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Two hot teams in the NL Central matchup tonight as the Cardinals host the Brewers in St. Louis.

After starting the season slowly, the Cardinals are now starting to click, winning six of their last seven games, including a three-game sweep of the Red Sox over the weekend. Through the first two weeks of May, the Cardinals have scored the fifth-most runs per game (5.58) and they will be looking to stretch their win streak to four at home tonight.

The Brewers are also coming in on a three-game win streak vs. the Royals. Milwaukee is averaging 4.25 runs per game across the first two weeks of May,

Freddy Peralta gets the start for the Brewers. Peralta faced this Cardinals lineup on April 9 and he struck out seven batters while allowing only one earned run across six innings pitched.

Jack Flaherty gets the start for the Cardinals. Flaherty has struggled mightily to start the season, with an ERA of 6.18 and an xERA of 6.07. He’s simply walking too many hitters, averaging 6.18 walks per nine innings. When these two faced off in April, Flaherty allowed six walks and he’s also coming off a start with five walks allowed vs. the Cubs. He’s allowed a home run in each of his last six consecutive starts. The Brewers have the eighth-best OBP and sixth-most walks vs. right-handed pitching this season.

Milwaukee looks in line to win this one, and there is some value on the moneyline at -115 and bettors should also consider backing the over. Games at Busch Stadium are averaging 10.63 runs this season, and the Milwaukee bullpen has been less than stellar for the month of May with an ERA of 4.57. The hot Cardinals offense should be able to put up some runs, too.

Bet: Over 8 (-110)

Tottenham Hotspur tabled a bid worth £50million ($68m) for Mohammed Kudus but West Ham have reportedly rejected it. Spurs, however, will return with a fresh bid soon as they have made the Ghanaian their number one priority in the transfer market after getting Thomas Frank's approval. Kudus wants to join the North London side this summer despite interest from Chelsea.

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Spurs table bid for KudusWest Ham rejected initial offerChelsea remain interested in the playerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to , the Hammers received a £50m bid for their star player from Spurs but they have rejected the offer. Kudus' current contract runs until 2028 and the player reportedly has a release clause of £80m for European clubs, £85m for Premier League teams and £120m for Saudi clubs.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The report also adds that Kudus is keen on moving to the North London club after holding positive talks with the club. He has made up his mind to join the Spurs, despite strong interest from giants Chelsea. Other than the two London clubs, Kudus has also attracted interest from Manchester United and Newcastle United.

DID YOU KNOW?

Fabrizio Romano reports that despite the initial rejection from West Ham, Spurs are expected to come up with a fresh bid for the 24-year-old as they are determined to sign him after getting the green signal from new manager Thomas Frank.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR TOTTENHAM?

Spurs stars will report back to the club by next week before they play their first pre-season friendly against Reading on July 19.

Wade Gilbert, an authority on coaching who has worked with the All Blacks and Melbourne Storm, talks about what Cricket Australia need to do in the wake of the tampering scandal

Interview by Daniel Brettig29-May-2018You’ve just spent time with Cricket Australia, the coaching set-up and Justin Langer. A couple of months after Newlands, how do you think they are placed in terms of getting back on track?
They have good people, particularly with Justin in place. They have a leadership I’ve spent time around. The coaches and Cricket Australia’s leadership understand the significance of what happened and they are viewing it as an opportunity to reshape their identity a little bit and regain the trust of the cricket world and Australians in particular, so I’m really optimistic. I had some good time with Justin. We talked about his vision for the team. I’m excited to see what comes next.In the experience you’ve had with different sporting organisations, can you think of similar scenarios in sport where an organisation has faced a fairly cataclysmic cultural event it has had to come out of?
It was a very dramatic event. All sports seem to go through scandals at some point or another. Melbourne Storm with the salary cap, British and US cycling with doping and the Tour de France, and now in the United States we are going through some major scandals with gymnastics and swimming, sexual abuse scandals and things like that.Unfortunately it’s not all that unusual to have turmoil and scandal, but I think what happens is that you never really achieve the culture you want. The best organisations understand that it’s constant diligence, constantly trying to shape those environments towards what you want, but you never really get it. The moment you think, “Oh, we’ve got our culture now”, you’re in trouble. It’s about every day.[In South Africa], it wasn’t some sudden moment that caught everyone off guard. It’s “Yeah, in hindsight there were signs, we saw cracks, there were things starting to happen.” There’s the analogy of noticing a piece of trash outside your building, and you could pick it up but it’s just a small piece of trash, not the end of the world. But the little things we walk past every day that in the moment we don’t think are that big a deal – it’s all the little things that add up. That’s exactly what happened here, from what I can gather.”Smith and Warner have a tremendous amount of impact and wisdom and capital. That’s important for Cricket Australia. They’ll have opportunities to prove they deserve to be a part of that experience again”•AFP/Getty ImagesThere is some recent history around the culture of the Australian team – players suspended in India in 2013 and the effects that had. Does that speak to how this is a constant battle to stay ahead of these sorts of issues?
Definitely. In North America a few teams like the New England Patriots, the San Antonio Spurs, teams that are constantly competitive, they are constantly innovating, trying new things, replacing players. It’s an opportunity for CA, the team and the leadership to reset and be reminded that we have to be more diligent with helping our players and our organisation understand the significance of our position in Australian society, not take it for granted, and have more discipline.Langer is known for trying to take lessons from as far afield as possible, trying to learn as broadly as he can about how to build a team. Did you get that sense in talking with him?
He’s a great learner. He’s very open, very thoughtful, very serious about his craft, but also has tremendous perspective on life and tries to empower people around him to take ownership of that experience as well. He has a strong personality, a nice mix of strength and caring. That’s something I see with other great coaches I’ve been around. They are not too far at either extreme – they can be very strong and have very strong leadership and cultural conviction. There’s no doubt when they walk into a room who is in charge – but at the same time, he can step back and let others lead.Meditation is an important part of his life. Family is very important. So cricket matters, winning is important, but it’s more about winning the right way and honouring traditions and what cricket means to Australians. He understands that because he lived it. He had to battle to earn the privilege of being in that squad. I think he’s going to spend a lot of time trying to help the current team and the next generation really appreciate the significance of the honour they have – playing for Australia.Is there a bit of a balancing act for the coach and the team in terms of recognising the importance of their role and the honour of playing for Australia but also adjusting how they play on the field given the reputation they have developed among opposing teams?
They are going to have to re-earn trust. It’s going to be one moment at a time, one press conference at a time, one training session at a time, one match at a time, one ball at a time. It’s going to be hard and it’s going to take time. I think Justin understands that – it’s not a switch, like repainting a house or a room and now you’ve got a new colour. It’s all the little things, the little details, little moments, little behaviours, and that’s going to take time.There are expectations of the Australian team’s behaviour but also that they win.
I’ve spent time with the All Blacks, Olympic teams and other elite groups. Everybody wants to win, so it’s got to be bigger than winning. What I’ve seen among fans is that – I don’t want to say they’re okay with losing – if their team doesn’t win but their team fights with honour, they will understand.”We talked about why people in Australia care so much about cricket – because it’s part of the identity of what it means to be Australian”•Getty ImagesThere are some epic, phenomenal matches that you remember, but you don’t win. Fans appreciate that. Yes, that’s got to translate into wins at some point, but Australians aren’t going to abandon the team. It’s how we go about trying to win – that’s what’s more important and that’s what people are going to notice.At one of the coaching breakfasts you spoke at on this trip, you mentioned a book by Linda Swindling called . Did that concept get discussed?
We talked about why people in Australia care so much about cricket – because it’s part of the identity of what it means to be Australian. Playing cricket as a little kid on the beach – everyone has that image and those memories. Helping the players reconnect with that idea, of becoming your hero, and thinking back to when you first started to play and why, who you dreamed of emulating, because there’s a kid out there right now in that same moment and same kind of experience.It’s good that there was uproar about South Africa, because people cared so much.Do you have any thoughts about the reintegration of Steven Smith or David Warner, given what happened in South Africa?
That was talked about, for sure, and I think they will be given an opportunity to redeem themselves. They have a tremendous amount of impact and wisdom and capital. In a sense, that’s important for Cricket Australia. So I don’t think they’re just going to be discarded and forgotten. They’ll have opportunities, if they want to, to prove that they deserve to be a part of that experience again.Justin’s reaching out to all the players. He’s having those conversations, and what I like about him is, he’s not afraid to have an uncomfortable conversation with somebody. He understands that coaches build people. It’s all about relationships. You can argue that the sandpaper issue would not have happened if you had the right kinds of relationships in that team. Somebody in that room should have been courageous enough and have had the right kinds of relationships with the other guys to say, “No, that’s not going to happen, that’s not who we are or what we do.”The story of Richmond winning last year’s AFL premiership was a part of discussion in Brisbane also. Some lessons there for Australian cricket?
[Tim Livingstone, Richmond coaching manager] shared with Justin and CA some good examples of the types of things they do and how they navigated their crises.Every club that I’ve been around the last couple of weeks, we’ve shared the same message and had similar conversations. All around culture, people, relationships and the little things you do on a daily basis across your organisation that help strengthen relationships and trust. If you’re doing those things, you’re going to be fine. You’ll have good days and bad days and losses, but you’re just going to have a better environment. People are going to be more resilient. They’ll come back after a bad loss.Another part of your work is ensuring that coaches have their own support network around them, even as they go about supporting their players. Did you go through that with Justin?
We talked about that too. He’s going to be tested, he’s going to be frustrated at times. I think he will be fine, but we talked about how he’s going to need a board of advisors, just like corporations have a board of directors, people around him who we might call truth-tellers or energy-givers. Not just cricket people, people who will fill his tank and keep him honest and grounded. We did a little activity related to that and he’s identified people he needs to keep close to him who will keep him grounded, energised and fuelled.

عاد فرينكي دي يونج، لاعب خط وسط برشلونة للتشكيل الأساسي لفريقه ضد نيوكاسل يونايتد مساء أمس في الجولة الافتتاحية بمرحلة الدوري لدوري أبطال أوروبا بعد غيابه ضد فالنسيا للإصابة.

ولم يخيب دي يونج الآمال في وسط الملعب بجانب بيدري، حيث قدم أداء قويًا في وسط الملعب وساعد الفريق على الحفاظ على سيطرته على مجريات المباراة في معظم فتراتها.

وأشاد دي يونج بأداء ماركوس راشفورد والذي سجل هدفين ضد نيوكاسل يونايتد وقال لموقع “زيجو سبورت”: “أعتقد أن راشفورد شعر بالراحة هنا، سجل هدفين رائعين للغاية ونحن سعداء جداً من أجله”.

وعن أجواء ملعب سانت جيمس بارك أمس علق دي يونج: “سمعت الكثير عن الهولنديين الذين لعبوا في الدوري الإنجليزي، وعن أجوائه، أجواء رائعة عندما دخلنا الملعب، مشجعو كرة قدم حقيقيون، يتفاعلون مع لحظات المباراة وهناك شغف كبير ومن الممتع حقاً رؤية ذلك”.

أقرأ أيضاً.. أراوخو: نيوكاسل تسبب لي في تشنج.. وهدفهم عقد الأمور لـ برشلونة

واعترف دي يونج أن نيوكاسل ضغط بشكل جيد في المساحات الضيقة: “كنا نعلم مسبقاً أنها ستكون مباراة رائعة لأنهم يحبون الضغط العالي نحن بالطبع نرغب دائماً في اللعب والهجوم وهم لا يكثفون دفاعهم أيضاً، لذا كان هناك أسلوبان مختلفان، يعتمدون على القوة والتمريرات الموجهة للأمام بينما نلعب نحن أيضاً بسرعة ولكن من خلال التمريرات والفهم لذلك أعتقد انها كانت مباراة ممتعة للغاية”.

وتحدث دي يونج عن صعوبة اختراق ضغط نيوكاسل الديناميكي: “في بعض اللحظات نعم، لأنهم ضغطوا بشكل جيد لكن بشكل عام تعاملنا بشكل جيد، لو استفدنا بشكل أفضل من بعض الهجمات في النهاية وحول منطقة الجزاء لحصلنا على فرص أكثر، لكننا فزنا 2-1 ونحن راضون عن ذلك”.

وحول لياقة دي يونج البدنية أكد: “شعرت ببعض التعب في النهاية لكنني غبت لبضعة أيام ولم أتدرب مع الفريق إلا ليومين، لذا من الطبيعي أن أشعر بذلك، لقد تمكنت من الصمود بشكل جيد”.

وأتم دي يونج عن طموحات برشلونة في دوري أبطال أوروبا وأهمية احتلال مركز بين الثمانية الأوائل: “هذه المرحلة من البطولة مثيرة، نواجه منافسين مختلفين وهي أكثر ديناميكية وكل شيء وارد، يجب أن نضمن التأهل بين الثمانية الأوائل ونتطلع خطوة بخطوة للأمام”.

ويعتقد دي يونج أن زميله بيدري مرشح للفوز بالكرة الذهبية بجانب لامين يامال ورافينها وقال عن الفائز النهائي: “أتمنى أن يفوز بها أحد لاعبينا وإذا لم يحدث ذلك وفاز ديمبلي سأكون سعيداً من أجله لأنه زميلي السابق في الفريق ولدي علاقة جيدة معه ويستحقها”.

Mumbai have not bowled a lot of spin at home this IPL but RCB’s performance in the middle overs might make them change that

S Sudarshanan10-Apr-20242:47

How can Bumrah find assistance from fellow MI bowlers?

Match detailsMumbai Indians (MI) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, 7.30pm IST (2pm GMT)Big picture – Spin struggles of a different kind for MI and RCBThe security guards in the lower tier of the stands at the media end of Wankhede Stadium were kept busy on Wednesday. They all had ‘ball retrievers’ added to their job description for the evening.Faf du Plessis had two stints at the nets. Glenn Maxwell one, Cameron Green one, Mahipal Lomror, Rajat Patidar, Tom Curran, Suyash Prabhudessai all one. And the prime focus was facing hitting spin. RCB had a plethora of net bowlers bowling spin and the batters’ aim was to hit them as far as they could.In the IPL since 2021, spinners have had an economy rate of 7.82 at the Wankhede Stadium. In the middle overs (7 to 16), they have returned 109 wickets at an economy of rate 7.76.In IPL 2024, RCB have had a tough time against spinners in the middle overs. Their average of 50.75 for the loss of just four wickets may not be bad, but they have been the second-slowest scoring team against spin in that phase. Their strike rate of 125 is only better than KKR’s 122.68 in the middle overs. Among RCB batters who have faced at least ten balls of spin in the middle overs, only Patidar (171.42) and Virat Kohli (142.42) have a strike rate in excess of 110.Related

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All these point towards an area of weakness waiting to be exploited. However, Mumbai have not bowled a lot of spin at the Wankhede Stadium so far this year. Piyush Chawla and Mohammad Nabi combined for four overs in their previous outing, while Chawla was the lone spinner used for three overs against Rajasthan Royals. RCB’s training methods suggested that they are bracing for a bit of spin test come match day.So far in this IPL, Mumbai have bowled the least amount of spin – 18 overs of which Chawla has bowled 10. They have picked up just two wickets with spin and their economy rate of 11.22 is the worst among the teams this year.In case Mumbai do decide to employ more spin, they have left-arm spinner Shams Mulani and Kumar Karthikeya, who can spin it both ways, to turn to. Will Mumbai change their methods to exploit RCB’s potential problems?Form guideMumbai WLLL , 4 Hardik Pandya (capt), 5 Tilak Varma, 6 Tim David, 7 Romario Shepherd, 8 Mohammad Nabi, 9 Gerald Coetzee, 10 Piyush Chawla, 11 Jasprit Bumrah, 3:10

Moody: Green’s role in RCB has been confusing and unsettling

Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Glenn Maxwell’s low returns could tempt RCB into getting Will Jacks in the XI. Maxwell did manage to connect a few shots during nets, but has scores of 1, 0, 28, 3 and 0 in the season so far. RCB could also consider getting Suyash Prabhudessai in to shore up the lower order.Probable XII: 1 Virat Kohli, 2 Faf du Plessis (capt), 3 Rajat Patidar, 4 Glenn Maxwell/Will Jacks, 5 Cameron Green, 6 , 7 Dinesh Karthik (wk), 8 Reece Topley, 9 Mayank Dagar, 10 Mohammed Siraj, 11 Yash Dayal, In the spotlight: Jasprit Bumrah and Cameron GreenThere has been a vast difference between Jasprit Bumrah and the other Mumbai bowlers. Bumrah has an average of 19.60 and an economy rate of 6.12 while the others have averaged 35.60 and leaked runs at over 11 an over. Teams have tried to see off Bumrah and attack the others, but as he showed against Capitals, how Mumbai spread his overs through the innings decides how much they manage to limit the damage.Cameron Green returns to the venue where he was immensely successful in IPL 2023 – 229 runs at an average of 76.33 and a strike rate of 172.18. Ahead of the season, he was traded by Mumbai to RCB, where he has been shunted up and down the batting order and is yet to have a telling impact with the bat. He had a short bowling spell on Wednesday after which he had a 20-minute batting stint in which he middled almost everything. Will he turn his IPL 2024 form around at the Wankhede Stadium?Stats that matter Kohli has been dismissed four times by Bumrah and three times by Chawla. But he strikes at over 152 against Bumrah and a shade over 130 against Chawla. Bumrah has also dismissed Maxwell five times in the IPL. Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan are only the second opening pair to score over 1200 runs for Mumbai Indians after Rohit and Quinton de Kock. Rohit and Kishan have 12 half-century opening stands, the most for Mumbai in the IPL. Mohammed Siraj is yet to dismiss Rohit in the IPL – 52 balls for 68 runs – while he has dismissed Kishan twice in 40 balls for 50 runs. On the other hand, Suryakumar Yadav has a strike rate of 225.92 against Siraj – 61 runs off 27 balls, out once.Pitch and conditionsA new surface – next to the one on which the previous two games were played – is likely to be used on Thursday. It is not too far off from the middle and hence, the square boundaries should be more or less equidistant. Evenings in Mumbai have been pleasant even if the afternoons have become hot.Quotes”You could look at [clarity in finisher’s role] the other way and say that I get under pressure and the other guys have the freedom to go out and if they mess it up, then I come in after, so you can look at it from both sides.”
“The IP (Impact Player) rule gives an extra life to the team that is batting first or chasing, whatever the stage of the game might be. The interesting part is if teams are using overseas as impact player or local player. If it is a local player, I might have to lean on a few local players [in my team] and ask them what they do etc. The benefit for me playing a lot of leagues is that if it is overseas players [used as impact player], you are not underprepared because you are normally sat in a few meetings [in international cricket or franchise circuit].”

Richa Ghosh starred with a 96 but India paid for poor catching and slowing down with the bat as they went on to lose by three runs

Himanshu Agrawal30-Dec-2023A total of 11 catches were dropped in Mumbai. First, India put down seven and as if to return the favour a bit, Australia spilled four. But Phoebe Litchfield took a stunner for the visitors when it mattered most, ending a crucial 88-run stand for India when they needed another 100 with 17 overs and eight wickets remaining. That went a long way in Australia scraping through by three runs in the second ODI, and with that, winning the series.The batter to be dismissed was Jemimah Rodrigues for 44, as Litchfield dived full stretch across to her right at short extra cover. Richa Ghosh, with whom Rodrigues had that stand, later made up for lost time to hit 96 from 117 balls after being 54 off 84 at one stage. But with the game still in the balance, and India requiring 41 more from 38 deliveries with six wickets in hand, even Ghosh’s catch was well intercepted by Litchfield while moving to her left in a packed off-side ring.That pretty much decided the outcome, as India paid for poor catching and slowing down with the bat. Although Ghosh sped up despite cramping, Georgia Wareham, who had dismissed Rodrigues, struck soon after to have Harmanpreet Kaur tickle behind to Alyssa Healy for 5. Ghosh tried to counterattack in a 47-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Deepti Sharma, but Australia kept striking at regular intervals, thus putting Deepti’s second ODI five-for in vain.Related

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India had a chance until as late as 47 overs into their chase, after which they were only 22 away. But Annabel Sutherland, who had already got Ghosh, held her nerve to concede just three singles and also remove Pooja Vastrakar, who was coming off a 47-ball 62 from 47 in the first ODI. India never got back on track after that, eventually leaving them wondering what would have been had all those catches gone to hand.For a few tense moments, that thought must have crossed Australia’s minds too, who had given Ghosh a life each on 0 and 36. The first one came from Litchfield herself, putting one down at first slip in the eighth over. Next, it was Sutherland who dropped one in the 27th. That allowed Ghosh to keep ticking steadily, as she avoided risks in a patient start to her innings where she hit just two boundaries from her first 52 deliveries.Even Rodrigues didn’t entirely seem busy at the other end, as the required run rate kept ticking over. But with the game well under India’s control, Litchfield struck like lightning and halted India’s calmly moving train. That, after she had hit 63 with the bat. Litchfield was the beneficiary on three of India’s seven drops, getting a life on 0, 9 and 15. Although she consumed 98 deliveries, it was a challenging pitch to bat on at the Wankhede Stadium, where the ball turned and gripped aplenty for Deepti.Richa Ghosh fell four short of her maiden ODI ton•BCCIIndia’s spinners applied the brakes in the middle overs, as Australia stumbled from 117 for 1 in the 24th over to 180 for 6 in the 40th. The slowdown happened once India bowled spin from both ends, although Deepti’s 5 for 38 stood in contrast to debutant Shreyanka Patil and Sneh Rana, who combined figures of 2 for 102 from their 20 overs.But while the spinners kept Australia quiet, Ellyse Perry kept the pace up. She had flicked and flashed her way to 28 from her first 23 balls. Perry eventually fell for 50 from 47, with Deepti ending her animated stay at the crease in the 24th over. That wicket started Australia’s slide, as Deepti then trapped Beth Mooney, who missed an attempted sweep off a quicker delivery.Patil too got into the wickets in the 34th over, when Litchfield got the toe end of the bat behind to Richa in an attempt to sweep. Rana also struck to get Ashleigh Gardner for 2, after which came Deepti’s best of the lot. She tossed one up enticingly at Tahlia McGrath in the 40th over. The ball dipped and landed just outside the off stump, turning in enough to smash into the stumps with McGrath unsure of whether to come forward or go back.At 180 for 6, Wareham and Sutherland briefly steadied Australia with a 36-run partnership, before Wareham chipped one off Deepti to Smriti Mandhana – who had dropped two catches earlier – at midwicket to start the 46th over.Four balls later, Deepti completed her five-for with a return catch of Sutherland. Australia were 219 for 8 with another 25 balls remaining, and Alana King made full use of that. She swung three sixes – and with that, the momentum – in an unbeaten 28 from 17 balls which helped Australia to 258. Thus, King’s knock, Litchfield and Perry’s fifties, and a lot of help from India took Australia to victory, with India yet to beat them in a bilateral ODI series.

Saturday’s clash a chance to “do what I expect of myself and what the team expects of me”

Matt Roller02-Nov-2023Joe Root says he is hurt by the fact that England are propping up the group-stage table of the World Cup after five defeats in six games. But he still believes that they are capable of beating Australia on Saturday in Ahmedabad, and said on Thursday: “Man for man I’d have this team every day over the Australians.”Somehow, England are still mathematically in contention for the semi-finals but their group-stage elimination could be confirmed once and for all if they suffer a sixth defeat against their Ashes rivals this weekend. Root said England would have to view the game as “our World Cup final” as they look to restore some pride – and to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy.”I look at this team and it’s more than capable of achieving way more than it has done throughout this tournament,” Root said. “The quality of players we have, we should be sat right at the top of this [table]. We all know that, and we’re all very frustrated that isn’t the case.”This group of players have three opportunities to […] play at the level we expect of ourselves: I fully believe we are more than capable of doing that on Saturday. Man for man, I’d have this team every day over the Australians. We might not have played as well as we can do but we know when we play our best stuff, the best teams struggle to compete with us.”We have to remember that and take that into the next couple of days: both in physical practice and mentally, [we have to] make sure we’re in that frame of mind to take on Australia, which is what it’s about for us now. We’ve just got to look at Saturday as our World Cup final and play in the manner that’s expected of us and we expect of ourselves.”Related

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Australia have enjoyed England’s plight from afar, though Marnus Labuschagne said on Wednesday that they see them as a “dangerous” team. Root was asked specifically about how he felt when he saw Pat Cummins, Australia’s captain, stifling his laughter during a press conference when questioned about England’s struggles.”Let’s face it: if it was the other way around, would we be doing the same? Probably,” Root said. “It hurts – it always hurts to be in this position to be sat at the bottom of the table. It’s not what we expect of ourselves. If it motivates us a little bit more, then great.”Root’s own form has collapsed in the last three weeks: he started the World Cup with scores of 77 and 82 against New Zealand and Bangladesh, but has recorded scores of 11, 3, 2 and 0 in his last four matches. While he is unlikely to lose his place on Saturday, his returns have been well below the level he would expect of himself.”I feel really good in my game,” he insisted. “It’s been really frustrating: I’ve had a silly run-out [against Sri Lanka], a caught leg slip [against South Africa] which is pretty unusual in this format, and – I’ll be careful how I say this – a dubious lbw decision in the last game [against India].”That’s sometimes how it goes. It’s been really disappointing to not be more consistent: that’s what I expect of myself. I looked at the situation against India on that wicket and thought it was laid out perfectly for me to go and win us that game, start turning our bad run of games around.”Saturday is another opportunity to go and score runs, do what I expect of myself and what the team expects of me.”

Manchester United lost for the second time in as many Premier League games on Sunday afternoon against Tottenham Hotspur. The North Londoners ran out 1-0 winners over Ruben Amorim’s side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the Red Devils now falling to 15th in the table as a result.

It was an early goal which settled the clash, coming just moments after Alejandro Garnacho had a shot from range saved by the returning Guglielmo Vicario. It was James Maddison who scored, getting on the end of a rebound from a Lucas Bergvall shot, which Andre Onana could only parry into the path of the Spurs number ten.

Garnacho had another golden chance moments later but failed to hit the target from inside the 18-year box with no defender putting pressure on him. Mathys Tel, who joined Spurs in January ahead of United, also forced a save out of Onana.

The second half resembled a basketball game in many ways. The Red Devils had a few chances to equalise, with Garnacho squandering some big opportunities, and Joshua Zirkzee glancing a header just wide. However, they could not find a way past Vicario.

It was a really poor performance from United, with Garnacho one of the players who struggled.

Garnacho’s stats vs. Spurs

If things had gone differently in the January transfer window, United’s number 17 could have been playing for their opposition today. Spurs reportedly wanted to sign the winger in the winter window, according to Football Transfers.

However, it was the famous Red shirt of United that the Argentine donned, but he squandered some key chances for his side, and could not find the equaliser.

The best chance came when he blazed over the bar in the first half, but Garnacho also missed a one-on-one and a strike from outside of the box in the second 45.

Performance in Numbers

The tough day at the office for the 20-year-old was showcased in his stats from Sofascore at full-time. Garnacho completed just 72% of his passes, missed one big chance and lost the ball 13 times. It was a disappointing performance.

He certainly has an issue in front of goal this season. As electric as the winger can be, Garnacho has a big chance conversion rate of 14%, the lowest out of players who have had at least ten in the top flight this term, as per Opta.

As bad as the winger was, someone who was arguably worse for the Red Devils was captain Bruno Fernandes.

Bruno Fernandes’ stats vs. Spurs

Normally one of the players who is always reliable for United, their captain Fernandes struggled against Spurs. He was constantly involved as always but did not look after the ball well, and although he created chances, didn’t give United that cutting edge like usual.

Football journalist Mina Ibrahim described Fernandes’ performance as a “tough watch”, which certainly rings true when looking at some of his stats. He had a 78% pass accuracy and lost the ball 28 times. It was a disappointing showing from the Red Devils skipper.

Richard Martin, a journalist from Goal, gave the Portugal international a 5/10 for his efforts at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He explained that, at times, ‘his high positioning left Casemiro with a lot to do’. There were occasions when the Brazilian got caught in two-vs-one situations without Fernandes next to him.

It was a really disappointing showing from Fernandes, who Amorim would have hoped for more from on Sunday afternoon. With his squad threadbare due to injuries and illness, the Red Devils manager had a bench full of academy players without first-team experience.

Perhaps a more influential performance from his captain would have gone a long way to helping United leave North London with at least a point.

It was certainly frustrating that Fernandes, and the likes of Garnacho, could not take the game by the scruff of the neck as United stumbled to another poor defeat.

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By
Tom Cunningham

Feb 16, 2025

Manchester United have produced countless talents out of their impressive academy system, with attacker Alejandro Garnacho one of the latest to emerge and thrive in the first-team.

The Argentine originally joined from Atlético Madrid back in 2020, linking up with the youth team before making the jump and seamlessly transitioning into the professional game.

He’s since made 130 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 23 times, with eight of his efforts coming during the ongoing campaign at Old Trafford.

Ruben Amorim has continued to make him an integral part of his plans, as seen by his tally of 14 starts since his appointment at the end of November.

However, the same can’t be said for one player who evidently doesn’t appear to be in the 40-year-old’s plans after allowing him to depart on a temporary basis in January.

Marcus Rashford’s time at Manchester United

Academy graduate Marcus Rashford was frozen out of the United squad after Amorim’s arrival, making just six appearances after he took over the reins in the North West.

However, he’s gone out on loan to Aston Villa, recapturing his best form, already registering four assists under Unai Emery – leading to a recall to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.

His time with his boyhood club has been a roaring success, registering 138 goals in 426 appearances, and it all started with his debut in the Europa League way back in 2016, scoring a double against FC Midtjylland.

The 27-year-old made himself an immediate fan-favourite given the impact on that night in February nine years ago, with not many predicting him to be as successful as he has been.

However, in the present day, one other Red Devils talent has the opportunity to follow in his footsteps after his own impressive performance during his first European outing for the club.

The player who could be United’s next Rashford

Performing on a European stage is a daunting task, let alone for your first professional start, something which Rashford did with ease all them years ago.

Centre-back Ayden Heaven has also managed to do just that, starring in the triumph against Real Sociedad on Thursday night in what was his first start for United after his summer move from Arsenal.

There’s no doubt the 18-year-old was a signing made for the academy, but after such a display, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him in Amorim’s first-team plans going forward.

The youngster has benefitted from the current injury crisis within the defensive department, taking his opportunity to shine at Old Trafford with both hands against the LaLiga outfit.

Heaven featured for the entirety of the clash, completing 86% of his passes and registering 64 touches – looking calm and composed in possession despite his tender age.

He also won 100% of the ground duels he entered, making four clearances and winning one tackle, helping the Red Devils reach the next stage in their pursuit of a trophy this campaign.

Minutes played

90

Touches

64

Passes completed

42/49 (86%)

Ground duels won

4/4 (100%)

Clearances made

4

Tackles won

1

Interceptions made

2

The defender, who was dubbed “exceptional” by Liam Canning, has certainly given Amorim a selection headache when other players return from their injury setbacks.

He’s replicated Rashford in impressing on his debut, which came in a European competition, with the centre-back having the potential to replicate the Englishman’s success at Old Trafford.

Should Heaven get anywhere near the levels the attacker has achieved in Manchester, he will be an absolute bargain, having the chance to cement his place at the back and play a vital role in their quest to return to glory.

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ByEthan Lamb Mar 14, 2025

As Wolverhampton Wanderers prepare to square off against Everton in a game which could lift them a huge eight points clear of the drop, Vitor Pereira could welcome back as many as three key men in a major boost for those in the Midlands.

Wolves injury news

As things stand, Wolves are moving closer and closer towards confirmed safety with as many as five points separating themselves and the relegation zone in the final 11 Premier League games of the campaign. Their job is not yet done, however, and their next three games against Everton, Southampton and West Ham United are likely to be season-defining without star man Matheus Cunha.

The Brazilian turned a moment to savour into a moment of madness against Bournemouth last time out, scoring a wonder goal before seeing red and headbutting Milos Kerkez to receive his marching orders.

Following his second suspension of the season, Cunha could even miss further games which may also rule him out of a vital fixture against Ipswich Town.

As Pereira awaits the verdict on his star forward’s ban though, he will at least be relieved to have received a number of injury boosts. As confirmed by the manager, Wolves are set to welcome the returns of Emmanuel Agbadou, Rodrigo Gomes and Goncalo Guedes against Everton this weekend, whilst Marshall Munetsi and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde have also been passed fit.

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Pereira told reporters: “Agbadou is ready to help us. Munetsi is ready, Guedes is ready, Rodrigo is ready, Bellegarde too. I’m very happy and positive for this game.”

Having missed the last three games, the return of January arrival Agbadou should prove to be a particular boost as Wolves look to end Everton’s four-game unbeaten run in the Premier League and return to winning ways themselves in doing so.

"Strong" Agbadou is returning at crucial time

With Cunha’s ban likely to stifle Wolves’ frontline, Agbadou’s return certainly comes at a key time for those in the Midlands. More than ever in the next three games or potentially more, they’ll have to fall back on their defensive work if they want to push more than the five points clear they currently find themselves away from the dropzone.

The 28-year-old, meanwhile, has an opportunity in his own right to cement a starting place in Pereira’s strongest side after starting games against Bournemouth and Fulham in the Premier League before an ill-timed injury stopped his momentum in its tracks.

Reims defender Joseph Okumu will certainly back his former teammate to do exactly that after telling GiveMeSport in January: “It was quite interesting to play alongside Emmanuel. We had quite a good time together. We played against each other in Belgium and then together for a while at Reims. He is quite strong and we had a great bond.”

Now at Wolves, Agbadou will be keen to show that strength and play his part in taking the club to safety under Pereira – starting with victory against Everton at Molineux this weekend.