Losing has become an unwanted habit for Manchester United under Ruben Amorim. So much so that the 3-0 loss to Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday may not have surprised anyone.

The Red Devils have accrued a measly 31 points in 31 matches under the Portuguese head coach, the lowest of any non-relegated side in that time.

It should go without saying, but, it is not good enough for a club of Manchester United’s size with the ambitions that they should have in the Premier League.

Players are to blame as well as the manager, though, and one player who may not have much of a future at Old Trafford, as a frontline player anyway, is Altay Bayindir.

The Turkish shot-stopper was given the nod between the sticks for the Manchester derby, but it seemed to be more of a case of keeping Senne Lammens out of the firing line for a debut in such a big clash.

United swooped to sign the Belgian goalkeeper from Royal Antwerp on deadline day and his arrival at Old Trafford could spell the end of Altay’s short time as the number one.

Why Altay Bayindir may already be finished at Man Utd

The Turkey international has started all four of the club’s Premier League matches this season, per Sofascore, but has not done enough to suggest that he has what it takes to be the next Edwin Van Der Sar, David De Gea, or Peter Schmeichel.

Altay played four times in the top-flight in the 2024/25 campaign and only saved 44% of the shots on his goal, per Sofascore, and made one error that led to a goal.

The Turkish flop has not improved much at the start of the current season, unfortunately, as he has saved 53% of the shots against him in the Premier League and made one error that led to a goal.

As you can see in the clip above, the United goalkeeper was far too weak from a corner on the opening day against Arsenal, which allowed Riccardo Calafiori to score the winning goal for the away side.

This means that Altay, who was easily beaten by Phil Foden and Erling Haaland for the first two Man City goals on Sunday, has made two errors that have led to goals in just eight league starts for the club.

As you can see in the table above, Lammens has the shot-stopping potential to be a standout in the Premier League for the Red Devils if he can adjust to the division.

This means that the Belgian goalkeeper’s arrival at the club could spell the end of Altay’s career as a first-choice option for Amorim, as he settles in as the number one in the weeks to come.

Chalkboard

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

The Turkey international may not be the only poor performer from the derby whose career at United under Amorim should be in danger, though, as Manuel Ugarte falls into the same bracket.

He was selected to start in the middle of the park over Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo, yet once again failed to deliver an impressive performance for the team.

Why Manuel Ugarte should be finished at Man Utd

The Uruguay international has been at Old Trafford for more than a year and looks no closer to establishing himself as a key player for the manager than when he first walked through the door under Erik ten Hag.

Ugarte’s performances in the Premier League for the Red Devils during the 2024/25 campaign left far too much to be desired, as the central midfielder struggled badly in possession.

As you can see in the table above, the former Paris Saint-Germain flop was among the worst central midfielders in the division in a host of possession-based metrics, which shows that he disrupted the team’s build-up with his lack of quality on the ball.

Despite being in the side to provide defensive stability, in theory, only Bruno Fernandes (1.4) was dribbled past more per game than Ugarte (1.3) for Manchester United in the Premier League last season, per WhoScored.

Opposition players found it far too easy to get the better of the central midfielder in the middle of the park, which means that he was a liability to the side in and out of possession last term.

Unfortunately, Ugarte’s performance in his first start of the league season against Manchester City on Sunday did not suggest that he is ready to turn things around.

Earlier this month, former Chelsea ace Craig Burley said: “Manuel Ugarte is just absolutely nothing. He’s just like a wet blanket. Put him in with the kids and even the kids would be going, ‘Who the hell is this guy?’ Seriously.”

Harsh comments from Burley but it is hard to disagree with him. Ugarte was caught out for the opening goal from Foden as he was too slow to get out to Doku and his weak block fell back for the winger to cross for the England international.

His lack of quality in possession also played a part in the third goal. The midfielder played a poor pass into Luke Shaw’s feet, which forced him to put Harry Maguire under pressure, resulting in the centre-back giving the ball away and Haaland being played through for his second.

He does not look up to the task of starting matches for Manchester United in the Premier League, as evidenced by his dismal showings last season and his poor performance on Sunday.

Worse than Sesko: Amorim must drop Man Utd flop who was "nowhere near it"

Manchester United should drop this flop who was even worse than Benjamin Sesko in the derby.

1

By
Dan Emery

Sep 14, 2025

The Uruguay international looks totally finished under Amorim on the evidence available so far, which is why Casemiro, Mason Mount, Mainoo, and Bruno Fernandes should play the bulk of the minutes available when fit and available ahead of him.

Anthony Gordon is convinced Newcastle United can be “anything we want to be” this season after playing a key role in igniting their Champions League campaign.

The 24-year-old England international started the Magpies’ impressive 4-0 victory over Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise in Brussels on Wednesday evening as Eddie Howe’s new-look side finally rediscovered its swagger.

Goals had been in short supply for much of the season previously, dulling the effect of good performances, in particular the 3-2 home defeat by champions Liverpool with 10 men following Gordon’s dismissal.

Asked what the season could hold for his team, Gordon replied: “We can be anything we want to be this season. We can beat anyone in any game.

“I never go into a game thinking we’re going to lose. As long as we can keep that defensive structure, that creativity, we can beat anyone.

“You saw that in the Liverpool game. For the first 30 minutes before I got sent off, we dominated them and they’re the champions of England.”

Better than Gordon: Newcastle star is now one of the best in the world

Newcastle romped to a big win in the Champions League this week, with Anthony Gordon starring.

ByKelan Sarson Oct 2, 2025

Newcastle had won just two of eight games in all competitions before they ran out at Lotto Park, and they did so knowing a failure to add to that tally after a 2-1 home defeat by Barcelona in their opening European fixture would significantly dent their qualification hopes.

However, they need not have worried as they turned in perhaps their most coherent display to date to brush aside a team that had won 3-1 at PSV Eindhoven last month.

Gordon reacts to comments on Newcastle striker Woltemade

Nick Woltemade’s cheeky 17th-minute flick, which went in off defender Kevin Mac Allister, set the ball rolling, and two penalties calmly dispatched by Gordon and a fourth goal from substitute Harvey Barnes completed the job in style.

Record signing Woltemade had found himself in Karl-Heinz Rummenigge’s firing line ahead of kick-off with the Bayern Munich executive claiming Stuttgart had found “an idiot” to pay £69million for a player the German club had also been chasing.

£150,000-a-week Gordon’s assessment of Rummenigge’s comments on a man who scored for the third time in four starts, however, was withering.

Woltemade might have added to his tally had he managed to get his hands on either of the two penalties, but having seen former team-mate Alexander Isak boost his goals tally from the spot during his time on Tyneside, Gordon was in no mood to let that happen.

He said: “I don’t mind him wanting to take it. A striker should want to take it. But I’ve won too many and not taken them at this club. Now Alex is gone, they’re definitely mine.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Na luta contra o rebaixamento no Brasileirão, o Santos conta com o apoio da sua torcida que, mesmo diante da situação adversa, tenta empurrar o time com correntes de apoio e festas recheadas de pirotecnia. O lateral Dodô comentou sobre o valor do torcedor neste momento.

– É importante demais (o apoio da torcida). Tivemos uma conversa com a torcida há duas semanas e eles deixaram claro para nós que iam apoiar independentemente do resultado. A gente sabe que nesses 17 jogos que faltam não vamos ganhar todos e nem perder todos. Vão ter seus altos e baixos, e saber eles estão do nosso lado é importante demais para seguirmos firmes nessa jornada até o fim da competição – relatou o jogador.

+ Já atualizou sua camisa de 2023? Confira os novos uniformes do Peixe!

Vencer e somar pontos é sempre importante, mas setembro terá uma conotação especial. No mês, o Alvinegro Praiano terá quatro jogos e todos eles serão diante de adversários diretos na luta pela permanência na Série A. 

– A gente tem consciência que setembro será um mês muito importante para nós. Ainda não vai definir nada do campeonato, mas é um mês importantíssimo e com jogos decisivos. Sabemos dessa responsabilidade e acreditamos que podemos ter bons resultados nesses confrontos diretos – concluiu Dodô.

PRÓXIMO COMPROMISSO

O Peixe viaja para Minas Gerais novamente. Dessa vez, o clube irá encarar o América-MG, na Arena Independência, no domingo (3), às 18h30.

Allround performance lifts visitors in absence of senior England stars

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay19-May-2025Kalea Moore and Ryana MacDonald-Gay both hit their maiden half-centuries for Surrey to maintain the county’s recent revival in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup women’s competition with victory over Essex.The pair dug Surrey out of trouble at 117 for six, with Moore posting 66 from 70 balls and MacDonald-Gay 57 from 77 in their partnership of 113 from 135.That enabled the visitors to total 259 for nine at Chelmsford, despite Eva Gray’s return of five for 52 – the Essex seamer’s second five-wicket haul of the tournament. Jo Gardner’s gutsy unbeaten 73 from 46, which included a string of sixes, almost snatched an improbable victory for the home side – but she was left stranded as MacDonald-Gay (three for 52) claimed the last two wickets in as many balls to seal Surrey’s success.Missing several top-order batters due to England commitments, Surrey were forced to rejig their line-up and lost makeshift opener Phoebe Franklin in the first over after being put in, courtesy of a miscue to midwicket.Essex squandered three opportunities to remove Priyanaz Chatterji – two of them off Gray – before the bowler finally pinned her leg before for 21, but Amy Hunter provided the innings with some impetus.The Ireland international’s run-a-ball knock of 29 ended when she was lbw to Sophia Smale, but Alice Davidson-Richards (32 from 41) quickly settled into her stride, using her feet to the spinners and finding gaps in the field.However, Davidson-Richards was among a trio to depart in the space of 18 balls, scooping Esmae MacGregor to mid-on – but Moore and MacDonald-Gray rebuilt with steady, sensible batting.Moore led the way, reaching her half-century from 60 deliveries just after Smale had failed to hold a well-struck return drive and her partner soon followed suit, crashing the left-armer over midwicket for six.Both batters eventually holed out in Gray’s second spell, with Alexa Stonehouse hauling Surrey’s total above 250 before becoming the seamer’s fifth victim in the final over of the innings.Grace Scrivens gave her side’s chase a positive start, cutting Stonehouse for four and the Essex skipper had advanced to 15 from 17 when she was run out by Emma Jones’ pinpoint throw from cover.The home side also lost Lissy Macleod, caught top-edging a sweep off Tilly Corteen-Coleman in the powerplay and regrouped through Smale and Ariana Dowse’s steadfast partnership of 91 from 117.With the required rate hovering at around a run a ball, Surrey prised out both set batters in quick succession as Dowse (44 from 70) miscued a pull off Franklin and Smale (42 from 63) was castled by Gregory.The leg-spinner (four for 57) scythed through Essex’s middle order – aided by Jones’ impressive reaction catch at midwicket to dismiss Amara Carr – only for Gardner and Kate Coppack to threaten a late comeback with a ninth-wicket stand of 54 from 42.But it was not enough as MacDonald-Gay removed Coppack (16 from 22) and Abtaha Maqsood to end Essex’s hopes.

Juventus are interested in Al-Ahli midfielder Frank Kessie. The former AC Milan player's contract is set to expire in 2026 and Al-Ahli would rather sell the midfielder than lose him for free. Juventus, who were interested in the player in the summer, are set to launch a new bid in January with the Ivorian international interested in a return to Europe.

Juventus interested in Kessie but salary remains an issue

According to , Kessie earns €10 million (£9m/$11m) at Al-Ahli and would have to take a pay cut to join Juventus. The former AC Milan midfielder is keen to return to Europe and has attracted interest from the Bianconeri, who reportedly made an approach for him in July.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportKessie won Scudetto with Milan before move to Al-Ahli

Kessie rose to prominence as he won the Scudetto with AC Milan in the 2021-22 season. He then joined Barcelona on a free transfer and won La Liga in his debut season under Xavi. Despite this success, he was sold to Saudi side Al-Ahli as Barcelona sought to raise funds for signings like Rafinha and Jules Kounde. Since joining Al-Ahli, Kessie has won the 2024-25 AFC Champions League and the King’s Super Cup in the 2025-26 season.

Juventus want ex-AC Milan star to strengthen midfield

Juventus are reportedly looking to sign Kessie to bolster their midfield after failing to land Sporting CP’s Morten Hjulmand in the summer. The rise of Khephren Thuram has helped Juventus cover some gaps, but growing interest from Premier League clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal could see the Frenchman leave the club.

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Getty Images SportJuventus' hope to sign Kessie

Juventus will hope that the prospect of European football, along with a shot at the Serie A title, can persuade Kessie to accept a lower salary and make the move to Turin.

Arsenal supporters were all hoping their clubs would invest heavily in the squad this summer, but even the most optimistic Gooner must surely have been pleased, and surprised, by the extent of the summer recruitment.

On deadline day, Piero Hincapié was unveiled as the eighth summer signing, joining on loan from Bayer Leverkusen with an obligation to buy of around £45m, becoming the first Ecuadorian in the club’s history.

Before this, the Gunners had spent around £267m, bolstering all areas of their squad, after Mikel Arteta’s team were so significantly hampered by injuries last season.

While certain signings have garnered all the headlines, could one of Arsenal’s under-the-radar arrivals actually prove to be the best signing any Premier League club made this summer?

Arsenal's attacking reinforcements

We’ll ultimately never know, but it’s safe to assume that Arsenal would not have invested in their squad quite as heavily as they did, had current Premier League champions Liverpool, the side they’re ultimately attempting to dethrone, spent even more.

The Reds’ signed Alexander Isak for £125m on deadline day, shattering the Premier League record transfer fee, taking their summer outlay to around £450m, with Florian Wirtz’s £116m move from Bayer Leverkusen a short-lived British record.

The German is yet to sparkle in a Liverpool shirt, albeit it’s very early days, and he did score a scrumptious free-kick against Northern Ireland at RheinEnergieStadion last Sunday, showcasing his talent.

Isak meantime is, arguably, the best striker in the world, not a bad player to add to your squad if you’re Arne Slot, but it’ll be interesting to see how he fits in, considering fellow new recruit Hugo Ekitiké has already caught the eye, and how long he takes to get up to speed.

Nevertheless, the champions now possess an array of attacking talent, with Arsenal recruiting Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyökeres in response.

Eze is set to make his eagerly-anticipated home debut against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, while Gyökeres has earned mixed reviews so far, barely involved against Manchester United and Liverpool, but scoring a brace during the Gunners’ only home game to date, the 5-0 demolition of Leeds.

However, could a less heralded new recruit actually prove to be Arsenal’s best?

Arsenal's best summer signing

With Jorginho and Thomas Partey both departing Arsenal as free agents this summer, the base of their midfield has undergone a major revamp, and an important one at that, given that the player in this position is very much the nucleus of an Arteta team.

Martín Zubimendi is the new midfield fulcrum, arriving to little fanfare, even though he deserves much more.

There are a few reasons for this.

First, David Ornstein of the Athletic reported as far back as mid-January that his move from Real Sociedad was essentially a done deal, meaning by the time he arrived in July, most anticipation and excitement had subsided.

Also, at the time, Gyökeres was still yet to join, with Gooners fixated on the striker signing, unable to be pleased about anything else until that was done.

Nevertheless, Zubimendi is someone worth heralding, not least because the Spanish international turned down the chance to join Liverpool 12 months earlier, emphasising the attractiveness of moving to Arsenal.

The reason Zubimendi was so sort after is simply because he is an exceptional player, as the table below documents.

Attempted passes

1,772

21st

Passes into final 3rd

172

12th

Progressive passes

195

10th

Touches

2,131

18th

Touches mid 3rd

1,332

8th

Interceptions

44

12th

Blocks

42

16th

Ball recoveries

140

24th

Worth noting that Zubimendi’s statistics last season are all the more impressive given that his Real Sociedad side ended up 11th in La Liga, their lowest finish since 2018, losing almost half of their matches.

Upon his arrival in North London, Arteta spoke glowingly about his compatriot, praising his “football intelligence”, adding that he will bring “a huge amount of quality”, concluding that “he has all the attributes to be a key player”.

Already in Arsenal’s opening three matches, Zubimendi has been able to show what he is all about, completing 145 of his 167 passes, 11 of which have been into the final third, while 12 are categorised as progressive.

The 26-year-old may not be someone you’ve really noticed during Arsenal matches so far, more a player you need to witness in the flesh to truly appreciate, but he crucially has the capabilities to increase the Gunners’ speed of in-possession play, improving the team at both ends of the pitch.

If Arteta’s team do go on to achieve what they want to achieve this year, the £60m paid for Zubimendi’s signature will feel like a steal. Those on Anfield may well live to rue missing out on him a year ago…

Their homegrown Isak: Arsenal may regret selling "special" Hale Ender

The talented goalscorer could have become something really special at Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 10, 2025

David Beckham and Gary Neville have stunned English football by completing the signing of former Liverpool and Sunderland forward Fabio Borini for Salford City. The 34-year-old Italian, who was a free agent after leaving Sampdoria in the summer, has penned a short-term deal until January with the League Two club, marking a remarkable return to English football.

• Salford sign ex-PL star

   Salford City, co-owned by football icons Beckham and Neville, have completed a surprise move for ex-Premier League striker Borini. The Italian has joined the League Two side on a deal until January after training with the team over the past month. His arrival provides vital experience for Karl Robinson’s side, who are currently dealing with a long-term injury to striker Jay Bird.

  Borini, who has represented Chelsea, Liverpool, and Sunderland during his career, returns to England more than six years after his last spell in the country. The 34-year-old forward left Serie B club Sampdoria in the summer and has since been keeping fit by joining training sessions with Salford’s first team. The deal, finalised this week, is seen as a major coup for the League Two outfit as they aim to push higher up the table this season.

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• Getty
  

  Borini ready for new 'challenge'

  “It’s been great, I came in to train to keep myself fit in this transition between contracts and Salford, the Gaffer, Alex Bruce, were kind enough to allow me to use the facilities and train here,” Borini said after the announcement. “Experience is one thing that I can bring, but it’s not just about the experience that I have on the pitch, it’s outside of the pitch so leading by example in training, outside training, how to manage a game. I’ve never played League Two football so I need to learn as well from my team mates the main characteristics of this league, but I will bring myself as an open book for my team mates to use me, learn from me or help me, so I’m very open to this challenge.”

  He added: “It’s a challenge that I’m embracing and I chose to embrace because I needed the real football, something that warms my heart for football, not for anything else.” The Italian’s comments underline his passion for the game and his excitement at taking on a new test in the latter stages of his career. Borini’s leadership and top-flight pedigree could prove crucial as Salford look to strengthen both on and off the pitch.

• Borini's nomadic career

  Borini’s career has spanned more than a decade at the highest levels of European football. After coming through Bologna and Chelsea’s youth systems, Borini made his name with Roma before moving to Liverpool, where he scored in the Premier League and netted in the 2014 League Cup final. Spells with Sunderland, AC Milan, and Verona followed, alongside a brief adventure in Turkey with Karagumruk, reflecting a career filled with top-tier experience across multiple countries.

  His signing not only boosts Salford’s forward options but also adds an experienced figure to the dressing room — something manager Robinson has openly valued since his appointment. Salford sit ninth in the League Two standings with six wins in their opening 12 matches.

  Borini’s arrival at Salford continues a pattern of ambitious moves by Beckham and Neville’s ownership group, who remain determined to elevate the club beyond League Two. Since completing a fresh takeover earlier this year, the pair have reportedly committed significant financial backing to strengthen the team’s infrastructure and playing staff. Their goal is to establish Salford as a competitive force capable of challenging for promotion and eventually securing a stable position in the Championship.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  What comes next?

  Borini is expected to make his debut for Salford City later this month, pending match fitness with registration already cleared by the EFL and the FA. The club’s next fixtures could provide the perfect opportunity for him to ease into League Two football while mentoring younger players around him. For Beckham and Neville, this move signals their continued ambition to blend experience with youth in pursuit of steady, long-term progress at the Peninsula Stadium.

  Salford’s management have already made clear that Borini’s short-term deal could be extended if he adapts well and makes a meaningful impact. Given his experience, the Italian could become an integral part of Robinson’s system as the club aims for a late playoff push.

وجه محمود الخطيب، رئيس مجلس إدارة النادي الأهلي، الشكر لأعضاء الجمعية العمومية على مشاركتهم الفاعلة اليوم في رسم مستقبل الأهلي، واختيار مجلس إدارة جديد يتولى قيادة الأهلي خلال السنوات الأربع المقبلة.

وكان قد انطلق ماراثون انتخابات الأهلي، صباح اليوم الجمعة، في تمام الساعة التاسعة صباحًا واستمر إلى ما يقارب 10 ساعات. 

طالع.. اكتمال النصاب القانوني للجمعية العمومية لـ الأهلي

وأكد محمود الخطيب أن الجمعية العمومية كانت اليوم كعادتها نموذجًا يحتذى في الانتماء والحرص على مصلحة النادي، ومثالًا للوعي والمسؤولية والمشاركة الإيجابية في صناعة القرار.

وأشار الخطيب إلى أنه خلال شهر واحد فقط عقدت جمعيتان عموميتان داخل الأهلي، الأولى خاصة بتوافق لائحة النادي مع قانون الرياضة، والثانية الجمعية العمومية العادية لإجراء الانتخابات، ورغم ذلك حرص أعضاء النادي على التواجد والمشاركة الفاعلة التي تعكس حرصهم على المشاركة والاضطلاع بالدور التاريخي للجمعية العمومية للأهلي.

ووجه رئيس النادي الشكر لمجلس الإدارة في دورة 2021-2025، مؤكدًا أن كل عضو أدى دوره بإخلاص وحرص شديد على خدمة الأهلي بدعم من الجمعية العمومية، كما خص بالشكر الأعضاء الذين لم تشملهم قائمته الانتخابية، وثمَّن تفهمهم لرؤية المرحلة المقبلة، رغم نجاحهم السابق، مؤكدًا أن الاختلاف في الرؤى لا يفسد وحدة الأهلي، وأن جميع أبناء النادي يجمعهم الإخلاص والانتماء.

واختتم الكابتن الخطيب تصريحاته قائلاً: “سيبقى الأهلي قويًّا بمشاركة أبنائه المخلصين، وبحضور الجمعية العمومية لبناء مستقبل النادي”.

Kusal Mendis had been at the PSL until last week but has now pivoted to playing in the IPL, a league in which he has never previously appeared

Andrew Fidel Fernando15-May-2025

Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis will replace Jos Buttler in the Gujarat Titans squad for the IPL playoffs.Kusal Mendis had been at the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with Quetta Gladiators until last week, playing as their wicketkeeper-batter. He’d last played for them on May 7. But ESPNcricinfo has learned he will not travel to Pakistan for the remainder of the PSL due to perceived safety concerns, and has now pivoted to playing in the IPL, a league in which he has never previously appeared.Buttler’s unavailability for the playoffs is down to his having been named in England’s ODI squad for the home series against West Indies, which starts on May 29. The IPL’s playoffs begin the same day.GT have two other wicketkeeping options in their squad, in Anuj Rawat and Kumar Kushagra. However, Kusal Mendis has been in good form for Gladiators, hitting 143 runs at a strike rate of 168 in five PSL matches.Merely being approached by an IPL franchise as a replacement is something of a career fillip for Kusal Mendis, who had entered his name in the IPL auctions repeatedly, but had never been bought. He is understood to be currently awaiting his India visa, and is likely to join the GT squad on Saturday.GT currently sit atop the IPL table, equal on points with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, but with a better net run rate. They need only one more win to confirm their place in the playoffs.

Mohammed Kudus’ second-half strike earned Tottenham a 2-1 win at Elland Road as Leeds lost a home league game for the first time in over a year.

Ghana forward Kudus fired the winner shortly before the hour-mark after Leeds winger Noah Okafor had cancelled out Mathys Tel’s opener for Tottenham before the break.

It was Leeds’ first home league loss since a 1-0 defeat to Burnley in September 2024 and their third in the top flight this season, while Tottenham notched their fourth Premier League win under Thomas Frank.

The Londoners, who began the day in fifth place, have lost only one of their 11 matches in all competitions since Frank replaced Ange Postecoglou in June, while they have won on their last three visits to LS11.

And Tottenham reporter Alasdair Gold spotted an emotional scene at the full time whistle, as former Elland Road wonderkid Archie Gray finally got the chance to wave goodbye to his boyhood club in person, where he was met with applause from the home support.

Leeds 1-2 Tottenham: As it happened

Leeds, unchanged for four successive matches, quickly showed their intent through Sean Longstaff’s crunching tackle before Joe Rodon’s header from Anton Stach’s free-kick hit a post.

Joao Palhinha was wayward with a first chance for Spurs, who made five changes after Tuesday’s 2-2 Europa League draw against Bodo/Glimt in Norway.

The visitors threatened again as Destiny Udogie’s angled shot was blocked by Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow and more incisive play saw them take the lead in the 24th minute.

Kudus slipped Tel away down Leeds’ left channel and after racing to the edge of the box, the French winger unleashed a powerful shot into the top corner via a deflection off Pascal Struijk.

Kudus should have doubled Tottenham’s lead soon after when he fired wide from inside the penalty area as Leeds began to look ragged.

But Farke’s side regrouped. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was wayward after creating space inside the area and 10 minutes after falling behind they hauled themselves level.

Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was only able to parry Brenden Aaronson’s deflected low effort and summer signing Okafor turned home the rebound for his second goal of the season.

Longstaff lashed over from the edge of the box as Tottenham began to creak, but in a see-saw encounter, the visitors went close to a second when Tel’s header from Wilson Odobert’s cross struck the crossbar before half-time.

The two sides resumed in pouring rain and half-chances continued to flow.

Darlow blocked Pedro Porro’s cross and at the other end Vicario was at full stretch to keep out Calvert-Lewin’s low strike.

A slip by Leeds defender Gabriel Gudmundsson helped Tottenham regain the lead in the 57th minute.

The Sweden left-back was dispossessed near the penalty are by Kudus, who darted inside and arrowed a low left-footed inside Darlow’s near post, via another deflection off Struijk.

But after edging back in front, Tottenham were unable to dictate the tempo and Leeds went close when Longstaff thundered a low shot narrowly wide.

Leeds swept forward in the closing stages, but substitute Joel Piroe was foiled by Vicario’s low save and Struijk’s header was deflected narrowly over.