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“We know very well that if we win against India, it will be called an upset. We will try to play our best cricket”

Mohammad Isam01-Nov-20221:44

Shakib: ‘India one of the favourites – if we win, it will be an upset’

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan has downplayed the team’s chances against India, who he feels are the “favourites”, but says he will try to produce an “upset”, when the two sides meet in the T20 World Cup in Adelaide on Wednesday. Shakib called on his young team to forget about India’s might and play with a “nothing to lose” mentality, as he feels Bangladesh are “not here to win the World Cup”.Asked what Bangladesh’s next target is after overcoming Netherlands and Zimbabwe, Shakib said: “We want to play well in the next two matches (against India and Pakistan), so if we can win one of them, it will count as an upset.Related

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“We will be happy to inflict that upset. Both teams, on paper, are better than us. If we play well, if it is our day, why can’t we win? We have seen Ireland beat England, and Zimbabwe beat Pakistan in this World Cup. A similar result will definitely make us happy.”As I said in Bangla before, India is the favourite team, they came here to win the World Cup. We are not favourites, we didn’t come here to win the World Cup. We know very well that if we win against India, it will be called an upset. We will try to play our best cricket.”These are usually not the words that fans would want to hear, particularly during a World Cup when emotions are high. India also have a better head-to-head record in T20Is, having won ten T20Is and lost only one against Bangladesh. Shakib feels India will be particularly dangerous at the Adelaide Oval, having played here 29 times compared to Bangladesh’s experience of playing in this venue only once.”I can’t say that (the day-night timing) makes it equally balanced (for both sides),” he said. “India have played plenty of matches in all formats in this ground [29 times, overall]. Only Taskin and I have played here from our team. Quite naturally, it is not the same feeling. We will try very hard to give our 100 percent, to get the best result for the team.”They have tied up teams below 160 in all their matches. We have to bat really well to get 160-170, which is a par score in this World Cup. We have to play really well against India’s bowling. They have some world class players.”

“We are turning around from a time when we lost a lot of close matches. We are improving in that regard.”Shakib on winning close encounters

He also praised his side for closing out tight matches, particularly the one against Zimbabwe in which Bangladesh were expected to struggle on the pacy and bouncy Gabba wicket. Instead, they defended 150 with consistent performances from the fast bowlers and won the game by three runs.”Most T20 matches are decided in the last two overs. It is important to hold on to the nerve,” Shakib said. “We are turning around from a time when we lost a lot of close matches. We are improving in that regard, by winning a couple of close games.”I am definitely satisfied (with our performance). We were playing well except for the game against South Africa. It can happen in T20s. We want to play well in the remaining matches, which is very difficult in different conditions and against different attacks. I believe our team is capable of playing well consistently.”He also hoped that Bangladesh’s 2015 World Cup memories at this venue, when their 15-run win over England took them to the knockout stages of a World Cup for the first time, could inspire them.

Nkunku has struggled for minutes for the Blues again this season and has been tipped to make the move across London to Mikel Arteta's Gunners.

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Nkunku behind Cole Palmer in pecking orderMost opportunities have come in Conference LeagueFlorent Malouda reveals where he should goFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Nkunku has struggled for regular game time since joining Chelsea from RB Leipzig two years ago, scoring just six goals in 38 Premier League appearances and often being unavailable due to injury. He has led the line during the Conference League campaign, helping the Blues reach the final, but his path into Enzo Maresca's strongest starting XI has been blocked by Cole Palmer.

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Nkunku could be one of several Chelsea players who depart during the summer transfer window and former winger Florent Malouda has named both Arsenal and Bayern Munich as potential landing spots if the 27-year-old were to leave.

WHAT MALOUDA SAID

Malouda told Racing Tipster: "Arsenal or Bayern Munich would be the right kind of place for him to go, but I'm not sure he should leave Chelsea. Personally, I like him as a player, as a person. I would love for him to fight and to prove what he showed in the beginning.

"I think it's more a mental aspect that he needs to work on a little bit, like Jadon Sancho. Moving clubs, it's sometimes running away from what you have to adjust. He's used to the Bundesliga, but at Bayern, there would be competition too. So for me he has more things to improve.

But it's like he kind of gave up mentally, and that's what he needs to adjust. But yeah, Bayern Munich or Arsenal would be good clubs for him to continue to progress and, and most important is to prepare for the World cup coming next year."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Nkunku wowed audiences during his previous spell in the Bundesliga, terrifying defences during his last two seasons at Leipzig where he netted a combined 58 goals in all competitions. Bayern could offer the France international a return to more familiar surroundings, but Arsenal have been willing to sign players from Chelsea in the past and could be willing to do business if the price is right.

Mikel Arteta has done a superb job of transforming Arsenal after his appointment back in December 2019, taking the club from mid-table strugglers to consistent Premier League title challengers.

The Gunners have finished runners-up in two consecutive seasons to Manchester City, potentially finishing in the same position this year, but to Arne Slot’s Liverpool.

Injuries and poor recruitment from the hierarchy in January have certainly halted the club’s chances of ending their two-decade wait for a league triumph, with the Spaniard having to operate with a makeshift forward line in recent weeks.

However, if they are to take the next step and claim title glory, the board desperately need to back Arteta once again, handing him the quality and depth needed to finally go one better than second place.

A repeat of one window could allow for such success, with a previous summer transfer window setting the club up for the progress they’ve seen over the last couple of years during the manager’s reign.

Arsenal’s transfer window in the summer of 2021

After an eighth-placed finish the season prior, the board handed Arteta the funds to improve his first-team squad, securing a £30m deal to sign Martin Odegaard on a permanent basis after his loan spell at the Emirates.

The Norwegian has since made over 150 appearances for the Gunners, often being the most creative player in the side, as seen with his tally of 36 goals and 28 assists since his big-money transfer.

Ben White also arrived during the same window, adding that defensive quality that had for so long been lacking under the management of former boss Unai Emery.

The 27-year-old cost £50m from fellow Premier League side Brighton, matching Odegaard in making over 100 appearances, but has struggled with fitness issues in 2024/25, restricting him to just 13 games across all competitions.

However, despite the big-money arrivals, the hierarchy also conducted excellent business in offloading multiple players, including one who Arteta was a big fan of after his appointment.

The player who Arsenal struck gold offloading

Given the success of the Arsenal academy, the first team is usually always benefitting from young talent who are looking to stake their claim for a consistent place in the squad.

Miles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri are just two of the latest academy graduates to be challenging for regular minutes in Arteta’s side, gratefully benefiting from the ongoing injury crisis in North London.

However, another player who found himself in a similar position was midfielder Joe Willock, who emerged into the senior picture back in the 2017/18 campaign.

The Englishman made 78 appearances for his boyhood side over a four-season period, with his best undoubtedly coming in 2019/20, registering 44 appearances across all competitions – leading to Arteta dubbing him a “special” talent during his first year in charge.

Willock would fall down the pecking order in 2020/21, making just seven league appearances in the first half of the season, subsequently moving to Newcastle United on loan for the second half of the campaign.

He would find a massive run of form during his temporary stint at St James’ Park, scoring eight times in just 14 appearances, leading to a permanent £25m deal to join the Magpies at the end of the season.

However, since his big-money transfer, he’s only managed to score 10 goals in 117 appearances, struggling to replicate the form that led to his subsequent move to Tyneside.

2021/22

31

2

0

2022/23

43

3

6

2023/24

14

2

0

2024/25

29

3

1

Total:

117

10

7

The added investment from the hierarchy at Newcastle has also seen him start just seven league matches this campaign, falling down the order – just like he did before departing the Emirates.

Given his lack of form, coupled with his decline in minutes under Eddie Howe, the Gunners certainly made the right call in allowing Willock to depart, cashing in on the 25-year-old whilst his stock was at its highest.

His move is evidence of how impressive the academy could be for Arteta over the coming years, either allowing the Spaniard to gain key talent for the first team, as seen with Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri, or moving them on and gaining a huge fee – subsequently helping them in their quest for Premier League glory.

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The hosts, however, still trail by 295 runs going into the third day

Sreshth Shah03-Jan-2023Stumps A confident 74 from Imam-ul-Haq and a slow, yet solid 13 from Saud Shakeel ensured Pakistan made a steady resurgence in their innings after they briefly appeared to fall apart. The pair’s unbeaten fourth-wicket stand of 55 lifted Pakistan to 154 for 3, still 295 behind New Zealand’s first-innings total of 449.Pakistan had made a steady start in their response to 449, but the dismissals of Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood, and then the run-out of Babar Azam made it appear like day two would completely belong to New Zealand. But that wasn’t to be, with Imam and Shakeel ensuring Pakistan pulled things back, even though the visitors remained slightly ahead in the contest after two days of cricket.All eyes in the final session were on Imam, who had turned down a third run to cause a mix-up with Babar and effect a third dismissal, but he continued his batting fluency from the first Test to hit nine fours and a six in his 125-ball innings. He struck four fours through the covers, using his feet to good effect against the ball turning away from Michael Bracewell, and also played in the region in front of square on the leg side, collecting 23 runs in that area.Shakeel, at the other end, anchored himself for the most part, taking 42 balls to score his first run off the bat. Initially, he poked at the deliveries turning away from Bracewell in what appeared to be a tricky initiation into the innings, missing a few early on. His resistance came via his dead-batting ploy to see off the day, which he successfully did, playing 75 deliveries to make 13 in an innings that saw only one boundary in it.Related

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Before that, Both Shafique and Masood were out trying to play aggressively. Shafique, the right-hand opener, had struck four early boundaries to move to 19, but then tried pulling a rising short ball from Matt Henry while taking his eyes off the delivery. He ended up hitting the shot high, and to the only outfielder in the deep on the leg side.Masood then produced a fluent beginning, hitting four fours in his first ten deliveries to race to 20. In fact, he had crunched three boundaries in a single Ajaz Patel over before trying to search for a fourth when he sliced a half-tracker to the fielder at point.That had left Imam and Babar looking to start a Pakistan recovery after tea, but that partnership could never blossom, with the captain run out, on 24, for the sixth time in his Test career.Imam-ul-Haq was unbeaten on 74 at stumps•AFP/Getty ImagesEarlier in the day, both Henry (68) and Ajaz (35) put on their highest individual Test scores while also becoming only the fourth pair in Test history to post a 100-plus partnership between a No. 10 and a No. 11. That lifted New Zealand from potentially folding for under 350 to eventually finishing at a run less than 450.The two came together when New Zealand lost their ninth wicket with the score reading 345. However, Henry took on Abrar early with a four through midwicket before hammering Hasan Ali for four, four and six in consecutive deliveries. The umpires called for an extra thirty minutes of play in the first session with New Zealand nine down, but Henry and Ajaz batted right through that. Ajaz was more circumspect, freeing his arms on rare occasions in his 78-ball stay. He hit three fours and looked quite comfortable on the whole, especially against the short-pitched bowling that Pakistan tested him – unsuccessfully – with.Henry reached his fifty before lunch, and the duo added a further 16 in the second session before they eventually folded for 449. The innings ended when Ajaz attempted to sweep an Abrar googly, only to get a top-edge for slip to gobble up.Before their entertaining final-wicket stand, it was Tom Blundell who started off strongly for New Zealand after they resumed day two on 309 for 6. After Ish Sodhi fell for 11 early, Blundell, in Tim Southee’s company, reached his ninth Test fifty. But Abrar dismissed Blundell for 51 and Southee for nine in quick succession before the Henry-Ajaz stand.Naseem Shah was the most impressive of the bowlers from the first innings, finishing with 3 for 71 while having an economy of 2.95. While Abrar took a four-for, he conceded 149 and Salman, who barely bowled in the first Test, took 3 for 75.

Jos Buttler and Harry Brook lead way for England before hosts pull off record pursuit at Bloemfontein

Firdose Moonda29-Jan-2023Temba Bavuma scored a defiant hundred as South Africa completed the highest successful chase in Bloemfontein and their third-highest in the format to win the series against England. Crucially, they also gained 10 World Cup Super League points and move into ninth place on the table, just outside of the automatic qualification zone, with three matches left to play.Bavuma’s knock, his third ton in ODIs, came at a significant time in his career. His white-ball captaincy was in the spotlight after South Africa’s T20 World Cup exit, he had gone 33 international innings without a three-figure score and he is the only member of the current squad who is not part of the ongoing SA20, South Africa’s new marquee franchise competition, with his scoring rate under scrutiny. He put all that aside to set the tone for a statement win and leave England much-vaunted line-up, who had half-centuries from Harry Brook, Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali (for the first time since 2017) in his wake.But he did not do it alone. South Africa paced their chase to perfection and never let the required rate run away from them. They were 64 without loss after 10 overs, 164 for 1 at the halfway stage and needed 156 runs from their last 20, with seven wickets in hand. Even when wickets fell, their scoring rate kept up and they needed 70 runs off the last 10 overs and only 24 from the last five. David Miller’s unbeaten 58 and Marco Jansen’s 32 took South Africa over the line with five balls to spare.South Africa’s chase got underway with Quinton de Kock, who left the field after 15 overs in the England innings when he was hit on the right thumb off a Brook under-edge, cleared to bat. He was taken for an X-ray, which did not pick up a fracture, but he did not appear entirely comfortable. He was overshadowed by a determined Bavuma, who dominated their 77-run stand and had even scored twice as many runs as de Kock at one point in the chase. De Kock was tied down by Olly Stone, whom he eventually hit to midwicket to end his knock.That went almost unnoticed by Bavuma, who batted with intent and scored quickly. In particular, he peppered the on side, where 70 of his total runs came. He was also the senior partner in the 97-run second-wicket partnership with Rassie van der Dussen, who was at the other end when Bavuma, struggling with cramp, drilled Adil Rashid through the covers to bring up his hundred. He celebrated in emphatic style, pointed to his name on his back and thudded his hand on his heart and the Protea badge. And then he was spent.Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali both made fifty to drive England’s innings•AFP/Getty ImagesBavuma scooped Sam Curran onto his own stumps three overs later to give England an opening. In the next over, van der Dussen hit Rashid straight to backward point and South Africa seemed to be in some trouble. But their depth came good.Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen scored 55 runs in 39 balls before Klaasen edged Stone and Buttler took a good catch; Markram went on to score 49 but was bowled by a Rashid googly, leaving it to Miller and Jansen to finish off. They put on 65 in 46 balls, with Miller enhancing his status as a finisher and Jansen his as an allrounder.Earlier, South Africa made three changes to the attack that won them Friday’s series opener and left out Kagiso Rabada, Sisanda Magala and Tabraiz Shamsi for Jansen, Lungi Ngidi and Keshav Maharaj. The bowlers were on top initially, after Bavuma opted to field. Ngidi found early seam movement and made the first incision when he bowled Jason Roy with a delivery that nipped back. At the other end Wayne Parnell pinned Dawid Malan on the back pad to leave England 33 for 2 in the seventh over, and 42 or 2 after 10.England only began to build some momentum when the change bowlers came on. Brook, who was dismissed for a duck on debut on Friday, showed his class with a high-quality 80 made up of clean-hitting and clever footwork. The highlights of his innings were his ramp off Jansen over the slips for six and the way he took on Maharaj. He scored 19 runs off the 13 balls he faced from Maharaj, including the single that brought him his fifty.Ben Duckett was largely a spectator and holed out to Maharaj, which brought Buttler to the crease in the 17th over. The England captain played second fiddle to Brook at first, but upped the ante once Brook was out, and England had a platform. They were 161 for 4 after 30 overs, but began to raise the tempo as Moeen got to his first fifty in 64 matches in an over where he hit Anrich Nortje for 14 runs. Nortje got his own back when Moeen dragged him onto his stumps and South Africa could apply the brakes.They gave away just 21 runs in the next five overs and were squeezing England until Buttler got hold of Ngidi. He hit 22 runs off Ngidi’s eighth over, including three sixes, while Curran played the perfect cameo with a 28-ball 17 to give England impetus at the end. In total, England scored 181 runs in their last 20 overs, including 60 in the last four but it was not enough to avert a fifth consecutive defeat in ODIs.

As Manchester United ready themselves for the defining game of the campaign thus far, it would be no surprise if the Red Devils’ fortunes once again fall on the shoulders of captain fantastic, Bruno Fernandes.

It hasn’t been vintage Fernandes this season, far from it, but in recent weeks, in particular, the Portuguese playmaker has hit his stride, notching up a goal or assist in each of his last three Premier League games.

Now with a return of 25 goal involvements in all competitions – nine more than Amad Diallo in second (16) – the question should not be where would United be without him, but instead, where would the 30-year-old be with better players around him?

The former Sporting CP man is certainly not perfect – a fact indicated by his three red cards this season – but his quality is worthy of a place in a title-winning side, with five years at Old Trafford having thus far yielded ‘just’ a League Cup and FA Cup triumph.

Player

Chances created

Cole Palmer

71

Mohamed Salah

69

Dejan Kulusevski

63

Bruno Fernandes

60

Enzo Fernandez

57

Mikel Damsgaard

51

Trent Alexander-Arnold

51

Youri Tielemans

51

Leif Davis

50

Bryan Mbeumo

50

Whatever lies ahead for the £300k-per-week maestro in Manchester, his arrival from Lisbon back in January 2020 has certainly been an unequivocal success.

Man Utd's Portuguese connections

Fernandes – who has 170 goals and assists for the club in 275 games – made the £46m switch from Sporting just over five years ago, following in the footsteps of his idol and compatriot, Cristiano Ronaldo.

The now-veteran striker had been plucked from the Liga Portugal side as a teenager back in 2003, developing from scrawny trickster into a chiselled machine over the next six years under Sir Alex Ferguson’s watch.

The second spell may have ended in sour fashion, but the early version of Ronaldo was a joy to behold, bewitching defenders with his breathtaking speed and skill, while powering the club to three Premier League titles on the trot, alongside a Champions League success.

Away from the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Ferguson and co also raided Sporting to land Ronaldo 2.0 in the form of Nani, with the wing wizard contributing 105 goals and assists in 230 games for United, prior to joining Fenerbahce for just £4.3m in 2014.

The Euro 2016 champion arrived in the same summer as Anderson, with the Golden Boy winner signing from Porto and memorably scoring in the Moscow shootout triumph in the Champions League final.

As for more recent deals – ignoring the infamous 2011 signing of Bebe from Vitoria, and Marcos Rojo’s switch from Sporting – the Red Devils have been rewarded for their £19m investment in then-Porto teenager, Diogo Dalot, with the long-serving full-back notably ending the 2023/24 campaign as the club’s Players’ Player of the Year recipient.

Victor Lindelof – a £30m capture from Benfica – is approaching the end of an eight-year stay in Manchester, amid his expiring contract, although it looks like it is just the beginning of a fruitful journey for Manuel Ugarte.

INEOS have hit the jackpot on Man Utd's "warrior"

It hasn’t been a season to look back on positively, but the INEOS regime may be encouraged by the signings made over the summer, with Matthijs de Ligt beginning to come into his own at centre-back, while Noussair Mazraoui has arguably stood out as the club’s best signing since Fernandes, considering his minimal £13m fee.

Market Movers

As for Ugarte, the midfield “warrior” – as hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig – looks like he could be a staple of the side for years to come, having previously thrived under Ruben Amorim’s tutelage.

Signed from Paris Saint-Germain for a reported initial fee of around £42m, the Uruguayan – much like Fernandes and Ronaldo before him – first rose to real prominence in a Sporting shirt, after joining from another Portuguese side, Famalicao, in 2021.

Since arriving in Manchester, via his solitary season in Paris, the 23-year-old initially struggled to force his way into Erik ten Hag’s plans, although under Amorim, his role has become clearer, shown by the fact that he ranks in the top 6% of Premier League midfielders for tackles made, and in the top 15% for pass completion per 90.

Neat and tidy on the ball and a machine out of possession, Ugarte certainly lives up to his motto, having stated that “when we have the ball, it’s a game and when we don’t, it’s a fight”.

That was certainly on show in January’s 2-2 draw away at Anfield, with club legend Paul Scholes outlining that the midfielder is “really growing in confidence”, having looked at ease up against the soon-to-be champions.

The summer signing also enjoyed his subsequent return to Merseyside to face Everton, after volleying in a delightful equaliser in the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park, thus marking a fine way to open his account for the club.

Of course, injuries have hampered his involvement at times, yet Ugarte’s impact can be shown by the fact that he is now valued at around €60m (£51m), according to Football Transfers, the same value as another man with Sporting connections, Fernandes.

Not that Amorim or INEOS will be looking to cash in on the midfielder any time soon, considering his suitability to the 3-4-3 system, but it does show that perhaps things are beginning to change for the better on the recruitment front.

Hopefully, having returned to fitness, the £120k-per-week star can play his part in steering United past Real Sociedad this evening…

Better than Mateta: INEOS make "monster" CF their dream Man Utd target

Man Utd appear to be in the market for a new striker this summer

ByRobbie Walls Mar 12, 2025

Ben White appears to have confirmed that he is "available" to play for England after a conversation with new boss Thomas Tuchel.

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Arsenal defender was unavailable under SouthgateAppeared to fall out with Steve HollandWhite willing to don the shirt againFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

White made himself unavailable for selection while Gareth Southgate was in charge, after leaving the 2022 World Cup in Qatar for "personal reasons" after a clash with assistant coach Steve Holland. Now, though, the Arsenal defender says he has spoken to new boss Thomas Tuchel, and is willing to play for his country once again.

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White has won four caps for the Three Lions, playing in friendlies against Austria and Romania in 2021, and versus Switzerland and the Ivory Coast in 2022. He was an unused substitute in the opening two games of the 2022 World Cup, against Iran and the United States.

WHAT BEN WHITE SAID

The 27-year-old has battled back from injury and said, per : “I’m definitely available.

“I spoke to him a few times. He’s such a nice, nice man — very honest. I haven’t been back for too long.

“So it’s just about playing now and hopefully making my way back in.”

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?

Tuchel will name his England squad on Friday for next month's World Cup qualifier against Andorra. There is then a friendly against Senegal.

Newcastle United supporters would have been dreaming of their side lifting the EFL Cup come the end of a long, drawn-out final at Wembley, hopeful that Arne Slot’s Liverpool would have an off-day when it mattered most.

All of those dreams became a jubilant reality come full-time as, despite Federico Chiesa beating Nick Pope late on, the Magpies would finish the nail-biting match as 2-1 victors, bringing their long domestic trophy drought of 70 years to an unbelievable end.

Alexander Isak would ultimately score the winning goal but a word too for a Mr Dan Burn who would rightly lap up all of the plaudits come the full-time whistle.

It was his thunderous header that got Eddie Howe’s men up and running in the English capital, resulting in the towering centre-back lifting his team’s newly won honours with a beaming smile.

Dan Burn's performance in numbers

It has been a whirlwind few days for the Blyth-born colossus, with Burn receiving a first-ever England call-up by Thomas Tuchel a matter of days before this showdown versus Liverpool.

He didn’t look fazed by the big occasion whatsoever, especially when the 32-year-old powered home this header past Reds goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher just on the stroke of half-time.

Alexander Isak would then gift the Toon a two-goal cushion but Burn was imperious throughout away from his golden opener, with the Magpies number 33 winning seven duels besides from guiding that effort past Kelleher, on top of making 11 clearances to keep Liverpool at bay.

Also chipping in with two key passes, Burn was a calm man mountain across the exhilarating 90 minutes.

That said, one of his teammates put in an even more stunning display which could be regarded as one of his best ever donning Toon black and white.

10/10 Newcastle star was even better than Burn

Whilst Newcastle have splashed the cash on the likes of Isak and Co and they have been instant success stories, not everyone in the current first-team fold under Howe have always had it plain sailing on Tyneside.

Indeed, Joelinton had a wobbly introduction to life in England, with the ex-TSG 1899 Hoffenheim star once viewed as a £40m dud when lining up in the striker spot at St James’ Park.

Now, in a more well-suited central midfield role, the Brazilian has become a modern day great at the club, with Daily Mail journalist Craig Hope even heralding his showing against Liverpool as his “greatest game in black & white.”

That’s quite the claim considering Joelinton is now up to 216 games and counting at Newcastle, but his stellar numbers from this famous day out to London do back up Hope’s comments.

Minutes played

90

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches

42

Accurate passes

18/25 (72%)

Shots on goal

1

Clearances

2

Tackles

3

Total duels won

9/13

Joelinton would tirelessly run himself into the ground for his team’s cause, with nine total duels won beating Burn’s impressive collection, whilst the Brazilian ace would also register two clearances and three tackles to ensure Liverpool never mounted a serious comeback.

Shields Gazette journalist Dominic Scurr would even hand out a flawless 10/10 rating to the South American battler post-match, praising the constant crucial contributions he made, with his display labelled simply as “colossal.”

Visibly emotional at the end when taking in his team’s historic Cup win, Joelinton will hope there are plenty more successful years in the bag for him on Tyneside, with the 28-year-old’s name no doubt etched into his club’s hall-of-fame forever now alongside Burn.

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As Newcastle face the daunting task of taking on Liverpool in the EFL Cup final, here’s some inspiration for the Toon to pull off an almighty upset.

ByStephan Georgiou Mar 16, 2025

New in-house commentary team can’t put a positive spin on bleak day at Wantage Road

David Hopps21-Apr-2023Northamptonshire 95 for 5 (Cobb 28*, McManus 8*) trail Hampshire 482 for 8 dec (Vince 186, Gubbins 125, Brown 55) by 387 runsHeavy overnight rain with a forecast of more to come, a soggy outfield and a chill easterly wind. It all contributed to a thin crowd at Wantage Road. Perhaps Northants loyalists also had an inkling about what lay in store because, if the weather holds, Hampshire are making quick strides towards a convincing victory.James Vince’s strokeplay might well be pretty, but against your own county, it was also pretty galling. He extended his overnight 104 to 186, and was in more blissful form than on the first day, doing much as he pleased, but by the time he failed to loft Gareth Berg over deep mid-off, he had overstayed his presence as far as local tastes were concerned. He had felt “scratchy” until now, by his own admission, but this was more like it.Then, after losing a wicket to the first ball of their reply, Northants faltered again by losing three wickets in five balls under the lights to totter to 95 for 5 by the close. Hampshire’s seam attack is formidable when there is good carry and a little movement and up-and-down bounce to be had.It was the sort of day then for a Northamptonshire supporter to mark themselves absent, take in the commentary from time to time and get some odd jobs done. But which commentary?Those who chose a now-established habit and followed the game on the county’s live stream might have been disconcerted because change is afoot. Northants have become the latest county to end their link with BBC radio (a link that, as far as the average county supporter is concerned, has only been going five minutes) and instead turn to their own in-house commentary team. By contrast, Hampshire still use the BBC commentary, and will presumably expect ECB funding for it to remain in place. To lose this audio service because of changing times would be insane.The BBC link-up has helped bring county cricket to the biggest audiences in its history – some 27 million views across all formats in 2022, and that is before you count the BBC’s own audio figures – but some counties hanker after the sort of advertising revenue that any relationship with the Beeb precludes. At the time of its greatest triumph, county cricket’s financial ambitions will either enhance its opportunity to re-enter the mainstream or undermine it.As Vince undertook his special brand of elegant destruction after lunch, the new Northants commentary team fielded a question as to whether their own coverage was, ahem, unavoidably one-eyed. To their credit, they gave it a considered reply. On the BBC, the mellifluous tones of BBC Northampton’s Andrew Radd (an ever-present on the county circuit since 1984, and co-writer of the Northamptonshire history) were joined by the respected Hampshire commentator, and former player, Kevan James. It was a more balanced, analytical offering; a more independent one, too, although in some counties that independence can feel somewhat compromised.As usual county cricket is muddling through, some counties going in one direction, some going in another. Middlesex, Surrey, Somerset and Lancashire are leading the way with good quality in-house products. Not just because of potential financial returns, but because of the conviction that TV pictures and radio commentary are uneasy bedfellows.As Northants join the chase for that advertising revenue, they will not be advertising the breakdown of county live video streams in this year’s . Northants had the lowest average among the 18 counties in 2022 – with 24,000 average daily views, ranging from 13,000 in the Championship to around five times as many in the T20 Blast – the format where adoption of a more ramped-up, partial, in-house commentary seems most persuasive. Lancashire and Surrey, the most watched counties, attract three times as many viewers as Northants.Clearly then, there is progress to be made, but bad days like this are not about to enhance the viewing figures. To add to their problems, the Australian quick, Lance Morris, has withdrawn from a short-term deal because of a back complaint. Chris Tremain, the current incumbent, for some reason is unable to extend his visa. A search is underway for a solution.Hampshire’s seam stocks are also lower. They are without the admirable Keith Barker here – he is fulfilling drinks duties which is a considerable effort for a man who managed to suffer minor fractures on both hands against Surrey last week – but James Fuller proved a worthy back-up.Ricardo Vasconcelos has had a lean start to the season, his latest outing lasting only one ball as Mohammad Abbas dipped one back from around the wicket to win an lbw decision. Stalwart resistance from Hassan Azad and Sam Whiteman settled the game until Hampshire struck midway through an extended final session.Kyle Abbott claimed Azad lbw as he offered no shot (James, who knows a bit about Hampshire, observed that he rarely brings one back into the left-hander from over the wicket – the sort of specialist insight that understandably might be lost on the Northants in-house team). Whiteman, who had not been entirely comfortable, was expertly caught at slip two balls later by Liam Dawson off James Fuller as he attempted an off side punch. Liam Procter got a second-ball nought, befuddled by Fuller’s thigh-high full toss which crashed into his off stump.Rob Keogh’s insecure stay ended to Ben Brown’s catch at the wicket. Brown later dropped Lewis McManus, the man he replaced in the Hampshire side, a low, one-handed catch to his right off Fuller. In normal circumstances, McManus might have secretly thought “I’d have caught that,” but he had just needed prolonged treatment on a hand injury so he probably won’t be supremely confident of catching much at all for the rest of the match.There was a bit of a suspicion as cold got into the bones that one umpire quite fancied getting into the warm, while the other was a bit of stickler. Play was called off at 7pm on the pretext of bad light, the floodlights taking over from natural light and all that jazz, with seven overs left.Sympathies of this observer were firmly with the umpire who fancied a pint. Nobody wants these interminably long days. And judging by the fact that a thin crowd had disappeared to almost nought, that view was shared by many. When will the game wake up to its responsibilities? Its timings are so irrelevant that even TransPennine Express could do better.

Cristiano Ronaldo may be 40 years of age, but he remains prolific enough to have won a second successive Saudi Pro League Golden Boot.

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Al-Nassr finished third in Saudi Pro LeaguePortuguese icon claimed top scorer prizeHas hinted at new challenge being taken onFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The evergreen Portuguese GOAT continues to deliver on an individual basis for Al-Nassr. He was on target again as they brought the curtain down on their 2024-25 campaign with a 3-2 defeat against Al Fateh.

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Said strike took Ronaldo to 25 for the season in Pro League action, and 35 in total across all competitions. He registered 35 league goals in 2023-24 to claim top scorer honours. That prize will remain in his possession.

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Ronaldo ended the campaign two efforts clear of England international Ivan Toney, who plundered 23 goals across his debut season at Al Ahli. Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema hit 21 for title winners Al-Ittihad, with Al Shabab’s Abderrazak Hamdallah finishing on the same tally.

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While Ronaldo has been showing no sign of slowing down across his spell at Al-Nassr, his time in the Middle East may be coming to a close. He posted on social media after reaching the end of another domestic season: “This chapter is over. The story? Still being written.”