All posts by n8rngtd.top

Sol Campbell believes politicians and 'people on TV' are the reason he still receives abuse 24 years after completing a controversial switch from Tottenham to Arsenal. The former England international is still referred to as 'Judas' by most Spurs fans after he opted against signing a new deal for them and instead penned a contract with their rivals on a free transfer.

• AFP
  

  Campbell angered Spurs fans with move to Arsenal

  The 51-year-old went on to enjoy ample success with the Gunners, winning the FA Cup three times and the Premier League twice during a five-year stint with Arsenal between 2001 and 2006, before a brief return to the club in 2010. However, the manner of his transfer still leaves a bitter taste in Spurs supporters' mouths, who felt Campbell stabbed the club in the back due to the way he departed White Hart Lane for their arch-rivals.

  Campbell had given assurances to Spurs that he'd sign a new deal but after months of negotiations and with talks at an impasse, the defender elected to secure a free transfer to Arsenal. To this day, Spurs fans remain angry at Campbell for the decision to leave the club for Arsenal, and in January 2009, four supporters were banned from every football ground in England and Wales after being found guilty for chanting an offensive song containing indecent language about the former centre-back.

  In Campbell's words: "[Arsenal vice-chairman] David Dein made me feel protected. He was going to help and promised to be there for me. Come to us, he said, and you will be part of our family. We will protect you."

  Campbell's decision in 2001 adds extra needle to the north London derby, as Spurs gear up to take on Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday. However, the former centre-back feels more should have been done to stop the abuse he received following his move across the north London divide.

Advertisement

• 'No one has apologised' for abuse Campbell received

  Talking about the abuse he suffered, Campbell told : "I think some people have got away and are kind of hiding. A lot of people, when they look back, they would probably say to themselves, ‘What was I doing back then? I can’t believe I was acting like that’.

  "I get the fans were being whipped up. But it’s the people who had so much – the powerful people who did nothing and just allowed it to linger, allowed it to carry on. And now they don’t want to own up, don’t want to say sorry, don’t want to say that should not have happened.

  "People on TV, politicians as well, putting their five pence worth in… Everybody got involved. Everybody was allowed to get away with it. No one wants to remember how they acted and how they treated me with disdain and the way they carried on – and there was no protection.

  "People with power just turned their backs, just put their heads in the sand and thought it would just go away or just, you know… time will forget. And no one has apologised. It’s really sad because obviously my family got affected and things like that.

  "For me – and Luis Figo when he went between Barcelona and Real Madrid – there’s no way on that level someone could be treated again on a football field or in and around football clubs. It’s impossible."

• AFP
  

  Campbell recalls his favourite north London derby memory

  While both clubs have made efforts to help diffuse the situation, Campbell was asked about his favourite memory of the north London derby, to which he explained Thierry Henry's iconic goal scored in a 3-0 win in 2002. The Frenchman took the ball inside his own half before dribbling through the Spurs side and finishing calmly in front of Highbury's famous North Bank.

  Henry's knee slide celebration was immortalised in a statue outside of the Emirates, and Campbell remembers the goal fondly. "It was an amazing run, about three-quarters of the pitch. I think that is probably one of the best games I’ve seen," he said.

  "In a derby, an individual player just takes the whole game by the scruff of the neck and produces an incredible moment after an incredible run. That one definitely sticks out in the mind. Just being there, just seeing this guy, just like poetry really."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Modern-day Arsenal hope to compound Tottenham's misery

  Arsenal will hope to capitalise upon both Liverpool and Manchester City dropping points when they host Tottenham on Sunday. The Reds crashed to a 3-0 home loss to Nottingham Forest with their title defence in tatters, while City crashed to a 2-1 defeat at Newcastle, and a Gunners victory will see them open up a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.

  They do welcome a Spurs outfit that boasts the joint-best away record in England's top tier this term having picked up 13 points from their opening five games on the road. Thomas Frank's side are the only team yet to lose an away match this season having beaten City, West Ham, Leeds and Everton, and drawn with Brighton, on their travels.

Over the years, Tottenham Hotspur supporters have had numerous opportunities to witness numerous elite-level forwards in their first-team squad in North London.

Harry Kane will undoubtedly be the first that springs to mind, after the Englishman netted a total of 280 goals during his decade-long spell as a regular starter.

His tally is the highest in the Lilywhites’ history, but he will no doubt have to hand a huge amount of credit to the direction of former teammate Heung-min Son.

The South Korean often featured alongside Kane in the final third, which saw the duo register 47 goals in the Premier League for one another – a tally making them the best pair in the division’s history.

However, Thomas Frank has been unable to call upon either of the aforementioned talents, with the Dane currently facing a struggle with the options at the top end of the pitch.

Spurs number nine struggles under Thomas Frank

Before a single ball was kicked in 2025/26, many of the Spurs supporters would have anticipated Dominic Solanke to be the club’s starting centre-forward under Frank.

However, it’s been a season to forget for the Englishman to date, with the 28-year-old massively struggling with an ankle issue – even going under the knife to fix the issue.

As a result, he’s been restricted to a total of just 31 league minutes to date, with his last senior appearances for the Lilywhites coming back in August.

Due to the injury issues of Solanke, Richarlison has been handed the responsibility of leading the line in recent months, with the Brazilian making a phenomenal start to the season.

He netted a double in the opening day victory over Burnley in North London, but he’s since only found the net twice in the following ten outings in England’s top-flight.

Prior to netting against Manchester United, the 28-year-old was on a run of ten games without a goal in all competitions, with his previous effort coming way back in the 2-2 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion in September.

His lack of form has allowed Randal Kolo Muani to have the opportunity to stake his claim at the top end of the pitch, with the PSG loanee starting in all of the last three outings, including in the meeting with United.

However, he’s also struggled to make the desired impact, with the Frenchman yet to find the back of the net in any of the eight games he’s played in under Frank.

Frank clearly needs to address the issue in such an area of the pitch, but elite-level talismen certainly don’t come cheap in the current climate – with the boss potentially wishing he had his own version of one other Premier League forward.

The Spurs star who is becoming their very own Haaland

Erling Haaland is a player who has constantly tormented countless backlines in the Premier League, often leaving supporters wishing they had a player of his calibre in their side.

The Norwegian international has registered a staggering record of 142 goals in his 160 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s men – cementing himself as one of Europe’s deadliest talismen.

He’s scored four goals in his seven appearances against the Lilywhites, often coming up with the goods and getting one over Spurs since his move to England.

This season alone, the 25-year-old has taken his goalscoring prowess to the next level, already finding the net on 21 occasions in just 18 appearances for the Citizens.

Should Spurs want to land their own version of Haaland, it would cost a small fortune in today’s market, with very few players able to replicate such levels.

However, Frank may already have a similar player in his ranks in the form of centre-back Micky van de Ven – a claim that may come as a surprise given the difference in position.

The Dutch international has been a key member of the Dane’s squad in 2025/26, featuring in every single Premier League and Champions League outing to date.

However, despite his defensive role, he’s thrived in attacking areas, as seen by his tally of six goals in 15 appearances – a tally which has made him the club’s top-goalscorer.

His latest strike came against FC Copenhagen on Tuesday night, with the 24-year-old running the entire length of the pitch before firing home expertly – just as Haaland would do at the Etihad.

Van de Ven’s performance led to one analyst dubbing him the “Haaland of centre-backs”, something which is surprisingly accurate given the Dutchman’s freakish pace and power.

The defender, who’s been labelled “world-class” by another analyst, clocked the fastest speed of any player in the division – which is similar to the Norwegian, with the forward having bags of pace despite his huge frame.

His aerial ability has also made him a force to be reckoned with at both ends of the pitch, with his tally of 1.3 aerials won per 90 helping him score a double against Everton earlier this season.

Players like Van de Ven don’t come around very often, with the Lilywhites hierarchy conducting phenomenal business, landing the centre-back for just £40m.

His comparisons to Haaland in 2025/26 are there for all to see, with the Spurs star the closest thing Frank currently has to the Premier League’s leading goalscorer.

Johnson upgrade: Paratici working on Spurs deal to sign £48m "world-beater"

Tottenham Hotspur are working on a deal to land a star who could send Brennan Johnson packing.

By
Ethan Lamb

Nov 6, 2025

If you reference "the fifth inning" to a New York Yankees fan in your life, you likely won't have to specify which fifth inning you're talking about.

That would be the fifth inning of Game 5 of the World Series on Oct. 30—instantly one of the most catastrophic innings for any team in the history of baseball. In that inning, the Yankees let a 5–0 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers slip away and blew their best chance to send the series back to California.

An early catalyst for the inning was a flyball from Dodgers shortstop Tommy Edman that New York center fielder Aaron Judge misplayed, giving Los Angeles two baserunners with nobody out. Now, you can own the ball from that play—which the Dodgers are auctioning off.

As of Thursday afternoon, Los Angeles has listed the ball on its auctions website with a current price of $18,510. Eighty-one bids have been made for the ball since it went live on Dec. 2.

For Yankees fans, the ball is a token of a series to forget. For the Dodgers, however, it is just another piece of their second World Series title in five years.

Max Dowman is in line to be promoted five age groups within the England national team structure. At 15 years of age, the Arsenal wonderkid still qualifies to represent the Young Lions at U16 level. He is, however, among those being closely monitored by U21 coach Lee Carsley. Manchester United academy hopeful Shea Lacey is another that falls into that category.

• Record breaker: Dowman's star continues to rise

  Dowman has been catching the eye in north London, with his obvious potential registering on domestic and international radars for some time. He is the youngest player to score in the UEFA Youth League – at the age of 14 – and to grace the Premier League 2 ranks.

  He became Arsenal’s second-youngest debutant – behind fellow academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri – when making his Premier League bow for the Gunners against Leeds in August 2025 aged 15 years and 235 days. Dowman will not turn 16 until New Year’s Eve.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  England U21 opportunity: Dowman in contention

  The hottest of prospects has already represented his country at U17 and U19 level, having been bumped up classes there, and could be in line for an U21 opportunity at some point in the not too distant future.

  Carsley admits as much, telling reporters when asked if Dowman is one of those that he is prepared to promote: "He’s a player that we’re monitoring. Sometimes that talent, we have to accelerate it so quickly because of the challenge they are getting at their clubs.

  "It’s important that we keep in mind how young Max is and we are fully aware of him. We get all of the feedback from the camps that he plays on and there is definitely time. He’ll definitely get his chance within the U21s."

• Red Devils wonderkid: Lacey catching Carsley's eye

  Dowman is not the only exciting Premier League star to have caught Carsley’s eye, with it up to England coaches to be aware of every youngster that is ready to unlock full potential. United sensation Lacey slots seamlessly into that talent bracket.

  He has been impressing in the youth ranks at Old Trafford, making his debut for the Red Devils’ U20 side during the October international break. The fleet-footed winger is just 18 years of age.

  Carsley added on Lacey: "He’s been in the pathway a good amount of time now and he’s a player that we rate highly. It worked out well that we needed that position for the training we were doing and Shea was more than happy to come over and train with the Under-21s.

  "You can see he’s a good talent. I know he’s struggled with injuries in the past, which has probably held back his development, but I think it’s so important we don’t rush these young players, we let them develop in their own time. I think he trained two sessions with us and I enjoyed having him."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty
  

  Senior caps: Dowman & Lacey tipped to reach the top

  Liverpool native Lacey has represented England at U15, U16, U17 and U20 level. The 21s would be the next logical step for him, with Carsley and Co ensuring that he follows the right pathway and is given every opportunity in which to prove his worth.

  It is considered to be only a matter of time before senior opportunities come his way in Manchester under Ruben Amorim – with United boasting a rich history when it comes to promoting home-grown stars.

  The same can be said for Arsenal, with Dowman among the latest to have trodden that path at Emirates Stadium. He has already graced the Premier League and Champions League, with it possible that he could end the 2025-26 campaign with winners’ medals to his name.

  If a step up into the U21 ranks with England is taken, then the expectation will be that full international recognition will come his way at some stage. A changing of the guard is likely to take place after next summer’s World Cup, with it possible that the likes of Dowman and Lacey will be pushing for full caps by the time that the Three Lions take in a European Championship campaign on home soil in 2028.

When Ruben Amorim stood and spoke to a disgruntled Old Trafford arena at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, he promised things would improve at Manchester United.

They had to, right? A 15th-place Premier League finish and defeat in the Europa League final had put a cold dampener on any optimism that might have been eked from Erik ten Hag’s dismissal only in October 2024.

But things are improving. Three wins (including the victory at Anfield) and a draw in the top flight have renewed United’s hopes of getting a foot back through the European door. There’s a long way to go, but many players are standing up where they languished before.

The summer recruits have been impactful, but one of the most intriguing stories of the season is the resurgence of Casemiro.

Casemiro is revived in midfield

Man United probably haven’t received bang for their buck since signing Casemiro from Real Madrid for a fee in excess of £70m in 2022.

The 33-year-old has ebbed and flowed, ebbed and flowed, and the brunt of Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher’s infamous monologue toward the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

But he’s been increasingly influential under Amorim’s wing, with reporter Alex Turk even going as far as to call him “the soul of this team”. He is playing like he’s regained a few years, having won 58% of his duels and averaged two tackles per game (as per Sofascore).

Partly, this is because Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo are such mobile and athletic forwards. They will drop into deeper areas and connect with their midfielders, thus limiting the amount of ground the Brazilian veteran needs to cover each game.

Casemiro is becoming undroppable in the engine room, but he pockets a staggering £350k-per-week salary and is out of a deal at the end of the campaign, albeit with an option to extend for a further year.

Sourcing a replacement will not be easy, but Carrington graduate Kobbie Mainoo would fancy his chances, even having played such a paucity of football under the Portuguese tactician’s management.

There may, however, be another academy star looking to wedge his way into the senior set-up.

Man Utd's next Casemiro

Manchester United have long boasted one of the richest and most impressive academy systems in world football. And with Marcus Rashford having divorced from the Theatre of Dreams, it might be that a new homegrown hero is needed to add a dimension to Amorim’s reign.

Well, that player could come in the form of U21 starlet Sekou Kone, who, aged 19, has been enjoying himself in Darren Fletcher’s set-up after leaving Malian side Guidars FC for around £1m plus add-ons in 2024.

The robust, rangy midfielder has not featured this season after a horrific collision suffered against Tamworth in August, but he made 14 appearances for the U21s last term and produced some stunning performances, with scout Antonio Mango even claiming he has the skillset to become “a beast under Amorim”.

Aggressive and powerful, analyst Ben Mattinson has noted that Kone is “uber composed on the ball and so press resistant.” Furthermore, it has been said that he has a tireless engine and a range of skills that could see him play that Casemiro-esque role down the line. Elements of this can be traced back to last season, when he shone for the youth side during a 4-1 loss against Huddersfield.

During that heavy EFL Trophy defeat, he only played 42 minutes before picking up an injury, but made a real impression all the same.

It’s important to note that Kone has weathered his share of adversity at this early-career stage. He has the minerals to succeed at a great club like the Red Devils, and he has bags of talent besides.

Casemiro may extend his stay at Old Trafford for another year, but he’s getting old and will only last for so long.

15-year-old forward JJ Gabriel has been included in a number of first-team training sessions this season, and Amorim is willing to welcome up-and-coming talents up to the senior fold if he feels they have the right skillset to make a difference.

Kone certainly does at that, and if he manages to find form and fluency over the coming months, there’s every chance that the boss could view him as a left-field option to help fill Casemiro’s big boots.

Carrington's "best talent" is a big Sesko upgrade in the making at Man Utd

Manchester United could yet improve further in attack under Amorim’s wing.

By
Angus Sinclair

Nov 3, 2025

A New York Yankees fan who likely paid thousands of dollars for a front-row seat at Game 4 of the World Series has been ushered out of the ballpark after just three outs.

In the bottom of the first inning, Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres hit a foul ball down the right-field line. Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts chased it down and caught it at the wall in foul territory.

After Betts caught the ball, a fan in the front row grabbed his glove with two hands and ripped the ball out of his possession. Fan interference was called, Torres was ruled out, and that fan was quickly ushered out of Yankee Stadium.

That will go down as one of the strangest player-fan moments in World Series history.

The New York faithful haven't had much to cheer for in the 2024 World Series, as Los Angeles won the first three games and took a 2–0 lead in Game 4 on Freddie Freeman's first-inning home run.

Liverpool ended their torrid losing streak as Mohamed Salah scored his 250th goal for the club and Ryan Gravenberch netted on his return from injury in a comfortable 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield. The Reds were well worth the three points but had a slice of luck to thank as Emiliano Martinez presented Salah with an open goal to break the deadlock, before Gravenberch's deflected strike sealed the points for a Arne Slot's dominant side.

After six defeats in seven matches and four in a row in the league, nothing but their best was demanded of Liverpool and they showed great strides towards rediscovering just that. It was Villa who looked the more threatening in the opening quarter of an hour, though, as Morgan Rogers struck the base of the post with a fifth-minute curling drive before Giorgi Mamardashvili diverted a deflected Matty Cash cross onto the crossbar before thwarting Rogers from range.

Liverpool put the visitors under significant pressure at the other end, pressing Villa's defence effectively and forcing mistakes, and Dominik Szoboszlai should have opened the scoring after Boubacar Kamara lost possession, but his tame strike was straight at Martinez. This would be a warning sign which Villa did not learn from, as Martinez himself presented Salah with the ball and the Egyptian accepted his gift.

Another piece of luck would see Liverpool double their lead in the second half, as Gravenberch drove into space on the edge of the box and saw his low strike deflected beyond Martinez and into the net. When the visitors did look to attack at the other end, they found a well-organised defensive unit in their way and often resorted to wayward finishing from outside the box. Unai Emery's side were also fortunate to end the match with all 11 men after Amadou Onana appeared to grab Alexis Mac Allister by the neck during an altercation at a corner.

GOAL rates Liverpool's players from Anfield…

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Giorgi Mamardashvili (7/10):

  His saves at 0-0 should not be underestimated, particularly the one from Cash's deflected cross. Showed why he is believed to be the perfect long-term successor to Alisson.

  Conor Bradley (8/10):

  His energy and ambition in the final third was exactly what was needed, while the Northern Ireland international barely put a foot wrong in defence and limited Villa to very little down his side.

  Ibrahima Konate (7/10):

  Has struggled at times so far this season, but was far more solid and imposing at the back as Watkins went missing.

  Virgil van Dijk (7/10):

  Marshalled the defence well as the Reds' struggling back-line returned to somewhere near its best. Made key blocks when he was needed.

  Andy Robertson (7/10):

  Justified his selection over Kerkez with some lung-busting play at both ends. He at times found himself in the striking position alongside Ekitike, though also made an important tackle to deny Guessand in his own box.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Midfield

  Alexis Mac Allister (7/10):

  Showed an improvement from recent weeks with a composed performance in midfield. Could have scored late in the first half had it not been for a brilliant block by Konsa, while the Argentine spotted the run of Gravenberch to assist the second goal. 

  Ryan Gravenberch (8/10):

  The Dutchman was a big miss in three matches out with an ankle injury, and showed exactly why as he was dominant in midfield, continuing to add a goal-scoring touch to his game with his deflected second-half strike after breaking into space.

  Dominik Szoboszlai (8/10):

  Another stand-out performance by the Hungarian, who played a key role in Liverpool's highly-effective press and continued to be the Reds' chief creator. His inch-perfect delivery was headed home by a marginally-offside Ekitike, while the Reds' No.8 won the ball off Villa's defence on several occasions.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Attack

  Mohamed Salah (8/10):

  Put his name up in lights with his 250th Reds goal, in what was a relatively simple finish but an important one. Created chances for Gakpo and Ekitike and looked closer to his determined best, causing Digne a torrid time for periods of the match.

  Hugo Ekitike (7/10):

  Scored in the first half with a well-taken header but had just gone too early to have the goal disallowed for offside. With Isak out injured, the France international continues to stake his claim to being the Reds' best striking option.

  Cody Gakpo (6/10):

  At times appeared too predictable cutting in onto his right foot, while he mis-controlled a Salah cross with the goal at his mercy and will have been relieved to see the offside flag go up.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Subs & Manager

  Florian Wirtz (6/10):

  Replaced Ekitike as a make-shift striker and had little impact in his late cameo, as the only substitute Slot introduced in the match.

  Arne Slot (8/10):

  Made the right selection choices in dropping Wirtz and Kerkez to the bench, and his side's high press was a key factor in a crucial victory. Players stepped up across all areas of the pitch, and fan chants of Slot's name in the second half indicated a warm appreciation of the performance.

Seven games, four wins, two draws and just a solitary defeat. Tottenham Hotspur’s start to the 2025/26 Premier League season has been a far cry from last term, with Thomas Frank certainly getting a tune out of this talented crop of players.

Having slipped to 22 top-flight defeats last season under Ange Postecoglou, the Europa League winners look like a different prospect this time around, with Saturday’s trip to Elland Road once again highlighting their newfound resilience this season.

With Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven holding the fort defensively in that 2-1 win over Leeds United, the Lilywhites can also now rely on the likes of Mohammed Kudus to make the difference in attack, with the Ghanaian notching a goal and assist to maintain his red-hot form this term.

Eyebrows may have been raised following his £55m switch from London rivals West Ham United, although Kudus is quickly proving value for money, having fired home from just outside the box to secure the win in Yorkshire.

Elegant and electric down that right flank, the 25-year-old is swiftly taking on talismanic status in his new surroundings, carrying the mantle even when those around him aren’t exactly at their free-flowing best.

Kudus' game in numbers vs Leeds

Having teed up Mathys Tel for the game’s opener, before getting in on the act with his first goal for the club, Kudus now has six goals and assists to his name in just seven league outings in 2025/26.

Up against Daniel Farke’s stubborn side, the one-time Ajax man was a constant menace from his right wing berth, having also popped up centrally to convert what proved to be the decisive goal on the day.

The man of the moment could and should well have netted earlier following impressive work from Xavi Simons down the left, albeit with Kudus unable to direct his attempt goalwards after lashing over the bar from the Dutchman’s pullback.

That was a rare blot on the copybook on anotherwise eye-catching day for Spurs’ number 20, a fact that was also evidenced as he successfully completed all six of his attempted dribbles at Elland Road, as per Sofascore.

With an 88% pass accuracy rate to boot, the 51-touch playmaker also chipped in defensively for his side, winning ten duels in total – the most of any player for either side on the day.

That influence both in and out of possession was crucial in clinching the away side’s fourth league win of the campaign, with such a showing perhaps helping to mask the struggles of the man behind.

Why Frank may need to bench errant Spurs star

Battling. Hard-fought. Resilient. All words that could describe the visitors’ performance amid stormy conditions away in Yorkshire.

Chalkboard

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

This wasn’t vintage Spurs, but a resolute defence – combined with fleeting moments of quality in attack – ultimately proved enough up against their newly-promoted hosts.

When reflecting back on Saturday’s win, Frank may also need to consider how his side can truly begin to kick on and thrive in the weeks ahead, with questions likely to be asked regarding Pedro Porro’s regular role at right-back.

With Destiny Udogie returning to his rightful place at left-back, there is now a straight fight between Porro and Djed Spence on the opposite flank, ensuring Frank could well make that change next time around following the international break.

While the typically influential Porro wasn’t a notable villain on Saturday afternoon, he was also far from his best, having been rather erratic in possession after losing the ball on 26 occasions – more than any player for either side.

That may have come amid his desire to create for his side, having teed up Kudus for the winner with a dinked pass in behind, although his 62% pass accuracy rate does make for grim reading.

Wasteful and erratic in possession, the Spaniard was also found wanting defensively at times, having struggled to contain the lively Noah Okafor down the Leeds left.

Indeed, the former Sporting CP defender ultimately won just four of his ten ground duels, while being dribbled past one two occasions, with football.london’s Alasdair Gold noting that it ‘wasn’t one of his best games’, despite showcasing his usual endeavour and commitment.

While Frank may be wary of changing a winning side, the presence of Spence waiting in the wings ensures that the Dane could make the change against Aston Villa in two weeks time.

There’s certainly no harm in keeping Porro on his toes.

Spurs already have dream Son heir who's yet to play in the Premier League

Tottenham Hotspur could save themselves millions with a Heung-min Son replacement within their ranks.

By
Ethan Lamb

Oct 3, 2025

Atalanta head coach Ivan Juric couldn’t hide his frustration after his side were held to a 1-1 draw by AC Milan, insisting his team “were three times better" than their opponents. Ademola Lookman’s first goal since his summer transfer standoff rescued a point for La Dea, with Juric hailing the Nigerian as “a spectacle” following a strong display in Bergamo.

• Lookman strikes back as Atalanta hold Milan

  Nigerian international Lookman ended his goal drought with the crucial equaliser in the Serie A clash, a result that extended La Dea’s unbeaten run but left head coach Ivan Juric lamenting missed opportunities.

  Milan took the lead inside five minutes through Samuele Ricci’s deflected strike, leaving Atalanta chasing the game despite controlling possession. The equaliser arrived in the 35th minute, when Mario Pasalic’s intelligent through ball found Lookman, who hammered a left-footed effort into the roof of the net beyond Mike Maignan.

  The goal marked Lookman’s first since May and his first since returning from a turbulent summer, during which a potential move to Inter fell apart amid reports of a €45 million offer. The Nigerian’s performance, full of direct running and confidence, suggested he’s rediscovered his rhythm after long turmoil.

  Atalanta dominated the second half but were left frustrated as they failed to convert several late chances. Despite the draw, the result highlighted Lookman’s renewed importance to Juric’s attacking setup, especially as the club pushes for a European qualification spot.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  'Atalanta were three times better' – Juric

  After the final whistle, boss Juric voiced both pride and frustration over his team’s performance – their fifth consecutive draw. Speaking to , the Croatian coach said: “Atalanta were three times better than Milan. We dominated throughout, they had one shot and scored. Another great game from the lads and it's a real shame because this team deserves more.”

  Juric praised his squad’s overall effort, noting how the result didn’t reflect their superiority. “I think we did very well in both phases. We created several scoring opportunities. It’s disappointing that we’re not getting more points, but I’m confident we will,” he added. His comments reflect Atalanta’s ongoing pattern this season, plenty of control and creative energy, but a lack of composure in the final third. 

• Lookman wins back trust after transfer feud

  Lookman’s goal came as a personal breakthrough following a tense summer marked by his attempted exit. The forward had been frozen out of training after pushing for a move to Inter, even deleting Atalanta-related posts from his social media before eventually being reintegrated into the squad.

  Juric’s public praise after the match was glowing, as he said: “He's a spectacle on the training pitch and in matches . He has incredible energy. Today he played a great game and scored a great goal. I think that now that we've all recovered, we're very competitive. We've dominated many matches. Let's hope we become more clinical up front.”

  The 27-year-old has now scored 53 goals in 123 appearances for Atalanta since joining from RB Leipzig and remains one of the most influential African players in Europe. His return to form comes at a crucial time, both for club and country, with AFCON 2025 on the horizon. By delivering a key performance in one of Atalanta’s biggest domestic fixtures, Lookman may have finally put his transfer feud behind him, regaining the trust of Juric and supporters alike.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• AFP
  

  Milan escape more challenges ahead

  Atalanta sit sixth place with 13 points in Serie A after the draw but continue to boast the league’s only unbeaten record, albeit with too many stalemates limiting progress. Juric’s men now turn their focus to a crucial clash against Udinese at the weekend, a fixture that could determine whether their momentum translates into a challenge which could elevate them on table. Afterwards, they will travel to France to meet Marseille in their fourth Champions League game of the campaign.

  For Lookman, this goal could be the turning point, as after months of off-field uncertainty, the Nigerian appears revitalised, and Juric’s faith in him is clearly growing.

Following a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Genk in the Europa League, Fabrizio Romano has shared what he’s now heard from Glasgow Rangers on the future of Ibrox boss Russell Martin.

Martin calls for "perspective" after Rangers defeat

Last weekend’s victory over Hibernian handed Martin hope, but just that. His side were returned to the reality of their situation in brutal fashion as former Celtic striker Oh Hyeon-gyu raced in behind before firing home Genk’s winning goal at Ibrox in midweek. Down to 10 men and beaten, it was yet another evening to forget for the Gers.

Martin was once again forced to come out in defence of his side and his tenure at the club, calling for “perspective” after Mohamed Diomande’s red card left Genk with a man advantage.

Truth be told, after just four wins in 14 games, it may be too late for anyone to hand the former Southampton boss the benefit of the doubt. There’s been more than one example of such a performance taking place when Rangers have kept all 11 players on the pitch.

Just where the Gers go from here is the big question. Reports before the Hibs victory last week mentioned the likes of Steven Gerrard and Davide Ancelotti as candidates to replace Martin, only for other headlines to suggest that he still has the full backing of the 49ers.

"Whether you like it or not" – Martin demands "perspective" after Rangers defeat

It was another night to forget.

By
Tom Cunningham

Sep 26, 2025

Now, after yet another defeat, Romano has provided an update about what he’s hearing from Ibrox on Martin’s future.

Romano provides Russell Martin sack update

According to Romano, Martin’s position at Rangers is now being assessed and those above the manager are contemplating whether to bring his Ibrox spell to an end. The reporter told GiveMeSport:

With that said, another defeat at Livingston this weekend may well make Martin’s position simply untenable and force the 49ers into another managerial search so soon after hiring the 39-year-old.

Having his say on the matter, Rangers legend Ally McCoist told TNT Sport: “I just felt, coming into the stadium tonight, it kind of blew me away. It was nothing like a normal atmosphere of any game, never mind a European game, here at Ibrox.

“There was an apathy, there was no life about the place actually on or off the pitch, which is really, really concerning. Listen, the manager’s in trouble, the manager’s in big trouble because something has to change, and something has to change dramatically.”

The clock is certainly ticking on Martin’s tenure. Some are even suggesting that time is up, but the ball remains in the 49ers’ court as they continue to deliberate their options.