Joey Barton was pleased with John Marquis’ application after Bristol Rovers claimed a 2-0 win at Shrewsbury.
Just before Marquis grabbed his goal, he was involved in a controversial decision at the other end of the pitch.
Shrewsbury won a corner in the 70th minute and the ball reached the back post where Chey Dunkley was lurking.
The Salop captain looked to have been bundled to the floor by Marquis, but referee Tom Reeves waved away the appeals.
Three minutes later, the away side broke the deadlock when Aaron Collins drilled in a low cross to Marquis, who, from close range, tapped home at the near post.
Rovers wrapped up all three points in the 90th minute when Collins bundled the ball over the line to get his side’s second league win of the season.
Barton said: “I thought lots of aspects of it (the game) were really good. It’s a tricky pitch and they have obviously prepared that for us!
“It didn’t allow us to play the way we wanted to play, which is entirely at their discretion as it’s their stadium, but I thought we had to remain calm and patient.
“They have tested us as well and got some vital blocks in there and good defending at times.
“Jevani Brown came on and found that little pocket and a great through ball to Aaron (Collins). (It was) a hell of a ball in from Az (Aaron) and it wasn’t an easy finish that, so I’m delighted for John.
“I thought his attitude and application in the midst of the Jonson Clarke-Harris saga was first class and he kept working hard and didn’t get disappointed and sulk and moan because we were linked with another striker, and as it was, that didn’t happen.”
Shrewsbury boss Matt Taylor said: “I felt we were comfortable in the game. We most definitely had the better moments up to the point at which they scored, which is avoidable, but we weren’t ruthless enough in the final third.
“We created 12 chances and haven’t scored again, so we’re getting in those areas. We were on top for the majority of the game until they scored.
“We concede a goal from a mistake and it puts a pin in all the hard work that we’ve been doing.
“Now, we haven’t scored enough goals, so we must look at that and accept that and address that.
“So the players are understandably upset that we’ve lost a game of football where I feel it should be a 0-0 at worst for us.
“Joe and his team will be happy; it’s the perfect away performance for them. They’ve hit us on the counter-attack and scored from a set play.”
Vlahovic out of Juventus clash with Milan
Dusan Vlahovic will miss Juventus' trip to Milan in Serie A this weekend and is also a doubt for the Champions League game at Aston Villa, head coach Thiago Motta has confirmed.
Vlahovic returned from the international break with a muscle problem in his left thigh, and the manager, after he confirmed the Serbian's absence for Saturday's game at San Siro, was asked about his chances of playing on Wednesday at Villa Park.
"I don't know. He definitely won't be there tomorrow. We hope to have him back as soon as possible," Motta told a press conference on Friday.
"Injuries are part of football. Now it's Vlahovic's turn, but we'll keep playing with the same principles, attacking and defending together."
Vlahovic is the latest of Motta's injury problems at Juventus. Argentine winger Nicolas Gonzalez missed the last six league games and is still unavailable, while Poland striker Arkadiusz Milik is a long-term absentee.
Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz will also miss the game with Milan and defender Juan Cabal recently suffered an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury, the same issue which will keep fellow defender Gleison Bremer out for the rest of the season.
"I'm really disappointed for Cabal because, like Bremer, he'll be out for a long time," Motta said.
"This is another reason to push ourselves, to commit that bit more so that these absences don't weigh too heavily."
Juventus go into the game as the only unbeaten side in Serie A but find themselves sixth in the standings in what is so far a very tight title race, with just two points separating Motta's side from leaders Napoli.
"It's very balanced and this is good for both us and the public," Motta said.
"We must all try to continue like this. We have to try to get as many positive results as possible."
Milan are one place behind Juve but six points off Motta's side.
Serie A side Genoa confirm sacking of head coach Gilardino
Serie A side Genoa have confirmed the departure of their head coach Alberto Gilardino, with Patrick Vieira reportedly on his way in.
Gilardino, a World Cup winner with Italy in 2006, leaves the club with them sitting just one point above the relegation size with 10 points from 12 matches this season.
A former striker who played for clubs including Genoa, Parma, AC Milan and Fiorentina, Gilardino took charge of Genoa in 2022 and helped them earn promotion to the top division before a 11th-place finish during the 2023-24 season.
"The club thanks Gilardino for the goals achieved together over the years and wishes him the best for his career," Genoa said in a statement.
The 42-year-old saw his side salvage a late 1-1 draw against Cesc Fabregas' Como in their last match before the international break.
Genoa were also knocked out of the Coppa Italia in the second round following a defeat to Sampdoria on penalties in September.
Arsenal legend Vieira is set to replace him, according to multiple reports.
The former France midfielder has been out of work since leaving Strasbourg by mutual consent in July.
Doncic backs Mbappe to turn fortunes around at Real Madrid
NBA superstar Luka Doncic has backed Kylian Mbappe to "figure it out" after his underwhelming start to life at Real Madrid.
Mbappe has scored eight goals in 16 games for Madrid in all competitions since joining as a free agent following the expiration of his Paris Saint-Germain contract.
He has gone four matches without a goal – a run that includes losses to Barcelona and Milan – and has been left out of France's latest squad.
However, Dallas Mavericks guard Doncic – a Real Madrid supporter due to his previous ties with the sports club – can see Mbappe turning things around.
"Obviously [their season] could be better," Doncic told Managing Madrid after the Mavericks' win over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.
"But when you get a guy like Mbappe, it takes some time to get used to it. We'll figure it out."
Mbappe has scored six goals in 11 LaLiga appearances for Madrid but has underperformed his season's expected goals (xG) total by 2.04.
The forward is averaging a goal every 166 minutes in all competitions this term, compared to one every 88 minutes for PSG in his last of seven seasons in Paris.
Madrid thrashed Osasuna 4-0 last time out in the league to return to winning ways but still trail leaders Barcelona by six points.
Asked about his connections with Madrid, former Los Blancos basketball player Doncic said: "I follow Real Madrid every time.
"I grew up there. They taught me everything, so it's a part of my life. You can call it a secondary home.
"I learned a lot of stuff there and, especially, they gave me a way to be here right now [in Dallas]. I always appreciate that 100%."
Madrid return to action after the international break with a trip to Leganes on Sunday.
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