Postponed
Portsmouth’s Championship clash with Millwall was postponed after Fratton Park was plunged into darkness for 40 minutes.
Just 11 minutes before the scheduled 7.45pm kick-off all the lights went out at the south coast ground and did not return until 8.15pm – as fans entertained themselves by using torches on their phones and chanting.
The players returned to the pitch to warm up at 8.40pm but the match was called off for “safety reasons” shortly after, with the announcement met by loud boos.
A Portsmouth statement read: “Tonight’s match against Millwall has been postponed for safety reasons due (to) circumstances beyond the club’s control.”
Millwall added: “Millwall Football Club regrets to inform supporters that tonight’s match has been postponed due to a power failure in the local area.
“We thank fans for their patience and support this evening. Fans in the away end will be safely escorted to the railway station once the home fans have left Fratton Park.”
Ruud no to
Ruud van Nistelrooy is set to be named Leicester manager, talkSPORT understands.
Van Nistelrooy impressed the Foxes hierarchy during his two wins against them as Manchester United’s interim boss.
The Foxes also considered West Brom’s Carlos Corberan and England under-21 coach Lee Carsley but were reluctant to pay compensation.
Graham Potter was also a target but did not want the job.
Challenge
Ruben Amorim wants more goals from Marcus Rashford and his Manchester United team-mates as the new head coach looks to mark his maiden match in the Old Trafford dugout with a first win.
A manic month that started with the 39-year-old being named Erik ten Hag’s successor ends with him leading the Red Devils out on home soil against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League.
United were held to a 1-1 draw at Ipswich on Sunday in Amorim’s first match, with Rashford’s early opener cancelled out on a day that highlighted the work required.
The Portuguese warned afterwards they will “suffer for a long period” as he attempts to implement his style on a team whose lack of cutting edge played a part in Ten Hag’s exit.
“Of course there is a concern in that but I think we have to improve as a team,” Amorim said.
“Because we have quality players who can score so many goals. But you can feel it in the second half (at Ipswich). We control possession of the ball but we were not dangerous.
“Maybe because we spend the week trying to work on build up and then the rest was not working.
“We will try to improve as a team and Rasmus (Hojlund), then Josh (Zirkzee) and Rash will score more goals, even Bruno (Fernandes) has to score more goals. Amad (Diallo) has to be better near the goal.
“All these guys need to improve, and we can score so many goals. You are trying to (ask) if I need a new striker to score goals. We need to improve as a team and these players can score more goals.”
Prem to president
A former Manchester City star is set to become the new president of Georgia.
Mikheil Kavelashvili is expected to be elected to the largely ceremonial position.
It comes after he was nominated by the ruling Georgian Dream party.
As a player Kavelashvili scored nine goals in 46 caps for Georgia.
He also played in Russia and Switzerland alongside a three-year spell with City.
During that time, he made four Premier League appearances, with his only league goal coming in a defeat to Manchester United in April 1996.
Family affair
Chelsea are set to sign the son of a Premier League cult hero, the Daily Mail reports.
The Blues are understood to be in talks with Watford over compensation for the signing of 15-year-old Mathis Eboue.
Despite his age, the teenager has already played for the Hornets’ under-21 side.
Meanwhile, his name will be familiar to fans of Arsenal as he is the son of former Ivory Coast right-back Emmanuel Eboue.
The young forward scored the winner for England’s under-16s against France in the U16 Challenge Trophy in Spain last month.
His dad previously made 132 league appearances for the Gunners, scoring five goals, during six years in North London.
City case update
Manchester City’s legal case for their alleged 115 breaches of Premier League rules could continue beyond the end of the season.
According to The Times, the hearing will not be finished until mid-December.
As a result, it is expected that any potential appeal would not be resolved before the end of May 2025.
The revelation presents a potential headache for the Premier League if any sanctions imposed would impact on other clubs.
Meanwhile, the hearing in London is currently paused whilst City and the Premier League prepare their closing arguments.
Once the judgement is delivered, it would take several months to process any appeal from either party.
