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A “wonderful” Sunderland player continues to be the subject of strong interest from a huge club, with exit talks now expected to begin soon, according to a new transfer update.

Sunderland set for Coventry showdown

The Black Cats face one of their biggest matches of the season on Friday evening, as they take on Coventry City in the first leg of their Championship playoff semi-final tie. Regis Le Bris’ out of form side make the trip to take on Frank Lampard’s men fresh off an emotional final day of league action, so it will be difficilt to bring a positive result with them back to the Stadium of Light.

It has been a long and gruelling season for Sunderland, who started the campaign on fire and threatened to seal automatic promotion to the Premier League, only to tail off as the months continued to pass. In fact, they have lost their last five matches, which is clearly a concern despite the manager’s claims to the contrary.

It looks like they will face Sheffield United in the final at Wembley if they do get past Coventry, following the Blades’ 3-0 win at Bristol City on Thursday. Promotion would be huge for Sunderland for so many reasons, not least in terms of keeping hold of key men, and a new update has now emerged regarding the future of one such individual.

Dortmund delegation travels to Wearside for Bellingham

According to Ruhr Nachrichten [via Sport Witness], Borussia Dortmund’s interest in Sunderland star Jobe Bellingham is “concrete”, with a summer move becoming more and more serious.

A delegation was sent to the North East on Wednesday to discuss the signing of the 19-year-old, whose brother, Jude, spent three years with the Bundesliga giants. They still have to negotiate with the player, his representatives and the Black Cats, though, with those talks expected to begin soon.

Keeping hold of Bellingham has to be a priority for Sunderland this summer, but it will be hard for them to retain him, especially if they fail to seal promotion. The midfielder may like the idea of moving to Dortmund, enjoying a similar path to his brother, with the teenager hailed by teammate Luke O’Nien earlier this year.

“Listen, Jobe’s a wonderful player. I’m one of his biggest fans, more than his dad. Don’t tell him that. I think Jobe’s wonderful. He’s a wonderful addition. He even comes in at half-time to give his perspective. That’s how much he’s grown into the game. Even though he’s not playing, he’s in at half-time. We’re asking for his perspective on the game because he’s a leader in our team.”

Bellingham’s brilliance was outlined by him winning the Championship’s Young Player of the Season award, so Sunderland losing him would be a crushing blow.

Related Uh oh: Worrying injury update emerges on Sunderland star ahead of Coventry

The Black Cats are set to be without an important player in their play-off semi final.

Posts ByDominic Lund May 8, 2025

There does have to be some realism involved with the Black Cats, however, who will know that they may have to cash in at some point, with the report stating that they want £21m for his signature.

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta and the recruitment team have reportedly reached a transfer fee agreement over signing another player this summer, with the club wasting no time in kickstarting their expected busy summer window.

The positions Arsenal want to strengthen this summer

According to a recent update via Sky Sports, Arsenal will have “at least” £100 million to spend on new signings when the window reopens, which does not include any funds raised by player sales.

Related Talks advancing: Arsenal pushing to sign "deadly" £65m Premier League star

The Gunners are making progress in their pursuit of a forward, who has enjoyed a fantastic 2024-25 campaign.

Posts ByDominic Lund May 19, 2025

Once outgoings are taken into account, with Arsenal ready to sell Jakub Kiwior for £29 million and Oleksandr Zinchenko widely expected to depart the Emirates, among others, then it is likely Berta will have even more money to reinvest in the squad.

Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)

Money on new signings

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

It is believed by some media sources that Arsenal are targeting a second-choice keeper, full-back, midfielder, left-winger, striker and a potential alternative to Bukayo Saka, as per GiveMeSport, and they’ve already made significant progress on a couple of these aims.

Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is set to join Arsenal from the La Liga side (Fabrizio Romano), with the Spain international finally agreeing to make the switch to England after months of talks.

Following Zubimendi, reports have claimed that Arsenal are advancing in talks for Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, as Berta looks to end their long search for a prolific striker very early into his tenure as director.

While there are suggestions that Sporting want Gyokeres’ final price tag paid within two years, which poses an obstacle for Arsenal to overcome in negotiations, it has now been stated that both sides have at least shaken hands on that valuation.

Arsenal agree £59m deal with Sporting CP to sign Viktor Gyokeres

According to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo (via The Mirror), Arsenal have reached an agreement with Sporting to sign Gyokeres for £59 million – which comes as a pretty bold claim.

The Monday headline from O Jogo’s front page also reads that Gyokeres is “on his way to Arsenal”, indicating that Mikel Arteta is on the verge of striking a full deal for the free-scoring Sweden international.

Despite some previous reports to the contrary, O Jogo believes that the Gunners still need to agree personal terms with the 26-year-old. While it isn’t completely sealed in that sense, Sporting’s demands have apparently been settled already, which comes as some very good news for Arteta if accurate.

The former Coventry City star’s links to N5 don’t appear to be going away any time soon, and there is little doubting he’d be an exciting signing for Arsenal after two phenomenal back-to-back campaigns in the Primeira Liga.

Gyokeres boasts 96 goals and 28 assists from 101 appearances in all competitions for the Portuguese heavyweights, so £59 million could be considered one of the bargains of the summer for a player who’s been bagging goals for fun in one of Europe’s major leagues.

Chelsea secured the Europa Conference League title last night, becoming the first side to win such a title alongside the Europa League and the Champions League.

Enzo Maresca’s side produced a stunning second-half comeback after being a goal down against Real Betis at the break, ending the game as 4-1 victors in Wrocław.

Goals from Enzo Fernández, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo secured the triumph for the Blues, topping off what has been an excellent few weeks.

Such a result saw the Italian claim his first trophy after taking the reins last summer, looking to build on such success throughout the 2025/26 campaign.

However, despite the inspirational second-half comeback, numerous players failed to deliver in the European final, putting their place at Stamford Bridge at huge risk.

Chelsea’s poor performers against Real Betis

Winger Noni Madueke once again started for Chelsea last night, but the Englishman was unable to produce a performance to remember – often failing to deliver in the final third.

The 23-year-old only completed 50% of his dribbles and was unable to complete a single cross, with the attacker’s showing in Poland one to forget.

He wasn’t alone in struggling to perform, with right-back Malo Gusto also producing a disastrous showing, subsequently being replaced at the break by Reece James.

The Frenchman had to play in an inverted role, but made a mistake that led to the Spanish side’s opener, whilst failing to win a single one of the tackles he entered.

However, despite the showing from the aforementioned duo, one other first team member failed to deliver in the final, with his outing last night needing to be his last one for the Blues.

The Chelsea dud who must never play for the club again

Despite such a triumph, this summer promises to be a huge one for Chelsea, with incomings and outgoings to be expected at Stamford Bridge over the coming months.

Maresca has some huge decisions to make, including whether to make Jadon Sancho’s deal permanent or pay a £5m fee to send him back to Manchester United.

As for incomings, the likes of Liam Delap, Hugo Ekitiké and Joao Pedro have all been touted with moves to join the Blues, with the manager evidently targeting reinforcements in the final third.

However, regardless of what deals he decides to pursue or approve, he needs to offload centre-back Benoit Badiashile and allow the defender to move on to pastures new.

He joined the club in a £35m deal from Monaco back in 2023, making 53 appearances, with the majority of his showings this season coming in the Conference League.

The 24-year-old started the final against Betis, featuring for 61 minutes before being replaced by academy graduate Levi Colwill, highlighting his lack of impact.

He may have registered 92 touches, but he was disappointing without the ball, losing 100% of the tackles he entered and committing a foul which led to him being carded.

Benoit Badiashile’s stats for Chelsea against Betis

Statistics

Tally

Minutes played

61

Touches

92

Passes completed

81/84 (96%)

Tackles won

0

Fouls committed

1

Interceptions made

1

Aerials won

0

Stats via SofaScore

Badiashile also only made one interception and failed to come out on top in any aerial duels, struggling to produce a display worthy of a European Cup final.

As a result of his showing against the Spanish outfit, he was handed a measly 4/10 match rating by The Standard’s Malik Ouzia – showcasing his lack of positive impact.

With the summer transfer window now just around the corner, it would be a surprise to no one if Badiashile was offloaded during the off-season, ending his spell in West London.

He demonstrated last night that he’s unable to deliver in key moments, with Maresca needing to cut his losses and sell him to allow for added investment in key areas this summer.

Related Forget Jackson: Maresca has found the new Drogba in 9/10 Chelsea star

Chelsea came from behind to beat Real Betis 4-1 in the Conference League final on Wednesday night

Posts 3 ByJoe Nuttall May 29, 2025

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin heading for the exit door, Everton have turned their attention towards a La Liga star and are now reportedly ready to match his release clause worth over £30m.

Everton set to lose Calvert-Lewin

Calvert-Lewin’s contract situation is one that has been rumbling on for some time. In truth, however, a new deal has never really seemed likely for the academy graduate, who now looks destined to depart as a free agent at the end of this month.

It puts the Toffees in an interesting position. Whilst they wouldn’t have been desperate to lose an academy graduate, Calvert-Lewin’s form and injury history across recent years have hardly made him the main man in Merseyside, especially with Beto finding his feet under David Moyes in the second half of last season.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin by season

Premier League Goals (via Transfermarkt)

2024/25

3

2023/24

7

2022/23

2

2021/22

16

Circumstances have been tough at times, but Calvert-Lewin’s drop-off is undeniable. From scoring 16 goals in one season to finally bursting into life and finding his best form, the forward has managed a combined total of 12 in the last three seasons. For all parties, an exit makes perfect sense.

That said, Everton must still replace the 28-year-old and they seem well aware of that. The Friedkin Group already attempted to make a statement by winning the race to sign Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, only for Chelsea to come calling with an offer that the forward could not and did not refuse.

Now, they’re back to the drawing board. Ahead of a new era, a marquee signing to lead the line certainly wouldn’t go amiss. After missing out on Delap, the big question is just who Everton will turn to in the coming months.

The rumours are coming thick and fast regarding a La Liga star, however, who has a similar release clause to the aforementioned Delap.

Everton ready to match Thierno Barry's release clause

According to TEAMtalk, Everton are now ready to meet Thierno Barry’s release clause this summer which is worth €40m (£34m) this summer. Having initially shown interest in the Villarreal forward, those in Merseyside are reportedly ready to step up their move to commence their transfer business with the La Liga star also keen on a move.

It’s clear to see why Everton are so eager to push on with their move for Barry too. The 22-year-old got off to a rapid start at Villarreal last season, earning the praise of scout Jacek Kulig who dubbed him an “exciting CF investment”, and has since stolen even more headlines.

Related Everton now gifted chance to sign "excellent" £300,000-p/w PL star on loan

The Toffees could sign a vastly experienced star…

Posts BySean Markus Clifford Jun 8, 2025

By the time that last season reached a conclusion, Barry had found the back of the net 19 times in all competitions. If Everton are to welcome a marquee signing to commence their summer business, he should be at the top of their wishlist.

Liverpool’s attacking unit has been truly frightening this season, undoubtedly playing a massive role in their ability to claim the Premier League title in 2024/25.

Mohamed Salah was undoubtedly the shining light in such a department, netting 29 goals and registering 18 assists in his 38 outings for Arne Slot’s men.

Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz shared the responsibility on the left-hand side, with the aforementioned duo netting 23 goals between them in the league.

However, the one complaint was with the centre-forward position, with the Reds needing an elite-level talisman to further increase their chances of retaining their crown next time around.

With Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota both touted with moves away from Anfield, the hierarchy may have funds to play with, allowing Slot to get his hands on the star striker he greatly desires.

The latest on Liverpool’s hunt for a new striker this summer

Alexander Isak has been the dream option over the last couple of months for Liverpool, but his £150m asking price has scuppered any chances of landing the Swede’s signature this window.

Viktor Gyokeres is another name who’s been mentioned with a move to Merseyside, but like Isak, a deal looks unlikely after claiming he’s keen on a move to Arsenal.

Such situations have led the Reds to other targets, with RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko the latest talent in their sights, according to journalist James Wathland.

He claims that the hierarchy have already made contact with the Slovenian’s representatives over a move to Anfield, with Arsenal also in the race for his signature.

It’s also been reported that the player himself would be keen on a move to join Slot’s side, potentially moving to the Premier League off the back of a 21-goal campaign in Germany.

Why Sesko would be a better signing than Ekitike for Liverpool

In recent days, Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitiké has been a man in demand, with numerous Premier League clubs registering interest in a move for the forward this summer.

Liverpool are just one side in the race, with Manchester United and Chelsea just two of the sides battling it out for his signature during the off-season.

His tally of 22 goals across all competitions in 2024/25 makes the interest no surprise, with the Frenchman potentially able to be the number nine the Reds have been hunting for.

However, if they are to agree a move with the 22-year-old, they would have to fork out a fee in the region of £84m, potentially being a deal worth walking away from.

Should they decide to move onto other targets once more, Sesko should be their number one target to fill the void, with the striker being labelled the “new Erling Haaland” by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

He possesses a very similar frame to the Norwegian, whilst also having a lethal strike, which has seen him score numerous long-range efforts during his time in Germany.

The 21-year-old is also a huge threat in the air, similar to that of the Manchester City star, with Sesko potentially being the final piece in Slot’s Liverpool puzzle.

Benjamin Sesko’s stats in the Bundesliga (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

33

Goals scored

13

Shots on target per game

1.2

Goals scored per 90

0.5

Dribbles completed

55%

Aerials won

57%

Duels won

5.1

Stats via FotMob

When comparing his stats to those of Ekitike this campaign, he may have scored fewer goals, but has managed a better goal per shot on target rate – handing the club the clinical option they’ve been hunting for.

He’s also dominated aerially, winning more of the aerial duels he’s entered throughout 2024/25, with his skillset allowing for a focal point for the likes of Salah, Diaz and Gakpo to play off.

Whilst both players would likely improve the options currently at the manager’s disposal, it’s pivotal that the Reds pursue a move for Sesko over Ekitike, with his stats backing up why he’d be a more effective option.

Should he manage to follow in Haaland’s footsteps in England, it would be a bargain regardless of the price tag, handing the club the added threat in their pursuit of back-to-back league titles.

Related Perfect for Isak: Liverpool told £75m bid for PL star will be accepted

Liverpool may need to sign a new left-sided forward this summer.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Jun 14, 2025

Liverpool love to get their business done nice and early in the transfer window, and that ethos has proved no different this summer.

Whereas last year, an August attempt to sign Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, who is now set for Arsenal, fell through, this summer FSG are fully settled into their new infrastructure and are attacking the market with menace.

There will be something of a pause over the next days though, with the market slamming shut this evening until next Monday, prematurely opened due to exceptional circumstances because of the Club World Cup.

However, this won’t mean sporting director Richard Hughes will freeze his negotiating, having already signed Jeremie Frimpong to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold and pushing to close deals for Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz, both of whom are expected to play for Liverpool next season.

But with the likes of Darwin Nunez, Federico Chiesa and Luis Diaz’s futures uncertain, there’s only so much the Reds can do.

Indeed, with interest fierce for Colombian winger Diaz, Liverpool may need a new star to complement Mohamed Salah on the opposite flank.

Why Liverpool need new forwards

If Liverpool manage to pull off the signing of Wirtz, he would more likely than not take the number ten spot, which would push Dominik Szoboszlai into a deeper, eight-type role.

And if Diaz is sold, with Barcelona and Al-Nassr among the 28-year-old’s admirers, the urgency for a new left-sided forward would only be heightened.

Mohamed Salah, after all, can’t do it all on his own once again next season. The Egyptian King was the leading man through Arne Slot’s successful first season on Merseyside, winning the Premier League.

Most Goals + Assists 24/25 (Europe’s top 5 leagues)

Player

Apps

Goals

Assists

G/A

Mohamed Salah

38

29

18

47

Harry Kane

31

26

10

36

Kylian Mbappe

34

31

3

34

Omar Marmoush

33

22

12

34

Mateo Retegui

36

25

8

33

Data via Transfermarkt

He might have signed a new two-year contract at the club, but Salah turns 33 in a few days and will need some more support.

That’s why, if Diaz goes, Liverpool are ready to sign one of the most exciting wide forwards playing in English football.

Liverpool chasing new winger

As per Football Insider, Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon is at the top of Liverpool’s shopping list this summer, with FSG warming to the idea of signing a new winger.

Though AC Milan’s Rafael Leao has also been added to the list, it’s Gordon who Liverpool hope to give priority in the event of Diaz’s departure, though Arsenal are believed to be interested too.

Valued at £80m, the England international clearly wouldn’t come cheap, but he was profiled by Liverpool’s chiefs last summer and is of a long-standing interest to the Premier League champions.

What Anthony Gordon would bring to Liverpool

When Gordon transferred from Everton to Newcastle for £45m in January 2023, he was a talented prospect, sure, but perhaps not one who justified such a heavy outlay.

Fast-track to the present, and the 24-year-old’s stock has ballooned almost twofold, having been crowned Newcastle’s 2023/24 Player of the Season after notching 28 goal involvements.

Declaring himself a “nightmare for anyone” he comes up against, Gordon didn’t reach the same heights last season even as his side went from strength to strength, winning the Carabao Cup and restoring their place in the Champions League, but he still contributed toward the team’s success.

Ferocious when striding forward, powerful with his shooting and clever with his passing, Gordon has the full package of qualities at his core, and could find himself reaching a new level in his development, if charged by Salah.

Long renowned as one of the deadliest goalscorers on the continent, Salah has tailored his game to a new level of playmaking over the past few years, with Father Time casting furtive glances his way.

As per FBref, the winger ranked among the top 1% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues last term for assists, the top 14% for goal-creating actions and the top 4% for carries into the penalty area, emphasising his peerless ability to drive into dangerous positions and make things happen.

With Gordon overlapping on the alternate flank, finding space of his own, Salah might just find the perfect man to arc his crisp, threaded cross-box passes toward.

Though Liverpool’s main man is getting on a bit, he’s hardly going to fall from a proverbial cliff at the start of the 2025/26 season, especially after reaching such astronomic heights in a new role, intensity reduced, under Slot’s wing.

However, he will need support, and Gordon – essentially a right-footed version of the Reds star – proved across the 2023/24 term that he can produce almighty hauls across both goalscoring and creative metrics to drive his team toward success.

With an athletic style, improvements across the past two years under Howe’s coaching, and indeed a desire to return to Merseyside having been released from Liverpool’s academy aged 11, boyhood Red Gordon would be a credit to Liverpool’s team.

For now, we will have to wait and see what happens with Diaz, but if Saudi suitors pay the big bucks for Liverpool’s experienced star, who better to bring into the fold, giving Salah a new partner to work with, than the Prem-proven Gordon?

Related Outscored Isak & Ekitike: Liverpool open talks to sign "monster" new Suarez

Liverpool are looking to sign a new striker this summer.

Posts 2 ByAngus Sinclair Jun 10, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank is already making his mark when it comes to his new club’s summer recruitment drive, starting with their £30 million permanent deal for Mathys Tel.

In the build up to Sunday morning’s announcement that the Frenchman is now an indefinite Spurs player, reports claimed that Frank personally advocated for Tel to remain in north London.

Related Tottenham ready to spend big on hijacking Barcelona talks for Brazilian

Spurs are in the running for his services.

Posts 1 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 17, 2025

The 51-year-old’s wish was ultimately granted by chairman Daniel Levy, with Frank set to utilise the now-former Bayern Munich sensation throughout his debut season in the Lilywhites dugout and beyond.

Tottenham’s best-performing regulars in the Premier League – 2024/2025

Average match rating

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

However, their pursuit of new wingers won’t end with Tel’s signature, as Spurs are believed to be in the market for a Timo Werner replacement on the opposing flank as well (Ben Jacobs).

Links to Southampton starlet Tyler Dibling have re-emerged this week, following reports that Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo and Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo are both top targets for Spurs as well.

While Mbeumo currently prefers a move to Man United as things stand, the Cameroonian is still intrigued by a move to Tottenham (Sky Sports), while other media sources claim Spurs have reached out to Semenyo’s representatives.

Another intriguing wide option for Frank comes in the form of £300,000-per-week Man City star Jack Grealish.

The England international was a key member of City’s treble-winning side of 2023, but he’s since struggled to establish himself as a firm fixture in Pep Guardiola’s starting eleven since that famed campaign.

Guardiola addressed his future in a Club World Cup press conference this week, stating that the 29-year-old needs to showcase his true quality on a weekly basis.

“Jack is an exceptional player. The only reason why he didn’t play last season is, of course, my decisions,” said the City boss.

“And we decided he has to play, and the club was honest, he’s honest. He’s incredibly respected and loved by the team, and we decided the best is for him to stay [behind] and have a place he feels he can play and come back to being the player that was in the year of the Treble or all his career at Aston Villa.

“Without him it wouldn’t have been possible, it would’ve been more difficult to get what we achieved in the Treble season. But the fact is, the last two seasons, he didn’t play much, and he has to come back to play and have the butterflies in his stomach that he can play every three days and show again the quality he has.”

Thomas Frank holds talks with Tottenham about signing Jack Grealish

With Werner leaving and a summer exit for Son Heung-min on the cards, amid interest from Saudi Arabia, there is every possibility that the ex-Aston Villa star could be a mainstay under Frank next season.

According to Football Transfers, the Dane is already taking a keen interest in Grealish, who’s come up regularly in “extensive” conversations about recruitment between Frank and the Tottenham hierarchy.

During these internal talks, Frank was keen to discover the state of play regarding Spurs’ talks with Grealish’s representatives, and it has emerged that the winger is actually open to joining them before deadline day on September 1.

However, Grealish’s hefty salary is posing a real issue, so Tottenham will need to find middle ground there.

Other reports claim Grealish could leave Eastlands on loan, but if Levy wishes to strike a permanent deal, the price is around £50 million.

Rashid, Archer, Wood lead line with the ball as England chase 48 in 19 balls

Andrew Miller13-Jun-20245:54

Finch: ‘Wood and Archer were too quick for Oman’

England 50 for 2 (Buttler 24*) beat Oman 47 (Rashid 4-11, Archer 3-12, Wood 3-12) by eight wickets with 101 balls to spareAfter all the angst and indecision, England are back in the game, with a ruthless dispatching of an outclassed Oman. After routing their opponents for 47 in the space of 80 balls at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, they needed just 19 to hunt that total down, to hoist their troublesome net run-rate firmly into the black. Adil Rashid was the pick of an outstanding four-prong attack with figures of 4 for 11, before a turbo-charged chase capped by Jos Buttler’s 24 not out from eight balls.Assuming England can achieve a further two points against Namibia on Saturday, Scotland will be left with the daunting task of beating the Group B leaders Australia if they hope to progress to the Super Eight – and even Josh Hazlewood at his most tongue-in-cheek might baulk at permitting that prospect.England quicks flex in powerplayEngland entered this contest needing not only to win, but to win quickly, given Scotland’s near four-point edge in the net run-rate stakes, not to mention the prospect of shenanigans in the Scots’ own final contest against Australia on Sunday. To that end, Buttler decided he wanted “to know how many runs we’re chasing” after choosing to bowl first at the toss. The answer, it would soon transpire, was “not many”.The tone was set in a ferocious powerplay, as England unleashed their heaviest artillery of the tournament to date. Two wickets apiece for Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, allied to a probing three-over spell of left-arm seam from the returning Reece Topley reduced Oman to a flaky 25 for 4 … which immediately became 25 for 5 as Rashid announced his own arrival with another breakthrough first-ball.Topley surely counts as England’s most luckless campaigner of recent times. He could have been a key component of the 2022 title triumph had he not rolled his ankle on a boundary marker during a warm-up match in Brisbane, and he then broke his finger while tracking well during the doomed 50-over World Cup in India before Christmas.But here he set the tone with an exemplary one-run opening over – remarkably, his first at a T20 World Cup since the 2016 event in India – whereupon Archer struck with his second legal delivery, as Pratik Athavale followed up an opportunistic slap through the covers with a low chance to Phil Salt at short cover.Archer made it two in as many overs when Aqib Ilyas chopped another low catch to Will Jacks at backward point, who clung on with a juggle – unlike Moeen Ali at slip two balls later, who let a routine snick from Zeeshan Maqsood flop out of his grasp. It scarcely mattered though. Maqsood had no desire to stay in line to a sharp loosener from Wood, as he lobbed a return catch off the quick’s first ball, and though Kashyap Prajapati put a dent in Topley’s figures with a slashed six over the short cover boundary, he too had no response to an injection of raw pace, as Wood cleaned him up with a clothed pull to midwicket.Rashid rips through the restWith a game broken wide open, Rashid was the perfect weapon to exploit Oman’s soft underbelly, and he did so with a display of unrelenting superiority. Four overs on the trot, a wicket in each, and just a solitary boundary cuffed through point by Shoaib Khan, amid a remarkable 20 dot-balls.His first wicket came from his biggest ripper of the lot – an agenda-setting legbreak that almost turned sideways past Khalid Kail’s unbalanced sweep, and left Jos Buttler with so far to reach with his gloves that he missed his first attempt at the stumping, and only succeeded with the second due to Kail’s galling lack of game-awareness.Moeen made amends for his drop in Rashid’s second over, with a comfortable take off a loose drive from Mehran Khan, by which stage Wood had bagged his 50th T20I wicket with another full-length rocket to induce an inside-edge from Ayaan Khan. Rashid’s third was a pinpoint googly, ripping through Fayyaz Butt’s gate after a previous attempt had thumped his pads, and when he repeated the trick with his penultimate ball to bowl Kaleemullah for 5, Oman were 47 for 9 and sunk.Two balls later, Archer was back for his final over before Buttler had even considered turning to a fifth bowler, and he duly closed it out by inducing Shoaib Khan into a hoist behind square, for Buttler to mop up the resistance, tracking back towards fine leg.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Salt and batteryThe crunchy numbers said that England could go past Scotland’s NRR if they won the contest in 5.2 overs or less. For as long as his three-ball 12 lasted, Phil Salt gave the impression that a 1.2-over finish was more realistic. Bilal Khan’s first two balls were full and inviting, and got the treatment with mighty smacks over wide long-off for six. His third, however, was dragged back half a yard, to knock back his off stump via a thin inside-edge.Thereafter, it wasn’t quite so full-throttle, but not exactly a complicated scenario. After allowing himself a sighter, Will Jacks cracked a firm drive down the ground off a Kaleemullah no-ball, only to top-edge a similarly ferocious stroke in the same over. Jonny Bairstow, however, belted his first delivery over the covers for four, whereupon Buttler bludgeoned Bilal for four fours and a six in his second over. Bairstow then bashed his second four in as many balls, and that was the end of that.

BIrmingham Phoenix were spun out for their lowest total in the women’s competition

ECB Media06-Aug-2024

Kate Cross and Alice Davidson-Richards celebrate•David Rogers/Getty Images

Northern Superchargers solidified their place in the top three of The Hundred women’s competition table with another dominant win, this time away at Birmingham Phoenix.Superchargers drew level on points with second-placed Oval Invincibles, as they bowled out Phoenix for just 54 runs, the lowest score ever in The Hundred women’s competition. It comes just days after Superchargers dismissed Invincibles for 64 at The Kia Oval, the previous lowest in the competition.Northern Superchargers won the toss and chose to bat in what was set to be a crucial clash, with just one point separating the sides in the table.The in-form Phoenix captain Ellyse Perry got the home side off to a flyer, taking a wicket with her third delivery of the opening set, getting her opposite skipper Holly Armitage out first ball.That brought the dangerous Phoebe Litchfield to the crease, but again Perry was more than good enough with the ball to get her caught behind in her second set. Perry would finish with Phoenix’s leading figures 2 for 13.Annabel Sutherland and Alice Davidson-Richards rebuilt the innings, taking the visitors from 25 for 3 to 68 for 3 before Emily Arlott got Sutherland out with 40 balls left in the innings.Davidson-Richards remained there stoically till the end, top-scoring for Superchargers and finishing not out on 49 off 42. Davidson-Richards’ knock took the Leeds-based team to 115 for 5 from their 100 balls, a competitive total on what looked to be a tricky wicket to bat on.Phoenix struggled from the start in their reply as they fell to 14 for 4 losing key batters in opener Sterre Kalis, skipper Perry, England wicket-keeper Amy Jones and Indian international Richa Ghosh with very few runs on the board.Superchargers were lively in the field, taking any chances that came their way – Kate Cross taking perhaps the pick of the catches on the long-off boundary.Their bowlers shared the wickets around as five of their attack picked up dismissals. Linsey Smith and Georgia Wareham, the pick of the team in purple’s bowlers both with 3 for 12, Smith taking two wickets in two balls towards the end of the innings.Meerkat Match Hero Davidson-Richards said: “I didn’t actually feel that good out there when I was batting, it was a difficult pitch to bat on, as you can see from it being such a low-scoring game, but we are delighted to have got over the line. I was trying to work out how to build an innings and find the gaps where the boundaries could come from.”We are looking forward to playing top of the table Welsh fire away from home in a massive game next up.”

فجر منتخب بوليفيا مفاجأة كبيرة وتمكن من تحقيق الانتصار على البرازيل فجر الأربعاء بهدف دون رد، في تصفيات قارة أمريكا الجنوبية المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية وكندا والمكسيك.

وأجرى مدرب منتخب البرازيل، كارلو أنشيلوتي، العديد من التغييرات على تشكيلة فريقه في لقاء اليوم، بعدما ضمن السيليساو سلفًا صعودهم إلى منافسات كأس العالم في وقت سابق من هذا الأسبوع عقب الانتصار على تشيلي 3-0.

ودفع أنشيلوتي بتشكيل مكون من: “أليسون، فيتينيو، فابريسيو برونو، أليكساندرو، كايو هنريك، لوكاس باكيتا، أندريه سانتوس، برونو جيماريش، لويس هنريكي، ريتشاليسون، صامويل لينو”.

اقرأ أيضًا .. تعليق غريب من هالاند بعد انفجاره في مباراة النرويج ومولدوفا بتصفيات كأس العالم

وأثرت التغييرات التي أجراها أنشيلوتي بالسلب على مستوى البرازيل في لقاء اليوم، حيث ظهر لاعبي السيليساو بمستوى باهت بعض الشيء نظرًا لتواجد معظم الأسماء الأساسية على دكة البدلاء.

بوليفيا في الجهة الأخرى كانت أفضل من البرازيل وخاصة في شوط اللقاء الأول، وقدم أصحاب الأرض عرضًا جيدًا.

واحتسبت ركلة جزاء لصالح بوليفيا في الوقت بدل الضائع من الشوط الأول، بعد تدخل من نجم نيوكاسل يونايتد، برونو جيماريش، على لاعب بوليفيا، روبرتو فيرنانديز.

وسدد ركلة الجزاء ميجيل أنخيل تيرسيروس في الدقيقة الرابعة من الوقت بدل الضائع من الشوط الأول، ليضع الكرة بنجاح في شباك أليسون بيكر، مانحًا بذلك بوليفيا فوزًا غاليًا.

وبتلك النتيجة رفع منتخب بوليفيا رصيده إلى 20 نقطة في المركز السابع، بينما تجمد رصيد البرازيل عند 28 نقطة في المركز الخامس.