Slater, Clarke keep Notts competitive despite Hill's latest five-for

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.

Not just O'Brien: Moyes is wasting Everton star in his current position

Everton have now gone three games without a win in the Premier League, but they have eight points after six matches and sit ninth in the standings.

The corresponding point from the 2024/25 campaign? The Toffees had four points on the board, having woefully lost four straight to kick off the term under Sean Dyche’s wing.

The draw against West Ham United on Monday night was probably a fair reflection of the fixture contested. The hosts started on the front foot and were well worth their money when Michael Keane rose and powered home from James Garner’s swept cross.

But Everton let the game get away with them, and United were playing with a new sense of iron about their will, having dismissed Graham Potter days before and replaced him with Nuno Espirito Santo.

Still, not everyone in blue covered themselves in glory. Beto toiled at number nine once again, but Jake O’Brien was also culpable for a poor performance at right-back.

Jake O'Brien raises questions

Everton signed O’Brien from Lyon for just over £16m in July 2024. Formerly of Crystal Palace’s academy system, the Republic of Ireland international had been hailed by journalist Zach Lowy as a “revelation in defence” for the French side, before completing his switch.

Last season, he struggled to break his way into the team before Moyes’ appointment, but thereafter, he played consistently from the outset at right-back, starting 17 times across the second half of the season.

So far this term, he has played every minute of the Hill Dickinson Stadium side’s Premier League campaign, though the recent draw to West Ham ended up shining a light on the need for a natural right-sided defender, one who can defend and attack with equal sharpness.

The Liverpool Echo handed the 6 foot 6 Toffee a 5/10 match rating after a performance that left plenty to be desired, while former Everton writer Adam Jones criticised the deployment, saying, “O’Brien at right-back just does not work in the long term.”

Minutes played

90′

Touches

61

Accurate passes

27/33 (82%)

Key passes

0

Possession lost

11x

Dribbles

0/0

Tackles

2

Clearances

7

Ground duels

3/6

Aerial duels

3/6

Dribbled past

2x

Errors made

1x

The Irishman is industrious and has been a shrewd signing for the Merseysiders, but it does beg the question as to why a high-level right-back was not signed this summer, with Ashley Young gone and Nathan Patterson unable to shake persistent injury problems.

Moreover, Everton have signed Jack Grealish on loan, and while the silky playmaker is flourishing on Merseyside, it has shifted Iliman Ndiaye out onto the right flank.

Everton's Iliman Ndiaye problem

When Everton welcomed Grealish to the pack, Moyes would have known that this would limit Ndiaye’s playing time from his favoured left flank.

Last season, the Senegalese winger was Everton’s most potent threat, finishing the campaign as their top scorer with 11 goals across all competitions.

Hailed by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp for his “dynamite” qualities on the ball, the 25-year-old also ranks among the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe for successful take-ons and the top 8% for tackles won per 90, data courtesy of FBref.

Four of his Premier League goals with the Blues have been struck with his left foot, but Ndiaye is clearly more comfortable arcing into space to unleash with his right, having only featured twice as a right winger across the entirety of the 2024/25 season.

Could it be said that he is being wasted in this new role? It perhaps bears testament to Ndiaye’s remarkable skill that he has hardly fallen by the wayside in this new role, but the sense that he would be performing at a higher level in his previous role cannot be shaken at this moment.

Iliman Ndiaye for Everton

The player’s speed and athleticism lend themselves to joy across the frontline; and indeed, Ndiaye has played all around the park, though Moyes has been the principal architect of his new home in unfamiliar territory.

Grealish, too, operates at his best in a left-sided midfield zone, but Moyes will be aware that both of his mavericks can play in a centralised attacking position, and maybe that’s food for thought, especially if Tyler Dibling makes the necessary developments over the next few weeks and months and nails down a prominent role at Everton.

Attacking midfield

51

15 (5)

Centre-forward

49

10 (12)

Left winger

41

10 (1)

Right winger

14

3 (2)

But this does loop back to O’Brien. Is the hulking defender the option on the right side of the defence? Does he provide the requisite creative support?

Ndiaye’s defensive focus has been sharpened since joining Everton from Marseille for £15m just over one year ago. However, he in turn needs help from the full-back behind him.

Given that Beto and Thierno Barry are struggling at number nine right now, and Ndiaye is Everton’s deadliest goal threat, there’s a chance that Moyes opts to field him as a centre-forward at some stage. In any case, appeasing the star is crucial if the club hope to stay competitive.

Ndiaye might have received a bit of criticism in recent weeks, but he’s still been dangerous across the opening weeks of the campaign, scoring two goals and assisting another.

But if Grealish becomes a permanent fixture on Merseyside, and Ndiaye is told that he will play off the right with regularity, a few more tweaks might be needed in the transfer market to achieve the kind of balance that will propel Everton into the ascendancy.

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Like Ward-Prowse: West Ham dud is "nowhere near" good enough to play for Nuno

It wasn’t the perfect start to Nuno Espírito Santo’s tenure at West Ham United on Monday night, but it wasn’t far off.

The Portuguese manager’s first game in charge saw the Hammers take on David Moyes’ Everton, and while they fell behind in the first half, they rallied, equalised in the second 45 and could have gone on to win on another day.

However, while it’s not quite as important as the team’s fightback, the coach’s decision to leave James Ward-Prowse back in London suggests he’s ready to make significant changes to the team.

West Ham player James Ward-Prowse.

However, there is another member of the squad who isn’t good enough and should be left out, just like the Englishman, going forward.

Why Ward-Prowse's time is up under Nuno

West Ham paid Southampton around £30m to sign Ward-Prowse in the summer of 2023, and aside from a few good performances here and there, and the odd free-kick, it’s a move that can only be described as a disaster.

The former Saints star is not agile, powerful, or quick enough to play as one of the team’s two central midfielders, but at the same time, he has not shown enough in-game creativity to start in the ten, especially not when Lucas Paqueta is still at the club.

The Portsmouth-born ace has been so lacklustre since his move to London Stadium over two years ago that he was sent on a season-long loan to Nottingham Forest, only to be sent back halfway through the campaign, having made a grand total of ten appearances, six of which were starts.

Now, some may claim that with a new manager through the door, all of the players who struggled under Graham Potter should be given another chance, but unfortunately for Ward-Prowse, it was Nuno who refused to play him at the City Ground.

Perhaps the best example of why the 11-capped international has to be moved on as soon as possible are the statistics from his last game for the club.

Minutes

90′

Goals

0

Assists

0

Touches

61

Accurate Passes

41/48 (85%)

Crosses (Accurate)

5 (1)

Shots on Target

0

Ground Duels (Won)

6 (1)

Aerial Duels (Won)

3 (0)

Lost Possession

14

Fouls

3

Dribbled Past

2

For example, in the game against Crystal Palace, he misplaced four of five crosses, lost eight of nine duels, was dribbled past twice, lost possession of the ball 14 times, and committed three fouls.

In other words, Ward-Prowse was, and is, a liability for West Ham and therefore, should ideally be sold in the winter window, alongside another player who has consistently failed to impress in East London.

The West Ham player who has to be dropped with JWP

The unfortunate reality for Nuno is that, while West Ham do have a number of quite brilliant players in the squad, they also have plenty who should be moved on as soon as possible.

Chalkboard

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

One of those who, unfortunately, falls into the latter camp is Konstantinos Mavropanos.

The Greek defender joined the club from Arsenal in the summer of 2023, and once again, while there have been some impressive moments here and there, he’s largely failed to live up to expectations.

We can see this in his underlying numbers.

According to FBref, he ranked in the top 6% for interceptions in the league among centre-backs last season, but just the top 35% for tackles, the top 56% for shots blocked and the bottom 23% for passes blocked.

In other words, the numbers back up the eye-test, and while it might sound harsh, they lend credence to the claim from journalist Tom Rennie that the 27-year-old is “nowhere near Premier League quality.”

A new manager didn’t make a difference either, as the former Stuttgart ace failed to prevent Michael Keane from opening the scoring on Monday night, despite initially being well-placed to do so.

Now, if there were no other options in the squad to replace him, Nuno might be forced to persevere with the Athens-born titan, but he has summer signing Igor Julio and Jean-Clair Todibo to choose from.

Ultimately, West Ham should look to sell Mavropanos and bring in a replacement in the winter window, as, like Ward-Prowse, he is not good enough to play under Nuno.

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Gary Neville says Arsenal signing is "a lot better" than he imagined

Gary Neville has said one of Arsenal’s summer signings is “a lot better” than he imagined, after making an impressive start to the Premier League season.

Neville left impressed after Arsenal thrash Nottingham Forest

The Gunners sent out a message with a 3-0 victory against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, with Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres getting on the scoresheet, while fellow summer signing Eberechi Eze grabbed his first assist since arriving from Crystal Palace.

Speaking after the game, Mikel Arteta praised the impact his summer signings made against the Tricky Trees, saying: “The new ones that started, five for them today, really impressed with them. I think you can sense and feel that there are new relationships flourishing there that are going to give us different things.”

Zubimendi stole the headlines, after finding the back of the net twice, either side of Viktor Gyokeres’ third goal of the season, with the Spaniard most notably firing home a volley from just outside the box.

However, goals and assists are not the only metrics on which players should be judged, with Neville taking the time to praise Noni Madueke, who is yet to get off the mark in an Arsenal shirt.

The Sky Sports pundit said: “Madueke is a lot better than I imagined and thought he would be. And certainly a lot better than Arsenal fans thought he would be.

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“A couple of runs that he made for England on Tuesday night were a different level, they’re runs I thought, ‘ooh’. They’re runs… Arjen Robben used to make those runs against me.

“His movement and the things that he’s doing are very, very good, and I’m talking from a full-back’s perspective playing against it.”

Madueke deserves the plaudits after fantastic performance

While the winger was unable to open his account, he undoubtedly put in a fantastic performance against Forest, winning more duels than any other player on the pitch, and making a number of important attacking contributions.

Statistic

Number completed

Successful dribbles

5

Key passes

5

Big chances created

1

Accurate crosses

4

Neville is not the only person to have been left very impressed by the £52m summer signing’s display either, with Arteta adding: “Noni – I thought he was exceptional. We played a front three that had never played [together] before. Overall I am very happy.”

Last season, Arteta was left very short on options in attacking areas at times, with Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka all spending time on the sidelines, which arguably made a major difference in the Premier League title race.

The problem this season, however, is a much nicer one to have, as Arteta may find it difficult to fit all his forwards into the side, given that Saka is expected to return later this month.

Leeds moving for £55,000-a-week set piece star who's out of contract in 2026

Leeds United are already looking ahead to the January transfer window and could seek to target an international star who will currently be available for free in 2026.

Leeds trying to move on after transfer frustration

Daniel Farke has acknowledged that the Whites could’ve done more in the window as they look to stay in the Premier League, albeit the German coach will have to play with the cards he has at his disposal for the time being after a heartbreaking late defeat at Fulham on Saturday afternoon courtesy of a bizarre Gabriel Gudmundsson own goal.

Like any newly-promoted side, home form and being able to withstand barrages while on the road from elite outfits will be key to their chances of survival. Either way, the former Norwich City boss has admitted he will need to cope with the ‘reality’ of their situation.

He stated via The Independent on their transfer dealings: “I’ve got a few principles with how I work and this is crucial for me. One principle is I like openness and transparency. I like to name it how I see it.

“The second principle is once a transfer window is closed and I can’t influence things anymore, you won’t hear one bad word or comment from me in any way. I’m pretty fortunate to be allowed to work in the business. My job is to adapt to the reality and work with what I’ve got.”

Failed late Leeds moves for Rangers midfielder Nico Raskin, among others, have left the Whites a little light for Farke’s liking, but that is the way of the window, and he isn’t the only top-flight manager in that situation.

Ultimately, time is the greatest healer and January isn’t a million miles away, which could see movement emerge regarding another star who was heavily pursued during the summer.

Leeds United plan move to sign Fulham's Harry Wilson

According to Football Insider, Leeds are planning a renewed move to sign Fulham winger Harry Wilson in January after missing out on the Wales international in the final hours of the summer window.

Encouragingly, the £55,000 per week earner is out of contract in 2026 and the Whites are keeping a close eye on his situation, while the Cottagers may be willing to sell him should he fail to agree an extention over the next few months.

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Labelled “outstanding” by Michael Beale, Wilson, who shares the Unique Sports Group agency with Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow, per Transfermarkt, scored six times in 27 appearances last term and has featured in all of Fulham’s matches so far in 2025/26, though is yet to get off the mark.

Clearly, Farke has had to deal with frustration at Elland Road in his mission to land key targets, but the chance to achieve retribution in pursuit of a player who could potentially arrive on a cut-price agreement or for free next year may sweeten his set of circumstances.

D'Oliveira, Hose take centre stage as Worcestershire rout Yorkshire

Visitors collapse to 51 for 6 and never recover, with Finch claiming 2 for 19

ECB Reporters Network01-Jun-2025Brett D’Oliveira’s scintillating 79 off 48 balls sent his team on their way to a first Vitality T20 Blast win of the season, as they swept aside Yorkshire at Visit Worcestershire New Road.Adam Hose, (54), joined his skipper in finding form at the right time as their partnership of 117 propelled the Rapids to 201 for 5.The visitors failed to get going in reply, with a middle order collapse leaving Yorkshire at 51 for 6, a position from which they never recovered.Adam Finch (2 for 19) starred with the ball, as Worcestershire’s excellent performance saw them wrap up a convincing 60-run win by DLS as rain brought a premature end to proceedings.After losing the toss, Captain D’Oliveira confirmed an unchanged side and, after being put into bat, set the tempo for his side early on.The captain was given an early reprieve when Dom Bess dropped a sharp return chance off his own bowling, but the visitors had their breakthrough that same over when Ed Pollock mistimed a cut shot off the same bowler and was caught at backward point for 12.The Rapids’ fifty was brought up in the fifth over, as the hosts looked to build on a fast start, but hopes were soon dashed as Kashif Ali (17) was dismissed when his attempt to clear the infield could only find Will Sutherland at mid-on.D’Oliveira continued to express himself, landing some mighty blows down the ground as he and new partner Hose, maintained the positive Worcestershire start by bringing up their fifty partnership and the Rapids’ 100 in quick time.Both Hose and D’Oliveira reached their respective fifties as Yorkshire captain Dawid Malan changed his bowlers frequently. Chances were few and far between for the visitors. Bess returned the best figures for Yorkshire, taking 3 for 25 from his three-over spell.Heading towards a big score, D’Oliveira’s sensational innings was brought a close as he was caught by Malan, off the bowling of Will Sutherland for an outstanding 79 off 48 balls.When Hose was eventually removed for 54, Yorkshire battled their way back into the game during the final few overs to restrict the Rapids to 201 for 5 at the completion of their 20 overs.After a brief pause for rain, the Yorkshire chase got off to a far from ideal start as Malan was bowled by Jacob Duffy in the second over, moments before Tom Hinley took a superb boundary catch to dismiss Will Luxton and leave the visitors two down for 16.In a remarkable period, Yorkshire’s chase fell apart as their middle order were dismantled, losing three wickets for just three runs in the space of just five balls.Wharton, Duke and Sutherland all came and went in quick succession, before any lasting hopes were quashed when opener Adam Lyth became Ethan Brookes’ (1 for 26) first victim of the day for a valiant 38.Coming together at 51 for 6, Dom Bess and Matty Revis added 63 for the seventh wicket, as the Worcestershire bowling attack looked for the breakthrough to wrap up a big win.Jacob Duffy (2 for 30) returned to break the partnership when he beat Matty Revis (33) with a searing yorker, to all but spell the end for Yorkshire.When the rain came in with four balls left in the innings, the visitors left the field 135 for 8, and the Rapids’ win by 60 runs was confirmed via Duckworth Lewis.

Everton are brewing Moyes' homegrown Grealish in "thrilling" 17-year-old

The summer of 2025 was a significant one for Everton. David Moyes’ side moved into their new stadium on Bramley Moore Docks, and are yet to lose in the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Some of their new signings this summer have already made a real impression.

In particular, one of the standouts has been Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. The former Leicester City star joined from Chelsea and has gone on to make seven appearances so far for the Merseysiders. Operating as a number ten, the 27-year-old has one goal and one assist in the Premier League so far.

Dewsbury-Hall is not the only new signing flying under Moyes, with Jack Grealish in sparkling form.

What Grealish has said about working under Moyes

After joining Everton on a season-long loan from Manchester City this summer, Grealish has shown the kind of form that earned him the £100m move to the Etihad Stadium four years ago.

He has been sensational under Moyes so far.

In a recent interview with Sky Sports, the 30-year-old gave his new manager plenty of credit for how well he’s playing.

Grealish said his form is thanks to the Scot “for giving me that platform to go and play the way I’ve been playing.” The attacker went on to explain that Moyes says, “when you get the ball just go and do what you want to do.”

Well, that seems to be working perfectly for the former Aston Villa star. He’s already assisted four goals and scored once in seven Premier League games under Moyes, playing 90 minutes five times and 88 minutes once.

The England international has put in some huge contributions, too. His first goal in that famous Blue shirt came last weekend, in the 93rd minute, to secure all three points against Crystal Palace.

He also assisted both goals in a 2-0 home win over Brighton and set up two more away to Wolves in a 3-2 win.

Yet, there is no guarantee that Grealish will stay at the club beyond this summer. He’s only at the club on a season-long loan, and whilst there is a £50m buy option, there is no saying Everton will trigger it.

Whatever Grealish’s future may be, the Toffees have a youngster in the academy who could be seen as the homegrown version of their number 18.

Everton’s homegrown Grealish

Over the years, there have been some iconic footballers to have played in Everton’s academy. Of course, the most famous has to be Wayne Rooney, an academy graduate who went on to become one of the Premier League’s all-time greats.

Well, representing the Toffees in their academy now is 17-year-old winger Justin Clarke. The former AFC Wimbledon star has already played professional football, making his debut for the League One side as a 15-year-old back in November 2023.

Having now signed a professional contract at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, the youngster has impressed for Everton’s academy. In the under-21s, he’s scored three goals and assisted one in eight appearances.

In the under-18s, Clarke has shone, with 11 goals and one assist in 19 games. It is easy to see why Liverpool Echo journalist Joe Thomas called him ‘outstanding’, having also highlighted how “thrilling” it is to see such “fearlessness” in action.

The former Wimbledon star has already had a taste of first-team football in preseason, where he even had the chance to get on the pitch. In a later interview, Clarke said he will “always be confident, and I’ll never abandon my gameplan,” even in a senior environment.

That courageousness is certainly similar to Grealish, described by England teammate Phil Foden as a “fearless” operator.

Earlier in the season, Toffees fans might have seen more similarities between the pair. Clarke shone in the EFL Trophy against Doncaster Rovers, where he scored a late goal and completed four dribbles.

Clarke stats vs. Doncaster

Stat

Number

Touches

43

Passes completed

12/16

Dribbles completed

4

Ground duels won

7

Fouls won

3

Shots

2

Goals

1

Stats from Sofascore

That performance against a group of experienced senior players highlighted the confidence Clarke plays with. It is easy to see how he is like Grealish, in that sense, who is also unlikely to shy away from a challenge.

Whatever Grealish’s future is on Merseyside, Everton fans can certainly get excited about Clarke, who seems to be a player with a bright future.

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Not just Estevao: Chelsea must now unleash the "next big thing from Cobham"

There is no getting away from the fact that Chelsea have not had the start to the season they would’ve been hoping for.

Enzo Maresca’s side lost their opening game of their Champions League campaign, and with their defeat against Manchester United on Saturday, they have amassed just eight points in the Premier League.

Fortunately, the Blues’ League Cup clash away to Lincoln City tonight provides them with a chance to bounce back with a convincing and entertaining win.

With that said, the manager should also use it as an opportunity to play some of the younger players in the squad, like Estevao and another Cobham product.

The Chelsea youngsters who should start with Estevao

Starting from the back, tonight’s game surely gives Maresca the perfect opportunity to hand Jorrel Hato another competitive start in Blue.

Appearances

111

Starts

102

Minutes

9121′

Goals

4

Assists

9

Goal Involvements per Match

0.11

Minutes per Goal Involvement

701.61′

Points per Game

1.86

The Dutchman may still only be a teenager, but he’s already got an enormous amount of experience, making 111 appearances for Ajax before leaving this summer.

Moving into the middle of the park, the manager should bring Andrey Santos into the team from the start.

The young Brazilian was brought on in the 21st minute for the West Londoners on Saturday, and all things considered, did rather well, completing 100% of his dribbles, completing 51 passes and earning a 7/10 match rating from the Standard’s Simon Collings.

Then, when it comes to the wide players, one of them has to be Estevao, who was taken off early at Old Trafford due to Robert Sanchez’s ridiculous red card.

The dynamic attacker might not have scored his first competitive goal for the club yet, but he provided a brilliant assist in the game against West Ham United and has generally looked a threat whenever he’s been on the pitch.

However, he’s not the only youngster who should be given the chance in attack tonight.

The Cobham ace who should start vs Lincoln

While every game is important for Chelsea, especially in cup competitions, the level of tonight’s opposition provides the club with an opportunity to give some academy talent a proper runout.

In The Pipeline

Therefore, Maresca should bring Shumaira Mheuka back into the squad, and not only that, but hand him what would be just his second start.

Yes, the young Englishman did get a few runouts in the first team last season, including a start against FC Copenhagen, but given his age, it would have been unfair to expect too much of him.

So with that said, why should he come back into the team tonight?

Well, simply put, because he is on fire this season.

For example, in just six appearances, totalling 523 minutes, the Birmingham-born goal machine has put the ball in the back of the net seven times for the youth sides.

In other words, the 17-year-old gem is averaging 1.16 goals every game this season, or one every 74.71, which makes it easy to see where talent scout Jacek Kulig is coming from when he describes him as “the next big thing from Cobham!”

Finally, it’s not just at club level where the youngster is flying, as in 16 appearances for England’s U19s, totalling 970 minutes, he has scored eight goals and provided three assists.

Ultimately, given the level of the opposition tonight and his recent form, Maresca should look to start Mheuka for Chelsea against Lincoln City.

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Karan the hero as Nepal beat Scotland in dramatic finish

Nepal beat Scotland in most dramatic circumstances in their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 match in Dundee on Monday when, off what turned out to be the last ball of the match, Scotland appeared to have got the last wicket – which would have pushed the game to a Super Over – but a delayed signal for wide from the umpire broke their hearts, and sparked joy in the Nepal camp.Here’s what happened.It was Mark Watt, the left-arm spinner, with the ball, and Karan KC on strike off the penultimate ball of the match. Watt went around the wicket and speared the ball in, but missed his mark. Karan, almost running before the ball had reached him, attempted a flick but missed. Matthew Cross behind the stumps failed to gather – though that would be rendered irrelevant eventually – scrambled around to pick up the rogue ball, and somehow managed to break the stumps even as Nepal’s last man, Rijan Dhakal, put in a dive.

The moment the stumps were broken, the Scotland players rushed about the pitch celebrating. It took them a few seconds to realise that the umpire had called the ball a wide. Karan, running towards the umpire, spotted the signal and raised his bat even as Watt and the other Scotland players were also milling about with arms raised. The shoulders drooped immediately. It was the Nepal last pair doing the celebrating now.Cue, a pitch invasion. The Nepal players were all over Karan, the all-round hero of the win. He was lifted on to shoulders soon after. The Scotland players walked off dejected, knowing that it was, indeed, a wide and they had nothing to challenge.”What a finish. It was all confusion. I don’t think I even know what happened,” the commentator said on the broadcast. It was that sort of finish.That it came to that situation was down, to a large extent, because of Karan.

Nepal had won the toss and fielded. Karan, the right-arm quick, was the best of their bowlers, returning 2 for 43, but opener Charlie Tear’s 80 and Finlay McCreath’s 55 led Scotland to a solid 296 for 7.The Nepal reply stuttered after a good start as they lost wickets in clumps. And especially when they went from 152 for 2 to 192 for 7 – right-arm quick Brandon McMullen triggering the slide with the big wickets of Bhim Sharki, Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee – Scotland were clear favourites.Enter Karan again. He first put on a 60-run stand for the eighth wicket with Gulsan Jha, who scored 42 in 30 balls, and then did it all on his own, finishing with 65 not out off 41 balls with three fours and four sixes.It was Nepal’s highest successful chase in ODIs, but they are still down at No. 7 on the eight-team table, while Scotland are at No. 4.

توروب: لا أتفق مع منتقدي الأهلي.. وقدمنا أفضل أداء أمام سيراميكا كليوباترا

علق ييس توروب، المدير الفني للأهلي على فوز الفريق على سيراميكا كليوباترا، بهدفين لهدف، في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس السوبر المصري.

والتقى الأهلي نظيره سيراميكا كليوباترا، في نصف نهائي كأس السوبر المصري، على ملعب هزاع بن زايد، في نصف نهائي بطولة السوبر المصري.

طالع.. أيمن يونس: توروب غير شخصية الأهلي.. وهدف جراديشار من “لمسة حب”

وقال توروب في المؤتمر الصحفي:”مبروك لجماهير النادي الفوز الغالي والتأهل للنهائي، لدينا هدف واحد وهو المباراة النهائية، سيطرنا على مجريات المباراة وأضعنا فرصًا عديدة”.

وتابع: “خضنا مباراة أمام خصم صعب ومبروك للأهلي وجماهيره، الخطوة المقبلة المباراة النهائية، وهذا أفضل أداء قدمناه منذ تولي المهمة، ومتفق مع هذا الرأي”.

وأشار: “لست متفقًا بأن هناك مشاكل في الدفاع رغم تلقي الفريق هدفًا، دفاعنا كان متماسكًا وكنا الأفضل طوال الـ90 دقيقة، واطلعت على الجزء البدني، ونعمل على تطويره من مباراة إلى أخرى”.

وأكمل: “الأهداف والانتصارات تمنح الثقة للاعبين؛ واليوم سجلنا هدفين، ولو لم نصنع فرص لن نسجل، واللاعبون يبذلون جهدًا كبيرًا في المباريات ونحاول تسجيل أكبر جزء من الأهداف، اليوم وجدت تضحية من اللاعبين من أجل تحقيق الفوز وأشكرهم على ذلك”.

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