Tag Futebol

Matt Henry left promotion-chasing Worcestershire a parting gift as Northants succumbed meekly to a three-day defeat

Vithushan Ehantharajah12-Jul-2016
ScorecardMatt Henry proclaimed that the promotion challenge is on•Getty Images

Through fight, skill and sheer bloody-mindedness, Worcestershire secured their first win at Wantage Road since 2006, by 311 runs without the need for a fourth day. “At least we’ve got the day off tomorrow,” said a non-playing employee clearing up in the members lounge, as the players left the field just before 6pm on day three.They were probably oblivious to the fact that this was Northants’ heaviest run defeat to Worcestershire and seventh worst against any side. Still, much of their season has been about locating that silver lining.As a club, that comes in the form of a dressing room full of players reveling in each other’s company, marching on as uncertainty looms around them. In performance, strong showings in white ball cricket – they top the North Group of the T20Blast and are still in the hunt for the latter stages of the Royal London Cup – offer a welcome antidote to a Championship summer that sees them winless, with 10 of 18 matches played.Even so, you would struggle to excuse their second innings effort today. Faced with a target of 454 that was less carrot and more stick, they ambled their way through questionable drive after misguided swish across the line, before Monty Panesar added the comical run-up on top of the rotten cake that was their 142 all out.”Only one or two escaped with their pride intact,” said Northants head coach David Ripley, surveying the wreckage. He was almost impressed that his side managed to lose the match as emphatically as they did considering the position they were in on day oneWith Worcestershire 54 for 5 inside the first 20 overs of the match, having chosen to bat first, a three-day finish was always on the cards. Yet it was the visitors endeavor that allowed them to turn things around. In typically bad form for guests, they outstayed their hosts and drank them out of victory beer. Worcestershire’s attitude across the three days could not be faulted.That’s not to say that they did not have some redemption of their own to achieve. Their displays in limited overs cricket in the last month have stalled and victory here moves them into second, a point behind Division Two leaders Essex.The work on day three began at the crease. Nightwatchman Ed Barnard might not have had much luck with the ball but, bat in hand, he pitched in with 34 alongside Ross Whiteley, who crunched three sixes in a 36-ball 45. One of those sixes – hit over wide mid off ­- caused such havoc in the balcony of the Spencer Pavilion that a few patrons went back inside until the Worcestershire innings was called to a halt at 324 for eight.The 454 target on the electronic scoreboard, beaming next to Northamptonshire’s second innings score, mocked them as much as the 148 on the other side. This game was lost when they conceded a lead of 129 in the first innings. But there were still wickets to be taken and, in Matt Henry’s final Championship match of the season, he led the line with five for 36.He was meant to have his feet up for this fixture. But when Kyle Abbott had to pull out because of a swollen foot, a call was put in to New Zealand to see if Henry could get clearance for this match. His last appearance for Worcestershire will come on Friday against the Birmingham Bears in the T20 Blast before he jets off the next morning to South Africa for a training camp, ahead of New Zealand’s tour to Zimbabwe.That international class was on show throughout today, particularly with the dismissal of Rob Newton: a good length ball that had the number three’s feet neither forward nor back, leaving him at the last moment to take his outside edge through to Ben Cox. He did Rob Keogh (bowled) and Richard Levi (LBW) with a bit of extra zip, before the hook-happy pairing of Steven Crook and Seekuge Prasanna gave him a maiden five-fer for Worcestershire. He ends with 27 wickets across six Championship matches.Joe Leach continued his fine season with two for 49 to add to his season’s best five for 70 that he achieved in the first innings. He is now the leading wicket-taker in the Division with 38. George Rhodes, son of Worcestershire’s director of cricket Steve Rhodes, also nabbed his maiden Championship wicket – Cox taking a skier off Ben Sanderson – to dollop more cheer into Worcestershire’s red ball pot. Northants continue to stew in theirs.

يستعد فريق ليفربول، بقيادة المدرب يورجن كلوب، لخوض مباراة اليوم الأحد في بطولة كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي ضد نورويتش سيتي.

ويلتقي الفريقان في إطار منافسات دور الـ32 من بطولة الكأس، موسم 2023/24، على ملعب “الأنفيلد”.

وتُعد تلك المباراة هي الأولى لـ يورجن كلوب بعد إعلان رحيله عن نادي ليفربول نهاية الموسم الحالي. تشكيل ليفربول المتوقع أمام نورويتش سيتي اليوم في كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي

حراسة المرمى: كيليهر.

خط الدفاع: جوميز، كوناتي، فان دايك، روبرتسون.

خط الوسط: كورتيس جونز، ماك أليستر، جرافنبرخ.

خط الهجوم: ديوجو جوتا، جاكبو، نونيز.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.

Ross Taylor led Sussex to their highest T20 score as they began their NatWest T20 Blast season with victory over Gloucestershire by a single run on Duckworth Lewis

ECB Reporters Network20-May-2016
ScorecardRoss Taylor led Sussex to a rain-assisted win•Getty ImagesSussex Sharks kicked off their NatWest T20 Blast season with victory over Gloucestershire at the Brightside Ground, Bristol, by a single run on Duckworth Lewis.Ross Taylor’s unbeaten 93, off just 48 balls, helped Sussex to their highest ever T20 total, beating the 239 for 5 scored against Glamorgan in 2010.However, the Sharks needed a little help from the rain to achieve their opening night success in the west country.Chasing 240 to win, Gloucestershire looked well on course to at least take the game to the wire when the rains came. It was an agonising end for the host county whose 83 for 1, off 7.3 overs, left them just one short of their required target on the D/L method.Having been asked to bat first, Sussex made a decent first of things with the bat. Chris Nash and Phil Salt put the host county under genuine pressure with 48 for the first wicket inside five overs.When Nash was eventually bowled by Craig Miles for 30, Salt and Ben Brown added 14 for the second wicket in quickfire time before the former was caught by Miles off former Sussex left arm spinner Tom Smith, for 24.Salt’s ill advised attempted reverse sweep, brought Taylor to the wicket and the Kiwi looked in decent touch from the first ball he faced. He and Brown added 88 for the third wicket inside eight overs with Taylor particularly harsh on anything full outside the off stump.When Brown was stumped by Cameron Bancroft, off the bowling of Benny Howell in the 14th over, for 43, Sussex were 150 for 3 with Taylor having already passed his half century off 28 balls.Gloucestershire found it difficult to defend the short boundary to one side of the Bristol wicket and with Taylor and Matt Machan increasing the run rate, Sussex piled on the agony in the closing overs.Machan perished, in the 18th over, but not before hitting 31 off just a dozen deliveries. Wicket keeper Craig Cachopa was caught by Hamish Marshall off the bowling of Miles, for 0, with the bowler rounding off a decent spell of 2 for 29 from four overs.Still, Taylor was not to be undone and with Payne going for 27 in one over, the New Zealander closed in on his century. Unfortunately, for him, he fell seven runs short. He struck just four fours in his stay at the crease, but helped himself to eight sixes.The innings included six penalty runs for slow over rate. By the time the rains came later on, those runs would prove valuable, for Sussex.Gloucestershire lost Hamish Marshall for 12 at 14 for 1 in the second over of their response before captain Michael Klinger and Ian Cockbain struck the ball with great accuracy, to all four corners. At one stage, they were ahead of the D/L rate and looked in a decent position to at least challenge for maximum spoils.Sadly, for the home supporters, umpires Nick Cook and Rob Bailey took the sides off midway through the eighth over with Sussex ahead on the D/L method, by one run. With no further play possible, the victory points went back to Hove, if only just.

Manchester United have sent a scout to watch FC Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa ahead of a potential move to the Premier League, according to reports.

What's the latest on Costa to United?

David De Gea will be out of contract at the end of the season and is facing an uncertain future having not yet put pen to paper on fresh terms, so should he depart in the summer, the 23-year-old has been identified as his potential successor.

The Portugal international’s deal at Porto isn’t set to expire for another four years, but his performances at the 2022 World Cup and at the Estadio do Dragao since returning from Qatar have caught the eye, and not for the first time.

Record report that the Red Devils have been closely monitoring the shot-stopper for over a year, but since Erik Ten Hag arrived at Old Trafford, it’s stated that the new manager appreciates his abilities with his feet, so the club have now ramped up their initial interest.

According to A Bola (via Sport Witness), Manchester United “had an official” at FC Porto’s 2-0 victory over Pacos De Ferreira on Saturday night to watch Costa. The 6 foot 2 colossus has emerged as a “clear target” for the top-flight giants and is seen as one of the “obvious options” to replace De Gea in the summer. The Rothrist native’s name is frequently the one being “pushed forward”, and it’s worth noting that he has a €75m (£66m) release clause included in his contract.

Would Costa be a good successor to De Gea?

Costa has been dubbed a “superman” by talent scout Jacek Kulig for his consistent high standard of performances between the sticks, and looking at his numbers this season, he would be an outstanding bit of business for United.

The Adidas-sponsored titan has kept a remarkable 70 clean sheets from 182 appearances throughout his career, including 17 in 36 outings across all competitions this term, via Transfermarkt, as he’s made 51 saves from 68 shots on target, giving him a success rate of 76.5%.

The Gestifute client also likes to experiment with his range of passing and is successful in doing so, having completed 121 of 122 short passes and 447 of 453 medium passes since the start of the term, as per FBRef.

Finally, Costa knows what it takes to be successful having secured nine trophies at both club and international level, and has been recognised for his individual impact twice being the recipient of the Goalkeeper of the Season award, so this really is a no-brainer of a deal to complete.

Everton central midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure is set to be handed a new contract after almost leaving in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: January exit links

Doucoure was strongly linked with a move away from Goodison Park in January, and fellow Premier League rivals Fulham were thought to be ‘interested’ in a move.

He was even offered to Turkish giants Besiktas, but has seen a resurgence under Sean Dyche.

Indeed, Doucoure has started in every single top-flight game under the new manager, scoring two goals and making a further two assists in his last three matches, after being a bit-part player under Frank Lampard (Transfermarkt).

The Latest: New contract on the table

As per iNews, Doucoure is now set to be rewarded with a new contract, as he has seemingly turned his Toffees career around under Dyche.

The report cites that he was once even banished to train with the youth team after a heated dressing room argument with Lampard, but has now become a key player under the new boss.

He has consistently covered more ground than any of his team-mates, and the Merseyside club are now considering triggering a one-year extension in his contract, which is set to expire at the end of the season.

After his goal against Chelsea in the 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge over the weekend, Dyche praised Doucoure’s ‘brilliant’ mentality, and now he looks set to stay beyond this campaign.

The Verdict: Deserved

A new deal for Doucoure would be deserved after his revival under Dyche.

Pocketing £120,000-per-week at the Blues, he is the club’s joint-highest earner, and so they may have been tempted to get rid of him in January.

However, the 30-year-old has emerged as a key player and has worked hard to get back into the team, so Everton should be doing all that they can to keep him at the club.

An update has emerged on Aston Villa and their interest in signing Athletic Bilbao enforcer Inigo Martinez in the summer transfer window…

What’s the latest on Inigo Martinez to Aston Villa?

According to the printed edition of Sport (via Sport Witness), the Villans are one of the eye clubs eyeing up a deal to sign the central defender at the end of the season.

The report claims that Villa and Atletico Madrid have both made contract offers to the Spaniard, who is set to be a free agent in the summer, as Johan Lange attempts to secure a swoop for the gem.

However, LaLiga giants Barcelona are also said to be keen on the centre-back and Martinez is waiting to see if Xavi’s team decide to come in with a proposal before responding to any other clubs.

What would Inigo Martinez bring to Aston Villa?

The Athletic Bilbao defender is a vastly experienced player who could bring knowledge and quality to Unai Emery’s squad in the 2023/24 campaign.

Villa could replicate the coup they landed by bringing Ashley Young to the club on a free transfer last season by securing a move for Martinez, as the former England international came in as a veteran and has used his experience to help the team.

Prior to re-joining the Villans in the summer of 2021, the ex-Inter full-back had played a whopping 623 career club matches and has gone on to play 46 times for the team in his current spell.

The 37-year-old, who has been capped 39 times by England, has showcased his quality in the Premier League this season with an average Sofascore rating of 6.93 across 18 appearances, which places him third in the squad.

Martinez, meanwhile, has played 441 club career games, which includes experience in the Europa League and the Champions League, and has been capped 19 times by Spain at international level.

The 31-year-old has used his know-how to be an excellent option for Bilbao in LaLiga this season. He has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.93 across ten appearances in the division and won 63% of his physical contests.

These statistics show that the £85k-per-week enforcer, who journalist Josh Bunting once hailed as “commanding”, is a strong defender who can deliver consistently solid displays in a major European league.

A Sofascore rating of 6.93 would place him level with Young in third place in the Villa squad this season and this indicates that the Spanish international would be a fantastic addition to the team if he can replicate his form in England.

Therefore, Lange could repeat the coup they landed with the ex-Manchester United right-back by beating off competition from the likes of Barcelona and Atletico to sign an experienced, solid, option in Martinez for nothing this summer.

In the last 10 years, Newcastle United have had mixed luck with attacking players, with no large number of standouts. In truth, for the most part, it’s been a decade to forget for The Magpies, who will be hoping to see their fortunes change in a new era under new, and far richer owners. 

The main aim under Eddie Howe this summer should be finding a consistent talisman at St James’ Park. If they can find that, then they will be far closer to reaching their new and far more lofty ambitions at the club.

In the last 10 years, they have still had standouts, of course, as we found out when taking a look at those with the most contributions in every season since 2012.

2012/13: Papiss Cisse – 17 

Papiss Cisse is a player that many are unlikely to forget anytime soon, given his sudden rise at Newcastle.

In the 2012/13 season, he was unstoppable together with strike partner Demba Ba.

By the end of the season, he had scored 13 goals and recorded a further four assists in all competitions for the Magpies to take his contributions to 17. 

2013/14: Loic Remy – 17 

When looking back on it, Newcastle were unlucky to be in a position to only enjoy players like Demba Ba and Loic Remy for a short period of time before they jumped ship to bigger and better things.

In the 2013/14 campaign, Remy managed to score an impressive 14 goals, whilst also assisting a further three to make 17 contributions.

It’s also fair to say that it was never better for Remy, who went on to flop at Chelsea.

He’s still playing, at French club Brest.

2014/15: Papiss Cisse – 12 

A season later, Cisse was back at the top of Newcastle’s top contributions list, with 12 to his name.

His 11 goals and one assist was enough to place him above his teammates.

Though, it must be said that the numbers weren’t all too impressive on the whole in a disappointing season for Newcastle’s forwards.

2015/16: Georginio Wijnaldum – 16 

It’s no surprise that Georginio Wijnaldum earned a move to Liverpool, where he went onto become a serial winner.

But it was in the 2015/16 season when the Dutchman stood out at St James’ Park, with 11 goals and five assists making 16 contributions.

Who could forget his four goals in one game against Norwich City?

He’s left a major hole at Liverpool, too, having left the club for PSG.

2016/17: Dwight Gayle – 27

As Newcastle bounced back from the heartache of relegation at the first time of asking, it was Dwight Gayle who played a starring role, scoring 23 goals and recording a further three assists to make 27 contributions in total.

It remains one of Gayle’s most impressive campaigns in his career so far.

However, he struggled immensely to replicate that form in the Premier League; he’s currently on the books at Stoke City, having dropped back into the second-tier.

2017/18: Ayoze Perez – 14 

Ayoze Perez’s time at Newcastle remains underrated, given the period of time that he featured for the Magpies, and the consistent numbers that he achieved.

During the 2017/18 season, the Spaniard managed a total of 14 goal contributions, with 10 goals and four assists in what was an impressive campaign. 

He moved onto Leicester City eventually and is now playing for Spanish club Real Betis on loan.

2018/19: Salomon Rondon – 19 

Just like Perez, Salomon Rondon endured an underrated spell with Newcastle, where he managed 19 goal contributions in the 2018/19 season as the Magpies survived for another season in the Premier League.

By the end of the season, he had scored 12 goals, whilst also assisting a further seven goals in all competitions. 

It’s worth saying here, too, that this was a particularly poor Magpies side, and Rondon was dragging them kicking and screaming along.

A sorely underrated striker.

2019/20: Allan Saint-Maximin – 11

In a season without many sparks, Allan Saint-Maximin at least provided one positive light, with 11 goal contributions.

In truth, though, his numbers weren’t the most impressive aspect of his game, with his tricky footwork and showman-like style really standing out at St James’ Park and making him an instant fan favourite amongst Newcastle fans.

He’s continuing to stand out, even under the management of Eddie Howe.

A terrific player and a real entertainer.

2020/21: Callum Wilson – 17 

As the Premier League battled through the pandemic, it was Callum Wilson who took the crown for goal contributions for Newcastle, with 17 in all competitions.

His 12 goals and five assists were enough to keep the Tyneside club up for another season, before they finally entered a new era under new owners

That he’s remained at the club, and the Magpies haven’t spent big on a striker to replace him, speaks to just how good Wilson is.

2021/22: Allan Saint-Maximin – 10

As Newcastle comfortably survived last season, Allan Saint-Maximin once again starred, especially in the second half of the campaign under new owners, with new arrivals, and new manager in the form of Eddie Howe.

By the end of the season, the winger had scored five goals, and assisted a further five to make 10 goal contributions. 

He remains an absolutely integral part of the squad at St James’ Park and will continue to as the Magpies go for Champions League qualification.

So, as you can see, with no player managing over 20 goal contributions in one Premier League season, Newcastle United have struggled to find a consistent talisman – something that would not have helped their constant mid-table finishes in the last decade.

In a new era, the Magpies, as one of the richest clubs in the world, have the resources to find a player capable of taking the club to new levels. They’ve already improved since the takeover. Now, heading into their first full season, the owners will be keen to oversee a club on a gradual, but impressive rise. 

Newcastle United have been dealt an injury blow before they play Liverpool as Eddie Howe has confirmed that Joe Willock is ‘doubtful’ for the clash.

The Lowdown: Injury at Bournemouth

Willock was forced off through injury during the first half of Newcastle’s 1-1 draw away at AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League last weekend, with Howe admitting that he was concerned over the extent of the issue.

As well as their game against Liverpool at St. James’ Park, they also have the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United coming up in just over a week, and Howe has since given an update on Willock’s fitness ahead of the next set of fixtures.

The Latest: Willock ‘doubtful’

Speaking to the media in his pre-game press conference ahead of their match this evening, Howe has confirmed that Willock is ‘doubtful’, but hopes to get him back ‘very quickly’:

“We haven’t seen him yet and think he’ll be doubtful for tomorrow’s game. I don’t think it’s a big injury at all, a very minor complaint with his hamstring, so we hope to get him back very quickly.”

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The Verdict: Do not risk him…

With the Carabao Cup final next weekend, Howe should not risk Willock at all against Liverpool.

The £80,000-per-week central midfielder has been a standout player for the Magpies over the past year, ranking in the top 10% among his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues for a number of key metrics.

He has not missed a single game under Howe so far this season, showing how key he is to the team, but given his importance, the manager should not be risking the Englishman this evening, and instead make sure that he is fully fit for when they play the Red Devils.

Joe Nicholson has claimed on The Roar podcast that Danny Batth and Dan Ballard will be crucial for Sunderland against Millwall.

The Lowdown: Sunderland up against it

Sunderland are set to face one of the most in-form teams when it comes to playing at home this season with Millwall losing just two games in the Championship thus far.

As if that wasn’t a difficult enough task already, the fact that Sunderland are set to be without their top scorer in the form of Ross Stewart is a monumental blow for Tony Mowbray who will be relying on youngster Joe Gelhardt.

Mowbray will indeed be able to once again call upon Batth and Ballard who will be very important as Sunderland look to keep Millwall at bay from set pieces as they’ve scored the most from dead-ball scenarios in the league.

The Latest: Millwall dangerous from set pieces

Batth and Ballard are six foot two and six foot one respectively, so Nicholson believes they will be key to Sunderland not shipping goals from set piece this weekend.

He said: (17:20) “Yeah that’s been a concern for Sunderland in the past, set pieces, especially earlier in the season when they had lots of injuries and now they’ve lost Stewart for the season while he’s a striker, he is quite effective in his own penalty area clearing corners.

“They’ve now got Danny Batth back from injury and Dan Ballard they’ve played the last two and formed what looks like a good partnership, so that could be really important with Millwall kind of posing that threat from set pieces, that’s definitely one to watch out for.”

The Verdict: Mowbray faces a tough test

Given that Sunderland currently boast the youngest squad on average in the Championship, it will be a huge ask for them to go away to The Den that’s likely to be sold out given limited tickets are left on sale, and pick up a positive result.

This is mainly because Millwall are indeed higher in the table than Sunderland, very rarely lose at home and will be right up for revenge after the Black Cats inflicted a 3-0 defeat on them earlier in the season.

All teams will be gutted when they concede from set pieces as they’re very cheap goals to be given away and Mowbray will surely have been doing his work on the training pitch to scheme up a way to combat Millwall’s obvious threat from dead-ball situations.

Arsenal are reportedly set to hold talks over the potential signing of Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie, with his agents already in London.

The Lowdown: Arsenal interest

It was reported earlier this week that the Emirates Stadium outfit are on the ‘trail’ of McKennie, and Juventus are willing to sell him for between €20-25m (£17.5-22m) plus add-ons.

Mikel Arteta admitted in his pre-game press conference ahead of their FA Cup fourth round tie away at Manchester City that he would like ‘more cover’ in midfield, and so could explore a deal late on in the transfer window, with under a week until the deadline.

The Latest: McKennie talks

Taking to Twitter, journalist Nicola Balice, who contributes for Italian news outlets Calciomercato and Corriere dello Sport, says that McKennie’s agents are ‘in London’ already to talk to clubs about a potential deal for the USA international, with Arsenal named alongside fellow Premier League rivals Leeds United as a possible destination:

“#McKennie, agents in London for a few days already to evaluate and negotiate with various clubs (#Arsenal and #Leeds, not only). Ambitious player, we need a project that convinces him. #Juve pending, clear requests and absolutely within the reach of every club in the Premier League.”

The Verdict: Get it done

With both Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny now 30 years of age, and Thomas Partey set to join them in the summer, Arteta will feel like he needs to build a midfield for the future, and add some more youth into this area of the pitch.

Hailed as a ‘monster‘ in the air by football writer Wes Tucker and a ‘pressing machine‘ by USMNT journalist Chris Smith, McKennie is already rated very highly, and is crucially a lot younger than the Gunners trio at just 24.

He ranks in the 86th percentile for non-penalty goals, 84th for touches and 90th for progressive passes received per game for all midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year (FBRef), showing that he is already among the best for key midfield metrics.

Nonetheless, there will be added worries over Partey’s injury record, while Arteta has expressed his concern over Elneny’s recent injury, so it is vital that the Gunners get some cover in before the deadline, and McKennie would provide just that.