Paris Saint-Germain star Joao Neves was full of praise for head coach Luis Enrique after the European champions progressed to the Club World Cup round of 16.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
| Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱 |
MatériaMais Notícias
Em duelo válido pela 6ª rodada do Campeonato Paulista Feminino, oPalmeiras venceu o Corinthians por 2 a 0,no Nogueirão, em Mogi das Cruzes. Poliana e Paty (contra) marcaram os gols das Palestrinas no Dérbi.
RelacionadasFora de CampoEntenda por que Sócrates, ídolo do Corinthians, foi escolhido para nomear prêmio da Bola de OuroFora de Campo21/09/2022CorinthiansCorinthians é derrotado pelo Grêmio e se complica no Brasileirão Sub-17Corinthians21/09/2022CorinthiansTabela definida! Veja datas e horários dos confrontos do Corinthians na Libertadores FemininaCorinthians21/09/2022
+ Balbuena assume o quarto lugar! Veja os defensores do Corinthians com mais gols na Arena
Com o resultado, o Verdão chega aos 13 pontos em seis jogos e passa a ocupar o 3º lugar. Já o Timão possui nove pontos e está em 6º lugar na tabela do estadual.
Na próxima rodada da competição, a equipe de Arthur Elias recebe o
São José, enquanto as comandadas deRicardo Belli enfrentam a Portuguesa.
+ Confira a tabela do Brasileirão e simule os últimos jogos
As rivais paulistas se cruzaram na semifinal do Campeonato Brasileiro Feminino, e as Brabas avançaram à final ao derrotar as Palestrinas por 6 a 1 no placar agregado.
Focado na final do Brasileirão Feminino, que acontece neste sábado (24), o técnico Arthur Elias escalou o Corinthians com várias jogadoras reservas:Paty; Paulinha, Bell,Tarciane e Yasmin;Juliete, Grazi e Mariza;Júlia Brito,Jéssica Miracatu e Miriã.
Já o Palmeiras de Ricardo Belli entrou com força máxima para o Dérbi: Amanda; Bruna Calderan, Carolzinha, Poliana e Katrine; Ary Borges, Júlia Bianchi, Andressinha e Camilinha; Bia Zaneratto e Byanca Brasil.
As Palestrinas precisaram de apenas sete minutos para abrir o placar.Byanca Brasil cobrou escanteio na área e Poliana subiu mais do que a zaga corintiana e testou firme para o fundo das redes. As Brabas esboçaram uma reação ao final da primeira etapa, mas pararam na goleira Amanda.
Na etapa final, o Palmeiras ampliou sua vantagem aos 36 minutos, após lambança de Paty.Bia Zaneratto cobrou escanteio na pequena área, a goleira corintiana saiu para agarrar a bola mas deixou ela escapar.Tarciane ainda tenta tirar, mas bola já tinha ultrapassado a linha do gol.
Com as reservas, a equipe treinada por Arthur Elias encontrou dificuldades para criar jogadas de perigo, e saiu doNogueirão sem balançar as redes.
Tottenham Hotspur have a huge game next up in the Premier League. Ange Postecoglou’s side will travel to Stamford Bridge to face London rivals Chelsea on Thursday. The Lilywhites have now gone three games without a win in the top flight but will be looking to turn things around in midweek.
Indeed, Stamford Bridge has not been a happy hunting ground for the North Londoners. In the entire Premier League era, they have won just one game away to Chelsea, drawing 11 and losing 20.
One of the men imperative to turn that run around will be captain Son Heung-min.
What Son has said about his Spurs performances
It has been a mixed bag of a season for Lilywhites captain Son. The experienced 32-year-old has not necessarily been the first choice option on the left wing for Postecoglou, playing 40 games and 2834 minutes, the equivalent of 31 full 90-minute games.
In that time, his numbers are certainly not unimpressive. He’s scored 11 times and grabbed 12 assists, mainly from the left wing. With that being said, he hasn’t hit the heights of previous seasons, perhaps due to fewer minutes across the campaign.
One of Son’s biggest contributions in a single game this term came against the bottom of the Premier League side, Southampton. In a 5-0 thrashing of the Saints away from home, the Spurs number seven scored one and assisted two.
In the last few weeks, the South Korea international has perhaps shown an issue with the amount of game time he is getting under Postecoglou. In a recent interview, the Spurs skipper said, “I’m in excellent physical condition” and explained, “my club manager made those decisions to create better situations”, seemingly referring to his lack of game time.
Son was not selected from the start for Spurs’ last game against Fulham, a 2-0 defeat. However, he has three goals in the past against Chelsea and could hurt the Blues by running in behind their high line.
In fact, there is one player in particular who could help get him firing at Stamford Bridge.
The Spurs player who can get the best out of Son
Postecoglou is not short of creative options in midfield. Dejan Kulusevski has become a deadly player from central areas, and young Lucas Bergvall has also impressed. However, one man who could have a real impact playing just behind Son is James Maddison.
It has been a largely profitable season for Spurs’ number ten. He’s played 38 times across competitions, scoring 11 goals and grabbing seven assists, with 14 of those goal involvements coming in the Premier League.
Son and Maddison have a strong history of linking up well with each other. In 59 games together, they have combined for nine goals, with Maddison only linking up with three players more.
That included one goal combination against Hoffenheim in the Europa League group stage, where Maddison grabbed a goal and assist, and Son scored twice.
Not only that, but the England internationals’ creative numbers via FBref from the Premier League this season compared to other midfielders are exemplary.
For example, he averages 8.27 progressive passes and 0.94 shot-creating actions per game, ranking him in the top 5% and 2%, respectively.
Progressive passes
8.27
95th
Key passes
2.01
87th
Expected assists
0.32
97th
Shot-creating actions
4.72
92nd
Goal-creating actions
0.94
98th
The England international could be considered in the “same category” as former Spurs star Harry Kane. At least, that’s what Son himself once said, and he knows a thing or two about playing with the England captain. They combined for 54 goals in a Spurs shirt.
Maddison can certainly replicate what Kane did at Spurs with Son; picking the ball up in deeper zones and playing him in behind the opposition defence. This could certainly work well against Chelsea on Thursday.
There is certainly lots of evidence to suggest that the former Leicester City star would be ideal to start in midfield against Chelsea.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
If Postecoglou is looking to help get Son firing, the starting Maddison, a progressive and creative player who has linked up well with the Spurs skipper in the past.
Spurs' award-winning CF was ahead of Kane, then Poch sold him for £208k
The promising forward wasn’t able to reach his potential at Spurs.
ByJack Salveson Holmes Mar 28, 2025
It’s not been a great week for Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s side fell to a poor 1-1 draw against Manchester United in the Premier League, and then, while it ultimately didn’t matter, a much-changed team drew 2-2 with PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
However, aside from going through to the competition’s quarter-finals, which was all but sewn up the first leg, there was some positive team news: Gabriel Martinelli made his second substitute appearance after missing about a month of football with a hamstring injury.
The Brazilian ace could play a big role for the Gunners in the closing stages of the season, but his place in the team may be less assured next year, as recent reports have linked the club with a potential upgrade.
Arsenal transfer news
According to a recent report from Bild, as relayed in a report from Spain, Arsenal are interested in Bayern Munich star Leroy Sané.
Transfer Focus
In fact, the report has revealed that it’s Arteta who is pushing hardest for the club to sign the German superstar once his €288k-per-week contract – about £243k – expires in the summer.
Now, the former Manchester City ace has expressed a desire to stay in Munich beyond the end of the season, but no progress has been made on a renewal, leaving the door wide open for the North Londoners and other sides.
While Sané won’t cost Arsenal a fee, he could be a costly addition to the wage bill, but given his immense ability and experience, he is one worth taking on, especially as he could be the perfect Martinelli upgrade.
How Sané compares to Martinelli
The first thing to say is that while Sané has the ability to play off either flank, he’d almost certainly come into the team primarily as an option off the left – his most played position – as with Bukayo Saka and now Ethan Nwaeri, the right seems totally locked down.
Therefore, the German’s primary long-term rival for game time at the Emirates would more likely than not be Martinelli, and for our money, that’s a competition he’d come out on top in.
For example, despite seeing his game time decrease at Bayern this term, the former Manchester City star has still been able to score eight goals and provide four assists in 34 appearances, totalling 1711 minutes.
That means the “world-class” winger, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, is averaging a goal involvement every 2.83 games, or, more crucially, every 142.58 minutes.
In contrast, the former Ituano gem has scored seven goals and provided four assists in 37 appearances, totalling 2421 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 3.36 games, or every 220 minutes.
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
0.80
0.44
Non-Penalty G+As
0.81
0.54
Progressive Passes
3.33
1.69
Progressive Carries
3.58
5.00
Shots
3.24
1.75
Shots on Target
1.14
0.91
Passing Accuracy
82.0%
69.2%
Key Passes
1.87
1.51
Passes into the Final Third
1.06
0.36
Passes into the Penalty Area
1.79
1.20
Shot-Creating Actions
4.22
2.47
Goal-Creating Actions
0.57
0.18
Successful Take-Ons
1.95
1.51
Ball Recoveries
4.63
3.43
The one-sided nature of the comparison only continues when we take a look under the hood at their underlying numbers.
The Essen-born star comes out ahead in practically every relevant metric, including but not limited to actual and expected non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive passes, shots and shots on target, key passes, shot and goal-creating actions, successful take-ons and more, all per 90.
Ultimately, while Martinelli is a talented winger and someone who could still be an important squad player for Arsenal, it’s clear that Sane is the far better winger.
Therefore, Arteta and Co should do what they can to bring him to North London this summer.
32 goals last season: Arsenal must regret selling a "homegrown Osimhen"
Arsenal had their own Osimhen in the Hale End academy.
1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Mar 14, 2025
Ruben Amorim has made it clear he has no plans to quit Manchester United but stood by his fiercely critical comments about his side.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Coach clarified 'make space for different people' remarkHe explained why he is paying for staff to attend finalBoss backs United to beat Tottenham in BilbaoFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The manager was hugely disappointed with his side's performance in the 2-0 defeat by West Ham on Sunday, which saw United fall to 16th in the Premier League. After the game he hinted he might have to walk away from the job if things did not improve next season, saying: "It's not the players' fault. It's my fault, I'm responsible. If we cannot change that really fast, we should give our place to different persons." But he clarified his comments when speaking ahead of next week's Europa League final against Tottenham.
AdvertisementAFPWHAT AMORIM SAID
Amorim said: "What I am saying is that since I arrived here, I am always talking about the standards and I cannot see the team having the results in the Premier League and not take responsibility. I am far from quitting. What I am saying is we need to perform or else they will change us. That is a normal thing."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The United boss also confirmed that he is paying for his backroom staff and their families to go to Bilbao for the Europa League final and explained that the players backed the move. He explained: "We have a lot of things, people leaving, a lot of changes in the staff, sometimes it is hard [to know] when to give, when to take, to respect the people we are taking their jobs to survive and rebuild. It is complicated for the club to start giving to other members of staff so it is a really hard position. That was explained so in that moment, my reaction was to help. It is not going to change my life. Then we talked to the players and they had the same reaction, everyone does, they want the staff and their families there in the final."
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty Images SportDID YOU KNOW?
Amorim explained that accessing the Champions League via winning the Europa League was more important than lifting the trophy itself. He said: "Personally for me I think Champions League is more important for everything – to prepare the next season. We are supposed to be in the Champions League. Europa League here is not enough and you have that feeling here. The best way to help us get in the top in a few years is the Champions League – it’s not the cup. So for me the Champions League is more important."
The agents of a Manchester United player, who has received high praise from Ruben Amorim, are now actively working on a summer move, with a Champions League club keen on a move.
Major rebuild needed at Old Trafford
Man United have recently announced they will make up to 200 more staff redundant, in the latest series of cost-cutting measures put in place by co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, with the club saying: “The transformation plan aims to return the club to profitability after five consecutive years of losses since 2019.”
Difficult decisions are being made behind the scenes to make United profitable again, but a major rebuild of the squad will be needed if they are to start competing for the top honours.
The Red Devils are sitting 15th in the Premier League table with less than a third of the season left to play, so it is clear an overhaul is needed this summer, and a number of first-team players could face the axe.
Man Utd now set to battle Real Madrid in shock battle for Barcelona prodigy
United find themselves in a spectacular transfer battle for one of the best rising stars in football.
ByBrett Worthington Feb 24, 2025
One player not mentioned on that list is Mason Mount, who has had a tough time with injuries this season, missing the last 10 Premier League games with a thigh issue.
However, a new report from Inter Live has now revealed Mount’s agents are now actively working on securing a move away from Old Trafford in the summer, with Inter now willing to bring the midfielder in on loan.
Inter would only be willing to sanction a loan move, with an option to buy, but they would be willing to make a significant contribution towards the 26-year-old’s salary, which is said to be very high.
The Englishman arrived at Old Trafford for a fee of £55m nearly two years ago, but his value has now plummeted to just €30m (£25m), after a difficult spell in Manchester.
Mount struggling with injuries
Injuries have not helped the central midfielder, but in truth he has struggled in a Man United shirt ever since arriving from Chelsea, registering just two goal contributions in all competitions.
Amorim has been full of praise for the £250k-per-week earner in the past, saying: “I have to tell you I love that kid. You can look in his eyes that he wants this so bad, and this is the most important thing for me.
“I know he was suffering from injuries, he was not on the pitch, but now he’s trying to stay fit and we hope he can continue to be fit, to show all the talent that he’s shown, for example, in Chelsea.”
However, the former Chelsea man has been unable to put his persistent injury problems behind him, having now missed a total of 45 games since joining the Red Devils, so it may be wise to move Mount on this summer, and Inter being willing to make a big contribution to his salary is a bonus.
Jos Buttler, England’s captain, believes his team is ready for the challenge of taking on Pakistan in the T20 World Cup final in Melbourne on Sunday after bouncing back from the adversity they faced in a faltering group-stage performance to crush India by ten wickets in their semi-final.Buttler himself sealed the performance at Adelaide Oval with a six off Mohammad Shami’s final ball of the 16th over, to finish unbeaten on 80 from 49 balls as he and Alex Hales (86 from 47) completed England’s third win in a row, after a defeat against Ireland and a wash-out against Australia had left their progression hanging in the balance.”[The Ireland game] feels a long time ago,” Buttler said during the post-match presentations. “The character we’ve shown to get through the tournament since then, and put in our best performance today, has been amazing. We came here excited, it was a really good feeling when we came in. A group effort from 1 to 11. We always want to start as fast as we can and be aggressive.”If there were nerves going into the contest, then England hid them well, with Chris Woakes’ early dismissal of KL Rahul setting the tone for a tight powerplay and a first ten overs in which India were restricted to a sub-par 62 for 2. Hardik Pandya’s fast-finishing 63 from 33 appeared to have justified the cautious platform-laying, but by the time Hales and Buttler had responded with 63 for 0 in six overs, the rest of the chase was a formality.”It was our best performance so far in the tournament, and to do it on a day like today is incredibly satisfying,” Buttler added. “You couldn’t ask for a better run-chase. Adil Rashid was down at No.11 today, and that gives us the freedom to come out aggressive, that depth. Hales was tough to bowl at today, he used the dimensions of the ground, and we complement each other perfectly. He was a brilliant partner today.”The ease of England’s victory belied the agonising that was required before the start of play – both with the need to change their XI for the first time in the tournament following injuries to Dawid Malan and Mark Wood, and with the dangers of adjusting to Adelaide’s shorter square boundaries – a favoured hunting ground for Virat Kohli in particular across all formats.”I ummed and aahed over the toss for a long while, actually,” Buttler told Sky Sports. “What I’d do if I won it. Someone showed me a stat that no one’s won the toss and won here, so I was hoping to lose it. But my gut feel said to chase today. Against India, I feel like sometimes they’re a bit more dangerous when they know exactly what they have to do. It worked today. It might not have worked another time, but I’m glad that I went for it today.”Related
Tacky pitch and old habits haunt India in semi-final flop show
Rohit Sharma: We just didn't turn up with the ball
That tendency to pace a chase was best exemplified by Kohli’s magnificent performance against Pakistan in their final-ball group-stage win, but their loss to South Africa in Perth followed a similar route to this game, with a ponderous top-order display leaving too much ground to be made up by one man, Suryakumar Yadav on that occasion, compared to Pandya today.And it was Yadav’s threat in particular that gave Buttler the most pause for thought in the build-up to the match, given that he came into the game with a tally of 225 runs from 116 balls in the tournament to date, with no discernible weakness against any particular bowling type. This time, however, Rashid extracted him for 14 from 10, caught at deep point in the midst of a magnificent spell in which he conceded just one boundary, and that from his very first ball.”The conversations with the analyst [were interesting],” Buttler said. “I think he’s his favourite player, he loves him! But cricket only asks you to take one chance. And even if he had got 40, that would have been a win today. He plays a high-risk game. He takes the game on, he plays with huge freedom, and sometimes that allows chances. It was the perfect ball from Rash to get him.”Rashid entered the attack for the final over of the powerplay, and was bowled out by the end of the 12th, having strangled India’s intent through the middle overs for figures of 1 for 20. In the process, he avoided one of the match-ups that might have caused a dent to his figures, with the left-handed Rishabh Pant preferred to Dinesh Karthik due to his love of taking down the ball turning into his body.”That’s why we used him early as well,” Buttler said. “He bowled the best I’ve seen him bowl in a long while today. He bowled on the seam, he tried to spin it hard. We knew we had to get those guys out, and I thought he was the best chance to do that. To pick up the key wicket of Surya is such a huge performance from Dilly today.”England’s main wicket-taker on the night was the recalled Chris Jordan. He has been hampered by a finger injury, and his most recent outing against Australia last month had gone at 13 an over. But Buttler backed his vast experience and was rewarded with three precious wickets, even though he had to bear the brunt of Pandya’s late onslaught.”[Wood and Malan] weren’t fit to play, so that forces your hand,” Buttler said. “Chris Jordan has been a mainstay of the team for a long time, with huge experience, and the dimensions of this ground I thought suited him better than someone like David Willey. I don’t think he was thanking me too much for bowling him three overs straight through there at the death, so to come in your first game of the tournament and bowl at Hardik at that stage of the game, I thought was an incredible effort.”Buttler could not confirm whether Wood or Malan would be fit for the final, but he admitted that their injuries were “good headaches to have” in the circumstances. Phil Salt, Malan’s replacement, was not needed on the night, but Buttler added that he had been relishing his opportunity, after making a hard-hitting 88 from 41 in Pakistan last month, and was sure he’d have taken on the short, square boundaries if he had been given a chance.It will be Pakistan in England’s sights once more, come the final. A repeat of the 1992 World Cup final at the same venue, and more immediately, a continuation of a compelling rivalry this winter, with the ledger reading 4-3 in England’s favour after back-to-back wins in Lahore.”They are someone we’ve seen quite a lot of recently,” Buttler said. “They found some great form at the right time, but at the moment, we’re just excited to be in the final. After the stress of trying to get through the group stages, we wanted to come here and enjoy tonight, show off our talent, and we’ll try and do that in the final as well.”
MatériaMais Notícias
A WTorre e a Prefeitura de Santos estiveram juntos nesta quinta-feira (9) para discutir o projeto da nova Arena do Santos. Detalhes da parte burocrática, planos e a influência na cidade foram discutidos. Agora, a construtora espera acelerar o projeto de aprovação da obra com a municipalidade.
RelacionadasSantosSantos não vence o Atlético-MG em Minas Gerais há cinco anosSantos10/06/2022SantosSantos fará cinco dos próximos seis jogos fora de casaSantos10/06/2022SantosJhojan pode desfalcar o Santos mais uma vez, agora contra o AtléticoSantos09/06/2022
Segundo informações apuradas pelo LANCE!/DIÁRIO DO PEIXE, a reunião foi considerada muito positiva por ambas partes envolvidas e o resultado final foi de muito otimismo para viabilizar a construção. Os técnicos da Prefeitura e da WTorre foram os principais envolvidos na conversa.
No último dia 18 de maio, executivos da construtora se reuniram com a comissão designada pelo Conselho Deliberativo para acompanhar o processo. No encontro, a empresa ratificou os pontos apresentados em reunião do colegiado no dia 27 de abril.
Nesta semana, em entrevista ao Podcast Rolou o melão, da Espn, o presidente Andres Rueda falou sobre a situação envolvendo a Arena.
– Vai sair. Foi criada uma comissão dentro do nosso Conselho Deliberativo que vai acompanhar os trabalhos da WTorre, dia 9 tem uma reunião formal com a Prefeitura para ver zoneamento, plano diretor, e a próxima etapa, a gente imagina nesse segundo semestre, a captação do dinheiro com investidores. Não dá para começar uma Arena dessa se não tiver 100% garantido que o dinheiro está no banco. Senão eu não tiro um tijolo. Mas vai sair, tenho certeza que vai sair – afirmou Rueda.
Entenda o projeto
Segundo explicações dos executivos da empresa, a nova Arena seria para 30 mil torcedores com assentos cobertos e 500 vagas de estacionamento. Os valores do negócio giram em torno de R$ 400 milhões, com a WTorre atuando como gestora do estádio pelos próximos 30/35 anos.
Para viabilizar a obra, também será feita a venda antecipada de 5 mil cadeiras e camarotes premium para geração de receitas. O Santos não colocaria dinheiro na construção. A expectativa é que o custo operacional anual gire em torno de R$ 8 milhões.
Em paralelo, as duas partes vão iniciar os processos de aprovação nos órgãos competentes da Prefeitura de Santos e a construtora vai ao mercado para a captação de recursos para o financiamento da obra. Depois de todas as aprovações, o prazo para a construção da Arena é de 24 meses.
Caso o projeto seja aprovado pelos Conselheiros do clube, ainda com data não definida, os sócios também terão direito de voto para aprovação final.
No contrato em que ambos pretendem firmar há um acordo para um Seguro Garantia. Isso acontece em grandes obras para, em caso de alguma fatalidade que inviabilize a construção ou em algum aumento exponencial dos valores durante a execução da obra, os custos são cobertos pelo seguro.
Captain ends dogged stand between Petersen and van der Dussen as tourists collapse after tea
Andrew Miller27-Aug-2022England 415 for 9 dec (Foakes 113*, Stokes 103) beat South Africa 151 (Anderson 3-32, Broad 3-37) and 179 (Petersen 42, Robinson 4-43) by 123 runsTest centuries and all that, sure, they’re nice. But for Ben Stokes, you get the sense that nothing can beat the sensation of a job well done that accompanied his down-and-dirty exploits on the third afternoon at Emirates Old Trafford.After the highs of his game-changing stand with Ben Foakes on Friday, came the low, visually at least, of England’s captain bending for breath between balls during his gut-busting 14-over spell, either side of the tea break. And yet, his apparently everyman figures of 2 for 30 were best expressed by the events that bookended them.Before Stokes’ intervention, South Africa’s fourth-wicket pairing, Keegan Petersen and Rassie van der Dussen, had endured for a doughty stand of 87, spanning 42.2 overs including the entire afternoon session, to give their side hope of a miraculous turnaround.Straight after Stokes, however, came England’s second new ball, and the sight of James Anderson and Ollie Robinson completing the job they had started with such surety in the long-distant morning session. On their watch, England ripped out the remaining five wickets in 31 balls before stumps, to square the series with an innings-and-85-run victory that was no less crushing than the one they had themselves suffered at Lord’s last week.And, in between whiles, came the interventions that made the victory surge possible, two moments of raw inspiration that their captain dredged from within himself, to rip apart South Africa’s burgeoning resistance and lay bare their futile prospects.Van der Dussen, who was subsequently confirmed to have suffered a broken left index finger that will rule him out of next week’s third Test, battled with huge resolve after arriving at an uncompromising 54 for 3 in the 14th over of the day – often removing his top hand on impact as England probed his stumps and forced him to dig deep for the cause. But, after 20 minutes of cooling off during the interval, he was lured outside his eyeline as Stokes shaped one away at good pace, and Foakes behind the stumps plucked a priceless chance.One over later, and Stokes produced an even more awesome moment. Petersen had been bloodless in his resolve in the middle session, denying himself any attacking impetus as he set himself and his team for survival. But Stokes’ response was a sizzling lifter – fast, straight and climbing wickedly off the seam and into his gloves as he tried to rear out of harm’s way.At 151 for 5, with 2 for 19 in eight overs, Stokes could arguably have pulled himself out there and then, the glory moment secure, and handed the attack back to his frontline quicks. But with the ball now 68 overs old, he instead took it upon himself to shoulder the burden for the remainder of its 80-over life. Within 5.1 overs of the replacement, his instinct was proven to be spot on.The end came with startling speed. After a chastening match with the ball, Simon Harmer had got himself into line with determination throughout his 48-ball stay. But Anderson’s second delivery with the new ball was simply too good – full, straight, seaming, and decisive, as it burst through the gate into the top of the off stump.Robinson responded with equal authority – his fourth ball climbed at Keshav Maharaj for a sharp edge to Ollie Pope at fourth slip, and from there it was a race to the bottom. Anderson found Kagiso Rabada’s edge for Joe Root to stoop at first slip, before Robinson wrapped up the collapse by delivering back-to-back ducks on Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi, and seal impressive comeback figures of 4 for 43.And so ended another one-sided three-day Test, although it was a significantly more compelling day of action than might have been envisaged after the first hour of action.South Africa had fought hard on the second evening, following England’s first-innings declaration, to reach 23 for 0 at the close. But that resilience was unpicked with haste upon the resumption, with their captain and linchpin Dean Elgar falling within 15 minutes of the resumption – brilliantly outfoxed by Anderson, whose 662nd Test wicket took him to 949 in all internationals, bringing him level with Glenn McGrath as the most prolific seamer across formats. By the day’s end, of course, he was out on his own at the top.Opening up from his very own End, Anderson needed just four deliveries to line up Elgar and send him on his way for the sixth time in Test cricket. The third of those jagged wickedly from round the wicket and lifted past Elgar’s splice; the next, a fraction fuller, skidded straight past a now-crease-bound batter, to pluck out his off stump for 11.Sarel Erwee was similarly out-thought, as Robinson switched to round the wicket from over, and confounded his alignment with the perfect full length. And then came Broad – relegated to first-change status for this match but gagging for his slice of the action.Within five balls, Broad trimmed Aiden Markram’s bails with the ball of the Test so far, only for the third umpire to belatedly call no-ball. Nonplussed but undeterred, Broad settled for luring Markram outside off in his second over instead… but pointedly curbed his enthusiasm until he’d received word from umpire Chris Gaffeney that his front foot had been given a clean bill of health.And that could have been that, especially with van der Dussen visibly hampered. But, with watchfulness to the fore, he and Petersen set their sights on survival.However, England’s grip on the contest was not exactly loosened in a middle session that yielded just 53 runs, with 123 still needed for parity by tea. With his spinner, Jack Leach, bowling dry from the James Anderson End, conceding 19 runs in as many overs, Stokes was able to rotate his seamers with attacking fields, including close catchers at silly mid-off and mid-on, and keep them fresh for the new ball.Six of those pre-tea overs were from Stokes himself – a tight, channelled burst of aggression that yielded just eight runs and a constant threat of reverse-swing, including a thin snick off van der Dussen in the penultimate over of the session that England failed to notice. But it mattered not in the final analysis. After the break, everything came flooding out, as England squared the rubber in the style that their captain has ordained.
Arsenal are increasingly keen on the signing of a Barcelona star in the January transfer window, and his agent has travelled to England this week, as the representative fields interest from N5 and across the Premier League.
Arsenal scouring market for new forward after Bukayo Saka injury
Credible media sources have shared that Arsenal are scouring the market for a Bukayo Saka alternative, after the £195,000-per-week star winger was ruled out of action for weeks with a hamstring injury.
Arteta earmarks £83m forward as a main candidate to join Arsenal in January
The Spaniard has compiled a list of targets.
1 ByEmilio Galantini Dec 26, 2024
There are also fears within Arsenal that Saka could be sidelined until March (The Daily Mail), which would be a hammer blow for manager Mikel Arteta, as he desperately looks to remain in this year’s Premier League title race and end the club’s 21-year wait for a domestic crown.
Raheem Sterling would be useful as cover for Saka, but sadly, Arteta won’t be able to call upon the 30-year-old as he’s also out with a knee injury.
Ipswich Town (home)
December 27
Brentford (away)
January 1
Brighton (away)
January 4
Tottenham (home)
January 15
Aston Villa (home)
January 18
It is looking more and more imperative that Arsenal bring another winger in once the January window commences, which is set to open in a few days time, but the Gunners do possess options in that regard.
Reports have claimed that PSG forward Randal Kolo Muani could be offered to Arsenal on loan, with the France international star struggling to establish himself under Luis Enrique at the Parc des Princes since his move there from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Meanwhile, it is also believed that Barca attacker Dani Olmo – who only joined the La Liga giants for around £50 million in the summer – is attracting serious interest from north London, as interim sporting director Jason Ayto looks to Europe in search of more wide options.
The former RB Leipzig sensation could leave Catalonia “free of any contract” next month (Sacha Tavolieri), with Barca struggling to pay his wages for the second half of 2024/2025 as they tackle registration issues.
This has put a host of sides on red alert, including Arsenal, who sense an opportunity to seize the 41-cap Spain international who’s bagged six goals and an assist over his 15 appearances for the Camp Nou side this term.
Agent travels to England as Arsenal eye January move for Dani Olmo
Sky Sports have reported that Arsenal are in “positive contacts” with Olmo’s representatives ahead of a potential move, and The Daily Mail have backed Arteta’s interest in the 26-year-old with a fresh update of their own.
The Mail shares that Olmo’s chief agent, Andy Bara, has travelled to England this week, and he was in attendance to watch Man City’s 1-1 draw with Everton at the Etihad Stadium on Boxing Day.
While Bara claims that he was there merely for a holiday, as he’s quoted as saying by the report, he is actively exploring transfer options for his client – and Arsenal are named by The Mail as a potential destination for him.
Arsenal have apparently taken a “keen interest” in signing Olmo this January, and are eager to ascertain whether the forward will be available next month, alongside fellow Premier League giants Man United and Man City.