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Newcastle United have been dealt some bad luck recently under Eddie Howe, though that could all be about to change as they eye January reinforcements.

With the international break now here, it is fair to say that the Magpies have endured an underwhelming start to the Premier League campaign despite a £249 million transfer spend.

Compounding matters, Newcastle suffered a frustrating defeat to Brentford last Sunday, seeing Dan Burn sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity before an Igor Thiago double put the seal on back-to-back top-flight defeats.

Now, they sit 14th in the Premier League standings and look to be in a bit of a malaise, something that Howe put down to lapses of concentration in the second-half.

He said: “Really difficult second half for us. Whatever could go wrong did go wrong. We didn’t respond to the first goal well enough and then the second goal and the red card, which cost us the game.

“We showed a good mentality to our defending in the first half and we stood up to that task. Just that one throw-in and it cost us, and it was a big turning point in the match.”

Sven Botman and Kieran Tripper didn’t cover themselves in glory alongside Burn and contributed to a poor defensive display.

Still, once the dust settles, the Geordies will dust themselves down before planning for a busy festive period, starting with a home clash against Manchester City before a trip to face Marseille in the Champions League.

Come January, arrivals will be on their radar, and it appears that Howe is now plotting a solution to his defensive problems that could be cost-efficient.

Newcastle look to beat Premier League competition to Oscar Mingueza

According to AS, Newcastle are eyeing a cut-price deal to sign Celta Vigo defender Oscar Mingueza, who is also being targeted by Premier League pair West Ham United and Aston Villa.

Barcelona hold a 50% sell-on clause on his next move due to his time with their famous La Masia academy, which could prompt the La Liga club to push for a considerable fee to ensure all bases are covered from their end.

However, Mingueza is out of contract in the summer of 2026, potentially offering up a scenario where a cut-price deal may be conducted as Celta Vigo seize advantage of their last chance to cash in on the versatile central defender.

Making 14 appearances this season, the Spain star has registered one goal and three assists and would be a useful addition, given he can also operate on the right-hand side either in wing-back or advanced midfield role.

Newcastle have held internal talks to sign a defensive midfielder

Set to become a free agent next summer, he is inclined to pay attention to offers before coming to a final conclusion on his future, and Newcastle are racing against the clock to tempt him away from Celta Vigo.

Club also fined £5,000 for “below average” pitch preparation during defeat to Sussex in May

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Sep-2025Hampshire are facing a battle to stay in the top flight in this season’s County Championship, after the club were docked eight points for the preparation of a “below average” pitch for their fixture against Sussex in May.Hampshire, who are currently taking on Sussex in the return game at Hove, have slipped from fifth place to eighth in the first-division standings following Thursday’s ruling from the independent Cricket Discipline Panel (CPD). With a revised tally of 124 points, they are now just six clear of Durham in the relegation zone, with two further rounds of the Championship to come.The contest in question took place at the Utilita Bowl from May 23-25. Sussex won the match by nine wickets, with their spinner Jack Carson claiming second-innings figures of 5 for 26 in ten overs. On June 3, Hampshire were charged with a breach of the Pitch Regulations, following a report from match umpires Rob White and Tom Lungley, match referee Wayne Noon, and an investigation by the Cricket Regulator.Related

• Hampshire slip into relegation mix as Sussex escape with draw

• Carson spins Sussex to emphatic nine-wicket victory

• Wickets tumble at Hove as Abbott, Fuller strengthen Hampshire's hold

• Wash-out at Hove leaves Hampshire, Sussex frustrated

In addition to the eight-point penalty, Hampshire have also been fined £5000 for their breach of the pitch regulations. In its full judgment, compiled after a hearing on September 2, the CDC cited consistent unevenness of bounce, and excessive spin from day two onwards.Ben Brown, Hampshire’s captain, stated in his match report that he was “really disappointed” with the surface that had been prepared by head grounds manager, Simon Lee, adding that “batting on it was a lottery”.”We wanted a good batting wicket so that we could optimise batting points, but we also wanted a pitch that would bring our spinner, Liam Dawson, into the game, when foot holes became a factor,” Brown had added in his report.Paul Farbrace, Sussex’s head coach, stated in the CDC report that Hampshire were “entitled” to prepare a pitch where spin was a factor, but in opting to play on a recently reused surface, they got it “horribly wrong”.”It was not in their interest to deliberately plan an uneven pitch,” Farbrace said. “They have excellent fast bowlers, and would have expected to win with their seam attack. This is not an example of a home side deliberately cheating … the pitch was set up for spin, and I saw a cloud of dust when the hover cover went off. But the pitch was too dry, and I note the fact that they decided to re-use a pitch not that long after using it before.”Hampshire enter the final day of their rain-affected fixture at Hove needing nine wickets for victory, while Sussex need 241 further runs – but after the third day was washed out, rain again prevented play before lunch. They face a tricky run-in in the Championship, with an away fixture to Somerset prior to a final home game against Surrey, the reigning champions who may also need to win to secure their fourth title in a row.In addition, Hampshire are competing on three fronts, with the prospect of two white-ball trophies in the coming weeks, following their progression to T20 Finals Day and the Metro Bank One-Day Cup final against Worcestershire. Adi Birrell, their long-standing head coach, is set to depart at the end of the season.Durham, who are likely to emerge with a draw from their ongoing fixture at Essex, face bottom side Worcestershire in their next Championship fixture at Chester-le-Street on Monday, ahead of a final-round trip to Yorkshire.

Washington joins for relegation battle

Washington Sundar impressed for India in the Test series against England•Getty Images

In a bid to strengthen their hand, Hampshire announced on Thursday morning that they have signed India allrounder Washington Sundar for the games against Somerset and Surrey. Washington, who scored his maiden Test hundred as well as taking seven wickets on India’s tour of England earlier in the summer, has previously appeared in county cricket for Lancashire.The 25-year-old has not played since featuring in India’s dramatic win at The Oval at the start of August, having missed out on selection for the Asia Cup.”We’re delighted to bring Washington to the club for the County Championship,” Giles White, Hampshire’s director of cricket, said. “He had an excellent series against England this summer and he’ll play a key role with two big games coming up against Somerset and Surrey.”

Vincent Kompany insists that his Bayern Munich side will iron out their set-piece weakness before they take on Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday night. Bayern returned to winning ways with a resounding 6-2 victory over Freiburg but went behind on home turf to two early corners as their dead-ball issues came to the fore once more.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Bayern's set-piece struggles magnified in win over Freiburg

  Bayern sit top of the Bundesliga after the opening 11 games of the season having claimed 31 points from 33 available. In the process, the Bavarian giants have conceded just eight league goals, the fewest in Germany's top tier this term, as they maintain their seemingly unstoppable march towards back-to-back Bundesliga crowns.

  However, of the eight goals they have shipped, six have come from set-piece situations, which is a concern ahead of Wednesday's Champions League game at Arsenal. The Gunners, like Bayern, boast a 100 percent record in European action this season having won their opening four league phase games.

  Arsenal sit top of the Premier League table following their opening 11 matches of the season, and have a chance to go six points clear of second-placed Chelsea when they welcome Tottenham to the Emirates on Sunday afternoon. A key reason behind the Gunners rise to top spot in England's top tier has been their proficiency from set pieces.

  Mikel Arteta's mean have scored 10 goals from dead-ball situations, more than any other team in the Premier League this season, and their ability to challenge any team from corners of free kicks will pose a huge threat to Bayern in midweek.

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• Kompany 'calm' on Bayern's set-piece issues

  The last four goals Bayern have conceded have come from set-piece situations, which their Premier League counterparts will look to exploit on Wednesday night. Bayern boss Kompany, though, insists he is "calm" having been asked whether he is worried about facing set-piece specialists Arsenal in the Champions League.

  "I'm calm. We made mistakes in these phases as a team. We shouldn't hide, we should show personality and character to defend them," Kompany said.

  "We're also a good team in attacking set pieces, we scored from a corner today. We just have to stay calm and work to get out of this phase and show that we're also good in this department. I have confidence that we'll solve it"

  Ultimately, Bayern went on to claim a huge 6-2 victory over Freiburg on Saturday, as goals from Michael Olise – twice – Lennart Karl, Harry Kane, Nicolas Jackson and Dayot Upamecano saw FC Hollywood return to winning ways having been held to a 2-2 draw with Union Berlin prior to the international break.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Bayern boss heaps praise upon Arsenal

  Kompany did go on to heap further praise upon Arsenal ahead of next week's meeting, adding: "They're the best team in Europe at set pieces. I think it's a good challenge. I don't know if there are many better teams than Arsenal in Europe at the moment. We're looking forward to the game."

  Arsenal's reliance from set-pieces means they have been dubbed 'Set Piece FC', a nickname that supporters have taken in their stride. Indeed, whenever Arsenal have scored from a dead-ball situation, supporters have chanted 'Set Piece again, ole ole!' to celebrate their effectiveness from corners or free kicks.

  The Gunners will hope to maintain their good form when they take on Tottenham in the north London derby on Sunday. Spurs haven't won a league game at the Emirates since they came from two goals down to win 3-2 in 2010 as strikes from Gareth Bale, Rafael van der Vaart and Younes Kaboul capped a remarkable turnaround.

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• Arsenal receive timely injury boost

  And Arsenal have received a timely injury boost ahead of the hectic festive run of games as captain Martin Odegaard nears a return from injury. The Norwegian midfielder has endured a stop-start beginning to the 2025-26 season, with Odegaard presently missing having suffered a knee injury in a home win over West Ham last month.

  In his pre-match programme notes, however, Odegaard has admitted his is close to a comeback, stating: "This week I’ve been working really hard on my rehab – it’s going very well. I can feel I’m getting closer every day and getting towards the final stages where it’s a lot more exciting.

  "I’ve been doing some pitch work and training, so I really feel like I’m getting there. That’s the best part of the rehab, when you’re getting closer to joining the team, you can do a lot more on the pitch and you can be more aggressive in the rehab. I feel like I’m getting stronger and stronger. I can’t wait to be back now, we’re on a good path and it’s looking good. I’m really excited.

  "I guess that’s one of the good things about being injured. You get hungrier and more excited to play football again. That’s the good part of it, I’m desperate to get going again."

A look back at the five-time IPL champions’ worst days with the bat

Omkar Mankame11-Apr-2025Put in to bat for the first time in IPL 2025, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) crumbled against Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) spin-heavy attack at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, slumping to their lowest-ever total at their fortress of many years. Here are the five-time champions’ five lowest totals in the IPL.

79 all out vs MI, Wankhede, IPL 2013

CSK were riding high on a seven-match winning streak and faced a modest target of 140 against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede. But instead of sealing an eighth successive victory, they crumbled to their lowest-ever IPL total. Mitchell Johnson landed the early blows with a triple-wicket over that left CSK tottering at 9 for 3. The collapse continued as they slipped to 18 for 4. R Ashwin’s promotion to No. 6 failed to turn the tide, and CSK kept throwing away their wickets, and eventually folded for a record low.1:36

Bangar: ‘CSK are in tatters at the moment’

97 all out vs MI, Wankhede, IPL 2022

MI’s fast bowlers made the most of the lateral movement under lights to dismantle the CSK batting line-up. The slide began with a contentious lbw decision against Devon Conway – one he couldn’t review because of a power failure. Daniel Sams made the early strikes, and the rest of the MI attack kept landing blows, bundling CSK for under 100. Though CSK fought back to reduce MI to 33 for 4, the middle order held firm to complete a five-wicket win.

103 for 9 vs KKR, Chennai, 2025

Related

• Outdated CSK near a point of no return

• Edge or no edge – MS Dhoni lbw stirs up debate

• Dhoni's demands: 'A bit more partnerships, a bit more runs, a bit more application'

• CSK suffer fifth loss on the trot as KKR register monster win

At Chepauk, KKR unleashed their spin trio to dismantle CSK, restricting them to their lowest total at the venue. Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine and Moeen Ali combined for 12-1-55-6, controlling the middle overs. The home side never got going, crawling to 31 for 2 in the first six — the second-lowest powerplay score of IPL 2025. An out-of-form middle order, including impact player Deepak Hooda, failed to adapt to the sluggish pitch. A last-wicket stand of 24 was all that helped CSK limp past 100.

109 all out vs RR, Jaipur, 2008

A red-hot spell from Sohail Tanvir – 6 for 14, the second-best bowling figures in IPL history – blew CSK away for 109 in Jaipur. Exploiting seamer-friendly conditions, Tanvir gave Rajasthan Royals (RR) a dream start by dismissing both CSK openers for ducks in the opening over. Albie Morkel came in at 44 for 5 and offered some resistance with 42, but Tanvir returned to clean up the tail and bowl CSK out with an over unused.

109 all out vs MI, Chennai, 2019

Riding on Rohit Sharma’s 67 at the top, MI set CSK a target of 156. On a tired surface, five of CSK’s top six batters failed to reach double-digits. Lasith Malinga struck early with Shane Watson’s wicket and returned in the end overs to dismantle the lower order with a steady dose of slower balls. The defeat ended CSK’s five-match winning streak at Chepauk and marked their first loss while chasing at the venue since 2013.

The black-soil surface in Delhi will have patches of grass, interspersed with bald areas, and is expected to help spinners later on

Nagraj Gollapudi07-Oct-2025The pitch for the second and final India-West Indies Test, which starts on October 10 in Delhi, will have patches of grass interspersed with bald areas, unlike the Ahmedabad pitch for the first Test that had an even grass covering.The Delhi pitch will have a black-soil base and is likely to favour batters, with spin playing a role as the surface dries up gradually.West Indies lost the first Test inside three days after electing to bat on one of the greenest pitches in India since the World Test Championship was launched in 2019. With four millimetres of live grass covering spread over a red-soil pitch coupled with good bounce, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj gleefully went about their job on the first morning as West Indies were all out in 44.1 overs. The visitors lasted just 45.1 overs in their second innings, suffering a bruising defeat by an innings and 140 runs.The pitch at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, though, is understood to be more batting-friendly, coupled with a quick outfield and slightly shorter boundaries. The last Test played here was the second of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2023. In that game, Australia, having elected to bat on a slow turner, lost by six wickets, inside three days.

The last five years of his Test career were not very prolific, but Pujara still ended with numbers that mark him as one of India’s best in the format

S Rajesh25-Aug-2025With an aggregate of 7195 runs in his 103 Tests, Cheteshwar Pujara ranks eighth in the list of top run-getters in the format for India. Only Rahul Dravid has more runs for India from No. 3 than Pujara’s 6529, which is a testament to his quality at the top of the order.However, with Pujara, the runs he scored only told part of the story. His true value was in the number of balls he consumed at the crease, ensuring that the batters who followed had the luxury of facing a ball and a bowling attack considerably less fresh than at the start of the innings.ESPNcricinfo LtdOver the duration of Pujara’s Test career – from October 2009 to June 2023 – only four batters faced more deliveries than his 16,217 in the format: Joe Root, Alastair Cook, Steven Smith and Azhar Ali. That, in a nutshell, illustrates Pujara’s value to the India team for almost 14 years. In terms of batting averages, Pujara sits at a modest 11th position among the 19 players who scored at least 5000 runs during his career span, but with him, just the runs scored doesn’t paint the complete picture.Related

• Pujara: Australia's scourge, India's rock

In the 103 Tests, Pujara was dismissed once every 98.3 deliveries. That puts him in fifth position among those 19 batters mentioned above, which is significantly better than his rank based on averages. In an age when aggression and taking the attack to the bowlers is increasingly seen as the best approach, Pujara belonged to a dwindling tribe that believed in grinding down an attack. It is an approach that attracted a fair share of detractors, but it also fetched him over 7000 Test runs and 19 hundreds.