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Newcastle United are now in pole position to sign an impressive central defender ahead of Serie A giants Juventus, according to recent reports.

Newcastle "playing the atmosphere" vs Sunderland, says Howe

It doesn’t get bigger than the Tyne-Wear derby this weekend. Newcastle are set to travel to face Sunderland in the Premier League for the first time since 2016 and they’ll be looking to ground the high-flying Black Cats in statement fashion.

The goals have finally returned for Eddie Howe’s side in recent weeks, but they’ve remained fragile in the other direction – conceding a late equaliser against Bayer Leverkusen in midweek. In any derby, however, form goes out the window. Instead, Howe admitted that his side will be “playing the atmosphere”.

As if the Magpies needed any extra motivation, they have the chance to move above Sunderland and potentially into the top six if they secure victory and other results go their way. It could be the perfect turning point for their Premier League campaign.

Defeat, meanwhile, would once again expose just how much work Newcastle have got to do in the January transfer window, whether it’s welcoming a midfield star or turning towards Sassuolo defender Tarik Muharemovic.

Newcastle leading race to sign Tarik Muharemovic

According to TeamTalk, Newcastle are now in pole position to sign Muharemovic ahead of Juventus in 2026. The central defender has consistently impressed in Italy this season and has been closely monitored by scouts from both St James’ Park and the San Siro, courtesy of Inter Milan.

Standing at 6’2, Muharemovic could provide Howe with a replacement for the injury-prone Sven Botman alongside Malick Thiaw, who has thrived since arriving in the summer.

At 22 years old, the Sassuolo star is yet to reach the peak of his powers and Newcastle have the chance to swoop in early to land what would be an impressive addition.

Dubbed an “excellent left-footed centre-back” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Muharemovic seems to have the world at his feet ahead of 2026. Both Juventus and Inter are chasing his signature, but the Premier League could be awaiting.

Fewer touches than Ramsdale: Howe must drop Newcastle man who won 2 duels

Eddie Howe must now drop this Newcastle United star ahead of this weekend’s hotly anticipated Tyne-Wear Derby.

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By
Kelan Sarson

4 days ago

Following the success of Thiaw, it’s also no surprise that Newcastle decided to send their scouts back to Serie A and towards the Sassuolo man in an attempt to repeat their transfer genius.

Howe's "diamond" looks like another Guimaraes in the making at Newcastle

Neymar delivered once more for Santos as the Brazilian icon inspired a crucial 3-0 win over Cruzeiro to secure the club’s Serie A survival. However, he admitted afterwards that his future is uncertain as he plans to undergo knee surgery. With his contract expiring in a few weeks and transfer speculation growing, the 33-year-old’s emotional post-match comments have heightened doubts over whether he will remain with his boyhood club.

• Neymar helps Santos avoid relegation with 3-0 win

  Santos wrapped up their season with a decisive 3-0 win over Cruzeiro, a result that ensured the club avoided relegation to Serie B. Neymar once again played a key part in the attacking structure, influencing the game as a creator this time out rather than a finisher, having scored five goals across the two matches prior. The victory capped a late surge in form that carried Santos from danger into 12th place with 47 points.

  The match itself followed a clear pattern from the outset, with Santos dictating the tempo in front of an energised Vila Belmiro crowd. Thaciano struck twice in the 26th and 28th minutes, taking advantage of the momentum that Neymar and the frontline generated with their fluid combinations. Joao Schmidt added a third shortly after half-time, sealing the win and all but confirming Santos’ mathematical safety. For Neymar, the match completed a final stretch played under physical duress, as he continued pushing through persistent knee pain.

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• Neymar casts doubt over his Santos future

  After the 3-0 win, Neymar laid bare the physical and emotional weight he carried throughout the season’s final stretch: "I came for this, to try to help the best way I can. These have been tough weeks for me. I thank those who were with me to lift me up. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't have played these matches because of these injuries, this knee problem. I need to rest and then we will have this knee surgery."

  When addressing his future, Neymar added: “I do not know, really. I don’t know. I need some days now, I need to rest, disconnect then decide my future. For sure my priority always goes to Santos.”

• Neymar's strong end to the season restores Santos' hopes

  The resurgence Neymar delivered in the final weeks came after a turbulent season in which he managed only 19 appearances due to recurring injuries, as his hamstring issues repeatedly disrupted his rhythm throughout the year. Despite the fitness issues, his late-season form, with three goals and two assists in two crucial matches before the Cruzeiro clash, proved transformative in the tight relegation fight.

  Neymar’s return to Santos in January had initially been framed as a dream homecoming, but pressure mounted as his fitness and form fluctuated. His outburst last month generated criticism, with claims that he was destabilising the squad rather than leading it. The narrative shifted only when results demanded a hero, and Neymar delivered exactly that.

  His performances against Juventude and Sport restored hope around Vila Belmiro that Neymar can still be decisive, even as he prepares for knee surgery this winter.

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• Brazil and the World Cup dream for Neymar alive?

  Santos now face a pivotal decision period, as Neymar’s contract expires in just a few weeks and negotiations remain delicate due to his impending surgery. The club is expected to maintain dialogue with his representatives, but any new agreement will depend heavily on recovery estimates and clarity around his long-term physical condition. Regardless of affection on both sides, the timing complicates an immediate resolution.

  A broader layer to the story is Neymar’s continued ambition to return to the Brazil national team for the 2026 World Cup. Coach Carlo Ancelotti has left the door open, insisting he will call Neymar if he is fit enough to contribute, which places even greater importance on a successful procedure and full recovery. For now, the coming months will determine not only his club destination but the trajectory of the final stage of his career.

Newcastle United extended their unbeaten run to three games after a 2-1 victory over Premier League strugglers Burnley at St James’ Park.

Eddie Howe’s side were able to bounce back from their disappointing draw with Tottenham Hotspur in the week to pick up all three points on this occasion.

It took Eddie Howe’s side until just past the half-hour mark before they managed to open the scoring. Their goal was scored in magnificent fashion, too. Captain Bruno Guimaraes pulled off the lesser-spotted stunt of an Olympico, scoring directly from a corner.

Then, deep into first-half stoppage time, the Magpies had their second goal. Burnley midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu gave away a penalty for handball, and Anthony Gordon obliged, stepping up from 12 yards to double Newcastle’s lead.

It was not all plain sailing, though. Burnley, who had ten men after Lucas Pires was sent off in the first half, managed to pull a goal back.

They were also awarded a penalty for handball, this time from Jacob Ramsey, with Zion Flemming firing home. It was too little, too late, though, for the Clarets, and Newcastle held on to win the game.

The two goal scorers were Newcastle’s standout players on the day.

Guimaraes and Gordon’s key stats compared

It has been quite the week in front of goal for Guimaraes and Gordon. Not only did they score on Saturday afternoon, but they also bagged both of the Magpies’ goals against Spurs in the week.

Guimaraes’ strike against the Clarets was surely better. Scoring directly from a corner is no mean feat, and it took a superb curling effort to nestle into the back of the net.

Aside from the goal, the Magpies skipper won six from eight duels and made six recoveries, as per Sofascore.

As for Gordon, he shone in key moments. Of course, the England winger bagged his second goal from the spot in a matter of days, but he also played Anthony Elanga through on goal, which led to the Burnley red card.

One person he impressed was Lee Ryder, the chief Newcastle writer at Chronicle Live. He gave the former Everton winger a rating of 8/10, praising him for remaining a ‘threat throughout’ against a depleted Burnley defence.

It has been a good week individually for two of Newcastle’s biggest stars, but another of their marquee players struggled against Scott Parker’s side.

Newcastle’s worst player vs. Burnley

It was an afternoon to forget for Newcastle’s big summer signing, Nick Woltemade. The German striker was not very involved against the Lancastrian outfit and was described as “sloppy” by journalist Craig Hope.

His stats from the clash at St James’ Park reflect what was an underwhelming evening. He only managed 17 touches, fewer even than Magpies goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

The Newcastle number 27 could only manage one shot and win a single duel, too.

His poor performance was reflected in the post-match rating Ryder gave. The journalist said Woltemade a 6/10 and prefaced that by saying ‘he did not get a great deal of service’ against the Clarets.

That display was also significant for Newcastle because Yoane Wissa made his long-awaited debut for the club. He replaced Woltemade with 15 minutes to go, and received a warm welcome from his new home fans.

Chalkboard

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

With the striker’s return to full fitness, it will be fascinating to see whether or not Howe keeps the German in the side or brings Wissa into the fold instead.

After a performance like that from the former Stuttgart attacker, where he was so isolated, it would not be hard to blame the Magpies boss for rotating him out.

It is also worth considering the number of games the North East side have coming up. They have Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup games before the year is up, plus the FA Cup at the start of January.

Howe will surely want to manage the minutes of his squad, so they can be at their very best in a testing few weeks. It would be no surprise if Woltemade drops out of the side next time out.

Eddie Howe has already found a bigger talent than Anderson at Newcastle

Howe’s Newcastle side are showing green shoots after a difficult start to the season.

By
Angus Sinclair

Dec 5, 2025

Mikel Arteta has delivered a clear message to £64 million signing Viktor Gyokeres, insisting that “two things have to merge” for the Swedish striker to thrive at Arsenal. The manager believes both player adaptation and tactical integration are essential as Gyokeres searches for form. After an injury setback and a slow Premier League start, expectations remain high for the summer arrival.

• Gyokeres struggling at Arsenal post injury recovery

  Gyokeres arrived at Arsenal in the summer after scoring heavily for Sporting CP, but his transition to the Premier League has been slower than expected. The striker managed just one league goal since September and missed crucial development time after joining without a proper pre-season and then picking up an injury. Arteta has repeatedly defended the player’s progress, emphasising that adaptation to Arsenal’s system and the demands of English football takes time.

  His limited goal return has become a talking point as the Gunners battle at the top of the Premier League table, especially after their lead was narrowed following a recent defeat at Aston Villa. Despite Gyokeres’ struggles, Arsenal have remained competitive, but Arteta is aware that the No.9 position must eventually provide greater scoring output. With Gabriel Jesus returning to fitness, competition for minutes is intensifying at a key point in the campaign.

  As pressure around Gyokeres grows, questions have been raised about whether Arsenal must change their approach to suit him or whether he must mould himself to their tactical demands. Arteta, addressing this balance directly, outlined the combined responsibility needed from both sides. His explanation offers the clearest insight yet into how the club sees Gyokeres’ long-term development and what must happen for his £64m move to be considered a success.

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  Arteta explains what Gyokeres has to do to succeed at Arsenal

  Speaking to the media, Arteta explained the shared responsibility between Arsenal and Gyokeres, saying: “I think the two things have to merge. I think we have to put the player in the best possible condition to explode and fulfil his potential. And there are certain things that within the role, in the manner that we play, has to be fulfilled.”

  He continued by highlighting the importance of the team around the forward, adding: “And that’s a combination of both. And then it’s not only that. I think more important is the connections and the players around him at the end.”

  Addressing Gyokeres’ progress and fitness, Arteta said: “Those interactions, that understanding, how it develops. And before the injury, I think he was in a great place. I think it took him a while at the beginning because, as you said, it’s a different league, different demands. He had no pre-season. And now he’s starting to get, again, some momentum. And the goals will come, and we’re going to be very pleased with him.” Asked what will help unlock the striker’s form, he added: “Yes, probably the thing that’s going to unlock him is goals, and he’s so used to that that I think he needs that for himself, for his confidence, and I think we’re going to judge his performances based on that as well. That’s logical, but for the rest, I think he’s in a really good place. I think physically he’s in a good place, and now he needs to start to convert the chances that he’s getting.”

• Gyokeres brought in at Arsenal to improve offense

  Gyokeres was signed to bring a more direct, physically dominant option to Arsenal’s attack, a contrast to the fluid movement provided by Jesus. The Swede’s impressive scoring record in Portugal created major expectations, but the transition to England has exposed the differences in tempo, physicality and tactical discipline between leagues. Arsenal believe his profile still fits the long-term vision, especially with Arteta seeking more vertical threat and penalty-box presence.

  His early adaptation was hindered by arriving without a pre-season, something Arteta repeatedly referenced as a critical factor in his slower start. Players who join late or return from injury often struggle with Arsenal’s high-intensity demands, which rely on timing, pressing structure and positional rotations. Gyokeres’ lack of rhythm made it difficult for him to integrate in the same way as those who completed a full summer programme.

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  Arsenal will continue to back Gyokeres

  Arsenal plan to continue giving Gyokeres minutes as he rebuilds sharpness, but he now faces competition from Jesus, whose return naturally increases expectations for goal output. Arteta is convinced that Gyokeres will eventually “explode” once adaptation and tactical cohesion fully align, but patience will be required from fans and analysts alike.

  If Gyokeres can begin converting chances, the long-term outlook changes dramatically, as Arsenal believe he has all the tools to become a top Premier League striker. Should the drought continue, pressure will inevitably increase, but Arteta remains publicly unwavering in his support.

Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee made one of the most ridiculous catches of the 2025 MLB season Sunday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Out in center field, Hoo Lee tried to chase down a ball hit by Yandy Diaz that was destined for Oracle Park's "Triple's Alley." The speedy outfielder was able to get in range, but bobbled the ball while attempting to make a sliding catch. The ball bounced off the heel of his glove and then bounced off his left leg as he slid. It rolled down to his knee, where he was somehow able to pin the ball between his legs and secure it for an out.

Have a look at the circus show Hoo Lee put on in front of the home crowd in San Francisco:

"I don't care what anybody says, that's the catch of the decade. Not of the year, not of the day, not of the week, not of the homestand. The decade," said NBC Sports Bay Area commentator Mike Krukow after the catch from Hoo Lee.

He may be right, too.

Leeds United are now lining up a January move for Brentford’s Fabio Carvalho, amid concerns about their lack of attacking threat.

After picking up just one point from their previous three Premier League games, Leeds picked up an important three points against a struggling West Ham United side last time out, meaning they are now six points clear of the relegation zone.

Survival will undoubtedly be Daniel Farke’s main goal this season, and the manager clearly thought bolstering his frontline was important when it comes to strengthening his side’s chances of avoiding the drop, bringing in the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha in the summer.

However, it was the Championship promotion-winning duo of Brenden Aaronson and Joe Rodon that provided the goals against West Ham, with Calvert-Lewin failing to provide any sort of threat, recording an xG of just 0.1.

Nmecha hasn’t exactly been prolific since his arrival either, failing to score since converting a penalty against Everton on the opening day, and the Whites have now joined the race to sign a new forward.

Leeds lining up January move for Carvalho

According to a report from MOT Leeds News, there are concerns about the lack of attacking threat Leeds have posed this season, meaning they are keen to strengthen their forward line in January, and they are now lining up a loan approach for Brentford’s Carvalho.

The board are considering several new attacking signings, including a striker, but they are also keen to inject some more creativity into the squad, meaning the Whites are now prepared to battle it out with Bundesliga clubs for the Brentford forward’s signature.

The 23-year-old has found game time difficult to come by this season, but there is a feeling he could be ideal for Farke, given his ability to play in a number of positions, with the German a fan of versatile players.

The Portuguese attacker is capable of playing on both wings, in the number 10 role and even at centre-forward, with his attacking quality regularly on display during a loan spell at Fulham, picking up ten goals and eight assists in the Championship during the 2021-22 campaign.

The former Hull City loanee also impressed with the Tigers, scoring nine Championship goals in the 2023-24 season, during which time he was lauded as “fantastic” by Fabrizio Romano.

That said, there may be some concerns about the fact the four-time Portugal U21 international is yet to establish himself as a key player for Brentford, despite scoring a dramatic late equaliser against Chelsea back in September.

Carvalho is yet to make a name for himself in the top flight, but he would still be a low-risk signing for Leeds, given that they are aiming to get a loan deal done this January.

Leeds also lining up move for Ross Barkley

Leeds eyeing "unbelievable" midfielder whose teammates compare him to Maradona

This could salvage his 2026 World Cup chances.

By
Henry Jackson

Oct 27, 2025

Athletics outfielder Lawrence Butler voiced his displeasure with the umpires in MLB, expressing that he feels there's a lack of accountability among big league umpires that doesn't exist at the Triple-A level.

Butler said Monday that he's "fed up" with MLB's umpires and said that minor league umpires displayed more caution in regards to the strike zone due to the existence of the automated ball-strike system that's in place, a system which MLB tested use of during the All-Star Game.

Because teams are able to challenge the call from umpires, Butler feels that umpires in the minors are more careful when calling balls and strikes.

"ABS. I'm fed up with the umpires. I've had enough with the umpires. They miss too many calls both ways," said Butler when asked what he would change if he were commissioner of MLB for a day.

"I want the challenge system. Three [challenges per game], just like they do in Triple-A. If you look at Triple-A, the umpires are a little bit more cautious about what pitches they call, because they know a pitcher or hitter might challenge it and it might embarrass them. So they might be a little bit more cautious to pull that trigger. I feel like up here, they don't five a f––."

Butler didn't hold back with his assessment of officiating in MLB, and he made clear he'd welcome the implementation of ABS.

Manchester City are now leading the race to sign Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, amid a major new update on the forward’s future at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Man City’s interest in upgrading their forward line comes amid an overreliance on Erling Haaland, with the Norwegian striker their only player to have scored more than one Premier League goal so far this season.

The 25-year-old has been in incredible form, having already scored 14 league goals, but the lack of contributions from elsewhere raises concern about how Pep Guardiola’s side will be able to cope if their talisman suffers an injury.

Jeremy Doku put in a top performance against Liverpool, scoring the third in the 3-0 rout, while Phil Foden is showing signs he may be rediscovering his best form, having amassed seven goal contributions in 14 matches in all competitions.

However, in order to strengthen his side’s Premier League title push, Guardiola remains keen on adding another forward to his ranks, and there has been a positive development in the pursuit of a Real Madrid star.

Man City now leading race for Rodrygo

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Man City are now frontrunners in the race for Rodrygo’s signature, with it emerging the Brazilian’s future at the Santiago Bernabeu is now in major doubt, and he is on the brink of leaving in the January transfer window.

The 24-year-old has been unable to force his way into Xabi Alonso’s plans, given that Madrid have a breadth of top-quality options in attacking areas, and a winter move could now be on the cards.

Guardiola views the former Santos man as ideal, given his versatility, and City are ready to trigger a deal, which could amount to €60m – €80m (£53m – £70m).

Hailed as “world-class” by legendary midfielder Luka Modric, the 35-time Brazil international has been a reliable source of goals and assists right across his career, impressing at Santos from a very young age before going on to play a major role in Real Madrid’s success.

Although the Osasco-born forward has predominantly featured as a winger throughout his career to date, scout Ben Mattinson has suggested he could be better-suited to playing in a central role, given his dribbling and shooting ability.

As such, should Haaland pick up an injury, Rodrygo could be a solid replacement, while the Real Madrid man’s experience playing out wide means he should also be able to challenge the likes of Doku and Rayan Cherki for a starting spot.

Rodrygo has been named as one of the best wingers in the world

The Best 15 Wingers in World Football Ranked (2025)

Who is the best wide man in world football right now?

By
Charlie Smith

Nov 28, 2025

It's a new week, which means we have a fresh slate of MLB matchups to watch and bet on Monday.

There are 12 games scheduled across the Majors today, starting with an American League matchup between the Cleveland Guardians and Batlimore Orioles at 6:35 pm. The Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants will wrap up today's slate with a game that will start at 9:45 pm.

Here on Rounding the Bases, I'm going to give you my prediction for who will win each of today's 12 games. Let's dive into it.

Guardians vs. Orioles Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Orioles -118

It's hard to pick against the Orioles with how they've been playing of late. Their offense leads the Majors in OPS over the last 30 days at .823, which is 0.24 better than the next best team over that stretch. They have a tough matchup against Tanner Bibee (3.65 ERA) today, but I'm willing to back them as slight home favorites.

Phillies vs. Tigers Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Phillies -172

I feel confident backing the Phillies when Aaron Nola is on the mound. He has a 8-3 record and a 3.54 ERA on the season. Philadelphia's offense hasn't been as hot as they were early in the season, but they're still plenty good enough to deal with a below average Tigers squad.

Mariners vs. Rays Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Rays -104

Losing their weekend series to the lowly Miami Marlins shows me that regression is coming for the Mariners, and their offensive metrics back up that motion. They're just 22nd in the Majors in OPS over the last 30 days, well below the Rays who may be a strong buy-low candidate as home underdogs tonight.

Pirates vs. Reds Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Reds -116

The Pirates offense has been abysmal of late, ranking 29th in the Majors in OPS over the last 30 days. Despite Bailey Falter (3.74 ERA) having a solid 2024 campaign, I feel much more confident backing the Reds' bats at home as slight favorites.

Blue Jays vs. Red Sox Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Red Sox -142

The Red Sox swept the Blue Jays in Toronto last week and there's no reason why they can't sweep them again in Boston. The Jays have a plethora of issues at every position and are quickly spiraling to the bottom of the American League. I wouldn't touch them with a 10 foot pole at this point of the season.

Braves vs. Cardinals Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Cardinals +106

The Braves offense is stumbling a bit of late, ranking one spot below the Cardinals in OPS over the last 30 days. Spencer Schwellenbach has had an up-and-down start to his MLB career and until he shows us some level of consistency, I'd hesitate to back Atlanta with my money.

Dodgers vs. White Sox Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Dodgers -136

If you're going to give me -136 odds to bet on one of the best teams in baseball against one of the worst, I'm going to take that bet 100% of the time.

Marlins vs. Royals Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Marlins +198

The Royals should certainly be favored in this game, but a -240 price point is a little out of hand considering how cold their offense has been over the last month, sporting a .662 OPS in that time frame. I'll take a shot on the Marlins as almost 2-1 underdogs on the road.

Rangers vs. Brewers Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Brewers -162

The Rangers are 26th in OPS over the last 30 days and now have a tough matchup against Freddy Peralta and the Brewers today. I'll back Milwaukee as the home favorite.

Athletics vs. Angels Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Athletics +104

Both offenses are in the bottom four in OPS over the last 30 days and neither starting pitcher has had their best stuff this season as well. At least the A's bullpen has been competent this season, a huge advantage they have over the Angels. That's enough for me to back them as slight road underdogs tonight.

Nationals vs. Padres Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Padres -215

When Patrick Corbin gets the start for the Nationals, betting on the opposing team is a given. He has a 1-7 record on the season and has been one of the best pitchers to fade over the past couple of years.

Cubs vs. Giants Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Cubs +110

I'll back Justin Steele (3.16 ERA) who is due to get his first win of the season with the Cubs. It's time for Chicago to snap out of this slump.

Evidence suggests a brilliant cricketing mind, but he lacks that one defining triumph people associate great captains with. In Dubai, the chance slipped away again courtesy India’s depth

Sidharth Monga04-Mar-20252:24

Smith: India outplayed us and deserved to win

Steven Smith the Test batter might be the greatest since Bradman, but Smith the captain is an intriguing what-if. There is enough evidence of a brilliant cricketing mind inside that head, but his captaincy career has never had that one defining moment of triumph that people tend to associate great captains with.Home Ashes for Australia stand out only when lost, so the two Ashes wins in Australia don’t really enhance Smith’s stature as captain. He led Australia to Test series leads in India and South Africa, but was denied on both occasions. That intense period left him frazzled, desperate and prone to what happened in Bengaluru and in Cape Town, which unfortunately remain the defining images of his captaincy. It also denied him a chance to lead in an ODI World Cup.With the white ball, Smith led Sydney Sixers to the Big Bash League title way back in 2012, but that is remembered only slightly more than the Major League Cricket title he won with Washington Freedom last year – meaning, very slightly. This is not to say Smith has not been a good captain, but we are talking about what is most popularly remembered.Related

• Steven Smith retires from ODI cricket, remains committed to Tests

• Kohli conquers legspin to add new layer to his mystique

• Kohli's 84 sends India into Champions Trophy final

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• Shami vs Connolly: A different kind of six and out

The brightest period as captain remains when Smith came within one shot of leading a new, young team to an IPL title. Chosen to lead Rising Pune Supergiant ahead of MS Dhoni in 2017, Smith took them to a top-two finish in the league stage, anchored the final chase on a tricky surface, took it to eight needed off four, but found the fielder in the deep when he pulled the trigger one final time. We all know what winning an IPL can bring to a captain, but it is so cruel that losing the final by one run still makes you forgettable.This Champions Trophy provided Smith an unexpected opportunity to conjure something with a similarly young side. By default, Smith will now lead only a weakened Australia side because his leading means Pat Cummins is not available, but here that was just the start of it: he came in without any of his frontline quicks, with three of his allrounders getting injured or retiring one by one, and a treacherous format that could have knocked them out with two rained-out games.Coming into the semi-final, Smith’s use of his limited bowling resources came in for praise, but he would need to play the perfect game against India to take his captaincy dream further. For long parts, especially with their tactics, Australia did play a flawless game.They selected well for the conditions even if it meant going in with just the two quicks, they chose to bat first on a surface that has kept slowing down, and they batted better than any of the three sides that have lost to India in Dubai. A lot of that batting effort came down to Smith himself.And yet the pivotal moment of Smith’s latest captaincy fling remains his getting bowled to a full toss having pre-meditated a charge when he had done about three-fourths of the work that goes into an all-time great innings. His and Glenn Maxwell’s wickets in the 37th and 38th overs made Alex Carey bat with one arm tied behind his back. Only 59 runs came in the last quarter of their innings, and yet they were able to stretch India’s extremely strong and deep batting.Forget about dropped catches. India’s Player of the Match in the last match dropped a catch off a no-ball and proceeded to kick it into the fence whereas their opponents New Zealand fielded out of their skin. It is much more efficient to produce more chances than to fuss over dropped catches, which can happen to anyone.So the real what-if around Smith is if he needed to pull the trigger that early. Especially when Carey was batting smoothly in that 54-run stand. The answer to it lies in how Australia attained that original position of strength. It didn’t come to them without taking regular risks. It shows in how Australia played 66 false shots, and India only 40.Steven Smith fell at the wrong time for Australia•Associated PressJust look at how calmly India were able to accumulate ones and twos in the middle overs compared to how Australia had to rely on boundaries to stay at a healthy scoring rate. Australia scored 128 runs in boundaries to India’s 106. When the bowling is so good that you are not getting risk-free runs at five an over, you are obligated to take risks.India not only had the superior spinners, they also had almost illegal depth in both departments courtesy Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja coming together efficiently in the same XI. India even have Kuldeep Yadav as a specialist for just after the 40th over, when they get an extra fielder out, to nullify the slog overs to an extent. So Smith had to take the risk at some point, which, given the conditions and India’s depth, meant it had to come against the quickest man to 200 ODI wickets.Having scored ten off the previous 18 balls he had faced, 16 off them from Kuldeep and Varun Chakravarthy, Smith decided he had to target Mohammed Shami, who might at least give him pace on the ball. Five attacking shots in six balls brought him just five runs, and the sixth proved to be fatal. Had they not lost those wickets then, Australia would have had a shot at 30 to 40 more runs, which would have given us a thriller.Who knows if Smith the captain gets another shot at glory, but his latest near-miss was not down to any mistake from him. He just came up against a team with incredible depth for these conditions.