West Ham United boss Graham Potter is under mounting pressure after slumping to a dismal 3-0 derby defeat against Tottenham last Saturday, with the east Londoners losing four of their opening five games in all competitions thus far.

Potter has tough games against Crystal Palace, Everton and Premier League title-chasing Arsenal on the horizon, with more unconvincing performances threatening to oust the tactician just 10 months after he took over from Julen Lopetegui.

Only Avram Grant, who led the Hammers to relegation in 2011, boasts a worse West Ham win percentage than Potter since the Premier League’s inception — serving as a clear warning that things desperately need to improve.

9. Sam Allardyce

30.7%

10. Julen Lopetegui

30%

11. Gianfranco Zola

27.8%

12, Graham Potter

27.3%

13. Avram Grant

18.9%

via StatMuse

West Ham’s woeful defence, which has conceded 14 goals in all competitions already, is the top flight’s worst back line right now by far — having also leaked 11 league goals in just four top flight matches.

Their failure to deal with set pieces has been another major thorn in Potter’s side, and one key ingredient West Ham need more than anything else is solidarity if they’re to avoid a relegation dogfight.

David Sullivan and the Irons board may even decide to cut their losses with Potter, especially considering that out-of-work former Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espírito Santo is readily available for hire.

The Portuguese, who guided Forest back to Europe for the first time since 1995 after a fairytale 2024/2025, was unceremoniously sacked by Evangelos Marinakis after a public fallout — just months after Nuno signed a brand-new contract.

Reports suggest that Nuno will jump at the chance to get back into management and his priority is to remain in the Premier League — making the 51-year-old a potential match made in heaven for West Ham.

Nuno’s pragmatic approach and defensive style could also suit West Ham down to the ground amid their real fragility at the back, with the likes of Kieran McKenna, José Mourinho and Frank Lampard also named as managerial candidates at the London Stadium.

How West Ham's board really feel about Graham Potter after Tottenham defeat

However, before any approach is made to the aforementioned coaches, the club must first make a decision on Potter.

According to Football Insider and journalist Pete O’Rourke, West Ham’s board believe it is “too early” to sack Potter despite their lacklustre start to 2025/2026 — with the ex-Chelsea boss retaining their backing “for the time being”.

The key phrase here is “for the time being”, but should West Ham relieve the tactician sooner?

West Ham must make ruthless Graham Potter decision

The team looks disjointed right now, lacking both defensive organisation and attacking spark, which arguably reflects poorly on Potter’s tactical approach among other key concerns.

For a squad boasting proven talent, fans and pundits alike are in agreement that the side should be performing far better.

Potter’s track record at Chelsea also raises concerns. Despite heavy backing in the transfer market there, he failed to deliver results, and many critics feared West Ham were repeating the same mistake when he was appointed.

Those fears now appear to be realised, and with Nuno available, West Ham should bite the bullet, admit they made a mistake and bring the former Tottenham boss to east London.

Chelsea wonderkid Estevao Willian is being backed to emulate Gianfranco Zola and Eden Hazard by securing legend status at Stamford Bridge, with the Brazilian youngster considered to be “unbelievably good”. He has already been likened to iconic countryman Neymar, with big shoes to be filled there, while also earning the nickname ‘Messinho’ (Little Messi) in his homeland.

Meteoric rise: Estevao tipped to reach the top

That goes to show how far the teenager has come in a short space of time. He only made his professional debut at Palmeiras in December 2023 and, less than two years later, is now a senior Brazil international and a Premier League performer being tipped to reach the very top.

A transfer to English football was completed in the summer of 2025 after turning 18 and facing Chelsea at the FIFA Club World Cup. He admitted when arriving in west London that adjusting to life outside of his comfort zone would be difficult.

Estevao has, however, hit the ground running with Chelsea – opening his goal account in stunning style when netting a stoppage-time winner in a dramatic victory over defending champions Liverpool. He had already been catching the eye prior to that outing.

AdvertisementGetty/GOALNext Neymar: Estevao compared to fellow Brazilian

His quick feet and ability to drift beyond opponents have made him a fan favourite and earned the respect of those who are sat alongside him in the Chelsea dressing room. There is the promise of much more to come, with the hottest of prospects seemingly ready to become the next South American sensation.

Ex-Chelsea winger Pat Nevin has told : “Estevao has been exactly what I hoped for. I think he could be one of the best. It's a lot to ask of a kid who's 18, but he's got everything, everything you need. Next off the Brazilian production line like Neymar. It's a good solid start, but I'll tell you what underlines it. I was at the Chelsea v Liverpool game just the other week and the ball went out to him and the noise in the stadium is different from every single other player. That is wow, not many can do that. So nice solid start, but he's a kid that can go wherever he likes. He's unbelievably good.”

Chelsea greats: Estevao to follow in iconic footsteps

Nevin went on to say of Estevao following in some iconic footsteps: “Style-wise, Chelsea have got this long list from Gianfranco Zola, Eden Hazard, Juan Mata was much much loved down there. It goes all the way back to Charlie Cooke. Chelsea have got a whole list of these little creative players that they absolutely love.

“Estevao will be one of them. If Chelsea treat him right, if they stick by him, if he doesn't get injured, he will be in that pantheon. There's a couple of ifs in there, but definitely capable. Which one of them is he more like? He's probably closer to Neymar. He's not really like them. But creative, small, playing for Chelsea and could be world class very soon. He's up there and he should be one of them because he's good enough.”

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GettyNext for Estevao? Chelsea return to Premier League action

Another former Blues star, Champions League-winning coach Roberto Di Matteo, told GOAL recently when asked how god Estevao can become: “Let’s not overwhelm him with pressure, but he’s going to be a top player! You can see that he is so advanced in his football development.

“I saw him before the international break and he looks like a 15-year-old! You look at him and think ‘you are playing already?’ Amazing skills, technically, he’s fast, unpredictable, can go outside and inside. Very good attitude. He’s quite advanced for his age. Ancelotti loves him in the Brazil national team.

“He’s got a very good family around him as well, his parents have moved over with him. He’s got good management around him so I have no doubt that he’s going to grow and become a top player, a world top player.”

Chelsea have Estevao tied to a long term contract through to 2033, meaning that they stand to benefit from the unlocking of further potential. He was among the goals for Brazil during the international break, netting a brace against South Korea, and will be back in Premier League action on Saturday when the Blues take in a trip to Nottingham Forest.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been gifted a double-injury boost before their crunch Premier League clash with Man City on Sunday.

Arsenal prepare to host Man City in vital Premier League face-off

For the second time in three top flight games, Arteta’s side face off against fellow title contenders in what is set to be yet another potentially season-defining afternoon.

It is still very early days, but given the sheer investment in Liverpool’s squad and City’s own ambitions to become champions of England once again, the race for Premier League glory will come down to very tight margins.

Arsenal vs Man City – tale of the Premier League season so far

Man United 0-1 Arsenal

Wolves 0-4 Man City

Arsenal 5-0 Leeds United

Man City 0-2 Tottenham

Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal

Brighton 2-1 Man City

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Man City 3-0 Man United

The head-to-heads between City, Liverpool, Arsenal or even Chelsea could be vital in determining who will be crowned at the end of 2025/2026, and nothing but a win against Pep Guardiola’s side will satisfy supporters as Arteta seeks to end the Gunners’ two-decade-long wait for a title.

The Citizens are on a very mixed run of form, having lost 50 per cent of their Premier League matches already, while Arsenal were handed their first defeat of the campaign against Liverpool just prior to the international break.

Arsenal, partly owing to Cristhian Mosquera’s exceptional displays in place of William Saliba, have conceded just one goal in all competitions this season, so City superstar Erling Haaland is set for a tough afternoon at the Emirates Stadium.

In terms of team news, City will be without Omar Marmoush, Rayan Cherki, Mateo Kovacic — who are all absent with long-term injuries — with John Stones and Rayan Ait-Nouri also doubts for the trip to north London.

Guardiola will also make a late fitness call on Rodri, as the 29-year-old hasn’t started three big games of this magnitude in a row since before his season-ending ACL injury last season.

Arsenal gifted double-injury boost before Man City after Mikel Arteta update

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta has now shared team news out of Arsenal.

Despite head-injury worries surrounding both Mikel Merino and Viktor Gyokeres, following their win over Athletic Bilbao midweek, Arteta has now confirmed that the duo are fine and available to play on Sunday in a four-word update.

Elsewhere, Arteta also confirmed that Ben White, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka are subject to late fitness tests, which will determine whether the trio can also feature against Guardiola’s men.

When asked if Saliba could start his first game back from injury, relegating the in-form Mosquera to Arsenal’s bench, says the Frenchman is “really pushing” to be given the nod against City.

Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are still out with long-term problems, with some reports previously suggesting that the latter may not be back until 2026.

If White, Odegaard and Saka are indeed past fit, Arsenal will have a near-fully fit squad to take on City, but the confirmed presence of Merino and Gyokeres undoubtedly comes as a major boost.

Newcastle United are circling the market for reinforcements and could now be set to go all out for a defender they have wanted since the start of the window.

Newcastle United set to sign Yoane Wissa

With hours of the window remaining, Alexander Isak will join Liverpool from Newcastle, leaving a vacancy through the middle free for Eddie Howe to bring in a new striker.

In light of reports linking the Magpies to several different options, Brentford’s Yoane Wissa is the one that will pitch up at St James’ Park after the Bees accepted an offer for the Congolese marksman.

Now set for a medical before an official announcement is made, he will join new signing Nick Woltemade, with both set to fight it out for the number one jersey at the top end of the field.

Reacting to a goalless draw at the weekend, Howe made it clear that his side aren’t offensively proficient at this moment in time, which may offer a hint as to why they have made such a strong late play for another striker.

He told BBC Sport: “We’re disappointed the other way that we didn’t cause them more problems. We had a few moments that you think could’ve led to more. We’re just in that moment where the goals aren’t flowing and that cost us today.”

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Nevertheless, that all appears to be in the past, but there are still further questions over where the former Bournemouth man could opt to add more bodies as the North East giants tackle the rigours of balancing domestic football and the Champions League.

At the last minute, supporters may now have found out a little more information on this front after revealing developments surrounding one target.

Newcastle submit loan offer for Fenerbahce defender Jayden Oosterwolde

According to reports in Turkey via Sport Witness, Newcastle have submitted a loan-to-buy offer for Fenerbahce defender Jayden Oosterwolde. However, the proposal has been rejected by the Turkish giants.

Intriguingly, the Magpies have been interested in Oosterwolde since June, when he was identified as a cheaper option to Marc Guehi, albeit landing him may be a complicated process after Diego Carlos was ruled out with an injury.

Capable of featuring in central defence or at left-back, the Zwolle-born man has previously been praised for his “extremely physically strong” nature by agent, Jose Blakborn, and he has featured six times for his current employers this season.

Three years remain on his deal in Istanbul, so he retains plenty of value even if the 24-year-old were to agitate for a move, leaving work to be done from a Newcastle perspective if they are to force something over the line.

Stranger things have happened, though PIF will need to move swiftly in order to convince Fenerbahce that he is a player worth parting ways with.

While they have faced plenty of flak for it in recent years, is it time to admit Chelsea might be onto something with their transfer strategy?

Since their takeover, the Blues have clearly focused on signing young, exciting talents with high ceilings and either integrating them into the side or selling them for profit.

The likes of Cole Palmer and Estevao fit into the latter category, while Noni Madueke and Lesley Ugochukwu fit into the former.

However, while the club have made an enormous amount of money this summer, there is one player they probably should have kept hold of, someone compared to Alexander Isak.

Chelsea's best sales this summer

As we’ve mentioned, most of Chelsea’s sales this summer have been quite impressive, with Madueke being a prime example of their strategy working.

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They signed the Englishman from PSV Eindhoven for around £29m in January 2023.

Then, over the next two and a bit years, he made 92 appearances for the club, scored 20 goals, provided nine assists and was then sold to Arsenal for £52m, netting the club a tidy £33m profit.

Another great sale, from a financial perspective anyway, was that of Renato Veiga.

The Portuguese international cost the Blues around £12m last summer, and then joined Villarreal for £26m last month, after spending the 24/25 season out on loan.

Finally, Djordje Petrovic moved to Stamford Bridge for around £14m in August 2023 and was sold to Bournemouth for £25m this summer, which made him the tenth most expensive goalkeeper in history at the time.

Overall, you’d have to say that Chelsea did a great job with their departures this summer, apart from one, that is, a player who has been compared to Isak.

Chelsea's own Isak

From looking at the list of players who left Stamford Bridge over the last few months, it shouldn’t be too surprising to learnt that the player in question is Nicolas Jackson.

The Senegalese striker joined Bayern Munich on a season-long loan for £14.25m that includes an obligation to buy at £56.25m should certain conditions be met.

Now, there are some who would be happy to sell the dynamic forward, and that is fair enough; he wasn’t always the most clinical of strikers.

However, he is clearly a talented international, and one who has won comparisons to perhaps the best number nine in the world: Isak.

Yes, according to FBref, the Swedish monster was the number one most similar forward to the Blues star in the entire Premier League last season.

Jackson & Isak
Statistics per 90	Jackson	Isak
Non-Penalty Expected G+As	0.67	0.70
Shots	3.08	3.10
Shots on Target	1.38	1.34
Passing Accuracy	75.9%	75.3%
Goal-Creating Actions	0.41	0.46
Aerial Duels Won	0.85	0.85
All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 PL Season

That might sound unbelievable to some, but to gain a better understanding of how this conclusion was reached, we can examine some of the underlying numbers in which they ranked so closely.

In this instance, those metrics included non-penalty expected goals plus assists, shots and shots on target, goal-creating actions, aerial duels won and more, all per 90.

In other words, the “unbelievable” star, as dubbed by Peter Crouch, might not be as clinical as the new Liverpool man, but he’s just as creative and in the right situation could cause as much chaos for opposition defenders.

Ultimately, while moving on Jackson might end up being a good idea, we can help but think Todd Boehly and Co may have made a mistake, especially given the comparisons to Isak.

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O dilema em torno da situação de Tiquinho Soares fez com que o Botafogo se mobilizasse nos últimos dias para encontrar soluções no seu setor ofensivo. De acordo com o “ge”, o Alvinegro sondou a situação de Islam Slimani.

No entanto, o fato do exame detectar que o camisa 9 sofreu uma lesão no ligamento colateral do joelho esquerdo e ficará longe dos gramados por cinco semanas fez com que a negociação pelo argelino não prosseguisse.

+ Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00. Bebida gelada nos 90′ de jogo do Líder!

Em vez de depositar as fichas no atacante que recentemente deixou o Anderlecht, da Bélgica, o Alvinegro tende a apostar nos jogadores que atualmente estão no elenco. Jovens como Janderson, Matheus Nascimento e o recém-contratado Valentín Adamo receberão chances nos próximos dias.

O Botafogo encara o Guaraní, do Paraguai, nesta quarta-feira (9), pelas oitavas de final da Sul-Americana, no primeiro desafio sem Tiquinho.

Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani, meanwhile, feels they are in the contest, despite the hosts leading by 112 with six wickets remaining

Mohammad Isam22-Apr-2025The truncated third day’s play has set the Sylhet Test up between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe nicely. Only 44 overs were possible due to rain and bad light, but the hosts, who had started the day 25 runs behind the visitors, are 112 runs ahead by the end. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (60) and the in-form Jaker Ali (21) are unbeaten, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz to come in next.Thus, senior batter Mominul Haque, who followed up his first-innings half-century with 47 in the second, believes that Bangladesh are still capable of stretching the lead to 300, even as Zimbabwe quick Blessing Muzarabani feels the visitors are still very much in the contest.”We will be happy with a 300-run lead; if not, [then] 270 or 280,” Mominul said. “We will be in a better position if we can give them a 300-plus target. We have some capable tailenders like Hasan Mahmud and Taijul Islam, apart from the proper batters Shanto and Jaker Ali. We also have Miraz. They will have to bat calculatedly. We have to take control of the crunch moments tomorrow. That’s what is giving me confidence [of getting a big lead].”Related

Shanto's unbeaten half-century stretches Bangladesh's lead on rain-hit day

Muzarabani, who has taken three out of the four wickets to fall so far in Bangladesh’s second innings, is hoping to restrict Bangladesh’s lead on the fourth day.”Ideally, [we want to keep the lead] under 200 runs,” he said. “We shouldn’t, however, think about the runs. We should think about taking wickets. It won’t be easy getting those Bangladesh wickets. We have to show more discipline. We are definitely in the game. Test cricket is all about day after day. There’s more time left in the game. We have the belief that we are ahead. It was a tough day for us today. Bangladesh fought really hard. We will take it, though.”Muzarabani removed Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mominul with deliveries lifting from a good length. He has used the shorter length very well in the Test, getting rid of Shanto and Mehidy with that in the first innings. “That’s my strength – to bowl the hard length on the body,” he said. “I don’t think Bangladesh struggled against the short ball – [just that] it is my No. 1 skill.”Mominul, however, felt that neither him nor Mahmudul fell to “short balls”, but rather to “extra bounce”. He also said they should have been more responsible after getting set at the crease, as Mahmudul was dismissed for 33.”Neither Joy nor I got out to short balls. There’s a difference between extra bounce and the short ball,” Mominul said. “Joy got out to a ball that jumped from four or five meters. Muzarabani is 6″8′, so he gets extra bounce, which makes it difficult for the batter. We have to manage his bounce – that’s our responsibility.”Joy and I got out after getting set. I think those who get out after getting set are more culpable than someone who gets out below ten runs. They don’t have much to do. As a senior batter, it is not acceptable [for me personally] to bat a total of one session in a Test match. I think if I could bat two more sessions, the team would have been in a better place.”

When Sir Alex Ferguson left Manchester United in 2013, he left behind a squad of Premier League winners. The Red Devils had just beaten rivals Manchester City to the league title, securing Ferguson’s 13th and final time lifting England’s greatest honour. But that trophy only papered over the cracks that would soon appear.

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Choosing his replacement, Ferguson turned towards Everton’s David Moyes. A Scottish manager who was beginning to make a name for himself elsewhere, Moyes likely reminded the legendary Man United boss of himself. On paper, the appointment made plenty of sense and 12 years ago, it was unlike the Red Devils to get things wrong.

Of course, as we now know, over a decade later, that decision sparked the beginning of United’s long downfall which has featured moments that go lower and lower in their history.

Games

51

Wins

26

Draws

10

Losses

15

From a manager that stayed at the club and achieved so much for 26 long years, United gave Moyes just 51 games to make his mark before pulling the plug on his tenure.

At the time, the blame was sent the manager’s way. The assumption was that it simply had to be him. After all, he was the only change at the club, but perhaps that’s where the problem truly lied. Since then, five permanent managers have tried and all five have failed to do what Moyes initially failed to do as United remain sleeping giants.

Before Moyes arrived, however, things could have been so different. Ferguson reportedly approached a manager who soon became a Premier League winner, only to be turned down.

Why Jurgen Klopp turned Ferguson and Man Utd down

As revealed by the former Liverpool manager himself, Ferguson approached Jurgen Klopp before Man Utd hired Moyes, only for the German to turn down the chance to move to Old Trafford as he was already planning for the 2013/14 season at Borussia Dortmund.

It was then just two years later that he was approached with a similar offer from Liverpool, who secured his arrival and went from sleeping giants into a club firmly back at the top of English football. Whilst United continued to struggle, the Reds and Klopp won the Premier League, Champions League and everything in between.

No one knows for sure whether Klopp would have done better than Moyes, Jose Mourinho and others, but evidence from his Liverpool spell gives us a fairly solid indication of how things could have been so different for the Red Devils.

تعرض أحد لاعبي الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، للإصابة خلال مباراة ديكاداها الجارية الآن في بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية.

ويلتقي الزمالك مع الفريق الصومالي، ضمن منافسات إياب دور الـ32 من بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية على ملعب استاد السلام.

طالع.. تشكيل الزمالك لمواجهة ديكاداها الصومالي في الكونفدرالية.. الجزيري يقود الهجوم

أصيب أحمد شريف لاعب الزمالك قبل نهاية الشوط الأول من عمر المباراة حيث نزل الجهاز الطبي لعلاجه لكنه لم يستكمل اللقاء.

وحل خوان بيزيرا لاعب الزمالك بدلًا من أحمد شريف بعد مغادرة الملعب.

وتشير النتيجة إلى تقدم الزمالك، بهدف نظيف سجله سيف الدين الجزيري، في الدقيقة 39 من عمر اللقاء عن طريق ركلة جزاء.

وكان الزمالك قد حقق الفوز في لقاء الذهاب على ديكاداها الصومالي، بسداسية نظيفة، يوم السبت الماضي، على ملعب القاهرة الدولي. لحظة إصابة أحمد شريف

Islamabad United and Multan Sultans have both had players become unavailable, with Australian wicketkeeper Matthew Short and West Indies’ spinner Gudakesh Motie ruled out of PSL 2025. Irish allrounder Curtis Campher replaces Motie for the Sultans, while United have not yet announced a replacement.Short arrived in Pakistan at the start of the PSL nursing an injury he never quite recovered from. A statement from United said he had shown “encouraging signs of recovery” but felt discomfort during training sessions.Related

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Though the franchise, in collaboration with Cricket Australia’s medical staff, attempted to get him back to full fitness, the franchise said a “joint decision” to send Short back to Australia to continue his rehabilitation was made “in the best interest of the player’s long-term fitness and career”.United have enjoyed a perfect start to the tournament, winning each of their first four games so far and sit at the top of the table.”Islamabad United remain fully committed to the well-being of all our players and extend our support to Matt during his recovery,” the statement said. “We thank him for his professionalism and positive presence in the camp and wish him a swift and complete recovery.”Sultans said Motie had returned to Guyana “to attend to a domestic matter”. ESPNcricinfo understands his father has been taken ill, and the Sultans remain hopeful he will be able to return to the tournament at some point. Motie did not play any of the Sultans’ first three matches – all of which the side lost. Sultans will look to turn their season around at home, with the PSL shifting to Multan, where Mohammad Rizwan’s side play their next two matches against Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United.