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Pep Guardiola remains coy, but the plain truth is that Manchester City have closed ground on Premier League table-toppers Arsenal ahead of the Christmas period, and Sky Blue supporters know they would be wise to buckle in.

But then, another truth would be that this is simply not Pep’s strongest City squad. That said, there is enough quality within the Etihad Stadium to challenge for and potentially win the league title, especially with Erling Haaland in such impudent goalscoring form.

However, Haaland can’t do it alone all year long, with the list of the club’s top scorers underscoring the need for more firepower.

Man City – Top Scorers 25/26 (all comps)

Player

Apps

Goals

Erling Haaland

20

20

Phil Foden

19

9

Jeremy Doku

21

3

Rayan Cherki

14

3

Josko Gvardiol

16

2

Ruben Dias

20

2

Tijjani Reijnders

21

2

Phil Foden is going from strength to strength, and that could be a defining factor in City’s revival, but it’s understandable that Guardiola and the board are hoping to sign a new wide forward.

City's winter transfer plans

Haaland continues to defy expectations. Even his soaring expectations. But there’s no question that Guardiola’s side could pack a few more angles into their punches, and that’s something that may need to be fixed in January if the Premier League title is to return to the blue side of Manchester.

Given that the Norwegian goal machine is fixed into his starting berth at number nine, perhaps a goalscoring wideman could be what Pep needs.

According to TEAMtalk, Man City still have a strong interest in signing Antoine Semenyo despite Liverpool’s ostensible lead in the race. All the pointers suggest the 26-year-old is inching toward an exit from Bournemouth in 2026.

Semenyo has been one of the standout players in the Premier League this season, and with his £65m release clause switching on in January, City will need to pounce quickly to beat off the thick competition for his signature.

Why Pep wants to sign Semenyo

Most of the noise surrounding Semenyo and his future centres around struggling Premier League champions Liverpool, but City know they have it in their power to convince him to join their project.

A big-game player and with six goals and three assists to his name in the English top flight this term, Semenyo is riding the crest of a wave, with a skillset that looks perfect for a team fighting at the top.

His potency and pace could lead him to rival Jeremy Doku as City’s new version of Leroy Sane, who is fondly remembered to this day for his exploits in Manchester.

But, more accurately, Semenyo could actually emerge as Pep’s own version of Sadio Mane, the former Liverpool attacker.

Liverpool analyst Josh Williams has actually suggested that the Ghana international is “the closest you’ll find to peak Mane right now” , and given the terrorising of Premier League defences – including City’s – that the Senegalese winger used to inflict, Pep could do a lot worse than add a new version to his ranks.

Looking at the former Liverpool man during the 2021/22 campaign, leading to a second-place finish at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, in comparison to Semenyo this season, you can perhaps see why such a claim was made, with the Cherries star boasting a completeness that few can claim they have within their locker.

Premier League – Sadio Mane vs Antoine Semenyo

Stats (* per game)

Mane (21/22)

Semenyo (25/26)

Matches (starts)

34 (32)

14 (14)

Goals

16

6

Assists

2

3

Shots (on target)*

2.9 (1.1)

2.4 (1.4)

Big chances missed

13

5

Accurate passes

23.6 (77%)

19.8 (78%)

Chances created*

1.3

1.3

Succ. dribbles*

1.4

1.6

Tackles*

1.0

1.7

Duels won*

4.7

6.5

Data via Sofascore

Both players are combative and dynamic and deadly in the final third, and while Semenyo has the pace and athleticism to rekindle memories of a star like Sane, it is the one-time Liverpool icon, who he bears a more striking tactical likeness.

Two-footed and able to play across both wings, Semenyo is the real deal, and though Bournemouth are struggling for form at this moment in time, he remains a beaming beacon for Andoni Iraola in the final third, having been named the “best winger in the country” by Chris Waddle for his efforts this season.

How City could do with a fleet-footed winger in their mix like Sane right now, someone to contrast with the electric Jeremy Doku.

Semenyo, with all his hustle and bustle, could be the perfect man for the title-chasing task at hand.

Related Worse than Nunes: Pep must drop Man City star who "doesn't have the legs"

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola should drop this star who was worse than Matheus Nunes against Fulham.

Posts ByDan Emery Dec 3, 2025

Victoria’s Sheffield Shield dominance is continuing, taking a stranglehold of their clash with Western Australia at the MCG.Holding a 61-run first-innings lead after making 255 in reply to WA’s 194, Victoria delivered another blow just before stumps on day two on Friday.Mitchell Perry trapped former Australia opener Cameron Bancroft on the final ball of the third over to leave WA reeling at 4 for 1. Instead of Australia’s white-ball star Mitch Marsh arriving at the crease, spinner Corey Rocchiccioli was sent in as a nightwatcher.Rocchiccioli survived five overs with captain Sam Whiteman to get WA to stumps at 5 for 1, still trailing Victoria by 56 runs. Whiteman made just two from 24 balls, but did his job by getting to the end of the day without falling to the charging Victorian attack.On a tricky wicket, opener Blake Macdonald thrived for Victoria with 79, while Matthew Short compiled 62.Victoria took their time building a lead, going at a run-rate of just 2.68 and batting for 96 overs. WA veteran Cameron Gannon bowled tirelessly, sending down 23 overs for figures of 5 for 47.Rocchiccioli ended Victoria’s innings with his second wicket, finishing with 2 for 61.Despite struggling in the One-Day Cup and suffering a heavy loss to WA on Tuesday, Victoria have been dominating the Shield this season. Another win here would take them into the Big Bash League break with five wins from six matches, putting them in the box seat to host this season’s final. WA are on the bottom of the Shield table, having secured just one win this campaign.

Head doesn’t just score runs, he scores them quickly, and often against balls that aren’t all that bad – a recipe to deflate any attack

Alagappan Muthu15-Dec-20241:33

Pujara: India fed too many balls to Head outside off

Sometime during the 2019 Ashes, there was an announcement at St Johns Wood tube station: “Mind the gap. Also, does anybody know how to get Steven Smith out?” The moment stands out in “The Test”, Amazon’s documentary about the Australian team. There might be some places in India sending out a similar SOS about Travis Head. The irony is that he came into this Test having been dismissed for 0 off 1 three straight times at the Gabba.Getting a bogey batter out early is the ideal scenario, and also maybe a slightly easier one, when compared to getting them out after they’re set. And Head is not without his weaknesses. There is one that India failed to exploit rather famously at the WTC final in 2023. And they might be guilty of something similar here too. According to HawkEye data only 10% of the fast bowling he faced was bouncers.When Head came in at No. 5, Jasprit Bumrah was fairly fresh and he was brought on pretty quickly. His first over included one that rose up towards Head’s chest. He went for the pull and made no effort to keep it down because there was nobody at deep square leg. He was happy to hit it in the air. there was nobody down at deep square leg. The field wasn’t set for that ball.Related

• Mitch, Josh and Pat stay ahead in race against the weather

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India had reason to explore more traditional lengths on this Gabba pitch. Even at 54 overs, Akash Deep was getting the ball to bounce past the shoulder of Smith’s bat. Normal Test-match bowling was working in Brisbane… so long as Head wasn’t the one facing it. This is what his talent to a cricket ball – not meet it under his eyes, not defend it close to his body but it – does. It breaks a game in two.Morne Morkel, the India bowling coach, in explaining their plans to Head, hinted at just how easily he forces oppositions on the defensive. “The margins to him were just so small. And like I said, once he’s in, you know, what is the best way for the team and for you to maybe slow down the scoring rate? Because you know he’s going to be aggressive. What is the best way of bringing a little bit of control into the game?”Morkel was still talking about getting Head out but the way to do it had changed from targeting him to tying him down. India had a deep point in very early into Head’s innings. They had discovered that unlike most left-hand batters they come across, he enjoyed the ball coming into him from around the wicket. “Our plan going into this game was to bowl a little bit more over the wickets, just to bowl a straighter line,” Morkel said.Travis Head notched up a 115-ball hundred•Cricket Australia via Getty ImagesAustralia scored 130 runs in the middle session at 4.8 an over with Head scoring 80 of them to bring up his fourth century against India across formats. Bumrah went to a bouncer and actually cramped him once, but Head adjusted by leaning back from the ball and just letting it glance off the face of his bat which he had propped up like a ramp. It was deliciously intentional.The ball that most people think brings him down, bowled by one of the best in the world, simply flew off the middle of his bat. That’s how Head brings the opposition’s shoulders down. He doesn’t just score runs, he scores them quickly, and often against balls that aren’t all that bad.”The way he’s able to put the bowlers under pressure from the outset is quite incredible,” Smith, a fellow century-maker and his partner over the course of 241 runs, said. “You know, he’s got an unbelievable eye and the areas in which he scores, it’s tough to put fielders in those positions in a way.Steven Smith and Travis Head combined well for Australia•Associated Press”You know, you see them put the deep point out and stuff, but he just finds ways to just put it past him. Yeah, he’s batting beautifully, he’s confident and it’s nice to get in a partnership with him because the scoreboard moves extremely fast. And I was just in the sheds with him then and he goes, ‘geez, that went quick today.'”Ravindra Jadeja thought he had Head caught behind in the 55th over. It was a lovely ball, spinning into the batter against the angle from around the wicket. But he couldn’t bowl it again. One of the most accurate spinners in the world couldn’t back up a good ball with another good ball because when he tried he was hit for two successive boundaries, which forced Jadeja into bowling darts. Head faced them with ease, off the back foot, with all the time in the world. He had thrown the bowler off what he wanted to do and made life easier for himself seconds after being in trouble.India weren’t at their best on Saturday. Morkel admitted that there is a lot of work they still need to do on bowling between the 30th and the 50th overs and that finding the right length at the Gabba has been a bit of a challenge. They had a scare with Mohammed Siraj grabbing his left knee and walking off the field (he came back though). As they waited for the second new ball, cycling through their change bowlers just before tea, and leaking three fours in 12 balls, they turned to Bumrah sooner than they might have liked. He had two balls’ notice to warm-up. Every ball, every over, every session, Head kept pushing India to the brink and now they are teetering.

Tottenham have reportedly entered pole position to sign a “big striker” for manager Thomas Frank in January, coming amid reports that the unfit Dominic Solanke now faces an uncertain future at the club.

Thomas Frank unimpressed by Dominic Solanke at Tottenham

Spurs’ club-record signing has played just 49 minutes in all competitions so far this campaign, with a niggling ankle problem keeping him out of action since their 2-0 win at Man City in August.

His ankle issue required minor surgery and Frank has confirmed that the England striker could soon return to the field, having made decent progress in his recovery, but we can still only estimate when he will be fit and available for selection once again.

Tottenham absentee list to face Newcastle

Problem

Estimated return date

Dejan Kulusevski

Knee

22/11/2025

James Maddison

ACL

01/06/2026

Radu Dragusin

Knee

22/11/2025

Ben Davies

Thigh

23/11/2025

Yves Bissouma

Ankle/Foot

08/11/2025

Cristian Romero

Groin

01/11/2025

Destiny Udogie

Knee

08/11/2025

Dominic Solanke

Ankle

08/11/2025

via Premier Injuries

Fitness issues have been commonplace at Spurs since Solanke made the £65 million move from Bournemouth last year, and he hasn’t had a chance to showcase his worth to Frank just yet.

The 28-year-old finished 24/25 as Tottenham’s second-top goalscorer behind Brennan Johnson with 16 goals in all competitions, but a combination of knee, thigh and ankle problems limited his availability.

Interestingly, according to a report from Football Insider this week, Frank has already seen enough.

It is believed that Frank has been left unimpressed by Solanke and a January exit could be on the cards for him, as Tottenham’s manager decides that he wants a new striker to come in.

In the build up to the next transfer window, reports have suggested that Tottenham could bring Ivan Toney back to the Premier League on loan from Al-Ahli, with Frank’s ex-star at Brentford looking to battle his way back into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.

Some media sources claim that Frank has personally contacted Toney about a temporary move to Spurs, but there are other options.

With his contract expiring in 2026, Spurs have also been touted as suitors for Juventus star Dušan Vlahović.

Tottenham "leading the race" to sign Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović

According to reliable Bundesliga journalist and Bayern Munich expert Christian Falk, there’s been an update, and one which suits the north Londoners down to the ground.

While Bayern were continuously linked, it is actually Tottenham who are “leading the race” to sign Vlahovic, as Falk tells Bayern Insider that Vincent Kompany’s side have now backed off.

The 25-year-old, who reportedly earns a whopping £375,000-per-week in Turin, has managed to score at least 14 goals per season since his magnificent breakout campaign at Fiorentina in 2020/2021.

Vlahovic can be a big-game player as well, with strikes coming in the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund and Man City over the last two seasons, as well as in crucial Serie A matches against the likes of Inter Milan.

On a free transfer or for a cut-price in January, Vlahovic could be a real coup, but he’ll almost certainly have to take a massive pay cut.

Fast bowler calls Kwena Maphaka an “extremely exciting talent”

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Aug-2025Kagiso Rabada is reminded of his own youth when he looks out at the South Africa dressing room right now as they prepare to take on Australia over the course of three T20Is and three ODIs starting Sunday.The two teams last played against each other in the World Test Championship final, where South Africa’s more experienced players stood tall. Now with the T20 World Cup in 2026 and a home ODI World Cup in 2027, their focus has shifted into blooding younger talent so that come those big games they have a reference point for what to do when the pressure is on.”You were talking earlier about when I came here for the first time, that kind of reminds me of the space that they’re in,” Rabada, who is now past 10 years in international cricket, said on Thursday. “I’m sure they just want to do their best. They’ve got no fear. When you’re young, you’ve got no fear at all. And yeah, I mean, I’m excited to see how they’re going to go in their careers.”Related

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Maphaka: I always want to come out on top of the fight

Conrad confident Maphaka can be 'main dog' in SA pace attack

Markram, Bavuma return for SA's white-ball tour of Australia

Maharaj and Mlaba win the big ones at CSA annual awards

South Africa’s white-ball squad in Darwin includes players like Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who was the top-scorer in the SA20 earlier this year, Dewald Brevis, who was marked for higher honours since he burst on the scene at the Under-19 World Cup in 2022 and Kwena Maphaka, whose left-arm seam earned him an IPL contract at 17 and a national cap at 18.While calling his team’s younger batch “explosive and fearless,” captain Aiden Markram said: “You know how it is to be 19-20 again and there’s not many worries in the world at that age and it reflects in when they train and how you see them operate. So, very exciting…each country has their own youngsters coming through and we got a handful of them this tour and it’s an exciting and great opportunity for us to see what they’re about and allow them to entertain people.”Rabada has not played any cricket since his starring role in the WTC final in June, when he picked up nine wickets in the match. He recovered from those exertions with a holiday in Greece and is back feeling “fully fit” and excited to pass on his knowledge to the newcomers. He called Maphaka an “extremely exciting talent”.South Africa have high hopes for 19-year-old fast bowler Kwena Maphaka•AFP/Getty Images”Because of the fact that he’s a bowler as well, you know, kind of makes it more, from my point of view, that I’m obliged to almost take him under extra care,” Rabada said. “But I think he’s going to learn, you know, from his own experiences as well and from his own journey. And we’re just there to be a sounding board, you know, not necessarily get involved into their careers too much, but be sounding boards.”Still only 19, Maphaka has been fast-tracked into the South African set-up. He has already played two Tests, two ODIs and eight T20Is, picking up 18 wickets in the process. The squad as a whole is getting used to new leadership with Shukri Conrad handed the reins in white-ball cricket as well. Rabada was intrigued by some of the coach’s “left-field” strategies as they work towards the global tournaments that are around the corner.”You’re looking at growing this team within the next year and a half. That’s the bigger goal looking into 2027 [ODI World Cup], but certainly a short-term goal leading into the 2026 [T20] World Cup, looking at guys like David [Miller, currently playing in the Hundred in England], who are going to be back, Marco [Jansen, injured], who are going to be back. That gives a bit more of solidification in terms of the team and in mainly experience.”But yeah, these games [against Australia] would be just to get a feel for one another as team-mates, how we’re going to go about it. And really, it’s just a work in process, there’s no fear of winning or losing. Although we play to win 100%, it is the main thing, but it’s a process and it’s a process of evaluation.”

Barcelona sporting director Deco has addressed transfer speculation linking club legend Lionel Messi with a return to the Catalan club. The World Cup winner left the Catalan giants in acrimonious fashion back in 2021 as their financial woes meant he could not be offered a new contract, but the hope of the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner returning to Camp Nou has not left Barca fans – despite Messi turning 38 this summer.

How Barcelona lost Messi in 2021

Messi established himself as an all-time great during a sparkling 17-year stint in Barca's senior setup, holding the club's records for most appearances and goals with 778 matches played and a ridiculous 672 strikes. He won every major honour there is to win with his former club, including 10 La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues, playing alongside other legends like Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Neymar and Sergio Busquets, among others, as Barca enjoyed one of the most glistening periods in their history. 

The fairytale eventually came to an end in 2021 as financial mismanagement resulted in Messi's departure at the end of his contract. He signed for Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer but had two difficult seasons in France before joining Major League soccer outfit Inter Miami, where he has resumed his incredible goal-scoring. Barca remain somewhat strapped for cash but appear to be in a better position than they were four years ago, but sporting director Deco didn't give much away when asked about a potential return to the club for the Argentinian.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportDeco responds to potential Messi return

Speaking on , Deco said: "I don't think it's possible because Leo is under contract and it was never even considered. Leo is always Leo and he could still contribute something; he's a great player, but it's not something we're going to talk about," he firmly stated. 

"The current situation is entirely speculative,” Deco added. 

Why an imminent return seems unrealistic

Barca fans unsurprisingly fell head-over-heels back in love with Messi when he was pictured at the club's newly-refurbished Camp Nou stadium back in early November. The legendary attacker admitted he wants to return in some capacity in the future in order to say a proper goodbye to supporters, something he was denied four years ago due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

However, president Joan Laporta later revealed it was "not realistic" to consider a playing homecoming with Messi recently committing his future to Inter Miami for another three years. Their financial situation remains tight, having spent relatively little on transfers compared to some of Europe's other top teams over the past few seasons, and whether they would be able to afford Messi's wages remains to be seen.

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Getty Images SportWhat comes next for Messi and Barcelona?

With many football supporters around the world hopeful of Messi returning to Camp Nou in the future, this is a story that is unlikely to fade away any time soon. However, the two parties have different goals to focus on in the immediate future. Messi will be hopeful of scooping more silverware on Saturday, with Inter Miami facing Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup final. He could be joined by some former team-mates in the future, with Neymar linked with a switch to MLS after experiencing a difficult return to boyhood club Santos, while he could also feature in next year's World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico as Argentina look to defend the crown they won in Qatar in 2022.

Barca, meanwhile, have opened up a four-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, though Los Blancos have the chance to cut that advantage when they meet Athletic Club on Wednesday night. 

Shohei Ohtani has played two seasons in Los Angeles with the Dodgers, and he already has two World Series rings to show for it. These past two seasons are the only two years the three-time MVP has competed in the postseason in general, too. That’s a pretty impressive run.

The Dodgers’ three-peat chances have already become a talking point heading into the 2025 season. While it would mark the fifth time in MLB history for a team to at least win three World Series in a row, it would be the Dodgers’ first time achieving that feat. And, Ohtani’s already imagining what that celebration would be like.

During the Dodgers’ World Series championship parade on Monday, the L.A. superstar was asked if it would be difficult for him to not win the World Series next season as that’s all he’s ever known with the Dodgers.

“I’m already thinking about the third time we’re doing to do this,” Ohtani simply replied.

We’ll see if the Dodgers can deliver on this dream next season.

Los Angeles overcame a tough World Series vs. the Blue Jays to win the title. Game 7 appeared to be in Toronto’s reach until the Dodgers tied up the contest in the top of the ninth. The game went to 11 innings, but Los Angeles came out on top thanks to Will Smith’s homer that inning. Then, Mookie Betts delivered a game-winning double play at the bottom of the inning to seal the deal.

Chelsea’s transfer strategy over the last few seasons has seen them sign plenty of hugely talented players.

The likes of Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo, Estevao and Marc Cucurella, for example, are some of the most exciting in the Premier League.

However, the Blues have also signed more than their fair share of flops, some of whom still need to be moved on as soon as possible.

This includes an international centre-back who was once compared to John Terry.

The worst centre-backs signed under Todd Boehly

While Chelsea have made at least one poor signing in practically every position since Todd Boehly and Co took charge, they seem to have had particular bad luck at centre-back.

First Impressions

What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast’s ‘First Impressions’ series has everything you need.

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For example, ranking as one of the worst signings the club have made over the last few years is Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly.

The Blues paid Napoli around £33m for the then-highly rated and vastly experienced defender in 2022, and to their credit, it seemed like a good signing at the time.

After all, the monster centre-back was long seen as one of the best in his position in Europe, but it quickly became apparent that the West Londoners had picked him up a few years too late.

He was slow on and off the ball, prone to mistakes, and simply looked out of place in the Premier League, and was sold to Saudi Pro-League side Al-Hilal after just one year.

Another defender who has failed to live up to expectations at Stamford Bridge, or even get close to them, is Benoit Badiashile.

The former AS Monaco gem joined the Blues in January 2023 for a fee of around £35m, and at the time, fans thought the club had just secured one of the best up-and-coming defenders in French football.

After all, he made his debut for the Ligue 1 side at just 17 years old, and by the time Chelsea came knocking, he had already amassed an impressive tally of 135 appearances for them.

Standing 6 foot 4 inches tall and described as the “complete centre-back” by talent scout Jacek Kulig for his speed, power and ability on the ball, it seemed like he would be a hit.

Unfortunately, while he wasn’t as bad as Koulibaly, he has still made far too many mistakes and was limited to just 16 starts across all competitions last season.

There might be a way back for the Frenchman now he’s fit again, but the same cannot be said for one of his teammates, who was once compared to the iconic John Terry.

The Chelsea player compared to John Terry

One of the members of Chelsea’s ‘bomb squad,’ Maresca and Co. need to get rid of Axel Disasi as soon as possible, for his benefit as much as the club’s.

It’s hard to imagine it now, but when the 27-year-old centre-back first joined the Blues, in the summer of 2023, there was a fair deal of excitement from fans and pundits alike.

After all, here was a French international who had made a brief appearance in the World Cup final the winter before and someone who was one of the most exciting defenders in Ligue 1.

In fact, just a few years before his move to Stamford Bridge, talent scout Jacek Kulig compared him to Virgil van Dijk and described him as “a true hidden gem” who was “born to play in England.”

The Gonesse-born titan’s time in West London couldn’t have got off to a better start, either, as on his debut, he scored a header to earn his side a point against Liverpool.

Unfortunately, over the following months, he would begin to struggle with the quality of the league, but then-boss Mauricio Pochettino kept him in the team, and away to Manchester City in February, he got his rewards.

The former AS Monaco ace was sensational against the champions, and according to Jamie Carragher, his “John Terry performance” was the reason the Blues left the Etihad with a point.

Disasi’s Chelsea record

Appearances

61

Minutes

4974

Starts

56

Goals

5

Assists

2

Points per Game

1.89

All Stats via Transfermarkt

That is just about the highest praise a Chelsea defender can get, and unfortunately, he has not performed anywhere close to that level since.

The following season saw him stay at Stamford Bridge for the first half, but he was sent on loan to Aston Villa for the second half, where he made ten appearances and failed to stamp his authority on the backline.

Things have gotten even worse this year, as, at the time of writing, the only appearance he has made was for the club’s U21S against Reading’s U21S last week.

Unfortunately, it is clear that Maresca has no intention of even including Disasi in his squad this season, so considering he’s earning £80k-per-week, and for his own sake, Chelsea should look to sell him as soon as possible.

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 13, 2025

Seifert’s 125 is also the second-highest score ever in the CPL, while Kings’ chase was the fifth-highest ever in the competition

ESPNcricinfo staff31-Aug-2025

Tim Seifert celebrates his century•Getty Images

A stunning century from Tim Seifert helped St Lucia Kings pull off the fifth-highest chase in Caribbean Premier League (CPL) history with utter ease as they marched to the top of the table with a six-wicket win over Antigua and Barbuda Falcons at Gros Islet.Seifert levelled with Andre Russell for the CPL’s fastest century as his 53-ball 125 not out saw Kings overturn their 205-run in 17.5 overs as Falcons slumped to their second consecutive defeat, despite a 26-ball 61 from Shakib Al Hasan.Seifert started the chase in style, flat-batting the first legal delivery of the innings for a six over long-off. Imad Wasim conceded another six, to Johnson Charles, as Kings made their intent clear in the first over.Charles then welcomed Jayden Seales into the attack with a six before Seifert went 6, 4, 4 against the West Indies quick.There was some reprieve for Falcons when Salman Irshad had Charles gloving behind off an attempted scoop but Seifert showed no signs of slowing down.He swept Shakib for a six over square leg before skying a chance that fell safe between three fielders converging, much to Shakib’s angst.Akeem Auguste hit Irshad for three consecutive fours before Seales took 24 off Shakib, with two sixes and three fours. The 92 runs Kings plundered in the powerplay were the most in the season, and it was the third-best powerplay in CPL history.Tim Seifert plays a shot during his opening blitz•Getty Images

Usama Mir saw Seifert hit him for a four and a six in his first over, right after the powerplay, but hit back in his next over when he beat Auguste in flight to have him stumped.Seifert and Roston Chase kept the scoreboard ticking before Irshad took a blinder at short leg off Odean Smith to cut Chase’s innings short.However, in the next over Seifert hit back-to-back sixes off Mir to move to 99 and completed his century with a single off the next ball.Tim David went 6, 4, 6 off Smith before Seales had him caught at deep midwicket in a wicket maiden amid the chaos.Seifert, who had scooped Irshad in the over before for four, picked up another boundary off Seales’ third over before sealing the win with a mighty six off the final ball.Seifert finished unbeaten on 125, posting the highest score of the season, going past his compatriot Colin Munro, who is the only other centurion this year. This was also the second-highest score ever in the CPL.Openers Amir Jangoo and Jewel Andrew took Falcons to 51 for no loss at the end of the powerplay, but Tabraiz Shamsi’s introduction shifted the momentum briefly. He had Andrew skying one off his first ball before drawing a thick edge from Karima Gore and Roston Chase took a good catch at slip to send the in-form batter back for a first-ball duck.Shakib Al Hasan powered Falcons’ innings•CPL

Shakib prevented the hat-trick by sweeping a loosener fine on the leg side before an edge off a reverse-sweep brought him four more next ball.An 18-ball streak followed without a boundary, but that was ended when Shakib hit back-to-back sixes off Chase to end the tenth over – a slog sweep over midwicket was followed by a wallop down the ground.Shakib hammered David Wiese for 25 runs, with three consecutive fours followed by two back-to-back sixes, the second of which saw him bring up a 20-ball half-century.Jangoo lofted Shamsi over long-off the next over before sweeping him fine on the leg side. Shakib’s shot of the day was when he pummeled Alzarri Joseph inside out for a one-handed six.But an offcutter from Delano Potgieter drew a leading edge from Shakib and one over later, Jangoo miscued a reverse-sweep off Shamsi to David at short third to depart for a 43-ball 56.Smith failed to fire in the death, ambling to 11 off 15, but Fabian Allen provided the punch at the death with a 17-ball 38, taking Falcons past 200.

كشف محمد سلامة عضو مجلس إدارة الاتحاد السكندري، عن تفاصيل أزمة انسحاب فريق كرة السلة من مباراة النهائي لـ بطولة الدوري المصري أمام الأهلي.

وقال محمد سلامة في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة اون سبورت: “فريق الاتحاد روح، (أخدتهم أعشيهم)، والقصة بدأت اليوم بمباراة المرتبط، حدثت مناوشات بعد المباراة وعلمت إن لاعب عندنا أخطأ، وسيتم إيقافه من قبل الاتحاد قبل أي شيء لأننا ناد رياضي أخلاقي واجتماعي”.

وأكمل: “(أي أحد هيغلط هيتقطع رقبته)، وأنا بعلن إيقاف اللاعب وسيتعرض لأشد العقوبات قبل قرار اتحاد اللعبة”.

وواصل: “حدثت مناوشات بين الجماهير، وكان يوجد صعوبة في إخراج الجمهورين في وقت واحد، انتظرنا فترة طويلة جدًا هل جمهور الأهلي يخرج أولًا أم جمهور الاتحاد، الأمور أخذت وقتا طويلا”.

وأشار: “تكلمنا مع محمد الغزاوي عضو مجلس الأهلي، وقلنا يجب أن يتم تأجيل المباراة إلى الغد، ولا توجد ارتباطات دولية، وهذا الرأي لاقى استحسانا”.

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وأوضح: “لكن اللاعبين قالوا لي إن اللاعبين تناولوا وجبة الغداء الساعة 2 والساعة وصلت لـ 10 ولم تبدأ المباراة، وبهذه الأجواء المباراة ستلعب الساعة 12”.

وأضاف: “نحن في النهاية نتحدث من أجل سلامة اللاعبين ولا نريد أن نخسرهم، والكلام كان مُرحب به، مجلس إدارة الاتحاد دخل غرفة مغلقة لمناقشة القرار، وبعد أن ذهبنا فوجئنا أن لاعبي الأهلي نزلوا الملعب ويسخنوا”.

وبسؤاله هل ترى أن هذا المشهد يليق بسمعة اللعبة؟، أجاب: “مع احترامي .. ألا تستطيع تأمين مباراة فيها 600 فرد، وتحدثني عن سمعة الرياضة المصرية ولا يوجد تأمين لـ 600 فرد”.