17/09/2026

SPORTS THURSDAY | SEPT 17, 2026

29

FOLLOW

ON TWITTER Malaysian Paper

@thesundaily

Arteta salutes ‘unbelievable’ Dowman

Four options to replace De Zerbi THE new season is only a handful of games old, but Roberto De Zerbi is already a man under pressure. The former Brighton boss was appointed by Tottenham earlier this year with the sole objec tive of saving them from an unthinkable relega tion. He managed to do just that on the final day of last season and was backed heavily over the summer, with the north Londoners spending almost £300 million (RM102.6b) on new play ers. However, despite their considerable outlay, it has been a nightmarish start to the campaign for Spurs. They are yet to score a single goal in the Premier League and were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Liverpool yesterday. It suggests De Zerbi could face a battle to save his job if Tottenham draw another blank against Aston Villa on the weekend. Here’s a look at four candidates to replace the Belgian if he is relieved of his duties… ARNE SLOT The former Liverpool boss worked wonders during his debut campaign at Anfield, strolling to the Premier League title in style. However, things went awry in his second season in charge, resulting in his sacking over the sum mer. Slot’s title-winning experience could pro vide a boost for Tottenham, who are in desper ate need of some positivity around the place. He has also expressed a desire to remain in club football rather than accept an international job, which suggests he could be persuaded to take over if De Zerbi is axed. JULIAN NAGELSMANN Another big-name manager who is cur rently out of work, Nagelsmann could be an option for Tottenham should they decide to part ways with De Zerbi. The former Germany head coach is regularly linked with the big Premier League jobs and he could be tempted to finally test his credentials in England’s top flight. However, his last few tournaments with Die Mannschaf t left a lot to be desired and those in power at Spurs would take that into account when deciding their preferred candi date. KIERAN MCKENNA McKenna developed a reputation as one of football’s up-and-coming managerial talents during an extremely successful five-year spell at Ipswich Town. He is currently taking a break from coaching, but he could well decide to end it early if Tottenham come calling in the not too-distant future. Interestingly, he was spot ted in the stands watching their goalless draw against Everton on the weekend. However, his signature would come at a cost, with Ipswich entitled to around £8m (RM43m) in compensa tion if McKenna takes another job before the end of the season. GARETH SOUTHGATE He won’t be at the top of anybody’s list, but stranger things have happened in football. It’s unlikely that Southgate would be a popular appointment as far as Tottenham supporters are concerned, but his calming presence and man-management skills could help steady the ship behind the scenes. In addition, he has already built relationships with the likes of Conor Gallagher, James Maddison and Dominic Solanke from his time as England manager. That said, his managerial record at club level is hardly stellar and his prolonged absence from the touchline could lead Tottenham to favour other candidates with more recent experience. Express Newspapers

MIKEL ARTETA hailed the “unbe lievable” Max Dowman after Arsenal’s teenage sensation inspired their 4-2 win against Ipswich in the Carabao Cup yes terday. Arteta handed Dowman his first appearance this season and the 16-year-old seized his chance with two goals and an assist in the third round tie at Portman Road. The Gunners boss once com pared Dowman to Lionel Messi after the precocious playmaker burst onto the scene as a 15-year old last season.

“He is 16, we don’t really see that in the Premier League,” Arteta said. “In this environment, we want to develop him and we need to look after him.” With Dowman waiting in the wings, Arsenal will return to action at Brighton on Saturday in their last game before the international break. Arteta’s team have won all six of their matches this season across the Premier League, Champions League and League Cup. – AFP

and quality in their ranks. However, even Arteta had to admit Dowman had delivered a masterclass against Ipswich. “Unbelievable, he’s unpredict able, he can go either way, so fluid, so nice to watch,” the Spaniard said. Dowman’s potential is obvious but becoming a key player for Arsenal won’t be easy. Many teenage stars have flamed out before reaching their potential and Arteta is deter mined to be a nurturing presence for the youngster.

He played 13 times last season and became the youngest Premier League scorer ever against Everton in March. But Arteta has been cautious in his use of Dowman, who has been an unused substitute several times this term. Before the Ipswich game, Arteta said Dowman “will have his minutes and he will have to earn them like anybody else”. He has little need to hurry Dowman’s development because Premier League champions Arsenal have so much experience

Espi to the rescue Super-sub saves Real after Madrid throw away two-goal lead R EAL MADRID substitute Carlos Espi snatched his team a last-gasp 3-2 win at Elche yesterday to pull them level with Barcelona at the top of La Liga. Mourinho rested Jude Bellingham for the first time this season, bringing Arda Guler into the team in his place. Vinicius Junior has been struggling for his best form this season and missed some presentable opportunities at the Martinez Valero stadium. The striker, who already saved his team at Espanyol in their opening game with a late strike, tucked home at the back post in the 91st minute after Madrid threw away a two-goal lead.

The forward prodded wide after Guler set him up in the second minute, and he also sent another effort badly off-target from the edge of the box. Tete Morente threatened at the other end but Madrid were on top and took the lead midway through the first half. Guler curled a freekick around the wall and against the post, with the ball hitting Elche goalkeeper Matias Dituro before it crossed the line, for an own goal. Madrid’s second came eight minutes later, created by record signing Yan Diomande, who registered his first assist for the club. Starting for the second time, the Ivorian winger crossed for Mbappe to slip past Dituro for his eighth goal of the season across all competitions. Mbappe collided with the goalkeeper and appeared to be hurt but soon recovered and was able to play on. Elche pulled one back through Abiel Osorio’s header from Lucas Cepeda’s cross, with the forward leaping high to nod past Thibaut Courtois. It struck fear into Los Blancos and Elche capital ised, equalising in the 83rd minute through Nino. The Spanish striker produced a fine low finish to pull his team level with the 15-time European cham pions. Mourinho threw on strikers Espi and Endrick to try and find a late winner, and he got what he was looking for. Espi made a run to the back post where Mbappe found him to knock in the late winner. Earlier Valencia earned a 1-0 win at Alaves, while Rayo Vallecano defeated Espanyol 2-1. It was Valencia’s first win of the season, after they sacked coach Carlos Corberan on Sunday, secured with a Luis Rioja strike with 12 minutes to go. – AFP with play, Webb said: “In that moment, he (Donohue) gets tunnel vision. “He gets focused on Haaland, and it’s down to the rest of his team to pull him out of that tun nel, and unfortunately, that didn’t happen on this occasion.” The Mic’d Up audio revealed that at no stage did Donohue or Antrobus consider whether Fernandez was offside. The semi-automated off side technology told the VAR that Haaland was three centimetres onside from Josko Gvardiol’s cross. But the video officials then only checked for a touch by Fernandez which would have created a new offside phase against the Norway interna tional. “This goal should have been disallowed. We’ll review it, reflect upon it, and try to take the learning forward to prevent this unusual type of error from happening again.” – AFP/Agencies

Espi, who Madrid signed this sum mer from Levante, has not started a game for the club but both of his goals have been vital for Jose Mourinho’s side. Madrid have five wins from six matches, level on points with champions Barca, who host Racing Santander on Wednesday.

“(Espi) comes on with great motivation, (but) he has in front of him a player who is not a normal player,” said Mourinho of Kylian Mbappe, who also scored for Madrid. “Playing with the two of

them is not easy... with the changes I made late on I risked everything, because a draw was not enough.” Mourinho was unhappy with his team not extending their 2-0 lead and allow ing Elche, now bottom of La Liga, to fight back. “There are games which seem to be over… which we’re not killing off, and after not killing them off they go from easy to being out of control,” added the vet eran coach.

Real Madrid’s Carlos Espi celebrates scoring his team’s winning goal during yesterday’s La Liga match against Elche at . – REUTERSPIC

Refs chief Webb ‘really disappointed’ over VAR error REFEREES’ CHIEF Howard Webb said he was “really disappointed” with the VAR mistake that allowed Erling Haaland’s winner in the Manchester derby last weekend. blocked Lisandro Martinez’s attempt to clear and potentially distracted goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

Donohue and Antrobus have been stood down by the Pro Ref organisation for this week end’s Premier League matches. Webb, the chief refereeing officer at Pro Ref, said on the Match Officials: Mic’d Up programme yesterday: “I was really disappointed with this outcome. We all are. None more so than the offi cials themselves. “They take a lot of personal pride in what they do and they’re obviously hurting now, hav ing fallen short in this situation. “They’ll not be officiating again until after the international break. We’ve reached out to Manchester United and acknowledged the error, as we do when these things happen.” Asked how the VAR officials had come to the conclusion that Fernandez was not interfering

Haaland scored in the second half of City’s victory against arch rivals United at Old Trafford on Sunday. Haaland’s close-range finish from Josko Gvardiol’s cross was initially disallowed for off side, but VAR official Matt Donohue and his assistant Blake Antrobus overturned the deci sion. Donohue ruled City midfielder Enzo Fernandez was not interfering with play when he tried to reach the ball before it was finished off by Haaland. City went on to win 1-0, but the result was overshadowed by the controversy involving the decisive goal. United manager Michael Carrick said he was “staggered” by the decision because Fernandez