Only once has a Women’s World Cup game seen more runs than the 661 that India and Australia put up on Sunday

Deep Gadhia12-Oct-20253:54

Review: Healy was Australia’s bedrock

331 – The target Australia chased down against India in the Women’s World Cup 2025 on Sunday. This is the highest successful chase in women’s ODI history, going past Sri Lanka’s chase of 302 against South Africa at Potchefstroom in 2024.142 – Alyssa Healy’s score, which is the third-highest by a captain in the World Cup after Belinda Clark’s 227* in 1997 and Meg Lanning’s 152* in 2017. This was Healy’s first century leading Australia in ODIs.Healy’s 142 is also the second-highest score against India in ODIs, and the highest in World Cups.Related

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Healy, Perry seal all-time classic for Australia

661 – Runs aggregated by both teams in Visakhapatnam, the second-highest for a World Cup game, bettered only by the 678 that England and South Africa made in Bristol 2017.82 for 0 – Australia’s score in the first powerplay, the highest they have scored in the first 10 overs of an ODI (where ball-by-ball data is available). It is also the second-highest in World Cups after New Zealand hit 84 for 1 against Pakistan in Taunton in 2017.ESPNcricinfo Ltd330 – India’s score in the first innings, which is their highest in the World Cup, going past 318 for 7 against West Indies in Hamilton in 2022.It was also the first instance of a team scoring over 300 against Australia in World Cups. There have only been two scores of 300 or more against the defending champions, with India scoring both of them in consecutive ODIs, in Delhi last month and in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.5022 – Smriti Mandhana’s ODI run tally. She became the second Indian, after Mithali Raj, and the fifth batter overall to breach the 5000-run mark in ODIs. She completed the milestone in 112 innings, making her the fastest of the five. West Indies’ Stafanie Taylor (129 innings) was the previous fastest.1062 – Mandhana’s ODI run tally in 2025. She became the first batter to score 1000-plus runs in ODIs in a calendar year. Mandhana had gone past Belinda Clark’s mark of 970 runs in 1997 in the previous match against South Africa and was 18 away from the milestone when she started bating against Australia. She made 80 off 66 on Sunday.ESPNcricinfo Ltd5 – consecutive fifty-plus scores for Mandhana against Australia in ODI cricket. She has aggregated 485 runs in these last five innings, including three hundreds and two fifties. Mandhana also has five fifty-plus scores against West Indies between 2017-2024, making her the only batter to do this against multiple opponents.155 – Runs that Mandhana and Pratika Rawal put on together, making it the highest opening partnership against Australia in ODIs. This was the fourth century stand for the first wicket for India in World Cups, the first since Mandhana and Punam Raut’s 144-run stand against England in the 2017 edition.5 for 40 – Birthday girl Annabel Sutherland’s figures. She registered her maiden five-wicket haul in international cricket on the day she turned 24. She also became the first woman to pick up a five-for on her birthday.

It’s wall-to-wall Cummins watch in the lead-up to the you know what. But there’s some other stuff here as well

Alan Gardner15-Oct-2025Worries abound down under that talismanic Australia captain Pat Cummins might not be fit for the Ashes. Such is the frenzy of speculation that Cricket Australia’s medical department is working around the clock to provide updates…CA spokesman: “It’s not ideal, but we know Patty’s such a trooper. It might be that he’s a bit underdone compared to how we like it, but that’s better than being overcooked. Probably medium-rare, should be fine with a little sriracha. Still pretty hopeful we’ll get him on the barbie in good time.”CA spokesman: “That’s to be expected. We know the timeline is tight. There are known knowns and known unknowns. The problem comes with unknown unknowns. The next step is to get some more variables into his training – some dog-walking, beach frisbee, maybe a little egg-and-spoon. We’ll give him all the time he needs.”CA spokesman: “This is certainly not the outcome we hoped from getting Patty back out on grass. In all likelihood, he’s unlikely to be in the likely XI, but we’ll have to wait and see. We’re confident he’ll still play a big part in the series. Just having him around the group is going to be a big plus for the boys.”CA spokesman: “Look, it’s in the hands of the medicos. Getting his workloads up is going to be the difficult thing, now that he’s been reduced to a greasy smear on the pavement. But Patty Cummins is a champion. Even if he’s only able to operate in the spirit realm, he’s going to be a real handful for Poms.”

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It is not so long since Cummins and his Australia team were being criticised by the local media for being too woke, and the Light Roller was reminded of this after David Warner popped up with his Ashes prediction – copyright all news organisations – the other day. “I think 4-0. There’s going to be a washout somewhere, generally Sydney… If the captain doesn’t play, they might win one game.” All typically bullish from the Bull, you might think, but hold on. What red-blooded former Aussie player worth his Pommie-baiting inner mongrel predicts anything other than a 5-0 whitewash? And as for England winning a Test if Cummins isn’t available… Eesh. Truly they have gone soft.

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Your move, BCCI. It’s not often that the richest, most powerful board in world cricket is stumped, but Mohsin Naqvi’s vigilante methods at the Asia Cup final have put them in a quandary. Neither India or Pakistan covered themselves in glory through the course of the tournament – but Naqvi raised (or lowered) the bar on pettiness by denying India their actual moment of glory. Or forcing India to deny themselves, as the case may be.Either way, India still haven’t got their hands on the cup, which is presumably minding its own business in a cupboard somewhere at the ACC headquarters in Dubai. Naqvi’s last communication on the subject came via X a few days after the final: “If they truly want it, they are welcome to come to the ACC office and collect it from me.” Straight from the schoolyard playbook, but you can’t knock it for effectiveness. At this point, there isn’t much the BCCI can do beyond putting pictures of the Asia Cup on milk cartons and sitting out the next couple of years until Naqvi is no longer president.

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To the Women’s World Cup, where we must discuss the depraved depths to which the ladies have descended. Of course, with the arrival of professionalism and greater scrutiny on the women’s game, we shouldn’t be surprised to see some unsavoury behaviours creeping in. The men are always effing and jeffing, arging and barging, and so we may to have to accept similar from our sisters – but transgressions can’t go unpunished. Which is why we were pleased to see the ICC cracking down after Nonkululeko Mlaba’s egregious send-off for Harleen Deol. Okay, yes, most people might not have even noticed Mlaba’s smile-and-wave-like-you-spotted-a-friend-in-the-queue-at-the-bakery if it hadn’t resulted in a disciplinary charge. But sometimes you have to make an example. Do we want our girls growing up knowing the genteel standards that cricket holds sacred, or not?

He is their highest wicket-taker in the format but often there is no room for him in the XI due to issues around batting depth

Sidharth Monga02-Nov-2025

Arshdeep Singh came into the side and picked up 3 for 35 in Hobart•Cricket Australia via Getty Images

No Indian has taken more wickets in T20Is than Arshdeep Singh. Among the ten who have taken 50 or more wickets, only Kuldeep Yadav has a better strike-rate than him. Yet Arshdeep was not part of India’s first-choice XI in their previous T20I series, the Asia Cup. He played two matches, but only when India’s progress had been confirmed.Even in Australia, Arshdeep was brought into the XI only as an afterthought after India kept him out for the first two games. It comes down to the unfortunate scenario of having four excellent strike bowlers but never being able to play them all at once because none of them can bat. It was the issue with Virat Kohli’s ODI side as well when they just couldn’t afford to play Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal all in the same XI. Arshdeep and Varun Chakravarthy have taken the places of Shami and Chahal in this T20I squad, but the problem remains the same.Even so, if there are any conditions where India need to play both Bumrah and Arshdeep, they are the ones in early-season Australia. It was surprising that it took India till the third match to bring the left-arm quick in.Related

• Arshdeep and Washington help India level the series against Australia

That they immediately had to leave Kuldeep out for Washington Sundar tells you about the balancing act India are forced to carry out. At the same time, Arshdeep immediately showed why he is such an important player in conditions that have a little bit of assistance for fast bowlers.In a match that largely followed T20 rhythms, the first four overs of Australia’s innings, in which they scored just 24 runs for the loss of Travis Head and Josh Inglis, proved to be all the difference. India scored 41 in their first four, and eventually had nine balls to spare when they overhauled the total Australia set them.1:43

Washington: There’s purpose to each of my practice sessions

In those four overs, Arshdeep took the wickets of Head and Inglis, aided in part by the threat posed by Bumrah at the other end. Arshdeep has the ingredients to use the conditions: he swings the ball both ways, and his high release aids seam movement and uneven bounce. In a game of such small margins as T20 cricket, these overs can have a huge impact. Arshdeep also returned at the end to team up with Bumrah and deny Australia a finishing kick.India again needed all of it because they did make a small selection error. Bringing in Arshdeep and Jitesh Sharma – the latter for Sanju Samson, who has not looked effective in the middle order – was spot on, but they still left themselves short on fast bowling by dropping Harshit Rana for Washington, whom they didn’t bowl at all because of a combination of the conditions and the abundance of right-hand batters in the Australia line-up.Shivam Dube and Abhishek Sharma had to fill in with four overs for 56, but in the end Washington also showed his importance with an unbeaten 49 off 23 when promoted to No. 6. That’s also the thing with Washington. He is wasted as a batter in the lower order when you mostly have to just walk in and swing.This match was evidence that there is no dearth of resources for Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir, but in conditions where the ideal line-up consists of three fast bowlers, they are always one small piece short of being the perfect team.

Youngster Diego Leon may “not have to wait much longer” for his senior Manchester United debut.

Despite only turning 18 in April 2025, Leon had already made over 30 appearances in senior football with Cerro Porteno in his native Paraguay. Since joining the Red Devils in the summer, Leon has played exclusively for the Man United Under-21s, where he has caught the eye with his performances.

Leon is evidently an exciting talent and Man United, no doubt, will aim to avoid a repeat of what happened with Alvaro Carreras. The teenager has been in several matchday squads for Ruben Amorim’s side, who have acquired 10 points from an available 12 in their previous four games.

Reports from Leon’s home continent of South America, as per The Peoples Person, have suggested that the wing-back could soon be handed his senior debut at Old Trafford.

Leon is highly thought of at Carrington

To be part of a Premier League squad in any capacity is a sign that Amorim has been impressed by Leon. As per journalist Christian Martin, the Paraguayan is a firm part of the club’s plans going forward.

Having signed in January, Patrick Dorgu is yet to make a strong impression for Man United. Formerly of Lecce, the left-sided player has not started a game for the Red Devils since a 3-1 loss against Brentford at the end of September.

Diogo Dalot has been starting as the left-wing-back in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system since Dorgu was dropped. Naturally suited to the right-hand side, Dalot has also struggled in the position and given the injury troubles that both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have faced in recent years, Leon could well soon find himself involved in a first-team game.

Reportedly, Leon will “get his chance sooner rather than later.” Top flight football in Paraguay is, of course, a different level to the English Premier League, but Leon has already played consistent senior football, a rarity for a player of such a young age.

When exactly Leon will receive his chance remains to be seen, but given the impressions he has been making since arriving in the summer, it surely can not be long until the Paraguay international makes his bow for the Red Devils.

Man Utd offered chance to sign striker for bargain in January

MatériaMais Notícias

Sensação no início de temporada, o Nova Iguaçu conquistou classificação pela primeira vez para as semifinais do Campeonato Carioca e é dono da maior goleada de um visitante na Copa do Brasil. Com um orçamento modesto, a equipe briga de igual para igual com gigantes do futebol brasileiro.

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O volante Albert, um dos destaques do clube da Baixada Fluminense, revelou o segredo para o sucesso do Carrossel. O atleta balançou as redes na histórica goleada de seu time sobre o Itabuna por 8 a 0, na última semana.

– O Nova Iguaçu tem uma base muito forte, é o DNA do clube revelar jovens talentos, mas a direção entendeu que o time “de cima” seria mais forte se tivesse essa mescla com atletas mais rodados, então creio que nossa maior força talvez seja essa, temos o talento e a energia dos mais jovens, junto com jogadores mais rodados, acostumados a disputar grandes torneios, que lidam melhor com momentos de mais pressão – disse Albert, que tem 27 anos.

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Volante que também gosta de chegar na área adversária para finalizar, Albert tem dois gols na temporada. Além do marcado na histórica goleada sobre o Itabuna, ele também balançou as redes na vitória por 3 a 2 sobre o Bangu, na terceira rodada do estadual.

– O meu papel principal é dar sustentação ao meio campo tanto na fase ofensiva, quanto na parte defensiva, time bom é quando todo mundo ataca e todo mundo defende, cada um cumprindo o seu papel. Busco ajudar meus companheiros da melhor forma, seja fechando os espaços ou fazendo o time jogar na construção ofensiva. Espero que a gente consiga seguir com boas atuações em busca de conquistas ainda maiores – analisa o volante.

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O Nova Iguaçu enfrenta o Volta Redonda pela última rodada já classificado e com chances – ainda que ínfimas – de conquistar a Taça Guanabara. Para isso teria que torcer por derrota do Flamengo e tropeço do Fluminense, além de aplicar uma goleada ainda maior do que a sobre o Itabuna.

Tudo sobre

Campeonato CariocaNova Iguaçu

Arsenal are on a roll. They have not tasted defeat in their last nine matches in all competitions. Across their last seven games, they have not shipped a single goal. In their last five matches, they have conceded just four shots on target.

Many laughed when the stat was revealed that they were on course to beat Chelsea’s remarkable record of 15 goals conceded in a single Premier League season but they truly are the most solid and reliable defensive outfit in Europe.

Mikel Arteta’s men have been imperious at the back over the last couple of campaigns, but they have, much to the dismay of opposing forward lines, got even better in 2025/26.

While Burnley were never going to pose Arsenal their toughest test of this season, they had to be wary as they travelled to Turf Moor.

Their second half display was a tired one but ultimately the Gunners left Lancashire with all three points, winning 2-0 courtesy of goals from Viktor Gyokeres and Declan Rice.

Gyokeres was withdrawn at half-time due to injury but up to that point he was brilliant, not just scoring but creating two big chances and supplying three key passes.

He was everywhere; it was the Swede’s most complete performance in an Arsenal shirt yet. However, there are two men who just continue to be at the centre of everything good the Gunners do.

Gabriel influences things again at Turf Moor

Can you name a better defender in Europe right now than Gabriel? Arguably not.

After Arsenal beat Crystal Palace a week ago, Jamie Carragher commented that the big Brazilian was the most influential player in the Premier League.

Only three defenders, Virgil van Dijk, John Terry and Paul McGrath have ever been crowned the division’s best player in a campaign, but Gabriel certainly deserves to be in the conversation.

He is in the form of his life, scoring twice and registering three assists across his last eight games in all competitions.

While the 27-year-old did not find the net at Burnley, he did play another vital part in their win. Rice’s corner – of course it was – found the centre-back at the back post. He knocked the ball into the path of Gyokeres who from a few yards out found the net.

Gabriel has made a habit of popping up from set-pieces in recent years, but notably in the last couple of months has become more inspiring than ever. Who could forget that crashing late winner at St James’ Park?

While he always pops up in the final third, he’s a damn good defender too. Burnley didn’t pose a huge threat on Saturday but Arsenal’s number 6 was dominant nonetheless, completing 93% of his passes, winning 100% of his five duels and making a whopping nine clearances.

He’s clearly been one of Arsenal’s best players this season but has he been the best? The club’s record signing may have a thing or two to say about that.

Arsenal's most influential player vs Burnley

The likes of Gyokeres and Gabriel certainly stood out during Arsenal’s trip up north but the best player on the pitch by a country mile was Rice.

The £105m addition was merely a defensive midfielder when he signed from West Ham United in 2023 but he has taken his game to new levels, particularly during 2025.

No player has created more chances in the Premier League than Rice this calendar year and a large part of that has been due to his impeccable set-play delivery.

The England international was again on hand in that regard on Saturday, supplying the pre-assist from a corner for Gyokeres’ goal. It backed up claims in recent weeks that he is now one of the best over a dead ball. Indeed, Sky Sports reporter Sam Blitz stated after Rice popped up to assist the opening goal in the 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid that he is now “the best set-piece taker in world football.”

Yet, he’s not just a fine set-piece taker. He’s a goalscorer, a box crasher and one of the most well-rounded midfielders not just in the country, but in Europe. His display at Turf Moor was described as a “monster performance” by The Standard’s Simon Collings at full-time.

Minutes played

90

Touches

94

Accurate passes

63/69 (91%)

Key passes

2

Accurate crosses

2/6

Goals

1

Shots

1

Tackles won

5

Interceptions

3

Clearances

4

Recoveries

9

Duels won

9/14

Rice found the net with a brilliant header from Leandro Trossard’s first-half cross but his influence was felt far beyond that.

No player from either side registered more than his 94 touches and only William Saliba (80) completed more than Rice’s tally of 63 passes.

He also won nine of his 14 duels to cement himself as “one of the world’s best” in the words of Arsenal podcaster Rohan Jivan.

It’s rare a transfer fee that eclipses £100m feels like a bargain but in Rice’s case that certainly proves to be true. He is very much rivalling Gabriel for the honour of the best player in the Premier League this season.

India were 0 for 2 after England piled on 669, but KL Rahul and Shubman Gill batted out two sessions to give India hope of survival

Alagappan Muthu26-Jul-2025

Ben Stokes made 141 to take England to 669•PA Images via Getty Images

Stumps Music echoed around Old Trafford this morning. The trumpeter had chosen well. The things Ben Stokes was doing out there was beyond the realms of normal men. So they picked up their instrument, put it against their lips, and belted out the Superman theme. Paaaa-pa-pa-pa-paaaaaa…England ended day four with 137 runs and two Indian wickets in the bank and it’s largely because of their captain’s exertions. A century and a five-for in the same Test match. Leading his team to their fifth-highest total in the format ever. Gatecrashing a club of only two. The big two. The ultimate two. Before Saturday, only Garry Sobers and Jacques Kallis could puff their chests out and say they had 7000 runs and 200 wickets in Tests. Now they have to scooch over. Cricket’s rosy old past and its complicated present have clashed a lot over the past 48 hours thanks to Joe Root and his successor.Related

• Batting time, battling time – Gill and Rahul duel with the clock

• Root revels in 'pinch-yourself moment' after moving to No. 2

• A rare double for Stokes as England break Old Trafford record

A lead of 311 looked match-winning-well-ahead-of-time, particularly with Chris Woakes daring to be on a hat-trick in the very first over he bowled. India had spent 943 deliveries on the field. The fatigue that sets in as a result undid two of their top order in five. Shubman Gill and KL Rahul came together with the score 0 for 2 and strung up back-to-back wicketless sessions (which suggests the pitch has flattened out) to make sure their team could push the fight to the final day, when there’s rain expected in the morning. The forecast says it will clear up by the afternoon.So England remain in command, although there might be worry about how Stokes did not bring himself on to bowl any of the 63 overs in the day. He’d done a fair bit of leg work earlier, meeting even the slightest sign of the balance shifting with extreme prejudice. Mohammed Siraj thought India had run Stokes out in the first over of the day. Stokes punished his optimism by charging at him the next over. The four runs were incidental. The disdain was the point. Stokes spent a few nervy moments in the 90s, but as soon as he got one on his hips, he was able to deflect it off to the boundary behind him – which was the cue for the trumpeter in the crowd to make their mark on this game – and celebrate it with a look up to the heavens and a sign of tribute to his father, Ged.England’s ninth-wicket stand racked up 95 runs in 97 balls with Brydon Carse almost scoring back-to-back fifties. Their highest total at Old Trafford fell. Then highest total at Old Trafford fell. Eventually England finished with 669, their fifth-highest in Tests and their best since, oh, scoring 823 against Pakistan in October 2024. Stokes made the last 41 of his 141 runs in 34 balls including all three of his sixes. He hit one of them so hard – the deterrent at long-off be damned – his follow through had him spinning around and almost facing the wrong way on the pitch. He seemed emotional getting to his first hundred in 35 innings, and vengeful after it.Chris Woakes struck twice in the first over of the third innings•AFP via Getty Images

India had 15 minutes to see off before lunch. England clearly wanted to make the most of them. Woakes went around the wicket straight away and that decision yielded great results. Yashasvi Jaiswal couldn’t leave the ball alone. Not with the angle coming into him. He played for it, closing the face, and a peach of a delivery, nipping away off the seam, took the edge through to Root at first slip. He fumbled the first time but not the second. In walked B Sai Sudharsan to become an advert for what happens to a team when they spend 157.1 overs in the middle. He was undecided against a short and wide delivery and in the end got caught trying to leave it.Gill looked troubled at the start. His front pad was a big target. Thirty-seven per cent of his dismissals in Test cricket are lbw and bowled and England went after one more. Jofra Archer produced an inswinging yorker that nearly took Gill out only for DRS to reveal that the ball hit both the inside edge of his bat and the outside of his front pad almost at the same time. In the middle of this examination, Gill played a shot away from his body and immediately looked like he hated himself. Eventually, he looked up and realised it had raced away towards the cover boundary. And from there, he just decided to trust his game and play his shots. Not in the same way as throwing the bat around and hitting himself out of trouble, just backing himself to play to his strengths.Out came the drives, and when Gill went down the ground, he evoked the history of the bat he was holding. A couple of guys with MRF-sponsored equipment were good with that particular stroke. He cut the ball well, gaining a little payback over Archer, who had hit his hand, which had been bandaged up. There were also several drop-and-runs to rotate strike and share the pressure with his partner, Rahul. It was a good innings, which could easily have been cut short at 46 when Carse had him playing away from his body again only for Liam Dawson to drop a tough catch at gully.Shubman Gill and KL Rahul revived India from 0 for 2•AFP/Getty Images

Gill made the most of that generosity to continue his run-spree. He went past Virat Kohli’s 655 runs against England in 2016 and is chasing down Sunil Gavaskar’s record of most runs as an India captain in a Test series (732). Crucially, he became confident of his defence, too. From being 46 off 52 with eight fours, he went to stumps scoring a further 32 off 111 with two fours.Rahul was old-school, too, right from the start. He backed his technique even when the new ball drew plenty of life out of the pitch. This was a thrill for him. He shared smiles with Archer when an absolute seed snaked past his outside edge.Rahul’s judgment on what to play and what to leave was all the more impressive considering the time India were stuck in the field and how they were trailing the game. He was 20 off 71. Perfectly content, then bit by bit he accepted the rewards of his patience, scoring 67 off the next 139 balls and going past 500 runs in a series for the first time in his career. Rahul, too, had a little luck break his way when on 36, as an inside edge off Dawson skirted just wide of his leg stump.A day five with immense possibility awaits.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Senado Federal irá iniciar a Comissão Parlamentar de Inquérito (CPI) para investigar os casos de manipulação de resultados no futebol brasileiro em abril. 109 partidas de futebol disputadas em 2023 estão sob suspeita de manipulação para favorecer apostadores.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasPalmeiras move ação no STJD contra John Textor, dono do BotafogoPalmeiras02/04/2024Fora de CampoEx-jogadores questionam John Textor após acusações: ‘Tem obrigação de provar’Fora de Campo02/04/2024FortalezaFortaleza diz que irá tomar ‘todas medidas judiciais cabíveis’ contra acusações de Textor, dono do BotafogoFortaleza02/04/2024

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O senador Jorge Kajuru (PSD-GO) será o presidente da CPI da Manipulação de Resultados de Futebol, e o senador e ex-jogador Romário (PL/RJ) será o relator. Os partidos irão definir os membros titulares e suplentes para a a CPI, que irá convidar dirigentes, jogadores, árbitros e também corruptores.

A CPI das Apostas Esportivas será composta por 11 senadores titulares e 7 suplentes, com 180 dias de duração. O colegiado vai apurar fatos relacionados às denúncias e suspeitas de manipulação de resultados no futebol brasileiro, envolvendo jogadores, dirigentes e empresas de apostas.

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Segundo adiantado por Kajuru, John Textor, sócio-majoritário da SAF do Botafogo, deve ser um dos primeiros a serem ouvidos. O norte-americano alega que o Palmeiras vem sendo beneficiado por dois anos e afirmou que dois jogos do Verdão no Brasileirão de 2023, contra o Fortaleza e São Paulo, foram manipulados. O empresário apresentou provas para sustentar tais alegações.

➡️ Especialista dá versão sobre casos de manipulação de resultados no futebol

Tottenham Hotspur crashed out of the League Cup on Wednesday night when they were beaten 2-0 by Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.

Although it was a difficult away match against the defending champions of the competition, there was an opportunity for Thomas Frank to provide some young players with an opportunity to impress.

The Danish tactician had the likes of James Roswell, Luca Gunter, and Dane Scarlett on the bench, but did not hand a single minute to an academy graduate on the night.

Meanwhile, their local rivals, Arsenal, started four academy graduates in their 2-0 win over Brighton, with Max Dowman starting on the wing at the age of 15.

Tottenham's most valuable former academy players

Bringing through academy talent can save the club millions of pounds, as a young star emerging from the U21s prevents any need to buy a player in their position.

How much would it have cost to sign Kane, who scored 280 goals for Spurs, in his prime? Transfermarkt suggests his value peaked at £132m, which illustrates how beneficial it can be to provide young players with an opportunity to shine.

Tottenham’s most valuable former academy stars

Player

Market value

Harry Kane

£66m

Noni Madueke

£44m

Troy Parrott

£14m

Mikey Moore

£14m

Kyle Walker-Peters

£13m

Valuations via Transfermarkt

As you can see in the table above, there are not too many valuable players who have come through the Spurs academy and gone on to establish themselves at the elite level.

Madueke is the other most notable example, other than Kane, and he did not play a single game for Tottenham at first-team level before his moves to Chelsea and Arsenal.

Frank, now, can help Spurs to find their next big academy graduate by making Luca Williams-Barnett his own Max Dowman this season.

Why Williams-Barnett can be Tottenham's own Dowman

The Tottenham youngster is not quite as young as the Arsenal forward, as he turned 17 at the start of October, but he is still an incredibly young and promising talent.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

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Williams-Barnett, who was dubbed “special” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, played eight minutes off the bench against Doncaster in the League Cup earlier this season, but Spurs were already 2-0 up against the League One outfit when he came on.

A real show of faith in academy talent is to put them in difficult situations and positions to see how they fare; 15-year-old Dowman starting against Premier League side Brighton in the League Cup for Arsenal on Wednesday, for example.

Williams-Barnett, per Transfermarkt, has scored eight goals and provided seven assists in 11 games in all competitions for the U21s this season.

Meanwhile, Micky van de Ven and Richarlison are the top goalscorers in the first-team at Premier League level, per Sofascore, with three goals each.

Williams-Barnett, who analyst Ben Mattinson claimed “scores bangers”, also plundered 20 goals and 12 assists in 23 matches in all competitions at academy level in the 2024/25 campaign, per Sofascore.

These statistics show that the 17-year-old attacking midfielder, who can play centrally or out wide, has the potential to deliver goals and assists for the first-team if he can carry his performances over to senior level, which may be needed given that Van de Ven is their joint-top scorer in the Premier League.

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However, it is down to Frank to unearth his talent by unleashing him in the senior side this season, as Mikel Arteta has done with Dowman, to throw him in at the deep end and see if his ability allows him to swim.

Ahead of Danny Rohl’s first Old Firm derby in charge, Rangers have been handed a fresh injury concern courtesy of Derek Cornelius, according to ex-Scotland striker James McFadden.

The Gers officially have lift off under their new manager, who’s won two of the three games that he’s had in charge. Wednesday’s 1-0 victory over Hibernian was the German’s best result yet, as Danilo continued his recent form by scoring what proved to be the winning goal in the fifth minute.

It was an evening to savour for the goalscorer, but also for Jack Butland. The shot-stopper summed up Rangers’ recent change in fortune by saving Jamie McGrath’s late penalty.

The Gers will be hoping for similar luck this weekend when they square off against Celtic in Rohl’s first Old Firm derby. With a place in the Scottish League Cup final up for grabs, it’s set to be as intense as it gets in Glasgow.

After what Rohl saw against Hibs, however, it’s a game that Rangers should be ready for. The new manager told reporters: “I must say, in the second half the tactical discipline.

“It was not always possible to press high. But we understand the game more, and understood they are a transition team and we were compact.

“What we have to improve is when we have the ball. Our own transition moments. But we need more than one part of the game.

“For me it’s about winning games and we did this.

“Today we saw a team that is running for each other to be a unit and be connected and had fighting spirit, which is fantastic to see.”

That said, the Scottish giants may be forced to go on without one of their starting defenders against Celtic following the latest concern about Cornelius’ fitness.

McFadden shares Cornelius injury concern for Rangers

Speaking on Open Goal earlier this week, former Scotland striker McFadden revealed that he’s “not sure” if Cornelius will be fit for the Celtic game after coming off with a swollen eye late on against Hibs.

It would be quite the blow for Rangers and the defender if he did miss such an important game. Since Rohl’s introduction, the 27-year-old has started every game in the Scottish Premiership and has barely put a foot wrong.

Previously described as “brilliant” by his ex-coach and current pundit Robert Earnshaw, Cornelius is quickly becoming an important player at Rangers, but they now face the prospect of playing their biggest game without him.

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In his place, Rohl could turn towards young centre-back Emmanuel Fernandez, who has made just three appearances in all competitions this season. It would be quite the game to come into against Celtic, but Rangers may be left with little choice.

The best-case scenario for the Gers will, of course, be some good news for Cornelius and another start for the impressive centre-back this weekend.

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