All posts by n8rngtd.top

Liverpool have opened the 2024/25 season in perfect fashion, sitting top of the Premier League with four wins from four.

Under Arne Slot, they’ve quickly shown resilience and attacking flair, but the journey has not been without its flaws.

Three times already this season – against Bournemouth, Newcastle, and Atlético Madrid – the Reds have let two-goal leads slip, only to be rescued by late winners. The most special of all perhaps being Rio Ngumoha’s strike at St James’ Park.

That ability to find decisive moments in the dying stages has become a hallmark.

The 93rd-minute strike against Atlético was Liverpool’s fourth goal scored in stoppage time across all competitions this season, underlining the winning mentality that carried them to their second Premier League crown last season.

While Dominik Szoboszlai has been central to the team’s fluid play, it is a different player who increasingly embodies the leadership once associated with the great Steven Gerrard.

Szoboszlai: A creative hub and tactical fix

Szoboszlai’s start to the season didn’t go smoothly.

Slot publicly criticised him for his role in Bournemouth’s opening goal during the 4-2 win at Anfield on the opening weekend.

Since then, however, the 24-year-old has responded with consistent excellence and versatility.

Last season, the Hungarian produced 12 goal involvements this campaign, a reminder of his value in the final third. His numbers reflect a midfielder who drives play forward relentlessly:

These metrics paint a picture of a player who not only initiates attacking moves but sustains them with precision passing and clever movement.

His decisive 30-yard free-kick against Arsenal was the standout moment of Liverpool’s season so far, sealing a 1-0 win that kept their perfect record intact.

What makes Szoboszlai even more valuable is his tactical adaptability.

Against Newcastle, with Liverpool stretched at St James’ Park, he filled in at right-back and barely put a foot wrong all evening. He did the same when Arsenal came to town a few weeks ago.

This flexibility makes him a manager’s dream – a midfielder capable of influencing games both with creativity and discipline.

It’s tempting to compare Szoboszlai to Gerrard, as many pundits have, but this season he is functioning as Liverpool’s alternative to Florian Wirtz.

While Wirtz has struggled to adapt since his high-profile Premier League arrival, Szoboszlai has thrived in high-pressure situations, reinforcing why Liverpool chose him as a centrepiece in midfield.

That said, the Hungary international isn’t quite as iconic as Gerrard just yet.

Liverpool's new Gerrard

If Szoboszlai is Liverpool’s creator, Virgil van Dijk is their leader.

At 34, the Dutchman remains a colossal presence at the back, but this season he has added moments of attacking inspiration too.

His stoppage-time winner against Atlético epitomised a player taking responsibility in decisive moments.

Football analyst Josh Williams has described Van Dijk as “outrageous” this season, adding that he “takes responsibility like Gerrard used to.”

It is rare for a centre-back to be compared with Liverpool’s most iconic midfielder, but the parallels are clear.

Just as Gerrard dragged teams through games with moments of inspiration, Van Dijk is now doing the same from defence.

Statistically, his influence remains elite and he showcased that against Atletico.

To illuminate his qualities, Van Dijk ranks in the 86th percentile among his fellow central defenders for pass completion (91.5%) over the last year, ensuring that Liverpool can build calmly from the back.

He is also in the 90th percentile for progressive passes (5.24 per 90), showing how often he breaks lines with distribution from deep.

Defensively, he dominates in the air, winning 3.02 aerial duels per 90, placing him again in the 86th percentile among centre-backs.

Statistical comparisons with Ronald Araújo and Gabriel Magalhães highlight his profile: a defender who combines physical dominance with elite ball progression.

But Van Dijk’s role extends beyond numbers. As club captain, with a contract running until 2027, he is the figure setting standards in this rejuvenating side.

Liverpool’s start has not been flawless. Throwing away leads three times already is a warning sign for a team with ambitions of another title.

Yet those setbacks have been countered by players willing to step up in decisive phases.

Szoboszlai has driven the creative rhythm with his passing and chance creation, while Van Dijk has shown the authority and timing to decide contests late on.

Together, they have shaped Liverpool’s early-season identity: a side capable of brilliance, but reliant on its big leaders to seize the big moments.

Not Salah or Van Dijk: Liverpool star is now "one of the best in the world"

Liverpool left it late once more to collect a Champions League victory at Anfield over Atletico Madrid.

By
Kelan Sarson

Sep 18, 2025

Chelsea may have emerged from last night’s game as the victors, but it certainly doesn’t feel that way.

Enzo Maresca’s side were given the relatively kind task of taking on League One side Lincoln City to kickstart their EFL Cup campaign.

However, instead of turning up and turning the opposition over like many expected them to, the West Londoners struggled for much of the game and, barring a five-minute period after half-time, did not look like a top-flight side.

Therefore, Maresca must make several changes for the game this weekend, such as dropping two starters who were somewhat saved by one of the few players who came away from the game looking better: Tyrique George.

Tyrique George's game vs Lincoln

Now, it should be said that while George did better than most of the team last night, it still wasn’t a perfect performance.

In fact, like the rest of his teammates, there were significant periods in the first half in which he was fairly anonymous.

However, unlike many of those around him, the young Englishman did step it up after half-time and, within three minutes, levelled the score for the Blues.

It wasn’t just a tap-in or a lucky shot; it was a sensational effort from outside the penalty area that was powerful enough to leave the Lincoln keeper no chance of stopping it.

Then, to further drive home the message that he should be getting more game time, the 19-year-old Cobham graduate provided the assist for Facundo Buonanotte’s goal two minutes later.

We obviously have to take the level of the opposition into account, but even so, it was an impressive showing from George, and one that saved the blushes of his teammates, including two who must be dropped for the game against Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Chelsea duo Maresca must drop

Unfortunately for Chelsea, there really are several players you could name who put in performances worthy of being dropped last night.

Chalkboard

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

However, in this instance, we are talking about Maresca’s two wide players: Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens.

Starting with the latter, the game was a real chance for the Englishman to silence all the talk about his ability and get up and running following his move from Borussia Dortmund.

Instead, he has only brought more scrutiny upon himself, as in 70 minutes of football, he did next to nothing, with his most notable involvement being a bad miss early on.

It sounds harsh, but it’s an opinion backed up by Amos Murphy of the Express, who awarded the 21-year-old a 5/10 match rating and wrote that he ‘lacked quality with almost everything he did.’

He wasn’t alone in being ineffective out wide, though, as Garnacho was just as bad, also earning himself a 5/10 rating from Murphy, who stated he ‘did very little to impress on his first start.’

Unsurprisingly, the Argentine’s statistics more than back up such an appraisal.

In his 59 minutes of action, the former Manchester United gem took 26 touches – 31 fewer than Jørgensen – completed just 16 passes, misplaced 100% of his long balls, took a single shot on target, didn’t attempt a dribble and lost 100% of his aerial duels.

Moreover, he was the first player to be taken off in the game, suggesting the manager was just as unimpressed with his showing as we were.

Ultimately, while they may come good at some point, Garnacho and Gittens failed to perform against a third-tier opponent last night, and therefore, must be dropped ahead of the game against Brighton.

Cole Palmer facing several weeks out as journalist details "new" Chelsea injury

The England star was hauled off early in to their defeat at Man United.

By
Emilio Galantini

Sep 23, 2025

Roberto De Zerbi explained why Mason Greenwood was taken off at half-time during Marseille's collapse at Sporting. The French outfit's Champions League night in Lisbon ended in heartbreak as the hosts came from behind to seal a dramatic 2-1 win. The French side had led through Igor Paixao’s thunderbolt in the first half, but the game unravelled spectacularly after Emerson Palmieri was controversially sent off just before half-time.

• Controversial red card sparks fury

  Marseille appeared to have won a penalty after Emerson went down under a challenge inside the area, but after VAR intervened, the decision was dramatically overturned. To make matters worse, referee Rade Obrenovic deemed Emerson guilty of simulation and showed him a second yellow card, leaving De Zerbi’s side a man down. Playing with ten men for the entire second half, Marseille were left hanging on by their fingernails as wave after wave of green and white pressure eventually broke through. Geny Catamo levelled with a stunning low strike in the 69th minute after a lengthy VAR check, before Alisson Santos completed the comeback in the 86th minute with his curling effort taking a slight deflection before nestling into the top corner.

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  De Zerbi disgusted with the match official

  De Zerbi’s fury was visible on the touchline. From there, Marseille were forced into damage control, retreating into a deep defensive block while Sporting grew stronger with every passing minute. The Italian coach later made no attempt to hide his disgust with the officiating. “I didn’t like the refereeing at all,” De Zerbi snapped in his post-match interview. "It wasn't made for this match, and with the red, the match changed. Those against Rennes or Lyon are a certain type of defeat. Today, it's something else. This one should give us even more pride and confidence in ourselves."

• De Zerbi explains Greenwood substitution

  Among the many talking points from the night was Greenwood’s surprise withdrawal at half-time. The English forward, who had looked lively early on, was replaced by defender Amir Murillo as Marseille shifted into a more defensive formation. Many questioned the decision, but De Zerbi explained his reasoning with clarity.

  "It's because they sent off Emerson! We had to defend with five, and between Greenwood and Paixao, at that time, the one who had the characteristics to defend and attack was Paixao," he said. "Last year, Greenwood, against Lyon with 10, we put him as a centre forward and he had a lot of trouble. Even Vermeeren, who had played well, I replaced him (with O'Riley) to add a bit more weight."

  Away from the chaos in Lisbon, Greenwood’s name continues to generate headlines in the transfer market. According to TBR Football, Barcelona are plotting an ambitious move that could see him reunited with Marcus Rashford in Catalunya. Rashford, currently enjoying a career revival on loan from Manchester United, has been thriving under Hansi Flick in La Liga. Barca are now reportedly keen to secure a deal for Greenwood as they plan a major attacking rebuild ahead of Robert Lewandowski’s expected departure next summer. Greenwood, 24, has been sensational since joining Marseille, lighting up Ligue 1 with a series of stunning performances. He finished the 2024-25 season with 29 goals in 46 games, sharing the Golden Boot with PSG superstar Ousmane Dembele, who later went on to win the Ballon d’Or. In his most recent outing, Greenwood scored four goals in a 6-2 demolition of Le Havre, a performance that reportedly drew the attention of Barcelona scouts. 

  However, De Zerbi wanted to see more from his striker and said: "It's true that Mason can do more, not just in terms of goals scored because in that area he doesn't need to do better. He's already a top player in front of goal, but he can become one of the best players in the world, because he has the ability. He can improve in helping the team when it needs it, when it's necessary. But I want to protect Mason from criticism, he's always scored a lot of goals and never missed a training session. But he still has room for improvement.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty
  

  A chance for redemption against Lens

  Marseille’s Champions League campaign may have taken a hit, but there’s no time to dwell. De Zerbi’s men return to Ligue 1 action on Saturday against Lens, where Greenwood is expected to start. The manager will hope his star forward channels the frustration from Lisbon into another commanding domestic performance.

The weekend of baseball is here, and two streaking teams look to continue its form in a measuring stick matchup for each club.

The Houston Astros and New York Mets have erased slow starts to the year to get back to .500 and in the Wild Card picture in its respective leagues, but who will have the edge in the series opener on Friday?

I have bets for EVERY game on the loaded Friday night card, catch it all below.

Marlins vs. Phillies Prediction and Pick

Pick: Phillies (-235)

No team struggles more against left handed pitching than the Marlins, who are last in OPS against southpaws. 

Philadelphia should build on its NL East lead. 

Nationals vs. Rays Prediction and Pick

Pick: Nationals (+135)

The Nats are a strong underdog pick in a battle of two teams flirting with getting above .500 as we hit the halfway point of the season. 

Washington will start lefty Mitchell Parker, who can showcase his fine control and elite breaking ball pitches, against a Rays team that is about league average against lefty pitching. 

Rangers vs. Orioles Prediction and Pick

Pick: Orioles (-135)

While Max Scherezer may give the Rangers some upside in this matchup, the team isn’t hitting well enough in the month of June to trust as underdogs against an elite Orioles team. 

Texas is 28th in OPS in the month of June and has a below average bullpen as Scherezer still may be eased into his role in just his second start of the season. 

Yankees vs. Blue Jays Prediction and Pick

Pick: Blue Jays (+100)

New York has dropped nine of 10 games and it may not get easier against the Blue Jays left hander Yusei Kikuchi.

The Yankees lineup has been shallow around MVP front runner Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, and the team is below average in OPS this season against left handed pitching, which Kikuchi is. 

With that in mind, I’ll keep fading the Yankees. 

Rockies vs. White Sox Prediction and Pick

Pick: Rockies (+105)

It’s tough to decipher the difference between these teams, each team is more than 25 games under .500, and with that in mind I’ll grab the underdog Rockies in a game that features two futile clubs. 

Astros vs. Mets Prediction and Pick

Pick: Astros (-115)

Two of the hottest teams in baseball in the month of June meet in Flushing, New York on Friday. 

I’ll side with the road favorite Astros, who have finally gotten on track this season and will start one of its more consistent starters in Ronel Blanco. 

Blanco has been pitching above expectations this season, but not more than Jose Quintana of the Mets, who has posted an xERA of 5.14 with a 15th percentile hard-hit percentage. 

Both teams are playing its best, but I’ll give the nod to Houston. 

Padres vs. Red Sox Prediction and Pick

Pick: Red Sox (-155)

Nick Pivetta is an underrated arm in the American League postseason picture. A savvy veteran who does a good job at forcing soft contact, Pivetta has continued to strike out batters at a high clip (81st percentile). The righty has an ERA of 4.06, but his xERA is slightly lower at 3.95. 

Boston is rightfully a considerable favorite, but its the only side I can back. 

Pirates vs. Braves Prediction and Pick

Pick: Braves (-180)

Atlanta is just outside the top 10 in OPS against left handed pitching, and should have little issue knocking around Martin Perez, who is in the fourth percentile in terms of xBA and has an xERA of 5.70. 

Cubs vs. Brewers Prediction and Pick

Pick: Cubs (+115)

I can’t trust Colin Rea of the Brewers, one of the most regression bound pitchers in baseball. 

Rea is in the bottom 10 percentile in xERA, xBA and strikeout rate, a futile trio to be included in. 

Meanwhile, the Cubs lineup is far below the quality of the Brewers, but the team has the edge on the mound with Jameson Taillon, who has a 2.90 ERA with an elite hard-hit percentage (80th percentile), which can limit the ability for Milwaukee to have a big outing at the plate. 

Guardians vs. Royals Prediction and Pick

Pick: Royals (+100)

The Royals maintain a strong home record at Kauffman Field, 28-15 at home, and I like the team’s chances of winning a second straight against the Guardians. 

Cleveland will start Triston McKenzie, who has struggled all season, and it can get worse. McKenzie has no control of his pitches this season, his 14% walk rate is in the fourth percentile, and has an xERA of 5.24. 

The Royals lineup is struggling, but at home I like the team to handle McKenzie. 

Reds vs. Cardinals Prediction and Pick

Pick: Reds (+110)

I view this game as a coin flip, so I’m inclined to go with the underdog Reds who have a slight pitching edge on Friday. 

Frankie Montas isn’t striking out batters at the same clip as he has in the past, but has done an excellent job of limiting hard contact with an increased blend of off-speed pitches. 

The Reds have been the better team at the plate of late, 11th in OPS this month compared to the Cardinals at 16th, and I’ll take them as road underdogs. 

Tigers vs. Angels Prediction and Pick

Pick: Angels (+100)

The Tigers aren’t the upstart contender we envisioned in the preseason, and shouldn’t be favored against many teams on the road when starting Kenta Maeda. 

Maeda has seen his strikeout rate dwindle to 17%, about 10% lower than last season, and its shown in his spike in ERA to 6.00. 

Twins vs. Mariners Prediction and Pick

Pick: Mariners (-130)

Logan Gilbert should be able to navigate a surging Twins lineup and get the Mariners an impressive win. 

Gilbert has an ERA of 2.71 while showcasing pinpoint command (86th percentile) with the most devastating breaking ball pitches in the bigs this season (100th percentile in terms of run value). 

He’s a must bet at a small price tag. 

Athletics vs. Diamondbacks Prediction and Pick

Pick: Diamondbacks (-155)

Arizona is the third best hitting team against left handed pitching in terms of batting average (.272), which sets up nicely against J.P. Sears of the Athletics. 

Dodgers vs. Giants Prediction and Pick

Pick: Giants (-110)

The Giants will hope Logan Webb can continue to string together consistent efforts with a 94th percentile groundball rate, and limit the power of the Dodgers with his command, 86th percentile walk rate, to get the Giants a win against its high priced division foe. 

Meanwhile, the Dodgers will turn to rookie Landon Knack, who has shown some promise, but his 2.10 ERA is supported by a 3.28 xERA.

Tottenham striker Richarlison could leave the club in 2026, and it is believed that Thomas Frank has already been offered a replacement for the Brazilian.

Richarlison targeted by Orlando City with talks held

The 28-year-old started this season in electric fashion, scoring an early goal of the season contender with a bicycle kick against Burnley on the opening day, but doubts have surrounded Richarlison’s ability to lead the line on a consistent basis.

Signed for £60 million from Everton, the striker’s flashes of brilliance have been undercut by stretches of inconsistent form and bad luck with injuries.

Frank dropped Richarlison in favour of Mathys Tel against Leeds, with the Frenchman responding by scoring their opening goal of the game and helping Tottenham to a gritty 2-1 win at Elland Road.

With his contract expiring in 2027, CEO Vinai Vinkatesham and the new-look Spurs board must make a decision on the striker’s long-term future soon.

Crystal Palace have been named as a potential destination for Richarlison, as have MLS side Orlando City, who’ve moved with the most serious intent so far.

Oscar Pareja’s side held a meeting with the forward’s representatives in London ahead of a potential 2026 move, according to reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano, with an exit for Richarlison next summer viewed as possible, even if he’s a “key player” for Frank at this moment in time.

Dominic Solanke’s injury woes, with the striker still out of action after minor ankle surgery, also highlights the potential need for Spurs to consider new striker options heading into next year.

Frank is said to have personally contacted Ivan Toney about the possibility of joining Tottenham on loan in January, according to some reports, and now Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović has emerged as an option too.

Tottenham offered Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović by agents

According to journalist Graeme Bailey and TBR Football, Vlahovic’s camp are reaching out to potential suitors, and they’ve held talks with Spurs.

The Serbia international’s contract expires in 2026, meaning he could be available either for free next summer or for a small fee in January. He’s started the campaign in fine form — scoring four goals in eight appearances so far — including a brace against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

That being said, he’d almost certainly have to take a dramatic pay cut on his rumoured £370,000-per-week wages if a move to N17 is to become possible.

As Tottenham are offered the chance to sign Vlahovic, with Barcelona and Bayern Munich also weighing up free transfer offers next summer, Frank’s side could potentially sneak ahead of the European heavyweights by agreeing a low-cost winter deal.

Money won’t be an obstacle, especially since the Lewis family have just pumped £100 million into Spurs via ENIC.

What’s more, Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappé has already called Vlahovic “one of the best of his generation”.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has heaped praise on his captain Reece James after the England star's performance against rivals Tottenham Hotspur. James, who is naturally a right-back, started the game at the base of the Blues midfield alongside Moises Caicedo and was key to their victory in north London. The Blues saw off Thomas Frank's Spurs 1-0, courtesy of a Joao Pedro winner in the first half.

• Chelsea win midfield battle against Spurs

  James has been deployed in midfield on more than a handful of occasions for Chelsea since Maresca made the switch from Leicester to Stamford Bridge. The defender has excelled in the middle of the park, where his athleticism and craft on the ball has allowed him to make a smooth transition. James was deputising for Enzo Fernandez, who has been suffering with an injury for the last couple of weeks, and was a more than capable stand-in. The Argentine midfielder has created a solid double pivot with Caicedo in recent seasons, but may find his spot in the team under threat should James continue to offer something different in a more advanced role. Maresca has experimented with his full-backs drifting into midfield in a number of games, with Malo Gusto also popping up in more central positions. The Italian coach was delighted that, with the help of James, the Blues won the midfield battle and dominated a feeble Spurs side. 

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Maresca delighted with James

  Speaking to Chelseafc.com, Maresca explained his decision to start with the physical James in midfield from the off. “I think yesterday we needed a little bit more physicality in the middle,” Maresca said. “We expected them to play with [Pape Mater] Sarr, with [Rodrigo] Bentancur, with [Joao] Palhinha. We didn't expect them with four midfielders, because then [Lucas] Bergvall also played.”

  Despite the four midfielders fielded by Frank, the Blues still won out. The Italian hailed James who, despite shifting into an unnatural role, looked like he had been playing in his new role his whole career. Maresca explained: “‘I think Reece is doing fantastic when he's playing as a midfielder, he's doing fantastic when he's playing full-back, and he's doing fantastic in terms of leadership with the players inside the changing room.”

  James has regained his form this season and has produced standout performances down the right-flank and in the centre of the pitch. The Blues captain has struggled in recent seasons with his fitness and has seen his place in the squad under threat by the likes of Gusto. Despite his lengthy spells on the sidelines, James’ talent has never been questioned.

• James strengthens grip on World Cup spot

  No one appreciates the right-back’s talent more than his former Blues coach and current England boss Thomas Tuchel. The German has opted to start James in the majority of his games in charge of the Three Lions and, given James’ form this season, the Chelsea captain is unlikely to surrender that starting berth before the World Cup.

  James missed out on the European Championships last year through fitness and, under Gareth Southgate, found himself behind Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kieran Trippier in the pecking order. Now under the stewardship of Tuchel and barring any further injury troubles, James will be England’s starting right-back in the US, Canada and Mexico in 2026.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• AFP
  

  New challenges await the Blues

  The games keep coming thick and fast for the Blues, who face a lengthy trip to Azerbaijan in mid-week. Chelsea take on Qarabag in the Champions League on Wednesday in a tough test of their squad depth. The Azerbaijani champions have won two of their three games in the tournament’s league phase, matching Chelsea on six points.

  The Blues then return to Stamford Bridge to host Wolves. It could prove to be a difficult encounter to prepare for, despite their opponents rooted to the foot of the Premier League table, given the club have sacked Vitor Pereira. A replacement for the Portuguese coach is yet to be announced and any new appointment could throw up a different tactical challenge for the Italian to deal with.

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani suffered a shoulder injury during Game 2 of the World Series against the New York Yankees. Although he played through the injury, it was clear that he was in pain throughout the remainder of the series and that the ailment impacted his ability to swing the bat.

On Tuesday, just under one week after the team clinched its eighth World Series title, the Dodgers announced that Ohtani had undergone surgery to repair his injured shoulder.

The Dodgers indicated that Ohtani had sustained a torn labrum in his left shoulder. After undergoing surgery, the team said it expects the 30-year-old to be ready for spring training.

Ohtani suffered the injury while sliding after stealing a base in Game 2. He remained in the leadoff spot for the remaining three games of the series but struggled at the plate. In Games 3, 4, and 5, Ohtani tallied just one hit in 14 plate appearances and could often be seen grimacing in pain when swinging.

This marks the second major surgery Ohtani has undergone in the past year-plus, having also had a procedure in September of 2023 to repair the UCL in his right elbow.

In 2024, Ohtani slashed .310/.390/.646 with 54 home runs, 130 RBI, and 59 stolen bases. Virtually a lock to win NL MVP, Ohtani became the first player in MLB history to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season.

Fabio Vieira’s spell at Hamburg has gone from bad to worse after the Arsenal loanee was sent off for the second time in just five Bundesliga games. The 25-year-old midfielder, who joined the German club on a season-long loan in the summer, lost his cool during a 4-1 defeat to Koln, receiving a second yellow card late on as HSV slumped to their fourth loss of the season.

• Arsenal loanee Vieira sent off for the second time for HSV

  Vieira had another nightmare outing for Hamburg as he was dismissed for protesting with the referee during a 4-1 defeat to Koln in the Bundesliga. The Portuguese playmaker, on loan from Arsenal, had earlier seen a potential goal ruled out for offside before his frustration boiled over in the closing stages. Vieira’s sending-off came just four minutes after team-mate Immanuel Pherai was also dismissed, leaving Hamburg to finish the game with nine men.

  Koln had already taken control through goals from Ragnar Ache and Florian Kainz before Jean-Luc Dompe briefly gave Hamburg hope with a strike in the 61st minute. However, with two players sent off in the final 10 minutes, the visitors collapsed defensively, conceding twice in stoppage time to Said El Mala and Jakub Kaminski. It was a costly night all around, as Hamburg dropped to 13th in the table with only eight points from their opening fixtures.

  For Vieira, the red card was his second in five league appearances for the club, compounding what has been a disastrous start to his spell in Germany. His earlier dismissal, for a high challenge on Leopold Querfeld during a goalless draw with Union Berlin, resulted in a two-match suspension handed down by the German FA. The latest incident is likely to bring further scrutiny on the Arsenal loanee, and he will be suspended for two more games due to this being his second sending-off of the season.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Playmaker unlikely to return to Arsenal

  Vieira’s move to Hamburg was meant to be a chance for the 25-year-old to rebuild confidence after two underwhelming years at Arsenal. Signed from Porto in 2022 for around £30 million ($39.5m). However, consistent opportunities under Mikel Arteta were limited, with the Portugal youth international managing just three Premier League starts across two seasons.

  Despite showing glimpses of promise, including scoring the winning penalty in Arsenal’s 2023 Community Shield triumph over Manchester City, Vieira struggled to adapt to the physical demands of English football. A return to Porto on loan last season seemed to rejuvenate him, as he contributed five goals and six assists across 42 appearances. Those performances earned him another loan move, this time to Hamburg, who saw him as a key figure in their first season in the Bundesliga after seven years in the second tier.

  Instead, Vieira’s stint in Germany has been marred by indiscipline and inconsistency. His two red cards have overshadowed any flashes of quality, and with Hamburg’s results faltering, patience is wearing thin among supporters.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Arsenal signed Vieira in 2022 as a promising talent

  Vieira’s recent struggles are a far cry from his rise at Porto, where he emerged as one of Portugal’s brightest young midfielders alongside current Paris Saint-Germain superstar Vitinha. The playmaker played over 100 senior matches for his boyhood club, winning multiple domestic titles and representing Portugal at various youth levels. His form during the 2021–22 campaign, when he helped Porto to a league title, convinced Arsenal to make their £30m move.

  At Arsenal, Vieira has made 49 appearances across all competitions, recording two goals and six assists. He has sometimes impressed in cup fixtures but found it difficult to displace Martin Odegaard and other midfielders in Arteta’s preferred midfield setup. His technical ability was never in question, yet his lack of physicality and consistency made it hard to establish a regular starting role in the Premier League.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• What does Vieira's troublesome loan spell mean for his career?

  Hamburg’s immediate concern will be steadying their form ahead of next week’s clash, as they look to climb away from the lower reaches of the table. Head coach Merlin Polzin and the club’s hierarchy must decide whether to continue relying on Vieira once his suspension ends, or look elsewhere for stability in midfield.

  The coming months are crucial in determining Vieira's long-term future at both club and international level. Arsenal will be monitoring his progress closely, but with Arteta’s midfield already stacked with options, a path back into the first team looks increasingly unlikely.

Manchester United are looking to kick on under Ruben Amorim after the win against Sunderland and could now look to beat Manchester City to a statement signing in the January window.

Manchester United look to elevate themselves in Premier League

Undoubtedly, the Red Devils have taken time to get going this season, and their start hasn’t been plain sailing as they integrate new signings and try to find their best starting line-up.

Nevertheless, a victory over Sunderland has restored morale at Old Trafford and has relieved some pressure on Amorim’s situation at the club, which will give supporters some cause for optimism as Manchester United head for the international break.

Oliver Glasner has been linked to the Red Devils’ hotseat, and there will be other names mentioned if results begin to take another dip, but Amorim appears safe for now and will hope his side can kick on over the coming weeks.

With international breaks splitting the season into mini-blocks, the January transfer window isn’t actually too far down the line and rumours are already beginning to circulate regarding who could come in to improve Manchester United’s squad.

Reports suggest that the Red Devils are fighting Manchester City to sign Atletico Madrid full-back Nahuel Molina in a deal that could be worth in the region of £26 million.

Forget Casemiro: Man Utd flop is the biggest waste of money since Antony

Manchester United made a huge mistake in spending big money on a talent who has failed to deliver at Old Trafford.

By
Ethan Lamb

Oct 3, 2025

Truthfully, it remains to be seen if spending power is there after a summer window that saw £250 million shelled out at Old Trafford. PSR rules will need to be respected, and January is a notoriously hard month to conclude business.

Still, Manchester United may not be done in their quest to pip Manchester City to signings if recent developments are to evolve.

Man Utd look to pip Man City to sign Aleksandar Pavlovic

According to SportBild’s Tobias Altschäffl, Manchester United have made an approach via intermediaries for Bayern Munich star Aleksandar Pavlovic and he is now firmly on their radar alongside rivals Manchester City, who have been strongly linked with the player for weeks.

He said when asked by Christian Falk about his situation: “Juventus Turin and Paris are not yet so moving. With the English, this is absolutely true. It is known that the Pavlović side was approached via intermediaries. They would like to get Pavlović. At City, he’s even higher on the list.”

Making his presence felt at the Bundesliga holders, Pavlovic has made seven appearances across all competitions this term, scoring once against Hamburg.

Primarily a holding midfielder, the Germany international could well be a long-term replacement for Casemiro. Still, the Red Devils will need to convince him that their project is worth investing in, amid a run of inconsistent results this term.

Showing ambition hasn’t been a problem so far for INEOS, though this could be their most important capture yet amid strong interest from their rivals.

The Miami Marlins haven't had much to play for over the past few months. Far removed from playoff contention right out of the gates, they've struggled mightily, as evidenced by their 100 losses on the year. But the opportunity to play spoiler can breath life into a team and crazy things can happen. Like they did Thursday night in Minneapolis as the Marlins squandered a four-run lead, did a bunch of other stuff that usually proves fatal to the goal of winning and … still walked away with an 8-6 victory in 13 innings that put the Twins on the brink of elimination.

In addition to coughing away a nice cushion, the Marlins struck out 20 times, left 15 runners stranded on base, did not hit a longball, and committed two errors. No team in the history of baseball, which touts nearly a quarter of a million games, had ever survived all that to win.

It's probably not a night that Marlins fans will have any particular reason to remember. Twins fans, on the other hand, will rue the night—and so many other nights down the stretch—where they failed to capitalize and keep their team from taking on even more water. As of this morning their chances of making the postseason have dropped all the way to about 4 percent. But as we were reminded again on Thursday night, anything is possible in baseball.