Barcelona have travelled to the United States without 10 first-team players as they prepare for the upcoming season.
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Sunderland would certainly have been the happier of the two sides come full-time at Elland Road on Tuesday night, as Mike Dodds' Black Cats frustrated a lacklustre Leeds United side to draw 0-0.
Dodds' men did have luck on their side in the contest, with a handball decision on Luke O'Nien going their way when Leeds cried for a penalty, but it was a valiant and determined showing from a Sunderland side who had leaked five goals to Blackburn Rovers just two Championship games prior.
Now, with back-to-back clean sheets since then in two consecutive 0-0 draws, the Stadium of Light outfit will be looking for a win at West Bromwich Albion this coming weekend.
Dan Neil will be assured that he will be in Dodds' XI for the trip to the Hawthorns, having shone for the Black Cats in the stalemate in West Yorkshire.
Dan Neil's performance vs Leeds in numbers
There will always be a beaming smile on the face of every Sunderland fan when Neil performs excellently, having come through the Black Cats' academy system as a homegrown product to then star in the first team for a number of years now.
The well-liked number 24 wasn't quite at his most exciting as a forward player in the drab 0-0 affair, but the 22-year-old's grit was much-needed in the centre of the park with nine ground duels won from 15 attempted.
In stark contrast, Glen Kamara occupying a holding role for the hosts only won one all night.
On top of that, Neil would muster up one key pass in the contest to try and cut open a strong Whites defence, with Sunderland bettering Leeds' amount of efforts on goal with three when venturing forward.
But, it was the 22-year-old's steely nature that shone through even more with seven tackles won alongside his expertise in launching into duel after duel.
The Sunderland defence that lined up to face the likes of Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville were also rock solid accompanying Neil, especially Callum Styles, who will feel he's finally up and running in a Black Cats strip after his individual showing at Elland Road.
Callum Styles' performance vs Leeds in numbers
The Hungary international received pelters after a horror-show display in the 5-1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers to open April, but those who critiqued his showing in that humbling defeat will hopefully praise Styles in equal measure now.
Styles would end up winning five of his nine ground duels when tasked with trying to stop the raw pace of Daniel James bombing down the channels, alongside completing two tackles to contribute to his side's deserved clean sheet.
Minutes played
90
Touches
40
Accurate passes
20/27
Key passes
1
Duels won
5/10
Tackles
2
Managing to replicate Neil in the 0-0 game with a key pass of his own too, Styles finally looked comfortable in his new Sunderland colours after an awkward start to life on Wearside.
He would squander possession 11 times, but Styles never caved under the pressure of playing Daniel Farke's intimidating hosts to the point where they then bagged a winner.
Styles' display would be praised by Sunderland Echo journalist Phil Smith at the final whistle, with Smith handing out a 7/10 rating to the much-improved 24-year-old who was singled out for 'some nice touches on the ball' alongside putting in a shift defensively.
Sunderland could well look to sign Styles permanently if he can build on this impressive display when the Black Cats travel to West Brom next, the Barnsley loanee in need of consistent minutes now to prove he can perform in the Championship week in and week out.
The more pressing matter for Dodds, however, will be tallying up another second-tier win soon, aiming to unsettle another promotion hopeful in the Baggies with three points this time secured.
Sunderland must now ditch this struggling dud who earns more than Ekwah
This Sunderland man could find himself out of Mike Dodds’ starting XIs going forward.
ByKelan Sarson Mar 31, 2024
England star Ella Toone was ringside alongside Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney to watch Tom Aspinall prevail at UFC 304.
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MMA event staged in EnglandStars take up ringside seatsRed Devils past & present on showWHAT HAPPENED?
Hometown hero Aspinall collected the 15th win of his MMA career, and eighth in UFC, when stopping Curtis Blaydes inside a minute to emerge victorious in their eagerly-anticipated rematch and successfully defend his interim heavyweight title.
AdvertisementTHE GOSSIP
Manchester icons aplenty were in attendance for the impressive sporting spectacle, with Liverpool-born Paddy Pimblett another of the fighters on show. He also triumphed in his clash with King Green, preserving his unbeaten record in UFC and earning a €200,000 bonus.
DID YOU KNOW?
Former United striker Rooney has always been a fight fan, with efforts made in the past to organise a celebrity boxing match, and he was delighted to see Aspinall claim victory in his own backyard. Current United women’s star Toone was also there to support a fellow Mancunian.
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WHAT NEXT?
Toone is counting down the days to the new WSL season, having helped United to FA Cup glory last term and England to qualify for Euro 2025. Rooney has been on punditry duty this summer at Euro 2024, but is now returning to management with Championship side Plymouth.
This weekend, Manchester United host bitter rivals Liverpool in what’s set to be an entertaining and potentially season-defining FA Cup clash for the Red Devils.
But Erik ten Hag knows that his team must deliver a better performance than the one against Everton last weekend.
The Old Trafford outfit did pick up three points against the Toffees with a 2-0 victory, but it was far from convincing, with both goals coming from the spot.
Changes are expected from that game due to the return of some key players in the week, but let’s take a look at who Jonny Evans could make way for.
Jonny Evans' injury latest
Simply put, Evans has been unbelievable this campaign for the Red Devils since returning to the club on a one-year deal in the summer.
The 36-year-old has featured far more than originally anticipated, playing 18 Premier League games and making 12 starts, while also starting the last two matches – notably blocking four shots, making four clearances and registering two tackles last time out.
However, the Northern Ireland international has been playing through injury for his side over the last few weeks, which will seemingly see him drop out of the side on Sunday.
That potential blow could be aided by the return of one individual, however, who was in fine form prior to his own setback just a few weeks ago…
Man Utd star must now start every game after 8/10 "masterclass" v Everton
The Man United ace has starred in consecutive Premier League matches.
ByTom Lever Mar 10, 2024 Why Harry Maguire must start against Liverpool
The defensive department has been stretched massively in recent weeks, highlighted by Victor Lindelof playing as a left-back.
However, the impending return of both Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire has come at the perfect time, and it will be extremely welcomed by the fans and the boss, with both players set to come straight into the starting lineup on Sunday.
The England centre-half has improved massively this season with the weight of the captain's armband off his shoulders, starting 13 league matches and even winning the December Premier League Player of the Month award.
The 31-year-old was enjoying a great run of games last month until he picked up an injury after the defeat to Fulham, which has only just seen him start full training again this week.
But during that game against the Cottagers, Maguire was simply superb, proving that he’s a “world class” centre back on his day, as called by football creator Liam Canning.
Goals
1
Shots
4
Clearances
5
Interceptions
3
Aerial duels won
4/5
Pass accuracy
93%
Touches
104
Key passes
2
As you can see by the statistics above, Maguire had a colossal performance against Fulham, showcasing everything that he has to offer.
The 6 foot 4 rock was dominant defensively while also taking on a proactive approach to defending, as shown by his five clearances, three interceptions, and four out of five aerial duels won, with the latter being vital for Sunday when facing the aerially dominant Liverpool.
Maguire was also fantastic on the ball, taking 104 touches, having 93% pass accuracy, and making two key passes, but it was his ability to influence the game in the final third that made it nearly a complete performance, scoring and having four shots.
Overall, Maguire’s inclusion in the starting lineup has to be a guarantee if United are to keep a lid on Liverpool.
MatériaMais Notícias
O São Paulo está em busca de reforços no mercado e uma das posições em que pode chegar um atleta é a de goleiro. Um dos alvos da diretoria são-paulina é o goleiro Ivan, da Ponte Preta. Ele tem contrato com a Ponte Preta até dezembro de 2023.
ATUAÇÕES: Pablo faz “hat-trick” e comanda goleada histórica do São Paulo diante do 4 de Julho
Conforme apurou a reportagem do LANCE!, o São Paulo tem interesse no goleiro de 23 anos, que pode ser um bom reserva – ou até mesmo titular – para a meta do Tricolor Paulista. No entanto, ainda não houve uma proposta oficial por parte do São Paulo para a contratação do goleiro.
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Ivan se recupera de uma lesão no punho. Sua última partida foi em24 de outubro do ano passado e o goleiro está se recuperando. Os seus empresários, conforme noticiou o ‘GOAL’, conversam com a Ponte Preta para uma possível liberação, já que os valores para uma contratação são bem altos.
Para se ter uma ideia, em 2019, a Macaca recusou uma proposta do Famalicão-POR por Ivan. A oferta girava em torno de2,2 milhões de euros (cerca de R$ 10,1 mi à época). Sendo assim, esse deve ser o valor aproximado do arqueiro no mercado da bola. Vale lembrar que o goleiro já tem convocações para a seleção olímpica e principal.
O São Paulo busca mais um goleiro no elenco, já que Tiago Volpi, titular da posição, é alvo do futebol internacional. Recentemente, o arqueiro foi procurado por clubes mexicanos.
O seu reserva imediato, Lucas Perri, fez seis partidas nesta temporada, é visto com potencial, mas não agradou a comissão técnica.
The second-highest opening partnership in Pakistan history has all but taken the game out of Sri Lanka’s reach
The Report by Andrew Fidel Fernando in Karachi21-Dec-2019This is what you’re supposed to do to an opposition at home. In Rawalpindi, Pakistan had had a day of batting dominance, but that was in an innings that had no bearing on the result.In Karachi, Pakistan have imposed themselves emphatically on Sri Lanka, subjecting them to day-long toil and dragging them to a near-hopeless match situation, while they expand their own batting averages and put up feel-good performances after a harrowing away tour.It was Abid Ali who drove the Pakistan cause most relentlessly, through the course of his 174 off 281 balls, never letting the visitors settle against him. His chief sidekick was Shan Masood, who struck 135 himself – his second Test hundred, the first having also been against Sri Lanka. Together, the pair put on 278 for the first wicket, which is the second-highest opening stand in Pakistan’s history. Their partnership formed the spine of a 338-run day. They lost only two wickets, and now have a lead of 315.In the early morning, there was a little movement, but not for long. Left-armer Vishwa Fernando bowled a probing spell first up, but once Abid and Masood fought their way through that, they did not have to contend much with lateral movement. The bounce that had envenomed the seamers in the first innings was in short supply as well. But the skill with which Abid, in particular, attacked loose balls after the first 30 minutes helped set the tone for the day. He pounced on a full delivery on his pads from Fernando and sent it whistling through midwicket in the seventh over of the day. Soon after, he dropped back and latched on to a short ball from Lasith Embuldeniya, sending it down to third man for four. Two balls later, he slog swept him for another boundary for good measure.Abid Ali is jubilant after his hundred•AFP / Getty Images
Masood was less confident, at least twice getting thick edges to fall in the gap between the slips and gully, and repeatedly having himself beaten outside the off stump. The momentum Abid was creating, however, helped pave Masood’s own path and eventually he started playing big shots as well. The first six of the day came when he stepped out to Dilruwan Perera and launched him over long-on. Together they struck 12 fours and three sixes in the morning. Pakistan’s total skipped along at 4.54 per over in that session.After lunch, the pitch seemed even flatter, and the two batsmen progressed smoothly to their centuries. Abid tickled Embuldeniya to fine leg – the spinners having now switched to a leg-stump line – to move to his second triple-figure score in as many matches. Only eight batsmen had previously hit hundreds in each of their first two games. Masood reached the milestone a few overs after that, off the 148th delivery he faced. Neither changed their approach after getting to their tons. They were just as watchful in their defense, and just as happy to wait for the hittable balls.It helped that by this stage, it had become clear that both Sri Lanka’s spinners were struggling. Dilruwan, who came into this Test with a 2019 average of 89.4, was unable to get significant turn, and seemed the least threatening of all the visiting bowlers. Embuldeniya could not quite replicate the turn and bounce that had enabled him to take four wickets in the first innings. With no seam movement on offer, Vishwa was modest as well. It was effectively down to Lahiru Kumara to produce all the opportunities.Shan Masood goes aerial•Associated Press
As the day wore on, it felt as if the bowlers were tiring at a faster rate than the batsmen, but Kumara did manage to eke out the wicket of Masood just before tea, having him caught on the legside boundary with a bouncer that rose more sharply than the batsman had expected. Abid, though, batted on unconcerned, crossing 150 and putting on a further 77-run stand with Azhar Ali. He had survived one lbw in the day, but was eventually trapped in front by an angled Kumara delivery that would have crashed into middle and leg. He had hit 21 boundaries and a six in his innings. After three Test innings, his average sits up at 160.5.Late in the day, Azhar took advantage of an excellent surface and exhausted bowlers to make a half-century – his first in 2019, after 11 innings. He had Babar Azam for company at stumps. Although both Abid and Masood had outstanding ovations from a Karachi crowd roughly 8000-strong, they saved their loudest chants for Babar’s entry to the field.
Meg Lanning had “full confidence” in Jess Jonassen when she handed the ball over to the left-arm spinner at the back-end of India’s chase. Jonassen took 5 for 12 to trigger a collapse that saw seven wickets go down for 29 runs – she dismissed Harmanpreet Kaur the over after Megan Schutt had sent back Smriti Mandhana and put India’s chase of 156 in a tailspin after they had reached 115 for 3 in the 15th over.”She’s been in fine form bowling for a long time now. For a spinner to be able to bowl the last three overs from one end in a T20 chase is a very good effort. You don’t see that often, but I had full confidence she would be able to get the job done,” Lanning said. “She is very calm and has really good skills and she can bowl at any point in the innings. It’s nice to see her really confident now. She is an important part of the team. Hopefully she can continue her form going forward.”All five of Jonassen’s wickets came in her second spell, in the last six overs of India’s innings, during which they lost a wicket in every over but the 19th. Until then, Mandhana and Kaur had set India up nicely with a 50-run stand.”We talk a lot about trying to stay in the game. T20 cricket can turn very quickly. We knew if we could get a wicket, break that partnership quickly, we could potentially get a bit of momentum back. Mandhana batted brilliantly; sort of hard to slow it down, but once we got that wicket, we were able to turn the screws and put them under pressure, so it’s a good lesson in staying in the game and making sure you just stick it out and hope it will turn your way,” Lanning said.In their previous meeting, Jonassen had opened the bowling and bowled just one over for 11. Sixteen-year-old Shafali Verma had been particularly severe on spinners that day, and Lanning explained that was one of the reasons Australia had to turn to pace in the final.”In the first game, Verma was taking on the spinners a fair bit, so we went to pace a little bit. The wicket today was a bit up and down, so we used a bit more pace,” Lanning said. “In that round [league-stage] game against India, I could have perhaps brought [Jonassen] on a little bit early, and that’s what I looked at in review [of that match]. It’s certainly not a game plan; it’s just a gut feeling but she’s shown she can do the job at any point in the match.”This come-from-behind win has significance beyond just a series title. It comes shortly after the Saturday match during which India had made easy work of a stiff target of 174 and put Australia on the verge of being knocked out from the series. More importantly, it comes less than two weeks before the T20 World Cup, which will start later this month. Lanning acknowledged that winning a tough series like this one was perfect ahead of the big tournament.”It’s been a brilliant series for us,” she said. “We have been put to the test every game we have played [by the] two world-class sides, who are going to do very well in the World Cup coming up. Both with the bat and ball, we feel like we have improved over the tournament.”We still feel probably there are a few areas to do that again. I will take this tournament any day getting into the World Cup, to be put under the pump and having to respond to that is a really good thing for this team and we will take a lot of confidence out of the win today.”
A former Tottenham scout has claimed that one manager could be forced to sell Spurs his £40 million star this summer, in what would be a real boost for manager Ange Postecoglou ahead of next season.
Hojbjerg exit possible as Spurs plan to bring in new number 6
Alasdair Gold has backed the plethora of reports recently that Spurs want to sign a new number 6 this summer, coming amid the uncertainty surrounding Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's future in north London.
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The 28-year-old, once an indispensable member of Antonio Conte's starting elevens, is now playing much more of a bit-part role under Postecoglou. Hojbjerg has actually featured in 31 of Spurs' 32 league games this season, but the overwhelming majority of them have come off the substitute's bench.
The former Southampton midfielder has already expressed his dissatisfaction over opportunities to Danish media, claiming he is not happy with the situation and called on Postecoglou to let him start far more often.
“Of course I’m not happy with what’s going on at the club. It’s not a secret, but it’s not something I make a fuss about either," said Hojbjerg to Tipsbladet.
Brighton 4-2 Tottenham
7.27
Tottenham 2-0 Fulham
7.06
Tottenham 3-1 Nottingham Forest
6.92
Tottenham 1-4 Chelsea
6.90
Tottenham 3-2 Brentford
6.73
“I can put my head on the pillow knowing that I’m giving it my all to show the coach that he should believe in me. This is not the case at the moment, and it’s the coach who has to explain why.”
The Dane's deal also expires in 2025, meaning Spurs could opt to sell Hojbjerg this summer, rather than risk losing him for nothing next year. If Hojbjerg does depart, Postecoglou will need a replacement, and one name who continues to do the rounds is Chelsea star Conor Gallagher.
The 24-year-old's deal also runs out next year, meaning Chelsea will have a tough decision to make regarding his future soon.
Ex-scout thinks Pochettino could be forced to sell Gallagher to Spurs
Speaking to Tottenham News, former scout Bryan King has said that Mauricio Pochettino could be forced to sell Gallagher to Spurs. It could even be for as little as £40 million, despite his star player status right now.
“If they could bring Gallagher to the club, that would be a major signing for Tottenham,” King said.
“He would certainly strengthen the squad and I think he could form an exciting relationship in midfield with James Maddison.
“When you look at Chelsea at the moment, the last thing Gallagher would want to be doing as captain is sorting out arguments between players over who is going to take a penalty. Mauricio Pochettino won’t want to lose Gallagher, but he might not be left with much choice as a result of the financial situation at Chelsea."
التقى فريق برشلونة مع ريال سوسيداد بمنافسات بطولة الدوري الإسباني لموسم 2024-2025.
وحل برشلونة ضيفًا على ريال سوسيداد ضمن مباريات الجولة الثالثة عشر للدوري الإسباني “الليجا”.
ونجح ريال سوسيداد في تحقيق الفوز أمام برشلونة بهدف دون مقابل، سجله شيرالدو بيكر.
وحصل تاكيفوسا كوبو لاعب ريال سوسيداد على جائزة رجل المباراة أمام برشلونة، بعد أدائه في لقاء الليلة.
وبلغت تمريرات كوبو الدقيقة في المباراة، 16 تمريرة دقيقة من أصل 22، بنسبة 73%.
ورفع ريال سوسيداد رصيده للنقطة 18 في جدول ترتيب الدوري الإسباني، وتجمد رصيد برشلونة عند النقطة 33 في صدارة الترتيب.
They will now meet India in the final on Wednesday at the Junction Oval
The Report by Alex Malcolm09-Feb-2020A brilliant bowling performance from Australia young duo of Sophie Molineux and Tayla Vlaeminck has put Australia into the tri-series final against India after England were strangled in the middle overs chasing just 133 at the Junction Oval.Molineux took 3 for 19 off the back of Vlaeminck’s two early breakthroughs in the powerplay. Jess Jonassen also bowled a superb spell as England not only failed to chase down the total but they also fell short of the 124 needed to stay ahead of India on net run-rate after all three teams were tied on the table with two wins each from four matches.Earlier, Australia’s innings was held together by a calm and skillful half-century from Beth Mooney in the face of a top-order collapse against England’s spin twins. Sophie Ecclestone and Sarah Glenn bowled superbly to take 4 for 37 between them from eight overs to leave Australia in a huge hole. But Mooney’s defiance, plus a handy 24 from Rachael Haynes late in the innings gave Australia a defendable total of 7 for 132.Australia will now meet India in the final on Wednesday at the Junction Oval.Healy’s horror run continueHealy’s last T20I innings prior to this series was a women’s world record of 148 not out against Sri Lanka back in October last year. In this series, she has scored just 11 runs in four innings and yet again she fell to Katherine Brunt. After just three balls she pulled a length ball straight down the throat of Dani Wyatt who was perfectly placed at deep midwicket. Brunt has now claimed Healy eight times in T20Is. The spin of Ecclestone and Glenn then took control. Their lengths were outstanding, hitting the top of stumps consistently but they mixed their pace to cause Australia all sorts of issues with three big guns clean bowled. Ash Gardner was undone by Ecclestone, deceived completely in flight running down the track. Meg Lanning was bowled misreading length from Glenn after struggling to rotate the strike, while Ellyse Perry tried to create a cut shot from an Ecclestone arm ball that zeroed in on off stump. It left Australia 4 for 79 in the 13th over.Mooney shinesRather than punching balls to fielders in the ring for no reward, Mooney was prepared to drop and run with soft hands and wait for the bad balls to come. Any width that was offered she was able to carve through and over the offside. She made her second half-century of the tournament from just 39 balls with six boundaries. But she too made an error in judgement against Glenn trying to pull a ball that skidded low and crashed into the stumps. But Haynes picked up the slack after a lean summer. She made a valuable 24 from 21 with a six and a four late in the innings to ensure the total ticked up over 130.Valuable VlaeminckPerry noted during the week that extra pace would be a weapon in the T20 World Cup after Vlaeminck took 3 for 13 against India in Canberra last weekend. Vlaeminck’s injury history has seen the Australian hierarchy use her sparingly in this series, playing just one game per weekend. She was badly missed against India on Saturday and proved why with a rapid spell that changed the game. England were cruising at none for 21 in the fourth over. Vlaeminck hit Wyatt in the helmet via a top edge with a ball nudging 120kph. She then had her caught off the glove down the leg side two balls later. Two overs later Vlaeminck was unfortunate not to have Nat Sciver lbw but was too quick for Amy Jones, rattling her leg stump to leave England 2 for 39 at the end of the powerplay.Spin to winLanning held her spinners back until the ninth over with Sciver and Heather Knight looking very comfortable against Australia’s other medium pacers. Sciver tried to target Molineux straight away and holed out to deep midwicket. It started a rot with Molineux and Jonassen matching what Ecclestone and Glenn did earlier. The two left-arm orthodox bowlers targeted the stumps and mixed their lengths and lines to put England in a spin. Heather Knight was stumped running past one from Molineux after her and Fran Wilson scored just 7 runs in 10 balls following Sciver’s dismissal. Wilson was also stumped off Jonassen while Tammy Beaumont was bowled trying to reverse sweep Molineux as the run-rate ground to a halt. It left England 6 for 70 needing 63 runs from 42 balls. They were unable to get near Australia’s target with the tail only scoring five boundaries in the last seven overs to miss out on the final.