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Tottenham Hotspur were left feeling rather empty when Daniel Levy made the bold decision to dismiss Ange Postecoglou at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, just weeks after he ended 17 years of silverware-searching by winning the Europa League.

But Spurs’ 17th-place Premier League was inexcusable, and the cracks ran back through the lion’s share of the previous season, with injuries yet again wreaking havoc down N17.

And anyway, Tottenham have at least appointed the perfect successor, with Thomas Frank having left his admired Brentford post to lead the Londoners into a new era.

With last year’s title paving the road into the Champions League, sights are now set on going from strength to strength. Frank has certainly started off on firm footing there, having welcomed Mohammed Kudus into his brood, with Levy also activating permanent options in Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso’s loan deals.

But more is certainly needed.

The latest Spurs transfer news

Tottenham thought they had reached an agreement to sign Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, but the Tricky Trees are looking to put paid to the move, alleging that the Lilywhites illegally approached the England international.

As such, it appears Frank has swivelled his outfit’s attention to RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons, having initiated talks. Arsenal and Chelsea both have concrete interests of their own.

Simons would add an elite injection of creativity and dynamism into the attacking midfield, but Spurs are also seeking an industrious, deeper-lying player.

And according to Football Insider, their sights are set on Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton. Oliver Glasner is desperate to keep the 21-year-old, with Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi both slated for departures from south London this summer.

Liverpool, Manchester City, and Real Madrid have also been keeping tabs on the English talent, who has been priced north of £100m by the Eagles, looking to fend off interest in their prized possession.

Why Spurs want Adam Wharton

Crystal Palace knew they had a star on their hands when signing a teenage Wharton from Blackburn Rovers for £18m in February 2024.

He had only featured 51 times for Blackburn’s senior side, but increasingly caught the eye for his confident, age-belying performances in the Championship.

Across a term-and-a-half in the Premier League, Wharton has demonstrated a tactical aptitude and coolness on the ball that evades most young midfielders looking to earn their trade, with Three Lions teammate Declan Rice singling him out as a “top-level” midfield prospect ahead of last year’s European Championship.

As per FBref, Wharton ranked among the top 9% of central midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues last season for progressive passes, the top 7% for shot-creating actions, and the top 4% for ball recoveries per 90.

Through this data, we can glean that the touted talent is nurturing one of the most exciting passing profiles in the business, with his immense rate of recovery indicating an energy and athleticism that would be perfect for Frank’s high-energy style of play.

He’s only played 36 times in the English top flight, racking up five assists, but Wharton has already proven himself to be a superstar in the making, instrumental in helping Palace toward their maiden FA Cup title, defeating Manchester City in the final.

Beforehand, journalist Henry Winter had lauded the maestro as a “passing machine” for his effort against Aston Villa in the semi-final, continuing to label him as “the best player on the pitch.”

Though Tottenham already have talented creative midfielders such as James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, the Englishman is routinely injured and knocked out of kilter, talented though he is, while Kulusevski is more of a workhorse, and whether Frank opts to deploy him down the right flank with a greater regularity remains to be seen.

Simons, a 28-cap Netherlands international, isn’t quite the same profile as Gibbs-White, who can play deeper and is perhaps more embracing of the defensive side of the game, but he would still be a significant addition to a Tottenham side looking to make an impact across multiple fronts.

The 22-year-old, moreover, is tactically sharp and incredibly potent when in dangerous positions, be that as a creator or someone willing to strike on goal. In this way, he could be a wonderful partner for Wharton, whose stroked long passes would find a home at the Dutchman’s feet, who, in space, can make things happen.

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Wharton is not one-note, either. Across the recent Premier League campaign, injuries limited him to just 16 starts. But, as per Sofascore, he still applied an active defensive presence, averaging one interception and 1.7 tackles per game, also avoiding a single error across the term.

Contrast that with, say, Yves Bissouma, who made six errors of various shapes and sizes despite only starting 16 matches himself, and you can really see the kind of upgrade Tottenham would enjoy in the engine room by signing Wharton.

This steely stability would be perfect for a playmaker such as Simons, who would need to look around and see a fluent system in order to settle and thrive.

Completing these deals would achieve a sense of synergy that simply wasn’t there last season, with Wharton establishing a strong through line into the final third, which Simons could clasp onto and make things happen for a Frank team who promise so much, who are capable of so much.

Their own Gyokeres: "Sensational" £50m striker now wants to sign for Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur could be edging closer to another big-money signing this summer.

1 ByEthan Lamb Jul 18, 2025

Notts will stay up if they avoid defeat in final round of fixtures

ECB Reporters Network19-Sep-2024Nottinghamshire have thrashed Kent by ten wickets in the Vitality County Championship at Canterbury, condemning the hosts to relegation and boosting their own survival hopes into the bargain.Jacob Duffy took 4 for 60 and Robert Lord 3 for 42 as Kent were dismissed for 230 in their second innings.Joey Evison scored 42 to make Nottinghamshire bat again, but the target was a mere 23 and the visitors needed just 3.3 overs to chase it down, Ben Slater finishing on 22 not out with Haseeb Hameed unbeaten on 6.The result ends Kent’s wafer-thin chances of staying in the top flight, while Notts will stay up provided they avoid defeat in the final round of fixtures next week.Kent began day three on 85 for 0, still 123 behind, but even their most pessimistic of fans, a title for which there is some fairly stiff competition this season, would have struggled to imagine a start as grim as this one.Batting conditions were arguably the best they’d been, but they lost Tawanda Muyeye for 60 to the sixth ball of the morning, when he hit Duffy almost vertically and was caught by Dane Schadendorf.Fellow opener Ben Compton was lbw to Lyndon James for 32 and Jack Leaning then swished at a short-pitched ball from Duffy and was caught behind for a third-ball duck.Lord replaced James at the Nackington Road end and had Joe Denly caught by Freddie McCann in the slips for 8 with his third delivery before Duffy sent Daniel Bell-Drummond’s off stump flying for 21. In the next over, the 31st, Lord got Harry Finch for a second-ball duck, the victim of a superb one-handed grab by Schadendorf.Matt Parkinson made 9 before Farhan Ahmed had him caught by McCann at leg slip but when Akeem Jordan then hit a boundary, a lone voice on the Old Dover Road sang: “We will make you bat again,” to the tune of “Bread of Heaven.” His faith, at least, was rewarded.Having begun the day with an over rate of minus four, Notts bowled spin from both ends to get themselves back level before lunch, at which point Kent had eroded the deficit to just 12.Jordan creamed Duffy for six to bring up the 50 partnership and Evison swept Ahmed to bring the scores level, but Ahmed got Jordan lbw with the next ball for 32 and Duffy bowled Nathan Gilchrist for a third-ball duck.A sterile passage of play followed as the fielders stayed on the boundary when Evison had the strike, but as soon as Lord returned from the Pavilion end he had him caught at point.The only question remaining was how long it would take Notts to tick off the runs and Slater did it some style, pulling Jordan for six.Notts take 23 points and Kent three.

Newcastle United have sent scouts to watch an “electric” versatile attacker in action, according to an encouraging new transfer update.

Newcastle stand strong in Isak battle

The Magpies may be focusing on new signings currently, but keeping hold of Alexander Isak is more important than any incoming business during the summer transfer window.

The 25-year-old was left out of Newcastle’s squad for their 4-0 defeat to Celtic in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, and while it led to some concern among the fanbase about him leaving, Eddie Howe allayed any fears about his omission.

Even if Isak stays, though, Newcastle could do with adding more depth and quality to their attack, and a new update suggests that that could well be the case.

Newcastle have scouted "electric" attacker

According to NUFC Blog, Newcastle have been scouting OGC Nice attacker Evann Guessand and could now make their move having failed in other pursuits.

It is stated that a move for the 24-year-old “could be explored” if the Magpies’ search for a new attacking player moves “to the European market” in the coming weeks. He is also described as a “similar profile” to former Brighton striker Joao Pedro, who is now at Chelsea, in terms of “being able to play anywhere across the front line or as a second striker”.

Statistically speaking, it is actually Liverpool star Cody Gakpo he compares to, with FBRef profiling both players very highly in terms of both goal threat and defensive contriubtion from a winger/forward hybrid role.

Guessand is however a relative unknown compared to some of the big-name players linked with Newcastle of late, but that’s not to say he wouldn’t be an excellent addition. The Frenchman bagged 12 goals and eight assists in Ligue 1 last season, coming in 30 starts, and journalist Antonio Mango has described him as an “electric” player.

As stated, Guessand isn’t dissimilar to Pedro or Gakpo in terms of style, with the Nice star capable of shining as an attacking midfielder, centre forward or winger, drifting into those half spaces and providing end product.

More exciting than Wissa: Newcastle preparing move to sign £86m "monster"

Newcastle United are ready to offer £86m for the services of this monster attacker.

ByKelan Sarson Jul 21, 2025

At 24, he is also still learning as a footballer, with further gears to find, and if the worst-case scenario does happen with Isak, he could be a strong long-term successor. Hopefully though, he comes in and thrives alongside the Swedish superstar.

New Zealand’s key selection call ahead of the first Test in India will be whether to play three quicks

Andrew McGlashan13-Oct-20241:46

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Former New Zealand captain Tim Southee will be at the centre of a selection debate ahead of the first Test against India as the visitors ponder the balance of their attack for Bengaluru and weigh up whether to play three quicks.Southee stood down from the captaincy after the 2-0 defeat in Sri Lanka last month and there’s a chance he loses his place in the XI straightaway after a lean run in format where he has taken eight wickets at 73.12 this year.Related

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He is working to discover the “snap” in his bowling action but though be boasts a handy record in India with 20 wickets at 28.70, including his career-best 7 for 64 in Bengaluru 12 years ago, his place will likely be under scrutiny whichever way New Zealand structure their bowling attack.If they opt for just two quicks Matt Henry has a strong case to partner Will O’Rourke who was impressive in Sri Lanka, while if they played three the choice would then be between Southee’s experience or the extra pace of Ben Sears who made a mark on his debut against Australia in March.Head coach Gary Stead said that the discussions between him and Southee after the Sri Lanka series would remain private but acknowledged they were “delicate” and did concede that without Southee as captain it allowed greater flexibility in selection.Matt Henry will be in the mix to return to the side•AFP/Getty Images”Like all Test tours and series we have reviews at the end of it and Tim and I had a conversation around it, then he made the decision to stand down,” Stead said. “He thought it was in the best interests of the team. I supported his decision around that.”It allows different players to be considered in roles and as a selector and coach you are always trying to put what you think is the very best team out there. With Tim as captain, he was the guy who was starting for us and leading that team and think we were always looking at the options that were best for the team going forward.”An additional factor with the balance of New Zealand’s attack is the impact on the lower-order batting. Mitchell Santner batted No. 8 against Sri Lanka while Michael Bracewell would be another spin-bowling option, but Bengaluru turns out to help fast bowlers, and three quicks were selected, then either Henry or Southee would need to take on the role of chipping in with some runs down the order.”They’ve both scored fifties so that’s always the balance that possibly in New Zealand you think about more, especially if it’s going to be real seamer-friendly,” Stead said. “Think here the first thing you want to do is make sure you’ve got the bowlers you think can take 20 wickets.”Southee is working with bowling coach Jacob Oram on trying to rediscover his wicket-taking form and has been studying video from successful periods in a career which has so far brought 382 Test wickets, leaving him on the brink of becoming just the second New Zealand bowler to 400.”From my conversations with Tim he recognised he hasn’t been at his best but there’s certainly no desire to not get back there,” Stead said. “He’s working hard in the background, he’s doing everything he can and trying to rediscover what that little thing he feels is missing is.”There’s a couple of little technical points Tim’s working on. He’s working with [Jacob] Oram around them. We’ve looked back at quite a bit of video from previous years and times he’s played in India and had success. It’s just trying to rediscover that and find a little bit, I guess you could call it snap back into his action.”Stead added that Will Young was likely to bat No. 3 in the first Test in the absence of Kane Williamson who is recovering from a groin strain. There remains hope that Williamson will be available for the second Test with a call likely to be made during the first few days of the Bengaluru game.India will be without Mohammed Shami but Stead noted the depth of talent India were able to call on. “If they have an injury it doesn’t seem to effect them like other teams. There’s someone else who can come in who is equally adept,” he said. “They have the mass of numbers they can call but they are also very skilful and are an experienced team with a lot of Test caps. They play a brand of cricket that makes it very difficult for you over here but that’s the challenge that’s ahead of us.”

Glasgow Rangers have utilised the loan market to great effect in recent seasons to bolster their squad with talents they would otherwise be unable to afford.

Malik Tillman from Bayern Munich. Vaclav Cerny from Wolfsburg. Abdallah Sima from Brighton & Hove Albion. These are all recent examples of exciting forwards who thrived at Ibrox after joining on loan.

However, not every talented loan player has found success in Glasgow, as Manchester United loanee Amad Diallo failed to hit his stride with Rangers.

The current Red Devils star spent the second half of the 2021/22 campaign on loan at Ibrox and only delivered three goals and zero assists in ten matches in the Scottish Premiership, a far cry from the 11 goals and eight assists he produced for United last season.

Rangers schedule medical to sign teen star

Rangers and Russell Martin may now have to be careful with their latest reported target, as they are looking to bring in another teenage loanee from the Premier League.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

According to journalist Paul Gilmour, Rangers have scheduled a medical for Tottenham Hotspur winger Mikey Moore for later this week, if all goes to plan.

The Gers are closing in on a season-long loan deal for the England U19 star, and Gilmour describes it as a ‘mutually beneficial’ deal for all parties involved.

He adds that Birmingham, Charlton, West Brom, and Coventry were also among the teams interested in a deal to sign the 17-year-old forward, which shows that Rangers have beaten off plenty of competition to close in on a deal for the Spurs gem.

Why Mikey Moore may be an Amad Diallo repeat

As was the case with Amad, there is no doubt that Moore is a young talent with huge potential to be a star in the future, as he has already made a first-team breakthrough at Spurs at the age of 17, playing 21 times.

However, this move to Ibrox would be the English dynamo’s first experience of playing senior football on a regular basis and there is no telling how he will adapt to that, as the youngster could struggle to make the transition at first.

That was the case for Amad, who had only played 14 first-team games before his loan to Rangers, and he then only managed three goals and zero assists in 13 games for the club.

Analyst Ben Mattinson claimed that Moore has “superstar potential”, as Amad – who now stars for Manchester United in the Premier League – did, but it is down to him to realise that potential on the pitch in Scotland.

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As you can see in the table above, the English forward has all the tools to be a success if he can translate his youth form over to senior level, as he scored and assisted goals on a regular basis for club and country at various age groups.

Moore has only scored one goal for Tottenham’s first-team, as shown in the post above, though, and this means that it remains to be seen if he can make an immediate impact at Rangers.

Ultimately, this is an exciting move for the Gers but it is also a gamble as there is the potential that he follows in Amad Diallo’s footsteps at Ibrox, as an incredibly talented player who will use this loan as an initial struggle before going on to thrive in England in the future.

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Of course, Martin will be hoping that he can help Moore to enjoy a successful first loan spell, unlike Amad’s, if this deal gets over the line as planned.

Spain national team boss Luis de la Fuente has lauded his current crop of players and highlighted the unlimited potential of the team.

De la Fuente lauds his teamSpain thrash Turkey in the World Cup qualifiersSpaniard demands improvement from playersFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

De la Fuente was mesmerised by Spain's performance as they trounced Turkey 6-0 in World Cup qualifying on Sunday. The coach went on to laud the likes of Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Mikel Merino and others for their exhilarating victory away from home, claiming this is a generation that has the capacity to reach heights beyond his imagination.

AdvertisementAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Pedri, Ferran Torres and Merino were in the limelight along with wonderkid Yamal in Sunday's impressive victory. While Pedri found the back of the net twice, Merino netted a hat-trick and Torres scored a solitary goal in the 53rd minute as Spain recorded a second victory in as many matches in qualifying. They sit at the top of Group E with six points, nine goals scored and none conceded.

WHAT DE LA FUENTE SAID

The manager said: "This is a team with a capacity for improvement beyond my imagination. This is an insatiable generation that always wants to win and win and win, and be better. But we're already thinking about what we need to do to improve next month. That's something they have inside; it's an exceptional competitive gene. This generation is exceptional, but we have to proceed with great caution because we're in the process and there's still a long time left – specifically, nine months until the start of the World Cup. This group is normal, natural; they won't lose their feet on the ground."

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR SPAIN?

Spain will take on Georgia in their third World Cup qualifier on October 11.

Jamie Vardy has embarked on an unexpected journey to Serie A with Cremonese, drawing inspiration from his boyhood idol, Alessandro Del Piero. The 38-year-old English striker, renowned for his remarkable rise from non-league football to Premier League stardom, is eager to make his mark in Italy's top division as he's set to make his debut against Verona on Monday.

A new beginning in Italy

At 38, Vardy has joined Serie A club Cremonese, marking a significant shift in his illustrious career. Departing from Leicester City after 13 years, where he scored 200 goals in 500 appearances, Vardy is set to bring his experience and goal-scoring prowess to the Italian league. Despite concerns about his age, the striker is determined to prove his critics wrong. In a candid interview with , the English striker talks about his upcoming challenges.

“Once I made my decision, that was it. I was coming here," he said. "I’m settling in really well and just can’t wait to get going now. It’s all about match days and wanting to pick the results up, so now it’s about just knuckling down when I get given the opportunity, helping my teammates out as much as I can and hopefully chipping in with some goals.”

AdvertisementgettyVardy move to Italy is inspired by Juventus legend

Reflecting on his early influences, Vardy revealed that Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero was his footballing idol.

“When I was younger, it was Del Piero," he added. "You watch him play – he was unbelievable. Watching him score most weeks was really encouraging for me. Having watched that, me coming here and trying to do exactly the same – it’s really exciting.”

Embracing the challenge of fitting in a new league

Vardy's decision to move to Italy was also influenced by conversations with Cremonese's manager, Davide Nicola. The striker was drawn to Nicola's passion for the club and his vision of building a team of fighters.

“The passion that he’s got for the football club and for the football itself, and how he wants to progress and wanting a team of fighters – that was me down to a tee," he further added. "Every week, it’s not about who you’re playing against, it’s what you do as a team and that’s what we’re just going to concentrate on. They’re all going to be difficult. Everyone wants to get three points. I might have to adapt slightly, but it’s something that I’m looking forward to doing."

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Getty Images SportFamily life and the anticipation of debut

The former Leicester striker's family is still in England completing their Visa procedures but they play an instrumental part as he about to kick-off his Serie A career.

"They’re not here yet at this moment – obviously you have to go through the procedures to get visas and things like that – but they’re really looking forward to it. A real buzz and excitement, especially with getting to learn a new language as well."

Vardy is all set to make his Serie A debut on Monday when Cremonense faces Verona. He is excited and says: "I’m here to fight, to score, and to help this club make its mark. Forza Cremonese."

Sunderland fans would have been preparing for a new dawn this time last season as Regis Le Bris entered the Championship side’s dug-out.

Nobody would have quite anticipated, just a year on, that the Black Cats would be dining at the illustrious Premier League table for the 2025/26 campaign, with the likes of Granit Xhaka raring to go in Sunderland red and white as West Ham United travel to Wearside.

Arthur Masuaku will also be excited by the prospect of potentially lining up against his former employers on the opening day, with even more new signings expected through the door before September’s early cut-off.

Sunderland show interest in £26m forward

The hope is that the early-season performances won’t be too disjointed, as Sunderland’s ten new recruits try to hit the ground running in such a daunting division immediately.

More quality may be needed to ensure the step-up doesn’t swallow Le Bris and Co whole, with centre-back target Loic Bade one presence who could really boost the Frenchman’s options defensively, having been on Sunderland’s radar for some time now.

The top-flight newcomers also look set to announce Omar Alderete as their staggering 11th buy of the summer, meaning Le Bris’ centre-back options will be enhanced for definite when a £10m deal for the 28-year-old to join from Getafe is officially announced.

The attack could also be sprinkled with more quality if Sunderland secure the services of Bayer Leverkusen star Amine Adli shortly, with a report from German outlet Kicker speculating that the Black Cats hold interest in the 25-year-old winger, among other suitors.

Kicker states that both Marseille and AFC Bournemouth are also keen on landing the Leverkusen speedster, who is reportedly available for a fee around the £26m region.

With Sunderland’s excessive spending on full display all across the summer to date, this shouldn’t be an eye-watering amount to fork out for Adli, especially if he becomes Le Bris’ own version of Jack Clarke that helps Sunderland to navigate the step-up more comfortably.

How Adli could become Le Bris' own Clarke at Sunderland

Unfortunately, Clarke would hop off the Black Cats train before he could bask in the glory of a promotion.

Still, he left a lasting impact on the Stadium of Light masses during his lengthy stay on Wearside, as seen in him tallying up an impressive 28 goals and 23 assists from 114 games, even as his team regularly faltered in their hunt for a return to the top-flight.

Now, Le Bris will hope he can strike gold on another entertaining, gung-ho winger in the same mould as Clarke in Adli, with the 25-year-old already being dubbed as “electric” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig for his ability to bomb forward with ease.

Often lining up down Clarke’s trusty left-hand side, the Moroccan forward has become a staple of many a Leverkusen side since his move from Toulouse in 2021, with Adli now ready to take the English game by storm as a versatile trickster under Le Bris’ wing.

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While 16 of Adli’s overall 47 goal contributions for the Bundesliga giants have been on this left flank, he will also be a valued member of the Frenchman’s camp moving forward for his prowess to line up as an attacking midfielder and as a striker if needed.

After all, Clarke also possessed this same adaptability in spurts, with two of his career goals on Wearside coming from an unusual centre-forward role.

On top of that, Adli has had to deal with the pressures of being in the Leverkusen spotlight since a very early age, much like what Clarke had to come to terms with when lining up for Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur, before coming out of the other side of these disruptive spells with Sunderland.

Further lauded as “sensational” for his direct approach by U23 scout Antonio Mango, this does feel like a signing that would really enhance an already captivating Black Cats forward line, particularly if the 25-year-old attacker goes on to be as revered as Clarke before him.

Another Le Fee-level signing: Sunderland in the mix to sign £26m "animal"

Sunderland could secure another statement buy by landing this rampaging £26m attacker.

ByKelan Sarson Aug 7, 2025

Tim Southee cameo adds late runs after NZ stumble from position of strength

Valkerie Baynes13-Dec-2024Half-centuries to Tom Latham and Mitchell Santner added some gloss to a battling New Zealand innings on the opening day of the third and final Test against England in Hamilton.Whereas the second Test was a maelstrom of match-shaping moments, this Test progressed at an altogether more believable pace but the situation at stumps was similar, New Zealand having blown a position of strength in the face of a persistent England performance that left the day evenly poised, thanks in no small part to Santner’s unbeaten fifty off 54 balls with his side nine wickets down.In Wellington, New Zealand ended the first day on the back foot at 86 for 5 in response to their opponents’ 280, clawed back from 4 for 43. Here, an opening partnership of 105 between Latham and Will Young – standing in while Devon Conway is on paternity leave – had the hosts in unfamiliar territory for this series before they lurched to 231 for 7, losing five wickets for 59 runs.But a neat cameo of 23 in 10 balls from Tim Southee in his farewell match, which included three sixes to take his tally to 98 from his 107-Test career, and Santner’s late charge lifted them to 315 for 9 at the close, the Black Caps adding 76 runs off the last eight overs of the day.England’s bowlers lacked bite in the first session but they frustrated New Zealand through the middle session and lured them into some loose shot selection during the evening.Latham’s half-century underpinned the hosts’ steady start after Young failed to add to his 42 runs after lunch – a staggering 40 of those coming in fours – and Kane Williamson couldn’t convert, falling for 44 when he was bowled in slow-motion trying in vain to kick a Matthew Potts delivery away from his stumps.Were it not for Santner’s freewheeling knock, New Zealand could have been in a worse state with no other batter passing Southee’s score from No. 10.New Zealand’s recalibrated opening partnership of Latham and Young expertly navigated the morning session, reaching lunch at 93 without loss after being sent in by England under skies which had turned from bright to overcast within the hour before play, then returned to blazing sunshine after the main meal break.Young made a watchful start, facing 10 deliveries before he got off the mark with four off Potts, himself making his first appearance of the series in replacing Chris Woakes.Young was into his work after that, no doubt to the delight of New Zealand fans who had been willing his inclusion after his Player-of-the-Series performance on the Black Caps’ successful tour of India which was just a matter of weeks ago but felt so distant as their side slid to a 2-0 deficit against England.He was streaky to begin with, his next two boundaries coming off the edge through backward point and piercing the cordon. But by halfway through the morning session, Young and Latham had negotiated a nibbling pitch to ease their way to 46 without loss, already more than double New Zealand’s previous best opening partnership this series.Shortly after the first drinks break, Young had helped himself to six fours all up, punishing Brydon Carse twice in one over as the England quick struggled to nail his lengths.Latham was dropped on 12 and 53 by Ben Duckett, either side of England breaking his stand with Young, prised out by an excellent Gus Atkinson delivery which drew an edge to Harry Brook at second slip.Williamson – unaccustomed to waiting so long to be called upon in this series – pulled a Carse short ball through deep backward square for four. And, when Potts finally had Latham caught down the leg side, it looked like Williamson would again need to stand up for his team, albeit from a superior position of 142 for 2.Having burned a review as Ben Stokes hopefully sought to have Latham out caught behind off his own bowling, the England captain wisely over-ruled wicketkeeper Ollie Pope’s insistence that he’d snaffled Williamson down the leg side off Stokes for 20, replays vindicating Stokes’ decision.Rachin Ravindra spooned Carse straight to Duckett at gully for a soft dismissal and, apart from Williamson’s freakish dismissal trying to fend Potts back down the pitch only to lose the ball behind him as it evaded his searching boot and dribbled into the base of middle stump, the loose wickets continued.Daryl Mitchell picked out Stokes at mid off, Glenn Phillips swung wildly at a Potts ball outside off and sent it straight to Zak Crawley at backward point and Blundell chipped Carse to cover point, where Jacob Bethell took a strong catch above his head.It took some special fielding by Brook to remove Matt Henry hooking Stokes to the young England star, who pulled the ball down inside the boundary rope and parried it up before he went over, jumping back in to complete the catch.Santner, brought in as a frontline spinner for this game at the expense of Nathan Smith, was hit on the top of the helmet by a Stokes bouncer but he shrugged off the blow to play a key role in New Zealand’s recovery.Southee delighted his home crowd when he swung Stokes for back-to-back sixes, eliciting an involuntary grin from Stokes, who conceded 17 off the over.Seemingly determined to reach his ton of maximums, Southee slammed the first delivery with the second new ball for another six over deep midwicket off Atkinson and a fumble on the boundary by Duckett resulted in four off the next ball. Two balls later, however, Southee’s fun was over when he tried to go down the ground and skied to Carse at mid-off.A four off Potts in the final over drew Santner within reach of his fifty and he grabbed it in style, launching the last ball of the day for six over long-off. Potts ended with 3 for 75 and Atkinson 3 for 55.

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone was sent off for his involvement in an altercation with Liverpool fans after his side fell to a 3-2 loss in the dying minutes of the Champions League clash. The Argentine admitted that his reaction was not justifiable, even though he claimed to have been on the receiving end of insults throughout the match at Anfield.

Simeone shown red card against Liverpool

Simeone was sent off in the penultimate minute of the game after an altercation with a group of Liverpool fans. Earlier, Virgil van Dijk had headed in from a corner to give Liverpool the lead against Atletico. Simeone was then seen protesting to the fourth official about insults he claimed to have received from the fans, and despite continuing his protests, he was eventually shown a red card.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportSimeone reacts to Liverpool fans

Simeone however downplayed the incident in the post match interview saying he should have kept his cool and his actions weren't justified: "Let's start with my part. We're in a position where we don't have the right to react. It's not right when we react, because we're the protagonists."

He then spoke about the insults he received: "I'm not going to go into detail about the insults. But in the same way we fight against racism and insults directed at players, the benches are packed, and it's not easy to take insults all game. The third goal came, and besides the insults, there was a gesture, and I'm a person.

"From my perspective, I have to maintain my position, deal with everything that happens behind the bench, and until society can resolve it, any coach has to live with it because it happens all the time."

Liverpool get the job done after losing two-goal lead

Liverpool raced into a 2-0 lead through goals from Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah. Atletico, however, refused to give in and fought back with Marcos Llorente netting twice, including an 81st minute equaliser to make it 2-2. But Van Dijk struck deep into added time to restore Liverpool’s advantage and seal the win.

Simeone reacted to the narrow defeat saying that he was proud of the team after coming back from 2-0 down, saying: "The spirit was what we needed. There are a lot of new players adapting. We played on a difficult pitch, against a brave opponent, with a 2-0 lead at the start. It wasn't a good sign, but we were able to work, fight, and take the game to the limit. If we have to lose, let's lose like this."

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Getty Images SportBack to La Liga action for Atletico

Simeone and Atletico will be back in action on Sunday as they travel to face 19th-placed Mallorca.