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The Blues suffered a third straight Premier League defeat to leave themselves with a mountain to climb to seal a top-four finish after the World Cup

After three defeats in their last four, Chelsea manager Graham Potter could not afford another woeful performance against Newcastle on Saturday. And yet that's exactly what the Blues served up in their 1-0 loss at St. James' Park.

Joe Willock popped up to fire the Magpies to an important victory, lifting Eddie Howe's team up to third in the Premier League before the World Cup break.

But while Newcastle are flying, Chelsea can only sing the blues as they suffered a third straight loss; a run that has dropped them to eighth in the table.

It's the first time in 20 years that the west London side have suffered three straight losses (excluding penalty shootouts), and this was certainly a deserved one.

Potter has a monumental task ahead of him to fix a side who were second best throughout. They struggled to deal with the pressure from Newcastle at times and were hopeless going forward, with Armando Broja kept silent up front as Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher were unable to offer him any support or build any attacks.

At the back, the likes of Cesar Azpilicueta and Kalidou Koulibaly were totally exposed and looked totally unworthy of a place in the starting XI.

Getty ImagesThe Winners

Joe Willock:

Willock had been dangerous at times in the first half up against Cesar Azpilicueta and popped up with the vital goal in the second half. It was a fantastic strike from the 23-year-old, and his second in successive games following his goal against Southampton the previous week. It was a deserved reward for his role in Newcastle's high-press that rattled the visitors throughout.

Reece James:

Oh how Chelsea are missing this man! The Blues looked weak on their right side all through the game, with Azpilicueta exposed and Conor Gallagher unable to get things going in attack because of some poor decision making. The injured right-back's absence was felt throughout this match and it shows just how important he is to Graham Potter's team.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe Losers

Cesar Azpilicueta:

The Spanish veteran looked out of his depth for spells in this game, with the Magpies putting him under pressure when they attacked down their left wing. He was too slow and easily exposed, leaving Potter no choice but to take him off at half-time to bring on Christian Pulisic. The Blues coach will be desperate to replace the club captain in the near future.

Kalidou Koulibaly:

Another disappointing display from the centre-back, even though he looked good at the start of the match. He was awful for the goal as he did nothing to stop Miguel Almiron on his run towards Chelsea's goal. The centre-back made it easy for the attacker, offering a lame attempt to stop him before Willock pounced and sent his shot past Mendy from the edge of the box. Koulibaly was too slow to react on many occasions, and it resulted in him getting booked late on for a silly foul.

Graham Potter:

The Chelsea manager has a tough job ahead of him and is getting a sense of how much work he has to do to fix this team. His side were totally stifled in this game and were second best all the way through. The Blues have now lost three in a row and could see themselves fall further away from a European place if the coach cannot get them playing well again soon.

Getty ImagesChelsea Ratings: Defence

Edouard Mendy (6/10):

He pulled off a couple of saves to deny the home team but his distribution was terrible yet again.

Cesar Azpilicueta (4/10):

Had a hard time when Newcastle attacked down his side and was useless in possession as he constantly passed it backwards. Came off at half-time.

Trevoh Chalobah (6/10):

Similarly frustrating on the ball as he constantly passed back to Mendy instead of looking for a way to build something for his side.

Kalidou Koulibaly (5/10):

Started off well by making some important interventions but his weaknesses were on display midway through the first half and left the Blues in danger as Newcastle upped the intensity in the second period. He should have done better against Miguel Almiron for the goal.

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Getty ImagesMidfield

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (N/A):

Had to be replaced just seven minutes in because of an injury.

Mateo Kovacic (5/10):

A poor display from the Croatia international, who barely offered any protection in midfield and was not influential in attack, either.

Jorginho (6/10):

Slightly better than his fellow central midfielder but not at his best in this game as he struggled to deal with the pressure applied by the home team.

Lewis Hall (7/10):

Looked bright in his first Premier League appearance in what was a difficult match for his team before he went off with less than 20 minutes to play. Worked hard for the team and will surely get more playing time this season after that performance.

After the anomaly of a mid-season 'pre-season', new Blues boss Graham Potter can now shape the squad in his image with some new faces

Having already had the unusual benefit of a six-week period to work closely with those players who were not involved in the World Cup in Qatar, away from scrutiny and the public eye, recently-appointed Chelsea manager Graham Potter now has an opportune transfer window to fine tune his squad.

However, a sharp downturn in form before the World Cup break means Potter and new owner Todd Boehly probably have more work on their hands than they bargained for – especially after the lavish summer outlay on the likes of Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana.

The question those in charge will need to ask themselves is whether cosmetic changes in the new year will be enough, or whether a complete overhaul is required for a squad that has stagnated in certain areas – one that will likely have to wait until the summer.

Molde forward David Datro Fofana has already been brought in, but he is unlikely to be the last new fact at Stamford Bridge over the winter.

So if Chelsea do decide to enter the market again in January, GOAL runs through eight players they could consider to improve their fortunes…

GettyEnzo Fernandez (Benfica)

The man who has emerged as Chelsea's prime January transfer target.

The Blues midfield is in need of a refresh, with Jorginho failing to hit the lofty heights expected of him when he signed and both Mateo Kovacic and N'Golo Kante regularly struggling with fitness issues.

Fernandez could be the perfect antidote after his breakout performances at the World Cup – but his showings there also mean Chelsea will have to pay through the nose to get him.

Given the Blues' need for an injection of quality and consistency in midfield, a total fee northwards of £100 million may just be worth it in the long run.

Just imagine if they sign Jude Bellingham in the summer too…

AdvertisementGettyBenoit Badiashile (Monaco)

Monaco centre-back Badiashile emerged as a target for Chelsea late in December with the transfer window fast approaching.

Although Chelsea reinforced their depleted backline with the additions of Koulibaly, Fofana and Cucurella following the exits of Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Marcos Alonso in the summer, Potter still feels that he needs a left-sided centre-back who can compete for a starting place – and if we're honest, that's fair enough.

As a top team that regularly plays three at the back Chelsea need quality depth in central defence, and highly-rated Badiashile – who is already a full France international at 21 – would tick that box, while a €35 million (£31m/$37m) fee seems reasonable by modern standards.

Daniel Ramalho/VascoAndrey Santos (Vasco da Gama)

Another exciting youngster who has moved across Chelsea's radar is Vasco da Gama midfielder Andrey Santos.

GOAL understands the Blues are close to securing the 18-year-old's signature following a breakout season in Brazil's Serie B.

Andrey has been dubbed 'the Brazilian Busquets' in his home country, due to his passing ability and the way in which he is able to tackle, be press resistant and screen the defence, but he even adds something the Barcelona stalwart doesn't: goals.

The teenager netted eight times in 36 games in the recently-concluded Brazilian season as he marauded from box to box, and can probably be considered more of a No.8 – something Chelsea are crying out for, although the step up from Brazil's second tier to the Premier League will be significant.

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Getty ImagesJoao Felix (Atletico Madrid)

Granted, Joao Felix's time at Atletico Madrid should serve as a warning: evidently, the exuberant 23-year-old's playing style does not suit a more pragmatic overall approach.

However, though it could be a complex deal for the January window, as Chelsea gradually adapt to Potter's possession-based, attacking style, the opportunity to sign a player of Felix's quality could prove too good to pass up – especially after he gave the world a reminder of his talents with Portugal in Qatar.

An unhappy Felix seems certain to leave Atleti in the near future and Chelsea are reportedly among those interested, with an initial loan deal with an option or obligation to buy in the summer being discussed.

However, that future fee could well be very costly as the Madrid club look to recoup the £113 million they spent on the former Benfica man.

The young Gunners striker has taken France by storm this season to sit top of the Ligue 1 goalscoring charts – but what does his future hold?

When Folarin Balogun opted to leave Arsenal and join Reims on loan last summer, he was sent on his way with an instruction from Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners boss, however, didn’t overload the young striker with anything tactical or set him any targets to aim for during his season on loan in France. It was all far more simple than that.

“Mikel just wanted me to develop as a man,” Balogun said. “I’m starting to learn what he meant by that. I think by the time I go back I’ll be in a better place to compete than I was before I left.”

Given what Balogun is achieving in France this season, there is no doubt he will return to Arsenal in the summer far better placed to push for a spot in Arteta’s first-team squad.

The 21-year-old has 14 goals from 18 starts for Reims and currently tops the scoring charts in Ligue 1. He’s one goal ahead of Kylian Mbappe and two clear of his former Arsenal team-mate Alexandre Lacazette, who is now back at Lyon. Lionel Messi, meanwhile, is four goals behind the England Under-21 international.

Balogun has taken France by storm, with his heroics over the past fortnight catapulting him into the headlines on both sides of the channel.

First, he scored an injury-time equaliser at Paris Saint-Germain to stun Parc des Princes and earn Reims a deserved 1-1 draw. He then helped himself to a hat-trick a few days later as Lorient were swept aside in style.

Balogun’s impressive form this season means Arsenal will have a big decision to make when it comes to his future in the summer. Do they keep him around or is this the perfect time to cash in, given his stock might never be as high again?

GOAL takes a look at all the options…

Keep

After enjoying such a breakthrough year in France, the worst thing that could happen for Balogun next season would be to return to north London and spend the majority of the campaign sitting on the bench.

But with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah in front of him, that is probably what would happen should he stick around and be part of Arteta’s squad.

There would be opportunities for him, but you would expect they would be few and far between, especially as Arsenal look well set to secure Champions League football next season.

So this does not feel like the best option when it comes to managing Balogun’s ongoing development. He’s had his first proper taste in senior football of playing week in, week out, and he will not want to go back to just getting the odd minute here and there off the substitutes' bench.

That scenario will not really suit anyone. It certainly won’t benefit Balogun and it won’t really benefit Arsenal either. It might give them another body in the squad, but Balogun’s value would plummet should he spend the season without having any regular playing time. 

AdvertisementGettyLoan

This would certainly be an appealing option.

Balogun has had two decent loan spells so far. His stint at Middlesbrough during the second half of last season may not have been spectacular, but it taught him a lot about what to expect from senior football. He’s clearly taken a lot from that experience into his time with Reims and has taken his game to another level.

It feels like the next step for Balogun in his development could potentially be to spend a season on loan with a Premier League club. That would be a major step up from Ligue 1 and would allow Arsenal to have a prolonged look at how the young striker deals with the demands of the English top flight.

The big issue with this option, however, is that Balogun would really need to agree to a contract extension at Arsenal before they send him out on loan again.

With his current deal due to expire in the summer of 2025, it makes little sense to send him out on loan next season if he has not agreed to extend his stay with the Gunners first.

Getty ImagesSell

This would be a difficult decision, given Balogun’s undoubted potential and the fact that he has come through the academy. But Arsenal need to get better at selling players when their stock is at their highest.

The north London club have struggled for years to bring in good money from their unwanted or under-used squad members, with a couple of notable exceptions.

One of those exceptions was Joe Willock, who the Gunners sold to Newcastle for £25 million following his exceptional loan spell at St James’ Park during the second half of the 2020-21 season.

Arteta was a fan of Willock, but he and the club decided that £25m ($33m) was an offer they couldn’t really turn down for a player who was far from guaranteed to become a regular at Arsenal.

It’s a similar scenario when it comes to Balogun. There is clearly lots of potential there, but should a big-money offer arrive on the back of his impressive exploits with Reims, it would be very tempting for the Gunners to cash in.

They know they have to start bringing in revenue from transfer fees and there are few players in the squad as sellable as Balogun right now.

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Getty ImagesThe verdict

There’s no doubt Arsenal have a dilemma on their hands when it comes to Balogun.

Of the options available to them, the worst one they could take would be to keep him around for next season and not play him. That will do him no good whatsoever and would only see his market value plummet.

It feels like the best possible scenario would be for the striker to agree to a new long-term contract and then head out on loan again, but this time to a Premier League club. He’s had experience in the Championship and also a season in one of Europe’s top leagues, but a year in the Premier League will be the acid test.

It will show Arsenal a lot in terms of his ability to perform at the very top level and would give Balogun the opportunity to develop in the world’s toughest league.

But for that to happen he would need to extend his contract first before going out.

Should he decide not to do that, then the best option for Arsenal this summer would be to cash in when he still has two years of his deal remaining and take advantage of the sensational season he has been enjoying in France.

The Gunners produced a first half masterclass to restore their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League

A scintillating first half display saw Arsenal blow Fulham away at Craven Cottage to restore their five-point advantage at the top of the Premier League.

Goals from Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard sealed a comfortable 3-0 success for Mikel Arteta's side, who welcomed back Gabriel Jesus in the second half following three months on the sidelines with a knee injury.

It was a dominant display from the league leaders, who responded defiantly to Manchester City's win at Crystal Palace on Saturday night.

GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Craven Cottage…

GettyGoalkeeper & Defence

Aaron Ramsdale (7/10):

Couple of nervy moments with the ball at his feet, but solid other than that. One great second half save.

Ben White (7/10):

As consistent as always.

William Saliba (8/10):

Superb. Dealt so well with the threat of Mitrovic expertly.

Gabriel Magalhaes (8/10):

Opened the scoring and cruised through the game with class.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (7/10):

His clever movement caused Fulham problems.

AdvertisementGettyMidfield

Thomas Partey (8/10):

Dominated the midfield. Exceptional, especially in the first half

Granit Xhaka (7/10):

Should have finished off a wonderful first half move.

Martin Odegaard (8/10):

Another goal from the captain. Impressive.

GettyAttack

Bukayo Saka (6/10):

Not at his best. Looked a bit tired.

Leandro Trossard (9/10):

Hat-trick of assists. Fulham couldn't get near him.

Gabriel Martinelli (8/10):

Really lively, on the scoresheet again.

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GettySubs & Manager

Kieran Tierney (6/10):

Good to see him back after illness. Solid.

Reiss Nelson (6/10):

Should have done better after being set up by Jesus.

Gabriel Jesus (6/10):

Got the biggest cheer of the day when he came on. Should have marked his return with a goal, but Leno saved.

Fabio Vieira (6/10):

Excellent play to set up a chance for Jesus.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (N/A):

Introduced late on.

Mikel Arteta (7/10):

Perfect day for him. Three goals, clean sheet and Jesus returns.

The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner continues to produce match-winning displays, but injury concerns are also catching up with the 35-year-old

Karim Benzema refused to acknowledge Carlo Ancelotti when the manager substituted him in the second leg of Real Madrid's Champions League quarter-final clash with Chelsea.

The game was, at the time of Benzema's removal, over. Madrid had a convincing aggregate lead, and although they hadn't dominated on the night, were cruising towards yet another semi-final appearance.

Benzema, having taken a heavy knock from a challenge in the first half, probably needed a rest, too. But the striker wanted to stay on the pitch all the same, and sulked as he watched his side run out 4-0 aggregate winners.

Since that contest, Benzema endured a miserable 90 minutes against Celta Vigo, and was forced to sit out Madrid's loss to Girona on Tuesday due to the lasting effects of the same issue that had led to him limping off in west London.

This is not the first time, though, that the striker has had to deal with injury. Benzema, when fit, is still one of the best strikers in the world. The Ballon d'Or winning player of 2022 is certainly still there. But the fitness issues continue to add up for the 35-year-old, and he can no longer be relied on to play every game.

And when he's not around, Los Blancos have struggled. Their other attacking players look lost, while the myriad of solutions in his position — usually Rodrygo as an awkward No.9 — don't quite offer the same bite.

And with no clear solution having yet emerged from the academy or alternative system to fix things, Real Madrid need to add another striker this summer.

GettyAn admirable season

Let's be clear: Benzema does not need replacing. Madrid, in handing him a new one-year contract, have made it clear that they don't want him to leave, either. But he does need protecting.

Benzema's ageing legs are not as reliable as they used to be, while the striker has at times clearly played through injuries this season. Neither Ancelotti nor Madrid can be blamed for wanting to get their best player on the pitch, even if he is not always firing at 100 percent

Still, there should be a more obvious, reliable solution that allows the manager to feel comfortable in allowing Benzema observe from the sidelines in less important games.

It's easy to see why Ancelotti want him to play, though. While Benzema hasn't replicated his Ballon d'Or-winning form of last season on a consistent basis, there is still enough of that striker about to make him one of the best in the world.

He is averaging 0.9 goals + assists per 90 minutes, the third highest in La Liga, per A return of 14 goals in 20 starts isn't bad at all.

He is also doing all of the signature Benzema things that make him so valuable. He drops deep to link play; he makes those ghostly runs to the back post; he carves chances out of limited space; and he still makes defenders back away when he has the ball.

And even when he's not directly contributing, Benzema expertly moves in and out of space, opening room for others. There is, indeed, a reason why Vinicius Jr is a more impactful goal-scoring threat when Benzema is on the pitch.

Benzema is still showing up when it really matters, too. He scored two and assisted against Liverpool at Anfield. He bagged a hat-trick against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final. The big-game player that battered Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City in last year's Champions League is very much there.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesNot the same without him

After Benzema was sidelined as Real endured an infamous 4-0 loss to Barcelona last April, Ancelotti offered a grim assessment of the situation: "Without Benzema, we had no chance."

Real haven't been quite so resigned to their fate when the star striker has been out this season, but they are a far different side without him.

In recent weeks, results have improved when Benzema has sat out, but it was in his absence earlier in the season that Madrid truly fell behind in the title race. Losses to bottom half sides Mallorca and Rayo Vallecano came without Benzema.

And while this week's 4-2 drubbing at the hands of Girona perhaps cannot be pinned on Real's lack of attacking quality, a fit Benzema surely would have given Madrid a chance — despite their shambolic defending at the other end.

There have, admittedly, been some good moments. Benzema's absence has freed up a spot for a revitalised Marco Asensio to get back in the line up, and the Spain international has taken his chance, with 14 goal contributions in La Liga. Rodrygo has also certainly improved as a central striker and is now a more viable goal threat.

But these are all minute benefits, vague positives to take from a clear problem. Ancelotti, then, was right. Without Benzema, Real are not the same team.

Getty ImagesWhat do Madrid need?

It is not easy to replace one of the best strikers in the world, and Madrid would be foolish to try. There are a handful of goalscorers comparable to or better than Benzema, and none of them are attainable — at least, not immediately.

What Madrid are after, then, is a viable back up, the kind of player who can slot into the No.9 spot when Benzema is out or in need of a rest.

The good news in all of this is Ancelotti has enough attacking options at his disposal that he does not need another all-round virtuoso. Wingers Vinicius and Rodygo are excellent creative players, while Luka Modric has made a career off of creating for deadly No.9s.

Instead, they crave a more natural striker, someone content to hold down a central position and let the wingers around him do the technical bits in between. Benzema's extra qualities — the ability to drift, pass, and open space — are what make him elite. But reserve strikers simply shouldn't be replicas of the starter.

Divock Origi, during his best days at Liverpool, for example, was effective because he was more direct than Mohamed Salah or Roberto Firmino. Javier Hernandez excelled coming off the bench for Manchester United because he could time his runs so perfectly.

In effect, Madrid need to find the player that infamous transfer flop Luka Jovic should have been, but spectacularly never was.

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Getty ImagesA difficult window

But this is a difficult transfer window for Madrid. It is entirely possible, if not likely, that president Florentino Perez never thought he would find himself in this situation.

Madrid were supposed to sign Kylian Mbappe last summer, which would have eased the transition at the end of the Benzema era and set Los Blancos up for the foreseeable future.

Instead, they have an awkward gap to bridge. Mbappe, who eventually re-signed for PSG, has assured Parisian fans that he does not want to leave the club this summer.

Meanwhile, the other big names on the transfer market seem likely to be heading elsewhere. Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Manchester United and even PSG all have a more pressing need for a striker — and the financial resources to go for top targets such as Victor Osimhen, Harry Kane or Randal Kolo Muani.

Madrid, too, have their eyes elsewhere. Liverpool, presumptive frontrunners in the race to sign Jude Bellingham, made it known that they have been priced out of his signature this summer. Real are reportedly reluctant to pay the massive €150 million (£132m/$165m) price that Borussia Dortmund have set, too. But he is still their top target for the next few months, and would likely exhaust Madrid's traditionally deep pockets.

Money for a new forward, then, will be hard to come by.

There is a striker incoming, but not for two years. Brazilian teenager Endrick will join Los Blancos in 2024, but he will only be 18 when he walks into Santiago Bernabeu, and despite his immense potential, is unlikely to be ready to lead the line by then.

Madrid may well be banking on an Mbappe change of heart in a year or two. But unless they invest now, they will likely face a repeat problem next year, and without the guarantee of Benzema staying for another season afterwards.

The Blues have been linked with the Brazilian superstar since Todd Boehly's takeover last year, but pursuing a transfer could prove disastrous

There is no doubting the quality that Neymar possesses; on his day, when fully fit, he is among the very best attacking players on the planet – just as was expected to be the case when those grainy videos of him running rings around his opponents for Santos emerged way back when.

His time at Paris Saint-Germain, though, is seemingly drawing to a close amid an ugly breakdown in his relationship with the fans and a changing of the guard at the Parc des Princes, and Chelsea have been consistently linked with a move for the Brazilian over the past year as the Blues' owners supposedly seek a marquee signing.

It's a rumour that won't go away, but it's a transfer that Chelsea must steer clear of as a new era gets underway at Stamford Bridge.

Getty ImagesLingering interest

Neymar has been touted as a potential marquee signing for Chelsea's owners ever since their Clearlake Capital-backed takeover last year, with rumours coming in peaks and troughs. However, 12 months on they haven't gone away, and now claims there is a lingering hope at PSG that the Blues' fire sale of expendable players to Saudi Arabia means they could yet fund a deal.

French media reported earlier in June that Chelsea had opened talks over the player, although any whispers that things are at that advanced stage have since fallen silent. There is no smoke without fire, though, and the Blues' new-look hierarchy has already shown its ruthlessness in the transfer window.

AdvertisementGettyA terrible injury record

There is a litany of reasons why Chelsea should swerve a move for the Neymar, and chief among them is his injury record. The 31-year-old has missed more than half the games he could have played during his time at PSG overall, and his 2022-23 campaign ended in February when he suffered ankle ligament damage and was forced to undergo surgery.

Many of the countless fitness issues he has faced have been no fault of his own as he has been targeted by some agricultural defending in Ligue 1, but there is no reason to believe that would be any different in the Premier League. His body has taken a battering, and that surely must have taken its toll.

GettyAn anti-FFP transfer

Pursuing Neymar would be counterproductive to Chelsea's entire transfer strategy this summer as they look to trim a bloated squad and a soaring wage bill. The club finds itself in dire need of selling players after posting significant losses in the two previous seasons and splurging an eye-watering £600m ($763m) on new players in 2022-23. That leaves them in grave danger of failing to stay within the Premier League's three-year limit on losses of £105m ($133.6m) or more, and the Blues have already been added to UEFA's Financial Fair Play (FFP) watchlist.

Signing Neymar in the upcoming window, then, would be utterly baffling; the Brazilian earns an eye-watering €700,000 per week (£602,000/$768,000) in the French capital, and with two years remaining on his contract, PSG are still said to value him at around £70m ($89m). It's a deal that would distort the Blues' wage structure and add a huge bulk to their losses.

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Getty ImagesNo space in the squad

Away from the finances, one very simple argument against signing Neymar is that Chelsea do not have space in their squad for another attacking player who isn't a striker. Despite Kai Havertz leaving for Arsenal and both Hakim Ziyech and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang being set to follow him through the exit door, the Blues are still well stocked in the wide areas and have already added Christopher Nkunku as a potential No.10.

Villarreal's Nicolas Jackson is another forward who is expected to be added, joining the likes of Raheem Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke. Christian Pulisic's probable departure does raise the question of whether more depth is required, but a 31-year-old Neymar does not seem like the right fit for that role – especially given the club's recent strategy of signing players aged 25 or under.

The striker looked out of ideas and missed a sitter as Erik ten Hag's side fell apart in a nightmare first away game of the 2023-24 campaign

Manchester United had a strong sense of deja-vu in their first away trip of the season as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat at Tottenham after a particularly shoddy second-half display.

Marcus Rashford was desperately disappointing, missing the target with a free header but above all failing to trouble Tottenham's defenders as he again looked out of place at centre-forward.

United began the game brightly and had a strong penalty appeal for handball turned down, while Bruno Fernandes also spurned a free header. Spurs dominated the second period though, and took the lead when Pape Matar Sarr pounced in the area before a Lisandro Martinez own goal doubled their advantage and summed up United's miserable performance.

GOAL rates Man Utd's players from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

Andre Onana (6/10):

Took calculated risks on the ball and played some smart long-range passes. Made a good reaction save to thwart Destiny Udogie after the goal, which he could do little about.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (5/10):

Looked solid for the opening 45 minutes then things took a downward turn and he was hooked for Diogo Dalot.

Raphael Varane (6/10):

One of the few players who did not play with lead in their feet.

Lisandro Martinez (3/10):

Some good early interventions were overshadowed by his mishaps for both goals. A weak block sent the ball to Pape Sarr for the first, then another sent it trickling into his own net.

Luke Shaw (5/10):

Left his left flank unguarded for the first goal. At least showed some character and tried to spark a response from his side.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield

Bruno Fernandes (5/10):

Decent in the first half but missed the biggest chance of the game, somehow sending his free header over the bar.

Casemiro (5/10):

Struggled to impose himself on the game and lost the battle with Yves Bissouma.

Mason Mount(5/10):

Was good defensively in the first half and pressed aggressively while also linking up well with Alejandro Garnacho and Antony. Like his team-mates, faded after half-time.

Getty ImagesAttack

Antony (5/10):

Worked hard in the first half and was close to equalising in the second when his shot clattered the bar. Removed after 66 minutes.

Marcus Rashford (4/10):

Headed a clear chance over the bar after a fine pass from Fernandes. Struggled once more playing up top by himself. Had a strop on the bench after being substituted.

Alejandro Garnacho (5/10):

Had a couple of bright moments in the first half but soon faded. Poor defensively for the goal.

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Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Christian Eriksen (5/10):

Unlike against Wolves, he could do little to stop the rot.

Jadon Sancho (6/10)

An upgrade on Garnacho and should have started in his place.

Diogo Dalot (5/A):

Could have done more to prevent the second goal.

Anthony Martial (N/A):

Only came on in the 85th minute.

Facundo Pellistri (N/A):

Didn't have enough time to make an impact.

Erik ten Hag (4/10):

Played the same starting XI that had performed poorly against Wolves and his many substitutions failed to turn things around.

After leaving PSG, the young striker has hit form with OL Reign this year and will hope to translate that onto the biggest stage in Australia

Jordyn Huitema's name has been in the headlines ever since she was 15 years old. A lot of the time, that has been for football reasons, such as when she became the third-youngest player ever to represent Canada’s senior team, its second-youngest goalscorer and the Golden Boot winner in the qualifying tournament for the 2021 Olympics, at which she'd help her nation win the gold medal.

But there’s always been an extra element of attention on the talented forward. Over time, her long-term relationship with Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies and current romance with baseball star Julio Rodriguez have prompted dumbed-down headlines for showbiz-style articles introducing you to this Olympic champion, a player who has won league titles in two different countries.

Huitema has been one of the most exciting young talents on the planet for several years now, though, and this Women’s World Cup feels like an opportune moment to really show everybody why. This young prodigy has been playing on big stages for over six years and, still just 22 years old, she appears primed and ready to make her mark on the biggest of them all in Australia.

GettyA promising talent

The hype around Huitema has been ripe ever since she stepped onto the pitch for Canada’s senior team in early 2017 at just 15 years old – and even before that in some circles, with the forward shining in the youth teams, too.

Named Canada's Under-17 Female Player of the Year in 2017 and picking up its U20 award 12 months later, she was a regular contender for Golden Boots in the CONCACAF tournaments while still being eased into the senior set-up. Indeed, in 2017, she became the first Canadian to score for the U17, U20 and senior national teams in the same calendar year.

Within 18 months of her debut for the latter, she was playing for Paris Saint-Germain in a friendly tournament and, after weighing up offers from some of the top college soccer programmes in the United States, she would forgo that chapter and instead sign for the French giants at the age of 17.

At that time, it was an extreme rarity for a young talent in North America not to pass through the college system. It only added to the excitement of what she could go on to achieve with the ability she was already showing that she had.

AdvertisementGettyHistoric achievements

What Huitema would continue to add to her CV as a teenager was incredible, with her going to the World Cup in 2019 and winning the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship’s Golden Boot in 2020.

Shortly after celebrating her 20th birthday, the milestones got even bigger, too. That year, she was part of the PSG team that won its first-ever league title on the women’s side and, just a few months later, also a member of the Canada squad that won Olympic gold.

Still so young, Huitema wasn’t playing a leading role just yet, but the experiences she was collecting were incredibly valuable.

GettyTime to make her mark

Now 22 years old, the pressure has grown on Huitema to make that jump and become a key figure, to assert herself on the biggest stages in a way that she’s not quite done yet.

After three years, her time with PSG came to an end last summer, with her final stats reading as 67 games played and 18 goals scored in the centre-forward position. It must be mentioned that a large number of her appearances came as a substitute, but many expected her to become a regular starter over time and she just didn’t seem to make the impact in the chances she was given to make that happen.

There’s no doubt that Huitema has big, big talent, but she’s starting to near the age where we don’t talk about potential as much anymore and start to expect results. It’s time to prove she can deliver.

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GettyFinding form

After leaving PSG, Huitema signed for NWSL side OL Reign as the second half of the season in the U.S. prepared to get underway. Joining a new team midway through the campaign, judging her on the first few months of her time in the north west would’ve been harsh as the forward found her feet in a new environment and began to build relationships with her new team-mates.

That she managed to get off the mark and score a couple of goals before the season's end was a positive, and it feels like she is now starting to find some form, entering the World Cup having scored four times for her club since netting for Canada against France in the April international break.

“As a forward, everybody knows that you have a monkey on your shoulder at the beginning of a season and once you get it off, it's when the gates open,” she said in early May, after netting in a 2-0 win over the Houston Dash. “I think that everybody struggles with it at times. Getting that first one felt great and I think even just the one with Canada started that off, to come back confident and progress out of that.”

In the same post-match press conference, team-mate Veronica Latsko praised the forward’s work on the training pitch and the qualities she can bring to a team. “You look up, you see Jordyn Huitema at the back post, you get the ball to the back post. It's kind of self-explanatory,” she said, having done exactly that in the match to assist her goal.

It’s clear that she brings some top traits to the role as a centre-forward and we’re really starting to see those on a consistent basis now as she settles well into life as a Reign player.

See who the best men's players from MLS who are on EA Sports FC 24!

EA Sports FC 24 prepares itself to take the footballing world by storm as the new game will be released in September. The latest version of the game promises to produce new features along with the likes of Career Mode and Ultimate Team that made FIFA so beloved.

From Lionel Messi to Carlos Vela, the MLS fans are in for a treat as they prepare themselves to play with their favourite superstars.

Find the best EA Sports FC 24 deals on Amazon USPre-order nowFind the best EA Sports FC 24 deals on Amazon UKPre-order now

Football fans will be able to access their favourite players with the players getting an upgrade in their ratings. With the game revealing the final ratings for all the players, GOAL sheds light on which MLS players have the highest rating in the game.

Read more EA Sports FC 24 newsEA Sports FC 24: Release Date, price & complete guideEA Sports FC 24: Best Players RatingsEA Sports FC 24: Ronaldo v Messi: Who is Better?EA Sports FC 24: Best Saudi Pro League PlayersEA Sports FC 24: Best Players from La LigaLionel Messi | Inter Miami | 90 PAC80SHO87PAS90DRI94DEF33PHY64

The Inter Miami man is off to a hot start in life for the South Beach club. His card is reflective of his 2022 World Cup triumph though he has dropped one rating point from FIFA 23 as time marches on.

AdvertisementSergio Busquets | Inter Miami | 83PAC37SHO62PAS79DRI79DEF81PHY73

The longtime captain of Barcelona has officially left Europe, seeing his card downgraded by two points this year. Surely, though, we'll see some sort of promo card for the midfielder with boosted stats this year.

Jordi Alba | Inter Miami | 83PAC84SHO70PAS82DRI81DEF76PHY70

Tied with Busquets as the second-highest rated MLS player this year, Alba is well-rounded and looks like a great low-budget option for MLS and Spanish teams.

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Lorenzo Insigne | Toronto FC | 81PAC80SHO78PAS81DRI86PHY36DEF44

The Italian maestro sees his rating drop three points after an underwhelming MLS campaign, but still sports three stats over 80.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been putting his acting skills to good use in a promotional video for the super fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou.

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Article continues below

Super fight heading to RiyadhPortuguese icon is a fight fanIn club action on the same dayWHAT HAPPENED?

The WBC heavyweight champion from the world of boxing is set to face the former UFC heavyweight champion in an intriguing crossover contest that will be staged on Saudi Arabian soil on October 28. The eyes of the world will descend on Riyadh for a 10-round battle that will take place under boxing rules.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Portuguese superstar Ronaldo, who plays his club football in the Middle East for Al-Nassr, has been drafted in to help promote the fight, with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner figuring prominently in a video that sees him say “next question” when asked by a reporter: “What do you think of Francis’ chances against Fury?”

DID YOU KNOW?

It would come as no surprise if Ronaldo is spotted at the Fury vs Ngannou clash as the iconic 38-year-old is a fan of the fight game. Ronaldo was among the A-list guests when YouTube sensation Jack Paul fought Tyson Fury’s brother, Tommy, in Saudi Arabia back in February.

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GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The only problem facing Ronaldo when it comes to attending another star-studded show in the Middle East is the fact that Al-Nassr will be in action against Al Feiha on the same day. The Portugal international does, however, have access to private jets and could easily be flown in for the fight if he expresses desire to be ringside.