The ICC has confirmed that a review into the conduct of T20 World Cup 2024 will be carried out after the global body set up a panel with three of its board directors – Roger Twose, Lawson Naidoo and Imran Khawaja – to oversee the review and submit findings later in the year.ESPNcricinfo had reported earlier that there was scrutiny on the extent of expenditure on the US leg of the tournament and the organisation of the Caribbean leg. The decision to appoint a review panel was taken at the ICC annual conference in Colombo from July 19 to 22, which was attended by all 108 members. The three-man panel will engage an independent consultancy to carry out the review, before reporting back to the board.The ICC also approved the expansion of the Women’s T20 World Cup to 16 teams in 2030. Eight teams had taken part in the inaugural tournament in 2009 and that number rose to ten in 2016. Ten teams will also take part in the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in October. The 2026 edition will have 12 participating teams, for which the cut-off date for qualification is October 31, 2024, before the expansion to 16 in 2030.For the next Men’s T20 World Cup in 2026, the ICC said the allocation of the eight regional qualifying spots would be as follows: two teams each from Africa and Europe, one from the Americas, and three from Asia and East Asia Pacific (EAP) combined. Previously, Asia had two spots and EAP one.The ICC also announced that USA Cricket and Cricket Chile have been “formally put on notice” because both organisations are not compliant with ICC membership criteria. They have 12 months to make rectifications.”Neither member is considered to have in place a fit for purpose detailed governance and administrative structure and systems,” the ICC said in a release. “The ICC Americas office will work with Cricket Chile to support them in remedying their non-compliance. The board agreed that a normalisation committee comprising of board and management representatives will be set up to oversee and monitor USA Cricket’s compliance roadmap and the ICC board will reserve its right to suspend or expel the member for continued non-compliance.”
West Ham United could sell Mohammed Kudus this summer and are already making strides in the hunt for his replacement.
West Ham and Mohammed Kudus could go their seperate ways
The Hammers expect plenty of movement in both directions over the next few months and could be set to part ways with one of their best players if reports are to be believed.
Recently, Chelsea have made contact over a potential move for Kudus, and he is also said to be on the radar of Premier League rivals Manchester United and Newcastle United.
Mohammed Kudus for West Ham against Nottingham Forest.
Intriguingly, the Ghana international has a release clause of £85 million that is open to top-flight clubs in England across the first ten days of July. However, it remains to be seen whether a saga involving the former Ajax man will develop at the London Stadium.
In the case of Newcastle, former scout Mick Brown believes they would try and land Kudus at a fee below his exit clause due to the premium involved in a prospective transfer.
“At £85million or whatever his release clause is, there’s no way Newcastle would do that deal. They’ll consider it if they can cut down that price tag, but they’re not sure about him. They’ve got other targets as well, so I think they’re more likely to go for them before Kudus.”
West Ham now racing to sign 24 G/A midfielder who's "out of this world"
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ByDominic Lund Jun 3, 2025
If Kudus were to depart, the Hammers would need to act decisively on the market to secure an appropriate replacement, and they could well now be closing in on a smart acquisition if that turn of events were to occur.
West Ham 'well positioned' to sign Nicolas Gonzalez
According to journalist Sebastien Vidal, West Ham are ‘well positioned’ to sign Juventus winger Nicolas Gonzalez and the Argentina international is likely to be on the move for £22 million this summer.
Seen as an ideal replacement for Kudus, the 23-year-old registered five goals and four assists in 36 appearances across all competitions last season. While he was not part of his country’s World Cup winning squad he is highly decorated at international level, winning two Copa Americas.
Capable of playing on either flank, as an attacking midfielder or through the middle, he is a versatile presence that could help to allieviate the burden on the likes of Jarrod Bowen when it comes to chance creation.
Nevertheless, it remains to be seen whether Kudus will need to leave first in order for a move to go through or if the finance would be available already in terms of being able to meet both his transfer fee and wages.
Either way, West Ham appear to be stepping up their hunt for attacking reinforcements and there will be plenty of excitement in East London if this one materialises.
Chelsea chiefs have been handed a potential discount after reportedly opening talks with the representatives of an “underrated” Brazil forward.
Chelsea braced for all-important Premier League final day
Enzo Maresca faces a vital Premier League final day clash against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, and a win against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side would guarantee a place in the Champions League draw next season.
Striker keen on Chelsea move and set for imminent decision after May talks
His agents were at Stamford Bridge in the last few days.
1 ByEmilio Galantini May 21, 2025
This is the closest race for Champions League qualification we’ve witnessed in years, with just three points between both third and seventh in the table as we head into the final matchweek of 2024/2025.
3. Man City
68
4. Newcastle
66
5. Chelsea
66
6. Aston Villa
66
7. Nottingham Forest
65
As things stand, Chelsea are level on points with Newcastle and Aston Villa, with Maresca’s men sitting above the latter side in fifth on just goal difference. If Chelsea were to draw or lose away to Forest, it would hand them or Villa a crucial lifeline in the chase for a spot in Europe’s most prestigious competition.
Amid some reports that Maresca’s long-term Chelsea future isn’t certain, sealing all three points is absolutely vital for the west Londoners this weekend, but it is easier said than done against a Forest side who are directly competing with them for a coveted place in the top five.
The result of this intense battle will also have a direct impact on Chelsea’s recruitment strategy this summer, amid reports they’re targeting a high-profile move for Real Madrid star Rodrygo.
Chelsea handed £29 million discount on Rodrygo
A report from GOAL earlier this week claimed that Chelsea have opened discussions with the 24-year-old’s representatives ahead of a “shock” bid, and this is backed up by CaughtOffside in another update.
However, the latter website reports that Rodrygo’s price tag will be around £101 million, which is actually a £29 million marked drop on the Brazil international’s previously mooted £130 million fee.
While still very expensive, it makes the transfer slightly more doable, and murmurs of a potential exit for the highly-rated forward are gaining more traction as Arsenal reportedly enter the race (Florian Plettenberg).
This price may well drop further if Rodrygo forces through an exit, but whatever his final price, there is no denying he’d upgrade any Premier League team.
“Rodrygo, so underrated,” said England midfielder and teammate Jude Bellingham when asked about the winger’s importance to Real.
“For me, he’s probably the most talented and most gifted player in the squad. The things he can do with the football — we’ll be messing around, and he’ll flick the ball up somehow, and you’re like, ‘How do you do that?’. I’m trying to do it, twisting up my ankles and everything like that. He’s a pleasure to play with.
“He’s the one who sacrifices the most. It’s important to note that he does a lot for the team as well defensively on the right side, which isn’t his favourite. But he never complains, he just gets on with it.”
Manchester United lost for the 16th time in the Premier League this season when they were beaten 4-3 by Brentford away from home at the weekend.
The Red Devils have endured a dismal domestic campaign, under both Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, and are just two points ahead of 17th in the table.
There is the mitigation of their place in the semi-finals of the Europa League, though, and that may have had an impact on the manager’s team selection for this match, as the likes of Chido Obi Martin, Tyler Fredricson, and Harry Amass were named in the starting XI.
Obi Martin, 17, made his full Premier League debut and was given the full 90 minutes by Amorim, but was, unfortunately, unable to find the back of the net.
Meanwhile, Brentford’s forwards, Yoane Wissa, Kevin Schade, and Bryan Mbeumo caught the eye in an excellent win for the Bees against Manchester United on Sunday.
Mbeumo, in particular, is a player who is reportedly of interest to the club. It was recently claimed that the Brentford star and Wolves forward Matheus Cunha are both targets for the upcoming summer transfer window.
Why Mbeumo and Cunha are attractive targets for Manchester United
The headline is that both Mbeumo and Cunha are proven Premier League performers who have shown that they can contribute with goals and assists at that level on a consistent basis.
This suggests that they would be more likely to hit the ground running and be successful signings for Manchester United compared to a signing from abroad with no prior experience of the English top-flight.
Mbeumo has produced 18 goals and seven assists in 39 appearances in all competitions for Brentford so far this season, which speaks to the goal threat that he can provide at the top end of the pitch.
The Cameroon international has scored eight or more goals in each of the past four seasons in all competitions since the Bees were promoted to the top-flight.
Matheus Cunha
Meanwhile, Cunha has caught the eye with his performances for Wolves in all competitions during the 2024/25 campaign, as he has showcased his ability to score and create goals at an impressive rate.
Matheus Cunha (24/25)
Premier League
FA Cup
League Cup
Appearances
30
2
1
xG
7.94
N/A
N/A
Goals
15
2
0
Big chances created
12
2
0
Key passes per game
1.8
2.5
0
Assists
6
0
0
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the Brazil international has racked up 17 goals and six assists for the Old Gold, including 15 goals in the Premier League.
These statistics show why Cunha and Mbeumo are both attractive options for United this summer because they have both provided their respective teams with plenty of goals and assists this season.
However, the Red Devils are also reportedly interested in an even more prolific forward from abroad who could come in to bolster the club’s attacking options.
Manchester United in regular contact over deal for Bundesliga star
According to The Boot Room, Manchester United are one of a number of clubs lining up a move for RB Leipzig centre-forward Benjamin Sesko ahead of the summer transfer window.
The report claims that fellow Premier League sides Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea are also keeping tabs on the Slovenian marksman, and that they had scouts in attendance to watch him score against Bayern Munich at the weekend.
Transfer Focus
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It states that a move to England to play in the Premier League is the most ‘likely’ outcome for the Leipzig sensation this summer, as his representatives are currently in talks with multiple clubs.
The Boot Room adds that Manchester United and Newcastle United are in regular contact with the player’s agents ahead of a potential swoop for his services in the coming months.
INEOS must push to win the race for Sesko, who is reportedly valued at £60m by Leipzig, because he is even more prolific than Cunha and Mbeumo and could be an excellent addition to Amorim’s squad.
Why Manchester United should sign Benjamin Sesko
Firstly, the Slovenia international is only 21 and would come in as a long-term option for the Portuguese head coach, as a player who has plenty of time left to develop and improve.
He is four years younger than both Mbeumo and Cunha, who are both 25, and this suggests that he has more scope to grow and progress as a footballer during his time at Old Trafford, whilst also having the quality to provide goals in the short-term.
RB Leipzig's BenjaminSeskobefore taking a penalty
The 21-year-old marksman has also outscored the Brentford and Wolves forwards with a return of 21 goals in 43 appearances in all competitions for Leipzig this season, which shows that he is more prolific in the final third.
Sesko, who was once dubbed a “monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson, has been in fine form for Leipzig in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League, showcasing his lethal finishing at the top level.
Benjamin Sesko (24/25)
Bundesliga
Champions League
Appearances
31
8
xG
9.87
3.57
Goals
13
4
Big chances created
5
0
Assists
5
0
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the £60m-rated ‘monster’ has been incredibly clinical in those two competitions, with 17 goals from between 13 and 14 Expected Goals.
Sesko has proven that he knows how to find the back of the net on the European stage and in one of Europe’s major leagues, as well as scoring four goals in the DFB Pokal, and this suggests that United would be signing a striker who is in-form and able to make an instant impact at Old Trafford.
Of course, he has not played in the Premier League, or in England at all, and that could make him a riskier addition than Mbeumo or Cunha, who are currently thriving in the division.
But his goalscoring record across all competitions and his age profile suggest that it would be a high-risk, high-reward, signing for the Red Devils, which is why they should take a gamble on him and attempt to win the race for the impressive young forward in the summer transfer window.
As bad as Shaw: Amorim must axe Man Utd dud after 4/10 Brentford display
Ruben Amorim must ring the changes for Manchester United’s next game.
Counterattacking 77 suggests middle order is his natural berth – even if he doesn’t want to give up first-drop
Vithushan Ehantharajah29-Nov-2024Despite playing 19 Tests together, day two at Hagley Oval was just the eighth time Ollie Pope and Harry Brook have batted together.You’d think a pair who have been locked at No. 3 and No. 5 for the last two years would be finishing each other’s sentences by now, even if the bloke sandwiched between them has been hogging one end. A four-ball duck going into lunch meant partnership-blocker Joe Root was no longer a problem.It was only at the fall of the next wicket – Ben Duckett – that Brook and Pope found themselves together at 71 for 4, New Zealand still ahead by 277 on first innings runs. Over the next 31 overs, they made up for lost time, with an engaging 151-stand that probably made them think “we should do this more often”.Related
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There’s a reason they have not, and it’s because Pope has not been able to stick around for long enough. In fact, eight out of the 32 times Brook has walked to the middle, Pope has been walking the other way.With Pope shifted down to six as the designated wicketkeeper, a union had better odds. Nevertheless, success was not guaranteed.This was only the fourth time they have combined for more than 50 runs, and only the second for a hundred. The first of those was a remarkable 176 against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, the pair going at 7.08 an over as England blitzed 506 for 4 on the opening day.Pope was the far more convincing of the two here, more dominant (77 runs to 64) and much less streaky. Glenn Phillips pulled off a stunner of a one-handed catch at backward point, plucking a full-blooded cut out of the air while horizontal to see Pope off. The same Phillips who was responsible for the first of four drops off Brook, who had 18 at the time. Brook finished the day unbeaten with 132 and a pang of guilt.”Brooky, as I was walking off, came and apologised to me,” Pope revealed at stumps. “I was wondering why he made a beeline for me.”A three through the covers off his 62nd ball brought up the century stand with Brook, and also took Pope past 55 – the total number of runs he had managed in the previous series, against Pakistan.Upon returning home from averaging 11 across five innings, he put in the work and consulted England legend Alec Stewart, a long-time confidant at Surrey. It was an open discussion rather than an array of sessions in the nets – “I didn’t get him on the dog stick, he’s too high up for that, I think.” Pope wanted familiar eyes to establish what was going wrong.”It was more about ‘what does it look like when I’m at my best’ because that was a frustrating thing, I wasn’t getting to 20 or 30, to allow myself to go on to that big score.
“I want to be number three, I want to keep trying to make it mine. I’ve had too many low scores there but I’ve also managed to put together some good knocks this year batting at three. It’s a job I want to do going forward”
“We talked about having that calmness at the crease. When I’m playing well there’s that clarity in how I want to play, not trying to rush my way to 20 or 30.”There were cuts over the slips – most of them deliberate – including one from a front-foot square driving position that forced him to readjust after the ball bounced more than expected. He pounced on any width, a sound gameplay given how diligent New Zealand’s seamers had been with their straight lines. On a Friday littered with rogue pull shots, his were immaculate.Did he seem calmer? A bit. Though perhaps even that is all about perception. What might seem skittish and chaotic at No. 3 is brave and proactive at No. 6, especially given the situation that greeted him at the crease. Pope, however, declared he would have done little different had he walked out in the fourth over – when Zak Crawley was dismissed – instead of the 22nd.”If I was batting at three, I’d have tried to play exactly the same way as today. The biggest difference at three is you set the tone a lot more, if you play well you can put your team in a really strong position.”The fun thing at six, you might come in a 350 for 4 and it might be your job to push the game forward. [Or] you can get your team out a tricky situation. Both roles are good fun, just slightly different.”Different roles, different requirements. But it does seem Pope’s natural disposition is for either progressing a good situation or – as he did here – counterattacking out of a bad one. A thoroughbred greyhound has not won Best In Show at Crufts in 67 years, but let it loose into a final bend and watch it rinse a retriever.While that is a tad reductive, it is worth noting Pope was reared as a six. It was from that position he flourished for Surrey at the start of his career, with 885 runs, four centuries and an average of 68.07.Pope cuts the ball away behind square•Phil Walter/Getty ImagesA Test debut against India at Lord’s arrived in the 2018 summer – at No. 4. His maiden innings ended up being the first time he had batted in the opening 20 overs of a first-class match. He will empathise with Jacob Bethell walking out at No. 3 in Christchurch for the first time in his professional career.As tedious as it may be to repeat, an England side with Root batting at three makes the most sense. It would allow Pope to move to No. 5 when Jamie Smith returns to take the gloves back at seven.The one barrier to such a move? Well, Pope.”I want to be number three, I want to keep trying to make it mine. I’ve had too many low scores there but I’ve also managed to put together some good knocks this year batting at three.”It’s a job I want to do going forward and I think my skillset is still developing. It’s definitely a job I want to keep doing.”Given he began out of position and rarely settled thereafter, you can understand why he wants to continue at three. And on paper, he’s doing well enough; despite the Pakistan aberration, the average at first drop is 40.28 from 47 innings, since he pitched for the gig when Ben Stokes became Test captain. Half of the six centuries he has there have come this year, while this half-century took him past 3000 career runs.Ironically, Pope building on this opening knock may scupper his hopes of fully locking down that No. 3 as his own. Though Ollie Robinson arrives into the country on Saturday afternoon to replace the injured Jordan Cox, England may decide to leave Pope as their wicketkeeper to give them a longer look at Bethell.Stokes and Brendon McCullum have shown they are not afraid to get funky with their selections. And shifting Pope to a place where his natural energy flows unencumbered falls right in that bracket.
Kohli’s return to form and Maxwell’s fitness are a big boost, as RCB play six of their seven home games in April
Shashank Kishore24-Mar-2023Where RCB finished last seasonRoyal Challengers Bangalore finished fourth in the league stage with eight wins and six losses, making the playoffs for a third successive season. There they vanquished debutants Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator, courtesy a century from Rajat Patidar, the fastest by an Indian in IPL history. However, a place in the final wasn’t to be as they were beaten by eventual runners-up Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2. Their quest for a maiden IPL title continues.RCB squad for IPL 2023Faf du Plessis (capt), Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Mohammad Siraj, Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Shahbaz Ahmed, Rajat Patidar, Anuj Rawat, Akash Deep, Josh Hazlewood, Mahipal Lomror, Finn Allen, Suyash Prabhudesai, Karn Sharma, Siddarth Kaul, David Willey, Reece Topley, Himanshu Sharma, Manoj Bhandage, Rajan Kumar, Avinash Singh, Sonu Yadav, Michael BracewellRelated
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Player availability – Will Josh Hazlewood make it?Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is recovering from Achilles tendonitis. He flew home midway through the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in February after missing the first two Tests. Hazlewood’s fitness is going to be monitored given Australia have the World Test Championship final and the Ashes coming up immediately after the IPL ends on May 28.England batter Will Jacks, who was identified as cover for Glenn Maxwell, was ruled out with injury. New Zealand allrounder Michael Bracewell has been named his replacement.Rajat Patidar, meanwhile, could potentially miss the first half of the season with a heel injury. The batter is undergoing rehab at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and has been advised three weeks of rest, after which an MRI scan will determine his participation in the second half of the season.Josh Hazlewood was a crucial player in RCB’s run to the playoffs in 2022•BCCIWhat’s new with RCB this yearThey signed left-arm seamer Reece Topley as a back-up for Hazlewood, and Jammu & Kashmir’s Avinash Singh, a tearaway quick capable of bowling over 150kph. But most of the squad and coaching staff is the same.The good – Glenn Maxwell’s recovery, Virat Kohli’s formAfter Maxwell broke his leg in a freak accident in November, RCB were scurrying for allrounders at the auction. There was some uncertainty even as late as February, but Maxwell has since returned to competitive cricket and is set to start.Virat Kohli’s return to form also comes as a big relief for RCB. Between the last IPL and now, he ended his drought of hundreds that lasted over 1000 days with a T20I century against Afghanistan in September. More recently, during the Ahmedabad Test against Australia, he made his first Test hundred since 2019.The not-so-good – Who after Harshal Patel and Mohammed Siraj?Beyond Harshal Patel and Mohammed Siraj, their Indian pace stocks are thin on experience. If Hazlewood isn’t a sure starter, they will need Reece Topley or one of their uncapped picks to deliver.Schedule insightsWith six of their seven home games scheduled for April because of elections in Karnataka in May, RCB cannot bank on home advantage during the business end of the season, when teams look to maximise points to consolidate their standing.It’s an additional challenge RCB have to overcome to buck their trend of finishing the league poorly. In 2020, they lost four straight games heading into the playoffs. In 2021, they began the second half with two back-to-back losses before huffing and puffing into the playoffs. In 2022, they managed just three wins out of seven in the second half. How will 2023 play out?The big question
March 26, GMT 0240 The piece was updated with news of Rajat Patidar’s injury.
The calendar is packed with events even as the pandemic rages on. How will cricket cope?
Ian Chappell25-Apr-2021If you want an extreme example of resilience in the game of cricket then you need look no further than the Indian team that recently toured Australia.Despite a horrendous batting collapse in the first Test, followed by the departure of their inspirational captain and then a spate of injuries that would have floored a lesser team, India still managed to win the series 2-1.Despite the challenges, they played some skilful, entertaining cricket to beat a side renowned for their home-turf prowess. It was an outstanding achievement by an irrepressible bunch of competitors.The game is going to require a similar dose of resilience as it continues to face a number of searching challenges. Currently administrators and players in the IPL are encountering a daunting task as Covid cases in India continue to surge.For the players, there is the fear of serious health issues and the challenge of bubble fatigue. The administrators, on the other hand, have the enormous responsibility of keeping everybody safe while weaving their way through a maze of rigorous protocols that can change daily. Is it any wonder that mental health concerns are on the tip of everybody’s tongue?Related
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Can the IPL wield its power to aid a country in crisis?
Once the IPL is completed, hopefully without any major setbacks, there’s the challenge for England’s administrators to repeat last summer’s juggling act of hosting four touring teams for a series of matches – New Zealand and India for Tests and Pakistan and Sri Lanka for limited overs.Having survived the resource-draining last season with virtually no crowds to boost gate takings, England now face the challenge of hosting players from India, a country that is currently designated a “red zone”.This means that all the players visiting England from India are going to face strict quarantine hurdles before being able to play cricket. As well as the Indian squad, these regulations will also apply to New Zealand and England players who have been in the IPL. It will be a severe test of the administrators’ diplomatic skills and the players’ patience.While the BCCI has the resources to withstand a severe financial buffeting, the ECB will be stretched to the limit if yet another season becomes a financial drain. England’s resources will be further under pressure as they have made a heavy investment in a new form of the game.The Hundred is due to be launched this season. Surely there couldn’t be more challenging circumstances for a board trying to promote a new tournament to a public that already possesses a healthy dose of scepticism.As if those weren’t enough challenges to be faced, there’s another debutant – the World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand in Southampton in June.Then there’s the T20 World Cup to be staged in India later in the year. Hosting this multi-team tournament will present a challenge only surpassed by Japan trying to accommodate the Olympics as the pandemic continues to threaten the world.In the midst of all these challenges, there’s further turmoil with the administrative upheaval occurring in South Africa, one of the stronger cricket-playing nations. The game can’t afford another West Indies-style slide into mediocrity – certainly at Test level – from one of its major draws.If cricket’s administrators and players thought last year was a severe test, it’s proving to be just a rehearsal for what has to be the game’s most challenging 12 months.It is said that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. If this year’s challenges are overcome, it could indeed strengthen the game, but it won’t happen by luck. It will require much thought and some long-term planning, combined with a strong dose of resilience.Test cricket, which often appears to be teetering on the edge of a precipice, is the form of the game that needs the most nurturing in these challenging times. It would help the process if India and New Zealand provide an entertaining spectacle at the WTC final.If even half those challenges are successfully met, it will be a triumph born from resilience and creativity.
With his team holding onto a 3-1 lead over the St. Louis Cardinals in the top of the ninth inning on Saturday night, Manny Machado had a chance to extend the Padres' lead. That was … until he was hit by a pitch.
Sitting behind on an 0-2 count with a runner on first base, Machado was plunked for the second time in the contest—this time by Andre Granillo. Naturally, the third baseman was none too pleased and, after staring the relief pitcher down, turned to the home plate umpire, telling him, "That's two! That's f— two!"
Both benches subsequently cleared, and Machado got some additional chirps in towards the Cardinals before being calmed down by St. Louis first baseman Wilson Contreras, who was also hit by a pitch twice in the contest.
Here's a look at the kerfuffle:
San Diego ultimately held on to win 3-1 as they remain in the final National League wild card spot. St. Louis, meanwhile, lost their eighth game since the All-Star break as they continue to slowly fall out of playoff contention.
Amid a dismal 2024/25 campaign, Manchester United appeared to be drifting ever closer to one-man team territory, with Bruno Fernandes again topping the charts for goals and assists, after registering 38 goal involvements in total from his midfield berth.
It is early days, although perhaps there has been a changing of the guard, or a share of the responsibility at the very least, with Bryan Mbreumo arguably the first attack-minded player since Fernandes himself to truly hit the ground running for the Red Devils.
Jadon Sancho never recovered from a delayed start due to an ear infection. Antony’s form swiftly tailed off after scoring on his first three Premier League outings. Rasmus Hojlund took until Boxing Day to net his first league goal for the club.
So many expensive transfer misfires, yet Mbeumo – on the early evidence – looks to be bucking the trend, already notching seven times in just his first 16 games across league and cup.
He hasn’t been perfect, notably failing to register a goal or assist in muted displays against Everton, Crystal Palace and West Ham United, although six league strikes from 15 top-flight appearances certainly makes for good reading.
The 26-year-old – who is soon set to head to AFCON – is already solidifying himself as one of the best signings of modern times at United, but is he actually INEOS’ best deal to date?
How Mbeumo's start compares to previous United signings
So many transfers have backfired in even just the years since Fernandes’ arrival back in January 2020, with forward players proving particularly erratic despite the hundreds of millions that have been invested.
While Mbeumo is only 15 Premier League games into his Old Trafford journey, the hope will be that he can maintain such early, rampant form, with new signings having usually been figured out by this stage.
Take Cristiano Ronaldo, for instance, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer having already been sacked by the time of the 15th league appearance of his second spell, albeit with the Portuguese having scored eight top-flight goals in that time.
In the case of Edinson Cavani, who arrived the year earlier, the Uruguayan hitman had netted five league goals in that time, albeit while having been hampered by fitness issues upon his move to Manchester.
The man who signed in the same summer as Ronaldo, in the form of Sancho, had netted just once in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea under Michael Carrick, while it took the aforementioned Antony until April to add his fourth league goal, following those three early efforts in succession.
Hojlund’s woes have already been made clear, with 2024 arrival, Joshua Zirkzee, scoring three times in his first 15 league outings of last season, albeit while failing to net again until the recent trip to Selhurst Park.
Mbeumo, hopefully, will kick on and continue to light up Old Trafford following his international committments, with INEOS currently being rewarded for their £65m investment.
Selected post-2020 signings*
Player
Goals
Assists
Bryan Mbeumo
6
1
Joshua Zirkzee
3
1
Rasmus Hojlund
1
0
Mason Mount
1
0
Antony
3
0
Jadon Sancho
1
0
Cristiano Ronaldo (2nd spell)
8
3
Edinson Cavani
5
2
Donny van de Beek
1
1
*Record after 15 Premier League appearances
Stats via Transfermarkt
That being said, he might not actually prove to be the new regime’s best deal of recent times…
Man Utd's best deal yet under INEOS
Mbeumo has been a delight under Ruben Amorim thus far, although considering the nature of his price tag, perhaps that is merely to be expected, not least after the Cameroonian international netted 20 league goals for Brentford last term.
Considering his proven Premier League quality, his stellar impact is perhaps not too surprising, with there likely more a sense of relief at boardroom level that this isn’t merely another costly move that has gone awry.
Mbeumo’s talents, such was his form last season, in particular, were not too difficult to spot, with a range of top-flight rivals having also been chasing his signature over the summer, including Thomas Frank’s Tottenham.
Plucking out a more left-field, relative unknown gem is far more satisfying, with young Ayden Heaven no doubt a contender to emerge as INEOS’ best deal yet – not least in a business sense.
Indeed, while the 19-year-old has made just 11 first-team appearances for his new club in 2025, the early signs are that the Red Devils have snapped up a bargain, after landing the teenager from Arsenal for a fee of just £1m.
That price tag had led to the expectation that Heaven would merely slot into the academy set-up following his January arrival, although it was notable that he was categorised as a first-team player by the club once the move was confirmed.
Last season was cruelly hampered by the injury sustained away at Leicester City, although the England international did show flashes of his quality, namely starring against Real Sociedad in the Europa League.
Previously described by his grassroots football coach Terry Bobie as looking “Paul Pogba-esque” after starting out as a midfielder, the towering left-footer found a natural home for himself at left centre-back under Amorim, leading to club legend Wayne Rooney to dish out praise for him last term.
As for 2025/26, the £1m gem was on the periphery after starting in the horror show at Grimsby, although he returned to action in a central centre-back berth against West Ham United, in the absence of Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt.
That outing was a learning curve, following his eventual withdrawal at half-time, although the 6 foot 4 sensation looked far more comfortable away at Molineux last time out.
As per Sofascore, Heaven completed 100% of his duels, recorded a 100% pass rate and lost the ball just once in that 4-1 victory, looking particularly assured even in what is something of a new role.
It’s also worth noting that he was up against a man who scored 14 Premier League goals last season, in the form of Jorgen Strand Larsen, yet hardly looked troubled, as United cantered to victory in the second half.
The sample size is small considering his limited game time under Amorim to date, although considering he is currently being given the nod ahead of £50m man, Leny Yoro, it certainly highlights just what a talent the Old Trafford side have on their hands.
Having forked out just £1m, it’s hard to see INEOS being able to top such an astute duel, while the ability to poach him from a rival, well, that just makes it all the sweeter.
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Chelsea’s title ambitions were always more realistically viewed through a wider lens than the current campaign, but this recent drop in form has been concerning for Enzo Maresca’s side nonetheless.
A creditable draw against table-toppers Arsenal last weekend, preceded a bitter defeat to promoted Leeds United at Elland Road in midweek, and this one marked the perfect chance to bounce back and keep a toe in the early Premier League title race.
Bournemouth stood strong against the Blues on Saturday afternoon, but they also pulled their weight in the final third, recording an xG total of 1.37 compared to the visitors’ 0.88.
There was an undeniable bluntness to Chelsea’s attack, with a number of stars flattering to deceive on the south coast.
Chelsea's worst performers at Bournemouth
Robert Sanchez certainly wasn’t among Chelsea’s worst performers at the Vitality, having made a string of important saves throughout the contest to keep parity intact.
Neither was Moises Caicedo to blame. The Ecuadorian served the second game of his three-match suspension after seeing red against Arsenal, and his absence was keenly felt in the middle of the park.
Enzo Fernandez toiled without his dance partner in the engine room, but he was sloppy on the ball. Likewise, Cole Palmer looked rusty on his return from injury, only creating one chance and wasting a few decent opportunities before being replaced by Joao Pedro before the hour mark.
There was another attacking instrument under Maresca’s command who struggled to impose himself despite some hustle and bustle, looking like a teammate of his who has been absent for some time.
Maresca must bench Mudryk-esque Chelsea forward
Since leaving Manchester United and joining Chelsea this summer in a deal worth £40m, Alejandro Garnacho has blown hot and cold, scoring two goals and supplying two assists across 14 matches in all competitions. In the Premier League, Maresca has handed the 21-year-old six starts.
Against Bournemouth, though, he was part of a Chelsea side who succumbed to an absence of end product, hitting the woodwork and failing to build on his positive form of recent weeks.
Football.london did hand Garnacho a 6/10 match rating, acknowledging his optimism and energy on the ball, but he left much to be desired all the same, with his end product leading to a sense that he is shaping into the club’s next version of Mykhaylo Mudryk.
Mudryk is suspended at the moment, but from a footballing standpoint, his £89m transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk to Stamford Bridge in January 2023 ended up a major misfire from Todd Boehly and co, with the Ukrainian’s pace and technical skill unable to be applied with efficiency on English shores.
Having failed with all three of his attempted dribbles and proved unable to even attempt a tackle, the South American left something to be desired, and though he created a chance, he also lost the ball 11 times, and that having only completed 17 passes on the evening.
Alejandro Garnacho vs Bournemouth
Match Stats
#
Minutes played
77′
Goals
0
Assists
0
Touches
35
Shots (on target)
2 (0)
Accurate passes
17/20 (85%)
Chances created
1
Crosses
2/3
Dribbles
0/3
Ball recoveries
3
Tackles won
0/0
Duels won
3/7
Data via Sofascore
We already know that Garnacho has a penchant for the spectacular, but he needs to channel his craft and grow into the player he has been touted to be.
In this, he is not too dissimilar to Mudryk, though hopefully he has more opportunities to showcase his skills.
Mudryk and Garnacho share a likeness in that they are both athletic and dynamic wingers, but the latter needs to prove now that Chelsea are going to get bang for their buck, and perhaps a return to the bench might fuel him with the requisite aggression and focus going forward.
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The highly-rated attacker has not impressed so far this season.