The Leeds logic behind their ‘magical night' – and why it could last
In 2025, there was a superficial similarity in the fixture list, none whatsoever in the game but Leeds could savour an outcome they preferred. Everton were beaten 1-0 and, for the second time in the opening round of games, a promoted club tasted victory.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Belfast Telegraph
23 minutes ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Michael O'Neill handed boost as several key figures available for opening World Cup qualifying ties
The Reds right-back is yet to feature for Liverpool this season due to a hamstring injury but has since returned to training ahead of this weekend's meeting with Newcastle United. But the 22-year-old has been named in the squad to face Luxembourg and Germany in their first two qualifiers on September 4 and 7 respectively, as has Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles. The shot-stopper was a significant doubt for the squad having hurt his shoulder against Stoke City on Saturday but Michael O'Neill has still opted to name his first-choice goalkeeper in his panel. There is also a recall for Bailey Peacock-Farrell, who joined Blackpool on loan over the summer, as Plymouth Argyle stopper Conor Hazard misses out due to an injury he picked up in their friendly defeat to Denmark in June. San Diego defender Paddy McNair and Bolton Wanderers star Eoin Toal are both brought back in having missed the summer's friendly double-header, while Stevenage striker Jamie Reid is also recalled. Chesterfield striker Lee Bonis and Dundee defender Aaron Donnelly are two to miss out this time despite being available, while Preston North End midfielder Jordan Thompson was not considered after undergoing ankle surgery. Northern Ireland begins its qualification campaign for a place in the USA and Canada in Luxembourg on September 4 before travelling to Koln to take on the Germans three days later on September 7. Northern Ireland squad to face Luxembourg and Germany Goalkeepers: Pierce Charles (Sheffield Wednesday), Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Blackpool), Luke Southwood (Bristol Rovers). Defenders: Trai Hume, Daniel Ballard (both Sunderland), Brodie Spencer (Oxford United), Conor Bradley (Liverpool), Ruairi McConville (Norwich City), Paddy McNair (San Diego), Eoin Toal (Bolton Wanderers), Terry Devlin (Portsmouth). Midfielders: George Saville (Luton Town), Shea Charles (Southampton), Alistair McCann (Preston North End), Ethan Galbraith (Swansea City), Brad Lyons (Kilmarnock), Justin Devenny (Crystal Palace), Caolan Boyd-Munce (Wycombe Wanderers), Isaac Price (West Bromwich Albion), Paul Smyth (Queens Park Rangers), Callum Marshall (West Ham United), Jamie Donley (Stoke City).
Metro
23 minutes ago
- Metro
Man Utd targeting three goalkeepers but unknown star could be the answer
Manchester United emerged from their opening game of the new Premier League season showing some overdue promise but were undone by the same old problems. The club have spent almost £200milliion rebuilding their attack with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha starting brightly against Arsenal as Benjamin Sesko made his debut off the bench. United are still in the market for a midfielder before the summer transfer window closes in 12 days. But Altay Bayindir's calamitous error that allowed Riccardo Calafiori to nod home Sunday's winner heightened concern over an issue that threatens to undermine any progress for Ruben Amorim's side this season. In the wake of Sunday's defeat, Amorim defended Bayindir after his error, suggesting the Turkey international had been impeded. Andre Onana, left out of the squad that day, inspired little confidence last season with nine errors leading to goals– at fault in the Europa League final against Tottenham. At 39 years old having not played a competitive game in almost four years, Tom Heaton is not the answer. Messages out of United this week have been there are no plans to sign a new goalkeeper. Another calamity this weekend against Fulham could change that. Metro's weekly football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it's an open goal. United have already explored a move for Emiliano Martinez this summer with reports suggesting Amorim personally requested the arrival of the World Cup winner, twice voted the best shop stopper on the planet. With a penchant for delivering on the biggest stages, Martinez certainly has the personality to be the commanding leader in goal United need. In shot-stopping, his distribution and aerial presence, the Aston Villa star has been among the best in the Premier League in recent years with only Jordan Pickford (569) making more top flight saves than Martinez (530) since the Argentine joined Villa in 2020. But judging him solely on the eye test, there appeared to be a decline in his performances last season following on from a sublime 2023-24 campaign with the data supporting it. A save percentage of 67.9 per cent is only good enough for 14th best in the English top flight, declining from 74.4 per cent in 2022-23 when he scooped his first Lev Yashin Trophy. Only four goalkeepers conceded more than the former Arsenal youngster (45) last season. On Sunday, Bayindir was bullied in the United goal with William Saliba putting him under pressure and forcing the error in a relatively straight forward manner. Onana's reluctance to come off his line for crosses has been a constant theme during his struggles and it highlights the need for United to bring in a commanding and dominant threat in the air. In that respect, Martinez could be their man. No other goalkeeper in the Premier League stopped more crosses than the Argentine during the 2024-25 season. If you put aside the huge salary it might take to lure him in, Gianluigi Donnarumma would be the obvious candidate for United. Still just 26 years old, the Italy international is also the very definition of a big-game player for club and country with his string of saves in the knockout stages of last season's Champions League just as important as the magic woven by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele. But there is reason for caution aside from the financials. Despite his huge frame, Donnarumma can struggle with high balls with his crosses stopped percentage last season at 5% a, marginally worse than Onana's and some way short of that of Martinez. The Italian managed just four clean sheets in his 24 Ligue 1 appearances despite PSG's domestic dominance, recording a save percentage of 66.7 which leaves him right down in 15th place compared the rest of the division's shot stoppers. Signing Donnarumma on a huge salary would been in fitting of previous regimes at Old Trafford but perhaps not anymore. Instead of targeting one of Europe's established goalkeepers, an emerging name is perhaps more in line with INEOS' thinking. With that in mind, Senne Lammens could be the answer. More Trending The 23-year-old has drawn comparisons with his countryman Thibaut Courtois and is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers operating outside Europe's top five leagues, still plying his trade in Belgium with Antwerp. Similarly to Martinez, the Belgian would offer United a huge improvement dealing with crosses, boasting near identical stats to the Villa shot stopper in crossing metrics, also outranking the likes of Onana, Alisson Becker, Ederson, Jordan Pickford and Jordan Henderson. Averaging more saves per match than both Martinez and Donnarumma with a huge save percentage of 81.4 per cent, Lammens has excelled across a number of different areas. While Donnarumma and Martinez might be regarded as the penalty saving kings on the grandest stage, the Belgian is building his own fearsome reputation, stopping five spot kicks since the start of last season – more than any other goalkeeper in Europe's top 10 leagues during that period. United have three very viable targets in front of them, all within a fairly modest price range. But they are running out of time to address a problem they cannot afford to let fester any longer. MORE: Ruben Amorim has already named 'complete' midfielder Man Utd must sign MORE: Fulham vs Man Utd: Predicted lineups, latest team news and injuries MORE: Will Arsenal's £60m transfer hijack of Eberechi Eze signal the end for one Gunners star? Your guide to the week in football. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk – sign up, it's an open goal.
Daily Mirror
24 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd wonderkid JJ Gabriel, 14, promoted to first-team training by Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim has decided to hand an opportunity to JJ Gabriel, despite the Manchester United winger only being 14 years old, having been impressed by his talent Manchester United have promoted wonderkid JJ Gabriel to train with the first team after Ruben Amorim was impressed by his performances. Gabriel is just 14 years old, but has been fast-tracked in the United academy after catching the eye. The winger committed his future to United earlier in the summer, with the club's technical director Jason Wilcox playing a role in those discussions. That is unusual for an academy player so young and underlines the excitement surrounding him. Amorim was informed of his progress earlier in the summer and was shown video clips of Gabriel during United's pre-season tour of the United States. He has reportedly taken a keen interest in his development and has now met Gabriel for himself. BBC Sport says Amorim has met Gabriel at Carrington and the youngster watched the opening Premier League match of the season against Arsenal from the directors' box at Old Trafford on Sunday. He has now been told he will be given the opportunity to train with the first team on occasions this season. Amorim has been keen to assess the youngsters coming through the United academy, with many making up the numbers in training. But Gabriel is an exception simply due to his age. He made his Premier League Under-18 debut by starting Saturday's 1-0 win at Everton, but won't be able to feature in their FA Youth Cup campaign because he is still too young. Gabriel has been on the radar of United fans after scoring twice for the Under-18s in a 13-1 hammering of Leeds in April. That match saw him become the youngest ever player to feature for United's U18s and the team's manager, Darren Fletcher, is in charge of his development. 'It's important we let them develop,' Fletcher told club media recently when speaking about the development of players such as Gabriel and Kai Rooney – the 15-year-old son of club legend Wayne Rooney. 'They've got loads of development to do, but they're sponges. They want to learn. They're young boys who just enjoy football. They take on the information, we're trying to give them a platform on which to express themselves. 'And we have to recognise their age as well. We don't want them to grow up too quickly. Let them just develop. It's difficult when they're on TV, but that's part of the game and the modern world. 'We don't want to hold anybody back. If you're performing, you're going to get rewards for it. They've played because they deserve it, and they've shown they can compete and fight at this level. We believe in a variety of experiences, so it's important they play at their own age group, and it's important they get tested [at this level] and they find things tough.'
