Ravi Bopara’s captain’s innings of 54 not out off 36 balls at Hove helped Sussex Sharks to inflict a first defeat of the Vitality Blast campaign on Middlesex.Bopara was joined in a decisive sixth-wicket unbroken stand of 58 in 6.5 overs by Harrison Ward as Sussex won a rain-affected contest by five wickets with three balls to spare to draw alongside their South Group opponents with a third victory – albeit having played one match more than Middlesex.Ward hit Toby Roland-Jones over long on off the back foot for six in a 14th over costing 16 and in which both Ward and Bopara also collected legside fours.And a crowd of more than 4,000 at the First Central County Ground lapped it up when, with 10 needed from the last over, Bopara swung Martin Andersson’s fast-medium high over long on and followed it next ball with a leg-glanced four to complete the win.West Indian left-arm seamer Obed McCoy, meanwhile, claimed 4 for 30 in Middlesex’s 163 all out, in which Joe Cracknell hit two sixes and eight fours in a 49-ball 68.Rain delayed the start of Sussex’s chase, leaving them to score 146 from 17 overs to win on Duckworth Lewis Stern regulations, and Roland-Jones struck with his first ball to have Luke Wright caught for 5 at deep mid wicket.The Sharks were 20 for 2 when Jason Behrendorff bowled Ali Orr for 10 and an even shakier 37 for 3 as Roland-Jones returned to have Tom Alsop caught in the deep for 8.New Zealand keeper-batsman Tim Seifert played attractively for a 21-ball 35 on his Sussex debut, with six fours and a six pulled off Luke Hollman’s leg spin, but he was leg-before to a Martin Andersson near-yorker and two overs later, in the 10th, Delray Rawlins was pinned lbw for 10 by Chris Green having just smeared the off spinner for six.But Bopara and Ward made an equation of 46 from the last five overs look relatively simple, with Bopara finishing with a six and seven fours and Ward unbeaten on 22.Earlier Steven Finn took 3 for 29 against his former county, striking with his first ball of the evening when Max Holden lifted a square drive straight to the fielder on the cover boundary to go for 5 in the second over.Stevie Eskinazi also played well for 31, from just 18 balls, but after slashing Finn and driving Rawlins for sixes he fell to the last ball of Middlesex’s powerplay – making room to hit Finn away for what would have been a third four of the over but thin-edging instead to keeper Seifert.Middlesex were 101 for two at the halfway mark of their innings, but instead of pushing on to something intimidating they fell away in disappointing fashion, losing their last eight wickets for 56 runs in 9.1 overs.McCoy began the slump, picking up the wickets of Jack Davies and Andersson in his second over, the 11th. Left-hander Davies went for 14, slashing high to deep cover, and Andersson edged behind for 1.Finn, with his first ball back, then made it 113 for 5 at the start of the 13th over when John Simpson, slicing a back-foot force, was spectacularly caught right-handed by a diving Wright at short third man to go for 2.Cracknell did pick up Tymal Mills for six behind deep square leg, having earlier plundered three fours from McCoy’s opening over to take Middlesex racing past 50 in the fifth over, but later in that same 16th over the 22-year-old skied an attempted big hit against a slower ball and Mills accepted the caught and bowled.McCoy removed both Hollman (5) and Roland-Jones (1) when recalled for over number 17, Rawlins catching them both, first on the cover ropes and then running in from deep mid wicket respectively.Thilan Walallawita fell to Mills for a duck in the next over, weakly chipping to cover and Middlesex were still well short of par despite Green (22 not out) driving Mills for six and also pulling him for four in a final over in which the bowler later ran out non-striker and last man Behrendorff for 2 after stopping another Green drive – to leave two balls of the Middlesex innings unbowled.

Manchester City slumped to yet another defeat at home to bitter rivals Manchester United to leave them 11 points off leaders Liverpool in the Premier League table.

The 2-1 defeat represented Man City’s fifth league defeat in their last seven games with many pundits believing that the champions are now out of the race to defend their crown once again. Their current form is a far cry from their scintillating displays that led the club to four Premier League titles in a row.

It has been a season of ill fortune for the club thus far, Ballon D’Or winner 2024 Rodri has been ruled out of action for the remainder of the season with a ruptured ACL injury and talisman Kevin De Bruyne continues to struggle for fitness and form.

Unfortunately for boss Pep Guardiola, it seems the bad news may not end with his side’s poor run of form-in fact, it could be about to get worse.

Man City star being targeted by Barcelona

Barcelona currently sit at the top of the La Liga table approaching the festive break and striker Robert Lewandowski has been in devastating form with 16 goals in just 17 appearances for the Catalan club so far this season.

However, with the striker having just turned 36, it seems that Barcelona are starting to plan for life after the Polish striker in order to continue their recent upturn in form both domestically and in Europe.

According to reports in Spain, via SportWitness, Barcelona are lining up a sensational summer move for Erling Haaland and the player is believed to be open to the move.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta is believed to be in constant contact with Haaland’s agent and it seems next summer is the moment that the Spanish giants could activate the Norwegian’s release clause. Haaland has become disgruntled at City’s recent form and believes a move to Spain could be the next progression in his fledgling career.

The move would come as a huge blow for Pep Guardiola, who would be losing his focal point of attack having scored a staggering 108 goals for the club in just 121 appearances.

The impact of Haaland departing Man City

Despite City’s notable downturn in form this season, Haaland has still amassed 18 goals in all competitions and is currently the Premier League’s joint-top goalscorer.

The £123m rated forward has been involved in 50% of Man City’s goals this season and his departure would leave a gaping hole in the forward line at the Etihad with other performances in that department lacking.

It is clear that Haaland would be irreplaceable at City having scored more goals this term than the four other forward players combined. In addition, the powerhouse striker has the highest expected goals, most shots and highest shots-on-target percentage out of the attacking options Guardiola has at his disposal.

Being the focal point in City’s attack is a crucial role in how Pep likes his teams to play and with Haaland also winning the most aerial duels, he has more than proven his worth to the side in recent seasons.

Manchester City’s season may not be done and dusted yet. However, should Barcelona get their way with the Norwegian come the summer, it could leave a gap that even Guardiola would struggle to fill.

Man City must regret selling their dream Rodri replacement for just £10.5m

Man City made mistake selling their dream Rodri replacement for just £10.5m

By
Connor Holden

Dec 18, 2024

Following earlier links to the vacant Southampton job, reports in Germany are now suggesting that Danny Rohl has been identified as a candidate for the managerial role at a European club in another concern for Sheffield Wednesday.

Rohl is a man in demand

Ask anyone who’s been keeping track of his progress and they’ll tell you that recent interest in Rohl should come as no surprise. Still just 35 years old, the German has dragged Sheffield Wednesday from relegation concerns all the way into the top half of the Championship in what should be applauded as a fantastic achievement. Now, however, the Owls could fall victim to their own manager’s success.

Club now impressed after scouting Sheffield Wednesday ace ahead of January

They are eyeing up one of Rohl’s young talents ahead of the winter window opening.

1 ByBen Browning Dec 6, 2024

Having shown Russell Martin the door a matter of hours after his side’s 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton are on the hunt for the manager they believe will keep them up and, as such, Rohl’s name has been mentioned in recent days.

It would, of course, be quite the step up for such a young manager, but also one to watch on with intrigue. But the Saints aren’t the only club interested, it seems.

According to reports in Germany, as relayed by The Star’s Joe Crann, Hamburger SV have now identified Rohl as a candidate for their vacant managerial role. The 2. Bundesliga side showed Steffan Baumgart the door at the end of November after just one win in five games and have been searching for a permanent replacement without any success ever since.

For now, Rohl remains in charge of the Owls ahead of this weekend’s clash against Stoke City in the Championship, but whether that will remain the case in the coming months is yet to be seen.

Sheffield Wednesday need Rohl contingency

Breaking the constant trend of football management, the ball appears to be in the coach’s court rather than the club’s when it comes to his future. Rohl has built up a luxurious position in which his job is secure and a big move looks on the horizon. Whether he takes one of those big jobs is anyone’s guess at this stage, but he’s certainly capable.

With that being the case though, Sheffield Wednesday must think about a potential contingency plan. They must take a look at what life would be like without the ever-impressive Rohl at the helm. And they must ensure that their reality without him doesn’t involve relegation back down to League One.

Still 35 years old, meanwhile, the Owls boss should be in no major rush. After all, get the next move wrong and the current reputation that he’s built up will quickly be diminished, perhaps making Southampton the wrong choice and a drop down to 2. Bundesliga an unambitious move.

Whilst he is still at the helm, it seems as though Sheffield United should simply enjoy the run that Rohl currently has them on, striding towards a top-half finish.

He has his sights on another pre-Ashes spell with Glamorgan if the schedule allows him

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Jun-2022Marnus Labuschagne will be aiming to copy Joe Root’s playbook in Sri Lanka as he prepares for what he expects will be his toughest challenge yet against spin.Labuschagne completed his latest county stint with Glamorgan on Sunday in an abandoned T20 clash against Surrey, but not before he had taken 2 for 27 from his four overs ahead of a tour were his legspin could be used more regularly by Aaron Finch and Pat Cummins.However, it will be with the bat where he will have his best chance to define games, especially the two Tests in Galle which conclude the tour.Related

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Root had a phenomenal Test series in Sri Lanka in early 2021 where he made first-innings scores of 228 and 186 in Galle which followed a century in Pallekele on the previous tour.Labuschagne’s Test career started against Pakistan in the UAE in 2018 but his only other experience in Asia was the recent series in Pakistan. The home side’s spinners underwhelmed in those three matches where Labuschagne started with 90 in Rawalpindi before collecting first-innings ducks in the next two games.”For me, it’s my first real subcontinent challenge against spin, it’s about conquering that challenge,” Labuschagne told . “Joe Root played phenomenally over there, I’ve learned a lot from how he went about his game there.”As a team we want to be the best in the world, it doesn’t matter where you take us, we want to be winning games and I certainly think we can do that in Sri Lanka. I’ll have to get used to conditions, the heat and sweating it out, which is something we haven’t had the last few games [in the UK].”Although Labuschagne is now returning to Australia duty at the start of what will be a hectic period of national action he is keen for another pre-Ashes stint with Glamorgan next year.Labuschagne’s schedule is not as crammed as some of Australia’s three-format players as he is not yet a regular in the T20I side, but there are 11 Tests scheduled up to next March plus a lot of ODI cricket so he is aware he may need to manage his workload while his wife Rebekah is also expecting their first child later in the year.He has often credited his 2019 spell with Glamorgan as a key part of why he was able to have immediate success when parachuted into the side as Steven Smith’s concussion substitute at Lord’s.”There’s a lot of things in the mix, but I can’t see anything wrong with trying to copy the last time I played in the Ashes here, and play some county cricket with Glamorgan [going] into the Ashes next summer,” he said.”That’s our blueprint but we’ve got so much cricket this year, around 16 Tests and 18 one-day games, so we’re going to have to make sure I’m fit and healthy, and also get to spend time at home with my wife and child at some stage.”

David Warner and Mitchell Marsh head home while Peter Handscomb signs off his county spell with victory

Andrew McGlashan23-May-20222:24

Vettori: David’s six-hitting is like Pollard’s in his heyday

IPLMarcus Stoinis was involved in an over that summed up the madness of T20 and the fine line between being a hero or villain. With 21 to defend, he watched his first three deliveries against Rinku Singh disappear for four, six, six. That suddenly made Kolkata Knight Riders favourites as they aimed to keep their tournament alive and another brace left three needed off the last two balls. When Rinku connected the fifth delivery it looked as though that could be the game, but Evin Lewis pulled off one of the catches of the competition at deep cover. Stoinis then held his nerve with the last ball, getting a yorker just about on target which Umesh Yadav missed.”You start your over and you’re pretty clear. You play to the conditions and the long boundary and what you think the batter wants to do,” Stoinis said. “As things get worse, you go back more towards what you like to bowl and what works for you. So that’s probably a learning for me, to maybe take the conditions out of it in those sort of situations and do what you feel most confident with.”Mumbai Indians’ tournament had long been over, which gave Tim David even more chances to show how foolish it was he did not play throughout. He could not quite get Mumbai over the line against Sunrisers Hyderabad, run out when his 46 off 18 balls had turned the chase around. But in his final knock of the season, he produced the decisive display with 34 off just 11 deliveries after having a huge dose of fortune when Rishabh Pant did not review an outside edge first ball. He finished the season with 186 runs at a tournament-leading strike rate of 216.27.Related

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Handscomb to leave Middlesex with immediate effect

David’s final performance was cheered on by all those associated with Royal Challengers Bangalore who squeezed into the final qualifying spot and in turn meant an early exit for David Warner and Mitchell Marsh with Delhi Capitals. Marsh had continued his strong finish with a thumping 63 against Punjab King before falling for a duck against Mumbai when Jasprit Bumrah proved too good. It was a quiet end to the season for Warner, who finished with scores of 0 and 5, but it remained a very good campaign for him with 432 runs after last season’s difficulties.Glenn Maxwell produced one of his most impactful performances of the season as Royal Challengers got the win they needed against Gujarat Titans before having to sweat on the Capitals result. Maxwell claimed 1 for 28 which included a maiden and 14 dots balls, dismissing his Australian team-mate Matthew Wade (more on that below). He then crunched 40 off 18 balls from No. 3 to get the chase done and dusted.Nathan Ellis has barely been used by Kings but got his second outing of the season in the dead game that ended the group stage and bagged 3 for 40. He found himself on a hat-trick in the final over and though he did not complete it himself, the team did when Bhuvneshwar Kumar was run out off what was also called a no-ball.Glenn Maxwell dismissed Matthew Wade, who wasn’t happy with the lbw decision•BCCI

Who is involved in playoffs?So, we now know the final four – Titans, Royals, Super Giants and Royal Challengers – which means the following Australians remain for the last week of the tournament: Matthew Wade (Titans), Marcus Stoinis (Giants), Glenn Maxwell (Royal Challengers), Josh Hazlewood (Royal Challengers), Jason Behrendorff (Royal Challengers) and AJ Tye (Giants).CountyJames Pattinson played his part in Nottinghamshire’s 10-wicket victory against Derbyshire as he claimed five wickets in the match which left them second in Division Two as the Championship takes a break.However, it was Victoria team-mate Peter Handscomb who finished the first part of the Championship season in pole position with Middlesex completing a six-wicket victory against Durham to sit top. Handscomb was unbeaten on 39 in the chase in what proved to be his final act for the club. He will now head to Sri Lanka with Australia A and it was announced that he won’t return to Middlesex afterwards and instead head home to spend time with his family.Peter Siddle claimed a four-wicket haul but could do little to prevent Somerset crashing to a 10-wicket defeat against Hampshire. Matt Renshaw made 27 and 11, the second coming as Somerset were bundled out for 69. Focus turns to the T20 BlastThe county season now switches into T20 Blast mode (although there remains some four-day cricket sprinkled in) and a number of Australians will be involved. Dan Christian will captain Nottinghamshire and Ashton Turner will lead Durham. Middlesex announced the signings of Behrendorff and Chris Green with availability issues causing late changes to their overseas spots. Ben McDermott, who missed out on a place in the Sri Lanka tour squads, will play for Hampshire who also have Ellis. Josh Philippe will link up with Sussex after the Australia A tour. David has a deal with Lancashire in what will be one of the must-watch signings.Did you see?Matthew Wade will be involved in the IPL playoffs although it’s been a rather frustrating season with the bat. That came to a head in the final group match when he was given lbw against Maxwell but was convinced he had hit the ball. There was a tiny mark on Ultra Edge but the third umpire ruled it was not conclusive evidence to overturn. On returning to the dressing room, Wade threw his bat and helmet around the dressing room. It earned him a slap on the wrist with a reprimand.Performance of the weekAnother excellent few days for Tim David who, when he was selected consistently, showed why he fetched such a hefty price tag at the IPL auction. David has yet to feature for Australia but they have a lot of T20Is in the lead-up to the World Cup. He will be very hard to ignore.

MatériaMais Notícias

O CSA esperava um jogo equilibrado diante do América-MG pela Copa do Brasil, mas acabou surpreendido em casa com o placar de 3 a 0 para o Coelho.

– VEJA A TABELA DA SÉRIE B

Na coletiva de imprensa, o técnico Mozart foi claro ao analisar as críticas das arquibancadas e a instabilidade do time após levar o primeiro gol.

‘O resultado de hoje foi atípico, a minha equipe não toma muitos gols e acabou que tomamos três em casa. E a insatisfação do torcedor, eu acho natural’, afirmou, antes de completar:

‘Nós fizemos um primeiro tempo muito bom, equilibrado, criamos as nossas oportunidades, quase não concedemos nada pra eles… E aí o jogo mudou depois do primeiro gol. Nós sabíamos que eles eram fortes na bola parada e aí acabamos desestabilizando. Enfim, eu lamento pelo primeiro tempo que nós fizemos e nos 10, 15 minutos do segundo tempo’.

Com o placar, Mozart Santos e CSA precisam vencer por quatro gols de diferença no Independência para classificar. Se vencer por três gols, a classificação será definida nos pênaltis.

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The full extent of Dayot Upamecano's injury has been revealed, with Eric Dier's importance to Bayern Munich increasing as a result.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Upamecano suffered injury while playing for FranceWill be sidelined for more than a monthDier has featured recently but now even more importantFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Dayot Upamecano played the entire 120 minutes of France's Nations League quarter-finals second leg, and even scored the winning penalty in the shootout. However, upon his return to Bavaria following the international break, the player was diagnosed with an injury, the full extent of which has now been revealed.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Upon returning from international duty, Bayern Munich confirmed that the centre-back was suffering from a knee issue, requiring treatment and a recovery period. Upamecano's absence will now mean Eric Dier will almost certainly start the next three Bundesliga fixtures, against St. Pauli, Augsburg and Dortmund, as well as potentially both legs of the Champions League quarter-final tie with Inter. Indeed, the Englishman has made 18 appearances this season and is likely to be joined in central defence by Kim Min-jae, who himself has only just returned to training following injury.

DID YOU KNOW?

Le Parisien has provided a clearer timeline for Upamecano's return, reporting that he is expected to be sidelined for five to six weeks. This means the France international could also miss the Champions League semi-finals, should Bayern progress.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR BAYERN MUNICH?

Vincent Kompany's men are leading the Bundesliga with 62 points, six more than rivals and reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen. Their next match is scheduled for Saturday, March 29, where they will face St. Pauli.

أثار المدير الفني لفريق نيس، فرانك هايس، حالة من القلق الشديد فيما يخص حالة المدافع المصري محمد عبد المنعم بعدما تعرض لإصابة قوية في مباراة الأمس ضد باريس سان جيرمان.

وتلاقى الفريقان في إطار منافسات الجولة الحادية والثلاثين من الدوري الفرنسي على ملعب “حديقة الأمراء”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. الدوري الفرنسي يوجه رسالة إلى محمد عبد المنعم بعد إصابته القوية أمام باريس سان جيرمان

وتمكن نيس من تحقيق فوز ثمين على باريس سان جيرمان بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدف.

وشهدت المباراة مشاركة محمد عبد المنعم كأساسي، ولكنه اضطر إلى الخروج في الدقيقة 67 بعدما تعرض لإصابة قوية على مستوى الركبة.

وظهر محمد عبد المنعم وهو يبكي خلال خروجه من أرض الملعب على نقالة طبية.

وسُئل فرانك هايس عن حالة محمد عبد المنعم، حيث رد في تصريح مقتضب بعد المباراة: “سننتظر الفحوص الطبية، ولكن يبدو الأمر غير مطمئن فيما يخص ركبته”.

Looking to push on in a shock Premier League title race, Nottingham Forest have now reportedly received the approval of owner Evangelos Marinakis to sign a South American target.

Nottingham Forest transfer news

For the first time in a long time, Nottingham Forest aren’t in a desperate position to sign players in the January transfer window. They’re anything but. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are simply flying and remain the only side to have taken four points away off Arne Slot’s Liverpool side, who they were on course to complete a double against before Diogo Jota had his say.

Still just six points behind leaders Liverpool – who have one game in hand – Forest remain in dreamland and also on course to make a stunning return to Europe’s biggest stage come May.

In such a position, the Midlands club could put their pending European status to good use as early as the January transfer window welcome an in-demand midfielder.

Club want "agile" £8m ace sold immediately as Nottingham Forest plot move

The Midlands club could take full advantage…

ByTom Cunningham Jan 15, 2025

According to Premier League Brasil as relayed by Sport Witness, Nottingham Forest have now received internal approval to sign Richard Rios, who reportedly has a release clause worth a hefty €100m (£84m) at Brazilian side Palmeiras.

Whilst those at the City Ground don’t see the urgent need to sign the midfielder, there’s no denying just how impressive it would be if they managed to fend off interest from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur to secure his signature at some stage this year.

Rios, meanwhile, is a player who is more than ready to make the step towards the biggest stage that Europe has to offer in 2025, with his club expected to accept a much lower figure than his enormous release clause.

"Intelligent" Rios is Premier League-ready

There’s a reason why Rios is a wanted man across the Premier League and Nottingham Forest will be hoping to see that very reason for themselves in the near future. The defensive midfielder would sit in front of fellow South American Murillo to screen Forest’s backline next to Ryan Yates or Elliot Anderson and potentially help take Nuno’s side up yet another level.

Praised for his “intelligent” tackling by South American football expert Nathan Joyes, Rios may not come cheap but he could prove to be worth every penny if those at the City Ground make their move.

Securing Champions League football would undoubtedly be the key to convincing the Colombian to complete his move, but Nottingham Forest don’t look like slowing down anytime soon in pursuit of exactly that under Espirito Santo this season.

Zimbabwe seamer Tendai Chatara has been sidelined from the rest of the T20 World Cup Qualifier after he suffered a collarbone fracture during the group-stage fixture against Jersey on Tuesday.Chatara, who bowled only three overs in that game, which Zimbabwe won by 23 runs, sustained the injury when he landed on his right shoulder while fielding. According to a Zimbabwe Cricket release, Chatara is expected to be out of action for at least two months. This means he could also miss Zimbabwe’s home series against Bangladesh, which begins with the first T20I in Harare on July 30, and the ODI tour of Australia, which starts on August 28.In the injury-enforced absence of Chatara, batting allrounder Tony Munyonga has been called up to the squad that is in action at the T20 World Cup Qualifier. Munyonga has played nine T20Is so far, scoring 102 runs at an average of 25.50 and a strike rate of 108.51.Related

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Chatara has a history of injuries, having fractured his left leg in 2015, then suffering an ankle injury in 2016, and hurting his quadriceps muscle more recently in 2018. His absence is a significant blow to Zimbabwe’s attack although they have already qualified for the semi-finals of the Qualifier. He is Zimbabwe’s top wicket-taker in T20Is, with 47 strikes at an average of 22.97 and an economy rate of 7.34.The two finalists of the ongoing tournament will qualify for the T20 World Cup in Australia, which will begin later this year in October.