All posts by h79snht.top

ودع ريال مدريد منافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا بعدما خسر أمام ضيفه آرسنال بنتيجة 2-1، في اللقاء الذي أقيم على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو”.

وواجه ريال مدريد نظيره آرسنال، في منافسات إياب ربع نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا لموسم 2024/2025.

وانتهت مواجهة الذهاب بين الفريقين بفوز آرسنال بثلاثية نظيفة في اللقاء الذي أقيم على ملعب “الامارات”.

اقرأ أيضاً.. الفرق المتأهلة إلى نصف نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا

التهديد الأول من آرسنال على مرمى ريال مدريد جاء بالدقيقة الخامسة من تسديدة بوكايو ساكا القوية بالقدم اليمنى لكنها مرت بجوار مرمى كورتوا.

تسديدة أخرى من ساكا في الدقيقة السابعة كادت أن تعلن عن أول أهداف آرسنال في المواجهة لولا تألق الحارس البلجيكي.

وأهدر بوكايو ساكا فرصة افتتاح التسجيل لصالح آرسنال من علامة الجزاء بتصدي مميز من تيبو كورتوا بالدقيقة 13.

تهديد ريال مدريد الأول على مرمى الجانرز جاء من خلال تمريرة جود بيلينجهام إلى رودريجو، لكن المهاجم البرازيلي لم يتمكن من اللحاق بالكرة.

وتراجع حكم المباراة عن إحتساب ركلة جزاء لصالح ريال مدريد بسبب دفع ديكلان رايس لـ كيليان مبابي، ولكن بعدما تمت مراجعة الحالة في غرفة تقنية الفيديو، أشار باستئناف اللعب.

ولم ينجح لاعبو ريال مدريد في خلق فرص حقيقية على مرمى ديفيد رايا، لينتهي الشوط الأول سلبي النتيجة بين الفريقين.

في الشوط الثاني ومع الدقيقة 53 كاد كيليان مبابي أن يحرز الهدف الأول لصالح ريال مدريد لكن رأسيته جائت بعيدة عن مرمى ديفيد رايا.

ونجح بوكايو ساكا في افتتاح التسجيل لصالح آرسنال بطريقة رائعة عند الدقيقة 65، وذلك بعدما تلقى تمريرة حاسمة من ميكيل ميرينو.

وبخطأ فادح من ويليام ساليبا، تمكن فينيسيوس جونيور من تسجيل هدف التعادل لـ ريال مدريد بحلول الدقيقة 67.

محاولات لاعبي ريال مدريد في الدقائق الأخيرة من عمر اللقاء لم تشكل أي خطورة على مرمى رايا.

ومع الدقيقة الثانية من الوقت المحتسب بدل من ضائع عن نهاية المباراة، وقع جابرييل مارتينيلي على ثاني أهداف الجانرز بانطلاقة رائعة من وسط الملعب ليصل إلى منطقة جزاء ريال مدريد وقام بالتسديد في الزاوية اليسرى لمرمى كورتوا.

بهذه النتيجة، يتمكن آرسنال من التأهل إلى دور نصف نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا بفوزه في مجموع المباراتين أمام ريال مدريد بنتيجة 5-1، ليضرب موعداً مع باريس سان جيرمان في نصف نهائي البطولة. هدف آرسنال الأول أمام ريال مدريد بـ دوري أبطال أوروبا

ساكا يهدي آرسنال هدف التقدم ويضع ريال مدريد في موقف محرج ⚽️🔥#دوري_أبطال_أوروبا pic.twitter.com/Uci26YG4ik — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) April 16, 2025

هدف تعادل ريال مدريد أمام آرسنال بـ دوري أبطال أوروبا

فينيسيوس يستغل خطأ فادحاً من الفرنسي صاليبا ويمنح ريال مدريد هدف التعادل ⚽️#دوري_أبطال_أوروبا #ريال_مدريد #آرسنال pic.twitter.com/bOpV1l6a8D — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) April 16, 2025

 هدف آرسنال الثاني أمام ريال مدريد بـ دوري أبطال أوروبا

مارتينيلي يسجل هدفاً ثانياً لآرسنال بعد مرتدة مثالية#دوري_أبطال_أوروبا #ريال_مدريد #آرسنال pic.twitter.com/1EazsDn3i4 — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) April 16, 2025

Liverpool are now keen on signing a “fantastic” player who’s valued at £50m to replace Andy Robertson, according to a report.

Robertson struggling in Liverpool's hot start

Robertson is one of the longest-serving players in Arne Slot’s squad, playing a huge role in the success the Reds experienced under the helm of Jurgen Klopp, but he is not having the best of campaigns up to this point.

Last weekend, the Scotland international was sent off in the first half against Fulham, bearing responsibility for the two points Slot’s side dropped, and there are now reports that the manager is looking at a number of replacements.

Journalist Christian Falk recently revealed that Liverpool are in the race for Alphonso Davies, who is out of contract at the end of the season, however there is likely to be competition from a number of Europe’s top clubs.

As such, Slot may consider alternative options, and AFC Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez has emerged as a target following the 21-year-old’s impressive Premier League campaign up to this point.

Liverpool told Antonee Robinson asking price

Another player on Slot’s shortlist is Fulham’s Antonee Robinson, and Football Insider have now revealed that Fulham have set an asking price of between £40m – £50m for the left-back. Robinson is said to be high on Liverpool’s list of targets, having particularly impressed in his recent outing at Anfield, during which he picked up two assists.

After an impressive Premier League campaign so far, a number of top clubs are queuing up for the Fulham star, but the Cottagers will be very much in the driving seat of any negotiations that take place.

The 27-year-old is contracted until 2028, meaning his current employers will not sanction his departure unless an interested party is willing to pay a huge sum. It is currently unclear how much Liverpool would be willing to spend to land one of their top targets.

Related Liverpool offer star new contract worth £7m+ a year more than current deal

The Reds are facing a nervous wait for his response…

Posts 1 ByTom Cunningham Dec 19, 2024

It is no wonder Robinson has caught the eye of so many top clubs, considering how well he has performed for Fulham over the past year, in both an attacking and defensive sense.

The American ranks in the 95th percentile for assists, the 94th percentile for clearances, the 95th percentile for interceptions and the 88th percentile for tackles per 90 over the past year, when compared to his positional peers.

Lauded as “fantastic” during his time with Wigan Athletic earlier in his career, it has been a long journey to the top for Robinson, but his performances this season prove that he would be more than capable of making the step up to a big club.

That said, there is no need to panic too early over Robertson’s recent form. Although the Scot has received his fair share of criticism this season, he has been dependable at left-back for a number of years, and he shouldn’t be moved on after one bad patch.

نجح فريق صن داونز الجنوب إفريقي، في تسجيل هدف التعادل بشباك الأهلي، في المباراة الجارية بينهما حاليًا ضمن منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

ويحل صن داونز ضيفًا على الأهلي في استاد القاهرة، في إياب دور نصف نهائي بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وجاء هدف تعادل صن داونز في الدقيقة 90 عن طريق ياسر إبراهيم بالخطأ في مرماه أثناء محاولته تشتيت الكرة.

طالع أيضًا.. جراديشار يغادر مباراة الأهلي وصن داونز مصابًا

وكان الأهلي قد سجل الهدف الأول في الدقيقة 24 عن طريق طاهر محمد طاهر من تصويبة صاروخية بعد تلقيه تمريرة سحرية من إمام عاشور.

ويتأهل الفائز من مواجهة الأهلي وصن داونز، لملاقاة الصاعد من مباراة بيراميدز وأورلاندو الجنوب إفريقي، بالمباراة النهائية للبطولة. هدف تعادل صن داونز أمام الأهلي في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

ماميلودي صنداونز يدرك التعادل#دوري_أبطال_افريقيا #الاهلي_صن_داونز pic.twitter.com/lSvUZApQZm — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) April 25, 2025

Yorkshire were set to chase 114 in 21 overs, but conditions have final say

ECB Reporters Network01-May-2022

Ben Compton’s prolific run of form continued with 93 for Kent vs Yorkshire•Getty Images

Yorkshire were denied the opportunity to chase 114 in the final 21 overs of a pulsating final day by bad light as Kent secured an LV= Insurance County Championship draw at Headingley.Umpires Graham Lloyd and Steve O’Shaughnessy took the players off the field before a ball had been bowled in the Yorkshire chase following impressive innings from Kent trio Ben Compton (93), Grant Stewart (91) and Ollie Robinson (85 not out).Kent looked to be in safe waters at 384 for 6 in their second innings, a lead of 104 and time running out.But Yorkshire captain Steve Patterson was at the heart of a loss of four wickets for nine runs in 24 balls. He claimed three of them to finish with 5 for 54 in 29.3 overs, only for the 38-year-old’s return to go unrewarded.Credit should go to Kent, though. They avoided a third defeat in four games and denied their hosts a second win in three to start 2022.Opener Compton and wicketkeeper Robinson played similarly doughty innings, while injured all-rounder Stewart (hamstring) was far more aggressive as he struggled for mobility and required a runner.Kent started the day on 118 for 2, trailing by 162.Compton is now the top division’s leading run-scorer with 560 and fell before lunch to leave the score at 182 for 5.Stewart and Robinson then shared 166 for the seventh wicket, a Kent record in matches versus Yorkshire, either side of tea having come together at 218 for 6, a deficit of 62 with 56 overs still to bowl.At that stage, Yorkshire were on top. The pair dug in initially before Stewart opened his shoulders.His 58-ball fifty was almost twice as quick as his partner’s. Kent reached tea at 312 for 6, leading by 32 with 35 overs remaining in the game.And they all but doubled the lead in the first two overs of the evening, including Stewart hitting two sixes to take the lion’s share of 20 off a Jordan Thompson over.More runs were to follow, with Stewart’s 91-ball innings featuring four sixes, all either slog swept or pulled.But he was run out clipping to mid on before Patterson trapped Matt Milnes lbw and had Nathan Gilchrist and Matt Quinn caught at mid off to raise home hopes of a first 24-point haul since the final game of 2018.Instead, they had to settle for 16 points to Kent’s 11.Last week, Yorkshire were thwarted for the first time in as many weeks when they were unable to take 10 wickets on day four against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.Stewart suffered a hamstring problem whilst bowling on day three and required Jordan Cox as a runner when he arrived at the crease.Yorkshire’s bid for victory, meanwhile, was hampered by the loss of Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf, who was unable to bowl in the second innings with a side issue.Play was watched by new Yorkshire chair Lord Kamlesh Patel and dignitaries of one of the club’s new principal partners, Clean Slate Studioz, including owner Karnesh Ssharma – the brother-in-law of Virat Kohli.An overcast sky hung above Headingley for the majority of the day, with the floodlights turned on as early as the second over of the day. So it was no real surprise that bad light played its part.Yorkshire’s first breakthrough came via Patterson, who removed opposing captain Jack Leaning – his former team-mate and close friend – for 36.When Leaning under-edged behind attempting to leave alone in the day’s sixth over, the 56th of the innings, Kent were 126 for three with a deficit of 154.George Hill then struck twice with his canny medium pacers before Patterson’s late intervention.The match was deemed a draw just before 5.45pm, half an hour after bad light initially intervened.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Botafogo está de volta à Série A: atual campeão da segunda divisão do Campeonato Brasileiro, o Alvinegro reestreia na elite neste domingo, às 16h, contra o Corinthians. O time chega cercado de expectativas pelos movimentos feitos fora de campo: desde a compra de 90% da SAF por John Textor, o Glorioso gastou mais de R$ 50 milhões em contratações e foi um dos clubes que mais agitou o mercado da bola.

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+ Zagueiro, ponta, meia… Botafogo corre contra o tempo na busca por contratações visando o Brasileirão

O “novo Botafogo” é um projeto a médio/longo e, para isso, trouxe um técnico com um trabalho de reconstrução de dez anos na base do Porto: Luís Castro. O português será o responsável por guiar o renascimento do Alvinegro, que quer ter um “ano tranquilo” em 2022: passar longe da zona de rebaixamento e se garantir em uma competição internacional – a Copa Sul-Americana é a meta. São passos de formiga para tentar chegar ao sucesso.

Time-base: Gatito Fernández; Daniel Borges (Saravia), Philipe Sampaio, Kanu, Jonathan Silva; Luís Oyama, Patrick de Paula; Lucas Piazon, Chay, Victor Sá; Matheus Nascimento (Erison). Técnico: Luís Castro.

VAIVÉM DO BOTAFOGO

Quem chegou: Breno (Goiás), Vinícius Lopes (Goiás), Fabinho (Ceará), Klaus (Ceará), Erison (Brasil de Pelotas), Philipe Sampaio (Guingamp-FRA), Lucas Piazon (Braga-POR), Renzo Saravia (Porto-POR), Patrick de Paula (Palmeiras), Victor Sá (Al Jazira-EAU), Luís Oyama (Mirassol) e Luís Castro (técnico).
Quem saiu: Pedro Castro (Cruzeiro), Jonathan Lemos (Bahia), Rafael Navarro (Palmeiras), Ricardinho (Paysandu), Gilvan (CRB), Warley (Coritiba), Rafael Moura, Marcinho (CRB), Marco Antônio (Bahia) e Ronald (Novorizontino).
Quem pode chegar: Niko Hämäläinen (Queens Park Rangers-ING), Victor Cuesta (Internacional) e Eran Zahavi (PSV-HOL).
Quem pode sair: Fabinho, Vitor Marinho, Felipe Ferreira, Ewerton e Gabriel Tigrão.

Os primeiros jogos*:

10/04 – Botafogo x Corinthians – 16h – Estádio Nilton Santos
​17/04 – Ceará x Botafogo – 19h – Arena Castelão
​24/04 – Atlético-GO x Botafogo – 19h – Estádio Antônio Accioly
​01/05 – Botafogo x Juventude – 11h – Estádio Nilton Santos
​07/05 – Flamengo x Botafogo – 19h – Maracanã
​14, 15 ou 16/05 – Botafogo x Fortaleza – A definir – Estádio Nilton Santos
​21, 22 ou 23/05 – América-MG x Botafogo -A definir – Independência
​28, 29, 30/05 – Coritiba x Botafogo – A definir – Couto Pereira
​04, 05 ou 06/06 – Botafogo x Goiás -A definir – Estádio Nilton Santos
​08 ou 09/06 – Palmeiras x Botafogo -A definir – Allianz Parque

*A CBF detalhou apenas as cinco primeiras rodadas do Brasileirão

+ Confira a tabela do Brasileirão!

Opinião do setorista – Sergio Santana

Pelas entrevistas dadas por John Textor ao longo dos últimos meses, o projeto do Botafogo deve apresentar algo praticamente inédito no futebol brasileiro: tempo. O norte-americano afirma claramente que chega para buscar títulos, mas que isso não é para agora. É algo para ser desenvolvido em um médio prazo e ser colhido de forma pensada e planejada.

Não sabemos se isso realmente vai acontecer, mas, pelo andar da carruagem, é plantar para colher – e não tentar comprar a muda já crescida, como acontece várias vezes no futebol brasileiro. Luís Castro é o nome perfeito para isso – o que talvez explique o tempo que o Botafogo esperou para o português chegar.

O Campeonato Brasileiro de 2022 talvez ainda não mostre o total potencial do “novo Botafogo”, que não deve brigar pelo título – e quiçá nem por uma vaga na Taça Libertadores. Contudo, também não deve aquele Botafogo que vai fazer contas e torcer contra rivais para se livrar da zona de rebaixamento nas últimas rodadas do Brasileirão.

É algo que está se formando e a primeira demonstração do que John Textor pretende fazer. Se vai cumprir com o diz ou não, saberemos agora. A questão é que ele vem de uma Premier League – também tem ações no Crystal Palace -, onde os clubes têm projetos de médio/longo prazo de forma comum. É aguardar o que esse Botafogo pode proporcionar.

Tottenham Hotspur have expressed their interest in signing a new centre-back who they could get for a relatively cheap fee, with manager Ange Postecoglou making moves to reinforce his disjointed backline.

Tottenham without van de Ven, Romero and Davies until late January

Spurs will have to cope without their trio of first-choice centre-backs in Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Ben Davies for even more time as they face a plethora of looming back-to-back January fixtures.

Related Tottenham now exploring January move for England int'l to replace Forster

Ange Postecoglou is looking to replace his goalkeeper.

Posts ByDominic Lund Jan 3, 2025

Postecoglou has just days in between each game to prepare throughout this month, as the Lilywhites prepare for a two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool, Tamworth in the FA Cup, a North London Derby away to Arsenal, Everton at home, Hoffenheim in the Europa League, Leicester City and Elfsborg.

Tottenham’s next five Premier League fixtures

Date

Arsenal (away)

January 15

Everton (away)

January 19

Leicester City (home)

January 26

Brentford (away)

February 2

Man United (home)

February 16

The matches are coming thick and fast for Spurs, and they’ll have to play most of them minus van de Ven, Romero and Davies, with Postecoglou confirming that the three senior defenders won’t return until late January.

“Yeah, at this stage, Richy and Mikey will be the next two off the rank,” said Postecoglou on Tottenham team news before their clash with Newcastle.

“Hopefully next week at some point, and then Ben, Micky van de Van and Romero, all kind of around the same time, so that back end of January, they’re all sort of slated to return.”

While Tottenham are closing in on a deal for Slavia Prague goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, their lack of options in defence has prompted many reports that Spurs could look to bring in another centre-half as well before the end of this month, and many interesting names have been linked.

RC Lens starlet Abdukodir Khusanov, Leeds United star Pascal Struijk, Feyenoord stalwart David Hancko, PSG’s Milan Skriniar, Getafe’s Omar Alderete, Inter Milan sensation Yann Bisseck and Borussia Mönchengladbach stalwart Ko Itakura are all centre-backs reportedly on Tottenham’s radar, as technical director Johan Lange seeks to bolster Postecoglou’s back line.

Itakura could be available at a cut-price for Spurs in January, as his contract expires in the summer of 2026, so the Japan international could be an attractive option.

Tottenham could sign Udinese defender Kristensen for just £14 million

However, he isn’t their only prudent target, as it is believed Udinese colossus Thomas Kristensen is attracting serious interest from N17.

That is according to Messaggero Veneto, as translated by Sport Witness, who claim that Tottenham are eyeing a January move for Kristensen, and his club are prepared to let him leave this month for just £14 million.

The 6 foot 6 Denmark Under-21 international was one of Udinese’s best-performing players by average match rating throughout the entirety of 2023/2024, according to WhoScored, and his age indicates that there is scope for him to improve even more.

Once van de Ven and Romero return, he would also have to contend with a more bit-part role, so Spurs won’t want to splash the cash on a too illustrious defender in a bid not to upset the apple cart. However, they do face competition from Leicester City to secure a deal for the Dane.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Sport confirmou a chegada do volante Fabinho, que chega por empréstimo do Botafogo com a missão de ajudar o Leão a tentar o acesso na Série B.Em sua apresentação, o novo camisa 7 explicou o motivo de escolha pelo clube, apesar de ter recebido propostas até de clubes da Série A.

– VEJA A TABELA DA SÉRIE B

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– Essa escolha não foi difícil. Tive realmente outras propostas, tanto da Série A quanto da Série B. E a escolha de vir foi uma escolha que acredito ser acertada. Sou movido a desafios. Todos os clubes que cheguei eu sempre tive desafios, e talvez os clubes também estavam naquele momento de redenção. Então estou acostumado – declarou.

Calendário

O Sport de Fabinho volta a campo no fim de semana, quando encara o Criciúma, pela 3ª rodada da Série B. O jogo será no Heriberto Hulse.

تحدث بيب جوارديولا، المدير الفني لفريق مانشستر سيتي، عن تأهلهم إلى نهائي كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي بعد فوزهم على نوتيتجهام فورست اليوم.

وتلاقى الفريقان على ملعب “ويمبلي” في نصف نهائي كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي، حيث فاز مانشستر سيتي بهدفين دون رد.

وقال جوارديولا، في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية: “لقد ضغط الخصم أكثر قليلًا في الشوط الثاني، كنا نعلم ذلك، فقدنا بعض الكرات، كان الإرهاق واضحًا”.

وأضاف: “افتقدنا الخبرة، يصعب على كلا الفريقين السيطرة على الكرة وطريقة ارتدادها، لا يمكن أن تكون أسرع، لقد نجحنا، أنا سعيد بالتأهل مجددًا إلى نهائي كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي”.

وعن هدف ريكو لويس المبكر، قال: “كان التحرك رائعًا، ريكو يتحرك في المساحات الضيقة بشكل لا يُصدق، إنه لاعب استثنائي، قوي وذكي للغاية”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ردود أفعال جماهير مانشستر سيتي على أداء مرموش أمام نوتينجهام: من لا يدرك جودته لا يفهم في كرة القدم

وحول ما إذا كانت مباراة ماتيو كوفاسيتش هي الأفضل هذا الموسم، قال: “لا، في المباراة الأخيرة ضد أستون فيلا كان أداءه استثنائيًا، وجود اللاعبين بجانبه يساعده، هدوءه رائع”.

وفيما يخص مواجهة كريستال بالاس في النهائي، قال: “انظروا إلى ما قدموه أمس ضد أستون فيلا، لعبنا ضدهم قبل بضعة أسابيع وفزنا بهدفين، يتميزون بالسرعة في خط الهجوم، ولديهم مدرب استثنائي”.

وشدد: “لديهم قوة بدنية وخبرة كبيرتان، نأمل أن يكون أداؤنا أفضل من الموسم الماضي في النهائي ضد مانشستر يونايتد (خسر السيتي بهدفين لهدف)”.

وما إذا كان موسم مانشستر سيتي ليس سيئًا حال فوزهم بكأس الاتحاد وتأهلهم إلى دوري أبطال أوروبا، أوضح: “التأهل هو الأهم، هذا سيقلل من الخسائر، لم يكن هذا الموسم جيدًا”.

وأكد: “أود أن أشكر جماهيرنا، فأنا أعلم مدى صعوبة الحضور إلى هنا مع العمل غدًا، وتكاليف السفر، لا أستطيع شكرهم بدرجة كافية، وآمل أن ينضموا إلينا ويشاهدونا في النهائي”.

Ollie Pope cashes in on extra life to build spirited England response after early wobble

Valkerie Baynes11-Jun-2022

Daryl Mitchell got to his second century, in consecutive innings, on the tour•Getty Images

Stumps Daryl Mitchell’s prize innings put New Zealand in a commanding position at stumps on the second day of the Trent Bridge Test, despite a couple of late blemishes proving he’s only human and that England must take whatever chances they get.Led by Mitchell’s 190, New Zealand posted a first-innings total of 553, their highest score on English soil, after he and fellow centurion Tom Blundell put on a 236-run stand, their country’s highest-ever fifth-wicket partnership.England wobbled, losing Zak Crawley in the second over of their response, but then Ollie Pope showed intent with an unbeaten half-century as he made use of an excellent batting pitch – and some good fortune.Mitchell, dropped on 3 and 104 amid a rash of fielding errors by England, soured a memorable day somewhat when he put down a simple chance at first slip off Tim Southee when Alex Lees was on 12. England were already one down after Trent Boult had Crawley caught behind for just 4 with an excellent cross-seam delivery.Pope pressed the accelerator after facing 45 balls for his first 11 runs, racing to 37 from 56 as he twice pulled Matt Henry for six, the second instance prompting a ball change. Pope should have been gone shortly afterwards but Mitchell spilled another slips catch off Boult which raced away to the rope at third man.Pope set about making New Zealand pay as he moved to fifty with two fours in three Kyle Jamieson deliveries, driven with aplomb through the covers and cut through backward point. Lees, meanwhile, got in on the boundary action too, with five fours on his way to 34 not out at the close.It wasn’t until well into an extended evening session after rain had forced an early tea break that England finally broke the tourists’ stride after they had marched on from Blundell’s dismissal for 106.His exit brought debutant Michael Bracewell to the crease and he played impressively during a 91-run partnership with Mitchell before falling one run shy of his fifty.It was James Anderson who struck first after tea, drawing an outside edge from Bracewell and Joe Root held on firmly at slip, still clenching the ball tightly in his right fist as he animatedly gestured that it was staying put this time after contributing two of England’s five costly missed chances for the New Zealand innings.Joe Root reacts after taking a catch to dismiss Michael Bracewell•AFP via Getty Images

So began a run of dismissals in which New Zealand lost four wickets for 24 runs in the space of 3.4 overs and, all told, their last five wickets for 57 runs. Stuart Broad claimed two in an over when he had Jamieson caught behind gloving a short ball then removed Tim Southee with another short ball which bobbed up off the splice and sailed to Root at gully.Jack Leach chimed in when he had Matt Henry out slashing to Crawley in the covers, but then Boult added 33 runs with Mitchell, during which time Boult drew level with Muthiah Muralidaran for the most career Test runs scored at No. 11 with 623. Boult remained unbeaten with 16 from 18 balls when Mitchell finally perished for 190 reaching for a slow, wide ball from Matthew Potts and edging to Ben Foakes behind the stumps.Earlier, Mitchell had backed up his century in last week’s first Test at Lord’s by reaching his second consecutive ton in the morning session after resuming on 81.He stared in slack-jawed astonishment when another fielding error saw him survive – then cash in – shortly after posting his ton. On 104, Mitchell lofted Leach down the ground and Potts, running round to his left from long-on made the distance comfortably but somehow managed only to get a fingernail to the ball before it bounced onto his knee and over the rope for four.Potts bowled the next over, only to concede back-to-back fours to Mitchell, the first bringing up the 200-partnership that had narrowly eluded him and Blundell at Lord’s, via an outside edge behind point and the second a crunching drive through mid-off.Having moved to 90, Blundell paused for treatment after copping a heavy blow to his finger whilst facing Potts. After that, however, he made fast work of reaching his hundred with two fours from three Leach deliveries, the latter as he advanced down the pitch and pummelled the ball back over the bowler’s head for one bounce over the rope, and then a scrambled single off the last ball of the over.Blundell, who managed 96 in a 195-run stand with Mitchell at Lord’s, fell when he took Leach on once more and chipped to Ben Stokes at mid-off.Mitchell carted Leach for 17 runs in the second over after lunch, striking fours through cover and long-on and six down the ground. He launched another six over wide long-on in Leach’s next over and by the end of New Zealand’s innings they had plundered 84 boundaries. That included four sixes in all to Mitchell and nine fours to Bracewell, who impressed on his first Test outing.

Tottenham Hotspur gave themselves a real chance of making it to the League Cup final with their 1-0 win over Liverpool last night, but aside from that, this season has been a tough one for the club.

Ange Postecoglou’s side have been riddled with injuries, which have contributed massively to their slide down the Premier League table over the last few months.

However, on top of their injury woes, the team have been wildly inconsistent on the pitch, and a number of stars have looked way off the pace for much of the campaign, including Son Heung-min.

The South Korean superstar has still been able to find the back of the net seven times but has been limited to 69% of available minutes in the league, so recent reports linking the club to a potential upgrade are not that surprising.

Tottenham Hotspur target exciting forward

According to a recent report from Caught Offside, Tottenham are one of several teams interested in signing Borussia Dortmund star Donyell Malen.

Alongside the North Londoners, the report claims that fellow Premier League side Aston Villa are incredibly keen on the Dutchman and that while they have supposedly agreed personal terms with him, they remain some way from the German side’s valuation, thus leaving room for Daniel Levy and Co to pounce.

A potential price tag is not mentioned in the report, but a story from earlier this week revealed that the Bundesliga behemoths value their exciting attacker at around £21m.

It could be a complicated transfer to get done ahead of the Villans, but given the reasonable price and Malen’s ability, it is one well worth fighting for, especially as he could come in as an upgrade on Son.

How Malen compares to Son

Okay, so the first thing that has to be said is that, given the incredible talent and natural ability that Son possesses, fans should not expect Malen to come in and reach the same heady heights he did a few years ago – that would simply be unfair on the Dortmund man as few players are capable of that.

However, while Son is still able to chip in with goals and assists here and there, age catches up with us all, and as most fans would likely attest, he has struggled to have the same overall impact on games that he used to.

This is where the former Arsenal academy gem could come in and, as his underlying numbers since the start of last season show, be an instant upgrade for Postecoglou’s side.

According to FBref, the “extremely fast and very dangerous” Dutchman, as dubbed by former Dortmund midfielder Mario Götze, comes out on top in the majority of relevant metrics.

For example, he scores more non-penalty goals, takes more shots and shots on target, completes more crosses and carries into the penalty area, and completes more successful take-ons and more, all per 90.

Malen vs Son

Stats per 90

Malen

Son

Non-Penalty Goals

0.56

0.40

Shots

3.57

2.47

Shots on Target

1.70

1.17

Passes into the Penalty Area

1.46

2.08

Crosses into the Penalty Area

0.23

0.14

Shot-Creating Actions

3.02

4.24

Goal-Creating Actions

0.56

0.55

Successful Take-Ons

1.84

1.27

Carries into the Final Third

2.19

1.68

Carries into the Penalty Area

2.19

1.84

Aerial Duels Won

0.38

0.14

Ball Recoveries

3.36

2.87

All Stats via FBref for the 23/24-24/25 domestic & European campaigns

On top of being more of an all-round threat, the 26-year-old also comes out on top when it comes to their defensive statistics, as he makes more blocks and clearances, makes fewer errors which lead to a shot, completes more ball recoveries and wins more aerial duels, also all per 90.

Ultimately, Son is unquestionably a Spurs and Premier League legend, but he is set to turn 33 this year, and while he can still be a useful player to have in the squad, he simply cannot be a regular starter in Postecoglou’s system.

Therefore, Levy and Co must act fast to secure Malen’s services before Villa do.

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