Sunderland can keep up their impressive record against arch rivals Newcastle United when Sunday rolls around.

Indeed, looking back at the more recent iterations of the fierce Tyne-Wear Derby, the Black Cats have some memorable victories to their name, with a 3-0 win in Sunderland’s favour being the last scoreline when the two rivals faced off at the Stadium of Light in Premier League action back in 2015.

Since then, there has been only one meeting on Wearside soil in early 2024, when the then Championship strugglers were trounced by the Magpies 3-0 in the FA Cup.

Now, however, Regis Le Bris’ men will hope to collect another memorable league victory against their sworn enemy, with one figure in his talented camp now standing out as a modern-day version of Kevin Ball, who featured in various Tyne-Wear derbies himself as a legend of the club.

Kevin Ball's legend status at Sunderland

Noted as being a Sunderland legend in “the truest sense of the word” by current chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus in 2022, Ball really did embody the fighting spirit the Black Cats will need to show against Newcastle on the weekend throughout his long-standing stay on Wearside.

Lauded for always being “a warrior on the pitch”, by former Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson, Ball would go on to make a staggering 388 appearances for his beloved team, with many a memorable showdown with Newcastle popping up.

Ball’s consistent brilliance from the middle of the park would further see him chip in with 27 goals, which included this diving header being expertly put away.

On top of often being in the right place at the right time to put his neck on the line, the Black Cats hall-of-famer would also go on to collect two Player of the Year accolades at the end of the 1990/91 season and the close of the 1996/97 campaign, while also even temporarily being handed the reins as Sunderland’s caretaker boss in 2013.

To put it simply, Ball is synonymous with the famous red and white stripes of Sunderland, with Le Bris hoping he can see the same verve and determination Ball had in spades coursing through his team’s veins on Sunday, as one key individual – in particular – continues to stick out as a Ball-style figure.

The £110k-per-week star who is Le Bris' own Ball

Unfortunately, the Frenchman will be without Luke O’Nien for the showdown with the Magpies after his red card against Manchester City.

The no-nonsense 31-year-old would have loved to feature against Sunderland’s Tyneside enemies if he hadn’t been dismissed, with O’Nien recently being branded as a “remarkable” icon of the club by EFL pundit George Elek.

He’s worthy of such adoration, as well, as the full-blooded defender has notched up a crazy 316 appearances for his team now. His mammoth journey started way back in League One, with his dedication to the cause undoubtedly similar to that of Ball’s.

Yet, even with these substantial numbers next to O’Nien’s name, Granit Xhaka is managing to stand out even more as a figure made in the same mould as the ex-Sunderland captain

The Swiss international is not afraid to launch himself into a tackle or a battle if necessary, as seen in him being branded a “monster” centrally by Arsenal-based writer Connor Humm, when he was still at the Emirates.

Xhaka’s PL numbers this season
Stat – per 90 mins*	Xhaka
Games played	15
Goals scored	1
Assists	4
Touches*	66.5
Accurate passes*	42.3 (83%)
Key passes*	1.2
Big chances created	5
Ball recoveries*	4.5
Total duels won*	5.4
Stats by Sofascore

But, much like Ball, too, as seen when looking at his mightily impressive statistics at Sunderland so far this season, Xhaka is more than capable of popping up with a crucial goal and assist, with his one goal and four assists this campaign sitting pretty next to his 5.4 duels won on average.

Managing to collect six wins in the North London Derby when on the books of the Gunners, Xhaka’s know-how under pressure has already seen him be handed the Sunderland captain’s armband, amid shouts that he is the club’s “signing of the season” by Wayne Rooney.

Of course, he still has some time to go before he will be considered a Hall-of-Fame-worthy recipient like Ball, but it’s clear from his past exploits at Arsenal and his battling nature with the Black Cats so far that the £110k-per-week star will leave everything out on the pitch against Newcastle, just like Ball would have done.

The nerves will be there from Sunderland’s perspective, with the Premier League not hosting this tense contest since 2016.

But, with Xhaka present, Le Bris will be optimistic that his side can reign supreme, to continue their fine start to the season.

Sunderland's "signing of the season" is now their best player since Amad

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Tottenham Hotspur are ready to attack the January transfer window, and if Thomas Frank gets it right, he might just land a new forward who could turn his debut season at the helm into a successful one.

However, while incomings are anticipated down N17, Spurs are also expected to push one or two of Frank’s first-team players to the exit, with Yves Bissouma, who has not played at all this season after being dropped in August, expected to leave after being filmed inhaling nitrous oxide, again.

However, for less transgressive reasons, Brennan Johnson could also be on his way out, having fallen down the pecking order after poor form.

Spurs consider swapping Brennan Johnson out

Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo is the talk of the town, but ENIC Group are also keeping an eye on another high-performing winger in Europe.

The versatile Cherries forward has been in fine fettle in the Premier League this season, scoring six goals and supplying three assists for Andoni Iraola’s side.

He is far more consistent than Johnson, who bagged 17 in all competitions last season – including the winner against Manchester United in the Europa League final – but has regressed under Frank’s wing.

Crystal Palace are interested in signing the Wales international on loan this winter, and that could free up room for a Semenyo alternative who is turning the heads of some of the Premier League’s top clubs.

Indeed, according to Sky Germany, RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande is on Tottenham’s shortlist ahead of the New Year, albeit with top-flight rivals Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City also in the mix.

The 19-year-old joined the Bundesliga club this year and has quickly established prolific form, combining that sharpness with frightening physical faculties.

Leipzig know they have a gem on their hands and have priced him at a jaw-dropping €100m (about £87m). This would make him the most expensive player in the Londoners’ history.

Why Spurs should sign Yan Diomande

Diomande moved to Germany after cutting his teeth with Leganes in Spain, and he has wasted no time in establishing himself as one of the brightest young wide forwards in the game, having scored seven goals and four assists across 16 outings this season.

That includes a recent hat-trick over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga, and it’s his natural sharpness in the danger area that has led journalist Bence Bocsak to hail him as a “generational talent”.

Diomande is not just more talented than Johnson: he ruthlessly outstrips him across a vast range of metrics, and his developing goalscoring may soon see him overtake the 24-year-old’s standout quality.

When you look at how Diomande ranks up against someone like Johnson, it perhaps becomes clear why there is such a vested interest being focused, with the Welshman simply not offering enough in the build-up and when against the run of play, that and the desertion of his potency in front of goal.

League Stats – Johnson vs Diomande

Stats (* per game)

Johnson

Diomande

Matches (starts)

13 (6)

14 (10)

Goals

2

6

Assists

0

2

Touches

17.8

44.0

Shots (on target)*

0.4 (0.2)

1.6 (0.9)

Accurate passes*

6.7 (70%)

21.6 (83%)

Chances created*

0.4

1.0

Dribbles*

0.2

3.0

Ball recoveries*

0.9

4.1

Tackles + interceptions*

1.1

1.4

Duels won*

1.8

4.8

Data via Sofascore

There’s no question that Johnson has a natural ability to work his way into promising positions and chalk his name onto the scoresheet, but his overall play has hardly been good enough this season. For example, he’s not dribbling enough – look at his efforts in comparison to Diomande’s – and he’s only succeeding with 33% of his infrequent efforts.

Diomande, for sure, is one of the most exciting dribblers in Europe. He is fleet-footed and instinctive with his output when carrying the ball forward. He has been hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig for “having a sensational debut season” in Germany.

Tottenham need to get this one done. If they are serious about becoming major, consistent players both domestically and abroad, this is the kind of statement signing needed, not just boosting output but reshaping the general threat of the team.

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تفاعلت جماهير فريق ليفربول الإنجليزي، مع قرار المدرب آرني سلوت، بإبقاء محمد صلاح على مقاعد البدلاء مرة أخرى للمباراة الثانية على التوالي.

وأعلن ليفربول تشكيل الفريق لمباراته أمام سندرلاند، بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، المقرر خوضها مساء اليوم الأربعاء.

ويتواجد محمد صلاح بديلاً للمرة الثانية على التوالي، بعدما جلس على مقاعد البدلاء في مباراة ليفربول ووست هام بالجولة الماضية بالبريميرليج.

عدد من الجماهير انتقد قرار سلوت بشدة ووصفه بـ”المجنون”، وعدد آخر يرى أن قرار المدرب صائب، خاصة مع استعداد محمد صلاح للتواجد مع منتخب مصر خلال كأس الأمم الإفريقية.

اقرأ أيضًا | ألارديس ينتقد كاراجر بسبب محمد صلاح: مثير للشفقة.. ويريد البقاء في دائرة الضوء وجاءت تعليقات جماهير ليفربول على النحو التالي: 

“هذه فرصة مثالية لرؤية كيف سيتعامل الفريق مع غياب صلاح”.

This is a perfect chance to see how the team copes without Salah. — Reese (@Madepiecee) December 3, 2025

“قرار كبير بإبقاء صلاح على مقاعد البدلاء مرة أخرى، لكن في الحقيقة، لقد تقاعس لفترة طويلة في الجانب الدفاعي دون تقديم مساهمة هجومية كافية، هذا هو القرار الصائب، خاصة إذا لعب سندرلاند بكثافة كبيرة”.

Big call to put Salah on the bench again but really, he has been slacking on defense for too long while not providing forward. It’s the right thing to do, especially if Sunderland play with big intensity — PeakRed (@ThePeakRed) December 3, 2025

“صلاح على مقاعد البدلاء مرة أخرى ما هذا؟”.

Salah benched again what is this — Alex (@AlexF1BCL) December 3, 2025

“يبدو الأمر كما لو كان ترينت على مقاعد البدلاء في نهاية الموسم الماضي لصالح برادلي حتى يتمكن من اختبار ما إذا كنا سنكون قادرين على التأقلم بدونه قبل انتقاله (أو في حالة صلاح، قبل ذهابه إلى كأس الأمم الإفريقية)”.

Feels like when Trent was benched at the back end of last season for Bradley so slot could test out whether we’d be able to cope without him before he moved (or in salah’s case, before he goes to AFCON) — Thomas Collins (@_t_col_7) December 3, 2025

“صلاح أسطورة، ولا زلنا مدينين له بالامتنان، لكن هذا الموسم يبدو أنه ركز على نفسه أكثر من الفريق، أليس كذلك؟، الشيء الوحيد الذي يثير التساؤل في تشكيلة اليوم هو ذلك اللاعب الأناني الذي يظل يلعب بسبب الضرائب الهولندية”.

Salah is a legend we still should be grateful to him but this season he just done it about himself so far, innit?

the only thing thats really questionable about todays lineup is that egoistic guy who keeps playing because of dutch tax — Pipe (@pipedauber) December 3, 2025

“في هذه المرحلة، ما الفائدة من إبقاء صلاح على الدكة بينما كودي جاكبو يلعب 90 دقيقة ويقطع للداخل ويفوت المرمى… لماذا لا يستطيع سلوت أن يجلس كودي جاكبو أيضًا؟؟”.

At this point whats the point of dropping him while cody Gakpo is playing 90 mins cutting inside and miss the post …Why can’t slot deop Cody Gakpo as well ????? — TheLiverpoolLad (@thaLiverpoolLad) December 3, 2025

“نحن نواجه صعوبة كبيرة، لذلك تم تغيير تشكيلة الفريق الأسبوع الماضي وقد نجح الأمر، لا جدوى من تغييره مرة أخرى، وأي شخص لديه عقل سليم سيدرك أنه سيلعب كامل الـ90 دقيقة هذه المباراة”.

“صلاح على مقاعد البدلاء مرة أخرى، أتمنى أن يُشعل ذلك حماسه”.

We’re struggling big time , so the team was changed at the weekend and it worked.
No point changing it again , also anyone with a brian cell would realise he will play a whole 90 at the weekend. — D_06🇮🇪 (@Lfc937) December 3, 2025

Salah on the bench again.

Hopefully that lights a fire up his arse. pic.twitter.com/dA4Uwf6jaz — Jonny Dee (@0xJonnyDee) December 3, 2025

“قرار آخر كبير من آرني سلوت بترك محمد صلاح على مقاعد البدلاء للمباراة الثانية على التوالي في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز”.

Another big call by Arne Slot to leave Mohamed Salah on the bench for the second Premier League games in a row. pic.twitter.com/cFg9UR3jAp — HF World (@hfworld_) December 3, 2025

“هل أبقى صلاح على مقاعد البدلاء مرة أخرى؟ سلوت، أنت لا تدرك ما فعلته”.

He benched salah again ? 😂😂. Slot you don’t know what you’ve done. — PAUL_LFC (@paulsatvik) December 3, 2025

“قوموا بإقالته”.

Sack him — CF Comps (@CF_Compss) December 3, 2025

“هل سلوت مجنون؟، صلاح على مقاعد البدلاء مرتين متتاليتين؟”.

Is Slot mad ? Salah on the bench back to back ? — Sensei (@posko__) December 3, 2025

“هل صلاح الغاضب يسجل هاتريك وهو على مقاعد البدلاء؟”.

Angry Salah hat trick off the bench? — LFC LOYAL (@_LFCLOYAL_) December 3, 2025

“نحن نستعد للحياة بدون صلاح، لا أعتقد أنني سأكون مستعدًا عندما يرحل”.

We’re already preparing life without Salah. I don’t think I’ll be ready when he leaves. 🥲 — Ákshay 🍉 (@Akmathurx) December 3, 2025

“صلاح بديلاً مرة أخرى؟ أعتقد أنه القرار الصحيح للأسف”.

Salah dropped again!
I think it’s the right decision sadly — Baller Talk (@BallerTalk0) December 3, 2025

“أفهم سبب تواجد صلاح على مقاعد البدلاء، إذا لعب وقدم أداءً غير مُقنع، فسيغيب لستة أسابيع تقريبًا، عليهم بناء الفريق واكتساب الثقة اللازمة للعب بدونه، بدلًا من الاعتماد عليه”.

I see why he’s benching Salah, if he plays and does unreal he’s going off for 6weeks or so they need to build and find the confidence to do it without him. Rather than rely on him. — Ty (@TylerThrilling1) December 3, 2025

“إبقاء صلاح على مقاعد البدلاء أمام فرق قاع الجدول (فرانكفورت ووست هام) لا يثبت شيئًا؛ هذا غير مستدام… لن أسمح بأن يصبح صلاح هو الشرير في هذه القصة… على سلوت أن يتوقف عن تغيير النظام ليناسب اللاعبين، وأن يدمج اللاعبين في النظام نفسه”.

Benching Salah against table-bottom teams (Frankfurt and West Ham) proves nothing; This is not sustainable… I will not allow him to make Salah the villain in this story… Slot needs to stop changing the system to favor the players and integrate the players into the damn system🤨 — Renee Betton O’Connor (@betton_renee) December 3, 2025

“سعيدٌ بجلوس صلاح على دكة البدلاء، هذا ليس تقليلًا من شأن الأسطورة، ولكنه يُتيح للاعبين فرصةً لإيجاد طرق هجومية أخرى وتحقيق النتيجة المرجوة، صلاح ليس لديه ما يُثبته، لقد فعل كل شيء وفاز بكل شيء”.

Glad that Salah is benched, its not a disrespect to the legend but it creates room for the players to find other ways to attack and get the desired result.

Salah doesn’t have anything to prove, he has done it all and won it all — Femi George (@thefemigeorge) December 3, 2025

West Ham United’s unbeaten run was brought to a halt by Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

Now, the good news is that the Premier League champions were miles better than the Hammers, but the bad news is that they are still level on points with 18th-placed Leeds United.

Worse than that, though, at least in the immediate, is the fact that Nuno Espírito Santo is now going to be without Lucas Paqueta for the Hammers’ trip to Manchester United on Thursday night following his sending-off for dissent.

The Brazilian’s absence is undeniably a big problem, but Nuno might have a surprise solution in the shape of a particularly exciting prospect.

The latest West Ham team news

With every game now becoming increasingly crucial for West Ham and Nuno this season, it’s equally important that players are available.

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Fortunately, there are only two first-team players out injured at the moment who will miss Thursday’s game, alongside Paqueta.

Unfortunately, while nobody was expecting Ollie Scarles to be declared fit given his surgery, there was hope, at least among the fanbase, that Crysencio Summerville would be fit enough to play.

However, speaking in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Nuno revealed that “there are still some issues” with the knock that the Dutchman picked up in the game against Bournemouth.

He then added that, while the club “are still assessing” the issue, they believe “Thursday is probably going to be too soon.”

It’s a real blow for the East Londoners, as while the former Leeds United star hasn’t quite delivered in terms of output, he is still one of their most dangerous and electric attackers.

Moreover, with him out and Paqueta out, that left-hand side looks a lot weaker, that is, unless Nuno makes a bold decision and unleashes one of the academy’s most exciting products there.

The academy star who could replace Paqueta

West Ham have a proud history of developing and promoting their best academy gems, and the latest youngster who could join the likes of Declan Rice and Freddie Potts, while also stepping in for Paqueta, is George Earthy.

The 21-year-old first joined the club at the under-6 level and has since worked his way up through the age groups, impressing the right people at every step.

For example, in 60 appearances for the u18s, totalling 4804 minutes, he scored 25 goals and provided 18 assists, which is an average of a goal involvement every 1.39 games, or every 111.72 minutes.

Appearances

60

55

Minutes

4804′

3703′

Goals

25

19

Assists

18

15

Goal Involvements per Match

0.71

0.61

Minutes per Goal Involvement

111.72′

108.91′

And if that’s still not enough, he has scored 19 goals and provided 15 assists in 55 appearances, totalling 3703 minutes, for the U21S, which comes out to a goal involvement every 1.61 games, or every 108.91 minutes.

Last but certainly not least, the “priceless” youngster, as dubbed by coach Steve Potts, also has four first-team appearances under his belt, in which he’s scored one goal.

In other words, the boyhood Hammer is a huge attacking threat, whether scoring goals or assisting.

Now, some might argue that he lacks enough senior experience to be thrown in the deep end by Nuno on Thursday, but they would be mistaken.

Last season saw the Havering-born gem go on loan to Championship side Bristol City, where he not only made 40 appearances but was named the club’s young player of the year.

Finally, while it is undoubtedly true that the youngster is primarily an attacking midfielder, he has spent time out wide, and it’s not uncommon for managers to stick academy products where they are needed in the team.

Moreover, Paqueta is banned for just one game, and Earthy has more than enough talent and mental fortitude to do a job in a newish position for such a brief spell.

Ultimately, losing the Brazilian for Thursday’s game is far from ideal, but if Nuno is bold enough to start him there, Earthy might just be the solution he needs.

Bowen repeat: West Ham plot move to sign "the best FK taker in the world"

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ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 27, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Avaí e Chapecoense se enfrentam neste domingo (9), pela nona rodada da Série B do Brasileirão. A bola rola a partir das 16h (de Brasília), no Estádio da Ressacada, em Florianópolis (SC), com transmissão do Canal GOAT, Premiere e TV Brasil. (clique aqui para assinar o Premiere por 30 dias grátis!)

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Confira todas as informações que você precisa saber sobre o confronto entre Coritiba e Ituano (onde assistir, horário, escalações e local).

✅ FICHA TÉCNICA
AVAÍ X CHAPECOENSE
9ª RODADA – SÉRIE B DO CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO
🗓️ Data e horário: domingo, 9 de junho de 2024, às 16h;
🏟️ Local: Estádio da Ressacada, em Florianópolis (SC);
📺 Onde assistir: Canal GOAT, Premiere e TV Brasil;
🟨 Árbitro: Edina Alves Batista (FIFA-SP);
🚩 Assistentes: Neuza Ines Back (FIFA-SP) e Fabrini Bevilaqua Costa (FIFA-SP);
🖥️ VAR: Marcio Henrique de Gois (SP).

⚽ PROVÁVEIS ESCALAÇÕES

AVAÍ (Técnico: Gilmar Dal Pozzo)
César Augusto; Marcos Vinícius, Tiago Pagnussat, Jonathan Costa e Mário Sérgio; Zé Ricardo, Willian Maranhão, João Paulo e Giovanni; Pottker e Hygor. 

continua após a publicidade

CHAPECOENSE (Técnico: Umberto Louzer)
Cavichioli, JP Galvão, Bruno Leonardo, Habraão, Mancha; Auremir, Foguinho, Rafael Carvalheira, Thomás; Giovanni Augusto e Marcinho.

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