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Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou will have the services of January signing Antonin Kinsky available against Liverpool amid their injury crisis.

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• Spurs sign Kinsky after injury crisis
• New signing Kinsky receives work permit
• Available to play against Liverpool

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Tottenham had to rely on third-choice goalkeeper Brandon Austin during their 2-1 Premier League loss to Newcastle United with Guglielmo Vicario facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines and Fraser Forster out due to illness. Spurs had planned to buy a backup to take over from Forster and did so by signing Kinsky from Slavia Prague for a reported fee of £12.5 million ($16m).

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Kinsky was unable to train with Tottenham Hotspur on Monday as he had not received his work permit and international clearance. However, as per The Daily Mail, the Czech U21 international has received his work permit and will now be allowed to train under Postecoglou ahead of Spurs' Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg clash against Premier League leaders Liverpool.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Tottenham will be very keen on throwing the kitchen sink at trying to win the Carabao Cup this season as they aim to distract from a dire league season. They currently sit 12th in the Premier League table, and have not won a major trophy since 2008, when they last lifted the Carabao Cup.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR KINSKY?

  The Czech keeper is likely to be the first choice for Postecoglou until Vicario returns to full fitness.

Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea side snatched a late winner to collect all three points at the Vitality stadium, creeping up to seventh in the Premier League table, with seven points after four games played.

Chelsea held 67% possession but struggled to create, only managing to generate 0.78 xG, compared to Bournemouth’s 1.78 xG (this includes their penalty). But it was late quality in the box from a substitute that made the difference.

A late winner from Christopher Nkunku, scoring in the 86th minute secured the victory for the Blues. Nkunku is now on three goals for the season in all competitions, despite having limited minutes in the Premier League, totaling 80 league minutes, and 228 minutes overall.

Pedro Neto's poor performance

Pedro Neto was taken off at halftime, having struggled to make his mark on the game. Just 25 touches, including losing possession 10 times, and only managing a 67% pass accuracy, it wasn’t quite coming off for the Portuguese wide man.

The Portugal international was given a 4/10 rating by GOAL, labeling the winger as ‘anonymous’ in the game. The 24-year-old has struggled to make a big impact since joining the Blues this summer, totaling 237 minutes played so far, and only clocking one assist.

Neto made 24 appearances for Wolves in all competitions last season, scoring three goals, and providing 11 assists, totaling 1,729 minutes played.

Jadon Sancho's Chelsea debut

Jadon Sancho made a huge difference when being subbed on for Neto at halftime, providing the winning assist to Nkunku, and gaining himself a 7/10 match rating from GOAL, despite only playing 45 minutes.

The 24-year-old looked confident and motivated in his cameo, despite struggling in the last few seasons for Manchester United. After joining the Red Devils, Sancho only managed 12 goals and six assists in 83 appearances for the club.

You can see from the stats that Sancho had a much bigger impact on the game, with more touches, more key passes, more dribble attempts, more ground duels won, and, of course, providing the assist for Nkunku.

The English wizard showed poise on the ball, committing opposition defenders, dragging them out to defend him wide, playing lovely incisive passes into dangerous areas, and beating his man when he had the chance, all things Neto struggled to do in the first half.

That level of temperament and IQ of Sancho was perhaps the most impressive; knowing when to recycle play, when to commit his fullback in a 1v1, and when to release the ball to a teammate in a better position than him (usually after dragging a defender out to him).

Sancho has surely done enough to start the next game for Chelsea, picking up the man of the match award, and really showing Maresca what he can offer on that left-wing.

Therefore, the manager must finally unleash the summer signing from the start for the first time when the Blues next take to the pitch against West Ham United next weekend.

Stewart tells GOAL that PSV have no interest in selling Pepi this winter as the club sees the American star as their future striker

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• Stewart rules out Pepi sale
• Outlines plan for striker to move forward with Dutch side
• Praises USMNT star's development since joining club

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  PSV has ruled out a transfer for U.S. men's international striker Ricardo Pepi, according to Earnie Stewart, the club's director of football. Stewart told GOAL Monday that PSV is not considering a sale, saying that the club has a long-term plan for Pepi that is still playing out.

  Sources had told GOALthat clubs in both England and France had been pursuing the forward, who had commanded an offer of approximately $20.7M (€20M) from a Premier League side.

  The transfer interest comes amid a remarkable run of form from Pepi, who is tied for second in the Eredivisie Golden Boot race with 10 goals, despite having played just 646 league minutes this season. Even so, Pepi has largely remained backup to veteran striker Luuk de Jong, who is fresh off a two-goal performance against AZ Alkmaar that put him on nine goals for the season.

  Pepi's recent form for both PSV and the USMNT has caught the eye of suitors, while reports out of the Netherlands have said that PSV will fight off other clubs by offering Pepi a new contract.

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  WHAT STEWART SAID

  "First and foremost, regarding all the transfer issues, I can take those off the table because there's not going to be a transfer," Stewart told GOAL. "That's one thing that's for sure. The way I look at Ricardo, and the way that we look at Ricardo, he has been fantastic in the way that he's developed himself as a player. When he came, one of the things that we were curious about, but also spoke about, was his positional game, what to do as a center-forward in certain situations, especially in tight situations. If you see where he was almost a year and a half ago up to where he is today, it's been amazing. He's really, really made some steps along the way.

  "He has, I guess you can say, been unfortunate, because we also have Luuk de Jong, one of the best center-forwards certainly from a heading standpoint that there is. They have been fighting for playing time, both of them, which has raised their levels to a certain extent. At some point, Luuk is, I'd say, not the youngest, still going strong for us at this moment, and hopefully for a little bit longer, but at the same time, we also see that Ricardo, at some point, is going to be the No. 1 for PSV."

  When asked about talks of a new contract for Pepi or fellow American Richy Ledezma, Stewart declined to offer specifics, saying "I don't want to talk about individuals or anything, but just as a whole, at PSV, I'd say there's a lot of discussions going on right now."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  GOAL recently sat down with Pepi to discuss a wide variety of topics, one of which was his transfer status. The USMNT star said he has become accustomed to seeing his name linked to other clubs, having known little else since his breakthrough at FC Dallas.

  "It's just like such a normal thing now," he said. "You know if you're performing or if you're trying to get away for a loan or something like that, they'll be there. I think I've just made it a part of life already. That's the life that I live. Of course, there are going to be rumors of you going on, but at the same time, rumors can also affect your head a little bit. I just try to stay off, avoid distractions… If my agent doesn't tell me that there's a deal or that there's interest, I don't pay attention to it. I like to just keep things very compact in terms of information, so I can just focus on the main goal, which is performing on the pitch."

  Pepi originally joined PSV in July 2023, making the move from Augsburg for a reported $9.8 million transfer fee. In total, he's scored 22 goals in 63 appearances for the Dutch giants, who currently lead the Eredivisie.

  In terms of Pepi's role going forward, Stewart says that the striker has done everything he can to really push De Jong and, as long as he continues to take advantage of every chance he's been given, he, like the other players in the team, will eventually get his opportunity.

  "In the end, it's really simple: once you develop yourself and work hard, there's going to be the moment. Just be ready for the moment," Stewart said. "That's what I keep telling them, no matter if it's Malik [Tillman] or Ricardo, when the moment comes, you need to be ready for it. As a young player, you always want to go really fast, but in the end, it's that moment that comes when you're called on, and that's when you have to show that you're ready to take it on. Ricardo has done that in many ways, Malik Tillman has done that in many ways."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR PEPI?

  PSV are back in action on Tuesday for a match in the KNVB Cup, where they'll play host to second-division side Excelsior. After that, they'll travel for Saturday's Eredivisie match against PEC Zwolle, who are currently 14th in the league.

The U.S. international will be handed an incredible opportunity to make a statement against the UCL table leaders

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• Ricardo Pepi named to PSV XI vs. Liverpool
• U.S. striker has one goal in the competition
• Dutch side looking to secure a knockout round spot

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ricardo Pepi is set to earn his first start of the UEFA Champions League season on Wednesday, manager Peter Bosz has confirmed. The U.S. international has made six appearances off the bench, including scoring one late winner in a victory over Shakhtar Donetsk

  “Ricardo Pepi is in the starting lineup tomorrow," Bosz said Tuesday at his prematch news conference.

  The Dutch side takes on league leaders Liverpool as they look to clinch a berth in the knockout round.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Pepi appeared at the prematch press conference with Bosz, claiming he is excited for the opportunity ahead of him.

  "Of course it's a wonderful game to play, but whatever my role is, I will always be there," Pepi said. "I'm ready for the chances I get and it's up to me to take them."

  PSV enters the match sitting 19th in the Champions League standings with 11 points through seven games. Pepi will of course feature, but USMNT teammates Malik Tillman and Sergino Dest are injured, and will not play as a result.

  U.S. international Richard Ledezma, meanwhile, is likely to make a cameo after a burst into the XI in recent weeks under Bosz. Ledezma last appeared for the USMNT in 2021.

  Pepi added that although minutes have not come easy this season, he has held his head high and is ready to play once called upon.

  "Of course it's difficult sometimes," the striker added. "But it's up to me to stay professional. I'm lucky I have a controlled character, which helps in my situation."

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Pepi has scored 11 goals and recorded two assists for PSV in the Eredivisie this season, recording just five starts in 18 appearances.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR PSV?

  PSV clash with Liverpool Wednesday afternoon with kickoff slated for 3 p.m. ET. A win or a draw sees the Dutch side through to the knockouts, while a loss could see them slip through the cracks of the competition — though, it remains unlikely.

Jurgen Klopp established something of a dynasty at Anfield, building Liverpool up against superior financial powers to enjoy a period of illustrious success that transcended expectations.

Quite simply, no one foresaw what was coming when the German arrived, picking up a unit that had fallen by the wayside under Brendan Rodgers and had – one brilliant Luis Suarez-fuelled season aside – toiled for several painful years.

He built his team with shrewd signings, welcoming promising players and convincing them that they were elite-level stars. He transformed the Merseyside outfit from wall to wall.

While many young talents went from strength to strength under Klopp’s wing, not everyone managed to enter the Anfield ascendancy, with Taiwo Awoniyi a shining example of a talented prospect to failed to make the grade but has still forged an impressive career for himself.

Why Liverpool sold Taiwo Awoniyi

Liverpool actually signed Awoniyi, who is now 27 years old, when he was in the maiden phase of his career, plucking him from the Imperial Soccer Academy in Nigeria in 2015 for a £400k fee.

The promising forward never made an appearance for the Reds but he did enjoy spells across a range of clubs – though never in England as he failed to earn a work permit. In a cruel irony, he was granted one in May 2021, months before he would leave the club forever.

Awoniyi’s nomadic journey came to an end when Union Berlin decided to buy him for around £6.5m in 2021. He’d scored five goals from 21 matches as a loanee at the German club the year before, but went from strength to strength as a permanent star, bagging 20 goals from 43 matches in all competitions in 2021/22 – thus earning the attention of Liverpool’s new Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest, who pounced.

Taiwo Awoniyi's rise at Forest

Awoniyi completed a club-record £17.5m transfer from Union Berlin to Nottingham Forest in August 2022, shortly after the club’s promotion from the Championship.

His exploits in Germany had convinced the Premier League new boys that he had what it took to keep them afloat in the top flight, and they were right, with Awoniyi finishing the campaign as Forest’s top scorer, netting ten times in the division despite only starting 17 matches. Clinical.

The £50k-per-week talent is a powerful player but one of energy and mobile athleticism too. He plays in an advanced forward role but drops deep and makes intelligent bursts to stretch lines and help enhance the fluency of his team.

Described as a “monster of an athlete” by journalist David Hundeyin, there’s no question that Awoniyi is one of the most effective hulking strikers in English football right now, with sinewy strength and an imposing focal presence that made a telling, and accurate, comment on his capacity to succeed in the Premier League when he first arrived in Nottingham.

Awoniyi also bears a technical quality and soundness that will have been nurtured during his time in the Liverpool academy. Albeit, he spent most of his time on Liverpool’s books out on loan across the continent and will have been directed toward building himself up for a possible role in Klopp’s senior squad.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 12% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion achieved per 90 (78.2%).

Let’s also not forget that it was the hulking forward’s goal that condemned Liverpool to a dismal defeat at the City Ground, notching the winner in the Premier League clash in 2022 and sending the full-throated Forest crowd into a frenzy. After the game, pundit Jamie Carragher condemned Liverpool’s “awful” display at a point near the nadir of Klopp’s sweeping reign.

It’s a measure of how well he has done to establish himself as a reliable marksman and earn a sense of closure on his failed attempt to break into the Reds’ senior squad – though it was the closure that Klopp and co would rather he failed to achieve.

The past couple of years might have been laden with injuries, but Forest fans got a taste of Awoniyi’s ability during their first term in the top flight under Steve Cooper. He also contributed effectively to the Tricky Trees’ defensive efforts.

Awoniyi's market value in 2024

This year, it’s not been the smoothest of starts, with his lack of action last year leaving him second in the pecking order to veteran goalscorer Chris Wood, who, in fairness, has been excellent of late, bagging three from five this season and scoring 15 goals from 24 matches in total under Nuno Espirito Santo.

He’s still valued at £23m though, as per Transfermarkt, which is a credit to his ability to turn on the potency when unleashed. Moreover, that figure stands as a 261% rise from the £6.5m fee that Liverpool collected for his sale and is also the current Transfermarkt value of Alisson Becker.

This is quite a thing. Alisson is only 31 years old (32 in less than a week) and has been Liverpool’s number one throughout the recent era of success, signing from AS Roma for £68m, a record deal for a shot-stopper, and is regarded as “the best goalkeeper in the world” by Klopp.

It’s simply a testament to Awoniyi’s rise and indeed the interest in his name. This summer, outfits such as West Ham United were found sniffing around for the Nigeria international’s signature.

Klopp praised the striker’s “sensational development”, and it’s not likely that there are any hard feelings even if Awoniyi did inflict misery on the Anfield side at one point after leaving.

The fact that he’s worth as much as Alisson even though his Premier League journey has been punctuated with injuries is a mark of his character and quality.

Liverpool have struck gold on £4m signing who's now worth 650% more

He’s such a talented player.

By
Angus Sinclair

Sep 27, 2024

Daniel Farke has dropped a positive 10-word update from Leeds United’s doctors regarding the injury suffered by key player Ethan Ampadu last weekend.

Leeds handed Ampadu injury blow

The Whites may have picked up an impressive 3-0 win at home to Coventry City on Saturday afternoon, putting them fifth in the Championship table after seven games, but there is of course one big negative from the game. Ampadu picked up a knee injury during the match at Elland Road, eventually having to be replaced Ao Tanaka after trying to continue, leaving Farke sweating over the fitness of arguably one of his most important players.

The Welshman has started all of Leeds’ Championship games so far this season, averaging 2.6 tackles per game at the heart of the midfield, proving to be an effective figure in front of the defence, allowing more flamboyant players to work their magic further up the pitch.

In some ways, Ampadu is Leeds’ version of Manchester City star Rodri, in terms of playing that disciplined and hugely important defensive midfield role, and Whites supporters will pray that he isn’t missing for as long as the Spaniard has been ruled out for, having sustained ACL damage against Arsenal earlier this month.

Leeds doctors believe Ampadu will avoid surgery

Speaking in his pre-Norwich press conference on Monday [via The Yorkshire Evening Post], Farke confirmed that Ampadu won’t require knee surgery, having received feedback from club doctors. The Welsh star will miss approximately ten weeks having damaged a ligament in his knee, but Farke’s message from the club doctors is a positive one given the other possibilities.

While Leeds are still going to be without Ampadu for a significant length of time, this has to be considered good news overall – not only would surgery force him out for longer this time around, there are also always question marks about players’ athleticism after undergoing major knee operations and recoveries.

Farke has made it clear how much he values the Wales international, saying of him last season: “Overall a fantastic season, we are more than happy how he has developed also since we signed him. You couldn’t predict that it would work that smoothly and on this level when we signed him because he had also a few tough, tough years.

“But he’s doing exceptionally well. I think had, especially in the beginning and after I would say game day six, many, many top, top class performances.”

Leeds now battling Premier League interest to sign "fantastic" new gem

He’s one for the future.

By
Tom Cunningham

Sep 30, 2024

Ampadu is still going to be a massive miss over these next 10 weeks or so, but while supporters may find it hard to be positive about the situation, they should be thankful that his return could potentially come before Christmas, rather than long after it.

Manchester United boss Marc Skinner says Chloe Kelly’s shock move to Arsenal "doesn’t affect" his team anymore, despite transfer interest being held.

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• Kelly wanted out of Man City
• Man Utd move preferred
• Deadline day loan to Arsenal complete

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  With England international Kelly running down her contract at Manchester City, a move in the winter window always appeared likely. There was talk at one stage of the Euro 2022 winner crossing a fierce derby divide by swapping blue for red.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  As it stands, the 27-year-old forward will be donning that colour in north London, having returned to her roots at Arsenal on a short-term deal. United will be wasting little energy mulling over what could have been, with it impossible to land every top target.

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  WHAT MARC SKINNER SAID

  Skinner told reporters when asked about United’s recruitment business: "If we found the right person and we could make a right deal, then we'd try and do it. If not, I'm really happy with the forward options we have. Chloe Kelly is an Arsenal player on loan from Manchester City. So it really doesn't affect us now."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  United only added Kayla Randell to their ranks in the January window, while WSL rivals Chelsea broke the world transfer record on $1 million USWNT star Naomi Girma and are understood to have an agreement in place with Barcelona for Lionesses midfielder Keira Walsh.

Tottenham could try to pull on Harry Kane's heartstrings if any club triggers a reduced release clause in his Bayern Munich contract.

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• Kane release clause set for 2026
• Price set to fall from 2025 level
• Tottenham can match any offer

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Fabrizio Romano has explained to that Tottenham will be given the opportunity to match any bid that Bayern Munich receive for Kane, putting the decision into the player's hands should he decide to move clubs.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Rejoining Spurs in the event of departing Bayern would be the emotional choice for Kane, having opted to leave his boyhood club in 2023 in pursuit of trophies. Romano explained that a release clause only active last month made the 31-year-old available for a fixed €80 million (£67m/$83m) during the January transfer window. There will be no such clause in the summer, but another in January 2026 will set the price even lower, although Kane will be halfway to his 33rd birthday by then and into the final 18 months of Bayern contract.

• WHAT FABRIZIO ROMANO SAID

  "There's one more clause for next year, which is only available in January 2026 and worth €65m," Romano told . "It won't be possible to proceed with the clause in summer 2026, but that clause could set the price in case some club decides to enter the race after the USA World Cup. It's one to watch, for sure. Don't forget about Tottenham, as they have matching rights for Harry Kane. At any moment, if Bayern receive a bid, Spurs will be informed and can match the proposal to bring Kane back – if they want to."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Manchester United are at least not expected to be in for Kane. Romano added that, while co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is believed to be a fan of the forward, he doesn't fit with the club's new strategy of targeting younger players and lowering wages.

Following such a successful first season in charge, Gary O’Neil’s Wolverhampton Wanderers side have struggled to get back on track in the current campaign, with those in the Midlands now reportedly eyeing an unbeaten replacement.

O'Neil under pressure at Wolves

Whilst the context of Wolves’ recent struggles is important, the pressure is certainly mounting on O’Neil to turn things around after his side shipped five in a disappointing 5-3 defeat against Brentford last time out. The game that Wolves should have seen as the chance to gain their first victory of the season following an opening run full of the toughest hurdles, the Bees simply brushed them aside in West London.

The fixtures don’t get any easier for O’Neil and his side after the international break, either, with the visit of Manchester City possibly only compiling their misery even further as those off the pitch begin to consider their options.

Of course, patience is key but given that the former Bournemouth boss and his side sit bottom of the Premier League behind all three newly promoted sides may well leave Wolves with no choice but to pull the trigger, especially if they manage to land one replacement.

Manager with 12 wins vs Wolves is now "very keen" on taking Molineux job

He’s been called “exceptional”.

By
Charlie Smith

Oct 9, 2024

According to The Sun, Wolves are now eyeing a move for Jimmy Thelin, who has made an unbeaten start to life in charge of Aberdeen to go head-to-head with Celtic after 13 games in all competitions in Scotland. Earning comparisons with the iconic Sir Alex Ferguson as a result, the Swede may now follow the Scot’s path by completing a move to the Premier League.

In what could begin a managerial merry-go-round, it will be interesting to see just how thin Wolves’ patience is with O’Neil as they seek their first Premier League win of the season.

Thelin has emerged as one to watch for Wolves

Arriving in the summer, Thelin couldn’t have asked for a much better start at Aberdeen, with his side leapfrogging Rangers to match Celtic all the way after seven games in the Scottish Premiership. And whilst longevity is key and his side’s clash against the champions up next will give everyone a clearer idea of just where they stand, Thelin is certainly one to watch.

Still just 46 years old, the Swede represents an option who carries more risk due to his inexperience in Premier League management, but perhaps a risk worth taking from Wolves’ perspective.

If the Midlands club continue to struggle under O’Neil, then hiring a manager whose style of football is firmly based on survival rather than progressing would arguably leave Wolves at a crossroads. Convincing Thelin into a move from Aberdeen could unlock the full potential of the current side, however.

With a run of Manchester City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Crystal Palace and Southampton before the November international break, it’s set to be a make-or-break period for O’Neil and his future at the Molineux. City aside, and it would be fair to say that Wolves should be coming out of that run without a winless start to their name.

Peter Crouch has hilariously taken credit for Kylian Mbappe's shinned volley, with the ex-England international saying you "can't teach" that skill.

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• French forward on target at the Etihad
• Shinned volley into the top corner
• Ex-England star used to do likewise

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Real Madrid superstar Mbappe was back among the goals during his latest Champions League appearance. The World Cup winner netted Los Blancos’ first of the night as they claimed a dramatic 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Mbappe’s strike, which came on the hour mark and cancelled out Erling Haaland’s opener for the hosts, had more than a touch of good fortune about it. The Frenchman did not make the cleanest of contacts as he lined up a spectacular scissor kick.

• WHAT PETER CROUCH SAID

  The ball was, however, to end up in the top corner as it skewed off Mbappe’s shin and looped beyond Ederson. Former Liverpool and Tottenham striker Crouch hit a few like that himself during his playing days and has posted on social media alongside images of Mbappe emulating his efforts: "Can’t teach it."

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• WHAT NEXT?

  Jude Bellingham went on to grab a 92nd-minute winner for Real against City, as they took control of a heavyweight Champions League knockout phase play-off. Mbappe, meanwhile, has taken his goal tally for the season to 24 through 36 appearances in all competitions.