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George Munsey rattles off 96 but Kent fall well short in their chase

ECB Reporters' Network22-Jul-2021Graham Clark and Alex Lees both hit centuries as Durham trounced Kent Spitfires by 103 runs in their Royal London Cup match at Beckenham. The visitors posted their highest ever 50-over score of 405 for 4, eclipsing their previous record of 353 for 8, set against Nottinghamshire in 2014.Clark hit 141 from 119 balls, with two sixes and 20 fours, while Lees made a relatively pedestrian 100 from 98, including one six and seven fours. David Beddingham then thrashed 67 and Cameron Bancroft finished unbeaten on 60.Chris Rushworth took 3 for 29 to flatten Kent’s top order and although George Munsey made 96 and Harry Finch 64, the hosts fell well behind the run rate and eventually closed on 302 for 8.On a sweltering day Kent won the toss, chose to field and repented at leisure: four catches went down off batters who went on to add a combined total of 225 after being reprieved. Finch dropped Lees when he was on 7 after he’d edged Harry Podmore, who himself spilled Clark when he was on 41. Beddingham was twice dropped in his thirties, first by Hamid Qadri and again by Tawanda Muyeye.Clark got to three figures with a push to midwicket and finally perished when he swatted Marcus O’Riordan to Matt Quinn. Lees reached his hundred with a pull off Quinn and although he hit the very next delivery straight to Darren Stevens, Beddingham maintained the momentum, hitting his first ball for six.Beddingham rode his luck before he eventually holed out to Stevens and was caught by Heino Kuhn. Sean Dickson was then brilliantly run out for 6 by Ollie Robinson, with a direct hit from square leg, but the runs kept flowing. Liam Trevaskis hit the next ball for six and the final over went for 20.Rushworth struck early in the Kent innings to remove Muyeye for 15, caught by Scott Borthwick. The same combination then removed Robinson for 8 and Kuhn for 6, reducing Kent to 50 for 3.Munsey and Finch put on 138 for the next wicket, but the former fell agonisingly close to his century when he swiped Paul van Meekeren to Trevaskis and Stevens made just 3 when he hit Jack Campbell to Lees.With the required rate rising to well over double figures, Finch was bowled by Luke Doneathy and Podmore chipped Trevaskis to Borthwick for 2. With the ground emptying rapidly, O’Riordan attempted to sweep Doneathy and was bowled for 22, although Qadri and James Logan showed some defiance to bat out the remaining overs and push the total over 300, finishing on 42 and 16 not out respectively.

Everton finally managed to secure their first Premier League victory of the season, beating Crystal Palace 2-1 at Goodison Park.

Despite going 1-0 down after just ten minutes, the Toffees were able to pull it back, with Dwight McNeil scoring a second-half brace to win them the game, securing three points.

This win takes Sean Dyche’s side to 15th in the Premier League, having lost four games, drawn one and won one in their opening six.

This could see Dyche’s job safe – for now – after last weeks of speculation that he could be sacked after his poor start to the campaign.

Dyche's torrid start to the season

This was Everton’s first win of the season in the Premier League, with their only other point coming in a 1-1 draw against Leicester.

One of their most disappointing performances came against Bournemouth, where the Toffees were leading 2-0 in the 86th minute before three late goals (87th, 92nd, and 96th) saw the Merseysiders lose yet again.

Everton hold the least amount of possession in the league, with 36.9% on average, and also have the worst pass accuracy, with 76.3% on average, but they aren’t defending well either.

Most sides that concede this amount of possession rely on their defensive structure to keep them in games, looking to hit teams on the break to get a result.

The Toffees have conceded 15 goals in six matches, the second worst in the division, only better than the 16 conceded by Wolves.

However, Everton may have just been handed their lifeline, with Jarrad Branthwaite’s return, which could play a huge part in saving Dyche’s job.

Branthwaite the saviour

On his return to action, Branthwaite scored an 8/10 match rating from the Liverpool Echo, making five clearances, three interceptions, two tackles and completing 100% of his dribble attempts throughout the clash.

The 22-year-old defender was one of Everton’s standout players last season, attracting interest from clubs such as Manchester United this summer.

The English defender also won 100% of his ground duels (4/4), and 50% of his aerial duels (3/6) during the game, playing a big part in Everton only conceding one goal, and managing their first victory of the campaign.

Passes Attempted

40.0

40.8

45.1

Pass Completion %

79.8%

77.1%

77.4%

Progressive Passes

2.14

3.42

2.86

Tackles

1.91

1.61

1.43

Blocks

1.47

2.16

1.02

Interceptions

1.34

1.48

1.59

Aerials Won

2.72

3.68

3.27

Comparing Branthwaite with the two Everton central defenders that started this season, James Tarkowski, and Michael Keane, you can see the 22-year-old offers the highest pass completion – a stat Everton are struggling with this season – and tackles made, a particularly important one for defenders.

The return of the young centre-back to the side will help improve them in important metrics, whilst also adding a 6 foot 5 frame to the backline, who can also recover at speed.

This is a rare profile, having a player with such physical attributes, who is also tidy on the ball, and his timely return could be exactly what is needed for Dyche to save his job.

Friedkin could sack Dyche by hiring "genius" Moyes alternative at Everton

Sean Dyche faces a critical few weeks at Everton

ByRoss Kilvington Sep 23, 2024

Manchester United have opened talks over a move for Lecce full-back Patrick Dorgu, who has previously been linked with Chelsea.

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Man Utd want Lecce's DorguMendes rejected United's offerAmorim wants to sign new left-back in JanuaryFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

United are in search of a wing-back who can fit into Rubem Amorim's 3-4-2-1 and are accordingly eyeing a move for Lecce's Dorgu, according to , whose report follows . While a deal is yet to be agreed, the Red Devils have already initiated negotiations with the Serie A side over a possible transfer. reports that Drogu's move to Old Trafford could be sealed in the coming days as the English side have intensified talks. Their initial bid, which is just under €30 million (£25m/$30m), has been rejected but Lecce would accept the offer if they stump up €35 million (£29m/$36m) plus bonuses.

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Amid the United's horrendous run of form in the Premier League, which has seen them lose five out of their last six matches, Amorim seems desperate to make additions to his squad in the January transfer window. The club had earlier approached Paris Saint-Germain left-back Nuno Mendes, but the Portuguese defender rejected their offer and is set to extend his stay in the French capital.

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Last year it was reported that Premier League giants Chelsea were also keen on signing 20-year-old Denmark international Dorgu. However, the Blues are yet to approach the Italian side.

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

After the damaging 3-1 home loss at the hands of Brighton, United will be back in action on Thursday as they take on Rangers in the Europa League.

England’s top-order issues could pave way for the returns of James Vince and Dawid Malan

Andrew Miller17-Aug-20214:59

Harmison: England made the mistake of bowling too short at tailenders and not having a set plan

Chris Silverwood, England’s head coach, has admitted that Mark Wood may end up joining a list of absentees including Ben Stokes, Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes for next week’s third Test against India, after bowling through the pain of an injured shoulder during England’s disastrous final-day capitulation at Lord’s.Wood, who landed heavily on his right shoulder while fielding on the fourth evening of the second Test, was still able to touch speeds of 94mph during a hostile but ineffective spell on the final morning. However, the effort caused him clear pain – not least when he jarred the same shoulder after tumbling in his followthrough – and Silverwood said he would be closely monitored by the England medical team ahead of the third Test, which gets underway at Headingley on August 25.”The medics are working on him, we’ll find out more in the next couple of days,” Silverwood said on the morning after England’s 151-run loss. “We will make a decision, along with him and our medics, closer to the time. But if he’s not right, he’s not right. I certainly won’t push him into playing if he tells me he’s not right. I will look after him.”The prospect of England losing yet another of their point-of-difference bowlers is a daunting one, given how shell-shocked the team was by the events of the fifth day at Lord’s. A winning position was ripped away by an unbeaten ninth-wicket stand of 89 between Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, before the same pairing led the line in blasting England out for 120 in just 51.5 overs across the final two sessions.While Wood’s effort in the course of India’s decisive partnership could not be faulted, the tactics most certainly could – with Root accepting responsibility at the end of the match for what was interpreted as an over-emotional attempt to get back at Bumrah in particular, after his short-pitched assault on England’s No.11 James Anderson in the final moments of the third day’s play.”I saw Joe took that on himself in the interview afterwards, but it’s a collective and I’m part of that as well,” Silverwood said. “Emotions ran high, there’s no doubt about it. They obviously targeted Jimmy in that first innings, so we went back hard at them as well. We tried to go toe-to-toe with them, but what we could have done better is shift from that tactic back to Plan A, and hitting the top of off.Mark Wood did some damage to his shoulder while diving to field a ball•Getty Images”I don’t mind the aggressive approach,” he added. “One thing we have to become good at is removing lower-order batsmen. But equally I’d like to give some credit to the Indian batsmen as well. I thought they handled the situation really well. They navigated their way through it and put their team in a really strong position. They have to take some credit but equally we have to look at our tactics.”However, Silverwood had nothing but praise for the manner in which Wood himself had interpreted those tactics, especially given that his fierce extraction of India’s top three earlier in the innings – including Rohit Sharma on the hook and Cheteshwar Pujara with a lifter late on the fourth evening – had been instrumental in setting up England’s victory chance.”What he did for the team, and the effort to bowl at 90mph with a sore shoulder, it just shows how much he cares about the team and how much he cares about playing for England, and how passionate he is,” Silverwood said.”It was a superb effort. I’m very proud of him for what he did there. He’ll be trying his best to get ready for Leeds, and I will give him every chance to be fit, but at the same time, it is massively important that we look after Woody. He is a prized asset. We have found ourselves in the position, when you lose Archer and [Olly] Stone, we have got one guy left that can bowl that fast.”Silverwood also warned that there was little prospect of seeing the return of Stokes next week at Headingley, the venue where he etched his name into Ashes folklore in 2019 with his epic match-winning century. Stokes withdrew his availability before the start of the India series due to burn-out, allied to the complications caused by a badly broken finger, and despite the apparent desperation of England’s series situation, Silverwood said there would be no SOS from the England camp.Chris Sliverwood will not be pushing Ben Stokes to come out of his self-imposed break•Getty Images”There’s still no time limit on it, to be honest,” he said. “The important thing is that Ben is okay, his family are okay, and that he comes back strong, and when he when re-enters the frame, he’s ready in his mindset to come back to perform for England, like we know he can.”I’m certainly not pushing him for an answer. I don’t think that would be the right thing to do. There’s people around him, supporting him, and when he’s ready to come back in, obviously we’ll welcome him back with open arms.”But until then he’ll get all the support he needs. There’s no pushing from my point of view, I don’t think you can push these issues. I’ll wait.”Woakes also remains a doubt for Headingley after sustaining a foot injury prior to the series, with Silverwood admitting he “didn’t have an answer” about his prospects of a return. England’s problems, however, extend far beyond their fast-bowling stocks, given that their top three of Rory Burns, Dom Sibley and Haseeb Hameed each made ducks at Lord’s, with only Burns contributing a score of any note with his first-innings 49.The current lack of red-ball cricket in the county schedule is an added complication, and Silverwood admitted that England’s selectors would “have to think of everything” when they meet on Tuesday evening to decide on the squad for Headingley – including a prospective break for Sibley, and recalls for two men whose last extended runs in the side came on the 2017-18 Ashes tour, James Vince and Dawid Malan.6:25

Harmison: England openers have reached an all-time low

“I’ve got to keep my eyes and ears open, and my mind open to all suggestions, and it’s certainly something that we’ll be talking about this evening in selection, when we all get together,” Silverwood said. “It’s not like I’m not in touch with these guys.I’ve seen them over the various formats and my relationship with these guys is very good. I’m quite close to them so I wouldn’t say you can’t do it.”I don’t think there is any ideal process out there. We have to make the best of what we’ve got,” he added. “It’s difficult to bring people in from, say, the Hundred or the Royal London Cup. To throw them into Test cricket, we’ve seen that the pressure is huge in this series. It’s being played with a lot of passion, which is great to see, but it is a difficult transition.”You’ve got to do what’s best for the team, ultimately, and find the best way of progressing England to a place where big first-innings runs – and second-innings runs – come in on a consistent basis.”For the time being, however, Silverwood urged his players to use their week off wisely before reconvening at Headingley with fresh minds, safe in the knowledge that they have battled back from 1-0 deficits before, both in the 2019 Ashes, and in their 3-1 victory in South Africa the following winter.”We’ve got a little bit space now, so they can go home, spend a bit of time with their families, calm down a little bit, and clear their minds and come back fresh.”It’s not a position that we’re not used to. We’ve been in this position before, so I’ve made sure that we remember those feelings, remember those times, and how we did it. They’ve got the belief that they can do it, because they have done it before.”

Lionel Messi has been defended after sparking controversy at Inter Miami, with Mexico the “only Latin American country that doesn’t enjoy him”.

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Argentine icon angered fans vs Club AmericaHis antics in Las Vegas have been criticisedTeam-mate wants GOAT to be enjoyed by everyoneFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi has faced Central American opposition on a regular basis down the years when turning out for Argentina – with a number of memorable contests taking place on the grandest of stages at World Cup finals.

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Messi has not endeared himself to El Tri with his exploits, and further incensed fans from that part of the world when holding up three fingers to the crowd during a pre-season friendly outing for MLS side Inter Miami against Liga MX opponents Club America.

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Said salute was intended to remind those in the stands of how many global titles Argentina have, with Messi pointing out that Mexico have zero. His antagonistic antics have been criticised by some, but a club colleague in Florida believes the all-time great should be lauded wherever he goes.

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GettyWHAT FEDERICO REDONDO SAID

Herons star Federico Redondo has said of the response to Messi’s gesture towards supporters that were goading him: “I think that in all of Latin America, perhaps out of resentment or something else, the only country that doesn't enjoy watching Leo is Mexico.”

He added ahead of a meeting with Universitario de Peru on Wednesday: “Peru is going to enjoy the party and how great it is to see the best player in the world. There is no reason to treat the best player in the world like this. It is a shame that we cannot enjoy his magic.”

Arsenal are considering a move for a 23-year-old forward, with sporting director Edu Gaspar having personally kept tabs on him since July.

Edu and Arteta targeting new Arsenal striker for 2025

Their failure to land RB Leipzig ace Benjamin Sesko in the summer left the Gunners without a fresh centre-forward option, but that is something they could look to rectify next year, regardless of Kai Havertz’s excellent run of form.

"All-round" £50m Premier League player could now join Arsenal in January

He’d be an interesting new addition.

ByEmilio Galantini Oct 11, 2024

Arsenal had an offer rejected by Sesko, who chose to sign an extension with Leipzig instead, and Edu did not move for an alternative after the Slovenian.

Havertz has instead repaid that faith with six goals across 10 appearances in all competitions already, but well-connected former chief scout Mick Brown has “heard” that Arsenal could still look to bring in a new number nine as early as January – if the right man presents himself.

“Havertz has been brilliant recently,” said Brown.

“You have to give people like that a lot of credit because questions have been asked of him and a lot of people would have shied away. But he’s done a great job for them. You have to credit Mikel Arteta because he’s brought this out of him. I’ve heard, though, that if there was the right option out there, Arsenal still want to buy somebody in that position.

Bournemouth (away)

October 19

Liverpool (home)

October 27

Newcastle United (away)

November 2

Chelsea (away)

November 10

Nottingham Forest (home)

November 23

“The problem is there’s not a long list of players who are good enough to play that role and are also available to come to the Premier League. Arsenal won’t want to waste any money they have on a player they don’t need.

“They’ll be prudent, but I know they’ll be looking for areas they can improve, and I think that will be one even with Havertz playing as well as he has been.”

A fair few strikers have been linked already, but a new name is now being mentioned in Botafogo star Igor Jesus.

Arsenal consider Igor Jesus move after extensive Edu scouting

According to The Boot Room, Arsenal could consider a move for Igor Jesus, following extensive scouting by Edu personally – which has been ongoing since as far back as July.

The 23-year-old scored on his debut for Brazil early Friday, making a major impact during their FIFA World Cup qualifying win over Chile in South America, and he’s bagged seven in all competitions at club level after making a switch from UAE side Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club in the summer.

Chelsea are also keeping a watchful eye on the player amid their ongoing search for Brazilian talents, with Jesus himself describing his playing style as “similar” to his country’s fellow stars Gabriel Martinelli, Vinicus Jr and Rodrygo.

“The national team has a very pacey attack when you look at players like Vinicius, Rodrygo and Martinelli,” Jesus said to FIFA’s official website.

“I think my game is quite similar to theirs. I like to try to attack the spaces and I am mobile. I don’t just stay in the box. I am capable of holding onto balls played out by the keeper and holding off defenders, which I think helps to ease the pressure on the team in tough passages of play.

“I hope I can play well so that I get called up for future squads too.”

Few players embrace county game like Lyth, whose innings leaves Notts chasing fourth-day victory

David Hopps23-Sep-2021Nottinghamshire 296 (Clarke 109, Evison 58) and 42 for 1 require a further 132 runs to beat Yorkshire 73 (Evison 4-13, Fletcher 3-31) and 396 (Lyth 153)”I wouldn’t be here playing four-day cricket if I didn’t want to play Test cricket again,” said Dawid Malan back in June. “I still feel like I’ve got a hell of a lot to give”.Malan’s ambition as he approached his 34th birthday had to be applauded – and he got his wish as he returned to the Test side soon afterwards. But what does that say about the County Championship, 2021-style, if some of the best players would not even be there if they were not wishing to be somewhere else? And Malan is not alone. It is just that not everybody states it so baldly. For lovers of the Championship, these are worrying times.More pertinently, what does that say about a player like Adam Lyth, who is a year younger than Malan but who must know deep down that his England days have gone? Lyth still attracts honourable mentions from time to time – such has been the state of England’s top order, how could it be otherwise – but they have arisen more from a journalist’s desperation for a time-honoured intro than any real possibility that he adds to his six Tests after an absence of six years.Somewhere between Malan, who had only been with Yorkshire for three months when he tacitly dismissed the intrinsic worth of the Championship, and troupers like Darren Stevens, who is playing deep into his 40s and who will feel bereft the day it all comes to an end, is Lyth. County cricket alone must now sustain him.It took him until his last innings to address a wretched season. He had last made a Championship fifty in April and his recent run of scores looked like a couple of credit-card PINs. He would have been dropped for the final Championship match of the season if Gary Ballance had not announced himself too ill to take part on the first morning. The decision by Yorkshire’s coach, Andrew Gale, would have been a reluctant one, arguably a belated one, because nobody rates Lyth more highly. Famously, he once suggested he had more natural talent than Joe Root.Related

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What followed was a reaffirmation of his talent. Lyth only made four (from a laboured 27 balls) in the first innings as Yorkshire were bundled out for 73, following scores of 108 and 117 against Warwickshire the previous week. Much will be made of how Yorkshire showed resilience the second time around in making 396 – and they did, even if batting conditions had eased. But it was Lyth who found that durability, Lyth who looked into himself and presumably knew he still cared, as he responded with 153 in nearly eight-and-a-half hours at the crease. It certainly made a change from eight-and-a-half minutes.That innings means that Nottinghamshire are unlikely to secure victory, if victory it is, until after lunch on the final day. They need 174 and they finished the third day stable enough at 42 for 1. The pitch has slowed and there is minimal chance of turn. Yorkshire need the ball to swing but overcast skies could arrive too late.Nottinghamshire can qualify for next week’s Bob Willis Trophy between the top two if they beat Yorkshire – as long as Warwickshire don’t beat Somerset at Edgbaston. But just for a minute, around 5pm, and against all expectations, they appeared to have a chance of winning the Championship. Lancashire needed two to beat Hampshire at Aigburth with the last pair at the crease and a tie would have let Notts back in the race. Then Dane Vilas swept a winning boundary and the excitement vanished as quickly as it had appeared.By then, Lyth was in his customary place at second slip, weary and satisfied. He began the day with 73 to his name and continued in the same unobtrusive, controlled fashion, reining his game back to the basics. Before he settled, he edged Luke Fletcher uncertainly wide of the slip cordon, but his 27th first-class century was secured with impeccable timing just before the second new ball as he glided Steven Mullaney through point.That second new ball was a non-event and it was into its 12th over before Harry Brook, who had driven Fletcher for four boundaries in an over as the ball failed to swing, nibbled at one from Dane Paterson to fall for 43. Thompson later edged a fine offcutter from Mullaney to second slip. Patterson bowled with commendable economy, but it was Brett Hutton who fulfilled the workhorse role, sending down 34 overs and deserving a couple of late lbws by virtue of perseverance alone as Yorkshire kept Notts in the field for 142.2 overs.Lyth played and missed at Fletcher, on the walk, in the last over before lunch and Joey Evison fancied he might get an lbw decision on 120, his race-down-the-pitch appeal straight from the Stuart Broad school. It was Evison who finally ended Lyth’s stalwart and high-class innings when his challenging line found the outside edge.As Yorkshire struggle to emerge from a transitional stage to become real Championship contenders – with a lack of first-innings runs their most glaring weakness – they still need Lyth. What’s more they will feel doubly confident that he needs them and that will bring general delight because he has become the very stuff of Yorkshire cricket. Were ever to feel that Championship cricket was not a life worth living, we might as well all give up. He has embraced county cricket for 15 years and. although he is not one for great speeches, he has emotionally lived every minute. He has some way to go before becoming Yorkshire’s Trescothick, but many who have watched him over the years will hope it can satisfy him for a good while yet.As for the Championship, the global alternatives on offer insist that it must re-evaluate or ultimately pay the price. To value its past is not to safeguard its future. It must produce England players, but it must be loved for itself. Quality must be put ahead of quantity. The appeal of white-ball specialism is growing. For all those who play it, whether they possess England ambitions or not, it must be a pleasure not a grind.