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Middlesbrough Briefly Forced to Play With 10 Men v Wrexham After Breaking New Rule

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Middlesbrough got their Carabao Cup campaign off to a winning start with a narrow 1-0 victory over Wrexham at the Riverside, courtesy of a second-half goal from Will Lankshear, though it was what happened with Lankshear moments after his strike that really caught the eye.

It was a solid, if unspectacular, opening round performance for Boro, who will have been pleased to get their first taste of victory against a fellow promotion favourite, in what was their first competitive match since their playoff final heartbreak against Hull.

But it wasn’t just the result that had fans talking come full-time. A moment during the closing stages ended up stealing the headlines entirely, as Middlesbrough were left playing with ten men for a brief spell, in what turned out to be a landmark moment.

Middlesbrough Forced to Play with Ten Men Against Wrexham

Will Lankshear via Reuters

20 minutes after the Tottenham loanee’s goal on the hour mark, his number appeared on the fourth official’s board, with his manager deciding to bring on Fin Cartwright in his place. However, his manner of leaving the pitch shortly after ended up generating just as much attention as the strike itself.

The 21-year-old took longer than the permitted 10 seconds to make his way off the field, triggering a brand-new rule that saw Middlesbrough temporarily reduced to ten players.

See the new rule come into force below:

It marked the first time the regulation had been enforced in the competition, catching plenty of fans and pundits off guard in the process.

New Substitution Rule Explained

MixCollage-16-Jul-2024-08-58-AM-1545

The rule itself stems from a change to the global Laws of the Game published by IFAB (the International Football Association Board) ahead of the 2026/27 season, and has since been confirmed for use across English football, including the Premier League, EFL, National League and WSL. It’s designed to minimise delays and keep matches moving.

Should a player exceed that limit, the substitution cannot be cancelled, and the player originally earmarked to come on cannot be changed either. However, the replacement will only be permitted to enter the pitch at the first stoppage after a full minute has elapsed, meaning the team in question is left playing a man short in the interim.

In previous seasons, delays during substitutions were far more common and often seen as a time-wasting tactic, but several other tweaks have been introduced for the new campaign as part of the push to reduce time-wasting and improve the flow of matches.

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Man City Fans Hail Enzo Maresca For Transforming Antoine Semenyo

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August 9, 2026

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Despite having only taken up his new job 41 days ago, Enzo Maresca is already being hailed for transforming a Manchester City player ‘beyond recognition’ during their 3-1 pre-season win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday afternoon.

The Cityzens are soon to start life without Pep Guardiola for the first time in almost a decade when the Premier League gets back underway for the 2026/27 season at the end of August, and it appears his successor has already been an instant hit with his management of one player in particular.

Omar Marmoush scored a brace, while Rayan Ait-Nouri also added to the flourish in the Spanish capital. However, it is another star name getting all the plaudits for how well he performed, with some even comparing him to Lionel Messi.

Enzo Maresca Praised For Transforming Ace Who Looked “Better Than Messi”

Etihad Stadium
Etihad Stadium

City supporters have been very quick to lay praise on January signing Antoine Semenyo, with multiple videos of his dribbling being widely circulated on social media after he assisted two goals in as many minutes at the Wanda Metropolitano. One X user remarked:

“Antoine Semenyo under Enzo Maresca might be a better dribbler than Lionel Messi, what am I watching?!”

A second added: “You guys are not ready for what Enzo Maresca is going to cook with Semenyo next season,” as a third wrote: “He looks like an absolute beast!” Meanwhile, another concluded: “What Enzo Maresca has turned Semenyo into is almost beyond recognition. At this point, he is better than Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Luis Diaz, I’m sorry.”

Playing much wider than he did under Guardiola, the Ghanaian international looks set to have another fine Premier League campaign, having already registered at least one assist in each of his side’s three pre-season friendlies so far.

Antoine Semenyo Can Somehow Find An Even Higher Gear

Antoine Semenyo
Antoine Semenyo

It’s quite ridiculous to think that people are speaking about the possibility of Semenyo finding a new gear next season. After all, he was one of the best performing Premier League players last season based on stats, contributing to 21 goals in 37 matches with both the Cityzens and Bournemouth, before his £62.5m switch in the winter.

But with Maresca a huge fan of wide formations and the key players in those areas – not forgetting his strike partner is none other than Erling Haaland – the 26-year-old might not have hit his prime yet.

That’s a worrying realisation for the rest of the country, especially as Arsenal and Liverpool struggle to find solutions on either flank heading into the new term.

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Newcastle Eyeing Move to Sign ‘World-Class’ Bayern Munich Star

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43 minutes ago

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August 9, 2026

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Newcastle United have reportedly set their sights on former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Joao Palhinha as they look to address Bruno Guimaraes’ departure.

Guimaraes left St James’ Park and joined Arsenal in a £75 million deal on Saturday, becoming the latest high-profile name to be sold. Sandro Tonali left for Tottenham Hotspur earlier this summer for £100m, meaning new manager Matthias Jaissle is extremely light in the middle of the park.

The Magpies are preparing for a new era under Jaissle who replaced Eddie Howe following his shock resignation. The German coach needs at least one new midfielder and it appears the higher-ups are plotting a move for one with proven Premier League experience.

Newcastle Eyeing Joao Palhinha

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Joao Palhinha celebrates Premier League win over Aston Villa via Reuters

According to Craig Hope of The Daily Mail, Newcastle are eyeing Palhinha and view him as an alternative to Pierre-Emile Hojberg. While they have held talks over a move for Hojberg, they could turn to Palhinha, who is expected to leave Bayern Munich this summer.

Palhinha spent last season on loan at Tottenham and impressed despite the Lilywhites’ relegation battle. Spurs opted against signing the Portuguese midfielder permanently and instead swooped for Tonali.

The 31-year-old’s future at Bayern is in doubt as Vincent Kompany prefers others in midfield, and this could lead to him joining a third Premier League club. Aston Villa are also interested in the former Fulham man, who has two years left on his contract at the Allianz Arena.

In the meantime, Newcastle are continuing to hold talks over a deal for Hojberg, which could cost around £13 million. While the Dane has indicated he is keen on joining Jaissle’s Magpies, there is still ‘work to do ‘, and that could lead to Palhinha arriving instead.

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Dwight McNeil & Brennan Johnson

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1 hour ago

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August 9, 2026

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Everton and Crystal Palace are progressing on a swap deal involving Dwight McNeil and Brennan Johnson, as Paul Joyce reveals the financial details.

McNeil came ever so close to making the move to Selhurst Park during the January transfer window of last season, but a deal fell through at the final hurdle.

Everton and Palace swap deal progress

Brennan Johnson (Crystal Palace) Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

According to reliable journalist Joyce, Everton and Crystal Palace are progressing on a swap deal involving both McNeil and Johnson in the summer transfer window.

It’s claimed that the deal would not involve any additional money and is a straight swap between the two players, with medicals potentially taking place as early as Monday.

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