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In a major change, Shreyas Iyer, who skipped the second four-day match between India A and Australia A as part of his break from red-ball cricket, will now lead the India A 50-over side for the three matches against the same opponents between September 30 and October 5 in Kanpur. Earlier, on September 14, the BCCI had announced that Rajat Patidar would lead India A in the first one-day game, and Tilak Varma in the subsequent games.While no vice-captain has been chosen for the first match, Tilak, who is currently in the UAE as part of India’s Asia Cup squad, will be Iyer’s deputy for the second and third games.Meanwhile, Patidar, having recently led Central Zone to the domestic season-opening Duleep Trophy title, has been removed from the India A one-day squad and will instead lead the Rest of India squad against Ranji Trophy champions Vidarbha in the Irani Cup, to be played in Nagpur from October 1.Related

• Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer demolish Australia A with centuries

• Simarjeet Singh – still trying to stay fit, still trying to find that elusive consistency

• Agarkar: We don't want a repeat of New Zealand Test series

• Jadeja vice-captain for West Indies Tests; Padikkal, Jagadeesan in 15-man squad

• BCCI okays Shreyas Iyer's request for six-month break from red-ball cricket

Along with Tilak, other Asia Cup squad members Abhishek Sharma, Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh will join the India A squad for the second and third matches. Leaving the squad after the first match will be Priyansh Arya and Simarjeet Singh, as was announced earlier.

India A squad for 1st one-day match

Shreyas Iyer (capt), Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Riyan Parag, Ayush Badoni, Suryansh Shedge, Vipraj Nigam, Nishant Sindhu, Gurjapneet Singh, Yudhvir Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Abishek Porel (wk), Priyansh Arya, Simarjeet Singh

India A squad for 2nd and 3rd one-day matches

Shreyas Iyer (capt), Tilak Varma (vice-capt), Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Riyan Parag, Ayush Badoni, Suryansh Shedge, Vipraj Nigam, Nishant Sindhu, Gurjapneet Singh, Yudhvir Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Abhishek Porel (wk), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep SinghRajat Patidar will hope to add the Irani Cup to the Duleep Trophy•PTI

Gaikwad, Kishan add muscle to Rest of India squad

For the Irani Cup match, the likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Yash Dhull, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Akash Deep and Khaleel Ahmed, among others, will join forces with Patidar to try and get past Vidarbha at their home base in Nagpur.Of the Rest of India players, Abhimanyu, Kotian, Gurnoor Brar, Khaleel and Suthar have been part of the action in the four-dayers against Australia A in Lucknow.Returning from an elbow injury, which kept him out since the first leg of matches in IPL 2025, Gaikwad scored 184 in the first innings of West Zone’s Duleep Trophy game against Central Zone in early September, signalling his good form. Dhull is another batter who comes into the Rest of India squad in good form, having scored 133 in a Duleep Trophy game last month.The match will also mark the competitive comeback of Akash Deep, who was rested for the Duleep Trophy after his exertions in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series in England, where he played three of the five Tests and starred with a ten-wicket haul in the second Test at Edgbaston. He joins forces with Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar and Khaleel, with the spin department headlined by Saransh Jain, the Player of the Series at the Duleep Trophy, Kotian and Suthar.

Rest of India squad for Irani Cup match vs Vidarbha

Rajat Patidar (capt), Abhimanyu Easwaran, Aryan Juyal (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (vc), Yash Dhull, Shaikh Rasheed, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Khaleel Ahmed, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Saransh Jain

Vidarbha squad for Irani Cup

Akshay Wadkar (capt, wk), Yash Rathod (vice-capt), Atharva Taide, Aman Mokhade, Danish Malewar, Harsh Dubey, Parth Rekhade, Yash Thakur, Nachiket Bhute, Darshan Nalkande, Aditya Thakare, Akshay Karnewar, Yash Kadam, Shivam Deshmukh (wk), Praful Hinge, Dhruv Shorey

Just a matter of weeks ago Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim cut a forlorn figure.

He looked ready to give up. The Red Devils were a sinking ship and Amorim was being engulfed by the stress and pressures of being the top man at Old Trafford.

Yet, he has turned a corner and all of a sudden, United look in the hunt for a top four berth, pouncing on the inconsistencies of the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in recent weeks.

United have now only lost one of their last six matches and have only dropped points in one of their last four outings. It’s an amazing run of form considering how the Amorim era has played out to date.

The Portuguese’s side still have room for improvement, of course they do, but it’s impossible to deny that he isn’t a good coach. He has, after all, managed to revive the careers of Luke Shaw and in-form midfielder Casemiro.

Yet, while the Brazilian has now found the net in successive matches, his companion in defence, Diogo Dalot continues to struggle. United have improved but they still have issues.

Why Dalot has become a big problem for Manchester United

When Amorim was first given the job, he came to English football with a clear style and philosophy. He traditionally plays with a three-man defence, utilising wing-backs to provide the width.

That area of the field is a pivotal one for the manager and it beggars belief that they haven’t strengthened more there.

Amad Diallo has found a home at right wing-back, notably scoring in the draw with Nottingham Forest and striking up a fine partnership with Bryan Mbeumo down the flanks.

Sadly, the left flank continues to be a big problem. Patrick Dorgu is the only senior wing-back that INEOS have signed since Amorim was appointed but the young Dane has not covered himself in much glory since joining.

As a result, alternative solutions have been sought, one of which has been Dalot.

The Portugal international has featured at left-back of left wing-back on 34 occasions in Man United colours but it’s safe to say he’s far more competent on the right.

Dalot was particularly poor at The City Ground a few days ago with the Manchester Evening News’ Steven Railston handing the defender a 3/10 rating, writing that ‘there are always question marks around Dalot when he plays on the left side and he was exposed at various stages of the contest.’

Minutes played

68

Touches

43

Accurate passes

21/24 (88%)

Key passes

0

Accurate crosses

0/2

Shots

0

Possession lost

12x

Tackles

1

Interceptions

2

Clearances

3

Dorgu has by no means been much better on the left but he is at least more natural in that position and will give Amorim the rampaging style of play he prefers from his wing-backs.

So, what’s the solution? Well, perhaps there’s one lying in wait at Carrington.

Identifying Man United's Diogo Dalot solution

The most obvious solution here is to exclusively field the 26-year-old on the right, but with Amad having made that position his own in 2025/26, it really does feel as though Dalot is on borrowed time at Old Trafford.

Couple that with some of the young talent United have coming through and the future certainly looks bleak for Dalot.

One talent coming through is Diego Leon and they must start to hand him more minutes before they risk an Alvaro Carreras repeat.

The wing-back has gone around the houses to reach Real Madrid, going via Preston North End and suffering from Erik ten Hag’s rejection before ending up at the world’s most famous football club.

Ten Hag never played him. In fact, Carreras never featured in a single competitive game for United before leaving. That said, he’s been able to thrive away from Manchester and is now seriously catching the eye for Madrid after leaving Benfica behind in a deal worth a whopping £43m.

The fact he left United for just £5m must now leave a seriously bad taste in the mouth of those at Old Trafford.

Carreras has been in the news of late after scoring his first Real goal just last week, belting the ball home in quite some fashion.

The 22-year-old has become a mainstay in Xabi Alonso’s side this season, starting every LaLiga game and playing more minutes (981) than any outfield player in the Bernabeu ranks.

As some have suggested on social media, he is now regarded as “one of the best full-backs in the world”, notably ranking inside the top 2% of wide defenders in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive passes per 90 minutes and among the best 9% for interceptions per 90, according to FBRef.

What might have been for United, eh, but perhaps they have another version of Carreras in the academy?

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

Step forward Leon, signed from Paraguayan club Cerro Porteno for just £3.3m in the summer. An exciting wing-back, he is yet to feature competitively for United but looks like he has the potential to thrive in the Premier League before too long.

For the U23s this season, the 18-year-old has played just three times but he’s already found the back of the net. Like Carreras’ goal for Madrid, it was a remarkable effort too.

The teenager has been in the matchday squad in the Premier League on three occasions and it is surely only a matter of time before we see him in action. After all, Dalot’s position is under threat and Dorgu is yet to convince many.

So, what’s so exciting about the young Paraguayan? Well, as analyst Ben Mattinson outlines, he is a “powerhouse”.

Revealing more about the wing-back, Mattinson noted that “the standout trait of Leon is his physicality”, adding that “with a broad, compact build he’s able to dominate duels with real aggression despite his young age.”

But, Leon isn’t just about winning duels, something that is vital in the English top-flight. The defender is also strong going forward. Mattinson further commented that Leon “is a powerful runner who takes on players with explosiveness and directness.”

So, he’s got the powerful running style that Dorgu possesses but pivotally, he also looks like a very strong defender.

Whisper it quietly but the teen looks as though he’s got all the raw attributes needed to be a success in English football. Watch out Dalot and Dorgu, Leon is coming for your place.

Draw on the cards at Canterbury as visitors overhaul imposing first-innings total of 566

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay01-Jul-2025Northamptonshire 624 for 6 (Zaib 150*,Harrison 122, Broad 107, Vasconcelos 100) lead Kent 566 for 8 dec (Bell-Drummond 158, Finch 118, Guthrie 3-92) by 58 runsBat continued to dominate ball on day three of the Rothesay County Championship match between Kent and Northamptonshire at Canterbury, with Saif Zaib, Calvin Harrison, Justin Broad and Ricardo Vasconcelos all making centuries as the visitors closed on 624 for six, a lead of 58.Zaib was unbeaten on 150, Harrison hit 122 and Broad was 107 not out at stumps. Earlier Vasconcelos made exactly 100 and Tim Robinson weighed in with 55.It was another sapping day for the bowlers but Jaydn Denly took his first red-ball wickets at the Spitfire Ground, finishing with two for 107.The temperature was already 27 degrees in the shade when Northants resumed on 140 for one and the overnight batters quickly reached their milestones.Harrison, 41 overnight, drove Nathan Gilchrist to reach his half-century and Vasconcelos, who’d ended day two on 87, took a single from Joey Evison to reach three figures, but he was then out, caught behind off Wes Agar.When it was Harrison’s turn to rack up his hundred he did it in style, heaving Matt Parkinson for six over mid-wicket and seeing the visitors through to 255 for two at lunch.An apparently dead game was briefly reignited when Parkinson had Harrison caught at mid on by Denly and James Sales was then brilliantly run out by Nathan Gilchrist and Harry Finch for 41: Robinson narrowly avoided getting caught by Ekansh Singh at short leg but hared down the track looking for a single that wasn’t there.Singh, however, couldn’t take an ankle-high chance offered by Zaib when he was on nine and Robinson eased to 50 with a single off Parkinson.Denly claimed his first first-class wicket at the Spitfire Ground when he had Robinson lbw but Zaib reverse swept his for four to bring up his half-century in his next over and it was 416 for five at tea.Denly struck again in the second over after the resumption to get Lewis McManus caught and bowled for 13, but Zaib eased to three figures. He’d reached 99 when Kent brought the field in and then swept Tawanda Muyeye for six over square leg.Broad drove Denly to put Northants into the lead and took a single from the same bowler to reach three figures in the 130th over. Rain is forecast for swathes of day four, but if it stays away the visitors might yet make life awkward for Kent.

تحدث بيب جوارديولا، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي مانشستر سيتي، عن فوز فريقه أمام بورنموث في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وحقق مانشستر سيتي فوزًا مهمًا على حساب نظيره بورنموث، بثلاثية مقابل هدف، في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

واستضاف مانشستر سيتي، مساء اليوم الأحد، بورنموث، في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز “بريميرليج”.

وقال جوارديولا، في تصريحات عبر “بي بي سي سبورت”، عن هدف بورنموث: “إذا ذهبت إلى هناك وسحبت ذراع جيانلويجي دوناروما وجعلته غير مستقر، يؤسفني أن أخبرك لكنني قلت مرارًا أعرف جميع الحكام، وأعرف تمامًا ما يحدث في هذا الملعب خلال فترتي هنا”.

وأضاف: “عندما تشاهد الإعادة، من المذهل عدم حصول دوناروما على خطأ لصالحه، هناك أمور يصعب فهمها أحيانًا، لماذا لم يُلغَ هذا الهدف؟”.

وأكمل: “لعبنا بشكل رائع اليوم، كنا أذكياء للغاية حينما كنا نمتلك الكرة، لقد لعبوا بشكل رائع، وبالطبع، كان إيرلينج حاسمًا مجددًا”.

وعن المواجهة الأخيرة قبل فترة التوقف الدولي: “المباراة الأخيرة قبل فترة التوقف الدولي ستكون ضد أكبر منافسينا في العقد الماضي ليفربول”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. هالاند عن استبداله بـ مرموش أمام بورنموث: البعض ليسوا سعداء.. ويجب سؤال جوارديولا

وأردف: “سعيد بأداء كلا الظهيرين ماتيوس ونيكو أوريللي كانا رائعين للغاية”.

وعن آرسنال كشف: “أتمنى أن يستقبل آرسنال هدفًا واحدًا يومًا ما، أليس كذلك؟”.

وتطرق للحديث عن ريان شرقي: “مع رؤيته في الثلث الأخير من الملعب، فيبدو أنه رائع، يتميز بالثبات والشجاعة في اللعب لكن مع ديناميكية لعبنا، نحتاج إلى مزيد من الوقت للتكيف مع إيقاع الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، لكن في سوانزي، صنع تمريرة حاسمة لعمر مرموش، بعد أن سجل هدفًا، واليوم صنع تمريرتين حاسمتين”.

واستطرد: “لديه موهبة مميزة وتواصل مع لاعبي خط الهجوم وهذا أمر فريد من نوعه لكن الأمر لا يقتصر على ذلك، بل هناك العديد من الأمور، ونأمل أن يدرك تدريجيًا ما نحتاجه منه”.

وأكد: “أعجبني استقرارنا، وتلقينا مع الأسف هدفًا لا يُصدق من الحكم، كنا مستقرين وهادئين وتمكنا من تسجيل الهدف الثاني، وأتيحت لنا فرص التسجيل في مواجهتين واحد ضد واحد، وسجلنا الهدف الثالث والرابع”.

وعن هالاند: “أعتقد أن هالاند كان رائعًا اليوم، كان تواصله مع فيل وجيريمي وريان ممتازًا، عندما تمكن من اختراق دفاع الخصم، كان لا يُقهر”.

وأتم: “أمضيت عقدًا هنا في مانشستر، ونعرف بعضنا البعض جيدًا، أنا سعيد جدًا بما حققناه مع مانشستر سيتي على الرغم من كل شيء، لقد كنا جيدين جدًا”.

After suffering an injury on international duty not long after completing his move to Newcastle United, Yoane Wissa will now be forced to wait even longer to make his debut for the club.

Howe "excited" by Newcastle vs Barcelona

Whilst qualifying for the Champions League undoubtedly helped them on the financial front, the reason why the competition is truly special is weeks like this. For the first time in over 22 years, Barcelona square off against Newcastle at St James’ Park, with the Magpies back on the big stage and hoping to cause quite the upset.

There’s no escaping the quality that Barcelona have in abundance under Hansi Flick and that may frighten some. Eddie Howe is not one of those, however. Instead, the prospect of squaring off against one of Europe’s best sides excites him, as he told reporters.

The last time that Newcastle were in the Champions League, they shocked Paris Saint-Germain in Tyneside with a 4-1 thrashing. Now, two years on, they’ll be hoping to use the magic of St James’ Park to create another historic moment.

Newcastle vs Barcelona: Team news, head-to-head record, predictions & more

The two clubs are set to meet at St James’ Park for the first time in over 22 years.

By
Tom Cunningham

Sep 18, 2025

That said, they will have to do so without summer signing Wissa. The forward waited all summer for his move before finally getting his wish on deadline day. From there, he’d have been hoping to instantly feature, only to suffer the most untimely injury blow on international duty. Now, a new potential debut date has been set.

When Wissa could make Newcastle debut

As confirmed by Howe, Wissa will be sidelined until after the October international break, which should see him return by October 18. It’s then that he could be in contention to make his Newcastle debut against Brighton & Hove Albion in one month’s time. Barring any setbacks, the forward will be keen to get going as soon as he is fit and firing.

Whilst Howe did provide some hope of a quicker recovery by admitting that “it’s always flexible”, Newcastle should avoid rushing Wissa back before he is ready. The last thing they need is for their new signing to pick up another injury blow not long after returning.

In the meantime, the 29-year-old will miss games against Barcelona, Bournemouth, Bradford City, Arsenal, Union Saint-Gilloise and Nottingham Forest. It’s far from the start that he hoped for when he finally put pen to paper in Tyneside.

With six games in the next month, Newcastle must also hope that their other new striker, Nick Woltemade, picks up where he left off after his debut goal against Wolves in Wissa’s absence.

MatériaMais Notícias

Focado no clássico deste domingo (16), o Santos quer apresentar um aumento na sua segurança defensiva. Sem mexer na dupla de zaga da equipe, Paulo Turra busca encontrar soluções para diminuir a quantidade de gols tomados.

+ Até 70% OFF em produtos do Peixe para os torcedores fanáticos!

Desde a chegada do treinador, o Peixe disputou quatro jogos e em três deles sofreu três gols. No Brasileirão, a defesa do clube saiu de uma das melhores da competição para a 6ª pior.

+ Veja os 20 melhores jogadores do Brasileirão no século 21 segundo o ChatGPT

Um dos pontos que mais fazem a linha defensiva sofrer é a jogada de bola parada do adversário. O ponto já foi abordado e alertado pelo técnico Paulo Turra durante a vitória do Cuiabá, por 3 a 0.

– Nós tomamos três gols de bola parada. Se puxar o retrospecto do Santos, é um dos calcanhares de aquiles do Santos e eu tenho que ter o discernimento. Na posição que nós estamos é o primeiro quesito que precisamos para fazer a chave virar. Eles tem uma equipe alta e nós tomamos três gols de bola parada. Nós vamos ter que trabalhar bastante – declarou o comandante santista.

REFORÇO!

Para qualificar o sistema defensivo, o Peixe conta com a chegada do lateral Dodô. De olho na partida contra o São Paulo, o recém-chegado treinou com os titulares do clube.

O Peixe busca ajustar a falta de segurança do time com alterações em outros setores do campo. Sem poder contar com Rodrigo Fernández, que está suspenso para o clássico, Paulo Turra terá que mexer no meio-campo. Nos treinos, Dodi foi utilizado no onze inicial do clube da Vila Belmiro.

CLUBE QUER MAIS UM ZAGUEIRO NO ELENCO

Diante da saída dos zagueiros Eduardo Bauermann e Maicon do elenco alvinegro, o Santos segue com uma postura agressiva no mercado. Ainda sem nome revelado, o clube trabalha nos bastidores para contratar um novo defensor para o plantel.

Jose Mourinho’s reunion with Chelsea, the club where he enjoyed so much success across two spells at Stamford Bridge, is one of the headline fixtures in this season’s Champions League as he takes new employer Benfica back to his former stomping ground. Blues winger Pedro Neto is relishing the chance to come up against his fellow Portuguese thanks to his incredible legacy.

• Mourinho seeking to bounce back

  From someone who was routinely winning league titles in the first 15 years of the 21st century, as well as taking two different clubs to Champions League glory, Mourinho’s reputation has taken a battering over the past decade.

  Following his second dismissal by Chelsea in 2015 after a spectacular collapse just months after delivering the Premier League trophy, he was unable to restore Manchester United to their Sir Alex Ferguson vintage, was given the boot by Tottenham Hotspur without winning anything, and has taken on jobs below the traditional European elite where he had made himself at home.

  Mourinho had a tense few months with Fenerbahce that ended trophyless, and only this week, was slated by Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk, who claimed the ‘Special One’ has lost his edge.

  Now back at Benfica 25 years after his initial stint flamed out over a contractual dispute, Mourinho wants to take the Lisbon giants back to the top of the mountain after only a single Liga Portugal title in the last six seasons. As it goes, Mourinho himself believes he is a "much better coach" these days.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Neto's pride facing Mourinho

  Neto considers it a source of "pride" to be facing a Mourinho-led team because of the stature the 62-year-old has back home, arguably helping to put Portuguese football back on the map.

  "As a Portuguese [player] it will be a pride to play against Mourinho," Neto told reporters.

  "What he represents to the club and what he represents to Portuguese people as well, the opportunity he gave to Portuguese people to go around the world and play in the best teams and manage the best clubs. We are really looking forward to playing against them and it is a really good opportunity to bounce back as well.

  "You cannot have a divided opinion on him. What he did for Portugal, what he did for Portuguese people, what he has won. People in Portugal respect him a lot and know the value that he has. Benfica hired him for that reason. He is one of the biggest names in Portugal with [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Luis] Figo. It would be a privilege to be managed by Jose Mourinho, who wouldn't want to be managed by him?"

• Mourinho is a 'legend'

  Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca may be a former Pep Guardiola disciple from his days as an assistant at Manchester City, but he shares a similarly high opinion of Mourinho.

  "It will be a privilege to face Jose," Maresca said at a pre-match press conference on Monday.

  "A legend for [Chelsea], not only for this club but for different clubs. For me, it's first of all a privilege to represent this club in the Champions League. For sure it's also a privilege to face a fantastic manager like Jose."

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  Mourinho's record against Chelsea

  Mourinho’s most frequent opponents in his managerial career to date have been Liverpool (31 games) and Barcelona (27), but he’s also come up against Chelsea on 14 occasions. He had never faced them prior to landing his job at Stamford Bridge off the back of leading Porto to the Champions League title in 2004, and it wouldn't be until three years after leaving west London that Jose finally met Chelsea in competitive action.

  That was as Inter boss, knocking them out of the Champions League semi-finals in 2010 with home and away victories, en-route to completing a historic treble for the Milan giants. Carlo Ancelotti believes that elimination against a coach ex-Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich had sacked and moved on from was a contributing factor in his own eventual dismissal.

  With Manchester United, Mourinho lost four of seven Chelsea encounters, winning just two. His Spurs side knocked Chelsea out of the Carabao Cup on penalties in September 2020, which technically counts as a draw because the teams weren't separated until a shootout, and he hasn't faced the Blues against since leaving the Tottenham job in 2021.

  Overall, it's a record of four wins, three draws and seven defeats in reunions with Chelsea.

Mumbai Indians (MI) continued their dominance over Gujarat Giants (GG) and took another step towards making a direct entry into the final of WPL 2025 with a nine-run win in their penultimate league match. The sparse home crowd was treated to a couple of stroke-filled knocks – MI captain Harmanpreet Kaur hit her third half-century in four outings at the Brabourne Stadium while Bharti Fulmali smashed her maiden WPL fifty, off just 22 balls, to give MI a mighty scare.In the first match in Mumbai this season, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Amanjot Kaur played support acts to their captain as MI posted 179 for 6. GG were kept on a tight leash in reply, with the lack of dew doing them no favours. Amelia Kerr and Shabnim Ismail shared five wickets – the latter delivering the key blows of Ashleigh Gardner and Phoebe Litchfield – as GG were all out for 170. It was just the third time in 19 games this season that a team successfully defended a target. It was MI’s sixth win in six matches against GG in the WPL.The win took MI to ten points, on par with Delhi Capitals, with a net run rate of 0.298 (just below DC’s 0.396) and a game to spare. They play Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Tuesday in under 24 hours to round off the league stage. MI need to win that match to top the table and get a direct entry into the final, while the team that finishes second will play GG in the eliminator.Soon after GG fell just short, coach Michael Klinger said at the press conference that they tried to chase the target down in 18 overs, which would have taken them to the top of the table.

Fulmali blitz gives MIghty scare

GG were 70 for 5 in the 11th over and Deandra Dottin had survived a dropped chance just before Fulmali walked out. She got to her task by taking Sciver-Brunt for three fours in an over – one square through the off side, one over cover and then through square leg. It is not often that a batter outshines Dottin and causes headache to the opposition but such was Fulmali’s assault. Soon Kerr bowled Dottin to leave GG’s equation down to 88 off 41.Bharti Fulmali smashed a 22-ball fifty•BCCI

Fulmali then walloped Kerr over long-on and did the same to Amanjot in the next over. Overall, she scored 24 off the nine balls she faced of Kerr, including a sequence of 6, 6, 4 which helped her to a 22-ball fifty before she fell in the same over. That left GG needing 38 off the 18, which soon became 23 off 12 after Simran Shaikh, in for Dayalan Hemalatha, and Tanuja Kanwar hit Matthews for 15. But MI held their nerves despite a frenetic finish to register their fifth win in seven matches.

Opening troubles continue for MI

For the second game in a row, MI opened the batting with Kerr after being inserted. She faced the left-arm spin of Kanwar for starters before clipping Kashvee Gautam for a four. But she found it tough to rotate strike and was run-out after pushing one straight to Gardner at mid-on and setting off.It was Matthews and Sciver-Brunt who provided MI the momentum in the powerplay. They exploited the short boundary – the square boundaries measured 58m and 52m – by moving around the crease. Matthews pulled her West Indies team-mate Dottin over deep square leg for a six in the opening over before aerially sweeping Kanwar in the same region for another. Sciver-Brunt also swept Kanwar through short fine leg as MI were 44 for 1 after six overs.

The Kaurs set MI for a strong finish

Legspinner Priya Mishra had Matthews caught behind soon after the powerplay. Like she has been doing this season, Harmanpreet started off swiftly – she reversed Mishra through short third with the back of her bat and then attacked Meghna Singh in the only over she bowled. MI’s run rate hovered in the early sevens and she, in the company of Sciver-Brunt, ensured it never dipped. They added 59 off 40 before Gardner broke through.The reverse sweep from Harmanpreet Kaur… from the back of the bat•BCCI

That brought Amanjot to the crease at No. 5 for only the second time in the WPL. She drove Dottin through the covers and then meted out special treatment to Gautam, with whom she has trained with for over a decade now, hitting her for a sequence of 4, 4, 6 to help MI take 15 off the 17th over. Gautam did have the last laugh by having Amanjot caught at long-on for a 15-ball 27 to end the 19-ball 33-run stand. Harmanpreet then completed her half-century off just 31 balls as MI scored 55 off the last four overs, the exact equation GG needed in the chase.

Early strikes cost Giants

Having benched the misfiring Hemalatha, GG opted to use Gautam as the opener alongside Beth Mooney, who popped a catch to cover on the first ball of Matthews’ spell. While Gautam does possess the ability to hit big shots down the order, she was like a deer caught in headlights against the high-pace and swing of Ismail. Gautam was on 9 off 12 balls with nine dots at the end of the fifth over when GG were 34 for 1. She just managed to get away from a 120kph short ball Ismail hurled at her. Gautam fell in the last over of the powerplay, stumped off Sanskriti Gupta’s offspin.Two balls later, Ismail had Gardner caught low at slip for a two-ball duck, that was a body blow for GG. While Harleen Deol hit five fours against spin – three of them in successive balls off Matthews – she missed a googly from Kerr to be trapped lbw. GG could have lost steam and finished much lower than what they did, if not for Fulmali.

When Trent Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool behind prior to the Club World Cup, fans at Anfield were left furious.

In all honesty, it was no secret that Trent was going to head to Real Madrid, but the way in which he departed has rubbed some the wrong way.

The Liverpool-born full-back had been part of the Reds setup for nearly his entire life and it came to a point where he refused a new deal at the club.

The fact they weren’t initially getting a fee for one of their prized assets was remarkable, really, but he did eventually fetch £10m when Madrid decided they wanted him in the squad for the Club World Cup.

Liverpool have since replaced him but have they truly replaced his best qualities?

How Liverpool can replace Trent

With Trent gone, Richard Hughes and Co moved swiftly to secure the services of Jeremie Frimpong who like Florian Wirtz, traded Bayer Leverkusen and Germany for the Premier League.

Frimpong is incredibly attack-minded, just like Alexander-Arnold, but he’s more about pace and aggression, soaring down the right wing, rather than inverting and spraying passes.

Both are progressive but in their own different ways. So, how can Slot rediscover that progression from central areas?

Well, Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton wouldn’t go a miss.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Reports in recent weeks have linked Liverpool with a move for the England international and he’s still being touted with a switch.

talkSPORT report this week that Manchester United are considering a bid for the midfielder amid doubts surrounding their pursuit of Brighton’s Carlos Baleba.

The report further notes that Liverpool are long-term admirers of the former Blackburn Rovers star.

While it’s unlikely Wharton moves this summer, particularly amid a £100m asking price, this is certainly one to watch for Richard Hughes and Co heading into 2026.

How Wharton could replace Trent’s best qualities

While Liverpool won’t lose any attacking intent having swapped Alexander Arnold for Frimpong, they will lose a big dose of creativity.

We’re all familiar with how Frimpong loves to get down the flank but what that means is that he’s not going to be someone who plays passes through the lines.

According to data supplied by FBRef, in the 2024/25 Bundesliga, Frimpong made just 2.14 progressive passes and 1.17 key passes per 90 minutes, metrics that ranked him in the very worst 11% of full-backs in the division for the former and the top 34% for the latter.

Liverpool’s former number 66, however, was very strong in this department. In the 2024/25 Premier League, the scouser made 8.83 progressive passes per 90 minutes, ranking him in the best 1% of positionally similar players. He also supplied 1.98 key passes every 90 minutes, ranking him in the top 5%. It’s safe to say he’s an elite creator.

So, where do Liverpool rediscover those attributes with a player in the centre?

Wharton would certainly help. Described as a “generational talent” in the words of former Sky Sports employee Matthew Stanger, he is one of the calmest and composed players in possession in England.

Last season, he made 1.78 key passes per 90 in the league, more than Frimpong and also registered 7.31 progressive passes across the same time frame. That ranked him among the division’s finest 7% of midfielders for that metric.

Not just creative from central zones like Alexander-Arnold was, he could be a defensive upgrade too.

Tackles won

0.96

1.90

Interceptions

1.37

1.18

Aerials won

0.48

0.11

Errors

0.00

0.15

Yellow cards

0.14

0.19

A look at the numbers indicates that while the former Red got through his fair share of tackles, overall, Wharton is a lot more complete from a defensive point of view, winning more aerial duels and making a higher volume of interceptions.

So, while the Palace superstar may not play in the same position as Alexander-Arnold, he could be everything that was hoped of Trent if he had eventually become a midfielder.

New Coutinho: Liverpool considering late move to sign £86m Isak alternative

Liverpool set sights on Real Madrid Galáctico with an £86m price tag.

ByWill Miller Aug 14, 2025

Celtic are striving forwards under Brendan Rodgers and another action-packed season is in store for the Bhoys, which could now lead to a significant development at Parkhead.

Celtic find themselves pursuing several arrivals

Five signings have come through the door officially this summer for Celtic to strengthen their bid for another Scottish Premiership title. However, recent reports suggest plenty more could be on the way before too long.

Wycombe Wanderers striker Richard Kone is on the Bhoys’ radar and could be a big-money arrival at the £7 million mark, though any thought of him coming in at Parkhead may hinge on the future of Daizen Maeda.

Of course, Brendan Rodgers has already got one answer to his multi-faceted striker quest after confirming that Shin Yamada will join Celtic from Kawasaki Frontale after weeks of speculation hinting the Japanese forward is set for a move to Glasgow.

During the week, Celtic saw off Sporting Lisbon in expert fashion courtesy of goals from Reo Hatate and Luke McCowan. Speaking post-match, the Hoops’ Irish boss praised his side’s excellent tactical execution against a distinguished opponent.

He stated: “Performance wise it was outstanding. We made another step in our fitness and tactical idea with some of the players coming in. Overall it was a very, very good performance against a very good team. Tactically we were excellent with our pressure and pressing and some of our football was outstanding.

Celtic agree to offload £16k-p/w earner as deal agreed with Champions League club

The Bhoys are set to free up some funds…

BySean Markus Clifford Jul 17, 2025

“We maybe lacked a little bit in the final third at times just to finish off some great moves but other than that it was a very, very good workout for us.”

In spite of the Hoops’ display, Rodgers still has work to do in tailoring his side, and he will need to make sure his key players stick around for another tilt at domestic and European success.

Celtic closing in on bumper new Daizen Maeda contract

According to Football Insider, Celtic are pushing ahead with their attempts to tie down Daizen Maeda, and he is said to be willing to commit long-term with one demand – the Hoops match his ambitions.

Rodgers views the Japan international as a central part of his future plans and is willing to build his entire team around him, with talks open over a new deal amid interest from the Premier League in his services.

Daizen Maeda’s importance to Celtic

Appearances

158

Goals

62

Assists

28

Shedding some further insight, O’Rourke stated: “It makes a lot of sense for Celtic to try and keep hold of Maeda. If Celtic want to continue their dominance in Scotland, they’re going to have to keep hold of their best players, and there’s no doubt Maeda is amongst those.

“He’s under contract until 2027, so they’re looking to extend that and give him bumper new terms just to keep the player happy and ward off interest from Premier League clubs.

“There was talk that Brentford and Tottenham were interested in him.The Japan international was their top goalscorer last season, so he isn’t going to be an easy player to replace if they do end up losing him.”

With 33 goals to his name last season, Maeda became Celtic’s most reliable option whether wide left or as a centre-forward and is widely viewed as an indispensable player in Glasgow’s east end.

Only two years remain on his deal, so it would make perfect sense for the Bhoys to tie him up on an extended contract before his future becomes a main topic of conversation.