NEWCASTLE: Eddie Howe looks to be within touching distance of his first trophy at Newcastle United, albeit a personal, rather than collective one.
Howe’s Magpies made it three wins from four to finish off the month of February, putting the head coach in the running for Premier League manager of the month after the team’s unbeaten exploits.
More importantly, the gap to the top flight’s bottom three was again stretched to four points, having been cut to two in the week, following a 2-0 victory over 10-man Brentford in West London.
Goals from Joelinton and Joe Willock in the opening 45 were enough to seal this one, as Howe’s Newcastle continued their charge away from the Premier League basement boys.
Sticking with the same team who served Newcastle so well last week, the Magpies got off to a flier at the Brentford Community Stadium — and their cause was helped when Josh Dasilva’s shocking challenge saw referee Mike Dean brandish red.
There were just 12 minutes on the clock when Matt Targett’s attempt to get the ball under control on the edge of the Bees’ box was thwarted illegally by the Brentford full-back.
In fact, it was a shockingly timed tackle, that on another occasion could easily have broken the on-loan defender’s leg. Luckily, though, this time it was just a card with no injury after a short VAR check by Dean.
Often it can be tough to break teams down when they go down to 10 men, but the Magpies made light work of it, spraying passes from left to right to stretch the play at will. Targett and Ryan Fraser were a particular thorn in the side of the home outfit.
The duo both carved out headed opportunities for the as yet goalless Chris Wood. Both chances were headed straight at David Raya in the Brentford goal. Both chances were gilt-edged and should have put Newcastle in front.
While Wood is struggling in front of goal, Joelinton, a man who knows all about that kind of thing, is thriving in this Howe setup.
Another colossus-like performance in his fresh midfield role was capped with yet another goal, this his second of the season, and second against Brentford.
A chipped Fraser cross found the towering Brazilian, who crashed a header past the helpless Raya for 1-0.
Soon after it was two goals to the good for the dominant Magpies as they broke at speed from a home corner with defender Fabian Schar taking down a high ball, beating the last man before putting one on a plate for Willock, who made it two in two with a stroked finish, having gone 21 games without a goal previously.
After the break the game was a little more fractured. Where Newcastle were pass-perfect in the opener, they let that dominance shift more in the second 45.
Having turned provider for the second, Schar went close on 47 minutes with a close-range header, but apart from that it was the home side who began to assert themselves, despite being a man light.
The introduction of Christian Eriksen off the bench — his emotional return to senior football after suffering a heart attack in Euro 2020 playing for Denmark — brought about a renewed confidence in the hosts, as hopes of a comeback threatened to impact what had, to this point, been a Newcastle-controlled encounter.
However, the introduction of Newcastle’s own magician off the bench Bruno Guimaraes helped to put out any fires, taking the sting out of the Bees’ mini-revival.
As ole after ole rang out from the corner holding the traveling Magpies hordes, Newcastle saw out this one with relative ease in the end, as the hosts understandably ran out of steam.
Vitaly Janelt had Brentford’s best chance of the game in added time, but Martin Dubravka, a spectator for much of this one, was equal to it.
And with that the Magpies went seven games unbeaten, recording four wins in their last five, which is some turnaround given the Magpies won only one of their first 20 this campaign.
If Howe does claim the manager of the month title for February it will be well-deserved. His tireless work behind closed doors has not gone unnoticed by the club hierarchy. Finally, those results are flowing on the pitch.
And while safety is not yet secured, with 25 points on the board it is edging ever closer.
The future at Newcastle is bright, of that there is no doubt, and while the not-too-distant past has been dark in nature, the present is delivering some much needed light, pride and most importantly, points.
Newcastle’s rise up the Premier League table continues after 2-0 win at Brentford
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Newcastle’s rise up the Premier League table continues after 2-0 win at Brentford
- Eddie Howe in line for February manager of the month award as Magpies extend unbeaten run to seven matches
- The introduction of Christian Eriksen off the bench — his emotional return to senior football after suffering a heart attack in Euro 2020 playing for Denmark — brought about a renewed confidence in the hosts
West Indies cricket team to arrive for first Test tour of Pakistan in 19 years on Jan. 6
- West Indies to play two Test matches against Pakistan in Multan from Jan. 17-29, says PCB
- West Indies last toured Pakistan for a Test series in November 2006 for three-match series
ISLAMABAD: The West Indian national men’s cricket team will arrive for their first Test tour of Pakistan in 19 years on Jan. 6, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Tuesday, during which they will play two Test matches.
The last time the West Indies played a Test series on Pakistani soil was in November 2006, when they played three Tests. Their last Test away Test series against Pakistan was in the UAE in October 2016, which was selected as Pakistan’s home venue for cricket series after 2009 when a militant attack in Lahore scared away international cricket teams from touring the country.
The former two-time ODI World Cup champions have, however, thrice toured Pakistan since April 2018— one for an ODI series in June 2022 and twice for a bilateral T20I series in April 2018 and December 2021.
“The West Indies cricket team will arrive in Islamabad on 6 January and after playing a three-day match against Pakistan Shaheens from 10-12 January at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, they will take on Pakistan in back-to-back Tests in Multan,” the PCB said. “The first Test will be played from 17-21 January, while the second Test will be held from 25-29 January.”
International cricket teams refused to play cricket in Pakistan for years after militants attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team’s bus in Lahore in 2009, wounding six players and killing two civilians and six security officials.
International cricket and its stars, however, slowly returned to playing in the country as the security situation in Pakistan gradually improved. The South Asian country is gearing up to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 from February to March next year.
This will be the first time that Pakistan will be hosting an ICC tournament on its home soil since 1996 when it co-hosted the ICC ODI World Cup won by Sri Lanka.
Inter beat Como to keep in touch with leaders Atalanta
- Como, coached by Cesc Fabregas, slipped a spot to 16th and sit just one point clear of the relegation zone
MILAN, Italy: Inter Milan saw off Como 2-0 on Monday to stretch their unbeaten run in Serie A to 11 games and move back to within three points of leaders Atalanta.
Defender Carlos Augusto headed in from a corner early in the second half before Marcus Thuram wrapped up a fourth successive league win with a thumping finish in stoppage time.
Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer made a crucial save on the hour to deny Nico Paz an equalizer as Simone Inzaghi’s side showed signs of weariness at the San Siro in what was their third outing in a week.
Thuram’s goal was his 12th of the season and sent him level with Atalanta striker Mateo Retegui for the league lead.
“Marcus is a high-class player who always trains well and has adapted very quickly to the way we play,” said Inzaghi.
“You have to congratulate Como for coming here and giving it their all, but we stayed focused and showed great maturity.”
Third-placed Inter are a point behind Napoli but have played a game less than the top two teams after their match with Fiorentina was called off at the start of December following Edoardo Bove’s sudden collapse.
Reigning champions Inter visit lowly Cagliari this weekend and could put the pressure back on Atalanta, who are away to Lazio in the late game on Saturday.
Como, coached by Cesc Fabregas, slipped a spot to 16th and sit just one point clear of the relegation zone.
Fiorentina lost more ground in the title race after falling to a 2-1 home defeat by Udinese.
Moise Kean’s early penalty gave Fiorentina the lead as they sought to shake off last weekend’s loss to Bologna that snapped the club’s eight-match winning streak in Serie A.
However, Udinese equalized shortly after half-time through Lorenzo Lucca and former France international Florian Thauvin curled in the winner from outside the area.
“The most important thing for me is not the goal but the victory. These are three important points against a very strong team,” said Udinese captain Thauvin.
Udinese stayed ninth and are eight points off the European places.
Complete lineup for February UFC event in Riyadh announced
RIYADH: Organizers confirmed on Monday the complete list of fighters for the UFC Fight Night event in the Saudi capital on Feb. 1.
Israel Adesanya versus Nassourdine Imavov is the main event for the second UFC event held in the Kingdom.
The card features Dagestani fighter Said Nurmagomedov (18-3-0) will face Brazilian Vinicius “Lok Dog” Oliveira (21-3-0), while Tajik Muhammad Naimov (11-3-0) squares off against Australian Kaan Ofli (12-3-1).
In another bout, American Terrance McKinney (15-7-0) will clash with Denmark’s Damir Hadzovic (14-7-0), and Austrian Bogdan Grad (14-2-0) will meet Brazilian Lucas Alexander (8-4-0).
Highlighting Arab representation, Egyptian Hamdy Abdelwahab (5-0-0) will take on American Jamal Boggs (11-4-0), while Bahraini Shamil Gaziev (13-1-0) faces a tough challenge against American Thomas Petersen (9-2-0).
The excitement continues as Americans Jordan Leavitt (11-3-0) and Abdul Kareem Al-Selwady (15-4-0) battle it out, and Russian Sergei Pavlovich (18-3-0) faces Surinamese fighter Jairzinho “Bigi Boy” Rozenstruik (15-5-0).
Dagestani Ikram Aliskerov (15-2-0) will take on Brazilian André Muniz (24-6-0) in a blockbuster bout.
Adesanya, the Nigerian-born New Zealander, is one of UFC’s all-time greats, making a return after a title fight against Dricus du Plessis earlier this year. He is determined to reclaim his dominance with a decisive victory over Imavov.
In June the UFC hosted the first ever event in the Kingdom, bringing the premier fighting championship to Saudi fans of MMA.
Tickets are available for the event at the anb Arena on Jan. 3.
Saudi striker Saleh Al-Shehri out of remainder of Gulf Cup after injury in first match
- Loss of the player, a standout performer recently, after picking up a muscle injury in Sunday’s 3-2 defeat by Bahrain is a significant blow
KUWAIT CITY: Saudi national team striker Saleh Al-Shehri has been ruled out of the remainder of the 26th Gulf Cup after sustaining a muscle injury during the Green Falcons’ opening match against Bahrain on Sunday.
Head coach Herve Renard made the decision to send Al-Shehri home from the team’s training camp after medical reports confirmed the injury will require treatment and rehabilitation.
Saudi Arabia suffered a 3-2 defeat in the match against Bahrain. The loss of Al-Shehri, a key player and standout performer for the team in recent months, will be a significant blow for the squad as they attempt to get their Gulf Cup campaign back on track against Yemen at Jaber Stadium in Kuwait on Wednesday.
During a training session on Monday evening, Renard divided the squad into two groups, with the players who started on Sunday focusing on recovery exercises in the gym while the remainder of the squad trained on the pitch at Al-Nassr Club Stadium.
Moves afoot for Saudi cricketers to host Sri Lanka’s stars
- ‘We plan to bring our cricketers for a friendly match with Saudi team,’ Sri Lanka envoy says
RIYADH: With the popularity of cricket in Saudi Arabia growing by leaps and bounds, do not be surprized if you see Sri Lankan cricketers playing with the Saudi team in the near future.
The Sri Lankan ambassador in Riyadh, Omar Lebbe Ameer Ajwad, in an interview with Arab News on the 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries, said: “We have very cordial relations and, importantly, have taken initiatives to further elevate our bilateral ties in all areas of mutual interest, one of them is cricket.
“We are in touch with the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation. So we will work with them in the future, to organize bilateral matches, cricket matches between the two sides, the Sri Lankan team and the Saudi team,” the envoy told Arab News.
“We are planning to have the kind of bilateral ties in which the cricket team can visit. So we are working on that. We have initiated some talks. I met SACF Chairman Prince Saud bin Mishal Al-Saud,” Ajwad said.
The SACF chairman has also visited Sri Lanka for cooperation in cricket, he added.
“We will bring our cricket stars here, to start some kind of a friendly match. Maybe we can work on that to mark the occasion as we are celebrating 50 years of our diplomatic ties,” the ambassador said.
"All these projects are in our plan. Of course, we are having a list of items to celebrate this milestone in our bilateral relations,” he added.
Sri Lankan cricket star and former captain Kumar Sangakkara was in NEOM as part of the second season of the NEOM and Rajasthan Royals’ cricket program, he said.
“He was in NEOM. So in the future we will interact like this, bringing Sri Lankan cricketers to the Kingdom,” he added.
Indian cricket star and former captain Rahul Dravid, who is head coach of the Indian Premier League team Rajasthan Royals, also attended the NEOM cricket program.
The Red Sea city of Jeddah last month hosted the TATA IPL mega auction at the Abadi Al-Johar Arena that attracted a galaxy of international cricket stars and the celebrity owners of the IPL franchises.
The SACF described the TATA IPL mega auction as “a historic sporting achievement in Jeddah.”
On X, the IPL posted: “TATA IPL partners got to experience ‘TATAIPLAuction’ in Jeddah like never before,” describing the event as “a historic moment in the TATA IPL Auction.”
Pakistani cricketing legends including Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar also visited the Kingdom in the recent past and held meetings with the SACF chairman to discuss the development of cricket and ways to cooperate.