Amid what has been a season of real frustration for Tottenham Hotspur, the north London outfit were dealt yet another blow after suffering a 2-1 defeat away to Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon, with Ryan Mason's men having been pegged back in their battle for European qualification.

That frustrating loss has ensured that the Lilywhites have now won just one of their last six Premier League games, with the interim appointment of that man Mason having failed to have the desired impact on an underperforming squad.

The 31-year-old will likely have been concerned over the lack of impact from his forward line, in particular, against Unai Emery's men as the likes of Heung-min Son and Richarlison made just 30 touches combined, with only talisman, Harry Kane restoring some credibility by converting late on from the penalty spot.

Even the England skipper – who now boasts a stellar haul of 27 league goals for the season – was not without blame for the defeat to the Villans, however, with the 29-year-old having squandered a gilt-edged chance to level things up just after the break after firing straight at Emi Martinez.

In truth, the "only real positive" to come from the trip to Villa Park – in the words of The Athletic's Charlie Eccleshare – was the cameo outing of summer signing Yves Bissouma, with the Mali international having been a shining light on his first appearance since February.

How did Bissouma perform against Villa?

It has undoubtedly been a frustrating debut campaign for the 26-year-old in the capital due to his persistent injury woes, although the former Brighton and Hove Albion man showed flashes of just why the club splashed out around £25m to acquire his services back in June.

After replacing Oliver Skipp around the hour mark, Bissouma went on to make a strong impression in the closing stages having completed 30 of his 31 total passes as a marker of his ability in possession, while winning one of his two total duels to indicate his ball-winning prowess.

As football.london's Alasdair Gold noted, the £55k-per-week machine 'brought energy to the midfield' following his second-half introduction, having 'looked bright' on a day that many of those around him found life difficult.

That glowing praise was also corroborated by the Evening Standard's Dan Kilpatrick, with the respected insider writing in his post-match player ratings pieces that the 6 foot rock was 'one of Spurs' better players', despite having been out of action over the last few months.

The hope will be that Bissouma can go on to make an even bigger impact over the coming games, before establishing himself as a key figure under whomever the permanent managerial appointment will be for next season.

أعلن نادي برشلونة تشكيل الفريق لمباراته أمام فياريال، المقرر خوضها مساء اليوم السبت، في منافسات الدوري الإسباني.

ويلتقي برشلونة وفياريال في إطار مباريات الجولة الثانية والعشرين للدوري الإسباني “الليجا” على ملعب “المونتجويك”.

اقرأ أيضًا | سبورت: بقانون الدوري الإسباني.. برشلونة قد يتعاقد مع بديل لـ بالدي شكيل برشلونة اليوم أمام فياريال

حراسة المرمى: بينيا.

خط الدفاع: كوندي، أراوخو، كريستينسن، هيكتور فورت.

خط الوسط: روميو، جوندوجان، دي يونج.

خط الهجوم: جواو فيليكس، ليفاندوفسكي، لامين يامال.

ويحتل برشلونة المركز الثالث في ترتيب الدوري الإسباني برصيد 44 نقطة، وفياريال في المركز 14 بـ 20 نقطة. 

Chelsea will battle title-chasing Arsenal tonight as the Blues attempt to restore some pride to their horrendous season, whilst halting the Gunners’ attempts to return to the top spot.

However, this will be a humongous task considering the abysmal form that the Blues currently find themselves in.

Since Frank Lampard took charge as caretaker, the 2021 Champions League winners are winless in five games, only scoring once and conceding nine.

Mikel Arteta’s men also find themselves in patchy form, drawing three of their last four matches, but they will be desperate to bounce back in this London derby.

In Chelsea’s last outing, the side produced a dismally depressing showing against Brentford, slumping to a 2-0 defeat.

One player who drastically struggled was Cesar Azpilicueta and should be dropped for the encounter this evening.

Should Chelsea drop Azpilicueta vs Arsenal?

The Spaniard is currently the club’s longest-serving player and has been the captain since Gary Cahill’s departure in 2019. He has made over 500 appearances for the Blues across 11 years and in January 2023 he became the sixth player to reach this milestone.

His reliability, longevity, and consistency are three unteachable traits that have to be applauded. However, the 33-year-old has unsurprisingly declined and that was painfully apparent against the Bees.

Nowadays, full-backs are expected to be a versatile blend of defensive solidity and attacking flair, but Azpilicueta didn’t impress in either of these categories.

The 44-cap international made only his 12th top-flight start of the season, but it quickly soured. The former Marseille man failed to register only any tackles or blocks, as well as being unable to win any ground duels.

The £180k-per-week veteran also failed to contribute to any offensive phases of play and didn't offer any accurate crosses, key passes, or successful dribbles.

A miserable display was capped off by an own goal from a corner, and he was hauled off at half-time to spare his blushes.

With Reece James being ruled out until the end of the season, Chelsea are missing one of their primary creative forces and the skipper fails to even moderately mirror what the Englishman offers.

Although Azpilicueta should only be used sparingly for the rest of the season, it makes a huge amount of sense to retain the experienced leader beyond this campaign in this period of change and difficulty.

The defender has won every available trophy in West London and will be remembered as one of the club’s most successful players, but starting him at the Emirates tonight would invite trouble.

Arsenal's starting XI is arguably one of the strongest in the whole Premier League. There is a reason why they have fought alongside the great Manchester City for so long.

However, it is that lack of depth that has left them frustratingly short as the run-in culminates, as key areas still lack quality alternatives.

This summer might not require huge purchases from Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu Gasper, but it will almost definitely need quite a few to ensure players like Rob Holding are no longer relied upon when someone like William Saliba is out.

Youth could be the way forward, to nurture the next generation of fine talent to compete with their stars, and that could therefore explain their reported pursuit of Barcelona youngster Ilias Akhomach as his contract is set to expire this summer.

Set to battle with some true European heavyweights, the progression of youth throughout the Gunners' squad should prove a key factor in potentially tempting him to north London.

With the 19-year-old having still predominantly featured for their 'B' team, three senior appearances suggest a degree of faith in potential that could only now be realised away from Spain. As a fellow graduate of the infamous La Masia academy, Arteta will know all too well how to nurture this teenage sensation into a true star.

Who is Ilias Akhomach?

The greatest compliment that can be paid to Akhomach came from his former academy director Patrick Kluivert, The legendary Dutch striker claimed, in an interview with Cadena SER (via GOAL), that he had: "found the new [Lionel] Messi".

This came due to his immeasurable ability to take on defenders, ghosting past them with ease and shifting the ball onto his left foot.

Such comparisons with the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner are sure to command attention, and realising a potential anywhere near the level of the Argentine would surely make him viable competition for Bukayo Saka on that right flank.

The English trickster boasts 13 goals and 11 assists in the league this season but was given years of steady integration to morph into this top-quality star.

The Spanish youngster, who was born to Moroccan parents, may not have an as impressive goal tally yet but his technical assets that have drawn particular interest. Five goals across 51 youth appearances underplays his talent; in this modern world where statistics mean so much.

But should Arteta invest the time and resources into this Catalonian export, it could just be the stroke of genius needed to forge a new talent akin to Messi, so he must convince Edu to part ways with a sizeable fee this summer.

If so, their current 21-year-old winger would have a genuine rival to his spot over the coming years, which ultimately would only benefit Arsenal on the pitch.

West Ham United are in the front row to sign Boulaye Dia in the summer transfer window, according to recent reports from Italy.

Will West Ham sign a striker?

It has become clear that West Ham are keen on signing a new striker this summer, but despite David Moyes wanting some extra attacking firepower, Danny Ings is unlikely to leave the club, according to Football Insider.

Michail Antonio has been in very good form, scoring five goals in his last seven games in all competitions, but the Jamaican is now 33-years-old, meaning a long-term replacement is required, and the Irons have identified a number of options.

Habib Diallo is of interest to the Hammers, with it recently being reported the Strasbourg forward would cost £20m this summer, while they have also been linked with a move for Dia, and a new update has now emerged on their pursuit.

According to a report from CalcioMercato (via Sport Witness), West Ham are in the front row for the Villarreal striker, who is set to complete a permanent move to Salernitana at the end of the season.

The Italian club then plan to sell the forward for at least €30m (£26m), making him the most profitable sale in the club's history, with AC Milan and Fiorentina also in the picture.

It is detailed Salernitana will only sell the Senegal international "under the right conditions" but the Hammers have been showing "signs of interest" and appear to be leading the race for him at present.

Who is Boulaye Dia?

Having struggled at Villarreal, scoring just five goals in 25 La Liga games during the 2021/22 campaign, the 26-year-old has really started to make a name for himself in the Serie A, due to his very solid scoring record so far this season.

The £20k-per-week marksman has weighed in with 15 goals in the Italian top flight, the third-highest total of any player in the division, which is particularly impressive as he has played for a struggling Salernitana side.

One concern West Ham may have about signing the Senegalese attacker is that they have not had much luck bringing in players from the Serie A in the past, with Gianluca Scamacca flattering to deceive, despite scoring 16 league goals for Sassuolo last season.

An impressive record in front of goal in the Serie A does not automatically mean Dia would be a success at the London Stadium, but it may be a gamble worth taking for the Hammers, given that former player Marlon Harewood has lauded him as "absolutely fantastic".

Matt Quinn finally broke a monumental record eighth-wicket stand of 222 between Sam Northeast and James Tredwell to set up Essex for their third Championship win of the season

ECB Reporters Network06-Jul-2016Essex 569 (Bopara 94, ten Doeschate 91, Westley 88, Lawrence 82, Rabada 4-118) and 9 for 0 (Browne 8*, Cook 1*) beat Kent 207 (Blake 89*, Porter 3-51) and 370 (Northeast 166*, Tredwell 124, Quinn 4-60) by ten wickets
ScorecardSam Northeast remained unbeaten on 166•Getty ImagesMatt Quinn finally broke a monumental record eighth-wicket stand of 222 between Sam Northeast and James Tredwell to set up Essex for their third Championship win of the season and a return to the top of the Specsavers County Championship.The Kent pair had come together seven overs before tea on the third day and were finally separated 80 overs and just over five hours later in mid-afternoon on the final day.Once Tredwell had gone for a career-best 124, Essex had an extra spring in their step and they wrapped up the Kent second innings in four more overs before knocking off the nine runs required for victory in 10 balls to claim a maximum 24 points. That took them back above Kent at the top of Division Two by 18 points.Northeast, with his third century of the season, and second in four innings, remained 166 not out and had the pleasure of rocking on to the back foot to hit Graham Napier for the four that meant Essex had to bat again. He faced 320 balls and hit 23 fours.Northeast said: “I think we can look back at it now with a sense of pride. It still doesn’t make me feel any better at the moment. We nearly dared to believe that we were going to do it. We just kept ticking it over, and it’s a shame it had to end like that in a collapse.”But it was great character from Tredders. It sums him up as a person really. In those tricky situations he comes out fighting. It is huge credit to him.”As a batting unit we would admit we should have got more runs in the first innings, and even in the second here on a pitch that got flatter as it went on. We have put some great totals on the board this year and hopefully Tredders, too, can kick on from this.”Kent had been asked to score 362 to avoid an innings defeat and took up 122 overs, and three-and-a-half sessions, in doing so. After being 138 for 7 when Tredwell joined his captain, and after nearly five sessions in the field when Essex amassed 569 runs, it was a truly Herculean effort.A weary Tredwell finally went on 124 – one better than the unbeaten 123 he scored against the New Zealanders in 2008. He pulled Quinn to mid-on where Ryan ten Doeschate pouched the catch. He had batted for 269 balls and hit 20 fours.The last two wickets offered little support for Northeast. Kagiso Rabada had already shown a tendency to try and hook every ball. So when Quinn dropped one short he skied almost vertically and James Foster moved round in front of the stumps to take.Mitch Claydon then gave Quinn his deserved fourth wicket when he lofted to Ravi Bopara at deep square leg.Essex spent a frustrating day in the field. Not even the introduction of the new ball in the third over of the morning brought about any change in the obdurate, but serene batting of the Kent eighth-wicket pair.Tredwell survived a loud and long appeal for lbw to the first ball of the day from Tom Westley, but in truth his front leg was thrust well forward. Quinn then produced a peach of a ball that Northeast just,managed to avoid.Indeed, Quinn was the pick of the Essex bowlers. He almost had Tredwell twice in one over, first when he slashed, but slashed hard at a ball that cleared the slip cordon, and when the batsman got an inside-edge that just missed off stump and raced away to fine leg for another four.Otherwise it was plain sailing on a sunny pre-lunch session. The only interruptions to a fine example in concentration came when batting records when announced. The first was when they beat the 157 of Alan Hilder and Charlie Wright for Kent versus Essex, which dated back to a match at Gravesend in 1924.When Tredwell cut Bopara for his 19th four to backward point to reach his century, it also set a Kent eighth-wicket stand against all-comers. They went on to eclipse the 177 that stood to Geraint Jones and Yasir Arafat since 2007 when they thrashed Warwickshire all around Canterbury.Northeast, who was dropped on 30 on the third night, survived another chance 115 runs later. Quinn was the unfortunate bowler on the first occasion, and straight after lunch he had the Kent captain hitting firmly but uppishly to midwicket where Dan Lawrence dived to his left but spilled the catch.Northeast scored only 29 runs in the morning session, but he came alive with a powerful square-cut off Quinn that brought up his 150 off 299 balls, with 20 fours.As records continued to fall, Tredwell went past his highest Championship score of 116 not out nine years ago against Yorkshire – and then beat his career best.

حقق مانشستر سيتي فوزًا قاتلًا ضد توتنهام، مساء يوم الجمعة، في إطار منافسات بطولة كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي 2023/24.

واستضاف ملعب “توتنهام هوتسبير” مباراة الفريقين في إطار منافسات دور الـ32 من بطولة كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي، حيث فاز مانشستر سيتي بهدف دون رد. هدف فوز مانشستر سيتي على توتنهام

وشهدت المباراة إثارة بين الفريقين، حيث سنحت لكليهما فرص عديدة، خاصة لـ مانشستر سيتي في الشوط الأول، وبعض دقائق الثاني.

وأشهر حكم المباراة بطاقتين صفراويتين في المباراة لصالح ثنائي مانشستر سيتي، ماتيو كوفاسيتش وروبن دياز، في حين حصل لاعب توتنهام ينوما أودوجي على بطاقة صفراء.

ودخل لاعبو الفريقان في عدة مواقف شديدة الضغط، وسط أجواء تنافسية مثيرة، وكذلك تحصل بيب جوارديولا مدرب مانشستر سيتي على بطاقة صفراء في الشوط الثاني من عمر اللقاء.

وشارك النجم كيفين دي بروين في المباراة كبديل، في الدقيقة 65، حيث كاد أن يسجل هدفًا في الدقيقة 82 بعد تسديدة قوية من داخل المنطقة.

ونجح مانشستر سيتي أخيرًا في فك عقدة ملعب “توتنهام” في الدقيقة 88 بعدما سجل هدفًا عن طريق ناثان آكي.

الهدف جاء بعدما نفذ كيفين دي بروين ركلة ركنية، حيث أخطأ حارس توتنهام فيكاريو في التعامل معها، ووصلت الكرة إلى آكي الذي هز الشباك بها.

ويُعد ذلك الهدف هو الأول لـ مانشستر سيتي على ملعب توتنهام بعد إعادة افتتاحه في عام 2018، أي بعد مرور خمس سنوات وشهرين و29 يومًا.

Arsenal have had a season that has certainly exceeded expectations in the Premier League, despite recent form causing them to almost certainly miss out on a historic title.

Mikel Arteta’s side were top of the table for the majority of the season before a damning April dealt the Gunners a blow to their hopes of securing their first league triumph since 2004.

With two games remaining this campaign, the north Londoners are reportedly already looking ahead to next term, with the summer transfer window in sight.

Finishing in the top two has settled Arsenal’s place in the Champions League in 2023/24, where performances and squad depth will be vital in providing success both in and out of England.

The injuries to both William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu in March were influential on Arteta’s teams’ collapse, where their lack of depth to cover first-choice names became all too evident.

It seems as though this is an area Arsenal wish to strengthen this summer, with a Bundesliga defender rumoured to be on the shortlist of names wanted at the Emirates.

What’s the latest on Mohamed Simakan to Arsenal?

The club have set their sights on RB Leipzig defender Mohamed Simakan this summer, as reported by The Guardian’s Ed Aarons earlier this month.

It’s understood that the north Londoners are showing "strong interest" in the 23-year-old, coinciding with football.london’s reports that the Gunners are aiming to 'bolster' their defence.

The Frenchman signed a new deal in December with Leipzig taking his current contract to 2027 with the Bundesliga side. It remains to be seen exactly how much the young talent would command this off-season, though CIES Football Observatory currently estimate his value to be in the region of €30m (£26m).

What can Mohamed Simakan bring to Arsenal?

At just 23 years of age, Simakan has made 22 appearances in the Bundesliga this season so far, averaging a Sofascore match rating of 6.88.

Having been lauded as a "physical monster" by sports writer Robin Bairner, the versatile centre-back – who has primarily played on the right this term – has made a name for himself in Europe, hence sparking interest from the Premier League.

Arsenal have built an inspired young squad under Arteta, making the youngster a perfect fit for the Gunners based on his age and performance level alone.

The club are crying out for depth in defence, something that they have lacked in comparison to Manchester City.

The Spaniard has taken defensive pages out of Pep Guardiola's books and put them into practice since his move from the Etihad Stadium, take the positioning and use of Ben White and the use of Oleksandr Zinchenko as an inverted full-back as two clear examples.

Unlike Arsenal, City have a wave of talent in their ranks in all areas of the pitch and are heavily praised for their bench options being at the calibre of starters, an area that the Gunners must replicate should they wish to push on from this season.

A signing like Simakan could present Arsenal with their own Nathan Ake – a player that began as a squad option for Guardiola and graduated into the first-team at the rotation of Aymeric Laporte. He has been deployed as a left-back and a centre-back throughout the season as City look set to clinch a third successive league title.

The young Frenchman poses a lot of similarities to the Dutchman in his game, and even betters the City man, making 2.75 clearances per 90 compared to Ake's 2.09, and winning 2.26 aerials per 90 to his 1.85, as per FBref.

While the positions of both Gabriel Magalhaes and Saliba look concrete in Arsenal's backline next term, the versatile colossus could provide necessary defensive options and competitions for the duo ahead of next season.

It's depth that could take Arteta's plans with the team to the next level, and allow him to once more emulate a part of his time at City at the Emirates as they look to go one better in 2024.

After sealing consecutive top-half finishes in the previous two seasons, West Ham spent £179m last summer, with only Chelsea and Manchester United spending more in Europe.

However, the Hammers have dramatically regressed this term and currently sit just four points above the relegation zone and face the unenviable task of playing Manchester City tomorrow evening.

Manager David Moyes admitted the campaign hasn’t worked out as planned and it has been extremely disappointing.

In a recent interview with Sky Sports, he said: “I have to be honest and say that it's not worked as well as I would've liked.

"We've introduced a lot of new players, and in the Premier League, it takes time.

“I don't think we could have done anything differently, but we just need to try and see if we can get ourselves through this one and hopefully look forward to picking up next season."

One signing who has perhaps been the most underwhelming and has been unable to adapt to a new league has been Gianluca Scamacca.

The Italian is on £90k-per-week on a five-year deal and has been draining the club whilst offering little output.

How has Gianluca Scamacca played for West Ham?

The 24-year-old was signed by the Irons for £35.5m and was their second-most expensive transfer of the window. Combine that with his astronomical wage and it means by the end of the campaign, he will have cost them £40m.

But, the forward hasn’t scored a league goal for West Ham since 4 January and has netted three times in 16 appearances. It has been a hugely unsatisfactory showing, blighted by injuries and consistency.

Last month, it was confirmed that the former Sassuolo man was undergoing knee surgery, and it would be highly unlikely he would feature again this term.

Prior to his injury, Moyes was strangely reluctant to use the target man and said the best Hammers line up doesn’t include Scamacca: “We know that his physical data has got to be much better than it is. Gianluca has got to get himself back.

“No manager wants to put out a bad team. You want to put out the players who you think are going to win for you, so you are always looking to put your best team out. We just want the output to be bigger and more.”

These comments reflect poorly upon the 11-cap international’s effort and mentality, raising immediate questions if he survives at the London Stadium beyond this term.

Chris Sutton has previously favoured the manager’s standpoint on Scamacca claiming that the attacker has “let Moyes down.”

Whatever happens for the Irons in the remainder of the season, it seems that his future is very murky, and it could be best for both parties if he moves on.

ECB Reporters Network08-Jun-2016
ScorecardPaul Stirling’s unbeaten hundred made light work of a rain-reduced target•Getty Images

Paul Stirling hit a fluent century as Middlesex inflicted a third Royal London One-Day Cup defeat in as many games on holders Gloucestershire by seven wickets under the Duckworth-Lewis system at Bristol.The home side posted 254 for 8 after losing the toss, Hamish Marshall top-scoring with 74 on the day he announced that his 11-year stint with the county would end when this season is over.Gareth Roderick contributed 64, while Toby Roland-Jones (3 for 36) was the pick of the Middlesex attack. James Fuller claimed 2 for 45 on returning to his former county.Facing a revised target of 208 from 35 overs following a rain break, Middlesex skated to victory with 21 balls to spare, Ireland batsman Stirling reaching his ton off 87 balls, with 11 fours and 3 sixes, before finishing unbeaten on 125.Gloucestershire’s innings had got off to a poor start when Chris Dent miscued Roland-Jones to cover where Nick Gubbins took a comfortable catch in only the second over.Michael Klinger had survived a loud shout for a catch behind in the opening over from Tom Helm, but looked in good touch moving to 20 before edging a defensive shot off Roland-Jones straight to Ollie Rayner at slip.Roderick had made only 13 when badly dropped by Eoin Morgan at point off Helm, an error which allowed the batsman to share the most meaningful partnership of the innings with Marshall.The latter hit a straight six off James Franklin and Roderick followed suit off Fuller to bring up 100 in the 21st over.When both Roderick and Marshall reached 62-ball half-centuries in quick succession the hosts looked set for a big score. Then Roderick overbalanced in making an ugly mishit off Helm and was caught at mid-off by Franklin.That was 150 for 3 and Gloucestershire still looked well placed as 31 more runs were added before their innings turned sour in the 35th over, bowled by Roland-Jones.Rayner did the damage, running out Cockbain for 14 at the bowlers end from short mid-wicket as he was sent back attempting a quick single and three balls later catching Marshall in the same position off a poor shot.Suddenly the home side were 183 for 5 and needed to rebuild. There was never much momentum to the innings after that as Benny Howell, Kieran Noema-Barnett and Craig Miles fell without making much impression.Stirling was dropped on one by Klinger at second slip off Liam Norwell in the third over of the Middlesex reply. The visitors had reached 17 without loss when rain brought an interruption. The revised target left them requiring a further 191 from 28.5 overs under the floodlights.Stirling hit 2 sixes over mid-wicket off Howell in racing to a half-century off 44 balls. Dawid Malan contributed 29 to an opening stand of 84 before being well caught at deep extra cover by Dent off Miles. Gubbins was dropped by Miles at fine leg on 17 off the unlucky Norwell and, with Stirling continuing to play positively, it was a mistake Gloucestershire could not afford.By the time Gubbins, on 37, skied a catch to mid-on off Matt Taylor, Middlesex were 156 for two, needing only 52 off more than 12 overs. Morgan perished at the death, but Stirling batted through and hit the winning boundary.