Time is running out for Zak Crawley to reward England's infatuation when the plunge into mediocrity is always lurking round the corner, writes RICHARD GIBSON

More from Sports

• Virgil van Dijk admits 'unacceptable' Liverpool flops are letting Arne Slot down after slumping into the bottom half of the table

• THINGS WE LEARNED: Why Eddie Howe will be delighted with Nick Woltemade's missed chances, the star who answered doubts - and the midfield tweak that inspired Newcastle's 2-1 win over Man City

• Lando Norris DISQUALIFIED from Las Vegas Grand Prix leaving Brit sweating in close world championship race

• Nathan Lyon reveals Travis Head's stunning five-word prediction just before the century that saved the Ashes Test for Australia

• Micky van de Ven misses out for Spurs in defence, while there is a glaring Gunners omission: Stats boffins reveal Arsenal vs Tottenham combined XI

• Sky Sports forced to apologise as Lando Norris drops F-bomb in live post-race interview - leaving Max Verstappen and George Russell in stitches

• Bazball has lost the element of surprise - far from improving, England's progress under Brendon McCullum has stalled, writes LAWRENCE BOOTH

• Premier League stars 'could quit living in the UK over homesick WAGs - with clubs now hiring care teams to help unhappy partners settle better'

• Footballers who were forced to sell their medals - including Pele and EIGHT 1966 World Cup heroes - and the heartbreaking reasons why they couldn't keep them

• From running a SEWAGE company to opening his own tattoo parlour: The Liverpool cult hero who made very strange career choices after retiring

• Liverpool transfer blunder is haunting the champions. They have lost their fear factor and £125m Alexander Isak looks like a kid playing  in a men's game, writes LEWIS STEELE

• Formula One icon Sir Jackie Stewart opens up on his wife's heartbreaking dementia battle, which includes 'violent' episodes towards her nurses

• Donald Trump ally shares heartwarming Cristiano Ronaldo story after failing to recognize him at the White House

• Newcastle 2-1 Man City: Two-goal hero Harvey Barnes clears the clouds as Eddie Howe breaks his 18-game hoodoo against Pep Guardiola's side

• Emma Raducanu sparks dating rumours after posting new pictures on social media with mystery man

• Fans stunned as Phil Foden is DENIED penalty after Man City star was wiped out by Fabian Schar - with VAR clearing Newcastle defender's challenge

• Pep Guardiola loses his rag at full-time of Newcastle defeat as he confronts Bruno Guimaraes, match officials and even argues with a CAMERAMAN

• Zak Crawley comes under fire as pundits and fans question England opener's place in the side after he set unwanted record in dismal first Ashes Test showing

• Tottenham star hits back at Jamie Carragher's scathing criticism of his game - and brands TV pundits as 'embarrassing'

• Sol Campbell: Mikel Arteta must win silverware this season - and nothing sends a statement like beating Spurs