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Liverpool have been hit by more problems after suffering yet another defeat, going down 4-1 to PSV at Anfield in the Champions League. The loss continues a dreadful run of form for Arne Slot's side and will raise more questions about the Dutchman's position at the club. Slot also lost one of his new signings to injury on another difficult night for the Reds.

• Another Liverpool horror show

  PSV took home all three points from Anfield to hand Liverpool a ninth defeat from their last 12 matches in all competitions. Their Premier League form has been dreadful but they had been faring better in Europe until Wednesday's loss to the Eredivisie side. Goals from Ivan Perisic, Guus Til and a Couhaib Driouech brace made it another wretched night for the Merseysiders which has dropped the team into 13th place in the Champions League standings. The result also piles more pressure on Slot, with fans now wondering how the manager can turn around his team's dismal form.

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  Ekitike injury hands Slot yet another problem

  Slot also lost summer signing Hugo Ekitike to injury during the match. The France international, who has scored six times for his new club so far this season in all competitions, was forced off just after the hour mark in a worrying development for Slot and was replaced by Alexander Isak, who had started the game on the bench. Slot revealed before kick-off why he'd left Isak out of his XI, telling TNT Sports: "Alex, I think in the last four weeks, he played 30 minutes. Then he played with us for 70 minutes in a game that wasn't so intense, I would say, because we dominated ball possession so much. But I think I could see that it wasn't easy for him to manage himself through those 70 minutes. So then, if you have another number nine also, who is very good, then it makes sense to play the other one, and that's Hugo [Ekitike] tonight."

  The Sweden striker has endured a poor start to his career at Anfield following his big-money move from Newcastle United and once again failed to find the back of the net against PSV. Isak has now failed to score in nine Premier League and Champions League outings, with his only goal for the Merseysiders coming against Southampton in the League Cup.

• Slot reacts to PSV defeat

  Slot spoke to TNT Sports after the match and admits it's a tough result to take. He said: "I want to be positive about the players after we went 1-0 down. We came back into the game and had enough chances to go 2-1 up and at half-time I don't think anyone would have expected us to lose 4-1. After conceding to make it 2-1, we had chances to make it 2-2, and then we conceded another goal. It's hard to take. The only way to go is go through now. We have to face what we're in and fight really hard."

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• Liverpool legend blasts defence

  Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has shared his thoughts on the team's current struggles and feel the backline is a problem. He said on TNT Sports: "They’re conceding too many goals, they’re wide open in transition, look very vulnerable and unstable as soon as the ball turns over. Anfield tells the story, the seats were empty with 10 minutes to go, as soon as the third went in the game was over. PSV were excellent, by the way, and totally deserved the victory. Liverpool’s problems become deeper, the pressure intensifies even more and there needs to be a lot of soul searching tonight, for sure. They need to stop the bleeding, they’re conceding too many chances They look wide open.

  "The personnel’s not right in the back four. It’s going to be like deja vu for Arne Slot tonight because he’s going to watch it back and go: 'Yeah we had periods of control, we looked okay at times'. But individual mistakes again, wide open on transition, wide open for counter-attacks and conceding too many goals."

Incumbent Australia Test opener Sam Konstas is set to face another stern examination from Scott Boland this week when New South Wales face Victoria at the Junction Oval with the selection of the Ashes first Test squad just three weeks away.Nathan Lyon has also been named for NSW despite a thought during the pre-season that he might miss the clash at the Junction. It’s understood he is keen for some more overs after bowling just 31.5 across two innings against Western Australia at the WACA ground last week.Australia A allrounders Jack Edwards and Will Sutherland will return to captain their respective states while Sean Abbott will play his first red-ball game of the season to push his case to be considered for the Ashes after being left out of Australia’s ODI squad. Australia A spinners Todd Murphy and Tanveer Sangha have also been named in their first Shield squads of the season.Related

• Ashes tracker: Labuschagne shines as Konstas stumbles

• Who will be the spear to Usman Khawaja's shield for Australia?

• Zampa, Inglis to miss Perth ODI against India, Kuhnemann, Philippe called up

However, Josh Philippe is unavailable for the Blues after being called into Australia’s ODI squad to replace the injured Josh Inglis while Alex Carey has been sent to play for South Australia against Queensland as part of his Ashes preparation.Usman Khawaja has been named for Queensland while Marnus Labuschagne is expected to remain at No. 3 for Queensland with Angus Lovell set to open alongside Khawaja in place of Matt Renshaw who is away with Australia’s ODI team.South Australia will be without Brendan Doggett for a second straight Shield match due to his minor hamstring issue but he is expected to return for round three. Nathan McAndrew will return after missing the opening the Shield round following his five-wicket haul in the One-Day Cup match against Victoria.Elsewhere, Beau Webster will miss a second straight match for Tasmania due to the ankle injury he suffered at training prior to the opening round against Queensland, but he is expected to return for round three. WA will be without Cameron Green who is playing in Australia’s ODI team while Joel Paris is missing with a hamstring injury.Boland is set to back up for Victoria after bowling 35 overs in Victoria’s opening round win over South Australia in Adelaide. Konstas is coming off scores of 4 and 14 at the WACA in New South Wales win over Western Australia but Lyon said that those performances should be disregarded because of the pitch.”I wouldn’t look too much into that,” Lyon said on Monday. “It was a very naughty wicket. “It was wet, there were some big divots and it was quite challenging, even though I got 40 runs on it. There are [two] more games to play out before the Test side gets picked.”Konstas did make an enterprising 40 off 28 in the One-Day Cup match on a better WACA surface last Thursday. But Boland will be a significant test for the 20-year-old opener. He has dismissed Konstas four times in Shield cricket, the most of any first-class bowler Konstas has faced, including twice in their last meeting at the SCG in February when Konstas was bowled trying to paddle scoop off the 13th ball of the match.The return of Sutherland and Murphy alongside Boland and Fergus O’Neill will give Konstas a chance to make a statement against an attack with two Test and two Australia A bowlers in it.Meanwhile, Abbott has the chance to push his case to be next Test fast bowling option for the Ashes behind Boland. Victoria will add Harry Dixon back in from Australia A duty at the top of the order alongside Campbell Kellaway with Marcus Harris to remain at No. 3 ahead of in-form middle-order duo of Peter Handscomb and Oliver Peake.New South Wales squad: Jack Edwards (capt), Sean Abbott, Ollie Davies, Matt Gilkes, Ryan Hadley, Liam Hatcher, Sam Konstas, Nathan Lyon, Blake Nikitaras, Kurtis Patterson, Will Salzmann, Tanveer Sangha, Charlie StoboVictoria squad: Will Sutherland (capt), Scott Boland, Harry Dixon, Marcus Harris, Sam Harper, Peter Handscomb, Campbell Kellaway, Blake Macdonald, David Moody, Todd Murphy, Fergus O’Neill, Oliver Peake, Mitch PerrySouth Australia squad: Henry Hunt, Conor McInerney, Nathan McSweeney (capt), Jason Sangha, Alex Carey (wk), Jake Lehmann, Liam Scott, Nathan McAndrew, Wes Agar, Lloyd Pope, Jordan Buckingham, Hanno JacobsQueensland squad: Marnus Labuschagne (capt), Jack Clayton, Benji Floros, Lachlan Hearne, Usman Khawaja, Angus Lovell, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Jack Sinfield, Tom Straker, Mitchell Swepson, Hugh Weibgen. Jack WildermuthWestern Australia squad: Sam Whiteman (capt), Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Hilton Cartwright, Joel Curtis, Albert Esterhuysen, Sam Fanning, Aaron Hardie, Cameron Gannon, Jayden Goodwin, Liam Haskett, Matt Kelly, Corey RocchiccioliTasmania squad: Jordan Silk (capt), Gabe Bell, Jackson Bird, Nikhil Chaudhary, Jake Doran, Kieran Elliott, Bradley Hope, Caleb Jewell, Riley Meredith, Nivethan Radhakrishnan, Tim Ward, Jake Weatherald

Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke doesn't expect Arsenal to win the Premier League this season. The Gunners hold a four-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the table following their 2-2 draw with Sunderland prior to the international break, while Mikel Arteta's men currently sit eight points clear of defending champions Liverpool after the opening 11 games of the season.

Getty Images SportArsenal emerge as early season favourites

The Gunners missed a great chance to open up a sizeable lead at the top of the table as they conceded a late Brian Brobbey equaliser at the Stadium of Light last time out. Manchester City then eased past defending champions Liverpool in the final game before the international break as goals from Erling Haaland, Nico Gonzalez and Jeremy Doku wrapped up a 3-0 win over Arne Slot's side.

Even so, Arsenal are the favourites to go the distance for the first time in over 20 years, having finished runners-up in each of the last three seasons. Having invested heavily in the squad over the summer to bring in the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and Eberechi Eze, the pressure is on head coach Mikel Arteta to deliver a first major piece of silverware since their 2020 FA Cup triumph.

Arsenal's impressive backline has provided the foundation for their title charge, the Gunners having conceded just five goals in the opening 11 games. However, former Manchester United striker Yorke doesn't think the north London side have what it takes to get over the line.

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'Arsenal will do what Arsenal do again'

Speaking to , Yorke, who won the Premier League title three times with United, said: "I just think Arsenal will do what Arsenal do again. I have a funny feeling that somehow they won’t get it over the line.

"It depends on the competitions they are in too. I’m sure Mikel Arteta is going to prioritise everything. He’s trying to win it all but you’ve got to win your domestic league."

And with defending champions Liverpool struggling, Yorke believes City will pip Arsenal to the title once more this season, adding: "It could get pretty chaotic. I think Man City just have that know-how."

Liverpool's title triumph last season ended City's domestic dominance. The Cityzens had won four Premier League titles on the spin before the Reds' success in Slot's first season at the Anfield helm.

Getty Images SportCity boss has talked up Arsenal's title chances

City head coach Pep Guardiola had previously talked up Arsenal's title chances, saying prior to the Gunners' 2-2 draw with Sunderland: "If they continue this way – they play games, they don’t concede goals, not even clear chances, and they win and win – oh my God, it will be almost impossible [to catch Arsenal], but always you expect you will be better and they can drop points. All we can do is win our games and be there close.

"They have to come here, and there are many things in the season that we will experience. It’s exceptional what they have been doing for two or three seasons. It looks like every time it’s closer. But we are in early November, and early November nobody wins the title. You can lose it, but nobody wins the title."

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Arsenal's make-or-break run of fixtures

Arsenal have a tough run of games following the international break as they look to return to winning ways this weekend. The Gunners host rivals Tottenham on Sunday afternoon and follow up the north London Derby with a home game against German giants Bayern Munich as both sides look to maintain perfect starts to their respective Champions League campaigns.

Arteta's side then make the short trip across the capital to take on Chelsea before the end of the month in what could prove a make-or-break week for Arsenal in their bid to secure domestic and continental silverware.

City, meanwhile, travel to Newcastle on Saturday evening as they look to close the gap at the top of the table to a single point. The Manchester giants then face German side Bayer Leverkusen at the Etihad Stadium and round off November with the welcome of relegation-threatened Leeds.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Corinthians se diz prejudicado por Anderson Daronco no empate em 1 a 1 com o Santos e irá à CBF cobrar o afastamento do árbitro gaúcho. O Timão reclamou do pênalti assinalado em Soteldo cometido por Bruno Méndez, que resultou no gol de empate do Peixe, nos acréscimos.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasDicasCorinthians x Athletico-PR: estatísticas e informações do jogo pela 31ª rodada do BrasileirãoDicas30/10/2023BrasileirãoCorinthians x Santos: CBF divulga áudio do VAR de pênalti em SoteldoBrasileirão30/10/2023SantosDiretor do Santos cobrou Daronco antes de pênalti polêmico contra o CorinthiansSantos30/10/2023

+ Tudo sobre o Timão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Corinthians

O Corinthians não é o único clube que vai à entidade máxima do futebol brasileiro reivindicando mudanças na arbitragem. Praticamente todos os clubes já se sentiram prejudicados, e em três casos a CBF tomou uma atitude.

A entidade afastou os árbitros Jean Pierre Gonçalves Lima, Bruno Arleu de Araujo e Wilton Pereira Sampaio, além de Emerson de Almeida Ferreira, árbitro de vídeo. O primeiro está passando por um período de reciclagem pela não expulsão do zagueiro Zé Ivaldo no empate em 2 a 2 entre Athletico-PR e Palmeiras, na 13ª rodada do Brasileirão.

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Já Wilton e Emerson foram afastados após concluírem que Yuri Alberto não cometeu pênalti em Ferreirinha no empate em 4 a 4 entre Corinthians e Grêmio, em jogo atrasado da 15ª rodada do Brasileirão. Wilton ficou três semanas afastado, mas já está apitando novamente jogos da Série A.

+ Veja tabela e simule os resultados do Brasileirão

Bruno Arleu foi enviado ao Programa de Assistência ao Desempenho da Arbitragem (PADA) após a CBF admitir que o árbitro carioca errou no pênalti assinalado de Lucas Halter em Joaquim, na vitória por 4 a 3 do Santos sobre o Goiás, pela 14ª rodada. Após um mês afastado, Bruno voltou a ser escalado para apitar jogos da Série A.

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The pair hit aggressive half-centuries to lift India from 31 for 3; England suffer their first T20I defeat at the venue

Alan Gardner01-Jul-2025India 181 for 4 (Rodrigues 63, Amanjot 63*) beat England 157 for 7 (Beaumont 54, Ecclestone 35, Charani 2-28, Amanjot 1-28) by 24 runs
India inflicted a wounding defeat on England for the second match in succession to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Jemimah Rodrigues and Amanjot Kaur dug India out of trouble with vibrant half-centuries, and the bowlers all did their bit to keep England’s chase at bay despite a belligerent fifty from Tammy Beaumont.Coming off the back of a record loss in the series opener at Trent Bridge, England kept faith with the same XI – and the same tactics as Nat Sciver-Brunt put India in. England’s seamers backed that call by reducing India to 31 for 3 in the powerplay, only for a fourth-wicket stand of 93 in 55 balls to emphatically wrest the game from their grasp.Rodrigues recovered from a slow start to reel off a flurry of boundaries, eventually falling for 63 off 41. Amanjot was similarly brimming with energy as she brought up a maiden T20I fifty, adding an unbeaten partnership of 57 with Richa Ghosh as India recorded the second-highest total in women’s T20 internationals at Bristol. In all, the last 10 overs leaked 117 runs – India’s third-highest aggregate for the second half of a women’s T20I innings (where ball-by-ball data is available).Amanjot then claimed the key wicket of Sciver-Brunt as England suffered their own powerplay slump at 17 for 3. Beaumont made her first T20I half-century in almost four years, adding 70 off 49 in partnership with Amy Jones, but she was run out by Sneh Rana’s pinpoint throw as the required rate began to climb.Sophie Ecclestone produced some late hitting, and a reminder of her all-round ability, in making 35 off 23 but it was not enough, leaving Sciver-Brunt – who spent much of India’s innings off the field with a “tight hip” – and England coach, Charlotte Edwards, with much to ponder ahead of Friday’s crucial encounter at the Kia Oval.England’s stumbling startSince beginning the summer with an opening partnership of 51 against West Indies at Canterbury, Sophia Dunkley and Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s stands have since read 0, 0, 9 and 2. That has largely that has been down to Wyatt-Hodge’s struggles – she has made 18 runs in five innings – but here it was Dunkley who was first to go, slapping the ball straight to Deepti Sharma at extra cover and then being sent back after attempting a non-existent single.Wyatt-Hodge managed to end a run of three successive ducks, but her success was relative as she attempted to hit her second ball over the top only to pick out mid-off. Having been dismissed three times in a row by Zaida James’ left-arm spin during the West Indies series, she has now gone two from two against Deepti’s offies.Tammy Beaumont struck her first T20I fifty since 2021•ECB/Getty ImagesBeaumont makes her caseHeather Knight’s injury in the third T20I against West Indies opened the door for Beaumont to make a return in this format – albeit in an unaccustomed spot batting at No. 4. And the carnage suffered by England’s top order meant she was in the middle by the eighth ball of the innings anyway. She would soon set about reaffirming her credentials ahead of next year’s home T20 World Cup.From 11 off 10, she struck Radha Yadav for back-to-back boundaries in a 15-run seventh over. She was dropped on 24, a tough caught-and-bowled chance off Amanjot, before crunching Rana for three consecutive fours as England reached the 10-over mark on 76 for 3, marginally ahead of India’s score at same stage.A cut off N Shree Charani’s left-arm spin followed by a single into the leg side brought up Beaumont’s first T20I fifty since she made 97 against New Zealand in September 2021. However, she only faced two more balls. After cutting Radha firmly to backward point, she paid the price for hesitating as Jones called her through, a brilliant throw from Rana catching Beaumont inches short at the non-striker’s end to leave England needing 95 from 51.When Alice Capsey and Jones fell in the same over from Charani, the equation had become 72 off 30 and there would be no great escape, as England lost a women’s T20 international at Bristol for the first time.India’s stumbling startEngland started poorly with Capsey conceding 11 off the first over, with Smriti Mandhana, fresh off a T20I hundred at Trent Bridge, immediately back into her groove. But Lauren Filer quickly made the breakthrough from the other end, cramping Shafali Verma with one back of a length that flicked the gloves through to Jones.Lauren Bell’s first over cost just two runs, and although Rodrigues picked off a couple more boundaries, there were signs of England’s greater intensity in the field: Ecclestone pulling off a diving stop at mid-off; Dunkley pouncing on a Rodrigues drive to then shy at the non-striker’s end.That was topped by Bell’s flying catch at mid-on to dismiss Mandhana for 13, as Em Arlott claimed the big wicket with her fourth ball. While the shot would have cleared several members of the England team, Bell was able to leap and contort herself in the air to hold on brilliantly.With Filer stooping for a low take in the following over to dismiss India’s returning captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, India were seemingly in trouble on 35 for 3 at the end of the powerplay.Jemimah Rodrigues scored her first fifty against England in white-ball cricket•Andy Kearns/Getty ImagesRodrigues chimes inComing in at No. 3, Rodrigues took some time to get her eye in. She was initially troubled by Filer’s pace when she went short, and was going at just above a run a ball for the first half of her innings, happy to rebuild in partnership with Amanjot.At 64 for 3 after 10 overs, India then needed to kick on, and Rodrigues provided the impetus. She responded to a blow on the helmet from Arlott by creaming the seamer over long-on to start a sequence of 6, 4, 4. She greeted the returning Filer with two impudent scoops over the keeper – the second of which almost went for six – and a slash through third, at which point she had scored 10 of India’s 13 boundaries. In between she brought up a 33-ball half-century, her first against England in 21 limited-overs internationals.Amanjot then picked up the cudgels to take three more boundaries off Ecclestone, cutting and sweeping with elan, as India produced consecutive overs worth 16, 18 and 15. Although Rodrigues was out shortly after, slapping Bell to cover to end a scintillating stand, only one side had the momentum.Amanjot ices the cakeBatting as high as No. 5 for the first time, allrounder Amanjot showed considerable poise throughout her innings. She had one early boundary – chipping Linsey Smith over mid-off to bring cheers from the India supporters in the crowd – and was 18 off 18 balls before tucking into Ecclestone, England’s premier spinner.She then accelerated brilliantly through the back of the innings in partnership with Ghosh, bringing up her maiden international half-century from 35 balls as England’s frailties from the first T20I reemerged. Ghosh thundered six boundaries in a 20-ball cameo, though she had a life on 12 when Beaumont inexplicably made a hash of a top-edged sweep at square leg.While Bell finished with fine figures of 2 for 17 and Ecclestone looked sharper in her second match back, India’s swashbucklers were brutal on the rest.

A league official was hopeful MLC will be classified as a ‘major sporting event’ which would ease any concerns about the participation of the players

Matt Roller05-Jun-2025Major League Cricket (MLC) officials hope that Afghanistan players including Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad will be able to fulfil their contracts for the 2025 season after US president Donald Trump signed a travel ban which will come into effect next week.Trump’s proclamation will “fully restrict and limit the entry” into the United States of nationals of 12 countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. He said the ban is designed to “protect the national security and national interest of the United States and its people”.There are seven Afghanistan players under contract for MLC 2025: Rashid, Azmatullah Omarzai and Naveen-ul-Haq (all MI New York); Gulbadin Naib, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Waqar Salamkheil (all Seattle Orcas) and Noor (Texas Super Kings).Related

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The ban, which is effective from 12.01am Eastern Time on Monday, June 9 includes an exemption for “any athlete or member of an athletic team… traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event as determined by the Secretary of State”.The order also states: “This proclamation shall apply only to foreign nationals of the designation countries who: (i) are outside the United States on the applicable effective date of this proclamation; and (ii) do not have a valid visa on the applicable effective date of this proclamation.”ESPNcricinfo understands that some relevant players have already reached the United States after receiving visas, while others are yet to apply or travel. A league official told ESPNcricinfo they were hopeful that MLC will be classified as a ‘major sporting event’ by Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, which would ease any concerns about the participation of Afghan players.An official at one affected franchise told ESPNcricinfo that they would explore all options, including the possibility of flying affected players into the United States before the ban kicks in. The official added that they will lean on MLC and other relevant authorities for guidance.An MLC spokesperson said: “We’re continuing to monitor the situation and are working with the relevant authorities to minimize travel disruptions for overseas players ahead of the start of Major League Cricket next week. We continue to attract some of the best players from around the world to come over to the US to showcase their talent, along with the best cricketers from the USA, and we are set to have the most exciting tournament to date this summer.”The order specifically mentions the Olympics, which will take place in Los Angeles in 2028, as an event for which athletes will be granted exemptions. Afghanistan should, therefore, be eligible to compete in the men’s T20 cricket event at the Games if they qualify.MLC’s 2025 season starts on June 12, with a rematch of last year’s final between Washington Freedom and San Francisco at the Oakland Coliseum.

Nottinghamshire’s Ben Slater and Joe Clarke posted battling half-centuries and new England Lion George Hill claimed five more wickets for Yorkshire during a fascinating opening day of Rothesay County Championship cricket at Headingley.Division One leaders Notts, inserted, were bowled out for 228 by a White Rose side who sat second-bottom ahead of this seventh fixture of the summer.Opener Slater made 52 off 111 balls and Clarke 64 off 151, while Hill’s seam accounted for 5 for 40 from 20 overs – his third haul of five wickets or more in as many matches. He is now the joint-leading wicket-taker in the country with 32.Yorkshire closed on 10 for 2 from 12 overs in reply, Mohammad Abbas striking twice.If things go well for Notts over the next few days, and if they go on to prise the title away from Surrey, this could be a pivotal day. That wasn’t because they dominated. Instead, they showed impressive fortitude in challenging conditions. They could quite easily have been bowled out for 150.Yorkshire constantly challenged, with Jordan Thompson claiming three wickets and new-ball seamer Jack White an excellent 2 for 23 from 16.2 overs.Yes, Notts had some luck. They continually played and missed. But they made decent use of it, and it feels like a useful total even though they lost their last five wickets for 36. Just how useful will become clear on day two.With Clarke and Lyndon James together in a sixth-wicket partnership of 71 either side of tea, that was when the visitors looked most secure.Dom Bess won his first toss in charge as Jonny Bairstow’s replacement. This was the first time in seven matches this season that Yorkshire haven’t batted first. And they started well, with White removing visiting skipper Haseeb Hameed, brilliantly caught one-handed at point by James Wharton diving low to his right – 9 for 1 in the sixth over.Even with a score of 6, Hameed became the first man in Division One to pass 700 runs.With 12 millimetres of grass left on the pitch for Yorkshire’s second home game running, the seamers got plenty of assistance. But Slater repelled the new ball and shared 56 for the second wicket with fellow left-hander Freddie McCann through to late morning. Slater reached his fifth fifty of 2025 off 109 balls.McCann fell just before lunch with the score on 65, caught low down at first slip off Thompson for 28. And when the same bowler clipped Slater’s off-stump shortly after lunch, two balls after he reached 50, the score slipped to 102 for 3 in the 38th over.That was the first of three wickets to fall for 19 runs inside nine overs, with Notts now 121 for 5 in the 47th. Hill bowled Jack Haynes shouldering arms and shortly afterwards bowled South African Kyle Verreynne through the gate.Yorkshire came into this fixture with some significant selection headaches, not least losing captain Bairstow to the Mumbai Indians for the latter stages of the IPL. Hill and White were the standout bowlers. They shared 13 of 25 maidens Yorkshire bowled. Thompson also impressed.Clarke reached his fifty off 123 balls and, with the help of 29 from James, advanced Nottinghamshire’s cause. But Yorkshire hit back to limit the damage.The 71-stand between Clarke and James was broken by Thompson’s third wicket – the latter caught behind by wicketkeeper Harry Duke following a top-edged pull.In the next over, Liam Patterson-White offered Duke a more regulation catch off Hill – 197 for 7 after 73 overs. Hill then had Brett Hutton caught at second slip and Clarke brilliantly caught by Thompson on the run at third-man following an attempted reverse scoop.White wrapped things up by bowling Dillon Pennington after he had heaved a four and six.The visiting overseas seamer Abbas then had openers Adam Lyth and Fin Bean caught behind for 2 apiece before close, and the concern for Yorkshire is that in Pakistani Test star, Notts have the perfect bowler for these conditions.

It would be an understatement to suggest that West Ham United have had a bad start to the season this year.

Sure, the Hammers managed to pull off an impressive 3-0 win away to Nottingham Forest before the international break, but they’ve lost every other game.

The East Londoners are currently sitting in the relegation zone with a goal difference of negative seven, and as things stand, it’s hard to see where the next win is going to come from.

However, Graham Potter can certainly make things easier for his side and give himself a better chance og keeping his job by axing a certain player from the starting lineup.

West Ham's underperformers

Unfortunately for Potter and Co, there are more than a handful of players who’ve looked entirely out of sorts so far this season.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

One of those is undoubtedly Mads Hermansen, as even though he wasn’t to blame for the loss away to Sunderland, and even pulled off a fine stop early on in that match, he’s since been a real hazard between the sticks.

For example, according to FBref, his save percentage has fallen from 64.5% for Leicester City last season to just 45% this year.

Another struggling member of the defensive unit has been Max Kilman, who has started all four league games this season, in which the team have conceded a whopping 11 goals.

Moreover, in the game against Spurs, he lost 100% of his ground duels, misplaced five of six long balls, failed in 100% of his attempted dribbles and didn’t make a single tackle or interception.

However, there is another regular starter in the side who simply has to be dropped for the next game, and for Potter’s own future.

The West Ham star Potter has to drop

While there are likely a few other names that could be mentioned here, we are talking about James Ward-Prowse.

The former Southampton captain joined the Hammers for £30m in the summer of 2023, and while there have certainly been some decent performances from the 30-year-old since, it would be hard to describe his move as anything other than a failure.

Indeed, in the words of former Hammers midfielder Martin Allen, when Ward-Prowse arrived, he could have done a job “similar to Mark Noble” in claret and blue but unfortunately it hasn’t panned out that way.

After all, he was sent out on loan to Forest last season, and then even at the City Ground, he was such an afterthought that he moved back to the London Stadium in early February.

Since then, the 11-capped Englishman has been a constant in the team and has started all five games this season, although once again, considering the results, that is not an indication of his quality.

In fact, many fans are now desperate for the manager to remove the former Saints star from the lineup, as while he was once considered “the best in the Premier League” for set-pieces, per Jamie Carragher, he now appears to offer very little.

Appearances

4

Minutes

325

Expected Goals

0.11

Goals

0

Expected Assists

0.69

Assists

0

Shots

0.3

Duels Won

57%

Successful Dribbles

0

Dribbled pas per Game

0.5

Accurate Crosses

50%

For example, he has yet to register a goal or assist this season, averaging just 2.5 key passes, creating only two big chances, and being accurate in 50% of his crosses.

Moreover, he does not have the agility or speed to play in a deeper midfield role, so he cannot even really help out with the defensive side of the game either.

A perfect example of his lack of speed came last season when Arsenal’s David Raya beat him to the ball from a corner he had come up for, and if an outfield player is slower than a goalkeeper, that is more than a little worrying.

Finally, it shouldn’t even be a tough decision to remove the Portsmouth-born midfielder from the side, as the highly-rated Soungoutou Magassa just joined the club and would surely do so much more.

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Ultimately, Ward-Prowse is a talented player and someone with a career most players would love to have, but the end of last season and the start of this one have proven that he must be dropped from the side.

Paul Scholes claims that Marcus Rashford “quit on Manchester United” and has branded the England international’s attitude a “disgrace”. A product of the Red Devils’ famed academy system spent time on loan at Aston Villa last season, having slipped out of favour under Ruben Amorim, before linking up with La Liga giants Barcelona for the 2025-26 campaign.

GettyRashford's record for Man Utd: Appearances & goals

Rashford has taken in 426 appearances for United, scoring 138 goals, but he may not figure for the Premier League outfit again. His form dipped on the back of signing a lucrative new contract, leading to questions being asked of his commitment to the collective cause.

AdvertisementChampions League double & benched by Barcelona

A spark of sorts was rekindled at Villa, while a stunning brace was recorded for Barcelona in a Champions League clash with Newcastle at St James’ Park on September 18. Rashford was, however, benched by Hansi Flick for a domestic date with Getafe after reporting late for a team meeting.

GettyMan Utd legend Scholes slams Rashford

United legend Scholes has hit out at Rashford on podcast, accusing the 27-year-old forward of letting the Red Devils and himself down. Scholes said: “I really struggle to feel happy for Marcus Rashford.

“Mainly because of his attitude. His attitude towards Man United towards the end was disgraceful. The amount of times I saw him walking because he wanted to leave… His whole demeanour about him was a disgrace.

“I think he quit on Man Utd. When you quit once, you’ll quit again. He was late last night [for Barcelona]. He wont get away with that for long at Barca. There’s absolutely no chance. How can you sleep in these days? Your phone, f*cking alarm, whatever. How can you sleep in?

“He’s definitely got the talent to be [one of the best players in the world]. But he’ll never have the mentality.”

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Rashford future: Contract at Man Utd & Barca purchase option

Rashford made unfortunate headlines in January 2024 when being spotted on a night out in Belfast before calling in sick to miss United training. He remains under contract at Old Trafford until 2028, but Barca’s season-long loan agreement includes an option to buy.

Manchester United have now hatched a plan to sign an “exceptional” £120m star in a swap deal for Jadon Sancho, with Ruben Amorim pushing INEOS to get a deal done, according to a report.

Man Utd still keen to strengthen in several areas

With their Premier League opener against Arsenal a matter of days away, Man United still remain keen on strengthening in several key areas, and Gary Neville believes his former side’s most important task will be to bring in a new goalkeeper.

Neville is relatively encouraged by the additions Amorim has made up to this point, but added: “If they get a goalkeeper, I think that they could get into the top six, but a lot of things have to go on.”

Paris Saint-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma has recently entered the frame as one of the Red Devils’ main targets, but it remains to be seen whether they are able to sign the Italian, given that they are now planning to break the bank on a midfielder…

Bigger talent than Baleba: INEOS chasing "phenomenal" £100m CM for Man Utd

Manchester United are making another huge move in the transfer market this summer.

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Ethan Lamb

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Indeed, Man United are expected to make a huge bid for Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba, but they have also hatched a plan to secure the central midfielder’s signature in a different way.

That is according to a report from The Independent, which states Man United would be willing to use Sancho as a makeweight in negotiations with Brighton, although it is deemed unlikely that the Seagulls will be tempted by a deal of that nature.

Instead, owner Tony Bloom is holding out for the huge sum of £120m, and INEOS are now actively trying to figure out a way of orchestrating the deal, amid pressure from Amorim.

The United boss is said to be pushing for the club’s hierarchy to bring in Baleba, with the manager keen on a new midfielder to fit the team together, and the Brighton star has the best profile of any player on the shortlist.

"Exceptional" Baleba very keen on Old Trafford move

With the defensive midfielder thought to be very keen on joining Amorim’s side, the move could be a formality if United are able to agree a suitable fee with Brighton, although they are driving a very hard bargain with the £120m asking price.

That said, there are some signs the Cameroon international could be worth the huge outlay, having performed extremely well on some key defensive metrics over the past year compared to other midfielders.

Lauded as “exceptional” by scout Ben Mattinson, the 21-year-old is also Premier League proven, which is crucial, given that previous signings, such as Rasmus Hojlund, have failed to adapt to life in England after joining for huge transfer fees.

It seems unlikely that a swap deal for Sancho will be possible, but it is exciting news that Amorim is pushing to get a deal for Baleba over the line.