Harry Kane & Co. were made to wait as Bayern Munich's Champions League clash against Benfica was delayed by 15 minutes.
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Bayern-Benfica was scheduled to kick-off at 8 p.m.Start time was pushed back to 8:15 p.m.Signalling issues in the Munich metro caused trouble to fansFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The match was slated to kick off at 8:00 p.m. but it was pushed to 8:15 p.m. The cause of the delay stemmed from a malfunction in a signal box on the city’s subway system, affecting trains heading toward Frottmaning, the nearest station to Allianz Arena.
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According to the situation led to an evacuation of one metro station, with social media users posting footage of the chaotic scenes. Amid the disorder, Benfica fans heightened tensions further by setting off pyrotechnics and reportedly hurling them in the direction of an incoming train, adding to the commotion within the station.
WHAT BAYERN SAID
A statement on X read: "Due to a signal box malfunction, there are currently delays in the subway traffic towards the stadium/Fröttmaning. Stadium visitors are therefore asked to use other means of transport if possible."
Soon the club added: "Due to the difficulty of many visitors getting to the stadium, kick-off will be delayed by 15 minutes. The signal box malfunction has now been resolved."
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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR BAYERN?
For Bayern, the stakes were high as they faced Benfica. The team, led by manager Vincent Kompany, came into the match under significant pressure following back-to-back losses to Aston Villa and Barcelona. They were in the 28th position in the standings among 36 teams and are desperate for points to revive their European campaign.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been told that their "Hollywood story" means "other football clubs hate Wrexham".
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Stunning takeover completed in 2021
Meteoric rise enjoyed since then
Have been able to outspend many rivals
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Two famous faces arrived in the Racecourse boardroom back in 2021, much to the surprise of many. They have enjoyed quite the journey since then, with the Red Dragons now flying high in League One. Big money has been invested over the course of a meteoric rise.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Wrexham’s deep pockets have made them an easy target for jealous rivals, with the Welsh outfit often accused of spending their way out of the National League and fourth tier of English football. They have seen Birmingham eclipse them in that department this season, with the Blues shattering records in 2024-25.
GOAL/Getty
WHAT BENT SAID
Both clubs are setting lofty targets, even if that means ruffling a few feathers along the way. Ex-England international and EFL striker Darren Bent has told : “I still think Birmingham and Wrexham are the two strongest teams in the division. But do you know what? Birmingham a little bit, but I do think other football clubs hate Wrexham. Because of the money and the whole Hollywood story, people just want to beat them."
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WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?
Not too many have managed to achieve that over the course of the last three years, with Phil Parkinson’s side suffering just two defeats through 14 League One fixtures this season. They are sat third in the table and remain very much in the hunt for back-to-back-to-back promotions.
It's been over three weeks since the transfer window opened, and after a slow start, Tottenham Hotspur have finally started making moves in the market.
They have been linked to a long list of talented players from Eberechi Eze to Santiago Gimenez, but made their first permanent signing last week as they splashed £30m on Leeds United's incredibly exciting wonderkid Archie Gray.
However, Daniel Levy and Co are seemingly just getting started.
The latest player touted for a move to N17 is another up-and-coming youngster who could be seen in the same way as Gray in time.
Tottenham Hotspur transfer news
According to a recent report from journalist Alan Nixon via GIVEMESPORT, Tottenham are one of several clubs interested in Sunderland's Jobe Bellingham.
Alongside the Lilywhites, Nixon claims that Southampton, Crystal Palace and Brentford are keen to bring the younger brother of England star Jude Bellingham to the Premier League this summer, but it is the latter two clubs who pose the biggest threat to Spurs.
The good news for the North Londoners is that as long as they can agree personal terms with the 18-year-old, they shouldn't have too much trouble sorting out a deal, as the Black Cats would be willing to sell for an offer in excess of £20m. However, recent updates suggest that his preference may be to stay in the Northeast for another season.
Paying £20m might sound somewhat outlandish for a player his age, but based on how well he performed last season and how he is spoken about, it would be an investment into what he could become – similar to Gray.
Why Bellingham could be another Gray
Like Gray, last season was Bellingham's first full campaign of senior football – he only played half of 22/23 – and like the Peacocks star, he looked right at home, even if he was moved all over the pitch.
In 47 appearances for the Black Cats, the Stourbridge-born gem scored seven goals, provided one assist and started in five different positions, from centre-forward to defensive midfield.
In contrast, the former Leeds ace made 52 appearances for the Whites, provided two assists and started in four different positions, from right-back to attacking midfield.
Moreover, the Sunderland prospect is spoken about similarly to the Durham-born star, with U23 scout Antonio Mango describing him as a "wonderkid", former professional Niall Quinn dubbing him "incredible", and former manager Tony Mowbray describing the youngster as an "absolute diamond."
When you examine his underlying numbers, it's easy to see why he has impressed so many people in his short time at the Stadium of Light.
Bellingham's FBref Scout Report
Stat
Per 90
Percentile
Non-Penalty Expected Goals
0.18
Top 5%
Non-Penalty Goals
0.17
Top 11%
Touches in the Opposition's Penalty Area
2.48
Top 11%
Progressive Passes Received
4.49
Top 12%
Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists
0.26
Top 14%
All Stats via FBref
According to FBref, which compares players in similar positions across the next best 14 competitions, the 6 foot 3 dynamo ranks in the top 5% of midfielders for non-penalty expected goals, the top 11% for actual non-penalty goals and touches in the opposition's penalty area, the top 12% for progressive passes received and the top 14% for non-penalty expected goals and expected assists, all per 90.
Ultimately, there is always going to be an element of risk when spending a considerable sum of money on a player so young, but as in the case of Gray, Bellingham looks to be the real deal. While it may take him time to adjust to Premier League football, he could have a very bright future at Spurs – if they can secure his services, that is.
Spurs struck gold on unreal "monster" now worth millions more than Guehi
The sensational centre-back has been a revelation in North London.
يرى جلين جونسون، اللاعب الإنجليزي السابق، أن كول بالمر لاعب تشيلسي يستحق أن يكون في نفس المقارنة مع المصري محمد صلاح، على صعيد أفضل لاعب في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
ويقدم محمد صلاح أداءً عالميًا في الموسم الحالي، بعدما سجل 18 هدفًا في الدوري الإنجليزي، وصنع 13، حيث يتصدر قائمة الهدافين وصانعي الأهداف.
اقرأ أيضًا.. سلوت: لا توجد أسباب لاستبدال محمد صلاح.. وأعرف خصمنا من إعلان الحليب
من جهة أخرى، سجل كول بالمر 13 هدفًا مع تشيلسي في الموسم الحالي من الدوري الإنجليزي، وصنع 6.
ورغم الفارق بين أرقام الثنائي، إلا أن جلين جونسون يرى أن كول بالمر يمكن مقارنته بـ محمد صلاح في سياق الحديث عن أفضل لاعب في الدوري الإنجليزي.
وقال جونسون، في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “جول” العالمية: “من المؤكد أن كول بالمر ضمن سياق الحديث على صعيد اللاعب الأفضل في الدوري الإنجليزي”.
وأضاف: “لقد قدم أداءً جيدًا في المباريات التي عانى فيها تشيلسي، لقد اعتمدوا عليه عدة مرات ودائمًا ما يقدم أداءً جيدًا”.
وواصل: “إذا وضعت أي لاعب قبل محمد صلاح في هذا السياق (أفضل لاعب في الدوري)، فيجب أن يكون (محمد صلاح) أفضل لاعب في الدوري لأنه رفع سقف التوقعات، ربما أقول إن هذين اللاعبين متقاربين في الوقت الحالي”.
Newcastle United were a day late and a dollar short in the fight to secure a second successive season on the continent, having lost their Conference League spot after Manchester United won the FA Cup in May.
Eddie Howe's outfit had been ravaged by injuries last season and still managed to impress in spells, finishing seventh in the Premier League and unluckily finishing bottom of their Champions League group despite impressing and facing some contentious calls.
The squad really was threadbare at some stages, but Howe and Co have moved to mitigate that issue this summer by enforcing several exciting deals, tieing up last year's loanee Lewis Hall on a permanent transfer and signing Lloyd Kelly on a free transfer after his contract with Bournemouth expired.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe.
There is more to come, with sales of Elliott Anderson and Yankuba Minteh placating PSR and freeing up space to make more emphatic ventures.
The signings completed thus far have addressed the issue of depth but clear upgrades are required to the first team. The wide flanks have been much discussed at St. James' Park and United's new sporting director Paul Mitchell might be honing on the perfect addition.
Newcastle transfer news
As per Football Insider, Newcastle have opened talks with Chelsea to discuss the transfer of Noni Madueke, who has been shortlisted on Tyneside as Howe looks to improve his right flank.
Chelsea winger Noni Madueke
Chelsea signed the England U21 international from PSV Eindhoven in a £29m transfer in January 2023 and he rose in importance under Mauricio Pochettino last term.
Aged 22, Madueke would be a terrific signing for the Magpies – though Chelsea would undoubtedly look to make a profit, should positive movements be made over the coming days and weeks.
Noni Madueke's Chelsea career so far
Miguel Almiron has been a stalwart for Newcastle, signing from Major League Soccer side Atlanta United for a club-record £21m fee in January 2019.
Miguel Almiron: Premier League Stats by Season
Season
Apps
Goals
Assists
2023/24
33
3
1
2022/23
34
11
2
2021/22
30
1
0
2020/21
34
4
1
2019/20
36
4
2
2018/19
10
0
0
Stats via Transfermarkt
The 30-year-old has his strengths but he's simply not prolific enough, and if Newcastle hope to enter the ascendancy once again he must be sold this summer – or at least, relegated to a second-rate position on the right wing, allowing a player like Madueke to strut their stuff.
Hailed as a "crazy talent" by football scout Jacek Kulig, Madueke arrived at Stamford Bridge in tough conditions but has indeed started to showcase his considerable talents, scoring eight goals and supplying three assists across 34 matches in all competitions last term – despite receiving only 19 starting berths.
Electric and enterprising, the £50k-per-week wide forward ranked among the top 11% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals scored, the top 5% for pass completion, the top 2% for progressive carries, the top 7% for successful take-ons and the top 4% for clearances per 90, as per FBref.
This is a marvellous representation of the rooted skills that suggest that Madueke could become one of the leading forwards in English football down the line, and Newcastle must act quickly to secure his services before his market value mushrooms.
Why Noni Madueke could thrive with Alexander Isak
Madueke might not be a superstar – yet – but he is a highly talented young winger who has all the skills needed to carve out success on Tyneside. Placed on Alexander Isak's flank, he might just skyrocket into a position as one of Newcastle's sharpest signings in recent years.
Noni Madueke.
Isak is, without a doubt, one of the finest strikers in Europe. Last season, the Sweden international scored 25 goals from 40 appearances and was praised for his striking ability to "manipulate defenders" – as noted by Sky Sports' Dougie Critchley, who was drawing comparisons between Isak and Arsenal icon Thierry Henry.
Newcastle created 97 big chances in the Premier League last season, alongside Manchester City and behind only Liverpool (102). Isak is a formidable sharpshooter but he was supplemented by a cohesive and dynamic squad that fed him through ample opportunity.
Madueke would only enhance that, utilising his pace and ability to stretch backlines and creating more space for Isak to wreak havoc from.
And considering that Isak is that clinical, missing only 21 big chances in the Premier League despite scoring 21 goals, Chelsea's fleet-footed star could indeed find himself forming the perfect partnership – especially after playing alongside Nicolas Jackson last term, who is a talented forward but missed 24 big chances in the English top flight, scoring only 14 times.
Premier League 23/24: Top Scorers
Rank
Player
Apps
Goals
1.
Erling Haaland
31
27
2.
Cole Palmer
33
22
3.
Alexander Isak
30
21
4.
Phil Foden
35
19
4.
Ollie Watkins
37
19
4.
Dominic Solanke
38
19
Stats via Premier League
Isak is also more than just a marksman, ranking among the top 14% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion and progressive carries, the top 17% for progressive passes and the top 12% for successful take-ons per 90.
He's fast and he's crisp, suggesting that he could bond fluidly with Madueke's style. That's without even mentioning Anthony Gordon on the alternate flank…
Described as a "mentality monster" by his former coach Saul Isaksson-Hurst, Madueke has already demonstrated as such after impressing throughout a turbulent time at Chelsea, but at Newcastle, he truly could emerge as a leading figure on English shores.
There's hope at Chelsea and a belief at Newcastle, since they are hoping to sign the winger, that Madueke has "enormous potential" – as has also been said by Kulig – and while he's starting to find his feet in west London, Howe can offer the promise of a real chance to grow into his skin and become one of the Premier League's finest.
The end for Almiron: Newcastle offered deal to sign £50m "magician"
The Magpies are looking to improve their forward line this summer.
Australia lost their cool at the SCG but India have been hit by further injuries
Andrew McGlashan14-Jan-2021Big PictureAnd so it all comes down to this. The ultimate decider for a series that has had drama, excitement, extraordinary swings in fortune, a dose of controversy and even uncertainty over where the next match would be played. India only need a draw to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but the Gabba is usually a result-orientated ground. It’s winner takes all, a rare situation for the final Test of an Australian summer.The home side will be pleased that the scheduling challenges of the season have meant that Brisbane is the final stop. They have not been beaten here since 1988 although it remains to be seen whether the surface for a January Test differs at all from one in November. It is also the first game of first-class cricket at the ground this season.Ajinkya Rahane termed India’s magnificent escape at the SCG as good as a win, but their resources continue to be stretched to breaking point. However, from the moment they were bowled out for 36 in Adelaide they have been galvanised, never better epitomised by the stand between Hanuma Vihari and R Ashwin which means the series is at this point.Related
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This match will be the biggest challenge in terms of fitness and recovery, especially for the fast bowlers. Adelaide was a short game, after Melbourne there was a week’s gap, but this time it’s been three days. Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are all good to go again, but they will surely hope that Australia can bat first.Australia, and especially captain Tim Paine, have shown signs of the tension that has crept into the series and this is a significant match for a side that for a year had looked on a steady upward curve. India, meanwhile, will have to overcome more injuries and the history of the venue. If they succeed it will be one of the greatest victories.Form guide(last five completed matches) Australia DLWWW India DWLLLIn the spotlightMatthew Wade helped Australia plug a gap for the first two Tests when he moved up to open but did not have a good match at the SCG back at No. 5. His first-innings shot, picking out mid-on shortly before the second new-ball, was not a great bit of batting although he got a decent delivery in the second. He has not been shunted around again despite Will Pucovski’s injury, and Justin Langer likes the attributes he brings to the team, but this has the of an important match for Wade in terms of where he stands when Australia next pick a Test side – whenever that might be.Shubman Gill has looked a Test match batsman in the two matches he’s played this series. His four scores between 31 and 50 have oozed class and it promises to be a long and successful career. Does he have a defining innings in him for this match? While he is just starting out and it would be harsh to criticise, his three dismissals have been frustrating purely because he has looked so much at home in the arena. The Gabba can be challenging for overseas players, but once set it can also be a wonderful place to bat.Team newsAustralia have confirmed one change with Marcus Harris recalled in place of Pucovski who has been ruled out with a shoulder injury. It will be Harris’ first Test since the 2019 Ashes.Australia 1 David Warner, 2 Marcus Harris, 3 Marnus Labuschagne, 4 Steven Smith, 5 Matthew Wade, 6 Cameron Green, 7 Tim Paine (capt & wk), 8 Pat Cummins, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Josh HazlewoodIndia will need to find at least two replacements with Vihari and Ravindra Jadeja ruled out and may yet need more with doubts over Jasprit Bumrah. Shardul Thakur or T Natarajan could come into the mix, with Kuldeep Yadav as a second spinner if R Ashwin recovers as the lead spinner. India could also play both Rishabh Pant and Wriddhiman Saha or bring back Mayank Agarwal in place of Vihari and continue with Pant as the designated wicketkeeper.India (possible) 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Cheteshwar Pujara, 4 Ajinkya Rahane (capt), 5 Rishabh Pant, 6 Mayank Agarwal/Wriddhiman Saha, 7 R Ashwin, 8 Kuldeep Yadav, 9 Jasprit Bumrah/Shardul Thakur/T Natarajan, 10 Navdeep Saini, 11 Mohammed SirajPitch and conditionsThe Gabba is known for its pace and carry although there are a few uncertainties due to the lack of cricket this season and the later start to the game (there have only been two January Tests at the ground). The forecast for the opening day is good but there’s a chance of storms on Saturday then showers over the rest of the game.Stats and trivia Lyon, playing his 100th Test, needs four wickets to reach 400 India have played six Tests at the Gabba, losing five and drawing one – in 2003 This is the first deciding Test of a series in Australia (with the scoreline level) since the Perth match against South Africa in 2012 when the teams were locked at 0-0Quotes”We set high expectations for ourselves and last week we didn’t meet them and when you don’t do that you leave yourself to criticism and we’ve copped that on the chin. We’re now looking forward to this Test match…so we can’t wait for tomorrow.” Australia captain Tim Paine“I think we are [prepared for Brisbane bounce]. On this tour we have got a lot of time to prepare. We came early, we had a lot of practice sessions here. You expect more bounce and pace; having played well and having played well for so many days now, yes the belief is there that the boys will be able to handle it and handle it pretty well I am sure.”
O técnico Hernán Crespo, completou, no empate sem gols contra o Atlético-MG, no último sábado (25), 50 jogos no comando do São Paulo. Até aqui, foram24 vitórias, 16 empates e dez derrotas, com um aproveitamento perto de 59% dos pontos.
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Crespo chegou ao Tricolor em fevereiro, logo depois da demissão de Fernando Dinz. Após um estudo da diretoria do São Paulo, onde foram feitas diversas entrevistas com técnicos estrangeiros, como Marco Silva e Schelotto, o argentino foi o escolhido no clube do Morumbi.
Sua estreia foi diante do Botafogo-SP, em casa, quando empatou por 1 a 1, pelo Paulistão. Apostando no esquema com três zagueiros, característico na história do São Paulo, Crespo conseguiu comandar o Tricolor em bons jogos, e alcançou o título do Campeonato Paulista, tirando o São Paulo de uma fila de quase nove anos sem títulos, derrotando o Palmeiras na final.
CONFIRA A TABELA ATUALIZADA E SIMULE OS JOGOS DO BRASILEIRÃO DE 2021!
No entanto, depois do título estadual, a equipe do São Paulo começou a oscilar na temporada. Jogando Libertadores, Copa do Brasil e Campeonato Brasileiro, o elenco passou a sofrer com diversas lesões nos jogadores, principalmente musculares, o que atrapalhou o trabalho da comissão técnica.
Eliminado nas quartas da Libertadores e na Copa do Brasil, Crespo viu a pressão por melhores resultados crescer, principalmente com a campanha ruim no Brasileirão, onde o São Paulo está na 13ª colocação, com 27 pontos. No entanto, a continuidade do seu trabalho é respaldada pela diretoria.
O diretor Carlos Belmonte e o presidente Julio Casares já disseram diversas vezes que pretendem manter o treinador independentemente dos resultados. Crespo agora tem a missão de melhorar o rendimento do São Paulo na temporada e mostrar que o ‘#CorazónTricolor’, lema da sua chegada, continue.
After a promising opening stand of 71 by India, Australia’s relentless pace attack got rid of both Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill within half an hour to remind the visitors that they were still facing an uphill task of not just needing another 309 runs but also surviving 97 overs on the last day. With India 98 for 2, and Ravindra Jadeja dealing with a fractured thumb which may not let him bat, Australia could be only three wickets away from opening the tail and storming their way towards a 2-1 series lead.Related
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Australia propelled themselves into a dominant position with half-centuries from Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith and Cameron Green, who put on a display of belligerent hitting after crossing 50 with the help of four sixes that enabled them to score at 5.65 in the second session. Once Australia declared with a massive lead of 406 at tea, Sharma and Gill gave India a glimmer of hope by stitching a partnership of 71, but Gill fell to Josh Hazlewood’s stifling line outside off and Sharma pulled a short ball straight to fine leg to leave India 92 for 2.
Paine sanctioned for dissent
Australia’s Test captain was fined 15% of his match fees for showing dissent at an umpiring decision. Paine expressed displeasure through an expletive-laden outburst after an unsuccessful lbw review against Cheteshwar Pujara in the final session on Sunday. He was handed one demerit point to his offence, his first in 24 months.
Sharma wasn’t unafraid to pull from the very first ball of the innings and the shot even fetched him a six off Green soon after he had unleashed two exquisite cover drives off Mitchell Starc in the previous over. Gill, too, exhibited elegant back-foot punches on the way to his 31 as the new ball barely moved around. India’s 34 overs also saw as many as four reviews taken, all off Hazlewood’s bowling.The first two came within a space of three balls in the eighth over when Hazlewood thought he had Sharma lbw with a delivery that jagged back in. Replays, however, showed the ball was going over the stumps. Two balls later, after Sharma nearly chopped on in between for a single, Tim Paine reviewed when they thought Gill edged one behind but the ball had only flicked the pad.Cameron Green unwinds and unleashes•Getty Images
The second set of reviews occurred in the 23rd over and this time Hazlewood tasted success by getting a thick edge off Gill’s bat. Gill somehow thought of reviewing that and lost his team a review. Three balls later, Paul Wilson adjudged Cheteshwar Pujara lbw on a duck but the batsman reviewed immediately after being hit on the thigh pad and was saved by ball-tracking’s projection of the ball going over the stumps.After reaching his half-century with a lofted swing for four off Nathan Lyon, Sharma departed when he pulled Pat Cummins straight to fine leg and walked back in disappointment.Another promising sign for the hosts was the temperament with which Green batted after Smith’s dismissal and switched gears to extend the lead. Three of his four sixes came against Mohammed Siraj after he saw through a tough spell from Jasprit Bumrah. Green looked at ease during his 132-ball stay, especially when scoring was not as easy in the first two sessions because of the slowness and the turn.The change in tempo from Australia was apparent much earlier when Smith started to attack after lunch that saw a Siraj over going for 12. Smith then swept R Ashwin for four and clipped Siraj for another before Ashwin trapped him lbw and used a review to send him back. India could have reduced their troubles had they held on to two dropped catches, both off Bumrah. The second was off Paine, on 7, when Sharma put him down at wide first slip and the first was on the second ball of the day when Hanuma Vihari dropped a straightforward catch off Labuschagne at backward square leg.Paine dealt in boundaries after he was dropped for a quick fifty stand with Green, who got to 50 with a thick edge that gave Ajinkya Rahane a very touch chance at gully off the second new ball. Green’s charge was paused by a crowd incident directed towards Siraj at the leg-side boundary which led to six fans being evicted from the ground. Once play resumed, Green drilled Bumrah down the ground for four and then hooked him for six. Green was closing in on a maiden century but on the last ball of the same over, he was given caught behind even without an appeal from Bumrah when he missed another heave. When Green reviewed, Snicko confirmed a thin edge, and Australia declared during the tea break.The first session belonged to the hosts as well. Labuschagne cashed in after being dropped on 47 and put on another century stand with Smith. He continued to score freely square of the wicket and Smith cracked a few cover drives to also cross 50. It took an excellent spell of 7-1-19-2 from Navdeep Saini, whose high-arm action extracted extra bounce to have Labuschagne caught down leg, and then have Matthew Wade poke at one outside off for 4. Smith steered Australia past 200 but once he was trapped lbw for 81 by Ashwin with a loopy offbreak, Green took over with Paine and flattened India further.
He was a reliable and gutsy presence at the top of the order for Australia through the 1950s
Daniel Brettig11-Jan-2021
Colin McDonald averaged 39.32 over a 47-Test career•PA Images via Getty Images
Colin McDonald, Australia’s lone resister during Jim Laker’s world record 19-wicket haul in the 1956 Old Trafford Ashes Test, has died at the age of 92.In a lengthy and reliable stint at the top of the order for Australia for the best part of the 1950s and early 1960s, McDonald was a key part of the team in the era spanning the captaincies of Lindsay Hassett, Ian Johnson, Ian Craig and Richie Benaud, playing the last of his 47 Tests on the 1961 tour of England that saw the debut of his fellow Victorian opening batsman Bill Lawry.Batting with a range of partners, McDonald was at his best during the 1955 West Indies tour and the 1958-59 Ashes series at home, the scenes of four out of his five Test hundreds and plenty of cut shots and leg-side deflections with a technique that was dominated by the bottom hand.But McDonald’s most enduring efforts were arguably his run of scores in the Laker-led defeats of the Australians by both England and Surrey during the 1956 tour: scores of 89, 45, 32 and 89 out of team totals worth 259, 107, 84 and 205 represented high skill and no little determination against the turning, spitting ball.Related
'I got sick of being called courageous'
When Jim Laker skittled the Australians
Asked in later years by Gideon Haigh about how he viewed the 1956 Ashes, McDonald offered an unvarnished view of the conditions and how they had been prepared. “England cheated: if by cheating you include the practice of preparing wickets to suit your own purpose,” he said in .”I mean, we wouldn’t have minded so much if the pitches had played true to character. But we’d played Lancashire at the start of the tour and it seamed like a normal Manchester wicket. Then the Test pitch was like Bondi Beach when it was dry and a mud-heap when it was wet. In truth, though, Australians were poor at playing off-spin on slow turning wickets. They tended to thrust at it with firm hands, where the way to do it was play side-on, close to your body, bat inside pad. They bowled well. We batted very badly.”McDonald’s traditional, “take the shine off the new ball” approach to opening served his country well as Benaud fashioned them into the world’s pre-eminent team, culminating in the memorable 1960-61 series against West Indies at home and then the retention of the Ashes in England in 1961.”Colin will forever be remembered as a legend of Victorian and Australian cricket,” Cricket Australia chair Earl Eddings said. “He was fearless against the fast bowlers and skilful when playing the spinners both in Australia and across tours of England, the Caribbean, South Africa, India and Pakistan.”Australian cricket is a better place for Colin’s many years of outstanding service at international and state level, as well as his club career with Melbourne University, Melbourne Cricket Club and Brighton. Our sincere condolences and best wishes go out to Colin’s family.”
Newcastle will be looking to bounce back in the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, having lost their Champions League spot, finishing 7th this season, and actually missing out on European football all together, thanks to Manchester United's FA Cup victory.
Eddie Howe has already bolstered his side with the free transfers of Lloyd Kelly and John Ruddy, along with Odysseas Vlachodimos from Nottingham Forest, and Lewis Hall becoming a permanent transfer from Chelsea.
But Newcastle are continuing to scour the market, with big speculation already emerging of their interest in Noni Madueke, and supposed agreed terms between the player and club.
Newcastle transfer news
According to a recent report from HITC, Newcastle are one of the clubs keeping tabs on the situation of Nottingham Forest fullback, Neco Williams. Other clubs include West Ham, Manchester United, Tottenham, AC Milan, and Bayer Leverkusen.
It is believed Williams' ability to feature on both the left and right is a 'major appeal' for the interested clubs, but Forest are insistent not to let him leave the club this summer.
Williams made 32 appearances for Forest last season in all competitions, providing one assist, totaling 1,996 minutes, and contributing to three clean sheets.
The full-back could be a replacement for Kieran Trippier, who Football Insider recently reported the club are open to offers for amid interest from teams in Saudi Arabia. This means that it could be bye-bye to the experienced Englishman and hello to the Welsh whiz.
Williams and Madueke right-sided duo
The arrival of Williams would also fair well for Newcastle's other reported incoming, Noni Madueke. Forming a duo on that right-hand side, the pair could offer balance to each other's game, and provide a real attacking threat to be feared.
Madueke made 34 appearances for Chelsea last season in all competitions, scoring eight goals, providing three assists, and totaling 1,593 minutes. Four of those 11 goal contributions came in Chelsea's final six Premier League fixtures, showing his upturn in form towards the back end of the campaign.
Progressive Carries
2.64
1.41
Progressive Passes
2.58
6.52
Successful Take-Ons
1.04
0.62
Tackles
3.79
2.23
Interceptions
1.21
0.95
Blocks
2.42
1.60
Clearances
2.91
2.29
Aerials Won
1.70
1.08
Stats taken from FBref
Described as "relentless" by Leanne Prescott, Williams' energy and persistance to win the ball back, and be involved on both sides of the ball is a massive asset of his play. This is seen from his high number of progressive carries and successful take-ons, but also his defensive actions such as tackles, interceptions and blocks.
Trippier, in comparison, is more of a creative passer, averaging 6.52 progressive passes per 90, and offers a lot of threat from set-pieces, but doesn't have the same engine and duality of Williams, meaning his defensive actions take a slight dip, and his ability to drive forwards with the ball is not as good as Williams.
By pairing Williams with Madueke, you get the defensive balance needed for Madueke to play higher up, and unleash his attacking weapons, whilst also having late-arriving overlapping and underlapping runs, to support Madueke's attacking options, and cause defenders issues.
This duo would add pace and dynamism to Newcastle's right-hand side, whilst not negatively affecting their defensive output, and ability to control the game.
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