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Sunderland made their way through to the fifth round of the League Cup on Tuesday night as they beat QPR on penalties away from home.

The Black Cats fought hard to secure a 0-0 draw in normal time, with the Rs having a goal wrongly disallowed for offside and attempting four more shots than the visitors.

Astonishingly, two QPR players completely missed the target from the spot, with Lee Burge saving Charlie Austin’s penalty to allow Sunderland to win the shootout 3-1. Aiden McGeady, Alex Pritchard and Ross Stewart converted their spot-kicks.

Whilst Burge saved a penalty and intimidated the other two enough to miss, it was another player stole the show for Lee Johnson’s side on the night – Carl Winchester.

The versatile Northern Ireland international lined up at right-back and put in an impressive display, full of endeavour and hard work. He was constantly bombing up and down the pitch to provide an outlet for the Black Cats down the right and played an important part in the victory.

Earlier this season, Sunderland journalist James Copley hailed him as a cult hero for the club, saying: “Carl Winchester – fast becoming a cult hero, he got the winner, he’s made that right-back spot his own.”

On the ball, he was heavily involved. – as per SofaScore, he had 75 touches and completed 75% of his passes from the right-back position. He also had two efforts on goal and alleviated pressure from his side by winning an impressive four free-kicks throughout the match.

The defender was not without his faults, though. Winchester only completed two of his seven attempted crosses and long passes and was unsuccessful with his one dribble attempt. However, this gives him something to work on ahead of his next appearance to continue his development as a player.

Defensively, he was very impressive.

Again, as per SofaScore, he won nine duels in the game, including seven of his 13 ground battles.

In addition to that, he made an eye-catching four tackles, three interceptions and one block against the Championship side, proving that he can be a solid defender for the club.

The 28-year-old was also able to get through the 90 minutes without committing a single foul, showing the excellent timing of his challenges.

Therefore, he stole the show for Johnson as he put in an energetic, impressive, performance at right-back as Sunderland booked their place in the next round of the cup.

Burge saved a penalty, but Winchester put in 110% throughout the game and his individual drive typified the spirited display by the club. Hopefully, he will be able to maintain a high level throughout the campaign and become an important member of the starting XI.

With Southampton having scored just six goals in their opening eight Premier League games of the season, it’s safe to say Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side have not been in the best attacking form so far in this campaign.

One attacking player that is making a difference away from Southampton is 20-year-old left-midfielder Will Ferry, who is currently on a loan deal from the Saints with League Two club Crawley Town.

Ferry joined Southampton’s U18 side from Bury’s U18s back in the 2017 summer transfer window for an undisclosed fee.

Since then, Ferry has featured in 23 matches for Southampton U18s where he has managed to score seven goals and provide nine assists along the way.

The player has also managed to make 33 appearances for Southampton’s B team, netting five and assisting on seven occasions but has yet to make his senior debut for the Saints.

During his time with Crawley, Ferry has managed to score one goal and provide three assists in ten outings for the club so far this season across all competitions, getting plenty of minutes under his belt which should be very pleasing for Hasenhuttl and the supporters.

In addition to this, Ferry has racked up an average of 1.4 shots per game in League Two as well as 1.3 key passes per game, showing just how much of an attacking threat he has been for the club since his arrival at Crawley.

He’s certainly delivering on the immense promise that made Crawley pounce on his temporary signature with their CEO, Erdem Konyar, saying in August: “Will is an exciting young player.”

Moving forward, if Ferry can keep playing regularly for Crawley until the end of his loan spell and keep adding some more goals and assists to his tally, we feel he could definitely be in contention to eventually make his senior debut for the Saints when he returns at some point.

Given the age of some of Southampton’s current wingers such as Theo Walcott (32) and Nathan Redmond (27), there’s every possibility that Ferry could well be a regular first-team player for the Saints in the future alongside the likes of Nathan Tella and Moussa Djenepo. With that many options on the flanks, however, the boss would have an undoubted dilemma as to who to select.

The Irishman is some way off being Premier League ready but his potential and star qualities lower down the leagues is standing him in good stead.

In other news: Forget JWP: Saints must unleash “aggressive” 22 y/o on Sat, he could terrify Burnley – opinion

Former Premier League striker Nigel Jemson has exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer isn’t the right man to bring back success to Old Trafford.

The legendary United frontman, who recently signed a new long-term contract at the club, is approaching the three-year mark since he replaced Jose Mourinho in the dugout.

However, whilst Solskjaer has made the Red Devils top-four regulars once again and led them to a second-place finish last season, he’s been unable to end their four-year wait for silverware since Mourinho’s side lifted the Europa League.

Solskjaer has suffered defeats in three domestic semi-finals and lost at the same stage of the Europa League in 2020 before falling short in the final back in May.

The arrivals of Jadon Sancho and Rafael Varane will boost United’s chances of a first Premier League title for nine seasons, but they dropped two points at Southampton on Sunday and already trail title rivals Chelsea and Liverpool.

When asked about United’s title chances, Jemson told The Transfer Tavern:

“Have they got the squad to win the Premier League? They may have. Have they got the manager to win the Premier League? No, I don’t think so.

“Is he the right man to take Manchester United forward? I don’t think so. All this hype about Ole’s at the wheel and all this. They finished second in the Premier League. If they don’t win a trophy this year, it’s a failure.”

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been dealt a potentially huge injury blow ahead of their upcoming Premier League fixture.

What’s the latest?

In a recent report by Molineux News, the outlet suggested that Wolves’ lack of an update on the condition of Rayan Ait-Nouri, who was withdrawn late on against Liverpool last weekend due to a knock, as well as the 20-year-old’s apparent absence from first-team training on Wednesday, could mean that the left-back’s injury is worse than the club are currently letting on.

Fans would be gutted

Considering just how impressive Ait-Nouri has been for Bruno Lage’s side since being handed his first start of the season against Leeds United back in October, should the defender indeed miss out on the club’s trip to Manchester City on Saturday, it would undoubtedly leave Wolves fans gutted.

Indeed, over his eight Premier League appearances so far this season, the £16.2m-rated man has provided one assist and created one big chance for his teammates, as well as making an average of 0.9 key passes and taking 0.8 shots per game.

The £33k-per-week left-back has also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 0.6 interceptions, 3.9 tackles – the most of any player in the top flight – 0.9 clearances and winning 7.4 duels per fixture.

These returns have seen the France U21 international average a SofaScore match rating of 6.97, ranking him as Wolves’ eighth-best performer in the league.

As such, should the youngster indeed be unavailable for selection against Pep Guardiola’s side this weekend, it would undoubtedly come as a huge blow to Lage’s chances of securing a result at the Etihad – something that, after three games without a win, could start to be a cause for concern amongst the Molineux fanbase.

In other news: Wolves dealt possible transfer blow on £40m “Van Dijk-like signing”, Shi surely fuming

Arsenal are pursuing a move for James Maddison, according to reports…

What’s the word?

The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg and Fabrizio Romano claim that the Gunners are on the hunt to add creativity to Mikel Arteta’s squad and the Leicester City attacking midfielder has emerged as a key target.

Arsenal have already spent £73m this window and may have to offload some more players before being able to fund a move for the 24-year-old, who still has three years to run on his current £110k-per-week contract.

It’s thought that the Foxes will demand in the region of £60m for his signature, though Maddison himself is believed to be keen on a switch to the Emirates Stadium.

Better than Odegaard?

For now, Arsenal’s chances of sealing a return for Martin Odegaard seem slim after the Danish playmaker returned to parent club Real Madrid during the off-season.

Romano believes the North London giants “will be ready” if his situation changes as “Arteta loves the player”, although the club may want to fully turn their attention onto Maddison instead.

Despite being hampered by injuries throughout the 2020/21 season, the England international still emerged as one of Brendan Rodgers’ biggest outlets for goals.

As per Transfermarkt, Maddison provided 11 goals and ten assists across all competitions, which was more than every single Arsenal midfielder combined and the sorts of figures one might expect from an Aaron Ramsey or Mesut Ozil in their prime.

In the Premier League and Europa League alone, the 24-year-old midfielder averaged 1.7 key passes per game, which was 0.3 higher than Arteta’s two creative options, Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe, via WhoScored.

It’s no wonder that the £49.5m-rated sensation has been described as a “special talent” by The Times’ Henry Winter and as “absolutely excellent” by ex-Leicester man Steve Howey during an exclusive interview with Football FanCast.

On the above evidence, Maddison is clear of Odegaard, based on his relatively short time in the English top-flight, so Edu Gaspar must look to urge KSE to sanction a move for him before this month’s transfer deadline.

If Arteta is to get that creative midfielder, then it’s time to act now.

AND in other news, Edu could seal Aubameyang upgrade in Arsenal swoop for “spectacular” £72m-rated beast…

Ukraine striker Roman Yaremchuk is a ‘concrete target’ for West Ham United, according to Italian journalist Rudy Galetti.

The lowdown

Yaremchuk, who is currently on Euro 2020 duty, plays for KAA Gent in the Belgian top flight. Last season, he scored 20 goals in 34 appearances in the Jupiler Pro League, ranking him joint-third in the division.

The 25-year-old has been with Gent since 2017 and has four years left on his current contract.

Yaremchuk has found the net in both of Ukraine’s Euro 2020 Group C matches so far. He headed Ukraine level against the Netherlands in their opener before Denzel Dumfries’ late winner, and he was also on the scoresheet in the 2-1 victory against North Macedonia last Thursday.

The latest

In a tweet, Galetti reported that the Hammers had developed a serious interest in Yaremchuk, who is ‘a concrete target’ for the east London club.

The journalist claimed that an offer in the region of €20m (£17.1m) will be enough to persuade Gent to part with him, but there’s also a hint that Serie A giants AC Milan might be ‘calling’ as well.

The verdict

West Ham’s squad does seem light at the top of the pitch, particularly with a European campaign on the horizon. They need quality cover and competition for sole centre-forward Michail Antonio, and Yaremchuk looks as if he’d provide just that given his impressive goalscoring exploits in Belgium.

A fee of £17.1m may be viewed as a little steep, but attacking depth is one of the key weaknesses in the squad which must be addressed, particularly given Antonio’s injury record. In order to mitigate that, it seems to be worth investing the aforementioned amount in the in-form Yaremchuk.

In other news, these West Ham fans flocked to links with another striker.

Leeds United starlet Sam Greenwood is impressing behind the scenes at Thorp Arch, amid an update on his future.

What’s the story?

According to recent reports, six Championship clubs, including the likes of Swansea and Bournemouth, were interested in signing the 19-year-old before transfer deadline day, only for Leeds to reject that interest.

Now, Football Insider have claimed that Marcelo Bielsa and co have been left impressed by his development, and Leeds believe that he could turn into a real star at Premier League level.

The report said: “But one of the cheaper, less-heralded signings of last year has the United coaching staff at Thorpe Arch increasingly convinced he has a massive future ahead of him.

“A Leeds source has told Football Insider that teenage forward Sam Greenwood has blown Marcelo Bielsa and his backroom team away with his promise and potential to be a bona fide Premier League star.

“To say the 19-year-old is highly thought of is an understatement, with the word “phenomenal” regularly used to describe him behind the scenes.”

Fans will love it

In his debut season campaign at Elland Road, Greenwood bagged 12 goals in just 18 games, playing in a number of different roles, including up front, behind the striker and further back as a central midfielder.

The Athletic’s Phil Hay has previously hailed the youngster for his beginning to life at Leeds, saying: “He’s started really well at Leeds and he was very well thought of at Arsenal, and they weren’t rushing to get him out (of) the door this summer. From what we’ve seen of him so far, his movement and his finishing and everything else, he looks like a very natural striker.”

Given how Leeds fans are already big fans of the teenage starlet, this latest news that he’s making waves behind-the-scenes at Thorp Arch is sure to have them excited.

Meanwhile, Victor Orta delivered a Leeds masterclass…

Rumoured Leeds United transfer target Lewis O’Brien is reportedly in talks with Huddersfield Town over a new contract at the Championship club.

The Lowdown: Constant summer target

The Whites were continually linked with a move for the midfielder throughout the summer transfer window, but it never came to fruition.

Instead, O’Brien stayed put at Huddersfield, where he could continue to be a key presence during their 2021/22 Championship campaign.

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The Latest: O’Brien could sign new deal

According to Yorkshire Live, the 22-year-old is now in talks with the Terriers over a new deal as they seek to tie him down for the foreseeable future.

It is stated that ‘both parties would now like to ensure O’Brien’s deal is reflective of his value’, potentially allowing Huddersfield to receive a hefty fee if the player does move on in the coming years.

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The Verdict: No great blow

While O’Brien is a young player with plenty of ability – he has been hailed as ‘excellent’ by former Huddersfield defender Calum Woods and lies second in WhoScored’s rankings of the Terriers’ squad with 7.12 – Leeds may not see it as a massive blow if he extends his contract at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Granted, it means they may now have to spend more if they still want to sign him, but if they feel he is overpriced, it may be that Marcelo Bielsa looks at alternative options with greater top-level experience than what O’Brien can boast.

In other news, Phil Hay has made a key prediction ahead of Leeds’ Premier League clash with Liverpool. Read more here.

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has identified former Toffees bosses Roberto Martinez and David Moyes as his preferences for the vacant manager’s role at Goodison Park, according to Duncan Castles. 

The Spaniard was appointed in the summer of 2013 and led Everton to fifth place in his first season, picking up 72 points. However, he was sacked at the end of the 2015/16 campaign, with some fans protesting as the team slipped into the bottom half.

He has since taken over at the Belgian national team and overseen a run to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup. Martinez will currently be fully focused on the European Championship, with his team in action on Saturday night against Russia.

Moyes flying at West Ham but not under contract yet

Moyes spent 11 years at Goodison Park before he left to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, with Martinez duly replacing the former on Merseyside.

It’s unclear whether the 58-year-old will countenance a return to the Toffees, with his current team West Ham set to embark on a European campaign in 2020/21. Moyes’ contract expires this summer but a new deal is ‘there ready to be signed’ (via The Athletic).

Fan account Everton News Feed relayed the report about the club’s two former bosses, and here’s how supporters reacted.

Everton fans fume at Kenwright claim

These Everton fans on Twitter were far from happy with Kenwright over this report, with one even dubbing him a “Kopite” in reference to the Toffees’ rivals from across Stanley Park.

“He really epitomises everything wrong with this club.”

Credit: @exiledtoffee

“Uncle Bill still trying to set us up for more mediocrity hey”

Credit: @DoEfc

“Nostalgia merchant”

Credit: @MainManMina

“Of course he does, that’s why he should be removed from any room that decisions have to be made in”

Credit: @sootyjrw

“Yeah, let’s listen to the one constant at the club throughout all the years of suffering.”

Credit: @_TheEvertonIAN

“Of course he would. He doesn’t want success. The rumour he’s a Kopite gets truer every day.”

Credit: @ToffeeCardinal

In other news, some Everton fans fumed over reported interest in this Premier League ace. 

Glasgow Rangers could reportedly now sign Billy Gilmour on loan once the summer transfer window opens.

The Lowdown: Norwich struggles

Gilmour’s loan spell at Norwich City from Chelsea has not quite worked out how both clubs would have hoped.

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The central midfield player has not always been a starter for the Canaries, and has only managed a mere two assists in 24 games in total over all competitions so far this season (Transfermarkt).

There is no doubting the ability he has, having previously been dubbed an ‘exceptional talent’ by fellow Scotsman Steven Naismith, while former Scottish Premiership striker Noel Whelan has called him a ‘diamond’, but it seems as if another loan move away from Stamford Bridge is now likely in the summer, assuming that Norwich get relegated from the Premier League.

The Latest: Rangers bound?

Co-writing in his latest piece for 90min, transfer insider Graeme Bailey has revealed that sources have told the news outlet that another loan ‘beckons’ for Gilmour, as he has ‘not done enough’ to nail down a place in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for next campaign.

The Ibrox faithful are one of three clubs named as ‘possible destinations’ for the Scotland international, along with both Fulham and AFC Bournemouth.

The Verdict: Welcome return

Of course, Gilmour came through the youth ranks with the Teddy Bears, but never played a senior match for them before joining Chelsea.

He has since gone on to play for Scotland and in the Premier League, at just 20 years of age.

Gilmour has the potential to completely rip up the SPFL should he move, and just needs another manager like Giovanni van Bronckhorst to install that confidence back in him, as he looks to make a name for himself once more ahead of his country potentially qualifying for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

In other news, find out which Premier League club are now eyeing up this Gers star here!