Fiery Lyon derby with Saint-Etienne suspended for 40 MINUTES as assistant referee is hit by missile thrown from stands

Lyon’s derby date with rivals Saint-Etienne was suspended for 40 minutes after an assistant referee was hit by a projectile thrown from the crowd.

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Arch-rivals went head-to-headCoin tossed towards the pitchMatch official required treatmentFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Lyon, fresh from their dramatic Europa League defeat to Manchester United, found themselves trailing inside 10 minutes as Lucas Stassin broke the deadlock in the Derby Rhone-Alpes. He was shown a red card in the 23rd minute, which was downgraded to a yellow following a VAR review.

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The away support at Guichard Stadium were less than impressed by what they were witnessing, with an angry reaction leading to a coin being tossed from the stands which struck one of the match officials.

WHAT THE MATCH DELEGATE SAID

The game was suspended shortly before half-time, with assistant referee Mehdi Rahmouni requiring treatment. After half an hour of uncertainty, match delegate Noel Mannino told reporters: “This projectile certainly came from between the Paret stand and the Henri-Point stand, so from the visitors' sector. He (Rahmouni) decided to return to the locker room because he was a little dizzy. We called a doctor to check on him. He is not injured. He took Doliprane. After a few minutes of rest, he decided he could resume the game.”

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AFPDID YOU KNOW?

A dose of paracetamol allowed Rahmouni to return to the field. The contest resumed at 10:15pm local time and was eventually played to a finish, with Mannino having noted that "if a projectile were to be thrown again, we would have a definitive stoppage of the match".

Newcastle have now "turned down" approach for "outstanding" 29 y/o to leave

Newcastle United are believed to have “turned down” an approach for an “outstanding” player, according to an update from Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie.

Newcastle transfer news

After a relatively quiet summer transfer window, Magpies supporters will understandably like the idea of fresh faces arriving before deadline day on Monday, and players continue to be linked with moves to St James’ Park.

Newcastle have reportedly been handed an opportunity to sign AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze, with the club willing to offload him, in order to receive a healthy amount of money for his services. With Miguel Almiron moving back to Atlanta United earlier this week, he could be a perfect replacement on the right flank, providing competition for Jacob Murphy.

Another potential Almiron replacement is Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo, who could be a hugely exciting addition for Eddie Howe, even if he has to wait until the summer for it to happen. The Cameroonian is arguably one of the Premier League’s leading wide players currently, scoring 14 goals in 23 appearances in the competition this season.

Southampton youngster Tyler Dibling has been one of the bright sparks for his side this season, amid a campaign of struggles in the league for Saints, and he has been backed to join Newcastle, coming as a long-term signing with an enormous amount of promise.

Newcastle turn down approach for "outstanding" player

According to Downie on X, Newcastle have “turned down” a loan approach from Watford for Matt Targett, instead deciding to keep hold of the 29-year-old for now.

Retaining the services of Targett makes total sense for the Magpies, considering Lloyd Kelly is set to join Juventus, as Downie alludes to.

Selling two left-backs in the same window would be an odd decision, needlessly weakening the squad midway through the season, and Howe has lauded Targett as “outstanding” in the past, also saying:

“Matt, I thought, was excellent. Very, very strong performance. The biggest compliment I can pay him is that it looked like he’d been part of that back four for a number of years. I thought his positioning was very good, his use of the ball was good. Very pleased him with.”

Targett clearly isn’t a key player for Newcastle anymore, as highlighted by the fact that he has only featured for 12 minutes in the Premier League in 2024/25 to date, coming in just one cameo appearance.

Newcastle now open talks to sign "direct" Almiron heir in bargain deal

He’s a rising star…

ByTom Cunningham Feb 1, 2025

With Kelly moving on and rotation important as the campaign goes on, though, the Englishman could yet feature more, as the Magpies look to show that their decision to keep him for now is the right one.

Bavuma to lead South Africa at T20 World Cup, injured van der Dussen out

The same squad will play a three-T20I series in India before travelling to Australia for the World Cup

Firdose Moonda06-Sep-2022

Temba Bavuma will make a comeback during South Africa’s white-ball tour to India•Getty Images

Temba Bavuma will lead South Africa at the men’s T20 World Cup after recovering from the elbow injury that has kept him out since the T20I tour of India in June. It’s also been confirmed that he will play as an opener.Bavuma missed the entire all-format tour of England to recover and opted for conservative treatment instead of surgery with a view to being fit for the World Cup. He has made sufficient progress and will make a comeback on the white-ball tour of India, of three ODIs and three T20Is, in September-October, where he is expected to be available for all the games. The squad for the World Cup will play the T20Is in India, while there are expected to be some tweaks for the ODI squad.Rassie van der Dussen, however, has been ruled out. Van der Dussen broke his left index finger while fielding during the second Test against England at Old Trafford but batted in South Africa’s second innings, routinely taking his top hand off the bat after playing a shot. He returned home after that match to see a finger specialist and is expected to be out for “up to six weeks”.Related

What Miller, Rabada's IPL form means for South Africa

Markram sees a role for himself in T20 World Cup

“Temba has recovered well. He has been playing for the Lions in Namibia over the last week and he is good to go,” Victor Mpitsang, CSA’s convenor of selectors, said in a press briefing. “Rassie – we are all aware that he broke his finger a week ago. He went for surgery. It will take up to six weeks before he has recovered. Unfortunately, the timing of his injury didn’t come at the right time.”Van der Dussen’s absence has created an opening for Kolpak-returnee Rilee Rossouw in the squad. Reeza Hendricks, who has come off a run of four consecutive T20I fifties and a 42, is also in the squad, which means South Africa are spoilt for choice in the top order, which also includes Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram.But with Mpitsang confirming Bavuma would open – “that’s a role he has played in the last year or so” – Markram might continue to be a middle-order option.Hendricks and Rossouw, meanwhile, could play crucial roles in that top order too, even though it might be tricky to fit all the excellent options in, with de Kock and Miller in the mix too.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

“We’ve seen the impact of all the players that have come back from Kolpak. We’ve seen the impact they’ve had on our system,” Mpitsang said. “They bring maturity, they know their games. The roles Rilee played against England was great to see. He threw the first punch when we were under pressure. We hope he continues that good form in the World Cup.”We saw Reeza opening the batting in India with Temba batting at three. Rilee has done a great job at three in England. So we need to see how to balance the top-order.”An interesting aspect of the squad is the selection of two fast-bowling allrounders, in Dwaine Pretorius and Wayne Parnell. Parnell, before turning out for Northern Superchargers in the men’s Hundred in England, played in the T20I series in India and in England [against Ireland]. While Pretorius, one of the more in-demand T20 cricketers around the world at the moment, also played the T20I series against Ireland, and has since been busy at the Hundred, with Welsh Fire, and then in the CPL, where he is a part of St Kitts & Nevis Patriots’ squad.Andile Phehlukwayo, meanwhile, has been pushed to the three-man reserves’ list, along with Bjorn Fortuin and Marco Jansen.”Wayne gives us a different variation upfront, and his performances with the new ball and at the death,” Mpitsang explained. “The way Pretorius has bowled at the middle and the end has stood out. A guy like Andile [Phehlukwayo] had a good run. It’s a good back-up to have.”The way he has finished innings has been very impressive, Victor Mpitsang said about Tristan Stubbs•Getty Images

As such, the squad doesn’t look too different from the one that took part in the T20 World Cup last year. Van der Dussen, of course, has been ruled out, and Wiaan Mulder has been omitted, while Fortuin has been moved to the reserves’ list. In their place, Rossouw and Tristan Stubbs have come in, along with Parnell.One of the players who might just have made it but hasn’t is Dewald Brevis, the top-order dasher.”We have been engaging with someone like Brevis in terms of the way forward,” Enoch Nkwe, South Africa’s director of cricket, said. “He is currently at the CPL [with Patriots]. We can’t ignore the fact that he is someone who has played some good cricket. He is very excited to come into the domestic frame and prove himself. He is passionate about South Africa.”It might have ended up being a toss-up between Stubbs and Brevis, with Brevis losing out.”We’ve seen how versatile Tristan Stubbs is. The way he has finished innings has been very impressive,” Mpitsang said. “He is young, he is exciting, he is fearless and not only has he showed it at international level but also domestically. He has ticked the boxes. There is enough experience there to guide him if needs be.”South Africa are in Group 2 in the main round of the T20 World Cup, with Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and two qualifiers.

Early-season ODIs provide World Cup springboard for Australia

Australia’s immediate sights may be on back-to-back ODI series against Zimbabwe and New Zealand but wicketkeeper Alex Carey says this is where their preparation begins for the 2023 World Cup.Australia face Zimbabwe in three ODIs in Townsville from Sunday, before they meet world No.1 New Zealand for three matches in Cairns from September 6.Sunday’s match marks the first time in almost two years Australia has played a home ODI and will be Zimbabwe’s first bilateral series here since the 2003-2004 summer.Carey says with the World Cup just 12 months away and the squad at almost full strength, it’s time to begin preparations.Related

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“We see it as a great opportunity to continue to evolve our one-day cricket to get some form leading into the next 12 months. So it is a good way to start,” he told reporters in Townsville. “Most players will know their roles coming into the series.”Players have been playing the last couple of weeks as well over in the Hundred in England, so for us it’s preparing the best way we can.”One-day cricket you know how you try to set up, but we’ll obviously sum up the conditions as well and play accordingly.”Zimbabwe named their 15-man squad for the tour on Tuesday after falling 3-0 to India in a series at home. With Craig Ervine still sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Regis Chakabva will captain the side again.Their recent series against India and Bangladesh will provide important footage Carey said, with little known of some of their squad.”In this format, I haven’t played them,” he said. “They’ve had some recent form so they’ll be keen to come over here and play some good cricket. They knocked off Bangladesh recently. So we will do our research if guys haven’t already started.”We’ve got some vision of bowlers, batters and we are up here five days early. So, we’re keen to get around, meet and greet and it get stuck into it.”

Their own Rogers: Spurs hold concrete interest in "unplayable" £60m phenom

It’s not been a good season for Tottenham Hotspur this year; that much is undeniable.

Injuries have ravaged Ange Postecoglou’s side, but even then, sitting 15th in the Premier League is nothing short of a disaster, and with the transfer window slamming shut in under a week, their only signing has been Czech goalkeeper Antonín Kinský.

However, in positive developments, recent reports have linked the club with one of the most dangerous players in the league, someone who has been compared to the incredible Morgan Rogers.

Signing a player similar to the Aston Villa star might be just what the North Londoners need to reignite their campaign, as he once again showed the world just how brilliant he is with a man-of-the-match performance against Celtic in the Champions League last night.

The player in question might not be the defender Spurs desperately need, but should this move go ahead, we imagine the fans will be delighted.

Tottenham target Premier League star

According to a recent report from TEAMtalk, Tottenham are one of several teams with ‘concrete interest’ in Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo.

Transfer Focus

Alongside the Lilywhites, the report has revealed that fellow Premier League sides Newcastle United and Liverpool are incredibly keen on the Cameroon international, although the Bees are understandably reluctant to entertain the idea of selling him mid-way through the season.

A potential price is not mentioned in the report, but according to other stories from earlier this month, an offer in the region of £60m could be enough to tempt the West Londoners into selling.

Brentford's BryanMbeumocelebrates scoring their first goal

It will be an incredibly complicated and costly transfer to get over the line for Spurs, but given Mbeumo’s immense ability, it’s one well worth pursuing, especially as he could be the club’s own Rogers.

How Mbeumo compares to Rogers and why Spurs should sign him

So, before we get into a couple of other reasons as to why Spurs should be pushing the boat out to sign Mbeumo, let’s examine this comparison to Rogers and where it has come from.​​​​​​​

Brentford's BryanMbeumoin action with Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly and Gabriel Magalhaes

Well, it primarily stems from FBref, which compares players in similar positions in Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and the Europa League, then creates a list of the ten most comparable players for each one, and, in this instance, has concluded that the Englishman is the fourth most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the Cameroonian superstar.

The best way to see how this conclusion has been reached is by looking at the underlying metrics in which the pair rank closely, including, but not limited to, actual and expected non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive passes and carries, shots, goal-creating-actions and more, all per 90.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.43

0.41

Actual Non-Penalty G+As

0.57

0.50

Progressive Carries

3.45

3.48

Progressive Passes

3.80

3.58

Shots

1.79

1.79

Goal-Creating Actions

0.44

0.45

However, while sharing a number of significant statistical similarities with a player as monumentally talented as the Villa ace is certainly an encouraging sign and a major indication that Daniel Levy and Co should sign the former Troyes ace, it’s not the only reason.

Arguably, the more significant argument for why the North Londoners should go all out for the 25-year-old is his seriously impressive level of output for a team outside of the traditional ‘big six.’

For example, in 27 appearances this season, totalling 2227 minutes, the “unplayable” live wire, as dubbed by manager Thomas Frank, has found the back of the net on 14 occasions and provided four assists to boot, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.5 games, or every 123.72 minutes, which is simply brilliant.

Ultimately, Spurs are in desperate need of some game-changing attackers, and while the price tag is high, Mbeumo would undoubtedly be worth every penny.

Big Werner upgrade: Spurs set for talks over sealing "unbelievable" signing

Timo Werner could be upgraded if Spurs land this signing.

2 ByJack Salveson Holmes Jan 30, 2025

WATCH: Kevin Denkey scores ridiculous bicycle kick to secure FC Cincinnati victory over Sporting Kansas City

The Togolese forward launched himself in the air for the overhead kick with what became the game-winner

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  • FC Cincinnati defeat Sporting KC 2-1
  • Kevin Denkey scores bicycle kick winner
  • Togolese DP is adapting to life well in MLS
  • Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games now
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    FC Cincinnati striker Kevin Denkey scored a goal of the season contender on Saturday as FCC defeated Sporting Kansas City 2-1 in MLS action. The Togolese forward leapt into the air for a stunning bicycle kick in the 79th minute, doubling FCC's lead late in the match, and scoring the eventual winner.

    He scored their first of the day as well, opening the scoring in the match in the 43rd minute. SKC earned a late goal back in the 89th minute through Zorhan Bassong, but it was too little, too late.

    Signed as a Designated Player in a $16.2M transfer from Belgian club Cercle Brugge, the 24-year-old is now up to six goals in his debut season.

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    FCC are now up to 22 points on the season, and sit atop the Eastern Conference after their victory. However, the standings could change come the end of Matchday 11, as Wilfried Zaha's Charlotte FC trail them by three points and have a higher goal-differential than them heading into their match against the New England Revolution on Saturday.

    Cincy, meanwhile, are in red-hot form and have won five-straight matches.

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    WHAT NEXT FOR FCC?

    Cincy return to the pitch on Sunday, May 4 against NYCFC on Matchday 11.

Com reforço caseiro e uma baixa, veja opções para Luís Castro montar o ataque do Botafogo contra o Goiás

MatériaMais Notícias

O técnico Luís Castro relacionou cinco atacantes para a partida do Botafogo desta segunda-feira, contra o Goiás, que acontece às 20h, no estádio Nilton Santos. Dessa forma, a seguir, o LANCE! mostra quem ficou de fora, os motivos e as possibilidades para o treinador escalar o Alvinegro Carioca.

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>LANCE! faz balanço dos reforços do Botafogo da Era John Textor

Nesta segunda-feira, Rikelmi, Vincius Lopes, Diego Gonçalves, Erison e Victor Sá estão à disposição de Luís Castro. Já Gustavo Sauer, Matheus Nascimento e Sebastian Joffre são desfalques confirmados para enfrentar o Goiás.

Sauer precisou ser submetido a uma artroscopia no tornozelo esquerdo, na última sexta-feira, por causa de lesão. Já Matheus Nascimento está a serviço da Seleção Brasileira sub-20, que realiza um quadrangular no Espírito Santo. Por fim, Joffre ainda não teve a documentação regularizada e segue sem poder estrear.

Dessa forma, caso mantenha o mesmo esquema tático, o Botafogo atuará mais uma vez com três jogadores no ataque: um centroavante e dois pontas. Nesse cenário, o Alvinegro tem entrado em campo com Erison, Victor Sá e Diego Gonçalves.

Cabe lembrar que o titular da ponta direta era Gustavo Sauer. Como ele se lesionou e não entra em campo desde o dia 08 de maio, Diego Gonçalves o tem substituído.

Entretanto, o camisa 11 não vem de boas atuações. Diego Gonçalves, inclusive, foi substituído em todos os últimos quatro jogos do Botafogo. Uma possibilidade para Luís Castro no setor, então, é testar Vinicius Lopes de titular.

O camisa 70 – desfalque contra o Coritiba, pois estava entregue ao Núcleo de Saúde e Performance – entrou no segundo tempo das partidas contra América-MG e Fortaleza e teve um desempenho consistente.Desse modo,Vinicius Lopes já começa a pedir passagem para iniciar os jogos no Botafogo.

Outra opção, já menos provável, é sacar um atacante e atuar com quatro jogadores de meio-campo, no esquema 4-4-2. Nesse cenário, a tendência é de que Victor Sá e Erison sejam os nomes mantidos para formar a dupla de ataque.

جدو: لم نحقق شيئًا أمام صن داونز.. وكنا ننتظر دعماً أكبر من رابطة الأندية

أكد محمد ناجي جدو، المدرب المساعد بنادي بيراميدز، أن نتيجة التعادل الإيجابي أمام صن داونز في ذهاب نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا تُعد جيدة، لكنها لا تعني شيئًا حتى الآن، مشيرًا إلى أن الحسم سيكون في مباراة العودة بالقاهرة.

وقال جدو: “حققنا نتيجة إيجابية أمام صن داونز، لكن لم نحقق شيئًا بعد، تنتظرنا مواجهة صعبة في القاهرة، خاصة أن الفريق الجنوب إفريقي يمتلك خبرات كبيرة، أتمنى أن نكون في قمة التركيز ونُتوج باللقب”.

وأوضح أن أسلوب اللعب الهجومي لبيراميدز ثابت منذ بداية الموسم ولم يتغير سواء داخل أو خارج ملعب الفريق، حيث قال: “منذ انطلاقة الموسم، المدير الفني يلعب بأسلوب هجومي واضح أمام كل الفرق، وله بصمة فنية واضحة لم تتغير في أي مواجهة”.

جدو بعد التعادل مع الأهلي: “محليين وأجانب بيظلمونا.. نجيب حكام منين طيب؟”

وفيما يخص تأجيل مباراة سيراميكا كليوباترا، علّق جدو: “طلبنا تأجيل المباراة لسبب بسيط، فنحن على موعد مع نهائي إفريقيا بعد 3 أيام فقط من هذا اللقاء، مواجهة سيراميكا ستكون حاسمة في صراع لقب الدوري، وكنا نأمل أن تستجيب رابطة الأندية لطلبنا”.

وتابع: “لو كانت هذه المباراة قبل نصف النهائي أو النهائي الإفريقي، لما طلبنا التأجيل، لكن الوضع مختلف، حتى الآن لم توافق الرابطة، وكنا نأمل منهم دعماً أكبر، خاصة أننا نمثل الكرة المصرية في النهائي القاري”.

وعن الحالة الصحية للاعب بيراميدز مصطفى فتحي، أوضح جدو: “لا أعتقد أنه سيلحق بمباراة سيراميكا، لكن نُكثف علاجه أملاً في مشاركته أمام صن داونز في القاهرة”.

وفي ختام حديثه، وجّه جدو انتقادات لرابطة الأندية على خلفية أزمة خصم النقاط، قائلاً: “رابطة الأندية هي من أوصلتنا لما نحن فيه الآن بأزمة خصم الـ6 نقاط، للأسف قدمنا موسماً استثنائياً في دوري غريب، انتهى بنا إلى المحكمة الرياضية بسبب أداء الرابطة”.

واختتم: “وبعد كل ذلك، يتحدثون عن مبدأ تكافؤ الفرص، كنا نأمل منهم أداءً أفضل والتزامًا باللوائح، لكن ما حدث كان عكس ذلك تمامًا”.

 

Aston Villa have representatives in Venezuela amid links to "electric" gem

With the January transfer window now closed and plenty of reinforcements ready to make an instant impact, Aston Villa could now reportedly turn their attention towards a South American gem.

Aston Villa transfer news

The Villans entered January with the aim of making improvements all throughout their squad and by the end of the window, they had done just that. Boosting their backline by signing both Axel Disasi and Andres Garcia, those in the Midlands also strengthened in attack with Marcus Rashford, Donyell Malen and Marco Asensio – albeit at the cost of Jhon Duran who left for Al-Nassr.

Of course, time will tell whether their business has been worthwhile, but on paper it certainly looks as though Unai Emery’s squad has been boosted by welcoming much-needed depth. So much so that they’ve got the chance to focus on the addition of future stars when the summer transfer window arrives.

According to The Boot Room, Aston Villa could now join the race to sign Agustin Ruberto alongside the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea, with representatives already in Venezuela for the South American U20 Championship.

Aston Villa may now use contract doubts to land "strong" Duran replacement

He’s a man in demand…

ByTom Cunningham Feb 6, 2025

The 19-year-old striker has already scored twice for Argentina at the tournament, including in a 6-0 thrashing of Brazil in the opening game of the group stage. Now, he will have his sights set on repeating the feat in the final stage and helping Argentina to eventual victory.

Meanwhile, Villa and others will continue to watch on and take notes on a rising South American star who could yet be destined for the Premier League sooner rather than later.

"Electric" Ruberto is one to watch

For any Premier League side, the task for their scouts should be in Venezuela with a wealth of talent on show at the U20 South American Championship, including Ruberto.

The 6’1 teenager has already made his mark and has been earning the praise of Ben Mattinson for some time. The South American football expert even went as far as to describe Ruberto as a “physical” striker with “instinctive finishing” and “electric pace” last April.

The likes of Brighton & Hove Albion have benefitted in the past by jumping ahead of Premier League rivals and discovering the next big South American star. Now, Aston Villa could do the same to replace Duran and welcome the future of Emery’s frontline.

As the U20 Championship continues, Ruberto will remain one of the most exciting prospects to watch as he looks to add to his two-goal tally for Argentina. As for Villa, they’re already thinking about the summer and will be eagerly anticipating their reports from the ongoing tournament.

Special West Brom star is becoming Mowbray’s answer to Matheus Pereira

Tony Mowbray has been here before as he attempts to get West Bromwich Albion up to the Premier League, with his first stint in charge of the Baggies culminating in promotion glory.

Indeed, Mowbray would steer the West Midlands outfit to the Championship title come the end of the 2007/08 campaign, with hope now that history repeats itself, albeit this time around likely via the playoffs.

The Hawthorns has seen many other promotions up to the top flight away from just Mowbray working his magic, however. The last time it happened was back in 2020, with an unbelievable Baggies star tearing the second tier to shreds.

Matheus Pereira's promotion heroics at West Brom

Matheus Pereira’s arrival on loan from Sporting CP before the 2019/20 season kicked off did take many by surprise, with the Brazilian entering the English game as an exciting unknown entity.

He would immediately take the Championship by storm with his set of audacious tricks and flicks with many a goal and assist also coming his way to justify the entertaining showboating.

Across the 2019/20 season in the second tier, Pereira would go on to score eight times and assist a remarkable haul of 20 strikes, before then taking to the Premier League like a duck to water as a permanent member of the Baggies team.

He closed his sensational time with the club by amassing 11 top-flight goals from 33 clashes the following campaign, before then moving out to Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal to bring his whirlwind time in England to a halt.

Mowbray might well have his own version of Pereira in his ranks right now, with the ace in question also once a stunning loanee at the promotion-chasers, until he sealed a permanent switch at the start of this campaign.

Chalkboard

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

Mowbray's very own Pereira at West Brom

Away from already possessing the likes of Tom Fellows and Alex Mowatt at his disposal who are top talents for the tricky division, the ex-Sunderland boss also has Mikey Johnston to hand as yet another slick performer in the midfield.

Like Pereira, Johnston would arrive like a bolt from the blue initially on loan, with the now former Celtic man desperate to prove those wrong back at the Glasgow giants last campaign.

He did just that when turning on the style in the demanding second tier, with a stunning seven goals and two assists next to his name from 20 games resulting in the Baggies splashing the cash on the Republic of Ireland international to stay permanently rooted in the Midlands.

The £2.5m buy is already strutting his stuff during the early days of the Mowbray regime, with two of his seven goal contributions for the season in the league coming under the popular 61-year-old’s guidance, meaning he could be the spark – much like Pereira was – that sees West Brom finally jump back up to the Premier League.

Johnston vs Pereira – the last 365 days

Stat (per 90 mins)

Johnston

Pereira

Total shots

2.35

2.14

Shot-creating actions

4.77

5.04

Progressive passes

4.37

7.14

Progressive carries

5.64

2.84

Successful take-ons

3.00

1.21

Touches in attacking penalty area

3.80

2.42

Progressive passes received

7.30

5.58

Stats by FBref

The similarities don’t end there, with FBref singling out the pair as similar players with regard to their play styles across the last year.

Both Johnston and Pereira have clearly excelled as gung-ho attackers for their teams, but Johnston amazingly betters Pereira in many of their respective numbers, which includes more progressive carries and more take-ons being successfully completed by the Irishman.

Mikey Johnston

Having already been lauded as “special” by previous Baggies head coach Carlos Corberan, Johnston will hope he can continue to show off his electric best under Mowbray, with it all pointing in the direction of another promotion if everything slots into place.

West Brom must regret losing EFL star who is outperforming Maja & Fellows

This ex-West Bromwich Albion midfielder has turned into an exceptional player away from the Hawthorns.

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