Liverpool were handed an unanticipated break last weekend, with Storm Darragh wreaking chaos across England and preventing the Merseyside derby from being played.

It’s not the end of the world. Liverpool remain first-placed in the Premier League, four points ahead of Chelsea and with a game in hand – Arsenal and Manchester City trail further still.

It’s a fantastic position to be in, even if title talk is still premature. Given that Liverpool are first in the Champions League group phase only adds to the excitement, and means that Arne Slot can approach Tuesday evening’s fixture against Girona with rotation in mind.

The Dutch coach has been… hesitant to ring the changes since replacing Jurgen Klopp in the summer, but the games are coming thick and fast and you could make a case that Liverpool looked leggy during the draw against Newcastle United one week ago.

The Reds are six points ahead of those outside the automatic zone, so changes can be afforded against today’s Spanish opponents, who have lost four of five matches on the continent so far this season and sit ninth in La Liga too.

Liverpool team news

Liverpool have been forced to contend with a host of injuries and absences in recent weeks, but Slot will be delighted to see Alisson Becker and Diogo Jota on the cusp of a comeback after respective periods in the infirmary.

Federico Chiesa was also cleared but has since fallen ill and will play no part in Spain.

Ibrahima Konate, Kostas Tsimikas and Conor Bradley serve as longer-term absentees, meaning Liverpool’s backline is weakened and stretched at one of the most testing points of any given season.

A host of youngsters, including Trey Nyoni and James McConnell, have travelled to Spain with the first team and might play a part in the matchday squad. Tyler Morton is out after picking up a knock in training.

Certainly, Slot would be wise to issue a healthy dosage of rotation.

Why Slot should rotate vs Girona

Alisson’s return is a momentous boost for a Liverpool side ready to chase down silverware across every possible front, but it’s crucial that the Brazilian isn’t rushed back. And anyway, Caoimhin Kelleher is a top-class goalkeeper and well worth his place between the sticks.

In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister is suspended (separate from the one-match ban that will be applied domestically against Fulham this weekend), but he’s been worked to the bone too and it’s not the end of the world that the Argentine is provided some time to recuperate.

Liverpool have alternative options. Ryan Gravenberch could start in the deep-sitting midfield role but Wataru Endo will be pressing for that anchor, and Curtis Jones should return to the starting line-up too.

Dominik Szoboszlai might fancy a starting berth, but this is actually the perfect opportunity for Slot to hand Harvey Elliott his very first start of the campaign.

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Slot must unleash Harvey Elliott

It’s been a cruel start to an exciting new era for Elliott, whose marginal role at the very beginning of the campaign saw him make just one substitute appearance before fracturing his foot on international duty with England U21s in September.

He’s been fit for several weeks now but only afforded one brief cameo, but now, it’s surely time for Slot to hand the 21-year-old his maiden starting berth under new management.

He’s definitely got the technical quality to make a marked difference within the Dutchman’s system. Klopp commented at the end of his dynasty last season that his one regret as he patted the overhanging Anfield crest one last time was that he didn’t play the skilful playmaker more often.

Elliott’s ball-playing quality, his progressiveness and flair, have even seen Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham listed off as his most comparable player via stats-based website FBRef, with the Three Lions superstar also adept at shifting forward and influencing play with awe-inspiring goals and fiercely penetrative bursts into the box.

Given that Liverpool’s young maestro has scarcely featured under the new regime, it seems clear that he must be unleashed from the outset for this one.

After all, as a player of the Bellingham-type mould, he might be the perfect cog to unleash for this one. Los Blancos might not have reached their first form this term but Bellingham has been excellent of late, posting five goals and three assists from as many matches.

One of his recent masterful performances came against Girona, with the 21-year-old scoring and assisting against Girona in La Liga at the weekend across an hour of football, withdrawn due to fatigue.

As per Sofascore, Bellingham also completed 100% of his dribbles and won every one of his contested duels, showcasing that his particular style stands a great chance of sending Girona, who play expansive football and thus can be caught by high-class technicians, packing.

Slot must ensure that Elliott gets a starting role in the Champions League. The young gun will desperately want to show what he’s made of, and he might just prove to be the star against Girona.

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Newcastle could now lose one of their recent signings as one club have entered talks over landing him this January, according to a shock report.

Newcastle pushing for top four

Five Premier League wins on the bounce have propelled Newcastle up the table and back into contention for the top four come the end of the campaign, which would bring with it a return to Champions League action.

Currently fifth, the Magpies are two points behind Chelsea heading into their game against Wolves, while draws from both Manchester City and Bournemouth have given Eddie Howe’s side the chance to open up a gap over both teams in the coming days.

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ByBen Gray Jan 15, 2025

With the January transfer window open though, the Magpies will need to strengthen, with the sides around them already doing so and Manchester City likely to improve with a mammoth spend this winter.

As it stands, Newcastle may have to sell players before they can buy though. Miguel Almiron is one who could leave, with the Paraguay international having made just seven Premier League appearances this campaign and starting just once. He is reportedly in advanced talks over an exit, which could net Newcastle a decent fee.

However, one player who could yet stay is Newcastle shot-stopper Martin Dubravka, despite the Slovakian veteran having already agreed a deal to leave for Saudi Arabia. His departure would force the Magpies into the market for a second-choice goalkeeper, which would waste a significant chunk of any available budget.

That budget could yet be added to with a new departure though, with one club in talks to land another Newcastle man.

Fenerbahce in talks with Newcastle over defender

That comes as Fenerbahçe have confirmed that they are “in talks” with Newcastle over a move to sign defender Lloyd Kelly just six months after his arrival on Tyneside.

The English defender, who worked with Howe at Bournemouth, joined the club as a free agent over the summer but has yet to nail down a first team spot at St James’ Park. So far, the 26-year-old has started just four top flight games for the Magpies, and with Sven Botman now returning from injury, his chances of being asked to step in are only decreasing.

Appearances

9

Starts

4

Yellow Cards

2

% of minutes played

17%

Though dubbed “incredible” by Gary O’Neil when the pair worked together at Bournemouth, he has had little opportunity to show that.

Now he could depart, with Fenerbahce vice-president Acun Ilıcalı explaining that “We are in talks for a Lloyd Kelly transfer. He’s a player we’re interested in. If we can reach an agreement, we will transfer this player”, with Jose Mourinho on the hunt for a left-sided defender.

As per the Telegraph, while “Newcastle were willing to listen to Fenerbahce’s proposal”, the Turkish side’s “opening offer was considerably below their valuation of the player”.

As a result, “talks have not progressed and the Turkish club would have to significantly raise their offer for the 26-year-old if they are going to resume”, though their remains the prospect of an agreement.

With Kelly believed to be on £150,000 a week on Tyneside, his sale could free up some much needed funds for Howe’s side as they look to remain the right side of the Premier League’s financial regulations while also building a squad capable of competing for major honours, but they would need Fenerbahce to seriously up their offer.

Newcastle United have enjoyed a wonderful run of form over the festive season which has seen them secure five Premier League wins in a row, following Saturday’s 2-1 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur.

Eddie Howe appears to have finally brought out the best of his squad after a mixed start and he will now be turning towards the January transfer window to perhaps add some strength in depth, especially from an attacking standpoint.

Alexander Isak has been in excellent form of late, scoring in each of the Magpies’ last seven league games at the time of writing, pushing them up the table.

If he suffers a serious injury, however, this could derail their bid for a top-four finish and with it, a spot in the Champions League group stages.

It isn’t just the Swede who is making a difference in the final third either, as Anthony Gordon has also taken the next step in his development this term, emerging as a key player under Howe.

Anthony Gordon’s season in numbers

Across 23 games in all competitions for the Toon this season, the Englishman has scored five times while chipping in with five assists. Although playing predominantly on the left wing, Gordon has been tasked with filling in on the opposite flank as well as playing through the middle on a couple of occasions.

He is at his best on the left, registering seven of his goal contributions from that position and this is where he can make the biggest difference during matches.

In the top flight, the former Everton starlet has created five big chances, averaging 2.3 key passes and 1.2 successful dribbles per game, tearing defences apart in the process.

Additionally, when compared to his peers in the top flight, Gordon ranks in the top 1% for crosses into the penalty area (0.94) and in the top 5% for key passes (2.57) per 90, yet further evidence of his talents and how impressive he has been in the final third.

While Howe can call on Gordon to provide a key attacking threat on the left wing, the right flank has proved to be more problematic this season as several players have operated there.

Metric

2022/23

2023/24

2024/25

Goals

1

11

5

Assists

0

10

4

Big chances created

2

16

5

Successful dribbles per game

0.6

1.5

1.2

Key passes per game

0.4

1.6

2.3

With the winter transfer window now in full flow, could he perhaps solve this problem by making a swoop for a player who is currently starring for his current side in the top flight?

Newcastle transfer news

According to a report from the Daily Mail earlier this week, Newcastle are keen on a move to sign Southampton winger Tyler Dibling this month in a bid to improve their attacking options.

The report claims that the teenager came close to moving to St James’ Park in 2022 before ending up at Chelsea. He left the Blues after a few months to make the move to the south coast and hasn’t looked back since.

In December, Football Insider stated that the Saints would consider offers of between £20m-£30m for their prized asset, seemingly resigned to losing him sooner rather than later.

Judging by his talent and potential to improve further, £30m sounds like an absolute steal and this should surely tempt Howe into making a move for the youngster this month.

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If he does seal a permanent deal for Dibling, then he and Gordon could form a wonderful attacking duo over the next few years.

Tyler Dibling’s season in numbers

This sentiment was shared by analyst Ben Mattinson when discussing Dibling’s future in the game on X, saying:

“The line of clubs queueing up to sign Tyler Dibling is growing each game. I’d personally love him at Newcastle, Gordon & Dibling would be an exciting winger duo.”

The aforementioned Gordon has shone for the Toon this season out wide on the left, but for Southampton, Dibling has also been impressive.

In 22 matches for his club, the 18-year-old has scored two goals along with providing two assists in all competitions. The Saints are rock bottom of the Premier League and looked destined for a return to the Championship, but in Dibling, they have a player who can make things happen.

Although his side are struggling majorly, Dibling has still managed to create two big chances along with averaging 1.1 shots per game and succeeding with 1.3 dribbles per game in the top flight this term.

Despite his tender years, the former Chelsea talent also contributes effectively from a defensive viewpoint. Not only does he win 4.5 total duels per game, but the winger has averaged 1.1 tackles and recovers 2.5 balls per game in the Premier League.

These qualities would work well in Howe’s side, especially with Gordon on the opposite flank leading the attacking charge during games. He is certainly a player that Dibling can learn a lot from.

When compared to his positional peers in the Premier League, the Saints’ youngster ranks in the top 16% for carries into the final third (2.5), in the top 4% for fouls drawn (2.92) and in the top 12% for take-ons attempted (5.59) per 90.

These statistics offer plenty of evidence of just how important he is to Southampton’s chances of remaining in the top flight, as he is always on the lookout to push into the final third and is a menace for opposition defences up and down the country.

He shouldn’t be fazed by making a move to a club like Newcastle, especially considering how well he has performed this season. It looks like the youngster is ready to take that next step in his development, which would see Dibling improve even more.

Just imagine an attacking trio of Isak, Gordon and Dibling. These three could spearhead the club’s charge during the second half of the season, which sees them return to the top four after missing out last season.

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da bet sport： Having already sealed the arrival of Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund, Aston Villa have now reportedly agreed a deal to sign a defensive reinforcement from La Liga.

Aston Villa transfer news

da dobrowin： As Malen arrived, the man who he replaced headed for the exit door with Jaden Philogene completing his mid-season move to Ipswich Town just a matter of months after rejoining Aston Villa from Hull City. Those in the Midlands will hope that the more experienced Malen will have the desired impact that Philogene failed to make on his return.

Unai Emery recently spoke about what the Dutchman will add to his side, telling reporters: “He’s always close to the attacking third, close to getting into the opponent’s box to score goals and assists… We will need one player like him as well trying to threaten the opponent in-behind.”

Those behind the scenes at Villa Park have wasted no time admiring their new signing, however, with their focus instantly set on welcoming further reinforcements this month.

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Names such as Oscar Mingueza have been mentioned and right-back seems to be the route that the Villans are going down, but it may not be in pursuit of the Celta Vigo man.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Aston Villa have agreed a deal worth €7m (£6m) to sign Andres Garcia from Levante this month. The right-back has reportedly already spoken to Emery and, therefore, accepted Villa’s proposal as Relevo reported and Romano relayed.

The Levante ace looks set to give Matty Cash plenty of competition for that right-back role, that’s for sure, in a battle that could end with the latter watching on from the bench.

Garcia can push Cash all the way

Just 21 years old, Garcia very much seems like the future of Aston Villa’s right-hand side where he could take over from Cash sooner rather than later. The Poland international remains one of few weaknesses in Emery’s side and if they want to set their sights on Champions League football for the second season running then welcoming a replacement at this stage is no bad idea.

League stats 24/25 (via FBref)

Andres Garcia

Matty Cash

Assists

3

0

Key Passes P90

1.40

0.42

Tackles Won P90

1.58

1.58

Ball Recoveries P90

4.47

3.33

As the stats show, Garcia has had little trouble adding an attacking impetus to the current Levante side in a show of creativity that will only benefit the likes of Ollie Watkins and new signing Malen.

Compared to Cash on the defensive front, meanwhile, the 21-year-old has also impressed. His ability to recover possession is something that should help Emery’s side maintain their dominance and remain on the front foot in the remainder of the campaign.

Whilst top four is currently a little out of their reach, Villa’s January signings could quickly bridge that gap in the Premier League.

In an unsatisfying England-Sri Lanka series, some unsatisfying numbers were achieved. At least England’s captain got to go berserk at the end

Andy Zaltzman15-Jun-2016In January 1879, as England’s cricketers mulled over a chastening ten-wicket walloping at the MCG, their Nos. 3 and 4 would no doubt have been waiting nervously for the team’s high-tech performance analysts and backroom coaching gurus to talk them through their costly failures in both innings. They would have dreaded being confronted with the MCC official artist’s etchings of their dismissals. They would have trembled at what marks the press-box hacks would give them out of ten, or whether they would feature amongst the Five Things People Had Learned from the match. Alexander Webbe, the young Middlesex batsman, and Lancastrian legend Monkey Hornby, had mustered 4 and 2 respectively in the first innings, and 0 and 4 in the second.”Ten runs between us,” Webbe would have wept inconsolably in his corner of the dressing room, his dreams of becoming a 100-cap legend evaporating before his almost-24-year-old eyes. “Never mind,” Hornby would have said, drying the tears from his cheeks with his barely used pads. “I’m sure soon enough some other pair of losers will come along and break our record-settingly useless performance as the worst ever Three-Four combination in the entire history of English Test cricket.””You’re right, Monkey,” Webbe would have agreed, the dead weight of failure gradually lifting from his 19th-century shoulders. “This is only the third Test in history. I’m sure loads and loads of England top orders will be just as statistically dismal as we have just been. Put it there, partner.””Damn straight, Webbatron. Let’s go to Honkytonks and get badonkadonked.”As the two colleagues raucously high-fived their blues away and headed off for some recuperative dance-floor antics, little could they have known that England wouldn’t have a more unproductive Test from its Nos. 3 and 4 until the third Test against Sri Lanka in 2016.What Ken Barrington would have looked like with a tattoo sleeve•Getty ImagesNick Compton and Joe Root (1 and 3) in the first innings, followed by Root and James Vince (4 and 0) in the second, finally consigned Webbe and Hornby to the history books. Not the most widely studied history books, admittedly. Unpublished history books, most likely. Eight runs – the smallest contribution to the national run-coffers ever made by the three and four on England’s batting scorecard. Webbe and Hornby’s ten-run flop had been equalled, again at the MCG, in 1958-59, when Willie Watson and Tom Graveney followed a pair of first-innings ducks with 7 and 3, as Alan Davidson and Ian Meckiff rubbled a mighty-looking England XI. But it had never been surpassed. Or, more appropriately, anti-surpassed.This was probably a good Test in which to lay that historical microstat to bed. Sri Lanka are in the midst of what some are calling a “rebuilding phase”, but which appears to be closer to placing an advertisement in a trade magazine asking for architects to submit first drafts of their preliminary designs. They improved markedly in the latter half of the three-match series, suggesting that, had the “Adjusting to English Conditions” phase of the tour been scheduled for before the Test series, rather than during and after the Test series, we might have seen a more competitive and rewarding rubber.Unfortunately, they were, in effect, 2-0 down after one-and-a-third matches of the series. A less injured bowling attack would have helped, too. And some less incompetent fielding. And fewer Jimmy Andersons in the England team. And Angelo Mathews recapturing his 2014 majesty, despite having now borne the burden of captaining a losing side for an average-deadening length of time. And umpires not having to guess whether the back of a bowler’s foot is or isn’t a few millimetres the wrong side of a well-scuffed line several metres away from a not-especially-sensible angle while preparing to lift their head and refocus their eyes within fractions of a second.All in all, it was a somewhat unsatisfying series. England, having failed to secure their traditional early-summer series win in both 2014 and 2015, achieved what they were expected to achieve, still looking like a team with some world-beating elements and some deep flaws. Anderson, refreshed by a few months’ break, honed by a few weeks’ build-up, unencumbered by ODI duties and schedules, was mesmerically good. Jonny Bairstow rode his good fortune like a champion jockey. Alastair Cook was Alastair Cook. Apart from for 15 minutes on Saturday, when he was something else entirely, possibly some form of indecipherable modern art installation that started thwacking sixes over midwicket and trying to scoop cricket balls into its own face.Alex Hales proved that he is the new Jack Hobbs – the only previous English opener to reach 80 three times in a series without scoring a century. Hobbs did so in South Africa in 1913-14. He converted ten of his subsequent eleven 80s into hundreds. Ken Barrington is the only other England player to end a series with no centuries and three 80-plus scores, so Hales is in august statistical company. Barrington, like Hales, did so before he had made a Test hundred, in a dominant home series win against a technically ill-equipped Asian touring team (India, in 1959), so assuming Hales continues to follow the great Surrey batsman’s example, he can look forward to hitting 20 Test hundreds and averaging 58. And to playing some of the dullest innings in cricket history.”What do you think, guys? Lego’s interested in sponsoring us”•Getty ImagesOthers to have achieved this high-achieving near-miss treble include Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Steve Waugh and Rahul Dravid, who converted only one of his first nine Test 80s into three figures.The only player to post four 80s in a century-less series is the Golden Age Australian Clem Hill, who famously scored 99, 98 and 97 in successive innings in the 1901-02 Ashes, then finished the series with an 87. An appropriate 99 years later, Michael Slater averaged 53 in a five-Test series against West Indies in 2000-01, when he scored no centuries but reached 80 three times; he averaged 46 in the 1998-99 Ashes, in which he made three hundreds. Thanks be to Stats.● Nuwan Pradeep bowled impressively without setting the scorebooks on fire. He did, however, almost carve a small niche in cricketostatistical history – but for umpire Rod Tucker’s twitchy no-balling arm denying him Hales’ wicket, Pradeep would have become the first bowler ever to have bowled out (i.e. hit the stumps of) a Test team’s Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 5 in the same innings.As it was, he was just the fourth ever to tinkle the timbers of England’s Nos. 3, 4 and 5 in the same Test innings (Root, Vince, Bairstow), after Ewen Chatfield of New Zealand, at The Oval in 1986 (Gower, Lamb, Gatting), Mohammad Nissar of India (Lord’s 1936; Hammond, Leyland, Worthington), and Australia’s Charlie “Terror” Turner, at Lord’s in 1888 (Peel, Read, O’Brien).

أعلن الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم “فيفا”، عن اللاعب الفائز بجائزة رجل مباراة ريال مدريد وباريس سان جيرمان في كأس العالم للأندية.

والتقى باريس سان جيرمان وريال مدريد في إطار مواجهة نصف نهائي كأس العالم للأندية، مساء الأربعاء، على ملعب “ميتلايف” بالولايات المتحدة الأمريكية.

وحصل فابيان رويز لاعب باريس سان جيرمان على جائزة رجل المباراة أمام ريال مدريد، بعد الأداء المميز الذي ظهر به خلال اللقاء.

طالع | ديمبلي يحقق رقمًا مميزًا بعد هدفه في مباراة باريس سان جيرمان وريال مدريد

رويز كان قد أحرز هدف باريس سان جيرمان الأول، وسجل الهدف الثالث للفريق الفرنسي في شباك ريال مدريد بمباراة الليلة.

وحقق باريس سان جيرمان الفوز برباعية دون مقابل على ريال مدريد ليتأهل للمباراة النهائية لبطولة مونديال الأندية.

وسيلاقي باريس سان جيرمان خصمه تشيلسي الإنجليزي في نهائي كأس العالم للأندية، والمقرر له يوم الأحد المقبل 13 يوليو.

The former USMNT stars believe that the controversy around Davies’ ACL injury sets a bad precedent for the future

• Davies tears ACL in Nations League third-place game
• Bayern Munich threatened legal action against Canada Soccer
• Howard and Donovan discuss implications for player management

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• Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENED

  USMNT legend Landon Donovan has criticized Alphonso Davies' agent, Nedal Huoseh, for speaking publicly about the player's injury situation instead of handling it privately.

  Davies sustained a torn ACL during Canada’s 2-1 victory over the United States in the CONCACAF Nations League third-place game, sparking a dispute between Bayern Munich and Canada Soccer over his management during the international break. However, on with former USMNT teammate Tim Howard, Donovan took issue not with the clubs or national team but with Huoseh’s decision to address the matter in the media.

  “I’m devastated for him [Davies], but there’s a lot to unpack here,” Donovan said on the podcast. “First of all, I have no idea why an agent is speaking to the media and letting them quote him. Not speaking off the record about these things is ridiculous. You’ve got an issue, you call Canada, you call Bayern Munich, and you guys get together and figure out what happened.”

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• WHAT LANDON DONOVAN SAID

  “Alphonso Davies is the captain, this is not an 18-year-old. If he was not fit to play the game, he would not play the game. I’m not going to guess, I wasn’t in the room so I don’t know if his knee was 100 percent fine, zero percent fine, or somewhere in between. If he did not feel right playing the game, he would not play the game, he would not," Donovan said on the podcast.

  “If he’s an 18-year-old, I would have said, ‘Maybe he got pressured into it’. But this guy has played 100s of games, he’s played for Canada a bunch and you go to the coach and you say, ‘it’s a third place, I know it’s USA and it matters but my knee is not in a good place and I’m not playing’. Period, end of story. If he felt good enough to go on the field, that’s on him and whatever happens in the aftermath, I don’t know if Canada evaluated him or not but the reality of this is that his ACL is torn.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Bayern Munich has accused Canada Soccer of negligence in their handling of Davies' injury. The German club is considering legal action, claiming that Davies was not properly assessed before being allowed to play in a "match of no sporting significance." Canada Soccer, on the other hand, have released a statement saying that they followed proper medical procedures and proper care protocols.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT’S NEXT?

  The ACL injury does mean that Alphonso Davies’ 2024-25 season is over as he is out for the remainder of Bayern Munich’s final games and will miss the remainder of the Champions League as well. Not only that, Davies will also miss the 2025 Gold Cup that Canada are co-hosting alongside the USA and will likely only be fit for action halfway into the 2025-26 season.

Stats highlights from Australia’s extraordinary collapse at Trent Bridge

Bishen Jeswant06-Aug-201560 Australia’s score in the first innings, their seventh-lowest score in Test history, and their second-lowest in the last 79 years. The only time they were bowled out for less in this period was against South Africa – 47, in Cape Town, 2011.214 England’s lead at the end of day one, the third-highest ever after the first day of a Test. The only higher ones have been 286, by South Africa against Zimbabwe in Cape Town in 2005, and 233 by England against Australia at Lord’s in 1896.25 Number of balls (or 4.1 overs) it took Australia to lose their first five wickets, the quickest any team has lost five wickets since 2002 (prior to which ball-by-ball data is not available).111 Number of balls (or 18.3 overs) Australia lasted. It was the shortest-ever first innings of a Test. It was also Australia’s third-shortest Test innings. Their shortest lasted 99 balls (or 12.3 eight-ball overs), in Brisbane in 1936. Thirteen out of Australia’s 14 shortest Test innings have come against England.2 Wickets taken by Stuart Broad in the first over of the match. There have only been two previous instances, since 2002, of a bowler taking two or more wickets in the first over of a Test match – Irfan Pathan against Pakistan (2006) and Chris Cairns against England (2002).0 Chris Rogers made the first duck of his Test career, in his 46th innings. If Rogers had not scored a duck during this Ashes series, after which he is set to retire, he would have had the longest Test career without a single duck, a record currently held by Australia’s Jim Burke (44 innings).5 Number of England bowlers who have taken 300-plus Test wickets. Broad became the fifth bowler to join the list when he took the wicket of Chris Rogers with his third ball. The other four bowlers are James Anderson (413), Ian Botham (383), Bob Willis (325) and Fred Trueman (307).6.1 Overs bowled by England when Stuart Broad picked up his fifth wicket. Since 2002 (prior to which ball-by-data is not available), no bowler before Broad had picked up more than three wickets in the first 6.1 overs of an innings.8 Number of batsmen that Broad dismissed caught during the first innings, the joint-most for any bowler. There have been five instances in Tests of a bowler dismissing eight batsmen caught. The last bowler to do this was also English – Angus Fraser against West Indies in 1994. Interestingly, all eight of Broad’s dismissals were not just caught, but caught at slip.3 Number of hundreds scored by Joe Root in Ashes Tests, making him the youngest England batsman (age – 24) to score three Ashes hundreds. The only other England batsman to score two Ashes hundreds at the age of 24 is Len Hutton.0 Number of Australia’s top-seven batsmen who scored more than 10 runs during the first innings. Clarke was the highest run-scorer with exactly 10 runs. The last instance when each of Australia’s top-seven batsmen were dismissed for 10 runs or less in an Ashes Test was 79 years ago, in Brisbane in 1936. This has happened to Australia five times in all Tests, four of those against England.8-15 Broad’s figures in the first innings of this Test, the best of his career. He has two previous seven-wicket hauls, against New Zealand (2013) and West Indies (2012), both at Lord’s.14 Number of times that extras have top-scored in a Test innings (in all-out innings). This is third such instance for Australia, with the last occasion being against West Indies in 1991. England conceded 14 extras which constituted 23% of Australia’s score of 60.9 Number of times Broad has taken six or more wickets in an innings, the third-most for any England pace bowler, and the sixth-most overall for any pace bowler.1.87 The average runs per wicket conceded by Broad in the first innings of this Test. He took eight wickets and conceded only 15 runs. Broad is the first bowler to concede less than two runs per wicket when taking a five-wicket haul against Australia.5 Number of times that three (or more) out of Australia’s top-four batsmen have scored ducks – Rogers (0), Warner (0), Smith (6) and Shaun Marsh (0). Each of those five instances have been against England, with the last coming 65 years ago, in Brisbane in 1950.1 Number of England bowlers who have returned better figures than Broad during an Ashes Test – Jim Laker. Broad’s figures of 8-15 are next only to Jim Lakers figures of 10-53 and 9-37 at Old Trafford in 1956.43 Alastair Cook’s score in the first innings, his second-highest score at Trent Bridge. Cook’s highest score from 15 innings at Trent Bridge is 50, his only half century at this venue. Today was the third time that he made exactly 43 at Trent Bridge, where he only averages 21.85.

MatériaMais Notícias

da winzada777： A presença de Cássio no jogo de ida da final da Copa do Brasil, contra o Flamengo, nesta quarta-feira (12) é tida como certa em boa parte do Corinthians. E isso tem a ver com a estratégia que o clube tem adotado no processo de recuperação do goleiro.

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da blaze casino： +Confira 12 momentos marcantes do goleiro com a camisa do Corinthians

Desde que o Gigante sentiu a perna nos minutos finais do jogo contra o Juventude, na terça-feira passada (4), em Caxias do Sul, o departamento médico corintiano buscou tratar a situação com bastante cautela e discrição, o que foi muito importante para a evolução que o atleta teve desde então.

É bem verdade que, inicialmente, o clima era de tensão no clube, com o temor de que Cássio tivesse sofrido algum tipo de fratura. Ainda assim, as avaliações foram feitas de forma discreta e a informação obtida é que houve uma lesão, mas não a quebra do osso.

A partir daquele momento, a estratégia de recuperação foi de tratamento intensivo visando o duelo contra o Flamengo, já sabendo que o camisa 12 ficaria fora do confronto diante do Athletico-PR, no último sábado (8), pelo Campeonato Brasileiro.

+ Confira a tabela da Copa do Brasil e simule os jogos decisivos entre Corinthians e Flamengo

Cássio evoluiu conforme o esperado no cronograma médico e já chegou até mesmo a participar de atividades no campo nos últimos dias. A presença do jogador é tida como provável, tanto pelos integrantes do departamento médico, quanto da comissão técnica corintiana, mas não é garantida porque o ídolo corintiano é avaliado diariamente.

Mesmo não havendo fratura no osso, os cuidados existem para que a lesão ocorrida não se transforme em algo mais grave através de um impacto, por isso o goleiro não será exposto a atividades muito intensas na preparação do Timão para o jogo de ida da final da Copa do Brasil.

Antes dessa partida, o Corinthians tem mais dois treinamentos, nesta segunda e terça-feira (10 e 11), ambos no CT Joaquim Grava.

Chelsea have scored the joint third most goals in the Premier League this season, with only front-runners Liverpool and Tottenham scoring more. The Blues have scored 39 goals in 20 games played, averaging 15.8 shots per game (4th highest shots taken per game on average in the division).

That being said, much of the attacking burden has been on Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson (who had been running hot for a few months). Palmer has scored 13 goals and provided six assists so far this season, whilst Jackson has scored nine and assisted three.

Enzo Maresca’s wingers often need to provide that goal threat, especially in games where teams look to pack the box and defend central areas.

That being said, only Madueke has scored more than three goals in the Premier League from the wing, with five goals in 18 appearances.

As a result, could another forward player arrive in the January transfer window?

Chelsea looking at English winger

According to reports from Fabrizio Romano, Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens is being closely monitored by Chelsea. Along with the Blues keeping tabs on the 20-year-old, Liverpool are also said to be scouting him, along with other top Premier League clubs.

Romano does mention that a summer move is more likely for the highly-rated youngster, but with clubs already beginning to circle like sharks, a move in January could be feasible in order to get ahead of the competition that will surely be there for his signature in the summer.

Bynoe-Gittens has made 23 appearances so far this season for Dortmund, scoring nine goals, providing five assists and totalling 1,519 minutes.

How Bynoe-Gittens compares to Mudryk

With Mykhailo Mudryk currently suspended and his Chelsea career not quite panning out the way it had been planned, it could finally be time for the Blues to replace him with someone like Bynoe-Gittens, who has been labelled as “England’s next superstar” by one German outlet.

Since joining the club, Mudryk has made 73 appearances, scoring ten goals and providing nine assists in 3,613 minutes played. Put it simply, he hasn’t been great and Gittens could be a seismic upgrade.

Goals

0.54

0.32

Assists

0.18

0.16

xG

0.22

0.19

xAG

0.17

0.44

Progressive Carries

6.53

5.26

Progressive Passes

1.80

1.75

Shots Taken

2.38

1.75

Key Passes

1.20

2.28

Shot-Creating Actions

3.60

3.68

Successful Take-Ons

3.80

1.58

You can instantly see when comparing Mudryk and Bynoe-Gittens, the extra goal threat the Englishman provides, with a higher shot volume (2.38 compared to 1.75), more goals per 90 (0.54 compared to 0.32) and higher xG generated (0.22 compared to 0.19).

Along with this, you still get the progressive carrying quality, successful take-ons/1v1 ability and creative passing (higher progressive passes but fewer key passes). This profile would be brilliant for Chelsea, especially when you consider what Jadon Sancho offers Maresca as a different option on the left too.

It’s clear another forward would be welcomed at Stamford Bridge, one that could help the likes of Palmer in providing goal threat and output in those attacking areas, helping to break down those “low blocks” Chelsea have struggled with in recent weeks. Bynoe-Gittens could be exactly that, whether it’s in January or the summer.

Chelsea want to sign "dominant" PL star who's better than Guehi & Chalobah

Enzo Maresca appears to be targeting defensive reinforcements for his Chelsea side.

ByEthan Lamb Jan 7, 2025