A former West Ham United recruitment chief, who only left the club in June, has shared why manager Julen Lopetegui could “definitely” be at risk of the sack in east London.

West Ham rescue 1-1 draw at Brentford

The Irons haven’t won a game in all competitions since late August, with their last victory coming in a 1-0 EFL Cup second-round win against Bournemouth.

West Ham prepared to bid £25m for player who Lopetegui has closely watched

He’s a highly talented forward.

By
Emilio Galantini

Sep 29, 2024

Since then, West Ham have been knocked out of the EFL Cup – following a 5-1 battering to Liverpool at Anfield – and have suffered resounding defeats against Premier League heavyweights Man City and Chelsea.

They very nearly lost to London rivals Fulham as well – were it not for a dramatic late equaliser from striker Danny Ings – and it took a bundled equaliser from midfielder Tomas Soucek to rescue a point at Brentford on Saturday.

West Ham Results: 2024/25
Match	Date	Opponent	Competition	Result
#8	28/09/2024	Brentford (A)	Premier League	1-1 draw
#7	25/09/2024	Liverpool (A)	Carabao Cup	5-1 loss
#6	21/09/2024	Chelsea (H)	Premier League	3-0 loss
#5	14/09/2024	Fulham (A)	Premier League	1-1 draw
#4	31/08/2024	Man City (H)	Premier League	3-1 loss
#3	28/08/2024	Bournemouth (H)	Carabao Cup	1-0 win
#2	24/08/2024	Crystal Palace (A)	Premier League	2-0 win
#1	17/08/2024	Aston Villa (H)	Premier League	2-1 loss

Bryan Mbeumo’s first-minute strike gave Lopetegui’s visitors a real scare, and despite getting a result at the G-tech Community Stadium, West Ham have been criticised for their performance at Brentford.

“When you’re in a bad run of form and you concede with 41 seconds on the clock, you fear the worst. In that context, the way West Ham bounced back to earn a point at Brentford is a positive,” said Sky journalist Ron Walker.

“But that’s still as good as it gets. For a team with the depth and quality of this Hammers side, the lack of memorable moments they produced is still a concern.

“The Hammers’ defending has been a major cause for concern but their attacking return is an even greater worry when Julen Lopetegui was tasked with delivering a more expansive style.

“That will take time but with an expected goals tally lower than Southampton despite Lucas Paqueta, Mohamed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen featuring in every game, even their individual quality should be enough to produce more than this.”

West Ham spent nearly £120 million on nine summer signings before transfer deadline day, and there is certainly a real case to be made that they should be performing at a much higher level than this.

Former West Ham chief shares why Lopetegui is at risk of sack

Speaking to Football Insider, ex-West Ham recruitment chief Mick Brown says Lopetegui is “definitely” at risk of getting sacked, and he goes on to state that the club’s owners and directors’ knowledge of football is seriously lacking.

“I think there’s more pressure on him after what David Moyes managed to do,” said Brown.

“When 60,000 people are saying they don’t want this and they want a different type of football, the board have had to be careful with their decision.

“It’s always difficult trying to judge what the owners and directors will do. Their knowledge of the game is not great and they’ve made many mistakes in the past. They were warned to be careful what they wished for, but having made that decision [replacing Moyes with Lopetegui], they’re wary of making another mistake.

“I don’t know Lopetegui and I don’t know how he works, but if we’re looking at the results he’s had so far, which is what the game is about, he’s definitely at risk.

“Results will need to improve because one win in six games isn’t good enough after what David Moyes has done.”

Leeds United are quickly back in action again at Elland Road this evening as they prepare to host Watford, with a chance to move into the top two.

The Whites are two points behind Burnley in second and three points adrift of Sunderland at the top of the table, which means that they can end the matchday in first place if results go their way.

Daniel Farke’s side finished third in the Championship, behind Ipswich Town and Leicester City, last season and that meant that they had to go through the play-offs, ultimately losing 1-0 to Southampton in the play-off final at Wembley.

They will now be hoping to avoid that scenario this season by going up automatically as one of the top two teams, hopefully as champions, and the German head coach does have a good track record of doing that.

The former Norwich City boss won the second tier two times in three seasons in the Championship during his time with the Canaries, which shows that he knows how to get out of the league.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Expand Collapse

In order to pick up all three points against the Hornets and continue their charge for automatic promotion, one player Farke must brutally bin from the starting XI is Brenden Aaronson.

Why Brenden Aaronson should be dropped

The USA international was selected in the number ten position against Sheffield United last time out, as Leeds won 2-0 against Chris Wilder’s side.

He put in a steady but unimpressive display as an attacking midfielder behind Joel Piroe and has now gone four games without a goal or an assist to show for his efforts at the top end of the pitch – six if you include his two appearances for his country during the international break earlier this month.

Against the Blades, Aaronson missed a ‘big chance’ to find the back of the net and did not create a ‘big chance’ for his teammates, which shows that the 24-year-old whiz was wasteful in front of goal and not very creative.

24/25 Championship

Brenden Aaronson

Appearances

10

Goals

2

Big chances created

4

Assists

1

Pass accuracy

83%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the former Union Berlin loanee has provided a decent threat over the course of the season so far, with six goals and ‘big chances’ created combined.

He appears to be unfortunate to only have one assist to his name so far, with four ‘big chances’ created, and has been reliable with the ball at his feet, completing 83% of his attempted passes.

Despite his solid form overall this term, Farke must ruthlessly ditch him from the starting XI after a barren run in the final third. That would then open the door for 20-year-old sensation Mateo Joseph to return to the line-up tonight.

Why Mateo Joseph should start

Firstly, the Spain U21 international made a telling contribution after coming off the bench against Sheffield United last time out, scoring the second goal to make sure of all three points at Elland Road.

After a superb through ball from Joel Piroe, the former Leeds academy starlet showcased his quality, composure, speed, and strength to get onto the end of the pass, hold off the defender, and find the bottom corner under pressure.

It was a brilliantly crafted goal from start to finish and, hopefully, one that will help Joseph to gain more confidence in front of goal to start scoring more regularly at first-team level.

The young marksman has only scored five goals in 42 appearances for the club’s senior side and his academy form suggests that there is more to come from him as a goalscorer. He had racked up 19 goals in 33 games for the U21s at Thorp Arch before his first-team emergence and the hope will be that he eventually translates that level of scoring over to the Championship.

Joseph has scored two goals from 2.33 xG in ten appearances in the second tier so far this term but it is his all-round play that has caught the eye.

24/25 Championship

Mateo Joseph

Appearances

10

Goals

2

Big chances created

4

Assists

3

Dribble success rate

54%

Duels won per game

3.2

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Joseph has created four ‘big chances’ and assisted three goals in his ten outings in the division, whilst playing as a centre-forward.

These statistics show that the £15k-per-week Spaniard, who was described as “greedy” for goals by Farke, is a well-rounded striker who can contribute by scoring goals, creating chances, dribbling past opponents, and winning duels.

Therefore, the German boss must ruthlessly ditch Aaronson, who has struggled for goal contributions in recent matches, for Joseph, who – as you can see in the graphic below – has spent the majority of his time centrally in the opposition half, as per the highlighted section in red on his heatmap.

It is not a straight switch, however, as the young gem will play as the number nine and Piroe will be the one to drop into the number ten role in place of the American ace.

Joel Piroe's season in numbers

The Dutch forward registered his second assist of the Championship season last time out with his brilliant through ball for Joseph to find the back of the net against Sheffield United.

Piroe does not often showcase his creative quality, with just four ‘big chances’ created since the start of last season, but his assist for the youngster against the Blades shows that he does have the ability to play those kind of passes.

It is down to Farke and the coaching staff to make sure that he attempts those through balls more, as it would unlock a new creative weapon for Leeds in games.

Of course, the main attributes that Piroe brings to the party is his finishing and movement inside the box, having scored four goals in ten league games this term.

The left-footed attacker has scored four goals from an xG tally of 2.34 and this shows that he has been lethal in front of goal, given the quality of chances that have come his way.

Related Leeds star sold for £7m is now in the "form of his life" in the PL

The former Leeds United maestro is now thriving in the Premier League.

Posts ByDan Emery Oct 22, 2024

Piroe and Joseph, therefore, could be a fantastic duo against Watford tonight as they have both showcased their quality in different areas in the Championship for Leeds this season.

يستضيف فريق مانشستر سيتي خصمه برايتون، مساء اليوم السبت، في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، موسم 2024/25.

تأتي تلك المباراة في خضم لقاءات الجولة التاسعة والعشرين من الدوري الإنجليزي، على ملعب “الاتحاد”.

طالع | تشكيل مانشستر سيتي أمام برايتون في الدوري الإنجليزي.. موقف عمر مرموش

وعانى مانشستر سيتي من خسارة في الجولة الماضية أمام نوتينجهام فورست بهدف دون رد، مما أدى إلى تهديد مساعيه لإنهاء الموسم ضمن المراكز الأربعة الأولى.

ويحتل مانشستر سيتي المركز الخامس في جدول الدوري الإنجليزي برصيد 47 نقطة، بينما يتواجد برايتون في المركز السابع برصيد 46 نقطة.

ومن المتوقع مشاركة النجم المصري عمر مرموش في مباراة اليوم، بعدما خاض لقاء نوتينجهام فورست كبديل في الشوط الثاني. تشكيل مانشستر سيتي المتوقع أمام برايتون اليوم في الدوري الإنجليزي

حراسة المرمى: إيدرسون.

خط الدفاع: ريكو لويس، عبد القادر خوسانوف، روبن دياز، جفارديول.

خط الوسط: نيكو جونزاليس، جوندوجان.

خط الوسط الهجومي: سافيو، عمر مرموش، جيريمي دوكو.

خط الهجوم: هالاند.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.

CSA has noted the personal decision by Quinton de Kock to not take the knee ahead of Tuesday’s game against West Indies*. All players had been required, in line with a directive of the CSA board on Monday, to take the knee in a united and consistent stance against racism. And de Kock, who had chosen not to take a knee – or raise a fist or stand in attention, the other expressions of support for the BLM movement – in the past, opted against taking part in the game in Dubai altogether in a late decision.The board’s view was that while diversity could, and should, find expression in many facets of daily lives, this did not apply when it came to taking a stand against racism. In an update after the South Africa vs West Indies game started, the board said it would await a further report from team management before deciding on the next steps. All players are expected to follow this directive for the remaining games of the World Cup.Related

• Why did Quinton de Kock refuse to take a knee?

• 'I believe de Kock is committed to an antiracist agenda' – CSA chairperson Lawson Naidoo

• SACA CEO: Cricket South Africa has caused a 'crisis' by mandating taking a knee

• Temba Bavuma: Team 'surprised and taken aback' at Quinton de Kock's refusal to take a knee

• "We didn't anticipate we would be viewed as a white takeover'

On Monday, the CSA board said it recognised concerns that “the different postures taken by team members in support of the BLM initiative created an unintended perception of disparity or lack of support for the initiative”, and feel it is “imperative for the team to be seen taking a united and consistent stand against racism, especially given South Africa’s history”.Since the BLM movement re-emerged last year, South Africa have adopted varied stances towards supporting the anti-racism movement, but the national team has not taken a knee together. The closest South Africa came to that was when all the players, support staff and administrators involved in the 3TC event last July, including director of cricket Graeme Smith, took a knee before play. Thereafter, all South Africa’s players raised a fist before the Boxing Day Test against Sri Lanka last December, before the discussion re-emerged on their tour to the West Indies this winter.

Watch the T20 World Cup on ESPN+

Sign up for ESPN+ and catch the Men’s T20 World Cup live in the US. Match highlights of South Africa vs West Indies is available here in English, and here in Hindi (US only).

It was agreed that team members would make their own decision about whether to take a knee, raise a fist or stand to attention during that series. Notably, all the players of colour and some white players and members of staff, including coach Mark Boucher, Rassie van der Dussen and Kyle Verreynne, took a knee while other white players raised a fist and the rest stood to attention.CSA’s board has steered away from directing the team until this point, but changed their mind after South Africa’s opening T20 World Cup match against Australia, where Australia took a knee but South Africa maintained their three options. England, West Indies, India and Scotland have also taken a knee so far, while Pakistan held their hands to their hearts. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have not made any gestures yet but Bangladesh have previously taken a knee.”Concerns were raised that the different postures taken by team members in support of the BLM initiative created an unintended perception of disparity or lack of support for the initiative,” a CSA statement read. “After considering all relevant issues, including the position of the players, the Board felt that it was imperative for the team to be seen taking a united and consistent stand against racism, especially given SA’s history. Several other teams at the World Cup have adopted a consistent stance against the issue, and the Board felt it is time for all SA players to do the same.”The CSA board directive comes at the same time as the Social Justice and Nation-Building (SJN) hearings are being conducted, aimed at investigating the extent of racial discrimination in South African cricket. Several former players have made allegations of exclusion and told stories of being othered including Ashwell Prince, Paul Adams, Omar Henry, Roger Telemachus and Loots Bosman. The hearings are in their second phase and are listening to responses from those who have been incriminated by first phase testimony. Among them was former team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee, who criticised the national team for not taking a united stance in making a gesture in support of antiracism.CSA will appear at the hearings on Thursday, in its first public appearance since the start of the proceedings. It has resolved not to comment on any SJN matters until after the hearings but appears to have responded to one of the issues raised, which is about the national team taking a knee.”A commitment to overcoming racism is the glue that should unite, bind and strengthen us. Race should not be manipulated to amplify our weaknesses. Diversity can and should find expression in many facets of our daily lives, but not when it comes to taking a stand against racism,” CSA board chair Lawson Naidoo said.The hearings will conclude on Friday and the ombudsman Dumisa Ntsebeza will issue a report to CSA by November 30.

Lionel Messi’s bodyguard has been “finally defeated”, with ex-Navy SEAL Yassine Chueko taken out by a pitch-invading Inter Miami supporter.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Herons in pre-season actionTouring the AmericasFans want Messi interactionFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱GettyWHAT HAPPENED?

The Herons are currently in the process of working through their pre-season programme ahead of the 2025 MLS campaign. They are taking in a tour of the Americas, with Panamanian side Sporting San Miguelito the latest side to cross their path.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi was once again the star attraction as Inter Miami headed out on the road. Unsurprisingly, adoring fans were keen to get as close to their hero as possible. The sight of people racing across the pitch in a bid to meet Argentine superstar Messi is nothing new.

DID YOU KNOW?

Another tried his luck in Panama, despite Chueko – who has become famed for “spawning out of nowhere” – being on hand to protect World Cup winner Messi. He was, however, to be beaten on this occasion as a fan sporting a ‘Messi 10’ shirt slipped on the surface and inadvertently tripped Chueko.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

TELL ME MORE

Impressed onlookers have said that the supporter in question “finally defeated Messi’s bodyguard” after putting in a tackle that “Roy Keane would be so proud of”. After getting back to his feet, Chueko allowed the starry-eyed fan to get his hug with Messi.

MatériaMais Notícias

O desafio de adequar ao estilo de Abel Braga move oFluminense a poucos dias do início da temporada de 2022. A responsabilidade de tornar o Tricolor das Laranjeiras uma equipe digna de disputar bem competições de grande porte, entre elas a Copa Libertadores, tem a missão árdua de fugir da mesmice.

RelacionadasFluminenseCris Silva é oficializado e Lucca deixa o Fluminense: saiba chegadas, saídas e sondagens para 2022Fluminense14/01/2022FluminenseLucca tem sua rescisão do Fluminense publicada no BID da CBF e está oficialmente fora do clubeFluminense14/01/2022Fluminense‘Chego ao Fluminense com convicção que temos tudo para disputar e conquistar títulos’, diz Willian BigodeFluminense14/01/2022

Uma das preocupações da temporada passada do Tricolor das Laranjeiras foi com a qualidade para desenvolver as jogadas. Mas as novidades fazem com que os atletas já vejam o Fluminense mais incisivo.

-Cada treinador tem seu estilo de jogo e tenho certeza que o Abel chega com esse objetivo. E até mesmo pela qualidade que ele encontra aqui dentro do grupo, realmente jogadores com muita qualidade e também com características de um grupo competitivo. Em poucos dias de treino, a gente já tem visto essa determinação, disposição, não só com qualidade para estar criando, mas, sim, sem a bola um time também com uma pegada grande. E é óbvio que o Abel vai preparar sua equipe para ter esse controle, para a gente estar construindo e lá na frente estar fazendo os gols – afirmou Willian Bigode em sua apresentação.

Além de jogadores com mais “vivência” do torneio continental, a diretoria acirrou ainda mais a disputa no lado esquerdo e no setor ofensivo. Cabe a Abel é equilibrar as forças do elenco em meio a uma temporada que exigirá bastante.

Afinal, nomes como Nino e André estão em alta e precisam de segurança para repetirem o alto rendimento do ano anterior. Marcos Felipe se consolidou na meta. Enquanto isto, outros atletas lutam por retomarem seu espaço.

Sobram desafios ao Tricolor das Laranjeiras antes mesmo de Abelão aprontar o time.

-É um privilégio muito grande estar trabalhando com o Abel, com toda a experiência dele. Com toda história que tem no clube, sabe como funciona tudo. Tenho certeza, como vi na fala, nos olhos, na ambição, o desejo de vencer e conquistar. E ele encontra hoje um grupo muito qualificado – disse.

Crystal Palace have their eyes set on raiding the Championship to find their next rising star, according to a recent report. It has been a frustrating start to the Premier League season for the Eagles, as they are winless in their opening seven league games and pressure is already mounting on Oliver Glasner.

Forget Wharton & Kamada: Glasner must unleash incredible Crystal Palace ace

Glasner may have to make tough decision, dropping Wharton for this “incredible” ace

ByConnor Holden Oct 7, 2024 Crystal Palace transfer news

Despite pressure starting to mount on Glasner, the South London side are seemingly already getting some plans in place for when the January transfer window opens. The Eagles could face a tricky January, as it appears that Eberechi Eze is now “open” to leaving the club, being tracked by Liverpool. Meanwhile, fellow midfielder Adam Warton is being looked at by Manchester United.

However, the club have their own plans for bringing players to the club, as it was reported last week that Palace are interested in signing Bazoumana Toure from Hammarby IF. Officials of the Premier League side have been sent to watch the player in person, and he could be someone they look to bring to the club in the near future to strengthen their forward options, costing around £8.4 million.

As well as keeping tabs on Toure, the South London side also have their eyes on a player much closer to home as they look to land another promising young star.

Freedman leading Crystal Palace charge for rising Championship star

The Daily Mirror, via The Hard Tackle, reports that Crystal Palace are interested in signing Romain Esse from Millwall. The 19-year-old has been identified as their next gem to come from England’s second tier.

Palace have a record of turning to the Championship and signing the most exciting talents, as that is where they found Michael Olise, Eze, and Wharton in recent years. The report states that Palace’s sporting director, Dougie Freedman, is a big fan of Esse, as he’s caught the eye this season with his performances for Millwall.

Freedman has personally watched Esse in action twice this season, and he now looks to be personally leading Palace’s charge to sign the promising young star. The midfielder signed a contract extension during the summer, which runs until 2026, but Millwall manager Neil Harris has admitted that Esse will be on the radar of a lot of Premier League clubs now.

Harris said on Esse: “Romain has huge potential. There will be a lot of interest. He has added to his end product this year already. If he carries on doing that, then Romain will certainly grace the Premier League at some stage.”

Apps

51

Goals

5

Assists

0

Esse is a product of Millwall’s academy, impressing in their under-18s before making a breakthrough into the first team during the 2022/23 season. He played 12 times that campaign and then followed that up by playing 25 times in the Championship last season, during which he scored two goals but failed to register an assist. The 19-year-old still has a lot of development to do, but he is seen as a potential long-term replacement for Eze.

Chelsea believe that an astonishing double deal could be just what they need to fix Enzo Maresca’s defence at Stamford Bridge, and are willing to pay a massive amount to get it done, according to a fresh report.

Question marks over Chelsea's defence

Chelsea’s Premier League defeat to Liverpool at Anfield may have been just their second of the season, but it raised plenty of questions about their defence.

First-choice centre-back Wesley Fofana was serving a suspension, which saw Maresca field Tosin Adarabioyo alongside Levi Colwill, with Malo Gusto asked to play at left-back in Marc Cucurella’s absence.

Signed on a free transfer, Tosin did little to inspire confidence in him as he turned in a shaky performance, picking up a yellow card just six minutes in before being substituted after 53 minutes.

Neither Axel Disasi nor Benoit Badiashile have done much to stake a claim for a first-team spot either, which leaves Maresca still seeking truly world-class defenders at Stamford Bridge following the departure of Thiago Silva.

Chelsea’s options at centre-back 24/25

Player

Contract until

Tosin Adarabioyo

2028

Wesley Fofana

2029

Levi Colwill

2029

Axel Disasi

2029

Benoit Badiashile

2030

As a result, the Blues are expected to return to the transfer market to add more defenders to their ranks and have been strongly linked with a move to sign RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba, who they are believed to have been scouting.

Now, a fresh report has claimed that the west London side are eyeing up a mammoth double deal.

Chelsea to raid Benfica in £83m move

That is according to reports in Spain, who claim that Chelsea are in the process of preparing a €100m (£83.3m) offer to sign two Benfica defenders.

The pair in question are highly rated duo Antonio Silva and Tomas Araujo, with Chelsea having been strongly linked with the latter recently and even seeing a bid turned down for his services last summer.

It is claimed that Silva is also attracting attention from Arsenal and Manchester United, but that Chelsea are ready to invest heavily in the Portuguese international in order to get a deal done.

Chelsea very keen to sign rising star as Boehly gifted possible £25m price

The west Londoners have taken note of his impressive exploits.

ByEmilio Galantini Oct 26, 2024

Araujo, meanwhile, would arrive as a player for the future as much as for the present, in a similar manner to Renato Veiga’s arrival last summer, with the club seeing the Benfica duo as “a key opportunity to rejuvenate and improve their defensive lineup” amid ongoing uncertainty.

The 22-year-old can play at both right-back and centre-back and has started five times in Portugal’s top flight this season, where has partnered with 20-year-old Silva. He could provide cover both on the right side of defence and for injury-prone pair Gusto and Reece James when required.

Their arrivals would be unlikely to happen until the summer at the earliest, with Benfica almost certainly keen not to lose their first-choice defensive pairing in January, while it would probably also require Chelsea to make some major sales to make room for the duo.

With their current crop of defenders all tied to long-term contracts (the earliest expiry being in 2028), that could be far more easily said than done, a fact that could prove a major obstacle for this audacious deal.

Hurricanes captain scored fourth-highest score in WBBL history, before Ruth Johnston’s 4 for 8 bowled Stars out for 89

Alex Malcolm19-Oct-2021

Rachel Priest’s 107* was the fourth-highest score in WBBL history•Getty Images

Hobart Hurricanes captain Rachel Priest bludgeoned a remarkable century to set up a dominant WBBL victory over Melbourne Stars in Hobart.Priest’s 107 not out from 68 balls, including ten fours and seven sixes, was the fourth-highest score in WBBL history and the highest by an international player. She also made 70% of Hobart’s total of 4 for 152, with the other five batters contributing just 36 runs off the bat.The Hurricanes’ spinners then ripped through the Stars’ line-up as they were bowled out for 89, with Ruth Johnston claiming figures of 4 for 8, in just her second WBBL match, while Nicola Carey claimed 2 for 11 and Molly Strano bagged 2 for 21.Stars were in control early, having won the toss and sent Hurricanes in. The home side slumped to 3 for 39 after seven overs, with Johnston, Mignon du Preez and Richa Ghosh all falling cheaply.Priest was on 30 off 25 balls at one stage before striking 14 from Rhys McKenna’s first over. She reached 50 from 37 deliveries and then exploded, thumping five sixes in the last seven overs. Priest was 95 not out at the start of the final over, and brought up her century with a six.Stars’ chase got off to a disastrous start with Elyse Villani chipping Strano to midwicket in the first over. They fell to 2 for 3 when Annabel Sutherland also succumbed to Strano two overs later. Meg Lanning made 25, but watched wickets tumble at the other end. Lanning too was eventually bowled trying to slog-sweep Johnston, who cleaned up the tail. Johnston had never bowled before at WBBL level, but finished with the extraordinary figures of 4 for 8 from 3.2 overs.

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou aimed a dig at Ruben Amorim after his side beat his opposite number's injury-ravaged Manchester United 1-0.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Spurs beat Man Utd 1-0United squad ravaged by injurySpurs have had similar issuesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Australian was pleased that his side ran out victors courtesy of a James Maddison winner in the first half. The visitors were without a huge number of senior players and amongst the substitutes, only Victor Lindelof had made a senior appearance for the club. Despite Amorim’s depleted squad, Postecoglou was rather unsympathetic and quickly pointed to his own club’s toils with injury.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT POSTECOGLOU SAID

Speaking after the game, Postecoglou said: "He [Amorim] had to play players out of position and have kids on the bench. Welcome to my world. It's one game. Try doing that for two months. But I thought Man United were good today."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Postecoglou has had to field players and youngsters out of position throughout the season and the results have suffered as a consequence. Before Sunday's game, Spurs were 15th in the table and few could have blamed the club for sacking the Australian. However, Spurs appear almost out of the woods with their injury troubles and may begin to look up the table again after climbing to 12th.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR POSTECOGLOU?

Postecoglou will be hopeful that this result can help catapult Spurs up the table. They are now only 13 points off Bournemouth in fifth, a spot that could offer Champions League football next year, and should they put a run of victories together could end up amongst the European qualification spots. Tottenham travel to Ipswich next weekend as they bid to build up some proper momentum.