Rahane misses ton but Mumbai dominate, while Tamil Nadu could get lucky

Shashank Kishore31-Jan-2025

Kohli’s short stay
It lasted all of 15 deliveries in which he made six. Virat Kohli was beaten twice outside off, once to a full delivery that left him late and then a length ball that he jabbed and missed.He brought out a delightful straight drive in the next over, but was out off the very next delivery when Himanshu Sangwan, a Railways ticket collector at New Delhi Railway Station during the off-season, sent his off stump cartwheeling. Soon, Sangwan became a reel sensation for a superb nip-backer that sneaked through Kohli’s big gap between bat and pad.A strong crowd of around 15,000 who made a beeline for the exit, missed a quality knock from Ayush Badoni. The captain’s 77-ball 99 helped Delhi open up a 93-run lead against Railways, with three first-innings wickets remaining.Pujara 99, Saurashtra on course
The stars have aligned perfectly for Saurashtra. They needed two outright with bonus points, both games were at home in Rajkot on turners; they beat Delhi last week inside three days with Ravindra Jadeja taking 12 wickets.Related

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Rahane, Pujara near tons; Tamil Nadu's season on the line

This week, they didn’t need Ravindra’s bowling because the other Jadeja (Dharmendrasinh), was among the wickets (four of them) as Assam were made to follow-on. That Saurashtra were in a position to enforce the follow-on was because of a solid batting performance in the first innings.Their 474 was set up by Cheteshwar Pujara, who was out for 99 early on day two having added four to his overnight score. Assam’s only source of resistance was Riyan Parag, who top-scored with 51 on his return to top-flight cricket from a shoulder injury.Kuldeep made to toil
Returning to competitive cricket after three months following a surgery for sports hernia, Kuldeep Yadav sent down 31 overs to pick up three wickets, but Uttar Pradesh were sent on a leather hunt. Double tons from Harsh Gawli and Shubham Sharma helped Madhya Pradesh post an imposting 670 for 7 declared. From a qualification standpoint, this game doesn’t hold much significance since with both teams are out of the knockouts race.Rahane 96 in mammoth Mumbai total
Ajinkya Rahane’s quest to convert his maiden first-class fifty this Ranji season into a century met disappointment as he was out for 96 against Meghalaya, but Mumbai opened up a 585-run lead.Meghalaya were 27 for 2 at stumps, giving Mumbai a sight of seven full points that will take them to 29 points and help them seal a quarter-final berth. Coming into the final round, they needed a favour from Jammu & Kashmir, and they’ve helped them along the way by pocketing not just a first-innings lead against Baroda but also opening up the possibility of an outright win.Jalaj continues to shine
Earlier this season, Jalaj Saxena – the Kerala allrounder – completed the double of 6000 first-class runs and 400 wickets. In the final round of matches, he picked up a five-for in each innings, both on Friday, as Kerala trounced Bihar by an innings to secure a quarter-final berth.Jalaj took his wickets tally in the tournament to 421, the seventh-best. This was the 10th time he picked up 10 wickets or more in a first-class game. Bihar lasted a combined 64.2 overs across both innings in which they made make 64 and 118 in response to Kerala’s 351 fuelled by Salman Nizar’s 150.TN stutter but knockouts chances burn bright
They need 97 and have only five wickets in hand against Jharkhand, but a scenario has emerged wherein Tamil Nadu can qualify for the knockouts despite a defeat. That’s because Chandigarh – who won three successive games outright in the first half – have now conceded the first-innings lead to Chhattisgarh in a game they needed to win with a bonus point. Tamil Nadu’s hopes of pulling off the chase are pinned on Vijay Shankar, who is unbeaten on 33.

After missing out on Eberechi Eze in the most frustrating way possible, Tottenham Hotspur have now reportedly held talks to sign a Champions League-winning alternative for Thomas Frank.

Frank issues "key message" after Eze snub

Earlier this summer, it looked as though Morgan Gibbs-White was destined to become a Tottenham player after they triggered an unexpected release clause, only for Nottingham Forest to step in and keep hold of their star man. As a result, the Lilywhites shifted their focus towards Crystal Palace’s Eze, seemingly jumping ahead of Arsenal.

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Alas, just when they were nearing an agreement, Spurs missed out on their second big target of the summer and this time in the most frustrating fashion as Arsenal swooped in.

Losing out on Gibbs-White was a blow, but losing out on Eze to their North London rivals after doing everything to secure his signature would have handed Spurs fans a sickening feeling. Frank, however, has chosen to remain positive and reiterated his stance that he only wants to sign players who want to play for his side.

Frustrated or not, Daniel Levy and Spurs must simply go again in the transfer market. Following James Maddison’s lengthy injury, the Lilywhites undeniably need a No.10 to fill the England international’s role, and now that Eze is off the table, they must seek alternatives.

To that end, names such as Como’s Nico Paz have already been mentioned, as well as a Champions League winner who could yet arrive from PSG.

Tottenham hold talks to sign Kang-in Lee

As reported by Football Transfers, Tottenham have held talks to sign Kang-in Lee from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth around €50m (£43m) this month.

The South Korean winger recently showed Tottenham fans exactly what they would be getting after scoring an impressive effort to get PSG back in the game before they overcame Frank’s side on penalties to win the Super Cup.

What’s more, Lee has already earned the approval of countryman and former Tottenham captain Heung-min Son, who told reporters in 2023: “Kang-in Lee’s talent is incredible. I believe he could grow even further. We have to help him not to get too much pressure.”

Given that the winger is likely to lose out to the likes of Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for a starting place at PSG, Tottenham could have the perfect opportunity to come swooping in and offer him a main role late on in the transfer window.

Mumbai’s Ayush Mhatre has set a new world record for the youngest player to score 150-plus in men’s List A cricket, during Tuesday’s Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Nagaland, bettering Yashasvi Jaiswal’s effort.Mhatre did it at 17 years and 168 days, while Jaiswal had been 17 years and 291 days when he achieved the feat, also playing for Mumbai against against Jharkhand in 2019.Related

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Mhatre, who made his debut for Mumbai earlier this season, clobbered 11 sixes and 15 fours to make 181 off only 117 balls while powering his side to an imposing 403 for 7 in their 50 overs. A local boy, Mhatre has been a regular fixture for Mumbai across formats since he broke into the squad earlier in the season.He was a part of the Irani Cup-winning Mumbai side which defeated Rest of India to take the title after 27 years in October. On his Ranji Trophy debut, Mhatre scored a fine 71-ball 52 but Mumbai lost that season opener to Baroda.With defending champions looking to bounce back, Mhatre led the charge with a brilliant 176 off 232 balls, which was studded with 22 fours and four sixes, against Maharashtra. Mumbai won that game by nine wickets. He had a couple of quiet outings against Tripura and Odisha but slammed his second first-class ton – 116 off 149 balls with 12 fours and three sixes – against Services and went on to represent India in the Under-19 Men’s Asia Cup.Mhatre kept the runs flowing with fifties (54 and 67 not out) against Japan and UAE, but fell for a single-digit score in the tournament’s final which India lost to Bangladesh.Having missed Mumbai’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title triumph, Mhatre began the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s premier domestic 50-overs competition, with 78 in a high-scoring contest against Karnataka.

Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk has fired back at Germany national coach Julian Nagelsmann over his comments about Leroy Sane. The national team boss has said Sane will have to perform beyond his usual expectations to make the squad after he joined the Turkish giants from Bayern Munich. Buruk, though, pointed to the recent loss to Slovakia as proof Germany aren't as good as Nagelsmann believes.

Nagelsmann questions Sane’s level

Nagelsmann stirred controversy when assessing Sane's decision to leave the Bundesliga champions in order to start his Super Lig adventure, with the Germany coach suggesting the winger's international career is over due to the level he is playing at. 

"He’s now playing in a league that’s a bit worse than the Bundesliga and other top European leagues,” Nagelsmann told reporters. He acknowledged Sane’s assist and goal in recent games but added, “He simply has to deliver more… I’m expecting certain numbers from him.”

AdvertisementGetty ImagesBuruk fires back after heavy defeat

Gala coach Buruk was quick to defend his star winger as he addressed the issue following his side's emphatic defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt. After lamenting the 5-1 loss, Buruk directly addressed Nagelsmann’s remarks in the post-match press conference. 

“I disagree with Julian Nagelsmann's comments about Leroy Sane," he said. "Germany also lost in their first international match. You lost to Slovakia in a place where you thought you were very good. We've had very good matches against Tottenham and Bayern Munich. I don't remember Frankfurt giving the ball away 65% of the time."

Sane shines despite Galatasaray’s collapse

Sane reminded critics of his quality early in the match, winning the ball deep in his half before setting up captian Yunus Akgun’s opener. That made him the first player in Champions League history to both score and assist on his debut for four different clubs. Yet despite his impact, Frankfurt’s clinical spell before half-time turned the game on its head.

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Getty Images SportFrankfurt run riot at Deutsche Bank Park vs. Gala

In front of a raucous home crowd, Frankfurt netted three goals in a 12-minute burst before half-time. A Davinson Sanchez own goal sparked the comeback before young prodigy Can Uzun scored a spectacular turn-and-shot. A second own goal by Wilfried Singo compounded Gala’s misery, with Jonathan Burkardt and Ansgar Knauff sealing a powerful 5-1 victory, in the first match of the Champions League.

Nagelsmann’s comments underline the pressure on Sane to produce consistently as he battles for a place in Germany’s World Cup plans. For Gala the defeat leaves them facing Premier League powerhouse Liverpool next in Europe. Frankfurt, meanwhile, top their Champions League group and now prepare for Atletico Madrid away on September 30.

The 19-year old will be making his debut in front of what could be more than 90,000 spectators on a sweltering Melbourne day

Andrew McGlashan25-Dec-20242:38

Cummins: ‘Seeing new players debut really gives me a thrill’

Australia captain Pat Cummins has encouraged Sam Konstas to embrace the naivety of youth during his Test debut against India on Boxing Day in front of what could be more than 90,000 spectators on a sweltering Melbourne day.Cummins was speaking from first-hand experience having made his debut as an 18-year-old against South Africa in 2011, where he became Australia’s second youngest men’s Test player, with just three first-class matches under his belt. He was named player of the match in Johannesburg as he claimed 6 for 79 and hit the winning runs.Konstas will slot in at No. 4 on the age list, and be playing his 12th first-class game, when the coin goes up at the MCG, being a few days younger than Clem Hill when he made his debut at Lord’s in 1896. He will open alongside Usman Khawaja who is double his age.Related

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While Cummins said there is no lesser desire to achieve success purely because of a young age, he recalled his own feelings of there being less pressure given how rapid his debut had been and his inexperience.”I said this to Sam the other day; I remember as an 18-year-old I was thinking I’ve got a lot more leeway because I was young,” Cummins said. “I almost felt like if I didn’t have a great game it wasn’t my fault it was the selectors’ fault for picking me. It was like, they’re the idiots who picked an 18-year-old. You are so young starting out your career, it’s Boxing Day, it doesn’t get any better than this so just enjoy the moment.”I spent a bit of time wondering why or how I was there, how it had happened so quick. I just remember being really excited and it’s similar to Sammy this week. There’s a level of naivety that you just want to go out and play like you do when you are a kid in the backyard – take the game on, have fun, and not overthink it.”That’s the message to Sam. That’s definitely how I felt as an 18-year-old, just really excited, and once the game started you go into game mode and it’s just like any other game.”Sam Konstas at the MCG•AFP via Getty ImagesReferencing one specific memory from his Johannesburg experience, Cummins added: “In my debut I remember trying to hit Dale Steyn over his head for runs and just thought that made sense at the time, now I look back and it’s like ‘geez, I’d have been crucified if that hadn’t come off’, so I think there is some benefit in that naivety.”Konstas has had a strong support group flying into Melbourne for his debut with friends, family and his mentor Shane Watson making the trip, but Cummins sensed someone who was coping well with his dramatic rise.”He’s quite relaxed, good fun, happy to roll along with the jokes and take the mickey out of himself and others,” Cummins said. “We always encourage him to be himself. He seems like he has a good head on his shoulders for a 19-year-old so we’re there backing him up.”Konstas’ debut will be one of two changes for Australia from the Gabba Test with Scott Boland returning on his home ground in place of the injured Josh Hazlewood. Travis Head went through a fitness test on Christmas Day having come away from Brisbane with a quad strain but Cummins said he was “fully fit.”Head has been the most successful batter in the series with 409 runs in five innings including back-to-back centuries in Adelaide and Brisbane. The next best is KL Rahul’s 235 runs. He would have been a gigantic hole to fill in the batting order. “He’s hitting the ball as well as I’ve ever seen anyone, so long may it continue,” Cummins said.Should the Melbourne Test go the distance, there will be just a three-day turnaround into the final game at the SCG on January 3 which may provide some challenges for the quicks although speaking on Christmas Eve head coach Andrew McDonald was confident Cummins and Mitchell Starc would be able to get through. With the Adelaide Test being short and Brisbane badly effect by the rain, the overall workloads have not been too high.

MatériaMais Notícias

Mercado que já teria demonstrado interesse prévio em Luis Suárez, a Major League Soccer (MLS) parece não tem desistido de contar com o atual artilheiro do Grêmio na temporada.

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Segundo informação que foi divulgada por Ekren Konur, jornalista especializado no mercado de transferências, duas equipes da principal liga norte-americana abordaram o estafe do atleta.

Tamanho seria o interesse dos dois clubes da MLS que propostas de caráter financeiramente importantes teriam sido formatadas para seduzir o atleta de longa trajetória no futebol europeu.

Porém, de acordo com o próprio responsável pela informação, Suárez sequer cogitou em abrir negociações por se considerar feliz e confiante no projeto que lhe foi apresentado desde a chegada no clube de Porto Alegre. Afastando, dessa forma, a chance de sair no momento do Tricolor.

>Todos os jogos do Brasileirão você encontra no Prime Video. Assine já e acompanhe o seu time do coração!

Além do impacto em visibilidade e iniciativas para impulsionar as receitas do Grêmio como o ‘boom’ de sócios-torcedores, por exemplo, o retorno esportivo tem se mostrado importante nos primeiros cinco meses de atuação. Com a camisa do Imortal, são 23 partidas com 14 gols, seis assistências e dois títulos: a Recopa Gaúcha e o Campeonato Gaúcho.

Arsenal didn’t sign Alexander Isak this summer but they did enjoy an unprecedented transfer window, shelling out around £300m on strengthening Mikel Arteta’s squad, making it ready for the demands of another Premier League title charge.

Many pundits insist that the Gunners simply have to win it this year. It’s hard to disagree with that, but Liverpool have also had a rip-roaring window, ending it in style by welcoming that man Isak to Anfield.

A long-term target for the north Londoners, there may well be some disappointment on Arteta’s end that he’s gone to a title rival but this has been a successful window for Arsenal.

Viktor Gyokeres has arrived and hit the ground running, scoring twice against Leeds. A boyhood Gooner in the form of Eberechi Eze has also arrived, joining Noni Madueke in the forward line.

The midfield has been bolstered by the arrivals of Spaniard Martin Zubimendi and Brentford’s former captain Christian Norgaard. At the back, Cristhian Mosquera and deadline day signing, Piero Hincapie, have rounded things off nicely. Mosquera was imperious at Anfield on Sunday, standing in for the injured William Saliba phenomenally.

But, did the Gunners miss a trick? Perhaps.

Arsenal's failed pursuit of a new left winger

Those in charge of the recruitment at Arsenal did a phenomenal job this summer and will point towards Eze and Madueke as genuine options on the left-hand side of the attack.

Madueke began the game against Leeds on the left but certainly made a better impact when employed on the right with Saka out injured last weekend.

The more natural option on the left flank is Eze. A central attacking midfielder by trade, he enjoys playing in the pockets on the left side of the pitch and showed that against Liverpool, making an instant impact when he skipped into the penalty area before being brought down by Joe Gomez. So we thought, anyway; a penalty was not given.

But, what they really missed was a blockbuster left winger. During the course of the summer window, they were linked with moves for Rafael Leao and Rodrygo.

The latter was one of the most-linked players to Arsenal in the last few months, with talks reportedly being held on several occasions to sound out a move.

Having barely kicked a ball since Xabi Alonso’s arrival in the Spanish capital, he should have moved but has ultimately stayed with Madrid where he’ll fight for a place in the team.

Rodrygo would have been a superb capture. He’s capable of scoring goals, registering 14 strikes last term. He can also create, posting 11 assists in all competitions. Alas, Arsenal are happy with their options.

Eze and Madueke will be a huge help but you can’t help but think they have missed a trick with Gabriel Martinelli.

Why Arsenal need to move on from Gabriel Martinelli

The Brazilian has been a wonderful servant for Arsenal in the last few years and has been one of the poster boys for the Arteta project in London.

Transfer Focus

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Back in 2022/23, the winger registered 15 goals, ending the term as the club’s joint-top goalscorer alongside Martin Odegaard and Saka. It was at that time that Jurgen Klopp described him as a “talent of the century”, such was his raw potential.

However, since then, he’s failed to kick on. In 2023/24 he found the net on eight occasions and in 2024/25, he only bagged ten times. Not awful numbers by any means, but considering he is the regular starter, you need and want more.

Well, Martinelli only compounded why he’s become a scapegoat when he faced Liverpool on Sunday. It wasn’t long before fans were crying out for Eze. Embarrassingly, he was locked up by a makeshift full-back in the form of Dominik Szoboszlai, the man who scored the winning goal.

Martinelli vs Liverpool

Minutes played

70

Touches

15

Accurate passes

6/7 (86%)

Key passes

0

Shots

0

Dribble attempts

0

Crosses

0

Duels won

2

Stats via Sofascore.

It’s safe to say it was a horror afternoon for Martinelli, failing to have a shot or complete a key pass.

Playing away at Anfield is never easy and you can forgive a quieter display but when Arsenal had such amazing options on the bench, you have to question why he started.

One might also question why he’s still at the Emirates. There were quiet murmurs of a move to Saudi Arabia happening but that never materialised.

Arsenal aren’t tight on the Premier League’s PSR rules but there are growing concerns surrounding UEFA’s financial fair play restrictions. Selling Martinelli would have alleviated that or even funded a move for the likes of Rodrygo or Leao, both of whom would serve as big upgrades for Arteta.

For now, however, Arteta will be happy. He has every right to be. This is the best window Arsenal have had in years; they looked well prepared to fight for major silverware this season.

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MatériaMais Notícias

A descontração marcou a reapresentação do Botafogo após uma folga de cinco dias. Ao se reapresentar para a retomada de trabalhos com o técnico Luís Castro, o grupo alvinegro contou com ilustre visita de Jeffinho no CT Lonier.

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O atacante, atualmente no Lyon, está de férias no Brasil e aproveitou para visitar seus antigos companheiros no Glorioso. Enquanto os jogadores se divertiam, Jeffinho também cantarolou a música feita em homenagem a Tiquinho Soares.

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Jeffinho detalhou a sensação de visitar o Botafogo em seu período de férias e opinou sobre o momento da equipe.

– Sempre muito bom estar de férias aqui, revendo meus amigos e acompanhando o Botafogo. Estou de longe, mas acompanhando a família Botafogo. Estou feliz por tudo que tem acontecido comigo, mas ainda mais feliz com a temporada e a campanha do time- disse.

Em seguida, o atacante deixou um recado para os torcedores botafoguenses.

– Quero agradecer também o carinho da torcida botafoguense que tem comigo, para sempre vou guardar vocês no meu coração – finalizou.

Na reapresentação,  o elenco foi direto para o campo, onde fez trabalhos físicos e, posteriormente, participou de uma atividade sob o comando de Luís Castro e sua comissão. Parte do grupo ficou na academia cumprindo as séries de exercícios propostos pela equipe de fisioterapia. Gabriel Pires e Danilo Barbosa foram a campo.

O Botafogo volta a campo no dia 22, uma quinta-feira, para enfrentar o Cuiabá.

Sheffield Wednesday have rejected “multi-million pound” offers from two big clubs this summer, according to reliable journalist Miguel Delaney.

Pedersen "very proud" after Sheffield Wednesday win

An extremely young and depleted Owls side beat Bolton Wanderers away on penalties in midweek, reaching the second round of the EFL Cup in the process. New manager Henrik Pedersen had nothing but praise for his Wednesday players after the victory, speaking of his pride at the result.

“I’m very, very proud. We had many academy boys in the team, many debutants too. Before the game we spoke and said yes, we have a very young team but also with some good senior players around. But the way they performed I am very proud of them.

“I think there are many things with this performance, we were much more aggressive in our pressing, we won more balls high up the pitch and we also had energy to play some transitions, especially in the first half.

“We kept coming back from the draw and didn’t stay in the situation, it was all about the next action, the next action and the boys showed each time Bolton scored, we went up quickly and made a new goal more or less every time.

“They stayed together, kept going and this belief and confidence I really liked to see the young guys do this. Another aspect for me was seeing how happy the senior players were. You could see they were all together.”

Wednesday find themselves in a hugely worrying situation currently, with the future of the club under threat because of financial woes, but despite this, a bid for a player has been rejected.

Sheffield Wednesday reject offers for "excellent" hero

According to Delaney on X, Sheffield Wednesday have turned down “multi-million pound” bids for goalkeeper Pierce Charles from both Rangers and West Ham, with “bafflement” from some at the decision:

“Sheffield Wednesday reject multi-million pound bids from West Ham and Rangers for Pierce Charles, leading to bafflement from some within the club given their financial situation.”

Charles is a big player for Wednesday, so there is some sense in them wanting to keep him, but there will surely be some looking at the bigger picture and wondering if he should be moved on.

The the 20-year-old is among the Owls’ most prized assets currently, being hailed as “excellent” by Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill, which means they can earn millions for him, as Rangers and West Ham have shown.

Unless those at Wednesday are confident about the club’s financial issues suddenly easing, they should consider accepting the next bid that arrives for Charles.

It would be a huge shame to lose such a talented young player with a bright future in the game, but if his sale helps save the club, that clearly takes precedence.

Leah Williamson was among the superstars in attendance at the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony, with the Arsenal and England defender being joined at that event by model girlfriend Elle Smith. They thoroughly enjoyed rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in world football, and made the most of an opportunity to let their collective hair down afterwards when enjoying a McDonald’s takeaway.

Smith has helped celebrate Williamson's success

Williamson enjoyed a memorable 2024-25 with club and country, with her exploits at domestic, continental and international level ensuring that she was always going to be handed an invitation to the glitzy Ballon d’Or extravaganza in Paris. The English capital was swapped for its French equivalent on September 22. Smith also made a point of jetting in for the occasion so that she could be by her partner’s side.

Smith was a regular at knockout fixtures involving England at Euro 2025, as the Lionesses successfully defended their title on Swiss soil. She donned custom Lionesses jerseys and lapped up wild celebrations after seeing Williamson get her hands on another major honour as captain of her country. Smith also figured prominently in the parties which accompanied Arsenal’s Champions League triumph in May.

AdvertisementArsenal named Women's Team of the Year at Ballon d'Or

Smith has shared some of the snaps that were captured during her evening out alongside Williamson at the 2025 Ballon d’Or. She saw Arsenal’s exploits recognised, as they walked away with the Women’s Club of the Year award, while Lionesses hero Hannah Hampton landed the inaugural women’s Yashin Trophy – which is awarded to the best goalkeeper on the planet.

Williamson was on hand to savour the successes of her own club and those of international colleagues, with a memorable night being enjoyed by all. Once the festivities were over, with a hunger having been worked up, Smith has revealed that her party made a point of ordering some fries and nuggets from McDonald’s – with the A-list lifestyle being shunned for a few minutes.

GettyWhat Slegers & Hampton said after landing top awards

Arsenal women’s boss Renee Slegers – who was joined on stage by Williamson and Co – delivered an iconic speech when accepting the Club of the Year award. She said to those in attendance and watching on from around the world: “It’s a true honour for Arsenal to be recognised as women’s club of the year. I’m proud to stand here. Community is what we’re building at Arsenal Women. I have to thank our wonderful supporters, who are and have always been such an integral part of what we do at the club. Thank you all again for this award. Invest in women. Invest in women’s sports. When we do that, all of us benefit.”

Hampton – who performed penalty-saving heroics for England at Euro 2025 – said of winning her goalkeeper gong: "I don't think it's an achievement for me, I think it's an achievement for women's goalkeeping. I stand on the shoulders of so many great goalkeepers of the past. Sitting along with my fellow nominees, it's an honour to be a part of such an incredible group and inspiring goalkeepers of the future generation coming through."

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Toone another Lioness to celebrate with McDonald's

Williamson is not the first Lionesses star to celebrate a night at a prestigious awards ceremony with a spot of McDonald’s. Back in January 2024, after attending the FIFA Best ceremony, Manchester United and England playmaker Ella Toone enjoyed a similar feast. She said in a video posted on social media: “From the FIFA awards, to the golden arches. Come on!” A theme is clearly emerging, with Williamson and Smith taking inspiration from a familiar face.

Williamson's attention is back on her day job at present, with WSL and Champions League campaigns underway in 2025-26, with much of the summer having been spent alongside Smith. After welcoming her to Switzerland for major tournament action, the pair soaked up sun and spa treatments at exclusive hotels during a post-Euros vacation in New York. Arsenal, who have made an unbeaten start to the new WSL season, will be back in action on Saturday when playing host to Aston Villa – with Williamson currently unavailable as she recovers from a knee injury.