذلك”.

وأضاف: ”أخبرتني بإلغاء المباراة للتو، في المرة القادمة إذا نشروا جميع المعلومات وقدموا ضمانات بأن لعب المباراة خارج إسبانيا سيفيد الدوري فسوف نرى الأمر، إذا رأينا أن الأمر ليس كذلك، فسنبقى في الدوري الإسباني”.

وأوضح: ”ملاعب إسبانيا رائعة وجماهيرنا تتوق للذهاب إلى ملاعبنا، إذا كان اللعب خارج إسبانيا ممكنًا فليكن، وإن لم يكن فسنواصل اللعب في إسبانيا وهو أمر رائع، أحب الذهاب إلى ملاعب فياريال وبرشلونة، أحب لعب كل مباراة على ملعبي مع جماهيري وأعتقد أن العديد من زملائي سيفكرون بنفس الطريقة”.

واختتم: “أود أن أعرف رأيكم جميعًا، أريد أن ألعب كل مباراة في ملعبي ومع جماهيري، لا أستطيع تخيل لعب مباراة بين أتلتيكو وريال مدريد بدون جماهير فريقي”.

Bilal El Khannouss is talking to Belgian reporters in the press area of the Cegeka Arena, home of KRC Genk. While the attacking midfielder is discussing the details of a 0-0 draw with Ferencvaros, a journalist from Sporza can no longer contain himself.

Eddy Demarez had noticed when El Khannouss came back onto the pitch after the half-time interval that the front of his azure blue Adidas boots was about to give way. A single piece of tape was the only thing holding everything together – and yet, remarkably, it did the job. The boots survived the second half.

These are scenes you would normally see on an amateur pitch. Together with the crooked socks, the shirts that are just a little too tight and shorts that reek of tiger balm, the half-taped boots don't belong in a European tournament, so the journalist is incredibly curious. Why didn't El Khannouss change into a new pair? The response says much about this young man's character.

"I got kicked on the foot in the first half, which broke my boot," El Khannouss explains to Demarez. "During half-time, I put tape on it. We have to make do with what we have. I hope to have new shoes tomorrow." Making the most of what you have: it's all El Khannouss knows and it also helps explain why he's set to become Stuttgart's second-most expensive signing ever next summer…

Where it all began

Born in 2004, El Khannouss grew up in Strombeek-Bever and, at the age of five, his cousin took him to his first football club: Crossing Schaerbeek. He didn't play there for long, though. 

"Soon after I arrived, my coach Ebrahim Bouazzati moved to Anderlecht and took his best players with him," he recalls in . "I was the last survivor of that group."

It was the football pitches of Brussels that made him the player he is today. In Josaphat Park, or under the Europe Bridge, where Ajax talent Rayane Bounida also spent his youth, he learned to understand the art of football. It shaped him, both as a human being and as a player. 

"It was mainly five against five in a cage," he recalled in an interview with . "Up until I was 13, I also played indoor football at Futsal Besiktas Gent. Playing in those small spaces teaches you to run smarter. It definitely helped me."

And then there was a youth transfer that caused quite a stir in the Belgian newspapers. The Brussels-born player with a purple Anderlecht heart moved to Genk at the age of 15.

"What did Anderlecht have to say about that? A lot of things. Some youth coaches called me a traitor," El Khannouss revealed. "They said it with a smile, but you could feel that they meant it."

He had played for Anderlecht for 10 years, and alongside the likes of Rome Lavia. However, the sporting picture in Genk was much more appealing. The future prospects were simply better there, and so it proved.

AdvertisementAFPThe big break

When he was still only 18, he made his debut for Genk's first team. A few months later, Bounida's Ajax came calling – along with a string of other top foreign clubs. However, El Khannouss decided to extend his contract with Genk.

It turned out to be the right choice. The following season saw his real breakthrough and the reward was a place in Morocco's 2022 World Cup squad. Once again, it was not a decision that went over well in the local press.

Until that point, El Khannouss had played for various Belgium teams at under-age level. "I am extremely grateful to Belgium for all the opportunities I have had here, but I knew from an early age that I would choose Morocco," he explained.

"My grandparents came to Belgium from Morocco and I feel that this is a way for me to give something back to them. They are no longer with us, but I am sure they are proud of me."

During Morocco's highly successful World Cup campaign – the team reached the semi-finals – he started in the third-place play-off against Croatia. He went head to head with his great idol, Luka Modric, and the 18-year-old impressed, thus becoming immensely popular., both in Morocco and back in Belgium.

These days, even during his pilgrimages to Mecca, he cannot escape his fame. "It's great to be recognised everywhere and feel the love from fans, but sometimes I do miss the anonymity. I've already learned to choose restaurants where few Moroccans go. The fans are literally everywhere!" he joked.

After the World Cup, El Khannouss continued to shine at Genk for another year and a half before making an inevitably transfer to a top league in 2024, with Leicester City agreeing to pay £22.5 million for the offensive midfielder, who was also courted by Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen and Liverpool.

Following the dismissal of Steve Cooper, he got to work with striking legend Ruud van Nistelrooy and was one of the few bright lights in an otherwise gloomy season at the King Power Stadium. 

"I think you will see and hear a lot more from him," Van Nistelrooy insisted. "He can go very far. He has the potential to become a top player in the Champions League."

AFPHow it's going

Although El Khannouss started the current campaign playing Championship football with Leicester, it was always unlikely that he'd do so for the entire season.

However, he only secured a transfer to Stuttgart on deadline day, as the German side looked to add to their attacking options following the lucrative sale of star striker Nick Woltemade to Newcastle.

El Khannouss was signed on a season-long loan but with an obligation to buy next summer for €25 million (£22m/$29m). It's already looking like a bit of a masterstroke by Stuttgart.

The 21-year-old has netted three times in his first six appearances in all competitions for his new side, much to the delight of coach Sebastian Hoeness. 

"He has incredible quality – he has already demonstrated that in the Premier League, of course," Hoeness said. "But he has had a great start and is a very promising young man. We are very happy to have him with us."

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Getty Images SportBiggest strengths

Thorsten Fink, who coached El Khannouss in Belgium, has already expressed similar sentiments to Van Nistelrooy. "I have worked with many players, and what I have seen is that this boy is very special," he told . "He can become one of the best footballers in Europe. I am convinced of that."

He's certainly got the talent to do so. El Khannouss has a fantastic first touch, is an elusive dribbler, can really pick a pass and has outstanding awareness, which is why his former coach at Genk once quipped that the attacking midfielder seems to have "eyes in the back of his head".

Pep Guardiola also liked what he saw when his Manchester City side faced Leicester last season, making a bee-line for El Khannouss as soon as the full-time whistle blew. 

"He said he was impressed with my play," El Khannouss revealed afterwards. Once again, though, his human qualities and impressive work ethic quickly came to the fore.

"I have to show this level every week. Other than that, I just enjoy the game and the day. Because we have the best job in the world." Indeed, he understands very well indeed just how lucky he is to be a footballer and that's why he often thinks about society as a whole. 

"I do my bit, without everyone always having to know about it," he told "God has given me a luxurious life. Sometimes I wake up and think: 'Sh*t, today I have to do this or that.' In Ivory Coast, I saw 70-year-old women walking barefoot up a mountain with heavy buckets filled with food on their heads just so their families could eat. Things like that break your heart."

It was the first time in IPL 2025 that the captain winning the toss chose to bat

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Mar-2025Pat Cummins called it right at the toss and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) opted to bat first in the day game against Delhi Capitals (DC) in Vishakhapatnam. It was the first time in IPL 2025 that the captain winning the toss chose to bat.KL Rahul will be playing his first match in IPL 2025 after he missed DC’s opening encounter for the birth of his daughter. Sameer Rizvi made way for Rahul’s return in what was the only change for the home team.Cummins backed his batters to continue with their trend from last season – bat first, put up a big score and defend it successfully. With the sun baking down and expected to slow the pitch as the game goes on, SRH opted to bring in an extra spinner for a fast bowler. As a result, legspinner Zeeshan Ansari, who plays for Uttar Pradesh in the domestic circuit, came in for fast bowler Simarjeet Singh.Axar Patel said that he would also have batted first, given “ball does more in the second innings”. He backed his bowlers to be brave and resort to death bowling right from the start if need be.The square boundaries were 66m and 60m in Vishakhapatnam, with the straight hit being 73m. WV Raman, at the pitch report, said that spin could come into play as the game goes on because of the sun baking down.Sunrisers Hyderabad XI: 1 Travis Head, 2 Abhishek Sharma, 3 Ishan Kishan, 4 Nitish Kumar Reddy, 5 Heinrich Klaasen (wk), 6 Aniket Verma, 7 Abhinav Manohar, 8 Pat Cummins (capt), 9 Harshal Patel, 10 Mohammed Shami, 11 Zeeshan Ansari
Impact Player options: Sachin Baby, Eshan Malinga, Simarjeet Singh, Adam Zampa, Wiaan MulderDelhi Capitals XI: 1 Faf du Plessis, 2 Jake Fraser-McGurk, 3 Abishek Porel, 4 KL Rahul (wk), 5 Axar Patel (capt), 6 Tristan Stubbs, 7 Vipraj Nigam, 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Mohit Sharma, 11 Mukesh KumarImpact Player options: Karun Nair, Ashutosh Sharma, Sameer Rizvi, Donovan Ferreira, Tripurna Vijay

The Premier League are set to vote on scrapping the divisive Profit and Sustainability Rules and bringing in a new system that will be more aligned with the UEFA financial regulations. The PSR was introduced by the Premier League ahead of the 2015/16 season in a bid to prevent clubs from overspending on transfers, however, time and again, the rules have faced criticism.

• PSR set to scrapped after facing criticism

  Premier League CEO Richard Masters has revealed that they will soon decide on the fate of the divisive PSR and might introduce a new squad-cost ratio system. Introduced in the 2015/16 season, the PSR has often been criticised by clubs like Manchester City, Newcastle United and Aston Villa for limiting their ability to spend in the transfer market. 

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  Premier League in talks with clubs

  Speaking at the Leaders sports conference, Masters said: "We are talking to our clubs about an alternative system. That's not to say we don't think the PSR system works. It's about closer alignment with European regulation, which is squad cost ratio, which is a revenue test. 

  "The PSR is a look-back profitability test and has its own strengths and weaknesses. No system will be perfect. We have to keep these things balanced and continue the conversation with our clubs, and that's an important decision, so we should take the time to get it right. But that decision is coming up."

• New rules could be aligned with UEFA's financial regulations

  Masters added: "In UEFA, it's now set at 70 per cent. Our system will be 85 per cent because we always want our clubs to have the ability to invest. So when you compare the Premier League system at 85 percent, if it happens, and you look at the other big European leagues, we have a more permissive system, too permissive some might say… The Premier League has been built on the back of investment in which international capital flows (are) coming in. We don't want that to be stifled."

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  Premier League clubs to vote on scrapping PSR next month

  Initially, the Premier League wanted to put the new rules in place for the 2025-26 campaign, however, all 20 top-flight clubs will meet in November to vote on implementing the new system.

Priyansh Arya announced his arrival in the IPL with a 39-ball century, the fastest by an uncapped Indian and joint-fourth-fastest by anyone, as Punjab Kings (PBKS) consigned Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to their fourth successive defeat in IPL 2025.CSK didn’t help themselves in the field, dropping as many as five catches, including two offered by Arya. The 24-year-old rookie capitalised on those chances to charge to his hundred as early as the 13th over. He holed out for 103 off 42 balls in the next over, but Shashank Singh (52*) and Marco Jansen (34*) provided the finishing kick for PBKS.CSK started well in the powerplay in their pursuit of 220 – Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra added 59 in the first six overs – but their soft underbelly was exposed once again in a chase. Conway retired out on 69 off 49 balls, with CSK needing 49 off 13 balls, but MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja couldn’t get the job done.CSK have now failed to chase a 180-plus target in their last 11 attempts, dating back to 2020.

Arya’s assault

Arya had triggered a bidding war at the auction after cracking six sixes in an over in the inaugural Delhi Premier League. In the lead-up to IPL 2025, his coach Ricky Ponting had talked him up as a “special” player. On Tuesday, Arya backed up Ponting’s comments in only his fourth IPL innings.1:50

Are Ashwin and Jadeja too defensive?

Arya is a bit like a left-handed version of the original Delhi basher Virender Sehwag. He sees the ball and hits the ball. He has also the gift of timing. When Matheesha Pathirana marginally missed a wide yorker and bowled a full toss – it was still a hard-to-hit full toss – Arya opened his bat face and carved it over point for six. He dispatched the next three balls from Pathirana for 6, 6, 4 to surge to a 39-ball hundred in the 13th over. In the next over, left-arm wristspinner Noor Ahmad had Arya dragging a catch to long-on.While Arya finished with 103 off 42 balls, the rest of the top six had a combined 23 off 25 balls in a bizarre scorecard. Arya could have been dismissed in the very first over had Khaleel Ahmed held on to a fairly straightforward return catch. Arya was on 6 at that point, having scythed the first ball over the point boundary. He then got another life on 35 when Vijay Shankar fluffed a more difficult chance at midwicket. Arya raced to his half-century, off 19 balls, when he backed away and carted R Ashwin over mid-off in the last over of the powerplay.In all, Arya took Ashwin for 28 off ten balls. The spinner came away with 4-0-48-2, his third-most expensive spell in the IPL.

Shashank, Jansen join the fun

Despite Arya’s departure, PBKS kept attacking. Shashank forged an unbroken 65-run partnership off 38 balls for the seventh wicket with Jansen to push them to an above-par total. Shashank welcomed Noor into the attack with a slog-swept six over wide long-on, and pumped a carrom ball from Ashwin over his head for six more. Jansen had his own fun when he launched a no-look six off Pathirana in the 18th over.17:35

Bangar: Dhoni not playing for the crowd, he has a clear role at CSK

CSK fade away in another chase

CSK started positively in the chase, with the New Zealand pair of Conway and Ravindra scoring ten fours in the powerplay. However, they had to wait until the tenth over for their first six, when Shivam Dube swatted Lockie Ferguson over the midwicket boundary.Glenn Maxwell had broken the opening stand when he had Ravindra stumped for 36 off 23 balls. In the next over, Ferguson banged the ball on a hard length at 143kph and had Ruturaj Gaikwad chipping a catch to midwicket for 1 off three balls.CSK responded by pushing their designated spin-hitter Dube up to No. 4, but PBKS countered his promotion by not throwing spin at him. They held Yuzvendra Chahal, their premier spinner, back until Dube’s dismissal at the end of the 16th over. Once Dhoni arrived in the 17th over, PBKS matched Chahal up with him and raised the asking rate to almost 20. Chahal ended up bowling just one over for nine runs.Conway retired out in the 18th over, and Dhoni hit three sixes, but CSK were left with too much to do at the end. When Dhoni flapped a full toss from Yash Thakur, the Impact Player, to short fine leg, at the start of the final over, PBKS all but sealed victory.

Losing has become an unwanted habit for Manchester United under Ruben Amorim. So much so that the 3-0 loss to Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday may not have surprised anyone.

The Red Devils have accrued a measly 31 points in 31 matches under the Portuguese head coach, the lowest of any non-relegated side in that time.

It should go without saying, but, it is not good enough for a club of Manchester United’s size with the ambitions that they should have in the Premier League.

Players are to blame as well as the manager, though, and one player who may not have much of a future at Old Trafford, as a frontline player anyway, is Altay Bayindir.

The Turkish shot-stopper was given the nod between the sticks for the Manchester derby, but it seemed to be more of a case of keeping Senne Lammens out of the firing line for a debut in such a big clash.

United swooped to sign the Belgian goalkeeper from Royal Antwerp on deadline day and his arrival at Old Trafford could spell the end of Altay’s short time as the number one.

Why Altay Bayindir may already be finished at Man Utd

The Turkey international has started all four of the club’s Premier League matches this season, per Sofascore, but has not done enough to suggest that he has what it takes to be the next Edwin Van Der Sar, David De Gea, or Peter Schmeichel.

Altay played four times in the top-flight in the 2024/25 campaign and only saved 44% of the shots on his goal, per Sofascore, and made one error that led to a goal.

The Turkish flop has not improved much at the start of the current season, unfortunately, as he has saved 53% of the shots against him in the Premier League and made one error that led to a goal.

As you can see in the clip above, the United goalkeeper was far too weak from a corner on the opening day against Arsenal, which allowed Riccardo Calafiori to score the winning goal for the away side.

This means that Altay, who was easily beaten by Phil Foden and Erling Haaland for the first two Man City goals on Sunday, has made two errors that have led to goals in just eight league starts for the club.

Top performing shot-stoppers in Premier League vs Senne Lammens

24/25 season

Goals (xG) prevented

Senne Lammens (Pro League)

+15.57

Jordan Pickford (Premier League)

+6.15

Matz Sels (Premier League)

+4.55

Mark Travers (Premier League)

+4.48

Ederson (Premier League)

+4.46

Dean Henderson (Premier League)

+3.14

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Lammens has the shot-stopping potential to be a standout in the Premier League for the Red Devils if he can adjust to the division.

This means that the Belgian goalkeeper’s arrival at the club could spell the end of Altay’s career as a first-choice option for Amorim, as he settles in as the number one in the weeks to come.

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The Turkey international may not be the only poor performer from the derby whose career at United under Amorim should be in danger, though, as Manuel Ugarte falls into the same bracket.

He was selected to start in the middle of the park over Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo, yet once again failed to deliver an impressive performance for the team.

Why Manuel Ugarte should be finished at Man Utd

The Uruguay international has been at Old Trafford for more than a year and looks no closer to establishing himself as a key player for the manager than when he first walked through the door under Erik ten Hag.

Ugarte’s performances in the Premier League for the Red Devils during the 2024/25 campaign left far too much to be desired, as the central midfielder struggled badly in possession.

24/25 PL

Manuel Ugarte

Rank vs midfielders

Non-penalty goals

0.05

Bottom 41%

xAG

0.06

Bottom 30%

Shot-creating actions

1.56

Bottom 16%

Progressive passes

3.08

Bottom 18%

Progressive carries

0.81

Bottom 23%

Passes into the final third

2.96

Bottom 36%

Passes into the penalty area

0.45

Bottom 20%

Stats via FBref

As you can see in the table above, the former Paris Saint-Germain flop was among the worst central midfielders in the division in a host of possession-based metrics, which shows that he disrupted the team’s build-up with his lack of quality on the ball.

Despite being in the side to provide defensive stability, in theory, only Bruno Fernandes (1.4) was dribbled past more per game than Ugarte (1.3) for Manchester United in the Premier League last season, per WhoScored.

Opposition players found it far too easy to get the better of the central midfielder in the middle of the park, which means that he was a liability to the side in and out of possession last term.

Unfortunately, Ugarte’s performance in his first start of the league season against Manchester City on Sunday did not suggest that he is ready to turn things around.

Earlier this month, former Chelsea ace Craig Burley said: “Manuel Ugarte is just absolutely nothing. He’s just like a wet blanket. Put him in with the kids and even the kids would be going, ‘Who the hell is this guy?’ Seriously.”

Harsh comments from Burley but it is hard to disagree with him. Ugarte was caught out for the opening goal from Foden as he was too slow to get out to Doku and his weak block fell back for the winger to cross for the England international.

His lack of quality in possession also played a part in the third goal. The midfielder played a poor pass into Luke Shaw’s feet, which forced him to put Harry Maguire under pressure, resulting in the centre-back giving the ball away and Haaland being played through for his second.

He does not look up to the task of starting matches for Manchester United in the Premier League, as evidenced by his dismal showings last season and his poor performance on Sunday.

Related Worse than Sesko: Amorim must drop Man Utd flop who was "nowhere near it"

Manchester United should drop this flop who was even worse than Benjamin Sesko in the derby.

Posts 1 ByDan Emery Sep 14, 2025

The Uruguay international looks totally finished under Amorim on the evidence available so far, which is why Casemiro, Mason Mount, Mainoo, and Bruno Fernandes should play the bulk of the minutes available when fit and available ahead of him.