Manchester City have reached an agreement with Palmeiras to sign Vitor Reis, with the defender set to join the English giants 'immediately'.

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Man City set to sign Reis from PalmeirasWill join the City squad immediately Reis is known as 'new Marquinhos'Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Per , the reigning Premier League champions have reached a verbal agreement with Palmeiras to sign their star defender Vitor Reis. The agreed fee for the 19-year-old is under €40 million (£34m/$41m) and City want to complete the formalities quickly so the player can join Pep Guardiola's squad immediately.

AdvertisementGOALTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Reis will fly to Manchester and undergo his medical while Cityzens and Palmeiras thrash out the final terms of the transfer. In the 2024 Brazilian Serie A season, the young defender appeared in 33 matches across all competitions, including 18 league appearances as his club finished second behind champions Botafogo.

Getty Images SportDID YOU KNOW?

The teenager started his football journey in Robinho's R10 academy before being picked up by Palmeiras in 2016. As a wonderfully composed central defensive leader who's very comfortable on the ball, Reis has often been compared to compatriot Marquinhos. The teenager has also admitted that he's modelled his game on the Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil captain.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER CITY?

Guardiola's men will be back in action on Tuesday night in the Premier League as they take on Brentford away from home. That fixture will come too soon for Reis, but he could be available for City's trip to Ipswich Town on January 19 if final negotiations with Palmeiras progress smoothly.

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris has dropped a concerning injury update regarding a “superb” Black Cats player, revealing he could be out for far longer than first thought.

Good start for Le Bris at Sunderland

Le Bris came in as Sunderland’s new manager during the summer, and it’s fair to say that he has hit the ground running, steering his side into the automatic promotion positions in the Championship.

It is never easy to predict how a team will do with a new boss at the helm, but the Black Cats have played some excellent football and picked up a number of memorable victories, with the likes of Chris Rigg, Jobe Bellingham and others catching the eye greatly.

Sunderland also haven’t been without setbacks, however, not least losing star winger Jack Clarke to Ipswich Town, with the Stadium of Light hero finding it too difficult to turn down a move to a Premier League club.

There have also been injuries for Le Bris to contend with, with summer signing Ian Poveda restricted to just 44 minutes of Championship action so far this season, having sealed a permanent switch from Friday’s opponents Leeds United. Niall Huggins and Jenson Seelt are long-term absentees, and others have also been missing at different times.

Le Bris drops concerning Sunderland injury news

Speaking to the media [via Sunderland AFC News] prior to Friday’s clash with Leeds, Le Bris confirmed that Sunderland attacker Poveda could now be out injured for six weeks – three times more than the two weeks that was expected in his original brief to the media earlier last week.

It has been such a frustrating start to life at the Stadium of Light for Poveda to date, failing to make a league start and seeing his momentum badly affected by fitness issues. This latest update is a big blow for the player, Le Bris and Black Cats supporters, meaning he may not even be back until the middle of November.

The 24-year-old is such a talented attacking player who could give Sunderland much-needed flair without Clarke around now, with Danny Mills lauding his performance against Manchester City in the Premier League back in 2020: “I thought he was superb when he came on. He looked really sharp, full of energy and kept the ball really well. He cause a lot of problems for Mendy in the second-half and I think that is why Pep Guardiola decided to make the change.”

To be able to cause City problems says a lot about Poveda’s ability, even if it was years ago, and the hope is that his rather nomadic career becomes more settled in a Black Cats shirt.

£8,500-p/w Sunderland ace makes admission about permanent transfer clause

He’s been in fine form as of late…

ByTom Cunningham Oct 3, 2024

At 24 years of age, there is still plenty of time on the former Leeds winger’s side, and the hope is that he is a valuable asset to Le Bris upon his return from injury.

Aston Villa supporters will be reasonably happy with the way their side have started this season back in the thick of it in the Premier League, with three wins and one loss notched up from their opening four top-flight encounters.

Of course, the 2-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal is a stain on an otherwise flawless league start, but Unai Emery’s men showed a lot of character last time out to beat Everton 3-2 to ensure another loss wasn’t next to their name, after finding themselves two goals down early on.

The popular Villa manager will hope his team can stand up to the almighty test of Champions League football that is now in front of them as well, with their opening clash in the esteemed tournament against Swiss outfit Young Boys taking place on Tuesday evening.

Emery will know he will have to rotate here and there to ensure there is a level of freshness to his side against their European opponents, but will also be abundantly aware that fans travelling out to Switzerland won’t want to watch a second string XI take to the pitch.

With that in mind, here is what the Villa line-up could look like for the trip to Young Boys, with players such as Amadou Onana potentially dropping out amidst three changes…

1

GK – Emiliano Martínez

It is likely that the long-standing Villa number one goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez will be given the nod to start in his side’s opening Champions League test, having been everpresent under Emery so far this season in league action.

He did struggle last time out in the dramatic 3-2 win over the Toffees, with zero saves made as Everton netted twice, but the Argentine shot-stopper will pride himself on being a man for the big occasion, having played in the World Cup and won it for his South American nation. This big stage is certainly made for him.

2

RB – Lamare Bogarde

With Matty Cash still sidelined with an injury, Emery will be prepared to throw young Villa prospect Lamare Bogarde in at the deep-end of the Champions League, having been impressed with his individual display against Everton.

The lively 20-year-old won seven duels facing off against Sean Dyche’s visitors, whilst also making five total tackles, with his reward for a bright showing potentially being another starting spot this Tuesday night.

3

CB – Ezri Konsa

Ezri Konsa also stands a good chance at retaining his spot in the Villa XI for the trip out to Switzerland, having only lost one of the five duels that came his way in the back-and-forth contest versus the Toffees.

Moreover, he’s a steady presence Emery will be able to rely on in high stakes situations to come in the Champions League, with Konsa now up to 192 first team appearances for his side, having also played on the big stages of the European Championships just a few months ago.

4

CB – Pau Torres

Joining Konsa in the heart of defence could well be Pau Torres, who is yet to miss a single minute of Premier League action so far this season, and for good reason.

His display on the opening day was particularly impressive, as the Spanish centre-back won all of the duels that came his way against West Ham United, on top of only misplacing nine of his 56 passes.

Torres is well versed in what it takes to play in the Champions League too, having played in the competition 12 times before moving to England, and will be perfect for the big occasion that awaits.

5

LB – Ian Maatsen

The final part of the back four could be adjusted, however, with Ian Maatsen potentially pushed into the starting line-up over Lucas Digne; the first of three changes.

That could well be the case owing to the fact the former Chelsea youth prodigy was impressive from off the bench late on against Everton, with hree key passes managed from just 21 minutes of action on the Villa Park turf.

Digne could also do with a rest, leading to Maatsen – who played in last season’s Champions League final – being given time to shine in the spotlight.

6

RM – John McGinn

John McGinn will be another face, much like Torres, that Emery will feel he can rely on in pressurised games to come in the Champions League, having built up plenty of experience of being a top performer in massive matches for Villa.

Comfortable at playing down the left or right flank, as well as operating centrally, he could be given a starting spot versus Young Boys from the right wing, having played here against Dyche’s visitors for the full 90 minutes.

7

CM – Ross Barkley

Another switch-up on Emery’s end could see Amadou Onana miss out for tomorrow’s big clash, owing to the fact the Belgian midfielder was hooked at half-time by his manager after a dire first half performance against Everton.

Whilst Onana underperformed, Barkley sparkled against his former employers and could be starting from the get-go in Switzerland, having only misplaced just one of his 45 passes in a stylish second half cameo.

8

CM – Youri Tielemans

Youri Tielemans might partner Barkley in the centre of the park – as opposed to lining up next to his fellow compatriot – in a more attack-oriented role.

This would suit his game well, having seen his creativity come to the forefront in that recent 3-2 victory, with two key passes managed from his staggering 147 touches.

This change in set-up to a 4-4-2 formation would see Morgan Rogers miss out, who underwhelmed against the Toffees, with the Villa star wastefully surrendering possession 15 times.

9

LM – Jacob Ramsey

The option down the left flank that Emery could call upon is Jacob Ramsey, with the homegrown Villa product a mature and established Premier League player now, away from his humble beginnings.

He wasn’t quite at his most electric against Everton, but has done enough this season so far to warrant a starting spot mid-week, with an assist falling his way on the opening day as a substitute.

10

ST – Ollie Watkins

Emery will be tempted to switch up the formation and go with two strikers up top to try and catch Young Boys off-guard, but also to ensure he has the maximum firepower at his disposal that he wants.

There is an argument to rest Ollie Watkins here, with the England international only just back from injury, but his brace against Everton suggests he will be purring to bag more this Tuesday night.

Craig Ervine, the captain, led the batting charge for the visiting side with a 57-ball 67*

Himanshu Agrawal04-Sep-2021It was six or bust for Craig Young off the final ball of Ireland’s chase, and bust it was. Richard Ngarava held his nerve – hitting a length to make sure ball missed bat, and then making sure his underarm throw caught non-striker Josh Little short, to ensure Zimbabwe finished the T20I series with a consolation five-run win. Ngarava had defended five off the final over in the first T20I to hand his side the series lead, and this time had nine to keep down against Ireland’s final two batters, and came good again. Unfortunately for Zimbabwe, they lost the three matches in between to concede the series 3-2.Zimbabwe dominate bowling powerplay
After they lost four wickets in the first six overs in the last match, Zimbabwe sent back just as many Ireland batters today. The Ireland procession began in the third over, with Luke Jongwe bowling Kevin O’Brien with a beautiful slower ball, which angled back in to clip his off bail. Next over, Donald Tiripano moved one away from Andy Balbirnie from a good length on middle, which the Ireland captain tickled behind.Jongwe came back in the fifth over after Zimbabwe had tried four different bowlers in as many overs up front, and got Paul Stirling to chip to extra cover, with the opener attempting a third consecutive boundary. Rounding off the powerplay, Tiripano had Harry Tector flashing at one wide of off, and edging to the man at slip.Jongwe came back to claim top-scorer Neil Rock in the 14th over and also effected a sharp run-out off his own bowling right at the close, showing good match awareness to find non-striker Mark Adair short after the ball was chipped back to him by Young. At that stage, the game could still have gone either way.Adair comes good again
Earlier, Adair continued from where he had left off in the previous match, striking twice in his first over to dent the Zimbabwe innings. After three runs were scored off the first ten deliveries, comeback man Tinashe Kamunhukamwe decided to step out, but only chipped to short cover, where Balbirnie took a sharp low catch to his right. Next ball, Adair landed an inswinging yorker which trapped Regis Chakabva in front.And although he missed his hat-trick, Adair got rid of Dion Myers in the 16th over after Myers and Craig Ervine had added 57 together. Much of that strike was down to the brilliant catch by Little at deep square-leg, but Adair followed his 4 for 23 in the fourth T20I with a haul of 3 for 23 on the day.Ervine leads the way
After managing just a single from his first four balls, Ervine cut Adair for his first boundary. Next over, he repeated the shot against left-armer Little, and after a quiet period he went after Shane Getkate, driving the bowler down the ground for four and then swinging beyond deep midwicket for six in one over.Ervine was on 27 off 25 balls at the halfway stage of the innings. He hit two more boundaries off Getkate and continued to find the occasional boundary, and got to his half-century off 42 balls before finishing on 67* from 57 balls.

If the discourse around the summer transfer window dictated a team’s final league standing come May, Liverpool would have finished their first Premier League season under Arne Slot in a pretty concerning position.

Much of the flak fired at FSG on social media was justified – to a degree. Liverpool needed to reinforce their defence and sign a deep-lying midfielder and did neither. Having fallen short against Arsenal and Manchester City in the title race last year, this was questionable.

But Liverpool tried. They tried to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, only for the Spaniard to reject their advances. The Reds will not spend for the sake of spending; it would need to be the right player.

In defence, it could have been Goncalo Inacio, but he didn’t end up moving to Merseyside.

Arne Slot wanted to sign Goncalo Inacio

Liverpool have been keen on signing Inacio for some time now. In 2023, speculation was rife that Liverpool would make their move in what proved to be Jurgen Klopp’s final summer transfer window at the Anfield helm, but it didn’t materialise in the end, with the centre-back penning fresh terms in his homeland.

The 23-year-old has had quite the start to life on the senior stage, winning two Liga Portugal titles across the past four seasons despite the division being routinely dominated by Benfica and Porto, and he’s been praised for his “immense” technical quality by analyst Raj Chohan.

Liverpool might be biding their time considering the talent of the existing options in Slot’s rearguard, but Inacio has earned his stripes by this point, with 179 senior Sporting appearances and 12 Portugal caps to his name, and was there for the taking during the off-season.

It seems that the Sporting hierarchy was considering Inacio’s sale in August, with reports from the country claiming that they would consider offers totalling €45m (£38m), which is some distance below the £50m release clause that was part of his extended contract agreed just one year before.

Manchester United signed Matthijs De Ligt from Bayern Munich, but Liverpool will need to address their defensive dilemma at some point in the not-too-distant future and could have done so with Inacio – especially given the uncertainty surrounding Ibrahima Konate during the summer months.

Konate had not finished the campaign under Klopp well at all, losing his place to Jarell Quansah in the Premier League and being chastised for his “dreadful” displays by The Athletic’s James Pearce.

One that got away

The transfers that nearly happened but never did. This article is part of Football FanCast's One That Got Away series.

Had Inacio been signed, Konate might not have enjoyed the regular minutes that he has been handed by Slot so far, perhaps negating what is proving to be a wonderful resurgence.

Why Liverpool kept faith with Ibrahima Konate

Given that Inacio is left-footed, Konate wouldn’t have jockeyed for a starting spot all the time. The Portugual international may instead have been viewed as the long-term successor for Virgil van Dijk’s position in the team – perhaps he still is.

But Quansah is a real talent and could be a regular member of the starting line-up in a few years, and Konate is not going to want to budge from his reclaimed spot in central defence any time soon, playing like a man possessed this season.

Of course, it was the Frenchman’s mistake that let Wolves back into the game last weekend, with a defensive miscommunication with Alisson Becker allowing the hosts to scoop the ball into space and fire into an empty net, but this loss of concentration shouldn’t detract from a blistering start to the era.

As you can see, he’s been a mountain for the Reds this term, and if he can keep fitness levels on his side, could be in for his finest campaign yet.

It’s worth noting that the role of a defender, first and foremost, is defending. Now this is hardly revelatory, but it does perhaps shine a light on why interest in Inacio was not followed with an official transfer offer.

This season, he has been a key figure in Ruben Amorim’s title defence, and indeed, has performed well, showcasing his high-level distribution by completing 93% of his passes, as per Sofascore, also averaging 4.7 ball recoveries and 87 touches per game, highlighting his athleticism and importance, very much in the thick of the action.

But hold on a minute, what about his success in the duel? How does that compare to Liverpool’s defensive options – take a look.

Goncalo Inacio

3.3

49%

Virgil van Dijk

4.2

63%

Ibrahima Konate

4.8

74%

Jarell Quansah (23/24)*

4.5

64%

As you can see, Inacio is considerably less effective in the duel. Jarell Quansah was hooked at half-time of Liverpool’s opener against Ipswich Town this season for failing to win enough duels for Slot, and given that he won four of eight contested (50%), this doesn’t bode well for Inacio, whose efforts across six fixtures have led him to a 49% success rate.

Moreover, Konate can do it all in regard to technique and progression. As per FBref, the France international ranks among the top 4% of centre-backs across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for passes attempted, the top 5% for progressive passes, the top 10% for progressive carries and the top 1% for aerial battles won per 90.

He’s a dynamic and hulking centre-back, bearing a strong bond with Van Dijk and currently boasting the Premier League’s meanest defence, having conceded twice from six games.

Inacio might have his strengths, but Slot and Liverpool’s transfer team were wise not to oust their titan for a new part, just because.

Liverpool struck gold with £0 star who's now worth as much as Gravenberch

Liverpool £0 man is now worth as much as Gravenberch

ByConnor Holden Sep 29, 2024

You wait years for a T20 victory over Australia then two come along at once. Bangladesh stumbled but eventually found composure in their chase to take a 2-0 lead in Dhaka with Afif Hossain and Nurul Hasan guiding them home with eight balls to spare.The pitch – a new one – was again slow, although looked rather less slow when Mitchell Starc was racing in with the new ball after Australia’s batting had laboured to post 121, in which Mustafizur Rahman was outstanding. At 67 for 5 the chase was wobbling significantly but with such a small target, the required rate was never an issue and the sixth-wicket pair managed to show a calmness that had eluded a few others.After struggling in the Powerplay, Australia had given themselves a foundation to launch in the closing overs with a stand of 57 between Mitchell Marsh and Moises Henriques, and with a fair wind 140 would have been achievable. However, the innings almost went into reverse after Shakib Al Hasan removed Henriques, and when Marsh edged behind it meant there wasn’t a set batter for the final push. The last five overs brought 31 for 4.Mustafizur’s fizz
If you want an in-depth look at the story of Mustafizur’s career then read this. Suffice to say this was the type of performance that made his name. His 3 for 23 were his best figures in T20Is since 2017 and the third best of his career. Effectively a fast spinner most of the time, Australia’s batters had all sorts of problems facing his brisk cutters that gripped on the surface. He completely befuddled Josh Philippe with a short delivery that held in the surface and dipped slowly under the bat, so much so that Philippe could almost turn and watch it take leg stump. It was wonderful deception. Later in the innings he knocked back Matthew Wade’s leg stump then found himself on a hat-trick when the next delivery spat at Ashton Agar and took the glove. It was Bangladesh’s two left-arm seamers who did most of the damage as Mustafizur and Shoriful Islam claimed 5 for 50 between them.Mahedi’s charmed life
At one point during the chase, the camera picked out a cat roaming around the empty stands. It is arguable whether it or Mahedi Hasan had more lives. At times there was a rather frenetic nature to Bangladesh’s chase, not least when Mahedi kept lofting deliveries tantalisingly out of reach of Australia’s fielders. On at least four occasions he evaded fielders, although when he did middle one off Adam Zampa it went a long way back into the stands. When he fell, missing a wild charge at Zampa, it was the third wicket for nine runs in three overs as Australia pressed hard. That had included the key duo of Shakib, playing across the line to Andrew Tye, and captain Mahmudullah dragging on against Agar.Closing it out
Afif had provided some late impetus in yesterday’s match with the highest strike-rate among Bangladesh’s batters, but this was an even better innings. There had been some doubt as to whether there would be DRS for this series and Afif was left grateful there was when he was given lbw to Marsh on 1 only for replays to show it pitched outside leg. In the 13th over he took advantage of a seventh delivery from Tye to clear the leg side for six, and bring the requirement back under a run-a-ball, although he saved his best for a sublime cover drive off Starc. Nurul played a vital hand and victory then rushed into view as Afif hit three boundaries in seven balls.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Flamengo realizou, nesta quarta-feira, o segundo treino no gramado do Ninho do Urubu sob o comando de Paulo Sousa. A atividade desta manhã contou com uma novidade: a utilização do telão, instalado ontem, nas proximidades do campo para dar instruções aos jogadores. Veja no vídeo acima.

O Flamengo ainda não definiu quando Paulo Sousa estreará com o time titular na temporada. Nos primeiros jogos do Carioca, a equipe será comandada por Fabio Matias, cujo grupo alternativo tem treinado à parte – ou em outro período, o que não ocorreu nesta manhã, em que ocorreu treino no campo 4 do Ninho.

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Social media propagated the idea that Liverpool were set to suffer a reversal under Arne Slot, stepping into Jurgen Klopp’s shoes, but such hopes from arch-rivals have been proven false after an excellent start to the campaign, with nine wins from ten matches across all competitions.

Of course, the one blot on the record came in a shock Anfield defeat against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League – a match that arrived straight after the September international break.

Now, the October international break has hit like a stabbing storm, and minds will be inevitably ahead to the home fixture against Chelsea next weekend. Could lightning strike twice, or will Slot devise a plan to avoid another setback on Merseyside?

With the backline shored up, Liverpool still needs to work on finishing their chances, even though they have one of the best strikeforces in Europe. According to Understat, Liverpool’s xG (expected goals) stands at 16.55 after seven fixtures, and they have scored 13.

This is by no means poor – after all, the Reds are table-toppers right now – but it’s something Slot will want to consider, especially if Mohamed Salah packs his bags in May.

Liverpool transfer news

Salah is out of contract at the end of the season, like skipper Virgil van Dijk and vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold. It’s a quandary, to be sure, but in Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, Liverpool are in safe and discerning hands.

Regardless, Liverpool are interested in bolstering their frontline, with reports suggesting that Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush is firmly on the radar.

According to Sky Germany earlier this week, Liverpool are monitoring the Bundesliga star – as well as Borussia Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi – in the eventuality that Salah, his Egyptian teammate, does leave.

Die Adler want to extend the 25-year-old’s deal after his brilliant start to the season, but it’s thought that a fee of €47.5m (roughly £40m) would make them consider parting ways.

Why Liverpool want to sign Omar Marmoush

Marmoush joined Frankfurt last summer after his contract expired with Bundesliga rivals VFL Wolfsburg. Last term, he helped his side to a sixth-placed finish, qualifying for the Europa League. The Egypt international scored 17 goals and added six assists across 41 appearances, leading talent scout Jacek Kulig to hail him as a “10/10” signing for the club.

Jumping into the Premier League from overseas can often be an onerous translation, but there’s a high chance that Marmoush’s athleticism and natural-born potency, in the same vein as that of Diogo Jota, could cinch his success at Anfield.

A versatile forward, Marmoush would compete for a place against a high-class attack with a breadth of experience and pedigree, but he could prove to be an upgrade on Darwin Nunez if the Uruguayan doesn’t convince Slot of his place in good time.

Centre-forward

120

45

16

Left winger

24

6

4

Right winger

14

0

0

Second striker

13

5

3

Attacking midfield

4

1

0

Nunez’s wastefulness is the grist for detractors mills, but dig a little deeper and you shall find that he is a dynamic and influential forward. As per FBref, he actually ranks among the top 20% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 12% for shot-creating actions, the top 10% for progressive carries and the top 6% for tackles per 90.

Liverpool must not discard him just yet, though a season that fails to showcase improvements upon his first two terms on Merseyside could leave Slot fixed on giving in to that flash of ruthlessness and moving for Marmoush.

The Egyptian isn’t exactly struggling for purchase in the final third this season, with nine goals and six assists from nine matches in all competitions. His compatriot Salah can’t even keep pace with that record, with the 32-year-old chalking up ‘just’ six goals and five assists across all fronts.

Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley recently described him as a “relatively late bloomer”, but oh how he’s soaring to the skies for Frankfurt. He’s actually considered to be a similar player to Nunez by FBref, who have crunched the data and delineated the differences between the two. Let’s take a look.

Goals scored

0.51

0.71

xG (expected goals)

0.73

0.57

Total shots taken

4.74

3.59

Assists

0.24

0.36

Shot-creating actions

3.52

3.80

Progressive carries

2.57

3.48

Successful take-ons

0.83

1.60

Ball recoveries

2.41

3.20

Tackles + interceptions

1.38

1.14

The above illustration highlights some impressive metrics from both forwards – from statistics pulled across the past 12 months – but there’s little chance that Nunez can stake a claim to be the superior finisher at the moment, with Marmoush eclipsing him for goals scored per 90 (0.71 vs 0.51) while far outstripping him in regard to the economics too, for he is overperforming in front of goal, as per the xG (expected goals) and has fire shots on goals at a more conservative rate.

What does this actually tell us? Well, it certainly makes a comment on Marmoush’s faculty for efficacy in front of goal while also speaking of the sharp rate of scoring (and assisting, for that matter) that he has infused into his game, also more progressive and creative in his overall play too – as per further underlying metrics.

Would it be a punt? In fairness, Liverpool need not spend on another forward unless absolutely certain that he is going to make a difference in Slot’s side, but there’s every chance that Marmoush can hit the ground running; should Nunez fail to put in his best performances yet over the coming months, it might be time to shuffle the pack. It’s a new era after all.

£216m duo sign: Liverpool starting XI if Trent, Salah & Van Dijk all leave

Let’s take a look at this worst-case scenario, shall we?

ByAngus Sinclair Oct 9, 2024

Chris Woakes leads England’s charge with ball, India under-par despite rapid fifty from Shardul Thakur

Matt Roller02-Sep-20211:16

Laxman: Joe Root’s wicket puts day one in balance

India were bowled out cheaply on the first day for the second Test in a row but retained a foothold after taking three England wickets in the late-afternoon sunshine at The Oval.Chris Woakes – playing a first-class game for the first time since August 2020 after missing 11 Tests through isolation, rotation and injury – took four wickets and Ollie Robinson continued his fine summer with three, with England’s seamers relentless in reducing India to 127 for 7.Most of India’s batters had made starts before being dismissed – Virat Kohli played fluently for 50 before falling to Robinson for the third consecutive Test – but Shardul Thakur’s 57 off 36 balls changed the complexion of their innings. He teed off from No. 8 after being recalled to the side, and his half-century – the fastest recorded in a Test in England – gave India something to bowl at.England had chosen to bowl after winning the toss in overcast conditions but were basking in hazy sunshine by the time their openers headed out midway through the final session. But three late wickets – both openers falling to Jasprit Bumrah and Joe Root castled by Umesh Yadav – left them teetering at 53 for 3 by the close.Much of England’s early success came from bowling dry. They had initially struggled to find swing with the lacquer still on the new ball – James Anderson conceded 20 in his first four overs and was punished for overpitching – but Robinson and Woakes rarely erred from a good length and strung together seven consecutive maidens with the score on 28.2:20

Ian Bell: An outstanding, all-round effort from the England bowlers

Those maidens included the dismissals of both openers. Woakes, back to fitness after a freak heel injury suffering slipping down a flight of stairs, had the ball swinging immediately and induced an outside edge; Rohit Sharma had been leaving fuller balls, but Woakes dragged his length back and had him caught behind by Jonny Bairstow, keeping wicket with Jos Buttler absent on paternity leave.And after an immaculate new-ball spell, Robinson had KL Rahul trapped lbw with a nip-backer. The decision was upheld via the DRS but only thanks to Richard Illingworth’s earlier on-field call; Rahul was nearly outside the line as he was hit on the back pad, but ball-tracking said umpire’s call.Anderson’s second spell was a significant improvement, and he had Cheteshwar Pujara feathering an edge behind to Bairstow. Kohli looked in fine touch earlier on, but the main talking point over the lunch interval was the promotion of Ravindra Jadeja to No. 5 – seemingly to break up the run of right-hand batters in India’s middle order.Related

#LordShardul changes the mood of the day

Stats: Behind Kapil, ahead of Botham – Thakur in record books

Kohli was given a life on 22 by Root, who put down a chance at first slip off Woakes – though arguably Rory Burns, at second, should have gone for the catch to his left, since Root saw it late and had to move a long way to his right. Root made amends of sorts in Woakes’ next over, hanging onto another tough chance off Jadeja’s outside edge, but Kohli’s fluency was ominous for England.Following on from a second-innings half-century in Leeds, Kohli adjusted his stance slightly, shuffling across towards his off stump, and drove with authority and timing. The pick of his shots, a drive on the up through extra cover off Anderson, brought him to 45, and he reached a second consecutive fifty off only 85 balls, but Robinson – his nemesis throughout this series – tied him down.After soaking up 10 consecutive dot balls, Kohli was anxious to score and shaped to turn a length ball into the leg side, but Robinson’s unerring line and length did not allow him to do so. Instead, he found a hint of nip away off the seam, taking Kohli’s outside edge and leaving India reeling at 105 for 5.Umesh Yadav came into the XI for India, and got the big wicket of Joe Root•AFP/Getty Images

Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant, both under pressure after poor tours, fell after contrasting innings: Rahane tentative throughout, steering Overton to third slip where Moeen Ali clung onto a low chance; Pant frenetic, skipping down to hack Woakes’ slower ball to mid-off, three balls after Overton had put him down in the slips.That left Thakur – brought back into the side with Mohammed Shami ruled out with a niggle, Ishant Sharma dropped and R Ashwin overlooked yet again – as the last batter of any note and he decided the only way to go was to attack. He swung hard, thumping Overton for six over mid-off and tucking into Woakes, smiting him for six fours and a six.Thakur rode his luck throughout, dropped on 43 after gloving a pull to Bairstow and with several shots falling just short of fielders, but flat-batted Robinson back over his head for four then pulled his next ball for six to reach a 31-ball fifty – the second-fastest by an India batter – which he greeted with a triumphant roar. He was pinned by Woakes, out lbw on review, shortly after, before Bumrah was run out and Umesh Yadav edged behind as India lost their last three wickets in the space of four balls.Bumrah blew the game back open by removing both England openers in the space of five balls, finding extra bounce from just short of a length. Rory Burns looked to play late but inside-edged onto his own stumps, and Haseeb Hameed’s attempted back-cut only managed to divert a short ball into Pant’s gloves.Root and Dawid Malan rebuilt with some fluency from 6 for 2, punishing any width on either side of the wicket in a stand of 46 in 11.3 overs, but Root’s dismissal late in the day – bowled by an inch-perfect nip-backer from Umesh, which beat his inside edge and kissed the top of his off stump – could yet prove to be a significant moment, keeping India in the game. Overton was sent in as nightwatchman and Ollie Pope, recalled in Buttler’s place on his home ground, will be due in at No. 6.

Celtic have enjoyed a sensational start to the 2024/25 campaign by winning all eight of their competitive matches in all competitions, conceding just four goals.

The Hoops have won all five of their games in the Scottish Premiership and are yet to concede a single goal, as Brendan Rodgers targets a second successive title since his return to the club last summer.

Because of the club’s success and the huge standards in the first-team squad, it is incredibly difficult for young players to make the breakthrough from the B team to the senior group.

One player who appeared to be on his way to bridging the gap was Ireland youth international Rocco Vata, before his exit from Parkhead in the summer transfer window.

Rocco Vata's potential

The 19-year-old starlet scored 23 goals in 34 appearances for Celtic B and was given opportunities in the first-team by Ange Postecoglou and Rodgers.

Vata scored his first goal for the senior side under the Northern Irish head coach last term, against Buckie Thistle, and ended his career at Parkhead with that being his only strike in six appearances.

The teenage whiz opted to turn down the chance to sign an extension at Paradise and signed for Championship side Watford, with compensation to be agreed between the two teams due to his age, and he came off the bench for the Hornets in their 2-1 League Cup defeat to Manchester City on Tuesday night.

Vata appeared to be a great prospect for Celtic, given his 23 goals for the B team and his smattering of first-team outings, but will now not have the chance to fulfil his potential at Parkhead.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast's In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

Rodgers, however, may already have a bigger talent than the 19-year-old Irishman brewing in the academy in the form of centre-forward Daniel Cummings.

Daniel Cummings' goal record for Celtic

The 18-year-old star, who only turned 18 in April, has been in prolific form for the B team in the 2024/25 campaign, with a stunning 12 goals in eight appearances.

Cummings has scored ten goals in seven Lowland League games this term, and also fired in 12 goals in 19 Lowland League matches last season, which means that the forward has racked up 22 goals in his last 26 league appearances for the B team.

That works out as a goal every 1.18 Lowland League games on average, compared to Vata’s return of 23 goals in 34 matches for the same team – a goal every 1.48 matches on average.

The Scotland U17 international has scored two goals and provided one assist in six appearances in the UEFA Youth League, whereas Vata only managed one goal and zero assists in 12 outings in that competition for Celtic.

These statistics suggest that Cummings, who is a year younger than the Watford man, has the potential to be a greater goal threat as a centre-forward, as he outperformed his former teammate in the same competitions.

It is now down to the 18-year-old marksman to prove to Rodgers, if given the opportunity, that he has a future as a regular starter for Celtic, as he could be a star for the Hoops if his B team form can be translated to the first-team.

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