أعلنت رابطة البريميرليج عبر موقعها الرسمي، عن قائمة اللاعبين المرشحين لجائزة الأفضل في الجولة الثانية للدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
واختتمت الجولة الثانية بفوز مثير لفريق ليفربول على نيوكاسل يونايتد بملعب “سانت جيمس بارك”، بثلاثية لهدفين، مساء يوم الإثنين.
شهدت الجولة أيضًا سقوط لمانشستر سيتي أمام توتنهام، بهدفين دون رد، فيما حقق آرسنال فوزًا عريضًا أمام ليدز يونايتد بخماسية نظيفة.
جايدون أنتوني، بيرنلي
قدّم الجناح أنتوني أداءً ممتازًا بتسجيله هدفًا وتمريرة حاسمة، مساهمًا في فوز بيرنلي الأول في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز هذا الموسم أمام سندرلاند بهدفين دون رد.
جاك جريليش، إيفرتون
اللاعب المعار من مانشستر سيتي أثبت نفسه في أول ظهور له أساسيًا مع إيفرتون بأداء رائع، تضمن تمريرتين حاسمتين رائعتين، مساهمًا بفوز فريقه أمام برايتون بهدفين نظيفين.
فيكتور جيوكيريس، آرسنال
افتتح جيوكيريس الوافد الجديد لآرسنال، سجله التهديفي في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز ضد ليدز يونايتد بهدف بمجهود رائع، ثم سجل هدفه الثاني في الوقت بدل الضائع من ضربة جزاء.
اقرأ أيضًا | بتمريرة من محمد صلاح.. نجوموها يروي كواليس هدفه الدرامي أمام نيوكاسل
ريو نجوموها، ليفربول
قدّم اللاعب البالغ من العمر 16 عامًا أداءً لا يُنسى في أول ظهور له في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، وسجل هدف الفوز لليفربول أمام نيوكاسل، في الوقت المحتسب بدلاً من الضائع، بعد دقائق من مشاركته.
وبهذا الهدف، أصبح أصغر هداف في تاريخ ليفربول، بعمر 16 عامًا و361 يومًا فقط، ورابع أصغر هداف في تاريخ المسابقة، خلف جيمس فوجان وجيمس ميلنر وواين روني.
دانجو واتارا، برينتفورد
سجّل واتارا هدفًا رائعًا ضد أستون فيلا في أول ظهور له مع الفريق، بعد انطلاقة سريعة ثم سدد الكرة في المحاولة الثانية بعد أن تصدى إيميليانو مارتينيز لتسديدته الأولى.
جواو بالينيا، توتنهام
قدم جواو بالينيا أداء رائع في خط الوسط، ليضمن لتوتنهام تحقيق فوزه الثاني على التوالي تحت قيادة توماس فرانك، بفوزٍ تاريخي على مانشستر سيتي، وفاز بثماني مواجهات ثنائية، وقام بأربع تدخلات، وسجّل هدفًا حسم فوز فريقه بثنائية دون رد.
جواو بيدرو، تشيلسي
تألق البرازيلي، وسجل هدف التعادل وساهم في الهدف الثاني لتشيلسي في المباراة التي حسمها فريقه بخماسية لهدف.
تيمبر، آرسنال
قدّم تيمبر أداءً رائعًا ضد ليدز، وسجل هدفين وساهم بتمريرة حاسمة، وحافظ على نظافة شباك الفريق، وقد أصبح ثاني مدافع فقط من أرسنال يُساهم بثلاثة أهداف في مباراة بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، بعد ناتشو مونريال، ويُعد أول مدافع يسجل ويساهم في هدف في مباراة بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز مع آرسنال منذ سيدريك سواريس ضد إيفرتون في مايو 2022.
The former USMNT striker delivered passionate praise for retired LAFC star Carlos Vela, calling him the most talented Mexican player he has ever seen
Gomez ranks Vela above Mexican legends, including Sanchez and MarquezFormer striker argues Vela-Zlatan era made MLS more relevant than current Messi periodESPN analyst criticizes LAFC for insufficient farewell to the club's inaugural captainGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED
While some mention Carlos Vela didn't reach his vast potential, former U.S. international Herculez Gomez offered a passionate defense of the former LAFC captain's career. The 36-year-old announced his retirement earlier in May, calling an end to a career that saw him play for Arsenal, Real Sociedad, and LAFC amongst several other clubs. But despite many questioning his career choices, Gomez believes that Vela was the most technically gifted Mexican player he had ever witnessed, placing him above iconic figures like Hugo Sanchez, Rafa Marquez, Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, and Cuauhtémoc Blanco.
“He’s [Carlos Vela] in my eyes, the most talented Mexican player that I’ve ever seen play, in person and even on video," Gomez said on
He added, "I’ve played with Cuauhtémoc Blanco, I know how good technically that Cuauhtémoc Blanco is, how smart he is, and you could say many things about Carlos Vela, you can question the lack of ambition, and you can question the lack of character. But when it comes to straight talent in a pool that’s fielded Hugo Sanchez, Rafa Marquez, Chicharito Hernandez – and yes, goal-scoring is a talent – and the likes of Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Carlos Vela is the most talented player I’ve ever seen in a Mexican jersey and that’s why people will say he did not live up to his potential.”
AdvertisementWHAT HERCULEZ GOMEZ SAID
Gomez further touched upon Vela’s career and how impressive his journey was, from Arsenal to Real Sociedad and then to the MLS with LAFC.
“There are a lot of fans, lot of pundits in the Mexican national team who will remember Carlos Vela for what he did not live up to, I am not one of those. Under-17 World Cup, the very first trophy for Mexico at any level, Golden Ball aka the best player. He goes to Arsenal, it doesn’t work out and this man has never played Liga MX football, and when he finally breaks through at Real Sociedad, he has one of the best campaigns you could ever imagine.
He added, “It's not hyperbole, Messi, Cristiano, and Carlos Vela [were the best in La Liga that season]. On Carlos Vela’s team, Antonie Griezmann [was on that team too] but the talk of his team was Carlos Vela. And at the age of 29, he leaves La Liga, that element of Real Sociedad to come to MLS!! When people said how could you do that at 29 years of age and he then has one of the most ridiculous seasons that I’ve ever seen, 34 goals 15 assists."
Gomez also believes Vela's rivalry with Zlatan Ibrahimovic in MLS, elevated the interest in the league. He was also critical of how LAFC and MLS treated his retirement.
“He and Zlatan going back and forth was what made the league relevant, and I would argue even with Messi here, it was better back then. The theatrics, the drama, and Zlatan vs Carlos Vela, the games, and Carlos Vela what he was able to do with a franchise starting from scratch, and everything they’ve achieved… my initial reaction is he deserved a better sendoff.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Vela retired in May 2026, having spent six seasons with LAFC. His 2019 MVP season remains arguably the greatest individual campaign in MLS history, as he broke the single-season scoring record with 34 goals, while also adding 15 assists. Vela's rivalry with LA Galaxy's Zlatan Ibrahimović from 2018-2019 generated unprecedented attention for MLS.
Getty Images SportWHAT’S NEXT?
While Vela has stepped away from playing professionally, he has been named Los Angeles FC’s first club ambassador and will be recognized during a special Carlos Vela Night on Sept. 21 for the game against Real Salt Lake.
Australia fall eight runs short after a defiant 91 not out from Steven Smith
Tristan Lavalette28-Jan-2024 Shamar Joseph defied his injured toe and sprinted around the Gabba in jubilation after his remarkable seven-wicket haul powered West Indies to a monumental upset of Australia in a pulsating eight-run victory in the second Test.Shortly after dinner, Joseph knocked over Josh Hazlewod to cap his heroic performance and end West Indies’ two-decade Test drought against Australia.Steven Smith was the only batter who was able to thwart Joseph and struck his first half-century as an opener to finish unbeaten on 91 not out. He had a riveting battle with Joseph, who summoned speeds around 150kmh and bowled 11.5 overs straight before and after dinner.Australia resumed after dinner at 187 for 8 and still 29 runs short. In the first over after the resumption, Alzarri Joseph dropped Nathan Lyon in his follow through only to produce a thin edge off the next delivery to put West Indies on the brink of a famous victory.Related
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With the field spread, a nerveless Smith unfurled an outrageous scoop for six that was more reminiscent of T20 cricket and reduced Australia’s target to 14 runs. But Joseph proved unstoppable as he finished his all-time great performance in style and with the figures of 7 for 68.It meant the series finished 1-1 and brought the curtains down on the Australian Test summer with the hosts surprisingly challenged by inexperienced Pakistan and West Indies teams on tough surfaces with none of the five matches going into the fifth day.Australia tasted defeat on home soil for the first time since losing to India at the Gabba in January 2021.Like Pakistan earlier in the summer, a youthful West Indies became a crowd favourite through their entertaining style of play and vivaciousness led by Joseph, who single-handedly hauled his team back in the contest.Australia appeared to be cruising towards the target of 216 at 113 for 2 until Joseph turned the match on its head with the wickets of Cameron Green and Travis Head in consecutive balls. He then dismissed Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey as Australia lost 4 for 23 and were still 80 runs short of victory.Joseph claimed his second five-wicket haul in as many matches by dismissing Mitchell Starc, who had briefly counterattacked, just before dinner as he sunk to his knees with his head on the ground.But he pushed through the pain barrier and exhaustion to nick off Pat Cummins.Shamar Joseph led the celebrations for West Indies•Getty Images
There had been grave doubt over whether Joseph could bowl after he was struck on the toe by an inswinging delivery by Starc late on day three that forced him to retire hurt.But he was cleared of a fracture and produced a spell in overcast and humid conditions that rocked Australia and set up a grandstand finish after dinner.There were fears of the day’s play being majorly interrupted after heavy showers lashed Brisbane overnight and in the morning. But the bad weather cleared and play resumed on schedule with Australia resuming at 60 for 2 and needing a further 156 runs.After starting aggressively late on day three, with his driving a standout, Smith focused on picking off the bowling for singles. But Green was anchored to the crease and intent on survival as Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph bowled on a dangerous length outside off stump.Green scored just 13 off his first 54 deliveries before he pounced on a rare Roach delivery that strayed on the pads to notch his first boundary. He was gifted three runs in the next over after a hash of a fielding attempt at mid-off from skipepr Kraigg Brathwaite.Smith looked comfortable until being squared up by a menacing delivery from Alzarri Joseph that flew through the vacant third slip to bring up the 50-run partnership.West Indies needed a spark and Shamar Joseph made an immediate impact when he came into the attack by producing a thick edge from Green that flew over the slips.Green started to settle until Joseph produced a rearing delivery that hit his back elbow and fell onto the stumps. He then on the next delivery delivered a scintillating yorker that clean bowled Head and left Australia stunned.It completed a king pair for Head, who suffered his third golden duck in his last six innings. Joseph was unable to complete a hat-trick, but soon had Marsh edging to second slip and clean bowled Alex Carey with another gem of a yorker.Starc decided to take on the bowling and it proved effective until he holed out. Play was extended by 20 minutes after Joseph dismissed Cummins, but he could not get through Smith and Lyon.But Joseph was not to be denied as he finished with one last epic celebration to wrap an astonishing debut series.
da roleta： As England kicked off their World Cup qualifying campaign with victory over Albania on Friday evening, it was a muted night for those of a Chelsea persuasion, even with former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel now at the helm for the Three Lions.
da blaze casino： With Cole Palmer sidelined with injury, the only two Chelsea representatives in Tuchel’s matchday squad were Levi Colwill and Reece James, albeit with neither man earning a place in the starting lineup at Wembley.
As it proved, Colwill was an unused substitute for the 2-0 triumph, while James was introduced in stoppage time in place of goalscorer, Myles Lewis-Skelly, with the German coach favouring the veteran Kyle Walker at right-back.
It is still early days, however, with James no doubt hoping to cement a starting berth for himself moving forward, having begun to feature more regularly at club level following an injury-hit last few years at Stamford Bridge.
Reece James
The 25-year-old – who has made just 14 appearances at club level this season – will be aiming to get back to the levels that he showcased under Tuchel’s watch, having enjoyed an initially meteoric rise from academy prospect to first-team sensation.
Reece James' Chelsea record under Tuchel
Captain of the side that claimed FA Youth Cup glory in 2017/18, having been named Academy Player of the Year that season to boot, the versatile full-back was made to wait until September 2019 to make his Blues debut, after spending the previous campaign on loan at Wigan Athletic.
Under the tutelage of Frank Lampard, the then-youngster would amass 37 first-team appearances in total in 2019/20, alongside the likes of Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount, as the west London side secured Champions League qualification.
That bright start was followed by a real rise amid Tuchel’s appointment in January 2021, with James playing a central role in the side that claimed European glory just a few months later.
Operating in a right wing-back berth, the Englishman flourished in an attacking sense under the former Borussia Dortmund boss, having chalked up seven goals and 12 assists in 74 games during Tuchel’s tenure.
It is no surprise then that even amid his recent injury woes, he has still been recognised as being “as good as any right-back in the world” when at his best, according to pundit Eni Aluko, with the Chelsea skipper still having ample time to return to such lofty heights.
Whatever the case, James still represents a real academy success story of the modern era at the Bridge, having seemingly overtaken one of his positional rivals to soar to the top.
The Chelsea star who was once ahead of Reece James
Mount, Abraham, Colwill, Conor Callagher, Dominic Solanke, Marc Guehi, Fikayo Tomori, Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The list goes on.
While not all have made their mark at first-team level for the Blues, the west London side have certainly developed a reputation for producing some of the best young talent about – and deservedly so.
For every Reece James, however, there are those who don’t quite push on in a similar vain, with that perhaps true of another once-promising Cobham gem, in the form of Dujon Sterling.
Chelsea’s FA Youth Cup final XI – 2016/17
Chelsea 5-1 Man City, second leg
GK – Jamie Cumming
CB – Reece James
CB – Marc Guehi
CB – Trevoh Chalobah
RWB – Dujon Sterling
CM – Tariq Uwakwe
CM – Jacob Maddox
LWB – Juan Castillo
RW – Callum Hudson-Odoi
ST – Ike Ugbo
LW – Mason Mount
The current Rangers star – who, like James, is now 25 – was actually promoted into the first-team ranks a long time prior to his former colleague, having been handed a first-team debut by Antonio Conte as early as 2017.
The 6 foot 1 starlet was seemingly deemed a viable option as a wing-back in Conte’s 3-4-3 set-up, with reports also suggesting that he was ‘rated as highly as James’ in the academy system at one stage. Indeed, praise flooded in from academy coach Adi Viveash at the time:
Unfortunately for Sterling, while the current Chelsea captain has gone on to make 172 appearances for the club, the Islington-born defender was unable to build on the two chances he was handed in that 2017/18 campaign.
The former England youth international subsequently spent the next four seasons out on loan at a variety of EFL clubs, including Wigan, before the Todd Boehly regime allowed him to depart on a free transfer, following the expiry of his contract in 2023.
Sterling has since made 67 appearances in Glasgow, while registering four goal involvements, albeit with few of a Chelsea persuasion – including Boehly and co – likely to regret letting him depart on the cheap.
Rangers midfielder Dujon Sterling.
Having at one stage been viewed as ‘one of the best talents’ to come from Cobham, as per journalist Nizaar Kinsella, the £3m-rated ace was ultimately usurped by James in that right-back pecking order.
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Will a change of manager signal a change in fortune for Ibrox side Rangers?
On Sunday night, following the weekend home defeat at the hands of St Mirren, it was announced that Philippe Clement had been sacked as manager of the Gers, having been, as Findlay Marks of the Scottish Football Show put it, a “dead man walking” ever since the Scottish Cup exit at the hands of Queen’s Park.
The following morning, the club confirmed that former captain Barry Ferguson, who made 409 appearances for the Gers across two spells, would be in interim charge for the rest of the season, alongside Neil McCann, Billy Dodds and Allan McGregor, all of whom are also ex-players.
The Ferguson-era begins at Rugby Park on Wednesday, a ground at which Rangers have lost six of 12 visits since December 2017, so they certainly cannot take Kilmarnock lightly, and the new caretaker boss’ first big decision should be to drop a stalwart of the starting lineup.
The Rangers star Ferguson must drop
Jack Butland joined Rangers in June 2023, simply looking to reinvigorate his career, having played just 17 matches across the previous three seasons, spending the second half of the previous campaign bench warming at Manchester United.
Fair to say he made an instant impression in Glasgow, pulling off a string of outstanding saves, instantaneously known colloquially as ‘Super Jack Butland’.
That is because, Christopher Jack of the Rangers Review believeds he ‘has been a huge figure between the sticks’, asserting that Butland is ‘the best keeper in Scotland by some distance’, while Stephen Halliday of the Times simply labelled his performances as ‘outstanding’.
Meantime, Ewan Murray of the Guardian notes the Englishman has been a ‘virtually an ever-present since joining’, while Archie Rhind-Tutt of ESPN & TNT Sports thought his ‘excellent form’ was going to earn him an England recall, having not featured for the Three Lions since September 2018, although this ultimately did not come to pass.
However, in more recent times, as Joshua Barrie of the Rangers Review puts it, ‘Butland’s form has suffered’.
Speaking on Sky Sports, new Rangers assistant manager Neil McCann described his performance at Motherwell in December as “unconvincing”, the goalkeeper’s ‘blushes spared’ by the fact the Steelmen had a late winner disallowed by VAR for rather soft foul by Tony Watt.
Butland has made a few high-profile mistakes, gifting Celtic the Scottish Cup back in May with former Rangers striker Ally McCoist describing his own goal at Old Trafford in January as a “howler”, leading to journalist Luke Hatfield labelling him ‘error-prone’.
This led to him being heavily criticised by supporters, so let’s analyse how Butland’s numbers compare this season to last.
Butland 2023/24 vs 2024/25 comparison
Statistics
23/24
24/25
Appearances
58
35
Minutes
5,220
3,180
Matches missed
1
9
Goals conceded
53
34
Goals conceded per 90
0.89
0.93
Clean sheets
25
14
Clean sheet %
43.5%
41.4%
Saves
105
62
Save %
73.9%
69.4%
Post-shot xG – goals allowed
+1.9
-1.4
Save % (Europa League only)
77.1%
63%
Stats via Transfermarkt and FBref.com
As the table outlines, Butland’s statistics are unanimously worse this season than last, with his post-shot xG – goals allowed figure having nosedived from almost +2 to around -1.5, this the biggest indicator of his drop-off in form.
So, should new manager Ferguson unleash Butland’s deputy at Rugby Park on Wednesday night?
Jack Butland's back-up ready and waiting at Rangers
Back in early January Butland missed the New Year’s Old Firm due to internal bleeding, a match in which Rangers demolished fierce rivals Celtic 3-0, putting in, by far, their best performance under Clement.
Deputising for Butland that day was Liam Kelly, who was described as ‘reliable’ and ‘assured with the ball at his feet’, while Laura Brannan of the Scottish Football Show believes the 29-year-old to be a ‘fantastic’ goalkeeper.
As well as a clean sheet in the Glasgow derby, Kelly also enjoyed shutouts against Dundee and Aberdeen leading to, as noted by Aasif Rahman of Football Insider, supporters questioning why Clement has restored Butland after the understudy had ‘proven himself’ during the Englishman’s absence.
Since arriving from Motherwell in the summer, Kelly has made seven appearances in a Rangers jersey, keeping three clean sheet and conceding just six goals, making nine saves, which translates to a save percentage of 69.2%, higher than Butland’s aforementioned season figure of 63%.
Kelly himself stated “I’ve done alright”, adding he is “looking to go under the radar” by doing “whatever I need to do when called upon.”
Thus, with little left to play for in the Premiership, Ferguson should certainly give his backup goalkeeper opportunities to prove what he can do.
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With Ferguson replacing Philippe Clement, he could turn to the club’s youth ranks as Rangers look to salvage what they can from their season.
da supremo： Sheffield United were agonisingly close to a win to really flex their muscles at the top of the Championship table last time out, only for Liam Manning’s Bristol City to spoil the mood.
da lvbet： Indeed, the Blades were heading to the top of the summit in style courtesy of Tyrese Campbell’s golden contribution, but the Robins had other ideas late on as the final scoreline ended 1-1.
Chris Wilder will be chewing over what changes to make to his first team personnel ahead of a nerve-wracking Steel City Derby on Sunday lunchtime, with Callum O’Hare perhaps surprisingly dropped for the nail-biting showdown at Hillsborough after a quiet showing at Bramall Lane.
O'Hare's performance vs Bristol City
Nobody can say they’ve been underwhelmed by the addition of O’Hare, considering the ex-Coventry City man boasts two goals and six assists in Championship action this season.
But, even the cream of the crop are prone to off-days, with O’Hare finding it hard to leave his mark on the 1-1 draw as nothing came off for him.
O’Hare’s performance in numbers
Stat
O’Hare
Minutes played
54
Goals scored
0
Assists
0
Touches
25
Accurate passes
14/19 (74%)
Key pass
1
Shots on goal
0
Successful dribbles
0
Total duels won
0/2
Stats by Sofascore
Across the course of his forgettable 54 minutes on the pitch, O’Hare failed to complete a single successful dribble, win a single duel or register a shot on the Robins net, leaving Wilder irked enough on the sideline to haul him off with barely an hour down on the clock.
Having started all but one of his 36 second-tier matches this campaign, it would be bold for Wilder to completely axe the ex-Sky Blues man from the next XI, but he could still be prepared to alter his team.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Wilder's best O'Hare replacement
Looking at Wilder’s substitutes bench during the home game against the visitors from Bristol, it’s clear the 57-year-old is blessed with some top options, with Kieffer Moore an experienced EFL striker who got a run-out late on.
Another face who was gifted a chance off the bench in the same game was ex-Liverpool youngster Rhian Brewster, who might now replace O’Hare for the full-blooded clash at Hillsborough judging by his recent promising cameos.
Within a matter of minutes of being introduced, the reinvigorated 24-year-old poked the ball through to Campbell to slot home the opener, on top of also finishing off his brief spell on the pitch with an attempted shot at Max O’Leary’s busy goal.
This isn’t the only time the “amazing” attacker – as he was labelled by Wilder earlier this season – has left his impact on an unfolding clash across the 2024/25 campaign, with Brewster also helping himself to an assist against Portsmouth back in February from just 18 minutes.
Rhian Brewster of Sheffield United
The £35k-per-week earner could end up being the difference-maker when Wilder’s men make the short trip to face off against Rohl’s Wednesday, with a further two league goals next to his name this season making him a threat the Owls will have to contain whatever length of time he is handed on the Hillsborough turf.
United’s last loss in the usually fierce Steel City Derby was all the way back in 2012, with another victory tightening up their firm grip on the automatic promotion spots. But, a loss might well be the almighty kick in the teeth that sees United fall out of the top two.
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What do Bangladesh, England, Netherlands and Sri Lanka need to do in their last World Cup fixtures?
S Rajesh07-Nov-2023Points tableNetherlands
If Netherlands win their last two games and finish on eight, they will ensure qualification. If they beat England and lose to India, they will finish on six, which Sri Lanka and Bangladesh can equal if they win their only remaining games. It will then come down to net run-rates, an aspect that may not favour Netherlands. Their NRR is currently -1.398; even if they beat England by 100 runs (after scoring 300), they will only improve to -0.955. The margins of the other results will then determine which two teams go through.If Netherlands lose both their remaining games, they will struggle to qualify. Even if the three other teams lose their remaining games and stay on four points, it might be tough for Netherlands to finish with a higher NRR than two of those teams. It will all come down to the result margins then.England
The defending champions have had a horror campaign, but with Champions Trophy qualification on the line, there is still something to play for. But even if they win their last two matches, they will need some help from other teams, as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh could also join them on six points if they win their last games. England’s NRR is currently abysmal (-1.504), so they will not only need wins, but wins by significant margins.If England lose to Netherlands, then they will have to beat Pakistan and hope that Sri Lanka and Bangladesh lose their last games and stay on four points. Then it will come down to NRR among England, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh for one spot.Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s best bet is to beat New Zealand, and then hope that, at most, only one other team joins them on six. (Theoretically, all four teams can finish on six, if England win their last two, Bangladesh beat Australia, and Netherlands beat India.) Given their relatively healthy NRR, a win should put Sri Lanka in a reasonably strong position.If they lose to New Zealand, then it will mean hoping that other results go their way, and that two other teams don’t go on to six points.Bangladesh
Bangladesh are in a similar position to Sri Lanka, but their NRR is currently the best among the four teams who are fighting for the last two slots. Like Sri Lanka, their best bet will also be to beat Australia and end on six points. If they finish on four, they won’t be out of it, but plenty of other results will have to go their way.
Afghanistan counterattacked in the chase but eventually fell to a 42-run loss
Madushka Balasuriya09-Feb-2024
Pathum Nissanka soaks in the applause•AFP/Getty Images
Pathum Nissanka’s historic double ton ensured Sri Lanka withstood a spirited Afghanistan counterattack to record a 42-run victory in the first ODI at Pallekele and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.That Afghanistan even got that close was down to a record 242-run stand between Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi, the second-highest sixth-wicket stand in ODI history. Omarazai ended on a 115-ball 149, while Nabi scored 136 off 130, as Afghanistan fell short but with their heads held high.It would leave them wondering perhaps what might have been had there been more substantial contributions from their top order, but in a chase of the mammoth 382-run target set by Sri Lanka, many fell wanting in searching for a fast start.Related
Pathum Nissanka hits Sri Lanka's first double-century in ODIs
Pathum Nissanka, Sri Lanka's first double-centurion? Who'd have thought?
Pramod Madushan did the most damage sending three of Afghanistan’s top four packing inside the first powerplay. The right-handed Rahmanullah Gurbaz and the left-handed Hashmatullah Shahidi were both done in by in-duckers, Madushan adept at moving the ball both ways – either through the air or off the surface.In between the two he had Ibrahim Zadran caught at slip, and returned later in the game to break the stand between Nabi and Omarzai. He finished with figures of 4 for 75.With Dushmantha Chameera accounting for the scalps of Rahmat Shah and Gulbadin Naib at the other end, Afghanistan found themselves staring down the barrel of an ignominious defeat, having stumbled to 55 for 5 midway through the ninth over.But that was when the fightback began, as the pair of Omarzai and Nabi resolved early on to take the game as deep as possible.With not much batting to follow, it was clear the pair could not take undue risks, nevertheless they found boundaries to ensure the run rate never got too out of hand. That said, it wasn’t until the 36th over that their scoring rate went beyond six an over, by which point the required rate was touching 12 an over.By the 40th over the requirement was 137 needed off 60 deliveries, a tall ask but put into context by the fact that Sri Lanka had struck 120 in the same period.In the end the asking rate proved too much, especially with Sri Lanka having multiple overs available from each of their frontline bowlers.Mohammad Nabi is the oldest player to score an ODI hundred•AFP/Getty Images
It also put into perspective the batting effort put in by the Lankans, particularly the outstanding Nissanka, whose 210 had come off just 139 deliveries.Avishka Fernando, with a run-a-ball 88, was the next highest scorer, as he and Nissanka put on a 182-run opening stand – Sri Lanka’s first century opening stand in nine innings, and just the third to hit double digits in that period. But that was just the start of Afghanistan’s misery.The visitors, who had opted to go with a four-strong seam attack, were left to rue their decision to bowl first having won the toss, with conditions proving ideal for batting. After a subdued start in the opening five in which just 22 runs were scored, Nissanka began to let loose.There was a subdued period through the middle overs when Nabi was rifling through his overs, but at the start and the death the Afghan bowlers were at Nissanka’s mercy.Omarzai was the first to feel the heat, taken for back-to-back boundaries through midwicket and then cover. Two overs later Fareed Ahmad was taken for 19, inclusive of two fours and a six – the latter off a free hit. Ahmad went for a further 17 in his next over, Avishka doing the brunt of the damage on that occasion, as Sri Lanka raced to 90 by the end of the 10th over.The scoring tapered from there on, the occasional flurry of boundaries serving to keep the scoring rate hovering around the seven an over mark. It took a scorching grab from Hashmatullah Shahidi at backward point to bring an end to the opening stand, as Avishka flayed a wide one hard to his right.Kusal Mendis’ entry saw more of the same, as he scrounged around for a 31-ball 16 before skying a miscued shot after coming down the track. The entry of Sadeera Samarawickrama, midway through the 36th over, though was the catalyst for Sri Lanka to shift gears, as his ability to rotate strike and find boundaries dovetailed perfectly with Nissanka, who was beginning to see the ball bigger with every stroke.Their stand of 121 came off just 71 deliveries and scaled up in the final 10 overs. Of the 120 runs ransacked in this period Nissanka alone accounted for 76 of them.Having earlier brought up his century with a single eased to deep cover, he brought up his 150 with a double past backward point. But those milestones were surrounded by belligerence.Noor Ahmad was slog-swept twice in an over, with the wind, over deep midwicket. Fazalhaq Farooqi was clobbered down the ground, flicked over square leg, heaved over deep midwicket and paddled behind square. And when all else failed Afghanistan turned back to Fareed, but Nissanka would not err.Having failed to get away a string of wide Fareed yorkers two overs prior, Nissanka squeezed the first such attempt in the final over past backward point to bring up his double ton. Two balls later he swung one high over square leg and then he crashed a drive to deep extra cover to finish the innings.It was a knock worthy of winning any game, and so it proved in the end.
Being such a big club, Tottenham Hotspur have been blessed with some sensational talents over the years.
Luka Modrić, Gareth Bale, Harry Kane, and Son Heung-min have all left their marks on the club and the Premier League as a whole.
However, as with every other ‘big six’ side, the North Londoners have also endured their fair share of transfer flops as well, with the likes of Tanguy Ndombele, Serge Aurier and Clinton N’Jie all failing to make the grade in N17.
Yet, one of the most disappointing signings the club made in the 2010s was that of Roberto Soldado, a mistake they’d repeat a few years later with a forward who was even worse than Timo Werner.
Soldado's Spurs career
Following the world-record £85m transfer of Bale to Real Madrid in the summer of 2013, Spurs had to find a way to replace the goals they had just lost from their team, and they had plenty of money to do so.
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Famously, the club opted to splash the cash on the not-so-magnificent seven of Paulinho, Nacer Chadli, Etienne Capoue, Vlad Chiriches, Erik Lamela, Christian Eriksen and Soldado, and while the penultimate player on that list came good in North London, the Spanish striker did not.
However, what makes the Valencia-born ace’s time in N17 so much more disappointing is that, prior to his £26m move to England, he was on fire and arguably one of Europe’s most devastating strikers.
For example, in his final two campaigns with his hometown team, the 12-capped international scored an astounding 57 goals and provided 11 assists in just 97 appearances.
However, in the two seasons he spent with the Lilywhites, he was only able to score 16 goals and provide 11 assists in 76 appearances, which makes it easier to understand why journalist Sam Tighe described him as the “flop of the season” early on in his Tottenham career.
Appearances
51
46
36
40
Goals
27
30
11
5
Assists
6
5
5
6
Goal Involvements per Match
0.64
0.76
0.44
0.27
After two years of dismal performances, the former Valencia star returned to Spain, signing for Villarreal, where he rediscovered some form and racked up a haul of 12 goals and 19 assists in 55 games.
In all, it’s hard to describe Soldado’s time in England as anything other than a complete flop, so it’s poor luck – or poor judgment – that Spurs made the same mistake with an even worse striker just a year after they sold the Spaniard.
The Spurs striker worse than Soldado
A year after Soldado left the club, Spurs already had their starting number nine sorted thanks to the emergence of Kane, but one thing they lacked was a reliable backup who could challenge the Englishman for his place in the team – absurd, we know.
Tottenham flop Vincent Janssen.
So, the club turned their attention to the continent and paid AZ Alkmaar around £19m for Vincent Janssen, who, at the time, was undoubtedly one of the most exciting and promising strikers around.
After all, in his final season in the Netherlands, he won the Eredivisie Golden Boot and ended up with a ridiculous tally of 31 goals and seven assists in just 49 appearances across all competitions, which worked out to an astounding average of a goal involvement every 1.28 games.
However, what happened to the Spanish striker a few years earlier happened to the young Dutchman, as once he arrived in England and started to earn his £1.36m-per-year salary, his goalscoring ability seemed to all but leave him.
For example, in his debut season, the disappointing forward was only able to score six goals and provide four assists in his 38 appearances, which was a dramatic fall from his output a year prior, and led to Gary Lineker brutally describing him as a “poor man’s Soldado.”
The next season, he was sent on loan to Fenerbahce, but injuries limited him to 18 highly productive appearances, in which he scored five goals and provided four assists.
The Heesch-born poacher returned to N17 for the 18/19 campaign, but a foot injury limited him to just five appearances, in which he scored a single goal, and then, that summer saw his nightmare in North London finally come to an end, as he was sold to Mexican outfit Monterrey for just £6.3m.
That means the once-promising striker left the club with a grand total of six goals and four assists in 42 games, which comes out to a goal involvement on average every 4.2 games.
In contrast, Werner, who is widely criticised for his poor displays for the Lilywhites, has managed to produce nine goal involvements in 41 appearances.
While that comes out to a slightly worse average of one every 4.55 games, that has been almost entirely from the wings, meaning there is a strong argument that he’s been a better player for the club than the Dutchman was.
Transfer fee
£19m
Total Wages
£2.7m
Appearances
42
Cost per Appearance
£517k
Goal
6
Cost per Goal
£3.6m
Assists
4
Cost per Assist
£5.4m
Goal Involvements
10
Cost per Goal Involvement
£2.1m
Moreover, when you add up his transfer fee and the wages he earned for the two seasons he spent at the club, the overall cost for the North Londoners was about £21.7m, which breaks down to £517k-per-appearance, £3.6m-per-goal, £5.4m-per-assist or £2.1m-per-goal-involvement – which can hardly be described as value for money.
Ultimately, it’s a good thing that Kane came along when he did, as with Soldado and Janssen, Spurs did not have the greatest track record when it came to signing promising strikers in the mid-2010s.
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The immense talent would be a brilliant signing for Spurs.
da luck： O CRB enfrenta o Operário-MS pela segunda fase da Copa do Brasil, nesta quarta-feira, às 19h30, no Estádio Rei Pelé. Em caso de empate no tempo normal, a decisão pela vaga na próxima etapa do torneio será definida nos pênaltis.
CRB X OPERÁRIO-MS
Data: quarta-feira, 15/03 Horário: 19h30 Local: Estádio Rei Pelé, Maceió Onde assistir: SporTV e Premiere Arbitragem: Vinicius Goncalves Dias Araujo (SP) apita a partida. Auxiliares: Daniel Luis Marques (SP) e Leandra Aires Cossette (SP)
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