05/08/2025

SPORTS TUESDAY | AUG 5, 2025

30

Injury mars Son’s farewell

Ű BY ANDY HAMPSON

Spurs midfielder Maddison stretchered off against Newcastle

J AMES MADDISON suffered a serious looking knee injury as Tottenham’s pre season tour of Asia concluded with a draw against Newcastle in Seoul on Sunday. The England international was carried off on a stretcher and looked in obvious pain after going down unchallenged late in the game. The friendly, which ended 1-1, was otherwise notable for the emotional reception the departing Son Heung-min received from fans in his home city. Maddison, 28, missed the closing stages of last season, including the Europa League final, with a knee problem and his latest injury affects the same joint. Manager Thomas Frank told reporters after the game: “I think sometimes in life and football things can be both beautiful and brutal – that’s what we got today. “It looks like with Madders (Maddison) a bad injury, and then on the other side unbelievable scenes for Son from his

international clearance and obtaining a work permit, with Spurs holding an option to make it a permanent transfer next summer. Palhinha returns to the Premier League having spent two seasons at Fulham before joining Bayern in July 2024, going on to win the Bundesliga title last season and then helping Portugal to Nations League success. “When I knew of the interest from Tottenham, I didn’t need to think about it too much. I just wanted to come (here),” Palhinha told Spursplay . “The coach (Frank) is probably the main thing which had more of an impact on my decision – when you feel that someone wants you, it means a lot and you are closer to making an easy decision. “I will try to help to show again what I am capable to do it. Now my home is here (in London) and I will try to enjoy these moments with my family.” – The Independent Howe warns Isak of Newcastle obligations NEWCASTLE UNITED’S star striker Alexander Isak has received a stern reminder from head coach Eddie Howe about his obligations to the club. Amidst transfer speculation, Howe has extended full support to Isak in his role at Newcastle but emphasised that re-entry into the team isn’t guaranteed. Isak, who missed the pre-season tour in South Korea, thus lacking vital match fitness and training, hasn’t reached out to Howe. After a hefty £110 million (RM638m) bid from Liverpool on Friday, Howe has confirmed that no follow-up offer has been made. The Swedish forward is expected back at Newcastle for training as they prepare for upcoming friendlies against Espanyol and Atletico Madrid at St James’ Park for the Sela Cup weekend. When queried about any communication with Isak since Liverpool’s bid, Howe simply stated: “No.” Howe also clarified the stance of the coaching staff regarding Isak’s return to training amidst the uncertainty of his move to Liverpool, especially as the team embarked on their lengthy journey back from Seoul. He remarked: “He’s like any other player, we would expect him to come in and train as normal.” On the topic of further contact from Liverpool, Howe’s response was clear: “Not as far as I know.” And given Howe’s pivotal role as head of the transfer committee, he’s well aware that Isak’s absence from training after missing the Far East trip, coupled with the striker’s solitary training in Spain, could escalate. Howe openly acknowledged the gravity of the situation when questioned about the potential repercussions of Isak skipping training at Benton while the squad was back in Newcastle. “The player has a responsibility here to be part of a team and part of a squad – you have to act in the right way. So that is also at play here. “We will make sure that any player does that to earn the right to train with the group. No player can expect to act poorly and train with the group as normal.” In his press conference following yesterday’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur, when probed about Isak’s training schedule, Howe stated: “Of course I’d like him to be there, but whether he will I don’t know at this moment in time. “We have been here with the time difference preparing training and for games. Other people have been dealing with that situation back at home.” – Express Newspapers

something that I will never forget and I will always appreciate it – from the fans, the players and the gaffer. “He understood my situation and was always on my side. He always listened to me and asked what I wanted to do. I have a huge respect and am very grateful.” Reflecting on his time in north London, he added: “I wish them all the best. There are five competitions ahead and I hope they win all the five competitions. That’s my wish. “Spurs will always be in my heart and the boys will always be in my history books. It was incredible. “They’ve gone so fast, the 10 years. I can only think about the beautiful moments, amazing moments.” Tottenham later announced the signing of Portugal midfielder Joao Palhinha on loan from Bayern Munich. The 30-year-old’s move is subject to

teammates and the respect from the Newcastle players.” Son, 33, confirmed this week that he is to leave Spurs this summer after a decade at the club. The South Korea international, who wore the captain’s armband, was given a standing ovation and a guard of honour from players of both teams when he was substituted in the 64th minute. Brennan Johnson’s deflected strike gave Spurs a fourth-minute lead but Harvey Barnes levelled before half-time. Son, who has scored 173 goals in 454 competitive appearances for the club, admitted the occasion was an emotional one. The forward also thanked new Spurs boss Frank for his understanding having told him he wishes to seek a fresh challenge. Son told the club’s website: “It was a perfect moment. Sharing these beautiful moments are

Bruno critical of ‘lazy’ Devils

Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye (left) challenges for the ball with Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes during their Premier League Summer Series match. – AFPPIC

MANCHESTER UNITED captain Bruno Fernandes let rip at his teammates following their 2-2 pre-season draw with fellow Premier League side Everton, saying their performance was “lazy” and calling for further reinforcements. A second-half goal from Mason Mount had United on course for victory in Atlanta, Georgia, after Fernandes’s opener was cancelled out by Iliman Ndiaye, but a bizarre 75th-minute own goal by Ayden Heaven gifted Everton the draw yesterday. The draw put a slight damper on the Old Trafford club’s tour of the United States, after promising victories over West Ham United and Bournemouth last month. “It’s been important for developing how we want to play and getting the new players involved too,“ Fernandes told NBC Sports . “We didn’t want to finish in this way. Our performance wasn’t the best and we were a little bit lazy today. We want to avoid that because with laziness you can pay at any moment.” United had their worst-ever Premier League campaign in the 2024-25 season, finishing 15th in the standings, and are looking to strengthen in the transfer window, signing Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo – both of whom

started against Everton. “It’s improving. But it’s not the place it needs to be. I don’t want to take a dig at anyone but the club is doing the best they can in terms of the financial situation they talk about,“ Fernandes said. “But it was crystal clear we needed more competition for the players that were here, more quality to get everyone “Hopefully we can get one or two players more to help with that.” Asked about Fernandes’s comments, manager Ruben Amorim told reporters: “I think I’m happy for the players to have that feeling. It’s saying that they understand the situation. So, it’s a good feeling. “I think the momentum of the tour was perfect. We had the weeks to work with a good environment, good feeling, and then we go back to Carrington (training ground) and we are near to start the season. “We are going with to step up a little more to get to the XI, and I think that is what the club are trying to do.

the feeling that we need to do a lot of things (better).”

United begin the new Premier League season against Arsenal on Aug 17. – Reuters

Hammers pick Cherries in final US series NICLAS FULLKRUG and Jarrod Bowen scored to lift West Ham United over Bournemouth 2-0 yesterday, giving the London side two wins from three matches in the Premier League Summer Series.

were a team,“ Bowen said. “That was one of the good things to see, the togetherness and the spirit when things aren’t going as well at the start. You stick together, you motivate each other, you come through and you win the game.” West Ham lost 2-1 to Manchester United to open the round-robin friendly tournament but bounced back to defeat Everton 2-1. “The positives are that we’ve had three really good, competitive games against Premier League opposition,” Bowen said. “The Man United game, I thought we started slowly but put it a good positive performance and were unlucky to lose on the day.” – AFP

continue to do here.” Diouf’s centering ball found England’s Bowen in the box, but he was forced to slide a pass left to German teammate Fullkrug, who fired in a shot from point-blank range in the 24th minute. Bowen found the net in the 67th minute, taking a Diouf pass while making a run into the middle of the box then flicking a right-footed shot into the far left side of the goal. Bournemouth had plenty of chances in the first 15 minutes but found the woodwork to squander early opportunities. “What I liked was the character about the group. We didn’t have the best start we wanted but we stuck in there. We were together. We

Spot-on set up passes by Senegalese left back El Hadji Malick Diouf, signed only on July 15, led to both West Ham goals in the finale of their US pre-season tour at Atlanta. “Both goals are down to him, the quality that he’s got, you can see that,” Bowen said of Diouf. “He has only been here a few weeks but you would think he has been here years. “He’s humble. He’s a brilliant guy for the group and he’s obviously a brilliant footballer as well. We’re very excited to see what he can