Visitors maintain top-four form with comfortable win in Canterbury
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay04-Jul-2025Sussex Sharks comprehensively beat Kent Spitfires by 34 runs in the Vitality Blast at Canterbury.Daniel Hughes top-scored with 48 as Sussex made 195 for 9, despite no one passing 50.Kent’s Nathan Gilchrist took 3 for 31 and Harry Finch then hit his highest Blast score against his former county, making 56 off 25 balls, but when he was out the chase fell apart. Danny Lamb took key wickets at crucial moments, claiming 5 for 15 and Tymal Mills claimed 3 for 20. Lamb wrapped up the win with two balls to spare when he bowled Fred Klaassen.Kent lived to regret putting Sussex in. The visitors were 30 without loss when Jack Leaning bowled Harrison Ward for 11 at the start of the fifth but Hughes then blazed 48 from 28 balls and although Tom Rogers bowled him at the end of the tenth, the Sharks were 112 for 2 at halfway.Wickets at least slowed the scoring rate. Joey Evison bowled James Coles for 12, hitting off and middle, and Tom Clark was furious with himself when he tried to scoop Gilchrist to fine leg and was lbw for 43.Klaassen looked as surprised as anyone when he had Tom Alsop caught behind for 15, given by the square leg umpire Nigel Llong, John Simpson tried to hook Gilchrist and was caught on the boundary by Rogers for 12 and Rogers bowled Nathan McAndrew for 5. The 19th over, however was expensive, going for 18. Gilchrist bowled a wide, had Lamb caught behind off a bottom edge, then bowled three no-balls, one of which was a head-high beamer.Not for the first time this season Kent missed the cut off, but Mills was run out by Billings and Klaassen help them to six off the 20th, despite the last ball being fumbled over the boundary for four.Sussex looked favourites, especially after Coles bowled Tawanda Muyeye for 7 in the second over, but the Hastings-born Finch came in and blasted 50 off 21 balls before Henry Crocombe had him caught by Hughes at third man.The momentum switched again, this time for good, when Joe Denly was bamboozled by Lamb’s slower ball and bowled for 3. Crocombe then took a stunning catch to get Daniel Bell-Drummond for 26 after he skied Lamb, sprinting in from the boundary and somehow keeping the ball off the turf.Mills got Sam Billings for 16, caught on the boundary by Coles and Evison holed out to Lamb and was caught by Robinson. When Mills bowled Leaning for 16, Rogers was left with the tail and the run rate was nearly 15 an over. Mills got him for 4, caught at short third man and the crowd started streaming for the exits.Klaassen and Gilchrist needed a theoretically possible 36 off the last over, but Lamb bowled Gilchrist off the first ball and clinched the win when he cleaned up Klaassen three balls later.
Everton have battled their way out of relegation-threatened status in the Premier League.
After several years of low-table fortunes, things have changed, with David Moyes lifting Goodison Park on its swansong up to a mid-table finish last season.
Now, he’s targeting an ambitious push for Europe, with the signings made across the summer propping up these ambitions.
At the forefront is Jack Grealish, and he is back in contention to play this weekend as the Toffees welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the Hill Dickinson, having missed last weekend’s defeat at Manchester City due to ineligibility.
Jack Grealish could be the game-changer
Grealish joined Everton from Man City on loan this summer, having fallen by the wayside across the past couple of years in Pep Guardiola’s squad.
He’s back. Four August assists served Grealish the Premier League Player of the Month award, and he’s maintained a talismanic presence, lifting the spirits and the belief of his teammates.
If Everton surpass expectations this summer, expect the plaudits to rain down at the 30-year-old’s feet.
His playmaking quality was sorely missed last weekend, but he can play once again, and it’s a good thing too, for Tottenham have many high-level players and have improved defensively since Thomas Frank replaced Ange Postecoglou this summer.
Grealish can’t do it alone, but luckily, Moyes has another talented midfielder who could share the load and maybe even outperform his senior peer on the afternoon.
The Everton star who could outshine Grealish
Last season, Tyler Dibling emerged as one of the brightest teenagers in the Premier League, and there was a swarm of interest in his signature. Everton won the race, signing the 19-year-old in a £42m deal.
However, he has only featured four times in the top flight this term, hooked at half-time on his sole start against Crystal Palace.
In fairness, this was a poor display, but for a teenage talent performing in new territory to flatter to deceive during such a scenario is hardly unheard of.
Minutes played
45′
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots (on target)
0 (0)
Accurate passes
6/7 (86%)
Chances created
0
Dribbles
0/3
Tackles
1
Duels won
3/10
There’s a real player in there, to be sure, with Dibling having already been on Tottenham’s radar, Spurs having pushed for a deal this summer before Everton won the race.
As per FBref, he ranks among the top 17% of positional peers for pass completion, the top 20% for successful take-ons and the top 26% for tackles per 90, with this robust array of skills leading the data-driven platform to list Iliman Ndiaye as one of his most comparable players.
But there’s no denying more is needed after a slow start on Merseyside. Luckily, Dibling has all the talent in the world, and Moyes needs only to bring his confidence and balance in this new team to the fore.
And his match sharpness will have improved after two winning performances with England U19s this month. He drew praise for his performances, with data scientist Michael Green hailing the youngster for being “incredibly positive with every action”.
With Grealish sure to slot back into that left-sided berth, the competition for places is thick, but Dibling could use this chance as a springboard, having endured a testing start to his Everton career, no doubt about that.
His speed and technical quality and athleticism suggest he has what it takes to shine the brightest for Moyes’ Everton side, and there’s no doubt that this is a “world-class talent”, as has been said by his former youth coach Andy Goldie, having thrived in an abject Southampton side.
Should Dibling make an impact against Frank’s Tottenham, who lack fluency in attack right now, all eyes will be on him. In this, he could outshine the ever-impressive Grealish.
Not Keane: Moyes can fix Branthwaite blow by unleashing Everton "revelation"
Everton’s star centre-back has suffered a complication in his injury recovery.
The 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled from June 12 to July 5, will have Australia, South Africa, India, Pakistan and two qualifiers in Group 1, while Group 2 includes hosts England, defending champions New Zealand, West Indies, Sri Lanka and two more qualifiers. The semi-finals will be played at The Oval, while the final is scheduled at Lord’s.The 33-match tournament will take place across seven venues in England over 24 days. The tournament will have 12 teams, up from 10 in the previous edition in 2024. Apart from The Oval and Lord’s, matches will also be held at Old Trafford, Headingley, Southampton, Bristol and Edgbaston and will have three different start times: 10.30am, 2.30pm and 6.30pm local.The opening match will be played between England and Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on June 12. In a rematch of last edition’s semi-final, New Zealand begin their title defence against West Indies in Southampton on June 13 while Australia start their campaign against 2024 finalists South Africa on the same day in Manchester. India face Pakistan at Edgbaston on June 14.Other key Group 1 fixtures for India are against South Africa (June 21) in Manchester and Australia (June 28) at Lord’s. Pakistan take on South Africa (June 17) at Edgbaston and Australia (June 23) at Headingley. The Australia vs India fixture will be the final group-stage match of the competition.In Group 2, England will play matches across five venues, the most of any team. They take on West Indies (June 24) at Lord’s and New Zealand (June 27) at The Oval. Sri Lanka face New Zealand (June 16) in Southampton and West Indies (June 21) in Bristol.The top two teams from each group will make the semi-finals to be held on June 30 and July 2. The winners will meet for the title clash at Lord’s on July 5.Hosts England and the top five teams from the 2024 edition (Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa and West Indies) qualified automatically for the edition. Pakistan and Sri Lanka, who were the two next highest-ranked teams on the ICC Women’s T20I rankings table on October 21 that year, made the cut too.The remaining four teams will come from the global qualifiers scheduled for early 2026. Bangladesh, Scotland, USA, Nepal and Thailand have already qualified for that ten-team competition. The Europe, Africa and East Asia-Pacific qualifiers are yet to be completed.
After scoring their fifth consecutive late winner to secure all three points against Atletico Madrid, Liverpool and Arne Slot have received another boost on the injury front.
Slot praises Liverpool in "different" Atletico Madrid win
The Reds haven’t done things the easy way so far this season. They needed Federico Chiesa’s late winner against Bournemouth, Rio Ngumoha’s stoppage time winner against Newcastle United, Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning free-kick against Arsenal and Mohamed Salah’s late penalty against Burnley to make it four from four in the Premier League.
Not Salah or Van Dijk: Liverpool star is now "one of the best in the world"
Liverpool left it late once more to collect a Champions League victory at Anfield over Atletico Madrid.
ByKelan Sarson Sep 18, 2025
Six minutes into Atletico Madrid’s visit, it seemed as though Slot’s side finally had take-off, however. It was about as scintillating a start as Anfield is likely to see, with goals from Andy Robertson and a vintage Salah finish seeing Liverpool race into a 2-0 lead. Their dominance only continued from there, but complacency – as was the case against Bournemouth and Newcastle – soon arrived.
Diego Llorente’s brace, which featured a deflected effort to equalise in his fourth Anfield goal, soon had the visitors level and Liverpool in need of another late goal. This time, it was the captain who stepped up to head home in the 92nd minute to keep his side rolling on and the late show featuring another guest star.
Although the trend of late winners continued, Slot was quick to claim that victory against Atletico was “different” to Burnley and Arsenal, thanks to the amount of chances that Liverpool created.
He told reporters: “Everybody will probably talk again about the late game winner, which I understand because that is the story of this game and the story of the last five games. But for me it was a different game than the ones we have played before.”
Another Anfield win followed more good news on the injury front too, which will see one player make his return for the Merseyside derby this weekend.
Curtis Jones set to return for Merseyside derby
As confirmed by Slot, Curtis Jones is on course to return from injury in time to face Everton in the Merseyside derby on Saturday afternoon, in what is a fitting way for the academy graduate to make his comeback.
The midfielder missed games against Burnley and Atletico Madrid, but will now hand Liverpool a boost in the middle of the park with his return. It is against another side that will sit deep that his ability to progress play will come in use for the Reds, as the full impact of his ability is potentially felt across Anfield in what could be a frantic affair.
Praised as “complete” by Slot, Jones remains an underrated player who is gradually beginning to make his mark in Merseyside.
Despite already signing Yeremy Pino from Villarreal, Crystal Palace are now reportedly in advanced talks to sign another attacking reinforcement for Oliver Glasner.
Pino realises Premier League "dream"
Following the departure of Eberechi Eze to Arsenal, Crystal Palace swiftly swooped in to welcome Pino from Villarreal. Securing the talented winger in a deal worth around £21m, the Eagles will be desperately hoping that he has what it takes to fill Eze’s boots and become an instant hit among the fans at Selhurst Park.
After putting pen to paper, the 22-year-old quickly admitted that it’s a “dream” come true to be joining a Premier League side – telling the club’s official website: “Of course this motivates me. In the end, you have to continue the path the team has taken by coming here, winning titles, and my goal is to be in Europe.
“It’s very important for the club, for me as well. Doing well in Europe is a goal of mine, but also [to contribute] lots of goals, lots of assists, and for the team to be happy with me. A dream for me is to come to the Premier League at this historic club, being able to help the team with my game and my experience.”
Crystal Palace make late approach to sign 19-cap defender alongside Canvot
The Eagles are ready to try and land his signature.
BySean Markus Clifford Aug 30, 2025
Chairman Steve Parish also welcomed the new Crystal Palace star, saying: “It’s fantastic news that Yeremy – an exciting young talent, with already such an impressive record in domestic, European and international football – has chosen us as the next step in his career.”
After securing Pino’s signature, however, Palace are not done there. Reports are now suggesting that they’ve stepped up their pursuit to sign a talented Bundesliga star before Monday’s transfer deadline.
Crystal Palace in advanced talks to sign Baumgartner
According to Sacha Tavolieri, Crystal Palace are now in advanced talks to sign Christoph Baumgartner from RB Leipzig this week. The Austrian reportedly wants to complete the move and the Eagles are negotiating a loan deal with an option to buy the attacking midfielder at the end of the season.
At 26 years old, Baumgartner is a player who has featured at the very top of European football and would instantly offer Glasner some much-needed experience. After starting 18 out of 34 Bundesliga games last season, meanwhile, it’s a move that the midfielder himself arguably needs if he wants a permanent starting place.
That said, inconsistent game time hasn’t stood in the way of praise for the Leipzig man. Former Leipzig sporting director Max Eberl previously told reporters after signing the midfielder: “Christoph is quick, possesses a threat on goal and is a very intelligent player.
RB Leipzig's Christoph Baumgartner in action with Celtic's DaizenMaeda
“He can play with both feet and has an incredible shot. His skills and abilities lend another aspect to our game. Baumi is also a good guy: down-to-earth, eager to learn and ambitious.”
Rahul made the most of a pitch where runs were hard to come by as he scored his first half-century of the season
ESPNcricinfo staff05-Apr-20252:08
Jaffer: Rahul’s takedown of Noor was the key for DC
KL Rahul carried Delhi Capitals on his shoulders with a high-quality half-century as the visitors posted 183 for 6 at Chepauk. Opening the batting in the absence of Faf du Plessis, he was able to pace his innings really well and more than that, he took down one of Chennai Super Kings’ main weapons. Rahul vs the IPL’s purple cap holder, Noor Ahmad, was 20 runs in nine balls with two fours and a six.Initially, Rahul (77 off 51) had to take some time to come to terms with a pitch that was dry and therefore prevented the ball from coming onto the bat. He was 25 off 20 with one four and one six at the end of nine overs. But once he decided to pull the trigger, even CSK’s best bowlers were no match for him. He took Noor, Matheesha Pathirana and Ravindra Jadeja for boundaries over the 11th, 12th and 13th overs as DC were put on course for their total. Two of those boundaries were mistakes by the bowler – Noor and Pathirana putting the ball in the slot – and all innings long Rahul was looking for those mistakes.Mukesh Choudhary was taken down as well. He was the only bowler that Rahul took risks against, because he had identified him as CSK’s weak link. Rahul reverse scooped him twice. He took further liberties when he moved across his crease at the start of the 19th over and swept a ball from the off side wide line to the square leg boundary. Pathirana closed the innings with two wickets in his final over, including Rahul’s, but by then the score had reached more than competitive levels. Khaleel Ahmed with 2 for 25 was CSK’s best bowler.
Corbin Bosch is set to make his Test debut on what promises to be a seamer-friendly Centurion pitch
Firdose Moonda25-Dec-2024
Kagiso Rabada is three wickets away from becoming the leading wicket-taker at SuperSport Park•AFP/Getty Images
Big picture – Can Pakistan bring ODI momentum into Test series?There’s one other Boxing Day Test, but this one is big too. If South Africa win at SuperSport Park, they will guarantee a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. If Pakistan win, they will keep outside hopes (so outside that they also require an over-rate penalty for South Africa) of getting to Lord’s alive, but more pressingly they will keep a nation on edge for another week.In reality, South Africa have some breathing room because they only need to win one of the next two Tests to get to the WTC final. Even with rain hanging around the Highveld, they’ll fancy their chances against a team that has not recorded a Test win in this country in nearly 18 years and not won a Test outside Asia since beating West Indies in August 2021. But pressure does strange things to players, especially South African players, and Pakistan, despite all the drama surrounding them, are a team who could exploit that.Related
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They went through a rotating door of coaches, selectors and administrators before coming to South Africa and were already in the country when their Test coach resigned, two weeks before the start of the series. Still, the build-up to this Boxing Day Test has had none of the shenanigans of Melbourne, mostly because the two sides were preoccupied with an ODI contest that serves as build-up to the Champions Trophy. Ten South Africa and seven Pakistan players from their respective Test squads were involved in that contest, which Pakistan won 3-0. If momentum is a factor, it is surely with them.South Africa’s batting, in particular, was undone, and worryingly for them three of their top four (Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs) all fell to the offspin of Salman Agha in the first ODI. Conditions are unlikely to suit him at SuperSport Park but the mental scars might be there and Temba Bavuma hopes it will be simple to get over them. “Whether it’s easy, whether it’s hard, we’ve got to find a way to do it,” he said. “Whatever, I don’t know, trauma that was there, you know, guys will have to deal with it.”Bavuma was also quick to remind that the Test space is different as it is where South Africa have more stability and focus with an immediate goal of the WTC final. The opposite might be said of Pakistan, who have won three ODI series in succession and are building towards a home Champions Trophy where they are defending the title.That may mean the teams head into this match with slightly different priorities in terms of their current form but that won’t minimise the sense of the occasion. A Boxing Day Test with plenty at stake, taking place at the same time as another Boxing Day Test, with even more on the line. It doesn’t get bigger than this.Form guideSouth Africa: WWWWW (last five Tests, most recent first) Pakistan: WWLLLMohammad Abbas last played a Test match in August 2021•AFP
In the spotlight – Aiden Markram and Mohammad AbbasIt feels like Aiden Markram has had a difficult time of it across formats this year but his main difficulties have come in the format he captains in. He only has one score over 30 from 18 T20Is in 2024, and one fifty from six ODIs hasn’t helped his cause either, but his Test form has shown signs of improving. After a century in the New Year’s Test, Markram made fifties in Providence and Gqeberha and is also someone Bavuma says he “leans a lot on” when it comes to tactics and inspiring younger players. Most of all, Markram enjoys the continued support of his team-mates and Bavuma, in particular, who says he “empathises” with what Markram is going through but “that’s what makes elite sport tough. You’ve got to find a way to go through those challenges. And generally, when you get over to the other side, that’s where the satisfaction is.”It’s now or never for Mohammad Abbas who, at 34, is set to make his comeback after three years out of the national side seemingly without explanation. Abbas played 25 Tests between April 2017 and August 2021 and took 90 wickets at 23.02, but was discarded in favour of younger quicks despite excellent numbers on the county circuit. He has enjoyed four fruitful seasons at Hampshire where he has taken 180 wickets at 19.26 and finished among the top 10 wicket-takers in 2022 and 2023, and just outside in 2024. This season, he is the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and has deservedly earned a recall and will hope to make it count. Abbas is 10 wickets away from 100 in Test cricket and if he gets there, will be the 20th bowler from Pakistan to reach the landmark.Team newsBoth Keshav Maharaj (groin strain) and Wiaan Mulder (broken finger) passed fitness tests ahead of the match but are not deemed match-fit yet. South Africa have chosen to go in without a frontline spinner – and without spin-bowling allrounder Senuran Muthusamy – and opted for a 7-4 split. Corbin Bosch, who bowls above 140kph regularly, will debut at his home ground and share bowling duties with Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson and Marco Jansen. Ryan Rickelton has been retained at No.3 with Tristan Stubbs moving to No.4.South Africa (probable): 1 Tony de Zorzi, 2 Aiden Markram, 3 Ryan Rickelton, 4 Tristan Stubbs, 5 Temba Bavuma (capt), 6 David Bedingham, 7 Kyle Verreynne (wk), 8 Marco Jansen, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Dane Paterson, 11 Corbin Bosch.Pakistan could follow South Africa’s lead and go all-pace, which would mean no space for Noman Ali, though they would still have Salman Agha at their disposal. In the seam department, then, Abbas, Aamer Jamal and Khurram Shahzad are likely to partner the 21-year old attack leader, Naseem Shah.Pakistan (probable): 1 Abdullah Shafique, 2 Saim Ayub, 3 Shan Masood (capt), 4 Babar Azam, 5 Saud Shakeel, 6 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 7 Salman Ali Agha, 8 Aamer Jamal, 9 Khurram Shahzad, 10 Naseem Shah, 11 Mohammad AbbasIt has been nearly 18 years since Pakistan won a Test match in South Africa•Getty Images
Pitch and conditionsThere has been significant rainfall on the Highveld in the lead-up to this Test match, which has made pitch preparation at SuperSport Park “difficult” in the words of one source. Two days out, the surface was fairly green which is in keeping with its reputation. Centurion is the most seamer-friendly wicket in the country, which also makes it the most difficult for batters. While Bavuma said he has “never played on a flat Centurion wicket”, days two and three are usually good for run-scoring, but with overhead cloud batters will “know that your work is going to be cut out for you and you’re going to have to work hard for your runs.” The match may also be interrupted with thunderstorms forecast for the first morning and afternoon and the second and third afternoon.Stats and Trivia Eight batters have scored Test centuries for South Africa in 2024. It’s their joint-most in a calendar year, and their most in 12 years. They have previously had eight centurions in 2004, 2008 and 2012. Pakistan have won two of the 15 Tests they’ve played in South Africa, none since 2007, and none of their three at SuperSport Park. Their two wins have come at St George’s Park and Kingsmead, the grounds that hosted the recent Sri Lanka series. Kagiso Rabada is three wickets away from going past Dale Steyn and becoming the leading wicket-taker at SuperSport Park. Rabada has played just eight Tests at the venue and has only taken fewer than five wickets here on one occasion, against India in 2018. He averages just over seven wickets per Test in Centurion. Since January 2018, there have been seven Tests at SuperSport Park and a clear advantage for seam bowlers. They have taken 227 wickets at 23.22, compared with 16 wickets at 60.62 by spinners. Quotes”We accept and acknowledge the fact that many expectations would have risen on the team. There’ll be pressure that comes with that. But to be honest with you, we’re coming into the series to win the series 2-0. We understand that for us to do that, there’s certain things that we need to do as a team: keep things simple, keep doing the small things right, and allow the results to take care of itself. Obviously, one of those results is qualifying for the WTC final and obviously would like to see ourselves there. But, we’re here now.” “When I went to Australia, I didn’t get the time to prepare properly. It was my first overseas tour there, and I made mistakes, but also learned what I could change. Here, in similar conditions, I have had the time to prepare and get into a positive frame of mind.”
The England captain will have a scan on Wednesday morning after missing the final day’s play in Hamilton
Vithushan Ehantharajah17-Dec-20242:05
Stokes: We came here to beat New Zealand and we did it
“I ain’t holding back,” England captain Ben Stokes said when asked if scaling back his workloads as an allrounder was necessary after suffering a recurrence of a left hamstring injury during the third Test against New Zealand at Seddon Park.Stokes pulled up on day three as New Zealand racked up 453 in their second innings, setting England a target of 658. The 33-year-old will have a scan on Wednesday morning in Hamilton and had his left thigh heavily strapped as he sat out the final day’s play, in which England were dismissed for 234, handing the hosts victory by 423 runs.It was a consolation win, as England claimed the Crowe-Thorpe trophy 2-1. Stokes was able to take part in the post-series formalities, walking with a limp but relatively pain free between his various media duties. He confirmed it feels less serious than the torn hamstring sustained in August while batting in the men’s Hundred, which forced him to miss four Tests (a three-match series against Sri Lanka and the first of a tour of Pakistan). He had to be helped off the field then, but this time walked off without assistance.Related
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Having built himself back up over the last month in New Zealand, Stokes bowled 23 overs on day one of the third Test – the most in a single day across his career – with the 36.2 overs he eventually managed the most in a Test in over two years.This latest setback means yet more rehabilitation for Stokes, who underwent knee surgery in November 2023 in a bid to return to the bowler he once was. Putting his body on the line is nothing new for him, but as captain he acknowledged the importance of offering more as an allrounder to give the team another dynamic.His returns on paper this series – averaging 52.66 with the bat and seven dismissals at 36.85 with the ball – suggested he was trending in the right direction. It is why he was crestfallen as he left the field on Monday two balls into his third over of the day.Stokes, though, is in no mood to tailor his approach going forward. Having got over the initial disappointment, he is confident a full return should come quicker second time around.”I worked really hard to get myself into position to play the role that I did this game,” he said. “And it’s just one of those unfortunate things. But nah, I ain’t holding back.”Every time you walk out to field as an athlete, you’re putting yourself at risk of getting injury. Whether you feel great or you don’t feel great. I worked my arse off to get to where I was in this game in particularly with my body. It’s just sod’s law – the first time in a while I feel like I’m young again, something happens.”Obviously, [I was] incredibly disappointed walking off yesterday, very emotional about the whole thing.Ben Stokes was all smiles with the Crowe-Thorpe Trophy•Getty Images
“You’re always asking yourself, ‘Could I have done more? Should have done this, should have done that?’ But you know, when you sleep in it, and you take the emotion out of it, you realise that when you’re walking out there, you’re always putting yourself at risk of an injury.”Tuesday also marked the end of England’s joint-busiest calendar year of 17 Tests, finishing with nine victories and eight defeats. Though the team ended with a loss, Stokes was satisfied with their third series win of 2024, especially given it was England’s first in New Zealand since 2008.”We came here to beat New Zealand,” he said, “a team who wherever they go in the world are very competitive and knew they were going to be full of confidence after their historic win in India.”To play the cricket that we did in the first two games was very, very pleasing. We came here this week with the same attitude, same mindset, that we always do in the first two games out here. We just didn’t play anywhere near our capabilities.”It’s obviously disappointing to end the tour and the year with a loss. But what we came here to acheive, we managed to achieve. It’s no mean feat coming to New Zealand and beating them becease they’re a very very strong team in their home conditions.”
Arsenal are not just after widely-reported top target Eberechi Eze during this final stretch of the summer, as sporting director Andrea Berta looks to end his debut transfer window at the Emirates Stadium with a bang.
Eze is still a hot topic in north London after weeks of links, and there is very much a possibility he does end up sealing his desired move across the capital before the transfer deadline on September 1.
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
25/26 – summer
£208m
Arsenal remain in dialogue with the England international’s camp, as they have done since June (Fabrizio Romano), and Eze is believed to have also spoken with both Berta and Mikel Arteta directly (Ben Jacobs).
The 27-year-old is also very keen on a move to Arsenal, as reliably reported, so this is definitely one to watch in the coming weeks, as Berta considers adding to their already-impressive contingent of new signings totalling £200 million-plus.
Eze, while a top priority, is joined on Arsenal’s list of late-summer targets by Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet.
Arsenal made an approach for Jacquet, who only signed a new deal in May, and TEAMtalk report that the 20-year-old is becoming increasingly enthusiastic about the prospect of a move to N5.
Alongside the Frenchman, it is claimed that Blackburn Rovers sensation Igor Tyjon is another one to watch.
The 17-year-old has already made two senior appearances for Blackburn since rising through the ranks, whilst also scoring six goals in 12 appearances for their Under-21s, and he’s seen as a very exciting prospect.
“Igor has been a standout young player since I have been at the football club,” said former Rovers boss John Eustace last year.
“He had a fantastic pre-season. He’s just played for England in the week. I was delighted to give him his debut today. He has worked, very, very hard. He’s a 16-year-old boy and we have to remember that. He is certainly one for the future.”
Arsenal given Blackburn Rovers reply after making second bid for Igor Tyjon
According to The Athletic, Arsenal have already had a bid rejected for the teenager, but Berta has since gone in with another offer.
However, the outcome is the same, with Blackburn snubbing Arsenal’s second bid to sign Tyjon as the Gunners are forced to weigh up a third approach.
The attacking gem is already among Rovers’ youngest ever debutants, and he’s tipped for a very bright future, so it could be worth the effort from Arsenal’s perspective.
“Igor Tyjon became the club’s third-youngest ever player when he came off the bench against Bristol City last month,” said Football League World pundit, Toby Wilding, in late 2024.
“He’s already scoring goals consistently at under-21 level while still only being 16-years-old, and signed a new contract with the club in the summer despite reported interest from Manchester United.
“I think when you look at that progress that he is making and the potential he has, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see him more involved with the first team and making an impact in the not too distant future.
“You can understand, with all that in mind, why Blackburn fans are getting rightly excited about him.”
Sunderland’s wild ambition in the summer transfer window to date indicates that they’re searching for more than just survival when leaping up to the Premier League.
Instead, the Black Cats are dreaming of taking the top-flight by storm, with signings in through the door such as Habib Diarra for a whopping £30m chomping at the bit to become a star at the top level.
That is easier said than done with no Premier League experience next to your name, but he will hope he can settle in swiftly to his pressurised environment when linking up with potential new teammate Granit Xhaka, who has been done there and done that in the unforgiving league previously.
Why Sunderland are chasing after Xhaka
Indeed, Xhaka looks to be edging ever closer to a return to England, with Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg going as far as to reveal that the Black Cats have agreed personal terms with the Swiss.
There is a sticking point still when it comes to his £17m valuation – and Erik ten Hag’s desire to keep hold of him – but when compared to Sunderland’s other excessive summer spending, this doesn’t feel like an inflated price to pay for a midfield enforcer who is well-versed in what it takes to be a success story in the Premier League.
Whilst he wasn’t always in the Arsenal good books across his lengthy 297-game stay in North London, owing to his full-blooded displays sometimes going overboard, he would be a welcome addition to Le Bris’ camp all the same, especially as they try to gain more top-flight experience in their camp.
After all, Xhaka would impressively notch up 17 goals and 24 assists across 225 league outings for the Gunners before seeking out pastures new with Bayer Leverkusen, on top of launching himself into 1001 duels in total as a combative presence well-suited to a potential relegation tussle.
Yet, even at 32 years of age, Xhaka will hope he can get even more out of his varied game on his reentry to the lively level, with another new signing on Sunderland’s agenda potentially going on to be a dream teammate for the left-footed battler to work alongside.
Sensational Sunderland target could be a dream for Xhaka
Xhaka bowed out of the Emirates in 2023 after arguably experiencing one of his finest seasons in Arsenal red, with his output of seven goals and seven assists very much sticking out.
Across his two previous seasons before bowing out in style, Xhaka would only collect six goals and assists in total, as those at the Stadium of Light now hope this magic in terms of offering goals and assists – away from his known image of being attritional – comes to the forefront on Wearside to help survival be reached at a minimum.
He could well shine even brighter in this regard if Bilal El Khannouss seals a switch to the Black Cats shortly, with the creative Leicester City machine potentially set to make a move to Sunderland for around the £22.5m mark, amid interest also coming from Aston Villa.
Amazingly, despite the Foxes succumbing to relegation last season, the Moroccan would stand out as an entertaining playmaker all campaign long when putting in many a memorable display for his doomed outfit.
Games played
32
Goals scored
2
Assists
3
Touches*
42.5
Accurate passes*
24.0 (80%)
Key passes*
1.3
Big chances created
8
Total duels won*
3.6
An encouraging two goals and three assists would come El Khannouss’ way from 32 league clashes, with Xhaka perhaps ready to score even more of his trademark strikes from outside of the box when being teed up by the £22.5m star, off the back of him creating eight big chances at the foot of the Premier League.
The relationship will, no doubt, be reciprocal, too, as El Khannouss becomes even more clued up about the challenges of the daunting division, knowing he’s partnered next to an individual who knows how to battle and succeed in such a brutal terrain.
Adding Xhaka is a jaw-dropping move for Sunderland to make, but throwing the “sensational” Moroccan – as he’s been labelled by football analyst Ben Mattinson – into the mix, too, would be yet another sublime move that catches the eye.
In the end, the midfield duo could well become a devastating force together that ultimately helps the Black Cats become a surprise Premier League package.
The new Le Fee: Sunderland "close" to completing a deal to sign £17m star
Regis Le Bris could be about to win his next Enzo Le Fee as Sunderland push on with more statement signings.