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The Swedish striker had a grand time against the shaky Arsenal defence as the Magpies sealed their place in the final

Arsenal were their own worst enemies as Newcastle booked a place in the Carabao Cup final with a 2-0 win over Mikel Arteta's men in the second leg of their semi-final tie. Already two goals down from the first leg, the Gunners had a mountain to climb heading into the clash, but they simply collapsed at St. James' Park and went crashing out with a 4-0 aggregate defeat.

With Magpies striker Alexander Isak tearing up their defence at one end, the north London side were totally inept up front as Kai Havertz's anonymous display showed exactly why Arteta is in dire need of a top-quality striker in his ranks.

After seeing an early Isak goal disallowed to quell a blistering start from Newcastle, Arsenal had a huge chance to go ahead when Martin Odegaard ended up in a great position but but his lashed effort hit the post.

Seconds later, Newcastle had the ball in the net again and this one counted – Isak winning the battle against William Saliba and then smacking the upright, with Jacob Murphy there to tuck the ball into the open goal.

Arsenal stepped up their game following the goal but were not able to fully take control, and seemed more likely to gift Newcastle another goal. And they did just that when, minutes after wasting a golden chance presented to him by Saliba, Anthony Gordon found himself perfectly placed to receive the ball after Declan Rice was caught out by a silly David Raya pass and the winger quickly rolled it into the net.

Newcastle were able to sit back and enjoy as Arsenal staggered and stumbled up the field, completely unable to cause any problems until the final whistle confirmed the home team's progress to the final.

GOAL rates Arsenal's players from St James' Park…

Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence

David Raya (3/10):

Another silly, crucial mistake as his pass put Rice under pressure and gave away the second goal.

Jurrien Timber (6/10):

Saw a lot of the ball and more reliable than his fellow defenders.

William Saliba (4/10):

Lost the battle for the initial ball and then was left in Isak's wake before the first goal and then gave a great opportunity to Gordon in the second half.

Gabriel (5/10):

Reacted too slowly to the rebound, allowing Murphy to score and looked vulnerable throughout.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (6/10):

Dug in with some tackles and tried to offer support when Arsenal went forward.

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Martin Odegaard (4/10):

Had a huge chance just before the goal and had a frustrating game overall. Went off at the hour mark.

Thomas Partey (6/10):

Made some good passes but didn't offer enough protection.

Declan Rice (5/10):

Tried to get something going on the ball and applied some pressure but couldn't deal with Raya's woeful pass, leading to the second goal.

AFPAttack

Gabriel Martinelli (5/10):

Couldn't connect with team-mates and struggled to make anything work before going off after 37 minutes with an injury.

Kai Havertz (4/10):

Couldn't register a single shot and kept on giving the ball away. Another bad day at the office.

Leandro Trossard (4/10):

Quiet in the first half beyond some questionable decisions and had no real impact. Went off after 60 minutes.

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Ethan Nwaneri (6/10):

Replaced Martinelli in the first half and was lively, but had a brutal time trying to get it beyond the defence.

Raheem Sterling (6/10):

The tie was over by the time he came on and he could do nothing to lift them.

Mikel Merino (6/10):

Played 30 minutes and tried to get forward in support but nothing worked out.

Riccardo Calafiori (N/A):

On after 77 minutes and couldn't add much.

Jorginho (N/A):

Didn't have much time to impact the game.

Mikel Arteta (4/10):

His team were second best all over the park. Their usual reliable performers were weak and his team's glaring need for a new forward was made clear yet again.

Highly-rated legspinning allrounder moves to Chelmsford in bid to develop career

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Oct-2021Matt Critchley, Derbyshire’s highly rated legspinning allrounder, has joined Essex on a three-year deal.Critchley, 25, was one of the standout players in the LV= Insurance County Championship last year, scoring 1,000 runs and taking 32 wickets, while across all formats he recorded 1,318 runs and claimed 52 victims.He was named in the PCA Men’s Team of the Year, and finished second in the overall PCA MVP rankings, behind Simon Harmer, the Essex spinner alongside whom he will now hope to form a productive partnership.”I’m absolutely thrilled to be here and to have signed for Essex,” Critchley said. “Essex have been one of the best teams in the country for the last six years, you just have to look at the players in the dressing room and the trophies they’ve won to know this must be a great place to play your cricket.”It was a tough decision to leave Derbyshire, but as soon as I was made aware of the interest, I wanted to make the move and I can’t wait to get going and to pull on the Essex shirt.”The move comes in the wake of the ECB’s confirmation that the County Championship will be reverting to a two-division structure next season. This means that Essex – who claimed the Division Two title this year after missing out on the top flight in the three-tier conference system used in response to the Covid outbreak, will be back in Division One next season, and eager to add to the two Championship titles and Bob Willis Trophy that they have claimed since 2017.”I’m delighted we’ve managed to get this one over the line and that Matt is now an Essex player,” John Stephenson, Essex’s chief executive, said.”It’s important that we look to improve our squad and continue to challenge for the top honours over the coming years. We feel Matt offers excellent attributes with both his batting and bowling across all formats and he’ll make an excellent addition to the team.”There were a host of clubs chasing Matt’s signature, so it’s a real coup for us that he’s bought into our vision and feels that Chelmsford is the place for him to develop as a cricketer and win titles.”Critchley made his first-class debut for Derbyshire back in May 2015, and in his career to date, he’s made 187 appearances across all formats, scoring 4,902 runs and taking 204 wickets.His highest first-class score of 137 not out came against Northamptonshire in 2015, when he became the youngest player in Derbyshire’s history to score a century, whilst his best bowling figures of 10 for 194 also came against Northants in 2018.Critchley was selected for the ECB International Pathway and participated in Overseas Placements in Australia in both 2016 and 2017. The following year he was selected to tour the West Indies with England Lions, making two appearances.Though Critchley was also involved in the inaugural season of the Hundred, after joining Welsh Fire for £24,000, his move to Essex indicates a desire to challenge for red-ball honours, and comes after Essex activated a clause within his contract, allowing him to move to a Division One county for an undisclosed fee.The club chairman, Ian Morgan, said: “We’re disappointed to be losing Matt after seeing him develop greatly with the club over the past seven seasons.”We were quick to better any offer from another county, however we understand his desire to test himself in Division One and he leaves with our best wishes for the future.”As a club, we moved to ensure we would be well-compensated for his departure, and we will be using that money to strengthen the first team under a new Head of Cricket.”

Thirimanne opts out; Mathews, Chandimal part of 22-member squad that has four uncapped players

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Nov-2021Lahiru Thirimanne has made himself unavailable for Sri Lanka’s upcoming two-Test series against West Indies starting on Sunday in Galle.The 22-member squad, led by Dimuth Karunaratne and also featuring senior allrounder Angelo Mathews, has as many as four uncapped players: batters Charith Asalanka and Kamil Mishara, legspinning allrounder Suminda Lakshan and fast bowler Chamika Gunasekara.Minod Bhanuka and Chamika Karunaratne, both one-Test old, also made the cut. Bhanuka, the top-order batter, makes a return after missing the Bangladesh Tests at home in April, while allrounder Karunaratne, who debuted against Australia two years ago, returns on the back of impressive limited-overs performances, both at home against India in July and at the T20 World Cup.The squad has four frontline spinners in Lakshan Sandakan, Ramesh Mendis, Praveen Jayawickrama and Lasith Embuldenia along with six pace options. Suranga Lakmal spearheads the seam attack that also has Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Vishwa Fernando and rookie Gunasekara.Both the Tests – part of the new WTC cycle – will be played in Galle.Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Minod Bhanuka, Roshen Silva, Ramesh Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Chamika Karunaratne, Lakshan Sandakan, Lasith Embuldeniya, Praveen Jayawickrama, Suminda Lakshan, Suranga Lakmal, Vishwa Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Chamika Gunasekara

Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney admitted he had one of the "top five best nights" of his life at Super Bowl LIX.

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Eagles savoured Super Bowl glory in New OrleansMcElhenney in attendance alongside wife OlsonRed Dragons can deliver more cause for celebrationFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty/GOALWHAT HAPPENED?

The Red Dragons’ co-owner was fully focused on his other sporting love as the Philadelphia Eagles took on the Kansas City Chiefs at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. McElhenney was in Louisiana, alongside the likes of Taylor Swift and Lionel Messi, to watch the greatest show in NFL circles.

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McElhenney has, since completing a stunning takeover at Wrexham alongside Ryan Reynolds, grown accustomed to having his nerves shredded when watching teams that he boasts emotional and financial ties to.

WHAT ROB MCELHENNEY SAID

He was able to relax for much of the Super Bowl extravaganza in Louisiana, as the Eagles raced into a 24-point half-time lead and went on to prevail 40-22. McElhenney posted during the game: “Dangerous tweet. This is top 5 greatest days of my life. 8pm on a Sunday.” He went on to say: “Not so dangerous anymore. Top 5 best nights of my life.”

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WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

Wrexham will be hoping to give McElhenney more cause for celebration over the coming weeks. They are looking to make history by becoming the first EFL side to secure three successive promotions, with Phil Parkinson’s side currently sat third in the League One table.

Sporting director Edu Gaspar moved to send Arsenal officials to a club on Saturday, with the Brazilian eyeing one of his countryman for manager Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal set sights on new centre-back and forward

2025 represents an opportunity for the north Londoners to strengthen their resolve, and January could be crucial in Arsenal’s mission to clinch a first Premier League title in 21 years after falling just short in each of the previous two campaigns.

Micah Richards urges Edu signing so Arteta can ditch Arsenal weak link

There’s a “frustrating” member of the Gunners team just not performing.

ByEmilio Galantini Oct 29, 2024

Arteta has been dealt many selection headaches over these first weeks of the season, with Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Mikel Merino, Takhehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Jesus, Ben White, Jurrien Timber, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Kai Havertz, Kieran Tierney and Riccardo Calafiori all sidelined at least once so far.

Newcastle United (away)

November 2

Chelsea (away)

November 10

Nottingham Forest (home)

November 23

West Ham United (away)

November 30

Man United (home)

December 4

Tomiyasu’s suffered a reccurence of his knee injury, and could be out for another few weeks yet, while Calafiori missed Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool alongside chief playmaker and captain Odegaard.

These concerns have perhaps highlighted the need for a few more fresh faces, with Arsenal requiring strength in depth if they’re to maintain their place among England’s elite sides.

Arsenal have been urged to sign a new forward, amid concerns surrounding Gabriel Jesus, while it is believed that Edu is also prepared to bid for a new defender. In terms of potential attacking targets, the likes of Dusan Vlahovic and Benjamin Sesko are on Arsenal’s radar, with Atalanta star Isak Hien and Ajax’s Jorrel Hato attracting interest from the Emirates defensively.

The Gunners have also been extensively linked with a move for Palmeiras starlet Vitor Reis. The Athletic reported recently that Arsenal have reached out to Palmeiras and Reis’ representatives for discussions, but they’re not the only interested party, as Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool also keep tabs on the 18-year-old tipped for stardom.

He also won’t be an easy capture by any means, as his side may demand close to Reis’ £83 million release clause.

Arsenal send officials to Palmeiras as Edu eyes Reis

According to The Boot Room, Arsenal sent officials to Palmeiras to run the rule over Reis on Saturday. His side were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Fortaleza, with north London scouts in attendance to check on the 18-year-old defender, as they have been doing regularly ahead of a potential move for him.

Brighton, Liverpool and Chelsea were also represented at the Allianz Parque, with numerous Premier League sides keeping tabs on Reis amid his potential for greatness and fine run of form across the Atlantic.

“His 186 centimetres of height also allow him to be important in the air and in strategic actions,” said Spanish news outlet AS in a profile piece on the player (via Palmeiras online).

“He has a certain nose for the area and this explains his two goals in his first 10 games as a professional. This height does not limit his movements in open spaces and he has a powerful run and a start that allows him to fight with attackers without problems. A complete defender who adapts perfectly to modern football. He combines physique and talent.”

Sir Jim Ratcliffe asked Man Utd women's captain Katie Zelem what she does when he first met her after investing in the club.

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Ratcliffe has had difficult first year at clubHas shown little interest in women's teamAsked captain what she doesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Ratcliffe became United's minority owner in February 2024, placed in charge of running the football operations at the club, but has not made the best first impression, report . When he was being given a tour of the women's training facilities, he did not recognise then captain Zelem – who had been with the club since she was eight, but has now left – and asked her what her job is.

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Ratcliffe's treatment of the women's side has not impressed, with the businessman said not to have had a single meaningful conversation about them with former sporting director Dan Ashworth, who was considered an ally of the team before being sacked. Ratcliffe did not attend the women's FA Cup final in 2024, which United won by beating Tottenham 4-0, and the club only arranged a post-match party at the last minute.

DID YOU KNOW?

The same report states many of the women's team were only given a small ticket allocation for that Wembley final. When men's first-team players Bruno Fernandes and Tom Heaton discovered the situation, they covered the cost of more tickets using the money accrued by the fines system throughout the season.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

United sit second in the Women's Super League table, seven points behind leaders Chelsea with eight games to play. However the prospect of further investment from within the club appears bleak.

Ireland slipped to 66 for 6 and were swept aside in Tarouba

Sreshth Shah20-Jan-2022Despite missing their captain Yash Dhull and vice-captain Shaikh Rasheed after both tested positive for Covid-19, India thumped Ireland by 174 runs and in the process secured their quarter-final spot too.Zimbabwe’s Victor Chirwa suspended from bowling

Victor Chirwa, the 18-year old left-arm wristspinner from Zimbabwe, was found to have an illegal action and as such the ICC has barred him from bowling in all international tournaments.

Chirwa was reported by officials at the Under-19 World Cup after he picked up 2 for 11 in seven overs against Papua New Guinea.

Upon further video analysis by the Event Panel, it was confirmed that Chirwa flexes his elbow beyond the allowed 15 degrees and was handed down his punishment.

Sent into bat, India openers Harnoor Singh (88) and Angkrish Raghuvanshi (79) hit exquisite half-centuries to set the tone with a 164-run opening stand. The middle order then made crucial contributions to take India past 300. In Ireland’s chase, they were reduced to 66 for 6 inside 22 overs, after which the only question that remained was the final margin of India’s victory.With six of their 17 squad members either Covid positive or suspected as infected, India fielded the only 11 players who were available for selection. They were led by 17-year-old Nishant Sindhu from Haryana, and he struck a 34-ball 36 after the openers built the foundation. On either side of Sindhu’s innings, No. 3 Raj Bawa made 42 and the lower-order batter Rajvardhan Hangargekar – promoted for the slog overs – smacked 39 in a 17-ball innings to post 307 for 5.Openers Harnoor and Raghuvanshi had both failed in the first game against South Africa, but with the usual No. 3 Rasheed and No. 4 Dhull not available, both batters had an added responsibility. They were, however, unperturbed in their batting style, attacking right from the start. The right-handed Raghuvanshi hit a hat-trick of fours in the third over off Ireland spinner Matthew Humphreys and followed it up with three boundaries off offspinner Nathan McGuire to race away to 26 in 22 balls.After that, Harnoor found the gaps to hit back-to-back fours off seamer Muzamil Sherzad, and by the time the tenth over was up, India were 68 for 0.Raghuvanshi reached his fifty first, off 41 balls, when he pulled a short delivery from Humphreys over deep midwicket for six. Harnoor’s scoring-rate kept increasing steadily, and by the 21st over, he too had reached his half-century in 56 balls. A series of fours – all around the ground – then flowed from Harnoor’s bat and soon enough he had caught up to Raghuvanshi’s score, with both batters in their seventies.The stand was finally broken in the 26th over when India were 164 for 0. Raghuvanshi, on 79, was caught behind off left-arm spinner Jamie Forbes. The opening partnership gave No. 3 Bawa the liberty to settle in, but the 35th over brought about Harnoor’s end, as he was dismissed lbw by Humphreys on 88.With eight wickets in hand, a big finish was expected. It came with Sindhu playing aggressive shots off his pads on numerous occasions. After Sindhu fell in the 46th over, India promoted the seam bowler Hangargekar, and he got into the groove by hammering Humphreys for two sixes down the ground. In the 50th over, he spoiled Sherzad’s spell by crunching a hat-trick of sixes and ending the innings with a four to third man.Ireland’s chase of 308 began sedately. The first wicket came when left-arm seamer Ravi Kumar had Liam Doherty caught at midwicket in the fourth over. Hangargekar, on a high after at a strike rate of 229, then trapped Jack Dickson lbw. Bawa’s direct-hit then sent David Vincent back with Ireland at 17 for 3.Right-arm seamer Garv Sangwan, into the India XI because of the forced absences, then removed Ireland captain Tim Tector when the batter sliced a shot to gully. Sangwan followed it up with the wicket of Joshua Cox, who edged one to wicketkeeper Dinesh Bana.With half the side gone for only 66, Ireland’s chances of a win were almost zero. Vicky Ostwal, who took five wickets against South Africa, had Philippus le Roux lbw when he played a sweep down the wrong line. Although Scott MacBeth smacked 32, the rest of the game was a one-sided affair. Left-arm spinner Aneeshwar Gautam, another new entrant into the XI, then took two lower-order wickets, and offspinner Kaushal Tambe cleaned up the tail.

Leeds United head into the final international break of the year in third place in the Championship, two points off Sheffield United and Sunderland in the automatic promotion places.

The Whites beat Queens Park Rangers 2-0 at Elland Road on Saturday, thanks to goals from Jayden Bogle and Joel Piroe, to ensure that they did not slip further away from their rivals in the hunt for a top two finish.

Daniel Farke’s team are aiming to secure promotion back to the Premier League at the second time of asking, after they lost to Southampton in the play-off final last season.

The club’s aim to return to the top-flight this season, and the possibility that they remain in the Championship, makes it difficult to predict what will happen with the players who are currently set to leave the club next summer.

As it stands, Junior Firpo, Josuha Guilavogui, and Sam Byram are all due to be out of contract, whilst Manor Solomon and Joe Rothwell’s loans will expire.

This means that, with Firpo and Byram, Leeds could potentially lose their two main options at left-back, which may be why they are now reportedly eyeing a new player in that position.

Leeds United eyeing Championship defender

According to the Sunday Mirror (November 10, page 69), as relayed by Sports View, Leeds United are interested in signing Sunderland left-back Dennis Cirkin.

The report claims that the ‘highly-rated’ full-back is attracting interest from elsewhere amid his strong form for the Black Cats in the Championship this season, with the Whites one of the sides keeping tabs on his progress.

It states, however, that Sunderland have no intention of cashing in on the English gem in the upcoming January transfer window, whilst they are also desperate to keep hold of Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg.

The team from Wearside are currently two points above Leeds, in first place in the second tier, and do not want to lose any of their top players during a promotion push.

This may not be a huge issue for the Whites, however, as it could make more sense for them to make a swoop for the former Tottenham Hotspur man at the end of the season, when Byram and Firpo could both potentially be on their way out of Elland Road.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

If Sunderland fail to achieve promotion, Leeds could attempt to convince them to part ways with Cirkin, who could come in to brilliantly replace Firpo down the left flank.

Junior Firpo's form for Leeds this season

The former Barcelona full-back is currently suspended for another two games, after missing the win over QPR on Saturday, after being charged with violent conduct retrospectively for leaning his head into a Millwall player in the 95th minute of their defeat at The Den.

It was an error in judgement, to say the least, from the 28-year-old star and he will now have to watch on from the sidelines for the next two matches after the break.

Firpo has, however, enjoyed a strong start to the season with his performances on the pitch, as he has established himself as a quality option at left-back at Championship level.

The left-footed ace has started 13 of the club’s 15 games in the division this season, only missing out on two matches through suspension, one through accumulating five bookings and the other due to his violent conduct charge.

Appearances

13

Assists

3

Pass accuracy

83%

Tackles + interceptions per game

3.8

Duel success rate

55%

As you can see in the table above, Firpo has been an active defender for Leeds, constantly putting his foot in to make tackles and interceptions for his team on the left side.

He has also provided a creative spark for Farke on the left, with three assists, and held his own in physical duels with opposition players, winning just over half of his battles.

However, he is reportedly the second-highest earner – behind Patrick Bamford – at the club on £60k-per-week and it remains to be seen whether or not the club would want to extend his deal on those terms, particularly if they remain in the second tier, and that is why Cirkin could be needed.

Cirkin would brilliantly replace Firpo

Leeds could brilliantly replace Firpo by signing the Sunderland left-back in the summer transfer window next year, because he would be able to hit the ground running at Elland Road.

It would almost be a perfect signing for the Whites in many respects. Firstly, the Black Cats star only turns 23 next year and has plenty of time left ahead of him to develop and improve during his time in West Yorkshire.

Secondly, he is a proven performer at Championship level, with 91 appearances in all competitions for Sunderland, who would not need any time to adapt to the division.

Finally, Cirkin’s performances on the pitch this season show that he has the quality to come in and brilliantly replace Firpo, should he move on from Elland Road next summer when his contract expires.

The 22-year-old dynamo was recently described as “the best full-back in the Championship” by journalist Josh Bunting, and it is hard to argue with that assessment given the quality of his displays – currently leading all full-backs in the league in tackles and interceptions.

Appearances

15

13

Goals + assists

3

4

Duels won per game

7.6

6.7

Tackles made per game

3.4

2.6

Interceptions per game

1.8

1.2

Duel success rate

56%

55%

As you can see in the table above, Cirkin has been in incredible form as a defensive force at left-back for Sunderland, outperforming Firpo in a host of key metrics.

He has also produced a similar number of goal involvements from left-back, which suggests that the two players offer a similar threat at the top end of the pitch.

Therefore, Cirkin could be a brilliant replacement for Firpo because he has the potential to come in as an upgrade defensively, whilst being six years younger and having more time on his hands to develop and improve.

Alongside Joseph: Leeds have a "wasteful" star in danger of being dropped

The Leeds attacker did not enjoy his best afternoon at Elland Road on Saturday.

ByDan Emery Nov 10, 2024

Liverpool coach Arne Slot has warned Darwin Nunez that he must give his all for the team as he explained his recent criticism of the striker.

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Slot criticised Nunez after Villa clashTook aim at striker's work rateUrged him to keep fighting for the teamFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Slot criticised the Uruguayan for his "behaviour" after he missed a chance from close range in last week's 2-2 draw against Aston Villa, adding that he "got too much in his head – where he wasn’t the usual Darwin that works his ass off and makes sure he helps the team". The 25-year-old was then left on the bench for the entirety of the Reds' 2-0 win against Manchester City on Sunday.

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Slot says the Villa game was the second time in a row Nunez left him disappointed as the forward failed to make an impact when he came on against Wolves in the previous match, and the Dutchman insists he will not accept his work rate dipping again.

WHAT SLOT SAID

"I helped him by saying you can miss a chance. I wasn’t only hard on him. But for the second time in a row I wasn’t happy with his work effort, against Wolves and against Villa," he said.

"I always try to be honest with my players and be honest as I can to you guys as well where I always try to protect my players so I don’t say he never worked hard. I know him differently. I know him at Villa at home where he made a 100 metre sprint and scored a goal, I know him when he came on at City at home and was pressing really aggressively and wins the ball back and we score.

"But I can’t accept if a player doesn’t give everything. That is clear. I can accept it once but twice was a bit too much. That’s why I addressed it. Not that I’m all of a sudden very angry with him. I don’t mind that he missed a chance, I’d have loved him to score it, and I know he will eventually score. But if you miss a chance, you need to be fighting for the team. I’m not saying he didn’t do that at all, but it wasn’t the usual Darwin, the one that is loved by the fans. That is mainly because he always works so hard."

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR DARWIN NUNEZ?

The ex-Benfica star may be given a chance to impress again when the Premier League leaders face Newcastle on Wednesday after putting in a strong display in training.

Slot added: "[On Monday] he was incredible in the training session when it comes to work rate. Hopefully he can keep doing this, and whenever the team needs him then he is ready for it if he keeps putting in sessions like he did yesterday.”

South Australia and Adelaide Strikers coach not entertaining the Australia men’s job

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff08-Feb-2022Jason Gillespie doesn’t want to coach Australia’s men’s team while describing Justin Langer’s messy exit from the job as “heartbreaking”.Gillespie, who is South Australia’s coach and a former coach of English county sides Sussex and Yorkshire, had been touted as potential replacement for Langer.”I am not putting myself up for any job,” Gillespie told reporters on Tuesday. “It’s nice to be thought of in that way but it’s certainly something I am not even thinking about entertaining.”Gillespie has reached out to former Test team-mate Langer, who quit on Saturday as Australia’s coach.”Everyone has been pretty disappointed with how it has all played out – pretty heartbreaking to see, to be honest.,” Gillespie said. “But unfortunately, it is what it is. Justin has handled himself very well…the decision has been made and whatever decision they make, they make.”But I think everyone is of the opinion that things probably could have been handled better. He is okay. He felt he had something to offer Australian cricket. Cricket Australia felt differently. So move on, that’s part and parcel I suppose of being in professional sport and being a coach.”Related

Agar named as third spinner in Australia's 18-man squad to tour Pakistan

Travis Head to miss start of Sri Lanka T20I series to play Sheffield Shield

Justin Langer resigns as Australia coach after rejecting short-term extension

Gillespie praised Langer’s four-year tenure as national coach.”Justin will go on and do wonderful things that we all know he can,” he said. “He has done a fine job with Australian cricket the last four years and we all wish him really well because he will succeed in whatever he puts his mind to.”Andrew McDonald has been named interim head coach and will lead the tour of Pakistan next month along with the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka which he was already due to take charge of. He will be a frontrunner for the permanent role should he want it.Trevor Bayliss, the former England coach who is currently with Sydney Thunder, has also been linked to the role.CA CEO Nick Hockley said the decision not to offer Langer a longer extension – he rejected a six-month offer – was because it was felt the team required something different into the future. The new coaching structure may see assistants, specialists and consultants take on a greater role with the head coach overseeing the operation and likely to miss certain tours and series.