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Newcastle United face off against Crystal Palace in the Premier League today as they go in search of their first win of the campaign.

The Magpies are yet to pick up a victory in the top flight and are currently 19th in the table, with Norwich the only team below them as it stands. They now face a Palace side who are 14th after winning one, drawing five and losing two of their eight Premier League games.

Graeme Jones has taken over as interim boss following Steve Bruce’s dismissal and he could make some changes to the side which lost to Tottenham last weekend.

In his pre-match press conference, the 51-year-old hinted that some players had trained their way out of his thoughts for the starting line-up.

He said: “I spoke to the players on Wednesday, after it was announced, and told them it’s a clean slate. ‘Everything that’s gone on before, we start again, I’ll assess you on your actions in the next three days’. Football makes the decisions, not me, I’m just the executor of those decisions. The line-up and tactics will be based on the interpretation of that. The players have picked themselves – or not in some cases.”

One change he could make is bringing Jamal Lewis in at left-back for Matt Ritchie. The ex-Norwich defender has been rarely-seen this season, with only nine minutes of Premier League football, and will surely have been busting a gut in training to impress Jones and ensure that he adds to his tally of minutes this weekend.

Ritchie endured a difficult afternoon against Spurs last Sunday. As per SofaScore, he lost possession of the ball 22 times, lost five of his nine duels, was dribbled past twice and only completed one of his six attempted crosses in 90 minutes. The full-back also ended the match with a passing success rate of 71%, with these statistics showing that he was dreadful at both ends of the pitch and in transition.

This suggests that it could be an ideal opportunity to bring Lewis, who was previously hailed as “underrated” by Darren Bent, into the starting XI. It could be his time to show that he deserves to be the first-choice left-back at Newcastle and prove that he is worth the £14.85m they paid for him in 2020.

If he can put in a similar performance to the one he produced in the Carabao Cup against Burnley earlier this season, he could be a marked improvement on Ritchie. He achieved a WhoScored rating of 7.15 as he completed two key passes, three dribbles, one tackle and 86.3% of his attempted passes. The Magpies also kept a clean sheet in this game, with Lewis showing that he can be a solid defender whilst also adding quality in the attacking third.

Today could be the right time to give him his first Premier League start of the season. After all, it’s not as if Newcastle’s preferred back four in Bruce’s final few games provided an impenetrable barrier of solidity, with no top-flight team conceding more than their 19 goals.

AND in other news, Jones must ruthlessly axe £80k-p/w NUFC flop who’s “offering nothing”, he’s dreadful…

Many Everton fans slammed Tom Davies after he decided to pass instead of shoot late on in their 1-1 draw away at Manchester United.

The midfielder found himself completely free in the box with a one-on-one opportunity against David de Gea, but decided to square it to Yerry Mina instead of going on to shoot for goal himself.

Mina did put the ball in the net but he was ruled offside after a VAR check, meaning that the goal was chalked off and the score remained 1-1.

It was Davies’ chance to make a real impact from off of the substitutes bench, as the 23-year-old failed to really get into the game in his 20-minute cameo, unable to record a single shot, dribble, or key pass (Sofascore).

He only managed seven touches of the ball overall and lost possession three times (Sofascore), meaning that he squandered it roughly every 2.3 touches on average.

Everton fans on Davies pass

These Everton fans slammed Davies on Twitter after passing up the chance to shoot just prior to Mina’s disallowed goal, with one fan even going as far as to claim that he is ‘useless’:

“What is Davies doing? Stupid mentality.”

Credit: @seanarundel

“Awful from Tom, what was he thinking?”

Credit: @WDR573

“Please sell Davies, so bad”

Credit: @WoodywithWaves

“Davies is absolutely useless”

Credit: @cbakl

“Davies will be thinking about this on the coach home. I know why he passed as he’s not great in front of goal but he had a big target to aim at.”

Credit: @richardwiddows

“Why didn’t he shoot?!!!”

Credit: @MadMikeumadbro

In other news, find out what Bramley-Moore Dock news has left these Toffees fans buzzing

ExWHUemployee has given an update on the state of play regarding Kurt Zouma’s impending move from Chelsea to West Ham United on Twitter, stating that “the deal is close to being done”.

Of course, the 26-year-old defender was in inspired form for the Blues last campaign, managing to notch an impressive five goals in 36 appearances across the term [Transfermarkt].

Looking set to move on this summer, the Frenchman has been continuously linked with a move to West Ham, who have been keen on the 6 foot 3 ace since the start of August [Sky Sports].

Giving an update on the situation to his large audience on Twitter, ExWHUemployee stated the following: “I believe that talks regarding Zouma have been very positive over night. The quote I was given overnight is that the deal is very much alive (seeking further clarity on that) but knowing the source this means the deal is close to being done”.

Despite this positive update, it is understandable that loads of West Ham United fanatics took to social media to vent their frustration at the deal dragging on for so long, especially when the window is due to close in just a few days.

West Ham United fans react:

Replying to ExWHUemployee on Twitter, here is what some disgruntled Hammers had to say about the news:

“When’s it gonna end Robbie?”

Credit: @Kai_WHU “This has definitely been the most frustrating and disappointing transfer window. Can’t wait till its over.”Credit: @IanDeakin16

“It amazes me how it has always taken our club as long as it does to get a deal for a player ‘done’ when Man U for example bid for Ronaldo yesterday and he signed for them yesterday lol just feel because of how long we’re taken on Zouma, we won’t sign anyone else lol COYI”

Credit: @KaneScott88″Just bored of it now they can’t negotiate a deal to save their life and take away the buzz of a new signing”Credit: @Hammond_A”Why is everything always so complicated with us?”Credit: @pmitchell1969″this is getting boring now. Over it already”Credit: @x_savage93In other news, West Ham fans react to transfer talks with a Croatia international. Find out more here.

When Rafa Benitez was controversially appointed as the new manager of Everton at the beginning of the summer, few would have expected him to begin life in the fashion he has.

The Toffees aren’t only in the top four after the first month of football but they sit level on points with the league leaders Manchester United.

On the chalkboard

Everton have spent a considerable sum of money in the last few years without ever really getting close to the Premier League’s elite.

It is typical, therefore, that after a window where they spent an accumulative £1.7m on five players, they were now well and truly gunning for European football again.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has started the season with three goals in three matches but they owe much of their early season form to their two wingers.

Demarai Gray is showing signs of finally living up to his wonderful potential with three strikes in four appearances while Andros Townsend has hit the ground running too.

The left-footed dynamo was simply superb against Burnley on Monday night as he supplied a delicious cross for Michael Keane to head home and then unleashed a quite magnificent long-range effort that flew into the back of the net.

However, they weren’t the only wingers starring at Goodison Park this week.

Magical McNeil

One player that Everton targeted in the summer transfer window was Burnley’s Dwight McNeil.

The 21-year-old was linked with a £25m swoop but the Clarets were able to hold onto him for another campaign.

It feels like it’s only a matter of time before the flanker earns a bigger move elsewhere, especially if he stars as he did in Merseyside on Monday evening.

Despite his team losing the match, McNeil completed all five of the dribbles he attempted, while delivering another handful of crosses and playing two key passes.

Per SofaScore, he ranked as the club’s best player during the 90 minutes which is hardly surprising given his exciting style of play.

Dubbed “special” by his teammate Ashley Westwood, this isn’t the first time that the England U21 international has terrorised Everton.

During a 2-1 win for Burnley at Goodison back in March, McNeil was on the score sheet as he gave Mason Holgate a torrid time down the left side.

He completed three dribbles on this occasion, conjured up four key passes and managed another five crosses.

Coincidentally, he also gave them a fright in the 1-1 draw at Turf Moor last December. During that clash, the forward produced a jaw-dropping ten crosses and was successful with another five dribbles.

It appears as though McNeil relishes playing against Everton but he could become one of their own in the January window.

On the evidence he’s provided Toffees supporters with already, they’d surely love to see him in the royal blue once the winter arrives.

Benitez simply has to secure him when the next market opens.

AND in other news, Bye-bye James: Rafa must unleash Everton’s “sensational” rarely-seen 17 y/o this term…

Rumoured Leeds United transfer target Noa Lang could leave Club Brugge in the January transfer window, according to a fresh report.

The Lowdown: Leeds linked with Lang move

Lang, who has been likened to Neymar due to his close control and finishing, was linked with a move to Elland Road a number of times during the summer, but he ended up staying put at Brugge.

The 22-year-old has made a superb start to the 2021/22 season, already chipping in with three goals and four assists in the Jupiler Pro League, while winning the man of the match award in a 1-1 draw against PSG in the Champions League group stages.

[freshpress-quiz id=“375277″]

The Latest: Fresh update emerges

Leeds have been boosted in their potential efforts to sign Lang, with Voetbal International [via Sport Witness] claiming that he could move on in January.

Brugge are thought to be ‘realistic’ about the interest in the attacker, with the report adding that he could leave ‘as early as this winter’.

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The Verdict: Ideal attacking addition

Lang is a player with a huge amount of promise, having been described as a ‘phenomenon’ by Belgian sports journalist Peter Vandenbempt in the past.

His start to this season shows how much attacking quality he could bring to Leeds’ team, giving them extra guile in central areas but also capable of thriving out wide.

If the Whites managed to snap up the young Dutchman in January, it could give the squad a much-needed injection of class midway through the campaign.

In other news, Leeds could make a move for a defender, according to one report. Read more here.

Newcastle United have now been dealt a blow in their race to sign Brandon Williams before the summer transfer window ends.

The Lowdown: Williams eyed

There have been a number of reports throughout the window claiming that the St. James’ Park faithful have been eyeing up a move to sign Williams on loan from Manchester United.

However, no deal has ever materialised, and with less than two weeks until the window closes, they need to step up their interest if they are serious about bringing him to the North East.

The Latest: Williams update

As per Football Insider, Norwich City are about to beat the Tyneside club, as well as Southampton, to Williams’ signature, and have struck an agreement with the Red Devils.

He has reportedly been told that he can join the Canaries once Alex Telles recovers from his injury, despite Steve Bruce being keen to bring him to the Magpies.

The Verdict: Blow

It is certainly a blow for the Toon that they look set to miss out on signing Williams, as he could have been a valuable addition to the squad.

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He already has experience in playing in the Premier League and can play on both sides of the defence, offering Bruce depth in both wing-back positions.

Once dubbed ‘outstanding’ by his manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after an impressive individual performance despite defeat to Chelsea back in July of last year, Williams is still only 20 years of age, and so still holds a lot of potential.

Nonetheless, NUFC may have to start looking at other targets now with Transfer Deadline Day edging nearer.

In other news, find out what worrying insight from takeover sources Liam Kennedy has dropped here!

West Ham United are unlikely to make a move to bring James Tarkowski to the London Stadium in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to Jacob Steinberg’s recent report for The Guardian, with the journalist revealing that, despite David Moyes’ side being heavily linked with a move for the Burnley centre-back this month, a deal for the 29-year-old looks more and more unlikely with each passing day.

Steinberg goes on to suggest that this is both a result of the defender being available on a free transfer at the end of the season, as well as the fact that Kurt Zouma is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a hamstring injury the France international picked up against Chelsea towards the start of December.

In his article, the journalist wrote: “West Ham, who have not been as defensively sound without Zouma and [Angelo] Ogbonna, could still look for a defender. It is understood that a move for Burnley’s James Tarkowski, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is increasingly unlikely this month.”

Fans will be fuming

Considering just how poor West Ham have been without both Ogbonna and Zouma in the heart of their defence, it is clear for all to see that centre-back is undoubtedly a position which Moyes must strengthen this January if he is to give his side the best possible chance of securing a top-four finish in the league this season.

Indeed, over the five Premier League games in which the Hammers have been without both centre-backs – a run which was hardly the most challenging set of fixtures, with the Irons facing Burnley, Arsenal, Southampton, Watford and Crystal Palace – the East London side conceded eight goals, kept just one clean sheet and picked up seven points from a possible 15.

As such, a move for a player who has made an average of 1.4 interceptions, 1.6 tackles, 5.1 clearances and won 67% of his duels over 16 Premier League outings this season in the form of Tarkowski would have very much appeared to be a wise one by Moyes this month.

However, following Steinberg’s recent update, it would now appear unlikely that the Hammers will be making a move for the England international this January, something that certainly has the potential to leave the London Stadium faithful fuming.

In other news: GSB can land “next Mbappe” as WHU bid for 19 y/o with “the mentality of Kobe Bryant”

Sky Sports have dropped a live TV update on Manchester United and their pursuit of Ajax boss Erik ten Hag.

The Lowdown: United closing in?

It seems as if the Red Devils are looking to get a deal for Ralf Rangnick’s long-term replacement in place before the summer.

United officials spoke with both Ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino last month, with a move for Ten Hag now gathering pace.

The Telegraph revealed on Wednesday evening that United are close to appointing the Dutch manager at Old Trafford, with negotiations moving very quickly.

The Latest: Sky Sports update

Sky Sports senior reporter Melissa Reddy dropped a live TV update on Thursday regarding United and Ten Hag.

Reddy revealed that United have insisted that no deal has been signed with Ten Hag. However, ‘sources close to Ten Hag and Ajax’ told Sky Sports that compensation and an ‘announcement’ have been discussed regarding the 52-year-old, with formalities expected to be completed soon.

The Verdict: A matter of time?

It looks as if it is now just a matter of time until Ten Hag is announced as Manchester United’s next permanent manager.

The club have done extremely well when it comes to working behind the scenes for Ten Hag, who is leading his side in a title race with PSV.

Finalising a move before May should give the Red Devils the best possible chance of a successful rebuild, instead of the club searching for a new boss during the summer window.

In other news: Fresh Man Utd ‘concern’ after Romano shares ‘bad news’ at Old Trafford. 

Playing almost any sport in general can and does have several positive impacts on our body, mind, and social skills. However, can the same be said about people who watch sports? With football being the most popular and the most watched sport globally, several studies have been conducted to find out whether watching football has a positive impact on fans of the sport. As it turns out, there are indeed pros of even watching the game being played on TV or at the stadium.

Entertainment

It is common to undermine the importance of entertainment and relaxation until it’s too late and life begins to feel like a chore. Football is the most watched sport in the world because it is also the most entertaining sport to watch for billions of people across the planet. The satisfaction of watching your favourite team win after a tiring day at work is nothing short of stress relief. If you are into sports betting, then that’s another reason to watch more relevant matches, follow the players, and stay updated with team progress, changes, transfers, etc. for making accurate predictions.

Peace

The infamy surrounding some fanatic fan groups in football may not make you feel that football can bring about peace, which is understandable. However, football as a sport has managed to bring about peace on a much larger scale than a few ruffians occasionally acting unruly. Several parts within the United Kingdom itself have managed to keep their historic enmities limited to football derbies, whereas the past was much darker and violent.

On an even larger scale, wars have been temporarily halted because of football, or in one particular case, because of Pele. As one can imagine, if the powers that be did not watch football and love it as much as they did/do, it wouldn’t be possible. Also, if the people they preside over did not support the decision in favour of football, they would not be able to make such decisions either. It might get rough on and off the field sometimes, but in the end, football does help in keeping the peace.

Socialising

If you are a fan of club football, socialising will never be an issue for you. Not only can you talk and argue about football with even strangers, but you can also become part of a much bigger sports community. Local fan clubs are abundant, and socialising is a common aspect of such clubs. They hold exclusive events, fundraisers, etc. to encourage socialising among fans too. Going to a derby with a group to support your team at the stadium is always a grand experience for anyone who loves watching football and socialising at the same time.

Aside from that, staying updated with what is going on in the world of football can help you break the ice in awkward social situations. It can turn a dull party into something interesting, help you make a friend, and perhaps even land a date! Contrary to popular belief, there are a lot of female football fans these days than there was a decade ago.

Intelligence

Yes, it’s true that watching football can enhance our brain functions quite significantly. Unlikely as it may sound, neuroscientists at the University of Chicago published a report way back in 2012 that confirms the theory which originated in the 90s. The aforementioned study, as well as several others which point to finding similar results, defines the principle of increased brain function through watching sports like football as embodied cognition.

Apparently, when someone truly engages himself/herself in watching a match with full attention, their brains show activities which would normally be seen in someone who is actually playing the sport in question. It is a partial activation, as compared to someone who is physically playing football, but even watching the game with attention will boost your brain function and create brand new neural links. These new links are often found to be beneficial in terms of language comprehension, which is directly related to IQ points.

Not that sports fans need an excuse to watch football of course, but just in case you do, now you have several! From increased intelligence and socialisation, to stress busting relaxation, it seems as though football has more to offer than watching mindless entertainment.

Image from: unsplash.com

Southampton duo James Ward-Prowse and Kyle Walker-Peters could soon start ‘attracting interest’ from the Premier League’s top four, journalist Pete O’Rourke has claimed.

The Lowdown: Great season

The Saints pair have been in excellent form this season and have duly been rewarded by respective call-ups to Gareth Southgate’s England side.

According to statistical analysis carried out by WhoScored, Ward-Prowse has been Ralph Hasenhuttl’s player of the season thus far, earning himself a strong 7.04 rating. Walker-Peters trails closely behind in second, with a solid 6.94 rating.

As a result, a number of transfer rumours have arisen linking them with moves to a multitude of Premier League clubs, such as Arsenal in Ward-Prowse’s case.

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The Latest: O’Rourke’s claim on Southampton duo…

O’Rourke has said that he would not be surprised if a number of top-four Premier League clubs are interested in signing the Southampton duo in the summer.

Talking with GiveMeSport, he claimed: “You wouldn’t be surprised if both of those players were attracting interest from the top four, top six clubs in the Premier League.

“They’ve been excellent for Southampton and earning England recognition now as well, Kyle Walker-Peters.

“I think the big thing for Walker-Peters is he took that step away from Tottenham in search of first-team football, and that move has definitely paid off for him, breaking into the England team.

“And I’m sure he’s attractive to a lot of clubs because he can play right-back or left-back, and he’d be a great player to have in your squad.”

The Verdict: Saints need to keep hold of them

Both players have proven to be essential to Hasenhuttl’s side this season. As Saints captain, Ward-Prowse has been crucial in maintaining the club’s Premier League status since their promotion from the Championship in 2011/12.

The 27-year-old has been hailed one of the world’s best dead-ball specialists, having now scored 13 league goals directly from free kicks, taking him above Thierry Henry and Gianfranco Zola in the Premier League’s rankings into second in the all-time list.

Meanwhile, Walker-Peters has demonstrated his versatility this season, having played the majority of the campaign in an unfavoured left-hand role, where he has nonetheless accumulated six goal contributions in his 30 outings across all competitions.

Therefore, if either player decides to leave in the summer, it would no doubt come as a huge blow to the south coast club, given their aforementioned importance to the Southampton cause.

In other news: Ralph Hasenhuttl confirms Shane Long concern