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Depois do 0x0 de ontem no confronto direto na tabela, Figueirense e Botafogo-SP ficaram com um ponto cada. O Figueira tem hoje 21 pontos e vê seu aproveitamento melhorar sob o técnico Jorginho.

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Vitor Mendes considera justo o resultado, apesar de sempre querer a vitória. O atleta também explica o que faltou para o gol do desempate ontem.

‘A gente veio de um jogo bom contra o Cruzeiro e, apesar do resultado, jogamos bem também contra o Sampaio Corrêa. A gente conseguiu criar, fazer os gols e hoje foi um jogo em que a gente teve dificuldade na criação. O Botafogo foi uma equipe que jogou muito bem organizada defensivamente, não nos deu muito espaço nas costas, então foi um jogo difícil para a gente chegar no terço final de uma forma mais clara para infiltrar, cruzar com espaço. No primeiro tempo a gente também não fez um bom jogo individualmente’, comenta o zagueiro,

O camisa 34 atribui a melhora defensiva apresentada pelo Figueirense nos últimos jogos a um maior esforço coletivo. Ele entende que a pressão está sendo melhor feita na frente, com isso a linha defensiva consegue ser mais efetiva.

‘Quando se fala de defesa não é só a linha de quatro, os zagueiros e laterais. Tem também o ataque. A defesa começa lá da frente. O centroavante marcando, os pontas, encurtando as jogadas. Todo o time participa desse momento, da mesma forma que participa do ofensivo. Jorginho tem nos orientado muito ali atrás’, disse Vitor.

Oficialmente apresentado no dia 23 de outubro, Vitor Mendes foi titular nas últimas quatro partidas do Figueirense. Essa rápida adaptação é creditada pelo zagueiro ao técnico Jorginho.

‘Desde a minha chegada ao clube, eu vim para ajudar, guerrear da melhor maneira possível. O professor me deu essa oportunidade de continuar no time e vou procurar dar o máximo pra ajudar dentro de campo’, conta o jogador.

Chelsea have now held talks in London to sign a “seriously impressive” Bayern Munich player, who is also being targeted by Manchester City.

Blues eyeing new signings after Maresca rant

Enzo Maresca appeared to hit out at the board after the 3-0 victory against Everton at the weekend, with the manager saying: “The last 48 hours have been the worst 48 hours since I joined the club because many people didn’t support us.”

It is unclear exactly what the Italian was alluding to, given that he refused to expand on his comments any further, but Danny Murphy has suggested the 45-year-old needs to be cautious, saying: “He’s got to be careful. I think you have to realise with the owners and club you are working for, he’s been given an amazing opportunity to manage a massive football club after only managing Leicester.”

One thing that’s for certain is Maresca has been backed in the transfer market, with BlueCo spending heavily to improve the squad in the summer, and with the January transfer window edging closer, more targets are being identified.

Under BlueCo ownership, there has been a heavy focus on bringing in younger players, and the west Londoners are now leading the race to sign Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo, while they are also keen on a Bayern Munich starlet.

That is according to a report from Football London, which states Chelsea recently held talks with the father of Cassiano Kiala in London, despite Brexit regulations forbidding them from signing the 16-year-old until he turns 18.

Manchester City are also interested in signing Kiala, who is regarded as one of the best young defenders in the world, with both clubs looking to form a relationship with the Bayern Munich ace, before potentially making a move when he’s older.

The teenager has been training with the first team since the tail end of the 2024-25 campaign, and he has certainly impressed teammate Jonathan Tah, who said: “He’s fast, good with the ball, and brave. He’s a top-class centre-back.”

"Seriously impressive" Kiala could be destined for the top level

Tah is not the only person who has taken a liking to the defender, with scout Antonio Mango providing an overview of his key strengths on X last month.

Despite his age, the youngster has already started to make it into some of Bayern’s match-day squads, appearing on the bench in five Bundesliga matches this season, which is no mean feat at just 16.

New De Bruyne: Chelsea lead race for £25m star with "world-class potential"

Chelsea are targeting a new playmaker who shares a stylistic likeness with one who got away.

By
Angus Sinclair

3 days ago

It remains to be seen whether Kiala is able to make the step-up to first-team level, but he is certainly exhibiting promising signs, and it is promising news that Chelsea have now opened talks.

ScorecardA savage and brilliant innings of 86 not out in only 32 balls by Afghan allrounder Mohammad Nabi secured a stunning five-wicket victory for Leicestershire Foxes in their North Group match against Lancashire Lightning at Emirates Old Trafford.Coming to the wicket with his side on 92 for 5 in the eleventh over and needing another 99 runs to win the game, Nabi tore the Lancashire attack apart, hitting eight sixes and four fours as the visitors cruised home with eight balls to spare.Ateeq Javid, Nabi’s partner in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 102, made only 15 not out but finished the game with a pull for four off Matthew Parkinson in front of a crowd 9525, most of whom were probably stunned by what they had just witnessed.Much earlier in the evening Alex Davies had made a career-best 94 not out in the home side’s 190 for 5 and that total had looked plenty when the home side lost a wicket in each of the first three overs of their innings, left-arm spinner Mark Watt taking a wicket with only his second ball for Lancashire.Colin Ackermann and Ben Raine repaired the innings to some extent with a stand of 77 but both fell to successive balls from Parkinson. That, though, only prepared the stage for Nabi, whose previous highest score in this year’s Vitality Blast was 32.Nabi hit almost all of Lancashire’s bowlers for sixes and some of them cleared the boundary by over thirty yards. It was as astonishing a hitting innings as even this great ground has seen.The centrepiece of Lancashire’s innings was the batting of Davies. The diminutive right-hander scored most of his early runs with ferocious drives as his side levied 77 runs in the six Powerplay overs and he then helped later batsmen consolidate that progress when the Foxes’ skipper, Colin Ackermann opted to take pace off the ball.Lancashire’s early surge was checked when Zak Chappell took two wickets in three balls, first having Karl Brown caught at cover by Harry Swindells for 29 and then bowling Arron Lilley for 4, Indeed, it was not until the 17th over that Lancashire doubled their rich haul from the first six overs.However, T20 debutant Josh Bohannon helped Davies add 58 for the third wicket in 7.3 overs and Steven Croft joined the opener in a 48-run stand for the fifth but most of the burden fell on Davies who batted through the innings, hitting eleven fours and two sixes.Lancashire’s top order was lacking a trio of batsmen either injured or on Test duty and Davies’ innings was certainly needed as the home side certainly struggled against the Foxes’ slower bowlers.Chappell was the only Foxes bowler to take two wickets but the efforts of Ackermann, who took 1 for 23 in three overs, and Neil Dexter were quite as valuable in checking the Lightning’s progress.Left-armer Callum Parkinson also bowled well on his return to Old Trafford and his figures of 0 for 36 in four overs did him little justice.

Chris Gayle and Rovman Powell went berserk at the start and end of West Indies’ chase respectively, but the visitors held on for a 2-1 margin

The Report by Mohammad Isam28-Jul-2018Tamim Iqbal celebrates his 11th ODI hundred•AFPRubel handed one demerit point

Bangladesh fast bowler Rubel Hossain has received one demerit point for a Level 1 code-of-conduct offence during the series decider in St Kitts.
In the 28th over of the chase, the stump mic picked up an inappropriate word used by Rubel, after Shimron Hetmyer edged him for a boundary.
At the end of the match, Rubel admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Chris Broad. No formal hearing, therefore, was needed.
This is the second demerit point accumulated by Rubel in two months, following one that he incurred for showing dissent during the second T20I against Afghanistan in Dehradun on June 5.

It went so quiet in the rest of Warner Park that you could clearly hear the Bangladesh dressing room celebrating their first away ODI series win in nine years. West Indies fought till the end, but ultimately went down by 18 runs in a contest that was decided by the side with fewer mistakes and more nerve. The 2-1 series win comes on the back of an ordinary Test series, but the visitors once again showed that ODIs remain their preferred format. It is also Bangladesh’s second ODI series win in West Indies, and their third overall against them. West Indies though remain without a series win for four years now, and much of the defeat fell at their feet in Basseterre.Rovman Powell’s unbeaten 41-ball 74 that included five fours and four sixes, was the only thing that stood between Bangladesh and an easier win, but he too fizzled out in the last two overs, hitting only one six. He had little support at the other end, with Shai Hope taking up 94 balls to make 64, which is likely to remain a talking point across the Caribbean.But Bangladesh had no such problems when they batted. Tamim Iqbal’s 103 came off 124 with seven fours and two sixes, which set up the last 10 overs for Mahmudullah, whose unbeaten 49-ball 67 got the visitors to a 300-plus total. He added 53 runs for the fifth wicket with captain Mashrafe Mortaza, who promoted himself to No. 6 for the first time in 10 years and made a crucial 25-ball 36.Tamim had batted till the 39th over, helping Bangladesh to a position of strength after they made another indifferent start. Anamul Haque fell early once again, leaving Tamim and Shakib with the rebuilding job for the third time in a row. They added 81 runs for the second wicket, Tamim starting off with three fours in the first Powerplay before surviving a chance at short midwicket on 28.Shakib, who struck three fours in his 37 off 43 balls, fell to a flighted Ashley Nurse delivery. Mushfiqur was bowled by a Nurse half-tracker before Tamim and Mahmudullah added 48 runs for the fourth wicket, during which Tamim reached his century. His first six was a straight hit off Sheldon Cottrell while the second – a slog sweep off Bishoo – took him to 98 before he reached his century in the following over.Bangladesh made 96 off the last ten overs.A whack over the off-side off Mashrafe signaled Gayle’s intent in West Indies’ chase. His first six was literally hit out of the ground. The replaced ball was sent to the boundary the next ball, albeit through an edge going past slip. His next six was a slap over extra cover before Bangladesh pulled things back with Evin Lewis’ wicket. Mashrafe removed him for the third game in a row after he’d scratched around for 13 off 33 balls.But Gayle went on, hammering Mosaddek for a six over his head, before launching Mahmudullah twice off successive deliveries in the 18th over, first over midwicket and then over long-on. But Rubel Hossain brought an end to Gayle’s whirlwind knock in the 22nd over, having him caught at long-on by Mehidy.Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer understandably couldn’t push at Gayle’s pace but did the next best thing: dragged West Indies along for another 13.5 overs without any further damages.Hetmyer struck two fours in his 30 off 42 balls before Mehidy bowled him with one that skidded on from short of a length. Hope, who was dropped by Rubel at long-off on 36, added another 45 runs for the fifth wicket with Rovman Powell who had to do all the heavy lifting at the end. Hope finally fell in the 44th over, with West Indies requiring to score at more than 10 an over.Powell struck all four of his sixes off Mustafizur, two over midwicket and two over long-on, but neither Holder nor Nurse could provide him the strike at crucial times or provide big hits of their own.Bangladesh just held on to the win. Mehidy was the best bowler on show once again, picking one for 45 while Mashrafe took two for 63. Mustafizur and Rubel also took one wicket each.

Football FanCast updates you with all the latest news surrounding EURO 2032.

As Germany prepares to host next year's European Championships, the focus will quickly turn to the following two tournaments and UEFA have today announced the winning hosts.

FFC will takes a detailed look at the 2032 host and their plans for the showpiece tournament.

Who is hosting EURO 2032?

Italy and Turkey will co-host EURO 2032, ending the Turkish Football Federation's five-time bid failure.

UEFA have rejected Turkey's last five attempts to host the European Championship, but with Italy joining forces, their sixth endeavour will finally bear fruit.

Italy, on the other hand, have hosted the showpiece event in recent times, staging four EURO 2020 fixtures, including the opening game between themselves and Turkey, ironically.

Interestingly, before the two federations teamed up to submit a joint bid, Turkey were thought to be leading the race to land the tournament.

Prior to the announcement, when speaking to Italian-based news outlet Gazzetta, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said: “Türkiye is a big competitor for Euro 2032 and is currently the favourite over Italy."

The reason is unclear as to why both nations ditched their individual attempts, particularly Turkey, who looked in good stead to have their bid accepted. Nevertheless, doing it this way removes any risk of missing out, and allows fans to experience two cultures.

Who was bidding to host EURO 2032?

Initially, Italy and Turkey were two separate bidders hoping to host EURO 2032.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) was planning to bid for EURO 2028, but decided against doing so, instead opting to submit their dossier for the 2032 edition to allow more time to redevelop facilities.

TFF's bid was planned for either EURO 2028 or 2032, however, UEFA confirmed that the TFF and the FIGC requested for their bids to be merged, leaving the UK and Ireland's 2028 proposal unopposed for the former, with Turkey unable to host both events.

Russia's proposed bid was declared ineligible by UEFA.

Italy: Which stadiums are potential EURO 2032 venues?

As part of the requirements to host EURO 2028 (which presumably are the same as 2032), nations must have a minimum of one stadium with a net seating capacity of at least 60,000, one (preferably two) with at least 50,000, four stadiums with at least 40,000 and three stadiums with at least 30,000.

As such, the potential venues in Italy are:

Stadium

Capacity

San Siro

75,817

Stadio Olimpico

70,634

Stadio San Nicola

58,270

Stadio Diego Armando Maradona

54,726

Stadio Artemio Franchi

43,147

Juventus Stadium

41,507

Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi

39,371

Stadio Renato Dall'Ara

38,371

Stadio Luigi Ferraris

36,205

Unipol Stadium

25,000 expandable to 30,000

The average capacity across the 10 stadiums stands at 44,458.

Turkey: Which stadiums are potential EURO 2032 venues?

The potential venues in Turkey are:

Stadium

Capacity

Atatürk Olympic Stadium

74,753

Nef Stadium

53,611

Ülker Stadium

47,834

19 Mayis Stadium

45,000

Bursa Metropolitan Stadium

43,331

Konya Büyüksehir Arena

42,000

Senol Gunes Sports Complex

40,782

Conerdon Airlines Park

32,537

Kalyon Stadium

33,502

Atatürk Stadium

32,500

The average stadium capacity stands at 44,585, which is almost identical to that of Italy.

UEFA will select 10 stadiums, five per country, to stage EURO 2032. They have confirmed this process will conclude by October 2026.

What are the positives of Italy & Turkey hosting?

As previously mentioned, this was the Turkish Football Federation's (TFF) sixth consecutive attempt to host a European Championship.

That in itself shows the federation's continued hunger and desire to deliver a premier tournament. Additionally, the experience gained from each process will no doubt have been beneficial in their planning, with years of careful due diligence already conducted.

Sports Minister Muharrem Kasapoglu – prior to the announcement – said Turkey's facilities and infrastructure could add value to the tournament.

"The quality of our facilities, infrastructure, accommodation, young population.

"When you put it all together, we can say that our country shines like a star and is one of the most important sports destinations in the world. I think that Türkiye can add important value to Euro 2028 and Euro 2032.

"By becoming a candidate for the fifth time in a row to organize Europe’s biggest tournament at the national team level, our federation has once again shown its determination to the entire world.

"We have always prided ourselves on our modern stadiums and facilities, the passion for football in our country and our high level of organization," Kasapoglu said.

Turkey have also hosted multiple European finals, including last season's Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan.

Whilst there were negative experiences faced by fans at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, it's worth considering that there will be key lessons learned from the organisers, which can be put in place ahead of 2032 to avoid a recurrence of any issues raised.

Meanwhile, FIGC President Gabriele Gravina believes Italy and Turkey's joint bid promotes the values of friendship.

"In addition to bringing two consolidated entities in the European football scene closer together, this project promotes the values of friendship and cooperation, involving two worlds characterised by deep historical roots and two cultures which, over the millennia, have mutually influenced each other, helping to shape the history of Mediterranean Europe in the process.

"Football aims to be a gateway for sharing the passions and emotions related to sport," Gravina said.

Having two host nations also presents fans with the opportunity to experience two different countries, along with their respective cultures and communities, further promoting a diverse tournament.

Both nations are rich in footballing history and have tremendously passionate fans, which will be beneficial in creating a captivating atmosphere.

What are the drawbacks of Italy & Turkey's hosting?

Last month's Champions League final in Istanbul exposed several flaws that will need addressing ahead of the European Championships in 2032.

The NGTC Group, who are experts in crowd management, released a report citing the many problems match goers faced leading up to, during and after the match.

Firstly, some of the supporters were reportedly left waiting for up to three hours in the midday sun for their transport to the stadium. When able to board the shuttle buses, they were overcrowded, with poor air conditioning and no available toilets.

The journey was initially expected to take an hour but stretched up to two and a half hours, to much of the fans' frustration.

Further, there were some complaints regarding the fan park, with issues relating to catering, toilets and seats for the less-able. The stadium also had sharp edges around the rim of the seating, which caused injury for some.

Following the match, many who were returning to the buses discovered unstable rubble walkways, lack of lighting and absent staff members, causing confusion and distress.

The NGTC closed their report with a few areas to focus on, ahead of the next major event held at the stadium:

"Ensuring adequate transport facilities, equipping fan parks with sufficient amenities, and maintaining ethical conduct among all staff members are some of the crucial areas to focus on. Perhaps most importantly, a dedicated and well-qualified security team."

Italy, on the other hand, have a great deal of renovating work to do on their stadia ahead of 2032, as most of their proposed venues fail to meet UEFA's criteria.

The governing bodies President Ceferin claims none of the stadiums are fit for purpose to even host the Champions League final.

Speaking to Italian-based news outlet Gazzetta, Ceferin said: "At the moment, there is not even a stadium in Italy that can host the Champions League final. This is something incredible. The UEFA needs more stadium guarantee."

It shouldn't, however, be an issue by the time the tournament comes around, as the FIGC do intend to redevelop much of the proposed venues. Across the 10 possible stadiums named, six are expected to undergo renovation.

The final drawback of the joint bid is travel. With two countries scheduled to host the event, it will mean fans will need to travel between countries, making it far more costly and inconvenient.

Further, the likely increase in flights between Turkey and Italy isn't exactly promoting an environmentally friendly tournament. The average flight time between the two nations is 3 hours and one minute, which is something worth noting.

Arsenal are back in action this afternoon as the Gunners welcome bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United at the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta’s side remain unbeaten in the 2023/24 Premier League after nine games played, with the Blades arriving in contrasting form, as they’re still without a win in the early stages of their top-flight return.

The north Londoners return to playing at home for the first time since their win over Manchester City, with Arteta having to settle for a draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last time out.

Arsenal team news against Sheffield United

The draw in west London was a thrilling affair for the neutral, but from an Arsenal point of view, it symbolised a host of weaknesses in the side when up against a Chelsea side that the Gunners beat home and away last term.

The week started positively for Arteta, who saw his squad win away to Sevilla in the Champions League on Tuesday. However, the joy of the result was soon snuffed out as a fresh wave of injuries plagued the favoured XI.

During his pre-match press conference, the Spaniard revealed that both Thomas Partey and Gabriel Jesus, two crucial members of Arsenal’s matchday squad, would be absent for the next few weeks due to injury.

With Champions League, Carabao Cup and Premier League challenges coming thick and fast, Arteta must revise his options and submit the best solution going forward, with many questions to be answered over his selection.

The stats that show why Kai Havertz should replace Gabriel Jesus

Luckily for the manager, Arsenal are blessed with an array of talent within their squad – particularly going forward – which could ease the blow to Jesus if the correct combination is summoned.

Eddie Nketiah has commonly been selected to lead the line previously in the Brazilian’s absence, though his lack of potency in the final third is worrying, with his start to the season being underwhelming thus far.

Eddie Nketiah 2023/24 Premier League

Statistic

Average

Appearances

9

Goals

2

Shots on target per game

0.4

Big chances missed

3

Goal conversion %

10%

Big chances created

0

Key passes per game

0.6

Figures via Sofascore

In the league, the Englishman has a goal conversion rate of just 10%, not helped by his mere average of just 0.4 shots on target per game, telling of his inability to cause a significant threat going forward.

What’s most concerning is that the 24-year-old has featured in all of Arsenal’s league fixtures this season, with little progression to show for his minutes.

On paper, Sheffield United at home should be an opportunity for the Gunners to find their stride in their alternated team, and what better time than to re-trial £65m signing Kai Havertz in the frontline?

The German has had a slow start to life in north London after making the switch from Chelsea, but there’s also been a lack of consistency regarding the position he’s deployed at.

While his confidence seems jaded from his underwhelming start at Arsenal, a player with 107 domestic career goals at the age of 24 knows how to find the net, suggesting that Arteta should give him the opportunity to rebuild this afternoon.

Havertz netted seven goals in the league last term for Chelsea, three more than Nketiah’s 2022/23 tally, as well as portraying a far greater creative threat than the Londoner, who averaged only 0.3 key passes per game last season to Havertz’s 1.1.

Standing at 6 foot 4, the Germany international could also add more of a physical presence to the Gunners’ attacking trio, with the Blades having the ability to give the Champions League winner a challenge to unearth his form at Arsenal.

Once lauded as “magnificent” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the key to unlocking Havertz’s quality in north London is undoubtedly his confidence, and by unleashing him over Nketiah this afternoon, Arteta could show his trust in the summer signing.

أعلن نادي فيورنتينا، تعاقده الرسمي مع الدولي الإيطالي مويس كين لاعب فريق كرة القدم الأول بنادي يوفنتوس، خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الجارية.

وصل كين إلى توسكانا الأحد الماضي، وخضع للفحوصات الطبية أمس الإثنين، قبل أن يصبح اليوم لاعبًا جديدًا في فيورنتينا بشكل رسمي.

والتقى اللاعب مع مدرب فيورنتينا الجديد رافائيلي بالادينو، الذي تولى قيادة الفريق قادمًا من مونزا.

فيورنتينا لم يعلن عن قيمة الصفقة، ولكن التقارير الإيطالية تشير إلى أن صاحب الـ24 عامًا وقع على صفقة بقيمة 14 مليون يورو لـ يوفنتوس، بالإضافة إلى 5 مليون مكافآت.

طالع أيضًا.. اهتمام إيطالي بعودة كانسيلو بعد ابتعاده عن برشلونة

ويعتبر مويس كين مهاجم إيفرتون وباريس سان جيرمان السابق، أولى صفقات فريق فيورنتينا الصيفية.

مويس كين الذي تم تصعيده للفريق الأول في يوفنتوس عام 2017، تمت اعارته لـ هيلاس فيرونا، قبل ان ينتقل إلى إيفرتون بشكل نهائي في صيف 2019.

ولعب اللاعب الإيطالي لـ باريس سان جيرمان على سبيل الإعارة خلال موسم 2020-2021، ثم أعير لـ يوفنتوس في صيف 2021، قبل أن ينتقل بشكل نهائي في الصيف الماضي 2023.

موسم واحد ولم يتمكن يوفنتوس من الاقتناع باستمرار مويس كين، وقرر الموافقة على رحيله لـ فيورنتينا، ليوقع على عقد حتى 2029 مع فريق ملعب أرتيميو فرانكي.

United States women's national team star Trinity Rodman was suspended for the start of the NWSL season, so she spent it with some lucky fans instead.

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Rodman missed the Washington Spirit's NWSL openerUSWNT star was suspended after red card last seasonSo spent Sunday with some lucky fans insteadWHAT HAPPENED?

Rodman was sent off in the Washington Spirit's final game of 2023 and was therefore unable to be involved in her team's season opener on Sunday away at Seattle Reign. But instead of travelling with the team to the game, she stuck around in Washington and watched the match with some fans who certainly won't forget the experience.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The Spirit suffered a 1-0 defeat in Seattle, with the game-winner scored from the penalty spot by Bethany Balcer with just three minutes on the clock. Rodman's return to selection will be a boost next week, then, as the team looks to get its first win of the new season.

GettyDID YOU KNOW?

Rodman was named Rookie of the Year and to the NWSL Best XI when she helped fire the Spirit to a first-ever Championship triumph in 2021. She was also rewarded with a new contract that made her the highest-paid player in the league at the time.

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WHAT NEXT FOR RODMAN?

Rodman will be back in action on Saturday, when the Spirit welcome Bay FC to Audi Field for its home opener.

Tottenham Hotspur continued their remarkable, unbeaten start to the new Premier League season with victory over London rivals Fulham on Monday evening, with Ange Postecoglou's men having now moved two points clear of champions Manchester City at the summit.

While not a vintage performance from the hosts on the night at N17 – with the former Celtic boss having been "really disappointed" by his side's second-half display, in particular – the Lilywhites still secured the all-important three points with relative ease, with goals from the deadly duo of Heung-min Son and James Maddison making the difference.

With that pairing – who now boast seven and three league goals this season, respectively – having yet again made their mark in the final third, they were able to somewhat spare the blushes of the other members of the attacking unit, with both Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison failing to fire.

How did Richarlison perform against Fulham?

With Harry Kane having left the club over the summer, the chance had been there for the former Everton man to stake his claim as the leading man in attack in north London, despite having scored just one top-flight goal last term.

Even with the England skipper out the door, however, Richarlison has not been tasked with leading the line so far this season, having scored just twice in all competitions after typically lining up in a left-wing berth.

While one of those two efforts did come against the Cottagers in the Carabao Cup earlier in the campaign, the 26-year-old was unable to replicate that clinical nature this time around, having yet again been rather errant in front of goal.

As per 90min's Sean Walsh, the polarising Brazilian 'worked hard for the team' yet was simply 'missing his shooting boots', having had two shots off target on the night.

While he did provide the assist for Son's opener with a simple threaded pass, it was hardly a standout performance from Richarlison in truth, as he also won just three of his eight total duels before being replaced in the closing stages.

Those woes in front of goal were also shared by fellow forward Kulusevski on the other flank, with the elegant Swede not having his best night against Marco Silva's side.

How did Kulusevski play against Fulham?

With £47.5m summer signing Brennan Johnson having been nursing an injury in recent weeks – while Manor Solomon has also been sidelined – the former Juventus man has had a relatively free run in the side this season, yet hasn't quite made the most of that consistent game time.

After registering just two goals and seven assists in the Premier League last term, the 23-year-old has not exactly made his presence felt this time around, scoring twice yet failing to provide a single assist as a marker of his lack of cutting edge.

That was evident on Monday evening as the fleet-footed winger was something of a liability both in and out of possession, notably losing the ball on 15 occasions and enjoying a pass accuracy rate of just 68% – while also winning just three of his 11 total duels.

Such shortcomings in possession could well have been costly for Postecoglou and the hosts, with the aforementioned Walsh writing that the wideman's 'slow and ponderous decision-making threatened to derail Tottenham'.

As football.london's Alasdair Gold also noted in his post-match player ratings piece, Kulusevski 'needs to start adding the numbers' now that Johnson is returning to fitness, with his place in the side now under threat.

Under a manager with the ruthlessness of Postecoglou – as indicated by his post-match comments – failing to perform will simply not be accepted.

Sri Lanka decided not to enforce the follow-on after taking a 214-run first-innings lead, which they stretched to 338 by stumps with both openers scoring fifties again

The Report by Firdose Moonda21-Jul-2018Dilruwan Perera celebrates a wicket•Associated Press

Think Galle, and now think of how things could have become more galling for South Africa. That’s what happened on the second day at the SSC, where Sri Lanka took significant strides towards a series win.South Africa succumbed to their second-lowest total in Sri Lanka, a mere seven days after they had slumped to their lowest on the island, to concede a first-innings lead of 214 runs. Sri Lanka’s spinners ripped through them for a third time, with Akila Dananjaya picking up his second five-wicket haul in his third Test. Akila had a day to remember, after also notching up a career-best undefeated 43 to help Sri Lanka swell their first-innings total to 338.Already that seems like enough, but with three days left in the match, Sri Lanka will look to pile it on, having chosen not to enforce the follow-on, against a wearing attack. Dale Steyn remains a wicket away from overtaking Shaun Pollock as South Africa’s leading Test bowler, but delivered four overs without success, bowling third change. Lungi Ngidi, who left the field in Sri Lanka’s first innings after being pinged on the shin when he dropped a return catch offered by Akila in his follow-through, returned during the second innings but only bowled fourth change, forcing Faf du Plessis to use part-timers Aiden Markram and Theunis de Bruyn. Kagiso Rabada shared the new ball with Keshav Maharaj, the only bowler to make some incisions.Maharaj’s first innings nine-for surpassed Allan Donald’s 8 for 71 in Harare in 1995 as the best figures by a South African bowler away from home and second-best figures by a South African in an innings, anywhere. He picked up two second-innings wickets, putting him just two behind Makhaya Ntini’s 13 scalps, the most in a match by a South African, but his efforts are unlikely to save South Africa.So far in this series, the visiting batsmen have lasted 54.3, 28.5 and 34.5 overs – a total of 118.1 overs – the equivalent of under four sessions in three innings. They have scored fewer runs in total, 323 in three innings, than Sri Lanka’s top-scorer Dimuth Karunaratne, who is unbeaten on 59, with 329 runs in the series and counting.South Africa’s approach against spin continues to be muddled and they have failed to answer the most pressing questions about batting on the subcontinent. Should they play for the turn, or not? Should they sweep, or not? Should they defend, or not?Some of them, clearly, cannot trust their defence. Like Dean Elgar. He blocked the first three balls he faced, from Dilruwan Perera, and then went forward to dead-bat a fourth but Akila got the ball to dip, spin away and take the edge. Dhananjaya de Silva took a good, low catch at second slip.Others are unsure what the ball is doing out of the hand. Like Theunis de Bruyn, who was included as a seventh specialist batsman and moved to No.3. He played for turn to an Akila ball that went on straight and was caught behind. Or Aiden Markram. He was trapped lbw, also playing for turn against Rangana Herath.Sri Lanka’s veteran only took one wicket in South Africa’s first innings, though he could have had two, Hashim Amla dropped off him when he drove to short cover only for Danushka Gunathilaka to fluff the chance. Instead, Amla became only the third South African to reach 9,000 Test runs. That number will receive its dues in years to come. For now, South Africa need him to play like a man with 9,000 runs to his name and that did not happen.Amla showed some signs of regaining form in a 55-run stand with du Plessis which was also the second-highest partnership South Africa have posted all series, but it was du Plessis who looked in control. The captain showed intent immediately after lunch when he struck five boundaries in six balls, and needed support. Amla could not provide it when he inside-edged onto his pad to offer short leg a catch and start the procession.Then the sweep came into play. Du Plessis prospered and perished by the shot, eventually bottom-edging a Dilruwan delivery that was confirmed to have made contact with the bat on review. Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock were both confident on the sweep, but by then, South Africa’s troubles were too deep.Bavuma chipped a catch to short leg, Maharaj top-edged a sweep to square leg and de Kock was pinned on the front pad to give Akila his fifth.After all that, South Africa had to take the field again and looked as though they wanted to be anywhere but in Colombo. A flat first 18 overs allowed Sri Lanka’s openers to race to 91 without loss, with Gunathilaka scoring a second half-century in the Test before holing out to deep midwicket. In his next over, Maharaj successfully reviewed an lbw appeal against de Silva and the only other wicket fell when Kusal Mendis was run out. Karunaratne remains in control and with Elgar extracting sharp turn in the final over of the day, it seems only one result can be achieved.