Liverpool have now made contact over a potential move to sign a new attacker in 2025 as they look to bolster their ranks under Arne Slot and continue their epic start to life under the ex-Feyenoord man.

Liverpool have a Mo Salah problem

Currently leading the Premier League goalscoring charts and with the second most assists in the division behind only Bukayo Saka, Mohamed Salah is enjoying another phenomenal season at Anfield.

The Egyptian’s form is the key to Liverpool’s early season success, with the Reds two points clear at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand, and already qualified for the next stage of the Champions League thanks to six wins from six games, a feat that no one else can match.

Of their 31 Premier League goals, Salah has contributed to 22, meaning a mammoth 71% of his side’s goals are either scored or assisted by the winger. Though an impressive figure, he will need more support from players across the Reds frontline across the remainder of the campaign should Slot bring silverware back to Anfield in his first season, with only Luis Diaz having managed more than three goals besides Salah in the Liverpool squad.

Even if Salah is to agree a new contract, something that is reportedly increasingly likely, the Reds will need to find a way to take some of the goalscoring and creating burden off him in the months to come, and could turn to the transfer market to do so.

Liverpool in contact for in-form forward

Now, a fresh report from Sky Sports reporter Sacha Tavolieri has claimed that Liverpool have made contact with Atalanta star Ademola Lookman, possibly in a move as early as the January transfer window, as the Nigerian, previously of Everton, continues to impress in Serie A.

Lookman, who scored a hat-trick in the final to win the Europa League for La Dea last May, has managed eight goals and four assists in Serie A so far this season, as well as three goals and an assist in five Champions League outings, contributing to a goal or an assist roughly every 65 minutes as he helps spearhead Atalanta’s title charge.

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The Reds could sign a new centre-back for a huge fee next summer.

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Despite this form, however, Atalanta are reportedly happy for Lookman to leave and have told him that should a suitable offer come in they will not stand in the way of his departure. The former Everton man, who made 48 appearances for the Toffees, has been on the radar of clubs around Europe since last summer, but is keen to return to England, the report adds, and to that end, the Reds are one of several Premier League sides who “have already contacted his entourage” about a potential move.

It is added that the club “will not discuss” any offers below €50m (£41m) which could prove an obstacle to any potential transfer, while Liverpool’s current stable of forwards would likely need to be rebalanced to allow for Lookman’s arrival.

The move may be one that waits until the summer then, but with Lookman’s deal in Bergamo expiring in 2026, a departure seems likely in the near future, and Liverpool have thrown their hat into the ring for the ex-Everton man.

Glasgow Rangers finally won an Old Firm match under Philippe Clement on Thursday as the Ibrox side blew Celtic away with a phenomenal display in the traditional festive clash between the two.

Given the respective form of both teams, a 3-0 win for Rangers certainly didn’t appear on the radar, but the performance must give the manager hope that the second half of the season can be better than the first.

Much of the improved display against Celtic was down to a dynamic front four who worked well together to cause the defence all sorts of problems. Nedim Bajrami showed his class as a number ten, while Hamza Igamane’s movement drew opposition players out of position regularly.

It was the two wingers – Ianis Hagi and Vaclav Cerny – who proved to be the most creative in attack. Cerny hit the woodwork twice while Hagi not only scored the opener, but he also delivered eight crosses into the box and made four key passes during the course of the game.

It looks as though he is finally back to his brilliant best after a contract dispute threatened to end his Ibrox spell sooner than expected.

If he can maintain this sort of form, the Romanian will be a huge asset to Clement between now and the end of the campaign. That’s a certainty.

Ianis Hagi’s Rangers statistics

It is hard to believe that Steven Gerrard signed Hagi five years ago. The baby-faced attacking midfielder enjoyed a solid first few months in Glasgow, with the highlights being the two goals he scored against Braga to seal a 3-2 comeback win.

Throughout the 2020/21 season, the player played a starring role as the Gers won the Premiership title unbeaten. Hagi not only registered 18 goal contributions – seven goals and 11 assists – in the top flight alone, but he averaged one key pass per game while creating nine big chances.

Ianis Hagi’s stats in the Premiership for Rangers (full seasons only)

Metric

2020/21

2021/22

2024/25

Goals

7

2

1

Assists

11

0

3

Big chances created

6

2

3

Shots per game

1.8

2.4

2.2

Key passes per game

1

1.5

1.9

Via Sofascore

Hagi looked to build upon this during the following campaign and while he was a regular in the starting XI, against Stirling Albion in a Scottish Cup tie, the playmaker suffered a season-ending injury which halted his progress.

By the time he returned to full fitness, Michael Beale was in charge and clearly didn’t fancy him, sending him on loan to Alaves in La Liga for the 2023/24 season.

His commitment to the club is clear, managing to sort out the contractual dispute which threatened to end his stay in Glasgow, and it now looks like he could be an important player for the team.

With the winter window now open, Clement will be keen to make a few signings to add some much-needed depth to his first-team squad.

There have already been a few names linked with a move to Ibrox, but there is one player who has been touted with a move to Rangers before. Not only that, but he could be the next Hagi for the club…

Rangers keen on signing Romanian sensation

Before Christmas, the Daily Record claimed that Rangers were reportedly keen on a deal to sign FCSB midfielder Darius Olaru when the January transfer window opened.

The player has a release clause of just €4m (£3.3m) inserted into his contract, which makes him an attractive option for Clement, especially if some deadwood could be moved on this month.

The Ibrox side first began to show interest in Olaru a couple of years ago, even going as far as sending scouts to monitor his performances when Beale was in charge.

No move ever materialised then, but could 2025 be different? £3.3m might sound lavish considering the current financial issues as the club, but if a few players are sold, then a move for the FCSB star should be a priority.

Darius Olaru’s season in numbers

The 25-cap Romanian international has been in excellent form for his club side this season. Across 30 appearances in all competitions, he has scored 15 goals while registering seven assists.

Domestically, the attacking midfielder has been on fire. He has created six big chances, averaging three key passes per game along with averaging 3.3 shots per game, proving that he is a major attacking threat.

He has even shone in the Europa League, registering three goal contributions in just four matches, although he did miss the clash against Rangers due to suspension.

Bringing in a player of his ability would certainly boost the club, and it would also be beneficial for Hamza Igamane, who could work well playing ahead of Olaru.

Olaru could be a dream signing for Hamza Igamane

Igamane has been excellent since making his debut for the Light Blues at the start of September. He has scored eight times for the Light Blues in that time and has even attracted the interest of Everton too.

Having someone of Olaru’s stature playing just behind him and creating chance after chance would certainly allow the Moroccan striker to score more regularly.

When compared to positional peers in the Europa League this season, Olaru ranks in the top 10% for key passes per 90 (2.85) and in the top 19% for crosses per 90 (4.56), indicating that his teammates benefit from his creative talents in the final third.

Scottish content creator Kai Watson lavished praise on the midfielder in November 2024, saying:

It would be money well spent should Rangers make a concrete move to bring the Romanian to Ibrox and, after the success of his compatriot Hagi, Olaru could have a similar impact at the club.

Much will depend on other factors, but if Clement has the money available, then signing the FCSB sensation could improve further during his time in Scotland.

Related Rangers star who didn't even score just dropped a masterclass vs Celtic

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After going four games unbeaten on the trot in the Premier League, Everton rounded off their 2024 with a disappointing 2-0 defeat to high-flying Nottingham Forest.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side momentarily leap up to a surprise second spot in the top-flight standings off the back of this away day victory, whilst Sean Dyche’s Toffees look perilously over their shoulder again at the relegation zone in a precarious 16th position.

Dyche will have seen plenty in that performance that he wasn’t a fan of, as a number of his seasoned individuals let themselves down in the disheartening loss.

Everton's key underperformers vs Forest

It could be argued that both Jarrad Branthwaite and Vitaliy Mykolenko should be doing a lot more to try and thwart Forest’s opener on the day, as Chris Wood and Anthony Elanga were allowed lots of room to exchange passes before the clinical number 11 lifted a shot over Jordan Pickford’s head.

Both Branthwaite and Mykolenko weren’t alone in having a poor day at the office defensively, however, with Ashley Young way off the pace at right-back too, having squandered possession 18 times across his forgettable 68-minute shift, alongside winning just one pitiful duel.

At least the likes of Iliman Ndiaye attempted to be a bright spark for the lacklustre hosts, with four successful dribbles troubling the Forest defence at points, but other faces such as Jack Harrison in attack put in another dire showing with only nine accurate passes registered before he was deservedly hooked at half-time.

Dyche will just be happy that those four positive results before this thud back to reality means Everton have a three-point gap between themselves and Leicester City in 18th, but complacent displays like these will see them get sucked into a battle against the drop very quickly.

There was one player who miraculously managed to survive the 90 minutes that Dyche will have to consider dropping moving forward, especially as the games continue to come thick and fast in 2025.

Doucoure's performance in numbers

Abdoulaye Doucoure struggled throughout the 2-0 loss in the centre of the park, with his main moment of woe coming when Morgan Gibbs-White sealed the win with a second-half strike courtesy of the ex-Watford man feeling charitable.

The out-of-sorts number 16 would lackadaisically give the ball away for Elanga to retrieve, which then presented Gibbs-White with the perfect opportunity to smash an effort home past Pickford, after a ball from Wood found him free of any Everton shirts.

Stat

Doucoure

Minutes played

90

Touches

52

Accurate passes

38/45 (84%)

Key passes

2

Possession lost

10x

Shots on goal

1

Total tackles

2

Errors leading to goal

1

Total duels won

4/10

Looking at the table above, Doucoure had an afternoon to forget away from just this error in isolation, with possession given up a costly ten times, alongside also losing out on 60% of his duels as the likes of Nicolas Dominguez for the away side looked far stronger centrally.

The 31-year-old’s dire showing didn’t go unnoticed by Liverpool Echo journalist Chris Beesley, who handed out a low 4/10 rating to the Malian at the full-time whistle, stating that although he showed ‘plenty of endeavour’, his mix-up for Gibbs-White’s game-clinching goal was an ‘almighty mess.’

Dyche could be tempted to freshen his side up centrally, therefore, but he doesn’t have a plethora of options to choose from, owing to both James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam having injury difficulties of late.

But, moving into 2025, the Toffees will pray that more bodies are available in the midfield areas, with Doucoure nowhere near the standard required of him versus Forest.

Chalkboard

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

Whilst Everton’s opponents on the day now sit pretty in second, Toffees fans will be worried their side is going to be inevitably pushed back into a relegation scrap if this performance is anything to go by

Everton and Dyche now want to sign new right-back and winger in January

They are seen as priority areas for Sean Dyche.

ByHenry Jackson Dec 29, 2024

Big picture

In episode 20, season one of cult TV hit some of the Bluth Company assets are unfrozen leading to Michael, head and signatory by virtue of being the only competent Bluth, fielding requests for cash from various family members. At the end of his tether by the time his brother, Gob, and brother-in-law, Tobias, get to him, he suggests the pair come up with a business proposal to earn their money.Gob and Tobias retreat to a local coffee shop for a brainstorming session that goes nowhere. But as they go to leave, Michael walks in and, before they tell him of their fruitless conversation, he commends them for their initiative as he had always been interested in opening a coffee shop. They say nothing in response, and slowly back out of the shop, wary of ruining the perception they a) have a plan, and b) know how to pull it off. A bluff that lasts barely a week when all they managed to come up with is the name – “Gobias”. As in, “go buy us” a coffee.We are probably not at that stage with “Bazball” just yet. But as remarkable as the men’s Test team have been these last two weeks, it’s hard not to shake the feeling its veneration, perhaps even the ethos itself, has been bestowed upon them without a thorough idea of what it actually entails. And as much as the players can talk up the cleansing powers of Brendon McCullum and the contagious brilliance of Ben Stokes, the cynics are still wondering if this emperor has simply gone on a spending spree.As such, Headingley provides as much of an opportunity to reinforce the method behind the mantra or pull at a rogue thread on the invisible garment. The trick for England is to react calmly whatever the result: not get too full of of themselves with a 3-0 win, and keep faith in these principles even if New Zealand get on the board – two things previous iterations of this England team have not done exactly done well.For now there remains a humility within the squad that there is more learning to be done. They know the adrenalin shot of a Stokes-Bairstow partnership won’t always come off, or that chasing down scores of 299 inside 50 overs of the final day means all the ills of the last few years have been cured.Ben Stokes tees off in the nets ahead of the third Test•PA Images via Getty Images

Training on the final day was no less serious with a series won. And it was particularly noteworthy that Harry Brook, who won’t have the glory of a home debut, peppered all parts of Headingley during his net session, much to the enjoyment of managing director Rob Key, who was at the ground after making his way up yesterday. Those on the periphery are keen to adopt the new way, and it will be interesting to see how much of that filters through as it did with the white-ball revolution seven years earlier.By contrast, New Zealand’s practice was far more jovial in a bid to lift spirits after what has been a taxing few weeks. Along with the defeats has been the jeopardy of waking up every morning to some kind of Covid news.Thankfully for all concerned, it seems they are through the storm. Kane Williamson, fit and present, focussed on two good games for the neutral but will no doubt to be keen to make up for time spent in his hotel room during the second Test.Related

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In many ways, there is no better venue to follow on from the high of Trent Bridge. They do good Test matches up in Leeds, most obviously the blockbuster against Australia in 2019, which happened to be Stokes’ last game here for his country. A mental-health break last summer meant he missed the innings-and-76-run victory against India in 2021 – the team’s only success in 17 attempts until the start of this summer. This is a place of comfort for English cricket. Or at least it used to be.The cloud of the racism scandal engulfing Yorkshire County Cricket Club got an extra burst of smog last week when the ECB announced that the club and several of its current and former players will face charges following the conclusion of the board’s investigations. Those cases will be heard by the Cricket Discipline Commission panel in September and October, but the fact this Test remains here will be a sour note for many. It was back in November that the ECB suspended Yorkshire from hosting international matches given their appalling handling of the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal.Those sanctions were lifted in March – a move welcomed by Rafiq. But the change the ECB wished to see has been slow and by no means steady. In a week to be celebrated, there is a sense those involved with the club, both at the time of the scandal and now, are praying the match passes as quietly and quickly as possible.

In the spotlight

An environment of celebrating wins is kept ticking along day-to-day by the bonhomie of celebrating other people’s successes. And so far 11 of the 12 players who have turned out for England in this series have had something to take home and frame. Zak Crawley, though, remains uncelebrated. The only batter to have not registered at least one half-century – a 43 in the first innings at Lord’s his highest score so far – Crawley is nursing an average of 14 that puts him below James Anderson (16) and well adrift of his opening partner, Alex Lees (39).There cannot be a much worse feeling than that of a failing batter in a successful team. The added sour taste for Crawley is that, of the openers picked in the last few years, he is the most perfect fit for what this side are trying to be about. There’s an argument to be made that he got out to the two best deliveries sent down by Trent Boult, New Zealand’s best bowler, in the second Test. But that will only console him so far. The of this England set-up is to give people opportunities to come good. As is always the case for anyone searching for form, the best time to find it is the present.On the other side of the fence, Kane Williamson finds himself in the unique position of being doubted. Former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull, currently working for Sky out in the Netherlands, stated his belief Williamson should walk away from the captaincy to prolong his status as the nation’s best batter. When the thought was put to Williamson, it was typically met with the softest of straight bats: “The picture of leadership in this side is something I’m very passionate about”. He then went a bit cryptic, talking of “a number of leaders in this team that share that passion to take steps forward and become a better side”. Whatever he decides, and whenever he decides, his body language and tactics will be under the microscope to monitor any lapses in “desire” for the job. Throw into the fact he has just one century and one fifty since the start of 2021 – albeit from nine innings, and with 238 at the start of that sequence – you’ve got the makings of quite the narrative.

Team news

Ben Stokes made it a hat-trick of announcing the team 24 hours in advance. There is just one change, though not for the captain who pulled through in good spirits after a few days of an undisclosed illness. Jamie Overton will make his international debut as a replacement for James Anderson who has reported discomfort in his ankle. It is believed that, if push came to shove, Anderson could have turned out, though the opportunity to see Overton crank it up and give Anderson a few days off ahead of facing India at Edgbaston next week made it an easy decision to take.England: 1 Alex Lees, 2 Zak Crawley, 3 Ollie Pope, 4 Joe Root, 5 Jonny Bairstow, 6 Ben Stokes (capt), 7 Ben Foakes (wk), 8 Matthew Potts, 9 Jamie Overton, 10 Jack Leach, 11 Stuart BroadNeil Wagner has put his hand up for selection•PA Images via Getty Images

Williamson confirmed a squad of 13 a day out, which is the touring party minus its newest additions Dane Cleaver and Blair Tickner. His return is likely to be in place for Michael Bracewell, and it looks like we will finally get a sight of Neil Wagner on this tour as he comes in to replace the injured Kyle Jamieson. One particular sticking point may be the need for a spinner, given how the pitch looks like it will play, which could bring Ajaz Patel back into the reckoning as the superior spinner, even after bowling just two overs in the Test he played at Lord’s.New Zealand (possible): 1 Tom Latham, 2 Will Young, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Devon Conway, 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Henry Nicholls, 7 Tom Blundell (wk), 8 Tim Southee, 9 Neil Wagner, 10 Matt Henry/Ajaz Patel, 11 Trent Boult

Pitch and conditions

The rains expected over the weekend are probably not going to be enough to guarantee this game will go to five days. But the look of the pitch – the beigest so far this series – a day out suggests it will require a decent amount of graft from the bowlers to prise 20 wickets. England chose to bowl first at Trent Bridge last week and conceded 553, and though that worked out fine in the end, it’s probably not an approach they’ll look to take again.

Stats and trivia

• Stokes is one six away from 100 in Test cricket. Should he hit eight, as he did in his brain-melting 135 not out against Australia here three years ago, he will go level at the top with his coach McCullum (108)
• England have the opportunity to sweep a team in a multi-match series at home for the first time since 2013, when they won both matches of their series also against New Zealand. Their previous wash of any kind came in the 2-0 win away to Sri Lanka at the start of 2021.

Quotes

“For me, my message is clear and simple: let’s try to progress from that. It’s hard to put into words how we do that this week, but I said this week let’s feel like we’re in the entertainment business and not the sports business. That’s the only real way I could put into simple terms for everyone.”
Ben Stokes wants his side to go bigger, again“There’s a lot of pride in that changing room from some of the performances we’ve put out over the last few years. If we’re fair we probably haven’t been at the standards we want to be as a group, it’s nice to have one game to go out and play like we know we can.”

Trent Boult believes New Zealand can remind people how good they are and why they are World Test champions

كشف خوان لابورتا، رئيس نادي برشلونة، في تصريحاته الأخيرة عن مستقبل المدرب، هانز فليك مع الفريق، مع النجاحات الكبيرة التي حققها في أول موسم له مع العملاق الكتالوني.

ووقع فليك مع برشلونة قبل بداية الموسم الحالي حتى 30 يونيو 2026، لكن هناك رغبة من قبل الإدارة للاستمرار لسنوات أخرى.

اقرأ أيضًا.. تشيزني: هذا ما فكرت به قبل تسجيل كوندي هدف فوز برشلونة أمام ريال مدريد

وقال لابورتا في تصريحات لإذاعة “RAC1” الكتالونية، بمناسبة فوز الفريق بكأس ملك إسبانيا على ريال مدريد: “فليك يعلم أننا نريد أن تستمر هذه المرحلة لأطول فترة ممكنة، فهو يناسبنا بخبراته الإنسانية والرياضية، وطريقته في فهم أسلوب النادي”.

وأضاف: “لكن فليك مدرب يفضل أن يأخذ الأمور عامًا بعد عام، وتكون هناك سنة للمتابعة أكثر للعمل الذي يقومون به مع الفريق، لدينا فليك لهذا الموسم والموسم المقبل، والإدارة الرياضية تقوم بما يجب فعله من أجل التخطيط للمستقبل القريب”.

كما أشار لابورتا إلى أن قرار استمرار فليك يعود إلى الإدارة الرياضية التي قامت بتحليل الجوانب الفنية والإنسانية له.

وكشف لابورتا عن دور المدير الرياضي، في التعاقد مع فليك: “من قرر أن يكون فليك مدربًا للفريق الأول هو ديكو بجانب بويان كركيتش، أعجبني هانز من البداية، أردت التعاقد معه”.

وفي سياق آخر، تحدث لابورتا عن فوز برشلونة بكأس الملك على ريال مدريد، قائلاً: “فلورنتينو بيريز هنأني بعد المباراة، لدينا علاقة الاحترام، لقد ركزنا عليها من الجانب الرياضي ولم نفكر في أي شيء آخر”.

وعن تحكيم المباراة، أبدى لابورتا رضاه عن أداء الحكم (ريكاردو دي بورجوس)، قائلاً: “أنا شخصيًا أحببت التحكيم بشكل عام، في بعض القرارات أخذ رأي الـVAR، ولا يوجد شيء لأقوله، لا شيء مثالي، كان جيدًا”.

وفي الختام، تطرق لابورتا إلى احتفاله بهدف جول كوندي القاتل في المباراة، قائلاً: “لقد قفزت من مكاني، لكنني لم أرد أن أكون غير محترم، رفعت ذراعي ثم جلست بسرعة، كان رد فعل عفويًا”.

Dhananjaya de Silva played a crucial hand with both bat and ball in a last-ball thriller

Andrew Fidel Fernando21-Jun-2022

Australia seemed to be flying towards their target at one point, but were ambushed by Sri Lanka’s spinners with 70 to get. They limped their way through the late overs, and fought valiantly to take this twisting match to the last ball. But Sri Lanka held on by their fingertips to send a raucous Khettarama into raptures.Having let what seemed like a comfortable final over become dire by conceding three fours to Australia’s No. 10 Matthew Kuhnemann, Dasun Shanaka bowled a slower ball with five to defend and had the batter sky the ball to Charith Asalanka, who took a comfortable catch at cover.Sri Lanka’s phalanx of spinners, especially Dhananjaya de Silva and Jeffrey Vandersay, scripted the victory, but the biggest contribution came from the bat of Asalanka, who scored his maiden ODI century after he and de Silva lifted Sri Lanka from 34 for 3 with a century-stand, de Silva making a smooth 60 off 61.De Silva then claimed two wickets in a crucial middle-overs passage that sucked the air out of Australia’s chase. Among his victims was David Warner, whose 99 off 112 seemed to have set Australia on track for a series-levelling victory.The four-run win sealed the series 3-1 – Sri Lanka’s first bilateral series victory at home over this opposition in 30 years.That Shanaka was bowling the final over at all was somewhat counterintuitive. With Australia needing 19, perhaps the thinking was that a No. 10 could smear a spinner out of the ground with more ease than a seam bowler. Legspinner Vandersay, however, had been bowling beautifully from that end, having claimed two wickets in the night, and conceding only 10 from his two previous death overs.Having missed the first ball, Kuhnemann blasted a four past point, shovelled Shanaka over his shoulder to the fine leg boundary, then bashed him over mid-on to set up the last-ball finish. Following several mid-pitch conferences and messages from bowling consultant Lasith Malinga, who was prowling the boundary, a Sri Lankan heartbreak was avoided.Warner’s wicket in the 38th over was a turning point in the chase•AFP

Australia too may reflect that they were surging toward victory at one point. With Warner closing in on a well-deserved hundred, and Travis Head batting comfortably, they had 70 to get with 86 balls available, with six wickets in hand and likes of Glenn Maxwell still to come. The series seemed to be headed to a decider. But in nine balls the chase nosedived. Head was out first, as de Silva pushed one through quickly, and the batter played around it, his feet glued.The next two wickets were huge: those of Maxwell, perhaps Australia’s best batter of the tour so far, and Warner, who had paced his innings beautifully. Maheesh Theekshana got Maxwell lbw through a review. He turned his googly sharply, and hit the batter above the knee-roll, pleading in appeal. When it was turned down he was adamant the decision be sent upstairs. The result was three reds – the ball hitting the batter in line with off, and projected to crash into leg stump.Then, next over, de Silva pulled Warner out of his crease with a flighted, hard-spun delivery, which beat the batter’s outside edge. Wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella took the bails off before Warner could regain his ground. If he had hit that extra run, it would have been his 19th ODI ton.Australia continued to fight, primarily through Pat Cummins whose 35 off 41, which comprised mostly singles, as he took the game deep. With 19 needed off 8, though, Chamika Karunaratne hit him in front of the stumps with a yorker, as he attempted to whip the ball to leg. With Australia’s No. 10 and 11 now together in the middle, that should have been the death of Australia’s chances. Then Kuhnemann made a stand in the final over.Asalanka and de Silva set-up Sri Lanka’s inningsAlthough de Silva’s half-century was full of all the delectable de Silva strokes – the square drives, the jaunts down the ground, and the sweeps, including the lofted one over midwicket that he used to particularly good effect – Asalanka’s innings began nervily. Having arrived while Australia’s quicks were dominant, he could have been out twice in his first six balls, most extraordinarily when a Cummins delivery shaved his leg stump but failed to dislodge the bail.De Silva kept the bowlers at bay during their 101-run partnership, but after he left, Asalanka took control, peppering the midwicket boundary in particular, with runs generally flowing heavily on the leg side. It took him 60 balls to get to 50, then only 39 more to complete his first international hundred. He forged significant partnerships with Dunith Wellalage and Wanindu Hasaranga, and at one stage seemed to be taking Sri Lanka to a score of around 280. But then, he holed out to deep midwicket against Cummins, in the 48th over.Then Sri Lanka lost their two final wickets to silly run outs – having earlier also lost Shanaka the same way – and ended up with a competitive total instead of an imposing one.Australia’s bowling had largely been carried by their quicks. Cummins and Mitchell Marsh took two wickets apiece. While Kuhnemann also claimed two, he went at seven an over, where Cummins and Marsh maintained economy rates of a little over four. The other spinner, Maxwell, had provided the first wicket, but conceded runs at 6.12.Sri Lanka, meanwhile, had fielded four frontline spinners, and no specialist quick. Eight bowlers were put to use in the defence of 259.

Gloucestershire opener 109* but sees his team slip from 156 for 2 to 279 for 7

ECB Reporters Network26-Jun-2022Chris Dent’s second LV= Insurance County Championship century of the season failed to prevent Lancashire edging an absorbing first day against Gloucestershire at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol.The experienced opener continued a highly impressive season by scoring an unbeaten 109 off 246 balls, with 16 fours, but saw his team slip from 156 for 2 to close on 279 for 7.Left-arm spinner Jack Morley, who celebrated his 21st birthday on the eve of the match, claimed 3 for 79 from 23 overs on only his second first-class appearance, while there were two wickets each for Tom Bailey and Luke Wood.Dent’s innings took his tally of runs from just eight Championship innings in an injury-hit season to 484 at an average of over 80. But his team had only themselves to blame for a series of poor shots, having elected to take first use of what looked an excellent batting pitch.Only 14 overs were possible in a morning session twice interrupted by showers. By lunch, the hosts had reached 30 without loss, with George Scott on 19 and Dent 11.The rain breaks meant Lancashire opening bowlers Bailey and Will Williams could extend their spells, Bailey striking with the first ball of his ninth over when Scott, on 23, edged to Keaton Jennings at second slip.The opening stand had been worth 38. Soon Dent and Glenn Phillips, who hit Williams straight for six off the back foot, were building on it positively.Dent struck three fours off the first seven deliveries he received from Wood, who was also pulled for six by Phillips before the overseas signing surrendered his wicket.On 19, with the total 85, he lofted Morley straight down the throat of George Balderson at deep square.Dent moved to his fifty with a pulled four off Williams, having faced 113 balls and hit 10 fours, receiving good support from fellow left-hander Miles Hammond as they added 62 by tea, which was taken at 147 for 2.An evening session of 40 overs began with Hammond, having moved stylishly to 37, carelessly driving a full, wide ball from Bailey straight to Steven Croft at point to leave his side 156 for 3.It signalled a turning point. James Bracey progressed to 15 effortlessly, but then clipped a full ball from Wood off his toes in the air to mid-wicket where Williams took a fine sharp catch.Ryan Higgins became the next Gloucestershire player to fall to a poorly executed shot, skying an attempted slog sweep off Morley to slip and departing for 11.When Oliver Price went lbw to the next ball, hit on the back pad, the home team had slumped to 209 for 6, with only Dent showing the necessary level of durability.Tom Price could make only a single before, having been softened up by some quick short balls from Wood, he was yorked by the left-arm seamer from around the wicket to make it 214 for 7.By then Dent had moved untroubled to 86 and looked in danger of running out of partners. But he found a more reliable one in Zafar Gohar and moved calmly to a 235-ball ton in the 84th over, shortly after the second new ball had been taken.Gofar was unbeaten on 31 at stumps, having helped to rescue a sinking ship.On the previous occasion when Dent reached three figures this summer, he went on to make 207 not out against Surrey at Bristol.

MatériaMais Notícias

Adversário do Corinthians neste sábado (16), às 19h, na Neo Química Arena, o Avaí vem de uma vitória sobre o América-MG no Campeonato Brasileiro e está louco para aprontar novamente.

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Como ‘espião’ do clube catarinense, com informações do Leão, o setorista do Avaí, Eduardo Fernandes, da VEG Esportes, conversou com o repórter do L!, Fábio Lázaro, para falar sobre virtudes e defeiros do oponente corintiano pelo Brasieirão na segunda edição do Papo de Setorista versão Timão.

Assista!

> GUIA – Confira tudo sobre o Corinthians para a disputa do Brasileirão
> TABELA – Veja a tabela e simule os jogos do TImão no Brasileiro
> GALERIA – Veja todos os técnicos estrangeiros do Corinthians

The American striker scored the lone goal in the match with three minutes to spare to hand the Canaries all three points

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• USMNT's Sargent wins match for Norwich with brilliant solo goal
• in promotion race
• Striker has 13 goals for English side in 2024-25 season

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  U.S. men's national team striker Josh Sargent scored a spectacular solo effort in the dying minutes of Norwich City's Championship clash with West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, with the 24-year-old finding the back of the net in the 92nd minute of the contest to lift the to a 1-0 victory.

  The strike was Sargent's 13th goal of the Championship campaign, and it handed them a crucial three points as the race for promotion to the Premier League heats up as the campaign winds down.

  With the victory, Norwich shot up to 10th place in the standings on 52 points – while they trail sixth-place West Brom by just five points in the final playoff spot of the league table.

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• WATCH THE CLIP

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Sargent, while on USMNT duty in the CONCACF Nations League in March, was blanked in front of net in the lone match he played in. The striker started the semifinal match against Panama, but his scoreless streak on the international stage – dating back to 2019 – continued as he did not find the back of the net.

  It's been nearly six years since he struck for the U.S. – even though he's just 24 years old.

  For the in 2024-25, though, he's been nothing short of spectacular with 13 goals and five assists across all competitions for the English side.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR NORWICH?

  The return to the pitch next Saturday for a clash against Plymouth Argyle.

Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi says he "adores" Mason Greenwood and that he will be involved against Reims this weekend.

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Greenwood criticised by De ZerbiBenches Marseile forward twiceSays he "adores" ex-Man Utd starFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

De Zerbi criticised Greenwood earlier this month, saying he "expected more from him" and dropped him to the bench. Now, the former Brighton head coach has praised the 23-year-old's efforts in training and opened the door to returning him to the starting lineup on Saturday at Reims.

AdvertisementAFPWHAT ROBERTO DE ZERBI SAID

He told reporters: "He's someone I really adore, just as I adore his father. He had a bit of a difficult time with the birth of a daughter. He's not used to playing intense seasons as a main player. He didn't push 100% and his physical condition declined. My project is to create something. Luis Enrique in Paris, he created a soul, a way of thinking, for example. He agreed to train before the group. He trained very well this week. When he pushes and feels good, in my team, he's the one who plays with 10 other players. If he doesn't, not because he's a bad boy, well he has to stay on the bench. Tomorrow, he'll play."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Greenwood has arguably been Marseille's best player this season, scoring 16 goals and bagging three assists. That is why many would have been shocked to see the one-time England international among the substitutes in their last two Ligue 1 games. De Zerbi is trying to make it clear that nobody is bigger than the team, while pointing to the harmony that Luis Enrique has instilled at Paris Saint-Germain. But it is a fine line as Greenwood has been linked with big transfer moves this summer, and instances like this may push him to seek an exit.

AFPWHAT NEXT?

Greenwood, who swapped Manchester United for Marseille last summer for £27 million ($35m), will hope to be in his team's starting XI on Saturday at 4pm against Reims.