The 2025/26 season has been one full of inconsistency for Newcastle United. Whether it be on the field or in the treatment room, they cannot seem to string a positive period together.

After drawing 2-2 in last-gasp fashion with Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday evening, it meant that Eddie Howe’s men have not won back-to-back games since the end of October.

In the Premier League, they are yet to win consecutive fixtures all campaign long. This cannot go on forever and sooner rather than later, the Magpies are going to need to sustain a period of form.

They have, of course, been hampered by Alexander Isak’s departure but in their bid to replace the iconic Swede, they have not been helped by Yoane Wissa. Signed from Brentford, the DR Congo striker is yet to be seen in the famous black and white stripes due to injury.

That said, he is nearing a return. Perhaps the former Bees forward could be the man to spark some extra life in this Newcastle team.

The tactical tweaks Eddie Howe needs to make at Newcastle

To cut Howe some slack, he has not been helped out by a number of his chief lieutenants this season.

In the last few weeks, Nick Pope has become something of a calamity between the sticks and even if he is now injured, it would not be a surprise to see Aaron Ramsdale replace Newcastle’s no.1 long-term. That feels like a necessary change if they are to improve at the back.

The defence has not been helped by injury either. Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall have both missed games and if Howe can now keep the English duo injury-free, they will be key to any improvement Newcastle make in the future.

Hall, in particular, has been outstanding since returning. He was hailed as the “best player on the field” against Spurs by BBC North East correspondent Andy Sixsmith and looks every bit a left-back who should be in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad next summer.

Hall’s return has led to one key tactical tweak. Dan Burn is no longer playing at left-back. In that position, he had floundered and flattered to deceive, notably described as “the stuff of nightmares” in that role.

It’s in midfield and up top where Howe has struggled to find the most consistency. Summer arrival Anthony Elanga is still without a goal since arriving and Wissa’s injury problems are well-documented.

Anthony Gordon is arguably in the worst form of his Toon career too, scoring just once in nine league outings throughout 2025/26. It’s just as well they also have Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes to choose from in wide areas.

Gordon has been one of the biggest scapegoats of the ongoing campaign but there’s a bigger one in the middle of the park and it’s time for Howe to drop him to the bench.

Newcastle's long-term servant must no longer start regularly

This has been a hugely frustrating season for the likes of Elanga and Gordon but it’s arguably been a worse one for Joelinton, whose performances in the middle of the park are waning.

Signed as a striker by Steve Bruce in a then club-record deal, Howe has worked wonders with the Brazilian, turning him into a no-nonsense midfielder who loves a duel.

He’s been one of the most important components of Howe’s squad throughout the year, delivering his ‘greatest performance’ for the club during that League Cup win at Wembley last term.

Since then, however, it’s been a tale of woe for the former Hoffenheim man. Excusing his first term in England, this is arguably his worst since moving from Germany.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

In the words of journalist Mark Douglas in mid-October, he has been “nowhere near his best” in recent memory, leading to sections of the fanbase calling for him to be dropped from the XI.

He remained on the bench in the defeat to Marseille in Europe but has started the last three league games. His form, however, is not getting much better.

Journalist Charlie Bennett noted that Joelinton was “very sloppy” on the ball during Newcastle’s 2-2 draw with Spurs on Tuesday. The club’s number seven lost the ball 11 times out of 49 touches and had a pass accuracy of only 83%.

Minutes played

90

Touches

49

Accurate passes

29/35 (83%)

Key passes

1

Crosses

0

Shots

1

Dribbles

0

Possession lost

11x

Duels won

3/12

Judging by recent performances, which have been gritty but lacking composure, the likes of Jacob Ramsey and Joe Willock must be wondering what they need to do to start more games.

There is no dislodging the likes of Sandro Tonali and skipper Bruno Guimaraes but there is an extra slot that is being filled, perhaps undeservedly, by Joelinton.

Willock, signed from Arsenal in a deal worth £25m has barely been seen this term. He’s fallen behind in the pecking order and the days of him running riot during that famous loan spell are now a distant memory.

Likewise for Ramsey. He joined from Aston Villa in the summer for a whopping £40m and even if he has struggled with injury, he should now be starting more matches.

The fact that error-prone Joelinton is starting ahead of them on a regular basis should leave the pair rather angry. Newcastle needed some extra drive and the ability to hold onto possession. Ramsey, in particular, with his ability to surge through midfield, could have offered this against Spurs.

Lewis Miley has started the odd game recently and was one of their best players in the win over Everton last weekend. Even he had a right to be fuming that Joelinton has started more games than him.

It’s time for a regular spot on the bench for the big Brazilian.

Fewer passes than Ramsdale: Howe must drop 6/10 Newcastle star after Spurs

Newcastle United were denied another Premier League win by Tottenham Hotspur last night.

ByEthan Lamb Dec 3, 2025

Crystal Palace have now joined the race to sign a centre-back who’s having a “monstrous” season, amid a new update on Marc Guehi’s future.

Guehi underlines his importance to Palace once again

Palace are under no illusions as to just how important Guehi is, having cancelled their captain’s move to Liverpool on deadline day, and he once again put in a top performance against Fulham last time out.

The Eagles bounced back from the 2-1 defeat against Manchester United by securing a late 2-1 win at Craven Cottage, with the centre-back scoring a late winner and receiving a 7.9 SofaScore match rating, the highest of any player.

The 25-year-old has been a real threat going forward in the Premier League this season, having found the back of the net twice and chipped in with three assists, with his latest goal sending Oliver Glasner’s side up to fourth in the table.

However, according to a new update from TEAMtalk, Guehi is set to either leave for a cut-price fee in the January transfer window or on a free transfer in the summer, and Crystal Palace have now identified Lens’ Samson Baidoo as a potential replacement.

Baidoo’s stand-out performances in Ligue 1 this season is one of the reasons Lens have defied expectations and currently sit top of the table, meaning he has now attracted the attention of a number of clubs, with West Ham United also keen.

Lens have the second-best defensive record in Ligue 1 this season, and the 21-year-old has also impressed on an individual basis, exhibiting plenty of signs that he could be a shrewd addition for the Eagles…

Baidoo enjoying "monstrous" season in Ligue 1

Journalist Andres Onrubia Ramos has been extremely impressed by the youngster’s showings since moving to Ligue 1 in the summer, lauding him as a “beast”, while also stating the starlet is having a “monstrous” season and may not be at Lens for long.

Related Crystal Palace keen on £11m "absolute star" wanted by two Champions League clubs

The Eagles have joined the race for a new forward.

Posts ByDominic Lund Dec 4, 2025

The Austrian has proven himself from a defensive point of view over the past year, while also, much like Guehi, catching the eye going forward, which suggests he could be a like-for-like replacement for the England international.

Samson Baidoo’s key statistics

Average per 90 (past year)

Non-penalty goals

0.12 (94th percentile)

Assists

0.06 (85th percentile)

Blocks

1.88 (97th percentile)

Tackles

1.94 (84th percentile)

The Graz-born defender is enjoying a fantastic debut campaign in Ligue 1, which suggests he may soon be ready to test himself in the Premier League, but Lens should be in a strong negotiating position, as the starlet is under contract until 2030.

Of course, Crystal Palace will be very reluctant to see Guehi leave, and with Glasner’s side making a push for Europe, they shouldn’t sanction a January departure, but Baidoo could be a fantastic replacement next summer.

Former England batter ends playing career at Somerset to forge new beginning in Bristol

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Nov-2025Fran Wilson, the former World Cup-winning batter, has been named as Gloucestershire Women’s head coach after ending her playing career with Somerset.Wilson, 33, made 64 international appearances across formats between 2010 and 2021, including eight of England’s matches at the 2017 World Cup, en route to their victory over India at Lord’s in the final.She also featured in the 2020 T20 World Cup in Australia, and made the last of her international appearances on England’s tour of New Zealand in February 2021.Domestically, Wilson made her Somerset debut in 2006, before joining Western Storm in 2016, and also represented Gloucestershire in the 2022 and 2023 Vitality Women’s County T20 competitions while developing her coaching skills through the county’s Girls Emerging Players Programme.In the course of her career, she also represented Sunrisers, Middlesex, Kent, Hobart Hurricanes, Sydney Thunder, Welsh Fire, Trent Rockets, Oval Invincibles and Birmingham Phoenix.Now, she will be taking full-time charge of Gloucestershire in Tier 2 of the new women’s county structure, having worked with the first team on a consultancy basis during the 2025 season.”I’ve done a lot of coaching alongside playing over the last five or six years, but it’s really exciting to now step into that journey fully,” Wilson said, “especially with Gloucestershire, a great club that I’ve been involved with for a long time.”We all want results, but the real goal is to build sustainable success and to put the foundations in place that allow us to compete and thrive as a Tier 1 Club.”A huge part of my role is about building those foundations from the first team right through to the age groups, having a genuine influence across that pathway.”By developing the resources we already have in the county and creating a strong network and structure around the players, I believe we can achieve long-term success.”Jon Lewis, Director of Cricket at Gloucestershire Cricket, added: “Everyone at Gloucestershire is really excited about the appointment of Fran Wilson as Women’s Head Coach.”We went through a thorough recruitment process, and Fran was the standout candidate throughout. With strong roots in cricket across the South West, a deep passion for Bristol and Gloucestershire, and a long-standing connection with the Club, that understanding of the region was an important factor for us.”Fran demonstrated an exceptional range of qualities during the process and this marks a hugely significant appointment in an area where we have serious ambition. It also comes at the start of a landmark year for the Club, with Bristol set to host England Women v India in May, followed by six matches during next summer’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in June.”An outstanding playing career, a history of success at both club and international level and a deep understanding of elite performance make this an appointment we are extremely proud of. The environment Fran will build will be welcoming, driven and true to the ‘Gloucestershire way’.”Our aim is to provide the best possible environment for our players to learn and develop and we believe Fran is the ideal person to lead that journey.”

Nikhil Chaudhary became the first Indian to hit a Sheffield Shield hundred this century, helping put Tasmania in a position of utter dominance against New South Wales.Chaudhary blazed his way to 163 for Tasmania before they declared at 623 for 8 late on day three and with a lead of 232 at Sydney’s Cricket Central.Sam Konstas and Ryan Hicks then survived a tricky five overs as the Blues went to stumps at nine without loss and needing to fight to hang on for a draw.After Caleb Jewell hit 102 for Tasmania on Sunday, Tim Ward and Chaudhary both reached triple figures on Monday in the team’s second-highest Shield score.Ward was dominant through the offside against his native state for his first red-ball century of the Shield summer, but it was Chaudhary who made history.Born in Delhi and having represented Punjab in one-day cricket, Chaudhary moved to Australia in 2020. He became stuck in the country through the Covid-19 pandemic, and has since become a permanent resident while still being an Indian citizen.The spin-bowling allrounder was spotted in Queensland club cricket by Tasmania’s assistant coach James Hopes, who recommended him to Hobart for the BBL two summers ago.Chaudhary then moved to Tasmania at the start of last summer, and got his chance in the one-day cup this season. He took a five-wicket haul on Shield debut against Queensland last month, before having his way with the bat on Monday.The 29-year-old hit five sixes in his 184-ball knock, going after Tanveer Sangha late in the day.Four times Chaudhary slog-swept Sangha over the rope in the final hour of play, bringing up his 150 when he put the legspinner on the grandstand roof.A handful of Indian players have previously featured in the Shield, with former Test allrounder Rusi Surti hitting a century and taking a hat-trick for Queensland in the 1970s.Aside from Chaudhary, Ward was the other Tasmanian to impress on Monday with 119.He was dominant through the offside, regularly cover driving, and brought up his ton when he hit Sangha to the boundary.Bradley Hope also threw away the chance to join Chaudhary, Ward and Jewell as centurions, when he cut a Sangha lop hop to point.Tasmania entered the round last on the ladder, one of four teams with one win, two losses and a draw to start the season.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras venceu o Criciúma por 2 a 1 neste domingo (2), pela sétima rodada do Brasileirão, no Estádio Heriberto Hülse. Os gols foram marcados pelo zagueiro Gustavo Gómez, o atacante Lázaro e o meia-atacante Matheusinho. O Verdão chegou ao G6, enquando o Tigre ocupa a 16ª colocação.

continua após a publicidade

➡️ Siga o Lance! Palmeiras no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Verdão

O Palmeiras abriu o placar com Gustavo Gómez, de pênalti, e Matheusinho empatou para o Criciúma após “confusão” na defesa alviverde. Na reta final, o zagueiro paraguaio participou bem novamente e deu assistência para Lázaro marcar e garantir a vitória. Veja como foi a partida:

➡️ QUAL É O PRÓXIMO JOGO?

O Palmeiras volta a jogar no dia 13 de junho, quinta-feira, contra o Vasco, enquanto o Criciúma entrará em campo no próximo domingo (9), diante do Cuiabá.

continua após a publicidade

✅FICHA TÉCNICA
Criciúma 1 x 2 Palmeiras
Brasileirão – 7ª rodada

🗓️Data e horário:domingo, 2 de junho de 2024, às 16h
🏟️Local: Estádio Heriberto Hülse (SC)
🟨Árbitro:Rafael Rodrigo Klein
🚩Assistentes:Rafael da Silva Alves e Lucio Beiersdorf Flor
📹VAR:Igor Junio Benevenuto de Oliveira
⚽ Gols: Gustavo Gómez e Lázaro (Palmeiras); Matheusinho (Criciúma)

➡️Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

⚽ESCALAÇÕES

Criciúma(Técnico:Claudio Tencati)
Gustavo; Claudinho, Rodrigo, Wilker Ángel e Marcelo Hermes; Barreto, Meritão, Marquinhos Gabriel e Matheusinho; Bolasie e Eder.

continua após a publicidade

Palmeiras(Técnico:Abel Ferreira)
Weverton; Marcos Rocha, Gustavo Gómez, Murilo e Piquerez; Aníbal Moreno, Richard Ríos e Raphael Veiga;Estêvão,Rômulo e Rony.

Tudo sobre

BrasileirãoCriciúmaPalmeiras

Rookie pitcher Cam Schlittler put the Yankees on his back on Thursday night, pitching eight shutout innings against the rival—and his hometown—Red Sox to help New York advance to the American League Division Series for a second consecutive season.

Over eight frames, the 24-year-old allowed just five hits, no walks, and struck out 12 Boston batters on 107 pitches—and also made some pretty impressive MLB history in the process.

As relayed by ESPN's Jeff Passan on X (formerly Twitter), Schlittler is the first pitcher in baseball history to go eight innings with no walks and 12 strikeouts in a postseason game.

Factor in that it was the rookie's first-ever postseason appearance, against the team he grew up rooting for—Schlittler is a Walpole, Mass. native—and it made the night that much more special.

MLB World Reacts to Cam Schlittler's Dominant Performance vs. Red Sox

The MLB reacted justly to Schlittler's incredible performance against the Red Sox on Thursday night. Here's a look at some of the best posts across X (formerly Twitter):

The Yankees will now take on the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALDS. Game 1 from Rogers Centre is set for Saturday, Oct. 4 at 4:08 p.m. ET.

علق رمزي صالح حارس منتخب فلسطين والأهلي الأسبق، عن مستقبل حراسة المرمى في مصر، ومشيدًا بتطور مستوى مصطفى شوبير حارس القلعة الحمراء.

وقال رمزي صالح في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة ام بي سي مصر2: “مصطفى شوبير مستقبل حراسة المرمى في مصر لـ10 سنوات مقبلة، فهو يستفيد كثيرًا من التدريبات اليومية مع محمد الشناوي صاحب الخبرة الكبيرة”.

طالع | العربي القطري يوضح موقفه من رحيل يزن النعيمات وحقيقة مفاوضات الأهلي

وأكمل: “في السابق كانت حراسة المرمى في مصر مقتصرة على اسم واحد هو عصام الحضري، لكن الجيل الحالي مختلف، وزمن مصطفى شوبير سيأتي، ولكن لا يجب الاستعجال عليه”.

واستطرد: “كلما جلس شوبير لفترة يزداد نضجًا وخبرة، ويكتسب شخصية أقوى داخل الملعب، فالظروف وحدها ستمنحه المشاركة في الوقت المناسب، وكل لاعب له توقيته الخاص”.

واختتم: “بعد اعتزال محمد الشناوي، ستكون حراسة مرمى منتخب مصر في أمان بوجود مصطفى شوبير، فالشناوي أنهى المقولة الشهيرة بأن مصر تعاني أزمة في هذا المركز بعد اعتزال الحضري”.

The Cubs and starting pitcher Shota Imanaga have agreed to a one-year deal, according to a report from Patrick Mooney of

Imanaga accepted Chicago's qualifying offer prior to Tuesday's deadline, and will be paid $22.025 million next season in his third year with the Cubs.

Since arriving to the majors from Japan in 2024, Imanaga has posted a career ERA of 3.28 across 54 starts. He has struck out 291 batters and walked 54 across 318.0 innings pitched. He's 24-11 as a starting pitcher.

Imanaga's best season came as a rookie in 2024, when he went 15-3 with a 2.91 ERA en route to making his first All-Star team. The 2025 season proved to be a bit more rocky for Imanaga, who accumulated a 3.73 ERA across 144.2 innings pitched.

Despite the down year, the Cubs felt strongly enough about Imanaga to try to bring him back into the fold in 2026. Even if the 32-year-old can split the difference in his production between year one and year two, he will be a massive part of Chicago's starting rotation next season.

In 1969, at the age of 23, George Best wanted to focus solely on the essentials. Just football, just his job. So he turned his back on his two other great passions, alcohol and women. His sobering conclusion: "It was the worst 20 minutes of my life." A Manchester United legend, that quote sums up Bet's rebellious attitude towards football, and life in general.

Getty ImagesDouble-life

Best was at the height of his career in '69. A year earlier, he had led United to their first European Cup, was the top scorer in England and won the Ballon d'Or.

But as prolific as Best was a producing spectacular dribbles, countless goals and important titles on the pitch, he was just as prominent when it came to partying, drinking and undertaking in affairs off it. At the time, his dazzling double-life as a football star and bon vivant was going well – but it would soon come to an end.

AdvertisementGetty Images'I think I've found a genius'

Best was born in Belfast in 1946 and grew up in a working-class neighbourhood. When he was 15 years old, he was discovered by Manchester United scout Bob Bishop, who wrote to the club's manager, Matt Busby: "I think I've found a genius."

Busby was in the process of building his second great team in Manchester. The first had been torn apart far too early by the tragic Munich air disaster of 1958, but the second achieved greatness. Best made his debut for United in 1963 at the age of 17 and quickly formed the most dangerous attack in the country alongside Denis Law and Bobby Charlton. Dubbed 'The Holy Trinity', Best, Law and Charlton have since been immortalised as statues outside Old Trafford.

United won the league in 1965 and 1967 before, in 1968 – exactly 10 years after Munich – they won their long-awaited first European Cup. Best put United ahead in extra-time in the final against Benfica, which ended in a 4-1 win for Busby's side.

Getty Images'Best I've ever seen'

Best had long been more than just a footballer. His sporting achievements, coupled with his rebellious lifestyle, infamous escapades, long hair and catchphrases, exuded a very special magic. He was one of the world's first football celebrities, 'the fifth Beatle', a true sensation. Emerging from the somewhat socially rigid early-1960s, he, like many rockstars, stood for the dawn of a new era.

"If you gave me the choice between scoring a goal from 40 yards at Anfield or going to bed with Miss World, it would be a tough decision," Best once said. "Luckily, I've done both!" 

Another of his memorable one-liners went: "I spent most of my money on alcohol, women and fast cars. The rest I just squandered!"

Best's rise was rapid, but so was his decline. The European Cup victory proved to be his last major title, as his priorities shifted further and further away from sport and into nightlife. Far too early in his career, football became a secondary concern for Best despite his ridiculous levels of talent.

"The best I've ever seen," said Pele of the Northern Ireland international; Best replied that this praise was the "highest honour of his life".

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesSimply the best

Best would repeatedly turn up drunk for training, and in 1972, United coach Tommy Docherty suspended him. Two years later, at the age of just 27, Best played his final game for United. He then spent 10 years playing for various lower-league teams in England and the United States, with the spotlight now focused on his life off the pitch.

Best's gambling addiction drove him into financial ruin, while his alcohol addiction ruined his health. His marriage failed, as did his ventures as the owner of nightclubs and fashion boutiques. He even spent the Christmas of 1984 in prison after driving while intoxicated before getting into an altercation with a police officer.

In 2002, he received a liver transplant, but continued to drink, and in November 2005, Best died of multiple organ failure at the age of just 57. Around 100,000 people made the pilgrimage to his funeral in Belfast, where the eulogy was given by the then-British Prime Minister, Tony Blair. In Manchester and in his hometown, people still say today: "[Diego] Maradona good, Pele better, George Best."

Tourists take honours on first innings but Bethell fails to press Test case

AAP30-Nov-2025

Jacob Bethell missed a chance to push for a spot in England’s top order, after failing to make an impression for the tourists in their win over a Prime Minister’s XI.With England’s Test players sitting out the match, Bethell had loomed as the most interesting prospect in what was effectively a Lions side on Sunday.But he was caught behind for 16 pushing at a ball outside off stump from South Australian quick Campbell Thompson, as the only tourist who batted not to pass 50.It came as England lost just two wickets as they chased down the hosts’ 308 for 8 declared in Canberra, shaking hands at 309 for 2 and claiming a first-innings victory.Openers Tom Haines and Emelio Gay both hit half-centuries against the pink ball, as did No. 4 James Rew and No. 5 Asa Tribe.The one concern for the tourists was a hamstring injury for Gay, who was forced to retire hurt in the first session on Sunday.Bethell, meanwhile, had arrived in Australia battling with Ollie Pope for a spot in England’s Test team.Pope was the preferred option and was close to England’s best batter in Perth, while Bethell has made scores of 3, 77 and 40 for the Lions in the past fortnight.The left-hander is still likely next in line if a tourist goes down, but a sizeable score in Canberra could have put pressure on if England’s batting fails again in the second Test at the Gabba.The Prime Minister’s XI used eight bowlers on Sunday with even Sam Konstas sending down one over, with Charlie Anderson taking 1-51 and Thompson 1-46.