Kylian Mbappe was on fire for Paris Saint-Germain as he scored three and set up another goal in a 6-2 annihilation of Montpellier on Sunday.
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Only once has a West Indian bowler struck more than the 13 times he did in a single Test match, and that was back in 1976
ESPNcricinfo staff19-Jun-2018
CWI Media/Randy Brooks
He took a few wickets with pace. Then a few more with bounce. Even some with lateral movement. Shannon Gabriel was so good in St Lucia that he vaulted into the record books. Only once has a West Indian bowler struck more than the 13 times he did in a single Test match. And that was back in 1976, when Michael Holding wrapped England up and put them in his pocket.”It’s a great feeling,” Gabriel said after the game. “If someone told me, ‘Shannon, you’ll play Tests and take 100 wickets’, I would’ve told him, ‘you’re crazy!’ I’d like to thank family and friends for supporting me.”I was prepared well for this series, getting myself fit. As long as you get wickets, pains and aches go away. I was supported well by Kemar (Roach), he was unlucky. Miguel Cummins kept coming at the batsmen. (Jason) Holder was also very good. Anything other than a loss is good. We can take plenty of positives from this Test.”There was only one clear star though, at least in captain Holder’s eyes. “Shannon was absolutely outstanding. I don’t think words can describe the spell he bowled in both the first and second innings. He was aggressive. His pace was up. He caused trouble with every spell he came in and bowled and he stood up. He put us in a position to draw this Test match.”West Indies had won the first Test of the series and were fighting to protect their 1-0 lead at the Darren Sammy stadium. Gabriel was a key part of that, picking up 5 for 59 and then bettering it with 8 for 62. Only three times in the last 23 years has a West Indies bowler taken five wickets in each innings. On the back of that, Gabriel has leapt 11 places up to No. 12 on the ICC Test bowlers rankings.The other saviour for West Indies was opener Kraigg Brathwaite. He soldiered on for 60.3 overs even as the top order crumbled – they were 64 for 4 chasing 296 – to shut down Sri Lanka’s hopes of levelling the series. The hosts had a little help from a timely spell of rain as well.”Congrats as well to Kemar [Roach] and Kraigg, both reaching milestones in this Test match,” Holder said. “Three-thousand Test match [runs] as an opening batter is remarkable and obviously Kemar getting 150 wickets. Very very pleasing to see our guys getting some landmarks and hopefully they can keep pressing forward.”The other major talking point from the Test match was a ball-tampering issue that broke out on the third day. The umpires laid a complaint against Sri Lanka’s methods at maintaining the red-ball, following which they refused to take the field for two hours. Eventually, their captain Dinesh Chandimal was charged by the ICC for breaking the code of conduct.Holder would not be drawn into talking about the incident, but he did feel aggrieved that there was little communication between the officials and the West Indies team. “To be honest I wasn’t aware of what was going on early in the morning. Then we got some information of what was going on. Obviously we’ve seen what has transpired and what has come of it. I choose not to get involved with it. The game is in the control of the match referee. Just a bit disappointed with how it was handled. We basically sat around for two hours with not much information.”Holder was far more open in talking about the final Test of the series, starting on Saturday. “Its obviously a special occasion, the first day-night Test in the Caribbean. I guess the people of Barbados – I’m from Barbados as well – will come out and support us. They’re really avid cricket fans and it should be a really good spectacle at the Kensington Oval.”
Leeds United are expected to have another key player available to them once again after the international break alongside Djed Spence, following a fresh update.
Which Leeds players are currently injured?
At Elland Road, Daniel Farke still has Stuart Dallas on the sidelines with his long-term injury, as well as Junior Firpo and Spence ,who also missed the 3-1 Championship defeat to Southampton on Saturday, with the three players remaining out of action as it stands.
The Whites are next set to host Queens Park Rangers in the second tier at home this evening, with kick-off scheduled for 7:45pm UK time, and whilst a return will come too soon for one other injured star in particular, there has been some encouraging news delivered.
During the 0-0 draw against Hull in September, Wilfried Gnonto was forced off the pitch following a collision and he’s since undergone surgery on his ankle problem, causing initial fears that the left-winger could be out for a significant amount of time.
According to Football Insider, Italy’s international was facing a maximum two months away from the grass following his procedure, but luckily for supporters, the manager has now shared a promising update on the fitness of the 19-year-old.
How long is Wilfried Gnonto out for?
Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Farke confirmed that Gnonto is expected to stage his comeback after the upcoming international break, alongside Spence, whilst also delivering updates on the duo of Firpo and Dallas.
As quoted by The Athletic's Phil Hay on X, he said: "Farke on injuries: Gnonto and Spence "everything is on track." Due back on the other side of the international break. Firpo due back in training after the break too.
"Dallas has gone back to some individual training but due to join in full training again shortly. Dallas had a very minor setback in training but should resume full training in the next few days, Farke says."
How many goals has Wilfried Gnonto scored?
Since arriving at Leeds from FC Zurich last summer, Gnonto has racked up nine contributions (five goals and four assists) in 34 senior appearances which shows the positive impact he makes in the final third, therefore, it’s a huge boost for Farke that he’ll soon be ready to return to the competitive action in Yorkshire.
The Verbania native was also averaging 2.6 dribbles per game prior to his absence, alongside having recorded ten crosses so far this season which is the fourth-highest total throughout the squad, via FBRef, highlighting his desire to use his pace, take on his marker and create chances for himself and his fellow teammates in the final third.
Gnonto, who has been labelled a “diamond” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, is additionally a versatile operator having been deployed in seven various positions over the attack since the start of his career, including everywhere across the frontline and three roles in the midfield, so the £20k-per-week earner really is a joy to watch in LS11.
India were bundled out for a mere 113, with Sophie Ecclestone and Danielle Hazell sharing eight wickets, as England cantered to an eight-wicket victory to level the series
ESPNcricinfo staff09-Apr-2018
Sophie Ecclestone claimed figures of 10-5-14-4•Getty Images
ScorecardWhile the series opener between India and England went down to the wire – the hosts toiled to victory in the final over by just one wicket – the second ODI was less evenly contested. India were bundled out for a mere 113, allowing England’s top four to canter to an eight-wicket victory to level the series.The toss might have gone Mithali Raj’s way, but not much else did thereafter. India threw away an opportunity to post a big total after electing to bat first. What cost them more was that they failed to bat out all 50 overs. Spin twins Danielle Hazell and Sophie Ecclestone did the bulk of the damage, sharing eight wickets between them. Hazell dismissed top-order big guns Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur cheaply, while Ecclestone picked up Veda Krishnamurty and more importantly Smriti Mandhana, India’s highest run-scorer in the game.Mandhana’s innings showed glimpses of fluency before an Ecclestone delivery knocked into her off stump, leaving India reeling at 80 for 5. Within two overs, that position had worsened to 81 for 7. As the spinners wreaked havoc, the only batsman who hung in there amidst the storm was Deepti Sharma. Her 25-run partnership with Jhulan Goswami meant India somehow crossed the three-figure mark.Five – that’s how many maidens Ecclestone bowled in her quota of 10 overs. She displayed remarkable accuracy and ensured India’s lower-middle order did not tee off at any point. Finishing with career-best figures of 4 for 14 made Ecclestone a runaway choice for the Player of the Match award.England’s no-nonsense approach in the chase was led by Danielle Wyatt. Her 43-ball 47 saw the visitors coast to 73 at the end of the 15th over. Ekta Bisht, however, denied Wyatt a fine half-century as the batsman yorked herself. In her next over, Bisht once again got a breakthrough for her team, her second victim being Amy Jones who departed without scoring. But that was all as far as India’s reasons to smile were concerned.Skipper Heather Knight then joined Tammy Beaumont and the duo steered England to victory with 21 overs to spare. The captain smashed Poonam Yadav to the boundary to bring up the winning runs and make it 1-1 in the series.On a track that spun and kept low, the spinners unsurprisingly headlined the game, taking all 11 wickets to fall to bowlers (there was also one run-out). Victory also kept England win with a chance of winning the three-match series – something they have never previously done in India. “I only found out this morning that we haven’t won a series here,” Knight said. “That will keep us motivated for the third game.”
Leeds United's euphoric return to the Premier League slowly deteriorated after that emphatic first season, with the Whites now in the second tier after three campaigns in the big time.
Having churned through managers last term, promotion specialist Daniel Farke has been appointed to orchestrate a swift journey back to the top flight, but Leeds have endured a testing transfer window and a slow start to the Championship season.
Several first-team stars have headed for the exit door, and while Ethan Ampadu, Karl Darlow and Joel Piroe have all been signed, the club are still pushing for further acquisitions before the transfer window closes next week.
What's the latest on Joseph Paintsil to Leeds?
According to The Athletic's David Ornstein, Leeds have recently proposed a deal to Belgian outfit Genk for winger Joseph Paintsil, offering €10m (£9m) plus a sell-on clause.
Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…
Southampton are also interested, though the player's preference is believed to be the Elland Road club.
However, Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has claimed that Farke's side are considering withdrawing their offer after Genk rejected the Whites' approach.
Who is Joseph Paintsil?
The £9k-per-week winger has impressed in the Belgian Pro League over the past several seasons, having remarkably posted 18 goals and assists apiece across all competitions last term, after previously earning praise for being part of a "superb" title-winning Genk team in 2018/19 by talent scout Jacek Kulig.
As per Sofascore, the 25-year-old plundered 17 strikes and assisted a further 11 as Genk topped the 2022/23 regular season table, complementing his direct output with 1.4 key passes per game and creating 12 big chances.
The nine-cap Ghana star has an eye for goal himself, but also appears to be a trustworthy and consistent creative force, and as such, he could be the perfect partner for Piroe if he transfers his qualities from Belgium to Yorkshire.
Piroe was signed for Leeds from divisional rivals Swansea City this week, completing a transfer in excess of £10m, and appears to be a most auspicious signing after demonstrating his destructive qualities across two campaigns in the Championship, scoring 23 goals in the 2021/22 term before landing 20 last year.
He even got off the mark as Leeds earned their first win of the campaign at Ipswich Town this weekend.
As per FBref, the Dutch talisman also ranks among the top 4% of strikers playing at a similar level for pass completion and the top 16% for interceptions per 90.
This could ensure he fits right into Farke's system at Elland Road, with the German manager striving for possession-based football speckled with intelligent combinations and an emphasis on driving the ball into dangerous areas.
By utilising his ball-playing skills and getting stuck in defensively, Piroe could influence the play from a multitude of angles, all the while maintaining a cutting edge in front of goal.
And by maintaining this level of crispness with his all-encompassing approach, Paintsil would have a licence to thrive and drive at goal from the right flank, attacking incisively and indeed flourishing as a creative outlet.
Leeds could bring the Ghana international in at a time when the club needs some newfound panache to truly kickstart their campaign, and with Piroe's signature already tied up, Farke's squad is starting to take shape.
Ben Duckett will have the operation on the ring finger of his left hand next Monday with the recovery time estimated to be 12 weeks, which also rules him out of the North-South series
ESPNcricinfo staff06-Feb-2018Ben Duckett will miss the start of the English domestic season after it was decided he would undergo surgery on a finger injury sustained at the end of the 2017 summer.Duckett will have the operation on the ring finger of his left hand next Monday, with the recovery time estimated to be 12 weeks, after he carried the injury over the last few months.The surgery means that Duckett has also been ruled out of the North v South one-day series in Barbados in late March.It has been a difficult few months for Duckett, who played four Tests for England in late 2016 against Bangladesh and India, after he was caught up in controversy in Australia for throwing a drink over James Anderson in a Perth nightclub when the England Lions squad was alongside the main Ashes party.Duckett was not sent home at the time of the incident – which came just a few weeks after the Jonny Bairstow headbutt affair at the same club – but was suspended and given a written warning at the time then omitted from the Lions squad which is currently touring West Indies.Duckett’s absence will stretch the Northamptonshire squad at the start of their County Championship campaign. A 12-week timescale takes Duckett’s likely absence into May but his return could coincide with the start of the Royal London Cup.He will be replaced in the North’s squad by Adam Hose, the Warwickshire batsman, who impressed during Birmingham Bears’ run to the NatWest T20 Blast final.A change has also been required for the South after England allrounder Liam Dawson signed for the Pakistan Super League as a replacement for Shakib Al Hasan, with Ollie Pope, the Surrey batsman, taking his place.Dawson, who is currently with England’s T20 squad for the tri-series in Australia and New Zealand, had also been set to play in the one-day leg of the Lions series against West Indies A. The selectors have yet to decide whether to replace him for that portion of the tour.
Glasgow Rangers head into the final days of the summer transfer window well-placed to challenge for domestic honours while hopefully aiming to replicate their European performances which saw them come so close to winning the Europa League in 2022.
Michael Beale has built a solid squad and his next goal will be to turn his team into a side which can succeed on a regular basis.
There were some high-profile departures at the end of last season, including Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent but Beale has moved to replace these once-prized assets.
What happened to Ryan Kent at Rangers?
The English winger enjoyed a fruitful five-year stint in Glasgow, registering 89 goal contributions – 33 goals and 56 assists – across 218 matches while winning the Premiership and Scottish Cup too.
The 2022/23 campaign, which proved to be his last at the Gers, saw his performances slip, and although he scored three goals and grabbed ten assists, he failed to put in consistent displays throughout the season.
Read the latest Rangers transfer news HERE…
This led to him being released and although on his day, Kent could be wonderful, those days were few and far between under Beale and the manager clearly wanted to go in a different direction ahead of the current season.
The former Liverpool gem eventually joined Turkish side Fenerbahce and the 42-year-old has spent the entire window looking for a replacement.
Could there be a solution starring Beale right in the eye, however? Indeed, Rabbi Matondo has enjoyed a redemption of sorts recently following a woeful 2022/23.
How has Rabbi Matondo performed?
The Welsh winger arrived in a £2.5m deal from Schalke last summer and was expected to use his pace and creativity to vastly improve the Light Blues.
A return of just five assists across 28 games suggested that he failed to live up to expectations and having started just three games under Beale during the second half of last term, his future looked away from Ibrox.
The £28k-per-week gem has made huge strides during the summer and following a cameo against Livingston earlier this month where he grabbed an assist, the winger started against Greenock Morton in the League Cup.
Lauded as Rangers’ “bright spark” by journalist Euan Robertson during the game against the Championship outfit, the 22-year-old put himself in the frame for an outing against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.
He didn’t disappoint. Matondo emerged from the bench with just 23 minutes remaining, the tie finely poised at 1-1.
Following a free-flowing move by the home side, Matondo used his pace to wonderful effect and got onto the end of a stunning Cyriel Dessers pass to slot the ball into the net and give the Light Blues a 2-1 advantage.
It could certainly prove to be the catalyst that really kick-starts his Rangers career, and he was even praised by teammate Jack Butland, who said after the game:
“He’s been waiting a long time for that moment. He trains well, works hard and is great around the group. This season he’s come on and made some huge impacts.”
With Kent gone, Matondo could take full advantage and cement a regular spot in the starting XI over the coming months. His previous few matches have demonstrated the vast talent he possesses and this could be the beginning of a productive campaign for the youngster that finally sees him replicate Kent.
كشفت تقارير صحفية بريطانية، أن هناك منافسًا إنجليزيًا جديدًا للتعاقد مع البرازيلي فيتور روكي لاعب فريق كرة القدم الأول بنادي برشلونة الإسباني.
فيتور روكي انضم إلى برشلونة في يناير الماضي في عمر الـ19 عامًا، ولديه شرط جزائي مع النادي الكتالوني بقيمة 430 مليون جنية إسترليني.
اللاعب الإسباني وجد صعوبة في إثبات نفسه للمدرب تشافي هيرنانديز، الذي فضل عليه روبرت ليفاندوفسكي أساسيًا، ولم يحصل روكي على العديد من الدقائق رغم تألقه في البداية.
طالع أيضًا.. وكيل ليفاندوفسكي يرد على أنباء رحيله عن برشلونة
وكيل اللاعب، أندريه كوري، حذر برشلونة في تصريحات لراديو كتالونيا، أن موكله لن يقبل الإعارة وأنه في الموسم المقبل إما سيكون مع البلوجرانا أو يرحل بشكل نهائي.
تهديدات أندريه كوري لن تجعل تشافي يمنح روكي المزيد من الدقائق، ولن تغير التخطيط الذي يضعه المدرب الإسباني حسب ما أكدت صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية.
صحيفة “ديلي إكسبريس” البريطانية، أكدت أن توتنهام انضم للصراع على ضم فيتور روكي، مع آرسنال وتشيلسي ومانشستر يونايتد.
في العام الماضي كان توتنهام على استعداد التعاقد مع اللاعب مقابل 34 مليون جنية إسترليني، لكن برشلونة تفوق عليهم.
البرازيلي هذا الموسم شارك في 13 مباراة مع برشلونة، ولم يحقق أي لقب تحت قيادة تشافي هيرنانديز.
Arsenal are "ready" to make an offer of "at least" €20 million (£17m) for Dinamo Zagreb defender Josip Sutalo, according to reports out of Italy.
Who will Arsenal sign?
Despite spending over £200 million on the signings of Germany international winger Kai Havertz, versatile defender Jurrien Timber and Premier League star Declan Rice, there is reason to believe supporters could expect even more fresh faces.
Havertz signed for around £65m from Chelsea, with Timber completing a £38m switch from Ajax. However, the most headline-grabbing transfer by some distance was Rice – who signed for a club-record £105 million from West Ham.
Now the most expensive English player of all time, above both Jack Grealish and Jude Bellingham, manager Mikel Arteta was left absolutely thrilled by his arrival in north London.
Read the latest Arsenal transfer news HERE…
“We’re really happy that Declan is joining us," said Arteta.
"He is a player with tremendous ability, who has been performing at a high level in the Premier League and for England for a number of seasons now. Declan is bringing undoubted quality to the club and he is an exceptional talent who has the potential to be very successful here.
“Declan has great experience in the Premier League at only 24 years old. He has captained a very good West Ham team and as we all saw, he recently lifted a European trophy. The responsibility and role he has taken on has been very impressive and we are really excited that he is joining us.”
Arsenal have displayed serious ambition this summer transfer window and are also in talks to sign Brentford goalkeeper David Raya, coming as the club seek to provide competition for Aaron Ramsdale.
The Spanish shot-stopper is perhaps Arsenal's most-talked about potential incoming right now, but according to Italian journalist Niccolò Ceccarini, they could well bid for another outfielder.
Speaking to Radio Toscana, as transcribed by fiorentinanews.com, the reporter claims Arsenal are among the sides who are ready to bid at least £17m for Sutalo of Dinamo Zagreb.
They are one of four clubs willing to make an offer, a list which includes the likes of Ajax, RB Leipzig and London rivals West Ham.
"For Sutalo there are 4 clubs ready to put at least 20 million for the player," said Ceccarini.
"From Leipzig to Arsenal to West Ham and Ajax. I don't think Fiorentina will want to have 5 central players in the squad, if another one arrives I think Martinez Quarta would leave. With five players in the department there would always be someone unhappy, never playing, beyond the rotations of Italian."
How good is Josip Sutalo?
The Croatian, who featured at last year's 2022 World Cup in Qatar, has impressed on-lookers with some of his performances on the international stage.
Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, for instance, holds a firm belief that Sutalo is "one of the most underrated U-23 CBs in Europe."
Standing at a towering 6 foot 3, the 23-year-old seemingly has a growing reputation and may well provide solid cover to the likes of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes – if Arsenal can get a deal done.
Manchester United have been craving the addition of a striker for so long now, and it finally seems like they are starting to close in on their man…
That's according to journalist Alfredo Pedulla, who took to his website to offer a fresh update on their pursuit of Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund.
He would suggest that the Red Devils remain in contact over the Danish international, who has become an increasingly important target for Erik ten Hag to bring in. Especially considering the emergence of Paris Saint-Germain as a rival for his signature.
An offer of around €60m (£52m) plus bonuses is expected in the coming week, although it was noted back in June that the Italian outfit would not sell for any less than €100m (£87m).
Such an outlay would bring their summer spending up significantly, which has already been buoyed by the additions of Andre Onana (£47.2m) and Mason Mount (£55m). It seems poised to be yet another expensive window for the Manchester club, who are still seeking a return to their former glory days.
Whilst the signing of a striker like Hojlund would almost guarantee goals, which would improve any team, it is the supplementary benefits that his arrival would bring that would surely transform Ten Hag's side.
After all, his outfit have been continuing to provide for lacklustre front-men akin to Wout Weghorst and Anthony Martial, even at times operating without a number nine at all.
The emergence of someone as clinical as the 20-year-old would be paramount, as he notched 16 goals and seven assists across all competitions last season. Such a figure equalled the tallies of the two aforementioned forwards, Antony and Jadon Sancho all combined in the Premier League most recently.
Bruno Fernandes is someone who would certainly benefit from a marksman with a bit of quality, who has both the physical presence to forge space, but also the pace to latch onto his seeking long balls.
The latter asset is emphasised by writer Sacha Pisani, who claimed: "Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund is scary quick."
Last campaign the Portuguese maestro averaged 3.3 key passes per game in the Premier League, forging a ridiculous 32 big chances despite only earning eight assists, via Sofascore.
To compare these figures with Kevin De Bruyne, who has enjoyed the striking talents of Erling Haaland, the Belgian instead created 31 big chances of his own, but instead ended up with 16 assists in the league, via Sofascore.
Back during his first few campaigns at Old Trafford, following his move from Sporting CP, a huge debate raged on regarding who was the better creator out of these two attacking midfielders. After all, during the 2020/21 campaign, the 28-year-old posted 45 goal contributions across all competitions, which dwarfed the 28 of his Etihad alternative that year.
The recent success of Manchester City has seen that argument silenced in favour of the latter, but should Fernandes have his own top forward to feed off, his numbers could return to the level required to rival the 32-year-old maestro once again.
Hojlund may not quite be as clinical as Haaland, with his 17% goal conversion (in Serie A) a far cry from the 29% (in the Premier League) he will seek to emulate, but the potential the young forward boasts is huge.
If he could hit the ground running at Old Trafford, not only could his goals spearhead an unlikely title charge, but once again fans could be treated to the very best of Fernandes.