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Glasgow Rangers head coach Danny Rohl is looking to do something tonight that Russell Martin did not achieve in his time at the club: back-to-back wins in the Scottish Premiership.

The former Gers boss only won five of his 17 games in charge of the Ibrox giants, and he only won one match in the league before his dismissal earlier this month.

Rohl arrived to replace him in the dugout at Ibrox and won his first Premiership game in charge of the club at the weekend, beating Kilmarnock 3-1 in front of the home support.

The Gers face Hibernian away from home in the Premiership this evening, and the German boss must ruthlessly ditch Thelo Aasgaard from the starting line-up.

Why Thelo Aasgaard should be dropped

The Norway international should be dropped from the XI against Hibs tonight because his performance against Kilmarnock last time out left a lot to be desired.

Aasgaard, per Sofascore, came off the pitch in the 81st minute after failing to register a single shot on goal or create any chances for the team at the top end of the pitch, which shows that he was ineffective as an attacking force.

Thelo Aasgaard’s Premiership season

Opponent

Manager

Goals + key passes

Kilmarnock

Danny Rohl

0 + 0

Dundee United

Stevie Smith

1 + 4

Falkirk

Russell Martin

0 + 0

Livingston

Russell Martin

0 + 0

Hearts

Russell Martin

0 + 1

Celtic

Russell Martin

0 + 0

St Mirren

Russell Martin

0 + 0

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the former Luton man’s only impressive attacking outing in the Premiership came during Stevie Smith’s match as interim manager.

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The English-born playmaker has not proven that he can be relied upon, as evidenced by his dismal league form, which is why he should be dropped for a tricky away game against Hibernian, who are third in the league.

The Rangers star Rohl should replace Aasgaard with

Rohl should ruthlessly ditch Aasgaard from the team in order to bring hard-working central midfielder Connor Barron into the middle of the park alongside Mohamed Diomande and Nicolas Raskin.

The box-to-box star could help to make Rangers solid and difficult to beat, rather than having a natural attacking player like Aasgaard in there, which could help them to record back-to-back wins in the league.

Prior to Martin’s arrival in the summer, pundit Andy Haliday claimed that Barron “was Rangers’ best player for the first few months of the season” in the 2024/25 campaign, which shows that he is capable of outstanding performances for the Light Blues.

Connor Barron (Premiership)

24/25

25/26

Appearances

28

7

Pass accuracy

90%

86%

Passes made per game

40.8

23.4

Key passes per game

0.8

0.1

Tackles per game

2.2

1.7

Interceptions per game

0.6

0.3

Ball recoveries per game

3.8

3.0

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Scotland international’s performance levels in and out of possession were much higher before Martin arrived at Ibrox earlier this year.

Barron was a defensive force, averaging 6.8 tackles, interceptions, and recoveries per game, for Rangers in the Premiership last season after his move from Aberdeen, buzzing around the pitch to disrupt the opposition and win possession back for his side.

Rohl should be looking to unlock his talent, which was seemingly hidden by Martin’s tactics, by unleashing him in midfield against Hibernian ahead of Aasgaard this evening, as he could provide the bite and drive that they may need to come away with all three points in a difficult away match.

Related Rohl could now turn "exciting" Rangers star into his own Shankland at Ibrox

Following Rangers’ 3-1 home win over Kilmarnock on Sunday, has Danny Röhl unearthed an “exciting” attacker who could be their own Lawrence Shankland?

Posts ByBen Gray Oct 28, 2025

Rohl has made it clear that he is not wedded to one style of play or system, which is why taking a creative midfielder like Aasgaard out for a pitbull like Barron could make sense for a tougher match away from home, as it is a pragmatic move.

Manchester United have now identified an “unbelievable” manager as their first-choice target to replace Ruben Amorim, amid the uncertainty surrounding the 40-year-old’s future.

Amorim not out of the woods despite improved results

Frank Ilett, the fan who has vowed not to cut his hair until Man United win five games in a row, probably hasn’t gotten his hopes up just yet, but Amorim has made some improvements in recent weeks, guiding his side to wins in two of their last three Premier League games.

On paper, the fixture list looks relatively kind until late October, with the Red Devils set to take on Brentford away this Saturday, before taking on Sunderland at Old Trafford the following week, giving Amorim a golden opportunity to buy himself some more time.

However, the United boss will be well-aware that things must start improving, given that he is currently regarded as one of the worst appointments since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.

It has now been revealed the Man United hierarchy have started making plans for life after Amorim, with a report from TEAMtalk revealing that AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is the number one choice to replace the Portuguese coach.

Iraola, who is one of the most sought-after managers in Europe, is being closely monitored by the Red Devils, having transformed Bournemouth’s fortunes since replacing Gary O’Neil back in the summer of 2023.

INEOS are said to view the Spaniard as an elite coach, with the capabilities of managing a top club, and they have been impressed with the way in which he has implemented his system at the Vitality Stadium.

"He was our best player" – Amorim told Man Utd star is "suffering" more than Bruno in new role

He’s yet to show his best form this season…

ByTom Cunningham Sep 24, 2025 "Unbelievable" Iraola could be perfect Amorim replacement

Sky Sports’ Sue Smith waxed lyrical about the job the 43-year-old has done with the Cherries earlier this year, describing the work he’s done as “unbelievable”.

The Bournemouth boss, who likes to implement a 4-2-3-1 system, led his side to a ninth-placed finish in the Premier League last season, and he has made a flying start to the new campaign.

Despite losing a number of key players in the summer, such as Dean Huijsen, Ilya Zabarnyi, Milos Kerkez and Dango Ouattara, the Cherries have taken ten points from their opening five games, with arguably their most impressive victory coming away at Tottenham Hotspur.

Having now proven himself in the Premier League over a sustained period of time, Iraola could be the ideal replacement for Amorim, but it appears as though INEOS are willing to give the current manager a little while longer, after two wins in the last three league games.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Santos anunciou nesta quarta-feira (16) a contratação do volante venezuelano Tomás Rincón, que estava livre no mercado desde sua saída da Sampdoria, da Itália.

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O jogador, de 35 anos de idade, assinou com o Peixe um vínculo até dezembro de 2024, com meta de renovação por mais um ano.

+ Cupom LANCEFUT com 10% OFF para os fanáticos por esporte em compras acima de R$299,90

QUEM É TOMÁS RINCÓN?

O volante começou sua carreira no Zamora, da Venezuela, mas logo depois foi para o Deportivo Táchira. Depois foi jogar no Hamburgo, da Alemanha e, em 2014, finalmente se estabeleceu na Itália.

Primeiro, Rincón se aventurou no Genoa, onde passou mais de duas temporadas. Depois, teve passagens por Juventus e Torino e, por fim, chegou na Sampdoria. Por lá, disputou 55 partidas e foi rebaixado para a segunda divisão italiana na temporada 22/23.

Capitão da seleção venezuelana, o atleta estava sem clube e mantinha sua forma física por conta própria.

REFORÇOS ANUNCIADOS PELO PEIXE

Agora, Rincón chega como o sexto reforço do Santos na janela de transferências. Anteriormente, o Peixe já havia contratado João Basso, Dodô, Jean Lucas, Nonato e Julio Furch.

Além dos jogadores anunciados pelo clube, o Alvinegro Praiano assinou pré-contrato com o volante Diego Pituca, que só chegará no time da Vila Belmiro para a próxima temporada.

حدد الجهاز الفني للنادي الأهلي، بقيادة الدنماركي ييس توروب، موعد سفر الفريق الأول لكرة القدم إلى الإمارات، لخوض منافسات بطولة كأس السوبر المصري 2025.

ومن المقرر أن تقام منافسات بطولة كأس السوبر المصري، في الإمارات خلال الفترة من 6 إلى 9 من شهر نوفمبر المقبل، بمشاركة 4 أندية هي الأهلي والزمالك وبيراميدز وسيراميكا كليوباترا.

وأفاد مصدر بالأهلي لـ”بطولات”: “الأهلي قرر السفر إلى الإمارات يوم 3 نوفمبر المقبل للمشاركة في السوبر المصري”.

وأضاف: “من المقرر أن يخوض فريق الأهلي المران على مدار يومين قبل خوض مباراة سيراميكا كليوباترا”.

طالع | بينها هدف لاعب الأهلي.. رابطة الأندية تعلن الأهداف المرشحة للأفضل في الجولة 11 من الدوري المصري مواعيد مباريات كأس السوبر المصري

وتُقام مباراة الأهلي وسيراميكا كليوباترا يوم الخميس 6 نوفمبر، في تمام 4:15 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة (6:15 مساءً بتوقيت أبوظبي) على استاد هزاع بن زايد بمدينة العين.

ويلتقي الزمالك وبيراميدز في اليوم ذاته عند 7:15 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة (9:15 بتوقيت أبوظبي) على استاد آل نهيان في العاصمة أبوظبي.

يذكر، أن الفائز من مباراة الأهلي وسيراميكا كليوباترا، سيلاقي الفائز من مباراة الزمالك وبيراميدز، في المباراة النهائية المحدد لها يوم 9 من شهر نوفمبر.

Arne Slot has been a revelation at Liverpool, bucking the trend of managers falling by the wayside in the Premier League after replacing coaches with long legacies.

Indeed, most thought Feyenoord’s coach would struggle to impress when replacing Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, but he took the reins and led Liverpool to the Premier League title in his first season, so confidently beating off competition.

Swiftly turning doubters into believers, just like the head coach before him, Slot has the minerals to lead this ambitious Liverpool project for many years to come.

Liverpool have now restructured themselves into a global force to be reckoned with, smashing the British spending record this summer, but Klopp built the foundations that Slot’s squad walk on, paving the Dutchman’s trophy-winning success.

Klopp's Liverpool legacy

Klopp didn’t just lead Liverpool to many trophies across his time at the helm, but he took an Anfield outfit in disrepair and shaped it back into a superpower, forming one of English football’s great rivalries with Pep Guardiola and Manchester City.

Premier League

1x

19/20

Champions League

1x

18/19

FA Cup

1x

21/22

Carabao Cup

2x

21/22, 23/24

Club World Cup

1x

19/20

UEFA Super Cup

1x

19/20

Community Shield

1x

22/23

He just got it, did Klopp. The bond he formed with Liverpool was a priceless thing, adding substance to his illustrious career, lifting Premier League and Champions League trophies as Liverpool manager.

The 58-year-old also gave rise to a new level of youth quality, guiding superstars like Trent Alexander-Arnold to the fore and raising the standard of the academy as a whole.

‘Klopp’s Kids’ as they came to be known, played an instrumental role in winning the Carabao Cup during the German’s swansong, and indeed keeping the ship steady amid a wave of injury problems, helping Liverpool back into the Champions League.

Couple that with Klopp’s remarkable midfield rebuild, signing Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch, and you can see why Slot has enjoyed such success over his year on Merseyside.

Many of Liverpool’s academy talents have since moved on, but a few remain. One of whom would be Conor Bradley, who, despite his recent injury concerns, has what it takes to become a leading first-teamer over the coming years.

Slot has hit gold on Conor Bradley

Bradley, 22, burst onto the scene in the 2023/24 season, mesmerising as he soared in the injured Alexander-Arnold’s stead, hitting one goal and six assists across his half-season in the first team.

In just his second Premier League match of the season, the young right-back obliterated Chelsea, scoring a fantastic goal and setting up two more.

Hailed by Alexander-Arnold for his “absolutely phenomenal” start to life under Klopp’s wing, this academy talent looked right at home from the off, leaving no doubts in the fanbase’s collective mind that this was a player capable of dazzling in red for years to come.

While Bradley doesn’t have his right-back predecessor’s same incredible range of passing, he is an athletic freak, capable of zipping up and down the wing and contributing with assists and tackles. 58 matches into his Liverpool career, Bradley has chalked up 11 assists.

Injuries limited him to just seven starts in the Premier League last season, but Bradley remains one of the most exciting up-and-comers in Slot’s squad, ranking among the top 3% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 5% for progressive carries, the top 13% for ball recoveries and the top 6% for goal-creating actions per 90, data courtesy of FBref.

Described as a “really special talent” by Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill, Bradley has already become a staple for his nation, proving his dynamism by often playing in a more advanced role.

With Jeremie Frimpong having ostensibly replaced Trent in the transfer market this summer and Szoboszlai playing like a man possessed as a makeshift right-back at the moment, Bradley has his work cut out in nailing down a regular starting berth, but he certainly has the potential to do so.

In fact, given the trajectory his career has taken already, Bradley might even be assured of his chances of becoming an even bigger fish in the Liverpool pond, having seen his market value skyrocket since Klopp left.

According to Transfermarkt, the defender’s estimated price tag has actually doubled over the past year, going from £13m to £26m.

Comparatively, this 100% rise is still a rather meagre amount, especially when comparing the player’s value against the most prominent members of Slot’s squad.

But he’s already pieced together too impressive a showreel to be considered anything other than one of the biggest talents in Liverpool’s ranks right now, with his goal against Chelsea the statement.

And, of course, how could we forget that tackle on Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe in the Champions League last year? Technical ability? Check. But passion? Well, he has that in droves.

If Bradley can work his way toward full fitness over the coming weeks and months, Liverpool will unlock another dimension to their backline, reinforcing the defensive structure (and covering the likes of Ibrahima Konate, who has had an up-and-down start to the term).

Then the talent’s value would only grow and grow some more, which is exciting to think about for those of a Reds persuasion. We have only had a taste of this academy gem’s potential.

Forget Leoni: Liverpool already have a Guehi upgrade in Slot's "monster"

Liverpool missed out on Guehi, one of their top summer transfer targets, on deadline day.

ByAngus Sinclair Sep 5, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Líder da Taça Santos Dumont com 10 pontos em quatro rodadas, o Olaria visita o Maricá neste sábado (10), às 10h30, em Moça Bonita. Em caso de vitória, o Azulão da Bariri poderá abrir cinco pontos de vantagem para o Artsul, vice-líder com oito pontos. Além disso o confronto é tratado como um jogo de seis pontos, tendo em vista que o Maricá tem sete pontos e um jogo a menos. 

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Com uma equipe equilibrada em todos os setores, o Olaria tem contado com as boas atuações do lateral-esquerdo Michael, que tem um gol e uma assistência na competição. Cria das categorias de base do Flamengo e com passagem pelo futebol de Israel, o jogador de 24 anos reconhece o alto nível técnico da competição, mas destaca a necessidade de vitória diante do Maricá.

– É um campeonato difícil, onde estamos sabendo jogar os jogos. Temos três vitórias e um empate. Gostei muito dessa minha volta, sei que posso melhorar mais ainda. Nesse próximo jogo se Deus quiser vamos sair com a vitória, é um jogo de seis pontos, com muito respeito ao adversário vamos buscar ampliar essa liderança”, disse o lateral do Olaria que seguiu destacando a responsabilidade do clube na competição. Já estamos com uma responsabilidade imensa, muita gente dizendo que o Olaria vai subir, e nós acreditamos nessa capacidade que temos, estamos nessa pegada de conseguir o acesso. O Olaria é um time de primeira divisão e queremos colocar o time de volta. Tenho certeza que faremos um bom jogo e sairemos com o resultado positivo – afirmou o jogador.

تمكن فريق كهرباء الإسماعيلية، من تسجيل هدفين متتالين، أمام النادي الأهلي، في المباراة التي تجمع بين الفريقين، الأن، ضمن منافسات الدوري المصري الممتاز، لتصبح النتيجة 3-2 للمارد الأحمر.

ويلتقي الأهلي مع نظيره فريق كهرباء الإسماعيلية، في الجولة العاشرة من عمر مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز على ملعب المقاولون العرب. 

وسجل محمد أوناجم هدف كهرباء الإسماعيلية الأول، في الدقيقة 57، وأضاف الهدف الثاني اللاعب عصام الفيومي في الدقيقة 68.

طالع.. لاعب الأهلي يغادر مباراة كهرباء الإسماعيلية مصابًا

وكان الأهلي تقدم بثلاثة أهداف، عن طريق أحمد نبيل كوكا وياسين مرعي ومحمد شريف. هدف كهرباء الإسماعيلية الأول أمام الأهلي

هدف كهرباء الإسماعيلية الثاني أمام الأهلي

Newcastle United’s summer transfer window is kicking into life, all right, with Eddie Howe determined to package a squad with enough quality to challenge across the Premier League and Champions League campaigns.

Last season was one of staggering success for the Magpies, who deservedly beat Liverpool at Wembley in March to lift the Carabao Cup, so ending 70 years adrift from that matchless trophy-winning feeling.

On the last day of the top-flight term, the Toon also secured their place in next year’s elite European tournament after finishing fifth in the league.

However, Newcastle’s 2024 summer window still lingers in the minds of all affiliated. It’s something of a miracle that Howe led his troops to glory in spite of the market setbacks.

The new campaign is a little over a month away, and United are planning to make a series of signings despite their slow start to the window.

That slow start has started to gather some pace, in fairness, but more is needed if Howe’s to piece together Newcastle’s dream squad for the 2025/26 season.

The goalkeepers James Trafford becomes the new No. 1

Newcastle have maintained a vested interest in Burnley shot-stopper James Trafford for a while now, and though Howe has been bruised by a number of setbacks in the market, this one looks like it will glide through to the finish line in a potential £30m deal.

Hailed as a “world-class keeper” by Clarets boss Scott Parker, the Englishman will jockey for a regular starting berth with Nick Pope, who has been a staple of the Howe era but missed ten Premier League matches last year due to injury.

Newcastle, for sure, aren’t strapped for options between the sticks. Martin Dubravka, Odysseas Vlachodimos, John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie all form a bloated chunk of the St. James’ Park first-team squad.

Profit and Sustainability technicalities have played heavily into the unique situation, but there’s no question that Trafford would sit atop the pile if signed this summer.

Full list of goalkeepers: James Trafford, Nick Pope, Martin Dubravka, Odysseas Vlachodimos, John Ruddy, Mark Gillespie

The defence Howe finally lands a new centre-back

Amid the long list of rejections this summer is likely to be Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, who was the subject of four failed bids from the Tynesiders in 2024 and has entered Newcastle’s sights once more this year.

But Liverpool appear to hold the lead in the race, and Newcastle have thus swivelled their attention to Atalanta’s Giorgio Scalvini, who, aged 22, is valued in excess of £50m.

The dynamic defender will complete a backline already replete with depth and quality. A fully-fit Sven Botman could provide the right-footer with a formidable partner, while Fabian Schar and Dan Burn offer high-level competition that will be vital across a multi-front campaign.

And Howe’s diligence and planning over the past few years has also limited the attention required on the flanks. Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall make for one of the most exciting young partnerships in the game, while Matt Targett and Kieran Trippier bring leadership to the fold.

Full list of centre-backs: Fabian Schar, Giorgio Scalvini, Jamal Lascelles, Sven Botman, Dan Burn

Full list of right-backs: Tino Livramento, Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth

Full list of left-backs: Lewis Hall, Matt Targett

The midfield Magpie midfielders remain the essence of Howe's system

Newcastle’s defence is in pretty good nick, but not so much as the midfield, which has been pieced together masterfully over the past few years. When Sandro Tonali gelled with Bruno Guimaraes after last winter’s blip, United reached new levels, establishing the form that would lead to silver-tinted glory.

Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy has certainly sung their praises, saying of the midfield: “One of the best in the league. Probably just behind Liverpool’s or maybe even on par with Liverpool’s. They’ve got a blend of everything and incredible players. I think they’ve got some of the best players in the world in that position.”

Tonali’s redefinition as a number six promoted the ball-playing focus of Howe’s game and allowed Guimaraes to operate in a more advanced, fluid role. Joelinton’s undying energy was magnified but Sean Longstaff, who has been linked with a summer sale could exit to please PSR. Leeds United have already tabled an offer.

In his stead, Newcastle have been named suitors for Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher, with the England international valued at £50m. His completeness and athleticism would be the perfect counterpoint to a midfield already rich with contrasting quality.

Newcastle would likely look to whittle down Atletico’s asking price, but it’s an exciting time for the Toon, who already are so strong in the centre, with Joe Willock and the young Lewis Miley looking to play their part too.

Full list of central midfielders: Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Conor Gallagher, Joe Willock, Lewis Miley

The forwards Sweeping changes built around Alexander Isak

Alexander Isak remains Newcastle’s talisman, and PIF’s £200m price tag for the Sweden star should keep him at St. James’ Park for at least one more year.

He does need competition though, since Callum Wilson has packed up and left at the end of his contract. There have been a few blows in that regard so far, but Brentford’s Yoane Wissa has recently been lined up. The sticking point, of course, is that the Bees want £50m.

And despite signing Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest in a £55m deal, more is needed, to be sure. Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes hold down the fort pretty well on the left flank, but Newcastle are still interested in signing another name to enrich the ranks.

And that would be Manchester City’s Jack Grealish, who is set to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer. His £40m price tag might put the Magpies off, for this would take their spending over £200m after having bagged Elanga already.

Instead, a loan move looks like it could be the order of the day, one which would provide creative relief and allow a deal for someone like Wissa to be pursued too.

Centre-forward

86

34

8

Left winger

28

6

4

Right winger

7

4

0

Attacking midfield

3

1

0

The recent rumours surrounding Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike make for compelling reading, but it’s just hard to envisage a world where Newcastle win the race for the £85m-rated centre-forward while keeping Isak on the books too.

And Isak is staying. Thus, a more pragmatic, but still impressive, deal for a Premier League-proven and positionally dynamic player in Wissa could prove the order of the day for Newcastle as they look to polish off this remarkable squad of Magpies.

Full list of right wingers: Anthony Elanga, Jacob Murphy

Full list of left wingers: Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, Jack Grealish

Full list of strikers: Alexander Isak, Yoane Wissa, William Osula

Elanga's new Gibbs-White: Newcastle leading race for £40m "magician"

Newcastle are hoping to make more signings after landing Anthony Elanga.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Jul 12, 2025

Wayne Rooney has backed Jack Grealish to make an England comeback after he joined Everton on loan in the summer. Grealish ended his struggles at Manchester City during the transfer window by completing a switch to the Toffees. He has made a bright start to his journey on Merseyside, registering four assists in three Premier League games.

• Rooney backs Grealish for England comeback
• Has four assists for Everton in three games
• Joined on loan from Man City

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Grealish has not appeared for the Three Lions since their Nations League clash against Finland last October. Since Thomas Tuchel took charge of the national team, the Man City flop has remained out of the national team set-up. However, Manchester United legend Rooney feels that the talented attacker will make a return soon.

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• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  After completing his switch to Everton, Grealish made an appearance from the bench against Leeds United in the season opener, but was included in David Moyes' starting line-up in the club's next two fixtures against Brighton and Wolves, and in both matches he contributed with assists.

• WHAT ROONEY SAID

  Speaking on podcast, Rooney said: "After the final, actually, the Euros, gave, I don't know what, he gave one of my boys his shirt from the final, which they were delighted with. But, yeah, listen, he's a very gifted player. He's a little bit different to what England have. So, we just hope he gets back in the squad. I'm not going to, yesterday, I'm sure there's a possibility of that. But yeah, no, he's just getting back playing, enjoying his football, that's the main thing for him."

  Rooney added: "Yeah, you know, Jack's a really kind-hearted person and I don't think that comes across as much as it probably should. He's got a big heart, he's very respectful and I think by not playing at Manchester City it was very difficult for him I know it was. But going to Everton, it's a club which he's going to get the time and the space to go and play and enjoy his football and he's started very well. Hopefully that continues."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR GREALISH?

  The 29-year-old will be back in action for the Toffees next weekend, as Moyes' side take on Aston Villa in a Premier League clash on September 13 at home. He will be determined to continue his fine start to catch Tuchel's eye.

England opener says crowd “saw quite a good day’s cricket” after early close greeted by boos

Valkerie Baynes06-Sep-2024As the booing sounded from a good-sized Oval crowd who felt they were being robbed when the umpires ushered players from the field for a second and final time on a weather-blighted day, Ben Duckett, for one, didn’t see the need to argue.He was already out, having scored a rapid-fire 86 in conditions that should have suited Sri Lanka after they had won the toss, his innings having laid the foundation for England’s impressive 221 for 3 from just 44.1 overs possible on the opening day of the third and final Test. Given the scoreline – and storyline – with Ollie Pope making a defiant run-a-ball 103 not out, Duckett felt spectators had got their money’s worth.”I think they saw quite a good day’s cricket in the short amount of time there was,” Duckett reflected at the end of a day which had included an earlier stoppage for bad light, which lasted nearly three hours through the middle of the day, and the another just before 6pm that sparked the angry reaction in the stands and ultimately led to stumps being called half an hour later.”That’s living in England and playing cricket in England, they’re the conditions. It’s very easy to sit there as a supporter and want to see more cricket but if it does get really dark and more dangerous, we’re the ones out there playing. I did make a joke saying if they wanted to bowl double spinners before lunch they could do. They weren’t conditions for that. Both sides did it at Old Trafford, went double spin, but when the lights were on and the ball was nipping around a bit, the umpires were taking us off and we’re going to have to go with their rules.”Related

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The earlier interruption seemed particularly contentious with conditions not appearing vastly different to those that greeted an on-time start. It did become darker and the faintest mist gave way to a light rain shower while the players were off for the first time but in an afternoon session that ran from 3.10pm to 5.10pm the light was as good as it had been all day. As the gloom threatened to return, it signalled the beginning of the end.Duckett said the batters weren’t consulted ahead of either stoppage, with the umpires directing the players from the field, and while he gave no indication that he wanted to go off for the first – on the contrary he highlighted having to “start again” afterwards – he was resigned to having to abide by their decision.”I’m sure if it was that same Aussie attack last summer, bowling in those conditions, you’d probably want get off the field,” Duckett added. “It does have a big impact when those lights are on and they’re fully on and the ball starts swinging and nipping around a bit more. To be honest, it’s got nothing to do us. You don’t really get the option any more. If the umpires take you off you’ve got to go with their decision.”Sri Lanka had opted for a pace-heavy attack, dropping spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, and clearly missed a trick by failing to take early wickets under overcast skies and following heavy rain through the early hours of the morning.Aaqib Javed, Sri Lanka’s fast-bowling coach, put that down to his charges becoming carried away by the promise of the conditions and failing to execute as a result.”What we did wrong is we didn’t get the good areas because there was a lot going on in the mind, ‘oh this is the best day of swing bowling,’ and that chance of taking wickets and sometimes trying to calm them down, excitement levels, it’s sometimes too much,” he said. “So far I think we’ve been doing really good with the new ball, the bowlers, but today I would say they got carried away with the expectations. When you have high expectations, then you go down very quickly because there are bowlers looking at each other, [saying] ‘oh my God, that was the best opportunity, missed it!'”A little bit of disappointment but there’s still a lot in this game so we have to show our character tomorrow morning, the bowlers will rest and come up with something better than this. We got it wrong in the morning with excitement, overexcitement, I would say.”Lahiru Kumara conceded 81 runs in 12.1 overs for his two wickets, while Asitha Fernando went wicketless for 58 runs from 14 and Vishwa Fernando ended the day with 0 for 29 from seven. Milan Rathnayake was the other wicket-taker with 1 for 34.