Tottenham Hotspur’s top-four chances were blown in tatters after they were demolished by Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.

Under the guidance of interim boss Cristian Stellini, the north London outfit put in a shambolic display, likely their worst of the entire 2022/23 Premier League campaign as the Magpies hit them for six, with Harry Kane only mustering a mere second-half consolation goal.

It marks another sad page in Spurs’ sorry season, with the struggling side opting for a four-back system, in which Cristian Romero partnered Eric Dier and neither could register a rating above 5.6, per Sofascore figures.

The former was particularly disappointing, even more so than goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who was hooked at the break with a suspected injury.

How did Cristian Romero play against Newcastle?

Having played a three-back all season, it was clear that the Argentine could not adapt to the system at such short notice and he was severely punished as Eddie Howe’s men stuck five goals past the trio by the 21st minute.

Across the 90 or so minutes he was on the pitch, the £50m aggressor won just one of his five duels (20%), was dribbled past on three occasions, including for Joelinton’s sumptuous strike – a moment that Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville lambasted as “shocking” on Twitter – and the renowned “liability” – as once described by Jamie O’Hara – also recorded one error leading to a shot.

In addition to that, within eight minutes of coming on, Romero was booked for scything down Callum Wilson, who had bagged the Magpies’ sixth and final goal with practically his first touch.

BBC contributor Oli Prince-Bates also claimed the £165k-per-week defender was “the most overrated player” in the Premier League, whilst the Evening Standard’s Dan Kilpatrick was equally unimpressed by the World Cup winner as he wrote in his post-match column: ‘A World Cup winner in a back four but just as poor as the rest, and all at sea for at least three of the goals.’

Elsewhere, Romero failed to register a single interception or tackle, which are usually two key facets of his aggressive game and only further highlights just how much of a difficult afternoon he had up against the likes of Alexander Isak and Josh Murphy, who both bagged themselves the easiest brace of their careers.

All in all, you could pick fault in any of Spurs’ backline as they are not equipped to be deploying a four-at-the-back system and whilst Lloris may get scapegoated, given his persistent errors, Romero should have done far better as arguably the Lilywhites’ best centre-back.

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BCCI president Anurag Thakur has said that a rollback of the constitutional revamp that gave India, England and Australia greater administrative and financial power at the ICC is not a certainty

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Jun-20165:19

Anurag Thakur: By 2020 India Women should be No. 1

The new BCCI president Anurag Thakur has said in an interview with ESPNcricinfo that a rollback of the constitutional revamp that gave India, England and Australia greater administrative and financial power at the ICC is not a certainty, despite his predecessor Shashank Manohar’s criticism of the “bullying” of the ICC by the “Big Three”. Manohar, who was recently elected as the first independent chairman of the ICC, heads a five-member steering group that is reviewing the constitutional reforms of 2014, with an aim of submitting recommendations at the ICC’s annual conference later this month.Manohar was particularly displeased with the revenue-sharing formula, saying it would make “the poor poorer and the rich richer”. “India generates money because the other countries come and play in India,” he had pointed out. “If you do not have a fierce competition, the broadcasters are not going to pay you and the sponsors are not going to sponsor your events.”Thakur, however, said the present revenue-sharing arrangement was not dismantled yet, but was still in the negotiations stage. “The [BCCI] authorised the president and secretary to negotiate and discuss the matter with the ICC,” Thakur said. “Yes [the final word has not been spoken on the matter]. It is just at the discussion stage.”He remained non-committal when asked if he and Manohar were not on the same page on the matter. “I simply said let the situation [play out], the power has been given to president and secretary,” he said. “As to whether we agree or disagree, Mr Manohar also hadn’t taken a decision at that time, so how do you say we disagree?”During his time as BCCI secretary Thakur had expressed reservations over Manohar’s views on the distribution of revenue, and said there was nothing wrong in India receiving a bigger share. “The [BCCI] president said this in his personal capacity. He made it very clear that it was his personal opinion,” Thakur had said.Speaking now, however, Thakur did back Manohar’s new role, which is independent of the BCCI. “I personally supported that [the ICC chairman being independent of his national board] when it was discussed at the ICC meetings,” Thakur said. “And I insisted that if there is only a single nomination, allow that person to take over as ICC chairman from that day only, otherwise for 15-20 days [more, while the election process played out] the BCCI representative would have been the ICC chairman.He also said the BCCI will roll out initiatives that will change the way people perceive the board. “I want to see the Indian team as No. 1 in all formats. We [the BCCI] want to be more transparent, accountable and bring in more professionalism. Apart from that, we want to look at green initiatives, support deaf & dumb cricket etc.”The board does a great job, organises 800-plus matches over a year. This is not easy. How many associations can manage to shift matches between venues in the space of seven days? We have created good infrastructure over the years, that is our asset. I have to take all the state units together and strengthen them, so that we can easily handle any situation the BCCI comes across.”

Alex Hales might have missed out on a maiden century for the third time in the series but he could console himself with the knowledge that he has established himself in England’s top order for the foreseeable future

George Dobell at Lord's12-Jun-2016Alex Hales might have missed out on a maiden century for the third time in the series but he could console himself with the knowledge that he has established himself in England’s top order for the foreseeable future and given his side a decent chance of completing a third successive victory over Sri Lanka.Hales, who followed innings of 86 at Headingley and 83 in Durham with 94 here, admitted he was “frustrated” at failing to convert such scores to three figures. But, having answered many of the questions about his technique that hung over him at the start of the summer, he reasoned that, on balance, he had still enjoyed an encouraging series. He also conceded that he benefited from some significant luck during the course of this innings.Quite apart from being dropped twice, Hales also saw the DRS go his way when Sri Lanka reviewed an lbw shout and survived being clean bowled by Nuwan Pradeep when umpire Rod Tucker incorrectly called a no-ball.”It is frustrating,” he said. “But if someone had offered me nearly 300 runs at an average of 60 at the start of the series [he has scored 292 at 58.40], I’d probably have taken it. To have gone into the final Test 2-0 up and helped get the team off to some good starts, it could hardly have been a better. Well, it could if I had converted some starts, but so far so good.”I’d had my fair share of luck. I was bowled off that close no-ball and there were umpire’s calls and edges, so I guess my luck ran out. It’s disappointing to come so close and miss out again. When you get so close you have to be converting. But it was pretty decent delivery.”Hales was particularly pleased with his increased assurance outside off stump. While his tour to South Africa was dogged by dismissals to edges behind the wicket – he averaged 17.00 in the four-Test series, with a top-score of 60 – here he has dealt with Sri Lanka’s seam attack relatively comfortably and felt that he was also improving against spin bowling.”I had a lot of questions to answer after South Africa,” he said. “The biggest thing I’ve improved is my decision-making outside off stump. Whether it is leaving the ball or attacking the ball.”In South Africa, a few times, I was tentatively hanging my bat in the channel. So I’ve tried to be more positive. Positive in my leaving and positive when I’m looking to attack. It’s still something I’m improving on each game and there are other areas to work on as well, but I feel I’m heading in the right direction.”Maybe in the first couple games this summer, I have tried to go after the spinners more than should have. But this game I have played a lot better and picked my attacking options better against Rangana Herath. I’m learning from my mistakes and looking to build on this later in the summer. I know there are tougher challenges to come.”Hales admitted he had not changed his shot when bowled by the no-ball – it is doubtful whether a batsman has time to do so against a fast bowler at Test level – but suggested that, had a spinner been bowling, there may have been time to change his stroke. For that reason, it remains hard to envisage a scenario where an incorrect on-field no-ball call could be rescinded by TV evidence.”If the spinners are bowling, I guess your eyes could light up if hear the no-ball call,” he said. “But I have a bit of sympathy with Rod Tucker. You think about how fast the game moves and how close he was to the front line and it’s a split decision he has to make at the time. Rod had told him a few times that over he was getting close to the front line.”Perhaps the England declaration was also significant. While the first few years of Alastair Cook’s captaincy were marked by some low-risk, attritional cricket, here he has risked the possibility of losing in the attempt to win the game.The England side of a couple of years ago may well have batted on ensure they could not have lost the match before attempting to bowl out Sri Lanka but, in keeping with the more positive style that has characterised much of their cricket in the last 12 months, England have given Sri Lanka an outside chance of victory. Memories of West Indies’ run chase in 1984 were revived for some, though this pitch – offering a bit of spin and some uneven bounce at one end – looks considerably more demanding.”We could have batted on,” Hales said. “But this is the positive option. There’s still plenty of life in the pitch, so if they chase 350 or whatever it is, they deserve to win.”

Fans online have flocked to Twitter to praise Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus after he delivered a stunning piece of skill in the club’s most recent game.

What’s the latest on Arsenal and Gabriel Jesus?

It was a huge outing in the Premier League on Easter Sunday for the Gunners as they made the trip to Anfield.

Indeed, with title rivals Manchester City already beating Southampton 4-1 the day before, Mikel Arteta’s men were under great pressure to win.

And things got off to a brilliant start as Arsenal took an early lead through Gabriel Martinelli and then doubled it before the 30-minute mark thanks to Jesus.

However, Liverpool ace Mohammed Salah pulled one back and then missed a second-half penalty as the Reds began to build up more and more momentum.

In the end, the pressure told as Roberto Firmino came off the bench to head in an 87th-minute equaliser.

Despite plenty more excitement at the death, the Gunners held on for a draw as the game finished 2-2, leaving Arteta and co now only six points clear at the top of the table.

In the midst of all the drama, however, Arsenal star Jesus pulled off a piece of trickery that has subsequently left fans drooling over his quality.

Indeed, as seen in this video, the Brazilian can be seen displaying his samba roots as he flicks the ball deftly over Thiago Alcantara’s head, before juggling it with a couple of sharp touches and then volleying a no-look pass through to Martinelli as the Gunners race off on a counter.

It’s safe to say, supporters looking on were more than impressed by this stunning bit of skill from the

£265k-p/w forward.

Here are some of the best reactions online…

The praise didn’t stop there…

He certainly got the better of Thiago.

Mitchell Marsh has said he is prepared to tailor his role to the team’s needs once the Tests against Sri Lanka begin, depending on the team combination: four pacers and one spinner, or three pacers and two spinners

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Jul-2016

Warner to miss tour match

David Warner has been ruled out of Australia’s tour match against a Sri Lanka XI starting in Colombo on Monday, but the Australians remain confident he will be fit for the first Test. Warner suffered a broken finger during the recent one-day tri-series in the West Indies.
Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood will also sit out of the match.
Australia XI Shaun Marsh, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill, Mitchell Starc, Steve O’Keefe, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird, Nathan Coulter-Nile (12th man to be named).

Australia seam-bowling allrounder Mitchell Marsh has said he is prepared to tailor his role to the team’s needs once the Tests against Sri Lanka begin. Depending on the team combination – four pacers and one spinner, or three pacers and two spinners – he said his job would change, but he was ready to adapt accordingly.”I think depending on the outlook of the team and whether they bowl two spinners or three quicks and me, my role will differ,” Marsh said in Colombo, on the eve of Australia’s three-day tour match against a Sri Lankan XI. “But for me it’s about just playing the conditions, I will be attacking the stumps as much as I can, with fields that allow me to bowl like that.”I think if we’ve got two spinners I’ll probably bowl a bit more with the newer ball being the third seamer. It’s always nice in these conditions to bowl when the ball’s a little bit harder and potentially swinging a little bit, but I don’t really mind, I’ll just bowl wherever the skipper needs me to bowl. Whatever the selectors go with, I’ll just prepare as best I can.”The Tests begin on July 26 in Pallekele, and, aside from the official tour game, Australia have been tuning up with intra-squad matches. Marsh, who is likely to slot in at No. 6 with the bat, said he expected both spin and reverse swing to play a big role in Sri Lankan conditions, and he will be training to face up to both. All the batsmen in the squad, he said, were preparing to face stiff challenges, especially when new at the crease.”That’s something we’ve spoken about as a batting group already, just being as sharp as we can to start our innings. I think conditions, whether it is spinning or whether it is reverse swing, it’s always going to come into it massively when we’re batting.”I’ll be preparing as best I can over the coming week for the different conditions, and I think the start of the innings here is really important.”

Offspinner Nathan Lyon has been preparing himself for a more attacking role with the Australian side. Though his three wickets to dismantle West Indies for 116 came during the middle overs, Lyon’s captain Steven Smith has been eying a greater role for him during the Powerplay and slog overs.”Smithy and I spoke a couple of times at a few different net sessions about playing a different role potentially with the new ball, potentially at the death,” Lyon said after the game. “So I’ve just got to be able to work with what Smithy wants.”With a robust assembly line of fast bowlers and seam-bowling allrounders coming through, the role of a spinner in an Australian one-day outfit has often been limited. Lyon himself hinted that his primary objective had often been keeping the runs down and, if as a byproduct he ended up with a rich haul, all the better.Against West Indies, the 28-year old came on as first change in the seventh over, maintained an economy rate of 3.90 and dismissed Marlon Samuels and Kieron Pollard off successive deliveries in the 17th to establish Australia’s dominance.”Always good to be on a hat-trick,” Lyon said, “but at the end of the day I was more worried about trying to stop the runs and if a wicket came around, [then good]. It’s just about trying to create some chances.”The slow pitches in Guyana enabled the spinners to dictate terms. Legspinner Adam Zampa picked up 3 for 16 in 5.3 overs, part-time offspinner Glenn Maxwell chipped in with 1 for 3 off two overs and Lyon was quite pleased to have the support.”About time, I reckon,” he joked. “No, it’s good. I get along with Zamps and Maxi really well. We work really well together and we seem to bowl really well in tandem. So it was exciting to, firstly play the first game with Zamps, and hopefully there’s a big future for both of us.”Lyon, Zampa and Maxwell bowled nine overs between the 17th and the 25th, took four wickets and gave away only 20 runs. That left West Indies at 90 for 7, with nowhere to go.”Our communication is one of our biggest weapons,” Lyon said. “As I said, we’re all really good mates, we all want to see each other do well. So if we can have that open communication with each other and try and help each other to better the team and get the right result for Australia, then we’re heading the right way.”There was one area of concern, though. Australia were playing their first ODI since February, and their first international since March, and Lyon admitted there was “a bit of rust floating around.””But it was a good workout. All over, we’re pretty happy with the win, but we know there’s a lot more work to do in this tri-series.”

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsIf there is any venue outside Australia where David Warner should feel at home it is the ground in Basseterre on the island of St Kitts. It is tailor-made for him with its short boundaries and hard surface. It is even named Warner Park. In his first international match at his namesake venue, Warner struck his sixth ODI hundred, and first outside Australia, to set up a 36-run victory over South Africa.Australia thus became the first team to win two games in this tri-series, which has now moved on from the slow, spinning surfaces of Guyana. Steven Smith had no hesitation in choosing to bat first and Warner’s 109 was the dominant contribution of the match, setting Australia on the path to 288 for 6.South Africa’s bowlers seemed to have done well to keep Australia under 300, but those same bowlers also formed a long tail that was unable to offer much resistance after Australia’s attack got through the middle order. Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood picked up three wickets each and the lower order collapsed, the last seven wickets falling for 42 runs.For a while, South Africa looked to be cruising in their chase. They had lost Quinton de Kock early, when he pulled Hazlewood to deep square leg for 19, but Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis set about building a typically solid platform that should have been adequate. They made it to 140 for 1 in the 26th over before Amla (60) was sharply taken by Smith at cover off Hazlewood.Life became tougher for the South African batsmen as Australia’s fast men found some reverse swing, which helped Starc get rid of du Plessis, who sliced to backward point for 63. AB de Villiers and JP Duminy then had the job of steering the rest of the innings, but de Villiers was also done by reverse swing when Hazlewood tailed one in to bowl him for 39.The loss of Duminy, through a somewhat lax sweep to deep midwicket off Zampa for 41, precipitated the lower-order collapse. Zampa had Farhaan Behardien lbw for 4 and had Wayne Parnell caught at long-on for 3, leaving too much work for the tail. Kyle Abbott had already been bowled, done by Starc’s reverse swing, before Aaron Phangiso also fell to Starc and Imran Tahir was run out to end the game.South Africa’s seamers had found almost no reverse earlier in the day. Like Australia, who dropped Nathan Lyon and Glenn Maxwell, South Africa strengthened their pace group at the expense of their spin attack, and while Abbott and Parnell especially were tight enough, they couldn’t manage to string enough wickets together, even after ending Warner’s innings.Warner’s previous five one-day international hundreds had all come in Australia, where the quick and bouncy pitches tend to suit his preference for the ball coming on to the bat. He started this one with two boundaries in the first over of the game and in all struck 11 fours and two sixes, and he was typically harsh on any width offered by the quicks.His opening partner, Aaron Finch, found no momentum and was bowled for 13 off 28 when he missed an attempted sweep off an Imran Tahir straight ball. Warner and Usman Khawaja put on 136 for the second wicket and a total well in excess of 300 looked like a strong possibility.Warner brought up his hundred from his 109th delivery when he cut a single off Abbott, and two deliveries later Khawaja raised his half-century from his 58th ball, but neither man was to go on much further. The second drinks break came at just the right time for South Africa, as Warner pulled Parnell to midwicket off the first ball after the resumption.Khawaja had swept the spinners effectively but the shot eventually brought his downfall on 59 when he top-edged off Phangiso and skied a catch that was taken by Amla from short fine leg. George Bailey was lbw to Tahir for 11 and Mitchell Marsh holed out deep midwicket for 10 off an Abbott full toss, and South Africa’s fightback was looking strong.However, Smith managed to steer the Australians into the high 200s with a half-century at better than a run-a-ball, with some assistance from Matthew Wade, who scored 24 off 14 balls. Smith ended up unbeaten on 52 from 49 deliveries, and Australia had enough to hold off South Africa.