Tottenham Hotspur are ready to attack the January transfer window, and if Thomas Frank gets it right, he might just land a new forward who could turn his debut season at the helm into a successful one.

However, while incomings are anticipated down N17, Spurs are also expected to push one or two of Frank’s first-team players to the exit, with Yves Bissouma, who has not played at all this season after being dropped in August, expected to leave after being filmed inhaling nitrous oxide, again.

However, for less transgressive reasons, Brennan Johnson could also be on his way out, having fallen down the pecking order after poor form.

Spurs consider swapping Brennan Johnson out

Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo is the talk of the town, but ENIC Group are also keeping an eye on another high-performing winger in Europe.

The versatile Cherries forward has been in fine fettle in the Premier League this season, scoring six goals and supplying three assists for Andoni Iraola’s side.

He is far more consistent than Johnson, who bagged 17 in all competitions last season – including the winner against Manchester United in the Europa League final – but has regressed under Frank’s wing.

Crystal Palace are interested in signing the Wales international on loan this winter, and that could free up room for a Semenyo alternative who is turning the heads of some of the Premier League’s top clubs.

Indeed, according to Sky Germany, RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande is on Tottenham’s shortlist ahead of the New Year, albeit with top-flight rivals Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City also in the mix.

The 19-year-old joined the Bundesliga club this year and has quickly established prolific form, combining that sharpness with frightening physical faculties.

Leipzig know they have a gem on their hands and have priced him at a jaw-dropping €100m (about £87m). This would make him the most expensive player in the Londoners’ history.

Why Spurs should sign Yan Diomande

Diomande moved to Germany after cutting his teeth with Leganes in Spain, and he has wasted no time in establishing himself as one of the brightest young wide forwards in the game, having scored seven goals and four assists across 16 outings this season.

That includes a recent hat-trick over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga, and it’s his natural sharpness in the danger area that has led journalist Bence Bocsak to hail him as a “generational talent”.

Diomande is not just more talented than Johnson: he ruthlessly outstrips him across a vast range of metrics, and his developing goalscoring may soon see him overtake the 24-year-old’s standout quality.

When you look at how Diomande ranks up against someone like Johnson, it perhaps becomes clear why there is such a vested interest being focused, with the Welshman simply not offering enough in the build-up and when against the run of play, that and the desertion of his potency in front of goal.

Matches (starts)

13 (6)

14 (10)

Goals

2

6

Assists

0

2

Touches

17.8

44.0

Shots (on target)*

0.4 (0.2)

1.6 (0.9)

Accurate passes*

6.7 (70%)

21.6 (83%)

Chances created*

0.4

1.0

Dribbles*

0.2

3.0

Ball recoveries*

0.9

4.1

Tackles + interceptions*

1.1

1.4

Duels won*

1.8

4.8

There’s no question that Johnson has a natural ability to work his way into promising positions and chalk his name onto the scoresheet, but his overall play has hardly been good enough this season. For example, he’s not dribbling enough – look at his efforts in comparison to Diomande’s – and he’s only succeeding with 33% of his infrequent efforts.

Diomande, for sure, is one of the most exciting dribblers in Europe. He is fleet-footed and instinctive with his output when carrying the ball forward. He has been hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig for “having a sensational debut season” in Germany.

Tottenham need to get this one done. If they are serious about becoming major, consistent players both domestically and abroad, this is the kind of statement signing needed, not just boosting output but reshaping the general threat of the team.

ENIC could fund the Semenyo move by selling Spurs' £55k-p/w "liability"

Tottenham are planning to get rid of some of the deadwood this January.

ByAngus Sinclair 2 days ago

West Ham United have struggled in front of goal this season, which has surely been a reason why they have been unable to find consistency in the Premier League. There have been just four teams who have found the back of the net less than the Hammers in 2024/25, with three of those the relegated trio.

Worryingly, the Hammers’ 40 goals in the top flight are far below where they are expected to be. As the stats on Understat show, they have an expected goals tally of 46.61xG, an underachievement of just over six goals.

The Hammers seem to know this is an issue to address in the summer, given they are linked with a new striker from within the Premier League.

West Ham target Premier League striker

Perhaps the most sought-after player in the top flight this season is Liam Delap. The Ipswich Town triker has impressed despite his side’s woes this term, and is now linked with a whole host of Premier League clubs.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Well, according to a recent report from GiveMeSport, one of those clubs interested in Delap is West Ham. He seems to be a player on their radar, as they look to improve their fortunes in front of goal next season. For just £30m, the value of his release clause, it seems a bargain.

However, they will not be the only club in the race. The Hammers will be ‘facing competition’ from London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, as well as the North West pair Manchester United and Everton.

It is not clear who will win the race, but West Ham are certainly interested.

Why Delap would be a good signing

It has been a hugely disappointing season for Ipswich in 2024/25. They were the final side to be relegated from the Premier League, the latest club to fall victim to the unforgivable nature of the English top flight for a newly promoted side.

However, Delap was a real standout. In 34 appearances so far this term, he has managed to find the back of the net 12 times, and with an expected goals of 11.29xG, he is pretty consistent, which the Hammers certainly need in their side.

Delap has proven to be a man who can score in the biggest of games. This season, he has found the back of the net against Aston Villa in two games, Spurs, and grabbed a goal and an assist against Chelsea. He also scored against the Hammers, in a 4-1 win for the East Londoners.

One of Delap’s best traits is the way he can hold the ball up and then fashion chances for himself, often carrying past opposition defenders to create space. That was perfectly summed up by Sky Sports’ Lewis Jones, who described him as a “wrecking ball” earlier in the season.

Delap’s underlying numbers via Sofascore also show just how well-rounded his game is, with Statman Dave describing it as “unique”. For example, the Englishman has completed 39 dribbles and won 56 aerial duels for the Tractor Boys this term.

Shots on target

1.1

31

Key passes

0.8

21

Dribbles completed

1.4

39

Aerial duels won

2

56

Expected goal involvement

0.38xGI

10.67xGI

Should Delap make the move to the London Stadium, he could make Hammers talisman Jarrod Bowen even more unplayable. This season, the England international has ten goals and nine assists in 31 top flight games.

Not only would his directness in behind work well with Delap’s hold-up play ability and the way he fashions chances, but Bowen can also become even more creative with the former Manchester City man in their side.

This season for the Hammers, Bowen has created the most big chances with ten, the only player to reach double figures. He also plays the most key passes per game, with 1.6, as per Sofascore. Given he has only managed nine assists, Delap could certainly help raise those numbers.

This really could become a dream duo for West Ham. Bowen is a creative machine. On top of that, with the threat he poses on the last line, he can hurt opposing sides in partnership with Delap, with his hold-up and ball-carrying ability.

For a fee of around £30m, this seems like a deal West Ham must do, to really bring more goals into their side.

Not Soucek: Potter must axe West Ham dud who Rice once called "outstanding"

The West Ham star has struggled to get into the team this season

1 ByJoe Nuttall Apr 27, 2025

Manchester United are a club who have been known to develop numerous world-class talents over the years, many of which have had a huge impact on the first-team.

The Red Devils have their wonderful academy setup to thank for their success, which produced the Class of 92’ – arguably the most iconic group of academy graduates in football history.

The group racked up over 3000 combined appearances for the club, helping Sir Alex Ferguson make the club the most successful side in Premier League history.

However, in 2025, Ruben Amorim is the manager tasked with developing the prospects who emerge out of the youth system and restoring the glory days at Old Trafford.

He currently has numerous top-level talents within his ranks, but it appears as though he’s massively mismanaging one player, which could lead to an extremely unpopular departure.

The decline of Kobbie Mainoo at Man Utd

Back in the 2023/24 campaign, United appeared to have unearthed yet another top-level talent from their academy in the form of central midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.

At the tender age of just 18, he burst onto the scene and racked up 32 first-team appearances and scored on five separate occasions, with many of which coming in key moments.

The teenager’s most important goal no doubt came in the FA Cup final against rivals Manchester City, subsequently helping Erik ten Hag claim his second trophy with the Red Devils.

However, in the last 12 months, Mainoo has endured a steep decline in minutes under Amorim’s guidance, with the 40-year-old evidently not seeing him as part of his plans.

The Englishman has only made 39 appearances since his arrival last November, but only six of which have come from a starting position – with the rest being off the substitutes bench.

In 2025/26 alone, the now 20-year-old has continued to struggle further, subsequently making 10 league appearances, but none of which have been from the start.

He’s only racked up a total of 183 minutes of league action, which works out to just 18.3 minutes of football every time he’s brought off the bench to make an impact.

As a result, the midfielder has been strongly touted with a winter move to join Napoli, which could lead to an unpopular move away from his boyhood club in the months ahead.

The United star who could become the next Mainoo

Ahead of the new year, Amorim could face numerous selection issues as numerous members of his first-team squad look set to join up with their nations ahead of the African Cup of Nations.

Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui look all set to feature for their respective countries at the tournament, which could leave the Red Devils short in numerous key areas.

The forward department could become somewhat depleted, given that the former duo of the trio have often operated alongside one another in the Premier League this campaign.

Dipping into the transfer market could well prove to be an option for the manager, but that would involve splashing the cash after already spending £200m in the summer window.

As a result, the academy could once again provide a reliable source of talent, with Chido Obi one player who deserves an opportunity to thrive in the senior ranks.

The Dane joined the club from Arsenal in the summer of 2024, originally linking up with the youth squad, subsequently scoring just 17 times in 21 games across various levels.

His subsequent form led to a senior call-up under Amorim last season, with the 18-year-old making eight first-team appearances, but was unable to find the back of the net.

Obi, who’s been tipped to be “one of the world’s best” by Leny Yoro, has since dropped back into the U21 ranks this campaign, making 13 appearances to date, and scoring five times whilst laying on two assists for his teammates.

Benjamin Sesko and Joshua Zirkzee are the two senior centre-forward options currently available, but the duo have only scored a combined two goals in the Premier League this season.

Games played

8

Games started

3

Goals scored

3

Mins per goal

100

Shots on target

2.2

Dribbles completed

68%

Touches in opposition box

6.6

Fouls won

1.7

Such a lack of quality should open the door for the youngster to stake his claim for a regular starting position once again, but it appears as though Amorim isn’t keen on the centre-forward.

It could lead to yet another Mainoo situation unfolding ahead of the supporters’ very eyes, which could result in the Red Devils losing yet another one of their most promising talents.

His goalscoring record at youth level is evidence of the quality he possesses in the final third, but it’s crucial the manager backs Obi to provide the goods at Old Trafford.

Mainoo is an example of the quality of player available when putting faith into the club’s academy, but ultimately, Amorim is showcasing his ignorance, given the lack of minutes.

As a result, Mainoo could well depart the club, with Obi too potentially getting frustrated with his lack of first-team action if the manager continues to look past each of the talents.

Upgrade on Sesko: Man Utd pursuing "one of Europe's most in-form STs"

Manchester United’s need for a new centre-forward continues, even after the signing of Benjamin Sesko.

ByRobbie Walls 3 days ago

West Bromwich Albion have already displayed an outside-the-box approach with their transfer activity this summer.

Whilst Nathaniel Phillips is a well-known name to most Championship fans, Aune Heggebo is definitely more of an unknown entity to the average supporter. Yet, West Brom have gambled on the former Brann goal machine to come good on English shores, having spent £4.7m on the Nordic striker.

It remains to be seen whether Heggebo will go on to be a rip-roaring success in England, but his blistering goal record in his native Norway is definitely encouraging to look at.

Why Heggebo could be a success at West Brom

After all, Erling Haaland infamously hails from the same nation, with the lofty attacker now one of the most feared strikers in world football after beginning his career in Scandinavia.

Of course, nobody will be anticipating Heggebo to storm into his new environment and be as instantly clinical as the Manchester City powerhouse, but the signs are there that he could be a lethal finisher at the Hawthorns if he can manage to navigate the step-up well.

In total, for Brann, the £4.7m forward would power home a potent 51 goals from 146 games, with the Eliteserien outfit no doubt putting up a valiant fight to try and keep their star asset around for longer.

Unfortunately, whilst £4.7m is a steep amount to splash in go, West Brom’s lavish spending has been overshadowed somewhat by near neighbours Birmingham City routinely flexing their muscles.

Across the Midlands, the £10m forked out on ex-Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi around the same time has certainly sent a message to the division’s best clubs.

However, the Baggies could shoot back into the limelight if they manage to get another left-field piece of business over the line, with a new target perhaps going down as Ryan Mason’s very own Kyogo if all clicks into place.

West Brom's answer to Kyogo

Before being renowned as a venomous goal threat with 85 strikes next to his name at Celtic, Kyogo would have been viewed as a bold pick-up by the Hoops, considering the Japanese gem had only ever played in the comforts of the J League, before Glasgow came calling.

West Brom might well look to tap into the Asian markets themselves with their next summer buy, with reports from earlier in the month suggesting that the Championship side had bid £1.1m for Jeonbuk Hyundai attacker Jeon Jin-Woo.

Jin-Woo might well follow in Kyogo’s footsteps in establishing himself as a menace up top when making the same daunting geographical leap, having amassed an electric 52 goal contributions plying his trade in Korea for both Jeonbuk and ex-employers Suwon Bluewings.

The brand-new Birmingham buy was able to devastatingly reach double Jin-Woo’s goal tally when starring for the likes of Vissel Kobe, but the two-time South Korea international will surely feel less nervous about taking that next step to the Baggies, knowing others have moved to the United Kingdom and thrived in some challenging environments.

To help the 25-year-old even more, Mason will also have Heggebo available for selection in attack, who will be equally eager to hit the ground running in his fresh location.

It does remain up in the air how well West Brom will do next season, with Mason also being a rookie manager away from their daring summer business, but Jin-Woo could become a firm fan’s favourite at the Hawthorns if he manages to excel in the English game to the same lofty heights Kyogo managed in Scotland.

Dream Johnston upgrade: West Brom submit surprise offer for £1.1m star

West Bromwich Albion could think outside of the box when pursuing a Mikey Johnston upgrade.

2

By
Kelan Sarson

Jul 16, 2025

علق محمد أحمد عضو مجلس إدارة نادي الاتحاد السكندري، على هزيمة الفريق التي تعرض لها اليوم أمام الزمالك، بالمباراة التي أقيمت بينهما ببطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وخسر الاتحاد السكندري بهدفين دون رد أمام الزمالك، على استاد القاهرة الدولي، في إطار مواجهات الجولة السابعة لمسابقة الدوري الممتاز.

وقال محمد أحمد في تصريحات عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورتس”: “أشيد بكل اللاعبين والمدير الفني، قدموا مباراة كبيرة في الشوط الأول، كان ممكن نخرج فائزين بهدف أو اثنين، لكن طرد عبد الغني محمد أثر على النتيجة”.

طالع أيضاً.. جروس: هناك أمور تحتاج للتطوير في الزمالك.. وأثق فيما قاله لي الجزيري

وتابع: “لا يوجد كلام أقوله عن التحكيم، أصبحنا في مأساة وكم المعاناة الكبيرة من التحكيم، كل فرق الدوري تتحدث في نفس الموضوع، الذي انتهينا به الموسم الماضي بدأنا به الموسم الحالي، لا يوجد جديد، نسير في التحكيم من سيء لأسوأ”.

وأضاف: “دوري هذا الموسم استثنائيًا، نحن ناد جماهيري وإسكندرية كلها خلف الاتحاد، عندما يُقال إن لاعبنا لا يستحق الطرد، ما الاستفادة؟، الأمر أصبح صعبًا جدًا، يجب أن يكون هناك قرار”.

وأتم: “من المؤكد أن نادي الاتحاد سيتقدم بشكوى إلى اتحاد الكرة، الموضوع لن يمر بهذا الشكل، تعب موسم كامل يضيع، يجب أن يكون هناك حل سواء من هاني أبو ريدة أو رابطة الأندية، نحن أندية جماهيرية، يكفي الضغط الذي نعاني منه، سواء من الجماهير أو من الموارد، أعتقد النادي سيكون له موقف، يجب أن يقف هذا الأمر عند حده”.

كشف نيمار، لاعب فريق الهلال السعودي، موقفه من إمكانية لم الشمل مع الثنائي ليونيل ميسي ولويس سواريز، عن طريق انتقاله إلى فرق إنتر ميامي الأمريكي.

وظهرت تقارير صحفية في الفترة الأخيرة، تربط نيمار بإمكانية مغادرة الهلال والانتقال إلى إنتر ميامي.

وسبق أن لعب نيمار بجوار ليونيل ميسي لويس سواريز، في صفوف برشلونة، قبل رحيله المفاجئ إلى باريس سان جيرمان في 2017، في صفقة قياسية آنذاك.

وقال نيمار، في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “جارديان” الإنجليزية: “من الواضح أن اللعب مرة أخرى مع ميسي وسواريز سيكون أمرًا لا يصدق، إنهما أصدقائي، ما زلنا نتحدث مع بعضنا البعض”.

اقرأ أيضًا | ميسي يوضح سبب غيابه عن تسلم وسام الحرية في البيت الأبيض

وأضاف: “إعادة ذلك الثلاثي سيكون أمرًا مثيرًا للاهتمام، أنا سعيد في الهلال، سعيد في السعودية، ولكن من يدري، كرة القدم مليئة بالمفاجآت”.

ومن المقرر أن ينتهي العقد الحالي لـ نيمار مع الهلال في يونيو المقبل، ولم يشارك إلا في 7 مباريات منذ قدومه في 2023، حيث أثرت الإصابات على مشاركته.

واسترسل: “عندما ظهرت الأخبار عن مغادرتي لـ باريس سان جيرمان، كان سوق الانتقالات مغلقًا في أمريكا، لم يكن لدي خيار الانتقال إلى إنتر ميامي”.

وأوضح: “كان المشروع الذي حصلت عليه من السعودية جيدًا للغاية، ليس فقط بالنسبة لي، ولكن كذلك لعائلتي، كان الذهاب إلى المملكة هو الخيار الأفضل”.

الجدير بالذكر أن إنتر ميامي يتواجد في المجموعة الأولى في كأس العالم للأندية 2025، رفقة الأهلي المصري، بورتو البرتغالي وبالميراس البرازيلي.

رد الحكم محمد العتباني على قرار لجنة الحكام بالاتحاد المصري، بإيقافه على خلفية المقطع المصور المنتشر له خلال الساعات الماضية.

وكان بطولات قد أعلن عن قرار إيقاف العتباني بعد ما أشيع عنه خلال مباراة البنك الأهلي وبترول أسيوط في كأس مصر.

فيديو | أسامة فيصل يقود البنك الأهلي للفوز على بترول أسيوط في كأس مصر

وكتب العتباني عبر حسابه الرسمي بموقع التواصل الاجتماعي فيس بوك: “الحمد الله دائما وابدًا.. وحسبي الله ونعم الوكيل في من قال فينا ما ليس فينا وكفى به وکیلا .. وعند الله تجتمع الخصوم”.

وأضاف: “وقد جاء في وصية رسول الله لابن عباس رضي الله عنهما.. وإذا سألت فاسأل الله، وإذا استعنت فاستعن بالله واعلم أن الأمة لو اجتمعت على أن ينفعوك بشيء لم ينفعوك إلا بشيء قد كتبه الله لك، وإن اجتمعوا على أن يضروك بشيء لم يضروك إلا بشيء قد كتبه الله عليك، رفعت الأقلام وجفت الصحف رواه الترمذي وقال: حديث حسن صحيح”.

يذكر، أن الفيديو الذي تم تداوله على وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي، أظهر العتباني وهو يتحدث مع سامي الشيشيني، عضو الجهاز الفني لفريق البنك الأهلي، داخل ممر استاد القاهرة، حيث قال له “هيتحسبلك أي لعبة حتى لو 50٪- 50٪”.

وأدى هذا التسريب إلى حالة من الاستياء في الأوساط الرياضية، خاصة أن تصريحات العتباني أظهرت تلميحات بعدم حياديته في اتخاذ قرارات تحكيمية، ورغم أن الفيديو لم يُظهر تفاصيل كاملة عن سياق الحديث، إلا أن هذه الكلمات فُهمت على أنها تعبير عن إمكانية التأثير في سير المباراة بشكل غير قانوني.

الجدير بالذكر، أن المباراة قد انتهت بفوز البنك الأهلي بهدف دون رد، ليتأهل للدور الـ16 من البطولة، حيث سيواجه الفائز من المباراة التي ستجمع بين المصري البورسعيدي ووادي دجلة، ومن المقرر أن تُقام هذه المباراة يوم الثلاثاء الموافق 4 فبراير المُقبل.

تأهل برشلونة إلى دور الثمانية من بطولة كأس ملك إسبانيا، بعد الفوز بخماسية مقابل هدف على حساب ريال بيتيس، ضمن منافسات دور الـ16.

المباراة جمعت بين الفريقين على ملعب لويس كومبانيس، ولكن البداية كانت كتالونية بامتياز، في ظل النشوة التي يعيشها الفريق منذ الفوز بالسوبر الإسباني على حساب ريال مدريد يوم الأحد الماضي.

طالع أيضًا.. الفرق المتأهلة إلى دور الـ8 من كأس ملك إسبانيا (محدث باستمرار)

برشلونة تمكن من التسجيل مبكرًا عن طريق جافي، في الدقيقة 3 من داخل منطقة الجزاء، وظل النادي الكتالوني في الضغط لتسجيل الثاني.

جاء الهدف الثاني بعد إهدار العديد من الفرص، في الدقيقة 27 بعد تمريرة رائعة من لامين يامال، وأطلقها جوليس كوندي بصاروخية في شباك ريال بيتيس.

انتهى الشوط الأول بعد سيل من الفرص، وابداعات النادي الكتالوني، بعدما ألغى الحكم هدفاً لـ لامين يامال.

بدأ الشوط الثاني بنفس المستوى الذي أنهى به البلوجرانا شوط المباراة الأول، وسجل لامين يامال هدفًا في الدقيقة 57، ولكن الحكم ألغاه بداعي التسلل أيضًا.

وفي الدقيقة 58، نثر لامين يامال سحره، وانطلق من منطقة جزاء فريقه إلى مرمى الخصم، ليمر من لاعبي ريال بيتيس، وعندما سدد تدخل عليه لاعب النادي الأندلسي بقوة ليعطي الحكم إتاحة الفرصة للبلوجرانا ويستغل رافينها الوضع ويسجل الثالث.

أجرى فليك العديد من التغييرات، وأراح نجومه، ودخل فيران توريس، الذي لم ينتظر طويلًا حتى يضع بصمته، وبتمريرة من داني أولمو، يطلق تسديدة في شباك الضيوف معلنًا عن الرابع في الدقيقة 67.

ظن البعض أن الحفلة قد توقفت هنا، ولكن عزف لامين يامال استمر، وبعد تمريرة ممتازة من فيرمين لوبيز، سجل الإسباني المغربي هدفه الثاني، والخامس لفريقه عند الدقيقة 75.

وخرج لامين يامال بعد الهدف، وسط تحية كبيرة من جماهير البلوجرانا، الذين ظلوا يحتفلون بالإشارة للخماسية التي تكررت في أقل من 4 أيام، أمام ريال مدريد وبيتيس.

وفي الدقيقة 85، سجل فيتور روكي لاعب برشلونة السابق، هدف حفظ ماء الوجه لـ ريال بيتيس، من ركلة جزاء.

بهذه النتيجة يتأهل برشلونة إلى دور الثمانية من بطولة كأس ملك إسبانيا، في انتظار منافسه بذلك الدور الذي كان آخر محطاته في الموسم الماضي.

القرعة ستقام يوم الاثنين المقبل، في انتظار منافس برشلونة، صاحب الرقم القياسي في الفوز بالبطولة برصيد 31 لقبًا. أهداف مباراة برشلونة وريال بيتيس في كأس ملك إسبانيا

تغلب فريق برايتون على إيبسويتش تاون خلال المباراة التي جمعت الفريقين مساء اليوم الخميس، بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وحل برايتون ضيفًا على إيبسويتش تاون ضمن مباريات الجولة الحادية والعشرين للدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز “البريميرليج”.

وتواجد سام مرسي قائد فريق إيبسويتش تاون على مقاعد بدلاء فريقه، وشارك في المباراة كبديل.

شوط المباراة الأول لم يشهد تسجيل أي أهداف، وحسم بالتعادل السلبي بين برايتون وإيبسويتش تاون.

وتقدم برايتون بهدف أول في الدقيقة 59 عن طيق لاعبه كاورو ميتوما بعد تمريرة من مات أورايلي.

وشارك سام مرسي كبديل في صفوف فريقه إيبسويتش تاون بحلول الدقيقة 71 من اللقاء.

وفي الدقيقة 81 عزز برايتون تقدمه بهدف ثانٍ عن طريق لاعبه جورجينيو روتر.

حسمت المباراة بفوز برايتون 2-0 ليرفع رصيده للنقطة 31 في المركز التاسع، وتوقف رصيد إيبسويتش عند 16 نقطة بالمركز 18.

Watching the second Test wend its way towards a draw, it occurred to Vaneisa Baksh that the most exciting cricket really comes from evenly matched teams

Vaneisa Baksh03-Jun-2008

Watching the second Test wend its way towards a draw, it occurred to me that the most exciting cricket really comes from evenly-matched teams, even if they are not strong ones. The cricket is at its most competitive, twisting us into the knots we need to be in to keep watching for five days.By the final day in Antigua, with Australia having declared twice, and West Indies never really sparkling, it had become onerous. Even when the captain Ramnaresh Sarwan made his 11th Test century it had a tired air, as if we had waited too long for him to convert another fifty to a hundred. Ian Bishop mentioned that Sarwan had experienced a good season on account of his three fifties and a century in the Sri Lanka series. That is true, but Sarwan has been playing for eight years, and is an exceptionally good batsman who should have been able to turn more of his 30 half-centuries into hundreds. As it was, he lasted until 128 – a necessary innings if only for pride and to keep the series alive with a draw – and alongside him was the rock, Shivnarine Chanderpaul.Chanderpaul made another century in the first innings, and when the match ended with Ricky Ponting deciding it was not worth his while to plod on, he was 77 not out, having partnered Sarwan to guide West Indies to their first draw with Australia since 1995, and earning the Man-of-the-Match award. “Play it safe,” he said, just try to last it out – an ethic that seems terribly at odds with the flamboyance associated with West Indies cricketers.He held ground the way only Chanderpaul can in these times. In the first innings, his heroics had been simply another day’s work to him, that stoic, workman’s approach to the game that has empowered him above all in this team given to view their wickets as castaways. In truth, it was every man playing according to his nature during the series thus far. Nothing really new has emerged.In the first Test, the bowlers did what had been longed for and reaped wickets, and by doing so went into the second match with a larger measure of hope. Yet the batting was indifferent, and cost a game that should have been the reward for four good days. This has been the nature of the West Indies team; when the bowling and/or fielding is true, the batting tells lies, and vice versa. Rarely do all the elements join the chorus, and this is not just reflective of the squad members.At the barely scuffed grounds of the Sir Vivian Richards stadium in Antigua, what greeted them? They found a pitch that the journalist Garth Wattley described as “a lifeless, brown stretch of earth,” adding vividly that “there was more discernible movement in molasses than off it [on the first day]”.To compete on this corpse, there were no recognised spinners, and five pacers with little difference among them. In a grand sweep, the selectors managed to deflate the momentum gained by the quicks in the previous match because they were asking them to ply their trade on a surface that absorbed their wiles without giving anything back. They also managed to suppress further what little hope there might be for spinners having a chance on the West Indies team, as they again communicated their vision that spin is part-time work for some batsmen.One imagines pitch preparation aligned to the strengths of the home team, and one imagines selections based on maximising conditions that exist – desirable or not. Home advantage did not seem to be a worthy consideration for the administrators.The result was a first day’s play that was excruciatingly lifeless, as if the pitch had sucked away all the energy in its precincts. Spectators could not be bothered to come. There was no West Indian energy to come from off the field, as it did at Sabina Park. Even the fielders couldn’t keep their focus, and under the circumstances, the fumbles were costly and painful to the hard-working bowlers.To make matters worse, the drainage on the outfield was bad enough to lose two sessions on the third day, causing much lamentation over the enormous cost incurred to try to fix this problem repeatedly after it had become evident at the World Cup last year. It was embarrassing, and one wonders whether this had been factored into the decision to hold one of the matches on the ground. Poor umpiring decisions contributed to reducing the scores, a continuing source of debate over technology use.For Ricky Ponting’s men, it would be gratifying to hold on to the Sir Frank Worrell trophy even before they set foot on Barbados soil for the final match. The retirement of Stuart MacGill leaves Australia with yet another hole to fill, but they are a resilient bunch, with a cricket ethic that leaves them formidable even under pressure. The third Test may yet be the most revealing of what might be a turning point for both sides. If only the series was longer.