Category Uncategorized

Aston Villa took a swipe at Erling Haaland on social media after their 1-0 victory against Manchester City on Sunday.

Villans continue return to form with victory against Man City

Villa’s five-game winning streak was brought to an abrupt end in the Europa League on Thursday night, losing 2-1 away at Go Ahead Eagles, but they got back on track with a statement victory against Man City on Sunday afternoon.

Matty Cash scored the only goal of the game in the first half, with the full-back’s strike from just outside ensuring the Villans moved up to eighth in the Premier League table, having turned things around after a slow start to the season.

Heading into the game, Unai Emery would’ve no doubt been worried about Haaland, who is regarded as one of the best strikers in the world, considering he’s been on a remarkable run of form for club and country.

However, Emery’s side successfully nullified the Norwegian’s threat, keeping a clean sheet in the 1-0 victory, which ended City’s nine-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Having been the team to bring Haaland’s fantastic run of form to an end, Aston Villa took a swipe at the centre-forward on X after the match, saying: “Good job Matty Cash had his raw milk and tomahawk steak for breakfast this morning.”

The jibe makes reference to the 25-year-old’s first video on his YouTube channel, during which he showed a day in the life of a professional footballer and revealed what his diet usually consists of.

Cash on form as Villa pick up fourth league win in a row

Aston Villa struggled at the beginning of the season, suffering a 3-0 home defeat against Crystal Palace and a 1-0 loss at Brentford, but they have started to prove they could be in the mix for European qualification once again.

Although City’s current side may not be at the level of the centurions, they have been in great form, winning their previous three league games, but the Villans brought that grinding to a halt, courtesy of a solid display.

Aston Villa formalise move to sign "complete" attacker wanted by Barcelona

He’s been in impressive form.

ByTom Cunningham Oct 26, 2025

Aside from scoring the winning goal, it was a strong all-round performance from Cash, who chipped in with four clearances, two tackles and one interception to extend his side’s winning run to four games in the Premier League.

Emery will be hoping his side can continue their current form in the coming weeks, but there are some tricky fixtures on the horizon, with Anfield always a difficult place to go, despite their recent struggles.

Aston Villa’s upcoming fixtures

Date

Liverpool (a)

November 1st

Maccabi Tel Aviv (h)

November 6th

AFC Bournemouth (h)

November 9th

Leeds United (a)

November 23rd

Young Boys (h)

November 27th

West Ham are now reportedly ready to back new manager Nuno Espírito Santo by making a January bid to sign one former Chelsea forward, with David Sullivan and the Hammers board showing full faith in their new tactician.

Nuno takes charge of first West Ham game after signing three-year deal

Despite previous reports that Sullivan was keen to re-hire Slaven Bilic on a short-term contract until the end of the season (Pete O’Rourke), West Ham ended up committing to Nuno.

As per talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, vice-chairman Karren Brady was key in driving the move for West Ham’s new manager, and the Baroness did such a good job that the east Londoners agreed to hand him a long-term three-year deal.

Nuno was demanding significant wages to join West Ham too (Sport Boom), but they managed to navigate the finances of a deal to swiftly secure a replacement for Graham Potter just hours after they announced his departure.

Nuno took training that same day and was in the dugout for his first West Ham game on Monday night, wasting no time in stamping his authority by dropping midfielder James Ward-Prowse from the matchday squad.

The 51-year-old watched on as his side displayed grit against David Moyes’ Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, coming back from 1-0 down to secure a 1-1 draw courtesy of Jarrod Bowen’s expertly-taken equaliser.

West Ham arguably looked far more robust defensively in comparison to Potter’s final few games in charge — even if Konstantinos Movraponas didn’t cover himself in glory for Everton’s opener — with centre-back Max Kilman and goalkeeper Alphonse Areola ending the 90 minutes as their joint-best performers according to WhoScored.

After Nuno transformed former club Nottingham Forest from relegation candidates to a European side, West Ham officials are now hoping that he can replicate those same heroics at the London Stadium.

Their three-year deal for the manager is a clear indicator that West Ham are serious about Nuno, and according to reports from Spain, the club are prepared to support him in January.

West Ham ready to back Nuno with £43m bid for Christian Pulisic

Indeed, one Spanish media source reports that West Ham now hold a serious interest in AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic.

The USA international has started 2025/2026 in fine form, scoring six goals and bagging a further two assists in all competitions, and put in a match-winning display as Milan beat Serie A champions Napoli 2-1 on Sunday.

Pulisic can play out wide, as a second striker and at centre-forward, adding to the appeal of his potential arrival back in London.

West Ham are in dire need of a proven goalscorer who can provide Nuno with a quality alternative to injury-prone duo Niclas Füllkrug and Callum Wilson. Pulisic would be a stellar option in that regard, especially considering his Premier League experience.

It is believed that West Ham are prepared to bid up to £43 million for Pulisic in January, with the player’s contract expiring in 2027.

However, the Rossoneri are confident they can convince Pulisic to commit his future at the San Siro, and it’s made all the more possible by their excellent start to the season.

If Milan do continue in this fashion, it will be difficult to convince Pulisic to up sticks and swap a potential title race to join West Ham, with both sides in very different scenarios right now.

That being said, the 27-year-old would be an absolute coup, not to mention a serious statement of intent. Pulisic also racked up 17 goals and 12 assists in all competitions last season, including strikes against the likes of Inter Milan and Liverpool.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank hailed Joao Palhinha’s role as emergency centre-half and opening goalscorer in the 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Doncaster.

Palhinha’s improvised strike, a Jay McGrath own goal and Brennan Johnson’s stoppage-time breakaway comfortably disposed of League One Rovers.

Frank hails Tottenham star Palhinha

On-loan Portuguese midfielder Palhinha, who picks £7m per year, wants to seal a permanent move to north London in 2026. He stepped into an injury-hit back-line while Archie Gray, often forced to play auxiliary centre-back under previous boss Ange Postecoglou, took his preferred midfield role.

“Archie can play centre-back and right-back but I see him as a midfielder and I like to see him there.”

Spurs would have scored more but for two remarkable air shots from Mathys Tel from only six yards out. Tel has yet to find the net since making a permanent switch to north London this summer but Frank said: “I don’t think he’s having a bad run.

“I think it was a step up in terms of performance. He got into good situations.”

"Goes under the radar" – Tottenham told "important" Frank star deserves far more credit

He goes largely unnoticed.

ByEmilio Galantini Sep 24, 2025

Spurs went ahead in the 14th minute after Rovers goalkeeper Ian Lawlor missed his punch at a corner.

Sean Grehan headed the loose ball off the line but only as far as Palhinha, who hooked an overhead kick back over the defender and into an empty net.

Spurs doubled their lead three minutes later when Wilson Odobert raided down the left and sent in another low cross. Doncaster defender McGrath was unable to sort his feet out in time and succeeded only in bundling the ball into his own net.

Rovers almost pulled one back before the break when Owen Bailey’s Paolo Di Canio-style volley was tipped onto a post by Spurs keeper Antonin Kinsky.

That was the only moment of mild peril Spurs faced, however, and Frank was able to shuffle his pack by sending on Lucas Bergvall and Richarlison for the final 30 minutes as well as handing a late debut to 16-year-old Luca Williams-Barnett.

Johnson wrapped things up in stoppage time after being sent racing through on goal by Bergvall.

Rovers boss Grant McCann said: “I was disappointed with the goals we conceded.

“I don’t think we made it hard for them to score against us but in between that, especially in the second half, it was an excellent performance.”

شن محمد أبو تريكة، محلل قنوات بي إن سبورتس، هجومًا شديدًا على الهولندي آرني سلوت، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ليفربول، بعد الهزيمة أمام مانشستر يونايتد.

واستضاف ملعب “أنفيلد” مباراة ليفربول ومانشستر يونايتد، في تمام الساعة السادسة والنصف مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة ومكة المكرمة.

وخسر ليفربول بثنائية مقابل هدف، في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات الجولة الثامنة من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز “بريميرليج”.

وتعتبر هذه الهزيمة الرابعة المتتالية التي تلحق بالريدز بقيادة آرني سلوت بعد كريستال بالاس وتشيلسي وجالطة سراي في دوري أبطال أوروبا واليوم أمام مانشستر يونايتد.

وقال أبو تريكة، خلال الاستوديو التحليلي للمباراة: “أقول نفس الحديث الذي قلته حينما كان ليفربول متصدرًا للدوري، بهذه الطريقة وبهذا الدفاع لن تفُز بأي بطولة هذا الموسم”.

اقرأ أيضًا | موعد مباراة ليفربول القادمة بعد الخسارة أمام مانشستر يونايتد في الدوري الإنجليزي

وأكمل: “النتائج خادعة، سلوت قال إنه متصدر الدوري وجمع 15 نقطة، رأيي أنه جمع أكثر مما يستحق بالمقارنة بالأداء الذي قدمه خلال المباريات السابقة، الناس حاليًا يقولون إنني كنت على حق، هذا أمر طبيعي للأداء الذي قدمه سلوت الذي يُذكرني بالمفتش كورومبو”.

وأضاف: “أموريم رغم أنه فاز اليوم إلا أنه قدم أداءً مميزًا وأفضل بكثير أمام آرسنال ومانشستر سيتي، رغم أنه خسر المباراتين لكن النتيجة تغطي على العيوب”.

وأردف: “الفوز على ليفربول في أنفيلد يعطي أموريم رصيدًا لدى الجمهور إنما على المستوى التحليلي فإن يونايتد لديه كوارث عديدة”.

واستطرد: “ليفربول فقد هيبته أمام الفرق، حينما تخسر 4 مباريات متتالية تتجرأ الفرق عليك ويزداد الطمع فيك”.

وأتم عن صلاح قائلًا: “هذا شكل ليفربول بدون محمد صلاح، حينما يكون سيئًا وليس في أعظم عطاء له يكون ليفربول في المركز الثالث أو الرابع، نعم صلاح لديه مشكلة تحديدًا في اللمسة الأولى، تشعر أنه متأثر بالانتقادات الأخيرة، وأوجه رسالة له بأن تترك الحديث لأنك نجم”.

MatériaMais Notícias

Luan, meio-campista do Corinthians, foi agredido por torcedores da equipe nesta madruga de terça-feira (4), em um motel na Barra funda, bairro da zona oeste de São Paulo. Veja no vídeo acima o momento da agressão.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansTorcedores do Corinthians espalham faixas de protesto contra diretoria por São PauloCorinthians04/07/2023CorinthiansConheça André Negão, candidato à presidência do Corinthians apoiado por Andrés SanchezCorinthians04/07/2023América MineiroAmérica-MG tem jogo da Copa da Brasil diante do Corinthians adiado pela CBFAmérica Mineiro03/07/2023

Segundo apurou a reportagem do Lance!, um grupo de torcedores invadiu o motel e tirou o camisa 7 corintiano à força do local. O atleta estava acompanhado de algumas mulheres, que passavam a noite com o jogador.

+ Janela aberta! Veja os nomes que já estão acertados com o seu clube

Em nota oficial, o Corinthians condenou as agressões contra o ex-camisa 7 e está oferecendo suporte ao jogador.

– O Sport Club Corinthians Paulista recebeu com tristeza e indignação a informação de que o atleta Luan foi agredido por supostos torcedores na madrugada desta terça-feira (04), em São Paulo. O clube acompanha a apuração dos fatos e está oferecendo todo o suporte necessário ao jogador, como sempre fez desde a sua chegada, em 2020. Depois de mais um repugnante caso de violência, o Corinthians lamenta o atual momento de intolerância que domina o futebol brasileiro. Nada justifica a agressão covarde sofrida pelo atleta. – postou o Corinthians.

continua após a publicidade

A reportagem do L! entrou em contato com o motel, que disse não comentar nada sobre nenhum cliente. A assessoria do atleta ainda não se posicionou sobre o caso.

LUAN NO CORINTHIANS
Eleito Rei da América em 2017, quando foi protagonista do título da Libertadores do Grêmio, Luan foi contratado pelo Timão já em baixa, no início de 2020, por R$ 28,9 milhões. Sem jogar pelo clube desde fevereiro de 2022, o ex-camisa 7 totaliza 80 partidas, com 11 gols e cinco assistências.

continua após a publicidade

Afastado do elenco e treinando em horários alternativos desde que retornou de empréstimo do Santos, Luan revelou ter conversado com Vanderlei Luxemburgo e pediu para ser reintegrado ao grupo. O treinador rebateu a declaração do atleta após a derrota contra o Bragantino, afirmando que a torcida não quer mais ver o meia com a camisa corintiana.

Tudo sobre

CorinthiansTorcida

The former captain made his first-class debut aged 17, scored 28 Test centuries and led Australia to 2015 ODI World Cup

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff23-Jan-2025Former captain Michael Clarke has been inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of FameClarke, 43, accepted the honour on Thursday, nearly a decade after he closed the chapter on his remarkable playing career. He is the 64th inductee, with two further members to be named this season.Making his first-class debut for New South Wales at 17, Clarke captained Australia to victory in the 2015 ODI World Cup and led the side across 47 of his 115 Tests.Overall, Clarke scored 8643 Test runs, putting him sixth on Australia’s all-time list, and 7981 in ODIs where he stands fourth. His tally of 28 Test centuries also leaves puts him sixth on that list.Having impressed early in his ODI career – he wasn’t dismissed in his first three innings – Clarke burst onto the Test scene during Australia’s 2004 tour of India, crowned the player of the match in Bengaluru after scoring 151 on debut.After being dropped in late 2005, Clarke returned a even more formidable player. He became the sixth Australian to score a Test triple-century after posting an unbeaten 329 against India at the SCG in the 2011-12 series.He followed up his SCG performance with a double century in the fourth Test against India, before notching two further double centuries against South Africa the following season.Other standout innings included the 151 against South Africa at Cape Town in 2011 (from a total of 284) in the game Australia were later dismissed for 47, his 161 at the same venue in 2014 when he defied a broken shoulder to set up a victory that would take Australia to No. 1 in the world and the hugely emotional 128 against India at Adelaide in 2014 shortly after the death of the Phillip Hughes in what would prove his final home Test.Michael Clarke was prolific in the period from 2012 to 2014•Getty ImagesIt had been in 2011, after England won the Ashes 3-1 in Australia, that Clarke succeeded Ricky Ponting as captain. At his peak, he was ranked the best batter in the world. He was also at the helm for the Ashes whitewash in 2013-14 and retired at the end of the lost 2015 campaign in England.”To be able to sit along so many wonderful players, idols, role models growing up as a kid and looking up to is something I’m honoured by,” Clarke said. “Retirement does a lot of things to you. Through stages of watching cricket now, you miss parts.”When you play at the highest level, people talk about your international career but for me, it started at six years of age. I retired at 34 so it was my life. It’s still a part of my life.”Cricket – it’s probably so similar to life in general. You walk out and make 100 and then lift the bat, and then you walk out to field, field in slip and drop a catch second ball of the game.”Australian Cricket Hall of Fame chairman Peter King praised Clarke as a player who “defined his generation”.”Michael’s extraordinary first-class playing career started at just 17 at the SCG – the place where many of his highlights occurred, including a Test triple century against India in 2012,” King said.”Michael’s career will forever be remembered fondly by the Australian public and his standing held alongside those at the upper echelon of our game.”Clarke also proved capable as a left-arm spinner. It was his spell of 3 for 5 in 1.5 overs in 2008 against India that helped Australia retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and extend their winning streak to a record-equaling 16 Tests. In his debut series against India he had also taken 6 for 9 in Mumbai.

Tottenham are now targeting a Premier League star who’s rejected several attempts from his club to agree a contract extension, according to a fresh report, with the player also very keen to play in the Champions League.

Tottenham moving for £78m "crown jewel" signing after arrival of new investor

Spurs have fresh financial backing.

2 ByEmilio Galantini Jul 30, 2025

Spurs have a few key areas of Thomas Frank’s squad they still wish to strengthen before deadline day on September 1.

After missing out on Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White in bizarre fashion, the north Londoners remain in pursuit of fresh attacking options to instill some much-needed creativity.

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

According to some reports, Tottenham have held talks with intermediaries over an audacious move for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, which would potentially require chairman Daniel Levy to shatter the club’s transfer record (AS).

A new number six is also possible, if Spurs make room in their squad by selling a midfielder (Alasdair Gold), with reliable media sources confirming that Bayern Munich and former Fulham star, Joao Palhinha, is on their list of targets.

Another area to look out for is at centre-half, despite Frank’s current abundance of defenders.

Kevin Danso, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Radu Dragusin and Luka Vuskovic are on Tottenham’s books right now, but the latter two may not be solid options to call upon ahead of the new season.

Vuskovic is still raw and could go out on loan again, as is the case with Ashley Phillips after he sealed a return to Stoke City, while Dragusin is still in recovery from a crushing ACL injury.

Tottenham were forced to utilise teenager Archie Gray as a makeshift centre-half amid their injury nightmare under Ange Postecoglou last season, and Frank will be very keen not to suffer the same fate as his predecessor.

Spurs are believed to remain contenders for Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi as a result, coming after they had a mammoth £70m offer rejected for the Englishman in January, but he isn’t the only Premier League stalwart on Levy’s agenda.

Tottenham eye Brighton contract rebel Jan Paul van Hecke

According to Voetbal International and reporter Joost Blaauwhof, Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke is attracting interest from N17 too.

The Dutchman’s form last season prompted a call to the Netherlands international team, whilst also winning Brighton’s Player of the Season award following a stellar 2024/2025.

Brighton, for their part, are desperate to agree an extension and have made ‘several’ new deal offers. Fabian Hurzeler’s side were even prepared to table a record-breaking new contract by making van Hecke the highest-paid player in their history.

However, the 25-year-old has no interest in committing his future, and he’s firmly set his sights on a move away.

According to Voetbal, Tottenham are eyeing a move for van Hecke alongside Newcastle, with the former NAC Breda sensation dreaming of moving to a Champions League side.

Tony Bloom and co have priced van Hecke at around £43m, which could be seen as amazing value considering both his age and proven top-level experience. Just two years remain on the player’s current contract, though, so there is scope for Levy to even whittle down this price tag.

Okay, so that might have just been Arsenal’s third official pre-season friendly, but we can admit that losing a North London Derby always hurts.

Mikel Arteta’s side looked to continue their perfect record this afternoon, but Tottenham Hotspur had other ideas.

The Lilywhites scored in the first half, and while there were a few chances to draw level, the Gunners just did not look anywhere near as sharp as they have in the two games prior.

Unfortunately, several players stood out for all the wrong reasons, including one who was so underwhelming, he showed just why Andrea Berta needs to get Eberechi Eze to the Emirates before the Premier League season starts.

Arsenal's underwhelming stars

While there is no need to go in too hard on anyone in a pre-season friendly, there were more than a few starters this afternoon who’ll really need to bounce back in a significant way against Villarreal next week, such as Kai Havertz.

Performance in Numbers

Want data and stats? Football FanCast’s Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe.

Expand Collapse

The German set up two goals for the team against Newcastle United in the last game, but was entirely ineffective against Spurs today, offering little to no threat as a goalscorer or creator.

In fact, the most notable thing the German did was take out Djed Spence with a sliding tackle after being nutmegged by Cristian Romero, and therefore more than deserving of the 5/10 match rating he received from the Standard’s Simon Collings.

Another player to get a 5/10 was David Raya, who was lobbed from the halfway line by Pape Matar Sarr after Myles Lewis Skelly lost possession.

It wasn’t just the goal, though, as the Spaniard looked off his game for practically the entire match and, as Collings put it, was ‘unusually shaky when trying to deal with set-pieces’.

However, there was another starter who really let himself down, someone whose lacklustre display only further made the case for why Berta and Co need to sign Eze as soon as possible: Gabriel Martinelli.

Martinelli's lacklustre showing against Spurs

Unfortunately, it really was a game to forget for Martinelli this afternoon, as while Bukayo Saka endeavoured to make something happen on the opposite flank, he failed to do much of anything.

In the first half, the Brazilian international failed to make the most of the space available to him and was easily dealt with by Pedro Porro.

Then, in the second half, as Spurs began to sit back more, he was completely unable to get past the Lilywhites’ low-block.

We weren’t the only ones disappointed with the former Ituano gem either, who took fewer touches than Raya, as Collings dished out another 5/10 rating for the 23-year-old, writing that it was a ‘quiet game’ for the winger.

It was his inability to have any discernible impact whatsoever in the second half that truly highlighted the need for a player like Eze this summer, as while the Crystal Palace ace spent most of last season in midfield, he’s also an accomplished and creative winger.

For example, in 32 appearances off the left for the Eagles, the 27-year-old “magician,” as dubbed by pundit Micah Richards, has scored six goals and provided six assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.66 games.

In contrast, the Gunners’ number 11 has scored 40 goals and provided 26 assists in 179 appearances there, which comes out to a worse average of a goal involvement every 2.71 games.

Eze vs Martinelli at LW

Players

Eze

Martinelli

Appearances

32

179

Goals

6

40

Assists

6

26

Goal Involvements per Match

0.37

0.36

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Moreover, he’s achieved those numbers in a team that have been challenging for the title over the last three years, whereas Palace are a mid-table side at best.

Ultimately, we aren’t saying Arsenal need to sell Martinelli, but the game today once again made it crystal clear that against a low-block, he’s incredibly ineffective, and therefore, Berta should be doing what he can to bring in Eze, as he’s got the creativity to help the club solve that problem on the left.

Related Arteta's new Saka: Berta working to sign "incredible" £86m star for Arsenal

The sensational winger could be a real game-changer for Arsenal.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 30, 2025

Setting their sights on signing another attacking addition this summer, the Friedkin Group are now reportedly plotting a move to sign a talented £50 million star for Everton.

Friedkin could hand Everton £150m spree

Friedkin are in a strong position to make some much-needed changes at Everton this summer. As revealed by earlier reports, the Toffees are able to spend as much as £150m if they please ahead of next season, having already signed Thierno Barry, Mark Travers and Carlos Alcaraz on a permanent deal.

As they head into a new era at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, David Moyes still reportedly wants to sign two midfielders to soften the blow of Abdoulaye Doucoure’s exit and a new winger.

Several targets have emerged who would tick those boxes too, with the likes of James McAtee and Takefusa Kubo chief among their priorities. Both would be excellent additions, especially the latter, who came through at Real Madrid and has since thrived at Real Sociedad.

The Japan international, whilst not at his true best last season, still managed seven goals and four assists; the type of numbers that would see Everton land an instant upgrade on former loanee Jack Harrison.

Whether Moyes’ side can agree a deal with Sociedad in the coming weeks is the big question.

The Merseyside club are reportedly preparing to submit an offer worth around £35m, which they hope will be enough to advance any deal to sign Kubo. The move would mark Everton’s second La Liga signing of the summer after Barry and would once again steal plenty of headlines.

That said, Kubo isn’t the only option on their shortlist.

Indeed, reports are now suggesting that Friedkin have set their sights on another talented winger.

Everton plotting Tyler Dibling swoop

As reported by The Times’ Paul Joyce, Friedkin are now plotting a fresh swoop to sign Tyler Dibling from relegated Southampton this summer. The teenage talent was one of few standouts for the Saints in a season to forget last time out, and he could now get the chance to retain his Premier League place.

Related Everton could land the dream signing for Douglas Luiz in £75k-p/w "monster"

Everton targeting former Premier League midfielder to partner Douglas Luiz in central role

Posts ByWill Miller Jul 26, 2025

Dibling won’t come cheap, however. There are claims that Southampton are looking to secure as much as £50m to sell the 19-year-old this summer in what would make him Everton’s joint-record signing with Richarlison.

The big question will be whether Dibling is worthy of breaking that record, and based on Russell Martin’s praise last season, the answer is a resounding yes.

The former Southampton boss told reporters:

“Tyler was unfortunate not to play earlier because he had an amazing pre-season.

“So he has an incredible belief in himself in a really nice, humble and modest way. But he has to just keep living at 100 per cent and understand where that is and understand what’s got him this far.

“I think he has a brilliant support network with his family. He has a lot of trust from us and he has that back. It’s not always plain sailing with young players.”

Lancashire lose fourth game in a row after posting sub-par total

ECB Reporters Network02-Aug-2024

Kasey Aldridge recorded career-best figures of 6 for 33 and George Thomas a maiden List A century as Somerset made it three wins from four Group A games with an eight-wicket victory over Lancashire at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton.The visitors could post only 218 all out after losing the toss, Australian allrounder Chris Green hitting 65 off 68 balls and opener George Bell 56 off 81. Tall seamer Aldridge was not introduced into the Somerset attack until the second half of the innings and took his wickets from 7.1 overs.In reply, the hosts raced to 220 for 2 off 40.5 overs, Thomas leading the way with an unbeaten 106 off 142 deliveries, with 14 fours and two sixes. James Rew contributed 60 not out and Lewis Goldsworthy 38 to inflict Lancashire’s fourth defeat in as many group matches.They never gained much momentum to their innings after a cautious start against the impressive Alfie Ogborne, which saw Bell and Harry Singh put together an opening stand of 47, ended in the 13th over when Singh was bowled by Jack Leach aiming a forcing shot through the leg side.It was 79 for 2 in the 20th over when Thomas bowled visiting captain Josh Bohannon playing down the wrong line. Bell went to fifty off 72 balls, but the tempo of the innings was never fast enough on such a quick-scoring ground.Balderson was caught and bowled by Goldsworthy off a leading edge for 27 and Aldridge had IPL winner Venkatesh Iyer caught by the diving Sean Dickson at cover as Lancashire slid to 121 for 4.Bell chipped a catch to mid-on off Aldridge and Rocky Flintoff gave Goldsworthy a second caught and bowled before Aldridge sent back Jack Blatherwick and Tom Aspinwall with successive deliveries, forcing Mitchell Stanley to face a hat-trick ball on his List A debut. He survived it before falling to a stunning catch by Leach, diving full length on the run from mid-off as two team-mates converged on him to give Aldridge his fifth wicket.Green blasted four fours and four sixes and shared a last-wicket stand of 51 with Charlie Barnard. But when he also skied a catch off Aldridge in the final over Lancashire looked well short of a competitive total.So it proved, as despite losing Andy Umeed early in their reply, Somerset attacked the meagre target with gusto, Thomas and Goldsworthy producing a boundary blitz that took their team to 64 for 1 by the end of the tenth over. The score had extended to 73 when Goldsworthy was bowled leg-stump by left-arm spinner Barnard in his opening over.Thomas slog-swept a six off Barnard in moving to a 79-ball half-century and soon celebrated with a pulled six off Aspinwall. He found a reliable partner in Rew, who gradually found his timing to join in the glut of boundaries.Thomas was given a life of 77 when dropped at long-on by Stanley off Green before bringing up the century stand with Rew by sweeping a four off Barnard. The Taunton-born 20-year-old went to three figures with a single off Green, raising both arms in celebration before turning to hug Rew, who seemed equally delighted for his friend and team-mate.A handsome cover-driven four off Blatherwick took Rew to a 56-ball fifty as the stand with Thomas became a Somerset List A record for the third wicket against Lancashire, beating the 118 put together by a certain Ian Botham and Vivian Richards in a 40-over game at Bath in 1978.