Asif Afridi has been banned for two years for two separate breaches of the PCB’s Anti-Corruption Code. The ban will come into effect on the date the left-arm spinner was provisionally suspended – September 12, 2022, meaning his period of ineligibility ends two years after that date. The offences are understood to have occurred in the 2022 Pakistan Cup, where Afridi, 36, played for eventual runners-up Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.The more serious breach of the code comes in the violation of Article 2.4.10, which involves “directly or indirectly soliciting, inducing, enticing, persuading, encouraging or intentionally facilitating any Participant to breach any of the foregoing provisions of this Article 2.4.”While the precise nature of this offence has not been made public, it has seen him banned for two years. His other offence concerns the breach of Article 2.4.4, which concerns the non-reporting of corrupt approaches. For that, he has received a six-month suspension, to run concurrently alongside the two-year suspension.The offences can carry up to a lifetime ban, but the PCB said they had taken into account his admission of guilt, level of remorse and past track record.”It gives the PCB no joy to suspend an international cricketer for two years, but we have a zero-tolerance approach towards such offences,” PCB chairman Najam Sethi said. “As the game’s governing body, we need to make examples, handle such matters robustly and send out strong messages to all cricketers.”It is bitter fact that corruption poses a threat to our sport as selfish corrupters lure cricketers in different ways and methods. That’s precisely why the PCB has been investing heavily on player education so that they remain vigilant and can help the PCB eradicate this menace by reporting approaches. If, despite all our best efforts to create awareness, a player falls victim to his greed, then the PCB has no sympathy.”While Afridi hasn’t played international cricket for Pakistan, he was named in Pakistan’s T20I and ODI squads for Australia’s visit to Pakistan last year. He has also played for Multan Sultans in the PSL. He last played any form of cricket in the National T20 Cup in August 2022.

MatériaMais Notícias

da fezbet： Poucas noites foram tão intensas no futebol como a de Jefferson, do Atlético-GO, na última terça-feira. O lateral entrou no segundo tempo, durante a virada do Dragão diante do Fluminense, e cruzou para Marlon Freitas virar em favor Atlético. 3 a 2 e muita comemoração do time da casa, que alcançou a segunda vitória seguida e a fuga do Z4.

RelacionadasFutebol NacionalThiago Ennes valoriza garra do Náutico em vitória sobre o TombenseFutebol Nacional07/10/2022InternacionalAinda dá? Inter precisa tirar grande vantagem do Palmeiras para vencer o BrasileiroInternacional06/10/2022Atlético MineiroCom vitória importante, Atlético-MG ganha novo fôlego pelo G-6 do BrasileirãoAtlético Mineiro06/10/2022

da wazamba： – Eu tive a felicidade de acompanhar o lance naquele momento. Dominei, tentei procurar a área e consegui ver o Marlon ali, fora. Só dei o passe e quando vi, foi gol. Foi pura emoção – celebrou o jogador de 25 anos.

Na 18ª colocação, o Atlético está dois pontos atrás do Cuiabá e a três do Coritiba, primeiro time fora da zona de rebaixamento. Na segunda-feira, a missão do Dragão é difícil: somar pontos contra o líder Palmeiras, em Goiânia. Mas se depender da força do elenco, Jefferson promete que o time vai dar o seu máximo.

– Acho que foram duas vitórias importantíssimas pra seguirmos fortes nessa disputa pra sair do Z-4 . Com fé em Deus e com a força desse elenco, vamos conseguir sair dessa. Tenho certeza – prometeu.

Gurbaz smashed 81 off 39 but found little support from his team-mates before the Titans batters sealed the chase

Sidharth Monga29-Apr-20232:35

Tom Moody questions KKR’s batting strategy

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, filling in for the injured Jason Roy, scored 81 off 39 against his former franchise Gujarat Titans, but Kolkata Knight Riders managed to score just 179, which Titans overhauled with 13 balls to spare despite a scare in the middle overs.Gurbaz was sensational especially in his takedown of Rashid Khan, who went for 50 or more for only the second time in the IPL, but the only support he received was from Andre Russell, who scored 34 off 19 at the death. Josh Little tied them down in the middle overs, resulting in wickets, and Noor Ahmad registered the Afghan presence with 4-0-21-2, including the wicket of Gurbaz.Shubman Gill, a former Knight Rider, set up the chase, and Vijay Shankar and David Miller finished it off in style after two quick wickets in the middle overs threatened to turn this into a thriller.

Shami with early strikes

The match started 45 minutes late because of a brief shower. That rumble of a thunderstorm at the time of the toss made Titans change their mind and chose to bowl. The pitch was spiced up, and Mohammed Shami found seam movement. He bowled through the powerplay to get the wickets of N Jagadeesan and the promoted and returning Shardul Thakur.

Gurbaz plays a different game

Even as the others struggled to hit boundaries, Gurbaz middled almost everything and kept hitting to where the fielders weren’t. He began with a pick-up pull off Hardik Pandya, and followed it up with a wristy pick-up six.The most awesome perhaps was the attack on compatriot Rashid, making room, picking his variations, and hitting him down the ground, for 30 off 11. The middle overs were unable to slow him down.2:33

Moody: Little is getting better and better with experience

Little slows KKR down

With Rashid taken for plenty, it was Josh Little who pulled things back for Titans. He just extracted extra bounce from hard lengths to frustrate the batters. His first two overs – seventh and ninth – went for just 10. At the start of his third, Venkatesh Iyer felt obliged to play a low-percentage shot, and was out lbw. In the same over, Nitish Rana found backward point with a cut.This is when the arrival of Rinku Singh, hero of the last match against Titans but under a run a ball against spin in the IPL, slowed Knight Riders further down. Eventually, Gurbaz fell to a Noor Ahmad full toss having got only 54 off 53 from the other end, including extras.Only a late burst from Russell kept Knight Riders in the game, but he himself admitted in a sidelines interview that they were 20 short.

Gill launches the chase

The way the ball sounded like gun shots off Gill’s bat, it looked like Knight Riders were way more than 20 short. He raced away to 35 off 20 in the powerplay without even trying to hit a six. Like Gurbaz, he dominated by scoring 44 of the first 70 runs.

KKR spinners refuse to go down

Not for the first time, the Knight Riders spinners dragged them back into the contest with some tight overs. Just as Hardik began to open up, he got a peach from Harshit Rana, filling in for the injured Umesh Yadav. Having taken 10 balls to go from 40 to 49, Gill tried to hit Sunil Narine for a six, but ended up giving him his first wicket in six matches.A grandstand finish looked likely as Vijay and Miller absorbed some dots to make it 69 required off the last six.

Don’t take it deep

The virtues of taking chases deep get spoken about often because the ones finished early don’t have the drama attached. Miller and Vijay could have absorbed three more overs of spin and waited for some pace in the end, but they decided otherwise. Miller first took on Suyash Sharma and hit two sixes, which hurried the return of pace. Now Vijay got into the act, hitting a six off Russell before dismantling his Tamil Nadu team-mate Varun Chakravarthy with three sixes in the 17th over. Before you realised, he was bringing up his fifty in just 24 balls, and Titans were back on top of the table with six wins out of eight.

Regis Le Bris will be equally frightened about the prospect of the January transfer window as he is delighted by it, with a busy month perhaps in store for Sunderland.

The promotion chasers already know they will have to fend off many a suitor for the likes of Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg, among other notable names that start week in week out under the Frenchman, with Real Madrid even reportedly interested in Bellingham.

But, it doesn’t have to be a month full of constant anxiety and worry involving high-profile outgoings, as the ex-Lorient manager will hope he gets some financial backing in terms of signings to help in his mission to try and get the Wearside outfit back up to the Premier League.

At the time of writing, the Black Cats occupy a promising fourth spot in the notoriously tricky division, with their current points total of 40 meaning they’re only five points off leading the entire league.

Therefore, some boosts in terms of incomings could really make all the difference, with Sunderland potentially going all out to land one exciting loanee in attack, alongside keeping a firm grip on those talents mentioned that will be crucial in their bid to leap up to the top-flight.

1

GK – Anthony Patterson

Anthony Patterson is likely to remain as Sunderland’s number one goalkeeper heading into 2025, having been largely Le Bris’ first-choice shot-stopper with 17 league appearances under his belt.

He has kept seven clean sheets along the way too, with the homegrown ‘keeper hopeful that his heroics in goal can lead to his boyhood club tasting promotion.

2

RB – Trai Hume

Trai Hume has also been a staple of the Frenchman’s lineups this campaign with only one second tier game missed all season long.

Whilst the Northern Irishman is a tough battler in defence, his creativity from the back has also been key and will continue to be so during some tense games to come near the top of the table, with seven big chances created in league action.

3

CB – Chris Mepham

Only on the books of the Black Cats since a summer loan switch from AFC Bournemouth, the experienced centre-back presence of Chris Mepham has still managed to seamlessly fit into the Black Cats camp under Le Bris.

The towering Welshman has fought bravely from the minute he was first introduced into the first team fold on Wearside, averaging 5.1 duels won per game from his 15 second tier outings.

Having previously basked in the glory of promotion with the Cherries up to the top flight, he is slowly but surely becoming integral in the heart of defence for his new employers.

Transfer Focus

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

4

CB – Daniel Ballard

Whilst Luke O’Nien has started 19 league clashes this campaign to date, the dependable 30-year-old was still dropped for Sunderland’s last away trip to Swansea City.

Daniel Ballard more than justified this tweak, however, with the opening goal coming from the number five powering home a header, on top of the fact he also won six duels.

Therefore, the ex-Arsenal youngster might well now be hard to shake from Le Bris’ forthcoming XIs.

5

LB – Dennis Cirkin

Much like his counterpart in Hume down the right, Dennis Cirkin is certainly an attack-minded full-back.

Scoring two times this season in league action, alongside registering one assist, the 22-year-old has more than wriggled off his injury demons now and will hope his 2025 sees him become a Premier League-level talent.

6

CM – Jordan Henderson

The first pick-up Sunderland could make this January is to add Jordan Henderson into the camp as an ultra-experienced face, which could really help Le Bris’ young and hungry group remain focused on the task of sealing promotion.

After all, Henderson’s honours as an esteemed midfielder for Liverpool speaks volumes, with the 34-year-old holding the Champions League and Premier League aloft across a staggering 492 appearances.

His illustrious playing days began at the Stadium of Light, so it would be fitting for the Sunderland-born veteran to return back and end his career here, amid recent links that have suggested as much.

7

CM – Jobe Bellingham

Keeping Bellingham around past this January will almost have the same feel as adding in a fresh new signing, with a whole host of European giants reportedly eyeing up the 19-year-old ace.

His importance to the cause was there for all to see in Sunderland’s topsy-turvy day out to Wales, as Bellingham netted his side’s dramatic third in the 3-2 comeback win, as well as assisting the equaliser.

Dan Neil would score that vital strike, who actually drops out of this dream XI surprisingly, but a Henderson and Bellingham combo in the middle of the park would be a joy to behold.

8

RM – Patrick Roberts

Now deep into his fourth season on Wearside, Patrick Roberts’ powers don’t seem to be waning.

If anything, the 27-year-old is only getting better down the right flank, with two goals and four assists picked up in the hustle and bustle of the second tier.

Roberts has the pedigree to be able to create a chance from nothing, which will be crucial for his side when games are finely poised towards the close of the campaign.

9

CAM – Chris Rigg

Keeping both Rigg and Bellingham situated at the Stadium of Light past this drawn-out window would be a dream, considering the teenager’s unbelievable exploits for his boyhood club of late.

The constantly entertaining 17-year-old has three goals and one assist next to his name, with that one assist gifting Bellingham the dramatic winner in Wales.

Could he be the bright spark that lifts the Black Cats up to the promised land of the Premier League again?

10

LM – Louie Barry

Le Bris will still be praying that both Tom Watson and Romaine Mundle will have big roles to play in Sunderland clinching promotion, but with both players sidelined through injury at the moment, a new star down the left wing could well be a worthwhile purchase to explore.

Louie Barry is reportedly going to be loaned out to a Championship side this forthcoming January from Aston Villa, and the promotion chasers – who are said to be interested – would be very foolish not to attempt to land the “incredible” attacker, as he was once labelled by Arsenal titan Declan Rice.

After all, the dynamite 21-year-old has made League One his playground at points this campaign for loan side Stockport County by amassing a stunning 14 goals from 20 games.

He could even be that Jack Clarke-like presence for the promotion candidates, based on this sublime solo strike above versus Burton Albion.

As they look to use the January transfer window to their advantage in the race to avoid Premier League relegation, Leicester City are reportedly plotting a move to welcome back a familiar face this month.

Leicester City transfer news

The Foxes were at least given some reprieve away from Premier League action when they squared off against Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup and swept past the Championship side in a 6-2 thrashing, but there’s no doubt that they’ll be fully focused on escaping the dropzone rather than domestic glory. And with Crystal Palace up next, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side must take that goalscoring form from QPR into a crucial relegation six-pointer.

Of course, alongside a flurry of fixtures this month, Leicester also have the chance to strengthen courtesy of the January transfer window. In that regard, the Foxes have already been linked to names such as Miguel Almiron, as Newcastle United look to cash-in on their struggling winger in what could be a move to boost Leicester’s survival chances.

Before any fresh name, however, those at The King Power Stadium could welcome back a familiar face. According to The Boot Room, Leicester are now plotting a reunion with Ben Chilwell, who is desperate to leave Chelsea after becoming an outcast at Stamford Bridge under Enzo Maresca, who has admitted the player will probably go.

The left-back would certainly have to hit the ground running to get fans back on side after swapping Leicester for Chelsea in 2020 in deal worth a reported £45m, but there’s no doubt that he still has more than enough left in the tank to drag his former side to survival.

Leicester leading the race to sign "promising" 6 foot 6 defender this month

The Foxes are now willing to match his club’s asking price.

ByDominic Lund Jan 7, 2025

Potentially a full-circle moment, Chilwell should take the opportunity to complete a return with both hands if Leicester come calling this month, but he will of course have to take a significant hit to his current £200,000-a-week wages.

Chilwell desperately needs Chelsea exit

Once a Chelsea vice-captain and Champions League winner, Chilwell now desperately needs a move away from Stamford Bridge like a number of his teammates who have been cast aside and shown the door at the London club. At just 28 years old and with a World Cup coming up next year, the Englishman has the perfect chance to return to his best and earn back his England place as Thomas Tuchel looks to make his mark.

In doing exactly that, the defender would be making up for his previous discretions at Leicester too, whose survival chances would only increase by welcoming such experience.

Speaking to reporters, Maresca revealed that Chilwell will be allowed to leave Chelsea this month, saying via TNT Sports: “Because players want to play more so there’s probably chances for them to leave.

“But Ben has been top. I have to say that, he has been top. Very professional, works hard. I feel shame because of that situation, but in terms of behaviour, he has been very good.”

Before the end of the month, Chilwell simply must move on from his recent Chelsea struggles, whether that results in a Leicester reunion or a move elsewhere in the coming weeks.

Tottenham Hotspur are now battling their Premier League rivals for the signature of an “excellent” new goalkeeper, according to a report.

Tottenham in need of a goalkeeper

Ever since Guglielmo Vicario was ruled out for the foreseeable future with a fractured ankle, there have been question marks over Fraser Forster, particularly in light of his most recent performance against Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Englishman received scathing criticism for his performance, which played a part in Spurs’ winless run being extended to three games.

When Vicario first picked up his injury, Ange Postecoglou made it clear that signing a new goalkeeper in the January transfer window would not be an option, saying: “We will NOT sign a new goalkeeper in January. We trust Fraser Forster”.

Tottenham’s upcoming Premier League fixtures

Date

Newcastle United (h)

January 4th

Arsenal (a)

January 15th

Everton (a)

January 19th

Leicester City (h)

January 26th

Brentford (a)

February 2nd

However, Forster’s recent performances may have caused Postecoglou to change his stance, and Tottenham are now being linked with moves for a number of goalkeepers. Burnley’s James Trafford has been considered as a potential option, although that could prove to be a costly operation, with the Championship side set to demand a fee of around £30m for his services.

As such, the Lilywhites have now started looking at other options, and a report from The Sun has revealed that Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson is now an option. Spurs are now battling Premier League rivals Wolves for Patterson, so there is set to be competition for his signature, but Forster’s poor performances could force Postecoglou’s hand.

However, much like Trafford, the Sunderland keeper would not come cheap, as he signed a new long-term deal at the Stadium of Light last September.

Tottenham now eyeing January move to sign £20m defender ahead of Barcelona

Spurs are in need of defensive reinforcements, but face a fight to land one.

ByBen Browning Dec 29, 2024 Injury crisis at N17 forcing January activity

Tottenham find themselves in an injury crisis at the moment, with a number of first-team players out injured, and Vicario’s absence has hit them particularly hard, with Forster failing to hit the heights expected of him in recent weeks.

As such, it would make sense if Postecoglou wants to bring in a new back-up goalkeeper this winter, particularly considering Forster is now 36-years-old.

Patterson could be a real upgrade for Spurs, having been lauded by Sunderland teammate Simon Moore, who said: “I’ve followed him for a while even before I came here and he’s class, he pulls off some unbelievable saves.

“He’s underrated with the ball at his feet as well, calm and composed. His handling is excellent, he can without a shadow of a doubt play at the top.”

However, it may be difficult for Tottenham to get a deal done this January, as Sunderland are unlikely to sanction their first-choice goalkeeper’s departure for a reasonable price while they are in a promotion race.

Instead, it may be wise for Postecoglou to hold out for Vicario’s return, considering his recovery is going well, and persist with Forster for a little while longer.

James Anderson takes three-for but Stuart Broad’s unbeaten 3 from 50 helps save home side

David Hopps07-May-2023

Brett Hutton, sticking to his defensive duties like black treacle, put in a redoubtable defensive shift as Nottinghamshire narrowly survived a Lancashire victory push on the final day at Trent Bridge. Lancashire left themselves two full sessions to claim victory as they set Notts 295 in 67 overs – enterprising enough – but the home side escaped with the last pair at the crease.That last man was Olly Stone, who is awaiting the results of a scan on an injured hamstring, and who had to see out the last four deliveries from Lancashire’s left-arm spinner, Tom Hartley, after Luke Fletcher had fallen lbw. In fact, Stone had to survive the last ball not once, but twice as he imagined he had saved the game only for a cry of no-ball to rent the air. Encircled by close fielders, he popped a short ball uncomfortably into the crease. The hamstring may even have complained a little. Job done.There is no doubt which side will be happier with the draw. Notts have few peers in T20, but here they looked what they are: a promoted side coming to terms with Division One life. They have too many Championship days when it appears that the shorter formats cannot come a moment too soon. Five points will sustain them, a sound response to their declaration defeat against Middlesex at Lord’s last week.For Lancashire, a draw with nine down will feel like scant reward for one of their most impressive displays in recent seasons. Harried by rain for the first month of the season, they had conceded a first-innings deficit of 35 thanks to the excellence of Haseeb Hameed, formerly one of their own, but from that point dominated the game without quite making up for the hours lost to bad weather.Hutton’s defiance in making 23 from 141 balls, ably supported by Joe Clarke, changed the tenor of the match after they had lurched to 55 for 6 after only 19.5 overs. It is not that they batted irresponsibly as the wickets fell, far from it because there was enough movement to be had with a hard ball and all Nottinghamshire’s dismissals had an air of caution about them. But the ball softened and Notts toughened, in the shape of a seventh-wicket stand of 67 in 34 overs.Hutton is an adaptable lower middle-order batter, capable of lusty blows and obdurate defence as the situation demands. There was no doubt what was required here and soon the front dog was being pushed forward to good and repetitive effect.Clarke is not noted for strokeless resistance, but he also acquitted himself well, and his dismay was clear when he was seventh out with 13.4 overs, deflecting Anderson to leg slip and falling to a trap that had been laid moments before. “Brett’s a pretty simple man,” Clarke said, “so we didn’t really talk too much. It was an incredible effort from him.”That set up an intriguing match-up between Anderson and Stuart Broad, England’s anticipated Ashes new-ball attack, but this time only Anderson with the ball in his hands. Broad, uncommonly, committed to responsible defence and Anderson never quite locked onto him, peppering him with short balls that passed harmlessly high or wide. Hutton was bowled by Anderson, who left him a shade to hit off stump. Broad finished unbeaten on three from 50 balls, quite a collector’s item.Two weeks ago, Nottinghamshire bundled out Somerset on the final day with ample time to nip over Radcliffe Road in time for Nottingham Forest’s match against Manchester United. This time, the interest was in Notts County’s National League play-off against Borehamwood, and they collapsed so fast that it could mischievously be imagined that they were trying to get there in time for extra time.Notts had never been in the hunt. They began badly, their two most prolific batters blown aside like cherry blossom in a chill wind, when Tom Bailey uprooted Ben Duckett’s middle stump for the second time in the match, this time as he tried to run a ball that came back, and Anderson had Hameed caught behind off a lovely delivery that moved late.It was George Balderson who deepned the disarray with wickets in three successive overs. Scampering in from the Pavilion End, he nibbled the ball around at busy medium pace to have Ben Slater and Lyndon James caught at the wicket – the latter for nought, off an inside edge – and Steven Mullaney held at first slip.Balderson has form on helpful surfaces. Last September, on an inferior pitch at Chelmsford – one condemned by Lancashire’s coach, Glen Chapple, as unfit for county cricket – he took 5 for 14, including a hat-trick, as Essex were dismissed for 59, chasing only 98 to win. A former England U-19 captain, he is 22 now and has shown great maturity with bat and ball alike in perhaps the best all-round game of his career.That Balderson burst was even more damaging for Nottinghamshire as it also included the loss of Matt Montgomery who played their one innings of attacking substance, off-driving splendidly to reach 30, at which point Will Williams hurried one back a shade to bowl him through the gate. Victory then felt inevitable.The morning session had threatened to go awry for Lancashire. They had an overnight lead of 184 with seven wickets left, but lost two wickets quickly before Steven Croft and Hartley, with his second first-class fifty, stitched together a declaration in impressive fashion.With the ball, an argument could be made that Tom Bailey resorted to pick-n-mix a little early, as the ball began to soften, or even that they could have tried Luke Wells’ spin a little earlier, but that would be carping: they came close and will be frustrated that the luck that can help win Championship titles eluded them.

Sanjay Manjrekar looks at how Virat Kohli’s leadership boosted the confidence of India’s attack on the fifth day and the big gains for the home side after the 3-0 series win against South Africa

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Dec-2015India’s spinners will finally get the credit they deserve
With South Africa intent on playing an extremely defensive game in the hope of a draw, India’s spinners had to prise out the wickets on a track that was gradually easing out. Sanjay Manjrekar credited R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja for their relentless pressure.1:40

Manjrekar: Spinners will finally get the credit they deserve

Kohli’s enthusiasm as captain impressive
As India broke through South Africa’s defence to seal a 3-0 series, Manjrekar credited the side’s fifth-day success to Virat Kohli’s tactics as well, particularly his support for the side’s bowlers and his use of Umesh Yadav in the attack. Another facet of Kohli’s captaincy in the series that impressed Manjrekar was his enthusiasm to push his team to give their best.2:47

Manjrekar: As captain, Kohli backs every player

More self-belief for Umesh under Kohli’s captaincy
In the past, Umesh has struggled with accuracy and confidence but his performance in the second innings against South Africa was his best by far, according to Manjrekar. He was accurate and focused and seemed to gain inspiration from Kohli’s inputs.1:28

Manjrekar: More self-belief for Umesh under Kohli

Rahane’s growth; Ashwin and Jadeja’s form gains for IndiaAmong the biggest gains for India in the 3-0 series win were R Ashwin’s performances as the lead spinner and Ravindra Jadeja’s return to form and accuracy. Manjrekar also lauded Ajinkya Rahane’s performances in the series and Kohli’s ability to push his players to perform better than their potential.2:00

Manjrekar: Rahane shaping up as a world-class player

South Africa batsmen showed unique ability in defenceThey may have lost the Test series but Manjrekar said that South Africa’s batsmen, particularly Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis, showed a unique quality in the final match in Delhi – the ability to play extreme defensive cricket for long spells.1:26

Manjrekar: SA batsmen showed unique ability in defence

da roleta： A European giant are now in talks to sign one of West Ham’s first-team players this month as they look to raid Graham Potter’s side in the winter window.

Potter's West Ham debut ends in defeat

da 888casino： After taking over from Julen Lopetegui with West Ham sitting down in 14th in the Premier League, Potter’s first game ended in defeat as his side were knocked out of the FA Cup by Aston Villa.

Despite that, the new Hammers boss saw plenty of positives from that performance. “Our performance gave me a lot of encouragement, the way the players tried to do what we asked them to do. We’re just disappointed now because we’re out and wanted to go through.

“We just try to get the team into a good shape. The talent is there but it’s just about trying to get the team together as a collective. That’s what we’re trying to do.”

Related West Ham consider signing £40m England international who's told he can go

The Hammers have drawn up a list of targets for Graham Potter.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini Jan 11, 2025

However, the defeat is set to have longer-term implications for Potter, with Niclas Füllkrug having been substituted off after just 15 minutes through injury, and reports have claimed that he will miss up to three months after scans confirmed the significance of the issue.

That means that West Ham may well be forced into the transfer market, with Michail Antonio also sidelined indefinitely after a car crash last month, while Jarrod Bowen is still recovering from a broken foot, leaving Danny Ings as the only recognised option to lead the line.

But first, they will have to fight off interest in other members of their first team between now and the end of the January transfer window.

European club table bid for West Ham midfielder

Now, according to Fabrizio Romano, AS Monaco have made an offer to sign Mexican midfielder Edson Alvarez on loan this month.

The Ligue 1 side are third in France as things stand, and are looking to bolster their ranks to ensure that they qualify for the Champions League again this season.

To that end, they have made an offer to sign the West Ham man, tabling an initial loan offer for the 27-year-old for the remainder of the campaign.

Unsurprisingly, West Ham have rejected this offer, having signed Alvarez for £35m just 18 months ago and with the Mexican still having three and a half years left to run on his £100,000 a week deal at the London Stadium. He is considered an “important player”, as peer Romano, something that makes a move tricky for the Monegasques.

Handed a start in Potter’s first game in charge, Alvarez has been a regular when fit for the Hammers this season, starting 11 games.

Edson Alvarez in 24/25

Appearances

16

Starts

11

Goals/Assists

0

Yellow Cards

4

He could continue to figure for the new West Ham boss should he remain at the club. However, in news that may concern Hammers fans, Romano adds that talks continue “as Monaco want Alvarez and can offer UCL football”, while West Ham look on course to miss out on European football altogether barring a major turnaround in the second half of the campaign.

Plays of the day from the second ODI between India and New Zealand in Delhi, featuring cramps, throws and blows

Alagappan Muthu20-Oct-2016Nothing but painRohit Sharma had used his backfoot cover drive to bully a reasonably good ball to the boundary. There was barely any swing. There was no reason not to try it again. At the start of the eighth over, he got in position for the shot again, but this time Trent Boult, from around the wicket, got the ball to straighten just enough to snatch the edge through to the wicketkeeper. It was a beautiful ball, but that matters little to the dismissed batsman. Less so when he suddenly cramps up. Rohit was turning back to see if the catch would be taken when he felt something in his left bicep. The arm went completely limp. He was left hunched over for several moments, clutching it, and needed the physio to tend to it before he could walk off.Avoiding painLately, umpire Bruce Oxenford has been turning up for limited-overs matches with a shield on his arm. He crosses his arms in front of his chest as he takes his stance at the bowler’s end, the shield in place to deflect the ball away from his face. It turned out that the extra protection would have served his partner well too. In the seventh over, Tom Latham drilled the ball down the ground, and fear of being hit made umpire Anil Chaudhary dash frantically to his right. He was on one foot, the other in the air, looking comically ungainly. Umesh Yadav, the bowler, was able to get a hand on the ball and send it off course. But Chaudhary gestured immediately to his partner, his elbow moving up to his face, as if he were saying, “I should get a shield too. Could have avoided pain – and looked cool to boot.”Only, when Oxenford had the chance to use the shield, he couldn’t act quickly enough. Corey Anderson’s throw from the deep at the bowler’s end headed straight at him and he was struck on the box.The Superman dive that went in vainManish Pandey seemed to have done enough to secure a couple of runs. He’d played the ball softly, placed the ball to deep midwicket’s right, and the fielder there was Mitchell Santner, who is left-handed and had to run around the ball. He did so with remarkable swiftness. Then came the throw which was brutally flat. Luke Ronchi had positioned himself between the stumps and the throw, but it came to him on the half-volley, which is hard to collect because you have to keep your eyes on the ball when there is a real chance it might bounce up and hit you. But in one fluid motion, he collected the ball and swung it back to catch Pandey short despite his full-length dive.And the fast bowler’s disdainNew Zealand were floundering in the final overs of their innings, and they could have done with some good, old-fashioned Tim Southee slogs. He had, after all, made his maiden fifty in his 100th ODI in Dharamsala. Except, in Delhi, he was bowled second ball by a superb yorker from Jasprit Bumrah. It was quick. It cramped the batsman for room. And it hit the base of off stump.The second innings provided opportunity for round two. And this time, the game was at stake. It was the final over. India needed 10 to win. New Zealand needed a wicket. Bumrah was given the strike in the third ball and Southee revved up. The ball curved into the right-hander at pace, sank below the bat and crashed into middle stump to seal New Zealand’s victory.