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After lower-order runs scrambled a lead of 90, England made early inroads before Australia wiped off the deficit

Report by Andrew McGlashan03-Aug-2019Ben Stokes claimed the breakthrough wicket of Usman Khawaja•Getty ImagesAt the end of the third day of a pulsating Test, it felt like the fortunes of both sides rested on one man: Steven Smith. He was unbeaten on 46 at the close, again batting in a different league to his team-mates, having taken Australia into a narrow lead with seven wickets in hand on a surface where a target around 200 would likely be tough.England had scrambled to an advantage of 90 having started well placed for much more, but were eventually grateful for what they had following a middle-order collapse in which they lost 4 for 16. It took Australia three wickets to erase the deficit but by the close Smith and Travis Head had added 49 in 12 overs to offer hope of giving their attack, particularly Nathan Lyon, enough runs to work with in the fourth innings.There was one moment of unease for Smith, on 41, when he was hit on the helmet by a Ben Stokes bouncer. New concussion protocols or not (he was cleared by the team doctor), being forcibly removed from the field looked like the only way he would depart. And when it comes to a like-for-like replacement, well there isn’t one.Team Doctor Richard Saw later said: “After Steve was struck on the grille he underwent a head impact assessment both on the field of play and later off the field at the end of the day’s play. Steve showed no signs of concussion and is therefore free to continue to play. However, we will continue to monitor him on an ongoing basis as per our usual protocols.”Stokes had struck with his second delivery, ending a fluent innings from Usman Khawaja – who had been dropped on 11 at second slip by Jos Buttler off Moeen Ali – when he found an inside edge through to the keeper. At that point Australia were still 15 behind, and Stokes looked in the mood as he challenged Head but couldn’t find a way through again before bad light ended the day.In the field, England were again without James Anderson who had batted for half an hour with his injured calf but not moved well between the wickets. However, Stuart Broad gave them the ideal start when he completed a double over David Warner for the match, finding the edge as Warner tried to withdraw his bat. Joel Wilson gave it not out on field and again it was left for the DRS to earn its keep. Moeen, who was brought on in the eighth over, struck in his second when Cameron Bancroft inside-edged to short leg meaning Australia’s openers had contributed just 25 runs for the game.Moeen was close to having a second wicket four balls later but Buttler, who had moved from short leg to second slip, couldn’t stay low enough to take the edge. Runs then came as freely as they have at any time in the game as Joe Root regularly tinkered with his field. If there was a criticism it was that Khawaja – and later Head – were given comfortable options to get off strike with men on the boundary. Whatever Smith was faced with made no difference, and his speed between the wickets meant it was often difficult to keep him to a single. However, this game has not yet taken its decisive swing.England resumed on 267 for 4, hopeful of a total well in excess of 400 given the nature of the surface. Initially progress was slow but solid for the first half an hour before Stokes, having just reached a very classy fifty, edged a cut off Pat Cummins which exposed the out-of-form part of the middle order.Because Australia hadn’t let the scoring rate get away, they had stayed in the game even when wickets were tough to find. Now came the rewards, especially for Lyon. Firstly, Rory Burns was finally extracted after 312 balls when he edged a terrific delivery that spun and bounced. The catch from Tim Paine was equally good, if not better.Five balls later Lyon resumed his dominance over Moeen, dismissing him for the eighth time in Tests with one that went straight on and Moeen didn’t offer a shot. Moeen has admitted in his newspaper column that his batting confidence is low and, while he has asked to be judged on his bowling, it is a problem for England because Jonny Bairstow – one spot above – has also struggled in Test cricket over the last 18 months.He fell in the over after Moeen, slashing at Peter Siddle, to leave him with 47 runs in his last nine innings at home and an overall return of 521 runs at 23.68 since the beginning of the last English season. England had lost 3 for 4 in 11 balls and the lead was threatening to be barely worthwhile given they have to bat last.However, through a mixture of nudges, deflections, scampering and occasionally more powerful strokes, Broad and Chris Woakes added 65 priceless runs for the ninth wicket while also putting more miles in the legs of the fast bowlers. It was a surprise that Australia did not attack Broad early with the short delivery, seeing as it was eventually how he fell, flicking a delivery to fine leg having done what he loves to do: annoy Australia.Anderson, who had bowled before play and again during the lunch interval to test out his injured calf, shuffled between the wickets before top edging Lyon. How Root would have dearly wanted him with the ball. There is a chance that his 19-ball innings could be his last act in Ashes cricket.

Looking ahead to the future rather than the frustrating reality that they currently find themselves in, Manchester City are now reportedly willing to submit an opening offer to sign a Premier League gem in 2025.

Man City transfer news

Of course, injuries have far from helped their case, but there is no escaping the fact that this is an ageing Man City squad. A number of players are creeping past their best form simultaneously, whilst club captain Kyle Walker looks a shadow of the Premier League champion he was just last season.

When the summer transfer window arrives, those at the Etihad must welcome several reinforcements for Pep Guardiola.

Just who those reinforcements are exactly remains to be seen, but recent reports have at least dropped a few hints. Names such as Viktor Gyokeres and even Trent Alexander-Arnold have been mentioned in what would be a move to send shockwaves through the Premier League. But before the Citizens splash out, they could welcome a star for the future.

According to reports in Spain, Manchester City are now willing to make an opening offer to sign youngster Jeremy Monga from Leicester City. Just 15 years old, the teenager is reportedly worth as much as £15m in what is an incredibly hefty fee at such an age.

With Chelsea also interested in his signature, though, Leicester could fuel quite the battle.

Man City entertaining idea of signing "promising" ace as soon as January

The Premier League champions desperately need a defensive rebuild.

1 ByTom Cunningham Dec 7, 2024

If you look around European football, it is littered with Manchester City academy graduates, from Jadon Sancho and Cole Palmer to high-flying Jamie Gittens. So even if the path from their academy isn’t always into Guardiola’s side, there is a trend of success stories after developing at the Etihad – a narrative that Monga could become the latest to write.

Monga should heed McAtee warning

At 15, Monga should be in no rush to make his decision. The pathway is there to take hold of at Leicester, where he has a greater chance of eventually receiving first-team minutes.

Meanwhile, even in Manchester City’s current state, it would be incredibly difficult for any young player to work their way into Guardiola’s side – just ask James McAtee.

The midfielder impressed on loan at Sheffield United last season but has since struggled to break into Guardiola’s plans on a consistent basis.

Given their current crisis – especially in midfield – it seemed as though McAtee would finally get a chance. However, that has not proved to be the case, and the 22-year-old now looks destined to depart.

It’s a warning that Monga should consider. Whilst Phil Foden represents a true success story from the academy, it’s difficult to pick any other young players who have been handed such a chance before being discarded around European football.

Palmer, Gittens and Sancho all enjoyed their success away from Manchester City and Monga may well be best off skipping a move to the Etihad altogether.

Tottenham Hotspur did more than just end their interminable trophy drought when defeating Manchester United in the Europa League final last season; Ange Postecoglou opened up a road to the Champions League.

Given that Spurs finished 17th in the Premier League, this was quite the saving grace at the end of a campaign that left so much to be desired, and it ensured the Londoners could make a compelling case to potential signings like Xavi Simons.

While Tottenham supporters were overjoyed when signing the Dutch playmaker from RB Leipzig for £51m, after intense interest from Chelsea earlier in the summer, there’s no denying that the 21-year-old has yet to perform on English shores.

Given his big-money profile and the expectation upon his arrival, there’s a concern that Simons is echoing the likes of Tanguy Ndombele before him.

Simons' start to life at Spurs

Thomas Frank hasn’t yet established his vision at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with his side struggling for form in the final third. Simons has been a part of the problem, but it’s important to remember this is a young talent who has entered a team lacking offensive coherence.

In just two years in Germany, Simons scored 22 goals and supplied 24 assists across 78 matches. He was the difference-maker, and many Premier League clubs were keen.

Spurs won the race, and credit to them, but Simons has yet to prove he has what it takes to raise his game to the next level, thus prompting concerns that he might mimic Frenchman Ndombele, who became the Londoners’ club-record signing when joining from Lyon in a £54m deal in 2019.

Ndombele’s temperament and commitment were among the cruxes of his demise in English football, and Simons cannot be blamed for a lack of effort, but it’s a concern all the same, and one Frank will need to rectify quickly to get his side operating at full creative capacity.

The jury is still out for the Netherlands international, who is young and talented and settling into an outfit that lacks creative direction right now.

There’s actually another Lilywhites man with far more experience who might be deteriorating into Ndombele 2.0.

Spurs' new version of Ndombele

Frank has spoken of his players’ frustrations following their recent run of form, and this was clear to see last weekend when Fulham condemned Tottenham to yet another home defeat.

Pedro Porro was incensed, but the Portugal international might want to direct that anger inwards, given his spate of shambolic displays this year.

The 26-year-old has been in the English capital for almost three years now, and while he is among the most technically gifted players in the ranks, his awareness and accuracy in defensive phases could see him become a disappointment in a similar way to Ndombele, especially when considering he had such a furore about his signature in 2023 that Manchester City came sniffing around last year.

Porro is rudderless. Sofascore record that he has made five errors already in the Premier League this season, and he is among the most dribbled-past defenders in the division thus far.

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Mats Wieffer

19

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Neco Williams

18

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Pedro Porro

17

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Hugo Bueno

16

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Matty Cash

16

In fairness, Porro sits among the top 16% of Premier League full-backs this season for shot-creating actions and the top 5% for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref, but his defensive work has been well below the desired standard.

But his lack of focus and misuse of his own athleticism led one Tottenham podcast host to brand him “an absolute liability” last season, and that’s only been underscored since then, with Frank now facing his own Ndombele-like conundrum in working out what to do with this talented but toiling star.

Porro has enjoyed some high points across his Tottenham career, but he’s been culpable for too many poor performances over the past couple of years, and in this, it is he and not the young Simons who is shaping into the London side’s new version of Ndombele.

Just like Romero: Spurs prepare £40m bid for "crazy" Van de Ven upgrade

Tottenham are in the market for more defensive depth ahead of the January transfer window.

ByAngus Sinclair 7 days ago

A street artist has wasted no time in marking Eberechi Eze's move to Arsenal, unveiling a mural dedicated to the midfielder within hours.

Stencil painting of Eze completed overnightArtist 'Northbanksy' added mural to Arsenal 'street gallery'Gunners fans jubilant after pipping Spurs in transferFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Renowned street artist and Arsenal fan 'Northbansky' worked on the painting overnight, after the Gunners announced they had agreed a £67.5m ($90m) deal for Crystal Palace's talisman. The piece has been added to his self-styled street gallery dedicated to the club, called 'The Tunnel'. Eze is depicted in an Arsenal shirt while hitting his trademark goal celebration. 

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It's further proof of the pure excitement Arsenal fans are feeling as they pipped their arch rivals Spurs to the 27-year-old's signature. An injury to Kai Havertz forced the Gunners back into the market, with Eze choosing his boyhood club despite agreeing terms with Tottenham. 

DID YOU KNOW?

The Hornsey Road Tunnel, a stone's throw from the Emirates, has become a landmark for Arsenal fans. The anonymous artist has produced tributes to a number of former and current Arsenal players including Dennis Bergkamp, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka. 

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR EZE?

It's hard to think of a better set of circumstances for a player to ingratiate themselves with a new fanbase. Eze's decision to snub Spurs will buy him a lot of capital with the Arsenal fanbase once he completes his transfer. First,. he has to get through his likely last game for the Eagles when they face Norwegian side Fredrikstad in the Conference League on Thursday.

Balogun insists he's fully fit and ready to fight for his spot on Pochettino's squad with the World Cup 10 months away

Balogun stressed that he's fully fitStriker ready to make markDoesn't expect long adjustment periodFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱GettyWHAT HAPPENED?

After dealing with injuries throughout the 2024-25 campaign, U.S. international Folarin Balogun finally has his chance to work under national team manager Mauricio Pochettino. The striker is eager to make an impression in his first camp under the USMNT coach.

"I think with Mauricio coming in, the objective was clear that he wanted to bring the group forward," Balogun told reporters. "So as players, it's no surprise for us to be competing for places and positions. I think it's something we've done all our careers, and everyone wants to make an impression, and I think that's just natural. [The World Cup] is such a big competition coming in 10 months, it's important to leave your mark."

Balogun had some initial struggles after committing to the USMNT, but was one of the few bright spots during the 2024 Copa America. Overall, he has 17 caps and five goals for the U.S.

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After a calf injury ruled him out of Monaco's first fixture, Balogun has featured in the club's last two matches – scoring one goal. He insisted his persistent injury issues are now behind him.

"I feel good. Injuries are behind me and yeah, it was a tough period, but I think every athlete goes through that at some stage," he said. "And yeah, first impressions of Mauricio and his staff, they've been really good for me. They've embraced me, made me feel welcome. And the feedback I've got from the other players and stuff, they're great people and everyone's delighted to have them here, so it's all good."

Last season, Balogun was limited to just 13 league appearances, scoring four goals. He hasn't featured for the national team since the Copa America. He admits he will have to earn his spot back after being away.

"I mean, you can't do much if you're not in the field. But yeah, overall I do believe that now I'm in a good shape and in a good way," he said. "And yes, it's something I've been doing all my career, fighting for my position and fighting to get in teams. So I believe that's a balance that comes more naturally to me."

Getty Images SportWHAT BALOGUN SAID

Balogun said he's trying not to overthink and be intuitive on the pitch.

"I think it's important to make an impression, but yeah, of course that's part of the psychology to not overdo it because things will just become more complicated," Balogun said. "The harder you try, sometimes the more difficult it is. When I wasn't getting called into camp, obviously, I knew the priority for me was to be healthy.

"I think everybody's playing football at a high level as athletes and as footballers. As attackers especially, it's our job to look for creativity and to look for different ways to break down the offenses. So for sure, I don't think it'll take too long and I'm looking forward to playing with everyone."

DID YOU KNOW?

Balogun last scored for the U.S. in a 2-1 loss to Panama in the Copa America. His first goal came in a 2-0 win over Canada in 2023.

Shane Watson’s 80 off 41 looked threatening at one point but Quetta Gladiators eventually fell short

The Report by Danyal Rasool29-Feb-2020Whatever happened at the 10-over mark in the first innings, Multan Sultans need to patent. After a sluggish start from the hosts that saw them shuffle along to 65 in 10 overs, Rilee Rossouw caught fire all of a sudden, a stunning onslaught resulting in the fastest century in PSL history and an astonishing 134 runs in the final 10 overs that set Quetta Gladiators 200 to win, a target they fell short of by 31 runs.Quetta, as you might expect, gave it as good a go as their capabilities might allow, with Shane Watson at one point looking like he might pull of a heist for his side. But Quetta’s cack-handedness with the ball and in the field left him and his team with far too much to do and much too little time. Even as the sixes flew, the asking rate continued to balloon, and once Watson was dismissed, Quetta’s fate was sealed.Rilee Rossouw celebrates his quickfire century•PCBThe mood music at the start was worlds removed from its frenetic, run-heavy conclusion. Shan Masood became the first captain to opt to bat this season, and Quetta looked like they would make him regret that decision when Zeeshan Ashraf fell early and James Vince searched unsuccessfully for the sweet timing he is so coveted for. Mohammad Nawaz stifled the batsmen at the start, while Naseem Shah begun brightly.All of that went to ruin after the halfway mark, though. The moment Rossouw biffed Anwar Ali for a six the first ball of the 11th over, Quetta lost their collective composure. You could count the number of times they hit their spots from that point onwards on one hand, and Rossouw capitalised on the chaos. Just one over between 11 and 18 went for fewer than 12 runs, and while Masood got some of his own hits in, it was all about Rossouw. He would bring up his hundred in the final over; it had taken just 43 balls, including 10 fours and half a dozen sixes.Watson tried his best to match that, and batting alongside Jason Roy, brought up the 50 partnership in the sixth over. But soon after Roy holed out to deep midwicket, it quickly became clear this would be a one-person effort. That Watson took it as far as he did was achievement enough, and it isn’t often a 41-ball 80 is on the wrong side of a PSL result. But this was clearly Rossouw’s game, and Watson was merely playing in it.The supporting actNot many will come away from the game reminiscing about Masood’s 32-ball 46, and why would they, given what else just happened in that first innings? But the value of it becomes clear when you notice it was the one thing Quetta lacked in the chase. Rossouw had, in Masood, the perfect foil on the other end, with his captain ensuring he didn’t give his wicket away or hog too much of the strike. When Masood got the strike, he got away the odd boundary and turned it over quickly to the South African, neither heaping pressure on him nor starving him of the strike. Together, they put together a partnership that totalled 139 runs in 64 balls.By contrast, Quetta managed no partnership greater than Roy and Watson’s 57 at the top, and no other Quetta batsman could even reach 15. That meant the pressure was squarely on Watson’s shoulders, further driving home the point if they were going to take it close, it was all on him. Other batsmen who had helped them win big games this season all failed, with Azam Khan falling early and Ben Cutting holing out for 12. The sort of innings Masood had played was absent from Sarfaraz Ahmed’s side, and it wasn’t a surprise to see the result pan out the way it did.Star of the dayRossouw and Watson may get the hundreds and entertain the fans most, but in a game where 200 was nearly scored and then changed, perhaps the most remarkable numbers were posted by Imran Tahir. While Watson and the rest of the Quetta top order ran riot, Tahir ensured the game wouldn’t run away from Multan. Varying his flight, pace and googly with all the experience any T20 side treasures in him, Tahir kept the Quetta batsmen guessing, and, even more importantly in such a high-scoring game, cautious.It wasn’t like he had all the luck, either. In his third over, as Watson’s charge built up a crescendo, Tahir had him into skying a drive down to long-off, where Moeen Ali stood perched for a simple catch. Moeen somehow grassed the opportunity, but undeterred, Tahir dismissed Azam Khan the next ball. He wasn’t done with Watson, either, coming back the following over and coaxing a nearly identical shot from the batsman. This time, Moeen would make no mistake. In a game where scoring ten an over was the order of the day, Tahir’s figures of 4-0-27-2 didn’t flatter him in the slightest.Multan surged at the top of the table, having swept all three games in their home city. They now have four wins in five, while Quetta sit just below them, with three wins from five matches.

A European giant has now made an early move to try and sign a Manchester United star in January, with Ruben Amorim yet to be impressed by him, according to a fresh report.

Amorim takes first Manchester United game

Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by Ipswich Town on Amorim’s Premier League debut after he took charge in the November international break.

A new-look Red Devils side trialed a 3-4-3 system that saw Noussair Mazraoui form part of the back three, with Amad Diallo stationed at right wing-back and Diogo Dalot on the opposite flank.

They did not look comfortable for much of the game, and Amorim’s changes did little to inspire improvement, with the new Man Utd boss singling out summer signing Joshua Zirkzee as someone who needed to improve to continue getting game time under his management.

“I think that [decision-making] is a concern, you don’t need to coach them at this level,” Amorim said.

“You have to keep the ball and know the momentum to put the ball in front. Sometimes you feel that you can’t keep the ball and you [have to] put the ball in front.

Appearances

18

Starts

7

Goals

1

Assists

2

Minutes per goal/assist

240.3

“Then you have like we are in the end of the game, we were around the box with two strikers. Josh [Zirkzee] has to understand that he has to go to the box to have the crosses. So we are doing some things that were not at the right moment, so that is something we have to address.

“Sometimes people talk about the 3-4-3, that is not the concern, the system is the system but the understanding of the game is what we have to improve a lot in this area.”

Already under pressure after a poor start to his Old Trafford career, Zirkzee has been linked with a move away and now those comments have caught the eye of a European giant.

Motta wants Zirkzee reunion at Juventus

That comes as reports in Italy claim that Juventus are keen to sign the Dutch striker should Manchester United decide to cut their losses.

The Turin side are now coached by Thiago Motta, who worked with Zirkzee at Bologna last season, a campaign which saw the forward net 12 times in all competitions.

And now, it is claimed that he is eyeing a reunion, and “first contact has now been made between Juve and Motta’s former striker”, as they look to bring his Old Trafford nightmare to an end.

Man Utd ready to offer Serie A star £33m+ Old Trafford deal to join Amorim

He would be a massive statement of intent from the new Manchester United boss.

ByBen Browning Nov 27, 2024

It is added that “Juventus are in the front row” to sign the 23-year-old, who arrived for £36.5m just months ago and is on £105,000-a-week, though there is no suggestion that Manchester United have changed their stance on the youngster.

Nonetheless, with the Red Devils linked to several new forwards and Rasmus Hojlund already at the club, Zirkzee may only likely see his game time decrease in the months and years ahead, suggesting that perhaps a move away from Old Trafford is the best move for all parties.

Henry's last match was the 4-0 thrashing of Chivas in the CONCACAF Champions Cup Clásico Nacional, played on March 12

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Martín is suffering from tendonitis in his Achilles tendon.

He will miss the matches against Tigres, Cruz Azul, and Pachuca.

The forward is doubtful for the return leg against Cruz Azul in the Champions Cup.

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

América captain Henry Martín will be sidelined for at least four weeks due to a lingering Achilles injury. The forward has been dealing with the issue for months and hasn’t been at full strength since the start of the year. His absence means he will miss Liga MX matches against Tigres and Pachuca, as well as the first leg of the Champions Cup quarterfinals against Cruz Azul.

It is unlikely that Martín will recover in time for the second leg on April 8, and his availability for América’s Liga MX match against Cruz Azul on April 12 (Matchday 15) remains uncertain. Manager André Jardine will have to wait and see if his captain can return in time.

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A few weeks ago, the forward consulted a specialist in Guadalajara, who recommended that he stop and undergo a month of rehabilitation to return fully recovered.

Martín currently has his leg immobilized with an orthopedic boot, and although he is receiving daily rehabilitation at Coapa, for now, he cannot engage in any football-related activities.

Getty Images SportWHAT VÍCTOR DÁVILA SAID

"A shame, we hope to have all our teammates available for the end of the tournament, but we're calm because the coach has handled it well. We've had rotations, and we have a wide enough squad to cover every position," Davila said of Martin's injury. "Each player has contributed good things in the attack, and André Jardine has managed the pieces well and distributed each player accordingly. What we expect is that Henry can recover properly, and it will be up to us to do our part and cover for his absence."

Getty Images SportDID YOU KNOW?

Injuries have impacted Martin's performance this season. The forward has only been able to play nine matches this year between Liga MX and the Champions Cup, where he has scored just once and registered three assists. Martín has a total of 115 goals in matches with América and is currently in fourth place on the list of the club's all-time top scorers.

Visitors plod their way to total control in relegation battle with Warwickshire

ECB Reporters Network14-Sep-2022Somerset’s greatest display of aggression came before the start of the third day at Edgbaston when they issued a media release stating that the ECB’s current cricket schedule was “unacceptable” and that the south west needed “the highest standard” of men’s and women’s cricket to be able to sustain the game in the region.”The current domestic playing programme, which resulted in only four one-day matches being played in Taunton over 43 days in the height of summer this year, with 17 Somerset players unavailable, is unacceptable to the club, its members and the South West’s cricketing public,” Somerset said as the debate continued over the future structure of the English game.Their point made, on the field they plodded their way into total control against Warwickshire on the third day of their LV=Insurance County Championship Division One relegation battle at Edgbaston. They closed the third day on 277 for 4 – 300 ahead – to virtually insure themselves against defeat heading into the last day of this crucial game.On a pitch which remained slow but lost its menace, Somerset, led by captain Tom Abell’s obdurate 87 from 173 balls, batted through the day for 264 runs in 101 overs. Supported by Tom Lammonby (40 in 170 minutes) and George Bartlett (91 not out, 209 balls), the skipper lifted his team into a position whereby they have it in their power to simply bat Warwickshire out of the game.It was another tough day for the home side, who took just two wickets in three sessions. They must now lift themselves to bat well enough on the final day to avoid a defeat which would severely damage their prospects of survival.After resuming on 13 for 2, Somerset settled straight into the slow lane, Lammonby and Abell adding 55 runs in 36 overs in the morning session. At one stage, one run arrived in seven overs while Lammonby went 11 overs without scoring.It was gritty stuff, not easy on the eye but a totally understandable approach in the match situation. Warwickshire’s hopes of an early clatter induced by India internationals Mohammed Siraj or Jayant Yadav were thwarted as the pitch blunted the pace of the former and offered only very slow turn to the latter.The second-wicket pair added 79 in 41 overs before Lammonby edged Olly Hannon-Dalby to Rob Yates at slip. Bartlett seamlessly took up the cudgels of caution and settled in alongside his captain while Warwickshire skipper Will Rhodes shuffled a bowling attack that plugged away nobly to ensure that runs at least never came quickly. The fourth-wicket stand was worth 72 in 25 overs when Abell’s 246-minute vigil ended when Danny Briggs turned a beauty onto his off stump.Again, home hopes of one wicket bringing two were in vain as Lewis Goldsworthy added his application to the collective diligence. Bartlett and Goldsworthy put up a century stand in 202 balls and were still there together to resume in the morning having so far added 121.

Chelsea have held discussions with intermediaries in the last few days over a potential forward signing, as those agents attempt to find their player a new home in January and reach out to Stamford Bridge officials.

Chelsea scour January market for new attackers in January

Enzo Maresca’s side are believed to be targeting a fresh attacking option before deadline day on February 3rd, leading to their widely reported interest in the likes of Bayern Munich starlet Mathys Tel, Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens and Man United winger Alejandro Garnacho.

Chelsea make "formal" bid to sign "exciting" £65m forward for Maresca

The Italian could witness a busy end to their transfer window.

ByEmilio Galantini Jan 24, 2025

The Telegraph’s Matt Law wrote earlier this week that Chelsea are considering Tel, Garnacho and Gittens to bolster Maresca’s forward line, while other reports from South America claim a “formal” offer has already gone in for the Man Utd man.

Man City (away)

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Garnacho’s exit from Old Trafford is looking more and more like a realistic possibility, given United’s PSR concerns, and it is believed that Chelsea could look to take full advantage of this situation to snap up the Argentine.

The forward’s rumoured price tag has varied, but it has gone as high as £65 million according to some media sources, making him an expensive potential acquisition mid-season.

Taking this into account, BlueCo may also be wise to keep their eyes on further alternatives to Garnacho, and Lyon star Rayan Cherki could be a very prudent option.

The Frenchman is widely regarded as a very exciting prospect, and Lyon’s provisional relegation to Ligue 2, as a result of their financial situation, means Cherki could go on the cheap.

His price tag has dropped to as low as £19 million, as per Fabrizio Romano, which could be too good of an opportunity for elite sides to pass up.

Chelsea hold talks with intermediaries over Rayan Cherki

According to The Boot Room and journalist Graeme Bailey, agents have spoken to Chelsea “in recent days” over Cherki and his availability, as they scour the market to find their client a new club this month.

The Blues are keen on him, as are Arsenal, Liverpool, Man United, Newcastle, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton and West Ham, who’ve also held discussions with Cherki’s camp.

That being said, all these sides, including Chelsea, have concerns over Cherki’s attitude to fulfilling his potential. However, if the 21-year-old does begin to perform at the level he can, journalist Dean Jones suggests he’d be an excellent signing.

“He’s just different, this player,” said Jones on the Ranks FC Ultras podcast recently.

“If you haven’t seen Cherki play, then just either stop the pod and go and watch him on YouTube for 10 minutes and then come back or just go watch him while we’re talking right now. Because his skill level is outrageous. He feels like he could become one of the best players in the world.”